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X-Pass Testing in the Magic Kingdom

by Kristen Helmstetter on May 16, 2012 14 Comments

On my recent trip I got to try out the X-Passes (FASTPASS + is another name being floated around) being tested in the Magic Kingdom.  As we previously reported the TouringPlans.com team got wind of Disney testing a new version of Fastpasses in the Magic Kingdom in early May.  We heard they were contacting guests who would be staying on property in during to see if they would be willing to participate in this test.  We also heard they were surveying guests when they arrived at the Magical Express (DME) desk at the airport.  First, one of our readers was selected which allowed us to bring you last week’s report.  A few days later my friend, Kim, saw cast members in the DME area when she was checking in to take a a bus from the airport to our resort.  Since she knew the testing was taking place and had heard people were being selected at the DME desk she inquired as to what they were up to.  Sure enough they were distributing X-Passes!  She was asked a series of questions about which Magic Kingdom attractions interested her party most.  She was able select four attractions she was most interested in experiencing during her trip.  She was able to select The Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain.  Note not all of these attractions are considered “E-Ticket.”  Kim was only allowed to select two of the headliner attractions and two of the less popular rides.  What I found most interesting is the Haunted Mansion doesn’t usually use the Fastpass system, but it is one of the attractions being tested.

They were extremely accomodating and gave her the passes for the day she planned to tour the Magic Kingdom.  We did not have to rearrange our plans to fit into the test; instead we were able to make our own schedule.  We planned to be in MK on Sunday so they were happy to give Kim passes for that afternoon.  Our first time slot was at 3 p.m. for the Jungle Cruise with the others following at about every hour or so.  I was especially impressed they gave Kim enough passes for her entire party even though she arrived at the Magical Express desk by herself.  I couldn’t believe they gave her nine passes!  They even labeled each pass with our names so we wouldn’t get them mixed up.  You’ll see later why this is important.

On the morning we were able to use our X-Passes Kim received and email reminding her of the time slots we were assigned.  We could also get this information by scanning one of our cards at Guest Relations on Main Street or visiting a kiosk set up in Fantasyland.  If you are looking for the kiosk it is next to the Fastpass machines outside Mickey’s Philharmagic.  The cast members in both of these locations couldn’t have been more friendly.  If you have any questions about your return times I’m sure they would be happy to help.

Now that we’ve discussed all of those odds and ends let’s talk about how it all worked. We only had time to use it once, but it went very smoothly when we did.  We entered the regular Fastpass queue at the Jungle Cruise where a cast member greeted us and instructed us on how to use our cards.  Guests simply hold their cards in front of the RF scanner which has been installed in the queues of select attractions and wait for it to turn green allowing them admission into the ride.  If you try to use your card outside of your return time the light will turn red and the cast member will assist you.  The cast member manning the scanner has an iPad where all of your information will appear when you scan your card.

The gentleman working at the Jungle Cruise really freaked me out when he said “thank you, Kristen” when I scanned my card.  I had no idea my name and such would appear on his iPad, but Kim was behind him so she could see that my name as well as the rest of my card’s information became available to him when I scanned my card.  Now you understand why it was important for my friends and I to have cards with our names on them!  It is clearly stated on the back of the card that they are nontransferable.  I’m sure it would have worked if I gave my card to a female friend, but if I tried to give it to my brother he wouldn’t be admitted since a girl’s name appeared on the screen.  If X-Passes go into wider circulation I’m sure they will be put onto a Key to the World card which would eliminate any mix up potential.

Once through the queue guests will need to keep their X-passes handy to scan them again before actually boarding their ride vehicles.  At the point in the line where a cast member would normally collect a paper Fastpass, there is another RF scanner where you will need to verify your entry.  I didn’t realize this and had put my card away, but the cast member didn’t seem too concerned since I was with Kim who had her’s ready.

