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Category Archives: Resorts
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort to Feature RFID Technology
According to our friends at wdwmagic.com, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s guest rooms will feature RFID (Radio Frequency ID) proximity sensors in place of standard card swipe locks. What this means is that you can just put your key near the door and it will open. No more swiping the card until you get a green light. Disney has been conducting hard hat tours of the resort
The RFID technology is becoming increasing popular at the Walt Disney World Resort. The cards used in the popular Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game use RFID sensors and it is rumored to be a part of several NextGen projects including FASTPASS, Photopass, and park entry. Adding guest rooms to the list seems like the next logical step. I am guessing that if the project goes well at the Art of Animation Resort we could see the technology implemented at other Disney resorts.
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Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Features Landscape of Flavors Food Court
“Better-for-you” options at five mini shops serving breakfast, lunch and dinner is the theme of the Landscape of Flavors food court at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. The new restaurant will be adjacent to the lobby.
“The idea is that you customize your choices,” says Chef Ed Wronski, Director, Food & Beverage Concept Development, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “From burgers to pasta, salads, ethnic flavors, omelets, even parfaits and gelatos, everything is made fresh as you order.”
There’s a big focus on beverages, too. Fresh fruit smoothies are made to order, as well as lemonade and pomegranate limeade. Organic teas, beer (including gluten free), wine, coffee and juices also will be stocked. Half bottles of wine are paired with cuisine from the food shops.
Menu highlights:
- Create a salad at the Soup-Salad-Sandwich Shop, including a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on focaccia, or a Buffalo-style turkey sandwich with arugula and a blue cheese-Buffalo sauce-mayo spread. Both served with house-made potato chips.
- The World Flavors Shop adds Indian-African flair to breakfast, with scrambled eggs, tandoor potatoes, Portuguese sausage, slab bacon and a mini-naan; or a veggie flatbread sandwich on naan with cauliflower, spinach and paneer. Lunch and dinner is a choice of tandoori chicken or shrimp, Mongolian beef with vegetables, mahi mahi, Portuguese sausage or roasted acorn squash served with sides and naan bread.
- The Pizza Shop features make-your-own pasta, cheese and pepperoni pizzas and meatballs on ciabatta bread. Room delivery is an option, too.
- The Burger Shop includes a breakfast burger with chicken breakfast sausage, cheese and scrambled eggs on a multi-grain bun, and a steak-and-eggs breakfast burger with a burger topped with fried eggs, cheese and bacon. Besides the traditional burgers, lunch and dinner includes a surf and surf burger with crab cake and fried popcorn shrimp, and a pastrami cheeseburger topped with pepper jack cheese and a slice of fried green tomato.
- The “grab ‘n go” Market Shop offers drinks, yogurt, bagels, pastries, gourmet cupcakes, cookies and gelato.
The food court is part of the Disney Dining Plan.
Related articles
- Top Five Hollywood Studios Eats. (everythingwdisneyworld.com)
- New Menu Details! Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (disneyfoodblog.com)
5 Often Overlooked Quick Service Restaurants
Often overlooked these Quick Service restaurants are a hidden gem at the Walt Disney World Theme park!
There are two different types of dining at Disney World: table service and quick service. Table service restaurants are dining destinations that offer either buffets or served meals with appetizers, main courses, desserts, and service.
Meanwhile, quick service restaurants are set up like cafeterias offering quick, but tasty, menus where you pretty much serve yourself. However, quick service restaurants are not to be underestimated. Disney carries their use of theme, storyline, and design into these dining locations too; and some of the menus at counter service locations are incredibly delicious and a far cry from your standard theme park fare of simply burgers and fries!
1. Columbia Harbour House - This quick service location can be found in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom and it offers a great menu and setting. Columbia Harbour House has a New England, nautical theme set in the colonial period with dark woods, brass accents, anchors, and items from old ships decorating the walls. You will also find cupboards filled with dishes and fireplaces with odds and ends on the mantle and more in the dining areas, making you feel as if you stepped backed in time into real early America! Also, many don’t realize that this restaurant has a second floor. It’s rarely crowded there, dim and cool, and has windows overlooking the park and a great restroom. It’s a great place to escape the crowds! However, the seafood inspired menu here is the real star. At Columbia Harbor House, you can feast on a vegetarian sandwich, tuna, fried fish or shrimp, salads, and delicious Clam Chowder!
2. Sunshine Seasons – This quick service location can be found on the first floor of The Land pavilion at Epcot! Here you can dine right in the middle of all the action taking place in The Land with Soarin’ and Living with the Land right next door! The food at Sunshine Seasons is very unique in comparison to other quick service locations as some of it is actually grown inside The Land pavilion and it is the only place in Epcot’s Future World that serves breakfast! It’s also some of the best quick service food you can find in all of WDW, and a great place for those looking for a healthy meal. Sunshine Seasons offers different stations, each with their own menu. Some of the selections offered here would be Sweet and Sour Chicken, Rotisserie Chicken, a Flatbread sandwich, Strawberry Shortcake, and Soarin’ inspired Creme Brulee! Also be sure to look above to see four hot air balloons representing each season hanging from the ceiling.
