>I’m Still Thirsty*

>*I originally wrote this article while I was in Disney World last summer. I still think it is an Unknown Magic Within Walt Disney World, because many people think it is just a Coke stand, but it isn’t.

So, here in Walt Disney World yesterday, we were told it was 98 degrees and with heat index it felt like it was 105. As I am writing this, the Weather Channel is saying it is 93, but real feel is 99. It’s a little warm. We spent the day in Epcot today. Started the day on Mission Space then did Test Track. Had a twelve noon lunch reservation at the Nine Dragons, in China, then walked around the World Showcase. It was warm walking about this afternoon. It gets this way when you are in Disney World. So what do you do? You find ways to stay cool, I wrote about them back on June 8th. Today, I started to get warm, but my problem was that I was thirsty, so not only did I need to get cool, but I needed a drink. So, what do you do about that when you are in Epcot? Well, you can buy yourself a drink; bottled water or soda. You might even be able to find frozen lemonade, but all this can run into some money when you are really thirsty. Of course there are water fountains around the park, but I’ll tell you, today they seemed to be warmer than normal. It could have been the fact that most of them seemed to be in the sun, so they weren’t very refreshing.

So, what do you do? You go to today’s Unknown Magic Club Cool. Club Cool sounds like a kids’ area or a teenage hang-out or something, but it isn’t. It is a neat refreshment stand that’s like no other. Club Cool is presented by Coca-Cola. To the right of the Fountains of Nations, as you are walking toward World Showcase, next to Fountain View Ice Cream, there is a set of doors at the end of the building; this Club Cool. As you walk through the doors and down the steps you, your senses are suddenly on overload. There is music playing, lights flashing and quite a few people roaming around.

You will notice as you are walking in, that there are tasting stations throughout the shop. These tasting stations have four sides to them and each side has about eight different fountains to get the soda from. There are two things that make this refreshment stand very different. The first is that the sodas around the tasting stations are Free. The other is that the Coca-Cola products offered here are all from around the world. You can try sodas from places like Costa Rica, Germany and Japan and all of them are free; which is a good thing, because some of them you might not like. Others you might really enjoy which can lead you to a Magical tasting Experience.

There is more to this refreshment area than just the tasting stations. There are tables to stand at and taste or drink your new favorite flavors. There is a Build a Cup station where you can buy a large container and have a cast member mix different flavors of soda and slushies to make your own refreshment. The shop also has Coke and Disney merchandise for sale. Overall this is a really neat place in Epcot. Where else can you get free drinks and get to drink Krest Ginger Ale like they do in Mozambique?

So, now that you know, the next time you are in Epcot and need some liquid refreshment, head over to Club Cool, get yourself some Free Soda, and create your own Magical Experience, by trying something new and different.

>Some Unknown Magic and a Promise

>

There are some songs in Disney attractions that stick with you. It’s a Small World for example is one. Another is this song:

There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow

Shining at the end of ev’ryday

There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow

And tomorrow’s just a dream away

Man has a dream and that’s the start

He follows his dream with mind and heart

And when it becomes a reality

It’s a dream come true for you and me

So there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow

Shining at the end of ev’ryday

There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow

Just a dream away

Both of these songs (along with the song that replaced There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, called “The Best Time of Your Life”) were written by the Sherman
Brothers, Walt Disney’s “go-to” guys. These songs help to make the rides they go with memorable. The funny thing is they were both written for the original attractions that were introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair. This song goes with the Unknown Disney Magic that is Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is found in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. This attraction was said to be Walt’s favorite, and holds a record in the history of American theater, as the longest-running stage show, with the most performances. This includes the times it ran in the World’s Fair, Disneyland (which it did from 1967-1973) and the shows presented in the Magic Kingdom since 1975.

The Attraction is somewhat of an Unknown Magic because as of this writing it is open only seasonally. With it only being open some of the time, some people who visit Disney miss this wonderful show. It follows four generations through the 20th century. It starts at the turn of the century and takes you decades into the future at every turn of the “Carousel”. The narrator is the father of the family and throughout the four seasons in different years, he converses with family members, listens to news reports, comments on current events and tells the dog to behave. In each scene, except the last, there is historical information given on how things have changed over the years, how electricity has changed everyday life and how entertainment for both the family and children has changed. This is one of those attractions that is not only nostalgic, but also an uplifting Magical Experience.


