WDW Daily News

Ever since I was a little girl I have LOVED the Disney Princesses. My room had princess everything! So of course with every Disney trip you would think I’d have dragged my parents off to meet them- WRONG. I was terrified of the characters so I never wanted to meet anybody. I just liked to wave at them in the parade. But as I’ve aged…I have come to really enjoy meeting all the Disney Characters in the Parks and my mission to meet every princess began. Last summer my best friend and I trekked around the parks and met all 11 princesses…and then Frozen happened.

At the time Frozen hit theaters, I didn’t live in Florida so my thoughts of meeting Anna and Elsa were few and far between, but then I got hired on at Disney World and meeting them became a real possibility. I was pumped!! I wanted to be able to say I’d met all 13 ladies, but then I found out about the wait times for them and thought, perhaps it wasn’t meant to me. And then the mouse blessed me again…he moved them to a fast pass location in my home park no less! I was elated…but once again the wait times were still very long and with no hope of getting a fast pass I soon realized I would have to anchor down and stand…in the dreaded standby line.

So initially my plan had been to wait til right before park close to go see the ladies, but when I went by the line it was 150 minutes…and I jumped in the line! It was my first time going to Princess Fairy Tale Hall since it opened so I was kind of excited to be there. I met some really fun families while I was waiting in line. I spent about an hour in the outside queue line. Whoever designed Princess Fairy Tale Hall kudos to you. There are fans, and it is air conditioned. I noticed several people had place holders in the line- ie dad would stand in line and mom and the kids would go off and do something else. One of the families in near me was doing that, but once we got inside I told her she might want to call her family in. I had heard tales of the place holders getting to the front of the line and being turned away because the entire party wasn’t with them.

Once inside the queue continued to wrap around, but at least we were inside. I marked my progress by the paintings on the walls. When I got to Princess Tiana I was really excited! Mostly because I wanted a photo of it but I was really…Almost There (see what I did there hehe). I finally got to the front of the line and I watched a few fast pass families go in and then I had finally reached the room! I almost did a happy dance, but that would’ve been embarrassing. At this point I had waited exactly 150 minutes. There were only about two families in front of me and after they went in I finally got to meet the frozen girls!

They were so sweet. I asked them to do a video for my best friend and her daughter and they went on and on about chocolate, and snow and olaf and pretty much everything awesome about Frozen. They signed my parasol and I got my photos. I was one very happy camper! Unlike most of the families I skipped happily right on over to Aurora and got my autograph and photo with her. It hurt my heart to see so many people walking right past her. I mean after waiting for 3 hours I wanted to meet every princess and have my pictures done with the cast members too.

I’m so glad I was able to meet the ladies from Frozen and complete the princess set and I’m especially glad I went when I did because not they take one whole side and you don’t meet them together, you meet the individually. It was well worth the wait…but I don’t think I’ll be waiting 3 hours plus for any other characters…that is until Villain’s Unleashed…hehe.

After months and months of planning, excitement, and anticipation, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Disney parks. You might feel like you have to do every attraction, see all the shows, and eat all the cuisine, but sometimes it’s best to just take slow down and take a break. There are so many little details in the parks that people pass because they want to cram every experience into just a few short days, but they fail to realize that the little things can make bigger memories. Here are some of my favorite Disney details that my family and I have found in the Magic Kingdom throughout the years.

1. “One if by land, two if by sea.” These famous words were first found in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride” in 1860, but they tell the story of a night in 1775 when Paul Revere warned other Patriots that the British were coming. You can find the signal from Paul in Liberty Square across from the entrance to the Haunted Mansion.

2. You might think that the windows of the buildings on Main Street are just there to add to the park’s themeing, but they also hold a secret. Most of the names you see on the windows are either members of the Disney family or Imagineers that had some part in the making of the Magic Kingdom. Others, like “M. T. Lott,” are references to fake names used by the Disney company or a play on words.

