Today !!

Disney Festival-of-Fantasy parade steps off at MK park

Cannot wait to see THIS :

Photos: Disney Parks Blog

Festival of Fantasy

This is the name of the new parade that will debut at the Walt Disney' World's Magic Kingdom park this spring, which will feature this wonderful 'steampunk' Maleficent Dragon:

Pictures: Walt Disney World/Orlando Sentinel

Disney-Maleficent-float-Festival-of-Fantasy

I can hardly wait!!

And just in case you haven't heard  ...

"Maleficent"

... Starring Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, will be released July 2, 2014. It looks to be incredible!

Photo: Disney

Maleficent trailer

October 31st

On a stormy Halloween night in 1939, five people stepped aboard a Hollywood Tower Hotel elevator and into a nightmare.

So begins the ride spiel for the best ride at WDW.

... and on October 31, 1995

The first Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

takes place at Magic Kingdom Park.

 

So began the most fun event with the best parade held at the MK.

Walt Is Rolling

The story goes that back when Walt Disney was about to sign the papers to begin work on the new park in St. Louis, one of the Busch family gloated at dinner the night before the signing about how much money they would make selling beer at the park. Walt said nothing but after dinner he loaded up the plane and flew back to California, papers unsigned. The rest is history. Walt did NOT want alcohol, including beer, sold in his park.

Well, beer and wine have been sold in Epcot, The Studios and Animal Kingdom for a while now. But NOT in the Magic Kingdom. Until now.

Magic Kingdom-to-serve-alcohol-for-the-first-time-ever-with-opening-of-Be-Our-Guest-restaurant/

One might argue that this is the only restaurant in the park to offer it (so far), that it will be 'spendy' (people who are willing to spend $6-8 for a beer at Epcot won't have a problem), and there is no 'to go' (well, you can still get 'tanked' sitting at your dinner table).

So what happens when a Cast Member tries to 'cut-off' a guest who is on the way to intoxication?

Or when an inebriated guest hits the park after dinner?  

Some folks are pushy and aggressive enough without any added influence.

I think this is a bad idea and a bad decision by Disney.

Disney Picture of the Day

New Fantasyland - Opening Soon!

The largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history will soon be completed - except for Princess Fairytale Hall (2013, in the former Snow White area) and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (2014), both located in the "Enchanted Forest" section.

Most of the "Storybook Circus" area is now open.

Beginning in November (the 19th), Cast Members, AP holders and DVC members will be able to preview the new Fantasyland and then, December 6th will be the Grand Opening for .....

Enchanted Forest:

   Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, 

       Enchanted Tales with Belle, 

            Be Our Guest Restaurant, 

                  Gaston’s Tavern, 

                         Ariel’s Grotto,

                                 and Bonjour! Village Gifts

Storybook Circus:

Pete's Silly Sideshow- a character-greeting experience located under the red "big top" where Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy play their part as one of the stars of the circus! 

 

 The Great Goofini is the circus daredevil. The Astounding Donaldo is a snake charmer. Madame Daisy Fortuna is the fortuneteller, and Minnie Magnifique is the circus's greatest star.

And don't forget Big Top Souvenirs!

Already operating:

 Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Barnstormer and Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station 

Previews for Cast Members and select Guest audiences including Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members will take place well before the grand opening, with general Guest previews starting Nov. 19.

photos: WDW

Personal Note:  Fantasyland has been my least favorite area of MK, but now it's gonna be lots more interesting! 

It's just too bad that Mickey's and Minnie's houses couldn't have been tucked away somewhere in the Enchanted Forest!

Update: Storybook Circus

  The Disney Parks Blog  has announced that part of the new Storybook Circus of the new Fantasyland, will open in late March.

 

 Photo: Disney Parks Blog

So, what will we get? 

One of the new Dumbo the Flying Elephants. The other Dumbo will open at a later date.

The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini  with new theming elements.

And the Fantasyland train station of the Walt Disney Railroad.

