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The Story of Being Chosen as "First Riders" at Magic Kingdom

by Guide4WDW

The Story of Being Chosen as “First Riders” 

by: guide4wdw – Collin
twitter: @guide4disney 

instagram: @guide4disney

Every once in a while a simple day in the parks turns into something that you’ll never forget. Sometimes it’s the simplest details that make the biggest difference, but other times it’s the unexpected that truly creates a lasting impression. On one particular occasion, a moment extraordinarily surprising created a memory for my family that will last forever.

Quite a few years ago, long before fastpass+ and online booking systems, we entered the Magic Kingdom on an early entry day and planned on riding as much as we could before the crowds filled in for the morning. The day started out great and we got to experience a variety of attractions with virtually no wait. However, as many of you may know, not all of the attractions open for early entry. On this particular day, Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain didn’t open until the park officially opened for non-resort guests. So, since we had finished about all we wanted to accomplish of the attractions that were already open, we went on around to the back side of Fantasyland that leads into Liberty Square in order to wait for that portion of the park to open (when the main park opens, a rope blocking off the area is removed and the rest of the area is opened for the day). Thankfully, we were near the front of the pack and were happy that we may be able to walk on to both Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. Little did we know, minutes later we would be finished riding both attractions and one of them twice!

As the rope was removed and the crowds slowly made their way over to the two main attractions, cast members led the way to help manage the crowds (as they usually do). Unfortunately, a few rowdy guests decided to charge ahead and ignore the patient requests of the cast members. After all, they can only do so much with a crowd of people trailing behind them. However, that’s when things made an interesting change.

The cast member directly in front of us turned around and quietly whispered, “Would you like to be the first riders?” At first, we didn’t really understand, but we went along with it anyway and the cast member (who’s name I wish I could remember) simply said, “follow me”. So, we went ahead and followed along and off we went to the attraction. Once we got to Thunder Mountain, after leaving most of the crowd behind due to the fast pace at which we were ushered along, she proceeded to lead us through the exit onto the attraction. Once we got there, in a state of confusion, the other cast members pointed to an empty train and said pick your favorite row. We headed to the last row and off we went as the only people aboard the train.

To be completely honest, it was a strange experience to be on the attraction all by yourself. As you travel around the tracks you hear things and experience things that you don’t always pick up on when there’s a train full of excited guests. It was undoubtedly a unique experience.

As we arrived back at the station we were met with an array of expressions as the train pulled in and guests lined the queue. Half were confused, the other half were irritated and they all asked the same question, “how did they get here before us?”

As we went to disembark, the same cast member came over and told us not to get up. She simply closed the lap bar and off we went again, this time with a train full of passengers. After that second ride, we expected the exciting morning to be complete, but the same friendly face was waiting for us when we returned to the station. This time, all she asked was if we liked Splash Mountain.

As you can imagine, we said “yes”, and she pointed to a guy at the end of the exit and said follow him. So, off we went and to our surprise the same process played out over at Splash Mountain. When we finished up there, they basically wished us a great rest of the day in the park and as you can imagine our day was made.

It was an incredible experience to say the least! We never thought it could happen, never expected it to happen, and now it’s one of our many wonderful memories of Walt Disney World. It’s something we’ll absolutely never forget. Now, I’ve been to Disney probably hundreds of times, and I’ve only seen or experienced this happening once and to be honest, I don’t see it happening again any time soon. However, it was just one of those things that you’ll only ever experience at Disney. No other theme park would go out of their way to make a guest feel so special, no matter how simple the experience they provided may be.

Disney may not get everything right, but the guest experience and the unexpected events that have become synonymous with Disney are something that will hopefully never change. To be honest, I don’t know if this happens every day, once a year, or we just happened to be in the right place at the right time for a memory of a lifetime, but always expect the unexpected from Walt Disney World. It’s hard not to think that’s what Walt Disney wanted every single guest to experience at some point throughout there time in a place only he could have imagined.

Thanks for reading! Do you have a story like this or an experience that truly surprised you in the Disney Parks? Let us know about it down below in our newly redesigned comments page. Hopefully it’s easier for everyone to comment and interact with the new system.          

Top Unique Places to View the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom

by Guide4WDW
Top Unique Places to View the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom
by: guide4wdw – Collin
twitter: @guide4disney 
instagram: @guide4disney

