Wishful Thinking # 3: Disney's Hollywood Studios

Wishful Thinking:

* Scrap the Indiana Jones stunt show (boring),

and replace it with ...

an Indiana Jones ride like Disneyland's

Indiana Jones Adventure

Roughing It at Walt Disney World

Well, sorta.

I'm talking about WDW's Fort Wilderness which is not exactly 'roughing it' (unless you pitch a tent in the Creekside Meadow area).

Fort Wilderness is a glorified RV park that also offers cabins for rent and the afore-mentioned tent-pitching place.

Disney is now making improvements such as larger camper/RV pads to accommodate the larger vehicles. You know the ones - those rolling homes on wheels, some over 40' long, and many with the slide-out extensions.

Premium Campsites will include: the much larger paved pads, upgraded grills and picnic tables. And will cost more, too. These sites will cost $66-$116 per night, depending on season (peak, value, holiday) and day of the week.

I joke that 'roughing it' to me is a 3-star hotel. I may have to upgrade that assessment.

Photo: Allears.net

Mickey -vs- (Bloody) Mary

Halloween Horror Nights are Universal Studios' annual paean to scary things.

And I do mean scary.

This year's theme is
Reflections of Fear

Featuring Bloody Mary and a host of scarifying Urban Legends.

Nope. Not for wussy me. Nuh-uh.

Although .... I would love to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute. Maybe Time Warp with Frank 'n Friends.

And Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure sounds like fun.

But. You have to go through the Scare Zones to see the shows.

So. Nope.

I'll be over at Mickey's place, front row at the Boo To You Parade.

Photo: Jack Spence / Allears.net

Epcot's Food & Wine (and Baileys) Festival

Epcot's annual Food and Wine Festival is not for anyone
   1) on a diet and
   2) on a budget.

And I'm not even talking about the special events like the Gala Dinner following the Bocuse D'Or (tickets are $450).

I'm talking about the kiosks located all around the World Showcase that offer samples of entrees, desserts, wine, beer, etc.

The hubby and I went yesterday for the 'soft opening'.
We stopped at 5 of the 26-or so kiosks; we shared goodies and spent $30.
Just about 1/4 of that was for the Baileys frozen coffee at the Cork (Ireland) kiosk. Which, BTW, was worth it.

When my sis comes down in a couple of weeks. I get to do it all again.
And sis, we're each getting our own Baileys.

Confession # 5: I Read "Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World"

... and loved it.

It's just a bit dated now, having been published in 1998.

Mr. Hiassen, a fellow Floridian, has written an eighty-three page zinger about the Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney World.

Chapter titles include:

Insane Clown Michael (Eisner)
Republic of Walt
Fantasy Fantasy Island
Whistle While We Work

The back cover of the book states that Mr Hiassen's "dream is to be banned forever from Disney World" ...

I'm surprised that he wasn't.
The Disney High Muckey-mucks (Mickey-micks?) don't often have a sense of humor when someone takes potshots at the Mouse House, or in this case tosses grenades.

Several years ago the book was being discussed in an on-line Disney World newsgroup and some of the readers were positively aghast that some writer would write unflattering things about anything Disney.

The Walt Disney Company is a business after all, and what is the main concern of most businesses?

Right, the Bottom Line. $$$.

"Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World" can be found for sale at Amazon.com but not at the World of Disney store.

Wishful Thinking # 2 : Animal Kingdom

Wishful Thinking:

* Add a new area.

The logical addition to Africa and Asia would be ... AUSTRALIA!

Think of the possibilities:

_an Outback area featuring kangaroos, emus, koalas, platypuses (platypi?), kookaburras, Tasmanian Devils, etc;

_a Shrimp-on-the-Barbie snack stop;

_a Soarin'-type ride over the Outback, the Great Barrier Reef, the Snowy Mountains;

_Characters: Bernard and Miss Bianca

(remember The Rescuers Down Under ?);

Maybe even Crocodile Dundee and Mad Max (well, maybe they would be more suitable at say, Universal)

Disney Dining: Restaurant Akershus

The Norwegian restaurant in Epcot's NORWAY pavilion used to be a quiet place to have an interesting, different meal.
Now it's the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall with
Princess Dining - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Even if you decide to brave the onslaught of adorable, but noisy, princesses (and their entourages), just try to get an ADR.
WDW site:

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Allears:

Princess Storybook Breakfast
Princess Storybook Lunch
Princess Storybook Dinner

Survivor: Walt Disney World

OUTEAT ~ OUTSPEND ~ OUTRIDE

TRIBES:

Theme Park Commandos

Stroller Storm Troopers

Brazilian Brigade

CHALLENGES:

_Decipher this sentence: The CM in a blue costume came onstage at DAK and pointed out a HM to the Guests.

_Eat Dinner at 'Ohana's and be able to stand up afterwards.

_Ride Toy Story Mania the same day as you get in line.

_Traverse the entire World of Disney store and have money left.

_Go to Club Cool (Epcot). Drink all the samples except the nasty, bitter one.

_Drive from DTD to the Magic Kingdom using only the WDW signs as a guide.
(penalty point for each wrong turn, double penalty points for every car you 'cut off')

_Find your hotel room at any resort without making any wrong turns.

_Walk through Animal Kingdom without getting whacked in the ankles by at least one stroller.

_Figure out the serving line at Boma's. (Left? Right? Center?)

_Walk through Minnie's Country House in ToonTown Fair without touching anything.

_Go to the beach at Fort Wilderness, pull a snack out of your pocket, open it and count the number of birds that suddenly surround you.

_Figure out the fastest way to get from any park to DTD.
(Hint: there are NO direct bus routes from WDW parks to DTD)

_Meet and Greet every character in all 4 parks.

_Have a smile on your face by 4 pm in any park.

NOTE: In case of ties, the survivors will ride It's A Small World until one leaps off screaming.

Keys to the Kingdom

This Magic Kingdom tour is a must do for any Walt Disney World fanatic.

Tour Basics:

* Tours are offered daily: 8:30, 9:00 & 9:30am.
They start at City Hall just inside the Magic Kingdom Main Entrance.

* It is a 4 1/2 - 5 hour walking tour of the Magic Kingdom.
There are scheduled sit-down and bathroom breaks.

* There is an age limit: 16 and older.
You'll appreciate that.

* The cost is $60 + Magic Kingdom admission.
Yet another reason to have an annual pass.
Ask about AP, DVC, Disney Visa discounts.

* The group takes a couple of rides during which the guide offers up new trivia.
I won't mention which ones, let it be a surprise.

* Yes, you go backstage (Disneyspeak for behind the scenes), including a venture into the Utilidors. This is obviously the highlight of the tour!

* Lunch at the Columbia Harbour House is included.
You choose your meal from the menu at check-in.
It was ready, waiting and yummy ... and we didn't have to stand in line!

* Reservations are required. Call: 1-407-WDW-TOUR (1-407-939-8687) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. You will need to reserve your tour with a credit card. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for a full refund.

I must add, that our tour guide, Matthew (the Matthew from Indiana), was exceptional!
He was experienced, knowledgeable and had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor.
When we do the tour again (and we will!), I will absolutely request Matthew's tour group.

If you still need convincing, Read other Reviews HERE.