Disney Details- Magic Kingdom

One of my favorite rides at Magic Kingdom is the Haunted Mansion, partly because it is neat to see the ghosts and partly because Norwood likes the ride so much. It has been his favorite since he was a little boy. For many photographers (this one included) it is difficult to get photos of the details of the Haunted Mansion, especially inside. But there are so many details outside that are a little easier and fun to get. Here is my favorite…



This little haunted dog was found on the bench that is outside the exit across from the pet cemetery. It is the end of the bench arm. I had never noticed this before always walking by the same bench on our way out of the ride and then one day I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to get as close to it as a could so I could take a picture of it. While I was finding the best angle for the small ornament on the bench arm I noticed I had created a little crowd around me also noticing the end of the bench for the first time.

Tomorrow I will show you my favorite Disney Detail from Hollywood Studios.

After the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade - Magic Kingdom

Perhaps I have never noticed before with the Dreams Come True Parade but after the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade ended there were several kids carrying a banner…



It was fun to watch them wave to the crowds and become distracted (notice the proud parents standing behind the little boy in blue) . I thought this was a nice touch to the end of the parade… bookending it with children. Then just like there were a lot of people to watch at the beginning of the parade there was a lot of people watching at the end. Take a look at the crowd that headed for the main gate after the parade…



Overall if you were to ask me if I thought it was a better parade than Dreams Come True I would have to say no… they are both fantastic. I like the changes that were made to the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade but the Dreams Come True had a certain quality to it that made it really fun I miss those animators riding tricycles).

Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade

Welcome to the main event… the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade! If you have seen the Dreams Come True Parade (Part of the Year of a Million Dreams) you will notice that there is much of the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade that are remnants of its predecessor. For instance many of the floats have had some subtle changes but are very similar take the following…



This is the same float that all the characters were on (Minnie, Mickey Donald, Pluto, Goofy and Chip and Dale) in the Dreams Come True Parade. The sign on the front has changed and the Celebrate Today balloons were added, but that classic beautiful blue float that reminds me of Cinderella’s Castle is still a part of the parade which I love! Here is another float that found its way into the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade…



I love the villains float! First it is a fantastic color and it is great to see the bad guys once in awhile at Disney, Cruella is always a riot. This was also part of the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in 2008. There are a couple more floats that are essentially the same… the one that Peter Pan and Wendy are on (except now they are accompanied by Alice and the Mad Hatter) and the float that Aladdin is on is also very similar to the Dreams Come True Parade.

Now that we have briefly discussed the similarities lets talk about how the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade is different. First of the costumes! They are great….



They are bright and cheery and everyone looks like they are ready to celebrate which brings me to my favorite addition to the parade the float that Minnie and Mickey are on…



It is absolutely beautiful… bravo Disney! Here is a closer look at Mickey and Minnie in their new costumes …



The music was fantastic as well. At one point in the parade they whole group stops they play another song (it sounds a lot like their new commercial song) and perform in the street. This is a neat addition because it allows for many more photo opportunities. Tomorrow I will tell you how the parade ended and let you know which; Dreams Come True Parade or Celebrate a Dream Come True is my favorite Magic Kingdom daytime parade.

Main Street Philharmonic

Before the parade starts the Main Street Philharmonic marches down the streets playing music. Every parade I have seen at Magic Kingdom starts with these guys coming down the street and they always play fantastically but last week they were really into their music. Dancing and waving they made the crowd smile and of course dance. One particular cast member was on the sidelines marching in place with them and encouraging the others around her to dance and march. It was just another moment that really made the parade feel like a celebration.

Well as any veteran Disney Parade watcher knows there is only one thing up next… the beginning of the parade! Tomorrow I will share with you how this parade differs from its predecessor and what my favorite parts of the parade are. Until tomorrow… Have a magical day!

Before the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade

Each visit to the Magic Kingdom when I know I want to see a parade I will arrive about one to two hours early. I will find my spot test out the angles for the parade and then sit and drink coffee as I wait for the parade to start. While Norwood and I talk and drink coffee we will watch the other people around us get ready for the parade. Often times we see cast members leading a dance in the street, kids jumping rope, people buying balloons… you know people generally having a great time in preparation for the parade. But last week when we went to see the new parade in Magic Kingdom everyone seemed to be celebrating more. The music was blasting and there was a regular dance party going on. It was as much fun as watching the parade just watching people celebrate their time at Disney World before the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade.

