WDW - Where Adults Become Kids - Spotlight Attraction

Welcome to the fourth installment of WDW - Where Adults Become Kids Spotlight Attraction!!! This week, we continue our tour round Adventureland and eventually head over to Frontierland for a "Darn tooting good time!".

The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management

This upbeat, updated attraction features two stars from beloved Disney animated features: Lago from Aladdin, and Zazu from The Lion King, who play the new landlords in a witty, fun filled show. Long time stars, Michael, Pierre, Fritz and Jose still appear, along with more than 225 birds, flowers and tiki statues that sing up a storm.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Guests are in for a swash buckling adventure when they pass through a battered fort to climb aboard boats for a watery journey. The fun begins with a passage through dark and mysterious grottos, followed by a dip down a waterfall and into the middle of a ferocious pirate battle for the control of a harbour town. Spirited music and non-stop plundering and frolicking – including drunken pigs, barking dogs and raucous pirates firing pistols and being chased by women – make this attraction one of the most popular in the Magic Kingdom.

Frontierland

Step back into the land of frontier America – the old west with its wooden sidewalks, brass-railed saloons, forts, and the desert-like landscaping. The tallest Magic Kingdom peak – Splash Mountain – is here, as well as jagged Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. And youngsters can run free on Tom Sawyer Island, a low-tech oasis in the middle of Magic Kingdom.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, “the wildest ride in the wilderness”, flies in a continuous string of dips and curves around the attraction’s rugged red rocks. Riders speed past steaming volcanic lakes and phosphorescent pools beneath waterfalls, and through the flooded mining town of Tumbleweed where gold diggers are having one last celebration before moving on to drier land. It took two years and 650 tonnes of steel to build the 197ft mountain.

Next time: We continue through Frontierland!

WDW - Where Adults Become Kids - Spotlight Attraction

Welcome to the third installment of WDW - Where Adults Become Kids Spotlight Attraction!!! This week, we head over to Adventureland! Here, we start off by taking a tour on the Jungle Cruise...Then we fly high over the buildings of Agrabah on Aladdin's Magic Carpets before finally relaxing in the Swiss Family Robison Treehouse...

ADVENTURELAND

Strolling beneath dense vines and bamboo branches, guests make their way to Adventureland, where exotic locales – Southeast Asia, Africa, Polynesia and the Caribbean – are combined into one colourful fantasy. Guests can explore the Swiss Family Treehouse, board a tropical launch for the popular Jungle Cruise, or be immersed in a great swashbuckling adventure in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Jungle Cruise

Abandoned temples, inspired by the ruins in Southeast Asia set the stage for adventure on the Jungle Cruise, a fanciful and funny journey along the most famous rivers of the world. Within the safety of a canopied boat, guests encounter fierce tigers, playful elephants, curious gorillas, and frolicking hippos at every turn (of the animatronics kind of course!), as well as some very corny jokes.

Aladdin's Magic Carpets

It’s a whole new world of fun as Aladdin's Magic Carpets send guests whirling around a large Genie lamp. The flying carpets are controlled by their riders as passengers decide on the side to side and tilt movements. Be sure to avoid the surrounding water spitting camels!

Swiss Family Treehouse

This gigantic plant is the make believe home of the castaway Robinson clan from Disney’s film Swiss Family Robinson. The tree is unofficially classed as Disneyodendron eximus, a genus that humorously translates as “out-of-the-ordinary Disney tree”. Weighing in at 200 tonnes, the fantastic tree is made of steel and concrete, and enlivened with 800,000 fabricated leaves, flowers and buds. The tree showcases a fascinating pulley system, which uses bamboo buckets to provide water high up in the branches. Visitors can climb the narrow stairs and peek in the study, bedrooms, a family room with a pump organ and the spacious kitchen.

Thank You for reading !!!

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WDW - Where Adults Become Kids - Spotlight Attraction

Welcome to the second installment of WDW - Where Adults Become Kids Spotlight Attraction!!!

This week we focus on Main Street U.S.A. Ok, so it isnt classed as an attraction by definition, however, Main Street can entertain and delight guests with the vast array of shops, and the numerous parades that occur everyday! So let me take you on a trip down the most famous street in the United States!

Main Street U.S.A, is a fantasy version of small towns in America nearly a hundred years ago during the optimistic era of Walt Disney’s boyhood. The old time barber shop, ice cream parlour, ornate cinema and wood-planked general store along the gingerbread Victorian Street, evoke a time when life had a simpler, easier pace.

©James Roberts 2010 (aka Jamescroberts31, Jammy31)



Coming and Going

Children delight in the leisurely ride aboard a horse drawn trolley pulled by powerful horses. The quaint trolleys share Main Street U.S.A with other vehicles too: motorised Jitneys and a scarlet fire engine, all travelling from Town Square to Cinderella Castle and back again. Or you can board one of the four locomotives at Main Street station and take a tour of the park.

