My Disney Fix

2009 WDW Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA
The marathon, half marathon, and 5K all take place this Thursday, Jan. 8th through Sunday, Jan. 11th. This is one race weekend where the smiles easily outnumber the miles. It's the only place in the world where you can earn the exclusive, and highly coveted Disney Medals. Weekend Events include:
Walt Disney World® Marathon
Walt Disney World® Half Marathon
Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge
Circle of Life 5k
Disney's Kids' Races and Mickey's Marathon Kids' Fest
Disney's Health and Fitness Expo
*Good luck to everyone participating!*

New Store Opening at Downtown Disney
If you have ever wanted to customize your own Disney t-shirt, this shop is for you and offers lots of interactive fun! "Disney Design a Tee" Presented by Hanes allows you to design your tee your way! Choose a short or long sleeved tee shirt in a variety of vibrant colors and create your personalized tee by choosing from over 300 pieces of Disney art and add up to four lines of text. Here you can have your name imprinted on specially designed commemorative t-shirts. Your tee shirt is printed while you wait and you can event watch them being made on the video screens in the store.
So, whether you are celebrating your birthday, commemorating your recent nuptials or identifying your family members with our special "Family Reunion" tees, you're sure to come away with a special memory that will last a lifetime.
The first 100 guests at the Grand Opening of Disney Disign A Tee presented by Hanes will receie: A complmentary Lanyard, button, mini souvenr tee, plus a $5.00 off coupon toward the purchase of your Design A Tee. Grand Opening is schedule for Friday, Jan. 9th 2009.

Smuckers Sweepstakes Prize is Trip for 10 to Walt Disney World
Smuckers and Jif are offering a fantastic sweepstakes. All you have to do is tell them about an achievement by an extraordinary child in your life and you could win a trip for 10 to Walt Disney World. And even if you don't win, if you download the submission form and submit it properly (see website) you could win a scrapbook kit.
Check out full details at Smuckers website: http://www.smuckers.com/promotions/disney/Default.aspx.

(And if you win, please make sure you come back and tell us all about it!-or better yet, take me with you!)

Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Rumor
I know some people are getting sick and tired of the whole Pirates of the Caribbean thing; but for those of us die-hard Pirate fans, this is great news! I also think that when a franchise makes that much money, it’s hard to let it die. We’ve been hearing rumblings about a possible fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie for months now, but last night I read an article which not only confirmed a fourth movie will almost certainly be happening. More importantly, Johnny Depp is all but assured to return, also returning will be Geoffrey Rush and Gore Verbinski as director, but forget about the rest of the cast because from now on the movies will only be about Captain Jack. That’s right, Pirates 4 will cast aside Will and Elizabeth to make it an all Jack Sparrow movie. None of this info. has been confirmed, it's a rumor buzz going around right now. I'll let you know when I hear more!

New Kim Possible Interactive Game Challenge at EPCOT
Disney is currently trial running a new game for families in the World Showcase, and they are randomly selecting 60 park guests each day to play. If you agree to participate, you are given a "Kim-unicator", which is actually a Vererizon cell phone. The phone uses audio and video to instruct you through your missions throughout each country. It's extremely interactive and once you have completed your mission, your phone somehow triggers inanimate objects to come to life and you'll meet several average looking Cast Members who are actually undercover and playing the game with you. For more info. go to http://allears.net/tp/ep/kimpossible.htm

Sleeping Beauty Castle Opens it's doors in Disneyland
I am personally so excited about this announcement, I think I may have to do a "research trip" for this one! :) To celebrate Sleeping Beauty's 50th anniversary in 2009, the original 1957 Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough from Disneyland has been virtually recreated. "Would you like to go inside Sleeping Beauty Castle? Not just across the drawbridge and through Sleeping Beauty Castle... and not just into Glassblower shop... but actually up into the Castle?"
I would!!.. The castle has opened it's doors and you now have the ability to walk through all the corridors and secret passageways to find classic Sleeping Beauty scenes come to life. For more info. and to see some pics go to Yesterland's website: http://www.yesterland.com/sbwalkthru.html

Disneyland Trivia Question
Speaking of Disneyland, did you know- When originally designing Disneyland's new attraction the Haunted Mansion, what was the reason Imagineers needed to create the stretch rom?

It was to lower the guests so they could walk under the train tracks!
-If you know of any Disneyana trivia, please send it to me and I'll post it for you!

Space Mountain in WDW Closing for Extensive Renovations
(no worries for the Kmeicik-Salley family, you will still have time to ride before it closes! :)
One of the more iconic attractions at Walt Disney World is getting a makeover.
Disney said Wednesday it will shut down Space Mountain this spring for what the company described as a months-long “refreshment” of the 34-year-old Magic Kingdom roller coaster.
The ride will close April 19, just after the Easter holiday. It is expected to reopen late in the year.
The construction work will include installing new track inside the enclosed coaster, which carries guests in the dark through a series of sudden drops and sharp turns. The layout of the track will remain the same, however. Other upgrades will include a new enclosure for the ride’s queuing area and a new ceiling inside its signature, white dome.

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
Splash Mountain - 1/4/09 - 1/18/09
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 19 - 28, 2009
Buzz Lightyear 3/2 – 3/6/09
Space Mountain 4/19/2009-late 2009
Tomorrowland Transit Authority - 4/19/09 - 8/19/09

Animal Kingdom Theme Park
-none-

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Backlot Tour - January 4 – February 28, 2009
Voyage of the Little Mermaid January 27-29, 2009
Sounds Dangerous- temporarily closed, operates seasonally

To my friend's the Leo Family, welcome home- I hope your holidays at WDW were filled with magical moments and memories!

Congratulations Courtney Huckaby (remember Donald Duck's long lost cousin?) and Ann Fowler on your wedding engagements! I am so happy for both couples- love is definitey in the air!

Disney Specials
WDW- Book a 4-night Walt Disney World® Resort Magic Your Way package and get 3 more nights - Free! This offer requires a minimum 5 night stay and is valid for travel most nights Jan 25- Apr 4, 2009 & Apr 19 - June 27, 2009. (some black out dates apply)
And... A Very Magical Bonus Offer! While it lasts! Travel between January 25, 2009 -March 29, 2009 and get a $200 Disney Gift Card too!
The number of rooms is limited for this offer, so don't wait to long! Packages must be booked by January 24, 2009.

Disneyland- From January 6 through April 30, 2009, when you purchase a 3-Day or longer Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® souvenir ticket, you’ll pay the kid’s price—even if you’re only a kid at heart! So bring your whole family and celebrate in both Theme Parks—Disneyland® Park and Disney’s California Adventure® Park.

Disney Cruise- Kids 12 and under sail FREE on most 3-Night cruises 1/22/09 - 5/28/09 with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. (Government Taxes and Fees not included)

Adventures by Disney- Don't miss the opportunity to save in a big way on the vacation of a lifetime. Our Early Bookings Rates are still available on select new 2009 itineraries when booked 90 days prior to departure. A family of four can save at least $1600 with our Early Booking Rate!*