Showing posts with label Miscellaneous Magic. Show all posts
Capturing Some Fleeting Disney World Magic
Disney World is a magical place.
The magic surrounds you as you walk through the parks and resorts at Disney World. From the details put in place to add to the richness of the stories and the experiences, to the extra attention that a cast member pays to a young child, you can find all kinds of Disney Magic.
Most of the magic is permanently ingrained to the structure of the parks, but other magic is more fleeting in nature. It is there for a moment for all to enjoy and then gone forever.
The water art that cast members paint onto the Disney World sidewalks is one type of this fleeting magic. Armed with a bucket of water and a broom, cast members can create magical images of Mickey and Minnie and other Disney Characters.
They don't draw attention to themselves as they do it. They just quietly create the magic and then move on. Those lucky enough to witness the magic, have yet another keepsake memory to take home from their vacation.
Capturing these water art images in pictures is a rare event. You truly have to be in the right place at the right time and snap the picture before the image fades away.
Here is some magic that I have been fortunate enough to capture and share.
The first 2 pictures, showing Mickey and Minnie were discovered in Tomorrowland of the Magic Kingdom. It was after midnight and I just happened to notice them in an area between the Buzz Lightyear FastPass station and the entrance to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Totally unexpected that late at night and in that location.
The last picture was taken after watching the cast member create the Mickey image on Main St. in the Magic Kingdom on a sunny morning.
The magic surrounds you as you walk through the parks and resorts at Disney World. From the details put in place to add to the richness of the stories and the experiences, to the extra attention that a cast member pays to a young child, you can find all kinds of Disney Magic.
Most of the magic is permanently ingrained to the structure of the parks, but other magic is more fleeting in nature. It is there for a moment for all to enjoy and then gone forever.
The water art that cast members paint onto the Disney World sidewalks is one type of this fleeting magic. Armed with a bucket of water and a broom, cast members can create magical images of Mickey and Minnie and other Disney Characters.
They don't draw attention to themselves as they do it. They just quietly create the magic and then move on. Those lucky enough to witness the magic, have yet another keepsake memory to take home from their vacation.
Capturing these water art images in pictures is a rare event. You truly have to be in the right place at the right time and snap the picture before the image fades away.
Here is some magic that I have been fortunate enough to capture and share.
The first 2 pictures, showing Mickey and Minnie were discovered in Tomorrowland of the Magic Kingdom. It was after midnight and I just happened to notice them in an area between the Buzz Lightyear FastPass station and the entrance to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Totally unexpected that late at night and in that location.
The last picture was taken after watching the cast member create the Mickey image on Main St. in the Magic Kingdom on a sunny morning.
Tags:
Magic Kingdom
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Miscellaneous Magic
FASTPASS - the Ticket to Maximizing Your Fun at Walt Disney World
As everyone knows, tickets to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks aren't cheap. It is important to take advantage of any tips and tricks in order to make the most of your time in the parks.
Today I am going to talk about the Disney feature called the "FASTPASS".
Walt Disney World introduced the FASTPASSes as a free way for park visitors to reduce the amount of time that they spend in line. They are a wonderful feature and something that you should be planning to take full advantage of during your next visit.
Here is how they work:
- In each park the most popular rides (i.e. Test Track, Soarin', Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, etc.) have special areas next to the attraction entrance in which you can obtain a FASTPASS.
- To get the FASTPASS, you must put your Park Ticket into the reader and then you will be issued a FASTPASS (like the ones shown above).
- You can receive one FASTPASS at a time per park ticket. It will tell you on the FASTPASS when you are eligible to get another one.
- The FASTPASS also has a time range stamped on it. This is the time that you can return to this attraction to get into the special FASTPASS Only line.
- The FASTPASS line is designed to have no or significantly reduced wait time. You will get to pass people who are waiting in the normal standby queue.
- After you get in the special line you will ride/experience the attraction just like everyone else.
By using the FASTPASS you can avoid the long waits that some rides will have and spend your time visiting other attractions until your FASTPASS time arrives. This really takes the stress out of your day.
So the next time you visit Walt Disney World, look for the FASTPASS designations for your favorite attractions and use this free benefit to help you have a magical day!
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
Only WDWorld Celebrates 200th Post Milestone With A Look Back And A View Of What's Ahead
It's remarkable that Only WDWorld has reached its 200th post already, less than 11 months after its start in August of 2008.
Like many TV shows and magazines, we thought it would be a good idea to look back at what we've accomplished in that time and then look ahead to see the direction that we are headed.
The beginning of the 1st Only WDWorld post stated:
There are some places that only take a mention of the name to bring a memory to mind that changes your mood and removes the stress and tension from your normal routine. For me, the Walt Disney World Resort is such a place.
During the 2nd post we stated the reason for naming our blog Only WDWorld and we have maintained a focus on “Only WDWorld” ever since.
After laying that foundation, we set ourselves on a course to create content that was helpful and interesting to the person doing research for their first trip, as well as, the seasoned Disney World visitor. The goal was to present a view based on experience and backed up with facts and research to provide a site that you would visit again and again to learn and to be entertained.
