Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog

There is not a lot going on in the wonderful world of refurbs this week. Disney's Polynesian Resort is now getting the RFID lock upgrade on guest room doors.  The work is currently in progress and is set to be completed by the end of the month. The fitness center at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort has been temporarily relocated to an air-conditioned tent in the convention center parking lot. The temporary location is open daily from 6:30am to 10:00pm daily, and is expected to be in use until early November. New costumes debuted for the entire cast at Epcot's American Adventure pavilion. Picture from wdw71fan at WDWMagic.com The Magic Kingdom parking plaza entrance is getting a new paint job. The Pepto-Bismol pink is out and attractive shades of blue are in. The 'Alice in Wonderland' themed kids splash playground at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is now open to guests. The new area features a central play zone with two slides and severa

  Radiator Springs Racers!  Who's been on this awesome ride?

As a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, there are many things I look forward to each and every trip.   Attractions, shows, dining – the list goes on and on.   At the top of this list is visiting World Showcase at Epcot.   World Showcase is a cultural and culinary adventure through eleven different countries without needing a passport or racking up lots of frequent flyer miles.   Over the next several months, I want to feature a spotlight on each of the pavilions that make up World Showcase.   Naturally, I’m going to start with the country we always visit first when we begin our around-the-world trek – the Mexico pavilion. As you enter World Showcase from Future World, Mexico is on your left.   It’s hard to miss the beautiful Aztec-inspired pyramid that towers over the rest of the pavilion.   When you get closer, the sounds of trumpets and guitars from a live 12-piece Mexican Mariachi band grab your attention.   And while we’re discussing the atmosphere, it’s hard to ignore t

  It's a Build a Bear at Downtown Disney!  What's your favorite store at Downtown Disney?

The refurbs for this week are a little on the light side. The locks on guest rooms at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort are now in the process of being upgraded. Also going on at the Grand Floridian, the main courtyard pool is now walled off for work to begin on a major refurbishment. The pool is expected to reopen in late December of this year after being completely rebuilt and featuring a new zero entry sloped side. The Courtyard pool bar is also closed during the work. The resort's Beach pool remains open during the work. The Boneyard playground at Disney's Animal Kingdom is closing for a short refurbishment this month, from 9/18/2012 to 9/19/2012, Work started this week on the Cinderella Castle Dream lights that make up the spectacular Cinderella’s Holiday Wish show, which transforms Cinderella Castle after dark with 200,000 sparkling white LED lights. The crane is expected to be onsite through the rest of September. The pieces of coaster track spotted la

  Does anybody know where you can find this scene at Disney?

Most will agree that the Disney Cruise Line experience is fantastic, and many will include a visit to Palo to enhance their cruise.   I have discovered that to reach the pinnacle of enjoyment on your Disney Cruise you need to dine at Remy. Remy is one of the adult-only restaurants available on both the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy.   The menu for Remy was created by Chef Arnaud Lallement from l’Assiette Champenoise and Chef Scott Hunnel from Victoria & Albert's .   My mouth waters just thinking about this menu!       I was fortunate enough to dine at Remy on the Disney Fantasy, and I must admit that the excitement starts to build even before you check in at the podium (used for both Palo and Remy).   Prior to your reservation time, you will receive an invitation to meet with the Chef Sommelier to peruse the Wine Room for a rare wine to accompany your meal.   Although we did not accept this invitation, it really sets the tone for the evening.   Once you

  Boarding Group 10!  Not so great!  What's the worst boarding group number you've had on a Disney Cruise?

