As my regular readers know, Steve and I have an all-love relationship with Walt Disney World. I saw a story in the news this morning that gave me just one more reason why.
This couple from Massachusetts lost 3 sentimental rings in their trash while away on their vacation. What did the folks at Disney do? They caught the trash before it made its way to the compactor... and found the rings!
Read about it here: Disney Workers Find Rings Mistakenly Thrown Away
All righty... I promise this is the LAST Disney posting (for now). Because I didn't go on vacation by myself, and because my husband is a Disney freak - I asked him if he would mind being a guest blogger and writing up...
Steve's List of His Top Six Favorite Things at Walt Disney World That He Made So Danielle Would Quit Nagging Him To Write A List of Things That He Likes At Walt Disney World*
6. "Walt Disney: One Man's Dream" at the Disney Hollywood Studios.
This attraction is more of a museum than anything else. I'm almost endlessly fascinated with Walt Disney, and this is his story as told by the ominous corporation that he spawned. In all seriousness though, this walking tour followed by a very well done video covers the story of Walter Elias Disney in a very visual, yet reverent way. Highlights include scale models of Disney attractions at the end, and some art and artifacts actually belonging to Disney himself.
5. "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" at the Magic Kingdom
This ride is a great roller coaster. The ride itself is fun, if a bit short in the adrenaline department. Where it stands out is the great theming Disney pulls off on the ride. I don't care if it's 99 and humid, you'll feel like you're in an Arizona desert when you're riding.. right up until you have to peel yourself of the plastic seats. Remember to wipe for the next people.
4. "Mickey's PhilharMagic" at the Magic Kingdom
This is the very best 3D video attraction I've seen. I'm a huge fan of the MuppetVision 4D at DHS, but Mickey's PhilharMagic comes across a bit less cheesy, and because it's a bit newer (and animated) the resolution on the final projection is excellent. I usually have a problem with 3D movies giving me a headache (I have a rare vision problem called eyeswickedsuckitis,) but this one doesn't seem to. The special sensory things they throw in make it that much better.
3. "Wishes" at the Magic Kingdom
I'm an enormous fan of this fireworks show – easily the best I have ever seen. I haven't pinned down whether my infatuation with it stems from enjoying the well choreographed mix of visuals and music, or whether I really like seeing stuff blow up. Because I have a fondness for Illuminations, I'm going to have to go with I like seeing stuff blow up. (If you've seen Reflections of Earth, you know where I'm coming from.) It's something you shouldn't miss. If your kids are getting cranky because it's late and they've been on their feet since 8:30 that morning, just hit them very hard in the head so they pass out, then you (and I) can enjoy the show.
2. "Expedition: Everest" at Disney's Animal Kingdom
It's like Big Thunder Mountain, but like.. über. The theming is amazing. Even the line is interesting. Yes, the LINE - which unless you FASTPass this one, you had best be prepared to sit in for the remainder of your natural life. It's worth it, unless you get motion sick, in which case it's absolutely not worth it – run for your life. In general, Animal Kingdom was always my least favorite of the four parks – but since I was there on the very day it opened – April 22, 1998, I feel like we share a special bond. Ever since they put this baby in, however.. I'm a devoted convert. It's still number four, but it's moved up much closer to number three, (DHS). I won't give too much away, but I will say this: the cute little stuffed Yetis in the gift store are an accurate representation of the ride's main character. So cuddly.
1. Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow
EPCOT is the greatest thing ever. There is no attraction here I'm not fond of. It's rare in life that something so exhilaratingly fun can also prove to inspire awe and wonder. EPCOT does this with aplomb. From the great street shows in the World Showcase (with all due respect to the JAMMitors in Future World, the World Showcase Players provide superior impromptu entertainment) to the exhilarating attractions like Soarin', Test Track, and the apparently fatal Mission: SPACE, I've never enjoyed 12 hours as much as I enjoyed my 9:00 am to 9:00 pm stints in EPCOT. Most other parks can be "done" in a day. EPCOT cannot, at least not if you take the time to explore. I also think that this park boasts the best horticultural displays in all of Walt Disney World, especially if you happen to be lucky enough to go during April and May's International Flower and Garden Festival. There are so many great little nooks and crannies in this park that I can't possibly list them all. EPCOT also far and away has the best food of any of the theme parks, as food and wine are an integral part of the World Showcase experience – it's a recent dream of mine to attend during the Food and Wine Festival in October… maybe a fall trip? Maybe… just maybe.
