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Magic Kingdom - Offstage WDW https://offstagewdw.com Behind the scenes at Walt Disney World Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:15:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.5 https://offstagewdw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-20200728_131134-e1598117131723-1-32x32.jpg Magic Kingdom - Offstage WDW https://offstagewdw.com 32 32 New Disney Immersion- Interact in a Unique Way https://offstagewdw.com/new-disney-immersion-interact-in-a-unique-way/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-disney-immersion-interact-in-a-unique-way Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:15:21 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=10698 Last October, Disney began rolling out beautiful golden character statues throughout the four theme parks. They are finally all out! Besides adding some glam to the scenery, these statues allow guests to interactive with them in a unique way. Here is how it works- First, you MUST have a MagicBand+, the newest version.  When you […]

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Last October, Disney began rolling out beautiful golden character statues throughout the four theme parks. They are finally all out! Besides adding some glam to the scenery, these statues allow guests to interactive with them in a unique way. Here is how it works-

First, you MUST have a MagicBand+, the newest version. 

When you find a statue, walk up and wave your hand (the one with the MagicBand+) in front of it. You will feel a vibration & your band should light up. 

The statue will “interact” by playing a flourish of music and/or a cute little message from the character! There are 35 statues, equaling 50 total characters. You can download the ‘Disney Fab 50 Quest’ on the Play Disney App to keep track of the statues that you find!

Some guests have reported issues with their MagicBands+ being unable to activate the statues. There is an easy way to fix this!

  1. Log into the My Disney Experience Map.
  2. Go to your account page- the three lines all the way to the right located on the bottom menu bar
  3. Scroll down to ‘MagicBands and More’
  4. Click on the name of whose MagicBand that you are adjusting.
  5. Select ‘Settings’ to adjust the sensitivity settings. *You will need to do this for each individual band. 

On the other side of the spectrum, others have noted that the statues go off as they walk by. In the end, it will all come down to individual settings and the location of the statue sensors… which by the way, are not always in front of or attached to the statue. 

Want to know which statues are found in each park? Check out the list below! 

MKstatues

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]]> The Coolest Tree at Disney World! https://offstagewdw.com/the-coolest-tree-at-disney-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-coolest-tree-at-disney-world Wed, 23 Feb 2022 18:06:50 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=10637 The Liberty Tree is the oldest tree in the park! This 100-year old Oak tree was found on the property about 8 miles from it’s current location, it it the largest tree ever to be transplanted at Walt Disney World. It took careful planning and months of prepping to get this 38-ton tree to its […]

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The Liberty Tree is the oldest tree in the park! This 100-year old Oak tree was found on the property about 8 miles from it’s current location, it it the largest tree ever to be transplanted at Walt Disney World. It took careful planning and months of prepping to get this 38-ton tree to its new home. Bill Evans was one of Walt Disney’s personal landscapers, he was handpicked by Walt himself to oversee the landscape projects at Disneyworld; he was in charge of this huge project and came up with the innovative way to move this oak.  Holes were drilled through the hardwood center of the trunk and steel rods were inserted to create a support for hoisting and hauling the tree with a 100-ton crane.

This tree now stands tall and grand in the middle of Liberty Square. It is decorated with  thirteen hanging lamps which represent the original thirteen American colonies. The story of the Liberty tree dates back to Colonial Boston at the beginning of the American Revolution. It is said that the Sons of Liberty gathered under a large elm tree to protest the British Stamp Act. From that day forward, the tree became known as the “Liberty Tree.” It became a meeting place and was often decorated with lanterns and a yellow flags were raised to call people to meetings

 

At the base of the tree there is a plaque that reads: “The Liberty Tree – Under the boughs of the original Liberty Tree in Boston in 1765, Patriots, calling themselves The Sons Of Liberty, gathered to protest the imposition of the Stamp Act. In the years that followed, almost every American town had a Liberty Tree — A Living Symbol Of The American Freedom of Speech and Assembly.”

