Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1173
October 23, 2014
Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: October 23, 2014
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World
! This week we’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios to check out the new location for Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post and take a look at how Christmas is coming along. Then we’re heading over for a quick visit to the Magic Kingdom and ending at Epcot for Food & Wine Festival updates. We also might run into a lumberjack or two! 
So let’s get started!
I’ll admit that when I saw the Studio Backlot Tour was closing and a Frozen gift shop was moving into this area, I had my doubts. But I’ll eat crow because it looks great! It’s obvious a lot of planning went into this move and I can only hope this much effort goes into the other changes coming to the studios. Want to check it out? Click to read more!
Okay, I know it’s only a gift shop but it’s a bigger space with even more than before. Disney is making it easier for parents and kids alike to get to the things the want and I’m a fan! Unlike the previous location where it was just shoulder to shoulder people all day long, you can see from the photo below that even during peak hours there’s still room to move around now.
There are also lots of details and they’ve rounded up some hard to find items. If you have some extra time take a look around the shop, not just at the merchandise. Plus there’s no need to go hunting across parks for the Frozen pressed pennies anymore. They’ve put them into one machine all together here!
And then there’s the merchandise. Stacks and stacks of merchandise being restocked by the second. This is the place to go for all your Frozen shopping dreams. There’s isn’t a thing available on property that I didn’t also see in this shop. I could do an entire blog post on all the goodies here! It’s a little girl’s dream!
Connected to the gift shop, where the old The American Film Institute Showcase used to live, is the new Frozen Snowground. There is a lot packed into this area and the flow is awful. It doesn’t take many people to make this area feel super crowded. For some reason they’re using the same small doors for the entrance and exit – leading to a mess. I hope they start using the back door soon. Aside from the traffic jam, there’s a photo spot, a snack bar, and an area to play in real snow!
Maybe even prettier than the snow is the light show that plays while the clean up in between play sessions. The area was so crowded that I almost gave up, but I’m glad I waited to see it. Seems like there’s lots more they could do with this if they had more room.
Back on the Streets of America it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. From the looks of things, it seems like the lights are already in place and ready to glow. I didn’t manage to spot a black cat or baby sinclair, so maybe they’re just waiting until they find good hiding spots!
Closer to the front of the park, Christmas merchandise is being put out on display. On the left you’ll see a new pattern for this year. On the right are tons of Mickey nutcrackers. Ironically, I spotted some of the same ones at the outlet this week for half the price! They make for a striking display in the store.
On the below left is more of the new pattern. It looks retro and despite the prices I’m a fan. Would anyone like to see more detail on all the new Christmas merchandise? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll get another blog out for you guys! On the right is the new, Christmas Duffy. He’s about nine inches tall and a bargain at $20.
Hopping over to the Magic Kingdom, it was surprisingly uncrowded on Saturday night! The park was open until midnight and we had an amazing night of riding rides! It might have just seemed like it wasn’t as crowded because “backstage” walkways were open to alleviate the situation. If that’s true I can’t wait for the hub expansion to be completed! It will make a tremendous difference when everyone in the park doesn’t have to enter and exit on Main Street.
Over at Pirates of the Caribbean we found a 20 minute wait and were glad we had a FastPass+ reservation. This ride is an example of one that has suffered from the new system. Pirates used to never have a line, but with FastPass+ the wait has been stretching up to 45 minutes lately! On my last three trips we’ve skipped it because we didn’t want to wait so I was sure to book it this time! Since I missed it, I thought I’d include a couple photos for you!
In my character spotting post I mentioned that sometimes Stitch can be found roaming around Tomorrowland. I spotted him Saturday night and dashed over to grab a photo for you. Just as I walked up the character handler threw her hand out and declared no more photos. I snapped my frame the second it happened and thought the photo was funny. (Especially because of the shocked child on the right!) So here is Stitch – NO PHOTOS!
I’m always scouting fireworks locations for you, so we decided to have a snack on the patio of Pinocchio Village Haus to see what it was like. It ends up this is a terrible spot to see the fireworks, but I saw the most amazing cast member! Check out the video below. One of the issues with watching the fireworks behind the castle is that you don’t know which direction to look. This CM came up with a very creative way to help people. He was a hero and lots of people took their photo with him after the show. Bravo!! 
Our last stop for this week is Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival. My first order of business was to check out the Festival Center. I had it in my mind that it wasn’t open much past dinner time, but it actually is open until park closing! It’s worth walking through just to see the building that is normally off limits to park guests.
Inside you’ll mostly find shopping and seating areas for paid seminars. We haven’t forked out the cash for one of these seminars yet and I don’t know that we will. From walking by they seem a little boring! In the shopping areas you’ll find wine and festival exclusive merchandise. I noticed the Dooney and Bourke bags were in stock too!
Another reason to stop by is to pick up your Ghirardelli chocolate square! There are some interesting chocolate displays and some bags available for purchase, but I think we’re all stopping by for the free chocolate! They’re also handing out coupons for the Downtown Disney location so don’t miss out on that!
Heading back to World Showcase we stopped by to checkout the lumberjack show in Canada. This show lasted exactly 10 minutes and I was thinking that it was fairly skippable until I saw my hubby’s face. He just loved it and wished we’d gotten there earlier in the day so we could watch it again. Looking around the crowd lots of little boys were jumping up and down and the performers were so nice after the show. I think we’ll be seeing this many times!
The concept is that the red and blue teams compete in different logging competitions. Below is an example of one of the tasks. There were four rounds in the show before declaring a winner.
I also stopped by the former site of Maelstrom and it was just pitiful! I’m sure this will be incredible when it reopens, but for now it’s just sad and empty. Even the fountain was off where it used to be flowing from the ride. I wish they’d do a little something more with this area during the transition. It just feels like Norway is out of business!
While we were there we also saw a Night Ranger concert. They were full of energy and put on a great show but we left early just because they were so darn loud. (When did we become these people? And get off my lawn!) They did play a recording before the show asking to not take video but I was a rebel and took just one minute to share with you.
