Although we all have rung in 2021, there’s another “gnu” year still to celebrate. The Year of the Ox begins on Saturday, February 12, 2021. If you want to celebrate you can do so in style with lots of Year of the Ox merchandise at the China Pavilion at EPCOT.
Year of the Ox Merchandise
Chinese Zodiac years are not based in the traditional Gregorian calendar. Each year starts on a different date based on the lunar calendar. Besides each lunar year being associated with a different animal, there is also an association with a different element. In Chinese theory there are five elements: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. This year’s Year of the Ox is associated with metal, so anyone born under this year will be a metal ox. The lunar Year of the Ox is from February 12, 2021 until January 30, 2022.
Year of the Ox Merchandise – Ornament FrontYear of the Ox Merchandise – Ornament Back
It has been an annual tradition for Disney to release lunar new year merchandise at the China pavilion. In recent years a spirit jersey and mouse ears have become staples of the collection.
Year of the Ox Merchandise – Mouse EarsYear of the Ox Merchandise – Spirit JerseyYear of the Ox Merchandise – Spirit Jersey BackYear of the Ox Merchandise
The spirit jersey uses the Chinese symbol for gnu, as is the ox-like animal, to say “Happy Gnu Year” on the front. We also found an ornament for the year, which displays all the recent years of the Ox and its characteristics.
Have you ever purchased Chinese New Year merchandise at EPCOT? What do you think of this year’s collection?
Walt Disney World isn’t just for the young, but also for the young at heart! Yes, a Walt Disney World Vacation has more to offer adults than Dumbo the Flying Elephant and spinning teacups. In addition to award-winning dining and luxury resort hotels, Disney World offers signature quality and service where everything is an experience.
A number of adults shared their opinions about the dining and attractions at Walt Disney World for our Touring Plans Lines 2.0 app, and I’ve compiled a list of the highest-rated attractions based on those ratings. So which ones made the cut? And will you agree with our user ratings? Let’s take a look!
5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a high-speed indoor roller coaster that launches guests from 0 to 57 mph in less than three seconds! Expect inversions and g-forces amid a nighttime Los Angeles setting all to the tunes of Aerosmith and screaming Steven Tyler.
Young Adults Rating: 4.8
Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7
Seniors Rating: 4.1
Why Do Adults Love Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is one of the few Disney World attractions intentionally geared towards an older audience. Classic rock fans will be familiar with the Aerosmith soundtrack, and thrill junkie adults will love the crazy fast launch and inversions.
Also, sound techies and music lovers alike will appreciate the 125-speaker, 24-subwoofer, 32,000-watt audio system built into the coaster’s super-stretch limo ride vehicles!
4. Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash is a mild outdoor coaster designed to look as if Andy constructed it in his backyard using Tinkertoys, his new Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Playkit, and Slinky Dog as the coaster’s train.
Of the three adult age groups, adults over 30 years actually granted Slinky Dog Dash the highest rating. Still, Slinky Dog Dash managed to still score well among young adults and seniors.
Young Adults Rating: 4.6
Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7
Seniors Rating: 4.5
Why Do Adults Love Slinky Dog Dash?
Despite its theme and backstory, this coaster just may be the perfect coaster for adults. It’s entertaining enough for thrill-seekers but smooth and gentle enough for adults prone to motion sickness or who prefer calmer rides. It also means Slinky Dog Dash is a ride both parents and kids will enjoy together.
It’s also worth mentioning that Slinky Dog Dash’s elevated track offers gorgeous views of Toy Story Land, especially at night when the land is lit up and the track glows!
3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a free-fall drop ride within a story and setting inspired by The Twilight Zone television series. The premise is the Hollywood Tower Hotel was struck by lightning on October 31, 1939. A whole section of the hotel, along with an elevator carrying five individuals, plummeted and its occupants mysteriously disappeared.
Guests checking into the hotel today will find the front severely scorched from the lightning strike, as well as a dusty hotel lobby seemingly frozen in time before boarding a maintenance elevator for a trip into the Twilight Zone!
