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!

Don’t Rain On My Parade

How to make the best of a rainy day in Walt Disney World

Everyone knows that rain in Florida is inevitable, but that doesn’t have to put a pause on your vacation. The first day of our first ever Disney trip together was met with the horrendous wet stuff that tends to fall from the sky.

When we landed in Orlando the pilot ever so delightfully announced that the rest of our day would be pretty sloppy.

Of course I had planned our first day to be in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which is primarily outside, so I was understandably a little nervous.

Being from the south we’re pretty used to the common afternoon rain, but I wasn’t sure what kind of mood it set for the rest of the trip. Here are a few things that helped brighten up our cloudy day.

Rain Gear 

Whether you brought a raincoat or picked up a Disney poncho while walking into the park (guilty) having some type of protectant from the rain is a big help. I don’t recommend umbrellas since they take up too much space and you’d have to carry it the rest of the day.

Inside Attractions 

Attractions such as It’s Tough to be A Bug in Animal Kingdom and The Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios are great for getting out of the weather. Keep in mind the wait times for the indoor attractions can get long during inclement weather. If you don’t mind getting a little wet, (and there are no lightening restrictions), then this is a great time to ride any outdoor rides that normally boast long wait times. During the rainy day, on our first trip, we were able to walk right on to Expedition Everest.

Pick The Right Park 

While we ended up doing almost all of Animal Kingdom’s big attractions pretty easily in the rain, I would recommend picking a better rainy day park. I would pick Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom’s over Epcot and Animal Kingdom as their attractions are almost completely indoors, which makes it easy to get out of the rain. 

Explore Disney Springs

If the rain just isn’t letting up, you can head over to Disney Springs and get some of your souvenir shopping taken care of or explore the other activities Disney World has to offer. With most of the shops being indoors it’s a perfect opportunity to stay dry and maybe do a little retail therapy!  Or if you want to use this time to relax head over to AMC Movie Theater where you can dine during the movie.

Have Fun

A little rain never hurt anyone, remember you’re on vacation and enjoy every minute of it. Since most of Disney is operational during a rainstorm there’s no need to let a little water ruin your trip. So get out, throw on a poncho, and have fun!