epcot

Disney’s Express Transportation – Walt Disney World Resort

Published on May 7, 2017 in Walt Disney World by Crystal Boston

There’s a new way to get around Walt Disney World parks and it’s a VIP experience!!

If you have been to Walt Disney World Resort recently, you know all about getting through security and bag checks… Wouldn’t you love if you only needed to pass through a security checkpoint once per day? Now you can!!

If you have a Park Hopper ticket or are an Annual Passholder, you can add Disney’s Express Transportation option and only go through security and bag check once each day – even if you hit all 4 parks – giving you more time in the parks! Disney’s Express Transportation picks you up and drops you off INSIDE the parks!

Start your day in one park, using the normal security checkpoint, and when you are ready to head to the next park simply check-in at the Express Transportation kiosk location inside the park and a Cast Member will escort you backstage to your VIP transportation.

Purchase your Express Transportation access at any ticket window outside a park, Guest Relations inside a park, Disney Springs ticket window, your hotel concierge, or at the kiosks at the Express Transportation check-in locations and you are ready for VIP transportation for one day for date of purchase or up to 7 consecutive days beginning on date of purchase. Advance purchase is not yet available.

Disney’s Express Transportation service departs approximately every 30 minutes and runs each day from 10:00 AM until park closing. Your VIP Express Transportation will travel directly between each of the theme parks, no stops along the way, and drops you off inside the park so you are ready for fun from the moment you arrive! You will have unlimited transfers between all 4 theme parks for as long as your Express Transportation ticket is valid.

Price per Guest (Ages 3+)
Single-day ticket: $19 – Valid for date of purchase only
Multi-day ticket: $29 – Valid for up to 7 consecutive days beginning on date of purchase
*NOTE: Pricing and availability are subject to change.

I took advantage of Disney’s Express Transportation during my last stay at Walt Disney World Resort. It was so quick and easy to get from one park to another. This VIP experience is definitely the way to go, especially if you have little ones with strollers and bags, and I felt the price was very fair!!

**Please Note: The Express Transportation add-on service at Walt Disney World Resort will end Wednesday, August 23, 2017. The last day for guests to purchase this service will be Wednesday, August 16, 2017.

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Ghirardelli makes a stop at Epcot Food and Wine

Published on October 22, 2016 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

20160919_115744-1 — A great view as we near the festival center. In the “old” days this probably would have qualified as a Kodak Picture Spot.

The Festival Center at Epcot is a giant building tucked away between the Universe of Energy and Mission Space. Tucked away as best a giant building can be, with some strategic landscaping and other giant buildings on either side for disguise. Apparently the future consisted of large buildings and not tiny houses… but I digress. The festival building is the building formally known as The Wonders of Life Pavilion. I’m all in with Wonder… and Life, but this “demoted from the ranks” pavilion, like Pluto or Lake Champlain, didn’t really draw our families attention during the yearly visits in the 2000’s, we never made an appearance at this pavilion.

That is… not until 2016 when taking a break from the food and the wine we decided to see what the festival building had in its friendly confines (Cubs reference). I would say it is exactly as described. A festival center. There were more people hanging around than I expected. The gift shop was doing a brisk business, appeared to be few tables available in the cafe… unless this was also the Chew stage… I didn’t look close enough to make the differentiation. I had spotted my Festival Center destination and now wasn’t the time to be window shopping.

20160919_121036 I was truckin by the cafe when my eyes noticed the Ghiradelli sign. Nothing fancy or in huge letters, but the title of the exhibit and name of the sponsor. Always eager to learn about chocolate and nab a complementary Ghirardelli square (my favorite is the salted caramel) there is no time to waste.

In Disney terms it would be considered a fairly simple straightforward display. Around a center console and along the wall is a brief outline of the process from which chocolate is derived. Good… interesting… you won’t have to jockey for position to read the story. That’s ok.

Along another wall is a series of what I would refer to as dioramas. Each of these dioramas feature scenes containing chocolate sculptures of characters from Disney movies or newly acquired movie franchises… you may know where I’m going with that one… may the force be with you.

