Fantasyland 2.0

Times are a'changing in the Magic Kingdom! Fantasyland is getting a face-lift. Construction has been way for quite a while now and the first phase will open some time later this year! There have been major changes within the plans for the newest portion of Fantasyland. Each new area represents a movie and/or ride. A circus theme has been employed for the section surrounding what will be the new location of the Dumbo ride. Belle's small French village will lead the way to the new Be Our Guest restaurant in the land.
It has been rumored that park goers will soon be saying goodbye to Snow White's Scary Adventures. This spot will be filled with a Princess meet and greet. Snow White will be now represented through a new ride called the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Disney fans will have to wait until 2014 for this ride to open. That will be the last of new Fantasyland attractions to open.

Storybook Circus, The Great Goofini (originally named The Barnstomer), and the new Little Mermaid ride will be part the phase opening in 2012.







I'd like to say I will wait until 2014 to visit Disney World again so that I can see the completed renovation of Fantasyland, but I don't think I'll make it that long without an excursion to the happiest place on Earth! I cannot wait to see all of the new magic that the new area brings. We will miss Toon Town but this expansion will represent a new generation of imagineers and future Disney fans!And as Walt would say....

"I do not like to repeat successes, I like to go on to other things."

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

During my 2011 Disney trip, I was fortunate enough to see the International Flower and Garden Festival for the first time at Epcot. This display of perfectly sculpted shrubs and flowers brings the landscape of Epcot to a new visionary level of excellence.

Over 100 topiaries depicting our favorite Disney characters are displayed each year for this event. For 2011, the characters taking the main stage in the Epcot entrance are those from Toy Story 3.





Throughout the park there are more of our famous Disney friends...










Each of the countries in the World Showcase have topiaries of characters that are related to their country. Lady and the Tramp (pictured above) for example, was placed in Italy. Beauty and the Beast could be seen in France while Mulan was in China, and Aladdin was in Morocco. It is a marvelous display to see. The detailing and intricacies that go into making just one of these is evident. I look forward to seeing these again one day.

"I don't like formal gardens. I like wild nature. It's just the wilderness instinct in me, I guess." -Walt Disney

Quick Trip

My Re-do trip to Disney has come and gone and it has been quite a long time since my last post here. This last trip to Disney was much shorter than my last venture to the sunshine state but it was much more enjoyable. My best friend and I had only three full days in the parks but thanks to park hopper passes we were able to visit each of the four Disney parks. We did not necessarily accomplish everything we would have liked to during this trip, but that just means we will have to go back again to see the rest!

It amazes me how popular some of the attractions remain after such a long span of time. I was unable to visit one of my favorite rides, Soarin', due to a two hour wait at almost every time of day. With a lack of fast passes to go around, it seemed that waiting in line for this ride would have cut into time I could have been doing so much more. Then again, I shouldn't be too surprised about the ride's popularity, there are so many other Disney-addicts like myself around the world that flock to this magical land as much as possible just like I do.
As stated in my previous post, this trip was my first as an adult of legal age. I didn't realize the amount of places within the Disney world that sell alcohol. I suppose there are just some things you do not see in the parks unless you are looking for it! I had been under the impression that alcohol was only sold in the World Showcase of Epcot. Although the varieties available are much greater here, alcohol is also offered in Animal kingdom, and Hollywood Studios at certain locations along with every hotel restaurant.
After viewing some Disney specials on the Travel Channel I made it a mission to try the Grand Marnier Orange Slush at the wine cart in France section of Epcot. This drink comes in a disposable martini style plastic cup and it is just as good as it looks! It is made with Grand Marnier Champagne and adds a fizz to the orange slush that gives it that extra something.


The Habibi Daiquiri from a Moroccan drink cart is also a drink worth searching for. This concoction made of rum, sweet and sour mix, strawberry puree and orange blossom water will have you coming back for more. Reasonably priced, this deep pink drink will make you feel like you really have traveled to another country.



Hollywood Studios offers a drink called the Stoplight Margarita. This refreshing, colorful drink is sure to cool you down on those unbearable hot Florida days.