We all know that Walt Disney World offers a wide variety of entertainment, from thrill rides and onstage performances, to 3-D attractions.   You will never be bored on Disney property!   While most 3-D movies at your hometown theaters can be impressive or leave you wanting more, Disney’s offerings of 3-D isn’t just a visual experience! Narrowing it down to just three must see 3-D attractions is hard for me.   I’m always amazed at what Disney brings next and while 3-D has been around for a long time, there is always something new to make you jump out of your seat cheering for more.   So what are my personal three must see 3-D attractions? 3.     It’s Tough to be a Bug - Located in the Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, It’s Tough to be a Bug is full of spiders, beetles, butterflies and many other creepy-crawlies.   No, not the real ones!   Put on your Bug-Eye glasses and join Flick as he hosts the show.   The audience members are now “honorary bugs” and get treated to meeti

Disney has launched a new Fantasyland teaser site.  The website provides some new artwork, a map, and an email sign-up form to register for updates.  The new site can be viewed here.   Photo from Disney Parks Blog Work on "The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow," currently under construction at Disney's Hollywood Studios has spilled over to the outside of the building. A construction wall has gone where the queue was located for the former attraction. According to Disney, this new attraction will be a first-of-its-kind sensory experience in which Guests will have the chance to be enveloped by the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean as seen in the four feature films.  It is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012 in the former Narnia meet and greet location on Mickey Avenue.   According to a recently filed construction permit, Epcot will be receiving a new meet and greet location. The new meet and greet is described in the permit as "Epcot - Front of Park

  It's Mickey!  Where at Disney can you find this Mickey?

  It's a Cars-o-rail!  Monorail overlays - are you a fan?  Yay or Nay?

Enchanted Tales with Belle is now in limited previews. A limited number of invited guests were taken through the attraction.  This does not change the official start of previews beginning on 11/19/2012. FASTPASS+ will be testing with a limited number of pre-selected guests from September 18 to September 24, 2012.  Guests will be contacted to take part in the test before arrival.   FASTPASS+ has already seen preliminary testing, but with recent implementations of in-park Wi-Fi and the introduction of the 'My Disney Experience App', this next round of testing should be a lot closer to the final product. Photo from Disney Parks Blog Periwinkle from the upcoming Disney Fairies movie "Secret of the Wings" will be coming to the Magic Kingdom in on 9/9/2012. She will be inside Tinker Bell's Magic Nook in Adventureland. 'Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality' opened 9/1/2012 at Downtown Disney West Side. The augm

  It's the Golden Mickeys!  What's your favorite show on a  Disney Cruise?

Monday we posted the questions and today we have the answers (and a winner)! 1. What is the tallest water slide on Disney property and where is it located? Summit Plummet at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, standing tall at 120 feet! 2. What two attractions in Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland were replaced by Monsters Inc., Laugh Floor Comedy Club and Stitch's Great Escape? The Timekeeper and ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter 3. Who is Scoop Sanderson? Scoop is the Main Street, U.S.A. reporter and well-known pin trader. 4. In 1971, what was th e cost of a general admission ticket? Admission was $3.50 for adults, $1.00 for kids! 5. Who is the current narrator of Spaceship Earth? Dame Judi Dench 6. What is the surprise test thrown in on Test Track? The barrier test!   7. Approximately how many animal carvings are there on The Tree of Life? 325 8. What is Brer Fox looking to find on Splash Mountain? Brer Rabbit! 9. Where can you sample th

  Sunset in Epcot.  Where's your favorite place to watch the sunset at Disney? Also, don't forget to enter our trivia contest!  We'll announce a winner tomorrow!

It's trivia time again!! Let’s have some fun and test your Walt Disney World knowledge!   Email your answers to the questions below to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com with the word "TRIVIA" as the subject. Please be sure to include your name in the email as well. Those who have the most answers correct will be entered into a drawing for a Disney photo album from Kingdom Konsultants. Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday! 1. What is the tallest water slide on Disney property and where is it located? 2. What two attractions in Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland were replaced by Monsters Inc., Laugh Floor Comedy Club and Stitch's Great Escape? 3. Who is Scoop Sanderson? 4. In 1971, what was the cost of a general admission ticket? 5. Who is the current narrator of Spaceship Earth? 6. What is the surprise test thrown in on Test Track? 7. Approximately how many animal carvings are there on The Tree