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5 Simple Ways to Save Money At Walt Disney World

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Planning for a Disney vacation can certainly get expensive quick, but there are quite a few ways to eliminate some of the unwanted costs associated with the vacation experience. Of course there are a few obvious ways to save some money including the discounts Disney puts out on a fairly regular basis, however, there are quite a few other less obvious ways to avoid spending extra money. So, today we’ve come up with 5 Simple Ways to Save Money At Walt Disney World. These certainly aren’t the only ways, but hopefully we share something useful that you can use during your next Disney vacation.

1. Book Early When Possible
-In many cases, throughout the booking process the most budget friendly rates will appear at the farthest out portion of the booking window from your experience. However, in many cases, Disney will release discounted rates throughout the year for different seasonal price percentage discounts. If you’ve already booked your vacation, you can always rebook your vacation at the discounted rate. Personally, I recommend using a travel agency like our friends over at Destinations to Travel (We’ve provided a completely free quote request form for them down below) so that they can monitor the dates of your stay and rebook accordingly to save you any money you possibly can. While during some seasons Disney does not offer discounted rates, it’s often quite likely that a cheaper rate will pop up at some point before your vacation. 

Also worth noting is that you should always take a second look at the “free” dining offers before booking them automatically or even requesting to book. In some cases, “free” dining isn’t technically ‘free.’ In many cases, you may be better off booking at a discounted percentage rate or even at the standard rate and paying to add the dining plan or simply buying your meals out of pocket. That plan certainly isn’t for everyone as many like to have  a set full vacation figure and pay everything before they arrive at the parks so that they don’t have to worry about costs once they arrive un the parks. Either way, it’s definitely worth looking into and certainly something a great travel agent can look into for you.     


2. Spend a Day Outside of the Parks 
-I’ve mentioned this option a few times for a variety of reasons across many articles. Taking a brief break from the parks can afford guests a great deal of different opportunities. First and foremost, taking away even one park ticket from your stay can really save you a significant amount of money, especially if you have a family of four or more. 

Thankfully, if you do decide to remove a park day from your itinerary, you do have a lot of other great free options. A personal favorite of ours is to simply tour the resorts. Spending time hopping from resort to resort using Disney’s free transportation can actually be an outstanding experience. If you really want to upgrade your shopping and wandering experience, set up a reservation at one of the many resort table service locations. The food at nearly all of them is outstanding, and typically will turn out to be much cheaper than spending a day in the parks and you really can enjoy an outstanding day simply touring a few resorts. 

Beyond resorts, be sure to spend some time at Disney Springs. The shopping and dining experiences that have debuted are really second to none in the Orlando area. While the shopping locations are quite high in many cases, other locations like Uniqlo are extremely affordable ($14 Tee Shirts!).          
  


3. Utilize the Top Counter Service Locations
-Disney is full of counter service locations, but more and more, the offerings at these locations are getting increasingly tasty. For example, Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter has outstanding food at counter services prices that could easily pass for table service dining options. This certainly isn’t the only option, but it’s definitely one of our favorites. Another great option is Captain Cooks over at the Polynesian. 

By utilizing many of these top counter service locations, you can easily eat great food while avoiding many of the high costs associated with some table service offerings in and around the parks/resorts.    


4. Eat Breakfast at Table Service Locations
-Another great option regarding dining is to book breakfast at table service locations rather than lunch or dinner. This is a simple tip, but it really can save you quite a bit of money. For example, a the Crystal Palace character meal at Magic Kingdom you can save over $10 per person by eating the breakfast buffet. The experience remains the same in nearly every case, but the costs associated with the meal are drastically reduced. In the short run, $10 doesn’t seem like much, but it very well could be the cost of a counter service meal later on in your vacation.     


5. Utilize Free Resort Activities
-To be quite honest, this is one perk for Disney resort quests that gets completely overlooked by so many guests. Throughout the day at every Disney resort, activities are held for guests of all ages. Some activities are quite simple like pool games for kids, but others can be quite fun for the whole family. On a vacation to Disney’s Contemporary Resort quite a few years ago, we took part in a Disney parks trivia game hosted by the resort. The prizes ranged from board games to small gift baskets or similar items. At the end of the day we took home a limited edition Indiana Jones Monopoly game that we still have to this day. The game itself is outstanding and quite the collectible today, but more than anything it’s a very unique memory that we have of our time at the resort. It didn’t cost us a dime and the experience is something that we’ll remember for years. 

Beyond basic games, each resort typically has its own special events throughout the week including everything from scavenger hunts throughout the resort to movies around a campfire or resort pool location. These events don’t cost anything extra and really do provide a fun variety of ways to explore and appreciate the little details that set the Disney resort experience apart from hotels across the country.

