Tasty Tuesday - Cape May Cafe Clam Bake

Good afternoon!

So I neglected the blog this week in favor of trip planning....I am so sorry!!  :-)  I promise to do better.  I had some drafts worked up, so I am completing them and they are all getting posted together!

Here is Tasty Tuesday (albeit on a Thursday!!)

Cape May Cafe - Clam Bake!!

First of all...YUM!!!  This is a dinner meal only.  They do have breakfast here as well, but it is a totally different meal and theme, so I will review that separately.

Details:

• Location: Beach Club Resort
• Meals Served: Dinner
• Style: All you can eat buffet
• Price: $$$
• Dining Plan: 1 credit
• Characters Featured: None

ADR Need: Medium

• Disney allows you to make reservations 180 days before your vacation.  If this restaurant at normal eating hours is important to you, you may need to plan that far out!  It's not always the case, but this really depends on when you go.  If you have your trip planned and book far out then I would definitely recommend booking far out.  

Would I recommend it?

• Yes.  Our family definitely enjoys this restaurant.  We are big seafood eaters and my husband definitely enjoys the all you can eat part!  The options are fantastic and my daughter highly enjoys the crab legs!  She just can't get enough.  They have a kids section of the buffet for the picky eaters out there, but if you like clams, crab legs, muscles, steak, etc...you cannot go wrong eating here.  We try to do it every trip!!  Definitely a family favorite.  
• Only headache is the location.  With it not in a park it can make it hard to get to if you don't have a car.  Plan it for a day you are in Epcot since you can exit through the International Gateway and get there.  If possible, and you eat early enough, you can head back into Epcot, catch the fireworks and a bus back to your resort.  OR you can take the boat into Hollywood Studios and have some late night fun there and catch a bus home.  IF both parks are closed the options for getting back to your resort are to take a bus to a park that is still open - only option here would be Magic Kingdom and get transportation from there OR take a bus to Downtown Disney and get a bus to your resort from there.  There is no resort to resort bussing unfortunately.

The Menus (courtesy of All Ears):

• Dinner Buffet

Happy Dining!!!  :-)

Resort Review - Art of Animation Resort

Let's take a look at the Art of Animation Resort!  The newest Disney resort!  Filled with family suites and a small section of stander rooms, there is something for everyone!

Welcome to....

Home of iconic Disney characters and some newer ones too, this resort really showcases Disney Animation!


Here is a great video tour from AllEarsnet.com

Overview

Some Facts:

• Website: Disney's Art of Animation Resort
  
• Online Overview Flier: Art of Animation Flier
• Category: Value
• Location: Hollywood Studios Resort Area
• Rooms Available:
• Standard - Little Mermaid
• Family Suites
• Nemo
• Lion King
• Cars

Resort Map:

Have I personally stayed here?
No, we have not stayed here.  As a family of 4, we don't need the suites and the standard Little Mermaid rooms are never included in the discounts.

What I like about it:
I love the location of the resort.  Just like the Pop Century, it is so very centrally located.  It takes no time at all to get to most parks on property.  Again, like Pop Century it does not share a bus with another resort, which when utilizing the bussing system at Disney is a huge plus!  The food court is fantastic!  One of the best quick service locations on Disney property!!  We have walked over from Pop Century and eaten there several times and we have never had a bad meal.  The theming of the resort is amazing as well and the pools look like a lot of fun!!

What I don't like:
It's a value, but priced more in the moderate level when booking a family suite.  I hate that the Little Mermaid standard rooms are never part of ANY of the promotions because I will not pay full price!

Would I stay here?
If the price was right, yes!  Or if we needed the space that the rooms offer.

Thursday Tip - Signing Up for Jedi Training

Do you have a Star Wars fan in your family?  Are they between the ages of 4 and 12?  Then I am guessing that defeating Darth Vader may be the highlight of the decade for them!

Star Wars Jedi Training Academy is held in Disney's Hollywood Studios daily.  Show times vary, so be sure to check the times guide located throughout the park.  This is one of the most popular things to do in Hollywood Studios.  Many do not know that you have to sign up.  Years ago it was that they picked people from the audience.  You got up close and they randomly selected children, but a few years ago they started the sign up.  It is completely free to participate!  Some are angry that it is now an event you sign up for, but really everyone gets an equal shot this way too.  I guess there are arguments for and against it.  Regardless, you MUST preregister for it.  

My son in 2011 fighting Darth Vader.  I think he was slightly Star Struck!  He has since done it 2 more times - again fighting Darth Vader and the last time he got to fight Darth Maul!

Here's how to ensure your little Jedi gets to train with a Jedi Master and fight the one and only Darth Vader.

