The Magic of Disney World

Just as you cross under Oldengate Bridge (that would be the giant brachiosaurus skeleton), you’ll reach a sign…ummm…a giant shoulder blade…announcing The Boneyard. The Boneyard is a giant, creative playground where children (and adults, if they don’t mind stooping) can run, jump, slide and work off some steam.

As you enter The Boneyard, look to your right, just behind the jeep. There’s a set of fossilized bones set into the wall called the Xylobone (wasn’t that punny?) Knock on a rib bone to play a note.

The Boneyard also has (more…)

Since Star Tours has always been a favorite of mine, I went into Body Wars with high hopes. Maybe my hopes were too high. Body Wars uses the same simulation technology as Star Tours, but it was much rougher and I didn’t find the story as engaging. Oh, well…you can’t have everything, right?

Just so no one gets the wrong idea, I did like Body Wars. The story goes like this: (more…)

I have to admit…the first time I visited Disneyworld I slept through the Hall of Presidents. Call it jet lag, call it trying to fit too many things into a small time frame…I sat down in a comfortable chair, they turned out the lights, and my eyes developed a will of thier own.

That being said…the second time I visited I made sure I was well rested and I stayed awake. The Hall of Presidents really is an interesting attraction, even though it’s not full of thrills and excitement.

It begins with a film about the Constitution. After the movie, (more…)

The Mad Tea Party is one of the most well known rides in the Magic Kingdom. It’s a simple ride, really… a carnival fun ride. The magic lies in the theming that Disney puts with the ride.

The Mad Tea Party was inspired by the Disney animated film, “Alice In Wonderland”. If you remember the film (those of us with DVD players and small children have no problem with this point), (more…)

On January 2, 2005, Disney added another bonus for staying in a Disney resort. In addition to the Morning Extra Magic Hour, Disneyworld has added Evening Extra Magic Hours. On certain days, one of the four main Disney parks will stay open three hours after regular park closing, and only resort guests are invited. Here’s another opportunity to ride many popular attractions without waiting forever and a day in line!

To take advantage of the Evening Extra Magic Hour, wait until two hours before the park closes, then take your Key To the World card (your resort ID) to selected locations inside the park. Cast members will give you a wristband. That wristband lets you stay inside the park and ride rides for three hours after cast members shoo everyone else out.

In order to take advantage of Evening Extra Magic Hours, you must be staying at one of the following resorts: (more…)

One of the best perks of staying in a Disney resort is the ability to attend the Extra Magic Hour. On some days, Disneyworld will open a selected theme park for resort guests one hour before the general public can enter. Of course, not all rides are open, but many popular rides are, so you can ride for a whole hour without waiting in a single long line. I know…you’re on vacation and don’t want to get up early. I’m with you, but the opportunity to skip all that standing around is so worth it!

A couple of things to note: the Extra Magic Hour is only valid for Disney Resort guests. Specifically, (more…)

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”, this playground will charm and entertain you. Oh…and it’ll really entertain your kids!

This soft surface playground creates a whole world in which you have the perspective of an ant. Look around and you will find 30 foot blades of grass, tree sized paper clips, and house sized legos. Kids have the chance to explore caves (located under the giant mushroom), climb spiderwebs, and (more…)

We walked into Playhouse Disney, not because we had small children with us, but because we were determined to visit each and every one of the shows and attractions at each of the theme parks. The youngest child with us was 7 at the time, and since we don’t have the Disney Channel, we didn’t really know who any of the characters in Playhouse Disney were. With that background, or lack of background, Playhouse Disney was one of my least favorite attractions in Disney MGM Studios.

The show was well done. Everyone sits (more…)

I think everyone’s had the experience of paying money (a good chunk of money) to attend a theme park and then spending the entire day waiting in line. It’s a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid this experience by applying just a little planning.

Theme parks tend to be the most crowded on weekends, when local residents visit. This is especially true for Downtown Disney and the water parks. The Magic Kingdom tends to be busiest on Mondays.

Guests who stay in a Disney Hotel (more…)

“It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears…” It’s the one song guaranteed to stick in your mind for hours, if not days, after experiencing It’s a Small World. Small World was built for the World Fair in New York in 1964-1965. Despite it’s age and lack of high tech thrills, It’s a Small World remains a favorite of Disneyworld guests young and old.

As you enter It’s a Small World, you’ll board a boat that moves at about the pace of a slug. Which is good, in a way, because (more…)