I do not think I will be able to make it down for the festival this year, but these pictures make me wish I could.
Tag: disney world
Categories
Downtown Disney, A History
David Smith[^fn1] gives a nice summary of the history and the plans for the future of one of my favorite places at Walt Disney World: Downtown Disney.
[^fn1]: Not the [Feed Wrangler](http://feedwrangler.net) guy.
Give me a minute while I go and book a trip to Disney for 2014[^fn1].
[^fn1]: Seriously, these Fireworks are amazing.
These tips are especially important during these hot summer months.
I was sad to hear the confirmation that SpectroMagic will not be coming back, but I hope that an announcement of a new nightly parade is not far away.
It is weird seeing all of those walls up at the former Pleasure Island. I still get a little sad every time I walk by the Comedy Warehouse and think about all the nights I went there and had a great time.
I am still torn about eating here. Seeing the views from inside the castle though, makes me think I *might* have to give it a shot.
I really hope this is open by my honeymoon next spring.
I always get a few new pieces of information from these guides.
A pretty comprehensive list of information about meeting characters at Disney World from the gang at [TouringPlans.com](http://touringplans.com). As character greetings become more and more popular, lists like this are going to be more and more important.
The interior looks like it was designed to get people in and out quickly. I am not a big coffee drinker, especially in the morning, but I might stop by for an iced coffee drink of some kind in the mid-afternoon.
I am currently 187 days out from my next trip to Disney World. I am already starting to get nervous about making ADRs in a few days.
Speaking of things that I hope are going on next year when Elyssa and I are down there for our honeymoon.
Categories
Chip and Dale Debut as Ewoks
Okay, I think this is pretty cool.
I hope that they do the 24-hour thing again next year when Elyssa and I are there for our honeymoon.
A sensible, more level-headed look at the Disney-related controversy of the day.
Over the weekend, [Merida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merida_(Disney)) from Pixar’s [Brave](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=https%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fmovie%252Fbrave%252Fid544101708%253Fuo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30)[^f4255], was coronated as the 11th Disney Princess. As you can imagine, there are tons of great pictures and video of the event.
* A comprehensive set of photos and a video from [Inside the Magic](http://www.insidethemagic.net/2013/05/merida-becomes-11th-disney-princess-in-coronation-ceremony-with-first-ever-queen-elinor-appearance-at-walt-disney-world/)
* A bunch of photos and a video from [StichKingdom](http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-merida-coronation-photos-videos-62635/)
* Video and pictures (including some good ones of Merida arriving on Angus) from [AllEars.net](http://land.allears.net/blogs/debwills/2013/05/merida_becomes_newest_disney_p_1.html)
* A couple of pictures from [The Disney Blog](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheDisneyBlog/~3/0tqXVkPCz4E/) that I am not sure I saw other places.
* A few pictures from the [Disney Parks Blog](http://blogs.disney.com/insider/articles/2013/05/11/welcome-merida/)
* Video from the [Disney Parks Blog](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DisneyParks/~3/Yang9G9ZE3Y/)
* Some photos a full writeup of the event from [Small World Vacations](http://www.smallworldvacations.com/blog/post.cfm/disney-welcomes-merida-into-the-disney-princess-royal-court)
I am wicked jealous I did not get to attend[^fn1].
Of course, even a celebration like this is not without its controversy. Brenda Chapman, who received writing and directing credits for *Brave* but was [fired during its production[(http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/25/entertainment/la-et-women-animation-sidebar-20110525), [is not pleased with the 2D version of the Pixar character.](http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/blogs/beth-kassab/os-brave-creator-joins-petition-against-disneys-merida-make-over-20130513,0,1342190.post) There is an in-depth rundown of the [whole kerfuffle](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThemeParkInsider/~3/Lxl5oYIM0XU/) at *Theme Park Insider.*
[^f4255]: Affiliate Link
[^fn1]: Mostly, because I think Elyssa really would have enjoyed seeing it.
In case you ever wondered what people meant when they said an “E ticket” attraction.
I am still bummed they are not having of these events during Thanksgiving week. I might stay an extra day just so I can go.
Everybody!
> There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of everyday.
I can’t hear you…
> There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, just a dream away.