Showing posts with label Liberty Square. Show all posts
Disney World Dining: Columbia Harbour House
If you are looking for lunch or dinner in the Magic Kingdom and are not in the mood for a burger you may want to try this often overlooked restaurant that we consider a Disney World Hidden Secret.
Columbia Harbour House
Nestled deep within the Magic Kingdom straddling Fantasyland and Liberty Square Columbia Harbour House provides one of the best Disney Quick Service Dining options without the fanfare or the crowds.The main entrance can be found along the Liberty Square portion of the building opposite the entrance to the Haunted Mansion. Once inside, you will discover that this restaurant is surprisingly large.
Disney World Secret Tip: Try the upstairs seating, It is typically not very crowded and can provide a nice break on a busy day in the Magic Kingdom.
The menu is provides several different Seafood options, as well as, vegetarian, and chicken. One of the signature items is the fried shrimp platter with fries and cole slaw (pictured above.) Another favorite is the Lobster Roll.
A personal favorite is the Grilled Salmon with couscous and steamed broccoli. This is certainly not your normal theme park fare. It is also one of our recommended Top Choices for using a Quick Service Dining Credit when using the Disney Dining Plan.
Also you will find a selection of salads, sandwiches (Try the Lighthouse Sandwich with Hummus or the Anchors Away with White Tuna), soups, and what Seafood Fast Food Restaurant doesn't offer a Fried Fish platter.
Liberty Square Or Fantasyland?
One of the most interesting aspects of the Columbia Harbour house is the unique architecture for the building. The reason it is unique is the fact that it actually sits in two different Magic Kingdom Lands. The above picture shows how the building looks from Liberty Square.
As you turn to the left to head towards Fantasyland you see the view of Fantasyland is blocked by the creative use of having the building cross over the walkway, thus limiting the view.
After passing through the "tunnel" and exiting on the Fantasyland side you can look back and see the other side of the Columbia Harbour House. All of a sudden instead of seeing American - New England Coastal town, you have transported to a European village.
Upon further inspection the restaurant has a completely different look from the Fantasyland side, but seamlessly makes the transition. This happens so smoothly that many people never even notice. Make sure you take an extra minute or two during your next trip to check out the great details of both personalities of the Columbia Harbour House.
Disney World Quick Service Must Do!
Columbia Harbour House is definitely a must do Disney Quick Service Restaurant for lunch or dinner. Whether you are using the Disney Dining Plan or not this is still a good place to get a good meal and escape the crowds. Put this on your list for your next Disney World Vacation!Disney World Dining: Sleepy Hollow Makes Waffle Sandwiches That You Have To Try!
When guests visit the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort they don't have to settle for typical theme park food. Today Only WDWorld takes you to Liberty Square to the small eatery called Sleepy Hollow, where they serve up some great waffle sandwiches!
This walk-up Disney World Quick Service location used to be known for its tasty funnel cakes, which are still available, but they really started generating excitement when they added waffles to their menu.
They serve both breakfast and lunch waffles sandwiches that are freshly made to order. It sometimes takes a little longer, but you can watch them make the waffles and build your sandwiches.
The above pictured sandwich is the ham, prosciutto, and Swiss waffle sandwich. It is topped with arugula and tomato. This is a great tasting sandwich and the waffle really complements it well.
The next one we tried was the Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich. This one features a breaded chicken breast and really did live up to its sweet and spicy name.
We enjoyed the lunch waffle sandwiches so much that we had to come back on another day to try the breakfast offerings. Pictured above is the ham and cheese omelet waffle that features prosciutto and tomato. This is certainly another winner.
For those that tire of the savory waffle options, there is one that caters to those who prefer sweets. This waffle is covered with strawberry compote, whipped cream and powdered sugar. This sweet treat is available all day, so you can indulge whenever you feel the urge.
Sleepy Hollow Dining Review Summary
The waffle sandwiches that are now part of the menu transform Sleepy Hollow from a place that would normally be passed by, to one that has our attention. We enjoyed all of the waffle based offerings and would recommend them to anyone looking for something different to try for breakfast or lunch during your visit to the Magic Kingdom.New Haunted Mansion Queue At Magic Kingdom Is Scary Fun
In continuing with the trend of adding interactive activities for Disney World Guests to occupy their time while waiting in line, the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom is the latest to "plus" its queue.
