WEDNESDAY - IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM
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| I'm sure this is among the most photographed iconic landmarks in the USA, a night time shot of The Magic Kingdom. |
Again, thanks to the pre-planning of Doreen/Tony, our campsite location and its proximity to the boat launch affords us rather easy access to the main attractions at Disney. I've once again gathered all the photos taken by location and, with captions, created a page for those who are interested. Click the link HERE In addition, every attraction is linked to Disney's description should you care to plan or reminisce. Many contain the background and inside information of how Imagineers created such masterpieces of technology, sets and costumes.
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| Beyond the Settlement Trading Post lies the boat launch which transport folks from the campground to the attractions in the park. |
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| Walt Disney World has one of the largest navies in the world. |
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| A perfect day, much warmer than Monday and terrific views of all that line these densely wooded areas of pine and cypress. More views as we cross Bay Lake can be seen by clicking HERE. |
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| Leaving the launch area you are greeted by Mickey into the Magic Kingdom |
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| And at the end of Main Street lies the castle. |
Main Street had a myriad of shops like the Emporium, Uptown Jewelers, Main Street Cinema, Main Street Confectionery and restaurants like The Plaza Restaurant, Ice Cram Parlor, bakery and Tony's Town Square Restaurant. We had 2:00 pm reservations at the Liberty Tree Tavern, so after checking in at some attractions, we took a break for a late lunch. I thought I caught a glimpse of a Princess.
THE ATTRACTIONS FOR WEDNESDAY
Liberty Square Riverboat. A 17-minute excursion that passes through life in early America.
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| The colonial-era Liberty Belle |
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| Children are allowed to approach the stage as Captain Jack Sparrow strides from one end of the stage to the other. I was mesmerized by his "artistic" and articulate use of hand gestures. |
Climbed six stories to view the living quarters, kitchen, bed rooms and study as well as the intricate setup for bringing water up from the swift flowing stream below. Fascinating and found myself saying, "I could do that." A high point in the Park, the view is 360 that captures the Magic Kingdom Park and the Jungle Cruise River.
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| First opening at the New York World's Fair in 1964, this show is considered Disney's "masterpiece" and overseen personally because of his support of UNICEF |
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| Re-created in 1971 to commemorate the opening of Disneyworld here in Orlando. The same song sung is many different languages. Walt Disney asked the Academy Award®-winning brothers, Richard and Robert Sherman, who were hard at work on Mary Poppins, to create a single song that could be sung by Audio-Animatronics figures in multiple languages. |
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| Another example of the value of the "Lightning Lane." Our lane is to the left of the throng waiting their turn to climb aboard the 10-minute journey through seven continents. |
The attraction is inspired by Walt Disney’s 1953 animated classic, Peter Pan, which in turn was based on J.M. Barrie’s play and book of the same name about a 12-year old boy who refuses to grow up.
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The Audio-Animatronics
technology that powers the show’s performers was introduced to the world when
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room debuted in 1963 at Disneyland Park. The
groundbreaking technology allowed animators to synchronize movement, audio and
visual effects, paving the way for other classic attractions like "it’s
a small world, "Pirates
of the Caribbean and Haunted
Mansion.
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| I cannot remember the last time I was on a roller coaster. As viewed from the Liberty Belle, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was a lot of fun and brought back memories of Playland's roller coaster. Surprisingly, I still enjoy them no matter how fast. 39" tall and up and you're good to go. Be sure to click on the link above for some great shots of the ride. |
Once again, the animatronics, sets and costumes continue to impress me.
With another 8,000+ steps, I've impressed myself as I kept up with the younger folk as they glided along from one attraction to the next. If you're counting, I've just given a synopsis of each attraction, the links to which will give you details. I could not. Our reservations, for 2:00 p.m. is in the middle of the day. Tonight another 50th year fireworks displays begins at 8:00 p.m. You've just read how to fill the time. As I come to end of the day, I've saved the TWO biggies for last: our lunch and the fireworks display.
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| Always ready to grab a sit-down moment. Still can't figure out after losing 30 pounds, I still look like I should lose 20 more. |
Are you ready for a 2 pm lunch. Well, take a look at how they describe the menu:
"Celebrate our heritage with a traditional family-style Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy a full-on feast for lunch or dinner: the all-you-care-to-enjoy Patriot’s Platter, piled high with roasted turkey breast, pot roast and oven-roasted pork, and accompanied by traditional sides."
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| Warm biscuits and tossed mixed greens with house made dressing. A pint of Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy IPA. Everything served family style. AND "All you Care to Enjoy." |
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| Roast turkey breast, Pennsylvania pot roast, oven roasted pork and herb stuffing. |
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| Mashed potatoes and string beans |
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| House made macaroni and cheese |
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| Dole Whip drink |
Well after our tasty lunch (of which I had only one portion) and prior to our finding a spot to stand and wait for the fireworks to begin, Tony set out to find his favorite, a Dole Whip drink at Aloha Isle in the Polynesian Village. Since at least 2013, Dole Whip has been made with exclusively vegan ingredients, and it has always been gluten free. According to MyFitnessPal and the Dole Soft Serve company, one serving of the Dole Whip has 90 calories. Click the LINK to find out all about it.
And finally, at the end of another wonderful, activity filled day at Fort Wilderness, we found a spot among the throng to park ourselves and wait 45 minutes to the start of the show. I captured the entire 15 minutes but the file size prohibits any kind of sharing. I've linked two: The first is a minute and ten seconds of the finale, the second, provided by Tony, captured Tinker Bell zip-ling from the near top of the castle, a feat I can only begin to comprehend.
VIDEO ONE:
VIDEO TWO: At the 1:35 mark, watch Tinker Bell take off and think about what was involved in pulling off that stunt. Whew.
Thanks again for joining me. My next trip back into the Park will be on the Boardwalk and dinner at Trattoria al Forno Friday night at 5:30 pm. See you then. Stay warm. As I write this the temperature is 35 degrees.
