Artist Point

On thursday Night I had Dinner at Artist Point. This is consider a signature restaurant for Disney. Which means excellent food and a little on the pricey side. This is a not a cheap dinner.

Artist Point serves specialties from the Pacific Northwest where the focus is on seafood, sirloins and game. Though menu options change seasonally, the kitchen's signature dish is a cedar plank-roasted salmon. For dessert, the chef's special creation is an Artist Point cobbler: seasonal berries and house-made black raspberry ice cream.

I would add this as a must dine restaurant. I have eaten here several times and this restaurant never disappoints.
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Whispering Canyon Café

On Wednesday I had dinner at the Whispering Canyon Café. This is NOT a quiet restaurant to have a romantic dinner. This is a family friendly restaurant that really caters to families. They keep the kids entertained. The food can be family style or a la carte. If you have never eaten here I have one tip for you, ask for the ketchup and then stnad back and let the fun begin. I have had the meatloaf here and it is always excellent. There is lots of napkin waving, singing, riding ponies and just good old fashion family fun. it is a must restaurant on my list.
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Tusker House

I had Lunch on Wednesday at the Tusker House located deep in the heart of Africa in the village of Harambe. The buffet seemed to offer a little more choice then the other buffets I have had this trip. The atmosphere is definitely African. As for the food there are some bold African flavors as well as some non African flavors. Here is a list of some the foods served:

  • Curried rice salad
  • Fresh fruit
  • Green bean and onion salad
  • Hummus and baba ghanoush
  • Jollaf rice
  • Marrakech couscous
  • Pearl couscous with sweet basil essence
  • Sliced cold cuts
  • Spiced tandoori tofu
  • Spicy South African preserves
  • Tabbouleh
  • Traditional salads
  • Tunisian couscous salad
  • Vegetable samosas
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Chef Mickey's

I had Breakfast this morning at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary resort I have start with it was great to have a character meal with the FAB 5 !!!! I made a ADR for this dining as well and this was the longest I had to wait for a table so far. I would estimate it was about 10 to 12 minutes. The food was very good for a buffet. The characters that were Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald. Each character comes to your table and will take pictures and sign autographs and even have some fun with family members. For me this is a must do restaurant for anyone, or any family.
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Plaza Restaurant

I had dinner at the Plaza restaurant. I close this for 2 reasons, one it was on Main Street and second i would be able to quickly exit and get have a good location for Spectromagic parade. I made a ADR and was seated quickly after checking in. This is a smaller cozy restaurant. The menu is soups, sandwiches, and burgers. They also serve ice cream. If you can sit by the window you can have a great view of Cinderella Castle. I would recommend this to anyone the food was good and the atmosphere is great.
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Crystal Palace

On Monday I had lunch at the Crystal palace. I made a ADR (advance Dining Reservation and was seated with in minutes of checking in. The restaurant was surprisingly full. The restaurant location and decor is beautiful it is right off of Main Street and easy to get to. This restaurant is a buffet with Winnie the Pooh characters. I am not a Pooh fan so that was not the attraction. The food was good for a buffet but not great if you compare this to signature dining. Also having to wait in a slow moving line may not be for everyone. It is hard for families to move though the buffet line quickly or any reasonable pace. I would recommend this for Pooh fans and buffet lovers.
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Disney Magical Express Experience

My trip started in State College, PA with a short 26 min flight to Philly, PA. Philly to Orlando was painless. I like the idea of the Magical express but I still think there may be some bugs to removed from the process. The line to check into was at least 20 minutes long. (Side note-- I think Disney is hurry up and wait). The I was told to go stand in line 8, I must have just missed my bus because every other line went , and then finally line 8. So I would say the 2 lines totaled about 1 hour of time, plus the 30 minute bus ride. I think I could have rented a car and been there before the bus got to the resort, or I could have taken a private car and been there in less time.

I was told I could check in online but I did not see where I can do this. so I used the old wait in line at the lodge method of check in. I did do a smart thin and sit in the first seat so I was first off the bus and first at the front desk. My room was ready but the luggage was still not there, no big deal at least I did not have to lug it around..

