Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1182
September 27, 2014
Video: Saying Farewell to DHS’s Studio Backlot Tour and Catastrophe Canyon
DHS’s Studio Backlot Tour and Catastrophe Canyon is now an ex-attraction. (Photos and video by Seth Kubersky)
The operating day has just ended at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and with it the sun has set on the final day for the park’s Studio Backlot Tour and Catastrophe Canyon. The behind-the-scenes tram tour, which saw its closing day of operations today (Saturday, September 27, 2014), ended its career a pale shadow of its former self. But the tour originally served as the thesis attraction of the Disney/MGM Studios park, much as Spaceship Earth is for Epcot and Killimajaro Safaris for Animal Kingdom.
What was once a multi-part, multi-hour tour that delved into nearly every aspect of old-school movie making had long ago been whittled down to a brief special effects water tank demonstration, followed by a tram ride through the park’s mostly dormant backlot. Even so, there were still glimmers of the epic original attraction to be found along the Studio Backlot Tour, especially in its explosive Catastrophe Canyon centerpiece, which continued to wow guests right up until closing day.
These props in the tram tour’s queue once decorated Epcot’s World of Motion ride.
This corporate plane was purportedly Walt Disney’s personal transportation.
Famous movie vehicles, like this snowspeeder from The Empire Strikes Back, lined the tram tour route.
I took a nostalgic lap around the Studio Backlot Tour earlier in the week, and captured the following video of the the Catastrophe Canyon climax as a reminder of what once made this attraction, and the park that was built around it, so memorable.
Disney is thus far officially mum on what may replace the Studio Backlot Tour, and the largely dormant soundstages that surround it, though reliable rumors suggest an expansion of Toy Story Mania and other Pixar-themed attractions may be on the drawing board. In the meantime, raise a glass to the Studios that once were, and bid farewell to the original ideal of filmmaking edutainment that is now apparently extinct inside Walt Disney World.
Will you miss the Studio Backlot Tour and Catastrophe Canyon? Leave your memories of the attraction in the comments below!
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Video: Saying Farewell to DHS’s Studio Backlot Tour and Catastrophe Canyon is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
SATURDAY SIX: Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
By Derek Burgan
Remember, click on any picture to see it in full size.
This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. A few weeks ago we covered Villains Unleashed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and came away with more questions than answers for the future of that party. Now we are in Halloween season, and that leads us to another hard ticket event focusing on Disney’s “bad guys,” Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) at the Magic Kingdom. Personally, I think this is the highlight of the Walt Disney World year with guests getting the best bang for their buck. The lines for attractions throughout the park are short or nonexistent, lesser seen characters are out for meet ‘n greets (such as Tarzan and Jane), the Dapper Dans get converted over to the Cadaver Dans, and you get to see a wide variety of costumes worn by guests (with several being almost Disney-level in terms of costuming).
The $64,000 question for most people is simple: is MNSSHP worth the price tag of $62-$71 per person? I think so, and here are six more reasons why….
# 6 – Unique Food and Snack Options Throughout the Park
Poison Apple and Candy Corn soft serve ice cream from Storybook Treats.
MNSSHP has always had a couple interesting food and beverage items exclusive to the party, including the mouth watering pumpkin spiced waffle sundae that made its debut at last year’s party. This year Disney has gone all out with a whole bunch of new treats throughout the park that are available only during MNSSHP nights, including at sit down locations such as Be Our Guest and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. We were looking forward to the candy corn soft serve ice cream available at Storybook Treats, and it did not disappoint, especially with a bunch of candy corn at the bottom of the cup. There was also candy corn cotton candy, which was not as successful. Almost everywhere you turned there was a new treat or drink, including ghost cupcakes at Gaston’s Tavern, candy corn cupcakes at the Main Street Bakery, and a “Buggy Brew” at the Friar’s Nook, which looked like someone went to Diagon Alley and brought back a bunch of Fishy Green Ales. A major thumbs up overall for the variety of items, and let’s hope this trend continues at the upcoming Christmas party in a few weeks.
Note: for table service restaurants such as Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, MNSSHP-goers should try to get a reservation between 4:00 and 5:00 PM. MNSSHP allows guests to enter the Magic Kingdom starting at 4:00, even though the party doesn’t officially start until 7:00. Sit down restaurants such as Be Our Guest and Tony’s generally stop taking reservations at 7:00, leaving only the quick service locations once the party begins.
Candy Corn flavored Cotton Candy.
The Evil Eye at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.
# 5 – Club Villain and Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball
While I am not a big fan of dance parties, they are here to stay in the theme park world, and Disney offered two unique opportunities at MNSSHP. The first party took place inside the Diamond Horseshoe as the venue was renamed Club Villain. While the outside had very little change, inside there was a bunch of artistic, almost graffiti-like drawings of several villains that really popped when under black light. They were stunning. There was also a DJ on the stage playing music as various villains such as Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians), Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas), and Lady Tremaine (Cinderella) mingled among the crowd. Meanwhile over in Tomorrowland there was the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball featuring Monsters, Inc.‘s Sully and Mike Wazowski. There weren’t as many frills with this one: just a DJ on a stage with the two Monsters dancing. But this dance party definitely connected with the younger set. Boo and some of the other monsters from the franchise also made appearances throughout the night in this area.
Club Villain.
Club Villain.
Mike Wazowski at the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball in Tomorrowland.
# 4 – The exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card
Avast yae scurvy pirates, set sail to eBay!
