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Disney Things Friday

5 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – April 22, 2016

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Each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. Here are the super important Disney news items for this week:

 Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Night

Expedition Everest

This week, after a few weeks of announcements, cancellations and rumors, Walt Disney World finally announced their new Animal Kingdom at Night. For 18+ years since Animal Kingdom opened, it has closed around 6:00 PM every night, or earlier, before it got too dark. It is really hard to see animals in the dark. Last year, Disney announced they would be adding night time shows, attractions and a special water show called Rivers of Light to the park which would allow it to stay open later. Well, Rivers of Light is not ready, but as of this Memorial Day Weekend, Animal Kingdom at Night will launch with a replacement show (Jungle Book Magic) along with all the other nigh time events.

Have you ever been on Expedition Everest at night? I have, a lot. SO MUCH BETTER!

For more information: Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Night

2017 Adventures by Disney announced, plus a discount!

adventures by disney

This week, Adventures by Disney announced their 2017 itineraries, which now include a new Rhine River cruise as well as additions to the China Adventure (Shanghai Disneyland) and the Australian Adventure (Gold Coast). These are in addition to the returning Adventures offered in 2016.

Adventures by Disney is a first class, world class, tour company. No, Mickey will not be showing you around the Great Wall of China, but the quality that you come to expect with Disney is on display 1,000% with Adventures by Disney. You will stay in first class hotels, skip all the lines, be guided by the best tour guides ever and have the time of your life. I have personally done a few Adventures, and cannot wait to go on my next one (it will be in 2018, just need to decide where).

Plus, if you book early, you can also save up to $500 per person on an Adventure with this Early Booking Adventure by Disney Discount.

For more information: 2017 Adventures by Disney

Soarin’ Around the World

soarin around the world

Everyone loves Soarin’. It is one of those rides that everyone can ride over and over. Who could ever get sick of that orange scent? As we have known for sometime, Disney has been working on a new movie, and it is almost here! On June 17, guests in both Disney California Adventure and Epcot will get to experience Soarin’ Around the World, a brand new film shot all around the world. Unfortunately, it looks like the orange scent is gone, replaced by a new generation of sights, sounds and scents.

FastPass+ reservations are now available for Walt Disney World resort guests.

Frozen Ever After

Frozen Sommerhus

I nearly cried the day Maelstrom closed in Epcot. Several of my family members did cry, teenagers at that. It was one of our family’s favorite rides, there was rarely a line and it was just plain fun. Back, Back, Over the Falls!!! Well, the replacement, Frozen Ever After is set to launch in June. While I don’t think the line on this attraction will ever be short again, it should be great fun. In addition to the attraction, Disney will debut the Royal Sommerhus greeting location. Inspired by a Norwegian countryside cabin, Anna and Elsa have opened their summer home for visitors. I hope they have 9 different versions of Anna and Elsa so the line can keep up with the attraction line.

No exact opening date has been announced for Frozen Ever After. With most new attractions, an opening date will be announced soon, and then the ride will have a soft opening for a few weeks before that where it is mostly open, but may close from time to time for tweaks.

Elena of Avalor

princess Elena

Who is Elana of Avalor you might ask? I surely did. Disney’s newest princess, and first Latin princess, will star in her own show this Summer on the Disney channel, appropriately entitled “Elena of Avalor”. And of course, this August you will be able to meet Elena in the Magic Kingdom, surely replacing Anna and Elsa as they move over to their summer house (or Sommerhus as the Norwegians call it).

Did I miss any Disney news this week that should have been included?

disney cruise dates

Important Dates when Planning a Disney Cruise

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Everyone loves a Disney Cruise! They are a fantastic vacation whether you love Disney or not, whether you are traveling with kids or it is your honeymoon. With four ships now, and two more on their way, Disney Cruise  Line offers cruise lengths and destination options for just about any cruise you want to take. They visit Alaska, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe and a bunch of other places. However, as you may know if you have ever planned a Disney Cruise, they can be a bit on the expensive side and the cancellation policy on a Disney Cruise is down right crazy. You must know before you even start planning what to expect, so you aren’t caught in a situation where you could lose a lot of money.

