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John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
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Three Disney Parks Plan Special Fireworks on July 4 Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios present special pyrotechnics, and Epcot adds a patriotic "tag" to its famous "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" spectacular. Here's what's in store (entertainment and park hours are subject to change without notice): Magic Kingdom - "Celebrate America Fireworks" will fill the sky at 9 p.m. July 4 (guests who'd like to begin the celebratory weekend a day early can enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.). After the fireworks, guests can enjoy Disney's "Main Street Electrical Parade" of lights, music and magic at 10 p.m. and midnight on July 4 (on July 3, the parade will be at 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Disney's Hollywood Studios - Special fireworks set to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack will be presented at 9:50 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement "Fantasmic!" (which will be at 9 and 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Epcot - "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," which features dazzling special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks, and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Earlier in the day, guests will be treated to the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert – featuring an expanded cast of singers plus the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters – at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Disney's Animal Kingdom - Guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows on July 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. (Source: Press Release, 06/17/10)
Dateline Disney - May-June 2010: Epcot: Chubby Checker ‘Twists,'
DIY Network ‘Crashes’ and Summer Sounds Fill the Air; Magic Kingdom:
Night of Joy Tickets Go On Sale for Star-Studded September Event,
‘Wishes’ Spectacular Gets Even ‘Sweeter’; Disney’s
Hollywood Studios: Star Wars Weekends Feels the Force in May and June; Disney
water parks: Blizzard Beach Marks 15 Years of Cool Fun
Want to Treat Yourself to Some Fall Fun? Eat, Drink and Be Mirthfully Merry as Walt Disney World Resort Presents a Season of Sights, Sounds, Smells and Very Good Tastes LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - New treats for the taste buds await Walt Disney World guests this fall - a season that also will feature treats for the ears of music-lovers, treats for the eyes of art-lovers and sports fans, treats that make good “scents” and lots of just plain trick-or-treats. Fall is traditionally a season of special events at the Vacation Kingdom, and 2010 will be no exception as the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Night of Joy, Festival of the Masters, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Children’s Miracle Network Classic for PGA players and the Old Spice Classic all return - to be joined by an all-new running event. And to top it off: There will be new dining adventures, new digs for Fido, and a place to make a "new you." Here’s a snapshot of what’s in store, beginning with what’s "all new": New adventures in dining During fall 2010, new culinary adventures coming to the Vacation Kingdom include an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria and a Latin chicken restaurant, while a popular Mexican restaurant reopens with a fresh menu and expanded seating: * In Italy at Epcot World Showcase, Via Napoli, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria operated by the Patina Restaurant Group, will feature wood-burning ovens - and will import water from a source that most resembles the water in Naples, Italy, home of some of the world’s best pizza dough. This 300-seat pizzeria will feature a menu inspired by the famous pizzerias of southern Italy. The menu also will feature pastas, salads, sandwiches and Italian wines. The Patina Restaurant Group also operates Tutto Italia Ristorante at the pavilion. * At Downtown Disney Marketplace, Pollo Campero, an international Latin chicken quick-service restaurant chain, has partnered with franchisee Levy Campero to deliver a new restaurant concept. The restaurant will showcase Pollo Campero’s signature Latin chicken (which features the taste of lime and orange juices, red bell peppers and a special blend of Latin herbs and spices) as well as a new fresh concept named Fresh A-Peel (featuring fresh salads, sandwiches, fruits and healthy snacks) plus vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, low-sodium or organic offerings. * In Mexico at Epcot World Showcase, an expanded Cantina de San Angel restaurant will feature 400 combined seats with al fresco seating for quick-service meals plus a new, air-conditioned table-service restaurant featuring authentic specialty dishes from Mexico created by the talented culinary team at San Angel Inn, LLC., which has operated the food service at the Mexico pavilion for more than 25 years. New digs