I’m definitely bummed that Elyssa and I won’t be at 24 hour day this year.
Tag: disney world
Not a surprise. Disney had to do this in order to get people to the Studios this summer when so many of the attractions are in a state of flux.
I’m pretty excited that Elyssa and I will be running this later this year.
Categories
2015 Princess Marathon Weekend
This is probably the best write-up I’ve seen about Princess Marathon weekend.[^f0042]
[^f0042]: *NOTE: It’s **not** written for someone who is a Disney expert, however.*
Tickets are $250 **per person.** Woah.
It’s time for one of the two major festivals at Walt Disney World to get under way. Honestly, I might like this better than International Food and Wine.
I can’t say that I agree with listings that have the Yacht Club at 7, but the Beach Club at 2. Also, even though I like the Animal Kingdom Lodge, its location would keep it from being at the top of any list of mine.
I guess I understand why some people complained about the “Under the Sea” scene, but I never really thought it was a problem.
One of the most popular attractions at Hollywood Studios is the[Rockin’ Roller Coaster](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_%27n%27_Roller_Coaster_Starring_Aerosmith)[^open], and one of the best parts about the Rockin’ Roller Coaster is the initial, 2.8 second, 0-to-57 mph start.
Thankfully, we can now get that kind of start in our every day lives, since the [Tesla P85D](www.teslamotors.com/models) can do 0-to-60 in 3.2 seconds.[^price]
Excuse me while I go check my sofa cushions for any extra change.
*(h/t to [The Accidental Tech Podcast](http://atp.fm/episodes/106) for bringing this to my attention.)*
[^open]: It also happens to be one of the only attractions still open at Hollywood Studios, but that’s a whole other issue.
[^price]: The P85D’s $120,000 price tag might mean you have to wait another month or two before you buy your Bungalow DVC.
I’m glad to hear they’re keeping some of the feel of Planet Hollywood, while providing a more updated look and feel to the restaurant.
A welcome change.
Some of these sounds pretty good. Disney Springs might be a nice place to visit once construction is finally completed.
I really like the Flower & Garden festival. I hope that Elyssa and I can make it down this year.
It was an amazing weekend. I’m so glad that Elyssa and I got to be a part of it.
Start making your plans now.
I should just practice this 2 to 3 times a day until I master it.
The big question: Can I convince Elyssa we should go this year?
Categories
MMoM Year at Disney Selections
On [Episode 193 of Mighty Men of Mouse](http://mightymenofmouse.blogspot.com/2015/01/episode-193-new-years-gallimaufry.html), the gang was asked a question about how they would spend a year at Walt Disney World. Loosely translated, the question asked them to:
1. Pick a resort that would be home for the year (no DVC)
2. Pick a restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner where they would always eat that given meal (it could be a different restaurant for each meal)
3. Pick a single snack that they could get outside of the above listed meals.
Even though no one asked for *me* to answer the question, I decided to provide my answers below. Unlike in the [MMoM Draft] I did consider relative location and transportation in my answers.
## Resort
## Winner:
**Grand Floridian Resort and Spa**: The Grand Floridian is one of the premier resorts at Walt Disney World, featuring some of the nicest rooms and a prime location near the Magic Kingdom. Additionally, transportation to other resorts (*e.g.,* in case Elyssa and I want to go [view animals on the savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge](http://blog.touringplans.com/2014/06/22/disney-world-animal-kingdom-lodge-savannah/)) via the Magic Kingdom transportation depot is only a single stop away on the Resort Monorail. It also includes excellent restaurant options that can be leveraged for the other answers.
## Runner Up:
**Yacht Club**: It’s a great resort. It has Storm-along bay. It’s where Elyssa and I spent part of our honeymoon. It’s a really good runner-up, but the restaurant and transportation options don’t align as well with the rest of the year-long plan.
## Breakfast
### Winner:
**Crystal Palace**: A breakfast buffet in the Magic Kingdom that includes good food (in both quality and variety), the option to interact with characters (if I’m in the mood on a given day), and the the ability to get into the Magic Kingdom at 8am any day that I choose.
### Runners Up:
**Tusker House**: All things considered, probably Elyssa’s and my favorite breakfast option. It’s back of the Animal Kingdom location, however, doesn’t align well with the rest of the year-long plan.
**1900 Park Fare**: Includes 2 of the advantages of our winning selection, but lacks the early access to the Magic Kingdom. Ultimately, the ability to secure pre-park-open Magic Kingdom access was more compelling than having a location at our resort.
## Lunch
### Winner:
**Grand Floridian Cafe**: The [menu for the Grand Floridian Cafe](https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/grand-floridian-resort-and-spa/grand-floridian-cafe/menus/lunch/) contains a wide variety of items that are perfect for lunch, including: a burger, a grilled chicken caesar salad, and, the Grand Sandwich. The Café’s location in the Grand Floridian is the proverbial icing on the cake.
### Runner Up:
**Via Napoli**: Dutch’s reasoning for selecting Via Napoli was very compelling. Even though I am someone who normally eats a lighter lunch than pizza, I did consider this option.
## Dinner
### Winner:
**Narcoossee’s**: People all have their favorite “high end” Disney restaurant. For some that might be Victoria and Albert’s, or maybe California Grill. For Elyssa and me, it’s Narcooossee’s. I admit that my view might be clouded by an amazing meal on our honeymoon, but I fail to believe that is the only reason why I enjoy Narcooossee’s. Like many of our choices, Narcoossee’s location (both in relation to our “home” resort and its windows looking out at the Magic Kingdom) plays a factor in the choice, but, somewhat surprisingly, Narcoossee’s also has a fairly wide selection of different meal choices (especially when considering the additional options available on the kids menu.) Also, the Narcoossee’s Candy Bar might be the single best thing I have ever eaten.
### Runners Up:
**Whispering Canyon** A nice selection of solid dinner foods, in a location that’s not terrible to get to from the Floridian (monorail to Magic Kingdom, boat over to Wilderness Lodge), and it still leave us close to the Magic Kingdom for late night rides on the Mine Train.
## Snack
### Winner:
**Ice cream sandwich from the Plaza Ice Parlor**: I am pretty sure there are times when Elyssa and I have been dangerously close to sustaining ourselves on only these treast. You get delicious cookies and your choice of whatever flavor of ice cream. It’s great any time of year, but especially in the hot Florida sun.
### Runner Up:
***Corn dog nuggets from Casey’s Corner**: A great snack / mini-meal that’s a nice, shareable twist on an American classic. They lose out to the ice cream sandwich, however, for their lack of “dessert-replacement-ability.”
I would love to stay in one of these rooms. I don’t think I’ll be spending $3,000 a night for them anytime soon.
I can’t believe I’m seriously considering buying a Buzz Lightyear Magicband.