Disney World’s Toy Story Midway Mania – Love it but…

Posted on December 12, 2013 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

There’s a reason Toy Story Midway Mania (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) is wildly popular. It is (in The Fam’s opinion) one of the most action-packed, fun-filled experiences you can have at Disney World – even for people like me with no eye-hand coordination and poor aim! As the name suggests, this ride simulates carnival midway games. In 3D! And the games include all your favorite Toy Story characters. So what’s the “but…” for in this post’s title? I’ll tell you, but first the good news…

The GOOD News – About the Ride:

Once you make it to the front of the line, you board an adorable little ride vehicle – seats for two on the front and on the back, everyone facing outward. In front of you is a little toy cannon-looking thing with a pull-string on the back. This is your “weapon” – a launcher of virtual items you will “throw” during the various midway games you’ll visit during the ride. 3D glasses on, you’re vehicle spins you into position in front of the first game – you get a little practice first – and then? Game ON! Pull that string on the back of your cannon as fast and as often as you possibly can and hit as many things as you can before time runs out – rack up points as you move from game to game (breaking plates, popping balloons, shooting ducks, etc.). I just laugh hysterically while this is all going on – it’s that much fun! Probably, the laughing hurts my score as much as the poor coordination and aim, but hey – I just love this ride. You may have a seriously sore arm later from pulling the string to fire that cannon a gajillion times.

The BAD News – About the Queue:

The fastpasses for TSMWM go fast – like all gone for the entire day by midmorning! If you don’t get to this ride first thing, you either have to wait in what is usually a very long line (60 minutes or more) or pass altogether. Lets say you choose to wait in the standby line – let the rest of this post serve as a strong warning against doing that! The queue for this ride is almost indescribably horrible. At first you’re like all “wow!” and “cool!” and “this is great!” – but those feelings fade away all too quickly. Here’s the deal – yes, there are giant toys and games and a giant talking Mr. Potato Head – but somehow after just a few moments of nostalgia and feeling toy-sized yourself, it gets annoying – really REALLY annoying. The colors are too bright, Mr. Potato Head won’t be quiet and you are winding back and forth and back and forth for an eternity before you finally get to the 3D glasses. Surely this means you’re almost to the ride boarding area, right? HA! Joke’s on you – still more waiting in line to go! As much as I love the actual ride, I just cannot endure waiting in line for it – seriously, it could be used as a form of torture to extract top-secret information from international spies or something. Please! No more! I’ll tell you anything! Cannot take more giant toys! Make Mr. Potato Head stop talking!

Consider this my last official public service announcement for 2013. DO NOT wait in the standby line for Toy Story Midway Mania. You’re welcome.

Disney World’s It’s a Small World!

Posted on December 10, 2013 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

It’s a Small World! If you’ve not had the pleasure (maybe pleasure is the wrong word, depends on your taste in Disney rides) of experiencing It’s a Small World, you really need to add it to your bucket list! Okay, okay! I’m joking. You might not want to add it to your bucket list, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood (Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland), do drop in for this little 11-minute boat trip around the world

The line moves quickly, the boat-boarding area is detailed and
ornate – lots to look at and, if you happen to be there at the right time, the clock opens up and does this clock thing which is kind of cool. There’s no minimum height requirement, so anybody, any age can ride. And it’s a classic – opened with the park in 1971 but actually dates back to a 1964 New York World’s Fair exhibit. Originally designed by artist Mary Blair (think mural in the Contemporary lobby and the Five Legged Goat!!), the entire ride exhibits an amazing use of shapes and color. If sugary sweet cuteness is your thing, this is your ride.

Warning: It may actually be possible to overdose on adorable. If you’re not into singing children or if, perhaps, you’re hiding a fear of dolls and/or clowns – try to tough it out. Be brave. You only need to ride it once to experience this one irrefutable, undeniable thing as you drift through It’s a Small World in your little boat: Floor to ceiling, there are thousands of moving parts in this tunnel of toys – and they’re all singing. You cannot deny that a tremendous amount of craftsmanship and attention to detail was required to produce hundreds of small people, animals, vehicles and buildings to represent all the continents and cultures around the world. And if, after you’re through, you catch yourself singing a certain catchy tune for the rest of the day….an added bonus!

So, what do you think about It’s a Small World. Is it really “the happiest cruise that ever sailed”?

