Princess Gathering

Recently, a fellow Disney fan asked if the cruises were worth it, as her husband wasn't sure he could handle a 4th trip to the World. My reply was a definitive YES! I explained that cruises were our most relaxing vacation with just as much magic, characters, and some adult only time, too, with the benefit of the kids clubs on board. That question, got me thinking. . .

While we actively search out characters when at the World, on the ship, you can plan for the characters. One character event we do plan to attend is the Princess Gathering, held once or twice each cruise, depending on the length of your cruise.

The Princess Gathering is full of fan fare including a banner of matching color for each Princess hung from the top banister of the three story atrium. The fans form an orderly line with cameras and autograph books ready. Then guests proceed through the receiving line meeting each Princess in turn.

Ship photographers are ready to snap photos and "handlers" will help take photos with personal cameras.

As you can see from the photos above, Disney's newest Princess, Tiana, had joined the Princess Gathering for our sailing. This was our first character interaction with Princess Tiana, and as would be expected of royalty, she was gracious and lovely.

If you are interested in other Princess meet and greet opportunities at the World, check out the Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT, Cinderella's Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom, and the Princess Characters at the Judge's Tent and Toontown Hall of Fame in Mickey's Toontown Fair in the Magic Kingdom. We have tried all of the above and prefer the Princess Gathering on the ship or the interaction at Toontown Hall of Fame.

And, as you can see, all princes love their princesses!

Todd's Pins

I suppose I knew it would happen eventually, I just didn't know when. And, I can tell you exactly when it did happen. Todd got hooked on Disney trading pins the moment he was handed his first lanyard while coming aboard the Disney Magic for our second cruise. You see, that was before Disney's Castaway Club became tiered and everyone coming aboard for their 2nd or more cruise received the same lanyard--see photo above.

He started slow. Just a handful of pins, like a starter set. By the end of our cruise he had begun trading, especially with cast members. No goal or theme, just the random on the whim trade.

The explosion happened five weeks later when we made our way to the World for our 4th trip. This is when he acquired two more lanyards and the lanyards started to have themes. . . transportation, traditional Disney, Pixar characters, etc.

After a 5th trip to the World, he had acquired quite a collection. On our last Disney Cruise, after being given a silver Castaway Club lanyard, he made note of the pin trading sessions held in the Lobby Atrium and joined in the trading fun. Pins were purchased just for trading.

So where are we now? There is a large cork board dedicated to his collection. The pins are sorted and displayed by category with the lanyards hanging empty waiting to be called to service. And, we are now purchasing pins pre-trip via e-bay in lot quantities (of 30). . . just for trading!

We are about to make our 6th trip to the World and he is contemplating the pins to take, wear, and trade. He calls it his master lanyard.

I know this is just another way for the husband to experience Disney. The boy and I openly and willingly strike up conversations with strangers. Now, the husband has a reason to. . . "hey, can I see your pins?"

Yeah, I have pins too, but that is for another time.

More, more, TRAINS!

What a way to combine our passions! Disney and trains! The photo above is the boy at the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT where a lovely G-gauge train layout/garden exists. We have seen the trains during the day and at night. Disney changes the scenery a bit for each season or celebration.

The following is more information about trains:
Illinois:
Galesburg has an Amtrak station with a railroad museum just north of the station. Then, just steps away is Discovery Depot, a children's museum aptly named. One of our favorites at Discovery Depot is the water room.

Texas:
Galveston hosts the Galveston Railroad Museum. There's a working hand car, railroad cars for birthday parties, and several rooms of model train layouts. Check out the snow room and the night room. The location of the museum adds to its authenticity. It is easy to make a day of Moody Gardens and the Galveston Railroad Museum. You could add a visit to Schlitterbahn Water Park located next to Moody Gardens.

Florida:
Orlando, as a frequent stop for our family, offers much for train lovers.
Train Land International is centrally located on International Drive or as locals call it "I-drive." The location of Train Land International allows for access via the I-drive Trolley--another plus for train enthusiasts. Train Land International boasts the largest indoor G-gauge layout. There's a scavenger hunt. Outside a track circles the property for rides on their trolley.

Walt Disney World Resort has many train highlights. One is the train garden/layout located in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT--pictured above. We typically visit this spot two or more times during our trips to the World.

Another is the Walt Disney World Railroad located at the Magic Kingdom. This steam locomotive circles the park making stops in Frontierland and Toontown. We have friends who have been selected twice to open the Magic Kingdom and ride in on the train to the Main Street Station with the characters. The "Good Mornin' "song is going through my head right now.

Magic Kingdom is home to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad a well themed roller coaster.

The Monorail also counts as a train. Part of the Walt Disney World Transportation system, the now 11 Monorails help transport guests from the resorts to the park and make stops at the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center). Our family has ridden in the front of the monorail on 3 different occasions.

Animal Kingdom has the Wildlife Express Train which takes riders to and from Rafiki's Planet Watch. This train is designed like a steam train in the wilds of Africa, so passengers face to the side rather than the front of the train.

Animal Kingdom is also home to Expedition Everest, a train inspired roller coaster. Have you seen the Yeti?

At Wilderness Lodge, there is a room dedicated to Walt's model trains in the Villas section of the resort.

Downtown Disney has a small track and train ride for youngsters. Located next to Pin Traders, the ride-on train makes 4-5 loops around the track per ride and is a hit with the under 10 set.

Since Disney and trains go together like peanut butter and jelly, the Walt Disney World Resort offers a special The Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour for guest 10 and older. There is a fee for this tour and special reservations are required. This tour is definitely on our wish list.

Our Magical Vacation

Click here to view our Magical Disney Vacation!

What's up with the matching shirts?

I was on the phone just the other day with a friend and fellow Disney fan discussing the difference between Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter. The question was really about laundry facilities. . . and whether or not we do laundry while at the "world." While I am aware of the on-site laundry facilities, we have yet to use them. The comment then came, "You guys have matching shirts for every day and don't need to do laundry." True enough!

So what's up with our matching shirts? First, it helps us stand out and find each other in crowds. It also helps cast members know how many in our party, who is with who, etc. when loading rides and attractions. And, the matching shirts didn't hurt when we were selected as The Family of the Day at EPCOT--see photo.

Second, it helps with packing and deciding on what clothes to wear each day. I just make a list of our matching shirts, decide on the whether we need long sleeves, short sleeves, or both, then pack what we need. Then while we are traveling, it is easy to decide what will be worn each day. The boy typically asks if we are wearing matching shirts. Of course, the answer is yes!

Third, it makes organizing photos easier after the trip. I know which photos were taken on which day and in which location based on the shirts.

Fourth, it is fun! Only at Disney is it OK to wear silly hats and matching shirts. Conversations with no longer strangers have been had because of our matching shirts. The husband has even noted that we don't have a pink set of matching shirts and he is willing to wear pink. . . at Disney.

Friends have commented that our time is running out on the boy being willing to wear matching shirts while traveling as a family. At the same time, we have seen families with teens and young adults still in the spirit and wearing the matching attire of the family. Yes, we are not the ONLY ones! I am going to cross my fingers and hope for many more magical matching Disney memories.

Where do we find our matching shirts? Various places. One place is Disneystore.com which is the on-line store for all things Disney. Another is Zazzle.com where you can customize your shirts. The shirts shown in our photo were made at Zazzle.com. We have also purchased matching shirts while at the Parks or on the Ship. The trick is to find a design you like in the sizes you need. Often selections are only in adult or children sizes and we are lucky when we find a shirt design offered in both children and adult sizes.

We have also bestowed on our family and friends their own matching Disney apparel! Maybe the bug will catch!