DISNEY WORLD IN NOV.
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DISNEY WORLD IN NOV.
Hello Fodorites - We booked Wilderness Lodge for Nov 08' - what can you tell me about the property that the books can't/won't? Any suggestions on new dining? We're on the dining plan but I don't have to stick with it if you suggest a place that is exceptional. This will be my 8th time going, so we've covered alot of dining options. And remember, we're travelling with a 5 yr. old too. I
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One person's "exceptional" is another's "mediocre" but we have always enjoyed eating at the Flying Fish at the Boardwalk as well as the old reliable Chefs de France in Epcot.
I won't be surprised if you say you already know about both of them but since you asked.
No, neither are "new" but both are consistent.
I won't be surprised if you say you already know about both of them but since you asked.
No, neither are "new" but both are consistent.
#3
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For everything Disney, try the www.disboards.com and www.mousesaver.com both have lots of current info.
Have a GREAT time, I love Disney World.
Have a GREAT time, I love Disney World.
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To LG2 - our 5 yr. old was there for her 2nd birthday and at age 3 1/2 last. This will obviously be her third trip and we have covered almost all the character dining with the exception of HoopDee Doo Revue and Crystal Palace Winnie the Pooh. I already scheduled Winnie the Pooh and agree, I don't go for the dining. I like to refer to the experience as the "Parents bonus" after a whole day in the parks.
To Dukey: I agree with your synopsis on taste and luckily I am aware of both restaurants. Sadly, we had to cancel our reservation at the Flying Fish on our last trip and to no avail could I get into Chef de France last trip or my upcoming one. Bistro will only reserve 30 days out so there is still hope for me there.
Travelbuff: Dishboards and mousesavers are good for other things. I love Fodorites much better as a source of good information.
Thanks to all of you and keep it coming.
To Dukey: I agree with your synopsis on taste and luckily I am aware of both restaurants. Sadly, we had to cancel our reservation at the Flying Fish on our last trip and to no avail could I get into Chef de France last trip or my upcoming one. Bistro will only reserve 30 days out so there is still hope for me there.
Travelbuff: Dishboards and mousesavers are good for other things. I love Fodorites much better as a source of good information.
Thanks to all of you and keep it coming.
#8
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Some of our family favorites (we have a 7 year old and 2 year old) are:
Boma's at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Hollywood & Vine in the Studios
Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom
Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast.
Also for a change of pace try the Trails End at Fort Wilderness--you can take the boat there from the Wilderness Lodge, or the nice path through the woods. You could combine this meal with a wagon ride, attending a campfire, renting bikes, or a boat at the marina, or visiting the horses.
Boma's at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Hollywood & Vine in the Studios
Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom
Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast.
Also for a change of pace try the Trails End at Fort Wilderness--you can take the boat there from the Wilderness Lodge, or the nice path through the woods. You could combine this meal with a wagon ride, attending a campfire, renting bikes, or a boat at the marina, or visiting the horses.
#9
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Also consider for your girl the Wonderland Tea Party at the Grand Floridian:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/grandadven.htm
The Wonderland Tea Party is still mentioned on the official Disney site, but so is a princess tea party, so I'm not sure which one or both is currently offered:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...ssTeaPartyPage
http://allearsnet.com/pl/grandadven.htm
The Wonderland Tea Party is still mentioned on the official Disney site, but so is a princess tea party, so I'm not sure which one or both is currently offered:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...ssTeaPartyPage
#10
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Last November, my 15 and 12 year old princesses and I greatly enjoyed lunch at Akersus in Epcot. Believe it or not, Cinderella was even there! (Bonus: Adults can have a bit of beer or wine to make the afternoon calmer!)
There is a new restaurant at the Contemporary-they just started taking reservations - it's either "Wave" or "The Wave."
Have you been to Mike's Laugh Floor at the Magic Kingdom? Kind of the same concept as Turtle Talk at Epcot.
Toy Story Mania just opened at Hollywood Studios..it looks like an updated version of Buzz Lightyear.
Have you ever eaten at the Kona Cafe in the Poly? My kids really liked it. What is great is that if you are at the MK, it's a great lunch or dinner break to hop on the monorail to the Poly, eat, then return to the park.
There is also a sit down restaurant at Animal Kingdom now.
Have you ever eaten at The Plaza at the MK? It's cute and relatively quiet....great kids menu and great ice cream. It's near the castle.
There is a new restaurant at the Contemporary-they just started taking reservations - it's either "Wave" or "The Wave."
Have you been to Mike's Laugh Floor at the Magic Kingdom? Kind of the same concept as Turtle Talk at Epcot.
Toy Story Mania just opened at Hollywood Studios..it looks like an updated version of Buzz Lightyear.
