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John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
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Holiday ‘Sleigh’ Rides Debut at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
Resort and
Campground
Ho, ho, ho or Oh, no? Holidays hit the
parks
SeaWorld Orlando: Polar Express pulls in Friday, more new holiday fare
Nov. 27
Holiday travel guide to Orlando theme parks
The kids can have some fun at Disney's Haunted Holidays site
Dateline Disney - November-December 2009
Disney World: Free face painting
Florida Halloween travel guide - Things go bump in the night all over
the state
Christmas by the Numbers at Walt Disney World Resort
Halloween Fun Has Begun -- and Continues Till Nov. 1 -- as Magic Kingdom
Hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Select Evenings
Halloween Fun Begins in Early September as Magic Kingdom Hosts Mickey’s
Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on 24 Select Evenings
Happy Haunting returns to Downtown Disney Stitch back in Magic Kingdom show for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Note: The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will open November 10 instead of the originally scheduled date of November 30!
Two cool things at Gaylord Palms
A ‘Celebration’ of the Season: During “What Will You
Celebrate?” Year, Glistening Ice Palace Marks Walt Disney World Resort
Transformation Into Festive Winter Wonderland
Three Disney Parks Plan Special Fireworks on July 4
Summer 2009 at Walt Disney World Resort The Season is the Reason to Celebrate, and Here are Some Ways: New Attraction to Idol-ize, Hail to the (New) Chief, What’s ‘Up’ at Downtown Disney, New Resort Experiences From May through August 2009, summer simmers with exciting new attractions and experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. The smash TV hit "American Idol" inspires a new attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios while, at Magic Kingdom, a Liberty Square icon reopens its doors and street parties turn up the spirit as Disney’s "What Will You Celebrate?" hits full-stride. Treehouse lodging is back, Stars Wars Weekends let guests release their inner Jedi, Downtown Disney unwraps new fun – on the ground and in the air – and there’s music, music, music filling the air at Epcot … Summer fun at "The American Idol Experience" This marks the first summer of fun for "The American Idol Experience," which puts Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests in the spotlight, immersing them in the thrill of auditioning and performing or voting on their favorite musical performances. Modeled after the famous "American Idol" television show, the newly opened Walt Disney World attraction makes dreams come true by showcasing the talents of park guests age 14 and older who have aced the auditions (audition slots are limited and interested guests are encouraged to arrive early or register online at www.disneyworld.com/idol). Like the television show, fans – not the onstage judges – have the final say on who is deemed the best of the best. With seating to accommodate 1,000 audience members, the high-tech theater is wired so guests can vote for their favorite singer. There are several show times daily. "What Will You Celebrate?" adds park fun, gifting option As "What Will You Celebrate?" invites Disney Parks guests to turn personal milestones into magical Disney experiences, the ways for guests to customize and personalize a visit are seemingly endless – and growing! With everything from fireworks cruises, street parties and behind-the-scenes tours to specialty cakes and in-room decorations to choose from, guests have more choices as they ponder, "How will I celebrate?" With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor a celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Thanks to new Web planning tools, learning about available choices and then customizing a "celebration vacation" itinerary is easier than ever. Through www.disneyparks.com, guests (or their travel agents) choose the celebration destination – Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. With a click, they access an interactive online celebration "planner" to shop the many experiences that are a cornerstone of a "celebration vacation" at Disney parks – experiences that transform guests into the stars of their own party whether the occasion is a birthday, anniversary, Quinceañera, personal triumph or any celebration. The icing on the cake of "What Will You Celebrate?": guests visiting one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks on their birthday in 2009 get in free. More than two million people have already registered their birthday on the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Web sites. Already, the parks have welcomed birthday celebrants from quadruplets turning 4 to a milestone birthday of 107. There is even a way to participate in a guest’s upcoming celebration visit when you can’t be there: by "gifting." The giver reviews the possibilities using the online planner, then calls a Disney Dream Maker to personalize and customize the gift. At Walt Disney