2: Take “The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains” Tour

“In some way or another, I have always loved trains.”
Walt Disney

Who doesn’t love this sight?

Seeing one of the four Walt Disney World steam trains pulling up in front of the Magic Kingdom means you are about to start a day at the Most Magical Place on Earth! But there is so much more to these trains than a way to bring guests to the various lands of the Magic Kingdom. And you can “get to know” these beautiful trains and the Engineers behind them through The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour.

The tour started off with an opportunity to see something not many people get to see… an empty Main Street, U.S.A.

During the tour, we received an up-close lesson on how these genuine steam trains operate.

We learned about Walt Disney and his passion for trains, how that affection impacted the design of Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, and how trains played a part of the creation of Mickey Mouse.

“He [Mickey Mouse] popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner.”
Walt Disney

We even went “backstage” to the Round House where the trains are housed and cared for, and had a very unique chance for some cool photo opportunities.

And the best part: we got to know one of the Engineers who shared his expertise and love of the trains with us.

Joe, our Engineer Tour Guide, spent part of the tour explaining how much pressure and force you need to exert to pull a train’s throttle.

He ended with words I don’t want to forget, so I’ll record them here:

“Sometimes when it’s late at night and I’m tired and I’m doing that last run on the train, I swear I can feel Walt’s spirit pull the throttle with me.”

Information regarding Tours at Walt Disney World:

• For a comprehensive list of all tours offered at Walt Disney World, click here. You may be amazed by some of the experiences offered! Pricing and length of time varies per tour.
• Most of the tours bring guests “Backstage,” and are restricted to ages 16 and up so as to not spoil the magic for children. However, a few of the tours do welcome families and one even caters to children. Be aware of welcomed ages prior to booking.
• Discounts for several tours are often available for Disney Visa card holders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Walt Disney World Annual Passholders.
• Tours are held rain or shine, as evidenced by my awesome “Florida” rain poncho, purchased at the Walgreen’s just outside of Downtown Disney moments before our tour !

Information specific to The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour:

• At the time of this writing, this tour if offered from 7:30-10:30 am on select days of the week, and the cost is $49.99. Be sure to call (407) WDW-TOUR for the most up-to-date information and for scheduling.
• Since Magic Kingdom parking may not be open, guests for this tour may park at the Contemporary Resort and walk to the Magic Kingdom entrance (have your confirmation number handy).
• Don’t have time on your vacation to take a tour? You can still chat with a Disney World Train Engineer! Engineers offer free half hour presentations in the Carolwood Pacific Room at the Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Currently offered on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, but you can contact the Wilderness Lodge ahead of time to confirm (407-824-3200).

62: Visit The Disney Wilderness Preserve

The text below is printed on the signs at the main house upon entering The Disney Wilderness Preserve (owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy):

“The story of The Disney Wilderness Preserve begins with the U.S. Clean Water Act – a law that requires wetlands damaged by human activity to be “mitigated” (replaced elsewhere). The Preserve is a mitigation project established in 1992 with the purchase of 8,500 acres. This project was the result of an unprecedented agreement among The Nature Conservancy, Walt Disney World Co. and several public agencies. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and other businesses have since added acreage.

This mitigation project is a creative approach to balancing the needs of the environment and development in an area of rapid growth. Under the agreement, The Nature Conservancy is implementing a program of restoration, stewardship, research and education on a vast tract of former ranch land.

As the story unfolds, together we are discovering and sharing ways to protect our natural heritage for generations to come.”

Click on any of the images below to enlarge.

• The Disney Wilderness Preserve is located 25 miles southeast of Walt Disney World. Operating hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (the trail closes at 4:30 pm). All information necessary to plan a visit can be found here.
• Hiking/meandering the full loop (2.5 miles) takes approximately an hour and a half. No big hills or anything to worry about—it’s still Flat Florida .
• Do yourself a favor… do NOT wear flip-flops .  Wear comfortable and protective walking shoes.
• Be sure to bring sunscreen—the trees are lovely at the Preserve, but there are not many shaded areas.
• Consider bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables—I wish I had!
• There is no charge to enter, but donations are accepted and appreciated .

My pictures show you some of the lush and unique foliage, but they do little to convey the true beauty and peacefulness of the Preserve. Aside from the very few other guests we encountered, the silence (aside from the sound of the breeze and pretty bird songs) was amazing, especially considering how close it is to one of the most popular vacation destinations on earth. A DEFINITE change of pace—and a refreshing one. I would especially encourage FL locals to stop by.

I know not everyone can take time from their Disney vacation for this experience, but please know that there IS an area like this on Walt Disney World property–you just can’t tour it. Walt Disney instructed that 10,000 acres of the land he purchased in FL remain untouched to preserve it’s natural beauty and wildness. Guests can see this area best from the overlook at Wilderness Lodge–it encompasses Bay Lake and the forested area on the opposite side. But the piece of land that serves as the Preserve is so beautiful and unique that I just wanted people to know that it’s out there, and at least enjoy a virtual tour . Thanks for “visiting”!

75: Read a biography about Walt Disney

I’ve spent many wonderful hours curled up in a comfy chair in the Carolwood Pacific Room, with a fireplace in front of me…

… and Walt Disney’s train cars behind me.

