Disney: Recommendation: Enchanted Tales with Belle

We love New Fantasyland.  We love Beast's Castle, Little Mermaid, the circus complete with Casey, Jr.  and you can even see footprints of various Disney horses.  One of the neatest experiences we have come to love is Enchanted Tales with Belle

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: Fantasyland

Fastpass+ available

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This is such a fun experience.  First tip - get a Fastpass for it.  We've done it twice and it's much easier to get a fastpass, otherwise it's an hour wait.  You are taken through Maurice and Belle's cottage to a magical picture that opens up and takes you into Beast's castle.  They tell you they're going that Belle is coming and they want to surprise her with a retelling of how she and the Beast met and fell in love.  Then they pass out parts.  There are all kinds of parts!  For as many kids want to be involved is how many can be apart. They have ways to stretching the characters.  As far as getting picked for the role you want - be loud and be up front.  Make noise, get noticed.  Since there is no way of getting separated from your child so we've let Cupcake be in the front and we hang back.  Cupcake has scored two pretty big roles - the very first time we went in February 2013 she was the Beast.  She loved it and you actually get to spend a bit more time with Belle.  The second time she was Maurice.  She enjoyed getting to act in both roles.  You can see pictures below.  This has always been a great experience and we highly recommend it.  Even dads get in on the act - they get chosen as the Knights in Armor.  Superman got picked the time when Cupcake was Beast.  Whatever you do, make sure you hit this at least once in your Disney life. 

Waiting to go in and get started - Knight and Beast

That's where he had to stand the whole time

Getting ready to make her big entrance

And what an entrance she made

They got to pose with Belle

It all ends with Belle dancing with the Beast

Cupcake as Maurice

Disney: Snack Recommendation: Alice in Wonderland Cake Cups

Before our last Disney trip we heard of a delicious snack being served in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.  Superman and Cupcake were lucky enough to get to enjoy this delectable treat that satisfies any sweet tooth (I was at the spa).  They discovered the cake cups at Cheshire Cafe.

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: Fantasyland

I have a huge sweet tooth so this would have satisfied me to no end.  Superman's isn't as big as mine so he said it got a little too sweet and rich for him.  They come in 4 varieties - Mad Hatter Mocha Chocolate, Cheshire Cat Birthday Cake, White Rabbit White Chocolate and Red Queen Strawberry Shortcake.  It's layers of cake and icing.  Delicious.  This is not on the regular menu at Cheshire Cafe so you'll have to check if it's being served.  If you're lucky enough I hope you enjoy - seems a good one to share.  

Cupcake gives it her seal of approval

Disney: Restaurant Recommendation: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Tucked away in the Magic Kingdom is one of my favorite quick service restaurants. What can I say I'm a sucker for singing green aliens.  Today I'll talk to you about Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: Tomorrowland

View Menu Here

We discovered this place in our usual fashion - it was night extra magic hours at Magic Kingdom, we got hungry and this place was open.  What we weren't banking on was the delicious food we were served.  Cosmic Ray's has a variety of food from chicken, burgers, and sandwiches. Everything has been well seasoned and juicy. Definitely a pleasant and welcome surprise.  Also the break you need to finish using those magic hours.   There is also a topping bar here which means you can customize your own sandwich.  In the past they've had a delicious tomato soup as well.  It's not listed on the menu on the website but I'm not sure if it ever was.  It's usually listed at the cash registers as a special thing and you can make it your side. We also love to sit down where Ray is and listen to his corny show. We do love it though.  Superman has recently returned from his solo trip and said Ray was gone.  Not sure if he's gone for good or if he's being refurbished.  We'll check it out when we return (in under 60 days!).  Go give it a try. 

Disney: Ride Recommendation: Splash Mountain

I love the mountains of the Magic Kingdom.  I already gushed over Big Thunder Mountain and today I bring you another one.  This mountain is unlike any other you'll find.  This mountain has timeless characters, a song that you won't mind getting stuck in your head and one of the greatest splash downs around. 