On the way out I noticed a couple of art pieces for the festival. The beer sign was $75 and the figment painting was $150. Not too bad when you look at some of the other art prices! All the Christmas goodies have also found their way into the glass cases. Again, let me know in the comments if you’d like to see a Christmas merchandise blog!
Though it didn’t really “fit” anywhere I had to include this incredible sunset photo from Sunday night! The temperatures and summer rains have finally mellowed out leaving nothing but clear skies and pink sunsets. It’s the best time of the year!
That’s everything for this week. Now let’s see what you can expect if you’re visiting next week.
Crowd Calendar: This will be a great week of slow crowds. Enjoy it!
Weather: Very little rain and very mild temperatures make this almost the most perfect time of year. Except for the absolute heat of the day the weather couldn’t be better!
Remember: If you’re in the market for Dooney & Bourke handbags the Haunted Mansion and Food & Wine festival designs are popping up in the parks. They’re both very limited so act fast when you see them.
Here’s my top tip for this week: Memento Mori is still drawing lines at the Magic Kingdom! If you’d like to shop there be sure to give yourself some extra time.
Do you have any news I missed or any requests for coverage next week? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, and thanks so much for reading! I’m wishing all of you the Best Week Ever, until next time!
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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: October 23, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
October 22, 2014
Video: “Once Upon a Time” Nighttime Spectacular at Tokyo Disneyland
I was in Tokyo Disneyland last week as part of TouringPlans Everywhere and got a chance to see the new nighttime spectacular that premiered earlier this year. The show is called Once Upon a Time and uses the same projection technology seen in Celebrate the Magic at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and Disney Dreams in Disneyland Paris. Once Upon a Time is presented on to Cinderella Castle and features Mrs. Potts and Chip as they take the audience through various classic Disney animated films like Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland, through newer films like Tangled and Frozen. Laser, fire and pyrotechnics also appear along with the projections on the castle. Personally I enjoyed the show quite a bit and thought each sequence was beautifully done. The show clocks in at almost 20 minutes long, so with Once Upon a Time, Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade AND fireworks the nighttime entertainment lineup at Tokyo Disneyland is sizable and impressive. But enough of what I think, take a look at our video of a full performance of the show:
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Video: “Once Upon a Time” Nighttime Spectacular at Tokyo Disneyland is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney Cruise Line: Merchandise Photo Report of the Disney Wonder (Pins, Plush, Shirts, Vinylmation and More)
By Derek Burgan
As part of the recent TouringPlans Everywhere promotion, I was lucky enough to set sail on my first ever Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. As a whole, I was blown away by the experience, but one thing that stood out to me was how much fantastic merchandise was available onboard the ship. Last year I sailed on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and despite an incredible sailing, found absolutely nothing in their gift store worth buying. Recently, I have been making my way around various Disney resorts and finding there is very little unique merchandise within the gift shops. Whether at a value resort like Pop Century, a moderate such as Port Orleans – French Quarter, or even a deluxe like The Contemporary, it didn’t matter, everything was pretty much the exact same. This was not my experience on the Disney Cruise Line, and I’m glad to report that the ships have some of the best merchandise I have seen in any Disney store, ever. Below is a look at some of the fantastic merchandise you can only buy on a Disney Cruise.
Remember that clicking on any picture will bring it up in full size.
On the Disney Wonder there are two gift stores on Deck 4, right next to each and directly across from the Walt Disney Theatre. They are Mickey’s Mates and Treasure Ketch. Mickey’s Mates has the products geared mostly towards kids and Disney collectors, with items such as pins, Vinylmation, plush, toys, and shirts. Treasure Ketch targets a different demographic with high end jewelry, designer handbags, and watches but also has a lot of very nice shirts and is also the store you would go to if you forgot anything on your trip such as a toothbrush, batteries, or diapers.
Outside each store are big display windows featuring Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald’s nephews.
I spent quite a bit of money in the gift shops, including buying this Disney Wonder chocolate bar. To me, a simple chocolate bar like this is almost the perfect souvenir. It’s inexpensive, small, and unique, making it something easy to give to friends and family back at home.
Disney Wonder chocolate bar.
Seeing this collection of Disney bath toys is when I knew that the Disney Cruise Line merchandise was playing on a level that I’ve only seen recently at the Marketplace C0-op at Downtown Disney and the new Memento Mori store at the Magic Kingdom. If your family is anything like mine, the younger kids love the Disney bath toys (we call them squishes). The WDW park stores sell sets themed to princesses, Cars, Disney Jr. characters, and Winnie the Pooh, among others. This Disney Cruise Line set fits in perfectly with the others and will tide the kids in my family over until Disney invariably puts out a Frozen set with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, and Kristoff.
Disney Cruise Line bath toys.
The DCL plush looked great. Characters included the Fab Five, along with Chip & Dale.
Disney Cruise Line plush.
Disney Cruise Line plush.
Disney Cruise Line Pluto plush.
The Mickey and Minnie pillow pets look very sharp.
Disney Cruise Line pillow pals.
You could buy a child sized version of Mickey’s DCL jacket along with Minnie’s DCL shirt. These are the outfits they wear in a lot of the merchandise like the pillow pets, so they can make for some very cute pictures.
Disney Cruise Line child’s Mickey jacket.
Disney Cruise Line child’s Minnie top.
I didn’t actually see too many stateroom doors decorated on the ship, but you could buy magnets at the gift shop.
I thought these magnet photo frames looked fantastic.
Disney Cruise Line photo magnets.
After the DCL bath toys, the next biggest shocker to me was seeing DCL branded Magic Bandits. This is something I would have loved to have seen as a limited edition item for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Disney Cruise Line Magic Bandits.
A nice set of DCL bendable figures.
Disney Cruise Line figures.
Here we have a replica of the Disney Wonder, along with the Ariel lobby statue.
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder replica and Ariel statue.
They had replicas of the lobby statues of all four Disney Cruise Line ships, including: Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse (Fantasy), Ariel (Wonder), Admiral Donald (Dream), and Helmsman Mickey (Magic.)
Replicas of the four statues in the Disney Cruise Line ships.
