A Disney theme park podcast, dedicated to picking out our favourite things about Disney parks that help to make the magic happen. http://www.makethemagic.ca
June is a great month to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is the time when Star Wars and Disney lovers alike join to celebrate during Star Wars Weekends. There are Star Wars celebrities, parades lead by the 501st Division (aka Vader’s Fist) and special merchadise galore.
But by far, the funniest thing to attend is the Hyperspace Hoopla dance off. A yearly challenge where Star Wars characters battle, not with light saber’s, but with the best dance moves.
Throughout all Disney parks at any time of any day look around and you will be sure to notice a Photopass person. Armed with the best technology in cameras they are able and willing to take your picture. These pictures are stored on a credit card size card that you can view on your computer at home. This entry is all about how to use Photopass to get the best bang for your buck, or as we like to say it, Make the Magic.
Adding a Character's Signature in Photopass Editor
1 Pre-order the Photopass CD before your trip. This option is only available to those who have booked through Disney (not a travel agent) and are staying on Disney property. This can save you %20 off the CD. If this is not an option be sure to check out the special offers on the website as they often have a discount.
2 If you see a Photopass person, take a picture! We all know that the Photopass service is not cheap and if you plan on getting the photo CD you want to get be sure to get the most out of it by taking tons of pictures. It doesn’t matter if you take 10 pictures or 500 pictures, you pay the same price. So you might as well take advantage of the quality photographs and take as many as you can.
Pose with Tinkerbell on Main Street
3 Work as a group. When claiming your pictures online you can register multiple Photopass cards under one account. So don’t worry about getting all your shots on one card. If your group wants to split up make sure they both take pictures and you can combine them later. You can split the cost of the CD and have more money for another Disney souvenier!
4 Make it special. Photopass has a lot of tricks up their sleeves which can make for some really magical pictures. In different locations all over the parks they can digitally add in a character or a prop in to your shot. This ranges from the classic ‘Tinkerbell’ shot on Main Street, to pointing at Stitch popping up in the pavement, to battling Hook, sitting with Minnie and hitchhiking with some ghosts.
Hitchhhiking with Ghosts Using Disney's Photopass
5 Edit! Once you arrive back home and have claimed your Photopass pictures go crazy with the editing options on the website. You can edit as many pictures as many times as you like and it will always cost you the same. Make it black and white, add a border, put in a characters signature and zoom out/in.
When you see a Photopass person feel free to ask them for a specific shot or ask them if they have any ideas. Although it can be pricy, the unqiue quality photographs for me are worth the price. Just remember to smile and say “Mickey!”
For our first ever ridethrough here on Make the Magic, we bring you Test Track!
When it comes to visiting a Disney Park, everyone has their favourite things to do. We’ve already discussed that compromise is key with every trip, but how in the world do you fit everything in so that everyone is happy? Surely cramming as much as you can into a trip is the only way to do it?
Well… er… no that’s not quite true.
There are two different ways that I like to make my trip to Disney: “Quick ‘n Dirty”, “Slow ‘n Spread Out”, or “Midway Madness”. The Quick and Dirty method of visiting Disney Theme parks, is when you try to cram as much as possible into a trip to get as much stuff done as possible. The Slow ‘n Spread Out method is a much more easy going version, where you still see a great deal but are less stressed out. And then there is the Midway Madness, which is halfway between the first two.
QUICK ‘N DIRTY
This was my plan for the last time I was in the park (though admittedly we allowed for some SNSO time). In 2008 KP and I did a fairly last minute trip to the Disneyland Resort. We were only there a few days, and wanted to see as much as we possibly could in the little time we had.
This plan of attack is best for short trips, where you don’t really have a lot of time to see things.
Planning is key in this type of trip. You need to make a list of everything you must see, things you want to eat, and things that it’s okay to skip. For example, there are several park attractions that it’s okay if you skip each trip (for me I don’t mind missing the Teacups…. Er… mainly because I cannot ride them. For others, it’s something like the Hall of Presidents, a very long show that you only need to see once every few years). With a plan in hand, you won’t have to worry about not seeing something you really wanted to.
