On MousePlanet, columnist Steve Russo published this article about Disney’s Magical Express. In it, he takes an article posted with arguments against the service and tries to present arguments against the author’s comments. As someone who has used the Magical Express with positive experiences, I wish to also counter a few of the arguments presented.
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Power of Dreams
Besides trying out the dining plan, we decided to try out Disney’s Fantasmic Dining Package as well.
Fantasmic is a night show staged at the Hollywood Studios. To get in, people start lining up two hours before show time. My family doesn’t do that sort of wait time. So, while searching for a way for us to see the show, I came across the dining package. We went to Hollywood and Vine for an early dinner. If you have small children, I’d suggest going here as it does have the characters from Playhouse Disney stop by. And even if you’re like my family, with no small children, you’ll like the food.
It is a buffet with a wide selection of food. I had delicious herb-crusted turkey, string beans, rice, and bread and apple butter. Which, by the way, is delicious. For dessert, I had some apple crisp. This was one of our favorite options on the dining plan as we could control how much we ate and not overstuff ourselves. When we were seated, our server brought us our golden ticket. Okay, yellow ticket.
Fantasmic is a night show staged at the Hollywood Studios. To get in, people start lining up two hours before show time. My family doesn’t do that sort of wait time. So, while searching for a way for us to see the show, I came across the dining package. We went to Hollywood and Vine for an early dinner. If you have small children, I’d suggest going here as it does have the characters from Playhouse Disney stop by. And even if you’re like my family, with no small children, you’ll like the food.
It is a buffet with a wide selection of food. I had delicious herb-crusted turkey, string beans, rice, and bread and apple butter. Which, by the way, is delicious. For dessert, I had some apple crisp. This was one of our favorite options on the dining plan as we could control how much we ate and not overstuff ourselves. When we were seated, our server brought us our golden ticket. Okay, yellow ticket.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
One Month to Go!
In exactly one month, my family will be boarding a plane and going to Disney World. Of course, knowing us, we’ll do a majority of the preparation a few days before the flight. And that’s not just because we’re flying so soon after Christmas. That’s just the way my family is, though we’ve already started to consider the clothes we’re going to bring along.
So, while I am not looking forward to going through airport security, I am looking forward to this trip!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
On Our Way…Now With a Place to Stay!
See that above? That is the extent of my rhyming ability! Sorry if it’s a bit corny, but Dr. Seuss I am not.
We can check off another step on our path to Disney. On Thursday, my parents and I went down to the travel agency and booked our trip! Though we were considering staying in a moderate resort, after getting estimates, we’ve decided to return to our usual stomping grounds.
That’s right—it’s back to Pop Century for us!
(Building in the 80s at Pop Century)
We are also trying the dining plan this go-round, so expect a review of that from me. Hopefully, they’ve ironed out the wrinkles and the confusion we’ve seen in the past years, when we were the annoyed customers behind the people who couldn’t figure out how to use the plan.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
On Our Way…
I’m going to Walt Disney World in January!
And now you’re all heading for the door.
So, for those of you who are staying, here’s how the vacation plans are going:
My father, in true form, has already booked our flights to Orlando and back home. Once again, we’ll be flying JetBlue but won’t be leaving at the crack of dawn, as we usually do. While this means that your favorite non-morning person blogger gets to sleep late, it also means that there is a higher chance of the flight being delayed. It also means that we’ll lose more time in the parks, but it is only day one.
And Epcot does have evening Extra Magical Hours that day.
Where are we staying? We don’t know yet. Since we’re going at off-peak, it means the rates are lower. So we don’t have to stay in Pop Century and can upgrade, if we want. I’m pulling for Port Orleans, either the Riverside or French Quarter side. I don’t know what my parents are considering, but we can’t find anything on the Disney website past December 31, 2010.
What gives Disney?
Stay tuned for more vacation plans!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Magical Times in the Kingdom
Everyone has the one thing they do on their first day in Disney World. Most people head straight to the Magic Kingdom. My family is no different.
