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... >

"Well, sir, there’s nothing on earth
  Like a genuine,
  Bonafide,
  Electrified,
  Six Car
  Monorail!
  What’d I say?

Monorail!

What’s it called?

Monorail!

That’s right! Monorail!"

When I first saw the Monorail episode of The Simpsons (where the above quote was from), I was on the floor laughing.  It poked fun at two of my favorite things, Walt Disney World and theatre.  (The Monorail Song is, of course, based on The Music Man’s "Rock Island" which I sat through night after night when I did the show.  I eventually began to silently scream during the "song".) 

But the song is right, there is nothing on earth like (Disney’s) monorail.  Okay, there are other monorails.  Heck, Imagineering didn’t even create them.  The history of the monorail goes way back to 1825 when a horse-powered monorail, created to carry bricks, took the opening trip with passengers.  Fast forward more than seventy-five years, Walt Disney and Richard Nixon and his family dedicated the Disneyland monorail in 1959.  The Mark VI monorails that run today at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom carry approximately 150,000 guest a day to and from the theme parks and resorts.  They are named with a color that corresponds to the stripe just below the windows.  With twelve colors ranging from black to coral, cast members refer to a line as "Monorail Silver" or "Monorail Orange". The Cast Member at the Magic Kingdom Monorail Station, shown in the photo, cracked me up with his "hat".

When I was riding the "highway in the sky" in December, I twice had the opportunity to co-pilot.  A lot of guests know that you can ride in the front car with the Monorail pilot but many are too focused on getting to their destination to ask.  If you are up near the front of the monorail queue, please do not hesitate to ask to sit in the front.  The front cab capacity is four guests.  The ride is very much worth it!  I was lucky enough to be heading to the Magic Kingdom from the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center).  My favorite view was just as we were heading into the Contemporary Resort.  The Magic Kingdom was in the background and there is a hill that you never notice when you’re not riding in the front cab.

The kids (and big kids too) get a Monorail Co-Pilot’s license as a souvenir.  Mine is proudly displayed next to my computer.  This experience is no-charge magical moment.  If you happen to be in the right place at the right time and get to experience it, you and the guest in party will never be able to hear "please stand clear of the doors" again and not smile.

Joanne
Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

"Well, sir, there’s nothing on earth
  Like a genuine,
  Bonafide,
  Electrified,
  Six Car
  Monorail!
  What’d I say?

Monorail!

What’s it called?

Monorail!

That’s right! Monorail! < more... >

Everywhere you turn in Disney World it seems you are bombarded by either pirates or princesses. When Disney first announced the Pirate and Princess Parties I thought it sounded interesting. I guess I may have been expecting too much because I was a little let down by the party. It pretty much seemed just like a Halloween party, but in January. There just wasn’t that WOW thing that would make you say I am so glad I shelled out the extra money for this.

There were plenty of places around the park to collect "loot" which was in form of beads and chocolate (mostly Hershey’s which was nice). Felt like we were trick or treating though.

Crowds were light (much lighter than Disney expected I bet). It was rather chilly which may have made some people rethink buying a ticket if they hadn’t already. What Disney did expect for January nights?

There was a special parade (short as it was) and it was cool to see Tink in a parade! There was also special fireworks - which were good but also seemed to be missing something.

Kids could join a dance party in either Fantasyland or Tomorrowland - both of which looked like fun. There was also the Pirate tutorial (which seemed the same as we have seen before) and a princess protector demo in Adventureland. There were a few carnival type games tucked away in he back corner of Toontown. There were also some cute photo ops around the park, but maybe it was bad timing on my part but it seemed as though the photopass people were missing.  We did find a photopass person on Main St and got our picture taken but were very disappointed when we went to check out our picture and it was all dark behind, no sign of the castle or any of those cute digital effects we are used to.

There just seemed to be a lot of things missing - such as some kind of special "freebie" perks for party goers like maybe a photo or even hot chocolate would have been nice. I also did not see any special exclusive merchandise other than the really large balloons, which seemed odd. It also was not easy to find something to eat or drink since most of the carts around the park were closed.

