Celebrating Memorial Day

Last year, our family spent Memorial Day at Walt Disney World. You'd think the parks would be crowded on this holiday that coincides with the start of summer vacation for many areas. Not so! Crowds were actually quite manageable. But I digress...

I wanted to draw attention to a little ceremony that happens every day at WDW, but has special meaning on this holiday of remembrance: Flag Retreat. Each day, usually at 5:00 p.m., there is a ceremony in the Magic Kingdom to take down the flag that waves on Main Street. And each day a war veteran is chosen to participate. The Main Street Philharmonic offer a medley of patriotic tunes, and the flag is then lowered and folded in the traditional triangle (in deference to the tri-cornered hats worn by colonial soldiers). Finally, it is presented to the veteran being honored that day.

The ceremony is solemn and yet doesn't seem out of place, despite the gaity and levity that surrounds it. If you've never had the opportunity to view this patriotic tribute, I encourage you to make it a goal on your next visit.

Alice in Wonderland Releases Tuesday

After a quick thumb-through of the sale ads in today's paper, the cheapest price I've found for the Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack is $26.99 at both Target and Best Buy (although it appears that Best Buy has its own exclusive edition and free trading cards, if that appeals to you). With the $10 off coupon that I told you about here, that makes it just $16.99.

Did anyone find it cheaper?

UPDATE: Upon closer examination of the Best Buy ad, it looks like you'll get an additional $5 off if you show up at the midnight release party. And the first 50 customers get a free poster too. Not gonna happen for me. My sleep is worth more than $5. I'm cheap, but not that cheap!

Alice Coupon Now Available

A $10 off coupon for the Alice in Wonderland Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack is now available! Go here to print yours. And be on the lookout for rebates, as I'm sure there will be at least one or two to make this an even better deal!

Refillable Mugs: Changes May Be Coming

And by changes, we mean an all-out crackdown on mug cheaters...maybe.  Here's the deal: currently, when you buy a WDW Resort refillable mug for around $13.50 plus tax, you're supposed to use said mug for the duration of your stay at your resort location only. The mugs are good for soft drinks and coffee, but not milk or juice. In years past, the mugs were themed according to each resort, making it more difficult for mug owners to hop over to another resort and use the mug. However, these mugs were sold on a "perpetual fill" basis, meaning they were good FOREVER...not just the length of your stay. Bottom line, if you have one of these old resort mugs, you should technically be able to use it at the same resort, even in 2010.

But for the last several years, the mugs have all had the same theming, with designs changing out about once a year to prohibit return visitors from re-using the past year's mugs. Still, mug "cheaters" abound. Sure, it's a lot easier to use them at other resorts--they look the same. And designs change minimally from year to year, so even old mugs will often squeak by Cast Members. And, really, CMs have better things to do with their time than to track down mug rule violators.

Still, it IS cheating, and it looks like Disney is about to do something about it. Disney has applied for a patent on a device that will ultimately be used to eliminate the rampant willy-nilly refillable mug use. Described as a "Self-Service Beverage and Snack Dispensing Using Identity-Based Access Control," the device seems to be designed to limit--or at least record--the number of beverages that a guest purchases or refills. Likely, it will essentially eliminate the need for mugs, since the guest's Key to the World (or maybe even someday his/her fingerprint!), not the mug itself, will provide proof of purchase.

My guess is that the whole system is about to be re-vamped. No longer will guests purchase mugs but rather a "length of stay" beverage option, which may even extend to the Parks. It may also somehow be linked to the Disney Dining Plan, allowing guests to use their snack credits at resort vending machines. The possibilities are endless!

Personally, I'm not terribly sad to see the mugs go. We rarely visit the food courts at our resorts, since we bring our own beverages/snacks from home. But I love the idea of extending this to the theme parks, where we're far less likely to carry a full day's worth of beverages!

Friday Photo

You know you've been to Disney World too many times when you recognize the plain-clothes security guard.



Did you pick him out? Guy in the jacket, hands in pockets, back to the camera. I only post these photos because they are so terrible (and small) that you'll never be able to recognize this man in person. (Don't want to actually blow his cover, ya know?) Disney uses plain-clothes security in many cases so that guests are not aware of or inadvertently stressed or made nervous by the security presence in the parks. These average-looking people are there for your safety. (OK, they are also actually there to catch anyone committing ticket fraud...but mostly for the security thing.) Here are the things that clued me in that this guy was a security officer:

• He was alone. At Disney World.


