Monthly Archives: March 2010

Our Favorite Character Interactions

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What makes running into Mickey so special? Is it his wide eyed look? Is it that sweet smile? What makes us love these characters so much? We take a look at why we love them, and our most memorable interactions.

First off, let’s talk where you can find these loveable figures.  In the old days, they would wander the parks and you could just go up and get a picture.  Due to larger crowds and their popularity growing, Disney has found designated homes for most characters.  The Fab Five, known as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, can be found at the Character Connection in Epcot, Mickey’s Toon Town Fair in MK, Camp Minnie Mickey at AK, and usually in front of Mickey’s Sorcerer’s hat at DHS.  Pixar friends, Buzz, Jessie, and Woody can be found in Pixar Place at DHS, and Frontierland and Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom.  The Animation Building at DHS contains stars from Playhouse Disney, Sorcerer Mickey, and the most recent movie’s characters with background.  Pooh and his gang can also be found in Pooh’s Place and the Judges Tent at MK and on one of the trails near the Boneyard at AK.   The Princesses and Fairies live in the Judges Tent as well in the Magic Kingdom.  There are several websites online that have exact locations and times on who will be where for you to meet.  If you are looking for a certain one, contact Guest Relations the morning of your park day and they will tell you where to find them, if they are active at all.

Another way to find them is the famous Character Dining experience.  Places such as Chef Mickey’s and Ohana, allow you to have a delicious meal while they come to your table for pictures and autographs.  Disneyparks.com has a complete list of character meals for you to choose from.  

We were eating at 1900 Park Fare, many years ago, and Minnie decided to sit with us at our table. Our youngest at the time was just in awe…as she watched Minnie cut up her waffles for her.  At that same meal, we had Alice and she kept going on and on about our daughter’s long blond hair like hers- she talked about Alice liking her hair all day long.

During one of the old E-Ride nights, Magic Kingdom was pretty much deserted. Our family was hanging out in Tomorrowland and Goofy with Chip and Dale came walking by. The CM with them started to play the drums on a trash can, and all three started to dance. They danced with our little one and other kids, it was like a private party for us- very cool.

Last year, I was waiting for Goofy next to Splash Mountain. My turn was next, but the 3:00 parade was going to be coming out where he was standing, so we all had to move. Goofy took my hand and walked me to another spot with him…very sweet since he is my favorite. (Ellie)

Our daughter made something for Jessie and gave it to her all excited. When we walked away, one of the green army men stopped us to “mime” how cool it was she had done that and how neat it was to see.  Touched our family he cared enough to tell us.

Before Monsters inc moved in, the area was open for a character meet and greet. Here we found Stitch one year, and we had just bought the kids a Stitch cell phone toy. Stitch decided to take the phone from our youngest and call up his planet. He mimed talking to someone, this on for a good 5 minutes.  Once he was done, we were ready to take the picture, and he pulled our youngest in- but kept pushing our oldest away as a joke. It was quite funny.

Our oldest had bought a stuffed wolf at Sea World of all places, and brought it to MK for the day. Mr. Smee decided to play with “Wolfie” for a good 15 minutes…my kids were dying they were laughing so hard.

I had read once to play with the characters when you can, say things to get a nice reaction. So this past trip, I asked Chip and Dale which one was Alvin and which one was Theodore. The reaction was PRICELESS!! They shook their fists and did the laughing signals, it was great.

Alice, Mary Poppins, and I hung out together in the UK one morning when the World Showcase had been open for only a little bit. No one was around, and Alice liked my Soarin shirt. So we all twirled around to pretend because we wanted to “soar.”

After the Villains Mix and Mingle show at the MNSSHP, Frollo came down with the other Villains. I got my  picture with him, and then I moved on to the next one. Not more than 15 mins later, Mr Frollo was following me.  Apparently I was Esmerelda for him that night! LOL (Ellie)

Jasmine and Aladdin became intrigued with my youngest girl’s pin lanyard. Jasmine said she loved her pins, when Aladdin pointed to her “Ooogie Boogie” pin and said “look Jasmine, she has one of you.”

We had just finished the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, and saw Bert and Mary Poppins walk by.  I had never met them before, so I got in line…super excited! We got up to meet them and I shook Bert’s hand and said “I’m so excited, I have never met you before.” Bert says without missing a beat, “And you are?” I say “Ellie” and he says “Well Ellie, I am more than excited because I have never met you.”  It made me beam all day. (Ellie)

Kyra decided to get her picture taken with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum by the Teacups. She got between them, and they decided to bump her back and forth. It was pretty funny, nothing out of control, but she did well trying not to lose it with them.