In summary, I think they need to find a way to speed things up just a little. I understand the value of a full bus and making 3 resort stops, just do it faster.
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Vintage Disney Memborlia

While at my parents house recently, my mother found some vintage WDW park pass circa 1986. These were paper tickets, yes i said paper. They were green 3 day passes. At this time only the Magic Kingdom and Epoct were open. They were called a "3-day Worldpassport" at the bottom of the ticket were 3 slots were the main gate cast members would stamp the date of your visit. My three dates stamps are July 10, 1986, July 11, 1986 and March 7, 1988. Which leads me to believe they did not expire. On the pass it says it must be used for the same person, but how on earth could they tell that? They are numbered in sequence 501482, 510483, 501484.

The price is listed at the top on the back of the ticket and is ONLY $61.00 a ticket!
Some of the the information on the back is interesting it says "This Worldpassort allows one guest use of the following for 3 days"

  • Transportation between the Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and ticket center and Epcot Center
  • Magic Kingdom admission and use of attractions within the Magic Kingdom
  • Epcot Center admission and use of attractions within Epcot center
  • Round trip bus transportation from the transportation and Ticket center to the Walt Disney World village at Lake Buena Vista
It continues with the following statements in BOLD print, they must be important.

If you are leaving the Magic Kingdom or Epcot Center and plan to return to or visit either on the same day. Please have your hand stamped as you exit and present this Worldpassport upon re-entry.

This Worldpassport will be accepted during the WALT DISNEY WORLD Magic Kingdom or Epcot center regular operating hours.

Walt Disney World Co. collects a transportation charge for this Worldpassport as a agent for WED transportation systems, Inc.


It is interesting that they need to call out the fact that a charge is being collected and for transportation. I am assuming this was the Monorail system.

I will try to scan these tickets in so you can see them and enjoy them.



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The Day Before my trip

Okay so this is the day before I take off to WDW. I am running done my electronic checklist.
Camera
Portable Tripod
batteries
laptop
SD cards
Flash
iPhone
iPod

Checking the weather to see what type of clothing I need to bring. It looks like it will be highs of the 70'a and a low in the 50's all week. I know it gets chilly in the parks at night too.

I selected my seats and printed my boarding pass. I have a taxi picking me up in the morning, I have the first flight out of town so it should be light.

My reviewed my itinerary and checked it over with the rehab list.

I think i'm ready to go, I just need to pack later tonight and set the alarm.

See you all in WDW.


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Disney Itinerary

Disney Itinerary Jan 25, 2009 to Feb 1, 2009

Sunday 1/25 - Arrive
Relax and have dinner at Raglan Road

Monday 1/26
Mickey's Magical Milestone Tour
Park - Magic Kingdom
Lunch- Crystal Palace
Dinner- Plaza restaurant

Tuesday 1/27
Park - None
Breakfast - Chef Mickey
Lunch - Unknown
Dinner - The Wave
DVC Tour

Wednesday 1/28
Park - Animal Kingdom
Breakfast -
Lunch - Tusker House
Dinner - Yak and Yeti

Thursday -
Park - Downtown disney Shopping
Breakfast
Lunch - Capt Jack's
Dinner- Artist Point

Friday 1/30
Park - EPCOT
Breakfast -
Lunch - Coral reef
Dinner - Mexico

Saturday 1/31
Park - Holywood Studio
Breakfast
Lunch - 50's prime time
Dinner - Brown derby

Sunday 2/1
Depart
Breakfast
Lunch - whispering Canyon
Dinner - airport
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Comments are coming

I am working on adding comments to the blog so that there is some interaction among all the readers. I dont think I want this to be a one way blog. I may also use this blog to post Disney news.

Just 2 more days and I will be in WDW soaking in the fun. I hope to blog each night assuming I am not exhausted and too tired.

Stay tuned for more blogging!

Tony
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Welcome to the Blog

Welcome to the Disney By The Numbers Blog ....

I will use this on my upcoming trip to add notes as my trip progress. There will be ride reviews and restaurant reviews.

After the trip I will add interesting facts so you can see them here before they become part of the website.

So on with the show !!!!



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