Disney World And Beyond The Gold Key Adventurers Society

Disney World Restaurants Vibe Check
If you've spent any time at all hanging out with the Gold Key Adventurers, you know we have a lot of opinions about the best places to eat and drink around Walt Disney World. For this week's episode, we're going to throw that all out. We're talking restaurants, but totally ignoring the food and beverage part - you know, their whole reason for exising. Instead, we're going to rate the best (and some of the worst) eateries on Disney property based solely on their decor and atmosphere.
The atmosphere of a restaurant is almost as important as the food they serve - if the vibes aren't right, the meal just won't be enjoyable. When you add Disney's tendency to theme the heck out of everything, and write extensive background stories for every bathroom and snack stand to the equation, the atmosphere of a restaurant can sometimes even elevate an average meal to something more memorable than it deserves to be.
In this episode, we go around the virtual table and discuss some of our picks for Walt Disney World restaurants with the best atmosphere, as well as some that receive a special dishonorable mention and could use a refurb. In no particular order, some of the spots we talk about are Magic Kingdom's Skipper Canteen, Steakhouse 71, Oga's Cantina, Citrico's, Chef Mickey's, and Abracadar. Can you guess which get a thumbs up, and which a thumbs down? What restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort get your vote for best atmosphere, and which just don't pass the vibe check?
As always, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Key to the World Travel. For all your travel needs, Key to the World Travel's  expert travel advisors are standing by. Make sure you tell them the Gold Key Adventurers sent you!
 
Proud to be a Feedspot Top 100 Disney Podcast! https://bit.ly/GKASFeedSpotDisney 
 
Thanks to Outer Vibe for the use of their song Hoka Hey off of the album Hoka Hey as the intro and outro of our show. For tour dates, merch, music and more, check them out at www.outervibe.com.
 
Don’t forget to  subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss a single week of adventure. While you're at it, how about leaving us a rating and review?
 
Word of mouth is the best way for us to grow our society of intrepid adventurers-if you have a friend or two who might enjoy our particular brand of adventure and silliness, send them our way.
 
The Gold Key Adventurers Society is always looking for new members! Find all our episodes, links and info at https://www.goldkeyadventurers.com. Make sure you follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldKeyAdventurersSociety, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gkaspodcast, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GKASPodcast.
 
Show The Gold Key Adventurers some love by buying the hosts a coffee (or two or ten?) at https://bit.ly/KofiDonateToGKAS
 
Better yet, try one of Expedition Roasters’ delicious theme park and pop culture inspired flavored coffees! Using our affiliate link will help keep the Gold Key Adventurers caffeinated and making great content for you! https://bit.ly/ExpeditionRoastersGKAS
 
Remember, life is short and the world is wide. So go have an adventure!
 

Icon of the Seas Trip Report
Not only is Royal Caribbean Cruises' Icon of the Seas the world's largest cruise ship, it's also the perfect cruising option for families, couples, solo travelers, friend groups - anyone who wants to have a ton of fun at sea. Heather and Jeff recently set sail on this brand new floating theme park, and they're here to tell you all about what they saw, did, ate and drank. The Icon of the Seas is full of 7 pools, 40 restaurants and bars, 400 slot machines, and 2,800 guest rooms, plus mini golf and a ropes course and a surf rider and even an ice rink for a spectacular Icecapades style show at sea - there's something on board for everyone! And with unique "neighborhoods" housing innovative new styles of staterooms, everyone can find a spot on board to fit their unique cruising style. Join us and find out what makes a cruise on the Icon of the Seas a perfect vacation for you!
As always, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Key to the World Travel. For all your travel needs, Key to the World Travel's  expert travel advisors are standing by. Make sure you tell them the Gold Key Adventurers sent you!
 
Proud to be a Feedspot Top 100 Disney Podcast! https://bit.ly/GKASFeedSpotDisney 
 
Thanks to Outer Vibe for the use of their song Hoka Hey off of the album Hoka Hey as the intro and outro of our show. For tour dates, merch, music and more, check them out at www.outervibe.com.
 
