La Cava del Tequila Bar

Inside the Mexico Pavilion, in the World Showcase in Epcot, there’s a little watering hole called La Cava, “the cave”. It’s a well-known haunt for locals and residents and prior guests who like to revel in the flavors of the Agave plant.

This little bar has a small, cozy lounge inside where guests can sit, or stand at a tall table, and enjoy the Tequila based libations for as long as they like. It looks like an old Mexican style Cantina someplace deep in Mexico, literally “a hole in the wall”. Worry not my fellow traveler, what they lack in size, they more than make up for in punch!

Like many people I used to have a fear of Tequila … well, let’s call it a healthy respect. I simply didn’t drink it much. I almost never did shots of it. I nearly made myself sick once, and from then on Tequila became my last choice of alcohols, and certainly never something I’d want to take home with me. I’m sure many of us have been there; although, not anymore!

Now, let me back up for a minute. I’m not a Tequila drinker … I never really cared for Tequila. I’m a Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch kind of guy. After that my booze of choice is a good Vodka. I have my favorites and preferences like everyone else, however, I almost never drink Tequila.  I just never liked what I had over the years, and it got boring. If you’re like me, pay attention, and give this place a try. My eyes were opened, and my taste buds were AMAZED!!

I have recently found a new affinity for Tequila, because at La Cava, they have this wonderful thing called a Tequila Flight. A ”Flight” of something is a small amount, more than 1-2  drinks/cups/shots of various types or flavors of beverage (usually three; however more are also common). While visiting La Cava on a whim in 2018, there I was, staring over the menu at a tall table not knowing what to have or what I liked. I had no idea what to get. I went in to try something new, expand my horizons, and be on an adventure. I decided to try their Premium Flight of Tequilas.

What Did I Know?

After speaking to the bartender, I realized I didn’t want a Margarita. I talked to the her in more detail, we talked about what I wanted, what I liked, and how I was kind of “afraid” of tequila; so I wanted a decent or high quality experience. She knew just the thing!  She flipped to the back of the menu and pointed me towards the Premium Tequila Flight. I agreed to try it. So there I was, a complete noob, going in on 6 half ounce shots of Tequila I’d never heard of before. To say I was a tiny bit apprehensive would be an understatement.

Fortunately, I found some new friends who were in line behind me at the bar, and were all wondering what I ordered. I explained it to them as best I could and they seemed interested. So I shared sips of my Premium Flight with them, and we all vastly enjoyed these wonderful tequilas.

Tasting Review

In the flight, Left to Right (or Right to Left depending on your orientation to the table) as they are served on the board:  Tapatio 110 Proof Blanco, Suerte Reposado, Volcan Christiano Anejo,  Avion 44 Extra Anejo, and Casa Dragones Joven.

This was a new experience for me. I’d had Beer Flights before, and there were only 3 beers in each flight. Here I was with 6 different Tequilas! WOW!! I was almost freaking out; but when it was all said and done, and the flavors were tasted, it was such a tremendous and worthy experience.

I know people don’t think about going to Walt Disney World and having such an enlightening, thought provoking, learning experience; however, this was one of those times where I really grew. I realized I really DO like tequila. Tequila gets a bad reputation, unfairly so. I think the bartenders and Cast Members at La Cava would be thrilled to help you have a wonderful drinking experience and expand your horizons or try something new. Feel free to ask for their recommendations on Tequilas. They have over 70 Tequilas to choose from.

I’m just getting started; won’t you join me?

TIPS FOR A BETTER EXPERIENCE:

• Take sips of water between sips of tequila.
• Try to cleanse your  palate as much as possible before your next taste.
• Enjoy!
• If money is no object, or you’re wanting an exceptional experience, start with the Premium Flight then go higher.
• Never go down once you’ve had the Top-Shelf Tequilas.

What you should take away from this experience is that Disney, or whomever it is that runs La Cava’s Tequila list, has all of their proverbial ducks in a row. They know what they’re doing here.

#2disneyenthusiasts

YES, ABSOLUTELY! We find great value in the After Hours (AH) events held at the various Disney parks.
Animal Kingdom (AK) being the first most valuable and Magic Kingdom (MK) second. It’s a GREAT way to enjoy the parks if you suffer from anxiety or other ailments that make it difficult for you to be in crowds.

