Mousekingdom Blog

Most of us Disney fanatics love the fact that the wand is gone from Epcot’s Spaceship Earth, (see my previous photo book entry) and many of us would also love to see that big sorcerers hat in MGM – Hollywood – Studios disappear. While you can still get some good pictures out of it I would love to see the theater behind it from far away. Taking a picture from the theater isn’t that easy. Let’s hope one day the hat will go and we will get to see the view as it supposed to be.

One Cast Member, working inside the hat selling pins, did say that the rumor was that the hat was going to go. (What are the odds I overheard that one when I was there). Sure, the rumor has been there before, and rumors are what they are… nothing set! They could be wrong, to could get come true, I guess we will have to wait and say. Until that time enjoy my hat picture for now.

While I had to miss the updated Spaceship Earth ride, although not even being a favorite of mine, I was very happy to see the big ball standing without the wand. It does look s much nicer without it and I guess this was the reason why I took so many pictures of this Icon. It looks so much better and you could take pictures from every angle or location without the wand.

Now, I was happy about it but some people did have another opinion. I overheard (no, I was not eavesdropping) a guest talking to a Cast Member how the big ball looked so much better with the wand still attached to it. She did admit this is how she saw it the very first time and somehow got used to that view. Still, I think she will be among the minority…

I hope you enjoy my favorite picture. It was hard to choose as I made so many. Sure, it’s not a professional picture, but still it is my favorite…

My love for Halloween is no big secret. I love both the creepy and evil side as well as the fun part of it. (although in my eyes it is all about fun). So it is to nobodies surprise that all my visits so far have been during Halloween. Mickey’s not so Scary Halloween Party is an absolute must do for me and although I love the evil Halloween stuff, when it comes to Halloween night itself I’ll choose the Magic Kingdom.

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Walt Disney World has some fine dining experiences. Being on the dining plan we visited a couple of the best places. One such places, although for lunch, was the The Hollywood Brown Derby at the MGM Studios. While most trip reports might include some information about the food, I would rather talk about the amazing Cast Member and their service and dedication.

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The first picture I picked (from many to come) is the Christmas tree outside of the MGM Studios. On the last day of my trip (as you can see the picture will come in no particular order) I was lucky enough to get a glance of the Christmas season that will take over the Walt Disney World resort. While I choose to visit the world during Halloween, being my preferred holiday, it is always nice to be able to get a little Christmas added to the trip. As I left on the 1st November I didn’t think I would get to see any Christmas spirit. I was wrong and therefor able to get this shot the day before returning home. Maybe a future Christmas visit should be put on my list.

After 10 days of Orlando holidays I have returned home and it’s time to start on the trip report and the updates your used to. However, this time around I’ll pass on the usual trip report but will invite you all on a Walt Disney World trip picture book.

Soon I’ll be adding some picture of the trip, each with its story added to it, avoiding the regular “been there, done that” trip report… It was a great trip (it was at WDW how could it be otherwise) and I do have some great stories so make sure to come back on your regular visit to the blog and enjoy.

Well, by the time you read this I’ll have boarded an airplane to Orlando for a nice 10 day visit at Walt Disney World. We have a full program booked, including a viewing of the space shuttle take off, Halloween Horror Night visit and a Bush Garden visit. The rest of the time it will be Disney, Disney, Disney….

Obviously this will reflect my presence on the blog. No regular news and gossip, no rumors or stories from me…

I will not make any promises but do come to the blog to see if I found a little time to say hi from the best place in the world. You can expect a lot of Disney Magic after my return. Trip reports and Walt Disney World magic and more…

As you might guess, seeing this entry, we are back from our holiday, including the Disneyland Resort Paris stop over. It was an evening and a full day, but enough for some extra magic before a relaxing sea side holiday. As we arrived late we didn’t do any rides but just enjoyed ourselves in the shops. Didn’t really buy a lot this time; just 1 limited pin for me and 1 limited pin for my son. I guess I never spend so little on Disney stuff as I did on this trip. But I didn’t see a lot of new stuff.

The second day was a lot of fun. First of all early to the studios to ride Crush. My son loved the new coaster while my wife screamed for most of the ride. After leaving the ride she said she would never ride it again…. Cars was next, and here my son said he would not ride it again but for whole other reasons. I think Cars is a nice ride, but I guess my son is at the age that it has to be thrill rides.

