#Magickingdom – Rooting to Rise

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

Easter Bunny comes to Town Square in the Magic Kingdom!

Posted on April 19, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

The Easter Bunny and his Mrs. have been visiting the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World this week for a daily meet-and-greet in the Town Square area near City Hall. If you are visiting Epcot or Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Sunday you can find them in the Character meet and greet areas.

Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th our Hippity Hoppity friend will start off the pre-parade down Main Street USA!

Our Many Adventures of Tom Sawyer Island

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

My first visit to Tom Sawyer Island was in 2011, prior to that I was not intrigued to explore this uncharted territory. During my Disney vacation planning that year I decided we should try something new and venture onto the island. Rebekah was 5 ½ years old and had been to WDW three times prior and I thought this would be a great new exploration for her as well.

One late Magic Kingdom morning after conquering Frontierland’s two mountains, we stopped for a little snack on the way to find Tom Saywer Island. We found the entrance and ventured down a ramp and onto a dock to wait for Tom to send a raft over that would bring us to his island, (can you guess what snack Rebekah chose?)

As we boarded, I noticed he named this particular raft Becky Thatcher after the girl who captured his heart. As “Becky” floated us over to the island we turned to wave goodbye to Frontierland, ready to scout out new adventures.

When we arrived, the raft docked and we scurried off quickly. We first discovered a map of the island with a brief history of Mark Twain’s childhood adventures. We then began to meander, not really knowing which way to go first. Before long we found one discovery after another!

What had taken me so long to visit Tom, Huck and the others who inhabited this island? Rebekah was not the only one enjoying every nook and cranny…. …. I too was having a great time exploring and viewing the park from across the Rivers of America. It was a whole different perspective- it’s pretty neat to be able to look at the park from angles that you ordinarily don’t see.

Our exploration led us to dark tunnels where we heard bats flapping their wings above us and water that seemed to run up hill! My husband would walk ahead of us and jump out from behind the cave crevices – startling both me and Rebekah.

Look at the beautiful gems we found in the mine! I wonder if the Seven Dwarfs know about this?

Then we ventured into another cave and seen something really spooky!

During our travels we came upon a suspension barrel bridge that was great fun! This brought us to Fort Langhorn where we protected the fort from “bad guys” on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

If the “bad guys” or Injun Joe make it past the guard on duty, there is a secret tunnel to escape through!

Don’t forget to take care of the horses and make sure they are fed before heading on out.

We found Aunt Polly’s Landing, (Tom’s aunt) a lovely place to rest your weary feet ~

Up a hill we found a fun play area and pretended to sail down the Rivers of America ~

We climbed to the top of the stairs in Potter’s Mill, what a great view.

Inside Harper’s Mill we found a little feathered friend who decided to make it’s home inside the mills turning gears.

Once we were sure we explored the whole island, we sought our way back to the dock’s to catch a raft back to mainland.

This is a great place to bring the mouseketeers when they need some time to just run free. There is something exciting waiting be explored around each bend; sprinkle in a little Disney Magic and a touch of imagination and your adventures with Tom and Huck will create lasting memories. I myself, can’t wait to go back 🙂

Have you been to Tom Sawyer’s Island? What was your favorite adventure?

~Maureen

Sum Up Sunday

Posted on March 16, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Casey’s Corner in the Magic Kingdom now has an enlarged outdoor seating area. With a refurbished indoor and outdoor area, I am sure we will see more guests enjoying a good ole’ American Hot Dog and fries. I think the area looks great!

Magic Kingdom’s Main Street hub is in the beginning stages of it’s refurbishment to increase the area for less congestion, especially during and after nighttime shows. Construction walls are currently in place along large sections of the hub.

Have you been a guest at Tomorrow Land Terrace Wishes Dessert Party? Now Epcot, World Showcase has a new dessert party during Illuminations. In a special viewing area you can dine on delicious desserts from select countries and partake in sparkling wines as well as lemonade, teas and coffee. The cost is $49.00 per adult and $29.00 per child. This sounds like a lovely affair 🙂

Annual Passholders are now able to receive their MagicBands. This will give them the ability to make advanced FastPass+ reservations.

“To get your MagicBand, link your pass in ‘My Disney Experience’ and you will see an option to customize MagicBands. Choose a color and name to be printed on the band, and it will be shipped in late March, arriving in 7 to 10 days.

