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Magic Kingdom Secrets, Tips and Facts
Having just returned from a family and Disney VIP trip, I felt it was time to post about Magic Kingdom at Disney World and some fun tips and facts! I also picked up a few 'insider Disney secrets' during my VIP tour and wanted to share.
Whether it is your first time at Disney World, or you are a seasoned Disney veteran, the child-like excitement hits everyone the moment they step into Magic Kingdom.
Did you know that Magic Kingdom is home to Disney's longest running parade, the Main Street Electrical Parade? It has been around since 1971! Many of the trees and shrubbery throughout the Magic Kingdom are fake, but they were designed to look so realistic that you wouldn't even know.
The Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom is filled with secrets. One of the most iconic is the pet cemetery out front, which features headstones with names of Disney staff members' pets. There's also the secret room behind a hidden bookcase, the hidden hatbox ghost, and the fan favorite - the Hitchhiking Ghosts. Inside the mansion, you can also find a music organ and the secret bride, who can be seen in the attic, if you look closely!
Main Street USA in Disney's Magic Kingdom is full of surprises! Here are a few to look out for:
Just inside the entrance to Main Street, you can find a hidden Mickey Mouse! Look for a pattern of three circles in the brickwork.
The names on the windows of the shops on Main Street are the names of actual people who worked for Disney in the past.
The clock tower at the end of Main Street is actually based on the clock tower at the Harvard University campus.
If you look closely, you'll notice the sound of a train whistle and steam engine when you walk down Main Street. The sound is actually coming from the speakers hidden throughout the area.
The windows of the buildings on Main Street spell out a secret message. If you look closely you'll be able to read the message and discover its meaning!
There are lots of secrets to discover at Adventureland in Disney's Magic Kingdom! For instance, did you know the music playing in the area is inspired by 1950s South American exotica? There's also a hidden tiki room tucked away in the back of the Swiss Family Treehouse. And if you listen closely, you can hear a secret audio-animatronic show! The Swiss Family Treehouse is also full of hidden treasures and is worth exploring. Lastly, be sure to look up in the sky to spot the hidden Mickey in the wooden beams of the bridges.
One of the best-kept secrets about Fantasyland in Disney's Magic Kingdom is that Cinderella's Castle has a hidden suite inside. It's called the Cinderella Castle Suite and it was originally designed as a private apartment for Walt Disney and his family. Additionally, it's rumored that the Fantasyland Skyway station is still intact and can be seen during the parade route. Fantasyland has some interactive elements that many guests don't know about. There are several interactive statues, such as the Mad Hatter's hat and the Sword in the Stone, that can be triggered to move and/or animate when guests approach them.
Frontierland in Disney's Magic Kingdom is a land of adventure and discovery. Here are a few fun facts about Frontierland that you might not know about:
Look for the hidden Mickey's throughout the land. There are plenty.
There is a pet cemetery in the back of Splash Mountain.
The Frontierland Train Station is the only one in the Magic Kingdom that has a functioning whistle and bell.
If you listen carefully, you can hear the sound of a banjo coming from the Country Bear Jamboree.
There is a secret area behind the Haunted Mansion gift shop where you can take pictures with the hitchhiking ghosts.
If you look carefully, you can spot a hidden audio-animatronic of a frontier explorer in the bottom of the Rivers of America.
The Country Bear Jamboree was the first ever audio-animatronic stage show.
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was the first roller coaster in the Magic Kingdom.
Tom Sawyer Island has a secret underground tunnel system.
The Mark Twain Riverboat is powered by four paddlewheels.
One of the secrets about Liberty Square in Disney's Magic Kingdom is that it is the only land in the park that was part of the original opening day in 1971. Something commonly known is the Liberty Bell and the Liberty Tree, two iconic symbols of the American Revolution, are both featured in the land. There's also a ghost lurking about in the Liberty Square Riverboat attraction - it's said to be the ghost of a former riverboat captain! Finally, the Hall of Presidents attraction, which opened in 1971, is also located in Liberty Square - it's the only place where you can see all the U.S. presidents in one place!
One of the secrets of Tomorrowland in Disney's Magic Kingdom is the secret entrance to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. Do you know about this one and how to access the entrance from the Carousel of Progress? Another secret is that the Tomorrowland Speedway is home to a real-life race car, the Indy 500 Pace Car, which is located in the center of the track. Finally, the Astro Orbiter has a secret hidden star! Look for it when you ride the attraction!
