Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World

178 Days

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:04:00 +0000

178; That’s how many days we have until we are sleeping in a Disney Resort again. Excitement is starting to build. We made our Advanced Dining Reservations yesterday. The only one reservation that we didn’t get as wanted was at the California Grill; our time is different than we wanted, but we got the same evening and everything else we wanted, so we are happy. We are trying some new things this trip, we are going to the Mayan Grill at the Coronado Springs Resort, as well as the California Grill, and we are going to lunch at the Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. We’re also going to use the Deluxe Dining Plan. We have used the Disney Dining Plan before, but looking at the idea of having the choice of sit-down meals instead of having to choose a sit-down or a quick serve meal, we thought we’d give it a try. (Of course I will be keeping track to see if it is really saving us money or not. I will let you know after our trip.)

Not only are we trying new things with the meal plan during this vacation, but we are planning to do some other things we have not done before. Normally when we go to Disney, we buy an annual pass (which we use for that trip and for the next year’s trip) and we seem to end up in the parks almost every day we are there. This year we are planning on only buying a 5 or 6 day Magic Your Way ticket for our 9 day trip. We have decided that for a few of the days there, we will spend them outside the parks. One of them we are actually going to drive south a few hours to Port St. Lucie to visit my sister and brother-in-law for the day. Another one of those out of park days, we are planning on visiting Celebration, Disney’s planned community a few miles away from Walt Disney World. Of course during these out of park days, we will also be visiting some of the great Unknown Magics within Walt Disney World, such as Winter Summerland and The Margarita Bar in Downtown Disney. We’ll also be enjoying time by the pool and Hotel Hopping I’m sure. (I wrote about Hotel Hopping in an article before called Worth the Hop).

While we were making plans this past week, we had a pleasant surprise, but not one that really surprised my wife and me that much. Let me explain, while we were discussing our trip one morning, I mentioned that maybe John (our 16 year old) would like to have a friend come with us. That way he could enjoy the trip with someone his own age and they could do their thing. We approached John with the idea and he seemed okay with it and said he’d think about it. A few days later, he said that he thought just us going down would be better, than us and a friend. It surprised us at first; I mean how many 16 year olds would pass up a trip with their friend to Disney World, to just go with their parents? But the more we thought about it, as my wife said, we have our things we do and taking a friend would be different for him and he wouldn’t be able to do all of those things (besides, he is going down with that friend next year for their senior class trip). So, it was neat that the Disney Magic is still strong in my son and that he wants to do things with us, when we are there.

As our days are dwindling closer, and our plans are getting more settled, we are getting more excited about going. Of course knowing what Magic awaits us is helping, but also knowing that there will be new adventures and new attractions and even new queues awaiting us are making the planning steps this year very exciting. Over the next few months, we’ll be looking into The Keys to the Kingdom Tour and some other things we have not experienced in Disney World yet. It is pretty amazing I know that we haven’t experienced some things in Disney, even though we have been there more than a dozen times. As I tell people, there is always something new to be found in Walt Disney World, but that is the Magic of Disney, it is always changing and even the things you have experienced before can provide you with a new Magical Experience, if you let it.

YUM! Planning for the Magic of the Disney Food.

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:48:00 +0000

After booking last week, and worrying about the drive there and how to break it up, I wanted to get into some more exciting things with our plans for this summer’s journey to Disney World. So, I have been focusing on the Disney Dining Plan and where to eat.

Finding information about the Disney Dining Plan from Disney is easy enough, but finding a cost associated with it is a little more difficult. I found that information on The WDW info Website. Not only do they have this information but they are a great source for all kinds of valuable must know Disney info. The cost they quote on their website for the Dining Plan is $51.54 per person, per day (for the time we will be there).

If you haven’t used the Disney Dining Plan before, it can be a little confusing. Basically, for the $51.54 a day, you get what Disney considers: a sit down meal, a quick serve meal and a snack. Snacks are just what you would think they are, things you would eat for a snack. Cookies, brownies, Mickey Head Rice Krispie treats, Popcorn, funnel cakes things like that. You can also use the snack option for Dole Whips and Frozen lemonade as well as Sodas. The sit down and quick serve meals are a little harder to figure out, but if you think of eating in Epcot as your guide, you can pretty much keep it straight. Any of the “Restaurants” in Epcot would be an example of a sit down meal; Le Cellier, Chefs de France, The Rose and the Crown, San Angel Inn, to name a few. The quick serve meals are the ones you can get at the walk up windows throughout the World Showcase; Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Cantina de San Angel, Boulangerie Patisserie, Tangerine Café and the like. Basically if you walk through a cafeteria style line, where you walk to the counter to order your meal, it is a quick serve (or counter service) meal. Anytime you walk in and are taken to a seat and a wait person comes to take your order, it is a table service meal. Most of the eateries in Walt Disney World are on the Disney Dining Plan, some are not, but to make sure the place you want to eat is you can check at here at the DisneyDining Plan PDF.

