#SpecialeventsDisney

[twotravelinglanes-blog]

When you wish upon a star

Two Traveling Lanes

When you wish upon a star

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you." How many of you of a certain age can hum that tune without thinking back to your childhood? Chances are, you grew up with "The Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night on the TV. It's aired almost without fail on broadcast TV weekly since 1954. The name changed occasionally, as did the types of movies and cartoons Disney aired, but that haunting theme song from Pinocchio was a regular in most opening scenes.

Disney is for more than kids. Daughter Julie and I go as often as we can.

The newest addition to Walt Disney World is Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios The song instantly transports me back to my family's white farmhouse in western Kentucky, where all seven of us kids would gather around the TV set and that haunting Disney melody while Mom cooked supper (yes, that's what we call dinner in the South) in the kitchen nearby. It was a bittersweet time. Sweet, because we got to see our favorite mousketeers and state-of-the-art Disney movies; sad, because the Sunday night blues were a reality, even for elementary school kids in the 1960s. Disney without children? Oh, the horror! When people -- mostly men, it seems -- ask why I still enjoy going to see the Mouse in Orlando every month or so sans children, I hearken back to those distant glimmers of childhood. My memories of Mickey, Minnie and the gang were a magical part of childhood, a fantasy I relived when my own children were born and I was re-introduced to the magic all over again. When I visit Disney World and hear that music and see the action characters I loved as a child, it reawakens an ancient part of my soul that otherwise would have been long lost to deadlines, health worries and laundry. Whether he's viewed in high definition or grainy black-and-white newsreels, Mickey has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. And when you grow up on a rural Kentucky farm, the magic he instills lasts a lifetime. Some might argue Disney is even better without kids. If you've ever dragged a 2-year-old on a hot, day-long adventure outdoors, you probably remember the temper tantrums and frequent meltdowns. When's the last time that happened to an adult friend of yours? If you answered "recently," you might wanna find a new friend circle. Perhaps that's why I see people 20 years my senior still lolling about the theme parks, gathered at spots where they play old 1950s-era cartoons and display vintage memorabilia. If you're lucky, you never outgrow the kid in you, even if it manifests only at Disney.

Teresa and daughter Julie love all things Mickey More to Disney than kiddie rides Though you may not be interested in roller coasters or sitting through the 20th viewing of "It's a Small World," there are plenty of places to enjoy Walt Disney World as a grownup without children in tow. Here are my favorites, in no particular order: Shows and musicals.  Just watching a few live shows each time you visit the parks more than pays for your ticket, considering the cost of stage shows elsewhere. We caught Hollywood Studios' Fantasmic! performance recently and found it an awe-inspiring mix of fireworks, music and live action featuring nearly every Disney character in the story book.

Few things in life spark as much joy as seeing this sign. We caught part of a nightly Star Wars spectacular at the same park, and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage remains one of my favorites at Hollywood Studios. Festival of the Lion King is a roarin' good time at Animal Kingdom. These just skim the surface. A quick glance on the Disney app shows dozens of daily stage shows at the four parks.

Cinderella's Castle is gorgeous at Christmas time Parades and fireworks: Every park stages a nightly grand finale of sorts, whether it's the Electrical Water Pageant at Magic Kingdom or the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot. I don't usually stake out a spot for hours like some guests, but do try to snare a spot 15 minutes or so before the show to ensure I can see more than a tree limb. Magic Kingdom also has a nightly fireworks show at 8 p.m. that can be seen from everywhere. Concerts: Disney spares no expense in bringing big-name acts to its parks, usually Epcot. That's the park that features seasonal specials like the International Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival and Arts Festival. Looking at the upcoming lineup for March through June 2019, we'll get to see Journey former lead singer Steve Augeri, the Marshall Tucker Band, Night Ranger, Ambrosia, Rick Springfield, Air Supply and Christopher Cross, to name a few. At the annual arts festival in February, Broadway singers perform in sunny Orlando while snow blankets New York.

