Today I braved the Spring Break crowds to check out the Passholder preview for Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.  The Magic Kingdom hadn’t reached the totally nuts crowd size that I am sure it will have later this week so it wasn’t too bad.  Since this was a Passholder preview there wasn’t a line at all.  After showing our passes we walked right into the first waiting room for this new attraction.  After a short wait inside we were then moved to the next wiating area in front of the theater doors.  In this room there are TVs telling you that you could text your own jokes in and they could become part of the show.  I don’t do the whole texting thing and don’t really have any good jokes that I could think of so that didn’t interest me.   Seems like I wasn’t alone on that becasue we only had one joke in the show that was supposedly texted in. 

  After a few minutes the doors opened and we entered the theater.  Inside there are rows of blue benches to chose from.  I have to say I thought the benches were nice and large and spaced out so you didn’t feel crammed in there.  I later found out that there is a reason for all the space between them.  There are 2 big screens in the front and while you are waiting for everyone to be seated video of people in the audience appear with funny captions.  That was probably my favorite part of the show.  Next the monsters take over.  This is similar to Turtle Talk with Crush where the characters on the screen interact with the audience - the one differance is that if they are interacting with you, you also appear on the big screen.   It was sort of like a sporting event where the camera men out running around the theater so they can get the camera and mike on you - hence the need for all the space. 

The whole point of the show is that Monsters Inc is now collecting laughs insted of screams so they need to generate "gigglewats" of power to fill up a canister.  Of course no matter how lame the jokes may be the canister does get filled by the end of the show.  It was a cute show and while I won’t be rushing back to do it again anytime soon I would say that it is worth a visit.  Each show will be a little differant so who knows you may end up seeing a much funnier version.

I couldn’t go over to the Magic Kingdom and not check out what is going on at the Contemporary.  All of the North end of the resort is gone!  No more wing bulidings on this side of the tower and no more tennis courts!    I wish someone would tell us what they are planning to do next!  My guess is that some DVC properties on the monorail would go over really well.  Anyone else have any ideas?

Coleen

Coleen@MouseFanTravel.com

Today I braved the Spring Break crowds to check out the Passholder preview for Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.  The Magic Kingdom hadn’t reached the totally nuts crowd size that I am sure it will have later this week so it wasn’t too bad.  Since this was a Passholder preview there wasn’t a line at all. < more... >

I just returned from a trip to my personal happy place… Walt Disney World of course. And while the trip was great, it was the way it started which really stands out as a story to be told.

The real challenge about my addiction to my happy place is that it’s not an easy task getting there. There are only a few good flight choices from Seattle and only one airline that flies direct/non stop. I prefer to not waste a day of possible play time in the air, so typically opt for the red eye that is generally a bit less expensive too. This means twisting my body clock around a little as 3 hours of what could be restful sleep magically disappears. And being one who would rather skip around the Alaska Airlines digi-player for the latest movies instead of trying to sleep in the limited space the airlines think is sufficient for your typical sardine, I usually arrive not really looking my best.  (see picture…)
I booked my flights late so wasn’t too surprised when I found myself embarking on my trip with a Magical Express reservation but without the document booklet or tags in hand. I figured it would be a good experience to see what travelers experience in such a predicament so looked at it as an adventure of sorts.

My plane touched down around 7:20 am and I headed for the A side baggage claim. Usually it takes forever to get the bags to the carousel but I was pleasantly surprised when the motors started up within 10 minutes of my arrival. A few minutes later my bag made its grand entrance and I was off to B side to catch the Magical Express transfer.

As I approached the check in area, I was greeted with a line of smiling faces all ready to assist the next guest in line.  However, there was no line to be found. Just a line of 5 or 6 Magical Express cast members all smiling and ready to be of assistance. It was obvious they were just getting ready to greet the morning rush and in regular Disney fashion, they were well prepared. I approached the first smiling face and apologized that I didn’t receive my booklet or tags and my one check bag was in tow.  Just as I suspected, they said that wasn’t a problem what so ever and they would be happy to help me get everything in place so I could be whisked away to start my Disney vacation! I didn’t have the heart to tell them it was actually a working trip because they were so excited that I was seemingly on my way to a magical vacation.

As I was being checked in, the gal asked me to wait a few minutes while they got all my paperwork together and in the meantime, one cast member and I started reciting the Mickey Mouse Club song while another really nice gentleman joined me on the guest side of the counter.  He was so nice and offered to escort me out to bus as soon as my tags were finished printing. We started towards the end of the counter and a manager, Greg I believe, joined us and greeted me with a hearty good morning.  He explained that my escort was going to take me out to the bus. As we walked towards the doors, I realized that not only was my luggage in tow, but there were 5 cast members and a manager behind me too.

Hmmm…  ok.  

They must be thinking one of these things….

1. I am a very nice person and they wanted to be sure I was safe getting to my destination
2. I am ready to fall asleep mid-stride and need 5 people to ensure someone catches me
3. Did I mis-spell “Mickey” when we were doing the Mickey Mouse Club song and I’m in trouble?
4. Maybe they were all practicing?
5. Or maybe they were just giving the best service possible?
6. or …. maybe….
   