• He was standing in the same spot--near the entrance to the Magic Kingdom--for a very long time.


• He didn't have any bags/backpack.


• He was wearing inappropriate clothing for touring the parks (at least, in my opinion). This was October, and it was rather chilly, but a coat?


• He had an earpiece.

That last one was the giveaway. I spotted this guy on several different days/locations. Mostly at the MK, but also at the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center). Have you ever seen a plain-clothes security officer at WDW?

Oops! Is It Friday Already?

So...hmmm...yesterday was Thursday, and I completely blanked on doing a Thursday's Tip. So, dear reader, I ask your forgiveness. Let me only say that it was the last day of school, my preschooler was sick, and we have a new puppy. Enough said.

I'm choosing an extra-special Friday Photo right now to make up for it!

Disney Tweaks Online Dining Reservation System

I was thrilled when Disney finally came up with an online dining reservation system. No more waiting by the phone at precisely the moment when the dining reservations line opened at exactly 180 days prior to your trip in order to book that elusive character meal! (Although, honestly, if you want a primo time for Cinderella's Royal Table, you should probably still do this!) I love, LOVE being able to book dining whenever I feel like it. And I also love, LOVE being able to try a hundred different options without frustrating the Cast Member on the other end of the line.

But the system was not without flaws. Thanks to a few recent improvements, the online reservation system is better than ever. There are now more ways to search. And Disney promises more improvements are coming. Check out the complete story on the official Disney Parks Blog, or visit the online reservations system and see for yourself!

Cinderella's Carrousel Gets a New Name

So apparently, Cindy is letting her Prince take over the carousel. Beginning June 1, "Cinderella's Golden Carrousel" (Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom) will be renamed "Prince Charming Regal Carrousel." Here's the story that Disney is offering to explain the change:

Following their fairy-tale romance and happily-ever-after wedding, Cinderella and Prince Charming took up residence in Cinderella’s Castle. With peace throughout the kingdom, Prince Charming had time to practice for jousting tournaments. In the countryside near the castle, he built a training device of carved horses, on which he could practice the art of ring-spearing, a tournament event in which a knight rides his horse full speed, lance in hand, toward a small ring hanging from a tree limb, with the object of spearing the ring. This event was known by various names throughout the lands, but generally came to be called “carrousel.”

The carrousel device drew the attention of the villagers, who wanted to take a turn on this amazing spinning contraption. So Prince Charming had a second carrousel constructed closer to the Castle, where everyone could take a spin on this wondrous invention. Instead of a working knight’s training device, however, this new carrousel is more befitting its regal location in the Castle Courtyard – its rustic training horses replaced with ornately decorated prancing steeds adorned with golden helmets and shields, flower garlands, feathers and other festoons. Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.

While I am accustomed to calling it Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, I find the change to be, more or less, irrelevant. As long as Cinderella's favorite horse (the one with the golden ribbon on her tail--as seen above) is still there, I'm happy.

Woman Loses @Disney Twitter Account

The moral of this story can be summed up like this: the early bird doesn't necessarily get the twitter name of her choice. Cheri Thomas was one of the earliest uses to jump on the Twitter bandwagon. She was surprised and delighted to realize that the account for "@Disney" was still available. She's been using that account ever since...until last week, when her account was taken away. Why? Here are a few rules that Twitter has referred to in this case:

• Impersonation: You may not impersonate others through the Twitter service in a manner that does or is intended to mislead, confuse, or deceive others.


• Trademark: We reserve the right to reclaim user names on behalf of businesses or individuals that hold legal claim or trademark on those user names. Accounts using business names and/or logos to mislead others will be permanently suspended.

Now, while there's really no argument that Cheri was impersonating Disney (she claims she is just a fan and thought the handle would be fun, and her tweets were in no way misleading or claiming to be affiliated with Disney), certainly this created confusion for some folks. If I saw a tweet from "@Disney," I would expect it to be something official. And the more pressing issue here is trademark. Although the Disney Company now has multiple other Twitter accounts in use, and really doesn't have a need for Cheri's additional account, it's still a matter of preserving and protecting their trademark and brand.

I know some fans may feel differently, but I have to go with Twitter in siding with Disney on this one. Perhaps if she had chosen "@Disneyfan" or "@Disneylover" or even "@Disneyfreak," I would feel differently. I trust Cheri will find a fitting handle that incorporates her love of Disney from a fan's perspective.

