Adventureland – Five Great Things

Posted on May 27, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

It’s been a while since we’ve featured a land here! Today’s tribute is to Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland – There’s lots to love about this particular area. In such a small, compact space, there’s so much to see, do, and taste. Today I’ll focus on the very best this land has to offer.

Adventureland – Five Great Things

Bordered by Main Street U.S.A. and Frontierland, Adventureland is a completely unique experience. Where Main Street takes you back to a simpler life in small town America and Frontierland brings guests the thrills and excitement of the untamed Wild West, Adventureland captures all that is incredible about exploring the exotic and undiscovered.

Ridiculous yet classically perfect puns – If you don’t absolutely love Jungle Cruise, at least you’ll admit that as far as “the lowest form of humor” goes, this attraction is amazingly entertaining! We’re a family of pun-loving people and Jungle Cruise never ceases to delight – especially when our skipper has excellent timing. It’s an art, people, and should be appreciated as such. This attraction is a must-do for no other reason than seeing the backside of water!
Skipper Canteen (officially The Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen) – The spirit of this very new table service eatery is what makes it awesome. The premise of the Jungle Cruise Skippers having to make ends meet by waiting tables is clever, the atmosphere perfectly reflects the Adventureland setting, and the menu has heart even though rumor has it, the offerings are currently being overhauled for more main-stream appeal. Magic Kingdom needs more table service choices, so I’m really pulling for this place’s future success.
Background Music – Setting the mood with upbeat, perky tunes, the Adventureland soundtrack may often be overlooked, but is integral to making sure the land’s experience is fully immersive. Want to hear what I’m talking about? Check it out here.
We Wants the Redhead! So many small components make up the whole of Pirates of the Caribbean. Classic Disney meets modern movie magic and the combination is irresistible. Sure, purists grumble about the updates and recent changes, but this attraction is nothing short of the perfect example of the best of what Walt Disney World has to offer. Boat ride / dark ride, scene after scene, animatronics and special effects galore – if you can’t find something to love here, you should spend your vacation dollars elsewhere and leave more room for the rest of us.
Cold, Tropical Snacks – Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace (recently these two switched places) are among the most popular snack stops in Magic Kingdom. Need a world-famous Dole Whip? Belly up to the counter at Aloha Isle and enjoy! Want a cool, refreshing Citrus Swirl? Stop by the Sunshine Tree Terrace (home of Orang Bird!). Two iconic Disney snacks – both in the heart of Adventureland!I know I said five, but I feel bad not even mentioning the Enchanted Tiki Room. Now that they’re back to their original form (no longer “under new management”), I love to try to fit them in our touring plans on hot, crowded afternoons. Kicking it old school, the birds, flowers, and Tiki guys are as much a part of Adventureland’s magic as anything else I’ve mentioned.

Are you an Adventureland fan? What do you think makes this part of Magic Kingdom Special?

Disney World Attractions For Mature People

Posted on May 26, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

When I say “mature people” it’s my nice way of saying older-and-slowing-down people. Like me. Raymond and I have reached the age where we don’t have to keep up with our kids or make concessions for nap times (that aren’t our own). We can do what we want, when we want to and now that we’ve arrived at this part of our lives, we find we do want to slow down and take it easy. Where Disney vacations were once about seeing and doing as much as humanly possible for 15+ hours a day, we’ve earned this time of soaking in the little details, meandering, leisurely exploring, going to bed early and sometimes getting a late start on the day.

Don’t get me wrong – we are thrill ride junkies and book FastPasses for our favorites. Today’s list is more about the attractions we enjoy when we’re between FastPasses or have an unscheduled half-day for going with the flow.

Disney World Attractions For Mature People

Mickey’s PhilharMagic – It’s a fantastic show. Plus the queue’s short and indoors where it’s nice and cool. All our favorite Disney songs, a 3D movie, smell-a-vision and a comfy seat. Yup, this one’s a perennial favorite.

The PeopleMover – So underappreciated by young whippersnappers! This thing’s the bombdiggety. Sure, it’s outdoors, but there’s no ride in the World more relaxing to me than this gem of an Omni-mover taking me on a Tomorrowland tour. No thrills, no water, no animatronics, no worries. (BTW – The tunnel-of-love aspect should not be ignored!)

