Top 5 Time Wasters at Walt Disney World

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Dis-LEE

While surfing the Net we all come across many articles about how great Walt Disney World is. Top 5 lists abound recommending everything from the best attractions to the tastiest foods and more. And I’ve even written some of these lists myself!

But today I thought it would be only fair to look at the other side of the Disney Dollar, so to speak. Is everything at WDW worth the time?

Here is my Top 5 list of what I consider to be time wasters out of any Disney vacation. I’ve chosen only one from each of the four Parks and one from Downtown Disney:

MK: Tom Sawyer Island

I’m sure back in 1955 when Disneyland first opened this was a fantastic place for kids! Davy Crockett was popular as were Westerns in general. And the works of Mark Twain were still regarded with respect in schools, unlike today. So the chance to crawl over a turn-of-the-century island with a cave and a military Fort must have been almost irresistible.

Tom Sawyer's Bridge

Even in 1971 when WDW opened, the pull of Tom Sawyer was still strong. But we have to admit that Disney was offering a lot more entertainment on the shores of the Island back then. Characters like Huck and Becky roamed the paths as well as a few soldiers and Indians.

But now it’s just a big empty Island really. You simply walk around and then leave. For me and mine it simply isn’t worth the raft ride until Disney adds some more magic perhaps as they did briefly at Disneyland with the Pirate makeover.

EPCOT: Wonders of Life

Not so much a waste of time anymore as a waste of space. I never got to see the attractions in this Pavilion, which I regret. Cranium Command and Body Wars only exist on YouTube these days, which is a shame. But things change and that’s not a bad thing. If the changes bring better things.

But in the case of Wonders it was simply shut down. Now it’s just a big empty building taking up prime real estate that we’re all paying to see! Oh, Disney does open it for conferences and lectures during The Flower and Garden and the Wine and Food Festivals, but it offers a bland experience at best.

Without a corporate sponsor to pump money into this building, don’t expect anything new in the back corner of Innoventions East anytime soon.

DHS: Backlot Tour

In a nutshell: Just stop already! This ‘attraction’ was never really a great thing to begin with, and so as Disney has raided it’s footprint for other attractions over the years it’s become even less inviting. When I last bothered to give it a chance, the special effects demonstration at the beginning was broken, so perhaps the best part of the ‘attraction’ was missing. Then we just rode past rooms with stuff in them before going out into the sun to drive past other Park Guests who were walking in the same area.

Hardly an exclusive backstage pass! With rumors that this ‘attraction’ will soon be closed entirely swirling around the Internet, I say: It couldn’t happen too soon.

DAK: Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Do your kids dream of going to school while at WDW? I didn’t think so, but that’s how it may feel for some when they visit the Watch. It’s filled with educational opportunities, but they usually require a lot of milling around and reading. You may see an animal being cared for. But not likely. You may see a candid moment in an animal’s life on an Animal Cam. But not likely. Getting the idea?

Wildlife Express

It tries hard to be both educational and entertaining, but simply doesn’t have enough to work with.

Having said that, I do enjoy the train ride over to the Watch on the Harambe Line. And sometimes you can meet the Talking Trashcan! But after that, plan to be bored.

DTD: Pleasure Island / Hyperion Wharf

Pleasure Island is no more and Hyperion Wharf is in a complete stall. There simply isn’t anything there now.

Pleasure Island

When Pleasure Island was up and running, I never saw it as a viable family experience anyway. Mainly designed around the nightclub culture, it was more for partying adults than your typical Disney Guest. And the stores in that section of DTD were not usually Disney themed.

But that was all to change with the coming of Hyperion Wharf! A new family environment with this and that and blah blah blah. So where is it? When will it be finished? No one knows.

So until Disney finishes whatever it’s trying to do over the bridge, this area wins as the biggest time waster, and space waster, of DTD.

