A Wet Review of Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World

by: Nick

Something about writing a blog makes me honest. What I mean is I find myself confessing to things I might not otherwise be honest about. Here is an example. I don't particularly care for water rides. Sure, they are nice on a hot day. But there are the really long lines. At Disney parks, you can get a FastPass, of course. The people below did NOT use a FastPass!

 

  


I also don't like water rides because of the possibility of wet shoes. These things never dry out. Sure, you say "wear flip flops."But flip flops give me blisters. THOSE are fun during a week long vacation! Then there are wet clothes. I'm not a fan of wet clothes. Unless you wear a bathing suit or swim trunks, you are either changing, or walking around with damp un-mentionables.

So, why am I bringing up soggy skivvies? To explain why I rarely ride Splash Mountain, the "turbulent flume adventure with high speeds, heights, sudden drops and stops" at the Magic Kingdom obviously!

I love the ride. Well, I love the music and audio animatronics of the ride. I even love the drop. It's that wet part at the end that keeps me off this attraction for the most part. But on a recent trip I decided to just do it. See what I do for our readers?!

If you don't want to get really wet, sit in the back. Or wear a poncho. Or ride during a rain storm, you're wet anyway, right?

Let's go on the ride. We start out going up a hill in an 8 passenger log, seated 2 by 2. Br'er Frog is there to give us an introduction to the story.

We are deposited  into a small pond at the bottom of the big drop, which offers a great view of the people about to get soaked.

You then enter a barn like structure and climb another lift where you take a leisurely ride through a tranquil river community while being lulled into a false sense of security by a gentle instrumental version of the song "How Do You Do?"

Another short drop brings us into the dark ride portion of the attraction, where "How Do You Do" is sung to us by an assortment of critters, and we see a restless Br'er Rabbit setting off, only to be pursued by Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. Br'er Rabbit is heading to his "Laughing Place" and you begin to hear this song, as failed attempt after failed attempt is made by the Fox and Bear to capture the much quicker witted Rabbit.

Finally, however, Br'er Rabbit's luck comes to an end, and he is captured!

You then start up a steep incline, past a couple of rather obnoxious vultures. THAT can't be a good sign!

We then see a tied up Rabbit, about to be cooked, asking that under no circumstances should he be thrown into the briar patch!

This whole section could perhaps be a bit intense for some children. Or sensitive adults!

Upon reaching the top of the lift, we are afforded a pretty great view of the Magic Kingdom before starting our rapid decent into the briar patch! Please excuse how blurry the photos are, my phone had a hard time adjusting to the sudden brightness from inside. I include them only to demonstrate the view and drop.

We've escaped the clutches of those dastardly ruffians, and are treated to Br'er Rabbit's triumphant return and welcome home. It's a  "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" Day, and that's the song you'll have stuck in your head as you slosh your way to the exit.

My wife and I sat in the back seat, which is supposedly a better choice to avoid getting very wet. How wet did we get?

Pretty wet. Barbie, who was somewhat reluctant to ride because she feels the same as I do about damp clothes got considerably wetter. She also refused me taking a photo of her, and I still get "the look" whenever I bring up the possibility of us ever making a return visit to the Briar Patch.
Again, see what I do for our readers?!

This article was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.

Flea Market Finds: Mickey Mouse Offers You A Bouquet

By Barbie

We picked this Mickey Mouse up a couple of weeks ago, at the same time that we picked up the Lady and the Tramp porcelain set. He was only $3

Oh Mickey, you're so sweet! Daisies are my favorite!

Disney's Hilton Head Resort

By Laurie Olivieri

After spending January & February in Kissimmee, it was, sadly, time to head back to the frozen tundra that was Connecticut.  We definitely took the long way home..stopping for two nights in Hilton Head and staying at the Disney resort using only 20 DVC points.

I was not sure what to expect - after all, there are no theme parks, no ADR's to be made, no fast pass+ to be worried about..no character meals..this is purely for relaxation.  And yes, I struggled with it!

