The resorts also have additional viewing areas with rocking chairs, so that you can just sit down, relax, and enjoy the sights of the savannah.  There is no pre-staged animal show, the animals are free to roam, but they will go to certain areas to feed, usually in the early morning.

As the legend goes:
The Hollywood Tower Hotel was the place that the stars of the silver screen liked to come to relax in the 1930’s. In its day it was amongst the elites. On the wall next to the Concierge Desk hangs the famed AAA 13 Diamond Rating given to the hotel. This would be the only 13 Diamond Rating ever given out.

Then on that fateful Halloween night in 1939, 5 unsuspecting guests were riding the Hotel’s maintenance service elevator when it was struck by lightning…and they were never seen from again.

The Disney Imagineers set the bar high for storytelling and theming when they created this attraction. It starts with the overgrown gardens and dry fountains you pass in the outside queue while waiting to enter the building. Take the time to notice all of the little touches they have added to make this look like a hotel that has been abandoned for 70 years.

Inside the Hotel, en route to the ride, you experience three rooms: The Lobby, the Library, and the Boiler Room.


You spend the least amount of time in the Lobby and that is unfortunate because there is so much to take in. Much of the furniture and artifacts in the room are either authentic from the 1930’s purchased from Hollywood area auctions and estate sales or especially reproduced to match furniture from that era.

Details abound as you gaze around the room
The before mentioned AAA 13 Diamond Rating plaque does indeed hang on the wall (as shown in the picture above in the upper right-hand corner).   There are references to characters from Twilight Zone episodes in the signs and material used as props in the room.  This is all just to create the mood and set the scene, allowing you to escape into this fantasy world for a brief moment in time.

Once you enter the Library, you are told the story of the Hollywood Tower Hotel and the event that changed it forever. The Twilight Zone theme blends seamlessly into the story as it is told. Now you understand that you will be reliving the event that caused the disappearance of the 5 guests and led to the downfall of the Hotel. This is when fear sets in.

In the final queue before you board the elevator to take you to the Twilight Zone, you find yourself in the Boiler Room. Again the details are amazing. Can there be a more ominous setting than a basement boiler room?

Having a free-fall style elevator ride with randomly programmed drop sequences is thrilling enough to make people want to ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Designing an entire Hotel with a sordid history and immersing you within that story makes this a Disney attraction…and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

It roots go back to 1982 when the restaurant was started by a trio of legendary French Chefs: Paul Bocuse, Roger Vergé, and Gaston Lenôtre (who passed away in January of 2009). This may have been one of the first examples of celebrity chefs combining their talents to own a restaurant.

The result of the collaboration is a highly rated restaurant that features traditional French regional cuisine with menu items influenced by the owners.


Les Chef de France Menu
The menu changes frequently, but there are typically beef, chicken, duck, seafood, and vegetarian options on the menu to enjoy.

Appetizers include: Assorted Cheeses, Escargot, & Les Tartes des Chefs - Original flatbreads from their brick oven.

You will also find the traditional Soupe a l'oignon gratinee - the classic onion soup topped with Gruyere cheese on the menu.

As your thoughts turn to the Entrees, you can see the ones that we have pictured here.  They all were excellent and would be recommended.

Plat de Cote de Boeuf au Cabarnet avec pates - Beef short ribs braised in Cabernet with pasta, pearl onions and mushrooms.

• May 21 - 23
• May 28 - 30
• June 4 - 6
• June 11 - 13

The Empire Strikes Back 30th Anniversary
Of special interest is the fact that not only does 2010 mark the 30th anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back, but the opening day of the Star Wars Weekends, May 21st, is the exact 30th Anniversary, since the film was first released on May 21, 1980.

Although the details of this year's event have not been released, expect some special tribute to be paid to this great film.  If you look closely, a nod to the film has been given in the use of the double band in the graphics around the title for the Star Wars Weekends 2010 Artwork.

Star Wars Weekends Is For Everyone
Even if you are not someone who is fully versed in the ways of the Force and has their own personal lightsaber, Star Wars Weekends is a fun event to attend.  The activities are included with your admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios.  There are parades, Celebrity Autograph sessions, Star Wars Trivia, and Talk Show format sessions to learn more about the Celebrity Guests and their Star Wars experiences.

It is always interesting to see all of the Star Wars characters that are present during this time and the photo opportunities are plentiful.  You will also see a large number of guests/fans dressing up in their own Star Wars costumes.  It is interesting to see the amazing costumes that some of the fans have created.