Character Dining at Disney’s Chef Mickey’s

Posted on December 9, 2013 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

I don’t know about you, but when I go to Disney World, I still want to see Disney characters. I do know how old I am (parts of me are reminding me of it all the time)…I can still be a kid at heart, right? I love Donald!!! In this post, I suggested some ways to meet characters on a Disney vacation. One of them, probably the one I like the best, is character dining – our favorite of which is at Chef Mickey’s. Why we love it? It gives children (and adults like me) the chance to meet Disney’s Fab Five: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy – while enjoying a meal just a short monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom. Let me add: This is a Princess-Free dining experience which appeals to many families – especially ones with boys!

Located inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s is a buffet serving Breakfast, Lunch (certain times of the year only) and Dinner. The food, while certainly not of the fancy gourmet variety, is good and offers a large selection of basic, American fare to appeal to just about everyone – including picky eaters.

A bit about the food: At breakfast you can expect eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, fruit, danish, pancakes, French toast, cereal and the ever popular Mickey waffles. Dinner items include things like soups, salads, a carving station, pasta, roasted chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, veggies, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, and several desserts including all the fixin’s for ice cream sundaes and yummy bread pudding.

During your meal, the characters come around to your table for a little one-on-one time. Not a long time, mind you (the whole no talking thing kinda rules out idle chit-chat), but long enough for some great pictures and memory making. It’s good to see The Fab Five without waiting in line outside in the hot Florida sun! It also seems to me that the characters tend to be a bit more playful here than they are in the parks. There’s a little routine to get everyone excited where guests are encouraged to wave their napkins over their heads to music. Just go with it, you won’t be alone.

As you arrive at the restaurant (reservations strongly recommended), you’re given the opportunity for a family photograph before being seated (photo package prices vary). Have we done that? Yes, but if I had it to do over, I would have saved the money. I don’t like those pictures nearly as much as the ones taken table-side by my own camera. You can decide what’s right for you, but do have your camera ready at all times and I promise you’ll get some excellent photo ops! Good food, good company – who could ask for more than that?

What’s your favorite Character meal at Disney World?

Magic Kingdom VIP Parade Seating

Posted on November 25, 2013 by greenlisa9989@yahoo.com

Magical Memory Monday! Just last year, we had a fantastic Disney vacation (aren’t they all?) that included an unexpected, wonderful surprise! VIP seating for the afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom. Can you believe it? Pixie Dust at its best and here’s how it happened:

May 2012. The Fam and I were headed to Disney World and thought it would be great if Megan and Joseph each brought along a friend. Joseph’s best friend, Jason, had been on many vacations with us before and was the easy choice for Joseph as a travel buddy. Megan brought her friend Ashley along. Ashley was in dire need of a vacay having just graduated from nursing school. The six of us had a perfect set up in a two bedroom suite at Bay Lake Tower, so off we went.

On our Magic Kingdom day, we arrived for the opening celebration with a carefully constructed morning touring plan and a free afternoon to do as we pleased. I was trying out a new strategy I had read about online – once into the park, immediately take the train to Frontier Land, beating all the guests on foot and putting yourself at an advantage for getting on those two very best Frontier Land rides: Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Oh, there were doubters among us. My plan deviated from tradition and, when we reached the steps to the train, they were closed off – I stood firm (this did prove to be an excellent strategy). Shortly we found ourselves on the train platform with very few other riders, waiting to board.

I have this habit of always looking at Cast Members’ name badges. I find it interesting to note where everyone is from – listed right below their name is their home town. On this particular day, when I glanced at the name badge on the Cast Member nearest to me on the train platform, I thought it said the name of his hometown was the (small) city where I work. Surely I was mistaken, certainly my eyes were playing tricks on me and the state was probably IA instead of LA – I waited for him to turn back to me. YES! This gentleman was from home!!!

I was so excited to tell him we were basically from his “neighborhood” and he seemed genuinely happy to meet us and discuss things from home for a minute while we boarded the train. As we got ready to steam off towards Frontier Land, he asked our names and if we would be in the park all day and when we said YES – he told us the Cast Members at VIP parade seating would be waiting for us so we could enjoy a very special parade viewing experience.

Let me tell you – of all the magical things that have happened to me over the years at Disney World, this ranks among the very best. About 30 minutes before the parade was scheduled to begin, we found the VIP seating – in a shady spot on ornate white iron benches along the bridge that passes between the hub at the top of Main Street and Liberty Square. Before the parade began, we had time to sit and relax…some of us even enjoyed a snack. The Cast Members making their pre-parade route inspections carried misting fans and smiled as they sprayed us on their way by. This was an unbelievable, unobstructed parade view – with tons of VIP character interaction. Because the bridge is closed to everyone not IN the parade, we were front and center to all the action.

I’ve always loved the Magic Kingdom parade, but on this day it was especially (indescribably) fun and we did feel like very special VIPs every minute.