Celebrate the Seasons with New Duffy the Disney Bear Items

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

By Steven Miller on the Disney Parks Blog:

“Celebrate
The start of a New Year brings many reasons to celebrate. This year, there are two months of back-to-back holidays including Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. I caught up with Monty Maldovan, long-time artist with Disney Design Group, about some of the new merchandise coming for Mickey Mouse’s bear, Duffy the Disney Bear. Monty recently celebrated the release of three original art pieces, including one featuring Mickey and Duffy, at the Art of Disney in Downtown Disney Marketplace.

“I had a lot of fun designing some of the seasonal outfits for Duffy the Disney Bear this year,” said Monty. “We have some new things that our guests have told us they wanted including outfits for 17-inch bears and smaller sized bears that have been a hit!”

“Celebrate
The 9-inch Valentine’s Day bear has been extremely popular this year (at time of press there weren’t many remaining in merchandise locations). For St. Patrick’s Day, Monty designed a costume for a 17-inch bear that includes my favorite detail – a bow tie! Monty felt the bow tie was the perfect complement to the bowler hat (and here I thought it was because of my intense love for bow ties).

Monty also designed what may be my favorite Duffy item I’ve seen in the past two years – a 9-inch egg that unzips to reveal a 7-inch bear dressed as a baby chick. He said the design was inspired by previously released plush.

“We introduced Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse plush eggs about two years ago,” explained Monty. “Guests loved them, so we updated the colors this year and added a version with Duffy.”

“Celebrate
Other favorites will return this spring including two 12-inch bears. Gardener Duffy will be found at the start of theEpcot International Flower & Garden Festival on March 6. Monty said the pocket on the front of his overalls is big enough to hold a Disney Gift Card (smells like the perfect gift for someone with a green thumb). Graduate Duffy looks similar to last year’s design but features different colors.

“Celebrate
Finally, we released a series of new Hidden Mickey pins that has Duffy the Disney Bear sporting different Disney hats. These pins build on a collection introduced last year of Duffy wearing hats. Look for them on cast members’ lanyards at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Max Guggenheim’s 01/20/13 DLR photo report

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Max Guggenheim went to the Disneyland Resort on the 20th of January and captured some in progress magic! He was able to capture construction on Main Street Railroad station, Big Thunder Mountain, Mark Twain and Fantasy Faire. In this report is photo’s of Blue Bayou Bash and Blue Sky Cellar. Enjoy!

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Artwork being done at the parks.
 
Facade is covered with a tarp with a neat graphic of the train station while construction continues.
 

Fantasy Faire slowly being built up.
 

Royal Theater to the left and Royal Hall in the middle being constructed.
 

The purple tent is Royal Theater.
 

 

The Sailing Ship Columbia is operating while Mark Twain is under refurb.
 

Work being done on the center Fantasmic fountain platform.
 

 

Part of Limited Time Magic.
 

 

 

 

The stage where Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration
 

 

Decorations for Bayou Bash
 

More Mardi Gras decorations.
 

 

Additional Bayou Bash decorations.
 

Princess and the Frog meet and greet location.
 

Limited Time Magic special beverage and food selections.
 

Blue Bayou Bash Face Painting.
Check out Blue Sky Cellar at Disney’s California Adventure for details of Fantasy Faire.

























Video: Limited Time Magic – Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Watch as Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen parade down to the New Orleans Square waterfront and celebrate New Orleans Bayou Bash with Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration. New Orleans Bayou Bash runs January 18th – February 12th.

 

Special Mint Julips and banana beignets are available during Limited Time Magic’s Blue Bayou Bash.

Conner Purzycki’s 1/14/13 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Conner Purzycki went to the Disneyland Resort a couple of days ago and captured some soon-to-be magic!

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Fantasy Faire Construction
The wall now has the same paint scheme as the castle 
Big Thunder Mountain closed for refurbishment 
It was a windy day
Main Street Station under wraps 
WOW, under an hour for once 
One side of Mater’s is being repainted and resurfaced, more on that later 
I will have a more updated report up later today

‘Limited Time Magic’ Continues at the Disneyland Resort with New Orleans Bayou Bash!

