The Mature Mouse™ had a very regal experience at Magic Kingdom. My third day began at rope drop, which permitted me to experience various E-ticket attractions without a FastPass.
I took flight over London, and then on to the second star to the right. The standby queue, or Act I, of Peter Pan’s Flight is incredible. Arrive at rope drop, hustle over to the attraction and the standby line should be just long enough to enjoy a walk through the Darling’s home.
I enjoyed an early morning train ride through the Seven Dwarfs mine, followed by a royal visit with Rapunzel and Cinderella. Both princesses were friendly and gracious to The Mature Mouse™.
It’s late and The Mature Mouse™ is exhausted, so I am going to keep it short. After a five hour and thirty minute flight, involving one lay over, I finally made it to Disney’s All Star Music Resort by 3. I was on my way to Magic Kingdom by 4.
I met Tinker Belle
I witnessed the Flag Retreat.
I spent most of the evening in Tomorrowland.
I met some amazing Cast Members.
I road Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at night (very cool).
Took two spins on The People Mover, at sunset and after dark.
And, I top the evening off with Wishes.
On a side note: After logging in to my third FastPass experience, I was able to make a fourth using the app. I canceled it because The Mature Mouse™ needed to call it a day.
Tomorrow The Mature Mouse™ is off to Animal Kingdom in the morning, and Hollywood Studios (what’s left of it) in the evening.
More details, with pictures and videos, will be posted after my trip. See you in the parks!
Over the past several years, Walt Disney World has invested in a next-generation technology, which brought us MyMagic+, MagicBands, and My Disney Experience. Disney had always planned on guests using this technology for more than just a room key and admission to the parks. There had been discussions and rumors of how Imagineers would add various aspects to existing attractions to enhance, to plus, the guest experience. However, after spending close to 2 billon dollars on the creation and implementation of this new technology, it did not seem likely that Disney would move forward from here.
We are now seeing the early signs of the next step in the evolution of next-generation technology. In the last room of It’s a Small World, right before you disembark, there is a sensor that reads guests’ MagicBands and offers them a personalized “goodbye message” on one of four flat screens. MagicBands are also being used on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to link a video of you on the ride to your Memory Maker account. The Mature Mouse™ can imagine some incredible magic coming from Disney Imagineers via this next-generation technology.
Please use this link to visit The Mature Mouse™ store for logo merchandise. Many of the items would make great gifts for the Disney fan in your life.
Make sure you consultJennie Nowersabout your next Disney vacation. She will assist you in all your vacation planning. Tell her that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift from Jennie with your next booking.
The Mature MouseTM highly recommends taking a moment to enjoy the jubilation of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. You will sing along, stomp your feet, and clap in appreciation. This is a piece of Disney history, designed by Walt himself, and the grandparent for all other audio-animatronic attractions in the parks.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: You either love the attraction, or see it as a waste of valuable park time. Regardless of which category you fit in with, as a guest of all Disney Parks, you should respect this attraction for the contribution it made to all the other attractions featuring audio-animatronics.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room opened in Disneyland in 1963, and it was the first use of audio-animatronics. As stated on the Disney website, this “groundbreaking new technology [allowed for] the synchronization of movement, audio and visual effects of a multitude of animated figures at one time.” This began the development of all the other audio-animatronics used throughout the various Disney Parks. So, the next time you are riding through the Haunted Mansion, passing through the mines of the Seven Dwarfs, or, cowering in fear of a giant dinosaur about to eat you, remember it all start with Walt’s “love of animation” and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
This attraction opened as part of the rehab of Adventureland in Disneyland, and was eventually included as part of Adventureland in Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is a Polynesian celebration designed to stimulate with sights and sounds. Exotic birds, wooden Tikis, colorful flowers, and rumbling volcanoes all come to life.
Enjoy this video featuring Rolly Grump, Walt Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend, as he talks about the creation of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Please use this link to visit The Mature Mouse™ store for logo merchandise. Many of the items would make great gifts for the Disney fan in your life.
And, make sure you consult Jennie Nowersabout your next Disney vacation. Tell her that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift from Jennie with your next booking.