Stayed Tuned For More
As the events, celebrities that will be attending, and more details become available we will post them here on Only WDWorld.  For now, you just need to plan to visit Disney World during one of these 4 weekends in order to experience what is for many the best Disney World Special Event of the year.

As impressive as the outer structure appears, it is the interior of the pyramid that really captures your attention and transports you to the culture and feel of Mexico.

Upon entering the pyramid you will encounter displays of artifacts in the Mexican Folk Art Gallery and the colorful woodcarvings called “Animales Fantasicos” that represent the work of Oaxacan craftsman.

Continuing on you discover a colonial plaza that is eternally in a state of twilight. This bustling plaza showcases Mexican goods, shops, and dining.


Find the perfect souvenir amongst the various Mexican items that are available in the marketplace or just browse around to take in the atmosphere.


The San Angel Inn, which sits along the River of Time within the Mexico Pavilion provides one of the best settings for a Table Service Restaurant at Disney World. The outdoor dining feel at night time fits the mood and transports you to Mexico as you enjoy the authentic cuisine.

The recent addition of the nearby La Cava del Tequila allows one to celebrate and experience the tradition and heritage of Mexican tequila making. Here you can choose from over 70 different authentic tequilas and learn more about this uniquely Mexican liquor in the process, from the resident “Tequila Ambassador.”



The Mexico Pavilion is one of only two World Showcase countries that houses a true ride based attraction. The Gran Fiesta Starring The Three Caballeros is a leisurely boat ride that combines scenes from the history and culture of Mexico with the playful nature of Donald Duck and his mis-adventures with The Three Caballeros en route to a performance.


The Spirit of Mexico is captured in the pavilion through the artwork, the food, the shops, and the history that is shared on the boat ride. One of the best ways to learn more is to engage the Cast Members found in the pavilion. They are natives of Mexico and  love to be able to answer questions and share with guests.

This is especially true at the Kidcot station, where Cast Members are happy to answer your children’s questions about life in Mexico and how it may be different from what they are used to. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn a little more about the rich heritage of our southern neighbor.

In 1994 the Astro Orbiter replaced the former StarJets on top of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) Station as part of the major Tomorrowland redesign to become the fanciful version of the “Future That Never Was.”

Although the ride itself has similarities to the Dumbo ride, the major benefit is its rooftop perch. This gives the riders fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom when they “fly” their rockets to the highest position. The riders can reach heights of nearly 80 ft above the Tomorrowland walkways.




Day or night the best part of the ride is the view. These are perspectives that you can’t get from anywhere else in the Magic Kingdom. Whether you are looking at Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, or even the Contemporary Resort the perspective that you get from the Astro Orbiter is one of a kind.


The Astro Orbiter rarely lands on anyone’s must see attraction list, but should be. Its major drawback is the same problem that plagues the Dumbo attraction, it cannot handle large quantities of people. With only 12 rockets that typically hold 1-2 people each, the lines can move very slowly. To avoid the crowds, plan on riding the Astro Orbiter near park opening or late at night, and see the Magic Kingdom from a whole new vantage point.

Disney World has just extended their current discounts for 5 night/6-day Disney Vacation Packages to include stays through 8/14/10.


Now with your summer vacation at Disney World you can get up to a $750 Disney Gift Card for Free! Just purchase a 5-night/6-day non-discounted Magic Your Way package at select Disney Resort hotels.

Choose Your Disney Vacation Package and receive a FREE Disney Gift Card
If you choose a Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney Deluxe Villa Resort you will receive a $750 Disney Gift Card.

For guests purchasing their package at one of the Disney Moderate Resort hotels, they will receive a $500 Disney Gift Card.

Even guests staying at a Disney World Value Resort hotels will receive a $300 Disney Gift Card.

The Disney Gift Card can be used for dining at one of the Walt Disney World restaurants, special event tickets, sports, recreation, tours, and shopping at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Vacation Package Details:
• This promotion is good for stays from now through 3/27/10 and from 4/11/10 through 8/14/10.
• This deal is only for 5-night/6-day non-discounted Magic Your Way packages.
• The package includes Resort hotel room and Magic Your Way base theme park tickets for the length of stay.
• Gift card is received at resort check-in.
• The number of rooms allocated for these packages are limited.
• Must be booked by March 27, 2010.
• Ask for booking code QGX.
• Can be booked on-line at: http://www.disneyworld.com/, or by calling Disney at (407) 939-7939 or through your Travel Agent.