Have you ever eaten at the Kona Cafe in the Poly? My kids really liked it. What is great is that if you are at the MK, it's a great lunch or dinner break to hop on the monorail to the Poly, eat, then return to the park.
There is also a sit down restaurant at Animal Kingdom now.
Have you ever eaten at The Plaza at the MK? It's cute and relatively quiet....great kids menu and great ice cream. It's near the castle.
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To DancingBearMD- FYI, we're connected in that regard. Additionally, we've done Liberty Tree twice, GF Cafe twice as well, husband didn't care for BOMA menu (my loss!) and this trip we were able to get Hollywood & Vine for the Dinner/Fantasmic package. As for the Wonderland Tea Party, I think that's something a 7 yr oldwould appreciate a little more than a 5 yr. old. So I'll use that that's tip for our next trip!And I don't think our shcedule would allow for a Trails End visit either! Even though it sounds like something I would enjoy most.
Missypie - My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed Akereus on our last trip! We did the breakfast and it was the best one yet!
As for all your other suggestions- I had no idea on some of them. This is my reason for loving Fodorites!
I never thought of the Kona Cafe for a lunch stop - makes perfect sense. And I'll also look into the Wave restaurant at the Contemporary too! Last, we're skipping Animal Kingdom again this time since we were not impressed the first time around.
Missypie, you're a wealth of information! Keep it coming.
Missypie - My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed Akereus on our last trip! We did the breakfast and it was the best one yet!
As for all your other suggestions- I had no idea on some of them. This is my reason for loving Fodorites!
I never thought of the Kona Cafe for a lunch stop - makes perfect sense. And I'll also look into the Wave restaurant at the Contemporary too! Last, we're skipping Animal Kingdom again this time since we were not impressed the first time around.
Missypie, you're a wealth of information! Keep it coming.
#12
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Maybe you could try Boma for breakfast; they have a big spread which is less "African" than at dinner.
You've probably seen it before, but remember the Electrical Water Parade comes by the Wilderness Lodge each night (usually around 9:35, but check the schedule at the resort).
Like your daughter, our kids have been enough that we don't have to rush around to every ride, so we can enjoy some of the other stuff. All of the live performances (the tuba band on Main Street, the acrobats at Epcot's China pavillion, the lady that makes candy animals in Japan; the Morrocan band), and:
At Magic Kingdom: Tom Sawyer Island, Pooh playground (bring a change of clothes so your daughter can play in the water)
At Animal Kingdom (I know you said you aren't going, but I'd encourage you to give it another chance): Rafiki's Planet Watch (including the sound booths, the petting zoo, watching the vets do their work, and the animal presentations done throughout the day). Also Flights of Wonder is a surprisingly good show.
Studios: Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (could get wet here also); the soundbooths and other stuff in the post-show area of Sounds Dangerous (called SoundWorks; you don't have to go to the show to go in this area); opening the boxes and such near the entrance to Indiana Jones.
Epcot: getting wet in the sidewalk fountains between Future World and World Showcase; the flower gardens in Canada, the little maze in Great Britain, the Viking stuff in the Stave Church in Norway (perhaps more of a boy thing), the gardens in China and Japan, the Kidcot stations at each World Showcase pavillion.
Downtown Disney: Getting wet at the big sidewalk fountain located between the toy store and the Earl of Sandwich; parking at the big lot behind the Cirque show building (instead of fighting the crowds elsewhere) and taking the boat over to the West Side of Downtown Disney.
Are you going Thanksgiving week? If so you'll have a chance to see the Christmas decorations all around.
You'll get a list of activities at Wilderness Lodge when you check in. When you're at the monorail resorts, check their calendars as well. For instance, at the Poly there is a torch lighting ceremony in the evening, and short hula dancing sessions for the kids.
You've probably seen it before, but remember the Electrical Water Parade comes by the Wilderness Lodge each night (usually around 9:35, but check the schedule at the resort).
Like your daughter, our kids have been enough that we don't have to rush around to every ride, so we can enjoy some of the other stuff. All of the live performances (the tuba band on Main Street, the acrobats at Epcot's China pavillion, the lady that makes candy animals in Japan; the Morrocan band), and:
At Magic Kingdom: Tom Sawyer Island, Pooh playground (bring a change of clothes so your daughter can play in the water)
At Animal Kingdom (I know you said you aren't going, but I'd encourage you to give it another chance): Rafiki's Planet Watch (including the sound booths, the petting zoo, watching the vets do their work, and the animal presentations done throughout the day). Also Flights of Wonder is a surprisingly good show.
Studios: Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (could get wet here also); the soundbooths and other stuff in the post-show area of Sounds Dangerous (called SoundWorks; you don't have to go to the show to go in this area); opening the boxes and such near the entrance to Indiana Jones.