From the Festival Center events page, it states the following about the display of chocolate figures… “enjoy amazing chocolate sculptures created by the master chefs at Walt Disney World Resort.” I really enjoyed these sculptures and took a lot of photos. Unfortunately what I didn’t take was the a photos of the creators names of these chocolate masterpieces. You will need to go read those for yourself.

I recommend a side trip to the Festival Center to check out the Ghiradelli carved chocolate scenes. It’s something a bit different than the typical attractions, and it shows the skill and creativity of the these individuals. Maybe I’m not an impartial subject since it reminds me of the sculptured butter cow my Grandma would take me to see each year at the Illinois State Fair. Who doesn’t love carved butter in the shape of a cow. Isn’t it poetic.

The display was enjoyable to my wife and I and there are plenty of photos following that shows my favorites (which is pretty much everything), but we weren’t dragging any kids away from a Frozen meet and greet. Not sure how entranced kids will be with this display. Sure they would like the molded chocolate characters and the nod to Star Wars, but they may not appreciate the talent required or materials used. Certain that they would eat the complimentary chocolate square though.

A Bug’s Life…

20160919_120848 — Heimlich – My favorite character from this movie. A good Heimlich quote for life. “Francis, leave them alone, they are poo-poo heads.”

20160919_120856 — Don’t know these two characters. Can you help me out?

Not from A Bug’s Life…

20160919_120929 — This was a scene with wildlife which was very well done. Not sure what Disney reference from which this was created. Lots of glare and smears on the glass of this display. Apparently some people wanted a close look.

Ratatouille… I enjoyed the movie, but there is something about Rats and food that gives me the willies, though I would eat a rat made of chocolate.

20160919_122152 — Love the detail of the fur coats and the side items. All created from chocolate.

20160919_122203 — This was my favorite layout of the displays. The use of the cheese wheels (chocolate wheels) and the rats is a nice touch.

20160919_122212 — Another cheese wheel and well carved chocolate vegetables. Vegetables on my plate are mostly for display too.

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Star Wars…

20160919_122135 — Yoda. Future king of the Studios. The Yoda quote above my desk… “Do or do not, there is no try”.

20160919_122123 — Millennium Falcon with Stormtrooper feet in background.

Last but not least are a couple with a shout-out to the theme park coaster attractions.

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Skip Some Walking Time on the Friendship Launch – Epcot

Published on September 20, 2016 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

As I was finishing my Croughnut the idea of a walk to the other side of the World Showcase Lagoon was sounding less and less desirable. Hard as it is to believe, the idea for lunch at Via Napoli, in the Italy Pavilion, was beginning to form just as the final bite of Croughnut was disappearing from the ducks view. In order to make myself feel better about the quick lunch, today’s Croughnut will be classified as an appetizer.

Almost directly across from The Refreshment Port is a dock for boarding the Friendship Launch. Disney refers to it as launching from Canada, but more accurately we will refer to it as the Croughnut Launch. From our seat at the Croughnut observation post we watched a couple of Friendship Launches make their way over to the other side of the lagoon.

20160919_110331 — Those with the sharp eye will note that this is not across from Croughnut heaven. That’s right, I liked this picture better. Consider it artistic license.

This boat makes it way from the Croughnut Launch Dock to another dock situated between France and Morocco. I would estimate the cycle time for pick-up and departure for the Friendship Launch about every 20 minutes.

The boat is enclosed and air conditioned. It’s a nice change of pace when the sweat quits running down the small of your back. But don’t worry it’s only a short time until you reach the other side.

For those who prefer to maintain their outdoor swagger, there is a bench seat outside the cabin at the rear of the boat… or for you nautical types the stern. This is my favorite seat. Seating is very limited (see first picture). When you are on the water you should be outside absorbing the sea/lake/pond air, unless of course it’s the end of an evening on a cruise ship where shipmates will have uncomfortable glances while you are strolling the deck in your pj’s.

20160905_125200 — Hanging out at the back of the boat, preparing to depart from the Croughnut Launch Dock.

Where am I going with this you may be wondering.

