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Category Archives: Play Areas
Visiting Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort – Why It’s Worth The Trip
Port Orleans French Quarter is one of Disney’s Moderate Resorts, and it’s modeled after New Orlean’s historic French Quarter. It’s a great Resort to stay at, and it’s also a great Resort to visit, even if you aren’t staying there!
So why should you go out of your way to visit this quaint little resort?
Well, there are many reasons:
Atmosphere (and Romance!) – it is a quiet, laid back resort that really encompasses the New Orleans “big easy” style. When you walk in through the lobby, you enter a big open courtyard area where there are palm trees and cobblestone streets and smooth jazz music playing in the background (when we went, it was the holidays, so the jazz was Christmas themed!)
I recommend taking a leisurely, romantic walk around the resort and breathe in the smell of the magnolia blossoms and check out the landscaping – there are several beautiful courtyards with benches in them, where you can sit and relax (and it’s very peaceful!). There is a trail along the Sassagoula River that connects Port Orleans French Quarter to Port Orleans Riverside, and this scenic stroll really makes you feel like you’ve been transported to the Big Easy! This is an especially romantic thing to do at sunset, and if you decide to walk to Port Orleans Riverside, you can take an old fashioned horse and carriage ride through the beautiful woodlands of both Port Orleans Resorts (Here is some more information on the Carriage Rides)
Entertainment – The Resort offers live entertainment at it’s bar, Scat Cat’s Lounge every Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30pm-Midnight by Elliot Dyson, a New-Orleans style pianist who also plays the saxophone, sings, and has been known to play the guitar and steel drums on occasion too. And as if that weren’t enough, he is also hilarious (Here’s some more info on Elliot Dyson)
If you happen to miss Elliot, you can still stop in at Scat Cat’s for one of their specialty drinks, including the Southern Hurricane (Southern Comfort, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine), Sassagoula Swamp water (A blend of rum, gin, tequila and a secret touch!), or the Banana Cabana (Bacardi Spiced Rum and Creme de Banana liquor with coconut and pineapple juice served frozen). The Hurricane drink actually originated in New Orleans, which is why these are the house specialty here and are a definite must try!
If you have kids in your group, Port Orleans French Quarter has them covered too – they have a playground, as well as a video game arcade, and every night the Resort hosts an outdoor movie as well as a campfire (complete with s’mores!)
I also recommend that you stop in at Jackson Square Gifts and Desires for a little shopping and pick up a souvenir to commemorate your fun trip to Port Orleans French Quarter!
Specialty Food – Should you happen to get hungry after your walk, head on over to the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory for some New Orleans style cuisine – gumbo, po’boys, and beignets are all on the menu here, and the dining area is decorated with huge festive Mardi Gras decor that is sure to put you in a party mood!
So now that you’re ready to visit Port Orleans French Quarter, you might be wondering, “How can I get there?”. You can travel by bus from any of the 4 Theme Parks, and if you happen to be at Downtown Disney, you can take a boat to Port Orleans French Quarter, its a nice scenic ride over to the Resort!
Personally, I love Port Orleans French Quarter, I stayed there last year and can’t say enough good things about it (check out some of my pics here, and check out this post for more info on what makes it such a great place to stay!), and if you can’t stay here, then I highly recommend you stop by for a visit. So take some time and escape the busy Parks for a leisurely afternoon full of New Orleans charm at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort!
Related articles
- Cruising The Waters Of The World (chipandco.com)
- T.G.I.F Pic Of The Week – Missing Mardi Gras? Celebrate It Everyday at WDW’s Port Orleans Resort! (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
Fun Ways To Get Wet At Walt Disney World
While most families have plans to stay dry while visiting Walt Disney World, others look for ways to get wet and cool off on those hot, humid, summer days. Sure, you and your party can ride attractions that will get you wet such as Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids (or just stand on the bridges outside the attraction and try to catch a splash), but I’m referring to other ways to get wet!
