A Castle fit for a Princess

I already talked about Cinderella's Castle in a previous post, so here is a link to that page!

Sing to me!

For every little girl who loves Ariel, meeting the red-head Princess would be a dream come true! This little cove in Fantasyland is the perfect place to do just that! Here, at "Ariel's Grotto", guests can sit with Ariel for a photo-op and for autographs!

This little attraction used to be a neighbor to "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" (another water-based attraction). After the ride was closed up, a statue of King Triton (Ariel's Father) sat heroically in the middle of the water. The water has since been removed and filled with cement and now houses Pooh's Playful Spot!

you can even see ride elements still under the water!

This is definitely an attraction for people of all ages! I have seen the line get pretty long, so don't be discouraged by a long wait ...or just come back later!

Where dreams come true

"All you need is a little pixie dust!" is certainly the motto in this Magic Kingdom land: Fantasyland. This is by far the longest segment of posts because there is so much to see and do in Fantasyland! Castles, Fairytales, and Disney Movie favorites all join here to make a truly magical land!

Attractions in this land:
1) Ariel's Grotto
2) Cinderella's Castle
3) Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
4) Dumbo the Flying Elephant
5) Fairytale Garden
6) "it's a small world"
7) Mad Tea Party
8) Mickey's Philharmagic
9) The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
10) Peter Pan's Flight
11) Pooh's Playful Spot
12) Snow White's Scary Adventures
13) Sword in the Stone

Dining Opportunities in this land:
1) Cinderella's Royal Table
2) Enchanted Grove
3) Mrs. Pott's Cupboard
4) Pinocchio Village Haus
5) Scuttle's Landing

Shopping Opportunities in this land:
1) Fantasy Faire
2) Pooh's Thotful Shop
3) Sir Mickey's
4) Tinker Bell's Treasures

Food, Grog and Ye Olde Shoppes

There are many shopping and dining experiences in Liberty Square! Either Columbia Harbour House or Liberty Tree Tavern are your best bet for eating a nice lunch. Both offer general lunch foods and are open all the time (as in, not seasonally).

A cute spot to eat that is (unfortunately) only open seasonally is Sleepy Hollow (pictured below). It is a quaint little eatery that offers beverages, snacks, fruit cobblers and cappuccino.

There are plenty of places to shop as well! Like the Heritage House, for example! The Heritage House is a great place to find gift items about the History of our Country. The Yankee Trader is a yummy shopping experience - it is chock full of yummy treats like pasta, jams, jellies as well as cooking supplies like pots and pans. Another fun shop is Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, where it's Christmas year round! I especially love this store because Christmas is my favorite holiday! What's best is that in addition to having Disney themed decorations, they also carry traditional decorations - for those who want the magic of Disney in their home, but aren't quite ready for Mickey and Donald to be on the tree!

Lastly, another unique "shopping" experience is at the Liberty Square Portrait Gallery. At this outdoor cart, Disney World guests can have their portrait professionally done - and they always look great! In addition, it's always fun to sit, relax and watch the artists at work!

Here is a pretty picture of Liberty Square at night!

Well, that's it for Liberty Square! Next stop, Fantasyland!

Would you care to join me for a boat ride, madam?

Come and enjoy your trip aboard the Liberty Square Riverboat. This attraction is a slow 17-minute cruise along the "Rivers of America" (the canal surrounding Tom Sawyer Island) narrated by Mark Twain himself!

This is a fantastic way to get away from the bustling sidewalks of the Magic Kingdom! While there are a few seats, the majority of the room on this boat is standing room only. You can escape the sun on the middle deck, but the top deck is a great place to get unique photos of Tom Sawyer Island, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and The Haunted Mansion.

Some Interesting trivia: The original boat used for this attraction was named after Admiral Joe Fowler, a man who helped with construction of both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. In 1973, the Richard F. Irvine was added as a second boat. In 1980, Admiral Joe Fowler went for dry-dock maintenance and never returned. Now, it is just the Richard F. Irvine who transports guests along the Rivers of America.

Boo!

