Angus Travel Services

18/05/2024

Try to travel, otherwise
you may become racist,
and you may end up believing
that your skin is the only one
to be right,
that your language
is the most romantic
and that you were the first
to be the first.
Travel,
because if you don't travel then
your thoughts won’t be strengthened,
won’t get filled with ideas.
Your dreams will be born with fragile legs and then you end up believing in tv-shows, and in those who invent enemies
that fit perfectly with your nightmares
to make you live in terror.
Travel,
because travel teaches
to say good morning to everyone
regardless of which sun we come from.
Travel,
because travel teaches
to say goodnight to everyone
regardless of the darkness
that we carry inside
Travel,
because traveling teaches to resist,
not to depend,
to accept others, not just for who they are
but also for what they can never be.
To know what we are capable of,
to feel part of a family
beyond borders,
beyond traditions and culture.
Traveling teaches us to be beyond.
Travel,
otherwise you end up believing
that you are made only for a panorama
and instead inside you
there are wonderful landscapes
still to visit.

- Gio Evan, poet and songwriter.
Translated from Italian

28/02/2024

This year, you can bring home a bit of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival! Check out the new Fragrance Flowers from Scentsy - available to order or even purchase in the park. Do you remember the old reed oil diffusers? These work the same way, but are so much prettier! They come in Heirloom Rose, Mint Fields, and Soft Plumeria fragrances. These and three brand new scents - Garden Fresh Gardenia, Glorious Grapefruit, and Hibiscus Sunset - are also available in wax melt Bar form, available to order. All 6 are featured at the Blossoms of Fragrance display at EPCOT. Stay tuned for pics!

27/02/2024

Thinking about a Disney trip for 2025? Let’s start planning!
https://poplme.co/y9fo0SMZ/dash

14/02/2024

30/01/2024

03/01/2024

New Disney deals! Get a free dining plan when you stay 4 nights with 4 days of park tickets July through September when you are subscribed to Disney+! (No other discounts allowed.) For instance, the total is $3817 for All Star Movies resort in July: 4 people for 4 nights, 4 days in parks, 4 days of quick-service meals. :)

10/12/2023

The construction walls are down at EPCOT!

06/10/2023

Do you need a passport to cruise?
The answer to this question has just become more complicated.

Carnival’s John Heald posted this today—

“We sent out an email to guests who are on some very specific cruises in the near future. And a lot of you have written to me saying you were confused. This is all has to do with passport necessity. So here is the basic information which I hope is clear and concise for all of you and my apologies if I didn’t explain it properly to you before.

If the cruise starts in one US Home Port and ends in a different home port, a passport is required. It must be valid for six months after the cruise ends.

If the cruise visits Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, or Greenland, a passport is required (even if the ship is sailing from… for example… Baltimore and returning to Baltimore).

This does not apply to any other cruise except those that I’ve mentioned visiting the ports of Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama, or Greenland. All other, Caribbean, Alaska, and other Cruises not mentioned do not require a passport.”

04/10/2023

Moana’s Journey of Water at EPCOT! Passholder Preview

30/09/2023

1740 likes, 75 comments. “that couple was doing God’s work on Sunday ❤️”

09/09/2023

Cool! I didn't get to see it when I was there!

🍊 JUST ANNOUNCED 🍊 Starting Sept. 22, Soarin’ Over California will return to EPCOT for a limited time in honor of . Let’s see – anything else? Oh yeah, have a nice flight!

06/09/2023

Get a free meal card with your Disney World park stay! Check the dates that apply, and contact me ASAP for a quote. This special requires at least 4 nights in a resort and 4 days of park tickets. The resort nights must be regular price, so it is possible that you can get a discount that's more than the meal card is worth.

