Jingle Cruise – Adventure Awaits

Posted on November 17, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Of all the magical, wonderful details found at Walt Disney World during the holiday season, none tickle me quite as much as the Jingle Cruise in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland. All of my favorite punny jokes and adventures along the jungle waterways of the world with a holiday overlay! What could be better?

Jingle Cruise – Adventure Awaits

Intentionally homemade. The idea that the skippers and dock workers pitched in to make their far-from-civilization locale feel more like home for the holidays is completely endearing and makes each detail, large and small, adorable.

From the attraction’s signs to the names of the boats, the animals, natives, and more – the holiday additions are everywhere! I can’t catch all of the details on a single ride, so if I can arrange it, I’ll ride the Jingle Cruise more than once. If time allows, I’ll use a FastPass for one ride and wait in the standby line for the other.

The holiday overlay begins outside and continues throughout the queue and ride – so be ready to pay close attention and not miss out on anything! If you’re in a large group, challenge each other to find every detail. As with other Disney attractions, you’ll want to look up, look down, and look all around – magical surprises are sometimes in unexpected places! If you’re already a fan of the Jungle Cruise, you’ll love the holiday version. If the Jungle Cruise isn’t usually your thing, consider giving the Jingle Cruise a try if for no other reason than it’s the only attraction at Walt Disney World with a holiday overlay and it’s clever and fun (and cheesy)!

If you’re planning a visit to Walt Disney World during the holiday season, add Jingle Cruise to your must-do list!

If you’ve already sailed on a Jingle Cruise…did you love it? What was your favorite part? What other attractions would you like to see get a touch of holiday magic?

Happy (Disney) World Elephant Day!

Posted on August 12, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Who doesn’t love elephants?!? I’m a huge pachyderm fan myself and my favorites, the most lovable elephants around, can be found at Walt Disney World.

Happy (Disney) World Elephant Day!

photo credit: Nicholas Maglio

Dumbo! Has a cuter elephant ever been imagined? I think not! While I can’t say I’m a fan of the ride in Fantasyland (I did try to ride it once), I can wholeheartedly claim a love for Dumbo that stretches all the way back to the 1960’s. That’s a long time! Dumbo even holds a place of honor on our Disney Christmas tree.

The Jungle Cruise Gang – What bunch of good looking elephants. Old and young, fierce and adorable – these guys (and the Skipper’s commentary) make this a must-do ride for me. I love the babies the best and if Disney ever makes a statue of this one… I will buy it at once for my home!

“And look at all the elephants out here today! This comes as a complete surprise to me cause I had no idea these guys were going to be here. If you want to take pictures go ahead- all the elephants have their trunks on.” – Jungle Cruise Skipper Animal Kingdom’s African Elephants – Nobody I know loves Kilimanjaro Safaris more than I do! I’m crazy about seeing all the animals, but the elephants are the icing on the zebra dome to me. It’s simply awesome to see Animal Kingdom’s African elephants in person and I’m fascinated by the care they receive from their food to foot-care to enrichment activities provided by the staff. You can find more information about these gorgeous animals here.

Honorable Mention (not at WDW) – DCL Towel Elephant – One of the best stateroom perks on Disney Cruise Line is the way your Stateroom Host leaves you chocolates, Personal Navigators (itineraries for the next day), and towel animals!

Which Disney elephants are your favorites? Happy World Elephant Day, Disney Friends!!!

Disney World Favorite Random Details

Posted on June 9, 2016 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

You know that expression (attributed to Aristotle), “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”? To me, that saying is never more true than when applied Walt Disney World. There are incredible components from the tiniest magical detail (like peanut shell impressions in cement) to the enormity of a single attraction like Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom) or Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) – add them together and the whole is more – so much more! That, I believe, is what makes Disney World infinitely more than a gathering of some hotels and theme parks – those millions of parts combine to make a destination like no other in the world.

Disney World Favorite Random Details

Let’s talk about a few of the parts that make up the wonderful whole of Disney World. Remember the other day when I talked about the things I think about while riding Spaceship Earth? This is sorta like that only these random favorites were chosen from the World at large based on my vacation history – small treasures gathered through the years that add to the happiest memories and keep our family coming back for more as often as we can!

Bouncy off-ramp – Have you ever noticed the exit ramp for Space Mountain’s extreme bounciness? No? Next time you leave the ride and you’re riding the conveyor belt, bounce a little bit on it. Seriously! It’s hilarious and fun and if you see me on those screens that show live video of guests leaving the ride, I’m the woman-of-a-certain-age jumping up and down. Every time.

Breaking plates – Is it just me or is the sound and feel of breaking plates on Toy Story Midway Mania ridiculously satisfying. Clearly this says something about my psyche, but that is what I love most about this attraction. So forbidden yet satisfying. Clearly I need help.

Yeti – it’s real! – Abominable snowmen…mythical creatures or not? Doesn’t matter! The queue for Expedition Everest has me 100% convinced the Yeti exists. I always wish there were a way I could take as much time as I wanted to see every single item in that Yeti museum and outfitter shop. If the line’s being held up by someone, it’s probably me! The footprint casts are my absolute favorite. If you’re too scared to ride this attraction – do not miss the queue!

Bathing beauties – I don’t get in line for Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) thinking about those elephants in the water hole. The moment I see that one happy baby pachyderm though…instant happiness! He’s just the epitome of cute. Every time I see him, I wish I could buy him in lawn-ornament form to take home.

The first bite of a Mickey Bar – There are so many beloved snacks at Walt Disney World, but one stands out as my favorite for the thrill of the first bite. Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar – soft and creamy vanilla ice cream encased by a smooth, hard chocolate shell, shaped like Mickey Mouse. I peel the wrapper off carefully, clutch that thin wooden stick and savor the moment when cool chocolate gives way in an audible crunch and my teeth sink into that sweet ice cream. After that there’s no time to savor anything else since I’ve got to eat that puppy in record speed before it melts all over my hands and clothes!

Singing ‘Possums – You know the ones, don’t you? On Splash Mountain – there are so many animals and adorable details to take in, it’s hard to see everything. I look all around and enjoy the experience until our log floats us under those ‘possums, then I only have eyes for them and their extreme adorableness.

What about you? What random details are your favorites at Walt Disney World?

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.