Tag Archives: Liberty Square

Disney World – Cruisin’ on the Liberty Belle

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RM-Liberty-Belle-View-on-Deck You can see her and hear her and, let’s be completely honest, avoid her for the undeniable yawn potential, but the Liberty Belle is an iconic and important part of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  Let’s give her a little love today, hmm?

As you walk between Liberty Square and Frontierland, the gorgeous and majestic Liberty Belle paddle-wheeler calmly glides through the Rivers of America.  I think she gets too little attention – she’s not nearly as fun as the Haunted Mansion nor is she as thrilling as Big Thunder Mountain – for sure she doesn’t offer the big drops or adorable singing characters like Splash Mountain.  So what’s the draw?  What does the Liberty Belle have to offer? A wonderful glimpse into the past!  A completely different view of the Magic Kingdom and some of our most favorite attractions!  Need a different perspective on what’s magical about the Magic Kingdom?  Hop aboard and set sail on an incredible adventure.RM-Liberty-Belle-Fort

I know what you’re thinking and it’s true – If you rode around Tom Sawyer Island on any of the Liberty Belle’s predecessors, you’ll remember a few things that were a bit more exciting in the past, but there are still some pretty awesome sights to see!  We rode the Liberty Belle recently on a hot and sunny October afternoon – I will freely admit that I was roasting on deck in the sun and, oh, I could say something like “glistening” or “glowing” in that Florida heat, but truth is, I was sweating like a pig.  I stayed glued to the railing all the same.  Why?  The sights, I tell you, there are cool things to see!!!  Step onto the boat and get upstairs pronto.  Have your camera ready!RM-Liberty-Belle-Haunted-Mansion-View

Once the Liberty Belle pulls away from the dock, passengers are treated to a leisurely cruise along the Rivers of America.  From the top deck, I had an excellent view of the Haunted Mansion.  RM-Liberty-Belle-View-BTMRRRM-Liberty-Belle-GeysersThen I was fascinated by an amazing view of Big Thunder Mountain – with Splash Mountain in the distance.

RM-Liberty-Belle-Frontierland-VeiwRM-Liberty-Belle-Parade-View2 RM-Liberty-Belle-Parade-View1It was just after 3:00 pm and the Festival of Fantasy parade was beginning to snake its way through Frontierland – I could see some of the beautiful parade floats.  I darted from one side of the boat to the other, to the back…uhm, stern, I mean, then to the bow and started the process all over again.  Raymond, used to my adventure-taking style, found a place to relax and attempt to stay cool.RM-Liberty-Belle-Fort2

After we left Liberty Square and Frontierland behind, we entered a part of Magic Kingdom many people dismiss or ignore.  RM-Liberty-Belle-Faux-Fauna RM-Liberty-Belle-Fort2 RM-Liberty-Belle-Forest-ViewFaux Fauna, Fort Langhorn, an early American settlement, a Native American village – complete with realistic animatronics, Wilson’s Cave Inn, and so much more!

RM-Liberty-Belle-Village3 RM-Liberty-Belle-Village2 RM-Liberty-Belle-VillageRM-Liberty-Belle-HideoutRemember, if you last took a cruise aboard the Liberty Belle as a young ‘un, it’s time to give it another try!  Keep your eyes peeled.  There are plenty of surprises in store for your 17-minute adventure into America’s past.RM-Liberty-Belle-Rivers-of-America RM-Liberty-Belle-View2 RM-Liberty-Belle-View-Castle RM-Liberty-Belle-Rapunzel's-Tower-View RM-Liberty-Belle-HM-Queue

Your turn – when’s the last time YOU took a trip on the Liberty Belle?

Memento Mori – Mansion Merchandise

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RM-Memento-Mori-Ghost-HostEarlier this year we heard some exciting news.  The Yankee Trader store in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square would be closing and undergoing a complete transformation.  An entirely new shopping experience would be taking its place – the new store would be called Memento Mori and would be strictly a Haunted Mansion gift shop.  Long overdue, in my opinion, Haunted Mansion fans have needed a place to shop for Haunted Mansion merch!  To me it seemed a bit sad that so many great rides and attractions exited into a gift shop (where I seldom made a purchase) but I’d have to scour store after store throughout Walt Disney World to find Haunted Mansion items here and there.

Memento Mori (Latin, “remember you have to die”) opened just in time for our October visit to Walt Disney World and checking it out was high on my must-do list.  The first interesting thing I noticed was how we were directed to enter the store – not through the front door.  There’s a “back door” near the rear of the building on the right side – that’s the entrance we were told to use.  We exited onto the front porch.RM-Memento-Mori-MerchandiseI expected the store to be crowded since it has just opened and I was right!  The stock also seemed a little picked over, but that was not surprising given the number of people packed into the somewhat limited space.RM-Memento-Mori-Treats

Imagine a sort of general store for Haunted Mansion fans.  Merchandise ranged from framed pictures and mirrors to trinkets and treats, to clever Haunted Mansion home goods and even a selection of clothing.  RM-Memento-Mori-ClothingA variety of price points made it easy to find an affordable token or souvenir – there were also some pretty high dollar items for the super-fans among us.  I fell in love with the Christmas ornaments that are a collection of Haunted Mansion busts and had to have them for my own.RM-Memento-Mori-Plates RM-Memento-Mori-Place-Setting RM-Memento-Mori-Mirror

If you’re a Haunted Mansion fan, Memento Mori is the place for you!  If you’re not headed to Walt Disney World and you’ve got a Mansion fan on your holiday gift list, you can shop online here from a limited selection of Haunted Mansion themed items (I personally own a few of them and can attest to their awesomeness.).

