Today I’m going to take a look at what may be my least favorite attraction in any of the Disney Parks – “It’s Tough to be a Bug”. This attraction is in need of a serious upgrade!
I have several things I don’t like about this attraction. For starters, it absolutely terrifies my daughter! She doesn’t like how the bugs start attacking us, and to be quite honest, neither do I! Secondly, I don’t like how the yellow jackets sting us in the backside! That hurts! And to be quite honest, the subtle affect of the cockroaches crawling across as they leave the theatre just makes my skin crawl!
To me, this attraction is just a little too scary for some of the kids (and adults, I’ll include myself in that assessment without shame!) that go in to see it. If you are a new visitor to Animal Kingdom, and you just don’t know, you could really set yourself and your children up for an unwelcome shock!
I think this attraction should be “kiddified” a little bit to make it just a little less scary for those that are easily frightened. I also feel that if the Imagineers took this on, and changed it, it would gain a second chance status with a lot of guests, and it might gain a lot of additional followers. So there you have it, my one ride that I need to see upgraded.
What is your attraction or ride that you would like to see upgraded? Tell us in the comments, and thanks for reading!
Regular readers of Chip & Company know that I enjoy exploring the various things to see and do Downtown Disney (DTD) at Walt Disney World. Part of the reason for my pleasure in the larger DTD area – the absence of Adventurers Club notwithstanding – is that the place offers different experiences for different people that can vary with the trip. Indeed, the “must sees” for a first-time visitor to DTD are different than for guests who are returning on their second, third or thirtieth trip.
While I’m not a hard-core Disney foodie, I do like my food, Disney and otherwise. And DTD offers a varied menu of tasty options for foodies. Here are few of my favorites to tempt you and whet your appetite for your next trip to the World.
Mickey’s Pantry
This store is the must-stop shopping destination for Disney foodies. This culinary haven in the DTD Marketplace area (near the Earl of Sandwich) offers a number of goods for the kitchen, from cookware and cookbooks to coffee mugs and cookie cutters. Oh, and pre-packaged Disney food to take home. The pantry is especially fun for those of us who enjoy a Mickey-themed kitchen in red, white and black.
The Spice & Tea Exchange
Located inside Mickey’s Pantry, The Spice & Tea Exchange promises to set noses aquiver in anticipation. As its name suggests, it features both spices and loose teas beautifully displayed in apothecary jars, as well as accessories. The ingredients are fresh, often organic, and preservative free. Guests are welcomed, indeed encouraged, to stop and smell the spices. Employees are on hand to help you explore your olfactory options.
On my recommended list? Try the Florida Grinder, one of its signature blends. It combines Brazilian Atlantic sea salt, lemon, lime, orange zest, mild green peppercorns, rose petals and ginger. Or for a true splurge, bring home one of the store’s more unusual offerings, like a Himalayan Mineral salt block.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Oh, you know I’m a fan of the ice cream at Ghirardelli’s – or really of I’m a fan of any Disney ice cream. But foodies might want to stop by the chocolate shop area of the store. That’s where you can buy chocolate samplers and souvenirs as well as a counter for baked goodies and sinfully good hot chocolate. But before you decide what to purchase, be sure to savor for a free chocolate sample.
As a side note, I adore that the packages are often themed to whatever holiday I’m pretending to celebrate when I buy a “gift” of the pre-packaged chocolate deliciousness.
Goofy's Candy Company, Downtown Disney.
Goofy’s Candy Company & Candy Cauldron
Let’s not candy coat this. I love candy – just see my recommended candy stops – and Ghirardelli’s chocolate is a melt-in-your-mouth taste sensation. But If you like your candy, and want to have a hand in its creation, stop by either Goofy’s Candy Company at DTD Marketplace or the Candy Cauldron at DTD West Side. Both places offer a sugar rush just in the heady aroma as you step through the doors. While I enjoy both stores, and really stop by whichever one is closer to my other destinations, I’d choose Goofy’s Candy Company generally for its customizable treats but give the slight edge to the Candy Cauldron for its made-to-order apples. Maybe it’s the Snow White’s Wicked Witch theming.