 

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]]> Okay, but what is a Disney Wienie and why are they EVERYWHERE?! https://offstagewdw.com/okay-but-what-is-a-disney-wienie-and-why-are-they-everywhere/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=okay-but-what-is-a-disney-wienie-and-why-are-they-everywhere Thu, 06 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=9522 Alright, let’s talk about Wienies. What the heck is a Wienie? It is a termed coined by Walt Disney himself, to describe a large visual element within a park. Wienies can be seen from a distance and are meant to draw people in towards an area.  It is pretty obvious the main Wienie for each […]

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Alright, let’s talk about Wienies. What the heck is a Wienie? It is a termed coined by Walt Disney himself, to describe a large visual element within a park. Wienies can be seen from a distance and are meant to draw people in towards an area. 

It is pretty obvious the main Wienie for each park. 

These large structures can be seen from various areas within each park. Cinderella Castle and The Tree of Life are situated more or less in the “center” of their park. The “lands” or areas then radiate out from them like the spokes of a wheel.

Wienies also help guests to navigate throughout the park more easily. There are the main ones as listed above and secondary ones.

Magic Kingdom

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

Epcot

Each Pavilion, with maybe the exception of Germany & United Kingdom, have their own secondary Wienie.

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

Hollywood Studios

This park is filled with secondary Wienies! The most famous, their former Sorcerers Hat and Mickey Mouse Ear Water Tower, which has long since been removed. 

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

Animal Kingdom

At Animal Kingdom, the lush landscapes are visual magnets on their own. 

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

What’s in a Name?

Soooo why name these visual magnets “Wienies?” The story goes something like this: the Disney family had a standard poodle named Duchess, whom adored Walt… she was his dog! Duchess was an old gal with several ailments, who spent her final days sleeping. The only time she showed excitement was when Walt came home. Here is a quote from Diane Miller (Walt’s oldest daughter) in an 1956 interview:

“In the evening it was cooler, so maybe that helped. Dad would park his car in the garage and come in to the house through the kitchen. He would go to the refrigerator and pull out two uncooked hot dogs, one for himself and one for the dog. He would play with her, wiggling the hot dog around and she would go wherever he moved around and was so happy when she finally got her treat. It was part of an evening ritual and both of them loved it and looked forward to it.”

Photo Source: D23

During the initial construction of Disneyland, Walt spoke with amusement park developer George Whitney. Whitney explained that the flow of the crowd could be controlled with lighting, sounds, and raised buildings. People would tend to move to the taller structures that they could see once they left a ride. Walt knew the perfect name for these visual magnets… Wienies! Just like the hot dog wienies he would use to entice Duchess to move around. 

Wienie or Weenie?

If you google Disney Wienie, you will see it spelled both ways; however, I used the spelling of Wienie as it is used in this form in “The Imagineering Field Guide to (insert park name…I have them all!) at Walt Disney World.” It is an Imagineer’s tour of the parks written by Imagineers! With the Imagineers as the source, I think it is safe to say the correct spelling is in fact, Wienie. 

There are far more Wienies than people would think, and there are some that I probable left out. Next time you are walking around a park, see how many Wienies you can find! 

The post Okay, but what is a Disney Wienie and why are they EVERYWHERE?! first appeared on Offstage WDW.

]]> Former Magic Kingdom Attractions https://offstagewdw.com/former-magic-kingdom-attractions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=former-magic-kingdom-attractions Fri, 10 Dec 2021 19:06:23 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=9209 Walt Disney once said that the parks would never stop growing. Imagineers are continually “plussing” their work, making an idea better. Sometimes growth comes with change and attractions come to an end. Let’s visit all of the former attractions at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. Then vote to see which ones you […]

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Walt Disney once said that the parks would never stop growing. Imagineers are continually “plussing” their work, making an idea better. Sometimes growth comes with change and attractions come to an end. Let’s visit all of the former attractions at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World. Then vote to see which ones you wish would come back and which ones you wish you had a chance to experience but never did. 

