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Cirque du Soleil La Nouba

May 17, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Cirque du Soleil La Nouba is a breathtakingly amazing show which is staged in the Downtown Disney Westside area of Walt Disney World. It is difficult to describe a Cirque du Soleil show without using words like spectacular, stunning, amazing, unique. If you are looking for wonderful family entertainment then La Nouba is a great choice. Unfortunately the experience does not come cheap so if you are looking for discount tickets then we recommend:

La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil – Tickets!

La Nouba literally translated means ‘to party’ or ‘to live it up in celebration. The spectacular Cirque performers who come from all over the world certainly know how to entertain. More than 70 circus performers with very unique talents entertain audiences in this 90 minute family show. Just when you think it can’t get any better a new act arrives on the stage to entertain you. From high wire to ariel ballet, the high wire to the Diabalos the thrills just keep on coming. The show has now staged more than 6,000 performances.

The theater itself was the first structure which was purpose built permanent theater to stage Cirque du Soleil. The theater in Downtown Disney seats up to 1,671 people. You can’t miss the huge circus tent like structure is the Westside section of Downtown Disney.

Some seats are better than others of course and there are 4 different types of seating category which in order of desirability are: Front and Center, Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3. There is a Category 4 and these seats are only available from the box office. Front and Center is of course the best. Some of the show is interactive so be aware that those on the front row may be asked to participate. All seats have a decent view of the stage. The general view is that the higher the category the better the seat, but many reviewers felt that Category 2 seats tie the best value.

There are 2 performances each day Tuesday through Saturday at 6pm and 9pm. The show is dark on Sunday and Monday.

Ticket prices range from around $60 to $140 depending upon seating category and date.

Disney does sometimes offer discounts on La Nouba tickets. Often these offers are for Annual Passholders and there has recently been an offer for Tables of Wonderland members. A Category 2 ticket is also included for each guest on a reservation as part of Platinum or Premier Disney World Vacation Package.

You can often pick up discount Cirque du Soleil La Nouba tickets by clicking on the link below or the picture below.

La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil – Tickets!


If you buy tickets through this link we do receive compensation.

You may also like to read:

Disney Animal Kingdom Rides

Top 10 Walt Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions

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Photo by wdwdorks

Filed Under: Disney Tips Tagged With: ,

Disney Christmas Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

August 5, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

One of the best loved features of a visit to Disney World around Christmas is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This Disney World Christmas tradition takes place at Disney Hollywood Studios and for 2011 the display will start on 10th November until 3rd January 2012.

Photo By jessiemore

What is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights?

It can best be desribed as a huge and dazzling display of Christmas lights with animated features all set to Holiday music. By the magic of Disney it even snows in Florida.

The lights are turned on at 6pm each evening and suddenly the Streets of American at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are illuminated beyond belief! It is definitely one of those must see attractions if you are visiting Walt Disney World around Holiday time. Admission is free and included with your Disney park ticket.

The facts about the display are pretty dazzling. There are 5 million lights which take around 21,000 hours to instal! If you unravelled all the lights there 350 miles of cable and 32.2 miles of extension cable. This of course takes a whole lot of energy to power – 800,000 watts of electricity are used along the street.

Of course no Christmas display is complete without a tree. The Osborne Family Lights display has not one but two trees. There is a 70 foot tall Christmas tree with 58,000 lights and a more modest 30 foot tall tree with 27,300 lights.

Of course it just wouldn’t be Christmas without the snow. Even when the day time temperatures can be in the 80s. Disney does need a little help to make it snow and so uses 67 snow machines and a lot of snow fluid.

Viewing Tips For Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

It can get very crowded on the Streets of America when the lights are switched on. It is a relatively small area and lots of people want to see the display – be mindful if you have young children as it can be almost impossible to get around that area with a stoller. Advice as always is not to follow the crowd. The biggest crowds are early in the evening when the lights are switched on.

The busiest times are of course close to Thansgiving and Christmas. If there is a performance of Fantasmic then go at that time if you have already seen the show as of course most guests will be watching the show in the huge auditorium.

