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Category Archives: Transportation
Do You Speak the Disney’s Language?
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
Visiting Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort – Why It’s Worth The Trip
Port Orleans French Quarter is one of Disney’s Moderate Resorts, and it’s modeled after New Orlean’s historic French Quarter. It’s a great Resort to stay at, and it’s also a great Resort to visit, even if you aren’t staying there!
So why should you go out of your way to visit this quaint little resort?
Well, there are many reasons:
Atmosphere (and Romance!) – it is a quiet, laid back resort that really encompasses the New Orleans “big easy” style. When you walk in through the lobby, you enter a big open courtyard area where there are palm trees and cobblestone streets and smooth jazz music playing in the background (when we went, it was the holidays, so the jazz was Christmas themed!)
I recommend taking a leisurely, romantic walk around the resort and breathe in the smell of the magnolia blossoms and check out the landscaping – there are several beautiful courtyards with benches in them, where you can sit and relax (and it’s very peaceful!). There is a trail along the Sassagoula River that connects Port Orleans French Quarter to Port Orleans Riverside, and this scenic stroll really makes you feel like you’ve been transported to the Big Easy! This is an especially romantic thing to do at sunset, and if you decide to walk to Port Orleans Riverside, you can take an old fashioned horse and carriage ride through the beautiful woodlands of both Port Orleans Resorts (Here is some more information on the Carriage Rides)
Entertainment – The Resort offers live entertainment at it’s bar, Scat Cat’s Lounge every Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30pm-Midnight by Elliot Dyson, a New-Orleans style pianist who also plays the saxophone, sings, and has been known to play the guitar and steel drums on occasion too. And as if that weren’t enough, he is also hilarious (Here’s some more info on Elliot Dyson)
If you happen to miss Elliot, you can still stop in at Scat Cat’s for one of their specialty drinks, including the Southern Hurricane (Southern Comfort, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine), Sassagoula Swamp water (A blend of rum, gin, tequila and a secret touch!), or the Banana Cabana (Bacardi Spiced Rum and Creme de Banana liquor with coconut and pineapple juice served frozen). The Hurricane drink actually originated in New Orleans, which is why these are the house specialty here and are a definite must try!
If you have kids in your group, Port Orleans French Quarter has them covered too – they have a playground, as well as a video game arcade, and every night the Resort hosts an outdoor movie as well as a campfire (complete with s’mores!)
I also recommend that you stop in at Jackson Square Gifts and Desires for a little shopping and pick up a souvenir to commemorate your fun trip to Port Orleans French Quarter!
Specialty Food – Should you happen to get hungry after your walk, head on over to the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory for some New Orleans style cuisine – gumbo, po’boys, and beignets are all on the menu here, and the dining area is decorated with huge festive Mardi Gras decor that is sure to put you in a party mood!
So now that you’re ready to visit Port Orleans French Quarter, you might be wondering, “How can I get there?”. You can travel by bus from any of the 4 Theme Parks, and if you happen to be at Downtown Disney, you can take a boat to Port Orleans French Quarter, its a nice scenic ride over to the Resort!
Personally, I love Port Orleans French Quarter, I stayed there last year and can’t say enough good things about it (check out some of my pics here, and check out this post for more info on what makes it such a great place to stay!), and if you can’t stay here, then I highly recommend you stop by for a visit. So take some time and escape the busy Parks for a leisurely afternoon full of New Orleans charm at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort!
Related articles
- Cruising The Waters Of The World (chipandco.com)
- T.G.I.F Pic Of The Week – Missing Mardi Gras? Celebrate It Everyday at WDW’s Port Orleans Resort! (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
Taking a Ride Down Main Street USA
Have you seen the Main Street Vehicles that ride down Main Street USA? These wonderful historic vehicles come in the form of a fire engine, omnibus, horse-pulled trolley or horseless carriage.
At Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park they offer guests an opportunity to take a one-way ride on a fire engine, omnibus and more down Main Street.
This is not something you are going to want to experience when you are in a mad rush at rope drop to head to your favorite ride, however if you take time to take it slow and hop on board and enjoy the ride you will not regret it.
There is no cost for this experience and you do not make a reservation. When you see one of these vehicles stopped, just hop on board and enjoy the ride!
You can get on board one of these vehicles in front of the Train Station by the main entrance to the park which will take you on a one way journey to Cinderella’s Castle or you can pick up a ride in front of Cinderella’s Castle to take you back to the front of the park.
Have you experienced this for yourself yet, if so, what did YOU think?
