Walt Disney World has same fantastic restaurants, many are known far and wide for the great food and great views. While you don’t normally associate great food with theme parks and thrill rides, Disney World is the exception. You can easily eat at some of the best restaurants in Florida minutes after riding the Jungle Cruise.

#10: Jiko – Located in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko features food you are used to influenced by African flavors and cooking. Go out on a limb and try something new, you will love it. Great atmosphere, and usually very easy to get into, Jiko, while expensive, is fantastic:

Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon with macaroni and cheese and red wine sauce: $37.00

#9: Flying Fish – Located on the Boardwalk, Flying Fish is my favorite place to dine at Walt Disney World. With an open kitchen, and a small restaurant, Flying Fish is intimate and just a bit loud. Just a few minute walk from Epcot, and on the always fun Boardwalk, Flying Fish has great fish entrees, and oddly enough, one expensive steak:

Char Crusted New York Strip Steak with roasted fingerling potatoes, root vegetables, broccolini and classic sauce Foyot: $38.00

#8: Citricos – Located in the Grand Floridian, Citricos has a mediterranian theme, and flavors of Italy to North Africa abound. Wonderful views of the Magic Kingdom from most tables, and wonderful food on every table. A bit stuffy, but still a great, romantic restaurant:

Braised Veal Shank with carrot-potato puree and roasted vegetables: $39.00

#7: Portobello Yacht Club – Located in Downtown Disney near the entrance to Pleasure Island, the Portobello Yacht Club is a top notch Itallian restaurant. Good food, especially before a night out at Pleasure Island:

Filet Portobello, a grilled center cut of Angus beef, topped with gorgonzola cheese, caramelized red onions and served with roasted garlic whipped potatoes and tomato oreganata: $39.95

#6: Artist’s Point – Located in the Wilderness Lodge, Artist’s Point brings out the old West in Disney. Many entrees are unique to Artist’s Point, such as Buffalo and pork belly hash. Don’t mark this one of your list, it is one of the best at Disney. The Plank Salmon is to die for.

Grilled Buffalo Sirloin Steak with sweet potato-hazelnut gratin and sweet onion jam: $42

#5: Yachtsman Steakhouse – Located in the Yacht Club, just steps from Epcot, the Yachtsman Steakhouse features some of the best steaks around. This is a meat lovers paradise.

Oak-fired Rib-Eye, a 16-oz Rib-Eye served with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes and Red Wine Butter: $42.00
Porterhouse, a 24 oz. center cut porterhouse, served with fingerling potatoes and roasted garlic butter: $42.00

#4: Bistro de Paris - Located in France in the World Showcase of Epcot, Bistro de Paris is small, and hidden. Run by three great chefs of Paris, this restaurant is not your normal theme park fare. High quality food and a tiny restaurant make for a fantastic experience.

Maine Lobster sauteed with asparagus, ricotta gnocchi, creamy bisque sauce: $43.00

#3: Narcoossee’s – Located in the Grand Floridian resort, Narcoossee’s may have a funny name, but there isn’t anything funny about the food. Fantastic location, overlooking Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom, you get fantastic food to go along with the fantastic view.

Steamed Whole Maine Lobster served with California asparagus and potato gratin: $55

#2: Fulton’s Crab House – Located in Downtown Disney, Fulton’s flies all of their crab and fish in daily, and even posts a list of the daily shipment at the door. Fantastic crab in a unique restaurant (it is shaped like a giant steamer ship). Too bad the inside of the ship is not as good as the food. Great place for a meal, not as fancy as many of the other restaurants.

Lobster Narragansett, a whole Maine lobster, oven roasted, stuffed with shrimp, scallops and served with red skin potatoes: $55

#1: Victoria and Albert’s – Located in the Grand Floridian, Victoria and Albert’s is unique in that it is a fixed menu restaurant, with a fixed price. Also, each table has a waiter and waitress, all appropriately named Victoria or Albert. Fantastic restaurant for a special occasion, a coat and tie are require for men, so don’t plan on stopping by right after a day at the Magic Kingdom. Menu Prix Fixe $115.00 per guest, wine pairings $60.00 per guest.

One thing you will notice is that California Grill, probably Disney’s most popular “fancy” restaurant is not included on the list. While expensive, it doesn’t have any really expensive entrees. All of the restaurants listed, with the exception of Victoria and Albert’s, has much less expensive entrees available. Don’t be scared off by the prices listed above, all of these restaurants are fantastic, and you should experience one or two of them each time you visit Disney World.

