Theme Parks

The Avengers Monorail is live at Disney

April 3, 2012 By Colleen Padilla Leave a Comment

My kids would LOVE riding this newly debuted Avengers themed monorail.

As it is now, the Monorail is one of Kenzie and Kyle’s FAVORITE attractions while at Disney World and now to have it wrapped Avenger super hero style totally rocks. Disney and Marvel’s highly-anticipated “The Avengers” hits theaters on May 4, 2012 so Disney is pumping up this movie as they ready for the big release this spring.

My husband is super hero obsessed and my 4 year old son is quickly following his lead so this movie is on our most watch list.

For all your Avengers fans, here’s some more links to stay connected:

“Like” MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarvelsTheAvengers

Follow MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on Twitter: twitter.com/avengers

Filed Under: News, Theme Parks Tagged With: avengers, avengers monorail

Cinderella’s Castle looks Romantic for Valentine’s Day

February 7, 2012 By Colleen Padilla 3 Comments

Yes, it is possible to make Cinderella’s Castle even more romantic than it already appears. Take a peek at this photo:

A new segment of the “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” projection show on Cinderella Castle will cover the classic Magic Kingdom Castle with a very romantic overlay – complete with roses in one scen and a star-filled sky in another. . This theme debuted on Feb. 1st and will run the first half of Valentine’s month, until Feb. 15. The castle will also showcase some of the most romantic Disney animation moments – including scenes with Cinderella, Snow White, and Belle.

I’ve seen ” The Magic, The Memories, and You!” once before – it is incredible. Unbelievably incredible. I can’t wait to see it again, but we arrive in Disney on Feb 24th for me to run the Disney Princss 1/2 marathon so we’ll just miss this “romantic” version.

Filed Under: Theme Parks Tagged With: cinderella's castle, magic kingdom, valentine's day

Tips for the Jedi Training Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

January 16, 2012 By Colleen Padilla 4 Comments

Are your kids big fans of Star Wars? Even if they aren’t now, they will be after being a part of the Jedi Training Academy at Disney Hollywood Studios. This is one attraction that is NOT to be missed!

Read on for insider tips & photos from our Disneyed contributor, Kelly Cockshaw‘s experience at the Jedi Training Academy with her boys (age 4 & 6).

Unlike most of the other live-action stage shows in Disney World, this show puts your kids directly onstage and part of the action. As “Padawans” (Star Wars lingo for a Jedi in training), the children are given a brown, hooded robe. The program begins with a “Jedi Master” leading the kids on stage and teaching them how to use their light sabers. The Master mixes the seriousness of a Jedi with plenty of humor that we parents enjoyed.

It is then that the infamous theme music begins, smoke appears, and Darth Vader himself makes his entrance. And what an entrance it is!

To be honest, I was a bit nervous watching Lord Vader point his gloved, black finger at my boys, telling them to join the Dark Side! But the kids showed no fear. They each took their turn facing him and used their newly acquired light saber skills to “defeat” him. And don’t worry, while his presence is menacing, Darth battles in a non-threatening way that doesn’t terrify the kids. In fact, they all looked downright determined to bring the big guy down.

Here are some helpful hints for the Jedi Training experience:

Be sure you get to the gates of Disney Hollywood Studios well before opening. You will want to make a beeline for the Jedi Training signup location (check with a cast member to find out where). On most days the showtimes are filled before the entire line of kids can sign up.
Your children MUST be with you in line when they are assigned a showtime!
To make the most of your time waiting in line, have another adult from your party go around the park collecting Fast Passes for other rides.
Lastly, when you return to the Star Tours stage for your showtime, have one of the adults from your party save a spot in the front row a few minutes before the show.

When anyone asks my boys what they liked best about our trip to Disney World, they always answer, “Defeating Darth Vader!!” (sorry, Mickey, you were a distant second).

Have fun, and may the Force be with you!

Filed Under: Theme Parks, Tips Tagged With: jedi training academy

The Small Pleasures of Disney World

January 12, 2012 By Mike Padilla Leave a Comment

Disney World is an wondrous place. Just think about some of the amazing attractions and the imagination and technology that it took to bring those experiences to life. Attractions like Mission:SPACE, DINOSAUR, and Toy Story Mania! They’re rides that we, even as adults, love to go on. And hey, that’s why we’re ok with spending some substantial cash to get in, right?

