Festival of the Lion King

We went to the Festival of the Lion King for the first time when my children were very young and they LOVED it! It is very high energy with audience participation and larger
than life characters. It is a show that all ages really enjoy! I highly
recommend this show for your next trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom, and like all
the incredible Broadway style shows in the parks, it is included in the price of
admission.

Festival of the Lion King, an original interpretation of the Disney animated film The Lion King, is a Broadway-caliber short-form stage musical performed live. It uses the concept of tribal celebration in combination with ideas from Disney's Electrical Parade. It is performed in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Florida and in Adventureland at Hong Kong Disneyland.

The show uses songs, dance, puppetry and visual effects to create an African savanna setting filled with lions, elephants, giraffes, birds, zebras and gazelles. In this theater environment, Festival of the Lion King is a traveling celebration presented by Simba and his friends, (including a band of four human singers). The show is in the form of a revue, and not a condensed version of either the film or Broadway show. The show features the award-winning music from the movie, written by Elton John and Tim Rice.

It is currently the longest-running attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Festival of the Lion King performed at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Florida
The show is presented inside an enclosed theater in Camp Minnie Mickey. Guests sit in four sections, each designated with an animal name: Warthog, Elephant, Giraffe and Lion. Guests are asked to make a noise corresponding to their animal at certain times during the show and children are sometimes pulled out of the audience to dance.The show is hosted by four performers dressed in costumes inspired by traditional African dress. Each has a Swahili name: Kiume (Meaning "masculine and strong"), Nakawa (Meaning "good-looking"), Kibibi (Meaning "princess"), and Zawadi (Meaning "the gift").

The story of the movie is not followed, being replaced instead with a show of songs from the movie and other sources. This is combined with aerobatics performed by the Tumble Monkeys, a group of performers dressed in orange monkey costumes. The cast also performs annually for the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade which is filmed at the Magic Kingdom and is broadcast on Christmas Day on ABC.

Starting January 2009, Timon has an articulated head, Simba's front feet move.

Festival of the Lion King performed at Hong Kong Disneyland
The show is featured in the "Theater in the Wild" in Adventureland. Similar to the theater setting in Disney's Animal Kingdom, guests sit in four different sections, each with an animal name: Warthog, Elephant, Giraffe and Lion. The show in Hong Kong has been arranged to a simplified version of the story of The Lion King along with the songs in the movie. The performance is mainly in English, but two actors dressed as monkeys summarize and translate Rafiki's lines into Cantonese in order to accommodate guests who do not speak English. Simplified Chinese subtitles, for Mainland Chinese visitors, are also projected onto the screens above each seating section. The show is presented to Simba by Rafiki (portrayed by a female actress, as in the Broadway musical) as a re-telling of Simba's life. Simba is represented by a large, elaborate puppet on a parade-style float decorated as a tribal-styled Pride Rock.

In contrast to the Simba of the Animal Kingdom production, he wears red and black tribal bracelets and has braids in his mane.

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest in the Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park is a high-altitude, high-speed, roller coaster train ride for big kids, teens and adults to the "Roof of the World," home of the inhospitable snarling beast, the Yeti, at the mountain's peak.

This is an amazing roller coaster I just had to ride when it opened! The detail to the theme is incredible and the ride design is an experience! The track actually changes course when you back up and there is a short video of the Yeti while the cars come to a stop in the mountian. It is a must ride for thrill seekers and also people who enjoy seeing imagineering at it's best!

Climb aboard a railway car for a full-steam-ahead adventure bound for Mount Everest. Your trek across the treacherous terrain of the towering Forbidden Mountain begins with a few scenic twists and turns, then sets out on an ascent towards the summit.

From this panoramic point with amazing views across Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, you plunge into darkness. Returning to the light, you see that the tracks have been twisted into a dead end. As the wind howls, you realize there's no place to go on this expedition—or is there?

Careening into the darkness, you might get a glimpse of the denizen of this icy domain. Nail-biting hairpin turns hurl you forward and down sudden drops on the mountain slopes in a race to escape.

But beware. There, up ahead… waiting for you… lurks the Yeti.