I’m not sure how I feel about the X-passes yet.  They were simple to use, and it was nice to not have to go to each of the attractions to collect Fastpasses to return later.  However, if they become the only Fastpass option in the parks I could see it becoming problematic for the kind of touring I often do.  In our case Kim wasn’t aware of the time we had a reservation for dinner so many of our return times overlapped with our dinner time and we were simply out of luck.  As you can see, it will take a fair bit of planning to make these passes work for your group.  If you are using a TouringPlan and you know exactly what you want to do and when you want to do it, they could be a great tool.  But, if you are heading to the parks for a spontaneous day of fun, this could be a real pain if they are the only option available.  I know some local friends are very concerned the X-Passes will only be available to resort guests which would leaving them in the lurch.

How about you?  What do you think of these new Fastpasses?  Or better yet have you had experience with them?  Let me hear your thoughts in the comments!

A special thanks goes out to Kim Knight for doing the leg work on this one and allowing me to come along for the ride!  

Fantasyland Model on Display at One Man’s Dream

by Rikki Niblett on May 16, 2012

© Disney

So, we’re all excited about the New Fantasyland expansion, right?  (I know I’m stoked!)  But have you wanted to be able to take a really close look at what Disney has in store for us?  Well, now you can!

Starting today, May 16th, guests will be able to view the official model that was available for guests to explore who attended the 2011 D23 Expo last year.  This model will be located in Walt Disney:  One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Next time you’re in DHS, make sure to visit One Man’s Dream not only to see this new enhancement, but also to explore this amazing exhibit which showcases the great accomplishments of  Walt Disney.

Sounds Dangerous Removed From Park Maps

by Rikki Niblett on May 15, 2012 1 Comment

In ‘took them long enough’ news, according to wdwmagic, Sounds Dangerous has officially been removed from park maps at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The area that formerly held the attraction is now simply called ABC Sound Studio. 

No attraction has been named to replace the seasonal Sounds Dangerous, but it would appear as though Drew Carey will no longer be bumbling through the dark any longer.  (It also means that there’s one killer nap location gone too!) 

For those visiting during Star Wars Weekends, this area will be used as a sign up location for the various events that will take place during the weekends, as well as the location of the Carbon Freeze Me Experience.

Free Tour Series: African-Inspired, Disney-Designed

by Lindsay DuBose on May 15, 2012

To wrap up our Free Tour Series, we’re back at the Animal Kingdom Villas. That’s right, Kidani Village is home to two free tours! In addition to the Sanaa Cultural Tour, they also offer African-Inspired, Disney-Designed.

The afternoon I took the African-Inspired, Disney-Designed tour, it was just me and a family of four. However, we had three Cultural Representatives leading the tour. The primary Cultural Representative, a young man from South Africa, was training two new tour guides from other areas of the resort. The combination of multiple tour guides, new trainees and fairly strong accents made it very difficult for me to hear/understand all of the information presented on the tour. I’m confident that a normal tour with one guide would be easier to follow, but I still recommend standing as close to the guide as possible to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Each quote painted throughout the resort is accompanied by bronze butterflies.

We all meet in front of a tour sign outside Johari Treasures, the gift shop inside the Kidani Village lobby.  ”Johari” means jewel in Swahili. The tall, arched lobby windows overlooking the savanna form the center jewel of Kidani, which is Swahili for necklace. For those paying attention, the meaning of Kidani was also discussed on the Sanaa Cultural Tour. These two tours have a fair amount of overlapping information.

After quick introductions, we headed outside to the Animal Kingdom Villas lobby entrance, which serves as the beginning of the resort’s story. If you have ever visited Kidani Village, you may have noticed the various proverbs painted on the walls. Outside the lobby, is the opening proverb from Ghana, “Proverbs are like butterflies, some are caught, some fly away.” This quote explains why all of the proverbs throughout the resort are accompanied by little bronze butterflies.