What is VIP access and what do you get with VIP access at Disney World?
With VIP access at Disney World, you can enjoy exclusive benefits like reserved seating at shows and attractions, VIP viewing areas for parades and nighttime spectaculars, and access to exclusive lounges. You can also take advantage of complimentary snacks, beverages, and merchandise, along with exclusive discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise throughout the parks. Additionally, you get to skip the regular lines at attractions to make the most of your Disney World experience!
The cost of VIP access at Disney World depends on the length of your visit and the type of access you're looking for. Disney offers a variety of VIP experiences, ranging from a few hours to multiple days. Prices typically start at around $450 per person and can go up to over $900 per person / hour for a multi-day experience. You can find more information about the different VIP experiences available at Disney World on their website.
What is Club 33 at Disney World?
Club 33 is an exclusive members-only club located in Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom Park. It is an exclusive and luxurious club with private lounges, fine dining, and a variety of unique experiences and amenities. Membership is limited and very expensive, but it provides a completely unique experience for members with access to exclusive events, private lounges, and some of the best dining options in the park.
Disney's Magic Kingdom Easter Eggs
Disney is full of Easter eggs waiting for guests to find them. No, I am not talking about the beautifully hand decorated chocolate eggs on display at Disney's Grand Floridian during the Spring. I am talking about an Easter egg that is a secret message, item, or image that has been added as a bonus within a Disney movie, theme park, or resort. These Easter eggs are added for close watchers and observers who are devoted fans of Disney and the brand.
Now that we know what type of Easter eggs we are looking for, you may be asking yourself why these secrets have become so important to Disney fans. By providing these hidden gems within the movies and theme parks, Disney is supplying their fans with endless entertainment. Some Easter eggs are easier to notice than others, but others are more hidden. What started as an inside joke with Imagineers, has grown into a clever way to keep Disney fans coming back for more. Let's look at some of our favorite Easter egg's hidden within Disney's Magic Kingdom Park.
Mainstreet U.S.A
Our journey to find Disney's Magic Kingdom Easter eggs starts the moment you enter the park. Welcome to Mainstreet U.S.A! Centered in the square, near the train station, is a large American flag. This flag is the only REAL American Flag in the park. There is a ceremony every morning to raise the flag and every evening to retrieve the flag. This ceremony is always accompanied by a United States military veteran who is a guest in the park that day. All the other flags seen on top of buildings are, in fact, imposters. To prevent all the flags on Mainstreet U.S.A needing to be raised every morning and taken down or lit every evening, they are missing stars and stripes. This means they are not considered real American flags. While you are spotting the fake American flags at the top of the buildings, look at the building windows. You will find the names of people responsible for creating the Magic Kingdom or the names of the dummy corporations Disney used when buying Florida land for the parks. As you continue your journey through Mainstreet U.S.A. look down. Do you notice the red sidewalks? The sidewalks are red because Walt Disney wanted to roll out the red carpet for all guests. They also consulted with Kodak to find the perfect shade of red to show up as the best complimentary color in photos taken at Magic Kingdom. Towards the left of the Emporium, you will find Harmony Barbershop. Many people do not realize that this is an actual operational barbershop. Although anyone can get their haircut, they have a special package for kids who are getting their first haircut. It is highly recommended!
Fun Magic Kingdom Facts
Walt Disney Statue
1. Walt Disney's statue stands waiving to guests entering Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The park originally opened October 1st, 1971, and although Walt had been highly involved in the planning of Walt Disney World, he passed away just before construction began in 1967. His vision is still seen in the brand today making it one of the most successful businesses in the world.
2. 'May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.' - Roy 0. Disney reading the dedication plaque during the October 25, 1971, grand opening, and dedication.
Tangled Theme Bathroom
1. Need a break? Located on the edge of Liberty Square and Fantasyland this restroom is themed after the Disney Movie Tangled making this a fun stop for the whole family. Also stop by the charging stations right across from the restroom to recharge your batteries.
2. Forget hidden Mickeys! The Tangled themed restroom has hidden Pascals for you to find! It is rumored that there are 10 of these cute chameleons hidden around this restroom. Can you find them all?
