Happy Birthday, Miley!

To tweeners everywhere, she is known as Hannah Montana, but today it's Miley Cyrus who celebrates her 17th birthday. Born in Franklin, Tennessee (just a few miles from us!) to parents Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus, Destiny (her given name) became known as Miley because she almost always had a smile on her face. (Get it? "Smiley" morphed into "Miley.")
Happy birthday, Miley!

Thursday's Tip

Wow, I was halfway through Thursday before I realized it was Thursday...and I needed to post a Thursday's Tip! And, since next Thursday is Thanksgiving, and I will be enjoying time with my family and NOT posting, I thought I'd make this week's tip in the spirit of that holiday. Today's tip: pay it forward.

Here are just a few ways to "pay it forward" at Walt Disney World:

• Leaving the park early? Instead of turning in that rented stroller, why not let a family just coming in the gates use it?
• Got FastPasses you don't intend to use? Pass them along to another family.
• See a dad with an expectant preschooler scrounging through his pocket for a coin for the pressed penny machine? Give him one of your shiny new pennies.
• Let a mom with a toddler cut in line at the restroom.
• Offer someone your seat on the monorail.
• Bring enough illuminating bracelets/necklaces to share with kids around you as you're waiting for the parade to start. (You can buy a whole package of them for just a dollar!)
• Bring a few extra cheap ponchos (the kind that cost $1 or less) and GIVE them away when it starts to rain. Sure, it might cost you a buck or two, but you'll make someone's day!

These are just a few ideas...the possibilities are endless. I fully believe in being a cheap-o, so that I can afford to be generous! How do you "pay it forward"?

Steamboat Willie Anniversary

On November 18, 1928, Steamboat Willie debuted at Universal's Colony Theatre in New York. This was the first time Mickey Mouse was given a voice! Steamboat Willie was the first ever commercially successful synchronized-sound cartoon. Congratulations, Mickey!

Space Mountain Refurbishment Update

The "new and improved" Space Mountain is now in soft opening, meaning it hasn't officially opened but if you're lucky enough to be visiting the Magic Kingdom this week, you might just get to ride it. Here's a rundown of a few of the changes and updates:

• Most notable (at least the first thing you notice) is the new signage, featuring neon green lettering.


• The queue has been updated to more effectively incorporate the FastPass line.


• Another significant change is the addition of video games. More than twenty screens with multiple controllers are now available to entertain guests while they wait. The short games (each lasts about 60 seconds) are a version of the classic Asteroids game.


• The loading and unloading areas are now enclosed, prohibiting guests from seeing the track area.


• Structural improvements to the actual track have been made, but the feel of the ride is not significantly altered.

Bottom line: the attraction has a sleeker, more modern look. But there aren't significant changes to the actual ride itself. Good news for fans of the original!

Thursday's Tip

Or, rather, Thursday's Tips. Today's tips are all about Advanced Dining Reservations, or ADRs. If you plan to eat in any of Disney's table service restaurants, especially those offering character meals or fine dining, it's a good idea to have ADRs. It's absolutely essential if you'll be traveling during a free dining promotion (usually in the fall). Here are a few tips:

• When booking one of the princess meals (Cinderella's Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom or Akershus in Epcot), mark your calendar and start calling 407-WDW-DINE at exactly 180 days prior to your trip. Seriously. These things sell out in hours, if not minutes--at least the primo reservation times.
• Give Disney's online ADR system a try. I still recommend calling for the hard-to-get character meals, but being able to book anytime is a nice convenience.
  
• Want to try a character meal but aren't picky about which one? Try one of the less expensive meals, such as the Crystal Palace (Pooh characters) or the Tusker House (Donald & friends).
  
• If you have days on property when you're not planning to visit the parks, this is a great chance to try one of the fine dining restaurants at the resorts or even a resort character meal. You'll infuse your day with more Disney fun and can have a relaxing meal without worrying that you're eating up valuable park time!
• Finally, it's never too late! Even if you arrive on property without ADRs, you can call 407-WDW-DINE (there's actually a button for it on Disney resort phones) and see what's still available. Guests often cancel at the last minute, so stop by your desired restaurant when you get to the park, and you might just luck out!

Up Available on DVD and Blu-Ray Today!

And, wow, are there deals to be had! Target is offering a $10 off store coupon when you purchase both Up and Monsters, Inc. on Blu-Ray. There is currently a manufacturer's coupon for $8 off of the Monsters, Inc. Blu-Ray, as well as an unconfirmed rumor that a $10 off coupon will be available starting today for Up. If you use all three coupons (most Targets will allow you to "stack" manufacturer coupons with store coupons), you could save $28 on the pair of discs. My target is listing both Blu-ray discs for $26.99, making your final cost $24.98 plus tax for both ($12.49 each!).

Target also price matches, so if you find the titles cheaper elsewhere, just take in the sale ad and they will either give it to you at that price or refund the difference if you've already purchased it. Sorry, no matching for online prices.

Or, go to Best Buy, where the prices listed are $23.99 for the Up Blu-Ray and $18.99 for Monsters, Inc., with a $10 instant savings when you buy both. Use the same two manufacturer's coupons mentioned above, and your grand total will be $14.98 plus tax for both (only $7.49 each!).

If that's not enough, Bird's Eye is also offering a $5 rebate when you buy the Up Blu-Ray and two Voila! bag meals. There is also a $4 rebate from New World Pasta. Depending on the rebate requirements (original receipts or not, proof of purchase, etc.), you could possibly get BOTH rebates, making the total cost for both movies just $5.98 plus the cost of the food items purchased!

What are you waiting for? Run, don't walk, to your nearest Target or Best Buy!

UPDATE: $10 off coupon for Up can be accessed here!

Space Mountain Refurbishment Photos

The iconic Tomorrowland ride, Space Mountain, has been closed for refurbishment during our last two WDW vacations. When we were there in May, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) was also closed. I admit it: I was bummed. I love the TTA, a breezy ride around Tomorrowland that takes you right through Space Mountain. Perfect for those that are too chicken to actually ride Space Mountain but still want to see it! Fortunately, on our last visit, TTA was back up and running. Here are a few pics I took from the TTA of Space Mountain, with refurbishment still in progress.

Space Mountain is schedule to reopen later this month!

Thursday's Tip

You probably already know that Disney offers a free planning DVD. But did you know that they also offer free customized maps? They're lovely, and quite a bit larger than the maps that are available in the parks. So, you can plan your touring route in advance and be prepared when you get there! Another great way to build anticipation. Click here to order yours.

Food & Wine Festival

Epcot's annual Food & Wine Festival is coming to a close this week. We were able to visit during the event this year. Here are a few pics, including menu shots. Unfortunately, we didn't partake of any of the delights. I was traveling with some not-so-adventurous eaters (my family), but we were also too determined to pig out at our favorite bakery in France and didn't want to spoil that experience! Still, the offerings looked--and smelled--wonderful!

Our All-Disney Halloween

Just for fun, I thought I'd show you the pics of my little Disney trick-or-treaters (Minnie Mouse and Princess Jasmine) ...

...and our Mickey & Minnie pumpkins too!

Hope you had a safe, fun Halloween!