Package Includes:
A room at a select Disney Resort hotel
Theme park ticket(s)
A digital Disney Dining Promo Card

Important Details About This Offer
--The number of packages available for this offer is limited.
--Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.
--Advance reservations are required.
--Minimum 4-day theme park ticket required.
--Minimum 4-night length of stay required.
--Tickets are valid beginning on date of check-in and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on length of ticket. Visit disneyworld.com/usage for details.
--$1,000 Disney Dining Promo Card for stays at select Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts. The value of the Disney Dining Promo Card is determined by Disney Resort hotel and length of stay.
--One Disney Dining Promo Card per room—valid for room-and-ticket packages that include up to $1,000 on a Disney Dining Promo Card. If a package includes more than $1,000 on a Disney Dining Promo Card, the value will be distributed across more than one Disney Dining Promo Card.
--Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
--Offer excludes the following room types: campsites, 3-bedroom villas, and Club Level Rooms & Suites at Disney Deluxe Resort hotels.
--Meal gratuities are not included.
--Theme park reservations are required. Through January 8, 2024, to enter a theme park, both a theme park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for Guests ages 3 and up. View the theme park reservation availability calendar.
--The digital Disney Dining Promo Card is redeemable at select participating food and beverage locations at the Walt Disney World Resort. Locations that are unable to accept the Disney Dining Promo Card include, but are not limited to:
----Merchandise locations and candy kitchens
----Dining locations at Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Hotel
Dining locations at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
----Dining locations at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
----Dining locations at Walt Disney World Official Hotels at Bonnet Creek
----Dining locations at Walt Disney World Gateway Hotels
--The digital Disney Dining Promo Card will be sent to you via email after you check in at your Disney Resort hotel.
--The digital Disney Dining Promo Card is not valid after March 21, 2024.
--Issued by, and represents a legal obligation solely of, Disney Gift Card Services Inc.
--Lost, damaged or stolen cards may be replaced only if original proof-of-purchase receipt and complete card number are provided.
For card balance inquiries, call (877) 650-4327.
--Read terms and conditions.

28/07/2023

Can’t wait for this!

There’s an all-new interactive experience coming to Magic Kingdom! “Smellephants on Parade” will be a family-friendly “search and sniff” adventure in Storybook Circus, presented by Scentsy, the Official Home Fragrance of Walt Disney World. Stay tuned for all the “relephant” details! 🐘 🎪

15/07/2023

Facts. 💯

15/06/2023

Experience holiday vibes throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios with entertainment areas inspired by different genres.

Guests will be welcomed to Disney Jollywood Nights with a DJ spinning a mix of holiday tunes. Commissary Lane comes to life with a lively Latin Street Fair. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy host a live holiday special at Theater of the Stars with some of their Disney friends. And... what’s this? Hyperion Theater will host a spirited sing-along – more details to come.

Encounter glitz and glamor galore at two limited-capacity entertainment experiences - a jazz lounge at The Hollywood Brown Derby and an other-worldly soiree at The Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard.

Wrap up the night and enjoy the return of a festive favorite, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! This Santa-sized nighttime spectacular is jam-packed with music, fireworks, special effects and dazzling state-of-the-art projections.

Snap selfies with unique photo opportunities throughout the night. Pose with friends for holiday-themed Magic Shots and two new Disney PhotoPass experiences throughout the night. Complimentary digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos captured during the event are included with the price of the ticket.

Meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the rest of the iconic gang in Animation Courtyard on a hot set with holiday props. Get into the spirit with fave throwback friends like Powerline Max and Phineas and Ferb at Echo Lake and strike a pose with Edna Mode and chill with one of her super friends at Pixar Place.

Enjoy after-hours access to some of your favorite rides and coasters under the stars. Enjoy after-hours access to some favorite rides and coasters like Slinky Dog Dash, Rock N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and more. (Star Wars: Rise of Resistance will use virtual queue* during Disney Jollywood Nights.)

They will have some exclusive food to purchase, but I don't read anything about complimentary snacks like they have at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom.
8:30p-12:30a on 11 specific dates in Nov and Dec
$159-$179 per person
This is the only ticket you will need to enter the park that night. A regular Disney park ticket is not required.

08/05/2023

From Disney:

Time to eat! Disney dining plans will be coming back as an option for those staying at Disney Resort hotels who purchase a vacation package with us starting with stays beginning January 9, 2024, which will also open for bookings on May 31, 2023.

Walt Disney World knows that guests – and families in particular – have missed the Disney Dining Plans, which offer guests the convenience and peace of mind of pre-paying for their meals and snacks. Guests will be able to choose from two popular options: Packages that include either the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan. Both plans will be a great value for families with young children with access to many spectacular food and beverage offerings across Walt Disney World.