In other news: Snow White’s Scary Adventures will be permanently closing June 1, 2012.  Princess Fairytale Hall will eventually take its place. 

The next phase of openings will take place in Fall 2012 and all of the Fantasyland expansion is set to be completed in 2014.

I am especially looking forward to  ...

 The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 

 The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth as they move along the track.

Town Square Theater

Town Square Theater (formerly the Exposition Hall) will become a permanent location for Mickey Mouse meet 'n greets ... And it will become the first character experience to feature Disney's FASTPASS.

 “This isn’t just remodeling Expo Hall; it is completely re-imagining this entire venue as a beautiful Victorian-era theater and the new home for Mickey Mouse,” Jon Georges, WDI Director, senior show producer, said.

Town Square Theater is scheduled to open this spring, while New Fantasyland will open in phases beginning in late 2012.

Disney Concept Art

H/T: Matt Roseboom at Orlando Attractions Magazine

Tinkerbell's Flight

Tinkerbell has been making her night flight in the MK at WDW since July 3, 1985.

She was originally supposed to fly as only a holiday/seasonal spectacle, but the crowd response was so immediately positive, she has been flying for 25 years now at WDW (at DL since 1961).

When we took our 1st Keys to the Kingdom Tour, our wonderful guide (Matthew) gave us a quite a bit of interesting background info on Tink's flight (like what happens if she meets a headwind).

Summer Nightastic!

The "Main Street Electrical Parade" will return to WDW's Magic Kingdom this June.  About time, too! This marvelous montage of moving lights has been at Disneyland since 2001.

The Magic Kingdom will also have a new summer fireworks spectacular.

Aaaand, over at Disney's Hollywood Studios the Tower of Terror will have new lighting effects and a new drop sequence.  Yowza!

Mickey must be hearing footsteps...

Wizardly footsteps.

What the Tink?

Remember that major refurbishment of Fantasyland I wrote about?

Well.
It just might be majorly more than merely major.
Theme Park Rangers has the blue prints ... and a few questions!

+ What does this mean to Mickey and Minnie's houses in Toon Town?

(Oh no! They had better NOT get bulldozed like Residential Street over at the Studios was!)

+ Why are two areas designated "DUMBO"?

(Dueling Dumbos?)

+ Like much of Disney in the 21st century, it's princess-heavy: a Cinderella attraction, an Aurora attraction and big Little Mermaid attraction.

(And all the Disney Princess merchandise to go with them.)

+ The area marked as "Castle Wall"?

(What the Tink?)

+ Reason to believe: something HAS to be in the works somewhere, right?

(Right! Disney will definitely do SOMETHING to counter Harry Potter over at Universal's Islands of Adventure).

Wishful Thinking # 4: Magic Kingdom

The rumor is that Fantasyland will be undergoing a major refurbishment.

Yay! About time, too.

They've already started on Space Mountain.

Here's hoping that the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh will disappear and Mr Toad's Wild Ride will reappear.

I know. That's really wishful thinking.

I also hope that there might be plans for the old Skybucket station in Fantasyland. It would make a really cool restaurant. Or something.

And how about refilling the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon in Fantasyland for a Finding Nemo ride like the one at Disneyland ?

The Snoozical Kingdom

In an on-line Disney discussion group, someone asked:
If they were staying off-site, where would be the best place to take a quick nap at WDW ?

Well, the group consensus was:
The Carousel of Progress.

My hubby once fell asleep sitting upright in the Enchanted Tiki Room.

His snoring was just a fraction of a decibel lower than the show's audio, which was ear-splitting.

We were gonna leave him there, but an observant Cast Member made us take him with us.

(Photo: allears.net)

MVMCP

I attended my first
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
this year.

The parade was fun; the hot chocolate was hot and plentiful; snow fell on Main Street; the dance parties were great fun to watch; the fireworks were spectacular (Tink flew right over our heads); and the castle was absolutely stunning.

And I loved the special Cast Member Mickey Mitts (red instead of white)!

