As I told you in recent posts, tomorrow, February 21, 2013, Â will be Periwinkle’s last day at Tinker Bell’s Nook in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. Â If you wish to say goodbye, or see you later if she returns in the winter, be sure to stop by tomorrow. Â Rosetta should be the regular pixie that will meet along side Tinker Bell in the Nook for the foreseeable future. Â There could be some random appearances by Terance, but don’t count on that for your schedule!
Rapunzel at the International Gateway in Epcot (training) 2013
On Tuesday, January 22 Rapunzel was out visiting guests at the Epcot International Gateway, which is where boats enter from the Epcot area resorts. Â I thought the photos turned out pretty well, so I figured I’d share them with you. Â Click photos for larger views. Â Continue reading Rapunzel at the International Gateway – photos→
I arrived at the Magic Kingdom at about 8:30 a.m. ready to meet some characters that are difficult to find at Walt Disney World these days. Â For only one week (January 21-27) in Town Square at the Magic Kingdom they are offering “Long-lost Friends Week.” Â I had fully expected to see the exact characters that appeared but was surprised that Gideon wasn’t meeting with the Pinocchio gang. Â It’s funny to me that many guests have no idea where to line up for the quickest entry from the rope. Â I just waltzed right up to the rope while all the other people were forming a psuedo line behind the other section of rope. Â Continue reading Long Lost Friends day one – my experience and their full schedule and locations→
Goofy appears in all four parks. Â He also appears at Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House and Cape May Cafe character meals
Goofy at Epcot entrance 2013Goofy at Epcot entrance 2013Goofy at Epcot entrance 2013Goofy at Epcot entrance 2013Disneyland 2007Magic Kingdom 2009Disneyland 2007Animal Kingdom 2010Animal Kingdom 2004Tusker House 2005Liberty Tree Tavern 2005Chef Mickey’s 2006Animal Kingdom Christmas 2006Magic Kingdom 2006Disneyland Halloween 2007Disneyland 2007Beach Club 2008Liberty Tree Tavern 2008Tusker House 2008Disney Cruise Line 2009Chef Mickey’s 2009Magic Kingdom 2010Magic Kingdom 2010Magic Kingdom late EMH 2011Star Wars Weekends 2012Star Wars Weekends 2012California Adventure 2012California Adventure 2012Disneyland 2012Animal Kingdom Christmas 2011Chef Mickeys 2011Magic Kingdom 2012Magic Kingdom 2012Magic Kingdom 2012MVMCP 2012Animal Kingdom 2012Animal Kingdom 2012Animal Kingdom 2012Animal Kingdom 2012Animal Kingdom 2012Tusker House 2011Tusker House 2011Blizzard Beach 2012California Adventure 2012Hollywood Studios 2012Innoventions Visa Card Holder Meet 2005Disneyland 2007
Goofy at his old Epcot Character Spot location 2012Goofy at his old Epcot Character Spot location 2012Goofy at his new location in Epcot 2012Goofy at his new location in Epcot 2012
The Great Goofini teaches me some of his stuntsThe Great Goofini 2012Goofy Hollywood Studios (Character palooza 2011)
Darth Goofy and Donald. Donald is supposed to become Donald Maul this year! He was storm trooper. Near Commissary and Great Movie Ride. Fixed location.
Stitch – Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2012Stitch at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2012Stitch at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2012Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2005Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2005Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2006Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2010Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2010Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2010Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2011Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2012
Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2005Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2011Stitch in Tomorrowland Magic Kingdom 2011Stitch at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2012Stitch – Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch – Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch – Magic Kingdom 2012Stitch in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom 2012 One More Disney Day
Peter Pan & Wendy Darling at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2012Peter Pan & Wendy Darling at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2012Peter Pan & Wendy Darling at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2012
Peter Pan – Fantasyland 2011Peter Pan – Adventureland 2012Peter Pan – Adventureland 2012Peter Pan – Adventureland 2012 Leap Day
Peter Pan – Adventureland 2012Peter Pan – Fantasyland 2011Peter Pan – Adventureland 2009Peter Pan and Wendy – Fantasyland 2010Peter Pan 2006 Family Magic TourWendy with Peter Pan in 2005Peter Pan & Wendy 2006 Family Magic TourWendy and Peter Pan with a couple of adventuresome pirates in 2010
These guys recognized me!Jasmine at Morocco in EPCOT 2013
Genie and Jasmine at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – September 2012
Aladdin Genie and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2006Aladdin Genie and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2006Aladdin and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2011Aladdin at Morocco in EPCOT 2013Aladdin and Jasmine at Morocco in EPCOT 2013Aladdin and Jasmine at Morocco in EPCOT 2013Aladdin and Jasmine at Morocco in EPCOT 2013Aladdin and Jasmine at Morocco in EPCOT 2013Aladdin and Jasmine at Morocco in EPCOT 2013
Aladdin and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2012Aladdin and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2012 Leap DayAladdin and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2011Aladdin and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2011Aladdin and Jasmine – Magic Kingdom 2011
On my recent visit to Walt Disney World I had the opportunity to take part in “Enchanted Tales with Belle” in the New Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom.  After dropping the bouncer at the gate a $20 and providing  the keywords “Donald rules,” I was allowed entrance to the new area.  I was excited to see what they were building on the other side of the walls with my own 4 eyes for the first time.  What should I expect though?  Is this going to be a show?  Is this going to be another “Play and greet?”  I found it to be more of the first, and less of the second.  It’s more of an experience than a show though.  It’s an effort to engage and interact with the guests of all ages in a very different way.  Let’s take a journey behind the wall and into Maurice’s Cottage, then on to Beast’s Library.  I’ll tell the story with photos and video.The area isn’t quite photo ready because the water and some more plants are yet to be added, but it is already looking quite amazing near the entrance to the area.