"When hinges creak, in doorless chambers. And strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls. Whenever candlelights flicker, where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present. Practicing their terror, with ghoulish delight!" - Ghost Host

Welcome to The Haunted Mansion! The premisce of this beloved attraction is that you, the guest, are entering the abode of 9 hundred and 99 ghosts - but, there's always room for one more! *mwahahahaha*

Though this ride is supposed to be scary, it's often just eerie. There are some moments where things pop up, causing an immediate surprise, but nothing is really gory or especially disgusting. Young children may be frightened (I know when I was little, I rode through the ride the first time with my hat over my face!). Now that I'm older I still spook easily, but even I can handle this ride.

The attraction is a slow-moving dark ride; guests sit 2 to a "doom-buggy" (although, you can sometimes fit three in one doom-buggy) and ride through the old mansion.

As you leave the ride, make sure to listen for "Little Leota" who says:

"Hurry back, hurry back. Be sure to bring your death certificate if you decide to join us.
Make final arrangements now. We've been dying to meet you..."

After the inauguration, what do Presidents say?

"We're Going To Walt Disney World!"

And that's where many of them stay, for good - at The Hall of Presidents! The Hall of Presidents features a unique learning opportunity for all!

In this attraction a video illustrating important moments in history (mainly the Constitution and the founding of the presidency). Then, after the film, a curtain is raised revealing every one of our presidents. Each animatronic President moves, nods or waves a hand when their name is called. The program is concluded with speeches by current president (George W. Bush) and Abraham Lincoln.

This attraction will most likely be enjoyed by children ages 8 and up - it could be boring or too hard for younger children to enjoy and understand. It is a great supplement to any History class or anyone's general arsenal of knowledge!

3 Cheers for America!

As you continue through Frontierland, inching farther and farther away from Adventureland, you suddenly enter Liberty Square. The sights are relatively similar, but they change ever so slightly that it takes a minute to register the change in scenery. Since these two lands are from similar time periods, the shift is seemless . This land is significantly smaller than the other lands, but it certainly packs a punch!

Attractions in this land are:
1) The Hall of Presidents
2) The Haunted Mansion
3) Liberty Square Riverboat

Dining opportunities in this land are:
1) Columbia Harbour House
2) Liberty Tree Tavern
3) Sleepy Hollow

Shopping Opportunities in this land are:
1) Heritage House
2) Liberty Square Portrait Gallery
3) The Yankee Trader
4) Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

General Stores and Grub

Like in all other lands at the Magic Kingdom, there are plenty of shopping and dining opportunities in Frontierland. A classic, General Store style store is the Frontier Trading Post - this store features typical Western garb and souvenirs as only Disney could do it. Another store is the "Briar Patch." Technically the gift store to Splash Mountain, they offer general items (post cards, pens, penny press machines, ponchos, etc.) as well as Splash Mountain souvenirs!

As far as food in Frontierland goes, there are a few recognized food vendors, but my favorites are the non-descript carts. Pecos Bill's Tall Tales Cafe is a great place to grab a quick lunch as is Frontierland Fries. When I was younger, I remembered absolutely adoring Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn (pictured below) but it is rarely open anymore. It's too bad, because it was really a cute place to get some great food!

My favorite Frontierland eateries, however, serve Turkey Legs and churros. I do not eat Turkey (I am a pescetarian) but, I know for a fact that people absolutely LOVE the Turkey Legs. I personally, love the churros in Frontierland (and the Mexican Pavilion at EPCOT). They are yummy to have (fresh and warm) while watching Wishes! I also love the big, fresh pretzels they serve! Here are pictures good enough to make your mouth water!

yummmm - churro!











Turkey Legs














yummmm - big pretzel















That's it for Frontierland! Next stop, Liberty Square!

My favorite southern boy

My favorite southern boy, Mr. Tom Sawyer, has one of the most fantastic spots in the park! I love every bit of Tom Sawyer Island; the unique views it provides of the rest of the park, the fun atmosphere, the view of the Liberty Belle, the caverns, the Gristmill, the Windmill, Fort Langhorn and all of the rocks and hills for climbing and exploring. Fairly recently, my friend and I went to Tom Sawyer Island and had a field day playing and taking pictures - here are some of my pictures!

Blacksmith's shop at Fort Langhorn













Mystery Mine!


















At the boat landing on the island










Look, a Windmill!


















How cute! - Love on the whitewashed fence

Dry is not an option...

...when you ride on Splash Mountain! This 5 story drop water ride is a favorite for many and features many lovable characters from the Disney Movie "Song of the South." The ride follows Br'er Rabbit as he is chased by Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear while looking for his "laughing place."


