The New Central Plaza area - The Magic Kingdom

When I was at Walt Disney World in April, I got to see the new Central Plaza area for the first time. I was super excited to see if for myself, as I'd seen pictures and was just amazed.

And folks - it did NOT disappoint.

It's like a beautiful, peaceful oasis in what can be the chaos of the Magic Kingdom.  Nestled between Main Street and the area around Cinderella's castle, the plaza area is the perfect spot to rest and relax for a spell.

Here are some pictures I took of that area; I think the Chip and Dale statue is my favorite! Enjoy!

Dining Review: Liberty Tree Tavern

On Monday, September 1st, I spent a lovely morning at Magic Kingdom.  After doing lots of attractions, it was time for lunch!  I made my way over to Liberty Tree Tavern.

I was excited, as I've not eaten here before but the reviews have always been pretty great.  It was quiet (a theme I would see all this week) and after checking in, I was able to be seated right away.

The menu has a variety of "traditional" fare - sandwiches, soups, salads, etc. I seriously considered ordering the BLT, as I LOVE a good BLT, but decided instead on the Colony Salad.  It's a salad with warm chicken, cranberries, cheese, green onions, apples and pecans with a very nice vinaigrette dressing. 

As I waited for my meal, I took a few pictures from my seat.  I was probably one of four groups dining at 11:30AM that day, so it was very quiet.

 

One nice thing about dining solo is that your food often comes pretty quick.  After only about 5-6 minutes of sitting at my table, my salad arrived.

 

YUM!! This was SO good and really hit the spot.  It was a super hot, sticky September day and having the cool salad was the perfect entree.

It was then time for dessert.  Remember, when you use a Table Service credit with the Dining Plan, you also get a dessert.  My lovely server told me all the choices, and then I asked his opinion on what I should order.  Without hesitation he said, "The Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake" and so that's what I chose!

 

Oh my goodness - this was SO GOOD.  Holy crap. The chocolate cookie / brownie, with the ice cream, AND chocolate sauce and caramel, AND toffee bits?! Be still be heart.  It was divine.  As you can see, it was HUGE and this could easily be split among 2 adults.

So, the verdict?  Would I eat here again?

Absolutely, 100%!  The food is good, the service is great and the atmosphere is wonderful.  There are so many more dishes here that I need to try, so you can believe I WILL be back!

Have a magical day!

 

 

Pre-Trip Report: Thursday, September 4th - Heading to the Disney Dream! Part 1

Hi, all!  Hope everyone had a wonderful & safe 4th of July weekend.

I am going to break up the Pre-Trip Report for September 4th into two parts; Part 1, which is the morning of the cruise and Part 2, where I'll talk about my plans for the cruise itself and my first day on board.  I started to write this and it was becoming a MONSTER post since this is such a busy day, so you get two posts for the price of one.  Bonus!

Today is September 4th - the day that I leave on the Disney Dream!  WOO HOO!  I cannot wait.  I just LOVE to cruise.

Hello, gorgeous!

But in the morning, there is still plenty of time to see and do before heading to Port Canaveral.

I am picking up my friend Caletta from Art of Animation Resort at about 9:30AM, so I have a few hours free in the morning.  I am renting a car to get to the port, so I figured, why not go somewhere in the AM and catch a yummy breakfast before heading to Port Canaveral?

And because I like to cram as much Disney into a day as humanely possible, how about an hour or so at a park, too?!

Last week, I asked on Facebook where you'd make a breakfast reservation on property and got a few resounding votes for Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort.  I whole-heartedly agree with this, so I made myself a 7:30AM breakfast reservation for Kona Cafe on the 4th.  Bring on the Tonga Toast!!

I am going to drive over to the Polynesian, enjoy my breakfast and then take the monorail into Magic Kingdom.  There are Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom that morning, starting at 8AM, so I figure I'll be able to spend an hour or so there before it's time to head out.  I'll ride the monorail back to the Polynesian and then head out to Art of Animation to pick up Caletta and her daughter.  Then it's onto Port Canaveral and the Disney Dream!

