Christmas Merchandise at World of Disney NYC

This is just some of the vast amount of Christmas Merchandise available at NYC’s World of Disney. The store will be closing for good on Dec 31st of this year.

Tuesday WDWPRINCE Pic

Space Mountain at Dusk

Taken Sept. 30, 2009.

Tips For Dining in Disney World Alone

WDWPRINCE at Picabu 12am!

Last Saturday I tweeted this question ” On traveling alone to WDW, what was your favorite bar or restaurant on property for dining solo?”

October 23 at 11:33am via Twitter

Today, The Disney Food Blog posted these tips, from Gray at solofriendly.com.

Have your table service meal during a less crowded time. Try lunch time.

Eat at a restaurant with bar or counter seating. Bars are more social, counters can provide view of chefs cooking.

Enjoy a dinner show. Spirit of Aloha at Polynesian or Hoop Dee Doo at Fort Wilderness.

Go for a great view. Choose a restaurant with views of fireworks shows during dinner.

Tomorrow the Disney Mom’s Panel will address the question. Stay tuned. (Mom’s giving advice on dining alone, hmmm).

Some of my readers suggest:

When I’m there alone, I prefer to eat at the bar in a restaurant, as opposed to a table. The bartenders are always a blast!

I have never felt uncomfortable at any restaurant/hotel/lounge or attraction because I was alone. Quite the oppisite. People and castmembers seem to turn extra friendly when they find out you are alone. I have many great memories and stories from my adventures at WDW by myself.

I always like going and hanging out at the lounge in the Poly or at the Kona Sushi Bar.

What is your favorite place to dine in alone? What are tips you’d like to share with solo travelers? Please leave your comments!

Tuesday Wdwprince Pic from Epcot

Feeling Good in Morocco

Taken during a celebration in Morocco, Epcot.

China Receives “Worst Of” Award of Epcot Food and Wine at WDWPRINCE

The Culprit

Sorry China, I think you are an amazing country with superb cuisine but…you did not bring it to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival 2009! What can I say, this rice pancake with shrimp is an insult to the lives of the shrimp that were taken to make this. On closer inspection, were there shrimp in in? I couldn’t find any.

The flavor was, well, flavorless. Not there. I sometimes like foods that are very subtle in flavor or even kind of starchy. But this was just inedible. It was the only Food and Wine Festival purchase that I threw out after one bite. And trust me, I’m not a finicky eater. I certainly don’t believe in throwing food out. Even the trash can was insulted that I would feed it such an awful morsel.

So China, step up to the plate (bad pun intended) and next year be innovative, tasty and deliver the goods (another bad pun intended for New Yorkers). Again I love China. I want to love them at Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Maybe next year.

Wu Dan- Friendly Server or Deceitful Accomplice?

Ka Yan- Chef Extraordinaire or Culinary Culprit?

Please leave comments with your experience, favorite or otherwise at Epcot Food and Wine Festival. I would like to hear!

Hey, Tsing Tao Beer is good! Redemption?

How Save Money On Tickets For A Short Visit

Magic Your Way Ticket

Get reduced price tickets for a short stay.

There aren’t many ways to beat the system when it comes to buying park tickets at Disney World. Disney has however, created a loophole for savvy guests. What I’m about to share will best benefit those like myself who may visit Disney World two or three times in a year for a stay of 3 to 4 days. If you are visiting frequently, an annual pass for $619 (non Florida residents) is an option.

If an annual pass doesnt make sense for you, consider this. Buy extra days of park admission while you’re at WDW with the no expiration option.

For example, if you are planning a short trip for 3 days and know that you’ll be returning for more short trips of 3 to 4 days in the future, buy a 10 day ticket and upgrade to a no expiration option for the unused days on the first trip.

Let’s do the math. Currently a 3 day Magic Your Way ticket for an adult is $219. That makes it $73 per day for an adult to enter 1 park. A 4 day Magic Your Way ticket would come to $56.25 per day.If you buy a 10 day Magic Your Way ticket the cost is $243. That brings the cost down to $24.30 a day. The fee for a no expiration option for 10 days is $209. The cost for a 10 day ticket with no expiration excluding tax comes to $452. So tickets now total $45.20 a day before tax.