I don't Tweet, but I do have a Facebook fan page--won't you join me there? Click on the sidebar. Still, I think I'll log on to Twitter just to see if "@AffordingtheMou$e" is still available!

The Making of TS3

For those of you who enjoy seeing the big picture of how a movie comes together--or shall we say, the "Imagineering" of it-- this article in Wired magazine will be interesting. It breaks down the process of the making of Toy Story 3 in a fun and not too technical way.

So...LOST...What Did You Think?

Once more I'm going to stretch the boundaries of this site and ask my readers what they thought of last night's series finale of LOST. (I'm leaning on the ABC/Disney affiliation to make this an applicable topic!) Here are my thoughts:

• I fall neither in the "loved it" nor "hated it" camps. I felt satisfied, for the most part.


• Considering what we knew--that there were two parallel "worlds" taking place simultaneously--we knew that one could not be "real," so to speak. I'm glad to know that what happened on the island, happened--not what appeared to happen in the "sideways world."


• But this still leaves me with many questions regarding the time travel episodes and also what exactly happened when the bomb went off.


• I will be watching all six seasons this summer to see some early revelations that I missed on first viewing.


• Every question that is answered will lead to another question.

So, how 'bout you? What did you think? Would love to read your comments!

Friday Photo

We have a new little girl in our home. So forgive me if I again stray from a strictly Disney Parks theme for this Friday Photo. I did throw in a bit of the Mouse, though. This is one of the Mickey-shaped balloons, just like you'll find at WDW. As you can see, our new little girl is quite a bit smaller than said balloon. Right now we're guessing her to be a couple of pounds, and she'll likely be no more than 7 or 8 as an adult. She's a Yorkie/Maltese mix, and we're still deciding on (arguing about) a name.  Is she cute, or what?!?

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip goes out to anyone who has tried to get twelve people to decide anything. There is hemming and hawing...no one wants to speak up, but everyone has an opinion (usually negative) about any suggestion offered. It can be more than a little frustrating!

Large groups at Walt Disney World can be particularly taxing. You can waste a lot of precious park time trying to decide what to do next, where to eat, etc. My tip? Divide and conquer. Split up! Sure, you want to spend time with the family you came with, but you also want to enjoy your time at WDW. Find some time to plan group activities--such as a meal together at a specific time and location--but spend part of your day dividing into like-minded touring groups. Aunt Ethel probably isn't going to want to ride Space Mountain, but your teenage son might. Likewise, your childless adult sibling might not want to join your two-year-old twins on It's a Small World twelve times. It's OK to go your own way.

This actually works for smaller families too. Our oldest daughter is tall enough to ride a few things that the youngest isn't. On our first trip as a family of four, Daddy took big sis to ride Soarin' while little bit and I hopped on a gentle boat at The Land. It worked out perfectly.

You might subscribe to the saying, " the family that plays together, stays together." But might I suggest the whole "absence makes the heart grow fonder" approach? It might alleviate some generational family tension and make your trip more enjoyable.

WDW Adds New Backstage Tour Inspired by Walt

Guests at WDW now have another option for "behind the scenes" touring. "Inspiration:Through Walt's Eyes" is a three-hour backstage tour that takes guests into the mind of the man himself, Walt Disney, and lets them experience firsthand how his genius continues to be translated into Disney magic.

The tour begins with Walt's influences in film at Disney's Hollywood Studios, then continues to the Event & Decorating department to see how Disney tackles special events, then finishes up at the Magic Kingdom to experience the daily operations going on throughout the Utilidors (that's just the fancy word for the underground utility corridor system of the Parks).

This tour is offered three days each week to guests 16 and up. Cost is $99.

More than Just a Castle

DisneyShawn had a story this week that prompted this post. His post is actually about the arrival of Stitch's Great Escape to the Magic Kingdom in 2004. But its relationship to Cinderella's Castle is what prompted this post. You see, one of the marketing tactics employed to draw attention to this new (or, rather, re-themed) attraction was pretty shocking--they TP'd and vandalized Cinderella's Castle! See for yourself.



A clever idea, certainly. But did they go to far? I'll reserve my opinion for now.