This plan typically involves waking up at the butt crack of dawn to arrive at the park just before rope drop. Remember to take along a reliable alarm clock for this, and that you allot enough time in the morning for everyone to get ready. Keep in mind if you’re using resort transit that you take lineups and transit time into account as well.
Utilize FastPasses to the best of your ability, to maximize your time getting through queues.
For meals, try to use the Dining Reservation systems prior to departure, that way you know exactly when you’ll get to eat – and you won’t be disappointed when a walkup proves to be ineffective.
Stay in the parks as late as you can, and if you’re lucky enough to be staying at a resort, try to make good use of the Extra Magic Hours.
I do warn you that if you use this plan, you will be very tired from long days of beating the pavement. But it’s a good kind of tired, because after all, it’s Disney! Don’t be surprised if you skip out on a morning shower or get ready routine for an extra few minutes of sleep and/or park time. Thus the dirty part.
Andy and Cee, tired from a very busy trip in DL.
SLOW ‘N SPREAD OUT
“Smelling the flowers” is the best way to describe this kind of trip. You take things easy in the parks, going on the rides and seeing the shows that grab you in the moment. This is a sitting and watching the Fountain of Nations in Future World for an hour, or grabbing an ice cream and eating it on the curb while you people watch on Main Street.
You can use this for any length of trip, depending on what you want to see (yes, even short ones). However it’s most useful when you are having a long trip, because you can really take it easy and not feeling like you’re missing out on anything.
This kinda trip really needs no planning. All you need to do is go where your feelings take you. Want to stop and eat that churro? By all means. Got fastpasses for Dinosaur but would rather watch the parade. Do it! This is a really relaxing way to take in all the sights. You also get the extra opportunity to really absorb all the details that Disney Imagineers put into the design of the parks.
Take the time to enjoy the dedicated windows along Main Street, play with the dancing fountains just outside the Imagination Pavilion, ride Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye a dozen times, ride the TTA during the day and at night – there are lots of various things for you to take in that you could miss during a Quick ‘n Dirty trip.
Admittedly, you might not get everything done during this kind of trip. But then, that’s all perspective in what you’d like to accomplish!
Andy, playing around the fountain in the Epcot entrance plaza.
MIDWAY MADNESS
Not as crazy as it sounds, it’s a nice mix between the two previous ways. This is a way to ensure that you see all the things that you intended to see – whether it be catching all the shows of Fantasmic! or being sure to ride Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye – but still get the chance to take in all the extra special details.
KP, Andy, and Cee ready for a somewhat planned somewhat easy going day at the parks.
Even though you’ve made a plan of attack and decided how you want to see the parks, remember to keep yourself flexible! You never know when something extra magical will surprise you!
For today’s Media Monday here is a short sweet clip of the finale from Disney’s Hollywood Studios Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage. I took this video on the very last day of my time with the Disney College Program. Such happy memories.
Joining the rank of nighttime entertainment at Disney is California Adventure’s new show, World of Color! Similar to Fantasmic, ‘World of Color’ utilizes lights, mist screens, lasers and pyrotechnics all under the veil of darkness. Although similar there are two big differences: color and 1200 programmable jets!
By now, it’s no secret that my favourite thing to see in the parks is Fantasmic. It’s the perfect conglomeration of a great story, wonderful music, timeless characters and jaw dropping effects. To me, it’s Disney at its finest. And it’s not just me who enjoys the amazing show as both Disneyland in California and Hollywood Studios in Florida have full audiences night after night.
The Sailing Ship Columbia Packed with Pirates in Fantasmic (Disneyland)
The packed crowds is what Disney’s California Adventures is hoping what this show will bring in. It’s no secret that DCA has had a lack lustre attendance record over the years which would take a long blog entry (saved for another day) to fully explain. But along with the massive renovations occurring in DCA at this very moment Disney is hoping that this show is going to draw the crowds in.
