Saturday, March 31, 2018

Adventureland - Exploring the World, One Land at a Time

"To create a land that would make this dream reality, we pictured ourselves far from civilization, in the remote jungles of Asia and Africa." - Walt Disney

Our first Adventureland stop is the Swiss Family Treehouse. This attraction is based on the 1960 movie Swiss Family Robinson and takes you through the amazing treehouse they built after being stranded on an island following a pirate attack. The house is filled with cool antiques and items that the family salvaged from their wrecked ship to build their home. To see it all, you need to be able to climb 116 steps! So if you can't do it or are afraid of heights, Disney recommends you skip this attraction.

As we venture further into the jungle, we can take a 10-minute tour of the major rivers of Asia, Africa and South America on the Jungle Cruise. This is one of the original rides at Walt Disney World and features many audio-animatronic animals that Disney is famous for. Operated by the fictional Jungle Navigation Co, our skipper points out all the interesting scenes along the way and keeps us laughing with some of the world's corniest jokes making this attraction a fan favorite. In fact, this ride is so popular it spawned the creation of Adventureland's newest addition....

Your Jungle Cruise skippers will now be your servers at this table-service restaurant, Skipper Canteen. There are several themed dining rooms featuring dishes inspired by the rivers of the world. These exotic offerings are served up with the same wacky humor you will find on the Jungle Cruise. To find out more or leave a review, please visit this LINK.

We continue to a more lush, Polynesian jungle to visit the Enchanted Tiki Room. The Enchanted Tiki Room was the first attraction at Disneyland to feature Audio-Animatronics technology, a WED Enterprises patented invention. The show features a cast of over 150 talking, singing and dancing birds. When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, an almost identical show was placed there called Tropical Serenade. It was replaced in 1998 with The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management and featured Zazu and Iago from The Lion King and Aladdin. In January, 2011, a small fire broke out in the attic of the attraction and poor Iago was heavily damaged. It was decided that the attraction would be refurbished and returned to the original show format, which it was on August 15, 2011. I have personally seen both shows and have to say, I miss the funny banter of Zazu and Iago.

Adventureland is also home to some very popular tropical treats. Sunshine Tree Terrace features frozen orange juice treats. It is also home to the popular Orange Bird. The Orange Bird is a character created by Disney for the Florida Citrus Commission as a mascot and is prominently featured here.

You can also find what seems to be the most popular WDW treat, the Dole Whip, here at Aloha Isle. This frozen pineapple marvel can be enjoyed in a cup, in a float, or with pineapple upside down cake! Once exclusively available at Aloha Isle, the Dole Whip has gained such a huge following, it can now be found in several places throughout WDW. Adults can even get it with rum in some spots!

As we emerge from the Jungles, we are whisked away to the markets of Agrabah. You can take flight on the Magic Carpets of Aladdin for a bird's eye view of the market (and a peek at the rest of the kingdom as well)! Just beware of the camels...they spit! After this enchanting ride, you can stick around to meet Agrabah's favorite royals...Aladdin and Jasmine!

After your flight, you can spend some time (and money) at the Agrabah Bazaar where you will find all kinds of Aladdin and Arabian themed items. Some other Adventureland shops include:

Island Supply by Sunglass Hut
Zanzibar Trading Co.

No adventure would be complete without pirates! And Adventureland has plenty of attractions to satisfy all your swashbuckling needs. Pirates of the Caribbean was the last ride at Disneyland to be personally overseen by Walt Disney. It was brought to Walt Disney World in 1973. It is housed in a Spanish fort called Castillo del Morro inspired by Castillo de San Felipe del Morro in Old San Juan. Because of the success of the movies, it was refurbished in 2006 to add characters from the movies including Barbossa and the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. Later changes include Blackbeard replacing Davy Jones in the waterfall and mermaids zooming through the water near the deserted beach. They also added a mermaid skeleton on the beach in the wrecked boat. I have personally seen all updated versions and have to say, it just keeps getting better!! Disney has perfectly blended the iconic scenes we all know and love (who doesn't get chills when you hear the echoing "Dead men tell no tales") with the lively screen characters that have become such a success. Also, we can usually find some of our favorite pirate characters for meet and greets hanging around this ride and it all ends with (in my opinion) one of the best gift shops in the park, full of booty I just LOVE to buy!!

