We all get in that mood every now and then.  Sometimes, a Disney vacation just seems so far away that all we care to do is put our favorite Disney song on repeat, constantly flip through photos from past trips, and wish that Stacey had her own must-do channel on every TV nationwide and not just on Disney property.  During such binge periods, it usually makes me really happy to read about other families’ magical moments that they’ve experienced with Disney.

I got to thinking: other fans must be the same way, right?  We all have favorite memories from the special ways Disney has touched us over the years, but seldom do we have the chance to hear others’ treasured stories or share our own, much less at the same time.

So I thought it would be a fun idea to, once a month, open the floor for any and all Disney memories pertaining to a particular subject—sometimes a place (like Magic Kingdom), sometimes a specific aspect of vacationing (like meeting characters or dining), and sometimes a random Disney concept in between everything.  This way, many Disney memories can be shared all in one place, each collection sharing a common theme and continuing to grow over time.  So whether you’re reading this on the day that it’s posted or a long time from me writing these words (reader perusing these pages in August 2014, I’m talking to you), I encourage you to share your Disney memories with the rest of us.  It will help pass the time between trips, and will be a fun way to hear what Disney magic looks like to each of us.

This month’s topic: Magic Kingdom.  Share any magical moment you or your family has experienced in Walt Disney World’s very first park.  I’ll start us off:

It was 2003 and my family was on the Walt Disney World Railroad. When we passed Frontierland, the narrator said he had a special announcement. If we listened closely, we would be able to hear Pocahontas in the wind. So, naturally, my parents and I peel our ears, lean in closely, and expect to hear some sort of whisper barely audible. Nope. Instead, the music blares and Pocahontas belts out, “HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE WOLF CRY TO THE BLUE CORN MOON?” I’m sure we looked funny as we practically jumped out of our seats because we were startled so much. I don’t think Disney uses that same narration anymore, but every time we’re on the train and we pass Frontierland, we still laugh as we think of straining to hear Pocahontas’s voice.

What is YOUR magical Magic Kingdom?  Post your thoughts below!  All who post by March 6 will be entered into a random drawing for a MYSTERY TICKET!!

Blake is a college student focusing on Creative Writing and Media Studies. He enjoys making his family of six watch the parade on Main Street and then sprint to Frontierland in time to see it again. You can follow Blake’s random Disney ramblings on Twitter at @blakeonline, or at BlakeOnline.com.

The post Share YOUR Magical Disney Memories: Magic Kingdom appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

The term “Meatless Monday” was part of an international campaign designed to encourage people to start their week off in a way that was healthy for their bodies and the planet. It has a lot of history behind it, but the basic idea is that you don’t eat meat for one day out of the week!

This concept inspired me with an idea for an interesting recurring segment for “Fish are Friends, Not Food.” So, in upcoming posts I will be developing 1-day meatless-itineraries for those who either already don’t eat meat, but don’t know what to get in the parks, or for those who DO eat meat, but are interested in challenging themselves to one meatless day in the parks! I will give multiple options for each meal, in case your preferences are different. I’m keeping each section limited to 3 options, so that I can make a printable “pocket” itinerary for all of you vegan diners in the parks!

Each restaurant will be labeled CS (counter service) or TS (table service) appropriately. At counter service locations, the ordering process involves waiting in line at a podium, ordering your food with a cast member, waiting for your order at a counter, and bringing the meal to an available table to sit down to eat. A table service location is more similar to a restaurant and involves being seated, and served at your table. You may need to make an advance dining reservation to dine at TS locations and tip your server’s!

So, let’s start with the park that most people start everything with; Magic Kingdom!

Breakfast

1. Crystal Palace - TS, (to the left off of Main St) & 2. Cinderella’s Royal Table- TS, (in Cinderella’s Castle!) Both restaurants are buffets and will have similar options for vegans. Buffets are good options for picky eaters. A chef will take you around the buffet to show you what options are good for you! You will find cereal, oatmeal, soy milk, rice milk, coffee, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, and make sure you talk to a chef who will most definitely prepare you your own vegan, allergy-friendly Mickey Waffles!

• Another option may be to eat in your resort cafeteria where you will find the same options listed above.

