In 1971 when Walt Disney World opened it contained much of the beloved rides and attractions that we still have today.  There was The Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World.  Peter Pan and The Jungle Cruise were also present. But there was no Pirates of the Caribbean. How could a ride that was so popular with guest today not be included in the original concept?  At the time of designing the Imagineers thought that the east coasters had no interest in a Pirates ride and thought that a more western theme would be more appealing.

In 1963 Imagineer Marc Davis had moved into Imagineering from the Animation department. In the meantime he had thought up the idea of the Western River Expedition. This was to be a boat ride that guest would be able to travel in and see all the sights of the American wilderness while floating down the banks of the Mississippi all in one ride.  The ride was planning on being used at a park that was going to be built in St. Louis. But alas that park was never to be built. So when things started be planned and discussed for a new park in Florida Dick Irvine called on Imagineers for new ideas. Davis had not forgot his ideas about the Expedition boat ride. He thought that with a few changes and tweaks he could make the ride far more superior to the Pirates ride in California.

The new concept focused more on the Wild West. Davis vision of the new attraction was so vast it could have almost considered a new land. The Western River Expedition was going to be located where Splash Mountain now sits and was going to be about 3 times as big.  The builders were to be built to blend in with the mesas of the design while one was to be flat so that guest could go up on top and see all across the park. A runaway train ride was to be built on the top of the mesa and go up and down the sides. The boat ride was going to be a direct rival of Pirates. It would take riders through a canyon and here they would encounter a singing cowboy and his cows. The riders would then encounter bank robbers, dancing Indians and gunfights with the sheriff. There would be one central song much like most of Disney’s other attractions that would continue through the ride. The spokesperson through the ride was an owl named Hoot Gibson and he would pop in and out of the ride giving advice to guest about their journey and the dangers that lie ahead.

With the vastness in size of Thunder Mesa, the project was pushed back. They knew that it would never be completed by opening and even if attempted it would slow down on the building of other attractions. But something surprising happened when the park opened in 1971. Guests were confused and questioning castmembers where the Pirate ride was.  Card Walker immediately decided that there was going to be a Pirates of the Caribbean attraction built for the east coast also.  But this would also push back Davis’s attraction even more.

In the 70’s as the years went on Disney executives were beginning to fear the decline of interest in westerns and the Wild West. The estimated  $60 million didn’t help any either.  Not wanting to waste the space where the Western River Expedition was going to be, Dick Irvine started looking for ideas and Tony Baxter was brought in to re-imagine the runaway train concept, which would become Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  This was another set back in Davis’s eyes and he even tried to take the attraction to some of the other parks, but the idea never took and he retired soon after.

But good ideas never die in the world of the Imagineers. Ideas from the concept have been used in other places. Tom Sawyer Island, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mesa at Disneyland Paris, the Phantom Canyon scene at the Phantom Manor in Paris, and even Expedition Everest.

Below is a link to a virtual ride though lead by Tony Baxter at D23

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For those of you TMSM fans who actually read my articles, you know that I am a sucker for random facts about Disney. I’ve done several different articles on various attractions and recently completed one on the ever-popular Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. So here you go, 10 Random Facts about Pirates of the Caribbean.

1. Next time you’re walking through the queue line and come upon the two fine fellows playing chess, who have been sitting and playing for so long they have become skeletons, take a look at the chessboard. It has long been long rumored that they were in a stalemate and sat so long that they died, but this has been proven false in the past few years. Originally the stalemate gag was the plan. The pieces get rearranged on a regular basis.

2. Several scenes have been changed over the years because Disney thought that they might be too racy for guests. In some of the original scenes Pirates chase women around trying to catch them.

3. George Bruns, who was a co-writer for The Ballad of Davy Crockett, composed the music. The lyrics were written by X. Atencio who is also known for writing the script and the lyrics (Grim Grinning Ghost) for The Haunted Mansion.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean was the last ride that Walt Disney personally oversaw during development. He died during construction.

5. The fire effect was so realistic that the Anaheim Fire Chief asked that the effect automatically shut off in case of a real fire.

6. Look closely at the padlock during the scene of the dog with the keys and the pirates trying to lure him over. The lock is in shape of a very famous mouse head.

7.  It may seem like a long drop but the drop in WDW is only 14 feet. In the process of the drop you’re actually going under the Walt Disney World Railroad.

8. The ride was originally going to be a walk through wax museum about pirate history. The popularity of the other boat rides changed this idea.

9. The world premier of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was held at Disneyland and featured the longest red carpet in history (trailing from Main Street into New Orleans Square).

10. The plans for the Western River Expedition were scrapped so that the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction could be built in Florida.

