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Monday, November 29, 2010

Magical Express - Disney's Complimentary And Convenient Transportation Service

There are so many things about Disney World that makes it stand out from other similar busineses, and their Magical Express is just one of them.

The Magical Express is Disney World's complimentary transportation service that gets you and your luggage from Orlando Internantional Airport to Disney World, and when your stay at 'Mickey's Place' is over, the Magical Express will get you and your luggage back to Orlando International Airport... All this - worry-free!

Here's how it works:

When you make your reservations to Disney World, make sure you request the Magical Express. Remember, it doesn't cost anything and can keep you from lugging your bags everywhere...

AllThingsDisney.com

Thursday, November 11, 2010

May I See Your Pins, Please ?

Cindy started trading pins in April of 2010, while visiting Disney World with one of her daughters, Annie. Here's an excerpt from her article:

Now, here is something to wonder about. Disney pins. Check out Disney cast members and they are typically wearing a lanyard with several Disney pins available for trade. You request to see their pins, and if you find one that you prefer more than one you have, swap!

You can start this Disney experience by purchasing a set of pins, with or without a lanyard or key card holder. Then just look around for pins that you like. It's a great way to strike up conversation with Cast Members; they seem to enjoy it as well. There are Pin Collector books, series of Pins, Hidden Mickey Pins, Princess Pins, Park Pins, Resort Pins, all sorts of pins.

I purchased a set of pins for each of my children a few years ago. Children, and only children, can trade with cast members wearing a green lanyard. My girls enjoyed it, their pin lanyards are their treasures, and they have always taken them on return trips to the World.

My first experience with pin trading happened in spring, 2010, after many trips to the world. My middle daughter, now grown, and I spent a long weekend in the world, doing whatever we wanted. I mentioned that I had some interest in this Pin Trading business and we purchased a starter set of Tinker Bell pins.
= = =
Click here to read the entire article

AllThingsDisney.com

A 4 Day Cruise On The Disney Wonder

Our recent 4-day Cruise on Disney's Wonder Cruise Ship from Cindy's perspective:

Julius and I had never been on a cruise, and with the DVC incentive, we shipped out on the Disney Wonder 4 day Bahama voyage with stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay.

Disappointments: I have heard for years from cruisers that I have met that the food on a cruise is abundant and delicious. Not so, but certainly adequate once we adjusted to the Disney schedule...

As Adults WithOut Children (AWOC), we found the activities limited. Disney is designed for families, and should be, ...

The food was excellent, the service was superbly Disney, and the stateroom was tight, but comfortable. Disney far exceeded cleanliness, ...

Castaway Cay was worth the trip. I expected a day on a deserted island with not much happening and limited services. Wrong. This day will long be remembered. Julius and I enjoyed the adult beach,...

AllThingsDisney.com

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Cindy's take on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney World:

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special ticketed event and Magic Kingdom park is open only to Christmas Party ticket holders, which means, a manageable crowd and during the Christmas season this is a very good thing.

My family spent the week of Christmas at Disney, and have no plans to ever go to Magic Kingdom on Christmas again. The crowd was so large and rude, I thought it was dangerous, particularly for children and handicapped persons...

AllThingsDisney.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Waking Up To Exotic Animals...

As I sit here looking over the balcony, I'm truly amazed at how Disney World has put all this together. Animal Kingdom is an AWESOME place!

Our goal is to visit all the DVC (Disney Vacation Club) resorts at Disney World, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge was on the list for me, but Cindy only agreed to it for my sake. Now she wants to come back. :-)

How cool is it to wake up with all types of exotic animals in your 'backyard'?... AND NONE of the zoo smells!

We pulled the curtains back a little before 8am, to find giraffe, giselle, antelope, wilderbeast and some type of vulture, all just coexisting, minding their own business and feeding...

After the folks came to get our bags for the cruise, we went down to the quick service restaurant Mara to get breakfast. It was pretty crowded, so we brought the food back to our room and ate while watching the animals.

It is really great to experience this, and whether you have children or not, you should stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, at least once.

We stayed in a Deluxe Studio Savanna View, and when we come back, we will definitely get a Savanna View room.

AllThingsDisney.com

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Animal Kingdom For A Day...

After a long day starting at 8:00am Saturday morning, Cindy and I finally arrived at the Jambo House at Disney World's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

It was around 6:30pm when we finally got up to our room, and dusk was starting to set in, so we went straight to our balcony, just in time to see a couple of giraffes and I believe a wilderbeast... And a rabbit :-)

That was really COOL! Where else can you look from your bedroom balcony and see safari animals? Ok, there may be some other places, but I've never been there!

After marveling at the whole scenario, we went down to Boma's to eat dinner. That was another really nice experience, and I recommend it to anyone.