These are the options that are returning:

Quick-Service Disney Dining Plan (RETURNS IN 2024):
two counter-service meals (per night)
two snacks (per night)
a refillable drink mug (per stay)

Disney Dining Plan (RETURNS IN 2024):
one counter-service meal (per night)
one sit-down meal (per night)
two snacks (per night)
a refillable drink mug (per stay)

07/02/2023

The Magic Kingdom train is back!

05/01/2023

Disney dining plan lovers! It's not exactly the same, but it's something, anyway. Get a free Disney Dining card per room when you stay 4 nights with 4 park days. Contact me to book quickly, as room selections tied to the special are limited!

Savor a world of flavor as you dine and unwind during your stay! Use your digital Disney Dining Promo Card to purchase meals, snacks, treats and beverages at select participating dining locations across Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy a delicious bite on the go from quick-service venues, food carts and more. Or, sit down to a leisurely dinner at a table-service restaurant (advance reservations are highly recommended). Exclusions apply.

When you book your Disney stay with me, I will work with you to be sure your trip is all set up with reservations and details, and all for free, if you choose to stay at a Disney resort! Take the stress out of planning, and let someone who is there on a regular basis take care of the details. :) 🚝🏰🎢

02/12/2022

Disney Free Christmas Resort Tour
Post #4 - Disney Springs and Other Resorts

If you haven't already, read Post #1 - Instructions & Introduction

MORE SKYLINER STOPS
Hop on the Skyliner (fun and free) to visit more resorts:
1. EPCOT line – runs from the Caribbean Beach Hub to EPCOT International Gateway and back, making one stop at the Riviera Resort.
2. Hollywood Studios line – runs from the Hub to Hollywood Studios and back.
3. Art of Animation / Pop Century Resort line – runs from the Hub to a stop situated between these two resorts and back.
Everyone has to get off at the Hub where you either exit to Caribbean Beach or get on one of the other lines.

RIVIERA RESORT
--The grandeur of Europe - Christmas decorations are relatively muted and there’s no big tree
--Walt Disney World’s newest resort

EATING AT RIVIERA
--Primo Piatto quick service – burgers, pizza, sandwiches, etc.
--Le Petit Café – coffee drinks and French treats
--Topolino’s Terrace – Reservations required. Fixed-price character breakfast and upscale Italian at dinner.
--Bar Riva – sandwiches, wings and salads along with non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails.

CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT
(not to be confused with Beach Club Resort)
Walk from Riviera Resort to the Old Port Royale area of Caribbean Beach or take the Skyliner to the Hub and walk outside across the bridge to the lobby.

--Decorations in the dining and shopping area, pool, and lobby - Christmas in the Caribbean
--Tropical-inspired garland and a medium-sized Christmas tree. Experience the holidays in the islands, which seems fitting for Florida.

EATING AT CARIBBEAN BEACH
--Centertown Market – holiday treats, Caribbean dishes like fish tacos and jerk chicken, burgers and sandwiches, and pizza.
--Sebastian’s Bistro – Reservations required. Fixed-price Caribbean dishes.
--Banana Cabana – Wings, jerk chicken, fries, burgers, and that yummy pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding. Also non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails.

ART OF ANIMATION & POP CENTURY RESORTS
They’re the least decorated of the bunch and potentially skippable. But they’re easy stops on the Skyliner, have some fun and thematically-appropriate Christmas decor, and have some fun holiday snacks.
--Both resorts have cool décor, a gift shop, a quick-service restaurant with a variety of dishes, and a pool snack bar.

PORT ORLEANS RESORT
You can park for free at Disney Springs and take the Sassagoula River Cruise ferry service to Port Orleans Riverside or to Port Orleans French Quarter and walk between the two. It’s a nice boat ride down the river anyway. You’ll pass the Treehouse Villas of Saratoga Springs situated along the river.
--Stylized decorations to match their themes, but French Quarter is unquestionably the better of the two.
--Jazzy renditions of classic Christmas music

EATING AT PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER
--Stop into S**t Cat’s Club for some beignets
--S**t Cat Club Lounge – snacks and non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails
--Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory quick service – jambalaya, chili, gumbo, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, burgers and sandwiches

EATING AT PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE
--Riverside Mill Food Court – almost the same menu as the quick service at French Quarter
--Boatwright’s Dining Hall – Reservations required. Cajun food like jambalaya, boudin, seafood boil, along with salads and prime rib and some good-lookin’ desserts.
--River Roost – snacks and drinks

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
This resort is spectacular, and I hear it’s a stop that you won’t want to miss this year. It’s a really neat resort anyway, with a savannah area with live animals. But the only Disney transportation that goes there is the bus, so it’s time consuming. If you’ve decided to pay the parking fee to park at one of the parks, you can drive over the Animal Kingdom and take a bus from there, and it will be closer and faster than a bus from one of the parks.