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When Epcot opened in 1982, it brought us what was referred to as a “permanent World’s Fair” dedicated to the celebration of human achievement and technological innovation. But it also brought us the World Showcase, which gives us glimpses into the cultures of eleven different countries. The Showcase originally opened with nine countries: Mexico, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Japan, France, United Kingdom and Canada. Two more were added years later with the Morocco opening in 1984, and Norway being the last to open in 1988. Three other pavilions – Spain, Israel and Equatorial Africa, were advertised in Epcot Center books and other various materials, but they were never built. This week and next we are going to talk about the last pavilion built, Norway – my personal favorite.

When plans were being arranged for the new Norway pavilion in Epcot, a group of Norwegian investors came up with the $30 million needed to fund the project. In June of 1988, Prince Harald formally opened the pavilion. The ceremony was broadcast in Norway in one of the longest live satellite transmissions the country had ever experienced. It was a dream and seemed almost too unrealistic until the group of private investors had it built.

There were original plans to establish a Nordic pavilion that represented the countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark when the Norwegian companies Selmer-Sande and Kloster began work on the pavilion. When negotiations with Sweden and Denmark fell through, it was decided the pavilion would only represent Norway. On May 29, 1986, Minister Kurt Mosbakk laid the foundation while architect Birger Lambertz-Nilsen was responsible for the exteriors and Ulla S. Hjort was responsible for the design of the interiors.

The first years of operation were good years for the pavilion. Norway was the second most popular pavilion in the World Showcase with 4.5 million visitors, but in 1992 sentiments began to change. The investors that contributed two-thirds of the entire production of the pavilion backed out due to disappointing sales and sold their entire stake to the Disney Company. As a result, the Norwegian government decided to give $200,000 each year to Epcot in a five-year period. It was renewed for another 5 years in 1997, but in 2002 Norway decided not to renew the contract, despite recommendations from the embassy in Washington D.C. to keep the contract. Knut Vollebaek, Norway’s ambassador to the U.S. said, “That is not to say that the Norwegian government disapproved of the pavilion. There were just some forces in Oslo that felt it wasn’t necessary to continue with the support.” He added that he is a great supporter of the Pavilion and that it was so popular with Disney guests that they decided to keep it running even without official support. When the Norway pavilion was being built, the 58,000 square feet Nordic pavilion was designed to look like a coastal village and cities such as Bergan, Oslo, Alesund and the Setesdal Valley were used as the inspiration. Being that the sea has played an important role in Norwegian history, the designers felt it was important to give it a coastal look.

As you approach the Norway pavilion, one of the first things to catch your eye is probably the Stave Church, or the Stavkirke, based upon the Gol Stave Church in Norway. Standing in front of the church is King Olaf II, who was also designated as the Patron Saint of Norway. King Olaf II brought Christianity to the people of Norway and, with woodworking skills, helped the people of Norway build Stave Churches.

In the past, when you entered the Stave Church you would see a likeness of King Olaf II dressed in traditional Viking clothing. Also inside was a map that showcased exploration routes that the Vikings took throughout Greenland and Newfoundland. Another display case exhibited a model of the Oseberg. The Oseberg was a Viking ship that was discovered in 1904 in a burial mound, which was also the same ship featured in the opening scene of the “Spirit of Norway” film shown after exiting the Maelstrom Attraction. Not long after the movie Frozen was released, Disney changed the exhibit to an exhibit called “Creating the World of Frozen.” Now inside the Stave Church, you can still view exhibits of Norway’s past and present and how filmmakers used it as inspiration for Disney’s hit movie, “Frozen.”

Come back next Tuesday for Part 2 of the Noway Pavilion…

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This is Part 2 of the Noway Pavilion, if you missed last week’s article, you can read it HERE.

The Restaurant Akershus and Royal Banquet Hall is named after the Akershus Fortress still standing in Oslo and serves as the backdrop of the Norway pavilion. Akershus Fortress in Oslo is now used for offices by the Norwegian Ministry and contains the Norwegian Resistance Museum, but originally it was used to guard the city. If you look across the walls of the pavilion you’ll see that there are gun turrets located in the wall and on the top the structure.

The Restaurant Akershus is a princess character dining experience that showcases Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Snow White, Ariel and Mary Poppins. It hasn’t always been a meal where you can mix and mingle with the royal ladies. It originally showcased a more Norwegian flare in food. We ate there once and it was a buffet experience. There was a cold bar that had fish and other food of the sea along with hot food, which was brought out to you by the cast member, and as you cleared your plate they would bring out some more. But when the princesses took over this dining experience ceased to exist any longer.

