Magical Journey, What to pack

Now that you have figured out when to go, where to stay, where to eat, and have researched the parks (or, in this blog's case, Magic Kingdom), you are finally ready to pack!

I won't go into what to pack in your suitcase.  We're all grown ups here and know how to pack for ourselves and our kids.

Just....please...lay fashion aside for a week and wear your tennis shoes.  Its ALOT of walking.

Let me tell you what to bring into the park if you have small kids.

My children are 6 and 5.  If you have younger kids, obviously, stick in some formula, diapers, wipes, baby food...whatever.

But, this is what Yankee Peach is packing in the backpack that will go into the parks with us every day...

Let me explain in list form (my favorite):

1.  Large plastic bag

You will need this in case of an accident.

2.  Extra pair of undies, socks and shorts for each child.

My poor 4 year old daughter went an entire week without messing up.  Then, at 11:55pm, with 5 minutes left until closing, she peed RIGHT before getting on the carousel.  Just all over the place.  My husband panicked, but I simply pulled her into a bathroom, changed her into the clothes I had, shoved the nasty things in the plastic bag, and we still had time to squeak in a carousel ride.

3.  Ponchos!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE!!!  Remember...Florida...sub-tropical.  I bought 11 of these for .89 each at Walmart because they rip easy.  But its better than be gouged in the park for the Disney Ponchos in the middle of a 10 minute downpour.  I bring 5 into the park, per my sister's advice.  One for each family member AND one for your stroller or that sopping went bench that you try to sit on later in the day.

4.  Sunscreen

Sunburn and the Happiest Place on Earth do not go together.

5.  Band-aids and Wipes

My daughter bit the dust one year and was bleeding profusely.  Being lame, I had nothing to clean it with and had not brought band-aids.  Other moms had to run to my rescue.  Never again!

6.  Snacks

True, we get snacks with our dining plan, but you just never know when your kids will get cranky or you feel your blood sugar taking a dive.  We always do the individual trail mix packets and Goldfish.  I used to do little chocolate chip cookies, but they melted.

7.  Camera and Phones

Not pictured, but self-explanatory

That's it!  Maybe bring your touring plans and some swimsuits if you want the kids to be able to splash around in some of the water fountains that they have in Magic Kindom and Epcot.  We purchase water in the park.  Water bottles are heavy to lug around and, to be honest, the water in Disney is NASTY.  It tastes like lukewarm swamp water.  So we do splurge on buying water bottles in the park.

My brain always gets frazzled trying to pack our suitcases for our trip AND pack the stuff I'll want in the park.  I have to re-remember where I shoved it all at 7am of our first day in the park.  I always forget something.

THIS year, I've already packed all my stuff!

I'll just stick it in my suitcase, then pull it out when its time to pack for Magic Kingdom.  I'm so smart.

If any of you seasoned Disney Veterans have other packing tips, let me know!

Magical Journey, MAGIC KINGDOM!!!

Okay, I may not get to everything before our trip because I desperately want to tell you how to pack for Disney eventually, BUT I HAVE to tell you about Magic Kingdom.  I. Love. Magic. Kingdom.  Sometimes, in the middle of any given day, I will stop what I am doing, sigh, and think, "I wish I was on Main Street right now..."  Yeah.  I'm in love.  But there's alot to know about Magic Kingdom so...

Consider this your Magic Kingdom Primer

1.  Getting There

If you've never been before, its important to plan ahead.  You cannot drive in your car or shuttle and be dropped off on Main Street.  Oh no...Disney plays hard to get with its most magical of all magical places on the planet.  You first, if you are driving, must park your car in their expansive parking lot.  You then, unless you get there early, must take a little shuttle that drops you off at the Monorail.

Most get on the Monorail.  If the line is long, take the Ferry.  Its a lesser known and used method of getting to Magic Kingdom and the kids love it.

Once off the Monorail/Ferry, you must get through security..."Security" being a kindly retired cop who probably paid his dues bustin' perps for 35 years in the ghetto of Detroit, who glances in your purse and tells your daughter that she looks like Cinderella.

THEN!  You may enter the Magical of Magicals.

2.  The Set Up

Disney has several "Lands", with Main Street being the sole artery into the place.  A helpful tip from my sister...don't wait forever to get your picture taken on Main Street by a Photo Pass guy.  If you walk down Main Street and veer right toward Tomorrow Land, there will be a photographer, bored to tears, standing near a rose garden.  The picture turns out tons better and you never had to wait.

