Christmas at Disney World

Disney really is the most magical place on Earth, but even more so at Christmas.  If you can't be there in person, seeing lots of beautiful photos is the next best thing!  Our awesome friend Scott (Taking the Florida Plunge) has been posting some great ones lately, so I wanted to share.  Please be sure to visit his blog and "LIKE" his Facebook page for more great pictures.

* All photos from Taking the Florida Plunge Facebook page

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICKEY!!!

Character Dining at Disney World

A great way to meet your favorite Disney characters, without waiting in a long line, is to enjoy character dining experiences.  For just 1 or 2 table service credits on the Disney dining plan, these meals are great, because you get some really amazing character interaction.  Here's a run down of who you can see, and where. * Characters are subject to change.

Magic Kingdom:
* Cinderella's Royal Table (2 TS credits)- Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine
* The Crystal Palace- Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore

Epcot:
* Akershus- Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Mary Poppins
* The Garden Grill (dinner)- Chip n Dale, Mickey, Pluto

Animal Kingdom:
* Tusker House (breakfast, lunch)- Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Goofy

Hollywood Studios:
* Hollywood & Vine (breakfast, lunch)- June from Disney's Little Einsteins, Jake the Neverland pirate, Handy Manny, Special Agent Oso 

Grand Floridian Resort:
* 1900 Park Fare (breakfast)- Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh
* 1900 Park Fare (dinner)- Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Drizella, Anastasia, Fairy Godmother

Beach Club Resort:
* Cape May Cafe (breakfast)- Goofy, Minnie, Donald

The Contemporary Resort:
* Chef Mickey's (breakfast, dinner)- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto

Fort Wilderness Resort:
* Mickey's Backyard BBQ (dinner, 2 TS credits)- Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip n Dale

The Polynesian Resort:
* Ohana (breakfast)- Lilo, Stitch

Walt Disney World height requirements

Know before you go!  Here is a list of height requirements for Walt Disney World, including the water parks and DisneyQuest. 

Magic Kingdom
Tomorrowland Speedway Height Requirement 52" inches (132 cm) or taller
Stitch's Great Escape Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
Space Mountain Height Requirement 44" inches (113 cm) or taller 
Splash Mountain Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
Big Thunder Mountain Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
"Goofy's Barnstormer" at least 35" inches (89 cm) or taller

Age Restrictions

"Space Mountain" at least age 3
"Big Thunder Mountain" at least age 3
"The Barnstormer" at least age 3


Epcot
Body Wars Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
Test Track Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
Mission: Space Height Requirement 44" inches (113 cm) or taller 
Soarin' Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller

Age Restrictions
Body Wars at least age 3

Disney's Hollywood Studiosformerly Disney-MGM Studios

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
Star Tours Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
Rock n' Roller Coaster Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller

Age Restrictions
Star Tours at least age 3
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at least age 3

Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur Height Requirement 40" inches (102 cm) or taller
Kali River Rapids Height Requirement 38" inches (95 cm) or taller
Primevil Whirl Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Expedition Everest  Height Requirement 44" inches (113 cm) or taller

Blizzard Beach
Slush Gusher Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Summit Plummet Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Downhill Double Dipper Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
T-Bar must be under 5' feet tall to ride
Tike's Peak must be under 48" inches (122 cm) tall
The Chair Lift at least 32" inches tall (No infants or lap riding)
Cross Country Creek adult supervision is required

Expectant mothers and those with neck or back problems are strongly discouraged from experiencing any water slide attraction.

Age Restrictions
Chair Lift no infants may ride

Typhoon Lagoon
Humunga Kowabunga Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Keel Haul Falls Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Mayday Falls Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Storm Slides Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Bay Slide must be under 5' tall to ride
Castaway Creek adult supervision is required
Ketchakiddee Creek must be under 48" (122 cm) tall
Shark Reef guests must be 10 years old or older 
"Before/After hours Surfing"- students must be at least 8 years old (Surfboards are provided)

Expectant mothers and those with neck or back problems are strongly discouraged from experiencing any water slide attraction.

