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Good afternoon, Tinkers and I hope you are enjoying this lovely weekend!

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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

Extra! Extra! Tink All About It!: New Restaurant Announced for Disney Springs!

Good morning, Tinkers!

     Happy FRIDAY! Congrats! You made it to the weekend!

Photo Credit: DisneyWorld.com

     This morning, there's some fun news out of Disney Springs! In Summer of 2016, Chef Art Smith will bring us Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine. The award-winning chef has appeared on many cooking shows, and has been preparing food for celebrities and politicians for years. Being a native Floridian, he has a special love for down-home Southern cuisine, with a Florida twist, and that's just what Homecoming will be about. The menu will feature items like Shrimp and Grits, Deviled Eggs and Mockingbird Cake, and I am sure the atmosphere will be fun and welcoming, though details have not been revealed yet, other than the setting being described as "rustic-chic". The Southern Shine Bar will surely have some outstanding summer punches, cocktails and elixirs.

     Disney Springs is sounding more and more awesome every time something new is announced! What do you think? What are you the most excited about experiencing at the all new Disney Springs?

Extra! Extra! Tink All About It!: New Year's Eve Activities at Disney Announced!

Good morning, Tinkers!

     Yes, there's barely a hint of fall in the air here in Orlando, but already we are looking to New Year's Eve and what sort of excitement Disney has in store for us!

     I have attended many a NYE celebration on Disney property and they are always fun and over the top. Yes, the crowds are huge, but so is the celebration! You will not get more beautiful fireworks than the ones that you see on New Year's at Disney! And there's plenty of great food to be found, too!

     The Magic Kingdom will light up the sky with "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks on both December 30th and December 31st, at 11:50pm.

     Epcot will present a special NYE version of Illuminations twice on December 31st. Once at 6:00pm and again at 11:40pm. There will also be live music and DJs around World Showcase, to help ring in the New Year in the various countries.

     The Hollywood Studios gets in on the action with a fabulous NYE fireworks display, on December 31st, at 11:40pm.

     Special dining events are planned for many locations, including California Grill at The Contemporary, La Hacienda de San Angel at Epcot, Monsieur Paul's in Epcot, Il Mulino at The Swan Resort, Narcoossee's at The Grand Floridian, and Le Cellier in Epcot.


     To read more about these unique dining experiences, check out DisneyWorld.com! Can't wait to ring in 2016, Disney style!

Extra! Extra! Tink All About It!: New Tiered Annual Passes and Parking Price Increase

Good morning, Tinkers!

     So the big news today is about the changes that have been made to the Annual Passes. As of October 4th, Walt Disney World's Annual Passes will be sold on a tier system, with varying options and varying price points. Before I get into the new passes and a full breakdown of them, I'll mention some other news...

     Disney parking prices have gone up, from $17 to an even $20. This applies to the four theme parks, for Day Guests only. If you are staying on Disney property, parking fees are waived with your resort tag in your window. All Annual passes will also waive parking fees, which is a new feature for some of the passes.

     Now let's get into the Annual Passes. I'm not going to sugar coat it. There's been a large price jump, if you compare apples to apples, but there are some positives too. Namely, flexibility. There are more options for those that don't want the commitment, or price tag, of a full Annual Pass, but don't want to be blocked out for the whole summer. There's also a fun new feature for the top three tiers of passholders: Free PhotoPass Downloads! That means that whenever you are in a park and you get a photo taken by a PhotoPass photographer and they scan your Magic Band, you can then log into your My Disney Experience Ap on your phone, or the web version on your computer, and download all of those awesome photos for free! That includes photos taken in front of the Castle, photos taken at certain character meals, and Magic Shots, where characters are digitally added into your picture. When you consider that unlimited digital downloads run $199* on the Memory Maker package, this is a NICE perk to have as an Annual Passholder.

     So, if we look at the most commonly purchased pass, the standard Annual Pass, which has no blackout days, that pass is now called The Platinum Pass. It still includes unlimited entry to the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks, with no block out days, complimentary parking, special discounts on food and beverages and merchandise, and the new PhotoPass Digital Download feature. The price has increased about $100, to make the pass almost $650* for a year, ($750* if you're not a Florida Resident or DVC Member). If you usually purchase the Premium Annual, giving you access to the waterparks, Oak Trail, ESPN and DisneyQuest, (while it's still open), your pass is now called the Platinum Plus Pass, and you can expect to pay about $730* for it, ($830* if you're not a Florida Resident or DVC Member). If you find those price points to be too high, and you don't mind being blocked out of the parks for Christmas Vacation and Spring Break, (two of the busiest times of year anyway), AND if you're a Florida Resident or DVC Member, you can go with the Gold Pass, at $550*.