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

February 22, 2012 – January 24, 2021

An interactive game using cards, maps, and wits to defeat Hades’ villains to save the Magic Kingdom Park. 

The Enchanted Tiki Room- Under New Management!

April 5, 1998 – January 12, 2011

The name says it all… same Tiki Room, new management. Iago (Aladdin) and Zazu’s (Lion King) agents have gotten them a new gig with the famous Tropical Serenades. 

Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook

October 2008 – May 20, 2014

A character meet and greet with Tink and other Pixie Hollow Fairies. 

Country Bear Vacation Hoedown

May 1986 – February 1992

This overlay featured the bears enjoying the joys of summer. 

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

*This photo is of the attraction at Disneyland

1971 – 1994

Guests and two guides boarded a free-floating canoe to explore the Rivers of America.

Mike Fink Keel Boats

October 1, 1971 – April 29, 2001

Also navigating the Rivers of America was the Mike Fink Keel Boats, small boats that were shown in the Davy Crockett miniseries. The boats were free-floating and piloted by a captain. 

 

The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History

October 2, 2016 – February 17, 2020

The live show told the history of colonial America from the hilarious way only the Muppets could do. 

Mickey Mouse Revue

October 1, 1971 – September 14, 1980

The show featured Mickey Mouse as the conductor for his friends. 23 Audio-Animatronic® played songs while various scenes/AA’s would be revealed behind the orchestra. 

Magic Journeys

October 1, 1987 – February 9, 1993

The 3D film showed the world through the eyes of a child. It also featured a song written by the famous Sherman Brothers!

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage

October 14, 1971 – September 5, 1994

Based off Disney’s 1954 film by the same name, the submarine voyage took guest on a ride through a lagoon featuring sea life and mermaids. 

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

October 1, 1971 – September 7, 1998

Based off of Disney’s 1949 film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, the attraction took guests on a ride from the perspective of Mr. Toad. 

Skyway

October 1, 1971 – November 10, 1999

The gondola lift brought guests back and forth between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland; offering a unique birds eye view of the park!

The Legend of the Lion King

July 8, 1994 – February 23, 2002

The stage performance used life size puppets to retell the beloved story of The Lion King. 

Pooh’s Playful Spot

2005 – 2010

The playground area across from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, allowed kids to run wild and burn some energy. 

Snow White’s Scary Adventures

October 1, 1971 – May 31, 2012

This attraction lived up to it’s name. Snow White was never seen while the dwarfs were shown once, with the ride focusing on the element of the witch after Snow White aka the guest. In 1994 it received a “plussing” or make-over to include lighter tones. 

If You Had Wings

June 5, 1972 – January 3, 1989

Sponsored by Eastern Air Lines, the attraction took guests to popular travel destinations throughout the Caribbean and Gulf Coast. 

Mission to Mars

December 24, 1971 – October 4, 1993

Originally named Flight to the Moon, the attraction took guests on a space trip to Mars. 

Delta Dreamflight

June 23, 1989 – January 5, 1998

Sponsored by, you guessed it, Delta Airlines, the attraction highlighted the past and future of air travel. 

ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

December 16, 1994 – October 12, 2003

Arguably the most terrifying attraction at Magic Kingdom, the circle theater showed a science fiction experiment gone wrong. 

The Timekeeper

November 21, 1994 – February 26, 2006

The circle-vision 360 film showed an abbreviated history of the world with the help of “The Timekeeper” an audio-animatronic® voiced by the late & great Robin Williams. 

Stitch’s Great Escape!

November 16, 2004 – January 6, 2018

The much tamer version of Alien Encounter showed the escape of adorable Experiment 626 aka Stitch, from the Galactic Federation Prisoner Teleport Center. Despite the cute premise, it was described as the worst attraction at Magic Kingdom. 

