Indiana Jones Themed Bar coming to Downtown Disney (Disney Springs) I can't wait to get back to Orlando

So many things to be excited about in the last couple of days!!!!!1

Yesterday I saw online that a UFO themed hotel is possibly being built on the way to Las Vegas in the small town of Baker.  (known for it's giant Thermometer and its 100 degree weather).  I can't wait to stay there if and when it actually opens.  The concept art looks amazing --so it will probably be totally cheesy when it opens---but still a must see.

Today I see this news story on Disney Parks Blog and several others.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/05/jock-lindseys-hangar-bar-to-open-this-fall-at-downtown-disney-at-walt-disney-worldresort/

It looks like Disney owning the rights to Indiana Jones is already starting to pay off.   We were just in Orlando in March and missed the opening of Trader Sam's Grog Grotto by about 2 weeks (so we already have a reason to go back)  and we saw a lot of construction on our trip over at the Downtown Disney area.   Well it turns out one of those additions is going to be an Indiana Jones Bar!!!!

Yes you heard that right and Indiana Jones themed bar!!!   It seems Indy's pal Jock (the one with the snake in the plane at the beginning of Raiders)  has gone into the bar business.

According to all the articles it will seat about 150 people.  Jock's old airplane from the film will be hanging out outside of the bar which is rumored to be like Trader Sam's but with an aviation theme.  The bars interior is said to have old Travel Posters and other memorabilia.   I'm sure it will have some Indy items like Trader Sam's in California does like these:

I'm certainly putting this at the top of my must see list the next time we head to Orlando.   Raiders is my favorite movie so an Indiana Jones themed Trader Sam's type bar is exactly my kind of place. 

These also brings up a couple questions.

If it is successful will we get one in California???

And if Disney is opening an Indiana Jones bar --can more Indy Movies and possibly attractions be far behind?

I'll share my ideas in an upcoming blog.  What do you think?






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Epcot Picture of the Week: Gateway to Japan

Epcot Picture of the Week:  A Glimpse at the next Country we will visit at World Showcase in Epcot

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Exploring World Showcase at Epcot: Part 4 The Kingdom of Morocco

Our next stop on our Journey around World Showcase is the Kingdom of Morocco.

World Showcase when it opened had no representation of the African Continent so the King of Morocco stepped up and sponsored his country to be a part of it.  Now if you want a taste of Africa just head on over to Animal Kingdom where it is well represented.

Here is the first view of Morocco when approaching from France.

Here are the kids taking a break before we venture into another country.

The main thing in Morocco is shopping.  Morocco features about 6 shops that carry such things as jewelry, clothes, rugs, fez hats and handmade baskets.   You can also get a Henna tattoo.

Below is a sample of the little back streets of of Morocco.

Morocco also features a couple of restaurants.  The Restaurant Marrakesh is a great place to stop and get out of the heat and enjoy some belly dancing and Morocco food like lamb kabobs.

There is also an outdoor restaurant the Tangierine Cafe that serves hummus and Baklava with of view of the lake.

Here are some of the little details of Morocco.

Also a feature in Morocco is a nice indoor meet and greet with Aladdin and Jasmine who are visiting

And here is a parting shot of Morocco as we head on to our next country.   

For a more in depth look into Morocco here is a little photo blog my wife Kim did as well

http://blondepixals.blogspot.com/2015/03/epcot-world-showcase-kingdom-of-morocco.html

Up next my thoughts for Ultimate Epcot and what we could add to Morocco "If money was no object".

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Animal Kingdom Picture of the Week: Doorway to Adventure

I liked this shot of this old gate near while we were waiting for the Festival of the Lion King.  My choice for Animal Kingdom picture of the week.

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A Disney Attraction Review: Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest a ride review:

Everest was at the top of my bucket list for our recent trip to Disneyworld.  It was still being built the last time I was in Orlando-- so I had been waiting over 10 years to go on this ride.  As I had described in an earlier blog we had fastpasses for the ride and it broke down --right when our fastpass time came up which lead us to hit this ride at the end of the day.  (I wasn't leaving Animal Kingdom without tackling this mountain).

When you build something up in your mind for that long you are bound to be disappointed like many people were with the Phantom Menace.   Well this mountain definitely looked menacing from a distance....but would it just be a glorified Matternhorn?

Would I be disappointed???

We made our way past all the warning of a dangerous  Yeti.

