Prince Charming Regal Carrousel: Ride Review

Name: Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Type: Ride, Carrousel, Merry-Go-Round
Location: The Magic Kingdom, in Fantasyland
The Gist: A Cinderella-themed carousel.
A Must-Do For: Kids, I guess. Can't see adults getting to much out of it; it's just a merry-go-round. Unless you are an adult who likes reliving their childhood, of course;)

Walt Disney World Railroad: Ride Review

Name: Walt Disney World Railroad
Type: Ride, Train (like an actual legit steamtrain)
Location: The Magic Kingdom. Circles the entire park. You can board at one of three stations, in Main Street, in Frontierland, and in Fantasyland (the new circus area, near the Barnstormer).
The Gist: An actual train takes you on a scenic tour around the park. A great way to get from one end of the park to another, or for just a nice view of the sights.
A Must-Do For: Train enthusiasts, people who want a ride you can stay on as long as you want (since there are 3 stops, they don't make you get off).
Avoid If: No reason to, really.
Fear Factor: 1/10.
Lines and Other Tips: Trains arrive at stations every 4-10 minutes. You typically won't have to wait longer than that, unless it is crowded, then you may have to wait for the next one.

My grandfather worked as a conductor on the trains here for many, many years, so I'm partial to it for sentimental reasons. But it is also a good way to get around, and take in the sights of the Magic Kingdom. Also, its a pretty good way to get a sneak peek of the New Fantasyland areas they are building!

xoxo, Lily

The Barnstormer: Ride Review

Name: The Barnstormers
Type: Ride, Kiddie Coaster
Location: The Magic Kingdom, in the recently opened Storybook Circus section of Fantasy Land
The Gist: Take a quick (I'm talking like 30 seconds quick) flight with Goofy- a known terrible pilot-in this newly redesigned coaster that used to be part of the now-gone Toontown area of the park.
A Must-Do For: Kids who want to experience their first "fast" ride. If you think they might like roller coasters but aren't yet ready for Big Thunder Mountain and the like, take them on this. If they hate it... well, it is over in less than a minute, so they'll live.
Avoid If: You have a thing with heights. The top of this ride, while not really that high, is a bit exposed in a way that Big Thunder isn't. My mom, a serious acrophobe, can do it, as long as she doesn't look down.

Casey's Corner: Restaurant Review

Name: Casey's Corner
Location: The Magic Kingdom, on Main Street, U.S.A.
Cuisine: Ballpark food, namely, hot dogs. A few other token things like nachos and fries as well.
Type: Counter Service
Good For Those Who: Like fancy hotdogs
Price Range: In the $ price range, which means everything is less than $15.
Times: Lunch, dinner, snacks
Reservations: None taken, since it's quick service
My Recommendation: Well... here's the thing with this place. Their specialties are the hotdogs, which, are, admittedly, several steps above what most places boil and slap on a stale bun. What I'm saying is, if you like hotdogs, this is a good place to go. However, I hate hotdogs, even "good" ones like they have here, so I can't exactly personally recommend them. The nachos, though, I have to once again give props to Disney and say, are pretty decent. When you are expecting those hard round chips drenched in disconcertingly-yellow shiny cheese, they are actually a nice surprise. Good chips, beef, actual cheese- and you can put the toppings on yourself. It's the little things, guys.
Healthier Option: If you want healthy, your only option really, is to go someplace else. This isn't that kinda place.

It is a lucky soul who happens to be passing down Main Street and gets hit with a whiff of fresh waffle cone from the ice cream parlor on the right, and a whiff of saurkraut from Casey's on the left. At the same time. I am only half being sarcastic.

xoxo, Lily

The Jungle Cruise: Ride Review

Name: The Jungle Cruise
Type: Ride, Slow Boat Ride
Location: The Magic Kingdom, in Adventureland
The Gist: Take a narrated trip through some of the world's most famous rivers and see some "animals" and other sights along the way.
A Must-Do For: People who like puns (the narration is full of 'em); people who want to experience some of the classic-albeit corny, Disney World attractions.
Avoid If: Nothing too scary about this ride, but there is one part where you go through the ruins of an old temple and it is a little dark.
Fear Factor: 1/10. Even kids shouldn't be scared, I mean, the animals don't look that realistic!
Lines/Other Tips: This one tends to have solidly long lines-during the day. If I were you, I'd wait until after dark. As soon as the sun goes down, like everyone forgets about this ride, and you can almost always get on with no wait. And, it is waaayyy cooler at night. And it beats waiting 30-60 minutes in the heat, like you would going during daytime.