Lost-wax cast bronze clock

From there, we reentered the lobby to continue the story. Just like Animal Kingdom Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas is inspired by many different African cultures. The lost-wax cast Asante Clock that greets guests in the lobby was made in Cameroon. Our Cultural Representatives pointed out several other pieces of art and thematic details in the lobby before we moved on to the library.

The Kidani library features several more African artifacts, including photographs of Cameroon architecture. The signature piece, however, is not actually African. Next to the fireplace, hangs two large robe tapestries embroidered with the names of the Animal Kingdom Villas Founding DVC Members. It is a nice tribute to all those families who bought into the resort before it opened in 2009. These Founding Members also received personal plaques with a framed beaded necklace, paying homage to the name Kidani.

Next, we traveled downstairs to visit the resort’s only restaurant, Sanaa. This portion of the tour was essentially an abbreviated version of the Sanaa Cultural Tour without at any food. I would think there are enough to details in Sanaa that the two tours wouldn’t need to repeat, but I guess most guests don’t take the time to do both. If you are interested in both tours, I will mention that it is not really possible to do them back to back on the same day. While the Sanaa Cultural Tour starts at 4 p.m., you would probably have to skip out on the bread sampler at the end (the best part!) to catch the African-Inspired, Disney-Designed tour up in the lobby at 4:30 p.m.

Kidani Village Lobby

After Sanaa, the tour wrapped up with a trip out to the savanna. The outdoor savanna overlook area at Kidani Village is much smaller than the one at Jambo House. However, you are on the same level as the animals and the it feels more intimate than over at the Lodge. Plus, they lure the animals towards the overlook right around the time the tour ends, so they can be viewed by dinner guests when Sanaa opens. Every time I’ve been on the overlook around 4-5pm, there have been plenty of zebras, giraffes, wildebeests and various birds close by.

Despite the difficulties in hearing the guides on the day of my tour, African-Inspired, Disney-Designed is a fun tour for folks interested in Disney themeing. The Animal Kingdom resorts are my favorite with their combination of beautiful design and African wildlife. If I had to pick just one of the Kidani Village tours, I would recommend the Sanaa Cultural Tour simply because you get to sample some of the cuisine. However, if you already have plans to dine at Sanaa, taking the African-Inspired tour beforehand would make for a lovely evening.

The African-Inspired, Disney-Designed tour is currently offered at 4:30 p.m. daily. No reservations are accepted, and all you need to do to attend is show up at tour sign outside the Johari Treasures gift shop in the Kidani Village lobby .  The tour is open to all ages and lasts 20 minutes.   As resort activities can change monthly, check the Resort Activites Calendar or call (407) 938-3000 to confirm the tour schedule.

Missed the first four installments of the Free Tour Series? You can check them out here.

Have you tried the African-Inspired, Disney-Designed Tour?  Do you plan on trying it out on your next trip? Let us know what you think!

What’s New at La Cava del Tequila

by Stacey Lantz on May 15, 2012 7 Comments

You know why I love my job writing for TouringPlans.com?  I get to talk about things I love.  Disney attractions, Disney food, Disney shows, and of course, drinking in Disney.  Right now, it’s grown up time.  For those of you adults heading to Walt Disney World with a goal of trying something new, why not make a stop to Epcot’s very own tequila bar?

The Mexico pavilion houses La Cava del Tequila (menu).  In case you don’t know much about the place, check out my previous article on the beautiful bar.  Are you acclimated?  Alright, good.  I have to tell you about all of the new things going on at La Cava that you may or may not know about.

First of all, can I just make you all aware that the folks at La Cava now operate the margarita stand just outside of the Mexico pavilion?  That’s right!  No more uninspired margaritas.  You can get really delicious concoctions very quickly if you don’t feel like going inside to the bar.  On top of frozen margaritas, you will also find chilled tequila shots and a few margaritas that are served on the rocks.  I personally suggest the Milagro Pomegranate Margarita.  Fantastic!