     If you don't mind giving up the PhotoPass feature and are a Florida Resident, there are even more options. The Silver Pass, at $390*, is just like the old "Seasonal" Pass, blocking out Christmas Vacation, Spring Break AND the whole Summer. There's a Week Day Select, which doesn't have black out days, but only allows admittance Monday thru Friday. The one is $260* Are you the Guests that really only wants to visit Disney for evenings in Epcot? Then you can go the most economic route and get the Epcot After 4pm Annual for only $250*.

     Have I confused you? No problem! Check out the full list of passes, benefits and pricing at DisneyWorld.com.

     Oh, and don't worry... If you already are an Annual Pass Holder, your pricing and benefits do not change until you renew. And yes, there is still a discount for renewing. You'll save 15% and can switch to whichever pass you choose. Plus monthly payment plans are still an option.

     There you have it! Questions? Comments? Let me know! tinkinaboutdisney@gmail.com

* All pricing is listed without tax. 

Tink Tested: Sanaa Lunch

Location: Lower floor, Kidani Village side of Animal Kingdom Lodge

Parking/Transportation Situation: General Resort Parking available in the garage, underneath the buildings. Bus service from all parks.(If using Disney Transportation, allow 1-1.5 hours transportation time.)

Meals Served: L, D

Characters/Entertainment: None

Type of Cuisine: African Infused/Inspired with Indian flavors

Type of Menu: A La Carte

Pricing/Dining Plan: $/ 1 Table Service Point Per Person
Full Menu:Sanaa Lunch Menu

Atmosphere: Indian spice market

 Dress Code: Theme park casual

Guests Who Would Enjoy This The Most: Those that like unique dishes and flavors, as well as animal lovers

Level of Difficulty of Getting a Reservation: Easy

Fun Stuff for Kids: Talk about a meal with a view! The huge, floor to ceiling windows look out upon the resort's savanna, where you can watch giraffes, zebras, ankole cattle, wildebeests, cranes and more, grazing on grasses and trees. Most kids are enthralled with watching the incredible animals, but be aware that not all tables will have a view. If the view is high on your priority list, check in early, and tell the seater that you are willing to wait for a window-side table. That's no guarantee that you'll get one, but it's your best shot. 
Rating of Appeal to Kid-Diners: This is cool!!!

Stand out dishes: Naan bread service, Tandori Chicken, butter Chicken, Grilled Beef Sirloin Steak, Tanzanian Chocolate Mousse
Best Use of Dining Plan Point: Potjie Inspired (23.99) + Dessert Trio (7.49) + Smoothie (4.99) =  36.47

Experience: The Hubs and I took K and our friend, KC, to Sanaa for lunch without really pre-planning. We were hungry, and wanted to go someplace that would be fun, but involved very little walking and being out in the heat, so this was perfect.  We booked the reservation as we pulled into the parking lot. 
     The Hubs and I have been to Sanaa several times before and had brought K once before. KC had never been, and we always love bringing Disney fans to new places. Sanaa is in the newer side of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village. This is also known as the DVC side or the Disney Vacation Club side. One of the nice things about Kidani is that they have garage parking right underneath the rooms and the lobby, so you don't have to walk outside much at all. Their main lobby is not as vast and impressive as the one at Jambo House, but it is still authentic to the regions of Africa that it is designed to represent, and it is gorgeous. I do feel that Kidani has the better animal viewing savanna. Every time we go there, we see more animals and they tend to be closer to the windows and balconies, which is perfect, since a huge plus to dining at Sanaa is the breathtaking view of the animals on the savanna outside of the large windows. 
     We checked into Sanaa about twenty minutes before our scheduled reservation time and were sat about 15 minutes after we checked in. Now, not all of the tables in the restaurant have views out of the windows, and only a handful of them are actually next to the windows. We lucked out and got a table that was just to the side of one of the large windows. The restaurant is gorgeous, with many African and Indian touches throughout. I love the ceiling, which looks like the canopy of a big tree, with the trunk growing down into the middle of the dining room. There are lots of warm, earthy touches, and even the floor is designed to look like caked and cracked clay. Outside of the windows, we could see Ankole Cattle laying on the ground, (they are the ones with the impossibly large horns), and zebras munching on grass in the distance. 

