Disney: Ride Recommendation: Soarin'

What I will talk with you about today is one of my FAVORITE rides at Disney.  

Nowhere else can you board a real live Erector set, smell the smells, dip and soar other than taking a ride on Soarin'.

Park: Epcot

Area: Future World West

Fastpass+ Available

First, get a Fastpass.  Make sure this is your Tier 1 choice at least one day when you go to Epcot.  It's not only my favorite but a Disney fan favorite and must do so it always has an average of a 120-minute wait.  They have made the queue fun and made it interactive with games in the queue.  This ride did recently get a refurb just this past June.  They added a third theater and have a new movie.  Previously it was Soarin' Over California and you took in the sights and smells of California.  On June 17, 2016, they debuted Soarin' Around the World.  So now you take in the sights of our wonderful world.  Superman and Cupcake have watched the new one on YouTube and are impressed and excited to ride.  I don't like to be spoiled so I didn't watch - I'll experience it when we go on our next trip to Disney.  Now, there are 3 elements to this ride that I love!  The music - I love the Soarin' soundtrack!  It's perfect for what you're doing and does what a soundtrack is supposed to do meld into the movie.  The music makes this an over-the-top experience because I feel it is what you hear should you actually be hand gliding over the world.  The smell - it's hot, everyone is sweating, pack about a hundred of you together and it should smell like my classroom did after seeing high school and then middle school but no.  They spray in smell to match what you're seeing - you're in the mountains, you get a subtle pine scent.  You're by the sea, smell that salt air.  My favorite is the orange grove because you get fresh oranges.  You don't even realize it, it's just part of making it a memorable ride.  It's my favorite.  I kind of hope they make the orange smell-it into a car freshener - I would get it.  Lastly, the cinematography is fantastic, really spot on.  It's hard to make a movie in the style of pretending you are flying over it because it's too easy to feel like you ran into buildings or into tops of cars (Europe in the Air at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a prime example) but this is totally believable.  So the overall point is go ride Soarin'.  Seriously, go.  Right now, go ride Soarin'.  You can thank me later. 

Disney: Snack Recommendation: Croque Glace

So you're in Disney and most of the year it's on the warm side so it's always time for ice cream. Today I'm recommending the delicious Croque Glace from L'Artisan des Glaces.

Park: EPCOT

Area: World Showcase

Country: France

L'Artisan des Glaces menu

This little ice cream place is tucked away in a back corner in the France pavillion but it is not to be missed. We visited this place our last trip and fell in love with the delicious ice cream.  I do have one regret - not getting the Croque Glace like my husband did. I went with just a regular cup of ice cream since it was a snack credit but my husband opted to buy his. I'm hoping that since they changed the snack to a single serving that it is this time - either way I'm all over it. It's a scoop of ice cream (your choice) with raspberry or chocolate sauce (again, your choice) and it's pressed between some brioche bread.  I was lucky my husband let me taste and it was delectable!  The salty and sweet with the hot and cold made this a must have combination.  I recommend the sea salt caramel flavor - it was so smooth and silky that it's my new measure of caramel of flavor.  We will return to this place in 2016 and I will have my own Croque Glace...with sea salt caramel ice cream and chocolate sauce. 

Disney: Recommendation: Restaurant: Coral Reef

Ever wanted to dine under the sea?  Well in Disney, you can!  Today, we're going to talk about one of my favorite places to dine - Coral Reef

Park: EPCOT

Area: Future World West
Coral Reef Menu

My first trip to Disney was in June of 1988.  I actually turned 5 while we were there.  I don't have many memories of that vacation but some are still crystal clear.  One such memory was exploring the giant aquarium at EPCOT.  I could have stayed there all day.  I love the water, I love the ocean and for the longest time I wanted to be a marine biologist.  To my happy surprise for dinner my parents took us to the restaurant at the aquarium!  I don't remember a thing about the meal, but I do remember being right next to the aquarium and watching all the fishies swim by.  I rediscovered Coral Reef on our 2013 Disney trip.  The food is delicious!  Whether you are having something from the sea or from the land they've got something you're looking for.  I love the decor with its blues and greens and mosaic tiles.  It's just a great place to rest your feet and fill up on delicious Disney.  Superman has had the seafood and always says "this place knows how to do it right." (He's picky about his seafood).  I've had both the chicken and steak and both were fabulous, tender and juicy.  Cupcake loves getting pizza off the menu but has recently discovered shrimp so it'll be interesting to see if she'll try something new on our next visit.  And your dinner is just the beginning because the dessert is mouthwatering.  My husband swears by the Chocolate Wave while I love the Turtle Cheesecake that comes out as a sea turtle.   Point being you can't go wrong here.  Go and try it - you won't be disappointed.

Enjoying Coral Reef in 2014

Disney: Recommendation: Ride: Mission: SPACE

You're in Disney so what's the logical thing to do?  Go to Epcot and take a trip to Mars. Absolutely. And you'll have no regrets if you do. 

This is Mission:SPACE

Park: Epcot

Area: Future World East

Height: 44 inches

Fastpass + Available

First, I love Epcot.  This is not a park to skip.  It doesn't have the outward flash of the other parks but it has depth.  There is so much to do and explore that you get lost and discover something new each time. Every. single. time.  Do yourself a favor and do not overlook this park.  Future World and World Showcase each have their own individual charm and we take a day for each.  One of my favorite rides at Epcot is Mission: SPACE.  The premise is that you are the first crew to head to Mars.  First choice you need to make is what training you will pick. Orange is high intensity (the ride spins like a centrifuge).  It will make you sick to your stomach.  We opt for Green training (the ride doesn't spin) and it's the exact same ride without feeling sick to your stomach for 2 hours after.  Also green never has a long line.  It's only 10 minutes max.  Meaning we don't waste a fastpass on it. 

The best part - the stuff you find when you are leaving.  Unlike other Disney rides, this doesn't directly dump you into the merchandise.  Nope, you end up in a play place where the kids that are still too small can play (remember ride swap is an awesome thing) and there is also games the bigger kids can play at being mission control.  This is always a must do.