World Resort, Dream Makers can be reached at 407/WDW-GIFT. The fun is nonstop, too, with a party spirit stamping new shows in Magic Kingdom: Everybody’s favorite galactic pal – the "Guru of Gross-Out," "the Maker of Mischief" – now stars in "Stitch’s SuperSonic Celebration," a live stage spectacle (grand opening May 6) in Tomorrowland that celebrates everything worth celebrating around the universe in honor of "Galaxy Day." This interactive, retro-futuristic musical revue features an animated version of Stitch interacting live with Magic Kingdom guests. The show also stars Tip Trendo, "celebritainer" party host extraordinaire, the Galactic Girls, Tip’s deep space diva back-up dancers, a pair of hip-hop robots run amuck, all underscored by a space-pop soundtrack that will rock the cosmos! Several show times daily. Floats, a cast of Disney characters, stilt walkers and more "move it" down Main Street, U.S.A. accompanied by high-energy tunes and an open invitation to guests to come join the fun during performances of "Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!" street party. Near Cinderella Castle, Mad Hatter, Genie, Lumiere and Sebastian – the life and light of the party – pop out of four huge boxes that dominate the floats. They join about a dozen other Disney characters headed by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse to mix and mingle and dance in the street with Magic Kingdom guests during a 12- to 15-minute party that takes place three times daily. New music, new costumes and changes to some of the floats are part of the afternoon Magic Kingdom parade, "Celebrate a Dream Come True." The procession through the park is an update to the former "Disney Dreams Come True" parade with more pauses – during which party dancers perform to get guests into a celebratory spirit – and with a grand marshal in the lead role of the procession. The new theme park fun continues at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot: Khaki-clad cast – including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy – gather near Disney’s Animal Kingdom entrance each evening during park closing to bid farewell to guests with the music-filled Adventurers’ Celebration Gathering. Cast members shake their pom-poms and urge guests to join in the street-party fun by dancing to the music and forming a conga line procession while the Disney characters keep the beat from atop their safari vehicle. Inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning "Kim Possible" animated series, Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventureinvites Epcot guests of all ages to take on the role of secret agents to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions. This ultra-interactive, high-tech adventure packed with mystery and excitement is offered in seven World Showcase pavilions. ‘Star Wars’ Weekends returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Once again, the power of the Force and the magic of Disney combine in May and June 2009 for Star Wars Weekends, a sci-fi fan-fest inspired by the popular film saga. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 22-June 14, Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes the temporary home for a band of out-of-this-world characters, including Wookiees, Sith, droids, Jedi, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Rodians. Dates are May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7 and June 12-14. A giant, "A to Z" gathering of Star Wars characters – from Anakin Skywalker to Zam Wesell – roams the streets of the theme park during meet-and-greet sessions. Jedi Training Academy – one of the interactive entertainment experiences featured in the theme park – takes place throughout the day on the event’s main stage and allows young guests to learn from a Jedi Master before testing newly acquired skills in a battle with Darth Vader. Also featured: the chance to purchase one-of-a-kind Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, special Star Wars parades, rides on the famed Star Tours attraction, and autograph sessions and star conversations with famous Star Wars actors and creative geniuses. Event activities are included in theme park admission. For more information, guests may go online to www.starwars.com or www.disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends. Music is in the air at Epcot Legendary music fills the air at Epcot during the summer of 2009 as the park hosts Flower Power concerts and Sounds Like Summer concerts at America Gardens Theatre. From Chubby Checker & The Wildcats to Tony Orlando, a lineup of music hit-makers from the 1960s and 1970s will strike nostalgic notes each weekend in May during Flower Power concerts that are part of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival through May 31. The lineup also includes The Nelsons, Jose Feliciano and The 5th Dimension. Guest information is available at www.disneyworld.com/flower (click on "Concerts") or by calling 407/824-4321. The whole family will be rockin’ and rollin’ when tribute bands recreate classic hits from musical icons under the stars as part of the Sounds Like Summer concert series daily