     Our server came over to welcome us and get our drink order. I let him know about K's egg allergy and he gave me an allergy menu to look at. We decided that rather than order K his own meal, he could share off of my plate, so I checked out the allergy-friendly options. The Hubs looooves the Bread Service at Sanaa, so he immediately placed that order. The naan is amazing! Naan is a flat, doughy bread, sort of like a pizza crust, which is baked carefully in a clay oven. It comes in various flavors and styles, and with the bread service, you can pick three types of breads and three accompaniments. We went with the Traditional Naan, the Paneer Paratha (a cheesy bread), and the Onion Kucha and for accompaniments, we picked the Coriander Chutney, Tamarind Chutney and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus. 
     When the drinks came, The Hubs remembered that for animal safety, Animal Kingdom Lodge, (as well as Animal Kingdom Park), uses paper straws, which he hates. I don't LOVE them, since it's sort of like drinking out of an empty toilet paper roll, but I can tolerate them. Lucky for The Hubs, I keep an extra Mickey silly straw in K's backpack, just in case we need one, so yes, my husband, as a grown man, sat in a restaurant, drinking from a kid's silly straw. The Bread Service came out shortly after and looked and smelled fantastic. I'm not a condiment person, so I took a plain, Traditional Naan and dug in. KC and The Hubs really enjoyed the various sauces, with the Coriander Chutney being the clear favorite. We were accidentally given a Spicy Naan, and the server apologized and said we could keep it anyway. The Hubs actually liked that one too. We aren't big fans of spice heat, but this bread wasn't overly spicy. K liked the Traditional Naan, though he thought it was pizza, and ate a bunch of it. 
     We placed our orders right after receiving the drinks and the entrees came out within 10 minutes of ordering them. In fact, we were still digging into the bread when our plates were delivered, and we had to clear room on the table. KC got the Sanaa Burger, which is a burger on a naan bun, with spiced mustard, goat cheese, pickled shallots and piquante peppers. She said it was delicious. I used to always order the burger at Sanaa, but it also used to be much more simple and plain. It used to be served open faced, on a piece of fresh naan, with minted greens and tomatoes. The newer version is too fancy for me, but KC really loved it and was glad she ordered it. 

The Hubs had ordered the Tandoori Chicken, which is served like the old version of the burger, open-faced on fresh naan bread with minted greens, tomatoes, onion and then a cucumber riata sauce. He absolutely loved it and was actually quiet for the majority of the meal, because he was so engrossed in his dish. The flavors all worked really well together, the chicken was tender and the naan was right out of the oven. 

I chose the Grilled Beef Sirloin Steak, since the whole dish was egg-free and K could share with me. It came out looking SO delicious, with bright colors from the roasted veggies, and it was plated very nicely. 

Unfortunately, the meat was overcooked to a medium well, when I had ordered medium rare. I informed the server, and he apologized. He had me put the steak on a side plate for him to bring back to the kitchen, and allowed me to enjoy the flavorful veggies and the delicious mashed potatoes, while a new cut of steak was cooked. I gave K some carrots and "white broccoli" (aka cauliflower), and he gobbled them up. Luckily, I also had a few snacks in his bag to keep him busy while we waited for the new steak. It did take another 15 minutes to get my steak, but the second cut was prepared perfectly, and it was served with a whole new plate of veggies and potatoes. The server also told me that it would not be on our bill, which was very kind and generous of him. K and I both thoroughly enjoyed the beef and I would order it again in a heartbeat. 

     When it was time for dessert, K opted for the lollipop he had spotted in his backpack when we went to use the potty. Oh! Speaking of which... Can we just look at this potty.. I mean, bathroom? 

It's gorgeous! Do yourself a favor and make a stop off at the restroom, just to enjoy the decor! Ok, back to dessert...

     Everyone else passed, but I decided on the Tanzanian Chocolate Mousse, which is flavored with Kenyan coffee and topped with caramel. I mean, what about THAT doesn't sound awesome? I was NOT disappointed in any way. Firstly, it was gorgeous, and came with a chocolate butterfly, and a quote stenciled onto the plate in cocoa powder. 

And it tasted incredible! The mousse was rich and smooth, with enough coffee flavor for it to be noticeable, but not overpowering. The chocolate was the star flavor. The caramel was a nice, salty compliment to the sweet dessert, and the portion was big enough for The Hubs to have a couple of bites. Perfection!

     As we wrapped up, the restaurant had emptied out, and I went over an took a look out some of the other windows, at the other animals that were grazing about. We saw giraffes, wildebeest, cranes and more. All of the animals were close to the windows and just going about their business, totally unfazed by us tourists, staring at their every move. 

Although, is it just me, or does this zebra on the right seem pretty convinced that he is hiding behind that tree?

I also peeked in at the bar, which was really fun and beautifully decorated. It'd be a nice place to grab a drink or a dessert and sit for a bit. Overall, I was really pleased with our lunch. It's impressive to me when a restaurant that has a rather exotic menu and offers many foods rich in spices and seasonings can still offer me, a rather plain eater, something delicious and straight forward, but with their own twist on it. Kwaherini, Sanaa! Until we meet again...

Tink's Tots Try It Out: According to K (3 yo boy)  K, did you like eating with the animals?   "Yah, Mamma. I eat the nanimals."   Well, technically you did eat cattle, so you DID kind of eat the animals. Didn't think of that while we were there though. Interesting.   "In-tes-in. Hee-hee-hee." (Mini-maniacal laugh.)