We have used the D.D.P. (Disney Dining Plan) before and while we did, I kept track of the money we would have spent, for us it did save us money. It also gave us a chance to try some places where we wouldn’t have tried, because we would have thought it was too expensive. This year I have already looked into how much it will cost us and where we want to eat and we will be buying the Disney Dining Plan. For people who may not have been to Disney World before, you may not understand about us thinking about our meals already, but planning your meals is something that really does need to be thought of in advance. Actually Disney allows you to make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s) up to 180 days in advance of your arrival. This may seem a little crazy, but for certain places, you need to get your reservations that early or you won’t be able to have a meal at specific places. For example, the Princess meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table and a dinner at Le Cellier, in Epcot you need to call as soon as you can when your 180 day window opens. These two places are very difficult to get a seating for.

Our sit down meal plans for this year call for us to visit some of our favorite places; San Angel Inn, ‘Ohana, Whispering Canyon Café, and the Cape May Café, while we are also going to try a few new places; Olivia’s Café (at Old Key West) for dinner, Via Napoli, and maybe the California Grill. We are also going to make sure we visit some of the Unknown Magics, that are the quick serve meal places, like The Yorkshire Fish Shop in Epcot and the Pepper Market in the Coronado Springs Resort. And, while we’re thinking about some Unknown Magics, we’re also going to make sure we get to The Writer’s Stop in Disney Hollywood Studios to get a carrot cake cookie or maybe a chocolate chip muffin.

Over the next two weeks, my wife, son, and I will be formulating our list of places we want to eat and combining them so that when I can call on the 18^th to make our reservations, I am ready.

Getting Back to the Magic

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:11:00 +0000

Chad and his wife Stephanie

Earlier today I cancelled a trip to Disneyland. I’m a little sad about not being able to go to Disneyland, I was looking forward to seeing Walt’s original park and of course meeting my friend Chad from www.Daysinthepark.com, but airfare and income taxes worked against us this year. As Chad said to me in a message earlier, Disneyland will be there next year also. So, we’ll try again another time.

That means that this summer we will be returning to our Home away from Home- Disney World. When I cancelled our Disneyland reservations, I booked a stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Being a Disney Vacation Club Member is a wonderful thing. All I had to do was call and move our reservations over to Disney World from the Disneyland Resort and we will still have a Disney Vacation for this summer.

I’m excited to be going “Home” again, as we haven’t been to Disney World in almost 18 months. By the time we actually go it will be over two years. Being Disney Vacation Club Members, we used our yearly allotment of points for this past year to take friends with us on our trip in 2010. That was a wonderful trip, but it was a while ago now.

Thinking about our upcoming trip, I can’t wait to get back to the Magic, for so many reasons, but I am looking forward to doing some new things on this trip. We are looking into taking the “Behind the Magic” tour, through the Magic Kingdom. I have wanted to do this tour for many years now, but John (our son) was too young. He is now 16 and can go on the tour. I am also looking forward to seeing the new

Fantasyland, since some of it will be open when we are there. I am also excited because I think John will go on Rock-n-Roller Coaster with me and Space Mountain (he’s getting more adventurous in his riding choices.) Then of course there is Star Tours. We haven’t been on the 3-D version, the last time we were there it wasn’t up and running yet. We also are very excited to try Via Napoli, because once again, it wasn’t open when we were last there.

When I first made this website, I did it to share the Unknown Magic that Walt Disney World has to offer. As I was saying earlier, I am looking forward to getting “back to the Magic”; all the little things that make Walt Disney World the most Magical Place on Earth. The special touches that are added to every attraction that takes you from reality to a special place while you are experiencing the rides, the hidden pathways around the Theme Parks and Resorts, that hold hidden treasures
that you need to look for to find, and of course the Cast Members that not only Welcome you Home, they make sure you have a Magical Experience while you are in Disney World.

