The Disney Parks blog has an excellent time lapse video showing how this is all created! Take a look:
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Create Topiary: Video
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Ever wonder how those awesome looking topiaries you see at the Flower & Garden Festival are made? Or how many people it takes to make them?
The Disney Parks blog has an excellent time lapse video showing how this is all created! Take a look:
The Disney Parks blog has an excellent time lapse video showing how this is all created! Take a look:
Friday, March 12, 2010
Grand Villa at Bay Lake Tower: Video Tour
Friday, March 12, 2010
I love following the 'Travel With Rick' blog! Here is a video tour of a grand villa at Bay Lake Tower!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
From the Polynesian to Bay Lake Tower
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I really love the Polynesian resort, which is why we've always stayed there on our Disney trips. It certainly has a tropical island feel.
I always felt as though I was really in the midst of an island paradise. Mornings at the Polynesian are so serene. Taking a walk on the grounds is a must do.
So why did we decide to go from staying at the Polynesian every year to becoming DVC members and choosing Bay Lake Tower as our home resort? Well, we are a family of 5 and most times, when we visit WDW another family member or other family members come along.
In 2008 my mom and grandma came along, as well as my mother in law, so there were 8 of us and 2 rooms were needed. We got connecting rooms which worked out wonderfully but let me tell you, the price tag was hefty; thankfully my mom and grandma paid for their own room.
In 2009 only my mother in law came along, so there were 6 of us total. Now, the rooms at the Polynesian are a very nice size but they still only allow for 5 people to a room. Wyatt was not yet 3 at the time so all 6 of us were able to stay in one room (5 and an infant) and while that worked financially, it was a bit crowded.
This year that would not work as Wyatt is over 3 now and is not considered an infant. There is no way we could afford 2 rooms again. We realized if we wanted to continue going to WDW we'd either have to try and get a villa at a resort that has them, which is VERY expensive; or we'd have to get 2 rooms at a value or moderate resort.
I've heard good things about Pop Century as far as value resorts go and I've heard good things about all the moderate resorts but with 3 small children, staying at a deluxe resort was what I wanted for one reason - LOCATION. There is nothing easier than hopping on the monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, which are the two parks we are at the most. We do so much 'back and forth' between those parks and the resort that it made absolutely no sense to chose a resort that required us to use bus transportation.
This was a huge deciding factor when we chose Bay Lake Tower to be our home resort when we became DVC members. We can WALK 5 minutes to the Magic Kingdom! Bay Lake Tower is in the heart of the major areas of WDW; major areas for us anyway ;]
Financially speaking, it just made sense to become DVC members. Read
'Paying For a Disney Vacation Club Membership' and 'Why We Chose Bay Lake Tower' for DVC member details.
So, while we won't be waking up to a lush tropical paradise, we will be waking up to a beautiful view of the Magic Kingdom and a gorgeous sunrise.
I always felt as though I was really in the midst of an island paradise. Mornings at the Polynesian are so serene. Taking a walk on the grounds is a must do.
So why did we decide to go from staying at the Polynesian every year to becoming DVC members and choosing Bay Lake Tower as our home resort? Well, we are a family of 5 and most times, when we visit WDW another family member or other family members come along.
In 2008 my mom and grandma came along, as well as my mother in law, so there were 8 of us and 2 rooms were needed. We got connecting rooms which worked out wonderfully but let me tell you, the price tag was hefty; thankfully my mom and grandma paid for their own room.
In 2009 only my mother in law came along, so there were 6 of us total. Now, the rooms at the Polynesian are a very nice size but they still only allow for 5 people to a room. Wyatt was not yet 3 at the time so all 6 of us were able to stay in one room (5 and an infant) and while that worked financially, it was a bit crowded.
This year that would not work as Wyatt is over 3 now and is not considered an infant. There is no way we could afford 2 rooms again. We realized if we wanted to continue going to WDW we'd either have to try and get a villa at a resort that has them, which is VERY expensive; or we'd have to get 2 rooms at a value or moderate resort.
I've heard good things about Pop Century as far as value resorts go and I've heard good things about all the moderate resorts but with 3 small children, staying at a deluxe resort was what I wanted for one reason - LOCATION. There is nothing easier than hopping on the monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot, which are the two parks we are at the most. We do so much 'back and forth' between those parks and the resort that it made absolutely no sense to chose a resort that required us to use bus transportation.