Carrousel of Progress – An attraction as old as I am! The awesome theme song and the unforgettable moments through American history make this classic…well, classic. Campy? Cheesy? That may be your opinion. I think it’s perfect.

The Seas With Nemo and Friends – No, I’m not talking about the ride, but the Seas pavilion itself – although there is something to be said for a nice relaxing ride in a clam-mobile. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Epcot’s manatees and their home in the Seas. Indoors with multi-level viewing areas, this Future World pavilion is a great place to chill during a hot summer afternoon and soak up the surroundings.

World Showcase Shops – Maybe not an “attraction” in the strictest sense, but a very fun way to spend an afternoon. I don’t care if we start in Canada or Mexico, wandering through the pavilions’ shops never fails to delight. Even if I don’t buy anything (oh, who am I kidding…I always buy something!), the shops are interesting and the Cast Members, if not too busy, are full of awesome information about each country along the way.

The Great Movie Ride – While parts of this kill me (Tarzan, I’m talking to you!) with their need for an update, I enjoy the experience.

Pangani Forrest Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek – Sure, during the warmer months the entirety of Animal Kingdom is almost unbearably hot, but these two trails are irresistible to me! So much to see and if we go when we’re not pressed for time, the experience is so much better! To get the most of both the Pangani Forrest and Maharajah Jungle, you need to have plenty of time and patience.

Kilimanjaro Safari – I’m crazy stupid on this attraction no matter how many times I experience it. Every. Single. Time. I take a bajillion pictures and am captivated by each and every animal we encounter. Added bonus – I can rest my feet from walking the trails.

How about YOU? Have you reached the older-and-slowing-down people phase yet? Which attractions do you love the most for their relaxation factor?

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Random Thoughts – Spaceship Earth

Posted on May 23, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Every fan of Spaceship Earth has their favorite parts of the attraction. What I want to know is if I’m the only one who has the same pattern of random thoughts every time I journey through the past, present, and future of communication technology. Seriously – it’s like my own little internal dialogue has become tradition for every Disney World vacation. If I’m alone and this is weird…hmmmm…I’m okay with that. Surely you’ve thought at least a couple of these thoughts at least once though, right?

Random Thoughts – Spaceship Earth

How cool would it be to listen to this thing in a different language! I’m gonna pick something new. How about….English. I might miss my favorite “Thank the Phoenicians” if I don’t hear the narration in English. Would it still be Dame Judy in another language? If not, I’d miss her too.
Why are the cavemen and wooly mammoths so dark? I can barely see them. I want to see them better. This part’s a disappointment…I wish there were an animatronic mammoth!
Papyrus pounding guy! I love you! You are working so hard every time I see you.
Ahhhh….the smell of Rome burning. Wait. I should feel bad about liking this smell. I mean, Rome! Oh, NO! How devastating!
Garlic hats! How did that even become a thing? How much do those weigh? I wonder what they’d look like with Mickey ears on them?
Painting laying down like that must be really hard!
Why is that paperboy facing away from us? He’s selling papers over there in the corner to nobody. Why can’t we see him? Has he been disfigured in some way and now hides in the corner? What is up with that?
That family watching the lunar landing. Hey, look! There’s Mousetrap! I love that game.
1970’s fashion. Ohhhhhhh….so unfortunate.
Yay! The going down backwards part. This is so relaxing. Is it hot in here or is it just me? Look at all those mirrors…you can see forever.
We are such dorks. Wait, that outfit makes me look super skinny though!
Look we have a dog! I miss Junior.

Do you have random thoughts on Space Ship Earth? What’s your favorite part?

WDW Attractions – Best Lead Up

Posted on May 20, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

We’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

Haunted MansionFrom 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! The minute you see it, you know it’s going to be the perfect combination of scary and fun!
Big Thunder Mountain RailroadThe 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.
Twilight Zone 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!
Rock’n’ Roller CoasterThe 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!
Expedition EverestIn 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.