Wednesday, January 10, 2018

What to Watch Before You Visit A Disney Park: Hollywood Studios

Incredible detail has gone into each of these attractions. The que itself for Toy Story Mania! has me entertained for the entire wait with all the attention to detail and creativity. It is so imaginative. From the board games to the animatronic Mr. Potato head - it's amazing.  Visiting Disney is so memorable and the parks are so incredible that watching the movies associated with the attractions, shows and even meet & greets makes each moment even sweeter. You notice the tiny details from the movies they have brought to life. The magic is endless.

It is almost impossible to narrow it down to just 5 movies that you should see before visiting Hollywood Studios because this whole park is celebrating creativity and the movies we all love, but I had to try.

Top 5 Movies to see Before Visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios:
1) Toy Story (1996)
2) Star Wars Series (1977-2017)
3) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
4) Frozen (2013)
5) Fantasia (1999)

For those of you who love the movies, be sure to check these out as well and personalize it for your plan of attack on your next trip to Hollywood Studios.

Echo Lake Area
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration; Meet Olaf - Frozen (2013)
Hollywood & Vine Character Meal -  Doc McStuffins (2012+)Handy Manny (2006-2013)Jake & the Neverland Pirates (2011-2016)Sofia the First (2013+)
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Meet Chip & Dale - Chip & Dales Excellent Adventures (1989)
Meet Mickey - Fantasia (1999)
Meet Minnie; Meet Goofy; Meet Donald; Meet Daisy - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006+)
Muppet Vision 3D - The Muppet Movie (1979)
Path of the Jedi; Star Tours; - Star Wars Series (1977-2017)

Pixar Place
Meet Cruz Ramirez - Cars 3 (2017)
Toy Story Mania!; Meet Buzz; Meet Woody - Toy Story (1996), Toy Story 2 (1999)

Animation Courtyard
BB-8 Astromech on Duty; Meet Chewbacca; Meet Kylo Ren - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Disney Junior Live on Stage!; Hollywood & Vine Character Meal; Meet Doc McStuffins; Meet Jake; Meet Sofia; Meet Pluto; - Doc McStuffins (2012+); Jake & the Neverland Pirates (2011-2016); Sofia the First (2013+); Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (2006+)
Voyage of The Little Mermaid - The Little Mermaid (1989)

Sunset Blvd
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - The Twilight Zone TV Series (1959-1964)
Beauty & the Beast Live On Stage - Beauty & the Beast (1991) 
Fantasmic - Fantasia (1999)The Lion King (1994)Pocahontas (1995), Sleeping Beauty (1959), Steamboat Willie (1928),(and MANY others)

Monday, January 8, 2018

What to Watch Before You Visit A Disney Park: EPCOT

I just love EPCOT. I love all the science, the educational stuff & don't get me started on how much I appreciate the detail of the World Showcase. While it isn't the most Disney movie themed park, there are still a handful that you would find helpful - especially if you are into meeting characters.

You've just gotta be prepared at Walt Disney World. From fast passes to dining reservations there is so much to do to get ready. If there is one park you can appreciate without having ever seen a Disney movie - it's EPCOT. But seeing these movies I've listed will help enhance the attractions and meet & greets with the characters.

The "fab five" of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy & Pluto are dispersed throughout the park. They appear in Mickey's Roadsters currently, but since they are classics, there are countless movies & shows they appear in. Watching anything from the classic or latest Mickey cartoons, movies, etc will have your kids hugging these characters with ease.

Introducing kids - especially vital for the littlest of travelers - will make the Meet & Greets & Character Meals much less intimidating when they are familiar with the characters. Consider brushing up and even re-watching these movies to enhance your next visit to the happiest place on earth.

Top 5 Disney Movies to see before visiting EPCOT:
1) Frozen (2013)
2) Finding Nemo (2003)
3) Beauty and the Beast (1991)
4) Sleeping Beauty (1959)
5) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

To personalized your experience, consider watching these movies ahead of your next visit depending on which attractions you are planning to visit. I appreciate the details, inside jokes, and decor even more when I have recently seen the films. I hope these tips enhance your next trip!

Future World
The Seas with Nemo & Friends - Finding Nemo (2003)
Turtle Talk with Crush - Finding Nemo (2003) & Finding Dory (2016)
Meet Baymax - Big Hero 6 (2014)
Meet Joy & Sadness - Inside Out (2015)

World Showcase
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Character Dining) - Beauty and the Beast (1991); Cinderella (1950); The Little Mermaid (1989)Sleeping Beauty (1959)Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros - The Three Caballeros (1944) 
Meet Aladdin & Jasmine in Morocco - Aladdin (1992)
Meet Anna & Elsa in Norway; Frozen Ever After - Frozen (2013)
Meet Belle in France - Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Meet Alice in United Kingdom - Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Meet Mary Poppins - Mary Poppins (1964)
Meet Mulan in China - Mulan (1998)
Meet Princess Aurora - Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Meet Snow White in Germany - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Thursday, January 4, 2018

What to Watch Before You Visit A Disney Park: Animal Kingdom

When visiting Walt Disney World, you have to come prepared. From fast passes to dining reservations there is so much to do to get ready. In order to appreciate all the characters, details and attractions, it helps if you are familiar with these movies!

The "fab five" of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy & Pluto - and Daisy of course as well, can be seen at Tusker House (which has amazing food as well) & around the park. They appear in Mickey's Roadsters currently, but since they are classics, there are countless movies & shows they appear in. Watching anything from the classic or latest Mickey cartoons, movies, etc will have your kids hugging these with ease.

Introducing kids - especially vital for the littlest of travelers - will make the Meet & Greets & Character Meals much less intimidating when they are familiar with the characters. Consider brushing up and even re-watching these movies to enhance your next visit to the happiest place on earth.

Before your next trip to Animal Kingdom, check out the top 5 movies I would see before visiting Animal Kingdom:

1) Avatar (2009)
2) The Lion King (1994)
3) Finding Nemo (2003)
4) Up (2009)
5) A Bug's Life (1998)

Each experience at Animal Kingdom is incredible, knowing which movie they come from and seeing the details come alive makes them spectacular. Here are each of the attractions/entertainment and the best movies to watch associated with it.

Discovery Island
Wilderness Explorers - Up (2009)
It's Tough to be a Bug; Meet Flik - A Bug's Life (1998)
Meet Pocahontas - Pocahontas (1995)
Meet Russell - Up (2009)

Pandora: World of Avatar
Flight of Passage; Na'vi River Journey - Avatar (2009); Avatar 2 (Coming in 2020)

Africa 
Festival of the Lion King; Rafiki's Planet Watch: Meet Rafiki - The Lion King (1994)
Rafiki's Planet Watch: Meet Doc McStuffins - (Disney Channel "Doc McStuffins" - 2012-present)

Asia
Meet Baloo & King Louie - The Jungle Book (1967)

Dinoland
Finding Nemo - The Musical - Finding Nemo (2003)

Are there any other movies or shows you are sure to see before visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World?