Kids can now become one of the crew at The Pirate's League. After transforming you into a real pirate, you will be trained by Captain Jack's crew and get your new pirate name at the Pirate's League. Choose a pirate makeover or now, a mermaid makeover! You need to make advance reservations at 407-939-2739.

Another can't miss for us in Adventureland is Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial. The captain and his first mate teach us all the basics of being a pirate. Then he chooses some children from the audience and initiates them into the crew! And, all the children chosen get an official certificate from the captain himself

The newest addition is A Pirate's Adventure, Treasures of the Seven Seas. Locate hidden treasures throughout Adventureland, while battling enemies with Captain Jack. This interactive treasure hunt guides you with pirate maps through five different raids. You'll fight pirate enemies like Captain Barbossa and Blackbeard to capture the Treasure of the Pacific, Treasure of the Mediterranean and more. If you succeed in completing all the tasks and gaining the treasures, you'll become an official pirate member of Captain Jack's crew! Each quest takes about 20 minutes to complete.

And finally, steal away to this delightful pirate haunt and prepare for the tastiest grub this side of Port Royal! Featuring savory turkey legs and hot dogs, along with beverages and more, Tortuga Tavern is the perfect place to drop anchor after a swashbuckling adventure. If you've tried it, we would love your review HERE.

Time for some Adventureland Fun Facts:
*Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse is the only attraction that does not fly the American flag, they fly the Swiss flag
*Did you know...the original concept for the Enchanted Tiki Room was for it to be a restaurant and the singing birds would entertain guests while they dined?
*As you travel on the Jungle Cruise, you will see the rear half of a crashed Lockheed airplane. The front half of this plane can be found in the Casablanca scene of the Great Movie Ride at DHS. (not sure where this piece will end up).
*The original version of Jungle Cruise had skippers narrating as if it were a nature documentary. BORING! Some started to sprinkle in a few jokes to keep guests awake. Eventually, park planners realized funny was the way to go with this attraction and it became a major hit!

*As you enter Pirates of the Caribbean, take the line to the right. Look down inside the tower to find 2 skeletons playing chess. Designer Marc Davis researched chess tournaments with no-win outcomes and placed the pieces accordingly so there is no possible winner to give the appearance that these two will be pondering their next move for eternity.
*Further along this same line, look for a tunnel on your right before you reach the turnstiles. Listen closely to hear some pirates in conversation.
*Does the auctioneer sound familiar to you? He is voiced by Paul Frees who is also the voice of the Ghost Host in the Haunted Mansion.
*Did you ever look up at the pirate sitting on the bridge as you pass underneath? The leg that dangles down has real hair and dirt on it. Because he is the only pirate guests can get close enough to see, he was made as realistically as possible.
*And my personal favorite fun fact in Adventureland: The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is home to a fairly well-known, real-life haunting by a man named George. He was a construction worker killed while the ride was being built. It is said that cast members working this ride always say Good Morning and Good Night to George. If they do not, the ride has been known to break down and have trouble all day.

That's a LOT of adventure for one day! But, if you are still hungry for more, there are still four more lands to explore in the Magic Kingdom. Yo Ho!!

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photo credit: some images found on Google images

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Main Street U.S.A. - Exploring the World, One Land at a Time

Everyone knows "Four Parks, One World", but each of those parks is made up of multiple, themed "Lands". Each land contains it's own unique decor, dining, experiences and history. With so much to do and see, it's easy to miss many of the details that make these lands special in their own way. This series will explore each of these lands in detail to show how they are part of the Magic that is Walt Disney World resort.

Walt Disney's vision for Main Street U.S.A came from the fond memories he had of his youth. It represents a simpler time while simultaneously hinting at the great changes coming to our country. Upon entering, guests are filled with a sense of nostalgia, a sense of community, and a sense of "home". The view of Cinderella Castle in the distance fills guests with the anticipation of great things to come.

“Main Street, U.S.A. is America at the turn of the century – the crossroads of an era. The gas lamps and the electric lamps, the horse drawn car and the auto car. Main Street is everyone’s home town…the heartline of America.” – Walt Disney

As you enter the Magic Kingdom, you step into the first of the themed lands in this park, Main Street U.S.A. With all the fun and excitement awaiting guests in this park, many view it as the gateway to the magic and rush straight down the street to their favorite rides.
However, this land is thriving with activity. It is home to the services guests need on a daily basis and also unique experiences that you won't find anywhere else in WDW.
The town square is fashioned after a turn-of-the-century small town, complete with everything the town needs for a day in the park including park maps, stroller rentals, ATM services and storage lockers. City Hall serves as the Guest Services location. Here you can find all the park information you need along with Lost and Found.