Here's a map:

3.  The Rides

If you have small children, this section is very important.  Disney specializes in what they call Dark Rides.  These are indoor rides that are typically "dark" so that they can spotlight their stunning anamotronic characters.  Most of the Dark Rides are in Fantasyland and are for young kids.  They are super safe.  I once nursed my 8 week old daughter on Peter Pan.

However, the order in which you do the Dark Rides is key for a newby.  Do NOT start with Pirates of the Carribean.  Your child might be so terrified that they refuse to ride anything else.  Even the Pooh ride is a little intense.

Try this:  Its a Small World, then Peter Pan, then Winnie the Pooh., Splash Mountain, then MAYBE Haunted Mansion and Pirates. If they are good with that, then its just up to you as a parent what else they see.   In Janurary (hopefully) they will debut their newest Dark Ride, "Ariel's Undersea Adventure".  I can't wait.

4.  The Story

Something you need to know to appreciate Magic Kingdom, is that Walt Disney is all about The Story.  As you enter the tunnel that leads to Main Street, there are fake movie posters on the walls.  He meant these to remind you of movie previews.

Next, you'll notice in the top windows of the Main Street shops that there are names listed.  These are the original Disney guys.  Its supposed to be like the opening credits.

Main Street guides you through the beginning of the story...of YOUR story...the different lands are simply vehicles for the adventure that you and your family create.

Beautiful.  However, this does make things a little tricky for small kids.  You see, each ride is not just a ride unto itself.  It adheres to the rich Disney tradition of story telling.  There is the set up, there's meeting the characters, but then there is always some friction...something tense happens.  The Pooh ride has a thunderstorm/bad dream, for instance.  Splash Mountain has a scary cave where Brair Rabit looks like he will meet certain demise.  But they always end with a happy song and everyone living happily ever after.

Just keep that in mind with your little ones.  I suggest getting on youtube and letting the kids "tour" a ride online so that they are used to the dark rides and robots (anamatronics) within the ride.

5.  Mickey Punches In

One of our favorite things to do is to go to Magic Kingdom our first full day at Disney.  If the park opens at 9am, get there at 8:30am.  You will be rewarded.  The Mayor of Main Street comes out and welcomes you from on high at the Disney Railway Depot as you wait in anticipation below.  A bunch of singers come out and sing/dance.  Then, the anticipation builds.  In the distance, you'll see smoke.  You realize its the train!  Into the station it rolls with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and several princesses all ready to go to work.

No joke, my husband cried a little.  Its SO exciting and the kids love it!  Under a spray of confetti and streamers, the Mayor declares the park officially open, and in you walk to virtually no crowds at all.

6.  Tips and Tricks

Which leads me to my next section.  Here's what to do and not do in MK.

• Get there early!  You'll have the park to yourselves for about 2 hours.
• As you enter, to your left is a souvenir cart.  As the cast member for the day's schedule of events.  Its very useful.  
• Enjoy the ambience, soak in the atmosphere of Main Street, then make a bee line to Fantasyland
• Ride the crap out of Dumbo, Its a Small World, Peter Pan, and Winnie the Pooh before the lines form.
• Head to the Buzz Lightyear Ride before the lines form.
• If you have older kids, book it to Splash Mountain or Space Mountain
• Skip Tiki Birds, its so dumb.  My Dad is shedding a tear somewhere, because this is his favorite. 
• Skip Tom Sawyer's island. You get herded on to a raft that is standing room only, you wait 10 minutes for it to fill up, you put-put across to the island that is really not that big of a deal, then you repeat the herding process and wallow in your disappointment that you just wasted an hour at a glorified park.  Again.  Personal opinion
• Do Astro Orbiter at night...so worth it.
• Need a nap?  Take the kids on the super lame People Mover in Tomorrowland.  Its dark, slow, and sometimes you can make eye contact with the attendant and they will let you take a couple circuits around if there isn't a big line.
• Eat a Mickey Premium Bar.
• The famous Dole Whip is over-rated.
• Its about $15/day to rent a stroller.  Our children are almost 7 and 5 and we still take strollers with us.  Those little legs do ALOT of walking!  Tie something to the top of your stroller, because castmembers sometimes move strollers to make room.  We found ours about 2 rides down the way once!
• If you do Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, take your child to the bathroom first!!!  They do not have one there and you end up hoofing it across Fanstasyland while praying they don't call your kid's name in the Boutique during your long absense...trust me.
• WEAR TENNIS SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
• Bring ponchos.  .89 at Walmart.  Its a sub-tropical climate and pop up rain storms come and go.  We've only had to break them out once, but boy am I glad we had them!  That's a tip from my sister, who practically lives at Disney. 

