Tag: magic kingdom

DISNEY RESORTS, disney themed fun, lists! what NOT to have or do on your trip, theme parks, Uncategorized October 4, 2018October 6, 2018

TOP FIVE THINGS NOT TO DO ON ITS A SMALL WORLD

“It’s a Small World” is probably the most popular ride- traditionally- in the Magic Kingdom. It is family friendly, for all ages and sizes. But there are still some things you should never do on “It’s a Small World”.

Don’t put your hands in the water while riding the boat. This ride made its mark at the 1964 World’s Fair. I doubt you are riding in filtered water. You could be riding in basically the same water they had in 1964. That is water that is over forty years old! And dirty! Also, we have never heard of an alligator sighting, but be careful – and keep your hands in the boat!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Don’t worry about a Fast Pass (on non holidays). The line for this ride usually moves pretty quickly because there are so many boats. You do not have to run like crazy to get on this ride and beat the crowd. The one perk of a fast pass? Your name MAY show up somewhere along the ride. So do it for that reason only.
Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com
Don’t go on this ride looking for thrills and chills. As I said before, this is NOT a scary ride. You do not go fast or upside down. You go on here to relax. There is no screaming on this ride. Please do NOT scream. You will upset people.

Photo by Genaro Servu00edn on Pexels.com

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Do NOT plan on learning a new language on this ride. Yes, seven languages and twenty five countries are represented on the journey. But you will be so busy looking at all of the beautiful scenery that I doubt you will pick up a language that quickly. If you want to try: English, Portuguese, German, French, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian! The ride can be found at five Disney Parks and Three Continents so go ahead and try.
Don’t be afraid to sing a long. Below are the lyrics to get you started
Finally, DO look up as the ride is beginning. People often hold up signs from the Pinocchio Haus

It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears. It’s a world of hopes and a world of fears.

There’s so much that we share

That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all

It’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all

It’s a small, small world

There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.

Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It’s a small world after all

It’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all
It’s a small world after all
It’s a small, small world

character meet and greets, lists! what NOT to have or do on your trip, Uncategorized September 15, 2018September 15, 2018

FIVE THINGS NOT TO ASK ALADDIN AND JASMINE.. AND A FEW LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT THE COUPLE

If you are lucky enough, you will catch Jasmine and Aladdin together one day, after they get off of their own Magic Carpet Ride (in the Magic Kingdom) or Epcot’ World Showcase in Morocco (and please do try the food when you go there).

When you finally meet them, and hopefully there won’t be a long line to do it, here are some things you probably shouldn’t say.

DON”T ask Aladdin what it feels like to be a street rat. He might get insulted and have flashbacks to being called “a worthless street rat, with only fleas to mourn him”. Granted, being a “street rat” may not necessarily be a bad thing. “Street Rats” are usually comfortable on their own in any given city. A rat is also usually intelligent, agile, and knows how to survive on other people’s scraps. Does that sound like a bit like Aladdin to you?
Photo by David Bartus on Pexels.com
DON’T ask Jasmine what it would take to win her. She will tell you she is not a PRIZE to be won – and she probably will stop talking to you.
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

3. DON’T ask if you can take a look at their magic lamp. You might rub it by mistake after all, and let Jafar out!

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4. DON’T ASK Jasmine what it is like to have a pet tiger and if you can meet her tiger. That is, unless you really, truly want to meet a tiger. Just look at those teeth!

nature summer yellow animal — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

5. DON’T ask Aladdin if you can have one of his wishes. First, I believe he used them all up. But if he didn’t, do you really want to take on that headache? “Excuse me. Are you looking at me? Did you rub my lamp? Did you wake me up? Did you bring me here? & all of a sudden you’re gonna walk out on me? I don’t think so. Not right now! You’re getting your wishes, so SIT DOWN!”

6. DO Ask if you can go for a ride on their magic carpet, “CARPET”. It will be an experience of a lifetime. – And for those who want to try the Magic Carpet Ride, which is right next to Aladdin and Jasmine’s storefront meet and greet, go for it! it is amazing! and kid friendly!

lists! what NOT to have or do on your trip August 28, 2018August 28, 2018

Top 5 general things NOT to do at a Disney Park

1. Don’t ever go into a souvenir store when your kids are AWAKE unless you have angels for kids😭🙈😭🙈😭🙈

2. If you are traveling with a stroller DONT Park it anywhere but official stroller parking, or it’s sure to be moved somewhere completely Remote when you return, hot, tired and ready to throw your kids in.

