TEN DISNEY WORLD HAUNTED MANSION SECRETS AND TIPS

Michigan has some great haunted houses that take place around Halloween; but once the clock strikes midnight on All Hallows Eve they are done haunting people until the next spooktober comes around. So, it is nice that you can have a hauntingly good time all year round when visiting Walt Disney World. There is a reason that despite being one of the oldest attractions at the amusement park the Haunted Mansion is still one of the Magic Kingdom's most popular.

Here are ten secrets and tips that you will be geeked to know about when visiting Disney's Haunted Mansion in Florida:

1. Thirteen is considered an unlucky number by many and often associated with the occult and mysticism; if you see 13 minutes listed as the wait time for the ride queue for the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom or Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World that is your lucky number because it is a code for "no wait time at all." Jump on board for a terror-ific time! 
2. There is also a grandfather clock in the corridor of doors leading up to the loading area for the Haunted Mansion's doom buggies with hands that look like skeleton fingers moving in a backward direction from a 13 that replaces the number 12 on its face. As you pass by it in your doom buggy the shadow of a talon passes across the clock face. The clock hands at Haunted Mansions at other Disney parks are in different shapes: leeches & a demon's tongue (Disneyland), ornated Japanese designs (Tokyo) and snakes (Paris).
3. Imagineers originally planned on the narrator for the ride being a raven instead of the Ghost Host that is actually used. You will notice a raven placed in the various scenes of the ride
4. To be the first one out of the stretching room stand near the painting of the lady with the parasol. If you linger around to long demonic voices will whisper at you to get out.
5. There is a Hidden Mickey in the ballroom using the plates on the dinner table.
6. The Haunted Mansion ride is the story of a black widow murder who keeps killing her new husbands. In the attic all of the paintings are of Constance, the bride you see right before leaving the attic. Each painting shows her marrying up to a wealthier husband displaying more lavish wedding gifts. Notice she is in the same dress in every picture!
7. You become a ghost! When exiting the attack your doom buggy tips backwards as you fall to the ground in the grave yard. This is simulating your falling out of the attic window in fright from the ghostly bride and dying. You’ll notice the ghosts don’t actually acknowledge your presence during the ride until this happens.
8. As you exit the ride look at the ground. You may see the wedding ring of the ghostly bride.
9. Ride at night when your eyes are naturally dilated more. You’ll see more details than you will notice during the day.
10. Look for Mr. Toad in the Pet Cemetery as you exit. A tribute to Disney World killing Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in 1998 to make room for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Be on alert too because the Hatbox Ghost is coming to Walt Disney Worlds's Haunted Mansion in 2023!

Are you a fan of haunted houses? What are your thoughts on Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion? I'm always geeked to visit it!

WISHING UPON A STAR FOR DISNEY SWEEPSTAKES PRIZES

In terms of size, the Disney Company is, without a doubt, one of the biggest companies in the world. Aside from producing great movies, they also have some fantastic theme parks. They also have the marketing muscle and budgets to be involved with some amazing sweepstakes. 

How magical would it be to win a family vacation Disney World (or Disneyland!) by entering a Disney sweepstakes. Honest to God, I actually won a Disney sweepstakes once for my family to go on an all expenses visit from Detroit to Disneyland about ten years ago so take my word it is possible to get lucky if you participate in these promotions.

Disney never disappoints with its giveaways! They come in all shapes and sizes. As far as prizes, they have it all, whether it's movies, toys, or fabulous vacations! This week they're giving away some great prizes. Check them out!

Delish Celebration Sweepstakes

Take part in the Delish Celebration Disney Sweepstakes to win a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida! The winner will receive four round-trip coach airfares between the airport closest to their residence and Orlando International Airport. The prize is valued at $9,161.96 in total. Imagine an all-expenses paid trip with four of your most immediate family members or friends. This Disney Sweepstakes is one way to make dreams come true.

You must be at least 21 years of age to enter and be a resident of the United States. Return daily and earn your daily entries until the promotion ends on September 30, 2022.