Have you been to Memento Mori yet? 

 

The Hall of Presidents – Give it a Chance

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The Hall of Presidents – Give it a Chance

I think the Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom gets a bad rap.  Sure, there’s the fact that it’s not a ride – there is in fact no spinning, twirling, climbing, or thrilling drops.  It might even smell a little bit educational and you know what?  When most folks go on vacation, the last thing they want to do is be educated.  History is boring, right?  Patriotism is for old people maybe.  Politics is a bad word.  Whatever the reason, the Hall of Presidents isn’t all that popular unless it’s an extremely warm day and you’re looking for a quiet place to nap.  Not me, though.  I actually like the Hall of Presidents – I love history, I love the animatronics, and I love knowing that Walt Disney would have loved it too.

Located in Liberty Square, the Hall of Presidents (modeled after Independence Hall) is an original Magic Kingdom attraction and opened on October 1, 1971.  Obviously, since there have been seven additional presidents since Richard Nixon was in office, the attraction has changed quite a bit over the years.  My fascination with the experience starts right when I walk through the door into the theater’s lobby.

The Great Seal of the United States is front and center.  That’s pretty awesome, but the perimeter of the room is what interests me the most.  The paintings are cool, the artifacts are interesting, but I love the first ladies’ dress displays.RM-Hall-of-Presidents-DressRM-Hall-of-Presidents-Dress2RM-Hall-of-Presidents-Dress-Laura-Bush

I can’t help it – I love fashion and I think seeing different styles worn by first ladies like Laura Bush makes the imagined historical figures seem more real.  If I arrive early enough, I take a long, slow stroll around the lobby to take it all in before entering the theater.RM-Hall-of-Presidents-Lincoln

Morgan Freeman could read the phone book to me and I’d gladly listen to every name and number.  The fact that Mr. Freeman is the narrator of the show in the Hall of Presidents makes it perfect.  The show’s use of multimedia effects holds my interest.  I really enjoy sitting close enough to study the details on each presidential figure.RM-Hall-of-Presidents-Lincoln-AnimatronicHonest Abe just floors me!  And gives me goose bumps.  I’m sappy, sentimental, and get all puffed up with patriotism during that show!

I don’t have to visit the Hall of Presidents on every vacation at Walt Disney World, but I’d be devastated if it ever closed.  Many people feel the American Adventure in Epcot is the better “American” attraction – and I’ll agree that Epcot’s show is also excellent, just not exactly the same.  RM-Hall-of-Presidents-The-PresidentsWalt Disney had the idea for bringing American Presidents to life in animatronic form – he knew the impact that could have!  Seeing our founding fathers and those that followed all together in one place makes quite an impression.  At least to me.

What about you?  Are you a fan of the Hall of Presidents or not so much.  If you’ve never seen it or it’s been a long time since you’ve experienced it – are you willing to give it a chance?

Walt Disney World – Lots of Love for Liberty Square

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The Liberty Bell in Walt Disney World's Liberty SquareSo much goodness can be found in a very special little corner of Magic Kingdom – Liberty Square!  I like to approach this section of the park through Fantasyland to fully enjoy this carefully crafted walk through time.  Don’t know what I mean?  Liberty Square is the symbolic beginning of these United States of America!  As you walk towards and through Frontierland, you move through history!

Let’s go back in time to Colonial America.  Check the buildings’ architecture, style, and colors and you’ll be transported back to a time when there were, in this country, just 13 colonies struggling for liberty – thus the name of today’s focus!  Don’t miss the Liberty Bell (reproduction) and the stockade for some great photo ops!  A humble little area with only a very few attractions and eateries, the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World would certainly not be the same without it.

Lots of Love for Liberty Square

The Liberty Belle is a beauty!  This paddlewheel boat is graceful and majestic and offers guests a relaxing way to enjoy the Rivers of America.  While I prefer to enjoy her beauty from the shore Hall of Presidents / Walt Disney Worldrather than aboard her decks – there’s no denying how impressive this riverboat is in all her whitewashed glory.

The Hall of Presidents – Don’t be ashamed if you’re a fan!  Go ahead, hold your head up with pride.  You’re not a stuffy, geeky brainiac – you’ve got a great appreciation for a unique and very “Disney” experience.  In New York at the 1964 World’s Fair, Walt Disney’s Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln first appeared in the Illinois Pavilion.  Once Disney had Honest Abe – the very first animatronic human – the rest of the presidents were not far behind.  A virtual haul of presidents!  (Don’t hurt yourself)

Walt Disney World's Haunted MansionHaunted Mansion – Don’t tell me this doesn’t rank in your top 10 favorite Disney attractions.  Either I won’t believe you or I’ll have to stop being your friend.  This ride’s got it ALL!  Great sound and special effects, perfect balance of fun and creepy/scary-ness, awesome ride vehicles, great music – what more could a Disney fan ask for?

What’s YOUR favorite thing about Liberty Square?