This week in WDW

Last week my family headed down to Walt Disney World to camp out at Fort Wilderness and see some sights. My folks and I are still here but I thought I'd share some of what we have seen and done so far.

My aunt took this one when some of us went up in the Characters In Flight balloon at Downtown Disney.  Yes, it's scary. But it's an amazing view.


 My dad took this one when I was on the phone. Rainy day in Fort Wilderness.

This one I took this one on one of the transportation boats between the Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness. 


Here is my favorite part of the It's A Small World Ride. I remember loving this as a little girl.

Space cowboy? Taken at Downtown Disney.


At Hollywood Studios they have a make your own Lightsaber station that seemed pretty popular.


My brother came and visited us at our camp site. Having a golf cart is such a good idea when staying at  Fort Wilderness.


Hollywood Studios character greeting area left a sea of strolers.


Final picture was taken by my Dad. It's the docks at sunset here at Fort Wilderness.



It's still raining here. But it's way more cozy in a camper than in a hotel room. Fort Wilderness is a great place to stay. We ate take out from the Trails End Restaurant and came back to watch movies. It was a nice change to have a evening that was nice and cool just hanging out at camp.
More photos later

Walt Disney World Minecraft

As a gamer, I was excited to come across this video on a great Disney blog I found called The Disney Blog, I tried Minecraft because so many friends just love it. For those who don't know, in Minecraft you build, a lot, for example you have to build your oven so you can cook things you will need later. The cool factor of Minecraft is it's look. Everything is pixelated and made with blocks. Zombies also come out and try to destroy your creations at night.

I did find it interesting but it wasn't for me. However, THIS is my kind of Minecraft. It's created by three brothers who call themselves Solstice. You can see more of their youtube gaming videos here.

What I find interesting about the design is the attention to detail. The video starts off at the Monorail taking you through the front gate right up to the castle. Also, they do not use the Cinderella castle. I won't tell you what they use but I think most Disney fan's will be pleased.

Disney Castles From Around The World

Soon, there will be a Disneyland in Shanghai!
For info and artist renderings of the upcoming Shanghai Disneyland Resort go here. From the drawings it appears to look like a  Cinderella Castle. Anyone know for sure?

Here are the other Disney Castles from around the world. My personal favorite is the Cinderella Castle in Florida. 


Cinderella's Castle in Tokyo, Japan


Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World in Florida




Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland in California




Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Hong Kong


Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland Paris, France



NEW!! Disney to open Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World in 2012

Art of Animation Resort
Walt Disney World has a new resort under construction. From the artists rendering seen here in Disney Parks Blog, the buildings and ambiance resemble the All Star resorts with the large characters and spirited over-sized objects that appear to be  Pixar and Disney animated characters.
More information can be seen here where Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager updates on the topping out ceremony for the resort. 
According to Jennifer, the "Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is set to open in early Summer 2012 and is already available for booking. "

Bloggers Rate Top Rides at Walt Disney World

In the last month or so, some Disney bloggers have posted their top picks for rides and attractions at the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Couponing To Disney: Top 5 rides at Walt Disney World
Surviving Disney: Top Ten for Thrill Seekers
Only WDWorld: Disney World Top 6 Ride Photo Attractions
The Boscov's Travel Blog: Top 5 Walt Disney World rides and attractions

My personal favorites:
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Haunted Mansion
It's A Small World
Kilimanjaro Safari
Rockin Roller Coster
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean

It's so hard to narrow them down to just a few. The more I think about it the more rides I'll keep adding.
I don't even know if I could choose a favorite park either.

I love rides that remind me of childhood visits, like Peter Pan's Flight, The Haunted Mansion, and even The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. Those are ones I make sure to ride(walk through) when I'm in the parks with family. But, of the new ones it's all about the thrill. What can beat the rocket-like launch Rockin Roller Coaster with Areosmith's Sweet Emotion blaring in your ear or the spooky free fall of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

What really ends up happening is that every park becomes my favorite park when I'm in it and every ride becomes my favorite ride when I'm on it.
What are your favorites?

