Category: Uncategorized

An Epcot Hidden Gem: Meeting Up With Geir Ness At The Norway Pavilion

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Throughout the World Showcase at Epcot, a vast variety of different stores and unique experiences are laid out in a maze of areas to explore. However, certain countries offer unique creations that can’t be bought in many other locations outside of Walt Disney World. A great example of this is over at the Puffin’s Roost in the Norway Pavilion. 


For years this simple store has sold a vast variety of Norwegian and Norwegian inspired merchandise to guests as they depart from a boat-ride type attraction within the pavilion. For years, the familiar scent of the shopping location marked the end of a ride through the Maelstrom attraction detailing a brief view of the culture of Norway past and present. Today, however the attraction has been redesigned (after vast internet disapproval) into what has become known as Frozen Ever After. While the attraction itself is quite impressive and features updated technology and a clever and representative story from the oh so popular Frozen film, today we’re taking a closer look behind the unique smell of the exit area leading into the Puffin’s Roost location. 


For many returning guests, the familiar smell of the Puffin’s Roost brings back memories of past vacations and experiences of Epcot in a way that is truly hard to explain. It has a quite characteristic smell, and one that many guests have happily taken home with them. In the post ride store, the scent (which was created by Geir Ness) is sold to guests on a daily basis. While the post ride has become notorious for the wonderful smell, the true reasoning behind it is the Geir Ness line. 

After years of experiencing both iterations of the attraction, I had the opportunity to meet the man behind the smell, Geir Ness. I had heard stories and watched interviews of him in the past, and new about what to expect from the meet up. Geir is notorious for being incredibly passionate about what he does and it’s really one of those things you can’t fake. When you get the chance to talk to him, you can really sense that drive that keeps his company growing. He’s not a salesmen, he’s more an individual who wants to share his story and how the line of fragrances came to be. 


Personally, I’ve worn his mens Geir Ness: The Power of Norway cologne for a few years and it’s always something you get questions about. Everyone wants to know what it is and where you got it. For ladies, he also has two perfumes specifically designed to capture two distinct scents. The first and most iconic is Laila, which was named after his mother. The second and latest creation is called Frozen In A Bottle. Both scents are fantastic, but the real opportunity here is to meet the man behind the scents. He’ll even sign the bottle for you!  

On select dates throughout the calendar year, Geir is in the store and interacting with guests. You really can’t miss him. He’ll be surrounded by guests and making a distinct point to talk to and take pictures with everyone. The dates never really lined up for us to meet him until our last trip, but if you ever get the chance this is certainly a must-do. When was the last time you got to meet the designer of a fragrance?  
       

One of the Best Table Service Breakfasts on Property: Plus – How To Get a Taste of Lunch Free!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

In my opinion, dining is a huge piece of the Walt Disney World vacation planning puzzle that first time and many returning guests don’t always take advantage of. As I’ve shared before, over the years we’ve tried many different table service offerings, but one has always stood out above the rest, The Crystal Palace. The breakfast has remained fairly unchanged for many years and to be quite honest that’s one of the many reasons we keep returning time after time. 


Throughout the buffet, guests can choose from a wide variety of offerings including: sausage, eggs, bacon, puffed french toast (it’s delicious), made to order pancakes and omelets, pastries, assorted fruit, cheese hash browns, and much much more. There really is something for everyone. The food has always been great and we’ve never really had a bad experience at this dining location. If you ever have any concerns or questions about allergies or other dietary restrictions/special requests, the head chef is always just a few minutes away and constantly willing to cook something up to meet any needs. 

Beyond the food, the atmosphere is certainly one of a kind. The dining area and exterior of the establishment features a certain Victorian elegance designed to help develop a simple, yet subtle, transition from Main Street U.S.A to neighboring Adventureland. Many believe that this day-one experience of Walt Disney World drew design elements from the Crystal Palace of Hyde Park London built for a great gathering, but which was later unfortunately  destroyed. Of course, as with many day one Magic Kingdom experiences, the restaurant isn’t quite the same as it was originally. From the early days until the mid 90’s the location featured a simpler counter service-esque dining concept which later develop into the reservation only experience we have today. Over the years the location even featured a corporate sponsor, Colombian Coffee Growers. Considering I’ve never been a huge fan of corporate sponsors, I’m happy that changed over the years, but either way, the Crystal Palace has been a staple of the Magic Kingdom in dining, as well as theming, for many years! 