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So there you have it. Steve and I's top 13 combined Disney World must-sees. I hope you've enjoyed our take on it and we thank you for indulging in our dorktasticness.
*For those of you who read Steve's blog, you know that he really only writes when the mood moves him. This was on a deadline. Hence the "nagging". But... he indulged me anyways because I'm cute. :)
All right readers. You've heard MY Top 7 Must-Sees of Walt Disney World and gotten a "taste" of some of the places I enjoy eating. Of course, those are just my top places to stop while in Walt Disney World and there are lots of other places I enjoy too. It is definitely an awesome place to vacation.
To answer some questions that have been raised over the week:
When did MGM Studios become Hollywood Studios? January 7, 2008. We know this because we were there the first day of the switch, and it even made the Orlando news.
Who won on the Buzz Lightyear ride? Obviously Steve. He's way more into video games than I am. He got like... 293,000 points and I got 38,000 points. I had a ton of fun though and can't wait for me to get my behind handed to me again next year.
Did I see the talking garbage can at Cosmic Ray's? NO!!! Where is it? And can you remind me when I go next year so I know to look for it next time?
I also should mention some of the other awesome rides that we try to hit when we go down there. They are:
Magic Kingdom: Haunted Mansion, Wishes (night fireworks), Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain (though it's been closed when we've been the last couple of years), Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean
Epcot: Test Track, Mission:SPACE (the green side, I'mma wimp), Maelstrom, the Japanese drummers, Gran Fiesta Tour
Hollywood Studios: Star Tours, Backlot Tour, MuppetVision 3-D
Animal Kingdom: Kali River Rapids, Finding Nemo: The Musical, Flights of Wonder, Kilimanjaro Safari, It's Tough to be a Bug
That's it for now. Tomorrow will be a brief hiatus from Disney so I can do my Tackle-It Tuesday, and then final Disney wrap-up will be on Wednesday with a guest blogger appearance!
I have no idea why I love today's highlighted ride so much. Maybe it's a lingering and strange fascination I have with horror flicks and the suspense that does it. Maybe it's the thing I've always had for thrill rides. Maybe it's that I have to work to overcome my fear of heights to board the ride every time, and that's kind of empowering and a rush when I get off.
The final highlight of Danielle's Disney World must-sees is my absolute most favorite ride ever: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I remember when I was a kid at the park opened (as Disney's MGM Studios) I wanted to go so badly. It looked like my kind of park. Shows, rides, a glimpse into the world of movies... and then, when the Tower of Terror opened I wanted to go even more. As a teenager I developed a fascination and almost addiction to horror movies and the paranormal. I didn't want to become a vampire or anything creepy like that, but it was the abnormal and the unknown that did it for me. Combining a horror film with a thrill ride seemed like an amazing concept to me.
I was worried when I stood in line a couple of years ago with Steve waiting to get on the ride that I would be let down. All the years of anticipation, the need to overcome my fear of heights to even consider getting on the ride (it is - after all - an elevator that simulates a free-fall faster than gravity). I was NOT disappointed.
I will admit that every time we go, and I see the Tower, and I watch the doors open and close I get nervous. The aforementioned fear of heights is a very real thing for me, and my stomach flutters every time we have to wait in line. That said - that first drop is such an amazing rush, followed by the randomized series of lifts and drops that follow... oh man.
There's yet to be a ride that tops this one for me. As usual, Disney does an incredible job of setting the mood and mustering up your excitement and anticipation for the ride. Today's clip is the introduction video that guests to the Hollywood Tower Hotel see before proceeding to their elevators.
And so with that, the statement of my favoritest ride ever, I conclude this week's Danielle's Disney Must Sees.
Danielle's Disney Dining Recommendation: After you've calmed down from the rush of the Tower of Terror and the Rock 'N Roller Coaster, head on over to the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios for a high-class and tasty meal. One of Disney's pricier restaurants, use this opportunity for your vacation special treat meal. Be sure that you get their Cobb Salad to share with your vacation buddy - it is WELL worth it!
Always wanted to climb one of the tallest mountains in the world? How's Everest sound? Don't feel like you're up for that? Alright FINE.... Walt Disney World has an alternative for you - Expedition: Everest at the Animal Kingdom theme park.
You're welcomed into a base camp (aka the queue) where there are all sorts of signs about the scary Yeti as well as all the supplies any hiker would need to get up to the top of Everest. No worries for you though - you'll be going by a comfy train up to the top. A nice steam engine with all the amenities you'll need. A safety bar, a great conductor, a travel partner (it's a 2-seater row). You'll be going pretty fast - because it is, after all, a roller coaster and one of the most awesome ones at that.