Raglan Road Gift Shop
A fan of Raglan Road’s Irish fare with flair? Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop attached to restaurant’s gift shop. There, in addition to buying other items imported from Ireland, you can purchase cookbooks featuring Raglan Road recipes and other cuisine developed by chef Kevin Dundon. Also available are Dundon Food Experience products, such as chutneys, relishes and jams. My recommendation? Try the apple chutney.
What about Disney foodies and the Downtown Disney restaurants?
I know, I know, Disney foodies are wondering about where to eat at DTD? Really, the challenge here is that choosing a snack or restaurant is such a matter of taste. For instance, although I’ve mentioned many sweet snacks above, primarily for the Disney foodie shopping experience, I’ve been known to curb my salt and savory cravings with Wetzel’s Pretzels (try the jalapeno cheese option).
But for a starter course on Disney restaurants, here’s what I recommend. For quick service, I don’t think you can go wrong with the gourmet pizzas at Wolfgang Puck Express or the fresh sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich. For table service, my favorite meals are found at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, starting with the to-die-for Irish soda bread all the way through to the bread pudding.
Still, don’t solely trust my taste buds. Tempt yourself with some Chip and Company’s Disney World Guide to restaurants and snacks found under the site’s “Planning” tab.
And Disney foodies…let’s help each other out! What are your favorite food and dining experiences at Downtown Disney?
Related articles
Downtown Disney Dining – Is It Worth the Trip? (chipandco.com)
When traveling to Disney, people are often reviewing their budget in an attempt to get the most out of their Disney budget. One thing that should be considered is the cost of parking when visiting the theme parks. The cost to park at any of the Disney World or Disneyland is $15. Guests staying at the parks for 6 days would rack up a bill of $90 in parking fees! With the cost being this expensive, consider these ways to receive free parking:
1. Stay at a Walt Disney World resort to receive free parking. Guests receive a parking certificate which is placed in the window of the vehicle. When visiting a theme park, the parking attendant see the certificate and waive the guest in the parking lot without paying the parking fee.
2. Parking at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney is free. Guests are invited to park here for their entire day of fun. When parking at Downtown Disney, know that the Disney transportation buses only travel to the resort and not directly to the theme parks. As such, parking at Downtown Disney for free is not an effective way to get to the theme parks without paying the parking fees.
3. Parking at Disneyland Downtown Disney District is free for 3 hours. If additional hours are needed, guests can have their parking ticket validated at a variety of shops and restaurants to receive an additional 2 hours of free parking. After this free time frame, guests pay $6 per hour up to a maximum of $30 in parking fees per day.
4. Annual Passholders park for free. Annual Passholders show their Annual Passes to the parking attendants to receive free entry to the parking lots.
Parking at Disneyland Resorts is not free. A charge of $15 per day is charged to guests.
Remember to consider the costs of parking if you choose to stay off Disney property while visiting Disney World and to budget the additional cost when visiting Disneyland.
This question come from Emily, who asks: “Is it worth getting the meal plan if your a vegetarian? Are there enough meal options?”
Emily: Thanks for your question and for reading Chip and Co. We really appreciate it.
The answer really has to do with whether or not the dining plan is a good deal for you in general, I think. Most Disney table service restaurants have at least one vegetarian entree on the menu. If it were the case that there was just one vegetarian item, I might hesitate to recommend the dining plan to vegetarians. Fortunately, you can request a vegetarian meal that is not on the menu by using the procedure listed here. The great thing is that most chefs regard making a vegetarian meal as a fun challenge, so you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised if you trust the chef to use his imagination. Most dishes will reflect the theme of the restaurant. You can also ask for something special at a buffet or have someone point out the vegetarian options to you.
The trickier issue is going to be counter service meals. You’ll find the most vegetarian options in the Magic Kingdom and in Epcot, so you might consider taking advantage of counter service options when you’re in those parks and saving at least some of your table service credits for Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Snacks are generally meat-free, so they’re a non-issue; vegans will find lots of fruit and other items that don’t contain animal products.
