I used to be the type of person who couldn’t deal with Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving.  Every year I used to think, "Wow the retailers are really pushing this holiday season thing".  As I’ve grown a little older, something in me has changed.  I think some sort of magical pixiedustesque rain sprinkles over me every fall.  The "holiday season" now begins with Halloween for me and continues straight through New Year’s Day.  Maybe I need something to take my mind off of the fact that it’s dark at 5:00 pm, or maybe it’s the kid in me coming through or my need to focus on the positive rather than the nightly news. 

Every year my family and I head to Disney World for the Christmas season.   This has been a tradition for my family since the early ’90s.  The first year I went during the season was to celebrate my mom graduating from college (How great is that!!).  We came home and convinced the rest of the family that it is just the most wonderful time of the year to be at Walt Disney World.  I usually go at the beginning of December to avoid the holiday rush.  It is just as magical and I make it back in time to make Christmas dinner for the extended family.   This year’s vacation will begin in just 15 days!!  At the end of my week, I’ll be attending MouseFest (www.mousefest.org) and I’ll be reporting back here LIVE, so stay tuned!

Until then, I wanted to impress you with my statistical knowledge of a Very Merry, Jolly Holiday at Walt Disney World!  (Does anyone remember the Jolly Holiday Dinner show at the Contemporary??  I miss it so much!!  For those of you who don’t, think large ballroom, turkey dinner, Disney Christmas show, so fun!!)

Did you know?

The gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian is 16 feet tall, has 600 pounds of sugar and 1,050 pounds of honey in it!  The baking and decorating time is 560 hours!

Disney World is wrapped in more than 11 miles of garland and 300,000 yards of ribbon.

The World is illuminated every holiday season by 7 million lights!

The tree at the Grand Floridian is 45 feet tall and has 60,000 miniature LED lights adorning its branches.

More than 1300 trees are decorated in the World, to make our holiday trips even more Very Merry.

I’ve had the privilege of touring Holiday Services where all the decorations are stored and made for Walt Disney World.  If you get the opportunity, take the Yuletide Fantasy Tour and see this amazing place.  Ask your vacation planner, we can book it for you!

So everyone open your eyes a little wider, and enjoy the wonder that is the holiday season at Walt Disney World!   I’ll see you there (at MouseFest) or I’ll see you here at the cafe for your vicarious pleasure.

Joanne
Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

 

I used to be the type of person who couldn’t deal with Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving.  Every year I used to think, "Wow the retailers are really pushing this holiday season thing".  As I’ve grown a little older, something in me has changed. < more... >

*THIS BLOG CONTAINS PHOTO SPOILERS OF THE DISNEY WORLD MAGIC KINGDOM PIRATES UPDATE!  Don’t look if you don’t want to see ‘em….aye?*

Isn’t it sad that when anyone under the age of twenty hears the name "Davy Jones" that they’ll think of the Medusa-like man in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest"?  Maybe it’s just sad for me.  Everytime anyone says "Davy Jones" to me, I can’t help but see my childhood crush on stage at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival singing "cheer up sleepy Jean…"  beneath snake-like hair.   Okay, admittedly, I was more of a Mickey fan (that’s Dolenz, not the mouse!).  You just have to love a guy as whacky as that. 

I don’t think that Disney’s crying over Davy Jones or the success of Captain Jack Sparrow!  Hey, so don’t you think they should now turn Cap’n Jack’s Oyster Bar at Downtown Disney to Captain Jack Sparrow’s?  Or did I miss that transformation?

By now, you’re used to my digressions, but I will ask you to pardon them anyway.  The point of this blog is to show you that Pirates have indeed invaded the Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney and Disney’s MGM Studios!  I have brought back photos from my recent trip to demonstrate just what I describe!

 

 

   

Okay, it’s difficult to tell but this is a VERY cool Davy Jones effect.  It seems like you’re going right through a waterfall! 

