Making Changes

Other than Peter Pan there comes a time in everyone's life where they must grow older. Not necessarily grow up though. This year I am turning 20 years old. Hard to believe that I started this blog over 3 years ago. Since I will no longer be a teen I feel that it is time for a small change though.
All new posts will be made on WDWDetails. You can click through that link or on the New Blog Location tab just above this post.
You will still be able to see all the posts that are currently here on WDWorld4Teens. Do not fear I have no plans to stop posting about the wondrous things I discover! So to keep updated with all my new adventures s be sure to head on over to the new URL so you don't miss out!

Have a Magical Day!

Star Wars Weekends 2013

When it was announced that Disney had bought Lucas Films and intended to create new movies many of my friends asked if I was going to suddenly start liking Star Wars now that it was Disney. I just giggled because there were a few things they didn't realize.
1. I grew up on Star Wars and have always loved the original movies
2. Disney pretty much already owned Star Wars
3. I've been attending the Star Wars Weekends at Hollywood Studios for a few years now

With my avid obsession of Character Autographs and Greetings its easy to understand why I really enjoy these special weekends each summer. The entire park is crawling with rebel and empire forces. From Tusken Raiders to Ewoks, Darth Vader to a Jedi Mickey Mouse there are so many opportunities to see these rare characters. Throughout my visits I've been able to see Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Queen Amidala, Clones, Storm Troopers, Jawas, Chewbacca, Classic Disney Characters dressed in Star Wars theme, among dozens of others. My main advice for catching some of the roaming characters is to not give up. Quite often they will walk past you if you try to get a picture or autograph but hey the rebels have their hands full and the clones are too busy following orders some times.

One thing I never fully understand about Star Wars Weekends is how the line for Star Tours is 1 to 2 hours long yet there are Fast Pass available for 45 minutes from the time you get them. Some people don't know about the wonder that is Fast Pass but it is a great way to make the most out of your time in the parks.

For the true fans there are celebrity meet and greets but you have to be there before park opening in order to get your tickets! Unfortunately I have not yet had the opportunity to rub elbows with the real life stars. Often they have special seminars being held each day though as well so be sure to check out the times guide for who will be there!

Looking for Star Wars Merch? Look no further than Darth's Mall (yes that's the real name). Limited edition merchandise and event only items are available here along with a meet and greet area.

Don't miss out on the ending show. If you've ever wanted to see Clones break dance or Senator Palpatine rap or everyone's favorite Cantina Band perform this is the place where anything can happen. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I am so glad I was able to find a spot to watch it!

*Jedi Hand Wave* These are the photos you were looking for
May the force be with you, and have a Magical Day!

Animal Kingdom - In the details. Guest Blogger

So my mom was fortunate enough to go to Animal Kingdom and celebrate the 15th Anniversary this past Earth Day while I was working. Here is her take on what she saw and her general love of all things Disney.

Guest Blogger: Suzi ( My Mom!)

Some people just don’t get it.  They never have, they never will.  Why do I have such a fascination with Disney?  And why don’t I have the same appreciation for other theme parks?  One day we had some family friends over for dinner, they had just returned from EPCOT after a 20 year hiatus, and said nothing had changed.  They rode the same five rides as last time.  Then there’s the friend that loves Disney, and will go to 4 parks in a day, only for one signature ride at each and be done.  I guess it’s them that I don’t understand.

Yes the theme parks have awesome rides for the motion part of it, but rather it’s the details that keep you riding again and again.  Every time I go to the park, I discover a new detail.  Sometimes it’s something I went specifically to see because someone else mentioned it.  Sometimes it’s something that I think only I have seen, and it’s just happened.

Everyone who is a true Disney fan knows to look for hidden Mickey’s.  Most everyone knows about the plates on the table in Haunted Mansion – you do now if you didn’t.  So I thought it was interesting that the last time I rode it, the plates had been moved to traditional table settings, and were not in the hidden Mickey.

Monday April 22^nd 2013 was Earth Day, and this signifies the anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  This year was a milestone 15^th Anniversary, and they threw a party.  Quite by chance, I found out about a group of Disney fans that were meeting for the weekend WDWCelebrations .  I had never heard of them, but they looked like they had an amazing agenda planned, for a very low price.  So I registered and off I went to Disney, by myself.

We arrived at the park at 7am, 2 hours before opening.  New thing #1 they were using the new Mickey turnstiles for passholders and resort guests.  #2, right before opening the person in charge of the cast members letting us in went down the line and told the cast members to check their zippers!  Even the cast members said that was a first.  #3, the group that I was with knew a cast member, and we all started chanting Mikey, Mikey, Mikey.  The cast member in front of me (I was first in line) said that Mikey couldn’t do anything to get us in early, but Ron could.  So we all started chanting Ron, Ron, Ron.  He came out with a microphone and said that chanting his name wouldn’t get us in early, but money would.

Many people have already blogged about the ceremony and merchandise so I shall skip forward a few hours.  As we were enjoying our Earth Day cupcakes, the leaders of our group mentioned that some of the answers to the upcoming scavenger hunt were within view.  I tucked this info away for later, same as when they leaned over a bridge to look at something.

I discovered several new things this day.  The main thing being that there is nothing in Animal Kingdom that is there without reason and that so much has gone into the design of the park to make it authentic to the areas that they represent, albeit some of this tongue and cheek.