Splash Mountain

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: Frontierland

Height: 40 inches

FastPass+ Available

I searched and searched for a photo we have of Splash Mountain but I came up empty. This is one of my favorite rides.  It's the last thing you'll be able to find that is related to Song of the South.  I love how you follow Briar Rabbits journey of leaving the Briar Patch, being chased by Briar Fox and Briar Bear and even getting involved in his escape - it's the part where you splash down, and finally Briar Rabbit returning home.  This ride isn't hurried.  You get to go down several hills, journey through several scenes and brings you right into the story.  It's the epitome of Disney magic at its best.  Mark it as one of your 3 FastPass choices for the day because you don't want to miss this ride. 

Disney: Recommendation: Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial

So you're at Disney World and you want to be a pirate? Well, there's only one thing for you to do and that's go to Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial.

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: Adventureland

*To the left of Pirates of the Caribbean Ride*

We did this experience back in 2013 and it was a lot of fun.  You can find it running several times a day in Adventureland right outside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  Captain Jack comes out with his first mate and starts to survey the crowd looking to train some new crew members.  For the training part he only picks out 4 kids but at the end everyone can take the pirate oath and be initiated in. Cupcake was determined to get picked and as luck would have it, Captain Jack picked her that day.  She was the only girl to join his crew and he kept saying he didn't trust her because he couldn't see the whites of her eyes (she was wearing sunglasses).  It was a funny show that had enough adult humor to keep all ages interested for the entire 25 minute show.  The actors did a great job - the first mate was the right amount of bumbling and Jack was spot on. I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining it was. They get adults involved too as one of the distractions they teach them is to yell, "Look it's Blackbeard's Daughter!"  I got to be Blackbeard's daughter throughout the entire show.  It was rather hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing.  It was fun to watch, fun to participate in so we recommend going to try it out.  Here are some pictures from the show. 

Disney: Restaurant Review: Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)

There are many, many options for delicious, tasty eats at Disney World.  One of my VERY favorites is the Be Our Guest Restaurant. 

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: New Fantasyland

This place is just amazing to eat in.  The food is superb.  The decor and ambiance is amazing - you are in the Beast's Castle.  You can eat there for all 3 meals.  Breakfast and lunch is considered quick service.  You order your food from a kiosk, you get a rose to put on your table.  You pick a seat, put the rose down and wait for them to deliver your food right to your table. It's awesome.  Dinner is a table service and a reservation you need to have at the 180 day mark.  This is our first night tradition.  Ever since it opened we've had dinner here on our first night.  The coolest part that we discovered last time is if you pick the right time, when you come out you can see the Wishes fireworks from the bridge.  It's the best place I've ever watched the fireworks on and you can only get on the bridge if you are having dinner at Be Our Guest. They even have the grey stuff and it's so delicious!  They have a great selection.  My little already knows she's getting the tomato soup and grilled cheese dippers again.  You can check out the menu here.  We've not had anything bad here at all.  We've had dinner and lunch here.  They started breakfast after our last trip but we plan to go 3 times next trip so we can have all 3 meals. For us, this is a Disney must do. 

The little dressed up in a Belle like dress the first time we went and she had a blast dancing with the waitress and the Beast.  Here are some pictures of our times there. 

 They even have the rose in the West Wing

 Delicious lunch

 A mountain of grey stuff on top of a chocolate cupcake

Disney: Ride Review: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)

They say there are 3 mountains in the Magic Kingdom (I say 4 as of last Spring). The first time I ever went to Disney World in 1988, my favorite was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Park: Magic Kingdom

Height: 40 inches

Fastpass+ Available

I was five and roller coasters were not my thing.  I would ride only one - The Trailblazer at Hersheypark.  It was just full of twists and spirals.  I was assured this was just like that and was tugged on the ride.  IT WAS AWESOME! I rode it over and over.  It was the Runaway Train ride (I didn't learn its' actual name until quite a few years later.)  It's a pretty long ride for a roller coaster as it takes you through the haunted mine town.  I remember being 5 and marveling that the train did not have a conductor.  I still love this ride today.  I now love any and all roller coasters and this is still a favorite.  It's been refurbished since but has only since improved it.  This is a great ride for everyone.  I still think it's a great first coaster for kids to try because it's not about the big drops, it's about twists and turns.  I do recommend getting a Fastpass+ for this because it tends to have long lines since they can only run a certain amount of trains at a time (instead of a constant moving of cars).