 

 

 

 

Captain Jack does show up quite a few times!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was taken at the villain’s store on Sunset (going towards Tower of Terror) at Disney MGM Studios.  Cute aren’t they?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is in front of the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And all of this for you to savor on that most fun of all days in September, Talk Like a Pirate Day!  No, really it is!  Click the link.  Ahoy, have a great day, gar!

Joanne
Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

 

*THIS BLOG CONTAINS PHOTO SPOILERS OF THE DISNEY WORLD MAGIC KINGDOM PIRATES UPDATE!  Don’t look if you don’t want to see ‘em….aye? < more... >

I have traveled to Orlando many times over the years and have imagined how exciting it would be to time it just right with a shuttle launch. I was thrilled to hear one was scheduled during our visit last week and caught snips of news as each day went by with a delay. Last night we heard today was the last possible day in this launch window. and wouldn’t ya know it… the morning was jammed with to-dos. Get up to prep for meeting, travel to meeting, attend meeting,  return from meeting, and oh yes… pack for the transfer from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to the next hotel. There was no way I would see it with my own eyes. Right?

After the morning festivities, Annette and I returned to our rooms connected by the "ease of bantering, chatting, etc, in hopes of getting more work done during our off hours" connecting door.  As we packed we both had our TVs tuned to random stations televising the event. When we first checked in a couple of days ago, I must admit we were slightly bummed that our view was not of the usual Boardwalk across the way but was in fact the top of a building over the lobby drive up area. But in true ‘things truly happen for a reason’ form, the view was even better.

As count down went from 5 minutes to 2, we debated which way was east and which was west. 2 minutes… naw… we MUST be facing the wrong way - lets just watch it on TV… 1 minute… hmm we can still see the TV if we prop the balcony door open with the chair!… 30 seconds… well its certainly worth a look right?  10, 9, 8, (In an effort to avoid disappointment, I have now convinced myself we just couldn’t be THAT lucky -  I mean, even if we are facing the right way there are a lot of clouds in the sky…) 7, 6, 5, 4, (hmm… I should finish packing shouldn’t I… We are past check out now….) 3, 2, 1… Nothing. All attention turns back to the tv.

As the shuttle clears the tower, I think about a couple of days ago when I went on my third Mission Space ride - "green card please" - more on that later.
Anyway …

We run back out on the balcony just for one last look and just as I begin to give up hope, I hear  "BECI - LOOK! THERE IT IS!" - coming from the balcony next to me. I looked in the general area Annette was pointing, and with a few head bobs around a building support, there its was. A very bright dot light, like a small piece of the sun had fallen off and was trying to ascend back to its position, followed by a long trail of billowing smoke.  I had to blink a few times and when I realized it was really the shuttle, a chill went up my spine in the 90 degree heat.

I was frozen in awe of this incredible site and we slowly sank to the floor of the balcony as we kneeled to watch to shuttle rise beyond the roof line. A few short moments later, the bright light vanished but the trail of smoke remained. I quickly turned back to the tv and sure enough the cameras reflected the sunlight had begun to turn to the darkness of space.  wow.

A few seconds later we snapped back to reality that at any moment a maid would want us out of her way, so we finished our packing and headed for the lobby to catch the transfer.

Just goes to show that more often then not situations that might not seem like the best at the time actually turn out to have a true purpose ( a personal mantra of mine actually)  AND that Disney can work its magic in many different ways.  Just imagine if you were boarding the Disney Magic today! wow- what a sight!

I have traveled to Orlando many times over the years and have imagined how exciting it would be to time it just right with a shuttle launch. I was thrilled to hear one was scheduled during our visit last week and caught snips of news as each day went by with a delay. Last night we heard today was the last possible day in this launch window. and wouldn’t ya know it… the morning was jammed with to-dos. Get up to prep for meeting, travel to meeting, attend meeting,  return from meeting, and oh yes… pack for the transfer from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to the next hotel. There was no way I would see it with my own eyes. Right?

