I'm Going to Disney World!

The whole Growing Up Disney family is preparing for another trip to Walt Disney World this October.  While Old Key West will always be our home away from home, I am really excited to stay at Kidani Village this time.  I always love Animal Kingdom Lodge when we visit for dining.  Speaking of dining, we have reservations at all of the Animal Kingdom Lodge/Kidani Village restaurants—a welcome lunch at Sanaa, both a dinner and a breakfast at Boma, and a date night for my husband and me at Jiko.  

Waiting for lunch at Sanaa in November 2012 and wearing my ever-present camera bag (see below)

I cannot wait to have my morning coffee on our savanna view balcony.  A Disney vacation is filled with so much activity that those quiet moments are extra special.  Tink and Minnie are really looking forward to seeing the animals from our room and checking out the children’s water play area.  At least one night, we plan to enjoy the campfire and some toasted marshmallows.  We did this at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort but they were much younger then.  I expect the campfire to be a bigger hit this time around.  

Tink with her Daddy and Minnie with mine at the campfire at DVC Hilton Head

My girls are now 6 and 4.  This will be Tink’s ninth WDW visit and Minnie’s seventh.  Tink’s first trip was to celebrate her first birthday and Minnie’s was at 11 months old.  We have been through all sorts of stages during our Disney travels.  I am so thrilled to finally have a trip with no diapers or pull-ups!  My babies are now kids and we are ready to have fun. 

Tink (with DisneyDad) on her first WDW vacation

Minnie's first WDW vacation (with DisneyDad and Tink)

My loves in the summer of 2015

I have posted here in the past about what I have carried in our Disney diaper bag/backpack for infant and toddler stages.  Now that I have a preschooler and a first grader (gasp!) I will be able to carry a lot less.  Using my previous list as a starting point, here is what I plan to take with us in the parks.

•   Sippy cups (I use them mostly for water.  I got burned once when a cup of milk opened in my bag and leaked.  Try cleaning up a moving bus...it's not fun.)

•   Hand wipes

•   Clorox wipes (A must for cleaning tables.)

•   Tissues

•   Band aids (Just a couple. No need for a first aid kit.  That's what the first aid centers are for.)  

•   Comb

•   Ponytail holders

•   Small snacks

•   Notebooks, stickers and multi-color pens

•   Light up toys (maybe)

•   Candy (small packs of M&Ms or Smarties can buy time and aren't messy)

•   Wallet (smaller than I use at home)

•   Camera

•   Sunglasses 

•   Poncho (dollar store variety)

•   Clif bag (This is a small bag that packs into its own pocket.  It's great to be able to throw all those extra things you accumulate into before hopping on the bus. Mine just happens to have a Clif logo on it.)

•   Sunblock

•   Cellphone

•   Phone charger

•   Lip gloss

•   Camera battery

•   Business cards

•   Thin towel

•   Changes of clothes (I have carried these every time, 8 trips with kids, and have never used them.  But I want to let them play in the splash areas if they want so extra clothes go under the stroller.  This is also the thing most likely to be cut from my list.)

•   Visor/hat for me 

•   Light up toys

•   Large thin blanket (great for covering the stroller during naptime)

As for the bag itself, I most often carry a LoweproPassport Sling to Walt Disney World.  It's convenient for my DSLR camera and has plenty of room for other gear.  I've had this bag for over three years and find it to be comfortable to wear.  There are several variations on the bag now, with more options in size and color.  I have tried backpacks both in camera and non-camera styles, but I go back to the sling for both the ease of accessing my stuff and due to the fact it's cooler than having a bag on your back on a hot day.  Since the girls are older, I won’t carry everything on this list around all day.  Some of it will go in a cheap drawstring backpack and stay under the stroller unless needed.  Nothing of real value should ever be left unattended with the stroller. 

As for the stroller, I am pleased to say that I’ll be using a stroller from Amusement Park Rentals.  They rent single and double City Mini GTs and Bob Revolution strollers, as well as cribs, highchairs, and practically anything else you could need for baby.  Amusement Park Rentals also rents scooters and wheelchairs so don’t let a mobility issue keep you from getting out and having fun.  They have a great deal for August on the City Mini Double with a $50 flat rate.  I’ll do a full review post when we return from vacation giving you the scoop on how easy the company is to work with, condition of the stroller, ease of pick-up and return, etc.  Amusement Park Rentals promises excellent service and clean, convenient strollers.  (BTW, I know my 6-year-old is too old for a stroller at home but not at Walt Disney World.  Especially for longer days or larger parks, it will be worth it to have a seat for both kids.)

I bought tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party but I am keeping that a surprise from the girls.  Airline tickets have been purchased and Disney's Magical Express reserved.  Dining reservations have been mostly made and some FastPasses as well.  I think we are in great shape for our upcoming trip, other than actually getting in shape.  I'll be walking/jogging regularly leading up to the vacation.  