Shopping

Behind the Victorian-era storefronts on Main Street, where there’s everything from monogrammed Mouse ears to fine jewellery, guests can search for an unforgettable souvenir or an extravagant gift for that someone special. And window shopping is a treat as passers-by watch candy makers stirring a pot of peanut brittle in the Main Street Confectionary or a glass blower crafting delicate wares.

Town Square Exposition Hall

The elaborate Town Square Exposition Hall located on the east side of Town Square is one of the first buildings guests encounter as they enter Magic Kingdom. A life size sculpture of Goofy tips his hat at the front door. The fanciful Victorian gingerbread building takes visitors back to another era, with rocking chairs on the front porch for relaxing after a day in the park.

The Hub

Mickey Mouse stands hand in hand with Walt Disney at the end of Main Street U.S.A, the starting point for seven magical lands. The bronze work of art entitled “Partners”, was dedicated in June 1995. The quote by Walt Disney at the base of the statue reads “We believe in our idea: a family park where parents and children could have fun together”. The miniature sculptures of favourite Disney characters – Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Goofy, and Pluto - encircle the gardens in Central Plaza, better known as the Hub.

Dining Out

The Crystal Palace:

Inspired by San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers, the ornate Crystal Palace Restaurant is a Magic Kingdom Landmark. Guests dine in a glass ceilinged atrium amidst hanging greenery and seasonal flowers, with favourite Disney characters visiting tableside at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The all-you-can-eat buffet is a big hit with all ages.

 

WDW - Where Adults Become Kids - Spotlight Attraction

Welcome to the very first WDW - Where Adults Become Kids Spotlight Attraction feature !!!

Each week, I will be going through the Walt Disney World parks and selecting a different attraction. With each attraction, I will try to give you all a brief bit of history about it and a few facts here and there. In doing this, I hope that you will all learn a bit more about each of the attractions within Walt Disney World, and that it helps you on future visits to the place where Dreams Come True.

So, where should we start? Well, as possibly the most well known theme park in the entire world, and the most visited by Disney fans, I think that Magic Kingdom would be the best place to start off!!!

Today, we are going to be looking at the very first attraction you come to after stepping off either the ferries or monorails. Yes, that's right Ladies and Gentlemen, I am of course talking about the Walt Disney World Railroad!!!

Walt Disney World Railroad Poster
"Board at the Main St. or Frontierland"

History

It's a well known fact that Walter Elias Disney was a huge railroad enthusiast and he had built a minature steam railroad in his own backyard, known as the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Disney scouts Earl Vilmer and Roger Broggie found and purchased five locomotives from United Railways of Yucatan on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula in 1969.

One of the five was deemed to be in too poor a condition to be restored, was sold and eventually scrapped. The other four were brought to Tampa Shipyards in Tampa, Florida and restored.

The trains themselves were cosmetically backdated to appear older, including the use of bright colors and polished brass. The trains went into use with the opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971.

During November 1990–1991, when Splash Mountain was under construction, the train only had one destination: it went backwards to Mickey's Starland, and then back to the Main Street U.S.A. station. It was also during this time that the original Frontierland Station was demolished to make way for Splash Mountain and the current Frontierland Station was constructed.

The Locomotives

Each of the four locomotives is named after those who greatly contributed to the efforts of the Disney Company and Walt Disney World.

No.1 - WALTER E. DISNEY
This locomotive is named for the man behind the mouse, Walt Disney (1901–1966).

• Built: 1925
• Wheel Configuration: 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler"
• Serial Number: 58444
• Locomotive Colors: Red
• Coach Color: Red with Uncolored Poles
• Coach Number Series: 100
• Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
• Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 67000 pounds (30,390 kg)
• Status: Operational

No. 2 - LILY BELLE
The Lilly Belle is named after Walt Disney's wife Lillian Disney (1899–1997).

• Built: 1928
• Wheel Configuration: 2-6-0 "Mogul"
• Serial Number : 60598
• Locomotive Color: Green and red
• Coach Color: Green
• Coach Number Series: 200
• Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
• Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 61000 pounds (27,669 kg)
• Status: Undergoing overhaul

Lilly Belle has been retired from day to day passenger service due to frame issues and has been made the show train. All cars on her train except for the last do not have the new side plates. She is steamed up for the opening show where she brings Mickey Mouse and company to the front entrance. It should also be noted that Lilly Belle was built in 1928, which would make her as old as Mickey Mouse.

No.3 - ROY O. DISNEY
The Number 4 locomotive is named after Walt Disney's older brother and business partner, Roy Oliver Disney (1893–1971).

