How MagicBands Unlock Disney Infinity's Hidden Dragon

Attention Walt Disney World vacationers: Don't throw away those MagicBands! You or a game-loving friend can use them to unlock a world of Dragons hidden within Disney's popular videogame universe.

Disney Infinity remains one of the most creative and joyful games my family and I have ever played. It's made Disney's accountants happy, too.

When the game debuted, featuring such park icons as Spaceship Earth, the Matterhorn, Parking Lot Trams and flying Dumbos, many fans wondered if the actual, physical parks would ever play a role in providing exclusive content. It didn't take long to find out: WDW's MagicBands unlock Infinity's hidden world--one based around the New Fantasyland Dragon that graced Orlando skies for a press event a while back.

With no Florida trip in my immediate future, this West-Coaster faced a Dragon-less Infinity until Melissa Sue at Mouse on the Mind came to my rescue by sending me a MagicBand! It can't be said enough: Disney fans are the nicest people on the planet. Thanks, Melissa!!!!

If you're still wondering what the heck Disney Infinity actually is, please check out our review. In a nutshell, however, it's amazing. It excels at three particular things: 1) Encouraging creativity 2) Pouring on the Disney charm 3) Emptying your wallet, but giving you your money's worth -- much like a Disney vacation.

So, if you have a MagicBand, the game and a figure ready to go (today's guest star: Sorcerer Mickey!) here's how you go about finding that elusive dragon:

Classic Epcot Takes Center Stage in Park Piano Collection

Musician Tom Ameen is quietly becoming a bit of a hero to theme park fans. He has a knack for turning Disney attraction tunes into beautiful, relaxing piano performances. His album, Piano and Pixie Dust, is a must-own for any park music collector, and especially for Epcot fans.

Take a look at this track list:

Tapestry of Nations
One Little Spark
Main Street Electrical Parade
Magic Journeys
Epcot Medley: Beneath the Waterfall/The Land/Canada
Illuminations
It's a Small World
There's a Great, Big Beautiful Tomorrow
Universe of Energy
Horizons
Tomorrow's Child

Now, combine that with his three earlier tracks from the EP Solo Piano Moments...

Golden Dream
Fantasmic
The Wonderful World of Color

...and you've got an amazing collection of quality piano tunes to play while relaxing, reading, working, dreaming or dining. All tracks are available to purchase online from iTunes and Amazon MP3. Highly Recommended!

Steampunk Maleficent Dragon!

Today The Disney Parks Blog unveiled what may be the best parade float in human history.

Steampunk is cool. Maleficent in dragon form is cool. Steampunk Maleficent Dragon is a whole new reason to plan a vacation to Walt Disney World. I can't stop smiling when I look at these shots. This amazing float will be part of this Spring's Festival of Fantasy parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Now, if Disney's really smart, they'll make a clockwork toy out of this to sell in the parks...

Photos from Disney Parks Blog

LImited Time Magic We'd Really Like to See

Limited-Time Magic is the oddest campaign Disney's ever rolled out. It's something few people can take advantage of, and its here-today-gone-tomorrow events leave virtually no impression. While it's a sweet concept, I'm sure most fans would rather have gotten a simple C-Ticket dark ride. Rides, Disney, please don't forget: The rides pull guests in.

That said, there are certainly some concepts that could make this strange promotion a headline grabber. Mouse Troop presents a list of Limited-Time Magic ideas we'd go nuts for:

TUBE THE JUNGLE CRUISE DAY

Maybe turn off the piranha attack for this one.

AUTOPIA UNLEASHED DAY

Apparently these little cars can get up to 45 or 50 M.P.H. without the installed speed governors. Around the Autopia track in one minute!
 
DISNEY EXECS IN CHARACTER COSTUMES DAY

I've heard stories that, once, long ago, every new Disneyland Exec had to work a brief stint as a character to get a sense of how important the "magic" element of Disney really is. Time to bring that idea back, retroactively, for every Disney Executive on Earth for just one day.