Tomorrow I will talk some more about the shows before the parade with the Main Street Philharmonic… talk about celebrations!

Character Greetings in Magic Kingdom

Last week we talked about finding animals in less popular places in Animal Kingdom. This week I thought we would talk about finding Disney characters throughout the Disney World parks and in the Disney Hotels. I have seen a couple and I have started collecting photos of myself and Norwood with characters. All this week I will tell who is where and show you some of my encounters. First up this week is Magic Kingdom. There are four places to find characters in Magic Kingdom here is a list of who is where…

Main Street USA:
Next door to City Hall you will find (for a limited time) Pinocchio and friends. They will show up at various times from 9am- 3pm. He is on my list to meet.

Adventureland:
Next to Pirates of the Caribbean you will find Peter Pan and sometimes Wendy. I have seen them both there many times but the line was too long to take photos with them. They are really popular! They are there daily at 10:00am to 3:00pm and then again from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. Keep your eyes open you may also see Jack Sparrow near Pirates of the Caribbean as well.

Fantasyland:
Ariel’s Grotto where from 10am to 8pm daily you will see Ariel. I have not yet made it over to Ariel’s Grotto it is on my list of characters to meet.

Mickey’s Toontown Fair:
This is probably the best known place to see characters. At the Judge’s Tent you will see the very popular Mickey Mouse (and sometimes Minnie Mouse). And at the Toontown Hall of Fame you will see the Disney Princesses. I stood in line once to see Mickey Mouse during the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party but did not make it up to him before he left. I have not yet been to the Hall of Fame. You can find the Princess in the Hall of Fame Sunday 10am-8:30pm, Monday- Friday 10am- 7:30pm and Saturday 10am- 9:30pm.

Tomorrowland:
Tomorrowland is home to two popular Disney characters, Buzz Lightyear and Stitch. Outside the Carousel of Progress you will find Buzz Lightyear each day from 11am- 6:30pm and near the Galaxy Palace Theater you will find Stitch each day from 9am- 4pm. Norwood and I have had our picture taken with Stitch during the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and I caught Buzz just as he was leaving from his last greeting.

The above list is only some of the characters that you will find in Magic Kingdom. Keep your eyes open you never know what rare character you might see. Tomorrow I will tell you who you can find where in Epcot.

Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor

We spent all week talking about some fun stuff in Tomorrowland. Although there are so many more things to do and good places to eat in Tomorrowland I wanted to end our week together with my favorite thing in Tomorrowland… Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. I absolutely love Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. The show can really be different every time you go. My favorite portion of the show is when they turn to the audience and make jokes about them. One of my favorite times was when there was a little girl from Wales was in the audience all decked out in her princess and the Marty Wazowski declares to everyone that the princess of Wales is in the audience. Another great monster moment is when Buddy Boil does his mind reading act and he actually got the lady to make beeping noises, cow noises and then for the grand finale clucks like a chicken! At the end of her performance Buddy Boil’s jaw dropped and he then he slowly says… “I cannot believe you actually did that!” The crowd broke out in laughter it was just like when we talked about old rides become new week her participation in the act actually made the whole show much better. Monsters Inc Laugh Floor is my favorite attraction in Tomorrowland and if you have not been there yet make sure you put it on your list of things to see. A little tip… it all depends on the time of the year you are there during the busy season I have seen as long as a 25 minute wait but then there were a couple of times when we just walked right into the show. If you have a wait you are placed into a room where you will stand for the duration of your wait but the good news is there are lots and lots of funny little details to look at and don’t forget to text your jokes because they may be used in the show!