Lunch

1. Columbia Harbor House- CS, Liberty Square- CHILI!Please, please, please get a cup chili! It has mushrooms, (but they are big enough to pick out if you don’t like them),olives, beans, peppers, onions, and, well, so much more! Depending on how hungry you are, you can add a side of steamed broccoli and/or french fries (I always do!).
2. Be Our Guest- CS, New Fantasyland- Try the Quinoa, Shallot, and Chive Salad which has green beans, potatoes, olives, roasted bell peppers, and tomatoes!
3. Columbia Harbor House (again)! CS, Liberty Square- Try the Lighthouse sandwich, which comes with hummus with tomato and broccoli slaw. The Slaw has dairy, so ask them to substitute it with regular steamed broccoli and an allergy-friendly sandwich bun!

Snack

1. Just can’t wait until dinner to eat again? Stop by the Fantasyland Pretzel Wagon for a pretzel!
2. Or head over to The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor at the end of Main St near the castle and ask for a cup of Tofutti or Rice Dream Ice Cream!

Dinner

1. Tony’s Town Square -TS, Located at the beginning of Main St (on your right if you are facing the castle)  Let them know you’re vegan and the chef will cook you up a special pasta dish with vegetables and garlic sauce, or just marinara or tomato sauce! The pasta is served with a house salad on the side, so order Italian dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or oil and vinegar with this. For dessert you can order tofutti ice cream, sorbet, or rice dream ice cream.
2. Be Our Guest Restaurant- TS, Located in the New Fantasyland Expansion! Try the vegan Ratatouille! It’s oven-baked Zucchini, Eggplant, Mushrooms, and Caramelized Onions sliced and layered on Quinoa served with Bell Pepper Salsa.
3. Liberty Tree Tavern- TS, Liberty Square- Apparently they have a delicious veggie burger here that can be made vegan upon request. Get it with the allergy-friendly bun and toppings!

Snack

• Stop by the popcorn cart at the end of Main St and stroll towards the castle while you munch away on hot, fresh popcorn!

<<(Here’s a pocket guide of the above information for you to print out and take along with you on your next WDW vacation!)

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave them in the comments below, please!

Angie has been a WDW addict since her first visit at age 8, and since then her life has never been the same! She lives in southeastern MA with her boyfriend, Kevin (fellow Disney lover), and their 3 dogs, Flip, Josie, and Hildy, where she is currently training to become a professional dog trainer.  Please join Angie every week in “Fish Are Friends, Not Food: Eating Vegan in WDW!” Angie believes that WDW is the most magical place for people with special diets, so, should you have any special diet questions (especially about vegan and gluten-free dining) she’d be happy to help! Angie is also an artist, and you can see her work at www.angiecarreiro.com! 

Disclaimer: This blog post, and all past and future Fish Are Friends, Not Food blog posts, are written with my most recent knowledge of the food in WDW parks. Please note that things are constantly changing, so this information might not always be up to date. Also note that I do not take into consideration refined sugar, cross contamination, or impure food items. With that said, always ask a chef before ordering if you are unsure about something, because the recipe may have changed or you may have a different way of defining your vegan lifestyle.

The post Fish Are Friends, Not Food: Magic Kingdom 1-Day Vegan Itinerary appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

by Don Myers

The Springtime thaw is on the horizon, and with it comes news and happenings from the Vacation Kingdom of the World. So let’s get to it, time for the latest edition of the WDW Radio Newswire…..

We begin this edition of the Newswire inside Magic Kingdom, as there’s some exciting news to report on one of the park’s most iconic attractions: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Back in the October 3rd edition of the Newswire, I detailed plans for a series of new interactive elements coming soon to Big Thunder Mountain’s queue. Well, it looks like the residents of the tiny town of Tumbleweed are nearly ready to delve into the interactive era, as several new props have begun to spring up around the mountain. The tarps have all been removed to reveal a series of new elements, including wooden crates, mining equipment, and other large pieces of machinery. In addition, several new signs are now in place throughout the queue to tie these new interactive elements in with the attraction’s existing storyline. The interactive additions are not functional as of the writing of this article, but all indications seem to hint that things may be getting quite “explosive” at the mountain in the very near future! There’s no official word on when the interactive elements will be operational, but with the vast majority of the props now in place it shouldn’t be too long before the preview stages begin.

For more news out of Magic Kingdom, it’s time to shift our focus over to exterior refurbs, as a pair of buildings have recently been covered in decorative tarps. Let’s start things on Main Street USA, where the exterior of the Hall of Champions is now undergoing a cosmetic facelift. Following the hub over to Liberty Square, we also find the exterior of Sleepy Hollow Refreshments under construction. In both cases it’s still business as usual inside, as the two locations will remain open to Guests throughout the duration of the refurbs.

