Category: New To Me
New to Me – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
April 25, 2013 | Posted by Running at Disney under Disney Parks, New To Me, Walt Disney World |
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will forever remain MGM to me. This park holds a special place in my heart because it is the first park I remember the opening of. I remember riding the Great Movie Ride over and over and over again…it was truly groundbreaking at the time. When I was 10 my dream in life was to be one of the cast members working on that attraction. Oh how times have changed…
I have done almost everything in this park because it is a favorite of mine, but also because of it’s small scale. It’s easy to get most of the attractions in while visiting. But alas, there are still a few attractions (mainly shows…shocking!) that I haven’t experienced. Let’s take a look…
The American Idol Experience
I’m not a big fan the the American Idol television show and have actually never watched any of the seasons, so I think that’s why I’ve never been to this show. It also seems very time consuming and I haven’t wanted to devote that much of my day to something I most likely won’t enjoy.
Animation Academy
Now this is something I REALLY want to do, but always forget about it. Probably because it’s hidden away in a corner of The Magic of Animation. I’ve actually tried to go into this a few times, but have just missed the show and didn’t want to wait for the next one. Yes, I’m impatient. I’m not a very good artist, but this looks like a lot of fun!
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
I have seen the actual Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast and I think this play a large part in why I’ve never seen the show at the Studios. This just seems like a condensed version of that show. I’ve also seen that the seats are bleachers with no backs on them…that doesn’t seem comfortable, especially on a hot day. However, I do love the songs from Beauty and the Beast so maybe I’ll give it a shot someday.
Hollywood & Vine
Since I don’t have children, I feel a little strange about eating at the Playhouse Disney buffet for breakfast or lunch. For dinner, you are more likely to find me at Hollywood Brown Derby (new review coming soon on that!) than at a buffet. I’ve mentioned before that I’m just not a huge buffet fan, so nothing about the menu here appeals to me…at all. I don’t see this in my future anytime soon.
The Voyage of the Little Mermaid
For some reason, this attraction also feels strange for me to see without children. I’m not really sure why, but it does. This also fits into my not liking shows thing. Now with the new Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction at the Magic Kingdom, I think I have my fill of Ariel. But like Beauty and the Beast, I do enjoy the music from this film so maybe I’ll give it a shot before it disappears one day.
What attractions and restaurants are new to YOU at Disney’s Hollywood Studios??
Do you prefer shows or ride along attractions??
New to Me: Epcot’s World Showcase
April 18, 2013 | Posted by Running at Disney under Disney Parks, New To Me, Walt Disney World |
Well we made it through Future World and now it’s time to move to the back of the park to World Showcase. But before we do, I have to say that I received a TON of comments, tweets, FB messages and texts about great meals that were recently had at Coral Reef! I am so excited to hear that and can’t wait to eat there this weekend. (Yes, I will be in WDW this weekend…let me know if you want to say hi!)
So World Showcase…home of my FAVORITE event, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival! It is also probably my favorite place to grab a beer and just sit on a bench. This is a regular occurrence for Amanda and I. But as with most of WDW, there are still quite a few things I haven’t done here. They mainly consist of films and restaurants. Let’s move clockwise around the lagoon…
School Bread
I actually haven’t eaten at any of the Norwegian establishments, but I think the fact that I haven’t tried the beloved School Bread is probably the most significant. If you’re not familiar with this Disney cult classic, it is available at the Kringla Bakeri og Cafe in the Norway pavilion. It is a sweet roll filled with vanilla custard and topped with icing and toasted coconut. This sounds right up my alley, so I’m really not sure why I haven’t tried this yet…it’s a mystery! But now that I know I have an egg sensitivity, it doesn’t look like I’ll be trying this anytime soon because of the custard. Fail.
Reflections of China
As I’ve said before, I’m not a huge fan of films in WDW and this is particularly true when you have to stand for the film. I get that the Circle-Vision 360 films aren’t conducive to sitting, but after walking around Epcot the last thing I want to do is stand for a 13-minute film. I’ve heard this is a breathtaking film and I think I would actually enjoy it since I don’t think I will ever see China in my life (that’s a seriously long flight!). I think the key to seeing this will be to make it one of the first things I do, so I won’t be so tired from walking around all day. Yeah…that’s the ticket!
Biergarten Restaurant
I’ve been in this restaurant a few times for runDisney meetups, but I’ve never actually eaten here. Again surprising since my heritage is half German and knowing that so many people rave about it. I also love sausage and sauerkraut so what gives?? Well a few things.
1. I only like buffets for breakfast…strange, but true. There is something about lunch and dinner buffets that just really don’t appeal to me. Plus, I never feel like I eat enough to make it worth the price for me.