The time was spent reading Bob Thomas’s Walt Disney biography, An American Original.

When Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966, the author shares that CBS Evening News anchor Eric Sevareid spoke these words to a saddened nation:

“He was an original; not just an American original, but an original, period. He was a happy accident; one of the happiest this century has experienced; and judging by the way it’s been behaving in spite of all Disney tried to tell it about laughter, love, children, puppies and sunrises, the century hardly deserved him.

He probably did more to heal or at least to soothe troubled human spirits than all the psychiatrists in the world. There can’t be many adults in the allegedly civilized parts of the globe who did not inhabit Disney’s mind and imagination at least for a few hours and feel better for the visitation.

It may be true, as somebody said, that while there is no highbrow in a lowbrow, there is some lowbrow in every highbrow.

But what Walt Disney seemed to know was that while there is very little grown-up in a child, there is a lot of child in every grown-up. To a child this weary world is brand new, gift wrapped; Disney tried to keep it that way for adults…

By the conventional wisdom, mighty mice, flying elephants, Snow White and Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy and Dopey—all these were fantasy, escapism from reality. It’s a question of whether they are any less real, any more fantastic than inter-continental missiles, poisoned air, defoliated forests, and scraps from the moon. This is the age of fantasy, however you look at it, but Disney’s fantasy wasn’t lethal. People are saying we’ll never see his like again.”

If you’d like to get to know the extraordinary man behind the World, I’d highly recommend that you pick up a copy of An American Original: Walt Disney.

12: Enjoy “Snow White’s Scary Adventures” one last time

Sometimes, in order to make space for something amazing and new (I’m lookin’ at you, Fantasyland Expansion!), we have to say goodbye to an old treasure. Snow White’s Scary Adventures will carry Walt Disney World guests for the last time on May 31.

Take one last ride with me!

Snow White’s Adventures was one of the original attractions in the Magic Kingdom when it opened in October 1971.  I can still remember riding it on my first trip to Walt Disney World. Frankly, it scared me to pieces, mostly because of recurring sudden appearances by this little lady…

… and also because my best friend kept dragging me on it again and again for kicks because she knew how freaked out I was. Hey thanks, Beth .

Anyway, I guess I wasn’t the only one… the attraction was closed for a time, and then reopened in 1994. The word “Scary” was added to the name to give parents a bit of a warning, while making the ride itself somewhat less so, by adding the visible presence of Snow White and more of the loveable and thankfully-not-scary-at-all-whatsoever Seven Dwarfs.

That said, the attraction still stands out in my mind as one that I fully remember from childhood. There is always a fondness for the original attractions (I still miss you, Mr. Toad…), and especially anything featuring any of the beloved characters from Walt Disney’s time. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which premiered December 21, 1937, was Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated film. There are nods to the importance of this film in other places on Walt Disney World property. The picture below is part of “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream”:

Carthay Circle Theater, where “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” had its premiere, is given a tribute in this replica at Hollywood Studios:

While we lose this attraction with the Fantasyland expansion, we won’t be losing the presence of Snow White or the Dwarfs by any means. The spot where “Snow White’s Scary Adventures” currently stands will become “Princess Fairytale Hall” where guests can meet Disney Princesses. And “The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train” will add another small roller coaster (in addition to Goofy’s Barnstormer) to Fantasyland.

I’m thankful that I was able to enjoy this ride one last time. You kind of see with new eyes how very beautiful it is, and appreciate its history and significance just a little more, knowing it won’t be around any longer. It is oddly sad to lose it, but we look forward to all the amazing new experiences to come.

So, thanks for the memories to the Fairest One of All…

And even to you, Evil-Queen-turned-Wicked-Witch…

…and so long, Dopey. We’ll see you soon!

3: Take time to explore “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream”

“All right I am corny, you know? But I think there are just about 140 million people in this country who are just as corny as I am…”
Walt Disney

I’ve visited “Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream” on previous vacations to Walt Disney World, but had never taken the time to explore it in depth. I’m so glad I finally took the opportunity. This attraction (found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Mickey Avenue) chronicles significant events in Walt Disney’s life from his early days…

… to his professional life:

“A person should set his goals as early as he can and devote all his energy and talent to getting there. With enough effort, he may achieve it. Or he may find something that is even more rewarding. But in the end, no matter what the outcome, he will know he has been alive.”

What I really geeked out over was the ORIGINAL Abraham Lincoln Audio-Animatronic from the 1964 World’s Fair! This was added to the attraction in November 2010 after the entire exhibit enjoyed a refurbishment. Abraham Lincoln was the first human-based audio-animatronic. LOOOONG before Pirates of the Caribbean or the Phoenicians in Spaceship Earth… there was ABE!

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”

Disney fans will also appreciate the beautiful models and replicas of iconic park icons and attractions:

“Why be a governor or senator when you can be king of Disneyland?”

Hear, hear !

This beautiful gallery can be strolled through at your leisure. You can take as much or as little time as you wish.  Just be sure to stop in–you’ll be glad you did. Oh, and… Thanks, Walt .

“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.”