Mickey’s Toontown Fair

1996 – 2011

Formally Mickey’s Birthdayland, Toontown was the home to Mickey, Minnie, and Donald. Guests could tour the interactive homes of the Mouse duos while Donald’s boat served as a play area. Much like today, the area served as a meet and greet for the classic Disney characters. 

Voting Time!!

Now that you have seen and read about the closed attractions, let us know what you think: 

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]]> Sizes of Disney Castles Around the World Ranked https://offstagewdw.com/sizes-of-disney-castles-around-the-world-ranked/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sizes-of-disney-castles-around-the-world-ranked Thu, 11 Nov 2021 22:05:50 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=9016 Disney castles, a beacon of magic for the parks. Below you will find them ranked in size from shortest to tallest.                                    Disneyland Location: Anaheim, California                            […]

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Disney castles, a beacon of magic for the parks. Below you will find them ranked in size from shortest to tallest. 

                                  Disneyland

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

Location: Anaheim, California                                                                                          Height: 77 ft                                                                                                            Did you know: Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is the original and oldest Disney castle. Guests are able to walk through parts of the castle to view dioramas/scenes depicting the classic story. 

 

Hong Kong Disneyland

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

 Location: Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China      Height: 77 ft-original                                                                                                               167 ft-2020 redesign                                                                          Did you know: When the park was built in 2005, a survey of people showed that they   wanted the same Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland and the Imagineers delivered.   As the park’s 15th anniversary approached, Imagineers wanted to do something   special to have the castle stand out. They decided to make it bigger and dedicated it to   not just one princess, but ALL the princesses! Since the castle already existed in a busy   park, they painted and assembled 15 prefabricated parts off site, then moved them to   add onto the castle. Now named ‘Castle of Magical Dreams’, the gorgeous castle   features 12 towers specifically designed to  represent the 13 princesses (Anna & Elsa   share a tower). 

 

Disneyland Paris

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

 Location: Coupvray, France                                                                                      Height: 167 ft                                                                                                         Did you know: The castle Le Château de la Belle au Bois dormant is a literal translation   of the name Sleeping Beauty. Imagineers found the name quite lengthy but the French   residents loved it! The castle looks different from the original Sleeping Beauty one   located in Disneyland because Imagineers wanted to design something completely   different than a “typical” castle. France just so happens to be home to more than   40,000 castles; therefore, they made one that looked more fairytale like than any   castle found along the French countryside. 

 

Tokyo Disneyland

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

 Location: Urayasu, Japan                                                                               Height: 168 ft                                                                                                  Did you know: Based off of Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle in Florida, Tokyo’s   Cinderella Castle features a walkthrough attraction of the classic film. 

 

Magic Kingdom Park

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

 Location: Walt Disney World Resort- Lake Buena Vista, Florida                       Height: 189 ft                                                                                                         Did you know: Cinderella Castle is exactly 189 feet tall and not a foot taller because if   it was, it would require a blinking aviation beacon. While this castle does not have any   walk through attraction, the walls within the interior archway are covered with five   intricate mosaic murals. The pieces are made up of 300,000 Italian glass and   completed with real gold and silver laced throughout. 

 

Shanghai Disneyland Park

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

 Location: Shanghai, China                                                                             Height: 197 ft                                                                                                         Did you know: Acreage wise, Shanghai Disneyland is one of the smaller parks at 100   acres (Disney’s Hollywood Studios is bigger) BUT it has the largest castle! Named   Enchanted Storybook Castle, it includes a restaurant, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, walk-   through attraction, stage, and boat ride that goes beneath the main level and outside   the castle. 

 

Honorable Mentions

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

Labeled as an attraction, the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast located inside the Beast’s castle in Tokyo Disneyland, takes guest through scenes of the beloved story. Opened in 2020 as part of a massive expansion, the castle stands at an impressive 108 feet tall. If it were an official castle on our list above, it would be ranked at number six in size. 