Instead of creating another online guidebook, the idea was to:
- Show people how to save money by posting current promotions and “doing the math” to show which dining plans, ticket options, and resort discounts make the most sense.
- Share experiences and discuss elements of the Walt Disney World Resort that people may overlook or not be aware of.
- Use lots of pictures and videos to show off the “magic” of Disney World.
- Provide a frequently updated site that people would want to visit every day or two to see what is new.
An unexpected bonus during the first 200 posts, was getting Madison to present her “Kid’s Eye View” for several articles. These have been well received and her keen observations from her 10 year old point of view have been a welcomed addition to the site. We are glad that “Kid’s Eye View” will continue to be an ongoing series for the blog.
Only WDWorld has grown from one site to a family of 4 sites during this time. There is still the main blog site (Only WDWorld); a Disney World Ticket information site called Only WDWorld Tickets, a Disney Dining Plan information site named Only WDWorld Dining, and a Daily Disney World Video site (Only WDWorld Videos) that adds a new video each day showing the “magic” that words alone don’t adequately describe. We have also recently added Only WDWorld on Facebook and Twitter to make it even easier to stay in touch.
Lastly, during this time Only WDWorld has discovered many other wonderful Disney World blogs and Disney related sites written by a host of very talented people. It has been great to get a chance to interact with some of them and hope to do more in the future.
Looking forward we plan on continuing to grow the site and provide new information and ideas to incorporate into your next Disney World vacation.
We appreciate the “followers” of Only WDWorld and urge you to tell your friends about the site. We would also love to hear more of your comments and suggestions, either directly on the sites or through our presence on Facebook and Twitter.
It looks like it will be a “great big beautiful tomorrow” and Only WDWorld is glad to be able to share it with you.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
An Autograph Book Creates Magical Memories For Children At Disney World
An inexpensive way to create lots of memories to enjoy on your Disney World vacation and for years afterward is an Autograph Book.
Retailing for just $6.95, you can purchase the Official Disney World Autograph Book at http://www.disneystore.com/ or you can find it at most of the gift shops in the Walt Disney World Resort.
Note: You don’t have to have the “official” Disney autograph book to get Character’s autographs. Homemade autograph books work well and often make a good pre-trip activity to give the kids something to do before their trip. You can also buy plain autograph books or notebooks and use them.
Where Can You Find The Characters?
There are lots of opportunities to get character autographs while you are at the Walt Disney World Resort. In each of the parks there are locations where characters can frequently be found.
Some of the most popular places include:
Magic Kingdom: In Mickey’s Toontown Fair you can get Mickey Mouse himself to autograph your book in the Judge’s tent. Nearby is the very popular Pixie Hollow featuring Tinkerbell and her fairy friends.
Some of the most popular places include:
Magic Kingdom: In Mickey’s Toontown Fair you can get Mickey Mouse himself to autograph your book in the Judge’s tent. Nearby is the very popular Pixie Hollow featuring Tinkerbell and her fairy friends.
Epcot: Character Connection next to Innovations West is a great place to get autographs from several characters. There are also characters found in many of the countries in the World Showcase.
Animal Kingdom: Camp Minnie Mickey is where you can get pictures of Mickey, Minnie and others. Avoid going there right after the Festival of The Lion King show lets out as the lines will be long.
Hollywood Studios: You will find many stars of the Pixar Movies here. For the most recent movie characters go to the Magic of Disney Animation attraction. Currently the characters from the Pixar movie "Up" are there. Also characters appear near the giant Sorcerer Mickey Hat on a regular basis.
The Magic Kingdom posts the character greeting areas on the Main Tip Board on Main Street. Use the show times guide that you get when you enter the parks to get additional information on planned character greeting times and locations.
Autograph Tips
You will also come across random character spotting throughout the parks, so have your autograph book and cameras handy at all times.
It is best to use a ball point pen for the characters to sign with. If you have a larger, thicker pen that works well for some of the gloved characters to be able to grasp it.
Be patient in the lines and you will get your turn. Pay attention to the character’s handler for instructions and information about when the character will be going on break. They will let you know if it will be a short break or an extended one.
Consider Character Dining
If you do not like to wait in lines, but still want to get the character pictures and autograph then consider planning a Character Dining Experience. There are restaurants in each of the parks and several Disney Resorts that offer these. Here is a current list: http://onlywdworlddiningplan.blogspot.com/2009/05/character-dining.html
These are great because you will not feel as rushed with the characters as they will come directly to your table to spend a little time with you and sign autographs and pose for pictures.
Great autograph book tip: If you have the characters sign one side (left or right) of each set of two pages and leave the other blank, you can print the pictures you took of your child and the character and place it in their book next to the character’s autograph after you get home. This will really make the books special for the children.
Summary
The Autograph book is a very inexpensive way to help your child create something that they can refer back to long after your Disney World vacation. This will definitely outlast any toys or trinkets you may purchase, and each one becomes unique with your child’s particular collection of autographs. No two books ever end up being exactly alike, creating magical Disney memories that they can treasure forever.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
Save Money By Using the Magical Express on Your Next Disney World Vacation
When flying to Orlando for your Disney World Vacation, one of the important details to figure out is how are you going to get from the Orlando Airport to the Walt Disney World Resort.
