Disney's Too Clever Not to Share Wine & Dine Marathon Logos

Who doesn't love the penguins from Mary Poppins? (Who doesn't love Mary Poppins is an even better question. Without a doubt, the sequence where they appear in the film is the highlight of the movie. But I digress...) The logos from the 2026 RunDisney Walt Disney World Marathon are just too good not to share!

Perhaps the Aristocats is your favorite instead? Well, here you go!

The Three Caballeros work well, too.

Is there anything to be Grumpy about? No, not really!
 

Disney's Most Disjointed Fantasyland Has Beautiful Concept Art

Even when the Disney suits make a mistake, the concept art from Imagineering can be quite beautiful. Such is the case with this piece from Imagineer Tom Gilleon and his work for the rather uninspiring Fantasyland for Shanghai Disneyland. Make no mistake, the castle is the largest one ever in a Disney park- after all, this is Mainland China's Disney park. Everything there is big- including these grand, beautiful depictions.

The mix of attractions inhabit a bizarre land that includes Tim Burton's strange version of an Alice in Wonderland maze alongside a very weird Voyage to the Crystal Grotto, the charming Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and other oddities. But then again, Dumbo Flying Elephants and the requisite Carousel reside in front of the castle here, another misstep. 

Regardless, Mr. Gilleon has created two works of art in the grandest of  Disney Imagineering traditions. Given the source material, that is worth something.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Joy and Happiness, Frozen or Not, at Hong Kong Disneyland

Fans of Hong Kong Disneyland eagerly await the opening of its brand new Frozen themed expansion in Fantasyland. The new land will be home to a new version of Epcot's Frozen Ever After as well as the Magic Kingdom's popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train redone as Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs. Until they open, there's always some old standbys to keep visitors happy. Particularly its on-of-a-kind stellar attraction, Mystic Manor. However, there's more. The older iconic Disney attractions are classics for a reason.

 

 

As these photos clearly show, It's A Small World has so much charm that it is also a must-see attraction in the little park that could. The Imagineers took care to include landmarks that are specific to Hong Kong, a savvy tip of the hat to the locals as well as looking at the overall set design from a very appropriate Asian point of view.

 

 

Beginning with new colors on the exterior, they also used a different palette of colors once inside the building to bring joy and happiness to their audience. Many of the sets here are highlighted by darker, more dramatic backgrounds, giving the entire attraction a distinct feel compared to those in Tokyo, Paris, or in the States. Golds and rose tones create a brand new look for the classic finale scene that was first used for the beloved show at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

 

It's a Small World might be mocked by many, being the target of disdain for the more jaded person, but it's a wonderfully delightful and heart-warming attraction for the rest of us. Truly, one of my all time favorites in any of the Disney parks I visit!

 

(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Disney World vs. Universal: September 2021 Trip Report, Day Four- Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs

 

Almost our last day at Walt Disney World of perhaps our shortest trip ever. Having never done this before, we saved one third of our time away for Universal Orlando. What a great move on our part, but more on that later. 

What's not to love about the Magic Kingdom? All the classic Disney Imagineering attractions are found there, and aside from Pirates of the Caribbean and maybe It's A Small World, the superior versions of those shared by both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland mostly reside in Florida. 

The main objective for the day was doing some old favorites (like the beloved Peoplemover) and letting my son see New Fantasyland, particularly Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Then, we wanted to have a drink at Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and check out the Polynesian Village Resort before heading off for Disney Springs if possible. This necessitated an early start only accomplished by bus.

If You Had Wings... sorry, wrong attraction!

I was prepared to strongly dislike the paint scheme on Cinderella Castle. I didn't, but I certainly didn't love it. The original palette of gray/white/blue, colors designed by Imagineer Herb Ryman, remains far superior, more royal and elegant, to what came after it- including the infamous 25th Birthday "cake" makeover. 

We queued to go right at the end of Main Street into Fantasyland by the Mad Tea Party. Upon rope drop, we realized the newest Magic Kingdom coaster was not operating at opening, so we quickly moved on to Peter Pan's Flight while it was a 10 minute wait. Wise move as the park became quite full later in the day and the wait was 40 minutes or more. While they stopped for sunscreen, I walked around nearby taking photos of the area and peaked inside It's A Small World to see the clock's new paint job. Very nice!

It's these added touches that make me appreciate Florida's mansion.

In quick succession after our pit stop was Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Jungle Cruise. The recently made over Disney boat ride- a classic since opening day- held our longest wait of the day at just about 30 minutes. 

While I prefer New Orleans Square at Disneyland to Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom, it was time to admit that the Florida Mansion is superior to that of the California home of 999 happy haunts. Even without the Hat Box Ghost. It's not to say it's perfect, but its strengths outweigh the weaker areas. 

The Dutch Gothic Revival style home is intimidating to eerie effect. The interactive queue is an unnecessary addition, but the physical ride portion inside the mansion is longer and much more elaborate. The end of ride walkway past the crypt is a nice touch. It's grand but humorous and totally unexpected. The attraction is also available in its original form year round, and that my friends, is a big plus. Where Haunted Mansion Holiday wears thin, the original classic version stands the test of time. 

You have to ride the new version and decide for yourself.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise. Which of these "E Tickets" are not better in the Magic Kingdom? Only one- the truncated pirate adventure. We got on them so quickly, one after another. 

Monkeys. Why does it have to be monkeys?