--A Lobby gingerbread display featuring a life-sized baby gingerbread giraffe and baby zebra
--African-inspired decorations
--Kidani Village area has decorations too
--Starting December 6, you can purchase a Gingeraffe Cookie.

EATING AT ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
--The Mara quick service - burgers and sandwiches along with some more exotic African dishes
--Victoria Falls Lounge - appetizers and cocktails
--Boma Flavors of Africa - Reservations required - Fixed-price buffet with basics and African fare
--Jiko the Cooking Place - Reservations required - upscale dinner spot with a host of hearty African-inspired dishes
--Sanaa at Kidani Village - a variety of interesting African dishes with a safari view. I've heard a lot about the Indian-style bread service. Also available to go.

GRAN DESTINO AT CORONADO SPRINGS RESORT
--Take a bus from a park or from Disney Springs, or take an Uber over here.
--A chic and classy Christmas overlay
--Beautiful Barcelona Lounge in the lower level of the lobby with a Christmas tree
--Rooftop Dahlia Lounge has a unique view of the fireworks at Hollywood Studios

OTHER RESORTS
The decorations at the other resorts do the job in terms of getting their guests in the Christmas spirit following the resort’s theme, but they are not spectacular destinations for Walt Disney World guests who aren’t staying at them, unless you have a lot of extra time.
Visit the other resorts if you’re going to be there anyway for a meal, or if you just want to take a bus from Disney Springs or from a park to one of those resorts. You may want to if you are really into a particular theme like All Star Sports, All Star Music, All Star Movies, etc. But I wouldn’t justify taking an hour or so to go see them.
Walt Disney World Christmas decorations change yearly, and what I have mentioned here may not be available at any time or every year.

DISNEY SPRINGS
--Christmas Tree Trail, located near Once Upon a Toy - a maze filled with 23 different Christmas trees in Disney-inspired themes. In addition to the trees, there are photo ops throughout the trail, plus music, falling snow, and more.
--Looks better at night fully illuminated and with all of the effects going. But it may be really crowded. Disney Springs can get really busy, especially during the holiday season, and the Christmas Tree Trail is packed on some nights.
Disney Springs Holiday Food
There are TONS of eating places at Disney Springs. Check the My Disney app to look at menus. A few of the holiday specials:
--Holiday Turkey Sandwich at Earl of Sandwich
--Desserts at Amorette’s Patisserie
--The Holiday Turkey Burger at D-Luxe Burger

02/12/2022

Disney Free Christmas Resort Tour
Post #3 - Crescent Lake Resort Area at EPCOT International Gateway

If you haven't already, read Post #1 - Instructions & Introduction

This resort area sits at the back entrance to EPCOT called the International Gateway. Here there is a Skyliner station, and there are boat docks here and at the area resorts. You can take the boats across the lake or walk on the sidewalk around the lake. Just follow the signs to the resorts.

You can take a bus to one of these resorts from Disney Springs or from one of the parks. However, it’s also possible to get here via Skyliner from the Hollywood Studios parking lot or from one of the resorts on the Skyliner. (Take the EPCOT line.) It’s a neat ride anyway.

*NOTE: You will not be able to access these resorts from the EPCOT parking lot at the front entrance to the park. You would have to go through the park to get to International Gateway. So parking at EPCOT won’t be an option in this case. The monorail station from Magic Kingdom and the EPCOT bus station are also in the front parking lot, so those are not an option either.