for Fido and Frisky Slated for a late-summer opening, a full-service luxury pet care facility on Bonnet Creek Parkway across from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort will provide a comfortable home-away-from-home for Fido, Frisky and all their pet pals! The one-of-a-kind facility will be able to accommodate up to 270 dogs in a variety of standard and luxury suites, some with private outdoor patios and play yards. The separate "Kitty City" pavilion will be able to house up to 30 cats in two- and four-story cat condos. A special room is also available for the boarding of "pocket pets," Including pet hamsters and birds. The facility, to be operated by Best Friends Pet Care, will comprise more than 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space plus 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas. It will replace the five existing pet care facilities throughout Walt Disney World Resort and will be open to both Walt Disney World Resort guests and visitors staying off-property. New ‘Re-treats’ for your skin In time for fall, Givenchy is opening a shop at the France pavilion in Epcot that will be the only retail location in the United States to offer the full line of Givenchy make-up and skin-care products, as well as a large selection of Givenchy fragrances. New ‘ultimate night out’ for runners Imagine a foot race that starts at 10 p.m. and finishes, 13.1 miles later, with an exclusive party replete with culinary delights and specialty drinks from around the world. That’s the scenario for the signature race of the inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend on Oct. 1-2. The half marathon on Oct. 2 caps a schedule that also includes a two-day expo, 5K fun run and kids races - all during the opening two days of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The full details and registration are at www.disneywinedinerun.com. Let the music play! A star-powered 15-act lineup topped by Casting Crowns, Third Day, mercyme, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band and Family Force 5 will take the stage when Night of Joy returns to Magic Kingdom Sept. 10-11, kicking off the fall season’s special events. The lineup of Christian artists appearing over the two nights runs the spectrum from Rock, Hip Hop and R&B … to Pop, Adult Contemporary and Gospel - continuing a tradition that has been a hallmark of Night of Joy since 1983 when the event began. Admission to Night of Joy requires a special ticket, with concerts taking place during the evening following Magic Kingdom closing. Entry also includes the opportunity to enjoy many of the park’s popular attractions. More information is available at www.nightofjoy.com. At Epcot, the Eat to the Beat! Concert Series will serve up music as an accompaniment to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. A lineup of recording artists is scheduled to perform Oct. 1-Nov. 14 at America Gardens Theatre. Night Ranger, Boyz II Men, Taylor Dayne and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are among the musically diverse acts scheduled to appear on designated dates (lineup is subject to change without notice). The concerts are included with Epcot admission. More information will be available online this summer at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine. A grand adventure in good tastes continues When Walt Disney World Resort turned 25 in 1996, it popped the cork on a concept that has grown to become one of the Vacation Kingdom’s signature events: The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The 2010 festival, presented by Vanity Fair Napkins Oct. 1 through Nov. 14, is celebrating "15 years of delicious discoveries" with a focus on outdoor marketplaces where everyone from neophytes to epicures and aficionados can nibble and sip their way around the Epcot World Showcase promenade and across six continents of food and beverage adventures. While specific details are still in development for the 15th annual festival, expect talented culinarians from across America and around the world to be involved with the marketplaces as well as with specialty dinners, tequila tastings, seminars featuring cooking demonstrations and wine tastings, and the popular Saturday night grand tastings - Party for the Senses. The festival also will feature the popular Eat to the Beat! concert series each evening. Details about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be available this summer online at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine. Hauntingly happy fun is happening If the headless horseman is romping down Main Street, U.S.A. aboard his steed, ghostly apparitions are flitting among the buildings of Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle is draped in eerie hues and the night sky is being painted with bursts of orange and green fireworks, it can only mean one thing: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is back! Following Magic Kingdom closing on select autumn evenings between Sept. 14 and Nov. 1, the park reopens for this special-ticket event featuring trick-or-treating throughout the park, "Happy