In the past, after you ate with the princesses or after a pastry, it was time to head over to the Maelstrom Attraction. Maelstrom may have closed its doors on October 5, 2014, but it still remains forever in the hearts of its fan. Maelstrom was a fun and exciting boat ride that took you through some of Norway’s history and folklore. As you walked through the queue line, displays showed exhibits of Norwegian flags and maps showcasing Viking exploration routes. Across from the loading area there was a huge mural that showcased Norwegian history and the modern times of the country. Once you boarded the Norwegian boat carved by Imagineer Jack Ferges, the Norse god Odin tells you that:

“You are not the first to pass this way, nor shall you be the last. Those who seek the spirit of Norway face peril and adventure. But often find beauty and charm. We have always lived with the sea, so look first to the spirit of the seafarer.”

Along the way, you’d see scenes of the Viking women waiting for the men to return and some men unloading supplies for a village. Then you arrived into the troll section. Trolls are part of Norse and Scandinavian mythology. After you encountered the three-headed troll and he sent you away, the boat drifted backwards where guests encountered polar bears and more trolls. The boat then floated towards the edge of a waterfall that overlooks the pavilion and then dropped forwards for a 28-foot plunge into Norwegian oblivion. Not really oblivion but a stormy scene with a big off shore oil rig. The ride continued for a short distance until it reached port. After departing the ride you would enter a theatre where, more times than not, people would bypass the “Spirit of Norway” film. I’m guilty of it and so are a lot of people. Although it was little dated, the film was pretty good. Being 20 plus years old, the film no longer shows the modern nation that the original sponsors wanted to showcase.

After departing the film, what’s the next thing you enter you may ask? Well, that would be a gift shop! What? You don’t say. Yes, you enter the Puffin’s Roost. There is a clothing section that usually has a good bit of jackets by Helly Hanson and other brands. Other merchandise included children’s toys, books or something from the Disney film “Frozen.” But whatever you do don’t forget to get your picture made with the big troll in the room. There is also a Kidcot section in here for those of you who have little ones (or big ones) who like to do this free activity. Also in the gift shop you can pick up a piece or two of fine jewelry or a new fragrance by Geir Ness.

After you have bought a winter jacket, a viking helmet and sword, sprayed yourself with the perfume testers so you smell good the rest of the day and taken your photo with an ugly troll (not your spouse), head over to Kringla Bakeri go Kafe. Here they serve pastries, sandwiches, and other baked goodies.

Behind the bakery you’ll spot a statue of Grete Waitz, she was a Norwegian marathoner who won nine New York Marathons, won a silver medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics and won a gold in the 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki. She passed away in April of 2011 at 57. That is about it for the Norway Pavilion, there are many other things to discover here if you take the time and explore.

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Over the last few weeks, if you’ve been following along you know that I’ve been doing a walking history of the World Showcase countries starting with Mexico and followed by Norway. So if you know the layout of the World Showcase then you’ll know that we will be making a trip into China.

As you round the corner walking away from Norway into China, the first thing that becomes immediately noticeable is the Zhao Yang Men. Translated, this means the “Gate of the Golden Sun”. The ceremonial gate is modeled from the summer palace of the emperor in Beijing. The architecture of the China pavilion focuses mainly on the Imperial Palace and also the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing.

A little further into the pavilion, the circular three-tiered reproduction of a building in Beijing lays the Temple of Heaven. It is a scaled building of Chinas Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. In ancient times emperors would hold ceremonies and pray for good weather to have plentiful harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is also the earliest complex of the country’s Temple of Heaven. Inside the Temple of Heaven lie four main pillars that symbolize the four seasons. These four pillars support a beam that represents Earth, which in turn is supported by a round one that represents Heaven. Look up while in the rotunda and look at the gold medallion in the center of the ceiling. If you look closely you’ll see a dragon and a phoenix. The dragon indicates power while the Phoenix represents peace and prosperity. The two together signify a marriage. Take some time to walk around this area, not only is it beautiful the acoustics are pretty cool also. Outside the building, there are twelve pillars that represent the Chinese calendars twelve months.

Once you’ve taken a look around inside head on into the Circle-Vision 360 film Reflections of China. In this 13-minute film, Li Bai the Tang Dynasty poet will be your guide as you experience what China was like in the past and what it’s like now. You’ll experience things like the Huangpu River, The Huangshan Mountains, and the Yangtze River.

Near the entrance to the attraction, you’ll find a door into another exhibit called the House of the Whispering Willows. Early during the life of the pavilion, the Chinese government had an agreement to allow artifacts from the Republic of China’s to be displayed. It was the first time exhibits from here had been shown outside of the country. Over the years it has changed exhibits but now houses one of the best ones in all of Walt Disney World. The exhibit Tomb Warriors: Guardian Spirits of Ancient China is a gem to behold. Here you will find a scaled down version of the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang. There is a plaque that reads:

Tomb Warriors – Qin Dynasty (221 – 210 B.C.).

