Wdw Opinion - Disney World Opinions Shared Weekly

Things A First Timer Needs To Do At Walt Disney World - WDW Opinion Ep. 54 You only get to experience your first time once. Here at WDW Opinion, we make it our mission to share as many opinions as humanly possible and we’re not in the business of making you think there’s only one right way to experience Walt Disney World. Because in reality there’s actually 10s of thousands of ways to vacation at the most magical place on Earth. But your first trip to Disney World is special and for many in America, a trip to Disney World is almost a rite of passage. Not the Dr. Jackie Ogden kind of rite of passage but still important. Hank and I feel like while you can do whatever you want however you want on your Disney World trip there are a few things we would really encourage you to do on your first trip to the World. Now, for many listening to this podcast you’ve been to Disney World before. But maybe there is a family member or friend who’s never been before. If you want to take them then use this episode as a way to d

How to Get Reservations for Galaxy’s Edge Experiences - WDW Opinion Ep. 53 Stories discussed in News to Opinion Reservations are Open for Oga’s Cantina, Droid Depot, & Savi’s Workshop in WDW’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Everything We Know About Universal's Epic Universe, Orlando’s Newest Theme Park Beatrix Restaurant and Ample Hills Creamery Coming to Disney Springs New Quick Service Dining and Drink Venues Coming to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Disney World putting a bow on 2019 with new holiday activities Join the WDW Opinioneers Community Want to learn more about what an Opinioneer is? Explore the community here. Leave a Review In iTunes Help others find the WDW Opinion Podcast and let us know why you like listening to it! Leave a review here. Free Disney Trip Task Checklist Subscribe to our newsletter and get a FREE copy of our Ultimate Disney Trip Task List. Use this customizable list to help plan for your next Disney trip. Visit www.WDWOpinion.com for all the latest from the blog

5 Things We’ve Never Done, But Want To Do, At Walt Disney World - WDW Opinion Ep. 52 I think it’s safe to say no one person has ever been able to experience every single offering Disney World has. It’s probably impossible to do so. All the attractions and shows are one thing but think about all the dining experiences you would need to have. And then factor in all the other extras you could do. From recreation, resorts to explore and areas you’ve probably never heard of, there’s a lot of things you’ve most likely have never experienced at Disney. But that’s part of the reason why we keep going back. There’s always something experience that you never have gotten to before. Whether it’s a new attraction or an old classic you’ve never gotten around to, it’s tough to complete the full Disney checklist. We love riding our favorites trip after trip but, throwing in something we’ve never done before is a great way to keep Disney fresh. In today’s segment, Hank and I are going to discuss our top five things we’ve neve

Our Top 5 Favorite Walt Disney World Attractions - WDW Opinion Ep. 51 Everyone’s got their favorites. A fun conversation to have, or argument depending upon if it gets to that level, is ranking the best Disney World attractions. What the best attractions are is one thing but what your own personal favorite Dinsey attractions are, well that’s an entirely different story. Sometimes you like a ride because of the experience you have on it, the way it makes you feel, sometimes you like it because of the technological advancements it features, or the story it tells. And sometimes it’s because of the memories you have associated with it. There are reasons abound but everyone should have a list of their favorites. In today’s episode, Hank will be sharing his top 5 favorite attractions and I’ll be sharing my top five favorite attractions. Plus, Marvel announces release dates and titles for their upcoming films and the Disney Skyliner gondola system gets an opening date. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinio

Is a Regional Theme Park in Ohio Better Than Disney World? - WDW Opinion Ep. 50 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati lies a 364 acre park. Some of it buried deep in the forest, some of it basking in the humid Ohio sun. It claims several thousand less acres than Disney World's 30 thousand and the 1,100 that make up its four amusement parks (meanwhile much larger than Disneyland's 85). It’s home to natives, coaster junkies, and regional tourists looking for the next big thrill. It’s Kings Island. Kings Island’s history begins back in 1971 and has ebbed and flowed far more times that it may have desired – passing from taft broadcasting to Paramount and today to Cedar Fair group. But today – it’s home to 100 attractions, 14 coasters and even a 33 acre waterpark – this Hank’s hometown park. Kings Island. Plus, Gran Destino tower has opened at Coronado Springs, the NBA Experience Store makes its debut and the Tomorrowland enternace sign goes missing in the Magic Kingdom. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion

Old Key West Resort Review - WDW Opinion Ep. 49 The Polynesian. The Grand Floridian. The Contemporary. The Boardwalk. Even the smallest Disney fan knows these resorts. They’re among the most popular at Disney World and for good reason. But not too many people in the real world realize that there are over 20 Disney owned and operated resorts on property. I’ve said it before during other resort reviews but, part of the fun of a Disney trip is getting to experience different resorts. Especially when you go frequently, changing up the resort you stay at can bring a whole new vacation experience to the table. But staying at different resorts is also a great form of escapism. Each resort has its own theme, its own atmosphere and its own story. When you stay at different resorts you get to experience all sorts of different places in time and places in the world depending upon their theme. And many travelers don’t know that Disney offers a wide variety of hotel accommodations outside the traditional two bed one bath

The Mistakes You Make On a Disney World Trip and How to Avoid Them - WDW Opinion Ep. 48 When it comes to planning, there’s so much that goes into a Disney World trip. You need to pick a time of year, pick a length of stay, what tickets you’re going to get, where you’re going to stay, what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to ride. The list can go on and on and on. With all these decisions you’re bound to make a few mistakes here or there. Now, we’re not here to tell you what you have to do and what you have to avoid. Far from it in fact. WDW Opinion was created under the notion that no two vacations are alike. And there are no one sizes fits all vacation that’s perfect for everyone. But we do think there are some common mistakes that you can avoid. These are more tactics in planning and mindset that will help you have a fabulous trip. Mistakes are bound to happen and you can’t dodge every one of them. But we do think with a little planning and understanding you can avoid some big missteps and in doing so

How to Enjoy a Trip to Disney World in the Summer - WDW Opinion Ep. 47 I go to Disney World a lot. Some might say I have a problem. While no doctor has ever been able to diagnose my issues it is safe to say that I find myself not wanting but needing to go back to Disney as often as possible. So often other people will say to me “don’t you get sick of that place”. Of course, I just shrug off that question because it really comes from a place of ignorance. Saying I would get sick after only going once is depriving Disney World of all it has to offer you. You can’t experience this place in one trip. And on top of that even if you could, Disney World offers you the opportunity to experience it in different ways. Whether it be by staying at different resorts, going during different times of the year or by going with different party sizes and makeup. There are so many things to see and do and it’s constantly changing. That’s why each trip is so unique because yes the place is the same but the time is always differe

Here’s How You Can Save Money At Walt Disney World - WDW Opinion Ep. 46 The most frequent question we get asked is how do you save money at Disney World? It’s an important question because you can quickly and easily break the bank on a Disney World trip. A couple of weeks back we shared the best ways to save up money for a Disney World trip. Those tips included how you can set up a vacation savings account, how credit card points can help pay for your trip and we shared where you can find some of the best deals on hotels, tickets and more. It was a great episode and if you missed it be sure to give it a listen, you can check it out by visiting wdwopinion.com/episode44. But those tips were all things you could do before you arrived in Orlando. It was the ways to save up money and save on the things you have to buy before you get there. This segment is all about the ways you can save inside the Disney World gates. Plus, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure opens to huge lines at Islands of Adventure,

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Episode III: Its Opening Week - WDW Opinion Ep. 45 By the time you’re listening to this podcast Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland theme park will be well into its second week of operation. This is a moment we’ve been waiting for, for years now. In fact you could say we’ve even been waiting for this since 2012 when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and the Star Wars properties from George Lucas. Now the land itself was first publicly announced in 2015 at D23 it feels like its taken longer than that to get it up and running. Next, to the opening of Disneyland in 1955 and the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, this might be the biggest Disney theme park opening ever. There’s still plenty to come, in fact not only are we waiting for the Orlando version to open in Hollywood Studios at the end of the Summer but we’re also still waiting for the premier attraction in Rise of the Resistance to open in Disneyland. In previous episodes, we’ve brought you our Star Wars Saga which we will now c