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A great way to see Disney World is via one of the fantastic tours that are offered throughout the parks. All of the parks, with the exception of Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers year round tours, most of which go backstage, so you get a great view of the workings of Disney World. Disney World also offers tours of the resorts, the Animal Kingdom Lodge tour in particular is fantastic.

#10: Wild by Design – Located at the Animal Kingdom theme park, the Wild be Design tour gives you a close up look of the animals, buildings and artifacts used to build the Animal Kingdom theme park. The downfall is that there are no backstage areas seen on this tour, but you do get a fantastic view of Harambe Village and surrounding areas.

#9: Backstage Safari - Also located at the Animal Kingdom theme park, this tour gives you an entire backstage experience of the animal care area of Kilimanjaro Safaris. While you really don’t get to see many animals, you do get to see where they live and eat when the parks are closed, the animal hospital and a chance to meet many of the caretakers.

#8: Epcot Seas Aqua Tour/Dolphins in Depth – These two Epcot tours are sister tours. The Aqua Tour gives you a backstage look at the Living Seas pavilion, including time in the Living Seas aquarium. The Dolphins in Depth tour is similar, with a backstage look at the Living Seas pavilion, as well as hands on experience with the Dolphins.

#7: Behind the Seeds – Located in The Land pavilion in Epcot, the Behind the Seeds tour takes you on a walking tour of the greenhouses of the Land. If you are interested in gardening at all, this tour is fantastic, giving you a close up look of the unique was of growing food, the pests they use to fight other pests and a look at the fish farm, full of alligators and fish to be used at Walt Disney World restaurants.

#6: Family Magic Tour – Located in the Magic Kingdom, this tour is fun for kids of all ages. The tour takes you through Main Street, Liberty Tree Square, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. The tour is presented as a treasure hunt, which helps keep the little kids interested for the two hours. While you don’t get to go backstage, you do get to pick up interesting facts about the Magic Kingdom.

#5: Dive Quest – Located in the Living Seas Pavilion at Epcot, Dive Quest is a unique tour for certified divers. Divers get a 30 minute dive in the Living Seas Pavilion, with full interaction with all the sharks, fish, stingrays and turtles in the aquarium. The best thing about the tour is those who cannot dive can watch the divers through the aquarium windows.

#4: The Magic Behind our Steam Trains – If you, or anyone in your family loves trains (and who doesn’t?), the Magic Behind our Steam Trains gives you an up close look at the Steam Trains that operate in the Magic Kingdom. You start early, before the park opens, and get you watch as they prepare the trains for their daily work, and also get a look at the roundhouse, along with a view of the history of the trains, and all the trains used at Disney parks.

#3: Around the World at Epcot - A unique tour of two parts, the first part learning how to ride a Segway, the second half a tour on your own Segway through the World Showcase. Fortunately, the World Showcase is closed to the public while you are ridding, so you don’t have to worry about avoiding park guests. A great way to see the World Showcase before it opens to the public.

#2: Keys to the Kingdom Tour – Located in the Magic Kingdom, the Keys to the Kingdom Tour gives you backstage look at the Magic Kingdom, including a trip into the Utilidors that run under the Magic Kingdom with views of the wardrobe area. You also get to visit the Magic Kingdom production center, where all the parade floats are stored when not in use. Includes lunch at the Columbia Harbor House. Kids are not allowed, as you often see characters backstage that are not in full costume.

#1: Backstage Magic – The Granddaddy of all theme park tours, this 7 hour tour gives you a backstage look at Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom, including lunch at Mama Melrose’s. You get to see just about everything, from the Disney Florist to Storage areas and views of attractions from the inside give you an unique view of the Disney theme parks.

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Disney World offers fantastic rides, but in addition to the great rides, Disney also offers great ways to get around the resort and parks. Whether you are going from your resort to a theme park, or just getting around the theme park itself, getting there is half the fun. Here are our top 10 modes of transportation at Walt Disney World:

#10: Parking Lot Trams – While not exciting at all, and you really don’t get to see much but the parking lot, the trams are fun, and for many people, the first “ride” they get to experience at Disney. Pay close attention to the driver’s announcement, they are often very hilarious.

#9: Horse-drawn Trolley – Located along Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, the horse-drawn trolleys are a slow moving way to get down main street. If you can get by the smell the horses leave behind, it is a fun way to enter the Magic Kingdom.

#8: Horse-drawn Wagons – Located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, the horse-drawn wagons take you around the areas surrounding the resort, and are a fun activity for adults and kids. Hay included.