Tomorrowland Entrance
1. Welcome to Tomorrowland! This retro-futuristic designed area of Magic Kingdom has seven different attractions to enjoy. What is your favorite Tomorrowland attraction?
2. 'Tomorrow is a heck of a thing to keep up with.' -Walt Disney
Pirates Chess Game
1. Did you know pirates were stubborn? While in line for the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction don't miss this pair of pirates who got stuck in an eternal stalemate during their chess game. It is said that they died in a chess stalemate because neither would agree to a draw!
2. These pirates stuck in a stalemate didn't get much attention until Disney guests noticed the chess pieces were being moved from their previous stays. It is rumored that there is a game being played among cast members that has yet to be completed. This chess game has grown its own fanbase and you can even find biogs tracking each player's next moves, sometimes taking months in between moves!
Uncovering Disney's Haunted Mansion Secrets
As a fan favorite, the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney's Magic Kingdom was one of the original rides that opened with the park in 1971. It has become such a beloved ride that it has been know that guests have spread loved one's ashes in the graveyard scene.
Surprisingly, this is not the only ride that happens on ... However, despite the spooky atmosphere there is no evidence that the ride is actually haunted. There are plenty of Easter eggs to find before you even sit down on the Haunted Mansion ride located in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom. Our first Easter egg can be spotted in the queue in the interactive portion. A wedding ring can be found stuck within the pavement. This ring is hard to spot, so do not be afraid to ask a cast member for assistants in locating it. Disney fans manifested this Easter egg themselves as there were so many previous claims that an old pipe flush with the pavement was really the ghost bride's wedding ring.
This story got so popular among Haunted Mansion fans that Disney added a wedding ring into the pavement in this area. The story of the bride and her wedding ring was purely created by Disney fandom, so the story may vary depending on who is telling it. A popular rendition of the story is that the ring was embedded in the pavement when the bride threw herself off the balcony. Another version of the story states that Mr. Gracey got so upset at the bride for cheating on him that he threw the ring off the balcony and his horses stomped on the wedding ring embedding it into the pavement. As you are about to enter the attraction, to your left, there is a tombstone you should keep your eyes on. Or should we say she is keeping her eyes on you?
Magic Kingdom Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunt
Hidden Mickeys
This story got so popular among Haunted Mansion fans that Disney added a wedding ring into the pavement in this area. The story of the bride and her wedding ring was purely created by Disney fandom, so the story may vary depending on who is telling it. A popular rendition of the story is that the ring was embedded in the pavement when the bride threw herself off the balcony. Another version of the story states that Mr. Gracey got so upset at the bride for cheating on him that he threw the ring off the balcony and his horses stomped on the wedding ring embedding it into the pavement. As you are about to enter the attraction, to your left, there is a tombstone you should keep your eyes on. Or should we say she is keeping her eyes on you?
Here are 20 Magic Kingdom locations to get your Hidden Mickey searchstarted:
1. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin2. Pirates of the Caribbean x23. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train4. Carousel of Progress5. Swiss Family Tree House6. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover7. It's a small world8. Splash Mountain9. Haunted Mansion x210. The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh11. Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid12. Jungle cruise13. Peter Pans Flight14. Train Station Ticket Office15. Sir Mickey's Store Sign16. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad17. Columbia Harbour House18. Walt Disney Statue (not Mickey Mouse standing next to him)19. Be our Guest Restaurant20. Fairytale Garden
You could spend days searching for all the hidden Mickey's in Magic Kingdom. We are not lying, there are rumored to be over 1,000 hidden Mickeys out there. This is one of the best past times while waiting in line at your next attraction. There are also some fun phone apps that will allow you to track your progress and mark what Hidden Mickeys you have found. If you are stuck, do not be afraid to ask a cast member for a hint!
VIP tours!!
Did you know that Disney World has VIP tours with a private guide that walks you to the Lightening Lane entrance for all the rides you can fit in?! We even walked into special entrances for a few of the rides and skipped right to the front! It also includes Mickey bars, pretzels or other snacks and unlimited water. This is an amazing way to experience the parks and fit in a lot of rides. It has a minimum of 7 hours for up to 10 people and prices at $450-$900 per hour depending on dates.
