Friday Photo

Interesting choice for a Friday Photo, right? But this photo is from the grab-n-go area of one of my favorite Epcot eateries: Sunshine Seasons. Not only does SS have an extensive menu of both convenience foods and full entrees w/sides, but much of the produce used is grown right there on-site in The Land pavilion. Now that's fresh! And did I mention it is very reasonably priced? Large side salads for around $3, and full plates for around $10. I highly recommend this counter service restaurant, especially for the health-conscious eater!

Finally! Free Fall Dining for Disney Visa Members

We've been waiting...albeit, not very patiently. And now we have our answers. It looks like the free fall dining promotion will be, well, pretty much the same as past years.  Thankfully, Disney did not downgrade Moderate resort guests to the Quick Service Plan, as some suspected. Hooray! Free Dining is currently available to Disney Visa cardholders, but will likely be released to the general public on Monday (May 3).

For the record, here are the details:

• Travel dates: August 15--October 2, 2010 (your travel dates can extend past Oct. 2, providing you check in on or before that date)


• Book by August 14 (but the offer is limited, so book ASAP!)


• Must book a Magic Your Way package (resort stay and tickets) at the regular price


• Resort stay must be at least 3 nights, but no more than 10


• Must include at least a 2-day MYW ticket


• Guests staying at a Value resort will get the Quick Service Dining Plan free, but can upgrade to the regular Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining for the price difference


• Guests staying at a Moderate or Deluxe resort will get the Disney Dining Plan free, but can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining for the price difference


• Deposit must be paid with Disney Visa

Time to book those ADRs!

Make-A-Wish Celebrates 30 Years

Today marks the first-ever World Wish Day, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Disney, of course, has a long-standing history with the organization, having granted more than 75,000 wishes to date.

"We applaud the great work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and its 30-year history of granting wishes for these very special children," said Jim Fielding, president of Disney Stores Worldwide and Make-A-Wish Foundation board member. "Providing children with a magical experience is Disney Store's mission every day and we are proud to be a place where Make-A-Wish children and families can have some fun and celebrate life."

Disney Stores nationwide are celebrating by offering a World Wish Day tote for $7.50 (buy it online) through May 3, with $3 from each purchase going to Make-A-Wish. In addition, Disney Store contributed a number of items to an online auction, with 100% of those proceeds going to the organization.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world. With the help of generous donors and more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 240,000 wishes around the world since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit worldwishday.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2010 Dates/Prices

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates and prices for 2010 have just been released. Here are the confirmed dates: September 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, and 30; October 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, and 31 ; and November 1.



This is a hard-ticketed event, meaning that your regular Magic Your Way ticket won't cut it. (And the Magic Kingdom closes early on MNSSHP nights, so keep that in mind and plan your park days accordingly if you're traveling to WDW during these fall dates.) Tickets can be purchased in advance (highly recommended, as the late October dates seem to fill up) or at the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center). Here are the prices:

Advance purchase adult $53.95
Advance purchase child (3-9) $47.95
Day of event adult $59.95
Day of event child $53.95
Annual Passholder or DVC Member adult $49.95
Annual Passholder or DVC Member child $43.95
(above prices are before sales tax)

Times for the party are officially 7:00 p.m. to midnight, but guests are allowed to enter the park at 4:00 p.m. with a MNSSHP ticket, so that's nearly a full day of touring for less than the price of a one-day MYW ticket! To order your tickets, call (407) WDISNEY.

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip isn't for everyone...but maybe it could be. Do your children belong to a club, group, or organization? Did you know that Disney offers group rates? Today's tip: go with a youth group! You can save considerably on tickets to WDW when you travel with your group through "Disney Youth Programs." In addition to discounted tickets, many of these programs offer opportunities such as workshops, classes, performance opportunities, etc. (But, if you just want to play in the parks, that's OK too!)

No, you're not going to get discounted Disney tickets by inviting your entire extended family for a reunion. There are stipulations as to what an official "youth group" comprises. But nothing says you can't go along as the chaperon, right? Here are a few examples of groups sanctioned by Disney as eligible: 4-H Club, church youth group, high school band or chorus, graduating senior class, and even a homeschool co-op...just to name a few.