Guests are given the option to explore the interactive portion of the queue or to bypass it and proceed directly to the Haunted Mansion. Taking the path to the new queue extends your wait by a couple of minutes, but it takes that long to play with the interactive features so you don't notice the extra time.
If you touch the musical instruments pictured above it adds those instruments to the music that is playing.
The organ is emblazoned with the name "Ravencroft" in a tribute to "Thurl Ravencroft" had added his voice to a number of projects and is most recognizable as the voice of Tony the Tiger (Kellogg's), singer of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch", and lead singer of "Grim Grinning Ghosts" at the Haunted Mansion. He also lent his voice to a number of characters at Disney World.
There was concern that the original tombstones that Magic Kingdom Guests have enjoyed reading would be removed to make room for the new queue, but rest assured that the tombstones do have a place in the new queue, like the one for Master Gracey shown above. It is also a tribute to Disney Imagineer Yale Gracey. Yale created many of the classic illusions that you enjoy in the Haunted Mansion.
The giant bathtub pictured above periodically spews forth a stream of bubbles to entertain the passersby. Captain Culpepper Clyne is a character who's picture has been inside the Haunted Mansion since its inception.
The bookshelves move books in a out as you touch them.
There is also a magic book where the words appear before your eyes.
If you compare the two above pictures you will see that the word "cemetery" has appeared. It is even more fun in person because the words appear as if they are being written one letter at a time.
Another wall of epitaphs uses humorous quips that also pay tribute to Disney Legends and Imagineers.
The above tombstone pays tribute to Marc Davis who is responsible for designing many of the humorous gags found in the Haunted Mansion.
X. Atencio, referenced above, penned many of the catchy songs for the Disney World attractions including: "Grim, Grinning Ghosts" & "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me.)"
Great New Addition
The addition of the interactive queue to the Haunted Mansion was very enjoyable. The added features all fit within the playful boundaries of the existing gags and features of the Haunted Mansion. The guests in line were enjoying playing with the various items.
Time will tell if people continue to go through the interactive portion of the line even after they have been through it a couple of times.
We are also glad that the original tombstones were preserved and integrated into the new queue. We are especially glad since they pay tribute to the people that designed and built the Haunted Mansion.
The Liberty Tree - A Magic Kingdom Landmark Since Opening Day
The Liberty Tree - A Part Of American History
Everything at Disney World is part of a story. Nothing appears by chance. The Liberty Tree actually has two interesting stories to be shared. The first story has to do with the role that the Liberty Tree plays in its place in Liberty Square.
The single most known moment was when lanterns were hung in its branches to mark the repeal of the Stamp Act so that all could see.
On the bronze plaque located at the base of the tree (and pictured below) are the following words:
Under the boughs of the original Liberty Tree in Boston in 1765, Patriots, calling themselves "The Sons Of Liberty," gathered to protest the imposition of the Stamp Act. In the years that followed, almost every American town had a Liberty Tree -- A Living Symbol Of The American Freedom of Speech and Assembly.
Our Liberty Tree is a Southern Live Oak, Quercus Virginiana, more than 100 years old.
The Remarkable Story Of A Tree
The second story is about the tree itself and its impressive story of how it got to Liberty Square. As mentioned above the tree is a Southern Live Oak and it was originally located within the Disney World Resort property about 6 miles south of its present location. The tree was 40 feet tall and 60 feet wide and weighed over 38 tons.
At the time this was one of the largest trees ever attempted to be transplanted. It was too large to just place a chain around the trunk and lift it, since that would damage the delicate bark and potentially kill the tree. In order to move the tree and protect it, they drilled two holes through the trunk and inserted metal rods so that a crane could then lift the tree and transport it. After the tree was put into place the metal rods were removed and the original wood plugs were returned to the tree.
Over time the re-inserted wood became diseased so they had to be removed and the holes were filled with concrete which stopped the further spread of disease. Also a second, smaller live oak has been grafted onto the original tree to help give it the full shape that it enjoys now.
The Liberty Tree currently holds 13 lanterns representing the 13 original colonies.
Under Appreciated Landmark
The Liberty Tree doesn't get much attention since it is not part of a ride or a show, but it has a story that is as involved as any attraction. It makes an excellent addition to Liberty Square. The next time that you are visiting the Magic Kingdom, please take the time to slow down and look closely at the Liberty Tree and read its plaque.