Don’t forget to  subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss a single week of adventure. While you're at it, how about leaving us a rating and review?
 
Word of mouth is the best way for us to grow our society of intrepid adventurers-if you have a friend or two who might enjoy our particular brand of adventure and silliness, send them our way.
 
The Gold Key Adventurers Society is always looking for new members! Find all our episodes, links and info at https://www.goldkeyadventurers.com. Make sure you follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldKeyAdventurersSociety, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gkaspodcast, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GKASPodcast.
 
Show The Gold Key Adventurers some love by buying the hosts a coffee (or two or ten?) at https://bit.ly/KofiDonateToGKAS
 
Better yet, try one of Expedition Roasters’ delicious theme park and pop culture inspired flavored coffees! Using our affiliate link will help keep the Gold Key Adventurers caffeinated and making great content for you! https://bit.ly/ExpeditionRoastersGKAS
 
Remember, life is short and the world is wide. So go have an adventure!
 

Recently, Universal Orlando made the biggest theme park announcement of the year as they released the largest collection yet of information about Epic Universe- the new theme park and resort hotels they're opening in 2025. Join us for a look at all the details we have so far on the most exciting thing to come to Orlando theme parks in years.
Check out Universal's official info page on this exciting new park, including a peek inside the Stella Nova and Terra Luna Hotels, and a virtual fly-through the Celestial Park area of Epic Universe here.
As always, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Key to the World Travel. For all your travel needs, Key to the World's expert travel advisors are standing by. Make sure you tell them the Gold Key Adventurers sent you!
 
Proud to be a Feedspot Top 100 Disney Podcast! https://bit.ly/GKASFeedSpotDisney 
 
Thanks to Outer Vibe for the use of their song Hoka Hey off of the album Hoka Hey as the intro and outro of our show. For tour dates, merch, music and more, check them out at www.outervibe.com.
 
Don’t forget to  subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss a single week of adventure. While you're at it, how about leaving us a rating and review?
 
Word of mouth is the best way for us to grow our society of intrepid adventurers-if you have a friend or two who might enjoy our particular brand of adventure and silliness, send them our way.
 
The Gold Key Adventurers Society is always looking for new members! Find all our episodes, links and info at https://www.goldkeyadventurers.com. Make sure you follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldKeyAdventurersSociety, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gkaspodcast, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GKASPodcast.
 
Show The Gold Key Adventurers some love by buying the hosts a coffee (or two or ten?) at https://bit.ly/KofiDonateToGKAS
 
Better yet, try one of Expedition Roasters’ delicious theme park and pop culture inspired flavored coffees! Using our affiliate link will help keep the Gold Key Adventurers caffeinated and making great content for you! https://bit.ly/ExpeditionRoastersGKAS
 
Remember, life is short and the world is wide. So go have an adventure!
 

State of the Theme Parks 2024
It's that time of year when we look at the current state of the Disney and Universal theme parks in America, and talk about the most exciting changes, additions, and re-imaginings that have been announced for the coming year. Join us for the 2024 State of the Theme Parks Address!
Topics covered incude:

As of just a few days ago, theme park reservations are no longer needed for most guests at Walt Disney World, and park hopping is open all day long.


To accommodate park hopping, inter-park busses will now start running at 10 am. Interestingly, there is currently no bus from MK to EPCOT- all guests hopping between those two parks are being sent via Monorail.


Also recently returned, is the Disney Dining Plan and Quick Service Dining Plan at Walt Disney World Resort. The plan features some significant changes to price and inclusions from the last time it was offered.


Coming later this summer, the fan favorite Free Dining Plan promotion. Comes with strings attached - requires Disney+ subscription, a longer stay, and the aforementioned changes to the DDP


The Country Bears Jamboree is closing very soon for re-imagining, and the latest release from Disney confirms my fears that they're not just adding a segment with Disney songs on to the beloved show, but totally changing the show to be all Disney songs, with one song that "fans will recognize" - I'm guessing Big Al will still interrupt with Blood on the Saddle.


