Disney Movie Premier Buttons

Though I’ve never made it to an actual premier, back in the mid 90′s, Disney was having annual events in New York City that I was fortunate enough to attend.

The first was from the Lion King’s premier run at Radio City music hall in 1994, which I first shared back when I originally introduced the Jar of Buttons.

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The very next year, Pocahontas had it’s World premier in Central Park, and I could have gone as I was a Cast Member at The Disney Store. And I couldn’t go! I couldn’t get off of work from my “real” job! Oh, the humanity. I remember distinctly being totally envious of several friends who went, and all I got was this button!

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Finally, I did get to see Hercules during it’s premier run at the newly renovated New Amsterdam Theatre.

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Can You Stay on Disney Property to Have Fun While NOT Paying to Play?

By: Beth Skarp

What an odd title—whatever can it mean? 

Who in their right or even wrong mind would come to Disney, stay on property, and NOT pay to play in the Parks? Well, this family has.

We have had several occasions where we needed to be in the Orlando area for either business or pleasure. We had funds to take care of the business at hand, funds to find good food to eat, but not to pay for a day of playing in the Parks on these particular visits. If you read my earlier article regarding staying in non-Disney affiliated resorts, you will understand why we opt to stay on Disney affiliated property.

The burning question becomes, what in the World (or in this case, outside of the World) is there to do that is FREE? Where is the entertainment? Where is the “fun” in staying but not playing? What can you learn by just walking around the various resorts? What can happen if you just ask a simple question or are observant while out and about in the various Resorts? Lots actually, if you want to take the time to look and see what each resort has to offer.

Granted, just because these experiences have happened to our family or individual members of our family, there is no guarantee that something similar will happen to you. For this multi- part series of articles, I want to share with you some things that still take place today as well as experiences that we have enjoyed that no longer are offered or take place. Others were just something that happened spur of the moment, and no amount of planning could make it happen again.

We have stayed at every resort level within property except for the Villas—it is still on our bucket list to stay in one. Each and every time we have stayed but not played, we have found so much to not only entertain us but to educate us as well. 

Every lobby on Disney property has a waiting area with a television that shows a continuous loop of Disney cartoons. The area in front of the television has a comfortable seating area. The couches or places to lounge are indeed comfy, and one can pass several hours in comfort resting or just people watching.

There are tables set up with pint sized chairs that offer smaller guests or guests who are children at heart the opportunity to practice “staying within the lines” as you color a page that has a favorite Disney character or scene from a Disney movie on it. Each lobby is set up differently, with a place for lounging or relaxing as you wait for the dreaded Magical Express or just to pass some time. It is like sitting in a different room within your house to watch some television or color.

In the Value resorts, the themes alone can keep us occupied for days.

Here are a few pictures of us just having fun:
My husband and I were talking about a new vehicle to purchase....I think my husband found his new “ride.”

We have had a blast exploring and playing in the All Star resorts. We have played a game of Twister with other park guests. We have had fun being the human ball while playing Foozball on the giant game table on the lawn.

We have gotten wet while splashing in the fountains near Goofy and his Surfboard.

We were surprised when we found ourselves getting wet taking pictures of Herbie the Love Bug at All Star Movies (he loves to squirt water from his windshield wipers on unsuspecting guests). 

We were part of the cheering crowds watching a group of young men, who appeared to be about college aged, played a rousing game of flag-football on the football field at All Star Sports. We listened to some high school band members practicing on the lawn at All Star Music. 

While at Pop Century, my girls enjoyed learning a new cheer or two as several cheerleaders were practicing their routines during the cheer leading competitions. The cheerleaders even took a few moments out to teach my girls a cheer. Such fun. 

Before Art of Animation was built, we enjoyed a leisurely walk around Hourglass Lake, taking in the various trends or accomplishments for each year within a specific decade. We almost always paused along the walk to snap a picture of a year that held special significance for us. 

The lobby of Pop Century is a true history lesson. We spent many hours truly looking at the displays and talking about what the objects were, how they have been either updated or forgotten over the years. The girls never got tired of asking their Dad or I “did you use to do that, use that, wear that” and listening to their responses when we said YES! 

AND, you can now take a tour of the "Shadow Boxes" at Pop Century!

With the addition of Art of Animation, the bridge connecting Pop Century with Art of Animation is now open. We have enjoyed walking over this bridge several times. 

In keeping with the theme from Pop Century, as you walk around Hourglass Lake on the Art of Animation side, you can find signs with Pixar Movie trivia. The trivia corresponds with the section of the resort you are in ---Cars, Finding Nemo, Little Mermaid or Lion King. It was always fun to take the time to learn something new about these movies. 

Have you truly looked at the artwork within the lobby of Art of Animation? The conceptual designs are fun, and to see where the Animators got their ideas is also interesting. 
 

