Disney Announces 2010 Focus: Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

In 2009, the "What Will You Celebrate?" promotion let you "earn" a free day at Disney just for being born. In 2010, you'll have to work a little harder for that free day, but the rewards are much richer, in my opinion. Beginning January 1, the first one million guests who pre-register and complete a day of volunteer work through the HandsOn Network will receive a one-day admission ticket to Walt Disney World or Disneyland.

"In 2010, we want to recognize and add one more reason for celebration: the contributions people make to their communities every day," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We want to inspire one million volunteers--people who will invest time and energy to make their own communities and neighborhoods a better place."

Now, I love a good deal more than most people. But a good deal that also encourages volunteerism and community involvement is about as good as it gets. Kudos to Disney for this one!

As mentioned above, the HandsOn Network will be essential in tracking volunteer work and keeping guests accountable for actually doing the work. You can't simply pick any organization to help--it must be approved. However, the organization works with over 70,000 non-profit agencies, so there's a great chance that some of your favorites will be eligible.

For details, click here.

Rumor Becomes Reality: Buy 4, Get 3 Free Now Available

The discount I mentioned in this post is now available. Here are the details:

• For most travel dates November 1-December 24, 2009 and January 3-March 27, 2010
• Book by December 20, 2009
• Purchase a 4-night resort stay and a 4-day Magic Your Way ticket for each member of your party, and receive 3 nights and 3 additional days of tickets free (7 days/nights for the price of 4)
• Offer does not include dining, although this can be added at the regular prices

This discount is not yet listed on Disney's online booking system. To book your package, call and request the "Buy 4, Get 3 free" deal. Or, go here for a specific code, based on your travel dates and resort class.

New Discount Coming?

Rumors are spreading about a possible discount that will be available next week. It is thought to be a "Buy 4 days, Get 7" deal, much like one that was available earlier in the year, meaning you would purchase tickets and resort stay for 4 days, and you get three more days of tickets and resort stay for free. Value resorts would have a similar “Buy 5, Get 7″ deal. Travel dates are rumored to be October 1, 2009 through March 31, 2010, with booking through December 31, 2009.

For those needing both a room and tickets, this is one of the most valuable discounts offered--much better than the free dining that is currently being offered, in my humble opinion. Stay tuned for confirmation and details.

Thursday's Tip

So you're going to Disney World in the fall, and you purchased the free dining. (Incidentally, the free dining isn't exactly free--it precludes you from getting better room discounts, so you actually "pay" a price to get that free perk. Still, it's often the best deal, depending on your family's eating habits.) But I digress.

Back to Thursday's Tip: So you had the dining plan and you find yourself at the end of your vacation with leftover snack credits. What's a family to do? Down six Mickey ice cream bars as you exit the park? No need to do that (although, it sounds fun!). Just hop into a gift shop and purchase a few prepackaged goodies for the trip home. Most gift shops in both the parks and resorts have cookies, candies, pretzels, etc., that can be purchased with dining snack credits. It's always a good idea to ask before purchasing, as some items are considered "novelties" rather than food items. And when all else fails, buy a bottled water or soft drink. Don't let those snack credits go to waste! After all, you paid for them--even if they were "free."

Disney Transportation Management Changes

It was a rough summer for safety at Walt Disney World. Three employee fatalities within weeks of each other. Perhaps the most notable being young monorail driver Austin Wuennenberg. Two weeks later, two Disney buses collided with each other. And just last week, bus service was disrupted due to a suspicious tracking device. It's no wonder Disney has decided to shake up management. (Of course, the official word is that these changes are in no way related to the aforementioned "issues" with Disney transportation.) Read details of staff changes/additions here.

Disney Studio Chief Steps Down

After 38 years with Disney, Dick Cook is stepping down from his role as President of Buena Vista Pictues. Read the full story here.

Are Deep Discounts on the Way Out?

Now that the recession is over (at least according to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke), are we going to see those lovely discounts that Disney has been tossing out left and right go away? Disney CFO Tom Staggs was non-committal on this one at a recent Goldman Sachs investor conference: "I think that’s something that will evolve over time. The question really becomes how fast the consumer shows up with their wallets and looks to book aggressively. And there you’re really talking about predicting the timing and pace of the recovery, which I wouldn’t want to venture to far out on a limb on."

Hmmm...so what does that mean? I'd say, book 'em while you can, folks. The days of peak season discounts may well be behind us. But there will always be discounts to be had--you just need to know where to look for them!

Mitchel Musso at DHS Today!