Space Mountain

Yesterday we were talking about classic Magic Kingdom fun and today I thought we continue along those lines with a funny story about another classic ride in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland… Space Mountain. Before I get into the funny story I want to make sure that everyone knows that Space Mountain will be closed from April 19, 2009 until sometime towards the end of 2009 to be refurbished. Okay now on to the laughs. I am sure by now we have established that I am indeed a ride chicken. While waiting in line to ride Space Mountain we were behind the smallest brave little guy I have run into. He was going on and on about how it was fun to ride the really old rides sometimes at Magic Kingdom but Space Mountain had nothing on Everest. In fact he declared it “super lame” compared to Everest. He dad told him that he actually thought it was kind of cool because it was in the dark and the boy looked at him rolled his eyes and said… “Dad the dark is lame.” Then to my surprise he turned back and asked me what I thought of Space Mountain. I told him that actually I kind of thought it was neat and sometimes a little scary. He, much like I am sure that many of you are now, laughed at me then said with a serious look on his face… “On the scary parts just close your eyes and hold on, that is how I got through Everest.” I thanked him for the great advice and afterwards I noticed him telling his dad that he liked how Space Mountain blasted into space and that maybe it was not that lame after all.

Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

Something sort of old school for Magic Kingdom, yet really fun is the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. I have to admit although in real life I am not a fan of driving I do get a kick out of the Indy Speedway. Each time Norwood and I ride them we try to race one another. I know… I know! We also will try to use them as bumper cars. Really I think we have more fun on the cars than some of the kids. For example, the last time we were on the Indy Speedway Norwood and I saw a brother hitting the back of his sister car and unlike some of the other adults in the cars we cheered him on and then he came after me! I was just a little faster and escaped. Besides actually being involved in slow speed collisions at the Indy Speedway I do like to stand above and cheer on those brave enough to dare and bump the bump of the car in front of them. Although many try to get away from us bumpers (you all know who you are) we always seem to end up behind you at the finish line so beware! Could you imagine if Magic Kingdom put in bumper cars! ?

Astro Orbiter

How many of you thought when you first saw the Astro Orbiter that it was just a really neat futuristic display? I am sure that I am not the only one but I had no idea that it was actually a ride when I first saw it. I remember the first time I noticed that it was a ride I was on the Transit Authority taking pictures of all the stuff around and I noticed there were people on the Astro Orbiter. After we got off the Transit Authority we went over to the Astro Orbiter and checked it out. You head up on an elevator and you can see Magic Kingdom from a new perspective. As you are up in the air spinning around you can control your rocket ship (like Dumbo). Now I would like to say that I am a big fan but … well you all know how I am with rides! I do like taking pictures of it. The one above is from one ride I can stand to go around and around on… the Transit Authority. I have to admit although I am not that big of fan of actually riding it I do think of it as the icon of Tomorrowland.

Meeting Buzz Lightyear

Magic Kingdom is truly a magical place. There are so many neat things to do that really if you spend one week in one land you might still not do everything. This week I wanted to spend a little time a highlight one of the lands in Magic Kingdom that I spend less time in than others… Tomorrowland. Recently I stopped to take the time to actually look at the details in Tomorrowland. There are of course the big things in Tomorrowland that many have on their “Do not miss lists” but there are also some things that you might not realize are in Tomorrowland. One of my favorite things about Tomorrowland are the characters. I have only met two characters so far in Tomorrowland but the ones I met were very cool. Of course there is good old Stitch walking around Tomorrowland when he is not escaping and eating chili dogs (Stitch’s Great Escape is something you should try at least once… be warned though Stitch does have some funky breath). But there is also Buzz Lightyear! I just happened to show up near the Carousel of Progress just as Buzz was leaving. There he was posing with his last fan when he saw me and stopped to give me a cool pose. That was the first time and the last time (so far) that I have seen Buzz. Now of course each time I go to Magic Kingdom I will have to check the character times and see if I can catch Buzz and get my photo taken with the completely awesome Space Ranger. Have you met anyone neat in Tomorrowland?

Monorail to Magic Kingdom

Let’s face it people the Monorail is cool! It is an attraction in itself at Epcot and Magic Kingdom and there is nothing more fun than getting a really cool picture of the Monorail on a trip to Disney World. I know I am not alone in my fascination of the Monorail. I mean look at the cool Monorail stuff you can buy…





Now, even though we all know the Monorail is cool it does sometimes just becomes, like the boats, transportation. I am the first to admit that after many visits to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot I have often forgotten that the Monorail is there and often I overlook it. But one day while walking to Magic Kingdom I noticed the sky darken a little so I looked up expecting to see rain clouds forming but instead I saw…



Right there above me was the huge Monorail. I was so close I could see the people inside the front (who waved hello to me as I shot photos of the Monorail). It was there for what seemed like a couple of minutes, no one else was around and I could take as many shots of it as I wanted! And then to top it off the Walt Disney Train went by too! It really made me enjoy the Monorail more (now each time we walk to Magic Kingdom I look up).