So, did we miss one of your budget saving ideas? If so, be sure to share it with us on your favorite social media platform. Know a friend planning a Walt Disney World vacation on a budget? Please share this article with them! Thanks!  

An Answer To The Age-Old Monorail Expansion Question

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

After years of various means of transportation at Walt Disney World that has been seemingly unchanging, we are finally getting a new form of Disney transportation. The company just announced earlier this week at the D23 Expo that we are indeed getting the rumored gondola style transportation system. Of course, the new technology brings up an age old question, “Why not just expand the monorail?” 


Well, to be quite honest, there have been a variety of reasons. First and foremost is the cost comparison. When Disney first debuted their monorail fleet in the early 70’s, the cost to build was no where near as high as it is today. Essentially it is a cause and effect style solution to the large-scale transportation problem. If Disney built an extension on the monorail today, which hasn’t happened since the 80’s when the Epcot loop was added, the cost would likely be at or above 50 million dollars per mile when compared to other near identical projects accomplished within the last 10-15 years.  

By comparison, we can only assume that Disney has found a better option with the Gondola construction option or at least one that could drive increased resort bookings and yield higher revenue than what a monorail expansion would create. Gondola prices are really all over the map varying from 20 million for roughly two miles to well into the 80-100million dollar range and higher. 

However, when you compare that to the costs of similar “monorail” style expansions in the last 10 years, the difference becomes fairly evident. For example, the Bombardier MVI built out in Las Vegas in 2004 cost over 88 million dollars per mile to construct. Also, a similar design built in 2003, the Kuala Lumpur Monorail cost near 70 million dollars per mile and features a much smaller tram design than Walt Disney World’s current iteration. Of course, many different elements play into those costs, but one thing is certain, the 1 million dollar per mile estimate that floats around the internet is far from true by today’s standards and costs.


While all of the numbers are interesting, we do know for a fact that Disney has decided to go with the Gondola style system for likely a variety of reasons beyond cost itself. To me though, perhaps the most interesting element of the project isn’t related to the cost at all, but rather the design. According to concept images released by Disney, the new system will bring back design elements from Disney’s classic Skyway attraction. While the system will be entirely different fundamentally, it will be incredible to see a “classic” and nostalgic design element of Walt Disney World of days past return to Disney property. 

So, what do you think? Should they have avoided the risk and went with an incredibly pricey monorail expansion or do you like this new concept which is soon to become a reality? 

Thanks for reading and be sure to SHARE this with friends! Thanks!       

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Our Top 5 Photo Opportunities at Walt Disney World: Share Your Photos With Us!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

A Disney vacation is always a memorable experience, but a small piece of that overall experience is capturing memories through photos. For many, this is a huge part of their Disney parks vacation. Personally, I’ve always been a big proponent of doing whatever you can to distance yourself from a smartphone or other technology while in the parks in order to really enjoy every moment without experiencing things through a lens or screen. However, to be quite honest, I’m the biggest offender of my own rule, especially now that we’re capturing new information for the site as we tour the parks. 

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I don’t really consider myself a photographer in any way. The level of detail and color a good photographer can portray through an image is far beyond my skill level. Thankfully, with the growth of technology, many of us can take decent photos to share with friends and family with simply a smartphone and a little patience. So, today we’re sharing a closer look at our top 5 photo opportunities that can really help capture memories from Walt Disney World (photos best viewed on desktop). 


1. First and foremost, everyone who comes to Walt Disney World wants to take that classic Cinderella’s Castle picture. However, it has become increasingly difficult to share a photo that doesn’t have hundreds of guests filling in the background. Personally, I’ve found two remedies to this issue. One option is to try and make it until park closing time. As the crowds thin out, about 30 minutes after the park “closes” you’ll be able to claim a spot and set up a great family photo. Another option, and typically the one I resort to is to leave the family or friends out of the picture and find a spot either under one of the new light projection areas on the left or right side of the castle. Another great spot is right before entering the walkway through the castle itself. Right before you enter, look straight up and you’ll be surprised how interesting the photos can be. Then, when you return home, you’ll have a new perspective to share with friends from your vacation and avoid all those random people in the background of your classic castle photo. 


2. Second, and perhaps my favorite opportunity, is to to take some time and explore the resorts. For example, pick a floor at the Contemporary resort and head all the way to the corners facing the Magic Kingdom. If you don’t already know, there is also a huge balcony that opens up from the Grand Canyon Concourse and views the Magic Kingdom. However, nearly every floor has a door out to a staircase area as well (just make sure it’s not an emergency exit and that it doesn’t lock when you walk out!). Each resort really has an outstanding view at some point throughout the grounds if you take just a few minutes to explore. No matter if it’s a family photo or simply an image to share, thinking a little outside of the box can make all the difference. 

