Monthly Archives: May 2016

Disney Action Figures – Pirates!

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Welcome to the weekend! As we’ve seen before, Nick’s collection of awesome Disney items knows no bounds.  Being the Pirates fan that I am, I’m particularly envious of today’s featured treasures.  Enjoy and have a great Saturday, Everybody!!!

Disney Action Figures – Pirates!

By Nick

I discovered these Pirates of the Caribbean Action Figures a few years ago on eBay. I can’t recall seeing them in the parks. They are from the beloved attraction, and not from the beloved hit movie series.

I’ve bought a few through the years, and would like to share some today.

This first one, I left in the package, because, well, it’s some cool packaging!

The Treasure Keeper comes with a plethora of accessories, as do all the figures from this line.

Relive all the high seas fun!
The original price for these figures was $10.
Next up, we have the Scalawag, and his little piggy buddies.
His accessories are couple of bottles, a cup, a sword and a pistol.

Last, but certainly not least, we have the Redhead. As in, “We wants the Redhead!”

 

I have the Walt Disney Classics Collection figure of the Redhead, as well as the Auctioneer, and I’ve done a post on them, which can be found here.

 

Not only does the Redhead have a purse and a rose, she is also packing heat! She has a rifle and a pistol. I’m a little surprised the pirates didn’t disarm her when they took her captive!

I have one more action figure from the collection, and will share that in my next post, with some other members of his skeletal crew, so please stop back.

To read more about Nick’s amazing Disney collectibles and his many Disney adventures, visit the Disney Musings Blog (where this article first appeared).  You can follow Nick on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Pinterest.  You can also listen to Nick, our friend Dave, and me on The Disney Exchange Podcast where we talk about our love for all things Disney – new episodes every Sunday morning.

WDW Attractions – Best Lead Up

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RM-Haunted-Mansion-Exterior2We’ve talked about queues, we’ve talked about favorites and today it’s time to talk about the best attractions for attention-grabbing from afar – the one’s with real curb appeal, if you will.  With some of the very best rides, it’s all about the lead up!

Some attraction exteriors offer absolutely no clue what to expect (think Soarin’, Country Bears, Space Mountain), but some attractions draw you in from far away – the theme, the park setting – long before you step into the queue, you know you’re about to experience something extraordinary!  I’m going to talk about just five today – go ahead and leave a comment if your favorite gets left out – I’ll do a “part 2” in the future!

WDW Attractions – Best Lead Up

  1.  Haunted MansionRM-Haunted-Mansion-GraveyardFrom WAY far away, the draw to Haunted Mansion is incredible!  It looks exactly the way you hope it will – Grand yet a bit sinister.  You can immediately tell the Mansion holds room after room to explore – haunted corridors, ballrooms, attic and much more!  RM-Haunted-Mansion-ExteriorThe minute you see it, you know it’s going to be the perfect combination of scary and fun!
  2. Big Thunder Mountain RailroadThe Red Rock of Big Thunder MountainThe train flies along the track – you can see the passengers raise their hands, you can hear them screaming in delight, but that’s not the primary draw.  In Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, the whole landscape of Big Thunder that makes you eager to get inside that mountain – so out of place with the surrounding Florida palm trees and lush tropical plants.  Big Thunder Mountain is a wasteland of epic proportions and the details are mesmerizing!  Best of all, the queue at this mountain is top notch.
  3. Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorDisney's Hollywood Studios Tower of TerrorIt looks elegant and disheveled, classic but unique – first impressions are everything here in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Strolling down Sunset Boulevard, you can’t help but notice the tower’s façade and how it stands out.  Walk a little farther, and you’ll notice something else – the SCREAMING!  The sound will draw your eyes closer to the tower where in an upstairs window, you’ll see motion, but little else.  If you’re a thrill ride junkie, this is the ride for you!
  4. Rock’n’ Roller CoasterRock'n'-Roller-Coaster-GuitarThe location actually hurts this attraction because Tower of Terror tends to steal Rock’n’ Roller Coaster’s thunder.  You have to turn left at the very end of Sunset Boulevard to even notice the upside down Cadillac let alone the gigantic guitar, but once you see the setting, you know that for music fans and coaster addicts alike will find this the place to be!
  5. Expedition EverestRM-Expedition-Everest-ApproachIn Animal Kingdom, you can be far from Everest and still be drawn in.  Call me biased, but there’s a reason this is my favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World and one of the main reasons is that from the moment you see the mountain in the distance, you can’t help but want to be a part of its magic.  “Forbidden Mountain” is like a double-dog dare to those of us who love an amazing coaster – every single detail is beyond perfect!  Hands down, Expedition Everest has the best draw from afar of any attraction in the World.

Is your favorite “love at first sight” attraction missing from this list?  Which Walt Disney World rides grab you from afar and draw you in?Expedition Everest

Disneyland Vacationland Guide – Summer 1970

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Before the Disney Vacation DVD, there was the Vacationland Guide!  Ah, the 1970’s – such a unique decade full of great music and cringe-worthy fashion…I remember it well.  Today Nick is sharing with us some of the ’70’s treasures his Aunt Sandy gave him from her Disney vacations.