I hope this lengthy post helps you!  I also highly recommend Unofficial Guide to Disney 2012 (or 2013 which usually comes out in August).  It has great tips and lots of touring plans to beat the crowds.

As always, have a magical day and let me know if you have questions!

Magical Journey, Part 3 "Top 10 Restaurants"

Ohhhh, the restaurants of Disney.  If you are a food snob, you will not necessarily have your palate tickled.  But, if you are a kid inside, your imagination will love Disney Dining.

I could wax eloquent, but lets get to the list.

Okay, I LIED.  Couple of things first.

Practically speaking, please call Disney...their website search engine is not very sophisticated.  I DID score Cinderella's Royal Table on a random search, but I also called (407) WDW-DINE and found out that there were a couple different options that weren't showing up online.  Also, the kindly, fairy godmother-like lady on the other end coaxed me into which time slot was better since I have small kids.  You don't get that on a website.

Also, as SOON as you book your package, start planning your meals.  Do some research.  There are tons of great food offerings with clever and entertaining themes.

Now.  The good stuff.

Yankee Peach 's Top 10 Disney Restaurants

1.  Sanaa 

Located in Animal Kingdom Villas (aka Kidani House), it was our 5th choice after everything was booked.  The operator said, "Well, you could try this new place..."  It ended up being our most favorite of all time.  It opens at 5pm...book the 5pm slot.  Perfect for your Animal Kingdom day, since that park closes around 5 anyway.

In Disney, you typically have to choose between great food and great experience.  Sanaa gets both right.  The food is to die for and is VERY gluten free friendly.  Their chai mousse changed my life.

See those windows?  There are now tables at each one...with zebras!

Experience wise, if you book early, you get a table in an alcove that has floor length windows right on to Animal Kingdom Lodge's savannah.  Its a cool, dark, quiet atmosphere after a hot sticky day in the park.  Our kids loved watching the zebras and giraffes graze right in front of us.  And, once our food came, a gnu stared at us intently as if to say, "You gonna eat that?"

Sanaa is a 1 sit-down meal credit with the Dining Plan.

2.  Cosmic Ray's

We are groupies of this guy!

Located in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, Ray's is a quick service place.  It has several stations that serve different styles of food.   There is a Deli/Salad station, a Burger station, and a Barbecue place with some fairly good ribs for quick-service.  The eating area is great. Sunny Eclipse, an anamatronic alien lounge singer, entertains your tired little children while you eat.  One of our favorite memories is watching our kids dance like maniacs to Sunny's alien vocal stylings. Its on the Dining Plan, but is also very reasonably priced if you don't use the plan.

We literally plan our Magic Kingdom touring day around lunch at Cosmic Ray's.

3. Cinderella's Royal Table

Okay, I've never been.  BUT, you have to go if you can.  The room is small and the demand high, so book early!  Be persistent if you don't get in right away.  We finally got in after trying for 30 days and will be there next week!

You have to go because, as a child, you and I beheld Cinderella's Castle in all its glory and mystery but could do nothing but pass through its arches to the other side of the park.  I always peaked around each corner in that tunnel and looked up each set of stairs wondering what was up in that castle.

Now, our kids can walk up the stairs to Cinderella's Table and meet her and some of her friends!  Do it for you...although your kids will love it too!

The food is okay, but this is one time where the experience outweighs the food.  Some of my friends love the fare offered them, but the kids' selections are pretty average when you look at the menu.

CRT will cost you two sit-down meal credits.

4.  Whispering Canyon

You'll find WC in Wilderness Lodge.  The Whoop -De-Doo Review costs 2-sit down credits and has only average food.  Whispering Canyon, on the other hand, is 1 credit and has GREAT barbecue!  PLUS, its alot of fun.  If you get there early and have a cute child with you, the crusty old cowboy that guards the entrance MIGHT let your child ring the triangle to signal the opening of the restaurant...or so I am told ;)

I may have ordered this...without sharing

Whispering Canyon's name is ironic.  Its loud.  Very loud.  But very entertaining.  I won't give away some of the things, but you better watch yourself or you will be jailed if you do not ask for ketchup correctly!  There are also races for the kids, singing, dancing and fabulous service.

Plus, you get to have the jaw-dropping experience of walking in to Wilderness Lodge to get there.  Its a beautiful resort.