Every fireworks show at Magic Kingdom is spectacular, but there’s always been something special about the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. The show really immerses guests in an entire story that will stick with you long after you leave the park. There’s nothing quite like it and with so many unique viewing locations, you can experience the show in a new and different way each and every time. 
While everyone loves to watch Wishes from that iconic Main Street U.S.A. location, there are many wonderful areas that offer a completely different experience centered around that same outstanding nighttime spectacular. While there’s nothing wrong with Main Street, and I recommend that everyone view the fireworks from there at least once, here are just a few of the many unique places to see the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom! 
-Pinocchio’s Village Haus
While this is listed as the Village Haus, its really outside of the restaurant where the full experience really comes to life. To witness this viewing location for yourself, stake out an outdoor seating location near the front left entrance closest to the carrousel. The tables are very difficult to obtain within an hour of the show, but if you do secure one, get ready for an experience that you won’t soon forget. (photo: dadsguidetowdw.com) 
As you prepare for the experience, grab some food and make sure you have a pretty clear view of the castle as well as a glimpse of New Fantasyland to your left. As the show begins, its hard to expect what this spot brings to the table. (Warning: It is not the best viewing location for children who are easily frightened by loud noises.) The fireworks surround you throughout the entire show due to the way Disney has created the sequence of the fireworks. Up by the castle, fireworks are launched off of the buildings that create the smaller effects within the presentation. However, the noise these fireworks create within such a close proximity is pretty amazing to witness. Also, you get to experience the show from a vantage point that is often overlooked, and of course what’s better than dinner with a show?       
-New Fantasyland
Close to the Village Haus is another interesting opportunity that debuted just a short while ago when New Fantasyland opened to guests. Right now, this is one of those hidden spots that very few recognize to be a great location to experience Wishes. While you will not get the classic view right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A., you do in fact get a view of fireworks towering over Beasts castle! 
The trick to this location is to be in the right place at the right time. You won’t have to stake out the spot because very few notice it unless they have witnessed it first hand, but it’s a very unique experience. To get there, make your way out beyond the Carrousel, and look for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train on your right. As you approach the portion of New Fantasyland where the drop from the mine train is visible, look to your left at Beast’s castle up on the hill in the distance. If you see the entrance to Enchanted Tales with Belle on your left, you’re in the right place. 
As the show begins, you’ll be able to witness the largest fireworks of the event towering over the castle on the hill, but also be able to turn around and experience many of the effects surrounding Cinderella’s castle. While it is not the perfect viewing point for every effect included in the fireworks spectacular, it gets you away from the crowds and sets up a one-of-a-kind sensory experience. You can hear the music for the show, the fireworks bursting in the distance, and the rolling cars of the Mine Train as they pass by. So, while not the perfect location, it is one of the better places to experience a unique portion of the many aspects Wishes has to offer. (photo: pinterest.com)    
-On the Seven Seas Lagoon
This one may surprise a few people. While technically not in the Magic Kingdom, after a long day at the park this is one of the more unique ways to experience the show. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) Disney has picked up on this one and are now offering fireworks dessert cruises with a variety of themes. While those experiences are great, you don’t necessarily have to shell out the big bucks to view Wishes from the water. 
If you manage to time it right, you can board a boat to any of the resort hotels that are accessible by water (I prefer the boat to Wilderness Lodge because it is usually a smaller watercraft and a better view from the open-air boats opposed to the closed-in boats) and get to experience a short portion of Wishes completely free of charge! Worth mentioning though is that you will not likely get to see the show in it’s entirety, but many of the captains tend to linger as they leave the docks as the fireworks are beginning. It is definitely something everyone should experience at least once and I guarantee that the reflection off the water and the fireworks high in the sky create an experience that cannot be replicated! (photo: mine) 

Honorable Mentions:
-The PeopleMover and Splash Mountain: While I decided to leave these two out because they are incredibly difficult to anticipate and you really only get short glimpses of the fireworks, some of the most unique views in the parks come from rides on these two iconic attractions. On Splash Mountain in particular, if you can manage to time your ride or fastpass+ selection with the time of the fireworks you can experience a great view that you can’t experience anywhere else. As you top the mountain beginning your journey, look towards the castle and back behind it to see the fireworks at almost eye level. Also, as you top the final hill you get an even better view of the fireworks in the distance, no matter how short of a glimpse that may be.
The PeopleMover (or Tomorrowland Transit Authority) is a bit different. While the attraction is usually a walk on, its hard to time your ride to get the best possible views of the fireworks themselves. However, you get to experience something unique. You get to see all the people from above and for even just a brief few seconds you get to witness all of those guests amazed by what they are experiencing. It’s one of those things that you can’t experience in a crowd of people, but from above, the scale of what’s going on around you is hard to overlook, yet great to experience first hand. 

There’s something magical about seeing the park at night. Everything is different, but in a good way. It’s an experience that you don’t get anywhere else and hopefully these unique places to watch the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular will create even more of those unique opportunities on your next visit to Walt Disney World. Of course, there are many more locations, so be sure to let us know what your favorite place to watch the fireworks is!       

Thanks for reading and if this gave you any new ideas or was something you enjoyed reading be sure to share it with friends! @guide4disney is almost 3,000 strong on twitter and we’re thrilled to have each and every one of you following along with us!

Why You Should Attend the Momentum Workshop Weekend with Lou Mongello!

by Guide4WDW
Why You Should Attend the Momentum Workshop Weekend with Lou Mongello! 
by: guide4wdw – Collin
twitter: @guide4disney 
instagram: @guide4disney

I knew I would write this post eventually, but I didn’t know quite when. So, today we’re going to tell you a little bit about how the site began. Over a year ago, I began writing a book, or I should probably say I began thinking about writing a book. Unfortunately though, it was one of those things that seemed like a great idea, but I had no idea where to start. Thankfully, I had began listening to the WDWRadio podcast (available on iTunes) quite a few months before and kept hearing Lou Mongello talk about how he tried something new and it became the occupation that he loves. If you haven’t listened to his podcast, I highly recommend it for any Disney parks fan. But, as you can imagine, we aren’t really here to talk about the podcast but rather the result of the podcast. 