World of Color in Disney's California Adventures (www.disneyblog.com)
There is a lot of pressure for this show to be amazing and I have to admit that I am a little sceptical. It appears to be a very technical show. The 1200 water jets which will illuminate in colour and create water screens could be really amazing or get boring fast. It will also depend on the mixing of the classic characters with the addition of the newest Pixar characters including Wall-E, Eve, Crush and Squirt. But if done right it could be a show that both the young and old generations love.
Although I’m nervous, overall I am very excited for its addition to California Adventures. The hype is definitely building and tonight we are going to see it all unfold. Tonight’s premier event of World of Color is a ticket only showing for 6,000 lucky people. Don’t fret though, because for the rest of us Disney is going to be airing the show live for all to see. At 8:45 PDT tune in to http://www.ustream.tv/worldofcolor to watch the whole show! Let me know what you think of it!
Equipped with its thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds, Disney’s Electrical Parade makes it’s return to the Magic Kingdom after 10 years.
Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade in California Adventure
Here is a short video taken in Disney’s California Adventures by yours trully before the parade was moved to Florida for Summer Nightastic:
To see a video of the parade in it’s new home in the Magic Kingdom check out the Disney Park Blog http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/06/video-preview-main-street-electrical-parade-returns/
and our Youtube Page to see a great video taken by Inside the Magic on opening night
It’s no secret that Andy and I love food…and our favourite thing is definitely dessert. While we were in Disney World working on the College Program, we still wanted to make sure to celebrate July 1st, Canada Day….and what better way to do that then with the biggest dessert we could find!
Before heading to Disney World Andy had told us about a legendary ice cream sundae, known as the Kitchen Sink, found at the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop. This sounded perfect! So come Canada Day, after spending a little time at the Canada pavilion, eating a little poutine (backstage) and taking in a little O Canada Circle Vision we took the short walk over to the Beaches and Cream Soda Shop. Located at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, a short 10 minute walk from Epcot.
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
This ice cream extravaganza isn’t only delicious but entertaining as well. As when the waiter brings it to your table, they flash the lights in the restaurant and announce its arrival: “Attention ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, you’ve seen it on the menu, you’ve heard all about it, our world famous kitchen sink…!”
This sundae has everything you could ever want…including, yes, the kitchen sink. Instead of being served in a classic bowl, the soda shop has opted for a replica of a kitchen sink equipped with a faucet and knobs. Our sundae included hot fudge, caramel, and butterscotch coating the bottom (we opted out of the peanut butter sauce since I have a peanut allergy). Eight scoops of ice cream including chocolate, vanilla, mint chocolate chip, mocha and strawberry. Covered in pineapple and strawberry topping, 1 whole banana, pound cake, brownies, angel cake, milky way bar, oreos, cherries, candied orange slices, chocolate chip, sprinkles and a whole, yes WHOLE, can of whip cream!
The Kitchen Sink
All three of us found it extremely decadent and delicious. One problem is it can melt rather quickly creating a soupy ice cream mixture which we were okay with, but some people might find a little gross. The Kitchen Sink costs $23.99 and since you are splitting it with so many people I find that’s a really great price.
They say it is meant for four people, but the three of us only managed to eat about 60% of the sundae. If you are looking to save some money you can try to consume it in under one hour thereby getting the whole sundae free! And if you are feeling exceptionally bold you can attempt to beat the record finishing time of 9 minutes!
What's Left of the Kitchen Sink
Word of warning, my personal experience has shown consumption of too much of the sundae can make your tummy hurt and can lead to a strong sugar high! But all in all it’s a great dessert (or dinner). It makes for a memorable meal and can often lead to many laughs with your friends and family. I highly recommend the Kitchen Sink next time you are craving a sugar fix!