It is an African quisine, buffet style restarurant, but has the normal American dishes, so you can't go wrong.

We left Boma's and went to Magic Kingdom to view the "Wishes" fireworks display, mulled around for a little bit and went back to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to get some rest.

Tomorrow (Sunday) we'll be leaving for our 4-night Disney Cruise, and we're both excited!... Woo Hoo!... Can't wait!

AllThingsDisney.com

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Spirit Of Aloha Dinner Show At Disney's Polynesian Resort

The dining experience at Disney's Spirit Of Aloha Dinner Show was unlike any thing I had experienced at the other Disney World restaurants to date.

First, after getting off the monorail and making our way to what seemed like the other end of the Polynesian Resort, we stood in line, for a few minutes and talked with each other and some of the other guests waiting to be seated.

When our turn came, we checked in our reservation and were then directed to the photographer, to pose for a couple of photos. If you don't know already... some of the restaurants in Disney World will have you take photos with one of their photographers, and later, while you're dining, the photographer will see if you want to purchase the photo... Aw, come on!... Everyone has some sort of gimmick to retrieve more of that ever-vanishing cash from your pocket... Don't expect Disney to be any different... They are after all - a BUSINESS - though a really fun one!

All this is taking place outside. Disney's Spirit Of Aloha Dinner Show is an outdoor experience, although the dining area has a roof over it, it is still open.

Everyone seemed to be hungry and ready to eat again, even though we had eaten at The Turf Club Bar & Grill only a few hours ago... Must have been the stress of the trip :-)

Our meal began with an appetizer of salad, pineapple and hawaiian bread...

AllThingsDisney.com

Citrico's - Fancy Dining At Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort

Citrico's - sounds like one of those really ritsy restaurants, doesn't it?

It is! Located on the second floor of the Grand Floridian Resort, it is one of the finer restaurants in Disney World. Citrico's is one of those that just reeks of expensive taste. The food, the service, the prices... All say expensive :-), but it is definitely worth digging into the pocketbook!

In comparison to some of the other expensive restaurants (the 2 Table Services for the Disney Dining Plans), I would list Citrico's in my "A" list of the Disney's Signature restaurants. Definitely 5-star rating, along with California Grill, The Turf Club Bar & Grill (although not a 2 Table Service on the Disney Dining Plans or Signature restaurant, but I love their food and service), Artist Point, Flying Fish and the Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Our evening started with us arriving five minutes before our reservation. We waited less than ten minutes in the lobby before being seated at our table by Boris (from South Africa). From the time you walk in the lobby of Citrico's, you know you're in a "well-to-do" restaurant...

AllThingsDisney.com

The California Grill In Disney World's Contemporary Resort

The first time going to the California Grill was in December, 2009. Cindy and I went with Karl and Terri Rosenhan, as part of their 10th Wedding Anniversary Vow Renewal, along with the Bransons (Mike, Sondra and their son, Hayden).

We had an absolutely wonderful time, from our server, Walter, to the food... We experienced both quality service and delicious food, and vowed to come back...

And so we did... In July, 2010, Cindy and I once again enjoyed the fine cuisine at the California Grill. This time we brought a little group of our own, including my mom, Martha Covington, my sister Dianne Wright and brother-in-law, Jeff Wright, and my younger daughter, Renae Covington.

The food was just as good as before, and all our guests thought it was there best dining experience overall, although they enjoyed every place we took them...

AllThingsDisney.com

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Disney World's Hollywood Brown Derby, located in The Hollywood Studios theme park, is based on the Original Brown Derby, in Hollywood.

Whether you're dining outside or inside, you get the feel of what it was like at the Original Brown Derby. I prefer inside dining myself (you know, the air conditioning, etc.), where I can look around at all the caricatures on the wall, the class and ambiance of the 1920s and 30s, when the stars of that era frequented the restaurant.

Cindy and I first dined there in December of 2008. Being almost two years ago, I can't remember what appetizers we had, or what my entree was, but Cindy is positive that she had the Spit-roasted Half Chicken.

I do remember that I tried the Grapefruit Cake for dessert. It is a Brown Derby Original, and although it was decent, I can say I was overwhelmed with delight over it.

Overall, our experience at The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant was really nice. Cindy gave it a 5-star rating, and I gave it a 4-star rating. We're going again this July (2010), and I'll put an update of that experience here then.

UPDATED July 5, 2010

AllThingsDisney.com

What Age Is Too Old For Disney World?

The first time I went to Disney World in June of 2008, I was fifty... (50)... the Big Five-O!... And my mind was pretty much made up that I was NOT going to see much that was going to impress me...

I mean Disney World was for kids - right?

Even the when the athletes won a major event, it was always "We're going to Disneyland" - NOT Disney World!

Disney World had Magic Kingdom and Tinker Bell, etc.

