twomomsadmin – Page 14 – Rooting to Rise

Which one is Most Magical for you?

Posted on May 14, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

From an African Savannah to Oceanside Boardwalks ~Caribbean Islands to Polynesian lands ~ Mayan Ruins to pristine opulence of the late 19^th Century-

Just as Disney transports you from past lands to future dreams within their parks, they do the same within their resorts. When visiting my home away from home I take time to visit my favorite Disney Resorts. Whether it is to eat at a favorite restaurant or to shop in a particular gift shop or to just soak in all that Disneyfied Magic, each resort is guaranteed to transport you to your dream destination.

Of course certain resorts “speak” to me louder than others. There are some that immediately transfer me to a desired destination when walking into their lobby, Disney knows how to do this oh so well.

This is why staying on property is an absolute must for me, it completes the magical experience I am seeking and the one Disney wholly provides.

Here are a few of my most favorite WDW Resorts ~ Let me know if any of them are on your list. I would love to hear about your favorite Magical Disney Resort!

Caribbean Beach Resort ( Top and Bottom)

Polynesian Resort ( Top and Bottom)

Wilderness Lodge Resort Totem Pole outside their gift shop~

Wilderness Lodge Lobby~

“Old Faithful” geyser at Wilderness Lodge~

(top) Mural inside Contemporary Resort ~ (bottom) inside Contemporary Resort~

Victoria Falls Lounge inside Animal Kingdom’s Jambo House~

Bridge hovering over Animal Kingdom’s Jambo House lobby~

Quick Tip Tuesday! Beautiful – Free – Fun

Posted on May 13, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Celebrating special occasions at Disney has become an anticipated event for many- so receiving a FREE “Special Occasion” button while at Walt Disney Resort is a must do!

These buttons will usually have hand written names or celebration slogans written on them. We recently came across a post about these free buttons at the Downtown Disney Christmas Store and wanted to share it with all of you! If you would like to take your button up a notch, stop into the Christmas Store and have yours professionally printed!

If you have received one of these free, beautifully printed Disney special occasion buttons from Downtown Disney’s Christmas Shop let us know!

Princess Couture

Posted on May 12, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

I absolutely love browsing the Magic Kingdom shops, each “land” has their own themed merchandise. On one occasion I was drawn into a Fantasyland shop purely by its name, Castle Couture. Maybe I would find that perfect tiara I have been searching for to go with that amazing ball gown I purchased last week.

Ok- back to reality. What an adorable name for an adorable princess shop. Of course you can find anything on your “must have princess list”, but what really caught my eye was this magically glowing gown.

As I approached the gown I knew right away it belonged to Princess Aurora. It was glowing hues of blue then pink.

I was awe struck, it was gorgeous – what I wouldn’t do to try it on, but this dress was clearly meant for only one particular princess.

On a separate occasion I found one of Cinderella’s original gowns, the one made for her by her wonderful little mice friends. If I was charmed by these gowns, little princesses in training must be over the moon about them!

I realized this shop did not carry my size, how incredibly disappointing. BUT I found out through recent research I can certainly receive a little Disney Magic from a sprinkling of Fairy Dust given out by a Castle Couture Cast Member. You can be sure I will be visiting again, how could anyone resist a chance to be sprinkled with Fairy Dust?

~Maureen

Post Card from Walt Disney World – The Vacation Kingdom 1977

Posted on May 8, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Throw Back Thursday …… Here is a post card book my Nanny sent me… I believe the post mark says 1977.

Check out the picture of the Polynesian Beach – when they had it opened for swimming :))

10 + 1 Things You Can Do Without Leaving Your Resort!

Posted on May 7, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Want a Day Off- from the Parks?

All Disney resorts were created to entertain you and your whole family. You could spend an entire day at your resort and not have a need or reason to leave. Grab some Mickey waffles for breakfast and out you go for a day of fun and relaxation.

1)Go to the pool! Depending on your resort you may have quiet pools available – take a book, a beverage and you’re Mickey beach towel and your good to go! If you are in need of a little more action, seek out the feature pool and find a group of Cast Members entertaining with fun games and jamming music.

