5 Things I Leared While Attending the Rock Your Disney Side Event

Sunrise at the Magic Kingdom

 

1.     Don't assume you're the only Disney fanatic.  Leave your resort earlier than an hour before park opening.  Many other fanatics want to see the opening of the Magic Kingdom for the 24 hour event.  Who knew there were so many Disney crazies? 

My very unfortunate viewing spot for the opening of the Rock Your Disney Side 24 Hour event.

2.     Make sure you plan at least one table service meal during your 24 hours of magic.  In fact, I would plan two if I were to do this again in the future.  The lunch we had at Tony's Town Square Restaurant was probably the smartest thing we did during the 24 hour event.

My fellow partners in crime, Jay and Muggsie, enjoying our delicious and relaxing lunch while we soaked in the cool air and had many hydrating drinks. 

3.   Don't hold off getting your Starbucks recharging coffee until 11:00 p.m.  Apparently, this is the time that all theme park guests become tired and need a jolt of caffeine.  Between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. the line for Starbucks busted out of the front door and down main street-nearly to the Main Street Confectioner's Shop.  Although, several hours later I was able to enjoy my beverage and a delicious cupcake! 

 

4.      No matter how adorable you think you'll look, don't change into your flannel pajamas at sunset.  It's Florida.  It's hot.  Yes, I did it.  I thought it might cool down once the sun set. Yes, as a Midwesterner I always underestimate the heat of Florida.  The end of May in Florida is too hot for flannel even if the sun is setting.  Lesson learned.  

Sunset in the Magic Kingdom

  5.     Take a break.  While I can now say I was in the Magic Kingdom for 24 hours straight, I honestly cannot remember a few hours of the early morning.  Had I stopped and taken a midday break I probably would have had more stamina and enjoyed the early morning hours more.

     Yes, I learned several lessons during the Rock Your Disney Side 24 hour event in the Magic Kingdom.  Most importantly, I learned that I am a Disneyphile through and through.  I look forward to doing an event like this again in the future. 

Passing out in the Magic Kingdom.  My "Disney Side" had been rocked!

Written by:  Michelle Tolliver (a certified Disneyphile)

Travel agent with Snapshot Getaways

Contact me at Michelle@snapshotgetaways.com or my Facebook page, Travel Momma
Loud mouthed Diva with the Grim Grinning Gays and Friends Podcast

Calling All Pirates....

So, you want to be a Pira...er....your little one wants to be a Pirate....well, you might be wantin' to consider joinin' the crew of the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage...which sets sail from the Contemporary Hotel.

Your adventure begins as you meet other Pirate Crew members at the Contemporary Hotel.  Just look for the signage (or ask at the front desk).  They'll direct you to the current meeting location.  Once there, you check in and are given a bandana for each member of the crew in your party.  When they're ready, they'll escort you into a meeting room, where you will be allowed to pick up snacks (healthy and otherwise) and water for your voyage.  Make sure you grab a bottle for everyone in your party. 

Your little pirates will also have the opportunity to meet with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. You'll be given time to get photos before you set sail.  This is a great opportunity to get those pics, without a super long line to wait in...which is well worth it to me.

Next, the crew is escorted out to the dock, where you will board your "ship". You'll set sail out to the middle of the Seven Seas Lagoon, where your Captain, Patch, will regale you with stories, jokes, and more. Don't be afraid to interact with Patch...he loves to play along with the little ones, and the not so little ones (see pics).

Then, the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular Fireworks begins, and you get a great vantage point to see the fireworks from a totally different perspective. You might even be lucky enough to see the Electrical Water Pageant float by you (we were lucky enough). If you really want to take pics, I suggest boarding as quickly and safely as possible, so that you can get near the front of your "ship". That way the canopy doesn't get in the way of your fireworks shots.

Captain Patch will also start a trivia game. As incentive, he does have prizes for the little ones, and the not-so-little ones. Make sure you brush up on your 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Peter Pan lore.

As your ship sets sail back to port, Capt. Patch will tell the tale of Peter Pan. As you return to dock, you'll notice that Tinkerbell is waiting for your crew. As you disembark and head back to the hotel, you'll find none other than Peter Pan himself. Have those cameras ready!!