After the morning festivities, Annette and I returned to our rooms connected by the "ease of bantering, chatting, etc, in hopes of getting more work done during our off hours" connecting door.  As we packed we both had our TVs tuned to random stations televising the event. When we first checked in a couple of days ago, I must admit we were slightly bummed that our view was not of the usual Boardwalk across the way but was in fact the top of a building over the lobby drive up area. But in true ‘things truly happen for a reason’ form, the view was even better. < more... >

I know what you are thinking…  "holiday"  and "walk right on the ride" are not terms that typically go together when referring to the same visit, but I assure you, it happened today. Labor Day.

Annette and I left the husbands at home (sorry guys) and are here at WDW for a couple of days of much needed R&R before a series of meetings and our plans to meet up with 20 of our other Mouse Fan Travel affiliates for  a special industry event. (my apologies to the rest of the gang who are staying home to hold down the fort!)  So today was play day number one. After a sleepless red eye flight I was in no shape to do our typical "park commando’ routine so we planned an easy day of wandering the Magic Kingdom to soak up some magic!

Granted, its hot, its humid, its early September, but a holiday is still a holiday and buzzing with lots of folks sporting Free Dining packages from the last promotion.  Including us. Arriving via bus and walking through the turnstiles we had two priorities on the list-

1. We must see Captain Jack Sparrow as neither of us have seen the updated attraction since it opened.
   
2. Food. An advanced dining reservation at Tony’s Town Square was waiting for us at 5pm. More on that in a later post.

We entered the park at 3 pm and were happy to see the Dreams Come True parade had just started its way down main street. AND there were front row spots available right in front of the Emporium!  Cool!  More on the parade later.  Afterwards we headed straight for Pirates and were thrilled to see "20 min wait".  Its a holiday right?  Anyway, as we approached the entrance you are faced with that age old question.  Right or Left?  The forces of nature tend to pull you to the right queue so we were quite proud of ourselves when we manage to resist the norm and "Go Left". Problem is the rest of the population has managed to master the go left trick as well.  We were even more thrilled to find that we were keeping the same pace as we turned each corner and not really slowing down as we approached load area. Then realized… we were going to be queued up for the next boat! It was then that we realized the other side,  which loaded anyone that followed the herd and selected to go right, had three eager guests boarding the next boat.  Hmm..  3 people go right - 30 go left.  hmmm…

Anyway.. I digress.  Point is  - We hit almost every major major attraction and walked right on each one.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss the driving/sterring differences of men and women on Buzz Lightyear and is ponder an evenn more inportant question… Is a parade really a parade without human sized snowglobe containers?   hmmm…..

I know what you are thinking…  "holiday"  and "walk right on the ride" are not terms that typically go together when referring to the same visit, but I assure you, it happened today. Labor Day.

Annette and I left the husbands at home (sorry guys) and are here at WDW for a couple of days of much needed R&R before a series of meetings and our plans to meet up with 20 of our other Mouse Fan Travel affiliates for  a special industry event. (my apologies to the rest of the gang who are staying home to hold down the fort!)  So today was play day number one. After a sleepless red eye flight I was in no shape to do our typical "park commando’ routine so we planned an easy day of wandering the Magic Kingdom to soak up some magic!

< more... >

On our last Walt Disney World trip, we had 2 families with a total of 4 kids ranging in age from 2-10. We did a lot of child swapping using Fast Passes and learned a lot in the process.  Many people have asked me exactly how it works so I’ll help clarify that for anybody who hasn’t done it.  Also, we discovered good waiting spots that might be helpful for others who are swapping as much as we did.