Nothing screams “DISNEY!” more than walking down Main Street, USA and watching Cinderella’s castle get closer and closer. We turned off to get to Tomorrowland, coming out close to Monsters, Inc. After fastpassing Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, we decided to go get lunch at Cosmic Ray’s. Unfortunately, everyone else was in Cosmic Ray’s as well. My father and I scoured the main room for seats but we ended up on a side room, away from the alien entertainment.
We finished and started our rounds around Tomorrowland, eventually ending up on the Carousel of Progress. As we made our way through the 20th century, our tour of human progress was constantly interrupted. A cast member’s voice kept telling us to remain seated for our own safety. As the warnings kept going into the 1920s, I pondered something: If the cast members could tell someone was standing, couldn’t they go into the theater and remove the guilty party? We slid into the 40s, but the theater didn’t lock all the way and the lights came on. When the scene ended, the theater didn’t move and we ended up hearing about the “Fabulous Forties” ALL over again. By the third go around, a cast member came to rescue us. As we poured out of the theater, we were handed “good any time” fast passes. The vacation was off to a sweet start, even if it was raining.
The day progressed and night had fallen. We started to wind down in the Magic Kingdom and rode Splash Mountain. We boarded our log and headed for the hill that would drop us into the first scene. And we hit what I call a “boat backup.” This is a common occurrence in Disney World, particularly as you approach the load/unload section. However, this boat backup occurred just before the drop into the first scene. One this early usually means that they’ve stopped the load in process in order to get a wheelchair-bound person into the log. The minutes ticked by. Eventually a cast member came up and counted the logs before disappearing behind an entryway. Another cast member arrived to start entertaining us. A guy in another log gave him drink orders, including “beers and milk for the children.”
Twenty minutes of sitting later, the ride began moving again. We finished the ride and as we disembarked, we got another set of “good any time” fast passes! Our vacation was off to a good start!
REVIEW TIME!
As always, Disney is constantly changing. Both the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents went through some overhauls. They changed the hall of portraits in the Haunted Mansion; the eyes now longer follow you but turn into eerie incarnations as lightning flashes. Another room, as you climb the stairs, has been turned into Escher’s staircase. The bride with the beating heart in the attic has been given a back story. She is a woman who has married at least five times and been widowed all times—her husbands meet tragic ends. The other new additions are in the graveyard scene, where more ghouls romp around to the tune of “Grin Grinning Ghosts.”
The Hall of Presidents was not only altered to add Barack Obama in the final scene, but Disney also changed the preceding movie. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, they recount how George Washington (voiced by David Morse) refused to be king and then set the most important precedent—he left office. Next moves onto Andrew Jackson, a man who rose to the presidency and wasn’t an aristocrat like the six preceding presidents. His wild inauguration in which the populace stormed the White House is recalled before the movie moves on to Abraham Lincoln. Naturally, the Civil War is discussed and the audio-animatronic figure of Lincoln comes out to recite the Gettysburg Address (in Royal Dano’s voice).
In the past, the movie usually ended with Lincoln and talked about the 20th century in vague terms. Now, though, they discuss Teddy Roosevelt and how he just called the presidential mansion “The White House.” He is followed by his cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and how he overcame polio. Disney plays some of his fireside chats as well as reads excerpts from letters written to the president by American citizens. John F. Kennedy finishes the individual retrospections, the film mentions the different movements in the 60s—Women’s Lib, the Civil Rights, etc. The movie shows clips of the presidential speeches given at times of tragedy: Johnson’s address to Congress after Kennedy’s assassination, Reagan’s address to the nation after the Challenger explosion, Clinton’s address to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and Dubya’s address to the first responders and workers at Ground Zero after September 11th.
After the roll call of presidents, Washington stands and says a few words before Obama takes the Oath of Office. He gives a speech about liberty and the future before the show ends with a rousing chorus of “America the Beautiful.”
