Weekly Review August 27-31: Our Week On The Go!

Weekly Review: August 27 – August 31, 2012: Our Week on The Go!

Hidden Gems of WDW, Orlando City Soccer, Halloween at LEGOLAND Florida, Magic Kingdom in the Fall, And Solar Bears Hockey

 

Its Weekly Review Time!!!! This past week here at On the Go has been full of great stuff, and its almost my favorite time of year which makes me even more excited about all that is going on around Orlando! Now it’s time to look back, with our Weekly Review, at all that happened her at On the Go in MCO August 27th to August 31st!!!

Let’s Go!

On Monday, Megan started the week off with a look at a really fun Hidden Gem at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!

Grand Floridian Entrance - Weekly Review
Grand Floridian Entrance

Tuesday, Aurora got us pumped up for Orlando City’s upcoming Playoff Game!

Orlando City Soccer  Club - Weekly Review
Cheering for the Orlando City Soccer Club!!!

For this week’s Wordless Wednesday, I looked at the parade that I absolutely adore!

Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom - Weekly Review
Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom

LEGOLAND Florida is adding Brick-Or-Treat, a Halloween Celebration, to its special events this year!

LEGOLAND Florida Halloween Brick or treat House - Weekly Review
LEGOLAND Florida Halloween Brick-Or-Treat House

The fall is our favorite time of year here at On the Go in MCO, and Betsy took us around the Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations that have gone up!

Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations - Train Station Weekly Review
Magic Kingdom Fall Decorations on the Main Street Train Station really set the mood for the Fall!

We love our Orlando City Soccer Club, and we wanted to take a more in-depth look at their Playoff Game!

Orlando City Soccer - Weekly Review
Orlando City Soccer Club

And we kept on the sports theme, and ended our week with some information about the Orlando Solar Bears Training Camp that is starting soon!

Orlando Solar Bears - Weekly Review
Orlando Solar Bears

Thanks for joining us for the On the Go Weekly Review, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!!

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Grand Floridian Resort Lobby’s Hosts Some Beautiful Hidden Gems

Grand Floridian Resort Lobby’s Hosts Some Beautiful Hidden Gems

The other night I was wandering around the lobby at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and as I was listening to the band play I stumbled upon something that I had never seemed to notice before.

As I was admiring the amazing tiles that can be found in the Grand Floridian’s Lobby, I looked a little closer and noticed something for the first time.  Hidden in the marble and stone floors of the resort were some of my most favorite characters.  At first I only noticed the silhouettes of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto in the entry of the lobby.  But as I was about to head out to my car, a friendly Grand Floridian cast member, who had seen me admiring the floor of the lobby, asked me if I had seen the other characters around the lobby.  And when I said that I hadn’t seen any of the other characters, he gave me a detailed tour of the lobby and made sure that I saw all the other hidden characters.  Also hidden in the lobby were Tinkerbell, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Peter Pan and Cinderella dancing at the Ball.

One of my favorite details can be found just above where you find Cinderella at the ball. If you go up the staircase, you will find in the carpet that Cinderella’s Carriage is waiting to whisk her home from her night.

I was amazed that even after all the times, and the countless times that I had walked through the lobby of the Grand Floridan, that I had never seen these hidden gems.

It was a great way to explore the Grand Floridian in a way that I hadn’t done before, and now I can’t wait to explore other resorts to see if I can find other hidden characters and gems!

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FEED Our Small World Products Now Available At TrenD

This year marks the 45th anniversary of “It’s a Small World” at Disneyland, and to celebrate and carry on the message of It’s a Small World a line of products has been created to help children around the world.

It’s a Small World represents a powerful, unifying idea: regardless of individual nationality or ethnicity, we are all more similar than we are different. This idea champions what we all know in our hearts—though a world apart, we are all connected to each other.

The FEED Our Small World tote is made of natural burlap, and has cream-colored organic cotton interior lining. Each bag measures approximately 16” wide, and 14” high.  Each Tote bag purchased* will help UNICEF supply 500 children with a year’s worth of essential Vitamin A supplements.

Tote handles and the messenger strap have approximate drop lengths of 11” and 17” respectively. Both handles are made of sturdy cream-colored organic cotton. The center of each bag, along with the messenger strap, both feature the adorable Small World characters, representing children from many different cultures around the world.

The FEED Our Small World shirt is cream-colored and made of cotton and polyester. Each shirt purchased* will help UNICEF supply 150 children with a year’s worth of essential Vitamin A supplements.

 

These high quality items not only look amazing, but offer you the chance to make a difference in the life of a child!

*For each FEED Our Small World Tote purchased, FEED Projects will donate $10.00 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help support UNICEF’s nutrition programs. No part of the purchase price is tax-deductible. UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product. For more information visit unicefusa.org or feedprojects.com.

 

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The Carolwood Pacific: Fair Weather Route to host a ‘Conversation with a Magic Kingdom Steam Train Specialist’

Nestled inside the The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, is a true Hidden Gem…The Carolwood Pacific: Fair Weather Route.

Now I am sure that the person who showed me this spot is going to KILL me for sharing, but I can’t help it!!!

This quiet and peaceful room is filled with comfy chairs, game tables, and tons of Steam Train Memorabilia!

This was my favorite Oil Painting!!!
This model of the Lilly Belle was made in celebration of Walt Disney's 100th Birthday, and was absolutely amazing!!!

But by far the most amazing thing inside of this space is two actual freight cars from The Carolwood Pacific!!! (I absolutely apologize for the the quality of these pictures. My enthusiasm is greater than my skill for taking photos!)