All and all it was an enjoyable evening (made me wish Halloween could have small crowds like that again) but if you have already shelled out a lot of money for your Disney vacation you may want to save the money, skip the party, and just enjoy the Extra Magic Hours which are free. Without any big bang or holiday to draw you to this party I can’t see paying all of that money just for small crowds and some candy - but that is just my 2 cents.

Coleen

Coleen@MouseFanTravel.com

Everywhere you turn in Disney World it seems you are bombarded by either pirates or princesses. When Disney first announced the Pirate and Princess Parties I thought it sounded interesting. I guess I may have been expecting too much because I was a little let down by the party. It pretty much seemed just like a Halloween party, but in January. < more... >

I have made a lifetime of great memories at Walt Disney World in the twenty-two years I’ve been going there.  I remember I was sitting at Chef Mickey’s, back when it was at the Village (now the Marketplace).  Mickey was going table to table greeting his guests.  When suddenly an adorable little blonde-haired girl, maybe about five years old, ran up to him.  She threw her arms around him him and shouted loud enough for the whole room to hear, "Mickey Mouse, I love you!"  That was one of those magical moments that I will never forget.  It was almost like Walt himself had orchestrated it, just to spread the magic. 

But silly moments are the best.  My favorites are the ones my family and I always talk about.  Year in and year out these stories keep getting told to anyone who will listen.  My family has a casual reunion each year at Walt Disney World.  There’s always an open invitation for anyone who wants to go.  And the group always seems to be different.

One year, there were about three or four families in our group.  My uncle, Bill, who is a pilot, flew into MCO to meet up with us as we were beginning a trip.  He, however, had to work the rest of the day.  Bill and his family live in Texas and it is rare that we see him.  We had hugs all around and then headed for the luggage carousels and then to our bus to take us to our rental car company.  (I’m not sure why we used to do that when we could rent at the airport…but I digress…)  We were so excited to start our trip that we jumped on the bus and left Bill on the curb with a pouty lip.  Later, a few in our group claimed that they thought he was going with us.  But to this day, we laugh about how we were more excited to go and see Mickey than stop at the airport and have dinner with him.

On another occasion, we all stopped at Auntie Gravity’s at the Magic Kingdom for ice cream.  While we were stopped, we decided it was a fine time for a photo of the group.  My Uncle Joe, sat on a retaining wall to relax and finish his ice cream.  My Aunt Sue, ice cream in hand, stood up behind him to pose for the picture.  He looked up at her as only a brother could and said, "Don’t drop that on me!"  He turned his head forward to say cheese and PLOP, SNAP.  The melted mess ended up on his head and shoulders as the photo was snapped.  Poor Sue still gets in trouble until this day for that one!

Then, there is the ketchup and mustard story.  This one was so silly that we immortalized it on a scrap page for my uncle’s 50th trip to Walt Disney World.  My mom, her brother Joe and I were hanging around at the Magic Kingdom on this day.  We were a bit tired from the sun and dare I say, very punchy!!  We took a break at Pecos Bill’s for lunch when Joe decided to challenge Mom.  "Name the countries in the World Showcase at Epcot going clockwise from Mexico."  Now, we had been playing this game on and off all trip long and for some reason, my mom just couldn’t get them in order.  That’s when Joe ripped open the ketchup and mustard packets and drew a map.  Blops of ketchup and mustard morphed into our beloved World Showcase before our eyes and we broke out into a severe case of the giggles.

Okay, so maybe you had to be there.   If you’re not rolling your eyes at me by this time, I do have a point.  These stories are examples of how very adult and often serious people become little kids at Walt Disney World.  It is freeing and fun and magical.   Walt Disney World is the kind of place that draws out your silly side and opens you up to the kind of memories that I really don’t think you could have elsewhere.  So if you’ve read between the lines, you’ll know that magic of a Disney vacation doesn’t happen just when you’re on the attractions or at the shows.  Sometimes the magic happens inbetween the lines.   Anytime life gets a little too serious for me, I pull out these memories from the back of my brain and laugh.  And I remember the phrase on that tee shirt that I bought all those years ago at my favorite vacation spot in the world…."I’m never growing up". 

Joanne
Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

I have made a lifetime of great memories at Walt Disney World in the twenty-two years I’ve been going there.  I remember I was sitting at Chef Mickey’s, back when it was at the Village (now the Marketplace).  Mickey was going table to table greeting his guests. < more... >

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Happily-ever-after evenings are in store for lucky Walt Disney World guests, as Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom has been transformed to include an enchanting royal chamber fit for a princess during "The Year of a Million Dreams."