I prefer this new version of the Hall of Presidents. I never understood why the old film ended with Abraham Lincoln and didn’t go past. If I was a foreigner watching this video, I would think the last great American president was in 1865! The presidents they focus on were great leaders—both Roosevelts and Kennedy. If you don’t leave the Hall of Presidents wanting to wave a flag and hum “Stars and Stripes Forever,” check your pulse. You might be dead.
RING THE DINNER BELL!
Our first night there, we ate at the Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square. The menu is preset. The first course is a salad covered in a strawberry vinaigrette dressing. As my mother is allergic to strawberries, we were given a salad with just oil and vinegar. There is also my favorite part of the meal—the bread and butter. I do not know what type of butter they use at the Liberty Tree Tavern but it is the most delicious I have ever eaten. I often have to stop myself or else I’d fill up on bread and butter alone!
The next course is the main one. Ham, turkey and London broil are placed before you to choose which you want. It is accompanied by steamed carrots, string beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Seconds can be requested if you haven’t eaten your fill. This time, I found the turkey to be a bit dry, but gravy fixed that up. The potatoes and stuffing were delicious.
The last course is dessert—a delicious apple crisp, complete with ice cream. No matter how much you’ve loaded on the other courses, there is always room for this sweet treat.
This is a definite place to put on your reservation list.
A note of warning about the Magic Kingdom: It is always the most crowded park, so go in prepared to deal with crowds and toddlers. Learn to avoid the stroller brigade and how to weave effectively.
Nothing screams “DISNEY!” more than walking down Main Street, USA and watching Cinderella’s castle get closer and closer. We turned off to get to Tomorrowland, coming out close to Monsters, Inc. After fastpassing Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, we decided to go get lunch at Cosmic Ray’s. Unfortunately, everyone else was in Cosmic Ray’s as well. My father and I scoured the main room for seats but we ended up on a side room, away from the alien entertainment.
We finished and started our rounds around Tomorrowland, eventually ending up on the Carousel of Progress. As we made our way through the 20th century, our tour of human progress was constantly interrupted. A cast member’s voice kept telling us to remain seated for our own safety. As the warnings kept going into the 1920s, I pondered something: If the cast members could tell someone was standing, couldn’t they go into the theater and remove the guilty party? We slid into the 40s, but the theater didn’t lock all the way and the lights came on. When the scene ended, the theater didn’t move and we ended up hearing about the “Fabulous Forties” ALL over again. By the third go around, a cast member came to rescue us. As we poured out of the theater, we were handed “good any time” fast passes. The vacation was off to a sweet start, even if it was raining.
The day progressed and night had fallen. We started to wind down in the Magic Kingdom and rode Splash Mountain. We boarded our log and headed for the hill that would drop us into the first scene. And we hit what I call a “boat backup.” This is a common occurrence in Disney World, particularly as you approach the load/unload section. However, this boat backup occurred just before the drop into the first scene. One this early usually means that they’ve stopped the load in process in order to get a wheelchair-bound person into the log. The minutes ticked by. Eventually a cast member came up and counted the logs before disappearing behind an entryway. Another cast member arrived to start entertaining us. A guy in another log gave him drink orders, including “beers and milk for the children.”
Twenty minutes of sitting later, the ride began moving again. We finished the ride and as we disembarked, we got another set of “good any time” fast passes! Our vacation was off to a good start!
REVIEW TIME!
As always, Disney is constantly changing. Both the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents went through some overhauls. They changed the hall of portraits in the Haunted Mansion; the eyes now longer follow you but turn into eerie incarnations as lightning flashes. Another room, as you climb the stairs, has been turned into Escher’s staircase. The bride with the beating heart in the attic has been given a back story. She is a woman who has married at least five times and been widowed all times—her husbands meet tragic ends. The other new additions are in the graveyard scene, where more ghouls romp around to the tune of “Grin Grinning Ghosts.”
