Tag Archives: Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom, Animation Monday, Parks, Walt Disney World

Animation Monday: Zootopia

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We move away from the past and flash to the present with Disney’s latest animated movie, Zootopia.  This critically-acclaimed film is tearing up the box-office with a $73.7 million opening weekend.

It is a very funny movie for both kids and adults.  The themes of the movie are complex but explained in a manner that kids, of all ages, can understand them.  But, at least for my family, Zootopia is an important movie because it is the first Disney movie where a rabbit gets to play a starring role.

Thumper and Miss Bunny #1

My daughter is a massive rabbit fan (she even hopped to meet Thumper and Miss Bunny when she met them a few years ago).  She has been looking forward to this movie for months.  Judy Hopps may have moved to the top of her list of favorite Disney characters.  Judy is a young, energetic, and full of determination.  A role bunny for children to look up to.  Ginnifer Goodwin brought that energy to Judy throughout the entire picture.

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Parks, Resorts, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World at 50

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Believe it or not, Walt Disney World will be turning 50 years old in just over five years.  I hold the opinion that a lot of the changes to the parks and resorts are anticipation of this anniversary.  Disney likes to have big event around the major anniversaries of the resort.  The 25th anniversary was a big celebration.  The 5th and 10th anniversaries were smaller but big events.  The 40th anniversary was the first event in the “age of social media.”  I was in attendance along with lots and lots of others.  It was a one-day event and the Magic Kingdom was very crowded especially at night.  Now, I feel that the 50th anniversary is going to be a large, year-long resort-wide celebration much like the 60th anniversary celebration currently going on a Disneyland.

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Animal Kingdom, Attractions, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Other Parks and Entertainment, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World

Are There Too Many Hard Ticket Events at Disney?

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For the longest time, Disney only had two hard ticket events: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  For the spring, Disney announced three new hard events:

  • Villains Unleashed – August 23rd
  • Harambe Nights – select nights
  • EPCOT After Hours Wind Down – select night until mid-September

The question that needs to be asked is: Are there now too many hard ticket events at Disney?  These events all provide special experiences to guests.  However, these experiences all come with an extra cost.  With single-day park tickets now approaching $100, how much extra cost is too much?  I’ll take a look at all three of these events and take a look at the added value of the events.

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Animal Kingdom, Attractions, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

Avatar Land and Star Wars Land: Should they be added?

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Today, I’m going to focus on one land that is going to come to fruition and another land that gets talked about A LOT in rumors.  Those lands are Avatar Land (coming potentially in 2017) and Star Wars Land (much talked about but only in rumor).  I’m going to talk about these lands individually as my views on them vary.

Let’s start with a potential Star Wars Land.  Star Wars Land has been in the heavy rumor phase recently with the rumored closure of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and the announced closure of the American Idol Experience that a full fledged Star Wars Land is coming to Hollywood Studios.  However, Dad has heard that the rumored closure of Indiana Jones is false so we can put the brakes on any potential Star Wars Land at Hollywood Studios for the time being.

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Dining Plan, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World

180 Days From A Disney Vacation

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180 days is one of those landmark days for planning a Disney vacation.  It is the day when guests can start making table-service dining reservations for their stays at Walt Disney World.  At Disneyland, this is as big of a day because the demand for dining isn’t as high as it is at Walt Disney World.  For Walt Disney World, however, it is very important.  Some restaurants are very difficult to get if you don’t make your reservations right on that 180th day.

So, what are some ways to successfully navigate this day and get the restaurants that you really want.

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