Looking for something different to drink?  Try the Jamba Juice.  I found out that the walk up refreshment stands have some pretty unusual food and drinks.

Scavenger Hunts are an excellent means to learn about the park.  Again, look it up, you can probably find several.  But for a teaser, here are a few of the things that I searched for. 

Dina Sore’s phone number, the number of painted fish in a pavilion, the country that bricks were made from, survey markers, information that could only be found on a menu, or on a tiny scrap of paper plastered to a pole.  I discovered that bulletin boards had a lot of fun information posted.  I also discovered that if there is a small path that looks like you shouldn’t go on it, it’s ok as long as there isn’t a barricade.  Often times these paths lead to little known gems.  The queue lines have a lot of stuff, check out Kali River Rapids, you can exit the line just before the ride if you want.  Having never been on the ride, I couldn’t believe how much detail that I missed.

So what keeps me returning to Disney?  It’s the attention and care to the little details.  Enjoy the rides.  But the next time you are standing in line take a look around.   

PS -Did you know that you can get free baked samples at Big Top Souvenirs in Magic Kingdom?

We hope you enjoyed this update and as always, Have a Magical Day!

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival 2013

So the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival for those of you who don't know is an amazing combination of beautiful flower topiary special events with HGTV stars and other famous landscapers, play areas for kids,  limited time art vendors, and now even featuring food stands too! Over the past 5 years I've gone to all but one of those seasons. This year is the 20th Birthday for the Flower & Garden Festival and I was so excited to see all the beauty added to the already gorgeous EPCOT.

I took lots of photos, as you may be able to tell that I do on a regular basis. Unfortunately I'm blaming my new home of Miami and the Bermuda Triangle for the disappearance of all said photos. What is fortunate however is that my mom visited at another time and I can borrow her photos to share the spring flair with you all!

If you have ever participated in the Flower & Garden Festival for more than one season you may recognize many of the topiary as they are frequently reused in different areas each year. Some new ones for this season however included Phineas and Ferb, Monsters University, Woody & Lots'o, and a Radiator Springs play area. To honor Oz the Great and Powerful there was also a large space between Imagination and World Showcase featuring a play area for kids, fun carnival style games for all ages, and lots of pieces representing the movie. Feel like a photo op in a crash landed hot air balloon? Look no further than here!

The Flower & Garden Festival Passport is a smart way to double check that you've seen all the special happenings and the stamps are very cute but don't feel like you need to get all of them as there really isn't an special prize for completing the whole passport.

Strolling around World Showcase one is sure to find numerous blooming flowers hailing from all around the world. One of my favorite things about Florida is the ability for all these beauties to flourish and the opportunity for such wonderful colors and exotic plants. It seems this year that the Festival was much more geared to families with smaller children as there seemed to be more activities as well as play areas for parents to sit for a bit while their tots spend their extra energy.

If you just can't wait for the Food & Wine Festival this fall visiting the Flower & Garden might just help to tide you over. Several new garden marketplaces have sprung up around World Showcase to offer everyone refreshing treats inspired by their region and the freshness of the Festival. Personally my stop at The Cottage: Savories, Triffles, & Teas was fantastic! The cheddar biscuit with salmon and rose blush lemonade gave me the boost I needed on a hot Florida day.

I hope you enjoyed my overview of my trip to this year's Flower & Garden Festival and wish you a magical day!

Photo time!

New Fantasyland

A lot of hype has been put up about the New Fantasyland expansion in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, and it deserves all that attention. It is the largest expansion ever at this park and while some sections are still under construction the Beauty and Beast and the Little Mermaid experiences are up and running. I had the privilege to eat at the new Be Our Guest restaurant for both lunch and dinner and I must say its the most beautifully designed restaurant at Disney I have been to. The ballroom is just how you see it in the movie and Beast's west wing as well! The study is a bit out of place because its not actually part of the movie but the center piece makes up for it.

 Food wise the restaurant is also outstanding. For lunch the offer a modified quick service so you can order your food in the queue then sit down and they bring your meal by the magic rose you are given as a position finder. The french onion soup is wonderful as are the desserts. For dinner the dinning style changes to a more sophisticated palate. Servers of the castle bring you to your table with rose napkins and delectable dinner options. When I was there for this meal we had enough people to each choose a different item and try every entree on the menu and they were all spectacular! What sets this restaurant apart from the rest of Magic Kingdom is their offering of wine and beer at dinner. If you happen to be celebrating anything make sure to let them know in your reservations or wear a birthday pin and try the "grey stuff" it really is delicious. 

Speaking of food Gaston's Tavern is right next door if you don't want to wait in line for Be Our Guest. There is not much on the menu but the cinnamon rolls are huge and the decor is truly Gaston's style. You might even spot the big guy strolling around in front by his fountain.

 Belle's Cottage was a nice experience but because I visited during soft opening (late November) and opening week (December 6th) the lines were long and the cast members didn't leave much time inside the rooms to really explore and see what was there. The new story time with Belle was refreshing and when the summer months come along will be a nice change from the once outdoor area where it was held. Over all its a cute thing for the little kids but if you want to look at things inside the cottage and Maurice's workshop you might be disappointed from being rushed on to the next room.