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

From Erin Glover on the Disney Parks Blog:

Join Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen at the New Orleans Bayou Bash at Disneyland Park

It’s almost time to let the good times roll at Disneyland park with the return of New Orleans Bayou Bash! – this year, part of “Limited Time Magic” here at the Disneyland Resort. New Orleans Square will be decked out for a party, and so will some of your favorite Disney friends! New Orleans Bayou Bash! will come alive in New Orleans Square from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on the following dates:

  • January 18-21
  • January 25-27
  • February 1-3
  • February 8-12

Here’s a look at what is in store:

  • Princess Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration – Princess Tiana, Louis and Prince Naveen make their way through New Orleans Square to the Rivers of America, where a musical celebration takes place featuring tunes from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.”
  • Jambalaya Jazz Band – The popular band will perform their jazzy tunes along the streets of New Orleans Square.
  • Royal Street Bachelors – This Disneyland favorite will be found at the French Market Stage, and will be joined throughout the day by Princess Tiana.
  • New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band – Throughout the day, a rousing Mardi Gras procession will burst onto the streets of New Orleans Square. In traditional “second line” style, an umbrella dancer leads the mash-up of colorful performers and musicians.
  • Character Greetings at Court of Angels – Princess Tiana will be greeting Disneyland park guests along with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy in their Mardi Gras finest.

Video: A Salute to The Golden Horseshoe Revue

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Watch as the beloved show in Frontierland graces the stage of the Golden Horseshoe once more as Miss Lily hosts A Salute to The Golden Horseshoe Revue. The show is a part of Limited Time Magic and runs January 10-14, January 17-21, January 24-28 and January 31-February 4. Are you ready for a A Rip Roarin’ Good Ole Time?

Fun Eats at the Golden Horseshoe for ‘Limited Time Magic’ at Disneyland Park

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

By Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

‘A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue’ at Disneyland Park
Starting Thursday, get a taste of “Limited Time Magic” at the Golden Horseshoe at Disneyland park, where the celebration includes a special tribute to the historic “Golden Horseshoe Revue” but also includes some fun eats that will make the whole experience even more fun.

The bite-size renditions of the Monte Cristo are back, one of the all-time favorite Disneyland sandwiches. Indeed, the delightful little bites are on the “Limited Time Magic” menu just for this show that runs from January 10-14, January 17-21, January 24-28 and January 31-February 4.

“A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue” takes you back to the days of musical variety shows (the kind that Walt Disney loved), but the food is decidedly contemporary – crispy mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, chicken salad and those Monte Cristo nuggets served with sliced apples and blackberry jelly. (You still can get the popular chili cheese fries and the chili in a bread bowl with shredded cheese.) And a special sweet ending is red velvet cake with cheesecake mousse, raspberries and a snazzy can-can girl decoration.

To reserve a seat for “A Salute to the Golden Horseshoe Revue,” stop at the podium at the entrance to the Golden Horseshoe on the day you want to see the show. A cast member will issue a ticket for the preferred show time, based on availability, which you’ll need for admission. (Anyone old enough to remember that this is the way it was done back during the show’s original run?)

WDWNT: The Magazine – “20 Years Running”

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

20 Years Running

by Michael Truskowski

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When the Walt Disney World Marathon was first run in 1994, a few thousand runners took part. This year, for the 20th running of the race, over 20,000 took part in the 26.2 mile run. Not to mention the other 40,000 or so participants who participated in the weekend’s other activities, such as the Walt Disney World Half Marathon, the Disney Family 5K, and the Kid’s Races. As the sport of running has gone mainstream, the runDisney events have become some of the most popular on the Disney Parks calendar.

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My first Disney marathon (and my first marathon ever for that matter) was the 2011 Walt Disney World Marathon. Last year I stepped it up and ran my first Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge. The Goofy, for those who may not be aware, is comprised of both the Walt Disney World Half Marathon AND the Walt Disney World Marathon. That is a combined 39.3 miles over the course of two very early mornings. This year I went one step further, and ran my first “Dopey” challenge. Unlike the Goofy, the “Dopey” is not an official event. But every year several thousand Goofy runners add the Disney Family 5K to the weekend’s events, completing a 42.4 mile weekend.

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This year was a particularly brutal year thanks to the weather. The last several years have been very cold for Marathon Weekend. The 2010 Half Marathon actually had some snow fall at the start! I remember last year wearing multiple layers to the start line to keep from freezing before the race (I threw almost all those layers off at the beginning, which Disney collects to donate to local shelters). This year, however, things went completely in the other direction. At the start of each of the races, at 5:30am, the temperatures were already in the upper 60s, and by the end had reached into the 80s. While anyone who has visited Walt Disney World in July would think this a break from the heat, for a marathon, these were potentially dangerous conditions. Couple that with humidity of upwards of 97% and you had one of the hottest races I have yet run, and easily the hottest marathon. Disney was well aware of this and went so far as to post numerous warnings at the start line.