Once again, Disney delivered a new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card for MNSSHP. 2012 brought us a Chip & Dale card, last year was the Hitchhiking Ghosts, and this year was one based on Pirates of the Caribbean. What I find fantastic about these cards is the fact that not only are they a unique option for people who enjoy playing the game, but they are a fun souvenir for everyone else and one that you can’t buy at any store. Speaking of souvenirs, one area MNSSHP can improve on is the exclusive merchandise available during the party. For the most part everything seemed generic, a stark contrast to, say, Star Wars Weekends, which always debuts several items that fans want to gobble up. Instead of a MNSSHP-themed MagicBand, how about making Magic Bandits featuring the Hitchhiking Ghosts? Instead of one t-shirt design, how about limited edition ones focusing on the Headless Horseman or the Cadaver Dans? They could have made limited edition prints of the artwork that was hanging in Club Villain. Universal put out two new Uni-Minis for its Halloween event this year; how about a MNSSHP vinylmation? There are lots of options for the future, but I would be shocked if I don’t see many of the items from this year’s party show up at the Outlet Stores. There’s just no compelling reason to buy any of them.
Malefiecent limited edition pin at MNSSHP.
# 3 – CANDY!!!
Follow us to happiness.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
I understand that it’s illogical to put out the money it costs to go to a hard ticket event like MNSSHP and spend your time waiting in line for candy that you can buy much cheaper at any CVS, Walmart, or Publix near you. It doesn’t make any sense. I agree 100%. That said, hitting the various candy stops throughout the Magic Kingdom is just plain fun. In the real world, going trick or treating is one of the biggest highlights of a kid’s year, right up there with Christmas morning and the last day of school in the summer. Having to give up trick or treating when becoming an adult is a tough loss, but MNSSHP gives us a little reminder of how great it was to come home and pick through your candy, separating the good stuff like Kit Kats and Snickers from worthless treats like Smarties and generic green lollipops. It allows you for the briefest of moments to be a kid again. T0 paraphrase the movie Step Brothers, don’t ever forget how to be a dinosaur.
While I am waxing nostalgic, I would also like to point out that the Cast Members across the board during MNSSHP are the best you can encounter inside a theme park. Maybe it’s because they get to do something different compared to their normal day at work. Or maybe the MNSSHP crowd itself – with little kids dressed up as Peter Pan and Wendy – aren’t sucking away their life force like a day guest complaining about FastPass+. Or perhaps it’s just that I consume so much sugar during the party that it alters my entire DNA, but everyone seems nicer and more helpful. I have nothing but the highest compliments for every CM I have ever encountered at MNSSHP.
Three cheers for the MNSSHP Cast Members.
# 2 – Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade
The Headless Horseman
No one can outdo Disney when it comes to parades, and Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade is, in my mind, the best one going today. This is helped in large part by having one of the catchiest soundtracks of any Disney attraction, parade or otherwise. Guests will find themselves singing or humming the “Boo-to-You” song for days and weeks after the party. The parade starts off with a bang, as the Headless Horsemen makes his way by to start, and this is followed by a cavalcade of all the major Disney characters. Where the parade takes it up a notch is the segment based around the Haunted Mansion. The caretaker and his dog, the gravediggers using their shovels to create sparks on the pavement, the creepy ghost dancers…. this is the only part of the entire night that inches above a “G” rating, and it is spectacular.
The ghostly ballroom dancers in Mickey’s Boo To You! parade.
New this year were Wreck It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz from the Wreck It Ralph film. The pair had a rather large reaction from the crowd the night I went, which I found surprising and uplifting as I would love to see more Wreck It Ralph in the parks. The parade closes out with a whole bunch of Disney villains including the hyenas from Lion King, Bowler Hat Guy from Meet the Robinsons, Judge Claude Frollo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and more. I’m not a parade guy at all, but B00-to-You is the one parade for which I make sure I line up early.
Wreck It Ralph in Mickey’s Boo To You! parade.
Vanellope von Schweetz at Mickey’s Boo To You! parade.
Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
# 1 – Happy HalloWishes
Happy HalloWishes
The Haunted Mansion’s Ghost Host narrates Happy HalloWishes in what is pound for pound the best nighttime spectacular on property. You have a great soundtrack based around the Disney villains and an amazing fireworks display that includes the all-too-rare perimeter fireworks (which need to be seen to be believed). I had a nice surprise later in the same week as I returned for a dinner at ‘Ohana and found out that during MNSSHP they will dim the lights of the restaurant and play the B00-to-You soundtrack as guests watch the fireworks out the windows. That’s as close as I have ever come to a perfect meal.
Happy HalloWishes.
Perimeter fireworks during Happy HalloWishes.
Before we go, here’s a brief look at what didn’t make the cut for this article….
# 8,321 – Phineas and Ferb (and the Creepa Crew)
Before the actual Boo-to-You parade starts, there is an awkward moment where Phineas and Ferb come out with a collection of dancers called the Creepa Crew (I swear that I am not making any of this up).
Phineas (of Phineas and Ferb fame)
So there you have it: Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going across the street to the other Halloween event in town, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. If you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.
Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover for his invaluable assistance in this article.
See ya next year!
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SATURDAY SIX: Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
SATURDAY SIX: Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
By Derek Burgan
Remember, click on any picture to see it in full size.
This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. A few weeks ago we covered Villains Unleashed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and came away with more questions than answers for the future of that party. Now we are in Halloween season, and that leads us to another hard ticket event focusing on Disney’s “bad guys,” Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Personally, I think this is the highlight of the Walt Disney World year with guests getting the best bang for their buck. The lines for attractions throughout the park are short or nonexistent, lesser seen characters are out for meet ‘n greets (such as Tarzan and Jane,) the Dapper Dans get converted over to the Cadaver Dans, and you get to see a wide variety of costumes worn by guests (with several being almost Disney-level in terms of costuming.)
The $64,000 question for most people is simple: is MNSSHP worth the price tag of $62-$71 per person? I think so, and here’s six more reasons why….
# 6 – Unique Food and Snack Options Throughout the Park
Poison Apple and Candy Corn soft serve ice cream from Storybook Treats.