In conclusion, I’ll just say that for some areas, I found it hard to find a time waster, while for others I had to choose between two or three. Do you agree with my list, or do you have a bigger time waster for one or more of the Parks?

Be a sport and let them be known! Perhaps we can save some unsuspecting WDW Guest from boredom!

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Found Disney: Movie Cars in the Real World

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Disney animators love to give character to inanimate objects. And when they are fleshing out a human character, they usually imbue any objects they use or possess with a complimentary character trait.

While looking through my pictures from both the Motor Muster and Old Car Festival, held in Greenfield Village each year, I began to notice that I had some interesting Disney car tie-ins. Don’t know what I mean?

Scrncap3     DC Herbie

Exhibit One: Herbie Blushes

I was taking close-up pictures of some of the cars to get cool reflections and to optimize the shapes and features of each car. The shot above, of a Volkswagen Beetle, made me think of an embarrassed Herbie!

Scrncap2     DC Prof

Exhibit Two: Prof. Ned Brainard’s Flying Model T Ford

Inside the Henry Ford Museum you can see how an actual Model T Ford was constructed, and sit in or pose with an original model, as above. Yet no matter how much Flubber I used, I just couldn’t get this one to fly!

Scrncap4     DC De Ville

Exhibit Three: Cruella De Ville’s evil-looking Bugatti

I’m not sure just what model Cruella’s car was supposed to be in the animated film 101 Dalmatians, but it looks an awful lot like the vintage Bugatti above. Think how cool it would have been if this white Bugatti was covered in spots! But being as there are only 3 or 4 of these left in the world, and only this one in North America, I don’t suppose the museum will be upgrading the paint any time soon.

Scrncap10     DC Hudson Hornet

Exhibit Four: Doc Hudson as The Fabulous Hudson Hornet

The film Cars by Pixar came out in 2006 and I took the above picture in 2009. At the time, I never even clued in that I was looking at the inspiration for Doc Hudson’s racing career. And it took until 2014 for me to even realize I had this shot! It just goes to show that you never know when a Disney reference will pop up in your life.

For more information about this Disney reference, please visit my post entitled Keith Partridge Buy’s Pixar’s Doc Hudson over at My Dreams of Disney.

Scrncap6     DC Muppets MW

Exhibit Five: Interpol car from Muppets Most Wanted

Not an exact match, but when art imitates life, art often takes liberties. I think the essence of the fake car is definitely present in the real car! Sadly, no muppet emerged from the yellow version.

So if Beaker were a car, he’d end this post simply by saying: “Beep, beep!”

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Disney Horses from Horace to Bullseye

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Disney’s First Horse     Horses 1     Horace Horsecollar

I couldn’t resist starting with this fun shot of Karen and I posing with one of the most famous Disney horses of all time. I’m so glad they brought Horace back from the old Shorts and gave him a new lease on life alongside the new stable of Disney characters!

But seriously, there is no shortage of ‘real’ horses in and around the Walt Disney World Resort:

Horses 2     I wonder if they get horseflies in their stomachs before going onstage?

Another day…     Horses 3

Main Street in the Magic Kingdom is a very special place, and one where you can always find a horse or two. This beautiful animal was just starting his shift as he pulled the tram out to a waiting crowd of guests.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground     Horses 4

I haven’t had the pleasure of taking this romantic ride through the trails of Fort Wilderness… yet! There is a cost to it, but one that would be well worth the price.

Horses 5

Even horses get a day off

Fort Wilderness is also a great place to see these magnificent creatures free of harnesses and carriages. You can really enjoy them here!

But every day off has to end, and soon it’s back to work:

Horses 6 Horses 7

I love the Hidden Mickey on his forehead!

Of course, no post on Disney horses would be complete without the most loyal steed a cowboy ever rode:

Plush Bullseye +

“Lay down like the wind, Bullseye!”

Do you like Disney horses? Yay or Neigh?