We would love to help you experience the Disney parks in a different way! Here is what our day looked like:
Started at Magic Kingdom
We rode Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Space Mountain
Break for Mickey bars and water
Escorted through the backstage of Magic Kingdom to our SUV transfer over to Hollywood Studios!
Greeted with snacks when we arrived!
We rode Rockin’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash, Millennium Falcon, Rise of the Resistance, and planned on Minnie and Mickey’s Runaway Railway but it went down right when we were ready to ride!
We ended with Mickey pretzels as our special snack of the day! 🐭🥨🍿🎢 It was a great day!
This is a great way to enhance your vacation! We would love to help add this to your next trip!
Get in touch with Lia Vincent
Lia Vincent
Lia Vincent is the founder and owner of Vincent Vacations, All Inclusive Weddings, Magical Vacations, TravelAgentPro, Vincent Cruises and Vincent Events.
Vincent Vacations is an award-winning travel agency established in 2013 that is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All Inclusive Weddings is an affiliate of Vincent Vacations and was established in 2019.
Lia has been recognized for her own work as a travel advisor since 2002 but has transitioned her focus to managing the brick and mortar location as well as a team of over 250 independent advisors across the country. She is passionate about marketing and enjoys planning incentive travel and events for her team. She hosts an annual awards gala for the top in sales as well as recognition travel for agents with over 1 million in annual sales on her independent team. While being a sales powerhouse is of course a motivation, the culture of her agency is one of the things she is most proud of. The team loves to travel together, attend events and be in each other’s corner.
Lia was recognized as a Trendsetter with TravelAge West in 2021 for her agency growth during the pandemic offering training classes to dive into the travel industry. She took it as a positive and let’s get ready for when travel is back. Lia is a regular guest travel speaker on Oklahoma NBC news, member of American Airlines Vacations Advisory Council, Delta Vacations Emerging Leaders, Hilton Advisory, Marival Advisory and La Coleccion’s Think Tank.
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Magic Kingdom SecretsTips and Facts
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Lia Vincent is the founder and owner of Vincent Vacations, All Inclusive Weddings, Magical Vacations, TravelAgentPro, Vincent Cruises and Vincent Events. Vincent Vacations is an award-winning travel agency established in 2013 that is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All Inclusive Weddings is an affiliate of Vincent Vacations and was established in 2019. Lia has been recognized for her own work as a travel advisor since 2002 but has transitioned her focus to managing the brick and mortar location as well as a team of over 250 independent advisors across the country. She is passionate about... Read More >>>
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Are you thinking about booking a cruise or have just booked one and aren’t sure what to expect? We know you may have questions about taking a vacation at sea which is why we’ve created this guide. We’ll explain everything you need to know about sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line!
Take advantage of the best value at sea with Norwegian’s all-inclusive Free At Sea. This offer includes Free Airfare^, Free Unlimited Open Bar, Free Specialty Dining and more!
Savor up to 20 incredible culinary experiences with the freedom to dine when and where you choose.
Enjoy award-winning entertainment including Broadway musicals, dinner shows and themed parties.
Choose an accommodation to suit your style and budget including luxurious Suites in The Haven by Norwegian®, Balcony Staterooms with ever-changing views and stylish Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers.
Thanks to Norwegian’s award-winning fleet and highly personalized service, you can book with confidence knowing your cruise vacation will be incredible.
CRUISE MYTHS. BUSTED.
I'LL GET BORED ON THE SHIP
With so much to do on board, you'll have to book another cruise just to experience it all! We have a seemingly endless choice of activities such as go-karting, wine tastings, sports games, arcades, the spa, pools, Aqua parks, and so much more. Choose from multiple superb entertainment options each and every night including Broadway shows, comedy clubs, nightclubs, live bands, karaoke, kids and teen clubs, and multiple bars and lounges!
IT’S TOO EXPENSIVE
Experience the best value at sea with Norwegian’s Free At Sea promotion where you can take advantage of free offers. Enjoy Free Airfare^, Free Unlimited Open Bar, Free Specialty Dining, Free Excursions, Free WiFi, and Free 3rd and 4th Guests. Plus, with worldwide cruises of varying lengths and a wide range of staterooms, you’ll find the vacation that’s perfect for you and your budget.
