**Saturday Spotlight - Disney's Deluxe Resorts**

[UKDEB]

Saturday Spotlight is aimed at helping you get a little bit extra from your trips to Orlando. The tips mentioned here may already be known to you, but perhaps you can contribute some of your own which others might not know.

We’re not trying to rewrite the guide books and web pages dedicated to the nuts and bolts information, but hope we can add a little bit of our own icing on the cake.

Check out the Saturday Spotlight 'sticky' thread at the top of the board where we're collecting all the tips from each week's threads covering the different topics.

Here are this week's starter tips for Disney’s Deluxe Resorts, so please join in and add your own favourite(s)!

Walt Disney World has 8 deluxe resorts, all with excellent restaurants and bars. With just a few exceptions, you don’t have to be a resort guest to experience any of the activities and attractions.

MAGIC KINGDOM RESORTS
Situated around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. All except WL on the monorail loop.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Ever wondered about the identity of those VIPs having fun on the Seven Seas Lagoon? The Captain’s Shipyard marina has a large selection of water vessels available for rent.
• Take a stroll down to the beach at around 9.15pm to catch the nightly Electrical Water Pageant, an enchanting, shimmering light show which has been appearing each night on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake since WDW opened in 1971. It starts at the Polynesian at 9pm (or up to 15 minutes later when Wishes is scheduled for 9pm) then moves on to the Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness and the Contemporary.
• The beach and the boat dock are also great viewing spots for Wishes.
• ‘Big Bertha’ in the 1900 Park Fare restaurant is a 100 year old band organ, built in Paris, featuring bells, cymbals, pipes, drums and a xylophone.
• The GF boasts some of the best kids activities in the whole of WDW. At Grand Adventures in Cooking, your budding Jamie Olivers will make desserts and decorate their own hats and aprons; at the Wonderland Tea Party they get to decorate cup cakes whilst listening to stories told by Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter; and on The Pirate Adventure Cruise they’ll follow clues around the Seven Seas Lagoon in their hunt for buried treasure.
• If you enjoy listening to the pianist in the lobby, you can pick up a CD at the Sandy Cove gift shop. The pianist starts playing at 3pm daily and alternates with the orchestra until 9pm.
• WDW has managed to reduce its chemical pest control by more than 70% by introducing a Ladybug Release Program. One such release takes place each Thursday at 11am in the 1900 Park Fare Herb Garden – a fun and educational experience for children who will be given a matchbox containing about 10 ladybugs (that’s ladybirds to you and me) to release onto nearby plants.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• Again, the Boat Nook marina has a wide variety of watercraft available for rent.
• For the more adventurous amongst you, Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Centre offers all kinds of activities on Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, including water-skiing, slalom, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing and parasailing. Check out the website at www.sammyduvall.com.
• The Electrical Water Pageant passes by shortly after 10pm and the beach on the Bay Lake side of the resort is probably the best place from which to watch.
• The path from the Contemporary to the Magic Kingdom is laid with ‘Walk Around the World’ bricks. The walk is short and offers a pleasant alternative for arriving at the MK.
• The view from California Grill is legendary, but you can also enjoy a good view of the Magic Kingdom (and of Wishes) from the viewing platform off the Grand Canyon Concourse. If your album is full of photos of Cinderella’s Castle from the top of Main Street, this is also a great place to get some different shots – time it right and you’ll also get the monorail passing by.
• Everyone wants that MK view, but some of the Garden Wing rooms have spectacular and serene views across Bay Lake (just ask Kev!)

