Category Archives: Adventures

Disney’s New Mine Train Ride in Fantasyland

May 28, 2014Family Life, Land Adventures, Travel Journal/BlogDisney World, Dwarfs Mine Train Ride, Magic KingdomDebi Lander

The largest expansion in the history of Disney World is now complete. The Seven Dwarfs have been busy. They dug out the old 20,000 Leagues under the Sea space and discovered a mine. A roller coaster was built on top of the mine as the final addition to the make-over of Fantasyland. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride will open to the public on May 28th.

The Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland

: A few of the Seven Dwarfs.

I had the opportunity to meet those dwarfs, visit their facility, and take a test run recently. I assure you, it’s not Dopey or Sleepy. The ride strikes it rich.

The mine train is a very high tech, a silent roller coast that gives a rousing but not too scary adventure. I’d say the ride ranks more thrilling than the Barnstormer, but doesn’t go as high or drop as much as Big Thunder Mountain. Perfect for young children tall enough to qualify for the attraction.

: Disney’s Seven Dwarfs

The best part, in my opinion, was the time spent underground. You see the dwarfs dig, dig, digging and Hi- Ho-ing while they work and sing. I’m sure children’s eyes will light up as the mine sparkles with beautiful gems. When your car exits that area, you once again soar over Fantasyland catching a gorgeous view of the Beast’s Castle. The ride finishes with a peek into the cottage of the Seven Dwarfs. Don’t miss Snow White dancing with the gang.

Last year Disney added The Enchanted Forest, inspired by The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Here, you can venture through lush landscapes, discovering roaring waterfalls and royal castles along the way. The Enchanted Forest attractions and experiences include:

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid : Enter Prince Eric’s castle, board a giant clamshell and rock out on this new musical attraction.

Ariel in the Under the Sea attraction. — Ariel in the “Under the Sea” attraction.

• Be Our Guest Restaurant: Feast in one of 3 incredible dining rooms in the middle of Beast’s Castle.

• Enchanted Tales with Belle: Become part of a lively retelling of the “tale as old as time,” hosted by Belle and Lumière.

• Ariel’s Grotto: Take photos and get autographs with everyone’s favorite undersea princess.

• Gaston’s Tavern:The manliest of manly places, this eatery serves up tasty tavern fare.

Last June, I was in the Magic Kingdom with my three granddaughter’s and this charming area was by far their favorite. Well, how could I have gone wrong taking three little princesses there? They met Belle and, of course, had photos snapped.

I personally adore Sebastian, the crab, and loved the Under the Sea ride so much that I chose to return by myself. I also hopped into a honeypot for Winnie the Pooh’s Adventure in the 100-acre Wood. Then I walked over to Tomorrowland. Couldn’t leave without taking a spin with Buzz Lightyear- truly a great kid’s ride for adults.

The fireworks spectacular is always a favorite, but in recent years Disney added nighttime projection onto Cinderella’s Castle. I found this adds an awesome new dimension. This year’s show is “Wishes,” the largest fireworks display ever presented at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

The night time spectacular is narrated by Jiminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy. Guests of the Magic Kingdom are told a thrilling “story in the sky” featuring hundreds of brilliant pyrotechnic effects exploding above and around Cinderella Castle.

You’ve just got to love the Magic Kingdom!

By the way, I also visited Epcot and saw “Illuminations,” their fireworks display the night before. Amazing lighting effects around the spinning globe of nations.
Below are two video’s you can click on to experience the new Mine Train Ride. Enjoy.

First Half of the Mine Train Ride

Disney’s Mine Train Ride- from the middle section.

Adventures in Southern India IV: The Swami Temple

May 24, 2014Land Adventures, Travel Journal/BlogIndia, Swami Temple, Swamimalai, templesDebi Lander

Day 3 : Way Down Upon the Swami Temple

Names in India are tongue twisting words. I have declared the Arulmigu Swaminatha Swami Temple, in Swamimalai simply the Swami Temple. My group visited this ancient site the day after we left Pondicherry.