Young Adults Rating: 4.8
Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7
Seniors Rating: 4.5
Why Do Adults Love the Tower of Terror?
Fans of the classic Twilight Zone television series will no doubt enjoy the theme, but all adults will appreciate the level of detail and immersion. Also, unlike other amusement park drop rides, Tower of Terror doesn’t drop just once but multiple times at random offering a different experience each time.
2. Toy Story Mania
Toy Story Mania can best be described as a virtual dark ride through an interactive midway-style shooting gallery. The premise for this attraction is Andy has a new midway carnival game that Woody, Buzz, and the gang are having some fun with. Guests, who have been shrunk down to the size of a toy, are going to test their skills at the individual games and compete for the highest score.
Toy Story Mania is the only attraction in this list to achieve the same rating from all adult age groups!
Young Adults Rating: 4.7
Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7
Seniors Rating: 4.7
Why Do Adults Love the Toy Story Mania?
Toy Story Mania’s user-friendly interactivity is great for kids and non-techie adults, but it’s also challenging enough for other adults and even hard-core gamers. Plus, the ride’s scoring system and ability to compete against your family and other riders adds a whole other level of appeal.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is Walt Disney World’s latest groundbreaking attraction and arguably the crown jewel of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Rise of the Resistance attraction is unique in that it offers multiple ride experiences through multiple ride systems. It’s part dark ride, part simulator, part walk-through, and even includes a small drop and a trackless ride system!
These multiple ride experiences are used to simulate the experience of guests leaving the planet of Batuu, being captured by the First Order, and then making their escape. However, guests must currently book a boarding group through the My Disney Experience app in order to experience this attraction.
This attraction is several rides combined into one massive experience. It’s a technological marvel and possibly one of the most immersive attractions Disney has ever created. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan or familiar with Disney’s recent Star Wars trilogy, you will still enjoy this ride. Plus, apart from a tiny drop, even thrill-wary adults can enjoy this attraction!
Do you agree with our Lines 2.0 app ratings? Which of these attractions would you rate as the highest? Let us know in the comments!
Filed Under: Attractions, Hollywood Studios, Disney Attractions, disney world, Disney World attractions, Disney World For Adults, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions, hollywood studios, Rise of the Resistance, Rock n Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Land, Toy Story Mania, walt disney world
Disney experts pride themselves on their Disney knowledge, but there’s just so much information to remember. We’ve recently been sharing Walt Disney World tips that not everyone remembers. Let’s look at three more tips that most people forget.
You can place mobile order anytime during park hours
You can bring your own food
You can send mail from Walt Disney World
Most Disney-owned quick service restaurants now offer mobile ordering, and are essentially using it exclusively. One way you can save time, and frustration, is to mobile order your food in advance. By the time lunch time actually rolls around your ideal pick-up time may not be available. You can place your mobile order anytime during park operating hours and select any available timeslot.
There’s been times when I have been at my home some 30 miles away and placed my order ahead time so I have one less thing to do when I am actually at the park itself. Be sure to familiarize yourself with how to use Disney’s Mobile Ordering.
Mobile Ordering at Flame Tree Barbecue
While Disney does have some fantastic food and beverages, some guests may prefer to bring their own food, or at least some of their own snacks. You can bring your own food into the theme parks and water parks, under certain guidelines. No glass or loose ice is allowed. And Disney’s official guidelines state that no preparation can be necessary such as cooking the food in any way.
Guest Relations at Magic Kingdom (photo is pre COVID-19)
You can send and receive mail at select locations at Walt Disney World. Every theme park has at least one mailbox at which you can slip in letters or postcards that have postage. You can also visit Guest Relations at the park to drop off letters or postcards to be sent out. The Front Desk at any Disney resort hotel can do so as well. If you need stamps you can purchase them at select merchandise shops. At the Disney resort hotels you can receive mail. You’ll just need to make sure the resort’s address is on the package and your name with the word “Guest” clearly written. There is a $6.00 handling fee for any packages received.