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As always, the weekend began with a trip to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo. A visit to the expo is required for all participants to pick up their race material. The expo is also the place to hear from running experts, as well as shop for all kinds of gear, including a massive official merchandise booth (bring money, LOTS of money).

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I had last run the 5K in 2011. The course was the same this year, with the only change being that the race now has a corral system at the start. It is still an untimed “fun run”, but the corral system is meant to help ease congestion by putting the faster runners in front (much the same as the system used at both the half and full marathons). There were 5 corrals, A – D, with D being split into two, one for runners only and one for the stroller division. The 5K is the only race that allows strollers, or anything not carried directly on the runner’s body for that matter. I was in corral A, so I do not know what effect this had, but they did seem to put a good amount of time between corrals, as the stroller division was beginning right as I was coming across the finish line.

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Morning two of waking up at 2:45am was for the Half Marathon. This was the first year I did not have monorail transportation to the start of the race as I was staying at Fort Wilderness. Much as I love the campground, I think I will be going back to the Contemporary next year as the buses certainly did add some time getting to the park. If you have never run the races before, fair warning: You have to get there EARLY. If you are any later than about 4am, you will be late getting to the start line. We got there before 4am and still managed to be a bit late, although that was due to much worse than usual congestion on the walk from the staging area to the start line (which is not a short one).

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One of the highlights of this year’s race was that the Castle Dreamlights were turned on when we ran up Main Street and through the castle. This was not the case in previous years, so I was very happy to see it this time (yes, this race begins so early that after running from Epcot to Magic Kingdom, it was still night).

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The way back to Epcot was when it got really hot, as the sun had then come out. This set the stage for the next day.

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The marathon is always the premier event of the weekend, and so much more so this year due to it being the 20th running. Among the 25,000 runners who gathered at the start line were 95 people who were known as “Perfect 20s”. These 95 people have run each and every Walt Disney World Marathon since they began in 1994.

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The course was changed for this year to celebrate the 20th. Rather than going through Epcot immediately after the start, the course instead followed the half marathon exactly up to Magic Kingdom and out. The first truly new experience was when the course entered the Walt Disney World Speedway. The course wound around nearly the entire length of the track, passing many of the race cars and exotic driving experience cars along the way. Exiting out of the speedway, the course then resumed its normal direction toward Animal Kingdom.

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By this point, I was really feeling the heat, and essentially downgraded my own race to a “fun run”. I stopped for many more pictures than I had in the past, which was a lot of fun. But the most fun moment of the course took place in Animal Kingdom itself. I had seen runners leaving the course to ride Expedition Everest in the past, but I was always running for time, so I bypassed it. This year, as time was no longer a consideration, I decided it was worth losing 5 minutes to hop on. It was just after park opening, and the ride had just started running for guests. But the normal crush of thrill seekers in the morning was not there, as they would have the cross the course multiple times, leaving the line empty except for the runners. I felt that coaster more than I ever have before, and it was a blast.

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From there, it was on to the most difficult part of the course, the highway. It’s hilly, there is not a lot to see, and almost no spectators (other than the drivers trying desperately to get to Animal Kingdom). By now it was hot, and I felt as though I was going to melt.

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The most significant change was next. Instead of turning back to go to Hollywood Studios, we kept going and entered the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. A full three miles of the race took place here. We got to run through almost every part of the complex, including the baseball field (which reminded me a lot of the Disneyland Half Marathon course running through Angel Stadium). Leaving the complex we passed mile 20, which was a special mile this year to commemorate the 20th running. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy were all on stage, and large puppet characters were out along the sides. The mile marker had every medal from previous years along the sides.

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After this, the course returned to normal, heading through Hollywood Studios, past the Yacht and Beach Clubs, and through Epcot to the finish. I was over an hour and a half off my normal time, a combination of all the stops and the general slowdown of the heat. But I got my special 20th anniversary medal, and my Goofy Challenge medal.

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I always feel so much better after the Disney Marathon than most others, mainly because, being in Walt Disney World, I don’t end up falling asleep. Instead, I get to walk off the pain by heading out to the parks. It is always great fun to see everyone wearing their medals around the park, with everyone saying congratulations to random strangers.

