Magical Kingdoms Disney Blog

Wristbands Removed for EMH

WDW Resort guests attending evening Extra Magic Hours will no longer have to go through the rigmarole of queuing for an EMH wristband as Disney have confirmed the system has been scrapped with immediate effect. Instead, guests will be required to produce their “Key to the World” room keys or any other valid resort ID to cast members before riding the attractions.

FWC Gets some TLC

Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground has commenced its extensive upgrading of the resort area and the amenities therein.
Improvements include the addition of supersize RV/Camper bays (to accommodate even the largest of motor homes), cable TV and internet availablility, a mini water park, a specialist dog park, cart rental refinements and the introduction of a guided Segway Tour around the resort’s grounds.
With Fort Wilderness joining the ranks of Disney’s ’moderate’ class resorts recently, perhaps these changes are an effort to bring the campground’s facilities into line with the likes of Disney’s Caribbean and Port Orleans Resorts, thus justifying the change.
Read more on this story here.

Toy Story 3

Jodi Benson, who provided the voice of Ariel in Disney’s Little Mermaid, has revealed that she will be starring in Toy Story 3 as the voice of Barbie. Michael Keaton is to provide the voice of Barbie’s other half, Ken in the much-anticipated film.
Set to open on June 18, 2010 the movie will see Woody and his toy-box friends dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, leaves for college.

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Following on from my last article, here I’ll look at whether the full dining plan is worth paying extra for.

What does the standard dining plan include?

Per package, per night, each guest is entitled to:

1 Table Service Meal -
Full buffet & non-alcoholic beverage
OR 
Entree, non-alcoholic beverage & dessert (except at breakfast)

1 Quick Service Meal -
One entrée OR one complete Combo Meal
One dessert (Lunch or Dinner) or one juice (Breakfast)
One single serving non-alcoholic beverage

 1 Snack -
Choose from:
 - Frozen ice-cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
 - Box of popcorn
 - Single serving grab bag of Frito-Lay’s chips
 - One 20oz bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dansani water
 - Single piece whole fruit
 - Medium fountain soft drink or apple juice

 The package costs $39.99 extra per person, per night.

This time, for the purpose of this article we’ll imagine you’re on a 7 day visit to Disney World. 

Day 1 - Magic Kingdom

~ Morning snack from The Lunching Pad at Rockettower Plaza
Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel - $3.79  

~ Lunch is at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe 
Bacon Double Cheeseburger - $7.59
Triple Chocolate Cake - $3.59
Minute Maid Orange Juice - $2.39

~ Dinner - Your little Princess is desperate to eat in the Castle and meet Cinderella, so you’re using two of your table service credits to eat at the Cinderella’s Royal Table “Dreams Come True” Dinner.
Cost = $40.99

TOTAL = $58.35

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom

As you used two table service credits for yesterday’s dinner you only have a quick service and snack credit to use today.

~ Lunch is from Pizzafari
Hot Italian Style Sandwich with Chips - $7.09
Apple Pie - $3.59
Coca-Cola  - $2.39

~ Afternoon snack is from Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Carrot Cake - $3.59

TOTAL = $16.66

Day 3 - Epcot

~ Breakfast is at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Boma
$16.99

~ Afternoon snack from the Electric Umbrella
French Fries w/cheese sauce - $2.89

~ Dinner is from Liberty Inn
Bacon Double Cheeseburger - $7.59
Mickey’s Crisped Rice Treat - $2.69
Minute Maid Apple Juice - $2.39

TOTAL = $32.55

Day 4 - Blizzard Beach

~ Lunch is from Avalunch
Turkey Club Wrap - $6.69
Itzakadoozie - $2.39
Sprite - $2.09

~ Afternoon snack from The Warming Hut
King Size Chips - $2.39

Then it’s back to the resort to get freshened up for dinner…

~ Dinner is at ‘Ohana at Polynesian Resort
$26.99

TOTAL = $40.55

Day 5 - Disney’s Hollywood Studios

~ mid-morning you get thirsty and grab a drink from Toluca Legs Turkey Co.
Nestea Iced Tea - $2.39

~ Lunch is at Toy Story Pizza Planet
Woody’s Meal Deal - $8.09
Chocolate Chip Cookie - $1.89
Minute Maid Lemonade - $2.39

~ Dinner at 50’s Prime Time Cafe
Golden Fried Chicken - $14.99
S’mores - $4.79
Chocolate Milk - $2.00

TOTAL = $36.54

Day 6 - Magic Kingdom

~ Breakfast is with the characters at Crystal Palace
$18.99

~ Lunch is from El Pirata y el Perico Restaurante
Beef Taco  - $5.99
Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Bar - $3.29
Diet Coke - $2.39

~ Afternoon snack is from Aloha Isle
Dole Whip Soft Serve - $2.89

TOTAL = $33.55

Day 7 - Epcot

~ Mid-morning snack is from Kringle Bakeri og Kafe in Norway
Waffle - $2.49  

~ Lunch is at Sommerfest in Germany
Bratwurst - $6.39
Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce - $3.59
Dasani Bottled Water - $2.00

~ Dinner is at Rose and Crown Pub & Dining Room in United Kingdom
Bangers and Mash - $15.99
Baileys Irish Coffee Trifle - $5.99
Espresso  - $3.19

TOTAL = $39.64

Is it worth buying the full dining plan?

