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John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
Margaret writes: "Hopefully you will know right off which Disney attraction has the room that grows? I know we've been there on one of our 7 trips, but I just can't place it. My 8-year old daughter remembers it has pictures on the wall that "get longer" and the floor gets farther away from the ceiling. It seems to me it's a waiting area pre-show or something and everyone is standing up, before going in to the main attraction. I remember they tell you to step inside the carpeted area of the room, before the room "grows." Maybe I'm confused and it's NOT Disney? By the way, we love your site and all the great info and tips we receive as subscribers!" You're referring to the Haunted Mansion pre-show. Glad you are enjoying the information! |
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Yvette writes us about our dining tips: "Hi John, Just made reservations at the Crystal Palace without a hitch and the reservationist was extremely nice ... I have a large party - 10 people - and got priority seating. EXCELLENT!!! Thank you so much for the information."
Duane writes: "I get your newsletter every week and it has been very helpful. I also appreciated the special email you sent out in regarding the price increase in tickets and your recommendation to buy them now. I took you advice and bought the Park Hopper Plus special that [your agent] had before the price increase. Our trip is the first week in November and so far I have been able to get great reservations for The Hoop Dee Do, Chef Mickey's, The Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grill and the Princess Storybook Breakfast. The last one I needed to make was for Cinderella's Royal Table Breakfast, which is the hardest to get... I called dining services and could not get a reservation for the day I wanted. In fact, I could not get a reservation for any day that we are there. They are already all booked up. Could you lend any advice on a approach I should make to Disney about squeezing me in, or do you think it is a waste of time? They told me to just keep calling every day to see if someone cancelled. Thanks again for your help." Yes, call everyday and hope for a cancellation. I would visit the restaurant to see if there were any last minute "no shows." See our book , "Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation," for more tips on what to do when Disney restaurants are booked out. Reservations can be made 180 days in advance by calling 407/939-3463. If you are staying at a Disney-owned and operated resort, you can make up to 10 days worth of reservations when you call. You will be asked to provide a valid reservation number to do so. Otherwise, or if you're staying at a non-Disney hotel, you will have to call back each morning to make the reservations for the day 180 days later. You can make reservations up to one year in advance for Mickey's Backyard Barbecue. Disney books reservations 5 to 10 minutes apart. If 6:30 PM is unavailable, try 6:35 or 6:40 PM. Ellen writes: About Duane's trouble getting a princess breakfast at the castle... I had the same problem, and thought we would have to settle for a dinner instead. Fortunately, I called the day before I was leaving for Disney and I got a cancellation! Tell him to keep calling at various times---say a few prayers---and hopefully the "dining reservation gods" will smile on him and he will get what he wants. At our breakfast I spoke to at least 2 families that got their reservations at check in---only 48 hours in advance. There is hope---keep trying!" Duane wrote us back: "I wanted to update you on my mission to get priority seating for Cinderella's Breakfast. I did as you suggested and called to see if they could squeeze me in. They explained that they only have 30 tables and only seat for 2 hours each day, and that they do not overbook. They explained that I needed to just call every day, and hope for a cancellation. I was able to get the cast member to be empathetic with me and she suggested that I call guest services and tell them my situation and that maybe they could help. Well I did that and I was nice to the person again getting them to be empathetic with me. After a 40 minute phone call and a complete education about priority seating and Disney's way of doing things, as a final option, the cast member offered to put my name on a waiting list. I have never heard of such a list but figured what the heck so I gave her my info. Well tonight at about 8:30, my cell phone rang with a call from Disney! They had a cancellation for November 4th for a party of 4 at 8:30am. Needless to say, I took the reservation, which happened to be on the day I originally wanted! I think this proves again, you can catch more bees with honey than you can with vinegar! Thanks for the advice!" Duane, I'm sure your experience will be of help to others. Thanks for letting us know.
