So Long, Farewell 

Saying goodbye to The Great Movie Ride

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past month, you'll know that sadly The Great Movie Ride is rolling its final credits. Last month at the D23 Expo, Disney announced that on top of the 2 new lands being added to Disney's Hollywood Studios they will also be adding a new attraction to the park. Only one small catch, the new attraction will be taking over the spot that currently houses The Great Movie Ride. With all of the changes going on at Disney World and within the Walt Disney company, I am not surprised that Disney is trying to cut all loose end that are licensed through other companies. That said, it doesn't hurt my soul any less to be losing one of my favorite rides in the parks. Between the movie set artifacts in the queue to the way you become immersed in the show (ride) this is one ride we have always made a point to experience when we visit the parks.

When the park opened as MGM Studios in 1989, it not only housed a working studio but The Great Movie Ride as well along with other film and animation themed attractions. Taking home in a replica of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre, this was the last attraction to reside in Disney's Hollywood Studio that was original with the parks opening. Being such a phenomenal and interactive attraction, it is no wonder they decided to base an entire park after it.

That's exactly what Disney did when they were re-configuring thepark to create Disney's Hollywood Studios. Even though the park is currently in transition once again, you can still feel the Big Band Era theme throughout much of the park. With movies such as Casa Blanca, Singing In The Rain and many others that are incorporated in the attraction; they have definitely left their mark on the theme and obeisance of the park.

As Disney cuts ties with sources that are outside of the Disney realm it only makes since that they would turn the attraction into a ride featuring Mickey Mouse called Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Though I'm terribly sad to see this particular attraction go, Disney imagineering as been doing exceptional work lately and I can't wait to see what they are able to do with that amount of space. 

Don't Lose Your Cool 

How to beat the heat at Disney World

It's no secret that summers in Florida can be practically unbearable, so to some it may seem crazy to visit Walt Disney World when it's comparable to the Sahara Desert. For many however, summer time is the best option with most schools being out for summer vacation. Though it is inevitable that you will sweat at some point on your summer Disney vacation, with some planning and a little Disney knowledge you can beat a little of the Florida heat. Below are some tips and tricks for getting through those dog days of summer!

Be Prepared
If you're planning a trip in the summer, you already know it's going to be hot. Make sure you go in prepared. Bring breathable loose fitting clothing and comfortable shoes. Believe me it makes a world of difference! Another thing to consider is bringing a small portable fan, buying one before you get there can save a little money and you won't have to worry about finding one once you're enjoying your vacation!

Water! Water! Water!
This is probably one of the most important things you could use at Disney, and the best part is it's FREE! You can get a free cup of ice water at any counter service restaurant or kiosk all you have to do it ask. Remember that soft drinks and juices actually dehydrate you more so keeping water on hand can help prevent dehydration. Often times we bring a reusable water bottle with us and refill it throughout the day so we can throw it in the bag when we go on a ride.

Air Conditioning
One of my favorite aspects of Walt Disney World is the amount of air conditioned areas that are available. Whether in Magic Kingdom, Epcot or anywhere else, there are always well air conditioned shops within feet of you that almost seem like they are begging you to come inside! Not only are there numerous shops where you can soak up the A/C but there are a ton of attractions as well that you can sit and cool off for a while after melting in the sun! Some of my favorites are Mickey's Philharmagic and Living with the Land just to name a few.

Misting Stations/ Water Areas
Through out the parks, especially in summer, there will be different areas where you can get a little wet and maybe cool off a little. In Magic Kingdom, for example, the spitting camel on Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride will "spit" every few minutes and hopefully you're lucky enough to be standing under him when he does. Also, in Epcot, there is a misting station by Test Trek as well as a water play area that shoot water up by Mouse Gears. Use these cooling areas to your advantage and you might just be able to beat the heat!