Disney’s Polynesian

• Water rentals are again available, this time from the Mikala Canoe Club marina.
• The Flame Runners ceremony takes place at 6pm (Tue-Sat) on the 1st floor of the Great Ceremonial House. It marks the start of the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and only lasts around 5 minutes, but it’s worth remembering if you’re in the vicinity. It features drums, chants and a torchlighter who runs the fire to the show on the other side of the resort.
• This is where the Electrical Water Pageant starts its journey each night, so you’ll need to be at the boat dock or on one of the beaches just before 9pm.
• Although you can take a pleasant stroll along the Walk Around the World path from the Poly, you can’t walk to the Magic Kingdom.
• One of the most popular breakfast options at WDW, Tonga Toast, is only available at Kona Café at the Poly. It’s thick, banana-filled, French toast topped with sugar and cinnamon.
• Throwing a penny into the pond as you leave denotes your wish to return someday (all money is donated to charity).

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• As with all the MK resorts, water rental are available. Teton Boat and Bike Rentals marina is on the opposite side of the boat dock used for transportation.
• When approaching WL by water taxi, be sure to look out for the bear’s face - there are two triangular windows near the top of the building (forming the eyes); and another in the middle (forming the nose). It’s easier to pick out after dark.
• If you ask nicely when you check-in, you could be chosen as the resort’s Flag Family for a day. Each morning a family is taken up to the roof to raise the American flag. You’ll be given a souvenir photo in a frame, not to mention a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom.
• There are many family-oriented activities, including face painting, volleyball, relay races and fireside storytelling.
• The Wonders of the Lodge tour (about the architecture and the building of the Lodge) starts at 9am Wed-Sat.
• Here the Electrical Water Pageant passes by at around 9.35pm.
• Fire Rock Geyser, fashioned after Yellowstone’s Old Faithful, erupts every hour on the hour between 7am and 10pm.

EPCOT RESORTS
Situated around Crescent Lake. All have Friendship Boat (water taxi) access, and are within walking distance of, Epcot and MGM.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

• Unique in that its restaurant and entertainment facilities, rather than being located inside the hotel, are part of a complex which includes the hotel.
• The Surrey Bikes (or Sussex and Suffolk bikes as I refer to them erroneously and interchangeably!) are available for rent from the Community Hall. At least one rider needs to be 18 years old or more and it’s harder work than it looks to do one circuit of the BoardWalk area (can you tell I’m speaking from experience ).
• Most people, understandably, want a BoardWalk view - there’s nothing nicer than sitting on your balcony enjoying a beer (or three) and watching the world go by (again, just ask a certain Mr K Stringer of this Parish) – but don’t overlook the delightful Garden Suites. Each has its own individually landscaped courtyard with white picket fence.

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort

• Whilst two distinct resorts, they are connected and share several facilities, including the popular Stormalong Bay pool.
• You may be surprised to learn that water rentals are available () - at the Bayside marina.
• Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club is the home of the famed ‘Kitchen Sink’ – an ice-cream sundae designed for sharing by a small African tribe.
• Landscaping Tours are available at 8.30am and 12.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Albatross Cruises (identical to the Pirate Adventure Cruise offered at the GF) are now operational and depart from the Bayside marina.

OTHER

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

• The only deluxe resort not within easy access of the theme parks.
• The stunning Atrium Lobby houses many African Artifacts. It takes on a very special ambience during the evenings.
• Storytelling is held each night around the firepit on the Arusha Savannah.
• Each savannah – Sunset, Arusha and Uzima – is home to certain species. That is to say, you won’t find all kinds of animals at all three, so it’s worth visiting them all. Pick up an animal viewing guide at the front desk.
• At night-time, the savannahs are lit by artificial moonlight.
• CMs (Safari Guides) at each savannah and throughout the resort are only too happy to answer your questions, so do make the most of their enthusiasm and knowledge.
• Concierge guests can (and should!) take advantage of the Sunrise and Sunset Safaris which are available at an additional cost. The Sunrise is offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays and includes breakfast at AK’s Tusker House ($50). The Sunset is available on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays and includes dinner at Jiko ($150).

 

[KayleeUK]

Deb these are great tips

I am looking forward to trying to find the bear at WL in a couple of weeks.

 

[Hilary]

So, now I've read these tips I want to stay at all of them!

