Disney Insider Tips

50′s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios

by Kristi on May 19, 2013

Take a step back in time and eat some good old comfort food over at Hollywood Studio’s 50′s Prime Time Cafe. This is one of my families’ favorite restaurants because everyone leaves with a full belly and with a smile on their face! The waitstaff is totally in character from the time you walk through the door. You will definitely want to mind your manners because the waitresses are no joke! They will call you out quickly if you mumble or if you put your elbows on the table! Not to worry, though, it is all in good fun. Our waitress actually helped keep our kids busy while waiting by challenging them to come up with the names of each & every Disney animated movie!

Don’t expect things to be high tech, because everything is authentic to the period, including the wallpaper. The kids got really excited about having TVs are on the table but that was short-lived once they realized that the TVs are tuned to the classic 1950′s shows. The menu is pretty limited (think traditional Americana) but it certainly is hardy and tasty! When desert time comes, don’t expect a menu, instead you’ll be given a pair of Viewfinders!

Price-wise, 50′s Prime Time Cafe is a fairly good value. Like all Disney restaurants, portions are pretty large. What you really pay for here is the experience and on that, it delivers!

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Breakfast at Gasparilla Grill in Grand Floridian

by Kristi on May 15, 2013

At home I am normally not a big breakfast eater, but at Disney, there is nothing I love more! Even though we didn’t stay at the Grand Floridian on this past trip, we decided to hop on the monorail and try out the Gasparilla Island Grill for breakfast. I’m sure glad we did, because it was great (and affordable).

While Gasparilla Island Grill is small, the high ceilings make you feel like the space is much larger. You can choose a table or booth inside, but outside, you will get a beautiful view of the Grand Floridan Harbor (and Cinderella’s Castle).

Breakfast is served between 6:30-11am so if you do decide to hop in on the monorail, you should have plenty of time to head over to the park afterward. While we ordered full meals, they also have a bakery with pastries and a la carte items like yogurt, fruit, and bottled juice.

You know how much I like to save money while dining at Disney by sharing meals! Well, for our family of 4, we purchased 2 Bounty Platters and one Children’s Mickey Waffle Platter. It was more than enough food and it saved us the cost of a second Children’s meal!

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Disney Outfits on Sale

by Kristi on May 13, 2013

Planning a Disney trip for this summer? You might want to go ahead and stock up on these super Disney Character T-Shirts and Outfits at Cartoon Craze shop at Zulily. Two piece outfits are as low as $14.99 and come in all different color and character themes. You will find all your favorite cartoon characters from Mickey Mouse to Doc McStuffin!

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Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

by Kristi on May 12, 2013

Looking for a way to cool off this summer while vacationing down in Orlando? Beat the heat by spending a day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach! This water park looks like an abandoned ski resort, and everything about it makes you feel a little cooler in the summer Florida sun. Filled with a little something for everyone, this water park scored big points with my entire family.

The focal point of Blizzard Beach is Summit Plummet. This high thrill water slide stands at 120 feet and allows you to free fall at speeds 60 miles per hour. It’s the second tallest and fastest free fall slide in the world! If you like speed and have no fear of heights, this is the ride for you!

Possibly our favorite family slide at Blizzard Beach is Teamboat Springs. In order to ride this water coaster, you must have a party of 4-6 people (no exceptions). What makes this ride so much fun? It is the world’s longest family white-water raft ride at 1,400 feet long and takes you on a series of twisting curves and down fairly steep waterfalls.

Worried about having to walk all the way up to ride these two slides? No need. This ski slope turned water park has its very own chair lift that will take you straight to both Summit Plummet and Team Boat Springs!

Over on Mount Gushmore, you will find single person slides like the Downhill Double Dipper where you can race side by side your ~~opponent~~ family member. If you like to go fast, you might want to check out Snow Stormers where you hop on a mat and go face first down the flume!

If tubing is more your thing, check out Runoff Rapids on the Red Slope where you can tube down several different styles of flumes!

Our Preteens loved Ski Patrol area. It has a lot of space for mom & dad to catch a few rays while the kids run off and just be kids. Not only do they have numerous slides, it also has a obstacle course at the leisure pool!

Little ones who aren’t much for slides can find lots of things to do over at Tike’s Peak. Featuring small-scaled slides, tube rides and fountains, families with young kids will also find some much needed shade.

Love wave pools? You might want to get your spot reserved early in the day for Melt Away Bay. This one acre water wave pool is large enough to fit huge crowds of people, but the same is not true for the seating area, especially if you want to be able to see your kids from your chair. Grab a chair early and then you can come back to it when you need to through out the day.

TIP: Bring your own cooler for drinks & snacks!

What is your favorite part of Blizzard Beach?

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Hidden Mickey near Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

by Kristi on May 11, 2013

Check out this Hidden Mickey found in the departure shop at the end of Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom. This one is located in a wall mural right across from where you can purchase souvenir photos from the ride.

See more Hidden Mickeys HERE.

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TRON Track at Epcot

by Kristi on May 10, 2013

Those traveling to Epcot’s Future World won’t want to miss the newly renovated TRON Test Track! If you have previously ridden test track, I am sure that you loved it, but be ready to love it more!

When you first walk into the building, you will see some pretty incredible futuristic cars brought to you buy Test Track’s sponsor, Chevrolet. No one enjoys spending time in lines, but this is a good distraction. There is plenty to look at and read so that you forget that you are standing in a line.

Next, you will be taken to a station where you and another member from your party will digitally design your vehicle. You will create your car; choosing the color and style. Your car will then be rated for Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Power. They even create a Chevrolet commercial featuring your car that you can send to yourself via email.

Once that your car has been designed, you are ready to ride. Now, here is the catch. You designed your car with one other person, yet you will get into a “plain” car in which 6 are seated. This detracts a bit for the experience, as you realize that not everyone chose the same car, but yet will all have the same experience.

Once inside the “test vehicle” you will find that a screen appears telling you which car (out of the three designed by members in the vehicle) scored highest for each of the designated categories: Capability, Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Power. Each will be tested during your ride. The ride itself is the same as the old, but the graphics are far better,making you feel like you are in the futuristic world of TRON.

Over all, I LOVED this ride, as did everyone in my party.

From what I understand, this is a ride that you will NOT want to get a Fast Pass for as the experience is not exactly the same. I would recommend that you head straight for this ride once you enter Epcot and save your Fast Pass for something like Soarin’ which notoriously has long wait times!

Tip: If you have long hair, bring something to tie it back when riding TRON Test Track!

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FREE DINING DATES for Fall 2013

by Kristi on May 6, 2013

Just another perk for being a Disney Visa Cardholder*: you can take advantage of getting an early booking for FREE Disney Dining for Fall of 2013! This special offer is valid for arrivals most nights September 2 -25, 2013 when you book a 5 Night/6 Day Walt Disney Vacation. To book, call 1-407-939-7426 use code HAB for Value Resorts and code KAH for Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts. If you don’t have a Disney Visa Card, then you will have to wait until 5/9 to book.