With the only real wait being for the Jungle Cruise, it was amazing how much we did in so little time. What about all the changes to this opening day attraction? Absolutely nothing special. Lots of monkeys and low on creativity. If it wasn't for the rest of the classic attraction, I wouldn't bother riding again. Sadly, our skipper was really wimpy, too soft-spoken, seemingly bored, and just uninterested in giving us a great experience. His puns were delivered without energy or style. He wouldn't last ten minutes in the jungle. A very unconvincing presentation. All these factors combined took us right out of the story, turning our should be classic adventure into just another leisurely stroll through any mid-size city's botanical gardens. The new contemporary story is noticeably forced and unnecessary- like much of modern Imagineering when it tries to be relevant instead of remembering what it does best. Your mileage may vary. 

From the top of the underrated Swiss Family Treehouse.

After a quick meal, I took a stroll to the treetops and rewarded myself with a Dole Whip. The Swiss Family Treehouse is an old school styled attraction that lets guests really imagine what it would be like to be in another time and place. It's rich and imaginative, allowing you to get lost in the story and linger. This is something missing from so many attractions designed by younger Imagineers without training from classic mentors before them. Do they just want to thrill us or slap the quickest ways to infuse an intellectual property into a previously built area? Maybe they have no choice. Not every story needs a villain nor does something have to go terribly wrong. The variety of attraction types and emotional connecting points is part of what made the first three Disney parks remarkably balanced and layered. 

The land of the future?

On to Tomorrowland! It needs Tron Light Cycle Run and very quickly. Not only am I very excited to ride it, but I want to be able to take a trip on the Walt Disney World Railroad again. Most importantly, Space Mountain needs to have its track replaced. Badly. It's more than rough and the equivalent of Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds. It is a painful ride. Nearby, Buzz was a brief amount of fun, but the clear winner was easily the classic WEDWAY Transit Authority Peoplemover. Traveling above it all and getting some great views brings a fresh perspective on how great the Magic Kingdom can be. 

All that was really left was Fantasyland, the newer rides there, a trip through It's a Small World, and Mickey's Philharmagic. Surprisingly, our son really enjoyed the Dwarf's mine train ride! After a fairly quick 25 minute or so wait, we were on. It was zippier than he expected with its tight curves and gently rocking cars, and I think that surprised him. I still don't like the use of projected face animatronics, but again, I'm fairly old school.

It's what inside that counts.

Our son was only mildly impressed with Ursula on Ariel's Undersea Adventure, but the attraction as a whole was not worth any additional comment. Pretty neutral on New Fantasyland as a whole. Aside from the coaster, it seemed the new buildings and landscaping promised something not worth the actual experience contained inside. Walking by Be Our Guest Restaurant didn't even register a response. That is telling! The area should be a standout as it represents one of Disney's most beloved films. But he is not the 6 year old girl that is the target audience here. After sampling a variety of items at Gaston's Tavern, we moved onto the last two attractions of our visit. 

This photograph is very similar to an image

that represented the attraction in early promotional materials.

Even after all these decades, It's A Small World remains one of my favorites. I am not immune to its simple charms. The themes of harmony, loving your neighbor, and genuinely appreciating cultural differences are needed more than ever in our fractured, broken, and lost world (which is in need of a Savior- but that's a different conversation). Mickey's Philharmagic still seemed fresh, and I can only wait to see the addition of Coco and how it impacts the show.

The entrance gardens are better than I thought they would be,

but the new lobby is still a loss of epic proportions.

Leaving the park at about 2:45pm for the Polynesian, this was perhaps my least amount of time at the Magic Kingdom ever. We stopped at the front for a photo or two. Then after debating monorail or boat, it was a short breezy cruise to my once favorite Disney Resort. 

Being on the water traveling is one of my favorite experiences at Walt Disney World! This was a trip where we didn't ride the monorail once, and surprisingly, I didn't miss it at all. The Skyliner may have filled that gap. Hard to say, but I know each trip with each group is different, holding unique experiences. Unfortunately, we were offered a two hour wait for a spot inside Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Nope. There's not a single restaurant or bar on the property worth that. In its place, it was off to Disney's Springs. Stopping to use our Disney Experience app to book our locations for drinks and a meal, we hit the jackpot!

I'm not the only one that loves travel posters!

I find them all over the Disney parks,

and as you'll soon see, they're all over Universal Orlando as well!

The suits and Imagineering hit a grand slam home run with Disney Springs. I now see it as the 5th park on the property. It is worth your time in even the busiest schedule as it is the home of some of the best places to eat and shop on the property. (This used to be Epcot, but the food has been mostly watered down to American palettes and the merchandise is now less appealing- more geared to all things Mickey and in places you don't expect.) 

Of course, there's the requisite World of Disney store, but beyond that, this is the place you want to go for some unique merchandise in a setting that is sophisticated yet fun, themed but not over the top in your face. For those of you who have been to Universal Orlando but not Disney Springs, think of it as the "Anti- City Walk", and you'll get the idea. Be forewarned: the place is just packed on the weekends!

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar was a spot we couldn't get into last visit, but this time being midweek, it was a very short ten minute wait. This Indiana Jones themed location was just what was advertised. Great execution of the story with tons of detail referencing his adventures, an exotic drink menu, solid appetizers, and an interesting and engaging wait staff. 

We decided to set aside a couple of hours to walk around, enjoy the setting sun on the lake, and do a little souvenir shopping. It was a pleasant break from the non-stop theme park environment. Dinner was next.

