Miranda's Top 5 Most Underrated WDW Attractions You've Probably Never Experienced

1. O' Canada, Epcot - Epcot has three 360° films on World Showcase. They are all great films, but my personal favorite is O' Cananda, tucked away in the Canada pavilion. When it first debuted, the 360° Circle Vision was AMAZING, and still is pretty neat. Giant screens surround you on all sides, making the breathtaking vistas of the Canadian landscape even more so.
2. Temple of Heaven, Epcot - The China pavilion's Temple of Heaven is home to the film Reflections of China (another 360° Circle Vision movie). While the film is great, the real attraction to me is the temple itself. Just walk in and look up. You'll see what I mean.
3. Walt Disney World Railroad, Magic Kingdom - Not just an attraction, but a great means of transportation inside the park. With stops at Main Street, Frontierland, and Fantasyland, taking the train is a relaxing (and scenic) way to get from one side of the park to the other. Because the train circles the entire perimeter of the park, you get a different perspective and view of some of the attractions, including an inside view of Splash Mountain.
4. Country Bear Jamboree, Magic Kingdom - So it's a little corny...OK, maybe it's a lot corny, but this is a classic everyone should see (especially if you have little ones). The personalities of the animatronic bears are what make the show for me. They are a great example of Disney storytelling at its finest. The music and humor is, like I said, corny, but it still makes you laugh and tap your foot to the beat.
5. Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, Disney's Hollywood Studios - This one is easily my favorite on the list. If you have any interest at all in Disney history, you'll love this walk-through exhibit. You'll learn about Walt's humble beginnings, his struggles in the business, and how his amazing dreams became reality. There are also great artifacts like the multi-plane camera, early Mickey Mouse merchandise, and models of theme park attractions. At the end, you can view a short film about Walt that is wonderful (yeah, it makes me cry). Definitely don't miss it!

New Fantasyland grand opening is just around the corner!

I'm so sorry I've been terribly slow about getting this information out on my blog. I'll be honest, I didn't even know Disney had announced opening dates until a couple weeks ago (where have I been?! lol), although I have been closely following all the of the "sneak peek" photos being posted to the Disney Parks Blog and Facebook page. Everything is looking so gorgeous! I can't wait to see it in person and capture all the details with my camera. But until I can get there, I'll happily share some of Disney's photos with you :). In case you've forgotten what the finished expanision will look like, here's the latest rendering from Disney:

 

The Storybook Circus area (far right) is already open. Prince Eric's castle (which features the Ariel's Undersea Adventure attraction), the Beast's castle (which features the Be Our Guest restaurant), and Belle's Village (which features Enchanted Tales with Belle) will open December 6, 2012. Princess Fairytale Hall (the new meet-and-greet area for all the princesses) will open in 2013. The final area (which features the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction) will open in 2014.

 

Now, on to the pictures!

Inside the Be Our Guest restaurant. The restaurant featured three different dining areas straight from the movie: the ballroom, the West Wing, and the gallery.

A view of the Beast's Castle from Belle's Village. The castle houses the Be Our Guest Restaurant.



A look at one of the shops in Belle's Village. The village will feature gift shops, as well as Gaston's Tavern where you can grab a quick bite to eat.
 

This is what I am most excited about: Prince Eric's Castle! The castle houses the Little Mermaid themed dark ride that takes you through the story of Ariel and all her friends.



Detail of the que for the Little Mermaid ride.



I don't know about you, but I am so ready to explore the new area! I'm sure we'll have plenty more photos to share after the opening. Until then, just use your imagination ;).

 

See ya real soon!

 



Capturing the Magic: Tips for Photographing Fireworks

The firework displays at Disney are unlike anywhere else. They are AMAZING!! Once you've seen these wonderful shows like Wishes at Magic Kingdom or Illuminations at Epcot, other firework celebrations just can't hold a candle. These awesome pyrotechnics are also one of the most photographed attractions in the parks. But capturing that perfect burst of magic into a great photograph is not always as easy as it sounds.
Fireworks are some of the hardest things to photograph for a number of reasons. The bursts are bright and the sky is black, giving a harsh contrast that can make capturing the color of the burst a big challenge. Because the bursts happen so quickly, it's also virtually impossible to "freeze" the action, as most people would like. At Disney, there are aslo other obstacles, like crowds. Ever had the perfect vantage point, and then at the last minute some tall person comes and gets right in front of you? (That's why I always recommend getting your spot at least 30 minutes to an hour before the show starts to make sure you have a great view.) So with all these things working against you, how do you get images like this?:

Photography is a lot like baking a cake. It all starts with the right ingredients (or in this case camera gear :). For firework photography the basic gear includes:

• a DLSR camera and lens (not that you can't get great shots with a point-and-shoot, but these tips work best with SLR camera types)
• a tripod (It doesn't have to be a big one. I use a Gorillapod. It's light and fits in a small bag [or big cargo pocket] and bends to wrap around poles or other objects.) If you don't want to carry a tripod, you can also rest your camera on a garbage can to keep it still.

If you want to try a little more advanced technique, you can also use:

• a neutral density filter (this makes a BIG difference, but is not absolutely necessary. I forgot mine one night, and still got some nice shots.)
• a remote shutter release (also great, but not completely necessary. I didn't use one at all on my last trip.)

Once you find a great spot (I prefer being next to a light pole or garbage can. They are great places for a small tripod or none at all), and get your camera in place, it's time to adust your settings.
**Location Tip: At Magic Kingdom I always get a spot at the hub (near the Walt and Mickey statue) or somewhere along Main St. The upper level of the train station is also great. At Epcot, there are great views from the Japan pavillion on World Showcase, or my favorite spot (which makes for an easier exit after the show) is right in the middle of the Future World side of the lagoon, next to the gift shop.**There are two different ways you can try shooting. One lets the camera do half of the thinking for you, and the other gives you complete control over the camera settings. If you're new to photography, or if you just want to take better vacation photos, the semi-automatic way is great. I used this technique for this photo of Illuminations:

For the Semi-Automatic technique:

•  Turn your camera's dial to the Tv mode. This mode allows you to control the shutter speed (how long the image is exposed) while the camera worries about the aperture (the size of the opening that lets in the light).
• Set your ISO to 100 or 200. This keeps the images from being grainy or noisey in the darker areas.
• Keep your shutter speed 1/60 and lower. Using a slower shutter speed allows you to capture more of the trails of light from the bursts, and also allows you to capture more bursts in one shot. Speeds like 1/40 and 1/30 will give you more of a streaking look than a speed of 1/60 or 1/80 would. Try various speeds and find what you like best.

For a more advanced technique (like the one I used for the first image of Wishes) you'll need to:

• Turn your camera's dial to Manual (M) or Bulb (B) mode. This will allow you full control over all settings, both shutter speed and aperture. If your camera doesn't have a Bulb mode on the dial, go to Manual and then change the shutter speed until it reads "Bulb." Bulb means the shutter will stay open for however long you hold the button down when you take a shot.
• Set your ISO as low as it will go (100 on most cameras).
• Keep your aperture between f8.0 and f11.0 for most of the show. For the finale, you may want to try a smaller aperture (maybe f18 or f22).
• Hold the shutter open for 6 to 8 seconds. As the finale begins, or anytime several bursts explode one right after another, try longer shutter speeds like 15 or 20 seconds. If you use a neutral density filter, you can hold the shutter open for longer periods of time, allowing you to capture more bursts if you want. It also helps capture more of the colors.

No matter which technique you use, it's vitally important to keep your camera still and steady. With the semi-automatic technique, it is possible to hand-hold the camera if you have a very steady hand (that's what I did in the earlier photo). But anytime you can prop the camera (or yourself if you're shooting hand-held) will help your photos be less blurry and capture more definition in the bursts.
I hope these tips help capture more of the Disney magic in photographs. If you have any questions, please comment and I'll be happy to answer. To see more of my Disney World photography, check out the Road Trip gallery on my website at www.imaginationphotog.com. And look for more photography tips coming soon!

Miranda

P.S. I didn't just make this up. I learned a lot from the amazing photographers on the Disney Photography Blog. Check out their site in my Links section!

Miranda's Top Must-Do's for the Little Ones

So many of my friends are planning their kids' very first Disney World visit this year, and I'm so excited for them! Many have been asking me what's great for the younger kids to do in the parks, so I thought I'd give all you moms and dads a quick list of my top "must-do's" for the little ones at each theme park. There are plenty more great attractions for the kids than just the ones I'm listing, but my inner 2-year old is writing this post and these were always her favorites :). Enjoy!