The Journey of the Little Mermaid ride is almost identical to its California counterpart but I'm so glad that Disney brought it to Florida. The wait line is filled with thingy-ma-bob's and whatcha-ma-call-its. It is interactive but when I got in line we just about walked onto the ride. Ariel's meet-and-greet has also been restored in her Grotto just next to the ride entrance.

The last area to be opened will be the 7 Dwarfs' Mine Train. Walking around the construction fences there are areas to peek in and see the progress. This ride is not supposed to open though until 2014! Also new over by Small World and Peter Pan. It will house a meet-and-greet as well as some new bathrooms.

Have a Magical Day!

Some New Magic

It's been since January that I made my last visit to Magic Kingdom. Far too long compared to my normal amount of visits. With our annual passes currently expired we used some of our 1 day/1 park from volunteering at the Disney Marathon in January. With all the construction going on in Fantasyland and one section of it open it was as good as time as any to spend a day.

First things first I had heard about the Sorcerers Card Game, a new interactive game which leads you around the park to help save the Magic Kingdom from the Villains of Disney. There are 70 cards total each with a different attack performed by a Disney character. 60 of the cards can be found in the packs given to you each day you go to the Sorcerer training centers. The last 10 cards are part of mystery packs that you can buy, 6 regular cards and 1 of the final ten. Once you get started with your first 5 cards you begin battling some villains at portal located around the park (marked on a special map). Using the Key Card you open the portal and follow the prompts to show either the back of your card for the Crest or the front of a card for an attack. I've only just started but its easy to see that this is a hit among those who know of it. Trading duplicates helps to build up your amount of cards and expands the visuals shown when attacking a villain.

The newly opened area of Fantasyland was next on my list of things to experience. Dumbo was moved and doubled in size. Not only does this make the wait time less Imagineers have also reconstructed the waiting experience. Instead of traditional queues they now offer a large indoor (and air-conditioned!) play area for kids and seating for adults. Before entering they give you a pager similar to one you would get waiting for a restaurant. The kids are free to explore and play and the pager will buzz when its time to join the line again. From this point it only takes a few minutes to actually board the flying elephants!

Along with the updated Dumbo a new water play area has taken over what was once Donald's boat in Toontown. The area features circus train cars filled with exotic animals spraying water at the kids running underneath. Look closely at the ground and you'll spot some of the foot/hoof prints along with some peanut shells that the elephants must have over looked!

As this is August the heat was mighty bad. The newly reopened Sunshine Tree Terrace was the perfect option to cool down. Part of the original Adventureland area Disney brought back some Orange Bird memorabilia recently to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Disney World (Oct. 2011). Now you can once again enjoy the citrus swirl (much like a creamsicle). The lines also seem less than the Dole Whip station. Personally I think Disney needs to bring back the Orange Bird so I can recreate a picture of my dad from back during the opening month.

Among the new things to be seen since my last visit was the Merida from Brave meet and greet area. Step through the gates and enter the Highlands with tapestries on the walls and even an archery lesson awaiting you its like being in the movie. Keep an eye on the little bears, they don't like sitting very still and make some funny noises.

I must say I can't wait to visit when the new princess castles will be open!
Until then, Have a Magical Day!

Disneyland Paris April 2012: 20th Anniversary

While studying in Europe I made a side trip to Paris with a classmate.We made our way over to Disneyland after a quick lunch at the Studios where we had spent our first couple of hours. 
My friend, his first visit to any Disney park, soon realized a few things. The first being my obsession over Disney, the second the amount of detail put into everything at the Disney parks, and third how magical these places truly are.
This being my 3rd Disney Resort visited this year I am no stranger to the classic Main Street entrance leading to the castle but here in Paris they were celebrating the 20th Anniversary and were wonderfully decorated and had all sorts of special parades and shows just for the occasion. I've read that Disneyland Paris was built to have the expanse of Magic Kingdom in Florida with the intimate atmosphere of Disneyland California and having read this after visiting I completely agree. We strolled through the shops discovering passages behind the stores with great detailing of artifacts displayed along the walls, even some of the bakeries had a back window to order at (would be great if there was bad lines in front)!
The castle is the most unique I've seen, still smaller than Magic Kingdom but larger than California. Past the shops of Main Street the park divides into the classic Hub and Spoke to the different lands: Discovery, Fantasy, Adventure, and Frontier.
Our first stop was Phantom Manor, the Paris version of Haunted Mansion. The area is amazingly detailed and the interior refreshingly different from the American counterparts. In the same area is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad one of the many rides here that I found even better than back at the parks in Florida or California.
On our way to Discoveryland we crossed paths with a small character parade for the 20th Anniversary celebration. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Chip, Dale, and the rare Clarice stopped in front of the castle to meet with their fans. The only downfall I experienced was the lack of crowd control, no formal lines were made and the cast members had no initiative to make any. Anyone who managed to elbow their way to the front is who got their picture next.
We continued to Space Mountain: Mission 2, being used to the sharp turns of the original I was very surprised at its true roller coaster feel. It launches you from the outside into its futuristic housing where you will go upside down and much faster than the original. Continuing with our space exploration feel we went on Star Tours, this ride is the same as the non-updated ones back in the states. C-3P0 doesn't sound too bad in French.
On our way to Fantasyland we wandered through the castle interior with lovely stained glass portraits of the Sleeping Beauty story and a dragon guarding the dungeon. The Fantasyland attractions are the closest to the American originals but more than just the language can be spotted as a difference. It's a Small World was surprisingly in English but an area dedicated to the United States is featured at the end of this cruise complete with football and baseball players, and icon landmarks. One of the largest attractions in Fantasyland is Alice's Curious Labyrinth. A large maze which leads you through the movie scenes into the Red Queen's castle. 
Traversing our way to Adventureland my most important stop was Pirates of the Caribbean! A beautiful rendition where the entry way seems to be a fully functioning fort very similar to ones I have actually been to in the islands. They clearly expect large crowds as the queue is very long and has many pirate-y details to soak in even if there is no line. Also in this area is Adventure Isle which has many attractions for the younger children such as Captain Hook's ship and the Indiana Jones Temple of Doom rollercoaster. Indiana Jones is another attraction that is different at every park, in Florida it is a stunt show and in California a 4x4 experience through movie set style with special effects.
The afternoon parade was spectacular. Disney Magic on Parade! A special soundtrack was created for the Anniversary and some floats were specially decorated as well. As I turned to see my friend's reaction I could see the goosebumps and told him that the best was even later with the fireworks.
The fireworks were mostly done in the castle projection system that is used for Magic, Memories, and You show back in the states with only a small amount of explosions but it was still fantastic! With a combination of French and English Peter Pan leads you through the class movies as the other characters appear on the castle or water screens (similar to Fantasmic). Disney Dreams was as beautiful as any other fireworks show I've experienced at a Disney Resort.
We had time before closing for one more ride so we were off the Buzz Lightyear ( a tradition among my trips as the line is usually so long during the day). After we sadly made our way to the entrance wandering through the stores for last minute souvenirs before we made our way back to the city.
Yet another spectacular day at the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Disneyland Paris April 2012: Studios