This was a huge deciding factor when we chose Bay Lake Tower to be our home resort when we became DVC members. We can WALK 5 minutes to the Magic Kingdom! Bay Lake Tower is in the heart of the major areas of WDW; major areas for us anyway ;]
Financially speaking, it just made sense to become DVC members. Read
'Paying For a Disney Vacation Club Membership' and 'Why We Chose Bay Lake Tower' for DVC member details.
So, while we won't be waking up to a lush tropical paradise, we will be waking up to a beautiful view of the Magic Kingdom and a gorgeous sunrise.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Downside to Planning a Disney Vacation for a Large Group
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
I am still very much excited about our upcoming trip - but...I'm doing all the planing myself - planning for 5 adults and 3 kids and everyone is coming and going on different days.
Now that we're down to the wire and I have the details to plan, I'm feeling a bit frazzled. I'm also a bit disappointed about something that I have no control over. See, one of my very best friends, Cherie, is coming on vacation with us. She has not been to WDW since she was about 12 years old. She has one child, Damon, who is 15 and he has never been to WDW. Of course I invited him along but he's declined, more than once.
Damon loves to go hunting and the beginning of May is turkey season. He'd much rather go turkey hunting than go to WDW. As a Disney FANatic, I of course, don't understand how anyone wouldn't want to at least go to WDW at least once, (hahahahaa) especially a kid! Hey, I realize WDW is not for everyone, but what 15 year old doesn't want a week off from school to go to Florida on vacation? Damon.
However, the other day he posted this question on his Facebook page:
"what would you rather do, May 1st-7th, go turkey hunting or to disney???"
Of course all his friends said Disney. Then he posted:
"Go Big or Go Home!!!! anyway, Turkey hunting or Disney? where would you go??"
Again, everyone replied with DISNEY!
When I saw his Facebook updates I thought he must be contemplating going, if he posted that question twice. We are going to be in a 2 bedroom villa so we'll have the room, the 'problem' was dinning reservations. I know you can't just show up with an extra person and expect to have no issues. So, I decided I'd rather be safe than sorry. I called Disney dinning to add him to our meals. I only had to re-arrange 4 meals:
Cons:
Not a big deal so this day won't really change.
Again, not a big deal - WHEW :]
Friday, May 7th breakfast was at Chef Mickey's at 10am - I could not reschedule Chef Mickey's, it was booked solid.
I went with Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge. It was that or 'Ohana and we'll already be eating at 'Ohana this trip.
Cons:
"Only 46 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 39 seconds till turkey season!!!! yes i'm a little excited"
Guess I shouldn't get too excited about him coming along, huh?
Now that we're down to the wire and I have the details to plan, I'm feeling a bit frazzled. I'm also a bit disappointed about something that I have no control over. See, one of my very best friends, Cherie, is coming on vacation with us. She has not been to WDW since she was about 12 years old. She has one child, Damon, who is 15 and he has never been to WDW. Of course I invited him along but he's declined, more than once.
Damon loves to go hunting and the beginning of May is turkey season. He'd much rather go turkey hunting than go to WDW. As a Disney FANatic, I of course, don't understand how anyone wouldn't want to at least go to WDW at least once, (hahahahaa) especially a kid! Hey, I realize WDW is not for everyone, but what 15 year old doesn't want a week off from school to go to Florida on vacation? Damon.
However, the other day he posted this question on his Facebook page:
"what would you rather do, May 1st-7th, go turkey hunting or to disney???"
Of course all his friends said Disney. Then he posted:
"Go Big or Go Home!!!! anyway, Turkey hunting or Disney? where would you go??"
Again, everyone replied with DISNEY!
When I saw his Facebook updates I thought he must be contemplating going, if he posted that question twice. We are going to be in a 2 bedroom villa so we'll have the room, the 'problem' was dinning reservations. I know you can't just show up with an extra person and expect to have no issues. So, I decided I'd rather be safe than sorry. I called Disney dinning to add him to our meals. I only had to re-arrange 4 meals:
Tuesday May 4th 'Ohana was at 6:30 and now dinner is at 8:20
Cons:
- That's very late for the kids but I will make sure they have something to eat around 5pm and that they are rested before dinner
- I was contemplating a Wishes Cruise after this meal - perfect timing and we'd be where we need to be to get the boat.