Jeannie writes: "Just an FYI for the readers - I booked my reservations and priority seating arrangements yesterday for our upcoming Disney trip in September. Upon attempting to book Cinderella's Royal Table I was informed that ... the phone lines open at 7 am. The operator informed me that it may be full by 7:02 am! She said I may need to keep several mornings open and try every morning in order to get through." Kim in South Carolina writes: "In response to Jeannie's submission [last week about her difficulty in getting priority seating arrangements at Cinderella's Royal Table at the Castle], I also made reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table but was told by a Disney Reservationist that I should start calling at 6:50 am as the lines might possibly open a little bit before 7 am. I did and received a Reservationist at 6:58 am who stated nicely "Let's cut the small talk because if I don't get the details for your reservation, they will all be gone before we finish the pleasantries. I had no problem with that and was able to make the reservations that we needed to take our triplets to Cinderella's Royal Table for their 8th birthday breakfast (total of 7 in our party). It was wonderful as the tables were decorated and the boys each received a special "chocolate" breakfast muffin. Take my advice - call earlier than 7am!" Thanks, Kim, for this very valuable tip!
Nicki writes: "I have been using your book faithfully to plan our WDW vacation in June. It has been worth its weight in gold! Using the special codes you provided have saved us a lot of money. In fact, when placing my reservation, the WDW employee said she could not get as good as deal as I did even with her employee discount!" Thanks for the feedback, Nicki. Glad you are enjoying the book!
Joe writes: "I have a question I hope you can answer. I was under the assumption through your Disney News, that the Carousel Of Progress is closed. But my brother insists it's still open. What's up?" The latest word is that Disney is only going to open it during the busy seasons, but that is always subject to change!
Alice writes: "Hi John, We were at Magic Kingdom on New Year's Eve. The parking lot was closed at 11:00 am. We were in early. What was the attendance that day? It was crowded, but we were able to do all the activities we had planned, using tips from your book." Disney doesn't release its figures, but capacity at MK is 50,000. I am really happy that you were able to do so much following our tips! Thank you for the great feedback!
Disney has increased the number of characters in the Magic Kingdom. The park opening ceremony at the Magic Kingdom involves characters arriving at the Main Street Railroad Station before the park opens. There is also a trolley show and characters showing up in the morning at the Transportation and Ticket Center. (Source: Screamscape.com)
Many visitors to the Magic Kingdom take the Walt Disney World Railroad to get from the rear of the park to the front exit. Cast members are warning that the train sometimes stops running from Toontown - the rear of the park - before the fireworks start. So if you're counting on taking the train to leave Toontown, leave 30 minutes prior to closing.
Disney is now offering narration of some of its attractions in French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. The guest wears headphones and carries a translation unit that receives infrared signals that transmits the translation to her headphones. The equipment is available for pick up at Guest Services at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and MGM. Disney already offers its menus and ticket buying instructions in several languages. Park guests can also call for an interpreter at 407/824-2222.
Chef of the Day at the Magic Kingdom's Crystal Palace: The first child to enter the buffet for lunch is appointed Chef of the Day. The lucky child receives a honorary certificate signed by Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore as well as a paper chef's hat. She also gets to meet the chief chef and officially open the kids' buffet.
A visitor asks:
"What are the best places to watch fireworks at
the Magic Kingdom?"
Margaret writes: "Reading through your newsletter I see where they are planning to close the Carousel of Progress. Do you know why they plan on closing it? I was last there in May of 1999 and I really enjoyed Disney but that was my favorite attraction to see. It was to me educational and should be left alone... I think that our kids should be able to see it and learn what it was like back then [compared] to what it is now... It took us from one century to another (20th to 21st). If you know of anyone that we could write about this please let me know." If you have a complaint or a comment to make about your experiences at WDW, send it to: COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS:
Walt Disney World Guest Communications
Julie writes: "Hi John, I just got back from Disney World. As DVC members, this was my husband and my 6th trip in 7 years. I recently shared a tip regarding the character breakfast at Cinderella's castle. Well, I've got another one: If you are looking for a great place to watch the fire works at the Magic Kingdom, go to the 15th floor of the Contemporary. There is an observation deck available at no charge. You have to walk through the very loud and very busy California Grill - but you can take a drink out with you and see the fireworks. Nice place for adults only or if you have a pass that doesn't allow you to visit more than one park in a day, you can still get a great view of the show at no charge." (Note: This view of the fireworks is now only available to those dining at the California Grill. Others can view the fireworks from the fourth floor of the Contemporary.)