Gofobo Disney Sweepstakes: The Tale of a Wooden Puppet 

In the live-action remake of Pinocchio, you'll go on a thrilling adventure alongside Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, and more! With Disney+'s recent release of Pinocchio, Gofobo is giving away Pinocchio on DVD, a vintage Pinocchio movie poster, and an exclusive Pinocchio Funko Pop! All classic Disney fans will love this Disney Sweepstakes!

The contest will end on October 10, 2022. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter and be a resident of the US. Claim a daily bonus entry to increase your chances of winning!

The Disney Vacation Club In-Market Instant Win Game

Nothing screams 'luxury Disney' more than the Disney Vacation Club! From now until April 21, 2023, you can enter their instant win games to win some Disney Cash Gift Cards and pick precisely what you want from the Disney Store! There will be five entry periods with 128 prizes awarded during each one. The instant win prizes include:

● $19 Disney Gift Card;

● $25 Disney Gift Card;

● and finally, a $250 Disney Gift Card! 

So, if you've had your eye on any Disney merchandise, this could be an excellent opportunity to win some cash - and an excuse to shop!

You've Gotta Enter to Win!

Don't miss out on great Disney Sweepstakes. Who knows where you'll end up or what you'll find? It's an excellent opportunity to win prizes and create memories. I wish you the best of luck and an extra pinch of pixie dust!

STAR WARS SMUGGLERS RUN

I have great memories of playing on monkey bars that all the kids thought looked like a spaceship on my elementary school playground during recess imagining having Star Wars adventures playing with classmates in our pretend Millennium Falcon. That was the closest I'd figured to ever be when it came to taking a ride on science fiction's most famous spacecraft. My inner child was ecstatic to pilot the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs with my son as co-pilot during our own Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge theme park within Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Smugglers Run is a motion simulator within Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge that provides riders with the experience of flying in the Millennium Falcon. It is a more intimate version of Star Tours that seats no more than six people in a cabin and has interactive elements that let riders control the ship's actions and impact elements of the simulation. Dodge obstacles, fire weapons at threatening TIE Fighters, and escape into Hyper Space as realistic digital imagery immerses you in a flight through the Star Wars galaxy. Hit it Chewie!!!

A visit to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge transports you to the planet Batuu in a galaxy far, far away. While wandering through this remote outer rim planet's Black Spire Outpost you will discover a life-size model of the Millennium Falcon parked outside the entrance to Ohnaka Transport Solutions. The ride queue for those who want to take a spin on this piece of junk wraps you through this space port owned by the infamous Hondo Ohnaka.

My kids were geeked to see Hondo at Galaxy's Edge as this character connects the theme park with the animated Star Wars series. My kids have grown up watching the Clone Wars, Rebels and Bad Batch animated series and actually are much more fans of the Star Wars cartoons than the movies. I actually am more a fan of the animated and live action television shows than the recent Disney Star Wars movies so have to admit being glad to see Hondo there myself. In fact, Hondo is there in all his glory with an incredible animatronic of the Weequay pirate voiced by Jim Cummings who portrays Ohnaka's character in the animated series.  

Hondo recruits you to participate in a Smugglers Run utilizing the Millennium Falcon and ushers you aboard. Entering the spaceship is like walking onto the set of a Star Wars movie. Leaving the space port the hallways of the Millennium Falcon are filled with screen accurate details. You can even sit at the holochess table! 

Eventually making your way to the cockpit, each member of your crew is given an assignment. Two pilots sit in the front row–the left side moves the ship left and right, and the right side moves the ship up and down. The next row controls the weapons where riders press buttons to shoot down enemies and obstacles in the way. The back row holds the engineers who work to repair the ship during the flight. You want to ride in the front row because it has the most immersive content and best view. While the ride is still fun wherever you sit, honestly the best experience is with front row seats!

The ride is made up of several interconnected simulators on one giant turntable. Riders that manipulate the simulator's controls more skillfully and quickly than other cabins can actually earn more to do in their mission such as capturing more cargo or navigating an asteroid field as the other platforms catch up. So, there is a benefit to trying to master the simulator's controls versus just going along for the ride.