These tomb warriors were indented to be the protectors of the emperor beyond the grave. Because nearly all the faces of the tome warriors are unique, some archeologists believe that the figures were modeled after real soldiers.

Many other emperors followed Qin’s example and created their own special armies. One tomb even provided a mess hall for the convenience of the terracotta statues.

The ones on display are scaled down because the real ones are a life sized 6 feet tall on average. You can also see various other displays of artifacts from the Chinese culture throughout the exhibit.

Another awesome entertainment attraction to definitely check out is the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats. This group of 18-21 year old is a spectacle to behold. Performing 5 times a day, there are plenty of chances to watch as they define gravity with grace and splendor. And if meet and greets are a must, then you’re in luck, because here is the place to catch the heroine Mulan.

Now as you’re meandering throughout the China pavilion you are traversing on the Xing Fu Jie or the “Street of Good Fortune.” Imagineers intentionally made these streets seem smaller to give the feel of the crowded conditions one would experience while in China. As with any other pavilion, tak the time to look all around you. On the roof of the Nine Dragons is a figure of Prince Min. Prince Min was a ruler who was hanged in the 3^rd century. Behind him various animals have been placed to keep the prince from escaping. This is used in China as a warning to any oppressors who may feel the need to attack.

If dining is your thing and you love some Chinese food then head on over to the Nine Dragons restaurant and experience fan favorite faire such as Honey Sesame Chicken and the Kung Pao Chicken. There is also a counter service called the Lotus Blossom Café. Here you can get some of the basics like pot stickers, egg rolls, and shrimp fried rice. My personal favorite ice cream on Disney property can be found here also. If you have a inkling to try it, get a cup of the caramel ginger ice cream, it just tickles the taste buds. Over across from the pavilion is a promenade kiosk that opened in 2007. The Joy of Tea stand is the place to go if Mango Green Tea Slush or a Canto Loopy is your cup of tea.

The China pavilion is home to two shopping spots. One is the Good Fortune Gift shop. Here you can choose from a small selection of Chinese souvenirs like umbrellas and puppets. The other gift store is the House of Good Fortune and is the bigger of the two. The shop has a massive selection of Chinese goods like vases, lanterns, Teas and jewelry. It is ran by the China Pavilion Exhibition Corporation and the company’s president Dr. Nelson Ying and his family has sponsored the pavilion from the beginning. Also located inside is the ever-popular Kidcot station.

Well that concludes this months’ article on the China pavilion. I hope you have enjoyed the journey and I look forward to seeing you again as we take a stroll through Germany.

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>Most everyone who comes to World Showcase at EPCOT has a favorite pavilion that they must visit during their trip. To some it may be taking in the romantic atmosphere of the France pavilion while sipping wine and eating a pastry. To others it may be a trip down south to Mexico listening to a Mariachi band, drinking tequila and playing with some maracas. For others it may be heading straight to one of the original concepts that were designed in the planning phase of World Showcase. This weeks article is going to be about the European nation of Germany.

Germany is modeled after a German town set between the 12th and 17th century, with the architecture of the pavilion being modeled after different regions such as Bavaria and North Germany. Walking up to the pavilion one of the first things to catch your eye is the statue of St. George and the Dragon.

Statues of St. George can be found throughout many villages across Germany. The story of St. George dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. Not much is known about the real St. George and there are many variations to the St. George and the Dragon story. In the Golden Legend the story takes place in the country of Libya, within the town of Lasia a dragon has began living in the local lake. Everyday the townsfolk offer the dragon a sheep or two to appease it. When the sheep do not satisfy it they feed it their children, which are chosen by a lottery. One day the lottery fell on the King’s daughter. He offered half of his kingdom and riches to the townspeople if they would spare his child but they would not go along with it. So the day came when his daughter was to be fed to the dragon. Dressed as a bride she was sent to the lake. While waiting for the dragon, St. George came riding by. She tried to send him away but it was to no avail, when the dragon arose from the lake St. George did the Sign of the Cross and charged at the dragon giving it a heinous wound with his lance. He then led the wounded dragon back to the city. Everyone was terrified of the dragon but St. George told them that if they would become Christians and be baptized he would slay the dragon. Everyone converted to Christianity and he killed the dragon. The King built a church on the place where the dragon was killed and soon after a spring began to flow from the alter with water that would cure all diseases.

