Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog

      The lions of Kilimanjaro Safari enjoying the sunshine and some sleep.  What is your favorite animal at Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Once upon a time, I knew nothing about photography.  I figured the job of a camera was to capture what was in front of me, exactly as I saw it.  Do you remember the days of film and that exciting moment you picked up your developed pictures, ready to relive your vacation memories?  If you are anything like me, those pictures came with a few ounces of disappointment when the entire roll you had dedicated to fireworks contained nothing but blurry castles and squiggly lines in the sky.  Fast forward to today: the age of digital , we immediately see our results.  Each time I visit WDW I see guests all around me confused and disappointed that their pictures don't look like postcards.  I've put together a few tips to help capture great fireworks shots on your next vacation! Step One: Location, location, location.   If you have never seen Wishes at the Magic Kingdom before, I recommend you watch from Main Street near the bakery.  From ...

The Rachel Sandwich from Beaches and Cream. What's your favorite sandwich at Disney?

When guests hear the words “Walt Disney World,” immediately visions of characters, theme parks and dining emerge.   I am here to tell you that soon bowling is sure to become synonymous with Disney.   You heard me – bowling!!   A wonderful new entertainment venue debuted in December 2012 – Splitsville!   Splitsville is a modern day take on bowling and billiards spanning two levels in Downtown Disney West Side.   With 30 bowling lanes available and billiard tables scattered throughout, there is no shortage of opportunities for fun.   There are even opportunities to enjoy live music and dancing, as well as adult beverages.   Splitsville is more than just a bowling alley – it is an experience.   This is not your neighborhood bowling establishment – it is “luxury lanes.”   There are interesting murals and other design elements throughout.  Instead of just one long line of bowling lanes, the lanes are divided into sections with...

Part of the 2013 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, 'The Land of Oz Garden’, is now open. Although the rest of the festival does not open until 3/6/2013, this kids playground is now open daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The area is based on the new Disney film, “Oz the Great and Powerful.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OzCt4E1qjbg Video from the Disney Parks Blog It appears that Epcot's last remaining Segway tour, 'Around the World at Epcot,' has now been discontinued. According to members on the WDWMagic discussion forums, Disney has been contacting those with reservations to cancel, and no new bookings are being taken. The Fort Wilderness' 'Wilderness Back Trail Adventure Segway Tour' looks to still be available at this time. Rosetta will be rejoining Tinker Bell at Tinker Bell's Magical Nook in the Magic Kingdom from 2/22/2013. It is expected that at the same time Periwinkle, who has...

      The Festival of the Lion King is one of the most popular shows at Walt Disney World and it's no doubt that the Tumble Monkeys are a hit!  What is your favorite show to see on a Disney vacation?

I’m always on the lookout for a new, favorite restaurant in Walt Disney World.  On each trip I like to try at least one new restaurant to see if it could be that new favorite that gets added to my “Must Do” or, should I say “Must Eat” list.  On a trip in February 2012, my husband and I decided to give La Hacienda de San Angel a try and boy, are we glad we did! I love Mexican food, especially chips and salsa, so I’m always eager and a little apprehensive before trying a Mexican restaurant.  I know a good salsa when I eat one and La Hacienda’s salsas did not disappoint!  The menu doesn’t have your traditional selections that you may find at a local Mexican restaurant so it can be a little intimidating at first. Classic Margaritas A great way to start off your meal is with a Margarita!  The Classic Margarita is great but if you’re feeling adventurous, give the Avocado Margarita a try.  It sounds a little crazy and I was hesitant to try it at ...

Would anybody else rather be here today?

'Disney Junior - Live on Stage!' has been closed for a refurbishment and is set to officially reopen on Friday, February 15th.  Cast Member only previews are scheduled for this Sunday and Monday, with guest soft openings then expected ahead of the official reopening on Friday.  As always, plans are subject to change, especially with soft opens, but if you are in the park and want to see the new show, keep a look out mid-week.  The show has been updated to include new characters ' Sofia the First' and 'Doc McStuffins.' The final component of the NextGen MyMagic+ experience is set to begin testing in the parks late next week. MagicBands will be given to a limited number of guests during a small trial period, where the full spectrum of MyMagic+ will be tested in real-world use for the first time. Wearing the MagicBands allows the guest to 'Touch to Enter' at the parks main entrance, 'Touch to Pay' at shops and quick service restaurant...

Just last month, Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie opened at Epcot’s France Pavilion in World Showcase.   I had the pleasure of visiting a couple of weeks ago to check it out and grab a snack while I was there, though I would have liked to have quite a few of the snacks they were serving!   Everything looked (and smelled) delicious! One of the great things about the bakery is that it now opens at 9:00 am, before World Showcase opens at 11:00 am.   What better way to start your Disney day than with a cappuccino, coffee or latte with a delicious pastry like a chocolate croissant?   Especially if you can grab an outdoor table in the morning Florida sunshine!   Absolutely perfect!   There is also an indoor dining area with tables and chairs, as well as small tables you can stand at and enjoy your snack. The selection of food is set up in glass cases that form a “U” shape.   Guests form a line in the center.   From there they can choose t...

In case you missed it, yesterday Disney announced the rest of their itineraries for 2014!  Those who have sailed more than 5 times on Disney before can book starting today, and everyone else can book tomorrow!   Here are your wonderful choices, beginning in the summer of 2014. These are organized by ship! Disney Wonder - 15 Night Westbound Panama Canal  – 5/2 Friday Miami, FL Saturday Key West, FL Sunday At Sea Monday Cozumel, Mexico Tuesday – Wednesday At Sea Thursday Cartagena, Colombia Friday Panama Canal Saturday – Tuesday At Sea Wednesday Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Thursday Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Friday At Sea Saturday San Diego, CA 2 Night Cruise to Nowhere -  5/17 Saturday San Diego, CA Sunday At Sea Monday San Diego, CA 5 Night San Diego to Vancouver  – 5/19 Monday San Diego, CA Tuesday At Sea Wednesday San Francisco, CA Thursday At Sea Friday At Sea Saturday Vancouver, Canada 9 Nigh...