History of the Osborne Family Lights

What do you do when your own Holiday display on your house just becomes way too big for your neighborhood? This is the spectacular story of the Osborne Family Lights. It alll started in 1986 when Jennings Osborne asked his daughter Breezy what she wanted for Christmas. She told him that she wanted the whole house covered in lights. Jennings certainly granted her wish and the tradition started with just 1,000 lights covering the house.

The Osborne family home was soon simply not large enough to house the Christmas display, so Jennings bought the house next door to expand on the Holiday light display. It became a local tourist attraction in Arkansas and people traveled from miles around to see the amazing display. By 1993 the display had grown to 3 million lights. Great for the tourists but the neighbors were not so happy. The disruption it was causing in the area was proving rather too much for those who lived there.

The neighbors took their case to the Arkansas Supreme Court and at first a settlement was reached. Jennings agreed to limit the time the lights were turned on. But when this compromise fell apart it was clear that the Osborne Family Lights would have to find a new home.

Walt Disney World stepped in to save the lights in 1995 and the display was transfered to Disney Hollywood Studios (or MGM Studios as it was then known). The first home for the Osborne Family Lights was Residential Street which is part of the Back Lot tour. Once again the lights had to move when part of that area became the setting for Lights Motors Action in 2004.

Another feature was added in 2006 when the Lights were ‘animated’ so that some of them appear to dance. Another great feature of the lights is the Holiday music played durning the display which includes Jingle Bells by Barbara Streisand and Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano.

Sadly Jennings Osborne died on 27th July 2011. His legacy of Christmas Lights will continue to be enjoyed by many Disney guests for years to come.

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips Tagged With: , ,

Disney Fantasy Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

June 19, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

One of the great successes of the Disney Parks is set to launch on the Disney Fantasy when she sails in March 2012. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will be located on Deck 5 of the Disney Fantasy, which is the place where the Oceaneer’s Club and Lab will be. So the little ones won’t have far to go to get their very special Princess or Pirate make over.

Children can choose from the packages which are also offered at the Boutique in Walt Disney World. Disney Diva, the Pop Princess and the Fairy Tale Princes are available. Children are transformed by their own Fairy Godmother with hair makeup and nails. If you want the full treatment then of course costumes, crowns and wands are always available to complete the final look.

The Disney Fantasy Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will also have options not available in the parks. Captain Mickey Mouse, Princess Minnie Mouse and First Mate Minnie Mouse will be offered on the Disney Fantasy. Under the Sea packages will also be available.

Pirate Night on a Disney cruise is always a great excuse to dress up and now everyone can get some assistance if they want to. Even the grown ups! If you want to achieve that Captain Jack Sparrow look then Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will be glad to assist.

No details have been released yet about the prices on Disney Fantasy but my guess would be that the rates would be similar to the Boutiques in the parks. In Disney World and Disneyland the most basic package is $49.95. If you want a costume, wand, crown and photos then the package is up to $250. Much cheaper for boys at $12.95 but then of course there is a lot less done, as they just have their hair gelled and receive a shield and a sword!

It is a sure bet that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will be hugely popular on the Disney Fantasy. It is likely that advance bookings will be required particularly on Pirate Night!

Filed Under: Cruises, Disney Fantasy Tagged With: , ,

Samantha Brown Disney Dream Video

March 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Travel Channels Samantha Brown was one of the first guests to sail aboard the Disney Dream. Disney Parks has just released the first of a series of videos which she made for them whilst about the Disney Dream Christening voyage.

Here Samantha highlights the innovative technology aboard the Disney Dream including Animator’s Palate, the AquaDuck and the Virtual Portholes. These are cruise industry firsts which no doubt will be taken on board by other cruise lines. The inside staterooms are selling fast on all Disney Dream sailings so if you want to see the Virtual Portholes for yourself then you had better hurry!

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Disney Cruise Kids Choose Activities

November 21, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

One of the great features of the Disney Cruise line youth activities is that children can customize their own experience. Disney cruises are unique in that they let children have a great degree of choice over what activities they want to do, and do not split them into restricted age groups as most other cruise lines do.

Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are open to children age 3 to 12 on the Disney Wonder and age 3 to 10 on the Disney Magic and Disney Dream.

Disney allows kids to choose the activities which interest them the most. The Disney Kids Counsellors will guide and recommend activities for certain ages groups, but it is up to the individual child and their parents to decide which to participate in. This means that children can join in activities with friends and family regardless of age. As a parent of a child who just plain refused to go into a kids club on another cruise line because he couldn’t be with his brother, the Disney approach just makes perfect sense to me.

As you would expect from Disney the quality and choice of activities is exceptional. This is the happiest place at sea! Kids can choose from over 100 activities including Toy Story Boot Camp, Cinderella’s Royal Ball, So You Want to be a Pirate, Ratatouille Cooking School, and the Piston Cup Challenge.

Another great feature of the Youth Activities onboard a Disney Cruise is the Dine and Play feature. Families can enjoy dinner together at the second seating and then check any children aged 3 to 12 into the Youth Activities in the dining room, rather than having to check them in at the Oceaneer’s Clubs. The grown ups can enjoy some time together knowing that the kids are happy and well cared for. The most difficult thing may be getting your kids to leave the Oceaneer’s Clubs!

Image Disney Concept Art

Filed Under: Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Tips, Disney Wonder Tagged With: , ,

Disney World Roller Coasters

November 19, 2010 By admin 6 Comments

When you think of Disney World you probably think of Mickey Mouse and Cinderella. But don’t overlook the Disney World roller coasters. You will find some of the world’s most innovative and family oriented roller coasters in Walt Disney World.

All photos courtesy of Expressmonorail

Disney World is known for it’s mountains. You will find Disney classic roller coasters Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom. Disney’s newest mountain, Expedition Everest is in Animal Kingdom. If you want to accelerate from 0 to 57 mph in just 2.8 seconds and experience more G Force than a Shuttle launch then Aerosmith’s Rock N Roller Coaster at Disney Hollywood Studios is the place to be. Of course Disney has something for all ages and the little ones can enjoy Goofy’s Barnstormer in Magic Kingdom.

Which Disney World roller coaster travels at just 28 mph but is probably the best known of all? Which train gives you the most thrilling ride on Big Thunder Mountain? And how can you spend less time in line and more time enjoying the attractions?

Disney World Space Mountain

Daily Disney (Explored)

Space Mountain is perhaps the best known and best loved Disney World roller coaster. It is located in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom. It opened on January 15th 1975 and has been one of Disney World’s most popular rides ever since. Space Mountain is a roller coaster in the dark which relies heavily on Disney Imagineering for it’s appeal. Riders are surprised to learn that the top speed of Space Mountain is just 28 miles per hour. The steepest drop is 39 degrees. But it’s twists and turns and unexpected drops make is one of the best loved and most popular Disney World rides.

There are 2 roller coaster tracks inside Space Mountain – Alpha and Omega. But no need to be concerned about which side that you get as both offers the same experience.

Best loved of course means long lines. So make use of the Fast Pass system when you can. Space Mountain is the first attraction that many people head to when arriving at Magic Kingdom. It is often a good idea not to just be one of the crowd – so if you want to cut down your wait time make sure that you head to Tomorrowland for a Fast Pass as soon as you arrive. Another tactic is to wait until nearer park closing to see how long the line is.

The height restriction for Space Mountain is 44″ and children under the age of 7 must have an adult with them. If you have a child too small or just too scared to ride then use the Child Swap facility where one parent can ride and the other waits. The waiting parent can then swap and enter the Fast Pass Line. Ask a Cast Member for details before joining the line.

Disney Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Disney - Big Thunder Mountain

Disney’s Big Thunder Mountain is located in Frontierland is Magic Kingdom. This is another Disney classic having first appeared in Disneyland. The theme is a cursed runaway train in the abandoned town of Tumbleweed, an old gold rush town which was deserted following a flash flood. Big Thunder Mountain is wonderfully themed and the attention to detail is as you would expect from Disney, exceptional. The mountain is inspired by the landscape of Utah and Arizona’s Monument Valley.