St. George left the village; sold everything he had, abandoned his knight raiment and went into the midst of pagans dressed as a Christian brother. He began to pray among the pagans and one day the head of the pagans, named Dacian, came in him asking who he was. St. George answered that he was a knight, a gentleman and a servant of God. Dacian then tried to convert St. George but when he refused Dacian had him beaten and thrown into prison. While in prison the Lord appeared to him and comforted him. Dacian then had his sorcerer prepare a strong poison made and it was given to St. George. He drank it and nothing happened. The sorcerer then made a stronger version; St. George turned it up and swallowed it down. Nothing happened. The sorcerer then knelt down before St. George and begged for him to make him a Christian. Seeing that his sorcerer had converted, Dacian beheaded him. Dacian then tried other means of torture on St. George but all failed miserably. St. George then prayed for God to destroy their temples and idols and fire fell from the heavens destroying the temples, idols and priests. Then the ground opened up and swallowed what was left of the ashes. After St. George converted Dacian’s wife to Christianity he had St. George beheaded. Then fire came down killing Dacian and his servants and the ground opened up and swallowed what was left. So next time you see the statue at EPCOT, quiz your friends and family on whom is depicted on the statue.

Something else that’s quick to catch the eye in the Germany pavilion is the clock tower. It is based on one that is located in Rothenburg and has two boy and girl Hummel figurines that appear each hour on the hour. Another attraction that was originally planned but was never made was a boat ride similar to Maelstrom or the Grand Fiesta Tour. In the 1982 book “Walt Disney’s EPCOT: Creating the World of Tomorrow” by Richard Beard it was described as “The future River Ride promises to be as enjoyable as it is informative. An early concept has visitors boarding a “cruise boat” for a simulated ride down the Rhine and other rivers, the ride affording a visual impression in miniature of the cultural heritage of Germany’s past and the highlights of the present. Among the detailed models envisioned are scenes in the Black Forest, the Oktoberfest, Heidelberg, the industrial Ruhr Valley…the possibilities are limited only by the planners imaginations”

In the 1976 Walt Disney Annual Report it described the River Ride as “a cruise down Germany’s most famous rivers – the Rhine, the Tauber, the Ruhr and the Isar. Detailed miniatures of famous landmarks will also be seen, including one of the Cologne Cathedral.” The building that was going to house the ride was built in time for opening day but it was later announced that the ride would open for Phase 2 of the park expansion. In the beginning the pavilion was a disappointment to the public so Disney later decided that any expansions were to be funded by the country itself and all plans for the ride were scrapped. The ride building is located right behind the Biergarten. The entrance to the restaurant would have been the entrance to the attraction.

The pavilion is also host to two eateries. One is a sit down restaurant, the Biergarten and the quick service, Sommerfest. The Biergarten is a buffet style restaurant that celebrates Oktoberfest year round. Here you can feast on traditional German foods and jam out to a live band. You can also check out some of the German beers if you’re over 21. Do you know how much bratwurst the restaurant sells? It’s said that they sell 13 miles of brats a month in the restaurant.

When you’re in commando mode and don’t feel the need to have a sit down meal, try out Sommerfest. This quick service offers some of the lighter fares such as Bratwurst, a Frankfurter or one of the newer items such as the Currywurst or the Leberkase Reuben. If you’re one of those that have a sweeter tooth then look no further than Karamell – Küche or Caramel Kitchen in English. This shop is sponsored by Storck USA who are the makers of Werther’s Original Caramels. It is the only Werther’s freestanding location in the world. Not only can you get Werther’s candy but you can also get caramel and chocolate pineapple, caramel dipped Strawberries, caramel apples, or caramel popcorn along with other kinds of calorie free foods smothered in chocolate or caramel.

If shopping for German goods is more of your fancy, then look no further than several of the stores located here. Maybe you are looking for an original Steiff teddy bear, if so head on over to Der Teddybär Toy Shop. A seamstress by the name of Margarete Steiff founded the company in 1880. She began with elephants, dogs and cats. Her nephew is credited as creating the first teddy bear. Volkskunstis is another store, in the past they sold crafts and art but has now transitioned to more general German souvenirs such as CD’s and clothing. But they also have a large selection of cuckoo clocks available. If you’re looking to get your drink on with some German wines, then head over to Weinkeller. Here you can choose from over 50 different kinds of wine and you can also sample over 20 different types for a price of course. Das Kaufhaus is the shop to go to if sportswear such as Puma is what you are looking to buy. There is also Die Weihnacts Ecke, a year around Christmas shop that sells the Pickle Ornament and Kunstarbeit in Kristall which sells crystal and jewelry.

Das Kaufhaus is modeled after the Historical Merchants Hall found in Freiburg im Breisgau. Outside the shop on the second story are three monarchs. Who are they you ask? From left to right they are King Phillip I, Emperor Charles V and Emperor Ferdinand I.

To the right of the pavilion is the ever-popular railway garden. This beautifully landscaped attraction showcases LGB trains that are built to run in rain or snow. During the International Flower and Garden Festival, LGB reps have a booth selling some of their trains.

