My Walt Disney World Memories Part 2

Did Pluto Just Yell At Me?

Five year old me was so excited to meet Pluto. That yellow dog was energetic and doing tricks to make me laugh. His first trick was to steal my hat off my head and then put it on his nose and try to flip it onto his head. He did this routine several times and successfully manage to get my hat on his head twice. Next he pretended to lick my face with his long red tongue. I grabbed this wagging tongue and started to yank on it, finding it so funny. Well, Pluto did not. That's when I heard the male voice from inside Plutos costume tell me to stop pulling on his tongue. My giggles ceased and I let go. I felt terrible that Pluto was mad at me. I stood there frozen until my mom led me away to a new character.

 Forget The Water Parks

Over the years our family has hit up all the water parks. Blizzard Beach with their melting snowmen statues, Typhoon Lagoon with its lazy river and even River Country before it was abandoned. I'm not much of a fan of swimming. I can swim I just rather not spend my day at a beach. My favorite place to get wet is at Epcot. Outside of Captain EO and Journey into Imagination is a ground fountain that squirts water randomly. Some water shoots straight up while others play leap frog, creating arches. It's a fun spot to play tag with the water as it comes crashing back down and not knowing exactly where it will attack next. Plus, it's a quick cool down from that hot summer heat.

 Journey Into Imagination

I wish this ride stayed the same in its original form with Dreamfinder. Nothing against Eric Idle, I'm a fan, but I'm nostalgic.
Figment is such a likable character. My favorite from this ride is the rainbow light archway and then the play room with a musical floor to jump on while color lights dance around the room.

 Honey I Shrunk The Audience

The Honey I Shrunk the Audience show was the first time I experienced sitting in interactive seats and being tortured. Audience members watched Rick Moranis be absent- minded Wayne Szalinski, unaware of the seats and theater around them were all part of the show, tricking you into thinking that there was an escaped snake or being sprayed with water from overhead. Some people enjoy this unexpected thrill, though I prefer the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. Parents could sit and rest while their kids run around crazy, sliding down a curved blade of grass, climbing cobwebs, and riding on ants.

Wish You Were Here

I have to admit I have a slight obsession with postcards. Now, I won't buy just any postcard off the spinning rack, I have to really like the image. Also, I rarely send anyone a postcard. 

My postcard collection is vintage travel, national parks, book covers, black and white photography and of course, Disney. What has been neat is the Disney company releasing postcard box sets with concept art of their animated films throughout the years. The starting of my postcard obsession came from Walt Disney World. I still have the special lenticular postcards I bought as a small child. It now sits on my daughter's book shelf. 

 Try The Grey Stuff, It's Delicious!

Now, I haven't tried the grey stuff at the Beast's Castle, but there are a few snacks I enjoy while at the park. The first is traveling to France in Epcot and visiting Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie for a warm crossaint. The next is the famous cool treat of the smooth chocolate covered Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. Fortunately, Disney has released this much-loved ice cream treat and a few others to the public to purchase at their local grocery store.  Now if they would bring back the Mickey and Gang Popsicles I ate as a child my life would be complete!

 That's A Lot Of Stairs

The architecture around Epcot is amazing. All the fine details. The San Angel Inn Restaurant sticks out the most to me maybe because it's been the go-to place for dinner for most of our family trips. Though I don't remember if the food is any good. I do recall the place being packed with people wandering around the random wagon carts with trinkets and eating in twilight. Taking a gliding boat ride tour. My mind though goes to those stairs on the exterior of the Mayan Pyramid. I wished I could take on the challenge of climbing to the top. It would be my Mt. Everest.

 Hey, That Person Is Famous!

I've met or at least been in the same area as a few famous people. The first two famous people that I saw outside of my television screen was Jerry Van Dyke and Suzanne Somers. It was Christmas time and they were hosting the parade. I stared in awe of them up on their broadcasting stage giving the TV audience and us at the park the play by play of who was coming down Main Street. I had seen Three' s Company when I was younger, but was more familiar with Suzanne Somers in her role as the mom on Step by Step (didn't really care for the show but it was part of the TGIF line up so I still watched it). Jerry Van Dyke was not as familiar to me, I had only seen a few episodes of Coach. I found that show to be more adult. Which is hilarious to me because of watching Three's Company and even Married with Children as a kid.  

Disney MGM- Hollywood Studios.. Whatever You Wanna Call It.

After the Magic Kingdom with all its traditional classic rides the next park I like is Disney MGM Studios. Yes, I know its name has been changed, but it will always be MGM to me. I love the 1930's Art-Deco buildings. I'm a big fan of MGM's old films starring talented actors like Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.  So of course the Great Movie Ride was a must on my list, along with the Studio Backlot Tour where you could see the Golden Girls house and movie props and set pieces from films like The Rocketeer and Flight of the Navigator.  Unfortunately, times are a-changing and I'm not sure what is left of the MGM I loved. I always felt like MGM was the park that was forgotten. Trying to bring in more crowds to this park, Disney World added more thrill rides like the Tower of Terror and Aerosmith's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. At least the Tower of Terror was set in the 1930's time period.  I'm fine with some of the new upgrades but I really wish there was a time machine to go back to the classic MGM theme park days. I guess I'll have to steal the DeLorean from Universal Studios.

Who's the Leader of Club...

A neat "behind the scenes" tour when I was younger was watching the rehearsal of the New Mickey Mouse Club. I don't recall if any of the kids were the famous people we know today like Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling or Keri Russell. It was kinda hard to see who was who with standing above the sound stage behind a glass window. My older brother even sent in a form to be a New Mickey Mouse Club Member. He wasn't called in for an audition like the kids who appeared on the show but he did get a special letter and a Mickey Mouse Club sticker and a patch for his jean jacket.