Time to park-hop over to Hollywood Studios now, as there’s a pair of newsbits to address. Let’s begin with The Great Movie Ride, which has just received some new film props inside the queue. Guests waiting in line can now catch a glimpse of the chess table used by R2-D2 and Chewbacca in Star Wars Episode IV, as well as the infamous striped sweater worn by Freddy Kruger in the second installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

For our second Studios newsbit, we make our way over to Animation Courtyard for an update on Disney Junior- Live on Stage. The show has been on hiatus for about a month now, but the attraction is scheduled to resume operations later this week. Cast member previews have already taken place, and the attraction is currently in a state of “Soft Open.” The official re-opening date is set for Friday February 15th, at which time Guests will be able to get a look at the revamped cast of characters which now includes Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins. Unfortunately these additions lead to a few subtractions, as the duo will serve as replacements for the characters Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins.

For our final stop on today’s Newswire, we head out of the parks and venture over to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Major League Baseball is nearly ready to begin its 2013 Spring Training schedule, which means its time once again to welcome in the Atlanta Braves! Champion Stadium has been the Spring Training home field for the Braves since 1998, with the 16th season set to get underway on Friday February 22nd at 1:05 pm against the defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers. Atlanta’s home schedule features 18 games at Wide World of Sports in total, with the Braves taking on rivals such as the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies. Here’s a look at the complete schedule:

Fri Feb 22nd    Detroit Tigers     1:05pm

Sat Feb 23rd    N.Y. Yankees    1:05pm

Mon Feb 25th  Miami Marlins    1:05pm

Tue Feb 26th   Washington       1:05pm

Fri Mar 1st       Washington       6:05pm

Sun Mar 3rd    Detroit Tigers     1:05pm

Thu Mar 7th    Detroit Tigers     6:05pm

Fri Mar 8th  Toronto Blue Jays  1:05pm

Sun Mar 10th  Miami Marlins    1:05pm

Tue Mar 12th     St. Louis         1:05pm

Fri Mar 15th      N.Y. Mets        1:05pm

Sat Mar 16th  N.Y. Yankees     5:05pm

Mon Mar 18th  Philadelphia     1:05pm

Wed Mar 20th   Pittsburgh       1:05pm

Thu Mar 21st   Washington      6:05pm

Sat Mar 23rd  Houston Astros  1:05pm

Mon Mar 25th    N.Y. Mets       1:05pm

Thu Mar 28th  Houston Astros 1:05pm

Well, that’s gonna do it for today’s update. But before we call it a wrap, let’s take a look at the results of our last poll. The question was:

What is your favorite decade at WDW?

. 1970′s

. 1980′s

. 1990′s

. 2000′s

. 2010′s

And the winner is……

The 1990′s with 43% of the total vote! Second place was a tie, as the 2000′s and 2010′s, finished deadlocked at 22%. The 1980′s followed with 11%, and the 1970′s brought up the rear with just 2%. Once again, a big thank you to everyone that took the time to vote! Okay, now it’s time for this week’s question:

The post WDW Radio Newswire: Big Thunder Mountain Nearly Ready To Get “Interactive” And Great Movie Ride POLL appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #304 for the week of December 9, 2012.

I’m here to help you have the best possible Disney vacation experience, and bring you some Disney magic to to wherever you are with this podcast, videos, blog, live broadcasts, events, trivia books, CDs and more. You can find it all at WDWRadio.com

This week marked the grand opening of many new, eagerly-anticipated experiences at Walt Disney World, including New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, a refreshed Test Track in Epcot, The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Splitsville in Downtown Disney. Guests were welcomed in true Disney style, with a flying dragon over Fantasyland and a three-day event showcasing not just what’s new, but what’s coming next, including Disney’s Limited Time Magic in 2013 and James Cameron’s Avatarland. We’ll take a close look at each of these new elements and not just offer our reviews, but what these expansions and experiences represent in terms of steps forward in guest experiences, technological advances, levels of interactivity and fun, and what it means to us as Walt Disney World enthusiasts now and in the future.

I’ll have the answer to our last Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new challenge for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

I’ll then have some announcements at the end of the show, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Information and Links from This Week’s Show

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What are you most excited about in New Fantasyland?/strong>? Leave your answer in the comments section below!

