Walt Disney World gets all of the (totally justified!) hype around its parks, but what do you do if you're not in the parks?
First of all, this means you likely took my advice and purposefully scheduled a non-park day! Disney is non-stop, and sometimes we all need a breather. Non-park days are also a great alternative to arrival and departure days so that you aren't burning a park ticket on a partial day.
#1 - Disney Springs Disney Springs is the most logical non-park day locale. Disney Springs is a massive shopping, dining, and entertainment district on Walt Disney World property. (Columbus friends: it's Easton on steroids.) I could spend 5 hours going on and on about where to eat, where to drink, where to shop, and where to play. Do yourself a favor and at minimum head there for dinner one night. *Pro tip: Disney Springs is still much more busy on weekends than weekdays. If you're hesitant about being around big crowds, save this one for a weekday.
#2 - Resort Day
One of the best parts about staying on Disney property is your fabulous hotel! Disney Resort hotels have incredible themed pools, fantastic shopping, delectable dining choices, and fun for the whole family. Rent a boat or surrey bike or check out the arcade. Many Resorts have walking/running paths, and select Resorts even have full-service spas! Your Resort pool will have daily activities (weather permitting), and your resort will have some other entertainment as well. I happen to know from experience that Wilderness Lodge has a fantastic Hidden Mickey hunt. Be on the lookout for characters, too...they've been known to swing by the hotels for a visit! (My recommended 2021 resorts can be found here!)
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Worried about your kids wearing masks all day in the parks? For the time being, mask-wearing is here to stay. But it doesn't have to be a battle! I've compiled my list of the top 6 tips for getting kids to wear masks!
Tip #1: Practice Makes Perfect
The first tip here is to have your kiddo practice before you even leave for your vacation! Remember, the face covering rule applies to everyone ages 2+ at both Universal and Disney. While school age kids may have some experience wearing masks at school, your younger kids may not. Practice at the grocery store, at parks, or even at home. Make sure your kids can handle wearing the masks indoors, outdoors, in strollers, on walks, etc. The parks are strict about the face covering mandate, and the last thing you want is to have to cut a park day short because of noncompliance with rules! Tip #2: Decisions, Decisions Let your kiddo choose the masks that they'd like to wear each day. Letting them choose increases the likelihood that the mask stays on. (Just make sure to pack extras, especially if they only want to wear the same dinosaur mask every. single. day.) Tip #3: Let Them Eat Cake! Okay, so maybe not cake. But, as you know by now, face coverings can be removed while stationary and actively eating or drinking. (At Disney, face masks can also be temporarily removed if taking an outdoor photo while physically distanced!) If you see your kids getting a little fussy, stop for a snack or drink break. This way, no one gets hangry and everyone gets to relax and enjoy a snack. It's a good idea for everyone in your party to stop and drink water once per hour anyway. On a recent trip to Walt Disney World, I had the opportunity to experience the enhanced health and safety measures in place. From face coverings to physical distancing and everything in between, here is everything that you need to know about the phased reopening and the truth about what all of that really feels like! Enhanced Cleaning I can say, without a doubt, that I saw countless Cast Members continuously cleaning high-touch areas throughout our entire stay. Handrails, ride vehicles, elevators, tables, and more were constantly cleaned and disinfected. Additionally, we noticed hand sanitizer and hand washing stations everywhere we looked at Disney Resort hotels, as well as in the parks. Physical Distancing Physical distancing was easy to maintain throughout the Resort hotels and the parks. Signage and ground markings were abundant and easy to follow. We did notice excellent compliance with guests following these. Physical barriers are in place where physical distancing isn't possible. This includes areas around cash registers or hotel desks. Cashless payments are preferred throughout hotels and parks.
There is just something oh so romantic about the magic in Walt Disney World. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, Valentine's Day, or even planning a proposal (!!!!!) in Walt Disney World, you'll want to refer to this guide. (And DEFINITELY snag those Advanced Dining Reservations!!)
