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Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Photo Update

It’s been a long time since I managed to make it to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a walk-about. A shame because it’s my favorite park. Not for the rides or parades, there are better elsewhere on property, but for the beauty of nature. I love how Disney Imagineers built their own story about nature while still allowing plenty of room for the real version to flourish. How the two layers interact with each other adds a lot to my enjoyment of the park.

So without further ado, here are some of the new, or new to me, things I spotted on my walk this weekend:

New maps and guides have been unleashed upon the park. I like the animal guide.

New maps and guides have been unleashed upon the park. I like the animal guide, might encourage people to stop and smell the roses.

Looks like the new character greeting at the Discovery Island Bazaar is almost ready to open.

Looks like the new character greeting at the Discovery Island Beastly Bazaar is almost ready to open. Sounds like the big day is tomorrow.

Read More »Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Photo Update

A Pirates Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas Enters Beta Testing

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Guests visiting Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom have begun to regularly encounter the opportunity to beta test the newest interactive attraction in the park — A Pirates Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas.

There are five maps to launch adventures with different variations. Each takes about 10 minutes to complete. So the pace is very quick. Of course, this is still early, that may change.

Here’s video from one of the families that were able to try it out:

Each adventure starts in the HQ building at the far end of Adventureland just past the Pirates of the Caribbean plaza. It’s the former home of a Kodak film kiosk. Not much need for those any more. Read More »A Pirates Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas Enters Beta Testing

Disney World’s Top Five Most Loved but Underrated Attractions

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When you think of top Walt Disney World attractions, you probably think Space Mountain, Soarin’, or the Haunted Mansion. Even when it comes to those lessor attractions,  you probably have It’s a Small World and Buzz Lightyear at the top of your list, attractions that speak to a wide range of guests. But what about those attractions that you love but would never make anyone’s top ten list? What about the ones that you walk into and it’s like seeing an old friend, like they’ve become a part of your personal history?  I’ve got a handful of those attractions that I love and I bet you do too.

5.  The Boneyard.

As underrated attractions goes, the Boneyard suffers on two fronts: 1)  It’s in a park that a lot of guests don’t even visit; and 2) It’s an attraction that you walk past on your way to bigger and better things. That’s too bad, because this play area is basically the best playground you’ll ever set foot in, with plenty of places to dig in, climb over and run across. For kids, the Boneyard offers an opportunity to run around rather than standing in lines. Adults can find a cool area to supervise–there’s only one way in, so kids can’t get too far. Visit the Boneyard late in the day because it will be difficult to get your kids out of here.Read More »Disney World’s Top Five Most Loved but Underrated Attractions

Magical Detail Gone Missing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Part of what makes Disney so magical is the attention to detail. For instance, take Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are a ton of little references to Disney movies and TV shows. Even if you don’t know what the reference is, it makes the experience richer… Read More »Magical Detail Gone Missing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Evil Queen from ABC’s Once Upon A Time visits New Fantasyland

“That’s the Evil Queen!” guests enjoying the Walt Disney World may have exclaimed after stumbling upon the villainous presence from ABC’s “Once Upon A Time” as she explored “New Fantasyland” at the Magic Kingdom. Fans of the hit ABC show witnessed the Evil Queen plotting… Read More »The Evil Queen from ABC’s Once Upon A Time visits New Fantasyland

Monsters University Monorail

Monsters University Monorail at Walt Disney World is now rolling along the highway in the sky Monorail tracks. At first it was just on the resort or magic kingdom loops, but it has also been seen on the EPCOT loop. It’s one part of Disney… Read More »Monsters University Monorail

Mike Wazowski Kicks Off Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks

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Tonight Spaceship Earth transformed into “Monsters University” Star Mike Wazowski to help announce 24 hour events that will include special parties for the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure. Sully put in a brief ‘scary’ appearance too.

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“This summer, Disney Parks are bursting with a monstrous lineup of new thrills, shows and happenings,” said Kalogridis. “Guests can start Memorial Day Weekend with a 24-hour-marathon of memory-making as three Parks stay open all day and all night to celebrate the bi-coastal kick-off of a Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks.”

Here’s a video featuring just Mike Wazowski:

[Updated] and here’s the whole announcement:

More details from the press release below the jump:

Read More »Mike Wazowski Kicks Off Monstrous Summer at Disney Parks

Childproofing Your Resort Room

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Childproofing your resort room isn’t the most glamorous aspect of planning your next Walt Disney World vacation, but taking a few minutes before you leave can give you peace of mind later. Most of us with children childproofed our homes as soon as we figured out just how dangerous our innocuous looking houses can be to a rambunctious toddler, but few of us think about doing the same thing while on vacation.

While it’s no substitute for a keeping a watchful eye on your child, there are a few things you can do to make your resort room or rental house more safe.Read More »Childproofing Your Resort Room