Category — q. Reviews

OVERVIEW: BAY LAKE TOWER AT DISNEY’S CONTEMPORARY RESORT FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

Most room options at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (a Disney Vacation Club resort) are wonderful places for returning visitors to Walt Disney World to stay.

For typical first-time visitors, I don’t recommend the Disney Vacation Club resorts. That said, these “DVC” resorts can be a great choice for first time visitors with large families, needing extra sleeping spaces, or looking for a more comfortable place to stay.

Among the Disney Vacation Club resorts, Bay Lake Tower ranks fourth overall for first-time visitors, but specifics vary by room type.

Note: for a review of Disney’s Contemporary Resort itself, click here.

THE DISNEY VACATION CLUB RESORTS

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This is third page of this review. For the first page of this review, click here.

POOLS, DINING, SHOPS AND SUCH AT DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE

You enter the Lodge into the stunning main lobby.

Check in and guest services are to the right.

Further on the right is the gift shop, and around the corner to the right is a pathway to the Disney Vacation Club villas and the bus stops.

To the left is Whispering Canyon Cafe, one of two table service dining options at the resort, and a terrific place for kids. [Read more →]

THE CELEBRATE A DREAM COME TRUE PARADE

The afternoon parade at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade, opened in January 2009.

Building on a long tradition of Magic Kingdom afternoon parades, the current parade combines floats showing scenes and characters from well-loved Disney movies with dancers, music, and additional walking Disney characters.

More friendly and approachable than the Magic Kingdom’s evening parade–and performed more frequently as well–the afternoon parade remains a must-see in all Magic Kingdom itineraries.

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CAPTAIN EO AT EPCOT’S IMAGINATION PAVILION

Captain Eo, a 3-D film that was a fixture at the Magic Kingdom in the 80s and 90s, has returned to Walt Disney World.

It is showing in Epcot’s Imagination Pavilion, replacing the 3-D film Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

Continuing Walt Disney World’s recent trend towards nostalgia, the film is rewarding to any Michael Jackson fan, and to an extent any Star Wars fan…but a little thin for those with little interest in either of these.

MORE ON CAPTAIN EO

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For the first page of this review, click here.

MORE ON DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE

There are currently 8 official Disney owned and operated deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World.

In their recommended order for first time family visitors, they are

1. Polynesian
2. Wilderness Lodge
3. Animal Kingdom Lodge
4. Contemporary
5. Grand Floridian
6. Beach Club
7. Yacht Club
8. BoardWalk Inn

(Many of these also offer Disney Vacation Club studios and villas, all for rent to the general public–see this for more on the Disney Vacation Club resorts.)

ROOMS AT DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE

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OVERVIEW: DISNEY’S WILDERNESS LODGE

Our most recent stay confirms that Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the second best place for first time family visitors to stay.

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