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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Okay so you’ve booked your Disney vacation - now what? If you’re like me you have a long countdown until you can say “I’m going to Disney tomorrow!” A lot of people think that once you have your lodging and park tickets booked that you are set to go; however one of the best things to enjoy in Disney are the endless food options! And since I highly recommend the Disney Dining Plan you’re going to want to take advantage of making reservations as far in advance as you can (which will most likely soon only be 120 days in advance instead of Disney’s usual 180 days).  Having a schedule/itinerary for each day of your trip will not only keep you organized, but it will also ensure you get to do and see what you want to while you’re there. It takes a little research and planning but my feeling is, you are paying this money to go, you should make the most of it!

 Here is an example of a schedule we use when planning our Disney trips.

My first step is to always check park times, fireworks/parade schedule, and Extra Magic Hours**(you must be staying at a Disney resort to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours) times before making any decisions about where I will be on which days. This will become especially important since Disney is reducing the amount of times certain parades and shows (ie Fantasmic) will be performed. These events are on my “must do” so I try to schedule my trip accordingly.

Once you have determined that, then move on to deciding your dining reservations. Keep in mind if you want to eat at a park restaurant (ie Chef Mickey’s or Cinderella’s Castle) you will need to use a ticket to get into that park so plan to spend some time in that park before/after your dining reservation.

Resort restaurants usually are easier to plan but make sure you factor in enough time to get from one place to another.

 Example: Let’s say you want to eat at Le Cellier in Epcot, Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the California Grill in the Contemporary for the week of September 19th-26th.

On the 19th Epcot is having Extra Magic Evening Hours and Illuminations is at 9pm. I would try to plan dinner for around 7ish at Le Cellier and then you would be able to catch Illuminations afterward and still have a few hours in the park! On the 21st Wishes starts in the Magic Kingdom at 8pm. I would recommend having a late dinner again in the California Grill around 7pm because watching Wishes from the observation deck on top of the Contemporary is an amazing sight! For Boma, some people may want to pick any day to do Animal Kingdom and then just head over for reservations on Boma in the Animal Kingdom Lodge for an earlier dinner since Animal Kingdom closes around 5. Although some people like to clean up before dinner after walking around a park all day and may want to schedule time to go back to their resort for showers and maybe even a nap before heading off to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for Boma reservations. Your schedule may look like something below: **Note you can add your confirmation number for your dining reservations right on the schedule

You can fill in the rest how ever or even leave the rest of the days blank and let the rest of the vacation come what may!

 The downside to planning like this for many people is as they say “a vacation is for relaxation” and vacation is about getting away from the schedules and routines of everyday life. True. Schedules like this are not meant for everyone and especially when traveling with little ones where it’s not always possible to stick to a schedule.

I would recommend using this as a guideline for your trip though. I always feel bad at first for people who return from Disney and said they had a horrible time and will never go back. I kindly ask them why and everytime it always seems had they done a little research and planning their trip would have been much different.

 Also keep in mind this can be used just as a guide for how your trip will play out. You can certainly deviate or even change your plan when you arrive.

So for me, it’s always better to plan and schedule but we all make our own Disney Magic in our own ways!

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