tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26739774916170178442024-03-14T08:23:05.965-04:00The Big-Bellied Beauty's Guide to Disney WorldThe overweight, overworked, overstressed momma's guide to the happiest place on Earth.The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-30115816800068016602011-09-21T18:12:00.000-04:002011-09-21T18:12:22.582-04:00Changes to the Haunted MansionI know I haven't blogged since approximately the beginning of time, but I watched this video today and I am so excited, that I had to share! Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAC0fjrXChU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAC0fjrXChU</a>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-56175222071410959212011-05-16T15:35:00.000-04:002011-05-16T15:35:59.807-04:00Fun triviaI know I haven't blogged in almost a month. Life has been crazy! I decided to just do a fun post today of fun facts about the park.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzovndPkoxBXZDqtY7eC-vvuHCfWFLVf0IybCTyvrWKch8JB9PPAN7MkoixFgwB3pqFhLUyiy6UVEiQNu7BqIzvrWRlJw2rzef1eM5rEmjlgIBx0OB1Tn7nForQcJk_Gky7NUOzsdy6syd/s1600/100_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzovndPkoxBXZDqtY7eC-vvuHCfWFLVf0IybCTyvrWKch8JB9PPAN7MkoixFgwB3pqFhLUyiy6UVEiQNu7BqIzvrWRlJw2rzef1eM5rEmjlgIBx0OB1Tn7nForQcJk_Gky7NUOzsdy6syd/s320/100_0098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong>Fun Facts about WDW</strong></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The land owned by the Walt Disney Company and known as the Walt Disney World Resort is about the size of the city of <st1:city><st1:place>San Francisco</st1:place></st1:city> or is about twice the size of <st1:place><st1:placename>Manhattan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Island</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The fire station on <st1:street><st1:address>Main Street</st1:address></st1:street> is Station No. 71 (Magic Kingdom opened in 1971) </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The <st1:country-region><st1:place>US</st1:place></st1:country-region> has a law that American flags must come down a sundown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at WDW, only the "main" flag in <st1:street><st1:address>Town Square</st1:address></st1:street> in MK is taken down at sundown. In fact, there is a special ceremony daily for the <st1:street><st1:address>Town Square</st1:address></st1:street> flag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other similar flags are not true <st1:country-region><st1:place>U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> flags; they are missing stripes or stars; thereby avoiding having to be taken down daily.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Following an accident in mid-2009 where a monorail driver was killed, guests are no longer permitted to ride up front with the driver. Earlier, one monorail train was assigned to each resort on the monorail line where guests of that resort had priority to ride up front.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Liberty Tree</span> in <st1:street><st1:address>Liberty Square</st1:address></st1:street> at <st1:place><st1:placename>Magic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place> is a Southern Live Oak well over 100 years old. It is the proud parent to over 500 younger oaks, raised from its acorns.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">When Abraham Lincoln, in the original Hall of Presidents display at the New York Worlds Fair, debuted, a malfunction occurred and red hydraulic fluid leaked into his clothing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Investors and critics thought that <st1:city><st1:place>Lincoln</st1:place></st1:city>'s assassination was being recreated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that time on, clear hydraulic fluid was substituted.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The entrance to <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Spaceship Earth</span> in Epcot actually created a wind tunnel where at one time guests were swept off of their feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Imagineers had to make adjustments after it was built. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it does still get extremely windy down there.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The golf ball (Spaceship Earth) weighs 16 million pounds!</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Spaceship Earth is actually two spheres. The inner sphere is 2 feet inside away from the outer sphere. The outer "skin" of Spaceship Earth is made up of 11,324 aluminum and plastic-alloy triangular panels.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Garden Grill is a revolving restaurant in the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Living with the Land</span> pavilion in Epcot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Disney wants you to experience an entire revolution during the meal, the restaurant rotates faster at lunch than at dinner because most people eat lunch quickly.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The World Showcase lagoon is 185 acres in size and is larger than <st1:place>Disneyland</st1:place> in <st1:state><st1:place>California</st1:place></st1:state>! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walkway around the World Showcase is 1-1/2 Miles. </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">When you board the elevator on the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Tower</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Terror</st1:placename></st1:place> at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, on the left side, outside of the elevator itself, is an inspection certificate that's dated <st1:date day="31" month="10" year="1939">Oct. 31, 1939</st1:date>, and signed by "Cadwallader." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cadwallader was a character in the sixth Twilight Zone episode, "Escape Clause" who actually turned out to be the Devil himself.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The exterior of the Tower of Terror was designed to match the buildings in the Morocco pavilion at Epcot because the Tower of Terror is visible from a certain angle in World Showcase and Imagineers wanted to make it look like Tower "fit in" with the landscape of Morocco.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnGoIXU4WMndJjn5rZVJlx_SKqhfqgaOUoltLmWMyeCkuGw2wxL7MPdVavSk7-W2I6WxsAqWlTH3sipNBx-1Ttk-mkbar68LiTwYj6pwjlqR1LvdFD6pMy7k6jRmJZQHC7BMh1UA_EeVm/s1600/100_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnGoIXU4WMndJjn5rZVJlx_SKqhfqgaOUoltLmWMyeCkuGw2wxL7MPdVavSk7-W2I6WxsAqWlTH3sipNBx-1Ttk-mkbar68LiTwYj6pwjlqR1LvdFD6pMy7k6jRmJZQHC7BMh1UA_EeVm/s320/100_0405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The <st1:place><st1:placename>Earffel</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place>, Disney’s Hollywood Studios' water tower landmark, would wear a hat size of 342 3/4.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Disney's Animal Kingdom encompasses 500 acres, the company's biggest theme park. The centerpiece is the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tree of Life</span>, 14 stories high and 50 feet wide at its trunk.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In 1997 Michael Eisner invited Jane Goodall to come see construction of Disney's Animal Kingdom, in particular the Tree of Life. He asked Goodall what she thought about all the animals being carved in the tree and asked. "Where is the chimpanzee going?" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After conferring with Zsolt Hormay (chief sculptor) it was discovered much to Eisner's embarrassment that one was not included in the approximately 320 animals. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eisner told Miss Goodall to pick a a place on the tree and one would be sculpted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She chose the entrance outside of It's Tough To Be A Bug so everyone would be able to see David Greybeard; the first chimp she ever observed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will notice the chimp is more detailed than the other animals; and there is a plaque next to his image describing him.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Tree of Life is constructed from an old oil rig. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the only thing strong enough to hold its shape.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Disney employs more than 54,000 cast members and is the largest single city employer in the <st1:country-region><st1:place>U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Disney is the largest "consumer" of fireworks in the world.</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">"Spare" or "backup" trees matching many of those in the parks are cultivated and kept on hand so in case a tree in a park is damaged, it can be replaced quickly.</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-63296505236486094622011-04-26T14:16:00.003-04:002011-04-26T19:59:41.605-04:00Rides for older audiencesBig thank you to Amanda McCartney Gierman for being my first non-family member "fan" to come up and talk to me about the blog. That made my day!<br />
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Like I said earlier, the first attraction you will encounter when you walk into Epcot is Spaceship Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My suggestion is to walk past this and come back to it later in the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you enter the park before <st1:time hour="11" minute="0">11:00 AM</st1:time>, there are 5 attractions that you need to choose from to head to first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the attractions I am going to talk about today; they are the busiest rides at Epcot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9jQ2zmuD5ZnT8AMCUGvZf0zWc8W1ydZ16pbVWLTXzoGMNc28upCIlgQI0thLz4osKXXiuK00ZToRfZ65nMNZ8Id5L9kKFZu6FX3fqT3VZ3GAFCNeglQbQ46joBAr4Fyz2QCnZs5_cEPS/s1600/100_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9jQ2zmuD5ZnT8AMCUGvZf0zWc8W1ydZ16pbVWLTXzoGMNc28upCIlgQI0thLz4osKXXiuK00ZToRfZ65nMNZ8Id5L9kKFZu6FX3fqT3VZ3GAFCNeglQbQ46joBAr4Fyz2QCnZs5_cEPS/s320/100_0335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The outside of The Seas with Nemo and Friends</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe3ZXVoZg36N5GWxJrzgBmu6yEqmxQ7Fk4RzZQhD9ui25tkOCKO_vnCeACwFtzHxQEVJk5HqcFFSNlj3kYjv_8Xx5tfGfX1k7XeM8iI2-OMMO0nm1GXdo6ZnboOQIlc13hwjZcGWzwsEv/s1600/IMAG0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe3ZXVoZg36N5GWxJrzgBmu6yEqmxQ7Fk4RzZQhD9ui25tkOCKO_vnCeACwFtzHxQEVJk5HqcFFSNlj3kYjv_8Xx5tfGfX1k7XeM8iI2-OMMO0nm1GXdo6ZnboOQIlc13hwjZcGWzwsEv/s320/IMAG0864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having so much fun, we felt like dancing!