Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Location: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
FastPass: Yes
Ride Type: Outdoor Gentle Ride
Restrictions: None
Ages: All ages, mostly youngsters
Typical Wait Time: Moderate

If anybody has been to Disney World with children, you most likely have been on this ride and waited on the line.  In the middle of the day this line can become pretty unbearable because there was no shade and the line moves so slow you almost feel like you are going in reverse.  Well thank goodness the Disney Imagineers were at work this year to fix this!!!

Now Dumbo has doubled in size with two Dumbo rides and two separate lines.  One line is dedicated solely for FastPass users! The other line has a standby wait time available to you.  Now here is where the magic begins.  You walk in through the line and at the end awaits a Disney Cast Member.  You take a pager (much like a restaurant pager) and are able to roam free throughout the tent.  The best part is that there is numerous seating, it is completely air conditioned, and there is an enormous play area for kids 4-8 years old.  There are slides, climbing nets, toddler play area and much more! My brother and I (21 and 20) were definitely jealous of these little kids.  We can remember being younger and waiting in the horrible heat for dumbo and my parents remembered hearing us whine about too! This was definitely an awesome idea for a queue line.  When your pager lights up and vibrates, you bring it to the podium and you wait on a short line until you get on the ride.  I think we waited about 10 minutes from that point.  Definitely much better than being outside the whole time.  The ride is the same as it always us.  You use the lever to move your elephant up and down.  My brother and I kept ours up all the way the entire time because we were able to see a lot of the New Fantasyland.  Afterwards there is a Dumbo that is available to take pictures with!

Disney Tip: If you aren't going to watch the parade or the fireworks show, head to this ride during those times.  Most young kids want to see the parade and fireworks and this line tends to be a lot shorter.

New Fantasyland

Here is some info on the New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.  This has been Disney's biggest undertaking for expansion since the opening of the Animal Kingdom!  This will open up in stages over the next few years and really be an exciting new part of the Magic Kingdom.

As of July 2012, some of the Storybook Circus has opened up to the public.  If you have been to Disney World before, you probably have seen the Dumbo ride and also waited on the ridiculously long line with the sun beating right down on you.  Thank goodness Disney has changed this and made this line move quicker and also be more of a pleasurable experience.  I will have more info to come about this upgrade to Dumbo in a later post.

If you remember Mickey's Toontown Fair, then you probably remember Goofy's Barnstormer.  Well this Rollercoaster is back and literally exactly the same as it was before.  We asked the Cast Member at the entrance if it changed at all and he told us literally all they did was switch the exit and the entrance and add different scenery.  Now it is Circus themed to go with the Storybook Circus.

Toontown also used to have a railroad stop that came from Frontierland and went to Main Street, U.S.A.  Well luckily, that railroad stop is now the Fantasyland railroad stop and is open to the public.  This is a great way to get around the park quickly without having to walk.

Also now available is the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station where guests can cool down with sprinklers in the play area.  If you remember Donald's Boat, you will find this attraction familiar because it is exactly the same, but with different decor.

There are many other things that are coming up in the future, even the near future.  If you have been to Disney this year, you have probably noticed the circus tents.  One of these will become a shop similar to the one that was in toontown.  Another Tent will become home to Pete's Silly Slideshows where you can meet your favorite Disney Characters as Circus acts!  Minnie and Daisy will be one line and Goofy and Donald will be a different line.

The other section of the New Fantasyland will be the Enchanted Forest.  Many of these attractions are expected to open December 6th, 2012.

Prince Eric's Castle will house the Under the Sea~Journey of the Little Mermaid Attraction in which you can hop in a shell and journey through the story of Ariel and all of her friends.  Ariel's Grotto should be reopening near this attraction at the same time where guests can meet Ariel.

One of the most awaited places to open has been the Be Our Guest Restaurant which will open in December.  This will be housed in the Beast's Castle and will be quick service for lunch and table service for dinner.  Gaston's Tavern will also open and will be quick service all day long.  Belle will also have story time with Lumiere near the castle.  Maurice's Cottage will also open around this time as well as a souvenir shop named Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Sometime in 2013, Princess Fairytale Hall will open which will feature everybody's favorite Disney Princesses.

Snow White's Scary Adventures has been closed, but in 2014 a new Snow White Attraction will become available.  The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be in the center of this New Fantasyland and is sure to be a favorite of guests of all ages.

