Monthly Archives: April 2015

Should We “Re-Imagine” Test Track?

Hello!  Good morning!  No, my friends.  I did not forget all the hard work you did this past Sunday.  Yesterday was just a very busy day!

So, let me tell you what didn’t surprise me about your tour through some of Walt Disney World’s speediest thrill rides …

Space Mountain?  It’s too wild?  Settle it down?  Hah!  The masses have spoken.  Over 80% of you say, “Are you kidding me?  It’s perfect!”

Photo Jan 30, 11 09 26 AM

Yeah, Space is staying just as it is.  Not a surprise!  Not in the least.

Hmm.  Expedition Everest.  That yeti has been busted for years.!  I had someone ask me, “What’s wrong with Yeti?”  Uh, he’s paralyzed, I quipped.

Should we “[s]hut the attraction down and fix Yeti, for Mickey’s sake!”?  Almost 70% of you shout, “Yes!”  Again, not a shock.

When it came to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, I gave you a choice.  Paint it, or re-theme it!  After all, Aerosmith is SO yesterday … right?  Right.

IMG_7040

No.  Almost 65% of you scoffed at me and declared, “A fresh ‘paint job’ will do.  Please leave the rest alone!”  Well, you sure put me in my place, I’d say.

It was your indisputable opinion of Test Track’s 2012 reincarnation as “Test Track Presented by Chevrolet” that caught my astonishment!

IMG_1436

Over 30% of you are so disappointed with the current version of this attraction that you’re proponents of returning it to its original state – the version first-opened in 1999!

Nearly 45% of you want Disney to rehab it again … just two years later!  Wow!

Less than 25% of you want to “Keep the current version!”?  Hey!  If that’s the case, why is the line always so darn long?!

Truthfully, folks, I am a bit stunned by the result!

What is it, my friends, that we dislike so much about the “new” Test Track?  Or, is it that we just plain miss the old version?

I can tell you what it is for me … it’s the track.  It’s really hard to enjoy the attraction when, as you traverse the course, all you can “see” and feel is the old ride.

Sure, it would have cost more money, but you should have truly changed the attraction, Disney.  All of the interactive theming is great, but, in the end, the ride simply got a glorified, shockingly blue, paint job!

Am I wrong, folks?  What are your thoughts?  What disappoints you about the current version?  Please leave a comment, here at All in WDW, on Facebook, Reddit, or on Twitter.  Let the fans know your thoughts!

Why does “Test Track Presented by Chevrolet” turn you off?  Are you amidst the 25% that enjoy the attraction?  Then, why?

Let your voice be heard!  Have a great day, everyone!

Speed, Thrills, Trivia and Polls! What’re Your Opinions?! VOTE!

First things first.  Readers’ from far and wide chased after me yesterday.  Those that did wanted desperately to know the answer to yesterday’s trivia question.

Well, here it is …

  1. Test Track – 65 mph
  2. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – 57
  3. Expedition Everest – 50
  4. Space Mountain – 27

So, that would mean that Group B was the correct response to Saturday’s trivia challenge!  But, then, you already knew that, didn’t you?  Almost 60% of you did, at least!  Great job!

IMG_1436

You know, yesterday’s question got me to thinking.

If you remember, I commented that, “Not all of us love Walt Disney World’s wildest and most-daring of attractions, but, let’s face it – they’re very popular.”

They are very popular … but, do we really like them just the way they are?  Let’s put on our “Imagineering” hats, my friends, and see what we’d do with these four WDW “gems”!

Test Track.  Old vs. new.  A lot of people prefer the “old” version of Test Track as opposed to the new.  How about you?  If you were “Imagineer” for a day, would you …

_________________________

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.  This is one of my most-favorite attractions on property, but even I can see the need for a small bit of “Spring Cleaning”.  What do you think?

_________________________

Expedition Everest.  Yo, Yeti!  Wake up!  Wake up, Yeti!  What the ….

_________________________

Space Mountain.  Wikipedia lists this iconic coaster at a mere 27 mph, but Mrs. All in WDW and I think it’s the wildest and worst of any thrill ride we’ve ever experienced.  If it were us, we’d “calm it down”.  You?

Do You Have a Need for Speed?! It’s WDW Trivia!

It’s high time for some trivia, my friends!  Hey, we haven’t tackled one of All in WDW’s not-so-tough little “puzzles” for … well, for months, I think!

Who doesn’t love a great thrill ride?  Who doesn’t love speed?  I know.  Not all of us love Walt Disney World’s wildest and most-daring of attractions, but, let’s face it – they’re very popular.

Rock 'n Roller

Well, whether you truly have a need for speed or not, your challenge for today is to try your hand at this task …

Which of the four groupings below accurately reflect the ranking of these four attractions from fastest to slowest in miles per hour (mph)?

