Magic Kingdom closes the park every night with a fantastic firework show. This 20 minute, life changing firework presentation will bring out all emotions. Recently this show got an upgrade. The projections onto the castle are more magical than ever before.
The show begins with a man’s voice talking about our dreams and all we do to achieve them. We then experience some of the most known characters dance around and sing about! Suddenly the villains take control and “destroy” the castle to the ground. But then, just like any other Disney experience, the heroes reunite to “build” the castle back up.
The firework finale is the greatest, most elaborate firework finale you’ll ever witness. We then hear the man’s voice come back to remind us to never lose sight of our dreams and always keep believing. After spending a day filled with magic you’ll most likely tear up at this incredible show.
Unfortunately, since the park has been closed, no one has experienced this show in weeks. Luckily, Disney shared the whole show on Instagram! We can now watch it every single night!
Disney had a new release on March 6th. Onward is about two elf brothers that go on a huge adventure to find a magical stone. Like any other Disney adventure, these brothers run into many obstacles. But by the end of the movie they have found themselves and know what they hold dear to their hearts. Onward had a few characteristics that really stood out to me (here come the spoilers).
Barley (the older brother) is forced to be the father figure in Ian’s life when their dad passed away right before Ian’s birth. As the boys are on the journey to find the magical stone, Ian makes a list of all the things he would like to do with his dad if given the chance. As Ian and Barley face defeats, Ian begins to cross things off his list in disappointment. Near the end of the movie, Ian goes to cross off an activity from his list. He makes a realization that everything he had previously crossed off, he had a memory of doing it with Barley. Ian realizes that he doesn’t need to have a father to make memories. Barley raised him and taught him everything that Ian thought their father would have done. I think it’s important to talk about families that are not “perfect.” Ian and Barley do not have a dad and they aren’t the only ones.
The second detail that stuck out to me was Ian and Barley’s mother. She is a single mother of two boys, and a widow. She also has a boyfriend. Now I couldn’t tell if this boyfriend lived with them or not. Regardless, there are still scenes with everyone together under one roof. Ian and Barley do not show a great relationship with their mother’s boyfriend. I think this is also important because of how normal it is to have separated parents. Often children have different feelings towards a parent’s significant other that is not their parent. A level of authority is blurred. I think Onward showed this nicely. The boys do not disrespect their mom’s boyfriend but it is clear that they are not best friends with him.
Lastly, I think it was important to note how the father passed. He had an illness and died in the hospital. This is huge. In a movie revolved around a magic world, characters still die of illness. To me, this shows children that sometimes illness wins and sometimes there is nothing we can do about it. Many children lose someone due to illness and this movie showed that life goes on and I think that is important.
Overall, I really enjoyed Onward! I would highly recommend this movie to anyone!
Magic Kingdom is the best place to meet characters! There are so many to see! I am going to try and group the characters together to make this post not too long. But I will start with some important spots to meet and greet!
Here is a list of everyone you can meet in Magic Kingdom:
Mickey Mouse
Tinker Bell
Tiana
Rapunzel
Elena
Cinderella
Belle
Gaston
Ariel
Buzz Lightyear
Merida
Winnie the Pooh
Tigger
Aladdin
Jasmine
Peter Pan
Jack Sparrow
Minnie Mouse
Goofy
Donald Duck
Daisy Duck
Pluto
Alice
Mary Poppins
Snow White
Anastasia
Drizella
Fairy Godmother
Country Bears
Stitch
Entering the park, you can meet Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell in the Town Square Theater. Fun fact: this is where you can meet Mickey in his Halloween costume during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Tinker Bell is also really fun to meet here. The meeting area is decorated to look like her home in Pixie Hollow.
The next spot is the Princess Fairytale Hall. Here you can meet Tiana, Rapunzel, Elena, and Cinderella. This area is divided in two. You stand in one separate line to meet two of the princesses. Tiana and Rapunzel are usually paired while the other line is for Cinderella and Elena.
Gaston is located in the same area as the Enchanted Tales with Belle. This story telling attraction is based inside Belle’s castle. You can spot Gaston showing off his muscles outside. After story time with Belle, you can have your picture taken with her. Her she is dressed in her yellow ballgown.
