Get to Know the Disney World Pools, Part Two: The Value Resort Pools
by Erin Foster on May 9, 2013 6 Comments
Now that we’ve covered the basics of Disney pools in general, let’s get into the specific pool situation at each resort. First up are the Disney value level resorts: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Art of Animation, and Pop Century. Here’s the scoop on the pools at these hotels.
- How many pools are there? Two.
- What is the pool themeing? The main Fantasia pool features elements from the film “Fantasia,” notably a Sorcerer Mickey statue which shoots streams of water into the center of the pool. The smaller Mighty Ducks pool features hockey themeing such as larger than life sticks and a faux goal net.
- What’s the kiddie pool situation? There is one shallow kiddie pool with an adjacent water spray feature. This is located to the immediate right of the Fantasia pool, as you face the main Cinema Hall building.
- Are there water slides? No.
- Is there a nearby playground? There is a playground, located a bit away from the pool, near the Toy Story section of the resort.
- What’s the nearest food option? The Silver Screen Spirits bar is next to the Fantasia pool. For a full menu, go inside Cinema Hall to the World Premier Food Court. There are no food options near the Mighty Ducks pool.
- Are there showers at pool? Yes. There are locker rooms with showers next to both pools.
- Are there hot tubs? No.
- Are there towels available at the pool? No. You are welcome to use the towels from your room while you’re at the pool.
- How deep is the pool? Both pools are five feet at their deepest point.
- Is there are zero entry pools? No.
- Are poolside cabanas available? No.
- Are there poolside activities? Yes. All activities take place at the Fantasia pool area. There is one poolside ping-pong table. Schedules may vary seasonally, but recently there were planned events from 1:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. every afternoon, plus a movie under the stars in the evening. Events may include: Mickey Bean Bag toss, Twister, Musical Dots, Dance Party, Bingo, Treasure Hunt, and others.
- Anything else? Laundry facilities are available next to both pools. Read the rest of this entry »
Star Wars Weekends Are Coming!
by Rikki Niblett on May 8, 2013 3 Comments
©Disney
With only about a week and a half left until Star Wars Weekends, people are getting excited! It is truly a time when Disney’s Hollywood Studios shines.
Early this week, I discussed about the Carbon Freeze Me Experience that will be taking place at the event. We now know some more details about these special weekends.
Serving as Celebrity Hosts, yet again, will be Ashley Eckstein and James Arnold Taylor, both of whom are voice actors for the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV show.
In addition, during each weekend there is a trio of Star Wars celebrities who celebrate the event with fans of the franchise. Disney announced that the 2013 celebrities will be:
Weekend I (May 17–19)
- Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
- Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
- Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Captain Rex – Star Wars: The Clone Wars) Read the rest of this entry »
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley announced for Universal Studios Florida
by Adam Roth on May 8, 2013 26 Comments
While details are slowly being released, the Universal Orlando Resort announced today that it will offer the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience by expanding its Harry Potter assets to the resort’s original park.
The initial confirmation is from Universal Orlando’s official Facebook page and reveals some early details…
Building on the global phenomenon that is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced an expansion of historic proportion with the entirely new themed environment, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
Scheduled to open in 2014, the world’s first centrally themed, multi-park experience expands The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across both Universal Orlando theme parks and allows Universal’s creative team to bring an unparalleled vision to this unique project. The new area will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films, offering brand-new adventures for fans and theme park guests from around the world.
Diagon Alley and ‘London’ will be located within the Universal Studios Florida theme park, which is adjacent to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park, where guests now experience Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. The new area within Universal Studios will be just as expansive, immersive and authentic as the existing themed environment.
We’ll continue to update this post as more official details are released, but with a scheduled opening for 2014, it looks like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley will be a fantastic new environment filled with fantastic new experiences including rides, shops, dining, and tons of detail!
Update:
The Universal Orlando Resort put out an official press release sharing a few more details on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, including confirmation of a new themed attraction based on the recognizable Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Read the rest of this entry »
Observations from Limited Time Magic: May the 4th Be With You! May 4, 2013
by Scarlett Litton on May 8, 2013 7 Comments
Up until about a week ago I was pretty disappointed with Limited Time Magic. Sure, there were a few fun meet and greets, but nothing that blew me away. But then, they announced May the 4th Be With You at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I am a huge Star Wars fan, so the idea of special meet and greets, merchandise, a dance party with characters, and fireworks surrounding the franchise seemed like a fantastic idea. May 4 has been celebrated as an unofficial Star Wars Day by fans for years (It’s a play on the popular phrase “May the Force Be With You”…Get it?) and a formal celebration seemed like a prime opportunity for Limited Time Magic.
While everything sounded fun, I originally just planned to show up for the end for fireworks, but since I didn’t really have other plans that day and so many friends were going to be in the park, I decided to take my kids out for the whole day. When we pulled into the parking lot at 9am (getting 2 toddlers out of bed has a way of making you miss Rope Drop), I was surprised at the number of cars. I then realized that the park had Extra Magic Hours that morning and that the park had already been open for an hour. Normally this wouldn’t bother me too much, but since there was merchandise and Jedi Training Academy sign-ups that you needed to be there early for, this put us way behind. Read the rest of this entry »
The Best Stage Show at WDW: Finding Nemo – The Musical
by Brian McNichols on May 7, 2013 24 Comments
There are few concrete truths in this mixed up, crazy world, but one of them is that Finding Nemo – The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the best stage production at Disney World. In fact, I am so certain that I will not even explain my reasons…thanks for reading!