These Are the Ways to Save Money for a Walt Disney World Trip - WDW Opinion Ep. 44 A Disney World vacation is expensive. That’s not a controversial topic it’s just a fact. Most vacations are expensive no matter where you go. Sure Disney might be on another level but Disney World is on another level when it comes to a vacation experience. But there are a lot of things to pay for when it comes to a Disney trip. Obviously, the transportation and the hotel can be the most expensive but tickets can get up there too. Then you factor in dining, souvenirs and a whole list of other miscellaneous items and it adds up quickly. Just like I preach about having a strategy when it comes to your park days and vacation itself I also think it’s important to have a strategy when it comes to a Disney vacation budget. Keeping your eye on it before and during the trip can relieve you of a lot of headache and stress once you return home. In this episode, I’m going to share my top tips for saving money for your Disney World vacation

Top Things to Do Outside the Theme Parks at Disney World - WDW Opinion Ep. 43 I’m sure I sound like a broken record at this point but I’ll start this segment off by saying one of my favorite phrases. Disney World really is a World unto itself. There’s so much to do outside of the parks there even. Often our trips get bogged down running from one attraction to the next and we spend the majority of our time within the walls of one of the theme parks. But there’s so much to see, do and experience outside of the parks. Some you probably have heard of before while others might be a new experience for you. But either way, this segment is dedicated to all the best things to do around Disney property that don’t require theme park admission. Plus, we discuss new food items coming to Artist Point and Be Our Guest, we catch a first glimpse of the Epcot Skyliner Gondola Station and the newly re-imagined Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and we start spreading some theme park rumors. Stories discussed in News to Opinio

What Disney's Movie Schedule Means for the Parks - WDW Opinion Ep. 42 Sometimes as Hank and I geek out about the latest in plastic bracelet technology or as we salivate over theme park operating hours it’s easy for us to forget that Disney really is a film company. That’s right for every robot bear they’ve created they have a dozen movies to show for it. And while this is a theme park-centric podcast it’s important to go back to Disney’s roots from time to time. After all, film really is the reason they are so successful today. Their film success is also why their theme parks are so successful too. It’s all about storytelling but it’s also about Disney’s ability to create incredible film characters that then can fit so perfectly into a theme park. Their theme parks are a gateway for you to enter into your favorite films. Just a few days ago Disney released their upcoming film slate for the next eight or so years. There’s still plenty of gaps, unknowns and yet to be announced projects but one thing is certain.

All Star Movies Resort Review - WDW Opinion Ep. 41 There are so many places to stay on Disney property. When you go there a lot it’s always fun to pick a new place to stay. Where you stay really helps to determine what type of trip you have. You’re staying at the poly? Then you’ll probably be headed to the Magic Kingdom a lot. Maybe you’re at the Yacht Club so you can walk into Epcot. Perhaps you have a room at Port Orleans Riverside so you can hop on a boat to Disney Springs every night. Whatever it is, it will surely be a different trip depending upon where you stay. Of course the categories of Deluxe, Moderate and Value play a big part in that as well. Recently I got the chance to stay at All Star Movies in one of the newly renovated rooms. While it has a Value price tag the lines between resort levels are beginning to blur. In this segment will say what we liked about the resort, what we didn’t like and give our overall rating. Now, unfortunately, Hank wasn't able to join me on this trip but a good friend

The Top Tech Tips & Must Haves For A Disney Trip - WDW Opinion Ep. 40 A few years back, Disney tried to revolutionize the vacation experience and in many ways, My Disney+ and My Disney Experience have done just that. Unlike other places, Disney embraces change. While you can get upset about the limitations of their tech, which a lot of it has, you can’t fault them for revolutionizing an industry. But how can we incorporate new technology into our vacations? If we’re looking to do that Disney World is a great place to accommodate that. In this episode, we’ll be breaking down the apps and tech tips you need to know to make your vacation more enjoyable. Plus, PizzeRizzo is opening back up at Hollywood Studios, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has significant delays and Disney has announced a slew of Summertime vacation deals. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion. Stories discussed in News to Opinion PizzeRizzo Set to Reopen May 4, ABC Commissary Closed May 5-24 for Refurbishment Mickey &