(They need a new bulb!) 


3. Shut down the parks! As mentioned above, if you’re patient and just hang out around the parks as the night slowly comes to a close, the parks really change into a strikingly unique environment. There’s no mass chaos of people running to get to their next fastpass selection, no tour groups chanting through the streets, and really no reason to be rushed. Sit back and relax or simply shop around Main Street for a few extra minutes at the end of the night and you’ll be surprised at what you can capture and share. For example, imagine a completely empty Tomorrowland or a view of Fantasyland with an empty carrousel and only a few cast members in site. It’s an experience that takes you back and reminds you of memories from past vacations in a way that is really hard to explain. Along the way, take a camera or simply a phone with you and the cast and security won’t bother you if you’re simply taking pictures. There’s really nothing quite like seeing a place that remains so crowded all the time slowly drain the crowds and prepare for a new day. 


 //z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US&adInstanceId=424d1b2e-f1dd-448c-92a0-f733f86899304. Fourth on our list is something that not everyone may agree with and that is character photos. Personally, I don’t care what age you are or why you’re touring the parks, always try and get a picture with at least one character. I know the lines can be long, but character interactions can be some of the most memorable experiences for guests of all ages. Face charters like Mary Poppins and many others can weave stories together and create experiences that can only really be appreciated when you experience it first hand. Capturing those memories isn’t always easy, but if you’re the one taking the pictures, always have your camera ready for those “unexpected” moments. 

5. Last but not least, I recommend that you visit Animal Kingdom as the sun goes down. To be quite honest, I hadn’t really done this up until our last few vacations (partially because it was rarely open until sundown before Pandora), but it really is a unique experience and one that lends itself to outstanding photo opportunities for amateurs like myself as well as very skilled photographers. The park truly come alive at night in ways that you can’t really grasp during the day (as is the case with most of the parks). Dinoland takes on a completely different look and feel as the lights overhead start to glow and the true carnival style atmosphere debuts. Not to be outdone, Expedition Everest also lights up as the sun falls from the sky and really shifts the attractions entire look. Last but certainly not least, you have Pandora. There is truly nothing quite as spectacular in photos at Disney as Pandora during sunrises and sunsets. As the night progresses, the bioluminescent forest starts to transform and the whole place turns into a photo opportunity that is second to none.


There you have it! As I mentioned above, I don’t claim to be a photographer and each and every one of these pictures were simply taken on an iPhone 7. I have considered getting into it a little bit more to share here on the site, but nonetheless it simply goes to show that you can share so many memories with friends and family simply by observing some unique photo opportunities around you. 

Above all else, we want you to share your favorite Disney photos with us! No matter if it’s a family picture, quick smartphone image, or an incredibly professional photo, we want to see your favorite photo opportunities at Walt Disney World. Share them with us in the comments on your favorite social media site (links to ours above) or tag us in your favorite photos! 

Thanks for reading, and be sure to SHARE this post with friends that may be traveling to the parks in the near future! Thanks!     

Today, we also wanted to share that our Guide4WDW logo gear is on sale for a limited time. We have shirts, phone cases, sweatshirts, stickers and more. All proceeds help support the site directly! Thanks! 

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A Closer Look: The Mind-blowing Details of ‘Pandora: The World of Avatar’

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

As many of you may know, we recently returned from a trip to Walt Disney World. It was another outstanding experience, but part of what we were truly looking forward to seeing for the first time was Pandora. Of course, it’s the big “must-do” for Disney this summer, but to be quite honest I wasn’t always a fan of the project. 


When Pandora was first announced back in 2012, I was one of the earliest critics of the concept. To me, Pandora wouldn’t fit the theming of any Disney park, and much less, Animal Kingdom. As more details rolled out I slowly, yet surely, let the project grow on me. However, It wasn’t until Joe Rohde was announced as a predominant leader in the project that I truly got excited about the new development. Of course, I still had my doubts. 

As time went by and the new animatronic was officially teased (which later became the Shaman from Na’vi River Journey) I honestly began looking forward to the land’s distant debut. Long story short, as more and more details unfolded, the level of detail involved and the painstakingly intricate design process played out, I was ready to see it for myself. 