What!? You are dubious of my claim!? Okay, I’m about to drop a Nemo-shaped truth bomb on you.
Carbon Freeze Me Exprerience Returns for Star Wars Weekends
by Rikki Niblett on May 7, 2013 4 Comments
©Disney
Did getting frozen in carbonite last year during Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios sound amazing? (You know…from the scene in Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back.)
This year, casting yourself in the Carbon-Freeze Me experience is back again. In addition, a brand new option will also be included of allowing yourself to be cast to look like a Stormtrooper.
The two experiences will take place in Darth’s Mall, a special merchandise area specifically for the Weekends. Each figurine is $99.95, plus shipping and tax. It will then be sent to your home in about 7-8 weeks. (International shipping may take a bit longer.)
If you would like to book your experience, call (407) WDW-TECH. A credit card number will be required to hold the reservation. This opportunity will only take place during the Weekends. Keep in mind that theme park admission is required to enter the park.
Star Wars Weekends take place on May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31-June 2, and June 7-9.
Space Mountain Reopens but Disneyland Still Faces OSHA Issues
by Seth Kubersky on May 7, 2013
As we reported late last month, the Disneyland Resort recent shuttered some major E-Ticket attractions following inspections from California’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA). Most of the rides, including Soarin’ Over California and California Screamin’, swiftly returned to service, but the iconic Space Mountain remained off-limits to guests for the past 3 weeks.
Happily, Space Mountian returned to service on Friday night (May 3) and resumed normal operating hours as of Saturday, May 4. To clarify earlier coverage, Disney was fined $234,850 after a contract employee was injured in a fall last November while cleaning the exterior of Space Mountain, but the current closure was a voluntary action (not mandated by Cal/OSHA) intended to ameliorate related safety issues that had previously been “grandfathered” approval. Disneyland has not yet announced whether it will appeal the fines, or if further safety modifications to Disneyland attractions (or similar rides at Walt Disney World) will be made.
Observations from Limited Time Magic: Fiesta! May 6, 2013
by Scarlett Litton on May 6, 2013 2 Comments
For Limited Time Magic this week Walt Disney World is holding a week-long celebration of Cinco de Mayo in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot. Festivities include two special shows: Mexican Music and Epcot Marionetas, special food at the sit down restaurants, and special appearances of The Three Caballeros! I wasn’t too excited about the special shows or food…but the chance to meet Panchito and Jose Carioca, that I could get excited about! I decided to avoid the crazy Cinco de Mayo crowds yesterday and went to check it all out today and have my own Seis de Mayo celebration.
I arrived at the park late, around noon, since World Showcase doesn’t open til 11, the Crowd Calendar had Epcot has a Best Park, and it was supposed to be pretty empty. Read the rest of this entry »
A Slice of Vegan Tonga Toast Heaven
by Emily Woesthoff on May 6, 2013 11 Comments
Bird’s Eye View of a Magic Breakfast
Gearing up to celebrate a monumental birthday is likely different for everyone. Some people plan lavish parties with lots of excitement, but for me, there was a lot of crying, panic, and anxiety. When I found myself with a work-free day on my 30th, I decided to make the best of it and celebrate WDW style! If you have to turn 30, you might as well turn 30 at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, right?
A few days prior, I made a reservation for myself at Kona Cafe, and promptly sent an e-mail to the WDW Special Diets team (thank you Disney Hipsters Adam and Andrew for the advice!). You see, I had heard tell of vegan Tonga Toast. Though I had never had traditional Tonga Toast, I figured: if there’s any way to celebrate a birthday, it’s with vegan deep fried bread and cinnamon, so I might as well give it a whirl!
I received a reply from WDW Special Diets the day following my request. They assured me it wouldn’t be a problem, and to just notify the host or hostess that I had spoken with them. Bingo bango, right? I can’t say I wasn’t skeptical, or preparing myself for potential disappointment, but I figured if nothing else, there was Kona coffee in it for me, so it would be a win/win either way! Read the rest of this entry »
Observations from Epcot: May 3, 2013
by Scarlett Litton on May 4, 2013 7 Comments
Today I visited Epcot to collect and update menus. To break up the day I also visited some of my favorite attractions, wandered around World Showcase, and had lunch. It was a gorgeous sunny day with a few sprinkles (I managed to leave the park before the heavier evening rain) and a perfect day for exploring Epcot.
I began the day by visiting Journey into Imagination with Figment. I know, I know…It’s a shell of its former self…but honestly, I think it’s a cute ride. I’m sure this is only helped by the fact that I don’t really remember the original (I hadn’t been on it since I was 2) and don’t feel the same nostalgia many do. While nothing significant was different on the ride, I did notice the post-show was in great condition. Okay, wait. Let me rephrase that. The post-show is still fairly plain and unexciting for most people…but for ages I felt like a lot of it was broken or turned off whenever I went through. Today everything was turned on and working properly, and there was nothing roped off. It looked great for what it is. Read the rest of this entry »
