Archive for February, 2010

Hidden in the trees at Camp Minnie-Mickey, the perfect abode for a winged citizen of the World.  A Disney doorway creatively captured by DigitalSLG.

It’s almost here – the 17^th annual EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival!  The topiary have never been more beautiful, the butterflies are fluttering, and the roses are blooming.  From March 3 until May 16, 2010, EPCOT is dressed in her fanciest florals for this colorful event.

This year, guests are greeted by Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and friends, enjoying the pleasures of the outdoor life in a spectacular display at the front entrance.  The popular butterfly house and Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden have been expanded and new additions to the Festival include Classic Disney Couples and A Salute to Community Gardens.

Of note is a new dining opportunity at the Wonders of Life pavilion.  On March 21, April 18, and May 16, guests can pick up some gardening and culinary techniques from horticulturists and chefs as they enjoy a Garden Town Breakfast from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  The Wonders Retreat, located on the second floor of the pavilion is a whimsical private venue seldom seen by the general public.  The breakfast buffet will include an array of fresh ingredients from the Land Pavilion.

The Festival Guide lists the dates and times for a series of special presentations that feature gardening tips, expert advice, and well-known speakers.  There are plenty of kid-friendly exhibits and a return of the Flower Power Concert schedule showcasing the groovy sounds of the past from such favorites as Paul Revere and the Raiders, Herman’s Hermits, and Davy Jones.

The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining, and the World’s in bloom – contact a concierge to make your plans!

It’s about as perfect as ten minutes or so can be.  Mickey’s PhilharMagic has wowed audiences from opening day in 2003 and continues to draw the crowds with its “4-D” effects and magical story line.  Featuring many of the most beloved characters from Disney movies including Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, Aladdin and Jasmine, Simba, Ariel, and Lumière, the show is a feast for the eyes, the ears, and even the nose!

Guests are invited to don their opera glasses and follow Donald Duck’s misadventures through a world of animation as he chases the “borrowed” Sorcerer hat under the sea and across the savannahs of Africa.  The audience joins him on a magic carpet ride through narrow Middle Eastern alleyways, and soaring over London on a trail of pixie dust.

Delightful for all ages, Mickey’s PhilharMagic occupies its own special theater that seats nearly 500 guests.  Don’t miss the lobby area that showcases “past performances” in a series of comical posters.

While some people prefer being at the front of the theater, we’ve found that the special effects seem even better from seats in the center sections, so enter from one of the doors to the right rather than the left.  We also suggest waiting for a bit after the doors open and then choosing a row that’s partially filled in order to end up in the center of that row.  Pick up a FastPass, then get in the standby line if it’s not too long.  You’ll definitely want to see this show more than once!

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland

Approximately 12 minutes

Wheelchair and ECV accessible

Assistive listening and reflective captioning devices available

Park admission required

You’ll often hear their stirring sounds before you spot them moving in formation toward the front of the American Pavilion.  Marching out in uniforms of brilliant red and blue, the four musicians and flag-bearer of the Spirit of America Fife & Drum  Corps provide a patriotic interlude at the head of the World Showcase in EPCOT.

They will invite visitors to remember our serviceman, to join them in singing a patriotic song, and to enter the building for a performance of the American Adventure.

Playing a medley of marches, military music, and American favorites, the Corps is an unexpected surprise that lends an authentic period touch several times daily.

Break out the board shorts and head to the Beach!  The colorful Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the place to be for a fun-filled breakfast or seafood dinner.

Between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., enjoy Goofy’s Beach Club Breakfast Buffet with Goofy, Minnie, and Donald.  Dressed for the shore in vibrant swimwear, the stylish trio is on hand for autographs and photos while diners pile their plates high with those great Mickey waffles.

Because this restaurant has fewer seats than many other character-dining venues, guests can generally expect exceptional character interaction during the meal. Although it’s convenient for those staying at Boardwalk-area resorts, visitors from other resorts should opt for a late-morning reservation or plan on taking a taxi to Disney’s Beach Club.