 

[See image gallery at offstagewdw.com]

Located at the Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort, the Beast’s Castle stands host to the highly sought out restaurant, Be Our Guest. Looming off in the distance, the castle is one impressive optical illusion. In reality, the castle that was built as part of the New Fantasyland addition in 2012, sits at about 15 feet tall! 

A frequent visitor of the Walt Disney World Resort, I can’t wait to visit the other Disney castles located around the world! Which one are you most excited to see in person? Share your pick in the comment section below! 

The post Sizes of Disney Castles Around the World Ranked first appeared on Offstage WDW.

]]> Which Disney Park is the Largest? https://offstagewdw.com/which-disney-park-is-the-largest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=which-disney-park-is-the-largest Wed, 03 Nov 2021 14:55:32 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=8791 With 12 theme parks located around the world, Disney Parks are a sought out destination! How do they rank in size? Do you know which of the 12 is the largest? Let’s break it down from smallest to largest! Walt Disney Studios Park Location: Chessy, France                    […]

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With 12 theme parks located around the world, Disney Parks are a sought out destination! How do they rank in size? Do you know which of the 12 is the largest? Let’s break it down from smallest to largest!

Walt Disney Studios Park

Source: Disney©

Location: Chessy, France                                                                                Size: 44 acres                                                                                              Did you know- Walt Disney Studios Park is the much smaller sister park of Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Disney California Adventure Park

 Location: Anaheim, California                                                                         Size: 72 acres                                                                                             Did you know- There is a reason it is so small. The park was built on   Disneyland’s former parking lot! 

Disneyland

Source: Disney©

 Location: Anaheim, California                                                                         Size: 85 acres                                                                                             Did you know: The very first park to be open in 1955, it cost $17 million   to build. That would be approximately $174,002,611 today!

Shanghai Disneyland Park

Source: Disney©

 Location: Shanghai, China                                                                       Size: 100 acres                                                                                           Did you know: It’s Enchanted Storybook Castle is the tallest and largest   castle at any Disney park. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Source: Disney©

 Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida                                                               Size: 103 acres                                                                                           Did you know: The Studios was initially going to be a land in Epcot, but   Imagineers felt they had enough to create an independent park. The   announcement of Universal Studios building a theme park didn’t hurt   either. 😉

Magic Kingdom Park

Source: D23

 Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida                                                         Size: 107 acres                                                                                           Did you know: At 124 acres it’s parking lot is actually larger then the park   itself! 

Tokyo DisneySea

Source: Disney©

 Location: Urayasu, Japan                                                                             Size: 122 acres                                                                                           Did you know: The two Tokyo Disney parks are not actually owned by the   Walt Disney World Company. They are owned and operated by The   Oriental Land Company who licensed the Disney name, attractions, and   characters from the Disney Company.  

 Hong Kong Disneyland

Source: Disney©

 Location: Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s   Republic of China                                                                                       Size: 123 acres                                                                                           Did you know: It was originally a small 68 acres, but the addition of Toy   Story Land, Grizzly Gulch, and Mystic Point on the other side of the park’s   railroad would add much needed space, almost doubling the park in size. 

        Tokyo Disneyland

Source: ©Disney

 Location: Urayasu, Japan                                                                             Size: 126 acres                                                                                           Did you know: Opening on April 15, 1983, Tokyo Disneyland was the first   international Disney park to be built. 

Disneyland Paris

Source: ©Disney

Location: Coupvray, France                                                                            Size: 127 acres                                                                                            Did you know: France happens to be a hot spot for castles, averaging more than 40,000 so when it came time to build a Disney castle, Imagineers had to think outside of the box. That is why their castle is more fairytale like in appearance than the others! 

Epcot

Source: ©Disney

 Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida                                                         Size: 200 acres                                                                                           Did you know: The iconic Spaceship Earth (pictured above) weighs 15   million pounds and is 165 feet in diameter. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Source: ©Disney

 Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida                                                         Size: 300 acres                                                                                           Did you know: When including the animal care/backstage area, the   massive park actually encompasses 500 acres! 

