Photo Friday: It's A Curious World After All

 

It's back -- Photo Friday returns!

My apologies for the looonnngg absence - the journey to earn a Masters degree from USC became all-encompassing for the last few months.

But enough of the past -- moving on to the future!

And speaking of the future, since I'm planning a return to Disneyland soon, I thought I'd share a photo that the DisneyMommy especially enjoys -- Alice and the White Rabbit found in the Disneyland version of it's a small world. 

I'm still blown away at how different the Disneyland and Walt Disney World version of these attractions are.  I'll have more about that in a future post.

Anyway, it's good to be back!

Photo Friday: Climbing the Matterhorn

 

Time again for another Photo Friday!

This week, we're staying with the string of Disneyland-related photos from my trip this past June.  One fine clear day, I happened to catch the mountain climbers atop the Matterhorn in Fantasyland.  This is a fun sight to see as this group of cast members take turns climbing up and down the side of the Matterhorn mountain.  The only hitch, as you can see, is that their presence disturbs the forced perspective built into the summit of the mountain.

But it's still a neat shot and a fun thing to see in person if you get the chance!

Tip Tuesday: Pooh & Dumbo Fastpasses

It's time for another Tip Tuesday.

This week, I wanted to share a brief tip about Fastpasses for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and, more importantly, for the newly opened double Dumbo in Storybook Circus.  Both Fastpass dispensing machines are located not by the entrances to the respective attractions, but rather outside the entrance to Mickey's Philharmagic in Fantasyland in an easily overlooked location.  Some guests may even mistake the Pooh/Dumbo Fastpass for that of Philharmagic.

While this may not seem at first to be all that important, it can be helpful to keep this tidbit in mind, especially during park opening when most people rush straight to Dumbo to get in line, thinking they will get a Fastpass at the attraction itself, only to discover that the Fastpass distribution is located on the other side of Fantasyland.  Later in the day when standby lines build to 30, 45 or even 60 minutes, it may be even more helpful to know exactly where to find the Fastpass distribution.

Hopefully this little tip will help you soar into the sky on the quintessential Disney attraction!

Photo Friday: Aloha!

Welcome to another Photo Friday! 

I was browsing through photos looking for possible Photo Friday shots when I ran across this scene from it's a small world.  It immediately caught my eye because of the great foreground/background combination.  The three dancers are in sharp focus in the foreground while the great sun is visible in the background in soft focus. 

It sets a nice scene and well represents the spirit and theme of the entire attraction.

And it's just a great shot.

Enjoy!

Photo Friday: Castle Dreamlights at dusk

Welcome to another Photo Friday!

Now that the holidays are officially here, it's time to start sharing some of my many holiday photos from Walt Disney World.  Where better to start that at Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom.  I absolutely love the Castle Dreamlights that were added in 2007.  This is a shot at dusk when the lights were on before the lighting ceremony.  I especially like this shot because there is enough light to still see the moat, trees and the fading sky, yet the lights are prominent.

I hope you enjoy this first of several holiday photos!

Tip Tuesday: Waking up Tinkerbell

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

It is a common sight each morning at the Magic Kingdom. Hundreds of guests line up just outside the entrance eagerly awaiting the gates to open so they can hurry to their first stop in the park. The ropes drop and, they're off!

Guests are streaming toward all the major attractions, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Dumbo, Tinkerbell's Treasures, ... huh? Tinkerbell's Treasures?!?!?

That's right. One of the most unique experiences in the Magic Kingdom is to wake up Tinkerbell at her store, Tinkerbell's Treasures, located adjacent to Cinderella's Fountain (near Cinderella's Royal Table). For the lucky guest (usually a small girl) who is first to request it, that person can have the honor of waking up Tinkerbell. This is a once-per-day privilege, and it comes to the first person who asks.

If you happen to miss out on waking Tinkerbell, cheer up, you're not completely out of luck. Throughout the day, kids can call Tink and meet her. How? It's pretty simple, just ring a special bell and call out for Tink and you'll see her flitter around the store and appear in a special window behind the main cash register.

This is a pretty neat experience, especially for younger girls (and Tink fans).

But why stop there? While you're in the store, you too can get a sprinkling of pixie dust -- and it won't cost you a thing (save a little imagination and/or good humor).

The cast members who work at Tinkerbell's Treasures help make the interactions with Tinkerbell and her pixie dust all that more magical.

While you're at Tinkerbell's Treasures, be sure to swing next door to see a little battle of colors between Flora and Merryweather, the red and blue fairies from Sleeping Beauty. Watch as Aurora's dress will magically turn from pink to light blue and back again.