Everyone wants to be a pirate!

I like fast rides like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I like fun rides like the Mad Tea Party and the Jungle Cruise. But hands down my favorite ride at any Disney park is Pirates of the Caribbean. I have wanted to write about this attraction for a long time but I could never figure out why I love this ride. Well, December 15th was Pirate’s 40th anniversary so I thought this would be the perfect time to wax poetic about why I never miss this attraction no matter how long the line is.

The truth is I don’t know why I love this ride. It is not the only ride that uses audio-animatronic characters. It is not the only ride that uses a boat. It is not the only dark ride. The best I can say is that it is the only ride that has pirates, not historically accurate, mean killers, but fun swashbuckling scallywags. I have always liked pirates (who doesn’t?) and often dressed up as a pirate for Halloween. As an adult, acting like a pirate is discouraged, but deep inside I wish I could be as free and fun-loving as a pirate (without the slaying and stealing, of course.)

I don’t know if that is the real reason I love Pirates of the Caribbean and I have decided I’m not going to worry about why it is my favorite. I’m just going to ride it every chance I get. Happiness squared.

Goofy Video: Walt Disney was very involved in the creation of Pirates of the Caribbean and that may be why it is so popular. If you want to hear Walt Disney talk about his ideas for this attraction check out this five minute YouTube video. After watching it I liked the attraction even more. It is amazing how much work goes into making these rides.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

I waited until Halloween was over before I started talking about Christmas. I am a big believer in keeping Christmas in December, but the Disney parks get the season started in November so I will follow their lead. After all lots of guests want to experience the Disney parks at Christmastime and they wouldn’t all fit in one month. So let the season begin.

Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom are doing something this year that has never be done before. The Jungle Cruise is getting a Christmas overlay. I think this is a fun idea. Even explorers celebrate Christmas. I look forward to seeing the decorations and I am really looking forward to hearing new puns. The number one reason I ride the Jungle Cruise is for the puns. Show me the back side of water and I crack up. Introduce me to Dr. Presume and I laugh until I cry. I hope these new Christmas puns are the worst ever. I may just die from laughter.

So let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas, and remember, don’t shoot the messenger. Happiness Squared.

Goofy Tip: As much as people wish Christmas would stop encroaching on the rest of the year if you plan to visit the Disney parks (especially Walt Disney World) during the Christmas season you should be making reservations and buying tickets now. The holiday season is one of the busiest times to visit the parks and if you want to see all the great events than start planning today. Or, put a note on your calendar next May or June to plan for Christmas 2014.

Image from www.amazon.com

Angela Lansbury was born today in 1925. I think most people today know her from Murder, She Wrote which is still in reruns, and as the voice of the teapot, Mrs. Potts, in Beauty and the Beast. (You know, she sang that song. Yes, that one.) But today I want to suggest two other great Angela Lansbury movies to watch in honor of her birthday. Of course there are dozens of others, but I feel that these two are special, and very different from each other.

My first suggestion is Bedknobs and Broomsticks. This Disney movie came out in 1971 and it is fantastic. It’s the story of three orphan English children who are moved from London to the countryside during WWII. They are forced to live with Angela Lansbury who is a witch-in-training and not interested in children. Through trial and mishap they end up saving the village from a Nazi invasion. The plot is enchanting and the music makes you want to dance. It has a bit of romance, a lot of adventure, and multiple magical rides on a bed. Rent and share it with your family. You will love it.

The next movie is Gaslight. This black and white suspense film came out in 1944. It is so good that the term gaslighting has become part of our language. If you don’t know what gaslighting means you really need to see this movie. Angela Lansbury does not play one of the main characters but her role as the maid is incredible. Let’s just say I wouldn’t want her to be my maid. According to Wikipedia this was the first movie she acted in and she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Award. That’s how good she was. This thrilling film is about a woman who is slowly going insane. However, is she really insane or is someone causing her to think she is insane? This is an amazing film and a must see on Angela Lansbury’s birthday. I’ve never forgotten her acting in this film.

To celebrate Angela Lansbury’s birthday, after all she is 88, watch one of her many wonderful films. I have recommended two but she has done so many more. I hope I am as spry and well-remembered when I am 88. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Since Angela Lansbury played Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast you could always have a spot of tea today. Or if you are lucky enough to be visiting the Magic Kingdom enjoy a meal at the Be Our Guest Restaurant. There you can try “the Grey Stuff”, a dessert I can’t wait to taste.