This is not a decision to take lightly. You could:
- Rent a Car - This is an expensive option, especially if you planned on staying on the Disney Property for the duration of the trip. You will find that you are paying for the car to sit idle most of your trip and it is not really necessary.
- Take the Mears Shuttle - This option could get very expensive as you will have to pay per person. Any group more than two makes this an expensive option.
- Rent a Towncar - We like this option as there are several reputable firms in Orlando that do a nice job of shuttling people to and from the Airport to their Disney Resorts.
All of the these options cost real money and become an expense that you have to include as part of your trip budgeting process.
Then Disney World introduced the Magical Express concept.
This is a wonderful idea that eliminates a big expense for those who want to fly to get to Disney World. Disney benefits by creating a more captive audience for the duration of their vacation.
Here's how it works:
- Once you make your airline reservations, you call Disney World and have them add this information to your resort reservation.
- About 4-6 weeks prior to your trip you will receive a packet in the mail that includes an information booklet with your Magical Express tickets and a set of special luggage tags.
- When it is time for your trip place one luggage tag on each piece of luggage and check them at the airport like you would normally do. You do not need to tell the airline that you are going to Disney World or give them any special information.
- When you arrive at the Orlando Airport (MCO), follow the directions in the booklet to the B side of the main terminal on Level 1. There you will find a Disney Magical Express Counter.
- Give them your booklet and they will pull up your reservation.
- You will then proceed to the bus line and be told which bus to board.
- The bus will then take you to your resort. In route it will play an informational video about Walt Disney World and Magical Express.
- Check in to your resort.
- Go off to the parks or whatever you choose to do. In a couple of hours the bags that you checked will magically be delivered to your room. (You do not need to be there!).
It's just that easy! No stress, no visiting the baggage claim area, no lugging bags around the resort, and no need to tip anyone! It all happens behinds the scenes magically.
The day before you depart, you will receive an envelope delivered to your room that tells you the information you need to return to the airport. Usually your bus will depart 3 hours before your plane is scheduled to take off.
When you are ready to return home, depending upon the airline you may be able to get your boarding passes at your resort before you leave. Before the airline added these "checked bag fees" Disney would even check your bags at the resort, so you wouldn't have to handle them any further.
Now in most cases you will have to claim your bag after your bus arrives at the airport and check it the old fashioned way and pay any necessary fees.
The Bottom Line is that this is a great FREE service that Disney World offers and it really makes a difference when you are trying to keep to a budget. You if you haven't tried it yet, make sure that you do.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
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Trip Planning
Disney World Landscapers Create Behind The Scenes Magic Year Round
As Epcot's 16th International Flower and Garden Festival swings into full bloom I thought it would be a good time to share some facts about Disney World's wonderful horticultural staff and the magic they create.
The staff is made up of over 600 gardeners, arborists, irrigation specialists and pest management specialists. Speaking of pest management specialists, did you know that Disney World releases over 10 1/2 million beneficial insects each year to protect all of their plants?
For the Flower and Garden Festival they will plant over 300,000 bedding plants in Epcot. It is estimated that 30 million blooms will decorate Epcot during the 75 days of the festival.
The talented staff at Disney World is not limited to keeping busy during the Flower and Garden Festival, they are quite busy year round.
Across all of the Walt Disney World resorts and theme parks over 3 million bedding plants and annuals are planted each year.
Nearly 13,000 roses have been planted throughout the resort. Over 400 hours per year are spent in removing the spent blooms from all of the rose gardens.
Do you like mowing? The folks at Disney World do a lot of it. Nearly 450,000 mowing miles are logged to keep the 2,000 acres of grassy areas looking their best.
Approximately 800 hanging baskets are on display at any one time throughout the Resort and of the 4,000 that are created each year, many are planned up to a year in advance to meet the needed themes.
How about shrubs? Over 4 million shrubs are maintained on the Disney World property.
Disney's fine staff does an excellent job of keeping the landscaping looking wonderful year round throughout the resort. Although they do not get the accolades that the Imagineers or some of the front line Cast Members get, they certainly contribute to the magic of a Disney World vacation.
Tags:
Epcot
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Miscellaneous Magic
Florida's Wildlife Invades Disney World
The exotic animals that you may see in Disney's Animal Kingdom are not the only wildlife that you will see during a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort.
Although you may not see an alligator during your visit, you have a good chance of seeing an armadillo if you look closely while driving from one of the resorts to the parks along one of the many waterways. There are a wide variety of native Florida species that you will probably encounter.
Here are some pictures that captured some of Florida's native wildlife visiting the parks:
This first picture is a rabbit that is attacking the railroad village in Germany in Epcot.
This bird hung out by the golf course at the Old Key West Resort and like to sun itself on this rock each afternoon. It is either an Anhinga or a Double Crested Cormorant. Regardless, this bird swims beneath the surface of the water looking for fish and dives totally under to catch the fish. Often you will see only the neck and head moving through the water like a periscope while the rest of its body is submerged. It is quite interesting to watch.