In one of the first articles I ever posted, “I’m Going to Disney World…” I talked about some of the Magic of planning for your Disney World Trip. Please check back every week over the next few months, as I share with you this Magic as we plan for our trip to Disney’s Old Key West Resort. I will also be sharing some of the Unknown Magics that I am looking forward to seeing again and the new ones I am excited about finding.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:51:00 +0000

To All the Readers and friends of the Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World, I wish you all a Prosperous and healthy Year Filled With Magic!

The music is a little loud, Enjoy.

Disney Shopping experiences with my family

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to those of you joining me from Mommy Mouseketeer and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the Final stop on our Magical Blogorail.

When I have written for the before, I have had the help of my son John, because for a while he was co-writing my Tuesday articles and giving the teen view of Disney World, Today’s article is about shopping in Disney World and I thought that not only would I like to have John help me, but also my wife, Heather. So today’s interview/article will be a family effort. We hope you enjoy.

So, our Topic for the Blogorail this time is a favorite shopping experience in Walt Disney World. First of all, let’s discuss where the best place to shop in Disney is.

John? Downtown Disney.

Heather? You agree? YES! (I know she did she called it out before John answered.)

Where in Downtown Disney is good to shop at?

The Sports store (Team Mickey), The Christmas store (Disney’s Days of Christmas) and Mickey’s Pantry is neat too.

My favorite place to shop in Disney is the Grand Canyon Concourse on the fourth floor of the contemporary. We usually don’t buy things there, but they have some very different things available there.

We got him something there once- the Mickey Head Shirt,

Yeah, the Andy Worhol-ish one.

Next question, what is your favorite thing purchased in Disney?

John, what was your most favorite thing you have bought or that was bought for you?

The Stitch Print.

Heather?

My Thumper watch, which you bought for me.

That's funny because, mine was also the Thumper watch I bought for her. It was a neat experience going to the Art of Disney store and having the artist make a drawing just for you and then having that drawing miniaturized to the face of a watch. That by the way is my favorite shopping experience in Walt Disney World.

John what would yours be?

Shopping for the art work at the Art of Disney Stores; I really like looking at all that stuff. They have some really great stuff.

Heather how about you?

I really enjoy getting things at the Christmas shop, that way you can see it again when you get it out for Christmas and you get the reminders of your trips. I also love Christmas, so I think that would be the best shopping experience in Disney World.

Well, there you go, some great Disney Shopping experiences from my family.

Thanks guys for your input, hopefully we have helped some people decide where to shop.

You're Welcome.

Yeah, you're welcome.

And Thank you for joining our Magical Blogorail Black this month. We will be back January 10th with an all new theme. Keep checking in with our blogs in between loops to keep up to date with our Disney news, photos and stories. If you are looking for more Disney magic, you can make your way over to The Magical Blogorail website to see all our members and their blogs, as well as all our previous loops.”

1st Stop ~ The Magical Mouse Pad

2nd Stop ~ The Disney Chick

3rd Stop ~ Manda’s Disney Blog

4th Stop ~ Mommy Mouseketeer

Final Stop ~ Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World

A Saturday Matinee Re-run

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:07:00 +0000

This video is from the Christmas Parade at the Magic Kingdom 2003.
We hope you enjoy it.

Where in the World? Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:30:00 +0000

This

Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World, is found at the entrance of my favorite Resort:

Where in the World?

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Do you know where you can find this Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World?

Where in the World? Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:35:00 +0000

This Angry Duck:

Is part of this:

Which can be found in the gift shop attached to Mickey's PhilharMagic.

Where in the World?

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

When you are in Walt Disney World, Where can you find this Angry Duck:

'Tis the season

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:21:00 +0000

Today was Black Friday, or as I call it Good Friday. The Official start of the Holiday season. Disney World is a great place to spend the Holidays. Enjoy these photos I took a few years ago while in Walt Disney World.

Where in the World? Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:45:00 +0000

Did you know that this wall:

Is part of The Rose and Crown Pub in Great Britain in Epcot?

Where in the World?

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Do you know where you can find this Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World?

A Message for our Readers.

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Earlier this year, I took a different teaching position at a new school. And although I am enjoying it very much and having a ball making up lessons to teach, I am rediscovering how to teach at the lower grade levels. Because of that my life and priorities have been changed. In fact, I am focusing less on Disney World, which is both good and a little disheartening. I think being unhappy in my job, before, I was looking for a little Magic each day to make me happier. Now, I am happier at work and not looking for my Magic Fix each day. This has resulted in a change in my work on the website.