Steakhouse: Le Cellier Steakhouse
Looking for a phenomenal steak to celebrate your special occasion? This intimate steakhouse, right in the heart of the Canada pavilion at EPCOT, is like stepping into a grand wine cellar and feels miles away from the EPCOT experience outside. Their incredible menu features items include the famous (and delicious) Canadian cheddar cheese soup, filet mignon, and maple creme brulee! Le Cellier also features fine Canadian wines in addition to more traditional beers or cocktails.
Seafood: Narcoossee's This waterfront restaurant at the ultra-elegant Grand Floridian Resort features romantic waterfront views and Coastal Cuisine. To splurge for a special occasion, go for the surf-and-turf! The sirloin steak and lobster tail combo can't be beat. Narcoosee's features fresh seafood from both local waters, as well as around the globe. Try the cheesecake with Lambert cherry sauce for dessert!
Prince or Princess at Heart: Cinderella's Royal Table Dine in a storybook setting fit for royalty! Your royal meal begins with assorted charcuterie before moving on to your entrees. (Try the beef tenderloin!) For dessert, don't miss the signature The Clock Strikes Twelve, a dark chocolate mousse with a dark chocolate ganache served with a raspberry coulis. *Please note, at this time, characters are not greeting guests at their tables. However, this is the only chance to be in the castle. The magic is still there!
Classic Elegance: Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera This signature rooftop restaurant at the European-inspired Riviera Resort features fine French and Italian dining. You'll be able to indulge in fresh seafood, handmade pasta and decadent desserts infused with French and Italian flavors. The restaurant features an exclusive expo kitchen and wood-burning grill. Inspired by the cliffside restaurants of France and Italy, Topolino’s Terrace actually takes its name from the Italian name for Mickey Mouse!
Celebrity Chef Experience: Morimoto Asia Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is the mastermind behind this Disney Springs restaurant. The menu is inspired by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Malay specialties. You can enjoy specialty wines and sakes, and even a few specialty beers! Morimoto Asia features exhibition kitchens and a 2-story interior with glittering chandeliers. Inside, you'll find lounges, private dining spaces and a second-level sushi bar and lounge with a separate entrance.
Stunning Views: California Grill California Grill, at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is the gold standard for fine dining at Walt Disney World. This award-winning restaurant features the flavors of the Pacific Coast. Your experience starts in a private elevator, where you're whisked to the top floor of the Contemporary Resort. There, you’ll find panoramic views of the shimmering lagoon and Cinderella Castle in the floor-to-ceiling windows. You'll also find an onstage kitchen and catch a glimpse of the 300 bottles of wines available. Though the menu changes seasonally, keep an eye out for the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli! California Grill is also known for their sushi and brick oven-fired pizza.
The above restaurants do require a dress code (think "business casual"), and Le Cellier and Cinderella's Royal Table do require a park reservation and valid admission for each person in your party. While there are a few others I'd typically include in my guide, (I'm looking at you, Jiko and Victoria & Albert's!) not every restaurant has reopened yet at Walt Disney World. Advanced Dining Reservations are strongly encouraged. I provide complimentary support with Advanced Dining Reservations with all packages booked through me. Start planning by clicking here! You can find my list of recommended resort hotels here.
Looking to travel to Walt Disney World in 2021? I'm highlighting my top Disney Resort picks for 2021 guests! I've included my top picks for Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Villa Resorts as well as a few honorable mentions!
Value Resort: Pop Century
Disney's Pop Century Resort is in the Value Resort category. What makes this truly unique is that it's now on the Skyliner route...which means it connects you straight to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, in addition to the Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera Resorts. The rooms were all recently refurbished, so everything will feel brand new and much cleaner than before! Rooms sleep 4, plus 1 child under 3.
As someone with a bona fide fear of heights, I had my reservations about using Disney's Skyliner. After experiencing it firsthand, here are 5 quick tips for anyone planning a trip on Disney's aerial gondola transportation system.
