Category: Walt Disney World Travel Tips

Disney with Kids- Nemo Attractions

Living SeasToday I’d like to “Just Keep Swimming”…

And tell you about “Splashing” adventures at two of Walt Disney World Resort’s Theme Parks.  If you have read my posts from earlier this week, then you already know that Nemo from “Finding Nemo” is a constant talked about character in my family’s life.  It’s imperative that when at The Walt Disney World Resort we FIND NEMO.  These are the two places within Disney’s theme parks that you can find Nemo.

  1. The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion – located in Epcot within Future World.  This attraction is for kids of all ages.  The queue for the attraction is fantastic.  If you and your children focus on your surroundings, your kids might notice that they are walking from a seaside setting into an underwater environment.  Make sure they “Don’t touch the Butt”!  Once through the line, you’ll board your very own clam shell vehicle.  The vehicle is generous in size and we were able to fit our entire family of four (2 adults, 6-year-old and 1.5- year- old) in one vehicle.  I won’t spoil the actual ride but will say that when you depart the vehicle at the end of the ride, you’ll be ready to explore a massive 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium.  The aquarium is home to dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles, to name a few.  At this point it’s up to your family how long you want to explore within this pavilion.  There are TONS of things to do and an abundance of educational fun for the entire family.  My one and a half year old was happy watching the dolphins.  My six-year-old explored quickly and then opted for going to the Turtle Talk show.  Let me say – funny.  It’s very interactive with young children.  FYI kids sit on the floor in the front of the room for the 15 minute show, so be prepared to let your little guy know to stay put when it’s over and you can go get him.  The Sea with Nemo & Friends pavilion also has Bruce’s Shark World, where kids and adults can learn through hands on activities.  I would recommend budgeting time for this pavilion.  It’s really a great spot to relax in a climate controlled environment and follow your kids around.  They will truly enjoy unstructured fun while learning all about “Nemo” and his friends.  Can’t get enough of your fishy friends?  You might want to have dinner at Coral Reef Restaurant, which has an amazing view into the aquarium.  I’ve even seen Mickey swim by the restaurant’s window in his scuba gear!

    Finding Nemo the Musical
    Photographer: Vanessa Mroczka
    Twitter: Vanessa_rules 1
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  2. Finding Nemo ~ the Musical – located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park within Dinoland USA.  Although this fantastic, over the top show boosting beautiful sets and amazing puppeteering performances, is a must do for many children, I do not recommend the show for children under the age of four.  The show is 40 minutes long.  You might think with the spectacular sets your child would be able to sit through the show.  I speak with experience, my child did not sit more than five minutes and she’s obsessed with Nemo.  The theatre is enormous and she just wanted to run.  So a word of advice, if you are like me and think, “Oh let’s just try it.  Maybe she’ll sit.”  Sit on the end of a row on the far right side of the theatre.  This way, you can leave during the performance when she has a melt down.  Having said that, my six-year-old stayed with his grandmother to see the remaining part of the show and he absolutely loved it.  If you family consists of children ages four and up, make sure you pick up a park TIMES brochure when you enter the park.  This brochure will tell you the times of “Finding Nemo ~ The Musical”.  Schedule it into your day, you won’t regret it!  If you have a family like mine, where one child is the perfect age to watch the performance and the other child is just not ready, have one parent watch the performance with one child and the other parent head to The Boneyard (also in Dinoland USA) with the little one.  Both parents and kids will be happy!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Nemo Inspired Posts.  Visit Mouse Ears Mom next week where I’ll be talking Summer Treats – Yum!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

 

 

Three Ways to View Walt Disney World Fireworks Without Crowds

fireworks

Have You Ever Wished…

Have you ever wished that after the grand firework finale ended you and your family had been magically transported to a land where crowds were no more?  Well, if you’ve been to The Walt Disney World Resort before, that thought just may have gone through your mind once…or twice.  Vacationing at “Disney” is a lot of fun and playing hard is work.  By the end of the day most families are exhausted.  Depending on when you visit the Walt Disney World Resort, it may be very crowded too.  There are a few ways for you and your family to see the exceptional fireworks without having to stand amongst a large crowd and then leisurely head to your resort.  Below I have listed three ways that I have been able to experience fireworks on Disney property crowd free.

  1. Chef Mickey's
    Chef Mickey’s

    Plan an evening at The Contemporary Resort. It’s proximity to the Magic Kingdom makes it a perfect viewing location for Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show, Wishes.  The soundtrack from Wishes is broadcasted through speakers outside on the deck of the fourth floor, called the concourse.  The Contemporary Resort has several shops located on the concourse level,  as well as, a great view of the monorail.  There are three table service restaurants to choose from located on different floors of the main building.  I highly recommend Chef Mickey’s for any family with children. This restaurant offers a buffet style dining of extremely yummy food for you to eat while Mickey and his friends take their turns visiting with you and your family at your table .  Be prepared with your cameras and autograph books!  For a romantic evening Mom and Dad, try the California Grill.  The fireworks can be viewed from the balcony outside the restaurant.  Make sure you make Advanced Dining Reservations for either of these restaurants months before you leave for vacation, as the time slots fill fast.  Please note, if you do not have reservations at The Contemporary Resort you will not be allowed to park there.