Lesley is a travel agent with Pixie Vacations, contact her for your next Disney vacation at Lesley@pixievacations.com or check her out at www.destinationmagic.com. She is currently offering generous booking incentives (Disney gift cards for Disney World/Disneyland, and Disney on board credits for Disney Cruise line)
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Exotic Driving Experience Announces “VIP Day with Christian Fittipaldi”
Disney World’s Exotic Driving Experience (EDE), which opened in January, offers customers the chance to climb behind the wheel and drive exotic supercars on a real racetrack. Today, EDE announced a new offering, VIP Day with Christian Fittipaldi.
EDE has partnered with the renowned international driver to offer an exclusive exotic car driving program this summer. Limited to only 24 participants, this is truly the ultimate driving event for supercar enthusiasts.
Fittipaldi, a native of Brazil, is among the few drivers in the world to have competed in every major series including Formula One, IndyCar and NASCAR and in the world’s biggest races including the Indy 500, Monaco Grand Prix, 24 Hours of LeMans and the Daytona 500.
VIP Day with Christian Fittipaldi includes four 8-lap driving experiences for each participant, putting them behind the wheel of some of the world’s most exotic, high performance driving machines, including: Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 997S and Audi R8.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss exotic cars and driving tips with Fittipaldi and they’ll sit shotgun for a high speed Thrill Ride with him as he familiarizes them with the speeds and switchbacks of The Exotics Course at Walt Disney World® Speedway.
“Exotic Driving Experience is an attraction that lets you experience the performance of some of the world’s finest driving machines,” says Mike Bartelli, Chief Marketing Officer of Petty Holdings, LLC, owner and operator of EDE. “This new exclusive program will let customers truly become VIPs for a day, driving cars most of us can only dream of, while receiving feedback from a world-class driver.”
This VIP exotic car experience is $1,999 per participant and will take place on June 8, 2012. Other program elements include breakfast or lunch, souvenir plaque, in-car video with driving statistics and souvenir EDE merchandise autographed by Fittipaldi.
To make reservations for VIP Day with Christian Fittipaldi, please call 1.855.822.0149. For more details, visit www.ExoticDriving.com/offers/vip/.
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Accessible Ride Vehicles at the Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World has made it possible for people with all kinds of abilities to visit and experience the magic. One of the things that makes my visits easier is that Disney has implemented ways for you to stay in your wheelchair to experience certain attractions if you are unable to transfer.
I have found the accessible ride vehicles very easy to use with minimal assistance. Below is a rundown of these attractions at the Magic Kingdom.
The Walt Disney World Railroad is accessible through either the Main Street or Frontierland stations. Just let the cast members know you need to use the ramp to board the train and they will lead you to the wheelchair seating. I love riding the train because you get to sit up front near the conductor.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin has an accessible vehicle, just enter through the standard queue and let the cast members know you would like to stay in your wheelchair.
The Jungle Cruise has a boat with a ramp and a lift. Loading is really easy and you will have a great view since the lift keeps you higher than the other guests that are seated around you.
To ride the Liberty Square Riverboat enter through the exit. Once you are at the boat the cast members will place a ramp down for you to ride. We rode up at the front of the boat. Just be aware that its not flat so make sure your brakes are working properly.
It’s a small world has a separate wheelchair entrance and a boat that is just for wheelchairs. They place rubber bumpers in front of and behind your tires so you stay secure. Sometimes there is a wait for the wheelchair boat to cycle through but we are usually rewarded with a solo cruise through the attraction.
The Many Adventures of Winne the Pooh accessible vehicle lets you roll right in. You can also choose whether or not to bounce with Tigger, which moves the vehicle slightly but there are no major bumps or jerks.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has a special ride vehicle with a ramp that you and one guest in your party can use. If the cast members are fast enough getting the ramp down the ride doesn’t even stop. And if you are lucky and there are no other wheelchairs waiting, you may even get to ride again.
Stitch’s Great Escape has special wheelchair seating in the back and you can still experience everything. Whether or not that is a good thing is up for debate but the cast members will help you lower the shoulder harness so you can hear and smell it all.
Shows like The Country Bear Jamboree, Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, Mickey’s Philharmagic, The Hall of Presidents, and the Enchanted Tiki Room have special wheelchair seating. Just alert a cast member when you arrive. There is also special wheelchair seating at the Magic Kingdom parades. You can view my tips for parade viewing in a wheelchair here.
For more information for you can visit the Walt Disney World site for Guests with Mobility Disabilities and view the Guide for Guests with Disabilities for the Magic Kingdom online. You can also e-mail me at mel@chipandco.com
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