Earn extra points with your family by telling them the story of how they are looking at one of the largest trees ever transplanted and how the Disney Imagineers accomplished the task.
Disney World Presents The Hall Of Presidents - A Celebration Of Liberty's Leaders
The Hall of Presidents, fittingly located in the Liberty Square section of the Magic Kingdom, is focused upon telling the story of the role of the President Of The United States and the men that have held that have held it.
Like many Disney World Attractions there is much to see and experience in the area before the actual attraction. In The Hall Of Presidents there are two display cabinets that contain artifacts from various Presidents Of The United States. This collection of items shows the widely different personalities and interests of the men who been President.
Although you may be tempted to quickly pass by this area in the interest of seeing the main show, you would certainly miss out on an opportunity to learn more about these U.S. Presidents if you did so. These items help show the sides of the men away from the rigors and demands of the Office.
The artifacts span from George Washington to George W. Bush. It is an interesting assortment of items that allow us to see a little more into the personalities of these men.
Not surprisingly George W. Bush is represented by a replica of the pair of specially made cowboy boots with the Presidential Seal that he wore at his Inauguration. This pays tribute to George's Texas roots.
James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States. The Green Wine Glass pictured above was ordered by the Polk Administration for use at Presidential Dinners and has the Presidential Seal etched into it. Polk was known for his successes in foreign policy during a period of expansion for the United States. The Dinners the White House were known for the elaborately set tables including a "rainbow around each plate" through the use of colored glassware.
The picture above shows a family seal and coat buttons from our 2nd President, John Adams. The family seal is for the Boylston family which was his mother's. John used the Boylston Seal to sign the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain in 1783. The coat buttons were on the coat he wore at the signing and can be seen in the portrait of the event. This was a historic event as this treaty was the official document ending the Revolutionary War. John Adams represented the new United States of America along with Benjamin Franklin and John Jay. It wasn't until 1796 that he was elected President.
Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, was a lifelong athlete with a strong interest in sports. In high school he was a star football player and later went on to play football for the University of Michigan. Sports always played a role in his life outside of politics. He enjoyed playing tennis and golf while he served as President.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, was certainly a well-liked President. This silver and turquoise belt buckle was one of over 300 belt buckle that he received as gifts while in office. It pays tribute to the fact that he was the 40th President and has a star representing Sacramento, California where he served as Governor.
Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, was an avid fisherman and even wrote a book on the topic. He once was quoted as saying it should be: "the right of every citizen to catch at least 50 fish per year," including "one big one for the purpose of indelible memory and conservation."
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, enjoyed stamp collecting. Even while he served as President he continued to collect stamps and grow his collection. He was also an advocate for the hobby and encouraging and inspiring new philatelists.
A Celebration Of Liberty's Leaders
Taking advantage of the extra features of The Hall Of Presidents like these display cabinets in the pre-show area helps tell the story that Disney does so well. By not taking a few moments to check out these interesting items you miss out on some of this detail. The items on display illustrate the differences in interests and background of these men that have shared the highest office of the United States.
The items pictured here show less than half of the items on display. Make sure you check these out the next time you visit the Magic Kingdom and learn while you are entertained.
Disney World's Haunted Mansion Tombstone Secrets
Haunted Mansion Tombstone Secrets Unlocked
While the casual observer only notices the humorous epitaphs on the tombstones, the Disney World fans know that each epitaph provides clues to unlock the secret tributes to Disney Legends and Imagineers who help create this legendary attraction.
Here Rests Wathel R. Bender. He rode to glory on a fender. Peaceful Rest
This tombstone refers to Disney Legend Wathel Rogers who was an innovator in the field of audio animatronics. He contributed to some of the early Disney audio animatronics like the Abraham Lincoln Figure for the 1964 - 1965 New York World's Fair, as well as, figures for the Carousel of Progress. Later he became the Art Director for the Magic Kingdom, as one of his many roles.
In the above picture we find 3 tombstones. The first one declares: "In Memory Of Our Patriarch Dear Departed Grandpa Marc."
This refers to Marc Davis. Davis was known for creating the ideas and stories that went into many of the Disney attractions, such as: The Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Haunted Mansion. He had a knack for creating sight gags that gave these attractions their lasting charm.
