Frontierland is one of only two Magic Kingdom lands not directly spoked to the castle hub. Considered one of the most distinctly American features of the Park, it represents some of Walt’s fondest childhood memories. Ninety years of American folklore—1790 to 1880—span the area. Enter from Liberty Square and traverse the western United States from the mighty Mississippi River to the golden Pacific Coast. Brimming with adventure, Tom…
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Skill Level
Earth Day
Attention to pollution ignited when sparks from a passing railroad car set the Cuyahoga River in Ohio ablaze. The river was so saturated with oil and chemicals that flames flowed with the current. Less than one year after the incident, Senator Gaylord Nelson and Representative Paul McCloskey teamed with Denis Hayes to establish Earth Day, April 22, 1970, as an environmental teach-in. Supporting their cause, people across the nation staged…
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Tinker Bell
Tinker Bell, Peter Pan’s mischievous pixie, fluttered off the screen of the 1953 animated feature, Peter Pan, and into the hearts of children and their parents to become one of Disney’s most beloved characters. The ornery little sprite, known for her burning envy of Wendy and her enduring adoration of Peter, often hosts Disney television specials and sprinkles fairy dust over DVD intros. To celebrate the current series of animated…
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A Talk with Carol Beth Scott
Carol Beth Scott is the founder of 3D Travel Company and creator of the Ultimate Field Trip (UFT—a week at Walt Disney World in Florida designed for homeschoolers to learn while they play). She is also my partner in fun here at the Magical Mouse Schoolhouse as my sponsor, creative inspiration, and provider of many Takeaways. I first met Carol Beth in 2006 when she booked my family’s trip to…
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A Non-Disney Film with a Big Disney Impact
Akeelah and the Bee is probably not one of Disney’s most memorable films. That’s probably because it’s not a Disney film at all! So why is it on a blog dedicated to Disney entertainment? Because it was recently televised on the Disney Channel and it’s a prime example of Disney’s educational value. Released in 2006, the Lionsgate/2929/Starbucks film boasts a star-studded cast which includes Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, and…
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Trains are a recurring theme throughout the Disney parks both as people movers and as popular attractions. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad made its debut at Disneyland’s Frontierland in 1979, replacing the D-ticket Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland. A crashed Mine Train locomotive remains at the base of the mountain as an authentic prop and as a reminder of the long extinct attraction. The little town at the base of the…
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it’s a small world
“To all who come to this happy place – welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America… with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” —Walter E. Disney,…
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Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
THIS Wednesday, a new crew will greet Guests at Epcot. Topiary Donald Duck and pals are camping out at the Epcot front entrance to celebrate the 17th annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. The North American theme features Goofy fly-fishing in a pond and live waterfall, Daisy Duck roasting marshmallows over a campfire, and Pluto observing from his pup tent. It’s a must-stop photo op! [Photo from the Disney Parks blog….
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