June 15-Aug. 9. During the series, seven popular tribute bands will celebrate the music of the Bee Gees, Eagles, Bon Jovi, ABBA, the Supremes, U2 and Tom Petty. Concerts are included in regular Epcot admission. For more information, visit Disneyworld.com or call 407/824-4321. The Pirates League sets sail in Magic Kingdom June 29 Calling all scoundrels, rogues and ne’er-do-wells – Captain Jack and the crew of the Black Pearl want YOU. Starting in late June, the Pearl drops anchor in Adventureland for The Pirates League, recruiting and training park guests of all ages in the scurrilous ways of buccaneers. Each guest checking in at the plunder-filled recruitment office gets an official pirate name. Next step is the Muster Station where – after applications of beards and eye patches, scarves and scars, earrings and gold teeth – the new recruits leave their old identities behind. Past a hidden portal and into the treasure cache, the new shipmates speak the pirate oath and have their official "pirate portrait" taken before being turned loose on an unsuspecting Adventureland – and no doubt feeling right at home at the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Boys, girls and grownups ready for the pirate life start the process by calling 407/WDW-CREW beginning May 11. Packages start at $49.95 plus tax. Hall of Presidents to reopen in July; fireworks paint the skies July 4 A July reopening is planned for the Hall of Presidents, an iconic attraction in Magic Kingdom. An Audio-Animatronics version of President Barack Obama will join representations of the previous 43 presidents of the United States as part of an attraction that has been celebrating American history since Walt Disney World Resort opened in 1971. Disney Imagineers also are updating a broad array of show elements. The star-spangled fun doesn’t stop there… July Fourth is a grand celebration of all things America. What better patriotic place to be than Walt Disney World Resort as freedom rings from corner to corner of the Vacation Kingdom. "Disney’s Celebrate America!-A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky" will dazzle Magic Kingdom guests at 9 p.m. on the Fourth of July. That same park will feature a performance of the "SpectroMagic" nighttime parade, at 10:30 p.m. In the meantime, Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests are treated to a 9 p.m. performance of "Fantasmic!" while at Epcot, a holiday-inspired "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" bursts above World Showcase Lagoon at 10 p.m. ‘Picnic in the Park’ comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Summer guests to Disney’s Animal Kingdom have a new casual option to restaurant mealtimes – "Picnic in the Park" for al fresco dining. The to-go meal includes either sandwiches or rotisserie chicken or ham. Meals include sides, desserts and bottled water for each guest. Prices range from $24.99 for a meal for three to $56.99 for a meal for six. Meals can be booked at the podium near the park entrance or, after 1 p.m., picnics can be ordered at Tusker House Restaurant. Picnics are ready for pick-up within two hours at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery in the park. New and aloft at Downtown Disney: Characters in Flight Ever imagined lofty, Tinker Bell views of Walt Disney World Resort and beyond? That dream is now possible. Downtown Disney treats guests to breathtaking, 360-degree panoramas with a new iconic attraction, Characters in Flight operated by Aerophile. The tethered gas balloon takes guests 400 feet into the air from the waterfront of Downtown Disney West Side near Pleasure Island. The 72-foot-diameter balloon can accommodate up to 30 guests at a time on a six-minute "flight" by day or night, weather permitting. Characters in Flight made a spring debut, joining other newcomers at Downtown Disney for summer: Tren-D – a hip new Downtown Disney Marketplace boutique with urban-inspired fashions. Disney Design-a-Tee – presented by Hanes, inviting Marketplace guests to personalize the popular T-shirt souvenir to their own tastes. T-Rex : A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover – a fun prehistoric environment millions of years in the making. Paradiso 37, a Downtown Disney restaurant from E-Brands to feature a selection of menu offerings representing the 37 countries of the Americas. On the RISE: New ESPN event at sports complex The inaugural ESPN RISE Games presented by Target will take place July 19-25, 2009, at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The week-long event will be anchored by three invitation-only, elite high school sporting events: the AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase, the Under Armour High School Softball All-American game, and a new high school football event – Champion Gridiron Kings – a 7-on-7 competition featuring skill position players. The event will also feature competitive youth sports – baseball (10U, 11U and 12U), basketball (10U, 12U and 14U), field hockey (14U, U16 and 19U) and track & field (14-18). The ESPN RISE Games is expected to welcome 4,000 student athletes. Team enrollment for the event’s open basketball, baseball, field hockey and track & field programs is available. Additional information on the ESPN RISE Games presented by Target is available at www.espnrisegames.com. Whole new world of lodging greets summer guests New home-like accommodations presented by Disney Vacation Club are scheduled to debut in time for summer guests. New options will combine to revive "treehouse living" at Walt Disney World Resort, immerse guests in the African experience and offer up breathtaking views of Bay Lake and Cinderella Castle. Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Treehouse living, a cherished Walt Disney World tradition from 1975-2002, returns with the scheduled opening of 60 three-bedroom villas elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams. Designed to blend into the forest glens where they are nestled, these vacation villas will sleep up to nine and provide Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa with a new room category. Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Following the successful conversion of select rooms at Jambo House (at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) into vacation villas in 2007, Kidani Village is taking shape (for phased openings scheduled in the spring and fall) with thatched roofs and a hewn timber design. Kidani means "necklace" in Swahili and the new building is shaped like a piece of native African jewelry with villas forming the beads, walkways creating the knots in between and the lobby representing the ornament or jewel at its center. With the planned spring opening also comes Sanaa, a new family dining location, featuring savannah views at select tables and serving familiar foods from tandoor ovens in addition to slow-cooked specialties with the flavorful spices of Africa and India. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Scheduled to open late summer, Bay Lake Tower nestles beside Disney’s Contemporary Resort and will serve up a variety of views including grand vistas of lakes and land, such as Magic Kingdom, from its 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas. Planned amenities include a community hall, pool bar, in-room dining, tennis courts, a pool and a water play area. Disney Vacation Club accommodations can be booked by anyone for overnight stays through www.disneyworld.com or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639). Walt Disney World Resort debuts online check-in service In time for summer, Walt Disney World Resort has launched Online Check-In Service, designed to simplify and streamline guest arrivals. The new service is complimentary and available to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts. Within 10 days of their arrival dates, guests are able to provide check-in information, advise the resort of their arrival times and request room preferences (although those cannot be guaranteed). Guests can also register the names of all the people in their party and provide a credit card to cover charges at the resort hotel. Upon arrival at their resorts, guests visit a special welcome location where their room keys and other registration material are waiting. Disney cast members are also available to provide additional information and answer questions. Meeting professionals can also arrange private group check-in at a Disney resort convention center or other locations. For more information about the new Online Check-In Service or to make a resort reservation, call 407/W-DISNEY or your local travel agent or click on disneyworld.com. (Source: Press Release, 04/27/09) |
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Beth, a subscriber, writes:
We understand that Disney does NOT allow Santa outfits in the parks. I assume the same rule applies to Downtown Disney and the resort hotels as well. Disney is probably afraid of some predator using the outfit to attract children. It also confuses the children who may see 15 different santas in one day! And - perhaps the real reason - Disney wants to have absolute control over anyone wearing a costume on their property.
For a video of the Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld, see:
To read the Orlando Sentinel's Theme Park Rangers' review of "ICE"
- a walking tour of ice sculptures - at the Gaylord Palms, see:
"Cypress Gardens' Old Fashioned Christmas begins today at 6:30 p.m.
with the lighting of its Christmas tree. Among this Winter Haven park's offerings
are a living nativity show, an ice-skating presentation, carolers and some
of Cypress' Gardens original decorations on display."
"Walt Disney World is giving its Cinderella Castle a new nighttime,
ice-palace look for the holiday season, starting tonight... The ice-palace
look will be the big special effect of a new evening show running through
the holiday season, featuring the characters of Cinderella, including her
fairy godmother."
Disney is taping segments for its Christmas parade November 30 and
December 1. Donna and I were there once when Regis and Kathy Lee were taping.
They stopped the parade so many times that we felt it was easier to watch
it on TV! Orlando Sentinel's Theme Park Rangers talk about what you may or
may not see.
