Deck party: Fight the winter doldrums with the fam aboard the Disney Dream. Credit: Matt Stroshane.
By Deborah Bowen
Many people, especially at this chilly time of the year, crave the warm sun and golden sands of the world’s welcoming beaches. I appreciate these natural wonders, but as a Florida native and current resident, I sometimes like to appreciate them while wearing a sweater. (more…)
Taste trotting: Savor a global menu of wine and food at the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
By Jill E. Cooper
Call me a nerd, but I like to learn something new while I’m on vacation. It’s back-to-school season, so why not do something educational on your next trip? I’m not talking about tackling differential equations here. I’m talking about a subject we can all sink our teeth into – extraordinary gourmet food! Walt Disney World recently launched its 16th annual International Food & Wine Festival in its second oldest Florida theme park, Epcot, through Nov. 13. To truly savor the experience, be thirsty and hungry. In addition to all the delicious, exotic, tapas-sized treats and more than 300 wines from around the world, visitors can also sample cooking classes and seminars that may just make them the envy of their foodie friends. (more…)
Theatrical productions entertain the "poor unfortunate souls" aboard Disney's Magic.
By Deborah Bowen
From the moment Captain Mickey steps into the terminal as you prepare to board Disney’s Magic or Wonder, you are in for an unforgettable vacation. As you prepare for passage on one of these world-class ships, here are some suggestions for making the most out of your first Disney Cruise Line experience. (more…)
By Drew Dixon
I have family in Orlando. I also have three kids. This combination makes it easy to justify frequent Disney vacations. While my youngest (4 months) has yet to meet the mouse, my two daughters (ages 5 and 3) have each been there at least twice, and every time we try to hit a few of the parks. We’re going again for Spring Break this year.
For young kids, The Magic Kingdom is your best bet. There are lots of rides and attractions, and the different “lands” offer an ever-changing panorama of visuals to keep the kids entertained for hours on end. While this may be the most magical place on Earth, there’s no escaping the long ride lines. Even with a FastPass, once you factor in meals and potty breaks, you may only get to experience five or six rides the entire day if the park is crowded. Anyone who’s stood in line for an hour with two toddlers for a three-minute ride knows this can weigh heavily on mom and dad’s stress level.
Dreams really do come true. I’m here to tell you that there is a way to experience three times the rides in half the time, plus an exclusive parade and fireworks display. It’s Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party!
There are three party events that I know Disney World does: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in October, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party during the Holidays, and Mickey’s Pirate & Princess Party all throughout the year. These scheduled events require a separate ticket purchase, and you can’t get in until 4 p.m., but they kick everyone else out at 7 p.m., and the park stays open until midnight. We went to the Pirate & Princess Party in February 2008. Our girls dressed in their finest piratey garb, and we all had a blast.
Disney limits the number of tickets it sells, so the crowds are practically non-existent. As a family of four, we were able to walk on to rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Magic Carpets of Alladin, Cinderella’s Golden Carousel (several times), Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It’s a Small World and more. No wait. None whatsoever. Want to ride again? Sure!
There are plenty of other things to do besides the rides, too. Disney sets up treasure stations and gives each visitor a treasure map and bag. It became a fun game for the kids to see who would find the next “X-marks-the-spot” where they could collect gems, beads, or candy. We also made sure to get a good spot for the exclusive Pirate and Princess Parade. To this day, my 3-year old still talks about seeing Tinker Bell there.
So, if you have young kids, and don’t mind that they’ll be staying up way past their bed time (make sure they get a nap in the afternoon!), my wife and I agreed that this is the best way to experience The Magic Kingdom, stress-free.
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Drew Dixon is a proud daddy of three: two girls, 5 and 3, and a newborn son. His family routinely travels to Orlando, the Outer Banks, and the South Jersey Shore.
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