My Favorite WDW YouTube Channel : "See Ya Reel Soon"

I love this Youtube channel, called "See Ya Reel Soon". It is a series of vlogs from WDW (mostly) by Ashley and Joe, and they are so wonderful.

They are such a happy and sweet couple, I love being a small part of their WDW vacations! They include lots of great footage from around the parks and resorts at all different times of the year, including holidays.

Check out this one to see what I mean. After watching this video (a couple times), I liked the song so much I even bought it on iTunes (you buy it here: Katie Sky "Sweet, Sweet, Melody")




Their most recent video, below, is definitely my favorite so far. Check it out, especially the 7:30 mark...!!



I hope I get to run into Ashley and Joe someday at the parks!

If you want to follow them on Facebook you can follow them HERE.

They are also on Twitter!

Saxophone Quintet - Disney/MGM - 1993

This awesome sax quintet performed during our first trip to WDW in 1993. Too bad they had to compete with a parade nearby, they were really really good. Anybody remember what this group was called?

Starbucks in the Disney Parks - starting June 2012

Yes. That's Mickey Ears on Mrs. Starbucks or whatever her name is.  Starting in June 2012 the first of six themed Starbucks locations will open in Disney's California Adventure. Starbucks coffee will be served INSIDE the Disney Parks. 

According to Disney Parks Blog, "The café will serve Starbucks items, including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats."

OK, that sounds lovely, but I have mixed feelings about this.

Disney knows food. It knows themed dining. It certainly knows customer service.  Why do they need Starbucks to step in for the assist with this?  I’m no coffee aficionado, but seriously, the coffee selections in Disney parks are um, sub-par, to put it lightly. So I guess the quality will improve, that’s one good thing.

Which brings me to my devils-advocate point I’m trying to make here. As I said, Disney knows how to do food, they know how to do themed dining, but for some dumb reason they don’t know how to do coffee. The Nescafe insta-crud they offer for their coffee selections in the parks is barely drinkable. So… if their coffee is bad, which it is, and they have the money to hire the know-how, which they can…why don’t they just make the coffee better?! Doesn’t that sound a tad more reasonable than bringing a chain restaurant inside the parks? 

Outside the parks, anything goes as far as I’m concerned. Outside the parks is the “real world”.  For example, I live in Manhattan, so what does Starbucks remind me of…morning commutes, crowded subways, long lines, and cubicles.  Not exactly a fantasy world.  Starbucks serves its purpose in the real world, providing caffeine fixes for millions of people day in and day out.  But I don't want it in my fantasy world.

Inside the parks is not the real world, it’s fantasy world, a happy place where cubicles, deadlines, commutes, and emails don’t exist.   I don’t want to be reminded of the real world when I’m at a Disney park.  I go to Disney specifically to escape that very drudgery.   But now we’ll be surrounded by cups plastered with that smiling green Mrs. Starbucks, to remind me that the real world is still out there…waiting for me to return.

The Disney Starbucks locations will no doubt be themed and lovely in every way. They’ll be aesthetically beautiful, service will be excellent, the drinks will be varied and palatable (Not to mention ridiculously overpriced). You’ll be able to get your ‘Venti, Non-Fat, No Foam, No water, 6 pump, extra hot, chai tea latte’ (wtf? I never know how to order at Starbucks).  Just how you like it...every day on your commute to work. It will be familiar and that will make us happy. To get the same stuff we enjoy in the day to day "real world".  When "worlds" collide, eh?

Americans like Wal-Mart, too. I don't see that being plunked into Animal Kingdom anytime soon (I shudder at the thought).

Top 10 Don’t Miss and Top 10 to Skip: Hollywood Studios

Note: This Post has 4 Parts

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

These Top 10 lists are aimed at adults visiting WDW – especially if you only have a very short amount of time (2 days or so) to see all 4 parks.  Except for when I was visiting as a young'un myself and went with my younger brothers and family, I have never been to WDW with children, so I cannot advise for those with young families.

Here are my Top 10 List of Must-Do’s and Top 10 for things you could Skip in Hollywood Studios (if you have limited time in WDW), plus my Quick Serve food faves for those of us without a minute to spare.

