Festival of Fantasy Parade

When Buzz came to visit me a couple of weeks ago, we of course had to make a stop at our favorite place on earth! Now it turns out that we planned our trip to the Magic Kingdom and found out that the new Festival of Fantasy parade would start two days after we left. We were upset that we wouldn’t be able to see the parade but glad that we were avoiding the crowds that the parade would bring. So instead of being in the park for Festival of Fantasy we did the next best thing, we watched a live stream!

Unfortunately, Buzz’s vacation ended and she had to head back home. However, I was lucky enough to head back to the Magic Kingdom to see the new parade! I will be the first to admit that I was never the person who would wait on the sidewalk for a parade at Walt Disney World. Why wait when I could experience everything else the park has to offer?! This parade was a different story though. We saved a spot in Frontierland an hour before it started; my family and I were uninterested in waiting 2+ hours on Main Street so Frontierland was the best spot for us. It definitely got crowded and people kept trying to maneuver through the already tight space to see the parade or get out of the area, but once the parade started I was glad we waited for the parade.

The music accompanying the floats was fantastic, and the vibrant colors of each costume and prop gave a feeling of joy and whimsy to the overall production. The characters were expressive and fun; they had great interactions with guests and other characters as well. The order of the floats made sense and gave proper identification to each film that was utilized in the parade. Overall, this is a parade that the imagineers who have been working on it should be proud of for years to come.

Have you seen the Festival of Fantasy Parade? What did you think of it? Is there anything you wish was or wasn’t in the parade?

-Woody

And of course I can’t leave y’all without any photos!

Custodial Cast Member Creates a Magical Moment

The following story was sent in by Katie from California.  This is her most memorable magical moment at Walt Disney World.

I was roommates with Buzz and Woody during their Disney College Program and spent many glorious days in the parks with friends, as well as on my own.  One of the “magical moments” that happened to me occurred while I was killing a few hours before my shift in Tomorrowland at “Stitch’s Great Escape.”

I was over in Fantasyland, hoping to ride the Carousel and “it’s a small world.” I absolutely love these attractions.  When I looked around, I saw a custodial cast member doing something a bit out of the ordinary.  Instead of sweeping up garbage with his broom and dust pan, he was painting with them on the pavement.

There was no one else around, watching him, at the time.  There was just me and I knew something was up.  I saw him draw a big circle and then a smaller one.  Then, he turned to me and asked if I wanted to help him draw Mickey!  I was surprised that I was being chosen to help with this “water art” (I learned later on that this was the proper term for what was happening).  It was a simple act that completely made my day.  This Mickey we painted was not perfect, but it was beautiful to me.  It also made me appreciate other Cast Members for the jobs that they do.  This particular custodian made my day just by letting me help create a temporary masterpiece on the pavement of Fantasyland.

I think magic is made in all sorts of ways.  It can be as small as helping make water art or as large as spending the night in the Cinderella Castle Suite.  Regardless, when at Disney, I think it’s important to realize just how much magic is surrounding you.  Especially in the smallest gestures.

-Katie

 

Do you have a story like Katie’s that you want to share?  We would love to hear all about it!  Email us (disneytoinfinityandbeyond13@gmail.com) your stories today. °o°

Disney’s Marathon Weekend 2014

Today is officially the start of the annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  For the next few days, runners from all corners of the world and their families will prepare to run one or more Disney races.  From a Family 5k to the after party, Disney has a fun-filled, busy weekend for all participants.

This year’s Marathon Weekend has something new and exciting as well.  New Balance teamed up with Disney again to create another line of limited edition running footwear to debut at this weekends Marathon events.  There is a variety of designs to choose from, inspired by Cinderella, Minnie Mouse, Sorcerer Mickey, and Goofy.

Check them out!

What are your thoughts on these designs?  I like the Cinderella one the best.

-Buzz

On the 1st Day of Christmas Walt Disney Gave to Me…

1 Dream Come True!

On the 5th Day of Christmas Walt Disney Gave to Me…

5 of the Best Pals and 1 Great K-9 Companion!