Services are also offered in other buildings around town. The Chamber of Commerce houses the package pickup department. Throughout your day, you can have your purchases sent here so you don't have to carry them around the park. Just pick them up as you leave.
Engine Co. 71 is the town's fire station. The 71 is a nod to the year Magic Kingdom opened. Here, you can get instructions and the supplies you need to play the Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom game. This interactive role-playing game takes you on an adventure through the park where you will need to cast spells to defeat villains and save the park from their evil grasp. The game is free to play with your park admission. Cast Members at the Fire Station will give you a short tutorial on playing. They also give you a Key Card to track your progress through the game along with a free pack of cards to get you started.
And just across the street, you will find Harmony Barber Shop. This is a real, working barber shop where guests can get their hair cut or have their children sprinkled with Pixie Dust. Many guests choose this location for Baby's First Haircut package which includes a souvenir lock of hair, printed certificate of bravery and commemorative ears.

On the other side of Town Square, you will find the Town Square Theater. This building has housed several attractions throughout the years. Currently, you can meet Tinkerbell and the only Talking Mickey Mouse in WDW. However, guests who want this unique experience need to get there soon! It has been recently reported that the Talking Mickey Mouse will no longer be offered after May 12, 2018. Next door, you will find Tony's Town Square Restaurant. This table-service restaurant specializes in Italian food and is modeled after Tony's restaurant from the movie Lady and the Tramp. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, which can be a great spot for parade viewing. To learn more about this restaurant and give us your review, please visit this LINK.

One of the busiest places in small town America was the railroad station and this town is no different. Here you can hop aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad. Originally built between 1916 and 1928, these four restored trains are ready to take you to adventure with stops in Frontierland and Fantasyland. Or, take the full 20-minute ride back to Main Street U.S.A.

Now it's time to head down Main Street U.S.A.! There are several ways you can do this aside from walking. Magic Kingdom offers a variety of turn-of-the-century Main Street Vehicles that will take you on a leisurely one-way journey towards Cinderella Castle or back up to Town Square. Whatever way you choose to travel, there are several things to take note of along the way. First, notice the street lamps. They start as gas lamps at the top of Main Street and transition to electric lamps as you near the end. This is to symbolize your travel through time from the turn of the 20th century to the modern day. Also, be sure to notice the second-story windows. These "business" advertisements are actually a salute to the Imagineers that had a hand in creating this wonderful park.

But don't leave just yet! There is still plenty to see and do here. Among the cast members dressed in period-style clothing, you will find a street lined with many shops and eateries. As always, the Imagineers thought of every detail even with this. You will find eateries on your right as you head into the park making it easy for those looking to fuel up for their adventure. And, you will find gift shops on your right as you exit the park making it easy to take those last-minute souvenirs with you as you leave.

The largest gift shop in the Magic Kingdom is the Emporium. It runs the length of Main Street on your left as you enter the park. Inside, is a series of departments which can be accessed from the inside and the outside making it an easy place to duck in out of the rain or the heat of the sun. This is where you will find the largest selection of souvenirs, apparel, plush toys, pins, candy and more. If you are looking for more specialized merchandise, there are several other shops along the street you should be sure to check out. They are:

Disney Clothiers - apparel and accessories
Crystal Arts - gifts and housewares
The Chapeau - mickey ears and pins
Main Street Confectionery - food and spirits, gifts and housewares
Uptown Jewelers - featuring, among other items, Disney Pandora jewelry
Main Street Cinema
Main Street Gallery

For those with an appetite to satisfy, there are several options to choose from. Everything from Table Service dining to Quick Service dining and snacks can be found on Main Street U.S.A.! If you didn't find something sweet to satisfy you at the Main Street Confectionery, then head down to the Main Street Bakery. Here you will find a wide selection of Disney and La Boulange pastry items along with a seemingly endless selection of Starubucks coffee and specialty beverages.

Further down the street, you can visit the Plaza Restaurant. This is a table-service restaurant featuring family-friendly American fare. You can also find the famous Plaza Loaded Fries here! See reviews and leave your own by visiting this LINK. After your meal, you can head next door to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for a cool treat, including the famous Mickey's Kitchen Sink!

