UPDATED closings and refurbs!

 

 

 

 Closure information starting after the Jan. 1, 2014!!

Courtesy of It's All About the Mouse Travel

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATED closings and refurbs!

Casey's Corner: 1/6/14 - 2/15/14
Tomorrowland Speedway: 1/6/14 - 1/12/14
Splash Mountain: 1/6/14 - 3/21/14
Splashdown Photos: 1/6/14 - 3/21/14
Agrabah Bazaar: 1/7/14 - 2/13/14
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: 1/13/14 - 1/16/14
Liberty Square Riverboat: 1/21/14 - 1/30/14
Barnstormer: 2/3/14 - 2/5/14
Tomorrowland Transit Authority: 2/10/14 - 3/27/14
Pinocchio's Village Haus: 2/17/14 - 3/30/14
The Plaza Restaurant: 2/17/14 - 3/15/14

Epcot®
American Adventure Restrooms: Mid-January - End of January

Disney's Hollywood Studios®
Monsters Inc. Meet & Greet: 1/5/14 - 1/19/14

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Festival of the Lion King: 1/6/14
Camp Minnie-Mickey: 1/6/14

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Annual Refurbishment: 12/22/13 - 3/17/14

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
Kiddie Pool Wet Deck - Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open: 1/21/14 - 2/14/14

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Pool slides - pools remain open: 1/27/14 - 2/7/14

Disney's Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower Kiddie Pool Wet Deck - Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open: 1/13/14 - 2/7/14

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Victoria & Albert's: 1/19/14 - 1/28/14

Disney's Old Key West Resort
Goods to Go: 1/20/14 - 1/30/14

Gurging Suitcase: 2/5/14 - 2/28/14

Disney's Polynesian Resort
Polynesian Beach and Sunset Point - access to the east portion of the beach - near the Transportation and Ticket Center - as well as Sunset Point will be unavailable due to a scheduled refurbishment. However, all other amenities will not be affected. Some rooms in certain room categories in impacted buildings have been taken off the market during the renovation period: 9/9/13 - TBD

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Doubloon Lagoon Pool - transportation will be provided for Guests to swim at Ol' Man Island Pool at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside: 1/13/14 - 2/28/14

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Magnolia Bend Bldg 80 - 85 Pool Deck: 1/20/14 - 1/21/14

Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Congress Park Pool: 1/22/14 - 1/23/14

Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Yacht Club Quiet Pool: 1/21/14 - 2/7/14
Beach Club Quiet Pool: 2/3/14 - 2/4/14

Downtown Disney® Area
Parking Lots H,I,J,K Closing: 7/30/13 - TBD
Fuego: 10/1/13
Wetzels Pretzels: 10/20/13
Cap'n Jack's Marina: 10/20/13

Disney Picture of the Day!

Todays #Disney Picture from the Park from Moments of the Magic by Joe Diebold- 

 

Tree Of Life - there are many viewing areas on walkway from Africa to Asia for great photo ops of the Tree of Life.

My 25 Favorite Disney Things #1 !!!!

 The crème de la crème, the icing in the cake............the best of the best...........here now, is my #1 favorite thing at my beloved Walt Disney World.........

Pirates of the Caribbean®!!!

 Indeed, always has been, and always will be at the top of my list......(even though there are some attractions that are giving it a run for its money......and another to come that is not even done yet.)
There is a tradition with Pirates of the Caribbean.  A history of sorts for me and my family.  
It is the very first attraction I went on in 1976 at age 18, going to Walt Disney World for the very first time.  
It is this attraction that my sons called "our ride" after the first time they were able to go, and totally understand it.  It holds a special place in my heart, and always will.
Family fun, tradition, and feeling like a kid, no matter what age you are.  Isn't that the entire concept that our beloved Walt Disney wanted for his parks?  Indeed.  

Early birds reap the benefits.......nobody blocking the shots you want!

Even though there have been some changed in Pirates from way back at the beginning.  Due to popular demand, the attraction opened at Magic Kingdom park on December 15, 1973 and, most recently, has spawned a blockbuster film series starring Johnny Depp. Most recently added are swimming mermaids.

Here is what the Walt Disney World website tells of the pirates tale:
Set sail on a swashbuckling voyage to a long-forgotten time and place when pirates and privateers ruled the seas.