Silly narration and silly animal animatronics aside, I love the Jungle Cruise. I started loving it even more when we discovered how much better it is at night. Pure nostalgic Disney.

xoxo, Lily

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover: Ride Review

Name: Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Type: Ride, briskly-moving tour
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Tomorrowland
The Gist: Board a highway in the sky for a relaxing tour of Tomorrowland
A Must-Do For: People who want to go on a ride that never has a wait
Avoid If: You don't like being in complete darkness, you have a serious fear of heights
Fear Factor: 2/10. Although this ride is relatively slow and runs on a completely flat track ( meaning no drops or anything), there is a moment when you are thrown into complete darkness, and it is a bit high (you have to go on an escalator to get on).
Lines and Other Tips: There is never a wait for this ride. It is the one sure bet in the Magic Kingdom. Even if there is a small line, it moves very fast. A bonus for this ride: they will often just let you keep riding, without getting off after one time around. This is the only thing you can do that with!

Main Street Confectionery: Snack/Shopping Review

Name: Main Street Confectionery
Location: The Magic Kingdom, on Main Street, U.S.A
Serving/Selling: Candy, cookies and other treats made fresh in-store
Good For Those: Who want a sweet snack or edible souvenirs to bring home
Price Range: Varies depending on what you get. At the counter, it can range from a few dollars for a cookie to almost $10 for a fancy candy apple.
Times: All day, snacks and desserts
My Recommendation: Everytime I go to the Magic Kingdom, I have to make a stop here for one of the cookies they sell at the counter. Not one of those big, flat cardboardy ones, but the fat, chunky ones. The chocoate chip. Mmmmm. I've never had better.

The view from outside.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Ride Review

Name: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Type: Ride, for children, slow-moving
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Fantasyland
The Gist: Board a honey pot-shaped car and ride through the middle of "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day".
Must-Do For: People with very young children; anyone who really wants to feel like a kid a again
Avoid If: No reason too, really
Fear Factor: 1/10. Or, 0/10. This ride is completely baby-safe.
Lines & Other Tips: This is one that will typically have a steady 45-60 minute wait. At least. Let's just say, it gets pretty busy. Go later in the evening (I'm talking like right before closing) or get a Fastpass if you do not care to wait that long.

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor: Snack Review

Name: Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
Location: Magic Kingdom, on Main Street, U.S.A.
Serving: Ice Cream, Ice Cream, and... more Ice Cream. The hand-scooped variety, as opposed to soft-serve.
Type: Counter Service
Good For Those Who: Like ice cream (well, duh), like sundaes and the like.
Price Range: Listed in the $ price range, which is less than $14.99. But everything here is pretty much just a few dollars, with the fancier sundaes peaking at, I don't know, maybe $5?
Times: All day, for snacks and dessert
My Recommendation: I'd go for a sundae. The reason being, those are served in their homemade waffle-cone bowls. Like, they legit stand there and make these bowls right in front of you with a straight-up waffle iron.

Peter Pan's Flight: Ride Review

Name: Peter Pan's Flight
Type: Ride, Slow-Moving
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Fantasyland
The Gist: Board a flying pirate ship and sail through the story of Peter Pan.
A Must-Do For: It is most definitely a great choice for young children
Avoid If: You have a hard-core fear of heights. There are moments in this ride where you do get, maybe, I don't know, 15 or so feet in the air.
Fear Factor: 1/10. This is made for kids, except for those that would be bothered by the height issue, there is nothing scary.
Lines and Other Tips: As long as I can remember, this ride has had some of the most consistently long wait times in the entire park, usually at least  an hour (don't ask, I don't know why either). If you refuse to wait that long, your only hope is to get inside when the park opens and make this your first stop, or get a Fastpass. Once the line gets long, it almost never goes down, even late in the day.

Ok, so, yes, I will admit it. This ride is old, cheesy, and most likely due for a serious upgrade, judging by the loud GGGGGGSSSSSHHHHHHK noises it makes the entire time, among other things. But, I love it anyway. It has been one of my favorite rides anywhere since I was tiny. So maybe it is the nostalgia? Either way, this ride is a classic, which is probably why it is so popular. Just don't go in expecting cutting-edge technology and uncanny-valley animatronics.

This is not the ride you go to to be impressed or thrilled. You go to release your inner child that would have loved it, warts and all.

xoxo, Lily

Aloha Isle: Snack Review

Name: Aloha Isle
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Adventureland
Good For Those Who: Really, Really like pineapple.
Serves: Soft-serve ice cream, floats, and the infamous Dole Whip. Basically, pineapple flavored soft-serve.
Type: Counter-Service
Price Range: In the $ which means less than $14.99, but realistically, everything here is pretty much just a few dollars.
Times: All day, snacks & desserts
My recommendation: Well, you can't go wrong with the Dole Whip. You can get plain old soft-serve anywhere!
Healthier Option: They do serve just straight pineapple chunks, if you are interested.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Ride Review

Name: Pirates of the Caribbean
Type: Ride,Boat Ride
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Adventureland
The Gist: Sail past scenes of animatronic pirates (including some recently added Jack Sparrows) in this classic Disney ride, that inspired the hit films.
A Must-Do For: Those who dream or have dreamed about being a pirate; people who are sexually attracted to Johnny Depp.
Avoid If: You'd have major problems with dark spaces or fake cannonballs exploding around you.
Fear Factor: 3/10. Although this ride is calm for the most part, there are some things that could creep out small children, like a brief moment of total darkness, some loud noises, and a small drop (veeerrry small, although it did scare me when I was a kid).