While studying abroad in Europe it was a must that I spend at least one day visiting a Disney location.  (disclosure: I do not speak nor understand French and most every ride has French soundtracks)
My friend and I arrived fairly early in the morning and had already decided to spend the first part of the day at Hollywood Studios so to avoid going back and forth across the parks. The first ride we hit was Tower of Terror, very similar to the ones back home but a thrilling experience as always.
Then Rock'n'Rollercoaster hit our radar. Knowing we did not have enough time to go on every ride in both parks we had to condense what we chose. Fortunately there were not too many lines during the day so we did get on all the ones I could not miss out on.
The day was on and off rainy so while walking through the Toy Story area we got rained on and quickly got in line for Crush's Coaster (Very Awesome!). I appreciated having a fun ride form of Finding Nemo much more than the "Turtle Talk with Crush" that is back home. In this same area they have little kid rides Cars themed and replicas of the buildings from Radiator Springs.
Back towards the entrance are several buildings for different sit down experiences and shows with specific start times. Some of these included musicals, the art of Disney animation, and Cine Magique. I wish we could have spent time at the different shows at here but we had too much ground to cover to stay in one park all day. I look forward to when I will be able to visit again and have more time to explore.

Enjoy the photos and have a Magical day!

Disneyland California Spring 2012

This was my first visit to the original park and I had the package deal! As a a special girls weekend my mother, grandmothers, and I spent a few nights at Paradise Pier. After checking in we went straight to Disneyland and went on Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean after the circle tour on the Disneyland Railroad. We also did the walk through of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Our room had a great view of California Adventure and the first night, too tired from flying, watched World of Color from our window.

Next morning we woke up early to get there in time for Magic Morning Hours at Disneyland and hit many of the popular rides with no wait times! These included for us: Casey Jr. Circus Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan's Flight, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Alice in Wonderland, and It's a Small World. From there we crossed into Toon Town and went on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin and Gadget's Go Coaster. After having lunch at Cafe Orleans, and enjoying their Mardi Gras celebration with Princess Tiania.

Once the park started to get busy we went over to California Adventure caught part of Minnie's Fly Girls Show in front of Soarin' before using our instant Fast Passes from the hotel to walk right on. Continuing on we got in line for Monster's Inc. and then went back to the hotel for an hour to rest up before going back to Disneyland to see the Magic, Memories, and You! show on It's a Small World then Fireworks from in front of the castle.

The next day was breakfast at Plaza Inn near Sleeping Beauty Castle after Enchanted Tiki Room and Indian Jones' Adventure (to avoid the long waits later in the day). Afterwards we joined Nemo and friends on the Submarine Voyage and took off into outer space with both Space Mountain (instant fast pass again!) and Captain Eo.On our way out of the park we spent some time having Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. We made our way back to California adventure for a late lunch at the Golden Vine. We decided a little musical delight would be wonderful and caught Aladdin, spent some time in the Animation Studio, and even did some Wilderness Exploring at Redwood Creek.

 Later that night we went back for elecTRONica a special night time show based on Tron: Legacy including music, characters, and a laser show. We didn't spend too much time enjoying all the scenes brought to life as we had to catch World of Color (priority viewing from our lunch that day) but not before I used another instant Fast Pass and rode California Screamin'! The show was amazing and, as most Disney performances do, gave me goosebumps.

I know there were still many rides missed but for a first time visit in just a few short days but I had a truly magical weekend. Enjoy some pictures from my trip and I hope that you too have a Magical day!