5.  Akershus

Located in "Norway" in Epcot, its a great alternative to Cinderella's Table.  Many of my friends prefer it. I wasn't a huge fan of the food, but many rave about it.  You walk in to a room inhabited by whichever princess is "hosting"....usually Belle...and get a picture taken and presented to you in a keepsake folder during your meal.  As you eat, you are greeted at your table by Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and, in our case, Pocahontas.  My kids LOVED it.  It stressed me out, hopping between trying to get the kids to eat, getting them out of their boosters to meet a princess, then settled down to eat again until the next princess came, but the kids were delighted.  AND, as my friend Sarah pointed out, it beat waiting in a 20 minute line per princess to meet them throughout the park. And the princesses are truly charming.  Cinderella did not fail to act like she was in love with my son and commented that my blonde, blue-eyed daughter looked JUST like her.

Its also only 1 sit-down credit.

6.  Hacienda de San Angel

In "Mexico" of Epcot, you MUST go into the Mayan temple and experience Disney's true genius in transporting you to another world.  Soak in the ambiance.  Shop the market. Ride the little boat ride.  Then get the heck out of there.  That restaurant in there,  San Angel Inn, is notoriously slow and has been since I was little.

Instead, hop across the street to the inexpensive quick-service Hacienda de San Angel.  The food is to die for.  The red sauce they put over everything is delicious and the portions are huge.  Good place to share food if you are not on the Dining Plan.

7.  Pretzel Cart

Okay, I don't know the name.  BUT there is a pretzel cart in "Germany" that will change your life.  I don't know what they do different, but their big, soft, smushy, buttery pretzels are sent from heaven.  Get one.  True, its not a restaurant, but who am I to judge if you make one of these your lunch?

8.  Liberty Tree Tavern

I should've put this up further in the list.  Liberty Tree, in Liberty Square (Magic Kingdom) is one of the most pleasant dining experiences.  Again, it was a "Well, everything else is booked...lets eat at the boring colonial place."  Boy were we surprised!  After a busy, crazy day, its a great place to catch your breath.  Its themed, but not in the sensory-overload way that Disney tends to celebrate.  And, most importantly, the food was good and came FAST.  Think American comfort food.  Cobb Salad for me and Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes for my husband.  Normal chicken nuggets for the kids, but again...it was fast!  Much appreciated.

9.  Sunshine Seasons

Epcot has the best food in the 4 Kingdoms.  This quick service place located in The Land has well-made, healthy fare.  Again, it was a gluten free girl's dream.  Quick and yummy.

10.  Coral Reef Restaurant

Looks pretty cool to me!

Again, my host of Disney-loving friends helped me with this one.  Its located in the Nemo pavilion in Epcot.  I have never been, but MANY people gave it rave reviews...many of those friends have sophisticated (for me) palates.  Not only is it good food, but you the restaurant surrounds an aquarium.  As you eat, your kids can enjoy watching sharks and the occasional diver swim by.  And, I am sure, you will hear many shouts of "Look, Mommy, its Nemo!" :)

Notice that I did not put anything on Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom on here.  We've never been to Hollywood Studios and I was not super impressed with the food in AK.  However, many of my friends suggested that The Brown Derby and the 1950s Diner in H.S. are great.  We are doing a character meal at Hollywood and Vine next week.  I'll let you know how it goes.

In Animal Kingdom, my friends suggested Tusker House and Yak and Yeti as not only park favorites but favorites of all time.

If your kids love Pooh, then you will HAVE to do Crystal Palace along Main Street of Magic Kingdom.  The venue is pretty but the buffet left me frustrated.  I felt sure we would miss the characters if we went for more salad, so we sat planted at our seats...starving and impatient.  However, my kids are still young and love those characters, so we are going again!

Oh!  And every book, website, and many friends rave about Peco's Bills in Frontier Land of Magic Kingdom.  Its quick service taco fare.

Hope this helps you all as you plan and dream!    NEXT....we pick apart Magic Kingdom and the rides...my FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Magical Journey, Part 3 "Disney Dining"

So far, we've discussed when to go and where to stay.  NOW EVERYBODY ON SPACE MOUNTAIN, WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Hold your horses, space cowboy.

Before you get into the fun of planning which parks and which rides to visit, you need to consider your dining options.  Why?  Because any sit down dining place in Disney requires advanced reservations.

If you want to do Cinderella's Table, located in Cinderella's Castle, you need to book it months in advance.  In your mind, you may want to go to Magic Kingdom on a Thursday.  However, Cinderella's Table is only available for breakfast on a Tuesday.  That pretty much determines your park schedule.

Lets break this down to make it easy for you.