Another Main Street favorite is the baseball-themed Casey's Corner. Here you can find all your favorite game fare including hot dogs, corn dog nuggets, cotton candy and Cracker Jack! You can even be entertained by a ragtime-playing pianist! If you love it, review it HERE.

The final eatery on Main Street is home to a very popular character meal. At the Crystal Palace, you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner hosted by Winnie the Pooh and his Hundred Acre Wood Friends. Kids can enjoy fun interactions with characters including a parade while the whole family relaxes with a great meal. We'd love to hear your review HERE

Also conveniently located next to the Crystal Palace is where you can find restrooms, the Baby Care Center and the First Aid center.

But that's STILL not all! Along with being known for some of the best parade viewing along the streets, Main Street U.S.A. is also the place to find several other things you won't find anywhere else in WDW!

Several times a day, you can see the performance of the Dapper Dans. This barbershop quartet combines "punny" vaudeville humor with wonderful a cappella renditions of your favorite Americana and Disney tunes.

Town Square is also where you can find the "Sharing the Magic" statue. This iconic statue features Walt's brother, Roy O. Disney and Minnie Mouse. Added in 1999, created by Imagineer Blaine Gibson, this statue has become one of the most prized photo locations for guests of the Magic Kingdom.

During the Christmas holiday season, you can find the enormous Magic Kingdom themed tree which stands roughly 65 feet high!

And, finally, guests can gather each evening to watch the Flag Retreat Ceremony. The Pledge of Allegiance is said and the flag is lowered to the sounds of The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. Guest veterans can be chosen to participate in this ceremony.

There are several more attractions to add more "character" to this land. Pick up a Times Guide as you enter the park to find out when you can catch them all. Throughout the day, you can find meet and greets with your favorite Disney characters. You can also find "streetmosphere" performers. These performers are dressed in period-style clothing and offer singing, dancing, comedy and fun entertainment of an era gone-by. They include: Citizens of Main Street, The Main Street Philharmonic, and The Main Street Trolley Show.

After you have enjoyed all that Main Street U.S.A. has to offer, you arrive at the area known as "the Hub". This circular hub, located in front of Cinderella Castle, branches out in every direction with paths leading to the other lands of Magic Kingdom park. But before heading off, this area is now home to the Let the Magic Begin welcome show. Every day, just prior to park opening, this show welcomes you and signifies the start of another Disney day. It replaced the former welcome show which was presented on the platform of the Walt Disney World Railroad.

A recent upgrade to this area provided more areas for guests to relax or find just the right spot for parade and fireworks viewing.

Along with the smaller statues of favorite Disney characters throughout this area, you will also find the famous Partners statue. Also created by Blaine Gibson in 1993, this copper statue has become of world-famous symbol of the park. It depicts the creator himself, Walt Disney, holding the hand of his most famous creation, Mickey Mouse.

With all of this, it sounds as if you could spend an entire park day in this land alone. And, you probably could! Now that you know everything this land has to offer, perhaps you will slow down to appreciate it the next time you head into the Magic Kingdom. Or, make time later in the day to come back and enjoy the unique offerings of this land.

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photo credit: Some images were found on Google Images

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Throwback Thursday - Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Playground

The Szalinski family was the focus of the popular Disney movie series, "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and it's sequels: "Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves" and "Honey, I Blew Up the Kid". The movies were so popular, they spawned two attractions at Walt Disney World, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience in EPCOT and the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Playground in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

On November 21, 1994 at EPCOT, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience took guests inside the Imagination Institute's Theater to attend the Inventor of the Year awards ceremony. The current honoree is professor Wayne Szalinski. Guests are given their "safety goggles" (3D glasses) as they enter to prepare for the scientific demonstrations to follow.

Sponsored by Kodak, there was a pre-show video set to the tune of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" highlighting the wonders of imagination. You can watch this video on Youtube HERE.

Eric Idle originated the role of Dr. Nigel Channing, Founder of the Imagination Institute in this attraction. He continued this role in the attractions, Journey into Your Imagination and later, Journey Into Imagination with Figment.

What followed was a 23 minute 3D show that featured the original cast of the movies with the usual Szalinski mayhem, where the audience accidentally becomes the latest victim of the shrinking ray. In addition to the 3D effects, the audience was seated on a moving platform to simulate the theater moving and floor shaking when one of the Szalinski children "picks up" the audience.

After Michael Jackson's untimely death in 2009, this attraction closed on May 9, 2010 to make way for a tribute to the late musician. The Captain Eo show returned to the theater in it's place.