Will we be back: We will be back at some point. I wouldn't say it's in my favorites necessarily, but Sanaa is definitely unique and when you combine the food with the view and the atmosphere, it's irresistible. 

Tink Tested: Pinocchio's Village Haus Dinner

Location: Fantasyland in The Magic Kingdom
Meals Served: L, D

Type of Cuisine: Italian quick service

Dining Plan: Yes
Full Menu: Pinocchio's Village Haus Dinner Menu
Atmosphere: Pinocchio story book inspired dining rooms 

Photo Credit: Disneyworld.com

Fun Stuff: One of the rooms has windows that look out over the loading and unloading area of It's A Small World and kids get a kick out of waving to Guests on the boats.  

Stand out dishes: Caprese Flatbread, Chicken Parmesan, Chocolate Gelato
Best Use of Dining Plan Point: Chicken Alfredo or Chicken Parmesan ($11.49) + Chocolate Cake ($4.29) + Iced Coffee ($4.69) = $20.47
Experience: We visited Pinocchio's during our second visit to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I had eaten here once before, but since we are more of a burger-favoring family, when we are in the Magic Kingdom, we typically pick Pecos Bills or Cosmic Rays for a counter service meal. Truly, The Hubs went into Pinocchio's with the intention of grabbing a fountain soda, and we ended up enjoying the air conditioning and seating too much to move on right away. We were hungry, and the kids needed a trick-or-treating break, so we decided to grab a bite. There are 4 different dining areas to choose from, as well as outdoor tables. Since it was not very busy, we could sit anywhere, so we chose the room with the windows that look into Small World. 
     While everyone else sat, I went up and ordered. I asked a Cast Member for the allergy menu and was handed one right away. There were a good number of egg-free options for K and since he looooooves pizza, I knew we would be good to go. The pasta dishes looked good but I was too hot for something so heavy. I decided to get one regular Pepperoni Flatbread for the Hubs, Garlic Pesto Bread Knots to share, and I got each of the kids a kid's meal with a Cheese Flatbread, a side of grapes, an apple juice, and a side of fries. Since the kid's meals always come with two sides and a drink, I figured it made more sense for me to share with the kids than to order a separate meal for myself. With sides and entrees, we should have plenty. My mom chose a Caprese Flatbread. Because of K's allergy, they have to cook the whole order separately, and it takes longer, so we were handed a pager and told it would be about twenty minutes. That seemed like an excessive amount of time to me, but we went ahead and waited. They did let me get our beverages right away, since the kids were thirsty. 
     When I returned to the table, I was greeted by K, jumping up and down like Tigger. Looks like the candy kicked in. Good thing we had almost the whole room to ourselves. Only about 12 minutes later, the pager went off and our food was ready. I guess they tell you 20 minutes to be on the safe side.

     The flatbreads all looked very good, with golden crusts and plenty of cheese on top. The garlic bread smelled fantastic! The portions of fries were huge and the two packs of grapes were chilled and fresh. The kids dug right into their food and ate with gusto. I snagged a piece of the Cheese Flatbread and thought it was pretty good. Nice flavor and a crispy, thin crust. The Hubs was super impressed with his Pepperoni Flatbread and really enjoyed the Garlic Pesto Bread Knots too. Mum loved the balsamic glaze on the Caprese Flatbread. All around the table were smiling, pleasantly surprised faces. Why did we always skip this place? Well, I guess part of that can be blamed on it's location. Being in the heart of Fantasyland, it does get massive crowds, most of which contain toddlers and small children, making it a loud, full place to be during the regular park day. But now that we know how much we enjoyed the food, maybe we'd check it our during the day too. 
     As we were wrapping up, a Cast Member came out from the kitchen area to clean up and she started talking to K. She asked him if he was having fun and what he liked most about the party. His answer, of course, was, "Candy!" She said, "Well, we don't have candy, but we have something better! Hang on." She asked if it was ok to give the kids a surprise, and she ran out back and returned with cups full of blue slush, topped with whipped cream, and with plastic Mickey silly straws for sipping. My kids could not fathom a greater act of Disney magic! They were in heaven. And highly, highly sugared. What a sweet, genuine and magical thing to do! I adore when those moments of incredible happen at Disney. It's the stuff we will remember forever. (Queue Disney's new ad campaign, "Where Unforgettable Happens".) 
      So overall we really enjoyed our meal. We could have done without the Garlic Knots and maybe even one less kids meal, since we ended up having a lot of food leftover, and we weren't going to carry it around the party all night. I'll order more conservatively next time.