Picture from the Carousel of Progress Facebook Page


The show is twenty-one minutes long, is in an air-conditioned theater that rotates around six different stages that the show is presented on. It features 32 different audio-animatronics figures. The Theatre can hold 240 people. Some neat things about the show are the voices of the different characters. The voice of Cousin Orville, is that of Mel Blanc, who was the voice of Bugs Bunny and many other great Warner Brothers’ characters. His son, Noel, voices the people heard on the radio. The voice of the daughter is that of Debbi Deryberry, the voice of Nickelodeon’s Jimmy Neutron.

So, now you know, when it is open, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress offers a great nostalgic look back at the 20th century; one that offers some Unknown Magic and a promise of a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.

>Ooh, Ahhhh… Part 3

>

Over the last two weeks, Saturday’s posts have been about Fireworks in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, today we will finish up the Firework Series at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Firework Show in Disney Hollywood Studios is called Fantasmic! This Fireworks extravaganza takes place in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater. This is truly an Extravaganza. This Show is so wonderful, that Author Ridley Pearson* used it as a focal point in his new book Kingdom Keepers III: Disney in Shadow. The show is only able to be viewed in its entirety in the Amphitheater. What makes this an Unknown Magic is not that it’s a Fireworks Display, but something special for the whole family.

Before I tell you about the reasons why this show is worth seeing, I need to give a warning. This is one of those things in Walt Disney World, where people get a little crazy. I’m not talking about them getting out of hand or rowdy, No, I’m talking about the Craziness of Waiting. At the Magic Kingdom and Epcot people will set themselves up for the Fireworks about an hour before they begin. At Fantasmic, the gates open to the Amphitheater two hours before the show. If you want a seat, and actually if you want to be able to see the show, you need to show up about an hour before it starts, or you will not be able to watch.

SO, what makes people want to wait for this show for two hours? Well, first of all it is a great show. It involves the Disney Villains, against Mickey Mouse in a battle of Good vs. Evil. It is technologically amazing to see, the effects are amazing. When you finally walk out of the 25 minutes show, you are Satisfied that Disney has given you something you will remember.

Knowing that Disney does Fireworks like no one else, I’m sure that even first time visitors expect a great Fireworks show in “Hollywood”. So what makes this an Unknown Magic? The show itself is not the Unknown Magic. It’s how to see it. In Epcot and Magic Kingdom, you can see the fireworks from other places. No, the Unknown Magic here is not where to see them, but how to see them better.

The Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano and Hollywood & Vine, three big restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offer a Fantasmic! Dinner Experience. What this is basically is a FAST PASS for Fantasmic! You make an Advanced Dining Reservation for one of these

three eateries for dinner, and you are given a pass that allows you to go to Fantasmic! 30 minutes before the start and you are guaranteed a seat. There is No Additional Charge for the package, but at this time, you must book your reservation with a credit card and you will be charged a nominal fee if you do not show up.

As a person that doesn’t like to wait 2 minutes for a microwave burrito, I think this is a great thing! I mean not only can you have a great meal, Momma Melrose’s is Fantastic, but the fact that you don’t have to go to the stadium an hour to two before the show begins to me is Wonderful! This Makes this Magical Experience even better!

One other tip on Fantasmic, sometimes they offer two shows when the crowds are high. If they do offer two shows, try to go to the second one, the crowds for this show are usually smaller.

So, now that you know, Have a nice dinner and then catch Fantasmic! It will make your Magical Experience even better!

*Ridley Pearson’s next book, Kingdom Keepers IV Power Play is scheduled for release next week; April 5, 2011

>In Support of a Special Group

>

I am sorry for repeating this article that I posted back on September 5, but after reading the news and then seeing the video on You Tube about the attack on the Disney Bus Driver, I felt the need to show my Support for the Disney Cast Members. So, forgive me for the repeat and please enjoy the new pictures.