What I found to be super cool, is that this lounge will be playing host to a ‘Conversation with a Magic Kingdom® Steam Train Specialist’ September 13th and 27th at 11:30 am.

Learn how Walt Disney’s lifetime love of steam trains led to their becoming an integral part of the Magic Kingdom® in this opportunity to talk one on one with a knowledgeable Steam Train Specialist from the Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour. Hear the history of how the Magic Kingdom® Steam Trains came to be the magnificent and massive steam locomotives they are today. We’ll See you in the Carolwood Pacific Room at The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. All Aboard!

It never ceases to amaze me what you are able to find when you slow down and go off the beaten path during your visit to Walt Disney World!!!

If you are visiting the Wilderness Lodge, I absolutely suggest taking a moment to walk down to the Villas to visit this room that pays homage to such an important part of Walt Disney World’s history.

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Hidden Gems: Making Earth Day Everyday in Innoventions

It is really easy to walk by, and goodness knows that I had done it many times,  but you really should stop by Innoventions East and try your hand at making Everyday Earth Day by creating paper!

Some fun environmental facts are on display around the area.
The first step was to scoop up the cellulose with a strainer.
Once the cellulose was placed into a form, it was dunked into another water bath.
As the form was lifted out of the bath, you could see the paper taking shape.
Zoe after she moved her form over to the rolling area.
Getting closer... The vacuum really helped start the drying process.
And now to roll out as much of the leftover water as you can from the 'paper'. Zoe was able to do this part all by herself!!!
And the paper was really starting to take it's shape! It was super soggy at first, but she was able to peel it off of the drying area and ready to be dried some more in an oven for a few minutes.
Zoe and her paper!!! She was soooo proud of all of her hard work!!! 🙂

And now the best part….DECORATING!!!!!

And now a look at the finished product!!!

The whole process did take about 20 minutes, but it was a great break from the heat and the hustle & bustle of a day in Epcot!!!

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Hidden Gems – Magic Kingdom – Main Street Philharmonic

So as I was walking through Liberty Square, I heard music to my ears…literally coming from the Main Street Philharmonic.

While I knew that this very talented group of gentleman played on Main Street around the parades ( Sunday – Thursday at 1:35 pm & 3:555 pm), I had NO idea that they played just outside of The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square!!!

The first set that I caught at 11:00 am featured several Christmas and Holiday songs. Now, these guys do WAYYY more than just play the songs!!! The Philharmonic led the crowd in a sing along, told some awesomely corny jokes, and did their best to get the crowd in the Christmas spirit!!!

[slideshow]

During the second show at 12:20 pm, the Main Street Philharmonic featured more traditional American Marches. For me the highlights were when they played Stars and Stripes and led some of the kids in the audience in a little march with American flags and when they played “When the Saints Go Marching In”.

Here are a few pics of “Stars and Stripes”..

They gathered up the kids and gave them each a small American Flag.
The march to the...well March begins...
After everyone is ready, they take their place among the members of the Philharmonic!
Stars and Stripes Forever!!!

And here is a pretty poor video of them playing “When the Saints Go Marching In”!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSAR5H86-bM&fs=1&hl=en_US]

I hope that you enjoyed this peek at the Main Street Philharmonic, and maybe even decide to take a detour through Liberty Square to catch them!!!

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Hidden Gems: Morocco’s Fez House

I always look longingly at Morocco as I pass it in the World Showcase at EPCOT, because I usually have zero time to explore my favorite pavilion.

Morocco may not have a ride or movie to lure people in, but what it does provide you with is an intimate glimpse into what it may be like to live there.

Over the years, I have found The Fez House to be a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle out on the World Showcase Lagoon.

From the outside the Fez House looks unassuming…

While the outside is plain, once you enter the doorway you are instantly transported to a time and place that is both unfamiliar and comfortable all at once. The walls echo with the sounds of traditional music mingled with the soft flow of water from the fountain, and all around you are details that make you feel like the family that lives there has just popped out to the market.

Just to the left of the fountain is a brass plaque that tells you some details and information about not only the design of the house but of how important homes are in Moroccan culture.

The First thing one should own is a home;

and it is the last thing one should sell. For

a home is one’s castle this side of Heaven.

Moroccan Proverb

If you ever find yourself needing to take a break from it all, I strongly suggest popping into the Fez House to take a moment to reflect on your day.

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Hidden Gem of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

I decided that I would do something a little different today on my trip to Hollywood Studios, so I ducked into The Magic of Disney’s Animation to visit my friend Mushu and the creative process.

While the film is definitely dated and offerings greatly reduced from what they once were, I always seem to laugh and enjoy the sneak peek at the upcoming release by Disney Animation.

Right now they are featuring “Tangled”, and the teaser gives a great glimpse of the film and the artwork that is on display outside is amazing.

The "Tangled" mural that is located just outside of The Magic of Disney's Animation

But just around the corner is my favorite hidden gem of Hollywood Studios, and the real reason for my diversion, the Animation Academy.

The column outside of the waiting area for the Animation Academy

This 22 minute lesson in drawing a character, usually chosen by the artist, is a great chance to try your hand at being an animator. The classes are usually pretty packed, so it is best to wait and enjoy a nice break when you get the chance!

Once you enter the room everyone sits at a station, and gets led through the creation of a character through easy to follow directions and encouraging words. Today Ryan let us vote on who we’d draw…and Minnie Mouse won!

Ryan during our lesson drawing Minnie Mouse

While you may not leave with a perfect drawing, you definitely get a unique and free souvenir from your short time at the Animation Academy.

My Minnie Mouse

I don’t think I have a future in drawing, but it sure was a lot of fun!

What is your favorite Hidden Gem at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

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