This option is really only advantageous for those who know that they will be making short trips to Disney in the future.

Prices only go up each year (usually in the beginning of August). So if you plan on going on short trips to WDW adding up to 10 days in total over time, you can know that you have the option to lock in a price now that will be lower than your next visit. You just have to pony up the money now. You save the most money if your visits are 4 days or less each time because the less time you are at Disney, the more expensive the tickets are. So if you buy a 10 day Magic Your Way ticket with no expiration you are locking in a price of $45.20 per day for the future. With Park Hopper Option, $50.40. Again these are prices before tax.

Confusing, sure. Fact, you can save some money this way. Basically, you are locking in a lower price that doesn’t expire for future visits. You can also add on Water Park option as well. From this point on, it’s you and the calculator. Be savvy, try this out. You will be rewarded with extra dollars in your pocket to save or spend at Disney.

Any questions? Feel free to ask me.

That comes to how much?

Magic Your Way 09 Ticket

What is Mickey’s Not So Scary? (Map Included)

Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Brochure Lists Open Attractions And Restaurants

There are several special events, each one a new reason to visit Disney World thoughout the year.

On Select dates from Sept 4 – Nov 1, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place at the Magic Kingdom from 7pm-12am.

Like the name says, it’s not so scary which makes it fun for kids. But…it’s fun for adults too. Here’s why.

• If you like Halloween, and I do, special areas of Magic Kingdom are transformed into spooky haunted hallows using theming, music and lighting effects.
• It doesn’t matter what age you are, everyone can Trick or Treat! All receive a Trick or Treat bag at the entrance. There are Disney characters and Disney villians at special spots throughout the park dispensing treats.
• Very short lines with little to no wait! I could get on any attraction within minutes. (I attended the party during the last week of Sept)
• There are special Halloween fireworks. Also, the headless horseman starts off the Halloween parade with a ride through the park.

Mickey Ghost

Leota's Not So Dead Headstone

All is included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance (and are cheaper that way). The cost this year is $55.38 total when you buy in advance.

Be sure to check out Leota’s Tombstone at the entrance to the Haunted Mansion. You may find that she’s not so dead after all.

Last year I came to the Halloween Party without planning to and I had a great time. Get a group of friends, go with your boyfriend or girlfriend or secretly enjoy it with your kids!

Me About To Have A Spooky Good Time

What Is Value Season at Walt Disney World?

There are certain dates during the year that are “value season” in Walt Disney World.

What does this mean for you? This means that resort prices are less expensive. It also means that some dining options and shows drop in price.

This year, Disney is listing value season at WDW as from Aug 27-Oct 3 2009. My favorite  time to go to WDW is during the last week in September and beginning of October.  The weather is generally milder and is much more comfortable for exploring the parks. Also, at that time there are two special hard ticketed special events happening, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Epcot Food And Wine Festival. Not bad at all.

Travel agencies can assist in finding package deals. I like to search and book on my own. I find that it is useful to start checking sites like Travelocity and Expedia about 7 weeks before your travel dates. It is also economical to book hotel and flight together. For the Dolphin Resort, the price dropped signifcantly 7 weeks out. The deal I got through Travelocity works out to less than $100 a night at the Dolphin. (Remember, that includes Extra Magic Hours at the parks and free transportation!) That’s the price of a value (or cheap) resort on Disney property. Lesson being, do some research! Watch for those rates to drop. If you check daily, you will see the rates fluctuate between $5 to $150.

Disney is again offering their Free Dining Plan this year. If you purchase one of their 5 night/5 day Magic Your Way packages which includes room and theme park tickets, you get a free dining plan. Basically you pay a flat per-person fee for dining each day. Details can be found at the link above.

Dinner theater shows like Spirit of Aloha at the Polynesian, are about $15 less during value season. Also many restaurants on property cut their prices about 20% during this time. Another option for saving money on food is to buy an annual pass. Annual passholders can purchase a Tables In Wonderland Card. For Florida residents it is $100. Annual passholders can purchase one for $75. One of the benefits is 20% discount on all food and beverages at participating Resort hotel and Disney Theme Park restaurants. That includes alcohol!