I’LL GET SEASICK
Due to the ship’s size and the use of stabilizers when needed, you may not even feel that you are moving! However, if it is a concern, you can book a stateroom mid-ship where there is the least movement, and there are many medicinal and natural remedies available.
I’LL HAVE TO EAT WITH STRANGERS / EAT ON A SCHEDULE
We offer you the freedom and flexibility of dining when, where, and with whomever you want. With a variety of incredible restaurants — up to 20 dining venues — to please any palate, Feel Free to be a little epicurious and follow your mood, not a schedule.
THERE WILL BE TOO MANY PEOPLE
Our contemporary ships are designed for comfort and space, giving you plenty of room to roam at sea. From relaxing at the Mandara Spa and reclining poolside to strolling along The Waterfront® on select ships and enjoying delicious room service on your own private balcony in your stateroom or Suite, finding your happy place on board is a breeze. Also, Suites in The Haven by Norwegian® offer exclusive access to a private courtyard with pool, and their own bar and restaurant on select ships.
Freestyle Cruising: Offers flexibility in dining times, seating arrangements, and attire, catering to a relaxed vacation atmosphere.
Wide Range of Destinations: Sails to diverse destinations including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Alaska, appealing to various traveler preferences.
Award-Winning Entertainment: Boasts Broadway shows, live music, comedy clubs, and more for top-tier onboard entertainment.
Accommodation Options: Provides a range of staterooms from luxurious Haven suites to studio cabins for solo travelers.
Comprehensive Dining Choices: Features numerous dining options, from fine dining to casual eateries, satisfying all tastes.
Innovative Ships: Norwegian's fleet includes some of the most modern and innovative ships in the industry, offering unique amenities like water parks and racetracks.
On February 1st, 2024, for the first time, Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, opened their doors to guests. I was there first hand to witness this. When I say first hand, I was literally the first guest to check-in to the resort. Here’s how it all played out…..
I was with some of our sales team at a different resort in the destination. When I saw I would be checking out the day one of the most highly anticipated resorts would be opening, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I had our agency’s preferred transportation company in the destination, Amstar, pick me up early so I could hopefully be the first guest on property. I did travel to opening day of Secrets Moxche in 2022, and I was the 6th guest to check in. I had to beat my record and we did it!
Let me paint the picture for you.
We are pulling up to the resort and hanging out the window asking the security guards if anyone had arrived yet and then squealing.
When we got out of the transportation, we were met with a mariachi band, executive team, and so many more hotel employees. They played music, cheered, clapped…..it was like we were celebrities arriving for the Academy Awards.
We were invited to join for the ribbon cutting, which of course we said, yes. They passed out scissors with the resort engraved and all cut at the same time. We spent time with the social media team doing interviews of what we thought of the resort. We also did some great drone shots with the pool. We felt like real influencers. This was so eye opening on how much work goes into the Grand Opening day of a hotel. There were so many moving parts. The team did a great job.
Now was time to enjoy the resort. Let me tell you all about it. This is a large resort and they were supposed to open in December. They are doing a phase opening as there are a few things not quite open yet. The tune of this blog will be June. There will be 5 months without some things but there is still most things everyone will do especially for a resort that won't be at capacity right early on.
There were 3 amazing pools open. There is one more pool – the Jungle Pool – that will open by June. They are building a massive spa and gym. It’s going to be 2 stories. It sits in the back of the property. They are well underway but it will be June before guests can do hydrotherapy for example. They are offering massages and facials in some hotel rooms set up like spa cabins. We went and saw the set up and it’s a perfect set up in the meantime. The rooms even smell like you’re in the spa.
The resort will have a theatre by June 2024 as well as the popular Desires nightclub that you might have seen at other Secrets Resorts. Right now they are having nightly entertainment around the round bar. This will be the hub of people coming for a drink to hang out before dinner and sunset cocktails. It has a great atmosphere. The chairs were made by Mexican artists. Each of the chairs took 24 hours to make and were made in the state of Oaxaca. The pillows were also made by artisans. The attention to detail at this resort is impressive. When we stayed they did a casino night, DJ, live band and Cirque type show. Each night they change it up. The butlers send out the schedule but there is also an App you can find the information on.