The obvious is take a dip in the pool back at your resort, or spend a day at one of the water parks: Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. But did you know there are still other ways to get wet at Walt Disney World? (And I’m not talking about playing in the rain during the “summer showers” in Central Florida- however, that will work too!!)
- Find a fountain in the parks and stand downwind. If you’re lucky, you can catch a delightful breeze that has a mist from the fountain.
- Visit one of the misting stations: Epcot has the Cooling Station near Test Track and Hollywood Studios has a Coke bottle at the end of Pixar Place near Streets of America.
- Jump in the stream of “squirting water” at Star Tours (Hollywood Studios), the camels at The Flying Carpets of Aladdin (Magic Kingdom) or Stitch at The World of Disney (Downtown Disney).
- Play in the “splash pads” at Downtown Disney Marketplace as you enter from the bus stop or Epcot before the bridge from Future World to World Showcase.
- Play in the “jumping water” at Journey Into Imagination at Epcot.
- Splash in the water features outside Kali River Rapids.
- Rent watercraft, parasail or water ski on the lakes at Walt Disney World.
What is your favorite way to get wet on a hot day at Walt Disney World?
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Splitsville Rolls into Downtown Disney in Fall 2012
Each year, 55 million people try their hand a bowling around the world. Everyone finds a bit of joy in the experience from the avid league bowler to the weekend warrior. But the age-old image of bowling is about to change with the new opening of Splitsville, America’s Bowling Alley, at Downtown Disney this Fall.
”We’re really excited to be opening our doors in such a special place,” said Guy Revelle, co-founder of Splitsville. “Bowling is a perfect experience for groups of all sizes. It’s where families come together to create memories, children can teach adults, and friendly rivalries are born. Guests laugh, shout, cheer and bring back the timeless high-five. And that’s just in the first frame!”
If you think that this is your father’s bowling alley, think again. Splitsville’s 50,000-square foot, two-story Downtown Disney location will have 30 lanes, two kitchens, a dramatic balcony, ample outdoor seating, billiard tables and live entertainment.
”In a world of smart phones, tablets, texting and social media, people need an outlet to connect again,” said Mark Gibson, co-founder of Splitsville. “We believe that a concept centered around the classic sport of bowling, but with an improved atmosphere, upscale food and pleasant service, results in a surprising destination for people to have fun together.”
Located in the heart of Downtown Disney’s West Side, Splitsville puts a whole new spin on bowling with its emphasis on unique design. Guests will be greeted with upscale sushi bars, plush booths and dynamic decor overlooking the bowling lanes. The design blends both hip and retro elements, resulting in an energetic yet comfortable atmosphere.
”One of Splitsville’s differentiating features is its innovative interior design,” said Gibson. “The lanes are separated into several clusters, which create unique lines of sight and allow guests to view bowling from a perspective that you can’t find anywhere else. It makes for a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.”
”Splitsville is clearly going to be a great place to bowl,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “But I think our guests are going to be surprised that they can also go there for great food and to watch sports. That’s what makes Splitsville a perfect fit and such a great addition for Downtown Disney.”
Splitsville has taken great care to develop an exceptional menu that combines traditional and upscale offerings. With the help of award-winning chef Tim Cushman, Guests will find surprising elements such as fresh rolled sushi, grilled mahi-mahi with “Voodoo” shrimp and hand-cut steaks alongside alley-classics like cheeseburgers, crinkle-cut fries and pepperoni pizza.
“We have created a collection of sharable foods combined with unique beverages and signature desserts,” said Revelle. “Splitsville truly has something for everyone. We invite you to Roll in and Rock out!”
Related articles
- Rock out in Splitsville at Downtown Disney (chipandco.com)
- Splitsville is coming to Downtown Disney (chipandco.com)
Planning some down time with your kids? Use the Resort Playgrounds!