</div><br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first of these is a great family ride: The Seas with Nemo and Friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is another dark ride: you board your clamobile and are moved into position to be able to view the tanks (with live fish) and the screens projecting over the tanks (incorporating the Nemo-gang).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a fun ride for kids of all ages, but it is very popular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You definitely want to make it one of the first rides of the day; if you get here too late, you will be waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, fun fact: as you’re getting near the end of the ride, pay attention to the starfish, she is hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is begging you to take her with you because she has to hear the song over and over again.<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the ride is over, you will be let out inside a building that contains exhibits with facts about the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picture opportunities abound; they have a large model of Bruce the shark and your kids can get inside of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you head upstairs, you can take part in another ocean attraction: Turtle Talk with Crush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is similar to the Monsters, Inc. attraction at <st1:place><st1:placename>Magic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place> which is a movie theater style setting, with a show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crush interacts with the crowd, answering questions about turtles and the sea.<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ugh, I hate admitting this to you, dear readers, but these next three attractions I have never been on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s my problem, I have a young child and these are not rides for young children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, WDW has a child swap, which is a great tool to use if you are traveling with a young child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole family gets in line and each parent gets to take a turn going on the ride, while the other waits with the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, hubby and I like to ride the rides together, so we never use the child swap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I will tell you all of the research I have heard, but I have no personal experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suck, I’m sorry…<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First off, is Test Track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ride has the dubious fame of being broke down more times than any other ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when it is working, it is apparently one of the most thrilling rides at WDW. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea is: YOU are a crash-test dummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only will you be subjected to extreme hot and cold (to test how the car will do, of course), you will also be subjected to 50-degree banked curves, all while going 60 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one has a FASTPASS, so grab one and come back.<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><st1:city><st1:place>Mission</st1:place></st1:city>: SPACE is a fairly new attraction, but has already had to undergo modifications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Imagineers worked hand-in-hand with astronauts from NASA and, apparently, made the attraction a little too lifelike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are now 2 versions to the ride: orange or green team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <st1:place>Orange</st1:place> team is a more intense experience, including forces on your body of 2.4G.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Green team does not experience the pressure, so it is a better option for those prone to motion sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and your crew are going on a space flight to Mars, including take-off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each team member has a job: Navigator, Pilot, Commander or Engineer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each job actually entails work during the ride, to ensure a successful mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ride also has FASTPASS, so take advantage!<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The last attraction is Soarin’ (which also has FASTPASS, yay!), a free-flying hang glider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be lifted 40 feet in the air to soar over an IMAX projection screen that wraps 180 degrees around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attraction even makes you feel sensory items: smell evergreens as you go over trees, feel the wind and smell sea breeze as you go past the <st1:place><st1:placename>Golden Gate</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it is again not for small children.The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-60054483020191856872011-04-12T15:06:00.000-04:002011-04-12T15:06:14.106-04:00This isn't Neverland, trust me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYv3uTfwybe8khyCx6WZCrW4zMimOy0jdlmncQTbPayn3GroxB3EWGS_PiYLYbz8hmwLpEnreuxpOKr27-cGinjZRxhHaKHbZAu5hd8-EKO61G4hUmDbF0TXVAffFm85kwb_934I34maI/s1600/IMAG0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYv3uTfwybe8khyCx6WZCrW4zMimOy0jdlmncQTbPayn3GroxB3EWGS_PiYLYbz8hmwLpEnreuxpOKr27-cGinjZRxhHaKHbZAu5hd8-EKO61G4hUmDbF0TXVAffFm85kwb_934I34maI/s320/IMAG0662.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emily in Epcot on a very cold day in December. Paddington Bear was her souvenir.</div><br />
Epcot<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am so excited about this next park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place> is a lot of fun and it is the epitome of Disney World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Epcot is grow-up land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They serve alcohol there (did I mention there is no alcohol in <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact they serve many different types of alcohol from different places of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, why I believe this is the favorite area of every beleaguered parent who has already spent a whole day at <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place> with their kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And since I am always trying to give you the truth, my dear readers, children may get a little bored in this area, especially younger ones (more about this later).<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Epcot is supposed to resemble Walt Disney’s original ideas for a self-containing community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there are some very interesting attractions based on these ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, in all honesty, Epcot is really just a daily world fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two sections to the park: Future World and World Showcase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Future World is all about science: energy, space, the seas, agriculture, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The World Showcase brings to life 11 separate countries (plus an African outpost), featuring their exotic cuisines, customs, music, etc.<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you’re visiting WDW for the rides, then you will enjoy Future World more than World Showcase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only two of the countries in the World Showcase feature a ride, the rest all have shows or movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you are really trying to get a well-rounded vacation, then Epcot is definitely worth 1 to 2 days of your time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby and I love the fun and excitement of M.K., but one of our favorite parts of the vacation is walking through the World Showcase and trying foods from other countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will warn my big-bellied fans, though: Epcot is huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word Showcase surrounds a very large lagoon and you will spend a lot of your day tracking the miles at Epcot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear not, the food’s worth it!<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In every Disney park, there is one very large attraction that represents the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>, it is the castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Epcot, it’s the large golf ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as you turn into the Epcot parking lot, you will see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is the first attraction you will encounter once you get past the front gate turnstiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside of the ball is an awesome ride that will take you up into the sphere, called Spaceship Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, here is a tip: come back to this ride later!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone gets in line for this ride as soon as they get in the park because it is literally in your line of vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By about <time hour="16" minute="0">4:00</time> in the afternoon, however, there is no longer a line for it, so you can ride it multiple times in a row with no problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why wait in line if you don’t have to?<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By the way, here is an interesting fact about the geometric designs on the ball: those shapes actually serve a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever it rains in <state><place>Florida</place></state> (which, if you remember, I told you this will probably happen daily), the triangles direct the rainwater to holes in between the shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That water is then routed back to the lagoon, which the World Showcase surrounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Self-containing community, remember?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vn4fmbgOphkwil86Fu8gL6BnNprIua_4arO7vKDqcLIxcscZ7__NJ8k3ZQDk4UvDYAjv3p3ykzuTsJQRmctaa5upH-HP-QTWygi7rcEg59Ojce4OMS56AZlKIcRCPgQgFeuD01W16pWx/s1600/IMAG0648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vn4fmbgOphkwil86Fu8gL6BnNprIua_4arO7vKDqcLIxcscZ7__NJ8k3ZQDk4UvDYAjv3p3ykzuTsJQRmctaa5upH-HP-QTWygi7rcEg59Ojce4OMS56AZlKIcRCPgQgFeuD01W16pWx/s320/IMAG0648.