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "I thought I'd toss in my comments for what it's worth because so many families head to WDW for Thanksgiving. I agree with you that it's fun to go when the decorations are all up, but they aren't ALL up until the day after Thanksgiving, at which point the Candlelight Processional and other holiday activities begin. It's like getting two holidays for the price of one! When it comes to room rates, though, you have to be careful... There will almost certainly be some sort of offer out for November and early December, but the days right around Thanksgiving are usually considered "soft blackout" dates. That means that if you're arriving at the resort prior to those dates the discounted rate can carry through, but you can't arrive ON one of the blackout dates and get the discount. Last year the blackout dates were Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Thanksgiving week so that's a good bet for this year. Also, while the discounts may technically apply to the dates if you arrive before the blackout, they have very few rooms at the discounted rates. Many people don't understand that only a certain number of rooms per night at each resort are set aside as "discounted inventory" and the number of rooms given to that inventory varies based on many factors. Thanksgiving is a really popular time, so those nights will only have a fraction of the inventory available - and if even one night out of the dates you ask for isn't available Disney reservationists will just say that your dates aren't available. You have to push them to tell you what night or nights are messing up your request. Then you can either try another resort for the whole time, or split your stay amongst two or more resorts so that you're getting a discount the whole time. And as always, the key is to BOOK EARLY if you have your heart set on it. I always keep a list of people already booked that are waiting for discounts so that I can try to convert the rates within the first few hours of an offer, but if you've booked directly you'll need to be watching and jump right on it. And that's my two cents!"
Lisa writes: "Hi John. I will be taking my second WDW trip w/all your tips in hand with my exchange student from Thailand. She is thrilled beyond words to be going to the most All-American place there is!!! I know last year our trip nearly coincided with Disney’s "Gay Days" - I definitely want to avoid that this trip as well. When does this week run thru? I won’t book my hotel until I hear back from you!!! Thanks a million -- again."
Cynthia writes: "My niece, and my best friend's daughter, are graduating from high school in May. We decided to take them to WDW in celebration of this event. We have planned to go May 23-27, however, I wanted to find out from you if this is a good time to go. We will only have three days in the parks so I want to go during a time when we can cover a lot of ground and the girls can get the most out of their experience. I believe that is the week before most schools let out for the summer, but I'm not sure. Thanks so much for the great newsletter and online book. We always enjoy out Affordable Disney breaks! God bless." It is the week before many schools let out. However, the regular season includes April 17 - August 27. Crowds will be heavier than if you were going during the value season: January 1 - February 16, August 28 - October 4, November 27 - December 19. Still, you will be out of there before the Memorial Day weekend visitors crowd the parks. Thanks for your kind comments!
Sarah writes: "Do you know when WDW takes down their holiday decorations and concludes the holiday celebrations? We are trying to plan a trip for Jan. but would like to see all the holiday shows. I can't get anyone to talk to on the phone at Disney World. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!" Celebrations end New Years. They will begin taking the Christmas decorations down January 1, but there's a lot of them. If you arrive the first week in January, you may still be able to see some of them before they're all packed away.
Amy, a Lifetime Member, writes: "I was writing to see if anyone has ever written in about the Night of Joy concerts at the MK. I was looking into it for my 9 and 11 year old, but don't want to waste the time and money if the crowds are too big and if we won't be able to enjoy it. Thanks for the help." The place is full of teens who can be pretty loud and hyperactive. If it's crowded, expect long waits to get on the rides and buses will be crowded at closing time.