My first view of Maurice’s Cottage
I’ve never been to France, so I’ll assume it looks like this 🙂
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Maurice’s Cottage has a western appeal. Perhaps it is from Western France?
I was thirsty for a drink of water, but there seemed to be a drought on this day.
Some more exterior decor
I bet you won’t see the queue this empty when it opens for previews in late October!
We’ve finally made it to the cottage!
See, I told you there was a drought in this region of France currently. I’ve heard there will be a major rainfall around the end of October though.
We can see the final destination of Beast’s Castle in the distance
Because most of the small group I was queued with was already inside the cottage, my time inside the first room was quite hurried, so I quickly shot a few photos of the entry area before moving on to the Magical Mirror stage.
The opening scene is of the quaint French cottage that Belle in which Belle was reared.
I love the wonderful small details that the Imagineers included like the growth chart upon the left hand wall as one enters the cottage.
With one simple picture, we learn that Belle acquired her love for reading from her dear departed mother.
 From this scene we are ushered into Maurice’s workshop, which is rich with blueprints (bleuprints?) and gadgets that Maurice is currently designing.  Some are on shelves, while others are hanging from the ceiling.
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 After entering the workshop, the Cast Member quickly gathers everyone and focuses their attention on the Magical Mirror.http://youtu.be/WtH1kUB-hAU
We step through the Magical Mirror and enter the Wardrobe room. Â I personally like the fact that Disney is entertaining us while we wait on the final scene. Â It is similar to the approach of the Haunted Mansion in that they are telling us the story in pieces, rather than walking a static queue line. Â The Wardrobe Room is quite simple in its decor. Â I believe that is to focus everyone’s attention on the Wardrobe and the Cast Member who is setting the stage.IMPORTANT! Â If you or your child want to be involved in the story AND get a quick photo with Belle, be sure to VOLUNTEER. Â My brother was on of the guards on our second viewing and it added to the fun.
Stay away! Scary guard on duty.
Looks like the Wardrobe was actually Shaquille O’neal before being cursed as a piece of furniture. Kidding aside, the animatronic effect is well done and made me think of Radiator Springs Racers with its fluid movement.
Cast Member reaches inside to retrieve each prop as they are called and matches them up with a wiling VOLUNTEER!
After Lumiere requests our presence, we are ushered into the grand Library . Â The room is well done and has some nice benches to watch the show portion. Â Lumiere is definitely the greatest feature of this segment. Â I found myself watching his seamless movements while enjoying the show. Â I like how the Cast Members interact with the guests when telling the story and Belle does a beautiful job as always.
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A real star in this show.
The guests are then used to tell the story. Â With each person presented at the appropriate time in the story. Â It’s similar to the old Storytime with Belle, but is presented in a better fashion and AIR CONDITIONING!
I really enjoyed the Enchanted Tales with Belle experience and I saw the glow in the eyes of small children that I look for in a great attraction. Â I’m sure that my daughters would like to soak it all it by viewing several times when it reopens to guests in late October. Â Even though Disney magic is used to reduce the line waits, it will be very popular and probably have much longer waits than the new Little Mermaid attraction that will be an omnimover and have a higher guest capacity per day.I’ve heard that Enchanted Tales with Belle will operate from open to close (or near close) once it reopens, so arrive early to avoid a longer wait.NOTE: Â Don’t expect this to be a “Meet and greet” with a character. Â There are no autographs and I noticed that only those who participated in the show are given a quick photo op. Â However, as attractions move from Imagineering to Operations, expect that additional changes could happen, including eliminating the quick photos in leiu of higher guest capacity. Â (My observation)
Enchanted Tales with Belle Magic Kingdom December 2012
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