Water Rides & Water Parks
If you feel like you're sizzling and don't mind getting wet, you can make your way over to Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom or Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom. Both of these rides are included in park ticket and are a great way to cool off! Another sure fire way to cool down in the Florida sun, is by visiting one of the Disney water parks. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach do require separate tickets but nothing comes close to keeping you cool quite like a water park!

First Aid Centers
Above everything else, your health is the most important part of any trip! If you need medical attention or need to keep a medication refrigerated, remember that these First Aid Centers are located in every park. If you experience any of the signs of dehydration and are feeling any form of heat illness make your way to one of the centers to be checked out, after all you can't enjoy your vacation when you don't feel well.

Have fun, be safe, and stay cool!

Snapshot Sunday

Definitely going to miss this place, but I can't wait to try out PizzeRizzo!

Mother May I

Moms throughout Disney

Have you ever watched a Disney movie or two and thought, “Where are the moms”? Well you’re not going crazy; Disney movies for the most part lack a heavy maternal influence. Whether the mom is gone before the movies time frame or during, it’s no secret that the mother figures get kicked to the curb. Could this lack of moms stem from a deep emotional guilt Walt had over the death of his own mother, or is it simply a coincidence.

In 1938, following the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Walt Disney had purchased a new home for his mom and dad. Not long after, the gas furnace in the house malfunctioned causing the death of his mother. Many say that because of this tragedy, the guilt carried over into his movies. This would explain the absence of the caring motherly figure as well as the sad demise of Bambi’s mom.

Though it does make sense that Walt would use his movies as an outlet for his guilt, it could merely be a coincidence considering the genre of movies he decided to make. Most of the movies that are missing the moms are also family friendly versions of other literary works. Cinderella, Snow White & Bambi are a few well-known mother absent movies that are derived from previous works. The Disney Company kept with this trend of not showcasing mothers even after Walt’s death with movies such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast that also come from other stories.

With so many of their movies not having the cookie cutter family essence, it can be hard to forget just how loving the ones that are included can be. When we do get movies with mothers such as Dumbo or 101 Dalmatians, we see that the love of these mothers is one of the strongest bonds in the world. I think the way mothers that are included are portrayed says a lot more about the way Walt felt than anything. One thing that can be agreed upon, a mother plays a very important role in our lives whether she’s with us or not. It can even affect the way a story is told. How many Disney movies can you name where the mom is present?

Our Top 5 Stage Shows 

Lights. Camera. Action! Stage shows and theatrical performances are one of the main aspects that make Disney, well... Disney. We've compiled our top 5 favorite stage performances at Disney World and hope you can enjoy these along with us!

5. Mickey's PhilharMagic  

Though this is more of a 4D ride than a stage show, the auditorium seating and stage curtains give this the feel of an actual performance piece. One of the main reasons I love this one so much is that it doesn't just focus on one movie in particular. In fact it takes you through a lot of the classics from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast and more. The 3D effects help you to really get engulfed the show and the 4D effects help to make you a part of it. Even though there are other actual stage shows I could have listed, they just couldn't beat this air conditioned, seated, sing along show.

4.Hall of Presidents 

History buffs unite! This screen/ animatronic performance definitely helps bring out the more adult side of Disney World. While everything else around you may be flying fairies and singing mermaids, this attraction will help you to remember why the United States of America is the country it is today. Though the younger ones may not enjoy this one as much, I haven't met many adults that truly don't enjoy this show. With the double performance of a short movie showcasing the origin of our country and the animatronics of each president expressing a piece of history, you really can't pass up this experience. Though you might only go in to get out of the heat, I'm sure you'll come out with a new sense of pride for the land we call home.

3.Festival of The Lion King

How could you not love The Lion King? Not only is this a stage show retelling the movie, but it is interactive as well. When you are loaded into the theater you are put into four different sections. Each section is represented by an animal such as a lion, elephant, warthog or giraffe. If you're lucky you might even get picked before hand to represent your group when making animal sounds. This show isn't all about audience participation though, the Tumble Monkeys and stage performers really help to bring this show to life. I've seen this show every time we've been, sometimes multiple times and have never been disappointed. 

