Category Archives: Rides

My Top 5 Favorite World Showcase Pavilions

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World Showcase is one of the most popular areas at Disney World and at the top of my list when I visit. Who doesn’t like traveling around the world in an afternoon, experiencing different cultures, cuisine, products, architecture, and dining experiences! Of the nine different World Showcase pavilions, which are packed full of things to see and do, everyone has their own favorite; but today, I am listing my own Top 5 favorite pavilions!

1. Norway-This pavilion is my favorite because there is so much great stuff here! Norway transports me to a Norwegian village and back in time to the days of the Vikings! Norway is home to Akershus Storybook Dining, it’s one of my favorite character meals and restaurants. Here adults can experience delicious Norwegian fare while their own little princesses meet a variety of Disney princesses! Norway also has an attraction, Maelstrom, a boat ride through Norway’s history and mythology. It’s actually pretty good too! In addition to this pavilions shops, there is also the Stave Church to explore; and if you get hungry, visit the Kringla Og Bakeri for some famous school bread and then enjoy it at the nearby seating area with grass growing on the roof!

2. United Kingdom-This pavilion is interesting to me because of the history and variety of architecture and detail found here, particularly in the different buildings. Also, who doesn’t enjoythe popular Rose and Crown Pub and Yorkshire Fish and Chips! I like to shop too and the United Kingdom is a great place to do just that. There is also a vast variety of merchandise available here ranging from the Beatles to perfume to British toys and even tea. Tucked near the back of this pavilion is a quiet sitting area which provides a nice escape from the crowds; and you can often find entertainers performing on the street! Also, if you’re a big Disney character fan, as I am, the United Kingdom is a great place to find a vast quantity of Disney characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, Alice, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit, and sometimes more!

3. France-This beautiful pavilion is full charm and detail, and who wouldn’t enjoy seeing the Eiffel Tower in the background? The shopping here is great by the way. I always have to do some browsing while I’m here. I especially like the home decor, mini-Eiffel Towers, and perfume. There’s also two table service restaurants here: Les Chefs de France and Bistro de Paris. Les Chefs de France is one of my favorite WDW restaurants; and throughout the day, Remy from Pixar’s Ratatouille stops by! Be sure to France thoroughly on your visit as it goes back farther than many realize to reveal another shop and one of World Showcase’s best bakeries, La Boulangerie Patisserie. I also enjoy this pavilion due its location next to the International Gateway, where you can hop on a “Friendship” boat to visit the Epcot Resorts or continue on to Hollywood Studios.

4. Germany-This is a popular pavilion with many guests, including myself. The Germany pavilion takes you into the pages of a classic fairytale with it’s clocktowers, turrets, and German village design. Here you can grab a meal at the Biergarten Restaurant or Sommerfest and do some serious shopping! There is a variety of German merchandise, such as Christmas ornaments, steins, toys, cuckoo clocks, soccer gear, and crystal jewelry. If you have a sweet tooth, like me, you must drop in the new Karamell Kuche for traditional caramel candies or some unique, caramel treats! Also, take some time to enjoy the minature train village nearby, kids and adults both enjoy it.

5. Canada-I like Canada because it’s different than most World Showcase pavilions. Tucked behind its shops, which represent both Canada’s rugged, Northwestern culture and elegant, European architecture, is a little piece of the Canadian Rockies. Several paths and bridges take you over little streams and by a waterfall on your way to a tribute film about Canada starring Martin Short, and it’s totally cool that the theater is nestled inside of a replica mine! For fellow shoppers, like myself, be sure to spend some time exploring The Northwest Mercantile; and everyone should walk through the peaceful and picturesque gardens. Need another reason why this pavilion is my favorite? Le Cellier! This is seriously one of the best restaurants at WDW property. Plus, one of World Showcase’s most popular entertainment groups, Off Kilter, can be found here!

So those are my Top 5 choices for my favorite World Showcase pavilions. What did you think? What is your favorite World Showcase pavilion?

Related Articles:

Shop ’till You Drop: World Showcase

Oldies but Goodies – World Showcase, More Than A Bunch of Buiildings Part 2

Our British Salute! (aglassslippervacation.com)

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Disney/Star Wars Voice Actor, Stephen Stanton, on Sorcerer Radio 6/24

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ORLANDO Florida – Thursday June 16, 2011 – The Sorcerer Radio Network, a global leader in fan-based Disney internet radio and programming, is proud to have voice actor Stephen Stanton, the voice of Captain Tarkin of Star Wars: The Clone Wars as guest on the WDW Tiki Room radio show June 24, 2011.

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WDW Tiki Room co-host Kristen Hoetzel says, “As huge fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and his work with Disney video games we are excited to speak to him about his upcoming projects!” Stanton will be chatting about his life as a voice actor, working on the Clone Wars series as well as doing voices for Disney. “I hear Stephen is working on some NEW voice overs for the Disney parks,” says co-host Aljon Go. “I plan on discussing that with him as well as working on Robot Chicken! He’s so great to his fans and we’re real excited to have him on the Sorcerer Radio airwaves!”

Plan on tuning to WDW Tiki Room with Kristen and Aljon, Friday June 24 at 8:00 a.m./eastern on Sorcerer Radio!

