Thursday's Tip

Trying to track down a favorite character in the Parks? Check with a Cast Member, especially those assisting other characters (in the Magic Kingdom, they are usually identified by their white shirts with yellow sleeves that have Mickey gloves all over them). If the cast member doesn't have immediate or first-hand knowledge of where/when you can find a character, he or she can radio to find out for you!

2010 Armed Forces Salute Tickets

In 2010 Disney will once again offer a special "Armed Forces Salute" ticket for active and retired US military, including active Coast Guard and National Guard. With valid military ID, service men and women can purchase up to five four-day base tickets for just $99 each. For an additional $25, the Park Hopper feature or Water Parks & More (both for an additional $50).

Tickets must be purchased by July 31, 2010 and must be activated (first use) by September 26, 2010. Block out dates include March 27-April 9 for all Disney Parks and July 3-4 for the Magic Kingdom. Tickets will be available at Shades of Green, beginning January 3.

2010 Star Wars Weekends Announced

Star Wars Weekends will once again be held at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2010. The dates are: May 21-23, May 28-30, June 4-6, and June 11-13.

This is a really fun time to be at WDW, especially for true Star Wars fans. It's a chance to meet Star Wars celebrities--anyone from characters in the original movie to voice characters from the newer animated series. There is a lot of "special" merchandise that you won't see anywhere else except for during this event.

And if you're not such a big Star Wars fan, it can be a great time to visit the other three parks which tend to have lighter crowds, especially during events such as the afternoon parade.

Sounds Like It's Official: Captain EO Returns to Disneyland

Well, they hinted at it weeks (months?) ago...and it looks like it's really happening. Captain EO will return to Disneyland. Read the full story here.

Disney Christmas Day Parade Preview

Here's a tilt-shift video preview of the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. I spotted the Jonas Brothers, among others, peforming. Did you see any of your favorite Disney stars?

Thursday's Tip

Makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and the Pirate's League are tons of fun for your little princess or pirate--but they're also pricey! Want to give your child a mini-makeover at a fraction of the cost? Today's tip is about one of the best kept secrets in Walt Disney World: the Harmony Barber Shop.

Yes, believe it or not, there is a working barber shop nestled in a corner on Main Street of the Magic Kingdom. For around $22, you can actually get a haircut! For a bit more, bring Junior for his first haircut that comes with a set of Mickey ears. And for around $10, your child can get a special "do" of colored gel and Mickey confetti.

Harmony Barber Shop is a fun step back, and a nice quiet spot to relax and enjoy a little pampering.

Roy Disney, Dead at 79

Roy Disney, nephew of Walt, largely credited with reviving animation for the Disney Company, has passed away in California at the age of 79. Roy had been battling stomach cancer. Read the full article here.

The Princess and the Frog

copyright The Disney Co.

Have you seen it? We went on opening weekend and contributed to the 25 million opening. My girls gave it two thumbs way up! I enjoyed it too, although I don't think it would make it into my Disney Top 5. Still, a solid princess story that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

As you probably know, Disney animators have quite a sense of humor and tend to interject "inside jokes" into their films. And The Princess and the Frog is no exception. If you haven't seen it yet, or if you plan to go back for a second viewing, here are a few things to watch for:

• In the opening sequence, as the song "Down in New Orleans" plays, you can see a bystander shake out the Magic Carpet from Aladdin.


• When we meet Mama Odie, during the song "Dig a Little Deeper," she is sorting through some items and the Lamp from Aladdin is spotted among them.


• During the Mardi Gras parade, one of the floats has the figure of King Triton from The Little Mermaid on it.

I'm sure there are more...these are just the easiest to spot. (In fact, my 6-year-old spotted King Triton!) Have fun viewing and looking for others!

Thursday's Tip

Just a reminder that today is a Double Points day at Disneymovierewards.com. I just entered two Blu-ray codes for a total of 500 points! There is also a bonus code for 50 points: HEART.