As an added bonus to this all around great experience, we’ve figured out through personal experience that if you schedule a late breakfast slot (10:30 or so), not only will the restaurant be far less crowded as they clear out and reset the dining room for lunch, but you may just catch a taste of lunch along the way! During our last trip we did just that (Early July 2017). As the breakfast slowly draws to a close, half of the buffet (it’s typically doubled with the same offerings to support two lines) closes to put out lunch offerings. As they do so, simply ask nicely and they’ll gladly let you have a taste of lunch as well before seating for that meal even begins. While you may not get a “full” lunch (considering you just ate breakfast), you’ll certainly get a taste of lunch and a little extra for your money out of the meal. As an added bonus, breakfast is the most budget friendly meal of the day at The Crystal Palace and one of the more cost effective buffet options across property. 

If you haven’t tried it before, be sure to give it a shot! You won’t be disappointed! 
                 

What’s Your Pick: Pandora Nights Vs. Pandora Days? – An Honest Analysis

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin


Just over six years ago, Disney made an announcement that James Cameron’s “Pandora” would be arriving at Walt Disney World. The project faced mass speculation and many (including myself, which I’ve touched on in an earlier article) really didn’t think the concept would fit in with the Disney brand. To be quite honest, a vast majority of the skepticism has been completely turned around, including my own. I never thought I would enjoy this land, but to be quite honest it will be a must do for us for years to come. However, today, rather than repeating what has been said by myself early on, as well as many other individuals across the web, I simply wanted to share my opinions of night vs. day in Pandora. Also, I want to pose a question: If you had to pick only one time to visit Pandora, would it be at night or would it be in the daytime? 


Personally, I see Pandora as a place that really changes drastically throughout the day. In all honesty, I’m a huge fan of the place during the day. Of course, nighttime is incredible to see and experience because it is simply unique and one of a kind in a way that you’ve likely never seen and will likely never see again. However, Pandora during the day exposes so many intricate details that can be easily overlooked in near complete darkness. 

When you first see Pandora and experience that grand “reveal” of the floating mountains high overhead, it’s a complete sensory experience. You hear the running water falling from waterfalls that appear to pour out from an endless flow of water. Imagineering developed this experience as something that makes you take a step back and really think, “How is that even possible?” Time after time, you’ll be simply walking through the area and stumble into a detail in the intricate vine work or the cascading water that surrounds guests and notice the attention to detail that truly is unparalleled by any other theme park organization. It’s one of those elements of a Disney park that truly sets them apart. As I’ve shared many times, for me a Disney vacation is different for a variety of reasons, but the details really create a world class and one of a kind experience that has never been fully replicated. Nighttime in Pandora is full of all kinds of details, but in my opinion it loses an aspect of the immaculate detail that is really limited by the human eye’s capability in low light scenarios.


At night, Pandora is a completely different place. It feels like an entirely new experience. Obviously it’s the exact same place, but the look and feel takes on a different “theme.” the bioluminescent forests come to life and the experience takes on a new sensory overload. The forest comes alive with new sounds, the plant life takes on an entirely new “glowing” personality, and a whole new series of details unveil themselves to guests. However, you do lose a bit of the daytime perception that simply can’t be picked up in a low light environment. Don’t get me wrong, the land is still miles ahead in the world of realism and detail than anything we’ve seen before, but it seems to lose just a small portion of what can be seen in full daylight. 


All things considered, this is an excellent place simply to explore and capture a few photos that you can amaze friends with when you return home. There’s nothing like Pandora and there’s no honest comparison of it to any other portion of a Disney park. So, for those of you that have visited this new land, what is your favorite time of day to visit Pandora? 

Planning on checking it out for yourself? Be sure to use the quote request form below to plan (or continue planning) your next trip with our friends over at Destinations to Travel! Their services are completely FREE so why not get some extremely experienced planning help along the way! They may even save you some money while monitoring new rates and discounts.   

As always, thanks for spending a few minutes of your day here with us, and we truly appreciate your continued support!                