The next tombstone says: "Requiscat Francis Xavier, No time off for good behavior. RIP"
Disney legend Xavier (X.) Atencio was an animator that was best known for his contribution to many of the classic songs within Disney attractions. He started writing these songs because Walt Disney himself told him he would be good at it and assigned him to do so. X. Atencio is best known for writing "Grim, Grinning Ghosts" & "Yo Ho A Pirates Life For Me."
The 3rd tombstone is states: "Here Lies A Man Named Martin. The lights went out on this old Spartan."
Note: Martin is actually credited to 2 different Disney Imagineers in different books and references.
1. Bud Martin was the head of the WDI Special Effects Department working with Yale Gracey when the Haunted Mansion was developed.
2. Bill Martin was an art director and set designer when he join Disney in 1953. He was a key planner for both Disneyland and Disney World. In 1971 he became the Vice President of Design at WED Enterprises (the precursor of Disney Imagineering.)
The tombstone on the left says: "Dear Departed Brother Dave. He chased a bear into a cave."
Dave Burkhart started his career at Disney in 1967 serving as an artist model maker He built architecture and show models. Later he became became a show designer and field art producer. He biggest projects at Disney World included: The Haunted Mansion, Swiss Family Treehouse and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
The next Tombstone is one of the most prominent stating: "Master Gracey Laid To Rest. No Mourning Please At His Request. Farewell."
Master Gracey is named after none other than Yale Gracey. Yale joined Disney in 1939 as a layout artist. He developed a talent for creating illusions and Walt Disney tabbed him to be part of his team working on the new "Disneyland" project. Yale is credited with coming up with many of the illusions that you see in the Haunted Mansion.
The tombstone on the left states: " RIP Good Friend Gordon. Now you've crossed the River Jordan."
The Gordon mention here refers to Gordon Williams, who was an audio designer and Audio-Animatronics expert who worked on many classic attractions at Disney World.
The tombstone on the right declares: "In Memorium Uncle Myall, Here You'll Lie For Quite Awhile."
Uncle Myall is really Chuck Myall, who was an Art Director and Master Planner at the Magic Kingdom.
Hidden on the right, the tombstone reads: "Rest In Peace Cousin Huet. We All Know You Didn't Do It."
Cliff Huet was an architect and a Lead Interior Designer for Disney and involved with the creation of The Haunted Mansion.
The other tombstone reads: "Here Lies Good Old Fred. A Great Big Rock Fell On His Head. RIP"
Fred Joerger started with Disney in 1953 as a model builder. He was involved in such classic attractions as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise, Swiss Family Tree House, and Tom Sawyer Island.
On the left you find the tombstone that says " RIP Mister Sewell The Victim of a Dirty Duel. Peaceful Rest."
Bob Sewell was recognized for his model making talent and the work that he did with the Haunted Mansion.
On the right is the tombstone that reads "At Peaceful Rest Lies Brother Claude. Planted Here Beneath This Sod."
The Claude in mind was none other than Claude Coats. Claude started at Disney in 1935 as an Animation Background Painter. Claude Coats, along with Marc Davis, was instrumental in coming up with the story for the Haunted Mansion and creating the track layout. In contrast to Marc's sight gags, Claude provided some of the darker elements for the Mansion.
Last, but not least is the special Tombstone for Madame Leota that reads "Dear Sweet Leota, Loved By All. In Regions Beyond Now, But Having A Ball." The epitaph certainly refers to the fact that Madame Leota is the one performing the seance with the Crystal Ball within the Haunted Mansion.
Madame Leota is a tribute to Disney Imagineer Leota Toombs. Leota began her tenure at Disney in 1940 in the Ink & Paint Department. After becoming part of WED in the 1960's she became involved in the Haunted Mansion project. Yale Gracey thought her appearance had Gypsy like qualities and asked her to be the model for the floating head Illusion.
Appropriate To Honor These Disney Imagineers
All to often the creative people involved in creating the Disney World attractions are not household names. Fortunately with the advent of the internet and fan groups like D23, these talented people are starting to get some of the recognition that they deserve. Credit the Imagineers to have the foresight to add these talented people into the attraction itself through the creation of these Tombstones.