According to the Disney Company Website, “It takes a village in fact, an estimated 60,000 Cast Members to keep the show going at Walt Disney World Resort.” This makes them by many accounts the largest single site employer in the United States. 60,000, Wow, can you imagine having to make sure they all show up for work? Or how about making sure they are all doing their job? What is even more amazing about this number is that of the 60,000 of them I think I have run into two that didn’t leave me with a feeling that my visit to Walt Disney World was better because I talked to them. Two That would be .0033% chance of meeting up with some one that wasn’t going to make my day better. When I think of that number and then think of daily life, it is amazing. Wouldn’t it be great if less than three hundred thousandths of the time someone would make you unhappy, during the day. But this is what makes the Walt Disney World Cast Members Unknown Magics of Walt Disney World.

The Cast Members are not only very nice people on the whole, but very helpful. It seems that the Disney Company only hires people that are outgoing and genuinely likeable people, and interacting with people. From the Resort Staffs to the Cast Members that operate the attractions, they are a group of people that seem happy to seeing you enjoy Magical Experiences. It is also very neat, how the Disney Company knows how the personalities of the cast members will benefit not only the company, but also the guests. They seem to have people doing certain jobs that make them very accommodating and helpful.



Andy from the Boardwalk

 With there being so many different Cast members in Walt Disney World, you may think it would be difficult to find a cast member that you can go to time after time, if you need help. But this is not so. Just like in everyday life, most of the Cast Members at the Resorts work the same position throughout a week. So, when you check-in and meet Andy at the Boardwalk, Andy is going to be at the front desk through the week as you are there. Of course the Cast Members are given days off, so don’t expect them every day, but you get what I mean.



Our Friendship Launch Captian, I’m sorry I don’t remember his name.



Others may be in the same position, but at a different spot. For example the Captains of the Friendship Launches on Crescent Lake may be doing the Resort/Epcot/Hollywood Studios loop one day and be in Epcot going around the World Showcase the next. Or they may be piloting a boat at a different location all together.




My Mom with  Art The Greeter from the Beach Club



 The amazing thing about all of these wonderful people though is their commitment to working for the Mouse. Very rarely do you hear anyone say anything bad about the company itself, especially while working. But even more telling is that you are seeing more people that are in their 40’s, 50’s and even 60’ working in Walt Disney World. I know the economy has been playing a part in this, but when you have people that have worked other places and have relocated to Florida (you can tell where people come from by their name tags) and are now working for Disney World, you can tell they really want to. Having people that truly enjoy their job take care of you when you are away from yours, is what makes the Magical Experiences for you and your family.







Dallas at the Hoop-De-Do Revue

Magical Experiences like my son being told a story about Sidney Crosby, his favorite hockey player, by our waitress in Le Cellier, in Epcot, that knew him personally. Or the Magical Experience of Dallas our Waiter at the Hoop De Doo Revue making sure all nine of us had a great time and were taken care of when we took the Grandparents and Grandkids a few years ago. And the Magical Experience of the Cast Member that listened to me and tried to help me find Advanced Dining Reservations because we didn’t get any and with the Disney Dining Plan given away with every stay that year, we couldn’t find any. Or the Magical Experience we had this past July when the Waitress made all the males at our table hand bags full of left-over bread and then made my son a tuque ( a Canadian winter hat), all out of tinfoil. We laughed all night as we were making our way back to our Resort becaus of this. Of course these are just a few example, we have had so many Magical Experiences because of Cast Members that to write about all of them would take all day.

 When I first posted this Article, the following comment was left about the Cast Members:

“Anonymous said…
I love the Disney Cast Members! My story . . . We visited in 2008 with my then 10 year old daughter who has a still unexplained fascination with Fiji. We were checking in to the Poly and the cast member at the desk was all set to present us with our paperwork and keys for a room in Tokelau when my daughter innocently asked “Do you think we’ll get to stay in Fiji?” The cast member heard her and instantly ripped everything up and started the process all over again just to put us in Fiji! My daughter was trilled and it made our trip all the more Magical!!”

I love this comment as it shows my points about the Cast Members, they are truly Magical. If you have any stories of your own, about great Cast Members, please leave them. I’ll try to forward them along to my friend Andy at the Boardwalk to share with his co-workers.

So, now you know, some of the Magic of Walt Disney World is created by the people who belong to a special group called Cast Members. They are a large group, but friendly and helpful and really, an Unknown Magic.