Disneyland Vacationland Guide – Summer 1970

By Nick

Aunt Sandy comes through once again, finding me some more of her great Disney ephemera from her past vacations.
This is a Disneyland Vacationland booklet from Summer of 1970. This magazine was “published three times yearly by Walt Disney Productions, Disneyland Division”

Our inside cover, interestingly, opens with a Dolly Madison ad, featuring the Peanuts Gang.

This is Volume 14, No. 2 of this publication.

Next is a look at Tom Sawyer Island, told from the perspective of an adventure seeking, and very imaginative young man.

“Disney on Parade” was an arena show that toured the United States and Canada from 1969 to 1973.

A too short look at one of my favorite attractions, The Haunted Mansion, and a United Airlines ad.

A nice montage of Disneyland photos for the center-spread.

 

A look at the clock on the facade of It’s a Small World, with a cute, if not very well illustrated, look at time through, er, time.

Fun events coming to Disneyland for it’s 15th Anniversary, including “Show Me America”, a 45 minute musical tour of the United States that appeared on the Tomorrowland Stage.

A few pages of ads.
 

A page showcases other attractions in the Orange County area.

 

And more ads.

 

The last page is an ad for Disneyland. Wait, what, it’s for Knott’s Berry Farm and Ghost Town?!

I also received some other great stuff, such as this brochure for “Show Me America”, and other fun Summer activities throughout Disneyland.

Finally, we have another Disney Guide and ticket book.

 

Were you around in the ’70’s?  Do you have any Disney vacation memories from that time?  What stands out in your mind from way back then?

To read more about Nick’s amazing Disney collectibles and his many Disney adventures, visit the Disney Musings Blog (where this article first appeared).  You can follow Nick on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Pinterest.  You can also listen to Nick, our friend Dave, and me on The Disney Exchange Podcast where we talk about our love for all things Disney – new episodes every Sunday morning.

Disney World Dining – 5 Great Lunch Spots

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Twilight-Zone-Tower-of-TerrorThere’s a lot to be said for a sit-down lunch on a Disney World vacation.  Especially during the hot summer months – a table service meal provides an excellent break from the scorching sun and high humidity.  It gives you time to rest, re-hydrate, cool off, and re-energize so you can get back to park touring action!  Sometimes a restaurant’s lunch menu is less expensive than their dinner menu, making this strategy a money-saving one as well.  While there are many (MANY!) restaurants on our favorites list, today I’d like to recommend a few we particularly love for a mid-day break…

Disney World Dining – 5 Great Lunch Spots

Magic Kingdom Area – When it’s hot, I want to eat outside the park.  A short (and wonderfully cool and scenic) boat ride away is the Wilderness Lodge’s Whispering Canyon Café.  What we like about this restaurant is the no-frills but tasty menu and the casual, relaxing atmosphere.  Keep the fun going with an eatery that’s packed with great Disney service and a few hilarious antics.  Check out the menu here.Whispering-Canyon-Burger

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – The Hollywood Brown Derby is right in the middle of the action, but makes you feel miles away.  The inside dining room provides a beautiful, old-Hollywood setting, but the outdoor patio lounge is our favorite (menu).  With shaded tables and an interesting menu (offering plenty of light options on a hot day) – we love grabbing a late lunch or happy hour snack here.RM-Brown-Derby-Patio

Animal Kingdom – I’m a big fan of lunch on the go in this park during the not-so-summery months of the year, but when the weather is at its hottest, I want to escape the heat inside the Yak & Yeti’s dining room.  Like everything and everywhere else in Animal Kingdom, Yak & Yeti is elaborately themed.  The menu is great and it’s easy to find something refreshing and not too heavy on a hot day.

Epcot – The choices are overwhelming!  I would love to say it’s an easy decision, but I’d be lying.  My absolute favorite thing about needing to eat lunch in Epcot is the opportunity to dine around the World (Showcase).  Most of the time, we opt for sharing counter-service meals so we try food from several different countries.  When we want a light lunch on a hot day, though, it’s hard to beat Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in the Italy Pavilion.  Tutto Gusto in Epcot's ItalyThe high top tables and wine cellar atmosphere are great and the food and beverage options even better!  We like to share a couple of small plates of Italian meats and cheeses then enjoy an entrée of pasta or a panini.  The servers are always happy to help with wine selection if you aren’t up on your Italian labels.Morimoto-Asia-Dining-Room

Disney Springs – Now this is a great place for a cool, relaxing mid-day break…and the choices are awesome!  I could recommend several excellent options for a fabulous dining experience, but I’ll narrow it down to one great restaurant – Morimoto Asia.  What we love about Morimoto’s is the perfect combination of tranquil atmosphere and excellent food (share some spareribs – they’re amazing!).  Morimoto-Asia-Spare-RibsThis place may be a little pricier than the other options I’ve listed, but the experience and service are worth a bit extra to me.  The menu is extensive and a meal here is the kind of experience that can’t be rushed, so set aside a couple of hours and just relax!

Do you like a sit-down lunch at Walt Disney World?  What’s your favorite place to eat on a hot day?