1. Dining Plan vs. No Dining Plan

The Dining Plan is a Disney offering that allows you to purchase all your meals ahead of time in one lump sum.  Typically, it saves you about 20%  on your total food budget.  One of the most common questions I get is, "Should I do the Dining Plan?"  First, consider these questions.

Are you staying on Disney Property?

The Dining Plan is only offered to folks staying in one of Disney's hotels.  So...there you go.  HOWEVER, every Fall and Spring Disney offers Free Dining Plan.  It might actually save you money to spend more on your hotel and get all your meals for free!

How old are your kids?

If you are staying on Disney Property , the Dining plan is offered for everyone 3 years and older listed in your package per night of your stay.  If your child is younger than that, do the Dining Plan! When my son Caleb was only 2, we didn't have to pay for his Dining Plan.  The meals were big enough that he could just eat off of his 4 year old sister's plate and it saved us tons.

HOWEVER, once Caleb was 3, we tried to not do the Dining Plan.  We thought we could just have everyone split meals instead of being forced to essentially pay for 4 meals every single time.  This did not work out.  You just don't realize how many times you eat at Disney!  All the Mickey Premium bars just to keep a crying child happy or sips of Coke to wake them up enough to hug Cinderella...they all cost.  In our fear of spending a large lump sum of money up front, we ended up nickel and dim-ing ourselves to death and spending even more.  Not. Cool.

Do the Dining Plans meet your family's needs?

There are three types of plans on Disney's Site.

The Quick Service Plan includes 2 quick service (fast food-style eateries) meals, 1 snack per person per night of your stay, plus 1 refillable beverage mug per person to use during your trip. 

Typical Child's Quick Service Meal

The Deluxe Plan is the typical plan.  It includes 1 quick service, 1 sit down (reservations must be made prior to your visit), 2 snacks, plus 1 refillable mug.

The Premium Plan includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus 2 snacks and the refillable mug.

We do the Deluxe Plan, which costs our family of four $932 for 7 nights.  Don't. freak. out.

Go on Disney's site and search for a couple quick-service and sit down restaurant's prices...its actually a good deal.

We like the Deluxe because we eat a light breakfast that we can make in our room or buy fairly cheaply.  We then are too antsy two sit through 3 sit-down meals when we could be riding rides but also need to force ourselves to take a break once a day for a nice meal in a (semi-)calm and air conditioned environment.

Edit:  Yesterday, I noticed a plan called Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining, which offers 1 quick service, 1 sit down and 1 snack per day.  My friend, Sarah, also brought it to my attention, because they always had too many snack credits left over and couldn't use them all.  I have never seen that before, but its definitely there if you go to actually book a package.

Do you want to do Character Dining?

Meet Pooh and friends at The Crystal Palace

If you want to have a sit down meal where your kids can meet Mickey and friends, Pooh and friends, or Cinderella and friends, then a Dining Plan might be a good choice.  These meals cost more than the normal sit down meals at Disney.  We have never been able to do Cinderella's Table (which books up VERY quickly and requires reservations 30-180 days in advance, depending on when you go).  It was important to me on this trip but to pay cash would be $200!  Now, it DOES require TWO of our sit down meals per person, because its extra special, but we'd gladly grab a burger for much cheaper on a different night and have that special experience through our Dining Plan.

Do you want to be counting pennies in The Happiest Place on Earth?

In these hard economic times, this seems very trite, but guess what?  You are going on a trip to Disney during these hard economic times, so you must be at least somewhat willing to spend a little money.  Here's the thing...Disney is very special.   But every bad thing is magnified in Disney.  So what if my daughter has the stomach flu here at home?  But once she had the stomach flu IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!  See how that seems tragic?

So, do you really want to have a melt down with your spouse over if you should buy your children popsicles in Fantasyland?   HOW COULD HE ARGUE WITH YOU IN THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!

I swear, I have almost served my husband with papers more times in THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH than anywhere else.

With the Dining Plan, you just present your "Key to the World" card to the cashier or waiter.  Each person in your group is issued a "Key to the World" that has all your info and each person's allottment of meals, snacks, etc.  Use them like debit cards.  You can even just use one person's card until it runs out and then start using someone else's.  So easy.

For us, anyway, the Dining Plan is one less stresser while in the parks.  I am sure there was a shorter and more normal way to tell you that.

Sigh...Okay...I've only gotten through the first point.  I really want to guide you through some of the restaurant choices, but maybe I'll make a Top Ten tomorrow and give you all a break!

Again, this is alot of info!  PLEASE contact me if you have more questions.  Tonight, I'll come up with a top ten for you, I promise!

As they say at Disney..."Have a Magical Day"!