You know him as "Oliver" on "Hannah Montana," or perhaps as "Jeremy" on "Phineas & Ferb." Disney Channel star Mitchel Musso will be signing his self-titled CD (on, you guessed it, Walt Disney Records) at Disney's Hollywood Studios today, 1-2 p.m. Eastern time. If you're in the area, stop by and say hello.

An aside: Last year, Musso came to my daughter's school as part of the "Clean Hands Are Cool Hands" initiative. She tried to tell me that "Oliver" was at her school. I didn't believe her (thought perhaps they watched a DVD of him or something), until I saw him on the evening news! Next time I'll believe my little pumpkin!

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is a preparation tip, and it's especially important for those with young children or those who lead a rather sedentary lifestyle: start walking! Several weeks, if not months, before your Walt Disney World vacation, it's a great idea to start taking daily walks with the family to get used to the amount of walking in the parks. There's no way around it: you will do a LOT of walking at WDW. Even kids in strollers will have to walk through lengthy lines and leave the stroller behind. In Fantasyland, where families with young tots tend to spend most of their time, stroller parking is quite far from several attractions.

So, take this advice to heart, and start preparing now (unless, of course, you enjoy carrying your four-year-old long distances!). You might even consider purchasing new "park shoes" and breaking them in on these walks. Besides the payoff on your trip, you'll enjoy fun family time and everyone will reap the benefits of a healthy heart!

Will Disney Bring Back "Captain EO"?

Since the stunning death of Michael Jackson, we've heard buzzings that Disney might revive it's popular "Captain EO" 3-D film featuring the mega-star. The short film, which closed in 1997, made its debut at Disneyland in 1986 but was also shown at Epcot, as well as Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

At the recent D23 Expo in Anaheim, Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed that there are no current plans to bring back the feature. Still, he didn't rule it out entirely: "We are looking at it. It's the kind of thing that, if we did it, would get a fair amount of attention and we'd want to make sure we do it right."

What do you think? Should Captain EO be allowed to, once again, deliver his musical gift? Or, is this merely capitalizing on the death of a legend?

Big Changes Coming at WDW

Disney has just announced big changes that finally bring validity to two rumors that have been circling the net for months, even years. Let's start with the biggest.

The Magic Kingdom, specifically Fantasyland, is about to get its most sweeping overhaul in the park's history. Let me sum it up in one word: Princesses! Yes, Disney is going to cash in on perhaps its biggest attraction in the re-vamp. (Who hasn't marveled at the marketing coup that IS the Disney Princesses...and now also the Disney Fairies? Genius!) At the center of the changes will be the addition of a new Little Mermaid-themed ride. There will also be extensive additions of meet-n-greet areas for most of the major princesses which promise more interaction with characters. Oh, and did I mention they will be adding a Pixie Hollow area too? And preschool parents will be thrilled to hear that they plan to relocate and also double the seating capacity of Dumbo.

Sadly, this "progress" will mean the demise of much of Toontown, but Disney promises Mickey & Minnie will have new homes near the park entrance. And Goofy's Barnstormer will remain. (Whew! That's the only coaster my kids will ride!)

The new and improved Fantasyland is schedule to open in 2012, with Pixie Hollow following in 2013.

On a smaller scale, changes are coming for Disney's Hollywood Studios. Apparently that footage being shot back in May will finally be put to use, as Disney has officially acknowledged the refurbishment of Star Tours. Debuting in 2011, the 2.0 version will include 3-D effects and characters from the prequels.

To read the full story of both overhauls, click here.

TTA Reopens

One of my favorite ways to cool off on a hot day and see parts of the Magic Kingdom that you don't usually see is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA). The attraction had been closed for refurbishment (due in part to the refurbishment of Space Mountain) for several months, but reopened over the weekend. The ride (which, honestly, will always be the WEDway PeopleMover to me) is pretty much the same as before--no earth-shattering changes. It still goes by Space Mountain, although for now you see mostly black screens which hide the ongoing construction there, rather than the ride in progress. (FYI, Space Mountain is schedule to reopen in late November.)

Our family missed this attraction on our last visit, so we look forward to riding the "new and improved" version on our next trip. Oh, and just maybe our oldest will be ready for Space Mountain too! (Well...maybe.)

Disney Documentary Premiers at TIFF

Waking Sleeping Beauty premiered this past week at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film, directed by Oscar-nominated Disney producer Don Hahn (whose credits include Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King), is a documentary about the animation revival Disney experienced in the 80s and 90s, with a string of blockbuster successes. Not sure when Waking Sleeping Beauty will release to the public (I'm guessing it won't have a theatrical release, but rather DVD), but I'll be eager to view it! To read a review, click here.