One of the shows onboard the Disney Wonder in the Walt Disney Theater was The Golden Mickeys, and in the gift shop you could buy your very own Golden Mickey. Both the Golden Mickey and the lobby statue replicas had a lot of weight to them. This was not cheap plastic.
Disney Cruise Line’s Golden Mickey.
A selection of cups and coffee mugs.
Disney Cruise Line coffee mugs and tumblers.
Disney Cruise Line Steamboat Willie coffee mug.
A Disney Cruise Line sticker book.
Disney Cruise Line sticker book.
There were various Christmas ornaments.
Disney Cruise Line Christmas ornaments.
Chip and Dale ornament.
Two different Disney Wonder ornaments.
Speaking of holidays, we were on a Halloween on the High Seas sailing, which meant the DCL celebrated Halloween during our trip. So there was a section dedicated to Halloween on the High Seas merchandise, along with generic Disney related Halloween stuff that you see at the parks and resorts.
Disney Cruise Line Halloween on the High Seas shirt.
There were a ton of t-shirts in both gift shops, and it was amazing to see many actual good ones. The Disney Cruise Line has the highest rate of good shirts compared to overall shirts I have seen anywhere, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. That is about the highest praise I can give anything. It was hard not to walk out with 10 or 20 of them. This first shirt brought back memories of the awesome fireworks show on pirate night.
I thought this Little Mermaid DCL shirt was brilliant.
GREAT shirt featuring all four ships. Love the design.
Great tweak to the classic Mickey Mouse drawing.
I just absolutely adore this sailor Mickey shirt.
There were a whole bunch of shirts (and products overall) branded with “2014.” This is where I took a big risk. As someone who covers the Disney Outlet Stores for TouringPlans, I see almost everything that has a date tied to it make its way to the stores eventually. There were several pieces I really wanted to get, but I’m gonna take a gamble and hope some make it to the Outlets. I did buy the purple 2014 shirt for my girlfriend (this shirt is the one on the right at the beginning of this article), and I purchased a 2014 magnet for myself.
There were DCL hats available.
Disney Cruise Line hats.
We bought this DCL Pin trading starter kit for a family member.
There were a lot of pins available, many of which you could only get on the ship.
This one isn’t exclusive to DCL, but it’s one of my all-time favorite pins and references the Pixar movie Up.
More 2014 branded merchandise.
This was interesting. The bed on our stateroom had this pillow on it, and you could buy it at the gift shop for $189.95. I liked it, but not that much. Seeing it though reminded me of when Disney introduced Art of Animation and said that guests would be able to buy some of the room furnishings in the gift shop, but I have never seen anything outside of a shower curtain for sale. It’s a shame, too, because there are some things in those A0A rooms that I would love to have in my house.
Stateroom pillow.
Stateroom pillow (back.)
Several different iPhone cases. Again, this is where DCL showed me something, as they easily could have had just one or two unique ones and that would have been perfectly acceptable. Whoever is in charge of DCL merchandise needs to be brought over to Parks and Resorts ASAP.
Disney Cruise Line iPhone cases.
Disney Cruise Line Vinylmation.
Disney Cruise Line Vinylmation.
Disney Cruise Line Vinylmation.
Disney Cruise Line Vinylmation.
My girlfriends spotted these Dooney & Burke Disney Cruise Line bags. I don’t understand the big deal about these bags, but I collect the Disney characters/Star Wars character mashup figures (including Rizzo the Rat as Yoda), so I’m pretty much the last person on Earth who can cast judgment on what people enjoy.
Dooney & Bourke’s Disney Cruise Line bags.
Dooney & Bourke Disney Cruise Line bag.
Of course you knew there had to be some Frozen stuff, right? What is Disney going to do with all the shelf space now that Frozen Fever is starting to die down?
Frozen merchandise.
Here are some DCL photo frames at the bottom of this picture. The princess one at the top of the picture has already shown up at the Outlets.
Disney Cruise Line photo frames.
And we close with a last look at some more 2014 pieces of merchandise.
Disney Cruise Line 2014 toothpick holders and coffee mugs.
There are a lot of great reasons to take a Disney Cruise, but if you are a fan of Disney merchandise like I am, you can add a trip to the gift shops as another reason to get you on that ship. I’m still picking my jaw up off the floor. I think it’s clear we should do these DCL merchandise reports quarterly, so I’ll start sending Len Testa a letter every week like Andy Dufresne did in The Shawshank Redemption. Thank you for reading, and if you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out the Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.
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Disney Cruise Line: Merchandise Photo Report of the Disney Wonder (Pins, Plush, Shirts, Vinylmation and More) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Traveling with Seniors: In the Parks
By Lisa Gilmore
In the first part of this two-part series installment, we discussed how to plan and be proactive when traveling with senior citizens. In this second installment, we’ll tackle navigating the parks!
There are some obvious concerns that tend to come to the forefront of park touring with anyone with limited mobility, or anyone who fatigues easily (basically, everyone who’s not a marathon-runner). Standing in long lines, walking miles and miles each day, heat and humidity, are all things to keep in mind when you start planning your park days. Navigating the parks with a senior makes having a good Touring Plan that much more important. You can select preferences in your Touring Plan to minimize walking, minimize waiting in line, or a compromise between the two. The best thing about having a Touring Plan is being able to see more and do more while saving time and energy.
Attractions
Now that you’ve been convinced that you simply can’t go on a Disney vacation without a Touring Plan, let’s talk about which attractions to fit into your Plan. Touring Plans makes it easy with even specific Touring Plans for Seniors, tailored to fit the needs of most seniors and available for all the parks.
When planning a trip with a senior, consider their physical condition. Do they suffer from arthritis? Back pain? Heart conditions? Disney has physical considerations listed on any attraction that may agitate any existing condition:
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
In addition to the health warning, fellow blogger, Erin Foster, has a great series detailing the attraction seating/ride vehicles. This resource is immensely valuable when traveling with anyone with mobility issues. Her articles detail the size restriction, seat belt/lap restraint, and if individuals have to transfer from a wheelchair/scooter.
