"Don't Know Where I'm Going, Only Know Where I've Been." Trip Report Part 2

Last week, we ended part 1 after my first full day in the park at Magic Kingdom. We now move onto Tuesday and Wednesday of the trip. So without further a do let's move into the next part of the trip report and create some memories.

Tuesday

It was Tuesday and we were going back to Epcot to enjoy the day. We just made it to the park for our first fastpass, Spaceship Earth, literally with just about 15 minutes to spare. We got in line to begin our journey to the future.

We had some time before our next fastpass at Figment, so we went to drop off my medication at First Aid. We decided to go into the past and learn about energy and dinosaurs at Ellen's Universe of Energy. This 40 minutes takes you into the past where energy began and even though most of the animatronics don't work or Ellen and the Elasmosaurus are missing, I still enjoy this attraction. After being cooled off in Universe of Energy it was time for a quick bathroom break. My sister and I headed over to Figment. This is one of my favorite attractions as Figment is one of my favorite Disney characters.

It was time for lunch at the Electric Umbrella. Now the Electric Umbrella is probably one of my favorite counter services in Disney World. You probably think I am nuts with how busy it is all the time. This time they have this French Dip Burger. It a 1/3 pound Angus burger with beef brisket, crispy onion straws, and muenster cheese served with grapes or fries. It is quite good and I enjoyed it not once but twice on this trip. For dessert they now have a chocolate cupcake that reminded me of a bakery that we have here near my house.

It was then time to head over to The Land pavilion and experience Soarin' over California. An adventure like no other, I love this attraction as it is my favorite attraction in Epcot. Hang gliding over California where you can literally smell everything like you really are hang gliding over California. Disney Imagineers are really amazing. After soaring over the west coast it was time to take a stroll around the countries for the afternoon before our dinner reservation at Coral Reef.

We first headed through Canada to enjoy "O Canada!" a fourteen-minute show hosted by actor Martin Short. This 360 degree circle theater has no seats so you must stand to enjoy the show. It was interesting as I haven't seen the show in quite some time. It was time to stroll the rest of the countries.

Now this is all leading up to Norway which as we discussed this week is under major renovation with the new 'Frozen Ever After' attraction coming to the pavilion.  I took some photos around Norway and of the walls  that are surrounding what is to the come of the area.

It was almost time to head over to The Sea pavilion for dinner but first it was time to stop at First Aid to pick up my medication. It was just about time for our reservation at The Coral Reef so we headed over for dinner under the sea. This is another restaurant that I hadn't been in years. For dinner I had the Grilled New York Strip Steak that is served with cheddar mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and a bercy butter. It was delicious but that wasn't even the best part of the meal. The dessert was exceptional and simply the best dessert I had while there. I had the Turtle Cheesecake which is a caramel cheesecake in the shape of a turtle with hazelnut praline and chantilly cream. I raved about this dessert even when I came home. 

After dinner we headed over to The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Another one of my favorite attractions in Epcot, you get to dive into the big blue world. The seas pavilion is amazing and the aquarium with all the fish makes it that much better. We took some pictures in The Sea pavilion before we headed off to Mouse Gear. We planned on staying for Illuminations that night so we still had time before we stopped to find our spot for that. 

After a visit to Mouse Gear, it was time to head over to World Showcase to find our spot for Illuminations. I'm not going to go into great detail into this great show of fireworks and the reflections of Earth. I'm just going to let the pictures show how beautiful it is. 

That ended our day at Epcot, the next day we were heading back to the Magic Kingdom.

Wednesday

This was going to be our last day in the Magic Kingdom so besides our fastpasses that we had it was going to be kind of a relaxing day to enjoy the beauty of it all. We arrived mid morning and just all around took it easy that day. I don't have many pictures until later in the day. We headed over to the Haunted Mansion for a ride with our favorite ghosts. That ride never gets old and is a classic attraction that has to be seen every trip. We had reservations for lunch at Be Our Guest. I'm not sure if I like lunch or dinner better as we just had lunch there this trip. Dinner is great I know because the steak is perfect at dinner but lunch the carved chuck roast beef sandwich was delicious as well. 