And how about:

PUNK ROCK SMALL WORLD DAY
MATTERHORN ZIP-LINE DAY
NO PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES  DAY
NO SPREADING ANY BLANKETS TO HOLD A SPOT FOR A PARADE OR SHOW DAY
ROLLER SKATE DAY
PEOPLE-DRAWN HORSE CAR DAY (It's only fair).
ORIGINAL SINGLE CAR BOBSLEDS DAY
PERSONALLY-TELL-THE-COMMITTEE-THAT-DESIGNED-THE-NEW-BOBSLEDS-EXACTLY- HOW-YOU-FEEL-ABOUT-HOW-THEY'VE-RUINED-THE-RIDE-DAY
NO FASTPASS DAY (let everyone see how much quicker the lines move)

and finally...


ALL FOOD FREE DAY (There's as much a chance of this last one happening as a horror film being filmed in Walt Disney World without the company's knowledge...oh, wait...)

Those are a few Limited Time Magic events we'd actually hop on a plane to experience. How abut you? What special day at the parks would really pull you in?

Early Morning in the Junkyard

Summer mornings at Disneyland Resort during Extra Magic Hour often come equipped with overcast skies and cool temperatures. Mater's Junkyard takes on a calm, relaxed atmosphere during these moments despite the swirling tractors and Mater's loud, tongue-in-cheek serenades.

The Junkyard Jukebox Stands Outside of Mater's House

It's a perfect time to check out the hundreds of details in the junkyard queue while taking multiple spins on the funniest tractor pull that ever square-danced through Radiator Springs.


Even at 7:00 A.M., these tractors have their dancin' tires on!

As we've mentioned before, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is one of the most enjoyable family thrill rides in any Disney park, and much wilder than it looks from outside the fence. Don't miss this one on your next pass through Carburetor County.

Photos by Lana Whitham

Strange Things 10: Welcome Irish Bedknob Birds Edition

Great off-beat Disney tunes keep cropping up on iTunes and Amazon, so here we go with another round of Strange Things--Disney tunes that are rarely heard, obscure or performed in unexpected ways.

Our first pick is a Walt Disney World tribute! One problem: This particular non-Disney album cover is so ugly, we're not going to post it. Instead, here are some lovely Main Street flowers...

Track: WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME
Album: Cool & Classy Take on TV

This is such an odd find: Hidden among this album's ho-hum offering of TV themes you'll find an instrumental rendition of the "Welcome, Welcome, Welcome" show at Magic Kingdom. Whaaa...?!? The medley includes the "Welcome" song, "Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street U.S.A" and "The Trolley Song." It seems arranged as a Karaoke backing track, but it still sound's upbeat as all heck. This one seems to be iTunes-only just now.

Next: A performance that's almost guaranteed to lift the sulkiest of spirits...

Main Street Magic Shop

At some point in many children's lives, the mysterious world of stage magic becomes the most fascinating subject on Earth. I wonder what percentage of today's adult park fans bought their very first magic item long ago on Main Street at Disneyland or Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

My first magic purchase was the famous "Linking Rings" illusion. Cold reality smacked me in the face when I found just how much hard work and practice most tricks require to pull off properly. I realized "gags" were easier to pull off than illusions, so I ended up gravitating toward snakes-in-a-can, ice cube bugs and Haunted Mansion Portraits.

Oh, yes, the Haunted Mansion portraits! Who else here remembers those great souvenirs from the 70's? Each had two faces--a normal daytime face and a hidden "scary" glow-in-the-dark transformation that could only be seen with the lights out! Now, that's an item in need of a comeback!

Tips For The Cars Land Rope Drop & Mini-Parade

If you're a Disney Park fan, you're probably familiar with the morning ritual known as the "Rope Drop", where early-bird guests are admitted to the park's entry area, but held at a temporary barrier (the "rope") until the official opening moment.

Today, we're at Disney California Adventure for one of the most well-organized and clever rope-drop variations I've ever encountered: The Cars Land Mini-Parade and Gasoline Hose March! There are a couple of tricks to it you might find helpful on your next visit...

First off, be sure to arrive early -- crazy early. The goal is to be near the front of one of the many entry lines before the park opens. After the morning greeting from the cast and a click through the turnstyle...

Move as quickly as possible (without running) down Buena Vista Street. There is a massive crowd flowing in behind you at this moment...

