Disney Parks pay tribute to M.J.

Captain EO is returning to Disneyland Paris on June 12th, Walt Disney World on July 2 and Tokyo Disneyland, just months after it reopened to rave reviews at Disneyland.
The 17 minute film features Michael Jackson as “Captain EO” and a crew of Disney-created space characters. During their journey, the group uses the power of dance, light and music to turn a colorless planet into a world of color and happiness.
After the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, Captain EO regained popularity on the Internet. For several years, fans had petitioned Disney to bring back the attraction and Jackson's death had brought this campaign to a peak. Soon afterward, Disney officials were seen in Disneyland at the Magic Eye Theater and reportedly held a private screening of Captain EO to determine if it could be shown again. It was rumored that Disneyland would announce the return of the attraction at Disneyland in September.On December 18, 2009, it was announced that Captain EO would return to Tomorrowland at Disneyland beginning in February 2010.Disney stated that "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!" would be closing. The attraction hosted its final public showing in the Magic Eye Theater (Now named the Tomorrowland Theater) at midnight on January 4, 2010 to make way for the Michael Jackson film's return.
The attraction, now entitled Captain EO Tribute, re-opened at Disneyland park on February 23, 2010.

Our First Visit to WDW

It was March 1996 when my husband and I took our 3 children to Florida to the World that Walt built, so to speak. We had planned the trip to be a "camping trip" in the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. We loaded our Dodge Caravan with tent, sleeping bags, cooler full of food and drinks as well as a portable t.v/vcr combo for the kids to watch Disney movies on the 14 hour drive south. We packed a couple warm items but mostly clothing that was fitting for the warm air of Florida. Once we neared my sister-in-laws house (midway on the journey)we stopped for a couple hour nap and learned the temperatures in Orlando were going to be record breakingly low. She had a few extra jackets for the kids to use so we took those along. Once we located a Disney retailer along the interstate we stopped and called the Walt Disney World resort to see if we could make reservations for a room. We had no idea how much it would run as it was such late notice and everything affordable would be taken; but we had a daughter that was 2 1/2 years old with us we didn't want to sleep in a tent with record breaking low temps. We knew we just had to take the risk and call hoping for the best.
To our suprise they had room at the Port Orleans French Quarter resort. With there being five of us we didn't know if we would be able to get a single room rate or if we would have to get a suite or two rooms that joined. We were so pleased with our reservations. The castmember was so attentive and caring even offering us the Visa discount without us asking for it. The room we stayed in had a trundle bed, which our10 year old son thougth was cool because he could just slid his bed under our bed without making it. We had pizza delivery one night after getting home late from the parks. There were only three at that time; Magic Kingdom, Epcot and MGM Studios. We had a blast but was exhausted each night when we returned to our room. No way would a sleeping bag offer the comfortable night of sleep that we needed. I am so happy that we were able to get an affordable room at Port Orleans. As we stepped through a wrought-iron portal into an alluring recreation of the historic New Orleans district, we found nestled along the banks of the Disney-created Sassagoula River, these two resorts are probably the best themed, and certainly the most picturesque, places you can stay within Walt Disney World without breaking the bank.
If not for this beautiful resort we probably not have enjoyed our first stay on Walt Disney World property and would not have fallen in love with all things Disney.

Tronorail

I wanted to share a picture of the revamped overlay that Disney World has put on one, maybe two of thier monorails. This is to rev-up the excitement for the upcoming Sequel to the 1982 Tron. If everything goes as planned this movie, marking the 20th anniversary of it's original, could bring an Avatar like success spawning more sequels. Look for the Tronorail should you visit Walt Disney World over the spring or summer of 2010, and look for Tron:Legacy this winter.

Holiday in the World

This year I was thrilled to finally see Walt Disney World in all its Holiday splendor. Over the years of visiting in the Fall I noticed the lights strung along the Streets of America in Hollywood Studios and could only imagine what it must look like all lit up for Christmas. This year I got to see it. I have to say that I could have never imagined it to be what it was in reality. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights moved to Disney World in 2004 and now uses over 5 million lights in the display of dancing lights. At dusk the sounds can be heard from Commissary Lane and the Star Wars tour ride and you know the show is underway. It's like being in the Magic Kingdom when you hear those first notes of the SpectrOMagic Parade as is nears, you just know the thrill of another Disney Magical Moment is beginning. Through out the Streets of America the lights begin to dance with the rhythem of Christmas Classics and Holiday tunes all the way to the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" enterance. Buildings are covered from top to foundation with lights including free standing objects made from lights as well. If you are in the Walt Disney World Resort during the Holiday Season this sectacular display is a must see. It is a walk through show that begins at dusk and ends at 10:00 pm on most evenings.

