Wordless Wednesday (Almost)--Animal Kingdom Bats are Not So Scary AND Not to be MISSED Either!

We have been to Walt Disney World many times and our most favorite time to go is October. We love the Not So Scary Halloween party and cooler fall temperatures....At least it is cooler than the heat of the summer season!

But whenever we vacation at Disney World in Orlando, FL we visit all four parks and Downtown Disney too! Animal Kingdom often gets a bad rap as the "boring" park because it has more things to see than things to ride. If you are only going for the thrill rides, you'd better have a park hopper pass so you can head somewhere else after enjoying Exhibition Everest, Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids. However, if you have a family that really enjoys exploring and loves animals, plan on spending the entire day.

The photo above is a perfect "not so scary" image from Animal Kingdom. These huge bats reminded us of the much loved picture book, Stellaluna, the story of a fruit bat raised by birds. Seeing the giant fruit bats is only one of the many hidden treasures to put on your MUST DO LIST when you visit the Animal Kingdom park in Walt Disney World. It is amazing what you will see when you take the time to explore all of the trails!

Copyright 2011 Magical Mouse Tales

Speechless Sunday (Almost)--Fast Hands at Teppan Edo

Fast hands of the teppan-yaki style chef are quite a sight, aren't they?

A few years ago when I started this blog, I wrote about the Can’t Miss Disneyworld Restaurants and a few to skip on the next trip too! Though some of my opinions have not changed, a couple of them have. There are many more restaurants that my family has enjoyed as our kids grew up and became more adventurous.

Our family visited Teppan Edo for the first time on our 2009 trip and it has become a MUST DO for our next! As you can see the chef puts on quite a show and kept the entire group entertained while we waited for our dinners. It is better if you have a group of 8 because the tables are arranged in such a way that 8 people surround the chef. We were paired with another family of four and though awkward at first, it was a pleasant dinner. Definitely Teppan Edo in the Japanese Pavilion of Epcot is a wonderful addition to any Disney World vacation. We will be back...the food and show were fabulous!

Copyright 2011 Magical Mouse Tales

Hidden Disneyworld Freebies--Learn to Draw Mickey Mouse!

Have you ever wished to be a Disney animator?

If you are planning an upcoming trip, be sure to take the time to visit the Animation Building in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is my family’s favorite places during our bi-annual treks to Orlando, FL. Now, I know I shouldn't but I still call this park MGM Studios, but that is just me. After the animation tour don't rush out the exit too quickly. Take advantage of the area where you (and 30 or so other would-be illustrators) can go for a half hour class with a Disney artist. It is located off to the side and under a screen where various Disney characters are being drawn. There is usually a 10-15 minute wait for the next FREE class but with step-by-step instructions on how to draw Mickey , Goofy, Pluto, Stitch or another beloved Disney character, it is worth the wait.

I should mention, talent is not a prerequisite. At the end of the session, everyone leaves with a drawing that somewhat resembles the character that is up on the screen. My husband is first to admit his skills at drawing are very limited but he always comes out with something to be proud of.

As soon as we finish the tutorial, we always compare our drawings. Here are examples of my family’s drawings from one class on a previous trip. At the time my sons were in grade school yet every drawing was a success All of our drawings are a pretty fair representation of Walt’s buddy, Mickey Mouse, but none are identical to each other. Maybe with a little more practice we can be as good as the instructors...At least we can dream right?

Don't miss this awesome Disney Freebie! Everyone who can hold a pencil and follow simple instructions can learn to draw from a great Disney artist and take home a magical memory & free souvenir. We have taken several classes and drawn character after character; everyone from Daisy Duck to Jack Skellington! Drawing at the Animation Studio is always on our "MUST Not Miss at Disneyworld List" on every trip!

Copyright 2011 Magical Mouse Tales