Tink's Tots Try It Out: According to D (6 yo girl) I know I don't even need to ASK what the best part about this meal was.   "The slush was awesome! I was so, so, SO excited to get it!"   Yes, clearly. Can you tell me about the actual food, though?   "Oh, yeah. The pizza? That was yummy. And the fries, and the grapes, even though I didn't eat all the fries, they were good anyway. I liked them a lot, cuz I like salty things and they were SALTY. Not the grapes, the fries."   I feel like the slush and candy combo is still having effects on you, days later.   "Huh? Slush with candy? I didn't have a slush with candy in it."   I know you didn't. I meant that you had candy and then had a slush too.   "Oooooh, cuz I was like, I didn't have a slush with candy in it."   Ugh, you're talking like a teenager. When did you start talking like a teenager?   "I'm almost a teenager, I think."   NO, no you're NOT. Remember that.   (insert disapproving look from said six year old)

Tink's Tots Try It Out: According to K (3 yo boy)  K, how was that slush at Pinocchio's? Pretty cool, huh?   "Yah, cold sush, Mamma."   Oh, I meant cool, as in awesome.   "Ah-sum. Yah, I liked it."   What about dinner? Did you like that too?   "Yah. I liked it."   What did you have for dinner?   "Sush."   Well I guess that's the only thing that made an impression, huh? That's ok. You have sugar-on-the-brain.   "Shugga on K's HEAD! Haha!"

Will we be back: Sure. Provided it's not insanely busy to get into, I would get a meal here again. 

Tink In The Parks: Coming Soon... Back to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Good morning, Tinkers!

     I have exciting news! Since we didn't have the best experience at the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party this year, but there have been MUCH more positive reviews of the more recent parties, we have decided to try again!











     This Sunday, September 27th, we will be returning to MNSSHP for a second go! I can't wait to report back to you... hopefully with much more positive comments and some FULL bags of candy! Make sure you tune in Monday, for my review! Anyone else going this Sunday?

Ask Tink: Is Food and Wine Festival Kid-Friendly?

"We have a trip scheduled during Food and Wine Festival. Is that a kid-friendly event?"

     I LOVE the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, (if you haven't already heard me say it a whole bunch of times), and many, many Guests plan their whole vacation around being here to attend the event. With sample-size portions of drinks and eats for purchase, seminars, demonstrations, cookbook signings, and even live concerts, it's easy to fall in love with the festival. But is it the type of thing you should take your kids to?

     There's really two ways to answer this. Firstly, let me say that the event IS child-friendly, in that kids are welcome to attend any of the events that are offered, (though, obviously, they can't consume alcohol). Luckily, D is a kid who will try ANYTHING, so she really enjoys the marketplace booths. Both of my kids LOVE the Eat to the Beat Concerts! It may be artists and songs they have never heard of, but both D and K will rock out to anything with a beat. Depending on the age and interest level of your kids when it comes to cooking, they may love the cooking demonstrations and seminars. Mine are still a little too young to sit still for these. If you have kids that tune into the Food Network, they may be psyched to see some of the celebrity chefs that visit the festival, like Buddy Valastro from 'Cake Boss', or Cat Cora from 'Iron Chef'. And this year, to help celebrate the 20th year of the festival, Disney is introducing Remy's Ratatouille Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt, where they can look for small statues of Remy the rat in each country, and earn stickers and prizes. They did something similar to this for Easter and my kids loved it! There's plenty at the festival to keep kids happy and engaged, especially the older lot. 

     With that being said, no, it's not like The Magic Kingdom, where there will be all kinds of attractions and rides for your kids to enjoy. The little ones could easily get bored and since it does get rather crowded around the promenade, especially in the evenings, it could be a little uncomfortable to navigate with a stroller or with small kids on foot. Also, (and this could just be a personal experience that I have had in the past, but it's important to be aware of), Food and Wine certainly doesn't discourage Guests from enjoying multiple alcoholic beverages, and it's not uncommon to run into one or two, (or many), intoxicated folks. The majority of the time, I would say this is harmless, but alcohol consumption can certainly cause some Guests to have a hard time keeping it "Disney". Language gets a little less "G-rated". PDA's can become a little less "Disney Prince and Princess" and a little more "Jersey Shore". I have even witnessed an occasional Guest releasing their alcohol back into nature, (aka, puking in the bushes). Of course it's still Disney, and of course, Disney security is on top of any issues, but it's definitely a slightly rowdier atmosphere on a Food and Wine evening than it would be during other times of the year. 

     We do plan on attending the festival with our 3 and 6 year olds this year, and will probably visit many times throughout the weeks that the event runs. We know the kids will only tolerate a couple of hours or so away from the rides and attractions, so we will break it up into smaller pieces. 

     I hope that helps you and I hope you have a magical Disney visit!

Do YOU have a Disney question? If so, e-mail me at: tinkinaboutdisney@gmail.com! 

