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do not miss magic kingdom

3 Do Not Miss Things in the Magic Kingdom

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When you visit the Magic Kingdom, everyone knows the things you must do. All of the important rides, parades, fireworks and shows are listed on the schedule and park maps, and are pretty easy to find. It’s not like you are going to visit the Magic Kingdom and forget to ride Space Mountain. However, there are 3 things located in the Magic Kingdom that you should definitely be aware of, and should not miss.

3 Do Not Miss Things in the Magic Kingdom

  1. Harmony Barbershop – Did you know the Magic Kingdom has a barber shop? They do! Located in Town Square at the start of Main Street, the Harmony Barbershop is a real, old-fashioned barbershop, and part time home to the local barbershop quartet, the Dapper Dans. Get it? Barbershop + Dapper Dans = Harmony! The Harmony Barbershop will cut anyones hair, from little kids to adults, boy and girls, men and women. The Harmony Barbershop is most known for “my first haircut”, and it is a tradition among many Disney families to have all of their kid’s hair cut there for the very first time. Some families I know have been doing this for generations! The My First Haircut package runs $25, and includes special Mickey Ears as part of the package. Regular haircuts are available too, $19 for adults and $18 for kids (prices subject to change of course). BTW, reservations are highly encouraged, though if you don’t have one, they will put you on the list and you can come back.
  2. Kiss Goodnight  – About 30 – 40 minutes after the closing time of the Magic Kingdom, a mini-show happens on and around Cinderella’s Castle. The castle starts to sparkle and then transforms into several different lighting overlays, it is just beautiful. An announcer then thanks everyone for coming to the Magic Kingdom and quotes a Walt Disney line about the reason the Magic Kingdom exists:

    Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, on behalf of everyone here at the Magic Kingdom, we thank you for joining us today for a magic gathering of family, friends, fun, and fantasy. We hope your magical journey with us has created wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Walt Disney said that the Magic Kingdom is a world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, magic and make believe are reborn, and fairy tales come true. The Magic Kingdom is a place for the young and the young at heart. A special place where when you wish upon a star, your dreams can come true. Until we see you again, have a safe trip home. Thank you, and goodnight.

    For many, the Kiss Goodnight is the only way they will end their day in the Magic Kingdom. Personally, there isn’t anything I like more than the parks at night, and especially after they have emptied out. It is a great way to end your day.

  3. Electrical Water Pageant – OK, while technically not in the Magic Kingdom, you can see it from parts of the Magic Kingdom as well as from just outside. The Electrical Water Pageant first set sail in 1971 around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, and is basically unchanged to this day. It has been sailing nightly for 45+ years. For our family, we do not miss it on any of our trips. It reminds us of our first trip 25+ years ago. The water pageant can be seen from the Magic Kingdom or any resort that sits on Bay Lake or Seven Seas Lagoon as it passes by all of them nightly.

Of course, there are many, many things in the Magic Kingdom you MUST do on each trip, but one of these days, take it slow and enjoy all of the little things in the parks. It will help you appreciate the Magic Kingdom even more

2017 Disney Dining Plan Changes

2017 Disney Dining Plan Changes

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Tomorrow, June 21, 2016, Walt Disney World will be releasing rates and package info for 2017. If you have been waiting to book your 2017 Disney vacation, tomorrow is the first date you can book. Each year, Disney makes small changes to their dining plans and packages, so you really can’t assume next year will be the same as this year. If you look at the dining plans when they were first released years ago, a ton has changed (we now get less for more money). Of course, 2017 is going to be no different. While not yet officially released, we have obtained copies of the 2017 Disney Dining Plan brochures (linked below for you), and there are some changes coming for 2017. Please note, pricing will not be released until tomorrow.

Changes coming to the 2017 Disney Dining Plans

  1. Quick-Service meals no longer include a dessert. All quick-service meals at Walt Disney World will now include only a non-alcoholic drink and an entree. This holds true whether you are using the quick-service, Disney Dining Plan or the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.
  2. In place of the missing dessert, the Quick-Service and Disney Dining Plans will now include one additional snack. Most quick-service restaurants offer their desserts as a snack option, so you can still opt to get dessert by using one of your snack credits. This change is a positive though, as many quick-service restaurants offer sub-par desserts, and this will allow guests greater flexibility when dining. Plus, I would much rather choose from an entire park’s options for my snack than be forced to order a dessert I know I will not eat (I am looking at you Restaurantosaurus cheesecake in a cup). For the Quick-Service Dining Plan, this ends up being a slight negative, as you are trading two desserts for one additional snack, but hopefully this will keep the price increase down.
  3. The Premium and Platinum plans, which are rarely sold will be discontinued for 2017.
  4. Despite many rumors to the contrary, most Walt Disney World character meals ARE NOT changing to 2 table service credits per person. The only character meal currently listed as 2 credits per person is Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
  5. It appears as no additional restaurants have been reclassified as signature restaurants, so no changes in that regard from this year.

Please Note: While looking at the current 2017 Disney Dining Plan brochures, please understand that the restaurant list is incomplete. Every year, Disney must negotiate with Disney restaurants to be included on the Disney Dining Plans, and that negotiation is usually not completely until much later in the year. So, many Epcot and Disney Springs restaurants are not going to be listed on the current version of the brochures, but that DOES NOT mean they are not included, but that they will be included in the plan at some point before the end of this year. When planning, assume the list of restaurants for 2017 will look very much like the list for 2016, and you will be in good shape.

2017 Disney Dining Plan Brochures

What do you think of the changes to the Quick-Service restaurant?

Disney Things June 17

3 Disney Things You Should Know This Week – June 17, 2016

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Normally each Friday, I provide 5 Disney things all Disney fans should know from this past week, just in case you missed them. However, due to the horrible tragedies that occurred in Orlando and at Walt Disney World earlier this week, the release of Disney news and our posting on this site was slowed on purpose. This week we only bring you 3 Disney news items.

Toddler Killed by Alligator at Walt Disney World

On Tuesday, June 15, a 2 year old Toddler from Nebraska was walking on the beach with his family at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort when he was pulled underwater by an alligator. The child did not survive. This is a horrible tragedy, and one I couldn’t even imagine having to endure as a father.

For more information:

Orlando Sentinel

CNN

NY Times

After the child’s body was found, Walt Disney World Resort President George A. Kalogridis released the following statement:

“There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss. We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help them during this difficult time.

On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer them our deepest sympathy.”

Shanghai Disneyland Opens!

Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland, the sixth theme park location for Disney has finally opened, following Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. While many of the international parks resemble Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, Shanghai Disneyland only feature a hand full or original Disney rides, while most of the attractions are brand new exclusively for Shanghai Disneyland.

The park looks fantastic, can’t wait until I get to go in November. Check out the video of the opening ceremonies, so so good.

Finding Dory Opens

The long anticipated sequel to Finding Nemo has finally been released, Disney•Pixar’s Fining Dory. Can you believe it has been 13 years since Finding Nemo? This updated version features Dory in search for her family, along with Nemo and Marlin and a cast of new characters. Early reviews have been fantastic, and I am sure it will be a very popular film. BTW, did you know many of the new characters from Finding Dory were added to Turtle Talk with Crush in Epcot today?

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