We (sis & I) missed seeing 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, tho, because after the 1st show (which was so packed, there was not even standing room in the back), one of the performers became ill and the next show was canceled. Then we got busy with the rest of the festivities and didn't to check if the show was back on.

Maybe next year!

Photo: Deb Wills / Allears.net

Keys to the Kingdom

This Magic Kingdom tour is a must do for any Walt Disney World fanatic.

Tour Basics:

* Tours are offered daily: 8:30, 9:00 & 9:30am.
They start at City Hall just inside the Magic Kingdom Main Entrance.

* It is a 4 1/2 - 5 hour walking tour of the Magic Kingdom.
There are scheduled sit-down and bathroom breaks.

* There is an age limit: 16 and older.
You'll appreciate that.

* The cost is $60 + Magic Kingdom admission.
Yet another reason to have an annual pass.
Ask about AP, DVC, Disney Visa discounts.

* The group takes a couple of rides during which the guide offers up new trivia.
I won't mention which ones, let it be a surprise.

* Yes, you go backstage (Disneyspeak for behind the scenes), including a venture into the Utilidors. This is obviously the highlight of the tour!

* Lunch at the Columbia Harbour House is included.
You choose your meal from the menu at check-in.
It was ready, waiting and yummy ... and we didn't have to stand in line!

* Reservations are required. Call: 1-407-WDW-TOUR (1-407-939-8687) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. You will need to reserve your tour with a credit card. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for a full refund.

I must add, that our tour guide, Matthew (the Matthew from Indiana), was exceptional!
He was experienced, knowledgeable and had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor.
When we do the tour again (and we will!), I will absolutely request Matthew's tour group.

If you still need convincing, Read other Reviews HERE.

MNSSHP

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

This annual event occurs on select nights September through October at WDW's Magic Kingdom and is one of the funnest things ever!

The biggest question is NOT whether to Go or Not Go - But whether or not to dress up.

This will be the 4th year in a row that my sis and I have been.

We love seeing all of the innovative costumes ...
my last year's favorite was Larry the Cable Guy & Son (who was about 2) with matching shirts, hats, and sideburns.

We love watching the dance parties ...
Oogie Boogie on down!

We love the trick or treating ...
which usually turns out to be a competition to see who can get the most chocolate goodies. (some sisterly things never change)

We love the 'Happy Hallowishes' fireworks and the Villains!

We love the 'Boo to You' parade ...
this is absolutely the best parade at WDW
and my personal favorite thing about MNSSHP.

The parade is preceded by the Headless Horseman galloping through the park - a must see!

2008 Dates:

September 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 28, 30
October 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, & 31

Official MNSSHP Info Here

Photo: AllEars.net

ToonTown Fair - Not Just For Kids

Mickey's ToonTown Fair

is fun for kids of ALL ages!

You'd have to be GRUMPY not to love Mickey's house!

Or just plain DOPEY not to have fun in Minnie's House!

Let the kids push the buttons and touch things!!

<--- Listen to Minnie's answering Machine messages!

My favorite place in ALL of ToonTown Fair
is Minnie's Kitchen.

So many neat things to do there:

pop some popcorn, peek in the fridge,
watch the cake rise ...

Here's my sis elbowing a kid out of the way to get a peek inside the fridge. --->

Confession # 2: Tomorrowland's Treasure

My favorite thing to do at the Magic Kingdom isn't riding Space Mountain or Splash Mountain, nor any other Mountain.

These are great fun, no doubt, but the one thing I never leave the Magic Kingdom without doing is taking a ride on the TTA ... Tomorrowland Transit Authority -aka- the Blue Line -aka- WEDway People Mover.

Yes, I admit it's rather tame, but it does have its moments.

Like the time we went through the Space Mountain area when the ride was shut down and the lights were on. The entire Space Mountain track was totally visible. I wish I'd had my camera.

And I love the ride spiel, it's hilarious.

"Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow.
Your party from Saturn has arrived.
Please give them a ring."

Ride. Look. Listen.