How to Child Swap
The quickest way to Child Swap is to obtain Fast Passes for part of your group ahead of time. The first part of the group that goes can report to the Fast Pass line area and ask the Cast Member there for a Child Swap ticket. That ticket entitles you to hand it off to the second part of your group and up to 4 people can use that ticket. Some members of your party can ride more than once so that members aren’t riding alone (older kids who love bigger rides will especially love this perk!). Mostly the bigger rides with height requirements will allow Child Swapping and every ride seems to have slightly different rules. Some Cast Members want to see the smaller children that won’t be riding, for example.

Using this combination of Fast Passes and Child Swap tickets drastically speeds up the riding process but you still will be spending a lot of time waiting.  We discovered some good areas to wait with the smaller children.  Here are some ideas:

Magic Kingdom
While waiting on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain, you can ride the train.  Under the train at Splash Mountain, the play structure is supposed to be fun too.  While waiting for Space Mountain, you can ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

Epcot
While waiting for Test Track, you can wait in Innoventions East and have the kids make a robot and explore the other areas here.  While waiting for Mission: Space, kids have a play structure at the exit of the ride that they can climb on and other various activities here to explore. While waiting for Soarin’, you can wait by riding Living with the Land in the same building.  Circle of Life is also a possibility.

Animal Kingdom
While waiting for Dinosaur, you can wait with the kids at The Boneyard and maybe even catch Lucky the Dinosaur on the way.

Other Ideas

• We bought several frozen lemonades at different times and found a shady spot while waiting many times as well. The kids all seemed to really love these and it pacified them as they passed the time away.
• We used little bottles of bubbles to entertain the kids throughout our trip, including while waiting for swapping. So simple, so cheap and other children enjoy chasing after the bubbles too!
• Both parties should definitely have a cell phone or 2 way radio so you can easily locate each other.
• Every Cast Member is different and some required us to show the child in order to get the child swap pass so keep the child(ren) in the same basic area in case this happens!

Happy Child Swapping!
Shannon Albert
shannon@MEI-Travel.com

On our last Walt Disney World trip, we had 2 families with a total of 4 kids ranging in age from 2-10. We did a lot of child swapping using Fast Passes and learned a lot in the process.  Many people have asked me exactly how it works so I’ll help clarify that for anybody who hasn’t done it.  Also, we discovered good waiting spots that might be helpful for others who are swapping as much as we did. < more... >

As some of you may know, I make computer games for a living. So it’s always cool to see my job (aka Dr. Egon Spengler) and my passion for Disney (aka Dr. Peter Venkman) cross streams.

Dr. Egon Spengler: There’s something very important I forgot to tell you.
Dr. Peter Venkman: What?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Don’t cross the streams.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Why?
Dr. Egon Spengler: It would be bad.
Dr. Peter Venkman: I’m fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, "bad?"
Dr. Egon Spengler: Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
Dr Ray Stantz: Total protonic reversal.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Right. That’s bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.

So today it was cool to see that the gamers at Disney & Buena Vist Games have put together a fan fest for players of Toontown Online. More below the fold.

North Hollywood, Calif. - August 11, 2006 – Kids and adults alike are gathering their gags, gassing up their Toon’s go-karts, and preparing their character costumes for ToonFest 2006, the first official fan fest dedicated to Disney Online’s family-friendly game, Disney’s Toontown Online. Thousands of fans, along with Kyle Massey of That’s So Raven and the upcoming Disney Channel Original Series Cory in the House, will gather at an already sold-out event at the Walt Disney Studios on Saturday, August 26, 2006, to play Disney’s Toontown Online and take part in a host of themed activities and competitions.

“We have a truly dedicated group of kids and families that play Toontown together online on a regular basis and ToonFest will give these players the chance to show off their characters and prove they’re Toon enough,” said Steve Parkis, vice president of Premium Products for Disney Online. “ToonFest is a great way for us to celebrate the more than 15 million Toon characters that have been created since the game launched three years ago.”