A Pirate’s Life for You

Wander a meanderin’ alleyway within a Spanish fortress and board a small barge for a spellbinding high-seas adventure. Escape through a shadowy grotto past the ghostly catacombs of fallen pirates and swoop down a small rushing waterfall—your passageway to the Golden Age of Piracy.
Behold boisterous buccaneers drunk on the spoils of plunderin’ during a 9-minute cruise amid the Old World. Sing along as windswept pirates serenade you with their classic anthem, “Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).” And even spy a sly Captain Jack Sparrow from The Pirates of the Caribbean film series along the way!
If Ye Be Seekin’ Adventure…
Take off on a treacherous voyage to the 17th century, when rowdy rogues and rapscallions ruled seaport towns along the Spanish Main under the watchful eye of “Jolly Roger.”
Popular sites you will encounter include:
• Pirates Grotto
Home to Dead Man’s Cove and Hurricane Lagoon, this haunted realm recalls the struggles pirates endured on the open seas.
• The Fort
Navigate through a shadowy bay, where a foggy Caribbean fort and a striking 12-gun galleon—helmed by Captain Barbossa—are locked in battle.
• Town Square
Sail straight past a crowded marketplace of rambunctious scalawags, gleefully bidding in an auction for a bride.
• Burning City
Looters and buccaneers sing a song of jubilation as flames engulf a seaside town.
• The Dungeon
Trapped in a jail cell, freebooters attempt to lure a confused canine within reach to nab the prison keys he has in his mouth.
Dead men tell no tales, indeed!

A Treasure for the Ages

Pirates of the Caribbean is considered to be one of the most spectacular attractions ever created for a theme park.
The attraction was originally conceived as a wax museum and a walk-through adventure. But following the success of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Walt Disney and his team of Imagineers decided that Audio-Animatronics—Walt’s latest animation technology—was the most imaginative way to tell a rousing pirate story.
On April 19, 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland park. Thanks to the many highly detailed environments, lavish special effects and memorable characters, the attraction earned rave reviews and has remained a beloved classic ever since.
Due to popular demand, the attraction opened at Magic Kingdom park on December 15, 1973 and, most recently, has spawned a blockbuster film series starring Johnny Depp.

Well,  me hearties,  we must weigh anchor.... and move on to other features for this blog!  We will pick up after the first of the year! 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!!

 

My 25 Favorite Disney Things #2

WOW!  Christmas Eve, and we are down to my #2 so, without further delay.....................

My #2 pick is:

Disney's Wilderness Lodge!!

 

Yes!  My all time favorite resort to stay and, and absolutely have to take a trek over there if we are not staying there.  Even just to walk around, it's so beautiful and peaceful there.  It will be our resort of choice on our next visit to Walt Disney World.

This is what Disney has to say about this beautiful resort:

 
Escape to the rustic majesty of America’s Great Northwest. Inspired by turn-of-the-century National Park lodges, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge celebrates American craftsmanship and honors the beauty of the untamed wilderness. Soak in the splendor of the great outdoors, from nature trails through pine forests to rocking chairs that overlook a murmuring creek. Inside, discover towering totem poles, headdresses and more, and sink into a plush leather armchair in front of the roaring fireplace. 

Join me again tomorrow, or when you have a few minutes to find out my #1 pick of my 25 favorite things to do at Walt Disney World!!

Until then, Merry Christmas Eve!!!

My 25 Favorite Disney Things #3

We have made it to the top three things on my list!  Two attractions and a resort are the ultimate for me.
Let's get right to it then......

My #3 pick.........is...........

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®

 

Ever since we rode on this attraction back in 2010, it has been at the all time favorites category for both Paul and I.  The Theme of this attraction, the queue, the ride itself.....just make it an all-around awesome experience!

 Here is what the Walt Disney World website states about this great attraction:

 Careen through the Himalayan mountains on a speeding train while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Abominable Snowman. 

 

Climb the Mountain

Embark on a thrilling expedition through the icy peaks of the Himalayas.
Venture inside a Tibetan-style stone structure at the foot of towering Mt. Everest and make your way past the booking office of Himalayan Escapes – Tours and Expeditions. Wander past a small temple and a cozy general store before exploring a museum dedicated to the study of the Yeti, the mysterious snow monster said to inhabit the Himalayas.
The Adventure Begins
Board a weather-beaten train and ascend a series of rolling hills overlooking a serene green forest. Climb a steep incline and navigate through a ceremonial stone tunnel before reaching the summit. Once at the “top of the world,” hold on tight as you pick up speed and race inside the dreaded mountain.
An Unexpected Encounter
Without warning, your train screeches to a halt: A broken and twisted track appears in front of you. Brace yourself as your train unpredictably begins to race backward into the darkened mountain, furiously swooping up into a double-looping turn. Inside the windswept passage, the shadowy figure of a growling creature can be seen on a cavern wall. It is the Yeti—the legend is real.
Hurl 80 feet down the base of the cursed mountain and swoop in and out of murky caves and along jagged rocky ledges as you race to escape the dreaded monster before he catches up with you.
Will you make it back to civilization safely? Or will the Yeti claim another victim?

