Hey there everyone! I’m back from an exciting trip to WDW for Epcot’s 30th Anniversary  While I was there, I also stopped at Magic Kingdom and Studios for some news. So, let’s jump right in:

New Sign! Yay!
I’ve  been very eager for this sign. I’m very happy to see it.

I was there for Big Top Souvenir’s opening day, too!
Take a tour through the new shop with me!

The rear entrance has posters featuring Lambert the sheepish Lion, the Seal (from Mickey and the Seal), Humphrey Bear, and Hyacinth Hippo.

Two new food carts outside serve circus-like foods such as Hot Dogs and Pretzels. Yum!

The Yellow one is number 34. I don’t know for certain what this is a reference to. While the other carts seem to be the Disney Parks’ opening years, this one isn’t. The only things I think it could be for would be 1) Donald’s debut year or 2) the year Mickey got an elephant or 3) the year the sequel to The Three Little Pigs debuted.

If you don’t know what this one is a reference is to….

Pete’s Silly Sideshow isn’t open yet, but it looks really cool!

Finally, the Yellow tent.

The Yellow Tent is home to Barnstormer and Dumbo fastpass distribution and a small seating area.

Rust!? But it just opened this morning!
Oh, wait, it isn’t real. Great theming!

A look at Mermaid’s grassy knolls. Quite impressive!

Second floor of Village Haus is under tarps. This seating area has been roped off since Dumbo closed. Could this be the official end to 2nd floor seating!?

Castle Walls are beautiful!

Close-up of the first drop ride track for Mine Train.

Work on the old Skyway plot. Not much new.

Shrunken Ned’s mini RC boats was removed a few weeks ago. Rumors suggest this may become a new route for an expanded Jungle Cruise.

In a move of redundancy, the Express Monorail has a new wait time sign. I don’t get it. It’s called Express!

AT STUDIOS:

The Tales-of-Captain-Jack-Sparrow-not-the-song-experience thing at Studios is being painted to look like the map to the Fountain of Youth.

I didn’t know they grew pretzels! Neat! I want a pretzel bush or tree or whatever it is they grow on plant!
Also, Osbourne Lights.

AND NOW, EPCOT30:
(Disclaimer: I didn’t get chance to go to any events. So I have no pictures from them. Sorry)

Here’s a look at the events being offered that day. They sounded really cool, and got nothing but positive feedback.

At Test Track, we can see them working on the attraction’s new entrance.

Looks like it will curve outward. Interesting.

I think this may be the hole my parents said they saw last trip. The ramp doesn’t enter/exit the building right there, so I have no idea what this could be.

The Cool Wash has been painted to reflect the new color scheme and car desigm.

It’s so cool that it steam comes off it!

I love how the new TesTrack logo will be used on the car.

Here are the fancy commemorative maps and buttons they gave out.

The maps included a fold-out with some of the old school EPCOT maps.

I couldn’t pass up on the special commemorative Ear Hats they were selling!

I thought it would be appropriate to end this report with a look at the EPCOT Center logo Marty Sklar so loves. Happy 30th Epcot!

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It has come to my attention that some people have a serious hate toward the new “Enchanted Tales With Belle” Meet and Greet/Meet and Play experience in New Fantasyland. These fans are claiming that this “New” experience was created to appeal to the children of five years ago (when the FLE began). Some others just feel left out, that they can’t do anything in this experience but watch- and that makes it stupid. Guess what? All of these folks are wrong, in a number of ways.

Before we start: If you haven’t seen the preview video of the attraction, you should take a look (unless you’re avoiding spoilers!) 

Today, I’m going to look at four of the main complaints I’ve heard about the project, and give you my input on how fallacious these complaints are.

• Complaint One- That the kids won’t even like this either because because it’s silly activities catering to the simplest minded of kids, and Belle talks down to them. 

I’d like to start out by asking, How on earth do you, an adult (possibly without children!), know exactly what children like? You have no right to say that kids won’t like the activities.  You may not like how Belle talks to them, but guess what, that’s typically the way any face character will talk to little kids. Why? Because that’s how you talk to kids.

• Complaint Two- The kids won’t like this “new” experience because it was designed for the kids of five years ago.

Guess what? This type of experience isn’t new at all. Nope. Not at all. Remember the extremely popular Tangled Play and Greet last year? They had to cut the number of activities and time because the lines were monstrous. It’s since been replaced by a popular Brave themed play and greet. Kids love play and greets.
But even beyond that, THIS play and greet isn’t even new. Take a look at this picture:

Anything look familiar? Like how Belle is there with kids holding props to act out the story? This is a picture of me, partaking in Enchanted Tales with Belle. In the year 2000. This experience wasn’t exactly created five years ago. It was created at least 7 years before then! It’s been proven to be a popular attraction. Kids loved it then, they’ll love it now, too.
Think about how excited the kids must be to feel like they are really part of the story. Even as adults, we seek out immersive stories in Disney attractions. Imagine how much more amazing being part of the story would feel.
As well, this new version will be even better than the original could have ever been. Between the incredible animatronics, structured break points that lead up to the main show, and immersive detail, I think the kids will appreciate this version much more. As will their parents.