What is After Hours?

After Hours is a special ticketed event that gives you 3 extra hours in the certain parks after closing. Your ticket includes access to the park for the 3 hours, with NO CROWDS, and FREE UNLIMITED sodas, bottled waters, Mickey Ice Cream Bars, Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches, and Popcorn. Depending on the park, there may be additional snack offerings, like Fruit Bars or Frozen Bananas. You can literally pig out on snacks the whole night for FREE!!

The event costs $125 (Annual Passholders get a small discount) per person. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time online or on the day of the event at Guest Relations. Wristbands for the event are distributed at a specific location in the park about one hour before the event starts.

Why is it Worth the Extra Money?

Because Animal Kingdom has one of the newest, hottest, most popular rides in all of Disney World, Flights of Passage (FoP). FoP normally has at least a 2 hour wait time and Fast Passes are very difficult to get. During After Hours, you don’t wait more than 15 minutes – AMAZING!!

Magic Kingdom is fantastic as well because at 8 PM they start asking guests for Wristbands for the After Hours event, and people without them cannot get into line for a ride or attraction. Some After Hours events are scheduled later in the night, some 8-11 PM, others will start at 11 PM and go until 1 AM. Be sure to check the Walt Disney World Website (disneyworld.disney.go.com) events for a list of times.

1. From the Disney World main page, select Things to Do. You can also type “After Hours” into the search bar at the top.
2. Select Events and Tours under the Activities section.
3. On the Events and Tours page, scroll down until you find the Disney After Hours events.
4. Click on the park you want to attend then scroll down to the schedule of when the events happen and their times.

During After Hours, ride lines are about 5 minutes long, if no line at all. When the event starts, people tend to hit up the rides with the typically longer lines first. So, after the first hour when most everyone is spread out and other guests have left, there are literally NO LINES, save for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Because of how that queue is set up, there’s a line nearly all the time. The last time I went on it, I was one of only 3 people on the entire train!!

The greatest value is in being able to go on ALL the MAJOR and most of the minor rides and attractions inside Magic Kingdom WITHOUT any lines!! IT’S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE!!

Along with your entry fee you get admission for 3 hours, FREE UNLIMITED Bottled Water, Mickey Ice Cream Bars (“Mickey Bar”), Popcorn, Frozen Bananas, and Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches. Just walk up to a stand with the snacks, they ask you what you would like and give it to you.

The Greatest Value in the Park

Bottled Water. It’s the best value because it’s water and it’s normally $3.50 a bottle. The value is that it’s still water and you need it. Popcorn makes you thirsty. Soda makes you thirsty. Ice Cream may not make you thirsty but you don’t need it like you need water. You can go without everything else on the list, but you still need water.

At my first After Hours event in Magic Kingdom, I walked around between rides asking for bottles of water. I ended up filling my backpack with 3 bottles of water, one in my pocket, I lost one bottle on a ride and had to replace it, and I drank one before I left the parks. In total my haul was 5 ½ bottles of water. I ended up coming home with 3 in my bag, along with a bottle of coke. I also ate 2 Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches and 2 boxes of Popcorn (normally those are $5 each). I also tried a Frozen Banana (Chocolate covered), which I found to be gross and tossed it. When all was said and done, I got about $50 worth of snack items for FREE, and could have easily gotten more.

If you’re looking for something extra to do and you have the budget for it, do the After Hours event at either Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom for the best value.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• All the restaurants and eateries will be closed when the park closes at it’s normal hours; so make sure you eat a good meal ahead of the After Hours event. Yes, they have snacks, but it’s not the same as a solid meal.
• Use the snacks to keep your energy up while romping around the park.
• If you have more than two people and want the best value, make sure everyone orders their own snack or bottle of water.
• Take a small bag or backpack with you. The drawstring ones are perfect and not too bulky.
• Water rides at night during the winter? Reconsider if it’s chilly outside.
• Make sure to get your Wristband as early as possible. That way you can be anywhere in the park when the park officially closes, and still go on rides and attractions without issue. The Cast Members (CMs) will simply ask to see your wristband and then allow you to get in line. They also give you a times guide listing the special activities and times of any shows.
• If you have a Magic Band you can add your ticket to the event to your account, so when you enter, they will simply scan your band, and a CM will be right there to put your wristband on you.
• Wristbands are the plastic snap on kind, not the sticky tape paper kind that pull your arm hairs. (YAY!)