2. B doesn’t like anything about the menu here. He hates all things pickled, despises cabbage and beets, and really isn’t a fan of sausage. Why did I marry him you ask? Well he is pretty awesome in most other things. 😉 So because he doesn’t like the food, it’s never really on my radar.
3. The entertainment just isn’t for me. When it comes to music, I turn to my Irish heritage for that. Yodeling…no thanks.
O Canada!
Well, the reasons I haven’t seen this are the same as Reflections of China. Film + Standing = No. I actually almost went to see this over Wine & Dine Weekend, but we just missed it and I didn’t want to wait 18-minutes for the next one. I’ve heard Martin Short is actually really funny and again the film is gorgeous. Plan for this weekend…Canada first, China second…go!
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Gasp! I know! The most beloved restaurant by Disneyphiles everywhere and this foodie hasn’t been there! To be honest, when restaurants are that hyped up, I tend to avoid them. Don’t get me wrong, the food looks great here, but I just don’t want to be on the phone 180 days out making ADRs. Now that it’s been bumped up to 2 table service credits on the Dining Plan, I hear that it’s easier to get a reservation so hopefully I’ll be able to give it a try soon. I recently popped my head in to get a look at the restaurant and was surprised by how small it is, which is what probably attributes to the difficulty of getting in.
What attractions and restaurants are new to YOU in World Showcase at Epcot??
What are your thoughts on films where you have to stand??
New to Me: Epcot’s Future World
April 10, 2013 | Posted by Running at Disney under Disney Parks, New To Me, Walt Disney World |
Epcot is probably my favorite park. I spent so much time here in the EPCOT Center days that I used to be able to recite Journey Into Imagination (the original!) from memory! Now as an adult, Future World has a retro feel that I love, but it will still never life up to the days of Horizons and World of Motion. Sigh…
So if it’s my favorite park, how are there things I’ve missed in Future World?! Well I think it’s because some the attractions can often be overlooked because they are tucked away and when it comes to dining, I always head into World Showcase. Here are some things that are still New To Me in Future World.
Circle of Life
I don’t think I’ve ever even stepped foot in this theater! I’ve heard this is a great film, but I am generally not one for films (which you will see when we get to World Showcase!) and head to the unique attractions. Living with the Land is one of my all time favs, go I generally head straight there when I’m in The Land pavilion. The last time I was in there, my friend Amanda even tried to get me to go in and I just brushed it off. This is definitely on the to do list…I mean how can you not love Timon and Pumba?!
Behind the Seeds Tour
Speaking of Living with the Land, did you know you can actually walk around the gardens?! Well, you have to have a guide with you, but how cool is that?! This tour is something I’ve been wanting to do for years, but never seem to make the time. I love fresh vegetables and I find their gardening techniques fascinating, so this is a no brainer for me. And with the $18 price tag…hello?!? This is on my priority list for my next trip.
Garden Grill Restaurant
And to round out things that are New to Me in The Land pavilion, Garden Grill Restaurant. There are 3 things about this restaurant that don’t appeal to me:
1. Family Style Dining. I’m never a fan of this (well excect for a big breakfast skillet at Whispering Canyon Cafe) as there is generally something I don’t want and it seems like a waste of food because there is always a TON leftover.
2. The Rotating Dining Room. I know it doesn’t spin super fast, but just the thought of moving during my meal doesn’t sit well with me.
3. The Cuisine. With a name like Garden Grill, I would expect local, farm fresh cuisine. But what is on the menu is more like classic, home-style cooking. There is nothing wrong with that and if I was going somewhere like Liberty Square Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, I would expect that, but not here. There is so much more they could do with the menu to make it innovative and really showcase all of the wonderful local produce!
Sum of All Thrills
Another attraction that I’ve been really wanting to do for the past few years, but always forget about! I think this is due to it’s location. I very rarely walk through Innoventions, so I never think of it. I think a sign outside would really help! I’ve done the roller coaster simulator at Disney Quest and loved that…this seems like it would be kicking that up a few notches. Maybe I’ll set a reminder for myself to do this next time so I don’t forget!
Coral Reef Restaurant
This restaurant has always intrigued me, but the lackluster reviews have always kept me away. A little secret you may not know about me is that I wanted to be a Marine Biologist when I was younger. I realized early on that it probably wasn’t the right career path for me, but I still have a love of all aquatic life. I could stare into the aquarium at The Seas all day. So dining at Coral Reef seems really cool, I just haven’t wanted to waste a whole meal there if the food isn’t good…you know how important food is to me! I’ve decided that on my next trip, I’m going for lunch to test it out and check out the atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to it!
What attractions and restaurants are new to YOU in Future World at Epcot??