Category — w. Most Recent Stuff

(This is an entry in a series on Disney World Controversies.)

After my experience with last night’s Celebrate the Season, A Frozen Holiday Wish, and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, I feel compelled to republish this material…

PARADES AND SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD: WHERE YOU IS IS WHERE YOU ARE

This post focuses on etiquette for parades and shows at Disney World, and suggests two points for the well-mannered:

• The only way to save a spot for viewing a is to be in the spot
• The fact that you wish you had a better spot gives you no right to push your kids–or yourself–ahead of others who have sacrificed their own time to get the spot you wish you had…

THE PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

There’s currently two four parades at Disney World:

• The Magic Kingdom afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade, usually at 3p
• The Magic Kingdom evening Main Street Electrical Parade, typically at least several nights a week, with varying times
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios afternoon Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade, at 3p(now canceled)
• Disney’ Animal Kingdom afternoon  Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, at 3.45p (also gone)

During the times of year this site recommends you go, there’s usually plenty of good viewing spots available up until about 30 minutes before the parades begin.  See the links for details.

If your kids–or anyone else in your party–are shorter than the typical adult, you’ll want to grab a spot right at the edge of the parade route so that no one is front of you, and if this may be your only visit, it’s worth perching on such a spot even earlier than thirty minutes before.

The way you do this is you stand…or sit…in the spot you want.  You don’t put down a towel, bedspread, thong, or anything else to claim your spot.  The investment in claiming a spot is your time, not your bedding.

And what if you are late?  And your kids are short?  So they can’t see? Don’t you have a right to push your kids in front of other, taller, children and adults, who have been waiting in their spots, so that they can see the parades better? Disney World is about the kids, after all, isn’t it, and don’t we all care about kids?

Nope.

Frankly, we’re just not that into your kids. The consequences of your failure to plan, or your failure to execute your plan, are yours to bear, not yours to impose on others.

The way to handle this is the same way that you should handle all other etiquette questions–to ask yourself whether, in the circumstances you face, if everyone else followed the principle you are following, if life would be in sum better or worse?

Spots with un-blocked views of the parades are everywhere along the parade route, but even so there simply aren’t enough of them that every kid waiting for the parade can have one.  So there’s no way it could work for people to push their kids to the front–there just aren’t enough spots for all the kids.

Scarcity is always allocated by a “price.”  This price could be literal–Disney could charge for good viewing spots–or the price could be willingness of people to “spend” something else of value.  Right now, good parade viewing spots are allocated by people willing to spend time waiting. This is true even if you have FastPass+ for the parade. That just puts you in an area–you need to arrive early to grab a good spot within it.

If your kids are near the front, and the people right in front of them are taller, you should always feel free to ask if your kids can step in front so they can see better.  But don’t push them forward without asking–and don’t block the view yourself!

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(This is mostly a repeat from last year, as all my favorite vets have stayed the same…)

On this Veterans Day, just a note to thank all of those who have put their lives at risk so that the rest of us can be free.

My favorite veteran is my dad, career Navy–that’s him above during the Korean War.

Next favorite is my wife’s dad–that’s him above, on the right, during World War II. That hand was wounded on Tarawa.

After him, my next favorite is my sister’s husband, who served with the riverine Navy in Vietnam.

And another favorite is Steve (above) from MilitaryDisneyTips.com, a retired Air Force First Shirt who does a great job keeping military families up to date on great Disney World deals and other important info. Steve is also the Military Moderator on this site.

And all the millions of the rest of you are my favorites too!  Thank you for your service, and God bless! Wherever you are, and whatever you do, my gratitude goes with you.

LINKS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

• Military Families at Walt Disney World
• Deals and Discounts
  • Military Discounts and Deals
  • Other Walt Disney World Discounts and Deals
• Shades of Green
  • Review of Shades of Green
  • Splitting Your Stay Between Shades of Green and Another Resort
  • Overflow Rates at Shades of Green
  • Shades of Green website
• Other Resources for Military Families
  • DisneyMilitarySales.com
  • Disneyworld.com/military
  • MilitaryDisneyTips.com

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(For the first page of this review of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, see this.)