• Listen to this week’s episode for the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for a chance to win a Disney prize package!
• Disney Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• For more videos, subscribe to our WDW Radio channel on YouTube or the show in iTunes
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store

Disclosure: As mentioned during this episode, I was invited by Disney to the media preview event. Attendance at the events, meals and a bag of gift merchandise was provided to me by Disney, but my travel, accommodations and theme park admission were paid for personally at full price. I was not asked to post at any time and my opinions are entirely my own.

The post Show # 304 – Dec. 9, 2012 – New Fantasyland, Test Track & Splitsville appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Join us for the WDW Radio Disney Meet of the Month, a casual gathering of friends and listeners (bring the whole family!) IN Walt Disney World.

- Date: Saturday, December 22, 2012
- Time: 1:00pm
- Location: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World – Tomorrowland Terrace Upper Level Seating Area

Come by to make and meet some new friends, or catch up with old ones! Grab a bite to eat, get your free giveaways, and enjoy the holiday spirit and decorations! Anyone and EVERYONE is invited!

You can also (not required) RSVP on our Facebook event page

Hope to see you there!

The post WDW Radio Meet of the Month – December 22, 2012 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

While any time of day is magical in the Magic Kingdom, my favorite time is after the sun sets and the beautiful lights come on throughout the park. From the classic white lights lining the buildings of Main Street to the eerie lighting on the Haunted Mansion, nighttime in the Magic Kingdom offers special sights, sounds, and experiences. Once the sun sets, there are several activities exclusive to the Magic Kingdom that everyone should experience at least once. From parades to fireworks to a pageant, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

The first event that occurs at night is the Main Street Electrical Parade. Featuring whimsical floats created with hundreds of thousands of LED lights, this parade lights up the night as it travels from Frontierland through the hub and down Main Street. In 2010, the parade returned, replacing Spectromagic, and debuting brand new floats to further enhance the experience. Tinkerbell now opens the parade spreading pixie dust along the way. Once the lights dim on Main Street you will also be able to see characters such as Cinderella in her pumpkin coach, Peter Pan on Hook’s pirate ship, and the seven dwarfs hard at work. My personal favorite float is based on the classic Disney film Pete’s Dragon and features Pete and Elliot who continually disappears along the parade route. Ending in a patriotic finale, the Main Street Electrical Parade is a true classic in the Magic Kingdom and shouldn’t be missed. While some of the best viewing spots are on Main Street, they can be hard to come by in the more crowded months. So I recommend either scoping out a seat along the curb at least an hour before the parade begins, or opting for alternate viewing spots. Some other great places to watch the parade are from the train station balcony on the end of Main Street and along the Rivers of America in Frontierland.

If you enjoy excitement in the sky, then make sure to view Wishes, an extraordinary fireworks show high above Cinderella Castle. Narrated by Jiminy Cricket, Wishes takes you through the beauty of having and making wishes as well as sharing the wishes of classic Disney characters such as Ariel, Peter Pan, and Pinocchio. Along the way, you may encounter some villains, but remember, “always let your conscience be your guide.” All of this is set to a gorgeous soundtrack featuring Disney classics and Wishes’ own signature song. Be sure to look for Tinkerbell flying above sprinkling her pixie dust to begin the show! She flies from Cinderella Castle in the direction of Tomorrowland. While you can see the fireworks and hear the soundtrack almost everywhere in the park, I recommend viewing it on Main Street as you will have a direct view of Cinderella Castle with the fireworks high above. Other unique places to watch it are the beach of the Polynesian and the California Grill on the top floor of the Contemporary Resort. Another great place I have viewed Wishes from is Splash Mountain, imagine coming down the drop with those beautiful fireworks in the background!

Perhaps the most magical nighttime occurrence in the Magic Kingdom is the Kiss Goodnight. Usually occurring thirty minutes after park closing, the Kiss Goodnight features special lighting on Cinderella Castle, a heartfelt goodnight to all guests, and a clip from “When You Wish upon a Star.” While you can hear the Goodnight Kiss from all over the Magic Kingdom, I recommend watching it from in front of Cinderella Castle, that way you get to experience the special lighting. To me, this presentation embodies the spirit of the Magic Kingdom. It features beautiful music, the ideal of Walt Disney, and a truly heartfelt goodbye to all guests at the end of the day. This is a must see for anyone who is a Disney fan.