Magic Kingdom

1. Peter Pan's Flight (in Fantasyland) -- This has been my all-time favorite attraction at Disney World since I was 2. The kids will LOVE it! This is one of Disney's classic "dark rides" which uses black lights (super cool if you wear white!) and audio-animatronics to take you through the story of Peter Pan. You hop aboard a flying pirate ship and journey from the Darling's nursery to Neverland, soaring over London along the way. You'll see the mermaids, the Indians, and Peter's epic battle with Captain Hook. Here's a tip: Although the ride only lasts about 3 minutes, it is very popular and the line is almost always long. If you're going at a crowded time of year, you might want to grab a Fast Pass for this one.
2. The Country Bear Jamboree (in Frontierland)-- Yes, it's a little corny, but when you're a little kid there's nothing much cooler than a bunch of singing, dancing, talking bears. The Jamboree is one of those attractions that often gets overlooked, but is still a wonderful piece of Disney storytelling. You take a seat in a saloon-style, old-time theater, sit back and enjoy some great songs and entertainment from the Country Bears. This is the attraction that inspired the 2002 movie "The Country Bears."
3. It's a Small World (in Fantasyland)-- Ok, so this isn't usually the parents' favorite, but I promise the kids will love it! There is so much to look at and so many wonderful colors in this ride that you can ride it over and over and see something new (trust me, I made my parents do it! LOL). I'm sorry, but the song probably will be stuck in your head :). At least there is almost never a wait time, and it is a great way to relax and cool off in the park.
4. Dumbo (in Fantasyland)-- Everyone's favorite flying elephant gives little ones the chance to soar up high in the sky... or at least it seems like it. Dumbo is a simple ride of up and down and round and round, but it's a winner with kids. And now that it's reopened in it's new location as part of the Fantasyland expansion (see my previous post about the expansion for more info), it's twice the fun with a new interactive que and extra riding capacity.
5. Under the Sea (the Little Mermaid ride in Fantasyland)-- This attraction in the New Fantasyland tells the story of the Little Mermaid in a not-at-all scary dark ride. You hop aboard a clam shell as Scuttle begins to tell the story. A ride backwards downhill makes you feel like you are diving beneath the ocean surface and into Ariel's world.
6. Enchanted Tales with Belle (Fantasyland)-- The other new attraction in Fantasyland is from Beauty and the Beast. This attraction is completely based on interaction with the children in the audience. You travel via magic mirror from Maurice's cottage to the library of the Beast's castle where Belle is waiting for storytime. Children are chosen to become different characters from the movie, such as Lumiere, Cogsworth, Chip, and Mrs. Potts. They help Belle tell the story. It's a great to way to meet-and-greet with characters!

Epcot

1. The Seas with Nemo and Friends (in Future World)-- This is probably Epcot's best attraction for the kids. It's another classic dark ride that takes you through the ocean in a "clammobile" as you search for... yep, Nemo :). Nemo, Dory, Marlin and friends swim around the aquarium with the real fish (still trying to figure out how they do that) and sing great songs you didn't hear in the movie.
2. Turtle Talk with Crush (in Future World)-- Next door to the Nemo ride is Turtle Talk with Crush. This is another amazing technological wonder from Disney. Your kids can actually talk to Crush, ask him questions, and he will answer them! Pretty cool, huh?
3. Journey into Imagination with Figment (in Future World)-- This ride has changed a lot from when I was little, but it is still a hit with younger kids. You're on a tour of the Imagination Institute, exploring the five senses, but Figment keeps interrupting and causing big laughs. It's cute and quirky, with a great interactive area at the ride exit.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

1. Toy Story Mania (in Pixar Place)-- Without a doubt, the most popular ride in the park. Get there early and get a Fast Pass! This ride is awesome for the whole family. Your ride vehicle comes equipped with a pull cannon, which you use to play various carnvial style games hosted by the Toy Story characters. It's all in 3-D and makes for lots of laughs. Plus it's great when you earn braggin rights for having the high score :).
2. Disney Junior - Live on Stage! (in Animation Courtyard)-- Your kids' favorite Disney Junior shows come to life on stage. Kids are encouraged to sing and dance and clap along with their favorite characters. There are a limited number of shows each day, so be sure to consult your guide map when you get to the park. (There are also other great stage shows like Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage).
3. "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure (in the Backlot)-- Oh-em-gee!! You couldn't get me out of here when I was little! This is an awesome playground for the kids. They get to climb a spiderweb, slide down a roll of flim, and even ride an ant. It makes you feel like you're right on the movie set of "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." Awesome!