The Hall of Presidents was not only altered to add Barack Obama in the final scene, but Disney also changed the preceding movie. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, they recount how George Washington (voiced by David Morse) refused to be king and then set the most important precedent—he left office. Next moves onto Andrew Jackson, a man who rose to the presidency and wasn’t an aristocrat like the six preceding presidents. His wild inauguration in which the populace stormed the White House is recalled before the movie moves on to Abraham Lincoln. Naturally, the Civil War is discussed and the audio-animatronic figure of Lincoln comes out to recite the Gettysburg Address (in Royal Dano’s voice).
In the past, the movie usually ended with Lincoln and talked about the 20th century in vague terms. Now, though, they discuss Teddy Roosevelt and how he just called the presidential mansion “The White House.” He is followed by his cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and how he overcame polio. Disney plays some of his fireside chats as well as reads excerpts from letters written to the president by American citizens. John F. Kennedy finishes the individual retrospections, the film mentions the different movements in the 60s—Women’s Lib, the Civil Rights, etc. The movie shows clips of the presidential speeches given at times of tragedy: Johnson’s address to Congress after Kennedy’s assassination, Reagan’s address to the nation after the Challenger explosion, Clinton’s address to the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and Dubya’s address to the first responders and workers at Ground Zero after September 11th.
After the roll call of presidents, Washington stands and says a few words before Obama takes the Oath of Office. He gives a speech about liberty and the future before the show ends with a rousing chorus of “America the Beautiful.”
I prefer this new version of the Hall of Presidents. I never understood why the old film ended with Abraham Lincoln and didn’t go past. If I was a foreigner watching this video, I would think the last great American president was in 1865! The presidents they focus on were great leaders—both Roosevelts and Kennedy. If you don’t leave the Hall of Presidents wanting to wave a flag and hum “Stars and Stripes Forever,” check your pulse. You might be dead.
RING THE DINNER BELL!
Our first night there, we ate at the Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square. The menu is preset. The first course is a salad covered in a strawberry vinaigrette dressing. As my mother is allergic to strawberries, we were given a salad with just oil and vinegar. There is also my favorite part of the meal—the bread and butter. I do not know what type of butter they use at the Liberty Tree Tavern but it is the most delicious I have ever eaten. I often have to stop myself or else I’d fill up on bread and butter alone!
The next course is the main one. Ham, turkey and London broil are placed before you to choose which you want. It is accompanied by steamed carrots, string beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Seconds can be requested if you haven’t eaten your fill. This time, I found the turkey to be a bit dry, but gravy fixed that up. The potatoes and stuffing were delicious.
The last course is dessert—a delicious apple crisp, complete with ice cream. No matter how much you’ve loaded on the other courses, there is always room for this sweet treat.
This is a definite place to put on your reservation list.
A note of warning about the Magic Kingdom: It is always the most crowded park, so go in prepared to deal with crowds and toddlers. Learn to avoid the stroller brigade and how to weave effectively.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Adventures in Arriving
So, in my last entry, I wrote about how we found out the day before we left for our vacation that our flight had been bumped up an hour. So, we were all up and ready by 5:30 am Wednesday morning. That is a full hour before I even wake up for work on a regular day! We were all ready but the car wasn’t. We had to give them a call since they are usually prompt and they had a car to us within fifteen minutes.
Our driver got us to Newark and my mom arranged for a car to pick us up when we returned in fifteen days. We raced through the terminal to the Continental domestic flight check-in area and discovered the first line of our Disney trip. Fortunately, the people at Continental moved us along. Baggage check-in was automated and everything moved quickly. We got our gate and eventually made it there with ten minutes to spare before they started boarding our plane.
We were unable to get four seats next to each other, so we were separated into pairs. My sister and I boarded the plane first and quickly found our seats. I was slightly disappointed to see I was sitting on the aisle—I ALWAYS get a window seat. Even when I went to London, I still managed to swing a window seat. We were settling in when a commotion was raised by another passenger. He demanded to sit next to his two small children. The Continental flight attendants were accommodating and people began to shift their seats around. In the shuffle, I ended up sitting in a window seat next to my mom because the passenger assigned to that seat needed to sit on the aisle due to a broken arm.