Riding the Millennium Falcon was a blast! The experience absolutely earned a Geek Daddy nod of approval for the spectacular Imagineering efforts put into crafting the space port and Millennium Falcon ride queue elements and the thrilling Star Wars adventure you are able to partake in with the motion simulator. If you are heading to Disneyland or Walt Disney World don't miss out on blasting off in the Millennium Falcon ride!

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES AT STAR WARS GALAXY'S EDGE

Immerse yourself in the Star Wars galaxy with a visit to the Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu (aka Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park in Orlando, Florida). Imagine being on a Star Wars adventure while engaging in a variety of interactive experiences. Enjoying a pint of blue milk, crafting your own lightsaber and taking the Millenium Falcon for a spin provide an out of this world vacation without having to travel to a galaxy far, far away. 

STORMTROOPERS ON PATROL

Be alert for stormtroopers promoting order and snuffing out rebellion within the spaceport of this Outer Rim world. They like to question passersby and pry into their business. These impromptu encounters can make you stand out in the crowd and provide a personal touch to your Star Wars Galaxy's Edge experience. Additionally, you may bump into Chewbacca or Rey who are enlisting people into the Resistance. 

DRINK BLUE MILK

Ever since Luke Skywalker took a gulp of blue milk in the movie A New Hope, Star Wars fans have been fascinated with the beverage. Disney has concocted a specialty drink to provide visitors to Galaxy's Edge with a refreshment that lets you try the stuff out for yourself. It is plant-based instead of dairy so as not to exclude people from the experience with milk allergies or lactose intolerance. My description of Galaxy's Edge blue milk is it has the consistency of a drinkable yogurt with the taste of cotton candy flavored Faygo. 

Blue Milk is actually made with a base of rice milk powder and coconut oil. It gets it color from adding blue-green algae into the mix rather than artificial coloring. Don't tell Aunt Beru but there is also a version of the drink with Bacardi Rum as an extra ingredient to provide some extra kick to the drink.

CRAFT A LIGHTSABER

Who doesn't want to wield a lightsaber?! Stop by Savi's Workshop to learn some wisdom of the Force and craft your very own lightsaber. Personalize its components and blade color to create a fantastic souvenir that matches your own personal style. Reservations are required so don't try to just walk in or you might miss out on this experience. My son was so GEEKED to participate in this!

ESCAPE A STAR DESTROYER

Oh no! You've been captured as a rebel spy and taken to a star destroyer in the Rise of the Resistance ride at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. Combining cast member theatrical elements with special effects, this ride will have you feeling like you just jumped into the action of a Star Wars movie. Do you have what it takes to escape being imprisoned on a star destroyer and find a way to return to Batuu?

BUILD A DROID

I love droids! I'm such a gearhead! Galaxy's Edge is full of droids and you can even build one to bring home with you. 

Step inside droid depot and construct your very own personalized remote control BB or R series droid. Select pieces off a conveyor belt and get building. Screw together parts just like a mechanic working in a droid factory.

In addition to having a fun remote control toy, these droids can enhance your Galaxy's Edge experience interacting and reacting to elements and objects both on Batuu and around Disney resorts. Plus, when you get home they are still fun to play with around the house.

FLY THE MILLENNIUM FALCON

Participate in a Smugglers Run that utilizes a motion simulator to let you experience what it would be like to fly sci-fi's most famous spaceship. A more intimate version of Star Tours that has you seated in a replica of the Millennium Falcon's cockpit. You aren't just along for the ride as manipulating the spaceship's controls impacts the outcome of your experience. Realistic digital imagery in the cockpit's windows, motion corresponding to the action you are seeing and the interactive elements of the controls make it seem as if you are really taking a flight through the Star Wars galaxy. Hit it Chewie!

The ride queue is amazing too so don't rush through it. It starts off with a life size scale replica of the Millennium Falcon and lets you wander inside this hunk of junk. Don't miss out on taking a photo op at the holochess table!