MNSSHP has always had a couple interesting food and beverage items exclusive to the party, including the mouth watering pumpkin spiced waffle sundae that made its debut at last year’s party. This year Disney has gone all out with a whole bunch of new treats throughout the park that are available only during the party, including at sit down locations such as Be Our Guest and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. We were looking forward to the candy corn soft serve ice cream available at Storybook Treats, and it did not disappoint, especially with a bunch of candy corn at the bottom of the cup. There was also candy corn cotton candy, which was not as successful. Almost everywhere you turned there was a new treat or drink, including ghost cupcakes at Gaston’s Tavern, candy corn cupcakes at the Main Street Bakery, and a “Buggy Brew” at the Friar’s Nook which looked like someone went to Diagon Alley and brought back a bunch of Fishy Green Ales. A major thumbs up overall for the variety of items and lets hope this trend continues at the upcoming Christmas party in a few weeks.
Candy Corn flavored Cotton Candy.
The Evil Eye at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.
# 5 – Club Villain and Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball
While I am not a biggest fan of dance parties, they are here to stay in the theme park world and Disney offered two unique opportunities at MNSSHP. The first party took place inside the Diamond Horseshoe as the venue was renamed Club Villain. While the outside had very little change, inside there was a bunch of artistic, almost graffiti-like drawings of several villains that really popped when under black light. They were stunning. There was also a DJ on the stage playing music as various villains such as Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians), Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas), and Lady Tremaine (Cinderella) mingled among the crowd. Meanwhile over in Tomorrowland there was the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball featuring Monster Inc’s Sully and Mike Wazowski. There wasn’t as many frills with this one, just a DJ on a stage with the two Monsters dancing, but this dance party definitely connected with the younger set. Boo and some of the other monsters from the franchise also made appearances throughout the night in this area.
Club Villain.
Club Villain.
Mike Wazowski at the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball in Tomorrowland.
# 4 – The exclusive Sorceror’s of the Magic Kingdom card
Avast yae scurvy pirates, set sail to eBay!
Once again Disney delivered a new Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom card for MNSSHP. 2012 brought us a Chip & Dale card, last year was the Hitchhiking Ghosts, and this year was one based around Pirates of the Caribbean. What I find fantastic about these cards is the fact that not only are they a unique option for people who enjoy playing the game, but they are a fun souvenir for everyone else and one that you can’t buy at any store. Speaking of souvenirs, one area MNSSHP can improve on is the exclusive merchandise available during the party. For the most part everything seemed generic, a stark contrast to say, Star Wars Weekends, which always debuts several items that fans want to gobble up. Instead of a MNSSHP themed MagicBand, how about making Magic Bandits featuring the Hitchhiking Ghosts? Instead of one t-shirt design, how about limited edition ones focusing on the Headless Horseman or the Cadaver Dans? They could have made limited edition prints of the artwork that was hanging in Club Villain. Universal put out two new Uni-Minis for their halloween event this year, how about a MNSSHP vinylmation? Lots of options for the future, but I would be shocked if I don’t see many of the items from this year’s party show up at the Outlet Stores. There’s just no compelling reason to buy any of them.
Malefiecent limited edition pin at MNSSHP.
# 3 – CANDY!!!
Follow us to happiness.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
I understand that it’s illogical to put out the money it costs to go to a hard ticket event like MNSSHP and spend your time waiting in line for candy that you can buy much cheaper at any CVS, Wal-Mart, or Publix near you. It doesn’t make any sense. I agree 100%. That said, hitting the various candy stops throughout the Magic Kingdom is just plain fun. In the real world, going trick or treating is one of the biggest highlights of a kid’s year. Right up there with Christmas morning and the last day of school in the summer. Having to give up trick or treating when becoming an adult is a tough loss, but MNSSHP gives us a little reminder of how great it was to come home and pick through your candy, separating the good stuff like Kit Kats and Snickers from worthless treats like Smarties and generic green lollipops. It allows you for the briefest of moments to be a kid again. T0 paraphrase the movie Step Brothers, don’t ever forget how to be a dinosaur.
While I am waxing nostalgic, I would also like to point out that the Cast Members across the board during MNSSHP are the best you can encounter inside a theme park. Maybe it’s because they get to do something different compared to their normal day at work. Or maybe the MNSSHP crowd itself – with little kids dressed up as Peter Pan and Wendy – aren’t sucking away their life force like a day guest complaining about FP+. Or perhaps it’s just me consuming so much sugar during the party that it alters my entire DNA, but everyone seems nicer and more helpful. I have nothing but the highest compliments for every CM I have ever encountered at MNSSHP.
Three cheers for the MNSSHP Cast Members.
# 2 – Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade
The Headless Horseman
No one can outdo Disney when it comes to parades and Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade is, in my mind, the best they have going today. This is helped in large part by having one of the catchiest soundtracks of any Disney attraction, parade or otherwise. Guests will find themselves singing or humming the Boo-to-You song for days and weeks after the party. The parade starts off with a bang, as the Headless Horsemen makes his way by to start, and this is followed by a cavalcade of all the major Disney characters. Where the parade takes it up a notch is the segment based around the Haunted Mansion. The caretaker and his dog, the gravediggers using their shovels to create sparks on the pavement, the creepy ghost dancers…. this is the only part of the entire night that inches above a “G” rating and it is spectacular.
The ghostly ballroom dancers in Mickey’s Boo To You! parade.
New this year were Wreck It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz from the Wreck It Ralph film. The pair had a rather large reaction from the crowd the night I went, which I found surprising and uplifting as I would love to see more Wreck It Ralph in the parks. The parade closes out with a whole bunch of Disney villains including the Hyenas from Lion King, Bowler Hat Guy from Meet the Robinsons, Judge Claude Frollo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame and more. I’m not a parade guy at all, but B00-to-You is the one parade I will make sure I line up early for.
Wreck It Ralph in Mickey’s Boo To You! parade.
Vanellope von Schweetz at Mickey’s Boo To You! parade.
Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
# 1 – Happy HalloWishes
Happy HalloWishes
The Haunted Mansion’s Ghost Host narrates Happy HalloWishes in what is pound for pound the best nighttime spectacular on property. You have a great soundtrack based around the Disney villains and an amazing fireworks display that includes the all-too-rare perimeter fireworks (which need to be seen to be believed.) I had a nice surprise later in the same week as I returned for a dinner at ‘Ohana and found out that during MNSSHP they will dim the lights of the restaurant and play the B00-to-You soundtrack as guests watch the fireworks out the windows. That’s as close as I have ever come to a perfect meal.
Happy Hallowishes.
Perimeter fireworks during Happy HalloWishes.
Before we go, here’s a brief look at what didn’t make the cut for this article….
# 8,321 – Phineas and Ferb (and the Creepa Crew)
Before the actual Boo-to-You parade starts there is an awkward moment where Phineas and Ferb come out with a collection of dancers called the Creepa Crew (I swear that I am not making any of this up.)
Phineas (of Phineas and Ferb fame.)
So there you have it: Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going across the street to the other Halloween event in town, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. If you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.
Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover for his invaluable assistance in this article.
See ya next year!
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SATURDAY SIX: Six Reasons We Loved the 2014 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
September 26, 2014
In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of September 26, 2014
In Case You Missed It!
It’s a weekend of change. So many things are ending and closing up shop that it’s really crazy to think. I feel like I can’t remember a time in the recent past when we’ve had so many things officially ending.
Which one will you miss the most? Is it Off Kilter, Mo’Rockin’, the Studio Backlot Tour, most of the Frozen Summer Fun Live event (though a few features of that event will remain), the Legends of Frontierland in Disneyland, or is it Maelstrom, which will be closing next weekend? For me, I think the answer is Maelstrom, but I’m still surprised to see some of these things on the cutting room floor.
This week, I’ve seen information regarding a Mighty Ducks reunion, a new stage show for the Disney Magic, and more! Read on for all the details!
In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors
It’s almost like you can feel Walt Disney’s presence! Take a look at Walt’s family home, which he lived in from 1932 until 1950. The video makes it seem so quaint and serene. It’s like a perfect hideaway and I can almost see Walt walking around there.
Is there another new restaurant on the horizon for Disney Springs? According to the Orlando Business Journal one Chicago restaurant group may be eying the updated shopping and dining district.
It’s a boy! The second gorilla in a month has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Guests will be able to see this new cutie at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.
Looking to stay at a luxurious hotel while in Orlando? USA Today shares the top 10 best. See which ones made the list. There really are some great ones that did!
If you’re looking for Disney Princess dolls in the next year, they’ll be made by Hasbro. The announcement came this week that the two companies have partnered together on this venture.
Did you wonder why there are so many jokes on “Saturday Night Live” about Florida and Walt Disney World? Well now you have your answer! One of the writers, Paula Pell, lived in Orlando and shared her story. Ms. Pell has helped to create some of the characters you know and love, like The Cheerleaders. (She was also the originator of the hilarious Pamilia Perkins from The Adventurer’s Club.)
Take away my Disney card right now…but I’m going to make a statement that I know will make me unpopular; I did not like Pete’s Dragon. I tried watching it, and I couldn’t get halfway through it before I turned it off. So, when I heard news that there is going to be a remake of the movie, I have to ask why? I can only hope it’s less boring than the first one. (Also, I know I must not be the only person getting fatigued at seeing remake after remake being looked into…this is getting to be quite ridiculous.)
Could a Tangled stage show be on tap for the Disney Magic? The Orlando Sentinel says that could be the case. In addition, we could be seeing Elsa included as part of the show too. Would be great to see a new show like this across all the ships.
Have you seen the new trailer for Big Hero 6? It was released this week! Who else is excited for this movie?
Were you a fan of The Mighty Ducks? To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the movie, some of the cast got together at an informal reunion. This has inspired me. I should really get a hold of this movie to watch it again. It’s been years since I’ve seen it. What about you?
Oh my God! All the feels! This article just rips you up thinking about the “19 Times Disney Movies Totally Destroyed Your Emotions.” That’s why I can’t even watch the movie listed as #19.
In Case We Missed It
What did we miss? Attach your ideas to a Park 13 Series Vinylmation (which is offering both a Norway Troll and a Catastrophe Canyon option, along with a few others) and send them to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.
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Best Video Games To Play Before Your Next Disney Vacation
Waiting for your next Disney vacation can be grueling. Especially when you get closer to the big day, it becomes almost impossible to focus on anything that isn’t magical and amazing and oh come on why isn’t it here yet? Utterly unbearable anticipation aside, I love the time right before a Disney vacation because it’s usually when I go back and revisit some of my favorite Disney things to remind me of the fun I’m about to have. If you’re reading this site, I’m sure this isn’t a novel concept to you. People watch classic Disney films, research any and all new additions to the parks and do countless other activities in preparation for their vacation. For me, I love to play certain video games that remind me of the Most Magical Place on Earth. For those of you that have the same passion for games, there are several that you can play that evoke the same mood and joy found within the Disney Parks. With that in mind, here are some of my favorite video games that you should try if you’re looking to get excited for your next Disney vacation.
Disney Infinity
Disney Infinity is a game that features characters from several of Disney’s most popular franchises. The twist is that the game also features physical collectible figures that players place on the “Infinity Base.” So say you have a Mr. Incredible figure. Simply place him on the Infinity Base and he appears as a playable character on your screen. If you have kids that play Skylanders, it’s a similar concept only with Disney characters. The game features playable stories from Disney films like Monsters University and Pirates of the Caribbean but there’s also a customizable Toy Box mode, which allows you to combine, create and explore worlds using pieces from not only Disney films but the Disney parks as well. If you want to have Buzz fly around Spaceship Earth in a flying elephant while the Main Street Electrical Parade goes by below, you can do that.
Also, here’s a pro tip if you want to be the best parent ever. Everyone’s seen those videos where the parents surprise their kids with a trip to Disney. They’re amazing and I personally can’t wait to have that moment when I have kids someday. So here’s what you do. If you have Disney Infinity, play with your kids and tell them you want to show them something you created in Toy Box mode. Have them play through the level with a sign at the very end that says, “We’re going to Disney World tomorrow!” You just created a life lasting memory.
