Walt Disney World and Disneyland(s) Discussion

[Protozaius]

We ate breakfast there. I had the french toast which was filled with creme... it was more like a pastry. It tasted AMAZING... but rich. I didn't want to think how fattening it was.

I think bill was $45-50 dollar range, which includes the photos taken with the princess downstairs. Extravagant, I know... we probably were the only party from the Pop Century in attendance. We were on meal plan so I don't remember the exact price. I tried not to look too much at the receipts during the trip... I was on vacation, right?

Funny thing is, we were told beforehand that the dining experience at the Royal Table was going to count for two table servings each from our dining plan, but when we looked at the balance on the receipt, they only counted it as one.

I can't say enough good things about the meal plan option. I really enjoyed using it... it was VERY conveinent. The only drawback was that, in order to get the most out of it, you would be forced to order a dessert right after dinner... which is something that most times I was too full to enjoy. So we picked an option and had it to go.

And, as I remember, King Louie was postioned between the two... probably on the edge of Africa as you are approaching Asia. I was just happy that I caught him just as he was arriving at the meet and greet spot so we were the first in line! Those autograph lines can brutal. There was an hour+ wait for the Tangled meet and greet spot. Needless to say, my son left WDW without Flynn Ryder's autograph.

 

[Agent0028]

That breakfast sounds amazing... The dining plan is a great value and if I ever stay on at Disney for more than a couple of days I will definitely get the dining plan.

 

[cokebabies]

I'm gonna have to give a slight diss to the Castle breakfast. However, it comes with a huge asterisk.

I found it to be a bit overpriced for what you get, especially when they (correctly) bill you for two meals. You can go to the Yachtsmen Steak House for that price (which is A-freaking-MAZING) or, until they jack it up to two meals later this year, Le Celier in Canada for just one meal. Just two examples.

However, I do realize that the castle experience and character dining is a huge intangible when it comes to the price. If you are there with kids, it's great. My wife and myself? Eh. We love character dining, but aren't a fan of "real" characters who are just people... it's awkward.

And on the subject of character dining, a mega diss to 1900 Park Fare. WAAAAAY overpriced for the crummy buffet food you get. Might be the worst buffet I've ever done in a Disney park/resort.

As for the Dining Plan... WDW's is so good. You can really get much more than your money's worth, and having them pre-paid is a nice rationalization for pigging out on the great food. "Hey, we paid for it!"

I could eat at the Season's Grille every single day of my life, and could probably do my lunch counter meal every day and still be happy. Beet and goat cheese salad, and a key lime pie. <3

Which is why I was shocked about how genuinely AWFUL DLR's dining plan is. Not worth it in the slightest. You barely save money, and have to bend your schedule to go to a meal they make you go to. Bah.

 

[cokebabies]

I made a new post since this is completely unrelated to the previous.

It has to be said that the Toy Story zoetrope in DCA is one of the coolest things I have EVER seen.

I know the science behind it, and have seen cruder zoetropes. So when I saw it in the Animation building, I thought "That's pretty cool." Then it started spinning, and when the lights started flashing, I genuinely got chills the first time I saw it. I then proceeded to stare at it with my jaw on the ground. And then after that, proceeded to watch it for about a half hour.

It's actually a little bit creepy, because it REALLY feels like the characters are in front of you. Like in the movies when they go from limp dolls when Andy's around, to being real characters as soon as he leaves. When the lights start flashing, they really almost literally come to life.

 

[Coheteboy]

I made a new post since this is completely unrelated to the previous.

It has to be said that the Toy Story zoetrope in DCA is one of the coolest things I have EVER seen.

I know the science behind it, and have seen cruder zoetropes. So when I saw it in the Animation building, I thought "That's pretty cool." Then it started spinning, and when the lights started flashing, I genuinely got chills the first time I saw it. I then proceeded to stare at it with my jaw on the ground. And then after that, proceeded to watch it for about a half hour.

It's actually a little bit creepy, because it REALLY feels like the characters are in front of you. Like in the movies when they go from limp dolls when Andy's around, to being real characters as soon as he leaves. When the lights start flashing, they really almost literally come to life.