After listening to one of the shows, I picked up on something I had never really paid much attention to before. At the end of the show Lou simply referenced that he would be happy to help anyone learn how to achieve their dream and start something new that they would enjoy each every day. I didn’t think much of it, but went ahead and sent him an email to see if he would have any tips on how to start writing a book of my own (Lou Mongello is the author of many Disney Parks books). To my surprise, he responded to the email and recommended a specific site to help the design and publication process. Believe it or not, the end result was my book finally getting written. He was more than helpful and the simplest of advice allowed me to do something that I enjoyed and make a few dollars along the way. 
Today, that book has developed into a website and hopefully the site will continue to grow over time. After I created the blog (hopefully soon to become a full-on website), I invited Caitlin to start writing with me to create more content for you to enjoy. Hopefully we’re moving in the right direction and if there’s anything you want us to post about in the future feel free to let us know below! 
Fortunately, I tell you this story for a reason! If you want to do the same thing, develop a similar concept, or have an idea that you want to turn into a business no matter how big or how small, be sure to look into the Momentum Workshop Weekend hosted by Lou Mongello himself! I guarantee that he can help make your idea into a reality. He helped me personally through just a few emails (that he didn’t even really have to respond to), so I can only imagine what he can do throughout an entire weekend. 

Discounted room rates are available on a first come first serve basis (contact Lou or click the banner below for more details). If you are convinced already that you want to go and turn your dream into a reality, be sure to use the code “FRIEND30” for 30% off the cost of the event!  

SIGN UP HERE: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/momentum-workshop-weekend-tickets-27049184840?aff=Momentum50&afu=186673915974

Check Out My Book and Lou Mongello’s Book Down Below: 

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Top 4 Disney Parks Books You Need In Your Collection!

by Guide4WDW
Top 4 Disney Parks Books You Need In Your Collection! 
by: guide4wdw – Collin
twitter: @guide4disney 
instagram: @guide4disney 

Disney is one of those places where you can read and plan all you want to, but you’ll never quite be able to learn and experience it all. Fortunately, authors over the years have compiled various information about the Disney parks in some incredible books to help you learn as much as you can. Now, travel guides are a dime a dozen (I even wrote one myself), but today we’re going to focus a little more on the often overlooked part of the Disney experience, what made the parks what they have become over the years. What happens behind the scenes isn’t always released to the public,but thanks to a few select authors, we get a look behind the curtain of the place that has created magic for guests for generations. 

1. Walt Disney’s Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow

So, the first book on my list of must reads is one that is rather hard to find in a bookstore, but one of the single best ways to get an idea of what Epcot Center was supposed to become. Notice I said supposed to become. The book contains many ideas that never quite became a reality when the park was completed. Also, due to changes over the years, the title features many attraction that are virtually extinct or already extinct in today’s park. While, that isn’t always helpful in planning for future vacations, it’s wonderful to be able to see what used to be, especially for those of us who never got to experience it first-hand in the parks. You get the chance to experience the attractions without actually being there. The designs and story elements of each attraction are there and it truly gives you an inside look at what Epcot was truly designed to be when it first opened. Of course, it was never quite the experience Walt envisioned, but it truly is interesting to see how different today’s park is from the Epcot of years past. Unfortunately, due to the books age, it is often only found in used bookstores or online.

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2. Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look At Making the Magic Real
Second on the list is possibly the most inclusive of the books on my top 4. However, it is also one of the largest and as a result it rarely fits on shelves of any size. Fortunately, given its size, it does make for an incredible coffee table book. In my opinion, this is one of the best Dinsey Imagineering books ever written. The pictures are incredible and many can only be found within the pages of this particular volume of the title. Years after the first edition, Disney released a similar second version with a similar title, but it is not quite the same. The newer version leaves out some of the history of the attractions and the design elements that make those attractions oh so special. The book itself is one that you could read over and over, hundreds of times, and still find something new each and every time you read it.

There’s so much to take in and so much that you may have never seen before, but that bonus may also be a turn off for many readers that aren’t quite the Disney fanatic that many of us have grown to be (it is over 190 pages long). The best way to describe the writings of this wonderful production comes from the pages of the book itself. It describes the joy of Imagineering by saying, “The magic rejuvenates the body, stimulates the mind and inspires the spirit. It is a source of happiness and a fountain of learning. The magic is also that feeling of anticipation when something wonderful is about to happen, and the joyous fulfillment of expectation when it does.” Oh, and did I mention the foreword was written by Michael Eisner himself?  