Here's another great tip: Disney offers two free chaperon tickets for your group, and you can purchase additional guest tickets (for parents or siblings of group members) at the same low student price, providing the number of guests doesn't exceed the number of youth in the group. A minimum of 10 students are required to qualify for group rates. To find out more about the Disney Youth Programs, click here.

Toy Story 3 Coming to Toy Story Midway Mania!

Toy Story Midway Mania! is our family's absolute favorite ride at Walt Disney World. Maybe it's because we love the giant-scale toys in the queue. Maybe it's because the games are so easy to play--even for my three-year-old. Or maybe it's just because Woody and the gang make you feel like a kid, no matter what your age. For whatever reason, we just love it! (And apparently so does everyone else, judging by how the FastPasses seem to disappear by noon most days.)



Our favorite attraction is getting tweaked this month, and a game featuring the characters/scenes from the new Toy Story 3 movie will be added. "Rex and Trixie’s Dino Darts" allows guests to throw virtual darts at virtual balloons, in a landscape filled with virtual volcanoes. (Did I mention that it's virtual?) The new game will replace "Bo Peep's Baaa-loon Pop."

Main Street Electrical Parade to Highlight Summer Nightastic!

I was hoping...so hoping that the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade  (that I mentioned in this post) would last until our visit in September. Alas, the dates for Disney World's "Summer Nightastic!" celebration are June 6 through August 14...ending a mere three weeks before our arrival. But for those of you who will be making summer trips, you're in for a treat!



TinkerBell leads the parade on an all-new float and sprinkles her Pixie Dust all along the path. The famliar soundtrack has been spruced up digitally. (Have I mentioned that this is the soundtrack of my childhood? When I think of family vacations, this is the music that plays in my head!) Also, two favorite classic floats are making a comeback: the shimmering Diamond Mine from Snow White, and the Pleasure Island float from Pinocchio.

Here are a few stats for you. The Main Street Electrical Parade is comprised of:

• half a million lights


• 23 floats


• over 80 live performers with 11,000 lights on their costumes


• more than 500 batteries to power those costume lights


• approximately 5 miles of wire

The original Main Street Electrical Parade premiered on June 17, 1972 at Disneyland in California. It first premiered at Walt Disney World in 1977 (the year of my first trip to WDW!).

Captain EO Confirmed for Epcot

OK, so I was off by a bit on the date. It looks like July 2 will be the official return of Captain EO at Epcot. You can read the details on the Disney Parks Blog.

Characters in Flight Refurbishment--No, Really!

OK, so I know I told you about the refurbishment for Characters in Flight here...and then it was cancelled. But this time, it really, REALLY is happening. Really. The tethered hot air balloon will be out of operation through April 30.

Is Captain EO Returning to Epcot?

Captain EO made its return to Disneyland last year, and is now officially on its way to Tokyo Disneyland as well. Rumors are swirling that the Michael Jackson film will also be headed to Disneyland Paris. But what about Epcot?!?

Screamscape.com is reporting that all renovations/refurbishments for Honey, I Shrunk the Audience have been halted. Why does this matter? The theatre that currently houses HISTA is the former home of Captain EO--and the perfect venue for its return. Insider gossip points to May opening for EO, with a run of at least one year (longer if demand is high).

Stay tuned for confirmed details, but by the sound of things, this is a done deal.

Just in Time for Mother's Day...

...except, not really, because they won't be available to ship for another three weeks. I know I've said this before, but I really, REALLY want one of these (the black one on the right, please), and they are now available online! Of course the frugal coupon queen within will not permit me to actually pay the over $200 the one I really, REALLY want costs. Of course, if someone wanted to, say, buy me one as a gift...well, it would be rude to refuse it, right?