Just as I was trying to figure out the next scenario, and we walk out the doors towards the bus, the cast member with my bag in tow stops and tosses gold pixie dust in the air and smiles from ear to ear. He tells me… “It’s a Year of a Million Dreams and we have one for you! You will be traveling in style”  he then points to a white stretch limo parked just to my left.

No… really? No way, not me… this kinda thing doesn’t ever happen to me…  REALLY????

Stunned disbelief set in as they all walked me towards this very big car for just little ol’ me.  I hugged them and thanked them and thanked them some more.

Ok… gotta back up here, this is when I get to tell everyone that Annette should have also been on the reservation, but arrived on a later flight and she elected to be the rental car picker-upper.  So guess who got my first phone call from the back of the limo??  I digress…

Anyway, as I realized I didn’t have a camera and haven’t studied my instruction manual for my new camera phone, another person was kind enough to take the picture and email it to me.  (note to self – stop at the girls room and put on make up after a red eye flight…)

Anyway –

I never thought it could/would happen to me…. but it did.  My heartfelt thanks to the cast members that went out of their way to make such a magical moment for me and to help document the fact it actually happened. I have the pictures and a certificate to prove it!

Dreams really do come true.  Even for little ol’ me. I learned you don’t have to be  traveling with a family, or celebrating anything special, and you don’t even have to be in park for Disney to make a dream come true.  Thanks to Disney’ Magical Express team – you made my day and a wonderful memory I will share with friends and family for a long time to come.

- Beci Mahnken

I just returned from a trip to my personal happy place… Walt Disney World of course. And while the trip was great, it was the way it started which really stands out as a story to be told.

The real challenge about my addiction to my happy place is that it’s not an easy task getting there. < more... >

I had no big plans this spring to go to Walt Disney World.  In fact, I actually decided against going because I have three trips planned in the fall (including Disneyland!).  But I keep up on events at the World for obvious reasons.  I noticed that they were doing a rehab of El Rio Del Tiempo, otherwise known in my circles as the "Mexican Small World".  They’re changing the storyline and calling it "Gran Fiesta Tour"  starring The Three Caballeros.  Our heroes, find themselves running around Mexico looking for fellow caballero and Fab Fiver, Donald Duck.  "Interesting", I think.  And although I’m glad that the people at the swim up bar will finally be going home pruney after their LONG vacation, I’m still not compelled to plan a trip.  I can see it in the fall.

Then there’s the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival from April 5th through June 3rd.  I love, love, love this festival.  There’s nothing better than coming from the cold, wet weather at home and seeing Epcot in full bloom.  I’m a topiary fan.  Plus I marvel at how healthy everything is; I got a flowering plant for Valentine’s Day and it’s already dead.  I envy the horticulture department’s talent.  Every year I tell my friend who lives in Florida how I envy him and every year I see his taunting photos of the topiaries as he rubs in the fact that he hasn’t seen snow in over five years.  But even this, does not motivate me to plan my trip. 

Obviously it is going through my mind.  I even look at the performer line-up for  "Flower Power" Concert Series.  Yep, Davy Jones is there.  I hate to admit that I was a Monkees fan when I was a kid.  I can’t say that Davy Jones’ music is under my "Can’t Admit Favs" iPod playlist (really!).  But if you ask me, I can sing every word of Daydream Believer. 

Then, I read that L’Originale Alfredo di Roma is closing at the end of August.  I know there are people who aren’t fans of the Italian restaurant in the World Showcase.  But I have some wonderful memories there.  Most of them involve my Sicilian dad interacting with the waiters and speaking Italian.  And the waiter flirting with me and calling me "bella" to get a better tip.  Not to mention their cannolis taste almost exactly like those my little Sicilian grandma used to make.  Once Alfredo’s goes, I wonder if the memories that tasting those sweet cannolis conjur up won’t be as strong.  

So, I’m planning to head down during the middle of May with my parents and a friend for once last experience at Epcot’s Alfredo di Roma.  Oh, I could go to their restaurant in Rome or New York.  Somehow, it seems much more magical in Central Florida.  We will dine once more, toast one of our favorite Epcot experiences "arrivederci" and look forward to the Italian restaurant that Disney says will replace it.  As much as I hate to see Alfredo’s go, I would like to think that the reason it is, is a testament to this place Walt imagined, this "World’s Fair".  It is always changing.

I think Alfredo’s just tipped the scales on the "theme park on my mind".  Truthfully, I’ve been thinking about "Soarin" for weeks.  It’s not as if I need an excuse but maybe a way to rationalize my draw to this place.  And if I happen to be eating my cannoli to the sounds of "Daydream Believer", well, all the better.  Just one more memory that I can think about when I come home to the rest of our slushy, blustery spring.

Joanne
Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

I had no big plans this spring to go to Walt Disney World.  In fact, I actually decided against going because I have three trips planned in the fall (including Disneyland!).  But I keep up on events at the World for obvious reasons. < more... >