Return of Main Street Electric Light Parade

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disney proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nightime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade!"

On Saturday, the 5th of June, the Main Street Electric Light Parade returned to Walt Disney World. I was thrilled to be there for this as it was initially suppose to return on the 6th. I surprisingly wasn't up on the curb of Main Street to watch this, but the magic was still there for me. I was able to see the flash of lights reflecting off the buildings as it headed toward us. I could hear the music and felt people bumps on my skin. Then the lights went out....


Now for me to finally get a view, the floats had to come around the hub and start to cross the bridge into Liberty Square, but there it was... the parade I have missed. Tinkerbell was leading the way in a brand new float. There were 2 other floats that were new. They were with Pinnochio. I have to say though, that I wish they had not removed any floats though... miss seeing the Blue Fairy and Dumbo with the circus.


I saw Goofy in his train and remembered the commercials showing that it was coming back during its last run. They made it look like it was really parading across the US in the commercials. There was Alice and others from Wonderland, the snail, the turtle and my FAVORITE lightning bug! I remember when it left again too. I know at the end of summer, this favorite will once again be gone. I still have the poster that they gave to AP holders (maybe SP too, but I don't remember) when it left. I have pins that light up from it in a shadow box with a postcard of Goofy in the train in front of the castle. I may add the 2 new pins to that.


I will miss it when it is gone, but in the meantime, I welcome it back like I would an old friend who has been away. Thanking in my heart for the time we get to enjoy memories that Disney has brought to us.

Summer Nightastic

On Saturday, I was able to see the new fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. It's call Summer Nightastic and it was okay. I think I honestly need to see it again before I completely write it off. I thought I read that there was going to be some other effects. Saw a picture somewhere that I can't find that had a picture of Dumbo in it (and it wasn't a Disneyland picture as I know Dumbo flies there). Maybe it was my imagination.


They started out kind of slow with the Fairy Godmother speaking. There was some fighting over the castle being pink or blue from the little fairies from Sleeping Beauty. (Hmmm why would they fight over what color Cinderella's castle is???? Can understand Sleeping Beauty's at Disneyland, but not here.) The pirates took over at one point and the castle was under attack. That was a great effect. It was also a play off of the Pirate and Princess party fireworks. The fireworks were the only good thing about those parties! I want to give it another chance.... there were some cute moments, but overall, they just didn't capture Disney's magic as much as Wishes does. There is something magical for me when I watch Wishes. And Wishes is romantic. I want to see them with that someone special one day and kiss under the falling sparkles of light.


These fireworks are suppose to go only until August 14th. I noticed a sign as I was going to Magic Kingdom that said expect delays nightly for perimeter fireworks.

Parasailing

Thanks to a friend, I was able to enjoy something that many people never take the chance of doing at Walt Disney World. On Friday, May 14th 2010, I went parasailing. Yes, I did and I’m afraid of heights! Now, when I say I am afraid of heights, it’s not like the kind where you get a panic attack. I don’t get all freaked out. I have done a few things that I wouldn’t be able to do if I didn’t just do it.


You take off from the stern of the boat and return there without getting wet. I am not aware of being able to get dunked on this. I was in regular clothes and didn’t bring my suit for this due to other plans that we had that day. There is a pilot of the boat, the one who gets you hooked up and another who is like a spotter.


While my friend was up in the air, I was moved to the waiting position and stepped into my harness. I was given simple instructions: where to hold on at, where not to hold onto, and scissor kick to come down. I was hooked up and asked if I was ready… and off I went!


It was exciting and I could see for 15 miles that day. It was quiet and peaceful up there. It was smooth for the most part. I felt very safe in the harness and the guys were great that handled everything. I didn’t want to know until I came back down, but I was told I was at 600 ft. when I settled back onto the boat. I did get a little motion sick coming down from the sensation.


Over at the Contemporary Resort, there at the boat dock by the pool, you will find the Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Centre. They offer not only parasailing, but waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and Jet Skiing. I haven’t looked into the other offerings yet, though maybe one day I will.


For the parasailing, you can do a single or tandem flight. There are 2 levels to each flight, regular and premium. The single regular is $95 plus tax. This flight takes you for 8-10 minutes at 450 ft. The premium single is $130 plus tax and the run is 10-12 minutes at 600 ft. Tandem flights run the same length of time and height with a cost of $170 plus tax for single and $195 plus tax for the premium.


There is a 24 hour cancellation policy. The weight minimum is 125 lbs, with maximum is 330 lbs. When the weight minimum isn’t met then they may be paired with another flier to meet the minimum weight requirement. Children of at least 5 years old may participate and children under the age of 18 must have an adult present to sign the waiver before departure.


The schedule for parasailing is 7 days a week with weather permitting from 9:00am to 4:30pm for summer season and from 10:00am to 4:30pm during winter season. Departures are every 30 minutes.