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Close-up of the entrance to get insde of the Golf Ball</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkH0ZmfaAfihUWq3eILsyXC6-RnWlP_kiYjAVpOPViSIct4poshA-Fbn-dzYmdL-BensXOCtxVydziY5eo6x3YcMBPe1EmTRaGyuRl5u67un8Ug_NePMBL9Ye4MWcCqYfU3ERSQiDhZ1-/s1600/IMAG0647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkH0ZmfaAfihUWq3eILsyXC6-RnWlP_kiYjAVpOPViSIct4poshA-Fbn-dzYmdL-BensXOCtxVydziY5eo6x3YcMBPe1EmTRaGyuRl5u67un8Ug_NePMBL9Ye4MWcCqYfU3ERSQiDhZ1-/s320/IMAG0647.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Close-up of the triangles. Note the holes in between the triangles: they direct the water to the lagoon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Next time, I will work on some parts of Future World.The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-44978369804285197542011-04-07T00:38:00.002-04:002011-04-12T15:06:55.264-04:00Tomorrow! I love ya, Tomorrow!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Yeah, I channeled Annie there for a minute... I'm a child of the 80s, I can't help myself, I grew up on that movie.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5htEmEs2LvceoMRHwlsrWFsyaLt4H3Q-UirdTyeQPy0_Gx023JaViCSeRgmD4-70I0XuZYVfr6ZmHFumEhLymEsMewNBcz5gV2pFnk_m_MoUObdrEnzhDfLKsYQba-St1nrRbNEkO9P9/s1600/SDC10027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5htEmEs2LvceoMRHwlsrWFsyaLt4H3Q-UirdTyeQPy0_Gx023JaViCSeRgmD4-70I0XuZYVfr6ZmHFumEhLymEsMewNBcz5gV2pFnk_m_MoUObdrEnzhDfLKsYQba-St1nrRbNEkO9P9/s320/SDC10027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mass exodus from Tomorrowland during the fireworks...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. - Tomorrowland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides Toontown Fair (which is being renovated, so I’m not talking about it yet), this is the last area of <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left this area for last on purpose because this is the last area my husband and I usually visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the day goes on, the crowds begin to thin in the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And once the fireworks begin, there are very few people left in any of the land areas because they usually move over to the central hub to get a better view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I try to spend 2 days at <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>, whenever we visit: one day to make sure we see the fireworks and the second day to ride some very popular attractions during the fireworks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then we ride them again because there is no wait time during fireworks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best area to do this in is Tomorrowland because it has a lot of attractions in a fairly small area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less walk time, more ride time = win-win!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me give you an example: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Range Spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ride is a lot of fun, especially if you have a competitive streak (which I do).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, your vehicle takes you around to a few different scenes and you shoot at bulls-eyes with your lasers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vehicle keeps score for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bigger the target, the higher the points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ride is, typically, around a 45 minute wait time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rode it 4 times in a row during the fireworks the last time we visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my husband’s score was still better than mine, the jerk…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right next to Buzz, in the same building, is Monsters Inc, Laugh Floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a really cute show that is supposed to take place AFTER the Monsters, Inc movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The monsters on the screen are trying to make us laugh, to fill their canisters with energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interesting part of this show is that the monsters on the screen interact with the crowd, so it is never the same show twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They often pick audience members to pick on or to get information from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a cute, funny show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other nice part about it: you won’t wait longer than the show in front of you usually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So at most, you’re looking at about a 20 minute wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s seated with AC or heat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot tell you how much you will come to appreciate this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After waiting in line multiple times at <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>, all you will want to do is sit down for a few minutes and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right across the walkway from Buzz and Monsters, Inc. is Stitch’s Great Escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have failed you again, dear readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter is too short to go on this ride, so I have never been on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t be mad at me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can say this, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney put this attraction in to take place of a very similar attraction, Extra TERRORestrial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extra TERRORestrial was a scary attraction with an alien getting loose, who breathes on your neck and drops saliva on your head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 17 when I went on it, and it scared the bejeezus out of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They replaced the unknown alien with Stitch, to make it more Disney friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, from what I have read in my research, they did not change enough and the attraction is still very scary for kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, the height requirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney is trying to keep young children out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they have raised the height requirement 3-4 times since the opening of this attraction because too many children were getting the wits scared out of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chances are very good that this attraction will either be re-designed or re-imagined altogether in the not-too-distant future.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I will finish up Tomorrowland on another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, I will leave you with a joke I heard at the Monster, Inc. Laugh floor: How does Lady Gaga like her meat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raw, raw, raw, raw, raw!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEen7nRhXc5tVk4E75RYW_Ad-BKDyEP3q1tePy0tS40wx6aCi2L1p9Ho1WF7rZncbu3ep-IaikPlpzdC6e-92a_p32mTVMmsk3IE__YG0F_B23Cn0s8D9yIxWEqzwVUksDdJbvKAeY4Mn/s1600/SDC10029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEen7nRhXc5tVk4E75RYW_Ad-BKDyEP3q1tePy0tS40wx6aCi2L1p9Ho1WF7rZncbu3ep-IaikPlpzdC6e-92a_p32mTVMmsk3IE__YG0F_B23Cn0s8D9yIxWEqzwVUksDdJbvKAeY4Mn/s320/SDC10029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Em, sweating profusely in August, watching the fireworks from a bench in Tomorrowland.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-20647359465692265752011-03-27T14:00:00.002-04:002011-04-12T15:07:19.100-04:00Hotels...AKA, the place that you sleep at and not much else!<br />
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<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I decided to take a minute and talk about hotels in the Orlando/Kissimmee/Celebration area. I will be completely honest; I have never stayed on the resort. I would love to; however, I don't have the money to throw down for an expensive hotel (I'd rather spend the money on souvenirs). So, while I have read lot's of research about the resort hotels, I have no first-hand experience. I'm sorry, I have failed you...</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">However, if you’re looking for a decent hotel, not too far from Disney, for fairly cheap, than I am the person to talk to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have stayed in a few hotels in the area and I have spent hours looking at prices and accommodations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my family, cheap is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the resort taxes in <state><place>Florida</place></state> do not make cheap easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resort tax is going to add about 12% on to your bill (yikes!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, all of the hotels stay competitive by listing one price, but adding a “resort fee” on to your final bill.</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">For instance, we originally stayed at a Ramada in <city><place>Kissimmee</place></city> on W. Irlo Bronson Dr (the main road in <city><place>Kissimmee</place></city>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the cheapest place I found with an indoor pool on Travelocity, listed at $35 a night. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got there, we found out that there was also a $10/night resort fee to add on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of this, the indoor pool was supposed to be heated and it was freezing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be fair to the hotel, we stayed at this same Ramada a second time. And we still had the same problems with the pool! We also found two roaches in our room, and the staff was rude. We will never stay there again!</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">So, we left the Ramada and stayed at a different hotel for a few nights; the Champion World Resort, also on W. Irlo Bronson in <city><place>Kissimmee</place></city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No indoor pool, but 2 out of the 3 pools were heated, including a kiddie pool that my 1 year old loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Travelocity listed the hotel as $35. Unfortunately, they still have a $2/night resort fee, but the hotel lists it on Travelocity’s website. You can also pay it up front (could not do this with the Ramada), so you have no surprise bills at the end of your trip (when you spent all of your money).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rooms are your typical rooms, nothing fancy but since you won’t spend much time in the room (other than sleeping), it’s not a big deal.