There’s usually a lot of debate as to whether or not you should take your child to Walt Disney World when they’re too young to remember it. My son has now crossed the three year old threshold and I have to say, taking my toddler to Walt Disney World during his teeny tiny years has been great. After three years of Disney visits with my son from infanthood to toddlerhood I would like to share the top three reasons to visit Walt Disney World with a toddler.
Children under 3 years of age are free
Priceless interactions and pictures
An excuse to do all the rides that are best for little ones
Toddler Walking into Seas with Nemo and Friends
Saving a few hundred dollars by not having to pay for your little one that’s under three years of age is so awesome. I am going to miss it so much! Lots of folks say there is no point to bringing a young child to Walt Disney World since they won’t remember it. I can see their point, but I have seen how my son’s interaction with Walt Disney World has evolved from infanthood to toddlerhood. He may not have vivid memories of these visits as he gets older, but there is no doubt impressions were made. And besides, I didn’t have to pay a ticket for him anyway. Of course, our situation is a little unique since we are local and had annual passes since before he was born.
Toddler at EPCOT
After visiting multiple times over the past few years, I would say that of the range from infant to toddler, just after he turned two seems like the sweet spot. When he was an infant there were some great moments, and it was so nice being able to keep him in his holder and not have to worry about him wanting to break free of his stroller. But, infants need regular naps and regular feedings, and as much consistency as possible. Just about the time he turned two years old we could have more flexibility and he could interact with the experiences around him. The threenager rebellion and defiance hadn’t kicked in just making for less chance of a Disney meltdown.
Toddler at EPCOT
The photos we have of him from this past year of visits are priceless to us. Granted as the situation changed over this year, we did not visit near as much as we had hoped at the start of the year. But seeing the awe and wonder as our little toddler explored Walt Disney World puts a big smile on my face.
Toddler at EPCOT
Before you know it, your little toddler will be a preeteen or a teenager and rides that are “for babies” will be off limits – too much embarrassment involved. So get those cute rides in now. Go on Dumbo, visit Pooh Bear, sail aboard it’s a small world, say hi to Nemo and friends – do all the rides that are best for little ones. After all, our littles ones are only little once.
Toddler Viewing a Manatee at Sea with Nemo and Friends
I would like to be clear that I am not necessarily saying now is the time to visit. In the age of the pandemic and necessary COVID-19 precautions, each family needs to decide for themselves if everyone in their party can accept and follow the precautions and feel comfortable, or not. These reasons for visiting Walt Disney World with a toddler apply any time it is right for you and your family.
Have you ever visited Walt Disney World with a toddler? Would you recommend it?
This week’s SATURDAY SIXtakes a look at Universal’s DOCKSIDE INN & SUITES! Earlier this year, Universal had plans to open its eighth onsite hotel, with Dockside Inn & Suites joining Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific Resort, Sapphire Falls, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Aventura Hotel, and Surfside Inn and Suites. Unfortunately, the coronavirus shutdown forced Universal to delay the opening of Dockside until December. With Dockside now open, the hotel – along with nearby Surfside – comprise Universal’s Endless Summer Resort.
While still only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the rest of the Universal Orlando Resort, Endless Summer is the first hotel that is considered “off-site.” However, because it is such a short distance away on Universal Blvd., the bus ride to CityWalk (the “hub” of the Universal Orlando) often takes less time than busses coming from hotels such as Cabana Bay and Aventura. Along with Surfside, Dockside Inn and Suites are the first Universal hotels to be classified in the “Value” category, with a competitive price point being a key selling point of the resort. Today we’re going to look at our favorite parts of Dockside, starting with…
# 6 – Check-In and Lobby Experience
Dockside Inn and Suites entrance. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside Inn and Suites porte-cochère. (photo by Michael Carelli)
In a great touch that will hopefully be copied by other hotels, the porte-cochère has signs alerting guests of what each lane is for. Signage marks areas designed for busses, drop-off and pick-ups, and guests driving through. This is common signage seen in heavily traveled places such as airports. Hopefully this well-designed area will also stop guests from having an accident with their vehicle, like the time a person tried driving down the stairs at Wilderness Lodge.