To book you can call 407-939-0754 for a bird’s eye view. Reservations are preferred and you have a 90 day window to book your flight.


Enjoy!

Fairy God Mail

There is a nice and simple way to spread some pixie dust for children and occassionally some adults. It's called Fairy God Mail. I came across a thread awhile back, and even though I have not done it lately, I think its fun and its inexpensive. You can do one or more, depending on how much you want to share. The cost per person, a post card and a stamp.


Sometimes people are asking for a post card for their child or children (just one or you can do individually), saying "Can't wait to see you" or "Heard you are coming to Disney World, Hope to see you" and sign it with a favorite character.


Now it doesnt have to be exact for the characters writing. Sometimes people get the character to sign the card. I have done both and the magic is there either way from what I have been told by the parents. The only thing I ever ask for when I do this, is for the parent to tell me the reaction. It is magical on both sides.


On the thread below, you find someone who is asking for a post card, you contact them either with private message or on the thread, they send you the information you need and all that is left is for you to send the post card.


****Fairy Godmailer List  Part II*****


****Fairy Godmailer List***** (closed thread but you can see more about how it works)


Another thing I have done, is gone with a card, whether it is a get well card or a sympathy card... I have gotten characters to sign the card and sent it to a friend that loves Disney. Sometimes, little things like that they treasure and sometimes they don't. The magic can be something this simple though and is worth to share and pay forward.

Happy Thoughts

A friend asked me today "What is your Disney Happy Thought?" What make you happiest at Disney?


I wasn't that sure at first whether that meant at Disney or in general. Hence the repeat of the statement. That was easy. The Castle. Wishes. But then I started thinking about it more. There are many, many happy thoughts that I have when I go to Disney. But the Castle is something I look for when I come over the overpass on 429. Now I could see it better before BLT was built but I still can find it. One happy thought I haven't had yet, is sharing it with that someone special. We are trying, but it's just not in the cards yet.


Some others that come to mind: the cast members that I have become friends with, driving under the gate when coming onto property, the music that makes part of streetmosphere, Main Street Electric Light Parade, the lightning bug from this parade, Cinderella's wishing well, sharing the magic with friends, rides that make me smile like POTC, HM, BTMRR (especially at night), RnR, Soarin', Illuminations, the exit song to Epcot, the Goodnight Kiss from the Castle, Cinderella's carrousel, dole whips, pink mickey mouse balloons... the little details in places where you don't quite expect them, people waving back when you wave and some of the resorts.

2010 Food and Wine Eat to the Beat Concert series

Another great selection has been made for the concert series. I just wish I had that day of in the middle of the week like I use to have! Food and Wine begins in Epcot October 1st and ends November 14th. The concerts are held over at the American Pavillion in the America Gardens Theater. Shows are  at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45pm.

10/01 - 10/03 - Taylor Dayne

10/04 - 10/05 - Kool & The Gang

10/06 - 10/08 - Sugar Ray

10/09 - 10/10 - Taylor Hicks

10/11- 10/12 - Air Supply

10/13 - 10/15 - Sister Hazel*

10/16 - 10/17 - Howard Jones

10/18 - 10/19 - Expose

10/20 - 10/21 - 38 Special*

10/22 - 10/24 - Night Ranger*

10/25 - 10/27 - Billy Ocean

10/28 - 10/31 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas

11/01 - 11/03 - Boyz II Men*

11/04 - 11/05 - Roger Hodgson

11/06 - 11/07 - Jon Secada*

11/08 - 11/09 - Hanson

11/10 - 11/11 - Rick Springfield*

11/12 - 11/14 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

* are the concerts I would really like to see this year.

Disney Bucket List

I decided after seeing a thread on the Disboards to do a Disney Bucket list. Things I would like to do and/or that I haven't done. Now, I may not ever mark off everything... but we shall see. The Adventure by Disney trips could be done without being Adventures by Disney. They are places I want to go and see. I have been working my way around the different resorts, and I have decided to add paid rooms to the resorts that share DVC (like at Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club).

Stays to complete:

Polynesian - Ft. Wilderness (Cabin, RV and tent) - Coronado Springs - Beach Club (non DVC side) - Boardwalk (non DVC side) - Wilderness Lodge (non DVC side) - Animal Kingdom Lodge (non DVC side)- All Star Music - All Star Movies - All Star Sports - Caribbean Beach Resort (Pirate Rooms) - Art of Animation - the Swan (only because at Epcot Resort area). I would like to do a couple conceirge or club level stays. (the upcoming DVC at Ft. Wilderness and Grand Floridian)


[completed stays: Dixie Landings/Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Carribean Beach (standard room), Yacht Club, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Shades of Green, Dolphin - Old Key West, Beach Club Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Villas at Animal Kingdom - Kidani and Jumbo House, Boardwalk Villas, Pop Century, ASMovies, Animal Kingdom Lodge conceirge- Coronado- Beach Club concierge-]