The MagicBand package will include the MagicBand, a discount card, and an Annual Passholder exclusive MagicSlider to customize the band. The discount card is either gold or black, with only gold indicating that parking is included. To validate parking, guests can either present a MagicBand, RFID pass, or the gold discount card. To obtain discounts on merchandise or dining, passholders will need to present either the discount card with photo ID, or the actual Annual Pass and photo ID. Ultimately, the MagicBands or RFID media will allow access to discounts and the discount card will not be required.

Unfortunately MagicBands are only being shipped to within the USA at this time, and no local pickup of MagicBands is available at Walt Disney World for passholders. For international guests with no USA delivery address, the only option is to continue to use the RFID ticket.”

****This information is from www.wdwmagic.com****

If you are an Annual Passholder and not staying at a WDW Resort, your window to reserve FastPass+ has been lessened to 30 days.

“Passholders can now make FastPass+ reservations up to 30 days in advance, and can hold up to 7 days of FastPass+ reservations across a 30 day rolling window.

For a Passholder staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, the window remains at 60 days in advance of check-in, where FastPass+ reservations can be held for 7 days or the length of the hotel stay.

If you have already made FastPass+ reservations under the 60 day policy, those selections will still be honored unless you choose to cancel them.

Passholders not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will not be able to add charging privileges on their MagicBands.”

****This information is from www.wdwmagic.com****

An additional refurbished Liberty Square walkway has opened to further alleviate overcrowding between Liberty Square and Frontierland.

And Last But Certainly Not Least …….

In April our Frozen Princesses, Anna and Elsa will be relocated to Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom! Because of their immense popularity World Showcase has experienced a large amount of congestion, making it increasingly difficult to move through the area. FastPass+ is available at Fairytale Hall, so advanced reservations can be made. April 20^th is their projected debut.

~Maureen

Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid Have you taken a ride under the sea? Tell us what you think about this attraction.

Posted on March 11, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Nicole and I had a blast on our Two Moms and a Mouse trip. We were able to experience all our beloved attractions, dine in the restaurants we wanted, and meander however little or long we desired. It was a time for us to talk “Disney” and talk Disney we did. In doing so this very attraction was in question; was it all we hoped it would be. We adore the facade, it is grand and captivates you with excitement to see what is in store as you move through the queue. Once you board your Clamobile you are off on your journey under the sea. This is where we felt slightly let down. Though I am sure the technology behind the scenes is top notch, it just felt something was missing. We didn’t feel completely immersed in the “show” as we hoped to be. What are your thoughts about this new addition to Fantasyland in Walt Disney World?

~Maureen

The Link between Columbia Harbour House and Haunted Mansion….

Posted on March 11, 2014May 1, 2016 by twomomsadmin

Everyone has a favorite “land” and favorite dining locations. For me, Liberty Square and Columbia Harbour House rank at the top. Though I do like the Harbour House fare, I enjoy coming to this restaurant for far more reasons. It is packed full of maps, artifacts, and nautical curios. It is like a mini museum in which you take time to browse taking in its entire historical accounts. The offerings do not stop there; this dining location helps to tie in Haunted Mansion’s presence in Liberty square. If you look closely you will notice each part of the restaurant adorns vessels lost at sea or phantom ships. Take a look out the front window from the top floor, it faces the Haunted Mansion. My favorite piece of history in this restaurant is found hanging framed on the wall to the left of the upstairs front window (that faces the HM). It is a Map of the Ghost Fleet of the Outer Banks published from ‘National Geographic’ magazine. It shows the 500 ships lost at sea along the U.S. coastline. Another tie in you will find down stairs while ordering your meal. Look up at the beams and take note of the fishing spears and hold that image. Take a walk over to the Haunted Mansion, after exiting the stretch room you will see a portrait of a sea captain ( 3rd portrait down), what is he holding? Yes, the same spear you spotted in Columbia Harbour House.
Next time you are in Liberty Square stop in the Harbour House and check out the ghostly ties between these two locations. Maybe you’ll get lucky and have a spiritual guide help you along the way

FuN FaCts: Walt was keen on keeping the authenticity within each land. During colonial times there were no restrooms so you will not find any signs directing to such within Liberty Square. However you can find them inside both Liberty Square restaurants.

~Maureen