Update: Package found to be harmless, Disneyland and California Adventure both officially re-opened their gates just prior to 11AM local time. Turns out the suspicious device was a PVC-pipe with a scroll of paper inside of it, placed there as part of a Geo-caching game.… Read More »Disneyland Closed Due to Bomb Scare
Do you feel that? It feels…sticky and humid, or as us Floridians call it, the indication of the return to summer weather. Do you know what else that means? Water Parks! One of the best things about Florida is the abundance of water parks in Orlando and across the state. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some great water parks not on Disney property, (Try Adventure Island, Wet N’ Wild or Aquatica!), but Disney Water Parks are piece de resistance. Two highly themed worlds that transport you into a world of liquid goodness. Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are wonderful additions to the Walt Disney World Resort that should NOT be ignored while you are on a vacation to the area. Here is a brief synopsis of the two parks “back stories” (Those imagineers…always wanted to tell a story!).
Typhoon Lagoon is how it is now after a (shockingly) typhoon ripped though a tropical paradise… well… used to be a tropical paradise. Boats, Cargo, everything was thrown all over the area, creating the rides and landmarks seen throughout the park. For example, Miss Tilly is the name of the shrimp boat atop Mount Mayday. (P.S. Remember, every half an hour, Miss Tilly shoots a 50 foot water geyser!) It opened in 1989.
Blizzard Beach has a more detailed story behind its creation. On this tiny sliver of the Disney property, a freak snowstorm hit. This, of course, launched the creation of Florida’s first ski resort. Amazingly, (That was sarcasm) the snow melted. The entrepreneurs had no idea what to do with themselves, until they saw an alligator (The park’s mascot, Ice Gator) sliding down one of the old slopes. They decided to turn the area into a water park…the smarter choice. The park opened in 1995.
Typhoon Lagoon has the world’s largest wave pool, while Blizzard Beach has the world’s tallest and fastest water slide. Typhoon Lagoon has a free to swim in Shark Reef, while Blizzard Beach has a really cool ski lift. They both have their own unique style.
With these immortal words, “I christen thee, Disney Fantasy. May God bless this ship and all who sail on her,” Disney’s fourth cruise ship was officially christened tonight by its Godmother Mariah Carey. Also on hand was Neil Patrick Harris and a host of celebrities.… Read More »Christening, Last Minute Prep for Disney Fantasy in New York
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is set re-open on Thursday, March 8 at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure. The attraction has received some major upgrades including all-new stunning 4K digital high-definition animation, a new musical score and all-new 3-D “Spider-Vision” glasses. This is one of… Read More »Universal Orlando set to Re-Open March 8th with New High Def 3-D Film
Last night’s Modern Family was very timely. February 29th, or Leap Day, because a new Dunphy family holiday. But Phil was upset to see that the women of his house had developed the same “cycle.” The plan was to take the entire family to trapeze… Read More »Modern Family: Season 3, Episode 17 – Leap Day
Yes, believe it or not, I’m at the Magic Kingdom for Leap Day 2012. The park is open for 24 hours (6am to 6am) for the One More Disney Day bi-coastal event. I don’t know if I’m going to make it all 24 hours, but you have to be here early, like I was this morning, in order to give it a try.
My main goal is to get as much of the Sorcerers of The Magic Kingdom finished as possible. I’m not the only one with that idea. The queue for Space Mountain was shorter than SotMK for a while this morning.
As I go through the day I’ll come back and add any commentary or breaking news to this thread. I’ll be in the park overnight (at least that’s the plan). If you’re in the park and you see me tweeting as @TheDisneyBlog, please come over and say howdy.
Mickey & Minnie look like they just woke up. Or are those Light Magic costumes?
The Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland are in the middle of a six month refurbishment. While the outside of the snow-capped Matterhorn is covered in scaffolding Disney has taken a video camera inside to give fans a view of the new ride vehicles, a bit of… Read More »Inside the Matterhorn with New Ride Vehicles and a Basketball Court?
While Castle seems to have more serious episodes than it used to these days, you can pretty much count on them having lighter episodes on either side of the more dramatic ones. That was certainly the case last night.
It also felt like they were trying make up for the fact that Once Upon a Time wasn’t on Sunday night in favor of the Oscars since the murders had a fairy tale theme.
It all starts with a woman in a red cape running through the woods. When she trips, she throws her hands up to protect herself from an attacker of some kind.Read More »Castle 4-17: Once Upon a Crime