A Blog About Disney Stuff

Boundless Realm: Deep Explorations Inside Disney’s Haunted Mansion is a new book from Foxx Nolte (author of the fantastic Disney theme park history blog, Passport to Dreams Old & New). I’ve been a fan of Foxx’s blog for many years, so when I heard she had written a book I could not wait to get my hands on it. The book explores the Haunted Mansion, or as the author puts it, gives “an enthusiast’s tour.” The book provides a look at the not only why effects, ghosts, props, and sounds are placed within the ride, but also how they’re achieved. For example, how does the “Again Man” effect in the foyer work? Simple, it’s a slide projector that bounces alternating images off of a mirror and then on to theatrical gauze. It’s a fresh and fascinating way to approach things.

The opening chapters spend just enough time touching on the origins of the spook house dark rides in early American amusement parks before moving on to the early history of the ride, and then moves on to the design of Liberty Square and how Haunted Mansion fits in to it. Mixed in with these stories throughout the book are tidbits about the author’s personal relationship with Haunted Mansion, such as childhood memories and her time working the attraction as a cast member at Magic Kingdom. I enjoyed hearing about the customs, such as a rite of passage that involved cast members throwing their work shoes in an urn on the ride on the last night of their employment. Also explored is why the Mansion has remained popular and so well loved with riders for as long as it has. I want to be sure to point out that this is not a series of dry academic essays. It’s a genuinely entertaining read from beginning to end.

I recommend Boundless Realm for any Disney theme park fan, especially Haunted Mansion fans who are ready and willing to learn more about one of the best attractions ever created. I guarantee even the most die hard fans will learn something new. It’s impossible to walk away from this book and not leave with a much deeper appreciation for the Haunted Mansion.

Click here to purchase Boundless Realm: Deep Explorations Inside Disney’s Haunted Mansion on Amazon in print and Kindle.

Note: A copy of this book was provided by the author. The author and publisher did not pay for, or receive copy approval of this post.

The post Book Review: Boundless Realm: Deep Explorations Inside Disney’s Haunted Mansion appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Just For Fun, book review, Haunted Mansion

When Disney Springs reopened this past summer, it did so in phases. One of the few establishments that remained shuttered for a good while has reopened recently. If you enjoy a more relaxed pace at Disney Springs you’ll be pleased to hear that Dockside Margaritas is serving up fresh squeezed margaritas once again.

At Disney Springs Marketplace you can grab a seat along the sparkling lake and sip on a fresh-made margarita at Dockside Margaritas. Lounge-style seating is offered next to this outdoor, walk-up bar. Live music is often offered on weekends. The citrus stand theme, lakeside views, and comfortable seating make this a great spot to waste away and slow down.

This outdoor bar is one of the highest rated bars in Disney Springs according to our readers and over 500,000 completed surveys. Dockside Margaritas has a 94% thumbs up rating and is ranked number 38 out of 171 comparable options at Walt Disney World. You can view ratings and information for all Walt Disney World dining locations on our site and in our Lines app.

One of the things we love about Dockside Margaritas is that there is usually a seasonal margarita on the menu. Right now a Black Cherry Margarita is offered, and it is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Fall in Florida is its own season, much different than other regions, often filled with warm temperatures, so a margarita that has some fall flavor to it is perfectly Floridian.

The Watermelon Margarita is one of the most popular options on the menu. It is sweet, but not overly so, making it a refreshing choice. Each margarita is $15.00 – $16.00, which seems steep compared to prices outside the Disney bubble, and even within it. But these margaritas are made to order. There are other cocktails available, as we’ll as beer, wine, and mocktails without alcohol too.

If you’re looking for a place to stop for a moment and savor the Disney Springs atmosphere Dockside Margaritas is a top pick. It is approachable and doesn’t require any pre-planning. It is one of the venues at Disney Springs that embraces the Florida feeling. Stop for a moment, raise your glass, and be present that you’re enjoying some time in Orlando, at Disney Springs. Toast to a great day.

Have you sipped on a cool drink at Dockside Margaritas before? Do you have a favorite drink on the menu?

 

The post REVIEW – Wasting Away Again at Dockside Margaritas appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Drinking, Snacks, Trip Planning, disney springs bars, disney springs drinks

At Walt Disney World, there’s no better place for dining that runs the entire spectrum from casual to classy than Disney Springs. Lots of attention is paid to the more refined options at Disney Springs, but if you’re looking for something easy and casual, there’s some great options too. B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. is an unassuming stand along the lake at Disney Springs Marketplace. It is often overlooked, but if you’re in the mood for a hearty meal without a hefty price tag B.B. Wolf’s is a decent option.

Our readers have submitted over 500,000 surveys over the past few years and give B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. a low thumbs up rating of only 77%. This puts it at number 107 of 108 quick service options at Walt Disney World. With this in mind, our fearless field research team decided to pay a visit to B.B. Wolf’s to  see what’s holding this location back.

This walk-up kiosk by the lake it one of three gourmet snack kiosks operated by Disney at the Marketplace. Daily Poutine is nearby, as is AristoCrepes, each with the same style of operation – walk-up, order, and enjoy your food anywhere you like in Disney Springs. Interestingly enough, Daily Poutine has much higher ratings than B.B. Wolf’s. Of course, Poutine seems much more a specialty food than gourmet hot dogs.