BOARDWALK INN
--A moderately-sized Christmas tree in the courtyard
--Shop windows decorated for the holidays
--Inside the lobby is a ton of Victorian seaside amusement park decor, with a mix of beautiful and bizarre ornaments. Pay careful attention to these as there are some fun ones.
--A mini BoardWalk gingerbread display
--Nice photo spot by the fireplace
--Unique ornaments on the smaller trees

EATING AT BOARDWALK
--Pizza Window – grab a slice at sit at one of the many tables on the boardwalk.
--To Go Cart – hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken, and fries – all with lots of yummy toppings to choose from.
--Flying Fish – Reservations required. Upscale seafood.
--Trattoria al Forno – Reservations required. Upscale Italian. You can also get it to go.
--Holiday themed snacks at BoardWalk Bakery or Ample Hills Creamery
--Boardwalk Deli – grab a quick sandwich or salad
--Lots of gingerbread treats available

YACHT CLUB RESORT
--Refined and sophisticated Christmas like holidays in the Hamptons
--Christmas village with a working train
--Impressive, ornate decorations throughout the lobby
--A huge Christmas tree in the convention center

EATING AT YACHT CLUB
--The Market has sandwiches and salads and a host of holiday sweet treats.
--Crew’s Cup Lounge also has some nice appetizers and a prime rib dinner.
--Ale & Compass – reservations required. They have sandwiches and salads at lunch and burgers, pastas, and seafood at dinner. You can also order the food to go. Some items are also available in the Ale & Compass Lounge.
--Yachtsman Steakhouse – reservations required. An upscale steakhouse.

BEACH CLUB RESORT
(not to be confused with Caribbean Beach Resort)
-- A life-sized carousel (that actually spins) made from chocolate, sugar, and fondant along with hand-painted characters - all of the horses celebrate a different Disney princess
--Gorgeous aquatic decor found throughout the resort. Very Florida.
--More decorations in the Beach Club Villas lobby

EATING AT BEACH CLUB
--Lots of treats for sale at the Gingerbread Carousel
--Beach Club’s Marketplace has sandwiches and salads, mac & cheese with toppings like pulled pork or chili, and a roasted chicken plate at dinner time, as well as lots of quick breakfast choices. You get your food and then go find a place around the lobby or outside to sit and eat.
--Martha’s Vineyard in Beach Club is a bar/lounge that also has some nice appetizers like wings and clam chowder and some great non-alcoholic drinks.
--Beaches and Cream Soda Shop – reservations required. They have burgers and sandwiches and all the sides, as well as lots of elaborate shakes and ice cream dishes.
--Cape May Café – reservations required. This is an upscale restaurant with fixed pricing for an all-you-can-eat meal.

SWAN & DOLPHIN
This resort is not actually owned by Disney, but it’s on Disney property, situated between the Crescent Lake area and Hollywood Studios. It’s a 5-minute walk from BoardWalk, or the boats run here as well.
--The lobbies have some pretty impressive trees and other decorations, too.
--An edible display
--Large poinsettia Christmas tree
--Character meet & greets
--Several restaurants

Go to my page for post #4.

02/12/2022

Disney Free Christmas Resort Tour
Post #2 - Magic Kingdom Area

If you haven't already, read Post #1 - Instructions & Intro.

Park for free at Disney Springs and take a bus to one of these resorts. Or pay $25 to park at Magic Kingdom, take the parking lot tram to the TTC, then take the Resort Monorail. There is also a sidewalk from the TTC to the Polynesian, if you want to walk to the first stop.

POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT
--Gorgeous tropical decorations including garland and other decor with a tropical theme
--A medium-sized Christmas tree
--A unique atmosphere and a good gift shop
--Nice places outside to sit—swings on the beach
--Be sure to step outside the front door where they usually have a lush garden and waterfalls - no poinsettias this year :( (below the monorail station)

EATING AT POLYNESIAN
--‘Ohana is a great place for breakfast or dinner, provided you can get the hard-to-grab reservation.
--Kona Café has sushi and other typical Asian dishes.
--Captain Cook’s is quick service with burgers, pork sandwiches, and a few Asian dishes, also snacks and drinks you can grab.
--Tambu Lounge is upstairs next to ‘Ohana and has a few snacks and non-alcoholic drinks along with some unique cocktails.
--Get a Dole Whip just outside the back door toward the pool at the Pineapple Lanai.

GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT
From the Poly, you can normally either walk around the lake or take the monorail or boat to the next stop to Walt Disney World’s flagship resort, the Grand Floridian. (But no walking right now as the sidewalk is under construction.)
--Elegant, fancy Victorian atmosphere
--Life-sized gingerbread house composed of staggering amounts of real ingredients that takes months to prepare
--Beautiful flowers, unique decorations, and one of Walt Disney World’s tallest and most grandiose Christmas trees
--A few good shops

EATING AT GRAND FLORIDIAN
--Holiday gingerbread snacks in the lobby behind the gingerbread house.
--Grand Floridian Café – Reservations required. A variety of salads, brunch items, chicken, salmon and steak. I highly recommend the Heirloom Apple Salad!
Citricos – Reservations required. Dinner only including salads, fish, steak and desserts. Menu is also available in the lounge.
--Gasparilla Island Grill – Burgers, sandwiches, flatbread, salads and bakery items.
--Enchanted Rose Lounge – a few snacks with all the usual drinks. A neat atmosphere.
--Victoria & Albert’s – Reservations required. Very upscale dining.

CONTEMPORARY RESORT
From Grand Floridian, you can take the monorail to Contemporary Resort. There is a walking path that continues around the lake, so you can walk all the way past the Magic Kingdom entrance to the Contemporary, if you’d rather. It’s a pretty long hike.
--Gingerbread display of Cinderella Castle in the style of Disney Legend Mary Blair, who designed It’s A Small World
-- A huge tree outside, perhaps one of the oldest trees at Walt Disney World with a retro-futuristic style that still manages to work.
Eating at the Contemporary
--Holiday treats in the lobby and in the quick service
--Contempo Café quick service – burgers, salads, flatbreads, and snacks.
--Steakhouse 71 – Reservations required. Salads, burgers, sandwiches, and steak. Much of the menu is also available in the lounge or to go.
--Chef Mickey’s – Reservations required. Character dining with a fixed-price menu for breakfast or dinner.
--California Grill – Reservations required. Fixed price meal including seafood, sushi, and steak.
--Contemporary Grounds – coffee and snacks --Outer Rim – lounge

FORT WILDERNESS CAMPGROUND
Walk back to the Magic Kingdom entrance, and catch a boat to Fort Wilderness Campground. It’s best to visit here at dusk or later to fully enjoy the lights and decorations.
--Average outdoor decorations
--Campers go crazy every year with their very own, very imaginative decorations.
--Walk around the campground loops near the boat dock. The campground is HUGE, and there are busses that can take you from point to point just within the campground, if you absolutely must see it all.

EATING AT FORT WILDERNESS CAMPGROUND – all near the boat dock
--The Chuck Wagon – burgers, hot dogs, salad, and snacks
--P&J’s Southern Takeout – meals like BBQ and fried chicken, salads, pizza, and burgers that can be eaten at the outdoor picnic tables
--The Trail’s End – Reservations Required – Fixed-price menu for breakfast and dinner with hearty skillets
--Crockett’s Tavern – appetizers and cocktails

If you want to take a bus from the campground, you’ll need to catch the inner campground bus to the front entrance first. Any cast member can tell you how.

Boat service between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness resumes Oct. 1st!

WILDERNESS LODGE
--A spectacular resort lodge
--Cozy, rustic charm
--Nice tree in the middle of the lobby
--Holiday music all around and antlers in all of the decorating
--Christmas in the heart of the Pacific Northwest
--Rest in a quiet alcove in front of a roaring fireplace
--Walk to Boulder Ridge Villas to visit the Carolwood Pacific Room – a museum of items relating to Walt’s love of trains.

EATING AT WILDERNESS LODGE
--Roaring Fork quick service – burgers, barbecue, and salads. I hear the Holiday Turkey sandwich is good. The bear claws are huge and yummy!
--Geyser Point Bar & Grill – Lounge fare plus burgers, sandwiches and salads. Also available to go.
--Territory Lounge – snacks and drinks
--The Whispering Canyon Cafe – Reservations required. All-you-can-eat skillet meals in a fun atmosphere.--Story Book Dining – Reservations required. Character dining. Fixed-price menu.

From Wilderness Lodge, it’s easy to grab a bus back to a park or Springs, or ride the boat back to the Magic Kingdom dock. From there, you can walk over to the bus stops and catch one to any other resort to continue your tour.

Go to my page for post #3.

02/12/2022

Disney Free Christmas Resort Tour
Post #1 of 4 - Instructions & Intro

Technically, you could do this tour any time just to see the resorts. But it’s especially nice during the holidays when the resorts are decorated for Christmas. This series of posts will cover suggestions for seeing the best resort decorations and highlights without spending any money, unless you decide to eat or shop along the way. And there are plenty of those opportunities!