3. Don’t expect to get into most restaurants in the Park without a reservation. You’ll be sure to find yourself starving and wolfing down expensive junk food unless you make your reservation 180 days in advance. Mickey popcorn is good, but not that good.

4. Don’t wait more than 20 minutes and time see a character. Nobody in a dress and a wig is worth waiting hours for. You can find characters at most restaurants and the line for others usually dwindles at certain times of the day.

No character is worth an hour wait full of screaming kids and bathroom emergencies

5. Don’t forget – you are supposed to be having fun! You can always come back so relax, don’t throw yourself at the day full force. Take your time and enjoy!

**** And if a sign says do not enter or out of service, don’t enter or use! TRUST US

theme parks April 15, 2018April 15, 2018

Do you have a minute and a half for a cup of tea?

Care for a cup of tea with the White Rabbit? Maybe instead of sipping the tea you would rather sit inside the actual teacup. And spin!!

We’ve been told that we’ve only got a minute, just a little minute, to tell you all about the spinning teacups at the magic kingdom.

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So here we go

Is the teacup ride at the Magic Kingdom really a minute? Short answer: No. Long answer – it’s one and a half minutes.

The ride is appropriate for all ages – I would suggest having someone who can control the spinning in each cup, though – so younger ones don’t spin out of control!

Although you can get a fast pass for the magic tea cup ride, you do not really need one, in my opinion. The line moves quickly. There are 18 decorative cups and each cup holds up to five guests. If you want a fun math problem ask yourself this: With 50 families in front of you , at ___ many riders per family, how long will you have to wait to ride the MAD TEA PARTY RIDE at the Magic Kingdom?

You’ll be really dizzy after this ride. If you decide you want to be dizzier you have to have someone in your party spin you even faster by spinning the wheel in the middle.

Try humming this “minute waltz” while you spin. It’ll make you even dizzier, I promise! Much like the Mad Tea Party Ride, the waltz takes about a minute and a half to play 138 bars – the title of the waltz is very deceiving!!! Chopin’s publishers decided on the nickname, not him. The actual name of the Waltz is “The Waltz in D flat major, Op. 64, No.1, or “The Waltz of the little dog”. Chopin was watching his dog chase his tail when he wrote it. The dog spun around, and around, much like the spinning teacups!

Supposedly, The Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee. and Tweedle Dum can all be seen riding this ride throughout the day – I have never been lucky enough to catch them in action. If anyone has any pictures they can share I would love to post them.

Final question: Has anyone ever tried to drink a cup of tea on the Mad Tea Party Ride? That would be pretty mad, wouldn’t it?

theme parks April 4, 2018March 25, 2018

IT’S HARD TO BE BROUGHT DOWN WHEN YOU HAVE A BALLOON…

“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon” – at least that’s what Winnie the Pooh says – we found that out first hand when a nice girl on her way to the airport just handed us a pink one, saying “when you go after honey with a balloon, the great thing is not to let the bees know that you are coming”.

Okay, maybe she didn’t give us that advice. There is no way she could have known we were about to go after honey by finding Winnie the Pooh’s stash. We certainly didn’t need any bees finding out our plans so we just left the balloon in our room, away from any bees, and set off to the Magic Kingdom.

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Winnie The Pooh and Tigger can be found, fully of excitement and mischief, right next to the Winnie the Pooh Ride, at scheduled times. Don’t expect anything normal from Tigger. Tigger will show you that life is all about how you bounce, so feel free to jump with him – but watch out.

Don’t confuse a visit with Winnie The Pooh and Tigger with a ride on the honeypots (right next to them). This ride fills up, and the line moves pretty slowly (because there are a lot of fun activities), so be sure to get a fast pass for the ride.

Winnie and Tigger will sign autographs but do not speak, given that they are animals.

Another shout out to our mystery girl, who gave us the balloon, and sent us on our wild adventure in the first place. As A.A. Milne once said “A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference”

DINING, quick service, theme parks March 31, 2018March 25, 2018

The True Service Test: Quick Service at Be Our Guest

There are no lunch ladies – here! There are no real “servers”” at all. In fact all you need to deal with is the serving ware. Other than a virtual order on screen in the front, you will never be handed a menu or speak a verbal order to a server.

