Por Favor Mantengase Alejado de las Puertas...I'm missing the Monorail!

This week I'm really missing zipping around the Seven Seas Lagoon on the Monorail.  This is one of many things I love that came from Walt Disney's forward and innovative thinking.  The Monorail system at Disney is by far the superior mode of transportation to get around the World - well if you are traveling through the Magic Kingdom area or to Epcot.  Plus, it's cool.

The benefit of taking the highway in the sky is that it makes, typically, quick and efficient stops.  It also doesn't have to deal with traffic lights.  Traffic, in general, isn't an issue either, except if your monorail is holding due to a monorail in front of it.  But really, who cares when you've got an air conditioned and comfy car, and you're looking down on Disney property?  Another thing I love about the Monorail is the ambiance it creates once you're in it.  It really does create the effect that "you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy." (Walt Disney)  It's a detail that many people probably overlook, but it's an important detail that you can't park your car anywhere near the Magic Kingdom.

Monorail Red coming through!

Now let's talk about our Monorail Man.  You know, the guy who says, "Please stand clear of the doors."  This guy's voice can elicit childhood memories in a moment.  His narration as you whiz to your destination is simply perfect.  Not to mention, he knows how to speak Spanish!  As you probably know, the phrase "Por Favor Mantengase Alejado de las Puertas" has become quite popular over the years.  It has made it's way to shirts (I own one) and candy! It's probably the only sentence I can say in Spanish.  I would really love to be stepping onto a Monorail car right now, listening to Monorail Man's sweet, smooth voice.

I'm also missing the Epcot Monorail.  This Monorail is fun because it feels like you're going on a mini-roadtrip.  You get to ride out next to the road and see all of the cars riding in and out of Disney.  Plus once you get to Epcot, you think you're headed for the station but nope! You first get to ride around the park to see all that Epcot has to offer! Talk about building the excitement! I just love it.

Finally, I miss riding in the front of the Monorail.  This is something that isn't possible anymore.  Disney suspended this in 2009.  Riding in the front was something really special because you had to be lucky enough to request it before anyone else did.  I had the opportunity to ride in the front a few times and I must say the view through that big window is marvelous.  You really felt like VIP riding up there all alone with the driver.

Riding in the front!

Look at that view as we enter the Magic Kingdom Monorail Station!

Well, that's what I'm missing this week.  The Monorail is so great, can you imagine if Disney decided to expand the system to other destinations in Disney World?  Where would you want them to expand to?

Can you guess what my favorite part of riding on the Monorail is?  When it goes through the Contemporary.  It makes me smile every time.

What's your favorite part about the Monorail?  What's your favorite color Monorail?  Leave your comments below!

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Oh how I'm missing Disney's Sweet Treats!

This week I am really missing those delicious treats and desserts offered in the Disney Parks.  There is nothing better than walking down Main Street USA on a hot day (which is anytime from March to October) while enjoying a sweet treat in the shape of Mickey Mouse.  Now this is a topic I'm sure I'll be missing again down the road, and when that time comes I will definitely have more to write about!

Let's break this down park by park.  First up, of course, Magic Kingdom:

My favorite thing to have while walking through the Magic Kingdom is a Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar.  Wait, let me backtrack for one moment.  It is my belief that almost anything in the shape of Mickey tastes better because it is in the shape of Mickey.  Oh and the ears are the best part.  Now back to the Mickey Ice Cream Bar.  This is a classic treat.  It's a hot and humid day in the park, a colorful balloon bouquet is flying high above Main Street, and the Castle Show is in full swing.  You take that first bite into a chocolate and vanilla ear, and it is magic.

My husband prefers the Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich.  I do agree that it is amazingly delicious, especially the cookies n' cream ice cream, but I will usually still defer to the Ice Cream Bar.  Another ice cream must is from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street.  Two scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream with two chocolate pieces on top to make Mickey's ears make any adult feel like a child again.  This is a favorite treat to have while watching Wishes fireworks.

Finally, let's travel behind Cinderella's Castle.  My other must-haves while in the Magic Kingdom are a Strawberry-Banana Smoothie from Auntie Gravity's, Cake Pops from Big Top Souvenirs, and I would not be a Disney fan if I didn't mention Dole Whip at the Aloha Isle in Adventureland.  These are all so satisfying and just make the whole experience of being in the Magic Kingdom a little more magical.

Now let's talk about MGM (or Hollywood Studios - see my very first post):

I have not had as much experience indulging my sweet tooth at this park but the few things I have enjoyed were enough to make me wish I was there right now.  First was a very large, very delicious Mickey-shaped chocolate chip cookie.  We actually brought one home with us in an attempt to continue the magic.

Mickey and chocolate! Yum!

The other incredibly delectable treat enjoyed at this park was a chocolate mousse served inside an R2-D2 mug! Delicious and an amazingly awesome souvenir!


Finally, Epcot:

There were two notable sweet treats enjoyed in Epcot.  One, which I advise anyone visiting this park to try, is the crepe in France.  Yum.  The other I had the chance to try during the Food & Wine Festival last year.  It was the Frozen S'more.  This was interesting because it was frozen, so it was as refreshing as an ice cream but as delicious as a s'more.  For a hot day in Florida, that's a dynamite combo!

Now I know any treats in Downtown Disney do not require an Annual Pass, but Ghirardelli deserves an honorable mention.  Any sort of treat you get from here is most likely going to be incredible, but make sure it has chocolate somewhere in it or on it!

In conclusion, Disney's sweet treats are awesome and Mickey-shaped treats are always tastier and more magical.  What is your favorite sweet treat to eat while walking around the parks?

I'm missing the "limited-time" engagement of the season...

This week I am REALLY missing being able to experience the latest special event or limited-time engagement happening at Walt Disney World.  I am especially missing it right now because the special event is Frozen Summer at MGM (I refuse to call it Hollywood Studios)!  Oh how I would love to go to the Frozen Sing-Along, build a snowman (which this Floridian rarely gets to do!), and see the fireworks set to the amazing Frozen music.

The funny thing about Disney is that they have a way to always make you feel like you NEED to be at their current event - that you are missing a once-in-a-lifetime happening.  And to Disney's credit, they typically produce on that.  Whether it's Star Wars Weekends, the Flower and Garden Festival, the Food and Wine Festival (YUM!), Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, or Very Merry - Disney puts out great special events that leave you planning your trip for the next year almost immediately after leaving the park.

I am missing having an Annual Pass to be able to just hop in the car one weekend in June to go to Star Wars Weekends and then again in September to eat my way through the countries (literally) at the Food and Wine Festival.  Having an Annual Pass definitely gives you an advantage to be able to experience all of these great events.

So while others are building snowmen this summer with Olaf,  I'll be here dreaming of having an Annual Pass again and reminding myself to "Let it Go."

What is your favorite special event at Walt Disney World? Why?  Leave your comments below.

Until next week!

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