Once is Enough and Can't Get Enough: The Rest of the World
There is so much to see and do at Walt Disney World that one quickly realizes you simply can't do it all. Having been several times, I still haven't done everything. But I do now have some things that make the "must do" list each vacation and several things that I've only done once and won't regret not doing again.
We've already tackled this topic for Disney's Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and the Magic Kingdom. Now, we'll look at the rest of the world, including resorts and dining, Disney Springs, water parks, miniature golf and, well, anything else that's on property.
Can't Get Enough
Port Orleans Riverside resort. It's the one resort I've stayed at most, but even when not staying there, I tend to end up there to take a walk along the beautiful Sassagoula River (heyyyy!) and walk over to Port Orleans French Quarter for some beignets. If I'm heading to Disney Springs, my favorite way to get there (although it's definitely the scenic route) is to take a bus to Port Orleans Riverside and then hop on the boat down the river to Disney Springs. I love seeing all the other resorts we pass, and I just love the relatively quiet sounds of floating down the river.
Once Is Enough
Any All Star resort. Does this make me a value resort snob? Maybe. Though there is Pop Century and I have not yet tried or found reason to complain about that. But I found the All Star resorts to be loud with too many larger families with noisy children around, and the room was pretty small, with paper thin walls.
Can't Get Enough
Por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas! The monorail might smell like a locker room after a hot football game, but it feels and sounds like home! I love riding it, especially the EPCOT monorail, but honestly, most trips I usually do all of the loops (Resort, Express, and EPCOT) because I can. For me, it's an attraction in itself. Just be sure to plan your ride so it's not right before park opening or right after park closing because things get pretty intense in there when it's packed.
Once Is Enough
Blizzard Beach. If I'm being honest, either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach is what I would consider a waste of valuable park time. But if I AM going to go to a water park, it's going to be Typhoon Lagoon because who wants to see snow at a waterpark? I can't really get over this theme at all. I much prefer the lush tropical theme of Typhoon Lagoon... I mean, that's why I'm in Florida, is it not?
Perhaps Blizzard Beach holds more appeal to the more local people. But for me not only does the theme feel off base, but the slides are a little too thrilling for my taste, and all that white on a sunny day is both blinding AND hot because white just reflects that heat back at you.
Can't Get Enough
Our favorite character meal as a family, hands down, is Chef Mickey's. We've done lots of others, but we keep coming back to Chef Mickey's. The food might not be gourmet, but there is a huge variety and everyone will likely find several things they like (I'm always more than happy with the buffet). I love the build your own Mickey waffle station. The characters are the quintessential big 5: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald. They have the experience of managing a huge amount of people through their dining experience down to a science with a nice waiting area and system, pictures, and the rotational seating so that the characters come by at just the right time for you. Plus, it's in the beautiful Contemporary Resort which gives us another excuse to hop on the monorail.
Once Is Enough
Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs. The memorabilia is cool, sure, but it's loud and the food is basically overpriced. There are so many wonderful places to eat at Disney Springs that spending a meal on this just isn't worth it for me.
Can't Get Enough
A Disney Springs run that includes the Lego Store, Ghirardelli's , and Earl of Sandwich. Ok, so maybe that's three recommendations in one, but basically every trip to Disney Springs, these are the places we absolutely must go. The Lego Store is impressive and fun, but the best part is the sculptures outside. Ghirardelli's gives you a piece of chocolate when you walk in, but I recommend buying some too. When it's cold, their hot chocolate is amaaaaazing. When it's hot, I like a chocolate covered strawberry. And Earl of Sandwich is fast and delicious. I could not get over how quickly the people there work and how efficiently your food is made, and it's a great sandwich.
Once is Enough
Mini golf. It's a diversion like a water park, and I'll admit, it's really good mini golf. But I'd rather be in a park.
Can't Get Enough
A trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is almost always on my list. I'll plan it for the day we plan to be at Animal Kingdom because unless taking transportation to and from Disney's Animal Kingdom, it can be a bit out of the way. But the atmosphere here is absolutely outstanding, and it's an attraction in itself because you can walk out to their own savannas that are an extension of the savanna in Kilimanjaro Safaris and see the resort's animals. Also the food to be had here is fabulous, so my trip out here is usually planned around dining at Boma, Jiko, or Sanaa, and of course grabbing Zebra Domes from The Mara to take back to whatever resort I'm staying at.
And speaking of stays, I have had the joy of staying here and it is outstanding. Like I said, it's a little out of the way so your buses are running less frequently with longer rides (except to Disney's Animal Kingdom with is literally 5 minutes away), but there is something to be said for sipping your morning coffee on your balcony overlooking a savanna of giraffes. The animals are rotated as well so you'll get to see everyone over time. The bonfire at night out back is a nice touch too. It's great resort for spending some time at and going at a slightly slower pace.
I think that's it. There are a ton of things I absolutely love doing on property, but as I examine them, even though I love them, I don't get to do them every trip because I don't have unlimited funds (I'm looking at you California Grill, Flying Fish, and Cirque du Soleil).
What about you? We'd love to hear the things you must do every single time and the things you've done once and decided that was enough. You can share those over on our Facebook page by commenting on this blog's post. Until then...
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