Everyone knows about the big drop at the end, but how many "fake drops" are there before the big one - and what are their heights! The info is currently being researched and will be here soon!


This ride has a height requirement - and for a good reason too! Even when I was far taller than the requirement, I was too scared to ride! I finally did ride, and it was enjoyable, although, I haven't been on in many years (I hate big drops...). Although, no matter how much you hated the drop, you always end up laughing when you're at the bottom...I guess, it is a great laughing place!

Shoot 'em up...

...at the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade! Fun for all ages but generally fun for guests of the young-male persuasion! I have never tried this, but people who do venture inside usually have a great time!

This is just like your usual shooting arcade game just with real targets (as in, 3D, right in front of you, etc.) Here are some of the targets:

Just a bit of trivia: This attraction used to feature guns that used real lead pellets. That got changed upon the realization of how harmful lead is, how dangerous it could be, and how annoying it became to repaint the targets every night! The attraction now uses lasers.

Meet Smokey's cousins!

By Smokey, I mean Smokey the bear of course!

And by his cousins, I mean all the bears at Country Bear Jamboree! Here, in this bear-led hoedown is family fun for all ages!

"So clap your hands, and stomp your feet
and try to keep right with us.
One sure thing the bear band's got
is good old country rhythm."

This attraction features bears such as Henry, Liver Lips McGrowl, Wendell, Teddi Barra, Ernest, Terrance (aka Shaker), Trixie, Big Al, The Sun Bonnet Trip (Bunny, Bubbles and Beulah), Gomer, The Five Bear Rugs (Zeke, Zeb, Ted, Fred and Tennessee), Baby Oscar and Rufus. Other animals featured in this attraction include Buff (Buffalo head), Max (Stag head), Melvin (Moose head), and Sammy (Henry's raccoon pal). The bears and animals sing, tell jokes and dance in an entertaining sit-down attraction suited for any member of the family.

Prepare to sing along to cute songs like:

My Woman Ain't Pretty, but She Don't Swear
Mama, Don't Whip Little Buford
Tears Will Be the Chaser for My Wine
All the Guys That Turn Me On Turn Me Down
Blood on the Saddle
The Ballad of Davy Crockett
and more!

NOTE: Some of the songs seem to have innapropriate topics, but it is a Disney attraction (after all) so the topics are handled with tact and in a way that is appropriate for the whole family!

'Cause this here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, my favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World It provides "mild but wild" thrills that tend to please the masses. This ride's plot is that of an old mining town that is suffering from flooding. Runaway Big Thunder (the resident mine train) takes you on a whirlwind journey through the town and Big Thunder Mountain.

While this ride has a height limit, I feel that it is a family-friendly ride. The first time I rode it, I rode it wedged between my parents and loved it! It depends on the child though, some may find it too scary although I find it less frightening (from the young child's prospective) than Goofy's Barnstormer in Mickey's Toon Town Fair. This ride is relatively tame, only a few small drops, but packs a bit of a punch!

TIP: If you want a calmer ride, sit up near the front of the train (pictured above). For a wilder ride, sit near the back! I also know that the grease on the track gets heated up during the day, thus causing the trains to go faster at night - same general speed... unless you ride the coaster a lot, you probably wouldn't even notice!

The Wild, Wild West

Frontierland is the second stop on our Magic Kingdom round tour. As you leave the entrance area of El Pirata y el Perico, you see the sights begin to change and hear western folk music begin to play. You are entering the back/side entrance of Frontierland; if you want to enter from the main entrance, you can enter Liberty Square from a bridge by the bridge to Adventureland and go through Frontierland's "main gates" (pictured above).

Attractions in this land are:
1) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
2) Country Bear Jamboree
3) Frontierland Shootin' Arcade
4) Splash Mountain
5) Tom Sawyer Island

Other entertainment:
1) Diamond Horseshoe (a great character meet-and-greet spot!)
2) Walt Disney World Railroad (see previous post: Meet The Magic Kingdom and Main Street USA" for information about the trains)

Dining opportunities in this land are:
1) Peco's Bill's Tall Tales Cafe
2) Frontierland Fries
3) Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn (Tom Sawyer Island)
4) Various food carts (don't forget to check out the Churros and Turkey Legs!)

Shopping Opportunities in this land are:
1) Briar Patch
2) Frontier Trading Post