This was what I had wanted to experience since it first opened...

The Edison. Wow. Look, I just love the food at Morimoto Asia and had a blast (and a great meal) at Raglan Road, but dinner at this steampunk restaurant and bar was at the very top of my Disney Springs must-do list from the day it opened. Vintage turn of the century era Paris and the city's Discoveryland at the French Magic Kingdom rank as some of my favorite atmospheres. Finding a place absolutley steeped in this look, complete with staff in the mood specific suits and live jazz set the stage for a great evening together. We all agreed it was one of the best places in either resort. You have to explore the restaurant to see all the individual very creative touches they put in it. A very thoughtful design!

... and I was not disappointed!

The menu's limited but excellent and innovative in taste and presentation. The drinks were unique and delicious (and pricey). The service is friendly but top notch.  I wont go into any more detail about the actual meal. This isn't the great Disney Food Blog.

SO good!

Live entertainment only adds to the excellence of it all. The in house band, a trio, was smoking hot, even taking modern day pop hits and putting them in an inventive jazz combo arrangement that made me stop to place where I've heard the song before. I'm huge music fan, everything from the early 20th century to present day. This blog is called Insights and Sounds for a reason, but it took me awhile to recognize Meghan Trainor's sharp and funny Dear Future Husband in a very convincing, authentic sounding flapper era arrangement. Well done! The lead vocalist song stylings were the icing on the cake.  All said, it was the kind of night at The Edison that I had in my mind long before it actually materialized. I'd go again in a heartbeat. And you should as well!

Tomorrow would be our last day at Disney. We settled on the Studios to get one more ride on Rise of the Resistance. Would we get on? Then, it was off to Universal Orlando so my son could show us "his" parks. What would an old school Imagineering fan discover? Plenty!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Disney World After A Decade Away: Day Five - Magic Kingdom, Polynesian and Disney Springs

Nearing the end of my trip report, but there's still so much to tell you. I was surprised by this day in several ways. It was much shorter (just like this post), but it was another great day.

What a way to start the day!

After a terrific but very long day at the Magic Kingdom, our second day at the original Florida Disney park started early, but it would end up being much shorter than our previous day. Surprisingly, we were all fine with that. 

Splash Mountain beckoned us with an early morning ride due to Fast Pass. We followed it up with another wild ride in the wilderness. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is just that good- and it remains my favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom. In fact, if I had to guess I'd say it was probably everyone's favorite. 

In short order we'd covered two repeat must-see attractions, and we had some time left before our next Fast Pass, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.  I couldn't wait to ride the newest coaster on the property. From everything I could tell, I was going to love it.

                                            

An unexpected choice with great rewards for people

who dared to move beyond E Ticket attractions.

Corporately, I think we decided on a pretty bold choice: Tom Sawyer Island. My daughter and family had not been on the island last trip, and I hadn't been on it for years. And I mean years. What a delight it was! 

Just getting away from it all was smart. After the short raft ride over to the island, we hopped off and began exploring. The lush dense forest was the perfect setting for an adventure that seemed to last quite awhile but was in fact probably 45 minutes at most. From the lengthy suspended bridge to the caves, the kids loved the sense of total freedom, and we loved the diversity of experience... and the lack of crowds, which we could see forming on the mainland as more and more folks poured into the Kingdom.

                          

Taken from one of the viewing spots in the fort.

Could it be that Walt Disney knew what people needed at the park? Perhaps he realized that not only would a visit to the island be a nice break from standing in line but that it would also be an opportunity for guests to create their own "free form" experience in opposition to the thoroughly thought out and well designed experiences the Imagineers would build. Disney dark rides and Jungle Cruises are manufactured to tell the specific story they want to tell. The Tom Sawyer Island experience is deliberately different.

From a flatly objective viewpoint, the island is nothing more than an elaborate playground- but it's one that appeals to children, teens, and adults of all ages because it's so well done! And don't you love the fact that, at least in Southern California, the island was personally designed by Walt himself? I do! It shows he was a kid at heart, a kid that loved to explore and discover. I'd say it also shows that Walt knew nothing was as refreshing and revitalizing as what God created when the earth was formed. Something about being among nature. Be it the forest, the ocean, or the desert, nothing is as majestic or can be duplicated at the hands of man. 

                

A real fort you can still enter- unlike the one at Disneyland!

                         

   Yes, he is shooting a gun. 

Politically incorrect for some folks, 

but it was his favorite part of the island.

So, here it was, the beginning of the Summer season, and Aunt Polly's cafe was not open. That was really too bad. Oh, I remember the joy of sitting there on the porch drinking freshly squeezed lemonade and thinking about the next place I would go. Would it be the eerie Haunted Mansion across the river or maybe a stop into the solidly patriotic Hall of Presidents? Those were the days! You could get into the Mansion without an hour wait, and you could sit in the Hall of Presidents without having to worry if some jerk couldn't control himself by having to shout out something rude or crude to a group of robots. 

                        

Long lines due to: 1- Summer, 2- Fast Pass, 

3- An under built park, and 4- Woefully under built secondary parks.

As we needed to leave the island and head toward Fantasyland for our next ride of the day, I took a quick glance over at Country Bear Jamboree. How I wanted to see it, but it wouldn't happen this trip. Count it as another casualty to having to plan ahead for nicer dining locations and Fast Pass reservations for attractions. We substituted it for a ride on the railroad from the Frontierland station to the very well done Fantasyland station.