Beginning Jan. 24, eligible guests will be selected as part of the Disney Dreams Giveaway, which began Oct. 1, 2006. For the castle stay, a Walt Disney World guest at a Disney park or Downtown Disney will be selected randomly by early in the afternoon most days. The guest and up to five members of their party will begin their dream-come-true night that evening at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the popular restaurant located in Cinderella Castle. (Because the castle stay requires same-day use, mail-in winners will be awarded a prize of comparable value.)

After the rest of the park guests have departed Magic Kingdom, these special guests can enjoy the amenities of their dream suite — a salon, bedchamber and bathroom off of a private marble-floored lobby some four stories above the surrounding Magic Kingdom, replete with rich details befitting the 17th century fairytale and the French chateaus that inspired the design of Cinderella Castle.

The wheelchair-accessible suite is decked with 21st century comforts including an elevator to the suite, flat-panel television, fireplace, tub and shower.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Happily-ever-after evenings are in store for lucky Walt Disney World guests, as Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom has been transformed to include an enchanting royal chamber fit for a princess during "The Year of a Million Dreams."

Beginning Jan. < more... >

Many of us have our favorite place to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks but in the end, sometimes it’s just simply difficult to find that GREAT spot. Here’s a little clue to one of the best places to stand as well as videotape WISHES.

As the crowd is gathering for the fireworks show, position yourself in the area near Casey’s.  Hang out there until you see people begin to find their "watching spot" and enter the Main Street pavement between Casey’s and the Plaza restaurant.  Eventually you see cast members mulling about as they get ready to tape off a line that will be the throughway for guests during the fireworks show. This area really doesn’t get much use as everyone is watching the show. Your job is to get your toes right on that tape, in the center of the street, as the CM’s block off the crossway.  At this point you will not have anyone standing in front of you and you’ll have a very good view of the castle and the show.

Although my wife and I rent a car on trips to WDW, the Magic Kingdom is the only park we use Disney bus transportation, to simply avoid the trip to the parking lot at the end of the day. Although we’ve had to stand a few times on the bus, we’ve found avoiding the ferry and tram line has saved us time and been a wise choice.
 

Bruce


 

Many of us have our favorite place to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks but in the end, sometimes it’s just simply difficult to find that GREAT spot. Here’s a little clue to one of the best places to stand as well as videotape WISHES. < more... >

If you are fortunatel to have passed by Adventureland and Pirates of the Caribbean during Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial, you’ve see a real diamond in the Magic Kingdom.  With his sidekick, Jack teaches youngsters how to fight, distract (look, it’s the governer’s daughter?), and use a wooden sword.  The show lasts about 20 minutes and is worth the walk to see Jack.  A spitting image of Johnny Depp, our Jack Sparrow pirate has all the maneurisms of the Captain including the voice. I was blown away by this and felt as though the actual Jack Sparrow was before me.  Talking to my son after last year’s Disney Halloween party, I knew that there were many Jack Sparrow wannabees out there and we’re not disappointed.

The antics of Jack and his sidekick, working with the kids, is just plain funny. Kids to the darndest things and this show proved no less. 

I’m not sure if the show is now on a regular schedule but when I saw it, it was not on the guidesheet.  Perhaps someone else can help us out here.

If you are fortunatel to have passed by Adventureland and Pirates of the Caribbean during Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial, you’ve see a real diamond in the Magic Kingdom.  With his sidekick, Jack teaches youngsters how to fight, distract (look, it’s the governer’s daughter? < more... >

My wife Kris and I had a chance to see "Finding Nemo the Musical" at the old Tarzan Rocks ampitheater a few weeks back. The show is excellent and will rival Festival of the Lion King as the top show at WDW.  Get in line early as the center sections offer the best views with the sides offering a partly obstructed view (but still well worth the show).  The musical has been called a puppet show but that description is a diservice because it’s much more than that.  Cast Members, with live head mics, sing and manipulate large puppets some requiring several people.  The sound is excellent and with the theater now fully enclosed, the lighting is top notch.  The show we saw ran about 27 minutes but according to my son, a CM, the original versions were taking over 1 hour. After many revisions the final show evolved.  It’s a must see at WDW.