Tinkin' About... PIRATES!!! (Arrrggg!!!)

Hey-howdy-hey, Tinkers!

     In honor of today being "Talk Like a Pirate Day", I thought I'd do a quick little post on piratical things that you can see and do at Walt Disney World, to bring out your inner buccaneer. So sit tight, me hearties, as I share with ya a treasure trove of pirate themed fun for ya lot!

Photo Credit: Disneyworld.com

1. Let's start with the most obvious... Ride the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction! Over in Adventureland, inside the Magic Kingdom, POTC has been one of the most popular attractions since it opened, back in 1973. Since then, there have been many refreshes, including a change back in the late 90's, to make the ride a bit more politically correct. (Pirates that used to chase women were reversed, so that the women were now chasing them away with brooms,etc.) The biggest change came in 2006, when the successful film franchise was incorporated into the attraction that inspired it, by adding animatronics of Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Hector Barbossa. While the ride has undergone several changes, (it's currently down for a renovation to address safety concerns, and will reopen on September 25th, 2015), the catchy theme song, exciting drop in the dark, and fun-filled sights and sounds keep Guests coming back to ride again and again. (Lifelike versions of Johnny Depp don't hurt, either!)

2. Want to get up close and personal with Captain Jack? Captain Jack's Pirate Tutorial is presented multiple times a day at The Magic Kingdom, just outside of the ride. The interactive show stars Captain Jack and his sidekick, Mack, and the twosome will teach willing kiddos how to be a pirate. The show is funny and again.... Captain Jack isn't the worst character you could possibly have to watch. 

3. Have you ever heard of A Pirate's Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas? This fun, interactive game is played throughout Adventureland, with a series of puzzles to solve and games to complete, in order to help Captain Jack raid all 5 hidden treasures. Fun for all ages, and a nice alternate activity to waiting in lines. 

4. Do you have a little scallywag who dreams of being a pirate? Then head on over to the Pirates League at The Magic Kingdom, just outside of the Pirates ride. Piratical makeover are their specialty, (think Bibbidy-Bobbidy-Botique for pirates), and there are various packages, depending on just how piratey you want to get. Reservations are recommended and can be booked by calling 407 WDW-CREW. 

5. Just want a "taste" of pirate flare? Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland at The Magic Kingdom is a counter service restaurant, specializing in tacos and taco salads. The location has some cute nods to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and even has a backstory about the owner that ties into the movies. (Ask a Cast Member to share it with you!) Just be aware that the restaurant does close occasionally, based on the season. 

6. Are you more of a Jake and the Neverland Pirates kind of buccaneer? No problem! Disney Junior Live on Stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios has a Jake section, including sing-a-long songs and "gold doubloons" falling from the ceiling. 

7. You can meet Jake, of Jake and the Neverland Pirates, just outside of Disney Junior Live on Stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

8. Or, if you'd prefer, you can enjoy breakfast or lunch at Hollywood and Vine at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and have Jake visit your table! Along with his Disney Junior friends, Handy Manny, Sofia the First, and Doc McStuffins, Jake stops at tables for pictures and autographs, and also invites kids to dance and sing along to some favorite Disney Junior songs. Reservations are recommended and can be booked at disneyworld.com, or by calling 407 WDW-DINE. 

9. Set sail on Seven Seas Lagoon for a fireworks cruise you won't soon forget! At the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage, enjoy a snack buffet at The Contemporary Resort, before meeting Captain Hook and Mr. Smee at the docks, where they will have your vessel waiting for you. Then enjoy watching Wishes! from the best seat in the house.... anchored in the middle of the lagoon! Reservations are required and can be booked by calling 407 WDW-PLAY.

10. If the kiddos want to do something fun on their own, check out the Pirate Adventure Cruises, offered out of The Grand Floridian, Yacht and Beach Club, Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean Beach resorts. Kids ages 4-12 can enjoy a couple of hours away from mom and dad, out on their own "pirate ship", with a small group of kids and a "Captain". They will hear pirate stories, sing pirate songs, and even share the contents of their treasure chest at the end of the excursion! Reservations can be made by calling 407 WDW-PLAY. 

11. Want to STAY in a pirate's lair? The Caribbean Beach Resort has Pirate Rooms with ship-themed beds and other special pirate touches. They can be booked by calling 407 W-DISNEY, or check them out online at disneyworld.com

12. The Caribbean Beach Resort also has other pirate theming. Their main pool, Fuentes del Morrow, is in an area called Port Royale, just like from the Pirates films. The zero-entry pool resembles a giant Spanish fort, complete with water cannons and has 2 water slides. The kid's splash area is designed to resemble a shipwreck. 