>A Special Group

>

Back in the 1980’s one of the big fashion trends for guys was the Members Only jacket. I remember when they first came out and people all wanted them. They wanted to be a “Member”. That’s because being called a member means you belong. You can be a member of a union, a member of a team a member of a political party and everyone in each of those groups is supposed to believe the way you do and follow the thinking. At the Disney Company, everyone is called a Cast Member. This is because Walt Disney wanted them all to feel as if they were part of the Production that is Disneyland, or Disney World or whatever entity of the company they work for.

According to the Disney Company Website, “It takes a village in fact, an estimated 60,000 Cast Members to keep the show going at Walt Disney World Resort” This makes them by many accounts the largest single site employer in the United States. 60,000, Wow, can you imagine having to make sure they all show up for work? Or how about making sure they are all doing their job? What is even more amazing about this number is that of the 60,000 of them I think I have run into two that didn’t leave me with a feeling that my visit to Walt Disney World was better because I talked to them. Two. That would be .0033% chance of meeting up with some one that wasn’t going to make my day better. When I think of that number and then think of daily life, it is amazing. Wouldn’t it be great if less than three hundred thousandths of the time someone would make you unhappy, during the day. But this is what makes the Walt Disney World Cast Members Unknown Magics of Walt Disney World.

The Cast Members are not only very nice people on the whole, but very helpful. It seems that the Disney Company only hires people that are outgoing and genuinely like people, and interacting with people. From the Resort Staffs to the Cast Members that operate the attractions, they are a group of people that seem happy to seeing you enjoy Magical Experiences. It is also very neat, how the Disney Company knows how the personalities of the Cast Members will benefit not only the company, but also the guests. They seem to have people doing certain jobs that make them very accommodating and helpful.

With there being so many different Cast Members in Walt Disney World, you may think it would be difficult to find a cast member that you can go to time after time, if you need help. But this is not so. Just like in everyday life, most of the Cast Members at the Resorts work the same position throughout a week. So, when you check-in and meet Andy at the Boardwalk, Andy is going to be at the front desk through the week as you are there. Of course the Cast Members are given days off, so don’t expect them every day, but you get what I mean.

Others may be in the same position, but at a different spot. For example the Captains of the Friendship Launches on Crescent Lake may be doing the Resort/Epcot/Hollywood Studios loop one day and be in Epcot going around the World Showcase the next. Or they may be piloting a boat at a different location all together.

The amazing thing about all of these wonderful people though is their commitment to working for the Mouse. Very rarely do you hear anyone say anything bad about the company itself, especially while working. But even more telling is that you are seeing more people that are in their 40’s, 50’s and even 60’ working in Walt Disney World. I know the economy has been playing a part in this, but when you have people that have worked other places and have relocated to Florida (you can tell where people come from by their name tags) and are now working for Disney World, you can tell they really want to. Having people that truly enjoy their job take care of you when you are away from yours, is what makes the Magical Experiences for you and your family.

Magical Experiences like my son being told a story about Sidney Crosby, his favorite

Dallas

hockey player, by our waitress in Le Cellier, in Epcot, that knew him personally. Or the Magical Experience of Dallas our Waiter at the Hoop De Doo Revue making sure all nine of us had a great time and were taken care of when we took the Grandparents and Grandkids a few years ago. And the Magical Experience of the Cast Member that listened to me and tried to help me find Advanced Dining Reservations, because we didn’t get any and with the Disney Dining Plan given away with every stay that year, we couldn’t find any. Or the Magical Experience we had this past July when the Waitress made all the males at our table hand bags full of left-over bread and then made my son a tuque (a Canadian winter hat), all out of tinfoil. We

laughed all night as we were making our way back to our Resort because of this. Of course these are just a few examples, we have had so many Magical Experiences

because of Cast Members that to write about all of them would take all day.

So, now you know, some of the Magic of Walt Disney World is created by the people who belong to a special group called Cast Members. They are a large group, but friendly and helpful and really, an Unknown Magic.

>A Free Disney Collectible

>

We were talking to a friend of ours this afternoon that got back from Disney about a week and a half ago. She asked if we got caught up in the Vinylmation craze. For those of you that don’t know about it, Vinylmation is a new Disney collectible. They feature original designs from Disney Theme Park Merchandise and are only sold at Disney Theme Park Merchandise locations. They basically are 3 inch (or 9inch) vinyl/rubber Mickey Mouse shapes, that have designs on them representing other Disney characters, park attractions, or other Disney related materials. This is a very big thing right now in Disney.

