A Blog About Disney Stuff

Walt Disney World’s newest attraction debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 4, and allows guests the sensation of riding through the new Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts.

Guests board engineer Goofy’s train for a ride around the park where Mickey and Minnie are headed for a picnic. But, as so often happens in a Disney attraction, things go wrong. All of the train cars separate with Goofy completely unaware, and guests cruise through cartoon show scenes that are a blend of traditional and three-dimensional scenes and video projections with Mickey and Minnie in pursuit to save the day!

1. Different Ride Experiences

Even though you will probably want to enjoy Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway again and again anyhow, the attraction does offer multiple ride experiences encouraging repeat rideability!

For instance, after Goofy’s train cars separate and function as trackless vehicles, the route that you travel through each show scene room will differ. So your second ride may allow you to see something different than you did during your first. There’s also an additional plot playing out through the ride involving Pluto that most guests miss their first time, not to mention the vast number of details and Hidden Mickeys packed in each scene.

2. Family-Friendly Ride Experience

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the park for the newest Disney World attractions such as Slinky Dog Dash, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, and the uber-popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. But among these new attractions and the park’s classic staples, the number of attractions without height requirements and ideal for the whole family are few and far between.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a smooth, gentle ride experience with no height requirement or health or safety warnings. There is one scene where a screen is used to simulate going over a waterfall, but there is no sensation of free fall. There’s also no sudden movements or sharp turns, dips, or drops making it the perfect attraction for the entire family.

3. Homages to Disney History

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway show building originally housed The Great Movie Ride which closed in 2017. There is a tribute to the former attraction within the ride, but it’s only the start. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is packed full of other homages to Disney history. For instance, the name Iwerks and Uwerks Waterworks water treatment plant is a tribute to Disney Legend Ub Iwerks, and the 1401 Flower Shop is a nod to the address for Walt Disney Imagineering’s headquarters in California.

Imagineers also used sound effects from Disney shorts dating from the 1930s, and Disney Legend Jimmy Macdonald’s original sound equipment was used to create new sound effects for the attraction. They even used the “Steamboat Willie” whistle for the whistle on Goofy’s train.

4. It’s Better Than You Expect

Let’s just say there were (and are!) a considerable number of fans who felt The Great Movie Ride should’ve survived. Also, while the idea of a Mickey and Minnie attraction was intriguing, and arguably long overdue, could it really be anything but a kiddie ride?

Yes. Yes, it could. Even though your ride vehicle doesn’t move at high speeds or plunge guests down drops, the sensation of moving through vivid, three-dimensional scenes that are seemingly alive is thrilling all on its own. The technology and effects also feel fresh and new but grounded in animation as opposed to leaning too heavily on screens.

However, do take note that the style of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and their world is different from what many Disney fans are used to. That’s because this attraction was inspired by the Paul Rudish Mickey Mouse shorts whose style is very different than the Mickey Mouse seen on park merch and around the park. Some love it; others not so much. It’s just something to be aware of.

5. Attraction-Exclusive Character & Song

We’ve got Trader Sam and the Ghost Host and “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” and “it’s a small world,” and now Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has given us Chuuby and “Nothing Can Stop Us Now.”

Chuuby is an orange and white bird created just for this attraction and makes his appearance both at the beginning and end of the ride. Look for him entertaining guests above the train tunnel.

The song “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” was created for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and is a serious earworm! While heavily featured in the ride’s preshow (which is currently suspended due to our current global situation), you will still hear it throughout the experience.

Is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway on your to-do list? Let us know in the comments!

The post Five Things You Should Know About Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World (FL), Disney Attractions, disney world, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, hollywood studios attractions, mickey and minnie, mickey and minnie cartoon shorts, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, walt disney world

We’re big fans of the seasonal chocolate piñatas at The Ganachery at Disney Springs. The current holiday specialty is the Santa Mickey piñata, and like all others before it, it is a real show-stopper of a treat.

A dark chocolate hollow sphere is decorated with a Santa hat, Mickey ears, and embellishments to look like Santa’s coat and belt. Like all good piñatas, there’s more fun to be had inside. When you crack it open, the inside is filled with chocolate-covered marshmallow treats. The price for the piñata is $28.

Are you a fan of the chocolate piñatas or other treats at The Ganachery? Think it is worth the $28? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

The post The Santa Piñata at The Ganachery Is a Holiday Treat! appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Disney Springs, Walt Disney World (FL), The Ganachery

While there is no shortage of tasty treats available in EPCOT’s World Showcase area, for many folks the winner in this area is a combination found along the walkway in the France pavilion.