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe: Restaurant Review

Name: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Tomorrowland
Cuisine: American
Type: Counter Service; divided into 3 separate "Bays", each with different menu options, food-court style.
Good For Those Who: Want the most options of any quickservice joint in the Magic Kingdom; would like to watch a silly animatronic alien singing jazzy music while they eat.
Price Range: Disney lists this location in their $ range, which means everything is $14.99 or less. Entrees here vary in price, but typically cost around $9.

The resident performer, the biggest little star in the galaxy himself, Sonny Eclipse.

The Haunted Mansion: Ride Review

Name: The Haunted Mansion
Type: Ride, Slow-moving
Location: The Magic Kingdom, in Liberty Square
The Gist: A slow-moving silly, yet creepy tour of a haunted house
Must-Do For: People who like haunted houses, people who want to experience one of the most classic attractions at the Magic Kingdom.
Avoid If: You would be scared by dark spaces and fake ghosts. This mostly applies to little kids (and trust me, even though this ride is mostly silly, I've seen plenty have freak-outs on it). Not all will be bothered, though. Neither me nor my sister had an issue with it when we were young. So just know them.

A view of the Mansion from the top floor of the Liberty Belle Paddlewheel Boat.

Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn & Cafe: Restaurant Review

Name: Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, or just Pecos Bill's for short
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Frontierland
Cuisine: American, with a slight Mexican influence
Type: Counter-Service
Good For Those Who: Like to put their own toppings on hamburgers and salads.
Price Range:  Disney lists it in the $ range, which means everything is less than $14.99 per person. Entrees here average at $8 each.
Times: Lunch and Dinner
Reservations: None, since this is quickservice. To avoid the biggest crowds, as usual, go before 12pm or after 2pm.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Ride Review

Name: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Type: Ride, Roller Coaster
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Frontierland
The Gist: Board a runaway mine train and travel up hills, through caves and around tight curves in a desert setting.
A Must-Do For:  People who like rollercoasters, as this is one of only 2 options at the Magic Kingdom; kids looking to try out their first somewhat-thrilling ride.
Avoid If: You really hate roller coasters, even small ones, or are very afraid of heights.
Fear Factor: I'd give it a 5.5/10. The movement of the ride is very similar to that of Space Mountain, but since Big Thunder is not in the dark, it seems less scary. This is a very mild rollercoaster, as far they go. Not quite a kiddie coaster, but probably only a few steps above that.

Tony's Town Square Restaurant: Restaurant Review

Name: Tony's Town Square Restaurant
Location: Magic Kingdom, on Main Street, U.S.A.
Cuisine: Italian
Type: Table Service
Good For Those Who: Are fans of "Lady and the Tramp" and wish to recreate the spaghetti kiss; people jonesing for Italian food at MK.
Price Range:  Disney lists this restaurant in their $$ range, which means it should fall in the spectrum of $15-$35.99 per person. Entrees at lunch cost around $16 each, and dinner entrees cost around $19 each.
Times: Lunch from 11:30am to 2:45pm; dinner from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

The view from outside.

Splash Mountain: Ride Review

Name: Splash Mountain
Type: Log-Flume ride
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Frontierland
The Gist:  This water ride is pretty chill and slow moving as you wind up the mountain, going through scenes from the film "Song of the South", until that 52 1/2 foot drop at the end.
A Must-Do For: Anyone who is for some reason a fan of "Song of the South" (that is, the most infamous Disney movie nobody has ever seen), anyone who hasn't heard "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" enough times that day, and naturally, thrill seekers, as this is one of your few options in this park.
Avoid if: You don't think you'd like a 52-and-a-half foot drop; you are opposed to possibly getting wet.

Columbia Harbour House: Restaurant Review

Name:  Columbia Harbour House
Location: Magic Kingdom, in Liberty Square
Cuisine: American
Type: Counter Service
Good For Those Who: Are in the mood for fish; love fried foods
Price Range: According to Disney's pricing system, this is a $ (one-dollar sign), which means everything is less than $14.99. Entrees here run about $8 or $9 per person.
Times: Lunch and Dinner

Space Mountain- Ride Review

Well, hello, and welcome to my blog:) I don't want to waste time, so I'm just gonna dig in with my first post: a bit of info on that Magic Kingdom classic: Space Mountain!

Name: Space Mountain
Type: Ride, Roller Coaster
Location: Tomorrow Land in The Magic Kingdom
The Gist: The famous "in the dark" coaster, supposed to feel like you are shooting through space
A Must-Do For: Any MK visitors looking for something more thrilling than the Jungle Cruise
Avoid if: You have a serious fear of rollercoasters or dark spaces, or are prone to hard-core motion sickness (and, if you are prone to light motion sickness, I'd suggest NOT doing it right after downing a chili-cheese dog...just in case.)