Important Dates when Planning a Disney Cruise

When booking, make sure you are 100% clear on what is due when, and what cancellation penalties kick in when. Do not rely on our information here, make sure Disney Cruise or your travel agent provides you with all the information needed before you pay a deposit. Ask questions, it is much better to do that while booking. There isn’t a standard set date before travel that final balances are due, it varies depending upon your stateroom type, type of cruise, etc. Also, Disney Cruise is REALLY REALLY picky about you paying on time. If your final balance is due today, they may give you an extra day to get it paid, but they will then cancel it and keep all of your money.

  • 500 Days – This is the one date that isn’t set in stone. Disney Cruise usually releases their itineraries for cruises in 6 month chunks, give or take a few weeks. We usually see January – May released and then later on June – December. Though in 2016, it looks like we will get three separate chunks rather than two as we are still waiting on Fall, 2017 cruises to be released. Usually, we see these chunks being announced and released about 500 days before your cruise. With a Disney Cruise, you are going to get the best deal possible by booking as early as possible. As the ship fills up, the rates go up. When booking a Disney Cruise, Disney requires a deposit on the cruise of roughly 20% of the total amount. That money is fully refundable up until the date when your final balance is due, more on that below.

For Suites and Concierge staterooms on ALL Disney Cruises

  • 120 Days – Your final balance is due 120 days before sailing.
  • 90 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose your deposit
  • 56 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 50% of your cruise fare
  • 30 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 75% of your cruise fare. After today, if you cancel, you lose everything

For 10+ day cruise and any cruise that start outside of the United States (Alaska and European cruises)

  • 120 Days – Your final balance is due 120 days before sailing.
  • 56 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose your deposit
  • 30 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 50% of your cruise fare
  • 15 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 75% of your cruise fare. After today, if you cancel, you lose everything

For Holiday Sailings of 6 – 9 nights (Any cruise that includes Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving or July 4th)

  • 105 Days – Your final balance is due 105 days before sailing.
  • 75 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose your deposit
  • 43 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 50% of your cruise fare
  • 15 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 75% of your cruise fare. After today, if you cancel, you lose everything

For Holiday Sailings of 1 – 5 nights (Any cruise that includes Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving or July 4th)

  • 90 Days – Your final balance is due 90 days before sailing.
  • 65 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose your deposit
  • 43 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 50% of your cruise fare
  • 15 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 75% of your cruise fare. After today, if you cancel, you lose everything

For Holiday Sailings of 6 – 9 nights (Any cruise that includes Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving or July 4th)

  • 105 Days – Your final balance is due 120 days before sailing.
  • 75 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose your deposit
  • 43 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 50% of your cruise fare
  • 15 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 75% of your cruise fare. After today, if you cancel, you lose everything

For 1 – 5 night cruises that start in the United States

  • 75 Days – Your final balance is due 75 days before sailing.
  • 45 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose your deposit
  • 30 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 50% of your cruise fare
  • 15 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 75% of your cruise fare. After today, if you cancel, you lose everything

For 6 – 9 night cruises that start in the United States

  • 90 Days – Your final balance is due 90 days before sailing.
  • 56 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose your deposit
  • 30 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 50% of your cruise fare
  • 15 Days – Last day to cancel and only lose 75% of your cruise fare. After today, if you cancel, you lose everything

So, you can see that it can be quite confusing, so make sure you are fully aware of all your dates before paying a deposit.

  • 30 Days – By this point, your cruise documents should be on their way to you or your travel agent. You should have  your passport or other required ID in order, transfers arranged and your online check-in completed so all that is left is for you to wait for your Disney Cruise date to arrive, which is unfortunately the hardest part.

There you go. By the way, Vacation Insurance is sold through the Disney Cruise Line as part of your booking, or through third parties that will protect you from some of these cancellations fees if you need to cancel last minute. Just ask your travel agent about Disney’s offerings.

Have a great trip! Feel free to use the quick date calculator below to figure out your important dates:

Kona Cafe versus ‘Ohana

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In Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World, there are two table service restaurants available for your Disney dining pleasure. Located basically next to each other on the second floor overlooking the lobby are Kona Cafe and ‘Ohana. These two restaurants are nearly complete opposites, but which one is the best for your family?

Kona Cafe

tonga toast kona cafe

Kona Cafe serves all three meals each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, all three meals are a la carte, and are available with one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plans.