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is themed around Caribbean islands, their beaches, and the pirates who once voyaged among them. Rooms in the resort are found in five “villages” ringing a lake, each of which has three or six two story, 64 room buildings. All the villages are named after Caribbean destinations: Barbados, Trinidad, Martinique, Aruba, and Jamaica.

Each colorful village has palm-tree lined beaches, and each has its own pool and bus stop. The central Old Port Royale area includes another bus stop and the main pool at the resort, the pirate-themed Fuentes del Morro Pool—the best pool of the Disney World moderate resorts.

All rooms were refurbed in 2014-2015. Pirate rooms (in Trinidad) got a light makeover, retained their full beds, and sleep four.

Rooms in all other villages got a major makeover.  Full beds were replaced with queens, and many rooms now have in addition a fold-down Murphy bed, suitable for a person five feet or shorter, increasing the capacity of these rooms to five.

In all villages you can book water-view rooms (some of the “water” views are of the pools). In all villages except Trinidad, you can book king rooms.  Also in all villages except Trinidad, you can book a room with a third sleeping spot–these rooms previously were reserved for families of five, and any left over were randomly assigned.

You can also book “preferred” rooms in Barbados, where for an extra cost you can get a room are closer to the central services of Old Port Royale.

There’s much similarity among the villages, but also some key differences. This part of the review of Caribbean Beach will discuss them village by village, starting with Martinique and going clockwise.

Note that in May 2017, the former village Barbados and half of Martinique were leveled.  In October 2018 the village formerly known as Trinidad North inherited the name of the demolished Barbados, while Trinidad South became simply Trinidad.

MARTINIQUE

Martinique is a three building area (it used to have six, but three were leveled in May 2017). The three buildings that remain here have recently been priced as both preferred and regular. They seem to be regular now, but may shift to preferred soon.

A re-orientation of bus routes in late June 2017 means that park buses pick up and drop off Martinique guests first.

Each village has a beach.  At Martinique the beach, shown above, is near Old Port Royale.

Each village has a pool–all are similar. Here’s the one at Martinique.

The view from the Martinique area is of the lovely beaches across Barefoot Bay in Aruba.

Martinique guests will find two bus stops to use–one at Old Port Royale is closer to some rooms especially in building 26, and most other rooms will be closer to the other bus stop.

Martinique has a Coke freestyle machine for refillable mugs in Building 25, and also in 25 an Island Market, in room 2509.

BARBADOS

Barbados was known until October 2018 as Trinidad North. All buildings here are at “preferred” prices. Because many of its buildings are not far from the central services and pool at Old Port Royale, rates are $40-70 per night higher than standard rooms in non-preferred buildings.

It has just three buildings and two beaches, and thus is overall the most compact and convenient of all the Villages.

One of the beaches–near Old Port Royale.

The second beach, further south.

The pool at Barbados is at the end furthest from Old Port Royal–if this were a six building village, it would be right in the middle. This means all rooms are close to both the main pool and this smaller “quiet” pool.

Buildings here are a brown pink that adults probably call “coral.” We’ll get a better view in the same-color Trinidad material coming next.

The view from Barbados is of the great beach of Jamaica.

The bus stop is in the center and convenient to all rooms.

Barbados has a Coke freestyle machine for refillable mugs in Building 33, but no Island Markets, I suppose because it is so close to the temporary dining facilities between it and the main pool.

TRINIDAD

Up the road–in a dead end–are the six buildings of Trinidad, known until October 2018 as Trinidad South.

In this distant, inconvenient area of Caribbean Beach, you’ll find the expensive Pirate rooms.

Pirate rooms are full bed rooms with special decorations meant to make them nautical and piratical. More on these is here.

Here’s the beach at Trinidad.

…and here’s the pool.

Trinidad has Coke freestyle machines for refillable mugs in Buildings 34 and 38, but no Island Market.

In March 2018 a new quick-service venue, Spyglass Grill, opened here.

Spyglass Grill provides interesting, though limited, dining options that are much more convenient than what is in Centertown/Old Port Royale.

A better view of the insipid colors it shares with Barbados.

Trinidad is on a separate lobe of Barefoot Bay–Barefoot Bay Bay?–and the land across the water will become the Caribbean Beach stop of the new Disney Skyliner gondola transportation system to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is expected to open in mid-2019.

