The Country Bear Jamboree - Frontierland - Magic Kingdom
The Country Bear Jamboree is a classic Disney attraction that has been around since opening day of the Magic Kingdom. While the show was shortened and has received cosmetic updates over the years, the core show has remained pretty much the same. I used to pass up this show every time I went to the Magic Kingdom. I saw the show once in my early teens and thought is was "lame" and not funny. Fast forward to 2014, I was talked into seeing it by a friend who had loved the show since she was a kid. I absolutely loved it! If you've never seen it before and are past your teenage years, you need to see this. Parts of the show are kind of absurd actually, but that also adds to the joke of the show too. It has so many jokes in it that I didn't understand as a teen, it truly is hilarious!
Did you know?
Did you know that this show was originally created for a Disney ski resort located in Sequoia National Park but fell through after Walt's death. Also in "A Goofy Movie" there is a parody/nod to the Country Bear Jamboree. The show is "The Awesome Posse Jamboree" at Lester's Possum Park. Actually my first experience at country bears was very similar to Max's in the movie.
Tom Sawyer Island - Frontierland - Magic Kingdom
Just like the country bears, I used to pass up opportunities to go to Tom Sawyer Island because it was out of the way, and wasn't a "ride". I recently journeyed to the island and realized there is so much to see there its ridiculous. Not only are there a bunch of paths to explore, but it's beautiful as well. You really do feel as if you are on an island on the Mississippi River. You can also get amazing views of Big Thunder Mountain, the Haunted Mansion and the Liberty Belle. The only real downside is that it still takes a little while to get there on the rafts, and they are the only way on or off the island.
Backlot Express - Echo Lake - Disney's Hollywood Studios
(Photo by: themeparktourist)
This is actually a quick service restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios, located in-between Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Star Tours. While the food is actually pretty decent for a quick service (serves american fare), the actual reason why its on this list is because there are actual props from movies and past Disney attractions inside the seating area as well as outside. Some of these props include: the skeletal body of Benny the Cab as well as the Toon Patrol car from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", the hot air balloon and a couple of animal AA's from World of Motion, the desert hovercraft from Horizons, as well as many other props. Interestingly enough the chairs that are used here are actually chairs from all around the property. They are displaced chairs or chairs that are no longer being used at their original location.
Beaches and Cream - Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resort
(Photo by: Keys to the magic)
It's still a well known restaurant for repeating visitors, but if you have never been, It is truly a treat to eat there! If you haven't eaten there, it is pretty much a diner right out of the 50's. Akin to the 50's Prime Time Cafe, the theming is awesome here. It has more of a soda fountain/ice cream parlor feel and way more relaxed than the Prime Time, complete with a jukebox and connected is an arcade (which was totally the reason why I loved this as a kid).
Tonga Toast - Captain Cook's or Kona Cafe - Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Oh Man. Tonga Toast is my favorite breakfast food at Walt Disney World. Amazingly, I found that actually everyone I have traveled with to WDW that has had Tonga Toast doesn't like. That's my little preface. I absolutely love this though. It is a fried piece of Hawaiian sweet bread stuffed with actual bananas, and the outside is coded in cinnamon sugar. It takes a while to eat so I recommend going to the Poly early then hit up Magic Kingdom at rope drop!
"Tapestry of Nations" playing after IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth - Epcot
If you remember the Millennium Celebration at Epcot in 2000, you will undoubtedly remember the truly magical and downright impressive Tapestry of Nations. This was a parade that was held twice nightly around World Showcase and set up the story of IllumiNations: ROE. There were puppets worn on the backs of performers and they would interact with guests as they would their way though each country. The story changed a little in 2001 and came to a close in 2003. It had a very short run, but always stuck out in my memory as one the best shows or parades in the last 20 years.
You can now hear the soundtrack of Tapestry of Nations as you leave Epcot (the music plays once IllumiNations has finished). It is definitely comparable, to me at least, to Magic Kingdom's Kiss Goodnight (credit:iThempark and hanstrevor).
