Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog

Thank you to everyone who participated in this month's trivia contest!  We've put all of the names together of those with the most answers correct and chose a winner at random.  We're happy to announce this month's winner is Jennifer H. from Stanhope, New Jersey!  Congratulations Jennifer! Please remember we will be choosing one winner each month.  Trivia questions will be out every Thursday of the month, and you have the entire month to answer them!  February 8th starts next month's trivia and we hope you'll participate!

We all know that Disney parks are for "the young and young at heart".   Walt Disney's vision was to create a place where both adults and children could enjoy spending time together.  But is there such a thing as "too young"?  Many parents wonder how long they should wait until their children are the perfect age for their first Disney trip.  I'm going to let you in on a little secret- there is no magic number!  The perfect age for kids is whatever age they are right now.  From babies to teenagers, children of all ages can enjoy the magic. One common argument against taking little ones: " They won't remember it anyway. " While this may be true, the parents, siblings, and anyone else who comes along definitely will- and the memories they make will be priceless!  As you read this, moms in Disney Parks around the globe are tearing up at the excitement and joy on their babe's face as they meet Mickey Mouse.   Not to mention the o...

The Avengerail is awesome!  What's your favorite monorail overlay?

This post has moved! Click below to check it out:  5 Tips from a Disney Cruise Line Fanatic Have a Magical Day!

Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney's Polynesian Resort is set to be closed for a short refurbishment from 1/29/2013 to 2/2/2013 The Magic Kingdom's Mad Tea Party on again/off again refurb is on again. It is set to close on 4/10/2013, with a reopening on 5/22/2013. A crane is scheduled to be onsite at the Magic Kingdom's Cinderella Castle from 1/22/2013 to 2/10/2013 for removal of the dream lights used during the holidays. You may remember Habit Heroes opened back in February 2012 to some major criticism from those felt the story was insensitive to over-weight people. Disney promptly closed the Innoventions exhibit for a rework. Habit Heroes is now back open, and according to the Orlando Sentinel, has completely rewritten the story to be more sensitive but still delivering a healthy living message. Gone are the buff action figures (Will Power and Callie Stenics) who fought chubby animated villains includi...

Earlier this week, Ashley brought us a little R&R with a look at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts while Jessica brought us back to the dino age with a post on the T-Rex restaurant.  There are ten questions in the trivia this week about both of these blog posts.  Please submit your answers to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com with the word "Trivia" as your subject.  Those with the most answers correct will be put together and a winner will be chosen at random at the end of the month.  Good luck and have fun! 1. What is the theming of the rooms at the Yacht Club? 2. The dessert menu at T-Rex has a special title, what is it? 3. Where can kids dig for dino fossils at T-Rex? 4. Where can guests order a Kitchen Sink? 5. What do guests need to show to gain access to Stormalong Bay? 6. Name three different prehistoric creatures that can be found at T-Rex. 7. What are the different room view categories at the Beach Club? 8. What event ta...

Downtown Disney is a great place for shopping and dining.   With what seems like an endless amount of stores and restaurants, there is something here for everyone.   Located in the Downtown Disney Marketplace at Walt Disney World is a restaurant that I am asked about quite frequently, which is T-Rex.   This is especially popular among those with children, and it’s not hard to see why! T-Rex is not just a restaurant, but also an experience.   One of the first things guests notice when entering the restaurant is the giant prehistoric creatures that make T-Rex their home.   Pterodactyls, larger than life jellyfish and a gigantic octopus hang above guests’ heads.   Be sure to keep your eyes on the octopus as he’s got his eyes on you!   A Woolly Mammoth family sits outside of the ice cavern, in which guests can dine (at room temperature).     And what would a restaurant called T-Rex without, you guessed it, a Tyrannosaurus Rex?!   Th...

IBM THINK is now open at Epcot's Innoventions West. Longtime Epcot sponsor IBM's latest exhibit in Future World examines ways in which we can make the world a better place through five distinct categories: Seeing, Mapping, Understanding, Believing and Acting. The interactive exhibit begins with a huge interactive digital wall at the main entrance. Once inside, a 10 minute film inside a mini-theater begins the experience, which then leads to a room filled with touch screens. Here guests can explore the concepts touched on in the film, and can hear from notable figures in the respective fields. IBM THINK is open daily from park opening until 7:00 PM, and is located in Epcot's Future World at Innoventions West.. Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog Great news for fans of the bakery at Epcot's France pavilion. Another new feature for this hugely popular location is that it will now be opening at 9:00 AM daily. Now those pastries can be a part of a “...

As part of our monthly trivia contests, one week per month we will feature the "Where in the World?" picture trivia!  The photos below have all been taken somewhere within the four Walt Disney World theme parks.  Take your best guess at each one and email your answers to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com with the word "trivia" in the subject line.  We will show the answers when we announce our January winner at the end of the month.  As always, those who have the most answers correct will be entered into a drawing in which we will choose a winner at random at the end of this month.  Good luck and have fun!                             