Each Friday, Saturday, & Sunday during the festival there will be special guest speakers and seminars entitled Great American Gardeners and Disney Gardening At Home. The guide details the topics to be presented each of the 11 weekends.

New For 2010
Here are some of the special new additions for the 17 Annual F&G Festival:
• Celebrate The Great Outdoors! – Topiary display and garden
• Water Wise Herbs & Vegetables
• Classic Disney Couples – Topiary garden
• A Salute to Community Gardens
• Garden Town Breakfast – Mar 21, Apr 18, & May 16 A Welcome Breakfast prepared by Disney Chefs using ingredients from the Land Pavilion while learning horticultural and culinary techniques. ($60 per person)
• Expanded Butterfly Garden.

Epcot Celebrates Spring
Come enjoy the wonderful topiaries and gardens created by Disney’s talented horticultural staff and witness the hundreds of thousands of blooming plants. The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival is certainly not a Disney World event to be missed!

Disney World Ticket Buying Tips
1. Disney World does not offer much in the way of discounts on theme park tickets. Disney World discounts their Resort hotels and their packages that include hotel room and park tickets.  Consider package deals before buying your tickets separately, so that you can be eligible for Disney's best discounts.

2. Disney World offers a tiered pricing system for tickets that favors longer stays. You get a much better deal for vacation stays that are 4 days or longer.  Here is a table of current prices for Magic Your Way Base tickets (all ticket prices shown before tax):


3. You are much better off planning one 6 - 7 day ($231-$234) vacation instead of two 2-3 day ($312-$438) vacations.  Because of the tiered pricing for the tickets, taking longer vacations spaced further apart is much more economical then taking several short vacations.

4. The park hopping option costs $52 per ticket, no matter how many days you buy the ticket for. This really only makes sense for the longer visits. Otherwise save your money and don't get this option.

5. You can always upgrade your tickets at the parks, even after you have used them, as long as you upgrade within 14 days of initial use. If you are unsure about Park Hopper option, don't get it and add later if you really need it.

6. You can not downgrade tickets, or get refunds for unused options. If you are not sure what to do, buy the lower amount and upgrade when needed, with no cost penalty to do so.

Where To Purchase Disney World Tickets
When you are ready to purchase your tickets, stay with a reputable ticket seller.

I recommend these 4 options for buying your tickets:
- Purchase from a reputable ticket broker like OrlandoFunTickets.com.
- On-line with Disney World: http://www.disneyworld.com/
- Purchase through AAA either on-line or at local office.
- Purchase through a Travel Agent that specializes in Disney Travel and doesn't charge fees.  Here you can pay the same that you would directly with Disney World and have the extra service that you get from a travel agent.  They can also help apply additional discounts to your reservation if they apply, saving you even more money.

 
Planning Carefully Can Yield Big Savings
By following these tips and planning your Walt Disney World Vacation to take advantage of the tiered ticket system and looking for package savings & discounts, you can save a lot of money. 
 
For additional information about Walt Disney World Resort tickets visit: Only WDWorld's Disney World Ticket Facts

Disney World offers several different Dining Plans to fit a variety of budgets and eating preferences.

Today we are going to look at the Quick Service Dining Plan and several compelling reasons that you may want to choose it for your next Walt Disney World Resort Vacation.

What Is The Quick Service Dining Plan?
Let's start off by defining what makes up the Quick Service Dining Plan.  For each night of your Disney World Resort stay you receive:

• Two (2) Quick Service Meals that include: Entree or Combo Meal, Non-Alcoholic Beverage, & Dessert.
• Two (2) Snack Items - These are single serving food items that usually sell for $4.00 or less and are denoted by the Disney Snack Symbol on the menu boards (most often - Drinks, Desserts, Snack items).
• One (1) Refillable Resort Mug - This mug can be used for soft drinks, coffee, and hot chocolate and refilled for free at your resort during the duration of your stay.

Cost:  Adult(ages 10 & Up) = $31.99/night, Child (Ages 3-9) = $9.99/night.

Note: If you purchase this dining plan, you must purchase it for all members of your party, and for the entire stay for that reservation.