The final nighttime experience I will mention does not necessarily take place in the Magic Kingdom, but rather right outside it. Upon exiting the park, head down to the water front for a special treat many do not know about. Gliding across Seven Seas Lagoon every night, the Electrical Water Pageant has been treating guests to one last show upon exiting the Magic Kingdom since 1971. Featuring numerous nautical themed floats and accompanied by classic Disney music, the Electrical Water Pageant is beautiful to watch and should be enjoyed at least once! Some of the current floats in the pageant include the crocodile from Peter Pan, sea horses from The Little Mermaid, and a giant turtle. At the end of the parade, all of the floats become lit in patriotic red, white, and blue and glide along to a patriotic soundtrack. While my favorite viewing spot for the parade is from the water along the main gates of the Magic Kingdom, it can be seen from virtually anywhere along the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon.

Nighttime in the Magic Kingdom is truly a magical time where wishes, dreams, and goodnight kisses are brought to life through beautifully lit floats, special lighting, and fireworks high above Cinderella Castle. It also offers a great time to simply wander and explore the Magic Kingdom and enjoy the ambiance created by the special lighting in each land. This will always be my favorite time of day in the Magic Kingdom as it will always feel the most magical to me.

What are your favorite things to do after dark in the Magic Kingdom? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney from a Twenty-Something: Nighttime in the Magic Kingdom appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

One of the first things that most people picture when thinking of Disney World is the Magic Kingdom attractions. Classic Disney down to every last detail, the park is a place where most kids (and kids at heart) dream of being every day. Opened in October 1971, the park was based on Disney’s original Disneyland in Anaheim California. While the Magic Kingdom greatly reflects Disneyland, it definitely holds its own in charm, detail, and fun. Over the years, the Magic Kingdom has evolved greatly into the spectacular place it is today. Whether you are looking for fantasy, futuristic gadgets, or adventure on the high seas, look no further than the Magic Kingdom!

While there are over thirty attractions in the Magic Kingdom, I have broken them down into several categories which may interest you depending on your preferred style of attraction: thrill, classic, and must see.

If you are looking for thrills, there is only one word you should think about in the Magic Kingdom: mountains! The “mountain range” of thrills consists of Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain, and they offer the biggest adrenaline rushes in the park.

Splash Mountain in Frontierland takes riders on a trip through the world of Br’er Rabbit, a guy just looking for more adventure in life- and he definitely finds it with you along for the ride! A log flume based ride, you are definitely going to get wet. Be careful of those pesky water cannons when the ride first begins! With multiple drops, the last measuring five stories into the Briar Patch, Splash Mountain is sure to get your blood pumping! Not feeling brave enough to ride, but still wanting to get a little splash? Be sure to stand on the bridge in front of the attraction where splashes occur occasionally as logs plummet down to the Briar Patch.

Planning on stopping by Big Thunder Mountain? Well hold onto your hats and glasses, ‘cause this here is the wildest ride in the wilderness! Located right next to Splash Mountain in Frontierland, it’s easy to end up spending a lot of time in this corner of the park riding these two attractions over and over! A runaway train that zips you through an old fashioned mining town, Big Thunder offers thrills around every bend and curve.  With gorgeous scenery based on Monument Valley, you’ll want to (try to) keep your eyes open to observe every prop and view.

The final mountain in the range is Space Mountain, a high speed attraction through outer space. Located in Tomorrowland, Space Mountain is situated on the opposite side of the park as the other two mountains. Taking place almost entirely in the dark, riders truly feel as though they have been launched into space on a super fast tour of the galaxy! There are also two separate tracks (Alpha and Omega) which each offer unique ride experiences, so make sure to experience both.

Now that you’ve conquered the mountains of the Magic Kingdom, there is one more thrill attraction that offers wall to wall creeps and hot and cold running chills…welcome, foolish mortals to the Haunted Mansion. Located in Liberty Square, the Haunted Mansion has been scaring riders ever since opening. Within the mansion, you will experience the 999 happy haunts which call the place home, and will even be offered a position to be the 1000^th resident. Any volunteers? With both scary and comical elements, the attraction offers a thrilling and unique experience that is a must see while in the Magic Kingdom. And don’t worry, once you get on there’s no turning back now…

Once you have survived the Haunted Mansion, there are several other attractions throughout the Magic Kingdom which I consider to be classics for various reasons. I recommend experiencing these attractions as they offer unique and fun experiences that the Magic Kingdom is so well known for.

On top of the classic attractions list is Pirates of the Caribbean. One of the most well-known and beloved attractions in the Magic Kingdom, you can experience sailing the high seas and looting towns for treasure right alongside the pirates. For those who are fans of the recent Pirates of the Caribbean film series, audio-animatronic figures of Captain Jack Sparrow have been added throughout the ride. (I’ll admit I love this attraction just a little more based on its red head love…We wants the red head!!) No visit to the Magic Kingdom is complete without a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean.

