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Tag Archives: Adventureland
Off the Beaten Path: Magic Kingdom Quiet Places
During our WDW trips, we stick to the “Pirates Code”: “He who falls behind, gets left behind”. This drives home the point that it’s everyone’s vacation (particularly when we’re in our grand gathering) and we need to maintain a pace that’s good for everyone. If the kids had their choice, they would run back and forth between point A and point B all day long and if the adults had their choice, we’d be in a nice air conditioned ride all day long. When it’s been a long day in the parks for everyone and the meltdown is looming overhead the Pirates Code keeps us all going.
That being said, even pirates need a break and I’ve come to find some of my favorite moments in the parks are the quiet nooks and crannies you can find and nestle away for a few minutes.
Here are my top 5 suggestions for a break in the Magic Kingdom:
1. The nook on the right hand side (heading toward the castle) of Main Street U.S.A. Before you enter the crystal shop, you’ll usually see a cart with an artists who’s doing silhouettes, behind him there is a nice little area where you can sometimes find shade and a seat. If you listen carefully you can hear someone getting voice lessons from the room upstairs!
2. Between the Astro Orbiter and Space Mountain there is a nice spot along a fence where you can watch the Tomorrowland Speedway, and it’s a great place to wait for family members who are riding the Orbiter, or Space Mountain. I find this spot much more relaxing than the noisy overcrowded food court which is nearby enough to grab a snack or a beverage while you wait!
3. The Briar Patch gift shop near Splash Mountain-It’s one of the smaller gift shops in the parks but I love the theming and the two rocking chairs that are inside (which are often occupied). It’s also indoors and nice and cool in there, and there is rarely a line at the cash register if you need to make a purchase.
4. The benches by Pirates of the Caribbean-as you make your way from Frontierland into Adventureland you’ll see the Pirate’s of the Caribbean gift shop, and you’ll also see a shady area with some benches. This is far enough away from the bathrooms to be considered fresh air, but close enough to wait for family members who are shopping, on the ride, or using the facilities. You can often watch hair braiding and ring making from that spot as well.
5. With all the Fantasyland expansion there isn’t too much quiet to be found there, not to mention it’s where you’ll find the most concentrated group of mini-dreamers (and therefore the most noise!) One of my favorite spots has always been by Cinderella’s fountain and down the walkway by the castle (it just so happens to lead you straight to Sleepy Hollow…might as well grab a funnel cake while you’re there!) it’s a shady spot where you’ll find a bench or two and you might even have a run in with a Princess. It’s also an unobstructed view of the castle.
Those are some of my favorite quiet places in the Magic Kingdom, where are yours?
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First look: Adventureland Suite at the Disneyland Hotel
We’ve already shared looks inside the Fairy Tale, Big Thunder, Mickey Mouse Penthouse and Pirates of the Caribbean suites at the Disneyland Hotel, and today we’re finishing with the bang of a blunderbuss – the Adventureland Suite.
This suite takes guests on the most luxurious safari ever. With the feel of an explorers’ camp from the 1930s, the Adventureland Suite features a master bedroom fashioned as a safari lodge with a claw-foot bathtub in the living area. In the master bathroom lies a grotto with a foot spa, steam and rain showers, and lighting and sound effects that make you feel like you’re in a rain forest or a savanna. Younger explorers will love the second bedroom, which makes you feel like you’re sleeping in a safari tent.
The Asian/Indian-inspired main living area includes a wet bar, a flat-screen TV hidden behind artwork above the faux fireplace, and a “hidden” closet (hint: try the bookcase). When you’re in this suite, it even sounds like you’re in the jungle: the doorbell “rings” with tiki gods playing drums, and – for the first time in a Disneyland Hotel suite – themed background music plays three separate tracks inspired by the Jungle Cruise, Disney adventure-themed movies and world music first created for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Source Disney Parks Blog
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The Enchanted Tiki Room Reopens August 2011
There are more lay offs coming to Disney this August. The “new management” has been let go and the future of the Adventureland landmark is in the wings and wit of the infamous José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre. You remember these four crooning parrot hosts who ushered in sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology at California’s Disneyland in 1963 at The Enchanted Tiki Room.
Goodbye Iago and Zazu you will be missed. Well not really.
Are you New Management or Old Management Fan?
Tell us what you think in the comment box below.
