Epcot’s Japan Pavilion – 5 Great Things to Enjoy

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IMG_2971Epcot’s World Showcase!  The opportunity to visit 10 foreign countries without leaving Disney World and you don’t need a passport.  Circling the World Showcase Lagoon, each country’s pavilion holds wonderful surprises, beautiful details, and educational opportunities for all ages.

Nestled serenely between The American Adventure and the Moroccan Pavilion, is Japan.  A tidy cluster of buildings surrounding a central courtyard, the Japanese Pavilion offers visitors unique shopping and dining experiences (among my most favorite in the World) and opportunities to be entertained by unique Japanese demonstrations.

If you haven’t yet taken advantage of all there is to see and do in Epcot’s Japan – here are 5 IMG_0936reasons to go:

1.  Mitsukoshi Department Store – this place is awesome and HUGE!  The building’s outside is a replica of sections of Japan’s Imperial Palace, but the inside is an incredible, modern store packed with a stunning array of Japanese items – toys, books, clothing, games, swords and knives, kitchen items (sushi-making supplies!), pick-a-pearl (you select the oyster and a Japanese Cast Member will open it and retrieve your treasure), and much more.  Do take time to visit this place – it’s amazing!  Joseph once bought an gorgeous Japanese sword there and had it shipped home – service was perfect, sword arrived safe and sound.

IMG_20052.  The Food (and Beverage).  Three dining options, all delicious – chopsticks optional!

  • Teppan Edo offers guests hibachi-cooked meals where your meal’s preparation is as entertaining to watch as it is tasty to eat.  Beef, chicken, seafood (alone or as part of a combination) are served with fresh vegitables and rice.
  • Tokyo Dining – if you enjoy tempura or sushi, this is the place.  Diners enjoy traditional Japanese fare in a classy, modern setting.
  • Katsura Grill is a quick / counter service option offering a wide variety of Japanese dishes.  Dine inside our enjoy the gardens in the beautiful outdoor seating area.

3.  The Japanese Art Display in Bijutsu-kan Gallery – Learn how Japan’s cultural history gave rise to some of today’s most popular cartoon and video game characters.

4.  The Entertainment

  • Matsuriza is an impressive show featuring taiko – a form of drumming.  I’ve only seen (heard?) this one from a distance – it absolutely merits a closer look / listen.
  • Miyuki – Displaying her skills since 1996, Miyuki’s demonstration involves making artwork out of a piece of rice candy – the candy starts off as a soft ball which hardens as Miyuki forms it into a fanciful masterpiece.  I’ve seen this up close – prepare to be amazed!

5.  Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.  Pick up your “Interactive Evil Detection Device” calledIMG_0937 F.O.N.E. (Field Operative Notification Equipment) at one of three different Epcot locations and get busy on your mission.  Join Agent P as you receive clues you must solve to foil the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz.  Your mission will lead you through several different countries (7 possible) as you stamp out evil and save the world!  Complete details here.

If you’ve overlooked the Japan Pavilion on a previous visit to Epcot or you’re headed to Disney World for the first time, be sure to slow down for a few minutes and appreciate all this incredible spot along the World Showcase has to offer.

Disney World – Perry’s Big Adventure

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DSCN2499If you’ve been here at all over the past three days, you read my thoughts and experience (so far) with Disney’s MyMagic+.  Well, all that serious blogging put me in the mood for some FUN!

So today’s post is simply about how having fun on a Disney vacation can take many different forms and sometimes, Disney surprises you by unexpectedly helping you take fun to a whole new level.

Cue Flashback Sequence….. IMG_0731

Back in May of 2012, my very good best friend Phyllis (as Forrest Gump would say) was wishing me a happy vacation the day before The Fam and I (and our friends Jason and Ashli) were headed to Disney World.  Phyllis’s last words to me were – “Bring me something”.  I knew she was just kidding, but Phyllis and I have been friends for more than 20 years…I would bring her something very special!  Hmmmm – what would Phyllis like?  A pin, maybe.  I could get her a tee-shirt or perhaps something Disney for her kitchen.  Suddenly, I had an idea!  Phyllis would be back at the office, working away over the old grindstone so to speak, while I was foot-loose and fancy-free at the Happiest Place on Earth.  I would indeed bring Phyllis a souvenir of our trip – if she couldn’t go to Disney, I would bring Disney to her.