Although you may not see an alligator during your visit, you have a good chance of seeing an armadillo if you look closely while driving from one of the resorts to the parks along one of the many waterways. There are a wide variety of native Florida species that you will probably encounter.
Here are some pictures that captured some of Florida's native wildlife visiting the parks:
This first picture is a rabbit that is attacking the railroad village in Germany in Epcot.
This bird hung out by the golf course at the Old Key West Resort and like to sun itself on this rock each afternoon. It is either an Anhinga or a Double Crested Cormorant. Regardless, this bird swims beneath the surface of the water looking for fish and dives totally under to catch the fish. Often you will see only the neck and head moving through the water like a periscope while the rest of its body is submerged. It is quite interesting to watch.
The squirrel depicted here was checking out the scenery at Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club Resort.
These lizards are everywhere you look at Walt Disney World. This one happened to be poolside at Stormalong Bay.
This heron (I believe) was spotted at the Saratoga Springs resort checking out the view of Downtown Disney.
Nature finds it's way into the Walt Disney World Resort on a regular basis. Although these aren't planned attractions these Florida Natives certainly look at home as they make their home in the resort and surrounding areas.
Remember that only one third of the land that Disney owns at the Walt Disney World Resort is currently developed. The rest is left as natural wetlands and areas that could potentially be developed at a future date.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
Super Bowl - I'm Going to Disney World!
In honor of the Super Bowl, I thought it would be fun to post some of those great commercials that Disney World has created over the years.
It has now become a Super Bowl tradition to hear the representative from the winning team say those magical words: "I'm Going To Disney World!"
The first time one of these commercials aired, was after Super Bowl XXI in 1987. Phil Simms of the Giants starred in this commercial that started it all.
Super Bowl XXII in 1988 featured Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins.
This humorous video has a number of Pittsburgh Steelers practicing what they will say if they win, from Super Bowl XL in 2006.
Last year Eli Manning of the New York Giants, got to declare that he was: "Living the dream. I'm Going to Disney World!" after he upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Enjoy the game and see if you can guess who will be the star of this year's commercial.
It has now become a Super Bowl tradition to hear the representative from the winning team say those magical words: "I'm Going To Disney World!"
The first time one of these commercials aired, was after Super Bowl XXI in 1987. Phil Simms of the Giants starred in this commercial that started it all.
Super Bowl XXII in 1988 featured Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins.
This humorous video has a number of Pittsburgh Steelers practicing what they will say if they win, from Super Bowl XL in 2006.
Last year Eli Manning of the New York Giants, got to declare that he was: "Living the dream. I'm Going to Disney World!" after he upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Enjoy the game and see if you can guess who will be the star of this year's commercial.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
Disney World's Extra Magic Hours
There are differing opinions on whether to take advantage of Disney World's Extra Magic Hours or to avoid them. Today I am going to share my experience and help you use them to your advantage.
Let's start off with: "What are Extra Magic Hours?"
Extra Magic Hours are an incentive that Disney World created for staying at one of the Disney World Resort hotels. During selected times, you may enter the designated park for that day either 1 hour before the regular opening or up to 3 hours after the normal closing.
Here is an example of the current Extra Magic Hour schedule being used. Each day there is at least one Extra Magic Hour park.
Strategy
The prevailing advice is that the Extra Magic Hour Days are the busiest days for those parks and they should be avoided. For the most part, this is a true statement, but here are some exceptions that may be beneficial to you.
If you are an early riser, DO take advantage of the morning Extra Magic Hours. This can really jumpstart your day and allow you to ride the most popular attractions, before the crowds start to build.
If you have the Park Hopper Option, or you are an Annual Passholder, then visit a different park during the day and hit the Extra Magic Hour Park in the Evening. Usually the later that you get into the extra 3 hours the lighter the park attendance gets. If you are a Night Owl, you can enjoy the park until the very end.
The third strategy to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours is to visit the park at opening. Stay until early afternoon, then go back to the hotel for a nap or some pool time and then return in the evening to enjoy the Extra Magic Hours. This helps you avoid some of the crowds and still get an extra long day at one of your favorite parks.
As I mentioned earlier conventional wisdom says to avoid the Extra Magic Hour park on their special days. If you wish to use this to your advantage, visit a park on the day AFTER it has held an evening Extra Magic Hour. If you get there right as it opens, this is typically the lightest crowds of the week for that park.
Whether you attend the Extra Magic Hour sessions or not, take the time to find out when they are held during your visit. Try employing one of the 3 strategies mentioned above to get the most out of this perk or use the “Visit A Park The Day After” method to minimize the crowds.
If you are an early riser, DO take advantage of the morning Extra Magic Hours. This can really jumpstart your day and allow you to ride the most popular attractions, before the crowds start to build.
If you have the Park Hopper Option, or you are an Annual Passholder, then visit a different park during the day and hit the Extra Magic Hour Park in the Evening. Usually the later that you get into the extra 3 hours the lighter the park attendance gets. If you are a Night Owl, you can enjoy the park until the very end.