Be aware of the health warning and help make sure that your senior is safe as well as comfortable in any attraction they may experience. Here are the attractions with this health warning:
Astro Orbiter
The Barnstormer
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster may not be the best attraction for Grandma.
Test Track
Mission: SPACE
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
DINOSAUR
Expedition Everest
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Primeval Whirl
Seniors who filled out the Unofficial Guide Survey also indicated which attractions were their favorites (with 4.5-5 stars), and here they are:
Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station was one of the favorite Magic Kingdom attractions among seniors. Do you think Grandma and Grandpa splash in the puddles, or just enjoy watching the youngsters? Photo courtesy of Disney.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station
The Hall of Presidents
Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
The Haunted Mansion
Walt Disney Railroad
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
Living with the Land
O Canada!
Reflections of China
Soarin’
Spaceship Earth
Turtle Talk with Crush
Divine is one of the unique experiences available at Animal Kingdom, and one of the favorites among seniors
Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage
Fantasmic!
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
Divine
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo the Musical
Flights of Wonder
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Scheduling Breaks
Taking naps isn’t just for preschoolers anymore, any Disney veteran will tell you that even the most devout Disney addict has been known to take a mid-day break here and there. Grandpa may tell anecdotes of climbing uphill to school, both ways, in the snow, without shoes, but even touring commando Grandpa may relinquish to a dip in the resort pool or a power nap in the heat of the afternoon.
Even if you don’t leave the parks, be sure schedule in break-like attractions. Theater/show style attractions, like Festival of the Lion King, Hall of Presidents, and Carousel of Progress provide comfortable seats in an air conditioned venue. These great spots to take a break from the heat of the day and the vigor of touring, while still enjoy a classic Disney experience.
©www.disneyworldenthusiast.com
Stay Hydrated!!
Notice the exclamation points? Yep, that’s because this may be one of the most important facts to remember. Dehydration leads to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, fainting, and overall grumpiness. Don’t ask if your senior is thirsty, just schedule a water break or hand them a bottle of water. Studies indicate that the less water an older person drinks, the less thirsty they become, leaving them open to the risk of serious dehydration and other complications. If the average person should drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, then you should drink more than that when you spend all day in the Florida heat.
Try to avoid soda when you can and drink water or even Vitamin water. If you want to avoid the expense of dropping $2.50 on a bottle of water at Disney 6-7 times a day, visit a counter service dining location and ask for a free cup of ice water. Disney also allows you to carry in refillable water bottles, so that’s an option as well.
I hope you never need them, but they can be a great resource, if you do. If you find yourself or Grandma or Grandpa suffering from a headache or blister, these handy spots can help you out in a pinch. They’re also a great place if your senior has special medication that needs to be refrigerated, the First Aid Centers can help accommodate that need.
Stay Alert & Check In
The last thing Grandma or Grandpa want to do is spoil anyone’s fun. They’ll likely be great troopers, push their limits, and go that extra mile to soak in every memory possible. Because of this, it’s that much more important to be aware of their subtle little signs. If you see them lagging back while the family is charging forward, check in with them.
Maybe it’s time for break for some tired legs, maybe a band aid or moleskin application to some shoes is needed, or it could be time for dose of their medication. Even though Nana and Boppa maybe perfectly mobile on their own, walking miles in the Disney parks can take its toll. Though they may not need an electric scooter or wheelchair all day, every day, remember that you can rent them for a day at a time at the park entrance. It could be that’s just what they need to make that third or fourth lap around World Showcase.
Hopefully, these tips will help you plan an enjoy your Disney vacations with some of our favorite “golden-aged” family members. What other tips do you have when touring with seniors? Be sure share insights and tips in the comment section!
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October 21, 2014
Disney Parks Potential: The Jungle Book
© Disney
Welcome back to Disney Parks Potential, where I take a look at some of Disney’s more underrepresented franchises and characters while coming up with interesting ways to integrate them into Walt Disney World or Disneyland. If you missed the first entry, which covered The Incredibles, you can check that out here. Today I’ll be taking a look at an all-time Disney animated classic, The Jungle Book.
When you hear that Jungle Book has no attraction presence at Disney World, you probably think, “Wait, that can’t be right.” I mean, with a park entirely dedicated to animals, it’s hard to believe that Disney doesn’t have at least one attraction based on The Jungle Book. That wasn’t always the case, however. When Animal Kingdom first opened, there was a show called Journey into the Jungle Book but it only lasted a year before being replaced by Tarzan Rocks! in the theater which now currently houses Finding Nemo-The Musical. Besides that short lived show, there haven’t been any further attractions based on The Jungle Book.
It’s not that Disney shies away from creating new experiences with older franchises and characters, so what’s the problem? I can think of a few reasons. Maybe with The Jungle Book’s lack of a traditional Disney princess in it, Disney may see creating a new attraction based on the film as more of a risk than say The Little Mermaid or Snow White. Or maybe the princess thing isn’t a concern and it’s simply because The Lion King is Disney’s go to animal film. Whatever the reason may be, I think a lot of people would agree that Baloo and the gang need at least some love within the Disney parks.
More Baloo please.
So how to integrate The Jungle Book? You could go the traditional dark ride route but from what I surmised earlier, that might not be a likely bet. My idea might be on a smaller scale but I think it would be effective in gauging interest in further Jungle Book attractions. I think Mickey’s Philharmagic should include a new Jungle Book segment within the attraction. “Bare Necessities” and “I Wan’na Be Like You” are both classic Disney sing-a-long songs so either would be a fine choice for the music based 3D show. Also, it may not seem like it, but Philharmagic is over ten years old. Why not refresh it with some new musical segments for Donald to cause trouble within?
For those crying blasphemy because they don’t want to see a favorite song like “Part of Your World” or “Be Our Guest” replaced, I have a solution for you, and it comes from Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. That’s right, Star Tours! Star Tours gives guests a different experience every time by randomly showing different events and planets to travel through. Why can’t Philharmagic do the same thing? The attraction seems perfectly fit for it with a clear end point to each song before Donald is transported to the next Disney film. This would probably boost attendance on the attraction too while allowing new songs from films like the Jungle Book without cutting out the current crop of Disney films within the attraction. Everybody wins!