IMG_0778As soon as we arrived at Disney World, I carefully made my choice – something or someone, I should say, that would be easy to carry – and by carry, I mean literally carry with me everywhere we went.  I chose Perry the Platypus as the co-conspirator for my plan (the whole espionage, Agent P angle was perfect).  Now the fun began.  It started slowly at first and grew.  I began texting Phyllis a few pictures of Perry enjoying his Disney World vacation along with commentary about Perry’s day at the parks.  Then Perry started meeting people, riding rides, enjoying great food and beverages.  Yes, Perry was having the time of his life and we texted every moment to Phyllis!

Once we got home, I gave Perry to Phyllis and told her that I’d had more fun than I could ever IMG_0732imagine involving a vacation souvenir.  Every member of our traveling party participated in the fun as did Cast Members, Characters, and even random strangers – like the nice folks from Texas in Epcot that were celebrating their recent graduation.  I thought I was being so clever and funny – but in that special, yes, magical way Disney World has – the whole idea turned into something bigger and better for me because of how everyone we met was so willing to play along. I’ll leave you with a few of Perry’s more memorable moments….

IMG_0824IMG_0743IMG_0786FotorPerry01.11.14 FotorPerryB01.11.14 FotorPerryC01.11.14FotorPerryD01.11.14

Disney’s MyMagic+ Magic Bands or Tragic Bands?

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Note:  This is Part 3 of a 3-part series on Disney’s MyMagic+.  Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here.

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Photo Credit – Nicholas Maglio

Let’s talk Magic Bands!  Seriously, forget the whole RFID controversy (invasion of privacy, Disney is “Big Brother” tracking you, blah, blah, blah).  These babies are COOL!  I am in awe of the technology.  Dick- Tracy-esque wrist-wear that magically acts as your resort room door key, credit card, park ticket, photo-gatherer, and Fast Pass all at the same time!  C’mon!  That’s pretty darned awesome.  The POWER of that one little colored wrist-band…Bwwwahhahahhaha (maniacal laugh).

So, in Part 1 we talked about the My Disney Experience App and its components.  I mentioned the app will keep up with resort reservations, Fast Pass+, dining reservations and linked members of your traveling party – that information will be stored, along with an optional credit card number (for charging privileges at Disney World stores and restaurants), on your Magic Band.  Touch-to-pay sounds like so much fun!  I will be first to raise my hand and admit it may indeed cause me to spend more than intended.  (Raymond – keep an eye on my wrist and don’t let me put us in the poorhouse!)

magic bands group 2

Photo Credit – Meg Mayo Lucas

Made of durable plastic, these waterproof bands could theoretically be put on and kept on for the duration of your vacation.  Magic Bands easily adjust for little-one’s arms (the outside of the band peels off, revealing a smaller version) and are made to last!  They could even be used for multiple trips over a two-year time period (that’s how long the battery is supposed to last)….but you don’t have to worry about keeping up with them once you get home – Disney will send you new Magic Bands for every trip.  Bands come in different colors and, for a price, can be accessorized with official Disney trinkets (buy them at Disney World – pay with your Magic Band!).

On the My Disney Experience site, personalize your Magic Bands – pick a color and name you’d like imprinted on the band.  Available colors are gray, red, yellow, green, blue, pink and orange.

magic bands group

Photo Credit – Stephanie Demmler

My friends Nick and Barbie recently took a trip to Disney World and a good write-up of their experience can be found here.  A good article on Magic Bands and  Memory Maker photos can be found here.  FYI – Memory Maker is a package of digital pictures taken by Disney park photographers at your request and also automatically on many rides.  These photos will be “stored” for you via Magic Band – available for purchase while at Disney World or online before or after your vacation.  Details here – save $50 by purchasing in advance of your trip.