Magic Kingdom: Keys to the Kingdom Tour

My family and I have been planning to do a tour at Walt Disney World for a couple years now and finally booked the Keys to the Kingdom Tour in Magic Kingdom. This tour takes you through some of the classic attractions with a group guide sharing the history and fun facts about them. The tour takes you on 2 rides; Jungle Cruise and The Haunted Mansion. On the Jungle Cruise instead of having the normal skipper telling you corny jokes your tour guide tells you more about the history of the ride. In addition to the rides you walk backstage to the parade line up and storage areas, eat an included lunch at the Columbia Harbour House, and even go under the park to the Utilidors. Backstage and underground are no photography areas, no matter how much we would all love to take some pictures! The neatest thing about being backstage is the chance of seeing cast members working on exclusive material, on my tour we managed to catch a glimpse of a dance practice for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Parade!

This tour is named not for the facts of the park but for the four "Keys" that all of Disney is run by; Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency, in order of importance. Safety is always most important and everything from the color of the sidewalk to crowd control are covered. Courtesy is the guests comfort and everyone visiting the park is treated with a great amount of respect. Show was Walt's understanding that people come to his parks to get away from the real world and this live stage is kept up to the best possibilities of all the cast members. Efficiency is last, which is something I'm grateful for in Florida as one of the most inefficient things done is blasting AC with doors open! While some things seem impractical to most it is usually done to keep to the other 3 Keys. That being said, Disney is also very proactive in being environmentally friendly, they have their own power plant, recycling facility, and if you've ever seen the holiday lights covering the castle they are run with the same power it would take to run only 1 standard refrigerator!

Overall this tour was fabulous for either a Disney know-it-all or a beginner wanting to know more about the magic behind it all. I highly recommend going on the tour if you get the chance!

Some neat trivia from my tour:
~Oswald the lucky rabbit, Walt Disney's first animated creation was taken from him by Universal. Nearly 80 years later Disney traded rights with Universal, Al Michaels for Oswald. Yes that is right, a real person for an animated character!
~Steamboat Willie is not Mickey Mouse's first appearance in film. There were 2 other shorts made before it, but were not released on a national scale until later.
~On Main Street U.S.A. there is only 1 American flag, located at the central flag pole in Town Square, the rest only have 49 stars.
~The only building on Main Street that is truly 3 stories tall is the Kodak Theater. The rest are built with a "forced perspective" where every level is made smaller so that by the 3rd floor everything is half sized.
~Main Street is modeled after Walt's hometown
~Cinderella Castle is made out of fiberglass and there is no actual bricks in it
~The river around the center of the park is also connected to the Jungle Cruise ride and used to have a swan boat ride
~The drop in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is because the Railroad is right above it
~The bridge leading to Tomorrowland is larger than the one leading to Adventureland as the majority of visitors are right handed and have a natural tendency to go right
~You can tell which land you are in depending on the music you hear and the buildings or landscaping of the area.
~Backstage buildings are painted in "Go Away Green" so that any wandering eyes would not be able to discern its presence
~Magic Kingdom is the only park with the underground tunnels for cast members

Have a Magical Day!

Castaway Cay

If you ever get to opportunity to go on a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean odds are you will make a stop at the private island known as Castaway Cay. On the island is several age specific areas as well as lovely family beaches with snorkeling and underwater treasures to be found whether on your own or with a tour. When docked you can see the Flying Dutchman, Davy Jones' ship from Pirates of the Caribbean, and once you are on the way to the beaches there are many photo opportunities with it as a background. From the cruise ship you walk a little ways and than can catch a tram down to the beaches.

Down by the beaches is where you can buy or rent all your beach necessities. There are also random character meetings all around the island, so if you spot Minni Mouse in her bathing suit don't worry you are hallucinating! The first beach areas you come to are the family beaches and are fairly nice but don't seem to have much in the way of shade and tend to have more people at them all through the day. Walking down farther you might pass the younger children play areas, Spring-a-leak, Pelican Plunge, and Scuttle's Cove.
The teen designated area was still being built when I last visited in October 2010 and was not very fun. There was very little shade and not much to do but they were still working on it. Farthest from the ship is Serenity Bay the adults only beach. Sadly at the time of my cruise I was 16 and not supposed to be down there.
I personally am afraid of the ocean so I stuck to the beaches and hanging out with friends from the teen area but everyone I saw doing snorkeling looked as if they were having a great time and I know there are lots of neat things in the Snorkeling Lagoon.

Spend your time wisely if you are planning on doing more than lazing on the beach as there is lots to do on the island. If you are stuck on what to see you can always ask a cruise director or a crew member what they would suggest as well as check out some other Disney forums to get more opinions!
Some photos from my visit:

DCL: The Disney Wonder

October 2010 I went on my first Disney Cruise. Being an experienced cruiser with close to 20 vacations under my belt I had a general idea of what to expect but there were certain things you just can't prepare for that Disney brings to the table.

Walking on board for the first time you are introduced to the lobby by a waiting caller and then offered directions to different activities currently being held around the ship. If you embark around lunch time I highly suggest eating at Parrot Cay, you get a buffet with out fighting the crowds on the top deck and are served drinks by waiting cast members.