One of two contenders for the best

part of the New Fantasyland.

I might have mentioned in the earlier trip report that I was surprised by the relative lack of big trees in what is supposed to be a very forested area of the New Fantasyland, the land surrounding the Mine Train attraction. There is much barren concrete, certainly a concession to having to accommodate large crowds and wide strollers. Imagining myself walking into a forest from the castle and seeing Maurice's cottage or that of Snow White, I wanted to be vowed by the "big reveal" as I walked from the older part of Fantasyland into the new one the first time. 

I wasn't. When a major land that defines the Magic Kingdom for so many guests gets revised in such a transformative way, I'd expect only Disney's best and brightest Imagineers to be in charge and to do much better with the project. All this made the new roller coaster a wonderful surprise! 

Riding in the last car, I felt the sway of the cars as I experienced one of the most lavishly themed family coasters. The views of the surrounding area were great- bet it's even better at night- but it was what I viewed inside the mountain that made the attraction as enjoyable as it was. Part coaster, part dark ride, all terrific. The diamond mine sparkled as it should, the dwarfs looked pretty good for projections, and the iconic music set the perfect flavor for it all. Yes, the ride was too short and the lines too long, but Disney has a winner on its hands. A great addition to an already strong coaster line-up.

We had our last Fast Pass for Peter Pan's Flight, and in less than three or four minutes, we took off for Neverland. Compared to what I'd seen at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, it was very underwhelming- small, cramped rooms, and minimal upkeep. It's a signature park attraction that deserves better.

                         

One last look at Liberty Square.

Our next and last stop in the Magic Kingdom would be Mickey's Philharmagic. The kids were a little skeptical with the 3D aspect as last trip they were scared by it all. Not this time. And they loved Donald Duck being the star of the show. 

Happy to see us- happy to be here!

At 2pm, it was time to leave the park. Yes, it really was that early, and I was sort of, kind of, almost ready. I mean, I could stay in the Magic Kingdom all day, especially after being gone from Walt Disney World for almost ten years. But our destination was the Polynesian Village Resort and a meal at the Kona Cafe. We'd get there by boat.

The short cruise to the Polynesian was sweet! We were the only ones on the boat, and just being that close to the water hearing the waves, well, it's something that Disneyland can never offer and thus makes Walt Disney World a very unique experience. This is when it truly feels like a resort and not just a collection of theme parks. I could tell the kids enjoyed it. Something I really appreciate about these two, each experience is unique and fun on its own, and it isn't necessary to entertain or pander to them. Made our trip really relaxing and special. Was it because they grew up not being catered to that they've learned to enjoy each discover and have hearts of appreciation? I think so.

Even from behind, it really isn't that bad!

Due the all the on line photographs and commentary, I was truly skeptical of what I would discover at the Polynesian Village lobby. Frankly, the is my favorite hotel in all the World, and the classic waterfall garden at the entrance is iconic. What I found in its place was bright, open, cheery, and much more generic than I thought it should be. Yet, after looking at it from various angles, it started to grow on me. Not my idea of a perfect change, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Gone was the resort's unique smell- but they have have just been the old carpeting.

A largely uninteresting photo- until you take a moment to look 

at all the textures and styles, patterns and finishes.

Disney fans rave about the breakfast offerings at Kona Cafe, but we found lunch to be pretty good! Each dish was varied and flavorful, the service excellent, and the ambiance refreshingly quiet and subdued. Perhaps leaving the parks for an afternoon break is worth what it is cracked up to be. We took the time to really relax, and it set the right tone for the next portion of the day.

Classy sign.

Something my wife and I have always enjoyed is taking a day off from the parks to visit the resorts. After a bit, we jumped on the Monorail for the short journey to the Grand Floridian. We weren't in there too long- just enough to check it out and let my daughter and her family see what all the high priced rooms were about. It wasn't their style (or ours), so we changed course and took the monorail back to the Magic Kingdom and a bus right to Saratoga Springs. 

Magnolias the size of dinner plates.

By the late afternoon, our resort pool was comfortably busy. The water was so warm that it didn't have that refreshing feel to it. It was just wet, if you know what I mean. Still, we enjoyed the down time and really needed it. The comparative calmness there in contrast to our swimming pool time at All Star Sports years back was noticeable. The difference between a more expensive place and one where high school teens go for cheerleading competitions. When you've gone from park to park all day for several days, the break makes a real difference. I may be spoiled going forward...

The springs of the Springs make for a great environment.

After a couple of hours at the pool, we cleaned up and took a boat to Disney Springs just across the lake. It was so convenient to do so from our resort, and as I mentioned, there's something so fun about all the various forms of transportation throughout the Disney World property.

Wow, just wow! We loved Disney Springs and the gorgeously done make over that the area really needed. Well done, suits and Imagineers! Please keep it up and finish the other side. In our minds, what once was a partial day or few hour dinner stop in the past has turned into a full day excursion. Apparently, many others feel this way as well. By early evening, the place was packed, and it was almost impossible to get a dinner reservation. We leisurely strolled the area, stopped in a few shops and stuck our heads into a few restaurants. 

Edison clock.

(Photo from the next day.)

I had really wanted to see the Edison. Just a bit disappointed overall, but I'm sure when its busy and entertainment is happening after dark, the place feels much more retro and steampunk than when seen in the brightness of the late afternoon sun.

