Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World New Years Eve Celebration Dinner Party Events

27 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Here are two separate ticketed events for celebrating New Years Eve in style at Walt Disney World —

Over at the Magic Kingdom, there are three special Fireworks Dessert Parties – at 7:30 and 10:50 on December 30, 2010 and at 10:30 on December 31, 2010. The Dessert Party will include the usual dessert fare and beverages plus a non-alcoholic sparkling beverage to toast the New Year!

Guests ages 10 and up $39.99, guests 3-9 $21.99

In addition Disney is offering a one-time Dinner and Dessert Party, December 31, with check-in beginning at 6:15pm. Dinner includes artisan breads, fruit, cheeses, sushi, salads, seared tuna, beef short-ribs, and carved pork. Dinner will then be followed by the same dessert items mentioned above.

Guests ages 10 and up $155.99, guests 3-9 $76.99

Click to enlarge the photos and see more details:

Now in Walt Disney World – Disney SNUGGIES!

7 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Friend and fellow Disney and theme park fan Banks Lee spotted these beauties for sale at the Magic Kingdom the other day. I have to say, I have never before wanted a Snuggie^*…until now! I think Disney did a great job with the two designs and hopefully there will be even more in the future as well!

I also saw some Nightmare Before Christmas Snuggies when I was in Hot Topic the other day so be on the lookout for those too. (Which is funny since Tim Burton has actually openly poked fun at the Snuggie phenomenon!)

Disney Mickey and Minnie Snuggie — Banks did not catch the price, but I'm willing to bet they are around $20+ I will look for them next weekend!

EDIT: Thanks to Orlando Attractions magazine for tweeting that they are for sale at around $28 (30 with tax). I was in the ball-park huh? 🙂

Many thanks to Banks Lee for permission to share this photo with you all!

*Of course I have to say that Snuggie is a registered brand name and these are not Snuggie brand, but it’s much easier to say than “sleeved blanket” 😉

What Attractions Do You Avoid At Walt Disney World?

15 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 36 Comments

I was recently reading on twitter about someone riding Universe of Energy at Epcot. It caused me to stop and realize that it’s probably been about 10 years since I’ve ridden that ride. Then I wondered how many other rides I personally avoid or just don’t bother wanting to ride, and how many others had a list too.

Now, I may be a bit biased on some things, because as I’ve mentioned before (many times), I first fell in love with Walt Disney World when visiting EPCOT Center in 1983. So as a rainbows & unicorn-lovin’ girl of 8 or 9, there were some rides that just plain scared me. Universe of Energy was one of them. I rode it, but was always scared during the dinosaur parts and then bored during the 40 minutes of fossil fuel movies (was anyone *not* bored then? Sorry fossil fuels!). Same with Haunted Mansion and even Pirates of the Caribbean…there were times when I had to be dragged on those rides because I was easily scared (the hallway and graveyard scenes in Haunted Mansion and the skeletons in Pirates). I’ve since outgrown those fears, but I’m just not a fan of dinosaurs, unless they are dispensing frozen ice cream treats of course.

Other rides, I’d just never been on because I thought I’d get sick or something. I didn’t ride the Mad Tea Party until I was about 22. Space Mountain? My first time was on my 33rd birthday. Shocking, I know. I’d actually ridden Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster before that! I just visited Tom Sawyer Island for the first time this past April! I *still* haven’t been on Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, or Mission: Space. Not sure I’ll ever go on DINOSAUR or Mission:Space‘s green team, but I do want to conquer Expedition Everest at some point!

Anyway, back to my original point. There are some attractions that we just tend to avoid for whatever reason. I realize this may be more pronounced with our family, since we are Florida residents and can visit the parks any day just by driving for an hour. Sometimes we just take things, or attractions for granted either for time issues or wanting to visit our favorites all the time.

So here is my list of Top 5 Avoided Attractions in my family:

Universe of Energy As mentioned above, I just never liked this as a child and with two kids not particularly fond of dinosaurs, we just haven’t been back. I do want to bring them on again though, now that they’re older and will remember it, and let them decide for themselves.

The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management I actually sat through this recently with my family when visiting with some friends. I know it is a much maligned attraction, and I really think that is for a reason. I don’t like to speak ill of my favorite place on earth, but the ‘updated’ show was already dated when it re-opened and now even moreso. It was such a classic attraction, full of corny but timeless jokes. A lot of that original magic is just gone now and it’s almost embarrassing to sit through. Sorry Michael, Pierre, Fritz and José – I still love you guys!

The Jungle Cruise I know I’m going to take some flak for this one! Apologies to die-hard fans of the backside of water…but I’ve just never been fan enough to make this a regular stop. This is another of those that I will go on again soon and let the big kids form their own opinions.