Fantasia Getting High-Def Treatment

Fantasia is coming to Blu-ray/DVD. For the purists, there is the original Fantasia (circa 1940), and for the "New Coke" people, there is Fantasia 2000. Of course they will both be remastered in stunning 1080p ("I don't know what it is, but I want it!").  Look for these diamond combo packs to hit stores December 7--conveniently, just in time for Christmas.

Disney Visa "Stay, Play, Eat" Offer Extended

Now, I personally have not received a message from my Disney Rewards Visa card about this, but several deal sites are reporting that the Kids Stay, Play, & Eat for Free discount has been extended for travel dates through October 2, and the window to book has been extended to June 30. Coupled with lower September resort rates, this could be a great deal for some families! Here's the link to my original post about the deal--I can only assume the details (required stay, ticket purchase) are basically the same.

Has anyone had success booking this? Let us know, if you have!

Last Day to Book Disney Rewards Visa Discount!

Today is the last day to book the "Stay, Play, & Eat Free" Disney Rewards Visa discount mentioned here. This is a great discount--don't miss it!

Fall Dining...Finally?

Rumors abound as to when, or even if, Disney will release the free fall dining discount. Most recently, I am hearing that some form of the discount will be available to Disney Rewards Visa members on April 29. (Yet another reason to have this card--can't say enough about how much I love mine!) However, I'm hearing conflicting rumors about what sort of discount will be offered. Some say it will be Disney Quick Service Dining across the board--for Value and Deluxe resort guests alike. Others are saying the deal will be similar to last year, with Value guests getting the Quick Service plan and Moderate and Deluxe guests getting the regular Disney Dining Plan. Only time will tell. I'll be sure to alert you, dear readers, the instant I find out.

Friday Photo

It's just one of those little things that reminds you that you're in the Happiest Place on Earth. There's nothing like towel creations in your WDW resort to make you feel welcomed in your "home away from home." This particular creation was in a Value resort in 2010. There was actually a much more impressive display in our room window one evening when we came home. It featured two of our daugters' princess costumes on hangers, tied to the drapes, along with various small "critters" in the windowsill. We were so tired after a day of touring that we didn't even think to take a photo. Still, it's the extra care that "Mousekeeping" takes leaving these surprises for little ones (and some big kids too!) that really make the Disney difference!

Thursday's Tip

Here's one for the bloggers out there...or the Facebook addicts...or really anyone who needs their daily Internet fix. Instead of paying the daily fee of $9.95 for wifi connection at your Walt Disney World resort, stop by the McDonald's near the All-Star Resorts for free wifi. Have a cup of coffee in the morning, while you check your email. Or cap off the evening with a McFlurry while you surf the web. For the cost of a beverage or snack (admit it--you want one anyhow!), you can get your daily 'net fix. Bonus: you'll save money by eating at the McDonald's instead of inside the Parks!

Free Eco-Friendly Hat on Earth Day

Bring six plastic water bottles or aluminum cans to your local Disney Store on Earth Day (Thursday, April 22), and you'll receive an eco-friendly ball cap absolutely free! Coincidentally, the caps are made from six recycled bottles. The Disney Store will be stocking plenty of other eco-friendly items for Earth Day (you can actually find many of these items any day of the year at Disney Stores), or you can shop online if you're like me and don't have a local Disney Store. (Pity me! It is sad.) Happy shopping, and enjoy your freebie!

Lotso Gets a Meet-N-Greet

© the Disney Co.

Lotso, the lovable pink bear who makes his debut in Toy Story 3, will get his very own character meet-n-greet in Disney's Hollywood Studios, near the Magic of Disney Animation, beginning May 9. He will also be appearing in the Block Party Bash at DHS. I look forward to introducing my kiddos to Losto when the film opens in June, and then in person when we make our next visit to WDW in September!

Disney Closes Lyric Street Records

I don't often comment on stories about Disney that don't directly relate to Walt Disney World. Mostly, I want to keep my focus on the parks there and, of course, the characters/films that ultimately draw us to the parks. But this one hits close to home...or rather, right at home here in Nashville. Disney has decided to close Lyric Street Records, home to the band Rascal Flatts. In an industry where label-jumping can sometimes be a popular sport, Rascal Flatts has called Lyric Street home for their entire twelve-year career. And what a career it has been! In the last decade, they have sold over 20 million albums and continue to be one of country music's top-performing groups.