We were greeted by a very welcome sign and a doghouse - there is a fantastic story that goes with the doghouse - that is for another day!  There were signs and symbols all over the place and the Cast members were friendly, but it just didn't feel "Disney" to me.

 

Our room was nice and light and very fresh feeling. There was a lot of construction going on  - re-roofing of other buildings, but we never heard a sound!

Our view from our room was the other buildings, but the view from the back of our building was simply stunning at sunset!

Ok, so, Hilton Head, to me, is supposed to be all golf courses and beaches.  While I knew that Disney's Hilton Head wasn't on the beach, I guess I didn't quite expect it to be a couple miles away either.  After we followed the directions in our room, we arrived at the Disney Beach area.  It is locked and you must use your Key to the Room Card to access the areas that are strictly Disney.  They had a beautiful pool area and below that is the beach.  It is adjoining all the other properties..it is not a private beach at all.  But it was quite lovely and not crowded at all (of course, its also mid March).

There is only a quick service restaurant on site..we did not eat here.  The premise is to have you experience the island.  We found a few great places to eat!  There was a game room and laundry facilities (free).  There was a little store selling mostly DVC items.

Yes, it was worth the 20 DVC points, and yes, we will stay there again.  But, is it Disney?  Not to me - but it was much better than a regular hotel room.

Flea Market Find: Patriotic Mickey Mouse

By Barbie 

Today's Flea Market Find is a little porcelain Patriotic Mickey Mouse, perhaps dressed up for Independence Day. 

Here's wishing all of you a Happy and Healthy Independence Day!

Grumpy on the Cover of Stage Magazine, 1938

By Nick

I thought I’d start a new series, featuring stuff hanging up around our house, and I thought I’d kick it off with one of my oldest pieces. “Stage”, the “Magazine of After Dark Entertainment”, from February, 1938.



Back in the early 90s, not long after I developed my Disney mania, I came across this magazine at an antique shop.
I remember paying a price that at that time was an absolutely crazy amount for me to spend on a magazine, $60! Original cover price: $.35! But I love Grumpy, so….
And having it framed was even pricier, which is why it hangs in a very prime location in our living room.

Now, I'd love to be able to share the interior, but I don't want to wreck that expensive frame job. Imagine my surprise when I was checking out my friend Robert's blog Filmic Light-Snow White Archive, and found a great article with interior photos! Please check out that post here, and thank you Robert!

Limited Edition Viking Vinylmation : Story Behind the Photo

By Nick

Why am I posing with a family of strangers holding this Vinylmation?
This is a funny but true story, and I have pictures to prove it!

While in Walt Disney World in 2012, we stopped in to The Puffin's Roost, the shop at Epcot's Norway Pavilion.

 They had a really great Viking Hat, with Mickey ears. 

 

Making this an even cooler collectible, was the exclusive viking Vinylmation figure that came with it.

His shield on his back. There is a tiny little scuff mark on his helmet, no doubt from when he was in some battle!

 AND it's limited to 1000 pieces. 2 artists names on this figure, Doug Strayer and Maria Clapsis.

 AND, it was marked down, from, if memory serves from $60 to $20! 

While considering this purchase, another family was also looking at the hat, but they just wanted the hat, they had no interest in the Vinylmation Viking. In fact, they had no clue as to what Vinylmation was. 

Shocking, I know. 

While the hat was funny, the truth was, neither my wife or I would wear it often enough to justify just the effort of getting it home.

But I wanted the Viking.

As we were contemplating our next move, the family decided they would buy the hat. SO I offered to split the cost, if they were willing to part with the Vinyl Viking. They were! 

Making the deal even better was the fact that as a Premium Annual Passholder, I got a 20% discount. So we each got what we wanted for a fraction of the original price!

A happy ending for all at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Wild Africa Trek - May 2014

by Gaylin

It is fun to do a tour at Walt Disney World any time I go on vacation, it is especially fun to take a tour when I am traveling solo. I can really relax and enjoy everything there is to see and learn and can get to know the other tour guests a bit. I have noticed when I take a tour with someone else, we end up keeping in our 'pair' instead of talking to everyone else.

