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!