Once media events really started rolling and pictures finally started trickling out, I knew this place had to be something incredibly unique, but I wanted to hold all of my personal judgement until I experienced it first hand. To be quite honest, when we got to the park on the first Sunday of our week at Walt Disney World I was beyond impressed. First and foremost, as you make your way through the park it truly feels as if you are entering an entirely different place when you approach Pandora. The environment leading up to the grand “reveal” slowly surrounds you with subtle details. As you round one last corner of the path, you really step through that “portal” Disney has accomplished so brilliantly time after time. The instant reveal really blows your mind. The mountains appear to float ever so effortlessly over the guests below and even create the illusion of slight movement (while they remain still). It’s an experience that’s incredibly hard to put into words. The whole scene seems so impossible, yet you’re seeing it right in front of you. 



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The details of the land are really second to none, and coming from me that really is a bold statement. I’ve always been about the little details of the Walt Disney world experience, but this really takes things to a new level. Not only are the details a part of the experience, but they’re truly everywhere you look. Even before taking the attractions into account, the area really lends itself to simply walking around. As a guest, you could spend days on end there and never really take note of everything in the environment around you. For that reason alone, you can see how it took nearly 5 years to complete. 

From the exotic sounds, to gurgling waterfalls, and seemingly endless exotic plants, this is really an experience like you’ve never seen before. Believe it or not, the land is an entirely different experience at night as well. I didn’t really believe the hype of nighttime in Pandora (and I still prefer it in the light), but the atmosphere really comes alive with an entirely different light and a variety of sounds. 

The entire place is a photographers dream. Now, I certainly don’t consider myself a photographer, and even I could leave Pandora with some outstanding images (included in this post). It’s really interesting to think about the whole photography aspect of the experience. As is true in many cases, Disney creates an environment that encourages photography in a way that no other amusement park can truly capture. How many people do you know that stroll through a typical roller coaster park taking pictures of everything? Disney takes things to an entirely different level, and the results really speak for themselves! 

In regard to the attractions, Na’vi River Journey exceeded my expectations. Yes, it is a slow moving and quite short dark ride, but it’s an attraction that has incredible re-rideability. You could experience this attraction 10 times and see so many different details of the experience each and every time. Personally, I wish Disney would have made it about 2 minutes longer than they did, but the queue and surrounding areas more than make up for the short attraction.

The Flight of Passage E-ticket attraction is nothing short of spectacular. Personally, I was a bit skeptical going into it due to the fact that I do get motion sick (see out article: An Honest Analysis: Flight of Passage From A Motion Sickness Perspective), but I really was blown away by the experience. There’s nothing quite like it and that’s really the best way to explain the entire ‘Pandora: The World of Avatar’ expansion. At many points in the experience, there are no words to describe what you’re seeing and experiencing. I understand that sounds ridiculously over positive, but it’s just something you have to see for yourself to understand. 

If you haven’t already, be sure to find a way to get to Pandora! I was skeptic at first, but that view has certainly changed! Thanks for reading and have a great rest of the day! If you liked this article, please SHARE it with friends! Thanks!  

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The Top Unanswered Questions From The D23 Expo! – A Closer Look

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

As many of you certainly know, Disney just unveiled a huge series of upgrades coming to the Disney parks over the next few years. However, Disney’s reveal left a lot of questions unanswered and likely for a variety of good reasons. So, instead of repeating everything they have shared in their quite all inclusive articles over on the Disney Parks Blog, we’re taking a look at some of the questions these reveals have brought up. I do want to mention, before I really get into some details, that this is in no way intended as a criticism of the new additions. Everything looks truly outstanding, we just want to share some interesting items we picked up on throughout the presentation.  

First and foremost, while looking at the new concept art for Epcot’s Future World (which is interestingly the only concept image Disney has yet to release) a few distinct things are missing. The most striking elements left out of the image are the current wings housing Mouse Gear, potentially Electric Umbrella, Club Cool, and possibly the Fountain of Nations.
Of course, this very well could be a rough concept for the redesign, it would be quite interesting to see how a Future World with only one counter service location (Sunshine Seasons) and the loss of it’s largest retail location would operate. These things may get relocated, but to me it doesn’t quite add up to remove that particular area and not replace it with something other than the trees and walkways of the conceptual rendering. 
    
  
Also worth noting about the area is that a few things remain that we didn’t quite expect. For example, did anyone else notice the big yellow dome which was the Wonders of Life Pavilion at one point? For some reason it is still in the picture, which makes me think an attraction could go there in time that has yet to be announced (of course, that is blue sky speculation). Many believe the Imagination Pavilion will be getting a reboot along the way, but it is also cut off from the image, possibly intentionally. 


As you get closer to the World Showcase area of the park, the layout gets a bit interesting. First, it looks like a new or modified variation of the Fountain of Nations could be in the works. Also, the fountains surrounding the paths could point to a new nighttime spectacular as has been expected for quite some time to replace Illuminations. Again, simply speculation. 