It is super cool isn't it? There's another one in Hong Kong Disneyland and I believe a third one that was on tour with the Art of Pixar exhibit.

 

[cokebabies]

Looks like they raised WDW's dining plan prices? I didn't look into the specifics yet, but now it's advertised as saving 20% over paying cash, where as it used to be 30% off.

 

[Coheteboy]

Here's a few more shots from my last visit.

Paradise Pier. I have to admit, I was flat out against putting Mickey's face on what used to be called the Sun Wheel. At night though, Mickey's vintage face and starburst is really charming.

A few shots from World of Color. There's fire...

But mostly lights and water

A bit of Tron segment

A show with Quorra should definitely get people in the front row wet.

That's all I got for now! Hope you enjoyed it.

Still lookining forward to more Walt Disney World pics and discussion!

 

[Darth Waller]

A show with Quorra should definitely get people in the front row wet.

Because of the show or because of Quorra?

 

[Protozaius]

Sorry for the tardiness of these pics... just SOOO much to go through. I just transferred 3 hours of video of our trip onto DVDs for the kids to watch at their leisure.

Anyway, I'll post more this coming Monday because it's a holiday. As per my daugther's request, I'll post some of my shots of the World Showcase which was her favorite part of WDW.

 

[cokebabies]

A handful from my past two trips (Protip: if it's raining in the picture, it's from my December trip). Nothing amazing, but the most you can get from a Powershot when you don't understand camera settings.

Boooooooo

The advantage of Magic Morning Hours:

 

[cokebabies]

The headboard lights up and plays music:

Ferris Wheel-eye view of DCA

I might get more up eventually, but I think I already killed the loading time of this page, so I'll stop.

This is my next writing project, getting my DLR trip up. I'd been pushing it back since I'd been doing a bunch of stuff for Zug. But I love Disney write ups, so this is next on the agenda.

 

[Coheteboy]

Great pics of World Showcase and great pics of Disneyland!

Love to see more.

 

[Coheteboy]

Great news in the Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion front. Gone are the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty Meet & Greets.. they're getting combined and will replace Snow White's Scary Adventures.

In place of the two giant meet & greets, a brand new Snow White Mine Roller Coaster!

Read up on it here:
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/01/update-on-new-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom-park/

 

[cokebabies]

So, along with The Great Goofini, now Fantasyland is going to have two children's coasters? Meh.

 

[Coheteboy]

So, along with The Great Goofini, now Fantasyland is going to have two children's coasters? Meh.

I certainly hope not! I mean... I'm expecting this to be more along the lines of a dark ride / coaster that tells a story with new ride technology (the tilting of the mine cars as they go). I doubt they would have two kiddie coasters in the same land. They need something like Big Thunder or Space but maybe not as rough since it's Snow White.

 

[Agent0028]

I think the mine ride sounds like a lot of fun, but I feel like they need to keep the rides that small children can go on. Something without a height requirement.

 

[Darth Waller]

Sounds great to me. New rides and areas are always nice to look forward to.

 

[Coheteboy]

I think the mine ride sounds like a lot of fun, but I feel like they need to keep the rides that small children can go on. Something without a height requirement.

True. Let's look at the ride tally of this new expansion shall we?

Fatalities:
-Snow White's Scary Adventure
type: Dark Ride


Repaints:
-Goofy's Barnstormer becomes Great Goofini
type: kiddie coaster


Additions:
-2nd Dumbo Carousel
type: carnival ride

-Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
type: dark ride (haunted mansion style)

-Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
type: coaster

-Princess Royal Hall
type: meet & greet

-Be Our Guest Restaurant
type: dining

-Gaston's Tavern
type: dining

-Enchantment something something with Belle
type: meet & greet

-Bonjour Village Gifts
type: store



Anyway... so... there's two new rides, one is getting a redress, one is getting expanded, and one is turning into a meet & greet. Not the BEST expansion ever but much better than what they had planned originally.

 

[Agent0028]

I like all the theming they are doing with the expansion though. I rarely go on rides in Fantasyland anymore, because those lines tend to be longer, but I still love walking through.

And damnation I can't wait to eat at Be Our Guest.

 

[Darth Waller]

And damnation I can't wait to eat at Be Our Guest.

And put their service to the test?