My Jungle Book parks potential idea may not be as ambitious as the previous Incredibles ideas but I think it could definitely be the start of a revitalization of the older Disney animated film. I want to know what you all think though. Do you want to see more of The Jungle Book within the parks? Leave a comment and until next time, this has been another entry of Disney Parks Potential.
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A Guide to Walt Disney World Attraction Vehicles and Seating: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
By Erin Foster
We recently brought you photo guides to the ride and attraction seating situation at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Completing the series is our guide to the attraction seating at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
And away we go …
The Boneyard
Seating capacity per row: NA
Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Playground experience. More than 100 guests permitted entrance simultaneously.
Seating surface: There is very little seating here. There are few picnic tables where adults may sit, but these do not have sightlines on the entire play area.
Safety restraints: None
Boarding procedure: Walk into playground
Height requirement: None
Note: 1: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride into the attraction. Much of the attraction is inaccessible to guests with mobility issues. The attraction includes stairs, slides, and rope climbing activities.
Note 2: It is extremely easy to temporarily lose sight of your child here. There are cavelike areas and child-size tunnels. However, there is only one exit to the attraction. If you have an elementary age child, you may feel comfortable “guarding” the exit and letting him roam. Parents of preschoolers will likely want to closely supervise their kids to avoid minor injury or separation anxiety.
Note 3: The dig area is separate from, and typically calmer than, the slide area. If you need some unstructured chill time, head to the dig site.
Note 4: During warm weather, a water feature will be activated. Children may get wet.
Dinosaur
Seating capacity per row: 4
Seating capacity per vehicle: 12
Seating surface: Lightly padded chair
Safety restraints: Individual fabric lap belt for each guest
Boarding procedure: Small step up (less than 12″) into ride vehicle
Height requirement: 40″
Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
Note 1: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the standard ride vehicle.
Note 2: Big, noisy dinosaurs frighten some children.
Expedition Everest
Seating capacity per row: 2
Seating capacity per vehicle: 4 or 6. Approximately 34 guests per train.
Seating surface: Hard chair with armrest.
Safety restraints: Individual lap bar for each guest
Boarding procedure: Small step up (less than 12″) into ride vehicle
Height requirement: 44″
Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings
Note 1: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the standard ride vehicle.
Note 2: There is a practice vehicle located near the single rider entrance (ask cast members for directions). Wheelchair and ECV users can assess their ability to board at the practice train.
Note 3: The last car on each train has a modified opening to give more room to guests with mobility issues.
Note 4: This is an intense roller coaster with backward and forward motion. Avoid if you have motion sickness issues. Children may be frightened.
Festival of the Lion King
Seating capacity per row: Several dozen
Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction. More than 100 guests per show.
Seating surface: Backless metal bench
Safety restraints: None
Boarding procedure: Walk into theater
Height requirement: None
Note 1: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
Note 2: This is bleacher-style seating with no handrails. If you are unsteady, ask a cast member to seat you near the front of the theater.
Finding Nemo, The Musical
Seating capacity per row: Several dozen
Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction. More than 100 guests per show.
Seating surface: Wood bench with back
Safety restraints: None
Boarding procedure: Walk into theater
Height requirement: None
Note: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
Flights of Wonder
Seating capacity per row: Several dozen
Seating capacity per vehicle: NA. Show-style attraction. More than 100 guests per show.
Seating surface: Backless bench
Safety restraints: None
Boarding procedure: Walk into theater
Height requirement: None
Note 1: Wheelchair and ECV users may ride directly into the theater.
Note 2: Seats at the rear of the theater are bleacher-style with no handrails. If you are unsteady, ask a cast member to seat you near the front of the theater.
Harambe Wildlife Express (train to Conservation Station)
Seating capacity per row: More than a dozen
Seating capacity per vehicle: About 30 per train car, more than 100 per train
Seating surface: Bench with back
Safety restraints: None
Boarding procedure: For the first row, walk on flat surface into train. For the second row, moderate step (about 12″) into seating area.
Height requirement: None
Note 1: Personal strollers may be brought on board if folded
Note 2: There is a wheelchair capable car. Wheelchair and ECV users may remain seated and ride onto the train car.
Kali River Rapids
Seating capacity per row: Four sets of two seats.
Seating capacity per vehicle: 8
Seating surface: Plastic chair with armrest on one side.
Safety restraints: Fabric lap belt. One belt for every two guests to share.
Boarding procedure: Small step (less than 12″) from moving walkway to moving raft, then moderate step down (about 12″) into raft, then walk to seat.
Height requirement: 38″
Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
Note 1: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the ride on their own.
Note 2: Most guests get wet, some guests get soaked. Consider ponchos for guests averse to water. Protect camera equipment and medical devices.
Note 3: Larger guests may be more comfortable if they have a two-seat section to themselves. Speak with a cast member if you have concerns.
Kilimanjaro Safari
Seating capacity per row: 3-5 depending on size
Seating capacity per vehicle: Approximately 35
Seating surface: Lightly padded bench with back
Safety restraints: None
Boarding procedure: Small step (less than 12″) up into vehicle
Height requirement: None
Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
Note 1: There is a wheelchair capable vehicle. ECV users must transfer to a standard wheelchair.
Note 2: All guests have good views, but photographers will want to sit at the outside of their row.
Note 3: Cast members will ask you to seat children at the center of the row.
Primeval Whirl
Seating capacity per row: 4
Seating capacity per vehicle: 4
Seating surface: Hard chair with back
Safety restraints: Pull-down lap bar. Two guests share the lap bar.
Boarding procedure: Moderate step up (about 12″) from stationary platform into moving vehicle.
Height requirement: 48″
Posted warnings: Standard motion sickness, pregnancy, and heart/back/neck warnings.
Note 1: Wheelchair and ECV users must transfer to the ride on their own.
Note 2: Larger guests may be more comfortable if they have a two-seat section to themselves. Speak with a cast member if you have concerns.
