Welcome to our blog! Here, we post articles which dig further into the details of WanderDisney locations, how they relate to each other and to the world of Disney with some fun facts and photos sprinkled in as well. We also provide you with travel reviews as well as tips and tricks for visiting your favorite WanderDisney location. You can sort through by topic, keyword, date, or even search to find what you’re looking for. Check it out and don’t forget to leave us a reply to let us know what you think!
23
Oct
2020
Five Details You May Have Missed During Olaf’s “Once Upon A Snowman” Short
The FCU (Frozen Cinematic Universe) keeps expanding, and we’re here for it. In the Disney+ exclusive short, Once Upon A Snowman, we get to see the untold story of Olaf’s search for a nose and a name. The short cleverly interweaves around the events of 2013’s Frozen, from when Elsa creates our favorite snowman, to him meeting up with Anna, Kristoff, and Sven in the Winter Wonderland (one of Josh Gad’s favorite visuals from the film). We watched the short a few times and picked up on these five hidden details that we felt were worth sharing! Let us know if you found any more by leaving a comment below! …and CAUTION: MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! Table of Contents Recycled AnimationCoronation DressAnna Be Shoppin’!Anagram FunSkill, Flaw, or Hidden Mickey? Recycled Animation Clips from the original Frozen aren’t the only form of recycled animation we see in this short film. As Oaken shows Olaf scenes of summer in the stereoscope, we see flashes of the obvious callbacks to the gazebo, bees, and the picnic scene from In Summer – but there are a few other slides that you may have seen before if you’re a fan of Disney animation. The first is […]
2
Jul
2020
Hidden Non-Mickeys: The 10 Best Character Easter Eggs In Disney Parks
We all know about Hidden Mickeys – those three circles forming the head and ears of our favorite mouse. They’re all over the Disney Parks, have infiltrated pop culture, and have a ton of books written in their honor to help you find them. But did you know that Mickey isn’t the only Disney character in hiding? Countless other characters, besides being found in Disney and Pixar films, are concealed in our favorite theme parks across the globe! The following is a list of the best non-Mickey characters hidden in Disney Parks around the world. We rank them based on their “cool factor” and provide you with a bit about their backstory so you can fully understand and appreciate why we love each one. 10. The Darling parents at City Hall Disneyland goers may have passed by this sign posted outside City Hall and perhaps chuckled that it asks that “LOST PARENTS INQUIRE HERE FOR CHILDREN” instead of the other way around… but take a closer look at the couple portrayed in the drawing – it’s none other than George and Mary Darling, the parents of Wendy, John, and Michael, the stars of the 1953 classic animated film, Peter Pan. […]
22
Jun
2020
What’s On Josh Gad’s Wall On “Reunited Apart”
If you haven’t seen Josh Gad’s YouTube series, “Reunited Apart”, I highly recommend it. He created this web series following the stay-at-home orders during COVID-19, raising money for charity by reuniting the cast and crew from cult classic movies via video chat. So far, we’ve seen episodes on Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Splash, Lord of the Rings, and more! Josh Gad is the Disney star behind the voice of Olaf from the Frozen franchise, LeFou in the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, and most recently as Mulch Diggums in Artemis Fowl. Watching Reunited Apart got me intrigued by what was behind Gad – I don’t mean his motivation, I’m talking about what’s literally behind him: the posters on the wall of his home office wall! The following is an insight into Gad’s office decor as well as their Disney connections. Table of Contents Apple’s “Think Different” ad featuring Jim Henson and KermitFrozen Gold RecordFrozen Concept Art LandscapeBook of MormonThe ComediansUnknown Enchanted Rose PosterUnknown Artwork Apple’s “Think Different” ad featuring Jim Henson and Kermit In 1997, advertising agency TBWA\Chiat\Day launched their “Think Different” campaign for Apple Computer, in response to their competitor, IBM’s “Think” campaign. Apple attempted to […]
21
Jun
2020
A Complete List of Walt Disney World Restaurants With Outdoor Seating Options
Last updated: May 24, 2021 As Walt Disney World re-opens following the COVID-19 related closures, we’re starting to think about how our park-going experience will change. The following is a complete list of all Walt Disney World dining locations with outdoor seating available. In the case of table service dining, outdoor seating will need to be requested upon check-in and not guaranteed. Please also note that not all locations will be open/available during the re-opening period (and beyond), so be sure to check the latest official information and make sure you have a backup plan! Need more help in navigating your trip back to the most magical place on earth? Give us a call or text for your no-obligation quote. We are an Authorized Vacation Planner affiliated with MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel. Reach Daniel at 931-4-WANDER (931-492-6337) or e-mail us when you’re ready to plan your next trip! Table of Contents Why Outdoor Dining?Magic KingdomEpcotDisney’s Hollywood StudiosDisney’s Animal KingdomDisney SpringsDisney Resort Hotels Why Outdoor Dining? When the weather and temperature cooperate, al fresco (translating to “fresh air”) dining can be a fun way to enjoy your meal. One of our favorite parts about going to a Disney park is the food and […]
15
Jun
2020
Would Walt Disney Have Supported The Black Lives Matter Movement?