I enjoy writing the website, but sometimes feel like I am repeating myself in my writing (because I haven't been to Disney World in quite a while) and also when I am coming up with original material, I am not doing it justice. I also feel that without getting to Walt Disney World, I have moved away from my original purpose which was to help new visitors to Walt Disney World learn about things they may miss. With these thoughts rattling around my brain, I have found myself in a quandary.

I have been working on this dilemma for a few weeks now and I believe I have a fix. Last week, for the first time since I started the website, I did not post an article and the world continued on. Because of that I realized that I do not have to post every day, with

that thought in mind, the website will be changing over the next few weeks, and I will be writing less often. Please continue to stop by and enjoy the articles and the pictures. I hope to continue to help new guests to learn about some of the Unknown Magic that Disney World has to offer, while continuing to entertain those of you who have been there before.

Thank you for your continued support of the Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World and please keep reading.

A Sunday Matinee

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Today's Matinee was a Magical Experience taken during a visit to the Magic Kingdom this past summer. Enjoy!

A Saturday Special Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Today, let's take a boat ride. On one of the Unknown Magics Within Walt Disney World; a Friendship Launch.

From Disney's Boardwalk...

To The Beach and Yacht Club Resorts.

Where in the World? Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:30:00 +0000

This Unknown Magic:

Is found in my Favorite Attraction

The Country Bear Jamboree.

Where in the World?

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

This is an Unknown Magic that thrills me every time I see it. Do you know where it is?

Sick again.

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:19:00 +0000

John is Sick again, he seems to get everything that anyone in school has this time of year. He doesn't miss any school, really, but he does sleep a lot when he is home. When he was sick last year, I did an interview with him. He didn't want to be interviewed today, So, I hope you enjoy last year's article, "The Flu Brings back a Few Memories."

My son John my co-author for Tuesday’s Articles, is sick with the flu. He has the same flu symptoms as both his mother and I have had over the last week, but being a 15 year old guy he is “Dying”. I just chuckle at him and hand him the tissues and give him more orange juice. I also made him sit down and write today’s article with me, I know I’m a mean Dad.

So instead of asking my regular question, I thought we’d change it up today and discuss him being sick, because once a few years back, he was sick while we were in Walt Disney World.

Do you remember when you were sick in Disney World?

Not really I was young (he was 8). I remember a little, very vaguely.

I figured I’d try helping him remember,

Do you remember where we were staying?

We were at Wilderness (Lodge Resort).

Do you remember anything else?

Lying in the Hotel Bed, upset that we couldn’t do anything.

This is funny, because he slept for a solid 18 hours after we went out to breakfast one morning and then the next day he jumped out of bed and was ready to go- so lying in bed being upset probably never happened.

But we did do things. We went out to eat for breakfast, do you remember where?

No.

We went to ‘Ohana for breakfast with Lilo and Stitch. Do you remember any of it?

We were near a window. The food was good and we all wore matching shirts.

We did sit next to a window, the food at ‘Ohana is always good and we did wear matching shirts, we had them made up for our Christmas trip to Disney that year. John even stood in line to get Mickey’s autograph, he was there also,

but didn’t go around to the tables. It was soon after breakfast that he started running a fever and fell asleep on the boat on the way to the Magic Kingdom. This is when we decided that we would go back to the resort and he went to bed until the next day.

Do you remember anything else from that trip?

All the Decorations and the candy shop at the Magic Kingdom. While we were there, it was decorated for Christmas, we were there around Christmas time, and they had candy canes and all different types of candy.

We were down from the 26th until the 30th of December; the resort was still decorated for Christmas.

So, how bad was it being sick in Disney World?

It sucked, because I couldn’t do much.

But you did do things, we did all kinds of things after you slept that one day away. What else do you remember?

We went to breakfast at the Whispering Canyon Café?

This is the restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge.

What do you remember?

How obnoxious that place is. But it’s fun.

What does that mean?

There is always something going on when you are eating. They are always yelling about ketchup and other things.

What?

If you ask for ketchup, they start yelling and bells and then they get every bottle in the restaurant for you.

But when you were younger wasn’t that neat?

Yes, I found it very Hysterical,

What was the funniest part of it?