Note 3: This a small scale roller coaster with spinning elements. Guests with motion sickness issues take caution.
TriceratopSpin
Seating capacity per row: 2 to 3 guests, depending on size. Two average size adults or one adult plus two small children will fit comfortably in each row. Cast members may seat two adults and one child in a row, which can be tight. Larger guests may ask for their own row; this is rarely necessary.
Seating capacity per vehicle: Two rows per vehicle, for a total of 4-6 guests per dino.
Seating surface: Hard bench with back.
Safety restraints: One fabric lap belt over all guests in each row.
Boarding procedure: Moderate step (just over 12″) up over a wall and down into the vehicle.
Height requirement: None
Note 1: There is a wheelchair capable dino. ECV users must transfer to a standard wheelchair.
Note 2: There are control levers in the dino. One row controls the height, the other controls the tilt. If you have kids in different rows, you may want to work out in advance which child does which. The row access area is open while the vehicle is in motion. Children should be seated to the inside of each row.
Be sure to check out our related articles about Attraction Vehicles in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Related information can be found in our posts about Disney Transportation Vehicles, and Touring with Odd Numbers of Family Members.
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A Guide to Walt Disney World Attraction Vehicles and Seating: Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney World Itinerary: Which Parks to Visit
“Which are the best parks to visit?” is the most common question I am asked by Disney World newbies. The short answer is, “it depends!” The appeal of the parks varies quite a bit by age and subject matter interest. But have no fear, newbies, help is here! I have compiled a “one-size-fits-most” 4-1/2 day Disney World itinerary for a variety of demographics. These plans assume there will be four full days and the remainder of one travel day for the Disney World vacation, and only one theme park will be visited in a day (no Park Hopper passes).
Magic Kingdom is full of wonder, it’s no mystery why preschoolers love it so much.
Families with Preschool Children (up to age 4) – 4 Day Park Ticket
2 days Magic Kingdom
1 day Animal Kingdom
1 day Hollywood Studios
½ day at hotel or Downtown Disney (future Disney Springs)
Rationale:
Magic Kingdom is a big hit among the preschool set, and offers the most attractions of any of the parks. Magic Kingdom also few height restrictions, so only four attractions require riders to be 40″ or taller (Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and Stitch’s Great Escape!). Since this demographic enjoys characters, Magic Kingdom gives a lot of bang for your buck where that is concerned.
Animal Kingdom is well-liked by preschoolers for its theme.
Hollywood Studios has several attractions specifically geared to preschool children (including a character meal featuring Disney Junior characters at Hollywood & Vine).
The extra half day is unnecessary for most preschoolers, so save the money and just buy a 4-day ticket. Downtown Disney is a great place to visit on that half day, to shop and eat.
Strategies: Preschoolers are generally early risers, so take advantage of rope drop at each park to experience some attractions before the crowds arrive. Take a 3 to 4 hour mid-day break to re-energize with a nap or a swim (except for the day you tour Animal Kingdom, which closes earlier than the other parks). Four park days in a row will be a lot for many preschoolers, so plan the less intensely-scheduled days for the end of the trip. Plan to be flexible with preschool children and take breaks as necessary, Disney World can be a very stimulating place.
School age children enjoy the 3-D arcade-style wonder that is Toy Story Midway Mania! at Hollywood Studios.
Families with School Age Children (4 to 8) – 5 Day Park Ticket
2 days Magic Kingdom
1 day Animal Kingdom
1 day Hollywood Studios
½ day Epcot
Rationale:
School age kids are not as affected by height restrictions (the average 4 year old is 40” tall). Magic Kingdom still remains the priority, since it has the most attractions overall and they are very appealing to this age group. Characters are still appealing, and Magic Kingdom has a plethora of offerings.
Animal Kingdom is a great all-ages park. School age kids will have fun collecting a few Wilderness Explorers badges.
Hollywood Studios offers Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! and Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show which are well liked by this demographic. as well as the Jedi Training Academy which appeals to Star Wars Fans.
A half day at Epcot is a good introduction to the park for school age children, and can be spent focused in Future World.
Strategies: Take advantage of rope drop at each of the parks to avoid late morning/early afternoon crowds. Take a mid-day break of 3 to 4 hours to get out of the heat and recharge your batteries, a swim at the pool or downtime in your hotel room are a great source of energy. Plan some time at Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure at Hollywood Studios, and The Boneyard dig site at Animal Kingdom for some open ended play that appeals to this age group (and gets them out of line for awhile).
Tweens will begin to enjoy exploring the World Showcase in Epcot. It’s fun to see all the coins in King Neptune’s fountain in Italy.
Families with Tweens (8 to 12) – 5 Day Park Ticket
1 ½ days Magic Kingdom
1 day Animal Kingdom
1 day Hollywood Studios
1 day Epcot
Rationale:
Children in this age group want to experience as much as they can and have the stamina to back it up! The Magic Kingdom attractions geared toward preschoolers can be removed from the touring plan at this stage, but there are still a lot of attractions to experience, so more than one day can be spent there.
Animal Kingdom is a great park for all ages, and this demographic will enjoy the Wilderness Explorers adventures found throughout the park, maybe even striving to complete them all.
Hollywood Studios will be especially appealing to thrill-seekers in this age category (The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster), and Star Wars fans will also enjoy this park.
Tweens will enjoy a full day at Epcot where the family can tour Future World in the morning and World Showcase in the afternoon.
Strategies: Plan to open and close the parks each day, with a mid-day break of 3 to 4 hours to re-energize with a swim in the pool or a trip to Downtown Disney. Or, if you have purchased the Water Park Fun and More option on your base ticket, head to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon during the hot part of the day and then return to the park afterward.
Families with Teens / Young Adults – 5 Day Park Ticket
1 ½ days Magic Kingdom
1 day Animal Kingdom
1 day Hollywood Studios
1 day Epcot
Rationale:
This is the same itinerary as the tween itinerary, but the focus of teens will probably be on hitting all of the thrill rides multiple times and skipping most of the shows and dark rides.