</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">To give you an idea of how cheap this place is, the Value resorts (the cheapest hotels) on Disney property have smaller rooms for double the price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there are some amenities to staying in the resort (we will get into them at a later time), but if you don’t have the cash, its no big deal to stay away from the House of Mouse Hotels.</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1qGd2MLMD3ypAMhavG7Kjb7Q0IbEZNJ99LEtztrMZL_HfDvBVE84scOWzE0SJW9ou9oC4TsWt3bec2ZjXG70_2v2IG7V-LApv5QwAt3_Ne65wlluIquYa4oLBWtxx0ykFd0lDrnJWkGD/s1600/IMAG0545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1qGd2MLMD3ypAMhavG7Kjb7Q0IbEZNJ99LEtztrMZL_HfDvBVE84scOWzE0SJW9ou9oC4TsWt3bec2ZjXG70_2v2IG7V-LApv5QwAt3_Ne65wlluIquYa4oLBWtxx0ykFd0lDrnJWkGD/s320/IMAG0545.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The hotel I really want to stay in! Yes, there is a room inside and I will never, ever get to stay in it...</div><div style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-23134542686989013932011-03-21T13:37:00.002-04:002011-03-21T13:41:01.024-04:00You guys deserve a larger post...I know, I have been terribly lazy, lately, writing only enough to be able to post something. This is a longer entry, I promise!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. – Fantasyland Final Part<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohcUlImkrsg43J7YzYsRvw6QOiVsBd-lQZxBe5NYxOvDXSwInhR2RBAq3-0hWXXIuu2-0BIFhZ1C_A5qWeIb-dQYWYPmauXuQCDRiFeWriprX8oH7bj9InW9H6tlC8eVLbykkOi0QG3Ao/s1600/100_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohcUlImkrsg43J7YzYsRvw6QOiVsBd-lQZxBe5NYxOvDXSwInhR2RBAq3-0hWXXIuu2-0BIFhZ1C_A5qWeIb-dQYWYPmauXuQCDRiFeWriprX8oH7bj9InW9H6tlC8eVLbykkOi0QG3Ao/s320/100_1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, this is not in Disney World. It is just a super cute pic of my family I took this week. Aren't they beautiful?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, we finally made it to the end of the Fantasyland attractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only have three more rides to talk about (the rest of the attractions in this area are character greeting spots, which change all of the time).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First up is another dark ride: Snow White’s Scary Adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snow White is one of my daughter’s favorite movies and this ride’s line is typically only about 20 minutes long, so we have ridden this one a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, this dark ride isn’t as good as some of the others (Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, etc).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It, originally, was more about the story of the Queen than Snow White.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Imagineers redeveloped it and added more “good guys”, but Snow White is still not actually in the ride that many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard a lot of accounts of kids getting scared in this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter was fine, but she has only ridden on it at younger than 2 years of age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure she understood all of it and she really likes the movie of Snow White (plus she laughs at the scary scene in the movie, where Snow White is running through the forest, so you can’t trust my kid).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I am saying is: be cautious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a plus note, the carts have three separate rows of seats, which means the carts are large enough for 6-9 people, (depending on how big-bellied you are), so its one of the rare rides that large families can go on together.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next up is the iconic Mad Tea Party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved this ride as a kid, but, truth be told, I haven’t been on it in ten years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t give you a good idea of how it is for big-bellied people because I was worried my daughter wouldn’t like it, so we didn’t ride it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say this, though: if you get motion sickness, do not go on this ride with a teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ride spins lightly by itself, but there is a wheel in the middle to make it spin faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a teenager’s job to try and make their parents lose their lunch…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last, but certainly not least, Dumbo the Flying Elephant!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will admit a soft spot here, my daughter’s lullaby has always been Baby Mine, and so I love Dumbo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ride is just like Aladdin’s Carpets in Adventureland: Dumbo lifts you up in the air and you go around in circles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter and I had a blast on this one and it was purely accidental that we got to ride it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dumbo is so iconic, that it has one of the longest wait times in the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you’re lucky enough to encounter a <state><place>Florida</place></state> rain shower (and believe me, they happen almost every day, so you will be “lucky” enough to encounter one), Dumbo will shut down until the rain has ceased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stick around Dumbo during one of these showers and as soon as the rain lets up, get in line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily and I only had to wait 10 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my big-bellied fans: this ride has a seat belt that will stretch across you and your partner rider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the two of you do not fit together, they will bring you an extension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily and I fit together just fine without it, but a bigger partner would have definitely have made one necessary.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmTIalr7a0bdMJde0tW1QqMcI5UMScIbCTi5-Rv7dAP4jpPFuw2s9VJe1OkLdBUGNtsJgbizCDqgswkSk3EgPxWtFWyhpybWoSVlm3Ui8ew53Ktqephjc4eMwqlROixVqAH9-ZgAyKTtc/s1600/SDC10011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmTIalr7a0bdMJde0tW1QqMcI5UMScIbCTi5-Rv7dAP4jpPFuw2s9VJe1OkLdBUGNtsJgbizCDqgswkSk3EgPxWtFWyhpybWoSVlm3Ui8ew53Ktqephjc4eMwqlROixVqAH9-ZgAyKTtc/s320/SDC10011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some people we don't know on the Dumbo ride. Yes, there are pics of me and Em on the ride. No, I have not posted them because they look horrible, it was dark and Hubby took them with his cell phone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And there it is: the end of Fantasyland in its current condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as I have said before, Fantasyland is under construction, so it will be bigger and better in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will definitely be revisiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas, now we have a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next area I was going to write about is Mickey’s Toontown Fair, but it is closed currently for the Fantasyland extension and I have no idea what is going to change in the meantime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would my readers like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I talk about the Fair, or skip it?</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-50215757994232016182011-03-17T14:33:00.002-04:002011-03-17T14:35:33.817-04:00So exciting!My little blog that could is beginning to get quite a bit of traffic over the past two days and I couldn't be more excited! Part of this is because I have been commenting at other blogs and leaving my blog address behnd. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank the few blogs I read and maybe generate some more business for them!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://saulsimeonsongbook.blogspot.com/">http://saulsimeonsongbook.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/">http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.regretsy.com/">http://www.regretsy.com/</a></div><a href="http://manicmommy.blogspot.com/">http://manicmommy.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://rachelprice-thepriceisright.blogspot.com/">http://rachelprice-thepriceisright.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://knittyprofessors.blogspot.com/">http://knittyprofessors.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com/">http://suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://nikkisblitheringblog.momswhodrinkandswear.com/">http://nikkisblitheringblog.momswhodrinkandswear.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://workingdiva.wordpress.com/">http://workingdiva.wordpress.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.dooce.com/">http://www.dooce.com/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And if I could afford it, I would treat them all to a trip to Disney World. But that's only because I want to go again myself... However, I cannot afford it, so let me just say instead, thanks for letting me advertise on your comments pages!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">And now, in honor of the St Patty's Day Gods:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaorpZ2k88eaAKu_7AgbCsVXrE4a9VWKdUxssydnanh2LMq2nqIJ9l-4iNor9jQXh3nr5F_5-w7KsaycY6-9bf3C4ovkSizR9OZ0r4rmfRnHYZuFllcLZQUFRsigM6lFGBqiVQyGb2B1RO/s1600/100_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaorpZ2k88eaAKu_7AgbCsVXrE4a9VWKdUxssydnanh2LMq2nqIJ9l-4iNor9jQXh3nr5F_5-w7KsaycY6-9bf3C4ovkSizR9OZ0r4rmfRnHYZuFllcLZQUFRsigM6lFGBqiVQyGb2B1RO/s320/100_1081.JPG" width="154" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My St. Patrick's Day baby looks like an Italian mafioso in her Adidas pants. And she looks like she's flipping me the bird... I love her!</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-88289608136595528492011-03-16T16:45:00.000-04:002011-03-16T16:45:57.784-04:00The one with a horse......By the way, special kudos points if you can figure out the joke behind the title to this post...<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. – Fantasyland Part III</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After reading about my husband’s devotion to Pecos Bill, you are never going to believe this next part: we actually got to try a different restaurant on our last trip to the World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, calm yourselves, my big-bellied peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will probably never happen again…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But, yes, we got to try a restaurant in Fantasyland: the Pinocchio Village Haus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really cute, my daughter loved the theme and the fact that I kept singing “Figaro and Cleo” to her, but the food stunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful to look at, not very tasty…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s back to Pecos Bill for us again.