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Pickyman and Allergy Girl Vs Food Options

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Dis-LEE

For picky eaters like me (Pickyman) and those with allergies like my wife (Allergy Girl) the food options at Walt Disney World and Disneyland can seem like Super Villains! Counter service, Kiosks, and other Vendors seem to form a dastardly team filled with bland offerings and dangerous alternatives. But all is not lost!

Goofy Waiter

Pickyman and Allergy Girl have super powers, and as we’ll see, stalwart allies waiting to be called in when the battle for good, safe food starts to go awry.

First, let’s look at the danger facing the particular Pickyman: Selection. Walt Disney World is the worst offender in this area, as Disneyland offers more overall options, or at least tries to rearrange the standard chicken and burgers into something that at least appears new and fresh.

Super Power: Flexibility. In a pinch, Pickyman can try something new!

Second, let’s identify the danger attacking the health and well-being of the amazing Allergy Girl: Gluten. This opponent is very formidable because it’s everywhere! But your arch nemesis might be sugar, MSG, wheat, soy, eggs, or nuts. Or maybe you’re Vegan Gal with a completely different set of challenges. No matter which of these villains you fear, one fact remains the same: They can be hiding anywhere, ready to cause minor or severe physical problems.

Super Power: Vigilance. Allergy Girl never lets her guard down!

But don’t despair Food Super Friends! As I mentioned earlier, we have powerful allies to help us eat well and stay healthy at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Let’s meet them now:

Private Prep

This powerful tool-based soldier can give you the advanced intel you’ll need to prepare in advance for any food attack during your vacation. Check the official Disney websites to read menus and get contact information. Calling ahead and talking to chefs can almost eliminate nasty sneak attacks later on. But don’t forget the fan-based Blogs where you’ll find firsthand accounts of other Food Super Friends who have already defeated the forces of Ick and Bloating!

Private Prep

City Hallmatron

Upon arriving at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, head to this ever-updating source of intel. You can’t have too much intel! Usually they’ll have a list of food spots that can cater to your particular allergy needs, and if not, they can direct you to an ally that does.

Cast ReMember

This powerful ally has the ability to be in hundreds of places at once. Whereas Private Prep stays at Home Base, and City Hallmatron has to be visited, Cast ReMember is out there on the battlefield fighting alongside you from Park open to Park close. You’ll never find a more loyal ally! Mention your preferences or allergies and they’ll immediately jump into action, calling to mind a plethora of tasty and suitable food options.

Cast Member Uniform     Backyard BBQ     Mickey’s Backyard BBQ

Restosaurus

No matter which Park you choose, the best way to find good variety and safe food options is to eat mainly at sit-down restaurants. Restosaurus has imbued these fortresses with the latest in food preparation techniques and professional, dedicated chefs. They’ll cater to any palette or problem with courtesy, expediency, and… supernessness.

50’s Prime Time Cafe     Eat In     Disney’s Hollywood Studios

So Food Super Friends, no matter who your arch nemesis is, be sure to depend on your allies! Pickyman and Allergy Girl always do, and we never lose the battle against Ick and Bloating. Join our team of educated and dedicated Super Friends, and always enjoy a tasty victory!

Excelsior!

Assignment: What would your Super Name be if you joined our team of Food Super Friends? Let us know in the comments below!

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Posing for Pics at Walt Disney World

Posted on March 23, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Obviously, WDW is one of the most popular places on Earth to take pictures. But that makes it a challenge to take good pictures that will stand out, to do something that hasn’t been done before. The pictures I’m about to share with you may not win awards, but I present them anyway to show five types of posed pictures you can take at WDW.

First     132     Interact with Characters

Most of my character pictures look the same: Karen and I are just standing there, and so are they. So this time we tried to plus it up a bit by striking the same pose being as we were wearing the same shirts. Friends of ours usually engage the characters in some sort of play which yields an even better image!

