Easter Week Highlights

[Daddy Daughter Day]

Some Highlights of Easter Week Trip

Mickeys Backyard BBQ
I'd read mixed reviews so I wasn't sure what to expect. I highly recommend it. Our teenagers found it a little boring but they were busy stuffing their faces with the all-you-can eat buffet. The younger kids were in heaven. The is no better place to interact with the characters. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and hosts Tumbleweed Will and Cyclone Sally spent almost the entire time signing autographs, taking pictures, and dancing with the kids. There was a very entertaining trick roper and a great country and western band. There was also a line dancing instuctor and a cold beer sure tastes good after a week of pink lemonade.

One Man's Dream
The genius of Walt Disney. A showcase for all to appreciate how innovative this man was. No trip to Walt Disney World is complete without paying homage to this shrine. Hearing him explain things in his own words is truly inspiring. I wish he had time to build his beloved EPCOT the way he envisioned it. It would have been amazing.

Ohana
We ate here on our first day in Walt Disney World. It really set the tone for the trip. Liked the food so much we vowed to have our own "Ohana Night" this summer. We have a 5 year old with milk and egg allergies that never gets to eat in restaurants. I thought his mother was going to cry when the chef came to our table and told us what he could do so the little guy could eat with us. All the restaurants in Walt Disney World treated him special and we was able to enjoy food he had never even tasted in his life. By the way, we also got our first glimpse of Cinderella's Castle, always a special moment.

What A Morning in the Magic Kingdom!
In order, we visited the Characters on Main Street, rode Buzz Lightyear, Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Autopia, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin's Flying Carpets, Haunted Mansion, It's A Small World, Peter Pan, Country Bear Jamboree, and Mickey's Philharmagic. All before noon! I expected the worst about Easter Week crowds and it turned out that there are ways to avoid them. Get to the parks early. The Magic Kingdom was open an hour early everyday. Avoid the parks between lunch and dinner. Have a plan and use Fast Pass and it'll all work out.

Drove From New Jersey
I like to enter Walt Disney World for the first time through the east gate by the Hotel Plaza. I timed it so when we passed through the gate, the overture to Mary Poppins was playing on the CD player. I know it sounds corny but it really felt like we just entered a magical place, which of course we did. Even my 16 year old was laughing, saying it sounded like the music was coming from outside.

Jelly Rolls
This nightclub at the Boardwalk Resort is a must do. I had to talk my wife and her sister into going, and then I couldn't get them out of there 4 hours later! The piano players are amazing. You write song requests on napkins and put them on their pianos. Everyone sings along and they really put on a funny and entertaining show. If you've never been, you've got to go.

Disney's Coronado Springs
We are big Port Orleans Riverside fans but we decided to try this resort and we were not disappointed. I knew we would spend a lot of time here because of the large crowds at the parks. The pool area is fabulous. The pool itself is large with a fun waterslide. There is also a hot tub that is very large. Throw in an arcade, bar, snack bar, kiddie pool, playground, and volleyball court and it a perfect place to relax and regroup before having another go at the parks. The landscaping is indeed beautiful, as advertised. The building are colorful and the rooms are clean. Our party of 8 had adjoining rooms so it felt like we were in a suite. The Pepper Market food court has an impressive variety of food. There is also another arcade, the Maya Grill, Franciscos Lounge, a gift shop, and boat and bike rentals. There is never enough time.

House of Blues
There is something for everyone at Walt Disney World. What is there for a 16 year old who plays in a band and loves alternative and punk music. Two of his favorite bands happened to be playing at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. He went with the kids in the pit up front while I stood in the back by the bar. Those guys in the band that stage dive into the crowd are crazy.

Beaches and Cream
This is one of our favorites. I had bought quick and casual meal vouchers on ebay so that I could prepay for a meal or two and this was the place to use them. We all had huge desserts with our meals and I figure I saved about $75.00 using the vouchers. The Yacht and Beach Club itself is such a beautiful resort. It has an amazing pool, great restaurants, and it is walking distance to Epcot, MGM and the Boardwalk. It may be the best resort on the property.

Pirates of the Caribbean
No, not the ride in the Magic Kingdom, the virtual reality game in Disney Quest. The captain drives the boat out onto the lagoon while everyone else uses cannons to sink ships. In the end you have to fight a ghost ship to keep your treasure. Virtual Reality
at its best. You really feel like you're there.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Great highlights...now what about the "lowlights!"

 

[Daddy Daughter Day]

Very few low lights considering it was one of the most crowded times of the year. Like everyone else I'm sure, I wish we had more time. You don't realize it until you get home what you didn't get to see.

 

[zurgswife]

Sounds like a great vacation..

 

[lissawynn]

Glad to hear you and your family had a great time!

 

[SeeDisney]

HI Daddy Daughter Day,


I too have a son who will be 8 that has a severe milk and egg and peanut allergies.

Can you elaborate some more of what your (allergy) child ate at the restuarants. Did you child ever eat pancakes or waffles at any of the Disney rest. that was assured to be %100 milk and egg free?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Momster]

Great report, thanks. Can't wait to get there and experience some of the magic ourselves.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Originally posted by SeeDisney
HI Daddy Daughter Day,


I too have a son who will be 8 that has a severe milk and egg and peanut allergies.

Can you elaborate some more of what your (allergy) child ate at the restuarants. Did you child ever eat pancakes or waffles at any of the Disney rest. that was assured to be %100 milk and egg free?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not DDD, but I do have severe food allergies so I can give you a little of my input.

Chefs are generally very accomodating. I have had chefs bring me out items so that I can read the ingredients myself. Including some pancake mix. I was in my 30s when I had my first non-egg pancake at Hollywood & Vine (back when they did breakfast).

Make PSes, make sure they note your food allergies, call ahead and talk to the chef when you get there. It works. Because of all my wierd allergies we never eat out, UNLESS we're at Disney. Because that's the only place I have come across that really understands.

 

[SeeDisney]

HI A&H Mom and Daddy Daughter,


I was wondering if you ever ordered a soy ice cream and soy milkshakes from Disney. I see milkshakes here and there at the rest. and I truly hope they can do a soy version for my son.

I plan to call for all my PS's which it seems an enternity away.

Thank you for any and all inputs.

 

[Daddy Daughter Day]

They have an ice cream there that is made with rice I believe that
and they made Sundaes with it for our 5 year old. The chefs are incredibly knowledgable and will discuss with you what they can offer a child with particular allergies. Beaches and Cream at the Yacht and Beach Club had a cool chart with all the allergies on it and which foods at their restaurant were acceptable.

We have never had an experience like that where the chefs were so helpful. It really made the trip to these great restaurants enjoyable for our 5 year old, who previously only ate what we packed for him beforehand.