• There are no shops open more than an hour after regular Park Closing time, so if you want to buy any items, do it early vs. waiting until you leave.
• At Animal Kingdom, when the restaurants and Quick Service food stands are closed, the bar near Expedition Everest will still be open. Next to that bar there is a food stand that serves all of the snacks during the event. You can get both an adult bevy and a snack at the same place.
• At Animal Kingdom there’s a DJ in Dinoland USA! Go dance! It’s fun and there are restrooms open nearby.
• Plan your 3 hour adventure! Take a moment to plan out your path from ride to ride or attraction to attraction because you still have a limited amount of time and want to get the most bang for your buck!
• Get a map. Figure out where you want to go first, and then make a Clockwise or Counter-clockwise loop around the park to do everything you want to do. At Magic Kingdom this is especially efficient, and everyone should be able to do everything they want (with the exception of a few attractions being closed) in that 3 hour window. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you’re there and you’ve done it all and still have an hour left, it feels pretty good!

Have FUN and enjoy your After Hours Adventure!!

#2disneyenthusiasts #disneyafterhours

Many people ask about how long it takes to get to/from Disney World from the airport or other places. People often want to know how long it will take to get places in Disney World, including from/to the airport. Below, is a detailed look at times and why things take as long as they do.

It depends on simply going from point A to point B, traffic, the number of people in front of you, how far you must go, and other factors outside of your control. Generally, plan to leave early if you have reservations anywhere.

I’ve seen lots of people ask, “How long is it going to take to get to…” or “How much time should I allocate for getting to my dining reservation?” This timing is based on where you are staying on your vacation. Most of the time you can generally, and easily, assume 20 minutes. It’s not accurate and sometimes things happen. Traffic, attraction failures, kitchen mishaps, parades, shows let out, or a large event may be happening soon, and crowds are just warily leaving the park or going to the park.

So let’s start with the basics. (Skip to the end of this blog for the TLDR of listed wait times.)

Depending on where you are staying, this information should help you understand how much time you need or is required.

Airport  – Orlando International (MCO):
Disney’s Magical Express (DME):
If you’re an arriving guest to the airport and you’re staying in one of the Disney World Resorts and have signed up for transportation via DME, you’ll have a piece of paper and/or reservations on your account attached to your Magic Band(s) that has your DME bus trip on it. They’ll have room for you; however, not everyone is staying at the same resort. The very popular resorts like the All-Star Resorts, Movies, Music, and Sports, will all have full buses. Those buses will wait for people or will leave as soon as they are full. Depending on what time of day/night you arrive, those buses will wait longer or leave sooner based on their load of people or if they exceed their maximum wait time for guests and then go back to the resorts to pick up more people who are leaving. They’re on an abnormal schedule. They come and go as they need to, but each driver is trained to give a certain amount of time between trips back and forth.

The trip time is 30 minutes into Disney World. Your other wait times, like waiting to get on the bus, may differ. If you’re in a large line going to an All-Star Resort, your line will be lengthy as compared to someone who is going to a resort like Caribbean Beach.  Don’t be upset by this, they guarantee you a spot on the bus. Sometimes multiple flights land at the same time and a horde of people will show up to the lines. There is an ebb and flow to the people traffic in the queue system they have downstairs in the lower level of the airport.

Summary of Times:
Wait time in line – up to 20 minutes
Bus ride to Disney World – 30 minutes

Rental Car:
The trip is usually about 30 minutes, however, some people driver faster or slower than others. Some people adhere to the speed limit and some people don’t. Keep an eye out for those people and make way. Better to be safe than sorry. If you drive fast, 20 minutes If you drive normally, 30 minutes.

If you’re going to an Airbnb or an Off-Property hotel, your destination will either cut that time or increase that time to arrive.

Summary of Times:
Driving in from airport – 20-30 minutes, depending on where you’re staying.