Reasons For Choosing Quick Service Dining Plan
There are many different reasons for selecting the Quick Service Dining Plan.  Here are some of the most popular:

• It is the least expensive of the Disney Dining Plans.  It allows you to make your vacation into an all-inclusive package, that you know your expenses up front.  This can be a great help with budgeting.
• Flexibility - No reservations are required to eat at any of the Disney Quick Service Restaurants.  This allows you to be spontaneous.  If the ability to change your plans and act on impulse is important to you, then this is the plan for you.
• Saves Time - If you are the type that would rather be spending your time on rides and attractions, than sitting in a restaurant, this plan allows you to do so.
• Group goes their separate ways - If you have a family that likes to split up for awhile and then regroup later, this gives you flexibility for each person to eat what they want, when they want.  Each person will get their own card with access to redeem their dining credits when they need them.
• Splitting Meals - If you want to split meals, you can do that.  This is not typically possible in the Table Service Restaurants, but it is not a problem with the Quick Service meals.

Great Quick Service Food Choices
Unlike the stereotypical theme park fast food, Disney World Quick Service Offers a wide variety of tasty food options that you may not have expected.  Here are some favorite dishes and where you can find them:

• 1/2 Rack of Ribs - Flame Tree Barbecue, Animal Kingdom
• Shrimp Lo Mein - Yak & Yeti Counter Service, Animal Kingdom
• Chicken & Beef Brisket - Fairfax Fare - Hollywood Studios
• Southwest Salad with Chicken - Backlot Express - Hollywood Studios
• Grilled Salmon or Roasted Beets & Goat Cheese Salad - Sunshine Seasons, Epcot
• Lamb Shawarma Platter with hummus, Tabouleh, and a Tangierine CousCous Salad - Tangierine Cafe, Epcot
• Cheesesteak Flatbread - Cosmic Ray's, Magic Kingdom
• Fried Shrimp Basket - Columbia Harbour House, Magic Kingdom
• Fried Chicken Breast with Gravy - Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, Magic Kingdom
• Chicken & Field Mushroom Dublin Style Pie - Cooke's Of Dublin, Downtown Disney
• Spaghetti & Meatballs or Chicken Pesto Focaccia  - Wolfgang Puck Express, Downtown Disney

Budget, Flexibility, & Choices
The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan has a lot to offer for those looking to add a Dining Plan to their Walt Disney World Resort vacation plans.  Despite being the lowest cost option, there is still a lot to like about the Quick Service Dining Plan.  With over 50 different Quick Service Restaurant locations to choose from all across the Disney World Resort property it offers a great variety of choices and the ultimate in flexibility.  Take the time to consider if the Quick Service Dining Plan is the right choice for your next vacation.

For more Disney Dining Plan information including details of the other available plans and participating restaurants: Only WDWorld's Disney Dining Plan Facts.

Developing A Touring Plan
A Touring Plan is a “plan” or strategy for seeing the attractions that you wish to see, while minimizing the amount of time that is spent waiting in lines. It takes into account the potential wait times and popularity of various attractions and it also looks at trends for typical park going crowds.

A good touring plan for your visit to a Walt Disney World Park can make the difference between a long, tired, frustrating day, and the best vacation ever.

Epcot: A Tale of Two Worlds
Upon entering Epcot you will want to familiarize yourself with the layout. Look at a map of Epcot prior to entering the park.

Epcot is divided into two Main Sections: Future World and the World Showcase.  Future World opens 2 hours before the World Showcase each day so you typically will start your day there.

There are two attractions in Epcot that develop long lines and will form the basis for your Touring Plan: Soarin’ and Test Track.

Enter the park at rope drop (Disney lingo for opening which is typically 9:00 am). Send a designated person from your party to Soarin’ to get FastPasses for the group. (If you are not familiar with FastPasses read more here: FastPass - the Ticket to Maximizing Your Fun At Disney World)


After riding Test Track proceed to Mission: Space. There are two versions of this ride: mild and wild. Choose the one that best suits your style, but we highly recommend riding this attraction.

As part of this special night time parade will be a new float with Tinker Bell leading the festivities.  This float will look like a hot air balloon with Tinker Bell in the basket.

Pinocchio and Snow White will also be seen in new floats during this parade that will arrive at the Magic Kingdom for its summer-long run starting in early June.

The Magic Kingdom will also be getting a new special fireworks show for the summer.  This show will feature fireworks in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.

The Magic Kingdom is not the only park that will see changes during the summer as each of the 4 Disney World theme parks will be part of the Summer Nightastic! fun.