Every waiter and waitress would stop what they were doing to get you a ketchup. They take their ketchup seriously.

Is there anyway to not have this happen?

Yes, to steal the ketchup.

What happens then?

They pull out a fake jail iron bars and put it in front of you while you eat. Then everyone yells Ketchup thief. It is rather embarrassing; it’s not worth stealing the ketchup.

This is something very neat that happens at the Whispering Canyon Café. John explained it pretty well, if you ask for ketchup, they make a real fuss over bringing you every bottle of it in the place. If you try to not get all the attention drawn to you, and just take one form another table, they start yelling about you being a ketchup thief and put you in “jail”

So, even being sick, you still had a good time.

Yes, you can always find a way to have fun.

John doesn’t remember the rest of the trip, but we did go to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom that trip as well as a quick trip to Sea World to meet up with his cousins and my sister and brother-in-law. We even went to the Very Merry Christmas Party one night, although with him not feeling well, we didn’t stay too long. I think this is from where he remembers the candy shop memories.

Thanks John, I hope you feel better.

Thank you, I will try my best.

Next week, we'll get back to our regular question and something else that John thinks everyone should know about in Disney World. Stay tuned.

What is the Most Magical place in Walt Disney World?

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Is it Cinderella Castle? Is it a Pirate room at the Caribbean Beach Resort? Is it the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater where Fantasmic is

seen? Or is it the bench outside of the Boardwalk Resort at the bus stop? The same bench that can be found all over the Walt Disney World resort, the one that young kids sit on and wait for that bus that is going to take them to the Magic Kingdom for the first time.

I know you’re reading that and saying, “How is that the most Magical Place in Walt Disney World?” Think about the Magic that those benches hold. They have held the anticipation of and dreams of so many people on them. They have been the starting point for children meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time. They have been the waiting station for the young man who was going to propose during ‘Wishes’, They have been the starting point for

countless families experiencing the Happiest Place on Earth, as a family. So, how could they not be the Most Magical Places in Walt Disney World?

Yes, when you are sitting on them, you don’t think about these things, you just wonder, when the bus is going to get there and sometimes it seems like it never will. A few years back I waited on one of those benches waiting for my sister to get back from Downtown Disney so that we could go and hang out together at

the pool. She called as she left from the parking lot in Downtown Disney and 45 minutes later she got back to the Resort, but it was still a good time, because I got to sit and wait with my nieces and talk to them, which I don’t get enough chances to do. So, the Magic of the bench came through that day also. I know there are hundreds, nay, thousands of examples how these benches are Magical. I’m sure as you read this and now understand why I say that the Bus Stop Bench is the most Magical place on Disney property, you have started thinking of a time when you sat on one of these benches and the day or night that followed and then the magic that occurred after you sat and waited for your Disney Chariot.

So, the next time someone asks you, "Where is the Most Magical Place in Walt Disney World," before you answer the Castle or the Crystal Palace, think about that bench that sits at the resort bus stop that is there because you are waiting to experience the Magic.

Don't miss the Opening.

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:13:00 +0000

The Walt Disney Company was started in 1923 as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. As the company grew from producing animated shorts to full length animated features to live action movies, then to theme parks and television, the production of “The Show” has remained the constant. Every attraction in Walt Disney World is seen as a show. The Imagineers (the creators and builders of each ride) approach them in just this way.

You can see this as you enter the Magic Kingdom. As you walk through the turnstiles to get into the park, the color of the walkway changes. It becomes red. That is because you are now the star, walking on the Red Carpet to enter the production. Main Street USA is the Opening Credits. You can see the names of the people who made this wonderful show if you look up at the windows on the buildings as you pass by. Main Street USA is the Ultimate Pre-show in Walt Disney World. But every attraction has its own pre-show also. And this is the Unknown Magic that first timers and seasoned Disney visitors miss.

The pre-shows in the attractions are all around you in the queue or line, for the attraction. Some of them are very subtle, while others try to immerse you in the attraction right from the start. Examples of pre-shows can be seen in all of the Parks, throughout Disney World. It can even be seen in the Water Parks and other recreational areas. There are even special items in the Pre-shows that are there for you to find (for extra Magical Experiences) that will be discussed in a later post. Let’s look at some of these Pre-shows, and see how the Magic is brought to you.