Stitch’s Great Escape Another much maligned attraction. I remember disctinctly when Alien Encounter opened. I was petrified and actually did not go on the Cast Member preview like my then fiance and mom, also Cast Members did. I wanted to know exactly what happened before I’d go on. I don’t do horror movies or scary things at all so I was worried this would freak me out. Once I got the okay from them, it became one of our favorite attractions in Magic Kingdom. Now, I really don’t mind the Stitch redux of the ride…I think it’s great for kids that might’ve been too scared to go on Alien Encounter. But it is a little lacking in the show department. I miss Skippy and Tim Curry voicing S.I.R. The story made much more sense when it was Alien Encounter but I don’t think the Stitch tie-in is too terrible. Still, we tend to avoid it since it’s not ever something we are dying to see.
Remember this?

Studio Backlot Tour This is another case of something that used to be a favorite that we just tend to pass over now. This attraction was so exciting when it first opened – you could see in working wardrobe warehouses, studios and sound stages, along with the super fun Residential Street and Catastrophe Canyon. Over the years, this morphed into a dated, unused, “pretend” backstage area. When the Water Effects Tank and Production Tour (where my husband used to work!) was combined with the Backlot Tour, it made it difficult to bring small children on with the amount of standing and walking needed. We used to love this attraction but it’s changed so much and a lot of its charm and “backstage” excitement is gone. I’d love to see this ride completely redone with current special effects technology and a whole new backlot area.

Okay, I confessed my most-avoided attractions – now what are yours? Don’t worry, I’ll post a most-loved attractions post soon!

Boo to You! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2010

21 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

In addition to meeting Duffy the Disney Bear this past Saturday, some fellow Disney bloggers and I also got a chance to enjoy one of my very favorite special events at Walt Disney World – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! It’s so so hard for me to decide between this and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party…but MNSSHP as it’s commonly abbreviated has candy AND the Headless Horseman, so it might win.

I’ve reported previously about the fun that is MNSSHP – check out part 1 of my “Boo to You!” Parade pictures, part 2 with the “Boo to You” Villains from the parade and my Headless Horseman video from 2008. Last year and now this year again, the Horseman has slowed to a trot from an eerie gallop (perhaps for safety issues) but it’s still impressive nonetheless! New to the parade this year is the evil Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog fame. My favorite are still the gravediggers with their shovels!

Going Bananas at Walt Disney World Since the 70’s

30 August 2010 by Suzannah Otis 12 Comments

In searching for ancient vintage photos from my childhood visits to Walt Disney World, I came across what may perhaps be my favorite. From the looks of my hair, I’m thinking this was around 1st grade, so 1978 or 1979. My Gramma Lucy (my dad’s mom) and I are both enjoying a wonderful Disney treat – a chocolate covered frozen banana. This was once one of my favorites, but I have to admit, I haven’t had one in years. Maybe I need to attempt to re-create this picture so my children can blog about it in 30 years??

wdw frozen banana 1970s — This trip is bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

In this photo, you not only get to see adorable 6-ish year old me, you get my mom next to me in a long sundress (which is I think back in style today?!) and Jackie O sunglasses, my brother on the other side of me in knee socks and short shorts, and to the far right, you can see part of my sister in a green one-piece tube-top/shorts-set situation. If my dad were in the picture, I can only imagine the fashion fabulousity he would’ve added, given his previous appearances with white pants and reaaaally short shorts.

I think my family is pretty tame compared to the other 1970’s theme-park couture going on, even from behind. Thanks, lady with the matching red pants and vest, lady with the super high plaid bell-bottoms with matching plaid jacket in your hand, and dude behind my brother with his shirt buttoned ALL the way down. You really made this picture worth posting. How did we survive as a species during this time?? Oh that’s right. Disco!

The Secrets of Walt Disney World’s Tom Sawyer Island-Part 3 of 3

19 July 2010 by Suzannah Otis 9 Comments

In part one and part two of our Tom Sawyer Island pictorial review, we saw caves, mines, a fort and even a play area chock full of adventure. Today we conclude that adventure by visiting the final spots on the island.

When we left off, we were about to cross this barrel bridge to parts unknown, yes? As always, click to enlarge photos.

view from Tom Sawyer Island — First, you get this nice view of Liberty Square

Pollys Tom Sawyer Island — Then we come upon a lovely little spot, Aunt Polly's...sadly, it does not seem to be open much at all anymore.

Exploring Fort Langhorn – Part 2 of Tom Sawyer Island’s Pictorial Review!