The dining on board is done differently from any other cruise line I've been on. Instead of staying in one room with a changing menu every night, aboard the Disney ships you have 3 different restaurants that you switch between and your waiting staff follows you to each room. On the Wonder the 3 main dining rooms are Parrot Cay, Triton's, and Animator's Palate. Each restaurant has its own special attributes associated to it. Parrot cay which is a buffet feels as if you are sitting inside an expanded Enchanted Tiki Room with all the vibrant colors and tropical birds painted everywhere. Triton's, true to it's name, has a mosaic mural on the back wall inspired by The Little Mermaid and is lit from large jellyfish like lamps on the ceiling making you feel as if you are dining in an underwater wonderland. Last but not least Animator's Palate is the most technological of all the general dining. While you eat the soundtrack of classic Disney movie music accompanies your meal as you can delight in the changing colors and pictures around the room.

There is always something going on to entertain the guests. Many activities you can partake in are in the theaters. The Disney Wonder has 2 movie viewing areas, one large inside which will play midnight releases of new movies (got to see Secretariat on my cruise!), and the outdoor screen by the pool. There is also the large Walt Disney Theater where the major performances are held every night. Just like the shows in the parks these are not to be missed.

As a teen it may seem that there isn't much to do, but like most cruise lines there is a strictly teen lounge. It is a great place to meet up with other people your age and chill out, play video games, or just get away from family for a while. One thing I would not suggest is sitting around bored if there is something going on! Little things such as audience participation which may seem like it is just for little kids is just as fun at 16 and 17! I've made some great lasting friends from cruises, and with social networking sites and texting it is beyond easy to keep in touch.

In true Disney fashion fireworks are not to be missed. The only cruise line to have a fireworks show definitely puts Disney Cruise Lines just another step above. Albeit the show is no where near in comparison to anything at the parks but for being in the middle of the ocean it is a pretty spectacular sight.

Have a magical day!

Blizzard Beach

If you've ever been in Florida between the months of April and October you'll know just how hot it can be here in the south. Luckily the Disney Water Parks are a completely thrilling, chilling, and refreshing way to beat the heat or enjoy the Florida Sunshine. The parks are seasonal so if you're looking to visit them make sure to check out the Disney Parks website to validate park hours and availability!

Recently I visited Disney's Blizzard Beach, one of the two water parks. Blizzard Beach boasts thrill slides for the brave, a family raft ride, and a children's play area "Tike's Peak" ( this one I can't tell you much, as the area is for the little ones and their parents) to name but a few. Other areas are age centered to help entertain the younger groups and have height limitations so that us pesky teenagers don't get to have all the fun, no matter how much I wish I could play in those areas just for a bit!

If you have the stomach for heights and subsequently sliding down the equivalent of a 12 story building, Summit Plummet is for you. Personally I don't have that much bravery so you'll have to either try it yourself or ask someone from the exit area if you should dare. There is one other body slide, the Slush Gusher, which is right next to the Summit Plummet. This slide has a similar concept with out the long straight drop.

There are two Toboggan racer slides where you lay on your stomach on a mat and wait for the green light to set a group slipping down to the pool at the bottom racing 1 or 2 other lanes at the same time. Along with these is also several tube attractions including the Teamboat Springs, a family raft ride,  Downhill Double Dipper, and Runoff Rapids. Encompassing the center of the park is a lazy river called the Cross Country Creek which has inner tubes for children and adults but if you don't feel like searching for one floating around its perfectly acceptable to swim through or float on your own. Melt away Bay is the last of the major attractions and is a large wave pool with a beach and lots of seating and lounge chairs for those who don't want all the thrill of the slides.

Dining in the park is limited to counter service and seating is hard to come by quickly during major meal times. As far as I could find there doesn't seem to be an indoor seating. The easiest way to insure a table is to have a person from your party search while you order and hold down the spot for everyone. However, if you are looking for more than a hamburger or chicken fingers I would suggest taking a bus to Downtown Disney and eating at a restaurant there.

If you decide to rent a locker for the day it's helpful to know that yes, they are all day lockers. So no need to worry about putting in quarters. The price for a larger locker is currently $15 and when you return your key you have the option of getting $5 back or a travel mug. The stores also rent/sell towels so if you are staying at a hotel you don't need to worry about not having a beach towel to dry off.

As is the case with Florida weather it is subject to rain quite often. In many cases it could rain nearly every afternoon, but if you aren't opposed to waiting generally will clear with in a hour or two. I highly suggest keeping an eye on the weather forecast and getting to the park earlier before most storms have a chance to start.

Most importantly of all, Have a Magical Day!

Hollywood Studios Character Area

Having worked on my collection of Disney Character Autographs for close to 3 years with over 150 unique autographs its getting harder and harder to find ever rarer characters. One spot I've profitable every time I visit is the Animation Studio at Hollywood Studios. This area is to the right once you reach the Sorcerer Mickey Hat. You can either watch an short background on one of Disney's animated characters then walk through a display of a new movie and into the character greeting area, or you can follow another line to the character area and not wait through the video.

From around 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. everyday a whole slew of random characters wander out from backstage and do meet and greets. Unlike Sorcerer Mickey, The Incredible's Characters, and (as of right now) Winnie the Pooh, who are listed on the print outs available around the park, the random characters are not listed as official meet and greets. For the character buffs its true that the more characters you have the harder it is to find new characters and all the more exciting it is when you stumble across one.

What's your favorite or rarest character, or your favorite spot to find them?

Have a Magical Day!