Porte-cochère signage. (photo by Michael Carelli)
You have arrived at Dockside Inn and Suites…welcome.
“To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” I think that quote is for someplace else, but since Dockside is actually open, well… (photo by Michael Carelli)
During our stay in the holiday season, Christmas trees and other decorations were throughout the lobby.
Dockside. (photo by Michael Carelli)
However, in regular times of the year, the Dockside lobby is meant to evoke the feeling of being near the sea. Note the little touches of a wave pattern in the seating areas and other great design elements.
Photo of Dockside lobby taken in early March, 2020, days before the hotel was originally set to open for guests. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The ubiquitous plexiglas seen throughout Orlando separates guests from the Team Members checking them in. All of the “new normal” safety procedures that we have seen during our stays at Universal hotels are in place and enforced. This includes mask wearing in all public areas, hand sanitizer stations throughout the resort, and Team Members frequently cleaning surfaces. Because of the sheer size of Dockside, social distancing measures are relatively easy for guests to adhere to.
Note this is one of the first examples in the theme park community of themed plexiglas…(photo by Michael Carelli)
There is plenty of seating throughout the lobby area.
Seating for Dockside lobby. (photo by Michael Carelli)
One of our favorite parts of Cabana Bay Beach Resort is the amazing Swizzle Lounge in their lobby. Dockside also has a bar area right off their lobby with Sunset Lounge. The design of this lobby bar is meant to evoke the feeling of a vintage Volkswagen bus that was popular in the 60s and 70s. The lighting fixtures hanging down over the bar even look like headlights!
Sunset Lounge. (photo by Michael Carelli)
There is plenty of seating at the Sunset Lounge bar and nearby area, and is a great place to relax and enjoy a game on one of the TVs. The drink menu has wines and beers (both canned and on tap), along with some specialty cocktails.
Sunset Lounge. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The signature cocktail of Sunset Lounge is the Endless Summer Lemonade (Grey Goose vodka, lemon, and thyme).
Endless Summer Lemonade. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Many readers will be glad to know that the Dockside lobby is also home to a Starbucks. The full menu of Starbucks coffee, tea, and snacks is available. This Starbucks opens even earlier than the hotel’s food court, with operating hours of 5 am – 11 pm.
Starbucks. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The Starbucks at Dockside is one of the few on property which offers cold brew.
# 5 – Themed Gardens
One of my favorite parts of the entire Universal Orlando Resort is their incredible Garden Walk area. Despite various forms of free transportation (including shuttles and water taxis), the Garden Walk allows guests to option to walk pretty much the entirety of the resort in a peaceful nature-filled setting. If a guest feels so inclined, they can walk from Volcano Bay all the way to Portofino Bay and barely notice that they are close to some heavily traveled roadways. Another area on property I adore is the tranquil Butterfly Garden at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Dockside has their own garden area available for people to enjoy, with rest stops themed to various movies! While you canwalk to the Universal parking garage hub from Dockside, there’s no reason to ever do that considering the convenience factor of the complimentary shuttles which will get you there much faster. However, there is still a wonderful themed garden area at Dockside located on the side of the resort facing International Drive. The gardens are designed to be a visual easement for guests looking at one of Orlando’s most busy roadways, but they aren’t just filled with trees for the sake of trees.
Snowball’s Garden has an area set aside with a fire hydrant, which is perfect because it is themed around Secret Life of Pets.
Snowball’s Garden. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The more Back to the Future references we get at Universal the better, but this one is extra special…
Back In Time Garden. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The Back In Time Garden features a quote from “Dr. Emmit Brown” from Back to the Future. The character’s name is actually spelled “Emmett,” which allowed us to immediately induct this typo into the Theme Park Signage Hall of Shame.