 
3. This “secret” requires a child’s perspective. If you go to the back of Cinderella Castle, you’ll find a fountain with a statue of Cinderella. Behind her is a painting with a crown. Pretty usual-looking, right? However, if you bend down to take a sip of water or curtsy to the princess, you’ll see that the crown is perfectly positioned on Cinderella’s head.

 
4. Our last detail comes from Liberty Square again. It’s not easy to miss the huge tree standing in the middle of the land, but you might not realize that there are exactly thirteen lanterns hanging from its branches. The “unlucky” number of lights is actually a nod to the thirteen original colonies of the United States of America.

These few details are just a small part of the grand scheme of the Disney parks, but that’s what makes the parks so much fun – there’s always something new to discover. Remember to slow down and keep your eyes open the next time you visit Disney, and you might just see something that you’ve never noticed before. (Liberty Tree photo credit goes to Gene Duncan)

Danai Gurira and Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”), Matt Smith (“Doctor Who”), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), David Boreanaz (“Bones,” “Angel”), Katie Cassidy (“Arrow”), William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “T.J. Hooker”) and comics legend Stan Lee are among the celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Chicago Comic Con. It is largest and longest-running of the 16 events in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World.

The Midwest’s largest pop culture convention will also feature other stars of “The Walking Dead,” including Scott Wilson, Sarah Wayne Callies and Michael Rooker; “Doctor Who” and Guardians headliner Karen Gillan; a “Star Trek: The Next Generation” reunion with Jonathan Frakes, Levar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner and Gates McFadden; and five WWE® standouts, including Bautista (a.k.a. Batista™), Superstars John Cena® and Bray Wyatt™, Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino™ and Diva Paige™.

Meet these stars and more, August 21-24 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

GET YOUR CHICAGO COMIC CON TICKETS HERE!
GET YOUR VIP EXPERIENCE TICKETS HERE!

Take a look at this photo featuring Festival of the Lion King in the new Harambe Theater from Stacy Degaro.

Family. Our 10 day adventure to Disney World and Cocoa Beach comes down to one word….family. We traveled over 1500 miles by car just to visit the Mouse House! This was by far one of the best trips home yet. Give me enough time to forget about the drive and I may do it again.

Coming together, as only one can when trapped in a minivan for 24 hours, as a family brought us through 6 or 7 states and many moments of laughter and tears (the tears were mostly from me as I hit hour 19 driving). However, the view from our balcony was well worth it!
From Star Wars Weekend to Princess Dinners, we celebrated our family, our love for each other and we’re thankful for how Blessed we are. Changes are headed our way, but Disney will always be our constant, our ‘Most Magical Place on Earth.’

The new Magic Bands, My Disney Experience and FastPass+ worked flawlessly for us and was the number one reason our vacation was so relaxed. There was no more rushing to the rides early in the morning to get our Fastpasses and in and out of the parks with no turnstiles was amazing. Meals, charging, and more. There is no doubt we will continue to sing the praises of this new system until our next adventure…’Do you trust me?’

disneydad1972@gmail.com

I was walking around the Disney Marketplace one day and as I passed the small carousel there I heard a familiar tune. I walked up to the operator and said, “I bet these kids have no clue where that musical score comes from”. He agreed.

For anyone that has heard the original “If You Had Wings” by X Atencio, it’s a melody that is not easily forgotten. While not as monotonous as “It’s A Small World”, this piece of music will stay with you for a good, long time once you hear it.

My very first trip to Disney was in the early 70’s and I vividly remember this attraction. The carpeting was blue and the air had a particular scent to it. To this day, when I visit Disney, that smell takes me back. (The same smell is on the monorail–a combination of musty air conditioning, dust and Florida humidity.)

Originally sponsored by Eastern Airlines (reportedly a $10 million investment…big money for 1972!) this was a free “attraction” (tickets were used back in those days) and was basically a ride-through commercial for Eastern and its many travel destinations. I didn’t care! I thought it was marvelous! All of those projectors showing images of far-away places and simulation of movement. At one point I had to look down at the floor because I thought this thing was really flying down the hill…only to see that we were only creeping along on the Omnimover track at a snail’s pace. I was in the second grade and from where I came from, this was like going to the moon!