Ariel has a very magical spot! You get to meet her in her very own grotto! This whole wait area makes you feel like you are under water! Here she is met as a mermaid so she is sitting but still very fun to meet!
Occasionally you will be able to meet Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrow Land.
Merida is one of my favorite meet and greets in Magic Kingdom. Her area is sort of tucked away. You could easily walk by without noticing! She is such a fun character to meet! Her attitude is always so bubbly and warming!
A very popular ride is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Outside this ride you can occasionally meet Pooh Bear and Tigger.
Aladdin and Jasmine are also spotted here in Magic Kingdom. You can find them together in Adventure Land.
Peter Pan is spotted next to his ride (also very popular) in Fantasy Land. The best time to catch him is right after the afternoon parade.
Jack Sparrow is often spotted roaming Adventure Land. He doesn’t have a particular spot to meet and greet but he is still fun to interact with!
Storybook Circus is the spot to meet many well known characters. Here you will meet Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Pluto. All of these characters are dressed in “circus” themed clothing. They are very fun and interactive!
Alice, Mary Poppins, and Snow White are all available to meet in Magic Kingdom. There is a better chance of meeting these three ladies in Epcot. But it is still always fun no matter where!
A very funny meet and greet is Anastasia and Drizella! For those of you who don’t know, they are the evil step sisters in Cinderella. If your’e lucky you’ll even be able to meet the Fairy Godmother here too!
Among Frontierland you’ll see the Country Bears roaming about. These are not not meet and greet characters as they don’t have a dedicated spot.
Stitch has his own spot to meet and greet in Tomorrowland. This area is the former location of Stitch’s Great Escape.
I think Hollywood Studios has the most diverse characters to meet. The two biggest attractions to Hollywood Studios is Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge. Both have great opportunities to meet characters. Hollywood Studios also has a great area for younger children to meet some of their favorite TV show characters.
In Galaxy’s Edge you will see many Star Wars characters roaming. Stormtroopers are always walking around patrolling. You can even spot them on top of buildings to get a topical view of the crowd. Kylo Ren also roams the area with Stormtroopers. Ren and Chewbacca are also known to walk around. These characters are not “meet and greet.” You can’t wait in line to get an autograph with them. If you would like to experience the “meet and greet” with Star Wars characters you can find Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and BB-8 at the Launch Bay theater!
Toy Story Land is my favorite spot in Hollywood Studios to meet the characters! Woody and BoPeep are paired together and are very fun to interact with. Jesse is further back but is also super fun and interactive! Buzz Lightyear can also be spotted (typically with a very long line) closer to the entrance of Toy Story Land. You’ll even be able to see Green Army men march in with drums to perform a show! Another fun tip: if you get a picture with the photographer at the Toy Story Land entrance, ask them for “extra magic!”
Mickey and Minnie can also be met in Hollywood Studios. They are located at Red Carpet Dreams. Minnie is dressed in a nice gown with a big pink bow! Mickey is decked out in his sorcerer’s robes. This outfit is most popular from his debut in Fantasa.
Mike Wazowski and Sully can also be found in Hollywood Studios. They are in the Walt Disney Presents building right before entering Toy Story Land.
As I mentioned earlier, Hollywood Studios has a great opportunity for young kids to meet their favorite TV characters. There is a section of the park entirely dedicated to Disney Junior meet and greets. Here you can meet Pluto, Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins. Each character has their own little set up that is decorated to look like a scene from their show. These characters can be fun to meet at any age though, especially Goofy.
Goofy was trying to make Mickey ears to match us!
Olaf is super fun to meet! He is located right outside the Frozen Sing-A-Long show. His waiting line is all covered which can be a nice break from the beating sun. He is a really goofy character and will try to make you laugh!
If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to either meet Chip and Dale or Donald and Daisy at Sid’s Porch as you enter the park.
Hollywood Studios also has a great spot dedicated to the Cars movies. Here you can see Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. This is also a fun, inside show to get you out of the sun for about 30 minutes. Outside of this show you can have your picture taken with Cruz Ramirez and DJ from the Cars movies.
The latest meet and greet that has been added to Hollywood Studios is Edna Mode from Incredible’s. She is not a daily character yet, but hopefully soon!