Bottom Line: Don’t end up with a line of bean poles

Second     174     Utilize the Surroundings

Most of the Parks and Resorts have interesting structures or visual cues that you can pose with in an interesting way. Here, Karen is standing in front of the fake street set in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Typically, most would simply stand facing forward and smile, but instead Karen looked away from the camera as if trying to find something in the background. This lent a level of realism to the picture. It’s possible one wouldn’t know the background was fake.

Bottom Line: Interact with your background to engage the viewer

Third     187     Use Props

Props are everywhere! Again, here I am just standing beside the taxi. But while passing the Herbie the Love Bug prop car, we saw a man laying down in front of Herbie just under the bumper, as if Herbie was running him over. It was hilarious!

Bottom Line: Ham it up when using a prop

Fourth     191 +  193     Posing

Posing itself is important. I felt that the background behind me was intricate and powerful, so I adopted a firm stance. Karen opted for a ‘Singing in the Rain’ pose while interacting with this lamp-post. Both the backgrounds and the poses are equally evocative.

Bottom Line: Try to match your prop or surroundings

Fifth     225     Framing

Sometimes you just want a shot of the family together. Even so, you can still make the shot visually interesting. Here Karen and her parents are sitting in very nice surroundings at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. I’ve framed them in the center of the shot with the couch and flowers providing some general interest.

Bottom Line: Symmetry always works

I hope you enjoyed learning a few things about photography while looking at some of my boring family pictures that you otherwise would have tried to avoid!

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Top 5 Walt Disney World Things We Want Everywhere!

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Part of the magic behind a Disney vacation is revisiting those things that you just can’t get anywhere else. When we experience them for the first time at the Parks, we are hooked! During each visit we taste, ride, see, or hear them again and again.

But what if we could experience those things year round in our own backyard, so to speak? In that vein, here is my Top 5 list of WDW things we want everywhere:

Gimmie No. 5

Detail

Attention to Detail. No one does this like Disney! Every detail is plussed to the max. The cleanliness stands out, as does the extraordinary theming. And I’m not alone in desiring a little Disney detailing in my everyday life, as the TV show Backyard Disney attests!

Gimmie No. 4

Doll Whip     Doll Whip     Doll Whip

Dole Whip. I don’t think you can even get this Island Treat in the real Hawaii! But if you’re one of the people who will stand in line for hours just to get a spoonful, then you know that this confection should be sold worldwide!

Gimmie No. 3

Cast Members

Cast Members. Imagine if all service personnel that you come into contact with during your normal day had that Disney attitude! No more surly grocery store clerks. No more indifferent bank tellers. Just smiling faces everywhere!

And my wife said that what she would like is a Cast Member standing on every corner to help her find her way. On the street. In the mall. Everywhere! Nothing like that two-finger point to clarify your direction in life.

Gimmie No. 2

Monorail

Monorails. OK, I know these marvels of transportation are found outside WDW. Las Vegas has one (for now), as does most of Asia. But here in North America, a Monorail ride is almost impossible to enjoy outside the berm, as it were!

Imagine again that your child could walk to the end of your driveway and board a Monorail to school. Morning commutes to work on Monorail Teal? Bring it on! And no more light rail trains to block you at every intersection. Now that’s my vision of transportation heaven!

Gimmie No. 1

Mickey Bar

Mickey Premium Bars. Delish! There really is no need to try to convince anyone that this would be a good idea as I’m sure everyone is on board for this one!

Have I missed your favorite WDW thing that you want everywhere? Let me know in the comments section!

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Princess Smackdown – Who is the Best of Them All?

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Princess Villains

Beauty is only skin deep. Although we’ve all heard that saying, we still appreciate and are attracted to a pretty face. And Walt Disney did little to correct that trend. His first three Princesses were heavy on the looks, light on true depth. But 30 years have passed and the final eight official Princesses have worn a different tiara.