17 June 2010 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

When last we left our adventure through Tom Sawyer Island beyond the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, we were about to cross this bridge to another part of the island…

tsi19 — Where will this bridge take us??

tsi21 — A sister map to the one at the island's entrance shows us where we are headed...

tsi22 — Close-up of the map - click to enlarge

tsi23 — The impressive suspension bridge leads us forward on our journey.

Rewinding the Magic-The Return of the Main St Electrical Parade

8 June 2010 by Suzannah Otis 15 Comments

Sunday I asked for picture requests for last night’s visit to the opening of Summer Nightastic! at the Magic Kingdom, with the Main Street Electrical Parade and Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular. Sadly, I only received one real request (I know you readers are out there somewhere!? ;)). However, while I was sitting on the sidewalks of Frontierland with my 19 month-old son plopped on my lap, I realized that I could take a million pictures, and certainly you can see a million pictures and video everywhere right now…but I cannot replicate the experience for you here in text and photographs.

Pete's Dragon Elliot MSEP — photo ©Disney

Therein lies the magic of Disney in one of its many forms – holding your baby in your lap as your 11 and 9 year-olds sit next to you, to watch a parade you saw at their age…and haven’t seen since they were both your baby’s age. After you’ve wrapped your head around that math, pause for a moment to think about the layers of memories there. I can write about sitting on the warm concrete with the smell of smoked turkey legs wafting around me in the thick, humid air. I can try to pinpoint the moment when the music first hits the area you’re sitting in and you crane your neck to spy the first twinkling light. I can share with you the look of wonder and joy on all of my childrens’ faces as they witnessed the Main Street Electrical Parade for the very first time. But I cannot do it justice. It is simply something you must experience. Like most things at Disney, it is a multi-sensory adventure that is truly felt as much as it is seen.

Truly, to be a fan of Disney Parks, is to be a time-traveler. You can rewind the magic and experience it again and again. There is not a single time I visit Epcot or Magic Kingdom that prior visits and memories don’t come flooding back. In a world that’s ever-changing, it’s nice to have a place that has figured out how to keep time in a bottle. Sure, there are some things we loved about Walt Disney World that we’ll never again see…but it was just as important a memory for me to explain what was once there to my 11 year-old son as we stood in front of the old Fantasyland Skyway station. I’d give anything to ride on the Skyway just one more time with my children in tow, but at least now they know the history and what used to be. With the Main Street Electrical Parade, we are able to get ‘what once was’ back again.

So I urge you to get to the Magic Kingdom this summer. Whether it’s your first time seeing the parade or your 40th, how often do we get to rewind the magic and relive our childhood – or experience a whole new one? Even every 10 years is a long time to wait. Come on down and give your old memories some new friends.

It’s Summer Nightastic! Night! What Would YOU Like to See Pictures Of?

6 June 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Tonight I’m heading over to the Magic Kingdom with my family to experience Summer Nightastic! first hand. We’ll be seeing the Main Street Electrical Parade and the new Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular. I’m really excited because none of my children have seen the Main Street Electrical Parade. Ever! Last time I saw it was in 2000, right before we packed up and moved back to Massachusetts and it packed up and moved to a different Disney park. While Spectromagic is perhaps most dear to me because it reminds me of my time as a cast member on Main Street, the Main Street Electrical Parade embodies my childhood visits to Disney World and transports me back to that time. It was amazing to see it backstage, but I can’t wait to see it live on Main Street again.

So my question to you, my faithful readers, is what do YOU want to see pictures or video of? (I can’t promise too much with the video as it’s not my strong-suit and I only have the video function on my regular camera ;)) Comment here with your requests and I’ll do my best to capture them tonight and post it tomorrow here on the site. Of course it doesn’t have to be limited to the parade or fireworks; it could be an attraction, a sign, heck even a trash can!

Comment here, and your request may show up tomorrow!

Dazzling Details of Summer Nightastic’s After Dark Excitement

3 June 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

The “magic” in the Magic Kingdom gets a pyrotechnic boost and a megawatt power surge this ummer when “Summer Nightastic” premiers this weekend – June 6, 2010 and runs through August 14, 2010. Summer nights at Walt Disney World Resort will enchant theme park guests when glittering light magic, high adventure, dance fever, thrills and chills set the after-dark scene. “Summer Nightastic!” lights up the entertainment experience at the Vacation Kingdom with a new twist on a classic parade, a fireworks extravaganza, a rockin’ dance party, concerts and other surprises.

Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot all present special events designed to add summertime energy to the after-dark theme-park experience. At Magic Kingdom, thousands of tiny lights illuminate the return of the beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade,” and the elaborate new “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular” paints the night sky more brightly than ever.