Given that there are a lot of dining options for vegetarians, the real question is, will the dining plan work for you from a financial and convenience standpoint? Ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you the kind of person who doesn’t like to stop touring the parks for meals? If you are a commando type guest, the plan might be inconvenient for you to stick to since you’ll basically have to plan your days around where you’re eating.
2. Do you usually eat several table service meals on a trip? If so, this might be a good option for you.
3. Can you get all your advanced dining reservations? Getting the dining plan and not getting the ADRs you want can be a waste of money.
I found that four table service meals plus all the counter service meals and snacks added up to about what I paid for the plan, making the next three meals essentially “free,” so for our family the dining plan worked out. It also allowed us to try restaurants we wouldn’t have tried otherwise. Keep in mind, though, we rarely have a “commando” day in the parks, so having to leave because we had an ADR wasn’t a huge issue for us. One other thing I liked was that it was paid for ahead of time. My husband is the kind of person who gets sticker shock at a large restaurant bill, so not having worry about it was a huge bonus.
More information for vegetarians dining at Disney World can be found here.
Chip wrote an older post about the dining plan for our friends over at Couponing to Disney that you might want to check out. I also did a post recently on my experiences with the dining plan which you can read about here. Finally, our own Lisa just wrote a quiz on the pros and cons of the dining plan.
What do you think my fellow Oldies? Should we take an aggressive stance and TACKLE every theme park we visit or should we take another approach? As I have gotten older (alas, an unavoidable consequence of being born) I have developed a different approach toward everything I do – age and experience will outdo youth and enthusiasm every time. So, for me, the TACKLING question is easily answered with a NO. That does not mean you shouldn’t do it so long as it fits your capabilities and doesn’t overstretch your limitations, if it works for you – Do It!!
I think you will find that very experienced Walt Disney World visitors move quite a bit more slowly and with a different type of purpose than a relatively less experienced visitor (I guess you could call them newbies in the kindest possible way). The pace at which folks travel through the parks is not necessarily a function of age but more one of ability and purpose. But, as I have gotten older I have found both my ability and purpose are varying with each passing year causing me to be a little less aggressive in my approach to theme park touring.
Do we miss anything we want to do because of our slower pace? We do not because one of the other benefits that comes with the age and experience mentioned above, a bit more disposable income. Our solution to taking a slower pace is to visit more often and for longer periods of time. Our normal visit interval was every 2 years but after October 2011, it is going to be every 18 months for 10-12 days – problem solved!! That type of visit allows us to squeeze in that extra Epcot day and that extra Hollywood Studios day without taking away from some of our other favorites.
On our March/April 2013 visit we are going to explore renting DVC points to see how that works for us. It will mean deluxe accommodations at a reduced price. There are some pitfalls to avoid but research and networking can take the edge off of those pitfalls. If you want to try something like that, do your reading and talk to your friends. Don’t just jump into it because someone (me) says it might be a good idea. Don’t commit until you are comfortable.
I asked a question about TACKLING theme parks aggressively on your visits, if it fits your abilities and approach to life by all means go for it. You can also try some of the things we do, travel more often for longer visits, so you can take your time and enjoy everything Walt Disney World has to offer. It’s all up to you my friends. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Hey there guys and gals your favorite Disney Gossip columnist Anonymouse here.
In breaking news Disney has just confirmed the name change of the spa in Disney Aulani to Laniwai. Here is the report from Disney Parks Blog:
The spa at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, has a new name: Laniwai, meaning “freshwater heaven.” As we met with our Hawaiian cultural consultants to examine the spa and some of its unique qualities, the focus on Hawaiian connection to and reverence for nature inspired some new thinking about the spa name. The name Laniwai embraces the cultural and spiritual significance of rainbows: a magical phenomenon occurring when Ua (rain) and sunshine combine. The rainbow symbolizes joy, life, growth, greenery and good fortune.
