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Category Archives: Top 5/10
Top 5 Ways to Experience Disney World Like a VIP
Tired of the crowds and long lines? Ever wish you can experience Walt Disney World like a VIP? You can! I’ve got five ways for how you can experience some special treatment at WDW; but let’s just keep this between us, okay?
5. Go When Crowds are Low-Many Disney regulars will tell you that the best, and sometimes only, time to visit Walt Disney World is when the crowd levels are low, such as mid-January to Spring Break, post-Spring Break to June, and after school starts to about the second week of December. During these times, the lines are almost non-existent, you find yourself with more time and less stress, and it’s a great feeling not to shuffle through crowds. You really do feel like a VIP! However, many families don’t have the flexibility of being able to travel at the low attendance times; and if you’re one of them, you can still experience what it’s like to have a non-crowded, almost private park! How? For one, I suggest arriving before rope drop at the parks. The parks usually don’t get crowded until an hour or two after opening; and the first hours of the day offer extra experiences and little to no waits. You can also tour the parks at night during one of the fireworks displays and parades. Lines and crowds are fewer because guests are all on Main Street or on the curb waiting for the show! Lastly, if you’re a Disney Resort guest, take advantage of Extra Magic Hours! These are reserved only for Disney Resorts guests and let you get in the parks earlier or stay later.
Animal Kingdom Snack Attack: Where To Head When Hunger Hits
I don’t know about you, but I like to hit Disney’s Animal Kingdom as soon as it opens in the morning. I grab a quick bagel and coffee at the Kusafari Coffee Shop and Bakery and head for my favorite rides like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids
By about 11 am, I am usually done with my “must-do” rides, and am ready for a late morning snack. Where do I head? Well, I check out these Top 5 Animal Kingdom Snack Spots:
Yak and Yeti – This counter service location in Animal Kingdom’s Asia offers some truly unique meal options, and their snacks are special too! Grab an egg roll, or a basket of fries, or some banana pudding or chocolate mousse to satisfy your sweet tooth. Beer (Bud Light and Safari Amber) as well as assorted soft drinks are available here as well
Kusafari Coffee Shop and Bakery – Over in Africa you will find this “sweet spot” that offers breakfast items as well as some delicious fresh baked goods like srownies, white chocolate elephant cupcakes (link), cookies, coffee beverages, and bottled drinks too
Campfire Treats – Camp Mickey/Minnie is a great place for the kids, and it’s a great place to grab a snack too! This kiosk offers funnel cakes, as well as soft serve cones and dishes, floats, worm n’dirt sundaes, and strawberry shortcake
Harambe Fruit Market – This is really more of a fruit stand, it offers apples/oranges/bananas, as well as mixed fruit cups and pineapple bites. Pick up some trail mix or a soft pretzel to boost your energy levels, and don’t forget a frozen lemonade to help beat that Florida heat!
Dino Bite Snacks – If you have worked up an appetite enjoying all that Dinoland has to offer, then head to this snack stand for a fresh hot churro, or an old fashioned hot fudge sundae, waffle cone, or ice cream cooke sandwich! You can always skip the ice cream and enjoy a cookie or chips with a soft drink or coffee too
So what’s the best snack that Animal Kingdom has to offer? Personally, I love the Brownie Paw at Kusafari – thick fudgey brownie base, covered with a chocolate ganache and then topped with a nice thick layer of vanilla buttercream frosting
But, the drinks offered at the various kiosks and carts in the Park are a close second – a brownie and a margarita may not sound like they go together, but trust me, they do.
But everyone has their favorites, so I would love to know what YOU think!
Related articles
- Events and Tours you don’t want to miss at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (chipandco.com)
- Disney to Celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom April 22 (chipandco.com)
Top 5 Underrated Disney World Attractions
Anyone planning a trip to Disney or who has been there before knows that are certain attractions that get a lot of attention and fill up the queues really quick. Therefore, some other Disney attractions that may not offer the latest technology or the biggest thrills sometimes get overlooked and are definitely underrated. This is unfortunate since some of Disney’s best secrets are underrated attractions. Therefore, I have compiled a list of Top 5 Underrated Disney World Attractions for you to check out on your next trip to Disney World!