You'll see giraffes and more on the Kilimanjari Safari tour at Animal Kingdom Animals: One of my favorite attractions at any of the parks is Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you ride in an open-air Jeep of sorts through land with free roaming lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras and more. Disney has created a 110-acre wildlife reserve that's home to 34 species living in picturesque open plains, shady forests and rocky wetlands. I've taken the 18-minute tour several times and each time I see a different animal up close. I'd like to go back after dark to see the savanna animals in a whole new light. Night travel was once off limits to visitors, but Disney recently installed lighting to mimic the setting sun and rising moon, giving you a rare glimpse into animals' nocturnal behavior. Epcot's World Showcase: You can travel around the world to 11 countries with a short stroll around the World Showcase Lagoon. You'll think you're actually in China, Norway and Italy with the attention to detail Disney has put into recreating these countries at home. Eat some Mexican cuisine before

We enjoyed an authentic Belgian waffle and other international cuisine at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival cruising down the Rio Grande. Watch a 360-degree, Circle Vision movie of China and Canada, or watch a live stage show about the American experience. Epcot also ventures to space and undersea with its rides and large aquariums filled with sharks, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish. I could go on and on, and I usually do, but you get the picture.

This big-horned animal walked right by our safari vehicle Disney has waaaay more to love than just the time-honored Dumbo ride and swirling teacups. It has plenty for people of all ages, and that's probably why it's the No. 1 tourist destination in the world year after year. After all, toddlers don't make vacation plans. Adults do. Read the full article

[twotravelinglanes-blog]

When you wish upon a star

Two Traveling Lanes

When you wish upon a star

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you." How many of you of a certain age can hum that tune without thinking back to your childhood? Chances are, you grew up with "The Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night on the TV. It's aired almost without fail on broadcast TV weekly since 1954. The name changed occasionally, as did the types of movies and cartoons Disney aired, but that haunting theme song from Pinocchio was a regular in most opening scenes.

Disney is for more than kids. Daughter Julie and I go as often as we can.

The newest addition to Walt Disney World is Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios The song instantly transports me back to my family's white farmhouse in western Kentucky, where all seven of us kids would gather around the TV set and that haunting Disney melody while Mom cooked supper (yes, that's what we call dinner in the South) in the kitchen nearby. It was a bittersweet time. Sweet, because we got to see our favorite mousketeers and state-of-the-art Disney movies; sad, because the Sunday night blues were a reality, even for elementary school kids in the 1960s. Disney without children? Oh, the horror! When people -- mostly men, it seems -- ask why I still enjoy going to see the Mouse in Orlando every month or so sans children, I hearken back to those distant glimmers of childhood. My memories of Mickey, Minnie and the gang were a magical part of childhood, a fantasy I relived when my own children were born and I was re-introduced to the magic all over again. When I visit Disney World and hear that music and see the action characters I loved as a child, it reawakens an ancient part of my soul that otherwise would have been long lost to deadlines, health worries and laundry. Whether he's viewed in high definition or grainy black-and-white newsreels, Mickey has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. And when you grow up on a rural Kentucky farm, the magic he instills lasts a lifetime. Some might argue Disney is even better without kids. If you've ever dragged a 2-year-old on a hot, day-long adventure outdoors, you probably remember the temper tantrums and frequent meltdowns. When's the last time that happened to an adult friend of yours? If you answered "recently," you might wanna find a new friend circle. Perhaps that's why I see people 20 years my senior still lolling about the theme parks, gathered at spots where they play old 1950s-era cartoons and display vintage memorabilia. If you're lucky, you never outgrow the kid in you, even if it manifests only at Disney.

Teresa and daughter Julie love all things Mickey More to Disney than kiddie rides Though you may not be interested in roller coasters or sitting through the 20th viewing of "It's a Small World," there are plenty of places to enjoy Walt Disney World as a grownup without children in tow. Here are my favorites, in no particular order: Shows and musicals.  Just watching a few live shows each time you visit the parks more than pays for your ticket, considering the cost of stage shows elsewhere. We caught Hollywood Studios' Fantasmic! performance recently and found it an awe-inspiring mix of fireworks, music and live action featuring nearly every Disney character in the story book.