Near the attractive seating area a sign announces Clambake Tonight!, and from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cape May Café serves up seafood, buffet style, with an extensive menu that includes clam chowder, mussels, crab legs, fish, shrimp, and of course, clams.  There are plenty of choices for meat-lovers, kids, and vegetarians, and everyone will love the dessert bar.

Review: The relaxed, less-hectic atmosphere of the breakfast buffet at Cape May Café is in stark contrast to the usual noisy and frenetic experience that tends to define character dining, making this one of our favorites.  There’s the usual selection of fruit, pastries, breakfast meats, eggs, cereals, and a variety of side dishes.  It’s not unusual to have several opportunities to visit with the characters during your meal.

The clambake enjoys mixed reviews, some guests finding it outstanding, others complaining about the quality of the seafood.  As New Englanders, we are probably more demanding than most, but we think it’s important to remember that this is a buffet, with all the limitations inherent in this type of presentation.  It’s not to be expected that the food will arrive at the table in same state as if it were cooked to order.  All in all, the Cape May Café is a great choice for a light-hearted breakfast or a satisfying evening meal.

Cape May Café

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Breakfast  7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Sail over to Fittings & Fairings Clothes and Notions for a great selection of nautically-inspired sportswear, featuring Nautica and Polo labels, as well as Disney’s Yacht Club Resort logo merchandise.

Located just off the main lobby, and open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., this bright and airy shop is one of the most attractive resort shopping destinations.  In addition to an array of character-themed items, the store stocks the usual sundries and small essentials, and displays swimwear, jewelry, and other tempting trinkets.

A giant Stratocaster, four stories high, offers an iconic welcome to G-Force Records where you’ll enjoy an atmospheric queue before you encounter Aerosmith wrapping up a recording session, and accept the offer of a backstage pass and a lift to their concert across town.

Step into your stretch limo for a ride in the thrill lane.  You’ll experience 5 G’s as you jump from 0 to 57 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds; catapulting 200 feet before moving smoothly into the first of three inversions along more than a half-mile of “California Freeway.”

Each of the five limos blasts a different Aerosmith soundtrack through 125 speakers as you speed past the street signs and neon lights of a Hollywood night toward your destination.  It’s dark and fast and loud and unlike anything else at Walt Disney World.  You’ll disembark and walk the red carpet to Rock Around the Shop where you can purchase the souvenir photo taken just as the ride launched.

More than ten years after it first opened in Walt Disney World, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster remains hugely popular so arrive early and take advantage of FastPasses.  This can be a challenging ride and should be avoided by expectant mothers and those with back, neck, or heart conditions.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sunset Boulevard

Approximately 3 minutes

Guests must transfer from wheelchair and ECV to ride vehicle

48″ minimum height requirement

FastPass available

Park admission required

Planning a visit to Walt Disney World this summer?  There are lots of amazing surprises in store as Disney launches Summer Nightastic!  The most exciting news is the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Arriving in June of 2010 for a limited engagement, this wondrous parade returns with magical enhancements including a brand new lead float featuring Tinker Bell.

The original “light parade,” the Main Street Electrical Parade in Disneyland, was modeled on Walt Disney World’s Electrical Water Pageant which remains one of the World’s best-loved attractions, nearly forty years after its debut in October of 1971.

Initially, some of the floats that made up the Main Street Electrical Parade had flat screens mounted on platforms, much like the screens mounted on the barges of the Electrical Water Pageant.  Over the years, the light parades have undergone many changes – moving from park to park; being copied for one park from another; renamed, replaced, reincarnated.

SpectroMagic has enjoyed two long runs in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World; a second version of the Main Street Electrical Parade also ran in the Magic Kingdom for a number of years before moving to Disneyland Paris, and the original Disneyland parade was featured there briefly during the Millennium celebration.  Dreamlights, Fantillusion, Light Magic; none had the staying power of the Main Street Electrical Parade which finally returned to Disney’s California Adventure as Disney’s Electrical Parade in 2001.  Since then, there have been upgrades and additions which combine new themes and technology with the classic feel of the original.

In addition to the new parade, guests will be treated to a spectacular summer fireworks show, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is receiving a special effects makeover, and there are more new entertainment features yet to be announced.  Stay tuned!