Published on June 15, 2020 Though the following is an opinion piece, it’s presented with facts and sources cited via links. You may agree with it or you may not. I won’t pretend to have known Walt Disney personally or know his true decision-making process. I did, however, grow up under his influence and from an early age felt admiration for the man I wish I did know. With a lifetime of Disney knowledge, a handy book of Walt quotes, and drawing from interviews with those who did indeed have first-hand encounters with the man, I set out to put together the following post to help others understand Walt’s mindset – specifically on the topic of our nation’s (really our world’s) struggle to overcome racism. Disney is not escapism During a recent discussion about wearing a facemask in the Disney Parks following the COVID-19 pandemic, a friend of mine (and fellow Walt admirer) opened my eyes to the fact that Disney isn’t and shouldn’t be a form of escapism. This sentiment of “escapism” was raised again as Disney began vocalizing their support for their Black employees and fans following the recent Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests across the world, flared […]
6
Jun
2020
Partners: The History, Details, and Insight Into Walt & Mickey’s Most Famous Statue
Some people just walk by it without giving it a second thought. Others have a family tradition to take a photo in front of it during every visit. With five locations around the world, the Partners statue is more than just a likeness of Walt and Mickey – it’s a symbol of the legacy that a man and a mouse left behind which touches all of us. Table of Contents BackgroundHistoryStatue DetailsCurrent LocationsDisneyland ParkMagic KingdomTokyo DisneylandWalt Disney Studios (Burbank)Walt Disney Studios ParkLegacyRelated StatuesSharing the MagicStorytellersUnnamed Dreamers Point StatueMerchandisePop CultureMoviesTVVideo GamesWrap-UpRelated Links Background The Partners statue isn’t the first piece of artwork showing Walt and Mickey holding hands with one another. Back in 1981, Disney Legend Charles Boyer created the first version of Partners, a lithograph poster in the style of Norman Rockwell that was given out to cast members commemorating Disneyland’s 200 millionth guest. Boyer’s poster (and legacy) was so beloved that he was later honored with a window on Main Street in Disneyland advertising the master illustrator’s “Partners Portrait Gallery”. Further proof of the admiration for Partners came in 1987 when Disney CEO Michael Eisner requested that the Disneyland Employees Federal Credit Union change its name to remove the […]
5
Jun
2020
10 Of The Coolest Disney Related Locations Where You Can Spend The Night
Most Disney related locations listed on our site make for a good day trip or a quick visit, but there are a good amount that you can actually spend the night. The following is our list of what we consider to be the absolute coolest Disney related locations where you can check-in and spend the night. Wigwam Motel Fans of Pixar’s Cars franchise will be happy to know that the Cozy Cone exists in real life… sort of! The Wigwam Motel is a chain of motels first established in the 1930s whose rooms are giant, teepee structures forming a semi-circle around the lobby. Pixar filmmakers were obviously inspired by this concept during the development of Cars, as evident by the Cozy Cone’s larger-than-life orange caution cone rooms. Today, you can stay in one of two Wigwam’s while cruising down Route 66: one in Holbrook, Arizona, and another in San Bernardino, California. Finse 1222 Hotel Only accessible by train or on foot, this 41-room hotel in the far, far away village of Finse, Norway is gateway to the spectacular Hardangerjøkulen glacier. The glacier is known to locals and tourists alike simply as “Hoth” as it was the primary filming location for scenes on the […]
31
May
2020
Location Updates (May 2020)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site since our last update: Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Wallilabou Anchorage Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round Beetle House NYC Beetle House LA Studebaker National Museum Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library Griffith Observatory St Abbs Harbour Rock Cafe 66 Drive-In Theatre Cars on the Route Cafe Midpoint Cafe Flo’s V8 Cafe Wigwam Motel (Holbrook) Wigwam Motel (San Bernardino) Cozy Cone Motel Jack Rabbit Trading Post Hackberry General Store Sandhills Curiosity Shop Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum S.S. Columbia The Queen Mary Guest Cabin at Bouckaert Farm Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit Chichén Itzá Mexico Pavilion Pyramid (Epcot) Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast
8
May
2020
7 Real-Life Locations From The Disney+ Series Prop Culture
The Disney+ series Prop Culture takes viewers on a journey to discover rare props, costumes, and sets from a variety of Disney movies. In each episode, host Dan Lanigan takes on a different film from the Disney universe and seeks out the iconic items that helped bring each motion picture to life. Oftentimes, Dan would reunite the artifact with the cast or crew members who were involved with the original production. “In a movie, every detail, no matter how small, is designed to tell you something” – Prop Culture Host, Dan Lanigan Most of the items featured in the series are shown in the Disney Archives, Walt Disney Studios, or in the residence of private collectors which are generally off-limits to the public. In some instances, Dan takes the audience on the road to visit people and places around the world with connections to the movies they’re exploring. The following list documents each of the places seen in the first season of the show that you can visit in real-life. Each place is also a WanderDisney location listing on our website – you can click on the name below to see more info, including tips on how to visit them. Table […]
26
Apr
2020
Real Life vs. Disney Quiz – Epcot Edition
Think you can tell the difference between real-life historic landmarks and their Epcot clones in the World Showcase? Take our quiz below and test your knowledge! How’d you do? Are you an Epcot pro or did you spend too much time in the Rose & Crown? Leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram with your results!
25
Apr
2020
Location Updates (April 2020)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site since our last update: Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – A New Dimension Of Chills El Capitan Theatre Pont des Arts Bridge (Paris) Pont des Arts Bridge (Epcot) Grete Waitz Statue (Oslo) Grete Waitz Statue (Epcot) Le Cellier Steakhouse Fairmont Château Laurier St. George’s Fountain (Rothenburg ob der Tauber) St. George’s Fountain (Epcot) Akershus Fortress Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Reflections of China Temple of Heaven Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese St. Paul’s Cathedral
16
Apr
2020
Virtual Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunt
Stuck at home? Missing Disney? We put together this virtual scavenger hunt to help keep the magic alive! The best part is: you can play from anywhere you have an internet connection! There are literally hundreds of Hidden Mickeys (three circles shaped to form a resemblance to Mickey Mouse – like this: °o° ) scattered around the Disney Parks, but did you know that some can be seen from space?!? Luckily, Google Maps offers a satellite view that gives us a way to find them from home! For each Hidden Mickey on our list, we’ll give you three clues with hints on how to find it, plus a map of the general area that the Mickey is hiding in. Scroll past the map to reveal where it is plus some background on why it’s there. Good luck and have fun! Mickey #1 Clue 1: You can no longer race around looking for it. Clue 2: Take some time to ponder its location. Clue 3: It can be found near a lot of heroes and villains. Answer Sitting just south of the Magic Kingdom’s “Heroes and Villians” parking lot, this mouse-shaped lake (aptly named: Lake Mickey) was encircled by the former […]