2)Explore your resort inside and out; you can be sure there are many details throughout that are waiting to be discovered! That D is not just for Disney – it stands for DETAIL as well. No matter what resort you hang your Mickey Ears at- you can be guaranteed detail around every corner!

3)Rent a Surrey Bike for 2, 4, or 6 people. Take a bicycle tour around your resort; I am sure there are adventures around each turn.

4)Take a trip to the arcade and see how many points you can rack up against your opponent(s). If the sun is hiding behind the clouds and rain drops are tumbling down, the arcade is the perfect place to play.

5)If you are of the appropriate age – seek out your resorts watering hole and order up a tasty beverage! I am sure there are new friends to meet and a Happy Host/Hostess waiting to greet!

6)Some resorts have boat rentals, if so take to the waters and ride the waves- enjoy the sites of your resort from a whole other perspective.

7)Your resort may offer a Pirate Cruise, Horse and Carriage Ride, or fishing. Guaranteed there is something for everyone!

8)How about just swinging from a hammock on a sandy beach or maybe relaxing in the spa pool?

9)Shopping anyone? Every Resort has a great gift shop or two to browse, one of my personal favorite pass times!

10)Dinner Time! Whether a table service reservation or a quick service meal, find what temps your tummy and filler-up!

+1)When the moon is shining bright it’s time to head for the campfire and or movie under the stars. A wonderful way to end a perfect day spent just at your Disney resort!

So there it is folks! 10 + 1 things to do without leaving your Disney Resort! Tell us your favorite resort activities~

~Maureen

Quick Tip Tuesday – Quality Wins Out

Posted on May 6, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Today’s tip is about staying cool in the parks. The warmer weather is coming upon us and being in the parks during the summer months can get a bit blistery. Though I am always in search of a good bargain, some things are just worth paying a little more to get the best quality.

One steamy September Magic Kingdom day, we purchased a Misting Fan. I was a little taken back with the price, ($20.00 range) but in hind sight it was a clever purchase. Sure, you could buy a misting fan from another local chain store, but I guarantee the quality and longevity would not compare to Disney’s (I have had mine for about 4 years).

Disney’s misting fan has some great features –

The bottles reservoir is wide and larger than most, enabling longer misting time before fill-ups

The opening to fill the bottle is large enough to fit ice cubes – helping to keep your water nice and cool!

The foam “blades” are safe around fingers and are wide to create a nice broad mist.
The bottle has a wide base allowing it to sit sturdy on a table, or hang it from your carriage or shoulder from the velcro strap.

This souvenir is money well spent, stay cool at the parks then use it in the summer months at home!

How Imagineers Advertised Attractions

Posted on May 5, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

When entering the tunnels of the Magic Kingdom Park my eyes always scan the attraction posters that are displayed along the train station walls. Of course I already know what I am in store for – the attractions are as familiar to me as going home to visit my parents in the house I grew up in. What the posters do is spark my excitement with their bright colors and quick reminder of what is to come as I venture into the park.

Disney has been using attraction posters since Disneyland first opened in 1955. Walt’s version of an amusement park was far different than anything anyone had ever encountered; the Imagineers needed a way to depict the attractions that awaited them inside the gates. These beautiful and vibrant posters aligned the main entrance gates as if it were a theater lobby, some showing what lie ahead and some depicting up-coming attractions for the near future.

When Walt Disney World finally opened their gates and began their “show”, many of these audiences were not familiar with this new “amusement park” experience. Disneyland posters were re- purposed and became very helpful in the opening of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Some attraction posters can still be found in the Magic Kingdom, mostly within the train station tunnel. But they are a piece of our American history and tell a great story. If you are interested in learning more about their history and how they were and still are used through out all Disney parks, check out this link. Poster Art of the Disney Parks

~Maureen

May 28th Opening Date of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster – take a ride now!

Posted on May 4, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

They announced during the dedication of this new attraction, that May 28th will be the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster to all guests!