Photo credit: DisneyWorld.com

13. And if you know some pirate-lovers who are traveling to Disney, why not give them a piratical welcome, with an In-Room Celebration from Disney Floral? You can go crazy, with the full "Me Pirate Adventure" package, which includes a pirate banner, blanket, flag, skull, and more. Or, if you want something on a smaller scale, you can send all different types of gifts items or baskets. See the full selection at disneyfloralandgifts.com

And there you have it, swashbucklers! Just some of the ways that you can see and BE a pirate on your next Walt Disney World vacation! Now, bring me that horizon!

Ask Tink: Which water park would you choose?

"I have enough time to visit one water park with my family. Which one should I pick?"

     I love that question! Thanks to the Tinker who submitted it. Disney has two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Typhoon Lagoon is the older of the two parks, having been around since 1989. Blizzard Beach opened a few years later, in 1995. Each park has their own, unique theming and backstory, as all good Disney attractions do. While Typhoon Lagoon has a more beachy and tropical feel to it, Blizzard Beach, (as one would expect from the name), looks like a melting ski resort, complete with white "snow" everywhere. So which one do you pick? 

     Well, before I share with you MY opinion, let me give you a few ways to make a decision. The most important thing is to first make sure both parks are in fact open. In the winter months, each park closes for a lengthy rehab. For this upcoming season, Blizzard Beach will be closed from October 4th, 2015 to January 2nd, 2016. Typhoon Lagoon will then close from January 3rd, 2016 to March 12th, 2016. 

     Assuming both parks are open and are an option for you, next you'll want to consider the attractions. If you're a thrill-seeker, Blizzard Beach offers Disney's tallest, (and in my opinion, most terrifying), water slide, Summit Plummet. 12 stories, straight down. This scream-inducing, bikini top-removing, wedgie-giving slide is a fan favorite for adrenaline junkies. Typhoon Lagoon does also have some scary slides, but nothing as high or as vertical. Both parks have a lazy river lapping their park, and are pretty similar to one another. Both parks have a "wave pool", however, Blizzard Beach's pool is significantly smaller and only does "bobbing" waves, which are on the small side. Typhoon Lagoon has an incredible wave pool, which alternates bobbing waves and huge, 6-7" high surf waves! In fact, you can even purchase surf lessons which take place before the park opens on certain mornings. Typhoon's waves are more impressive and more fun, but also more intimidating and more dangerous for those who are not strong swimmers. Then there's the two attractions that Typhoon Lagoon has that Blizzard Beach has nothing comparable to: Crushin' Gusher and Shark Reef. Crushin' Gusher is a series of three water-coasters, which use high powered jets to propel 2-3 person tubes not only down hill, but UP hill, as well. It was one of the very first slides of it's kind in the industry and is wildly popular. Shark Reef offers Guests the chance to snorkel in a live salt water reef, among beautiful tropical fish, sting rays, and, yep, sharks. Now, we're not talking Jaws here... just some smaller leopard and bonnethead sharks, and they DO tend to stay to the bottom, but it's still live, fully toothed sharks. I did it once. Let's just say I didn't swim nearly as slowly as they want you to. I crossed that reef pretty quickly and got my butt outta there, while sending a telepathic message to the sharks that Tink is a friend, NOT food. The only attraction that Blizzard Beach has that Typhoon does not have something similar to is the Chair Lift. If you want something to do that is out of the water, you can ride the chair lift up to the top of Mount Gushmore to get to some of the slides. (You don't have to ride a slide down if you don't want to.) 

     Traveling with kids in your party? Both parks offer kid-friendly areas, with little splash pads, mini-slides and more, the difference is that Blizzard Beach has a second kids area, Ski Patrol Training Camp. It is meant for those kids that are too old for the toddler-friendly splash pads, but too small for most of the slides. Here those older kids was swing from a zip line and splash down into a pool, and more. Typhoon Lagoon's kiddie area is meant for a pretty young set and there is nothing offered for those inbetweeners. 

     So what would I pick??? I always take Typhoon Lagoon over Blizzard Beach. I'll tell you why. 1.) Though the snow theming is fun and whimsical, I prefer feeling like I'm in a tropical paradise when I'm at a water park, no in a New England blizzard.  2.) All of that fake snow is actually hazardous to your health. The white surfaces reflect the sunlight and can cause you to burn more quickly. I don't have any scientific data to prove that this is true, but I can tell you that if you look at the number of lobster-people leaving Blizzard Beach at the end of the day vs. the ones leaving Typhoon Lagoon, you'll see that I'm right. It also has to do with the fact that Typhoon Lagoon seems to have less open spaces and more shade.  3.) I am not a water slide person, so I love the wave pool and lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon, plus the bottom of Crushin' Gusher has a huge landing pool, which can be used as a standard, zero entry swimming pool as well.  4.) Nostalgia. I remember going to Typhoon Lagoon with my dad and I have some great memories there, so it's my preferred park. I never went to Blizzard Beach as a kid. I know this is a reason very specific to myself. You probably didn't go there with my dad, so you probably won't care as much about that. 

