07/24/08

Breaking Disney News-

An upgrade to Disney's Dining Reservation System will begin July 21, 2008. As the application upgrade occurs, the latest reservation date guests will be able to secure is January 25, 2009. This means that in some cases you may not be able to book as far in advance as usual. (Note that reservation booking windows for Victoria & Albert's, Chef Mickey's and Cinderella's Royal Table will not be affected by this system upgrade.) Beginning October 24, 2008, the current system will be replaced by an improved system for dining, recreation and tour bookings. With the launch of the new booking system, reservations for dining, recreation, and tours will be made during one single transaction. Once the upgrade is completed the booking window will expand back to the normal 180 days.

With the theatrical release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year on October 24, 2008, Disney's Hollywood Studios will introduce a new show based on the film that very same day. To make way for the new show, High School Musical 2: School's Out! will have its final performance on September 13, 2008.

My news-

Just recently, the first 32 units at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort received the "Finding Nemo" refurbishment. In the weeks & months ahead, 64 rooms will be retheming each week until a total of 1738 units have undergone Pixarification. (FYI: There's a lot more to these redos than just the new "Finding Nemo" quilts & wallpaper borders. Each room will be equipped with a brand-new flat screen television as well as having their fridges removed. A new armoir, two chairs and a shower curtain will be added to each unit. Not to mention removing all of the bedframes and then replacing them with bed boxes).Once 1738 units of the Caribbean Beach Resort units get "Nemo" -fied, WDW officials will then turn their attention to the remaining 400-or-so rooms at this hotel. Which will be located in the Trinidad South section of the resort.From what I hear, these remaining CBR rooms will undergo a much more elaborating reworking. With walls actually being broken down between various units so that Disney can then book these now-supersized-rooms (Which will be themed to Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise) as family suites.

Need an additional Disney Fix besides the Blog? Go to iTunes and check out

"A Season of Disney" from the Travel Channel. It's 14.99 for the entire season and includes the shows Disney On A Dime, Disney Splurge, Samantha Brown's Top 10 Favorites and more.

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is back this year from Sept. 26th-Nov. 9th. Embark on an epicurean adventure as the 13th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods, wines, and beers. Learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe. Plus, be sure to savor the sizzling sounds of the "Eat to the Beat" concert series that stars a stellar line-up of popular musical acts!

The Orlando Sentinal reports-

Disney is closing Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island and it’s 6 nightclubs on Sept. 27th to make the location more “family friendly”. It is rumored that Disney will continue it’s Marketplace theme here with more restaurants and shops for everyone to enjoy. I have personally have never had the opportunity to see to Pleasure Island, because it is an adults only venue and we always have our kids with us.

Hot tip: Save riding the outdoor attractions for after dark. Riding attractions like the Jungle Cruise, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, or even walking up the Swiss Family Treehouse all seem more magical when experienced in at night.

Crowd Control: don’t go later in the day on early magical hour days, that park will sometimes fill to capacity by around 10am.

News from NETCOT.com-

The ‘Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends‘ show is closing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The show will have its final showing on September 27, 2008; no replacement has been announced. The 28-member crew have been reassigned and 3 of the actors have to audition for other positions

August Refurbs- (Collin's Family: this pertains to you!)

The massive Earth Barge from Illuminations Reflections of Earth is currently scheduled to start a refurbishment and LED-lighting system replacement on August 13th. This date has changed several times in the past, and the end date is currently unknown. Illuminations will continue to be shown nightly at Epcot during it's absence but in a modified and slightly shortened form.

The Nine Dragons Restaurant in China is closed until November 27, 2008 for rehab. Look for major renovations, including an exhibition kitchen where diners will be able to interact with the chefs.
In the Magic Kingdom, the SpectroMagic nighttime parade will not be performed while the Liberty Square Bridge is closed for refurbishment (August 15-29, 2008). However, additional entertainment will be offered, including additional Castle shows, extended Town Square Meet and Greets and a second performance of the Disney Dreams Come True Parade.

If you hear of any Disney news, rumors, know some fun facts or hidden treasures; email them to me and I'll post them for you. Thanks!

-Stephanie

07/16/08 3rd issue

We're back from our trip!.. Can I tell you something? I love Disney World. No really, I *LOVE* Disney World. From the moment I enter the “happiest place on Earth” to the moment my vacation ends with the “saddest flight home on Earth,” I feel nothing but magic and peace… I feel like it’s my home away from home.