Let’s head inside to the bar and visit the awesome bartenders that know how to treat their customers right.  For you margarita and/or coffee lovers, you MUST try the new Frozen Coffee Margarita made with mezcal.  Even my mom, the tequila skeptic, was insisting that this was the best alcoholic beverage she’s ever had.  It’s great for those who don’t want to taste the alcohol but love anything coffee flavored.

For my fellow tequila fiends, the Kah tequila offering is where it’s at.  There are many choices for you to try.  The Kah Mini Bottle of Silver tequila is only $18 and is also a souvenir!  You get to keep the gorgeous mini skull bottle that the tequila is chilled and served in.  You can drink it right out of the skull or pour it into a shot glass.  I tried this last month and LOVED it!  I’m so glad I have the beautiful bottle to always remember my trips to La Cava.  Full sized, bejeweled skulls hold the Reposado, Anejo, and Extra Anejo Kah tequila.  Shots of these range from $15 to $35.

If you’re looking for something truly special and unique, splurge and get yourself a shot of the new Milagro Unico Joven which is a blend of Blanco and Extra Anejo.  This isn’t something that you’ll find that often so, of course, it’s going to be a little more pricey.  The other new tequila, 1800 Coconut is actually an infused tequila and most definitely will be enjoyed by anyone that loves the flavor of coconut.  For only $10 a shot it’s a great deal.  1800 Coconut is also found in the Infused Tequila Flight along with 4 other tequilas, Jalapeno, Hibiscus, Mango, and Chocolate for just $24.

I know there are some big spenders out there (Len, I’m looking at you) and this next option is definitely for you.  A Supreme Flight with the top 5 tequilas found at La Cava del Tequila.  This flight includes Casa Dragones, Reserva de la Familia, Don Julio 1942 (my favorite), Partida Elegante and Herradura Seleccion Suprema.

The bar is a great place for a snack as well as a drink.  I recently tried a trio of all of their dips that can be ordered with freshly made  tortilla chips.  The warm Queso with jalapeno dip was outstanding!  It had just the right amount of kick without being too strong.  La Cava’s salsa is really something special.  It’s a chipotle salsa and is a far cry from common chunky store bought salsa.  It’s rich and flavorful and also packs a decent amount of heat (in my wimpy opinion) without deterring from the great taste.  My mom has never been a guacamole fan.  That is, until I begged her to try the guacamole at La Cava.  Let’s just say that she is converted.

Don’t forget that La Cava always has $10 margarita specials every Monday!  Check their Twitter account, @cavadeltequila, every Monday so you can see what the special will be.  Want them to pick YOUR favorite flavor for Margarita Monday?  Just drop them a line on Twitter and let them know what you want!  The folks at La Cava del Tequila are all about pleasing their guests and making them feel special.  During the month of May, they are featuring a Don Julio Strawberry Mint Margarita so be sure to stop in before it’s gone.

Has anyone tried these awesome new options at Disney World’s best tequila bar?  Tell us about your experience at La Cava del Tequila in the comment section!

Star Wars Weekends Tips and Tricks

by Ryan Kilpatrick on May 14, 2012 3 Comments

Get your lightsabers ready and start pumping that John Williams score in your car, because Star Wars Weekends are here!  This Friday kicks off one of the greatest times of the year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as George Lucas’ characters from the Star Wars films, the Clone Wars TV show and books, comics and more show up to take over the park.  It is one of the most enjoyable times of my Disney year, and I am about to attend for the fourth time.  So what do you need to know for Star Wars Weekends 2012?

Where else but Star Wars Weekends will you see Stormtrooper Donald?

Characters and Parades - One of the biggest thrills of Star Wars Weekends is seeing all the characters together in one place.  After all, how often can you get a picture with Darth Vader, Jedi Mickey and Ahsoka Tano on the same day?  During Star Wars Weekends, it’s practically a guarantee.