If meeting characters is always on your list then this is where you need to be to see Snow White. On the left side of Karamell – Küche is her wishing well. The Snow White story is known in many cultures but it is the Grimm Brothers German version that is the most popular version. This was the version Walt Disney used for the 1937 masterpiece.

There you have it, the Germany pavilion in a nutshell. As I’ve always said, there is always more to the story here in Walt Disney World and the pavilions are no different. Most of the time there is a reason behind the things you see. So always take time to meander through the pavilions and see what all is involved in the designs of the buildings and statues.

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C’mon, admit it. We’ve all been there. We’ve all had a friend or family member or co-worker that all they talked about was their vacation to Walt Disney World. They asked you a few questions, but that was all they did. Then they get back from their trip tired and complaining about how much a souvenir cost or the only restaurant that their child wanted to eat at was full. There are many common mistakes I feel are made by the “newbie” when it comes to visiting the “World” and I’m going to list my top ten.

10. Not realizing how big Walt Disney World really is.

WDW is 47 square miles. Manhattan, NY is 33.77 square miles. You do the math. Disney World is not the size of a Six Flags over wherever. This place is massive and you have to plan for the huge scale of the resort.

9. Leaving when it begins to rain.

Don’t do it. Most of the time the showers in Orlando only last a little while. If in doubt, carry a packable rain jacket or poncho. Showers tend to thin out the crowds so now is one of the best times to be in the parks.

8. Fastpasses are your friend.

These are free and can save huge amounts of time.

7. Trying to do to much in to little of time.

As stated in number 10. WDW is massive in scale. You will not get everything covered in one trip unless you’re going to be there for months at a time (I wish). Plan accordingly. Know that time is of the essence. Extra magic hours can be your friend or your worst enemy.

6. Height requirements.

Not knowing how tall your kids are before arriving can be a downer, especially when all they’ve been talking about is riding Space Mountain, only to get there and they aren’t tall enough.

5. Not setting a budget.

Food in Disney costs more than most places in your hometown. Check out the menus of places you’re interested in eating and plan accordingly.

4. Know what kind of tickets you want.

There are hundreds of ticket options so don’t wait until its your first day in a park to buy them. Are you going to want to see the Water Parks? Most guest services and resorts sell tickets.

3. When are you going?

Certain times of the year are a lot busier than others. Want to go during Thanksgiving or Christmas? Just know its probably the busiest time of the year.

2. Transportation

Know if you want to ride on Disney transpiration. It’ll take you most anywhere you want to go. But if you want to ride in your own vehicle, parking is free of your staying in a Disney resort of know that’ll you have to pay if staying offsite.

1. But I really want to eat in the castle!

Making ADR’s. You get to the most magical place on earth. Your child wants to dine with the princess, but “we’re sorry, we have no opening today” is not the words you want to hear. You have 180 days out to make those ADR’s to try and get some of the most coveted spots at the most coveted restaurants.

I hope you find these tips helpful when planning your next trip. If you have ideas too, please feel free to share in the comment section!

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So here we are again casually making our way around the World Showcase. If you’ve been keeping up for the past couple of months then you’ve been with us as we stopped and ate churros while watching a mariachi band in Mexico. We then made our way over to Norway and learned a little about Viking folklore. Our next stop was China where we admired and discussed the architecture. Next we hopped over to Germany where everyday is Oktoberfest, now we are making our fifth stop in Italy. At first glance the pavilion doesn’t seem to be that striking. It’s also a little on the small side compared to some of the other pavilions but as usual, if you take your time and look around, you’re bound to find a hidden jewel that may cause you to fall in love with this small, quaint pavilion.

As we make our way from Germany and into the Italian pavilion look over to the right along the water. You’ll find the Isola del Lago (Isle of the Lake) built into the lagoon along with two bridges that are occasionally used for private events. But just a heads up, if the bridges are not being used, it’s a great place for viewing Illuminations. If you walk around this area, you’re bound to see some gondolas in the water. The pavilion is fashioned after the city of Venice and the gondolas, in my opinion, give you the impression that you’re really there. Although not all of Italy looks like Venice, the Imagineers thought that the distinctive style of Venice was the most recognizable.

Now as you turn and walk into the pavilion, something that may catch your eye are two large columns. On the right column, you’ll see a statue of Saint Theodore of Amasea who can be seen slaying a dragon.  Not much is known about this Saint other than he was martyred in the 4^th century.  Most stories about him are folklore.  In one such story a dragon terrorized the surrounding area of Amasea.  St. Theodore was able to defeat the dragon using only a cross.  Looking to the right of the St. Theodore column and you’ll see another column with a statue of a lion that is noted to be the guardian of Venice.

