Art of Animation

Here's a pretty princess, ready to let you explore her world at Art of Animation. 

The regular rooms opened just a few weeks ago, and Ariel and her gang were ready to greet families. 

Creating Memories!

This sign is a great way to welcome anyone into a park! 

Our family is creating Magical Memories this week too!   I'm excited to report back on several new things upon return, as well as share some of the memories created this week!  I hope you have a Magical week!

Trolley Time!

Main Street in the mornings is full of fun!

This trolley (complete with singers and dancers) is one example of the extra entertainment going on all the time.  This constant creation of an enviroment by street performers is just another example of how Disney stands out in creating an immersive guest experience. 

Swimming for everyone!

Many Disney resorts have more than just pools.  The moderate and deluxe resorts also have water slides.  All of the resorts also feature a kids splash area for smaller children where they can play independently.  With water only coming up to their knees, water play areas like this one at Caribbean Beach make relaxing at the pool even more fun for mom and dad as their little ones can enjoy the water without worrying about floating off into deeper waters. 

Chef Mickey's from above!

Here's the monorail shot that makes everybody dream of eating at Chef Mickey's.  Of course, it could also be that it's the easiest way to see the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto) but I think the overhead shot contributes quite a bit! 

Here's a little tip: Going to a character meal allows you to see characters and get some good interaction without having to wait in long character lines throughout the parks.   The interaction is also a bit more natural, and tends to be a little longer than in the character lines as well. 

Catastrophe Canyon!

Disney's Backlot tour is home to a ton of surprises, including this one that may get you a little bit wet.  

Casting Agency

This door on Main Street is used as an inspiration to me.  

I had taken this picture on our February 2011 trip, and then 

I took it and hung it up outside my cubicle at work.  It made

me smile, and made other people ask questions, giving me 

the perfect opportunity to talk about my dream to work 

in the happiest place on earth. 

Lego Dragon!

Frequently, we travel with rookies and
first timers to Walt Disney World.
This is always one of the things
we love to show off at downtown
Disney.  Even though he is a sea
monster, his face reminds me of
Elliot from Pete's Dragon,
 one of my all time favorite
Disney movies.

Welcome Home!

This is one of our favorite signs:

Mickey welcoming us to Walt Disney World!
Who doesn't get excited passing this fellow?

Humans sighted!

This is a fun little sign I saw while hanging out at the Seas with Nemo and friends.  Once you exit the ride, you're only really halfway through the attraction.  Like an aquarium, there are several viewing rooms to see all kinds of different sea life.  There is also a children's playground area where we took a few minutes to relax and explore.  Here's a little hidden blog contest:  On your next trip--if you send me a picture of someone from your family next to this sign, I'll send you a $25 disney gift card.  This offer is only good for the first person who does it...but that doesn't mean it won't be around for a long time.  If anyone ever finds it, I'll post their story here, and I'll delete the contest.  Happy hunting!

Is that a cheeseburger?

This burger, if thats what you want to call this monster has pepperjack cheese, bacon, an onion ring, PLUS regular fixin's like tomato, lettuce, onions, well you get the idea.  This delicious sandwich is available at T-Rex at downtown Disney.  My husband ate it all, even the fries (he had in fact eaten some of the fries before I remembered I wanted a picture!).

Happy Birthday to my brother!

Today is my brother's birthday.  So, he of course gets to be made famous by appearing here in the blog.  This is not his first appearance, but it is the first that honors him.  We decided to take one of the friendship boats from Hollywood Studios to Epcot.  Those boats are LOUD, but they are very user friendly for anyone with mobility issues.  In fact, so user friendly that we're staying at an Epcot resort this fall so this will be one of our main forms of transport.  Happy Birthday Jay!

Dreams Come True

Several times daily, a super cute show called "Dreams Come True" takes place in front of the castle.  I suggest seeing this show mid-afternoon and use it as a little break.  Grab something to snack on or drink and relax.  You're at Disney--and it's easy to believe Dreams really do come true. 

Fireworks, of course.

Well, it's fourth of July week, so today our magical memory comes from the classic fireworks over the castle photo.  Fireworks are one of the things that makes a Disney trip magical.  It's hard to be upset, or frustrated as you listen to the music and watch the fireworks explode overhead. 

Happy fourth of July everyone!

Monster's Inc, Laugh Floor

Today's picture comes from the queue (or line) area of the Laugh Floor.  Join Mike Wazowski, along with an entire cast of monster comedians, as they interact with the audience and make jokes (sometimes at the expense of select audience members) in hopes of getting enough laughs to fill the gigantic laugh canister. This attraction is live and not scripted, using real-time animation, sophisticated voice-activated animation, and a terrific cast of talented improv back stage comedians.  You can even text your favorite jokes to the show from your cellphone (just prior to showtimes) -- and you may find yourself laughing at a joke or two of your own! The number is available in the queue area.  

Happy Birthday Scott!

This week is Scott's birthday, so today's magical monday is dedicated to him.  Here he is hanging out in Downtown Disney.  I love wondering around looking at all of the shops and exploring the area.  Scott, well, he loves me, so he explores too.  Besides, he gets to do cool things like pose for pictures at places like this.  Happy Birthday Scott--thanks for being such a good sport!

Happy Father's Day!

This is my very handsome daddy.  He LOVES frozen cokes.  In fact, I'm pretty sure he used ALL of his snack credits on this treat.

In his honor for fathers day, I've listed a few of the places you can get frozen cokes at Walt Disney World.  I'm sure this isn't all of them, so feel free to let me know if you spot any other locations, and we'll get them added to the list!
    
Magic Kingdom - Lunching Pad,

Epcot - Cool Wash, Club Cool, Liberty Inn, African Outpost

Hollywood Studios - Hey Howdy Hey! Takeaway, Peevy's Frozen Concoctions, Herbie's Drive-In

Animal Kingdom - Drinkwhallah (across from Yak & Yeti), Dino Diner, Safari Coffee

Delicious Dessert!

This beautiful, perfectly browned creme brulee is one of the regularly featured desserts at the Coral Reef. 

The Coral Reef Restaurant is housed in the Seas with Nemo and Friends, and while you dine, you can relax and enjoy the wall to wall view of the Seas aquarium.  It makes this restaurant a place you must try-and of course, follow up with something delicious like this.

Driving in my car..

This is my brother, pretending to drive the cut out car found in Chester and Hester's Dinorama. He asked Ruby if she wanted to go for a ride.

She thought it was really funny that her Uncle Jay was driving a fake car. I had never seen this before and thought it was a great photo op. Good thing my brother was in a posing mood!

Jaylene turned 16 on Saturday.  She's a pretty cool girl...in her honor, i'm sharing a terrific picture of her and Scott.  During our February 2011 trip there was a blizzard back home in Chicago. Closing schools and stopping traffic for hours. Places were closed 2-3 days, there were power outages, and it was, I imagine, pretty cold. We came across this snowman at Hollywood studios and thought we should get a picture and send it back to all our friends snowed in at home. They didn't think it was as funny as we did, but that's okay. Do you have any stories about weather at home or at Disney during your vacation?