Want to take a ride now?? Experience a ride from both the front of the train and the back! Click here to check it out!

Looking Back at Mr. Toad and his Wild Ride

Posted on May 1, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

It’s TBT, a perfect day to talk about Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Walt Disney World Resort.

Being in some what of an older age group and having first visited the Magic Kingdom in 1974- I am a bit of a Mr. Toad fan.

I will never forget the thrill and sheer terror of being recklessly driven down that dark tunnel towards the oncoming train and then suddenly thrown into a room filled with Devilish figures; as an adult I came to understand this to be Hell.

None the less this has not emotionally scarred me in my adult years, but has left me with only fond memories and still completely intrigued with this little recklessly wild amphibian.

For those of you not familiar with this Classic Disney attraction, it first opened in Disneyland in 1955 (and still remains) and was an original opening day attraction in Walt Disney World in 1971, but closed on September 7^th, 1998.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is and was (depending on the park we are speaking about) classified as a Dark Ride. Its attraction story is based on Disney’s version of Wind in the Willows from the film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. In WDW you had a choice of two separate boarding areas which would create a different ride experience depending which line you chose. Following your acceptance to board Mr. Toad’s old dilapidated vehicle (from his many crazy collisions) you are swooped into a WILD RIDE that only Mr. Toad himself could provide. Your car would make sudden turns and at times would move at full speed towards an obstacle and move out of the way at the last second. It was basically great old fashioned fun.

Upon its announcement and then final closure, many upset and angered voices spoke out. Toad Hall made way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. You can see references or shall we say homage paid to our old friend the tainted toad in Pooh’s now new home and in the Pet Cemetery over at the Haunted Mansion. A picture on a wall in Pooh’s new home shows Toad handing over the deed to owl and another with Pooh saying farewell to Mole.

Are you a Toady Fan? What are your fondest memories of this “once was” attraction?

~Maureen

The Many Mountains of Walt Disney World Resort

Posted on April 30, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

I thought it would be fun to compare all the thrill seeking mountains in Walt Disney World. Which has the fastest speeds, highest incline drop, longest ride experience, tallest height restriction???

Let go check them out!

Let’s start out with my personal favorite-

A pitch black rocket ride……..

Space Mountain opened January 15, 1975 and is the oldest operating roller coaster in the state of Florida. You must be 44 inches tall to experience this high speed thrill.

Step on board this rocket for a high velocity trip into space! You will zoom by comets and reach for the stars at the speed of 27 mph for 2.35 minutes. This track will descend 26ft, hurling you down through the dark spirals of space.

Time to trade that rocket in for a train car…….

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad shared their cursed town and possessed train on November 15^th, 1980. You must be 40 inches tall to ride this crazy train.

All a- board for a 3 minute tour of a town wiped out by a flash flood! Go speeding at 35 mph through an old abandoned mine town on this possessed train that has no engineer and no crew aboard! The highest rock mountain you will tumble down is 50 feet tall.

From the Southwest to the Deep South……..

Splash Mountain plunged onto the scene in October of 1992. You must be 40 inches tall to float along these rivers.

Hop into this log and follow Br’er Rabbit on a 10 minute journey – turned crazy adventure, to find his laughing place. Out wit Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear as you drop 53 feet at 40 mph. Return home happy, safe, and waterlogged with Br’er Rabbit.

Ready for another train ride? How about in the Himalayas?

Expedition Everest became Walt Disney Worlds tallest mountain and most expensive coaster on April 7, 2006. You must be 44 inches tall to join this trek to find the Yeti.

Your train departs from the station which is located in the village of Serka Zong. For about 3 minutes you take speeds of 50 mph through the Himalayas. You get a glimpse of the Yeti’s shadow and suddenly hurl out the side of an 80 foot mountain. Just as you feel this may not have been a good decision, you pull back into the station, a little rattled but with not a scratch.

These are the Mountains of Walt Disney World? Have you conquered them all?

Tell us which is your favorite or which you don’t dare to board!

~Maureen