The best way to see all the characters are the parades.  Although this year’s schedule has not been announced, there is typically a processional of all the characters in the afternoon, where all the Star Wars characters proceed through the parade route.  This is the time to see everyone all at once, so make sure to catch it at least once.

For pictures, you will definitely see characters all around the routes to and from Star Tours and close to the Premiere Theatre.  They will be everywhere, and lines will start forming consistently, especially for the more popular characters.  You could spend your whole day getting pictures, so pick out a few characters you want to get pictures with and focus on those.

Don't miss the Stormtroopers on top of the marquee

Shows – Throughout the weekend, there will be special shows in the Premiere Theatre, near Muppet Vision 3D.  These can range from the super geeky trivia shows to panel discussions about the Clone Wars cartoon show to comedy shows by some of the more talented celebrities on hand.  And honestly, they can range in quality just about as widely.

The show schedule will leak out later this week, but plan on attending the show that appeals to you the most based on the description.  Don’t feel like you have to go to every single show in the Premiere Theatre.  It’s probably not worth your time or energy to wait in line.  If you do want to go, arrive at the theatre about 30 minutes prior to the show you want to attend.  There will be lines.

Autographs– One of the key draws of Star Wars weekends is the various celebrities from the Star Wars universe who come down each weekend to take part in shows and autograph signings.  If you want an autograph from people like Ray Park (Darth Maul from Episode I), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) or Jake Lloyd (young Anakin Skywalker), then you better show up early.  REALLY early.

Photo ops are EVERYWHERE

Fans start lining up overnight for FASTPASSes to get autographs.  If you arrive between 5 and 6 a.m. to get yours, you will likely get a guaranteed FASTPASS for an autograph.  Later than that, and you risk getting a standby FASTPASS where the celebrity is not obligated to sign something for you.  They usually will, but there is no guarantee.  See the full list of celebrities at StarWars.com.  For more autograph seeking tips, check out our buddy Matt Hochberg’s article at StudiosCentral.com.

Merchandise – For geeky Star Wars fans, the opportunity to get great Star Wars/Disney mash up merchandise is too good to pass up.  Each year at Star Wars Weekends, there is a special shop created that will have a plethora of items for you to buy.  There are Mickey figurines with lightsabers, exclusive Annual Passholder only pins, posters, t-shirts, action figures and much, much more.  This year, the store is called Darth’s Mall, and you can see a preview of the bevy of items for sale at the Disney Parks Blog.  My advice?  Go check it out early in the day if you want any of the limited edition items, but otherwise you can use the store as a way to cool off and spend some time in the afternoon.  Regardless, save some money because you will want something from this store.

Regular shows like Jedi Training Academy still go on during Star Wars Weekends.

Streetmosphere – The single best thing about Star Wars Weekends in my mind is the added characters and the way they interact with guests.  With the John Williams score blasting through the speakers and characters roaming the streets, you feel immersed in Star Wars.

The best thing of all, though is the Stormtroopers.  Especially at the beginning of the day, the Stormtroppers on top of the entrance marquee are hysterical.  They will interact with guests waiting in line, make hilarious statements and easily be the highlight of your morning.  Make sure you get there before park opening (typically at 9 a.m., but check the calendar) to see their show.

Hyperspace Hoopla – The 2nd best part of Star Wars Weekends is the final show of the day.  On the giant stage in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat, you will see a show starring Star Wars characters like you have never seen them before.  This show was so popular that Disney had to move it from the Jedi Training Academy stage over to the big stage in front of the hat.

You can still tour regular rides like Rock N Roller Coaster during Star Wars Weekends.

It’s a very popular show.  Typically the show begins around dusk, and the times will be out later this week with the rest of the schedule.  Make sure you line up for a good viewing spot about an hour to 45 minutes beforehand if you want to see well or shoot video.  If not, then about 30 minutes prior should be okay.  But don’t miss this show if you are even a marginal fan of Star Wars.