The current Spyglass Grill and future nearby gondola stop will make Trinidad a better and less isolated choice than it had been in the past.

The bus stop is in the center of the village.

JAMAICA

Jamaica is my favorite among the Caribbean Beach Villages. Most of its six buildings are near enough to Old Port Royale via the bridge across Caribbean Cay, and those that aren’t are still a reasonable walk via the road bridge and Barbados.

Some southern rooms are close to the new Spyglass Grill in Trinidad, and Jamaica is just north of the Caribbean Beach stop of the Disney Skyliner transportation system to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, expected to open in mid-2019.

Jamaica also has a great color scheme…

…a pool similar to the rest…

…a huge, gorgeous beach, and a nice view of Barbados and Old Port Royale.

The bus stop is in the center. It’s the second to last stop.

Jamaica has Coke freestyle machines for refillable mugs in Buildings 43 and 46. Also in 43 is an Island Market, in room 4308.

ARUBA

Aruba is the next best choice after Jamaica for those unwilling to pay for a preferred room.

It has a so-so color scheme, and its bus stop is at the far end.  Some rooms will be closer to the footbridge to Caribbean Cay and Old Port Royal, others will be closer to the bus stop.

Some rooms near the bus stop will have unsightly views of construction.

It has the usual pool…

…and a beach second only to Jamaica’s in extent and loveliness.

It has a nice view of Martinique and Old Port Royale.

Buses stop here last. Aruba has Coke freestyle machines for refillable mugs in Buildings 52 and 55, and also has in 55 an Island Market, in room 5524.

PHOTO TOUR OF A FOUR PERSON QUEEN ROOM AT CARIBBEAN BEACH

This review continues here.

PAGES IN THIS REVIEW OF DISNEY’S CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Overview and Summary
• Theming, accommodations and villages at Caribbean Beach
• Photo tour of a four person queen bed room at Caribbean Beach
• Photo tour of a five person queen and murphy bed room at Caribbean Beach
• Photo tour of a four person full bed Pirate room at Caribbean Beach
• Amenities at Caribbean Beach
• Dining at Caribbean Beach
• The main pool at Caribbean Beach

OTHER KEY PAGES FOR WHERE TO STAY AT DISNEY WORLD

• Where to stay–the Basics
• Where first-timers should stay
• Reviews of all the Disney World resorts, based on my 160+ stays in them

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The latest WDW Magazine is out!

This month’s edition focuses on the holidays at Walt Disney World–my First Timer’s Corner column is on “Ten Things First Timers Need to Know About the Holiday Season.”

The magazine is available on iTunes, for Android, and on the web.

But right now you can get a sample edition for free—click here.

This is great, as it lets you see what you will get after you subscribe without having to pay anything first!

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: NOVEMBER 8 TO NOVEMBER 16, 2014

The material below details operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

The same stuff is in the image, but organized by park, not by topic. For more on October 2014 at Walt Disney World, click here.

Note that typos happen, and schedules change! If something seems odd, or if you want to double check, use the calendar links near the bottom to get the latest official Disney World scoop.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 11/8-11/16/2014

The Magic Kingdom will be open 9a-11p 11/8 and 11/9, 9a-7p 11/10, 9a-10p 11/11 and 11/12, 9a-7p 11/13 and 11/14, 9a-11p 11/15, and 9a-7p 11/16

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p 11/8, 9a-10p 11/9, and 9a-9p 11/10 through 11/16

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-8p everyday

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-8p 11/8 and 11/9, 9a-6p 11/10 through 11/12, 9a-7p 11/13 through 11/15, and 9a-6p 11/16

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 11/8-11/16/2014

Saturday 11/8 Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: Magic Kingdom

Sunday 11/9 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Monday 11/10 Morning: none Evening: Hollywood Studios

Tuesday 11/11 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Wednesday 11/12 Morning: Animal Kingdom Evening: none

Thursday 11/13 Morning: Magic Kingdom  Evening: none

Friday 11/14 Morning: none Evening: Epcot

Saturday 11/15 Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: Magic Kingdom

