It's finally our turn to say...

This year, in the Disney universe...

• we went to Disney World!

1 day

Knock, knock, who's there?

1 year ago in the Disney universe...

• Inside Out, Good Dinosaur, Tomorrowland, and the live action Cinderella all debuted in theaters
• Descendants premiered on the Disney Channel and Muppets returned to weekly TV
• The sorceror's hat was demolished at Hollywood Studios, removing a major icon from the park and freeing up the view of the Great Movie Ride
• Disneyland celebrated its 60th anniversary
• We started planning our WDW trip!

2 days

2 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Movie debuts included Muppets Most Wanted, Maleficent, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Big Hero 6
• Aladdin opened on Broadway
• At Animal Kingdom, the construction began for Avatar's Pandora land, now scheduled to open summer 2017
• The Festival of Fantasy Parade debuted at Magic Kingdom
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened in Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland
• A Ratatouille-themed ride opened at Disney Paris
• In Epcot's Norway pavilion, the Maelstrom ride closed to be re-done as Frozen Ever After

3 days

3 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Monsters University, Planes, Oz the Great and Powerful, Frozen, and Saving Mr. Banks all hit movie screens
• Teen Beach Movie premiered on the Disney Channel
• Tokyo Disney celebrated their 30th anniversary
• Pirates of the Caribbean celebrated its 40th birthday at the Magic Kingdom

4 days

4 years ago in the Disney universe...

• The Avengers was released, making it the first Marvel movie under Disney's ownership
• Other movie debuts included Brave and Wreck-It Ralph
• On TV, SoapNET was replaced by Disney Junior
• Sorcerors of the Magic Kingdom, an interactive game, debuted at the Magic Kingdom
• Disneyland Paris celebrated its 20th anniversary
• Snow White's Scary Adventures ride in Magic Kingdom closed to make way for part of the new Fantasyland

5 days

5 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stronger Tides was released and grossed over $1 billion dollars
• Cars 2, Winnie the Pooh, The Muppets, and Lion King 3D were all in movie theaters
• Touchstone Pictures movie releases included The Help (you is kind...)
• The final episode of Hannah Montana aired on The Disney Channel (on a wrecking ball...)
• Once Upon a Time premiered on ABC
• Hong Kong Disneyland celebrated their 5th anniversary
• At Magic Kingdom in Florida, Toon Town closed to make space for the Fantasyland expansion (Be Our Guest restaurant, Gaston's Tavern, the famous Tangled restrooms, Storybook Circus, and more!)
• The new Star Tours ride opened on both coasts

6 days

6 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Toy Story 3 and Tangled entertained moviegoers
• Captain EO re-opened as a tribute to Michael Jackson 
• World of Color premiered at California Adventure
• Disneyland celebrated its 55th birthday

7 days-1 week!

7 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Hannah Montana: The Movie, Up, and The Princess and the Frog debuted in movie theaters, as well as The Proposal (Touchstone Pictures-owned by Disney)
• On TV, Toon Disney was replaced by Disney XD
• Prep & Landing debuted on ABC (and will host the Hollywood Studios Show Jingle Bell Jingle BAM!)
• Tokyo Disney celebrated their 25th anniversary

8 days

8 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Wall-E, Bolt, and High School Musical 3 hit the big screen
• The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway
• Phineas and Ferb debuted on the Disney Channel
• Disney-MGM Studios was re-named Disney's Hollywood Studios (I still have a hard time remembering this!)
• Toy Story Midway Mania ride opened in California and Florida (can't wait to see the queue in Florida!)

9 days-single digits!

