Sign #99 You are Disney Devoted

One of the many signs of being Disney Devoted is obsession with Disney parks on TV.  Old sitcoms and the travel channels are all fair game.  Anything to get a glimpse of one of your favorite places in the world to visit.

There are several options to immerse your television into the Disney Parks.  Old sitcoms like Roseanne and Full House repeat episodes that were filmed in the parks.  Travel channels will run specials on each park or the history of Walt Disney.  Food Channel is another spot to find a band aid for the Disney addiction.  Guy Fieri's Christmas Special is a must watch every year.

You can search "Disney" on your cable guides and set up the DVR.  Netflix is another spot to find some Disney park fixes.  One of my favorite resources is the website simply titled Disney Theme Parks on TV.  This site will take you to the weeks showings on anything Disney Park related.  You can even set up a weekly e-mail alert.

I know I am among fellow Disney fans here, so you won't judge!  What are some are your favorite Disney Park shows on TV?  Please share in the comments section.

Disney Devoted Tip:  You Tube is a great resource for a Disney Addict.  You can find videos of the rides, resorts and even our pal Stacey!  

Maria is a Travel Planner with Snapshot Getaways and has a lot of suggestions for the Disney Addict.  Email her at maria@snapshotgetaways.com for help with your next Disney Adventure.  Follow her Maria Huff- Agent with Snapshot Getaways Facebook Page

Thirsty Thursday at Walt Disney World

When you are at Disney you are always thirsty. 
So here are a few of our favorite drinks at Disney.

What are yours?

 Stay thirsty my friends.

Blueberry Lemonade — one of the Boathouse Specialties — is a mix of blueberry vodka, lemon vodka, house-made lemonade, and fresh blueberries.

Starbucks- Mocha Frappucino

Strawberry Aqua Fresca- Via Napoli Italy in Epcot

Mexican Sangria- Mexico Pavillion in Epcot- All the fruitiness you love in a red wine sangria laced with orange liquor, with Tequila

Gran Marnier and Grey Goose Slushie- at the kiosk outside the France Pavillion at EPCOT. It's like an orange dreamsicle in a cup!

The San Pelligrino Sparkling Blood Orange Juice isn't on the menu at the kiosk in the Italy Pavilion, but they keep it on hand for mixing. Just ask for it and they'll sell you the can- you won't be sorry! 

The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland is just below the People Mover and a great place to get a frozen Coke! 

The Kakigori from the kiosk in the Japan Pavillion is a delicious treat! I recommend the tangerine flavor- and the sweet milk topping is worth the extra $1! 

What are you drinking in Disney World?  Fill out a quote form on our Snapshot Getaways Website and we help plan your perfect trip!

Wordless Wednesdays-Flowers of Disney

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Besides being the owner and travel professional of Snapshot Getaways, Lisa is an avid traveler, food nerd, blogger & podcaster. Her answer to pretty much everything is food and travel, and is happiest when the solution includes both. You can contact her at Lisa@SnapshotGetaways.com, to talk food, travel, Disney-whatever. 

Taking A Break Inside the Parks

The seemingly non-stop action at Disney World is a large part of why we love going.   But let's face it, even in The Most Magical Place on Earth we still sometimes need a break. There are a lot of people who like to schedule breaks in their afternoon to go back to the resort to swim, nap, or just lounge around. That's a great strategy for many people but what if you just want a quick recharge without leaving the parks? Thankfully there are multiple places in each park to do just that:

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Our favorite pick-me-up spot in this park is the Honey I Shrunk The Kids Movie Set Adventure. The larger than life plants and bugs are fun for the kids to climb and explore while Mom and Dad can lean back and just take a minute to relax.

Another great option in this park is a leisurely stroll through Walt Disney: One Man's Dream. This interesting look into the mind of Walt Disney is rarely crowded and you walk through at your own pace so your break from the hustle and bustle can be as short or long as you'd like. 

EPCOT:

There are multiple options within EPCOT that offer hands on exhibits and low key displays that can be be explored at your own pace. From making paper in Innoventions to finding some fishy friends in the waters of Sea Base, there's a laid back activity for nearly everyone.

If you prefer a break that gets you off your feet EPCOT also has a few slow rides that might do the trick. Living With the Land offers a slow trip through the greenhouses that grow everything from the foods served up Garden Grill to the Mickey Shaped Pumpkins you'll spot at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. If you're looking for a longer break Ellen's Energy Adventure is a 45 minute seated slow ride through time. 

Animal Kingdom:

There are multiple trails and exhibits at Animal Kingdom where you can stroll at your own pace to see various plant and animal life including the Discovery Island Trail, Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, and the Oasis Exhibits. The Boneyard is a playground where the kids can climb and explore dinosaur bones at their own pace while Mom and Dad relax for a few minutes. If you're ready for a break from walking and being on your feet you can hop on the Wildlife Express Train for a 12 minute journey for a behind the scenes peek into the care of the animals in the park. One of Animal Kingdom's most popular attractions, Kilimanjaro Safari, offers an 18 minute ride with close up views of animals in lush habitats. 

Magic Kingdom:

If you're looking for a low-key place to take a break from all the standing and walking there are multiple options in this park. The Liberty Square Riverboat is a 1/2 mile, 17 minute journey with glimpses of sights you won't be able to see if you stay on land. A trip around the Magic Kingdom on the Walt Disney World Railroad will offer another 20 minutes worth of unique views of the park.  For a relaxing, ten minute trip behind and ABOVE the scenes don't miss The Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover with even more spectacular views you won't want to miss. 

If what your kids really need is a little unstructured play time then you can have a little fun and get a little (or a lot) wet at the Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station. Or head on over to Tom Sawyer Island for an escape from the crowds and the noise while you explore up to five different trails.

The Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents are interesting, but not overly stimulating, shows in the Magic Kingdom where you can sit and relax in a comfortable, cool theater for about 20 minutes.

As you can see there are plenty of quiet and relaxing spots at Walt Disney World that make it easy to recharge and jump right back into the magic. Do you have a favorite place to relax in the parks that's not mentioned here?

Hope is a travel addict who feeds her addiction between trips by planning magical vacations for others. Contact her at Hope@SnapshotGetaways.com or find her on Facebook. 

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!