Take a look along the waterway in EPCOT near France and you’ll see a pair of green booths. If you’re not paying attention, it’s easy to pass these by in favor of the ubiquitous Festival kiosks or more substantial restaurants, but if you’re in the mood for a classic, reliable, and delicious snack, look no further.

As you face the water, the booth on the left features wines and French-inspired cocktails and the booth on the right features warm crepes.

The crepes booth, Crepes de Chefs de France, offers cold drinks, coffee, and Kronenbourg beer and, you guessed it, crepes. The crepes are available in a plain butter and sugar version, as well as embellished varieties with chocolate sauce, homemade hazelnut/chocolate spread (like Nutella), strawberry preserves, premium ice cream, or soft serve ice cream. I know from personal experience that they’ll be happy to hook you up with a combo if you ask nicely. Um, chocolate AND strawberry, yes please.

The drinks booth, Les Vins des Chefs de France, offers several French wines (priced from $7.00 to $15.00 per glass), champagne, and Kronenbourg. But the most popular selections here are the three frozen slush options: orange (Grand Marnier, Grey Goose Orange, and orange juice), citron (Grey Goose Citron and lemonade), and Le Geant Slush (either of the above topped with a Grand Marnier or Gray Goose Citron shot). The basic slushes are $11.50 each, the plussed-up variation is $18.25.

Either booth is a worthy stop during a World Showcase stroll, but if you’re feeling tres Français, you should visit both. The slushes refresh and the crepes are the perfect size for a snack, light enough not to weigh you down in the Florida heat, but substantial enough to stave off hunger pangs while taking a lap around the countries. Bon appetit!

Do you have a favorite snack in the France pavilion? What’s your favorite drink and crepe combo? Let us know in the comments.

The post Crepes & Drinks, an Iconic Snack in EPCOT’s France Pavilion appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Epcot, Walt Disney World (FL), France Pavilion

Arguably, one of the best additions in recent memory to Liberty Square was the Great Moments in History show by the Muppets. At different points throughout the day, a show that covered one of America’s defining moments–told with the signature Muppet style and humor–would take place in the windows above Liberty Square near the Hall of Presidents. Sadly, the show was retired in 2019 (although briefly brought back for the holiday season and re-retired before WDW’s closure). Over the weekend, the Muppets have returned to Liberty Square — somewhat.

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There’s no show (possibly to keep people from congregating close together for a period of time), and the Muppets don’t do much of anything except wave from their windows and ring jingle bells, but in a time when so much has been cut at WDW, we’ll take any addition as a good thing. Think of this as a fixed-location Character Cavalcade. There’s no published schedule of appearance times, but it is a great way to get some socially distanced selfies.

During our visit, we spotted Kermit, Ms. Piggy, Gonzo and his chicken friends, Fozzie, and Sam Eagle (although Sam is at the same windows as the other Muppets and not in his original location atop the Hall of Presidents). Gone are the patriotic banners, replaced by holiday-inspired ones.

I’m hopeful that this will be the start of a great Muppet return to Liberty Square, but if it is just a temporary appearance, it is still a delight.

 

Are you happy to see the Muppets back in Liberty Square? Do you think what the world needs now is more Muppets? Let us know in the comments.

The post Great Moments in History–The Muppets Return to Magic Kingdom (Sort Of) appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), Muppets

Following the debut of the popular Wishes Come True Blue color collection, we continue to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of Disney and Make-A-Wish® with a lovable Mickey Mouse plush – which unlocks yet another donation to Make-A-Wish – along with a brand-new animated short!  

The holidays are the perfect time for giving and of course, giving back. This holiday season, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products is launching a three-minute animated short entitled “From Our Family to Yours.” This animated short highlights festive traditions and shared experiences that connect generations and make lifelong memories. It features two new lovable characters, Lola and her granddaughter, alongside a familiar friend – Mickey Mouse. 

Check out this touching animated short and be sure to have tissues at the ready: 

Love the soundtrack as much as I do? It’s the new “Love Is A Compass” single performed by Griff, a 19-year-old British singer-songwriter whose powerful vocals support the moving animation. Griff has recently been nominated for a prestigious Ivor Novello award for Rising Star. You can listen to the heart-warming single on all digital provider services – wherever you stream music! 

Want your own adorable Mickey Mouse plush seen in the animated short? It’s available now online at shopDisney.com and across the pond at Disney stores in Europe and online at shopDisney.co.uk. The best part? For every Mickey Mouse Vintage Holiday Plush sold through Jan. 31, 2021, shopDisney will donate 25% of the purchase price to Make-A-Wish to help grant wishes. 

The Wishes Come True Blue color collection and Mickey Mouse vintage holiday plush are just part of our anniversary celebration. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for a first look at another drop coming in Dec. and visit Wish.org/Disney to learn more! 

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Merchandise, Video