A One of A Kind Disney Experience: Shutting Down the Magic Kingdom!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

After years of touring the Walt Disney World Parks and resorts, it’s always amazing how many things we haven’t quite been able to do. In our case, along with many other Disney fans, it’s a bit of a revolving list of things we want to do next in the parks. The list never really ends, but constantly gets added to as Disney continues to grow and develop. 

So, when the timing lined up to close down the Magic Kingdom, we had to give a shot. First, I have to say this is an experience that every Disney fan or even first time guest has to do at least once. It’s like stepping back in time. The crowds of the day really diminish about 30 minutes prior to close and slowly, yet surely each “land” within the park is blocked off to new guests by a row of cast members. It’s like you’ve stepped back in time, however briefly, to years ago when the parks weren’t quite as crowded as they are today. 

There are so many elements of the experience that you can’t see any other way. If you want to share this experience with family or friends, here’s what I see as the best way to “shut down” the Magic Kingdom. Perhaps the easiest way to do so is to find a day during your trip when the park closes at or around 9:00 or 10:00pm. The days may be few and far between with the mass amount of extra magic hours for resort guests available, but an early closing could make all the difference. To really experience closing time, stick around until roughly a half hour (depending on when the park closes for the night) after the scheduled park closing time. Main Street will remain fairly busy, but the rest of the park will slowly drain of guests leaving behind a one of kind experience. 


Imagine an empty Fantasyland or even Tomorrowland, there’s truly nothing quite like it. Of course, all of the rides have ended their operation for the night and a few cast members will still be stirring around, but the views are really second to none. It feels as if you have the park to yourself for even a brief moment. It’s something we all dream of, but will likely never experience. You can’t help but think, it must be the same feeling Walt felt night after night as he walked through Disneyland after the crowds had subsided for the day.

As an added bonus, simply ask the cast members or security monitoring each lands entrance if you can simply take some pictures and they’ll be more than happy to let you do so! Capturing that memory is really an outstanding way to remember the night and share the unique experience with others. 


As you walk down Main Street as the last few guests filter out, take a moment to just think back on how many Imagineers and cast members over the years have devoted a small portion of their lives to create this place and the memories that we have enjoyed for generations. The entire experience really makes you think back on the experiences you’ve had with friends and family throughout the parks in a way that is truly hard to put into words. Make a quick stop up at the top of the Main Street Station and you’ll be honestly shocked at how different the view is from any other time of day. There’s no crowd below you, no mad rush to popular attractions, and a simple quiet that you can’t experience any other way. 

While you’re waiting for guests to clear out, don’t forget to catch “The Kiss Goodnight.” While it is quite a simple show at the end of the night, it really brings home the nostalgia factor of a day in the parks and is one of those simple touches that sets Disney apart from all the rest. It completes the story of your time in the park for the day, and creates a fitting closing to a day at Walt Disney World. While this really isn’t an attraction or even a piece of any Disney itinerary, it’s something we didn’t do for years, but has become a new “must-do” part of our Disney vacation. The simple 2 or 3 minute show is nothing mind blowing, but something you’ll likely never forget. 

Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your day! Without each and every one of you following along with us, we would have no reason to write! I can’t thank you enough for spending a few minutes here with us. -Collin

           

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One of the Best Burgers on Disney Property! : A Closer Look At The Plaza Restaurant

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

The Disney parks and resorts have really become known over the years for outstanding dining opportunities. However, there’s been one particular item that has been somewhat overlooked, burgers. While Disney offers a lot of different burgers, and a large variety of different toppings throughout property, very few go above and beyond. So, when I find a burger on the menu at Walt Disney World I always have to give it a shot. 

When we planned our Disney vacation, we actually didn’t even have The Plaza on our list of reservations. We had been there in the past and really enjoyed it, but with a Crystal Palace breakfast that morning, we really didn’t expect to eat another table service meal. As the day grew later, the crowds started to die down a bit and we were looking for a meal that could get us out of the heat for a little while. So, we decided to try and walk up at the Plaza. It was  a bit of long shot, but we thought might as well try. Eventually, we waited around 15 minutes and they got us right in. 


The Plaza Restaurant is quite small and one of the more crowded dining locations on property, but the food is really good. The menu isn’t very expansive, but everything we tried was great! After a quick glance over the menu, we decided on 3 entrees (one was split). first and foremost, we tried the Angus Chuck Cheeseburger.