If you are lucky enough to get a reservation at Be Our Guest, take my advice and place your order IN ADVANCE via the mydisneyexperience app. If you place your order in advance, you will be directed to a MUCH SHORTER line.
Here is the menu (click here) study it!! Below is the tuna nicoise salad

Once you walk into the Beast’s Castle, you will not be seated by anyone… that’s right!! Choose, a room, choose a table – we recommend sitting by the beverage station (orange juice/apple juice/soda/coffee/hot cocoa).

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Without servers, how does your food get to you? Don’t worry, it does, you don’t even need to tell them where you are sitting. Go ahead, try to fool the magic.

The breakfast is definitely not as delicious as the lunch or dinner – but it’s still magical. And it basically guarantees you a ride on the Peter Pan Ride or even Mine Train if you make your reservation before the park opens.

disney themed fun, theme parks March 21, 2018March 18, 2018

SPACE RANGER SPIN – MIDWAY MANIA’S FORGOTTEN COUSIN

There’s a great new dance out there, it’s called “doin the robot”. Ever do the robot dance? Okay. maybe it’s not a new dance. It’s definitely not a new dance. If you wanna be a robot, check this out:

When I first met Buzz Lightyear I THOUGHT he was a robot. But it turns out he moves like one thanks to Pixar animation and his space suit. Very futuristic and high tech. Which is why Buzz is located in Tommorowland, very close to his Space Ranger Spin Ride in the Magic Kingdom.

For those who can’t get a ride on Toy Story’s Midway Mania, this is the next best thing. Because you get to actually put yourself in a space ship and target evil aliens. And rack up points (much like the Toy Story Ride).

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Don’t forget to look for your picture at the end of the ride – because the alien’s get a shot of you during the battle! Not sure if it was cyclops alien or alien monster. It didn’t matter because we won.

DISNEY RESORTS, theme parks February 26, 2018February 26, 2018

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – A diamond in the rough

Looking to waste anywhere from two to three hours? Then wait on line for one of the most popular roller coasters of the magic kingdom. While the lines may seem silly, there are no diamonds at the end – only thrills.

The thrills, though, are very short compared to the regular standby wait. So if you can’t be the very first person of the day, a fast pass is a must. Don’t forget the ride share option. If you have young kids below the height requirement, you and another adult can take turns (and it doesn’t have to be right away, often the ride share ticket is good for a couple of days). So if you have young kids, send another adult running ahead of you – it is WELL worth it!

I just can’t see myself standing for two hours to get on this ride. Ever.

That being said, this is a fun, amazingly detailed roller coaster adventure. From the moment that you walk into the entrance, you are approaching a coal mine.

It’s dark in side. You hear the sounds of iron hitting rocks. Did you know the actual roller coaster is made of steel? Are all roller coasters made of steel now? I doubt it.

There are some cute videos playing of the seven dwarfs telling people how not to fall off roller coasters. And where you should put your bags. And do you see the lights in the photo above? They almost look like real lanterns. Very real setting for a coal mine, from what I can tell.

On the way to the coal mine, there is a small cottage. I’m assuming that is supposed to be the actual home of the seven dwarfs. The cottage could be more realistic. We know it is in the woods, so where are the trees, I only see two? Where is the window ledge. Why is it so close to the mines?

In the dark, I have to admit that I was a bit afraid as I had no idea what was coming. But when I saw the two people ahead of me, my fears subsided.

I jumped over, and about three minutes later the ride was over. I’m not kidding. It is only three minutes. So make the most of it and keep your eyes open!!!

character meet and greets, DISNEY RESORTS February 12, 2018December 3, 2018

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH MARY POPPINS. EVEN A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR WON’T GET ME TO WATCH THIS SEQUEL

Mary Poppins may not be on many kids top five wish lists in terms of who to see at Disney, but she is a mainstay. She can be seen strolling around the Magic Kingdom with her white dress and parasol, and can also be found along with Alice and the Mad Hatter at 1900 Park Fare

Does she deserve her own meet and greet or even her own ride? Definitely. Wouldn’t a spot where you can have tea on the ceiling with Uncle Albert be a nice idea??? Or how about a walk through an English Countryside? Or some sort of adventure where you “tidy up” in a magical fashion?