14
Apr
2020
Top 10 Places I Want To Sit But Can’t: Walt Disney World Edition
When Walt Disney World closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of chairs, stools, benches, couches, and sofas on Disney property remained without a warm tush to keep them company. As tragic as this may have seemed, it’s not a new concept for the Disney Parks. In normal operation, there are many surfaces upon which to sit, that you’re simply not allowed to. In this blog post, I’ll list my top 10 most desired seating locations. These are the places that I’ve always wondered what it would be like to spend some time, either relaxing with a new perspective or having the thrill of directing your buttocks to be part of the magic in a restricted area. 10. The couch in the moon landing scene of Spaceship Earth As uncomfortable as that couch looks, I’d love to know what it would feel like to cozy up with a couple of animatronics and watch moon landing footage on a continuous loop. If that gets boring, I could always roll around the shag carpet and play Mouse Trap. 9. Walt Disney’s second grade school desk Stuck behind a Plexiglas barricade in One Man’s Dream, Walt’s boyhood desk is one of only […]
26
Mar
2020
A Show About… Disney? Here’s Every Real And Spectacular Seinfeld-Disney Connection That You Need To Know About
Seinfeld touts itself as a show about nothing, but indulge me for a moment: deep down it’s really a show about Disney. No, I’m not some sort of Svenjolly – I’m just a guy who loves both Seinfeld and Disney and set out to bring you undisputed evidence that the entire premise of the greatest sitcom of all time is really just one big tribute to the greatest corporation of all time. The facts below are too numerous to be considered a coincidence. Yada, yada, keep reading to see what I mean. The Fab Four Let’s start by breaking down the fundamentals of our friend group so you can start to see the true Bizzaro world: Jerry: the leader of the club that’s made for you and me is clearly our Mickey Mouse. They’re both funny, clever, thin, and neat (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and the glue that binds the whole gang together. The main difference between the two is that Mickey sometimes wants to be a pirate. George: Jerry’s best friend from childhood is George. Typically angry, this short, stocky, slow-witted, bald man is very akin to Donald Duck both physically and in his temperament. Though, […]
29
Feb
2020
Location Updates (February 2020)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site since our last update: Magic of Disney (MCO East Hall) Nærøyfjord Håkonshallen (Haakon’s Hall) Frozen Ever After Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Inc. Brooklyn Lab School Bryggen Fløyen Mountain The Fjording Stage Theater an der Elbe Koutoubia Minaret (Epcot) Koutoubia Mosque Restaurant Marrakesh Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou Cinema Studio Atlas Chellah Minaret (Epcot) Chellah Necropolis Bab Boujouloud (Fez) Bab Boujouloud (Epcot) Clock of the Abu Inania Medersa (Fez) Clock of the Abu Inania Medersa (Epcot) Najjarine Fountain (Fez) Najjarine Fountain (Epcot)
24
Feb
2020
Treasures of Morocco: Finding Epcot’s Real-Life Landmarks
During a big backpacking trip overseas, we had an opportunity to visit the real-life Kingdom of Morocco, the inspiration for the Epcot pavilion. Our journey took us (mostly) cross-country, from Marrakesh to Fez, in an attempt to visit the major sights while taking in the local flavors of the country. We got to see every Moroccan-Epcot landmark plus a few more Disney related things. Read on for our itinerary and trip recap. Table of Contents Days 1-4: MarrakeshDays 5-6: OuarzazateDay 7: CasablancaDay 8: RabatDays 9-10: FezWrap-Up Days 1-4: Marrakesh As the starting point for our trip, Marrakesh proved to be our favorite city. While not the biggest, this city really felt like the hub of activity for the country. Its bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square was the focal point for the action, especially as night falls and the square comes alive with vendors, magicians, storytellers, acrobats, and peddlers. The square sits in the shadow of Koutoubia Mosque’s towering minaret, the city’s iconic symbol, and our first Disney location. Disney Parks fans will instantly recognize this as the landmark structure in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion. Seeing the real thing is quite different. Its minaret (a mosque’s tower used to announce the call to prayer) […]
17
Jan
2020
A Perfect Disney Day In Bergen, Norway
Thinking of visiting the Scandanavian homeland of Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and the rest of your Frozen friends? Want to see Epcot locations in real life? As Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen can provide it all and even more Disney magic. From its charming portside village to its surrounding green mountains, this city’s small-town feel makes a great starting point for your Norwegian adventure. From here, you can spend some time relaxing, checking out the sites, or enjoying nature before taking a flight, train, cruise, or even hike out along Norway’s incredibly organized network of trails and cabins to your next destination. Our Disney day starts off with a stroll from our Airbnb in Skuteviken, a residential area just north of the city center. This seems to be where more of the affordable Airbnbs are, and being within walking distance to the main tourist sights makes it an ideal neighborhood to stay in. Following the main road down just a few minutes south brought us to our first stop: Bergenhus Festning. This festning (or fortress) castle is one of the oldest and best-preserved stone fortifications in Norway with buildings dating as far back as 1240. Of the buildings still standing, a medieval […]
30
Nov
2019
Location Updates (November 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Magic of Disney Disney’s Magical Express Disney Cruise Line – Port Canaveral Disney’s Castaway Cay Hampton Court Palace Sportsman’s Shoppe The Salem Museum Pioneer Village Ropes Mansion Washington Irving’s Sunnyside Sleepy Hollow Refreshments Old Dutch Church and Burying Ground Hero Turned Villain by Jerkface Baby by Jerkface
24
Nov
2019
Our Favorite Easter Eggs From Frozen 2 (Plot Spoiler-Free)
Just 6 years after the release of the original Frozen, we meet Anna, Elsa, and the rest of the gang for a new adventure in Frozen 2. Without giving away any of the film’s (often) complex plot, we present you with some of our favorite Frozen 2 easter eggs. If you’re not familiar with easter eggs, think of them like little hidden treasures that the filmmakers placed in the movie that usually references something outside of the film’s universe. Disney character cameos Early on in the film, we see a flashback to Anna and Elsa as kids playing with a set of Elsa-created snow dolls. Look closely at the figurines and you’ll recognize some distinctly familiar friends, including Dumbo (Anna’s left hand in the image below), Baymax from Big Hero 6 (directly under Dumbo), Bolt (next to Baymax), and Snow White (second figure to the left of Anna). Speaking of Baymax, did you know that Big Hero 6 has a Frozen cameo? Released the year after Frozen, fans of the 2014 superhero flick might also remember that Hans showed up as a statue used for target practice to demonstrate Baymax’s rocket upgrades. Olaf becomes a hidden Mickey Frozen 2 brings us the insight […]
31
Oct
2019
Location Updates (October 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Fentons Creamery Pacific Conservatory of Music Maritime Museum of San Diego Lang House (Fictional) The Proscenium Porsche Experience Center Atlanta Eiffel Tower (Epcot) Lucasfilm Headquarters Yoda Fountain The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure The Little Mermaid Statue (Den lille Havfrue) Palace of Fine Arts McCallister House (Fictional) Katz’s Delicatessen
26
Oct
2019
A Photo Tour of the Lucasfilm Headquarters in San Francisco
