Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog

Arrr ya ready for a magical vacation? Say "aye!"

Beginning September 18 2014, the Magic Kingdom's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train now offers both video and photos of riders. Similar to the recent Tower of Terror onboard video, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train creates a series of video clips, including point-of-view footage, and scenes of the riders on the drops. MyMagic+ MagicBands are used to automatically associate the photos and videos to the rider's My Disney Experience account, making the whole process a seamless experience. The service is available now to guests who have purchased the Memory Maker package, and are wearing a MagicBand at the time of riding. The video is available online only at the My Disney Experience website, and cannot be viewed in the park. Photos are available online, and at the camera centers at the front of each park. Check out this sample video courtesy Disney Parks: Disney has announced to Disney's Hollywood Studios cast members that the Studio Backlot Tour will be permanentl

Where do you call home?  Sunny and warm San Antonio, Texas! Are you married?  Yes, for 13 wonderful years Any children?  I have 1 daughter and 3 sons (it's a crazy life but I wouldn't have it any other way!) Favorite vacation destination?  Walt Disney World followed closely by the Caribbean Favorite Walt Disney World Resort?  Beach Club! I love the proximity to EPCOT as well as Stormalong Bay. Favorite Walt Disney World attraction?  Living with the Land.  I am a gardener so I love getting fun ideas for new ways to grow fruits and veggies. Favorite Disney restaurant?  Morimoto, Kona Cafe, or the Boathouse for sure! I'm excited to try all the new restaurants opening in Disney Springs too!! Favorite Disney snack?  Mickey Bars and Dole Whip Floats Wishes, Fantasmic or IllumiNations?  Wishes for sure Favorite Disney Souvenir?  Probably either one of my many Christmas Ornaments or my Tinker Bell coffee mug Earliest Disney vacation

What is your favorite Disney cupcake? How many have you tasted? There are SO many delicious options to try!!

Tom Staggs, Chairman Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, has announced via Twitter that the 'Frozen' makeover of Epcot's Norway Pavilion will soon begin . Details are scarce, but Staggs confirms that a 'Frozen' attraction will replace the Maelstrom, taking guests to Arendelle. Also part of the Norway Pavilion makeover will be a meet and greet location for Anna and Else. The Norway Pavilion will remain open during the construction work on the attraction, with the Maelstrom having its last day of operation on October 5 2014. The reopening of the Frozen attraction at Norway will be early 2016. Image courtesy Disney Parks Blog Disney has today confirmed that the characters from 'Frozen' will be appearing during the holiday season at the Magic Kingdom . Cinderella's Holiday Wish, which features the Castle Dream Lights, will be replaced with a 'Frozen' lighting ceremony, featuring the characters from 'Frozen.' Queen Elsa wil

Disney’s BoardWalk is a quarter-mile of dining, entertainment and shopping located in the Epcot Resort area.  The BoardWalk is an area designed to make you feel like you are back in the early days of Coney Island and Atlantic City at the turn of the century. Even if you're not staying at the resort, this is a great place to visit during your vacation! In the daytime Disney’s BoardWalk is a quiet relaxed place. In early morning, you'll often find runners and other early risers enjoying the Epcot resort area as it wakes for a new day. In the evening, the BoardWalk really comes alive.  The lights, sounds, and entertainment help create a fun, energetic atmosphere that can't quite be described. The performers are at two different locations; one in front of the Screen Door General Store and the other across from the Flying Fish Restaurant. The International Gateway entrance for Epcot is a short, leisurely walk or boat ride away.  You can also take the pathway to walk to D

Who is your favorite person to share magical moments with?

Select locations at Walt Disney World will be trialing new allergy-friendly menus at a range of restaurants during the next month. Restaurants taking part in the trial include: ●      Flying Fish Café at Disney's BoardWalk ●      ABC Commissary, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant and The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios ●      Kona Cafe and Captain Cooks at Disney's Polynesian Resort ●      World Premiere Food Court at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort. The allergy friendly menu will mean that in some cases, it will no longer be necessary for a chef to visit the guest at the table, and instead selections can be made directly from the special menu. For any allergies that are not covered by the menu, or if the guest prefers to speak to a chef, that option will remain available. The test is expected to run from September 9 through to October 20 2014.   Following the limited August test of allowing the purchase of MagicBands with

It sounded like a great idea when someone said  “We should ALL go to Disney World together next time!”  And then the planning started.  The Aunts can go just about any time because they’re retired, but the family with 3 kids under 12 can’t take the kids out of school for too long, the DINK couple (Dual Incomes, No Kids) can’t put in their vacation requests for next year until 3rd quarter of this year and the rest of the family says “I don’t care when we go."  Great.  We’re getting nowhere fast.  Sometimes things sound better in theory than they do in reality, but with a little patience—OK, A LOT of patience!—a big group vacation to Disney World can be a wonderful experience. I’ve had my hand in planning quite a few of these extended family vacations, and I’ve learned a thing or two about what to expect, what to focus on in the planning process, and what to not get caught up in during the process.  Here are a few tips I’ve adopted in planning a Disney trip for a large group.

Mondays might be easier with a happier name! You can also try "magical" and "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah."

The new Starbucks at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be named "The Trolley Car Café." Image courtesy Disney Travel Professionals It will open in February 2015, the new Starbucks will open in the former L.A. Prop Cinema Storage store on the right side of Hollywood Blvd. The building is currently walled off for the remodel. The Trolley Car Café will be the third in-park Disney operated location at Walt Disney World. The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street U.S.A . at the Magic Kingdom is scheduled for a refurbishment in early 2015. It is expected to be closing on February 2 through to March 30 2015. Valet parking at Downtown Disney will shift to a length of stay pricing structure. The pricing will be as follows . ●      2 hours and under $10 ●      2 to 3 hours $15 ●      Over 3 hours $20 The previous pricing was a flat rate $15. You can find Downtown Disney valet parking on both the West Side, in front of Cirque du Soleil, and at the

Wishing you all a happy and safe Labor Day holiday!