- We will have more time to get to our dinner reservation. We will be at Animal Kingdom that day and it's open until 5pm. We'll be able to stay the day if we want and still rest and freshen up before diner at 8:20
- We will be able to see Wishes fireworks from 'Ohana, if we get a window seat. If not, we can still take a peek out the window to see the fireworks. In fact, we may even be done eating by the time Wishes starts and then we'll be able to see the fireworks from the Polynesian beach.
Wednesday, May 5th Sci-Fi Dine In Theater was at 4pm and now reservations are at 3:45pm
Not a big deal so this day won't really change.
Thursday, May 6th San Angel Inn was at 6:30pm and is now at 6:45pm
Again, not a big deal - WHEW :]
Friday, May 7th breakfast was at Chef Mickey's at 10am - I could not reschedule Chef Mickey's, it was booked solid.
I went with Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge. It was that or 'Ohana and we'll already be eating at 'Ohana this trip.
Cons:
- The kids really love Chef Mickey's so they'll be grumpy about this
- CJ and I don't like Chef Mickey anyway, LOL
- Whispering Canyon is an okay place to eat, the food is good and the Wilderness Lodge is nice. We ate breakfast there on our last trip and liked it.
"Only 46 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 39 seconds till turkey season!!!! yes i'm a little excited"
Guess I shouldn't get too excited about him coming along, huh?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Day at Epcot
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Tilt shift photography is really cool! I posted a tilt shift photography video from DisneyParks 'A Day in the Life of Walt Disney World' back in October. Now here is one for Epcot. Enjoy!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Video
Friday, March 5, 2010
We LOVE going to Disney during the Flower & Garden Festival! We were there in 2008 and in 2009 and we'll be there this year for it too!
Here is a video of this year's Flower & Garden Festival submitted by Orlando Attractions Magazine reader Don Gworek.
Here is a video of this year's Flower & Garden Festival submitted by Orlando Attractions Magazine reader Don Gworek.
‘Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort
The Polynesian has been our resort of choice for the last two years and it's kind of weird knowing this time when we go we won't be staying there. Bay Lake Tower is close by so we'll still get to take in the beauty that is the Polynesian Resort.
This year we plan on having dinner at 'Ohana. We have never had dinner, we've always eaten breakfast there.
There are no characters at dinner time but there is still excitement - a fire pit! Dinners consist of fire-roasted all you can eat cuisine. The food is served "family style" of course, since 'Ohana means 'family' that makes sense!
Now, I have heard complaints about 'Ohana - but not where food is concerned. The main complaints I have heard were about children and the craziness of the restaurant. This restaurant has entertainment every night. Music and singing ensues and children are invited to join in the fun. Roughly every twenty minutes, the children are invited in the center of the restaurant for game time. Now I have never experienced this but I am a faithful reader of The “World” According to Jack - read his review for more details: ‘Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort
From what I've heard about dinner here, if you're a couple looking for some romance, this is NOT the place to go. I think it will be perfect for us since we will have a big mixed party; CJ, me, our 3 kids, his mom and my friend Cherie. I am looking forward to dinner here. Our reservations are at 6:30pm so we won't be there when Wishes starts (you can see Wishes fireworks perfectly from a window at 'Ohana) but we will most likely head down to the beach to watch.
In fact, I am still tinkering around the idea of another Wishes Cruise - we really enjoyed it last year.
This year we plan on having dinner at 'Ohana. We have never had dinner, we've always eaten breakfast there.
There are no characters at dinner time but there is still excitement - a fire pit! Dinners consist of fire-roasted all you can eat cuisine. The food is served "family style" of course, since 'Ohana means 'family' that makes sense!
Now, I have heard complaints about 'Ohana - but not where food is concerned. The main complaints I have heard were about children and the craziness of the restaurant. This restaurant has entertainment every night. Music and singing ensues and children are invited to join in the fun. Roughly every twenty minutes, the children are invited in the center of the restaurant for game time. Now I have never experienced this but I am a faithful reader of The “World” According to Jack - read his review for more details: ‘Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort
From what I've heard about dinner here, if you're a couple looking for some romance, this is NOT the place to go. I think it will be perfect for us since we will have a big mixed party; CJ, me, our 3 kids, his mom and my friend Cherie. I am looking forward to dinner here. Our reservations are at 6:30pm so we won't be there when Wishes starts (you can see Wishes fireworks perfectly from a window at 'Ohana) but we will most likely head down to the beach to watch.
In fact, I am still tinkering around the idea of another Wishes Cruise - we really enjoyed it last year.
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