This was pretty much the basis for many attractions to come and go over the years, especially the sadly missed Horizons and World of Motion attractions at Epcot. They all used the Omnimover system, projection screens and small scene set ups.

The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros at the Mexican Pavilion at World Showcase is the closest thing to the original IYHW attraction. Plus they mixed it up with a little IASW too so you can have your staring dolls and repetitive theme song. The same ride system from IYHW is still used today. Have you ever been on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin? That’s the same track that was there in 1972. Even what was originally the “speed room”, an ellipsoid that you rode through while the car tilted back, an ovoid screen surrounded you and a fan simulated wind….still there and you still ride through it.

By today’s standards the special effects of this attraction would seem dated or not at all impressive. But in its day, this was cutting edge technology and set the stage for so many greater things to come. So the next time you’re shooting at aliens with a laser or watching the plastic mermaid wave at you…remember that once upon a time, we all had wings, had wings, had wings….

I have a confession to make… I am completely Disney- obsessed. I own entirely too many rodent themed clothing items for any self-respecting 40 year old mother of two and my house is beginning to feel a bit like a shrine to the Mouse. I cry every time I hear Wishes, even if I am sitting on my couch listening to Mouse World Radio. To most of my family and friends, it is hard to understand why I have such a strong connection to “a little kids’ park”. “Why do you want to go there AGAIN?? Aren’t you sick of it?” My answer, like that of so many of my fellow Disney kin, is a resounding “NO”.

My affection for Disney began when I was a teen, with an ever-growing appreciation of both classic Disney animated features (Lady and the Tramp was my first Disney love) and later the “new” classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. I became fascinated with Walt Disney, the man, and the history behind the company. Although I had been to Walt Disney World once as a 6-year-old child, I was not even close to prepared for what I would feel when I visited for the first time as a young adult.

The year was 1998 when my husband and I took our first trip, and on the risk of sounding dramatic, it was truly a vacation that changed my life (yep, that’s dramatic, all right!). I distinctly remember stepping off of that Disney bus in front of the Magic Kingdom. Standing there in front of the floral Mickey and looking up at the train station, my heart pounding and the butterflies dancing in my stomach, I knew instantly that something had just begun. That moment was the true birth of a love affair that has only deepened over the years.

Walt Disney World became our young family’s go-to spot for fun and the making of lasting family memories. Both of my daughters’ first airplane rides were to MCO, with one being only 4 months old on her first trip. WDW was our “thing” as my then- 5 year old described to her kindergarten teacher. I watched my babies grow to toddlers, then preschoolers, then to confident young girls with Cinderella Castle as their backdrop. Although we could never go to WDW as often as I wished, the once-yearly trip was enough to stave off my Disney blues.
As much as it pains me to report, the Disney pull started to wane for my husband a few years ago. He began to feel as if he had “seen it all” and became more interested in seeing other new, exciting places for our family vacations (I know! The travesty!). This has been a devastating turn of events for me, as my Disney love has only grown. Although my husband may not love WDW as much as he used to, he does love me- he gave me the most amazing gift of an annual pass for my last birthday! My WDW trips look a little different now, with a few solo jaunts stuck in between trips with my family, but I am adjusting.

Why do I love Walt Disney World so deeply? WDW is a place like no other that I have experienced. From the moment I drive under those iconic gates, I am immersed in a world that is both fantasy and a sort of reality perfected. My worries melt away. For just a while, I can be free of the craziness of “normal” life, with its endless driving, forgotten lunches, annoying co-workers, lost shoes, and sick dogs. For me, the draw is not really the attractions. Don’t get me wrong, I love a soggy plunge down Splash Mountain or a flight over California as much as the next girl. I enjoy each attraction for its inherent merit. I find the magic, however, in the moments between the attractions; in the small, more hidden, intricate details that can easily go unseen in the mad dash down Main Street or the hunt for that perfect spot to wait for Illuminations. In the immaculately themed street lights and marquees. In the smell of freshly popped popcorn, or the musty water of the Pirates of the Caribbean. In the look of amazement in the eyes of a young girl with a fresh lipstick mark on her check from her meeting with Ariel. In the taste of a Nutella and fruit waffle sandwich while watching the late Main Street Electrical Parade. In the cast members, who work hard every single day to make each guest’s experience magical. They truly are the stars of the show- without them, there would be no “most magical place on Earth”.