At Epcot you will see a return of the Sounds Like Summer Concert series, where great tribute bands perform nightly at the America Gardens Theater recreating the music of legendary performers.  Showtimes are scheduled for 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.

The Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios will see a special change this summer.  New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator. If they dare.

Lastly, Disney's Animal Kingdom will see more night time hours added to the park schedule on certain nights of the week.  Enjoy your favorite Animal Kingdom attractions during these extended hours.

The Walt Disney World Resort has just released a new round of discounts that are good for up to 40% off the regular room rates during June, July, & August.

This Disney World discount is available to the general public, meaning that anyone can take advantage of it. 

Here are the details:
Discounted Dates: Most nights from 6/4/2010 - 8/14/2010.

Value Resorts - Receive 25% Savings.
Moderate Resorts - Receive 30% Savings
Deluxe Resorts - Receive 35% Savings
Deluxe Villa Resorts - Receive 40% Savings

Reservations must be made by March 27, 2010 to receive this offer.

Reservations can be made online at the Disney World Website or by calling Disney World at (407) 939-2662 or your Travel Agent today and ask for booking code QNY Room Offer.

Great Summer Disney World Discounts
No package purchase is necessary to get these great room discounts.  If you are looking to vacation this summer at Disney World then take advantage of these great rates.  You can check availability and room pricing at the Disney World website at no cost or obligation, so check it out!

Give A Day.  Get A Disney Day.
For 2010 Disney launched a promotion that encourages Volunteering.  With the "Give A Day. Get A Disney Day." promotion people are asked to volunteer for a day in order to earn a free one day Disney Park ticket that is good at either Disney World in Orlando, FL or Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.  Not even Disney probably imagined the far reaching ramifications of launching this promotion.

Case In Point: Salem, Ohio
Salem, Ohio is located 1,032 miles from the closest Disney Parks at Disney World.  It has a population of 11,781 (2008), and would seem to be an unlikely beneficiary of a promotion held by Disney, but it is, and so are many other towns large and small clear across America.



The article discusses the opportunities for local residents to sign up for the Disney program and volunteer at the local Habitat for Humanity to earn a free Disney Park ticket.

The impressive part is that this is not a story from a major metropolitan area, but rather a small town in Ohio that is receiving help getting volunteers for worthy programs due to the Disney promotion.  Disney's decision to partner with the HandsOn Network has enabled them to provide all of these volunteering opportunities.

Why Mention Salem, Ohio?
Salem, Ohio is the town that I grew up in and where my Mom has been a resident for over 40 years. When I heard about the Disney promotion, I suggested that she check it out, figuring that she would have to go to the nearest “big” city to find a volunteering opportunity.

Sure enough she was able to find the opportunity at the Salem Habitat for Humanity and actually completed her volunteer service there prior to the newspaper article coming out.

She has now earned her Disney Park Ticket Voucher that can be redeemed for a day at one of the Disney Parks.


Creating Repeat Volunteers

The real power behind Disney’s promotion is not just the initial waves of volunteers it creates, but the number of people that will discover the joy of volunteering and that continue to come back again and again. They won’t get additional tickets from Disney, but the satisfaction of helping others will be their reward.

In this time of financial crisis, people will discover that charities and other organizations can use more than just their financial donations. They can use their talents and abilities to volunteer. People will discover that this is much more rewarding than just writing a check, and hopefully will continue to help where they can.

More Than Just A Promotion
Disney will discover that “Give A Day. Get A Disney Day.” is much more than a promotion to give away free park tickets. It is a way to enable people to get in touch with their communities big and small, and give a little of their time now and hopefully even more later.

If you would like to sign up to Volunteer, visit: Disney Parks – Give A Day. Get A Disney Day.

Drew Brees, the MVP of Super Bowl XVIV, is the latest in a long line to celebrate his victory by uttering the now famous phrase "I'm Going To Disney World!"

Drew's commercial for Disney World becomes the 42nd installment of this very successful series, dating back to the Super Bowl in 1987 when Phil Simms of the New York Giants became the first.  The series which started out being excusively for Super Bowl winners has expanded to include other champions including American Idol winners.

Drew earned this honor by leading the New Orleans Saints to their first ever Super Bowl  victory over the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 31-17. For his spectacular effort he earned the Super Bowl MVP award, completing a Super Bowl record-tying 32 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns.