While this 3rd book is a strange inclusion to a list all about the backstories of the parks and how they came to be, once you experience what the book has to offer, you realize it really isn’t all that different. This book, which you can still find new today, has very few words, but hundreds of images created by the Disney artists for feature films in animated form. While the actual text is minimal, the experience of flipping through this “sketchbook” is quite eye opening. The images really show you exactly what goes into an animated film and the immense details and design changes that develop throughout the animation process behind the scenes. From concept art for Beauty and the Beast to scenes straight out of Pinocchio, it’s hard to wrap your mind around the fact that these simple yet incredibly wonderful sketches later lead to the incredible films that have entertained viewers for generations. In my opinion, this is the ultimate coffee table book and something that may become a collectors item down the road. It’s large, just like the aforementioned book, but the size really helps do the drawings justice. You can tell that Disney spared no expense creating the title and the physical quality of the print and binding is quite possibly the best I have experienced. While I am a little biased in favor of animation, it really is a book that many people will enjoy and one that holds a special place in my personal collection, just as each of the other books listed do as well. 
While I contemplated leaving this book off the list due to it’s immense detail and over the top architectural terminology, I realized that many of you may be like me and have a fascination for the little details that end up making the biggest differences in the Disney parks. With that being said, this is truly one of the best books written for those of us who truly enjoy seeing “how it was done”. The book features never before seen artwork and construction plans for various attractions and buildings across the various Disney parks and resorts, but also delves into the unique details that many of us truly overlook. Strangely, that is the design. Everything is just meant to fit together in just a way that you don’t see anything that appears to be out of place or out of the ordinary in the parks themselves. With everything from the color scheme of attractions to the more elaborate design elements and stories that created the Disney iconic attractions, this book has all of the details a certain Disney enthusiast will undoubtedly enjoy (you know who you are). I’m happy to admit, I am one of those people, and this book has ended up in my collection for both research purposes and for solely the joy of reading about elements of the parks that are often never talked about. Unfortunately, it is one of the more expensive books, and one that is fairly hard to find in used bookstores (thankfully amazon has a few available for sale).

Thanks for reading and be sure to share the article with friends on social media!           

The Incredible Role of Sound Throughout the Disney Experience! : VIDEO

by Guide4WDW
The Incredible Role of Sound Throughout the Disney Experience – In The Parks and Beyond! 
by: guide4wdw – Collin
twitter: @guide4disney 
instagram: @guide4disney
Close your eyes for a minute and picture Mainstreet U.S.A. at any of the Disney parks. The first thing that may come to mind is the view of Cinderella’s Castle, the smells that flow from the bakery, or Casey’s, or even the popcorn stand. However, there’s one more thing that truly completes the experience, the sounds that round out the sensory trifecta. Imagine a Mainstreet without sound or any one particular attraction without the music that accompanies the experience. It’s hard to picture, isn’t it?
The sounds of the Disney Parks are one of the many things a majority of us take for granted. The sounds, no matter how trivial, are one of those elements that just brings a smile to the face of guests each and every day. It could be the train whistle blowing in the distance at the Magic Kingdom, the subtle tones throughout the parks, or the iconic music that helps truly bring our favorite films to life right before our very eyes. There’s just something about it that puts a smile on your face and that smile comes from the simplistic joy of experiencing something so ordinary yet so extraordinary at the same time. You can’t expect it, but you’re guaranteed to experience it. Walt Disney understood that joy that’s so very hard to put into words. 

Walt made a deliberate effort to bring in the best at what they did to make his elaborate dreams a reality in a way that no one else could get quite right. For example, Richard Sherman (renowned Disney composer and Disney Legend) tells a story of how Walt Disney called him in to his office one day and when he walked in Walt simply said he wanted to show him something. Walt led him to another part of the building and opened a door and all that was there was a room with animatronic birds. Sherman claims it was an unbelievable thing to experience as he watched the birds “come to life” right before his very eyes. When the demonstration was over, he said he was amazed but couldn’t figure out what it was. Walt Disney looked at him and said I want you to write a song to explain it. (photo: wdwmagic.com) 

Being the artistic geniuses that Richard Sherman and his brother were (and still are today despite Robert’s passing), they took that simple instruction and ran with it. At this point you can imagine what that turned into later, but all it took was one song to transform animatronic birds into an attraction that later became an icon of the Disney Parks, The Enchanted Tiki Room! 
It’s amazing how one little detail of an experience makes all the difference. Richard Sherman also tells another, more well known story from the making of Mary Poppins. As most of us know, Mary Poppins was a great success, but that success came from a movie that was well rounded, original, and unique. The Sherman Brothers played a great role in creating the success of the movie through the songs that truly make the film. However, it paved the way for their role in many Disney films, but more importantly the Disney Parks.
Throughout the casting process for Mary Poppins, The Sherman Brothers were called into Walt Disney’s Studio to play music they developed and what would later become a part of the film. One of the songs Richard Sherman says that they played for Walt Disney was Feed the Birds. As they sang Walt just sat there and listened never saying a word until the song ended, then he looked up and said, “That’s the key to the whole story, isn’t it?”. That very same day the contract was written for the music hiring the Sherman Brothers into the Disney Company. As Richard Sherman still claims today, “It was the best 10 years of my life!”  

