Tag Archives: Fantasyland

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Just 37 days now until we head for Walt Disney World. Woo hoo!

I can’t remember if the kids rode Dumbo the Flying Elephant when they were younger, but I know that I didn’t. I’d like to try it this time, if I can muster up the courage. I am afraid of heights, so it’s a scary thought.

Dumbo, the movie, holds a special place in my heart. I’ve always loved it. He is so sweet, and strong in spite of all the bullying that he experiences. Great message, great movie! My kids won’t watch it; I used to sing “Baby Mine” to them when they were little. I had to stop, because it would make them cry. It is a very moving seen when Dumbo’s mama cradles him in her truck and sings that song. But I love it. The love seems so pure and real to me.

Anyway, here’s what Disney has to say about the ride:

Soar high in the sky on a whimsical flight over Storybook Circus aboard Dumbo the Flying Elephant. 

A Dumbo gondola flies high at Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Magic Kingdom park

Take Flight

Hop atop Dumbo and take off into the air on a joyful journey amid the jubilant sounds of carnival music. Based on Disney’s 1941 animated classic Dumbo, Dumbo the Flying Elephant invites you to accompany everybody’s favorite circus elephant as he discovers his unique ability to fly.

Dumbo’s faithful friend Timothy Q. Mouse greets you from the arched entry, directing the action with help from his “magic” feather. As a jovial band organ melody begins, Dumbo gracefully lifts off from the ground and magically begins to fly around and around.

How High Will You Fly?
During your aerial adventure, you can direct Dumbo to soar skyward or fly low by moving the handle inside the Dumbo-themed gondola. Feel the wind in your face as you take in the sweeping views of Storybook Circus below.

Twice the Fun
This isn’t your everyday flight of fancy. This breezy attraction features 2 sets of rotating elephants moving in opposite directions as they fly through the air high above Fantasyland.

A boy looks up with delight while in the wait area for Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction

Play Before You Ride

A circus-themed play area keeps the little ones having fun before taking flight. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a pager that “virtually” holds your place in line. Step inside the big-top tent and enjoy an air-conditioned playground complete with slides, climbing net, and even a toddler section. Kids of all ages will love to be part of the circus show as parents relax in ample seating.

Since we have Fastpass+ for the ride, we will bypass the playground; however, if time and willingness come together, then we may enter the stand-by line just to play in the air-conditioned playground for awhile.

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Be Our Guest Restaurant

Forty-five days from now we head to Walt Disney World. As I think about our travel day to Florida, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. To have Mike and I, the kids, their spouses, and the grandbabies there all in that special place will be a little slice of heaven on earth.

On our sixth full day in Florida, we plan to attend Mickey’s-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Although the party doesn’t start until 7:00 pm, our special event tickets will let us enter Magic Kingdom at 4:00 pm. (Although I’ve read that as DVC members, we could enter as early as 2:00 pm.) This will be plenty of time to make our early dinner reservation at the Beast’s Castle, which is the site of Be Our Guest Restaurant. This is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful dining locations in Walt Disney World. It does have a prix fixe menu, which means it is a Signature Dining event, so it’s a bit expensive, but worth the experience. Some of us ate here three years ago, and it was a magnificent evening. Here’s what Disney has to say about it:

Enter the Beast’s enchanted castle for a quick-service breakfast, lunch or an unforgettable sit-down dinner—bon appétit! 

Lamb chops on a plate with mushrooms, potatoes, spinach, sauce and herbs

Dine in Palatial Splendor

Feast on French-inspired fare in one of our elaborately themed rooms—straight out of the beloved Disney classic!

Be Our Guest Restaurant is an expansive and elegant 550-seat dining destination located at the foot of Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland. Whether you are enjoying a quick-service breakfast or lunch, or the stately elegance of a table-service dinner, you can select from 1 of 3….