Continue around the right side of the Carthay Circle Restaurant. Don't look back!

You'll arrive at the "rope" (just below our view, here) and halt momentarily. The Cars Land entrance waits up ahead. You just might see Lightning McQueen and Mater driving about, getting into place for the Hose March (not Disney's official name for the event).

Unlike at Disneyland, where the rope-drop crowd splits off in different directions between three or four big attractions, almost every single person behind you is heading for Radiator Springs Racers. No worries: Prepare for a really clever bit of crowd control by the DCA cast.

The Best Souvenirs Don't Last Long

What does Disneyland taste like? Pocorn, ice cream sundaes and the world's best corn dogs? French toast and fritters? Gumbo and lemonade? For me, fresh peanut brittle from Main Street is my current favorite taste-bud memory of the park, and a great souvenir for keeping that part of Disneyland alive at home long after the suitcases are unpacked and put away.

Disneyland's peanut brittle isn't just amazingly delicious , it's a souvenir bargain (by theme park pricing standards, anway) at just under five dollars for a decent-sized bag of jagged, old-fashioned candy wonderment.

One great thing about peanut brittle in general is that you can't eat it quickly (without risking minor injury), so one could potentially extend this bit of vacation magic for weeks -- ah, who am I kidding, I ate all the brittle in a day and a half.

But how can I resist? Disneyland Peanut Brittle is made with magic! I don't know what the nutritional value of magic is, but I'll bet it's off the charts...

Welcomed by the Turnstyle Ducks

Our Extra Magic Hour at Disneyland got a bonus touch of charm on our recent trip when a delightful pair of ducks (no relation to Donald) waddled up to inspect the crowd waiting to enter. I believe this smart feathered couple figured out how to get a jump on their comrades farther back in the park, and reasoned that early morning guests are often equipped with muffins and bagels.

Most of the waiting crowd had no idea of the cute antics happening up ahead. See, this is another reason to arrive early! Look at this crowd stretching back toward the entry to DCA. Keep in mind, these are just the Magic Morning/Extra Magic Hour ticket holders, an hour and fifteen minutes before the park's public opening on a Tuesday non-holiday in February!

Meanwhile, everyone up front (including the family chosen to lead the opening countdown) continued be delighted by the tiny unofficial greeting committee/donut inspectors.

Disneyland's high-tech marvels are often enriched by the simplest, most basic pleasures in life. As a life-long fan of the children's classic Make Way For Ducklings, I love the thought that this web-footed pair have chosen the best place on Earth to safely raise their family.

When Hinges Creak (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

There's no mistaking this creepy foyer for any other; we've just stepped into The Haunted Mansion, and this is the view you get when you're near the back of the group.

Despite the crowd, this is one of those classic Disneyland moments. How many of you are old enough to remember the pre-internet days, back even before Disney released the music on CD, LP or tape, when the only time you could hear that unforgettable organ theme was when you were actually standing there in the foyer? The creepy awesomeness would wash over you in a wave of...I dunno...welcoming forboding? You felt like you'd come home...to the dead...and it made you grin...It could only happen at Disneyland or WDW's Magic Kingdom!

The 999 Happy Haunts of Haunted Mansion keep looking for number 1,000. They just don't want it to be one particular guy. Shoebox is back. I am so sorry...

DCA Early Birds

Passholders and resort hotel guests wait patiently (sort of) about fifteen minutes before the DCA gates open for Extra Magic Hour -- an hour before the general public is allowed in.

You can bet about 95% of these folks are heading straight for Radiator Springs Racers or the RSR Fastpass machines.

I'm a park early bird, and always arrive at the gates well before opening to secure a spot in line for the rest of my group. I often wonder, while hiking through Downtown Disney at dawn, if I might be a bit too early--doomed to appear awkward standing alone at the gate. In all my years of visiting Disneyland Resort, however, I've never been the first to arrive. There's always somebody--usually many somebodies--ahead of me. We all stand waiting, chatting and watching the sun creep above the horizon as the crowd quickly grows bigger and louder.

That anticipation of waiting for the gates to open has actually become one of my favorite vacation traditions. I wouldn't dream of missing it!

