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Tip: Stay on Property

  I know, I know.  You think it's really expensive to stay on Disney property, so you'd much rather stay at that cheap, $80 a night place down the road.  Well, apparently you haven't been paying attention. Disney's value resorts are always priced under $100, with some specials hitting as low as $50.  

   If price isn't an issue for you, why would you stay anywhere else?  Perhaps you don't know about the perks you get simply from staying on property.  First of all, you get free transportation to every single attraction on the property.  Don't feel like taking the bus or the monorail?  If you brought a car with you, your resort parking pass gets you free parking at all the parks.  

   The real bonus is a little thing they call extra magic hours.  To really take advantage of these, skip the morning ones unless you really enjoy getting up at 7 AM.  Save that energy for the evening magic hours, which keep the park open three extra hours, sometimes until 2-3 AM.  If you can stick it out that late, you get rid of a lot of the families with little kids, and you can go on the more popular rides without having to wait an hour.

Restaurant Review: Victoria and Albert's

Location: The Grand Floridian Resort

Price: $$$$

Service: *****

Food:*****

Category: Fine Dining

    

    If you are looking for an experience that you will never forget, you can always find that nestled in the ambient lighting of the Grand Floridian's signature restaurant, Victoria and Albert's.  The restaurant is intimate; in fact, one could call it tiny by Disney standards.  

    The moment you enter, you are greeted by the dapper host or hostess and whisked off to your table, where you will find a menu waiting for you with your name on it - literally.  The menu is prix fixe, and changes daily, as you would expect from such a high caliber restaurant.  Don't worry about making a bad choice - there are none.  Each of the six courses will be absolutely wonderful.  Some past menu items include a delectable lobster salad, elk tenderloin, and other delicacies.    

    In addition to exquisite food, Victoria and Albert's also has an extensive wine list.  If you are too intimidated to trapse through it, consider trying out the wine pairings.  For an addition cost, you can have the wine that the sommelier has chosen to best complement your choices.

    The service is nothing but top notch here.  Though they are no longer forced to wear name tags calling them "Victoria" or "Albert", the waitstaff is still willing to serve you hand and foot, making sure that no napkin remains unfolded on the table, and no guest will ever have to push in their own chair.

    For a real treat, consider booking the chef's table - this intimate dining experience puts you right in the center of it all, watching the head chef as he cooks your meal and tells you all about what you are enjoying.  This is a popular dining experience, so book early!

    Though the price tag is hefty (currently $125 per person, with an extra $60 for wine pairings) the experience is priceless.  You will be talking about this meal for years to come, and hey, if you're a woman you get a rose!  How's that for service?

Hotel Review: The Grand Floridian

Location: Magic Kingdom Area

Price: $$$$

Service: *****

Rooms: *****

Amenities: Spa, Pools, 24-hour food service, 4 restaurants, monorail

    

    The Grand Floridian is the easiest hotel to begin with, because it is the best.  The hotel by which all others are judged.  I first experienced its grandeur when it first opened, and I have been hooked ever since.  It is one of the most expensive hotels in the resort, clocking in at just over $500/night in high season, but don't be dismayed; it is worth every cent.

    The hotel is located on the monorail line, which services the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Transportation and Ticket Center, as well as the Polynesian and Contemporary resorts.  Want to get a little tipsy at the Luau?  No problem.  Had a little too much to drink at the Food and Wine Festival?  You'll be at your hotel in no time.  

    There are many bonuses to staying in this hotel that you won't find in any tour guide.  Because of it's high price tag and it's reputation for luxury, the hotel tends to be more quiet as there are fewer large families staying there.  In addition, the design of having more than one pool, with one designated "adult" pool, allows adults to relax poolside without screaming children.  

    The rooms are more than adequate, featuring minibars and spacious closets.  The deluxe rooms have sitting areas, and often are located on the top floor, which gives you a private "widow's wharf" style balcony.  This is the perfect place to catch the water electric light parade, the only glimpse left of that wonderful Disney treasure that once was (props if you remember it).  The color scheme is reminiscent of old Florida in hues of blues and yellows, with the bedspreads featuring some famous Disney characters.

    One of the highlights of the hotel is the exquisite Victoria and Alberts, a five-diamond rated restaurant.  If you eat here, don't expect a good deal, but do expect to eat one of the best meals of your life.  The restaurant also recently decided to bar children under 12 from dining there, a decision which has drawn some attention.  

    Over all, this is easily my favorite place to stay at Walt Disney World.  It makes me feel glamorous and pampered, while at the same time allowing me to feel that Disney magic all the time.  If you have the means, I highly recommend the Grand Floridian for your first (or next) Disney adventure.

WDW Tip #1: Move to Florida.

   Okay, so maybe moving to Florida isn't practical.  However, I do know that if you are as nuts about Disney World as I am, you may have already considered it.  I happen to be one of those lucky, elusive native Floridians, waving about my Annual Pass as if it were an invitation to a dinner date with Prince William.  If you aren't a Florida resident, don't fret.  Perhaps you'll get a job offer than requires you to move to Florida; here are some reasons you may want to consider taking that job.

    To start, Florida residents get special ticket prices that no one else does.  Special deals like one extra day when you buy a certain number of days, deep discounts on single day and multi-day tickets, and of course, special tickets that are only available to residents.  Of these, the greatest is the Annual Pass.

   For around the cost of two 3-day tickets, you can get one of these magical pieces of heaven.  The Annual Pass is more than just a ticket.  Along with your ticket, you also get a variety of discounts at almost every Disney World restaurant and store.  Then, there is the Passholder club.  Sign up online as a passholder, and you'll receive e-mail updates, newletters, and special previews of coming attractions.  Passholders get all sorts of special bonuses above the ones I already mentioned, such as special room rates, contests with fabulous prizes, and special park events like new ride previews.  You can even park for free (Seriously, parking is like, eleven dollars right now.  This is important.).

    

Welcome to my blog!

  I've noticed a shocking lack of information and advertising on the part of Walt Disney World to attract young, single/married childless people.  My husband and I truly love every vacation we take to WDW, and I want to share the information and observations I have.  I hope that this blog will inspire you to live magically and embrace your inner Disney nerd.  Remember, 20 is the new 10!