Tours:

Backstage Safari - Disney's Behind the Magic of Our Steam Trains - Disney's Family Magic Tour- Epcot Dive Quest (must be SCUBA certified and I'm not) - Epcot Seas Aqua Tour - the Floral Experience - Holiday DLights Tour - Inspiration: Through Walt's Eyes - Mickey's Magical Milestones - Nature Inspired Tour - Sunrise Safari - The Undiscovered Future World - Wanyama Safari - Wild by Design - Wilderness Back Trail Adventure Segway Tour - Wildlife Discovery Excursion - Gardens of the World (this appears discontinued) - Around the World at Epcot - Dolphins in Depth, Marceline to Magic Kingdom, Wild Africa Trek and VIP tour (lol).

(Have done prior to the DBL: Keys to the Kingdom, Behind the Seeds, Backstage Magic and Yuletide Fantasy Tour)

Adventures by Disney:

Disneyland (have been but want to go back) - The Emerald Isle: Ireland - Cities of Knights and Lights: London and Paris - Viva Italia: Rome, Tuscany and Venice - Once Upon a Fairytale: Germany - Flavors of France: Provence and Paris - Spirit of America: Philidelphia, Washington D.C. and Williamsburg - Backstage Magic: Hollywood and Disneyland - Storybook Kingdoms: Austria and Czech Republic - Bella Italia: Florence and the Amalfi Coast - Beantown and the Big Apple: Boston and NYC - Golden Path to Yosemite: San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite - Rocky Trails and Mountie Tales: Glacier National Park and Canadian Rockies (list is subject to change due to any changes they make.)

Rides, Shows and more in the parks:

Magic Kingdom- Dumbo, Tom Sawyer's Island, updated Space Mountain, Fireworks Dessert Party
Epcot- Mission Space, Captain EO
Disney's Hollywood Studios- Stunt show, American Idol, Sounds Dangerous, updated Star Wars (version 1-2-3-4).
Animal Kingdom- Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl, TriceraTop Spin

Outside the parks:

parasailing, mini golf (Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland), Richard Petty's Driving Experience, golf in general, camping (can't discuss the last time I was in a tent), Archery Experience, sea raycers, catamaran sailing, water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), Carriage Rides, Surry Bikes at Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs Resort, Polynesian and Port Orleans,  Photopass photo session (anywhere), Horseback Riding, Movies under the Stars (Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Contemporary and Beach Club), Spa treatments (Saratoga Springs, Mandara Spa and Grand Floridian), Disney Quest, bicycling (regular bikes), Yee Haw Bob at Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

Places to eat at Resorts:

Chef Mickey's (Contemporary), The Garden Cove (Swan), Ohana's Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch (Poly), Citricos and the Chef's Domain at Citricos (Grand Floridian), Victoria and Alberts and the Chef's Table at V and A (Grand Floridian), Jiko's (AKL), Boatwrights (Port Orleans Riverside), Captain's Grille (Yachtsman), Maya Grill (Coronado), the Wave (Contemporary), Spirit of Aloha (Poly), Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue (Ft Wilderness), and Mickey's Backyard BBQ (Ft Wilderness), Shutters at Old Port Royale restaurant (Caribbean Beach).

Places to eat at Parks:

Donald's Breakfast Safari (AK), Cinderella's Royal Table (MK), Hollywood and Vine (DHS),  Tusker House (AK), Bistro de Paris (Epcot), Dine with an Imagineer (DHS), the Hollywood Brown Derby (DHS), Coral Reef (Epcot), Mama Melrose (DHS), Nine Dragons (Epcot), San Angel Inn (Epcot), Tokyo Dining (Epcot), Tuttu Italia Restaurant (Epcot), Via Napoli (Epcot), Yak and Yeti (AK), and La Hacienda de San Angel (Epcot).

Places to eat at DTD:

Fulton's Crab House, Bongo's, Cap'n Jacks, Portobello, T-Rex, House of Blues Sunday Gospel Brunch, and Wolfgang Puck Cafe.


Finally, Disney Cruises. Haven't done any yet, though think I would like to. Having never been out on the ocean, I am not sure if I would/should do a non Disney first. It is a thought.


There are 2 things on here I didn't include because I don't want someone to steal my dream. Will post about that another time.

My Disney Dream Date

There is a post still sitting in the drafts section waiting for the day I can post it. It will go in this same spot (date wise). I am hoping that he and I will be able to do this when we can... but also waiting for the other part of it to be ready ;o)

Survey in Epcot

While at Epcot on Mother's Day, a good friend was asked by a survey taker "What country would you like to see represented in World Showcase?" Looks like they are going for some revamping. But the second question wasn't so good... "What country in World Showcase would you like to see leave?"


