Symbol Key

In order to best understand my reviews, here's how to decode the symbols that I have used:

PRICING:
$= Entrees average less than $20
$$= Entrees average $20-$29
$$$= Entrees average $30 or more

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A RESERVATION:
Easy= Can book within the week of travel or possibly walk-in
Moderate= Tough to get desired time, but usually some availability
Hard= Must book 180 days out, or luck into a cancellation

RATING OF APPEAL TO KID-DINERS:
Are we done yet???= Little to offer in terms of exciting atmosphere or entertainment
This is cool! = A moderatly entertaining environment, that should keep your littles entertained for the majority of the meal.
What rides??? = Will entertain and delight your child enough to make them willing to forfeit another go-around on Dumbo


Showing posts with label Hollywood Studios. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hollywood Studios. Show all posts

Friday, October 9, 2015

Extra! Extra! Tink All About It!: The Making of Disney's Newest Album, Now at Hollywood Studios!

Goof afternoon, Tinkers!

     To those of you lucky enough to get Columbus Day off, HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND! And to those of you, like us in Orlando, who do not, HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

     There's a new (temporary) attraction over at Disney's Hollywood Studios today! In the old ABC Sound Studio, Guests can relax in a cool theater and enjoy an inside look at how Disney created their latest music compilation, "We Love Disney". The album comes out October 30th, and it will feature remakes of classic Disney tunes, by some of today's most popular artists, and biggest Disney fans, like Ariana Grande, Fall Out Boy, Rascal Flatts and Jason Derulo.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
     The film presentation has behind the scenes footage and special interviews with the artists. Check the attraction out this month, and them look for the album in stores and on digital download, at the end of the month! I know I LOVE when a new Disney album comes out. It gives me a break from Frozen for a while. Although, The Rascal Flatts DO cover "Let It Go", but I'll at least get a little variety.

  Here's the full track list:

- Friend Like Me from Aladdin: NE-YO
- Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid: Jessie J
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight/Nants Ingonyama from The Lion King: Jason Derulo
- The Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie: Gwen Stefani
- Zero to Hero from Hercules: Ariana Grande
- In a World of My Own/Very Good Advice from Alice in Wonderland: Jhene Aiko
- I Wanna Be Like You from The Jungle Book: Fall Out Boy
- Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas: Tori Kelly
- A Spoon Full of Sugar from Mary Poppins: Kasey Musgraves
- Ev'rybody Wants To Be a Cat from The Artisocats: Charles Perry
- A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella: Jessie Ware
- Let It Go from Frozen: Lucy Hale and Rascal Flatts
- It's a Small World from Disney Parks: Various Artists

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Tink in the Parks: A Quick Spin Around Disney's Hollywood Studios

Hi there, Tinkers!

     The other day the fam and I went to Disney's Hollywood Studios for lunch, (I'll be sharing a review soon!), and did a quick little stroll around the park. I wanted to share with you a few pictures and give a quick update, so let's get to it!


     The Studios has been getting some negative feedback from Guests about the lack of stuff to do there. The park is undergoing a huge transition right now, to get ready for Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land, and as a result, several attractions have closed. In my opinion though, there's still plenty left to do. After all, still open are rides like The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania, Tower of Terror and Rock' n' Rollercoaster. There are still plenty of shows, including Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, the Frozen Sing-a-Long, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Disney Junior Live on Stage, Lights Motors Action Stunt Show and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage. There's also great restaurants, Muppetvision 3D, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground, One Man's Dream, character appearances, Streetmosphere performers and all sorts of shops. Personally, I think The Studios has some of the best little details in the props and set-dressings of the different areas, but especially on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.  Have you ever noticed this pun-filled sign? Or any of the other throw-back store fronts?

 

     K really liked these statues. He must have felt badly eating his snack in front of them, because I caught him giving his graham crackers to them. Ha!



     Looking for a new place to live? Have you looked into Echo Lake apartments? Since they're right above Hollywood and Vine, you'd have a great view of the Chinese Theater. Touches like these around the park are so enjoyable to me.


     After amusing ourselves for a while in the Echo lake area, it was time for lunch at Hollywood and Vine. We had a fantastic lunch with Sofia, Doc, Jake and Manny, and I'll tell you more about that soon. When we were done eating, we went back out for a little more exploring. We stopped by the old Backlot Tour entrance, and saw that it is currently being used as a meet and greet area for Sorcerer Mickey. (RIP Backlot Tour. Sniff.)


     And over on the Streets of America, installation of the 20th and final Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is well underway. 

 

     But WAIT! What does that sign say on that building??? Mr. Gold's Pawnbroker??? Holy cow, guys! Storybrook has come to the Hollywood Studios! If you are a fan of ABC's hit "Once Upon a Time", you will LOVE looking through the windows of Rumple.. I mean, Mr. Gold's shop. Such cool props from the show! 


Look! Cinderella's slippers!

 
Recognize any of these wands?


Didn't Gold use that to trap Peter Pan?

Aladdin's Magic lamp

Aww... the unicorn mobile that was meant to hang above Emma's crib

     This store front is SO awesome! I wish they would bring more Once Upon a Time stuff to the parks. There were many Guests waiting to take pictures in front of Mr. Gold's, so I'm sure there would be interest in it. (Do ya HEAR me, Disney?)

     After I had my little fan-girl moment over Mr. Gold's shop appearing on New York Street, we were ready to head out of the park for the day. The daily storms were rolling in and I was full and happy. Ahhh. 

     Hope you enjoyed this quick little pop into the park, the way I enjoy my little visits. Be on the lookout for my review of Hollywood and Vine, coming at ya very soon. In the meantime, have a magical rest of the weekend!





Friday, September 11, 2015

Extra! Extra! Tink All About It!: Spectacle of Dancing Lights Goes Out With a BANG!

Good morning, Tinkers!

     So what everyone is talking about this morning in the Disney community is that fact that it is now confirmed that this will be the final year for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This also happens to be the 20th year that the lights have illuminated Disney's holiday celebration. This display of millions of dancing, twinkling, flashing lights has been a Guest favorite for the past 20 years, and many will be sad to see it go, but since the park is also preparing for a HUGE face lift with the addition of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land, this is the last year that it will be feasible for the display to happen. The good news is, you can still enjoy this incredible display this year!
     From November 6th, 2015 to January 3rd, 2016 the display will dazzle Guests on the Streets of America. Complete with holiday music, festive treats, and even "snow", it's a "Must Do" if you'll be in the park this holiday season.


     And to mark this 20th and final year, Disney is giving us an awesome way to celebrate and enjoy the lights! Get ready for the Merry and Bright Dessert Party and the Merry and Bright Dinner Reception! Both options will be overlooking the breathtaking display of lights.  For the Dessert Party (Nov. 6- Dec. 30), enjoy sweet treats with a holiday twist. New this year, the Dinner Reception (Jan. 1-3) will feature a selection of small bites as well as beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Both events will be open to bookings on September 16th, and I'll share more details about the parties then! In the meantime, you might want to break out that light up holiday sweater that your family told you you'd never wear. It'll be PERFECT for this!