Another classic Magic Kingdom attraction is the Jungle Cruise. Located in Adventureland right next door to Pirates of the Caribbean, the Jungle Cruise is where you can experience almost every major river in the world, terribly corny jokes, and the backside of water- all in one day! Experience head hunters and animals galore on this wonderful classic attraction. While the Jungle Cruise is a more slow paced experience, it is definitely a must see and a Magic Kingdom classic.

Finally moving to Fantasyland, there are two beloved classic attractions that most people always associate with the Magic Kingdom: Peter Pan’s Flight and “it’s a small world.” Peter Pan’s Flight has been capturing the hearts of many Disney fans since opening through its flight over the nighttime streets of London and eventually through Neverland. Alongside Peter himself, you will face Captain Hook and experience your own dousing of pixie dust as you fly.

“it’s a small world” was one of the results of Disney’s attractions built specifically for the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Becoming a Disney icon ever since, the attraction takes you on a boat ride around the world allowing you to experience many different cultures and countries while reminding us that “it’s a small world, after all.” This attraction is one of the most loved in all of Disney World, and while riding be sure to note the unique styling done by Imagineer Mary Blair.

In addition to the thrills and classic attractions in the Magic Kingdom, there are several other attractions that I think fall into the “must see” category. The first is Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland. A live animated and interactive show, corny jokes are abundant and audience members are even offered the opportunity to text in their own jokes before the show starts (just keep it PG). This attraction is a must do as it always generates a laugh and is a different experience each time. Just try not to be that guy.

Also in Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is an attraction where you are provided with your own laser to help shoot targets and defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg. As this experience is based upon points, it’s where the competitive side of most people comes out. Boys become men…that kind of thing. Don’t be surprised to hear the trash talking start before riding, and to have to ride again and again to see who can get the highest score and claim bragging rights as the ultimate space ranger!

I think that every twenty-something should also experience Mad Tea Party, an Alice in Wonderland themed spinning tea cups attraction. While the tea cups spin on their own floor tracks around the attraction, riders can control the speed their tea cups spins, creating either a laid back or seriously dizzying experience! For those looking for an extra bit of thrill and speed, definitely see how fast you can spin on this exciting attraction.

Finally, I would suggest going to watch Mickey’s PhilharMagic. The attraction is a 3D experience of songs from numerous classic Disney films, all on one of the largest screens ever created for 3D. For every twenty-something that grew up on The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast, this show is a must see to revisit memories from your past in stunning 3D. Be sure to keep a nose out for the unique smells of pastries in the Beauty and the Beast scene!

While I have mentioned a lot of attractions here, there are still plenty more to be explored and experienced in the Magic Kingdom. If you have the time, I think that you should definitely use it to try and experience every other attraction and really get the full experience that the park has to offer.

What is your favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom and why? Think I left something off of my list? Leave it in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney from the Twenty Something: Magic Kingdom Attractions appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

From sweet to savory, refreshing and sharable, you may discover a few tasty treats which are also some of Walt Disney World’s best values.

What’s YOUR favorite snack in the Magic Kingdom? Leave yours in the Comments below!

The post Video: 5 Snacks Under $5 at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Topics in this week’s Disney news include:

- New Fantasyland Expansion Grand Opening
- My Disney Experience now available for iOS
- Free WiFi at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World
- D23 Destination D and D23 Expo news
- And more!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – Do you like the idea of everywhere Wi-Fi connectivity in the parks, or would you prefer to be disconnected while enjoying your Disney experience? Leave your answer in the comments below

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Join us every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com for a LIVE interactive video news show covering Walt Disney World. Be a part of the broadcast and discussion and discuss the news real-time in the chat room.

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post Video: Disney News – Aug. 5, 2012 on WDW Radio LIVE from Disneyland appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Join Lou Mongello from WDW Radio for Disney D23′s Tweet-Meet on April 17, 2012 as they welcome back the return of the Little Orange Bird to the Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

Enjoy the event, interviews, stories, music, merchandise and more! Hear from Walt Disney Imagineers, Disney’s D23, Disney Design Group artists, the Walt Disney Archives and more!

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Join us every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com for a LIVE interactive video news show covering Walt Disney World. Be a part of the broadcast and discussion and discuss the news real-time in the chat room.

Thanks for watching!

- Lou Mongello

The post Video: Little Orange Bird Returns to Walt Disney World appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.