I'm Missing New Fantasyland...

This week I am really missing New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom.  I’m thankful I was able to experience this new area before my pass expired.  A big part of the reason I am missing New Fantasyland is because that is the area where Ariel’s Grotto and Prince Eric’s castle is.  Ariel is my absolute favorite princess.  Ariel’s Grotto is so cute and the queue is wonderfully done.  As you wind through the caverns to make your way down to Ariel’s grotto, you have a chance to see all of the “gadgets and gizmos a-plenty” belonging to Ariel.  There is also an interactive activity where you get to direct a cute little crab to pick up different treasures for Ariel’s collection.  Ariel in her grotto is just stunning and she looks beautiful with her fin again.  It is such a magical, sweet experience.

We're friends, it's cool.

Also in that area is Ariel’s ride, Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid.  Disney built Prince Eric’s castle perfectly and it is so neat to walk through as you make your way to the ride.  As for the ride, let’s just say it highlights all of the beloved scenes of The Little Mermaid, which makes this Ariel fanatic happy.

I am also missing Gaston's Tavern.  Disney did a great job with this area as well, putting a deserving statue of Gaston and fountain out front, and placing a replica of Gaston’s large animal-fur chair inside the restaurant.  The size of the restaurant is on the smaller side, but it provides a cozy feel fitting with the French town portrayed in Beauty and the Beast.  The signature item at this restaurant is Lefou’s Brew.  This drink is addicting and I could really go for one right now.  It is a frozen apple juice mixture with a mango/passionfruit juice poured on top.  If you are making your way through the streets of New Fantasyland, stop in to Gaston's Tavern to get one of these sweet drinks!   

Lefou's Brew! Mmmmmm!

Sitting in Gaston's chair...shhhh!

Note - taking pictures inside is hard with the lighting

Finally, I’m missing the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.  This ride opened after my pass expired, so I’m really missing it because I never got to experience it!  I have heard the details were wonderfully done and that it is a fun little coaster.  I have hopes to get back to the Magic Kingdom in the future to experience this new addition!

Well that’s it for this week!  What is your favorite part of New Fantasyland? Have you experienced the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train?

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What am I missing this week? Space Mountain.

This one is a no-brainer.  This week I've really been missing Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom.  This love affair started when I was very young.  The obvious appeal is that it is a fun coaster.  There are subtleties, though, that make this ride so much more.  It becomes more of an emotional attachment or a magical memory.  First, let's just talk about the outside appearance.  How cool is the design?! When I see it for the first time while riding on the Monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center, my eyes light up.  It has a futuristic look but at the same time it's clear this ride has been a staple since pretty much the beginning.

Next, I am totally missing the music played in the star tunnel while you wait to ride Space Mountain.  It is futuristic-sounding music but is also very peaceful.  I would love to put that music on as I fall asleep at night.  Who's with me?

To infinity and beyond! View of the climb from the PeopleMover

Ok, now to the ride part.  I love how "simple" the ride appears to be but still packs a punch.  There are no inversions yet I'm still usually screaming like a child throughout the ride.  One reason this "simple" ride is so great is because it's in the dark.  The darkness is especially great if you are riding in the front seat.  There is nothing in front of you to see where you are going and it is so much fun.  You're thinking the car is about to turn left, and then it whips you to the right!

Two things I always make sure I do when riding?  1. As we are climbing up to the top of the coaster in the beginning, I turn around to wave to the people coming through Space Mountain on the PeopleMover.  2. Later in the ride, when we are whizzing back through that same area past the people climbing to the top of the coaster, I scream as loud as possible to get them psyched for a fun ride.  Silly, but that's just me.

About to blast off! Front row of course!

Finally, let's talk about the exit to the ride.  Disney sure did think of the whole experience.  To exit, you step onto a bouncy moving walkway that brings you through different scenes showing the technology of tomorrow.  These scenes are something you grow fond of over time.  Then finally at the very end of the moving walkway, there are cameras and TV screens so you can check your hair and make sure you look presentable when you walk off the ride.

So you see, there are many elements to Space Mountain that make you want to ride it again and again and then ride it with your kids, and one day with your grandkids.

That's what I'm missing this week!  Where does Space Mountain rank on your list?  Is there anything funny or specific you always do when you ride it?  Who has seen it when the lights were on?  Leave your comments below!

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This Week I'm Missing Disney's Water Parks!

We are now in the month of August.  The summer heat is in full swing and what I'm missing most this week are the Disney Water Parks.  Just like Olaf, I'm loving the idea of summer, and sun, and all things hot - all while drifting down a lazy river or taking in the waves of the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool.  I was fortunate enough to have Disney's Water Parks included in my Annual Pass.  I thoroughly took advantage of being able to walk into one of the water parks, even to just get some sun for a few hours.

My favorite water park out of the two is Typhoon Lagoon.  I love the layout of the park, the theme, and the attractions.  I will just be honest, I love swimming and being in the water, but I am not the best swimmer and I don't like being under the water.  Typhoon Lagoon offers me plenty of attractions to enjoy being at a water park.  First, I LOVE the Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster.  I could probably spend the entire day on this attraction.  You get the opportunity to ride three different slides and you get to ride them with a friend if you want!

Having fun on the Crush 'n' Gusher!

I also have to mention Typhoon Lagoon's wave pool - or as Disney describes it, surf pool.  This is probably a more accurate description.  Instead of continuous small waves for a period of time, this surf pool sends out one humongous wave which then creates a bunch of little waves.  Funny story about the surf pool.  In my many visits, I always noticed how much fun people were having at the very front of the pool where the wave first comes out.  I had a moment of bravery and decided I wanted to experience this fun as well.  I told my husband what I wanted to do and so we started to swim out to the front of the pool.  Halfway there I realized I may be regretting this decision.  Like I said, I am not a great swimmer and I'm only about 5'3".  The floor to the pool disappeared pretty quickly for me.  So we make it out to the front of the pool and now wait for the wave - my legs are exhausted from swimming all the way out there.  Now while we wait, I'm stressing over what I'm going to do when the wave comes.  Do I go under the wave or try to body surf it?! Again, as I said earlier, I don't like going under water.  What was I thinking?!  The wave comes, I go under the wave, I laugh and tell my husband how fun it was.  Now it was time to swim all the way out of the pool and I wanted to get to the edge before the next wave came.  You would think I was swimming for a gold medal! By the time I got to the edge, my arms and legs were jelly.  I will say, although that was stressful, it was also so much fun and I'm so glad I experienced the big wave!

I also have to mention Blizzard Beach and my favorite attraction there.  This park is so fun and again the theme is great - a melting mountain of snow in the middle of Florida.  My favorite attraction there is the Tobaggan Racers.  You are basically flying head first on a mat down a tall hill against 7 other racers.  This is especially great if you are with a large group.

Finally, it would just be wrong to not give a shout out to River Country.  How many of you remember this gem?  Placed on Bay Lake behind the Contemporary Resort, this water park had a wonderful country feel and was just so unique.  I was sad when Disney closed it down but can understand why they did.  River Country, you will always live on in our hearts.

Well that's what I'm missing right now! What is your favorite water park? Are you more of the lazy river type of person or the "thrill slides" type?

See you next week!

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