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Do not miss Toy Story Mania!!

Top 10 Must-Do:

1. Toy Story Midway Mania – Get your Fast Pass for this as early as possible. The line is often 100 mins or so long.  Absolutely love this ride/game though!!
2. Tower of Terror – You could go on ToT more than 5 times in one day and have a different ride experience every time. The hotel lobby is so gorgeously decorated with amazing attention to detail. I notice something new every time.
3. Aerosmith Rock ‘N Rollercoaster – True roller coaster with inversions, even. Except indoors, dark, with black lights, and Aerosmith music blasting. Doesn't get much more rockin' than that.
4. Star Tours – Newly re-done and opened within this past year, it’s awesome.
5. Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show – Very amazing car, motorcycle, and water stunt show. Love it.
6. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular – Another great stunt show, been around for ages, but always great. If you want to sit in the front and possibly get an “extra” spot on stage, then get there early. If not, any seat or even standing room is a fine view.
7. Studio Backlot Tour – Get to see some very neat stuff from big films, backstage areas at WDW, costumes, props, etc. And there totally isn’t an earthquake and oil tanker explosion resulting in a huge waterfall and flood. I didn’t tell you that.
8. Great Movie Ride – This is what Hollywood Studios is all about – the movies. I never miss it and it’s usually my last ride of the night at HS.
9. Muppets 3D – Silly 3D show, a little dated, but I just love the Muppets.
10. Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage – excellent stage show musical.  Even if you pop in for just a few minutes of it, it’s worth checking out.

Skip Fantasmic! if you're strapped for time.
...sorry Mickey!

Top 10 to Skip:

1. Fantasmic! – Yes, I said it. Skip this. I went once, ever. We got there early (1.5 hrs in advance) as advised…And was underwhelmed. It's neat, but you really need to have a good seat if you want to see. If you only have 2 nights in WDW, spend them at Wishes and Illuminations. 
2. American Idol Experience – Never been to this, and I don’t feel like I’ve ever missed anything. I may check this out as an audience member this trip upcoming, we’ll see.
3. Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Went to this once. Regretted it instantly.
4. Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey – Should be called Sounds like Not Much, it’s closed so often for repairs! I’ve only been to it once, many years ago. Skipperoo.
5. Magic of Disney Animation – Take it or leave it. I’m ambivalent, so if you’re pressed for time then it’s safe to skip. If you have some time, check it out.
6. Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream – This one is nice, you can walk through at your own pace. Very easy to get sucked into reading all the fascinating facts about Walt Disney’s life though and before you know it 20+ minutes is gone. Not good for those of us on such a tight time-budget.
7. Disney Jr. Live – No idea what this is but I always see way too many strollers outside it to ever set foot in the door.
8. Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure – It’s a neat playground for little kids. I remember my little brothers spent a long time climbing around the leaves and stuff when they were small (aww).
9. Pixar Parade – Again, I’m not a fan of parades. You’ll see some of it because you won’t have a choice. It will probably block your path to get to where you’re trying to go. Always does for me, especially HS – so frustrating.
10. Disney Channel Rocks – Well since I’m not 12 and therefore not a fan of Hannah Montana or whoever is doing stuff for Disney these days, this is an obvious “skip” from me.

The quick-serve food options at HS don’t thrill me, so I don’t eat here very often except for snacks. I would much rather eat at just about any of the other Parks, so my fave food list is pretty short.

Food Favorites (Quick-serve since you don’t have time to sit for long!):

1. Toluca Legs Turkey Co. (Sunset Blvd) – if you didn’t get your turkey leg yet, now’s your chance.
2. The Writer's Stop (Streets of America) - had a fantastic iced coffee and cookie break here one day this past July. It was tucked away, quiet, and cozy. Much needed caffeine break that hot afternoon!
3. Backlot Express – Nothing fancy, sandwiches etc. I usually get a snack before or after the Indiana Jones show.
4. Studio Catering Co. – same as Backlot Express more or less. I just get a quick sandwich on my way to or from Lights, Motors, Action or the Studio Backlot Tour. I don’t need anything fancy at this point in my day, just need fuel to keep moving!!