Rock and Roller Coaster is down for a lengthy refurb - AGAIN. Disney says there is not current change coming to the theme, although the internet feels the time is right considering recent allegations against Steven Tyler.


Construction will soon start on a DVC member lounge somewhere in MK


Scaffolding is starting to come down from Tiana's Bayou Adventure as exterior work and landscaping is nearing completion. The exterior of the mountain is now covered almost entirely with plants to fit the bayou theme.


Disney again mentions large future investment in MK, and specifically teases another announcement for Frontierland, making a future retheme of Pecos Bill's to Tiana's Place seem more likely.


Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland completes its transformation with a grand reopening as Pixar Pier Hotel on January 30.


To celebrate all things Pixar and the new hotel, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be hosting the return of Pixar Fest from April 26-August 4, featuring an all new pixar themed daytime parade at DCA, and the return of Together Forever, a Pixar Nighttime Spectacular at Disneyland.


May 24, Fantasmic! returns to Disneyland with new special effects, a reimagined finale battle between Mickey and Mileficent, and the return of the iconic Peter Pan scene aboard the Sailing Ship Columbia


Run Disney finally returned to Disneyland - the half marathon weekend just wrapped up, and Sept. 5-8 will feature an all new Halloween half marathon weekend,


Disneyland will expand the plaza between New Orleans Square and Haunted Mansion into a park like area with space for live entertainment. The grounds and queue of the Haunted Mansion will also be expanded to give guests a tour of the mansion's gardens, and guests can visit the carriage house which will house a brand new Haunted Mansion shop.


Dreamworks Animation land will replace Wood Woodpecker's KidZone in Universal Studios Florida some time in 2024

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Key to the World Travel. For all your travel needs, Key to the World's expert travel advisors are standing by. Make sure you tell them the Gold Key Adventurers sent you!
 
Proud to be a Feedspot Top 100 Disney Podcast! https://bit.ly/GKASFeedSpotDisney 
 
Thanks to Outer Vibe for the use of their song Hoka Hey off of the album Hoka Hey as the intro and outro of our show. For tour dates, merch, music and more, check them out at www.outervibe.com.
 
Don’t forget to  subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss a sing

Travel Trends for 2024  
It’s that time of year when we’re all figuring out what the next 12 months are going to look like, and the internet is full of suggestions on how to make sure our lives are on trend in 2024. Let’s take a look at the 10  hottest travel trends we’ve got our eyes on this year. The trends we cover include:

Astro Tourism - Keep your eyes on the skies and seek out the best spots to view the Northern Lights, meteors, comets, and more as you explore the globe.


Cool-cationing - Forget the beach! As summers get hotter, vacationers are seeking out cooler climates to the north and far south for their holidays.


Gig Tripping - Follow your favorite band on their summer tour, catch a bucket list show at a legendary venue, or search the globe for the hottest music festival.


Skip-gen Travel - Grandparents are leaving their adult children at home, and taking the grandkids out for bucketlist adventures or to share meaningful places and experiences.


Luxury Rail Travel - 5 star hotels on wheels, travel in style without the stress of traffic or airports.


Wild Feasting - Foraging for ultra-local ingredients to help prepare a meal, or dining al-fresco after a cooking lesson. Travelers are looking to go beyond eating local delicacies, and actually eat with locals.


Dupe Destinations - Ditch the crowds, and look for spots that give a similar flavor, but aren't overrun with tourists.


Set-Jetting - tourists are seeking out locations where their favorite prestige television shows and movies were filmed for a chance to get closer to the action.


Authentic Cultural Immersion - parasailing and wax museums are fun, but travelers in 2024 want a chance to experience daily life and culture in the places they visit.