Making Room for More Magic

To any who have visited Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in the past few months you've probably noticed the considerable amount of construction going on. Many areas being renovated, such as Main Street, are quickly being finished and are able to be enjoyed once more. However there is one major project that will be behind closed doors for a while longer. Mickey's Toon Town Fair is no longer a section of the park and the area is currently blocked off for construction.

Creating an extension on Fantasyland, Disney is building a complete princess area at the rear of the park where Toon Town once stood. This will include separate attractions for Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, and a few revised classic Disney attractions. The new Fantasyland is planned to open in Fall 2012 last I heard.

The construction does not affect the surrounding attractions of Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, and Snow White's Scary Adventures. During busy times the walkways can feel a little small but it is still easy to maneuver your way from one section to the next. The new area is something to look forward to in future trips, until opening be prepared to see many walls and soon the tops of new castles and other princess-y delights.

Have a Magical Day!

Magic Kingdom: ToonTown

Toon Town, the land at the very back of the park is an area completely dedicated to small children. Where life size houses that belong to the "fab five", kiddie rides, face painting, and lots of characters reside. If there was one place in the park that seems to have nothing more to it than the enjoyment of small children, this is it.

It's hard to find things for teens to do in this area except for the character greetings, Princesses and Faries in the big shop tent, and Mickey mouse in the tent behind his house. Some other characters wander around in this area but are not usually on any real schedule.

The kiddie rides are Goofy's Barnstormer, a short ride in an "airplane" around a small track, very similar to a county/state fair ride, short and not usually worth the wait. There is a water area hosted by Donald Duck, if you want to play in here just be careful of meandering toddlers.

With the princess and fairy greetings, know now that if you are there on a busy day these lines will be long. More so on the Fairy side, Tink is popular! New Fairies just started this summer, Vidia and Terrance from the movies can now be seen. Not sure if you want to wait inline for who is there? Just ask anybody who is working in the character area, they know the whereabouts of most characters in the park.

This area is perfect for small kids to see their favorite characters' own town, but remember to those who aren't there with little ones, this the the KIDS space.

Have a Magical Day!

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom, in actual size, is the largest Disney park. Containing 7 different areas which consist of the Oasis, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Dino Land, Discovery Island, Asia, Africa, and Rafiki's Planet Watch. If there was only one thing I could recommend it would be to walk through every path that comes up. I discovered several unmarked trails while on Discovery Island which brought me to quiet areas with no people and lots of interesting animals.

I would highly recommend seeing the shows that are available at the park. The Lion King Musical allows flash photography and the best seating is up a couple of rows if you can manage it, the actors mostly perform on a raised stage. Finding Nemo is another good show to see. A little secret I learned is that the "Tusker House Restaurant", a buffet, has priority seating at the Nemo shows if you eat during noon and 3; just make sure you ask! There are lots of side shows that happen in the Africa section of the park, drummers and dancers.

The most popular ride in the whole park by far has to be Everest. With the twists, turns, several seconds of backwards mayhem, and other such wonderful attributes, this ride is definitely not for the faint of heart, or stomach. The ride does not go upside down but there are some tight curves that cause some serious G-forces. If the line is not long i whole-heartedly suggest taking the time going through the full line to see the props that are so artfully scattered through out the queue. If you are in a hurry to make some reservations/show times, or you just don't want to wait for an hour, there is the Single Rider line. I personally think this is one of Disney's smartest additions. If you are in a group they will separate you at the end of the line and put you in the empty spots left on the ride. Usually this takes much less time than standing in line but you also do not get to see all of the accessories in the full line.

 If you are getting tired of the animal, and human, noises take the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Once at the the Conservation Station go in the building and along the left hand side, from the main entrance, are small rooms where you listen to the sounds of a rain forest for a few minutes. If you need to use the restroom while here, I will only give you the warning of be ready to be startled!

Dino Land is perfect for small children. There is a dig site, small roller coasters, and arcade style games to play for prizes. The counter service restaurant in the area is a very neat place just to spend a little time in the air conditioning checking things out. It always amazes me how much detail the Imagineers put into every area. Every room is dedicated to a separate living or work space and you'll find different quirky puns or memorabilia related to each area, and don't worry it's quite alright to stare around the rafters I bet you won't be the only one!

What ever area of the park you find to be your favorite always remember:
Have a Wild Day in Disney's Animal Kingdom!

Magic Kingdom: Main Street U.S.A

With all of the construction going on in Magic Kingdom it's a little bit harder to talk about than I originally thought. The once usual sitting spots and secret rooms have been taken out of commission for the time being and I am on a quest for new areas. My favorite spot on Main Street to just chill was the back of the Kodak building to the right as you enter the park. In this hidden gem there was a small theater which featured classic Disney cartoons such as "Steamboat Willie". This building, as is the case with many, is currently under the Disney construction facade.
In search of a new relief from the summer sun during my last visit I climbed the stairs of the Main Street Train Station. The inside is a treasure trove of old fashioned coin Stereoscope viewers. These old school flip-book style pictures are free to look through even though their casings say other wise. I suggest you take a look at all of them and get an even greater sense of the era represented on Main Street. Another nice air-conditioned sitting area is at the end of Main Street in the back of Casey's Corner. You'll find stadium style seating in front of a large screen playing classic sports cartoons.

I had heard rumor that when mailing letters or postcards from Disney property a special post stamp would be stamped on for approval. I tried this but sadly it was not true. The only thing stamped on (other than your stamp) will be an over stamp for Orlando, FL.