3. Captain Cook’s Snack Company - Located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Captain Cook’s is a favorite quick service location among many guests. The breakfast menu offers standard breakfast fare, along with the famous Polynesian Tonga Toast, banana stuffed French Toast. For lunch or dinner, try to choose between a pork sandwich, stir-fry noodles, turkey club, chicken caesar salad, and a variety of flatbreads. In addition to being open 24 hours, this is also the only other place, besides Aloha Isle in Adventureland, where you can get a Dole Whip!
4. Riverside’s Mill -Port Orleans Riverside’s food court is one of the best! Here there are different stations to choose from, whether you are in the mood for sandwiches, salads, pizza, meat, or burgers. What makes this dining destination great is the setting and the Create-Your-Own-Pasta bar. Here you get to choose your own ingredients and the servings are huge! The food court is located in what appears to be an old mill with a huge waterwheel just outside. The high ceilings and variety of seating make this place appear huge! Plus, there are plenty of windows to let in light and provide a view of the waterwheel and the Sassagoula River; and the wooden beams, and relaxed, country atmosphere make it comfortable and charming!
5. Gasparilla Grill and Games – Located at the Grand Floridian, this quick service location offers a budget friendly, but yet tasty, menu for Grand Floridian guests or visitors and is open 24 hours. This dining location is both a mini food court and an arcade; but don’t let that stop you from giving it a shot. This Grand Floridian restaurant continues the resort’s light and airy decor, providing adults a pleasant place to eat and talk and kids a place to play! The menu here is also exceptional with a fabulous Caesar salad, the Grand Floridian Club Sandwich, stir fry, vegetarian lasagna, roast beef, and more!
So what is your favorite quick service restaurant at Walt Disney World? Did any of ours make your list?
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- Table Service in the Parks vs at the Resorts – Which is Better? Part 2 (chipandco.com)
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Disney World Quick Tips – Room Upgrades is it worth it?
Our last trip to Disney World we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The AKL is to me of the coolest resorts at Walt Disney World. When we booked our trip we picked the standard room. While not the largest room or the best view we were still excited to be at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Once in the room and walking out on the balcony we had a wonderful view of the parking lot. This is the part where there would be a “Wah Wah” sound effect. The way the AKL is set up all the animals are on the inside of the resort. Giraffes, Zebra, etc are only visible with the preferred rooms. What is the point at staying at a Deluxe Resort if you are not going to take advantage of one of the main amenities – The View!
So is the increase in rate worth the added cost?
I would say it depends on the resorts.
For example when we went in September of last year we stayed at the Boardwalk Inn & Villas. Again we did the standard room rate and not the preferred upgrade. We had a great view of the water slide but wished we would have paid the upgrade and had a view of the Boardwalk. To me it wasn’t a huge deal, nowhere near as bad as the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Would have been nice to see Illuminations: Reflections of Earth though.
Talking with Chris one of our local Pixie Vacations she had this to say about upgrading:
Should you upgrade your room? I would say no. For one it’s a lot more money for very little benefit. Unless you have a medical condition that makes it easier for you to be closer to the bus stop, skip it. The only preferred upgrade I believe in paying more for are the rooms at Deluxe Resorts that provide you with better views (i.e., theme park, water). Otherwise, stick with the standard room rate. And for goodness sakes, don’t pay for a “water” view at a value resort!
The only real benefit of a preferred room in the value and moderate resorts is being closer to the amenities: Pool, Bus Stops, Laundry, etc. But remember, being closer to the pool also means more noise. Unless you need to be closer to these things, don’t worry about it. Save your money.
So like Chris I believe it depends on the Resort. When we book our yearly trip next year we are shooting for the Beach Club Resort & Villas. Will I pay to upgrade the room? You better believe it.
If we were staying at the Pop Century Resort? Probably not.
I am not a travel agent but highly recommend using an Earmarked Disney Travel Agency like Pixie Vacations. Contact Chris at chris@pixievacations.com to book your Disney World vacation today. Be sure to talk to her about room upgrades and be sure to tell her Chip sent ya!
So what do you think? Do you pay for the preferred room upgrade? Let us know in the comment box below.
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10 Free or Cheap Things to do outside WDW Parks
When families travel to Walt Disney World they they know they will spend lots of money. They spend money on transportation to WDW, hotel room(s), meals, souvenirs and more. But did you know there are many free or cheap things to do at the Walt Disney World Resort that won’t break the bank?
1. Downtown Disney- Downtown Disney is a shopping, eating and entertainment area on Disney Property. Along with shopping and eating there are several free things to do.
- You and/ or your children can play in the interactive fountains to cool off on a hot Florida day. You can visit the Ghirardelli store and get a free sample of chocolate!
- At the new Lego Imagination Center, you and your children can play with thousands of lego blocks to build something special- just don’t forget to snap a pictur
e of your finished product! - You can also ride the carousel for $2 a person. If you are 21 and over, you can enjoy free live music at House of Blues and Ragland Road (with the cost of a drink!).
