Pathing Around The Park: Fantasyland to Tomorrowland

We know it probably seems like we completely forgot about continuing our "Pathing" articles... okay, you got us!  We totally forgot about continuing our "Pathing" articles!  After we posted our first little "path" a couple of weeks ago other things kept cropping up and it totally slipped our minds.  D'oh!  Luckily for you though (perhaps), we came to our senses and remembered there's almost an entire Park to see still.  So without any further ado, we gladly pick up from where we left off before.

If you recall, last time we had entered Fantasyland through what we think of as "the back way" (by the Carnation Plaza Gardens).  If you don't remember, feel free to run back and check our our last post.  We'll be here when you get back!

As you cross under the "You Are Now Entering Fantasyland" sign (you can see it in the picture below, only of course the opposite side of the sign now says "Frontierland"), if you hang an immediate right you will find the entrance to the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through.  For the longest time we had no idea this was even here.  Why?  Because it used to be closed all the time.  Now, it's seemingly open all the time, which is a great thing as far as we're concerned.  It's just what it sounds like it is, a "walk-through" of the Castle.  Inside, the story of Sleeping Beauty (at least, the Walt Disney version of the movie) is told through various storybooks set along your path, each telling a different part of the story as you walk through the Castle.  In addition to the storybooks, there are also tons of pictures (some moving), doors and windows with scenery, sound effects and more to tell you the story from start to finish.  If you haven't had a chance to walk through the Castle yet, it comes highly recommended.  It's something that we always enjoy doing no matter how many times we see it, and it's just plain neat to be able to walk around in there in some shape or form.

We'll bypass the rest of Fantasyland (insert "awwwwwww...") for right now and continue on past where the drawbridge enters Fantasyland, where straight across the way from where we entered, another sign heralds our entrance (or at least the way to) Tomorrowland.  Alternately, if you took our advice and went through the Castle, the exit to that attraction will dump you out right next to the sign.  Either way will get you to the same place!

If you continue on under the sign, you will be led straight to Snow White Grotto.  You can't miss it! 

We won't lie, we love this little area, complete with its Wishing Well. We always tend to gravitate here at some point during our Days (many times late at night when there aren't a lot of people around), and we like to hang out and watch the water spouts jump around and listen to Miss White proclaim, "I'm Wishing" over and over again. Heck, sometimes we even try to sing along with her, much to the laughter of those around us. But we love this little tranquil part of The Park right next to the Castle.

We have one interesting little tidbit for all of you trivia lovers from this spot as well.  Did you know that Snow White and her Dwarves (at least in the Grotto) all are the same height?  We can't remember where we picked up this little nugget, but apparently when they were made there was a mistake and the creator made them all exactly the same height.  You can see how this would complicate matters a little, but word is that rather than have them cut down (Walt loved how they turned out and feared compromising the originals in any way), the Grotto was set up in such a way with its levels as to give off the perception that the Dwarves are in fact in their proper proportion to Snow White.  Kind of cool, huh?  Some of that Disney Magic in full effect, we think.

We really enjoy just standing around in this area and staring up at the Castle, as well. There are some great photo opportunities back here and well worth your time to take advantage of.

As you continue on past the Grotto, if you look straight ahead you'll see the Astro Orbiter peeking over the treetops and Tomorrowland off in the distance.  We're almost there!  At this point you can continue straight across the path, turn right and head onto Main Street, USA, or turn left and head into a different part of Fantasyland.  We'll continue straight across and stick in Fantasyland for one final attraction before we hit our destination.  

We won't actually go into Pixie Hollow, but this is nonetheless one of the places we enjoy just standing around and checking things out.  There's an awesome pond right outside the Hollow with lots of fountain jets shooting water in the air, and and we think the flowers and plant life here is just gorgeous.  And at night, it's its own little World of Color show with lights, music and water fountains going off periodically.  Our kids love to stand here and watch, and would for hours if we let them.  Again, like so many other times, it's just those nice little touches that make all of the difference to us.  We're always looking for a tranquil-feeling place to hang out and this is definitely a great spot to do just that!

Once you're done hanging out at the pond, we're done with this segment of our "Pathing" series.  If you continue on the way you were walking when we stopped you, you'll walk right into Tomorrowland,  just behind the large sign in front of the area proclaiming that you are in fact in Tomorrowland).  You'll just have to take our word for it that we got you there safe and sound.  Maybe the fact that the Astro Orbiter is now staring you in the face will help prove our case to you.  While you're at it, why not hop on and take a ride?

We hope that you've enjoyed finishing up your stroll with us from Frontierland to Tomorrowland.  We plan on continuing this little series every so often mostly because we enjoy sharing with our readers what we do inside The Parks, and how we enjoy moving around, and what we enjoy seeing, is a big part of that.  Let us know what you think!  Any opinions?  Anything we've missed?

Next up? Tomorrowland to New Orleans Square. We hope you'll be back with us for that one too!