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So, dear friends. Time to say “Ta Ta For Now”. No, I am not leaving forever, but I’ll be taking a little holiday. Me and my family will be visiting Saint Laurent du Var, a town in France between Nice and Cannes and not to far away from Monte Carlo. It might get a little quiet from my side on the blog, but make sure to check back here for the other bloggers and my return in two weeks. Although I must admit, I cannot help myself and I will be taking my laptop with me, so I might be on here for some of the days…

You might be thinking, “a Disney fanatic, and going on a non-Disney holiday”. Well… not completely of course as I will pass by Disneyland Resort Paris for a 2 nights stay.

Countdown can begin, the trip is coming closer and plans can be made. Although I am not a big fan of full itineraries, when it comes to visiting Walt Disney World some things need to be planned in advance. Obviously you need a hotel for the (short) nights and little rest that doesn’t really fit in my planning when it comes to going to a Disney park. A Walt Disney World trip isn’t a regular reoccurring thing, so I don’t want to waste my limited time on sleeping.

With my Disney Vacation Club points a stay at Old Key West was a no brain-er, but as I don’t have enough points (yet) an extra 4 nights at the Disney Wilderness Lodge was added. I am really looking forwards to explore both these Disney resorts. I also am a little envy; Dirk, who will be visiting WDW with me, is staying an extra couple of days in this resort. I already wish I could extend my stay too…

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Last week Monday I didn’t know I was going to be at Disneyland Resort Paris, 2 days later, on Wednesday, I had everything planned and ready to visit the Press event of the new Toon Studios area at the Walt Disney Studios. As I have been ‘recruited’ to be the principal research assistant for Simon and Susan Veness ‘A Brit’s Guide to Disneyland Resort Paris’ book, I was able to attend the big opening special event party. It would be wrong calling this a working weekend as it was way too much fun for that, but I did already send back my full report to Simon, showing my dedication to the job. I can only imagine how much work it is to write and publish a guide, so I am even more thankful that I got to do the fun part.

So how did the weekend go? Here some of the highlights of the trip, the event and of course the rides and the Toon Studios itself.

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Did you notice that I didn’t talk about any rides so far on this trip report? I said it before and I’ll say it again; it is not all about rides, a Disney park is so much more. Sure we did rides! It is always fun to do Big Thunder Mountain a couple of times, Phantom Manor is a must do (being my favorite ride experience) and getting 739000 points on Buzz did add to the fun. But there is so much more. Even my 7 year old son doesn’t mind exploring the other things Disney has to offer besides rides. I think this was a trip where he did less rides then he ever did in any previous visit, still never was he bored once!

With the celebration being the main interest of this trip we got our attention to the Parade, and made sure that we visited each and every shop to see all the new 15th anniversary stuff. Also some good dinner arrangements and visiting some shows (like the Lion King and another visit to see the awesome stunt show) took over most of the time we spend in Disneyland Resort Paris this time around.

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15 candles on the cake, or should we say on the castle. You could already see some pictures of the Castle with the decorations in a previous entry, but I still have to give you our trip report on the little celebration that take place in front of the castle.

Candleabration is the celebration taking place in front of the castle to celebrate 15 years of Disneyland Resort Paris. For the duration of this festivities the candles placed on the castle will be lit up… during day time!…

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Disneyland Resort Paris celebrates 15 years of magic and I had high hopes for some good collectibles. On my last trip, after I left the parks, I was a little unhappy about the missing merchandise. I was willing to part with some of my money, but there was really nothing new that catch my eye. Lucky enough (although my bank account might have other views on that) this time around I wasn’t disappointed!

Special 15 anniversary merchandise everywhere; and some of it was really great. Not only could I find enough to bring home, I even had to pass on some things for next time.

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The new “Once Upon a Dream Parade” was very high on my list on things to see on this trip. It was new, especially created for the 15th anniversary of Disneyland Resort Paris. With the artwork already showing how nice it was going to be I had high hopes…

We took a good space at the hub with a view towards the castle about 1 hour before the parade would pass by. Once I saw Mickey and Minnie appearing I was very excited. The music blasted out the speakers, the floats where getting closer and I was thrilled with the thought I would get to witness the new parade.

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