About twenty-five Nashville-based employees will lose their jobs. (Disney is keeping a few on hand to guide the group through their upcoming single release in June and subsequent album release in September.) Rascal Flatts will likely remain somewhere under the Walt Disney Co. umbrella, but some smaller, lesser-known artists will be searching for new label homes.

Best wishes go out to Rascal Flatts, as well as the other artists who were dropped and the employees who are now out of work. Let's hope Disney gave them a nice severance package.

AK Introduces FastPasses for Popular Shows

Anyone who has seen Festival of the Lion King or Finding Nemo, the Musical in Animal Kingdom knows that these two very popular shows can get rather crowded. In fact, I always recommend clients arrive about 30 minutes or more in advance of show time to make sure they get a seat. (At our most recent viewing of Finding Nemo, we were able to secure upper level seats, but then the CMs brought in more folks for "standing room only." It was, to say the least, a rather claustrophobic experience.)

So here's a fabulous idea: Disney is now offering FastPasses for both of these shows, as well as the Flights of Wonder show. (Not sure FOWcompares in popularity to the other two, but apparently Disney thinks it warrants the FP treatment.) Apparently, this is simply a trial, and the lovely FastPasses will be gone at the end of May. But we can hope that if all goes well, this will become a permanent implementation. Fingers crossed!

Characters in Flight Ready for Refurb

Characters in flight, the tethered hot air balloon experience in Downtown Disney, will be closed for refurbishment this week. The attraction should be out of commission only Tuesday through Thursday, barring any unforeseen complications.

So, has anyone actually tried this? My fear of heights keeps me watching from a safe distance on the ground, but I would love to hear from someone who has been up. Anyone...?

UPDATE: Apparently this refurbishment has been cancelled. The attraction will remain open as it is.

Alice Coming to DVD/Blu-Ray June 1

Wow, I had heard rumblings, and it turns out to be true: the new live-action Alice in Wonderlandwill be available on Blu-ray and DVD on June 1. Considering the film only released in theatres on March 5 (in the US, at least), this is a rather speedy turn-around for DVD/Blu-ray. Will you buy a copy? I'm ashamed to admit, that I have yet to see it. Was planning to go opening weekend, but it sold out before I could see it. And since then, well, we just haven't had our babysitter ducks in a row, so to speak. Hopefully, I can catch it on IMAX before it's gone!

Friday Photo

Downtown Disney has always been a favorite place to relax between park touring days for our family. There's so much to see and explore, and you can do it at your own relaxed pace. Especially when our children were very young, we found that taking a day of relative down-time between in-park days was very helpful. This Friday Photo, taken in 2008 near the Lego store at Downtown Disney, is a favorite because...well...who doesn't love a dragon made out of Legos? And those sweet girls are pretty great too, aren't they?

Fantasyland Construction Walls Taking Over

If you're walking through Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom today, you might feel a bit like a rat in a maze. Overnight, construction walls were put up for the entire length of the back side of Fantasyland! In colors of blue, red, and green, the walls are blocking off the former home of Ariel's Grotto and Pooh's Playful Spot, and stretch to the entrance of Mickey's ToonTown Fair. These particular walls are only expected to be up until sometime in May. But if you're traveling to WDW in the coming months, expect to see a similar view as the Fantasyland expansion progresses.

Thursday's Tip

If you've never been to Walt Disney World, trust me when I say that once you go, you'll already be planning your next Disney vacation before you leave! So here's a tip: before you hop back in the car or on the plane, visit a resort or two to see where you might want to stay next time! Even if you loved--LOVED--staying at ____________ (fill in the blank), you never know what other resort you might just love even more. Taking a quick tour can really get you excited about coming back in a year or so!