• You can ask at the front desk of the Wilderness Lodge for a 'Hidden Mickey' quiz sheet based on the resort. We found it incredibly difficult, but it was fun having a legitimate excuse to go all the way up to the top floor and look right down to the lobby (and to get a glimpse of the Presidential floor )

• We enjoy looking at the shops in the deluxe resorts as they seem to have a good range of resort-specific items you won't find elsewhere.

• If you have a non-park day but want a taste of Disney, a tour of the mono-rail resorts is an easy way to spend a couple of hours. Taking the boat across to Wilderness Lodge is much more exciting than the bus transportation, and makes it feel like a bit of an adventure

 

[Frances999]

More for Disney's Polynesian Resort!

• Don't forget that by staying at The Polynesian you have easy access to TWO monorail stations - The TTC or Great Ceremonial House. Request a room in Tahiti if you want to be nearer the TTC for fast (and direct) monorail access to EPCOT
• You have a choice of FOUR ways to get to the MK. You can take the ferryboat from the TTC, the monorail from the TTC, the monorail from the Great Ceremonial House or the smaller boat from the Polynesian marina!
• The Polynesian Resort standard rooms (in the newer longhouses) are the largest standard rooms on Disney property - measuring 452 sq. foot!
• If you are staying at The Polynesian this year, make sure you check the rennovation timetable -- Tahiti, Tokelau and Rapa Nui are all scheduled. You can request a room in one of these buildings after the rennovation to experience one of the new Polynesian rooms -- with plasma TV screens, new patios (first floor rooms) and a whole new decor!
• Don't forget to request turndown service even if you ar ein a regular room. Just before night, a Polynesian CM will come and place a little gift on the pillows of your beds, as well as turning down the beds. This service is FREE but must be requested if you are in a standard, non-concierge room.
• Make sure you make use of the Island Guides at the Polynesian Resort lobby. They can answer a whole host of Polynesian and WDW questions, as well as providing tips and maps.
• The Walk Around the World path can take you to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.
• 'Ohana is an all-you-can-eat family style restaurant. It has a wonderful atmosphere and one can view the Electric Water Pageant and WISHES from the restaurant.
• Get you refillable mugs from Captain Cooks!
• The Spirit of Aloha Dinner show takes place nightly and comprises of 2 shows per night with authentic Polynesian dancing and food. You can choose between the 5.15pm seating or the 8.00pm seating. It is open to all, even if you are not staying at The Polynesian Resort.
• If you want a "proper" swim away from the crowds, head to the relaxing Quiet Pool. The water is much deeper making it easy to do some strokes!
• You can reserve a WISHES fireworks cruise which departs from the Polynesian marina.
• There is a great Hidden Mickey in the stone floor of the Great Ceremonial House -- see if you can spot it! There is also a hidden tink at Captain Cooks
• All of the CMs at the Polynesian greet you with a cheery "Aloha"
• Visit the Wyland Gallery in the GCH for some beaitiful artwork and sculptures.
• Visit Tikiman's amazing website for everything Polynesian! Tikiman

 

[Frances999]

More for Disney's Grand Floridian!

• Reserve a lagoon view room and send in a room request for "Magic Kingdom view" if you want an MK vista from your room. But be warned, there are few rooms which benefit from this. Boca Chica rooms are best.
• There is puppet-making and other arts and crafts activites for children around the pool area most days. Ask at the lobby for specific times.
• In the evening there is an artist who will take your portrait!
• The GF spa and health club offers a whole host of treatments. Make sure you make a reservation - they are often very busy.
• The car park is a fair distance from the entrance to the GF and always extremely busy. Valet parking is definitely worth the extra at this resort.
• If you have children, call HouseKeeping to request Children's size robes! They are so soft and come in different sizes (2 adult robes can already be found inside the room).
• The Pirate Cruise is open to children between 4 and 10 and is a great way to spend a few hours. The children all wear pirate-themed bandanas and go on a big "adventure" to find the treasure. Our DS loved it!