Liberty Square from A Dream Called Walt Disney World

Frontierland from A Dream Called Walt Disney World

Adventureland from A Dream Called Walt Disney World

Tomorrowland from a Dream Called Walt Disney World

Fantasyland from A Dream Called Walt Disney World

Main Street USA from A Dream Called Walt Disney World

"Magic of Walt Disney World" from the 1981 film A Dream Called Walt Disn...

Gardner's Shack: Vintage Magic Kingdom Landscaping

A while back I found these images online. I have dated them from between the late '80s and early '90s. They included pictures from the Grand Floridian and the Norway Pavilion so it's at least late 1988 and I see the old Tomorrowland entrance and no Partners statue so I would guess no later than 1993. 

That said take a moment to absorb the beauty that once graced the Magic Kingdom. As beautiful as the park is today what happened to this level of love and care in the horticulture department. I am sure its because money, like everything else. but look at how much more story and atmosphere a little landscaping can add. If a little plant can add this much warmth and comfort I say it's worth it. 

Tomorrow we will look at the Epcot photos from this collection. So keep in mind what I'm talking about here with how the landscape adds to and even tells it's own story. I think you'll see it is the same case in Epcot. In a time where we have a Flower and Garden Festival that focuses on food I think it's time to go back to green thumbs and storytelling.

 

Family Vault: The Spirit of America parade

The Spirit of America Parade ran from 1987-1988 at the Magic Kingdom. It replaced the 15th Anniversary Parade and was replaced by Mickey's All American Birthday Parade which reused several floats including the Lighthouse and the Barn.

Audio Archive: America on Parade Full Audio

Happy Independence Day! To celebrate we wanted to share the full audio of America on Parade. The Magic Kingdom Parade that ran from 1975-1976. Below is the song list so you can listen along.

1. Yankee Doodle
2. Sailing Sailing
3. Over the River and Through the Woods
4. Turkey in the Straw
5. Battle Hymn of the Republic
6. You're A Grand Old Flag
7. O Susannah
8. Swanee River
9. Waiting for the Robert E. Lee
10. Clementine
11. At a Georgia Camp Meeting
12. I've Been Workin' on the Railroad
13. In the Good Old Summertime
14. School Days
15. Medley: In My Merry Oldsmobile, Come Josephine in My Flying Machine
16. Take Me Out to the Ball Game
17. Animal Crackers in My Soup
18. Dearie
19. Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah
20. Stars and Stripes Forever
21. God Bless America

Disney After Dark: The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell in Liberty Square.

Making Memories: Great Moments with the Muppets

Great Moments in History with the Muppets in Liberty Square.

Dateline Disney: Splash Mountain to be Re-themed to Princess and the Frog

Today we learned that Splash Mountain at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom will be rethemed to Princess and the Frog after an online petition was started to change it in light of the current events in the United States. Here is what was said about this new retheming on the Disney Parks Blog.

Today we are thrilled to share a first glimpse of a project Imagineers have been working on since last year. Splash Mountain – at both Disneyland park in California and Magic Kingdom park in Florida – will soon be completely reimagined. The theme is inspired by an all-time favorite animated Disney film, “The Princess and the Frog.” We pick up this story after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

Tiana is a modern, courageous, and empowered woman, who pursues her dreams and never loses sight of what’s really important. It’s a great story with a strong lead character, set against the backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou. In 1966, Walt himself opened New Orleans Square when it became the first new “land” added to Disneyland park, so it feels natural to link the story and the incredible music of “The Princess and the Frog” to our parks.

The voice of Princess Tiana and Tony Award-winning actress, Anika Noni Rose, shared, “It is really exciting to know that Princess Tiana’s presence in both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom will finally be fully realized! As passionate as I am about what we created, I know the fans are going to be over the moon. The Imagineers are giving us ‘The Princess and the Frog’ Mardi Gras celebration we’ve been waiting for, and I’m here for it!”

The approach to retheming or “plussing” attractions (as Walt Disney referred to it) begins with Imagineers asking the question, how can we build upon or elevate the experience and tell a fresh, relevant story? It’s a continuous process that Imagineers are deeply passionate about. And with this longstanding history of updating attractions and adding new magic, the retheming of Splash Mountain is of particular importance today. The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.

Charita Carter, the senior creative producer leading the project at Walt Disney Imagineering shared, “Like Princess Tiana, I believe that courage and love are the key ingredients for wonderful adventures. I am delighted to be a part of bringing this fun-filled experience to our guests.”

For Imagineers, change is rooted in a tradition set by Walt Disney who encouraged new innovations, new ideas, new scenes and current storytelling. And the experiences they create can be enjoyed by guests who visit our parks from all over the world.

As part of the creative development process, conceptual design work is well underway and Imagineers will soon be able to conduct preliminary reviews and develop a timeline for when the transformation can start to take shape.

Stay tuned for more!

