Month: May 2014

A Night In Harambe

DAK Sign

At this week’s press event, Disney Parks and Resorts announced a new night time experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom entitled Harambe Nights that will offer appetizers, as well as some African-inspired beer and wine. The feature of this activity is the “Mane” event (their term, not mine), The Lion King – Concert In The Wind.

This event will be the story-telling of the classic Disney feature with the assistance of some guest narrators, an orchestra and choir, dancers, projected movie pieces, and new lighting and scenes. This will all be followed with the Harambe Nights Street Party that has an all-inclusive buffet featuring an African cuisine and gourmet desserts. Sounds tasty!!

The lineup of celebrity narrators features stars from stage and screen. Scheduled to appear are:

June 7 – Viola Davis
June 14 – TBD
June 21 – Montego Glover
June 28 – David Alan Grier
July 5 – Michael Beach
July 12 – Harry Lennix
July 19 – Joe Morton
July 26 – Alfre Woodard
Aug. 2 – Patina Miller
Aug. 9 – Brian Stokes Mitchell

This event will occur on Saturday evenings from June 7 – August 9, 2014. Be aware that this is a separately ticketed event that has a cost of $119 per adult and $79 per child ages 3 – 9 plus applicable taxes. Capacity is limited for each experience and it is advised to make reservations quickly. You may wish to have your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner add this to your package quickly, if you desire to attend!

Personally, I’m not sold on the event, simply for monetary reasons. As a Family of Five, it adds up quickly, and this is an event that I would not want to leave unattended by my kids. While it looks to be entertaining and appetizing, it’s not enough for me to commit that kind of money to attend. What do you think? Let me know!

I’m going over all of the information from the press event and will share things through the week as I get a better understanding of all of the offerings. Until then, have a Blessed and Magical weekend, my friends!

Taking it easy at WDW

I live with a wife who believes that the best way to get the most out of a Walt Disney World vacation is to hit the ground running, and keep going until you drop (preferably at the end of the trip). But, I am ready to forgo that strategy on my visit to the World and find some time to relax, take it in, and enjoy it the way I want to…slow and steady!

Don’t misunderstand me, in my book there is no wrong way to achieve the goal of a Disney World vacation. But, I think that the Imagineers took a lot of time to put the details together, not just for the attractions, but for the surrounding areas as well. And, it seems a shame to blow past those details without taking a bit of it in, also!

At The Magic Kingdom, there are the windows on Main Street U.S.A. that carry the names of those who have contributed to the look, smell, and feel of this special destination. In Animal Kingdom, the details to make the areas of Africa and Asia to look authentic enough to make you think you are actually there. EPCOT’s greatest details can be found all around World Showcase with the architectures of the country pavilions. And, Disney’s Hollywood Studios shows us the details of past eras of America’s entertainment capital in the facades and atmosphere that surrounds you as you walk down Hollywood Blvd.

As I begin to think through plans for my eventual return to WDW, MY plan will be one of a slower pace and fewer expectations.

How about you? What’s your favorite way to capture the magic in your vacation?

A Blessed and Magical day, I wish you all!!