Beware the Legend

Folklore has it that a fierce guardian monster protects the Forbidden Mountain.
For years, the Royal Anandapur Tea Company shipped its tea by train through the Forbidden Mountain pass. After a series of mysterious accidents were blamed on the dreaded Yeti monster, the railroad closed. Today, the railway is operating again, thanks to a group of local entrepreneurs—Himalayan Escapes, Tours and Expeditions— who offer curious travelers transportation to the base camp on the scenic mountain.
Yet there are some who believe the legend to be true and that the Yeti will do everything in its power to protect the sacred realm of the Himalayas. Visitors beware.

A Word of Warning

Some parts of Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain may be scary for little ones. This attraction includes loud noises, confined places and frightening creature effects.

 

 

 Do I look like I am praying here?  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for joining me today!  Come back tomorrow for my #2 pick!!

Reviewing Saving Mr. Banks

As I have come to discover, it's very hard to do a review of this movie as not to be a spoiler to others.  I know 99% of the people reading this blog are from the Disney community, so I hesitate to give anything away.  So, I am not going to give a review that talks about things that happen in the movie.  What I am going to do is tell you, that this is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.  Not animated of course, so when I say best movies, I am leaving out animated.  I put Disney animated movies on an entirely different pedestal.

Director: John Lee Hancock

Running time: 126 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13

Screenplay: Sue Smith, Kelly Marcel

Saving Mr. Banks was well acted.  Emma Thompson was a great choice to play the part of P. L. Travers, the author of the Mary Poppins books.  (Yes, there are more than just one story of Mary Poppins.)  Her books include Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Comes Back, Mary Poppins Opens the Door, Mary Poppins in the Park, Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane / Mary Poppins and the House Next Door (2-in-1 edition).There was also a book called Mary Poppins in the Kitchen.  In this book you get a unique glimpse at the famous Poppins cast as the spit-spot English nanny and the Banks children take over the kitchen for a week. With the help of familiar visitors like the Bird Woman, Admiral Boom, and Mr. and Mrs. Turvy, Mary Poppins teaches her irrepressible young charges the basics of cooking, from A to Z. And young readers can re-create the week's menus by following the thirty different recipes.
 Emma Thompson has to get her hair cut, and get a perm, and I heard her on a talk show recently and she said she had not had a perm since she had a hideous perm years ago.  She thought this was hideous as well, but was well needed for playing the part.

Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney.  A wonderful portrayal in my humble opinion.  Sure, there are several actors who could have done a wonderful job as well, however I really think the connection of Tom Hanks and his past Disney movies gives the portrayal a different aura.   Maybe it's just me, but that was what came over me several times while viewing the movie.

Other characters in the movie are Richard and Robert Sherman who wrote all the music for Mary Poppins, among many, many other Disney films including:

• The Parent Trap, 1961
• A Symposium on Popular Songs, 1962
• In Search of the Castaways, 1962
• Summer Magic, 1963
• The Sword in the Stone, 1963
• Big Red, 1963
• Mary Poppins, 1964
• "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow", 1964
• Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, 1966
• The Happiest Millionaire, 1967
• The Jungle Book, 1967
• The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, 1968
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1968
• Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, 1968
• The Aristocats, 1970
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 1971
• Snoopy, Come Home, 1972
• Charlotte's Web, 1973
• Tom Sawyer, 1973
• Huckleberry Finn, 1974
• Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too, 1974
• The Slipper and the Rose, 1976
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1977
• The Magic of Lassie, 1978
• Magic Journeys, 1982
• Welcome to Pooh Corner, 1983
• Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore, 1983
• Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, 1992
• The Mighty Kong, 1998
• The Tigger Movie, 2000
• Winnie the Pooh, 2011

Theme park songs

• Adventure Thru Inner Space
  • "Miracles from Molecules"
• America on Parade
  • "The Glorious Fourth"
• Carousel of Progress
  • "The Best Time of Your Life"
  • "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"
• CommuniCore
  • "The Astuter Computer Revue" (for the 1982 premiere of the pavilion at EPCOT Center)
• Epcot Center Opening & Dedication
  • "The World Showcase March"
• Pepsi Presents WALT DISNEY'S "it's a small world" – a Salute to UNICEF and the World's Children for the 1964 New York World's Fair
  • "it's a small world (after all)" then adapted to each Disney Park "it's a small world" attraction installation.
• Journey Into Imagination (and Journey Into Imagination With Figment)
  • "One Little Spark"
• Magic Journeys
  • "Magic Journeys"
  • "Makin' Memories"
• Meet the World in Tokyo Disneyland
  • "Meet the World"
  • "We Meet the World with Love"
• Rocket Rods
  • "Magic Highways"
• The Great Movie Ride
  • "Chim Chim Cher-ee"
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • "Winnie the Pooh"
  • A Rather Blustery Day {song Winnie the Pooh)
  • "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers"
  • Heffalumps and Woozles
  • "The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down"
  • Hip Hip Pooh-Ray!
• Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
  • "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room"

Walt Disney's World Of Color- Wonderful World Of Color

Other

The Spectrum Song – for Walt Disney's The Wonderful World of Color. Sung by Paul Frees as Ludwig 
Von Drake.