Great Disney Twitter Accounts to Follow

Here is a list of some of my favorite Disney tweeters, including official sites and fan sites:

Disney
Official  Rules: 

WaltDisneyWorld
The official Twitter feed for the Walt Disney World Resort.

Travelwithrick:
husband, dad, huge Disney fan, traveler, blogger, President @ Kingdom Magic Vacations and host of TravelwithRick.com a video blog about Disney Destinations!


Disneyland

The official Twitter feed for the Disneyland Resort - covering Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels.


The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, which to date has distributed more than $15 million to projects in 110 countries.

The official Twitter feed for Disney Parks & Resorts - covering Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line and properties worldwide

BanksLee
25 year old actor, videographer, Disney Parks fanatic, D23 member, Neurotic Disney Individual #177 & Texan

Blog for us wdwfacts@gmail.com

Places to find GREAT Disney information

Here are some of the blogs that I've found to be most helpful in finding info on Disney World topics.

http://allears.net <really good for money saving tips in Disneyland, Disney World, and the Cruise Line
http://thedisneyblog.com/ <these guys seem to cover a little of everything
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/ < they really get a lot of info on Disney TV and movies
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/ < want to know where to eat in the parks?
http://www.2719hyperion.com/ < great for historical Disney info
http://www.disboards.com/ <an excellent place to discus Disney topics

Got any other Disney blogs that you like? send them my way so I can add them!

Happy Children Meeting Characters

Meeting Pooh: this little girl is SOOO excited!


Meeting Jasmine: this one is so sweet

Meeting Cinderella's Stepmother: the looks on these girls faces are priceless 

Meeting Peter Pan and Wendy

Meeting Captain Jack Sparrow: probably a fun character for a cast member to go around playing


Meeting Koda: (from Brother Bear 2003) you don't see him very often in the parks


Meeting Thumper and Faline: such cute little bunnies

Remember these? Old Walt Disney World Rides

Walt Disney World Home Movies Fall 1973

I love this video. Camping at Fort Wilderness is something my family has always done. Here you can see the old Fort Wilderness Steam Train as well as other retired features of WDW.

Walt Disney World 1986 Figment's Imagination Ride.mpg

One of my favorites as a kid at EPCOT. 



Skyway to Tomorrowland - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World





Horizons




20000 Leagues under the sea ride



Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Track 1) Magic Kingdom



If You Had Wings 1985

Eastern Airlines was the sponsor for this ride and My father used to work for Eastern. I LOVED flying to Disney World when Eastern was the Disney sponsor. It would feel like we were already in Disney World when we got on the plane. As for this ride i vividly remember the end, seat laying back, wind in your face feeling like you're about to take off.



Universe of Energy Original Show - pt 3 of 4

This is from the original Universe of Energy ride in EPCOT. There are 3 other videos but, this one is the meat of the ride. To see the others go to 



Walt Disney World Epcot Extinct World of Motion





The Living Seas, sea cab ride

This is most of the ride. I'm  glad to see what they put a ride back in this pavilion. 


If I've missed any old rides please let me know and I'll be happy to add it here. I love reminiscing with my family over these videos. 

Current Walt Disney World Rides I Enjoy

This is one of my personal favorites: Tomorrowland's Transit Authority in the Magic Kingdom.


This is a pretty good quailty video of the It's A Small World ride at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.


Epcot's Finding Nemo Ride. I'm so glad they added this to the Living Sea's exihibit.


The Animal Kindom's Expedition Everest ride.


Hollywood Studios: The Great Movie Ride. This is a long video but if you enjoyed the ride it's good quailty.


Journey Into Imagination. This is my best friends favorite ride. Who dosn't love Figment??

Suprise, we're going to Disney World!

Here are some touching and sweet Disney World suprise videos I've come across.
Be sure you have your tissues ready!