Kingdom Hearts (Series)
Kingdom Hearts is a series of roleplaying games that mixes Disney characters with the incredibly popular Final Fantasy franchise. In most of the games, you play as an original character named Sora who wields a weapon called the Keyblade alongside Donald and Goofy, who are a wizard and a knight, respectively. Oh, and Mickey, who’s actually King Mickey in the games, also fights at your side from time to time with the style and speed of Yoda in the prequel films.
You traverse across multiple worlds, which are each themed after a Disney film like Aladdin, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or The Lion King. What’s cool is that every time you switch worlds, you can add a character from that film to your party, and your appearance changes to fit into the environment. For example, on Pride Rock, Sora turns into a Lion, but in Atlantica Sora becomes a merman while Donald becomes an octopus and Goofy a sea turtle. Kingdom Hearts is pure Disney fan service. You don’t have to love or even be familiar with the Final Fantasy games to enjoy it, either. The attention to detail for each of the environments and the fact that all the worlds are connected into an epic, though admittedly sometimes confusing, story makes for a Disney gaming experience you won’t find anywhere else on this list. If you love Disney for its characters, I definitely suggest playing one of the several Kingdom Hearts games before your next trip. Personally, I would pick up the remake of the original for PS3, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix, which you can see the trailer for above. And if you beat that, Kingdom Hearts 2 is getting a similar treatment that will also release on PS3 by the end of the year.
Concept Art for Epic Mickey
Epic Mickey
Epic Mickey throws our heroic Mouse into an alternate world called the Wasteland, which features a plethora of characters and attractions that have long been forgotten by Disney. Wasteland looks like Disneyland, complete with a hub area resembling Main Street but with a more worn and dilapidated steampunk overlay. The game is incredibly interesting because of how open Disney was in its development. The team behind the game was able to go deep in the Disney archives during development for research so everything you see is legitimate. What other company would create a game that’s focused on all of its scrapped ideas and forgotten characters? The game is also notable because it’s Oswald the Lucky Rabbit’s first Disney appearance since the rights to the character moved to Universal decades ago. When the game was originally pitched to Bob Iger (before he was CEO), Disney unfortunately didn’t have the rights to Oswald and had to pass on it. However, upon becoming CEO, he reacquired the rights by pretty much trading now NBC Sunday Night Football announcer Al Michaels to NBC in return for Oswald. If you’re the kind of Disney nerd that finds that fascinating, you’ll love Epic Mickey. The game is a throwback to some of Disney’s older and even unused ideas that shows what could have been, which any longtime fan will appreciate.
Bonus Non-Disney Game Picks
“What’s that? A non-Disney game to get you in the mood to go to Disney? Blasphemy!” Not so fast, my friend. The following two games are not only fun to play but also do a great job of emulating a pair of the most classic Disney attractions. My first non-Disney pick is Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
Black Flag is the fourth main title in Ubisoft’s successful Assassin’s Creed series, in which you play an assassin throughout different periods in history. This time around, the assassin just also happens to be a pirate. That’s right, Black Flag perfectly emulates the Carousel of Progress in a way that… Just kidding! Seriously, it’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Black Flag fully immerses you into the world of a pirate. There are sword fights to be had, grog to drink, and sunken treasure to discover. I mean, the pirates even sing sea shanties for crying out loud! I can practically hear the Pirates of the Caribbean film theme in my mind whenever I play the game. Of course, the game isn’t for young kids but for all our older readers who love Pirates of the Caribbean, this is the perfect game to play before going to Disney and hopping on your favorite privateer-themed attraction.
My final game is more kid friendly and comes from what I consider the Disney of video game companies. I’m talking about Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon from Nintendo. Luigi’s Mansion is the absolutely superior sequel to the original Luigi’s Mansion for the Gamecube. In the game, Luigi explores multiple haunted mansions while trying to trap ghosts with his Poltergust 5000. Much like the Haunted Mansion, the ghosts aren’t particularly scary but they are silly. They’ll play tricks on Luigi and goof off most of the time. If you combined Ghostbusters with the Haunted Mansion, you’d get Luigi’s Mansion. It’s fun, charming, and – like Haunted Mansion – will make you feel like a kid again. The game is on the Nintendo 3DS handheld, too, so you can play it on the go en route to your favorite Disney destination.
Do you have a favorite Disney video game or game in general that you like to play before your next trip? Do you have any specific questions about the games I mentioned above? Leave a comment, and I’d be happy to talk to you about it. Otherwise, I hope I’ve made your wait for your next Disney vacation a little more magical.
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Video: Saying Farewell to Epcot World Showcase Shows
The World Showcase Players are just one of the popular shows that closed this week at Epcot (photo & video by Seth Kubersky).
As you’ve probably already heard, Walt Disney World has given the pink slip to several popular Epcot World Showcase shows, which held their final performances this week. I spent a stormy Tuesday afternoon catching up with a few of these old favorites with one final viewing, and wanted to share some video of these now-extinct Epcot World Showcase shows.
Off Kilter, the popular Canadian Celtic rockers, were unfortunately off duty during my visit. But I captured closing-week performances from three of their compatriots: Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps, MO’ROCKIN, and World Showcase Players.
Spirit of America (American Adventure)
The Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps played traditional patriotic tunes from our nation’s founding. Child volunteers participated in a brief parade outside the American Adventure pavilion and were presented with free copies of the Declaration of Independence. The Spirit of America has now marched away, but the Voices of Liberty continue to perform.
MO’ROCKIN (Morocco)
For 15 years, this lively musical group played original tunes that were apparently inspired by the African Funk movement of the 1970s. MO’ROCKIN were accompanied by belly dancers who encouraged audience participation from younger guests. The group will be replaced by traditional Berber musicians. No word yet if they will still feature belly dancing, or if guests will now have to pay to eat at Restaurant Marrakesh to experience that alluring artform.