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Interesting note about this area, it holds the oldest ride in the whole park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel was actually built in 1917 and has had a few relocations before the Disney Imagineers rescued it and brought it to the World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you’re looking to ride the horse that has been designated as Cinderella’s, pick the one with the gold bow on the tail, second one in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter did not get to ride this horse (not that she cares, she’s not even 2), but my husband took a random picture of it and the girl who was riding it, stalker-style.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Outside of the carrousel is the Sword in the Stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, my husband had to pose with it (I love him, but he really is a nerd).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, look down at the stones surrounding the large rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cement below is shaped like 2 large swords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the little twists that can turn your trip from great to extraordinary, seeing all of the details the Imagineers include.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or you could just make a huge spectacle of yourself by pointing out all of these secret treasures to random people like I do…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure Disney has my picture up and all cast members are to stop me from entering ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention my stalker husband.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnOspT6eFYADnoPZf_S4DN9NkHH492OD3bz0-mpndU0OGvUM9HKkBxo_RlsoflHU_4f5Uo6Ai3OvTzXytr8HsQZnSsj5NkzoRA1-niO_XInFwRWaMpCS4xbKmrcoYbcPRjbJKhmVlBid_/s1600/IMAG0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnOspT6eFYADnoPZf_S4DN9NkHH492OD3bz0-mpndU0OGvUM9HKkBxo_RlsoflHU_4f5Uo6Ai3OvTzXytr8HsQZnSsj5NkzoRA1-niO_XInFwRWaMpCS4xbKmrcoYbcPRjbJKhmVlBid_/s320/IMAG0178.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I told you, Stalker-style... Someone call Dateline...</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-83653035936874870792011-03-15T10:52:00.000-04:002011-03-15T10:52:40.701-04:00A change of pace...I decided to go a little off topic today to give some hints that I have picked up through research and visiting the World myself. No need to thank me, you haven't read the hints yet (hehehe)...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFlHRDAIzr1VKKFc5qHP0fEgZ412QvIt8qRon4kcfnpEMlajlQGVO4r9o0DoA4fEXqsKqJhcNDoHL1nPEdkiExYK6pc7SWoFjdfjyuLA3lMRun0rggoroL2axdUstxEys7B4YFKjbLN3P/s1600/100_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFlHRDAIzr1VKKFc5qHP0fEgZ412QvIt8qRon4kcfnpEMlajlQGVO4r9o0DoA4fEXqsKqJhcNDoHL1nPEdkiExYK6pc7SWoFjdfjyuLA3lMRun0rggoroL2axdUstxEys7B4YFKjbLN3P/s320/100_0094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Emily-baby sleeping in 40 degree weather with a Beatles cover band right behind her... She's a great traveller...</div><br />
1. Sell your child and get an Emily-baby. An Emily-baby is so-called because my daughter is named Emily and she is the best travelling baby I have ever seen. She eats, sleeps, draws and watches movies. Get one of these kids! They make the trip worth it. (I'm kidding, of course, don't sell your child. Give the child to a family with reproductive issues. Everyone deserves a home...)<br />
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2. A little seriousness - Use FASTPASS! I have talked about FASTPASS before, but haven't really explained it, so I will endeavor to do so now. FASTPASS is kind of like Disney giving you permission to cut in line. You take your park ticket to a designated area and swipe it through the machine. The machine gives you a magical ticket with a time on it, telling you when to get come back to the attraction, to be able to cut in front of the commoners who have been waiting to get in since approximately the dawn of time. In all seriousness, though, to be able to do everything you want to do at the World, the FASTPASS is a blessing. It's only available for the attractions with the longest wait lines, but while you are waiting for the time on your card to come up, you can spend that time taking in other attractions with smaller lines. One word of caution, however, you can only get one FASTPASS per hour, so you can't go around to every attraction in the morning and grab one for all of them.<br />
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3. Pick the line farthest away from you! There are certain attractions that you will have to get in one line, but will eventually split in to two. Pick the farther line. Let me give you an example: It's a Small World has two lines when you get to the bridge. There is a right line, closest to the entrance, and a left line, against the wall. Take the left line. My husband and I took this line and passed up approximately 30 people standing in the right line. The ride had a 15 minute wait time and we were on in (no joke) 3 minutes, simply because most people choose the line closest to them.<br />
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4. A correction from yesterday's post - you do not smell strawberries at the Philharmagic, you smell jasmine and apple pie. Smelled like strawberries to me, though. And an addendum for the Liberty Square post - I found out from the Disney Company, that they have gotten rid of the turnstiles at Haunted Mansion. So for all of my fellow big-bellied fans, you need only worry about the bar on your lap in this attraction now.<br />
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TTFN Disney fans! Ta Ta for now!The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-79494391268487574812011-03-14T15:19:00.002-04:002011-03-14T15:30:37.976-04:00Mickey's Philharmagic Rocks my World!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I'm very sorry avid readers, this whole blog is on ONE attraction. I just can't get enough of it, I would talk about it for days if I could. Forgive me (but, please, keep reading!)...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-1LZUVWcYzghTqYoeLbJe8BNmAmKHyiNCg75DXXCk8S6yON2Tqq2abSJTTicOPgFWBj20nktCaWEHJMuccfScMNufWsRvnBvMXo_2431B6UXmdhfSJ0zU1ER08nkbAJXJjCcwqbt_zvX/s1600/philharmagic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-1LZUVWcYzghTqYoeLbJe8BNmAmKHyiNCg75DXXCk8S6yON2Tqq2abSJTTicOPgFWBj20nktCaWEHJMuccfScMNufWsRvnBvMXo_2431B6UXmdhfSJ0zU1ER08nkbAJXJjCcwqbt_zvX/s320/philharmagic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As much as I like this attraction, you'd think I would have a picture of it. Alas, I do not...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. - Fantasyland Part II</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m really excited to talk about this next attraction in Fantasyland: Mickey’s Philharmagic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I originally avoided it, because we had no idea what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the last trip we took to Disney, we gave it a try and we loved it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First off, before you go to it, get a FASTPASS for another ride (Peter Pan is perfect because it always has a long line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to ride it, you NEED the FASTPASS).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suggest taking this time to get one because A.) some of the FASTPASS booths are conveniently installed in front of the Philharmagic and B.) the Philharmagic is 20 minutes long, usually a nice distraction when waiting for your FASTPASS times…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now, why do I like the Philharmagic so much?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One, there is little to no wait time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a 3D movie in a theater and the theater holds a lot of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only long wait you may encounter (20 minutes) is if you get to the theater right after a show starts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, 5-10 minutes, tops.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two, it is near the center of Fantasyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the attractions at Fantasyland run high wait times; this is nice attraction to catch along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which brings me to number three, it’s indoors, people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means seating and either air conditioning or heating (depending on the season you visit).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But, the main reason I suggest the Philharmagic, its just plain cute and funny!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as 3D movies at Disney World go, I used to be a diehard Muppets fan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I hate to say it, but the Philharmagic puts Muppets to shame (Muppets needs some updating, badly!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Philharmagic, you will get splashed with water, smell some strawberries in the air and watch Donald get shot out of a tuba cannon and into the wall behind you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too cute!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for all of my big-bellied readers, this is one of the most comfortable theaters in the whole park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you will sit in comfort!</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-45763878997136944722011-03-11T22:21:00.001-05:002011-03-14T15:31:29.961-04:00YIKES!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0ZEc3iyOgacOghFCXP9IK8l7Omh-YMnu47OJcfO8V8zzW75ChxGOPR3SvF91GJ0RxfW8JG9WiLACr0ItjOt-u7-Df4FaEZNueimV-AjeUJMh6qWKVMkUrgp6qR0OeCK7RI6wcC8sQtzk/s1600/IMAG0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0ZEc3iyOgacOghFCXP9IK8l7Omh-YMnu47OJcfO8V8zzW75ChxGOPR3SvF91GJ0RxfW8JG9WiLACr0ItjOt-u7-Df4FaEZNueimV-AjeUJMh6qWKVMkUrgp6qR0OeCK7RI6wcC8sQtzk/s320/IMAG0542.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm under construction!</div><br />
Sorry, y'all! I know I haven't blogged in about a thousand years, but I have been having internet issues. I hope to be back to my awesome big-bellied blogging by tomorrow... Sunday, by the latest... I haven't forgotten about my avid (8) readers!<br />