The third strategy to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours is to visit the park at opening. Stay until early afternoon, then go back to the hotel for a nap or some pool time and then return in the evening to enjoy the Extra Magic Hours. This helps you avoid some of the crowds and still get an extra long day at one of your favorite parks.
As I mentioned earlier conventional wisdom says to avoid the Extra Magic Hour park on their special days. If you wish to use this to your advantage, visit a park on the day AFTER it has held an evening Extra Magic Hour. If you get there right as it opens, this is typically the lightest crowds of the week for that park.
Whether you attend the Extra Magic Hour sessions or not, take the time to find out when they are held during your visit. Try employing one of the 3 strategies mentioned above to get the most out of this perk or use the “Visit A Park The Day After” method to minimize the crowds.
Tips for the Frequent Disney World Visitor
I think that one of the keys to enjoying Disney World, over and over again, is to keep adding something new to each trip.
With all of the new attractions and shows that are added on a regular basis, sometimes it is not hard to find something new to enjoy. Other times, you need to make a purposeful effort.
With all of the new attractions and shows that are added on a regular basis, sometimes it is not hard to find something new to enjoy. Other times, you need to make a purposeful effort.
I have honestly lost track of how many times that I have visited Walt Disney World (note to self try to figure out an exact number one of these days), but I know it is more than 20. This is coming from a person that lived most of my life in Ohio and the last 7 years in North Carolina. Also, I only visited twice in the first 25 years of my life.
My point is that in the last 10 years, I have been visiting at least once a year, and often two to three times per year. Each trip I try to schedule something new to do that I have never done at Disney World before. Luckily there is so much to do, I am not worried that I will ever reach the day where I cannot find something new to include on a Disney World Trip.
Here is a list of ideas for you to keep in mind when planning your next trip:
- Stay at a different Disney World Resort - there are over 20 on the property.
- Eat in a sit down restaurant that you have never visited.
- Catch a parade that you may have never seen before.
- Visit an attraction that you have never seen before.
- Make a point to catch some of the live entertainment at Epcot that you haven't seen before.
- Rent a bicycle for the whole family and ride around your resort or at the Boardwalk.
- Rent a watercraft.
- Go golfing.
- Go fishing.
- Take a Disney Tour.
- See a Rope Drop at one of the parks.
- Find a Paint Brush on Tom Sawyer's Island.
- Have a day searching for Hidden Mickeys.
- Visit Jellyrolls or the Atlantic Dance Hall in the Boardwalk.
- Ride in the front of a monorail.
- Ride a form of Disney Transportation that you have never on before.
- See the Hoop-dee-Doo Musical Revue or the Polynesian Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.
- Go to the Campfire Program and Outdoor Movie at the Fort Wilderness Campground.
- See the holiday decorations at each park and resort.
- Go to MNSSHP (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party)
- Go to MVMCP (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party)
- Visit the Food and Wine Festival
- Visit Star Wars Weekends
- Visit the Flower and Garden Festival.
- Visit Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
- Visit the Miniature Golf Courses - Winter Summerland and Fantasia Gardens
As you can quickly see there are a lot of things to do at Disney World and I am not even close to naming all of the things you can do on a trip there. I see I forgot to mention visiting the Spas, or the Richard Petty Driving Experience, or ....
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
Walt's Original Vision for EPCOT Part II
Here is the last part of the original 24 minute film that Walt Disney created in 1966 to discuss the Disney World Project in Florida and EPCOT (Experimental Protoype Community of Tomorrow).
Enjoy the conclusion of this fascinating film about what the future would bring to Disney World. Although the Epcot theme park that was finally opened in 1982 does not resemble the prototype city depicted here, many of the concepts were incorporated into the theme park to help fulfill Walt's wishes.
Enjoy the conclusion of this fascinating film about what the future would bring to Disney World. Although the Epcot theme park that was finally opened in 1982 does not resemble the prototype city depicted here, many of the concepts were incorporated into the theme park to help fulfill Walt's wishes.
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Miscellaneous Magic
Take a Look Back at Walt's Vision for EPCOT in 1966
Here is the first of two parts of the film that Walt put together in 1966 to describe his vision for Disney World and EPCOT.
It is fun to look back every now and again to see what went in to the original design of Disney World and hear Walt's own thoughts on the subject.
Note: This clip actually starts about 5 minutes into the 24 minute film. Since my blog site is called Only WDWorld, I have chosen not to show the part concerning Disneyland.
It is fun to look back every now and again to see what went in to the original design of Disney World and hear Walt's own thoughts on the subject.
Note: This clip actually starts about 5 minutes into the 24 minute film. Since my blog site is called Only WDWorld, I have chosen not to show the part concerning Disneyland.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
Cool Disney World Promo
Check out this awesome promotional video for Walt Disney World.
I have customized this one with my name. You can customize this video yourself and email it to your friends and family. You will not believe how easy it is to do. You just enter the first and last name of the person you wish to immortalize and then choose from the list of occasions to celebrate.
This is an official Disney created video that is meant to be shared.
Go to www.sun7news.com to create your own. Enjoy!
Top 7 Attraction Queues at Disney World
A large part of the magic that is Walt Disney World comes from the storytelling and the great attention to detail that is used in and around each attraction.