GROUP A

  1. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  2. Test Track
  3. Space Mountain
  4. Expedition Everest

GROUP B

  1. Test Track
  2. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  3. Expedition Everest
  4. Space Mountain

GROUP C

  1. Expedition Everest
  2. Test Track
  3. Space Mountain
  4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

GROUP D

  1. Test Track
  2. Expedition Everest
  3. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  4. Space Mountain

Hey! It’s a Food Truck Fantasy!

Oh, yeah, it is.  One big, delicious traffic jam of Disney-fied food trucks!  Take a look!

Photo Apr 04, 12 45 12 PM

Photo Apr 04, 12 35 58 PM

Photo Apr 04, 12 23 27 PM

Photo Apr 04, 12 23 48 PM

[]

_________________________

Photo Apr 04, 12 22 43 PM

Namaste Cafe

  • Samosas & Naan Dipping Safari – ($11.00)
  • Lamb Kefta on Naan Bread – ($12.00)
  • Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice – ($9.50)
  • Char-grilled Tandoori Shrimp with Basmati Rice – ($12.25)

[]

_________________________

Photo Apr 04, 12 22 11 PM

Superstar Catering

  • Sausage & Caramelized Onion Flatbread – ($9.50)
  • A Taste of Disney’s Hollywood Studios (BLT Soup, Cobb Salad, and Grapefruit Cake) – ($14.00)
  • Pork Shank with Gruyere Mac ‘n’ Cheese – ($12.00)

[]

_________________________

Photo Apr 04, 12 22 23 PM

World Showcase of Flavors

  • Pierogies with Kielbasa and Caramelized Onions – ($8.50)
  • Grilled Chicken Breast Gyro with House-Made Chips – ($9.50)
  • Florida Local Grass-Fed Beef Sliders with House-Made Chips – ($9.50)

[]

_________________________

Photo Apr 04, 12 22 56 PM

Fantasy Fare

  • Grilled Ham & Cheese with Waffle Fries – ($11.00)
  • Sweet Potato Puffs with Marshmallow Cream – ($5.00)
  • Corn Dog with Waffle Fries – ($7.50)
  • Buffalo Chicken & Waffles with Cornbread and Sriracha Maple Syrup – ($10.25)

_________________________

What looks good to you, my friends?  To be honest, although we didn’t take the opportunity to eat this time around, a couple of dishes caught our eye.

For starters, how about a nice, healthy serving of Butter Chicken?  Hey!  Sanaa’s recipe is phenomenal.  I’m sure Namaste’s is just as good.

Superstar’s trio of Hollywood Studios delights is quite intriguing, but a Pork Shank with Gruyere Mac ‘n’ Cheese?  Yum!

As you know, we’re aficionados of Epcot’s Food & Wine festival.  A heaping plate of Pierogies with Kielbasa and Caramelized Onions sounds outstanding.

Finally, take a look at Fantasy Fare.  Buffalo Chicken & Waffles?  With Cornbread?  And, just how good does Sriracha Maple Syrup taste?  I can’t wait to find out!

Having said all this, we were a bit taken aback by the prices.  It is pretty steep for “truck” food, in our opinions.  Having said that, we’ll stop to dine soon, I’m very sure!  How about you?

Dining Recon: Wolfgang Puck Express

Good morning, folks!  I’m going to start this day off with a bold declaration – Wolfgang Puck serves the best breakfast sandwich on the planet!

Mrs. All in WDW and I got a chance to visit Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney’s Marketplace for the very first time several weeks back.  It was a great call!  Breakfast was delicious!

But, before we get to the food, let’s check out the chef’s facilities and decor …

IMG_8074

IMG_8073

As you enter Wolfgang's, you turn left to find the counter.

As you enter Wolfgang’s, you turn left to approach the counter.

The full menu!

The full menu!

Breakfast!

Breakfast!

To the right of the counter, you'll find the first of the interior seating areas.

To the right of the counter, you’ll find the chef’s open kitchen.

IMG_8060

Complete with “Chef Tables”!

IMG_8062

Walk through the chef's "kitchen" to get to the main seating area.

Walk through that “kitchen” to get to the restaurant’s main indoor seating area.

IMG_8059

A VERY clean establishment.

Waiting for breakfast!

Waiting for breakfast!

You order at the counter, of course, and then proceed into the restaurant to take a seat.  A server will bring you your meal.  So, what did we have to eat that day?  Mmm.  A fabulous breakfast!

IMG_8067

Mrs. All in WDW ordered a Roasted Mushroom and Spinach Omelet.  She subbed in an arugula salad for the dish’s crispy potatoes.  It was excellent!

On the other hand, I enjoyed a Sunrise Sandwich.  Accompanied by the very same arugula salad, it was a sandwich of scrambled eggs, bacon, mozzarella, tomatoes, and garlic aioli.

IMG_8065

The bread (bun) was warm and soft.  The flavors were phenomenal!

Finally, my friends, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that you can choose to sit outside and enjoy your meal in the Florida sunshine!

IMG_8075

IMG_8076

All in all, Mrs. All in WDW and I had a great visit to Wolfgang Puck Express.  We’ll definitely stop in again.  We urge you to do the same!