Swami is a Hindu temple near the city of Kumbakonam and the Cauvery river. The temple is one of the six holy shrines of Murugan. The temple has three gopuram, those huge gateway towers covered with hundreds of figures, three courtyards and sixty steps. There is also a large pool or water tank, formerly used in temple rituals.

When we entered we found a large group of people on the floor organizing mounds of paper money that I assume had been dumped from the collection containers. Another group was sorting coins. Seemed odd that this was done in such a public space, but as I said over and over on my trip, “Things happen differently in India.” Just observe.

We ran into a young girl who was celebrating a special day with her entire family. My apologies, but I really didn’t understand the meaning of her celebration. Anyway, the multi-generational family meandered through the formidable stone structure lined with hundreds of intricately carved pillars. The pinnacles were painted in bright almost neon colors as were sections of the ceiling. The family group stopped for short prayers at some of the statues. I just lingered behind.

Attached to the temple was a market area where vendors sold statuary, trinkets, flowers, fruit and treats. The ceiling of the collanade between the buildings was also brightly painted.

This temple, like Chidambaram seen in the morning, is ancient. The website claims in is from the Sangam period during 2nd century BC and is thought to have been modified by Parantaka Chola I, during the 900’s AD. Also like Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, this one was damaged during the Anglo-French war between Hyder Ali and British in 1740. Today the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

We didn’t stay that long, just meandered around taking photos. Therefore, I believe the best way for me to present it, is simply to show my pictures.

Southern India Adventures III: Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

May 19, 2014Land Adventures, Travel Journal/Blogancient temple, Chidambaram, Indian, Lord Nataraja, magnetic equator, Shiva, Southern Indian temple, temple, temple dancer, ThillaiDebi Lander

Updated January 2023

Day 3 in South India: Exploring Temples

Chidambaram, in Southern India’s state of Tamil Nadu, is also known as Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs. It is an important pilgrim center, a major shrine of Lord Shiva, and the famous Nataraja Temple. In fact, Chidambaram offers a combination of the three aspects of Shiva worship – the form Lord Nataraja (dance), the form and the formlessness (linga), and the formless omnipresence. The temple has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture, and performance art for over two millennia. Now, that is an old temple.

The ancient temple is located in the center of the town and covers 40 acres with four seven-story gopurams ( those huge gateways facing North, South East, and West) each with around fifty stone sculptures. There are also five sabhas or courts. The presiding deity of the temple is formless, represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe.

Chidambaram is dedicated to Lord Nataraja and is unique as it is one of the rare temples where Shiva is represented by an idol rather than the customary lingam. (I’d been introduced to lingams earlier, they are black phallic-looking statues.) This temple also has exquisite carvings of Bharathanatya dance postures, the Classical Dance of Tamil Nadu. At Chidambaram, the dancer dominates, not the linga.

Close-up of dance poses on the tower. — Temple dancer

The eastern tower of the temple rises to a height of 134 feet with 108 Bharathanatyam dance poses as well as on the Western tower. The Northern tower rises to a height of 140 feet and is the tallest. This temple is also noted for its Gold Plated roof that adorns the sanctum sanctorum or the kanaka sabha. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum, so I did not see it.

Although I did not know this when I visited, research indicates that the temple is located at the center point of the world’s magnetic equator. * I did not feel any strong pull, but I did not sit and meditate.
The temple as it stands is mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, with later additions in a similar style. It was believed to have been originally constructed during the early Chola period (900s AD).

The temple was severely vandalized during invasions of South India between 1311 and 1325. A garrison was set up within the temple and the walls were fortified during the Carnatic Wars and during the Anglo-French war between Hyder Ali and the British in 1740. I think the ruins give it a mysterious aura and I rather liked the crumbling effect. The large water tank formerly used for rituals is closed off.

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Please click on the individual photos to enlarge them.