  • Breakfast is home to the world famous Tonga Toast, banana-stuffed sourdough french toast rolled in cinnamon sugar. If you haven’t had Tonga Toast, you haven’t been to Disney. In addition to Tonga Toast, it also serves other Polynesian inspired entrees such as Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes, the Big Kahuna (French Toast and Pancakes topped with Pineapple Sauce and Macadamia Nut Butter, Eggs, Home-fried Potatoes, Ham, Bacon, and Sausage) and my favorite, The Samoan (Poached Eggs with Hollandaise served over Smoked Pulled Pork Hash). If your mouth isn’t watering right now, there is seriously something wrong with you. Oh, and don’t miss the “Liliko’i Juice”, I wish I could bathe in that stuff.
  • Lunch features Asian and Polynesian inspired appetizers and entrees. My favorite appetizer is the Steamed Pork Buns, crazy good. Entrees include a Grilled Ahi Tuna Sandwich, Barbecue Pork Tacos and Polynesian Plate Lunch with either pan fried chicken or teriyaki steak. Don’t forget dessert, so many delectable options.
  • Dinner is the hidden gem of Kona Cafe. Appetizer options are similar to lunch, but with the addition of Sushi to the many. Entrees are much more dinner like, and feature Pan-seared Duck Breast, Grilled Curry-crusted Lamb Chops and Kona Coffee-rubbed Pork Chops. I dream of the Banana-Chocolate Crème Brûlée dessert.

Kona Cafe is a fantastic, hidden gem of a restaurant. The food is top notch, and it makes for a great break from the Magic Kingdom.

‘Ohana

ohana mickey waffles

‘Ohana serves both breakfast and dinner, and is one of the more popular non-theme park restaurants at Disney, both breakfast and dinner are available with one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plans. Reservations are very hard to come by for both breakfast and dinner

  • Breakfast is an all you can eat, pre-plated meal that includes scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, potatoes and some magical bread that you just can’t get enough of. This is not a buffet, but is all you can eat. Just ask for more of whatever it is you want, and they will keep bring it to you. Along with the food, you also get Disney characters! Lilo and Stitch host you for breakfast, and even stop by your table to say Aloha. Please note, if you are crunched for time, DO NOT plan on breakfast at ‘Ohana. For some reason, they always seem to be behind, and wait times can be 60 – 90 minutes, even if you are on time for your reservation.
  • Dinner is also all you can eat, and like breakfast, is brought to your table. I have never had to ask for more of anything, but you always can. Dinner starts with an amazing pineapple-coconut bread that would suffice me for my entire meal. Whoever makes the bread for ‘Ohana must be using dark magic. Appetizers feature Pork Dumplings and Wings, followed by skewers of Sweet-n-Sour Chicken, Spicy Grilled Peel-n-Eat Shrimp and Szechuan Sirloin Steak. You better leave room for dessert, because it is the highlight. The Bread Pudding à la mode with Bananas-Caramel Sauce is world famous, and not to be missed. While there aren’t any characters at dinner, there is some nightly entertainment that usually involves kids walking around the restaurant to music.

‘Ohana is a great place to eat where you will get a wonderful experience with your family, not have to make too many choices and you will get some of the best bread and desserts known to man.

Kona Cafe versus ‘Ohana

While ‘Ohana is without a doubt more popular, Kona Cafe is the better restaurant.

  • Much wider choice of food – Kona Cafe offers quite a few options for all three meals each day, and everyone in your party can choose exactly what they want rather than everyone at the table having to eat exactly the same thing. We do that at home every night, this is vacation!
  • Better food – Since ‘Ohana serves everyone the exact same thing, they obviously make everything in super large batches, while Kona Cafe hand makes your meals, and you can tell.
  • Tonga Toast – While the Mickey Waffles at ‘Ohana are ok, they are nothing compared to the Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe. They are a right of passage for all Disney fans, and for many, a MUST EAT every single trip.
  • Easier reservations – ‘Ohana is quite hard to get in, unless you want to take your little kids over to the Polynesian at 9:45 at night for dinner. No one wants that.
  • In and Out – I have rarely waited to get into Kona Cafe, and service is usually very quick. ‘Ohana on the other hand always has a lengthly wait, and meals there seem to take forever.

Well, there you go, Kona Cafe is my winner. Which restaurant do you choose and why?