Walt Disney World Resort Transportation

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Motor Launches and Motor Cruisers (also referred to as a water taxi or water launch) provide transportation between the Magic Kingdom and several of the Walt Disney World Resorts.

One of our families favorite forms of Walt Disney World transportation are the Motor Launches and Motor Cruisers. So much so that my husband asks before I make the resort reservation if it has monorail or boat service. It's just so relaxing after a long day in the parks to hop aboard one of the boats and cruise back to the resort and in the morning it's just a perfect way to start the day. The boat captains can be quite entertaining too. If you have a chance sit up front do so, you may get to hear the captain tell jokes or tales of the Seven Seas Lagoon.

ºoº

The resorts serviced by motor launches and motor cruisers are:
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney's Polynesian Resort
• Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge

What's the difference between a motor launch and a motor cruiser?
Motor Launches are open sided with wooden bench seats. The canopy provides protection from the sun and some protection from the rain. You may encounter a wet seat or two after a rain shower.
Motor Cruisers are larger and have enclosed sides with sliding windows. There are outside benches for seating in the bow (front) and in the stern (rear) of the cruiser.

The resorts and their flag colors:
►There are two Blue Flag motor launches providing service to the Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Campgrounds starting daily at 6:45am.
►Two Gold Flag motor launches run from the Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian and then back to the Magic Kingdom. They typically run from an hour before park opening to and hour after the Magic Kingdom closes. The wait time is between 15 to 20 minutes.
►The Wilderness Lodge (Red Flag) is serviced by one motor launch and one motor cruiser and begin each day at 8:30am unless there are Early Extra Magic Hours. They run at night till one hour after park closing unless there is Night Extra Magic Hours.
►The Fort Wilderness Campground is serviced by two (Green Flag) motor cruisers running from 8:30am to approximately 1 hour after the Magic Kingdom closes. These boats only run between the Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness Campground.

Both the Red and Green Flag lines operate for Extra Magic Hour Mornings and also for evening Extra Magic Hours so there is always transportation across the waterways to your resort and the Magic Kingdom.

When we have a choice I prefer to sit up front in the bow of motor cruisers. It gives me a chance to snap pictures of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the water bridge channel to Bay Lake. I especially like it in the evening as the sun is setting.The colors are amazing!

Neat bit of boat trivia:

• Both of the launches run clockwise until 3pm when they reverse direction. Both launches run until 11:30pm 
• The Motor Cruisers are named Mermaid I, Bon Voyage, and Castaways.

ECVs can be accommodated on motor cruisers if the water level is low causing a big gap between the dock and the ramp. Strollers and wheelchairs must be folded to board motor launches. ECVs cannot board motor launches.

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Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop is The Disney Point.

Buses ~ YourFirstVisit.net

Magical Express ~ The Disney Kids

Ferryboats ~ DISTherapy

Motor Launch & Motor Cruisers~ Focused on the Magic (you are here)

Friendship Boats ~ The Disney Point

POR/DTD Ferries ~ Can Do It Mom aka Mouse Fan Diane

Surrey Bikes~ Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

Parking Lot Trams ~ A Disney Mom's Thoughts

Walking Paths ~ Disney Living

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9 #Disney Desserts Worth the Calories

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Sweet Disney Dining News:
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Chef Scott Hunnel sells more than 10,000 dessert soufflés a year at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. After a meal of everything from osetra caviar to seared Kobe beef tenderloin, discriminating diners at the award-winning restaurant look forward to a sweet ending.

An upswing in Walt Disney World dessert sales is a sign of the times, with sweet sales soaring in U.S. restaurants. And in spite of the no-carb craze, there’s no sign that the heightened demand is slowing down. Last year at Walt Disney World Resort, pastry chefs used more than 865,000 pounds of sugar.

Erich Herbitschek, master pastry chef at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, keeps a staff busy with increased dessert orders for his chocolate creations, crème brûlèe and other desserts. On a recent weekend at California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, 50 percent of the diners ordered desserts such as butterscotch crème brûlée with banana cakes and caramelized bananas; warm Valrhona chocolate cake with molten center and raspberry ice cream; and chocolate pyramid with chocolate gelato and berries.


Which Disney desserts are making memories? Though you’ll find house-made sorbets and fresh fruit on menus, here are the decadent, longtime best sellers:

1.  Silky chai cream with tea tuile at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. 
2. Warm berry cobbler at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, seasonal fruit and a sugary crust served with vanilla ice cream.
3. Old-fashioned s’mores at 50′s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — graham crackers, chocolate square and marshmallows, served warm, just like the campfire days.
4. A Florida favorite, the Key lime pie at Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
5. The legendary grapefruit cake at The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, made from the 1920s recipe shared from the original Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood.
6. The satiny crème brûlée with a crisp brown sugar topping served at restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
7. The Kona Kone at Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, a childish delight for kids of all ages: a giant waffle cone filled with ice cream and served with cotton candy and M&Ms.
8. The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts, a wonderfully sinful sundae meant for sharing with a gallon of ice cream, multiple toppings and an entire can of whipped cream.
9. Anything on the menu at Ghiradelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop at Downtown Disney Marketplace — a root beer float, hot fudge sundae, even an old-fashioned malt.

What is YOUR favorite Walt Disney World sweet treat? Share your dessert memories in the comments below!

Click Here For More Foodie Fare Posts

Source: Disney Parks InsidEARS News 
For more information, please visit the Disney Parks InsidEARS Program 

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Gotta have a Dole Whip!

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Just the other day I had a major craving for one. To satisfy the craving I had a Healthy Choice bar which is no substitute for a Dole Whip.  Speaking of the real thing. I know there are recipes for making Dole Whips at home and there are home machines that can whip them up for you. 
Maybe it's just me but I'd rather save my Dole Whip indulgences for times when I'm in Disney World. 
There are just some things-that-should-stay-in-Disney. 

You can find Dole Whips at The Aloha Isle in The Magic Kingdom's Adventureland. They serve up pineapple, vanilla, chocolate and swirl for $2.89 or 1 snack credit on the DDP. 
The Wilderness Lodge has self serve machines but only vanilla or chocolate. 
Or, you can find a self serve Dole Whip at Captain Cook's counter service restaurant in The Polynesian Resort's. 
Dole Whips are refreshing, have a healthy dose of vitamin C, they're fat free, cholesterol free, lactose free and only 80 calories for a 1/2 cup serving. Not a lot of calories for a dessert. Walking around the park would burn that off. 

DS didn't want his face full of Dole Whip shown ;P

There's nothing like having a Dole Whip late at night after the fireworks during EMH. I'll pick a quiet table in the corner and just relax thinking back on the days activities. 

Speaking of traditions.We have a tradition of having a Dole Whip for Bawb each trip. It started In May of 2008 when I attended a memorial/meet for the late Bob Varley  a wonderfully funny DIS moderator and DISUnplugged Podcaster. That night I went to the MK and had a Dole Whip in his honor, took a pic and posted it on the DISboard thread, A Dole Whip for Bawb. It's one way of remembering and paying tribute to a great guy who is sorely missed.