Touring – Finally, if you are heading to the park for touring in addition to the Star Wars activities, you should be fine.  Yes, the park will be crowded, but lines at attractions that are not Star Wars related will be similar to how they are on normal weekend days in May.  Check the Crowd Calendar for details on the attractions and check the Lines app while you are in the park to get the latest information.

Also, you should definitely follow a touring plan if you are looking to get the most out of your day in the Studios during Star Wars Weekends.  We have two touring plans specifically focused on Star Wars activities, or you can follow the regular Studios plans and mix in some parades or shows from Star Wars Weekends.

Regardless of how you choose to enjoy Star Wars Weekends, you should definitely go and check it out.  The main focus of the entire event is fun, celebrating these characters and films in a way that never forgets that it is entertainment.  Everything is well done and worth your time and money.  Hopefully I’ll see you there!

Last Week at Disneyland Resort (5/6/2012 – 5/12/2012)

by Seth Kubersky on May 14, 2012

Welcome to the latest weekly installment of Last Week at Disneyland, TouringPlans.com‘s regular round-up of recent events and operations in and around the Anaheim resort. This column is your weekly refresher of what’s new at the Happiest Place on Earth.

In addition to Disneyland.com and the Official Disney Parks Blog, much of the following news and photography comes courtesy of our friends at MousePlanet and MiceAge. Visit those sites for more images and up-to-the-minute updates.

Crowd Calendar

Attendance was seasonably slow at the resort this week, but look for crowds to build as Memorial Day approaches.

• Quietest Days: Resort attendance was lowest on May 7-10 (Predicted 2 out of 10, Actual 2).
• Busiest Days: Resort attendance was highest on May 6 (Predicted 4 out of 10, Actual 6) and May 12 (Predicted 5 out of 10, Actual 6)

Subscribe to the Touring Plans Disneyland Resort Crowd Calendar for full details on predicted attendance for the next 30 days.

Special Events

• Reservations are now being accepted for special after-hours Annual Passholder parties being held on May 14, 15, 21, and 22 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Fantasmic!
• You still have until amay 24 to enter the sweepstakes for Annual Passholders to win a preview visit to Cars Land and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure on June 11.
• The episode of Modern Family that was shot at Disneyland on Leap Day was broadcast on ABC on May 9. During the show, a new commercial for Cars Land at DCA debuted.
• On May 11, Disney Legend Alice Davis was honored with a window on Main Street (next to her husband Marc’s) in recognition of her costume design work on it’s a small world, Pirates of the Carribbean, and other classic attractions.

Opening, Closures, and Refurbishments

Disneyland

• The Carnation Plaza Gardens closed forever on April 30, to be transformed into the Princess Fantasy Faire in 2013. Saturday swing dancing has been relocated to Downtown Disney in the interim.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds remained closed for a major overhaul until June 15. Disney announced that the mountain climbers will return to the peak when in reopens, and released a video highlighting the new paint and “snow” being applied.
• Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition is closed now through May 25.
• The Enchanted Tiki Room was closed May 7-10.
• Cultivating the Magic, a new 2-hour guided tour of the Disneyland Resort’s horticultural delights, is now being offered on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings.

Disney California Adventure

• The Cove Bar attached to Ariel’s Grotto is closed through June 1.
• Goofy’s Sky School was scheduled for a brief refurbishment May 7-17.
• Buena Vista Street and Cars Land remain under construction until June 15, though some soft-openings may possible late in the month.
• Preparations are underway for the Mad T Party, this summer’s replacement for the ElecTRONica weekend dance parties. New details were released about the live band that will perform pop hits during the event.
• New details were announced about upcoming food offerings at DCA’s Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.
• Reservations are now being accepted for the fine dining restaurant in Carthay Circle Theatre, which includes reserved World of Color viewing.

Downtown Disney

• The former home of Island Charter is now transforming into the WonderGround art gallery which will open on June 9.
• The former Compass Books is now being renovated into an Earl of Sandwich outlet (no opening date announced yet).