While I was there I tried Butterbeer, the signature drink from the stories. We waited in line for ten minutes or so and got a cup of amber frozen sweetness. It was very good, but I was glad I was sharing it with someone else. It was so sweet and so buttery that a little bit went a long way. Now that I have tasted Butterbeer I have no desire to try it again. But let it be said I thought Universal did a great job of bringing the world of Harry Potter to life, including Butterbeer.

While all this Harry Potter stuff in interesting this is a Disney blog, so why am I going on and on about Universal? Well, Butterbeer was so popular at Universal that Disney wanted their own signature drink. This was going to be a little difficult because Disney has lots of great drinks (you have to try Ramone’s Pear of Dice Soda) and they do not have a movie that emphasizes one drink like Harry Potter does with Butterbeer.

A new beverage was revealed when New Fantasyland opened at the Magic Kingdom. Lefou’s Brew is a fun apple drink inspired by Beauty and the Beast that is found at Gaston’s Tavern. Guests at Disneyland were not left out and a different signature drink was created for Fantasy Faire, the newest area of Fantasyland. It is called Boysen Apple Freeze and is found at Maurice’s Treats. Boysen rhymes with poison so it is obviously a Snow White reference. I couldn’t wait to try this new drink and see how it compared to Butterbeer.

So…which did I like better, Butterbeer, or Boysen Apple Freeze? It may seem like I have a bias, but anyone who know me knows that I love Harry Potter about as much as I love Disney (if Disney had made the Harry Potter movies I would have cried with joy). So with no bias, just my taste buds as my judge, I declare…Boysen Apple Freeze the winner. This drink was much lighter than Butterbeer and the combination of boysenberry, raspberry, and apple made the drink both tart and sweet. This is a drink that I will buy every time I visit Disneyland. When I go back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (once they fix their crowd problems) I will try other drinks but not Butterbeer.

Congratulations to Disney for winning the battle of the drinks. They won in another way, too. You can get a souvenir cup with either drink, but Disney’s cups are way cooler. You get to choose between a princess goblet or a Beast beer stein. I chose the goblet and love using it at home. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: If you are looking for breakfast at Disneyland bypass the crowds at Main Street U.S.A. and head over to Fantasy Faire. Boysen Apple Freeze makes a great breakfast drink.  At the same cart you can buy a twist. I tried the cheesy garlic twist and it was excellent. It is a good size (you can see me holding one above), enough for a light meal and plenty big enough to share with a friend for a snack. They also had strawberry and chocolate. I can’t wait to try them all.

There are ten Disney parks around the world right now and I definitely plan to visit all of them and check off that list. But I just learned that the first Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened at Disneyland on September 2, 1979. I love this attraction at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom and I wondered how many other Big Thunder attractions I could ride.

It turns out four parks have Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attractions. Besides Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom they are at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland. Yay! I have a new list. I want to ride all four versions and have my picture taken by the sign outside each of them.

Do you have fun lists that you are trying to complete? Are any of them Disney related? Along with visiting every Disney park and ride on every Big Thunder Mountain Railroad I want to run every RunDisney race at least once. Who knew that lists could be so fun? Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: As you make your lists remember that the parks change all the time so your lists will probably change, too. If you truly want to finish a list than don’t dawdle. It might be easier to be flexible. Remember that changes in the parks means you get to have new goals and even more fun.

There have been a lot of changes at the Magic Kingdom. Some areas have disappeared while others have expanded. Any child or adult who adores the Disney princesses will be thrilled with New Fantasyland. For more grown-up adults there are other areas of the park that are just as enjoyable. These areas may not be advertised as much but they are some of my favorites.

5 fun activities that adults can enjoy at the Magic Kingdom:

1) Skip New Fantasyland. Fantasyland has been expanded into the area that was Mickey’s Toontown Fair. New castles were built and more rides and restaurants were added. This area is a child’s dream come true. However, if you have no desire to interact with animated characters I would leave New Fantasyland to the children.

2) Take a spin on Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. Being an adult does not mean not having fun. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a fun ride that takes you through the history of electronics by following one family through the years. It is a great example of edu-tainment and not overly popular with children.