Maybe I'll ride a Magic Carpet!

Next on Part 2: My plans for my first day on the Disney Dream!

Pre-Trip Report: First Full Day - Monday September 1, 2014

Good morning, everyone!  (Or afternoon, or evening - whenever you're reading this!)

Today is another installment of the Pre-Trip Report for my first full day at Disney World - Monday, September 1st.

Today, my plan is to hit Magic Kingdom, and tour there.  Crowd calendar predications are that crowds will be low today (as they are projected to be all week) so I am hoping to get in a LOT of attractions. Of course I will hit my favorites at LEAST once.

* Haunted Mansion

* Pirates of the Caribbean

* Jungle Cruise

* it's a small world (I can see you judging me for this one - it's a classic, come on!)

* Peter Pan

* Philharmagic 

I plan on making FastPass+ reservations for Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion and one of the character meet and greets but I honestly don't imagine I will need them if the crowd predictions materialize.

At some point in the day, I am going to use one of my Snack credits and grab a treat.  Perhaps I'll choose one of these delectable treats, under the Big Top right by the Dumbo attraction.

Or perhaps I'll get myself one of these yummy and refreshing Dole Whips.  YUM.  SO delicious.  I really need to figure out how to create these at home! (Please ignore my mutant hand in this picture. Seriously, could I have taken a LESS flattering picture??)

I have a lunch reservation at 1PM at Liberty Tree Tavern, and after I eat I imagine I will mosey my way out of the park, and back to Coronado Springs for some pool time.  The last time I went to Orlando in September it was HOT and HUMID, and most days I took an afternoon break by the pool.  This was super refreshing and a great way to relax and get into true vacation mode.

I have no set plans for Monday evening; we'll see where the wind takes me!  I plan on using Counter Service credits for dinner and having a meal at the food court at Coronado Springs, the Pepper Market. I might go out later that night to Epcot to watch Illuminations, but it's also a decent possibility that I will have a relaxing night at Coronado and explore what the resort has to offer.

So, that wraps up my first full day of the trip!  Stay tuned in the coming days for my plan for Tuesday, September 2nd.

What are your favorite uses of the Snack credits?  What treat do I just HAVE to try? (Share your comments here and/or on Facebook!)

Have a magical day!

My View of the Magic Kingdom Rope Drop Opening Ceremony

A few weeks ago, I was at the Magic Kingdom as the park was opening and was able to capture part of the exciting and magical opening ceremony.

If you get a chance on your next trip to Walt Disney World, be sure and get to the Magic Kingdom about 15-20 minutes before the park opens, so you can catch their daily opening ceremony.  You'll get a chance to see some of your favorite characters, and a Family of the Day who've been chosen to open the park.




It's a pretty great way to start your day!

Have a magical day!

856,322....

What's that number, you ask?  The number of grains of sand you can fit into a bucket?  How many miles we are from Mars?  The answer to a long, complicated math problem?

Nope.  I'd say in the last 15 years, that's how many pictures I've taken of Cinderella's castle at the Magic Kingdom.

This was picture #852,198...I think.

I discovered this while moving pictures from an older computer to my Cloud account.    I have pictures from far away; pictures close up; pictures REALLY close up.  Pictures at night, during the day, and pictures with fireworks in the background.  I've photographed it from nearly every angle and from various places in the park.

I even have pictures INSIDE the castle, taken while eating at Cinderella's Royal Table.

I just can't help myself.

I would tell you I'm reformed, I've taken enough, and when I go back to Disney World in about a month I won't need to take any more. 

But we both know that's not going to happen. 

What's your favorite attraction or spot to photograph at Disney?

(And don't forget about the Frozen giveaway!  Make sure you comment on any post on this blog before midnight on Thanksgiving [Thursday the 28th] to have your chance at winning those cute Anna and Elsa dolls!)