1. Carousel of Progress-This attraction came from the mind of Walt Disney himself and was shown at the 1964 New York World’s Fair to raving reviews! Today, this show still runs in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom and has the honor of being the longest running show in American theater! The Carousel of Progress is unique in that the theater rotates around to different stages where you get to see how progress and new inventions impacted daily life in the early twentieth century. This charming show is both educational and entertaining. It’s usually not at the top of many Disney guest to-do lists; but it definitely should be! All ages enjoy it and it gives us a glimpse into the mind of Walt Disney himself.
Epcot Snack Attack: Where To Head When Hunger Hits
There are so many amazing restaurants at Walt Disney World to try out, but sometimes you don’t want a full meal, or sometimes you might get hungry in between meals and need a little something to get you through. This is where a snack might come in handy, and if you should happen to be in Epcot when the craving hits, then I highly suggest you check out these
Top 5 Epcot Snack Spots:
Sunshine Seasons – Head over to The Land pavilion in Future World and enjoy some goodies from this food-court style counter service eatery that features fresh salads, meats, sandwiches and Asian fare – all of which feature items grown on site at the Land’s greenhouses. For snacks you can choose from a large assortment of baked goods, including cookies, cupcakes, cheesecake, pies, and the always delicious strawberry shortcake. Assorted bottled beverages as well as coffee drinks are available here too
Karamell-Kuche – Located in the Germany area of the World Showcase, this spot features delicious baked goods and tons and tons of Werther’s caramel. Whenever I have visited this spot, the line has been out the door, and with good reason – their treats are irresistable! The Caramel Corn is one of their specialties, and is made fresh throughout the day, as are the caramel drizzled cookies, caramel apples, and assortment of chocolate/caramel covered items including grapes, pineapple, and pretzels. Even non caramel fans are sure to find something they will devour here!
Top 10 Tips For Visiting Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
I don’t know about you, but where I live spring has done nothing in the line of being sprung. It is still cold, dreary, and gray. Plants have fought the good fight and every now and then it seems like there will be a great big beautiful tomorrow, shinning at the end of every dreary day, but there is NOT…not yet. Spring will come. I am sure of it. I think…
So, in the absence of capri pants, sundresses, and the beginnings of warm days, I am dreaming. Yes, I’m dreaming of something Disney. Today, I’m dreaming of being at the parks, enjoying the warm sun and enjoying the many pool offerings available on Disney Property. One of the most fun Disney trips I ever went on with was a friend and her family. We drove down from South Carolina around midnight (no worries, we had a professional driver) and arrived in Orlando bright and early the next morning. After securing our rental, we took advantage of a day at Typhoon Lagoon. It was such a great idea! We rested, renewed, and enjoyed our time on the many attractions at this water park. I highly recommend adding in some water park days to your visit. The best park is you can really stretch your vacation buck, by purchasing park tickets with the water park add on. Water Park days don’t count as theme park days, so your vacation time can double by using water park tickets some days and theme park tickets for other days of your stay.
We really made a day of it at this awesome water park! Today I’m listing off my top tips for making the most of your time in the sun…if that EVER happens…though I’m sure it will soon enough! Take a look at my tips for Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon!
10. Bring Your Own Towels
There is a non-refundable charge to rent towels. Plan ahead and pack a few from home! Don’t waste money on drying off! Take a tip from Scar and BE PREPARED (maniacal laugh….maniacal laugh….maniacal laugh)!
9. Bring Your Own Food
There are quick service restaurants at Typhoon Lagoon to purchase food or use dining plan credits, but what I’m talking about here is food for snacking. I don’t know what it is about playing in the water that makes me so hungry, but I like to have food to snack on handy. Stash some snacks and enjoy your time in that lounge chair!