And now a video
Now that I have reported that breaking news I can now ask if anyone would like me to accompany them to Aulani or if Disney would like to sponsor a trip I would be happy to relax report on the all new Disney Vacation Club resort.
I would be happy to lounge around photograph the resort while giving day old up to date news reports on my least absolute favorite Disney website Stitch Chip and Company.
That is all the time I have for today. See you kiddies next time.
It happened again the other day. I heard someone say: “I would love to go on a Disney World vacation, but it’s just too expensive.”
I have lost count how many times I have heard this statement, and I always feel kind of bad when I do, because I think that’s what most people think, and it prevents folks from even considering a trip to Disney World because they think they can’t afford it. The thing is a Disney vacation can actually be very affordable. There are all kinds of ways to save money. It’s really all about how you plan.
It took me a bit to realize this though. Our first family trip was when our daughter was 7, and we just KNEW that this was our “trip of a lifetime”, that we were never going back, so we needed to see everything, do everything, and cost was not a huge issue…other than the fact that we saved for years to be able to afford to take our “dream vacation” in the first place.
And then we went to Walt Disney World. And we found out pretty quickly that we wanted to go back again. Sound familiar?
Only we did not want to save for years to go back. So it was obvious to me that, if we were going to make visiting Disney World a regular occurrence (at least that was what I wanted to do!), then I was going to have to find a way to do this for less money than we spent last time.
You know that saying, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”?
I started serious researching: reading books, scouring the internet, lurking on message boards, I did it all. I thought I had “planned” for our first trip, well… I was apparently a mere novice then! There was a LOT more to learn about planning a Disney vacation, as it turns out. And in doing all this I discovered one very important thing:
Holy cow, we could go to Disney World for a lot less money than I thought!
It was an epiphany. And one that I share now with anyone who will listen (whether they want to or not…) It’s possible to have a very affordable Disney vacation! So having said all of that, what exactly do I tell folks who want to know how they can travel to Disney World and do it for less?
I tell them that you have to do three things:
Do your research. You have got to be willing to spend some time learning about what kinds of promotions are available, where to get great deals, and what your best options are. There is no getting around this. You either do the research yourself by checking out websites and reading books, or you use a travel agent who can do some of this for you. Either way, you need to be informed. That knowledge will save you money.
Don’t make assumptions. You need to go into this with an open mind. Don’t assume that flying is always more expensive than driving for example. Or that staying off-Disney property is always cheaper than staying on-property. Be willing to explore all options, and be open to trying new things….because you just may be surprised at what is the least expensive way to visit Disney World. I know I have been, on more than once occasion.
Realize that there is no one “best” way on any of this. A Disney vacation is not “one size fits all” and what worked best for me may not work best for you. And what saved me the most money may not save you the most money. There are a lot of variables when planning a Disney vacation. Some things will be more important to you than others. Some things you can compromise on and others will be non-negotiable. That’s ok. You can listen to the advice of others, but the bottom line is you need to plan for what is best for your family.
So there you have it. What you need to plan an affordable Disney vacation: Research, have an open mind to new options, and choose what is best for your family. Everything else you learn along the way will involve these 3 things. It is going to take you some time, but fortunately there are lots of folks who can help you find ways to save money at Disney World.
Your planning will all pay off though, when your Disney vacation is coming to an end, and your kids ask “Can we come back again”…. and you know that you can.
When Nancy isn’t writing on the Chip and Co website you can find her sharing more tips on the Affordable Mouse.
So you have made the decision to visit Walt Disney World: congratulations! Now comes the fun part, planning your trip. If you are like most people, figuring out where you will be staying is one of the first decisions you need to make. And if you are also like most people, you want to save as much money as possible on this decision.
The challenge then is figuring out what is the least expensive place for you to stay while at Disney World. Think you already know the answer? Well…let’s just say that the key here is to have an “open mind”: when it comes to planning a Disney vacation, you just may be surprised at the least expensive option.
To start, most people think that it is always cheaper to stay off-property, and that is just not always the case. Some times it is…and some times it isn’t. There are a number of variables that will come into play here: time of the year, size of your family, and need for transportation while there, will all factor in your decision.