This isn't the first time our beloved icon was transformed. Perhaps less irreverent, but no less controversial, was the idea of Disney Imagineers to turn Cindy's Castle into a giant birthday cake for Walt Disney World's 25th anniversary in 1996. I remember this one well. Cute idea, right? But instead of looking like a birthday cake, it looked more like a cross between the castle featured in the Candy Land game and something you might find in Red Square.  It stayed this way for over a year.



More recently, the castle underwent a  less drastic change. In 2005 (Disneyland's 50th anniversary), its exterior was adorned with polished gold accents, including banners, tapestries, spires, and statues of Disney characters, ranging from classics such as Peter Pan and the Cheshire Cat to more recent characters like Flounder and Simba. I think the key here is subtlety:



So, why does it all matter? Well, for starters, Cinderella's Castle is not simply her home or even the center of the Magic Kingdom--it is a Disney icon that in internationally recognized and adored. It is arguably one of the most photographed buildings in the world.

Here's another thought: People don't like to see something they adore be altered...unless this alteration is something they won't consciously see. For example, Cindy's Castle has recently undergone refurbishment. No one but true Disneyphiles would probably notice the changes. And yet, these minor updates will keep Cindy's digs looking spiffy for a few more years. That's change everyone can enjoy and appreciate...whether they notice it or not.

 Just for fun, here's a look at Cinderella's Castle today.



Ah...perfection!

Star Wars Weekends Now Arriving

Here's a little something for the Star Wars fans out there. Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios begin this weekend. It's a fun time to be at WDW. You never know what you might see. And while you're there, don't forget to have a last ride on Star Tours, which closes for refurbishment early in September. (We're hoping to catch one last ride on our upcoming trip.)

Is "Small World" Getting the Disneyland Treatment?

Disney fans have very strong feelings about "It's a Small World." Most people either love it or hate. I fall squarely in the "love it" category. Why? Mostly because no other attraction in the World--no, not even Dumbo--gives me that "you are at Disney World!" feeling like IASW. I can't remember a trip to WDW that didn't include at least one ride (and usually multiple rides) on this classic boat excursion. But that's about to change, because IASW is slated for refurbishment August 1 through October 22 this fall. Our next visit will be in September (*sigh*).

By now, you may be thinking, wow, that's a rather lengthy refurbishment. To which I would say, why, yes it is! And since Disney hasn't offered any concrete answers, let us speculate for a moment about what this might mean. Hmmm... well, since versions of IASW in  Hong Kong Disneyland and also Disneyland in California have already undergone significant changes, I think it's a pretty good bet that Disney has similar plans in mind for WDW. Specifically, they will likely be incorporating some of the characters from Disney classics that appropriately fit in the different geographic areas featured in IASW. For example, Jasmine and Aladdin may find their way onto one of the flying carpets that are already soaring in one area of IASW. Lilo and Stitch may be added to the line of Polynesian dancers. Or perhaps the cowboy in the final room as you're about to exit the attraction will be replaced by Woody. Those are just a few ideas. Additionally, the soundtrack to the attraction was also changed to incorporate theme songs from the various added characters. It's a subtle change, but a change nonetheless.

When similar changes were made at Disneyland, fans were certainly divided. For the most part, I'm not against the changes. Anything Disney can do to update one of the park's oldest attractions is probably a good thing. On the other hand, the mantra "if it's not broke, don't fix it" strikes a chord. Here's a view of Disneyland's "It's a Small World." Have a look (and listen!) and make your own decision.

UPDATE: Apparently Disney (Walt Disney Imagineering, to be specific) is denying that any new charactes are being added to the WDW version of "It's a Small World." Guess we'll know for sure sometime in late October.

Friday Photo

OK, I know...it's a bit of a stretch for my Friday Photo. This pic was actually taken at Disney's California Adventure in 2004. But since LOST airs on ABC, and ABC is owned by The Disney Company, and Disney's Hollywood Studios has a near-identical ride to this one, I'm going to go with it. And how fun is it to see these guys together...and happy! (Please let there be a happy ending for at least some of my favorite characters!)

Are you a LOST fan? I just can't get enough these days. I'm sure that even after the series finale in a couple of weeks, fans will be dissecting and theorizing about this show for years to come. And The Disney Company is going to make a pile of money if/when they package a full series DVD set with all the special features and commentaries that draw in the fans. And, ultimately, what's good for The Disney Company is good for my beloved Walt Disney World.  So, watch LOST! You will not regret it.