Back In Time Garden. (photo by Michael Carelli)
# 4 – Pier 8 Market
Similar to Surfside, Dockside Inn and Suites has no table service restaurant. All food for the resort can be found at the Pier 8 Market quick service. The food court set up of Pier 8 will be very similar to anyone who has stayed at Cabana Bay, Surfside Inn and Suites, or any of Disney’s value resorts such as Pop Century (although Disney fans will be blown away by the shockingly low prices in this food court).
Pier 8 Market. (photo by Michael Carelli)Pier 8 Market. (photo by Michael Carelli)Some of the seating at Pier 8 Market. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Available for breakfast (7-11 am) and lunch and dinner (11 am – 11 pm), Pier 8 Market has a LARGE selection of hot food available at several stations along with a grab and go section. There is something for everyone, including those who consider themselves “picky” eaters (although I’m not sure pancakes, pizza, and chicken fingers can be considered “picky” choices). This includes several options with vegans in mind, including items such as a vegan croissant, vegan burger, and vegan avocado toast. For non-vegans, this may not seem like a big deal, but you wouldn’t believe the amount of restaurants we go to – despite it being 2021 – who sill don’t know what a vegan is let alone have vegan-friendly options.
Vegan Avocado Toast, each one made to order. (photo by Michael Carelli)The Dockworker wrap – turkey, pastrami, Swiss cheese, and slaw. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Chicken and waffles are on the menu all day at Dockside and are as good as they look. While sandwiches are available like the one pictured below, there are also 2 and 8 piece chicken meals available served with mashed potatoes & gravy, coleslaw, and Belgian waffles.
Chicken and waffle sandwich. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Let’s face it, you’re not going hungry at Dockside.
Quiche with hashbrowns. (photo by Michael Carelli)Egg and cheese sandwich. (photo by Michael Carelli)Breakfast wraps. (photo by Michael Carelli)Blueberry muffin with berry anti-oxidant juice. (photo by Michael Carelli)Krispy Kreme donuts and other pastries. (photo by Michael Carelli)Packaged donuts for guests to grab and go. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside pastries. (photo by Michael Carelli)Several different types of breakfast pizzas are available. (photo by Michael Carelli)Grab-n-go drink case. (photo by Michael Carelli)Grab and go salads. (photo by Michael Carelli)Grab and go desserts. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Dockside refillable mug. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Which you can use at Coke Freestyle machines.
Coke Freestyle. (photo by Michael Carelli)
# 3 – The Pool and – more importantly – POOL BAR
For many families, the pool area is where much of their time is spent on vacation. Like Cabana Bay, Dockside has two large pool areas, one for each section of the resort. (Currently, only one courtyard section of the hotel is being occupied by guests.)
For us, the main draw to Dockside’s pool area is The Oasis Beach Bar. Universal’s pool bar game is second to none, and the tradition continues with Oasis. There’s plenty of sitting for guests looking to chill, and several drinks on the menu are named after Wet ‘N Wild slides, which is great touch because the Endless Summer Resort sits on the former home of Wet ‘N Wild, a Florida water park institution!
The Oasis Beach Bar. (photo by Michael Carelli)The Oasis Beach Bar. (photo by Michael Carelli)The Oasis Beach Bar. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The 28N 81W cocktail is named is for the latitude and longitude coordinates of Endless Summer (the coordinates themselves align more with Central Florida, but it’s a fun gimmick name for a drink.)
28N81W – Patron silver tequila and spicy mango. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The Ebb & Flow is the signature frozen cocktail of The Oasis Beach Bar.
Ebb & Flow – Invitation Sauvignon Blanc, peach, and lime. (photo by Michael Carelli)
You can get any drink served in the Bubba Tub. The Bubba Tub Raft slide was an attraction at Wet ‘N Wild, and this tribute bucket is the equivalent of two drinks. We got the Disco H2O, which is named for another former Wet ‘N Wild slide. Whether you get the Disco H2O in a regular glass or Bubba Tub, it is served with a vial of Skittles!