Due to the difficulty of getting reservations in advance - I mean who wants to plan out their entire vacation- choices were limited, so we ended up choosing Paradiso 37 for dinner. This turned out very well for us! Delicious tacos and drinks in a fun and festive environment. Good kids menu, too. We would return for another meal another trip, aside from the fact there were so many other new and interesting places to dine. We had reservations for tomorrow at Morimotos (my daughter's pick), so we'd be back. We returned back to the resort by boat as we came, but it was now evening, and the lights shone on the lake in all their brilliance. It was a gorgeous Florida night: balmy breezes, palms swaying, and a star lit sky. A Disney vacation doesn't get any better than that!

Two days left! Next day would be our last time to Animal Kingdom and our first ride on Flight of Passage and finally that long awaited ride on Expedition: Everest. Then, it would be our last day- a half-day at Disney's Hollywood Studios and the flight home. How did it go so fast?

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Disney World After A Decade Away: Day Four - Magic Kingdom

As a Disney theme park fan, if you don't have a soft spot in your heart for Disneyland and/or the Magic Kingdom, I'd have to doubt if you have a heart at all! Here was our first big day at the core of Walt Disney World, and all six of us were thrilled to be here. (Just to recap, the group of the "six of us" is made up of my wife and I, our youngest daughter and her husband, and their two kids ages 6 and 4. We've already had one day at Animal Kingdom and two days at Epcot.) This post will be the longest trip report of the whole vacation for reasons that will become obvious by the end.

Coming to the Magic Kingdom via bus was not the most magical of ways to arrive, but it was the fastest. In the old days, taking the boats across the lagoon or the monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center signaled I was not at Disneyland. 

As Walt Disney himself said about Florida, they had, "The blessing of size" there. It is clearly evident. This was well used in the early years. After quite a distance of road to be traveled, day guests finally arrived at Walt Disney World after seeing nothing but trees. It's a very impressive "WOW!" moment to see Cinderella Castle from across the lagoon. Regardless of how you travelled to get to the entrance of the park, land use and transportation was used to build anticipation. In 2018, the trip to the front of the Main Street Railroad Station wasn't nearly as dramatic, but for us, that didn't mean we weren't just as excited to be there.

Walking under the station evokes memories

and anticipates new ones!

Walking through the tunnels under the station, I was just as much impacted by the view of the castle as I am every time I do the same at Disneyland. The Anaheim park will always be my "home" park, but I have just as much a sense of coming home in Florida. How can this be? Easy. I was just a kid when I first visited Disneyland. As a man with his own wife and family, Walt Disney World is a very special place with all its wonderful memories from our visits. Now as a grandfather, it takes on even more special meaning which will never be replaced. May be hard to believe, but trust me, it is 100% the truth. Due to that fact, if for no other reason, I can't wait for my next trip to the Florida swamplands. OK, onto the trip report itself.

The Crystal Palace is one of my favorite Walt Disney World landmarks.

Holding an early morning Splash Mountain Fast Pass meant we had to depart Saratoga Springs very early in the day. Once we made it through the turnstiles, I walked in wide eyed wonder as we traveled down Main Street. The sense of anticipation was high and so were the wide smiles on everyone's face as we got our first glimpse of the castle. I looked around at the Plaza. Yes, many trees are gone, and I missed the lushness, but I do understand why the suits cleared the way for more fireworks viewing areas. AstroTurf aside, they really did a pretty nice job of it. Such is the price paid for astronomical growth in visitor numbers almost 50 years later and for under building the next three parks on the property.

Turning left toward Adventureland, I just had to stop and photograph the gorgeous Crystal Palace. Used to eat there, but now, it's a place for an overpriced character meal. Elegantly situated alongside the (unused) waterway. Once home of the beautiful Plaza Swan Boats, it's a stunning piece of British Colonial architecture and a perfect visual segue from 1890's America to the wilds of Adventureland. 

I could see Liberty Square as we walked, and I was excited to be able to go to that part of the park. As the one unique land to the Magic Kingdom, walking through it always reminded me of how proud Walt Disney was of our country. This seems something that is sorely lost these days as we angrily argue and debate each other instead of working together.

Fear...

... turns to delight!

As we entered the jungle, we turned into the arcade that led us to Frontierland. We made such good time that we still had an opportunity to jump in line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a family favorite. It was my sweet little granddaughter's first ride, and you can tell by the look on her face that she had some apprehension. Rest assured, she ended up loving it, easily going on it the next day! 

My grandson, older and taller than his sister, had already ventured on the "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness" two years earlier, and he couldn't wait to get on it again. You could see the sense of pride he had while encouraging his sister as well as his steady calmness about getting on that train once more.

LOVE Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Speaking of pride, we just happened to be at this park during Disney's unofficial annual Gay Days. Guests participating in the event were supposedly marked by wearing red shirts. Some observations: First, all the participants were very well behaved. Secondly, at least this year, they were small in number. Very small. It continues to amaze me how such a tiny group of people could carry such heavy weight and influence in our country. Make of that what you will, but it is a statement to the power of democracy and to the power of the press.

This thrill ride has it all.

Great story, wonderful music, 

and it's long enough to really get immersed in it.

After Big Thunder, we were ready to enjoy Splash Mountain and our ability to bypass the standby line. In minutes, we were aboard. I was surprised how humid it already was so early in the morning! The blast of the cool air conditioning as we entered one of the caves in the queue was refreshing and sorely needed. 