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It has been amazing to see how big runDisney has become even in just the last few years. Only a week later, the Tinker Bell Half Marathon took place in Disneyland, meaning many runners already have their Coast to Coast medals. The Disneyland Half Marathon sold out in only one day. I missed it, so will definitely be using the early registration option at the Expo next year. This was not my best marathon (okay actually it was my worst), and the weather made it extra challenging, but in a way it was the most fun. It was my 5th full marathon (it would have been my 6th had this year’s NYC Marathon not been canceled due to Hurricane Sandy). I fully intend to go back next year. If you want to join me, check out www.rundisney.com. Registration will open in the next few months. You can also sign up for other races such as the Princess Half Marathon, the Expedition Everest Challenge, the Tower of Terror 10 Mile, and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. So get training, and see you on the course!

Michael Truskowski has been a Disney fan for over 25 years. As a technology nerd, he has always been inspired by the innovations in the parks, particularly Epcot. He has completed two Walt Disney World Marathons (including a Goofy Challenge) and counting. He currently lives in New York City. Read more at www.michaeltruskowski.com

WDWNT: The Magazine – Magical Memorium: Kitchen Kabaret & Food Rocks

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Epcot Memorium: Kitchen Kabaret

by Tom Corless

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The Kitchen Kabaret Revue was a 13-minute audio-animatronic show that was located inside The Land pavilion, premiering on October 1, 1982 with EPCOT Center. The host, Bonnie Appetite, introduced the various acts in a musical review and comedy format that advocated healthy eating and provided a basic primer on the four food groups: Meat, Dairy, Cereal, and Fruits/Vegetables.

The entrance stood on the bottom floor, to the left side. The entrance used pastel colors like the remainder of Epcot, but looked like a Broadway theater with it’s marquee. The first waiting room had guests cross under another marquee, complete with a host of production posters along the walls. The final waiting are had a third marquee, calling the attraction simply “Kitchen Kabaret”. Once the doors opened and guests were allowed in the theater, they were greeted with a giant silver curtain that read Kraft Central Foods as they sponsored the entire pavilion at the time. Once guests were inside, the show would begin. The show went something like this…

 

 

Introduction

“Meal Time Blues” by Bonnie Appetite

Bonnie sings this at the start of the show. She looks a bit tired. She has cookbooks and her hair wrapped in a bun. The lights turn off, and the next performance comes.

Act 1

“Chase Those (Meal Time) Blues Away” by Bonnie Appetite and the Kitchen Krackpots

The Kitchen Krackpots band (containers of ketchup, mayonnaise, a spinning jar of mustard, etc.) rises from the floor and plays a boisterous ragtime intro, as Bonnie reappears, now in a showgirl or cocktail waitress costume, to “Thank you all for coming to (her) kitchen.”

 

Act 2

“The Stars of the Milky Way” by Dairy Goods and his Stars of the Milky Way

Mr. Dairy Good is a singing milk carton who emerges from a refrigerator holding an old fashioned radio-style floor microphone close to his mouth, crooning introductions to three dairy products—Miss Cheese, Miss Yogurt, and Miss Ice Cream — in the style of 1930s costume extravaganzas. Each of the dairy products performs a brief cameo in a stylized manner (e.g., Miss Cheese sings like Mae West). Every time they came out, ice cold fog would emerge from the freezer.

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Act 3

“Boogie Woogie Bakery Boy” by The Cereal Sisters

The Cereal Sisters—Oats, Rice, and Corn—sing a parody of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in the style of the Andrews Sisters, accompanied by a bugle-blowing bread slice. The bread slice wears glasses and is revealed when a kitchen cabinet is opened.

Act 4

“Meat Ditties” by Hamm & Eggz

Hamm & Eggz is a vaudeville-style comic rendition of The Meat Group Can Help You Keep Strong, in which Mr. Hamm and Mr. Eggz tell jokes and sing a few short ditties. At the end, Mr. Hamm gets angry because Mr. Eggz is telling corny jokes, and decides to split from the group to join another protein group. Some of the bits use sliding animated scenes to illustrate what’s going on, very much like the “All the guys that turn me on, turn me down” sequence from the Country Bear Jamboree. There are also running gags in this part of the show. Mr. Eggz’s bow moves if he’s laughing, and at the end of their parts, smoke bellows around them protecting these two from being seen moving into the ground.

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Act 5

“Veggie Veggie Fruit Fruit” by Colander Combo and the Fiesta Fruit

Night sounds, Latin percussion, and low lighting set the mood for this number, as the produce (broccoli, tomatoes, bananas, etc.) begin to chant “Veggie-Veggie-Fruit-Fruit! Veggie-Fruit-Fruit!” Bonnie Appetite, now in a Carmen Miranda-style carnival outfit, and perched upon a crescent moon that descends from the ceiling, sings. Here, another running gag is present. The center broccoli piece says “cha cha cha!” at times while his glasses flip up and down.

