Tag Archives: Disney World

Jun 1 2018

Pizza Ponte In Disney Springs

Looking for a new place to get your pizza fix during your Walt Disney World vacation? Head on over to Disney Springs to the tasty Pizza Ponte. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

Pizza Ponte

A fast-casual concept and the perfect place for a quick bite serving pastries, pizza, Italian sandwiches, and espresso. Pastry specialties include Bomboloni (Italian doughnuts) Sfoglia di Riso (pastry with rice cream) and Tiramisu. Savory items include signature Triangolo (stuffed pizza bread) sandwiches, Porchetta (roast pork) and Pizza al Taglio, Sicilian-style pizza by the slice.

The backstory reveals that Maria began a simple cafe inside the lobby of what was once the bustling Disney Springs air terminal. Pastries and pasta were the initial offerings, but eventually the family was able to install wood-fired pizza ovens that helped make them even more successful. Pizza Ponte is accessed from the entrance beneath the air terminal’s old Control Tower. Within this entrance, guests can view family photos from Maria and Enzo’s many cousins, uncles, aunts and others who began to arrive as their business began to thrive. An elegant wraparound window anchors the space and catches a lot of attention from pedestrians crossing the bridge from the Disney Springs West Side. Offerings reflect many of the most popular foods from both Maria’s roots in Southern Italy and Enzo’s favorites from the region around Rome.

For full menus and current hours, please click here.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you tried Pizza Ponte yet?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Candlelight Processional
May 31 2018

2018 Epcot International Festival Of The Holidays Dates Announced

Did you hear the exciting news? Disney has announced the date’s for this year’s Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This festive and heart warming event will return to the park November 18 through December 30. The Candlelight Processional also returns this year and for the first time, the popular holiday tradition will open for Thanksgiving on November 22 and run through December 30.

According to Disney…The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays invites guests to discover holiday cheer throughout the park and across all 11 World Showcase pavilions. Special entertainment, storytellers, seasonal favorites at Holiday Kitchens, and eye-catching holiday decor are all part of the fun. Evenings during this time are topped off with a special holiday presentation of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” The Candlelight Processional, a holiday must-do for many Epcot guests, is a retelling of the traditional Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a massed choir and live orchestra.

No other information has been released yet, but remember to check back often as I will share more details as soon as they are announced!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be visiting during the Epcot International Festival Of The Holidays?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

May 30 2018

BaseLine Tap House In Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Looking for a new place to relax after fighting the crowds in Toy Story Land this summer? Head on over to the Grand Avenue area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios to check out BaseLine Tap House. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

BaseLine Tap House

BaseLine Tap House, a lively corner pub specializing in California beers and wines, is a part of the Grand Avenue area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Capturing the spirit of present-day Downtown Los Angeles, Grand Avenue is home to vintage office buildings and warehouses that represent the city’s vibrant districts and cultures. In a quaint brick building, BaseLine Tap House pays homage to the Figueroa Printing Company, a mom-and-pop print house that had ties to the Disney Studios in nearby Burbank. The space features many cool architectural and mechanical details with exposed walls and old printing equipment and artifacts, blending the past and present in an inviting space. Outside is a charming tree-shaded terrace, perfect for a relaxing break in the day.

BaseLine Tap House celebrates the revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles with California craft ales, lagers and cider as the stars of the drink menu, along with California wines on tap and specialty cocktails. A gourmet non-alcoholic lemonade and soda on tap round out the drink selection. Small bites include a Bavarian pretzel with mustard and beer-cheese fondue, spiced almonds and a charcuterie board featuring California cheeses.

For full menus and current hours, please click here.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you tried BaseLine Tap House yet?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

May 29 2018

Fun Facts About Toy Story Land In Disney’s Hollywood Studios

So who else is excited? It feels like we’ve been waiting years for the new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and now opening day is just around the corner. Disney has been slowly releasing information about the new Alien Swirling Saucers, Slinky Dog Dash, and Woody’s Lunch Box over the last few months and now we have a few fun facts about what we’re about to experience. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:

Ready, set, play! The all-new Toy Story Land, coming this summer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will give guests the sensation of shrinking to the size of a toy as they explore Andy’s backyard and see their favorite Toy Story characters larger than life.

Whether it’s an exciting ride on a family-friendly coaster, a spin on a toy rocket or a 3D adventure through carnival midway games, guests will be immersed in the playful world of toys.

And along the way, enough fun facts and “didn’t-know-that’s” to fill a toy chest:

  • More than 400 toy blocks fill Andy’s backyard.
  • In Toy Story Land, Andy’s footprint is about 25 feet long or the equivalent of a size 240 shoe.
  • It would take a Green Army Man roughly 12 steps just to travel the length of one of Andy’s shoeprints.
  • You would need a backpack the size of a school bus to carry the Buzz and Woody figures that tower over Toy Story Land.
  • The weight of the Slinky Dog Dash track and support columns weighs almost as much as 125,000 gallons of milk.
  • Together Rex and the Jenga Tower are as tall as 7½ Green Army Men standing on top of one another.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to visit Toy Story Land this summer?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

May 28 2018

Helpful Information For Your August 2018 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in August 2018?
August is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during August is hot and rainy. The average high is about 92 degrees, the average low is about 73 degrees and the average rainfall is about 7.71 inches. You can expect some rain most afternoons or evenings, so be sure to bring your poncho!

Crowds

The crowds in August are moderate to high at the beginning of the month as families enjoy vacationing during the last few weeks of summer break. By the end of the month, the crowds drop off dramatically as kids head back to school.

Magic Kingdom Welcome ShowAugust 1 – August 4
Average Crowd Level 6.5 out of 10
August 5 – August 11
Average Crowd Level 6.6 out of 10
August 12 – August 18
Average Crowd Level 7.1 out of 10
August 19 – August 25
Average Crowd Level 5.6 out of 10
August 26 – August 31
Average Crowd Level 4.0 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 10:30pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8:30pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during August, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

On select nights beginning in August, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will be held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a lively, light-hearted, family friendly event. There are special parades, exciting dance parties, stunning fireworks and tons of trick-or-treating stations filled with candy for everyone! Adults and children alike really get into the spirit of the event by dressing in costume, trick-or-treating and dancing the night away with all of the characters. For more information, please click here.

Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival will begin on August 30. Last year’s festival featured 197 chefs and included more than 35 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts. For more information, please click here.

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during August (subject to change without notice):

Epcot Mission SpaceMagic Kingdom
Tron Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021

Epcot
Guardians of the Galaxy Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021
Kringla Bakeri og Kafe: February 4, 2018 – Summer 2018
Ratatouille Attraction: Opening in 2021
Space Themed Table Service Restaurant: TBD

Hollywood Studios
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Opening in 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Opening Late Fall 2019

Animal Kingdom
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Water Parks
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in August 2018, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
  • Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (7am EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my book UPDATED FOR 2018 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your August 2018 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Join The Fun

Next Disney VacationDisney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!