It just sounded like somewhere you took your young children, you know, young enough to enjoy all "that stuff" and just old enough not to think it was too corny!

Well, I needed a 'attitude adjustment' and Mickey and the gang gave me just that...

AllThingsDisney.com

Monday, June 14, 2010

Whispering Canyon Cafe in Disney World's Wilderness Lodge Resort

The Whispering Canyon Cafe... What can I say... It's one of the most fun restaurants in Disney World that doesn't have the Disney characters. It is definitey for the entire family.

Located in the Wilderness Lodge Resort, just off the main lobby, this restaurant stays full, and I highly recommend that you make reservations.

The staff there gets really serious about having fun.

Our server had a good time at our expense, and we all had a great time because of it...

AllThingsDisney.com

Monday, May 17, 2010

Cape May Cafe

Love seafood? Kids want pizza, mac & cheese, etc.?

Then dinner at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort's Cape May Cafe is the place for you!

They have a Character Dining at Breakfast for those of you that have little ones that want to see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the gang, but I've only been for dinner...

And what a GREAT time I had. (Yes, Cindy did too.) Our first time together there was December of 2009.

There were seafood based soups, salads, shrimp, lobster, mussels, clams, crab legs,...

AllThingsDisney.com

50's Prime Time Cafe

Remember the shows "Happy Days", "Leave It To Beaver", "Ozzie and Harriet", "My Three Sons", etc.?

50's Prime Time Cafe takes you back to that era and memories.

The restaurant is located in Disney World's Hollywood Studios Theme Park, and from the moment you walk in, you're taken back to the 'good old days'. Equipped with old furniture in the lobby, old television sets with the 1950 era shows playing on them, so you can watch the good ol' shows in black & white while you wait to be taken to your table.

Once you get to the dining area, you'll find it the 50's type kitchen furniture.

The servers make you 'mind your manners' and chastise you if they catch you doing things like putting your elbows on the table... It's great! I mean absolutely great!...

AllThingsDisney.com

Kouzzina by Cat Cora

Opened in 2009, on the Boardwalk, Kouzzina by Cat Cora, is a must visit! The cuisine is greek, complete with plate twirling.

Our first visit was in December of 2009. It was a rainy evening. We arrived about fifteen minutes before our reservation, and found people standing in the lobby waiting The vast majority of them also had reservations. I saw this as a good sign, however Cindy was a little perturbed at this point, and her words were "This better be worth it!"...

IT WAS!...

The food was absolutely delicious! We had the full course deal including appetizer and dessert. Cindy had the Cinnamon Stewed Chicken, and I had the Fishermen's Stew. We both loved our meals, and agreed that each meal was worth getting again...

AllThingsDisney.com

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Le Cellier Steakhouse, located in Canada, in Epcot, is one of Disney World's most popular restaurants. We have tried several times to book 5 months out and could not get reservations.

The first time I ate Le Cellier was June of 2008, and I must admit, I was not impressed at all. The food was ok, nothing spectacular, and the staff seemed a bit snooty. Cindy, my daughter Luvenia and granddaughter Fernan all enjoyed the food, so maybe it was just me, but I'm picky and expect great food and service for the price we paid. It is, after all, a restaurant in Disney World!

Now my second experience at Le Cellier was completely different...

AllThingsDisney.com

Monday, February 15, 2010

Have You Been Disney-fied?

June, 2008, another unsuspecting visitor to Disney World, will unknowingly, (as so many others before and after him), will become Disney-fied!

That unsuspecting visitor was ME!

Before ever going to Disney World, my thought was (as I'm sure are many adults who have never gone), "What's the big deal... It's just a big amusement park for kids." In my mind, I was taking my granddaughter, and that was cool, but I could not, for the life of me, understand why Cindy could get so has so excited about going. I mean she had been at least seven years in a row, and some of those years, she went more than once. So in my unknowledgeable eyes, was nothing but confusion about her excitement.

Come on! You been once, that's enough... Right?

Oh, but how wrong I was!...

AllThingsDisney.com

Friday, February 12, 2010

The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

The Turf Club Bar and Grill is fast becoming a mainstay for Cindy and I when we visit Disney World. Not only is it a nice restaurant, it has also been very convenient for us.

We have stayed at the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa several times, and being that The Turf Club Bar and Grill is their resident Table Service restaurant, we've dined there several times.

Our first visit, in December of 2008, was lunch. We were using the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. It was actually our first meal there after arriving...

AllThingsDisney.com

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Animal Kingdom's Tusker House Restaurant

Disney World's Animal Kingdom Theme Park has a really nice buffet style restaurant called Tusker House.

It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but only breakfast has character dining.

I had an opportunity to enjoy the breakfast with Cindy, along with my daughter Luvenia and granddaughter Fernan. We all had a great time and the food was pretty good.