It’s been years since the last voyage and I have forgotten how enjoyable this small excursion is across the World Showcase Lagoon. It may take more time than walking to your destination, but is it a race to each attraction? Is that any way to spend a vacation… racing from attraction to attraction. For some it is and I do admit we did the same thing, but eventually we decided to slow down and enjoy our trips at a different pace.

20160905_125407-1 — I may be beating a dead horse here, but if you look closely as departing the Croughnut Dock The Refreshment Port sits between the two buildings. Au revoir Refreshment Port!

20160905_125417 — Rounding the first corner of the World Showcase Lagoon is Canada.

20160905_125455 — The smell of fish and chips waft across the water as you make your way by England. That wafting may be dependent upon current wind direction. We stopped by the Yorkshire County Fish Shop and had the fish and chips at the start of food and wine. One order of Fish and Chips consists of two pieces of fish and some fries. The fish was cooked well (a light golden brown) and the fries were crispy. One order fish and chips $10.49 two bottled water $3.00 each, total with tax $17.18.

20160905_125559 — Sitting between Disney’s England and France pavilions beyond this bridge is the International Gateway. The channel after the bridge leads to Crescent Lake where the Boardwalk Resort and Yacht and Beach Club sit along the shore. Another channel leads between the Swan and Dolphin Resort and on to Disney Hollywood Studios. The boat ride from the International Gateway to Disney Hollywood Studios is about 25 minutes which includes stops at Boardwalk, Yacht Club, The Swan.

20160905_125603 — France is in sight as you approach the dock between France and Morocco.

The boat ride along the lagoon provides a different perspective of the World Showcase. It gives you a little time to sit back and relax. So enjoy the ride and the view, it’s a short ride, but a nice change of pace.

Work in Progress Map – places visited and miscellaneous comments.

Croissant Doughnut…. Croughnut?… Cronut? at Epcot

Published on September 9, 2016 in Walt Disney World by Doug Wilcoxon

There’s a place in Epcot that at one time Ray Kroc would have been proud to see… a hybrid McDonald’s selling smakerals of their signature food to theme park goers. Alas, it is no more (when it went to the big fryer in the sky I do not know). In its place there is a simple menu with only one item that I really care about. That would be the Croissant Doughnut… Croughnut. I like this spelling.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE CROISSANT DOUGHNUT.

This trip was designed specifically for a Croughnut. If you visit Epcot for no other reason but a Croughnut, then it will have been worth it. Whoa… slow down… Dougie. That may not quite be true if you are vacationing on a non-hopper ticket. Then you will definitely want to see more than a Croughnut… maybe two Croughnuts… no… better see some of the other attractions.

My point is this should be a stop for the family.

But, beware. There are some shady characters who may want to sample your Croughnut. I heeded the advice of the sign and didn’t feed the wildlife. Not because of my concern that they will get aggressive, but because I wanted the Croughnut all to myself. From the picture below it appears that we are beyond wildlife acclimation to the Croughnut diet. It seems he knows what it’s all about.

20160905_122647 — LOOK INTO MY EYEEEES! GIVE ME YOUR CROUGHNUT!

The Croissant Doughnut is currently going for $4.99.

Other than the Croughnut and a water, that is the extent of my culinary experience at this location. I haven’t paid attention to the other featured items, but notice in this picture… I’m a bit taken aback by the Godiva Hot Cocoa with Godiva Liqueur at $9.50. After a bit of research I found that the Godiva Liqueur is 15% alc/vol. It is a bit more than just a hot cocoa. That may go well with the Croughnut in wintertime and should provide your daily sugar intake requirements.

20160905_122337 — TUNNEL VISION FOR THE CROUGHNUT.

The Refreshment Port is located just as you enter World Showcase and make the right hand turn towards Canada. It will be to your right. To your left is a lake. Bring our Canadian friends a Croughnut, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind some fried dough, cinnamon and sugar… word on the street is that Canadians enjoy a good doughnut or a Timbit.

20160905_150440 — THE REFRESHMENT PORT IN ALL ITS GLORY.

Educational Note for Ray Kroc – In 1917 Ray lied about his age and joined the Red Cross to be an ambulance driver. Thought it an interesting similarity to another gentleman from that era.

Shout-Out Note to the Johnson Family for introducing us to the tasty Croughnut.

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