Our room we enjoyed was so spoiling. They put us in a Preferred Club Oceanfront Master Swim Out Suite. This room is so spacious and has a double balcony that connects to a wrap around shared pool with other swimouts. It faced straight onto the beach and ocean. The sunrise view was perfection. There’s a living room and bedroom, half bath and then large bathroom. It is a very open concept so not super ideal for more modest friends traveling together but we made it work. One amazing perk that was such a pleasant surprise for February travel is the swim out pool is heated. I’ve experienced some ice cold swim out rooms and this was perfection. We were also spoiled by our butler, Frank. He was assigned to us. He would send us the daily activities via Whatsapp. He also did things like help us with extra pillows or when you forgot your key and were locked out of your room (the hike to the lobby would be long in this category) and we also drew a fun bubble bath. He asked us what time and was there on time with a special tea oil that made it smell so good.
The rooms are pretty easy to figure out and I all of them face into the resort or straight onto the beach or ocean. The inside of the junior suites are all the same as far as the layout. There are a very limited number of rooms with 2 beds so just keep that in mind. This resort is more geared toward couples. The Preferred Club rooms have a tub on the balcony in addition to a more desirable location. The swimout rooms do not have the tub though.
One big question I have seen is if the Preferred Club level rooms are worth the extra cost. This is the resort group’s version of Club Level or Concierge Level at other hotels. To be perfectly honest I don’t think it is worth the extra cost at a lot of the resort group’s hotels. This one is one you will want to spring for. Preferred Club gives you access to the top pool. It’s a gorgeous infinity pool with cushy pool chairs and waitstaff ready to bring you frozen cocktails or food while you lounge. Another big perk of Preferred Club is the special beach club which is only for these guests. There’s going to be a beach bar and restaurant for the beach club and I know it will be the popular spot with upgraded chairs and service. The beach bar and restaurant are still under construction but by the looks of it will be finished before June. The Bali beds are also up for reservation specifically for Preferred Club guests. They are located in the PC beach club. The way they do the reservations is with the pool concierge and you need to do bottle service. The prices range from $150 - $250 depending on what kind of bottle you want and then this gives you the Bali bed for the day. They are set up for 2 people.
How was the food? This is always a question with a new resort. We had such a great food experience. The Market Café had all the typical fresh omelets, chilaquiles, and French toast anyone would be looking for. I would also like to give a shout out about the bacon. It was so good. I think we experience such blah bacon at most all inclusives and I was like, “Wow it’s just like restaurants at home!”
The Grand Opening Day there were a total of 88 guests. They did not need all the restaurants open. They will all be open by the end of February 2024. We really enjoyed the Seaside Grill which is up by the pools with a great firepit for pre or post dinner hanging out. I had the Catch of the Day which was a Sea Bass. It had great flavor sitting on a yummy sweet potato mash. Another food shout out needs to go to the spinach dip appetizer. It comes with wonton chips and we all couldn’t stop talking about it. The other restaurant open for Grand Opening was El Patio. This is their Mexican restaurant and you also can get a really good filet. The filet was the favorite here as well as the corn soup. El Patio also has a Mezcal and Tequila cellar which can be used for private dinners. It has such a cool atmosphere.
One unique dining experience I was able to have with my co-worker Becky was at the Chef’s Table. This experience is at an additional cost but oh my goodness please do this if you have time. You are taken in the back to the kitchen where there is a special table with a window into the kitchen. This is a wine pairing meal and when you book they will go over the options of wine which will dictate the cost. The chef came out and explained about the food and a sommelier spoke of the Mexican wine he paired. The lava cake had a spice sauce with it that I am still thinking about. We all kept saying we couldn’t believe how good it was.
We loved the resort and are already planning a trip back. The resort is set on such a nice stretch of beach in Costa Mujeres. You can see the island of Isla Mujeres so it seems the island is blocking the sargassum. I know it’s mother nature but the resort had such perfect turquoise water and white sand beach that I know is what so many people are looking for.
We would love to help you plan your vacation to Secrets Playa Blanca
We took 3 kids under 12 to Japan for Thanksgiving 2023. I would like to start off with saying my kid’s are very use to travel. They are use to long flights so this wasn’t a far fetched idea for my family. We did not do an escorted tour and explored on our own. It’s very navigable but his blog is going to give you tips and tricks for traveling with your family to Japan!
