Category Archives: Do and See

Do You Speak the Disney’s Language?

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The world of Walt Disney entertainment is so unique it requires its own language. Some words originated directly from Walt and his Imagineers. Others, it seems, have grown into their own Disneyness and have acquired new meanings along the way.

Attraction = a theme park ride or show
Audio animatronics = realistic robotics that bring 3-D effect to an Attraction
Automagic = play on automatic; the Disney way of making things magically happen
Backstage = a park area not accessible to guests
Cast Member = a Disney theme park or resort employee
Casting center = theme park or resort employment office
Costume = the uniform worn by a Cast Member
Crew Member = Disney Cruise Line employee
Disney point = to point with index and middle finger together; in some cultures it is rude to point with only one finger
Earffel Tower = water tower at DHS; example of wienie
Epcot = from EPCOT, Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
E-Ticket = the newest, best, most popular attraction; stems from former system of ride coupons ranking rides A-E (A were least popular, E most popular)
Fantasmic = lights, lasers, fireworks, and waterworks show at DHS
FastPass = ticket generated to assign Guest a time to return to a busy Attraction without waiting in long line
Guest = visitor to Disney theme park or resort
Hallowishes = special Magic Kingdom fireworks during MNSSHP Halloween celebrations
IllumiNations = fireworks at Epcot
Imagineer = employee of Walt Disney Imagineering (formerly Walter Elias Disney, WED Enterprises); combination of imagine+engineer; scientists and artists who design the Attractions
Innovention = innovation+invention
Mousekeeping = resort housekeeping/maid service
Mouseketeer = play on musketeer; cast members of the TV show The Mickey Mouse Club
On stage = any area where a Cast Member might be seen by Guests
Philharmagic = philharmonic+magic 3-D film at MK
PhotoPass = barcoded card/web access to photos taken by Cast Member photographers
Plussing = constantly striving to improve a project even when it is considered complete
Pooh-sized = big, like Pooh Bear
Protein spill = term used by Cast Members to indicate someone has vomited
Show = everything that encompasses an Attraction or park feature; all the effects & mood setters that combine to make it feel like you’re walking into that world
Utilidors = utility+corridors The underground tunnels at Magic Kingdom that provide access for maintenance, Cast Members, readying, etc.
VoluntEARS = The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Cast Members to contribute their time and expertise to charitable causes.
Wienie = a visual Attraction or landmark that can be seen by Guests from far away; it is used to guide visitors through park, i.e. Cinderella Castle
Wishes = Magic Kingdom fireworks

Top Five Animal Kingdom Attractions For Adults

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Let me start this off by saying that I didn’t used to like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I thought it was just a big zoo and found it to honestly be a little boring. I had only been once before, right after it had opened when all the attractions weren’t even completed, so I got to thinking, maybe I didn’t give it enough of a chance. So when I visited Walt Disney World last month, I vowed to visit Animal Kingdom with open eyes and an open mind.

We started our day with breakfast at Tusker House – which was really delicious, they offered the typical disney breakfast buffet, and had some more traditional African choices as well, including bobotie (a quiche-like beef pie with egg, curry and other spices), mealie pap (similar to cream of wheat, and other delicious choices. It is a character meal, where Donald greets you upon arrival, and Daisy (whom we really enjoyed seeing, can you tell??), Goofy, Mickey and Minnie circulate the dining room while you eat. It’s loud and full of children and families, and we had a great time there. Once we were nice and full, it was time to give Animal Kingdom a second chance…

Pixar’s Brave Merida Meet and Greet at Magic Kingdom Park

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Merida, the adventurous heroine from Disney•Pixar’s upcoming feature film, “Brave,” has begun making special appearances at Fairytale Garden in Magic Kingdom Park. In this setting, young guests are invited to engage in archery practice and other activities, in addition to meeting Merida and mischievous bear cubs from the film. Take a look.

My little boys can hardly wait to see “Brave,” and they’re definitely going to want to meet Merida. They’re excited to try out the bows and arrows, and they’ve already fallen for the bear cubs, after just glimpsing them in trailers for the movie.

For guests at Disneyland park, Merida’s bringing some of this Scottish fun to you too, in an area across from “it’s a small world,” and everyone will discover more about Merida’s epic story when “Brave” opens in theaters June 22.

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Disney World Quick Tips – Best Rides and Attractions to Nurse or Bottle Feed your Little Ones

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I know what your thinking this is a funny subject coming from a guy. But I am no stranger to poopy diapers or feeding little ones. While visiting the parks with little ones can be challenging there are some little tricks my wife and I have learned to help make our vacations enjoyable for our little ones when they were still nursing or on the bottle.

Its funny our oldest daughter was only breast fed for 4 months before going to a bottle and our youngest who is now 1 will only take the breast and refuses a bottle. So we have experience with both at the Disney parks.

I will break this up by park to better assist you.

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

Finally the Monorail, buses, and Friendship Boats are good too!

If I missed anything let me know but all of the rides above come from our experiences at the parks. Individual results may very depending on the baby, crowd levels, temperature, etc.

 

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Five Rides for Little Guys (and girls) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios is easily one of our favorite parks.  It’s full of shows, and “relaxing” attractions.  We work a day in at Hollywood Studios in the middle of our trip because it’s an easy park to get through, and there are attractions here that are super fun to do over and over again.  Today, I wanted to share with you five attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that make for tons of fun for little ones.

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1.  Toy Story Mania.  Although this attraction can have a VERY long wait, there are so many entertaining things to look at while waiting in line.  As soon as you pass through the entrance, you’er immediately surrounded by  Andy’s toys…..life size toys, and you almost feel like the toy itself.  You’er surrounded by life size Candyland, a Mr. Potato Head who talks to you, monkeys ina barrel, and Lincoln Logs.  This ride is great fun for younger children because it is fairly slow moving, and even without the 3D glasses on, it’s enjoyable to ride.

2.  The Great Movie Ride.  Another slow moving ride, you are taken back in time and history of the movies.  At the beginning, it’s a little loud while they are acting out the crime scene.  But, with so many enticing characters and movie sets to look at, even the youngest in your travel party can enjoy it.  My favorite part is in the Wizard of Oz when the munchkins start singing.  So fun!

3.  Disney Junior Live on Stage.  If you have a toddler or preschooler in your party, you’ll want to include this!  While enjoying their favorite characters from Disney Junior, you can dance, clap, and sing along with your child.  Little Einsteins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Handy Manny make an appearance that their youngest fans look forward to.

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4.  Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure.  Looking to give your kids some play time?  Are they tired of waiting in line and just need to run to get some energy out?  Stop by the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure.  I mean, who doesn’t want to play amongst huge Playdoh cans, go down slides of filmstrips, and be cooled off by a leaking water hose?

5.  Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast – Live on Stage.  Even the adults and older kids in your party might enjoy these two shows.  Both are fairly short, around 20-30 minutes.  You can relax in the air conditioning, enjoy the classic movies as they come to life on stage.  I would suggest sitting toward the back and on the end of a row, just in case you need to make an exit during the show.

Those are my top five rides for little ones at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Which attraction do you NOT miss?

Magically Yours,

Carrie of My Favorite Finds

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