This is a big week for the Walt Disney World Resort! The Magic Kingdom is celebrating its 38th year and Epcot is celebrating its 27th year in operation. Both of the parks opened October 1st in 1971 and 1982, respectively. The Walt Disney World resort, which included the Magic Kingdom, only featured two hotels when it opened back in 1971. The Polynesian and the Contemporary were the first two resorts built back when the WDWR only consisted of the Magic Kingdom and the two hotels. Incredible how much it has grown since then! While Walt Disney was heavily involved in the planning of the resort, he died of lung cancer in 1966, a year before construction began.

While Walt didn’t get to see his dream realized, those he left in charge of the Disney company did it for him. Not only did they build the Magic Kingdom by using Disneyland as a guide, they made it bigger (and some would say better) than the original Anaheim destination. In 2008 17 billion people visited the Magic Kingdom, making it the most visited theme park in the world.

Epcot originally had a different purpose. We all know Walt Disney was an innovator in every sense of the word, but did you know he wanted to build an entire futuristic city? When it first opened, Epcot was written EPCOT, as it was an acronym for “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.” While we now know the park for attractions like Test Track, Soarin’ and the World Showcase, Walt Disney originally had other plans.

He was quoted as saying, "It will be a planned, controlled community, a showcase for American industry and research, schools, cultural and educational opportunities. In EPCOT, there will be no slum areas because we won't let them develop. There will be no landowners and therefore no voting control. People will rent houses instead of buying them, and at modest rentals. There will be no retirees; everyone must be employed."

But now Epcot is considered a vacation destination instead of a living environment. It’s always interesting to learn about the inner-workings and initial ideas of what Imagineers go through in building and conceptualizing these great Orlando theme parks. We can’t wait to see what Walt Disney World comes up with next!

Disney and rock music aren’t usually two things you would group into one category. After all, rock music can be risqué and rebellious, and Disney is all about family fun. But 10 years ago this week, Disney merged with legendary rock stars Aerosmith to create the Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster, a milestone ride for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This indoor rollercoaster, located next to the Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror, became an instant hit and FastPass option for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The logistics of the ride contained many Disney firsts and amazing rollercoaster statistics. The ride shoots off from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds at the start. Only EPCOT’s Test Track is faster. The rider experiences G forces of 4.5, which is faster than astronauts experience during space launches! With three inversions, two rollover loops and one corkscrew, this coaster broke all previous coaster records in the Walt Disney parks family.

Music lovers will especially enjoy the Aerosmith elements present throughout the ride. As you first enter, you’re lead into a music studio where an interactive video with the rock legends plays for the audience. The story revolves around the band being late for a concert in LA and having to cut their special studio performance (of which you are the audience) short. The “backstage passes” you get as compensation are for a stretch limo ride straight to LA for the concert. That stretch limo is your coaster car which reaches maximum speeds of 60 mph. The best part of this ride is the music. Each of the cars have various “license plates” with names like “2FAST4U” and “UGOGIRL." Depending on the car you are in you will get a different set of Aerosmith songs on your ride. With five speakers per car and a 32,000 watt audio system, you will get to hear it all.

Back when the ride opened, Disney held a special contest for fans. The special guests were Aerosmith themselves and a few lucky fans were treated to a buffet meal and a chance to ride the coaster with one of the band members. To celebrate the ride’s one year anniversary, Disney brought in 80 Corvettes to form a parking-lot version of the signature red Fender Stratocaster that serves as the ride’s trademark. If you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then take a ride through a rock and roll journey with Aerosmith on the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster—it’s a thrill-seeker must!

Alice in Wonderland turns 58 this week. Not Alice herself, nor the original Lewis Carroll story, but the Disney movie which was initially poorly received and later gained somewhat of a “cult” like following amongst Disney fans. The story is said to have been one of Walt Disney’s favorites growing up. Despite not receiving the accolades movies like Beauty and the Beast and Snow White received, Alice in Wonderland’s popularity remains in current pop culture. And while Alice isn’t usually considered a princess, nor are her friends, they are still some of the most recognized characters in the Disney parks. those who love the movie and the world of Wonderland have a variety of options for having their own “unbirthday” fun at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Mad Tea Party is the most well-known Alice attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Located in Fantasyland ,“the teacups” as the ride is usually referred to, is a series of 18 painted teacup cars that spin around as fast as you want them too while “The Unbirthday Song” plays in the background. This dizzying ride is a favorite and definitely not recommended on a full stomach! Alice and friends show up around this ride throughout the day for photo ops and silly fun. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are known for playing tricks on guests as Alice has had to chase after quite a few swiped Mickey ears.

For your own little curious child, the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa offers their Wonderland Tea Party. Kids ages 4-12 can join the Wonderland characters for a tea party with chicken nuggets, turkey sandwiches and heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Let Alice and her friends tell your child a story during this hour-long event as they sip some tea (apple juice) and decorate their own cupcakes.

For the older Alice in Wonderland fans, check out the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at the Grand Floridian’s Victorian-themed 1900 Park Fare restaurant. This is your best chance to see all of the Alice in Wonderland (and Mary Poppins) characters you might miss at the park. The characters all stop by the individual tables for pictures and autographs. The food at the 1900 Park Fare is American cuisine with menus that constantly change, but we’re the tea is always available. Don’t forget the Mickey waffles, they’re popular for a reason!

While we doubt there will be any other official Alice adventures out of Walt Disney, fans can still buy merchandise at the theme parks and online. Not to mention, next year we’ll have Tim Burton’s interpretation of the Lewis Carroll classic and the Mad Tea Party will remain in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. It seems Alice fans will have many unbirthdays and tea parties to come.