Today, I am going to list (in reverse order) Only WDWorld's Top 7 Attraction Queues at Disney World. These are the attractions before the attractions. The theming and exhibits that you notice while you are waiting in line or on your way to board your ride. These are the areas that present and sell the background stories. These are the areas that Disney spends more money on and does better than any other amusement park chain in the world.
So here goes Only WDWorld's Top 7:
7. Star Tours – Starting with the full scale AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) Walker located outside the entrance of the building, you get the sense that you are entering the world of Star Wars. Upon entry into the building you see the transport shuttle and R2D2 and C3PO. Further along the queue you continue to see a variety of droids and robots. When you are finally outside of the ride vehicle you receive a briefing video that again reinforces the feeling that you are part of the world of Star Wars further enhancing the experience.
6. Haunted Mansion – This attraction queue certainly sets the stage for what is to come. You are instantly put in the mood by the cast members that greet you as you enter the queue line. The outside portion of the line has tombstone markers that are enjoyable to read. Once you enter the building you are taken to the now famous stretching room, where you are introduced to the Haunted Mansion and given your initial scare. It took many trips before I could actually get my children past this part of the queue to experience the actual ride.
5. Test Track – You are fully immersed in a GM auto testing facility and you see the elements that go into the testing and design of new cars. The focus of the variety of durability and safety/crash related testing, with full scale representations of the testing equipment. The preshow sets the stage to remind you that you are in an automobile testing facility and the tests that cars go through.
They went all out in putting this together and used a large space to demonstrate all of the testing equipment.
4. Toy Story Mania – Hollywood Studio’s newest attraction has shrunk you down to toy size as the ride queue takes you on a winding tour of Andy’s room. Disney spent a great deal of effort putting this together and it is really quite amazing. The Mr. Potatohead “Barker” character is the most advanced audio-animatronics figure ever built. You have to remind yourself that this is just the attraction queue.
3. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster- The infusion of Aerosmith into this attraction was well done and they do a great job of selling the backstory with this ride queue. Once you enter the building, you think you have entered the offices of G-Force records. You are taken to the recording studio where you will see Aerosmith and Steven Tyler sets the stage for the “Limo Through LA” to get to across town to the concert. The area where you board the limos is also set to look like a back alley.
2. Tower of Terror- The entire building and grounds of this attraction set up the story. Even the landscaping and the purposely aged and dried up fountains outside are there to make you believe this is an old run down, once prominent hotel. Once inside the lobby, you again see wonderful detail to make you believe you are in an aging hotel, where everything seemed to have eerily stopped in time many years ago and just sat and collected dust. You then enter the spooky library and see a television video from Rod Serling (Twilight Zone) that explains what has happened to the Hollywood Tower Hotel and how you are being taken to ….the Twilight Zone. Finally you exit the library and proceed to the realistic looking boiler room to wait your turn to board the service elevator.
1. Expedition Everest – When Walt Disney Imagineering set out to design this attraction, they just weren’t focused upon a roller coater and a audio-animatronic Yeti. They set out to create a mountain and an authentic looking village to “sell the story”.
The resulting attraction is amazing and the queue shows off what Disney is capable of when they want to do it right.
6. Haunted Mansion – This attraction queue certainly sets the stage for what is to come. You are instantly put in the mood by the cast members that greet you as you enter the queue line. The outside portion of the line has tombstone markers that are enjoyable to read. Once you enter the building you are taken to the now famous stretching room, where you are introduced to the Haunted Mansion and given your initial scare. It took many trips before I could actually get my children past this part of the queue to experience the actual ride.
5. Test Track – You are fully immersed in a GM auto testing facility and you see the elements that go into the testing and design of new cars. The focus of the variety of durability and safety/crash related testing, with full scale representations of the testing equipment. The preshow sets the stage to remind you that you are in an automobile testing facility and the tests that cars go through.
They went all out in putting this together and used a large space to demonstrate all of the testing equipment.
4. Toy Story Mania – Hollywood Studio’s newest attraction has shrunk you down to toy size as the ride queue takes you on a winding tour of Andy’s room. Disney spent a great deal of effort putting this together and it is really quite amazing. The Mr. Potatohead “Barker” character is the most advanced audio-animatronics figure ever built. You have to remind yourself that this is just the attraction queue.
3. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster- The infusion of Aerosmith into this attraction was well done and they do a great job of selling the backstory with this ride queue. Once you enter the building, you think you have entered the offices of G-Force records. You are taken to the recording studio where you will see Aerosmith and Steven Tyler sets the stage for the “Limo Through LA” to get to across town to the concert. The area where you board the limos is also set to look like a back alley.
2. Tower of Terror- The entire building and grounds of this attraction set up the story. Even the landscaping and the purposely aged and dried up fountains outside are there to make you believe this is an old run down, once prominent hotel. Once inside the lobby, you again see wonderful detail to make you believe you are in an aging hotel, where everything seemed to have eerily stopped in time many years ago and just sat and collected dust. You then enter the spooky library and see a television video from Rod Serling (Twilight Zone) that explains what has happened to the Hollywood Tower Hotel and how you are being taken to ….the Twilight Zone. Finally you exit the library and proceed to the realistic looking boiler room to wait your turn to board the service elevator.
