Disney Tips and Kathy Trips

So back in the day I worked at Disney and, at a bus stop, I met one of my now great friends - Kathy.

she needed a belated golden birthday/welcome cake

She visited from Illinois and this year we got to go back to our old stomping grounds. & the hubs got to join us :)

If you've never been to The Polynesian Resort's Kona Cafe - GO!

Not pictured is the incredible Hawaiian bread and whipped honey, macadamia butter. We definitely had more than one loaf.  Below is the best sushi - ever. You'll be tempted to order a different roll but trust us when we say to order their Crab Rangoon Roll.

  

We started the parks with Animal Kingdom. Their best shows, in my opinion: Birds of Wonder, Finding Nemo the Musical, The Lion King.

The Lion King

Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel -- yessss please.
I think only Animal Kingdom has these.

Next was Magic Kingdom -

Magic Kingdom MUSTS:

- A pineapple dole whip float. I made the mistake of getting just the dole whip (left) when for a dollar more I could have twice the whip...in pineapple juice! 



 

- Philharmagic (although the doc doesn't understand my obsession)
- Story time with Belle (try to figure the mirror out and if you do, tell meeeeee - please)
- The new Little Mermaid ride (if you're a fan otherwise you might be bored - it's one of those clam shell rides where you sit and watch)
- Wishes fireworks PRE-SHOW

I feel like I never noticed how pretty the back of Cinderella's castle is

The best part of the Magic Kingdom fireworks is the pre-show. I didn't take any pictures this time because for once I was trying to just enjoy it and fought the urge to capture it...but it is incredible. The castle becomes like a screen and a mixture of classic and modern Disney things play across it. The fireworks aren't so bad either:



Day two went Hollywood Studios - Epcot - Hollywood Studios -

sometimes their photographers will cut your feet off

probably his favorite ride 

We needed breakfast so out of desperation to avoid hanger we went to the little pastry cart right outside the Tower of Terror gift shop - it was actually delicious! We got this humongous donut and a perfect bear claw. I think I'm craving another bear claw right now.



There was one thing we HAD to do at EPCOT....ride Soarin' ...ok, and EAT.

We were attempting to recreate the photo below at Epcot from when we were dating...clearly the doc did a better job

After the wait at Soarin' we were ready for lunch. Since the doc and I have been on the hunt for pizza as good as what we had in San Francisco (here), we opted to eat "in Italy" at Via Napoli - success! It's the closest to San Francisco's Delfina pizza we've found.

Kathy, being from Chicago, preferred more cheese and "stuff"

The doc and I were VERY impressed. Except that it was $28.

I wasn't sure about putting it on my head considering all the other heads it's probably been on..

After lunch we headed back to Hollywood Studios and ended up running into an old friend who had extra tickets to the Frozen Sing Along -- it was so fun! It was funny for kids and adults - highly recommended.

HS has a lot to offer -- Toy Story is great if it's your first time or if you have kids. For us, the have to things at Hollywood Studios are Tower of Terror, Fantasmic show, and now pastries from that little cart. Other things I enjoy are the Beauty and the Beast play (although it tends to be hit or miss with the performers), Rockin' Roller coaster (though it can cause a headache), and something I haven't tried but seems neat is the Animation Academy drawing class.

Our "sad that Disney time is over" faces

More Disney Tips: 

- never buy water; if you go to any cart with a soda fountain, they'll have free ice water

- the Canada restaurant in Epcot is delicious..you just need reservations pretty far in advance

- you can take in your own food/snacks

- the bus system is the way to go...

- you can get a fast pass for Fantasmic and that way you don't have to stand in line an hour (or two) ahead of time!

- make sure you know when parades start so you don't get stuck

- wear comfortable clothes and shoes

- have fun :)