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Adventureland’s El Pirata Y El Perico renamed Tortuga Tavern
El Pirata Y el Perico, the Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurant in Adventureland, has been renamed Tortuga Tavern. The name reflects Disney’s popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise, and refers to the 17th century pirate stronghold mentioned in the movies. Tortuga Tavern is located across from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which was the inspiration for the films.
The key elements in El Pirata’s transformation to Tortuga Tavern include a new color scheme and design elements, rather than a significant re-design to the restaurant’s menu. The restaurant is now more fully realized as a pirate’s tavern, helping to present this entire area of Adventureland as a pirate’s hideway. (Also included in the area is The Pirate League makeover and Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial.)
Tortuga Tavern colors include dusky reds, pinks and beiges accented by turquoise blue – similar to the color scheme found at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Tortuga’s exterior sign picks up these colors and features two female figureheads such as those that adorn a ship’s bow. Outside, the tavern also proudly flies its pirate colors (i.e. flags).
Crew roster book found inside Adventurland's Tortuga Tavern, Magic Kingdom
The restaurant’s interior design and props also suggest the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. For instance, a stylized mural of Blackbeard has replaced the image of a more generic pirate. And among the many movie-inspired props is a book that lists crew rosters for the Black Pearl and Queen Anne’s Revenge, the film’s fictional ships. Guests who tour the Tortuga Tavern area will see broken railings, empty rum barrels and bullet holes, all indications of a raucous pirate’s life. Yo Ho!
As of this writing, Tortuga Tavern is serving most of the same menu items as El Pirata, focusing on standard Mexican food options. The menu offers burritos (including a vegetarian option), taco salads and nachos, plus quesadillas and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for kids. The triple chocolate cake is still available for dessert, and the “toppin’s bar” remains intact. However, El Pirata’s tacos are not currently on the Tortuga menu, which may be disappointing to some El Pirata fans.
Also disappointing is that the menu has not changed or expanded to provide more food more appropriate to the theme, perhaps those which can be found at a Caribbean restaurant: jerk chicken, curry dishes, plantains, even a banana bread pudding.
Walt Disney World has not offered an official statement as to whether Tortuga Tavern’s menu is undergoing changes or whether the restaurant will continue to operate seasonally, as it did when it was El Pirata. Tortuga Tavern is currently open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.
Tortuga Tavern, like El Pirata Y el Perico, is on the Disney Dining Plan as a quick-service restaurant option.
Photo Credit: Jimmy Suarez, Tortuga Tavern Sign. Thanks, Jimmy!
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Disney Confidential – The Enchanted Tiki Room rumored to fire ‘Under New Management’
Hey, there, Mouse fans. It’s Anonymouse again, keeping my Ears to to the ground for the latest rumors.
Ever since Magic Kingdom’s The Enchanted Tiki Room caught fire on Jan. 12, Disney fans have been hopeful that the unexpected refurbishment meant that Walt Disney World might consider returning the attraction to its former glory.
That fire, which started in the attic, damaged the Audio-Animatronics Iago1 (the first of two Iagos) and Zazu. They were the added stars of “Under New Management,” the show update that placed ironic storyline over the classic attraction. Many fans wanted to torch the additions long before the Tiki Room accident.
Jokes quickly spread – dare I say like wildfire? – throughout the Disney community that the fire was a sign that the Tiki gods finally had enough of Iago driving away guests from the attraction.
Well, rumors are heating up that the fire sparked the demise of “Under New Management.”
Some Disney fan sites previously reported The Enchanted Tiki Room was scheduled to re-open March 27, 2011. Now that re-opening date is set for June 1, a down time of 5 ½ months. Mistake in posting the March date or Disney’s decision to undertake a more extensive refurbishment?
So far, changes to the Tiki Room include the removal of pre-show elements added during the “Under New Management” update, such as the toucans William and Morris. Combined with the later re-opening date and these changes have sent speculations flying.
Disney bird-watchers are hoping for one of two outcomes. One, the Tiki room will return to the original concept – with less snark and more heart – and Tropical Serenade days. Two, Tiki Room refurb will offers something new, providing Adventureland with a little something to balance the focus on the Fantasyland expansion.
No one seems to want The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management to return. Aside from perhaps Disney management, in a classic case of over-identification, and they’re not squawking.
One last tasty morsel: I hear burned Audio-Animatronics taste a bit like Cajun chicken. (Just kidding, I’m a vegetarian. For those kinds of tidbits, you’ll have to ask Chip.)
Got any good rumors? Please email me at AnonyMouse@chipandco.com. You can also follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AnonymouseOne and on Facebook here
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