That is only one of many sights to see in the World, another is Cinderella's Castle dripping with icicles. There are more than 200,000 tiny white lights strung along 40,000 square feet of fishing net to create this enourmus display. The fishing net is carefully died to match the colors of the castle before the lights are hooked on. The castle changes colors throughout the evening and then takes the staring roll in the Holiday Wishes each evening. This special version of Wishes brings to life the songs of the holiday, like the Nutcracker's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and O Christmas Tree just to mention a couple.
Another must see while at the Magic Kingdom is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Guests need to purchase a separate ticket for entry. Walt Disney World limits the number of tickets sold in order to keep the crowds down and many dates sell out in advance.
It features:
*The enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle,
*Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade(complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself)
*An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
*Live entertainment featuring Disney Characters
*Meet and greet opportunities throughout Magic Kingdom theme park with some of your favorite Disney Characters.
*Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
*A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.

Another Must See takes place in Epcot, an international celebration of Yuletide traditions filled with festive decorations and live entertainment that will be sure to get you in the Christmas Spirit. Each Evening a special holiday event held nightly at the American Gardens Theatre in Epcot theme park as part of Holidays Around The World. The event retells the stirring story of Christmas with a special celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir of up to 400 members. We saw Pere Noel in France, that was a nice treat.

The Most Magical Place on Earth

Disneyland opened in July, 1955 and following that day you could find Walt Disney on property almost any given time of the day or evening. He spent a great deal of his time there. One night he stopped a family as they were exiting to enquire why they were leaving hours before closing. "Could they have been ill, disappointed, or had any sort of bad experience that he would indeed get to the bottom of", are probably some of the thoughts running through his head. But what he discovered would soon start his head a whirl with what he called "The Florida Project". This family wanted to beat the rush of traffic back to the hotel.
In 1967 the construction began on what Walt Disney would have spent years in preparing but would not live to see. He had provided detailed plans on this "New World" he would create for families to vacation in. He had envisioned an underground world for the workers of this "Magical Place" so that guest would only see the stage in which all cast members would perform. These underground tunnels and utilidors would provide passage from the "employee only" areas that were built on the existing ground level up to the "stage" some 107 feet above. This theme park would be much like the Disneyland park but much bigger and with new attractions added to the tried-and-true favorites. These 23 attractions would be divided up and placed in copies of the five themed lands of Disneyland and one new land called Liberty Square.
On October 1, 1971 the Magic Kingdom in Florida opened as did two hotels on property, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Resort. These two hotels are located on the opposite side of the Seven Seas Lagoon, which was created when the dirt was removed for building up the stage floor, providing a wonderful view of Cinderella's Castle for the hotel guests.

Disneyland had been nicknamed "The Happiest Place On Earth" so it seemed fitting that this new Kingdom or newer version of the Magic Kingdom be called the "Most Magical Place on Earth" but in 1994 it was officially named "Magic Kingdom Park".

Every time I visit I find something new to appreciate, or rediscover things I had forgotten over the years. There are so many interesting facts and great details that are overlooked that Walt Disney made sure to include. As I walk through the different lands of this Magic Kingdom Park I try to look for them or remind myself to rediscover another bit of Magic.
Main Street, U.S.A. offers some of the architectural styles from around the country, like New England and Missouri. The decor is set to recreate the small-town in the early 20Th Century of America.
Adventureland is representation of exploring far away lands and the mystery of remote places like Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East not to mention the South Pacific and Caribbean.
Frontierland offers us a look into the Wild West, where the Cowboys explored the Rivers of America and Indians roamed the open plains.
Liberty Square recaptures the American Revolutionary era with mansions and riverboats to explore.
"Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart and to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true", in the words of Walt Disney himself. Themed in the carnival style and medieval-faire.
Tomorrowland represents an intergalactic convention center. Walt Disney said," Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future."
Mickey's Toontown Fair is an extension of Fantasyland that include Mickey's Country House, Minnie's Country House, the Town Hall and Goofy's Barnstormer with the flair of a small town fair.