The new Toy Story Mania ride is awesome!!!... The queue feels like you have shrunk down to Woody’s size and there are larger than life toys and games all around, complete with a talking Mr. Potato Head that interacts and jokes with you. Warning- Spoilers ahead: if you don’t want to know, skip this section! The ride sits 4 people back to back and you have a virtual pop-gun to shoot. The ride is in 3-D so get ready to put the funny glasses on- You are taken into several carnival-like scenes where you get to shoot virtual balls, rings, and darts at many things. It’s all super interactive- if you pop a balloon with your dart, you get misted with water; if you ring toss around a rocket, it zooms at you in 3-D. At the end of the ride you see your score and win a virtual prize ( I won a bunny).
HOT TIP: My dad and my son went through the “single rider lane” and were able to ride several times! It’s a great way to beat the 2-hour wait in line and you don’t have to wait around for your fast pass time.

We had the chance to dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table for the first time and LOVED IT… I’ve never been able to make an ADR before, it’s always booked solid; but on a lucky phone call I got us in for dinner about two weeks before our trip. I took my daughter to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique across the hall first for a princess makeover (you need a reservation to get in) where they did her hair, makeup, and nails and sprinkled her with gallons of pixie dust. She was feeling very regal and very much a princess by the time we left to eat dinner. HOT TIP: It’s not just for girls; anyone can be made into a princess- no matter how old you are. Mom’s and Grandma’s- don’t be shy and step up- it’s fun!…

Dining in the castle was absolutely fantastic; first you have a photo-op with Cinderella, the photos are included in your dining package. I found a “hidden treasure” here: while you’re waiting in the queue, look up and to your left into the rafters. You should see Cinderella’s mice friend’s Jacq and Gus, they are tiny and are dutifully watching over Cinderella making sure she’s okay. Then you go up a flight of stars to a beautiful and very royal dining area. The menu is pre-set, and you have a choice for your appetizer, entrée, and dessert. The food we had was excellent and we were entertained by the Fairy Godmother and Perla, Cindy’s mouse friend for most of our dinner. I had informed them it was my mom’s Birthday in advance so the Fairy Godmother and our server were tipped off to make her evening extra special. If you can get an ADR for this dining opportunity, I would highly recommend it! It’s worth the money.
My son had his most magical moment at the Jedi Knight Training Academy at Hollywood Studios in front of the Star Wars ride. If you are a Star Wars enthusiast, this show was made for you… A Jedi Master comes out and selects about 10 kids from the crowd to participate, they are all given toy light sabers and he trains them “in the ways of the force” for about 5 minutes. Suddenly they are interrupted by two storm troopers that come out and introduce the one and only Darth Vader. He comes out of a cloud of smoke, larger than life, and tries to lure the kids to join the dark side. Each kid then has the opportunity to use his/her new jedi knight training skills to duel Darth Vader in a one on one mini battle. Of course good conquers evil and the kids win and Darth Vader retreats backstage. There is thunderous applause from the crowd and the Jedi Master gives them all certificates for their successful training. This interactive show was the highlight of my son’s entire trip and I was so excited and thrilled that he had the opportunity to experience and take part in something that he so loves and is such a big fan of. Thanks Disney…

If you have the chance to see the new Monster’s Inc. Comedy Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland, it’s really funny. The show is hosted by Mike Wazowski and it’s funny and very interactive with the crowd. You have the opportunity to text in your own jokes for Mike to share and they have a hidden camera that allows them to interact and gently pick-on the member’s of the audience. There is a huge laugh-o-meter in the corner that they must fill before they will let us leave. It’s a really good show and if you are there when it’s hot outside, it’s a nice place to sit in the air-conditioning for a while.

We stayed at the Pop Century Resort, I think it’s the best out of all the value-resorts to stay at. The theming is really cute as it takes you through the pop cultures of the 50’s though the 90’s. We stayed in the 80’s section next to a huge Rubik’s Cube, our room was not a Preferred Room and yet I thought we were stationed really close to the food court, buses, and pool. –all the things you want to be close to.

HOT TIP: If you are riding on the Monorail, ask a Cast Member if you can sit with the driver. I had the opportunity to ride up front this trip and the views are panoramic and incredible. You’ll receive a Co-Pilot license and get to chat with the driver about their adventures. Note: You can also ask for a Co-Pilot license from your Disney shuttle bus driver as well!

The crowd’s weren’t too bad for July, our normal wait time for a ride was 10-20 minutes. Whew- It was hot! We had to take lots of breaks and went swimming or back to the hotel mid-day to cool off. Since we had rented a car I tried driving one day to the Parks instead of taking the Disney shuttle bus, in my opinion it’s much more convenient just to take the shuttle bus. Once you arrive at your Park’s parking lot (it’s free if you are staying on property to park), you wait for a tram to take you to a Transportation Center where you have the option to ride the Monorail or take a ferry to the Park. It is good to know you have options though.

We had a wonderful time and experienced many, many magical moments together. I loved watching the faces of my children as well as my parent’s as we saw the parades, shows, and characters together. I feel like I blinked and the trip was over, of course I was already planning our next trip in my head before we even left the property. –but for now… I got my Disney fix!!