Photo Flashback! My First Star Wars Weekends Adventure

I just returned from a long weekend trip to Walt Disney World with my brother, Chris (aka Ridge.)  This was my first time experiencing Star Wars Weekends and it was great fun.  I'm thankful that my brother and I are good friends and enjoy traveling together.  Our previous brother/sister only trips were in 2003 for the Passholder preview of Mission Space and in 2007, just because.  I'll write a trip report soon but for now, here are a few shots to go with today's theme over at Focused on the Magic---ADVENTURE.   

Photo Flashback! Love is in the air!

February is when Love is in the air

Minnie and her Mickey

.  At Walt Disney World that reminds us of the World's most famous couple.  Mickey and Minnie are up in the air in Love... or at least they look like they are enjoying a balloon ride.

Mickey and Minnie in their balloon float - 2014

Mickey and Minnie have a wonderful hot air balloon parade float that they are able to "float" through the parade route in the Magic Kingdom.

These are 2 pictures I took of the parade last year on one of our visits to Walt Disney World.

--DisneyDad

October at Walt Disney World!

Walt Disney World does a wonderful job of decorating for seasons.  October turns the Magic Kingdom orange for Halloween and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.  There is special entertainment and the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade and the Happy HalloWishes fireworks. October means the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is in full swing.

Magic Kingdom Halloween 2012

Sunday night, Ridge and I, (Mom decided to skip this) will be at the Magic Kingdom for MNSSHP.  I hope to post some and tweet (@DisneyDad28) some from the Party.  I'll do what I can but Amy normally does the live posting, but unfortunately she was not able to be on this trip.

Train Station Halloween 2012

The rest of the week Mom, Ridge, and I will be having some fun the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.  Unlike some trips we only have one meal reservation.  We have a Fast Pass for lunch at "Be Our Guest".  We were fortunate for our last trip and this one to have an invitation to use the Fast Pass for BOG.  You don't just get a time to go to the restaurant, you go ahead and order your lunch on line.  You check in at the Fast Pass entrance, verify your order, pay and find a seat.

If you have never been to Be Our Guest Restaurant, there are 3 massive dining rooms that seat a total of about 550 guests. The dining rooms are easily recognizable from Beauty and the Beast.  You may dine in the Grand Ballroom, the Rose Gallery, or if you dare, the West Wing where you may catch a glimpse of the enchanted rose.

October has been a family trip for years, but this year Amy and her family won't be with us.  So no granddaughters on this trip. :-(  So without children we don't have to try to keep to the kiddo's schedule. And can dine places you wouldn't want to take a small child (like the BOG West Wing).  But this also means we have not scheduled any character breakfasts or meet-and-greet with any characters.  

Olivia's at Old Key West Resort 2013

It also means we will spend more time trying out the different offering of the Food & Wine Festival. For the 2014 EIF&WF there are 25 Global Marketplaces where you can "Taste Your Way Around the World".  I always love to start in Canada where they have Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and “Le Cellier” wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce.  Wow!  What a way to start!  This year they have 2 new booths and a lot of returning favorites.  New this year is Farm Fresh that is "straight from the farm too you" and Patagoina where you can sample some South American cooking.  Check out a full list at the official F&WF website at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/food-wine-marketplaces/

At each marketplace there is also a selection of beer and wine representative of the countries.  And Hanson (who performed in September at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series) has their craft beer - Mmmhop - at the Fife and Drum at the American pavilion.

EIF&WF 2012

I'll also try to give an "unbiased" review of the Lumber Jack Show replacement for Off Kilter which is reported to begin next week.  I'm not sure how unbiased I'll be as I absolutely loved Off Kilter and am very disappointed Disney has gotten rid of them after all these years.

--DisneyDad

Photo Flashback! Mickey!

Amy was able to get FastPass+ setup for us on our May 2014 visit to Walt Disney World so the girls could visit with Mickey.

Minnie, Mickey, and Tink

If you haven't visited with Mickey recently, it's time you go.  Mickey talks with you!  

Tink had on her Birthday button so Mickey took that opportunity to sing Happy Birthday! to her as they danced together.