During the production of the movie, he says that Walt would call him into his office and ask him to play that very same song many times. Walt would just stand there and stare out the North Window of his office until he finished. I can only imagine what must have been going through Walt’s head, and wouldn’t it be incredible to know? (VIDEO: here’s the story straight from Richard Sherman) 
While that’s just an example, it just goes to show that a simple song or a simple array of sounds in the parks and beyond can create memories that you would never expect. Who knows what Walt was thinking, but I can guarantee that the music made all the difference, just as it does for each of us in the parks each and every time we go, no matter if we recognize it or not. It’s always the little things that make the biggest difference in the end. Something that Walt and the Disney Company understood and understand better than anyone. 
Thanks for reading and please share this post with friends, family, and anyone you know that may have an interest in Disney. We are not associated with the ©Disney Company, and give our honest opinions of all things Disney. I truly appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read this article and I understand how valuable your time is. As a friend of mine always says, “time is your most valuable resource” (-Lou Mongello) and I really appreciate you spending that time here with us reading the guide4wdw blog. 

If you liked this article, do me a huge favor and let me know down below! Like this post on Facebook and be sure to share the article on twitter. Thanks again, and until next time, have a wonderful rest of your day! 


NEWS: Children Under the Age of Ten Now Required to Fingerprint at Walt Disney World Parks

by Guide4WDW

Children Under the Age of Ten Now Required to Fingerprint at Walt Disney World Parks
by: guide4wdw – Collin
twitter: @guide4disney 

instagram: @guide4disney

While fingerprinting when you arrive at a Disney Park is nothing new, for some of the younger guests it very well may be! Reports are surfacing this week that children under the age of 10 are being required to fingerprint where they weren’t required to in the past. The change is taking place at any location where Magic Bands are required for theme park entrance.  


Disney claims that the new practice is a result of the increased frequency of ticket fraud as well as guests sharing tickets with other families on separate days. This would allow the family to avoid buying a ticket or would make it possible to pay less for park entrance by adding additional days to their admission ticket then passing off the ticket to another guest under the age of 10. 

While I understand the reasoning behind the decision, many guests are likely to be upset by the inconvenience. Also, this may have an effect on the growing lines to enter the park, especially with the increased security that is required due to recent events. 

Let us know what you think. Do you like the new process? Do you dislike the process? Will it affect you?  

Source: wdwnt.com 
    

4 Reasons to “Eat” Around the World At Epcot’s World Showcase

by Guide4WDW
4 Reasons to “Eat” Around the World At Epcot’s World Showcase 
by: guide4wdw – Collin 
twitter: @guide4disney 
instagram: @guide4disney 
For those of you who are die hard Disney Parks fans, you may have heard of a growing trend at Epcot called “Drinking Around The World”. While, for a certain audience, that can be an incredibly entertaining experience, Disney tends to frown upon the “game”. However, there is a clever alternative slowly making its way into the parks called “Eat Around the World”. 
For those of you who don’t know, “Drink Around The World” was essentially a challenge to stop at each of the 11 countries represented throughout the World Showcase and sample a form of alcohol at each and every stop. As you can imagine, it doesn’t always end well. Thankfully, with the growing trend towards food and garden related festivals in Epcot, eating at each of the countries instead of drinking is slowly growing in popularity. 
Now, I don’t recommend you eat a full meal at every single country represented, because that may have entirely different consequences of its own (although I may try it one of these days!).  Instead, make an effort to try a taste of some food item or share something with friends or family as you go. By the end of your experience you may have an entirely new form of entertainment and something to look forward to each and every time you visit Walt Disney World. While that sounds simple, it truly is an experience that can change the way you view the park. So, with all the details covered, here are my 4 simple reasons to “Eat Around the World!”    
  