1. Expedition Everest – When Walt Disney Imagineering set out to design this attraction, they just weren’t focused upon a roller coater and a audio-animatronic Yeti. They set out to create a mountain and an authentic looking village to “sell the story”.
The resulting attraction is amazing and the queue shows off what Disney is capable of when they want to do it right.
The Imagineers took many trips to the Himalayas to collect artifacts and view the architectural styles of the region. They also researched the various legends of the Yeti.
The Disney created village is called Serka Zong, which is supposedly located in the foothills of the Himalayas.
As the story goes, the Himalayan Escapes tour company led by Norbu and Bob, have refurbished a steam train and are using it to transport trekker to their base camp, using a shortcut that passes though the “forbidden mountain” that is guarded by the mythical yeti.
As you make your way through the queue you will see authentic artifacts from the region and a multitude of trekking items used. You will also pass through a yeit museum of sorts that tells of the legend of the yeti and report of a lost expedition that may have run into the yeti during their attempt to cross the forbidden mountain.
The detail truly is wonderful and as mentioned earlier most of the artifacts are authentic from the region. You are fully immersed in the story. The whole attraction was very well done and the results are amazing.
Honorable Mention:
Others that garner honorable mention include: Kali River Rapids, Stitch’s Great Escape, The Great Movie Ride, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Mission Space, Soarin’, and The Living Seas.
Disney World Cast Members Make Magic Everywhere You Go
As I have said before, "The magic is in the details."
The magic that I am referring to is the special moments and extra unexpected touches that are carried out by the Walt Disney World Cast members. These "extras" are what makes Disney World so special.
The picture for today's blog is picture of Mickey drawn on the sidewalk of Main St. in the Magic Kingdom by a cast member with a wet broom.
These are the kinds of things that bring a smile to your face and help you to enjoy your escape from the outside world and immerse yourself in the "Disney World."
The examples of cast members going out of their way abound. They range from engaging a youngster in conversation and taking a real interest in what they have to say, to going the extra mile to help a guest with a polite request.
During your next trip take the opportunity to strike up a conversion with a Cast member of two. They are usually quite knowledgeable about the area that they are working and you can learn quite a bit from them.
Tags:
Magic Kingdom
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Miscellaneous Magic
One of Epcot's Best Kept Secrets - Club Cool
Today I am going to share with you one of Disney World's Best Values.
At Epcot's Club Cool sponsored by Coca-Cola, located next to Innovations West is a great value and under publicized attraction.
This attraction was originally called Ice Station Cool, but was remodeled and renamed in 2005.
The basic premise remains the same: Coca-Cola gives free, let me say that again: FREE samples of different soft drinks from around the world.
The current line-up includes:
Krest Ginger Ale from Mozambique, Fanta Colita from Costa Rica, Beverly from Italy, Mezzo Mix from Germany, Vegita Beta from Japan, Kinley from Israel, Lift from Mexico, & a watermelon based drink from China.
My favorite is the Mezzo Mix and my kids like the Watermelon drink from China. Most people have stated that their least favorite is the Beverly from Italy.
Regardless which one is your favorite, you have found a free refreshment station in Epcot that rarely has a long line. This is a great place to stop on a hot day to cool off and have a couple of free beverages before you move on.
There are very few free opportunities within Disney World, so make sure you take advantage of this one.
Tags:
Epcot
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Miscellaneous Magic
From Here to There with Disney World Transportation
Instead of the famous movie title “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”, the story of getting around the Walt Disney World Resort could be called: “Buses, Boats, and Monorails”.
Once you get inside the Walt Disney World Resort there is a wide variety of free transportation to get you from here to there.
Buses
The Walt Disney World Resort has a fleet of over 230 buses that collectively travel over 12 million miles each year. The Disney Buses can take you from your resort to all four theme parks, both water parks, and Downtown Disney. A separate bus runs to each of the parks and Downtown Disney.
You may also use the buses to get to different resorts, but you will have to change buses at one of the parks or Downtown Disney.
There are also buses that will take you directly from park to park, in order to make it easier for Park Hopping.
Boats
Disney uses a variety of different boats to transport you across their seas and along their waterways.
You can take a Ferryboat from the Ticket and Transportation Center to get to the Magic Kingdom. There are motor launches that run from the Magic Kingdom area resorts to the park as well. There are also motor cruisers that run from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Campground to the Magic Kingdom.
There are boats that run from Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, & Old Key West resorts to Downtown Disney along the Sassagoula River.
There is also a boat that will take you from the International Gateway of Epcot to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with stops at the Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club, and the Swan & Dolphin resorts along the way.
Monorails
Disney World has a fleet of 12 monorails that carry over 22 million passengers each year along the 14.7 miles of track. They have a top speed of 40 mph.
You can use the monorail to get from the Ticket and Transportation Center to either Epcot or the Magic Kingdom.
There is also a monorail loop that links the Contemporary, the Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Resorts to the Magic Kingdom.
