Category: Uncategorized

DHS Open For Business

Open During Construction?????????????????

By now, nearly the entire planet is aware that there is construction taking place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS) at Walt Disney World.  What many may be asking is: What’s Left to visit?  Today, we will look at what there is to do, and if it is still worth a visit!

First, the attractions!  Still available for your entertainment are: Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, Toy Story Midway Mania, Tower Of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, and The Great Movie Ride presented by TCM.

There are several shows to view during your visit to DHS.  Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Disney Junior Live! on Stage, and Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show (due to close on April 3, 2016.  If the schedules match up well, you could find some very enjoyable moments with some of these offerings.

There are many restaurants available at this point, as well.  Make sure to take time to try one to make your day even more delightful!  My favorite?  50s Prime Time Cafe!50s prime

So, while there will be many, MANY construction walls around DHS, there is still plenty to do during your stay.  Is it worth a One-Day ticket price?  Maybe not!  Is it worth a visit during a week-long stay with Multi-Day Magic Your Way tickets? Absolutely!

Go, Have Fun!

Until next time, have a Blessed and Magical day, my friends!

Location Matters at WDW

First, let me say HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope that 2016 will bring you all great joy, blessings and abundant Disney Magic throughout the year.

Today, I want to revisit the issue of transportation around Walt Disney World.  I know, you are probably thinking, Why?  Well, in my ‘normal’ life, I am a bus driver for a major university.  I love buses!  I love them more when I am NOT the one driving!  I have recently been thinking about how Disney Transport does things around the WDW property. So, here’s what I have come up with so far.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Where you stay affects how well the transportation system may work for you!

Value:  It has been my observation that the best service may actually be mainly a Value Level benefit!  Most of these resorts have a single bus stop with dedicated service to all four theme parks and Disney Springs.  The only exception may be Disney’s All Star Resorts.  In recent months, there has been chatter about servicing each All Star individually.  This service may only be offered during ‘peak’ times of the year.  If you have experienced this, please let me know!  But, generally speaking this is the most efficient way to make use of Disney Transport services!  The main drawback is the position at the Bus Depots at the parks and Disney Springs is farthest away from the entrances.  But, for me, this is a minor inconvenience.

Moderate:  Bus service from the Moderate Resorts may be the most varied from resort to resort of any onsite resorts!  Port Orleans French Quarter is the exception to the rule with a single stop at the front of this smaller, moderate property.  All of the other resorts have multiple stops and service to those stops can be a little different depending on time of day. However, don’t let that keep you from using the bus as your primary way to navigate around WDW.  These resorts are beautiful and depending on the time of day you are using the service, it can be quite relaxing to enjoy the scenery!

Deluxe:  The Deluxe Resorts can be the most difficult to use.  Many of the resorts share buses.  For example, you may often see a single bus servicing Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and Grand Floridian resorts!  They are, however, the closest spots at the park Bus Depots!  I haven’t experienced this service, personally, but I think I’d be willing to give it a try for the joy of staying in this level of resort!

I think that’s enough for now!  Thanks for reading, my friends!  May you have a Blessed and Magical New Year!  Bye!

This JUST In…Arendelle is coming to the Norway Pavilion and MORE

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Tom Staggs, announced today that Frozen will indeed be moving into the Norway Pavilion with a target opening in early 2016.  The new attraction will be replacing Maelstrom, the popular attraction currently occupying the space where Arendelle will be taking up residence.

The attraction will present the looks and music made popular in Disney’s record-breaking hit, Frozen!  And, there will also be, what is being called, a royal greeting area where Anna and Elsa will greet park guests!  There is no word, yet, on how this may affect the meet and greet currently taking place at The Magic Kingdom.

The Frozen Summer Fun attractions are also being extended at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…well, some of them anyway.  the Sing-along is set to continue and Wandering Oaken’s is going to be moved to a new location closer to the same area.  It will have a larger play area, and will have real snow!

Finally, the holiday season at The Magic Kingdom will take on a bit of a different feel and Queen Elsa will transform Cinderella’s Castle into a real Ice Palace in the evenings.  And, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf will join the queen in the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade during the party.

Cinderella's Castle Ice Palace
Cinderella’s Castle
Ice Palace

Be Our Guest Podcast Fundraiser

The Be Our Guest Podcast annual fundraiser for Give Kids The World will take place on June 11, 2014 beginning at 11:00am Eastern time and will continue for 12 hours!  You will be able to listen to this event on Magical Mouse Radio found on Live 365, and there is usually an overflow site available.

BOGP GKTW 2014

The goal for this year is $10,000! I hope you will all consider how you might help and reach deep into your pockets to help Give Kids The World serve more families! I love GKTW and have chosen to get the word out when ever and where ever I can!

Visit http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/beourguestpodcast/twelvehourliveshow2014 for more information and giving!

For now, have a Blessed and Magical day, my friends!!

Split Stays at WDW

One way to enhance your stay at the Walt Disney World Resort, is to do what is called a Split Stay!  