LIMITATIONS
If you are not staying at the resort, you won’t be able to enter the pool area, and you can’t enter a resort room, obviously. But you can walk around all you like, eat, shop, or just sit and enjoy. Some resorts even have free activities like campfires (you can buy smores kits) and outdoor movies, most of which are geared toward kids, but anyone can participate.

PARKING
You are not allowed to park at a resort unless you are staying there or have a dining reservation at a restaurant in that resort. (And even then, there is a time limit.) So I will be suggesting alternative ways to get around, most of them free on Disney transportation. Yes, Disney transportation – busses, monorail, Skyliner, and boats – is all completely FREE, and they don’t ask any questions or check anything. You just get on, ride, and get off. They know that there are people just meandering around. It’s a popular thing. They know that once you’re in their “bubble,” you’ll probably spend money at some point. They don’t mind. Many bus drivers and boat captains will even give you suggestions for things to see and do.

Parking at the parks costs $25 for the day. (Keep your receipt to show at other parks. Annual passholders park for free.) And you can take that option, if you want. Depending on the resorts you want to visit, it may take you less time to tour. Or you can park for free at Disney Springs. There they have busses to all the resorts and back. Pick a resort area to tour, and get on a bus to one of those resorts to start your tour. It’s more time consuming, but totally doable. Another option is to park at Springs and take Uber or Lyft to a resort. There are boats from Disney Springs to the Port Orleans resorts, and you can walk from Springs to Saratoga Springs resort just across the lake.

RESTAURANTS
I’m going to mention eating choices at each resort in case you get hungry and want to grab a yummy holiday treat. Or maybe you want to make reservations for a nice dinner while you are touring. (Restaurant reservations are available online 60 days before, and many fill up quickly at that time.) Most resorts have a quick-service restaurant, a higher-priced table service restaurant, and a lounge. Most have a pool snack bar too, but you would not be able to access those that happen to be inside the pool fence. Sometimes the reservations are really hard to get for certain restaurants, but you can always see if they are taking a walk-up list when the time comes. You can check the app for that…

You’ll have to download the MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE app so that you can look at menus and maps. From there you can join a walk-up list, make reservations, and even order food for easy pickup at some places.

You can get a refillable drink mug at the quick service restaurant in any resort for $21.99. You can refill it an unlimited number of times at RESORT quick service restaurants, including sodas, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. (When getting soda, you must set the cup on the sensor under each drink type then push the button. The machine won't recognize the cup and won't work otherwise.) The cup is usually good for two weeks, after which the sensors on the soda machines stop recognizing it. There are no sensors on the other drinks, however.

SECURITY
Before you board the monorail, enter Disney Springs, or get close to a park entrance, you have to go through a security screening. It’s just a walk-through detector, and it will pick up umbrellas, battery packs, and other larger metal items in your bag or on your person. If they see something suspicious, they may ask to search your bag. It only takes a minute, and it’s not a big deal. Nothing like the airport. ;)

Disney resorts are broken up into different areas, so I will post each area as a different group of stops, prioritizing the ones that are best decorated or easy to get to. Plan half a day, a whole day, or a couple of days for your tour.

TERMS
Busses: Disney busses that run from parks or Disney Springs to resorts and back. There are no busses between Disney Springs and the Parks, and there are no busses that run from resort to resort.

Monorail: the trains that run around Bay Lake at Magic Kingdom. There are three –
1. the Express Monorail that goes straight from the TTC to Magic Kingdom
2. the Resort Monorail that stops at Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary resort
3. the EPCOT Monorail that runs from Magic Kingdom to the Epcot parking lot and back

Parks: Disney World amusement parks - Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom

Resort: A hotel/motel owned and run by Disney on Disney World property

Skyliner: Gondola ride connecting EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and several resorts: Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century, Riviera, Yacht Club, Beach Club, and BoardWalk resorts. You can take a bus to any of these resorts or to Hollywood Studios to board the Skyliner. (You cannot board the Skyliner from the EPCOT parking lot, bus stop, or Monorail station.)

Springs: Disney Springs, an outdoor mall with a host of shopping and dining places and free parking

TTC: Ticket and Transportation Center at the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Security, ticket counters, stations for all three monorail lines, boat dock, and ride share dropoff/pickup (Uber, etc.) for Magic Kingdom.

Go to my page for post #2.