1. Get to Hollywood Studios at least 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time.  If the park is opening at 9am, be there and ready to walk through the gates at 8:30am.  A little known fact is that Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios routinely open before the posted 9am.  If it is an Extra Magic Hour Morning for Hollywood Studios and you are a Disney resort guest get there early still, but you don't need to be there at 7:30am.  (It couldn't hurt though!)  The exception to all of this is traveling during Star Wars Weekends.  (I will cover that in it's own section!)
2. Ok you got to the park bright and early.  They start letting people in, but where do you go?  Sometimes they have a cast member holding a sign, but not always telling you how to get there, but for you....a map!  Notice the "OR" - go the way that the least people are going, it shouldn't be to bad if it's not a really busy time of year.  Walk briskly and have the Jedi WITH YOU!!  The child signing up must be present at the sign up!!!
   
3. Once you get there you will be in a line, unless you have beaten everyone there, then you are good!  The line moves quickly and they start assigning shows.  They start with the first and move on through.  When they get to you they will speak to you and the child, but they will ask your child specific questions - How Old?, etc.  Nothing hard at all.  They will then assign you a time and give you a ticket to come back 30 minutes before.  If that time is a conflict you can ask to be moved to a later show, but do it right then.  For instance - if you have a Fastpass+ reservation for Toy Story Midway Mania at the same time as Jedi Training, that won't work, so tell them and they will work with you.
4. Show up 30 minutes before at the same location.  You will want to send one parent to get a spot close to the stage to be able to see your little Jedi!!  Jedi Training Academy takes place on the stage right next to the Star Tours ride.  Another show may be just finishing up when you arrive so wait for them to clear out.  Be sure to secure a space for the parent that is with the child too!  

That pretty much covers it!  Take lots of photos and videos!  If you purchased the Memory Maker there is a photo pass photographer there taking GREAT shots, so make sure you get the card to be able to upload it to your account.  You can get the card regardless and buy some of the photos taken up front at the Photopass shop.

IF IT IS STAR WARS WEEKENDS PLEASE READ:

1. The park opens at 8am on SWW.  That is the posted time.  They will start letting people in as early as 7:30am, I have heard even earlier, so try to be at the main entrance by 7:15am.  You will want to see the opening show anyway!  :-)
2. You have the opportunity to fight either Darth Vader, Darth Maul or Ventress.  However - you CANNOT request who you will fight.
3. Sign ups - follow the same path....BUT sign ups will be at the Indiana Jones Theater.  There will be a cast member carrying a sign if you got there at opening telling you where to go.  
4. Be sure you have your Jedi with you!

Memory Maker - what is it?

Good evening everyone!

So Disney now has a new package add on that is featured FREE in one of the current promotions, called the Memory Maker.  What is it and how much is it are the usual questions when I tell people about the Memory Maker.  So here ya go!

Memory Maker is the NEW name of Disney's Photopass PLUS service.  It is basically the same except you now get your photos in the form of a digital download instead of hard copy (some restaurants) and on a Photopass CD.  That's really the only difference.  But what is Photopass Plus?

First - Photopass is a technically a free service offered throughout Disney.  You will see your friendly Disney Photopass photographers throughout the parks, restaurants, and at character meet and greets as, well as certain attractions.  They look something like this:

Photo courtesy of Allearsnet.com

I say technically free because they don't charge you anything to take your photo and you can ask them to take some shots with your personal camera as well.

Second - the photographer or ride picture person will scan your card and your photos will be saved on your photo pass.  With the Memory Maker this is now all done with your Magic Band!  Super easy!!  Everything is then linked to your My Disney Experience.

With repurchasing Memory Maker you are buying the rights to all of your photos taken by photo pass photographers, etc.  This means you can go to Target or Snapfish or wherever you like to get photos printed out and have them printed for WAY less than Disney charges you.  Our last trip we had over 500 pictures!!  Magic shots are really cool and you can't get those with your personal camera.  It really is worth the $149 for a prepay.  If you start to add up the cost of getting all the photos individually you will see that it truly is a huge savings.  :-)

Tasty Tuesday - Coral Reef Restaurant

Good morning everyone!  Today I am going to tell you a bit about the Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot.  Located inside the Seas with Nemo and Friends - AKA The Living Seas, this seafood restaurant has something for everyone and a front wall that you won't find at many restaurants!

Photo courtesy of the Disney Food Blog

Details:

• Location: Epcot - Living Seas Pavilion
• Meals Served: Lunch and Dinner
• Style: Table Service - menus
• Price: $$$
• Dining Plan: 1 credit
• Characters Featured: None

ADR Need: Medium

• Disney allows you to make reservations 180 days before your vacation.  If this restaurant at normal eating hours is important to you, you may need to plan that far out!  It's not always the case, but this really depends on when you go.  If you have your trip planned and book far out then I would definitely recommend booking far out.  

Would I recommend it?