Disco H2O – Tito’s handmade vodka, Skittles syrup, lime, and soda. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Plenty of beers on tap at The Oasis.
Beer taps. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Several of Universal’s resorts now serve an exclusive beer, and Dockside’s draft is named the Dockside Sunset. It is a blonde ale brewed by Veza Sur out of Miami, Florida.
Dockside Sunset beer. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside Sunset beer. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside souvenir cups. (photo by Michael Carelli)
# 2 – The Rooms
Dockside has a couple options of guest rooms available, including standard rooms and two-bedroom suites.
The standard guest room has two queen beds, and at 313 square feet are slightly larger than the standard rooms at Cabana Bay. The vanity and toilet/shower areas of the bathroom are separated. This allows one person to get ready for an upcoming day at the parks while another person is showering. One of my favorite “little things” that I absolutely love about Cabana Bay is that it has retro-themed Zest soap and VO5 shampoo. Endless Resort also features exclusive bathroom products with the “Surf and Sand” collection. Both Disney and Universal have become really good at maximizing guest space in each room, giving plenty of options to keep your stuff off of the floor along with offering many outlets to charge your electronic devices.
Dockside standard room. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside standard room. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside standard room. (photo by Michael Carelli)
The rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each guest stay, along with being kept empty for 48 hours.
TV remote. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside hand santizer. (photo by Michael Carelli)Vanity area. (photo by Michael Carelli)Soap tray. (photo by Michael Carelli)Bathroom area. (photo by Michael Carelli)Surf and Sand collection. (photo by Michael Carelli)Dockside. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Similar to Surfside, the Dockside two bedroom suites include a small kitchen area with dining table.
Dockside two bedroom suite. (photo by Michael Carelli)
# 1 – The Benefits (at THIS price point?!!!)
Places like Aventura and Cabana Bay already offered some pretty competitive price points, but Endless Summer takes it to a whole new level and you have to think some competitors are sweating on I-Drive. With the incredible pricing for the two-bedroom suites, it might make sense for many families taking a Disney vacation to stay at Endless Summer for the amenities and space.
We mentioned that Endless Summer are the first hotels at Universal to not be connected to the rest of the resort. However, they are still extremely close to the action. The picture below gives us a sense of where everything fits in. Dockside Inn and Suites are the buildings at the very front of the photo. Behind them is Surfside Inn and Suites. In the top center of the photo we see Cabana Bay Beach Resort (with Volcano Bay to its left and Aventura Hotel to its right). The red arrow is pointing to the show building for Jurassic Park River Adventure located inside Islands of Adventure. Not to jinx anything, but when Universal eventually opens the Epic Universe theme park, Endless Summer will be conveniently located close to that as well.
Aerial of the Universal Orlando Resort. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Guests staying at Dockside get some great benefits, including one hour early entry into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Dockside also offers guests the opportunity to purchase something at the parks and have it delivered straight to their room, so you don’t have to carry bags around with you all day.
As you can imagine, I get a lot of questions from friends and family about trips to Universal and Disney. When staying at Disney, I pretty much always advise them to rent a car. Disney has plenty of free transportation options, but being at the whim of the Disney bus system can be stressful, especially for guests staying at the value resorts. A couple years ago, my family stayed at the All-Star Resorts at Disney and relied exclusively on buses. The takeaway from that experience? Never Again. In Summer of 2020, my family stayed at Endless Summer for their Universal vacation, and relied entirely on Universal bus transportation.The takeaway from that experience? Can’t Wait To Come Back.
For those who have only stayed onsite at WDW, the bus system at Universal seems almost too good to be true. There is almost ALWAYS a bus waiting for you, and many times another bus pulling in just as one is pulling out. The simple fact is the bus loops for the Universal Orlando Resort are much shorter than for any hotel at Disney. With the amount of busses that Universal has on the road, it is always a short wait for guests at any of the hotels, including Dockside Inn and Suites.