A hidden gem in a beautiful city, Lucasfilm’s San Francisco Headquarters is made up of four buildings collectively known as the Letterman Digital Arts Center. This corporate campus is a working production facility, home to Industrial Light & Magic, ILMxLAB, Lucasfilm Animation, Consumer Products, Digital Media, and Franchise Management divisions. The Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises put this company on the map and The Walt Disney Company has been working hard to grow them since acquiring Lucasfilm in 2012. 17 of the campus’s 23 acres are beautifully landscaped public property inside the city’s historic Presidio Park, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Just down the road in the park, you can find the Walt Disney Family Museum. When entering Lucasfilm from Letterman Drive (south side), the first thing you’ll notice is a serine courtyard with Dagobah’s most famous resident in the center. Star of the Star Wars franchise, this iconic Yoda Fountain sculpted by Bay-area resident, Lawrence Noble, is open to the public 24-hours a day. On the opposite side of Yoda is the entrance to Lucasfilm. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t offer public tours, but this lobby area is open to visitors Monday through Fridays during working […]
31
Aug
2019
Location Updates (August 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: National Museum of the US Air Force Rosie’s All-American Café Reynisfjara Beach Island of Gan RAF Greenham Common Tikal National Park Canary Wharf Tube Station CBS Studio Center Times Square Crossroads of the World (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) Crossroads of the World (Hollywood) Monterey Bay Aquarium Great Barrier Reef Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) Stave Church Gallery Sverresborg Trøndelag Folkemuseum (Sverresborg Trøndelag Folk Museum) Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel St. Olaf’s Church Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate Floating Torii Gate (Epcot) Unnamed Structure (Lars Family Homestead) Mos Espa Film Set Sidi Bouhlel Plaza de España Villa del Balbianello Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park Trattoria Il Mulino (Atlantic City, NJ) Trattoria Il Mulino (Nashville, TN) Trattoria Il Mulino (Walt Disney World Swan Hotel) Pixar Pal-A-Round Luna Park Pool Luna Park (Coney Island) Coney Island Boardwalk Atlantic City Boardwalk Disney’s BoardWalk Lobby Lucy the Elephant Leaping Horse Libations Albuquerque Museum
26
Aug
2019
A Photo Tour Of The BoardWalk’s Hidden Disney Castles
As a Disney fan, you’ve likely wandered the lobby of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and checked out the neat models of carousels and roller coasters. You might have even spotted a model of Lucy the Elephant on the fireplace mantel, but if you look a bit higher up, you’ll notice an even grander decorative element – a series of framed paintings that hold a deep Disney secret. Just above the reception area and on the opposite wall, you’ll see a total of 6 gold-plated carousel rounding boards. A “rounding board” is the proper name for those framed scenes hung just below the canopy of amusement park carousels. On Prince Charming Regal Carrousel in the Magic Kingdom, you can find 18 rounding boards with hand-painted vignettes from Disney’s classic 1950 film Cinderella. The ones hanging in the BoardWalk lobby pay tribute to the carousels found on the Atlantic City and Coney Island boardwalks of the 1920s that the resort was based on. At first glance, they may just look like generic scenes, but on closer inspection, we find 6 different real-life Disney castles hidden among the landscape. It’s really a salute to all castles, but mostly Disney ones. Sleeping Beauty Castle (Disneyland […]
9
Aug
2019
Walt Disney World Post-Trip Suggestions from a Zero-Waste Perspective
Congrats! You’ve survived your zero-waste journey to The Most Magical Place On Earth! Zero-waste in Walt Disney World doesn’t have to stop when you get home, though. Put your MagicBands in a safe place for your next trip and read on. Provide Feedback Disney listens to and values feedback. It’s true. You may have been asked to take a survey after a phone call or been stopped in the parks for a few questions from a cast member with a tablet. Either way, definitely expect a survey e-mailed to you shortly after your trip. Take these seriously and provide your thoughts. They’ll ask you what you liked and what they can do better. Let them know honestly. Things that frustrate you, especially zero-waste frustrations, are likely to frustrate others. By providing this feedback, we can help shape further environmental efforts bigger and better than plastic straw and shopping bag bans! If you don’t get a survey then reach out with a call (407-939-6104), email ([email protected]), or Tweet (@WDWToday). If a certain Cast Member made an attempt to accommodate your request or go above-and-beyond the call of duty, feel free to Tweet @WDWToday with the hashtag #CastCompliment to recognize their efforts. […]
9
Aug
2019
A Zero-Waste Guide For Souvenir and Gift Shopping While at the Walt Disney World Resort
Zero-wasters don’t have to visit The Most Magical Place On Earth and come home empty-handed. In this post, we’ll give you tips, tricks, and ideas for shopping, spending, and gift-giving in a sustainable way. Table of Contents Shopping AdviceDigital Gift CardsFinding Digital Gift CardsLoading Money on to Digital Gift CardsUsing Digital Gift CardsLoading Digital Cards into Apple Pay and Google Pay (Android)Combining Digital Gift CardsWhat to BuyExperiencesDigital GiftsConsumablesPhysical ItemsWhat Not to Buy Shopping Advice It’s inevitable that you’ll get sucked into a shopping trip while in Walt Disney World. In some cases, you’re forced to exit through the gift shop after a ride or show. If you’re with kids, you’ll also get the sad eyes look as Disney shops are chock full of toys and bright colors. The pillars of zero-waste advise that you use what you have, borrow, rent, thrift/buy used, or create anything you need before buying something new. That’s not to say you can’t treat yourself from time-to-time or buy something that makes you happy, is useful, and will last a long time (does it spark joy in your life?). If you’ve read our post with Packing Tips For a Zero-Waste Trip to Walt Disney World, you’ll know that Disney […]
9
Aug
2019
The Complete Zero-Waste Guide to Dining and Drinking at the Walt Disney World Resort
Last updated: June 7, 2023. This guide was written prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns. Some aspects of this article may have changed as Disney returns to normal operations. While we strive to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, Disney changes things constantly. If something needs updating, let us know in the comments below or by contacting us. Eating and drinking in Walt Disney World is a magical experience; From booze to Mickey-shaped snacks, we’ll show you how to enjoy it all and cut out the waste. We’ll even make sure you’ll stay hydrated in the hot Florida sun. It does take a little bit of planning, but with the right tools and knowledge, you’ll go from zero to zero-waste hero in no time flat! Table of Contents Disney and Food SafetyEatingTable Service MealsQuick Service MealsLocations That Don’t Use DisposablesLocations With A Toppings BarSnacksBulk CandyPackage-Free Snack OptionsLow-Waste Snack OptionsDrinkingWaterLocations With Filtered Water On TapCoffee, Tea and Soft DrinksGetting Your Caffeine FixWhere To Find Soft DrinksAlcoholBar Locations That Don’t Use DisposablesWrap-Up Disney and Food Safety If you’re already living life with zero-waste, then you’re used to bringing your own containers to cafes and coffee shops and asking them to put food […]
9
Aug
2019
Zero-Waste with Babies and Kids at the Walt Disney World Resort