Few things in life spark as much joy as seeing this sign. We caught part of a nightly Star Wars spectacular at the same park, and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage remains one of my favorites at Hollywood Studios. Festival of the Lion King is a roarin' good time at Animal Kingdom. These just skim the surface. A quick glance on the Disney app shows dozens of daily stage shows at the four parks.

Cinderella's Castle is gorgeous at Christmas time Parades and fireworks: Every park stages a nightly grand finale of sorts, whether it's the Electrical Water Pageant at Magic Kingdom or the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot. I don't usually stake out a spot for hours like some guests, but do try to snare a spot 15 minutes or so before the show to ensure I can see more than a tree limb. Magic Kingdom also has a nightly fireworks show at 8 p.m. that can be seen from everywhere. Concerts: Disney spares no expense in bringing big-name acts to its parks, usually Epcot. That's the park that features seasonal specials like the International Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival and Arts Festival. Looking at the upcoming lineup for March through June 2019, we'll get to see Journey former lead singer Steve Augeri, the Marshall Tucker Band, Night Ranger, Ambrosia, Rick Springfield, Air Supply and Christopher Cross, to name a few. At the annual arts festival in February, Broadway singers perform in sunny Orlando while snow blankets New York.

You'll see giraffes and more on the Kilimanjari Safari tour at Animal Kingdom Animals: One of my favorite attractions at any of the parks is Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you ride in an open-air Jeep of sorts through land with free roaming lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras and more. Disney has created a 110-acre wildlife reserve that's home to 34 species living in picturesque open plains, shady forests and rocky wetlands. I've taken the 18-minute tour several times and each time I see a different animal up close. I'd like to go back after dark to see the savanna animals in a whole new light. Night travel was once off limits to visitors, but Disney recently installed lighting to mimic the setting sun and rising moon, giving you a rare glimpse into animals' nocturnal behavior. Epcot's World Showcase: You can travel around the world to 11 countries with a short stroll around the World Showcase Lagoon. You'll think you're actually in China, Norway and Italy with the attention to detail Disney has put into recreating these countries at home. Eat some Mexican cuisine before

We enjoyed an authentic Belgian waffle and other international cuisine at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival cruising down the Rio Grande. Watch a 360-degree, Circle Vision movie of China and Canada, or watch a live stage show about the American experience. Epcot also ventures to space and undersea with its rides and large aquariums filled with sharks, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish. I could go on and on, and I usually do, but you get the picture.

This big-horned animal walked right by our safari vehicle Disney has waaaay more to love than just the time-honored Dumbo ride and swirling teacups. It has plenty for people of all ages, and that's probably why it's the No. 1 tourist destination in the world year after year. After all, toddlers don't make vacation plans. Adults do. Read the full article

[twotravelinglanes-blog]

"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you." How many of you of a certain age can hum that tune without thinking back to your childhood? Chances are, you grew up with "The Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night on the TV. It's aired almost without fail on broadcast TV weekly since 1954. The name changed occasionally, as did the types of movies and cartoons Disney aired, but that haunting theme song from Pinocchio was a regular in most opening scenes.

Disney is for more than kids. Daughter Julie and I go as often as we can.

The newest addition to Walt Disney World is Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios The song instantly transports me back to my family's white farmhouse in western Kentucky, where all seven of us kids would gather around the TV set and that haunting Disney melody while Mom cooked supper (yes, that's what we call dinner in the South) in the kitchen nearby. It was a bittersweet time. Sweet, because we got to see our favorite mousketeers and state-of-the-art Disney movies; sad, because the Sunday night blues were a reality, even for elementary school kids in the 1960s. Disney without children? Oh, the horror! When people -- mostly men, it seems -- ask why I still enjoy going to see the Mouse in Orlando every month or so sans children, I hearken back to those distant glimmers of childhood. My memories of Mickey, Minnie and the gang were a magical part of childhood, a fantasy I relived when my own children were born and I was re-introduced to the magic all over again. When I visit Disney World and hear that music and see the action characters I loved as a child, it reawakens an ancient part of my soul that otherwise would have been long lost to deadlines, health worries and laundry. Whether he's viewed in high definition or grainy black-and-white newsreels, Mickey has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. And when you grow up on a rural Kentucky farm, the magic he instills lasts a lifetime. Some might argue Disney is even better without kids. If you've ever dragged a 2-year-old on a hot, day-long adventure outdoors, you probably remember the temper tantrums and frequent meltdowns. When's the last time that happened to an adult friend of yours? If you answered "recently," you might wanna find a new friend circle. Perhaps that's why I see people 20 years my senior still lolling about the theme parks, gathered at spots where they play old 1950s-era cartoons and display vintage memorabilia. If you're lucky, you never outgrow the kid in you, even if it manifests only at Disney.

