Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [64]
The Hall of Presidents
Map location 11
The residents of the Hall of Presidents are so lifelike that it’s a bit eerie (and Disney cast members report that this is a very “interesting” attraction to clean at night). The show opens with a film about the history of the presidency (otherwise known as “nap time” for the preschool set) and moves on to the highlight, the presidential roll call. Each chief executive responds to his name with a nod or similar movement, while in the background the other presidents fidget and whisper.
The hall seats 700, with shows every 20 minutes, and thus is a good choice during the most crowded parts of the afternoon. Ask an attendant at the lobby doors how long it is before the next show and amble in five minutes early.
Food Choices in the Magic Kingdom
Let’s face it, the Magic Kingdom isn’t known for fine-dining. Even so, some options are better than others.
Helpful Hint
We thought the following note from a conscientious mom of two hit the nail on the head. “The one thing we learned about the Magic Kingdom princess breakfast is not to promise this treat unless you already have reservations. It took us six days of getting up at 6:30 AM to start trying to get through the phone line at 7 before we got lucky enough to get seats. I was already trying to figure out how to tell my then-5-year-old daughter there wasn’t room for us at the castle.”
If you want to have a sit-down meal and see the characters, consider Cinderella’s Royal Table, which is inside the castle. The princess breakfasts and lunches are especially popular with young girls (generally ages 10 and under) who want to meet Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, and some of the other princesses. (Characters vary in the evening; check when you book.) Reservations are always snapped up months in advance, so be sure to reserve early, preferably 180 days ahead of time, by calling 407/939–3463 (407/WDW–DINE). Little girls like to wear their princess regalia when they dine in the castle, so pull out those tiaras and magic wands before you go. One mother reported that she brought her daughter’s princess gear with her and let her change in a nearby bathroom just before her character meal. “I noticed a lot of families doing the same,” she said. “It makes sense because afterwards you can change your child back into play clothes for the rest of the day.”
Insider’s Secret
In terms of fast food, your choices abound, but Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland is the largest fast-food spot in the park and the lines move fast. For snacks try the fruit cobblers at Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square or the pineapple whips at Aloha Isle in Adventureland.
Other character options include the Crystal Palace, where Winnie the Pooh and his friends circulate among diners for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s a wide debate on the quality of the Crystal Palace experience; while one mom considered it, “perfect for our family since we love the Pooh characters, and the food selection was really nice,” another mom described the food as “inedible, even by theme-park standards.” The food is served buffet-style, so at least there’s no waiting and plenty of variety.
Insider’s Secret
Closed out of the princess character meals at Cinderella Castle? Try the lesser-known princess meals at Akerhaus in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot.
Willing to dine without the characters? At Liberty Tavern, expect an all-you-can-eat dinner with down-home cooking like turkey, pork chops, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street, thematically the plainest of all Magic Kingdom restaurants, offers a variety of salads and sandwiches, along with elaborate ice cream–based desserts. Tony’s Town Square, also on Main Street, offers generous servings of Italian food and a charming Lady and the Tramp theme.
Afternoon Resting Places
Country Bear Jamboree
The Disney