Perhaps the most intriguing piece of the design is the round shaped building in the lower left of the image (near the monorail tracks). My personal guess is that this could be the new space themed restaurant. Of course, this is simply concept renderings, so things could definitely change and likely will do so over time as the project progresses.   


Moving beyond Epcot, another question arises. As Disney announced, a new DVC resort is being built and is said to have a roof top area that views both Epcot and Hollywood Studios nighttime entertainment. In all reality, that really leaves a few select places for the hotel to be located. However, based on the viewing opportunities for fireworks and other shows as described, it really lends itself to the space between Caribbean Beach and Hollywood Studios. We’ll just have to wait and see what they do! 


Moving over to Magic Kingdom, we now officially know that Tron will not encroach upon the “lifespan” of the Tomorrowland Speedway. Interestingly though, the image features a steam engine rolling down the same track structure that is already in place, despite it’s path running directly through the Tron Light cycle Coaster. My guess is that they’ll work around this similarly to how they do over at Splash Mountain. Either way, it’ll be neat to see how they avoid compromising the theming clash between the two concepts of completely different eras. Also arriving in the park is a new theatre which appears to be an addition rather than a redesign of current Main Street. If that’s the case, where will it go? In my own opinion, it appears from the image that it would be along the left hand side of Main Street, potentially in the area behind the fire station where the current backstage buildings are. Another possibility could be in the space directly behind Tony’s. Currently, the area is a parking lot and there is more than enough room for a fairly large theatre. If that is the case, an expansion of Main Street would be all but inevitable. While the backstage area is themed due to currently being used to alleviate exit traffic, I don’t see it as a permanent solution.  
      

Last, but not least, we haven’t quite been told how this new Star Wars “hotel” experience is going to develop. In my own opinion I see it operating similarly to how the cruises currently work. As a guest, everything would be included in the cost of your stay, and it very well could be on a per person rate rather than a room by room basis based on how they briefly described the experience.


There you have it. These are the top unanswered questions we have after the parks and resorts presentation at the D23 Expo. With all things considered, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens as it slowly but surely plays out. We’re truly looking forward to all of these expansions, but do have a lot of questions! Either way, things change and the parks will always be developing over time as Walt originally intended them to. As I’ve shared many times, Imagineering has never let me down, and I certainly don’t expect this to be the first time!

As always, thanks for reading and please SHARE this article with friends! What questions do you have about the new projects? Did we miss anything? Be sure to share your thoughts with us as well! Thanks!  

(Concept Art: Disney)

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Outstanding Disney History Hiding in Plain Sight: The Carolwood Room

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin


Over the years, Walt Disney was fascinated with all sorts of things that were mechanical. While the fascination with such objects is something many of us can understand and truly appreciate, Walt took that simple inclination and ran with it throughout a good portion of his life. Today, there’s a small section of the magic that Walt never got to see, but that chronicles a great portion of his life that many guests will simply never take the time to appreciate. So, today I wanted to share with you a hidden gem of Walt Disney World. It won’t cost you money, and honestly it won’t cost you a whole lot of time, but you’ll leave this place with a greater appreciation for the man who started it all! 

If you’re like me, and appreciate the history behind the magic, head over to the Carolwood room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for a rare look at Walt Disney the man rather than simply his Disney Parks creations. 

Walt was inspired by the little things in life but one of his greatest concepts that rarely gets the attention it deserves was the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. While this was not a full scale operating railroad, Walt built an utterly amazing miniature railroad in his own backyard at the Carolwood estate in Holmby Hills, California. The project itself was quite the undertaking, but through the vast knowledge of Roger E. Broggie, a 1:8 scale locomotive was created and eventually detailed out by Walt Disney himself. The small locomotive was named the Lilly Belle in honor of Walt’s wife Lillian Disney and first ran on the tracks at Carolwood on May 7th of 1950.


Interestingly though, in the beginning Lillian had one gripe about the overall project, she didn’t want a train traveling through her flower beds. As a result, the creative mind of Walt Disney came up with an idea for a tunnel with the help of Jack Rorex who worked for him in construction. The tunnel itself was called the “Rorex Tunnel” to credit the man behind the idea. Overall, the tunnel was 90 foot long and “S” shaped. That simple design element is interesting because if you were on the train you couldn’t see light from the entrance at the same time as light from the exit. It just goes to show, that the little details were all a part of Walt’s nature. He thought of so many things most people would glance right over. 