The blessing of size. 

Land as far as the eye can see!

While Big Thunder seemed flawless in its upkeep, this was not the case with the Magic Kingdom's watery attraction. Some of the Audio-Animatronics needed work, paint in various areas was faded or even chipped, and the sound quality seemed muddled (especially when I compared it to what I found at the attraction a little more than a month later at Disneyland). That said, it remains a family favorite. It's still great fun! And who can beat the view from the top of Chickapin Hill? 

Please Disney, do not "correct" any political incorrectness due to the source material from which this attraction was born. Sometimes it's better to leave things alone.

This jungle is LUSH!

Our next Fast Pass was for Enchanted Tales with Belle, but we had just enough time to grab a coffee and take a short wait in line for the Jungle Cruise. Gotta love that Touring Plans app! But I don't love how wait times propel you to jump from one attraction to another at the expense of soaking in all the details and atmosphere a particular land has to offer. When we tour alone, a blend of wandering and scheduling will serve us better next trip, but for now, it's all about the rides.

Lost family and missed opportunity.

Perfect example: After our cruise, we had to walk past the Swiss Family Treehouse to get to Belle before our Fast Pass deadline. I love everything about the Tree House, and I thought we'd always have another chance to get back to it, but it never happened.  

Our cruise was highlighted by the great thick jungle the Florida weather has allowed. After almost 50 years of growth, the landscapes of this original Kingdom attraction really support the adventure, and the cruise maintains its spot as a must-do. 

It may not be as authentic or as real as Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom, but it's still a bit of silly fun and well worth a ride. The fact this attraction even remains as popular as ever is a testament to the abilities and craftsmanship of the original Walt Disney era Imagineers. These carefully designed experiences stand as a current reminder there are vitally important aspects to Disney theme parks far beyond the now popular and easy two-minute thrill ride. Do you think those now in charge of the parks even recognize the fact that this attraction along with Pirates of the Caribbean, It's A Small World and the Haunted Mansion are still popular for a reason? It's not just nostalgia, although I'm sure that holds true for some people. 

In my mind, the reason for their continued popularity is that these attractions are lavish in scope and scale, lengthy in presentation, have great attention to detail, and are chock full of atmosphere. These emotionally and physically take you somewhere. You're not watching a screen, you're living an adventure in full color. This is particularly true in the case of Pirates and Mansion, where guests are swept into the story, taken out of the everyday life and thrust into a world that is not duplicated in a Six Flags type park or on a computer screen. There are times the Imagineer in me gets very frustrated with the lack of care and respect for the history (and future) of the parks by those in charge of them. (Case in point is Pixar Pier- but that's a story for my post about my day at Disneyland and California Adventure.)

Charming- and thankfully, unique.

Back to Enchanted Tales with Belle. Some debate- Is it an attraction or is it a meet and greet? As an adult, I'd say it's an elaborate meet and greet, but there are enough elements of it that feel like an attraction including well done Audio-Animatronics. Waiting in a chain lined queue to meet a princess is not my idea of how to spend time. Yet, for those with small children who happen to love a particular movie, an experience like this is certainly worth the wait. My granddaughter loves Belle, and I love my granddaughter. That makes it enough of a reason to get in line. All said, I found Enchanted Tales to be sweet, charming, and memorable. 

For the record, this was our only intentional character experience. Even the kids wanted to bypass meeting characters in order to ride more rides. Smart kids! I did want to see all of New Fantasyland, however, so our visit to Belle's cottage made sense as part of the tour. Some fan appreciation here: Our Disney Belle was extremely gracious and gentle with each young visitor, even those who were not chosen to be in the play. This cast member was particularly kind and patient with my granddaughter, never forgetting how magical these moments are for the little ones. Kudos to her!

The intended audience.

Would I jump at the chance to experience a full blown, beautiful, fully realized "E Ticket" Beauty and the Beast attraction? Absolutely. Count me in- and I'm sure I'm not alone in this. But where is it?

A few of these detailed character encounter locations definitely have their place in the park. The problem is at the Magic Kingdom, they seem to have won their place at the loss of my beloved dark rides or a dazzling new adventure. Not a win. What about that blessing of size? No doubt in my mind that Fantasyland needs more. More rides, more places to sit down and eat in a covered location, and more flowers and trees. 

Will this turn into a meet and greet location later?

As beautiful as the New Fantasyland is at first glance, the truth is it falls short in design and execution in too many ways. With regards to the mini-Belle land, Gaston's Tavern is small but effectively sets the mood. The shop next door is adequate. The fountain is cute. The drawbridge to the restaurant should be the entrance to a landmark attraction as well. We did eat dinner at Be Our Guest, but I'll share my thoughts on that later.

A real bait and switch for unsuspecting tourists-

and lovers of Disney's 1989 comeback film.

I'll sidestep the order of our touring day to say The Little Mermaid's adventure is hosted in an "E Ticket" building in a prime location, with a very beautiful queue, but it delivers a less than satisfying experience. The exterior promises something memorable, but in truth, it offers up a ride that leaves you thinking "What was that?" or even worse, "Was this the best the Imagineers could do?"