Check-in Times:
Disney Resorts
Typically – 20-30 minutes; although, it could be as little as 5 minutes. It all depends on how many people are ahead of you when you get there. Don’t worry! They can and will deliver your luggage to your room if you want to simply check in and go directly to the parks. GO HAVE FUN!

Airbnb:
As long as it takes you to follow the instructions you receive from the owner and enter the property. Typically, it’s as quick as drop your bags and go!

Off-Property Hotels:
Typically, 10-15 minutes; although, it could be as little as 5 minutes. It all depends on how many people are ahead of you when you get there.

Resort to Parks:
The general assumption for this is 12-20 minutes; although, times will vary based on distance to each park from its respective resort. Some resorts are right in the middle, some are on the outskirts. The Free Disney Parks buses run all day and up until 90 minutes after Park Close, make sure to check what times each park closes on the days you visit. They are different most of the time.

Summary of Times:
Average time – 15 minutes, not including loading times for busy resorts.
The longest wait time on the bus – up to 45 minutes at the busiest times.

Dining Reservations:
Nearly everyone who visits “The World” makes dining reservations at some of the more popular restaurants. Because of their popularity, they are always busy. If you are dining at Be Our Guest or any of the other popular and busy eateries in the Magic Kingdom (MK), give yourself an hour, seriously, an hour to get there and check in. An hour is needed because of the long travel time from Resort, to Park, through the entrance, and then walking all the way through the park to get to Be Our Guest (BOG). It’s on the far North side of the park, and you must walk there.

Summary of Times:
Roughly 20 minutes to travel from your resort to the Magic Kingdom.
20 minutes to go through security and take either the Monorail or the Ferry from the Ticket & Transportation Center (TTC).
Roughly 20 minutes to walk up there from the entrance after you get in. This is especially important if you have small children or a stroller.

Disney Springs and the Disney Springs Area:
Not all the hotels in the Disney Springs area have complimentary bus or transportation services. Those that do have odd times they come and go. Some of them have buses, but only come and go from the parks maybe 4 times a day. Some are more often, but then only return to the hotel(s) 4 times a night as well. Some of them return at 10:00 or 10:30 PM at the latest, but the parks may be open until Midnight or later, depending on special events or Extra Magic Hours (EMH). So, if you’re staying at any of the Disney Springs area hotels make sure to check their transportation times. Remember to keep this in mind for future visits. Also, several of the buses that provide service to and from those hotels visit 3-4 hotels on their route, which increases the time it takes to get to your destination. Every bus will be at FULL capacity in the evenings during park closing times.

Disney Springs is a great way to relax when not going to the parks. There is bus service from all the Disney Resorts. Many of the Disney Springs Area hotels are within walking distance.

The bus trip times from the Disney Resorts will vary significantly based on traffic to and from Disney Springs; however, if you are driving, expect 10 minutes trying to find parking. Be sure to check the upper levels of Lime and Orange as they usually have more open spots.

Summary of Times:
10-15 minutes from a Resort to the Parking Garages.
If you have a dining reservation at one of the restaurants in Disney Springs, give yourself an extra 30 minutes for parking and walking in.

TLDR:
Important Destinations and Estimated Times:

• From Orlando International (MCO) Airport to Walt Disney World Area or Any Resort – basically assume 30 minutes of travel time but up to 40 minutes
• To/From Airport – 30 minutes
• Resorts to Parks – 12-20 minutes
• Parks to Resorts at Closing Time – up to 1 hour because of waiting in line for the bus.
• Check-in Time at a Resort – 20 minutes
• Magic Kingdom (MK) Parking Lot to Ticket & Transportation Center – 10+ minutes
• Ferry Boat Transport Across the Lagoon – 20 minutes
• Monorail Transport – 15 minutes
• Walk to MK Entrance from Monorail/Ferry Boat – 5-10 minutes
• Animal Kingdom (AK) Parking Lot to Entrance – 10 minutes; Feels like a longer walk, but still not as far as the Magic Kingdom.
• Epcot Parking Lot to Entrance – 10 minutes; A straight shot directly to the entrance.
• Disney Hollywood Studios (DHS) Parking Lot to Entrance – normally 10 minutes; however, with the construction for the new attractions, plan for 20-30 minutes.
• Disney Springs – 10 to 15 minutes; Parking might take a while.
• From Room to Front Desk of a Hotel, or Bus Waiting Area – assume 5-10 minutes
• Checking in at a Dining Reservation – allow a minimum of 10 minutes, but up to 30 minutes for seating.