The Disney Dining Plans

With the free dining offers out and all this talk about places to eat, I thought I would share with you some information on Disney Dining Plans. We usually get this option. I have calculated carefully what we would spend out of pocket and what the plan costs and for us it is a no brainer - we save a lot of money and have some wonderful dining experiences on this plan. We have used the regular plan and the deluxe plan. There is also a quick service plan available if you are more of an on the go eater. We tend to plan our days around our meals - Character meals and Dinner shows. We find it to be a great relaxing part of the day where we don't have to deal with the weather or crowds and we get to fill up our autograph books without waiting in lines! Here is the info:
Disney Dining Plans

Disney Dining Plans are options available exclusively to Guests of Disney Resort hotels with Magic Your Way Vacation Packages.

How Disney Dining Plans Work

When booking your vacation, purchase one of the Magic Your Way Vacation Packages that includes a Disney Dining Plan.

While vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort, choose from over 100 select restaurants available.

Present your Key to the World card to your server or cashier prior to ordering. The Key to the World card electronically monitors your party's allocated meals.
Track your meals with the easy-to-read receipt your server will provide you, which displays your remaining meal balance.

Redeem your meals in any order throughout your package stay until each person's meal total is complete.

Available Disney Dining Plans

To take advantage of a Disney Dining Plan, you must purchase one of the following Magic Your Way Vacation Packages that include a Disney Dining Plan.

Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick-Service Dining
Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining
Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe Dining
Magic Your Way Premium Package (includes dining)
Magic Your Way Platinum Package (includes dining)

Here is a quick summery from the 2010 plans from WDWTravels.com:

These plans do change a bit from year to year. You really need to plan on what kinds of meals you want to eat and how many to see if this is the best option for you, but if you are a planner who likes to eat, then this is probably the best option for you and your family!

Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is an all-you-care-to-eat, family-style luau featuring hula dancing and fire knife dancers at Disney's Polynesian Resort.

Situated on the Seven Seas Lagoon, the open-air covered dining theater provides a comfortable setting for authentic music and dances, with beautiful costumes, irresistable rhythms and the show-stopping fire-knife dance! The many nations of the South Pacific unite in an evening of spellbinding magic that tells the tale of a native girl returning to her people and her traditions.

You'll almost believe you've been transplanted to the tropics as you and your loved ones share platters of authentic foods such as barbequed pork ribs, roast chicken, fresh pineapple, salad with mango poppy seed dressing garnished with Mandarin oranges, Polynesian-style rice and seasonal vegetable. Save room for the chocolate "mouse" volcano! (Parents of finicky little ones, fear not: There's a limited children's menu). Beer, wine and soft drinks are included for Guests 21 years of age or older (picture ID required).

Fall under the enchantment of the spirit of aloha!

We enjoyed this meal and show. It is fun to visit Disney's Polynesian Resort. It brought back many fond memories of travel to Hawaii and the Luaus on the beach. The show is entertaining and there is a time in the show when the children go down and get involved, so it is fun for the whole family. Give yourself plenty of time to get to this location - it is a nice walk through the main building and then along the beach.


The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Luau Cove is presented 5:15 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations can be made 180 days in advance. Shows may be canceled due to inclement weather.

Category 1 Prices (includes tax and gratuity): main floor, center stage
Adults - $62.99, Children - $34.99

Category 2 Prices (includes tax and gratuity): main floor to left & right; upper floor center
Adults - $54.99, Children - $26.99

Category 3 Prices (includes tax and gratuity): main floor, far left & right; upper level far left and right
Adults - $48.99, Children - $25.99

If you are on the Disney Dining Plan this is a two table service credit meal.

Dinner Show Menu
Family Style Feast

Appetizers

Pineapple-Coconut Bread
Mixed Greens with Mango-Poppy Seed Dressing
Sweet Golden Pineapple


Main Courses

Barbecued Pork Ribs
Roasted Chicken
Polynesian Rice
Seasonal Vegetables


Dessert

Kilauea Volcano Delight Dessert


Especially for the Keiki (Young Guests 3-9)

Macaroni and Cheese
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Hot Dogs


Tropical Beverages Include

Budweiser or Bud Light Draft Beer
White, Red, and Blush Wine
Coke
Diet Coke
Sprite
Pink Lemonade
Hot Tea
Coffee
Milk
Iced Tea

** Menu and Prices are Subject to Change Without Notice **

There’s No Place Like Disney Cruise Line For The Holidays

For the last five years, we have had the family tradition of going on a Disney Cruise for Christmas. I have discovered many people who share this tradition - we see some of the same groups every year and most years this cruise sells out early.