• Built: 1916
• Wheel Configuration: 4-4-0 "American"
• Serial Number: 42915
• Locomotive Colors: Green, Red
• Coach Color: Blue with Red Poles
• Coach Number Series: 400
• Driver Diameter: 46 inches (116 cm)
• Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 51000 pounds (23,133 kg)
• Status: Operational

No. 4 - ROGER E. BROGGIE
This locomotive is named after Roger E. Broggie (1908–1991).

• Built: 1925
• Wheel Configuration: 4-6-0 "Ten Wheeler"
• Serial Number: 58445
• Locomotive Colors: Green, red
• Coach Color: Yellow with red poles
• Coach Number Series: 300
• Driver Diameter: 44 inches (111 cm)
• Locomotive and Tender Weight (dry): 67000 pounds (30,390 kg)
• Status: Operational

FUN FACTS

• The Walter E. Disney and Roger E. Broggie locomotives have serial numbers that are sequential (58444 and 58445). These locomotives were on the shop floor at the same time in 1925 for the U de Y and still operate together to this day. They are referred to as the "twins" because of this.

• During locomotive refurbishing, it was common to see the passenger cars from one locomotive to be placed on another. While most guests wouldn't notice such a switch, railroad cast members behind the scenes often referred to these trains with a hybrid name. Examples include - "Roger Disney”, "Walter Broggie", "Walter Belle" and many other confusing combinations.

• The Magic Kingdom offers a behind the scenes tour of the Walt Disney World Railroad on select days of the week, called "The Magic Behind our Steam Trains Tour". It is recommended that guests reserve spots in advance if they wish to attend (park admission is required).

• Originally, a fifth locomotive was brought up from Mexico. It had been displayed in a park across from the railroad tracks in Mérida and brought to Tampa with the other four, however, was found to be in poor shape and was not restored. It was sold to a party in California and it is presumed that it was scrapped.

• In 1995, Southern California railroad enthusiast Bill Norred traded his 1927 Davenport locomotive (a 2-4-4 Forney type) to Disneyland in exchange for the five retired clerestory-roofed "Retlaw One" coaches. The locomotive was instead sent to Walt Disney World after deemed too large to operate in California and was dedicated as #5 "Ward Kimball". The WDWRR, however, felt that its four engines were sufficient for regular service, and expressed little interest in acquiring a fifth. Moreover, the #5 was found to be far too small for operation on the WDWRR. As a result, the engine never operated in regular service and, except for a time being displayed at Epcot during Black History Month in 1996, remained stored in the WDWRR enginehouse. It was traded in 1999 to Cedar Point for a smaller Forney locomotive which was restored and is now Disneyland Railroad #5 "Ward Kimball".

• Previously, during the trip from Mickey's ToonTown to the Main Street U.S.A., "Night Fire Dance" by Andreas Vollenweider from the old Tomorrowland area music could be heard during the narration.

• Several show scenes were built for viewing from the trains, including a jungle-themed railroad crossing in Adventureland, the flooded town of Tumbleweed at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a Plains Indians camp and various small vignettes featuring woodland wildlife such as deer, alligators, and even a rock covered in rattlesnakes.

• Just before arriving at Frontierland Station, trains pass through Splash Mountain, where one of the ride's show scenes is visible, as well as a "Hidden Mickey".

• Main Street Station was modeled after and closely resembles the former Victorian era railroad depot at Saratoga Springs, New York.

• Currently, Mickey's ToonTown Fair is in the process of being demolished and will become part of a new expansion of Fantasyland. ToonTown Station will be rethemed into Fantasyland Station.

• A new narration debuted in February 2011 which features a new narrator, eliminates the themed music, references more attractions within each land and highlights the new Fantasyland expansion.

First Blog !!!

So, this is my first ever blog !!!

I feel that there should be fireworks, and a grand opening of some sort, but then again, maybe that'd be a bit too extravagent for such a small occasion. After all, blogs are opened every day. I guess my reasoning behind the fireworks, is that I have always struggled to write a 500 word peice for college, let alone a blog !!!

So, fireworks aside, I suppose I had better introduce myself. My name is James Roberts, and I am 19 years of age. I live in the south of the United Kingdom. I follow quite a few things but there are only two main passions in my life - Walt Disney World and Queens Park Rangers football club. Both I have been addicted to since I was a very small child. Nothing can ever change that.

I don't quite yet know what my blog posts will be about, so be prepared to read a lot of random stuff !!!

Anyway, I have probably left it too late (or too early should I say!!!) in the day to start this thing as it is now 00:23am. So, it'll be goodbye for now, but I hope to keep typing soon.

Jammy.