Disney Tip: If you want to see the entire model of the New Fantasyland in person, head to the One Man's Dream in Hollywood Studios.

Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios
Serves: Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
Reservations: Recommended
Price: Moderate
Cuisine: Italian
Disney Dining Plan: Yes
Menu Standout: Flatbread Pizzas and Chicken Parmesan





When you walk into this restaurant you will feel like you have stepped into a little Italian trattoria with its beautiful hardwood tables, chairs, and floors and little lights all around the restaurant.  This restaurant is a recreation of a restaurant in California by the same name!  Mama Melrose wanted to be an actor in hollywood, but her food was more of the attraction to her, and poof this restaurant was born!  The entry way is adorned with autographs of many famous people who went to the restaurant in California! If these famous actors, actresses, and directors enjoyed this restaurant, you definitely will too!

Four Cheese and Mushroom Flatbread

The menu is what makes this restaurant special.  I have never had anything bad here! It is probably one of the largest menus you will find at Disney World, with items varying from pizzas to pasta to meats and seafood.  All of the pastas are homemade and everything is cooked almost right in front of you because there is an open kitchen.  The last couple of times I have been there I have gotten the campanelle pasta or the gnocchi.  Both were absolutely delicious and I would get these again and again!  The Flatbreads are also amazing and many people even get them as their meal because they are so good.  My family got one as an appetizer to share and it was gone in literally seconds.  They also have delicious desserts like cheesecake and chocolate cannoli cake, both of which are amazing.

Chicken Campanelle

This restaurant is also part of the dinner and a show option where you can eat lunch or dinner at a particular restaurant and then have automatic seating at the Fantasmic show that night. You must do this in advance by making a reservation and request the dinner and a show option.  The only thing is, if you do this package you must get an appetizer, an entree, and dessert for a flat fee of around 35 dollars.  My family was unaware of this when we got there and I wish we would have been hungrier for all of the food we ordered.  It was nice though when we got to walk right up and have seats waiting for us at Fantasmic though!

Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables and Pesto

This is one of the most delicious restaurants in Disney World and is both kid and adult friendly.  If you are looking for italian food that is still familiar to the American palate, this is your restaurant!

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios Backlot
Serves: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
Reservations: Recommended
Price: Moderate
Cuisine: American
Disney Dining Plan: Yes
Menu Standouts: Milkshakes and All American Burger

This restaurant is one of the best in Disney for all ages! You walk in to an awesome looking restaurant that is made to look like a drive in movie.  Each family has their own car to sit and eat in with a great view of the enormous television.  50s and 60s flicks are usually playing on the screen and are entertaining for the entire family.  The waiters and waitresses sometimes even wear roller skates when bringing food to your car!






Not only is the atmosphere cool, but this place has some pretty awesome food as well!  Don't leave without one of their creamy, thick milkshakes or homemade, flavored sodas.  Awesome appetizers like spinach and artichoke dip and their famous BLT soup.  Last time we went my brother got the All American Burger.  It's a 1/2 pound burger patty, topped with 2 hot dogs, sauerkraut, griddled onions, mustard, and ketchup.  You won't find anything like it anywhere else! Dessert favorites are red velvet cheesecake and peanut butter chocolate cake! This restaurant also has a great kids menu with things like mac and cheese, chicken fingers, tomato soup, and much more!

This restaurant is loved by all for the atmosphere and great food.  Don't miss out because it is an experience like no other!

Fantasmic

One show that you cannot miss is Fantasmic! It is a 25-minute show at Hollywood Studios and happens most nights, especially during peak season.  Before your trip you can check online to see what nights the show will take place.  During especially crowded times, like the summer, there are two showings at 9:00PM and 10:30PM.  This is a show unlike any other show at Disney World.  Mickey Mouse has nightmares about all of the Disney villains, but of course knowing Mickey he doesn't let them ruin his sleep!  All of your favorite Disney characters are in this show.  There are beautiful fireworks and awesome water special effects throughout the show.  The music consists of all of your favorite Disney songs.

Fantasmic is located on Sunset Boulevard at the Hollywood Hills Theater.  This is between Tower of Terror and the Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage Show.  Seating begins 90 minutes prior to the show, and most people begin to line up at that time.  You can most likely get a seat 30 minutes prior, but it won't be the best seat.  I have rarely seen a person being able to find a seat closer to the showing than 30 minutes.  It is advised that you may get wet if you are in the first few rows, but I sat in the second row this past time and never felt a drop.  You also may wonder what you are going to possibly be doing besides just sitting before the show begins for all of that time, but Disney Cast members do a lot of fun things with the audience before show start.