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In the meantime, some information I found out from the Disney company:<br />
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The new Fantasyland expansion should be completed by 2012. In the meantime, Toontown Fair is closed. The castle is also currently being renovated on the Fantasyland side.<br />
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Haunted Mansion and the bridge to Adventureland are also experiencing changes. That's all I know, I will be back tomorrow or Sunday with some information on some new parts of Fantasyland!The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-61132044558769119502011-02-28T16:27:00.002-05:002011-03-01T05:14:54.939-05:002nd star to the left and straight on until morning!...Or, around the Seven Seas Lagoon and behind Cindy's Castle is: Fantasyland!<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. – Fantasyland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8L0VsNwIlsRXPL0_gRm3DFx09kP3krJ7H7qWfeR5AsO-uY_IdDVVp5x6jPvP2n2ns25oXW82eK22Hy9SS4RmEAhrV2piTwuCOmW3QRyCUDnIpEFtd6cK4kwg_-p-7H-vqZUXgk5pPUKi/s1600/IMAG1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8L0VsNwIlsRXPL0_gRm3DFx09kP3krJ7H7qWfeR5AsO-uY_IdDVVp5x6jPvP2n2ns25oXW82eK22Hy9SS4RmEAhrV2piTwuCOmW3QRyCUDnIpEFtd6cK4kwg_-p-7H-vqZUXgk5pPUKi/s320/IMAG1086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emily on a gondola... Just kidding! Its a creepy doll from It's a Small World!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHZcU54HTqTxExA79flLjP1hfV-VR02xXmTwQdQWBw8ofa0XanAeuu9oEzugFdAVWMS3K3WQ3VIu_eGU8FB-AZq7bRkZK06vMXmpYv0Kcy750AmDn3YwtmA4K54y-ok3Nxy65h2x4E76h/s1600/IMAG1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHZcU54HTqTxExA79flLjP1hfV-VR02xXmTwQdQWBw8ofa0XanAeuu9oEzugFdAVWMS3K3WQ3VIu_eGU8FB-AZq7bRkZK06vMXmpYv0Kcy750AmDn3YwtmA4K54y-ok3Nxy65h2x4E76h/s320/IMAG1111.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry its a little blurry, but this is Em captivated by the dolls in It's a Small World.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fantasyland, every little girl’s favorite area in the whole Disney World Resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fantasyland represents every story of a white knight, saving the damsel in distress that we have ever heard (especially the stories that Disney converted into animated films!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, so I kind of rushed talking about Cindy’s Castle in an earlier post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technically, I was supposed to talk about it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, you can see the castle from everywhere in the park and there is a lot to do in Fantasyland…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alright, I’m sorry for confusing you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You (7) guys take this blog so seriously!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not counting Cindy’s Castle, there are TEN attractions in Fantasyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention the numerous shops outside the door of EVERY attraction and the 5 restaurants (not counting the one inside the Castle).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also numerous places to meet characters in Fantasyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I repeat, there is a lot to do in this area.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First, on the list, is my daughter’s favorite ride in the whole park: It’s a Small World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the song is annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the dolls can be a little creepy at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s iconic, Disneyania at its finest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone knows about this ride and everyone is humming the song, once they exit the boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the animatronics of the dolls are very spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young kids love this attraction, so if you brought some toddlers, plan on a stop.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Peter Pan’s Flight has one of the longest wait times in the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, with this ride, it’s all about the fact that it is an iconic piece of Disney World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ride itself is very similar to other rides in the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what Disney calls a “dark ride,” meaning you get in a vehicle that takes you around through the dark, lit up only by scenes from the movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this ride, the vehicle is Captain Hook’s ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is fun, but if it’s got a long line, it won’t kill you to miss it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, if you are a fan of Tinkerbell, head for the gift shop Tinkerbell’s Treasures as soon as the park opens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first person to enter the shop gets to awaken Tinkerbell by releasing her from the wooden box next to the cashier.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Which brings me to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a very similar ride to Peter Pan’s Flight: a “dark ride” through scenes of Winnie the Pooh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also has an extremely long wait time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, a funny fact in the ride is a must-see, if you decide to wait out the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The site of this ride use to be where Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was stationed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It upset a lot of Disney fans when Winnie the Pooh replaced Mr. Toad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a nod to the fans, the Imagineers put an homage to Mr. Toad in the new Winnie the Pooh ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you get to Owl’s house, turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a picture of Mr. Toad giving the deed to his house to Owl.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Okay, I will write some more on Fantasyland another day. There is still so much work left to be done!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6VA5hcG0OjOKvmFfKq4RqywBUM-L1v9O4BJ-okNzq3eCWdmdK2M4qLdCZLmP88zkesu4loJAe-QXWd6OXOOq8XBJVIjxS5tMi0l4w9GE1BaJiY1s340_ydKDmGxDOkNaRL2RTS3UHYgq/s1600/IMAG1128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6VA5hcG0OjOKvmFfKq4RqywBUM-L1v9O4BJ-okNzq3eCWdmdK2M4qLdCZLmP88zkesu4loJAe-QXWd6OXOOq8XBJVIjxS5tMi0l4w9GE1BaJiY1s340_ydKDmGxDOkNaRL2RTS3UHYgq/s320/IMAG1128.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I TOLD you little girls love Fantasyland!</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-70201408971106168242011-02-24T06:00:00.002-05:002011-03-01T05:17:22.282-05:00Walt was a stickler for authenticity......and Liberty Square is the best example of this.<br />
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M.K. - Liberty Square<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cDuMawK8QRYCSggULBh6QelFgQG41nmTOmvsi2ziAs31j-XgjBfyFIUl6-buTgVYbBw04mnIxsMuvL9lVTPW5gCr7QS1vZjubqHy0ZtWb2j4eHRVbRJC6OSXHn0N8uOSdF1idumPKEhyphenhyphen/s1600/IMAG1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cDuMawK8QRYCSggULBh6QelFgQG41nmTOmvsi2ziAs31j-XgjBfyFIUl6-buTgVYbBw04mnIxsMuvL9lVTPW5gCr7QS1vZjubqHy0ZtWb2j4eHRVbRJC6OSXHn0N8uOSdF1idumPKEhyphenhyphen/s320/IMAG1077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Haunted Mansion</div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I love Disney World (I've mentioned that, right?), but this used to be my least favorite area in <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are many interesting hidden secrets in this area that many people don’t realize, which really add interest to Walt’s vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, have you ever noticed that the doors all have two-digit numbers posted on them in this area?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you add an “18” to the front of that number, you are suddenly given a date, corresponding to when this style of house would have been popular.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another weird, but interesting fact about this area: there are no restrooms in this area, except in the restaurants where it is required by law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because there were no indoor toilets in colonial times, Walt Disney’s desire was for this area to be authentic.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Of course I like the <place><placename>Haunted</placename> <placetype>Mansion</placetype></place> (we’ll get back to this in a minute), but I think the Hall of Presidents is boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the animatronics are amazing in the Hall of Presidents and the show itself is classic Disney-nostalgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, unless you need a twenty minute break from the heat and sun, I try to avoid the Hall, unless my husband makes me go in (although, I have seen ladies use this attraction as a remote place to breastfeed babies, so its got that going for it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*Note: Remember the numbers on the door?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number on the Hall’s door corresponds to when the United States Constitution was ratified.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The Liberty Square Riverboat takes you around the lake in between Frontierland and Liberty Square, going past Tom Sawyer’s <place>Island</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the real attraction in this area is, of course, the <place><placename>Haunted</placename> <placetype>Mansion</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>999 ghosts live here and they have no problem making that number a nice even 1,000 with the addition of you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, when you enter the graveyard section of the ride, note the Caretaker’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s looking directly at you and he is scared because you have become the 1,000th ghost.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">For all of my Big-Bellied fans, the Riverboat and <place><placename>Haunted</placename> <placetype>Mansion</placetype></place> both have turnstiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the Doom Buggy bar has to click in place inside of the <place><placename>Haunted</placename> <placetype>Mansion</placetype></place>, so you may have to suck that belly in!