 It is kind of like the Pin Collecting, except in Pin Collecting, you know what

you are getting. With this, most of the boxes are sealed in what they call a blind box. Meaning you don’t know which figurine you are getting until after you have bought it and opened it. They have rules that go with these also. You cannot get your money back, after you’ve opened it and you cannot return it for another one. You may trade it, but even then you aren’t sure what you are going to get. It’s Disney’s version of Let’s Make a Deal. Vinylmation Collecting, like Disney World Pin Collecting can get costly. But there is something else you can collect when you are in Walt Disney World that is absolutely free. This Unknown Magic is something that you really don’t think about before you go to Disney for the first time, but once you get there, you need to get the materials and be prepared every time you go to a Park. At this point you’re Thinking, “What is he talking about?” I’m talking about the Unknown Magic of Character Autographs.

Every merchandise area in Walt Disney World, sells autograph books and pens. There are different kinds of books and book and pen sets that they sell, aimed at either your little Princess or the little man with you. These are very nice keepsakes from the Magical Experiences of meeting the characters.

One of our first Trips down to Disney World years ago, we got a gold autograph book. On every double page, there is a spot for a picture and a spot for the character to sign. It is neat to still look at this book and see my son standing with the character and have their autographs next to the picture.

Some of the characters make appearances all over the Parks. We have a few autographs of Chip and Dale, Goofy, and of course Mickey and Minnie. They are usually available somewhere in the parks throughout the day. Then there are some characters that are only seen at certain places. We’ve only seen Mary Poppins in England in the World Showcase in Epcot and we only have seen Jiminy Cricket at the Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom.

Sometimes you get autographs from characters from movies or shows that you don’t normally see or that are from attractions in the Parks. We have an autograph of Liver Lips from the Country Bear Jamboree; Br’er Bear and Br’er Rabbit from Song of the South, and Prince John form Robin Hood.

Not only is it neat to get the character’s autograph when you are getting a picture with them, but it’s neat to see how they sign the books. Pluto actually has to sign in a very unusual way, because of the size of his nose. Buzz Lightyear doesn’t sign, but Stamps his signature. Some add extra little things to their names such as flowers or hearts. But no matter how they sign, all of the characters take time with each kid they sign for or take a picture with. Some of them will hug them or high five them, but every time, they will give the kids and the adults who are there, a Magical Experience.

For those of you just going to Disney World for the first time, it may seem daunting when you first get to the Magic Kingdom and see the lines that the characters have around them. And outside the Magic Kingdom and at the beginning of Main Street as the park opens in the morning, there are quite a lot of people that will be in line for autographs. Most of these characters will be around later in the day, or someplace else during your trip, so that you can get their picture and autograph, But just remember, the interaction you will have with the character will make a more of a Magical Experience than being the first one on a specific attraction.

So, now you that know make sure when you first get to Walt Disney World, you buy an autograph book (or two) and prepare yourself for a few minutes of waiting, while you and your kids enjoy a Magical Experience that you can relive at home when you look through the Autograph Book.

For more information on the Vinylmation craze check out: VinylNation.net
Picture of vinalmation from Vinylmation.net

>Childhood Memories

>

My Dad

When I was a kid, I lived and breathed baseball. The Team I was on was really good. The two seasons we played when I was eleven and twelve years old we lost only 2 games. Our team was so good that when they put together the All-Star team, when I was twelve, to represent our league, they only added two extra kids and took off one that was too young to play. At that time, my dad was coaching the teams. He was a good manager and believed we were good enough to win the Little League World Series. He actually would schedule his vacation for the last week in August, because if we went to the World Series it would be played before the end of August. This memory came back to me today, because the Little League World Series started in Williamsport Pennsylvania this week. As an adult, I still follow the LLWS, and I still follow baseball, but it isn’t the same as when you’re a kid. I remember one place we played that had a great refreshment stand. They had great fries and hot dogs. I remember sitting on the wooden bleachers and eating between games. There is a wonderful eating spot in the Magic Kingdom, where you can do this. It’s called Casey’s Corner. So, I present for you today the Unknown Magic of reliving childhood memories, in Casey’s Corner.