-It’s Fun for the Whole Family! 
There’s just something special about sharing a meal with family. I’m not sure if it’s the fellowship or the food (we can’t forget the food!), or just spending time with those you truly care about the most. However, for some reason a meal at Walt Disney World isn’t just a meal but rather an experience all on its own. For many, its even the highlight of many of their vacations over the years. It’s one of those things you just have to see to believe but somehow that simple joy of sharing stories from your day in the parks or hearing each person’s favorite part of the vacation up to that point makes a meal at Disney one of the best ways to truly create wonderful memories for those of all al ages. Everyone can participate in a meal, the offerings are second to none (especially at Epcot) and the food is extraordinary at nearly any location. (granted there are a few exceptions… feel free to ask questions in the comments below and I’ll be sure to answer them!)     
-You Get to Broaden Your Horizons 
While Epcot was never originally designed to be a cultural experience, in a way that is part of what it has developed into over the years. Originally it was a learning experience and would essentially be the “City of Tomorrow” in Walt Disney’s eyes. While that vision never truly became a reality, Epcot still remains a learning experience. No matter where you decide to eat or what you intend on trying, being surrounded by and experiencing the cultures represented in The World Showcase really opens your eyes to the vast enormity of the world around you. In my own opinion there’s no better way to experience a culture than by experiencing something as essential to daily life as their food. Food in many cases creates a greater backstory of the entire country. Traditions develop over time, but food is usually something that stays true to its roots. 
Epcot’s representations aren’t always spot-on, but at the same time by expanding your pallet to new and unique offerings you get to learn what you like and dislike in a very first hand type of opportunity. At the end of the day you can say, at the very least, that you tried something new and who knows, it may end up being something you end up going back to for years to come. Take that leap of faith and try something new no matter how simple it may be!    
-You Will Avoid Most of the Long Lines! 
As many of us know, patience is key to a successful Disney vacation. If you don’t pack anything else, pack your patience. It’s the one tip that is found in every Disney guidebook and the key to enjoying a Disney vacation (shameless plug… check out my book, The Adventurer’s Guide to Walt Disney World, on Amazon). However, Eating Around the World is the rare exception to that rule. You really don’t have to be patient. Chances are, the only line you’ll have to wait in is the short line for the next food item on your list. You can sit down in the off the beaten path nooks of the World Showcase, enjoy a nice snack and relax in the Florida sunshine until you’re ready to move to you’re next destination. It really is a freeing experience, you don’t have to wait an hour for the next item on your “list” and many times you get to explore parts of Epcot that you may have overlooked in the past. 
Recently, even I stumbled across something I had never experienced before in the Morocco Pavilion! It may not be a completely new show or a completely new attraction, but may be just a little detail that you had simply overlooked or never noticed in the past. To me, that’s one of the best parts of the Disney experience. There’s always something new to see and no matter how hard you try, there is no way to see it all. The parks are constantly changing and developing as was the vision from the beginning and thankfully those little changes often times keep us coming back. Changes allow new memories to be created and new adventures throughout a place we all have grown to love.   
-You Can Experience Dinner With a Show!  
Lastly, there’s just something special about dinner and a show. Of course, Disney offers their own “dinner shows in Morocco, Germany, etc. but those aren’t necessarily the ones I’m referring to. What I’m talking about to is the “show” that the World Showcase becomes. After experiencing a few locations, you start to realize that at Epcot you can never have the same view twice. One day you can be sitting in China staring out over the World Showcase Lagoon as the sunlight twinkles on the water and then 4 hours later you can experience the nighttime magic of Illuminations from the exact same spot. 
China is just one of the many spots where this is true. You can eat at Monsieur Paul and have a completely new experience and a completely different view from any seat in the house. You can eat outside at Rose and Crown and experience one of the best views of Illuminations at night or slip inside for a journey over sees to an authentic British pub. You never know what experience you’re going to have on any given day and that makes the destinations all the more interesting. 
I’ve been asked hundreds of times why I keep going back to Disney above any other vacation destination and that may just be one of the many reasons. It’s never the same experience, but at the same time it’s always a wonderful experience that I’ll never forget. Every once in awhile you have to try something new, and I highly recommend “Eating Around the World!” 
Thanks for reading and please share this post with friends, family, and anyone you know that may have an interest in Disney. We are not associated with the ©Disney Company, and give our honest opinions of all things Disney. I truly appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read this article and I understand how valuable your time is. As a friend of mine always says, “time is your most valuable resource” (-Lou Mongello) and I really appreciate you spending that time here with me reading the guide4wdw blog. 

If you liked this article, do me a huge favor and let me know down below! Like this post on Facebook and be sure to share the article on twitter.  Thanks again, and until next time, have a wonderful rest of your day!     

The Often Untold Story of the “Disney” Carousels

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

For many of us, a Disney Carousel is a signal that you’ve officially reached Fantasyland when walking through the parks, but very few know the backstory and the connection the Carousels have to Walt Disney himself. Come to find out, one particular ride could have even led to the entire vision of Disneyland in the first place. While some believe that conclusion could be a stretch, it’s hard to pass up the incredible detail and story involved with such a simple aspect of the Disney parks. 

As the story goes, Walt Disney once took his daughter out to Griffith Park as he did fairly frequently during his time away from animation and production in Los Angeles. As he sat on a bench watching the crowds and taking in the scene, he realized that a majority of the people in the park were sitting around watching their kids have a good time. To Walt, something seemed out of place, and he came to the realization that the adults and their kids should have a place to go to have fun together. The theme parks didn’t have to be for children OR for adults, but rather a place for everyone to be a kid again for even a short period of time. He wanted a place that people could leave the troubles of life behind and just enjoy for even a few minutes some time without any worries!  


So, being the genius entrepreneur Walt had proved himself to be, he took the idea and ran with it and we all know what that turned into today. While that vision may not be completely the same as it once was, the Disney company still strives to present a first class experience to each and every guest. Thankfully, the story of the Carousels doesn’t end with just one story. 

As you may know, that very same Griffith Park ride became the inspiration for the Disneyland Carousel that many of us have enjoyed for over 60 years! While Walt Disney had a vision, he strived to make that vision a reality in a way that very few people are capable of doing. He had developed experience from his backyard miniature railroad, the Carolwood Pacific, and already had a loyal following of friends and family that he entertained week by week. Then, he just took the next step and developed Disneyland from a simple idea that developed from Griffith Park! It definitely wasn’t an easy process and one that was plagued by financial barriers, but the results speak for themselves and offer a lesson to each and everyone one of us to never give up on our dreams. 
While that’s the story of Disneyland’s Carousel or at least part of it, Walt Disney World’s Prince Charming Regal Carousel has a story of it’s own. While building the Magic Kingdom, the search develop for a Carousel that would be feature prominently in the park. When they found the best option, it happened to be in Maplewood, New Jersey, at Olympic Park. However, the attraction was far from perfect. It was originally built in 1917 and clearly needed an update. Imagineering went to work and successfully refurbished the entire attraction from the bottom up. A new theme was developed, and in a way the refurbishment continues even today. 
Each and every day, the Carousel is continually updated. Each of the horses is painted on a cycle with reserve horses filling in the gaps. Each “ride vehicle” is hand painted and kept up to date in a way that most guests would never realize the slight changes in day to day operations. The attraction never needs to be down for long refurbishments as result and rumor has it that even the beams holding the horses are polished each and every night to avoid discoloration and deterioration over time. 