There you have it! I hope you learned some fascinating new facts today about the incredible Disney parks. I don’t know about you, but this makes me want to visit all the parks even more! Let’s plan a trip, who’s with me?!

The post Which Disney Park is the Largest? first appeared on Offstage WDW.

]]> Which Haunted Mansion Spirit Are You?! https://offstagewdw.com/which-haunted-mansion-spirit-are-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=which-haunted-mansion-spirit-are-you Thu, 28 Oct 2021 20:03:09 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=8785 The Haunted Mansion, the stomping grounds for spirits of all kinds. A few run the mansion, some lurk back in the shadows, while others let loose and have a fun time. Just like in their mortal state, they have a personality of their own. Take our quiz to find out which Haunted Mansion spirit matches […]

The post Which Haunted Mansion Spirit Are You?! first appeared on Offstage WDW.

]]> The Haunted Mansion, the stomping grounds for spirits of all kinds. A few run the mansion, some lurk back in the shadows, while others let loose and have a fun time. Just like in their mortal state, they have a personality of their own. Take our quiz to find out which Haunted Mansion spirit matches your personality! 

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]]> Haunted Mansion Lore: Madame Leota https://offstagewdw.com/haunted-mansion-lore-madame-leota/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=haunted-mansion-lore-madame-leota Tue, 26 Oct 2021 14:24:08 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=8671 Madame Leota is arguably one of the most popular ghostly presences in the Haunted Mansion. There are two variations of her story; one innocent and one sinister, both intertwined with Disney lore.   Theory One There has been no official background story about Madame Leota from Disney; so one must use the clues left by […]

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Madame Leota is arguably one of the most popular ghostly presences in the Haunted Mansion. There are two variations of her story; one innocent and one sinister, both intertwined with Disney lore.  

Theory One

There has been no official background story about Madame Leota from Disney; so one must use the clues left by Imagineering to piece together her story. 

Madame Leota- Located inside Memento Mori

Memento Mori is said to be the location of Madame Leota’s home when she was alive. Inside many of her personal effects are on display. She was close to the Gracey family, earning her a room in the mansion and a burial in their family plot.

Photo Credit: Studio 2719 Jason & Amanda Oswalt

In Disneyland, she does not have her own store; however, she does have a caravan wagon where she worked as a Psychic Medium.

 

It is safe to say Madame Leota dabbled as a clairvoyant/fortune teller and was loved by the Gracey family. We never learn how she passed or how her spirit ended up in a crystal ball; although we can make some pretty good guesses about the latter. 

Theory Two

Now we get to the good stuff! According to Ghost Gallery. unofficial lore from Cast Members who worked inside the Haunted Mansion, Madame Leota’s story is far more sinister. Get ready for this doozy of a story…

Source: Disney©

Leota was born in the swamps of Louisiana to a nomadic woman and a voodoo priest. She was schooled in the arts of the occult and was taught to manipulate others without any regard. She was reportedly bitter and could easily fly into a rage; however, it was when she was calm and calculating that she was the most frightening. 

She eventually made her way to New Orleans, where she earned some coin reading palms and holding seances. Even though she would sometimes use effects for show purposes, Leota was the real deal. It was in New Orleans she met George Gracey Jr. and saw the opportunity of a lifetime. Gracey was young and trying to figure out his new life as a Master of his family manor. 

Gracey was spellbound by Leota and her abilities. She moved into the mansion with Gracey and his wife, Lilian. Frequently calling on his personal clairvoyant made it easy for Leota to manipulate him to her will and they inevitably became romantically involved. Soon after, well 9 months after, Leota gave birth to a daughter, Little Leota, named after her mother. Lilian and Leota despised each other; and both plotted to get rid of one another. Lilian just wanted Leota fired but Leota wanted Lilian dead. 

One evening, Leota hypnotized Lilian into performing an old tightrope act for the family. During the show, Leota summoned an alligator to attack Lilian, killing her. 