So who would be the best Princess of them all if we added more than beauty into the equation? To find out, we will gauge each Princess on the following criteria: Independence; Judgment; Contribution; Personality; and of course, Physical Appearance.

Let’s start by meeting the contestants:

Snow White (1937) – SW

Cinderella (1950) – CIN

Aurora (1959) – SB

Ariel (1989) – LM

Belle (1991) – BEL

Jasmine (1992) – JAS

Pocahontas (1995) – POC

Mulan (1998) – MUL

Tiana (2009) – TIA

Rapunzel (2010) – RAP

Merida (2012) – MER

Independence

SW, CIN, and SB definitely lose this category. They were little more than bystanders in their own lives. LM, BEL, JAS, MUL, RAP, TIA, RAP, and MER all lived in restrictive times but were able to rise above that to find their own path. But most of them did rely on others to help them do it. In the case of MER, I think she went a little too far! So this round goes to Pocahontas.

Pocahontas

This Indian Princess was independent from the get go! She had a strong will and a determination to try new things which ultimately led to bridges being built between two very different cultures.

Runner Up: Mulan

Judgment

Again, our first three Princesses didn’t have many decisions to make. Others did it for them, or to them, in the case of CIN. When she decided to venture out, it was under the protection of her Fairy Godmother. But that’s not enough to win this round.

LM also loses this round because she went to an evil Witch to get what she wanted! RAP also loses for trusting a thief, although no one could blame her considering the situation! TIA was ready to put her dreams in the kiss of a frog. Again, MER made such a bad decision that it turned her loved ones into bears. Perhaps asking for something more specific than ‘change’ would have been a good idea!

So that leaves it to the final four Princesses. JAS snuck out from the safety of her palace, but was in no real danger, as she could always identify herself for protection. POC and MUL both risked a lot and put them themselves in great danger, but it was for a good cause.

Belle

But I’m giving this round to Belle. She decided to sacrifice herself, her freedom, and her future, to save her ailing Father. A nobler thing I can’t imagine!

Runner Up: Cinderella

Contribution

SW, CIN, and SB were all good housekeepers. They sang well and were kind to animals. For their times, those were good contributions.

LM, JAS, RAP and TIA were more about their personal journeys. They did touch others along the way, but their stories were more about them.

That leaves BEL, POC, MUL, and MER. BEL eventually left the Beast, although she did return. But I’m disqualifying her for that anyway. MER did finally contribute to her Father’s people by learning to be a peacemaker between the tribes without having to marry anyone. I like that! And although POC did make for peace too, I have to give this round to Mulan. Hey, she helped win a war!

Runner Up: Pocahontas

Personality

All of our contestants have good personalities. But let’s see if we can eliminate some in a lightning round. SW: Too sweet. SB: Not enough to go on. LM: Possibly a bit selfish. BEL: A tad condescending to her ‘provincial’ neighbors? JAS: Spoiled. POC: A bit too intense. MUL: Conflicted. MER: A wee bit bratty (but  read on).

I’m having a hard time placing TIA in this category. She was a feisty frog!

Cinderella

But I’m giving this to Cinderella. No matter how horrid everyone was to her, she just kept singing and working and… loving! Even after her Prince came, she didn’t hold a grudge against her wicked stepfamily. Now that’s character!

Runner Up: Rapunzel/Merida

Physical Appearance

This is purely a matter of taste. Some of the Disney Princesses are more overtly sexual than others, even though that’s not something we’re supposed to notice. But come on, a clamshell bra? Who wouldn’t notice? But for me, Jasmine wins this round!

Runner Up: Aurora

And the winner is:

So if we add up the points, who is the ultimate Princess? The best of the best? Rating each Princess on each of the categories with a 1 for the least and 5 for the most relevant, the winner is:

P o c a h o n t a s

Runner Up: Cinderella. And hoping that both break a heel on the way to the podium: Belle

If you disagree, leave a comment and tell me why!