As new parents, we’re starting to learn the ins-and-outs of a Walt Disney World trip with our own little one after years of park hopping with our nieces and nephews. Here’s our best advice for the do’s and don’ts in order to make your zero-waste trip go as smoothly as possible. If you have any more suggestions or experiences, feel free to leave a comment below or drop us a note! Table of Contents Cloth DiaperingBreastfeeding and Bottle FeedingBaby FoodKids’ Meals Cloth Diapering Those wanting to reduce waste from disposables should carry some extra inserts and a wet bag around during the day. All restrooms have changing tables, but seek out your park’s Baby Care Center for larger, more comfortable tables and a quiet setting. Our best advice would also be to keep diapering items in your stroller or pay for a locker rental so you don’t have to lug them around all day. If you plan to wash dirty items during your stay, one and two-bedroom Deluxe Villa accommodations offer an in-room, private washer and dryer set. All other resort stays will need to use shared, self-service laundry rooms. Either way, only single-use detergent packets are offered to you, […]
9
Aug
2019
Six Ways to Make Your Walt Disney World Hotel Stay More Eco-Friendly
You’ve arrived at The Most Magical Place On Earth… feeling overwhelmed yet? Settle in while we present you with our top ways to make your Walt Disney World hotel stay more environmentally friendly. 1. Consider Declining Housekeeping Since we started our zero-waste lifestyle, we find ourselves keeping the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the room door all the time anyway in an effort to prevent towels from being unnecessarily washed, tiny toiletries from being tossed, and barely used garbage bags from being replaced. Walt Disney World‘s value and moderate level resorts might offer you an option to participate in a program called Service Your Way which allows you to decline housekeeping services for the duration of your stay in exchange for $10 per night in the form of a digital Disney gift card. The gift card gets e-mailed to you right after checking in and can be used during your trip. You can find tips and hacks for using digital gift cards in our Zero-Waste Shopping Guide. While we love the idea of saving resources and money, we often think twice about the social impact of taking part in this program. With insight from the Sierra Club, we realize that […]
9
Aug
2019
Packing Tips For a Zero-Waste Trip to Walt Disney World
Packing as light as possible will also help reduce emissions during travel, but there are a few key things we recommend every traveling never leaves home without. This isn’t your typical packing list – we designed it to make you a zero-waste warrior on the road. A lot of these items can be used for any type of travel (and really everyday life) but we’ll provide reasons for bringing them to and tips for how to use them specifically in Walt Disney World. Some of these tips might even save you money! We should also preface this page by letting you know that we’ve linked to a number of products that we find useful in maintaining a Zero-Waste lifestyle. In keeping with the spirit of minimal environmental impact, however, we encourage you to (in this order) borrow, rent, thrift/buy used, or create any/all of these items before you consider buying them brand new online or in a store. The links we provide are intended as examples of the types of products you should look for. Table of Contents Zero-Waste EssentialsWater BottleHot/Cold TumblerUtensil and Straw KitCloth NapkinFood ContainersRubber BandsShopping BagsToiletriesDurable Toiletry CaseSunscreenDeodorantSoap and ShampooToothbrush, Toothpaste, FlossClothingRaincoatExtra SocksExtra LayersLaundry DetergentWrap-Up Zero-Waste Essentials […]
9
Aug
2019
Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Zero-Waste Walt Disney World Vacation
On this page, we’ll cover all aspects of planning your next Walt Disney World trip: Should you drive or fly? Stay on-property or off? Take advantage of the dining plan or not? We’ll help break it down for you and provide some ideas on how to keep the environment in mind when thinking about your next trip to Walt Disney World. Table of Contents TransportationDriveFlyTrainBusAccommodationsMagicBandsCar RentalsDining PlanningDisney Dining PlanSaving For Your TripWrap-Up Transportation One way to reduce your carbon footprint is by choosing a mode of transportation with the lowest environmental impact. There are many factors that go into this and organizations like Carbon Fund and TerraPass have made it easy to calculate an approximate value and offer you a way to offset your impact. Playing with the calculators and understanding the statistics shows that long distances by car are typically the worst offenders when it comes to emissions. Now, this can change depending on your car’s fuel efficiency and the number of passengers you’re traveling with. Assuming around 1,000 miles (New York to Orlando), travel by car emits about 0.35 tonnes CO2 (assuming ~28 MPG) while bus tends to be the best here (~0.07 tonnes CO2) due to the […]
31
Jul
2019
Location Updates (July 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Randy’s Donuts Queens Museum Cleveland Public Square Grand Central Terminal Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway TCL Chinese Theatre Queens Museum Flushing Meadows Corona Park Chillon Castle Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid U-Drop Inn Ramone’s House of Body Art Walt Disney Presents Wadi Rum Havasu Falls Skellig Michael Unnamed Structure (Ben Kenobi’s Home) Indian Canyons Golf Resort Walt Disney’s Palm Springs Home Smoke Tree Ranch Partners Statue (Disneyland Park) Partners Statue (Magic Kingdom) Partners Statue (Tokyo Disneyland) Partners Statue (Walt Disney Studios) Partners Statue (Walt Disney Studios Park) The Walt Disney Studios Television Hall of Fame Garden Soaring: Fantastic Flight Tokyo Tower
29
Jul
2019
Where and How to Charge Your EV on Walt Disney World Property
Last updated: July 18, 2022 While we strive to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, Disney changes things constantly. If something needs updating, let us know in the comments or contact us. Whether you have an electric vehicle (EV) like a Tesla, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt EV/EUV, BMW i3 or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) like a Toyota Prius Prime or Chevy Volt, you’ll likely need a place to charge up your car on your next trip down to WDW. This guide will provide you with complete information on where to charge up on your next trip down to the place where dreams come true. Table of Contents IntroductionAvailable Charging StationsTheme ParksMagic KingdomEpcotDisney’s Hollywood StudiosDisney’s Animal KingdomDisney SpringsLime Parking GarageOrange Parking GarageGrapefruit Parking GarageWalt Disney World Resort HotelsDisney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani VillageDisney’s Coronado Springs ResortDisney’s Fort WildernessDisney’s Old Key West ResortDisney’s Riviera ResortDisney’s Wilderness LodgeOfficial Walt Disney World HotelsWalt Disney World DolphinWyndham Bonnet CreekHilton Orlando Bonnet CreekWaldorf Astoria OrlandoShades of GreenFour Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney WorldWrap-Up Introduction Disney has partnered with ChargePoint to provide stations at all four parks, Disney Springs, and a growing number of Disney owned resort hotels. These stations are Level […]
11
Jul
2019
Re-Living Walt Disney’s Past: Exploring the Grounds of the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair
As a New York native and massive Epcot fan, I can’t help but think Disney when hearing about the 1964/65 New York World’s Fair. During a recent trip back to New York, I had the opportunity to wander the grounds where it once stood in an effort to find remnants of its lasting legacy. Table of Contents Background of the 1964/65 FairWalt’s Involvement“it’s a small world”Carousel TheaterMagic Skyway Great Moments with Mr. LincolnThe FairgroundsGetting ThereThe Queens MuseumPanorama of the City of New YorkWorld’s Fair Visual Storage and GalleryFlushing Meadows Corona ParkThe UnisphereDepiction in FilmEtched Granite PavementSites of the former Disney attractionsWrap-UpRelated Links Background of the 1964/65 Fair The idea for a fair in New York was conceived by a group of businessmen who held a nostalgic fondness for their childhood visits to the city’s 1939 fair. Approaching the 25th anniversary, the group brought the idea to mayor Wagner who conducted a feasibility study. Upon favorable results, the mayor hired master planner Robert Moses to take the reigns. The fair’s theme of “Peace through Understanding” was brought to life on 646 acres of Queen’s Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the very same grounds of the1939 one. Amidst a cold war, the public […]