Mickey, Tink, Minnie and DisneyDad

Of course the Big Kid in the bunch had to get his picture made with Mickey too!

Amy  and Mickey

Amy couldn't resist a selfie with Mickey.

--DisneyDad

Happy Birthday from Talking Mickey

On our recent Walt Disney World vacation, we were celebrating our family's April and May birthdays.  Tink was wearing her birthday button when we met with Mickey Mouse and this happened.

If you can't see the video above, check it out on YouTube.

Five Photos: Mickey Meets Part 2

Last month, I posted a series of photos showing Growing Up Disney family members with our favorite mouse and highlighted his fabulous wardrobe. This month, I'd like to share images from our recent Walt Disney World vacation. Mickey was a big part of it, as you can see. 

Tink giving Mickey a smooch at the Disney Visa cardholders meet and greet. 

Magician Mickey (I thought I shot video of this experience but didn't get it. Oh well, talking Mickey is interesting.)

DisneyDad and Mickey were photobombed by an enthusiastic fan. 

I wouldn't hug this version of Mickey, but it certainly makes me happy.

Minnie helped Mickey lead the procession at Tusker House. 

Five Photos! HUGS

I was looking back at my photos (as I was rebuilding my laptop - my hard drive died) and started noticing pictures of Tink and Minnie being HUGGED by characters on our May 2013 trip.

Hugs from Tigger and Pooh at EPCOT

A BIG hug from Tigger at The Crystal Palace in The Magic Kingdom

Hugs from Aurora visiting with Princesses in The Magic Kingdom

Snuggle hugs with Pluto at The Garden Grill in EPCOT

Big Hugs from the Big Cheese Himself

Everyone needs a hug sometimes.  I miss getting Big Hugs from my granddaughters as we live in different states. I don't think I'll get to hug them until our WDW trip in November.

--DisneyDad

Five Photos: Fun Wedding Pictures with Mickey and Minnie

Mickey and Minnie Mouse crashed my Disney wedding.  Just kidding, my dad invited them as a surprise to me.  And boy was it!  As a Disney kid, I was thrilled to have the Main Mouse as a part of our big day.  Today I'd like to share a few of the fun photos my husband and I took with our honored guests.

Five Photos: Topiaries at EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

Topiaries from May 2013 at EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.

--DisneyDad

Mickey and Minnie

The Lion King

 

and Monsters!

Photo Flashback! Mickey, My how you've changed!

Just a few days ago we received SLIDES from Mom's Aunt who lives in Gainesville, Florida.  She had gathered up several slides from 1973 and sent them to us.   Never let it be said we let some good pictures go to waste.  All the slides will make their way here eventually.  The first one I wanted to share was Mickey and Minnie from 1973.  Mickey, My, how you've changed!

Amy, Tink, Minnie with the Big Cheese

Above from May 2013, Amy, Tink, and Minnie visited with Mickey Mouse at The Magic Kingdom. 

Below from March 1973 is Mickey and Minnie.  Just a little different, don't you think?  This photo was taken near the Tomorrowland Speedway and is part of several slides taken of a parade.  My wife was just amazed at the LACK of people watching the parade.  In the background you can see one of the original attractions in the Magic Kingdom, the Skyway to Tomorrowland (or Skyway to Fantasyland depending on which direction you were traveling).

Thank you! to Earline Webb for sharing this and other slides with us.
--DisneyDad

Photo Flashback! Disney Never Stops

Talk about a flashback!

A young me (Ridge) maybe about 6, rocking my Mickey Mouse shirt.

Five Photos: Disney in the Fall

Fall is my absolute favorite time to visit Walt Disney World.  I love the Food and Wine Festival.  The decorations at the Magic Kingdom are so much fun.  The weather is typically (a little!) cooler.  Here are a few favorite fall shots. ~Amy

Two pumpkins in Toontown

Love the Mickeys on the lamp posts

Pumpkin Pooh at Downtown Disney 

Everything is more festive in autumn colors

Tink on Halloween 2010 outside Yak and Yeti.  Ah, my little pixie.