Beth, our travel agent, sent us her Halloween trip report: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party "None of us (three adults and two children, ages 5 and 6) had done this event before and really didn't know what to expect. First of all, the Magic Kingdom was really all decked out for this. They even had orange spot lights on the trees as you approached the Magic Kingdom, and a thick blanket of "fog" creeping into the area. Inside the gates, pumpkins and haystacks and Halloween balloons were everywhere, and the park music for the evening was Halloween-appropriate. We arrived right about 7:00 as the party officially started, and we were all given small black and orange trick-or-treat bags as we entered. The candy locations were clearly marked with giant green balloon-like things, and there were plenty of these stations all over the park, but for the most part the candy was pretty disappointing. We got a lot of Jolly Ranchers and Starburst Fruit Chews. Tweedle Dum took a liking to my daughter and showered her with tiny boxes of Junior Mints and bite-sized Nestle chocolate bars, but that's about as good as it got. In other words, don't bill this as an alternative to trick-or-treating at home. The vast majority of children were in costume, and a good number of adults were as well (although adults not in costume were numerous enough that you couldn't really go wrong either way). HINT: Don't bring hand-held props (like magic wands or light sabers) because you need your hands for other things, and because children tend to flail their props around, making them a potential safety hazard. Also, be sure costumes fit loosely enough so as not to hamper getting on and off attractions. The parade was done twice, but we only watched the first one. We grabbed a great spot on the wall in Frontierland about ten minutes before the starting time of the parade - and then we waited, and waited, and waited. The Headless Horseman rode through as the parade began at the foot of Main Street - and that was REALLY a wondrous thing to behold, given that the rider can't see a thing and it's up to the horse to get through the parade route at a gallop - but then it took a long time for the rest of the parade to catch up. It was worth the wait, though, despite it's shorter-than-normal length. Every costume and float that I saw was unique to what I've seen in other Disney parades. By the time we saw the 8:00 parade, it was time to go find a spot for the 9:15 fireworks. We raced through the square and then toward the Crystal Palace, cutting across Main Street and heading up to my favorite terrace for watching fireworks. If you go during the day you can see the wire that Tinkerbell flies on and it goes right over the tables and chairs of the Plaza Pavilion, but the terrace was closed and roped off! So we turned around and ran back a few steps to the outdoor seating area of Main Street's Plaza Restaurant. The dining terrace along the water is normally closed off for VIP fireworks viewing, but this night it wasn't and so we ran down and grabbed a table and five chairs. We were in place by 9:05, but the 9:15 fireworks didn't start until 9:20 so we found ourselves entertaining the children yet again. Finally, the fireworks started and they didn't disappoint. Tink didn't make her usual flight, but a witch decked out in green lights took her place, and the fireworks surrounding the MK were - as always - a sight to behold. Finally, we went back to doing attractions. The longest line of the evening was about 20 minutes at the Speedway, but otherwise the lines ranged from nonexistent to minimal. We accomplished six things in 90 minutes. We'd knocked out a few attractions prior to the parade as well, and out little darlings were beginning to get pooped. So, while there was still a good hour of party time to go, we headed for the exit. Apparently, other people had the same idea because there was a mass exodus heading down Main Street. It must have been WONDERFUL doing attractions that last hour, because almost everyone was gone by then! In short, I think this is a really fun thing to do if you're at WDW in October on one of the designated nights. If you've been to the Magic Kingdom numerous times then you can probably make this your one and only MK visit, and since the ticket costs just $32 for adults and $26 for kids (plus tax) if purchased in advance, it's a bargain compared to using a park hopper day to get in. If you've never been to the MK before or your children are small and will have a hard time with the 7 PM-midnight timing of the party, then you might still want to go because it's fun to see the characters in Halloween costumes, but you'll probably still need to go back for a half day or so at some point in your trip to finish up anything you didn't get to."
Lisa writes: "we spent the extra money to get in for Mickey's Christmas at Magic Kingdom and we all agreed it was well worth the $38.00. Parade was awesome and the fireworks were great. The Christmas concert at Epcot was truly amazing. The night we were there, Rita Moreno was the reader for The story of Jesus. It was a show I will never forget..."
Rob complained that he "stayed at movies resort [in November], very noisy even at 3 in the morning." A subscriber writes: " In regards to Bob's email.....the reason it was so noisy with kids at the All Stars Resort was because the POP WARNER teams and cheerleaders were there for competitions.....we too stayed at the All Stars and next time will call to see if there are cheerleaders or ball teams staying there too....A call to the front desk did result in them sending someone out to check the noise level and break up the group."