A Split Stay is when you split your time at WDW between two, or more, on property resorts.  There are a few things to consider when looking into using this strategy, and I’ll try to cover a few of those here!

First, when thinking about doing a Split Stay, you must decide which resorts you want to use.  Generally speaking, I would recommend that you start in the lower category resort and finish at the higher category resort.  For instance, you could do 4 nights at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and then 3 nights at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.  In order to make this work, you will need to contact Disney directly, or your Disney Authorized Vacation Planner, to make these arrangements.  

One benefit to a Split Stay is that you can have your luggage transferred between resorts using Disney services, and you can head to a park, Downtown Disney, or where ever else you choose.  When you are ready, head to your new resort and check in.  Your bags will be delivered to your room promptly, and you are free to enjoy the amenities available to you!

If you are going to be going to the parks during both resort stays, you may want to purchase your park tickets with your originating resort, this will make things a lot easier.  Using the Dining Plan with Split Stays can be troublesome, however, so make sure you ask your reservationist or travel agent how that might work.  

Finally, when considering a Split Stay, you might want to determine how you are going to use the resort you are hopping to for the end of your stay.  Are you going to spend most of the time at a specific park?  You may want to choose a resort that is in closest proximity to that park.  Are you looking to relax and enjoy the amenities of your new resort?  Choose one that best fits what you want to accomplish.  Pampering, use a resort with a spa.  Swimming?  How about one with a fabulous pool area?  Are you a foodie?  Choose a resort with much talked about restaurants serving the cuisine you are most drawn toward!  

Split Stays can be fun and adventurous!  Just make sure you put as much time into planning this part of your stay as you have the rest!  And, ENJOY!!

I wish you a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!!

Walt Disney, A Memorial Day Tribute

When Walt Disney was 16, he tried to join the Army, but when he was turned down, he lied about his age and signed on with the ambulance service of the American Red Cross. Why, you may ask? Because Walt Disney believed that the freedoms of this country were worth defending, so he chose the only way he could, at the time, to fulfill his desire to do his duty!

Image

 

On this Memorial Day, in the United States, it seems appropriate to look at ways that patriotism is represented at Walt Disney World. There are three items that jump to mind when considering this line of thought. Let’s take a look at those, now!

In the Magic Kingdom, The Hall of Presidents is an obvious choice when considering how the US is represented in the parks at WDW. Based on Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at the 1964 World’s Fair, the Hall of Presidents offers a look at every president who ever held office in the United States of America. And, it is in Liberty Square, so it’s easy to find. One of the coolest things about this attraction, is that it is one of the coolest places to cool off in the Magic Kingdom!

Also in The Magic Kingdom is the Flag Retreat Ceremony! This takes place everyday at 5pm and is the official retirement of the US flag for the day. The respect and care of this 10 minute event reflects the importance of the American Flag as a symbol of the freedom we have here in the states. It is an awesome experience, and I highly recommend it! Here is a YouTube video from Undercover Tourist of the Flag Retreat, http://youtu.be/cIOG1iln7S0 Enjoy!!

Finally, we travel to EPCOT for the last attraction for today. The host pavilion for The World Showcase is also a giant representation of the patriotism and spirit of The United States. Of course, I am talking about The American Adventure! Most days, you can catch the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps. as they bring a unique sound to a couple of patriotic melodies. Inside, you will be greeted by the Voices of Liberty who will welcome you with beautiful harmonies that will raise the hair on the back of your neck, and raise a flag in your heart!

It seems fitting on this Memorial Day, to look at the patriotism that Walt Disney displayed in his lifetime and the legacy of patriotism he gave us all through these experiences in the parks of Walt Disney World!

For now, have a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!!

The Empress of WDW

Empress Lilly Riverboat Lake Buena Vista
Empress Lilly
Riverboat
Lake Buena Vista

Years ago, the Downtown Disney Area was simply known as The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, and one of the most notable venues was The Empress Lilly, named after Walt’s wife and life partner, Lillian Disney. It is a building designed by Disney Imagineers in the shape of a Mark Twain era paddlewheel riverboat. The detail on this was exquisite and it was very difficult to see whether or not it is an actual boat, or an outstanding piece of architecture.

My first visit to The Empress Lilly was on my first vacation to Walt Disney World in October of 1982. I was with my cousin and we decided to go for a Disney Character breakfast! It is one of the most memorable parts of that vacation and brings a smile to my face thinking about it, right now. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald, and I think a few princesses made the rounds, as well! How I wish I still had the pictures from that meal!

Fulton's Crab Shack Courtesy of Mouseplanet
Fulton’s Crab Shack
Courtesy of Mouseplanet

The Empress Lilly is now Fulton’s Crab Shack, and I’m not sure how it is figured into the plans for Disney Springs, but I vote to return Lilly to her former glory and let her shines as she once did! I would still go for character meals, if she went under a retroactive redo!

Anyway, those are my thoughts on the matter! Have a Blessed and Magical day, my friends!