In my honest opinion, this was one of the better burgers I’ve had on Disney property if not one of the best. It was definitely a far cry from what you’d find at most counter service restaurants, but not topped with anything out of the ordinary on a typical cheeseburger. After trying most cheeseburgers on property, I can certainly say it is one of the best and one that really stands out on my “top burger” list. Plus, it’s topped with bacon, and everything’s better with bacon! The bun is also fairly unique, but really rounded out the great burger. This particular menu offering was served with fries and was offered with a variety of toppings you could choose from on the menu listing itself. Dress it up or go simple like we did, but either way this was a great meal item at a somewhat reasonable price by Disney standards ($18).    

The other guests in our group ordered the Chicken Strawberry Salad and the Cheese Steak Sandwich. Both options were great as well, but for me the standout option was the burger. The Cheese Steak was juicy and outstanding as well, but an honest highlight of the experience was simply the chance to get out of the sun for even a brief hour or so. More than anything, what I recommend to guests going to Walt Disney World for the first time, or even returning guests, is to schedule a table-service meal during each of your park days. While some meals are quite expensive, offerings like The Plaza (which is more budget friendly) exist in every park. While you may not recognize it at first, the brief meal that gets you out of the heat for a while can really help you out at the end of the day! 

As always, thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out our friends over at Destinations to Travel. Planning or thinking about planning a Disney vacation? Fill out the quote request form down below and one of their agents will get back to you soon! They’re one of the few authorized Disney vacation planners and the only travel agency we’ve used and will use!     

Dole Whip May Now Be Available In Your Area!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

After years as an exclusive treat of the Disney Parks and Resorts, Dole Whip may now be available to the masses (depending on your location). First and foremost, it is just for a limited time and is an exclusive partnership with the sweetFrog brand and the Dole organization. The company, which operates as a mass franchise, has locations across the entire United States as well as internationally.


For the summer months, the treat will be available at all stores and will feature the classic pineapple flavor along with 5 others: orange, strawberry, raspberry, mango, and lemon. Personally, I see this as a great way to get that “Disney Fix” for those of us who do not live near the parks.

While their release statement for the Dole Whip flavors mentions the influence of the theme park industry, it doesn’t appear that they will offer it served in pineapple juice floats in quite the same way Disney has for years. Either way, I know I’ll be finding a sweetFrog location before the summer ends!

Just a heads up, we are not affiliate with the sweetFrog group or any of it’s retail locations. Even more info Here: 


Columbia Harbour House to Join The Mobile Ordering Platform Soon!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

It looks as if Disney will soon be adding a new dining location to the mobile ordering platform. If you haven’t already heard, Disney has added the option to order your meal in advance before arriving at a few select counter service locations. Before arriving at your desired counter service destination, you simply go into the My Disney Experience App and make your dining selections for that particular restaurant. After making your selections, you can pay for your food ahead of time and pick a time you want to pick it up and eat. 



Right now, only a few select locations have adopted the service but it has been received quite well by regular guests and annual pass holders alike. However, it looks as if Disney is expanding the service to even more locations. The next mobile ordering location will be Columbia Harbour House starting July 31st. The location itself is a great counter service meal that is quite different than the typical food offerings at similar dining locations. 

The food centers mostly around fried fish along with lobster rolls and a few other unique items. The atmosphere is also fairly unique featuring two stories of seating overlooking Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom. 

Overall, this should be a great new addition to the mobile ordering platform. The program has really helped limit lines of those who choose to utilize the service and as many of you well know, even a few extra minutes at Walt Disney World makes all the difference.  

So, what do you think about the new mobile ordering platform? Have you used it? If so, how did it work out for you? 


Interested in checking it out yourself? Be sure to look into the only travel service we’ve used and recommend: Destinations to Travel. If you’re planning a vacation fill out a quote form down below and they’ll get back with you soon!  

Our Top 5 "Must-Do" Walt Disney World Table Service Dining Locations

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin


Throughout Walt Disney World there are a vast variety of dining opportunities. Of course, everyone has their own personal favorites, but today we’re going to share a closer look at some of our favorite dining locations that have been tried and true for many years. Every once and a while you’ll come across a random fluke experience, but nearly every location on this list we’ve visited many times with great results. 