Bear in mind that weather can affect this event, so be aware. We were delayed in our launch (so we had more time with Capt. Hook and Smee), due to the fireworks being delayed, due to rain. But once the weather cleared up, we got the "All's Clear" signal, and away we went.

There are other restrictions, etc. so check with your Travel Agent for more information.

Cost:
Child - $ 34.00
Adult - $ 59.00


Frank grew up in South Florida, and as such, has been to WDW many times as a child.  The trips stopped when he went to college in Texas (his current residence).  He visited Disneyland in Cali while living there for a few years.  Fast forward to 2005, when he was once again living in TX, and decided that it was past time to return.  Since then he’s been to the parks approximately every 12-18 months, including Disneyland.  He has recently decided to join the Snapshot Getaways team as an affiliate agent, and enjoys assisting families plan their magical memories. He can be reached at:  frank@osomagical.com

LeFou's Brew

LeFou Who?  LeFou's Brew!  Fans of Beauty and the Beast are flocking to the New Fantasyland for Be Our Guest dining.  Well right next door is Gaston's Tavern with a water fountain statue of the man himself in front.  Inside you will find a signature drink named after his ever-present sidekick LeFou.

LeFou's Brew is a non-alcoholic drink available in Gaston's tavern, along with Roasted Pork Shank and Cinnamon Rolls.  For $4.49 or a snack credit, you can enjoy your concoction in a plastic cup.  Pay $9.99 and you will enjoy your drink in a souvenir stein or goblet.

So what is LeFou's Brew made of?  Well, you might be better off not reading this part.  It's no-sugar added frozen apple juice, toasted marshmallow and topped with a mango/passionfruit foam.

You either love or hate this drink as it is a little different.  Let us know in the comments section your review of LeFou's Brew!

Maria (aka Mickey Mom) actually liked LeFou's Brew and you can follow her Facebook page.

Review of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride

Dwarfs Cottage

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! Off to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train we did go! And it was fabulous! 

Some of the Disney Devoted team were lucky enough to ride the Seven Dwarf's Mine Ride, during a soft opening for the 24 Hour Rock Your Disney Side Party. We heard rumors that there might be a soft opening and were thrilled when we found out it was true.

After months of sneaking peeks through construction walls. it was exciting to finished product, and well worth the wait.

By the time we made our way back to that part of the park, it was midday. The wait at that time was listed at 60 minutes standby. It was a no-brainer for us and we got on line. As it turned out, the wait was about half that, and we quickly found out why-the interactive queue. It is so beautiful and fun, that everyone wants to get their turn trying out the different stations. Below are some photos of the stations. 

 

This was a super cute part. You run your hands under the water spouts to "play:" the spouts like a organ. Again, more beautiful jewels.

         
After we had our fun in the queue, we entered the loading area and were quickly on our way. Before I get into the actual ride, I did want to mention my one and only complaint about the ride itself-the seats. I am not sure if it had something to do with the issues in the sway of the mine carts, which caused a mid-construction redesign, or the size was intentional, but the lap bar that comes up from the floor is a bit awkward. Most adults legs don't comfortably fit inside the U-shaped bars, and it feels off having your legs on the outside of them. When you sit down, you are a bit lost for a few seconds, as to where/how to position your legs. But you work out the way that is best for you and are on your way, and don't ever feel like you are riding unsafe.

The ride itself very much reminds me of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad-with one very nice difference, the Seven Dwarf's Mine Ride is VERY smooth. There is none of the jerking and bouncing about that Big Thunder Mountain can sometimes have. The thrills are moderate, but lots of fun. The drops are controlled so there isn't that stomach-in-throat feeling that makes some of us who really dislike that, all squirrely. But the carts do go fast and there are lots of twists and turns and drops into curves that get you smiling and having a ball.

I know there has been buzz that Disney missed an opportunity to add a big thrill ride, that would be more competition to some of the other Orlando theme parks rides, but I wholeheartedly disagree. I feel the Fantasyland reimagining and additions were very much created with children in mind and kept with the whole magical, but fun feel of many of the other Fantasyland rides. I think it would have been a mistake to put a big thrills roller coaster in Fantasyland, and I am really glad that Disney created a ride that is fun, thrilling, but still very approachable for the younger guests and the big chickens among us. It is definitely one of our new favorites and a Disney must-do!