Look familiar? Master Gracey’s first wife Lilian O’Malley Gracey. 

At the urging of Madame Leota, Master Gracey remarried shortly after the death of Lilian (he picked up his new 16 year old wife at her parent’s funeral ). Emily Cavanaugh was young, beautiful, and wealthy. After their wedding, Gracey and his young bride were playing hide-and-seek. Still in her wedding dress, Emily ran up to the attic and hid in a large, stuffy chest. Leota seized the chance to take her out by locking Emily inside the chest, where she suffocated. 

Meanwhile, Little Leota ran amuck around the mansion pranking everyone and helping her mother with seances. She grew up within the mansion and reportedly made her father, Master Gracey, very uneasy. As she should have because “Little” Leota murdered some people of her own. Click here for that crazy story. 

Many years later, Madame Leota attempted to open up a portal to the spirit world. Master Gracey put his foot down, which lead to a huge argument. It was then that he learned Leota had murdered his wives (how did he not see that?!) and attempted to leave. Leota used her powers to control the servants, cutting off all exits and funneling him up to the attic. Infuriated, she attempted to imprison him inside her crystal ball. In despair, Gracey hung himself, the spell went awry, and Leota accidentally trapped herself in her crystal ball. If that ain’t karma, I don’t know what is. 

The Ghost Host’s Way Out- ©Disney

With limited powers, Madame Leota found a final resting place within the mansion where she continues to call to the spirits. 

There you have it! Perhaps elements from both theories can build her backstory. Regardless, Madame Leota is an intriguing force to be reckoned with!  

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]]> Disney Genie+ versus Individual Lightning Lane https://offstagewdw.com/disney-genie-versus-individual-lightning-lane/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=disney-genie-versus-individual-lightning-lane Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:07:33 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=8677 There is some confusion with the new Disney Genie+ service. We are going to break it down as quickly and easily as possible.  FASTPASS+ is no more. Lightning Lane is the new FASPASS+. The biggest difference is now you need to pay for it.  There are two choices when purchasing:  Pay $15.00 for Genie+ per […]

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There is some confusion with the new Disney Genie+ service. We are going to break it down as quickly and easily as possible. 

FASTPASS+ is no more. Lightning Lane is the new FASPASS+. The biggest difference is now you need to pay for it. 

There are two choices when purchasing: 

  1. Pay $15.00 for Genie+ per person per day and have access to 40+ attractions OR
  2. Buy the Individual Lightning Lane for a higher demand attraction. It can cost between $7 to $15 per person per attraction, depending on the busyness of the day.

How do I get it?

First you will need to purchase your park ticket (through Disney or Travel Agent), then you will need to download the My Disney Experience Mobile App. 

When can I pick my attractions?

Unlike FASTPASS+ which guests could choose their attractions months in advanced, Genie+ & Individual Lightning Lane is day of. 

I purchased the Genie+, how many Lighting Lane passes can I choose at a time?

ONE at a time folks! The day of your visit, starting at 7:00 AM for guests staying at the resort or 9:00 AM for all other guests, open up the app and choose the first attraction you want to ride. The earlier the better. Once you ride the attraction or the time window passes, you can get back on the app and choose another experience! 

Sooo how many total can I choose?

That is up to you and your schedule. Make your first time as early as possible. You have until the park closes to choose times. 

Can I choose any ride I want?

No, not every attraction is available for Lighting Lane. But not to worry, here is a list for you! 

Magic Kingdom

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Splash Mountain
  • The Barnstormer
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Epcot

  • Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission: SPACE – Green
  • Mission: SPACE – Orange
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
  • Disney Junior Play & Dance!
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – returning Dec 19, 2021
  • Millennium Flacon: Smugglers Run
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours- The Adventures Continue
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
  • Toy Story Mania! 

Animal Kingdom

  • Celebration of the Festive of the Lion King
  • DINOSAUR
  • Feathered Friends in Flight!
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug!
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Na’vi River Journey
  • The Animation Experience at Conservation Station

Got it. So how does the Individual Lightning Lane work?