1. The Crystal Palace 
While a select few guests aren’t thrilled by the food at this buffet style table service offering, it truly offers an extensive variety of choices. The food certainly isn’t what you would find over at Victoria and Alberts, but it does feature a great variety of choices. Personally, I see this as one of the best table service offerings at the Magic Kingdom. It is quite expensive at both lunch and dinner, but the food is some of the best you’ll find in the park. Also, considering it is a buffet, if you don’t like something just head back up to the counter and try something else. For both kids and adults alike, this would be one of my highly recommended dining experiences. 

For kids (and many adults) this is in fact a character meal at all three meals. Pooh and friends great guests of all ages and even perform a small parade through the restaurant. The atmosphere is elegant, yet not overbearing. It really has that classic Main Street feel which sets the stage for a great day in the Magic Kingdom. Personally, we highly recommend the breakfast offering. It is quite a bit cheaper than the other meals and if you book a later breakfast you won’t miss the short wait times of the early morning and you may just get a taste of lunch while they set up for the next meal. 

2. Whispering Canyon 
Second on the list is Whispering Canyon. For years this has been a go to location for each of our trips to Walt Disney World, even long before we started staying at the Wilderness Lodge. The atmosphere has changed slightly over the years, but today it still holds true to a fun loving set up. If you enjoy barbecue, the canyon skillet is certainly the must try item on the menu. You not only get to partake in a bottomless skillet of food, but you also get a taste of a variety of different items found throughout the menu. 


Along the way, the cast members really go above and beyond to make the experience memorable. Kids get the chance to run around the restaurant on stick horses and jokes of all types abound throughout your time in the restaurant. For this location I typically recommend dinner for more than one reason. The whole place is much more crowded at night and as a result the staff gets the chance to have more fun with guests and create a greater variety of jokes that are funny yet tasteful. Another great option is the breakfast they offer. The main menu item is still a bottomless skillet and family style. Overall, it is a really fun experience and one of the many dining locations that have become “hidden gems” over the years. Reservations are readily available throughout the day, and the Wilderness Lodge is only a short bus or boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom.      

3. Homecomin’ Kitchen 
If you follow the site (thanks!) you likely saw our recent review of Homecomin’ Kitchen. To be quite honest, this climbed into a very high ranking on our list of “must-do” dining. The food is incredible, the staff is outstanding, and the overall experience is really outperforming expectations. If you’ve not been here, be sure to check it out on your next trip to Walt Disney World. You don’t have to have a park ticket to experience it, and due to it’s location at Disney Springs, there is more than enough to do before and after your meal. If you missed our in depth review, be sure to check it out here.


4. Garden Grill 
To be quite honest, Garden Grill was a dining location we absolutely loved years ago, then after a few menu changes, we quit going for quite some time. Just recently we went back to try breakfast for the very first time (it’s a fairly new offering) and we really enjoyed the experience. As a rare family style meal in Epcot and one of the few character meals in the Epcot resort area, it’s hard to pass up a meal at Garden Grill. The menu does tend to vary every few years (so be sure to check before you go), but the experience has always been top quality. 

The restaurant itself rotates, which provides a one of a kind dining setting, and a small portion of the dining room overlooks the Living With The Land attraction below. However, it is worth noting that this is not a cheap family style meal in any regard. It is quite pricey, but if you’re on the dining plan this is a great place to use a table service credit at Epcot. If you have kids that want to meet Mickey and friends without the long lines, look no further!   

5. Teppan Edo 
Teppan Edo is a dining location that I overlooked for years. As the only true hibachi experience at Epcot, you really receive a dinner and a show at somewhat reasonable price. The steak is really outstanding and the rice is essentially endless (if you ask nicely). The entire experience takes place on the second tier of the Japan pavilion above the Mitsukoshi retail location. The chefs are extremely friendly and the hibachi style “show” is entertaining while providing your food in a quick timeframe. All in all, it is an amazing place to eat lunch or dinner. If you make a dinner reservation and time it just right, head outside after your meal to catch a great view of the Illuminations fireworks from the balcony area or the ground level of the pavilion below.


There you have it, our top “must-do” table service dining locations. We certainly have more where these came from, but for the sake of the article we decided to share just a few for the time being. Did your favorite make the list?  

