Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog

My 1st Haircut Mickey Ears, and a mesh bag of hair clippings With children, Walt Disney World trips can be full of lots of "firsts"- such as the first time they meet Mickey, the first time Cinderella Castle comes into view around the corner, or the first time their head finally hits that height stick for the attraction they've anxiously been waiting to ride.  These are all great scrapbook-worthy moments that we can treasure for years to come.  You may not realize that there's another milestone you can celebrate in a magical way: their first haircut! Tucked away just off Main Street USA next to the Emporium is the Harmony Barber Shop.  This is a real working barber shop, and has become a traditional first-stop on our visits.  Whether you need a trim, a cut, or some pixie dust, they can send you off in style and ready for a fantastic vacation!  The Dapper Dans and other residents of Main Street have been known to stop by, making it an extra-special experi...

#agreed

Ears the News is brought to you courtesy of our friends at  WDWMagic.com Disney has released  the full schedule for this year's Night of Joy, complete with the full performer line-up and locations. Night of Joy 2015 takes place this year at the Magic Kingdom on September 11 and 12 2015, 7:30 PM to 1:00 AM each evening. Tickets are $65 plus tax in advance for one night and $115 plus tax in advance for two nights. Get full details on pricing and how to order. Friday, September 11th, 2015 CASTLE FORECOURT STAGE 7:40 PM. – Jeremy Camp 9:45 PM. – MercyMe 11:55 PM. – TobyMac GALAXY STAGE 7:30 PM. – Francesca Battistelli 8:50 PM – Francesca Battistelli 10:25 PM – Colton Dixon 12:05 AM. – Big Daddy Weave ROCKETTOWER PLAZA STAGE 8:10 PM. – Josh Wilson 9:40 PM. – I Am They 11:15 PM – Rend Collective Saturday, September 12th, 2015 CASTLE FORECOURT STAGE 7:40 PM. – for King & Country 9:40 PM – LeCrae 11:50 PM – Skillet GALAXY S...

I recently enjoyed 10 wonderful days at Aulani.  That sounds like plenty of time to experience the resort as well as see the sights of Oahu, Hawaii, right?  But it turns out that Aulani is like Hotel California; you can enter but you don’t want to ever leave!   Upon first arriving, you’re presented with leis: flowers for the girls, kukua nut leis for the boys.   (Lucky them, theirs last longer than the flowers! But they certainly don’t smell as nice!) The resort itself is impressive as you drive up.  It's sandwiched in between 2 other very modern looking resorts but is recognizable right away.  Aulani has that distinctive feel that only Disney resorts have.  The theming and architecture really help you feel that you’re in an authentic Hawaiian resort, rather than a high-rise apartment building in a metropolitan city. If you're familiar with deluxe resorts at other Disney destinations, you know that their lobbies always make a grand first imp...

You know you'll be singing this all day now...

Ears the News is brought to you courtesy of our friends at  WDWMagic.com All images are courtesy the Walt Disney Company. A little event know as D23 happened in Anaheim over the weekend and there was an uncharacteristic wealth of information The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced to an audience of more than 7,500 fans that Star Wars-themed lands will be coming to Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif., and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., allowing Star Wars fans to step into the stories from a galaxy far, far away. Ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life in the two parks include creating Disney’s largest single themed land expansions ever at 14 acres each, transporting guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before wild space where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life. “I am thrilled to announce the next chapter in the long and exciting his...

Disclaimer: There is nothing scientific about this list and I didn’t ask anyone else for their opinions.  :) Walt Disney World has so many wonderful attractions throughout its four theme parks.  Trying to narrow down my top ten favorites was no easy task!  My favorites list runs the spectrum from 3D attractions and classics to roller coasters and firework spectaculars. Now, without further ado, my top 10 favorite attractions: 10. Captain EO – I love this totally, awesomely, cheesy 80's 3D attraction!  I love watching the pre-show and seeing all of the hairstyles and outfits.  Then you have all of the amazing choreographed routines and Michael Jackson songs.  I know it’s not supposed to be a comedy show but I find myself laughing at the 80's cheese-factor!. I also can't help myself from singing the songs for the rest of the day.  “We are here to change the world…” :) 9. Monorail – I know this technically isn’t an attraction, it’s a mode of t...

There's no such thing as "too old" for Disney!! Don't you agree?

Ears the News is brought to you courtesy of our friends at  WDWMagic.com Disney is planning to introduce a new mobile app that will make finding, buying and shipping merchandise from the Walt Disney World theme parks easier and faster than ever. Unlike the existing offerings at the DisneyStore.com site, the new app will offer nearly the full range of merchandise available in the parks, and should once-and-for-all resolve that problem of - “I wish I had bought it when I was there.” Called ‘ Shop Disney Parks,’ the app will allow guests to locate, order, and ship merchandise from any Disney operated retail store at Walt Disney World. If you are shopping at home within the US, the app will let you browse, buy and then ship the items directly. If you are already in the parks, the app will have the capability to browse, buy and then ship to the front of park, or for resort guests, directly to the hotel. Inside the stores, guests will be able to scan the merchandise f...

Disney World can be described in one simple word: magical.  This magic goes far beyond parks and rides; Disney's cast members want your entire visit to be so carefree and convenient, that it all feels like magic!  One of my favorite benefits for onsite guests is how easy it is to transport luggage. Disney's Magical Express Included with your resort stay is a feature called Disney's Magical Express (see? it even has the word "magical" right in the title!).  These are buses that efficiently transport guests back and forth between Orlando International Airport and Walt Disney World property.  It is available at no charge- and it couldn't be easier, both for you and your luggage. Before you depart for your vacation, have Disney’s Magical Express service added to your reservation by your travel agent, and you will receive transfer vouchers and yellow tags in the mail.  Each person on the reservation will have a yellow tag for their bag.  Put these on you...

Here's a bit of MAGIC to start your Monday!

Ears the News is brought to you courtesy of our friends at  WDWMagic.com . Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has already sold out for Halloween night on October 31 2015. While Halloween always seems to sell out, this comes 3 weeks earlier than it did last year. We also saw a lot of odd dates selling out last year so if you plan on attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, but your tickets sooner rather than later. Image courtesy Disney Parks blog Breakfast at  the Be Our Guest Restaurant  in Magic Kingdom will become a permanent offering. Reservations for October 4th and beyond began earlier this week. The price has increased from the original $19.99 plus tax for adults to $21.99, and $11.99 plus tax for ages 3 - 9 to $13.99. Pizzafari at Disney's Animal Kingdom is set to close for a refurbishment later this month. The closure is planned to start on August 24, through to October 19 2015. The closure is likely to be connected to the addi...

Disclaimer:  There is nothing scientific about this list and I didn’t ask anyone else for their opinions.  So without further delay, these are my 10 favorite things to do at Walt Disney World! When I visit Walt Disney World, I have a lengthy list of things to check off my list before I leave.  On every trip I must eat a Dole Whip, visit the Polynesian beaches, purchase a new mug, eat a turkey leg, take a trip on the monorail…it’s a comprehensive, sometimes ridiculous list but I love it! My top 10 must do attractions are as follows: 10. Toy Story Midway Mania - I wasn’t expecting much the first time I went on this ride, to be honest.  Boy was I wrong!  This is SO MUCH FUN for all ages, and I literally transform into this whole other person when I’m on this ride.  Whole other person, competitive monster, whatever. 9. Wishes - I did the College Program in 2004, and worked at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  I was able to see Wishes a LOT be...