This demographic might opt out of a day at their least favorite park in favor of a day at Universal Studios instead. A good choice to drop might be Animal Kingdom due to its limited hours.
Strategies: Most teens want to sleep in, so plan to skip rope drop and head to the parks in the late morning or keep busy until mid-afternoon and plan to stay until park closing. If you have purchased the Water Park Fun and More option on your base ticket, head to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon as early as you can, and then head to one of the parks afterward. Evening Extra Magic Hours could be a great way to maximize the time at the parks for this late-rising demographic.
Finding Nemo – The Musical at Animal Kingdom appeals to a broad audience.
Adults – 4 Day Park Ticket
1 day Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios
1 day Animal Kingdom
2 days Epcot
½ day Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk resort area
Rationale:
Many adults aren’t seeking out the thrill rides, so the choice of Magic Kingdom vs. Hollywood Studios will depend on interest in the themes and specific attractions offered.
Animal Kingdom has a lot of shows which appeal to adults, as well as a large amount of self-guided animal exploration opportunities. It is a great place to take photos.
Epcot is most appealing to this demographic, who will enjoy both the offerings of Future World and World Showcase. There’s fun to be had drinking or eating around the world.
Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk resort area have shopping, restaurants and night life that also appeals to adults.
Strategies: Getting to the parks at rope drop will definitely start the day off right with the relatively low crowd levels. Plan to hit the headliner attractions first, and save the shows and general “ambiance appreciation” for later in the day when crowds grow.
The Whole (Multi-aged) Family
The itinerary for this group is going to vary a lot depending on the makeup of the group. But one thing is for sure, there are things to do for every age range at each of the four parks. And when it comes time to decide on which attractions to hit, be sure to reference a touring plan like “Magic Kingdom Touring Plans for the Whole Family” to keep everyone happy.
I hope this collection of Disney World itineraries will help make your Disney World vacation planning a success. With all that Disney has to offer, it seems to me that there’s no “wrong” itinerary to choose!
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October 20, 2014
“Glow With The Show” Changing To “Made With Magic” at Disney Parks
©Disney
Recently Disney rolled out “Glow With The Show” ears; they appeared at Walt Disney World last year and were introduced at Disneyland a year prior. Well, it seems that the concept is being re-branded, and it will now be known as “Made With Magic.”
In addition to being re-branded, new merchandise items have been created for guests to purchase and enjoy. These items include a Sorcerer Mickey wand (which will offer an additional function of changing the light patterns of other “Made with Magic” products), a Mickey Mouse glove, and a Minnie Mouse headband. The previously offered “Glow With The Show” ear hats will still be available, as well.
For those who are unaware, the “Made With Magic” items utilize interactive technology that allows the products to blink and change color in response to the environment you are in at the parks. Places in Walt Disney World that make use of the interactive elements include Fantasmic! and The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as the Celebrate the Magic castle light show and the Wishes fireworks show at Magic Kingdom. At Disneyland, the products interact with World of Color at Disney California Adventure, as well as Fantasmic! and the nighttime fireworks show at Disneyland. When the merchandise isn’t interacting with the environment, it is in a color-changing mode.
The first item to arrive will be the Minnie Mouse headband, which will be available in late October/early November. The Mickey Mouse glove and Sorcerer Mickey wand can be purchased beginning in late November/early December. The ear hats are available now. Each item will cost $25 and be available at select locations throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
With the new products being offered, are you more likely to purchase a “Made with Magic” interactive item?
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The Chase Lounge at Food & Wine for 2014
By Claire Nat
In all the busy preparations for my Walt Disney World trip and the realities of daily life, I missed this little gem on TouringPlans.com that stated that Chase – a sponsor of Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival – would have a lounge for Chase cardholders in The American Adventure pavilion. Imagine my surprise when one of the cast members giving me my sweet pepper hash at the Farm Fresh booth mentioned that I could go to a lounge because of my credit card!
If you look at The American Adventure pavilion, to the right of the main entrance is a side door that leads into a stairwell. Some lovely cast members stand there, and you show them your Chase card. (On the main banner it states that the lounge is for Chase debit and credit cardholders, including Disney Visa members.) Then you follow the signs up to the third floor (there’s also an elevator) and a most wonderful sight beckons.
To the right, there is a refreshment station where you can purchase wine and other alcoholic beverages. There are tall tables there where you can enjoy your refreshments. However, the best part is the Coke Freestyle machines (there are three) where you can pick from a wide variety of Coke products for free! (This is how I can get my vanilla Diet Coke, so I was thrilled.) There is coffee offered for free, as well. While they don’t offer any food in the lounge, you are welcome to bring food up to the lounge. I saw grocery store snacks as well as Food & Wine fare.
If you go left from the stairs and elevator, you find a cell phone charging station. Be careful that you choose the right plug for your phone. Some people were comfortable plugging in their phones and leaving for drinks or relaxation. Others hovered by the charging station. I did a little of both, and 
hovered a little more when I realized my phone had been unplugged. The charging station was a great perk for me, since my phone is old and was close to dead in the middle of the afternoon!
There are two leather couches and several tables and chairs set up around the lounge, and two of the smaller tables offer a wonderful view of Epcot from below. It’s not often that you can see over the America Gardens Theater and view Spaceship Earth!
Two Disney Infinity games were set up to experience, though I couldn’t tell if it was version 1 or 2. (I didn’t see any Marvel characters, so I’m assuming it’s the original.) There were four characters on the platforms that kids could sample in Toybox Mode. Many of the kids enjoyed figuring stuff out, and it gave the parents a chance to chill while their kids were occupied. One of the televisions is on a loop promoting the Chase Disney Visa card, and another runs Disney XD, but on mute.
A cast member was handing out special wristbands that would provide a special viewing area for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. While in the past there was also a special pass for Eat to the Beat concerts, that was not offered both days I visited the lounge.
My favorite part of the Chase Lounge is the bathrooms. (Hear me out!) The Disney Parks are not known for having the best toilet paper, but in the lounge the TP was a much better quality. There aren’t many stalls, so there might be some waiting in line if you come at a busy time.