Epcot: getting wet in the sidewalk fountains between Future World and World Showcase; the flower gardens in Canada, the little maze in Great Britain, the Viking stuff in the Stave Church in Norway (perhaps more of a boy thing), the gardens in China and Japan, the Kidcot stations at each World Showcase pavillion.
Downtown Disney: Getting wet at the big sidewalk fountain located between the toy store and the Earl of Sandwich; parking at the big lot behind the Cirque show building (instead of fighting the crowds elsewhere) and taking the boat over to the West Side of Downtown Disney.
Are you going Thanksgiving week? If so you'll have a chance to see the Christmas decorations all around.
You'll get a list of activities at Wilderness Lodge when you check in. When you're at the monorail resorts, check their calendars as well. For instance, at the Poly there is a torch lighting ceremony in the evening, and short hula dancing sessions for the kids.
#13
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Yes, please tell us when in November. The Christmas decorations are all up by the Mnday of Thanksgiving week. The Grand Floridian and a couple of the Epcot area resorts have gingerbread houses (large enough for a person to go into), gingerbread merry go rounds, etc. It's fabulous.
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To DancingBearMD and Missypie - thank you, thank you, thank you! We are going mid Nov. and miss all the festivities of holidays. I really wanted to do the walk thru of the gingerbread houses too.
Anyway, don't think I could sell the hubby on BOMA or Animal Kingdom again. he is still talking about the sad safari he dragged us on. I, on the other hand, are still raving about the Lion King show and the Kali Rapids!! I do think we will spend more time in Epcot this round since she is a bit older and we have the luck of her retaining alot more. Anything educational works best for me! Maybe we will do part of one day at Disney Studios, but until she's a bit older, I don't forsee us spending much time there. I do really enjoy Fantastmic though. Thanks again!
Anyway, don't think I could sell the hubby on BOMA or Animal Kingdom again. he is still talking about the sad safari he dragged us on. I, on the other hand, are still raving about the Lion King show and the Kali Rapids!! I do think we will spend more time in Epcot this round since she is a bit older and we have the luck of her retaining alot more. Anything educational works best for me! Maybe we will do part of one day at Disney Studios, but until she's a bit older, I don't forsee us spending much time there. I do really enjoy Fantastmic though. Thanks again!
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Studios has that High School Musical block party - is a 5 year old old enough to be into the HSM scene? Yeah, for the little ones at Studios there's the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, the Muppets attraction, Beauty & the Beast (or whatever the live show is these days.) Have you been to the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground? My kids love that.
We aren't huge AK fans either, and we've given it a fair chance (3 visits.) Last time was on Thanksgiving Day, and we devoted the time to see the Nemo show, rode EE a zillion times, rode Dinosaur multiple times, did the Safari, saw the Pocahontis traning show and still ran out of things to do long before our 6:30 Jiko dinner reservation. We actually had time to go back to the Poly, rest for a bit and freshen up before we drove back out there for Thanksgiving dinner.
We aren't huge AK fans either, and we've given it a fair chance (3 visits.) Last time was on Thanksgiving Day, and we devoted the time to see the Nemo show, rode EE a zillion times, rode Dinosaur multiple times, did the Safari, saw the Pocahontis traning show and still ran out of things to do long before our 6:30 Jiko dinner reservation. We actually had time to go back to the Poly, rest for a bit and freshen up before we drove back out there for Thanksgiving dinner.
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Actually, the Studios has several things she should enjoy: Beauty and the Beast show, Little Mermaid show, Playhouse Disney Live! and MuppetVision 4D (and if she likes Buzz at the Magic Kingdom, maybe the new Toy Story ride), in addition to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.
It takes some planning to catch all of the shows, but if you go early one morning and go directly to Playhouse Disney Live, and get Fastpasses (maybe even before you get in the Playhouse line) for Little Mermaid (it's a fairly small theater), you can do it in half a day. Beauty and the Beast is a much larger theater so you can usually just show up there a few minutes in advance. Muppets runs continuously and even if they get a line the theater eats up a big crowd each time.
It takes some planning to catch all of the shows, but if you go early one morning and go directly to Playhouse Disney Live, and get Fastpasses (maybe even before you get in the Playhouse line) for Little Mermaid (it's a fairly small theater), you can do it in half a day. Beauty and the Beast is a much larger theater so you can usually just show up there a few minutes in advance. Muppets runs continuously and even if they get a line the theater eats up a big crowd each time.
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Here's the link for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...diBoutiquePage
It is a place where they do little girls' hair and outfit done so that they look like a Disney princess.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw...diBoutiquePage
It is a place where they do little girls' hair and outfit done so that they look like a Disney princess.