As you can imagine, it must be an elaborate process, but one of the most rewarding jobs in the parks. You would quite literally be keeping history alive. So, next time you’re on the Carousel at Disneyland or Walt Disney World be sure to appreciate the history and enjoy the attraction in a way that you’ve never quite experienced it before. After all, it is the oldest attraction at Walt Disney World (although technically the Roy O. Disney steam train was built in February 1916, one year before the Carousel) and it still functions flawlessly to this day!


As always, thanks for reading and be sure to share with friends on Facebook, retweet on twitter, and like our posts on Instagram. 

Why you shouldn’t “over plan” your Disney Vacation

by Guide4WDW
Why you shouldn’t “over plan” your Disney Vacation 
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There’s really two kinds of people in the Disney community. Those who plan obsessively and those who don’t plan at all. While neither of those vacation strategies are necessarily a bad way to do things, it certainly makes a difference in the overall quality of your individual vacation. However, over planning can be detrimental to a vacation in more then one way.

For example, in many cases, a Disney vacation is planned out months and sometimes years in advance. Planning in advance is great and makes a huge difference within the realm of availability and reservations both within the parks as well as at the resorts, but going overboard can have the reverse effect. 

When you have that list of everything that “has to be done” there’s no time to step back and “smell the roses”. Truth be told, that could very well be one of the greatest highlights of any Disney vacation. Next time you’re in the parks, take a minute to set all the plans aside and just listen and observe for just a few minutes. You may very well be amazed by what you observe. The busy crowds tend to fade away as they race to their next attraction and for just a few minutes you get to experience first hand, “the Disney difference”. You get to see all the details that you overlooked running from attraction to attraction, the sounds you’ve heard but never truly listened to before, and you get to witness one of the greatest aspects of a Disney vacation, the joy on the faces of those around you. 

There’s no other place in the world that so many happy people are gathered in one place. Somehow though, it doesn’t really hit you until you just take a moment to observe every little detail of what’s going on around you. It truly is an incredible feeling and it’s those memories that keep so many of us returning to Walt Disney World. When you really think about it, a Disney vacation isn’t about the attractions, it isn’t about the food (as good as the food really is!), and it isn’t even necessarily about the place, but rather the memories that the place creates! We don’t remember the wait time of our favorite attraction being two hours longer then normal, or that our hotel room wasn’t perfect when we checked in. We remember the looks on the faces of the people we care the most about as they stare wide-eyed at the castle, or swim in the pool at the resort, or when they ride the monorail for the very first time. These are things that can’t be planned for, no matter how hard so many of us try. 
So, I’m not saying you should “wing it”, but rather you should take time to enjoy the simple aspects that make a Disney vacation different than a time anywhere else! That truly is the Disney difference, but it’s something you really have to experience to completely understand. I can’t guarantee that your vacation will be perfect, but I can guarantee that a Disney vacation will create memories that will last a lifetime and isn’t that what it’s all about?(picture: Walt Disney World’s Boardwalk Resort)     

When Walt Disney formulated the idea for Disneyland, he didn’t do it for the attractions, or even his love of trains, but rather due to an idea that he had spending time with his daughter at a run down amusement park (more on that in my next blog). His goal was to create a place where parents and kids could have fun together and when it comes right down to it, that’s what its all about. 


As always, thanks for reading and be sure to share with friends on twitter/instagram/facebook or any other way! If you’re interested, I also have a book available on amazon.com called “The Adventurer’s Guide to Walt Disney World” for even more Disney information, history, tips and tricks to Walt Disney World! 

Could The Adventurers Club be Returning in an Entirely New Way?

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

As you may or may not know, Disney has been slowly developing a secret society for many years. The group is very rarely referenced, but for some reason has seen a great resurgence throughout the last year. While this doesn’t necessarily prove an upcoming reboot of “The Adventurer’s Club”, it does seem to lead the way for something completely new that could tie up the loose ends of the ever changing and constantly evolving story of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

For many that name will ring a bell, but for others it may be one of the little details that you could have very easily overlooked throughout your time in the parks. The Society of Explores and Adventurers (S.E.A) began quite a few years ago when Downtown Disney included an area called Pleasure Island. As a part of the experience a nightclub began that was named “The Adventurers Club”.