Beth, our travel agent, writes: "And speaking of Mickey's Party... This was the sixth year that I've attended. The complimentary cookies aren't as good as they were when I started going, but the hot chocolate to wash them down with is as good as ever. It no longer snows on Main Street all night long, but it flurries frequently enough to keep everyone happy. The giant Christmas Tree is as lovely as ever, and the shows and two parades are equally good. I applaud Disney for finally wising up and providing more dining opportunities this year than before. (It used to be mighty hard to get a bite to eat!) For those that aren't familiar with the event, Disney selects about a dozen evenings every December (usually Thursday, Friday and Sunday) for this extra-special celebration. They shut down the Magic Kingdom at 6:00, then reopen at 7:00 just for those with special party tickets (sold in advance, or at the gate if still available). There are a limited number of tickets sold, so the lines tend to be significantly shorter than what you encounter during the day. Not all attractions are open, but the majority are. Cookies and hot chocolate are complimentary (and as we found out this year, so are stroller rentals!), and every guest can have a complimentary holiday photo taken as well. It's mailed to you - or anyone else you designate - several weeks later. There are two special Christmas parades, several shows, and a fireworks display that has to be seen to be believed. The Main Street snow flurries with the huge Christmas tree at one end and Cindy's Castle at the other - and all those incredible holiday decorations in between - add a really magical touch. We also attended the Candlelight Processional in Epcot. It was significantly colder that evening than it was for Mickey's Party, so we had the long-Johns and mittens on, but it was still great. (Yes, it does get that cold in Florida!) The Candlelight Processional occurs several times nightly starting right after Thanksgiving. Students from high schools all over the country process to the American Gardens Amphitheatre wearing golden choir robes and holding tall candles to light their way. They join a "tree" of Disney castmembers in green robes already on stage in tree formation. A fabulous 50-piece orchestra and six of Disney's best vocalists are gathered in front, and the most incredible sign language interpreter I've ever seen (she truly sings with her hands) returns each year. About a dozen of the most beloved carols and holiday music are performed to perfection, and in between a celebrity guest narrator tells the Christmas story. We saw Rita Moreno this year, but other narrators include Robby Benson, Edward James Olmos, David Ogden Stiers, and Gary Sinise, to name a few. The Processional may be seen by anyone that cares to wait in line for a long time or stand in the back, but if you want a guaranteed seat you need to purchase the dinner package. There are three tiers of Epcot restaurants participating, the least expensive of which are the ones offering buffet-style meals. We once again opted for Chefs de France, a top tier location. We paid about $45 per adult, but that includes an appetizer, soup or salad; an entree; dessert; a non-alcoholic beverage; tax and gratuity. I quickly added up my choices, and I'd have spent about $52 if I'd done it without the package so the guaranteed show seating is really just a nice bonus to what would otherwise be a bargain meal. The theatre holds about 2000 people, and we were told that there were just under 1000 packages sold for the 8:15 performance we saw Saturday night, so the first 1000 or so that stood in the general admission line got in (after the rest of us were seated). You don't know what the availability will be, though, so if you have your heart set on it and don't want to pay for it then be prepared to stand in a very long line for a very long time! Also, note that every person needs a regular admission to Epcot to enter the park in the first place, that if you wait until the narrators are announced before you book your room you'll probably miss out on the best deals, and that dinner packages for kids are available for around $10 + tax. It's a great way to get in the holiday mood, whether you happen to be Christian or not!"
Greg and Kelli write: "We just returned from our 3rd trip to Disney World. This newsletter has provided us with so many tips and useful information. I thought I should pass on a few ideas. We attended the SOLD OUT Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It was wonderful. I do think we could have gotten in a little early, but we did not know that. We just heard some people talking about it. So be sure to ask - I am sure it will be the same for the 'Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.' This trip we let our children begin pin trading. They loved the concept and were very excited to get new pins and trade with cast members. However, they were very disappointed that they didn't get the Halloween Party pin. We decided to wait until we were ready to leave to get the pins and little did we know that was a big mistake. They were all sold out - at least to the general ticket holder. If you had an Annual Pass, then they still had a stash to sell. We learned a big lesson - GET YOUR PINS FIRST. We had 4 girls dressed as Minnie Mouse and 1 boy dressed as Mickey -- they were all adorned with glow sticks that we bought from an online auction and carried from home. The characters loved them and really paid special attention to them. The Halloween Party is a MUST I am trying to figure out how to get back to WDW for the Christmas Party. Can't wait for our next trip!"