If you want to see an in depth review of any of these restaurants, be sure to let us know in the comments. We’ve eaten at the vast majority of restaurants on property, so let us know what you want to see next.   

Why Disney Keeps Us Coming Back – Magical Moments From A Disney Trip

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Caitlin

Walt Disney World is near and dear to mine and Collin’s heart. We have visited the magical place every year (often multiple times a year) since I was five and Collin was two years old. When people learn this about us, they usually ask, “Don’t you want to go somewhere else? Isn’t it boring?” If you’re a part of the Disney community, then you already know the answer. Disney is ALWAYS special; you will never experience the same trip twice. Today I am giving you a roundup of the most magical moments from our recent Disney trip.


Disney cast members are like no other. They make a great effort to create a special experience for all of the guests. But, sometimes, there are moments when they go above and beyond to make someone’s day. During our July trip, I turned 24, and was extremely excited to celebrate my birthday in a Disney park for the first time. In all of our summer visits to the Kingdom, we had strangely never been there for my birthday! As most do, I took full advantage of it by wearing a birthday button all week (you know you’ve done it). 

We were at Epcot to celebrate the 4th of July. In true mom fashion, she wanted some caramel corn from Germany while she watched the fireworks. I’ll hand it to her, that stuff is phenomenal. Collin and I nominated ourselves to walk, quite literally, around the world to get it for her while she saved our fireworks spot on the bridge. – Side note. A great Illuminations spot is to park it at the bridge between the France and United Kingdom pavilions – When we arrived at Karamell-Kuche, the line was out the door. Apparently everyone’s mom wanted caramel corn that night! Collin and I waited . . . and waited. . . and waited until we had about 15 minutes left before the show. When we (finally) arrived at the counter, the cashier asked me if it was really my birthday (always wear your birthday pin!), and I told him that it was two days from then. He handed us the caramel corn and said, “Happy Birthday.” I’m not sure if the sweet man recognized that the line had taken ages or if he was simply kind, but we walked out with free popcorn. Magical moment #1. (Not as magical was the walk/sprint back around Epcot in 5 minutes flat) 

Fast forward to my actual birthday. We visited Crystal Palace to kick off the day with my favorite breakfast in the parks. Disney is really great about making birthdays special. When celebrating at a restaurant in the parks, the servers will add confetti to your table. You will also receive a birthday card signed by the characters and a cupcake brought to you with a song (even if it’s breakfast time). 


Later on, we visited Starbucks. Cast members at Disney Starbucks are known for drawing cute designs on the cups. When I received my tea, the cup had, “Happy Birthday,” written on it along with some Mickey ears. Although a simple gesture, it was a sweet addition to my much-needed cool drink. 

For dinner, our family snagged a walk up at The Plaza (now that’s a magical moment in itself). The food was wonderful – look for a detailed post soon – and I HAD to order desert. After looking at the dessert menu, I was so sad to see that my favorite treat, the ice cream cookie sandwich, was not there! I asked my waitress if it could be ordered there, and she replied with, “I’ll see what I can do.”  A few minutes later, she arrived with the most glorious ice cream cookie sandwich you have ever seen, complete with peanut butter on top. I was absolutely thrilled and completely full! To make the event even sweeter, the waitress removed the cookie from our bill. She simply laid down the check and said, “Have a happy birthday.” 

Our final magical moments came at the Contemporary Resort. My family loves to resort hop, and we found ourselves at the Contempo Café one evening (another great counter service option). While there, I realized that I should look for some Mickey shaped straws. Some of you may not know that I am a teacher, and I was on a hunt to acquire Mickey straws for my entire class. I had searched all of the gift shops at the Contemporary and our hotel (Wilderness Lodge), but could not find a single straw. One of the cast members at the Contempo suggested I check The Wave downstairs. I thought this was a strange suggestion, since this was not a Disney-themed restaurant, but I gave it a try. When arriving at the desk at The Wave, I felt a little silly asking the ladies for 11 Mickey straws, but they didn’t bat an eye. They called to the back for the manager to hunt some down. While we waited, the ladies said, “So you’re a teacher?” I explained to them that I had five year old students who would absolutely love the straws. The ladies then opened their desk drawer and pulled out two brand new rolls of Disney stickers. They handed them to me saying, “Your kids will love these.” I was so excited; it was such a kind gesture. About that time, the manager came from the back with a brown paper bag. She asked me some questions about where I taught and how I enjoyed teaching. Then, she gave me the bag full of Mickey straws and said, “Enjoy your school year.” I expressed to her that I would love to pay for them, but she refused. It absolutely made my day. Such kind moments from the wonderful ladies at The Wave. 