None in my book, but sadly, if I had to chose... it would be China or Morocco.

New Disney Resort

I am surprised that there were no posts on the Disney Blogs others are doing. Walt Disney is beginning construction on there 26th resort. It will be called the Art of Animation and located on the other side of the lake from Pop Century. This is where Pop Century was going to build the Legendary Years and some building had been started, but abandoned. This is their first new resort in 7 years.


The Art of Animation will be based on Cars, Finding Nemo, the Little Mermaid and the Lion King. The rooms will be a mix of suite style to accommodate larger families and standard rooms. This is going to be a  value resort. The proposed breakdown is, 1200 suites for Cars, Finding Nemo and the Lion King, with 800 themed rooms for the Little Mermaid. This will be bringing 800 construction jobs to the area and should be completed 2012.


Hopefully there will be its own bus, as I can imagine how packed the Pop Century ones are. I guess I have another one to add to my resort stays to do.

Dress codes for select dining

Some people are not aware of this, but there are a few restaurants that have a dress code. The restaurants that are included in this are: Artist Point, Bistro de Paris, California Grill, Citrico's, Citrico's Chef's Domaine, Flying Fish, Fulton's Crab House, Il Mulino, Jiko's, Narcoossee's, Portobello Yacht Club, Shula's, Todd English's Bluezoo, Wolfgang Puck's Dining Room and Yachtsman Steakhouse.


For the Signature Dining Restaurants, a "Business Casual" dress code is in effect:


Men - Dress pants, jeans or dress shorts and a T-shirt or long sleeve shirt with collar is required. (Jackets optional.)


Women - Jeans, skirts or dress shorts and blouse, sweater or dress is required.


NOT PERMITTED: Tank tops, swim suits or swim cover ups, hats for gentlemen, cut offs or clothing with rips/tears are not allowed. T-shirts with offensive language/graphics will also not be permitted.


There is an exception to this dress code, but only because it goes to a higher standard. This is for Victoria and Albert's including the Chef's Table.


This code is as follows: Gentleman are asked to wear a dinner jacket with dress pants and shoes. (Ties are optional.) Ladies are requested to wear a cocktail dress, dressy pantsuit, skirt/blouse or nice dress. The following are not allowed: jeans, shorts, capris, flip-flops, sandals or sneakers.)

Florida Residents

There was a new thread a friend started on the Disboards that I had thought about doing. She did a wider range for who of Florida vs. the Central and North Florida are I would've picked. I am glad she did. I began thinking about the thread and tying it into a Facebook page and I did. It's public and open to others and has updates for when there are meets or meets that others are doing like Lou Mongelo or All Ears, not just the Florida ressies.
 The first meet is currently being voted for, but unofficial meets will be happening too. All are welcome!!! Some meets may be inside a park and others at DTD or other non park activities. There will also be times with a combination of both.

Pulling things together

I am in the middle of some planning for an upcoming trip. A few things are starting to be pulled together. I have the pleasure of sharing time and space with some close friends and family. Looks like a large pajama party at the moment. I want to do some things for gifts or surprises for my roomies. Need time to get things done, but also need a couple trips to WDW. I need to see if I can find some glasses that I had seen there once. Another idea might be a little more costly, but worth it I think. That one I need to include a couple others that aren't staying with me for.


I realized something else about all of this today too. Jen and I had planned a trip in October last year for some group activities. This was noted in the thread she had started. We were going to use DVC points and have a 2 or 3 bedroom and get the gang together. She wanted to do a tour or two and also go out on a fireworks cruise. Now, she was thinking smaller scale (or price?) with the pontoon boat vs the Grand 1. She was hoping for a stay at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge.... and that is where we currently are. Though she also hoped for Bay Lake Tower. I am hoping for a change of view at DAK or else trying for BLT lake view or non view.


I need to make some lists. Lists are good. Hmmm I see another blog to write about!!! See you again soon with that one!!!

Kingdom Keepers

On April 6th, the latest book in the Kingdom Keeper series comes out. This is book 3 and it continues just shy of where it left off. I was able to read the first 2 chapters today. I am looking forward to this book coming out.


For those who haven't read these books, it's a lot of fun for any age. I was given my first copy prior to my trip to Disneyland for "inflight reading only" I was told.  I read all but a couple chapters on that flight. While I was at DL, I bought the second part. I read that one mostly on the way back. Having to wait 4 months was okay, but hope he is writing for the next one. My mom has enjoyed it too. I even just bought my niece books 1 and 2 for her move to Colorado to have something to read while she and her friends drive across country.


I don't want to spoil anything from the books. I recommend you go and buy them or go to the library to get them. You can even get them on iTunes audiobooks.


Rumor was too that there was to be a movie.


OH! One final thing.... Ridley Pearson is going to be at WDW at DTD for a book signing on April 6th and Epcot on the 7th.