HalloWishes" fireworks spectacular, "Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade" - including Disney characters and the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction, and the opportunity to experience popular attractions including, of course, Haunted Mansion. Information about dates and tickets will be available at www.disneyworld.com/halloween. Picture this ….. Approximately 150 award-winning artists who turn clay, wood, metals, oils, watercolors and more into creations that treat the eyes - into things such as paintings, jewelry, sculptures and photographs - will show off their works at the 36th Festival of the Masters presented by Sharpie® Nov. 12-14 at Downtown Disney. One of the Southeast’s most highly regarded juried art festivals, Festival of the Masters features live entertainment and family-friendly activities each day. Admission and parking are complimentary. For more information, guests may visit www.disneyworld.com/artfestival. Drama on the links The 40th chapter of a PGA TOUR tradition will be written Nov. 11-14 when the Children’s Miracle Network Classic takes place on Disney’s Palm and Magnolia golf courses. If the latest chapter follows the script of recent decades, it will be filled with drama, as 21 of the last 28 Classics have been decided either by a playoff or a single stroke in regulation. 2009 was no exception, as Canada’s Stephen Ames parred the second hole of a playoff with George McNeill and Justin Leonard to win the $846,000 winner’s share of a $4.7 million purse. The Classic is the final official-money event of the PGA TOUR season, which means some players in the field likely will be hoping for a paycheck big enough to save their careers on the TOUR. More information: www.ChildrensMiracleNetworkClassic.com. Spicing the Thanksgiving feast with basketball Five years ago a new early-season tournament entered the college basketball universe, with Arkansas beating Marist for the inaugural Old Spice Classic crown at Walt Disney World Resort. Since then, North Carolina State, Gonzaga and most recently Florida State have claimed the title. This November a new crop of teams will huddle-up at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with one goal: the 2010 Old Spice Classic championship. California, Notre Dame, Temple, Texas A&M and Wisconsin - all of which went to the NCAA’s "big dance" this spring - will be joined by Boston College, Georgia and Manhattan for a Thanksgiving weekend basketball feast that will feature 12 games through three days, Nov. 25, 26 and 28. Additional information can be found on the Old Spice Classic Web site at www.OldSpiceClassic.com. For more information about ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, visit www.DisneySports.com. They’re going to Disney World! In TV commercials since 1987, football heroes have beamed and screamed "I’m Going to Disney World!" after they helped their team win a Super Bowl. In a twist on the storyline, about 2,000 football players from across the country have been shouting the same line each year since 1995 - but with the dream that Super Bowl glory will await at the end of the trip. They are the members of the 64 Pop Warner Little Scholars football teams that converge at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the Pop Warner Super Bowl each December. To reach the Pop Warner Super Bowl, teams nationwide will battle their way through local and regional tournaments. Teams compete in four divisions based on size and age - Jr. Pee Wee (ages 8-10 yrs.), Pee Wee (9-11 yrs.), Jr. Midget (10-12 yrs.) and Midget (11-14 yrs.). In addition to the gridiron action, the spectacle includes hundreds of squads competing in the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships. For more information, visit www.PopWarner.com. Music, art, food & wine, PGA golf and more…in one weekend! During a final fling of fall special-events fun, as Walt Disney World Resort transitions into a winter wonderland, guests can experience one very action-packed weekend Nov. 12-14: * The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival * The Festival of the Masters art show * The Children’s Miracle Network Classic for professional golfers * Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom on select evenings in November and December (including Nov. 12), guests can experience the enchantment of Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle plus two special entertainment extravaganzas, "Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" and the holiday-themed fireworks spectacular, "Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season." The special after-hours party, which requires a separate admission ticket, also features live Disney character stage shows, character greetings, cookies and cocoa, and even "snow" on Main Street, U.S.A. More details will be available at www.DisneyWorld.com/holidays. (Source: Press Release, 04/12/10)
Make mom feel special with these Mother's Day specials
St. Patrick’s Day parties in Orlando
Thinking Valentine's Day getaway, try these Florida options
Send Your Child a Personalized Message From Santa courtesy of Disney!