#7: Walt Disney World Buses – Definitely low on the excitement scale, but extremely high on the functionality scale. These buses are everywhere, and can get you from just about any spot you are to any spot you want to go to. Make friends with the buses, and they will treat you right.

#6: Fire Engine – Located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, this replica of an old time fire engine brings back memories for many of thee older guests, and sparks dream in the younger ones. The fire engines makes for a fun, and often noisy, ride down Main Street.

#5: Omnibus – Also located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, this is my favorite way to start a day in the Magic Kingdom. The two story bus is a ride in itself. Hop on the top level for great views of Main Street.

#4: Walt Disney World Boats – It seems as though there are as many boats at WDW as buses. My favorites are the big ferry that goes back and forth between the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Magic Kingdom. Great views from the top deck of the resorts and the Magic Kingdom. The Port Orleans boat is also very fun, going back and forth between the Port Orleans resorts and Downtown Disney. Boat service at WDW might be slow compared to other options, but you usually get views you can’t get from anywhere else.

#3: People Mover - While technically a ride and not a mode of transportation, it was originally designed as a way to get around Tomorrowland. Quiet, quick and pollution free, it was to be the transportation of tomorrow. Renamed the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (what were they thinking?), it is now a relaxing way to see tomorrowland from a different angle.

#2: Walt Disney World Railroad - While also a ride in the Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad is a fun way to get from one part of the Magic Kingdom to another. These are original early twentieth century trains, complete with steam and whistles. Just sit back and relax as you enjoy a tour of the Magic Kingdom.

#1: Monorail – Disney World has two separate monorails, one service the Magic Kingdom and near by resorts, and a second service Epcot, both connecting at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Great views, a fun ride and a great way to get around. If it isn’t crowded, make sure you ask to sit up from. The area where the pilot sits also has seats for up to 6 people, and you get a great view out of the front of the monorail, and it is really cool to see how you actually drive the monorail.

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Disneyland has been around for a long time, having just celebrated it’s 50th birthday. During that time, Disneyland has seen many rides come and go, and many others altered significantly from their original state. Many of the long gone rides make up what I knew as Disneyland as a child. Here are the top 10 closed rides from Disneyland.

#10: Country Bear Jamboree – The Country Bear Jamboree was built in 1972 as a remake of the version in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. The jokes and songs are now lost on Disneyland, having been replaced by the new Pooh ride near Splash Mountain, but you can still catch their act in the Magic Kingdom. Fun for kids of all ages, the talking bears were always good for a laugh, and their holiday show was a not miss event for our family.

#9: Pirate Ship Restaurant/Skull Rock – Located in Fantasyland, the Pirate Ship Restaurant served good food and the dream of living on a pirate ship, even if for only a few minutes during lunch. Right behind the Pirate Ship was Skull Rock, a menacing sight indeed, with a cool waterfall and seating for those who couldn’t find space aboard the Pirate Ship. Both were removed in 1983 to make way for Dumbo.

#8: House of the Future – Located just off the hub in Disneyland, the House of the Future was unique at Disneyland, it was free, no tickets were required for entrance. This was Monsanto’s view of what houses would be like today. Some of the items in the house have come to fruition, such as the wall mounted color TVs. I am just glad the all plastic furniture thing never took off. The House of the Future was removed in 1967.

#7: Swiss Family Treehouse – While technically not gone, the Swiss Family Treehouse gave you a glimpse of how the Swiss Family Robinson survived after a shipwreck on a remote island. Clever contraptions abound, and it was always enjoying to “climb” the tree and walk back down. Prior to the Tarzan movie in 1999, Disneyland updated the tree with a second tree, and called it “Tarzan’s Treehouse”. Fortunately the Swiss Family Robinsons still have their home in three other Disney parks around the world.

#6: People Mover/Rocket Rods – The PeopleMover took you on an interesting, if slow, ride of Tomorrowland, including views of several rides. While not exciting, it was relaxing. It closed in 1995 to make way for Rocket Rods, which would use the same track, but instead of being slow, Rocket Rods would be a thrilling, fast paced thrill ride. The problem was that Disneyland didn’t spend the required money to bank the track, so the Rocket Rods had to constantly stop and start, making for a so-so ride, and constantly breaking equipment. Rocket Rods closed in 2000, just 2 years after opening, never to open again.

#5: Carousel of Progress/America Sings – The Carousel of Progress was originally built for the New York World Fair of 1964, and transplanted to Disneyland in 1967. It took passengers on a tour of homes throughout the 20th century, including what homes would be like in the future. Very entertaining and unique among theme park rides, the Carousel of Progress lasted only 6 years. It was replaced by America Sings in 1974, which took you through scenes of America, full of songs and jokes. Again, very entertaining and unique. America Sings was closed in 1988, and if you look closely, just about all of the animals from America Sings ended up in Splash Mountain. Fortunately, the Carousel of Progress continues to operate at Walt Disney World.