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is so simple...it's almost lame of me to post it. And yet, I can't tell you how many people don't utilize it. The tip? Ask a Cast Member. You have questions...ask! Trying to find your child's favorite character in the parks? Ask a CM! Want to know the current afternoon parade route? Ask a CM!  Searching for a lunch spot that serves more than chicken nuggets and burgers? Ask a CM! Need to find the nearest restroom? I think you know the drill by now...ask a CM!

I can't tell you how many times I've seen people hovering over their park maps, or looking around with confusion in their faces...and most of the time, that could be cleared up in a matter of seconds by stopping the nearest CM. The Disney Parks are teeming with CMs--you can't walk 20 feet without running into one! And while the particular CM you stop may not always have the answer you're looking for, they will almost certainly know how to find it...far better than you or I!

They're easy to spot--just look for the uniforms themed according to the "Lands" or whatever department they work for, as well as the unmistakeable CM name tags. And while you're at it, teach young children how to spot CMs...just in case you get separated. Approaching a CM with a radio is the absolute fastest way for child and parent to be reunited.

Disney Store 2.0 Coming This Summer

You may recall that I shed a few figurative, if not literal, tears this year when not one, but both of our local Disney Stores were closed. And while I had been hearing rumors, news, and promises from Disney about the new store concept they were planning to unveil, they're finally revealing some concrete plans for 20 new stores coming as early as this summer. Sadly, none of them are coming to my area...but I'm still hopeful that this is merely the first step in the process that will bring my Disney Store back!

Since they can say it better than me (and, quite honestly, what's the point of me re-inventing the wheel when the work has already been done?), here's a copy of the press release from Disney:

Disney Store Lauches Magical New Store Design in Major Markets Across the U.S. and Europe in Summer 2010

 
Worldwide Unveiling of New Design in Montebello, CA and European Premiere in Madrid, Spain

To tweet this release, copy and paste http://bit.ly/cO9KUx to your twitter handle.

Pasadena, CA and London, UK--May 12, 2010—Disney Store is poised to redefine children's retail, launching a magical new store design in major markets across the United States and Europe this summer. The innovative Disney Store design will be unveiled for the first time in June at The Shops at Montebello in Montebello, CA just outside of Los Angeles, followed by the European premiere in early July in Madrid, Spain at La Vaguada. A unique destination developed from a child's perspective, the new store design integrates the latest technology to create an enhanced shopping experience inspired by Disney's most popular characters and stories.

"We have infused Disney magic into all elements of this one-of-a-kind retail experience, and have selected prime retail centers to launch the Disney Store of the future," said Jim Fielding, president of Disney Stores Worldwide. "Special features like the iconic Disney Princess castlewith magic mirror and the Disney Store Theater are just two of the amazing elements in the new store that will enrich every child and family's experience at the Disney Store."

More than 20 new and remodeled Disney Store locations are slated to open this year in premier retail centers throughout North America and Europe. North American locations have been confirmed for Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York; Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, California; International Plaza in Tampa, Florida; Stockton St. in San Francisco, CA; and Fashion Valley in San Diego, CA. European locations cover four markets with openings in Spain, Portugal, Italy and the UK. These include NorteShopping in Oporto, Portugal; Orio Center in Bergamo, Italy; and UK locations including Centre MK in Milton Keynes, Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen and Donegal Place in Belfast.

Each new store has special significance and will be celebrated as an important milestone in Disney Store's growth and evolution.• Roosevelt Field will be the first east coast newly-designed store to open in the United States.

• In August, Disney Store will join a group of exclusive retailers for the re-opening of the new Santa Monica Place shopping center near the legendary Santa Monica Pier in southern California. Santa Monica Place is a modern shopping and dining destination that combines contemporary styles with sustainable architecture, and Disney Store will offer a comprehensive assortment of unique Disney products to the elite clientele.

• Disney Store at International Plaza in Tampa, Florida will be nearest to Walt Disney World Resort, allowing families to visit both this summer.

• Fashion Valley brings together San Diego's finest collection of stores set in a beautiful outdoor shopping center, and the newly-designed Disney Store will launch there this summer.

• Disney Store will join retailers in the historic Union Square of San Francisco, one of the largest shopping areas in the United States. Union Square became San Francisco's

• In Europe, Oporto will be the first Disney Store to open in the north of Portugal and only the second to open in the country, following the successful launch of the brand to the market in 2007.