Garden Grill breakfast at The Land…all by myself trip.  I showed up, and the waiter was super sweet. Mickey came up and motioned if I was alone, told him yes. He then proceeded to bring over all the characters and they sat with me in my booth with me for a little bit-was the sweetest moment ever. (Ellie)

We wore matching t-shirts at the MK, and Captain Hook and Mr. Smee decided to make a big deal of them while we tried to take our pictures with them.  They are a bunch of trouble makers!

I’m sure we have more, and we will add them as we go. What are your most memorable moments with characters? We would love to hear yours.  Have a magical day!

~Carl and Ellie Peters~

Walt Disney World Photo Spots and Opps

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I haven’t met one person yet who doesn’t LOVE to take pictures at Walt Disney World.  After each trip, we seem to out do the first with the number we can fill our digital cards with. What did we ever do without the memory card?  I can’t even imagine the amount of film I would have to buy to equal the number of pictures we take now.  Join us as we talk about our favorite photo spots and fun picture opportunities we have taken on our magical vacations.

Our Favorite Spots at the Magic Kingdom:

  • Cinderella’s Castle from the Tomorrowland Bridge- Great view of the lawn around it and the water.
  • Left or right side of the Castle view, especially at sunrise or dusk.
  • Main Street U.S.A.
  • Cinderella’s Carousel at night through the Castle archway
  • The arch ways of Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Outside Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after we have ridden
  • 2nd floor of Columbia Harbor House-great view of the Haunted Mansion and River Boat
  • In front of the River Boat
  • Waiting line of Winnie-the-Pooh Ride
  • Cosmic Ray’s balcony-great view of the Castle
  • Path that leads to Tomorrowland from Fantasyland- great view of Space Mountain and the Train
  • On the TTA- great view of Tomorrowland
  • The Tomorrowland Sign itself-at night or during the day
  • Tom Sawyer Island
  • Swiss Family Robinson Tree House

 

Our Favorite Photo Opportunities at the Magic Kingdom:

  • Liberty Bell in Frontierland
  • The Stocks outside Hall of Presidents
  • By the old-time Main Street Clock
  • Train Station stairways
  • In front of the Train Station by the Mickey Head of flowers
  • The mast by the Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Wishing well on the side of the Castle
  • Judges Tent where most of the Characters hang out
  • In front of Mickey’s Toontown sign
  • Sitting in the rocking chairs in Frontierland
  • On any of the many bridges
  • With Zurg after we exit Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
  • In front of the Carousel of Progress sign
  • Inside one of the teacups
  • Pet Cemetary outside the Haunted Mansion
  • Ariel’s Grotto
  • Riding Dumbo with your child
  • Kids with their 3D glasses on at Philharmagic
  • Sitting in Minnie’s heart chair, or at her kitchen table
  • Standing on Mickey’s porch or by his mailbox
  • In front or inside Donald’s boat
  • In your car on the Speedway
  • Wishes Fireworks show
  • Pooh’s Playground

 

Our Favorite Spots at Epcot

  • In front, behind, on the side, underneath, and in Spaceship Earth
  • Anywhere around the Fountain of Nations
  • The Pyramid Structure of the Imagination Pavillion
  • The Waterfalls that fall up
  • The Jumping Fountains
  • Sunshine Seasons Food Court
  • Somewhere in the Soarin’ line, we always take a picture
  • In the clam shell on the Nemo and Friends ride
  • Outside Test Track
  • The water in between Future World pavilions reflects the beauty of the landscapes
  • International Gateway
  • Outside Mexico
  • The architecture of Italy
  • Gardens in UK
  • Bridge in Japan
  • In front of the landscape in China
  • Mousegears

 

Our Favorite Photo Opportunities at Epcot:

  • Large Sombrero in Mexico-always good for a laugh
  • Viking hat and Trolls in Norway
  • Trying on Kimonos in Japan
  • Playing with the puppets in China
  • In front of the Earth, Wind, Fire Japanese structure
  • The gazebos in the UK gardens
  • The red phone booths in UK
  • Free email postcards in the Imagination Pavillion
  • Nemo and Friends Garden outside the ride
  • Shark Playground inside the Nemo Pavillion
  • Trying the Cokes from around the world at Club Cool-especially the “Beverly.”
  • Getting a picture of our screen at the end of Spaceship Earth

