Spaceship Earth is the icon of Disney’s Epcot Park. This “giant golf ball” is an awesome site, and aside from being a great photo opportunity it houses one of the must-do rides for an Epcot visit. Inside this 180-ft tall geosphere guests experience a slow-moving 16-minute ride through time and the development of communications. Read more
So I asked my kids to help me write this session of reviews for The Affordable Mouse and they were more than eager to be involved. I wanted them to share their opinions with me on the absolute most fun things to do at Disney. My kids are the age that I consider tweens, more like, they let me know they are tweens! Erin is 8.5, Zachary is 11 and Clay is 12. As I was reading over their lists, I was quite surprised at some of their choices. Number 10 on this list is staying at the Port Orleans -French Quarter Resort. When we stayed here last October, it was our first time to upgrade to a moderate resort. Man, were we all glad we made that decision! Read more
You are finally in the most magical place on earth. You are awoken by the sweet voice of Mickey Mouse himself on your wake up call. You are up and 
excited about spending a wonderful day in the park. You open your door to go grab some coffee in your refillable mug and, wouldn’t you know it, it is raining! What will you do now? Will you hang out in your room all day? Will you go to the video arcade and spend even more money when you’ve already paid for your park tickets? The answer is an emphatic NO!
A little rain never hurt anyone, as long as there is no lightning and no sound of thunder. Throw on one of those 50 cent ponchos you bought at the discount store back home and head to the Animal Kingdom! The Kilimanjaro Safari is the very best when it is raining because more animals come out in the early morning and while raining than any other time. And, since you’re there and wet already, ride the Kali River Rapids next.
Did you know that Expedition Everest also operates during rain showers? Well it does. In fact, last year we rode it three times in a row, in our ponchos, in pouring rain and laughed the whole time at the ridiculousness of it all. My kids talk about that memorable ride all the time!
If you’re not crazy about riding in the rain, head to one of the shows like “Festival of the Lion King” or “Finding Nemo, The Musical.” Both of these are excellent, dynamic shows and provide a great pick-me-up on a gloomy day. Even better than that, they are held inside large amphitheaters. Another indoor choice is the 4D show, “It’s Tough To Be A Bug” held inside the Tree of Life (caution: please read warnings before taking very young children into this show as it can be pretty intense for them).
When other people are zigging and you are zagging, it makes for a day of short lines and no waits. You can even rent a locker to store dry socks and shoes in for later; maybe even an extra change of clothes if you plan to stay all day.
Once the weather clears up and the crowds start flooding in it will be a great time to head back to your resort, armed with fun pictures and stories, and wonderful memories of the time you rode in the rain. Above everything else, never let anything get you down when you’re at Disney World – that’s not the way Walt would have wanted it. There is always a great idea for a backup plan!
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Brenda is a native Texan born and raised on the Gulf Coast. She visited Disney World twice as a teenager and always dreamed of growing her family Disney. She took her first-timer husband and their three children to Disney World in 2000 and they now spend every Thanksgiving there. Brenda writes with a comedic twist on various Disney topics. She will be sharing tips she has learned during her travels and also hopes to enlighten people on little-known freebies that Disney has to offer. She wishes she could have met Walt Disney and considers herself to be a student of Walt. In parallel to his dream it is her wish that everyone would take at least one trip to Disney World in order to share in its magic with their families.
Most people who visit Disney parks on a regular basis are used to the question about why they go back again and AGAIN. Of course there are all kinds of reasons why, but I was thinking a bit about this over the past week, and realized that some of the things that bring me back are, in fact opposites: I love the “traditional” things that we are used to and so love doing over and over again…and I also love the “new surprises” that Disney is so very good at offering their guests, in so many ways. I think that this second part was very much evident this past week. Read more
Call me crazy, but Disney’s fast pass service is something that we have never and will never use. For some, this is the most convenient and efficient way to see everything that Disney has to offer. I can remember vacationing to Disney as a little girl and standing hours and hours in anticipation waiting for our turn to ride. It made waiting for the attraction so worth it. It was what made Disney for us… well, Disney. You stand in lines and you wait. That is how we have always seen Disney. Now that Disney has fast pass, you can get your stub and return to the line later with little or no wait. Read more