30
Jun
2019
Location Updates (June 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Center For Puppetry Arts T-Rex Cafe Yak & Yeti Restaurant Rainforest Cafe (Ikspiari) Rainforest Cafe (Disney Village) Rainforest Cafe (Disney Springs) Rainforest Cafe (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) Rainforest Cafe (Sunrise, FL) Rainforest Cafe (Niagara Falls, Canada) Rainforest Cafe (London, UK) Rainforest Cafe (Dubai, UAE) Rainforest Cafe (Ontario, California) Rainforest Cafe (Las Vegas, NV) Rainforest Cafe (Tempe, AZ) Rainforest Cafe (Galveston, TX) Rainforest Cafe (Grapevine, TX) Rainforest Cafe (Katy, TX) Rainforest Cafe (San Antonio, TX) Rainforest Cafe (Bloomington, MN) Rainforest Cafe (Chicago, IL) Rainforest Cafe (Gurnee, IL) Rainforest Cafe (Schaumburg, IL) Rainforest Cafe (Auburn Hills, MI) Rainforest Cafe (Nashville, TN) Rainforest Cafe (Niagara Falls, NY) Rainforest Cafe (Atlantic City, NJ) Rainforest Cafe (Edison, NJ) Shula’s Steak House (Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel) Shula’s Steak House (Naples, FL) Shula’s Steak House (Tampa, FL) Shula’s Steak House (Chandler, AZ) Shula’s Steak House (Chicago, IL) Shula’s Steak House (Gainesville, FL) Shula’s Steak House (Miami Lakes, FL) Shula’s Steak House (Houston, TX) Planet Hollywood (Malta)
19
Jun
2019
The Definitive Guide To Creating A Magical, Disneyfied Road Trip
Let’s face it: sitting in a car for hours on end, even with your best friend, can be boring at times. As experienced road-trippers, we’ve taken our favorite tips and compiled the below guide to help you pass the time while keeping your eyes on the road. Whether on the way to your favorite Disney Park, or trekking down Route 66 in search of the real Cars Land, we hope you can find some new and interesting ideas here to keep your next vacation-by-car as magical as possible. For your safety, remain seated with your seatbelt fastened and your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the blog post at all times… and please supervise children. Thank you. Table of Contents PackingEssentialsCar AccessoriesStops Along The WayEntertainmentGamesBooksMusicSpotifyApple MusicSirius-XMYouTubePodcasts Packing Long trips sitting in one place can get uncomfortable – ease your pain (unless you’re driving, then try your best to stay alert) with these packing tips. Essentials Instead of boring you with a list of practical stuff like roadside emergency and first-aid kits (though they are important and Disney does have an impressive amount of branded Band-Aids available), I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you to pack a few of […]
13
Jun
2019
Highlights from the “Worlds of Puppetry” Museum in Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts
Inside Atlanta’s midtown arts district lives the country’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to the art of puppetry. The Center for Puppetry Arts contains a research library and theater which screens puppet-filled films and performs fully-staged shows for fans of all ages. The pièce de résistance of this building, however, is a beautifully laid out “Worlds of Puppetry” museum which opened in 2015 following a $14 million buildout. We visited this fantastic museum in June 2019. The following is a guide to the exhibits and our favorite parts. Of course, there are many things here that we tried to capture in both photos and words, but we’ll focus mainly on the ones that really struck a chord with us as lifelong Disney and Henson admirers. Table of Contents IntroductionThe Jim Henson CollectionThe Global CollectionThe Dark Crystal: World of Myth and MagicGift ShopWrap-upRelated Links Introduction The Center originally opened in 1978 where Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog were personally “on-hand” for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Since then, this place has emerged as the nation’s premier showcase for the craft. All types of puppetry styles and techniques are touched-on here and museum exhibits rotate fairly regularly (meaning: what you see in the below photos/description […]
31
May
2019
Location Updates (May 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts Walt Disney Concert Hall Pooh Corner Five Hundred Acre Wood Pooh Bridge Cotchford Farm A. A. Milne Memorial Splitsville (Foxborough, MA) Splitsville (Tampa, FL) Splitsville (Miami, FL) House of Blues (Disney Springs) House of Blues (Anaheim, CA) House of Blues (Houston, TX) House of Blues (New Orleans, LA) House of Blues (Chicago, IL) House of Blues (Myrtle Beach, SC) House of Blues (Las Vegas, NV) House of Blues (Cleveland, OH) House of Blues (Dallas, TX) House of Blues (Boston, MA) House of Blues (San Diego, CA) Planet Hollywood (Disney Village) Planet Hollywood (Disney Springs) Planet Hollywood (New York, NY) Planet Hollywood (London, UK) Planet Hollywood (Las Vegas, NV) Planet Hollywood (LAX Airport) Earl of Sandwich (Downtown Disney) Earl of Sandwich (Disney Springs) Earl of Sandwich (Disney Village) Earl of Sandwich (Boca Raton, FL) Earl of Sandwich (Lake Worth, FL) Earl of Sandwich (MIA Airport) Earl of Sandwich (Okeechobee, FL) Earl of Sandwich (Port St. Lucie, FL) Earl of Sandwich (St. Petersburg, FL) Earl of Sandwich (Tampa, FL – Westchase) Earl of Sandwich (Tampa, FL – International Plaza) Earl of […]
15
May
2019
Meeting the Original Winnie-the-Pooh (and Tigger, too)
Having just seen the new Christopher Robin film on a recent flight to New York City, I felt inspired to visit some old friends while in town. I had seen them years ago, but it had been a while and I wanted to check up on them to make sure they were in good shape while living in The Big Apple. I made my way to the main branch of the New York Public Library, a historic building on famed Fifth Avenue, spanning from 40th to 42nd Street. You might recognize its exterior, guarded by two marble lions named Patience and Fortitude, from the 1984 cult classic, Ghostbusters. After passing through the main entrance and a quick security check, I follow signs to the Children’s Center – it’s where my friends have been calling home for over 30 years. The arrows point toward a long corridor, down a winding set of stairs into the basement, and through a narrow hallway. A set of LEGO lions by artist Nathan Sawaya emerged to greet visitors into the brightly colored room. Once inside, it didn’t take long to find my old friends… There they were! My pals, waiting for me with open arms (as […]
30
Apr
2019
Location Updates (April 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Hurricane Falls Banaue Rice Terraces High Museum of Art 50th Street Station (NYC Subway System, 1 Line) Every Adventure Requires A First Step by Jerkface Robin by Jerkface and Owen Dippie Salt & Straw (Downtown Disney) Salt & Straw (Ballard) Salt & Straw (Capitol Hill) Salt & Straw (Palo Alto) Salt & Straw (Burlingame) Salt & Straw (Pacific Heights) Salt & Straw (Hayes Valley) Salt & Straw (Little Italy) Salt & Straw (Del Mar) Salt & Straw (Larchmont) Salt & Straw (Venice Beach) Salt & Straw (Studio City) Salt & Straw (Arts District) Salt & Straw (West Hollywood) Salt & Straw (NE Alberta) Salt & Straw (SE Division) Salt & Straw (Lake Oswego) Salt & Straw (NW 23rd) Pinewood Atlanta Studios Leipzig/Halle Airport Harper Goff Mural by Chris Bates Harper Goff’s Childhood Home Old Town, Fort Collins Lincoln Memorial Park Ruth Disney’s Home
25
Apr
2019
A Tour of Harper Goff’s Fort Collins, the Inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A.