You can read all about it: The Tusker House

AllThingsDisney.com

Friday, February 5, 2010

Restaurants Galore at Disney World

I've added a section of Recommended Restaurants on AllThingsDisney.com.

I'm only including the restaurants that Cindy and I have dined out. There are literally dozens and dozens of restaurants at Disney World, and you can read reviews about them everywhere online.

AllThingsDisney.com is about our experiences at Disney World, and as members of DVC (Disney Vacation Club), and although we would like to hear and post others experiences, you'll mostly get our perspective of things on the site.

AllThingsDisney.com

Monday, February 1, 2010

Disney World's Saratoga Springs Resort - The Affordable Deluxe Resort

The Saratoga Springs Resort has the same amenities as the other deluxe resorts, but is so much more affordable, whether your paying cash or using points as a Disney Vacation Club member.

Our first stay (December, 2008) at Saratoga Springs Resort was a big influence on our deciding to become DVC members. We stayed in The Springs section, and was actually across the street from the Carriage House, where both the Artist Palette (counter-service) and The Turf Club (table-service) restaurants are located. The Spa and Fitness Center, one of the swimming pools and two hot tubs, were also just across the street from us.

Our second stay (December, 2009) was in The Grandstand section of the resort, and it was really nice. We could see the Grandstand's pool and hot tub from our veranda, and the original Disney World golf course, The Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, pretty much surrounded us.

Our goal is to stay at all the Disney World DVC member resorts, at least once, and Saratoga Springs is definitely a favorite.

You can read the entire article here.

AllThingsDisney.com

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Planning Your Vacation At Disney World

Plan Your Disney World Vacation may sound like common sense advice, but I can tell you from experience that it makes a world of difference, especially if you have never visited Disney World before.

Disney World has Theme Parks, Water Parks, Restaurants, Rides, Resorts, etc. It is a HUGE place with so much to offer kids, families and adults.

Seriously planning your vacation will allow you to experience as much of the magic of Disney World as you can during your stay.

I suggest a few things in my latest article in my Disney For Adults section of AllThingsDisney.com.

Hopefully it will get you to seriously think about planning your next trip to Disney World (if you don't already).

AllThingsDisney.com

Monday, January 18, 2010

Saw The Princess And The Frog Movie Today

Went to the theatre with Cindy and her daughter Annie to see the movie "The Princess And The Frog".

It was pretty good. Same Disney quality and feel. Even the 'scary' parts were not really scary. A mom and her 4 year old daughter was sitting on one side of me, and the little girl was not scared at all (at least she seemed to be ok, when she said "that's the scary part mommy" rather nonchalantly, I might add.

Good music, nice vocals... Pretty much everything you'd expect to see in a Disney type movie.

I won't go into any detail... Don't want to spoil it for any of you that haven't seen it yet.

For those that have seen it, let me know what you thought.

AllThingsDisney.com

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Should You Become A Disney Vacation Club Member?

In my newest article on Disney World and All Things Disney, I give some of the benefits and perks to being a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member.

There are so many benefits, and if you're going to visit Disney World or any of the Disney locations, as well as do traveling and cruises, you should seriously consider joining Disney Vacation Club.

Read the article for more details and let me know if it was helpful!

AllThingsDisney.com

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Added "Disney For Adults" Section With First Article

Started another section of articles dedicated to adults having fun at Disney World. I call it Disney For Adults.

Finished the first article on the topic of the Disney Dining Plans, which I titled "Dining Plan Or NO Dining Plan". I tried to put as much useful info in it as I could think of, along with some of my own personal experiences.

I hope you like it, and find it useful.

AllThingsDisney.com

Added "About Us" and "Contact Us" info today

Working on the site today, and just added the About Us and Contact Us pages.

The About Us page has some interesting stuff on it. I briefly mention how I got involved in going to Disney World, joining the Disney Vacation Club, etc.

I hadnt worked on the site recently because my VISTA 64-bit computer really caused hassles with my website software, but fumbling around last night looking for something else, I found an older website software in a box upstairs that I used all the time...

Whoo-hoo! . . . I'm back!

I can now get more of the stuff I wanted on the site... articles, photos,etc.

AllThingsDisney.com

Monday, January 4, 2010

R & R at Disney World For Adults

Cindy Lynn has contributed another article at AllThingsDisney.com. This time it's on how to get Rest and Relaxation at Disney World as an adult.

Ok, I know what you're thinking... "Disney is full of magic, and brings out the kid in us"... Yeah, but the folks at Disney World are geniuses. They know that it's the parents that are paying for all that fun, and so they have so much that appeals to adults, that you want to visit Disney even if you don't have any children to take.

Check out all Cindy's articles here.

AllThingsDisney.com