There are many reasons Disney Cruise Line is our first choice for Holiday travel. Here are some of the top reasons:

Our tradition began with the birth of my first child. We soon learned that vacation time became very limited. Sure, we didn’t have to deal with school schedules yet, but time off from work for travel became a premium commodity! My husband works for a company that closes between Christmas and New Years and my job really slows down at that time as well, so it was the logical time to get away!

Since we live in Texas, we don’t just do weekend trips to Florida. We usually spend a few days at the Disney parks and a week at sea. Disney Cruise Line is a great way to experience Disney at Christmas without the big crowds. A ship can only have as many people as rooms, so although the holiday cruises usually sell out early, it is relaxing and I really don’t have to plan around crowd control like I do in the parks during this time of year.

I really don’t decorate my home much for Christmas since we will be away – this saves a lot of time and money and my family gets to experience first class holiday décor! When you experience Disney at Christmas time you will be amazed at the beauty and detail of the decorations. The ship is decorated with a large tree, a big Mickey Mouse themed gingerbread house that fills the halls with the wonderful scent of the holidays, lots of garlands, wreaths and bows, and all the characters wear Christmas attire.

Many people are concerned about taking their small children on a Disney cruise for Christmas because Santa may not be able to visit them, but Santa fills our stockings in our room (the same way he does at home) and leaves small gifts in the stateroom. We leave out cookies and milk, which are easy to find on the ship so he still gets his snack! Mrs. Clause has been known to come out and read The Night before Christmas on Christmas Eve. Santa Clause then visits with us in person on the ship after making his deliveries the night before! Santa (and also Santa Goofy at times) has the children sit in his lap on Christmas day and he personally supplies a treat for Christmas. Santa also visits our home while we are away with larger items. So it is always fun arriving home to even more excitement!

There are quite a few holiday special activities, like gingerbread house decorating, Christmas Carols, holiday drink specials, a special Christmas day meal, church services on board, and New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks. There is also a very good chance you will get to be one of the first to see the Disney movie that is out over the holiday time. One of my favorite things about the holiday cruise is the limited edition holiday lithograph that is delivered to your stateroom. It is a wonderful souvenir! I have also found some great sales on board in the shops for items like photo books with the current year date that is about to change!

If you enjoy seeing the characters in special attire, the holiday cruise is the only time I have seen Donald Duck dressed as Baby New Year complete with a big bottle and Goofy as Father Time!

Castaway Cay, which is normally the highlight of our cruise, does not disappoint with the holiday theme! When we disembark, we are greeted by a giant Christmas tree with beach decorations. The transportation trolley is decorated like a reindeer, there are a few snowmen or maybe sandmen – in the tropics it could go either way, and best of all it snows on Castaway Cay! It is so much fun to enjoy snow on your way to swim on the beach!

I know the song says Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays, but I personally like to change the lyrics to Oh there’s no place like Disney for the holidays, and Disney Cruise Line really adds extra magic to the most wonderful time of the year!

The Garden Grill Restaurant

Yesterday I talked about eating at The Garden Grill Restaurant with our Candlelight package. I thought I would go into more detail about this today!

The Garden Grill Restaurant is a rotating restaurant with Character Dining featuring Chip 'n' Dale in the Future World area at Epcot theme park.

Generous all-you-care-to-eat, family-style dinners include such delicious favorites as grilled steak, roast turkey, and sustainable fish of the day.

While you eat, look out the windows of this rotating restaurant to enjoy scenes from the Living with the Land attraction. Some of your food might even be grown in the Land greenhouse! And make sure you save some room for the special desserts.

I really enjoyed this restaurant! The food was very good and fresh and the character interaction is great! It is not as large an area for the characters to cover as many of the other character meals, so you don't feel like they are rushing through to see everyone and they spend a good amount of time at your table interacting with the family. It is fun to watch the scenes change below as you slowly rotate.

If you are on the dining plan this is one table service credit for the normal meal and two table service credits for the Candlelight package which includes reserved seating a the processional and a reserved viewing area for Illuminations.

