Kingdom Konsultant Travel Blog

Following on from the late October test at Disney's Hollywood Studios, MagicBands will now be required across all parks for entry into Extra Magic Hours. Beginning on 11/17/2013, MagicBands will be scanned by a cast member outside of the park entrance to determine EMH eligibility. Once cleared for EMH, guests will be directed to the entrance to enter the park as normal with their MagicBand. Those guests using RFID Key to the World cards can use those in place of the MagicBand. Guests staying at the Swan and Dolphin, Shades of Green, or any of the EMH eligible hotels on Plaza Blvd can continue to enter using their hotel ID cards. The Comedy Warehouse is once again returning to Disney's Hollywood Studios for the busy holiday season. Look for shows to begin around 12/21/2013 through until 1/5/2014.  Epcot is currently restricting FastPass+ selections to groups, meaning it is not currently possible to select all of the major attractions in one day.  Disney's Ho

Do you enjoy learning about ancient cultures and visiting exotic beaches?   How about drinking tequila?   If so, the Cozumel Highlights and Mayan Ruins excursion with the Disney Cruise Line may be right up your alley! Ruins at San Gervasio The excursion begins with a 10-minute walk from the ship to an air-conditioned motor coach.   This short walk to the motor coach is also the first glimpse of the vendors in Cozumel, as you have to walk through a shopping center to get there.   The first stop on the tour is the San Gervasio Ruins, which is about a 35-minute drive inland.   I was very excited for this part of the excursion because I am fascinated by ruins of any kind and find the Mayan culture especially fascinating.   Very large iguana Our tour guide David led us through the excavated ruins and told us the history of San Gervasio and the Mayan people who lived there.   David was a very funny tour guide and kept us entertained with his story telling abilities.   After a

Fit2Run is now open at Downtown Disney West Side. The runners superstore carries everything you could possibly need for training, races and recovery. They have a full selection of shoes, clothing, electronics, accessories and nutrition. If you are looking for new shoes, they also offer treadmill and video gait analysis to find you the perfect fit.  The store is located beside Curl, in the new space next to the entrance of Splitsville, opposite House of Blues. Disney has today announced that a new concept store will be opening in early 2014 at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Taking the space of the existing Team Mickey, which will close in January 2014, the new store will offer shops within a shop, each one showcasing a Disney product concept. Disney Parks Blog author Steven Miller caught up with Tom Sheldon, manager of retail design and development for Disney Theme Park Merchandise, to learn more.   “Think about your favorite marketplaces from across the US,” said Tom. “These uni

FastPass+ will begin testing this month for the first time with guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Guests arriving between 11/4/2013 and 1/12/2014 will be eligible for the FastPass+ testing. Unlike guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, guests taking part in this test will not have access to MagicBands, and will not be able to make advance FastPass+ reservations. Instead, guests will need to visit a MyMagic+ service center at a park, where they can then make FastPass+ selections for that day and park. This is the first time that FastPass+ has been tested with guests staying at a non Walt Disney World resort hotel. Photo Courtsey of Disney Parks Blog The official Disney Parks Blog has given fans a sneak peek at the soon-to-open Jingle Cruise at the Magic Kingdom with an attraction poster and look at some of the props. The holiday overlay to the Jungle Cruise opens on 11/8/2013, with holiday decorations throughout the queue an

After leaving Adventureland last time, we arrive at Fantasyland. This land is where you'd expect it to be compared to the US parks, although again the size and scale is surprising. Castle Entering from Pirates of the Caribbean we pass under an ornate canopy to define and separate the theming between the lands. Each side is decorated to fit the land so as a themed buffer it works very well. The first thing that hits is the size. The land is huge, with main walkways linked by meandering pathways between lovely flower beds, trees, landscaping and a canal. Yes, the land is so big it has a waterway running around the base of dumbo, then dividing the land in half as it meanders towards Adventureland before ending in a waterfall in front of Skull Rock.  Soooo pretty. The Carousel is where you'd expect it to be, dumbo is next to that and the Teacups (with glass petal roof) beyond that. Again, the detailing and design surpasses the US parks. Its a small world is where you&#

Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog 'The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge' opens on 10/30/2013 at Disney's Hollywood Studios offering a new twist on Brown Derby dining. Taking space on the existing Brown Derby patio, the lounge will serve guests on a first come, first served basis, and will offer small bites and beverages. Menu items include Artisinal Cheeses, Brown Derby Sliders, Duck Confit Tacos, Prince Edward Island Mussels, Charcuterie Board for two, and Brown Derby Shrimp Cocktail. Beverages include beers, wines, and speciality cocktails. You can also order from the full Brown Derby menu on request. Reservations are not required, and Tables in Wonderland discount is available. The Disney Dining Plan will NOT be accepted. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster is now running test circuits under its own power. WDWMagic  forum member CTXRover spotted the train running a circuit under its own power rather than being pulled through. This is obviously a very good sig

I’m sure many of you are already thinking, why would I want to exercise, let along run while at Disney?   The answer…because you can have a lot of fun doing it!   Disney offers an amazing program called runDisney that holds running events of various lengths throughout the year at both Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort.   Each of these races allows runners to experience one or more theme park along the route- who could ask for better scenery as you run! The runDisney organization currently offers 7 different events.   There is the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in January of every year and the Disneyland Half Marathon in late August every year both out in California.   The Tinker Bell is a women’s themed run that makes its way thru Disneyland and the City of Anaheim and is full of the color green and lots of pixie dust.   The Disneyland Half Marathon also offers runners the chance to participate in the Dumbo Double Dare by running the 10k race on Saturday and the Half Maratho