Pirates of the Caribbean- Magic Kingdom

Yesterday we talked about magical private boat rides that took us to the land of the Hollywood Studios parking lot today I have another magical boat ride to talk about. My favorite thing to do in Adventureland is ride Pirates of the Caribbean. It is one of the things that we always do while at Magic Kingdom, that and ride the Haunted Mansion. You would imagine that it would become boring if each week you rode Pirates of the Caribbean… well maybe you wouldn’t. Anyway like all the rides we have talked about this week it started off normal. Short wait, followed by the long trek through the dark caves then onto a boat it set sail into the land of pirates. Once on the boat we notice things we have not seen before and take pictures, lots and lots of pictures. Sometimes there is no one on our boat but us, sometimes just a few and other times the boat is packed. Now we have often times had our own boat while riding Pirates of the Caribbean and the less people usually means a more enjoyable ride but not this time. We boarded a full boat of kids of all ages and now here is where the ride became an adventure… all the members of the boat did not know each other before embarking on the ride but that did not matter. When one guest began singing with their kids “Yo ho, yo ho a pirates life for me” it was contagious and soon the whole boat was singing and laughing and ducking when the cannon balls sailed past our boat. Once again that magical Disney outlook changed the whole experience for us of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Taking Down the Dream Lights- Magic Kingdom

I know that it can be kind of sad when there are parts of the parks that are closed off to be refurbished. For instance I miss the Hall of Presidents but I look forward to the new addition of our newest president to the show. As sad and disappointing as it can be that things are closed it can also be kind of neat to see changes in the park. Take this month for example in the Magic Kingdom. Right now they are working on removing those beautiful Dream Lights (I vote they leave them up all year!). On our recent trip to Magic Kingdom Norwood and I walked around and through the Castle to get a look. Although it was not the most opportune time to take photos of Cinderella’s Castle I had a grand time taking shots. It was an amazing day and it is not often you see such large equipment inside Magic Kingdom and there were so many birds out. Take a look at the picture in the bottom right hand corner. They would just glide by as I took photos it really added to the photos.

While walking around the Castle being amazed by the brave person all the way up in the air taking off the Dream Lights I noticed that the Castle was open to walk through the front. Last year during our trips to Magic Kingdom we did not come across an opportunity to walk through and I cannot honestly say I ever remember seeing the inside of the Castle. I knew that somewhere in there was the Cinderella’s Royal Table but had never actually ventured in to see it. It is beautiful inside. I love the Cinderella storybook art…



Although I always notice Cinderella’s Castle when we go to Magic Kingdom it was the work that was happening around it that encourage me to explore it further and discover the artwork inside the Castle for the first time. For once the “this area is being refurbished for your future enjoyment” was actually a good thing.

First Haircut at Harmony Barbershop – Magic Kingdom

I have been in need of a haircut lately and thanks to many recommendations from my online Disney friends I decided to go to the Harmony Barbershop at Magic Kingdom. Located in the far corner of Main Street USA (located where the parades end) Harmony Barbershop is a cute little place based on the barbershop Walt used to go to. With only two chairs this popular place has limited service. They will cut hair and distribute Pixie dust. Since it is a walk up, first come first served establishment there are often long waits (I was told anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours). I was lucky enough to walk right into a chair with no wait! I have to say not only is it exactly the hair cut I wanted but it was also the most enjoyable haircut I have ever had. Since my haircut was a little more difficult than some of the others who came through (there was a lot of hair to cut off) I was fortunate to be able to sit awhile and talk with the cast members as well as some of the patrons. We talked about movies, the history of the shop, the Dreams Come True Parade (another stroke of luck… while I was getting my hair cut I could watch the parade right from my chair) pixie dust and more, it was like meeting up with old friends. During the time it took to have my hair cut I saw countless little Disney fans (and several adult Disney fans) come in and ask for a quick sprinkle of pixie dust (pixie dust is very color glitter that they pour into your hair with a little hairspray). There was something so neat about seeing all those sparkly heads. At only $17.00 for adult and $12.00 for a child I highly recommend getting your hair cut at Harmony… trust me it will be the most enjoyable haircut you will ever have and you will sparkle when you leave.