With each new store opening in 2010, Disney Store will designate a day for 10 percent of the sales to be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the U.S., Spain, Italy and Portugal and to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity in the UK.To find a Disney Store, guests can visit www.DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/DisneyStore to stay connected to your favorite destination.

About Disney Store
The Disney Store retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America, Europe, and Japan. Disney Store is an affiliate of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive product lines that support and promote Disney's key entertainment initiatives and characters. Disney Store opened its first store in Glendale, California and, in doing so, originated the themed retail business model. There are currently more than 200 Disney Store locations in North America, and more than 40 Disney Store locations throughout Japan. Disney Store Europe currently operates more than 100 Disney Store locations throughout the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, and an online store, disneystore.co.uk. Each Disney Store offers a magical shopping experience that can only be delivered by Disney (NYSE: DIS), one of the world's largest and most successful entertainment companies.###

Art of Animation Resort Coming in 2012

The official Disney Parks Blog has some big news for us today--there is a new Disney Value Resort coming! The Art of Animation Resort will be designed with families in mind--especially families that don't fit into the "party of 4" Disney box. With well over half of its nearly 2000 units designed as family suites, Disney is finally expanding options for large families. (And it's about time!) The family suites will offer separate seating areas, and will feature theming from Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King, while the regular rooms will have The Little Mermaidas their theming.

To read the full story and see phoots, check out the Disney Parks Blog.

What Is It with WDW Busses Lately?

Yet another accident involving a WDW bus was reported yesterday. Fortunately, this one was NOT the fault of the WDW bus driver. According to witnesses, the accident occurred near Typhoon Lagoon and Downtown Disney, where a car ran a red light and collided with the bus. The driver of the car and a passenger were injured. No report on injuries of those on board the bus.

This brings  the recent bus collision tally to four since mid-March, one involving a fatality. Of the four, however, it appears that only half were the fault of WDW bus drivers. Considering the sheer volume of vehicles in the area, and the unusual and sometimes confusing roadways on Disney property, this doesn't seem to be a particularly high volume. Still, it does make one wonder if Disney should consider more rigorous training and screening for its drivers (particularly in the case of the elderly driver involved in this accident who appears to have had multiple complaints lodged against him). I'm just sayin'...

DWTS and Pixar Team Up on TS3

Have you seen clips of Spanish Buzz from Toy Story 3? Pretty funny. And who wouldn't want to see said character dance a fabulous Paso Doble with his best cowgirl bud? And when you need help with a sassy Latin dance, who do you call? Why, the professionals Dancing with the Stars, of course! Tony and Cheryl show the Pixar animators how it's done.

Displaced Ariel Makes Debut in Adventureland

As I mentioned in this post, Ariel's Grotto is no more. And while we mourn the loss, we can all be excited about this: Ariel and Prince Eric are now greeting fans in Adventureland. What's so exciting about that? Well, since she's on dry land (and not that moisture-controlled rock in her Grotto), you can now see Ariel in her ball gown! Previously, the only other place you could do this was in Epcot, Norwary, Akershus Restaurant, for the Princess Storybook Dining experience. So, yes, this is kind of a big deal.

If you prefer the fin-tailed Ariel, you can still see her at Disney's Hollywood Studios, featured in her Voyage of the Little Mermaid attraction. But you won't be able to hug her or get her autograph. : ( But here's a fun secret for you: I know Ariel. No, seriously. I really, really do. Yes, THAT Ariel. I could tell you more...but I wouldn't dare spoil the magic.

Friday Photo

AP Photo/©Tennessean

OK, so it's not a Disney World photo. So, indulge me for a day. This is a photo taken in east Nashville on Sunday, just as we were beginning to realize how devastating things really were around our fair city. But this Friday Photo could fall under the title of, "That's So Nashville."

I love my city. I love its perservering spirit, and its people who lend a hand in times of crisis. We are truly the Volunteer State.

Fantasyland Walls Get a Facelift

If the multi-colored construction walls weren't aesthetically pleasing enough for you, you're in luck. Disney has spruced up these walls with some concept art of the attractions that will be featured in the "new and improved" Fantasyland. You can get a look over at WDWMagic.

Last Tour to Endor--August 14

I told you about the revamp of Star Tours in this post and this post. To say goodbye, Disney's Hollywood Studios is hosting a "Last Tour to Endor" party. This hard-ticketed even will be August 14, 8:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., but you can arrive at DHS as early as 4:00 p.m. You can see the event brochure here.