Animal Kingdom

1. Affection Section & Conservation Station (in Rafiki's Planet Watch)-- This is the place where the kids can pet and interact with real animals like goats, llamas, sheep, and more. They can also see how the animals are cared for and talk to their trainers.
2. The Boneyard (in Dinoland)-- This playground gives kids the chance to dig up dinosaur bones, play music, go through mazes, slides, and more.
3. Festival of the Lion King (in Camp Minnie-Mickey)-- This is my favorite show at Disney World. It's a wonderful telling of the story of the Lion King featuring amazing acrobatics, singing, dancing, and even a fire-breather. For the last song, kids are invited to come down and be part of the show. It's great fun for the whole family! (Also be sure to check out Finding Nemo The Musical in Dinoland).
4. Finding Nemo, the Musical (between Dinoland and Asia)-- This bright and brilliant show tells the story of Nemo that we all know and love, but this time with amazing effects, new songs, and gorgeous animated characters. It is unique among Disney stage shows in that most of the cast are puppets, but I promise this isn't like any puppet show you've ever seen.
5. Kilimanjaro Safari (in Africa)-- The safari is one of the park's top two attractions and is a must-do for the whole family. You'll hop aboard a safari truck driven by a guide who takes you from the jungle to the Savannah, pointing out and teaching you about all the animals you spot along the way. Unlike seeing them in a zoo, these animals are right up close and personal, sometimes blocking traffic as they cross the road in front of your truck. You can see animals all throughout the day, but you will often spot the most either in the morning just after park open, or on one of the last trucks in the afternoon. The ride closes before dark.

Boo to you!

Hey gang! I know, I know, I've been slacking again :(. It seems that time is just never on my side lately. But even if I don't post, you know I've always got WDW on the brain :) LOL. 

Anyway, it's finally October! This past Saturday, Oct. 1, Walt Disney World celebrated its 40th birthday. Pretty awesome, huh? I've experienced the parks during every season, but the Fall is definitely my favorite! Maybe it's because the weather is so amazing during this time of year, or because the crowds are lighter than in the summer, or maybe it's just that Disney seems to love Fall and Halloween as much as I do. No matter how you slice it, Disney in October rocks!

 Disney only decorates for two holidays: Christmas and Halloween. During the first week of September, the Magic Kingdom transforms into a celebration of oranges, reds and golds. There are giant Mickey ear-shaped pumpkins, scarecrows, colorful leaf garlands and wreaths, and the shop windows on Main Street all hold fascinating Halloween displays to stop and admire. On certain nights, the park gets even more into the season with Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. 

On these nights in September and October, you can show off your costume and go trick-or-treating all over the park (and I don't mean just kids. Adults too!). There's also a special Halloween parade called "Boo To You" and a special Hallo-wishes fireworks show. All your favorite characters (some of them never seen during normal park hours) will also be decked out in their Halloween costumes and ready to meet and greet. Here's a little peek at the fun at MNSSHP:

Now here's the downside. The Halloween party requires a separate ticket. Your regular admission to the Magic Kingdom will not let you stay for the party after closing time. Likewise, if you have a party ticket, you can't get into the Magic Kingdom for the whole day on that same ticket. 

On party nights, the park closes at 7 p.m. At that time anyone without a ticket for the party has to leave the park. Party-goers will be given wristbands that show you've paid the extra fee. If you've bought a party ticket, but don't have a regular Magic Kingdom ticket, you can usually get into the park about two or three hours before the party starts.
Now I know what your asking, "So just how much does this cost?" Well, it depends on when you go. If you go to a party in September it's much cheaper (around $54 per person for ages 10 and up). Most October parties cost about $60 per person, but Halloween night is the most expensive at $68 per person. These prices are if you buy the tickets in advance. If you purchase them the day of, they cost a few dollars more. 

Now the next question, of course, "Is it worth it?" Again, it depends. For me, definitely. Halloween is my favorite holiday and the extra magical touch that Disney gives it makes worth every bit of the $60 I'd pay for my ticket. I'd also say it's worth it if you have kids.