Today I came across a photo which reminded me of a piece written some years ago.  I thought I would publish it again.  This image, of a different soldier, speaks more eloquently than words, and we are grateful to the family for allowing us to use it.

I stood by the railing, upstairs at the train station, looking out over Main Street, U.S.A., and hoping to catch sight of a family I had never met.  Having left my friends behind enjoying the last of our tea at the Grand Floridian, jumping on the monorail and rushing into the Magic Kingdom, I would be very disappointed if I didn’t find them.  But no, there they were:  mother, father, and handsome little son, waiting near the flag.  I had been corresponding with Rita via email and, when we realized we’d all be staying at the Boardwalk during the same week, we had made tentative plans to meet.  Both she and her husband, Chuck, are in the Navy, and when I learned that Chuck would be participating in the Flag Retreat at the Magic Kingdom, I knew it was something I wanted to make an effort to attend.  I was aware that this ceremony was performed each afternoon but had never been there at the right time to see it.

After I’d introduced myself to the family, three cast members met with Chuck and walked him through the program: brisk step this way, stop here, sharp turn there, move to this side, hold your arms just so; once through and he was set to go.  I remember thinking that military training must come in mighty handy here. It would have taken me a dozen rehearsals, at the very least, to get it right.

Suddenly, there was music and I turned to see the Main Street Philharmonic launching into a medley of patriotic tunes.  I have several European friends who often comment on the large number of different songs we have which celebrate our country.  I think about all those songs that we learned as children, every year, when I listen to them played on the Fourth of July by the Boston Pops, but I didn’t realize that the U.S. is somewhat unique in this respect.  And, hearing them again this day, played by a group of musicians dressed in brilliant red, who managed, despite the heat and the hour, to perform them with skill and enthusiasm, filled me with pride.

We watched as the four stepped through the ceremony, lowering the flag and skillfully folding it in the special way reserved for our flag alone:

“The Flag is then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.”

and with a formal announcement to the crowd, is presented to the one being honored that day.

Even though I was only connected to these people by the most tenuous of threads, I was surprised at how affecting it was.  We were all honored by this observance; the serviceman and his family, the company which has chosen to include this solemn tribute amongst its many, more lighthearted activities, and each American who stood there watching.  I don’t know if that little boy will remember listening as his father’s name and rate were called out, echoing across the colorful, sunny park; I hope he does.  I hope, too, that next year, he will watch his mother’s service acknowledged in the same manner.   And, I hope that more people will plan to be near the flag at 5:00 p.m., to share in this moving and respectful ritual. I promise you’ll walk away with an extra little spring in your step.

As you approach Frontierland you begin to hear it; every few moments, a sudden burst of delighted screaming.  We suggest you continue your walk toward “a little more adventure” on the wonderful Splash Mountain.

You’ll enjoy watching the story of Br’er Rabbit, illustrated by 68 audioanimatronic figures, as he sets out in search of the life that suits him best.  After an atmospheric “river” cruise, your log enters the “caves” to float along through the darkness, bouncing over small waterfalls, following the characters of this beloved tale.  While the origins of the story are very old, it was brought to life for millions by the 1940’s Disney film Song of the South.  Splash Mountain features some of the memorable music from this movie along with the extensive theming that places Disney attractions in a class by themselves.

Watching the final drop from the perspective of a spectator in front of the ride makes the plunge look much more steep and frightening than it actually is.  Your reactions are caught on camera and the pictures are displayed and available for purchase at Splashdown Photos as you exit.  Take advantage of Disney Package Delivery if you would prefer not to carry your photos for the remainder of the day.

Oh, one more thing – you can get REALLY wet!  If you’re hoping to stay relatively dry, avoid the front seat and the right side of the vehicle.  Keep in mind, though, that if you ride in an empty car, you’ll be drenched even if you’re sitting at the very back!  Wait times can be long and FastPasses go quickly, so make your way to the laughing place early.

Splash Mountain

Magic Kingdom, Frontierland

Approximately 11 minutes

Guests must transfer from wheelchair and ECV to ride vehicle

40″ minimum height requirement

FastPass available

Park admission required