While at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, after seeing "…Lion King" and Expedition Everest make sure you’ve built time in to see this show.  Its target audience is the sub-10 year old range so it might be a big much for teens but as we get older we again enjoy the music and the experience. How they have designed "Bruce" the shark alone is worth the show. Not that I’m biased that "Bruce" is the star of the show! *grin*

A word of warning: Cameras nor video cameras are not allowed to be used, so tuck those away and enjoy the show.

Daily at 10am, 11:30am, 12:45pm, 3pm at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Theater in the Wild.

My wife Kris and I had a chance to see "Finding Nemo the Musical" at the old Tarzan Rocks ampitheater a few weeks back. The show is excellent and will rival Festival of the Lion King as the top show at WDW. < more... >

MouseFest on land began with the bang of fireworks at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party last night!   There was a special holiday version of Wishes with all of us "MouseFesters" meeting at the Rose Garden near the base of Cinderella Castle.

I began my day at MouseFest meeting Mike Scopa and other MouseFesters at the Dole Whip meet at the Magic Kingdom.  I’ve never had pineapple soft serve before and found it to be…well….interesting.   However, it wasn’t nearly as interesting as watching and chatting with everyone.  I knew that a lot of the attendees are HUGE Disney fans and it was fun to see everyone dressed in their Disney best!  There were pin collections and fun Christmas hats and a lot of not-so-hidden Mickeys. 

In between the Dole Whip meet and the Hidden Mickey meet I attended next, my family and I jumped on Pirates of the Caribbean.  We came off just in time to see a gathering of MouseFesters with patches on their eyes and practicing their best pirate ARGH!!  This group headed onto Pirates with lyric sheets in hand and I heard later, had blast singing their way through the attraction!

My next stop was the Hidden Mickey Hunt where I discovered that I’m not the only one obsessed with finding those three circles in the attractions.  We saw several very good ones including a set of Mickey Mouse ears made of hay in Mickey’s Toontown.

My family and I then headed to a few attractions and headed over to O’Hana for a wonderful meal.  However, the grand finale of my evening was yet to come.  The Wishes fireworks at the Magic Kingdom are special on a normal day.  However, we were at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  The special holiday edition was made even more wonderful by meeting what can only be described as an amazing turnout of MouseFesters.  We sipped hot chocolate, ate sugar cookies and greeted each other so warmly that we didn’t even notice the chill in the night air. 

And now I’m excited to see what day two of the land portion of MouseFest brings.   I’m sure it will bring more smiles, laughs, hugs and good times…land ho…ho, ho! 

Joanne
Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

MouseFest on land began with the bang of fireworks at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party last night!   There was a special holiday version of Wishes with all of us "MouseFesters" meeting at the Rose Garden near the base of Cinderella Castle. < more... >

The MouseFest excitement has begun! This is the 4th year in a row for me and MouseFest has become my new favorite holiday tradition. Since Thanksgiving I have been counting down the hours until that fun day when Disney fans from all over the world converge on the Disney Wonder and Disney World.

I arrived in Orlando today and met up with Coleen and Stephanie at the Wilderness Lodge to do some prep work for the land and sea meets and activities. We were magically turned into MouseFest elves as we began to unpack our 6 suitcases and the car load of boxes that arrived with Coleen. We had some entertaining looks from the bell staff and the scene reminded me of the DisMeet in PA in July when we had to track down every available luggage rack from the bell staff just to get the goodies to the room.

The MouseFest excitement has begun! This is the 4th year in a row for me and MouseFest has become my new favorite holiday tradition. Since Thanksgiving I have been counting down the hours until that fun day when Disney fans from all over the world converge on the Disney Wonder and Disney World.

I arrived in Orlando today and met up with Coleen and Stephanie at the Wilderness Lodge to do some prep work for the land and sea meets and activities. We were magically turned into MouseFest elves as we began to unpack our 6 suitcases and the car load of boxes that arrived with Coleen. We had some entertaining looks from the bell staff and the scene reminded me of the DisMeet in PA in July when we had to track down every available luggage rack from the bell staff just to get the goodies to the room.