After lunch we headed back over to the Mine Train for our first fastpass of the day. Again I say one of the best attractions imagineers have created. We then headed towards Tomorrowland for our fastpass with Buzz. I won again in this friendly competition of a ride. My family and I headed over to the Carousel of Progress for a mid-afternoon break. Before we headed to our last fastpass at Big Thunder Mountain. We headed over to Main Street to enjoy Festival of Fantasy parade one more time. 

The parade once again was wonderful but we still had one last fastpass at Big Thunder Mountain. We headed over to Frontierland for the "wildest ride in the wilderness." The Magic Kingdom has so many great and classic rides. It is simply one of my favorite parks in Disney World. After our wild ride it was time to head to Main Street and the Emporium before we headed off to the Polynesian for dinner. At the Emporium we picked up some souvenirs for our family and ourselves. It was getting time to say goodbye to the Magic Kingdom and head off to dinner.

We headed to the monorail to get over to the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian, one of our favorite restaurants in all of Disney World. Now the Polynesian is one of my family's favorite resorts as we have stayed there multiple times when I was younger and most recently a few years ago as well. I knew about the renovations to the lobby are but I still miss the waterfall in the center. Maui, the Polynesian's official mascot has replaced it.

The Kona Cafe is amazing, the ginger-rubbed steak that has since been replaced on the menu was excellent. I have a new favorite dish though, the Pan-Asian noodles with chicken are quite delicious. My mother had the grilled New York strip steak with bacon molasses butter another very exquisite dish. My sister and father both had the grilled curry-crusted lamb chops. I was going to skip dessert but then I saw the Kilauea torte, my arm was twisted and I just had to have it. We decided to head around the resort and look around at all the new and exciting things at the Poly. A visit to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto was a must we couldn't get inside because of how busy it was. We decided to head outside to the Tiki Terrace out there. Another great job by imagineers on this bar/restaurant. 

After our visit to Trader Sam's it was time to check out what else the Polynesian had to offer. So I took a quick stroll around the resort and snapped some photos of the new pool area and the bungalows. After that it was time to go back to the Art of Animation to enjoy the pool. Here are the photos of what I saw at the Poly.

It was off to the monorail to the Magic Kingdom to catch our bus back to Art of Animation. It was a bittersweet day all capped off by swimming at our hotel in the Big Blue Pool I have one last photo a view of the bungalows at the Poly as a boat makes its way to the park from the Magic Kingdom bus area. It is beautiful and serene as your looking over the water to end the day at the parks.

This ends part 2 of my trip report and we are now half way through the trip with 3 days left. Be on the lookout for part 3 it will be up soon.

Fall Free Dining Now Available to Book and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is Now Officially Open

Fall Free Dining Now Available to Book at Walt Disney World:

If you were waiting to see when free dining would be available this fall to book your trip, this morning it was announced for select dates and resorts this fall. Walt Disney World have now until July 10 to jump on this yearly offer now for the fall. Here are the dates that the offer is available:

August 28 - October 2, 2015

October 25 - October 31, 2015

November 8 - November 19, 2015

December 15 - December 21, 2015

The Free Disney Dining Plan is available when guests book a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way Package that includes a room at select Disney resorts and tickets with Park Hopper or Water Park & Fun option. The basic dining plan is given at deluxe, moderate and deluxe villa resorts. The Quick Service is available at value resorts, it can be upgraded to the basic plan for a fee. At Disney's Art of Animation Little Mermaid standard rooms are excluded from the deal.

Disney is also offering the up to 30% off of rooms at select Disney World resort hotels for vacations booked for dates August 15 - October 3, 2015. Booking for this deal must be booked by August 7, 2015. 