My family loves resort touring--even at resorts where we know we probably won't be staying. (Love the Grand Floridian, but just can't justify the enormous price difference from Moderate to Deluxe.) Each visit, we try to stay somewhere different. Sure, we have our favorites, but we enjoy variety. C'mon, mix it up a little...branch out...try something new. You'll be glad you did.

Marvel Takes Over Disney Store

Finally, something for the boys. I know I tend to focus on princessy and fairy things here at Affording the Mou$e. With two daughters, that's pretty much life for us. But here's something that Daddy can get excited about--Marvel has hit the Disney Store at full force! T-shirts, action figures, games...you name it, they've got it. Check out the full line of Marvel products at the Disney Store online.

Another Red Letter Day at Disney World

Last week, the Disney Parks Blog told us about young Reagan, who took his very first steps at Walt Disney World. This week, we read of John Schmitz, who celebrated his 100th birthday with a ride on "It's a Small World." At 100, John is still very active, even volunteering at his church and playing the banjo weekly with friends. How fun that he chose to celebrate the big 1-0-0 like a kid at WDW!

So, with all the gushy, warm-fuzzy feelings flying around, it really does beg the question: What will you celebrate?

Woman Sues over Bad "Trip"

This one takes the term "frivolous lawsuit" to new heights for me. Stitch Kingdom is reporting that a woman is suing Disney because she tripped and fell along a walkway in Epcot. Apparently, this fall caused her "pain, shock and mental anguish" and she seems to think it's worth exactly (cue Dr. Evil voice) "one million dollars." OK, let me just say that when a company is actually negligent and creates a dangerous environment, I'm all for making them pay. I can even point to Disney on some recent situations where they may have put the bottom line ahead of safety of their Cast Members. (But let's not go there again.) Still, as someone who has traveled every public inch of the Disney Parks, I have been witness to the care that goes into making them both safe and attractive. I can't imagine even a piece of trash lasting more than an hour on Disney property without a Cast Member picking it up, much less any dangerous unnamed stumbling block...whatever that may have been. Now, if you can show me affidavits from another dozen people who fell in the same spot, I will apologize profusely to the plaintiff and take up her cause. But unless and until that happens, here's what I think: Accidents happen. I'm sorry you had a fall. That stinks. But get up and get over it. And try to be a little more careful next time.

Sheesh...whatever happened to personal responsibility?

Disney Programming on Travel Channel

Wednesday afternoon/evening there will be three back-to-back Disney-themed specials you won't want to miss on the Travel Channel. Beginning at 4:00 p.m. Eastern (3:00 Central), you can see Disney: On a Dime. On a subject near and dear to my heart (saving money at Disney!), this special highlights three families, with three different budgets, taking affordable Disney vacations. Next at 5:00, watch Samantha Brown's Disney Favorites, featuring both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Finally, at 6:00, see Walt Disney World Resort: Behind the Scenes. My favorite Travel Channel specials are always the ones that give me an insider's view, and this one is no different. It's always interesting to see how Disney makes the magic happen!

Fire up the TiVo or DVR, or pop a bowl of popcorn and nestle down in front of the big screen for some Disney fun!

Guest Post at Couponing to Disney

I'm guest posting at Couponing to Disney again. Read my post on how to eat your way around the World Showcase at Epcot here.

New TinkerBell Trailer Released

Does your child anticipate each new Disney Fairies movie the way my girls do? Maybe it has something to do with the continuous marketing that they happily ingest while watching the Disney Channel. The next movie in the franchise will be TinkerBell and the Great Fairy Rescue, coming to DVD/Blu-ray in November. But you can catch a sneak peak above.

At least two more fairy tales are planned, TinkerBell: A Winter Story and TinkerBell: Race Through the Seasons.

Pooh's Playful Spot Closing Along with Ariel's Grotto

As I reported yesterday, Ariel's Grotto will be closing on April 12. According the the official Disney Parks Blog, so will Pooh's Playful Spot, as well as Scuttle's Landing (quick service snacks, just outside Ariel's Grotto).