Dockside Inn and Suites bus area. (photo by Michael Carelli)
In the early mornings when guests are preparing for early entry or “rope drop,” you will often find several buses waiting to bring guests to the parks.
Universal buses. (photo by Michael Carelli)This way to fun! (photo by Michael Carelli)Bus arriving to Dockside Inn and Suites. (photo by Michael Carelli)
HONORABLE MENTION – ROOM SERVICE CHICKEN & WAFFLES!
For those that have a late night craving, the 8 piece chicken and waffle bucket can be ordered and delivered straight to your room. For $24, you get 8 pieces of fried chicken, two Belgian waffles, a side of mashed potatoes with gravy, and a side of coleslaw. There are three different sauces you can choose from including; Slopping, Sticky Sauce (bourbon, bacon and maple); Rocket Man (spicy bbq); and Southern Hot (Buffalo style.) Spoiler Alert, all three sauces are very good.
Chicken and Waffles. (photo by Michael Carelli)Oh baby! (photo by Michael Carelli)
Double Secret Honorable Mention – The MERCHANDISE
When I grew up and vacationed with my family, we loved getting a souvenir from the hotel’s gift shop as a memento of our stay. Whether a coffee mug or magnet that we put on the fridge, just seeing the souvenir would bring up memories of our vacation and would spark conversations when friends or family were over. When I started booking trips at Disney’s value resorts, including the All-Stars and Pop Century, I was shocked that they had less hotel-specific merchandise than most of the other hotels at Disney. In my naivety I assumed they would have more than the other hotels, because they had more guests coming through the doors. For those guests like me and my family, Dockside has you covered when it comes to souvenirs with a ton of options in the gift shop, including – welcome to 2021 – Endless Summer branded neck gaiters.
Endless Summer neck gaiter. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer coffee mug. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer shot glasses. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer cups. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer coaster. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer coasters. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer towels. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer photo frame. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer pin. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer magnets. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer ornament. (photo by Michael Carelli)Just a couple of the Endless Summer shirts that are available. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer trucker’s hat. (photo by Michael Carelli)ENDLESS SUMMER SOCKS. (photo by Michael Carelli)Endless Summer tote bag. (photo by Michael Carelli)
Endless Summer balacava. These are pretty wild as they can be used for a variety of functions…
Endless Summer thing that you put on your head. (photo by Michael Carelli)Wait, you can put on your wrist too?! (photo by Michael Carelli)
So there you have it: Six Reasons we Love Universal’s DOCKSIDE INN & SUITES!See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles covering the latest from the Disney Outlet Stores. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).
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Slinky Dog Dash is a mild outdoor coaster designed to look as if Andy constructed it in his backyard using Tinkertoys, his new Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Playkit, and Slinky Dog as the coaster’s train.
Despite its theme and backstory, this coaster just may be the perfect coaster for adults. It’s entertaining enough for thrill-seekers but smooth and gentle enough for adults prone to motion sickness or who prefer calmer rides. It also means Slinky Dog Dash is a ride both parents and kids will enjoy together.
Fans of the classic Twilight Zone television series will no doubt enjoy the theme, but all adults will appreciate the level of detail and immersion. Also, unlike other amusement park drop rides, Tower of Terror doesn’t drop just once but multiple times at random offering a different experience each time.
Toy Story Mania can best be described as a virtual dark ride through an interactive midway-style shooting gallery. The premise for this attraction is Andy has a new midway carnival game that Woody, Buzz, and the gang are having some fun with. Guests, who have been shrunk down to the size of a toy, are going to test their skills at the individual games and compete for the highest score.
Toy Story Mania’s user-friendly interactivity is great for kids and non-techie adults, but it’s also challenging enough for other adults and even hard-core gamers. Plus, the ride’s scoring system and ability to compete against your family and other riders adds a whole other level of appeal.