If you are one of the first in line for the monorail, don’t forget to ask a cast member if you can ride up front. The only have room for one family at a time, but it is quite an experience if you get the opportunity.
Summary
Disney World’s Transportation System is so impressive; it even has its own line of Trading Cards.
After you have mastered your way around each of the parks, it can be a lot of fun to see how many different types of transportation you can use during your trip.
So don’t forget to leave the driving to the Cast Members on your next vacation.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
Exploring the Disney World Boardwalk
The Walt Disney World Boardwalk is one of the attractions that won't show up on your initial list of places that you must visit, but maybe it should.
The Boardwalk can be difficult to get to. You can either get to it by exiting the at the International Gateway for Epcot and walking 5 minutes to the Boardwalk, or you can go to any park or Downtown Disney and take a bus to the Boardwalk Resort to get to it.
Once you have figured out how to get there you will see a glimpse of the early 1900's Eastern Seaboard captured by Disney. This boardwalk creates a relaxing stroll along a boardwalk with a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues to explore.
The restaurants include: Spoodles - which offers excellent Mediterranean Fare, the Big River Brewing Company - which offers micro-brewed beer and a full menu restaurant, and the Flying Fish Cafe - which is a very nice restaurant for that romantic or special evening with gourmet fare, specializing in seafood.
There are several shops offering a variety of products from artwork to Disney souvenirs. This is a fun way to pass the time by strolling along the Boardwalk as browsing though the shops.
If it is entertainment you are looking for, you can visit: the ESPN club to catch the game and have dinner or a couple of drinks, the Atlantic Dance Club, where you can fulfill that urge to dance the night away, and Jellyrolls - a lively dueling piano bar.
Evenings are when the Boardwalk really heats up. You will find typical games of skill to participate in, as well as, live entertainment. This entertainment may include magicians, jugglers, singers, etc.
Things are never boring on the Boardwalk at night. So if you are looking to add something new to your Disney World visit, don't forget to check out Disney's Boardwalk area, I'm sure that you will enjoy it.
Tags:
Miscellaneous Magic
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Trip Planning
Stormalong Bay - Disney World's 3rd Water Park
Does your family enjoy spending part of your Disney World Vacation by the resort pool? Then do I have the place for you!
Stormalong Bay, the resort pool shared by Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts almost qualifies to be a separate admission water park. This is certainly no ordinary pool.
The theming of the pool complex is based upon the legend of the gigantic sailor named Stormalong who ran his ship ashore where Stormalong Bay now stands. His s
hip plowed into the shoreline creating the pools and waterways that exist today. The ship still exists today with its mast projecting 150 feet into the sky.The ship now is home to the complex’s twisty and thrilling water slide. There are three acres of pools in all, including a snorkeling lagoon, an area with a whirlpool current, and a relaxing lagoon.
One unique feature is that the pool has a sand bottom. This helps complete the theming that you are off on some shipwrecked island.
The excellent cast members who work there host a variety of recreational activities each day.
Stormalong Bay is certainly an attraction all to itself and a great reason to book a stay at either the Yacht Club or Beach Club Resort.
Disney Vacation Club Announces 7th DVC Resort at Walt Disney World
Today the Disney Vacation Club announced that Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort will open in the fall of 2009 as DVC's latest resort.
Speculation had been going on for some time as to whether the 15 story building connected to the original Contemporary resort by a skyway would indeed be an addition to the growing list of DVC resorts.
The Disney Vacation Club also announced that sales for Bay Lake Tower would begin on September 21st, starting with existing DVC members first.
The new tower will contain approximately 300 units made up of studios, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, & 3 bedroom villas. It will also have a new pool area with waterslide.
The views will be mainly of either the Bay Lake and Pool or the Magic Kingdom. Nearly floor to ceiling windows will be included in most of the units to take advantage of the wonderful views.
Besides being the first DVC resort where you can either board a monorail or walk to the Magic Kingdom, it will also have spectacular views of the park and a rooftop fireworks observation deck.
The new resort is expected to be one of the most popular when it opens due to its views and proximity to the Magic Kingdom.
For additional information follow this link to Disney's official press release
or this link to official Disney video: Deevy See's Video of Bay Lake Tower
Speculation had been going on for some time as to whether the 15 story building connected to the original Contemporary resort by a skyway would indeed be an addition to the growing list of DVC resorts.
The Disney Vacation Club also announced that sales for Bay Lake Tower would begin on September 21st, starting with existing DVC members first.
The new tower will contain approximately 300 units made up of studios, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, & 3 bedroom villas. It will also have a new pool area with waterslide.
The views will be mainly of either the Bay Lake and Pool or the Magic Kingdom. Nearly floor to ceiling windows will be included in most of the units to take advantage of the wonderful views.
Besides being the first DVC resort where you can either board a monorail or walk to the Magic Kingdom, it will also have spectacular views of the park and a rooftop fireworks observation deck.
The new resort is expected to be one of the most popular when it opens due to its views and proximity to the Magic Kingdom.
For additional information follow this link to Disney's official press release
or this link to official Disney video: Deevy See's Video of Bay Lake Tower
Tags:
DVC
,
Miscellaneous Magic