Academy Awards

• 1965 WON Academy Award in the category of " Best Original Song" for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins
• 1965 WON Academy Award in the category of "Best Substantially Original Score" for Mary Poppins
• 1969 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1972 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "The Age of Not Believing" from Bedknobs & Broomsticks
• 1972 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score" for Bedknobs & Broomsticks
• 1974 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Scoring Original Song Score And/Or Adaptation" for Tom Sawyer
• 1978 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "The Slipper and the Rose Waltz" from The Slipper and the Rose
• 1978 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Scoring Original Song Score And/Or Adaptation" for The Slipper and the Rose
• 1979 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "When You're Loved" from The Magic of Lassie

Annie Awards

• 2000 Nominated Annie in the category of "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production" for the song "Round My Family Tree" from The Tigger Movie
• 2003 "Winsor McCay Award" for lifetime achievement and contribution to animation

BAFTA Awards

• 1977 Nominated "Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music" for The Slipper and the Rose

BMI

• 1977 "Pioneer Award" awarded in Los Angeles, California.
• 1991 "Lifetime Achievement Award" awarded at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Christopher Award

• 1964 "Christopher Award" for "Best Original Song Score" for Mary Poppins
• 1973 "Christopher Award" for "Best Original Song Score" for Tom Sawyer

Disney

• 1985 "Mousecar" awarded at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California in front of 20 thousand people.
• 1990 "Disney Legends" awarded at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
• 2010 Main Street, U.S.A. Window presented at Disneyland in Anaheim, California in honor of the Sherman Brothers' contribution to Disney theme parks.

Golden Globes

• 1965 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Mary Poppins
• 1969 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1969 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Song" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1974 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Tom Sawyer
• 1977 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for The Slipper and the Rose

Golden Videocassette Award

• 1984 Best Selling Video Cassette (of all time) for Mary Poppins

Grammy Awards

• 1965 WON Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Motion Picture or Television Show" for Mary Poppins
• 1965 WON Grammy in the category of "Best Album for Children" for Mary Poppins
• 1968 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Album for Children" for The Jungle Book, along with Terry Gilkyson
• 1970 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Album for Children" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1972 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Children's Show" for Snoopy Come Home
• 1974 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Musical Show" for Over Here!

Laurel Awards

• 1965 Won "Golden Laurel" in the category of "Best Song" "Chim Chim Cher-ee" for Mary Poppins
• 1965 2nd Place "Golden Laurel" in the category of Music Men"
• 1966 3rd place "Golden Laurel" in the category of "Best Song" "That Darn Cat!" for That Darn Cat!

Moscow Film Festival

• 1973 First Place Award in the category of "Best Music" for Tom Sawyer

National Medal of Arts

• 2008 National Medal of Arts awarded to Richard and Robert Sherman on November 17, 2008 at the White House by President George W. Bush. This is the highest honor the United States Government bestows on artists.^[5]

Olivier Awards

• 2002 Nominated "Best Musical" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Songwriters Hall of Fame

• 2005 induction at the Marriott Hotel on Times Square in New York City.

Theatre Museum Award

• 2010 Career Achievement Award presented on May 17, 2010 at The Players Club in New York City.

Variety Club Awards

• 2003 Won "Best Musical" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Walk of Fame

• 1976 A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame awarded to "Richard & Robert Sherman" on November 17, 1976, located at 6914 Hollywood Blvd.

 Need I say more about this duo?  I think not!!!

The actors who played the parts of these talented brothers are Jason Schwartzman as Richard Sherman and B.J. Novak as Robert Sherman.  I really enjoyed their take on these characters.

Paul Giamatti is also in the movie with a fairly small part, but a crucial role in telling this story.   Melanie Paxon plays a roll as a secretary and Kathy Baker plays the roll of Walt's administrative assistant.  Other brilliant performances include Collin Farrell, Ruth Wilson, Bradley Whitford. young newcomer Annie Rose Buckley, Rachel Griffiths and Ronan Vibert. 

The best thing I can advise, is DO NOT miss this movie!  I will be going to see it again soon.