Mouse Extra

When it opened to the public, there was an element of criticism for the new EPCOT Center not being kid-friendly. These criticisms often included the idea that there were no Disney characters around. Even today, at first glance, this park seems to be the most adult-oriented of Disney’s 4 Florida parks. However, when you look around, there is a lot for a toddler to do.

There are, of course, two different and distinct parts to Epcot, and they have two different types of appeal to toddlers. For certain, Future World has an appeal for little kids. Unfortunately, most toddlers do not reach 40 inches in height. This leaves out Test Track, Mission:Space, and Soarin’ for these tiny guests. While the first two may be difficult for the young ones to handle, Soarin’ is not. If your toddler does reach 40 inches, this is a great ride to try your child’s temperament for thrills. If they don’t reach the height requirement, have an adult go with the toddler to the Land boat ride while the rest of the party hits Soarin’. Just make sure to grab a pass that allows the adult who missed the ride to go straight on. This pass allows three guests to go back on Soarin’, thus allowing some of the party to get on Soarin’ twice.

The rest of Future World can be very appealing to young children, particularly The Seas with Nemo, Turtle Talk, and Imagination. All of these attractions are geared directly to this age group. Make sure you leave time for your children to explore the Seas pavilion which includes a huge aquarium and some fun hands-on exhibits. Unfortunately, some of the more informative side exhibits have been replaced by things like a giant Bruce the Shark for kids to crawl through. Education has been replaced by fancy, but the kids don’t seem to mind. Also, at the Imagination pavilion, allow some time to explore the Image Works area; which includes some fun activities for kids such as a virtual conductor of an orchestra and light-up pictures that when stepped upon make appropriate noises (like a lighthouse or an elephant).

Many guests consider the World Showcase a place to enjoy cultures from around the world, shop, and enjoy different cuisines. That’s certainly all true, but there is a lot going on for young kids. There are characters and KidCot areas. Characters are everywhere. In England, for example, in one of the shops you will often find Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. Other nations have characters like Beauty and the Beast in France, Snow White and company in Germany, Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco and so on and so on. Others like Sleeping Beauty can be found along the walkway, as well. In fact, I feel that World Showcase may be the best place in WDW to view and meet characters as their presence seems to be nearly constant. Not to mention the lines seem to be somewhat smaller than at the other parks. And don’t underestimate the simplicity of the KidCot areas where toddlers are encouraged to undertake simple crafts. These have been so popular that they have set up similar stations in Future World.

As we all know, food is a major draw for Epcot guests. Which country should we eat at has been a key question since the park first opened in 1982. With young kids, many adults get concerned about what their toddler will eat if they select a more unusual cuisine like Norwegian or Moroccan. However, all of these restaurants have kids menus that feature the typical chicken fingers or mac and cheese . We recommend Chefs de France, a great place for lunch, or the San Angel Inn in Mexico, while there try the churros, our kids love these cinnamon sugared dough sticks. Also, for the princess fan, the Norwegian restaurant, Akershus, has princess meals devoted to your little royal one.

Today’s touring guide is from Mike and Brooke, contributing writers to Mouse Extra

Anyone who has taken the Magical Express and stayed at a non-deluxe resort knows exactly how much room for improvement there is in Disney World’s bus system.  We have all waited in the afternoon for what seems like over a half an hour, with screaming and sun exhausted kids, in the blistering heat for a bus to take us back to the resort for nap or a swim.  We have all seen buses for other resorts come by two or three times while we wait impatiently for ours.  And forget trying to connect to anywhere!

Well, perhaps those days are behind us to some extent.  We have all heard about improvements coming to the buses, but earlier this week the Touring Plans website reported some really positive news…

After extensive delays, the Disney bus system upgrades have finally implemented the functional features then merely the aesthetic uses. Driver have begun being dispatched over the radio according to the computer monitoring system and will soon begin receiving the same data by the in-cabin computer read outs. Guests should see a noticeable reduction in wait times at bus stops soon.

Will there be a truly noticeable difference in wait times?  Only time will tell on that, but we can not under state the importance of this.  Disney World has built a wonderfully expansive complex with scores of things to do and places to eat.  Those who choose, by Disney’s own suggestion, to not rent a vehicle and take their transportation often find much of Disney World out of reach.  They need to close that gap and open great resort restaurants to people who otherwise wouldn’t bother.

When spending a day at this park with your toddler, be prepared to sit out most of the rides. At present, there is only the Great Movie Ride which children of this age can experience. This may change with the soon to be opened Toy Story Mania, but even that seems to be geared to the video game crowd, not those 3 years and younger. While the Backlot Tour is open for all ages, it can be dull except perhaps for the quick trip through Catastrophe Canyon. That doesn’t mean parents with little ones should avoid this park.