Special Holiday Pricing May Apply
$34.99 Adults 10 and up; $16.99 Children 3-9

Dinner served Family Style 4:00 p.m. to varies with park closing:
$30.99 Adults 10 and up; $14.99 Children 3-9

Non-alcoholic soft drinks are included

Typical Characters: Mickey, Pluto, Chip 'n' Dale

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Family Style Platter
featuring:

Warm Breads with Maple Butter
Harvest-inspired Farmer's Salad
Char-grilled Beef Strip Loin with Herb Sea Salt
Roasted All Natural Turkey Bresat with Cranberry-Orange Relish
Sustainable Fish of the Day with a Florida Citrus Crumb
Garden Fresh Vegetables
Smashed Potatoes
Turkey Dressing
Freshly Baked Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp with Hand-Whipped Vanilla Bean Cream


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Kids' Picks
Ages 9 and under
Choice of 1% Mickey Milk, small Bottled Water, or Apple Juice

Children's Entree Platter

Oven Roasted Chicken Drumstick
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Broccoli
Crispy Sweet Potato Sticks
Dessert: Mickey "Mousse" Cookies and Cream


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Complimentary Non-alcoholic Beverages

Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Orange Soda, Lemonade Light, Root Beer, Iced Tea, Orange Juice, Apple Juice, Milk and Chocolate Milk

Candlelight Processional

Last year was the first time we experienced the Candlelight Processional and we all really enjoyed it. We did the dining package that included seating. We ate at Garden Grill (I'll BLOG about that some other time - it was great!) and then we made our way past the crowds to our reserved seating. We also had a reserved area for Illuminations viewing.

The processional consists of a large choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator. They tell the story of Christmas in words and music, in a very moving performance. Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre.

This year the dates are:

November 26 - December 30, 2010
Performances take place each evening at 5:00 pm, 6:45 pm and 8:15 pm

•11/26 - 11/28: Isabella Rossellini
•11/29 - 12/01: John O'Hurley
•12/02 - 12/04: Corbin Bernsen
•12/05 - 12/06: Susan Lucci
•12/07 - 12/09: Jodi Benson
•12/10 - 12/11: Whoopi Goldberg
•12/12- 12/15: Steven Curtis Chapman
•12/16 - 12/18: Thomas Gibson
•12/19 - 12/21: Trace Adkins
•12/22 - 12/23: Brad Garrett
•12/24 - 12/27: Edward James Olmos
•12/28 - 12/30: Marlee Matlin (interpreter: Jack Jason)

NOTE: The schedule of performers is subject to change without notice

The Candlelight Processional dining packages allow you to enjoy a meal at one of Epcot's restaurants, while guaranteeing you a seat for the show and a special viewing area for IllumiNations. During the peak times this is THE only way to get a seat. Those with Dinner Packages are the first to be seated - those waiting in line will be given the very few seats that remain. If you're in Disney during the holidays I would highly recommend this event.

Dining packages are broken up by tiers, with the lower tier representing the lower-priced dining venues. Below you will find the price and dining venue for each tier.
2010 Candlelight Processional Prices

PRICE FOR LUNCH PACKAGE FOR THE 5:00 SHOW

Tier 1
$32.99 adult
$17.99 child (3-9)

Tier 2
$38.99 adult
$12.99 child (3-9)

Tier 3
$51.99 adult
$13.99 child (3-9)

Price does NOT include gratuity, tax or lobster entree

PRICE FOR DINNER PACKAGE FOR THE 6:45 AND 8:15 SHOWS

Tier 1
$46.99 adult
$23.99 child (3-9)

Tier 2
$46.99 adult
$15.99 child (3-9)

Tier 3
$61.99 adult
$16.99 child (3-9)

Price does NOT include gratuity, tax or lobster entree


Tier 1:
•Biergarten – Germany
•Garden Grill - The Land (Dinner only)

Tier 2:
•San Angel Inn – Mexico
•Nine Dragons Restaurant - China
•Rose and Crown - UK
•Restaurant Marrakesh – Morocco

Tier 3:
•Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada
•Chefs de France - France
•Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining - Japan
•Tutto Italia - Italy
•Coral Reef- The Living Seas

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All dining will be scheduled prior to the performance time chosen. There is separate lunch pricing for the 5:00 pm Candlelight Processional. Guests who have the Magic Your Way Dining Package or MYW Premium or Platinum packages will use 2 table service credits regardless of which restaurant is chosen. This package includes choice of appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage.

To book the Candlelight Processional Dining package you can call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) or if you book a trip with me I will make your arrangements for you. This can be booked 90 days before arrival.