As I’m sure you realize, the busier times of year will be more expensive…and you may possibly have less choices, especially if you are not planning far ahead. Disney will not typically offer as many promotions for these times of year as they will for the slower times. So off-site may be your best choice during peak season…but again, not always…
You need to look at the size of your family: if you have a number of children that will require more than one motel room, then a larger “suite”, villa, or rental home may be the most economical as compared to renting multiple rooms. The Walt Disney resort has some properties that can accommodate larger groups of people, and there are definitely times when Disney offers some great discounts that can really save you money. In other cases, some hotels/motels, both on and off property, may offer specials where two rooms could be cheaper than one room in a different location. You will also want to look beyond the traditional hotel/motel option and consider renting a vacation home, condominium, or time-share. If you need the additional space, do the math: in some cases, it can be a definite cost-saver.
And then you will want to consider how you are going to get around while at Disney World. You can stay with Disney and use their free resort transportation, consisting of buses, monorail, or boats. If you end up off-site then you will need a way to get to the parks: find out if your hotel/motel has a free shuttle. If not, or if you are staying in a private property, then you will need to factor in the cost of renting a car or van.
When considering transportation, don’t forget about the cost of getting to and from the airport, if you are not driving. One of the perks of staying on Disney property is Disney’s Magical Express bus transportation to and from Orlando airport…which is free. It’s a benefit of staying with Disney that should not be overlooked, because when you combine this with free transportation to and from the parks that means you really have no cost for car rental or parking. Again, you need to do the comparisons to see what works best for your family.
So now that you know what to consider when planning where to stay at Disney World affordably, it’s time to get out that trusty calculator and make some comparisons. Happy planning!
Gilt GROUPE, the innovative online shopping destination and Disney Consumer Products, announced that they will collaborate to offer fans and parents special product sneak peeks on merchandise inspired by key Disney entertainment and franchises. The first promotion slated for May 11 at Noon on Gilt CHILDREN features an advance look at select items from the highly anticipated Disney•Pixar film Cars 2 (http://www.gilt.com/cars2). Cars 2 hits the track June 24 and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ and in IMAX® 3D in select theaters.
The Cars 2 product ‘first look’ on Gilt CHILDREN will include items for back-to-school, apparel and home, including:
Furniture: Toy box, chair desk, table and chairs set and step stool.
School Gear: Large backpack and Cordura car-shaped lunch bags in an assortment of styles and colors.
Bedroom Essentials: Car-shaped toddler bed, Lightning McQueen Sports Car Twin Bed, Lightning McQueen Roadster Toddler Bed, pillow pals, rugs, and a car shaped soft chair.
Apparel: pajamas, t-shirts and more.
“We are excited to be working with Disney to promote the Cars 2 product launch and are thrilled for the future collaborations between both our companies,” said Rachel Jarrett General Manager for Gilt CHILDREN.
“Just as we continually forge relationships with fun new designers and evolve our product lines, we’re also actively seeking to bring that innovation and fresh perspective to our retail promotions,” said Stephen Teglas, vice president and general manager of Fashion & Home North America at Disney Consumer Products. “Gilt.com made perfect sense to deliver a handpicked assortment of Disney products to a discerning consumer who has a love for Disney and is excited to preview the latest items before anyone else.”
Upcoming Disney sales on Gilt GROUPE will include offerings for Winnie the Pooh and The Muppets feature film debuting November 2011 with Amy Adams, Zach Galifianakis and Jason Segal.
Pixie Vacations is at it again with another EXCLUSIVE offer! Book a vacation package with Pixie Vacations and stay at a select Disney Resort during the Food and Wine festival (October 5, 2011 through October 10, 2011) and receive 35%-45% off!
Sample Pricing As follows:
October 5, 2011 through October 10, 2011
2 Adults, 2 Children (age 8 & 12)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
6-Day Base Tickets
Plus Dining
1-Day Ticket to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Disney Quest
Disney Price=$4,078.43
Pixie Price=$2,877.48
Save $1,200!!!