Sunday 11/16  Morning:  none Evening: Hollywood Studios

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 11/8-11/16/2014

The Magic Kingdom:

• Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day
• Evening Main Street Electrical Parade: 9a and 11p 11/8 and 11/9; 8 and 10p 11/11; 9 and 11p 11/15

FIREWORKS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 11/8-11/16/2014

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 10p 11/8 and 11/9; 9p 11/11 and 11/12; 10p 11/15

Illuminations at Epcot: 9p 11/8; 10p 11/9; p 11/10 through 11/16

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  6.30 and 8p 11/8 through 11/10; 6.30p 11/11 through 11/13; 6.30 and 8p 11/14 through 11/16

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 11/8-11/16/2014

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

LONG RANGE WEATHER FORECAST FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 11/8-11/16/2014

See this for forecasts.

DISCLAIMER

Everything is subject to change and typos! Check the Disney Calendars for updates and official schedules. These calendars can be found by clicking the following links:

• Magic Kingdom Calendar
• Hollywood Studios Calendar
• Animal Kingdom Calendar
• Epcot Calendar

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CINDERELLA AND HER FAMILY AT 1900 PARK FARE

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of three princess meals at Walt Disney World, and if it had a better setting it might be the best.

The other two are Storybook Dining in Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway at Epcot and Cinderella’s Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom (closed until March 2015 for refurb.)

Each of these two presents a boatload of princesses and a fun setting–Akershus in the banquet hall of a medieval fort, and Cinderella’s Royal Table inside her castle at the Magic Kingdom.

Cinderella’s Royal Table, however, is wildly expensive and reservations are hard to get.

Akershus is more reasonably priced, but requires a visit to Epcot, which otherwise at the moment has not much of interest to the younger kids who most avidly want to meet the princesses.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare is about the same price as Akershus, has much better food than either, and, since it’s in a hotel, does not require using a park ticket.

1900 Park Fare is on the first floor of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, entered through its spectacular lobby. The Grand Floridian is on the resort monorail loop, just outside the Magic Kingdom. To get there from the Magic Kingdom, take either the boat at the right (as you are facing away from the park) or if it has long lines (it’s a small boat, built on the classic Morgan 40 hull), the resort monorail. Take the monorail back.

In the undistinguished and windowless space–the ambiance is the only negative of 1900 Park Fare–two character meals are served, one with Pooh and British friends (including from UKIP) at breakfast, and Cinderella and her family at dinner.

Here’s the scoop on both from our book:

Dinner begins with a photo session outside–that’s older son Ted and his girlfriend, Danielle. I ducked this photo–but no others…

No character joins this initial photo session, unlike at Cinderella’s Royal Table, where Cinderella appears, or Akershus, where your greeting photo is with Belle.

At dinner, you will be visited by, and can get autographs from and photos with…

Cinderella’s stepmother…

…her stepsisters…

…Prince Charming. That’s Danielle to the right. My job is to introduce girlfriends to Disney World. When I told Danielle she’d be meeting Cinderella at dinner, she said “Dave, you know how to make a girl’s dreams come true.”

This is now the unofficial motto of the site.

Cinderella.

Cinderella also dances with Prince Charming, and plays with all those who show in princess garb–see the image at the top of the page!

There will be a lot of little girls in princess garb at this meal, but it may be the most everybody-friendly princess meal at Disney World, because the step-family are a bunch of comically hostile smart-alecks, making interaction with them fun for all who aren’t already swooning at Prince Charming.

And the food?  This is the best buffet at Disney World. See the details in the capsule review above. There’s several hot stations…

…a carving station, several cold stations, a kids buffet, and a dessert table.

My plate shots turned out even worse than usual, but here’s the result of one of several trips to the buffet line…

…and here’s another.

The food is better than at either Akershus or Cinderella’s Royal Table. While there’s not the parade of princesses you’ll find at those, for many families the comic step-Tremaines more than make up for that. The setting is not as nice as either, but the Grand Floridian overall is a lovely place to visit–and does not require a ticket day to be spent. And the price is similar to Akershus, and much less than Cinderella’s Royal Table.

For first-timers it remains my third-recommended princess meal.  But for returning visitors–or families with only older boy children–it is decidedly worth a visit!

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