Our family loves theme parks so of course we had to hit up Universal Studios in Osaka, Disneyland and DisneySea in Tokyo. Here’s what I thought about the 3 parks:
Universal Studios Japan – Our hotel was in Kyoto and Universal Studios is in Osaka. This is such an easy train ride. There are trains leaving all the time from Kyoto so it was so easy. There is just 1 train change from the main train station in Kyoto and then the train takes you right to CityWalk. It couldn’t be closer.
Make sure to not pick a local train and then it just takes about 30 minutes. I was so thankful for the Premiere Access pass you can purchase in advance. There are many different levels and we chose the top tier one that gave the most rides. They do it differently than in Florida or California. We had specific times we had to go to each ride. You are going to want to purchase this as early as you know what day you are doing Universal. The more the day fills up then the later the ride time slots will be. With the jet lag we were all waking up early so staying up late was rough. The lines can be intense so please just spend the money on this. We bought it on Klook as the Universal Studios App wasn’t as US credit card friendly.
The kid’s really enjoyed the Minon Land and they even have banana flavored popcorn. The popcorn buckets in Japan at all the theme parks are so unique. They also have a single rider lines for some of the ones that are not included in Premiere Access such as the Flying Dinosaur. I think this one might be more intense than Velocicoaster in Orlando!
Tokyo DisneySea – Ok – let me start out by saying I had extreme jet lag on this day so my opinion of this park might be more negative than normal. This is the only park like this in all of the Disney parks. One thing that is different about the Asian parks is they are not owned by Disney.
Positives – The employees here are very nice and accommodating. You know how the employees in Orlando will give your kids a hard time for hanging on the railings, etc. I travel with 3 rowdy boys and it was not like this at all. I’m not saying my kid’s should hang on the railings but I’m so use to telling them to stop and then having the employees tell them give minutes later. It was just different. The employees don’t all speak English. Some do but a lot of them it was very minimal.
It is so much less expensive! The YEN was not strong when I was there so that is part of this but the tickets were about $65 when I factor the exchange rate. I thought this was a pleasant surprise. The prices in the gift shops I found to be shockingly less. Example – they had unique Mickey ears. They averaged in cost to be about $15 USD instead of $40 in the USA. I found a pair of Belle inspired ears that I’ve never seen before.
The characters just mingle around. It was not uncommon to see fur characters walking around the park. Guests just walked up and got autographs and picture. There were a couple that you knew where they would be like Duffy who seems to be more popular than Mickey in Japan. I was in shock and then after some research realized he was kind of created in Japan. He originally was just “The Disney Bear” in 2002 at Walt Disney World. A couple years later he was brought to Tokyo DisneySea and they added a story for him to make sense with the location. People had Duffy swag like I’ve never seen swag before. It was neat.
Constructive Criticism – I always feel bad critiquing as I know this is just my perspective. I am a spoiled traveler so my annoyances might not even be noticed by other people. It’s also just because it’s different than I am use to.
The lines at both Disney parks are insane. I was in everything. We arrived at the park early and the line for rope drop was intense. Everyone runs to the rides as the lines quickly went into hours long ques. Everyone told me to try the popcorn. The lines for the popcorn or any food was like 30+ minutes at every stand. I just don’t have this level of patience for things like popcorn.
If you are bringing picky American kids consider yourself warned about the food. Their version of kid meals is not the same as ours. One person explained that a lot of Japanese kids eat Japanese curry like our kids eat mac & cheese. My kids would have fought someone for some chicken strips. The pizza was pretty gross with what it looked like pieces of hot dogs on soggy pizza. We can always find something and it was a challenge here. We ended up ordering Dominos delivery when we got back to the hotel.
There is a an app to try and buy a version of Genie +. It’s not the same and you can’t purchase anything without being in the park. I was still taking it all in when we walked in and by the time I went to see about it then the times were pushed all the way to the evening. The rides were way too long to wait so we did just a few and skipped a lot. When I say long, I mean like 3 hours long. One of the most popular rides is Soarin’ and it’s just like the one at home but they fly over Tokyo in it as well.