Frontier Exploration - whether they're braving the Drake Passage to see Antarctica, or pushing personal boundaries by trying strange new foods, daring adventures, or unfamiliar locales, travelers in 2024 are all about going to undiscovered places.

For more information on these trends, check out this article from Key to the World Travel.
As always, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Key to the World Travel. For all your travel needs, Key to the World's expert travel advisors are standing by. Make sure you tell them the Gold Key Adventurers sent you!
 
Proud to be a Feedspot Top 100 Disney Podcast! https://bit.ly/GKASFeedSpotDisney 
 
Thanks to Outer Vibe for the use of their song Hoka Hey off of the album Hoka Hey as the intro and outro of our show. For tour dates, merch, music and more, check them out at www.outervibe.com.
 
Don’t forget to  subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss a single week of adventure. While you're at it, how about leaving us a rating and review?
 
Word of mouth is the best way for us to grow our society of intrepid adventurers-if you have a friend or two who might enjoy our particular brand of adventure and silliness, send them our way.
 
The Gold Key Adventurers Society is always looking for new members! Find all our episodes, links and info at https://www.goldkeyadventurers.com. Make sure you follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldKeyAdventurersSociety, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gkaspodcast, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GKASPodcast.
 
Show The Gold Key Adventurers some love by buying the hosts a coffee (or two or ten?) at https://bit.ly/KofiDonateToGKAS
 
Better yet, try one of Expedition Roasters’ delicious theme park and pop culture inspired flavored coffees! Using our affiliate link will help keep the Gold Key Adventurers caffeinated and making great content for you! https://bit.ly/ExpeditionRoastersGKAS
 
Remember, life is short and the world is wide. So go have an adventure!
 

Disney World One Star Reviews 2023
Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of posts on social media with hilarious one-star reviews visitors have left for some of America’s most popular and stunning national parks. That got us thinking - what do reviewers on popular sites like tripadvisor.com have to say about the Walt Disney World Resort? The results are definitely a mixed bag.  Some of them are hilarious, some of them are infuriating, and most of them have at least a little bit of the truth tucked in between the unreadable spelling errors and major entitlement  issues. While most of the complaints are just so ridiculous they’re funny, the legitimate concerns could be fixed by either doing some research (or even better, book with a travel advisor like the experts at Key to the World Travel!), or learning to manage expectations and remember that you’re not the only person hoping to have the perfect Disney vacation. 
 
Join Dan and Jeff as they share their favorite bottom-of-the-barrel reviews for The Most Magical Place On Earth, as well as some great tips on how to avoid making the same mistakes as these disgruntled reviewers.

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsor, Key to the World Travel. For all your travel needs, Key to the World's expert travel advisors are standing by. Make sure you tell them the Gold Key Adventurers sent you!
 
Proud to be a Feedspot Top 100 Disney Podcast! https://bit.ly/GKASFeedSpotDisney 
 
Thanks to Outer Vibe for the use of their song Hoka Hey off of the album Hoka Hey as the intro and outro of our show. For tour dates, merch, music and more, check them out at www.outervibe.com.
 
Don’t forget to  subscribe to the show to make sure you don't miss a single week of adventure. While you're at it, how about leaving us a rating and review?
 
Word of mouth is the best way for us to grow our society of intrepid adventurers-if you have a friend or two who might enjoy our particular brand of adventure and silliness, send them our way.
 
The Gold Key Adventurers Society is always looking for new members! Find all our episodes, links and info at https://www.goldkeyadventurers.com. Make sure you follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldKeyAdventurersSociety, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gkaspodcast, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GKASPodcast. 
 
Show The Gold Key Adventurers some love by buying the hosts a coffee (or two or ten?) at https://bit.ly/KofiDonateToGKAS
 
Better yet, try one of Expedition Roasters’ delicious theme park and pop culture inspired flavored coffees! Using our affiliate link will help keep the Gold Key Adventurers caffeinated and making great content for you! https://bit.ly/ExpeditionRoastersGKAS 
 
Remember, life is short and the world is wide. So go have an adventure!