You’ve heard it suggested before; “Plan some down time away from the parks.” Often, a break in your day is suggested by visiting your resort pool or taking a nap. Or if you’re taking an entire day off from the parks, you may be planning on a monorail ride, a meal at another resort, some shopping at Downtown Disney or trying out other free things to do. But have you ever let your kids play on the resort playground? They’re almost always empty! This is a great way to let your kids run off some steam, while you sit nearby and watch peacefully. Think about it, you may have just pushed them in a stroller for an entire day, and they barely did any walking themselves! Turn that scenario around! Let them run around on a playground, while you do the sitting!
On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, we had two “non-park” days. The first thing we did after eating breakfast was head to a playground! We stayed at the Yacht Club which doesn’t have a playground of its own anymore, so we walked over to the Swan & Dolphin hotels. They have a nice playground with 2 slides, and it’s all in the sand! There was only one other child playing while my two kids ran around. My kids loved this change of scenery. They weren’t strapped into a stroller, there weren’t any loud noises from nearby attractions, and they didn’t experience visual stimulation overload with a “sea of people” swarming around them. They loved being outdoors and feeling free! And I enjoyed it too!
The playgrounds inside the theme parks can be so crowded! I usually don’t let my kids play on them in fear of “losing one” in the chaotic mix of kids. The resort playgrounds are quiet, entertaining for kids, and free to use! From what I’ve heard, the two best resort playgrounds on Disney Property can be found at Coronado Springs Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Next time you’re in Disney World, check out a Resort Playground with your kids!
In addition to writing for Chip & Co., Terri also writes for her blog Walt Disney World Hints. You can follow WDW Hints on Facebook too!
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- Planning a Non Park Day at Disney World (chipandco.com)
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Planning a Non Park Day at Disney World
Characters in Flight Downtown Disney
Did you know that outside the gates of Disney’s theme parks lies more magic? Working a day or so of “non park” entertainment into your itinerary can allow you to experience Disney’s magic outside the parks.
1. Downtown Disney-Downtown Disney is a marketplace of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s divided into three sections-Downtown Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney West Side, and Pleasure Island. You can visit the huge LEGO store, enjoy some Ghiradelli ice cream along the waterfront, or listen to live music at various times of the day. Or, take in a movie, Cirque du Soleil La Nouba performance, and enjoy the Characters in Flight hot air balloon attraction. If you have a gamer in your travel party, then Disney Quest might be a great way to cool off during the hot days. It’s an interactive, indoor theme park at Downtown Disney.
2. Resort Hop-What does this mean? Basically, you hop on the monorail, a Disney boat or bus for a different Disney resort than where you are staying. Staying at Contemporary? Hit the monorail and ride it over to the Polynesian to enjoy a Dole Whip at captain Cook’s and explore the grounds of this Hawaiian themed resort. The monorail will also take you to the Grand Floridian or you can take the boat to Wilderness Lodge. There are several EPCOT resorts within walking distance of each other. Disney’s Beach CLub Resort, Yacht Club Resort, and Boardwalk Inn are all on the Boardwalk area outside of EPCOT. Another fun excursion could be over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This resort has balconies for viewing the animals on the savanna, and the resort in and of itself is gorgeous. Exploring some of the theming, restaurants, and views from other resorts can be so much fun!
3. Disney’s Boardwalk Area-Speaking of the Boardwalk Resorts, hang around the Boardwalk for some non park fun. To get to the Boardwalk from your resort, simply take a Disney bus. At the Boardwalk, you can enjoy a surrey ride, movies from the beach, and fun street performers. This is also the home of Disney’s famous “Kitchen Sink” dessert. Literally, the most ice cream I’ve ever seen in one serving!
4. Watching Wishes-A “magical” way to end your non park day is watching Wishes from the Polynesian Resort beach. Perhaps plan a 7:00 or so dinner at Chef Mickey’s {at the Contemporary Resort} or Ohana {at Disney’s Polynesian REsort}. Enjoy your dinner, and take the boat or monorail to the Polynesian Resort. You can also enjoy Disney’s Electrical Water Pageant from the Poly beach.
Do you plan a day outside the parks? If so, I’d love to hear about it!
Magically Yours,
Carrie
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