Rain Forest Cafe - Animal Kingdom

It's always a great experience to visit the Rain Forest Cafe in Disney World.  We usually go to the one at Downtown Disney but last week we stopped in to see the one at Animal Kingdom.  The experience was just as fun.

The menu can be viewed on the Disney web site or off Google.  We had the spinach dip appetizer followed by the  chicken finger plate and Pastalaya which I always seem to get.  Not as good as the Jambalaya at the Cheese Steak Factory but very good nonetheless.

                                               Then there's the ever present gift shop!

You can make reservations at Disney.go.com or visit RainForestCafe.com to see the menu. I have never had a bad lunch or dinner and the atmosphere is spectacular. Our service was great and although the prices are up there ($58.00 for two of us) it's a memorable place to go especially when you go to Animal Kingdom.

They accept the Disney dining plan but what they don't tell you is that you get discounts for your annual pass as well.  I had to ask. Also ask if they give military discounts because the restaurants at the theme parks do at various times and it seems to me they do it sporadically.

Jungle Cruise -Walt Disney World

The jungle cruise in Frontier Land is a boat ride through the Amazon Jungle.  You get a tour guide who takes you down a river that's a lot like Humphrey Bogart's African Queen.  Thoroughly enjoyable, you go deep into the "jungle and see all kinds of animatronic creatures that have actually been there since Disney opened in the early 70's. This is an original Disney attraction.

This one uses all of Disney's imagination and mixes the African animals with the plains animals and the jungle creatures of Central and South America.  Unless you're Jack Hanna you and your kids don't mind that most of these animals don't actually live in a jungle - but it's Disney and who cares!  It's all cool.  The tour guide gives you about a ten minute ride through the winding river and shows all kinds of animals.

So you experience an entertaining monologue from your boat captain the whole time.  It's pretty amusing and you'll also see a waterfall as you even glide through an ancient replica of a temple ruin from Cambodia.  Surprisingly, there are lots of crocodiles, elephants, hippos, and predators to look at.  There is Fast Pass for this one but this time of year the crowds are light because every body's gone back north so the lines are shorter.  We got on this one in less than five

minutes.  The coolest part for the Dads, you sit down and the whole ride is in the shade!  A real bonus.  Hope you don't miss this one when you come down.

Walt Disney World Hotels - Florida Resident Special Offers

Disney has a variety of offers for Florida residents to stay this summer.  There are a lot of on-site hotels to choose from and the prices vary depending on what you're looking for.  All the resorts fall into 4 categories: Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas.

The Value Resorts range from $104 to as low as $70 a night in late summer.  Moderate Resorts are in the range of $143 - $273/night and $123 - $127/night in late summer.  Deluxe Resorts range from $228 - $379/night and $252- $379/night in late summer.  If you really want luxury you can get a Deluxe Villa for about $249/night  and $231/night, late summer.

There are the other charges that are never mentioned.  First is the parking fee.  Most hotels charge for self parking and also have valet.  Then there's the state resort tax and sales that add on to the nightly cost of the room.  Add-ons are extra and, like any tourist venue, there are incidentals that can rack up your costs so be careful.  I believe if you add $40-$50 to each room night you have your average cost per night.

Visit www.disneyparks.disney.go.com for all the current room rates.  The deals are there if you do the research.  Also, when you arrive for check-in always ask for a free upgrade.  They never offer them but sometimes they will accommodate you just for asking.  Don't be afraid to ask!  They already have your money so be bold and enjoy your visit!

Expedition Everest - Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

One of the most intriguing rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom is Expedition Everest, a high-speed roller coaster train ride to the top of the world guarded by the ferocious Yeti. The visual effects on this one are remarkable. As you enter the country of Nepal you feel as though you left Florida and are climbing into the Himalayas.  The cultural accuracy of this part of the park is so cool that you get into the mood for the ride long before you get on it.

You'll get in line at the train station and wind through the building until you board the train.  As you're walking there are all kinds of examples of artifacts and photos from real expeditions into the Himalayas to keep you interested.  It's laid out in an intelligent display so you can not only enjoy the ride but educate yourself along the way.

The ride takes you straight to the summit and then plunges you backward into darkness with hairpin turns and screaming beasts culminating in a huge plunge down the mountain.  I don't want to describe it any more but I don't thing a could possibly ruin it for you!

This is one of the funnest rides in the park and may well be worth using Fast Pass due to it's popularity. The kids will love it - guaranteed! There are health restrictions but it's also wheelchair accessible like all the rides so check your program or the signs as you enter the ride.  Any questions there are always cast members to help you.  Parents may wish to consider if it's an appropriate ride for children under 7 but I've seen smaller kids on it before. 

Disney Animal Kingdom

www,dAnimal Kingdom is the Disney Park with real animals.  Disney does everything with an extra dose of "Wow" so be prepared for an awesome adventure.  This park is definitely more than a zoo and all ages will marvel not just at the animals but the beautiful habitats that give the wildlife a great environment and the tourists a maxed out view of them all. 

Upon entering the park you encounter the "Tree of Life", a full-size tree with the figures of several hundred animals carved into it's trunk.   You will stand there a long while trying to decide if the tree is real or not.  It's a fantastic photo shoot which is about 14 stories high  and probably 50-75 feet wide.  Absolutely breathtaking and a good setup for what else is in the park.

You know how you go to your local zoo and you get to the one exhibit you really want to see but all you see is a foot or a tail?  Yeah, we've all tried to get our five year old excited about the ear of a wolf and we feel a little let down when they don't.  Animal Kingdom created a park where the animals are out where you can see them.  It has an authentic tour of the Kilimanjaro Plains by open air bus.  Every species of African wildlife is there and in full view.  There are several types of safaris and walking treks there you can experience, so when you arrive, grab a program and have fun.

The animals aside, probably the greatest experience is Expedition Everest, a high-speed roller coaster through the Himalayas.  It towers over the park and you know you can't do Disney without a good rattling so grab everyone and go for a scream! 

The kids will enjoy all the dinosaur exhibits and there is an indoor thrill ride through  prehistoric forest complete with all the Jurassic creatures they love.  It's not high-speed but still amazing.  I know when I'm at theme parks if I get a chance to sit on a ride where it's dark, cool, and I'm sitting down it's a total win for me! If you get here when it's hot (which is March through October) you'll enjoy a ride down the rapids.  Another great way to cool off and you better want to because your family will not want to miss this one. 

There are lots of interactive places for the family from educational to animal petting.  Eating here is like other parks, if you're with your kids for the lunch rooms for less expensive meals but there are nice restaurants as well if there are only two of you.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is an upscale lodge right on the grounds where you can stay and see wildlife all day long.  The animal habitat is right outside your window and you can see animal feedings from your window so if you like to stay on property check out their availability.

One thing I always forget to mention is that if you go to http://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/  you can download or request a FREE vacation planning video.  It's very helpful for first time visitors to Central Florida but equally for return visitors who want to plan before arriving.  Visit the website and see for yourself as I believe there is a virtual tour you can take. 

My next post is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter so check in soon and thank you for reading.