In Disney Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Midway Mania, you are in Andy’s Room as you go through the queue. As you wind around the room you see Andy’s things and even where he has drawn on the wall. There is also a special introduction to the room that is just as amazing as anything Disney has presented before. You are totally immersed in Andy’s room as you go through this waiting area. The same could be said when you are in the Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. As soon as you walk into the entrance, the lights go down and you are preparing to become a Space Ranger. There are maps on the walls and diagrams showing you what you need to know, and once again a special introduction to the ride. Total immersion also happens in The Haunted Mansion, as you walk into the ride, you have to enter the Mansion’s Stretching room and in Epcot’s Journey Into Imagination With Figment, where you walk through the corridors of the Imagination Institute where there are references to Disney Scientists and movies.

Other pre-shows don’t thrust you right into a different world as soon as you enter. The Enchanted Tiki Room in the Magic Kingdom is an inside attraction that doesn’t do this. The pre-show is actually outside. And as you are standing to get ready to go in, there is a little show to prepare you for the main show. In the Magic Kingdom, if you listen carefully you can also get a preshow in The Country Bear Jamboree and Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

Some of the Pre-shows are more subtle. You seem to just be walking by things as you enter the ride area of the attraction. In Epcot’s Test Track, you walk through a factory type area where they have the parts and products they are testing during your ride. In Disney Hollywood Studios’ Star Tours you walk through a similar set up, but this one is getting you ready to be sent to the Moon of Endor. In the same park in the Tower of Terror, you actually walk through the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

The all time best for Experiencing the Magic, is Muppet*Vision 3-D. This Pre-show is great. Not only are there Television monitors to watch to keep the kids (and adults) entertained, but if you look around the room at the materials around the outside of the room and above your head, you actually get a feeling you are backstage at a Muppet’s production. There is one other piece of Magic, in this attraction that is Unknown to most. As you are walking in, there is a security office on your right. The sign says "Be back in 5 minutes, Key is under the mat". If you pick up the mat, there is a key under it.

I know as I am describing these things, you are saying, so, how is this Magical? Well, think about any other amusement park you have been to. Each ride is just that, a ride. You stand in a line, that winds back and forth through cattle shoot crowd control areas, and you look at the other people standing in the line with you. In Disney, they give you not only something to look at, but they invite you to be in “The Show”. You are now starring in your own Magical Experience. They get you into the role before you even sit in the ride car.

When you are in Disney, take the time to look and experience these Pre-show objects. Look at the items like the collection as you get ready to get on. Check out the writings on boxes as you pass by them when you are waiting to go on the Jungle Cruise, There is a reason why Disney calls all of these Attractions, not Rides. This is some of the Unknown Magic in Disney.

So, now that you, you can add some Magic to your Experience by taking the time to enjoy the Pre-show, before the main Show begins.

A Disney Fix

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

As I started my day this morning, I sat down on the sofa and sipped my glass of iced tea (I’m not a coffee drinker) I turned on the television and started looking through the channel guide to see if there was anything on. As I looked I found on UPN (Universal Sports Network) A Disney Vacation Club presentation. Watching this is one of my Favorite things to do when I am in Walt Disney World. I especially enjoy viewing it when we are at home, because it gives me my Disney Fix. I like watching other Disney Resort Television video that I have also. I thought there might be another person or two who may need a Disney fix, with that in mind, here are some clips from Disney Resort Television that I consider some of the Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World. Enjoy.

Yankee Doodle Disney

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:19:00 +0000

As today is Veterans' Day, I want to thank all of you have have served and I say again, Our Country is great because of what we have done, what we are doing and what we can do. With that in mind, Thank you to all of those who have given their lives to make our Country what it is, Free.

Memorial Day is one of those days that gets the Patriotic juices flowing. The Flags go out on the Curb, the Red, White and Blue ribbon goes on the mailbox and the Patriotic Mickey Mouse Flag goes on the banner pole. I start thinking of America and how great we are. I think about our great lands and places I’ve been and besides Washington DC and the surrounding Areas, I think Walt Disney World has to be one of the most Patriotic places in the United States. People say Mickey Mouse is Americana and Disney is an American Original, but few know there is Unknown Patriotic Magic in Walt Disney World.

As you first enter the Magic Kingdom, you can find some of this Magic, by walking to the left of Main Street USA. Right alongside City Hall is the Engine Co. 71. This Firehouse is numbered after the year Walt Disney World opened, but that isn’t the Patriotic Magic. That comes from the patches that are on display from Fire Companies from all over the country. Even if you are not a fireman, or a family member of a fireman, this is a very impressive display and when you think of the Heroes that give their lives to save others, it is a kind of Magical Experience.