Designed specifically for kids and families, Disney’s Toontown Online is an award-winning massively multiplayer online game filled with nonstop play, ever-changing adventure and irreverent fun. It is a vast online world where you live life as a cartoon character. Players can create their own Toon, furnish an estate, customize a race kart, train a pet Doodle, and team up with friends to defeat the invading robot Cogs. With an arsenal of gags to add to the fun, the Toontown experience is always growing, always changing, and as wild as the imagination.

At ToonFest 2006, fans will take part in Toontastic activities and competitions throughout the day including an in-game scavenger hunt, fun carnival games such as “Pin the Tail on the Doodle,” a costume parade and contest, Q&A panels with the game’s developers, and a sneak peek at future game expansions and features. Fans at home will be able to participate in the in-game scavenger hunt, as well.

Disney’s Toontown Online is available for download at http://www.Toontown.com for $9.95 per month, with longer membership packages available at reduced rates. Each membership includes six separate “Toons” so that individual family members may play as their own character. A free 3-day trial and additional information is available on the site.

As some of you may know, I make computer games for a living. So it’s always cool to see my job (aka Dr. Egon Spengler) and my passion for Disney (aka Dr. Peter Venkman) cross streams.

Dr. Egon Spengler: There’s something very important I forgot to tell you.
Dr. Peter Venkman: What?
Dr. Egon Spengler: Don’t cross the streams.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Why?
Dr. Egon Spengler: It would be bad.
Dr. Peter Venkman: I’m fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, "bad?"
Dr. Egon Spengler: Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.
Dr Ray Stantz: Total protonic reversal.
Dr. Peter Venkman: Right. That’s bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.

So today it was cool to see that the gamers at Disney & Buena Vist Games have put together a fan fest for players of Toontown Online. More below the fold.

< more... >

The Orlando Centinal’s blog reports: 

The Wiggles and Disney. Can’t get more kid-friendly than that. The ever-popular Wiggles are among the performers who will be at the "seven-week theatrical and musical extravaganza" at Disney-MGM Studios. The Wiggles will perform Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

Starting things off this week will be the Imagination Movers, a pretty cool and wholesome kids rap group.

The Orlando Centinal’s blog reports: 

The Wiggles and Disney. Can’t get more kid-friendly than that. < more... >

On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, I got to experience an attraction I had never seen before – the baby care stations! Our youngest daughter was 4 months old at the time, and although I had read about the baby care stations, I had never taken our older children there since they were not “babies” during our visits. How I wish I had visited them earlier!

There is one baby care station located in each one of the four theme parks. In the Magic Kingdom, it’s located near the first aid station near the Crystal Palace restaurant. In Epcot, it’s in the Odyssey building. The station in MGM Studios is to the left just inside the park entrance, and the one in the Animal Kingdom is to the left of the Tree of Life behind the Creature Comforts gift shops. For those with young babies, the baby care centers are unbeatable. Each one is staffed by a Disney cast member and has a private room for nursing mothers, as well as high chairs and microwaves for use when feeding your baby. There are also several changing tables, each with a disposable cover which makes changing your baby so much easier and more comfortable than the hard changing areas in most of the park restrooms. Best of all, these amenities are provided free of charge!

The baby care centers are not just for those with little babies, though. For those with toddlers or older siblings, each station also includes adult and companion restrooms and a small play area with videos and toys. What a great way for dad or another to keep the other children occupied while mom takes care of baby – much better than waiting outside in the heat of the park! For those with toddlers, the stations are also a great place to relax for a little while in a cool and relaxed place. Each station also has a small selection of items for sale, including over the counter medicines, formula, baby food and baby clothing. If there is a baby or young child in your family, don’t overlook these areas while touring the park. These baby care stations offer a nice quiet place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the park while taking care of the needs of your baby or child.