Another spectacular structure that catches the eye is the Doge’s Palace. This replica is based on a landmark that is a classic in the city of Venice; it was built between the 9^th and 16^th centuries. Originally it was residence to the Doge of Venice.  For over 1000 years, the Doge was the leader and chief magistrate over the Republic of Venice.

Another eye catcher walking into the pavilion is the Campanile clock-bell tower that is built one-fifth of the original size.  Not only is it probably the most recognizable landmark in the Italian pavilion, it’s one of the most recognizable in Venice. The original bell tower is located in the Piazza Sam Marco or St. Marks Square in Venice and stands at 323 feet tall.  The replica, which stands within the Italy pavilion, also includes a statue of the Archangel Gabriel.

One of the most popular types of cuisine is Italian food and the pavilion has a few options to satisfy that palate.  One of them is Tutto Italia Ristorante.  This restaurant replaced L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante in 2007.   Tutto Italia is the place to check out if you have a hankering for classic spaghetti, steak, or a cannoli. If a little Italian sweetness is your thing, then head over to the quick service Gelati stand and dive into gelato layered between two chocolate chip cookies.  Another very popular table service restaurant is Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. The most popular item here is definitely the pizza that is cooked in one of three wood-burning ovens, these ovens are named after volcanoes in Italy. But pizza isn’t the only thing served here, you can experience different types of Italian wines, beers, and coffee. Also within this pavilion you will find the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar where you can relax and enjoy over 200 Italian wines and beers.

There are two different acts that perform within the pavilion. One is Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro, which is a group of renaissance costume wearing flag throwers. The other is Sergio the juggler, who will juggle various objects and also perform as a mime.

If shopping is more of your forte, then the Italian pavilion doesn’t lack. One of the shops is Il Bel Cristallo. Here you can purchase items such as Murano glass, crystal, leather handbags, and Italian clothing. There is also La Bottega Italiana where you can get the latest cookware and Italian foods. And last but not least is La Gemma Elegante. This in my opinion is one of the best places in the pavilion. Here you can buy Venetian masks created by Giorgio Iurcotta who moved from Venice to Florida to carry on the family business.

So there you have it, the Italian pavilion in a nutshell. I hope you have enjoyed this stop along the World Showcase tour.

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How many of you have ever heard of Amezaiku? Anyone? Maybe some of you know exactly what it is. For those of you who don’t, I’m here to fill you in. Amezaiku is the Japanese art of crafting candy sculptures. The process involves an artist utilizing rice taffy, their hands and special tools such as tweezers and scissors to create sculptures out of candy. Beginning with a starchy syrup recipe, the candy base is prepared and formed into a ball then stored to be used at a later time. When the ball is heated it becomes pliable once again and the artist will take the desired amount to make their custom creation. The hot candy is quickly rolled, twisted, clipped and molded into form. Speed is of the essence because the sculpture must be completed before the candy has time to cool and harden.

If you’ve ever been traveling around the Japan pavilion in World Showcase and stumbled upon a small cart located just outside of the entrance to the Mistikoshi department store, you’ve probably seen the Amezaiku artist Miyuki. She has been a part of the Japan pavilion since 1996 and still continues to delight adults and children alike with her candy making skills.

Miyuki began her candy making apprenticeship in 1989 under the artistry of candy maker Mr. Kinura, her grandfather. In Japan he is one of the best and most renowned candy artists. Currently there are only 15 candy artists in Japan and Miyuki is distinguished to be the first and only woman to receive the training in That country. When she completed her training she became an independent artist and traveled in Japan and Italy to demonstrate her artistic creations at conventions, local festivals and private parties.

In EPCOT she performs several shows a day throughout the week. When she begins she usually calls on a child to name an animal. When the child calls out, “DOG!” or “DRAGON!”, she’ll quickly begin her transformation of a ball of candy into a custom work of art. The candy dough she works with is heated to 200 degrees to keep it soft while she works her magic. If you’ve never seen Miyuki work, do yourself a favor the next time you’re in Japan and watch her work, you won’t be disappointed. In the past the chosen child was rewarded with the final result but sadly Disney put a stop to this due to sanitary reasons. Don’t let this deter you from watching her work the candy making magic that she does best.

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Left or right? The question we often ask ourselves when we begin our way to the World Showcase. To the right, we have the United States northern neighbor Canada and to the left, we have our southern neighbor Mexico. Which way do you choose? Me, I often like to make my way around the promenade clockwise beginning with Mexico. I just love the look of the 36-foot high pyramid that greets you as you cross into World Showcase.Along with Canada, France, China, Italy, Japan, Germany, the U.K. and U.S.A., Mexico was an opening day country. Collin Campbell who was a theme park conceptual artist supervised the design of the Mexico pavilion. It was the only pavilion with a ride and this became immediately apparent with guests. More rides had been proposed during the planning phase but unfortunately had to be eliminated due to cost restraints. Even the Mexico ride had to be shortened to budget.