Royal Rooms for Loyal Subjects
Be Our Guest offers 3 meticulously imagineered dining areas, each designed to immerse our Guests in the heartwarming mystery and romance of Beauty and the Beast:

  • The Grand Ballroom – Go for baroque in this magnificent ballroom with its high, domed ceiling, chandeliers and snow-laced Gothic arches.
  • The West Wing – Dine in the Beast’s mysterious West Wing study—if you dare—and perhaps you’ll even spy his enchanted rose.
  • The Castle Gallery – Get swept up in the romance of Belle’s private library, and inspired by the larger-than-life figures of Belle and Beast dancing.

Each room is exquisite—but which best befits your royal visit? All 3 venues share the same menu, so whichever you choose, you cannot lose!

Steak on a plate with green beans, a biscuit, roasted onions and sauce

Reservations

Start planning for a delectable meal at Be Our Guest Restaurant!

Make Reservations
Reservations are strongly recommended for all meals—especially dinner—and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Please make your dining reservations as early as possible!

A mother and daughter and son enjoy dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Fantasyland

Enhanced Dinner

Prepare to be pampered as the dining room presents… your dinner!

Our new standard dinner includes a prix fixe, 3-course menu featuring French-inspired dishes that are très délicieux.

Start your meal with a sumptuous appetizer like French onion soup, charred octopus, escargot or a selection of assorted meats and artisanal cheeses. For your main course, feast on a medley of mouthwatering entrées—including filet mignon, smoked black-eye pea tortellini, seafood bouillabaisse and other savory delights. After, save some room for one of our delectable desserts.

I’m so looking forward to a fun, family-filled evening with a Halloween theme. Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

 

Disney Love

Day 118 in my current love affair with Walt Disney World and Mickey

Things I adore about a Walt Disney World Vacation:

  1. Family together time away from the stresses and pressures of daily life and work.
  2. Old Key West-I literally exhale and all my stress drifts away when I get there.  Whether  it’s hanging out in our room or relaxing by the pool or sharing a meal at Olivia’s, this place is just my happy place.
  3. The Magic Kingdom–this is the place that I become that little girl again, the one who always wanted to go to “Disneyland” but never got to go, because it was too far and too expensive.  Disneyland and I are both 59 years old this year, and for me it’s been a 56 year love affair with all things Disney.  (That’s about when I have my first memories of Disney.)
  4. EPCOT, Disney Hollywood Studios, The Animal Kingdom–Each park is so unique and so interesting.  I love to see the changes every time we go, even though I sometimes miss the attractions that have gone away.  (I still miss the original “Journey Into the Imagination” ride, and don’t even get me started on “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride”!)  But this time we will see the New Fantasyland and the first stage of the changes at Disney’s Marketplace.
  5. I love the fact that you walk about 5 miles a day, and it doesn’t feel like torture.
  6. I love some serious pool time.  I expect to do miles of pool walking in October just because I can.  🙂
  7. Amazing gourmet meals.  We make it a point to schedule one sit-down meal together for each day that we are there.  Favorites include Olivia’s, The San Angel Inn Restaurante and Tony’s Town Square.  And this year we will be there for the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT for the first time.  Looking forward to that!

My plan for today is to think on these wonderful “loves”, so that my zeal will be renewed, and I will put some extra active-ities into my day.  I finished setting up for the Womens’ Cookie Exchange this morning.  I will grocery shop on the way home from work today.  And tonight I will take a more active role in decorating the tree and the house for Christmas.  The kids will come over (Yay!) and we will have “The Dip” while we decorate and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  And you know what?  It is a wonderful life!  Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: The Dip is not a diet friendly dish.  We have it twice a year, (1) when we put up the Christmas Tree and (2) on Oscars night.  (A) In a pie pan you spread 8 oz. of cream cheese. (B) Top with 6 chopped green onions. (C) Top with a can of No Bean Chili. (We do one pan with no beans and one pan with beans) (D) Top with 8 oz. of sharp cheddar cheese.  You can either microwave for 5 minutes, or you can heat it at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  We prefer the oven, as it stays hot longer.  Serve with your favorite chips.  Mike and I prefer Ruffles; Jake and Eliza (aka The Kids) like blue corn chips.  Tonight we’ll also have veggies on the side.  For me: more veggies, less chips.  🙂