I gotta be honest with you...Pooh's Playful Spot doesn't do much for me or my family. I mean, a playgroundin Disney World? Kinda anti-climactic, when you consider the whole place is one big playground. But I know some parents of tots loved having a place to let them run and get the wiggles out before heading to the next attraction line. For now, Donald's Boat (Toontown) still provides a free-play experience--with water, making it even more fun, IMHO.

Still sad about Ariel's Grotto, but, as the saying goes, you can't stop progress. And when it's all said and done, I think the new Fantasyland will be amazing!

Friday Photo

September 2005: My oldest daughter's first visit to Walt Disney World. We were fortunate to have a friend who was, at that time, an Entertainment Manager in the Magic Kingdom. It definitely has its perks! For one, we got to bypass the line for this character meet-n-greet in Toontown. For another, we had a private audience with Pooh and his friends! How fun was that? Pretty fun, I have to admit. It's rare that we actually get a photo of our entire family while at WDW--usually it's just the kiddos--so that makes this "first visit" photo even more special!

Thursday's Tip

If you travel with children to Walt Disney World, you're going to have extra "baggage" in the parks (diaper bag...change of clothes...small toys...costumes...misc. other "stuff"). That's why we love taking a clear backpack, as mentioned in this post. But even if you travel light when visiting the Disney Parks, you're going to need to keep a few items safe and accessible: room key (or Key to the World, if staying at a Disney Resort), park tickets (may be on your Key to the World, if purchased as a package), a personal credit card (not necessary if you have one linked to your Key to the World), ID (always a good idea to have on your person), and PhotoPass. Not to mention any FastPasses that you acquire along the way. How does one keep all these cards organized and safe?

Try a wallet-sized photo keeper. You know...those plastic sleeves that hold photos of the kids, grandkids, your dog...whatever.  There are enough slots for every card you need, and you can see them and easily grab the card you want. Another option is a business card holder (depending on the style, this might not be quite as organized or transparent). If you're really trying to travel light, you can attach your cardholder to a lanyard and "wear" it.

Ariel's Grotto Closing and Other Character Changes

With the impending expansion of Fantasyland, we all knew it was coming. But I really didn't know it would be this soon! April 11--yes, that's less than a week--will mark the closing of Ariel's Grotto. Ariel will almost certainly be appearing elsewhere in the park within a few weeks, perhaps in human form along with Prince Eric. And, of course, the princesses will be getting their own meet-n-greet areas in the new Fantasyland, but that won't be for some time.

Other changes in the coming weeks involving characters at the Magic Kingdom:

• Goofy will move from Frontierland to Adventureland and be dressed in a pirate costume.


• Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar will replace the Country Bears in the Frontierland Hoedown.


• Pooh and Tigger will leave Fantasyland for Town Square.


• Snow White will leave Town Square for Cinderella’s Wishing Well.


• Chip and Dale will relocate from Town Square to Tomorrowland.


• Mary Poppins and Bert will appear in Fantasyland near the Cinderella's Carrousel.


• Wendy will join Peter Pan in Fantasyland.

Character changes in Disney's Hollywood Studios:

• Lotso from Toy Story 3 will be debuting at the Animation Building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing Carl, Russell and Dug from UP.


• Jojo and Goliath will no longer be near Playhouse Disney Live.  However, you can still find Jojo at the Play’n'Dine meal where she’ll be joined by Handy Manny.


• Piglet, Pooh and Stitch will join Donald, Daisy, and Minnie at the Sorcerer’s Hat in the mornings.

Did you get all that? Just remember, if you're ever looking for a specific character, just grab a Cast Member and ask. They can radio that department and tell you when and where to find most characters.

First Steps...Down Main Street

OK, so if this doesn't make you tear up at least a little, you might want to do a heart check. Hop on over to the official Disney Parks Blog today for a heartwarming story about Reagan, a young boy with Cerebral Palsy who took his very first steps right down Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom. Way to go, Reagan!