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Team Favorites--Resort Restaurants

Disney resort hotels offer some world-class dining options.  Here are a few favorites of the Growing Up Disney team.


Ridge:  When I think resort dining, I have to pick a time of day to suggest a favorite.  For breakfast I can't think of much better than Tonga Toast at Kona Cafe.  If you have never had such a ride on the sugar train as Tonga Toast will provide, you have not lived.  Tonga Toast is banana stuffed sourdough French toast that is fried and then rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with a strawberry compote and your choice of ham, bacon or sausage.  Pair this up with the 100% Kona coffee press pot, you have quite a breakfast to fuel you up for a park visit.

Part of the gang at the "Testosterone Lunch"
at ESPN the day before the wedding

If I am not in a park, a great place for lunch is the ESPN Club at the Boardwalk.  This is a beer and burgers kind of joint.  Nothing overly fancy and oddly enough I rarely get a burger here.  They are really good and very large, but the Homerun Hotdog or the extreme Reuben Sandwich are two of my favorites.  The hotdog is giant and can be topped with chili, cheese and onions.  For the Reuben, when it says extreme they aren't kidding.  The corned beef is piled high with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese and a thick rye bread.

For dinner, go big and bold or go home.  Boma is the way to go if you aren't looking for something intimate.  Boma is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge downstairs from the lobby.  The menu has items that could be found all over Africa offering a variety of breads, fruits and salads.  Where Boma really brings the heat is with the meats, seafood and other African specialties.
FuFu: sweet and white potatoes mashed with coriander and cinnamon
Bobotie: beef and lamb quiche, Durban spiced chicken and an awesome coconut curry seafood soup.  Can't beat Boma for variety and quality.  Everyone can find something to make them happy here.

DisneyDad at Olivia's in September 2008

DisneyDad:  When we go out to eat at home and my wife asks me where I'd like to go I usually give the same answer - Olivia's.  Olivia's may not have the best food at WDW, but to me, it means I am "home."  I try to eat there at least once on each trip.  Over the years the menu and staff have changed (anyone remember the waitress from long ago called Wanda?) and the menu has been "updated."  My favorite dessert at Olivia's is no longer on the menu, Key Lime White Chocolate Mousse.

The absolute best meal I have ever eaten at WDW (possibly anywhere) was with my daughter two nights before she was married at The Wedding Pavilion.  We had a special Father-Daughter meal together at the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.  Our gastronomic adventure began with the Chef coming to talk to us about our likes, dislikes, and were we allergic to anything.  There was no menu (we were presented with souvenir menus at the end of the meal.)  We didn't choose what we were to eat.  What followed was a ten course meal that was absolutely phenomenal.  The chef explained what each dish was as it was served and each one was wonderful.  Dinner was completed with a coffee service brewed in a unique vacuum coffee pot.  While a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Chef and staff made it an unforgettable event.


Amy:  Yes, I am a broken record.  I love tea at the Grand Floridian.  It's a fantastic way to spend the afternoon.  It's very refined without being too fussy.

Ready to go to Jiko

Andy and I went to Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge on our last trip to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary.  It was fabulous with excellent food and service.  We had great fun discussing the food.  I know that sounds odd, but we don't get to go out much anymore!  We had olive flatbread and ostrich for appetizers, filet mignon with mac & cheese and halibut for entrees and were given a pistachio creme brulee for dessert.  Pics and full review coming soon.

In early 2005, I crossed the top 3 items off my Disney bucket list.   I received my Mickey medal for completing the Disney marathon, had a spectacular Disney Fairy Tale Wedding, and ate at the chef's table at Victoria and Albert's.  Now that I've also watched my little girl toddle down Main Street USA with my dad, it's all downhill from here.  Kidding!  I agree with Dad, the meal at V&A was the best I will ever have and I am honored to have enjoyed it with him.  I couldn't begin to tell you what all we ate but I'll scan the menus in soon.  If you ever have a good reason for a huge splurge at WDW, don't pass up on Victoria and Albert's if for no other reason than there is a chocolate course!

California Grill at the Contemporary is another remarkable Disney resort restaurant.  We ate here for the rehearsal dinner.  Our group was seated in the private dining room.  The food was outstanding and the view of the fireworks over Magic Kingdom is unmatched.

Boma is always delicious.  It is an African inspired buffet at Animal Kingdom Lodge and never fails to please.

Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge offers a meal served family style and a heaping helping of hi-jinx.

I love breakfast at Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort.  Two words: Tonga toast.

I know someone is screaming at their computer screen that they love Chef Mickey's.  We went a billion years ago when it was at what was then the Disney Village.  Our most recent visit was this past April for my daughter's first birthday.  While we enjoyed the visit, it still has yet to earn its place in my favorites list.  Here's my review of Chef Mickey's.

What are your favorite places to dine at the WDW resorts?  Did we include your favorite?  Are we missing a place you love?  Please comment below.