Disneyland Tokyo – I didn’t cover this so this would be a good time to mention I did not stay at one of the official Disney hotels. I am normally a huge snob of this. It just was not possible. They only open up bookings in a close window and they sell out so fast. I was super disappointed. It worked out though. We chose Hilton Tokyo Bay. We were able to get a family suite with bunk beds. They offered free breakfast and it was right next to the Disney Toy Story hotel. We walked across the street for the monorail. The monorail does have a small fee. You can buy it per ride or a day pass.
We spent a half day here. I wish I would have had time to spend a full day here but it just didn’t work in our schedule. The park is laid out very similarly to the other Disneylands. The entrance is all covered which would be so nice if the weather was bad.
I don’t want to repeat the same information again as I have very similar feedback on Disneyland as I do DisneySea. The lines are long. The souvenirs are inexpensive. The food is weird. The employees are super nice.
One thing that is different is the parade customs here. Most people had little mini tarps and they laid them out on the ground. They did this well before the parade and this saved their spot. I saw people displaying a variety of Disney plushies to also save their spot. I was like, “oh wow! Is this for real?” and yes it was. They even sold these little tarps at the shops.
One thing that was a little different is Tom Sawyers Island, “Critter Country” and “Westernland” which is their version of Frontierland. It was not a popular area so the kids had full run of this without crowds. It was done so well. They also have canoe rides you can do.
Other than theme parks –
Yes we traveled around Japan and not just to the theme parks. Here are our favorite things we did.
Checking our luggage for the train – I was so glad they had this service. It was something I have never experienced before. At each of our hotels they were able to check our luggage to our next city. We were able to take the train without buying the extra luggage type ticket. We also didn’t have to drag our bags through the train station. They do take 24 hours approximately so what we did is packed a small overnight bad and sent the luggage before we left. So for example, if we were going to Kyoto on Tuesday we sent out luggage when we left the hotel in Tokyo on Monday morning. We had our luggage in the hotel waiting for us when we got to the hotel in Kyoto the next day. It was only about $30 per bag. Best money we spent!
Ninja Training – In Kyoto we signed the kids up for a private ninja class. They rated this as their #1 thing they did while in Japan. The ninja master was so patient with the boys and he had their full attention. The studio was all tricked out with secret doors and walls. The boys were able to throw the ninja stars and blow darts. It was a little scary for me as mom but they were so into it. We came home with ninja costumes and they are still talking about this day.
Sumo Lunch – We did such a quick trip to Japan that I was trying to make all the things happen. We were not traveling during Sumo tournament season but this was a great taste. This lunch experience included 2 retired sumo wrestlers who were very entertaining. They did a match while we ate a traditional Japanese meal. They then invited the kids to dress up in a sumo costume and challenge the wrestlers. It was great fun. This is located in Tokyo and we were able to take the subway to the restaurant.
Private drivers – I am a big fan of hiring private drivers for touring days. This gives so much flexibility to be able to do exactly what you want to do. We could stay for as little or as long as we wanted. The private drivers had example itineraries or we could do our own list. This is something I recommend having us set up for you when you travel.
Shibuya Crossing – This was my 11 year old’s request to see. We had a private driver in Tokyo and he was like, “of course!” This is the busiest intersection in the world or so they claim. We had so much fun crossing the street back and forth. The people of Japan are so polite that it was still just no big deal. I don’t think this would be the case in other countries. I want to go back and grab a table at a restaurant and just watch this. It was captivating.
Bamboo Forrest – This was during our time in Kyoto. It was so neat and there were little cafes and restaurants. I wish we spent the whole day here and just enjoyed the atmosphere. I will say this place is so busy. If you want the Instagram picture without 100 people in the background you probably have to arrive very early. The kids loved running around the forest. Another awesome aspect of this trip is traveling in November the Japanese Maples were changing colors. It was gorgeous!
Animal Cafes – The kids loooooved all the animal cafes. It was so crazy how they had so many different types of animals. We did the cat café which was a lot like the ones we have at home. We are a big cat family so we felt like it was a must. The big difference is the cats are designer cats instead of rescues looking for a home. I had never been around so many fancy cats.
The other café the kids tried was an otter café. There were so many otters. They had the kids wear masks and little hospital looking robes since the otters can get sick easily. They were sitting on their laps and all over. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. We also saw owl cafes, dog cafes, hedgehog cafes and more.
We would love to help you plan your family vacation to Japan. There’s so much to do. I think we could go back and stay so much longer with all new activities.