– Keri Madeira  - Keri@MouseFanTravelc.com

On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, I got to experience an attraction I had never seen before – the baby care stations! Our youngest daughter was 4 months old at the time, and although I had read about the baby care stations, I had never taken our older children there since they were not “babies” during our visits. < more... >

When the weather is hot here in the midwest, you know it’s HOT and HUMID at Walt Disney World.  Below are ten tips for beating the heat.  The first five are places to avoid in peak sun hours.  They’re perfectly fine places otherwise.  The second five are places that make me go aaahhhhhh, I’m refreshed!!

Avoid the following during peak sun, but don’t forget to catch them earlier or later:

1.  Standing in line outside the Universe of Energy at Epcot:  Every now and then, cast members will hold a line outside the Universe of Energy.  I’ve been in it during the middle of the day.  You will note that there are mirrored pieces on the outside of the building.  It feels like you’re an ant being fried with a magnifying glass!

2.  Paddle boating at Port Orleans Riverside Resort:  I made this mistake just on my last trip to Walt Disney World.  I decided some exercise might be good.  I also thought there would be a breeze.  Add the life jacket and I was perspiring profusely!

3.  In line at Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom:  For some reason this line always seems to make me warm.  I try to visit first thing in the morning now!

4.  Anywhere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:  I don’t know if Imagineers were trying to duplicate the African weather as well, but this theme park seems to be warmer than every other one.  I go early and then park hop!

5.  World Showcase at Epcot, mid-afternoon in August:  This was a mistake I made my first trip.  Actually my boyfriend’s mother insisted on visiting every outdoor shop and kiosk.  I just wanted to go back to the resort.  Now I visit in the evening.  It’s more fun at that time anyway. 

Now if the heat’s just taken it all out of you but you’re not quite ready for a nap at the resort try the following.

1.  Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:  You WILL get WET!!!

2.  Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom:   This delightful attraction will put a smile on your face, have you humming zippity doo dah and feeling cool too!

3.  Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom AKA the afternoon napping spot:  I LOVE Hall of Presidents but when the heat has done it’s worst to you, you can get in with a relatively short wait and sit on nice chairs in the nice cool air conditioning.  Aahhhhhhh…..

4.  Universe of Energy, on the ride:  If there is no line outside step into the dark preshow at Universe of Energy and ride the ride.  Forty minutes later you’ll be as good as new!

5.  The American Adventure at Epcot’s World Showcase:  If your boyfriend’s mother insists on shopping at World Showcase, ditch her and watch the Voices of Liberty and The American Adventure.  You will cool off and feel very patriotic!

Those are just a few of my favorite tips for beating the heat.   There are many more but those are the biggies that I use every trip.  Keep in mind that if you experience motion sickness, the heat and dehydration make you feel worse.  So as my ex-boyfriend’s mother would say,  "stay hydrated and wear your sunscreen".

Joanne - Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

When the weather is hot here in the midwest, you know it’s HOT and HUMID at Walt Disney World.  Below are ten tips for beating the heat.  The first five are places to avoid in peak sun hours.  They’re perfectly fine places otherwise.  The second five are places that make me go aaahhhhhh, I’m refreshed!! < more... >

It happens every year.   I watch our local fireworks and find myself dreaming of Disney World.  No one does fireworks better, in my opinion!  Okay, there may be bigger, prettier displays but you never get the story that Disney gives you in every one of their "kiss good night"s. 

I have a friend (and client) who will be at Walt Disney World for two holidays this year and I must admit, I got a little competitive.  I want to say I’ve been to Walt Disney World in every month.  I’m close.  I have yet to be there in January and JULY.  So that brings me back to my original thought.  How would I spend a fun 4th of July at Walt Disney World?  Everything I’m going to tell you about below is available most of the year.  You won’t have to book a flight to be there in the next few days.

I would begin my day at Wilderness Lodge.  If I’m staying there, my family and I can become one of the "Flag Raising Families"  Every early morning there is a ceremony in which one family staying at Wilderness Lodge may participate.  The flag at the top of the building is raised with your help and you receive a certificate.  If you wish to be a "Flag Raising Family", ask a Cast Member during check in.