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is Now Officially Opened:

The souvenir mugs for the specialty drinks are in so that means Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is now officially opening. After soft opening earlier this month Trader Sam's Grog Grotto will be opening nightly from 4 p.m. until Midnight. Guests under the age of 21 are only allowed in the Grotto until 8 p.m. The souvenir mugs for the specialty drinks Uh-Oa!, Krakatoa Punch, Nautilus, Polynesian Pearl,  HippopotoMai-Tai, Rum Flight shot glasses come in three colors, and the Shrunken Head are now all available. 

It has been pretty busy since the soft opening with some nights having waits of up to 2 hours to get in the new tiki bar. Guests are advised to arrive early and if they want a table they can look no further then the outside of the bar in the new Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace with its lava rock waterfall and live Hawaiian-themed entertainment nightly. You even have the beautiful view of the Seven Seas Lagoon with prime seats for Magic Kingdom's Wishes. 

Your Daily News from Around Disney 4/1/15

Well it's April 1st and what a turn around from yesterday. It is like a different world today, yesterday it was snowing, today it is in the 50's. That is Pennsylvania weather for you, oh well I hope to say that this weather is finally here to stay. Let's get into your news from around Disney on this wonderful first day of April.

Grand Opening of Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows:

As it was announced a few weeks ago today, Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows have officially opened for guests to stay in. Last night in a celebration at the resort the media got a chance to see what Disney has been working on in many people's favorite resort.

It was the Grand Re-opening of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort where cast members and heads of the resort showed off what has been going on the last year at the Polynesian. Most notably though it is the opening of 20 bungalows and the new studio rooms that now makes Disney's Polynesian Village Resort the newest spot for the Disney Vacation Club. That wasn't all though as the media got a chance to visit the new Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and Pineapple Lanai. This is just the beginning for Disney's Polynesian Village Resort as the newly re-imagined volcano pool is set to open later this Spring/Early Summer. 

Here is to new and exciting beginnings at my favorite resort, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The pictures I have seen so far look amazing and I can't wait to see it in 53 days.

New Hidden Mickey Pins to be Released This Month:

The Disney Parks Blog today previewed some new hidden Mickey pins that are to be released this month for both Parks. For Disneyland the collections to be released will be: Disney Villain Neckties (to be released on both coasts), Mickey Mouse Food Icons, Character Silhouettes, Disney Ducks, Chaser Pins to complete each collection.

At Disney World there will be five new hidden Mickey collections that will be released. They are: the Disney Villain Neckties (as mentioned above), Epcot Logos, Cast Member Costumes, Character Sidekicks, Character Apples, as well as the Chaser pins to complete each collection. The pins will be randomly distributed to cast members throughout each park. As a reminder the blog said guests are limited to trade a maximum of two pin/cast member a day. 

Breaking News: Disney's Hollywood Studios to be Made into Giant Parking Lot:

This is late breaking news out of the Walt Disney Company as CEO Bob Iger announced that it plans to bulldoze Disney's Hollywood Studios and build a giant parking lot. With so many attractions closing lately and no new plans for the future of the them park, Iger said in a statement, "We just don't have any plans for the future of Disney's Hollywood Studio as part of our theme parks. It just makes sense to get rid of the park all together and build a parking lot instead."

While many guests will be upset that the rumored Star Wars and Pixar Playland are now never coming to Disney World. The company hopes that now with more parking space even more people will cram into the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. Disney Parks & Resorts has seen an increase of traffic into its parks now even during off-peak season. 

Last month there was hope for the park as Iger announced a new name would be coming to the park. It was all a lie as there were never any plans to expand or make the park even better. There will be no expansion of a third track for Toy Story Midway Mania now as public restrooms will be built on the attractions spot. It is to my knowledge though if you have read this much that today is APRIL FOOLS DAY. 

Well that's it for today, I couldn't resist a little fun on this April Fools Day. Disney's Hollywood Studios isn't becoming a parking lot and the rumored expansion is still rumors (I believe Disney will be making some kind of announcement on the park in the next few months). As always I end with the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."

