Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog

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Tower of Terror at Disneyland!  Do you prefer Disneyland's version over Disney World's?

World Showcase at Walt Disney World's Epcot is one of my favorite places in the entire world.  Last month I started working on a new series for the Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog in which we'll spotlight one country every month from World Showcase.  Grab your viking hats because today we're taking a voyage to visit the Norway Pavilion! The Stave Church One of my favorite things in the Norway pavilion is the stunning architecture.  The Stave Church especially.  What many guests don't realize is you can go inside of the church where there is an exhibit called, "Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas."  In here you will find artifacts, weapons and a look at people who played an important role in Norway's history.  If you're looking for something a bit more immersive, check out Maelstrom.  Here guests can board a Viking ship and sail the high seas through the fjords of Norway.  Along the journey, you'll have encounters with creatures o...

The free guest Wi-Fi at the Walt Disney World Resorts is undergoing a few changes to help with usability. The network names will be changed from 'WDW-Guest' to 'In-room Guest WiFi (Disney)' and 'Public Space Guest WiFi (Disney)'.  The new meet and greet gazebo at Epcot's France Pavilion is now complete and open for guests. The new location has been built on an area that was previously outside of the park border, and provides a queue and a covered meet and greet area with photographic lighting. Guests can currently meet Aurora in the location. Marie has relocated to the Magic Kingdom's Town Square. Disney has confirmed that Lea Salonga,  actress who provided the singing voice of Jasmine and Mulan , will be replacing Olivia Newton John at this year's Candlelight Processional. She will appear on 12/14/2012 and 12/16/2012. The Magic of Disney Animation attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be host to the Wreck-It Ralph meet and gr...

  Ghirardelli has got to be one of my favorite places to get a snack or dessert at Disney.  What's yours?

  Does anybody else wish they were sitting on one of those chairs?

As I am sure many of you already know, the New Fantasyland expansion soft opened at the end of last week. The links below will take you to videos highlighting the area. Videos from WDWMagic Fantasyland Expansion walkthrough Journey of the Little Mermaid Video from the Disney Parks blog Be our Guest restaurant In a ceremony held at Epcot's American Gardens Theater on October 12, 2012, cast members Tye Arnold and Rich Tamayo were selected as the 2013-2014 Walt Disney World Ambassadors. In a tradition started by Walt Disney in 1965, the Ambassadors represent the cast members of the Walt Disney World Resort, and will take part in over 3500 events during their term. The Ambassadors will be responsible for duties such as hosting Disney VoluntEAR events, making appearances with Disney characters at community presentations, serving as master of ceremonies at park events, and recognizing cast member milestones and achievements. After interning with the Disney College...

  Did you know there are beach volleyball courts at the Beach Club?  Have you ever used them?

Many people think I am crazy when I tell them I've visited Walt Disney World solo before.  I'm often asked, "Isn't it scary? Don't you get lonely?" Truth be told, no and no.  My first solo visit was in 2005 and my most recent solo visit was just a few months ago.  Both solo trips and visits to Walt Disney World with family and friends have brought me great memories and fun times.  Here I'd like to share a few tips and some advice for those who may be thinking  of or planning a solo visit! 1. - Don't be afraid to try new things!  There may be an attraction you've always wanted to see or a resort where you've always wanted to stay.  Maybe you've always wanted to book your next trip staying at Wilderness Lodge or Coronado Springs, but your travel party didn't want to.  Have you always wanted to try sushi at Tokyo Dining, but your kids would rather eat at Chef Mickey's? This is the time to do all of the t...

  Haunted Mansion is one of our favorite rides!  What's yours?

The Kingdom Konsultant agents love to share their experiences, tips and trips here on our blog.  Whether it be restaurants, resorts, cruise ships or special events and experiences, we like to cover a wide range of topics to give our clients and readers plenty of insight and information to help them plan their trips.  But now we would like your help! We want to hear from you, our readers, on what topics you would like to see us cover here on our blog.  Maybe you'd like some information about a specific restaurant or resort you're thinking about trying on your next Disneyland vacation.  Perhaps you're undecided between which Disney Cruise Line itinerary is right for you and your family.  Walt Disney World offers a variety of tours and special experiences to guests and maybe you'd like to figure out which one you'd like to try!  Leave suggestions in the comments below on what you would like to see more of on our blog!

In refurb news, Characters in Flight at Downtown Disney has been cleared for take off and is offering an early bird deal. Flights before 10:00 AM are just $10.   That is an $8 savings over the regular adult ticket price. No word on how long this offer will be available. The refurbishment start date for the California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort has been pushed back. The new closing date is 2/2/2013, with a reopening in late summer 2013 (no precise date is yet available). The restaurant was previously scheduled to close on 1/6/2013. Splash Mountain is scheduled to be closing for a lengthy refurbishment from 1/2/2013 to 3/19/2013. While this is bad news for those traveling during those dates, a lengthy refurb on Splash Mountain is desperately needed to fix a myriad of broken effects. Disney's NextGen RFID FASTPASS bracelet has been listed on the government FCC website, including an image of what it looks like. The bracelet, called "Magic B...

