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PhilharMagic
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My favorite #DisneyMemory from Mickey’s PhilharMagic

PhilharMagic

Mickey’s PhilharMagic is one of those great shows/films that my family loves to enjoy at least once. Located in the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is in Fantasyland.  The attraction is one of our must experiences because of the following key elements:

  • Packed with incredible music.
  • Great moments from classic Disney movies.
  • Special effects.
  • The great talents of Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and Minnie.

Today, I’m not going to talk about the show itself that much. After all, I’ve written about it before and you can read about it here, here, here, and even here. I’m only going to talk about the show to make reference to my favorite #DisneyMemory from this incredible attraction.

The year was 2008, and the day was June 18th.  The day before Sophie turned 7 years old.  We were at the Magic Kingdom that day, and we experienced Mickey’s PhilharMagic, as I know you are aware.  The show was incredible, the music was great, the scenes were great, and Donald Duck was in trouble!

If you’ve seen the show, then you know at the end Donald is shot out of the tuba after Mickey arrives to attempt to put everything back the way it was supposed to be.  You also know that in true Disney style, Donald shoots out of the movie screen and barrels through a wall at the back of the theater.

My favorite #DisneyMemory from this attraction happens after that moment.  As everyone in the theater turned to see Donald sticking out of the wall, trying to free himself, my daughter Sophie yells out loud enough for the entire theater to hear her “Donald, are you all right?”  At that moment, Donald fell, and we all laughed a bit because we could tell he was all right.  I explained to Sophie that Donald was okay, that he trained for these events so that he wouldn’t get hurt, and everything was good.

A child’s imagination is a powerful thing, and on that day in 2008, Sophie showed us her child’s heart, and her empathy towards others.  That is just one of hundreds of examples of her empathy towards others that we have been witness to in her life, and it is the one thing that I treasure her for more than anything.

So now it’s your turn!  What is your favorite #DisneyMemory from Mickey’s PhilharMagic?  Please tell us in the comments below, and thank you for stopping by today!  Go out and make it a great Disney Day!

#DisneyMemory, Bloggers, Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom, My Dreams of Disney, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World
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Umstead State Park

On the Road at William B. Umstead State Park!

Umstead State Park

Image Source: On the Road with Mickey

On the Road at William B. Umstead State Park!

By Mike Ellis.

Today my wife, daughter and I went to William B. Umstead State Park for the first of their “100 S’more Years Events”!  The weather on this day was cool, kind of cloudy, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time!

Umstead Park is located at 8801 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC (telephone 919-571-4170), and features two main entrances — one on the south side of the park off of I-40 and Harrison Avenue (known as the Reedy Creek Entrance) and one on the north side of the park off of Glenwood Avenue.  Here are some facts about the park that may make it worth the visit:

  • Umstead State Park is approximately 6,000 acres of land.  That’s over 9 miles of park!
  • Umstead Park features 22 miles of hiking trails, and 13 miles of bridle trails for those that wish to ride horses.
  • Additionally, the park features mountain bike trails for those that wish to ride their bikes — Umstead Park is one of the few North Carolina State Parks that features mountain bike trails.
  • Camping: Umstead Park features both traditional camping as well as primitive camping opportunities.  The tent/trailer campground is open from March 15 – December 1st, and the primitive campground is open year round.  Additionally, there are two group camp locations that are open from April – October for youth and non-profit camp organizations.
  • Fishing is allowed, with a North Carolina fishing license.  Common catches include bass, bluegill, and crappie.
  • Umstead Park offers canoe and paddleboat rentals from April through the second week in October.  No private boats or gasoline powered engines are allowed.

100 S’more Years Events

Umstead State Park

Image source: On the Road with Mickey

In addition to today’s event, Umstead Park is offering these events on the following dates and times:

  • Sunday, January 17, 2016, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Sunday, January 31, 2016, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday, February 6, 2016, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Sunday, February 14, 2016, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday, February 20, 2016, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Sunday, February 28, 2016, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM

So, as you can see, there are many opportunities to enjoy some great S’mores!  This is just one of several opportunities across the state to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of North Carolina State Parks.  Will you participate in any of the events?  Check out the Centennial Events page for more details, and have fun!

In addition to enjoying the S’mores event, we also looked at many of the exhibits they have in the visitor center and drove around the park a bit.  Here are some of the photos that we took from our day, I hope you enjoy!

Umstead State Park

The canoe and paddleboat rental location on Big Lake. Image credit: On the Road with Mickey

Umstead State Park

One of the creeks that winds through the park. Image credit: On the Road with Mickey.

Umstead State Park

Right by the road was one of the parks wildlife, just watching us. This was one of three we saw. Image credit: On the Road with Mickey.

Umstead State Park

In the Visitor Center, a taxidermy of a beaver is on display. Image credit: On the Road with Mickey.

Umstead State Park

A taxidermy of a coyote at the Umstead State Park visitor’s center. Image credit: On the Road with Mickey.

Bloggers, My Dreams of Disney, On the Road with Mickey
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Disneyland or Walt Disney World?

In one of my favorite Disney trips, here I am with my wife Cindy and daughter Sophie, loving every minute!

The entrance to Disneyland Park!

Disneyland…

Walt Disney World Railroad

The Main Street, U.S.A. Walt Disney World Railroad station

Walt Disney World…

If you had to choose one or the other for your trip, which one would you pick?  To help you with your choice, I’ve got two posts — one that I think really illustrates the reasons why Disneyland is better than Walt Disney World, and one that I think really illustrates why Walt Disney World is better than Disneyland.

This link will take you to the Disneyland is better than Walt Disney World post (the post will open in a new tab/window).

This link will take you to the Walt Disney World is better than Disneyland post (the post will open in a new tab/window).

So, what is it going to be? Disneyland or Walt Disney World?  Help us out by voting in our poll at the bottom of this post, and thanks!  I’ll keep the poll open indefinitely, so have at it everyone!  I’ll periodically post on our Facebook page the numbers at the moment, and invite you to continue voting.


Bloggers, Disneyland, My Dreams of Disney, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Resorts
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My Dreams of Disney turns 3 years old!

mdod-2

 

My friends, today is a big day in the life of My Dreams of Disney!  It was exactly three years ago that I started my blog, and it continually humbles me to know how many of you stop by and visit to read what I have to write.  When I first started My Dreams of Disney, my sole purpose in starting the blog was to write about the memories of past trips to Walt Disney World.  This idea was born because in June of that year my niece Stephanie came to Walt Disney World as a surprise to Sophie, and they had such a great time that Stephanie proceeded to accompany us four times in a row!

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Bloggers, My Dreams of Disney, Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World
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