My mom later teased me because I ended up sleeping the entire flight, so she didn’t see the point for me to have a window seat. As for the passenger who wanted to sit next to his children, turns out he only had ONE child and was trying to angle a seat for his wife. The flight attendant managed to get him next to his child but refused to do anything else after discovering his dishonesty.
We arrived in Orlando and thus began the Quest for the Boarding Pass. Our boarding passes held our baggage claim numbers and mine had disappeared. I swore my mom had taken it when I moved to my new seat. She swore she didn’t have it. I checked my bag but it seemed lost to the ages. So I now had to get a lecture in responsibility while we dashed for the monorail.
In the end, the Quest for the Boarding Pass was in vain because we didn’t need our claim numbers. We had signed up for Disney’s Magical Express. A cast member would collect our baggage, signified by a yellow tag, and deliver it to our rooms for us. We just needed to find our bus to Pop Century and begin to relax.
Check-in was a breeze, though our rooms weren’t ready yet. However, Disney promised to send us a text message with our room numbers when they were. So, we dropped off our carry on items at baggage assistance. They would bring them to our room with our luggage.
We were free to begin our adventure in the park.
Disney pampering is the best pampering in the whole world.
PS: My missing boarding pass was found that night. My mother DID have it the entire time. She just put it away separately from the others.
Our driver got us to Newark and my mom arranged for a car to pick us up when we returned in fifteen days. We raced through the terminal to the Continental domestic flight check-in area and discovered the first line of our Disney trip. Fortunately, the people at Continental moved us along. Baggage check-in was automated and everything moved quickly. We got our gate and eventually made it there with ten minutes to spare before they started boarding our plane.
We were unable to get four seats next to each other, so we were separated into pairs. My sister and I boarded the plane first and quickly found our seats. I was slightly disappointed to see I was sitting on the aisle—I ALWAYS get a window seat. Even when I went to London, I still managed to swing a window seat. We were settling in when a commotion was raised by another passenger. He demanded to sit next to his two small children. The Continental flight attendants were accommodating and people began to shift their seats around. In the shuffle, I ended up sitting in a window seat next to my mom because the passenger assigned to that seat needed to sit on the aisle due to a broken arm.
My mom later teased me because I ended up sleeping the entire flight, so she didn’t see the point for me to have a window seat. As for the passenger who wanted to sit next to his children, turns out he only had ONE child and was trying to angle a seat for his wife. The flight attendant managed to get him next to his child but refused to do anything else after discovering his dishonesty.
We arrived in Orlando and thus began the Quest for the Boarding Pass. Our boarding passes held our baggage claim numbers and mine had disappeared. I swore my mom had taken it when I moved to my new seat. She swore she didn’t have it. I checked my bag but it seemed lost to the ages. So I now had to get a lecture in responsibility while we dashed for the monorail.
In the end, the Quest for the Boarding Pass was in vain because we didn’t need our claim numbers. We had signed up for Disney’s Magical Express. A cast member would collect our baggage, signified by a yellow tag, and deliver it to our rooms for us. We just needed to find our bus to Pop Century and begin to relax.
Check-in was a breeze, though our rooms weren’t ready yet. However, Disney promised to send us a text message with our room numbers when they were. So, we dropped off our carry on items at baggage assistance. They would bring them to our room with our luggage.
We were free to begin our adventure in the park.
Disney pampering is the best pampering in the whole world.
PS: My missing boarding pass was found that night. My mother DID have it the entire time. She just put it away separately from the others.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
61 Days to Go: Disney's Wilderness Lodge
From one lodge to another, the next entry in my Disney Hotels series is the Wilderness Lodge (not to be confused with Fort Wilderness).