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Finale

“Kabaret Finale” by Bonnie Appetite and cast

Bonnie appetite lowers from the upper part of the stage in a strange gown while sitting on the moon. Bonnie and the cast sing a medley of each of their songs. All of the cast come back out, and Bonnie re-appears in her cooking apron and says good bye, before the curtains come down.

Nestle was scheduled to take over sponsorship of The Land in 1994, so the pavilion was the first in Epcot to be overhauled in the early 1990’s. In addition to changing Listen to the Land to Living with the Land, replacing Symbiosis with the Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable, and updating the pavilion’s dining and shopping, Nestle wanted to update Kitchen Kabaret to feature updated music and be more entertaining than educational. Thus Food Rocks was born on March 26, 1994.

Guest would still enter under a very bright broadway style marquee featuring the new name, but the waiting area was completely remodeled. The first waiting room was now very bright and featured many exhibits where guests could learn about good nutrition and the food pyramid.

The show was themed as a benefit concert for good nutrition hosted by Fud (pronounced food) Wrapper. However, the show was continually interrupted by the Excess, a junk food heavy metal band that detests nutrition. In the end, Excess lost their power as Fud Wrapper exclaimed “No power, you guys have been unplugged. There’s plenty of foods out there that are good to eat, but remember, always eat with moderation”.

The Audio-Animatronic characters in the show were food items with human features. The music was based on popular songs by well-known performers, with lyrics adapted to the topic of nutrition. For example, “The Peach Boys”, singing “Good Nutrition”, was based on The Beach Boys’ song “Good Vibrations”. Five of these acts used the voices of the parodied musicians themselves: Tone Loc, Neil Sedaka, Little Richard, The Pointer Sisters, and Chubby Checker all actually performed in the show. Many of the characters returned for the finale.

Here is a list of the acts in order, including what songs were parodied:

  •  We’ll Make It Count in the Kitchen – The U-tensils (Queen) – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
  • Good Nutrition – The Peach Boys (Beach Boys) – “Good Vibrations”
  • Every Bite You Take – Refrigerator Police (The Police) – “Every Breath You Take”
  • High Fiber – Pita Gabriel (Peter Gabriel) – “Sledgehammer”
  • Always Read the Wrapper – Fud Wrapper (Tone Loc) – “Funky Cold Medina”
  • Just Keep It Lean – The Sole of Rock ‘n’ Roll (Cher) – “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)”
  • Tutti Frutti – Richard (Little Richard) – “Tutti Frutti”
  • Vegetables Are Good for You – Neil Moussaka Neil Sedaka – “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”
  • Let’s Exercise – Chubby Cheddar (Chubby Checker) – “The Twist”
  • Give Us Junk – The Excess – original composition
  • Just a Little Bit – The Get-the-Point Sisters Aretha Franklin – “Respect”
  • Choose Before You Chew – U-tensils and Cast, Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”

The only characters re-used in the show was the milk. The new animatronic characters were mostly flat and featured simple moving facial features.

Food Rocks closed on January 3, 2004, with rumors that it had something to do with a large building being constructed just behind The Land pavilion, in the space set aside in the 1980’s for Epcot’s movie pavilion (which eventually evolved into the Great Movie Ride and the Disney-MGM Studios). On May 5, 2004, it was announced that Soarin’ Over California from Disney’s California Adventure would be cloned for Walt Disney World and replace Food Rocks. Despite replacing the show, the queue for Soarin’ simply travels through the former theater, leaving the Food Rocks stage encased behind the walls.

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Tom has been regularly visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort from the time he was 4 months old. While he counts over 100 visits in the last 22 years, he did not become a truly active member in the Disney fan community until the summer of 2007, when he decided to launch the WDW News Today website and podcast. Tom has since founded the entire WDWNT Network and become a published author on the subject.

 

WDWNT: The Magazine – “Have You Tried… Spending A Whole Day Resort Hopping?”

WDWNT on March 3, 2013

Have you tried… Spending a whole day resort hopping?

by Katey McGregor

Many of us know exactly how to spend an entire day in the parks.  Some know how to do all four parks in one day and still hit all the best stuff.  You know where to eat, where to play, and exactly how to get there.  And, many of us have even resort hopped or at least spent a day at the resort instead of hitting a park.  But, with over twenty different resorts at Walt Disney World,how in the world  do you spent a whole day resort hopping without missing something?  Well, the truth is, you can’t, but here’s a guide to show you how to hit all of the greatest must-dos that the Walt Disney World resorts have to offer in one day.