Team Spirit...With a Little Help from Mickey

So...who are you cheering for in the big game tonight? I'll be supporting my home state of Indiana and the Butler Bulldogs! If you're a college sports fan, you can wear your team spirit with Disney flair. Now available at www.DisneyParks.com/Store, you'll find team apparel for schools such as University of Florida, University of Alabama, University of North Carolina, and University of Texas...just to name a few. And if you don't find your team, rest assured that Disney will be adding to this collection.

Disney Plush Introduces Pook-A-Looz Line

"Too cute for their own good" is the tag line for Disney's new "Pook-A-Looz" plush characters. And, well, they are. With a similar look as the Disney "Cuties" characters that you've probably seen, these plush creations will be available in more than 30 characters, from the most classic (Mickey & Minnie) to less mainstream (Jack Skellington or the Cheshire Cat). Priced at $7.99 to $12.99, these are sure to be a popular gift item for kids and collectors alike.

Pook-A-Looz are now available at the Disney Store, at various locations on Disney properties, and also at Toys R Us stores.

To see a brief video, or "Pook-a-sode,"  featuring the Mickey & Minnie Pook-A-Looz, click here.

More Off-Peak Dining Deals

Guests are reporting that Cast Member's are handing out dining coupons at Disney's Hollywood Studios this week. These BOGO (Buy One, Get One) coupons can be used for entrees at ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, and Studio Catering Co. before 11:30 a.m. or between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. each day. Coupons are expected to be around for only a couple of weeks--during the spring break rush--so get 'em while you can and use 'em if you've got 'em!

Third Disney Bus Collision in Two-Week Span

It's not looking good for Disney's transportation department. Yet another bus crash occurred today, this one at East Buena Vista and World Drive, involving a Disney bus, a Chevy SUV, and another Disney GMC van. The bus driver, age 80, was charged with careless driving. It appears that the driver failed to see the SUV stopped at a light and rear-ended the vehicle which, in turn, rear-ended the Disney van. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. You can read the full story here.

This most recent collision comes on the heels of Thursday's tragic accident that killed a 9-year-old boy. And just over a week earlier, on March 24, a WDW bus driver was involved in a two-bus incident that sent eight people to are hospitals with injuries.

Considering the sheer volume of vehicles, Cast Members, and guests that travel in and around Walt Disney World daily, accidents are bound to occur. Still, when you take into account the recent monorail tragedy, as well as multiple Cast Member injuries and deaths, it seems that it may be time for Disney to take stock and evaluate some of its training and safety measures.

Lights Out for Luxo Jr. at the Studios

Chalk this one up to another of Disney's short-lived mini-attractions: Luxo Jr, the animatronic lamp, is no longer entertaining crowds at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Luxo Jr first made his appearance in July of 2009, but was out of service after a very brief stint, only to return in September. About that same time, Disney and Pixar were sued by Luxo, a Norwegian lamp company, claiming that Luxo Jr's name and likeness amounted to copyright infringement. (Can you blame them? It is pretty, er, coincidental, yes? Check out the photo above--that's a realLuxo lamp.) No word on whether the lawsuit is responsible for Luxo Jr's demise, but it does appear that the animatronic is being retired permanently. Farewell, Luxo Jr. Go into the light!

Friday Photo

If you're a regular reader, you know that my family loves--LOVES--Mickey ice cream bars. Of course there's the simple combination of creamy vanilla ice cream and the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate coating. But I also think the whimsical shape makes it taste extra-yummy! Whatever it is, as you can see, a Mickey ice cream bar always brings a smile.

Child Killed by Bus at Ft. Wilderness

Tragic news came from Walt Disney World today, as a young boy (age 9) was killed by a Walt Disney World bus at the Ft. Wilderness Resort just before 2:00 p.m. It appears the boy and an 11- year-old female friend were riding on the sidewalk when the boy veered into the road, collided with the bus, and was then pulled under. By initial reports, including those from passengers on board the bus, this seems to be a tragic accident, and not the fault of the WDW bus driver, who has more than 30 years experience with Disney's transportation department.

Please pray for the family of the boy who was killed, as well as the driver and his family, and all the passengers who witnessed this tragedy.