The Studios are teeming with character meet and greets, many geared to this age group. In one alley, characters from JoJo’s Circus, Kim Possible and the Little Einsteins can be found continously throughout the day. At designated times, youngsters can get the oppurtunity to meet the Power Rangers and Darth Vader, as well as Cars characters like Lightning McQueen and Mater. Times and locations for these events can be found on the schedule, a necessity for guests more so here than at the other parks.

The Studios also does a nice job at providing shows for the toddler set. The Playhouse Disney stage show, recently revamped, is certainly a must see. Our toddler went absolutely nuts for this show. Then there is the Voyage of Little Mermaid which mixes live actors with puppets. Your little princess can get swept away when Prince Eric saves Ariel from Ursula right before their eyes.

For the boys, Disney had added the Jedi Training Academy as a permanent attraction to the park. Previously, this show was only seen during the popular Star Wars weekends but was made permanent thanks in part to the very popular and similiar-in-concept Pirate Training show at the Magic Kingdom. In any event, make sure to get there at least a half hour prior to start time (more so during busy days) and get as close to the front as possible. Then your youngster may get a chance to learn a lesson on the fine art of wielding a lightsaber by a Jedi Master.

The food falls a bit flat in the Studios compared to elsewhere in the “World.” The Sci-Fi Dine in Theater has subpar food but a uniquely fun atmosphere. However, the campy concept of this eatery can be lost on most toddlers. We do not recommend the Prime Time Cafe for any age group, but especially for tiny tots. The overbearing “mothers” and teasing “siblings” can be unsettling for adults never mind impressionable youngsters. And who wants a stranger yelling at them for not eating thier peas or keeping their elbows on the table? Mama Melrose’s features standard average italian fare at well above average prices. Worse yet, the counter service selection at this park is the poorest of any Disney park.

We are proponents of the Fantasmic Dinner package, especially with youngsters and even more so during peak seasons. For a set price, you can eat at either the Hollywood & Vine, the Brown Derby, or Mama Melrose’s and get a guaranteed seat at Fantasmic, a must see for all children of all ages. This show gets our nod as the best nighttime event. With toddlers, I would suggest the Hollywood & Vine as its the cheapest choice and, as a buffet, the easiest.

As you can see, this park requires a different mindset from the others in order to get the best experience for your toddler. Its all about shows and characters here. But even with the lack of rides, your tykes can have a fantasic time. Many of them are just as happy singing with Ariel or hugging JoJo as they are riding Peter Pan’s Flight.

So here I am, only days away from a trip to Walt Disney World.  I am obviously excited and counting down the days, but this trip offers a new wrinkle that I can never be prepared for.  There is an uncertainty before this trip that I am not used to.

Like most of us that go to the Mouse often, you learn that planning is essential.  For some, myself included, this can easily turn into an obsessive, near clinically treatable, compulsion that begins on that all important 180 day mark.  Those who have let this fixation come close to taking over their entire lives have turned this problem into podcasts, blogs, or other such outlets.  But on this trip, planning was a near impossibility.  (My wife is expecting the nervous twitching to stop soon…)

There was nothing I could do about it.  It’s not just my wife and I going this time.  I can’t keep a plan in my head and spring it on her at the last minute, giving it a clever disguise of spontaneity.  We’re going with my wife’s relatives, and I think she is in some ways enjoying torturing me by giving me little to no information on what they may like to do, where they would enjoy eating, or what kind of attractions they may want to see.  I have nothing to go.  None of Len Testa’s famous touring plans can help me.  I have no idea what to expect or where we may end up.

So I guess I can expect waiting on lines, not making it for rope drop, and eating at places I don’t prefer; three things I haven’t done in years of going to Disney World.  At least I need to prepare myself for it.  Can we still have fun at Disney without hitting the trip planning websites, listening to Matt Hochberg crying about Dinosaur, or without ever even referring to the Unofficial Guide?  I know it sounds tough, but I think I can hack it. 

In fact, I am kind of looking forward to it.  Just letting things happen and see what the Mouse and friends can come up with without months of me planning and scheduling.  I think it can be done.

The Magic Kingdom is a place of wide-eyed wonder and excitement for 4 -5 year youngsters. There is nothing like capturing a child’s first glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle as they ride the monorail from the TTC to Main Street.  And more than any other park, the Magic Kingdom exemplifies what Walt Disney World is to most visitors. This especially rings true for young kids. Today’s article will touch upon the highlights of this park for the Pre K crowd.

