My Disney Fix

MouseFest 2008!
This month’s updates were delayed because I’ve been MIA at WDW!! My very supportive and loving husband (thank you hunny!) let me slip out of the house for a weekend to attend MouseFest this year!!! Never heard of MouseFest? If you haven't, MouseFest is an international gathering of Disney friends and fanatics at WDW and Disney Cruise line. This year they had close to 1,000 attendees from all over the world! I had the best time ever and had the opportunity to meet so many bloggers, podcasters, and authors, all of us that share a passion for Disney. The highlight of my trip was meeting Steve Barrett, author of the Guide to the Hidden Mickeys book series. A small group of us walked around as he pointed out hidden mickey’s everywhere! To find out more about MouseFest, go to the website: http://www.mousefest.org/intro.asp
I’ll be there next year as a sponsored travel provider and to promote my blog. Want to come with me? Let’s go!!

Cinderella Castle Lighting Ceremony Holiday Wish
Can't be at WDW to see for yourself? No problem, for a quick Disney fix, go to u-tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DS0AE3vTwA to see the show and watch as the castle goes through it's magical transformation!

From www.disneyfamily.com
Don't miss out on getting your child's name placed on the list before Santa's sleigh takes off! Upload a photo of him or her and Santa will send them a special personalized video message. Go to http://family.go.com/santas-list/?CMP=NLC-FOB2_Santa for more details.

From our Disney Fix readers:
-Januari found out the new T-Rex Café in Downtown Disney is not on the Disney Dining Plan, it’s a separate entity.
- Kimberly’s family was able to dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table Restaurant as a walk in without making a reservation (wow!), normally you would make this ADR a good 6 months in advance. If you are at Disney during the off-season, try it!
What news, tips, or rumors do you know? Email them to me and I’ll post them in the next blog!

For Leighton:
Leighton missed the opportunity to see Tinkerbell and friends on her recent trip due to long lines (I think they said 90 min.+) I couldn't get in either, that line was to infinity and beyond. But I did find a pic for her so she can see her fav. fairies without the wait!

To celebrate the animated film “Tinker Bell,” Disney’s most famous fairy and four of her best friends are featured in a meet-and-greet experience in Mickey’s Toontown Fair at Magic Kingdom. To meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, guests enter a magical forest called “Pixie Hollow,” a special place deep in the heart of Never Land.

Disney Christmas Day Parade
Silver Bells ring for the Silver Anniversary, as Disney Parks celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade this December 25 on ABC-TV. Hollywood's biggest names and Disney's most beloved characters will bring the holiday magic home in song and style as they light up the holiday from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. The two-hour special of the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade will air in HD December 25 on ABC-TV throughout the country - 9 a.m. Central
· Kicking off the celebration, megastar Miley Cyrus returns to the Parade for another upbeat performance, singing a rockin' version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" at the Magic Kingdom.
--Sibling pop-rock phenomenon, Jonas Brothers, are sure to thrill fans as they perform their Christmas tune at Disneyland Park, "Joyful Kings"
--Grammy award-winning legend Jose Feliciano performs his classic "Feliz Navidad"
--"American Idol's" 2008 champion David Cook rings in the holiday spirit with an exclusive acoustic arrangement of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
--Multi-platinum recording artist and co-star of Disney Channel's popular series "Hannah Montana," Billy Ray Cyrus, will bring down the house with his rock 'n' roll Christmas single, "Run Rudolph Run"
--Broadway superstar Sarah Brightman performs "Silent Night"
--Star of Disney's blockbuster "High School Musical" films, Corbin Bleu, heads to the front of the class for an A+ act singing a Disney Parks original song, "Celebrate You"
-Playhouse Disney's entertaining music group for preschoolers, Imagination Movers, will spread festive cheer singing an original holiday song, "Give a Gift."
*Just a Spoon-Full of 'Pixie Dust' Makes for 'Practically Perfect' Appearances*


WDW CLOSINGS AND REHABS

EPCOT
Ellen's Energy Adventure - 1/5 - 3/22/09

MAGIC KINGDOM PARK
The Hall of Presidents - 11/1/08 - 7/1/09
Magic Carpets of Aladdin - 12/14 - 12/20/08
Splash Mountain - 1/4/09 - 1/17/09
Dream Along With Mickey - 1/6 - 1/20/09
Dumbo the Flying Elephant - 1/7/09
Mickey's Philharmagic - 1/18 - 2/6/09
The Liberty Square Riverboat is going to be closed from February 21 - 27, 2009
Buzz Lightyear March 2 – 6, 2009

ANIMAL KINGDOM THEME PARK
None!

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS THEME PARK
Shops: Once Upon a Time, Sunset Couture, The Mouse About Town - 9/2 - 11/30
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground – January 4 – February 28, 2009
Backlot Tour - January 4 – February 28, 2009
Voyage of the Little Mermaid January 27-29, 2009
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is undergoing many changes, starting with the closure of the Pleasure Island night clubs on September 28. Among the plans are:
The stage at the Marketplace will be expanded and covered and will host Magic Music Days performances
Hanes is opening a shop where you can create your own T-shirt designs
Fulton's Crab House is going to update both the interior and exterior spaces
E-Brands Restaurant group is planning to open a new waterfront dining venue featuring Central and South American dishes and live music
Wolfgang Puck's Cafe on the West Side will install glass enclosures to the patio as well as update its interior
The West Side will have a tethered balloon which will allow guests to view the Walt Disney World Resort from 300 feet in the air



TO THE LEO FAMILY~ HAVE A FUN AND SAFE TRIP!
They will be at WDW for the holidays~