The Individual Lightning Lane is basically an á la carte for the higher demand attractions. You only pay for the ones you want. 

Is there a limit for how many I buy?

Yes! Like the Genie+, you can only choose one at a time for a max of two attractions a day. 

Do I have to purchase Genie+ to use it?

Nope!

Can I choose any attraction I want for an individual purchase?

No, there are only a few attractions at each park that are available for Individual Lightning Lane purchase. Here they are!

Magic Kingdom

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Space Mountain

Epcot

  • Frozen Ever After
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios

  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Stars Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Animal Kingdom

  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Expedition Everest- Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

How much does the Individual Lightning Lane cost?

That all depends on the day. If it is high peak season (holidays, Spring Break, Summer, etc.) the cost per attraction will be higher. Prices range from $7 to $15. 

Can I book my Individual Lightning Lane early?

Just like Genie+, you are able to purchase an attraction pass the day of your visit. 

Can I purchase Genie+ AND Individual Lightning Lane?

You sure can! Since they are separate, you can be flexible with the times you choose.

Can I use Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane to ride the same attraction over and over?

No- if you want to ride an attraction again, you will have to use the regular Stand-By line. 

I already bought my park tickets for a future trip. Can I still add Genie+ or purchase Individual Lightning Lane?

You sure can! You can purchase the services now or day of. Just remember, you cannot select the attraction times until the day of your visit at 7:00 AM if you are staying at a Disney Resort, or 9:00 AM if you are just visiting the park. 

Wow, a park ticket already costs so much and this is just an added expense. 

True, that true. You are easily looking at $150 per person per day with park ticket purchases, the Genie+ and both Individual Lightning Lane passes. The services are just an added bonus. If you are traveling during a busy time, you may want to just spend the money on the Individual Lightning Lane. It is something you can always decide when you arrive at the park. IF you are a Disney novice, there is an added benefit of purchasing Genie+- the service helps guests to build itineraries based on their interests. This will help maximize park time. 

I hope this question and answer session with myself helped! This entire system is brand new and a learning process for everyone, even Disney. Be sure to keep up with the latest news prior to your trip to account for any changes. 

The post Disney Genie+ versus Individual Lightning Lane first appeared on Offstage WDW.

]]> The ‘Squid’s Revenge’ Cocktail https://offstagewdw.com/the-squids-revenge-cocktail/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-squids-revenge-cocktail Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:04:03 +0000 https://offstagewdw.com/?p=8612 In honor of Magic Kingdom’s 50th Celebration, the Be Our Guest restaurant is featuring a limited edition “Squids Revenge” cocktail. YUP…there be octopus in that glass…a real octopus tentacle.  Essentially a Michelada mixed with beer, lime, tomato juice, spices, blue salt, it is then garnished with an octopus tentacle. Cost is $13.  The eccentric drink […]

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In honor of Magic Kingdom’s 50th Celebration, the Be Our Guest restaurant is featuring a limited edition “Squids Revenge” cocktail. YUP…there be octopus in that glass…a real octopus tentacle. 

Essentially a Michelada mixed with beer, lime, tomato juice, spices, blue salt, it is then garnished with an octopus tentacle. Cost is $13. 

The eccentric drink is located only at Magic Kingdom at Be Our Guest. “Why?” you ask…because that is the former site of the attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. 

Fun Tidbit- if you order the Squid’s Revenge, have your camera ready as there is a small light up Scuba diver that is attached to the tray when your cocktail is brought over! 

Photo Credit: Danny Shuster WDW Magazine

I certainly do not want to yuck anyone’s yum, but for those less adventurous (ME!) Be Our Guest also carries a non-alcoholic blue raspberry slushy called The Nautilus. Served in a small fish bowl, it comes with a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea glow cube and is garnished with a Swedish Fish…my kind of drink!  

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