9 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Meet the Robinsons, Ratatouille, and Enchanted debuted in movie theaters
• High School Musical 2 debuted on the Disney Channel
• New rides at Walt Disney World included Seas with Nemo and Friends (Epcot), Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros (Epcot), and the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor (Magic Kingdom)

10 days

10 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Tarzan and Mary Poppins both opened on Broadway
• Cars debuted on the big screen
• Expedition Everest opened at Animal Kingdom
• Disney officially acquired Pixar

11 days

11 years ago in the Disney universe:

• Pooh's Heffalump Movie, The Pacifier, Herbie: Fully Loaded, and Chicken Little debuted at the movies
• Disney Magazine ends its 40 year run
• The first book in the Kingdom Keepers series was published
• Disneyland celebrated its 50th anniversary

12 days

12 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Home on the Range, Ella Enchanted, Princess Diaries 2, National Treasure, and the Incredibles all debuted
• Stitch's Great Escape opened at the Magic Kingdom

13 days

13 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Piglet's Big Movie, Holes, Freaky Friday, and Finding Nemo hit the big screen
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl was released and became the first PG-13 film released under the Walt Disney Pictures label
• That's So Raven debuted on The Disney Channel (lucky 13...it's coming back!)
• The Aladdin Musical opened at California Adventure
• Two new Florida rides opneed:  Mickey's Philharmagic at the Magic Kingdom and Mission: Space at Epcot

14 days-2 weeks

14 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Big screen debuts included Snow Dogs, Lilo & Stitch, and The Country Bears Movie
• A Bug's Land opened at California Adventure

15 days

15 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Sky Kids, Princess Diaries, and Monsters Inc premiered in movie theaters
• Downtown Disney and California Adventure opened in California
• The Electrical Parade ended its run in Florida and began daily showings at California Adventure
• Country Bear Jamboree closed in Anaheim
• Haunted Mansion Holiday appeared for the first time
• River Country, WDW's 3rd water park, closed permanently and became an object of curiosity for many Disney fans http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20150323/30074/abandoned-rise-fall-and-decay-disney-s-river-country

16 days

16 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Disneyland celebrated its 45th anniversary
• Fantasia 2000, The Tigger movie, Remember the Titans, and Emperor's New Groove hit the big screen
• Rocket Rods closed at Disneyland, originally for refurbishment, then forever

Touring Plans December preview here

17 days

17 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Theatrical releases included Tarzan, Inspector Gadget, and Toy Story 2
• Test Track opened at Epcot
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opened at Magic Kingdom
• Rock n Roller Coaster opened at Hollywood Studios
• Fastpass was first offered (at Disneyland Paris)
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame musical premiered in Berlin

Bonus:  Epcot's Holiday's Around the World food booths preview here

18 days

18 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Big screen debuts include Mulan, the new Parent Trap, and Air Bud: Golden Receiver
• The original Disneyland parking lot was closed to make way for California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the Grand Californian
• Animal Kingdom opened at Walt Disney World
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed in Florida

19 days

19 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Michael Eisner and Steve Jobs announced a 10-year partnership between Disney and Pixar
• Hercules, Air Bud, and Flubber debuted on the big screen
• The Disney Channel converted from a premium cable channel to a basic cable channel and adopted a new logo
• Recess debuted on Saturday morning cartoons
• Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort opened

20 days

20 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Big screen films included James and the Giant Peach, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the live action 101 Dalmatians
• Disneyland began its massive renovation of Tomorrowland
• Walt Disney World celebrated its 25th anniversary

21 days

3 weeks to go!  

21 years ago in the Disney universe...

• New big screen movies included Pocahontas, A Goofy Movie, Operation Dumbo Drop
• Pixar's first feature film, Toy Story, debuted
• The Indiana Jones ride opened at Disneyland
• Blizzard Beach water park opened in Florida
• Disneyland's People Mover closed after 28 years (You can look forward to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority at the Magic Kingdom...same idea!)

Fun Fact about Cinderella's Castle:

22 days

22 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Donald Duck celebrated his 60th birthday
• The Lion King and Angels in the Outfield debuted in movie theaters
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened at Disney World
• Beauty and the Beast premiered on Broadway

23 days

23 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Cool Runnings and The Nightmare Before Christmas debuted in the theaters
• Full House aired its Walt Disney World episode
• Mickey's Toon Town opened at Disneyland

A bonus story for today, of one family's Thanksgiving meal at Walt Disney World:  Magic Kingdom Pilgrims

24 days

24 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Newsies, Sister Act, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Mighty Ducks, Aladdin, and the Muppet Christmas Carol all hit the big screen
• Disneyland Paris opened
• Fantasmic debuted at Disneyland
• Splash Mountain opened in Florida

25 days

25 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Beauty and the Beast premiered
• Darkwing Duck debuted on the Disney Channel
• Walt Disney World celebrated its 20th birthday

26 days

26 years ago in the Disney Universe...

