Skip to main content

Posts

Veteran of the Day Flag Retreat Ceremony

Sometimes the best way to appreciate a company’s values is to see how they handle the things that don’t draw a crowd.  For example, did you know that the Magic Kingdom does a Flag Retreat ceremony every day at 5:00?  It is really quite a production, too.  Early in the morning, they select their “Veteran of the Day.”   They pick the most serious and stern looking veteran they can find.   I’m pretty sure the sword is what gave away the military training.   Anyway, then they instruct the family to be at the flagpole at 4:45.   Disney’s Barber Shop Quartet then recruits a few children to help them say the Pledge of Allegiance.   Meanwhile, the Veteran lines up with the Disney Color Guard.  As the Flag Ceremony begins, the Veteran is given special recognition. Then, the entire Disney Brass Band lines up for   the official ceremony.   The Pledge is spoken..   And the colors are ret...

Meme Monday

What Disney destination are you dreaming of?

Ears the News with Richard

The Peter Pan and Wendy meet is temporarily moving to Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom from 4/12/2014 to 4/20/2014. To reduce some of the congestion in Fantasyland, the meet and greet will take place on the bridge at the entrance to Adventureland. Peter and Wendy currently meet guests in the queue area of Peter Pan's Flight. Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog Epcot 'After Hours Wind Down' : From 4/17/2014 to 9/15/2014, you can choose to spend time in one of four World Showcase lounges, from the conclusion of IllumiNations until 11:00 PM. Participating locations are: La Cava del Tequila - Mexico Rose & Crown Pub - United Kingdom Spice Road Table - Morocco Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – Italy Wondering what you will get for your $35 at Epcot's newest dining offering? The included food and drink for three of the four lounges taking part in the Epcot 'After Hours Wind Down' are now available. Read more about 'After Hours Wind Down.'...

Garden Grill: a Fresh Take on Character Dining

Epcot has numerous dining options, but there are three reasons why The Garden Grill is one of my family’s favorites.   Garden Grill is located inside The Land Complex inside Epcot, home to the popular ride Soarin. After taking your flight on Soarin, make sure to hop on the "Living with the Land" boat ride and learn about the Epcot gardens and sustainable farming.   What makes The Garden Grill unique is that you can enjoy some of the vegetables that are grown in those very gardens, as well as sustainable fish.   These foods are served all you can eat family-style along side turkey, beef, and kid friendly choices like macaroni and cheese and warm rolls with maple butter. Yum!!!    The second thing that makes this a unique dining experience is that fact that it’s a rotating restaurant!   While you eat, the restaurant will slowly spin and bring you through the Living with the Land scenes: rainforest, farmhouse, thunderstorm, sandstorm and prairie . ...

Meme Monday

How many days until your next Disney vacation?

Ears the News with Richard

Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny will begin meet and greets this Sunday at the Magic Kingdom. You can find them in the Town Square Courtyard on Main Street U.S.A. April 13-19, from 9:00 AM to approximately 5:00 PM. D-Tech Me returns once again to Star Wars Weekends - giving you the chance to have your likeness on a Star Wars figurine. The Carbon-Freeze Me and Stormtrooper will be available again, but will also be joined by new options - Alderaan Princess and X-Wing Pilot. Also new this year will be a 16 inch tall version along with the regular 7 inch. The 7 inch figures are $99, and the 16 inch figures are a whopping $1499.95 plus shipping and tax. The process begins with a scan of your face, which takes around 10 minutes. From there, the figures are produced on a 3D printer, with delivery 7-8 weeks later. To book your experience, call 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324). D-Tech Me is only available during Star Wars Weekends 2014 (May 16 – 18, May 23 – 25, May 30 – June 1, June 6 – 8, and Jun...

First Aid First Timer

I’m not usually clumsy – heck, I’m a competitive ballroom dancer – but during a trip to Walt Disney World, I found myself in need of first aid due to an act of gracelessness. While boarding a Test Track vehicle, my toes caught the edge of the vehicle on the way in and I fell into the passenger area with an unceremonious ‘thud.’ My shin hit the grab bar between two seats, causing me to see stars. Someone was trying to climb in beside me, so I righted myself and tried to act like nothing had happened.  At first, I walked it off, but within 20 minutes I had a baseball-sized hematoma on my right shin. The rapid swelling caused intense throbbing and pain, so after consulting my park map, I headed to First Aid. When I arrived I was asked to sign in and after a short wait, someone came out to examine my injury. After explaining what had happened, I was given a slushy pack (ice pack with water) and a net tube to slide over my foot to hold the pack in place. I was told to replac...