Drew Brees At Magic Kingdom On Feb. 8
The Monday after the Super Bowl (February 8th) at 11:55 am, Drew will take part in a celebration parade to honor the Super Bowl Champion in the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, FL.  During the parade Drew will be joined  by NFL Youth Football players, who will participate with the Saints star as the parade goes down Main Street, U.S.A.

Congratulations to the Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints!  Not only does Drew win the Super Bowl, but he earns the honor of being one of a select few to star in the "I'm Going To Disney World!" commercials.

"I'm Going To Disney World!"
The Disney World fans always looks forward to the now famous line, "I'm going to Disney World!" that is given by the stars of the winning Super Bowl Team, immediately after the game.

Today we will look at some of the Super Bowl commercials from years past.  It all started in 1987 when Phil Simms of the New York Giants starred in the the very first commercial in this famous series.

Let's take a look:


In 2008, Eli Manning, younger brother of Colt's Quarterback Peyton Manning had his chance to utter that famous line.



This one of my favorites in the series of "I'm Going To Disney World!" commercials as you see the Pittsburgh Steelers all practicing what they will say if they get the chance at the end of the game.



Finally, we look at the commercial from last year as Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger from Super Bowl XLIII declare where they are going.



Who Is Going To Disney World In 2010?
This is a great tradition and fun advertising campaign that we hope Disney World continues.  Who will be the lucky member of the winning team to get to become the next memorable Disney World commercial?

Pollo Campero, in conjunction with franchisee Levy Campero, is opening up a new restaurant in the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Pollo Campero is a Guatemalan based fast food restaurant that is very successful in Latin America.  The chain now has over 300 restaurants in 12 countries, serving over 85 million customers annually.  Pollo Campero is known for its chicken. 

According to the company website: "Our Latin flavored chicken is hand-prepared every day, seasoned with our special herbs and spices, marinated slowly and served with a zest and passion for making our guests feel at home."

This new addition to Downtown Disney will be replacing the McDonald's currently found near the Lego Imagination Center.  Construction is beginning soon for an expected opening in November of 2010.

From an interview of Pollo Campero President, Juan Jose Gutierrez by Prensa Libre, Only WDWorld has learned that:

• Negotiations have been going on with Disney for 4 years in preparation for this restaurant.
• "It represents great pride and satisfaction to have completed negotiations, both as a company and as a mark of Guatemala."
• They expect 15 to 20 times more traffic than a typical Pollo Campero restaurant, so they had to redesign their logistics, equipment, and processes to be able to handle the increased number of customers.
• This 10,000 sqft space is 5 times bigger than a typical Pollo Campero.

Expanded Menus
In addition to the great, flovorful chicken that they are known  for, they will also offer tasty alternative dishes such as fried yucca, sweet plantains, and Latin drinks including horchata and tamarind.  You will also find other healthy alternatives, such as salads added especially to this Downtown Disney location.

Great Addition To Downtown Disney
The addition of Pollo Campero continues the trend of Disney World partnering with outside firms to bring great international flavors and options to Downtown Disney.  Add this to the list of current choices: Cooke's of Dublin, Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, Portobello, & Paradisio 37 Street Foods Of The Americas.

We'll close with a (translated) quote from Pollo Campero President Juan Jose Gutierrez: "For decades, Walt Disney World has introduced its visitors to a rich cultural experience. We contribute to the cultural heritage of the park, helping visitors discover the unique flavors and the proximity of Latin-style family meals."

Although the show is fun to see, the real reason to wake up early and be at the park for opening (aka Rope Drop) is that the first few hours each morning have the lightest crowds of the day.

By using a combination of FastPasses and hitting your favorite attractions first, you can cover a lot of ground in the first 2 hours that the park is open.  As you get closer to noon the parks really start filling up and by early afternoon during the busy seasons, the parks can be near their capacity and the waits for attractions are their longest.

During early afternoon, you are best served by heading out of the park to swim in your Resort pool or take a leisurely lunch, or even a nap.  Then head back to the parks in the evening to enjoy the attractions at night.

This approach will allow you to see and do more than you could ever accomplish if you got to the parks at 11:00 AM and stayed until closing.  It really is amazing how much you can see and do in the first two hours that the parks are open.

One last tip: To really make the most of your morning avoid the park that has Morning Extra Magic Hours.  Although the park does open an hour earlier, it drives a larger number of people to that park and you may actually accomplish less even with the extra hour due to the additional crowds.