Day 36: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

I love pretty much everything about this ride. I know it’s just another dark ride but this is the very first movie I ever remember seeing and it’s always held a special place in my heart, and always will. One of my favorite things about this attraction is the way the Imagineers have lit it up at night. I guess I have a thing with lighting as I look back on some of my other favorites, but lighting plays such an enormous role in setting the scene and in telling the story. And this lighting helps to set the scene and tell the story beautifully.
One of my other favorite things about this attraction are all of the water features in the queue – from the running rivers to the crashing waterfalls. I find myself enjoying taking in the different elements of the cavernous queue rather than racing through the meandering line. But then again, I always choose to ride at night when there never is a line to hold things up!

Day 35: 100 Happy Disney Days

Ok, I’m ashamed. I’ve completely neglected my Disney Days challenge! It was a slippery slope where I would miss one day and then make up for it by posting twice the next day – and then suddenly it was two days I was missing. And the days turned into weeks…So it’s been a little bit but I’m going to try to pick up where I left off… And that’s with day 35!!!

The winter castle lights!!!

The first time I saw these I literally stared. It was so beautiful that I couldn’t tear my eyes away – until some fast passes started calling my name! But these lights are absolutely beautiful and pictures (at least my pictures) just don’t do them justice. I only wish that the lights went all the way around the castle instead of just the front!

Day 34: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

The Partners Statue.

So it’s a pretty obvious choice but I love this statue. I don’t think I can visit the parks without making a stop here. I love what the statue represents and it’s so inspiring to remember he humble beginnings that this huge corporation came from. I also love the story behind the statue and how Walt is supposed to be gesturing down Main Street to the statue of Roy and Minnie. When I went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour and the guide told us this story there were quite a few people who all got dirt in their eyes at the same time 😊

Day 33: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

The busts in the Haunted Mansion.

These two are my favorite additions to the “new” interactive queue. They are so unpleasant and creepy looking that my eye immediately goes to them. I wish that the Imagineers would release information about all these new busts because I would love to know more about their story and how they are connected to the Mansion!

Day 32: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

Crazy Test Track design cars.

Ok so I’ve given up trying to create a car that will actually pass the tests with flying colors. Instead my cars start to showcase the most un-road worthy traits that would probably be banned in multiple states. Each time I step up to the design screen I find something new to attach to my test vehicle and for me that keeps this ride entertaining! 🙂

Day 31: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

Flowers in the France pavilion.

Since spring has finally sprung here in New England (I saw flowers today!!!) I thought this would be a fitting addition. I love the flower bed in the center of the France pavilion. The colors are usually so cheerful that they always bring a smile to my face. They also give me green thumb envy as I wish I was a more talented gardener – or really any kind of gardener. But it’s just one of those details that Disney takes the time to add and maintain and that I really appreciate. I also wish I was a better iPhone photographer so I could capture this better!!

Day 30: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

Run Disney medals.

So there seems to be two groups that runDisney runners seem to fall into. Disney fans who became runners, and runners who are Disney fans. I definitely fall into the Disney fans who became runners category and I feel like for that reason I am even more proud of my medals. I don’t have a whole drawer full of them so right now each time I cross that finish line it’s still really exciting to get that medal. Disney puts so much thought into each medal and the designs are beautiful and full of Disney magic. I thought I would post this one today since the Wine and Dine design came out today. I can’t wait to cross that finish line again!!

Day 29: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

New Wishes spot…

I feel like I’ve seen Wishes so many times from the hub and Main Street and to be honest, it was starting to lose its impact on me. Until my November trip when we got caught between the back of the castle and the entrance of New Fantasyland.
New. Favorite. Spot.
It’s like fireworks circle vision. You are surrounded by fireworks. Yes, you don’t see the castle projections but it’s so cool to be standing so close to all those fireworks (maybe I’m a hidden pyromaniac??) I don’t know, but either way, it put a smile on my face. And another positive? You are not crammed shoulder to shoulder down Main Street!

Day 28: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

Glowing drinks!

What can I say? I’m a girl on vacation! This drink is from Kona at the Polynesian. Although Disney can’t say this is unique to their property, there is a certain measure of added pixie dust when you are drinking one on Disney property! And the best part? You can take the glow cube home 😄 = free* souvenir!

*not really…let’s be honest. That $12 price tag isn’t just for the alcohol…

Day 27: 100 Happy (Disney) Days

The atmosphere in the Morocco pavilion.

I think that just in general the Morocco pavilion is my favorite and I believe it’s all due to the atmosphere that they were able to generate. I love the architecture of the buildings as well as this specific shopping area in the above picture. You almost forget that you are in a theme park in the middle of Orlando! I love the seating area here and I love how you could almost get lost in the walkways back here. And usually it’s nice and quiet in those walkways so you can discover the hidden areas of the pavilion all on your own!