Unfortunately, in time Walt slowly built the Disneyland Park (debuting in 1955) and the grand in scale Carolwood Railroad was sold to a new owner with the home after many years. Thankfully this project led to a full scale locomotive operation at each of the Disney parks. Also worth noting is that in the early years of Disneyland, a great deal of the “transportation” within the park including the monorail (eventually) and each of the locomotives were technically owned by Retlaw (Walter spelled backwards) which later became WED Enterprises. As a result, Walt technically owned the operation of these Disneyland transportation resources and supposedly hand signed the checks of each cast member involved with these resources as the owner of Retlaw Enterprises. 

Now, you may be wondering how this all relates back to a room at Walt Disney World? Well, in the heart of Wilderness Lodge’s Villa Lobby you can find a small area that pays homage to this unique, yet highly influential piece of Walt Disney’s elaborate history affectionately called the Carolwood room. For years, I have stayed at Widerness Lodge, but not until recently did I recognize this small piece of classic Disney hiding in plain sight. Each and every day, guests of all ages pass by this beautiful display of Walt Disney information and artifacts without recognizing the influence it could have had on their vacation from essentially the beginning of Disney as we know it. 

As a Disney history connoisseur, experiencing this place was something that really made me take a step back and think about what I was seeing. Throughout the room there’s a variety of simple images and artifacts (some real, others reproductions) from Carolwood. The history portrayed by the room is far too much to put in one article, but one piece alone is worth the trip from wherever you’re staying during your trip. In the heart of the room, facing an outside window you’ll find two 1:8 scale train cars with faded white writing sitting in a large display case. Believe it or not, these are two authentic and original pieces of Walt’s personal Carolwood railroad. 

For a variety of reasons, this has become one of my favorite (if not my favorite) places on Disney property. To me, this is true Disney in a way that very few people appreciate. If you really think about the story this simple piece of Disney history helped create and influence over the years, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in such a simple object. There are countless places on Disney property that have Walt’s influence, but this is one of the very very few things on property that the man behind all of this we appreciate and enjoy personally spent time carefully crafting and detailing with his very own hands.   
Despite the simplicity of the item, these train cars truly stand for something Walt Disney personally loved. It wasn’t a part of one of his parks designed for other people, or even for his own family, but rather a passion of his own. To me, that’s a true Disney story. 

For that reason alone, it’s hard not to explore every little detail of this room once you realize the significance it played in Walt’s own life. Of course, homes and trains come and go, but the story these objects tell can really last forever as long as people keep preserving the legacy of Walt Disney. Personally, I sat in the big chairs of this area for a few minutes just reflecting on the history the memorabilia shares. It’s a quiet area, and there are typically very few guests around, but it’s something that you really have to dig into and explore in person to truly appreciate it’s significance. I typically suggest going late at night. You’ll likely be the only one there, it’s quite, and you can really take your time exploring the little details the room holds. 


For many of you, Disney is a place that is fun to visit and enjoy with family, and that’s outstanding, but be sure to take a moment and appreciate this small tribute to the man who started it all during your next vacation. Share the legacy of Walt Disney with a friend your traveling with, or even the kids in your life. As with much of Disney history, I truly believe appreciating and sharing the little details of the experience really help build an unforgettable Disney vacation.        

              

In the future, I would be happy to share more of the small details of this room, but for now i’ll let you explore it for yourself. If you want to hear more about this place and the stories it can tell or the memorabilia from it, be sure to let me know and I’ll continue this Carolwood series! Thanks for spending a few moments here with me, and have a great rest of the day. 

While you’re here, be sure to shoot me a friend request on Facebook so I can keep in touch with some of our readers and answer any questions you may have! I really enjoy interacting with fellow Disney fans and make an honest effort to personally reply to any comments on our posts! -> Facebook -Collin K.    


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Day 1 Wrap Up: D23 Updates Throughout The Weekend! Continually Updating!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Throughout the day today we’re going to be updating you on everything we can as it debuts at the D23 Expo 2017. While it is still quite early on in the event, a few new announcements have already been made and many more are likely on the way. Unfortunately, we are not at the event this year, but as new information starts rolling out we’ll share our thoughts and all the details in this one continuously updating post!  

First and foremost, just last night Disney released, much earlier than expected, (which hadn’t even officially started yet) a model of Star Wars Land at he event. The entire set up will be on display throughout the weekend and it is truly hard to put into words. The model is gigantic and based on live video rolling out from the event this morning, it looks as if cast are telling guests that this is in fact the model for Disneyland. There have been a few inconsistencies in that fact, but if it is the case, this will be a huge expansion for Disneyland. Honestly, it will be interesting to see how it will fit in the park! 



Another aspect worth mentioning is that if this is the size of the Disneyland model, I can only imagine what the Disney World version could look like when it is complete. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the display that I see getting overlooked by many sources is the small window on the model which showcase the “entrance” into this new land. It truly will be like stepping into a different galaxy. Based on what has been debuted so far, it looks as if you will step through an opening in the path (which blocks your view) creating a grand reveal as you enter the new land! 