Imagineers include many details in their design of the parks and attractions immerse guests in Disney magic. Whether it is force perspective used to create Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, or the remnants of British occupation found in the African village of Harambe at Animal Kingdom, the details enhance the guest experience. Although The Mature MouseTM has often stated that a Disney vacation is not just about riding an attraction, we cannot ignore the details evident in those attractions. Imagineers’ attention to theming makes a Disney attraction more than just an amusement park ride.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, often referred to as the crowning jewel of New Fantasyland, is more than just a rollercoaster; it is an experience that immerses you into the world of Walt Disney’s original full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Before we discuss this attraction, take a few minutes to watch this clip from the 1937 movie.
Rising up in the middle of New Fantasyland, surrounded by walkways and other attractions, Imagineers were given a relatively small space in which to design and build this attraction. They did an amazing job capturing the key elements of the original movie, while offering guests a family-friendly thrill ride.
The Mature MouseTM experienced Seven Dwarfs Mine Train twice during my last visit, both times utilizing a FastPass+ selection. The queue has been designed to keep guests entertained while waiting to board the mine train. However, with wait times that can often exceed 90 minutes, this is one of those attractions for which I recommend reserving a FastPass.
You board the train in the Dwarfs’ cottage. It is obvious that Imagineers took great effort to create a ride vehicle that looked and acted like an authentic train car that would have been built by the Seven Dwarfs. Each car looks and feels as if hewed from trees, weathered and worn over the years.
Your car takes a short spin before climbing a small hill. The track then drops as you speed your way into the mine, where the coaster becomes a ‘dark ride.’ You slowly pass each Dwarf working in the mine. The Imagineers have created an experience that replicates scenes from the movie. The audio animatronics and new 3D projection technology brings each Dwarf to life. Toward the end of this portion of the ride, the clock chimes and the Dwarfs break into a round of “Heigh-ho, it’s home from work we go.” As you climb out of the mine, you see the shadows of the Dwarfs following along beside you. From there you rush through the woods, pass a waterfall, and back to the cottage. Your car stops in front of the Dwarfs’ home. You can see them dancing with Snow White through the front window, oblivious to the imminent danger that lurks at their door.
The ride is smooth with none of the clickety-clack of most coasters. Each car sways independently from side to side as you take each curve of the track. The Imagineers included several of the original items from Snow White’s Scary Adventures, which closed as part of the New Fantasyland construction.
This is a the on-ride video from my recent trip. Look for me in the second seat of the first car, wearing the blue shirt. This type of video is available for purchase if you have the Memory Maker package.
Have you had the opportunity to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train? Is it on your must-do list? If so, why? Or, is this attraction you choose to skip? If so, I would enjoy hearing why? Please leave your comments below.
A travel agent who specializes in booking Disney Vacations is a valuable free resource when planning your next trip. I started planning my recent Disney World Vacation by calling Jennie Nowers. When Cool Summer Savings was released, Jennie was up early applying these savings to my trip, which saved me 15% on the price of my resort stay. I did not have to do a thing. Tell Jennie that The Mature Mouse™ sent you and receive a special gift with your next booking
Please visit The Mature Mouse™ store for merchandise. Many of the items would make outstanding additions to your vacation gear and attire. This baseball hat is just one of the featured items available through the store. If you are a mature fan of Disney, consider getting an item. I am a Mature Mouse™, are you?
Over the past several years, Walt Disney World has invested in a next-generation technology, which brought us MyMagic+, MagicBands, and My Disney Experience. Disney had always planned on guests using this technology for more than just a room key and admission to the parks. There had been discussions and rumors of how Imagineers would add various aspects to existing attractions to enhance, to plus, the guest experience. However, after spending close to 2 billon dollars on the creation and implementation of this new technology, it did not seem likely that Disney would move forward from here.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: You either love the attraction, or see it as a waste of valuable park time. Regardless of which category you fit in with, as a guest of all Disney Parks, you should respect this attraction for the contribution it made to all the other attractions featuring audio-animatronics.
Please use this link to visit 
ush through the woods, pass a waterfall, and back to the cottage. Your car stops in front of the Dwarfs’ home. You can see them dancing with Snow White through the front window, oblivious to the imminent danger that lurks at their door.
The Mature Mouse™ 