- At times, you can enjoy free entertainment (singing, concerts, dancers, etc) at the outdoor amphitheater outside of The World of Disney.
2. Fort Wilderness- movie, petting zoo, playgrounds, wagon Fort Wilderness Campground certain resorts for $8/adult, $5/child, ranch farm animals to see and pony rides for very small children from 10 am to 5 pm for $5
3. Electrical Water Pageant- This boat light parade, set to music, sails along The Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake nightly, usually starting at 9:00, from The Magic Kingdom resort area. The pageant takes about an hour, passing each resort along the way: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and Contemporary.
4. Resort hopping- All of the resorts on Disney Property are beautifully themed! It’s fun to just visit different resorts to take in the sights and theming and take fun photographs.
- The pools are only for resort guests, but I enjoy seeing the slides, waterfalls, bridges and geysers! Some of the deluxe lobbies offer entertainment, especially at Christmas.
- Some of the resorts (Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian and Yacht Club offer free tours to any Disney guest staying at any resort on property.
- Other resorts offer hidden Mickey hunts and other activities for children. While you’re there, check out the fun playgrounds as well!
5. Boardwalk- The Boardwalk is located around Crescent Lake nestled between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can find several resorts around Crescent Lake which are in walking distance to the Boardwalk entertainment district: The Swan, The Dolphin, The Yacht Club, The Beach Club and of course The Boardwalk. Once at the Boardwalk, you can shop and eat at several different stores and restaurants.
- Some of the free and cheap things to do at the Boardwalk are watching the street performers, play some carnival style games (for a small cost), take a ride on the Friendship Boats or rent a pedal boats for less than $10 an hour.
- If you are 21 and over, you can visit Jellyroll’s dueling piano bar for a $10 cover charge or visit Atlantic Dance Hall for dancing to DJ spun hits which usually has no cover.
6. Monorail/ Boat Rides- Most people ride the Monorail just to get from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom or from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom. But did you know you could hop on the Monorail and get view of other areas?
- You can ride the resort loop from the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary ending back at the Magic Kingdom. This is a great, free way to “resort hop” and see different resorts on property while enjoying the air conditioning on the Monorail!
- Boat rides are other free ways to see new things on property. You can ride the Friendship Boats around Crescent Lake (see above #5) or the boats that cruise around the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Magic Kingdom. The Seven Seas Lagoon boats will take you to the same resorts the Monorail Resort loop will take you.
- The last area where you can take a free boat ride is from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans along the Sassagoula River. This is my favorite boat ride as you pass Saratoga Springs, the Tree House Villas, Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, Old Key West and both Port Orleans Resorts.
7. YeHaa Bob- On Wednesday-Sunday nights at the River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside Resort, you can enjoy the free entertainment of Bob Jackson, aka YeHaa Bob from 8:30-midnight. YeeHa Bob is a musician, singer, comedian who will entertain the entire family. After the show he hangs around to sign autographs and take pictures.
8. Rent Entertainment- You can rent boats, canoes, and bikes at many different locations.
- Most of the Moderate, Deluxe and Vacation Club resorts have a marina where you can rent various types of watercraft. A kayak, canoe or pedal boat will be less than $10 for a half-hour rental
- All of the Disney resorts have some type of trail, but the trails around Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness are especially fun to rent a bike and explore. Bikes will cost $9.59 an hour.
9. Fishing- At all Disney fishing holes, the policy is “catch and release.” You can rent cane poles (worms are provided) at Port Orleans Riverside or Ft. Wilderness. The cost is $4 per half-hour per pole, or $9 for a full day per pole. For families, they run a special: $14 per half-hour for 4-6 poles.
10. Walking/ jogging trails- I believe all of the resorts on property have some sort of walking/ jogging trail, but some are more scenic than others! Here is a link to Disney’s list of jogging trails.
- At The Polynesian, you can walk along the beach and through the gardens between the Great Ceremonial House and beach. From the beach, you can view the Electrical Water Pageant and the evening fireworks over Cinderella Castle.
- At the Grand Floridian, you can walk around Seven Seas Lagoon and pass by the Wedding Pavilion. If there is not a wedding taking place, feel free to look inside!
- The Contemporary Resort and Fort Wilderness both have Butterfly Gardens. At The Contemporary it is in the back by the pool. The garden at Fort Wilderness is outside the Outpost.
- The Boardwalk has a beautiful path all around Crescent Lake that will also take you from Epcot to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you walk this path at night, you may be able to see parts of IllumiNations or Fantasmic!.
- If you spend time at Wilderness Lodge, stroll back past the pool and see a geyser spout on the hour beginning at 7am and ending at 10pm. You can also explore the woods between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.
- It’s worth it to spend time at Animal Kingdom Lodge to view the savannah outside the main lobby. You can walk around and see the different African animals roaming free. At night you can find cast members who will let you view the animals through night vision goggles.
What other free or cheap things have you found at the Walt Disney World Resort?
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