The menu at B.B. Wolf’s is all sausage, which is pretty savage of Disney to make a gourmet hot dog stand and theme it after the Big Bad Wolf who antagonizes three little pigs. Highlights of the menu include the Hawaiian Island Dog, New York Pastrami Dog, and the Plant-Based Bratwurst Sausage. One of the things that holds B.B. Wolf’s back is each gourmet dog is served with a sad, disappointing bag of plain Lay’s potato chips. We’d almost rather they not serve anything with the dogs and lower the price by 50 cents.

Our team selected two popular items on the menu:

• Texas Chili-Cheese Dog – All-Beef Quarter Pound Hot Dog, Topped with Chili, Cheddar, and Corn Chips on a House-Made Roll, Served with Chips $11.49.
• Three Little Pigs – Three Mini Versions of our Specialty Dogs: Pastrami Reuben Dog, Hawaiian Island Dog, and Texas Chili-Cheese Dog, Served with Chips $13.99

The Texas Chili-Cheese Dog is hearty and sloppy. You’ll definitely want to grab multiple napkins before diving in, and you may need to be hosed off afterwards. The house-made roll elevated this super casual plate. We found the corn chips on top could have been more plentiful and we suggest asking for extra if you want some nice crunch. For under $12.00 it is not a bad deal considering many quick-service options at Walt Disney World run $12.00 and up.

If you’d rather keep yourself open to sampling the many flavors of Disney Springs then the Three Little Pigs will give you a way to sample some of the signature flavors here. If you split this hot dog flight with someone else you’ll be satisfied but still have room to try some of other great food around Disney Springs.

If you do decide to huff and puff and pay a visit to B.B Wolf’s take note of the weather vane atop the kiosk. Grab a spot along the water and enjoy the views as you chow down on messy, but yummy food. One drawback of this location is it can be quite slow to get your food once you’ve placed your order. Due to the limited setup of this location, no mobile ordering is available, so this is not a quick and easy spot. The slow service is one of the reasons for such poor ratings here.

We’ve got listings and ratings for every Walt Disney World restaurant. You can access these ratings on our site as well as on-the-go in our Lines app. Our site also offers the free Menu Search tool so you can see where to find your favorite foods at Walt Disney World.

Have you ever eating at B.B Wolf’s Sausage Co.? Do you think it deserves a better rating?

 

The post REVIEW – B.B. Wolf’s at Disney Springs Offers Hearty Gourmet Hot Dogs and Sausage appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, Disney Springs, Dos and Don’ts, Snacks, disney dining, disney springs lunch

Parks reporter Chrissy and I recently went head to head, testing how long it takes to complete the Touring Plans’ 18 Magic Kingdom attractions most requested by adults.

Over the course of a full day, we chugged through headliners like Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Chrissy, using the touring plan, got through the entire list and I got through most of the biggies, but we did so putting in 11+ plus hours of time in the park, much of which was wait time. Personally, I logged a 55-minute wait for Pirates (a 7-minute long ride) and a 66-minute wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (a 3-minute long ride), among others.

I admit to feeling more than a little salty (and sweaty) after my Mine Train wait. It’s a good ride, but I’m not sure it justifies a wait that’s 22 times longer than the attraction itself.

Fast forward a few days later and I decided to finish off the rest of the currently open Magic Kingdom attractions. The park’s official open time was 9:00 a.m. I arrived early and, as is typical these days, found the park fully operational when I walked in at 8:20. Instead of rushing to boffo hits like Space Mountain or the Mine Train, I ambled over to the less-lauded Astro Orbiter.

There was no wait. I had the entire ride to myself. When I finished, the cast member attendants asked me if I wanted to stay on and ride again. I declined and headed over to Tomorrowland Speedway, rode immediately, and was also asked if I wanted another turn.

Before 10:00 a.m. I had ridden Astro Orbiter, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, the Barnstormer, the Carousel, and the Magic Carpets. That’s seven attractions in 100 minutes.

I then got a Citrus Swirl, walked through the Swiss Family Treehouse, watched the Enchanted Tiki Room and Country Bears shows, saw two cavalcades and the Cadaver Dans, watched the glassblower on Main Street, did a little shopping, and left the park by noon in a wonderful mood.

Overall, in just under four hours I experienced 10 attractions, ate, saw the available entertainment, puttered around a bit, and felt some of the old Disney magic – all without wilting in the heat.

To be fair, I wouldn’t want every visit to the Magic Kingdom to look like this. No adult really needs three versions of spinner rides in a single day, but as a palate cleanser, these minor attractions were exactly what I needed to get my Disney mojo back. They were quick fun with no fuss.

And of course my minor attraction morning, followed by a dip in the hotel pool, would have been a completely perfect day for a young child.

Minor attractions for the win!

What are your thoughts? Do you have must-do minor attractions or plan a “majorly minor” day? Let us know in the comments.

 

The post In Praise of the Minor Attraction appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), attractions, touring plans