3) Spend some time in Liberty Square. This area is squashed between Fantasyland and Frontierland and is often missed as people rush from ride to ride. However, this land is filled with inspirational attractions and really good restaurants. Take your time looking at the Liberty Tree and the variety of quaint shops.

4) Watch the Fireworks from the train station on Main Street, U.S.A. The evening fireworks show are worth waiting for, but often great masses of Guests try to leave after the show. If that is your plan then I recommend watching the show from a spot close by the train station at the exit to the park. You can then enjoy the parks and know that you’ll beat the crowds trying to get to the resort busses.

5) Choose your restaurants wisely. Since there are so many amazing restaurants at the resorts and other parks the Magic Kingdom focuses more on family fare and meals where you can meet characters. However, you will not starve if you check out The Liberty Tree Tavern or Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Delicious.

The Magic Kingdom is a lot like Disneyland and shares many of the same rides. However, it is the differences that make this park special. I love spending time in Liberty Square because Walt Disney wanted to build this area at Disneyland but it never happened. That makes this land a hidden gem. If you take the time to find the diamonds-in-the-rough you find that anyone can have a great time at the parks. Happiness Squared.

Goofy Tip: If your goal is to have a fun time at the parks without dealing with screaming children then I suggest arriving late and staying until close. Since you have no desire to ride the newest Fantasyland rides there is no reason to arrive early. Many of the children will not make it to closing so staying late means you have the the park to yourself (an thousands of other night-owls.)

Judy enjoys a great meal before the fireworks

It is safe to say that the Disney parks have the best fireworks shows in the world. They are the most state-of-the-art, the most creative, and the most emotional shows I’ve ever seen. I never miss the fireworks shows at the Magic Kingdom. For me they top off an already incredible day.

It never occurred to me that planning the fireworks shows would be a full time job involving multiple people. That sounds like a great job. How rewarding would it be to create something that millions of people enjoy every year? Who does these jobs? Disney Parks Blog interviewed one of these people and he gave us a glimpse into how he brings the best fireworks shows to the park. Click here to see the page with the video. It is not long but it gave me new appreciation for the shows. The next time I see a Disney nighttime spectacular I will think of all the people who brought the show to life. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Would you like to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks show from high above the park and enjoy an amazing meal in the same evening? Than make reservations for the newly re-opened California Grill at the top of the Contemporary Resort. Tell them that you would like to see the fireworks so that your reservation is for the right time. When the show starts you can watch it from a balcony at the top of the hotel. It is an amazing view. The music from the show is piped in so you get the whole experience. The fireworks were breathtaking and the meal was one of the best I have ever had in my entire life. Though it was extremely expensive it was worth every penny. It was a night I will never forget.

If you have ever been to the Disney Parks you will know what I am talking about. Along with finding money in wishing wells (I’ll tell you where to find an awesome one in the Goofy Tip) you’ll see lots of money in the water at it’s a small world, Pirates of the Caribbean, and dozens of other watery attractions. Whenever I see those coins I wonder two things:  why would people toss money there, and what happens to all the coins that were tossed?

I still don’t know why people throw money in water, but thanks to The Disney Blog I now know what Disney does with all the coins that get tossed into water. They collect the money and donate them to various children’s charities. So far in 2013 Walt Disney World has donated $15,000 to the Foundation for Foster Children. By answering my second question I might have answered my first. Maybe people toss coins in non-wishing wells to make other people’s wishes come true. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: If you want to get your money’s worth and toss your coin into a wishing well then head over to the castle at Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom. On one of the side paths you’ll find the Snow White Wishing Well. This is a great place to toss your coin, not only because you’ll get to make a wish, but because you can hear Snow White making a wish as well. It is very magical. Plus your coin does double duty – it helps make your wish and the wish of other children come true.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

Yesterday, June 23, the Enchanted Tiki Room had its 50th anniversary. This is one of the classic attractions at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom. Although it did not exist when Disneyland opened in 1955 it was a project that was dear to Walt Disney. He loved audio-animatronic figures and imagined many different ways that the technology could be used. Birds were an ideal format and thus the Enchanted Tiki Room was born.