This article was previously published, but updated to add the newest Princesses

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Snow White’s Fairest of Them All Glossies

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Karen and I don’t usually seek out opportunities to pose with characters during our visits to the Parks. The lines can be long and we just feel we want to spend our time more wisely. But I do love getting a good picture of a character.

So today I’ll share a few shots I took of Disney’s very first Princess: Snow White

166+     2007 In Disney’s Hollywood Studios

202+      2008 In The Magic Kingdom

146     2008 In Epcot

We only have this last shot because it was raining anamorphic cats and dogs in Epcot and Disney had pulled all of the characters out of the Pavilions in World Showcase and put them in one place. We got poses with over half a dozen characters in one lineup, which was short, as most people didn’t know it was happening.

How do you feel about Meet and Greets? Waste of time or awesome photo-ops?

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Dinner and a Star Wars Jedi Show

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Why settle for dinner and a movie when you can watch the Force battle the Dark Side while you chew on a burger and fries!

In 2013, we visited Disneyland for the first time and stopped for lunch in Tomorrowland and were delighted to learn that we were just in time for the Jedi Training Academy. So we picked a table up front and waited for:

The entrance of the Jedi Master     Force Entrance     “You want to share your fries with me.”

Jedi     Time for some greetings and basic instructions

Now, what kind of food do you suppose someone who supports the Force would eat? How about:

Jedi Food     Jedi like Coke and pudding. And fries.

But it’s not all about the Jedi, as this next entrance shows:

Dark Side Entrance

Best Entrance: The Dark Side!

Darth Vader Darth Maul Storm Troopers

The usual suspects

Then there was a bunch of faux fighting, kids waving Light Sabers, and cheering. Yada yada (or Yoda yoda). But what you’re really interested in is what the Dark Side eats for lunch. Well:

Gluten-free burger     Dark Side Food     Fries

Yes, the Dark Side likes to eat Gluten-free because it makes you suffer. Yes. It just does. If only the combined power of the Jedi and the Dark Side could create a better bun!

But only one person in the galaxy (far, far away) could possible make such a thing possible:

Darth Zurg

“Buzz. I am your father! Have a gluten-free bun.”

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What if the Paparazzi Reported on Disney Princesses?

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Dis-LEE

Scrncap1

Happily ever after. Every Disney movie seems to end that way, but especially if it’s a Princess movie! Of course, we don’t live in that kind of a world, do we?

Celebrities are constantly being maligned. Their lives are reported on and distorted beyond recognition. Sometimes it’s unbelievable the headlines we see!

So I wondered: What kind of headlines would the Disney Princesses make in today’s tabloids?

Well, let’s have a look…

Snow White

Teenage Girl Arrested for Polygamy With Seven Men

Aurora

Parents of Comatose Girl Decide to Remove Life Support

Cinderella

Lonely Woman’s Strange Hobby: Sewing Clothes for Mice

Ariel

Girl Found on Beach Half-naked, Fined, Defendant Speechless

Jasmine

Royalty Involved in Peasant Scandal, Loses Crown

Belle

Woman Turns Down He-man, Marries Man-Beast

Pocahontas

Young Lady Committed, Claims Tree is Grandmother, Talks to Raccoon

Mulan

Girl Charged With Tom-peepery, Found by Men’s Bathing Pool

Tiana

Family Disowns Daughter for Alternative Lifestyle After Kissing Frog

Rapunzel

Girl Arrested After Striking Man With Frying Pan, Claims Self Defense

Merida

Scottish Lass Turns Mother, Brothers into Bears (you can’t make this stuff up!)

Anna and Elsa

Ice Queens Put the Freeze on Mankind. Wait… what?

Bonus Princess: Alice

Little Girl Talks to Pet Rabbit, Eats Strange Mushroom, Parents Appauled

So I guess it’s for the best that these stories take place far, far away in a time long, long ago, and not in our modern world!

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