When Walt Disney was ideating Disneyland, he wanted to build a special place where families can come to enjoy a day together. The centerpiece of that place would be a storybook castle, and the introduction to that place would be a walk through nostalgia: a turn-of-the-century Main Street, U.S.A. Main Street is everyone’s hometown – the heartline of America. – Walt Disney Walt envisioned Main Street in the vein of his own hometown of Marceline, MO but delegated the nuts and bolts of the design to his newest and most talented designer, Harper Goff. Having grown up in Fort Collins, Colorado, Goff took Walt’s vision and made it his own. When I started working on Main Street, I had photographs of Fort Collins taken. I showed them to Walt and he liked them very much. – Harper Goff Today, many of the original buildings that Goff grew up with are still standing, and the trip up to this city (an hour north of Denver) is worth the price of the rental car. Its small-town charm and friendly inhabitants will leave you wondering why you don’t live there yourself. We start our tour just south of the town’s main drag on […]
18
Apr
2019
Visiting Salt & Straw’s First Ever Scoop Shop
Since opening in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney in October 2018, Salt & Straw has quickly become a fan favorite, with lines forming out the door to try unique flavors like Dandelion Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies & Cream and Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese. The team behind the phenomenon are cousins Kim and Tyler Malek. Their passion for creating farm-to-cone ice cream in novel flavors (both sweet and savory), made in small batches from locally sourced ingredients gave the shop an edge on its competition. Disney took notice and brought them onboard during a recent re-Imagineering of Disneyland’s shopping district. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salt & Straw Ice Cream (@saltandstraw) on Aug 13, 2018 at 2:01pm PDT Salt & Straw first opened up operations as a traveling food cart back in 2011. The name was chosen based on how ice cream was originally made, using rock salt to freeze, then straw to insulate to it. After a few months of national press and overwhelming success, the cart was retired and a brick and mortar store welcomed its first guests at 2035 NE Alberta Street. While we have yet to check out the Disneyland location, we were […]
31
Mar
2019
Location Updates (March 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Jim Henson’s Bench Sardi’s Restaurant Muppet Dawn Sculpture Rainbow Connection Bridge Birthplace of Kermit The Frog Museum Newby Hall & Gardens Battersea Park Portofino Village Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta Venetian Gondolas (Attraction) Rimembranze (Shop) Grand Canal of Venice Doge’s Palace Il Bel Cristallo/La Gemma Elegante Columns of San Marco and San Todaro (Venice) Columns of San Marco and San Todaro (Epcot) St Mark’s Campanile (Venice) St Mark’s Campanile (Epcot) Disney Store (Venice, Italy) Ponte Vecchio Duck 3 by Matt Gondek Donald Mural by Matt Gondek Capitol Theatre Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Disney Store (Times Square, New York City) New York Public Library (Main Branch) The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience Center of Science and Industry American Banjo Museum
28
Mar
2019
Our Review of Frozen on Broadway
Update: Unfortunately, the Broadway version of Frozen the Musical is now closed. The below review reflects our experience seeing it in 2018 and the thoughts and information will mostly hold true for all international and touring versions of the show. Based on the hit 2013 film of the same name, Frozen the Musical opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in March of 2018 and has since announced a full-scale North American tour and a handful of international openings. Table of Contents IntroductionThe TheaterThe Snack BarThe Gift Shop and SouvenirsThe Production and MusicBringing KidsWrap-upRelated Links Introduction The show features the same songs from the original film by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (whose previous Broadway hits include the very non-kid-friendly lyrics to The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q [although a show about someone who loves Orlando and one about Muppet-like creatures seems oddly appropriate… I digress]), with 12 brand new ones written just for the show, including my personal favorite: Hygge (more on this later). Writer Jennifer Lee, who wrote the original film and its sequel, was brought in as the show’s bookwriter (essentially the one who controls the show’s narrative). I was very impressed that the spirit and tone of the original film were kept alive, expanded on, […]
9
Mar
2019
A Tour of The Jim Henson Exhibit: Imagination Unlimited
This review reflects our visit to the Henson traveling exhibit at the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. This same exhibit will be shown next at The Henry Ford Museum beginning June 4, 2021. Jim Henson has touched all of our lives at one point or another: Big Bird taught you your ABCs, you wondered if Nanny had a face, you swooned over Jareth, you know every word to Rainbow Connection, or you’re Waldo C. Graphic’s number one fan. If you can relate to any (or all) of these, I highly suggest checking out the Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. Read on for our review! Table of Contents IntroductionEarly WorksSesame StreetThe MuppetsImmersive WorldsWrap-upRelated Links Introduction As children, we all live in a world of imagination, of fantasy, and for some of us that world of make-believe continues into adulthood. – Jim Henson This exhibit is a traveling extension of the Museum of the Moving Image‘s permanent Jim Henson Exhibition, which made its traveling debut in 2017 at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture. We caught it during its stop at the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, a location that’s especially meaningful as it’s only a 3-hour drive from Henson’s home town near Leland, […]
28
Feb
2019
Location Updates (February 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: Fort Bard Uyuni Salt Flat Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (Disneyland Park) Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (Disneyland Paris) Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (Tokyo Disneyland) Town Square (Hong Kong Disneyland) Muppet*Vision 3D Site of Laugh-O-Gram Studio Walt Disney’s Birthplace (Chicago) Disney Family Farm (Marceline) Disney Family Home (31st St, Kansas City) Disney Family Home (Bellefontaine Ave, Kansas City) Disney Family Home (Chicago) Disney Store (Champs-Élysées, Paris) Splitsville (Fredericksburg, VA) Splitsville (Disney Springs) Splitsville (Downtown Disney) Museum of the Moving Image Double by Jerkface Hotel Sidi Driss Hanapepe Town Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa River City Diner The Tam O’Shanter Hardangerjøkulen (Hardanger Glacier) Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Disney’s EarPort Jim Henson Statue Jim Henson’s Star (Hollywood Walk of Fame) Duke Kahanamoku Statue Kilauea Point Lighthouse Finse 1222
17
Feb
2019
Hiking to Hoth: Finding Star Wars in Norway
The most comforting thing a weary traveler could see when stepping off of a train in a remote part of a foreign country is the Rebel Alliance Starbird, discreetly on display. We knew we were in the right place. Welcome to Finse, a tiny mountain village on the shores of Finsevatnet Lake, smack-dab in the middle of Norway‘s hiking country. Only accessible by train (~2.5 hours from Bergen or ~4.5 hours from Oslo) or hiking trail, Finse is as obscure as it can get at first glance, but don’t let its deserted look fool you (besides the railway station, there are only a handful of buildings around you), this place holds a Disney secret… Finse was one of the sites of the Battle of Yavin, the Galactic Civil War that took place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (cue the music)… Evading the dreaded Imperial Starfleet, a group of freedom fighters led by Luke Skywalker has established a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth You see: back in March of 1979, a team of cast and crew descended on Finse to commence production of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Finse and the nearby Hardangerjøkulen would […]