Your Daily News from Around Disney 3/27/15

Well another week completed and another day closer to my Disney vacation. I can't believe how quickly this month has gone by as next Wednesday is April 1. Let's get into your news from around Disney on this Friday.

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto to Soft Open Tomorrow, Official Opening in Late April:

Earlier this week we shared new details on the Polynesian's much anticipated new tiki bar: Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Today, the Disney Parks Blog shared that tomorrow March 28, Trader Sam's Grog Grotto would have a soft opening and have its official opening in late-April. No official date is set as the tiki bar's souvenir glasses (which fans go nuts over at its sister bar in Anaheim) have yet to arrive. Trader Sam's Grog Grotto will be much like its sister location in Anaheim but the magical theming of this location will reflect that of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

The enchanted South Seas hideaway will welcome guests to explore a menu of "magical tropical drinks and food" in a new menu created by Beverage Manager Brad Ward, Chef Lenny DeGeorge, and the Concept Development team. As stated earlier in the week Trader Sam's Grog Grotto will offer  light bites to eat such as chicken lettuce cups, pork tacos, Headhunter sushi roll, and many other small appetizers. 

Today, on the blog it offered some of the drinks that will be served at Trader Sam's served in the collectible mugs. New drinks being offered only at the new Polynesian location include: Polynesian Pearl, Nautilus, Castaway Crush, Tahitian Torch, and Dark & Tropical Stormy. Old drinks to be served from the original include: the famous Krakatoa Punch, Uh-Oa!, HippopotoMai-Tai, and the Shrunken Zombie Head. Some non-alcoholic drinks to be served include: Schweitzer Fall, Skipper Sipper, and Polynesian Punch. 

As reported seating will be limited both inside and outside in the adjacent Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace. No reservations are required.

Jedi Knight and TIE-Fighter Pilot D-Tech Me Figures to Premiere at Star Wars Weekends:

Also today on the Disney Parks Blog they announced two new D-Tech Me Figures that will premiere at Star Wars Weekends. A Jedi Knight and a TIE-Fighter Pilot will be added to the options along with the Carbon Freeze Me figurine, Alderaan princess figurine, and the male and female options of both the Stormtrooper and X-wing pilot figurines. 

The experience which was first introduced in May of 2012 is a 10 minute experience where guests faces are captured using a 3D single shot face scanner which are used to be imprinted on the figurine. The Star Wars D-Tech Me figurines will run $119.95 for a 7-inch figurine and $999.95 for a 16-inch figurine plus shipping and applicable sales tax. All participants in the experience will also receive a specially designed button. Figurines will take 6-8 weeks to arrive to the guest's home if it is being shipped domestically, it takes a little longer internationally. Guests can already begin booking their experiences by calling (407)WDW-TECH. It should be known that experiences will only take place on weekends during Star Wars Weekends beginning May 15. 

More Cast News for Disney's Live-Action Beauty and the Beast:

Today, according to "The Hollywood Reporter" it is being reported that broadway star Audra McDonald has been casted as the Wardrobe in Disney's live-action remake of the animated classic "Beauty and the Beast." McDonald is most known for her role as Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's Private Practice and for her role as Grace in Disney's TV production of Annie. McDonald already joins a star-studded cast which includes Harry Potter film star Emma Watson who will play role of Belle. The film is due to be released in theaters on March 17, 2017.

This Day in Disney History:

On this day (March 27) in 1952, the first public announcement of Walt Disney's plans to build Disneyland are printed in the Burbank Daily Review.

Daily Disney Quote:

"Why Worry? If you've done the very best you can, worrying won't make it any better."

-Walt Disney

That's a wrap for the blog today. Tune in on Sunday for our part 5 of our in-depth look at Disney's deluxe resorts. This week was a big week in news, take a look at the rest of this weeks blogs. As always in the words of Mickey Mouse, "See Ya Real Soon."