Hoop dee Doo – Find the Magical Music in You!

"I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained." - Walt Disney

Hey folks, grab your washboards and banjos and head out to Fort Wilderness for a real knee-slapping good time. Our first experience at the Hoop dee Doo Musical Revue was in June of this year. We arrived early so we could explore the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.  The organic smell of pine and horse manure brought back memories of camping in the Wyoming and Idaho mountains, so we felt right at home!

About half an hour before the show was scheduled to start, we were asked to line up to have a family picture taken in front of the Hoop dee Doo podium. Later on, the photographer team would come around, table by table, and temp you to buy these professional pictures. For once, we didn’t have to worry about being the first in line due to assigned seating. Since we were using our Disney Dining Plan, we chose to attend the 9:30 showing so we could choose premium seating options. The hostess sat us in the very front row, right next to the piano and banjo players. This was great! We were able to see the Pioneer Hall Player’s facial expressions and details that wouldn’t have been so pronounced if seated on the balcony, plus, by that time of night, our contacts were so dried out that we could hardly see in front of our faces…

 

This dinner show has unlimited amounts of food and drinks (yes even grown up ones) that unfortunately almost fill you up on the first go around, but, per the Disney way, you just keep on eating… This compulsive overeating can be rationalized by walking the parks from 6:00 am to 2:00 am – yes, we need to eat and consume many calories to make sure we are able soak up all available enchantment. Illustrating pure dedication to the way of the mouse, these cast members were witty, smiling freely, and demanding of audience interaction even though it was the last show of the night and they were undoubtedly tired. Although we were almost clinically deaf by show’s end, the piano and banjo players were almost as entertaining as the performers!

 

While you are stuffing your face with ribs, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn bread, fried chicken, and strawberry shortcake, the Pioneer Hall inhabitants are weaving through the maze of gingham topped tables finding unsuspecting eaters to spotlight. It seemed as if the person who had just taken a particularly saucy, gooey bite of ribs was the one who invited the blinding spotlight and semi-embarrassing, yet appropriately funny question. Thankfully, since I am borderline phobic of public appearances, we were only asked to participate with the masses during the finale – our own personal washboards! A person could then be sure that they had experienced a true wild west adventure, bandanas, southern accents, and down home cookin’ were concluded with a true tribute to the simple life. The king of the wild frontier would be downright proud!

Check Your Times Guide – It’s Parade Time!

"When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it's because he's so human; and that is the secret of his popularity."—Walt Disney

Main Street USA, one of the most iconic and magical roads leading to Cinderella’s humble home, is transformed daily into an inspired itinerary for magic, music, and Mickey Mouse!  Although there are no Tootsie rolls or suckers flying toward you at warp speed, Disney parades offer plenty of excitement and enchantment. 

Growing up in a small town, it was commonplace to attend parades where recently used horse trailers served as rodeo queen transportation and pick-up truck beds adorned with ribbon and cow bells housed the mayor.  At the time, I was in awe of the creative celebratory nature of these modest floats and danced merrily with other spectators to middle school marching bands and cassette tapes jamming We Will Rock You!  My upbringing had not quite prepared me for a parade – Disney style.

If you neglected to check your Times Guide, no need to worry, cast members with rolls of masking tape, flashing orange light sticks, and white plastic string will provide advanced warning. If these signs of the upcoming celebration are unseen, there are auditory warning systems in place. Once the parade is nearing your current location, the sound system in that area will convert from the usual “land specific” melody, to one that is choreographed with the parade.

There may be a strong temptation to skip the parade in an attempt to escape long lines to Peter Pan or Space Mountain. I admit we have used this tactic and have been successful, waiting only 20 minutes as opposed to 55 minutes, but at what cost? When I am lucky enough to spend 5-7 days in WDW, I want to ride every ride, do everything, and eat anything a million times to make sure I experienced as much as possible in the few precious days I have. Since it is easy to run yourself ragged, parades provide a refreshing opportunity to take a break and still be able to soak up pixie dust via Disney’s relentless dedication to magical memories.

Find a shady spot early along the sprawling parade route, preferably toward the front to avoid a super human tall person with a video camera from blocking your view, and allow yourself a few minutes away from lines, rollercoasters, and fast passes to sing along with the happiest characters on earth! Sometimes the most fantastic magical things can happen when a vacation becomes a vacation, when you can allow the os”mouse”is of true celebration to occur and a simple wave from Mickey Mouse can leave a lasting impression that sticks to your heart long after returning home.

40th Anniversary – Disney Style!

"The era we are living in today is a dream of coming true." - Walt Disney

Happy anniversary to Walt Disney World today! October 1st, 1971 has changed my life significantly. Our first trip in October 2008 was heart-poundingly magical and a whirlwind of excitement. Some of my fondest memories include walking around Downtown Disney at night, looking up and seeing the trees alive with fairies and pixie dust. Arriving at Port Orleans Riverside at night and trying to navigate the complex layout of the grounds while using our panoramic vision to take in the lush landscaping and white columns surrounding the guest suites. Being so tired after a long flight, but not being able to sleep like a 7-year-old before Christmas. Trying to memorize every detail Disney implanted into the resort, the parks, and the whole experience. Not wanting our vacation from real life to end, dreading the daily grind and lack of wonderfulness at home.

For about a month after arriving back home after that first trip, there was an unexpected experience – Disney withdrawal symptoms! There was no preparation for these surprising emotions once back in wintry, snowy Colorado. Literally going from 90 degree weather to almost a white-out blizzard, it hit like a ton of bricks that there will not be a fireworks spectacular every night, no Mickey ear hat sightings at every turn, and no intentional themed music following you from land to land. The unprecedented hard work, imagination, and creativity Disney World presented was a hard act to follow. I was trying to make manholes on the street into a “hidden Mickey” and swearing that I could still hear “it’s a small world after all” playing when I was walking into Walmart.

This semi-depression did not last long and manifested a physical and psychological need to make Disney World an annual vacation destination. In 2010, we decided the Disney Vacation Club would solidify our dedication to making Disney a permanent part of our lives. Disney’s mark didn’t stop there, one of my most significant life decisions was born while watching the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. “So make a wish and see it through, dare to do what dreamers do…” These words accompanied by beautifully choreographed fireworks sparked my decision to go to graduate school. This is still a song that evokes a choke in my throat (and I am not a crier) and makes the annual trip to WDW even more personal and magical, if that’s possible!

Thank you WDW for your limitless dedication to happiness, magic, and creativity… Although I have unfortunately lost much of my child-like imagination because of big girl responsibilities and obligations, 40 years of Disney magic has softened my heart and opened my creative juice factory. Disney is an escape from reality when the going gets tough and the tough can’t seem to get going. Here’s to another 40 years and 40 after that…

"There's enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine." - Walt Disney