Casey’s Corner is a hot dog stand, plain and simple. They don’t serve burgers; they don’t serve chicken fingers; they serve hot dogs! They do have corn dog nuggets, a side of chili, and fries. But that’s it. It is a hot dog stand. As a kid, a Hot Dog Stand is like heaven. Its food you can eat with your hands. Your mom can’t yell at you for doing it, you’re supposed to eat it this way. Grab it, chomp on it and wash it down with some soda. And this Hot Dog stand is a Magical Experience just waiting for you.

If you catch it right, (which applies to any Magic Kingdom eatery) there isn’t any line. Of course at the normal lunch and dinner hours they are busy, especially at lunch. But there have been times when we have been in Casey’s Corner, that there wasn’t a person in line or even better, in the back of the shop, where you eat. This eating area is what makes Casey’s Corner Magical. There are a few tables in this area, but they

also have a set of old wooden bleachers to sit on while you enjoy your dogs. What a great way to eat. This is a childhood memory that everyone should have, eating a hot dog or fries while sitting on wooden bleachers. If you didn’t do this as a kid, now is your chance to do it.

As you are sitting on the bleachers eating, across the room from the bleachers is a wall size screen. On the screen, they play old cartoons. Most of them are Goofy cartoons, the ones where he is playing sports. Things like: How to Play Baseball, How to Play Baseball and Double dribble. All great Disney Shorts that have sports themes. Along with these great old shorts, there are baseball pictures, a scoreboard and a field marked off on the floor, it is such a neat place to sit and eat and get out of the sun for a few minutes.

The sitting area of the shop opens into Main Street Athletic Club a great shop that sells Disney sports related merchandise (This shop is part of the row of shops that connects the whole side of the street to the Main Street Emporium). It also opens onto the very end of Main Street and looks directly at Cinderella Castle.

So, now you know, when you walk down Main Street USA and you’re a little hungry, you can stop in and get yourself a hot Dog and have Magical Experience of reliving childhood memories, or create some while you‘re in Casey’s Corner.

** This post was originally titled “Don’t Strike Out” and was posted at the end of April. For the few people that read it, I apologize for repeating the post, but in re-reading it, I wanted to re-work it to make it closer to one of our current blogs. I also wanted to add some pictures from our recent trip.

>Enjoy a Good Laugh.

>I am a person that lives by the creed, If you Don’t enjoy it, Don’t do it. I have lived this way for most of my adult life. I forgot it for a few years a while back, but I found someone that reminded me of it and here we are. Loving Life, Enjoying what we do and doing what we enjoy. With this philosophy of life, comes the ability to laugh at a lot of things. I enjoy laughing, I enjoy a good joke and I even enjoy bad, dumb jokes, like puns. All throughout Walt Disney World, there are hidden jokes, and puns, that most people don’t ever see, because they are moving too fast or not listening. Other people observe them, but don’t take the time to enjoy them. When you take your time and look for the Unknown Magics, you will find that there are some really silly things for you to see and hear. So, Today I present to you, the Unknown Magic of the Joke in Walt Disney World.

One of the Biggest Puns is the use of NATAZU as the slogan for the Animal Kingdom. If you slow down your saying of the word and break it into syllables, you will understand that they think of Animal Kingdom as a Theme park, Not-A-Zoo. This is an example in the Animal Kingdom, but when it comes to Animals, the best Puns about and including animals are found in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. If you go on The Jungle Cruise you not only get puns, but jokes from the time you enter the queue, until the time you get off of the boat at the end of the ride. As you are waiting in the queue, listen to the announcements that are being made. Some of the things they say are pretty funny, for example,

“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please. Would the party that lost the roll of 50 $20.00 bills, wrapped in a red rubber band, please report to the turnstile … we have good news for you. We found your rubber band.” Kids especially get a kick out of these jokes. Once you get on the ride though, the jokes get cornier, but they are humorous. The Skipper on the ride has quite a few quips throughout the ride. The last time we were on the ride our Skipper was awesome. His delivery was flat and very dry, but that’s what made the jokes and puns even better. One of our favorites was “Since we are in an area filled with rare tropical foliage, I’d like to take a moment to point out some of the vegetation to you.” At which he started pointing at different places off the side of the boat. Corny, but funny.