Try out WDW during value season. The lines are  shorter, the weather is better, food is cheaper and you can spend money saved on yourself!

Deluxe Resort At A Value Price- The Dolphin Resort

Stay on Disney property in a deluxe resort for a value price!

Book at the Swan/Dolphin Resort.  The benefits include extra magic hours (extra hours in the parks for hotel guests exclusively), free transportation to the parks and total immersion in the Disney experience.

On my upcoming trip at the end of Sept 09., I will  be staying at the Dolphin Resort. This will be my third stay there. I prefer The Dolphin as it seems better suited for adults without children. The focus is on quality restaurants, a great spa, Mandara, and state of the art health club. The gym includes cardio equipment, free weights, shower, hot tub and comp bottles of water.

The theming, though less Disney than Disney-owned resorts, is whimsical. The Dolphin is family friendly however. Character dining is available at select restaurants in the beginning or end of each day. The Swan and Dolphin are Starwood owned. The Swan is owned and operated by Westin, the Dolphin is owned and operated by Sheraton. You can always find a great price at The Dolphin with a little research. At times the Swan has a lower rate than the Dolphin. Generally it is more expensive. You just have to be consistent in your online search. I have not yet stayed at the Swan Resort but I look foward to giving it a try.

Why do I like the Dolphin?

• Because I can always find good rates.
• I  happen to like the design by architect Michael Graves, even though the dolphins look like odd sea creatures.
• There is really good food. For breakfast I look foward to eating at Fresh Mediterranean Market. In addition to excellent omelettes made to order, they have combinations of fresh squeezed juices. Although expensive, there is Todd English’ Blue Zoo for great seafood and Shula’s Steakhouse for the obvious. For 24 hour quick service there is the tacky, noisy Picabu. Its good for a late night bottle of wine or protein drink, however your day went. You may need a drink after the loud piped in bird calls rattles your brain.
• There is a huge heated grotto pool (perfect place to have a mojito by late at night), a lap pool and a couple of saunas, as well as a beach.
• The lobby offers time saving perks. There are two on site Disney ticket desks. Also, two airline boading pass kiosks to save time when heading home.

Free transportation to the parks either by shuttle bus or water taxi. The hotel is also within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It’s also within walking distance of a miniature golf course.

Most of all, the beds are incredibly comfortable. The best part was being in bed with view of Tower of Terror!

View of Tower or Terror-From My Comfy Bed!

Breakfast at Fresh Mediterranean Market with Miguel

If you’re going to WDW single, with a group of friends or with your significant other, I recommend the Swan or Dolphin. After the kid in you plays in the parks, enjoy rest and comfort in an adult-friendly resort.

The Swan/Dolphin also has an informative free app that you can download from iTunes.

Me On My Way To The Parks

Back to Disney

Why back to Disney?

I‘ve been to Disney World a total of six times in my life. The first time was as a small boy. At the time only the Magic Kingdom existed. It must have been sometime in the late 70s. That trip had a huge impact on me. I had a great time and fell in love with Florida. The Magic Kingdom truly was magical to me. Everything that Walt Disney had intended for a child to feel while inside the park, I felt. Pure bliss. Fantasy. Color. Just the feeling of having the best day ever.
The next time I would visit WDW would be almost two decades later, around 1998. Again I visited in 2000 and 2001. The emphasis at that time was to party at special events held near and in the parks.
About 7 years later, in 2008, I went again. This time to explore the parks and just have fun.

Which brings me to now. I will be going to WDW for the third time in the span of a year next month. I went last Sept, this past June and now Sept again. I have investigated many Disney related websites and blogs, watched countless videos and even bought a huge guidebook. Why the increased interest in Disney?

I have my theories. Recapturing the wonder. Celebrating a happy place. Whatever the reasons, I will explore the reasons, I am going to Food and Wine at Epcot this year. I will take you with me..