The Big Thunder Mountain train reaches speeds of up to 30 miles an hour and there are 3 significant dips. The ride is 3 minutes long, Nothing really scary though so this one is usually fine to take the youngest of the kids provided they meet the 40″ height requirement. Guests who do not enjoy the larger roller coasters will usually enjoy Big Thunder Mountain. So even if you usually say no to roller coasters you may want to give Big Thunder Mountain a try.

Those looking for the more thrilling experience should ask the Cast Member is they can ride on the back.

Big Thunder Mountain is an entirely different experience after dark. If you have experienced it in the day time be sure to go back at night if you have the time,

It is one of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom so be sure to use the Fast Pass system.

Rock N Roller Coaster

Disney - Rock N Roller Coaster

The Aerosmith Rock N Roller Coaster is one of the most popular rides in Walt Disney World. Located in Disney Hollywood Studios this 80 foot tall 2 minute 2 second indoor roller coaster ride accelerates from 0-57 mph in 2.8 seconds. Rock N Roller coaster is a ride which will satisfy even the most serious of adrenaline seekers.
You will experience between 4 and 5 G Force depending on where you sit in the ride.

Rock N Roller coaster may be a thrill ride but it is very much a Disney experience. The inspiration was the music of Aerosmith. Guests will first step into the G-Force Recording Studio to meet their rock and roll hosts. You will learn that Aerosmith need to leave quickly to speed their way to their next concert. You will travel in a special stretch limo as their guests.

The Aerosmith Rock N Roller Coaster features a specially recorded sound track which you will hear through special speakers mounted in your stretch limo vehicle. It almost takes your mind of the fact that you are speeding around the track at anywhere at up to 57 mph and going through 3 inversions. Well almost but not quite!

This is a pretty intense ride for Disney World and some guests may change their mind in the loading area. The sight of the stretch limo accelerating away at such speed is a little too much for some. If you decide it is all too much then just tell a Cast Member and they will show you how to exit.

Rock N Roller Coaster is a popular ride. A Fast Pass is available for this ride and there is also a Single Rider Line. Make use of both of these facilities if you can. Rock N Roller Coaster is right by Hollywood Tower of Terror so when you arrive in the park look at the board for the wait times on both of them and decide which to ride first and which to get a Fast Pass for.

There is a height requirement for Rock N Roller Coaster of 48 inches. A Child Swap is available. If there is a member of your party too small, young or just plain scared to ride the attraction then one of you can stand in line while the other waits with the child. Then after the first person has experienced the ride the other can get into the Fast Pass Line. You must ask a Cast Member for a Child Swap pass before you get in line.

Disney Expedition Everest

Disney - Expedition Everest HDR (Explored)

Head on over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the newest roller coaster. In keeping with Disney tradition Expedition Everest is another mountain attraction. It debuted on April 7th 2006 and took Disney Imagineers 6 years to research and build. As you would expect the attention to detail is amazing. The line for Expedition Everest is worth seeing even if you don’t want to experience the attraction!

Even though it is named after the great mountain, the ride is not meant to be a copy of the real Mount Everest. It is a fictional Forbidden Mountain which takes it’s inspiration from the story of the Yeti. Disney Imagineers created the most complex animatronic figure for the Yeti – unfortunately it always broke down quite a bit and is at the time of writing not working!

This is a roller coaster with twists, turns and drops. Definitely not one for the faint hearted. Yes it has the fabulous Disney touch, but at heart it is a fairly serious thrill experience.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this roller coaster is like Big Thunder Mountain – it is much more intense. Disney does emphasize that this is a family ride and many children do love it. But just be aware that some children also find it quite scary – just use your best judgment and remember that you can always use the Child Swap facility if your little one either doesn’t meet the 44″ height requirement of just doesn’t want to ride.

As you would expect Disney’s Expedition Everest is a popular ride. Head straight there when you enter the park in the morning if you want to skip the lines. Use a Fast Pass and the Single Rider line to save time.

There are so many great roller coasters in Walt Disney World. Whether you want the speed of Rock N Roller Coaster or the classic Space Mountain there is a Disney World roller coaster for everyone.

You may also enjoy:

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom Tagged With: , ,

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