And speaking of Star Wars, DHS's Star Wars Weekends are coming May 21-23 thru June 11-13. Go ahead--put on that Jedi costume or style your hair with Leia-style bagel buns, and join the fun!

Thursday's Tip

Planning an affordable Disney World vacation involves three primary categories: resort, tickets, and food. There are definitely discounts available to help save money on your resort stay. Ticket discounts are a bit harder to come by, although they do exist for groups, special events, or if you're willing to purchase from an official outlet. But food...well, that's one area where you can make or break the budget.

I've offered a number of ways in the past that you can save money on food. Perhaps the most obvious is to bring your own. Some folks also swear by the Disney Dining Plan for savings (not necessarily best for families with young, picky eaters). Another way we save money is by eating some large meals off-site. Which leads to Thursday's Tip: sign up for restaurant email and rewards programs.

Orlando just happens to be the home to a few of our family's favorite restaurants that aren't here in Nashville: Chevy's, Sweet Tomatoes, and Bahama Breeze. All three of these eateries are just a short drive from various parts of the World. (Chevy's is Tex/Mex, Sweet Tomatoes is a soup/salad/bread buffet, and Bahama Breeze is island-inspired cuisine.) In the case of Chevy's and Sweet Tomatoes, we are almost always seated immediately. Also, having signed up online, I usually get coupons emailed every few weeks from both restaurants--sometimes BOGOs or at least several dollars off. Not quite as many for Bahama Breeze, but I have received a few through my Discover card (gift cards for BH are also among the Discover rewards choices).

Besides the obvious savings, sometimes it's nice to step away from the Magic for a moment and decompress. Feeding the kids something besides chicken nuggets and fries is just a bonus!

Note to My Readers

Dear readers, I must apologize for my lack of posts the past few days. If you're not from the Nashville area, you may not be aware of the severity of the flooding that has taken place here. With other major news stories occupying the lion's share of air time, our story seems to have fallen off the radar, so to speak. But our dear city has suffered a catastrophic event, one that we will be recovering from for months or perhaps years.

Thankfully, my family and belongings were all spared. I feel so fortunate to live on a hill (something I always complain about when the winter ice storms hit this area). Just a few miles away, residents lost lives, homes, vehicles, and other possessions. Over twenty people perished.

As a community, we're on water restriction, being asked to cut our consumption in half and refrain from any optional water use. Our city landmarks, such as the Grand Ole Opry House, the Opryland Hotel, the Bridgestone Arena, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and LP Field were all at least partially under water. Some of you may have seen the amazing footage of a portable school building floating down the interstate and then falling apart. That happened about two miles from our home. In one neighborhood, a house now sits in the middle of the street blocking traffic, having been lifted completely from its foundation.

I write all this not only to explain why I've been a bit absent with my posts ( a bit of a preoccupation--or perhaps obsession--with the local news coverage and checking up on friends via Facebook, and also having my oldest daughter home from school until further notice) but also to present some opportunities to help.

If you're local, you can log on to Hands on Nashville (www.hon.org) for volunteer opportunities. Also, there are dozens of local churches that are accepting donations of clothing, food, hygiene products, etc. for those who have lost possessions. (If you need some ideas, email/message me, and I'll point you to a church in your area where you can drop off items.) Another way to help, of course, is to give financially.

While I truly appreciate the American Red Cross and how they are often the first responders to this type of event, I would like to respectfully suggest a few other organizations that get a little less press, but are helping with the flood efforts too, and could use your donations:

• The Salvation Army


• Gracework Ministries


• Samaritan's Purse


• Second Harvest Food Bank


• The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

There is no right or wrong way to give. Whether you have time, supplies, or money, the people of Nashville and surrounding areas sure could use your help.

I hope to be back to some sort of normal posting schedule next week. Until then, I'll be sure to post anything huge or time-sensitive...but my perspective on what's important--even when it comes to Walt Disney World--has changed a bit this week. Today, I'm mostly feeling grateful to have escaped the worst and proud to be a part of a community that is persevering through this disaster.

Free Dining Released for the General Public

We all knew it was coming; now it's official. The same free dining deal that released to Disney Rewards Visa members last week is now available to the general public. The details are pretty much the same:

• 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 14


• 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

Time to book those ADRs!