     I hope that helps! Hey, Tinkers, what's YOUR favorite water park and why????

Extra! Extra! Tink All About It!: Live Stream of Halloween Festivities!

Goooood morning, Tinkers!

     Do you wish that you could attend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party this year, but it's not in the cards for you? Well, I have some great news! Tonight, (Friday, September 18th), starting at 8:35pm EST, The Disney Parks Blog will be live streaming the Boo to You Parade and the Hallowishes fireworks show! Yup, you and your family can enjoy a couple of the best elements of the party from the comfort of your own couch! Heck, you can even get dressed up if you want! Or just wear your PJs. I won't judge. I know I'll be in mine.

     Here's the link: Disney Parks Blog

     Check it out! Oh, and Happy Halloween (season), Tinkers!!!

Extra! Extra! Tink All About It!: Brunch Coming to Narcoossee's!

Yum, Yum, Tinkers!

     How do you like the sound of a sophisticated, delightful brunch in Narcoossee's at The Grand Floridian Resort, right on beautiful Seven Season Lagoon? Sounds nice, huh?

Photo Credit: DisneyParksBlog.com

     Well, as of November 22nd, on Sunday mornings, you can enjoy this experience yourself! Bookings have opened today for Narcoossee's Waterfront Brunch. This new offering will consist of a shared pastry basket filled with freshly made croissants, danishes, sticky buns and muffins, served with cultured butter and seasonal jams. Next, your choice of appetizer: Onion Soup Graitnee, Shrimp and Grits, Seafood Charcuterie, Artisinal Cheese Selection or Romaine Salad. The entrees look incredible! Some of your choices are Brioche French Toast, Lobster Eggs Benedict, Seasonal Fish, Chicken and Waffles, and Steak and Eggs. Your sweet tooth will be thrilled with a dessert trio of handmade desserts. Oh, and you'll even get a Champagne, Mimosa, Bloody Mary or Smoothie to enjoy!

     Adults (Age 9 and up) will be $69 and Children (Ages 3-9) will be $41. Reservations can be booked now by calling 407 WDW-DINE, or on disneyworld.com/dine.

Tink In The Parks: Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations and More

Good morning, Tinkers!

     Have you "Liked" my Facebook Page yet? If you do, you'll be entered to win a cute Minnie Halloween antenna topper, so make sure you hop to it! Ok, back to today's fun...

     The other day, K and I went to The Magic Kingdom to check out the Halloween decorations, and to take advantage of the light crowds. We got some great pictures, so let's go on a little Magic Kingdom photo safari, shall we? Here we goooooooo...........Off to The Magic Kingdom!

     Well, we started with a quick bite at the Polynesian Village. Look how empty the lobby was!

     Who wouldn't LOVE to stay in one of the incredible DVC Bungalows? Your own private hot tub on your own private deck, facing your own private Magic Kingdom fireworks? Um, yes.

The Halloween decorations at The Magic Kingdom are gorgeous!

Can you believe there was almost no one in the bag check line at 9:30am?

The Main Street USA decorations are so fun and festive...

Hey, there's Pluto!

And Marie!

A quick stop into the Confectionery...

And back to the Hub...

 

We decided to do K's first spin on the Teacups, which he LOVED, and then headed into Storybook Circus.

I LOVE catching live entertainment!

Look at that wait time! Yay, off season!

Made a new friend. Is this not the CUTEST popcorn bucket?

K played in the splash pad area for almost an hour! Luckily, I had a change of clothes with us!

Have you guys seen these Attractionista dolls?

I don't love that they look like Bratz, but they are pretty cool.

 On to Fantasyland...

Oh, off season, how I love you!

K decided that he was royalty on the Carousel.

And rode while waving and saying, "Hi, my people!"

We took the happiest cruise that ever sailed... (Well, personally I think that the happiest cruise is a Disney Cruise Line cruise, but I'll settle for Small World for now.)...

And a quick couple of attractions in Tomorrowland before we were done. This was K's first ride on the Speedway too. He was finally tall enough! I let him drive. Bad move. Ooof did my head hurt from all of the banging around, but he squealed with delight the whole time!

 

And there's ALWAYS time for a relaxing cruise on the TTA...

Again... Off season rocks!

By this point, it was almost 3pm, so we needed to make that important decision... Stay for the parade and get stuck in the crowd leaving, or head out before the parade starts. We opted for the later option.

I love this "See Ya Real Soon" sign

As we pulled to the end of our row in the parking lot, I asked K if he had fun. This was my response...

I'll tale that as a 'yes'.