Time Machine Day: Magic Mountain 1975

El Bumpo!

Way back before Six Flags took ownership...back when the Goldrusher mine train was the park's biggest coaster...when not one, but two of the world's tallest skyrides soared above its landscape..back when pay-one-price admission was about eight bucks...Southern California's Magic Mountain had a completely different character from what customers find there today; it offered a much more mellow, easygoing type of park experience.

Today, I've got seven photos from my 1975 visit. Sadly, most of the rides seen in these shots are long gone. All but the first and last pictures were taken from the long-departed Metro Monorail.

Goldrusher, thankfully, still exists, and here you can see most of its layout. The first drop/turn and a second lift hill are hidden on the other side of the...er..."mountain." Goldrusher is mostly notable for its neat terrain-hugging route and a dynamite high-speed helix finale. In the background, one of the park's two Eagle's Flight skyrides gave amazing views; look how high up that thing went!

Classic Ride Review: Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Just look at those awesome elephants. Their wonderfully sculpted expressions of joy and exhilaration carry the whole experience. When you lift off, you instantly plug into the moment at the film's finale when Dumbo spreads his ears and  a miracle happens. That why the Dumbo ride is magical and rip-off clones are not.

Some folks don't "get" Dumbo. They dismiss it as a mere children's ride or a mundane carnival-style attraction not worth a second look. My theory about those folks: either they never rode Dumbo as a child, or else they commute to work every day on a flying elephant and find nothing unusual about the experience.

All I know is, I climb aboard, the ride starts, I push up on the controls, I hear that familiar hydraulic hiss...there's that little bounce as we get airborne...and suddenly I'm seven years old again, with the wind in my face and all of Fantasyland whirling about below me.

Sometimes you don't need the latest technology to create pure and powerful magic.

WDW 1993: Splash Mountain Signage & Statues

We're temporarily moving from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom for this bit of our 1993 tour, to check out a few wonderful exterior details around Splash Mountain. All these elements are still present in 2012, but fans may be able to spot the differences between then and now.

Here's the statue of Brer Fox, Brer Bear and Brer Rabbit as it appeared in '93, with a natural-looking finish.

And Brer Rabbit looks for adventure atop one of the best signposts on earth.

We've discussed before which resort's Splash Mountain we find superior (Spoiler: It's WDW's). More focused storytelling was one factor that swung the vote.

I wish we'd spent more time in the Magic Kingdom back in '93. In our defense, though, this group of Disneyland regulars just couldn't stay away from Epcot for more than half a day!

More from 1993 WDW soon!

Pandora or Pandaria -- A Warcraft What-if For Disney's Animal Kingdom

I've previously suggested Disneyland should bring their Kingdom Hearts game world into Fantasyland. Here's another perfect park-game matchup: Disney's Animal Kingdom and World of Warcraft's new online realm, Pandaria. This is not to be confused, of course, with Avatar's Pandora.

WDW 1993: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and I'm very glad I got a chance to ride both tracks of the Walt Disney World version several times before it went away.

Why is a Disneyland-centric website posting this? Well, I just found all the photos from Mouse Troop's 1993 Walt Disney World trip. I think fans on both coasts might enjoy some views of World of Motion, Cranium Command, the original Journey Into Imagination and a lot of other wonderful attractions as they existed back then.

Look for Walt Disney World 1993 popping up a couple of times a week on Mouse Troop. These photos bring back some incredible memories for us; we hope you'll enjoy them.

By the way, of the two Mr. Toad tracks, the one with the farm, the weasels and the cops was my favorite.

Disneyland Ducklings

Whether it's a feral cat scooting around Critter Country or some wise-guy bird hopping onto my pancakes, encounters with Disneyland's peek-a-boo wildlife never fail to make me smile. During Saturday morning's early entry I had the pleasure of watching this charming duck family as they hopped out of the Storybookland canal and stampede-waddled to the all-you-can-eat garden buffet near Toad's place.

All the juvenile birds quicklly disappeared into the flowerbed, their heads popping in and out of the foliage as they gobbled grubs...or pixies, or whatever it is they find in there.