For this comparison I’ve tried to choose a variety of different menu items, and have also used two table service credits for one character meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Two table service credits can also be used to get one private dining meal, or a dinner show, which I haven’t looked at here.

The total for the above 7 day’s worth of meals = $257.84

Disney Dining Plan would have cost = $279.93

So, as you can see you’d be paying $22.09 more for the dining plan than you would have spent on meals, making it better value without the dining plan. Maybe if you used your table service credits differently, and bought the most expensive thing on the menu at every place, you’d come out on top, but I doubt you’ll save a huge amount by purchasing the dining plan, whichever way you look at it.

If you can get the dining plan free on one of the promotions run by Disney, then you’ll be laughing, otherwise I’d recommend not bothering.

(Prices shown for comparison purpose only, and may have changed since data was gathered.)

© 2008 Magicalkingdoms.com

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The Magic Your Way Package plus Quick Service Dining is new for 2009, following on from the success of the standard Dining plan. One question I hear asked a lot is if it’s worth paying extra for the dining plan. That’s what I hope to answer with this article.

What does the Quick Service Dining plan include? 

Per package, per night, each guest is entitled to:

2 Quick Service Meals - 
One entrée OR one complete Combo Meal
One dessert (Lunch or Dinner) or one juice (Breakfast)
One single serving non-alcoholic beverage

2 Snacks -
Choose from:
 - Frozen ice-cream novelty, popsicle or fruit bar
 - Box of popcorn
 - Single serving grab bag of Frito-Lay’s chips
 - One 20oz bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dansani water
 - Single piece whole fruit
 - Medium fountain soft drink or apple juice

Resort Refillable Drink Mug -
1 per person, per package

The package costs $29.99 extra per person, per night.

For the purpose of this article we’ll imagine you’re on a 4 day visit to Disney World. 

Day 1 - Magic Kingdom

~ Mid-morning snack is a piece of fruit from Liberty Square Market
Green Apples - $1.06

~ Lunch is from Columbia Harbor House
Fried Fish Basket - $7.09
Chocolate Cake - $3.59
Minute Maid Orange Juice - $2.39

~ Mid-afternoon it’s quite warm and you fancy a nice cool Mickey Bar ice cream from one of the ice cream carts
Mickey Bar - $2.50

~ Dinner is at Pinocchio Village Haus
Pizza Combo Meal Pepperoni - $8.09
Strawberry Shortcake - $3.59
Coke - $2.39

TODAY’S TOTAL = $30.70

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom

~ Breakfast is at your hotel, Sassagoula Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter
Ham and Cheese Omelet - $6.49
Minute Maid Orange Juice - $2.39
Espresso - $2.69

~ Lunch is from Flame Tree BBQ
Smoked Turkey Breast Sandwich - $7.29
Key Lime Pie - $3.59
Sprite - $2.39

~ Afternoon snacks are from Tamu Tamu Refreshments and Safari Popcorn
Chocolate Milk Shake - $3.69
Popcorn - $2.59

TODAY’S TOTAL = $31.12

Day 3 - Disney’s Hollywood Studios 

~ Mid-morning snack is from Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner
Apple Cinnamon Stuffed Dessert Pretzel - $3.79

~ Lunch is from ABC Commissary
Chicken Curry - $6.49
Chocolate Mousse - $3.59
Fanta - $2.39

~ Afternoon you cool down with one of Peevy’s Frozen Concoctions   
Fanta Blue Raspberry - $3.29

~ Dinner is at Rosie’s All American Cafe
Double Cheeseburger - $7.09
Chocolate Cake - $3.59
Minute Maid Orange Juice - $2.39

TODAY’S TOTAL = $32.62

Day 4 - Epcot

~ Breakfast is at Sunshine Seasons
Adult Breakfast Platter - $6.29
Apple Juice - $2.39
Hot Tea - $1.89

~ Lunch is from the popular Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the UK pavilion
Fish & Chips - $7.99
Shortbread - $1.69
Minute Maid Lemonade - $2.09

~ Mid-afternoon you’re tempted into Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in Norway
Rice Cream - $2.29

~ That makes you thirsty so you get a bottle of water from Cantina de San Angel
Dasani Bottled Water - $2.00

TODAY’S TOTAL = $26.63

Refillable mug - $12.49

So is it worth buying the QS dining plan?