3
Feb
2019
The Best View in Bavaria: Seeing a Disney Castle In Real Life
It’s one thing to visit a castle in a Disney park, but it’s another to stand before the very one that gets credit for inspiring the lot. Neuschwanstein Castle, outside of Munich, Germany, is one to behold and a must-visit for any Disney fan or really anyone that’s dreamt of spending a day in a fairy tale. Not only did it inspire Herb Ryman’s design of the centerpiece for Disneyland, but it is the co-star of all four Soarin’ attractions (DCA, EPCOT, SHDL, and TDS), a restaurant in Disneyland Paris, and a beer named in its honor is served in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion. This Bavarian castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II in 1869 as a retreat but, sadly, he never lived to see its completion or its impact on Disney Parks around the world. This King’s grandfather, Ludwig I, gets credit for creating the first Oktoberfest, a celebration in honor of his wedding day. We knew we had to see this bad boy in-person and on a recent trip to Europe, we made it a priority. With encouragement (in the form of a blog post) from our pals, the Brickers, we charted our course: a day-trip while staying with friends in […]
31
Jan
2019
Location Updates (January 2019)
Here’s a list of new locations that have been added to the site this past month: NBC Studios St. James Theatre Prince Edward Theatre New Amsterdam Theatre The Civic Adelaide Festival Centre Stage Theater Neue Flora Dentsu Shiki Theatre Minskoff Theatre Lyceum Theatre Stage Theater im Hafen Shiki Theatre Natsu AFAS Circustheater Teatro Lope de Vega Festival of the Lion King (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) Festival of the Lion King (Hong Kong Disneyland) Finding Nemo – The Musical Walt Disney Grand Theatre Stage Apollo Theater Stage Theater an der Elbe Nagoya Shiki Theatre Osaka Shiki Theatre Hokkaido Shiki Theatre The Walt Disney Family Museum Walt Disney’s Uncle Robert’s House Walt’s Uncle Robert’s Garage Walt and Roy’s Home Walt and Lillian’s First Apartment Walt and Lillian’s Second Apartment Walt and Lillian’s Lyric Avenue Home Disney Family Home on Woking Way Disney Family Home on Carolwood Drive Forest Lawn Memorial Park Fantasyland Station (Walt Disney World Railroad) Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Golden Oak Ranch Kingswell Camera Shop Main Street Station (Walt Disney World Railroad) Boulder Ridge Villas Lobby Town Square Firehouse (Disneyland) Old Firehouse Books
27
Jan
2019
Every Disney Musical Currently Playing
Last updated: January 10, 2021: Please note that most shows are currently suspended or postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Please check with the theater directly for the most up to date information. While we strive to keep this listing as up-to-date as possible, always check with the individual show/venue’s official website before making plans to visit. Back in 1994 Disney upped their live-theater game with the Broadway debut of Beauty and the Beast, their first big theatrical adaptation of a film. Since then, they’ve expanded their offerings and spread their Broadway-style goodness across the globe. The below list is intended as a resource for Disney lovers on their mission to see every live Disney musical EVER! Table of Contents The Lion KingAladdinFrozenBeauty and the BeastMary PoppinsThe Little MermaidOther The Lion King Originally making its Broadway premiere in 1997, The Lion King boasts itself as the highest-grossing Broadway show of all time. This show, based on the animated film of the same name, features a unique artistic vision of puppetry and animal-inspired costumes from Director Julie Taymor and production designer Michael Curry. Curry went on to work on a number of Disney projects including Finding Nemo – The Musical, Rivers of Light, and all stage […]
20
Jan
2019
Living with Walt: Part II
This is the second of a two-part series chronicling every location that Walt Disney ever lived in. Check out the first part here. This part II brings us to the timeline starting from his move out west to make it big in Hollywood until his untimely death in 1966. Each location in the below list links to a page that details major events in Walt’s life at that time and tells the story of his life in California, where the most well-known part of his career took place. Click each address to read more about how the location was played a significant role in his life and don’t forget to check out our Part I post here. 1923: Walt arrives in Hollywood from Kansas City. 1923: 4406 Kingswell Ave, Los Angeles, CA 1923-1925: 4409 Kingswell Ave, Los Angeles, CA 1925-1926: 4637 Melbourne Ave, Los Angeles, CA 1926-1927: 1307 N. Commonwealth Ave, Los Angeles, CA 1927-1932: 2495 Lyric Ave, Los Angeles, CA 1932-1950: 4053 Woking Way, Los Angeles, CA 1950-1966: 355 N Carolwood Dr, Los Angeles, CA 1966: Walt’s final resting place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park BONUS! Walt had a few pied-à-terres: Walt’s Disneyland residence built in 1955: 105 Town Square, Main Street, Disneyland, U.S.A. Walt’s owned […]
13
Jan
2019
Living with Walt: Part I
This is the first of a two-part series (find Part II here) chronicling every location that Walt Disney ever lived in. This part will focus on the timeline of his early days, growing up in the mid-west, until his early twenties when he moved out west to break in to show business. Each location in the below list links to a page with details of major events in Walt’s life at that time and tells the story of his upbringing which formed and shaped his personality and drove specific interests that are evident in his career path. Click each address to read more about how the location was played a significant role in his life. 1901-1906: Birthplace, 2156 N Tripp Ave, Chicago, IL 1906-1911: 275 W Broadway St, Marceline, MO 1911-1914: 2706 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO 1914-1917: 3028 Bellefontaine Ave, Kansas City, MO 1917-1918: 1523 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 1918-1919: Walt lives in France while serving in the Red Cross Ambulance Corps 1919-1923: 3028 Bellefontaine Ave, Kansas City, MO 1923: Walt boards a train destined for Hollywood. Check out the rest of Walt’s timeline in Part II! Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments below or […]
1
Jan
2019
WanderDisney.com Launches!
To all who come to this happy place: welcome! WanderDisney is your website… well, no… it’s mine… but you’re welcome to come by and visit any time. Hi! We’re the Wandermans and we have a Disney obsession. So much so that we’ve spent hours (and with your support, will continue to spend hours) building this site: a visual database of Disney related locations from across the globe. The best way to explore our website is to just click around the home page map and have fun – if you need some explanation, check out this page for some info. We’re still building the site, so you may notice some empty categories or locations – totally normal for now, but if you do notice something odd, please don’t hesitate to contact us to let us know! We’re also on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter if you need to get in touch as well! Below is a list of locations that we’re launching the site with. Each time new locations are added or amended we’ll add another post in the Location Updates category of the blog with a summary of the changes so you don’t miss a beat. Enjoy and don’t forget to […]