Links:
The Clone Wars Sneak Peek: Captain Tarkin - http://www.starwars.com/theclonewars…kin/index.html

About Stephen Stanton
Stephen Stanton is an American voice actor and impressionist. He is well known as an “audio double” or “voicematch” for actors: Alec Guiness, John Cusack, Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Nicolas Cage, Robert Downey Jr. among many others. He also provides voices for both Disney and Disneyland theme parks. He voices the characters Mas Amedda and Captain Tarkin on “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” series.

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About WDW Tiki Room
WDW Tiki Room, the show about all things Disney, is hosted by the husband and wife team of Aljon Go and Kristen Hoetzel. Every week they discuss Disney in pop-culture, theme parks, Disney news, celebrity interviews, Disney fan events and play the best mix of Disney artists and Disney attraction audio. The show airs every Friday morning at 8:00/eastern on Sorcerer Radio - www.SRSounds.com. For more information on Kristen and Aljon as well as on-demand playback of archived shows please visit this LINK.

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About Sorcerer Radio
If you are looking to virtually relive your recent Disney trip or dream of your next one, then Sorcerer Radio is the place for you. Sorcerer Radio is a fan-run, award-winning internet radio station that has been entertaining Disney fans for a decade! With many weeks worth of Walt Disney World park music and attraction audio, as well as Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line you can easily be transported to your favorite vacation destination anytime, while at home or at work. Sorcerer Radio stands out from the pack in our innovative programming and personalities, providing fans with DJ hosted shows every weekday morning providing a balance of Disney discussion and music. Sorcerer Radio plays audio from the Disney universe and has FREE APPS for your iPhone, iPad and Droid! Check out the award winning Editor’s Pick on Live365, Sorcerer Radio at www.SRsounds.com, All Disney music, all day long!

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Fantasyland Update: Look at Storybook Circus in Magic Kingdom

The Disney Park Blog has some new details on the Fantasyland update today! Today we share some exciting news on the Storybook Circus area that’s planned as part of the new Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom. Check out below for more details.

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With all the updates we’ve done on the “royal” side of the Fantasyland expansion – Beast’s Castle, Maurice’s Cottage and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid – the plans for Storybook Circus seemed to be a bit more mysterious. Until now.

Storybook Circus will be based on our animated film, “Dumbo.” Here, Casey Jr., the famous locomotive from the movie, has rolled into town and brought the grand Storybook Circus with him. The area will be filled with colorful circus tents and nods to the famous film. For example, guests – especially little ones – are welcome to cool down with Casey Jr., who can be found near the train station, getting splashed by playful circus animals.

Just past Casey Jr., guests will encounter big-top circus tents that lead to a “double” version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Also, in the tradition of classic air shows, Barnstormer will take on a new look and theme, becoming a spiraling stunt plane built by The Great Goofini.

What do you think? Will you be there when the circus comes to town?

Soruce Disney Parks Blog

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Disney’s Primeval Whirl will remain closed throughout summer

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According to the Orlando Sentinel the Animal Kingdom’s coaster Primeval Whirl will remain closed  as federal investigators continue examining the death of a resort mechanic who was killed while working on the attraction in March.

Disney recently extended the closure of Primeval Whirl, a spinning coaster in Disney’s Animal Kingdom that has been shut down since January for maintenance, until at least Sept. 14. The reopening of the ride, initially scheduled for April, already had been postponed once, until early June.

The new date coincides with a six-month deadline facing the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to complete its investigation into the death of Russell Roscoe, a 52-year-old attractions mechanic who was struck by one of the attraction’s ride vehicles on March 13. Roscoe, who lived in Sumter County, suffered a massive head injury and died the following day.

Disney said Tuesday that some of the planned maintenance for Primeval Whirl had to be pushed back to accommodate the accident investigation. The resort said the new reopening date is not related to OSHA’s timeline.

“The refurbishment was delayed as a result of the investigation,” Disney spokesman Andrea Finger said.

Click here to read more.

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Disneyland Expansion-Cars Land

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There has been a lot of action at the Disney parks recently, but don’t worry…there’s plenty more to come!

Disneyland celebrated the opening of The Little Mermaid~Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, the state of the art upgrade of Star Tours and the debut of Mickey’s Soundsational Parade there is still more on the horizon for the Disney parks!

In 2012 Disneyland will open Cars Land which features three family attractions: Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi’s Flying Tires and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Cars Land spans 12-acres spread out behind the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Radiator Springs Racers is similar to Test Track at Walt Disney World. Race through this Cars themed track with hair pin turns, and steep banks and race a fellow car in your final stretch. Radiator Springs is, to date, the most expensive attraction in Disneyland Resort and one of the most expensive attractions ever built by Disney.

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is a whip and whirl ride (similar to the Mad Tea Party), where Mater will host your tour of the Jabmoree, guided by your own tractor. Enjoy the jamboree as you tour Mater’s junkyard and watch out for crazy drivers!

Luigi’s Flying Tires is an updated version of the vintage Disneyland attraction “Disneyland Flying Saucers” which closed in 1966.

Cars Land will open in 2012, but there’s plenty of adventure in Disneyland to enjoy until then. Take advantage of great specials currently at Disneyland

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