Lots has been written about this attraction in honor of its anniversary. Disney Parks Blog has done several posts and The Disney Blog provided even more information. Here is some of my favorite Tiki trivia.

5 fun feathery facts about the Enchanted Tiki Room:

1) 225 singing birds, flowers, and Tikis perform during the show. That is a lot of audio-animatronic technology.

2) There are over 60 tropical birds singing in the show. Listening to them is a real tweet.

3) In 2005 the original soundtracks were restored and new speakers were installed so the birds sound more beautiful than they used to.

4) The Tiki Gods who do the pre-show are designed after real Polynesian and Hawaiian gods. Click here to see the list of gods used and where they are from.

5) When the show first appeared in 1963 it was worth more than an “E” ticket. You had to pay 75 cents to see the show. This was cutting edge technology.

I always go see the Enchanted Tiki Room when I visit the parks. I even saw it when it was “Under New Managemant” at the Magic Kingdom although I am so glad that variation no longer exists. Iago was annoying. However, the original show has a timeless quality to it with the punny birds, the lovely music, and the tropical flair. My favorite part is when the gods get upset and do their musical number. I hope that The Enchanted Tiki Room sees another 50 years. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tips: Okay, this may be sacrilegious, but I had my first Dole Whip in 2012 and I have been visiting the parks since 1977. The lines always seemed long and I didn’t know what the big deal was. Don’t make my mistake. Get in the line. It is worth it. If you are in the parks on a sunny day this is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. I didn’t know pineapple was so refreshing. Do not miss this iconic Disney treat. There is a reason why it is famous. Find out for yourself.

You will get wet!

The typical checklist for a trip to the Disney parks includes your camera, autograph book, tickets, and money. These are must-haves. But I have discovered a few other items that make a Disney vacation more stress free. The great thing about these items is they are very small and can fit inside a small bag. If you keep this small bag always packed you can drop it into your bag when you head to the parks. You may not use these items every time, but you’ll save time, money, and sanity if you do need them.

Five useful items to bring to the parks:

1) Ziploc bags. I like the sandwich or quart size, but whatever size you happen to have, these are immensely useful. You can use one as a doggie bag and it is much easier to carry around than a to-go box. You can put wet items in them. You can put half-licked all-day suckers in them. I always put my guide books in baggies before I go on Splash Mountain.The uses are endless and they are so small that you can pack quite a few in many different sizes.

2) Aspirin. Or Tylenol. Or Advil. Any pain pill that you like to use at home should be in your sanity bag. When you have muscle soreness or a headache due to too much noise, the last thing you want to do is hunt for medicine. At the minimum you’ll have to walk a long ways to the first-aid station and if you decide to buy some you’ll pay a lot. Been there, done that. Save your sanity and have some with you.

3) Small towel or bandana. Wet benches. Sticky faces. Soaked skin from Splash Mountain. There are lots of reasons to bring a towel. I like the washcloth size, but a bandana can work, also. When it is damp just tie it to the outside of your pack and it will dry quickly. Or put it in the baggies you also packed.

4) Carabineer. These are the clips that climbers use, but nowadays you can find them everywhere. They are very handy if you want to attach items to your pack so your hands are empty. Or if you broke down and bought your child a sword, a carabineer is a useful item for attaching the sword to their belt loop so they are not waving it all over and hitting everyone.

5) Band-aids. Like the pain pills, these are an item that you won’t think about until you need one. Instead of interrupting your trip when your child scrapes their knee running around on Tom Sawyer’s Island, just put a Band-Aid on it and they are off again. If you buy Disney themed Band-Aids then it is almost like a badge of honor.

You may have more items to put in your sanity bag but these five I have found extremely useful. Just make sure whatever you bring is small. If it weighs you down you may not pack it and then you won’t be saving your sanity. Any vacation can become insane. Planning ahead can make the insanity fun instead of annoying. Fun is better. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: I don’t mind walking around in wet clothes because they will dry fairly quickly, but I hate having wet shoes. They never seem to dry and they make my feet feel gross. My sanity solution is to bring a pair of flip-flops with me. Flip-flops don’t take up much room and before you go on Splash Mountain or Grizzly River Run you can switch shoes. After the ride dry your feet off with the small towel you brought, put your damp flip-flops into a gallon baggie, and put your shoes back on. Your feet will be happy and that will make you happy.