Age Restrictions
Castaway Creek Adult supervision required
Shark Reef Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult

DisneyQuest

Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster Height Requirement: 51" (129.54 cm) or taller
Cyber Space Mountain Height Requirement: 51" (129.54 cm) or taller
Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam Height Requirement 48" inches (122 cm) or taller
Pirates of the Caribbean - Battle for Buccaneer Gold Height Requirement: 35" (88.9 cm) or taller

Disney Cruise Line

Since Disney Cruise Line released 2015 Itineraries today, I thought it fitting to do a post on Disney cruises!  Here are my TOP 5 reasons you should go on a Disney cruise:

#1- Large, family staterooms.  Unlike some other cruise lines, Disney cruise ships have larger staterooms, designed with families in mind.  Offering two bathrooms, 24 hour complimentary room service, and the Disney touch, Disney Cruise Lines offers some of the best staterooms in the industry!

#2- Unique dining experiences.   On a Disney cruise, you won't get bored with the food!  With their rotational dining experience, you rotate between three amazing restaurants for each night of your cruise. *Animator's Palate (all 4 ships), which provides one of a kind entertainment while you eat.
*Enchanted Garden (Dream, Fantasy), which serves 3 meals per day and is inspired by the gardens of Versailles.
*Lumiere's (Magic), which has a Beauty and the Beast theme and serves breakfast and lunch.
*Parrot Cay (Wonder), which has a tropical feel and serves American fare for breakfast and lunch, and Caribbean fare for dinner.
* Royal Court (Fantasy), which is perfect for your princess.  It is, after all, inspired by 4 of Disney's classic princesses.  Serves all three meals.
* Royal Palace (Dream), also inspired by Disney princesses Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, serves three meals.
* Triton's (Wonder), which has a Little Mermaid theme, serves American fare for breakfast and lunch as well as a more elegant French cuisine for dinner.

#3- Live Shows!  What would a Disney cruise be without some Disney live shows?  See shows based on your favorite movies or characters from Toy Story to the Disney Villains.  * Shows are different on each ship *

#4- Adults only activities.  Wait, what?!  Adults only activities on a Disney cruise? Yes, you read that right!  There is so much for grown ups to do on board a Disney cruise, that you can go without kids and still have a very magical vacation.  Activities such as a spa, adults only dining, nightclubs, adults only pool and even an art gallery are just some of the adult fun waiting for you on a Disney cruise.

#5- The characters!  I had to save the best for last.  With everything else on board a Disney cruise, the Characters are by far my favorite part.  From meet and greets, to Disney shows, there are tons of opportunities to meet your favorite Disney characters! Don't forget your camera!

Resort Spotlight: Port Orleans Riverside

 One of my favorite Disney resorts, Port Orleans Riverside, is a moderate resort with two distinctly different feels.  This amazing resort offers beautiful landscaping and design, as well as tons of recreational activities, comfortable, spacious rooms, and some great dining options.

Rooms: Alligator Bayou rooms sleep up to 5 guests with a bayou theme, while the Magnolia Bend rooms sleep up to 4 guests with a more elegant feel.  There are also several Royal guest rooms in the Magnolia Bend section complete with in-room fireworks!

Dining: The main Restaurant on site is Boatwrights Dining Hall, which serves New Orleans inspired food for dinner (5pm-10pm).  There is also a quick service restaurant, and a bar/lounge on the property.  Riverside Mill is   open from 6am- midnight, and serves traditional American fare.  The River Roost Lounge is open 4pm- midnight, and serves appetizers and, of course, beer and specialty drinks.  Ye-Haa Bob Jackson performs here Wed-Sat nights from 8:30- midnight.

Recreation: Take a day off from the parks to explore this amazing resort.  With activities such as swimming, pirate adventures, horse drawn carriage rides, campfires, fishing, and movies under the stars, there is something for everyone!

Other:  If you have a family of 5, this resort is one of the only Disney resorts that sleeps 5 without needing a family suite.  If you have a special occasion during your stay, such as a birthday or anniversary, the Royal rooms are a huge hit!