Teresa and daughter Julie love all things Mickey More to Disney than kiddie rides Though you may not be interested in roller coasters or sitting through the 20th viewing of "It's a Small World," there are plenty of places to enjoy Walt Disney World as a grownup without children in tow. Here are my favorites, in no particular order: Shows and musicals.  Just watching a few live shows each time you visit the parks more than pays for your ticket, considering the cost of stage shows elsewhere. We caught Hollywood Studios' Fantasmic! performance recently and found it an awe-inspiring mix of fireworks, music and live action featuring nearly every Disney character in the story book.

Few things in life spark as much joy as seeing this sign. We caught part of a nightly Star Wars spectacular at the same park, and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage remains one of my favorites at Hollywood Studios. Festival of the Lion King is a roarin' good time at Animal Kingdom. These just skim the surface. A quick glance on the Disney app shows dozens of daily stage shows at the four parks.

Cinderella's Castle is gorgeous at Christmas time Parades and fireworks: Every park stages a nightly grand finale of sorts, whether it's the Electrical Water Pageant at Magic Kingdom or the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot. I don't usually stake out a spot for hours like some guests, but do try to snare a spot 15 minutes or so before the show to ensure I can see more than a tree limb. Magic Kingdom also has a nightly fireworks show at 8 p.m. that can be seen from everywhere. Concerts: Disney spares no expense in bringing big-name acts to its parks, usually Epcot. That's the park that features seasonal specials like the International Flower & Garden Festival, Food & Wine Festival and Arts Festival. Looking at the upcoming lineup for March through June 2019, we'll get to see Journey former lead singer Steve Augeri, the Marshall Tucker Band, Night Ranger, Ambrosia, Rick Springfield, Air Supply and Christopher Cross, to name a few. At the annual arts festival in February, Broadway singers perform in sunny Orlando while snow blankets New York.

You'll see giraffes and more on the Kilimanjari Safari tour at Animal Kingdom Animals: One of my favorite attractions at any of the parks is Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you ride in an open-air Jeep of sorts through land with free roaming lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras and more. Disney has created a 110-acre wildlife reserve that's home to 34 species living in picturesque open plains, shady forests and rocky wetlands. I've taken the 18-minute tour several times and each time I see a different animal up close. I'd like to go back after dark to see the savanna animals in a whole new light. Night travel was once off limits to visitors, but Disney recently installed lighting to mimic the setting sun and rising moon, giving you a rare glimpse into animals' nocturnal behavior. Epcot's World Showcase: You can travel around the world to 11 countries with a short stroll around the World Showcase Lagoon. You'll think you're actually in China, Norway and Italy with the attention to detail Disney has put into recreating these countries at home. Eat some Mexican cuisine before

We enjoyed an authentic Belgian waffle and other international cuisine at Epcot's Food & Wine Festival cruising down the Rio Grande. Watch a 360-degree, Circle Vision movie of China and Canada, or watch a live stage show about the American experience. Epcot also ventures to space and undersea with its rides and large aquariums filled with sharks, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish. I could go on and on, and I usually do, but you get the picture.

This big-horned animal walked right by our safari vehicle Disney has waaaay more to love than just the time-honored Dumbo ride and swirling teacups. It has plenty for people of all ages, and that's probably why it's the No. 1 tourist destination in the world year after year. After all, toddlers don't make vacation plans. Adults do. Read the full article