If you want to beat the lines at this show, there is a way.  If you make lunch or dinner reservations at either Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano or Hollywood and Vine you can choose the dinner and a show package. Basically you make a reservation the day you want to see Fantasmic and select the package deal.  This allows you to go 30 minutes to show time, sometimes even less than that, and walk right to the front of the line to your own reserved section.  Hollywood and Vine is a buffet and Mama Melrose's is an al a carte menu.  However, with the Mama Melrose package you must order an appetizer, entree, and dessert for a flat fee of about 35 dollars a person. My family did that and I felt like the money we spent really did not add up with the food that we ordered.  But I do think it was worth it because we had awesome seats and did not need to wait in line at all.  Plus the meal we had was delicious.

Don't miss out on this show because it will be something you will never forget!

Reminder: This show is dependent on the weather! Do not be disappointed if a show is cancelled due to rain!

How to Save a Rainy Day

Florida weather is not the most predictable, especially during the summer months.  Rain showers and thunderstorms come and go as many times as you see Mickey Mouse in the Magic Kingdom! Don't let the rain get you down because Disney World actually has a lot of ways to save a rainy day!

1. Take a shopping break- Every theme park has a very wide array of shops to choose from, and luckily they are usually indoors.  Browse the stores and buy souvenirs for your family while its raining.  You are going to do it at some point during your trip, so why not when its raining.  If you don't want to worry about carrying your merchandise around in the rain, Disney has a policy in which they can send your packaged merchandise to guest relations in the front of the park and you can pick it up later.  So buy anything you want, you only need to carry it from the park exit to your hotel!

2. Take a food break- Everybody can always go for a quick snack, so stop by any quick service restaurant and grab fries or a drink while you wait for the rain to stop.  While you eat you are having quality family time and can even plan the rest of the day.  If it starts raining within a half hour of any table service reservation, head to the restaurant because you may be able to get seated early.  And even if you end up waiting, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the waiting area of the restaurant.  Usually there is seating available, plus you will be dry!

3. Head to indoor rides- Many rides in Disney World are indoor and have indoor queue lines.  Just because it is raining, doesn't mean your day is ruined!  I will give a list of indoor rides below so you can make sure to head there in case a storm hits your vacation!!

Magic Kingdom

• Space Mountain 
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Stitch's Great Escape
• Carousel of Progress
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• It's a Small World
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Mickey's Philharmagic
• The Haunted Mansion
• The Hall of Presidents
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The Enchanted Tiki Room

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends Attraction
• Living with the Land
• Soarin
• The Circle of Life
• Captain EO
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Mission: Space
• Universe of Energy
• Maelstrom
• Gran Fiesta Tour

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
• The Magic of Disney Animation
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• Toy Story Mania
• The Great Movie Ride
• The American Idol Experience
• Star Tours-The Adventure Continues
• Muppet Vision 3D

Animal Kingdom

• It's Tough to be a Bug
• Expedition Everest
• Dinosaur
• Festival of the Lion King

4. Buy Rain slickers- All over Disney World, Rain slickers are available.  Don't forget to save them for your next trip so you don't need to buy new ones.  They will keep you dry and fold up to almost nothing.  Use them as you walk from place to place and you will be able to enjoy the park as if it were sunny!

Main Street Electrical Parade

All of the Disney World Theme Parks have fantastic parades to offer.  A favorite Magic Kingdom is the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Tinkerbell leads the parade of LED lights and special effects that light up all of Main Street U.S.A.








This is a must see for any kids! It is a parade like no other because every float is completely covered in lights.  All of your kids favorite Disney characters are in this parade and make it so special for them.  There are 23 different floats that go through this showstopping parade.

The parade follows the traditional Magic Kingdom parade route which is heading from Main Street to Frontierland.  There are plenty of viewing locations throughout the route, but it gets crowded early.  Plan to arrive 45 minutes early to snag the perfect viewing spot! Usually the parade runs during peak seasons and special events!

Disney Tip: During super peak seasons, there are 2 shows, an early and a late one.  If your family has enough steam left in them, plan to stay for the later show because it is usually less crowded!

For more information on the Main Street Electrical Parade, please check out this link:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/entertainment/main-street-electrical-parade/