Disney World Stuff I’m Never Going to Like

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Being a serious Disney fan does not mean you have to automatically love each and every aspect of all things Disney.  I can (and often do) wax poetic about Walt Disney World and why it’s my favorite vacation destination, but that doesn’t mean I’m unaware of the existence of some things I don’t care for.  There aren’t many, really, only a handful.  Some of you will be huge fans of some of the items on this list and most likely will find fault with some of my favorite things in return.  For the sake of discussion, though, I invite you to consider what tops your own list of…

Disney World Stuff I’m Never Going to Like

Remember when I made this list of attractions I could live without?  Well, consider this sort of an addendum to that first look at this other side of Disney World fandom.Scan-Magic-Band-to-Board-Disney's-Magical-Express

Magic Bands should know more – I’m not going to lie here – I am crazy about the ease and convenience of Magic Bands when they work properly.  Hello!  Room key, park ticket, FastPass, charging feature – all are fabulous to me.  Now I want them to know I’m all of the following:  Annual Passholder, DVC member, and Tables in Wonderland user.  How can this not be working already?  I hate to think that Disney wouldn’t automatically want to apply appropriate discounts by maybe hoping we’ll forget we’re eligible? If attractions like It’s a Small World can know my name by my Magic Band, when I scan my band at a checkout counter, it should know I’m due a discount.Winnie-the-Pooh-attraction-sign

Mr. Toad is living on the West Coast – I finally forgave poor Winnie the Pooh for taking over the real estate and I refuse to be a perpetual whiner about this, but I will freely admit I miss Toad and his darkest of dark rides.  I’m seriously working out a plan to visit him in California in the not too distant future.Pineapple Dole Whip

I wanted to like Dole Whips but I don’t – Again, no secret here.  Bazillions of people adore these pineappley (made that up) frozen treats.  I wanted to belong…I wanted to be one of those uber-fans.  Alas (if ever there were an opportunity to say “alas” this is it!), it was not meant to be.  On the bright side, turns out I’m a Citrus Swirl Girl!!!!  And that makes me happy.Epcot in Summer

Future World in 2016 – If you never knew what it once was, you could kinda overlook what it is today…but I do remember and I long for a much more meaningful, interactive, edutainment-filled Future World.  WHY can we not have this again?  Oh, I know…Disney’s spread thin right now with so many projects over in Animal Kingdom and the Studios.  Which brings me to the next item on the list…RM-Animal-Kingdom-Construction-Walls

The Castle Crane and Construction Walls – The crane (affectionately referred to by many, including myself, as Frasier) is a necessary evil when the Christmas lights go on and come back off of Cinderella Castle.  I’m always a little heartbroken for first-timers who cannot get a crane-free Castle photo.  I know the why, but I don’t have to like it.  Likewise with construction walls.  They’re inevitable for progress to take place and sometimes, those clever Imagineers make the walls a bit entertaining…but they obstruct, impede, and diminish.  I’m never going to like them, but accept their necessity and am excited by all the new attractions I’ll get to enjoy.RM-Magic-Kingdom-Autumn

Reduction of Extra Magic Hours – If you haven’t noticed, there are fewer Extra Magic Hours than there used to be.  We’ve always been fans of the morning variety (our kids love late night EMHs) and can’t help feeling a little bit gypped by this once so useful perk being reduced.  Having been touted for many years as a real advantage of staying on property at Walt Disney World, the reduction in quantity of Extra Magic Hours strikes me as Extra Unfortunate for those of us who purchased our Disney Vacation Club memberships, in part, based on this early entry (or late night) advantage.

I know I’ve told readers not to whine at Walt Disney World, but I will be the first to give you permission to NOT love absolutely everything.  What tops your list of things you’re never going to like?

 

 

Pirates! Skeleton Crew Figures

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Pirates!  Skeleton Crew Figures 

By Nick

In my last post I shared a few Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean Action Figures. I have one more to share from that line, and some more skeletal pirates in Vinylmation form.

To me, one of the most memorable portions of Pirates of the Caribbean, the Walt Disney World version, (yes, there is a difference between the WDW and Disneyland versions) is the Helmsman.

The Helmsman’s accessories include an anchor, a cutlass, a lantern and a knife.

I really love the detailing on these figures.

He stands 7 inches, or 17.78 centimeters, tall.
Vinylmation Parks #5 Series also has a Pirates Helmsman.
I don’t really think it resembles the figure above, very much. Or at all.

By Maria Clapsis.

The ever popular Helmsman makes a return appearance once again in the Pirates of the Caribbean Vinylmation Series, this time with some mates.

Left to right, we have the Skeleton Helmsman, the Skeleton Captain, and the Blue Bandana Skeleton.

This series is by Casey Jones.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your look at the pirates, me mateys, please come back aboard soon!

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.

Adventureland – Five Great Things

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Sunshine-Tree-TerraceIt’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.RM-Jungle-Cruise-Skipper

  1. 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 Sign
  2. 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.RM-Adventureland-Shield
  3. 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.Pirates of the Caribbean Ride
  4. 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.Aloha Isle - Home of the Dole Whip
  5. 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!Citrus-SwirlI 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.Tiki-Room-Birds

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney World Attractions For Mature People

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Kona-Coffee-To-GoWhen 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

RM-Mickey's-PhilharMagic

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. RM-PeopleMover-Cruising

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!)RM-Carousel-of-Progress-Dad

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.Epcot-Manatee-at-Surface

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.Epcot's World Showcase

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

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.Gorilla at Animal Kingdom WDW

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.Rhino on Kilimanjaro Safari

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?

If I haven’t told you lately…thanks so much for visiting my blog.  I’d love to interact with you over on Facebook too!