Why Do I Love Disney?

I constantly get asked why I love Disney, why I go to Disney World so much, why I don't go other places? More commonly, I get told Disney is for kids and I am sad for going so much. 

Well, you are wrong.

There are no words to describe that feeling of first seeing the Castle in Magic Kingdom, smelling the smells in Spaceship Earth, seeing the floating mountains of Pandora or that first drop on Tower of Terror. 

Disney is an escape. The second you cross under that archway it is like everything else melts away. No one else matters. It is like my pupils suddenly go Mickey shaped. 

Disney is the one place I feel happy, safe and secure. It is like a comfort blanket and nothing will beat that massive hug from Mickey Mouse. 

Watching little girls in their Princess dresses meeting their idols they never thought they would see in person, watching the smiles of everyone at that point in Happily Ever After where Tinker Bell flies or thanking the phoenicians on Spaceship Earth. 

Explaining why you love Disney World to someone who has never been is no easy task. They have never watched the fireworks, done the 4 parks, 1 day challenge or ridden Flight of Passage. 

Disney definitely isn't lying when they say it is the Happiest Place on Earth. I challenge anyone to go there and not smile the whole time. 

Why do I go back so much? No two trips are ever the same. Disney is constantly opening new lands and attractions. I only went last September and there is already a whole new land that I haven't seen yet. 

I could do the exact same things on every trip and yet it would still feel different. There are still things I haven't done yet or seen yet. There is a whole new land opening next year (yay for Star Wars) and then things opening throughout the next couple of years. 

I probably won't be going back until 2021 for the 50th anniversary so everything is open, but I could go every year and still find something different. 

Is Disney for kids? Probably. Do I still love everything about it? Definitely. 

Disney turns you into a big kid. You will see people walking around in their Minnie Mouse ears, rocking the vibrant Disney t-shirts; adults will wave at characters in the parades and cry at the shows and fireworks. 

There is still so much I need to explore, from new hotels and experiences to discovering new Hidden Mickey's and photo spots. 

Why don't I go to other places? I do! I love travelling, but Disney will always be my go-to holiday destination. I love finding a new country or city to visit, but nowhere ever feels as magical as that big old mouse. 

Disney means something different to everyone. To me, it is home. 

The Tea Monologues | Islands of Adventure

Hello from Islands of Adventure!

We have finally come to my final post of my Florida 2015 trip.

The adventure begins (says the rock at the start) with The Incredible Hulk Coaster.

Fun fact: the coaster has currently been completely dismantled for refurbishment. You can now see the newly released photos here.

Islands of Adventure has the same charm as Universal Studios, but with the added thrill of some of the rides.

For the first time in a long time, the Green Goblin was running around the Marvel section. Unfortunately, this was the only character we ran in to in comparison to a few years ago when the Marvel Universe was out in force.

Toon Lagoon is home to some very interesting looking parts. This is a definite way of getting drenched if you have untrustworthy family members.

If you find anyone who comes off this ride dry then please ask them to tell me how! I threw my poncho on, because from experience I am aware of how wet you get on this ride. Poncho aside, I got soaked. I can tell you, although it was scorchingly hot, walking around with a wet bum is not fun.

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls is a great ride, especially in the Florida heat. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get on it this time because the queues were ridiculous. 

Jurassic Park is my favourite area of Islands of Adventure. The ride is awesome, and the new Raptor Encounter is hilarious! 

I am looking forward to Skull Island: Reign of Kong being opened right opposite Jurassic Park sometime this year.

Poseidon's Fury is a walk-through we have generally loved for years. The whole thing seems a bit dated now, and the water tunnel didn't work!

Although, this is a quality area for theming. 

Seuss Landing is obviously aimed at smaller visitors, but being a big kid, I enjoy this area a lot.

To come full circle is the Spider-Man ride. I was completely and utterly blown away by this ride, and not just because I am a huge Spider-Man fan!

The whole thing was completely top notch and I cannot fault it in any way!

So for now, that is the last of my Florida posts.

I can now confirm that coming next Halloween will be Florida In Motion, so you can all look forward to that!

Thank you for reading, and I will see you all again real soon!

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The Tea Monologues | Disney's Hollywood Studios

Afternoon, all!

Hollywood Studios has changed rapidly over the last few years, with even more changes to happen!

The main entrance (above) and the main walkway into the park really feel very Hollywood to me. Obviously I am basing this on the TV view of Hollywood style considering I have never set foot there outside of the Disney version. I am clearly not very well travelled. 

I am still yet to go on the Tower of Terror... But I love standing to watch the doors open and see the lifts plummet! I will go on this one day, when everyone else decides they aren't too scared of it...

 I adore the Great Movie Ride! This has had a new sponsor since I was last here, as you can see by the below shot, it is now sponsored by TCM. As sceptical as I was, I quite enjoyed the added scenes at the final part. Even if, obviously, there was a slight Frozen takeover.

Clearly Frozen Fever is still spreading like wildfire! 

Frozen Summer fun was in full force in its last few days whilst we were there. This involved Olaf's Summer Cool Down. As much as I did enjoy the film when it came out, there is only so much Frozen craziness you can take *echem, Maelstrom, echem*. Sorry, I appear to have developed a cough.

Although I do miss the Sorcerer's Hat, I love the fact that the Chinese Theatre is back to being the main focus of the park. It is such a lovely building (and of course, houses The Great Movie Ride). You can also find a few of Mickey's friends hanging out around here.

 I first saw Lights, Motors, Action in Disneyland Paris in the early 2000's. Not so surprisingly, Disney announced it would be closing to make way for Star Wars land. At least, as far as I am aware, there are no plans to close the one at Disneyland Paris, so it will still be an available experience.

I am not sure on the addition of Lightning McQueen, but I guess that adds something for the younger ones in the audience. 

This was the first time I had ever done Rock n Roller Coaster as it had a very short queue. So much so that we managed to get back on a few times.

Back to everything Frozen! 

It would appear the normal parade was binned in favour for a new smaller Frozen spectacle. Although I am gutted to see the normal parade go, the Frozen one wasn't too out of place, although I am not sure on that Kristoff. 

In place of the American Idol Experience (I never saw this so not too fussed) is the Frozen Sing Along Celebration. 

I was typically expecting to be unimpressed. For me, the narrators (or storytellers) made this show. They were funny, and there were parts in there for the adults to have a giggle at. I quite enjoyed it. 

Yes, I sang along.

 To end the evening, we saw Fantasmic. 

It is still as awesome as usual. 

As part of the Frozen Summer Fun, Hollywood Studios had fireworks set to the Frozen music (much alike the same style as Wishes in Magic Kingdom).

These were actually really good. However, I was stood next to the bloody traffic light on the main path that dings every 3 minutes. Silly mistake.

It even snowed!

Although we didn't manage to get this in on our first day in Hollywood Studios, we went back to do Pixar Place.

I still love Toy Story Mania and I cannot wait for the added track!

What trip to Hollywood Studios is complete without a bit of Pizza Planet and a bit of the Muppets?! I will be intrigued to see if they do anything with the refurbishment of Pizza Planet. It does seem a little dated now. I would personally like to see it resemble the one in the films a lot better.

Besides the likes of Indiana Jones and Beauty and the Beast (which I did see), there isn't particularly much else in Hollywood Studios at the moment.

There are rumours of another rename (sigh). To me it will always be Disney's MGM Studios, but whatever they call it I am sure will be fine.

I am looking forward to seeing the developments of Hollywood Studios in the next few years. I just really hope it doesn't lose the old feel, and become too Star Wars orientated. Only one way to see, I guess.

Until next time.

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