Why repeat the space constricted version of the attraction at California Adventure when you could do so much more? It's truly quite disappointing, and in fact, most of our group rated Frozen Ever After a much better ride. (Not me.) If Ariel, Belle, Elsa, and the other princesses (as featured in Wreck It Ralph 2) were really honest, they'd scream "Why are the Disney theme park rides devoted to my film so lame?" Especially poor Rapunzel, whose story has been relegated to a set of restrooms! Guess hard core fans wanting more have to travel to Tokyo Disney Resort to experience what should be found at Disney's supposedly flagship resort. (Don't believe me? Look what Rapunzel is getting here, and see what Belle and Beast truly deserve here.)

It's most unfortunate that the two major redeeming factors in the stunning to look at New Fantasyland seem to be the additions that are most difficult ones for guests to experience: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the Be Our Guest restaurant. The former one requires much patience if you don't have a Fast Pass, and the latter requires much money in addition to patience if you're finally able to get a reservation. And trust me here- you'd better get them on line 60 days out. 

The end result is a mixed-bag experience.

Back to the trip report. For the first time during our trip, our group had to split up for the next attraction. Space Mountain's limitations made it impossible for our sweet little girl to ride, but our grandson was finally tall enough to venture into outer space. Grandma joined her for a Mad Tea Party spin while Grandpa went with the parents and their son.

Rite of Passage.

Flight of Passage would come two days later.

He was thrilled. As for me, I was jerked around like never before. The ride is just plain rough. The only other Disney ride that comes this close to hurting the guests in this manner can be found at Disneyland, and it's the classic, Walt era, Matterhorn Bobsleds. I would not be unhappy to see Florida's epic Space Mountain and California's Swiss mountain adventure totally rebuilt with a brand new track. There's enough major rides in both parks to handle these being retooled. Especially once Tron Lightcycle Run is finally open in Florida and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in California. 

Have I mentioned I still love this ride?

By this point in time, it was hot. I mean hot. Not visiting in the summer for quite a few years, I was still surprised by the heat, even after several days of being there. We had some time before our early afternoon lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern (my son-in-law's pick.) Off to It's a Small World we went.

If you bought a collectible doll when they were available, 

hold onto them. This granddaughter owns one of these.

Her Mom loved the Parisian dancers when she was little.

Despite there being more sophisticated rides built in later years, Small World holds a special place in my heart. It's gentle, very charming, and reminds me of a simpler time when we were innocent. I loved the change to the queue area, now bringing the famous clock to Florida. 

The iconic music in the attraction seemed different than on the West Coast compared to what I remembered. It wasn't nearly as pronounced. I loved spotting the differences between the two attractions. (Does anyone else geek out on stuff like that?) Of course, the kids were enjoying it all, including seeing the animated characters. I'll spare you the multitude of photos I took, as you've probably seen hundreds of them by now. 

How to break a Grandfather's heart in half.
Photo not representative.

That childhood innocence can be wrapped in an absolutely deadly question at times. Sometime along the day, I'm standing in line for a ride with my grandson, and he drops a bomb of a question, "Grandpa, when I'm an adult, will you still be alive?" For a split second, I was just numb, overwhelmed with the question as I was in the midst of having a great time with him. Tears were quickly welling up, so I decided to ask the Lord to give me wisdom as to how to respond. You see, my sweet grandson had recently lost his Great Grandfather just a few months ago, a man he knew and visited in the hospital, so I wanted to give this sensitive and kind boy a truly honest answer but one that wouldn't bring him further concern. I gently put my arm around him, composed myself, and looked him in the eyes (which about damn near killed me). "Well, when I'm 100 years old and you're an adult, I'm sure I'll be in Heaven with Jesus. The good thing is, because we both love Him and have made a decision to follow Him, one day we'll all be together in Heaven." He smiled warmly, taking it all in, melting my heart again. I just love this fine young man and would love as many years with him as possible. 

View from the (restroom) loft.

We had just a great lunch at the Tavern! In hindsight, it was really wise for us to stop regularly in the heat of the day to rest indoors, reflect on the day, and enjoy ourselves as we talk about our in park adventures. Each of us counted this meal as one that was very good and well worth the cost. If you love a good plate of fish and chips, don't overlook this Kingdom oldie but goodie.

Great signage that sets up the visitors
for a creepy and mysterious adventure.

After lunch, were decided to split up boys and girls. Just for a bit. The girls took off for Starbucks and a short shopping time, but the guys decided to head toward the realm of hitch-hiking ghosts. 

Newer additions to the attraction queue.
A mistake that minimizes the forthcoming fear factor
involved for younger guests.

This was perhaps, our one mistake of the day. I so wanted to see the Haunted Mansion in its non- Nightmare Before Christmas mode. The last several visits to California have been during the Fall, so it had been years since I've been able to experience it in its original incarnation. Why was this a mistake? Our young explorer was clearly scared, closing his eyes, and we talked him through the ride.  Even the standard explanation of "It's all make believe" didn't cut it. He understands the spiritual world is absolutely real. I'm glad it was Dad's decision, and not mine- even though I supported it. 

Meant to go in, but I totally forgot!

From a fan perspective, what did I find? The Dorian Gray portrait still worked, even if guests were escorted into the stretching room earlier than they should be, while the doors to the outside were open. That part bothers me, and it happened in California as well. It might push the crowd in, but it eliminates some of the overall experience. 

Once on the doombuggy, I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover that first three rooms of the tour did not exist on the West Coast, and they had much more detail than I expected. There's a couple of strengths to Anaheim's mansion over Orlando's, but if I had to pick, I'd say the version in Liberty Square is the stronger of the two. Chalk that up to a more menacing exterior and those extra rooms.