I took the Wild Africa Trek tour in May, it started at 9:30am, and there were 8 people on the tour, 6 couples and 2 of us singles. When you arrive, all your extraneous gear goes in a locker. Be advised, if you are taking this tour on a hot day like I did, the vest/harness that everyone wears gets to be really sweltering.

They provide a string to put your sunglasses on and there is a strap to attach your camera to as well. The guides take turns taking photos and you get instructions at the end of the tour as to where to go online to download all those photos. But if I hadn't brought my own camera, how else would I have gotten this photo!

The trek takes you into the woods around the savannah, this hippo skull sits by the path and we had all sorts of questions about it. 

And then you get attached to the guide ropes so you can hang out over the water to look at a live hippo!

Next up was crocodiles, again lots of questions asked and answered, these guys were not very active, I think they were feeling the heat as well! 

Especially this guy, he looks like he was about to go for a walk and just flopped in place and decided to have a nap.

I was really looking forward to crossing these bridges, I used to be afraid of heights but not anymore. I was the first one out on the bridge and could have stayed there for an hour. This photo of me was taken by one of the guides, I didn't know he was taking the photo.

This was the photo I was taking, the shadow of me on the bridge and the crocodiles below. The guides keep space between each of the guests so you get some alone time on the bridge and can get a photo taken on the bridge on your own.

When I realized he was taking photos, I gave him a big smile and this is another guide taken photo.

You do have to be careful crossing the bridges, I was getting all excited and looking around and those spaces between the boards were pretty wide open in places! I almost stepped down into a gap a couple times.

Once you are off the savannah, thankfully you get to take off the heavy vests. A private tour truck picks us up and a nice drive around the savannah happens. It is much easier to take photos on the private tour, the driver stops often and there is time for the guides to explain more about the animals and the savannah. They also provided cold towels to wrap around our necks, most appreciated!

This is the closest I have ever been to the white rhino, we paused for about 4 minutes, amazingly large animals.

On the bridges, this photo is when the 2 women guides passed off the camera to one of the educators we met up with on the tour for him to take photos of them and of us.

When I downloaded the Trek photos from the website I was very pleased to have this photo. These two amazing women were our guides and they were smart, friendly, attentive, really terrific. Amanda from Yorkville, OH and Kelsey from Houston, TX.

I would recommend this tour. Yes, it is pricey, at $189 plus tax per person, it is a worthy special treat. The quiet time on the savannah and bridges, the chance to go on a slower drive on the savannah and the rest time at the boma for a small meal and some great POG juice, it was a lovely morning. I have food allergies and the only glitch that happened was when we stopped at the boma for our small meal. I received a canteen that had been specially sealed and was marked allergy. When they cut the straps and opened the canteen . . . exact same meal as everyone else. I was so hungry at this point I was near tears and opening it to find that I could not eat 1/2 of it was really hard. You are not allowed to bring any of your own snacks on the tour so I downed 2 glasses of juice and ate what I could out of the canteen. 

At the end of the tour you receive all the info on how to download the photos, say goodbye to everyone and a management Cast Member took me aside and apologized for the mistake with the food and gave me a voucher for a free lunch. I rushed this ending part of the tour more than I wanted to because I really needed a proper meal, I went zooming off to Flame Tree Barbeque where I knew that even if there was a line-up, it would move quickly. Whew, I was right! I had done everything right, informed Disney when I booked the tour, the guides knew when I checked in, it just seemed someone in the kitchen didn't really pay attention. It was a minor detraction from the tour, I loved everything else about it.

Editor's note: For more on the Wild Africa Trek, please check out this article about our experience.-Nick

Disney Cast Members: Tell Them "Thank You"

by Gaylin

I have met many a wonderful Cast Member (CM) in my travels to Walt Disney World, as well as Disneyland and one Disney cruise. While I have always thanked them in person, if I have received extra help or extraordinary service from a cast member, I like to send a thank you to them, through Disney itself.