Expedition: Everest is not only a great coaster, it's also a great highlight of the artistry and attention to detail that only Disney puts in all of their rides. The greenery and the mountain/cavernous feel throughout the ride are absolutely stunning. You can tell that WDW Imagineers and designers did their homework when putting together this ride.
I was lucky enough to find on YouTube the same commercial that we saw in our room the entire last vacation. Every time we saw it we got super excited to get our Fast Passes for this ride, then get in the queue, then wait impatiently for our Fast Pass time so we could ride it again. It's totally awesome and VERY much a must-see.
Oh - and by the way... don't be scared about the Yeti. He looks like this, totally unthreatening:
Danielle's Disney Dining Recommendation: If you've never tried Moroccan food before, I highly recommend Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot's Morocco pavillion. While the atmosphere can be loud (it's a large room and they have live music with a belly dancer periodically) it's definitely worth a stop. The food was quite excellent, and I recommend the chicken couscous (a variation of the Moroccan national dish). Believe me - you will NOT be disappointed.
OK, I have 3 days left and my 3 absolute "If I don't go on this ride I'll just die" rides left. Today we're going to focus on one of the best roller coasters ever - the Aerosmith Rock 'N Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
I had never heard of it until the first year we went to DHS (Back when it was MGM Studios) and there was some highlight show coincidentally on the Travel Channel that talked about it. As a chick who has ALWAYS liked roller coasters, I felt the deep need to make sure we went on that ride while we were at the park. Since it's conveniently located across from another ride that I'll discuss either tomorrow or Saturday that I absolutely love... it made it even easier to Fast Pass and get on.
You start by being queued into a studio where Aerosmith appears to be rehearsing for their show that night. Their manager comes in to hurry them out, and Steven Tyler says "Hey! We can't leave our friends here! They have to come with us!". The manager sighs and says she'll get their "friends" a really fast limo to get to the show. You are then brought into a line to wait for your limo to get to the show.
At a launch of 0-60 MPH in 2.8 seconds, it is not only an awesome launch but a great glimpse into the awesome technology that can be seen all over the Disney parks. Here's a great video I found on YouTube that discusses the technology (and also offers a quick spoiler to the entry I already alluded to... just forget you heard it...).
Oh yeah. It rocks.
Danielle's Disney Dining Recommendation: Since we're talking about things with cars, and we're already in Hollywood Studios - I recommend a place that Steve and I ate at for the first time this year. It's the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater located on Commisary Lane at the Studios. The food is good - but I recommend this place more for the atmosphere. The tables look like cars and you sit in the front or back seat with a small counter-style table. The dining room is decorated to make you feel like you're in a drive-in theater, and there are even the old-style speakers at every table. Trailers from hokey sci-fi movies are played along with traditional "Come to the Snack Bar" advertisements on a large screen in front of you. If you're patient enough, you'll even see a couple of sci-fi-ish cartoons (we saw a Tom & Jerry cartoon). I definitely recommend parking it here for dinner.
Steve and I have been to Magic Kingdom together 4 times. The first three times we went, we walked by Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin as we left the Carousel of Progress and headed into what we thought to be more interesting things like the Tomorrowland Transit Authority or Space Mountain. We never even gave it a passing glance, casting it off as what was likely another kids' ride the likes of Snow White, Winnie the Pooh, or Peter Pan.
This last time we went, as we were cruising through Tomorrowland on the TTA I took a closer look at the Space Ranger spin. Unless I was seeing things, it looked like it was more of a live-action video game than it was a story ride. Later on, as we were waiting for our dinner reservations I mentioned this to Steve. After a brief discussion - we decided that we should head on.
And... I was right.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin has now become a must-see for me whenever we head off to the Magic Kingdom. With its bright colors, laser beams, and ability for competition with your riding partner this is by far one of the most fun rides in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. We had so much fun on that ride and could not believe we had just ignored it the previous visits. To see for yourself how much fun we were having, here's a picture that was snapped while we were battling the Evil Zurg:
Danielle's Dining Recommendation: For a great character dinner while at the Magic Kingdom, head over to the Liberty Tree Tavern. They have traditional American Fare served family style at reasonable prices ($28/each for adults, $13/each 9 and under). Not only that, but you'll get visits at your table from Goofy, Minnie, Pluto, and whatever other characters hop into the tavern that night. We went there once, and the only reason we haven't been back yet is because we keep trying new places. BUT - I would go back again, for certain.