Of course, in the Magic Kingdom the most Magical Patriotic Experience is the Hall of Presidents. No matter what your Political following, this is an impressive show. It originally started as “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” at the New York’s World Fair in 1964. Then it was moved to Disneyland, and when Walt Disney World opened it was brought to Florida. This show has changed over the years with the addition of the Presidents as they were elected. The whole show took on a new look after President Obama was sworn in, and I believe the show is actually more impressive today than it has been in the past. It is a very moving

portrait of America’s History. It is something that every first time Disney visitor should experience. My wife sheds a tear each time we see it.

Over in Epcot, the American Adventure is just as impressive, but deals with more of America’s history. Told by Ben Franklin and Mark Twain, this Adventure starts with the Mayflower and ends with recent history. There are appearances by 35 different characters throughout this 30 minute show. Not only is the show a moving Experience, but the room where the show takes place is pretty impressive also. There are 12 statues around the room. They represent the “Spirits of America”.

These Shows are not the Only Patriotic Magic in Walt Disney World. For example in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom, there is a replica of the Liberty Bell. Liberty Square itself is a replica of a Revolutionary American town. If you take notice, The Liberty Tree has 13 lanterns hanging from its limbs. These represent the 13 colonies. Over in Epcot, the Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps is a colonial cover band. They are a group of 4 musicians, with a standard-bearer, that play rousing American Anthems, around the American Adventure pavilion.

Probably the most Unknown Patriotic Magic in all of Walt Disney World takes place at 5pm daily, in the Magic Kingdom. This ceremony is usually helped along by a Veteran and The Walt Disney World Band is involved, it is the Flag Retreat (or the lowering of the Flag). If you get a chance be in the Magic Kingdom around 5 in the afternoon, take a stroll down to Town Square's Municipal Park and catch something that will make you proud to be an American.

So, now that you know, on this Memorial Day, as you think about America, you can look forward to your next trip to Walt Disney World and some Patriotic Magical Experiences that the whole family can enjoy.

What a World

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:08:00 +0000

In a world where the news media attacks the wrong people for bad things that other people have done and they make a big deal out of “celebrities” (with no talent) who are paid to entertain, not be role models, I had to stop watching the news today. Even my

sports channels are making me sad and angry, but in this World where horrible things are what flood the airtime, comes this article in the Orlando Sentinel: Disney, Darden donate two kinds of green to food bank.

Basically the article says, that Walt Disney World and Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster. Longhorn Steakhouse and such) will donate money and food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. Not just a little food or money, Disney's "VoluntEARS" gave a check yesterday to Second Harvest for a half a million dollars. This money will be used according to Second Harvest, to “to build a larger facility” that will help them to store and distribute more food to the needy families in the area. They also have pledged 20,000 pounds of fresh foods over the next year. Both Darden and Disney also have programs where non-leftover prepared foods are donated to the food bank. Since 1991 Disney has donated several million pounds of food to the food bank through this program.

What a Wonderful thing these two organizations are doing. To use their power and reach to help hungry families in need, I commend them. Sometimes when we’re in Disney, enjoying a great meal, I think about how much food they prepare each day. I know that they grow a lot of their own food in the Land for their restaurants and I wonder about food that isn’t used or about the meals that are cancelled. I am glad to read that they do not waste all of this good food.

At this time of year, when we all start thinking about Thanksgiving and then the Christmas Holidays, we need to take a moment and remember that there are families in our neighborhoods and in our towns that are not enjoying a “Feast” for the holiday. When we were kids and we didn’t eat something on our plate, our moms might say, “There are kids starving in Africa.” But today, there are kids starving in America. With Companies like Disney and Darden taking the lead to helping local communities to feed this kids (and their families) maybe we can feed some of them.

But it doesn’t just fall on these big companies. We all need to do what we can to help. Send a can of beans into your kids’ school for this month’s food drive. Drop a bag of rice into the Boy Scouts collection bin at the supermarket. Help out those who are in need. Follow the Disney lead, and be a VoluntEAR. Make it so that the World we live in is a better place.

Where in the World? Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Bruce G.) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:45:00 +0000

This Unknown Magic

is one of my favorite things in Walt Disney World.

And this sign is found at the Epcot Station.