#4: Rocket to the Moon – A precursor to Mission:Space of Epcot, Rocket to the Moon took guests on a trip from Disneyland to the moon. A large screen on the floor showed where you were coming from, while the screen on the roof showed where you were going. A bit simplistic for what we are used to, it was updated through the years to include moving seats and animatronics. Rocket to the Moon changed to Flight to the Moon and then Mission to Mars without changing much of the ride. It finally closed in 1992.

#3: Captain EO – A 3-D show starring Michael Jackson, produced by George Lucas and directed by Francis For Coppola? A blockbuster for sure. Captain EO was a fantastic adventure in 3-D with plenty of signing and dancing by the gloved one. Eventually starting at Disneyland, it spread to all existing Disney parks around the globe, but as quickly as it spread, Captain EO disappeared. While it lasted over 10 years on Disneyland, the only place it can be seen now is on DVD via eBay.

#2: Adventure thru Inner Space – This is the only ride that I remember scaring me as a child. As you waited in line, you could see the guest, shortly after they board, actually shrink before your eyes as they ascended up the “microscope”. I couldn’t figure out how the ride worked, and what happened if it broke while you were on it, would I be stuck in Disneyland as a mini-me? A classic Monsanto ride that took you through snowflakes, water molecules and even inside the atom. Just watch out for that spooky eye that is watching you!

#1: Skyway to Tomorrowland/Fantasyland – A classic attraction at Disneyland (and WDW for that matter), the Skyway took you from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland, or the other way around. While it wasn’t necessarily an efficient way to get back and forth between the two areas, it gave you a great view of the park, and I loved going through the Matterhorn! This was my first experience with understanding Disneyland, as you were able to see the buildings behind the facades, and begin to realize how things were laid out, and how the rides worked.For a fantastic overview of all of the closed Disneyland rides, including some great vintage photos, check out Yesterland.

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Walt Disney World has some fantastic swimming pools, and why not? You have swimming weather available to you most of the year, and thousands of resorts guests looking for a break from the heat and theme park crowds. While the water parks are great, there is an entrance fee involved, and often, they are just as crowded as the parks. So, if you are picking your resort based on the swimming pool, here are the top 10:

#10: Contemporary Resort Pool – The Contemporary features a very nice pool, with a nice, if tame, water slide. The location on the back side of the Contemporary allows the pool to be very quiet and a bit removed from all the activity of the parks. A great beach is adjacent to the pool, and don’t miss the quiet pool just a few steps away, it actually “floats” over Bay Lake.

#9: Port Orleans Riverside Pool - Ol’Man Island at Port Orleans Riverside sits on it’s own island in the Sassagoula River. With easy acces from either the Mansions or Bayou side of the resort, the pool is quite and fits in quite well with the resort. There is a great little water slide and plenty of fun areas to explore. A bit on the small side, but worth the visit.

#8: Old Key West Pool – What used to be one of the worst pools at Disney World, Old Key West just finished a total rehab of their pool, and it now features a nice water slide and play area for little kids. It has nice views overlooking Old Key West, though my one complaint is that it is not private at all.

#7: Polynesain Pool - The Nanea Volcano Pool is a recent addition to the Polynesian. The Volcano water slide is the main feature, and is quite fun. The pool features many quiet areas, including semi-hidden hot tubs. There are also great views from most parts of the pool, including the Magic Kingdom and the nightly water parade.

#6: Saratoga Springs Pool – Great new pool at the new resort, with a super fun water slide, great kids area and plenty of places to sit and relax, both in the sun and shade. Surrounded by buildings though, not private at all.

#5: Grand Floridian Pool – a newer pool, located to the South of the Grand Floridian, Disney World did a great job or making it so that you can’t see the pool from the monorail or really, anywhere else. A great water slide and waterfall make this pool quiet and fun for everyone. Great white sand beach next to the pool is fun as well.

#4: Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool – a decent swimming pool, and very similar to the one at the Polynesian (they were built at the same time), the special thing about the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool is the fact that you can see animals from the pool area. While there won’t be any giraffe drinking out of the kiddie pool, it is special none the less.

Please note Disney World does not allow “pool hopping”, and many of the pools are closely watched and resort ID is required. So, if you want to swim in one of these great pools, you must stay at that resort.

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