Put your child's name on Santa's list. Upload your child's photo and Santa
will send him or her a personalized video message.
Disney's Epcot offers a tradition framed by candlelight
Holiday events: Ah, Christmas in Florida
Theme parks' holiday music warms our hearts
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party online
Can't-miss holiday gifts for the traveler in your life
Parades, Fireworks Galore Head Entertainment Lineup on New Year’s
Eve at Walt Disney World Resort
Celebrating the ‘Season of Giving,’ 26th Annual 'Disney Parks
Christmas Day Parade' Broadcasts from Both Coasts, Airing on ABC-TV Dec.
25
Disney World soldiers on, looking for new ways to plus the Parks for the
holidays
Delicious Holiday Designs on Display at Walt Disney World Resort Pastry chefs throughout Walt Disney World Resort make things a little sweeter with deliciously decorative displays and sugar shacks made of yummy ingredients during the winter holidays. These candy-decked dwellings adorn the lobbies at various Walt Disney World resort hotels. On the menu this holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort: Disney’s Contemporary Resort New this year on the hotel’s fourth floor is a holiday tree inspired by the art of Disney Legend Mary Blair (whose work can be seen in the mural on the fourth-floor concourse wall). A team of 25 bakers created the 17-foot-high tree (6 feet wide) with gingerbread shingles. Ingredient fun facts:
136 lbs. of honey Disney’s Beach Club Resort This holiday season marks the 10th anniversary of the "Holiday Carousel," a fully detailed, life-sized carousel in the resort’s lobby that is created from a recipe that uses gingerbread, chocolate and sugar paste, and tons of enthusiasm, energy and talent. Guests who wish to take home a treat of their own can buy small gingerbread houses from the Beach Club Marketplace. Once a day, a guest is selected to have a photo with pastry chef Stefan Riemer and to receive a specially created gingerbread shingle. Carousel fun fact: 10 "hidden Mickeys," one for each year, can be found on the carousel. Ingredient fun facts:
36 lbs. of honey Disney’s Yacht Club Resort The lobby of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort becomes home to a delectable scene in motion: A miniature New England-style train races through a sugary rock mountain surrounded by a candy-coated model village in this don’t-miss edible display. For children,daily demonstrations of decorating gingerbread houses and gingerbread men are part of the fun. Disney’s BoardWalk The lobby of Disney’s BoardWalk features a "Holiday Gazebo" made of gingerbread and chocolate, with "hidden Mickeys" for guests to find. Offered at BoardWalk Bakery are miniature gingerbread houses, stollen bread and a limited-edition pin featuring Stitch and the gingerbread display. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa In the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a gingerbread house large enough that it doubles as a real bake shop. Featuring gingerbread using a classic Austrian recipe, the bake shop offers freshly baked items such as cookies and gingerbread ornaments. Other homemade items for sale include stollen bread, chocolate-peppermint bark, lollipops and special Grand Floridian logo boxes filled with truffles. Demonstrations of how to decorate a gingerbread house take place in front of the gingerbread house daily except Sundays. Gingerbread house fun fact: Chefs spend 400 hours baking the gingerbread and 160 hours decorating the house. Structure Composition:
16 feet high Gingerbread Ingredients:
1,050 lbs. honey American Adventure at Epcot Santa’s Bake Shop at Liberty Inn at the American Adventure pavilion enchants guests of all ages. Guests peer inside a life-sized gingerbread house at goodies galore. The giant structure, made entirely of gingerbread, cookies and icing, features more than 800 pounds of sugar and more than 1,000 eggs. Inside the bake shop, Christmas cookies and hot and cold beverages may be purchased. (Source: Press Release, 11/30/09)
Free holiday events: History Center Holiday and Holiday Pops
A flurry of fun in Florida for the holidays
Holiday travel tips for flying with children
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 |
Resources
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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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