2.Finding Nemo- The Musical 

If you're anything like me, you might be a little skeptical when you hear that they turned Finding Nemo into a musical.Well let me just say, go watch this NOW! Not only does it bring in my favorite "Big Blue World" song from the ride but the costumes and performances are amazing. The songs definitely add to it and you will feel like you're at an actual play. I would recommend either getting a fastpass or getting there early as it fills up pretty quickly. Plus, if you sit in the front, you get bathed in bubbles which is always fun. It took me a while to actually get to see this one since I was a little apprehensive, but now that I've seen it, this will be one of our regulars.

1.Fantasmic!
Honestly, Disney World and Fantasmic go together like peanut butter and jelly. How could you get more Disney Themed than Sorcerer Mickey and live action scenes of classic Disney Movies. This stage show has everything. Fireworks, laser water effects, fire and so much more make this amazing show bring forth the magic that Disney is known for. One of my favorite aspects is that it not only showcases the heroes and princesses, but it also lets the villains out to play. As much as I love this, we miss it quite often as it fills up extremely fast and it's hard to make fastpasses for it since it's on the same tier as the only good rides in Hollywood Studios. So if you are adamant on seeing this spectacular performance then I would definitely either get there early or give up one of the thrill rides. This is definitely not one you are going to want to pass up as it can put the icing on the cake of your Disney trip!

Review: Beauty and the Beast

Caution slight spoilers

Recently Disney has been taking classic movies and making them into live action masterpieces. The newly released Beauty and the Beast is no exception to this. As with any movie that's getting a "makeover" there is always the potential that the new one won't live up to it's name. This was not the case for this new live action version, as it was portrayed with the grace and dignity that it deserved. Emma Watson did an amazing job capturing the essence of Belle, you could tell she was playing a character not just reading a script. Though they did switch up a few things throughout the movie, such as Belle being the inventor instead of her father, they really did a great job following the original storyline. Though the acting was wonderful and the singing theatrics we're awesome, there was only one little thing that I was not a fan of and that is the Beast. The CGI that was used to create the Beast seemed a little under done, especially for how far CGI has come in the last few years. It seemed like it was hard to show any expression on his face and it just kind of fell flat. Other that that small snafu, I thoroughly enjoyed the extra background information they give about the Beasts' childhood. That definitely adds a little extra depth to the story line. With the well put together choreographed scenes, this movie does resemble a stage play but with phenomenal acting to go along with it. Overall, this is definitely one for the books and I highly recommend it for anyone who loved the original.  

         Sunday Snapshot 

Some times all you need is a hug from this willy nilly silly old bear. 

Our Top 10 Non-Thrill Rides (Part 2)

Journey with us as we finish counting down our favorite non-thrill rides at Walt Disney World. See our last post to recap numbers 10-6 on our list.

5. Under the Sea~ Journey of The Little Mermaid 

Growing up, this was my favorite movie; so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered they were making a Little Mermaid ride. In the last few years, Disney World has been changing their queues to become more interactive and this ride makes no exceptions. It includes a talking Scuttle and "who's its and what's its" galore. The newness of this ride has a leg up on the other conveyor belt type rides with the eye popping colors and new animatronics. Unless you really despise The Little Mermaid movie, this is definitely a ride you won't want to skip. 

4.Pirates of the Caribbean 

Drunken pirates, canon fire, and stolen treasure! What more could you want? You know a ride is a good one when they base a series of movies after it. There is only one little downside to this ride, it breaks... a lot. Though it seems like this ride is down at least once a trip, the history and nostalgic feeling that this ride has makes me overlook that tiny detail. In recent years, they have added such effects as a Jack Sparrow animatronic and a Davy Jones projection among a few others that really help keep this ride fresh. With the one in Disneyland being one of the last rides Walt Disney oversaw, it seems only right that this would be a beloved ride by many.