There are multiple cast members in the lounge ready to point the way or give you helpful information or clean up spilled drinks. The lounge has a cap, but both times I was there, it did not reach capacity. If it had, they line people up outside, and each person coming out allows another to go in.
The Chase Lounge is open for the entire time World Showcase is open (11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday), but I would recommend going there early in the day. I went on a Thursday afternoon, and the place started to feel more crowded after 3. On the Saturday that I went, there were quite a few people the whole time I was there.
If you have a Chase card, this is a great way to get out of the Florida heat and take a load off your feet while enjoying the air conditioning and a cool drink. Take advantage of this lounge – it’s only available during Food & Wine!
Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival runs every day in Epcot, now through November 10, 2014.
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Menu Monday: Snacks from the World Showcase: China!
By Katie McNair
It’s a perfect day to search out snacks! © Disney
It’s Menu Monday! Today we are looking once again at packaged snacks that are available in Epcot’s World Showcase, and we have already visited Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Only a few stops remain on our snacking tour, so let’s check out what’s available as we explore today’s stop, China!
Snack Rules
No snacks over $10; preferably less than $5
As unusual as possible
Something I personally would eat
Let’s see what we can find! China’s pavilion is home to several must-sees, as well as two restaurants and a large shop with a large variety of options. The main attraction is the impressive Reflections of China, a Circle-Vision 360 film depicting life in China. While the video is starting to feel the slightest bit dated, the vibrant visuals and engaging soundtrack make it a necessary stop on your Epcot Touring Plan. The film is presented in a theater that has screens all the way around the room (thus the Circle-Vision 360 name!), so be sure to keep an eye on what’s happening behind you.
China’s Pavilion is just gorgeous, including this replica of the Temple of Heaven.
You also need to spend some time wandering around China’s pavilion, looking at the authentic architecture and gardens. With bridges spanning ponds and highly detailed buildings, there’s tons to see, making the China Pavilion one of the most gorgeous spots in Epcot. You also need to stop in
The tranquil ponds make this a peaceful spot to stand and people watch.
China is also home to two restaurants, the Lotus Blossom Cafe and Nine Dragons (serving Chinese food, of course!), as well as a food cart, Joy of Tea. The Joy of Tea offers a combo meal that is reasonably priced, and there’s rarely a line, making it a good choice if you need a meal without impacting your touring plans.
There are many small bridges wandering over the ponds to explore.
It’s easy to see why so many people enjoy their time visiting this pavilion, with tons of tiny details that you might not notice the first time (or the tenth time!) you visit.
Even the roofs are fancy! Check out the details on the House of Good Fortune’s roof!
Finally, let’s check out our snack options!
Lions guard the front of the House of Good Fortune, China’s shopping area.
Whenever I visit the House of Good Fortune I immediately check to see what they have available in packaged snacks, as several years ago they had these incredible crackers. The package was completely in Chinese, of course, with the nutrition information in English giving no hint as to what they were. They were amazing, and instantly became one of the items I always look for whenever I’m visiting Epcot… even though I have never seen them there again.
A variety of flavored ginger chews, including peanut butter, orange, peppermint, mango, and original.
This trip I was also disappointed, with no crackers in sight, but there were several options available, so I quickly resigned myself to the loss of the crackers, and perused my options.
Various candies, most of them without a price tag… making comparison shopping tricky…
Most of the options were some variety of candy (with ginger being a repeating flavor or component), with some cookies as well.
Shocking and Striking candy and panda poop. Interesting…
They even had something called Panda Poop, which also was also not priced, but I wasn’t really interested in giving that a try…
I have had Taro before… I was not a fan of the texture, which was gelatinous and strangely chewy.
After a close look at each item, guessing at the prices (most didn’t have a price tag for some reason), and far too much time spent over the few options, I decided to get two items, Chimes peanut butter ginger chews, which cost $2.50, and cola-flavored Striking Candy, which cost $3.95.
“Chimes is comforting wherever you go!” Well, that’s comforting, I suppose. $2.50 for the bag.
The package promised lots of things, including being gluten-free, comforting, and boasting that pure ginger is used in the making of this candy.
This bag promises great things for travelers, and even promises you music for your mouth in the office!
The back continued the superlatives, and claims great things for the traveler, making it a good treat to pick up for your travels home from Disney.
Each chew is individually wrapped, and labeled with the flavor.
Once I unwrapped the chew, I found it was covered with a white powder, likely powdered sugar, and looked like a caramel.
The chew is about an inch long.
The candy was chewy, as should be expected from a chew, and had a nice peanut butter flavor with an understated ginger taste. After a bit, though, it started to burn my throat and the ginger taste was slightly stronger. Upon swallowing, it warmed both the throat and the stomach, which was a bit disturbing. I know that ginger is commonly used to treat upset stomachs, so I guess that was a good thing, but it was a strange feeling nonetheless. All in all, it had a good taste, and was tolerable even with the burning, so I am interested to try this candy next time I travel or have an upset stomach to see if it actually helps.
The guy on the front of the package seems to enjoy this, so I thought I’d give it a try! $3.95
Next, I also got Striking Popping Cola candy, which I guessed was like Pop Rocks, but in an unusual flavor. The package contained 20 individually wrapped pouches of the candy, making it easy to share.
The pouches are tiny, which makes it easy to enjoy without feeling guilty.
After opening up the pouch, I poured it out, finding small pieces in a yellowish color, which are indeed rather rock shaped.
This is the contents of one of the individual pouches.
For a candy called Striking Popping candy, the name is very appropriate. The candy is extremely tart, and immediately pops in your mouth, exactly like Pop Rocks, just in a smaller amount. The taste was of tart cola, and it was quite tasty. Since the candy comes in small packets, it would be quite fun to share and not explain to the unwary the tartness of the candy, and enjoy their facial expressions. All in all, I enjoyed both, and would like to try the other flavors if I were to get either again.
So, what do you think? Would you like to try the Striking Popping candy, or would you prefer the Ginger Chew? Let me know in the comments!
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