Panoramic Paradise: Main Street U.S.A.

Gardner's Shack: The Liberty Tree

In Liberty Square, there is an attraction that is often overlooked. But in 1971 when the Magic Kingdom opened it was the centerpiece of the land. That Attraction is the Liberty Tree. You may be asking yourself what is the Liberty Tree well that goes back to a time before Disney in fact it goes back to a time before America. The original Liberty Tree was located in Boston Common from 1646 till 1775 when a British Loyalist cut it down. But in the years before she was felled she stood as a sort of rallying place for those who wanted to rebel against the tyranny of the British.

Fast-forward to the 1970s. Walt Disney had always had plans to build a Liberty Square in Disneyland but when that never happened it became a priority for the "Florida Project". So with Liberty Square coming to fruition in Florida now, they needed a centerpiece for the land. Again they looked back to Walt's vision. He had always planned to have a liberty tree in the land, so that's what they did. They took a Florida Live Oak from 8 miles east of the Magic Kingdom and trucked it over to the park. That was no small task but with the guidance of legendary Disney Gardner Bill Evans who had experience moving impossible to move big trees at Disneyland they got the job done.

Now she sits across from the Hall of Presidents with thirteen Lanterns hanging in her branches representing the thirteen original colonies. So next time you are at the Magic  Kingdom and find yourself in Liberty Square maybe waiting for a parade or enjoying a snack from Sleepy Hollow, stop and take a moment to enjoy the shade of The Liberty Tree.

Or whistle a tune. here are the lyrics and audio from the Liberty Tree song from the 1957 Disney film Johnny Tremain.

Plant the seed in our homeland, boys. Let it grow where all can see

Feed it with our devotion, boys. Call it the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

Save it from the storm, boys. Water down its roots with tea

And the sun will always shine on the old Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

March along with the piper, boys. We were born forever free

Let’s go pay the piper, boys, beneath the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

Pay the price they’re asking, boys. Always pay the tyrant’s fee

Never give up the struggle, boys. Fight for the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

Stand for the rights of man, boys. Stand against all tyranny

Hang the lamps of freedom, boys, high on the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

And it will grow as we grow, boys. It will be as strong as we

We must cling to our faith, boys-faith in the Liberty Tree

It’s a tall old Tree

And a strong old Tree

And we are the Sons

Yes, we are the Sons

The Sons of Liberty

Disney Day in History: Happy 25th birthday to The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

June 20th, 1995 something full of Terror made it's way to the Magic Kingdom and I'm not talking about Steve Urkel who also visited that same year. That's a joke for all you 90's kids out there. No, it was the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. Arguably the most fighting attraction to ever come to a Disney park. Part of Michael Eisners Plan to bring more teens and young adults to the parks. It was a work of master craftsmanship between Disney Imagineering and  Lucasfilms. I want to do a deep dive into this amazing attraction very soon but for now here are some promotional pieces from the attraction.

Disney Dining At Home: Apple Cobbler from the Liberty Tree Tavern

Apple Cobbler 

from the Liberty Tree Tavern at the Magic Kingdom

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Pie Crust Dough:

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 sticks unsalted butter cut into ¼ inch pieces

4 tablespoons Crisco – Vegetable Shortening

Sift the flour, sugar, and salt into a large bowl Using your fingers, work in the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add 2 tablespoons ice water and work with your fingers until the water is incorporated and the dough comes together. Add more water if needed.

Spray the inside of a 9x13x2 inch glass or ceramic baking dish with a

non-stick coating. Roll out pie dough on a lightly floured surface and line the baking dish with dough (as for an apple pie)

Apple Filling:

4 pounds Baking Apples – Golden Delicious

½ cup Sugar

1 ½ cups Brown sugar

½ teaspoon Nutmeg – ground

½ cup Flour

Sift dry ingredients together. Put apples in a small saucepan and cook

over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add dry ingredients and cook until

apples are soft and ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Remove apples

from heat and chill thoroughly. Place cooled apple filling into dish.

Cream Cheese Filling:

8 ounces Cream cheese – softened at room temperature

1 each large egg

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Top apples with cream cheese mixture and swirl into apples slightly.

Oatmeal Streusel:

¾ cup All-purpose flour

½ teaspoon Cinnamon – ground

½ cup Brown Sugar – packed

¾ cup Rolled Oats

½ cup Butter – Unsalted

Spread streusel mixture evenly over top of apple/cream cheese mixture.

Bake in center of the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Recipe found at AllEars.net

Flashback Fridays: On The River

When the Rivers of America had life and energy. At one point you had four types of transportation on the river. They were: The Mike Fink Keelboats, The Liberty Square River Boats, The Rafts to Tom Sawyers Island, and the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. 

Audio Archive: Dreamflight

Take a ride on Dreamflight the former Tomorrowland attraction at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

Audio Archive: If you had Wings

Take an audio trip on If you had wings the former attraction of Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World.