#2disneyenthusiats

Ok, so the title may be a little misunderstood since you’ve already spent a lot of money just to GO to Disney World. That being said, there exists this list of “Don’ts” you can use to save money, which will seem logical. If you’re on a really tight budget yet still just want to go see and do everything, you can.  Somethings may be easier to do/not do than others, so take them or leave them as you see fit. Use good discretion when thinking about where you want to spend your money. Not everyone has the advantage of showing up to Walt Disney World (WDW)/Orlando with a 100lb. box of $100 dollar bills. If that’s you, then this article isn’t for you. It’s for the broke artist or the college student or the family who’s been saving up for this trip for years. I came up with this list for two reasons:  1) because people tell me how expensive it is and the price keeps a WDW trip out of reach for them for a long time, and 2) because I’ve seen how much we (two people, male & female hetero couple) spend.

#1. No Drinking.  Yeah, sorry, the adult beverages and tasty libations they serve at three of the Disney Parks in WDW are expensive. You’ll spend upwards of $13+ on mixed drinks and beers are no better at $6-$8 in the parks and Resorts, depending on what you get. Even the smaller premium bottles in the Gift Shop will run you plus/minus $20 and you get about two and a half drinks out of them. Buying booze off property and bringing it to your room would save you a lot of money; however, you can’t walk around with it in the parks.

#2. No Fine Dining.  Seems logical, right? But Fine Dining in WDW is also very pricey.  It’s food and usually you get what you pay for – good or excellent quality of food and service. Still, if you’re on a budget, keep the Fine Dining to a minimum. Once is good for a couple; however, for a family of 3-4 or more people you can easily break the bank with one meal.

#3. Don’t buy Souvenirs.  Yeah, I know, your kids want something fun to play with or that awesome light-up toy at night; but you know the batteries are going to wear out in a few days. Still, tell the kids you need to hold off or “next time”. Save the toys for before you leave or set some money aside for these things. They’re usually a high desire item for the kids. Figure $15 to $30 for each light-up toy item and a little more or less for things that don’t light up. Even we have a tendency to say, “OK, we’re not buying a bunch of stuff this time..” and then we get there and see new coffee mugs we love and end up having a few sent home. Same with Mickey underwear and other clothes that we like. I saw one statistic that Disney makes over a BILLION dollars a year just selling memorabilia and toys and other “junk”. If you’re going to spring for something like that, make sure it’s something you’re going to use or wear often. Try to get things that won’t break easily or fall apart after you get home. Any kind of useable item to keep the Disney World memories fresh in your mind are great.

#4. Lay Off the Sweets & Confections.  Unfortunately, your sweet tooth has to take a backseat. It’s a horrible thing to say you can’t have ANY sweets, since Disney is very good at providing high quality treats at all the parks. Some are even handmade in the Confectionary shop. Try to keep the sweets, including desserts to a minimum. Everyone loves the Dole Whip ice cream and pineapple juice treat; so maybe have one of those. Just remember, for a family of four to each have one, that’s more than $20 out of your pocket.

#5. Eat Off-Property Whenever You Can.  If you’re staying off-property, meaning not in a Disney World Resort hotel, you’re probably already saving money. It’s a good idea to have family meals outside the parks to save money, because inside “The World” they have you as a captive audience, and we all know that prices are higher inside the parks. In WDW it’s highly inefficient to leave a park, go back to the parking lot and drive out several miles just to eat.  People have done it. We’ve even done it. When it comes to eating off-property, it’s best to have a solid breakfast or a nice dinner off-property either before going into the parks or after a long day. We are fond of Perkin’s restaurant and one or a few of them are open late or 24 hours, depending on location. Their prices are reasonable compared to inside the parks.