  2. Plan an evening at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.  The “Boardwalk” is a perfect place to dine at ESPN Club, pick up a slice of pizza to go at the Pizza window or maybe snack on some sweets at the Boardwalk Bakery.  My husband and I love the food at Big River Grille and Brewing Works and also the music at Jellyrolls.  After eating, enjoy the evening entertainment and take a stroll to the bridge that leads you from the Boardwalk to The Yacht and Beach Club.  This bridge is a spectacular viewing location for Epcot’s Illuminations.  Once again, to park at this location you must be planning on spending your evening at The Boardwalk.
  3. Wishes Firework Cruises take place in the Seven Seas Lagoon, as seen here.
    Wishes Firework Cruises take place in the Seven Seas Lagoon, as seen here.

    Plan a very special evening on a Firework Cruise.  Disney offers several Firework cruises, from the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage to Celebration Cruises, all varying in cost.  These cruises are custom designed to let you and your family enjoy the magic of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks or Epcot’s fireworks in the comfort of your own cruise boat.  There is even the option to have the music piped into your cruise boat.  Please see the link below to take you straight to Disney’s site to learn more about this magical Disney offering.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/specialty-cruises/

I hope you and your family enjoyed this 4th of July holiday!

Teaching at Disney: Top 10 American History Hot Spots at Walt Disney World

Photographer: Nat Warren
Photographer: Nat Warren

 

Regardless of when you decide to vacation at The Walt Disney World Resort, there are always great history lessons you can teach your kids while the entire family is having fun.  Below you can find a list of what I believe are the Top 10 American History Hot Spots at Walt Disney World, grouped by theme park.

The Magic Kingdom

  1. The Hall of Presidents– The ultimate American History attraction teaches it’s audience the story of the birth of this nation.  At the end of the film the curtains will reveal all 43 American Presidents together on one stage.
  2. Replicas of the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree– Found in Liberty Square, the Liberty Bell is an authentic replica of the actual Liberty Bell found in Philadelphia.  The Liberty Tree is over 100 years old and also pays homage to the original 13 colonies.
  3. Liberty Square Riverboat- When riding this authentic three tiered paddlewheel steam boat, guests listen to a narration from Mark Twain as he describes some of America’s historic events.
  4. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress– Walt’s Disney’s original New York World’s Fair attraction explores the history of 20th Century technology as it applies to one American household.
  5. Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour (10 years old+)- This is a behind the scenes tour (not included in the cost of your daily ticket admission.)  This tour will teach some historical moments in regards to the role trains played in America’s history, but more specifically the tour will teach you about the role that steam trains have played in the history of Walt Disney’s life and the life of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Epcot

6. The American Adventure– This 30 minute show is found in the World Showcase section of Epcot.   Telling the story of America’s history with the use of 35 Audio-Animatronics, it is an experience you won’t forget!

7. American Heritage Gallery– This exhibit, also found in World Showcase, tells the history of  African American achievements over the past 400 years.

Disney Hollywood Studios

8. The Great Movie Ride– This ride on attraction tells the great story of American film.

9. Walt Disney- One Man’s Dream – This “walk at your own pace” attraction showcases the life story of someone who lived the American Dream, Walt Disney.

The Wilderness Lodge Resort (located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area)

10. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Tour–  Although this tour is technically for guests of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge .  I have heard that if you are within the resort during the start of this free tour, you will not be turned away.  The tour will give you a detailed look at the resort and explain the story that the building tells about Native American History.

The next time you visit The Walt Disney World Resort I hope that you take the time to experience these American history hot spots.  Your children will return to school ready to write a history report and you never know, you might learn something about America’s amazing history too!

Visiting Monsters University’s Mike and Sulley at Walt Disney World

Go Monsters University!If you’re planning a Walt Disney World Resort summer vacation, you might be wondering if recent blockbuster stars, Mike and Sulley of Monsters University will be meeting with their fans at Disney’s parks. To coincide with Disney Pixar’s newest film release, Disney Parks has launched their Monstrous Summer event.  Although the word Monstrous is used in the event’s name, the event is not specifically to celebrate the new movie.  I was surprised to learn how little the event has to offer guests that are hoping to learn more about Monsters University and its scary students.

Here is a list of everything “Monsters” available for any Montrous Fan’s to experience this summer at Walt Disney World:

  • Magic Kingdom– Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor attraction located in Tomorrowland is a fun show for the whole family.  This location is NOT a formal photo opportunity spot, however Mike has been known to pop up for a meet and greet.  Note: Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is not specific to this event, as it has been open since 2007.  This attraction should be available for experiencing beyond  this summer.
  • Epcot- The Monsterail can be found riding the monorail track.  Although the Monsterail is not a new attraction it is super cool to see.  In actuality the Monsterail is a working monorail with a very creative wrap on it.
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios– Near the Backlot Tour on the Streets of America, your little Monsters can meet Mike and Sulley for a photo opportunity.  Please be prepared that Mike and Sulley only pose for photos and do not sign autographs.  In addition, each evening this summer Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hosting The Monsters University Homecoming Celebration.  This will take place in the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in front of the Sorcerer Mickey Hat beginning at 6 pm.  The celebration will involve Mike and Sulley busting moves with a monster of a DJ and fun activities for the family.

To find out more information regarding additional magical offerings during this summer at Walt Disney World, I’d recommend checking out Disney’s site to help you prepare for your visit.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/let-the-memories-begin/monstrous-summer-walt-disney-world/

If you do visit the Walt Disney World Resort this summer, I hope you have a magical vacation!  I’d love to hear how you enjoyed Disney’s Monstrous Summer event.