If you haven’t seen the images yet, be sure to check out the photos debuted by the Disney Parks Blog included in this post! 
Also worth noting is the fact that just this morning, D23 announced that Whoopi Goldberg will become a Disney Legend (likely occurring right now). That portion of the D23 presentations is currently in progress so we’ll update you with any fun info from that event as it wraps up. 
For now, we’re signing off for a few minutes to find some new information to share! Thanks for following along with us and please SHARE this post throughout the day as we update it! Each update will be marked in the article by the word UPDATE followed by a time (EST).   

UPDATE: 2:55pm (EST) 
As a part of the Disney Legends presentation, Mark Hamill, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, the legendary Stan Lee, Wayne Jackson (who was a big part of audio-animatronics in the Haunted Mansion and other icon attractions), and others were inducted as Disney legends! While this wasn’t exactly a surprise, each of these individuals have played an iconic role in the Disney franchise!

Also, just to share an interesting bit of information. It appears as if a piece of the Disney Dreams store has collapsed on guests. It is really unknown to us at the time being if anyone was significantly injured or not. Emergency services have been called just in case. According to some pictures being shared on social media, it looks as if a display shelf toppled over onto some guests shopping in the store. 

For now, this is the most up to date information we have but check back with us in a few hours for another update about the Expo. Our next update will likely roll out later tonight with our thoughts and opinions of the days events! Thanks again for following along with us and while we’re not at the event, we’ll do what we can to keep you updated!     

UPDATE 9:45pm Nightly Recap: Day One
Well, today was an interesting day for sharing D23 event info. While most of the day was focused on the Disney Legends Ceremony and information about upcoming films in animation, Friday was really big for guests to start checking out the show floors and this year’s booths. 

However, here’s a few big things we missed while we were away from the computer/phone late this afternoon (East Coast Time). 

First and foremost, we have a much better idea of what to expect from “Incredibles 2.” the film itself is set to debut on June 15th 2018 and according to reports quoting John Lasseter, it will in fact pick up exactly where the last film left off. While there was a bit of speculation concerning that fact after some brief concept art was released just a short time ago, it all is now essentially confirmed. Also worth noting is that Brad Bird is the Director of this film just as he was the last one, which should create an outstanding blend between the two films despite the long gap between them in real life. Personally, I’ve been waiting for this sequel for years so this was outstanding news! 

Another film in the works is Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck it Ralph 2. While this wasn’t necessarily a surprise, the film has been expected for a fair amount of time, it is a bit surprising how Disney seems to be “pushing” this film. Based on video from the event, they movie has it’s own (and quite impressive) booth area to promote the movie itself, but Disney really pulled out all the stops during the presentation. As a scene from the film sharing a closer look at Disney princesses involved with the film debuted to guests, John Lasseter was joined by the voices of many Disney princesses from over the years. Actors that performed voice overs ranging from Jodi Benson to Kristen Bell arrived on stage! Each of these princesses were invited back to voice their characters for there piece in the upcoming film. 

Last, but not least, a few vague details were shared about an upcoming Disneytoon studios film about the next generation of aviation in the “cars/planes” realm of films. While the concept is title-less right now, more details will likely arrive in the future. Pixar also shared some more info about a continuing franchise we all know and love, Toy Story. The next leg in the series will be Toy Story 4 and will be directed by Josh Cooley. While very little was shared about the film itself, it is supposed to debut June 21st, 2019. Frozen 2 was also supposedly mentioned at the event and is set to debut November 27th, 2019. If all of these films debut at the set dates, 2019 will be a huge year for animation! 

Well, that about wraps up the highlights for today, but be sure to return right back to this post tomorrow for even more info as it is shared. Again, we are not at the event, but will get the facts and our opinions out to you as soon as we can! Thanks for reading!     

UPDATE: Saturday 9:25pm 
After the mass release of Disney parks info that just rolled out in the parks and resorts panel, we’re going to take some time and really look at the whole release. We should have a full report at some point in the next day or so. Thanks for sticking with us. There’s a lot to take in. This will likely be the end of this post and a new article will roll out with more info!     
   


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Disneyland Paris Debuts New Auctioneer Redhead Scene In Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Despite mass internet response, we are seeing the new auctioneering redhead portion of Pirates of the Caribbean arrive across the internet. Of course, this will not be the exact variation which is set to debut at Walt Disney World in the not so distant future, but it should give us a relatively good idea of what to expect.