"All cartoon characters and fables must be exaggeration, caricatures. It is the very nature of fantasy and fable." -Walt Disney

My "Re-Do" Trip

Well, it's that time of year again when I will begin planning yet another wonderful vacation to the magical world of Disney. Planning out a trip is often just as fun as the trip itself! This time around, I'm planning quite a ways in advance. I will be a senior in college this year and I have decided that there is no where else I would rather spend my spring break than in Disney World! I will be traveling with one of my best friends, a fellow Disney enthusiast.
The Orlando theme parks are always more fun when you are around others who share the same passion for the experience. On my last trip, there were some members of my group that preferred the big thrill rides you would find at Universal or Busch Gardens and did not fully appreciate the fantastical world we had entered into for six days. This did not stop me from enjoying my time, but I feel like I need a re-do.

Word to the Wise: If traveling with people you have not vacationed with before, keep the trip to a week or less. We're all bound to get on each others nerves at some point! Eight days was too much for me, but I think five days should be a safe bet. Also, keep in mind that within large groups, compromise is a must. Anything that can be discussed and sorted before the trip should be taken care of so that it does not cut into vacation time when decisions need to be made.


This time around I will be going with someone who I have been on vacation with before and we are both on the same page about what we want to do and how we want things done. This will be our first trip being 21 years of age, meaning, we will be able to fully experience Disney nightlife and I can report our findings here! I have heard nothing but good things about the nightlife in Disney and I can't wait to experience the vibrant evening atmosphere of the Boardwalk for myself.

"All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you." -Walt Disney

Fantasmic

Fantasmic is a night show featured at Hollywood Studios. The show can be seen twice a week after the rest of the park closes. It is located in an arena off Hollywood Blvd. right before you reach the Beauty and the Beast stage. The show incorporates music, lights, water, fire, pyrotechnics, well known Disney characters, and of course the MAGIC of Mickey! This is truly a sight to see.



Caution:
-The use of water during the show can cause a mist to fall over the audience sitting near the front if there is a breeze in the air.
-The use of fire can cause a brief change in temperature.
-The music and pyrotechnics can become quite loud at times and may not be enjoyed by very young children.




"Why be a governor or senator when you can be king of Disneyland?" —Walt Disney

Manatees

One of my favorite animals to see whenever visiting Florida is the manatee. This "sea cow" may not have a very active lifestyle but these giant gentle creatures are a magnificent and intriguing endangered species. When visiting Epcot, head to The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Take a ride in a big pink clam shell in search of Nemo. At the end of the ride are the remains of the original attraction, the living seas. The manatees are located in a tank over on the right. I could stay there for hours just looking at these creatures.

Disney takes great care of their animals, unfortunately they alone cannot save the manatees.Manatees are disappearing from the wild at an alarming rate. The Florida manatees are often in danger of being hit by boat propeller blades in the everglades. For more information on saving the manatees please visit www.savethemanatee.org

"My fun is working on a project and solving the problems." —Walt Disney

Toy Story 3

This will be a short post but definitely one that is worth while. As a child I remember going to the premier of the movie Toy Story, Disney's first collaboration with Pixar studios. This new type of computer animation being used was fascinating to audiences everywhere in 1995. Toy Story became a hit over night and eventually sparked a sequel. Now, in 2010 the Toy Story enterprise becomes a trilogy with a third installment due out in theaters this June. This will be the first Toy Story movie to be presented in 3-D! Visit disney.com for the latest trailer!

The premier of this movie comes after the opening of the newest ride in Disney World, Toy Story Mania, located at Hollywood studios. Disney.com describes the ride as: "Come board a ride vehicle and zip off into a 4-D world of midway-style games hosted by Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Rex, Hamm and more! Use your spring-action shooter to throw virtual projectiles at targets and rack up points. Compete for the high score. Certain targets trigger fun surprises!"


Before getting in line for this ride make sure to get your FASTPASS! This ride is popular and can make for a lengthy wait.


"Fantasy and reality often overlap." —Walt Disney