Now on to today's tip--or, rather, a group of tips. Here are some ways to build anticipation (as if you need to!) for an upcoming WDW vacation:

• Make a paper chain to count down the days until your trip. Decorate it with Disney-themed stickers. Tear off one link per day until you leave.
• Celebrate the "12 Days of Disney" before your trip. Give your children a small item each day that they will use on their vacation. (Think sunglasses, plastic rain poncho, autograph book, pen, lanyard, etc.)
• Make a countdown necklace out of cereal (Fruit Loops work well) and yarn. Put descending numbers between the cereal and eat an "O" and tear off one number each day.
• Share a Disney trivia questions each night at dinner for the month prior to your vacation.
• Do a Disney version of "Elf on the Shelf." Put a stuffed Mickey (or other Disney character) somewhere in the house for your children to find. Each day, Mickey moves to a new spot. To make it more fun, attach a new message each day to the toy, such as "Ariel will meet you in her Grotto in 6 days!"
• Use and advent calendar. These are easy to find this time of year, and some are not necessarily Christmas-themed. Put stickers, Disney Dollars, or small trinkets inside.
• Have the princesses (or Pooh characters, or whomever is your child's favorite) send the kids some mail. Buy Disney postcards and send a "can't wait for your visit" message.

These are just a few ideas. The possibilities are endless. Got any great ideas to add?

Happy Birthday, Walt!

On December 5, 1901, Walter Elias Disney was the third son born to Elias and Flora Disney in Chicago, Illinois. The world is a better place because you were in it, Mr. Disney. Today, we celebrate you!

Disney Movie Rewards

Are you a member of Disney Movie Rewards? If not, you should be! You get lots of cool, free stuff just for buying Disney DVDs (and you know you do that anyway!). To join, click here.

Next Thursday is a Double Points Day. This is a great day to enter codes for any Christmas gifts you may have purchased. (Yes, my kids expect their Disney DVDs to be pre-opened, partly for this reason and also because I almost always have a rebate to send off! But I do NOT recommend this if the gift is for someone outside your immediate family. That's even a bit cheap for me.)

While you're there, add an item to your Wish List and be automatically entered in the "A Season Wrapped in Wishes Sweepstakes." My wish list contains several items, including a framed share of official Disney Stock!

Time-Lapse Video: Grand Floridian's Gingerbread House Construction

Thursday's Tip

Visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays? In addition to taking in the festivities in the parks, you'll want to visit the deluxe resorts to view the Christmas decorations. The Grand Floridian, with its enormous gingerbread house, is especially inviting! But one resort area you might not think to visit is the focus of today's tip: the Ft. Wilderness campground.

Did you know that many campers bring their own light and decorations displays? We're not just talking a string of paper lanterns--there are rather elaborate displays, including inflatable characters and large lawn ornaments. Many of the Ft. Wilderness seasonal guests are "regulars"--meaning, they visit WDW every holiday season--and they take their holiday decorating very seriously.

So, take a stroll off the beaten path and enjoy the unconventional holiday displays that Ft. Wilderness has to offer.

Winter Closures/Refurbishments at WDW

Closures and refurbishments are continuous at Walt Disney World, but Disney seems to kick it up a notch when winter comes. Surprisingly, attractions rehabs seem to be fewer than in some winters. But resort pools are, predictably, getting their yearly facelift. Here are the current and upcoming closures:


Magic Kingdom

• Magic Carpets of Aladdin: closed December 6-19.
• The Crystal Palace: closed January 3-February 13.
• Splash Mountain: closed January 3-February 27.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular: closed January 11-15.
• Sounds Dangerous: currently operating on seasonal schedule.

Water Parks & Resorts

• Typhoon Lagoon: closed through January 9.
• Blizzard Beach: closed January 10-March 20.
• Animal Kingdom Lodge--Uzima Pool: closed January 4-29. (Guests may use Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village.)
• Yacht & Beach Club--Luna Park Pool: closed January 18-February 5. (Guests may use Stormalong Bay or the two leisure pools)
• Old Key West--Main Pool: closed February 1-28. (Guests may use leisure pools throughout the resort. Shuttle service to the feature pool at Saratoga Springs will be available.)