You Had Me at Welcome

The first time I was a guest at Walt Disney World Resort in 1996 I fell in love. As a child I always wanted to go to Disneyland or Disney World. I saw the commercials on TV during the Wonderful World of Disney program that came on every Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. Each time I pleaded with my parents to take me they only laughed or made the ususal open ended promise of "Maybe one day." I loved Bambi, one of the first movies I ever saw in the theatre, and watched Snow White, Cinderella as well as the Mickey Mouse Club a few times but loved the movies that was shown on television each Sunday evening. Not many of my friends had ever been to Disneyland or Disney World so I never heard much about it, only what I saw on T.V. I hoped that one day I would get to be one of those happy faces wearing Mickey ears and laughing with my family.
That day finally came, it was nearly a month before my 30th birthday when I walked onto Disney property for the first time. My husband and three children were with me when I first met Mickey Mouse. The castmembers were all so friendly and helpful. I couldn't believe there was a place that made you feel so special and welcome. Sure it was a busy place but we never experienced a rude or negative member of the cast the entire time we were there. We wanted to take it all in because we felt we would probably not have a chance to return until our kids were practically grown or even may have kids of thier own. We got up early for the extra magic hours and stayed for the extra p.m. hours as well. We requested wake up calls from Mickey and his friends and ate at every Character meal we could get in to. Sure we paid for it over the next few years but it was something we would never forget. Our youngest daughter was not yet three so she was free to enter the parks and free to eat at the buffets, while our other two were 4 and 10. My husband had just signed on with a few buisness owners to open a fast food resturaunt and we knew it was now or never, well at least not for many years, before we could take a vacation so we did it up.
I would have never imagined how much I would enjoy myself, I thought Disney World was for kids. Much to my surprise when we walked into the lobby of our resort and the cast member greeted us, I was hooked. It was ten years before we were able to return to that magical place but within a year we had purchased ownership in the Disney Vacation Club. Each time we go back I feel a renewal with each "Welcome Home" I hear.

Meeting Mickey Mouse

The first time I met Mickey Mouse was in March of 1996 when my husband and I took our kids to Walt Disney World. We stood in the line to his dressing room for a long time. (When you have small children any amount of time seems to be a long time.) We arrived backstage and stood in a room where autographed photos of Mickey and many celebreties adorned the walls. There were a few of his life long sweetheart, Minnie, signed with X's and O's and as we rounded the corner of his room we saw a large lighted mirror in the shape of, you guessed it, his head. My heart skipped a beat as I laid eyes on him for the first time. It was as if I was standing in the presence of royalty, it was Mickey Mouse right here in the mousey fur himself completely decked out in his traditional tux tails and bow tie. As the children took turns hugging him, asking for autographs and posing for pictures I stood there in awe wondering why I am thiry years old and feel like a 7 year old. Suddenly I realize my child is next in line so I have to grab the camera to get photgraphs and video coverage of this miraculous meeting. As my youngest runs to hug him she nearly knocks him down with her enthusiasm, and we all chuckle nervously hoping she hasn't offended his Mousjesty. He places both hands, er a paws on either side of his head (to readjust himself I'm guessing)and poses for a picture and waves at the camcorder. As we all wave goodbye I try to hide my excitment by talking to the kids about how exciting that must have been for them.
The next couple of times we went to Disney World we didn't get the chance to take a picture with Mickey Mouse. One time I did get a picture of him in his Sorcerer's attire but it was just in passing and didn't turn out very clear.
I was able to get pictures of the girls with Mickey Mouse as he was about ot go on Safari. He was dressing in his hiking boots, safari hat and kahkis.
Last year my sister joined us to celebrate her birthday in Walt Disney World. I realized that I had never had MY picture taken with Mickey Mouse. I was surprised that I had never posed with my absolute MOST favorite Disney character in all my visits to the parks of the Mousedom. I was now on a mission. I had pictures of me with the Wicked Stepmother and Stepsister from Cinderella, with Mary Poppins, Pocahontas, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and many others but never, ever had I posed with Mickey.
It was at the Animal Kingdom that I found him standing there ready to venture out on another safari that I was able to finally capture a magical moment, it was a Kodak moment for sure.