A composite of Mesoamerican motifs dating back to the 3^rd century, the pyramid leads into an 85,000-sqaure foot pavilion. The serpent heads leading up the staircase represent Quetzalcoatl, the god of intelligence and self-reflection. The serpent heads also protect the high priest at the top of the structure, which in reality is the control booth for Illuminations. At the base of the pyramid’s steps, you will find a carving of the Mayan King Bird-Jaguar. These types of carvings were used in funerals and as territory markers.

Once inside the pyramid, you’ll enter a room that is styled after a Mayan Ceremonial Hall. Here you can find the Mexico Folk Art Gallery, which contains various displays of Mexican arts and crafts. The very popular Animalés Fantásticos: Spirits in Wood can also be found here. This exhibit honors the Oaxacan wood carvers who believe that when they carve a wooden figure, they unleash the spirit of the being that is being carved from each piece of wood. All of the figurines are hand carved of wood from a copal tree that is found in the hills of the Oaxacan Valley of Southern Mexico. The figures can be grouped into 8 categories that teach you about the daily life and civilization of Oaxacan cultures. They are:

• Los Comienzos (The Beginning)
• Fiestas (Festivals)
• El Mar (The Sea)
• La Tierra (The Land)
• El Folklor (Folklore)
• Amigos (Friends)
• Los Angeles y los Santos (Angels and Saints)
• El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead)

The Sun Stone leads the way into the Plaza de los Amigos or the Plaza of Friends. Made to look like an open-air market in the nighttime, here you can find the Fuente de la Vida or the fountain of life. While you walk around take your time to shop at some of the various carts and kiosks. If pieces of crystal are your thing, go into La Princesa de Cristal and see what’s new inside. This whole area is really neat to browse through and take pictures wearing sombreros or possibly a picture with Donald Duck. Outside the pavilion are a few other shopping kiosks like the El Ranchito Del Norte, which offers various t-shirts, and the Ring Carvers where you can purchase a unique ring that bears your initials.

If eating and drinking is your goal then the Mexico pavilion is hard to beat. Located inside is the San Angel Inn Restuarante. Here you can dine in the dimly lit pavilion and overlook the El Rio del Tiempo (The River of Time). Sit back and relax and enjoy traditional fares like Enchiladas or Tacos. Also inside the pavilion is La Cava del Tequila, which is a tequila bar that offers over 200 different varieties. They also have cocktails, beer, and wine. Outside and across the way from the pavilion is another sit-down restaurant, La Hacienda de San Angel. This dining experience is also on the waterfront and offers authentic Mexican cuisine and in addition to margaritas. Another option is the counter service spot, La Cantina de San Angel, you can grab a taco, a churro or….a margarita.

If the timing is right, walk over to the right of the pavilion and say Hola to everyone’s favorite duck, Donald and get a quick photo and autograph. Then be on the lookout for the local band Mariachi Cobre. This mariachi band plays the traditional music of Jalisco, Mexico.

On opening day there was only one ride throughout the World Showcase and that was El Rio del Tiempo. It was an 8-minute boat ride that brought guests through the three cultures of Mexico. These were the pre-Columbian, the Spanish-Colonial and modern Mexico. Three scenes were presented on big screens. As guests floated by each screen representations of dances were viewed. The first scene was “Nature and Science” and this scene paid tribute to the ancients’ and their understanding of man’s association with the universe. The second screen was known as “Mathematics and Astronomy”. This scene dealt with the Mayans and their understanding of the concept behind the number zero. And the last scene was known as “Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca” which represented the eternal battle of good and evil.

Passing through the archway visitors came into the “Festival of Children”. This scene is very reminiscent of “It’s a Small World” with child-like doll animatronics showcasing Mexican dancing and music. The “Day of the Dead” scene pays tribute to memories of the deceased. The next scene revealed several screens with locals trying to sell the passersby’s goods as the boats drifted by. The boat then came into an open room with fiber optic fireworks and the ride’s theme song playing throughout. The legendary X. Atencio wrote the song that played until coming to the end of the ride.

In 2007 the ride experienced an overhaul. The ride had begun to lag in attendance so Disney decided to add a few characters to the attraction. The boat ride reopened as the “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros”. The attraction would now star Donald Duck, José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles from the 1944 animated feature The Three Caballeros and the 1942 movie Saludos Amigos. Much of the internal ride structure remained the same. Now during the ride, we help Panchito and José look for Donald and make it to Mexico City in time for the concert they are to perform. New scenes involving the search for Donald replaced all of the films that were shown on the screens in the previous version of the attraction.

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