  Have you ridden Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid yet?

Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, has made the first official announcement of the NextGen initiative 'MyMagic+'. 'MyMagic+' is the combination of several technologies that have been emerging over the past year, including FASTPASS+, the MagicBand RFID wrist strap, and the My Disney Experience website and apps. Here is the full text from the official Disney Parks Blog. At Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, we continually push the boundaries of creativity and innovation to deliver the best possible experience for our guests. We’re always looking for ways to take what we do and do it even better. Over the past few years, we’ve devoted considerable time and resources to create a more immersive, more seamless and more personal experience for each and every guest who spends time with us. I know there’s been significant speculation about these efforts among our fans, so we’re pleased to give you a glimpse into the w...

Our second week of trivia for this month is here!  The answers to these questions are located somewhere in the blog posts from earlier this week.  Please email your answers to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com , with the word "Trivia" in the subject line.  At the end of this month, we will put together all of the participants with the most answers correct from the entire month of January and pick a winner at random.  Good luck and have fun! 1. Which Walt Disney World Resort hotel has an 82 foot fireplace in the lobby? 2. Which classic souvenir is a great way to recognize a celebration on a Disney vacation? 3. What is the name of the store on Main Street where guests can see glassblowing demonstrations? 4. At which resort can guests get a cup of Kona coffee? 5. Which designer handbag company has a special line of Disney style bags? 6. At what resort can you find a mud fireplace? 7. Which Disney service can be used to capture great memories of a Disney vacation?...

In the long, dreary months of winter, so many of us like to escape to Walt Disney World for a little fun in the sun.  While the Orlando area boasts some pretty fabulous average temperature in the depths of winter (especially appealing to a Northerner like me), guess what?  Sometimes, it gets downright cold in Florida too!  So when the thermometer dips down, we’ve come up with a few ways we like to keep warm and keep on having fun, too! Shopping   This might seem a bit obvious.  However, there are so many stores throughout the resort that have more than just your average souvenirs.  There are multiple store with beautiful works of art that read like a museum.  Or, take advantage of some of the larger stores on property, like MouseGears in Epcot, or the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom - a wide range of shopping to be done in one big, warm place! Fireplaces   So you’ve toughed it out at the parks, but you are cold and tired, and tired of be...

  Don't you wish you had these on your front porch?

At Walt Disney World everyone has a favorite.  Whether a show, ride, restaurant or resort - there's something for everyone!  One of my favorite things about a Disney vacation is the shopping.  It doesn't matter if it's for myself or for someone back home, the shopping is so much fun!  And there is no shortage of stores to find that perfect gift.  While there are thousands of gifts and souvenirs to choose from, here are some of my favorite Disney vacation must haves! I like to refer to the first group as classic souvenirs.  These are the items that are a must have on any Disney vacation, be it your first or fiftieth!  Nothing says I went to Disney World like a pair of Mickey ears!  In recent years, the variety of ear hats has become quite large.  From sequins and feathers to those with a glass slipper on top, there is a perfect set for everyone!  They are also a great way to commemorate a special occassion, with bride and groom ears for...

Kali River Rapids is scheduled to be closing for a 6 week refurbishment in early 2013. The raft ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom will close on 1/6/2013 and will reopen on 2/15/2013. The Mad Tea Party in the Magic Kingdom will also be closing for a refurbishment from 1/7/2013 to 2/19/2013. Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog Disney announced the details of the very first 'Limited Time Magic' event running from 12/30/2012 to 1/5/2013. "First, we’re beginning the New Year at Walt Disney World Resort in Magic Kingdom Park withTomorrowland’s first ever “Bling in the New Year” dance party. For an entire week, children of all ages can celebrate the start of 2013. You’ll be able to watch live entertainment on Rockettower Plaza Stage, dance to great music and celebrate with some of your favorite Disney characters – all dressed in their New Year’s best. And if you can’t stay up until midnight, there will be a New Year’s countdown every hour leading up to midni...

Today kicks off our 2013 weekly trivia!  Each Thursday we will post a series of questions that are related to our blog articles that were posted earlier in the week.  At the end of each month we will put all of those with the most answers correct together and draw a winner at random!  Answers can be emailed to vacations@kingdomkonsultant.com with the "Trivia" in the subject line.  Good luck everyone! 1. What is the name of the newest spa at Walt Disney World?   2. What is the theme of the standard rooms at Disney's Art of Animation resort?  3. Name four cars that can be driven at the Exotic Driving Experience at the Walt Disney World Speedway. 4. Which stars of a Disney Junior hit show performed at Downtown Disney? 5. Where did the newest World of Disney store open? 6. What month did the Disney Fantasy make its maiden voyage? 7. How was leap year celebrated in the Disney parks? 8. Which Disney destination welcomed an ice skatin...

Who else would rather be enjoying some Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe right now?

Happy New Year from Kingdom Konsultants!