For those who may not know already, Disney has announced plans to roll out one mass change to existing Pirates of the Caribbean attractions. The classic redhead scene of your voyage is set to be modified so that it will become an auction of items rather than a selling of  the redhead. The “we wants the redhead!” line has been a classic part of the attraction for years, but Disney is making every effort to alter the story so that this new variation will replace the current redhead auction. 

(photo: WDW variation)
In my own opinion, this seems to add a scattered portion to the overall story of the attraction, but of course everyone will have to formulate their own opinion of the change. This variation arrives as Disneyland Paris gets set to officially unveil a refurbished Pirates attraction in the coming weeks. This particular video has popped up as a part of a “preview day” for certain pass holders at the Disneyland Paris resort. 
So, without further ado, here’s a closer look at the scene (starts around the 4:45 mark) from a great quality video posted by DLP Welcome on youtube! Be sure to subscribe to their channel while you’re there!   

Personally, I’m not a fan of changing classic attractions in any way, but things do change and Disney was never really designed to be nostalgic (as much as I wish it was), but rather as a place that could grow and develop as the world around it did.  
Here’s a closer look at the current Walt Disney World variation for comparison from our recent trip to the parks:

With all that being said, let me know what you think! If you liked this article, please SHARE it with friends on social media and in your favorite Facebook group where the rules allow it. Your shares really help us out and we truly appreciate you following along with us! Thanks! 
   

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Taking You With Us To The Wilderness Lodge With a Quick 360 Degree Image!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Well, this week I tried something a little new for us here on the site and that was a small step into the world of 360 degree photos. Of course, considering we don’t currently live in Orlando, these photos will be few and far between. However, I thought I’d go ahead and share a closer look at the property from a new perspective! 


So, we just got back from a stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. As many of you may know, the resort has been undergoing a fairly intensive re-imagining of a good portion of the property. Thankfully, it looks as if the new villas have unofficially been completed and the new Copper Creek cabins look superb! 

While we were on the property, we had the opportunity to explore many of the new areas including the new Boulder Ridge Cove quiet pool. The pool was quite a bit nicer than we expected, and features a new, somewhat “edgeless,” design which added a surprising, yet interesting element to the areas look and feel. Beyond that particular aspect of the experience, the pool features a zero entry area and a vast array of covered and uncovered seating for many guests. Opposed to some Disney resort pools, this particular circumstance allowed easy access to available seating without having to stake out a spot early on in the day. 

We really enjoyed the overall theming of the new pool area, and the food nearby at Geyser Point is really outstanding quality for a counter service location! However, we’ll share more about that experience at another time! 

Today, I just wanted to take a moment and share our first foray into 360 degree photos. It isn’t quite perfect in my honest opinion but it is certainly a step in the right direction! I do have a couple more potential uploads in 360 for this resort, so if you’re interested in seeing those or hearing more details of our stay at Wilderness Lodge, feel free to let us know! We truly appreciate the feedback! 

So, here’s a closer look at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in 360 degrees! (you may have to click the image and log in to your account to view the full 360 degree image and interact with it on your mobile device – you can also click and drag on desktop versions of Facebook to pan around the image!) 
       

If you liked this test of our 360 degree capabilities, be sure to SHARE this article and/or post on Facebook with friends! Thanks! 

Recorded Live: Disney’s Celebrate America – A Fourth Of July Concert In The Sky (Night 1)

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

After a rather unusual turn of events, tonight we got the chance to broadcast the Fourth of July Magic Kingdom fireworks live! The show itself features a classic score of music that greatly portrays the true spirit of America and this great place many of us call home! of course, this post is going up on the third of July, but that is simply because the show is done on both the third and fourth of July! 

(Photo: Disney)

While our original plan was to head to the Polynesian for a more typical view of the fireworks spectacular, the parking area filled well before the showtime tonight, but everything ended up working out quite well. (You see, even those of us who are Disney through and through run into a few planning problems along the way!)

Thankfully, we were able to create a new plan and head back to our resort for the week, Wilderness Lodge. So, instead of a beach view from the Polynesian tonight we brought you guys with us to the Wilderness Lodge club level balcony for a rather interesting view. For those of you who may not be familiar with the resort, Wilderness Lodge club level accommodations are (mostly) on the seventh floor of the resort and there is a unique viewing balcony for Magic Kingdom fireworks where the music gets piped in as well. It’s a surprisingly fun experience on nights with 360 degree fireworks!

So, here’s what you all probably came for: 
        
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Sorry if the video is a little shaky, after our change of events it was a little last minute getting things set up! 
Thanks for reading and be sure to SHARE this post and the live video with friends! Like the live video? Let us know what you think and more of these may be in the works away from the parks!