There you have it, a wrap up of our most magical moments from our last trip! Although some of these events may seem simple, it makes such a difference when people treat you with an extra dose of sweetness. It may always be changing, but Disney has never lost its magic touch. 

Have your own favorite moment you want to share? Be sure to share your stories with us on social media! If you enjoyed this article be sure to welcome Caitlin back by following us on Instagram. She really leads our Instagram sharing! (link in header) 

"Departed Disney" – Walt Disney World’s Skyway – A Returning Concept

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

With the recent revival of the gondola concept, we thought it would be great to take a look back at “what was.” The original Skyway was a classic day one Walt Disney World attraction and an experience that many early Disney World fans have extremely fond memories of. Despite experiencing a controversial closure, the attraction created a view of the Magic Kingdom that was truly unparalleled. For many, it was a highlight of their Disney vacation from 1971 up until it’s closure in 1999. 

(Photos – Flickr: George Thomas – Labeled For Reuse)

The attraction itself was borrowed from the Disneyland iteration and featured an extremely similar design. Both systems would carry guests in a “one-way” or “two-way” fashion to and from Fantasyland/Tomorrowland. However, opposed to the Disney World variation, Disneyland’s Skyway passed through the Matterhorn attraction throughout a good portion of it’s existence. Unfortunately, in 1994 Disneyland permanently closed this attraction citing a weakened structure along with other issues.
The Walt Disney World Skyway continued operation for quite a few years after the Disneyland iteration’s closure. For guests, this simple experience provided an aerial view of all of Fantasyland as well as a vast portion of Tomorrowland. The view from above was a thrilling experience according to guests who had the opportunity to see it first hand. Personally, the nostalgia factor for this attraction goes far beyond the history of the parks. In the early years of Walt Disney World, I had a relative visit the park who truly loved this attraction. It eventually became the memorable experience of their short time at Walt Disney World. Of course, these were the same relatives that thought Space Mountain was a casual boat ride through “space” (they were sadly mistaken). While their one day in the parks wasn’t the most pleasant after that, considering they both got horribly motion sick, they still held on to that simple memory of the Skyway from the very same day. It was something they talked about for years and they really weren’t Disney fans like many of us reading this certainly are. For them, it was a one of a kind experience that they’d never seen before! 


The attraction was certainly built as a forward thinking concept developed by WED Enterprises to truly share something “new” in the theme park realm. The early manufacturing was achieved by the Von Roll organization out of Switzerland and was the first of it’s kind in the United States when it first debut at Disneyland. Surprisingly, the Von Roll organization is still in business today (operating under a different name), while it operates in different industries. 

However, while the original manufacturer will not be developing the new system directly as it was at that time (the group Doppelmayr will be who were sold the ropeway division), this simply goes to show that no good idea ever gets truly left behind in Imagineering.The new project will without a doubt be much more advanced than the original Skyway, but Disney has promised that the new gondolas will take guests back to the original concept. The design will feature elements of the early Skyway while debuting a new name, “The Skyliner.” Of course, as with anything Disney announces, the idea has certainly faced controversy, but really should be an intriguing new addition to the Walt Disney World Resort area. 

Sadly, an unfortunate circumstance resulting in the death of a cast member occurred a short time before the Walt Disney World Skyway’s closure, but Disney stated the closure was unrelated. Today, after years of being abandoned, the former Fantasyland Skyway station has been demolished and transformed into one of the most impressive themed restrooms on property (and no that isn’t a joke, they’re really impressive!).  

Video: Disneyland’s Skyway 1992



Today, it’ll be interesting to see how the logistics of the new undertaking will unfold, but I really am looking forward to it’s debut. I never did get the chance to experience the Skyway first hand (I was 3yrs old when it closed), so the much more modern variation could be a great throwback to the early days of Walt Disney World! 
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