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Morning

Good morning!  Since it’s a resort day, the best way to start off is with a good lie-in.  Make sure you’re well rested because you’re going to be running around to different resorts all day!  My favorite place to start in the early morning is at the Grand Floridian for breakfast at the Grand Floridian Café.  I feel like this restaurant is sorely underrated and serves an exceptional omelet and fruit plate.  This feels like the brunch you always wanted to have but could never find back home, and it’s such a relaxed way to start the day.

After breakfast, head outside to the marina where you can rent watercraft by the hour.  Boating around the Seven Seas Lagoon is a unique way to explore the Magic Kingdom area, and the perfect time to do this is in the morning when the heat of the day hasn’t quite set in.

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Midday

After boating around the lagoon for a couple hours, hop over to the Beach Club Resort for some lunch and dessert indulgence.  Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is one of my favorite go-to locations at Walt Disney World (in case you didn’t know from my previous article about it), and it shouldn’t be missed on any resort-hopping checklist.  You can’t go wrong with the cheeseburger and a good old fashioned Kitchen Sink.  For those who are a little wary,or are on their own, the No Way Jose sundae is also delectable.

After stuffing your face at Beaches & Cream, work off some of the calories with a bike ride!  Traditional and surrey bikes are available across the lagoon at the BoardWalk Inn Resort, which is about a ten-minute walk away.  For those who don’t want to walk, however, a ferry is available that comes about every 15-20 minutes.  I highly suggest the surrey bike;it’s great for families or groups.  Ringing the bell as you ride around the Epcot resort area is a gas, and it’s a great way to explore the resorts that surround the lagoon.

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Afternoon

Once you’re done bicycling, it’s time to relax. Head over to Port Orleans-French Quarter and enjoy some beignets from the food court.  If you haven’t tried them already, you’re missing out.  This powdered sugar confection will have you addicted from your first bite, and the “streets of New Orleans” out the back doors of the Sassagoula Float Works will enchant you.  While enjoying your afternoon treat, take a walk along the Sassagoula River towards Port Orleans-Riverside.  It’s about a five to ten minute walk, and the view of the old south is charming. Port Orleans is a sprawling property that is just begging to be explored; a horse-drawn carriage ride is the perfect option.  The carriage rides depart from Riverside about every half hour from about 5 PM and run through both Riverside and French Quarter.  After a long day of boating and biking, taking a load off on a carriage ride is a great way to watch the sun set.

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Evening

After enjoying a relaxing carriage ride at Port Orleans, head to the Art of Animation Resort for dinner.  Landscape of Flavors, the food court, is by far one of the best quick service locations I have ever eaten at, and it cannot be missed.  The surf ‘n surf burger is a favorite of mine. However, there’s a “Landscape of Flavors” that is appealing to even the most picky of eaters.  Plus, this is a great opportunity to explore the new resort and its immersive environment.

After eating and taking lots of pictures with Lightning McQueen and Crush, hop back over to the Magic Kingdom area to the Polynesian Resort where you can relax on the beach with a Dole Whip from Captain Cook’s and enjoy Wishes! from afar.  If you’ve never watched Wishes! from the Polynesian’s beach, you’re really missing out on one of the best Disney experiences.  It’s separated from the hectic crowds of Main Street, U.S.A. and offers a more intimate viewing experience.

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Nighttime

After the fireworks, if you still have energy to spare, head back to the BoardWalk Inn Resort where Jellyrolls is just coming to life.  This over-21-only piano bar is one of the best-kept secrets of nightlife at Walt Disney World.  Exuberant and overly talented piano players play both old and new tunes, to which everyone in the audience is encouraged to sing along, and they always take requests.  Jellyrolls offers a great refuge for adults who still want to enjoy some good, clean fun- but without the kids.

Of course, this is just a taste of everything the resorts at Walt Disney World have to offer, but I think it’s the best place to start.  Even though the focus of every Disney vacation is the parks, the resorts cannot be overlooked.  So, have you ever spent an entire day resort hopping?  If so, what did you do?  Do you think I missed anything big? Let me know, and until next time, aloha!

Katey is a 22-year-old student at BYU-Hawaii from Woodstock, Illinois. Her favorite spot in the whole world is standing on the man-hole in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Katey has dreamed of being a part of the magic since she was young. Today, she is proud to call Walt Disney World her true home and takes deep pride in being a part of that heritage as a Cast Member.