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">As for shopping in this area, it is limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a small cart outside of the <place><placename>Haunted</placename> <placetype>Mansion</placetype></place> selling Nightmare before Christmas paraphernalia, but the only store is the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can imagine, it sells Christmas items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a fun store to stop in, but it is one of the pricier souvenir locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outside of the Shoppe is another cart, selling parasols for little girls (or big girls, if its particularly sunny!).</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-19426240123217983632011-02-21T21:18:00.005-05:002011-03-01T05:18:47.383-05:00Taking my 5 followers to Frontierland<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Welcome back, readers! If you step this way, we will enter the world of Frontierland...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. – Frontierland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FfR_rpkJolLzyIkP6tNzz2Xnlv3_u6Tgj3k9xtpQW6VJuXp6QqbGGVslo31OwFFkzKeNpMn1OqC_I19OxDff3JVxSAt8yz-IBDZ-iG3ryv0q3ui6Mv7ApQzPbAFE1fMJ-5x8zRoeqzRG/s1600/IMAG0552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FfR_rpkJolLzyIkP6tNzz2Xnlv3_u6Tgj3k9xtpQW6VJuXp6QqbGGVslo31OwFFkzKeNpMn1OqC_I19OxDff3JVxSAt8yz-IBDZ-iG3ryv0q3ui6Mv7ApQzPbAFE1fMJ-5x8zRoeqzRG/s320/IMAG0552.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pic of Em eating at Pecos Bill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5dSCgIDuFQvmAV9G2QQBuL9_iBhx0eeIcw5rHN3iC92RlJ9sFzHCwlBAeQSE24u32Eg7G-R5AaGXTmTwNVqoG1NDW_dqEl4epQqGXq-qqEeiKh-ejQbRDrP-rpJE9x1cmVG1eq_MLKVE/s1600/IMAG1075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5dSCgIDuFQvmAV9G2QQBuL9_iBhx0eeIcw5rHN3iC92RlJ9sFzHCwlBAeQSE24u32Eg7G-R5AaGXTmTwNVqoG1NDW_dqEl4epQqGXq-qqEeiKh-ejQbRDrP-rpJE9x1cmVG1eq_MLKVE/s320/IMAG1075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An even better pic of Em eating in Pecos Bills, a few days later on the SAME vacation. Yes, my husband likes this restaurant that much... If you notice, however, she is giving the camera the Evil Eye. Too much Pecos Bill's? You be the judge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is my husband’s favorite area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not because of the rides, although <place><placename>Splash</placename> <placetype>Mountain</placetype></place> and Big Mountain Thunder Railroad are two of the biggest rides at M.K.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s because of Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband loves this restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He literally doesn’t think his trip to M.K. was worth it unless he gets to eat here for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is delicious: barbecue burgers, taco salads, chicken wraps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its also one of the rare “counter” service restaurants with indoor sitting, so it’s a wonderful stop for a hot August day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good food and air conditioning…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I stated above, the two main rides in this area are <place><placename>Splash</placename> <placetype>Mountain</placetype></place> and Big Mountain Thunder Railroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><place><placename>Splash</placename> <placetype>Mountain</placetype></place> is a fun ride in a log through Brer Rabbit’s Laughing Place (“Killing parents with the song about laughing places since 1946”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is so amazing about Disney World is the ambience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Imagineers invest themselves in the storyline, adding wonderment before the huge 5 story drop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As anyone who knows me will tell you, I am terrified of heights and I hate roller coasters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have been on almost every Disney thrill ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason for this is because of the storylines that are drawn out for each ride.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For those people who do dare to get on the ride, they will have to endure watching people go down the hill over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the experience of the ride is the anticipation of going down the hill and the ride plays it up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those crafty Imagineers will still get you to pay attention to this ride, even if you don’t go on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you stand on the bridge across from <place><placename>Splash</placename> <placetype>Mountain</placetype></place> to wait for your friends, bring a change of clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every few logs that come down the hill will trigger a water cannon hiding in the grass to shoot the people on the bridge.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Big Mountain Thunder Railroad is a ride on a runaway mine cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The premise is "there be gold in them hills," but it has already been mined out and the town has been abandoned after a series of flash floods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the carts still work, so of course you’re going to get into one, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, chaos ensues and you’re in for a wild ride!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also in this area is the Country Bear Jamboree (blah for adults, but kids might like it and it’s very nostalgic), an entrance to the WDW Railroad, and <place><placename>Tom</placename> <placename>Sawyer</placename> <placetype>Island</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An insider secret that I read is to get to <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Tom</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><placename><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Sawyer</span></placename><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><placetype><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Island </span></placetype>early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are white paintbrushes hidden around the island and if you find one and give it to one of the cast members, you will get a prize (usually a FASTPASS to one of the main rides).</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-78159379583997413012011-02-18T01:58:00.003-05:002011-03-01T05:22:17.764-05:00A little on the short side...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hola, my adoring fans!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-l59wIy-TvP9S8WjTtwoZotbp3l_VCDTZ1jNkYCriWL7LvQBnG4GqjiCcgHBjMjGYkIxtRnKxg5Ni_yiv1kK_PuL9N-txJJfBhYbGaRUTCJu_VXT_H0t0Yd1VwiiagxRJJbcFySA-vjl/s1600/IMAG0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-l59wIy-TvP9S8WjTtwoZotbp3l_VCDTZ1jNkYCriWL7LvQBnG4GqjiCcgHBjMjGYkIxtRnKxg5Ni_yiv1kK_PuL9N-txJJfBhYbGaRUTCJu_VXT_H0t0Yd1VwiiagxRJJbcFySA-vjl/s320/IMAG0554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But where has all the rum gone?</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. – Adventureland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adventureland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the one writing, so we’re going around M.K. like my family does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I read somewhere that most people head toward Tomorrowland and Fantasyland when they first get to the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as a Big-Bellied Beauty, I am here to tell you that some of the best rides for bigger people are in Adventureland.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first attraction you will pass is the Treehouse of the Family Swiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be honest, I haven’t gone up the treehouse in a long time because my daughter is too heavy to carry all the way up (don’t worry, she’s a toddler, so it’s not weird that I have to carry her still…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attraction is completely based off of the movie and it’s a lot of fun for young kids to climb up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your party is Adults Only, don’t feel bad if you miss this.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continuing on the path you will come up to Aladdin’s flying carpets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another honesty moment, here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flying carpets confuse me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought there was only one flying carpet and Al already has custody of it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, this ride is basically the Dumbo ride with a Morroccan feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny side note, as you enter the ride, watch out for the camel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spits.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Tiki Room is a show with birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the left are two fun staples of <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>: The Jungle Cruise (which is a little lame, but very relaxing) and the Pirates of the <place>Caribbean</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jungle Cruise is a trek on a boat (go figure) through many “major” rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your tour guide’s job is to tell the story and steer the boat, so the story hasn’t changed (ever), but still a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And quite comfortable for the big-bellied.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pirates, after a much needed update, is still the fun boat ride around to look at all the pirates, but now also has a mini-hill in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a great ride for everyone of all shapes and sizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this ride, it is the one thing we make sure we hit every time we go to <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now that they have added Captain Jack Sparrow’s likeness to the ride, we ladies are much happier!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s yummy…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And after the ride is over, spend some time in the Pirates-themed gift shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know you want to spend more money…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sorry its a little short, but that is all there is in Adventureland. I know my (3) adoring fans are tired of waiting patiently, but please! I am but one person! Next time, we'll take a look at Frontierland...</div>The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-27411632227037450202011-02-15T22:57:00.004-05:002011-03-01T05:19:33.841-05:00And I have 3 followers!...of course, its my husband, my sister-in-law and a dear friend, but who's counting, right?