Why Homecomin’ Is Disney Springs Best Restaurant - WDW Opinion Ep. 39 One of the best parts about the Disney Springs transformation is all the new and unique dining opportunities it has brought. We knew we were going to be getting a lot of new restaurants but the caliber of cuisine I think has taken many by surprise. One of our personal favorites is Art Smith’s Homecomin’. It’s old fashion southern comfort food with a twist here or there. While it isn’t directly owned by Disney in some ways it is perfectly Disney. The name Homecomin’ has multiple meanings for celebrity chef Art Smith. For one he’s from Florida and while he’s cooked all over this is him making a return to his home state. Two he’s cooking the food he grew up with and three it’s a homecoming because Art Smith got his start on the Disney College Program. It’s a restaurant with good food, good atmosphere and a story fit for Disney. While I have been several times, Hank was able to go again just the other day. Which means it’s a perfect opportunity

Are Epcot Festivals Becoming Overrated? - WDW Opinion Ep. 38 It’s trip report time! Back in the day, I used to live for trip reports. Whether it was on message boards or on podcasts, trip reports are a great way to live vicariously through someone else’s adventures. WDW Opinion’s mission is to help you plan for a daydream about your next perfect Disney World trip. Trip reports accomplishing both of those things perfectly. You learn tips and strategies to help you plan for the next time but it also helps pass the time in between those trips. Luckily for you, we’ve got not 1 but 2 different trip reports to share. Hank and I both recently got back from separate Disney World trips and we’re excited to tell you all how they went. We’re still getting over the post-Disney trip hangover but sharing our trip is a great way to help deal with the depression. Plus, Epcot gets an opening date for its new nighttime spectacular, we’ve got so much news to talk about when it comes to Disney+ and we share our unpopular Disney

How One Cast Member Helped Make Life Long Memories - WDW Opinion Ep. 37 Coming up a new Villains after-hours event is coming to the Magic Kingdom, Disney Parks are getting several big new guest policy changes and in the main segment we share an incredible story Hank had with a Cast Member plus we discuss the importance of treating Cast Members with respect. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion. Stories discussed in News to Opinion Disney Villains Take Center Stage at Select Disney After Hours Nights Events at Magic Kingdom Park Guest Policy Updates Coming to Disney Parks Join the WDW Opinioneers Community Want to learn more about what an Opinioneer is? Explore the community here. Free Disney Trip Task Checklist Subscribe to our newsletter and get a FREE copy of our Ultimate Disney Trip Task List. Use this customizable list to help plan for your next Disney trip. WDW Opinion Live Join us every Tuesday Night at 7 p.m. ET on Facebook Live as we discuss the latest happenings at Walt Disney World.

A Walk Around the Boardwalk - WDW Opinion Podcast Ep. 36 Coming up the NBA Experience in Disney Springs has an opening date, we discuss the rehiring of Director James Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, We start spreading some theme park rumors and in the main segment, Hank takes a walking tour from Hollywood Studios to the Boardwalk. All that and more on this episode of WDW Opinion. Stories discussed in News to Opinion NBA Experience Will Open August 12 at Disney Springs Disney rehires James Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy 3 after firing him over old tweets Join the WDW Opinioneers Community Want to learn more about what an Opinioneer is? Explore the community here. Free Disney Trip Task Checklist Subscribe to our newsletter and get a FREE copy of our Ultimate Disney Trip Task List. Use this customizable list to help plan for your next Disney trip. WDW Opinion Live Join us every Tuesday Night at 7 p.m. ET on Facebook Live as we discuss the latest happenings at Walt Disney World. Head over to our F

Are We Supposed to Hate These Disney World Attractions? - WDW Opinion Podcast Ep. 35 Last week we discussed the rides we’re supposed to love at Disney World. While recording that episode we realized that the classics, while old and somewhat outdated are still worth loving. They're the rides that just hold up. Call it great storytelling or just Disney doing what Disney does best, either way, for the most part, the rides were supposed to love, we do love. But what about the flip side of that coin. Are there Disney World attractions that we’re supposed to hate? Probably so. In fact, many park-goers are quick to label certain attractions as not being worth the time spent in line. When it comes to theme parks, Disney is the best in the business. No doubt about it. But no one is perfect. There are definitely a few bumps in the road when it comes to attractions built by Disney over the years. But there are also attractions that people label as bad because they aren’t taller, faster or more technologically advanced.