“There’s a special energy in the parks at night,” says Chris Oyen, show director for the “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular.” “It’s all about the magic and the sense of adventure and mystery that nighttime possesses in the Magic Kingdom.”

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror adds new effects – and a summer-only drop sequence – to the mix for guests daring to step into the attraction’s infamous service elevator for a ride into the “fifth dimension.” And on Hollywood Boulevard, in the shadow of the 122-foot-tall Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat icon, guests are invited to the Rock n’ Glow Dance Party, where a DJ and live rock band keep popular tunes coming five nights a week.

At Epcot, live “Sounds Like Summer” tribute-band concerts rock guests each evening from June 12 to July 31 with familiar tunes ranging from “Hotel California” to “Stayin’ Alive.”

The multi-park festivities promise a veritable Cinderella-coach-full of sensory surprises for all who visit during the 10-week-plus summer celebration.

“Main Street Electrical Parade” – This classic pageant of illuminated floats goes all the way back to 1972, when it first debuted at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. With 23 floats, more than half a million tiny colorful lights, 80 performers, synthesizer music based on “Baroque Hoedown,” and Disney theme songs woven in, the parade returns to Walt Disney World Resort for the first time since 2001. A nostalgia trip for many, this “crown jewel of summer” kicks off the season with lighting effects, floats and characters new to Walt Disney World Resort.

Tinker Bell waves her magic wand from the basket of a dazzling balloon float. The Tinker Bell float alone generates more than “25,000 points of light,” says Paul Chychota, the parade’s production manager.

Pinocchio and the boys from the classic film’s Pleasure Island sequence join the parade in Magic Kingdom this year, and Snow White appears with the Seven Dwarfs on a Diamond Mine float glittering with colorful gems.

Ten thousand strobes of “pixie-dust” light the parade trail as a treasury of classic Disney stories comes to life. Floats feature enhanced effects and, though the music stays true to the original parade, the score’s dynamics soar to greater heights thanks to state-of-the-art technology, Chychota says.

Beloved floats like the “Honor America” finale display – featuring the American flag and giant American eagle – return, along with costumed characters like Alice in Wonderland, Mickey Mouse and Goofy.

“Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular” – Magic Kingdom presents more after-dark magic when the sky explodes with vivid color and visual effects that tell a thrilling story headlined by fairies and pirates.

“With this show, we’re making the skies come alive – we’re not just going to immerse you, we’re going to surprise you, too,” says show director Oyen.

The summer fireworks are accompanied by a whimsical score of classic Disney tunes and theme music from the hit film “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”

The Fairy Godmother from “Cinderella” and other famous fairies star in the fireworks spectacular.

The fireworks perimeter around Magic Kingdom will expand by 25 percent for the summer show. No matter where you are in the park, you’ll be surrounded by the spectacle.

Pirate Alert: Captain Hook and his band of buccaneers burst onto the scene to seize the park’s Cinderella Castle. Disney’s creative entertainment team designed fireworks that tell the story, including a skull-and-crossbones display and other visual effects convincing enough to make you believe the castle is under siege.

“We’re constantly innovating, pushing ourselves to be more creative with the kind of pictures we paint in the sky – we’re trying to make the skies come to life and dance,” Oyen says.

New Frights at Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – If you think you’ve been to the “fifth dimension” and survived The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, think again. Surprise enhancements to this headline attraction are programmed to deliver even greater levels of special-effects frights just for the “Summer Nightastic!” celebration.

Rock ‘n Glow Dance Party – Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests are invited to trip the light fantastic at a rockin’ dance party every Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday. A DJ and a special engagement rock band play sizzling summer sounds beginning three hours before park closing on Hollywood Boulevard. Watch for popular Disney characters to step into the dance party spotlight.

“Sounds Like Summer” — Blasts from the past are in store at Epcot, where the curtain rises on popular rock-band tributes June 12 at the park’s America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase. Each evening through July 31 at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m., “Sounds Like Summer” tribute-band concerts drum up lots of nostalgia with hot tunes and cool riffs, from “Satisfaction” to “Saturday in the Park.” The lineup (subject to change):

June 12-19: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to The Bee Gees

June 20-26: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles

June 27-July 3: Karin Lawson – A Tribute to Janet Jackson

July 4-10: Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones Tribute Band

July 11-17: Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

July 18-24: 2U – A Tribute to U2 July 25-31: Beginnings – A Tribute to Chicago

Guests can Learn more about “Summer Nightastic!” and check out deals for summer travel by visiting www.disneyworld.com/night or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639) or a local travel agent. All special summer events are included in regular theme-park admission.