• Yes.  Our family definitely enjoys this restaurant.  The kids are visually stimulated by the aquarium wall and enjoy looking for the sea creatures on their placemats.  We have never had a bad experience here as far as service or food goes.  I have read mixed reviews though, but my personal experience has always been good.  We are almost always able to secure a reservation here and I would recommend dinner over lunch if you are on the meal plan as it is a better bang for your point!!  :-)  I myself love the Lobster Ravioli, while my husband usually gets some sort of steak dinner.  The kids even enjoy it food wise as there is a great selection for them as well!!  I would say if you want to experience a different kind of look and feel to the traditional restaurant and you enjoy seafood then this restaurant will be a winner for your group!!

The Menus (courtesy of All Ears):

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Kids Menu

The inside:

photo courtesy of wdwinfo.com

Enjoy!!!

Magical Monday...on Tuesday!

Hey everyone!!

So our holiday weekend was crazy busy and I forgot yesterday was Monday, so I am a day behind on the blog.  :-)  Sorry about that!

We had such a great family weekend, minus the crazy snow storm that ended our week last week!  We had soccer and dance fun on Saturday and then Sunday we headed to the circus in Philadelphia!  It was really neat!  I hadn't been to the circus since I was a little kid, so it was fun to see it again and to witness it through my children's eyes too.  Boy though their water, food and souvenir prices rival Disney!!  $14 for cotton candy that came with a flimsy hat?!  What???!!!  LOL  Ah well, it was fun!  Then we spent the day with friends on Monday, all in all a winner of a weekend!

Our area has been slammed with one winter storm after another, I don't know about your neck of the woods, but I am ready to pack it up and move it all south, at least for the winter!!

In Disney news and tidbits this week - dining review will be posted ASAP, and a fun Thursday tip is also on the horizon as well.  I have also started writing up a review on Art of Animation Resort.  Coming soon at Disney - the Flower and Garden Festival!  You can find a full write up from me right here on the blog, so be sure to check it out and learn more!!  Also Disney has introduced a package offer for the late, late spring and early fall - the Intro to Disney PLUS Memory Maker package.  I will  do a post all about the memory maker this week as well.  The room discount is ok depending on the resort you choose, but the memory maker is free and is a $149 value.  I do believe there will be a better discount offered for the fall sometime mid summer.

The Food and Wine Festival is in the fall and is held at Epcot.  Disney has extended this very popular festival by 2 weeks and has it starting mid September.  Beware of higher crowds with locals on the weekends!  :-)  But definitely a yummy event!!

The current promotion from dates through June 15th is still available to book!  Blocked out around Easter break, but other than that rooms are filling up fast!  You must book by March 31st.  So be sure to contact me and let me help you plan your perfect Disney vacation!!

Lastly - did you know the Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet held in Norway in Epcot is the most popular attraction on Disney property right now?!  Wait times have exceeded 4-5 hours!!  Would you wait this long to meet your favorite character?  I think they need to come up with  new plan on how to fix this issue, but until then I will wait and meet my two favorite Disney sisters another time!  :-)

That's all for now Disney friends!!

Make this Monday....err Tuesday Magical!!!

~Teresa

Resort Review - Pop Century

Let's take a look at POP Century Resort!  What is your favorite decade - 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s?  Looking to relive some of your childhood?  Check out the Pop Century Resort!!

Welcome to....

Home of tye dye cheesecake, large icons from several decades, groovy tunes, and fun times!


Here is a great video tour from AllEarsnet.com

Some Facts:

• Website: Disney's Pop Century Resort
  
• Online Overview Flier: Pop Century Flier
• Category: Value
• Location: Hollywood Studios Resort Area
• Rooms Available:
• Standard
• Standard Pool View
• Preferred
• Preferred Pool View

Resort Map:

This awesome map is courtesy of a great thread on disboards.com dedicated to Pop Century.  It shows the details of the different room locations!  I used this exact map in planning my last trip!

Have I personally stayed here?
Yes - Our family has stayed there on our last four Disney vacations.

What I like about it:
I love the location of the resort.  Although it is listed as being in the Hollywood Studios resort area it is so very centrally located.  It takes no time at all to get to most parks on property.  I enjoy that it does not share a bus with another resort, which when utilizing the bussing system at Disney is a huge plus!  The rooms work for us, as we are only there minimally to sleep and midday rests.  The quick service restaurant - Everything POP - has a large variety to chose from and can accommodate even picky eaters.  We really just enjoy the resort and the theming!  Definitely my favorite value - which is another thing we love - the price is right!!!

What I don't like:
It's a value and with that comes some downgrading.  For us the pros outweigh the cons.  For some the cons may be - double beds instead of queens.  We are so tired we don't seem to notice!  The rooms are smaller and there is only one sink vs the two you get when you upgrade to a moderate.  The pools, while fun with the theming, do not have water slides or hot tubs.  Definitely has a bit more of a motel feel.

Would I stay here again?
Of course!!  In fact we are planning our next trip now and while I am pricing other options I know we will end up here!  It really is becoming "home".