Main Street is known for it's shopping, mostly because it is all shops. Don't forget your discount for Seasonal/Annual Passholders! The shops include everything from Apparel, Food, Stationary, Scrapbooks, Toys, and more. 

  After shoppping when you are walking down the street during the day you'll run into some of Main Street's inhabitants, the Citizens of Main Street.  Some of the citizens will not autograph (especially Ms. Ing DePointe), but all will be more than happy for photos. They are not from any movie. From the Mayor to the town gossip, Pinthusiasts to Politicians these time traveled cast members are well in their era. Ask them about any modern technology and they will appear completely flabbergasted.

Once construction is cleared up I'll update on the changes made to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom.

Until then, Have a Magical Day!

Downtown Disney: Marketplace

On my adventures on Disney property comes along Downtown Disney for some window shopping or more. Downtown Disney is the major shopping destination on Disney property, the best part about it is there is no Disney pass required or parking fee for the area.

When you stay at certain Disney resorts you have a wider choice of transportation. My family decided to take the boat from Port Orleans French Quarter (where we spent the night), one thing you should know before taking a smaller transportation is that many of the drivers/captains will give you some Disney trivia so do your best to brush up on your Disney knowledge.

Once you reach the Marketplace in Downtown there are over a dozen stores. I'll start from the bus station. As you enter Downtown you'll find a kids fountain play area, notice the fountain is shaped as a giant Mickey, also if the fountain is not working at that time you can see that the fountain heads in the ground are also Mickey shaped.

To your left is Once Upon a Toy, now before you think it's just a toy shop let me tell you about some of the things inside. Of course there are toys, but also towards the middle of the giant store you'll find a t.v. monitor that lets you try out a new Wii game (Toy Story Mania is the current game). It's worth the time it takes to wonder around every store, you can always find something interesting. If you go to the right of the fountain there are a group of stores: The Christmas shop, the Candy store, Art of Disney, and Design your own T-shirt store. With the T-shirt store even if you don't get the shirt it's fun to create one on the monitors.

If you keep walking down past the Toy store you will pass Tren-D this is my favorite store to look in the windows, Disney has perfected window art. The contents of the store are mostly of a higher price range and includes displays of Disney Couture. Walk through that store and you'll end up right in Team Mickey, the ultimate sportsperson store, there you'll find shirts of local collage teams, and in the front of the store in the window display there are daily demonstrations of baseball and baseball bat building. The Ghiradelli Chocolates store is a definite favorite of mine, if you enter on the store side they are often handing out samples of chocolates they are currently selling, it's great as something small to nibble on. The World of Disney is the largest store in the marketplace, it has everything from apparel to home goods. If you walk to the farthest area (the girls section) you can usually get a dousing of  "pixie dust" from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

If any of you are pass holders (either seasonal or annual) many stores inside the parks as well as Downtown will give you a discount of 10% so always ask.

Magic Kingdom: Night time Fireworks, Parade, and Treasures

It's summer time here in Florida and I've just seen Magic Kingdom's new summer fireworks. We found a room to stay in for the night in Port Orleans' French Quarter. There's always something special happening at Walt Disney World, in Magic Kingdom that night was "extra magic hours". Extra magic hours are where resort guest are able to stay in the parks for extra time after it is closed/ before its opened to the general public. The best thing about this is that there is hardly any lines for attractions as you get later into the night. The draw back is when your parents like to go to bed early... Luckily my dad doesn't mind staying out a bit later.

Many things are changed as special promotions during the summer. In Magic Kingdom they have brought back the classic Main Street Electrical Parade, and also created a new fireworks display that incorporates music from Pirates of the Caribbean, complete with invasion. The fireworks definitely have certain places where it makes a world of difference in viewing them. If you have a sweet tooth and you/your family/your friends are willing to spend an extra $20 I highly suggest you look into the Fireworks and Desserts Buffet. For twenty dollars you get a guaranteed viewing area for the Fireworks on the Tomorrowland Noodle Station, and a gourmet desserts buffet. As this promotion grows with popularity I recommend that if you are interested to call Disney's Dinning Reservation number and reserve before you go, although it is possible to reserve once you get there. By calling you will easily find out if the promotion is even happening on the night of your visit.

If you decide against the Dessert Buffet there are many places to get a perfect view of the castle and fireworks. After the first night parade is the best time to claim a spot for the fireworks. Although the courtyard directly in front of the castle is the premium spot for watching, it is nearly impossible to find a spot. My favorite area is to the right of the castle on the 2nd bridge to Tomorrowland. When standing in the middle of the bridge you can get a mostly unobstructed view as you can see by my pictures and be very close to the castle.


Magic Kingdom in the late hours of the night allows you to not worry about the first parade, there is a second parade that usually shows after the fireworks are over, but always check the times sheet you can get as you walk in to make sure there is a second showing the night you are there. The night time parade is visible from any where along the parade route, but if you want to actually see up closer with out saving your spot for an hour head over to Frontierland. Not many people watch from back here so you have a better chance of getting a front row spot.

Walking out of the park at around 1:30 am I was able to watch a cast member on the janitorial system who was drawing the classic characters Mickey, Donald, Pluto, and Minnie with a broom dipped in water. I don't know how common a sight this is but it was pretty awesome.