Is Walt Disney World perfect? No. It only takes a quick look around on a hot, July afternoon to quickly see the weariness on parents’ faces; sunburn, blistered feet, whining children, ridiculously long lines, and high prices can quickly take the sails out of the best laid plans. It might even be true that WDW isn’t for everyone. In my opinion, however, the good far outweighs the bad. Even on the worst Disney day, it is still a Disney day. The magic is still there- it might just take a harder look to find it right under the surface.

So I will continue to make my pilgrimage as often as I can, like so many others. My time at Walt Disney World is my time to recharge. The magic innate to this special place feels like a sustaining life force. When I drive through those gates, my soul is at peace and my heart is bursting. That’s why for me, and for fellow Disney lovers everywhere, a trip to my beloved Walt Disney World is not just a vacation- it’s a way of life.

And in case you are wondering, yes, I have been drinking the kool-aid. And loving every sip.

Hooray for Hollywood! Now that I have ridden the Great Movie Ride many times due to the nature of my employment, I feel like I can really analyze the part that this attraction plays in making a thesis statement for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When Disney’s MGM Studios first opened in 1989, the Great Movie Ride was one of the two rides (the other being the Backlot Tour) that existed in the park. That’s right; there were only two rides in the entire park at that time because the goal was that Orlando was going to be an extension of Hollywood. Disney had big plans for the Florida Studios park to be a working studio where guests could actually see movies as well as television shows being made. Sadly, this plan didn’t exactly work out, so the Studios became more of a traditional theme park.

The Great Movie Ride, however, still serves a reminder of what Disney’s Hollywood Studios was going to be, a park that educated guests about movies and the movie making process. This ride shows guests a little bit of movie magic while allowing the guests to become a part of the movies. We get to see a snapshot of some classic movies as well as enter the beautiful Chinese Theater.

The Great Movie Ride sets the scene by welcoming guests into the theater and showing them some previews for the upcoming movies that they are about to experience. Then, to further the idea that you are on a set, you are welcomed into a Hollywood Soundstage. The idea is that we are all a part of this movie. Your tour guide is taking you through various scenes, but all of us get to be a part of the movie making process. If you notice, the characters that are portrayed in the ride are referred to by their real names, not their character names. The whole point is that you are getting to learn about how movies are made, so these characters are actors, real people who are playing roles. This goes with the idea that everything is a set; on some parts of the attraction, you can actually see the back of some of the sets on purpose because, again, you are looking behind the curtain. When you encounter the gangster or the bandit, they are part of the movie; we have just stumbled into one of the scenes of that movie. This is why the tour guide informs the gangster that he or she (the tour guide) has seen this movie before. It’s almost as if the tour guide is giving the guests a “wink, wink” everything will be okay cue; this is just pretend. This whole notion that you are part of the show continues as your tour guide makes a grand reappearance in the Anubis scene. Guests are told that this is just a movie; “anything can happen in the movies!” Again, this is another reassurance and a reminder that this is all pretend, just more movie magic.

The entire ride has a very clear introduction into movies with the welcome spiel on the Soundstage to the rising action throughout Musical Street as well as the Gangster and Western scenes. Finally, the climax occurs when the tour guide is revealed again in Anubis. There is a sense that everything will be okay once the ride continues on through Tarzan and moves on to the Wizard of Oz. The Wicked Witch does cause some concern, but the ride ends on positive note with a journey to Oz as well as a movie clip montage that is supposed to get viewers excited about “all that Hollywood has to offer.” Then, the ride concludes where you began, right back on the Soundstage. You are then free to explore the park and go and learn about other movie making techniques. You can still learn a little about movie making, but there is some disconnect these days throughout the Studios because the entire park is not really devoted to the ways in which movies are made. There are definitely some fantastic attractions and shows present, but The Great Movie Ride really prepares you for the DHS of 1989, not necessarily the DHS of 2014. Regardless, this attraction is the centerpiece of Hollywood Studios and represents what the thesis statement of this park should be, which includes learning about movie making and also journeying to the Hollywood that never was, but always will be. Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!