Top 5 Attraction Queues at Disneyland Park

by Seth Kubersky on May 14, 2012 2 Comments

Disneyland Park is widely praised for having the highest density of highly-themed attractions of any American amusement enterprise. But one area in which the original Magic Kingdom falls behind some of its younger siblings is in the theming of its queue lines.

Back in Walt’s day, the “switchback” queue was an innovation, encouraging face-to-face interaction between strangers waiting in line. Today, with many guests engrossed in their digital devices, people need something more enticing that other humans to hold their interest. Hence, the highly-detailed holding area, filled with scenic elements and effects engineered to import the backstory information riders need to fully enjoy their imminent adventure.

Currently, the world’s top themed queue environments can generally found in Disney parks outside of Anaheim, such as Expedition Everest at WDW’s Animal Kingdom, or Journey to the Center of the Earth at Tokyo’s DisneySea. And while this article only touches on the original Disneyland Resort gate, Radiator Springs Races may make that list once cars Land at Disney California Adventure opens in June. But the Happiest Place on Earth can still lay claim to a few top-flight queues.

Here is my personal top 5 favorite pre-attraction areas inside Disneyland Park. Please add your own nominees to the comments below!

5. The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion was the last attraction Walt had direct input on, and is justly regarded as an essential example of the Disneyland experience. The Omnimover ride vehicles and elaborate ghostly effects inside the ride certainly are a big element of that, but the attraction’s brilliance begins long before you board your Doombuggy. After entering the Southern Gothic mansion’s front gate, you’ll pass a pet cemetary filled with witty monuments to departed furry friends. Upon crossing the threshold, you’ll enter the infamous “Stretching Room,” and encounter your “Ghost Host” (voiced by the immortal Paul Frees). And there’s still the corridor of transforming paintings and seemingly-shifting statues to traverse before your voyage into the netherworld really begins. As a bonus, during the Halloween and Christmas holidays the exterior and interior are adorned with decor inspired by Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas.

4. The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

Since this theater presentation is rarely full, most guests see it without having to wait more than a few minutes in its Main Street lobby. But it would be a mistake to miss the mini-museum that makes up this attraction’s pre-show, and not only because it it blissfully air-conditioned. Start by examining the exhibits dedicated to the development of Disneyland, especially the lovingly-detailed model of the park as it looked on opening day. The retrospective video starring Steve Martin and Donald Duck shown here was originally created for the park’s 50th anniversary in 2005, but is still well worth watching in full, with a wealth of historical footage. Next, move on to the inner pre-show room, home to a stunning scale model of the White House (made by hand, based on the original blueprints) and maquette miniatures of the Spirit statues found in Epcot’s American Adventure. Finally, a second video fills you in on the origins of the Mr. Lincoln show, and Walt’s personal interest in Honest Abe. By the time they enter the main theater, patrons who have seen all the pre-show has to offer will have a much fuller understanding of the historical importance of this still-impressive patriotic performance.

3. Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin

Based on a film franchise that the Disney corporation seems to have largely forgotten, Cartoon Spin is a hybrid between Mr. Toad and the Mad Tea Party that doesn’t have a lot of fans among Unofficial Guide reviewers. There are some nifty effects, and it’s certainly more detailed than some of the classic Disneyland dark rides. But some of us feel that it falls short because the spinning makes for a chaotic, incoherent experience. Still, one strong suit everyone can agree on is the elaborately detailed queue line. A tour of the seamy side streets of Toontown, visitors get to see a landmarks like the Ink & Paint club (knock on the door for an interactive surprise) and a Dip-making facility. Roger Rabbit’s queue is often overloaded, and its Fastpasses are disconnected from the rest of the park, so I often skip the line when I ride, which is a shame.

2. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

The original Star Tours queue was among the first with first-class theming, featuring an authentic-feeling Star Wars spaceport complete with animatronics of C-3PO and R2-D2. When Imagineering refreshed the ride in 2011, they upgraded the already-amazing queue as well. A razor-sharp hi-def screen in the initial room now broadcasts a steady stream of saga references, and a pair of wisecracking security robots in the second room spout side-splitting inside jokes about Lucas and Disney characters. Even the pre-boarding safety video was beefed up (some dodgy CGI aside) with some droid-based humor. (Classic Star Tours fans, fear not for the original pre-show’s distinctively coiffed narrator; she and her hair can still be glimpsed in the new film.) Best of all, when you use Fastpass at this attraction (a must on busy days) you still get to experience all the same sights as the standby line.

1. The Indiana Jones Adventure

This one wasn’t even close. More than a decade an a half after its debut, Disneyland’s Indiana Jones attraction still has no real competition for the “best queue” crown on the West Coast (though Universal Studios Hollywood’s new Transformers ride is making a run for it). Only Unversal Orlando’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has truly surpassed Indy effort in completely immersing guests in a complete world before they board. The journey from Adventureland into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye feels like an epic (and lengthy) adventure in of itself. Born of the necessity to get guests beyond the park’s berm and into the former parking lot where Indy’s show building was constructed, the extensive line effectively builds anticipation for the groundbreaking ride at the end. Treacherous tunnels, decorated with dangers such as spiked celings and realistic-looking bat guano, sport interactive elements that (when working) will prompt surprised smiles; just be sure ignore any “don’t touch” signage. There are even ancient codes on the walls that you can learn to decipher. Frequent guests will often use the single rider option to board quicker, skipping the queue, but this is one line that every theme park fan needs to wait in at least once.

All photos copyright Disney.

New Unofficial Guide Podcast – Main Street USA with Urban Designer Sam Gennawey

by Len Testa on May 13, 2012 18 Comments

Monday Morning Update: Thanks for making the Unofficial Guide Disney Dish the #1 travel podcast on iTunes!

Another episode of the Unofficial Guide Disney Dish podcast is available. On this show we walk the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA with urban designer and author Sam Gennawey. Sam’s new book is Walt and the Promise of Progress City, which describes Walt Disney’s interest in urban planning, design and architecture. Sam’s knowledge of architecture and design is evident as we walk through Main Street. Learn why the entrance tunnels are on the left and right side of the train station, not in the middle. Hear why the pavement is red. Stand in the central hub and know where to look for ‘wienies’ and movement in every direction. And find out how Disney’s architects use fences and walkways to mark the borders of each land.

Here’s the link in iTunes. Your feedback and ratings on iTunes are appreciated. Here’s the direct link.

Side note: Jim and I are working our schedules out for more episodes, too, including Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line. Look for an announcement (and possibly a couple of shows) in the next few weeks. In the meantime, enjoy these shows with Sam.

Princess Merida Play and Greet Soft Opens

by Rikki Niblett on May 13, 2012 4 Comments

Copyright © Disney

Princess Merida from Disney-Pixar’s upcoming movie Brave began holding a preview of her Play and Greet at Fairytale Garden in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

This new meet and greet experience allows guests the opportunity to meet Merida, who is the newest character from the minds of Pixar. This passionate and fierce young woman has a Scottish brogue and flaming red, curly hair.

In addition to meeting Merida, you’ll get to meet the Baby Bears. What is especially neat about this portion of the adventure is that these bear cubs are animated, so they will blink, move their heads, and you may even catch them laughing as well as sort of smiling!

But this is no ordinary meet and greet. Not only do you get to meet characters from the movie, guests are also taught archery techniques and are given the chance to color a picture based off the movie. Parents, have no fear that your child will put an eye out learning how to shoot a bow and arrow. The arrow appears to have a rubber tip, and there are Cast Members there to teach guests proper techniques.

The play and greet experience will continue on an intermittent trial basis until it officially opens on May 18, 2012. Then you, too, will be able to “change your fate.”