 Here is a cool shot of the Mountain as we got closer to our goal.

 The ride actually lived up to the hype.  I absolutely loved it and as I described in my blog about "sometimes a ride breaking down can be a good thing"  --we ended up doing it 3 times in a row at the end of the day with a minimal wait time.   

The design and look of this ride is incredible.  The details in the line that give you clues of what to expect are amazing.  The imagineering trips to Nepal was worth it.  Like the rest of Animal Kingdom the attention to detail is stunning and really takes you on an adventure.

The ride itself is designed so well (despite its barely functioning Yeti).  It starts out kind of slow and then picks up and gets better and better as the ride goes along.   The point when you hit the top of the mountain and see the broken track in front of you is epic.  Then you are sent hurtling backwards and then back forwards again after an encounter with the fabled Yeti.   The thrills on this ride are top notch and it definitely is the E Ticket attraction of the Animal Kingdom.  Well worth the wait and a 10 out of 10 in my book.   

I would say that it is too intense for younger kids.  My stepdaughter that is afraid of coasters in general (despite taking on and loving both Test Track and Seven Dwarves Mine Train) would have found this ride too intense

Here is some cool Merchandise from the ride.

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Ultimate Epcot: If money was no object --What would you add to Epcot: Part 3 France

 What would I change at Epcot if money was no object?

I thought this would be a fun little interactive new weekly blog where I will post my thoughts and then ask what you would like to see" If money was no object"  Think big....Like Carsland or Harry Potter big.  Some of my ideas you may love --others you may absolutely hate.   Feel free to chime in with ideas of your own.

In part 1 we covered Canada ...in Part 2 my over the top plans for England.  Now it is time to talk about what we could add to France The first easy and obvious ride would be the Ratatouille ride that is actually in the French theme park outside of Paris.

The ride itself takes guests aboard ratmobiles (at rat size) through Gusteau's restaurant.  I've never been on the ride myself -(since I haven't been to France) --but it looks and sound like a lot of fun.  It looks action packed as the guests scurry about the restaurant using a combination of video screens and live props.     Below is a you tube ride through video showing what the ride looks like.

This ride is a perfect fit for France at Epcot --with its theming a perfect match for what is already there.

And if money is no object --why not bring an actual Las Vegas sized  Eiffel Tower to Epcot.   I can't think of a better addition to the French Pavilion.  In Vegas you have a view of the Bellagio and its fountain show,    Image dining in a Restaurant a quarter of the way up like in Vegas with a view of all of World Showcase. 

 And at night instead of Illuminations ---image watching a new Epcot World of Color out on the lake.  This restaurant would be booked a year in advance it would be so popular. A true Eiffel Tower would be one the the main attractions of World Showcase.

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Disney Vacation Tip #4 : Bring more Cash $$$$$$

Okay this Vacation Tip is pretty obvious....

When you plan your trip to Disney World or Disneyland.......
Bring more cash than you planned on spending.  

SHOW ME MONEY!!!   That is Disney's motto.


No matter how much you budget--or if you have a dining plan or not---you will spend more money than you planned on spending.

On our trip we had one pair of sunglasses lost and another pair broken.   Cha Ching... Epcot just made about $40 extra bucks.

I love Disney or I wouldn't be doing a blog about it.....but even I have to admit that Disney is willing to make a buck on any and everything.  Whether it is a $3 water bottle in the parks or pumping out smells from the Bakery on Main Street to get you hungry.  


Disney has poured a ton of money into the Magic Band program --which is like something out of a Sci-Fi movie (I will write an entire blog about how much I love the Magic Bands later) .  With all the money they poured into this system -- Disney has even found a way to make money off of the Magic Bands.   You can pay for customized ones --or trick them out with accessories.   Brilliant marketing!

Here is a link of some of the Magic Band Accessories that Disney is Cashing in on.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymagicplus/gallery/26jun2013-magicband-accessories/18906.htm


After a long day at the parks you may relax with a couple of extra drinks at the pool bar.  
Swipe that Magic Band (you don't even need a wallet anymore---which is convenient when in your bathing suit.) 
Of course that is extra money out of your credit card.   The Magic Bands aren't Magic in that you magically get stuff for free.

So Bring more cash.....Lots and lots of cash or credit.
Budget extra for the things that aren't in your budget
like Sunscreen or that extra souvenir you didn't plan to buy --but bought anyway.   Bring extra cash you will need it


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