3.Peter Pan's Flight 

I don't know what it is about this ride but the wait time is always very long. Even during the slower times of year, I have only seen this ride's wait time under 60 minutes a handful of times. Nonetheless, I try to ride this one any chance I get. One of my favorite things about it is the queue. Getting to walk through the Darlings' house and seeing all the details is exciting but not as exciting as the shadow wall and seeing Tinkerbell fly around the room. The ride itself is a little different, where the track isn't on the ground. The track's in the air which gives you the sense that you're flying through the scenes. Next time you ride Peter Pan's Flight, take a closer look at the Mermaid Lagoon and see if you can find one that resembles a certain other little mermaid you may be familiar with. 

2.Great Movie Ride 

If you're a movie buff then you'll love this ride. Walking through the queue and getting to see props and costumes from different movies is a treat unto itself. Though it seems Disney World is doing away with the Hollywood theme throughout the park, I'm not ready to see this one go. Not only do you get to go through different scenes from famous Hollywood movies, you (well your host) becomes part of the act. A few scenes in, a live gangster hijacks your vehicle and scares your host away. Don't worry, the good guy wins in the end and your host will happily greet you later on. This might not be the best rides for the younger ones as they would probably get bored pretty quickly, but we normally ride this a few times a trip and haven't tired of it yet.

1.Haunted Mansion 
Beware of Hitchhiking ghosts! I don't know many people that do not love this ride. There are two parts to this ride, before you board your "doom buggy" you enter a room with no windows or doors...or so it seems. To me, this is the perfect precursor to the ride and puts you into a spooky mood. Between the changing pictures and things moving by themselves, I believe they really put a lot into this ride to make it as great as it is. There are a few areas that could probably use an update but the holograms and floating ball definitely make up for it. The wait on this one is generally shorter though it can get pretty long during the busier seasons. However, the queue will keep you entertained with it's talking heads and musical walls. Remember, there are 999 happy haunts that live there but there is always room for one more!

Our Top 10 Non-Thrill Rides (Part 1)

When you hear the words 'theme park', often times you think roller coasters and spinning rides that could possibly bring up your lunch. While Walt Disney World does have its' share of thrill rides, it's the slower story rides that make Disney's reputation what it is. See what makes the rides below speak to us and let us know what your favorite non-thrill rides are.  

10. Living with the Land

I know, I know, you’re probably wondering why this even made the list. Personally, I don’t think this ride gets the credit it deserves. It’s both entertaining and very educational; something that Walt Disney took very seriously, especially when it came to the idea of Epcot. The beginning is like any typical dark ride with the animation and a story. The real fun is when you enter the green house and get to see all the different fruits, vegetables and other plants Disney is growing at the moment. If you really enjoy the agricultural aspect then I recommend you take the Behind the Seeds tour where you can actually taste the things that are growing.

9.The Three Caballeros

This ride is especially great if you’ve just had a big lunch or dinner at San Angel Inn. We never pass up the opportunity to take a relaxing trip through ‘Mexico’. The bright colors and catchy singing help bring the story to life while you get to sit back and relax. While this might not be the most interesting ride Disney has to offer, it sure is fun watching Jose Carioca and Panchito search all over Mexico for Donald Duck.

8.The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

 If you were looking for a ride to bring you into a movie this is the one. You can rest assured that this ride will take you through a day in the hundred acre woods. One of my favorite parts of this ride is how it works with the senses. Visually, it catches your eye with all the colors and effects as you go through the scenes. If that wasn't enough when Tigger starts to bounce you will bounce along with him which can be very entertaining for young children. The only part that can scare the little ones is Poohs' nightmare which even freaks me out a little bit. Along with a fun interactive queue, this ride is great for the non-thrill seekers. 

7.The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Although my husband isn't a fan of this ride, I absolutely love it. It does follow the movie to an extent and brings you all around the ocean to look for Nemo. However, it also passes in front of an actual aquarium with all of the fish superimposed in the tank which is amazing. The only thing that I really don't like about the ride is that the queue isn't interactive but usually you move so fast though that it doesn't make a difference. Even though months go between our Disney trips, I often find myself singing the song 'Big Blue World' that is played on this ride pretty often. Though this ride might not appeal to everyone it is a great one to get out of the Florida heat and see some fishys.