On December 17, 1990 the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Playground opened on Streets of American in Disney's Hollywood Studios (at the time known as Disney-MGM Studios).

The playground was themed as the giant backyard scenes from the original film. It featured 30-foot blades of grass, a slide out of a Kodak film canister, giant bees and ants, along with various water-spraying elements, mazes and climbing ropes.

This playground closed on April 2, 2016 to make way for the new Star Wars Galaxy's Edge expansion.

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Throwback Thursday - Mulch, Sweat and Shears

Another casualty of the DHS expansion was Mulch Sweat and Shears. Known outside of Disney as Los Lawn Boys, this rock and roll cover band performed several times daily on the Streets of America in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The show began on October 8, 2004. The "story" is that this family of landscapers worked in the Disney parks. The family, who referred to themselves as brothers, mainly consisted of five core members:

(Hedge Shears) – Bass, Vocals
(Axe Mulch) – Guitar, Vocals
(Buzz Sweat) – Keyboard, Vocals
(Sticks Mulch) – Drums, Vocals
(Morris Mulch) – Vocals and Band Manager

However, "family members" could change from time to time and there was even a "sister" at some point.

As the group's truck traveled down Streets of America, it would suffer an apparent breakdown. As one of the crew lifted the hood in an attempt to find the trouble, the rest of the crew would begin to set up stage. You would soon find out that the worker under the hood was actually working a sound board and this group of landscapers also worked as musicians. What followed was a comedy/rock n roll show which featured some of the great rock songs of the 80s and 90s. The show lasted about 15 minutes and included plenty of corny jokes and even some audience participation. Audience members would be invited to dance, play the triangle or air guitar, and sometimes give them more cowbell!

Mulch Sweat and Shears played their final performance in DHS on October 10, 2015, just 2 days after their 11th anniversary at the park.

You can find many videos on Youtube of that and other performances by this great band.

Since the Streets of America was removed to make way for the Toy Story land and Star Wars expansions, this show lost it's home. But because they were so popular with guests, we hope to find them again someday. I hear there is a great cantina at the Galaxy's Edge! Maybe they are in need of some entertainment.

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Monday, March 19, 2018

First Look! Pirates of the Caribbean reopens with new auction scene

Today, March 19, Pirates of the Caribbean is set to reopen at Magic Kingdom Park.

The ride now features a new version of the auction scene. The photo above shows what you will now see.

The pirate auctioneer now oversees a sale of the townspeople’s most prized possessions and goods. In this scene, the familiar redhead figure has switched sides to become a pirate named Redd, who’s just pillaged the town’s rum supply and has something to say about it.

The ride in Disneyland will receive a similar revision with work scheduled to begin April 23.

Several websites have already uploaded video of the new scene, like this one by Attractions Magazine! Youtube video

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Source: Disney Parks Blog

Tickets now on sale for MNSSHP and MVMCP 2018!

Dates have been announced for this year's holiday parties and tickets are now on sale! Ticket prices will vary based on party dates.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party has also announced the return of the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular! Along with the Boo to You Parade and Happy Hallowishes fireworks show.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates

August 17, 24, 28, 31
September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
October 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31

Advance Ticket Pricing (add $10 if buying at the gate):

$75 – adults; $70 – children (3-9) Aug. 28, Sept. 3, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23

$79 – adults; $74 – children (3-9) Aug. 17, 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 25

$89 – adults; $84 – children (3-9) Sept. 28, 30, Oct. 2, 4

$99 – adults; $94 – children (3-9) Oct. 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25

$119 – adults; $114 – children (3-9) Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, 28, 30

$125 – adults; $120 – children (3-9) Oct. 31 – Halloween

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets start at $75 in advance or $85 at the gate, if available.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will see the return of A Frozen Holiday Wish featuring Queen Elsa lighting Cinderella Castle along with Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and Holiday Wishes fireworks show.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates

November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21

Advance Ticket Pricing (add $10 if buying at the gate):

$95 – adults; $90 – children (3-9) Nov. 12, 13, 15

$99 – adults; $94 – children (3-9) Nov. 8, 9, 16, 25, 27, 29, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16

$109 – adults; $104 – children (3-9) Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14

$115 – adults; $110 – children (3-9) Dec. 18, 20

$125 – adults; $120 – children (3-9) Dec. 21

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets start at $95 in advance or $105 at the gate, if available.

Guests can purchase special event tickets by calling 407-939-1872.