1) It Connects A LOT of Walt Disney World
The Skyliner conveniently connects Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT to Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, and Disney's Riviera Resort. Plus, anyone staying or visiting Disney's BoardWalk, Yacht Club, or Beach Club Resorts can easily walk over and hop on at EPCOT's International Gateway. 2) It Moves Quickly With so much of Walt Disney World being connected, you might expect that this mode of transportation is slow. It's actually quite the opposite! The gondolas slow down at stations for loading (or pause temporarily to allow guests on scooters and wheelchairs to board) so it's continually loading, much like many of your favorite Disney rides. This allows for any lines to move very quickly, even if they look long. Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line! It's been a busy news week, so let's dive in!
Universal Orlando Resort Promotion EXTENDED! Universal Orlando has relaunched its unprecedented Black Friday offer for a limited time! Due to popular demand, Universal Orlando Resort is giving you another opportunity to take advantage of its best package offer ever – SAVE 40% on a 4-Day, 4-Night vacation package. This deal was originally offered for Black Friday and sold out in record time. Limited quantities are now available until Friday, December 11, so act fast! Remember, this package includes:
Let's cut right to the chase: a private VIP tour is a better value than ever.
"A VIP tour? Value????? Are you crazy?" (You already know how I feel about the stark difference between value and cheap.) Pricing on VIP tours varies by time of year, whether you add additional hours, etc., so COST can vary significantly. Today, though, we're talking VALUE Value #1: Park-Hopping There is no park hopping allowed in Walt Disney World right now, and it's not coming back anytime soon. The ONLY way to park hop for the foreseeable future is to take a VIP tour.
Park touring is going to be quite different for a while. Here are 5 items that I've added to my clients' packing checklists for 2021 and 2022 vacations!
1. Face Coverings
Simply put, if you want to tour the parks, you'll need a mask or another type of face covering for everyone ages 2+ in your party. I highly recommend packing at least 2 per person per day in your park bag. Unexpected rainstorms, water rides, and sweat will make wearing the same mask for an entire day pretty miserable. Having an extra will ensure that you and your family have extras in case any masks are lost or damaged. You'll likely be able to purchase these in the parks, but I highly doubt you'll want to keep shelling out cash every time you need a spare mask! These disposable masks on Amazon are a great value! For more tips about masks, be sure to follow these tips. For mask-wearing advice for kids, click here! 2. Ziploc Bags I've long been including gallon size bags on my lists for wet clothes and for keeping items safe on water rides, but stick some sandwich bags in there, too. Why? Those face coverings from #1, of course! You'll be able to take them off while you eat, but what do you do with those masks then? You won't want to stick them in a purse or park bag! Grab a few sandwich-sized bags to stick your masks in while you dine. An assorted pack of Ziplocs is the way to go! 3. Hand Sanitizer Okay, so this is another one that I always recommend, but this is now an absolute MUST HAVE in your park bag for obvious reasons! Grab these Purell travel sized options that you can attach to a bag or purse so that you don't have to go digging for it every time. There will be increased sanitizer stations throughout the park, but it never hurts to have your own! (Plus, Universal's hand sanitizer smells a little rough. You'll want your own, trust me.) 4. Disinfecting Wipes While the parks and resorts have absolutely stepped up their game in terms of disinfecting surfaces, you can never be too careful! Grab a travel-size of Clorox wipes and wipe down tables, etc. before you sit down! I also recommend doing this with your tray table on planes or even wiping down high touch areas in your hotel room. 5. Portable Charger It's more important than ever to have a charged phone in the parks. Not only can you check your My Disney Experience or Universal Orlando app for reservations or virtual queues, you'll also need to use it for mobile food ordering, looking up menus, and for constantly updated information. This rose gold beauty is the one that I have, and I can't recommend it enough! My clients all receive a full custom packing checklist. If you're ready for more travel and packing tips, contact me to get more information! |
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