One of my favorite details in Walt Disney World is the windows on Mail Street in the Magic Kingdom. I enjoy walking down Main reading the windows, paying attention to the names and the details. Each one is a tribute to an Imaginear and the imaginations of those who work so hard to ensure each Guest has a magical experience. Some of the names are familiar and others are not. Many times a name will stick with me after I am home, prompting me to look it up to see what the individuals contribution was, a visible history lesson! Each ‘window’ is a tribute to the past so to say, paying homage to a person from different parts of the organization, from corporate officers to operators. All have one thing in common, they all made a significant impact on the legacy of Disney Parks.

Each trip I notice different windows with the names of individuals that helped to create the magic I love so much. On a recent trip I found a window with Roy Disney’s name. I may have seen it before but this time it really caught my eye. Would there be a Walt Disney World or any Disney Park without Roy E Disney? Maybe……maybe not!!!! He was Walt’s support, Walt’s voice of reason….Walt’s support!!!
Walt and Roy were brothers as well as business partners. Walt was the creative genius while Roy was the financial wizard. They founded Disney Studios together and when Walt passed away before his dream was realized in Florida, Roy saw it through. He was there when Walt Disney World opened in 1971. It was his labor of brotherly love, seeing his brother’s dream come alive!

His statue with Minnie Mouse is one of my favorites as is his window. I located it on my last trip and was able to get this picture. Roy Disney gentleman, specializing in sea racing! Gentleman, yes, visionary, yes!! Great brother YES!!!!

His support allowed Walt’s dream of a family friendly park as well as many other visions to come to life. Thank you, Roy!!!!!

So the next time you stroll down Main Street, look and see the stories that unfold before your eyes. The story of those who helped make the magic. Walt’s window is there as are many other visionaries that helped create the magic we share!

Guests at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel can toast Independence Day with regionally brewed craft beers, during a “Taproom Takeover” at Cabana Bar and Beach Club, July 2-8. The hotel will partner with Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing to serve a variety of craft beers on all eight of its taps throughout the week and add a charitable twist as well.

On July 4, a portion of the proceeds from the brew, Homefront IPA, will be donated to Operation Homefront, which provides services to military families across the nation. Homefront IPA is collaboratively produced by several American microbreweries nationwide, including Cigar City Brewing. Homefront IPA is aged on donated Louisville Slugger maple bats, brewed with donated hops from Puterbaugh Farms in Washington, infused with fresh orange peel and served in donated cans from Crown Holdings, Inc.

Along with Homefront IPA, Cabana Bar and Beach Club will serve these Cigar City Brewing beers throughout the week: Helles Lager, Maduro Brown Ale, Invasion Pale Ale, Jai Lai IPA, Florida Cracker White Ale, Cigar City Cider, Cigar City Apple Pie Cider, Tocobaga Red Ale, Cubano Espresso Brown Ale and Wandering Pelican Black Ale. A selection of Cigar City Brewing beers will also be served at the Dolphin’s Lobby Lounge.

• Who: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel and Cigar City Brewing
• What: Taproom Takeover at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel’s Cabana Bar and Beach Club
• Information: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is partnering with Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing to offer locally-brewed craft beer throughout the week at the hotel’s Cabana Bar and Beach Club. Proceeds from the specialty brew Homefront IPA offered exclusively on July 4, will be donated to Operation Homefront, which provides services to military families across the nation.
• When: Wednesday, July 2 to Tuesday, July 8 – Cabana Bar and Beach Club Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Where: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Cabana Bar and Beach Club, 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830