Next I’d head to Magic Kingdom.  Main Street USA itself is a replica of a little piece of Americana from the past.  First, I would browse the shops and eat the goodies.  Then I’d head to Liberty Square.   A plaque tells you that "past this gateway stirs a new nation waiting to be born.  Thirteen separate colonies have banded together to declare their independence from the bonds of tyranny.  It is a time when silversmiths put away their tools and march to the drum of a revolution, a time when gentlemen planters leave their farms to become generals, a time when tradesmen leave the safety of home to become heroes.  Welcome to Liberty Square!"

I’d find myself meandering to the Hall of Presidents.   Many people view this as a great place to nap but if you really look around at all the Presidential portraits in the queue area and the Presidential Seal on the floor it’s really quite interesting.  The show in and of itself is great because of the quality of autoanimatronic presidents, watch them fidget just like real presidents! 

While you’re in Liberty Square, check out the the Liberty Bell and the Liberty Tree.  The Liberty Tree is a live oak tree (approximately 135 years old) and thirteen laterns hang from it, symbolic of the original thirteen colonies.  My guide on the Keys to the Kingdom tour shared the details and research that went into designing Liberty Square including noting that the middle strip of brown cement in the middle of the pathways in this area symbolizes the lovely brown streets in colonial America, made that way from the morning dumping of chamber pots. 

On that note, I’d stop for a bite to eat at the yummy Columbia Harbour House before a trip on Liberty Square Riverboat on the Rivers of America….or maybe I’d hit Liberty Tree Tavern?.  I’ve had lunch here and it’s very good.  However, I prefer the character dinner with Minnie, Chip and Dale, Goofy and Pluto decked out in period garb.   But I have another dinner experience in mind!  Then I’d duck my head into Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, just because I love the name of it!

At dusk, I would watch the Flag Retreat Ceremony with the National Anthem at the flagpole in front of the Main Street Station then I’d be off…

…to Epcot.   The first stop would be out in front of the American pavilion in the World Showcase for a performance of "The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps".  Then I would head inside to the building’s rotunda.  I can hear the "The Liberty Voices" as I type this.  No really I can, I have one of their CDs.  (The "Liberty Voices" are a group of cast members, present and past, from the Voices of Liberty group at Epcot.)  These extremely talented performers are enchanting to listen to and never cease to make me feel all patriotic.  They’ve brought tears to my eyes…just beautiful!

I would then walk up the stairs to The American Adventure through the Hall of Flags, which showcases all the flags (44 in all) that have flown over the United States at some point or another.  Then I’d watch the idealized American Adventure and well up as I watch Ryan White’s face flash over the screen.  And smile as I see Jim Henson’s.  The discussion following the presentation among my family and friends is always who should be added to that end montage of American icons.   I leave the theatre choked up and humming "Golden Dream". 

(I have to interrupt myself here to let you know that if you were to become ambitious and try to do everything listed above in a single day, you might miss the Voices of Liberty.  Often they do not sing after dusk.)

Then I’d go to Fort Wilderness for Mickey’s Backyard Barbecue.  This is the type of thing that the 4th of July is all about:  fun, family and barbecue!  It’s a delicious dinner of all your barbecue favs, including hot dogs, ribs, chicken and corn on the cob.  After, we’d listen to the country band play and watch the kids interact with the characters. 

And finally, I’d head back to Magic Kingdom for the fireworks because there’s nothing like Cinderella Castle with a backdrop of fireworks!  Do you think if I click my heels together, this year I’ll be there??

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend from all of us here at Mouse Fan Travel!

Joanne - Joanne@MouseFanTravel.com

It happens every year.   I watch our local fireworks and find myself dreaming of Disney World.  No one does fireworks better, in my opinion!  Okay, there may be bigger, prettier displays but you never get the story that Disney gives you in every one of their "kiss good night"s. < more... >