• A big, lesser known trick is No Kids Meals. I’ve heard people say these are a “rip-off”; although they’re not a rip off if your kid eats the entire thing. The trick to eating in WDW and saving money is to not get a kids meal. Sometimes the kids don’t eat very much of it or they don’t want it right away.  What you do is feed them off of your plate.  Order something both you and your kids will eat.
• Another option is ordering pizza from off-property places, which is not a big deal and can save you money. If you’re staying on-property, you can still order Domino’s Pizza for delivery. It’s usually cheaper and better quality than the pizza you get from any of the eateries in the Resorts. We’ve done this and Domino’s was our go-to pizza. It took a bit longer, but we didn’t mind the wait.
• If you’re staying off-property, you have a very large selection of options. Check local maps on your mobile device for restaurant and fast food locations.  There’s everything from Subway to steakhouses and even fine dining spread around “The World”.
• Don’t bother with buffets, unless you’ve specifically chosen a Character Dining Meal. All the buffets are very expensive and the quality of food is not worth the price you’re paying. In some locations they have some really nice food selections of good quality; yet in others, breakfast for example, is pretty average for what you’re paying. With the Character Dining Buffet Meals you are really paying for the interaction with the characters, not the food.
• Bring Snacks! Disney doesn’t mind if you bring in snacks. Buying or bringing snacks with you is perfectly acceptable. If you ever get hassled by any Disney CMs or security for any reason about the food you’re bringing in, simply say that you or your children have a specific dietary requirement and they’ll leave you alone. It’s not a big deal and I’ve never heard of anyone having any issues with CMs or security about it. My sister’s family brought lots of snacks and even made small sandwiches for her girls to eat. The only issue is keeping them cold so they don’t spoil, so keep that in mind.

#6. Travel:  Fly vs. Drive.  This is often a tough question, as flying is far more efficient than driving many hours. My opinion is if you’re on a budget, drive, unless you’ve already prepared to pay for flights. If you’re still not sure about whether to fly or drive, compare the cost of driving down and back to the total price of airfare. Figure out how many hours in the car you are willing to deal with vs. how much money you’re willing to spend to take the trip. Then figure out how many miles you’ll get per tank of gas and add up those costs, including meals for everyone in your party, to and from, and any extra days of missed work from driving. Some people have a finite amount of vacation time, so flying might ultimately be better overall. Compare that number to the cost of flying to make your decision. If the numbers are close to one another, fly. If your drive is under 8 hours, drive.

We’ve driven to and from WDW from the DC Metro area, it’s easily 13 hours one way. If you can afford it and live further than 12-13 hours from WDW, I suggest flying. The advantages of flying in time management might balance out or justify the cost. Do the math though, figuring out the numbers will help tremendously, and remember, if you’re staying off-property, you’ll need to pay for parking at each park you visit daily. It’s $20 per park, per day. If you’re staying on-property, you can park your car for free and take the free Disney Buses to the parks.

#7. Wait.  If you’re worried about exceeding a planned budget, just wait to go and save up more money. Disney World will always be there and they will always welcome you and your family. It will always cost money to travel there; so saving up doesn’t hurt you.

#8. Look for Deals Online.  Look for deals that fit you or your family very well and plan to go during off-peak times. If you can deal with having the kids out of school for a few extra days, or a week, there are several times a year when the special offers and deals can save you a lot of money. For example:  If you can stay on-property for a week for under $1,000 in any Disney Resort Hotel, grab it!! These special deals tend to pop up on the Disney World website soon after or shortly after school starts. September, November, early to mid January, and some other weeks throughout the first half of the year will also have some good deals. Basically, NOT Summer. Still check airlines for special deals during the Summer. Sometimes they equal out and you may want to drive instead.

Other Things to Consider.  Staying on-property may cost a bit more; yet might be worth it because you won’t have to pay for parking every day and you won’t have to spend extra money on gas driving around. Compare costs of flying vs. driving and the value of your sanity. Also remember that Orlando is a vacation heavy traffic area and you’ll want extra time to get to/from the airport or simply drive on the freeway. If you fly and are staying on-property, Disney offers Disney’s Magical Express, which is a FREE bus service you can take directly from the airport to your Resort hotel and then back to the airport when it’s time to go home. Check the website for details as there is an easy process for taking the bus.

Good luck, have FUN, and enjoy the Magic!

#2disneyenthusiasts