Have yourself an exciting Star Wars adventure with a visit to the Galaxy's Edge. This experience is also available in Disneyland if California is a more convenient destination than Florida. This is the theme park experience you have been looking for!

WALT DISNEY WORLD LIGHTSABER EXPERIENCE

During our family's most recent visit to Walt Disney World, my son arrived a boy and returned home a Jedi. He had an out of this world experience handbuilding his own lightsaber at the Magic Kingdom's Star Wars Land. This lightsaber experience at Disney Theme Parks' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge provided a wonderful memorable moment and a great souvenir from our family vacation.

My wife and I were torn about letting him participate in the Walt Disney World lightsaber experience because it added another $200+ to the family budget for an already expensive vacation. I would have been ecstatic as a kid to have been able to build a replica lightsaber at a Star Wars Land at Disney World so in the end there really wasn't a doubt that my eleven year old son would get to participate in this Galaxy's Edge experience. We were able to get the last slot on our last night at Disney World for an appointment at Savi's Workshop to construct a custom lightsaber and to say my son was excited would be an understatement. 

While this may seem to be a pricey souvenir there are two things to consider when determining if you want to craft your own lightsaber at Disney's Star Wars Galaxy's Edge.  These Disney World build your own variety are of the same quality as the movie replica Force FX Lightsabers from Hasbro which typically run in the $150 to $300 price range while also allowing participants to personalize their creation. Also by making a lightsaber at Savi's Workshop you become part of a Disney theatrical performance which immerses participants within the fantasy that is Star Wars. Keep in mind you are buying an experience not just a lightsaber. 

Most people at the Black Spire Outpost on the remote planet of Batuu near the galaxy's outer edge know Savi as a simple merchant who has a salvage shop full of unusual and whimsical items. Unbeknowst to most of the population of Batuu and the First Order stormtroopers who patrol there, Savi is the leader of a group called the "Gatherers" who collect the remnants of Jedi technology from across the galaxy and bring it here to train Force-sensitive beings in its use. If you want to gain a lightsaber and be a spark of resistance versus Kylo Ren and The First Order this is the place to be.

In order to gain access, visitors must meet one of Savi's Gatherers outside the workshop and covertly make arrangements to assemble your lightsaber. Pay the fee, select an available time slot, and pick one of four hilt themes available for crafting together a lightsaber. This can be done at the site of Savi's Workshop or online in advance of your visit to Batuu. 

Note that you can't just sit in and watch the presentation, people have to purchase a lightsaber to gain entry. No refunds to avoid people just joining in the experience than returning the lightsaber for a refund. It is all in or out when it comes to the Walt Disney World Lightsaber Experience with its two hundred dollar price tag.

The four themes that can be chosen from are:

Peace and Justice 

Salvaged scraps from fallen Jedi temples and crashed starships in these Republic-era designs honor the galaxy’s former guardians. 

Power and Control 

Originally forged by dark side warriors, this style features rumored remnants from the Sith homeworld and abandoned temples. 

 Elemental Nature 

This theme embodies the Force—an energy created by all living things, like Brylark trees, Cartusion whale bones and Rancor teeth. 

 Protection and Defense 

Hilt materials bear mysterious motifs and inscriptions that reconnect users with the ancient wellspring of the Force.

When arriving to build your lightsaber, the first thing the Gatherers do is have you choose, or it choose you, a Kyber Crystal to power your device (plus it runs on 3 AAA batteries that are included). You can choose from red, blue, green or violet. My son went with green to go with his Peace & Justice hilt.

Next based upon which of the four hilt themes you selected a tray will be placed on your work station. full of parts. There is one hilt but a variety of other sections to the lightsaber to choose from in customizing it. Note though that most of the parts are a choice of picking one or another so the customization is somewhat limited beyond the hilt theme and blade color. The parts on a tray include in addition to the hilt, four sleeves (pick 2) two emitters (pick 1) two pommel caps (pick 1) and two sets of activation plates and switches (pick 1 set). Just enough parts to provide a sense of personalization as the lightsaber is assembled.

