This Month in WDW - March 2014

Crowds will start off slow and then tend to pick up towards the end of March as the Spring Break season really gets going.  Touring Plans has most of the month a moderate level.  (For full access to Touringplans.com and their awesome crowd calendar you can join or you can book with me and I will pass on the crowd levels for your trip!)

This year Easter isn't until the end of April, but spring breaks are at all different times of depending on your location.  Since some schools let out in mid May, they aren't going to a have a break the last week of April.  :-)

Plan on temps that range, but they should be leveling out to absolutely beautiful!!  March also brings with it the start of the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot!  So beautiful you must check it out!  (It runs through May.)

Park Hours for March 2014

Refurbishments throughout the World:

Magic Kingdom® Park
Splash Mountain Splashdown Photos Agrabah Bazaar Monorail - MK Express Pinocchio's Village Haus The Plaza Restaurant Big Thunder Mountain Pirates of the Caribbean	Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 7 - Feb. 13, 2014 Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 30, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 15, 2014 April 7 - 9, 2014 April 28 - May 1, 2014
Epcot®
None
Disney's Hollywood Studios®
Backlot Tour	Jan. 5 - Mar. 1, 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Festival of the Lion King	Jan. 6, 2014 - TBD

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
None
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Annual Refurbishment	Dec. 22, 2013 - Mar. 17, 2014

Disney's All Star Sports Resort
Grand Slam Quiet Pool Deck	Feb. 11 - 13, 2014
Sports - Resort Lobby Construction	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Game Point Arcade - Closed due to Lobby/Corridor work	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Disney's Boardwalk Villas
Villas Quiet Pool & Spa	Feb. 10 - Mar. 14, 2014
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Polynesian Resort
General Construction	Dec. 2013 - Mar. 2015
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
The Never Land Club	Jan. 28 - Apr. 27, 2014
Capt. Cook's - alternate Dining Experience available	Mar. - Jun. 2014
Great Ceremonial House - Lobby	Mar. - Dec. 2014

Downtown Disney® Area
Team Mickey Athletic Club	Jan. 27 - Jun. 13, 2014

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf
None

Special Events:

• Flower and Garden Festival starts on March 5th and runs until May 16th
• Flower Power Concert Series Line Up
• Features music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s
• Runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• See Times Guides for details on times

That about covers March!! 

Have a Magical Trip!!

~Teresa

Thursday Tip - Keeping Cool!

This post is from 2011....with so many of you planning summer trips and FL heating up I felt it was important to reshare this helpful tip AND update it with some of our experiences after traveling in June twice and September once!!

So you are in Disney and it is HOT!!!  Well several months out of the year it will be very hot down there in sunny Florida!  This tip is something that my mom and I started doing and man oh man do I love it!!

First the ingredients - wash clothes (can be found right in your hotel room), ice cold water, and preferrably a freezer, oh and a cooler that you bring with you to the parks.

Ok now what to do - drench the washcloth in ice water or just regular water if you have a freezer to put them in.  (Freezers are available in the room fridges that you get for free.)  Freeze them over night.  Now pack them in your soft sided cooler and when you are sweating and hot in the parks, pull out one of those great washclothes and use it to cool off!!

Along those same lines - freeze some bottled water!  Use it instead of ice to keep your cooler items cool and it will melt throughout the day for a nice cool drink!!

Edited and Reposted in 2014....more tips!!

We simply put the washcloths in ice water in a gallon ziploc bag now and carry them in our cooler.  It really is refreshing after having been on 3 trips during hot months now.




Something we invested in for our last trip was Frogg Togg Chilly Pads.  We bought them off of Amazon for a very reasonable price.  I did find that they helped and they were nice because they didn't get you wet like the washcloth will.

Two hot kids in Epcot!  June 2013

Cooling off with a smoothie!  Yum!

It really is imperative when you are there on hot days to stay hydrated and cool.  This can make or break your trip.  Take plenty of A/C breaks!  We will sometimes go to an attraction that we may
not have otherwise gone to just to sit in some A/C.  Have a cool drink and sit back and relax on a shady bench!!




Just always remember - a sizzling HOT day in WDW, is better than being home in an air conditioned office any day!!  :-)

Happy travels and Stay Cool!!!

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!!!