Why all the hullabaloo?  Various problems with almost every component of this new Disney vacation “system” have been reported on blogs, twitter, discussion boards, etc.  DO NOT be afraid.  I believe that the people having great experiences are just not reporting it – after all, great experiences are what Disney is known for and many people sort of take it for granted.  Disney is going to great lengths to make this work.

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Photo Credit – Nicholas Maglio

NOTE:  If you have a large family or group of friends from different households traveling together, the most important thing is to get everyone linked up in the system correctly before you leave for vacation – call Disney for help if you can’t get it just right online.

ANOTHER NOTE:  Disney World has installed charging stations (so you can keep that smartphone working) all over the place.  A good article on Magic Kingdom charging availability can be found here.

In spite of complaints (let’s be honest – the negative stuff gets the most attention from the change-resistant), I’m super excited about trying this out for myself on the trips we have booked in 2014.  Remember – change is difficult and most people don’t care for it – some will blame the “change” for every negative thing that happens.  Be patient…..and excited!  You are going to Disney World!!

I would love to hear your comments, questions and feedback on MyMagic+.  I’ll do my best to direct you to the correct answers / information.

Disney’s MyMagic+ – Part 2 – The Box

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Note:  This is part 2 in a 3 part series.  Part 1 is here.

IMG_2480Right now, when you make your first Disney World reservation under the My Disney Experience / MyMagic+ system (either on your own or through your favorite travel agent), you will receive a nifty package in the mail – a pretty big box for what it contains.  Inside the box you will find an Incredibles-themed multi-media extavaganza to help you adjust to the MyMagic+ vacation experience.  And every member of the Incredibles family is pictured wearing a Magic Band!

The box contains a flash-drive, information cards, and a booklet.  Of particular interest was the card that says, “As an upcoming Disney Resort hotel Guest, you can take part in a new dimension of magic at Walt Disney World Resort.  It’s called MyMagic+ and it makes the entire experience yours like never before.  This is an exciting time and we hope you’ll pardon our “pixie dust” as we make the adjustments that come with any new IMG_2528experience.  The enclosed booklet not only includes great information on your upcoming trip but details on how to make the very most of MyMagic+, too.”  Intentional on Disney’s part or not, this card gave me a bad feeling about what kinds of systems glitches may be going on out there.

The booklet again – just like the videos and website – explains MyMagic+, Magic Bands, FastPass+, and My Disney Experience.  Basically – however you’d like to learn about how you will now vacation at Disney World be it on paper, via video on your PC, at the website or on your smartphone the information is given to you in every possible form save billboard!  At the very back of the booklet there is even a removable magnet – Dumbo! (an elephant never forgets) – with reminders for your trip – the date you can begin making dining reservations, the date you can begin selecting Fast Pass+ attractions and the date to begin online check-in.  Darn you stainless steel refrigerator!

Insert flash drive now.  Remember yesterday in Part 1 I mentioned that at the My Disney IMG_2484Experience website you could watch a movie starring Edna Mode that helps explain how to use the MDE resources?  Well, the flash drive shows you a different movie (also starring Edna) that focuses more on Magic Bands and how all of the MyMagic+ elements will work together once you arrive at Disney World.  The initial screen says there’s a “special message” parts one and two.  I could never get to part two and after watching the first video – it would not let me see it a second time.  Raymond used the flash drive first and never saw either “message” – it just took him straight to the website.  Not sure what the deal is with that.

Other than the video, the purpose of the flash drive is to show you how to use the web site.  If IMG_2482you’re like us and you’ve already found the site and app, the flash drive is unnecessary, but still a pretty cool prize to receive in the mail since it gets you excited about your trip.

If you’re still with me after parts 1 and 2, tomorrow we’ll talk Magic Bands!