The experience concludes with an activation ceremony. The new Jedi raise their lightsabers and activate their colored beams. Then they are off to explore Black Spire Outpost lightsabers in hand. A nice carrying case that can be slung over your shoulder is included and given out as you leave to keep the lightsaber safe while traversing around the Disney World amusement parks.

My son was so GEEKED to be able to participate in the Walt Disney World lightsaber experience at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. The thrill of the moment made him very happy. That excitement absolutely made this a worth while experience. I'm so glad we didn't skip out on doing this because it really was a very special moment that brought a sense of Disney magic to our family.

It was the Impromptu Moments that made our trip to Disney World Magical

You'd think with the high-tech rides, elaborate shows, incredible firework displays & ornate parades those would be the highlights of a visit to Disney World, but since we returned home from a recent trip I've found it has been simpler things we experienced that have made the most significant memories for my family.  When telling people about our adventures, my wife, kids and I have all focused on the impromptu moments we experienced that left us with great memories of our stay at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida.  A kiss from Cinderella's evil step-sister, painting the streets with a custodial worker, playing the part of a horse in the story of Beauty and the Beast were all thrills that my children enjoyed on their first trip to the Magic Kingdom.

Many of the costumed characters at Disney are now in staged areas where you need to pay an exorbitant amount of money to eat a meal with them, or to see them for free you need to make advance reservations ( aka FastPass) or wait in long lines to see them.  For example to see the sisters from FROZEN the FastPass reservations were sold out weeks in advance of our trip and there was a 420 minute wait to see them in the standby line [People were amazingly waiting in the standby line - we just never mentioned to our daughter that they were there to meet].  We waited in a few lines when they weren't too long so the kids could hug some of their favorite characters and used a few FastPasses to meet Mickey Mouse, Belle, and Cinderella.

On our first day at the Magic Kingdom though as we were wandering through Fantasyland we just randomly came across Cinderella's step-sisters Anastasia and Drizella, along with their mother Lady Tremaine.  We have all three Cinderella movies on DVD and my kids instantly recognized the ladies and ran over to them.  My wife and I thought they'd say a few words to our kids and we'd take a picture, but Anastasia and Drizella engaged in a really in-depth back and forth conversation with my children that lasted about 10 minutes.  As a crowd started to gather, I thought they would wrap things up but the actresses stayed in role and they initiated keeping the conversation going with our kids.  Just as I'd thought the encounter was done and we were starting to walk away (I'd put my camera away) Anastasia called my son by his name to come back to her for a minute and than gave him a kiss on the cheek.  He turned bright red, but had a huge smile on his face.  Oh I wish I'd acted fast enough to get my camera back out!  My kids were talking about their conversation with Cinderella's sisters during our whole stay plus throughout the two day drive back to Michigan on the way home.

On the next day of our visit, while waiting for a parade to start one of the custodian workers cleaning up the route stopped and started chatting with my children.  Than she asked them if they'd like to help her with a special project and let them come out onto the parade route with her.  They began drawing a mickey mouse face in the middle of the street...it was pretty cool (and I couldn't get a good angle for a picture of it before the parade started).  I guess this bucket art by janitors (mostly college workers for the summer) is a new fad at the park where they paint some great images using their sweeping brooms and water.  Check out this article about it by Yahoo News.  My kids were thrilled to be street artists!

 

 

On another day while walking through FrontierLand in the Magic Kingdom our kids were swept up into a whirlwind square dance party with Disney characters and staffers.

 

My son loves horses so he was really excited to be picked to act out the part of Phillipe during the Belle Princess encounter.  While he is normally somewhat reserved in public he really came out of his shell and had fun during his role and while meeting Belle.  He enjoyed the experience more than his twin sister who loves Disney Princesses!

 

The kids didn't let anything slip by them during our visit and quickly pointed out to me there were Star Wars props hidden away in the Hollywood Studios tour.

So remember despite all the things going on during a trip to Disney World don't forget to enjoy those special impromptu moments during your visit...those most likely will be some of your most memorable long term memories!