For this comparison I’ve tried to choose a variety of different menu items, not necessarily the most expensive. Everyone’s tastes vary and each person will use their dining plan entitlements differently to the next person.

The total for meals on all 4 days, including the refillable mug = $133.56

QS dining plan for 4 days/nights would have cost = $119.96

So for this example you would come out $13.60 better off.

Obviously if you do your research in advance, plan where to eat to get the best value, and order the most expensive items on the menu, you can really get your money’s worth from the QS plan.

If you’re not a big eater, or prefer to eat at least one meal a day at a table service restaurant, the QS dining plan probably isn’t for you.

If you can get one of the free dining plan packages (one for UK guests has just become available) then it’s even better!

Happy eating!

(Prices shown for comparison purpose only, and may have changed since data was gathered.)

© 2008 Magicalkingdoms.com

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Walt Disney World Escapes Worst of the Weather 

Tropical Storm Fay’s presence continues to be felt around the Walt Disney World area as it very slowly moves off to the east of the State, although its effects are starting to subside. Only light winds and rain blighted park-goers experience yesterday, with the threat of an early park closing not coming to pass. Crowds were noticeably lighter than normal however, which meant short wait times at the attractions for those who chose to brave the conditions.
Although afternoon parades at both the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were brought forward to escape the weather, schedules have remained largely unaffected by the storm.
Today’s park hours will run as per normal, although conditions are likely to be much the same as yesterday, with weather bands on the outskirts of Fay passing through.
As for the Tropical Storm itself, the latest path has it predicted to ‘boomerang’ back towards the northern counties of Florida and into Georgia, picking up intensity as it reaches the Atlantic coast and possibly being upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane on its return inland.

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Walt Disney World 

**Tropical Storm Fay & WDW** 

After a quiet 2007 for Floridians, the hurricane season once again comes into focus with the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay on its southern shores. At time of typing, the storm is tracking across the Florida Keys and is expected to continue north and east, with Orlando and the WDW area being quite close to its predicted path.  Guests are being advised about any precautions they need to take and of changes to park and transportation schedules. With the worst of the Storm likely to hit later today and into tomorrow, all parks will open earlier than usual at 8am, with a closing time of around 5pm (subject to conditions) Disneyquest will also open early (9am), as will AMC theatres (10am). Both Spirit of Aloha dinner shows at the Polynesian have been cancelled today, with further cancellations possible tomorrow. The good news is that TS Fay is not expected to strengthen much as it moves inland, and damage is hoped to be minimal. 
Check out www.weather.com for the latest ’Fay’ updates.

 This years annual water park refurbishment dates have been announced. Blizzard Beach will close Sept 28th thru Oct 26th 2008, Typhoon Lagoon then picks up the baton and will close for an extended rehab from Oct 26th thru March 22nd 2009, although the end date could be a bit of a moving target. Its assumed the reason for such a lengthy rehab at TL is because of the recent problems to the wave pool, as we reported HERE. 

A new quick service venue is set to open within the Contemporary resort, named “The Contempo Cafe”. It replaces the Concourse Steakhouse as part of the ongoing dining changes at the resort. An opening date has yet to be announced, although fare is likely to fall into line with similar deluxe quick service menus.

“Cook off” to open 2008 Food & Wine Festival

Eight culinary experts will compete in an elaborate ‘cook-off’ style contest to win the honour of representing tha USA at the prestigious Bocuse D’or World Cuisine Contest during the opening weekend of Epcot’s 13th annual ‘Food & Wine Festival’
Taking place on the 26th & 27th of September, the eight two-man teams will lock spatulas in a battle of their culinary skills, before a prominent panel of tof chefs who will judge each of the dishes and ultimately decide who will progress and represent the US at the gold standard event, held in Lyon, France. There, 24 Teams from countries around the globe will contest for the honour of being crowned Bocuse D’or world champions. Walt Disney World guests can attend the event and observe the chefs in action, as well as sample some of their delicious creations.
Further details and ticket information can be found HERE.

Disneyland Paris

Eat Express at DLP

Want to sample the ambiance and menus of the table service restaurants but dont want to waste precious time that could be better spent doing the attractions? Well now you can, with select dining locations now offering a 40-minute express option during lunchtimes. The express menu’s are set at €19.90 and include your choice of entree, followed by a ‘gourmet’ coffee. Currently, the offer is available at the Silver Spur Steakhouseand Blue Lagoon Restaurant within the Disneyland Park, but may be extended to other venues if it proves popular.

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