Resorts Available:
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn = $3,006.84
Disney’s Contemporary Resort = $2,877.48
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside = $2,416.23
Disney’s All Star Music Resort = $2,125.65
All Packages Include:
*Resort Stay
*Multiple-Day Tickets
*Disney Dining Plan
Additional days and room types may be available. Call Pixie Vacations and ask for promotional code EIFWF11.
Some restrictions apply:
Minimum 2-night stay
Payment in full at booking
Book by September 1, 2011
Non-standard rooms may be available, based on availability
Location, location, location – With their on-property location convenient to the theme parks, the Disney hotels are a haven for guests who seek a midday swimming break – or a siesta. For some guests, the convenience is even more specific…
Many families with young children select accommodations in one of the “monorail resorts” – Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Reason: location near Magic Kingdom and convenient monorail transportation between the resorts and Magic Kingdom or Epcot.
Many adult couples visiting without children enjoy the proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk – as well as the nightlife of Disney’s BoardWalk. Walkways and water taxis connect the three resorts with the theme parks.
Theming – It’s not just a room. In the same way that Disney’s theme parks offer an escape to a timeless land of enchantment, a walk down small-town Main Street or a peek at the future, Disney hotels offer a mix of adventures. Disney Imagineers have created detailed, themed environments that include the romance and beauty of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Victorian opulence at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Youth policy – Guests 17 and under stay at no additional charge in parents’ rooms (up to the designated capacity of the room) at Disney resort hotels.
Youth services and facilities – All Disney resort hotels offer in-room child care for ages 6 months to 12 years in partnership with independent childcare provider Kid’s Nite Out; all Disney hotels feature kiddie pools (in addition to full-size pools), many have playgrounds and some have Child Activity Centers for ages 4 to 12.
Online check-in – Guests can take care of the paperwork that normally accompanies check-in … in the comfort of their home up to 10 days before their visit. Upon arrival at their hotel, guests then stop by a special desk, show ID, sign, pick up their room keys and information packet, and begin enjoying their vacation.
Lobby concierge– One call can do it all. Each Disney resort hotel offers a lobby concierge to arrange park tickets, dining reservations and tee times, and to provide helpful hints on setting up other activities.
Key to the Worldcard – It’s a hotel room key and much more. Magic Your Way theme park tickets and Disney Dining Plan entitlements can be built into the card. For easy tracking and convenience, the card also can be used to charge meals, goods and services directly to the room, giving the guest a consolidated statement of vacation purchases.
Merchandise delivery – Purchases at select shops throughout Walt Disney World Resort can be delivered to the guest’s Disney hotel at no charge, allowing the guest to play without lugging packages around the parks.
Exemption from parking fees at the theme parks – By presenting a resort ID, guests enter parking lots for free no matter how many parks they visit during their stay.
“Bottomless” drinking mug – Quenching a vacation-long thirst is easy at Disney’s resorts. Guests can purchase a mug themed to their resort that will become a keepsake when the holiday ends. During their length of stay, they can continually refill the mug at designated locations at their resort.
Preferred tee times– Disney hotel guests get preferred tee times for Disney’s four championship golf courses – including two courses that are part of PGA TOUR tradition, having hosted professional events from the early 1970s to the present.
Transportation to “the tees” – Golfing guests at Disney owned-and-operated hotels share complimentary door-to-door transportation between their resort and Walt Disney World golf facilities.
With the opening of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure on June 3 and the completed transformation of Paradise Pier on July 1, big changes keep coming for Disney California Adventure park. Today, Eddie’s back to give you the latest update on the park’s ongoing expansion.
Check out the video below for a behind-the-scenes look at the construction progress in Cars Land, which will open in 2012. Also featured are the many updates coming to the park’s entrance, which will take guests back to 1920s Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney first arrived there.
For the latest information on the updates still to come, be sure to visit Blue Sky Cellar at Disney California Adventure park.
Update on Disney California Adventure Park Expansion by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog
