Choosing Your Deluxe Resort

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You know you want to stay in the best of the best for your Walt Disney World vacation, but aren't sure which of the 8 deluxe resorts fits your trip the best?  Are you all about the lavish vacation, or are you in it to maximize fun?  Either way, I have you covered!

I'll be going back to breaking things down Spender vs. Saver, Planner vs. Impulsive, and Romantic vs. Fun for this post!  For a more comprehensive approach overall picks from each category (deluxe, moderate, and value), check out my post The Right Resort for You.



Spender vs. Saver
Of course, if you plan on going to a deluxe resort, you are going to be spending a lot of money either way.  But which is the most expensive, and which will save you a little bit extra?

Spender

The most expensive resort on property is the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  Not only does it cost the most on average per night, but the amentities available only add to the possibility of spending a lot of money here.  Consider spending a day solely at the resort, checking out the pool or getting a massage!  Why is the right for the spender?:

• Average per night: $530
• Main Spa and Health Club at Disney World located here
• Numerous dining options, including signature restaurants such as Narcoossee's, Citricos, and the famous Victoria and Alberts!  Other dining options as well.
• View of Wishes fireworks in Magic Kingdom from the resort
• Monorail, buses, and boat transportation available.

Saver

The Wilderness Lodge is the least expensive, on average, of the deluxe resorts.  However, this does not mean that ameneties suffer here.  With a huge, heated pool, signature dining options, and beautiful theming, this option is great for those wanting the deluxe experience, but also wanting to spend the money you'll save elsewhere.  Here's why:

• Average per night: $348
• Signature dining option, Artist Point, and fun table-service restaurant, Whispering Canyon Cafe, located here
• Bus and boat transportation available
• Beautiful scenery to recreate the Pacific Northwest

Planner vs. Impulsive

Many of the resorts in the Deluxe category are great for the impulsive because of their close proximity to many of the parks.  This transportation availability is also great for the planner, because it allows much ground to be covered over the course of the vacation.  Here, though, are my favorite picks for both!

Planner

The BoardWalk Inn is a great place to stay regardless of what your plans are for the trip.  It is placed on the water, and the proximity to the Disney's Boardwalk make it a great place to plan meals and entertainment outside of the parks.  Here's some more things that make it great for the planner:

• Average per night: $436
• Location is in walking distance from both Hollywood Studios and Epcot
• Also, location on Disney's Boardwalk opens up great dining and entertainment options (Jellyrolls dueling piano bar, anyone?), as well as different activities, like bike rentals to cruise the boardwalk with
• Boat and bus transportation options

Impulsive

As mentioned in the original The Right Resort for You post, the Contemporary resort is great for the Impulsive.  Here's a few reasons why:

• Average per night: $380
• The monorail runs right through this building, giving you easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  Also, it is a quick walk from the resort to Magic Kingdom as well!  Though it's really hard with new Fastpass+ to be impulsive, this resort gives you the best opportunity to park hop
• The resort, like the other deluxe resorts, has great dining options, including the California Grill

Romantic vs. Fun

The last category encompasses those who want to have fun, who might be going with family or friends, and romantic, those couples that was a get-away while on vacation.  Each of these categories includes two choices!

Romantic

1st Option: Polynesian

The Polynesian is truly a tropical getaway in the middle of Florida. The theming is so immersive that when you enter, you feel like you've been transported miles and miles away.  This feeling of paradise makes me believe that the Polynesian is a great option for couples.

• Average per night: $484
• The transportation includes the monorail, buses, and boats
• View of the Wishes! fireworks from the beach at the resort, as well as many places inside the resort
• Tropical and delicious dining options and lounges, as well as round-the-clock Dole Whip availability
• Again, the atmosphere is amazing

2nd Option: Animal Kingdom Lodge

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great option for couples looking to get away in Disney.  Though it isn't tropical like the Polynesian, it is equally as well-themed, immersing you in the African culture, and offering rooms and views right on the savannah in Animal Kingdom park.  And though it might not be the most conveniently placed, the seclusion might be enjoyable for couples to spend time together.