6.Spaceship Earth
Ah, Spaceship Earth, the big ball in the sky; I'm really not sure how to feel about this ride. Yes it is the parks icon and it pretty much sums up what Walt Disney had in mind for Epcot. I just really think this is one that needs to be updated. It stops in the 80s and although it is mostly set in the past I really would like to see something a little more modern towards the end. We've made such strides in technology and I really think they could do a lot with that. Even though I would like to see a change it doesn't mean I don't enjoy this ride. Seeing the changes through history and getting to build your future is a great way to start or end your day at the park. This iconic ride is a great way to envision what Epcot is supposed to be. 

(to be continued in separate post)

The Littlest Mouseketeer

How I survived Disney World at 8 months pregnant

A few months after planning our Disney Wedding and longest Disney trip yet, we found out a new little person would be joining our Disney loving family. After the excitement from the news dissipated, we realized that come time for the big trip I’d already be in the third trimester!!!

Although we eventually moved the wedding up and cancelled the Disney part, we made the decision that we would still make the trek to our favorite place on earth. Just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean your Disney fun is ruined! Honestly I loved my pregnant Disney World trip, there wasn’t a ton I didn’t get to do.

Before you decide to take on The World while the size of a world, please check with your health care provider to make sure that this is the best choice for you. While I had a relatively easy pregnancy, I know not everyone is so lucky and it might be too hard on certain people.

While I don’t think you should spend your first or only trip at Walt Disney World while pregnant, since there are a few restrictions. I more than recommend not putting any trips on hold just because there’s a mini mouseketeer on the way. Hopefully my tips and personal experience will help to insure you get the most out of your trip.

1. Don’t over do it

REST.REST.REST Rest and relaxation is an important part of any pregnant lady’s life. While it can be a little harder to rest at Disney it’s not impossible. If possible stay at one of the Disney resorts, it makes it easier to take a mid afternoon nap or take a dip in the pool. Sit as often as possible and take advantage of the indoor attractions.

2. Keep Hydrated

Staying hydrated is a major part of doing the parks while pregnant. Luckily there is water all over Walt Disney World. Cold tap water is free from any quick service location. But if tap water isn’t your thing most locations also sell bottled water. It’s important to stay away from excess sugar and salt to keep water levels up. Also it is important to keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion caused by dehydration.

·      Profuse sweating

·      Excess thirst

·      Fatigue

·      Muscle cramps

More severe symptoms can include:

·      Nausea/vomiting

·      Dizziness

·      Headache

·      Dark colored urine

·      Decreased sweating

3. Dress appropriately

Forget about looking cute, Mickey doesn’t care what you wear. Remember to bring a few pairs of comfortable shoes you won’t regret it. As far as clothes go, make sure what you wear is lightweight and breathable. I lived in shorts and capris style leggings during that trip.

4. Which rides are safe

Even though you can do pretty much everything at Disney while pregnant that you could do before, it is a good idea to know which rides are safe for pregnant passengers. A good rule of thumb that I used while there was if a toddler could go so could I. Since there is so much that is accessible to pregnant guest in Disney World, I’ve decided to list which rides and attractions you should steer clear of

Magic Kingdom

Splash Mountain

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Space Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Tomorrowland Speedway

The Barnstormer

Epcot

Test Track

Mission Space

Sum of All Thrills

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tower of Terror

Rock’n Roller Coaster

Star Tours

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safari

Dinosaur

Expedition Everest

Primeval Whirl

Kali River Rapids

Doing Disney pregnant isn't impossible. Just think of how happy your little person will be when they find out their first trip to Walt Disney World was in your tummy! Although it might not be for everyone, going to Disney World with a bun in the oven can be just as magical as any other trip!