The Wilderness Lodge is designed to evoke the spirit of the American Northwest. It looks like a place one might stay while visiting Yellowstone or Yosemite National Parks. The Disney artists were also heavily influenced by the Native American tribes that roamed the Northwest and this influence is prominent in the lodge. The lodge also has a working geyser, like Old Faithful, and hot springs. Like the Animal Lodge, it also has a concierge level for those who wish to be extra pampered.
The Wilderness Lodge boasts two restaurants. The first is Artist Point, which specializes in dishes inspired by the American Northwest. For a family atmosphere, Whispering Canyon Cafe is noted for its funny wait staff and how they keep the children entertained. I once attended a character breakfast there with my family. That's when I fell in love with the hotel and swore I would stay there one day.
The Wilderness Lodge is connected to the Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness Resort by a ferry boat.
It is considered a deluxe hotel and part of the Magic Kingdom resorts.
Monday, June 1, 2009
66 Days to Go: Port Orleans Resort
In the last hotel in the moderate range, the Port Orleans Resort is the next installment in my Disney Hotel Series.
Port Orleans Resort opened in 1991 to reflect the architecture of New Orleans' French Quarter. In 2001, it was renamed Port Orleans French Quarter. It was then merged with Disney's Dixie Landings, which was renamed Port Orleans Riverside. This part of the resort was styled to represent an antebellum South, particularly along the mighty Mississippi River. It's two sections, Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend, were kept intact. This resort is located in the Downtown Disney section of the World.
Besides the Riverside Mill Food Court (Riverside) and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (French Quarter), the resort also have a sit-down service restaurant called Boatwright's Dining Hall. Each resort that comprises Port Orleans has its own music hall--Riverside has the ragtime club called River Roost while the French Quarter has a jazz club called Scat Cat's Club.
The resort also has Ol' Man Island, a recreational area that houses a pool hall, a playground, and Port Orleans' pool. It also features a fishing hole for those who wish to bond with their families while fishing.
Once again, I haven't been to this resort though my dad stayed at Riverside when it was still Dixie Landings. I had a Dixie Landings shirt for a few years until I outgrew it. I think I need to replace it with a Port Orleans' shirt.
Port Orleans Resort opened in 1991 to reflect the architecture of New Orleans' French Quarter. In 2001, it was renamed Port Orleans French Quarter. It was then merged with Disney's Dixie Landings, which was renamed Port Orleans Riverside. This part of the resort was styled to represent an antebellum South, particularly along the mighty Mississippi River. It's two sections, Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend, were kept intact. This resort is located in the Downtown Disney section of the World.
Besides the Riverside Mill Food Court (Riverside) and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (French Quarter), the resort also have a sit-down service restaurant called Boatwright's Dining Hall. Each resort that comprises Port Orleans has its own music hall--Riverside has the ragtime club called River Roost while the French Quarter has a jazz club called Scat Cat's Club.
The resort also has Ol' Man Island, a recreational area that houses a pool hall, a playground, and Port Orleans' pool. It also features a fishing hole for those who wish to bond with their families while fishing.
Once again, I haven't been to this resort though my dad stayed at Riverside when it was still Dixie Landings. I had a Dixie Landings shirt for a few years until I outgrew it. I think I need to replace it with a Port Orleans' shirt.
Monday, May 11, 2009
87 Days to Go: Frontierland
Grab your racoon-skin hats, cowboy boots and pioneering spirit. We're making our way West to Frontierland, next to Adventureland.
Designed to evoke a growing mine town out west, there are log cabins and saloons. The two big rides in Frontierland are Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain (along with Space Mountain, these are known as the Disney Mountain Range). Splash Mountain is a log flume ride using the animated story from "Song of the South" (banned from distribution in the United States). In our log, we follow Brer Rabbit as he leaves home in search for his "laughin' place." On his adventure, he is pursued and captured by Brer Fox and Brer Bear. But this bunny is clever and has a 300+ foot drop on his side--warning, you may get wet during his escape. The ride contains songs from the movie, including the classic "Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah."