I have to admit that the first time I headed towards the line to see Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom - I was skeptical. It seemed to me like I would be stepping into some antiquated ride that would likely close down sooner rather than later. There was hardly any line to speak of, and the building was pretty boring looking.
But, Steve seemed happy and excited to be heading into the ride - so off I went. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.
What I found myself stepping into wasn't a ride at all. Instead, I took a seat in a cushy movie-theater style chair and settled in for a 20 minute trip through history. I learned from the nice announcer-man that the Carousel of Progress actually debuted at the 1964 World's Fair and was sponsored by GE (which... if you've ever been on the CoP it's VERY obvious that this was the case). The announcer-man also informed us that "Walt Disney loved progress" - something that any Disney-fanatic probably already knows. The 20 minute trip through history is a great display of not only Disney's love of the progress through history but also the progress the Walt Disney Imagineers made when it came to animatronics.
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress is one highlight of a recurring theme in almost all of the parks at Walt Disney World. Whenever you're in any of the parks, you learn a bit about the Disney history either by hopping on one of the attractions. You know what - I'll let Walt himself tell you about it:
Just remember... this was in 1964. Obviously there's been a lot of, well, progress since then. The latest version is more updated, and is still quite enjoyable. As you close in reading this and make progress in your own worlds - remember...
"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow is just a dream away..."
(Sorry, that tune is so catchy I couldn't resist the corny ending.)
Danielle's Disney Dining Recommendation: Looking for an inexpensive and entertaining lunch while you're at the Magic Kingdom? Take a trip over to Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. The food is counter service and is reasonably priced - and doesn't taste badly either. For a bit of entertainment while you eat, go into the enclosed room for a taste of the musical stylings of resident lounge "singer" Sonny Eclipse.
The first time I went to Epcot back in May 2005, I heard it as we strolled through the France pavillion. The sound was unmistakable, I would know it anywhere. It called to me, drew me closer.
The sound? Bagpipes.
I was like the mice and children following the Pied Piper. I powered ahead with Steve close behind as I left "France" and headed through the "UK" until I found it. That sweet screechy melody of bagpipes. Then I found it - five men on stage in kilts, rocking out with a set of pipes in the lead. I stood and listened in wonder while my boyfriend (now husband) shook his head and laughed. When it was over, I knew I had a new Epcot must-see.
The band Off Kilter.
Now, I'm the kind of person who is convinced that everyone is wired to like certain things because of their DNA. Take my husband Steve for example. He's of 50% Greek (by way of Albania) descent. He didn't have much Greek in his upbringing - yet he has a strange love affair with Mediterranean food. Me? I'm mostly English/Irish/Scottish with a splash of French by way of Canada. I have an inate love for traditional UK-based food (with the exception of fried fish and Guinness) and whenever I hear bagpipes playing or see Irish Step dancing I'm immediately sucked in. I NEVER had any of that around me growing up... but the love is there. My brother will attest to this too as he has the same strange problem. I don't claim that this lineage theory applies to everyone and it's entirely possible I'm crazy, but I've seen enough evidence to think that there's got to be a trace of it someplace.
With this in mind... when I heard the sweet sound of those pipes echoing across Epcot and made my way to "Canada" to hear them, I knew that it would become a must-see each and every visit. To be sure, whenever we're in Epcot we grab the show schedule to find out what time Off Kilter is playing. We get there five minutes early to make sure we get a good seat and stay there for half an hour. This last time we got one of their CDs, so if you're ever in my car feel free to ask me to pop it in for a sample listen.
Or... just watch this video and see for yourself.
When we arrived at Walt Disney World and checked into our room, we flipped on the TV just for some noise. The TVs are set to default to one of Disney's in-resort stations, specifically the one that does nothing but loop their take on the Top 7 Must-Sees of Walt Disney World. Really it's just a highlight reel of various areas of the property and theme parks with a few awesome rides or sights mixed in. It turns out to be the Top Bazillion (exaggeration alert) Must Sees of Walt Disney World.
Everyone who's ever visited has their own "must-sees" every time that they go. Since Steve and I go every year (or at least make a very strong effort) there are things that we each "must see" or else we'll burst into hysteric tears. I've decided that every day this week, my blog post will center around one of my own personal Top 7 Must-Sees of Walt Disney World. Everyone's are different I'm sure and there's also a lot more things that I "must" see when I go - but these are ones that I would definitely regret if I missed. I'll also be briefly mentioning a great restaurant that I enjoy at the end.
That all said... on to:
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