  24 layer chocolate cake at Steakhouse 55!!  24 layers!  What's your favorite dessert at Disney?

Some people, like me, are planners who like to know exactly what to expect when they arrive for their cruise.   I strive to achieve some balance of getting on the ship and starting my vacation as quickly and efficiently as possible, and soaking in every moment of excitement that I can.   Every second I’m in port and not onboard is like a second of my vacation that I’m losing.   The moment I lay eyes on that beautiful ship, it takes every bit of willpower I have to stop myself from bolting for that gangway, dodging security, leaving friends and family behind, knocking down small children who step in my way and, well, you get the picture.   I am happy to report, that so far I have successfully fought off that urge.   Hopefully if you know what to expect, you will be similarly successful.   1. Arrival – When should you actually arrive?   This will vary slightly by port, so we’ll concentrate on Port Canaveral.   This isn’t as straight forward ...

  Does anybody recognize where this picture was taken at Disney World?

A few weeks ago my husband and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary at Walt Disney World.   While planning this trip, my husband had gotten wind of the new Exotic Driving Experience.   I started picking up on little hints that he might want to drive one of the exotic cars, specifically the Ferrari 458 Italia.   The wallpaper on his computer, his phone and his iPad had all been changed to pictures of the car. He was watching videos on YouTube of the Ferrari and frequently asking questions about the experience.   I tuned into his hints and as a birthday/anniversary gift, I booked him the drive experience for our trip.   To say he was excited would be an understatement!  The Exotic Driving Experience is fairly new to Walt Disney World and began running in January 2012.   The Exotic Driving program along with the Drive Petty experiences, are hosted at the Walt Disney World Speedway, located past the Magic Kingdom Parking lot, opposite of the Tra...

Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog The Magic Kingdom's newest merchandise location opened on 9/30/2012 in Storybook Circus in the new Fantasyland.  Not only does Big Souvenirs look great inside, it offers a great array of gifts, as well as an amazing on-stage kitchen producing all kinds of baked goods and treats. Look for exclusive cupcakes, including the cotton candy cupcake, the caramel corn cupcake, and the special Dumbo cupcake. You can find everything in Big Top Souvenirs, from T-Shirts, plush Dumbos, iPhone cases, holiday ornaments, hats with embroidery service, toys, books, and much more. It feels like a combined and condensed version of the Emporium and Main Street Confectionary.  Throughout the building are lots of great details, with everything having a high quality look and feel. It is also really well laid out, with the circular building having the on-stage kitchen in the center, with the merchandise surrounding it, and registers at the edges. It is ...

  Illuminations from the Boardwalk Villas.  Where's your favorite place to watch Illuminations?

On Monday we posted some Epcot trivia questions in honor of Epcot's 30th birthday! Thanks to everyone who participated! Here are the answers: 1.) How many countries make up World Showcase? Eleven   2.) Name three celebrities who have important roles in the Future World attraction Universe of Energy. Ellen Degeneres, Bill Nye, Jamie Lee Curtis or Alex Trebek 3.) Before being replaced by The Seas with Nemo & Friends, how were guests transported to Seabase Alpha as part of The Living Seas? Hydrolators and Seacabs 4.) What style architecture is Spaceship Earth? Geodesic Sphere 5.)What are two Hidden Mickeys that can be found on Soarin'? On the golf ball and in the fireworks over Disneyland. There is also a blue Mickey balloon on the golf course. 6.) What show took place in the Italy Pavilion in World Showcase up until April 2004? "Masquerade" 7.) What attraction was replaced by Test Track? World of Motion 8.) The 17th Annual Epcot Internatio...

  It's a Mary Poppins' Kiss!  Do you have any character kiss pictures?

In honor of celebrating Epcot's 30th birthday today, we're inviting all of our readers to participate in our Epcot Trivia!  Those with the most answers correct will be entered to win a prize from Kingdom Konsultant Travel. Please submit responses to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com    with the word "TRIVIA" as the subject.  A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday!  Good luck! 1.) How many countries make up World Showcase?   2.) Name three celebrities who have important roles in the Future World attraction Universe of Energy.   3.) Before being replaced by The Seas with Nemo & Friends, how were guests transported to Seabase Alpha as part of The Living Seas?   4.) What style architicture is Spaceship Earth?   5.) What are two Hidden Mickeys that can be found on Soarin'?   6.) What show took place in the Italy Pavilion in World Showcase up until April 2004?   7.) What attraction was replac...