World Showcase Players (United Kingdom)
The World Showcase Players, a troupe of improvisational comics who roped audience members into an interactive retelling of the King Arthur legend, is (in my opinion) the biggest loss among the Epcot World Showcase entertainment cancellations. The act originated at a Rennaissance faire and was recruited to Orlando when Epcot first opened, establishing the style of interactive entertainment that was once a staple of Disney parks. Members of the original troupe went on to found DHS’s Streetmosphere (now known as Citizens of Hollywood), Pleasure Island’s Adventurers Club, and downtown Orlando’s SAK Comedy Lab. Stick around to the very end of this rainy video for some truly touching final words that are emblematic of this “end of an era” in Disney entertainment.
Which now-closed Epcot World Showcase show will you miss the most? Share your memories in the comments below.
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September 25, 2014
Walt Disney World Newsworthy Notes – 9/25/14
Who’s ready for more news? I’m back with more for you today! Here we go:
There has been a change to the Disney Gift Card Program. New Disney gift cards can now only be activated with a minimum amount of $15. (The previous minimum amount you could load on a new card was $5.) Guests who are re-loading a gift card may still do so with a minimum of $5.
The FastPass+ kiosks outside of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom are officially closed. Guests looking to book a FastPass+ reservation will now be directed to the FastPass+ kiosk location near Stitch’s Great Escape.
The rules for visiting Walt Disney World have been updated. The biggest change seems to focus on those who are e-cigarette smokers, who are now asked to smoke in designated smoking areas.
For those of you who read my previous article about Tower of Terror getting on-ride videos, you’ll have noticed that I mentioned that it was likely just the beginning. It turns out that I was completely right, as it another attraction has already received the on-ride video treatment. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the next attraction that will capture your ride experience while you are on the attraction. Much like the Tower of Terror ride video, when you ride the attraction with a MagicBand and a linked Memory Maker, you will have your photo and video automatically associated to your My Disney Experience account. Here is the sample video giving you a peek at what to expect.
Two attractions will see refurbishments this winter. At Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain will be closed for its annual refurbishment from January 4 – 30, reopening on January 31 and Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be closed for its refurbishment from January 20 through February 4, reopening February 5.
If you are a fan of La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil at Florida’s Downtown Disney, you may want to consider taking part in this experience this fall. Guests can have the opportunity to participate in the “Dinner and a Show” specialty package. With this special offer, Guests receive a ticket to the 6:00 p.m. La Nouba show, plus dinner, which includes an entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Guests can choose to dine at one of three Downtown Disney restaurants – Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, Planet Hollywood, or Splitsville Luxury Lanes – and may choose to dine either prior to the show or after. The cost for a Category 2 ticket is $99 plus tax for adults and $89 plus tax for children ages 3 to 9. A Category 1 ticket is $119 plus tax for adults and $109 plus tax for children ages 3 to 9. Guests can choose Tuesday through Saturday nights on the following dates:
September 30 through November 1
November 6 through November 22
To book the special event, call (407) 939-7328.
That’s it for this edition of Newsworthy Notes! Thoughts?
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Disney Life Hacks: Five Things I Will Never Forget To Pack Again
Packing for your Disney vacation doesn’t have to be a stressful part of your planning, and there are plenty of checklists to help you do it. You’ll usually remember to pack sunscreen, bathing suits, and toothbrushes, but what about the things that you might not have thought to put in your suitcase? Money-savers like ponchos and glow sticks from the discount store or gum (which isn’t sold anywhere on Disney property) are among the things most often suggested by Disney Parks veterans, but I’ve got five more things to pack for Disney World.
Trust me on this – it only takes one experience to learn the hard way! Here are a few of the things you shouldn’t leave your home without:
iPhone wrist strap
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got your phone within reach at all times. Even if you’ve unplugged yourself from email and social media, you’re still pulling it out to check the weather forecast, snap a photo, and, of course, use My Disney Experience. After too many close calls nearly leaving my phone on a shelf, dropping it in a sink, or allowing someone else to take a picture, I realized I needed a strap.
Adding a strap to your phone keeps it convenient while allowing you to go hands-free.
The bad news? I searched high and low and couldn’t find an open case with a strap – they were all wristlets, and I didn’t want to have to take my phone out of anything just to use it.
The good news? I found something that works even better – the wrist strap from an old camera! Simply loop the strap through one of the openings of your case for a secure way to keep your phone handy. I’ve tried it with both rubber cases and snap on ones and even used it with the heavy-duty waterproof style case on a trip to Aruba with no fear of dropping it into the ocean!
A thin camera strap is a sturdy and inexpensive way to secure your phone.
I’ve had a lot of comments from Disney PhotoPass Cast Members who snap our pictures, as it makes it easier for them to switch between my phone and their cameras. Other guests have been interested after watching me capture great moments on the rides safely, without any fear of it slipping from my grip. It’s great if you’re traveling with kids, too – your chances of the phone hitting the ground are a lot lower if it’s strapped around your daughter’s wrist when she wants to take her own picture of Cinderella Castle!
Thermometer
Here’s a cautionary tale you wouldn’t expect, coming straight from a friend who called me in a panic when her daughter got sick during their vacation – pack a thermometer. Sure, you hope you won’t have to use it, but you’ll be glad you have it if you do. Surprisingly, the resorts do not have thermometers available for use or purchase, so if you’re dependent on Disney transport or taxis because you didn’t rent a car, it’s going to add a lot of stress to an already difficult situation. First Aid stations are helpful, but if your child isn’t well enough to leave the hotel room, the last thing you want to do is drag her down Main Street, U.S.A. just to get her temperature taken.
Power strip
Not only is a power strip a lifesaver for all of your charging needs, but it’ll help keep your room organized when all of your cords are in one place. I also recommend finding an adaptor with USB ports built in, so you can charge more than one device at a time. Though you’ll find several outlets available in your hotel room, jockeying for space near the conveniently accessible ones – next to a table, for example, or near the nightstand – can be a tricky situation when everyone is trying to juice up their phones and tablets at the same time. (Ed. – As someone who travels with a collection of things that need to be charged, I’m a huge fan of this 5-port USB charger. You’re welcome.)
Sandwich bags are perfect for storing your poncho. Freezer bags work well too!
Ziploc Bags
Disney veterans will frequently suggest packing Ziploc bags on every trip, and for good reason – like Gaston, they’re endlessly, wildly resourceful! Beyond standard usage – like packing snacks or spare change for pressed pennies – they’re also very good in unexpected ways. Carrying a poncho into the parks? Fold it into a storage bag and use it as a cushion while staking out your curb for the parade. Want to protect your camera or phone from a wet ride or Florida thunderstorm? Throw it in a baggie. I’ve even taken pictures on Kali River Rapids with my camera in the bag! Plus, once the storm blows over, you can fold up that wet poncho and seal it back into the bag – just make sure you remember to air dry it when you get back to the hotel room. Freezing water or juice boxes to carry with you? Zip them into a bag with a washcloth – as they start melting, the cloth will absorb the “sweat”, protecting your other belongings and giving you something cool to wipe down with.
Itinerary
Getting creative with plans is a fun activity and a great keepsake of your trip!
Some people, like me, have long created printed itineraries to organize everything from flight information and confirmation numbers to general touring plans in one place – I’m known for laminating the plans for our travel party, which actually works out as a nice memento after the trip. Of course, other families aren’t as interested in having a physical copies and travel perfectly well with just the necessary information to get them from home to vacation. With My Disney Experience and all of the pre-planning necessary to make the most of MyMagic+, itineraries have become a big part of planning your Disney vacation, and you’ll avoid stressful situations if you can access all that information at quick glance.
Recently, on a quick trip, I thought I could get away with simply flagging my airline emails and accessing my Disney reservation information via My Disney Experience. Not having a back up was a big mistake – once my phone battery got low and service made loading anything from the web very slow, I had a hard time retrieving things like FastPass+ times and even my air confirmation to check in for our flight.
You don’t have to get fancy with an itinerary, but I would recommend having both a printed copy and electronic screenshot of your important information, including any confirmation numbers or reservation times (and, of course, your personalized TouringPlans.com itinerary!). Some people use the “Notes” app on their phones to record what they need, others may send themselves an email with it all in one message. If your plans change while you’re on vacation? No problem – make a note on your hard copy or simply update your phone screenshot with the new information. Trust me – when you’re queued up for Pirates of the Caribbean with no service in the dungeons and you’re wondering if you’ll make your next FastPass+ window, you’ll be relieved to pull it up in your camera roll and see you’ve got plenty of time!
Not all of these items show up on every packing list, but they’re some of the first things that end up in my suitcase. You learn the hard way what’s important on your Disney vacation, and when you find a fix, it’s amazing what a difference it makes! What are some of the things you’ll never forget to pack again?
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Taking a Pal to Disney World
By Claire Nat
Thank you for posing with my stuffed chipmunk!
Ed. – today we’re running two articles with ideas for silly things that can make your trip to Walt Disney World even more fun. Has your family ever done anything like this? Talk about it in the comments.
There once was a Walt Disney World cast member who was selling balloons on Main Street USA. Suddenly a girl comes up to her and asks her if she could take a picture of the cast member holding her stuffed chipmunk, who also happens to be holding a plastic Mickey balloon. The cast member obliges, and the girl walks away with the chipmunk, ready to add more pictures to the chipmunk’s adventure in the Magic Kindgom.
Some of you might have very similar experiences as me. Not only do we take family and friends to Walt Disney World, we also take pals to help commemorate the adventure. For some, it’s Flat Stanley. For others, it’s some other special pal. For me, it’s Francine, a stuffed chipmunk.
Taking a pal like this to Orlando is a great experience. It allows us to photograph things in different ways, and create adventures for our pals that we couldn’t do with real people.
But what is the point of it all? Why bring anything in the first place? Well, first I’ll explain my story.
Francine consulting a park map.
The story of Floyd and Francine.
Way back in 2005, a group of college friends and I took a road trip to Colorado during a fall break. On our tour of Rocky Mountain National Park, we met a cute little chipmunk who was bold enough to approach us as we ate our granola bars. We decided to call him Floyd and make him our unofficial mascot.
Since we were all teachers, we decided to get a stuffed chipmunk (also named Floyd) and send him around to our classroom, thinking of fun activities we could do with our students featuring Floyd. This lasted for a few years, and we had a box with all our projects that we would send with Floyd. (If you want to hear more of Floyd’s origin story, you can read it here.)
Eventually, a few of us got married and a few of us stopped teaching full-time, and the Floyd phenomenon died down. But one of my friends decided to get each of us our own stuffed chipmunk (Floyd’s cousins) that we could have in our classrooms all year long, so the kids wouldn’t have to spend months on end without our lovable chipmunk. I decided to call mine Francine, and attached a plastic Mickey balloon to her hand (I believe it was from a Barbie dress-up set) to know that she was mine.
Floyd and his cousins not only came into our classrooms, but also went on vacations with us. He has gone to Mexico, Italy, and tons of US states. But when I went to Walt Disney World in the fall of 2010, Floyd was in another classroom, so I took Francine instead.
As you can see from the pictures, Francine had an exciting day in Magic Kingdom park. She “ate” a Mickey premium ice cream bar, took a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover, chilled out with Chip and Dale, met Pinocchio, sat on a Main Street park bench, watched cast members make candy apples and pretty jewelry, and decided not to ride the Mad Tea Party. All in all, she had a pretty adventurous day.
Why I did it.
I brought a stuffed chipmunk into the park for a photo blog. I had just been to Walt Disney World in June of that year, and had shared hundreds of pictures with my family and friends.
I could have done the same thing in November, but I knew most of my family and friends wouldn’t want to see the same things again. So I brought in Francine and showed the Magic Kingdom from her perspective.
Francine hangs out with her own kind!
I got a lot of positive comments, and I did a few things I wouldn’t have done otherwise. I wouldn’t have checked out the little statues in the Hub. I wouldn’t have taken a picture at all the signposts of the different lands. The only attraction I rode was the aforementioned People Mover – I spent the afternoon just walking around and relaxing – the first time I had ever done that.
Why other people do it.
Most people I encounter with a pal in the Disney Parks have a Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley’s book was published 50 years ago, but his traveling adventures were created back in 1995 by Dale Hubert, who found this a good way to encourage pen pal writing in schools. The Flat Stanley would visit another child, and they could have an adventure with Flat Stanley, write it down, and maybe send a picture to the next child.
Flat Stanley is still going strong today, though he now has an app and website for posting pictures. Not only has Flat Stanley been seen in Walt Disney World, but all over the real world! It is a fantastic way to get kids involved in creating a fun adventure. It’s also a great way to get the whole family involved in a fun activity.
Always eat the ear first!
So many people know of Flat Stanley that when they see another family with him (or one of his cousins, siblings, relatives, friends, etc.) they can’t help but stop and talk to them about the Flat Stanley adventures they’ve had! A bond can be formed from a cute kid on a piece of paper.
Disney also has its own version of Flat Stanley in a way. Duffy the Disney Bear was hugely popular in Japan, and was introduced in the United States in 2010. You can go around Epcot and find Duffy in the KidCot Fun Stops in a cute paper form, or you could buy the bear and dress him up in one of the many costumes made specifically for him. Duffy didn’t catch on as much as he did in Japan, but he still does have a group of fans who enjoy his travels!
(One could argue that Pal Mickey was also used along these lines, though I like to think that Pal Mickey was a precursor to the Disney smartphone app.)
For once, this is not a “people” mover.
Give it a try!
If you have children or not, I would strongly encourage you to try out a Disney vacation with a pal. Whether it’s a small stuffed animal or doll or action figure from home, Flat Stanley, or some other awesome creation, taking a trip with a pal provides a unique and entertaining experience. It not only is fun for you, but it’s fun for everyone involved. The cast member with the Mickey balloons probably had never been asked to take a picture with a chipmunk holding a tiny Mickey balloon, but it gave her a one-of-a-kind memory, just like it did for me!
Have you ever brought Flat Stanley or another pal into the Disney Parks? What experience did you have that you might not have had without your pal? Please comment below and share your adventures!
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Creating a Disney World Challenge: The Facebook Photo Challenge
We received 39 photo challenges from friends and family.
Ed. – today we’re running two articles with ideas for silly things that can make your trip to Walt Disney World even more fun. Has your family ever done anything like this? Talk about it in the comments.
This past spring, TouringPlans blogger Erin Foster wrote a blog article about Disney World challenges – defined as anything that can turn your trip into a game, and add a little extra spice. It struck a familiar chord with me, as I’m always looking for creative ways to add fun. In fact, I’m no stranger to the concept as a couple of years ago I created my first Disney World challenge, although it was more of a challenge for my friends and family. I dubbed it “Where in Disney are the VanderVoords” and set out to take pictures of my family in obscure locations around Disney World. I would then post them on my Facebook page with the tag “WIDATVV?” and let my friends and family guess where we were. It was a fun time interacting with our loved ones who couldn’t be with us while sharing a little of our trip.
Disney Photo Challenge: Pose with a Toy Story Green Army Man. Challenge complete!
Erin’s article resparked the Disney World challenge fire inside of me as I prepared for our week-long vacation in August. About a week before we left, I made a plea on Facebook for photo challenges while on our trip. I gave a few examples (my son eating a turkey leg, a picture of someone in mouse ears, our family on a specific attraction). And then my friends and family got creative.
We received a challenge to take a photo with a family wearing matching shirts. We were asked to rock out in line for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. Another friend challenged us to get a picture with Mickey while standing on our heads (hmmm, that’s a tough one). One family member just wanted to see a picture of Epcot since she had never been there. The challenges were fun and varied, and I did what I do best – organized them into a handy-dandy spreadsheet. In all, we received 39 photo challenges, and I was still getting texts days into the trip with new challenge ideas.
Disney Photo Challenge: Get a photo with someone wearing a matching clothing item. Challenge complete!
My family was totally on board and we would start each day looking over the list (which I kept in my park bag), planning which photos we would try to capture that day. Sometimes we had to get get creative (like when we found the statue of Cinderella in Downtown Disney and took a picture with her, fulfilling our “take a picture with Cinderella” challenge… although I’m sure the challenge-giver intended us to have a character meeting with the princess, but we didn’t have time to wait in line). Once we’d captured the perfect photo, I would upload it to Facebook, tagging the person who gave us the challenge and explaining exactly what the photo challenge was. Our family and friends were able to get a taste for our vacation, but not in the usual way (such as the traditional photo in front of the castle, or character greetings). My Facebook friends got to see us posing with the Gaston statue in front of his tavern, or completing the ALS Ice Bucket challenge in Hollywood Studios (we got frozen with Frozen). It was fun and different, and we were proud to complete 27 challenges over 7 days.
Disney Photo Challenge: Get a photo with someone with pink hair at The Haunted Mansion. Our most difficult challenge complete!
The best side effect of this Disney World challenge was the guests and Cast Members we interacted with on this trip. I don’t think my family will forget the smile the woman had when we asked if she would pose with us giving her an apple at the Seven Dwarf Mine Train to complete a photo challenge, or my kids and I singing “Let it Go” on video with a College Program participant dressed as a pirate at the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop. The challenges helped us to connect with so many people who shared a little Disney magic with us. Overall, these are going to be my favorite photos from this Disney World vacation, because of the fun memories they will bring to mind.
So… will you be completing a Disney World challenge? Feel free to borrow this idea and create your own Facebook photo challenge – I’d love to hear about the photo challenges you receive!
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