 

Our favorite spots at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Down the Boulevard, view of the large Mickey Sorcerer’s Hat
  • Graumans Chinese Theater
  • Inside the Disney Animation Building
  • Pixar Place
  • Inside Toy Story Mania
  • Out and inside of Star Tours
  • Back streets
  • Muppets Building
  • Pizza Planet
  • Fantasmic

 

Our Favorite Photo Opportunities at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • By the busts outside the Great Move Ride
  • Putting our hands in the famous handprints in the cement outside the Great Movie Ride
  • The snowman by the Christmas Shop
  • The Muppet props in the Muppet Gift Shop
  • Near the large Star Wars figures in the Star Tours Shop
  • At the foot of the At-At outside Star Tours
  • On the Speed Bike across from Star Tours
  • When Mike and Sully aren’t there, in front of Boo’s door at the Monsters Inc Meet and Greet
  • We take our kids pics with their drawings from the Animation class and usually the Animator from the class
  • On the large ant at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground
  • The Narnia backdrop near Pixar Place
  • There is usually a picture taken of one of the girls with a large sucker or some kind of candy
  • Buzz and Woody Meet and Greet – lots of opportunities in here

 

Our favorite spots at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Tree of Life, anywhere around it
  • The view of Africa from the bridge
  • Pangani Forest Trail-Gorilla pictures are our favorites
  • On Kilimanjaro Safari-just have to have a fast shutter-the ride doesn’t allow much time or steadiness
  • Everest, up close or far away
  • In front of the Dinosaur ride
  • Front row at the Lion King show
  • The Boneyard with our youngest daughter

 

 Our Favorite Photo Opportunities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • The family in safari hats
  • Dancing with the musicians outside Tusker House
  • Playing the drums along the paths
  • Hidden Mickeys
  • Running scared photos from the Dinosaurs in Dinoland
  • Hidden trails and animals
  • Everest from the Flame Tree Barbeque
  • The girls eating their Mickey Ice Cream bars

 

As the song goes “Making memories, taking pictures is, making memories….” and that’s just what we did every trip. Didn’t see your favorite on the list? We would love to hear yours. Have a magical day.

~Carl and Ellie Peters~

Keeping the Disney Magic Alive at Home.

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Vacations end, and reality creeps back in. Back at work, and you can’t believe you are already there. HOW do you keep the Disney magic alive? Here’s a list of how we have dealt with the “Disney Depression.” 

We try to use our camcorder and camera as much as possible when we are at WDW. With photos, we frame our favorites around the house and scrapbook the rest.  Seeing these bring back the memories, and help when we have a rough day. We watch our home vacation videos on ‘family night’ – lights low, couch moved up, and we love laughing about all of our magical moments caught on tape.  We also love ordering the newest WDW planning DVD and planning a night of viewing and Disney board games. 

YouTube has also been a great source of Disney fun. We search for different attractions and play them on our living room television, pretending we are on the rides. If you want to have some fun, make up your own fast passes for the kids-they will love it! 

“Celebrations” Magazine Publications, created by Tim Foster and Lou Mongello, is our absolute favorite magazine. Tim, Lou and his crew showcase rides, shows, resorts, movies and the most beautiful pictures of Walt Disney World you have ever seen. We highly encourage you to try an issue out at www.celebrationspress.com.  We will have a much more in depth review of that magazine when the next issue comes out, sometime towards the end of the month.

Disney Podcasts seem to be popping up everywhere. We enjoy the WDW Radio show, WDW Today, and the DIS Unplugged. Podcasts are not only great sources of information, but you can also win a prize or two. We have been fortunate to win a stay at the Dolphin resort, and other cool stuff just by emailing and asking questions.  

As you know if you are reading this, blogs keep the magic alive as well. Hearing about our favorite attraction or food brings us right to the memory, and of course makes us want to be there even more. 

Last, but not least, wearing our favorite Disney clothes is like getting a hug from Mickey himself. We would love if the WDW smell stayed on our shirts and such after we got home…but then we may never wash them, and that’s just gross. Our favorites are the hoodie sweatshirts with the year we were there – we are probably known as the Disney twins in our city every time we leave the house with them on. 

We want to hear how you keep the Disney magic alive at home-post your tips here or on our Facebook fan page. Have a great day!

 Carl and Ellie Peters