Thursday's Tip

Here's a simple planning tip: order the free vacation planning DVD that Disney offers. In fact, I order one every year whether or not I have a trip planned in the near future! For starters, it has a ton of great information about resorts and attractions. It usually features a "What's New" section so you can skip the other info if you've been to WDW numerous times. But, then again, why would you want to? Because it's really fun to watch! In fact, our family watches it several times to build anticipation before a trip. (Or, conversely, when it has been a while since our last trip and we're missing the Mouse!)

Disney allows you to order one every 6 months, but they usually update them just once per year so that's as often as you need to order. To request your free, no obligation DVD, click here. Happy viewing!

Luxo Jr. Appears at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Luxo Jr., the bouncing lamp seen in introductions to Pixar movies, is making live appearances at Disney's Hollywood Studios, near the Toy Story Mania attraction. Luxo doesn't really say anything, but he does express himself through, er, dance.

On a related note, Disney and Pixar are being sued by Luxo, the Norwegian lamp maker (see photo above), for copyright infringement.

Calling All Disney Moms

Think you've got what it takes to dispense Disney advice to the masses? Disney is looking for a few good moms to do just that! Beginning Thursday, September 10, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, you can apply to be on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. You will be asked a series of questions and should be prepared to write a few brief essays on your qualifications. Winners will be awarded a trip to Walt Disney World in December, and will be required to answer at least 15 questions from readers per week for the next year. To view a full list of requirements or to apply, click here.

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Theme Park Etiquette

This post could just as easily be titled "My Theme Park Pet Peeves," as it mostly describes the behavior that I find annoying while visiting Walt Disney World. And while I know that none of my readers are that person, I thought you might enjoy commiserating with me about him or her. So, here's my list of annoying behavior (most of which I have personally witnessed):

• The Mob Stop: This is when a group of, say, six or more people stop suddenly in the middle of the walkway--usually to have a discussion about where to eat, what attraction to visit next, or to argue about the closest path to said attraction. Hey, let's keep it moving, people! Or remove yourselves from the path and continue your discussion on one of the fine benches that are readily available throughout the parks.
• The Wall: A close cousin to the Mob Stop, the Wall is a group of people walking slowly across a path five- or six-wide...thereby prohibiting faster walkers from passing. C'mon! Part like the Red Sea, people!
• Totem Poles: Sticking with the theme of blocking, these are the folks who, just minutes before a parade or street performance is about to begin, pop a toddler up onto their shoulders, thus blocking your previously perfect view. Seriously? So not OK!
• Photog Hogs: You've seen 'em...you've waited for 'em...the guy who needs just one more shot of his kid with Cinderella. Oh, and one with just the baby...now one with the oldest...oh, and could you take one of all of us? Uh...no. Get your picture, and then get going!
• The Flasher: Really, how many times do they have to repeat the "No Flash Photography" request to get through to some people? Hey, Mr. Flasher Dude, you can buy a postcard of that scene in the gift shop on the way out, 'kay? And it will be flawless. So let's just follow directions from now on, 'kay?

This is, of course, just a start. I haven't even covered the area of line-jumping (which has so many variations that perhaps it warrants an entire post of its own). What about you? Got any theme park pet peeves you'd like to share? Just remember, this is a family site. Let's keep it clean!

Thursday's Tip

It's raining in Nashville today, which made me think of a simple, yet vitally important, planning tip: pack your rain ponchos! We all know about Florida weather--hot and steamy one minute, torrential rain the next. That's why it's always a good idea to pack a rain poncho for everyone in your group.

My family has two types of ponchos: our more expensive, heavy-duty ponchos and our cheap, throw-away ponchos. If rain is almost guaranteed in the forecast, we pack the good ones (see my husband and youngest daughter in the pic below). There's no reason to avoid the parks--there's plenty of indoor attractions, and the rain often thins out the crowd a bit. But having a sturdy poncho can make a big difference in how you feel about the rain by the end of the day! But no matter what the forecast, we ALWAYS pack enough of the small disposable ponchos for everyone (like the one my daughter in the middle is wearing), as well as an extra or two for the stroller or in case one rips. These can be purchased for $1 or less at your local discount store. Or...they can be purchased for considerably more at Disney gift shops. (You may not see them in the shops, but once the rain starts they'll be available. Trust me, Disney will not miss an opportunity to make a few bucks.)

Rain won't dampen your fun at Walt Disney World, as long as you're prepared!

Thieves Busted in Multi-Park Ticket Scam

Ever wonder why Disney scans your fingerprint when you enter the ticket gate? (That's "biometric technology," by the way.) That simple move actually helped them bust up a $130,000 ticket scam this month. Watch the full story here.

This is another cautionary tale about buying tickets from a reliable vendor.