A Bit of New Fantasyland: Great Disney Cast Members

by Gaylin

The first day of vacation, while at the Magic Kingdom, I admit I spent more than a little bit of time wandering around the New Fantasyland. I was impressed by all of it, the theming is beautiful. It was a very hot day and of course, that meant an ice cream break.

I stopped at Maurice's Amazing Popping Machine ice cream and drink cart in between Gaston's Tavern and Be Our Guest restaurant.

The fare provided at this cart is standard, water, soda, ice cream treats. I had one of my favourite treats, a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar! As you can see, there are covered tables to enjoy your treat out of the hot sun. I shared a table with a very nice woman, who also needed a break from the heat and I asked her to take my photo. It was only 2 or so in the afternoon and I was feeling and looking pretty wilted!

What was a pleasant surprise at this kiosk was the cast member, Sherley. She was happy and fun, greeting people as if everyone was a long lost friend. She was a bright moment in a hot afternoon where I felt like I was melting. After I finished my ice cream bar, I went back to the kiosk to say thank you to her, not just for how nice she had been to me, she was that nice and lovely to everyone! I asked her to take a selfie with me and she was thrilled – first time anyone had asked her to take a photo with them.

If you happen to be near the Popping Machine and need a treat – find Sherley and buy your treat from a 'friend'!

Morning Magic at the Magic Kingdom

by Gaylin

My first day of vacation, I decided to head to Magic Kingdom. When I got to the bus queue I almost changed my mind, the line-up for Magic Kingdom was quite long. And then, this baby pulled up! A double length articulated bus, this is the size of bus I catch a ride with to work at home in Vancouver. It was fun watching a good portion of this long line of people fill up this bus. As you can barely see, behind this bus is another one, also going to Magic Kingdom. I think they were prepared for this busy morning!

While I did get to the Magic Kingdom in time for the opening show, it didn't happen, but all these people did! As soon as rope drop happened, this crowd dispersed into the park quite quickly.

Since I was on my on and not frantic to get to any particular ride, I meandered over to Adventureland. One thing I do try to do when I am at the parks is take a photo of some part of the beginning of an attraction just before I go onto it. That way, when I am trying to remember what I did during the day, I can go back through my photos and have a timeline of the day. I did go on the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. There were very few people paying attention to it and it is a nice quiet way to start the day and get a view around the park from the top of the tree.

Then it was time for a cruise, a Jungle Cruise to be exact! As everyone knows, your cruise captain can make or break a cruise. I got Captain Lisa and she was awesome, great timing for all those bad puns and when we had a couple minutes wait before disembarking – she just kept the jokes rolling.

Time to go visit some pirates. As with the cruise, I pretty much walked onto this ride. I don't know where all those people from the crowd at the front of the park went but it wasn't to Adventureland.

Can you guess where I went next? Haunted Mansion! Again, I just walked on, it was shaping up to be a very hot day, getting to do so many things so quickly was really nice. I had decided to take some selfies this trip, I think this guy was happy to have his photo taken with me.

 

Next up, time for a bathroom break!

Headed over to the new Fantasyland, this area wasn't open on my last trip and while it would have been nice to have a ride or show to go with Tangled, I guess a bathroom area is better than nothing.

I took a peek in Gaston's tavern but didn't buy anything, I did love the decor . . . Gaston wasn't out and about or I would have gotten a photo with him!

And my last photo of my morning so far, me and King Triton. It is never difficult to find someone to take a picture if you are on your own and since I couldn't figure out a way to take a selfie with the King, a very nice woman took my picture and then I took a photo for her and her son.

All this fun and it wasn't even lunch time yet! One morning, lots of magic.