But we noticed a funny thing with the kids, especially when they’re younger, like Kyle – who started visiting Disney at 15 months (He’s also since been back at just 2 and just 3 years old)

Some of the attractions that we think he should love, he simply does not. And even more surprising, he took a strong liking to some of what we us adults might consider to be the most boring parts of the park. He loved the Tomorrowland_Transit_Authority_PeopleMover, Brer Rabbit’s Playground (a hidden gem of a playground underneath Splash Mountain), riding the Carousel again and again, and the guns on Tom Sawyer Island.

I urge you to embrace the small pleasures your kids find in the hidden nooks at Disney and let go of the need to hustle and bustle to the star attractions. Take in the parade. Hop on the carousel ride with your kids. Dance in the Streets when you find an impromptu character dance party happening. Relish the small playgrounds your kids find in a hidden area of Disney.

Some of our most magical moments and memories at Disney are from the spontaneous joy the kids have found in the out of the way & little known attractions – that also have generally have zero lines and no wait time. Something that will please everyone in the family from birth to age 80.

Filed Under: Memories, Theme Parks, Tips Tagged With: featured, tips for preschoolers at Disney World, tom sawyer island, transit authority people mover

Expedition Everest Yeti Ride

January 4, 2012 By Colleen Padilla Leave a Comment

Kenzie and Kyle are hooked on Disney Parks: Ultimate Walt Disney World - which they probably watched over 100 times on Netflix. In the video, some of Disney World’s key attractions are featured, including the kids’ favorite, Expedition Everest. They have even taken a liking to the chief imagineer for the ride, Joe Rhode. I’m not sure if it’s the idea of having a giant mountain, speeding roller coaster, broken tracks, a giant Yeti, or a combination of all these thrill factors that get the kid so enamored, but they’re looking forward to the day when they can muster up enough courage to tempt fate and face the Yeti.

Filed Under: Theme Parks

A virtual ride on Test Track at Epcot

January 3, 2012 By Colleen Padilla Leave a Comment

Join Kenzie and I as we talk about our love of Test Track – and go for a virtual ride with us on this favorite amusement!

And yes, I was originally super afraid this ride would be ultra fast and I’d be terrified with the speed. Instead, it was the perfect thrill and so much fun! (Moms I promise you will not be afraid!)

You brake at over 60 mph and even pop outside for a lap on the test track.

Height requirements are 40 inches for kids – so depending on the size of your kids, those aged 4-5 year are generally tall enough to ride. Kenzie was just 5 when she rode it and my son Kyle is just 4 and over 41 inches – but he is 75% in height.

I think this ride is even easier for kids than Splash Mountain (which has a large drop) or Thunder Mountain since there are no hidden surprises – just jump in a car, wear a seatbelt, and go for that Test Ride.

Filed Under: Theme Parks Tagged With: test track at epcot

Disney World Wedding with Cinderella’s Coach

December 29, 2011 By Colleen Padilla Leave a Comment

All weddings are magical. A princess marrying a prince, sealed with a true love’s kiss. I can only imagine how it would be to get married Disney style. Disney offers all sorts of options and locations for their Disney Fairy Tale Weddings. I had the opportunity to get an up-close look at one of the available marquee features of a Disney Wedding – Cinderella’s Coach (at a price of $2,850). Imagine arriving at your wedding in Cinderalla’s Coach pulled by six Welsh ponies and accompanied by a driver and two footmen – in regal garb of course. But this fairytale even one-ups the original fairytale - no midnight deadline for the magic to disappear.

The Disney Fairy Tale Weddings website has the Disney wedding pricing information.

Filed Under: Memories, Theme Parks

Disney World Peak Crowds

December 28, 2011 By Colleen Padilla Leave a Comment

Capacity crowds on Wednesday forced Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios to temporarily restrict admission. This week is a notoriously high-volume week for the Disney parks, as kids are out for Christmas vacation.

If you’re interested in seeing how the Disney World crowds fluctuate throughout the year, week by week, check out this neat Disney World crowds calendar.

Filed Under: News, Theme Parks

Disney’s Cars Land

December 27, 2011 By Colleen Padilla Leave a Comment

Disney’s new Cars Land in California is coming ever closer to completion. Some of the featured rides include Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (get pulled along by Mater in a rusty trailer), Luigi’s Flying Tires (hovercraft bumber cars!), and Radiator Springs Racers (a car racing ride).

Check out the videos below, rev your engines, and start getting excited.

Filed Under: Theme Parks Tagged With: california adventure cars land, cars land

Disneyland Surprise – So Happy I Could Cry

December 26, 2011 By Colleen Padilla Leave a Comment

Mix a little Disney Magic with a cute little girl and add an element of surprise – and what do you get? Well, let’s not spoil the surprise. Watch the video below to see this little girl’s reaction.