Two attractions that set the Magic Kingdom apart from every other non-Disney park are the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. Both take a light hearted look at fairly dark topics; rampaging pirates and spirits from beyond the grave. Many kids are able to take these rides in stride, grasping the fun tone of them. Our son loved Pirates. He easily handled the skeletons, explosions and creepy plunge into the dark. The Haunted Mansion, however, was a different story. He was terrified from the get-go. We were greeted by the eerie butler to the mansion who instructed us to drag our corpses to the dead center of the room and observe the stretching walls. While waiting in this door-less chamber and watching the walls “stretch”, the butler approached our terrified son to reassure him that, he in fact, was just a cast member and this was all a joke. We had hoped the ride portion would improve things but he covered his face the entire time. So be warned, you may need to make a hasty retreat. Fortunately, the cast members are prepared to leave character and console the younger generation if need be.

Another attraction that many young kids may find frightening is Snow White, which features the creepy witch more than Snow White or the dwarves. Our kids were OK with it, but did not find it as enjoyable as the other Fantasyland offerings such as Winnie the Pooh or Peter Pan. This is also a good age for Mickey’s Philarmagic as these kids tend to keep their 3-D glasses on. Then there is the famous Dumbo, one of Fantasyland’s signature rides. At the risk of sounding blasphemous, our kids were just as happy to ride Aladdin. The lines are generally shorter and many kids today are more familiar with Aladdin than Dumbo.

Like Fantaslyand, Tommorrowland has plenty to do for the Pre-K crowd. Astro-orbiter was a big hit as was the relaxing Tommorrowland Transit Authority (which will always be the Wedway People Mover to us). The best ride in the land for this age is probably Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Not only is the character very popular, but the video game style of the ride has additional appeal. This is also a good area for lunch as my kids loved Sonny Eclipse, an animatronic alien lounge singer with a long running gig at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

And we’d be remiss not to mention the Mountains, the hallmarks of the Magic Kingdom’s thrill rides. Most 5 year olds and many 4 year olds meet the height requirement of Big Thunder, Splash and Space Mountain, the question is should they ride them? I would certainly say yes to Big Thunder which is the tamest of the three. Although our child loved Splash Mountain, many children might have a problem with the height of the ride or show some trepidation as they watch others take the watery plunge. We decided not to try Space Mountain for two reasons. The ride is completely in the dark and was designed to seat one person per row, which can be a bad combo for the Pre-K age.

Other events at the park also can make your day very special. For our son, the pirate tutorial with its dead-on Jack Sparrow impersonator was a huge hit. Toontown is also a cool place for younger kids who might be interested in seeing where Mickey and Minnie live. Goofy’s Barnstormer, a kiddie coaster, is a good test ride for kids who have never tried a thrill ride since it is the shortest ride in the park. Oddly, characters don’t seem to appear for meet-and-greets as much as you would think. We found it easier to mingle with characters at the other parks. We also found Wishes to be slightly inferior to Fantasmic and Illuminations as the day ending event. Still, it is a good show and a nice way to end a magical day.

Today’s touring tip is by Mike and Brooke, contributing writers to Mouse Extra.

We urge you to discuss this more and leave your comment below, or feel free to come over to the Disney News Network Forums where we discuss this and many other topics in the Mouse Extra Forums.

This year is the 12th annual International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot’s World Showcase. Every Fall Epcot throws a culinary party at its lagoon featuring cuisines from around the globe. It was launched on September 28th and will close on November 11th just before Walt Disney World busts out their Christmas decorations.

This year’s festival, like many before it, features many special events. The dining programs can be expensive. For example, you can partake in a specially cooked three course meal from a well-known cookbook author for about $150 per person. To be a part of a PBS kids’ cooking show runs about $165. There is also an event called Exquisite Evenings where a team of celebrity chefs prepares a five course meal based on a region’s cuisine, such as Tuscany or the Pacific Northwest. This event costs more than $200 but unlike the others does not require theme park admission. Most of these events take place in the old Odyssey restaurant.

But don’t forget about the wine part of the Food & Wine Festival. There are talks from wine makers and several wine tasting events, as well. Many of these, however, take place at one of the resorts.

The real highlight of the Festival is the food booths located throughout the World Showcase lagoon. Nations represented by permanent pavillons have booths showcasing things such as pizza from Italy and quesadillas in Mexico. A popular treat is the cheddar cheese soup in Canada. But make sure you hit those countries not ordinarily a part of the World Showcase. From Spain, there is papas con chorizo (a potatoe/spicy sausage combo). The spicy beef empanadas of Argentina are great. You can sample cold potatoe soup from Ireland or butternut squash soup from India. New this year are two Oklahoma booths. One called “Route 66″ features pecan pie and another called “Native America” has three sister soup and seared buffalo.

This is the kind of event that I like at Walt Disney World. It does not require the park to be shut down so another group of tickets can be sold. Its also now an established tradition at Epcot, much like the Flower festival or the Star Wars Weekeneds at MGM. I personally love walking around the lagoon after dark sampling all the different appetizer-sized dishes from Peru, New Zealand and Turkey. Definately spend a meal time there if you’re at WDW in the fall.

Today’s post is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra.