Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1195
August 23, 2014
Fear and Trembling: A Chicken’s Review of Big Thunder Mountain
By Bob Whitten
“Sometimes there’s a man… I won’t say a hero, ’cause, what’s a hero? But sometimes, there’s a man . . . .. Sometimes, there’s a man, well, he’s the man for his time and place.”
I am not that man.
Big Thunder, Big
As I moved resignedly toward the tumblin’ town of Tumbleweed, that sad fact was once again made painfully apparent. My time and place does not involve thrills. Although I’ve never been especially frightened by regular thunder, I have more than my fair share of reservations regarding Big Thunder, and not just of the FastPass+ persuasion. Coffee and creamed-colored crags cast troubled shadows at my feet as we inched closer; it was very clear to me I was in the wrong place. My wife, unfortunately, was not persuaded.
I’ve heard the claim before. Upon our return from a quick Christmastime visit to the Magic Kingdom with my immediate family, my wife and my brother both suggested that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad might actually be an attraction I would enjoy, as it lacked the typical large drops that so twist my stomach in knots—as well as not’s, as in “I’m not going on another of these rides, I’m not going to eat again, I’m not feeling especially manly . . .”, and so on. At this point, my faith in other people’s assessment of whether or not I will enjoy/survive unscathed any thrill ride has been shaken, not to mention roughed-up and made queasy and more than a little cranky.
Non-chickens just don’t understand how unthrilled we chickens are of thrills, and how little it takes to cause them—at least the kinds of thrills that result from too much gravitational exhilaration. I prefer to refer to this sensation as feeling butterflied or enqueasened, or simply as being made cranky.
Shortly after that conversation with my family, a foolish, yet relatively harmless idea crossed my mind. I should experience all of these so-called “mild” thrill rides to disabuse non-chickens of the notion that what they find mild is a universal sensation, or rather, non-sensation. That would show them. Of course, what it would show them would probably be about as interesting as showing someone the Studio Backlot Tour, only with less crying. I quickly dismissed the thought, grateful I had no reason to pursue such a foolish quest, and confident I never would. I laughed at the notion.
Ah laughter, I think I miss you most of all.
As with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, we arrived early in the day and with the addition of our FastPass+ reservations, I had no time to stop and enjoy the interactive queue or contemplate the level of detail in every nook and cranny. From what I could tell, none of the crannies were quite large enough to hide in anyway. I had no time to check the nooks. As usual, the theming was impressive; I really felt like I was in what was once an old-timey mining company, granted one established in the middle of a theme park.
Briefly, I wondered if there were some way to suspend my admittedly self-inflicted obligation to complete the so-called “thrill ride challenge” at Walt Disney World. The question was especially irksome, considering it was I who so-called it. If I never rode another thrill ride again—even a mild one—who would know? Well, besides my wife. Trust me, she’s not telling anyone—first of all, it’s very difficult to work my thrill ride chickenness into polite conversation, and secondly, she’s much too nice to humiliate me in public. In all honesty, I don’t the need help.
We loaded our train, and soon it was off. Making our way up a small incline, we were treated to a lovely cavern of stalagmites and stalactites and I thought for a moment of how nice it would be to go spelunking, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get the lap belt off. I listened for the sound of happy little miners singing a happy little tune, but instead, all I heard was the voice inside my head making a big to-do about shaking its own, albeit disembodied head. Outside, there was only the clickety-clack of the train inching ever upward, and an eerie silence, which is my least favorite kind. If experience is any indicator, the kind of silence I’m most comfortable with is awkward.
We dropped and to my surprise, the descent was slow and measured. Gone, however, was the silky smooth glide of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train tracks, the happy little dwarfs, and my posterior’s sense of well-being. In their place, the rickety, clickety-clackety, shake-you-uppity twists and breaks of Big Thunder’s railroad. Apparently, the Mining Company of the Magic Kingdom learned a thing or two in track design between their first operation and their most recent. Of course, both mines are relatively small, which makes me wonder why they bothered with trains in the first place. Couldn’t they have just walked back to headquarters? Walking I can do all day. I could do that in my sleep. Walking, that’s where I’m a viking.
Despite the differences between this and the Mine Train, I had a disturbing sense of deja vu, less the singing of course. I started to yell “heigh-ho,” but was quickly silenced by the second incline quickly approaching. I think somewhere along the way, we must have passed Tumbleweed, but I was so distracted by my body’s attempt to occupy more than one point at the same time, I hardly noticed. We reached the summit, and I caught a glimpse of the craggy red-brown spires of Big Thunder Mountain and thoughts of the Grand Canyon failed to come to mind, along with many other thoughts, since the voice in my head had now taken to clucking its disembodied tongue with a disdainful sanctimony. We reached the peak and rushed down the other side almost as quickly as the honey oozes down the wall in Winnie-the-Pooh’s infamous queue, and with just as much shudder-inducement.
Once again, we were subjected not so much to gravitational contempt, as railroadal bumpery. The worst and most memorable parts of the experience were the deceptively-named “bunny hops,” which are small and seemed to multiply like rabbits, but weren’t nearly as furry or gentle. Of course, I’ve fortunately never run over one in a train or otherwise, so I can’t say for sure, but I have my doubts. No sooner had we jumped up we were immediately yanked down and dropped what felt like inches. To my stomach, it felt as if we’d jumped and fallen twice as far. The bunny hops definitely pulled the rug out from under my stomach, but they also really tied the ride together. As we shook from side to side and up and down, I resisted the impulse to flail about like a marmot in a bath of warm, soapy water.
Then we entered another cave and approached the third spire. There had to be a third spire. Why did there have to be a third spire? My mind raced with all manner of dreaded expectation, once again certain they were saving the best/worst drop for last. My stomach fluttered for a second, then decided not to speak to me the rest of the day. A couple of smart-alec mountain goats looked down upon us from the smug security of their cliffside and I began to plot my revenge. Like the other drops, however, it appeared more intimidating than it actually was. Suddenly, I was filled with something akin to cautious hopefulness, even as we were unceremoniously tossed and bumped and shaken.
The Big Thunder experience was an odd mix of merry-go-round and jump castle. Any number of bad birthday parties with legions of screaming children came to mind, but were quickly dislodged by a sudden, sharp turn or bunny hop. The screaming child, however, was never far away. Fortunately in these situations, he usually just curls up in a ball and waits for everything to be over with.
As brief as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was, this one felt ten times longer, but not in the way I expected. For the first time in a roller-coastery ride, I wasn’t filled with visions of death and calamity—I never actually thought/worried that the car was going to free itself from its railing home and sail, carefree and briefly into the thick, Florida air. That is in itself odd, as the coaster is supposed to give riders the feel of a train on a rickety track on the verge of collapse. I never got that. I probably never got to the point of enjoying myself long enough to do so. Instead, it simply felt like a movie that had gone on just a few minutes too long—granted a movie where the guy behind you is constantly kicking your seat.
As we departed from underneath the shadow of Big Thunder’s formerly ominous peaks, I took comfort in knowing that although bumped and shaken, rattled and nearly made cranky, my stomach and I survived, unenqueasened. I could take comfort knowing that despite its best attempt to thrill me, this dude abides.
*****
My rating scale for chicken-related thrill tolerance is one to five chickens–five being the most stomach-churning. For Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, it gets 2 chickens.
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Fear and Trembling: A Chicken’s Review of Big Thunder Mountain is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Hidden Details of Animal Kingdom
There are many reasons why the Disney Parks stand apart from other theme parks around the world, but one of the biggest has to be Disney’s incredible attention to detail. You can see the extra mile in the form of details just about everywhere on Disney property, from attractions to parade costumes to resorts to transportation to even the bathrooms! Personally, I love the details. They are not only appealing to the eye and fun to find, but almost always meaningful to the history of an attraction or to the story the Imagineers are trying to tell. For today’s post, let’s take a look at the hidden details of Animal Kingdom!
Expedition Everest Height Measurement
Over at Asia’s Expedition Everest, be sure to notice the special height measurement for young riders. Only at Disney would the measurement be a giant, wooden Yeti foot! I’ve always thought that Expedition Everest has one of the most clever, detailed themed queues, and this fun detail just proves it!
Inside of the Dinosaur attraction, look up to see red, white, and yellow pipes running through the queue. Chemical combinations are printed on those pipes, which isn’t anything special, unless you realize the combinations are actually the chemical names for ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard! Weird, right?
Animal Kingdom’s Harambe Village
Animal Kingdom’s Africa is meant to look and feel as if you have just walked into a real African village called Harambe. Disney Imagineers really went to new heights with the details here, as Harambe appears lived-in and authentic with thatched roofs, posters for the village’s Harambe Wildlife Preserve, handpainted signs on the sides of local businesses, and so much more. This particular sign welcoming you into Harambe features ads of the village’s establishments, and the lights above it are even rusted to show age.
Maharajah Jungle Trek in the park’s Asia section is a self-guided tour through lush forests and crumbling ruins to check out fruit bats, Gibbons, tigers, and dozens upon dozens of birds in the aviary. While the wildlife is the main draw, guests may not realize their surroundings, which are the ruins of an old palace. The story is that nature has overtaken civilization, and the overgrown walls and faded murals are details which truly add to the underlying story of this corner of the park.
Expedition Everest
This next detail may be hard to see, but is definitely fun to note. While riding Kilimanjaro Safaris, pay special attention to the Flamingo Island. It’s in the shape of a Mickey head!
When approaching Expedition Everest, you will begin to see colorful flags strung overhead from building to building and all around the attraction’s area. Why? The real Mount Everest is located in the Himalayas where colorful prayer flags can be seen almost everywhere. It’s another detail Imagineers added to make Expedition Everest even more realistic. Also, if you notice some old, faded prayer flags during your visit to Animal Kingdom, don’t be thinking that Disney has let things slide. In fact, tradition states that real prayer flags are left hanging no matter how old and tattered they get, so Disney does the same!
Animal Kingdom Sign
Over in the Africa section of the park, take a seat at Tusker House‘s covered, outdoor seating area. As you sit, listen closely. You may hear someone working in the kitchen, clanging pots and pans and sweeping up. It’s a recording, but it’s fun to listen for and is sure to get a reaction from the kids.
Have you ever noticed Animal Kingdom’s sign? Does anything look strange to you? If you’re wondering why there’s a dragon, you’re not alone. You see, Animal Kingdom was originally intended to have a section dedicated to mythical animals. While that idea was scrapped, the sign and logo was not and is still being used today.
Expedition Everest Sign
One of my favorite details at Animal Kingdom is an amusing sign found right when you exit Expedition Everest’s ride vehicle and move into the gift shop. If you don’t already know, a crampon is a device that hikers and climbers wear on their boots when taking on icy or snowy terrain. Since you have just returned from the frigid peaks of Everest when disembarking the Expedition Everest train, it’s only reasonable for the store to request you remove your hiking gear before you browse!
So these are a just a few of the many hidden details to be discovered at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Which of these have you found? Do you have a favorite?
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Kongstruction: Skull Island Announced, Jurassic Park Arch Removed
Kongstruction has consumed an iconic Jurassic Park arch at Islands of Adventure (photos by Seth Kubersky)
Well, it looks like the monkey is out of the bag. For months, we’ve been mentioning the movement on Project 340, or as we like to call it, Kongstruction. Universal’s officially unannounced construction in the expansion pad behind Jurassic Park‘s Thunder Falls Terrace at Islands of Adventure recently required the removal of an iconic Jurassic Park archway.
The rumors we’ve reported regarding King Kong returning to Universal Orlando in a new attraction located in that plot have prompted some readers to question why the resort would revive a character with no major pop culture presence since Peter Jackson’s 2005 film. As if in response, Legendary Pictures announced at Comic-Con that Skull Island, an original prequel to the Kong mythos, would be released by Universal Pictures on November 4, 2016.
Note: all photos were taken from guest-accessible areas. Don’t trespass!
Universal already has a theme park partnership with Legendary, which also produced the new Godzilla film. That makes a 2016 attraction tied to a big-screen King Kong reboot seem like a synergistic no-brainer. But we don’t expect any formal announcements of Universal’s next expansion phase until after this year’s Halloween Horror Nights opens, at the earliest.
In the meantime, here are photos from recent weeks depicting the rapid transformation of the border between Toon Lagoon and Jurassic Park. Most notably, the Jurassic Park stone entryway arch has been removed entirely. We’ve heard it will eventually be rebuilt closer to the Thunder Falls restaurant.
First there was just one…
…and then they were both gone.
RIP Jurassic Park arch, may you return soon!
Keep checking back, and follow us on Twitter (@touringplans) for further #Kongstruction updates, as well as the latest on everything new around Universal Orlando.
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SATURDAY SIX: Top Six Counter Service Restaurants at the Universal Orlando Resort
By Derek Burgan
This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at the Top Six Counter Service Restaurants at the Universal Orlando Resort. Last year we looked at the overall top six restaurants on property, and because both the Three Broomsticks and Fast Food Blvd made that list, they were ineligible for this one. Speaking of which, later this year when The Cowfish opens in CityWalk we may have to revisit our original list because there have been some pretty impressive venues (including Antojitos and Vivo) who have made quite an impression since their debut. However, today we are looking resort wide for the counter service restaurants that we love the most, starting with….
# 6 – Thunder Falls Terrace (Islands of Adventure)
Thunder Falls Terrace
Located in Jurassic Park, Thunder Falls Terrace has several things going for it. The first is its menu. Unlike your typical theme park counter service, this location eschews traditional fare like hot dogs and chicken fingers and instead has items such as charbroiled ribs and rotisserie chicken. It is also one of the only counter service locations where you can get a mixed green salad made in front of your eyes. There are several large seating areas inside (along with tables outside as well) with one area has a fantastic view of where the Jurassic Park River Adventure boats splash down. This is even more fun to watch when guests walk by this area not realizing they are about to be in the Splash Zone and get soaked.
Front Row seating for the Jurassic Park River Adventure splash down
Rib Platter at Thunder Falls Terrace
# 5 – Captain America Diner (Islands of Adventure)
Now that’s a million dollar view (photo by Brandon Glover)
The menu at Captain America Diner is not going to win any Michelin stars, but the view can’t be beat and there is a ton of stuff inside for the Marvel fans in your party. Believe it or not, it’s less of a “Captain America” restaurant and more of an “Avengers” restaurant as all the theming inside features an unbelievable amount of Avengers heroes (and villains) from the Marvel comic books. There are characters in the Diner that you would not believe, including The Black Knight, Wonderman, and Baron Zemo. This place is ready for next year’s slate of Marvel films as they already have Ant-Man, Quick Silver and the Scarlett Witch on the walls. Another nice touch is a giant Thor picture in one area while his hammer can be seen “cracking” a window directly across from him.
While kids are busy picking their jaws up off the floor staring at all the Marvel characters around them, adults can enjoy the scenic view which includes Hogsmeade village, Mythos, and more. Legitimately one of the best viewing locations in the entire park. Food quality wise, both the Fantastic Four Cafe and Captain America Diner in Marvel Superhero Island are among the worst in either park. However, the Marvel brand couldn’t be hotter right now and you can not beat that view, so in the end I have to count it higher than places with better food offerings such as Breadbox, Comic Strip Cafe, and Monsters Cafe.
Avengers Assemble! (photo by Brandon Glover)
# 4 – Red Oven Pizza Bakery (CityWalk)
Red Oven Pizza Bakery
Red Oven Pizza Bakery was the first of the new restaurants that were introduced in CityWalk’s Phase Two to open, and it was a home run right out of the gate. With a solid selection of great tasting pizzas (and for a reasonable price) Red Oven also has the option for “delivery” to the various outdoor bars along the CityWalk waterside. And because the on-site resorts are so close to CityWalk, I personally enjoy getting a pizza to go and bringing it back to my hotel room. With several vegetarian options (including the fantastic Pear & Fig pizza) and pizzas that are big enough for 2 or 3 to share which only cost $14-$16, Red Oven is exactly what a “theme park” pizzeria should be. We’re looking in your direction Pizza Planet and Boardwalk Pizza Window…
Big Eye Pepperoni Pizza at Red Oven Pizza Bakery
# 3 – Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous (Islands of Adventure)
Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-Pendous
Don’t laugh, Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous is legit. To start off, this is a theme park restaurant that has a ride (the High in the Sky Trolley) running through it. Say what you will, but one of the places I desperately want to eat at over in Disneyland is the Blue Bayou because it overlooks the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Hey, you’re in a theme park, how can you beat that?! During slower times of the year, the Oh the Stories You Will Hear show and meet ‘n greet also take place within the restaurant. Think of it as dinner theater for the younger set.
Circus McGurkus is colorful and whimsical inside while the food tends to be towards your standard counter service options, just done well. Our favorite dish is the fried chicken platter with mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. There’s also a Coke Freestyle station along with a Dippin’ Dots, two things I really enjoy that you can’t get inside any of the Walt Disney World theme parks.
How many restaurants have a theme park ride going through them? (photo by Brandon Glover)
# 2 – Mel’s Drive-In (Universal Studios Florida)
Cars outside provided by The Mike Scopa Collection (photo by Brandon Glover)
In a word, Mel’s Drive-In is charming. Based off the George Lucas film American Graffiti, Mel’s has a wonderful setting that takes you right back to the early 1960s complete with a classic car collection out front. Inside, the cast members, decor, and music are all themed to that era. While the menu is not exciting, it does have fantastic milk shakes and even better root beer floats. The seating area is deceptively big inside, so don’t be scared off if there seems to be a lot of people ordering ahead of you.
Extra points are awarded towards Mel’s during Halloween Horror Nights, when the neon lights are changed to read Mel’s Die-In.
, Friday is not an available selection.
# 1 – The Leaky Cauldron (Universal Studios Florida)
The Leaky Cauldron itself (photo by Brandon Glover)
Inexplicably, Universal counts the Leaky Cauldron as a table service restaurant on its dining plan, but guests still order and pay for the food ahead of time, like all other counter service restaurants. The only difference is that a Team Member brings you your meal, so we’re gonna count this is a counter service. Theming? Off the charts. The scale of the actual “leaky cauldron” needs to be seen to be believed. This restaurant took everything that was great about the Three Broomsticks over in IOA and somehow made it better. The Food? One of our favorite editions of the Saturday Six was the one running down the exclusive foods and desserts inside the Leaky Cauldron. Bangers and mash… cottage pie… banger sandwich…toad in the hole…it’s one item after another that taste incredible and that you can’t get anywhere else on property (not even in the Wizarding World.) It’s perfect.
A selection of food available at The Leaky Cauldron (photo by Brandon Glover)
HONORABLE MENTION: Hot Dog Hall Of Fame (CityWalk)
A “New York” dog (Sabrett all-beef dog, sauerkraut, mustard) and a hat from The Evil Empire (photo by Brandon Glover)
When Hot Dog Hall of Fame was first announced, it was dead last on the list of restaurants I cared to visit. I mean, it’s just hot dogs. Instead, Hot Dog Hall of Fame became a wonderful surprise. It doesn’t hurt that I have been a baseball fan my entire life (a reason I am always drawn towards Casey’s Corner when I go to the Magic Kingdom) and I appreciate the appeal of setting up the ordering process like a baseball diamond (even the order/pick-up windows are referred to as “bases.”) Where I was completely won over came in the form of the bleacher section (which is made up of seats from actual MLB ballparks) and the mustard bar (which carries different mustards from various cities across the US.) I’ll admit that I’ve always been fascinated as what a “Dodger Dog” tasted like, or what exactly the dogs were like from the ballparks in Chicago and Detroit. Hot dogs are synonymous with baseball in the way that popcorn is tied to movie theaters and being able to try the various types of dogs brought back a lot of memories of watching baseball games.
Another nice surprise was the inclusion of the large screen “jumbo tron” outside the restaurant that plays baseball games (and even had World Cup soccer matches in the summer.) If this TV will have NFL games, NBA, or the Olympics during their seasons, CityWalk might have stumbled onto something really cool.
Actual MLB ball park chairs (photo by Brandon Glover)
Mustard bar at Hotdog Hall of Fame. Please note that one bottle of ketchup is for French Fries ONLY (photo by Brandon Glover)
That’s our list, but before we go, who is up for my theme park “ice bucket challenge” video featuring the Universal Orlando Resort and a Disney MagicBand?
So there you have it: the Top Six Counter Service Restaurants at the Universal Orlando Resort. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going to take a peek at what else is out there in the theme park corridor outside of Universal and Disney. 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.
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SATURDAY SIX: Top Six Counter Service Restaurants at the Universal Orlando Resort is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
August 22, 2014
New Fun Materializing for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
©Disney
We are just a week and a half away from the Halloween Season starting at Walt Disney World, as the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will take place at the Magic Kingdom on Monday, September 1. (And for those of you keeping score, The Emporium has already begun to see some Halloween-themed merchandise creep in…get it…nevermind…I’ll stop with the bad puns now.)
Each year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party sees a few minor tweaks and this year is no exception. It appears that Disney is fully realizing how big Disney Villains truly are, so these bad guys and gals are going to have a big presence at this year’s event.
New this year will be Club Villain, which will be found at the Diamond Horseshoe, located in Liberty Square. This dance party will feature a lively atmosphere, music, and of course, villains. Guests can expect to mingle with Dr. Facilier (The Princess and The Frog), Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians), and Cinderella’s wicked step-family, also known as Anastasia, Drizella, and Lady Tremaine.
For those looking to meet some of these baddies, you’ll find a few of them located at meet and greet locations throughout the park. Jafar (Aladdin) will be found in Adventureland, the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) can be found near The Mad Tea Party, and Lotso (Toy Story 3) will be able to be found near Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. If you want to head to Princess Fairytale Hall, you’ll find The Queen and Maleficent who will join both Snow White and Aurora. (Anna and Elsa will be meeting as well, on the opposite side.)
For those who enjoyed the Phineas and Ferb Creepa Crew pre-parade last year, it will be returning yet again. This time it will see the addition of Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope. Also returning from last year’s event will be the Monstrous Scream-O-Ween Ball, which will take place at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. For those who are big Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack and Sally will once again be on hand to meet guests.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a great hard-ticket event that takes place on select nights throughout September and October. (Note: The party scheduled for October 31 has already sold out.)
This year’s party looks like it’s got some spooktacularly fun new elements, don’t ya think?
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In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of August 22, 2014
It’s been a crazy busy week for me here…what about you? If your week has been like mine, you have likely missed a few things.
So today I bring you some fun articles about Star Wars Rebels, some of the first footage of Walt Disney World, and more!
In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors
Disney was named as one of the “30 Most Genius Content Marketing Examples of 2014 (So Far)” for its behind the scenes looks at making park magic.
I so love old footage of Walt Disney World. This week I found some more great footage to share with you all from November 1971. It’s so cool to see what the park looked like back in the day!
I had no idea this even existed, but apparently there is an app out there based off the Pumbaa and Timon theme park safety tips. Kids can play tic-tac-toe and learn about park safety with short videos. It isn’t a super fancy app, but it is perfect for those with little ones to teach them about being “Wild About Safety.”
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a director of entertainment for a theme park? Universal’s Michael Aiello talks about his journey.
Among the neat aspects in Univeral Orlando’s new Diagon Alley are the live performances (partially thanks to Michael Aiello). One performer is Celestina Warbeck, and this week on Pottermore it was revealed that it was Celestina’s birthday. Also released was a recording of one of her hit songs, giving everyone a glimpse of what you can enjoy at Universal Studios Florida. She really is a very talented performer!
For those who miss Rex in Star Tours, I bring potentially good news! He may be returning to Star Wars Rebels! I miss the directionally-challenged droid. For those excited about the upcoming show, Star Wars Rebels will debut on October 3 on Disney Channel. Find out more about it on StarWars.com
One movie we have heard very little about lately is Pixar’s release, The Good Dinosaur. The movie was originally supposed to be released this year; however, issues plagued it, so it has been pushed back to November 2015. It seems that the whole story has been re-worked. Are you excited for this movie?
Seriously, Chris Pratt is awesome. He visited a children’s hospital dressed as Star-Lord. He really one of the good guys, it would seem.
Speaking of Guardians of the Galaxy, the soundtrack has hit number one on the Billboard charts for the second week in a row. Have you downloaded it yet?
In Case We Missed It
What did we miss? Attach your ideas to the this really cool monorail shirt and send them to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.
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In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of August 22, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Raglan Road’s Great Irish Hooley Returns This Labor Day to Downtown Disney
Can you believe we are just one week out from Labor Day Weekend? Do you have your plans yet? If you’ll be in the Walt Disney World area from Friday, August 29 through Monday, September 1, consider heading to Downtown Disney for Raglan Road’s 3rd Annual Great Irish Hooley!
Wait…what’s a hooley? It’s basically an Irish celebration, and celebrate you will! The event will include activities like live music, step dancing, unique food offerings, and more.
The main draw of the event is that guests will be able to experience five different musical acts throughout the weekend. They include:
Scythian- Scythian plays gypsy-infused American Celtic.
Drops of Green- An exciting new ballad group from the heart of Ireland.
The Raglan Rebels- Ireland’s best up-and-coming young band with traditional and modern songs and ballads.
The Brayzen Heads- A popular duo on guitar and banjo who put their own spin on things.
The West Coast Trio- From Connemara, playing traditional and contemporary Irish songs on accordion, flute and guitar with plenty of reels and jigs.
There will be two stages you’ll be able to catch acts on; The Main Stage found inside Raglan Road and the Patio Stage, located on the patio.
For those who maybe like to dance, you’ll have opportunities to learn from the best of the best. Free workshops will be lead by Irish dancer Ronan McCormack, from Riverdance fame. In addition, you can learn ceili, which is quite similar to line dancing. Also on hand will be the Raglan Road Dancers.
For those who are looking for dining options, consider partaking in the special brunch Raglan Road will be offering. Brunch will occur on both August 30 and 31 and will feature a full Irish breakfast, as well as brunch cocktails. On Saturday, August 30, the brunch offering will be a special one. Called “A Knights Brunch,” the meal will feature the opportunity to watch the UCF V PennState – Live from Dublin Ireland. Brunch will take place from 8: 30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Brunch on Sunday, August 31 will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
There will also be Celtic face painting opportunities from Saturday through Monday, from noon until 10:00 p.m.
The party will kick-off on Friday at 4:00 p.m. The rest of the weekend, events will begin at 12:00 noon.
If you will be there for the event, make sure to check out the schedule of events.
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Planning for Disney World – without fail
By Kevin Bastos
I may have a problem.
On our first trip as a family to Disney World in 2009, I bought a stack of books. I won’t even mention the amount I spent, but it was exorbitant. And crazy. And when I flipped through all of them, I just hungered for more information. So I flipped through websites, joined Disney posting boards, and generally dug through nearly every possible nugget I could find. I joined the touringplans.com site, and planned multitudes of options based on our plan. I may have also planned a back-up plan. Or five. And still, I felt ill-prepared.
A small assortment from my Disney World library. Don’t worry. I have the 2013 version as an e-book.
I probably have a problem.
When I got to the end of it, I realized a few things. Frankly, planning can’t plan for every single unforeseen circumstance. But it did really help to negotiate my trip, and get real information from every place I could. Planning for Disney World can be overwhelming, but calming down, and making quick choices can make for a better vacation for everyone. While sorting through all of it caused me headaches – certainly you can learn from my advice.
First – visit the library. Yes, the library. It’s free! Grab as many of the outdated books you can, and flip through them. Certainly don’t dig through all of them with any vigor – but at least to get an idea of the parks, and a generalized set of information. Background helps.
Second – not everything on the internet is real. Do I have a few bookmarked sites, and people I follow on twitter? Most certainly. I love reading through message boards. I waste WAY too much time sifting through menus for my own good. I plan snack credits based on reviews from people I have never met. I read trip advisor, and follow multiple levels of reviews. But in the background of all of this mess, I know that all of this is background and assistance. Certainly nothing set iron-clad. I treat this as entertaining fun – nothing more. Especially including every line you read from me. If you agree? Great. If you don’t, let me know. I love arguing.
Third – even when you find a set of information to follow, it must be treated as a guide – and not a master plan. I’ve learned to turn my head at many people who go without researching, or without a specific guideline for each day. for myself, I need constant reminder that even if my tour gets changed, it won’t wreck the day. Last year at Epcot, we turned over our day to our children, chasing characters that never arrived ( a piece of advice – lightning and rain cancels many outside character appearances). All of us were miserable. The kids, because the rains arrived, and characters did not. Us, because the remains of our day were lost to waiting in lines. At the end of the day, we all threw up our hands, danced in ponchos, and followed an Agent P mission in England’s pouring rain. Our smiles and laughter returned. Your deadlines and times aren’t a checklist. They are simply a best case scenario. When things go wrong – and they will – have a back-up plan. But even if that ends up in the garbage – you’re still on vacation.
Fourth – be prepared to read a lot of the same information. Over and over again. For our Christmas trip this year, I have already read one book, and have three more on pre-order. Even working for the Unofficial Guides website, I’m constantly looking for new takes on the same visit. It certainly sounds insane – but the immersion of information helps to solidify most of the decisions that we make as a family. The dissenting information, too, can really shed light on the places to really focus. When two sides disagree on the same sets of information – I know that’s a place to really dig. Unfortunately, it isn’t too often.
Next, admit you have a problem.
I have a problem.
Fifth – focus and consolidate. My first visit, I purchased a pile of resources. I joined websites. I even had four different touring plans printed and ready for one half-day visit to a park. Too much. Instead of destroying your sanity, pick and choose resources. While I still over-investigate, I now rely on a few places. I still look around often. It still rings to me that when my wife and I research while working in parallel – she on the computer, and me on the Ipad, she has her favorite website, and I have mine. But I return to the basic sets of information. While I still build personalized touring plans for each day, I still look around at other resources, too.
Finally – reflect. Not just after the vacation, but during, too. The best thing my wife and I did as a couple (that we never expected us to do) was record and evaluate. At the end of each day in the park, we tucked the kids into bed, and sat down, pen in hand. We wrote down the items that really worked, and honesty reflected on our day’s failures, as well. It gave the kids an opportunity to fall asleep, but more importantly, we recorded our visit while it was fresh in our minds. Then, when planning our next vacation, we returned first to our own reflections, and guided our next visits with that in mind.
Keeping a vacation planned and flexible has helped us immensely. While I examine every day- and when I’m done editing this, I will return to my personalized plan – I also remember to keep an idea on each moment. Of course, now that my 2015 Unofficial Guide has arrived, I will re-visit my spreadsheet yet again. Even though I won’t ever completely overcome my research, planning each vacation has helped me to be more spontaneous on each visit. That has been invaluable.
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The Disney Dazzle: Meeting Mickey Mouse
Ta-Dah!
My very favorite thing about visiting Disney World is the memories you take home with you. Amongst the celebrations and excitement at the parks, something even more amazing can happen. A magical moment occurs that makes the whole trip so much more meaningful – a personal story you will never forget. I call this the ‘Disney Dazzle.’
My husband and I make trips to Orlando 2-3 times a year as my husband’s aunt and uncle live there. Rewind back to February 2014, and we were on our very first trip with our newborn, Annie. Whenever we visit Disney World, my husband’s uncle, Keith, always has a surprise in store for us. This trip was no exception. Earlier in the day, Uncle Keith had mysteriously left our group for several minutes. He returned, said nothing about his disappearance and we continued about our day. That night, he told us he had a surprise but that we would have to wait a little longer. I walked up and down Main Street, U.S.A. with ants in my pants wondering what his secret could be. After what seemed like FOREVER (although in reality, it was no more than 20 minutes), he led us into the Town Square Theater. I really had NO idea what we were doing there, only remembering the little television playing cartoons and the Camera Center full of camera supplies and pins. While looking around, I saw the sign ‘Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater’ and it hit me. Uncle Keith had gotten us a FastPass+ reservation to meet Mickey Mouse! Now, guests have had the opportunity to meet Mickey in the Town Square Theater since 2011, but it wasn’t until October of 2013 that a special magician Mickey would grace us with his presence. (I won’t give away all the surprises because every encounter with ‘the boss’ is unique!) As a Disney buff, I’m embarrassed to admit that I had no idea one could meet Mickey in such an exciting and intimate setting. I was in for a real treat!
Uncle Keith handed over the passes and we were lined up with several other families. As I waited anxiously, I let my mind wander. At 24 years old, this would be my very first time meeting the Big Cheese. What would he be like? Would he give me hug? Most importantly, would Annie spit up on him? My thoughts were interrupted as we were brought into Mickey’s dressing room. I heard the sounds of ragtime melodies and noticed a wardrobe containing a tuxedo, extra pair of shoes and Mouse gloves. The set was in place. All we needed was the star of the show.
The moment arrived. As Mickey was introduced, he walked out from behind the wardrobe in his magician costume and cape waving to all of us. It was so exciting! This Mickey was unlike any character at the park. He blinked, talked and was capable of having a conversation with the guests! (I’m still scratching my head figuring out how Disney achieved this. Anyone know?)
Let’s get back to the families in line with us. One couple came with their little four year-old, who was dressed up in a Buzz Lightyear costume. Did Mickey get jealous? Heck no! He posed just like Buzz and soared around the room with the little boy.
The next family had an older boy (approximately 15-17 years old) with special needs. This young man was so excited to meet Mickey. His parents informed us as we waited that he watched the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse religiously, so it was clear this would be a memorable moment for him. When he walked up to Mickey, he was so excited and yelled, “Mickey!” as loud as he could. Mickey walked over, put his arm around the boy and shook his hand. Mickey said, “Let’s sing a song together!” His parents took out their video camera while Mickey sang the ‘Hot Dog Song,’ and other Mickey tunes. The boy was absolutely delighted and kept saying, “Again! Again!” When his time with Mickey came to an end, his parents kindly told their son it was time to leave. The young man became very upset saying, “No! Again Mickey!” As he began jumping up and down, his voice got louder and the boy became more distressed.
This is when something amazing happened. I’ve encountered other situations like this where employees appeared frightened or nervous and urged the family to move along. Not at Disney. Mickey and the Cast Members were so patient and wonderful. They allowed the boy to stay and Mickey danced and sang to him over and over again while encouraging the people in line to join in. It was so beautiful to see such compassion and humanity. While most guests spend two or three minutes with the mouse, this boy was given more than ten minutes with Mickey. His parents kept apologizing to those of us in line, but not one person complained. We knew we were witnessing a moving and special moment for this boy.
Terrible quality, but at least you can see how unimpressed Annie was with Mickey’s comment.
After the boy exited with his parents, it was our turn. I walked up with Annie, who was dressed as Minnie Mouse, and Mickey immediately exclaimed, “Oh! A mini Minnie!” As Annie stared away, Mickey told her to enjoy being carried around while it lasted because eventually she’d be expected to get a job….Annie continued to stare in disbelief at such preposterous claims. I asked Mickey for an autograph and as he signed my book, he sang “M-I-C…K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E!” We all gathered for a picture and all too soon, were on our way.
In this busy world, it’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life. Sometimes, it’s important to stop, take a moment, and breathe everything in. This Disney Dazzling moment showed that with Mickey, everyone is special, no one is rushed and you feel as if you have all the time in the world. I knew this was a once in a lifetime experience we were seeing and we were all proud to be a part of it. So, amidst the souvenirs, sunburns and foot blisters, the most precious thing to walk away from Disney World with…are your special memories.
What memories do you have that sparkle with Disney Dazzle? Please share them in the comments!
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TouringPlans #Everywhere – I’m Going to Vero Beach Resort!
By Daisy Lauren
©Disney
Many, many months ago an article was posted announcing the coolest project ever. A group of Touring Plans bloggers was going to take the Disney universe by storm, dropping one of us in every location around the world for a first of its kind blogging event. It’s called TouringPlans #Everywhere, and much like all of you I was looking forward to reading about it. Imagine my shock and absolute delight when I was invited to join the event by heading to Vero Beach! I’m still pinching myself, and the best part is I get to take you all with me!
So what have I done to plan? Well, I suppose writing this article is a start. To be fair, I’m planning a vacation to Tokyo Disneyland first that has been taking up most of my time. Also, since Vero Beach is just a couple hours away, it doesn’t feel like a vacation that needs a ton of planning. It feels more like a beach weekend where you don’t pack more than your bathing suit. I don’t want that to make it sound like I’m not excited, though. If you can believe it, when I’m heading to Vero Beach it will be the only Disney location aside from Hong Kong I haven’t visited! So let’s take a look at what’s there:
Day Spa
I’m not a spa girl, but my hubby has volunteered if anyone is curious about the spa services offered at Vero Beach. Taking a look at their page, it looks like this is a big draw for the property. They offer everything from hot stone massages to pedicures. They even have tween services. I’ll be sure you get you all the information on this luxury treat!
Dining
Wow, we are not going to go hungry! I was surprised to find Signature, Character, Casual, Quick Service, and Lounge dining all offered at this one resort. I’m especially excited to see unique character dining offered! I’m a sucker for Disney characters in new outfits. It even looks like there is a pirate themed dinner. Ahoy! (and yummy!)
Recreation
Of course, there are pools and the beach, but I was curious what else Disney had up its sleeve at this location. It looks like there is quite a list! I’ve found information on outdoor activities like tennis, fishing, surfing, bike rentals, and golf. There’s also an arcade that I’m sure we’ll be spending some time visiting. Most exciting for me is a Campfire Sing-A-Long! These are always so fun, I’m excited to try one on the beach. (I wonder if the characters will show up??)
Kids Programs
While we don’t have kids, I know that information is important to lots of guests visiting. I’ll be sure to round up everything about activities for kids and teens. From the information online it appears organized activities are available for kids from 4-19 years of age, leaving time for Mom and Dad to visit that signature dining spot I mentioned above! 
That is what I have so far, but this is where you come in! What do you want to know about Disney’s Vero Beach Resort? Have you visited before? Do you have any tips for me? Please let me know in the comments below. As always, thanks so much for reading and commenting. I can’t wait to take every one of you on vacation with me! :)
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TouringPlans #Everywhere – I’m Going to Vero Beach Resort! is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
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