• Average per night: $343
• Really delicious and interesting dining options, including both signature dining (Jiko) as well as many other dining options that are hugely flavorful
• View of the savannah from the resort, including many rooms
• Atmosphere around the resort is beautiful

Fun

Though the Fun option includes two different resorts, these resorts share many amenities, and are basically attached, so I will talk about them as if they are one.  The are both within walking distance of Disney's Boardwalk, as well as Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

• Average per night (the same for both): $417
• Proximity to the Boardwalk means late night options for some fun, and ability to walk to Epcot means you can go pick a new country (and maybe have a few drinks there) every night if you want!
• Great pool area
• Between the two resorts, there are very casual dining options as well as great signature dining options
• Massage and workout center at the Ship Shape Health Club

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The Aurora in the Clouds Cocktail

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So, to be honest, after the Olaf's In Summer Cocktail, I was desperate to find something to do with all the extra blueberries I had left.  I don't like blueberries all that much.

I was looking up drink recipes for inspiration, and noticed that if the blueberries were smashed into the drink, it turned pink, but the blueberries themselves were blue.

And immediately I thought of Aurora dancing with Phillip in the clouds at the end of Sleeping Beauty, the fairies changing her dress color from pink to blue and back again.

So, I came up with this drink!

You will need the following ingredients, as pictured above:

• 1 1/2 ounces (1 shot) Vanilla Vodka
• Frozen Blueberries, in the drink and as garnish
• About 1/2 cup Pink Lemonade
• A few dollops of Cool Whip
• Lemon peel, for garnish

First thing you have to do is make blueberry ice cubes.  Take an ice cube tray (I conveniently have a mini-tray, which is perfect sized, but any tray will work for this.  Push as many blueberries as possible into 3 (normal sized) or 6 (mini sized) cube spots.  Cover with water to hold the blueberries together, and freeze.  This was my final product:

Then, add 5-10 blueberries to the shaker, and muddler them to release their color and flavor.  Be careful not to add too many, or it will make the pink color of the drink too dark for the contrasting blue and pink effect.  Add the vanilla vodka and pink lemonade to the shaker, with some ice.  Shake and add to the glass.  Drop the blueberry ice cubes into the drink.  Then, add dollops of Cool Whip (as round and cloud like as possible) directly onto the liquid.

Also, I added a "fairy wand" garnish to the rim of the glass.  I cut a little bit of a lemon peel into the shape of a star, and added that and a blueberry to the end of a dessert skewer (though a toothpick would work as well).

One thing that I wanted to note was that if you let the ice cubes melt, the drink gradually becomes more blue, which adds to the whimsy of the fairies changing the dress color concept.  It would look really cute throughout at party if you made it in a big punch bowl!  (Sorry, I should have taken a picture as this happened to my drink!)

And there you have it!  The "Aurora in the Clouds" Cocktail, with blue-dress blueberry ice cubes and pink-dress pink lemonade, with cool whip clouds on top!  Fun and sweet, a great drink for a graceful princess.

Check out my other Disney cocktail recipes: The Enchanted Rose, Olaf's "In Summer", I Just Can't Wait to Be Lion King

What movie would you like the next cocktail to be based on?  Let me know in the comments!

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Planning Fastpass+ for Animal Kingdom

So, your Disney vacation is so close, only two months until you step foot in the "happiest place on earth."  This also means that it's time to choose your Fastpass+ for your trip!  The nice thing about choosing Fastpass+ attractions in Animal Kingdom is that there aren't nearly as many to pick from, unlike Magic Kingdom, and there is no tier system, like Epcot and Hollywood Studios!


Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Regardless of what you pick, you can make last minute changes with your smartphone.  This is especially important if you get to a ride you've reserved, and the line isn't very long.
• The Fastpass+ system is new, and so rides that typically had long lines might not, and things that typically had pretty short waits might develop long lines.  At this point, we aren't sure.
• In the case of Animal Kingdom, you might want to use Fastpass+ to concentrate your day in order to make it to another park, especially if your vacation is relatively short and you are trying to squeeze Animal Kingdom in to half a day.
• For more information about reserving Fastpass+ in general, look at this post: Reserving Fastpass+

Because of the small number of rides available for Fastpass+ in Animal Kingdom, I'll be using a similar format to that of Magic Kingdom to analyze them, but not entirely the same.

Definitely Use Fastpass+

Animal Kingdom has a limited number of rides. And with 3 Fastpass+ spots and only 8 rides to choose from, I highly recommend using the first 2 on the following if you have any intention of riding them.

• Why: This is one of the best roller coasters in Walt Disney World.  Expedition Everest has wonderful thumbing and an awesome story line, and it doesn't even need that because the roller coaster is so much fun!  As one of the main attractions in Animal Kingdom, and with few other high-thrill options in the park, you'll definitely want as Fastpass+ if you plan on riding this.
• If not: If you don't get a Fastpass+, get to the park early and go straight there.  You can also do this if you want to ride Expedition Everest twice.  Right after park opening, the line is pretty short.

• Why: Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the most popular attractions in Animal Kingdom because it is so authentic.  Though there is some "Disney magic" thrown in, it mostly keeps the feel of a real African safari throughout.  You also get the chance to get up close and personal with the animals, if they are out and about.
• If not: Get there early.  If you don't get a Fastpass+, go straight back to this attraction.  It fills up quick, as a ride that everyone, no matter height or age, can go on, so you'll want to go on it soon after entering the park if you want to avoid standing in a very long line.

Choose for Your Remaining Fastpass+

These rides all seem to have a pro and a con for using a Fastpass+ for them, so when taking your pick, keep those in mind.  You may want to change your selection based on wait times once your there, so be sure to keep your smartphone handy!

• Why: Dinosaur, though not a roller coaster, is a high-thrill and action-packed ride that I highly recommend going.  It is so much fun, and sort of terrifying in spots.  It's very unique from everything else in the park, and the technology used to make the animatronic dinosaurs seem realistic is very impressive.
• Why Not: The lines for Dinosaur are often somewhat short, depending on the time of day.  I would suggest making a Fastpass+ reservation for this, but altering it upon arrival if the line is short.  Also, don't ride this if you are easily scared, despite the fact that Dinosaurs aren't real.
• Fear reference...

• Why: Kali River Rapids is your typical rapids ride, but with Disney magic.  They do a great job with theming, and it has a lot of fun drops and splashes throughout!  The lines tend to be longer on hot days, because you will get wet on this ride.  Definitely consider the Fastpass+ if you want to ride this and you're coming during the hotter times of the year.
• Why Not: Don't get the Fastpass+ if you are coming during a time when Florida isn't sweltering hot (or at least bring extra clothes if you do).  You might not want to ride it depending on the weather, and there is a chance that if it's cooler and you do want to ride this, the line won't be very long.

• Why: Grab a Fastpass+ to guarantee yourself a viewing of this show.  I'm not sure, but I'd bet that a Fastpass+ for this puts you in the "Bubble Seats," which makes the Fastpass+ much more worth it if that's true (if someone finds this out before me, let me know?).
• Why Not: The show is great, and I definitely recommend going if you have time, but you likely don't need a Fastpass+ in order to get a seat.

• Why: With the newly renovated theater in its new location, the demand for Festival of the Lion King will likely be higher than ever.  An already popular show, get a Fastpass+ to guarantee yourself a seat!
• Why Not: Like many of the other shows throughout Walt Disney World, you would likely not have too much trouble getting a seat without a Fastpass+.

Ride/Attend Without Fastpass+

These rides/attractions certainly have their own merit, especially in a park with limited attractions as it is.  However, they are unlikely worth using your Fastpass+ on.

• Why Ride: This ride is in a portion of the park made to resemble a side-of-the-road carnival, with odds and ends that are quirky and fun.  This roller coaster accomplishes that well, and is cute and fun and worth going on.
• Not Fastpass+/Skip: The line usually doesn't have a wait, and if it does, you should probably just skip this one.  It's not uniquely Disney, having a "wild mouse" type feel, so to save time and Fastpass+ selections, skip this one if there is a long standby line.

• Why Go: If you haven't seen Mickey and Minnie, this is a fun place to meet the two characters and see their "travel memorabilia."
• Not Fastpass+/Skip: Here, Mickey and Minnie aren't in their standard attire, so if you want to have that character photo of the icons of the park, this probably isn't the place to stand in line or use a Fastpass+ to get it.

• Why Go: This attraction is really fun.  The technology used (I don't want to give away spoilers if you haven't ridden in) is awesome, and makes the show an immersive experience.  It's full of laughs, and will definitely be worth the likely-short wait accompanying it.
• Not Fastpass+/Skip: The line for this is typically not very long, so I wouldn't recommend using a Fastpass+ on it.  Also, if you've gone on this before, you might want to skip it if you are trying to keep your time in Animal Kingdom to a half-day trip.

And now you should be all set! If you missed any other my other posts about Fastpass+ reservations, I'll include the links below, or click the "Fastpass+" tab at the top of the page:

• Reserving Fastpass+ (Overview)
• Planning Fastpass+ at Magic Kingdom
• Planning Fastpass+ at Epcot
• Planning Fastpass+ at Hollywood Studios

So now I'd like to know, what aspect of Disney planning would you like advice on next?
Leave your suggestions in the comments!

Until next time!




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