Under the leadership of Joe Rhode, Disney had created a club that grew to achieve a devout following and fan base that many assume led to the story of the entire society as a whole and its incorporation in the Disney Parks and Resorts world-wide. The club was an incredibly unique experience that became a center of nightlife for years at Walt Disney World. The location had a certain ora of mystery to it that begged guests to continue coming back to explore and learn about the many aspects of the adventure and mystery that were so difficult to uncover. There was a club pledge, a song, and even a few live shows along the way, but the most incredible aspect was that everything was so believable that it could very easily be a part of a realistic tale that had been told for generations. 
Unfortunately, the Club closed its doors just over 8 years ago and no definite signs of its return are anywhere on the horizon, at least not in the way that it formerly was. However, a deeper level story has continued on in a very subtle and secretive way that unless you look for it is virtually untraceable.

After the Adventurers Club met its infinite demise, the society actually became much more secretive than it had been in the past. Fortunately, subtle nods popped up in the international parks. The story itself is never directly told, but is rather left up to the guests to slowly figure out over time by piecing the story to gather and tracing the characters through time. While not an attraction, it could very well be an Imagineering marvel!   
At Tokyo Disney Sea, a member of the society (Harrison Hightower III) is seen in a portrait exploring the Lost River Delta which is home to the Temple of the Crystal Skull. While that seems like a fairly innocent reference, it could be a subtle connection to the Indian Jones franchise and more specifically Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull, an attraction also at Tokyo Disney Sea. 
As you may know, the Indiana Jones franchise has recently surfaced by means of Jock Lindsey’s Hangar bar at the recently redeveloped Disney Springs. In the press release for the new bar, Disney released this statement connecting it to the society in a way that had not been directly referenced in the U.S. parks sense The Adventurers Club’s demise. 
“Jock made a home at this waterfront property in the 1940s after discovering this charming little town while flying Indiana Jones over the Sunshine State in search of the elusive Fountain of Youth in 1938. As a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, Jock often welcomed his globetrotting friends to his hangar for a drink and fun times.”

While that does bring the story full circle back to “Downtown Disney”, it doesn’t really and truly explain the connection. However, directly after this locations debut, other, less subtle references began to develop throughout Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

That brings us to Jungle Skipper Canteen in Adventureland. Disney directly states that the location functioned as a secret meeting area of the S.E.A. but never fully develops the backstory and connection to the club. Within the restaurant there is a secret room behind a bookcase that has now been opened to the public because it is “no longer in use by the society”. The club seal is proudly displayed on the wall, but the actual room itself adds to the mystery more than it truly answers any of the questions the elaborate tale has created. It’s almost as if the “missing link” has been intentionally left out of the entire design. 
(As a side note, be sure to take a look at the bookshelves for subtle references to Disney legends and executives… John Lasseter, Marty Sklar, etc.) 
Even more recently than the Canteen, after the remodel of Big Thunder Mountain, associations between a Barnabas T. Bullion (President and Founder of the Big Thunder Mining Company)  and a Jason Chandler popped up in the queue of the attraction by means of a letter. The letter clearly states Chandler advising Bullion to abandon the mine after a former incident. While that is intriguing on its own, the letter is conveniently signed “Founding Member… The Society of Explorers and Adventurers”. 
While none of these conceptual references surrounding attractions and dining locations necessarily point to one particular “next step” by Disney Imagineering, it does present the notion that there has to be something to the story. It isn’t like Imagineering to develop something so elaborate for no particular reason and the continuing references throughout the parks nation wide imply that something must be coming to tie everything together. There’s no way to know what’s coming, but the implication of something big on the horizon involving the S.E.A. seems inevitable. 
Additional areas of the Disney Parks and resorts also refer to the club, but definite links have never been formerly established. For example, the society is even showing up in more unusual locations such as the Oceaneer Lab aboard the Disney Magic and is even rumored to be appearing in Shanghai Disneyland in many different ways! The latest in the theme parks based comic series even references the society in a round about way in the story of Thunder Mountain.

Also, there is a direct reference in the entire theming of Mystic Manor (Hong Kong Disney’s Haunted Mansion variant) including pictures of the society, two members of the club telling the story of the attraction and many other hidden tales that I won’t speak of here so that the attraction isn’t ruined.
While it’s been many years sense the story of the society began, it’s impossible not to wonder what comes next. With the development of Disney Springs nearing completion it’s almost certain a variation of the Adventurers Club will not be returning there. However, there is a certain level of intrigue that is presented as to why Disney has held on to the story for so long and connected it throughout their parks to inevitably no obvious conclusion to the story. It’s almost as if Imagineering is building up for something big that many of us have been waiting for over the years. 
Granted, it may not be a new, physical club, but it’s hard to overlook that there must be something there. There’s too much buildup and too much of a story that is intentionally hidden for it not to lead to something big. I have absolutely no idea what that may be, but for some reason it feels as if there must be something more to the story or rather a different “conclusion” to the story that will go beyond a clever theming concept. There has to be a reason for everything at an Imagineering level and to me it seems inevitable that something big could be on the horizon for the “secret” society. 
What would you like to see in the next development of the story? Do you think it’s just a clever addition to attractions or could it be a setup for one of Imagineering’s next big debuts? Maybe the theming for a big on-screen film? or even possibly something beyond the parks altogether? Be sure to let me know in the comments. 
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