We had the opportunity once to speak with an Animator. The girls spent about 15 minutes asking her questions and learning what it takes to be an animator. We even spent some time talking with one of the people who does the caricatures in the lobby.

Taking a walk from the main lobby of Art of Animation to the various sections of the resort, especially going as far as the Little Mermaid section, can be fun and entertaining as well. So much to see and experience. The walkway changes and the scenery as well to keep up with the backdrop or theme for the movie. So much to explore and take a look at. 

Every gift shop has a “trivia board” with questions of the day. Taking the time to read these questions or silly puns is not only fun, but can be an educational experience as well. I remember two question my girls laughed and laughed over...”What does Ariel use on her toast in the morning?”......”Mermalade of course!” OK......”How many tickles does it take to make Ursula laugh? ….........”Why 10 tickles (tentacles) of course!”

If you have younger children who enjoy swimming, the pools are fun. Sadly, there are no slides for the pools in a Value resort, but there are still lots of fountains that will spray you as you swim along. The pool staff also has fun games with silly prizes that you and your children can participate in. Anyone up for a water balloon toss?

While the Value resorts do not have a table service restaurant associated with them, you can still find lots of interesting food to eat that is much more than just chicken nuggets, hot dogs, pizza and hamburgers. Art of Animation has some amazing sausages and their monk fish for dinner is moist and very delicious.

And finally, as always, you can be on the lookout for Hidden (and not so hidden) Mickey's!

       

Introducing: The Jar of Disney Buttons

By: Nick Maglio

Back before the pin collecting craze, there were buttons, and I collected them. I used to have a large piece of black felt that I hung them on. During one of my moves though, I took them off, put them in a jar, and never got around to hanging them back up.

I thought every now and again, I'd bring a couple out, and since some Lion King buttons are clearly visible in the photo above, I will share those.

At the Disney Store I worked at in the early 90's, we had buttons to promote movies, and introduce our guests to new characters. There was a little movie called The Lion King that was being released in 1994.




I had the great fortune to see it during it's Radio City Music Hall World Premier run.


Look for more buttons from The Jar in future posts.

Breakfast: Landscape of Flavors at Disney's Art of Animation

By: Nick

Barbie and I usually don't eat a full breakfast at our resorts, that is until recently.
We used to just grab a snack, and try to make every park's rope drop. But now, with Magic Bands and FastPass+, we don't feel the need to rush!

On our trip in October of last year, we ate breakfast several mornings at Landscape of Flavors at Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

Landscape is a really wonderful food court with several food stations.

As you enter, you can get an overview of some of what they have to offer.

 
There are plenty of choices for breakfast, including smoothies, create your own fruit bowls, and one of my favorites, create your own yogurt parfait.

Choose from a selection of  fresh fruit, berries, dried fruits, grains, nuts and seeds.

There are several cereals.

Plenty of pastry items to tempt you.

One morning, Barbie had an egg white omelet from the Create Your Own Omelet station, which features a choice of ham, sausage, tomato, mushroom, onions, green bell peppers, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese and turkey bacon served with biscuit, for $7.99.

We also had several other entrees, including the Bounty Platter: scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage, biscuit and pancakes for $8.29.
The bacon is typical Disney bacon, a bit thin and not very flavorful. I suggest the breakfast sausage if given a choice.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes with fresh fruit topping and choice of bacon or sausage, $7.99.
The Portuguese sausage is very tasty, but a bit overpowering for breakfast.

Last, but not least are these really tasty Waffles with Fresh Fruit Topping and Bacon, $7.39.

Landscape also serves lunch and dinner.

The seating sections represent the movies that are featured throughout the resort, Cars, Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King.

Landscape of Flavors is a great spot for either a quick snack or a sit down meal, but be warned, it can get very crowded, so try to arrive before too late in the morning, or eat at "off" times.

The Ink and Paint Shop at Disney's Art of Animation Resort

By: Nick

On our last trip to Walt Disney World, we stayed at the Art of Animation Resort. For those not familiar, this is Disney's newest value resort. It is easily the most Disney and Pixar themed of all the resorts on Walt Disney World property.

It's 4 themed areas are from the animated classics:

"Cars"

"The Lion King"

"Finding Nemo"

 
"The Little Mermaid"

The shop there, Ink and Paint, can be accessed directly from outside, or from the main, lobby, Animation Hall.

The main lobby is pretty fantastic.

Let's go into the shop.

Ink and paint props throughout, including the display racks.

D-tech.

This store sells a lot of the standard stuff you'll find at most of the other retail locations throughout property, but it's worth a look, just for the colorful and fun presentation, just as all of Art of Animation is worth visiting, even if you aren't staying there.


This article was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Diva and Devos Blog.