Tag: Disney with kids

Disney with Kids- Nemo Attractions

Living SeasToday I’d like to “Just Keep Swimming”…

And tell you about “Splashing” adventures at two of Walt Disney World Resort’s Theme Parks.  If you have read my posts from earlier this week, then you already know that Nemo from “Finding Nemo” is a constant talked about character in my family’s life.  It’s imperative that when at The Walt Disney World Resort we FIND NEMO.  These are the two places within Disney’s theme parks that you can find Nemo.

  1. The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion – located in Epcot within Future World.  This attraction is for kids of all ages.  The queue for the attraction is fantastic.  If you and your children focus on your surroundings, your kids might notice that they are walking from a seaside setting into an underwater environment.  Make sure they “Don’t touch the Butt”!  Once through the line, you’ll board your very own clam shell vehicle.  The vehicle is generous in size and we were able to fit our entire family of four (2 adults, 6-year-old and 1.5- year- old) in one vehicle.  I won’t spoil the actual ride but will say that when you depart the vehicle at the end of the ride, you’ll be ready to explore a massive 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium.  The aquarium is home to dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles, to name a few.  At this point it’s up to your family how long you want to explore within this pavilion.  There are TONS of things to do and an abundance of educational fun for the entire family.  My one and a half year old was happy watching the dolphins.  My six-year-old explored quickly and then opted for going to the Turtle Talk show.  Let me say – funny.  It’s very interactive with young children.  FYI kids sit on the floor in the front of the room for the 15 minute show, so be prepared to let your little guy know to stay put when it’s over and you can go get him.  The Sea with Nemo & Friends pavilion also has Bruce’s Shark World, where kids and adults can learn through hands on activities.  I would recommend budgeting time for this pavilion.  It’s really a great spot to relax in a climate controlled environment and follow your kids around.  They will truly enjoy unstructured fun while learning all about “Nemo” and his friends.  Can’t get enough of your fishy friends?  You might want to have dinner at Coral Reef Restaurant, which has an amazing view into the aquarium.  I’ve even seen Mickey swim by the restaurant’s window in his scuba gear!

    Finding Nemo the Musical
    Photographer: Vanessa Mroczka
    Twitter: Vanessa_rules 1
    Instagram: so_truee_postss
  2. Finding Nemo ~ the Musical – located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park within Dinoland USA.  Although this fantastic, over the top show boosting beautiful sets and amazing puppeteering performances, is a must do for many children, I do not recommend the show for children under the age of four.  The show is 40 minutes long.  You might think with the spectacular sets your child would be able to sit through the show.  I speak with experience, my child did not sit more than five minutes and she’s obsessed with Nemo.  The theatre is enormous and she just wanted to run.  So a word of advice, if you are like me and think, “Oh let’s just try it.  Maybe she’ll sit.”  Sit on the end of a row on the far right side of the theatre.  This way, you can leave during the performance when she has a melt down.  Having said that, my six-year-old stayed with his grandmother to see the remaining part of the show and he absolutely loved it.  If you family consists of children ages four and up, make sure you pick up a park TIMES brochure when you enter the park.  This brochure will tell you the times of “Finding Nemo ~ The Musical”.  Schedule it into your day, you won’t regret it!  If you have a family like mine, where one child is the perfect age to watch the performance and the other child is just not ready, have one parent watch the performance with one child and the other parent head to The Boneyard (also in Dinoland USA) with the little one.  Both parents and kids will be happy!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s Nemo Inspired Posts.  Visit Mouse Ears Mom next week where I’ll be talking Summer Treats – Yum!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

 

 

Teaching at Disney: Top 10 American History Hot Spots at Walt Disney World

Photographer: Nat Warren
Photographer: Nat Warren

 

Regardless of when you decide to vacation at The Walt Disney World Resort, there are always great history lessons you can teach your kids while the entire family is having fun.  Below you can find a list of what I believe are the Top 10 American History Hot Spots at Walt Disney World, grouped by theme park.

The Magic Kingdom

  1. The Hall of Presidents– The ultimate American History attraction teaches it’s audience the story of the birth of this nation.  At the end of the film the curtains will reveal all 43 American Presidents together on one stage.
  2. Replicas of the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree– Found in Liberty Square, the Liberty Bell is an authentic replica of the actual Liberty Bell found in Philadelphia.  The Liberty Tree is over 100 years old and also pays homage to the original 13 colonies.
  3. Liberty Square Riverboat- When riding this authentic three tiered paddlewheel steam boat, guests listen to a narration from Mark Twain as he describes some of America’s historic events.
  4. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress– Walt’s Disney’s original New York World’s Fair attraction explores the history of 20th Century technology as it applies to one American household.
  5. Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour (10 years old+)- This is a behind the scenes tour (not included in the cost of your daily ticket admission.)  This tour will teach some historical moments in regards to the role trains played in America’s history, but more specifically the tour will teach you about the role that steam trains have played in the history of Walt Disney’s life and the life of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Epcot

6. The American Adventure– This 30 minute show is found in the World Showcase section of Epcot.   Telling the story of America’s history with the use of 35 Audio-Animatronics, it is an experience you won’t forget!

7. American Heritage Gallery– This exhibit, also found in World Showcase, tells the history of  African American achievements over the past 400 years.

Disney Hollywood Studios

8. The Great Movie Ride– This ride on attraction tells the great story of American film.

9. Walt Disney- One Man’s Dream – This “walk at your own pace” attraction showcases the life story of someone who lived the American Dream, Walt Disney.

The Wilderness Lodge Resort (located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area)

10. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Tour–  Although this tour is technically for guests of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge .  I have heard that if you are within the resort during the start of this free tour, you will not be turned away.  The tour will give you a detailed look at the resort and explain the story that the building tells about Native American History.

The next time you visit The Walt Disney World Resort I hope that you take the time to experience these American history hot spots.  Your children will return to school ready to write a history report and you never know, you might learn something about America’s amazing history too!