Thunder Mountain is Disney's runaway train. Guests board old mine trains and ride through abandoned mines...which just so happen to be haunted. The spirits of the mountain takes over, sending the trains on dips, twists and turns sure to delight riders of all ages. It's a good roller coaster to be a child's first ride. It's nothing to thrilling, but still is a great ride. So, hold onto your hats and ride the "wildest ride in the West."
The last main attraction in Frontierland is the Country Bear Jamboree. Now this attraction can only be found in Walt Disney World. Out in Cali, the Winnie the Pooh ride replaced it. It's a show filled with fun songs and jokes. Our host is Henry, who introduces such acts as Trixie, Swinging Teddi Beara and the Five Bear Rugs. Providing commentary along the way are Buff, Max and Melvin the Moose who hang on the wall. (Fun note: Melvin the Moose also resides at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground). Big Al is a must see.
There are also paddleboat rides along a river and to Tom Sawyer Island. I haven't done it so I can't comment on it. However, if you like boat rides, I suggest hopping aboard.
Eating wise, there is Pecos Bill's, a counter service place. The food is pretty good and you don't need a reservation to eat there. Also, a helpful tip: the parade floats begin their route to Main Street from an area between Pecos Bill's and Splash Mountain. It's a good spot to see the parade.
In another note, I've gotten more in the Disney feeling. My background is of Cinderella Castle in front of a blue sky and with beautiful yellow tulips in the forefront.
Designed to evoke a growing mine town out west, there are log cabins and saloons. The two big rides in Frontierland are Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain (along with Space Mountain, these are known as the Disney Mountain Range). Splash Mountain is a log flume ride using the animated story from "Song of the South" (banned from distribution in the United States). In our log, we follow Brer Rabbit as he leaves home in search for his "laughin' place." On his adventure, he is pursued and captured by Brer Fox and Brer Bear. But this bunny is clever and has a 300+ foot drop on his side--warning, you may get wet during his escape. The ride contains songs from the movie, including the classic "Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah."
Thunder Mountain is Disney's runaway train. Guests board old mine trains and ride through abandoned mines...which just so happen to be haunted. The spirits of the mountain takes over, sending the trains on dips, twists and turns sure to delight riders of all ages. It's a good roller coaster to be a child's first ride. It's nothing to thrilling, but still is a great ride. So, hold onto your hats and ride the "wildest ride in the West."
The last main attraction in Frontierland is the Country Bear Jamboree. Now this attraction can only be found in Walt Disney World. Out in Cali, the Winnie the Pooh ride replaced it. It's a show filled with fun songs and jokes. Our host is Henry, who introduces such acts as Trixie, Swinging Teddi Beara and the Five Bear Rugs. Providing commentary along the way are Buff, Max and Melvin the Moose who hang on the wall. (Fun note: Melvin the Moose also resides at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground). Big Al is a must see.
There are also paddleboat rides along a river and to Tom Sawyer Island. I haven't done it so I can't comment on it. However, if you like boat rides, I suggest hopping aboard.
Eating wise, there is Pecos Bill's, a counter service place. The food is pretty good and you don't need a reservation to eat there. Also, a helpful tip: the parade floats begin their route to Main Street from an area between Pecos Bill's and Splash Mountain. It's a good spot to see the parade.
In another note, I've gotten more in the Disney feeling. My background is of Cinderella Castle in front of a blue sky and with beautiful yellow tulips in the forefront.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Destination: Disney!
In 3 months, I'll be in Walt Disney World, which as you all know is my favorite place to be! (With Williamsburg a close 2nd and Salem an even closer 3rd). We've been planning this trip for a while, but I've been holding myself back because I didn't know if I'd get the permission to miss about two weeks of work. Today, my manager said it was okay and now I'm thinking Floridian thoughts.
So, for the next ninety days or so, you'll be treated to bits of my Disney-mania.
Enjoy!
So, for the next ninety days or so, you'll be treated to bits of my Disney-mania.
Enjoy!
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