Yo ho! The great exterior to a truncated attraction.

Once the ladies returned from shopping on Main Street, cruising in search of Captain Jack Sparrow was the next order of the day. In sharp contrast to the previous attraction, as much as I really like the fortress set up for the ride, Florida's Pirates of the Caribbean pales in comparison to the first incarnation and even that of Disneyland Paris. Please don't misunderstand. It's a great attraction on it's own, but when making comparisons, it just doesn't hold up as well. For Disney park fans who have never visited the original Kingdom, it may well be the reason they should. 

Good "starter" coaster for the little guys. 
 Who says you can't have fun in the rain?

The Touring Plans app and the official one together pointed us to Dumbo for a quick ten minute wait. By the time we walked there, the rain was coming down and that wait dissipated to less than two minutes. The play land inside the tent was very well done, and I can imagine it to be a very useful diversion for little flyers when the crowds are thick. It was sweet and colorful and surprisingly charming.

A well-themed but out of place mini-land.

By and large, the new Storybook Circus was cute and incredibly well themed, but it just seemed strangely out of place, it's prime location creating a jarring transition between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. I particularly liked the look and detail of the train station. Following our flight, Barnstormer was next (which I'd never ridden before) and then we discovered another surprise: a ten minute wait for the Speedway. Ten minutes! Unheard of. Just moments behind us, it seemed as if every other parent realized the line was short and jumped in. 

It'll be very interesting to see if route of the classic Tomorrowland Speedway is in fact altered in order to meet the unique design and construction needs of the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland transplant, the Tron Lightcycles Run. The acreage used for the raceway is really quite large. Unlike Disneyland's Autopia, it is not part of a complex network of attractions that would require major work to make more space available for expansion. If they had to, those creative Imagineers could come up with a way to make it work- even in Disneyland. Check out this proposed but never built attraction, the Atlantis Expedition.

Mom and Dad get a "mini-date" and ride alone.

If there was ever a classic Disneyland attraction still found in Florida that should finally return to Anaheim, it's the iconic Tomorrowland WEDway Peoplemover / Transit Authority PeopleMover. I love this ride! It's an old school favorite, full of atmosphere, refreshingly different from everything else in the Magic Kingdom, and it is just plain fun. 

Unlike at Disneyland, it's still a world on the move here.

In many ways, the Retro Disneyland Tomorrowland feel is found in Florida now. Carousel of Progress is still around, the striking Rocket/Star/Astro Jets are still circling high above the land, and the atmosphere and feel of the place is cool and clean, vintage 1967 New Tomorrowland. 

All that's missing is the classic Adventure Through Inner Space. I'd easily give up Buzz Lightyear's attraction for a trip through the Mighty Microscope on the Atommobile! The Peoplemover is as fun as I remembered it to be, and the kids loved it, and to bring back one classic attraction not powered by an animated character would be a good thing. To sum it up, Florida's Tomorrowland easily bests that of the land of the future in California. But each still have a long list of needed improvements.

The area surrounding Ariel's Undersea Adventure 

reminded me of the former 20k Leagues Under the Sea.

Coincidence or not?

Early evening was settling in, and we were getting close to the last activity of the day, our meal at Be Our Guest. With some time left for a few more attractions, we chose a handful of Fantasyland classics: a spin on the Carousel, a Mad Tea Party "competition" (ladies in one cup, gentlemen in another), and a happy journey with Winnie the Pooh- to go along with our ride with Ariel. 

The Classics are there for good reason.

I can still hear her giggle-

as Grandpa got sick to his stomach across the way.

Finally it was about time to check in for our dinner reservation. As I mentioned earlier, each of the four adults chose one restaurant as their "must dine" location. Be Our Guest was my choice, and aside from one aspect, I was not disappointed. 

A terrific way to end a terrific day.

It's with good reason that just about every review of the Magic Kingdom's beautiful New Fantasyland includes a glowing review of the park's hard to get into restaurant. Ultimately, Be Our Guest is not just a restaurant. It is also a walk through attraction and an exclusive character meet and greet. From the initial bridge at the check in desk to the farthest corner of the restaurant, detail is piled upon detail, making this eatery a necessary experience for anyone who loves the Beauty and the Beast animated film. The only piece missing was that extravagant "E Ticket" next door- with a dinner guest only line to the front of the attraction.

Of our four different adult meal choices, three were considered very good and one good. We dined in the West Wing, much to my pleasure. I wanted that location but didn't want to scare the kids, so I did not request it. We took our chances, ended up in the dark dining room, and everyone did well. Wine was an added bonus. We took time to relax and to explore each of the rooms. It was close to a two hour experience. (Had The Little Mermaid ride had this level of attention to detail, it would have resulted in an attraction the classic film deserves.)

I would easily eat there again except for the fact the new dining plan now makes it about $55 per person not including a glass of wine. I'm sorry, but there is no restaurant at any theme park worth that price. It's now an unfortunate "one and done".

Last look, last time.

As we exited the park, our timing couldn't have been worse. With the evening crowd for the fireworks, it took us awhile to get of out the Magic Kingdom, but we did have a chance to use the bypass. Thankfully, we reached our resort bus right as the last firework burst, and we were soon on our way home.

Post trip all four of us voted this first Magic Kingdom day our favorite day of the trip.  We tallied sixteen attractions in all and two (needed) sit down meals. We'd return the next day to catch some favorites and a few other attractions. For now, we needed a good night's sleep.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)