• Complaint Three- It’s dumb because it’s all about the kids. I feel left out!

How dare they add a kid-centric attraction in the Magic Kingdom! And in Fantasyland, of all places!
Seriously, I can’t even accept these complaints. No one is making you go to this attraction. Skip it, and move on. Not every attraction has to be about you. I never heard anyone make this complaint when the original Enchanted Tales was open. Or when the Tangled or Brave play and greets opened. So why are they complaining now?

• Complaint Four- I’m not a kid, so I have to sit in the back and do nothing. That’s wrong!

You may recall that I do not like the Dumbo queue because there is nothing for parents to do but sit. And I still stand by that.
But guess what? That doesn’t apply here! This isn’t like the Dumbo Playland. There, parents sit down to wait to ride. They have to sit if they want to ride. Enchanted Tales, on the other hand, sitting down IS the experience. That may sound wrong, but look at it this way: they’re watching their kids preform a show! This is akin to Turtle Talk, where the parents don’t interfere, but get a free show staring their kids. Think of it like a movie. It’s a show, and you just sit there. Is that wrong? No, because that’s what you do. Enchanted Tales is the same way- it’s a show for the parents!

All in all, Enchanted Tales with Belle is a fantastic, multi-layered, fun-for-kids-and-parents addition. While I may not go see it, I love what it is. If you really can’t stand it, then avoid it. No one is making you go see it. If you do enjoy it, then go enjoy it! It’s worth visiting, in my opinion. My only issue with it? Needs more Cogsworth!

I’m sorry that I didn’t get chance to publish a trip report this past week. School has started back up, and it can be quite time-consuming. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Happy Fourth of July! To celebrate this great American holiday, I’ll take a look at some distinctly American-themed lands in the Disney Parks!

Main Street, USA: This land is featured in all parks, excluding Tokyo (through World Bazaar is pretty much an enclosed Main Street). Embodying all of the fun and whimsy of your typical turn-of-the-century American town. It just bleeds Red, White, and Blue, especially this time of the year! You could find me spending hours in that one land, with all of it’s charm and warm, friendly feel.

Another wonderful morning on Main Street.

Great American Waterfront: This fantastic ‘Port of Call’ lies within the incredible Tokyo DisneySea. Seperated into 3 sub-lands (Cape Cod, New York, and Toyville Trolley Park), this amazing land has the real American spirit flowing through it. It’s got the quaint, homey feel of salt box houses and lighthouses of Cape Cod. It’s got the grit, glitz, and glamour of New York, complete with the ever-lovely Highwater Hotel and the perfect backdrop: the Sailing Ship Columbia.
It’s latest addition, Toyville Trolley Park, home of Toy Story Mania (set to officially open this coming Monday), continues to make this land even more spectacular. Themed to a ‘‘Trolley Park’, this sub-land rivals the beauty of even the DCA version. (Though believe me, I have issues with even this new and nearly perfected version!)

Toyville Trolley Park! (Picture courtesy of @DreamSweetsLove. If you’re not already following her, you should be)

Liberty Square: Designed to look as though you’ve stepped into Colonial America, this land rings out Liberty and Freedom! The Hall of President is a real treat, and leaves one feeling educated and optimistic.

The American Adventure: Much like Liberty Square, this Epcot pavilion looks like it was taken strait out of Colonial America (Though the new costumes may contradict that…). Inside, guests are treated to historic American artifacts and treasures. The fantastic American Adventure is one of the greatest Audio-Animatronic shows ever. Beyond that, the live entertainment puts one into a very patriotic mood.

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Pictures of what lies within the yellow tents of Dumbo at Storybook Circus were revealed yesterday. The ‘queueless’ queue- now called a “Queue-Lounge”- which we were promised back in 2009 is…a playground. Yes, a dream land for kids to run around to their little baboon hearts content.

It’s incredibly good looking, that’s for sure! I quite like all of the refrences to the circus scene from the film, and REALLY like Dumbo flying above it all.
But….I don’t like it. Here’s why:

• First off, it’s a huge play area (much like one you’d find in McDonalds, or Mission:Space). While I have no issue with a playground (they are a great idea for an interactive queue), this one irks me. The entire building contains this play pin. This is unlike the other interactive queues’ -such as Pooh- play areas. Pooh’s, for example, has a number of spaced out play areas, set off to the side.
• Second, it’s indoors. I seriously appreciate an air conditioned/indoor queue. But here’s the thing: Sound is contained within the building. Every screaming kid in there will be amplified. It’s going to be miserable.
• Third, I foresee some issues in kids wanting to remain playing and not wish to ride any longer. Parents may have trouble collecting their kids to go ride! The crowd flow will be most interesting to see. I’m sure Disney has a plan to prevent anything from going wrong though.