One night while we were on our honeymoon in Oct. 2009, we were on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom with a little girl and her parents. She was all dressed up in her Sleeping Beauty costume and gave my husband and I a sweet "Congratulations" when she saw our "Just Married" badges. I asked her if she was going to the party, and she gave me an excited "Yes!" When we all got off the monorail, she grabbed each of her parents' hands and pulled them toward the entrance with a huge smile. I told Brandon right then that we were coming back and bringing our kids to Mickey's Halloween Party.

Did I mention there's free candy??? :)

Happy Haunting!
Miranda

Goodbye Toontown :(, Hello Princesses!

An aerial view of the new Fantasyland construction during Spring 2011.

I know I should have blogged about this sooner, but I wanted to do my research before I threw my opinion around here. It may seem odd, but to tell the truth I’m still kinda on the fence about this whole “Fantasyland Expansion” thing. Weird? Yeah, I know. My favorite area in my favorite park is going to double in size and I’m still not too sure about it. As they say, I guess stranger things have happened. Anyway, here’s what’s going down in the Magic Kingdom.

Way back in 2009 Disney announced plans to do a major reconstruction on the Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom park. The overhaul would double the size of the area and create spectacular and permanent homes for the most popular Disney princesses, as well as bring brand new movie-themed attractions to the park. The original plan called for Belle, Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora to have their own special areas and attractions. Tinkerbell and her fairy friends would also have their own home at Pixie Hollow, and the Dumbo attraction would be moved to a new location, doubling in size and capacity.

I’m not sure exactly when, but at some point before January 2011 the plan changed. Cinderella and Aurora’s areas were eliminated, most say because Disney was afraid there were too many girly elements to the plans. Instead, Cinderella and Aurora will join other lesser-celebrated princesses in Princess Fairytale Hall. The Pixie Hollow area was also scrapped, with Tinkerbell in friends finding a home somewhere in EPCOT (no real details on that yet). New attractions replaced these eliminated areas. There are now plans for a Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train coaster and Goofy’s Barnstormer coaster is getting a makeover with a circus theme being added around the area that it will share with the Dumbo ride. Confused yet? Yeah, it took me a minute to sort through all that too.

Noticed I haven’t mentioned anything about Mickey’s Toontown Fair? That’s because Mickey, Minnie and Donald are now homeless :(. I think this is the biggest problem I have with the new expansion. When I realized Toontown had been wiped off the map, I almost wanted to cry. I loved this area as kid. I still love it. When you’re a little kid there’s nothing cooler than getting to walk through Mickey Mouse’s living room, or browse through Minnie’s refrigerator, or hop aboard Donald’s boat. If I had known our December trip would be my last time in Toontown, I would have taken a little more time and a few more pictures.

Not everyone shares my sentiments of course. My mom and dad are thrilled about the change. They had to all but drag me out of Toontown when I was little, and Mom was dreading having to go through the same thing with the grandkids (because you know any child of mine is going to be as much of a Disney kid as I was). Then I told her Dumbo was doubling in size, and she realized she wasn’t going to be totally off the hook :).

A rendering of the new expanded Dumbo attraction.

The meet and greet area for Mickey and the gang has been moved to the square on Main Street, in the old Exhibition Hall. They’ve been there since April and everything seems to be going well so far, or at least the photos look great. I know Walt always said move on to things bigger and better, but it’s still sad to see Toontown go. On the bright side though, I did get to see the neighborhood all decked out for Christmas :).

As for the rest of the new Fantasyland, I’m super excited about it! 

A rendering of the Ariel's Adventure attraction.

Work is well underway on the new Little Mermaid ride called Ariel’s Adventures. The ride will be similar to Disney’s other omni-mover rides (like Winnie-the-Pooh and Nemo), but something about this one just seems cooler. You start your journey on land and then dive down below the sea visiting all your favorite scenes from the movie.

A rendering of the Beast's castle and Belle's village.

On the other side of the construction site, crews are building the Beast’s castle, which will house the new Be Our Guest restaurant. Belle’s village and cottage will also be built providing new and unique ways to interact with Belle herself. 

A rendering of Snow White's cottage and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Across from Belle will be Snow White’s cottage and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride. I’m not sure exactly what the plans are for this coaster, but I imagine it to be a blend between the traditional dark movie ride-throughs and the Thunder Mountain coaster. I don’t know about you, but that sounds absolutely AWESOME to me!

Well, that’s the basic idea of what’s going on behind that big construction wall at Magic Kingdom. Areas of the new Fantasyland will be opening from 2012 to 2013. Can’t wait!!