But things that are said aren’t the only jokes presented in The Magic Kingdom. There are many examples of jokes and puns and word play throughout the Park. There are signs:

This is funny because it is a character breakfast.

The Disney Vacation Club provides Getaways for its Members

And there are areas of Attractions that if you look around you will see little jokes being made:

This is supposed to be a box of dynamite.

Some of the best pre-show jokes in the Magic Kingdom are at the Haunted Mansion. One or two are inside Jokes, Like the fact that Madame Leota is the name of the Woman whose head is in the Crystal Ball or the fact that Master Gracey is the Owner of the Haunted Mansion.

Others are just corny funny:

The Best pre-show for jokes, in Disney Hollywood Studios is Muppet Vision 3-D. The pre-show which is set up like a backstage area for the show is full of word play and puns. My advice is to get there well before the next show is about to start and spend some time looking around. Not only will it give you a few chuckles, but it is air-conditioned. One of the best jokes made here is a tribute to a former Disney Child-star from way back in the 50’s and 60’s. I’m not going to tell you who it is, but I’ll tell you the star went on to be in the Beach movies with Frankie Avalon. When you are there, see if you can find the joke/tribute.  Inside the Muppet theatre isn’t the only place the jokes abound, outside there are Billboards and other things that will make you smile.

This bottom of this sign says Piad for by the fund to keep Miss Piggy Happy.

There are jokes and puns all over Walt Disney world, but the most in one place are probably at the Hoop-Dee-Doo revue, the dinner show in Fort Wilderness Campground. This show is fantastically fun for the whole family. Not only is the meal they offer pretty good, but the Show itself is full of singing and jokes and puns and well, all around corniness. If you are the type of people that like to laugh and have fun, this is one Dinner you should make sure you do.

So, now you know, smiles In Walt Disney World, don’t just come from the things the Disney Imagineers and Cast members do and present, but from the hidden jokes that you need to take the time to hear, see and enjoy. So, the next time you’re in Disney World, slow down and give yourself time to enjoy a good laugh.

>Isn’t it Romantic

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My friends Carl and Ellie over at Relocated Tourist had a great post today on their blog. It was titled: Romantic Spots at Walt Disney World. Carl listed 40 some great Romantic spots and things to do in Disney World. I loved it. It actually brought a mist to my eyes thinking about some of these great places. But they missed one. Actually I’m sure they missed a few and even left it open ended to have you share your favorite Romantic Places in the comment section. But they missed one important one. One that should have been at the top of the list because it actually tells you it is Romantic. This would be the Unknown Magic of The Romantic Road.

Outside of the Germany Pavilion in Epcot there is a pathway that leads you off the main thoroughfare. This is The Romantic Road. The Romantic Road is a miniaturized version of the real Romantic Road that according to famouswonders.com “is located in between Wurzburg and Fussen regions of South Germany. This region was discovered by the tourists in the year 1950 during the expansion of the Bavarian and Baden-Wurttemberg Highway. Today, the journey on the Romantic Road is a great experience because several historical sites can be seen as you travel down it.”

The Romantic Road in Epcot is a true replica of the Romantic Road and celebrates the German culture and love of Model Railroading. It is kind of a neat, because as you walk the “Road from Wurzburg to Fussen or Fussen to Wurzburg, you are walking

through a wonderful model railroad display. I always liked it because as a kid I liked the trains set up around Christmas and our neighbor when I was very young had a huge train display in his basement that was unbelievable. So, I always get a kick out of the Romantic Road, but when we were down this past visit with our friends, I saw it as a Magical Experience. Our Friend is German and she has taken her family to Germany to visit family in the past. Well, her 13 year old son got such a kick out of the Romantic Road, that we stood there for a little bit and they looked over every inch of the display, recalling this place and that and remarking how great the display was.

The display itself is very neat, because it is not just a train display it is a true miniature village. There are people walking about the town, and cars and trucks waiting outside of buildings, churches, houses and of course the train which has people waiting at the station for it. It also has a mountain region and a stream through it and right through the middle is the walkway for you to see it all.

It is a very neat Unknown Magic, that even if you aren’t from Germany, but you enjoy model trains, you can enjoy as a Magical Experience.