Laurie writes: "I was also told that I should tour the parks in a counter clockwise direction...do you suggest that?" People usually veer to the right. So veer to the left when you can.
Tony writes: "Just got back from WDW with my two daughters (5 and 1/2 year- old, and 1 and 1/2 year-old). We did several "Character meals," and the best was breakfast at Cinderella's Castle. After meeting briefly with the fairy godmother downstairs while awaiting our table, our "Royal Family" was called to go up the spiral staircase (elevator available). Breakfast is all you care to eat and was served at the table by a waitress that always addressed us as M'Lord, M'Lady and Princesses. Throughout the meal we were greeted by Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Belle, Alladin, and Jasmine. All of these characters chatted briefly, signed autographs and posed for numbers of pictures at each table. Many of the little girls there came to eat dressed as princesses. It was one of the highlights of our trip. We also had lunch at the Crystal Palace, which was somewhat disappointing in quality of food and service."
Tina writes: "... what size are the lockers and the price for rental?" Each theme park and the Transportation and Ticket Center have lockers that rent for $5 (includes a $2 refundable deposit). If you have some items that won't fit in the locker, give them to the locker attendant inside the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. If you plan to park hop, you don't have to pay another locker deposit. See the locker attendant for particulars.
Carrie writes: "Do you also know anything about the Liberty Belle Riverboat to tour the Tom Sawyer Island?" When you exit the Haunted Mansion, you can take a boat ride on the majestic Liberty Belle Riverboat. Look for the white covered entrance to the riverboat queuing area. This 15-minute ride takes you around Tom Sawyer Island in the center of the lake, Rivers of America. All ages. Skip if you're pressed for time.
Charles writes: "In tomorrowland do you know if carrousel of progress is still open or did they shut it down. Thank you for the help and keep up with your great work this has to be about the best site about disney and I have told our friends about your site. Thanks again." Thank you for your kind comments. It's great to see our hard work appreciated! The Carrousel of Progress is open when crowds are heavy. This is one of our favorite attractions.
Pam writes: "We plan to be in Disneyworld the week of July 4th. Which park has the best fireworks or extra special fireworks that night. We plan on being in Orlando 12 days." Magic Kingdom wins the fireworks contest hands down. They ignite fireworks simultaneously from 4 different locations. Quite a spectacle!
Disney has erected metal, barbed-wire fences around the Magic Kingdom to keep out intruders. The Animal Kingdom is already completely surrounded by a fence to keep the Florida wild life from mingling with the Animal Kingdom wildlife.
Sandy writes: "I've looked up the early entrance days on the Disney website. Do these stay the same, or will they change? I've read that the parks that open early for Disney resort guests should be avoided on early entry days." Early-entrance days are subject to change. The park that opens early is more crowded. If you do go on an early-entrance day, leave and go to another park when it's time for the general public to enter.
Teresa writes: Teresa wrote back: "I called the number you gave me and they ended up giving me a number to the Magic Kingdom Guest Relations office. I was then transferred to a restricted line and spoke with the Merlin Show stage director. She was very helpful and she is going to send Alaina a new certificate! Thanks for your help!"
Disney has removed all tobacco products from its stores in the WDW theme parks. Moreover, smoking is now prohibited in the parade/show viewing locations, stores, waiting areas, dining areas, attractions and restrooms. However, you can still buy tobacco products at the WDW resorts.
Disney's new reservation system, FASTPASS, allows guests to reserve their place in line for Walt Disney World®'s most popular attractions. To get a reservation, a machine reads the guest's admission ticket and returns a "wait-free pass" called a FASTPASS. However, the guest may not be able to visit the attraction for several hours. Entering the park after 2 PM, for example, a guest may not be able to use his reservation until 6 or 7 PM!
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger
Spin ride is fun. Children will
like it a lot. We struck up a conversation with a cast member and he took
us into the ride through the back door. It always helps to have some
pull!
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