The new queue is a good idea, it just isn’t executed as well as I hoped. Playgrounds are a fine way to make an interactive queue, just not like this. This new queue will have nothing for parents, or those without kids, or even kids too big to play in the jungle gym to do. They seem to think that kids of all ages will want to join in the fun. I don’t know how, seeing as once you’re a certain size, you can’t play in a jungle gym like that.
Now. I understand that it’s Fantasyland, and that this is a children’s ride. But they shouldn’t be catering to just the kids. I know I sound like a cynical teenager, but it’s true. Everyone goes to these parks, and not all of them will particularly enjoy having to go in there. The older kid with the little brother will become rather irritated with being too big to play. The married couple on their honeymoon may find this queue to be too hectic. The high school group on a field trip is going to either hurt themselves in the play pin shouting “YOLO!”, or not want to go near that thing.
To those who can tolerate it, good for you! Go on in and enjoy.

Sure, Magic Kingdom lost two playgrounds in the expansion (still has one under Splash), but did they need to re-instate one via a queue?  And think about this: Would you go over, without your kids, to the playgrounds sit in it for awhile, kids screaming all over, for fun? No, that would be silly.

Personally, I do not see myself going in there more than once (but hey, you never know. It could be quieter than I expect). While yes, this is a serious improvement over the old queue, I just cannot fully justify it. The old queue may have been a rusty 2 foot wide switchback, this is a noisy play place. It’s incredibly disenchanting. I may never wish to ride Dumbo again if I have to wait in there. They made the queue look pretty, and moved it indoors, but it’s looking like a lateral move.

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This past week, Walt Disney World closed Snow White’s Scary Adventures (SWSA). This opening day attraction will be replaced with a new Princess Meet and Greet experience, but Snow White’s presence in the park will still remain through the Seven Dwarves’ Mine Train coaster. 

This attraction’s history is rather wonky. It started out a real scary ride. Snow White was eliminated, and you were to take the place of the heroine. There were a few additional Wicket Witch figures that would pop out at riders, and, in the end, kill the riders, sending them into some sort of lightning-y explosion room. Honestly, if you haven’t seen it before, you need to check it out.
For obvious reasons, Imagineers revisited the ride  in the 90s, adding Snow White, toning down the scare element in the ride, and re-imagining the finale scene. It was still a dark ride (haha!), and was still a little frightening at points.  Of course, the chaotic twists and speed remained.

I really enjoyed SWSA when it was open. It’s incredibly quirky, quick , and fun. It always felt like a huge attraction. I suppose this is because of the small ride vehicles and compact track.
I’ll miss the entire opening scene was open-aired, when the Wicked Witch turns from the mirror to face you as the hag, the awesome strobe light lightning effect on the cut out Snow White, the entire forest scene, entering the cottage when it looks like you won’t fit through the door, and the Witch’s weird lightning bolt death scene.  I’ll miss the simplicity of the few cut outs. Though just cut-outs, they were wonderful and artsy, and provided great effects. You can’t paint a figure with UV paint and get the same result. I will really miss the quick cornering and high speed chaos of this attraction. That made it unlike any other darkride, as it added a sort of ‘thrill’ factor. None of the others go that fast.

I’m not upset that it closed. I will miss it, but I won’t cry for it’s return. Ever since they announced the Mine Train, we knew it would be going away. I know that we shouldn’t want it to close. After all, it was an opening-day attraction, and none of the other SWSA are like it. But we cannot have two Snow White attractions operating at once. Mine Train will be a fine successor to SWSA. It will still have the speeds, twists, and thrills. It won’t be as scary, which opens it up to kids who may have been frightened by the Scary Adventures.

I am upset, confused, and slightly angered by two things though.

1. Why is it closing now? Mine Train went vertical only  a month or so ago, and won’t be open until at least next summer. So why would they close this attraction a year before they really need to? And more importantly, why do it the day before summer starts? Magic Kingdom is still a little off with it’s capacity due to all the walls and construction. Closing another ride as soon as the summer crowds are about to come is probably one of the worst things they could have done. It’s replacement I expect to  take 2-3 months to complete. Why didn’t they wait ’til the off-season?
2. It’s being replaced with a Meet and Greet. A Meet and Greet. A whole darkride will be ripped out to be replaced with a Meet and Greet. Why? The princesses are fine in Town Square Theatre. And even if you wanted them in Fantasyland, why not use that Skyway plot you just bulldozed (which, by the way, is rumoured to become a ‘Play and Greet’)? I’m very upset with them removing an attraction for another princess encounter. I understand the need for one, but why there?
   I think the reason they don’t want to build a new location is because of the lashback they received with Fantasyland Forest’s Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella realms. But if they are willing to make the Skyway plot a Tangled play and greet. why can’t they have a new location for the Princesses?

I’m understanding of why it had to close….Just not why it had to close now. I’m not upset that they closed it….Just what they’re replacing it with. It’s s shame to lose it now and for that.

That’s all for this week. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Thanks!