So, now you know, of all the Romantic Places in Walt Disney World, the one that is truly “Romantic” isn’t just for couples, but the whole family. So take the road from Wurzburg to Fussen, and enjoy the sights.

>Go to the Pub

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There are some things that I have shared with my son that I call Daddy’s words of Advice. Advice   # 1 was given a few years back and it had to do with his mother and being able to tell when he should keep his mouth shut. The second piece of advice came in Walt Disney World. We were on the Boardwalk and the piece of advice was, if you can, you always want to get a Burger at a Brew Pub, because they have the best Burgers anywhere. Another piece of advice I think I have passed on is about finding a good place to enjoy food and drink. I told him that if you have the choice of an Olde English or Irish Pub, over a corner bar, choose the Pub. They are always more cozy and there seems to be something about them that just adds to the enjoyment of a Pint.

I have talked about some of the different watering holes around Walt Disney World, in an earlier post. In that post I didn’t mention the two places I am discussing with you today. Both fall into the category of Pub and both satisfy my advice on choosing the Pub, because of its coziness and enjoyment value. They also offer chances for Magical Experiences. So, today I present the Unknown Magic of the Walt Disney World Pub.

The Rose and Crown is located in the Great Britain area of Epcot’s World Showcase. The pub itself is based on 4 different styles of English Pubs; a street Pub, a Dickensian Pub, a Waterfront Pub and a provincial Pub. When you go to the Rose and Crown, there is a Dining room area and the Bar area. The Bar area has indoor and outdoor seating, as does the Dining room area. The outside Dining room seating area can a great place to have a Magical Experience when you catch a late meal and sit and watch Illuminations, but you are not guaranteed an outside seat. The Bar area of the Pub is a fun and inviting place to be it’s not real big, but there are a few tables inside and a few outside to sit at and have a pint. The bar itself is very impressive and the bartenders are always friendly and (since they are in Great Britain in Epcot) English. It adds to the feeling and ambiance of being in a true English Pub. This is a wonderful place to spend an Afternoon or evening. The Food is typical English Pub fare with Bangers and Mash and Fish and Chips being on the menu. The beer on tap is all English and Irish, so don’t expect a bud or miller light. There is entertainment nightly in the form of a piano player. A few times a week you can hear the Vivacious Pam Brody (whom I posted about back on 5/2 in One

 Vivacious lady.) It is a very fun and comfortable place to be. We have had quite a Magical Experiences when we have either sat inside and listened to Pam Brody or sat outside the Pub and had a wonderful time talking to people around us. The coat of arms for the Rose and Crown has this saying on it: Otium Cum Dignitate. Which means Leisure with Dignity, it is a great slogan for this Pub as Leisure with Dignity is a great Magical Experience.

The other great Pub in Walt Disney World is found in Downtown Disney. Raglan Road is an Irish Pub “made in Ireland and Plonked down in Orlando Florida.” This is a true Irish Pub with a stage in the middle of the restaurant and bars all around. The food here offers bangers and mash, Fish and Chips and Shepherd’s Pie. They do have a Bar Menu as well as a table menu. And the Bar is a full bar, with not only an extensive Imported Beer Menu, but they also have Irish Whiskey, and Scotch Whisky for your enjoyment. The main Bar itself is directly as you walk into the restaurant. There are tables all around and as I mentioned earlier, a small stage in the middle of the room and a stage off to one side of the room. There is nightly entertainment, presented by Irish singers and dancers who get the audience into the show; this in itself can create many Magical Experiences. The walls in the Pub are decorated with posters and pictures of Irish legends and countryside. My favorite is

 the print of the Mona Lisa holding a beer mug. Like the Rose and the Crown, they have an outside seating area and a walk up Fish and Chips window, in case you don’t want to go in and sit down, but you need your fix. Raglan Road has one thing the Rose and Crown does not, a gift shop. Here you can buy Guinness items and Raglan Road Shirts and glasses as well as postcards from Ireland. For more information you can go to http://www.raglanroadirishpub.com/

So, now you know, if you want an atmosphere that welcomes you, creates Magical Experiences and is comfortable, Go to the Pub. Either one the Rose and Crown or Raglan Road and when you’re there have a Pint for me.