I recently discovered a winning fall break vacation formula with my 9-going-on-12-year old daughter - one that worked for the adults too. Skip the Magic Kingdom and stay at one of the plush Disney World resorts.
Animal Kingdom Lodge
The atmospheric Jambo House, main building of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, exhibits tasteful African themed decor and sumptuous dining. It’s a vacation in and of itself for the adults in any group.
Stone fire rings indoor and out for reading or conversing, fabulous African art on display in the 5-story lobby, and six huge African shield-inspired chandeliers deliver an overall exotic ambiance. Tempting scents waft up from the Boma restaurant, which must contain the world’s longest buffet featuring African specialties - thankfully, without the bush meat. The only disappointment we suffered was the evening campfire story, told by a decidedly modern, and way too young, African “griot” storyteller in a park uniform.
Kids will thrill to the animals found outside in the savanna habitats that surround the building. The Uzima pool, with a twisty water slide and walk-in shallows is probably the most popular tween attraction, while adults will appreciate the poolside bar. If your family does not require three large meals a day, you might save money by skipping the meal plan and eating room service at breakfast time: far cheaper than the $20/person breakfast buffet at Boma.
Typhoon Lagoon
Typhoon Lagoon, sister to Blizzard Beach, is a laid back water park destination for the entire family. Grab an inner tube in Castaway Creek at any of several entry points around the park and float with the current to another section of the park or return full circle.
Take a brief snorkel swim through the saltwater Shark Lagoon to view baby hammerheads, rays, and reef fish, but be sure to ask for life vests for your kids. Be aware that for some attractions, bathing suits are not allowed to have any rivets or buckles, a fact scarcely advertised in advance of visits to the park.
Best of all, visit the namesake Lagoon at the center of the attractions to catch some of the largest artificial waves generated anywhere in the country. Standing waves six feet high are periodically announced by the sound of foghorns and navy whistles, eliciting a chorus of excited cries from the crowd that is always facing “offshore.” The waves are powerful. Either life vests or caution, remaining in about two feet of water, is recommended for kids who wish to avoid a pummeling and water up the nose.
Epcot
At Epcot, the park with far and away the most rides and things to do rather than buy, the attractions surrounding the Spaceship Earth - or as we call it the giant golf ball - are at times thought-provoking, exciting, technologically outdated, but always kid-oriented. During our fall 2010 visit, the ride most in demand seemed to be “Soarin’” a big screen ride that makes you feel as if you are hang gliding above the West Coast, USA.
Past the rides, across the bridge and surrounding a lake are the circle of international attractions. Kids can go on a quest to get stamps at each of the nations represented, while adults can sample the food and drink.
For the past 15 years, Epcot has hosted the Food and Wine Festival in the fall. The event sponsors seminars and cooking demonstrations. For $3 to $7 a la carte, gastronomically inclined park visitors can taste their way around the world, sampling ethnically inspired hors d’oevres, wine, and beer.
Animal Kingdom
Save the Animal Kingdom for the day you must be out in the late afternoon or the hottest weather, since it is is by far the shadiest of the Disney Parks. Abundant greenery, both natural and cultivated, surrounds the park sidewalks, mimicking deep Asian forest and African jungle. The Kilimajaro Safari, a ride through what seemed to be an extremely elaborate and well-camouflaged zoo, is a hit with just about any animal-lover.
From the Safari, enter the “Tree of Life” - reminiscent of the “World Tree” from the film Avatar - to attend the 3-D “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” show: very clever and not to be missed.
Expedition Everest is undoubtedly the most charismatic ride at Animal Kingdom. We found it gave us enough chills to thrill us, yet remained subject to the laws of gravity sufficiently to ensure no one regretted their decision to ride.
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