I found out on the Backstage Tour a few years ago that if a CM gets a reprimand on their employment record, it is removed after 6 months with no further reprimands acquired. If a thank you or commendation is received, that stays on their record permanently! If you go to the Walt Disney World main webpage and scroll to the bottom, there is a contact us link. On that link it tells you how to contact them by phone, there is another link where you can go to an email page to contact them.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/help/email/

This is where I go when I want to send a thank you to a CM. The first time I did this, I received a phone call from a representative from Disney personnel, letting me know how much they appreciated my email and that they had contacted each of the CMs I had wanted to thank and commended them in person! I do keep a trip journal where I write their names down as well as take a photo where the interaction happened so I don't forget.

On my recent trip, I had more than a few nice transactions with CMs and wanted to send my appreciation out to 3 of them. When I got home, I sent the following email:

"This is not a question, this is a thank-you to Cast Members.

I was at WDW in May 2014 and on Sunday, May 11, I went to the Animal Kingdom. My mother had

passed away 5 weeks previously and I had forgotten entirely that it was Mother's Day. When I walked into AK and was given a carnation and told Happy Mother's Day, I was startled and sad. It was nice to think of my mom but it was a difficult, emotional day as well.

I stopped for lunch at Tamu Tamu, I was hot and tired and forgot to tell the CM that I had food allergies and could I please have potato chips instead of pita bread so I put the pita bread to the side. A custodial CM, Deborah (college program with UCLA), stopped to chat for a moment, she asked if I was a mother and when I told her about my mom, I nearly started crying. She spent some time with me, talked about mom's, Disney and life in general. It was the human contact I so badly needed that day. She noticed that I had put the pita bread aside and went out of her way to get some of the fresh made potato chips for me. Well, that nearly had me crying again. The time she spent with me changed the whole tone of the day for me, I know that CMs deal with and talk to a lot of people in a day and they need to know that their time and care is wonderful. Thanks so much to Deborah, wherever she is now. Also - thanks for the pin!

At the Magic Kingdom on May 7th, I had a lovely wee interaction with a CM named Sherley, I bought a Mickey Premium from her at the Popping Machine, near Gaston's Tavern. She was bright and cheerful, I sat at a table near the kiosk and watched her interact with guests, impressive. Again, since my mom's name was Shirley - meeting this lovely young lady who was so happy and vivacious, made my day. I asked for a photo and we had a good laugh taking a selfie together.

One last kudo - in the morning of May 7th, I went on the Jungle Cruise with Captain Lisa, she was so fun, it was one of the best cruises I have been on. At the end of the cruise I asked if I could take a selfie with her, it was the first time a guest had asked her to be in a photo and she was happy to do it.

Thanks to all the CMs that do their best to help guests have a magical vacation and if anyone asks if you can have fun at WDW while on a solo trip - the answer is a resounding yes!

Gaylin"

You can't send photos in your email to Disney but I can post them here! Here is the photo of Captain Lisa and me.

And later the same day, the lovely Sherley!

About a week after I sent my email to the help centre, I received this email reply:

"Dear Gaylin,

Thank you for writing to us about your visit to the Walt Disney World® Resort.

I am very glad you had such an enjoyable experience and truly appreciate the time you took to share your compliments for Deborah, Sherley and Lisa. Your email reinforces how our Cast Members can make a tremendous difference with each Guest. It is heartwarming to know that Cast Members such as Deborah, Sherley and Lisa exemplified Walt Disney's dream to create happy and memorable experiences for all of our Guests. Please be assured your comments will be shared with the appropriate leadership so they can be commended for the great service they provided you.

Thank you again for writing to us. We look forward to future opportunities to entertain you.

Best Regards,

Janet F.

Guest Experience Services

Walt Disney World Resort"

If you have a wonderful CM experience, remember you can share your thank-you's when you get home, send some magic back to Disney!