Now that we’ve both been down to Disney World for our respective birthdays I thought I would revisit a post Nicole had made about hers and do a little comparison with my own experience at the Magic Kingdom. Given how much fun we’d had for her trip I felt obliged to go for mine own, rationalizing to myself that we’d both get a chance to see what the park looks like for Halloween and to check out the Chase Food & Wine festival that Nicole helpfully pointed out would coincide …

During our first 2012 visit to Disney World we visited Epcot and took in all of the must-sees that Nicole remembered from her childhood visits. Which of course meant a stop by Imagination! where Eric Idle in his role as the chairman of the Imagination Institution greets you for a tour of the facility before everyone’s favorite fictitious dragon Figment hijacks the visit. Located on the western side of the Future World area, the pavilion was originally opened back in 1982 and over the years has undergone three significant evolutions. …

During our last visit to the Magic Kingdom we were able to catch one of the street performances by Dapper Dans barbershop quartet. Found on Mainstreet U.S.A. the quartet does short five to ten minute shows, and if one of the staff is to believed are used to help alleviate traffic in the park so specific areas don’t become inundated with visitors, which given the number of people that can be there some days could easily be accomplished. This is the short cut and runs approximately 2 1/2 minutes.

For Gary’s 2012 birthday we decided to return to Disney World and take in some of the parks we weren’t able to visit when we were there earlier that year for Nicole’s birthday. Over at Disney Hollywood Studios we couldn’t get enough of the Star Tours ride, but did stop long enough to grab some footage of the Jedi Academy and the padawan training. Typically sixteen or more children are picked from the audience to participate. We however were sad that it’s only open to kids as I’m sure we’re …

Designed on the same principle as Main Street U.S.A the Hollywood Boulevard serves as the park’s main entrance lined with 1930s and ‘40s inspired venues selling Disney merchandise and food. And like the Celebration Parade that winds its way down the Magic Kingdom’s main street, Disney Hollywood Studios has the Pixar Block Party Bash that makes it way daily down the Boulevard and the adjoining Echo Lake area. This is also a great area to take in other live entertainment provided by fun cover bands like the Mulch, Sweat, and …

Originally opened as Disney-MGM Studios on May 1, 1989, it was the third of four theme parks built at the Walt Disney World Resort and has gone on to prove itself a favorite, with over 9 ½ million guests visiting the 135-acre park in 2011 making it the fifth-most visited amusement park in the United States, and the eighth-most visited in the world. Like most of the parks at the resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has seen its share of renovation and expansion with even the Fantasia inspired Sorcerer’s Hat being …

During my 2010 birthday we took a short cruise out of Miami but ended up with a different itinerary thanks to the diversion we had to make as Hurricane Paula rolled in to the region. With only a few hours in Key West we opted to squeeze in a tour of famed writer Hemingway’s house and the cat sanctuary that now resides there, though we did wish we had a little more time there. However for the hour or so we had there we did manage to put together a …

Originally when we’d planned on our trip in October it had been to see the park done up for Halloween. But when we learned that it also happened to coincide with Epcot’s 17th annual Food & Wine Festival (being held until November 12th) we knew we had to go. Unfortunately even trying to book things over a month out from our reservation proved fruitless as the festival has proven to be hugely popular with amateur and professional foodies alike since it was first started in 1995. The festival we learned …

If you’re able to make it to the Magic Kingdom for their Not-so-Scary Halloween Party (being held until November 2nd) those playing the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom interactive card game are in for a treat. Stop by the Firehouse during the Halloween hours and instead of your regular booster of five cards you will get a Chip and Dale Halloween promo. The animation sequence is short but cute Halloween inspired effect that looks like it packs a powerful punch.

For my 2012 birthday we decided to go back to Disney World and take advantage of both the Not-so-Scary Halloween being held at the park for the month of October, and the International Wine & Food Festival that’s currently over at Epcot’s World Showcase, but in true Disney fashion while we were visiting the Magic Kingdom on my actual birthday the new Fantasyland expansion opened with a dress rehearsal.

Despite the sign to the contrary – the Journey of the Little Mermaid having been shut down due to “rough seas” – …