• The Rescuers Down Under, Dick Tracy, and Pretty Woman were all released into the theater.
• Fantasia was re-released
• Disney Comics was founded
• The first issue of Disney Adventures magazine was published

Fun Fact:  Space Mountain at WDW has a different track layout than the one at Disneyland; in fact, there are two tracks, a left side and a right side!

27 days

27 years ago in the Disney universe...

• The Little Mermaid launched the renaissance of Disney feature films
• The New Mickey Mouse Club began on the Disney Channel (hello Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera)
• Disney Hollywood Studios and Typhoon Lagoon both opened in Florida

28 days

28 years ago in the Disney universe...

• Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Oliver and Company both premiered
• Rescue Rangers debuted on the Disney Channel
• The Illuminations nighttime show began at Epcot
• The Norway pavilion opened at Epcot

29 days

29 years ago in the Disney universe...

• The first Disney store opened in Glendale, California
• Star Tours opened at Disneyland
• Duck Tales premiered

30 days and counting...

Time is flying!  I thought it would be fun to do a daily countdown until our trip!

30 years ago...

• Walt Disney was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame
• The Great Mouse Detective was released
• Walt Disney World celebrated its 15th anniversary
• Captain EO opened at Disneyland and Epcot

50 Days to go and Holiday Information

Our countdown has reached 50 days to go!

Disney has been releasing information about the various holiday celebrations they will host this year.  In addition to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party,  Candlelight Processional, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, and special seasonal parades and fireworks, there will be a few new things as well!

There will be a new holiday food event around the Epcot "world."  A few highlights:   Cocoa Candy Cane (hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps-hi Jen!), hoppin' john (hi Mom!).  

Epcot Food!

Also new at Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney) is the Christmas Tree Trail.

Trees with lights

Allears.net article about all the holiday happenings:  Read me!

New nighttime show at Hollywood Studios!

Thanks for the breaking news tip, Mom!

There's a new nighttime Christmas fireworks show coming to Hollywood Studios this Christmas.  Love the preview pictures posted on the allearsnet.com article!

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2016/10/new_holiday_show_jingle_bell_j.html

Happy Friday!

WDW Transit Map

Just because I think it's cool...

Double Digits!

Have you checked your countdown recently?  We're in double digits today with 99 days until our trip!  I think that deserves a dance!

Ice Cream Round-up

I know what they say about when you assume something...but I'm assuming there may be nearly daily ice cream stops.  So, here's a primer of the best places at WDW for ice cream, in no particular order!

Beach Club Resort:  Beaches and Cream

This has been a long-time favorite of WDW guests, and features some of the best burgers on property, in addition to delicious ice cream treats.  Their most famous dish is the Kitchen Sink, a sundae made of 8 scoops of ice cream, every topping they have, and a whole can of whipped cream, literally served in a kitchen sink.  They also now serve adult milkshakes, yum!

The Kitchen Sink-group effort required!

Adult Milkshakes for the win!

Epcot:  L'Artisan des Glaces

Found in the France Pavilion at Epcot, L'Artisan des Glaces features a unique variety of ice cream and sorbet flavors that update seasonally.  They also will make you an ice cream sandwich using their macarons as the cookie!  Some of their popular ice cream flavors include mint chocolate, lemon with crispy meringue, pistachio, cinnamon with caramelized pecan, chocolate and orange, and more!  Yes, they do have traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla also.  

Boardwalk Inn:  Ample Hills Creamery

This new ice cream parlor, located on the Boardwalk, features very unique flavors such as Ooey Gooey Buttercake, Peppermint Pattie, and Sally Sells Seashells.  They also offer a multi-flavor sampler, a great way to try a variety of fun flavors.