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvB2KR9FO64qWF0hIA1crppHdeIB81YhcESDGEG9xxX380mJjX6Lbu-9qcOO_djK8yzEP96qxSEOI-8Ko1ucPne2p5CDAd-0T_uNjkEUUNvZXYnBixOEvkaDuk_bvb_Dw7Kr3SnNeNqiT/s1600/100_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvB2KR9FO64qWF0hIA1crppHdeIB81YhcESDGEG9xxX380mJjX6Lbu-9qcOO_djK8yzEP96qxSEOI-8Ko1ucPne2p5CDAd-0T_uNjkEUUNvZXYnBixOEvkaDuk_bvb_Dw7Kr3SnNeNqiT/s320/100_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View of some dude's head and Cindy's Castle</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">M.K. – <place><city>Main</city> Street, <country-region>U.S.A.</country-region></place></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All I can say is “Eeeek!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shopping!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you, like me, are a souvenir connoisseur, then the Emporium is screaming your name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually that might be your credit card screaming for help in your purse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever, nuances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Main Street’s whole job is to start you toward the path of eternal Disney bliss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, it has tons of stores, tons of food, and tons of hidden gems of Imagineering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Want a Mickey Mouse-shaped Rice Krispie (I mean, MARSHMALLOW) treat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look no further than Main Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Handy, that they put a shopping <city><place>Mecca</place></city> at the only entrance and exit of the entire park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all of these stores typically close an hour after all of the other attractions, so even if you sum up the willpower to ignore the call of commercialism now, it may get you later!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m not going to tell you what to buy (Mickey ears, damnit!), but I will let you know you can get everything here with that two-eared icon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I decided to make a trip to <state><place>Florida</place></state> during December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we are Yanks, we assumed it would be balmy spring weather the whole time we were visiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first day to the parks, we wore sandals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BIG mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We happened to visit during one of those weather periods when it is as cold in <state><place>Florida</place></state> as it is in the <place>Arctic</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to the parks at 11 and by 4, could no longer feel our toesies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered the Emporium and bought the thickest (and cutest!) socks, which made the day that much easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it’s a dumb story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, you will be getting more of these as time goes on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I apologize now…</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After your wallet has given up all of the lint it has to offer, the path directs you to the center hub, where Cindy’s Castle is stationed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should apologize; I am being a horrible tour guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just read in a travel guide that the official name of the castle is <place><placename>Cinderella</placename> <placetype>Castle</placetype></place>, not the possessive Cinderella’s Castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, now that I have imparted some official wisdom, I just want to add this: I would give my right arm to live in this castle.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real reason I love Disney World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a romantic streak a million times long and Cindy’s castle plays into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you enter the castle, you are treated to some awesome mosaics of the story of Cinderella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her evil step-sisters are the two brats in green (for envy) and red (for rage).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you happen to be one of the lucky few with an Advanced Reservation (very repetitive name), then you can dine in the castle with Cindy and some of her princess friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, however, is basically the smallest restaurant in all of Disney World, so while it means great quality time with the princesses, it also means bookings go fast and space is tight for us big-bellied beauties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also another (you guessed it!) gift shop inside the castle, the Bippiddi-Boppiddi Boutique <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">(I have no idea how to spell that and I am too lazy to look it up).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Princesses-in-training can get a princess make-over for exorbitant sums of cash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t Disney great?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by great, I mean expensive…</div><br />
I hope I'm not boring anyone, I have no idea how to go about writing a blog, so I'm more writing as if this was a travel guide... Ack, get over it. None of you care anyway. And if you did, you're all too polite to say anything. Right?The Big-Bellied Beautyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09646807188801235423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673977491617017844.post-63415775145441029022011-02-15T00:13:00.002-05:002011-03-01T05:21:58.152-05:00My 1st Blog Entry......Otherwise entitled: Good luck to me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmAoR5R1HvoRA7IOdA-efhKe-nBiVY_VN0Bhv7mG02-2zuICoHZXQAv_d62EfUXRnrbPSjzvlaokLR6nO_pPjT0DvJqW1tDB-xRjvkhvitSNIsRKOBwYt8bgZQb2jK42a1Zh61z8NCUTr/s1600/IMAG0524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmAoR5R1HvoRA7IOdA-efhKe-nBiVY_VN0Bhv7mG02-2zuICoHZXQAv_d62EfUXRnrbPSjzvlaokLR6nO_pPjT0DvJqW1tDB-xRjvkhvitSNIsRKOBwYt8bgZQb2jK42a1Zh61z8NCUTr/s320/IMAG0524.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you look real close, Em and I are in this picture...</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Besides my family, my two favorite things are eating and Disney World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to lie to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am an overweight, overworked, and overstressed momma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the short-term, I like to de-stress with food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I need some long-term de-stressing, Walt Disney works wonders for me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Disney World is the most magical place on earth, at least in my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s something for everyone: from the food, to the rides, to the shows, to the jaw-dropping views of Cindy’s Castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney is the absolute pinnacle of over-the-top entertainment and, I believe, it is the one place where you can be treated completely like the kid that you really are.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, there are a million Disney guides out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I am not an insider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck, I’m not even a travel writer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just a fan with a weight problem, just like most of the rest of the nation, who would like to share my experiences with everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am going to repeat in large letters: I AM NOT A TRAVEL EXPERT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope everyone enjoys my ramblings, but don’t take my word as gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go see a professional, that’s what they are there for.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t know about you, but <place><placename>Magic</placename> <placetype>Kingdom</placetype></place> sums up the Disney World experience to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s nothing like that first view of Cindy’s castle that just makes you blink your eyes in wonderment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you get off the monorail system and you realize, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Oz anymore.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After stepping off the monorail or ferry, your first experience with M.K. is the penultimate glamorous destination of the baggage check (“Keeping terrorists out of Disney World by checking your diaper bags since 1971!”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it seems like a waste of time, but give those boys in blue the time of day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re keeping all of the other loonies out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will need to open every bag that your expedition is carrying, including purses and diaper bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the men will let you leave the bags attached to your stroller, but the official rule is all bags have to be opened and put on the table for ease of access.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After your pat-down (just kidding!), you will give up your ticket, go through the gates, and actually enter the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right you have been on Disney property for a half an hour between parking, the monorail (or ferry), and baggage claim and you have only now entered the park, but, I promise you, it’s worth the wait.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So where should the big-bellied’s swollen feet take us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you enter the park, you have to go around the Walt Disney World Railroad, either to the left or the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both sides converge together, to take you “…right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A…” as you will hear (shortly) during the (daily) parades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, folks, you have entered turn-of-the-century <place><city>Main</city> Street, <country-region>U.S.A.</country-region></place>!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Come back (tomorrow?) for exploration of Main Street, U.S.A.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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