Melinda writes: "We just got back from Disney we had a wonderful time. we wanted to tell you that if you have not seen it Wishes is wonderful it made me cry. We also attended the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. it was great. we had a wonderful time. our only complaint was that we could have gotten in at 4.00pm instead of 7:00pm. we did not ask so that was partially our fault, but it would have been nice to know that we could have gotten in. so I wanted to tell everyone to ask so that they know if they can get in early. No matter what it was worth every penny. We all dressed up. We ate with Cinderella that morning and met the fairy godmother as well and told her that my daughter was going to be Cinderella and I was going to be the Fairy Godmother. The fairy godmother wanted to make sure we came to see her that night because she wanted to see me as her. it was great because she remembered us and thought I was beautiful. I just wanted to tell you how are trip was - it was great. This was our first time at a All Star and it was great as well. a big change from the Polynesian but it was still the Disney spirit."
Donald writes: "We recently returned from our second year of attending the Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom; it might be something people haven't considered before. It is held the weekend after Labor Day (so there are often hotel specials available) and the MK has at least four stages set up for popular Contemporary Christian music acts to perform. The event runs from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. A single night ticket is $32.50. As always at MK, arrive early. This is usually a sold-out event, so arriving at 7:00 or before is advised - you can mill around Main St. USA until the ropes drop. If you like riding the feature rides at MK, this is a great opportunity to hit a lot of them without lines, especially at the start. The reason is that the multiple music concerts begin right at 7:30 also and lots of people head straight to them. My son and I were able to walk on to Buzz Light year twice, Peter Pan's Flight, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean all in less than an hour with very little or no lines. The musicians usually play two sets each during the evening, so I started going to those after we had our fill of walking on to rides which normally had 20-60 minutes waits during the day. As the evening wears on, a few rides get lines (most notably Space Mountain), but most rides have shorter-than-normal lines for the entire evening (a lot of the folks there are really into the music and will hop from stage to stage most of the night without riding rides). Even though it is only a 5-hour event each night, we view it as win-win: we get to see uplifting concerts (they're 45-minute sets) from top names in Christian music (some new, some old), and ride as many "big" rides as we're often able to do only in a full day at MK. Even if the music isn't a big attraction to you, you could hit rides to your heart's content for 4-5 hours. There are some drawbacks:
* No Fast Passes (but there's usually no need) In all, though, it's a different and interesting way to experience the MK."
A subscriber writes about Gay week which runs the first week in June at WDW: "We ALWAYS book our trip for this week (annually) because the lines in the MK are shorter than normal this time of year. My kids are 8 and 5 and really don't notice it...there's always so much Disney fanfare to catch their attention. As for my husband and I, we have seen some interesting things that are more humorous than anything.....but we love the short lines! Thanks for a great newsletter!"
Gay Week at Walt Disney World Beth writes: "I have no problem with those who prefer to pair up with partners of the same sex... I have every intention of teaching my daughter not to judge people because of their sexual preference, but she's only five now and I really don't want to start teaching her the principles of tolerance and understanding in the middle of the Magic Kingdom while we're on vacation. Anyone that can relate to that and plans to be at WDW the first week in June might want to take a quick look at the schedule below. I don't know who designates them, but that's the way it is. Sure, there are gay people in the parks all the time and no one cares or even gives it another thought because it's a non-issue. But during Gay Days many people that would never, ever walk around the parks groping their partner in public displays of affection seem overcome by the knowledge that on these four days they are much less a minority than usual. Not everyone, mind you. Not even most. But many more people than usual, and if you are in the "park of the day" then you will most assuredly see what I mean. If you're looking forward to the event, then good for you. Go and have a wonderful time. If you're of the other ilk and you're thinking of NOT going because of the event, don't deny yourself the pleasure of the parks. Just avoid the places on the schedule at those times, relax, and have fun. They are very big parks, and there's plenty of room for everyone. Whatever your thoughts may be on the subject, set them aside for a few days and concentrate on the things that are really important in life. A spin or two through "It's a Small World" ought to do the trick." For Gay Days schedule of events, click here.
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