Mary Poppins has her own style. A sense of fashion. It took twenty years for Walt Disney to secure the rights to P.L Travers’ book. The movie itself is practically perfect in every way. So why make a sequel? Why make us see Jane and Michael Banks “all grown up?”

The sequel, set to air in December of 2018 has Emily Blunt taking on the role originally played by Julie Andrews.

Emily Mortimer and Ben Winshaw play the grown up Jane and Michael Banks. As per Disney, Mary Poppins Returns, will be set 20 years after the events of the original 1964 film. The official synopsis reads: “In the story, Michael and Jane are now grown up, with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen, living on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins re-enters the lives of the Banks family, and, along with the optimistic street lamplighter Jack, uses her unique magical skills to help the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.”

Michael Garber, who played Michael Banks died of pancreatitis at the age of 21, so sadly will not even make a cameo appearance. There is a small possibility that Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke may make an appearance, and supposedly Ms. Andrews gave the movie a “seal of approval”.

I will watch it but I hope that nothing takes anything away from the original feature film!!

Some questions for Mary Poppins if you see her walking around the magic kingdom:

What do you have in your bag today?

Can you help me tidy up?

Where’s Bert?

Can we have some tea?

Can you measure my height?

What does it feel like to fly?

How many times have you shaken hands with a chimney sweep?

Have you jumped into any paintings at the Magic Kingdom? If so, which ones?

*** Be aware, there are no fastpasses or photographers for Mary Poppins. According to a source, royalties were demanded by the original Mary Poppins and Disney refuses to give them out.

disney themed fun, theme parks February 10, 2018

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT?

What actually happens at the magic kingdom when the lights go out? No, not on one of the magic hours evenings, or during one of the special parade nights. On a regular night. After the evening parade and fireworks. Midnight on a regular day. Some might say that all the statues come alive. They start to move. This is the moment when they get to try the rides. They finally get to enjoy the “Magic”.

Each of the 44 presidents in the Hall of Presidents get to mingle, they take a presidential march down main street, and then trot when they see the two lanters lit up in Liberty Square to indicate that the British are coming by sea – (yes, even the new one) click here.

One statue in particular, the Cinderella Statue, close to the carousel, is often spotted climbing the 189 foot structure in order to get into her VIP suite. Why try and get into her own kingdom that way? Who knows. What I have heard is that the lavish VIP suite inside the castle can’t even be toured because it was originally intended for Walt and his family. It is only available to VIPs like Suri Cruise. Cinderella herself can’t even officially try the luxurious bedding in the finest suite in the castle. So she climbs in at night.

The five grooms in the wedding portraits in the Haunted Mansion start a game of poker. The winner gets the bride. (Did you know that the same bride is in ever portrait? You will figure it out when she comes after you with her hatchet!)

Suddenly Goofy appears – he got up from his bench in front of Tony’s restaurant because he wanted to try and pull the sword from the stone. Even though the statues have mostly come alive, the magic of the sword comes alive and only a true king can pull out Excalibur. So Goofy is out of luck. Click here for more info on the sword and the stone.

Goofy doesn’t like walking around the old and empty kingdom by himself. He’s looking to hold one of the hidden Mickey’s hands. Although approximately 1,000 Hidden Mickeys have been recorded throughout Disney, there has never been a list made up. The most common Hidden mickey is a formation of three circles that may be perceived as the silhouette of the head and ears of Mickey Mouse, the “Classic Mickey”. Mickeys can be painted, made up of objects, or even references such as a character wearing mouse ears. They don’t all have hands, though.

Finally, Goofy finds the partners statue, and gets to hold Walt’s hand personally, with Mickey still on the other side.

If you are ever lucky enough to be “stuck” at Disney when all this magic is going on, where would you eventually lay your head?

My first choice might be The Beast’s Castle. But this choice is only for the brave, given all the enchantment that takes place in the castle even in the daylight.

Just imagine the nighttime enchantment. I personally love the idea of experiencing all seasons at once: The forest in the fall, the snow. But I would never sleep in the West Wing.

Having trouble imagining all this? Having trouble listening to all I’ve said? Don’t worry, your mind is NOT playing tricks on you. Or is it.

This really happens.