Thursday's Tip

Your flight home leaves at 4:00 p.m., but your WDW Resort check-out is at 11. What to do with those extra hours? If you're not planning to go into the parks for a half day (why waste an entire day's ticket on just a few hours?), you can get your resort check-out extended up to 2 hours at no additional cost! Just call the front desk and ask politely, and they will almost certainly grant your request. (Not guaranteed, but usually they are quite agreeable.) Here are a few of my favorite "half day" options for Walt Disney World:

• Schedule a character breakfast at one of the resorts. These don't require park admission, and they tend to be less expensive than those inside the parks (with a few exceptions). Favorites: Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, Ohana at the Polynesian, and the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare inside the Grand Floridian.


• Hit the shops at Downtown Disney. They won't be open in the early morning hours, but there's plenty to see and do by mid-morning. And you can grab that last-minute souvenir before heading home!


• Take a swim in the resort pool. Even the Value Resorts have elaborately themed pools that are fun for kids of all ages. My favorite? The "dragon" pool at Port Orleans French Quarter.


• Hang out at the Boardwalk. Food, shopping, and entertainment! Rent a surrey and let the whole family pedal over to the Swan and Dolphin, too. Or take a boat to the Yacht & Beach Club and have a sundae at Beaches & Cream--yum!


• Take a transportation or resort tour. Grab a bus, monorail, or boat and see some of the parts of the World that you might have missed. I particularly enjoy taking the monorail around to each of the Deluxe Resorts on the loop.


• Spend some time at Ft. Wilderness. The property itself is a sight to see (they have their own internal bus system). They have a petting barn area, as well as horseback riding.

These are just a few ideas. What are your favorite "half day" activities?

Win a Walk-On Role in Mary Poppins from MyCokeRewards

I have pretty much given up carbonated soft drinks. Sure, I have the fountain drink with fast food, but as far as buying bottles/cans, that almost never happens. But this promotion might change my health-conscious ways! MyCokesRewards.com is teaming up with Disney Theatrical to give 20 lucky winners the opportunity to win a walk-on role in the Broadway musical, Mary Poppins. Yep, you read correctly--Broadway. New York City.

Here are the details: You may enter up to 5 times per day by redeeming 3 reward points per entry (or by mailing an entry--see full contest rules for details). The 20 randomly-chosen winners will receive a free Flip video camera to record their "audition" to be sent to Disney on Broadway. The grand prize winner (presumably based on talent and singing/acting ability) will receive round trip airfare for themselves and up to 3 guests, a 3-night stay in NYC, tickets to the show for up to 3 guests, and a walk-on role in the "Jolly Holiday" number in Mary Poppins for one performance. Oh, and he/she gets to join the curtain call as well!

To see full contest rules, visit MyCokeRewards.com. You can also download a free mp3 of "Step in Time" while you're there (watch the intro and a button will appear in the large banner).

Disney On Ice Presale

Coming to a city near you: the latest Disney on Ice production, Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 3. And you can buy your tickets now! Well, you can if you got the cool pre-sale email that I got today. The presale runs through July 22, and as far as I can tell it doesn't offer any discounts...only lets you choose your seats before the rest of the crowd. But you do get a free single-use Disney-themed camera with each purchase! Cities on the tour include Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Boston, Baltimore, and several others.

If you didn't receive this email and would like to purchase tickets, drop me an email--affordingthemouse (at) att (dot) net--and I'd be happy to forward it to you. You do need the special presale code from the email to purchase tickets.

Video of the Next Generation Disney Store Opening

The Disney Store 2.0 has finally opened in Montebello, California--a mere 30-minute drive from Disneyland! This highly-interactive store concept features an enormous castle display with magic mirrors that become digital storybooks; projection screen trees that showcase various characters; and a small-scale version of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Oh, and there's a darling mini-theatre that shows Disney flicks, where kids can take a rest while Mom & Dad shop (but what kid gets tired of shopping in the Disney Store?). Another sweet touch: each morning, a child is chosen to "unlock" the magic (as seen in the video above) and is then given a commemorative key.

There's more to see and explore than I can describe here. The Magic Key kiosks will help you choose a perfect gift for someone special. Touch panels where guests can control what appears on a giant video screen. Exclusive merchandise, such as the Cars-themed Ridemakerz vehicles. I just have one question: When will there be one near me?!?

Gospel Choir Fest Added to Night of Joy Festivities

I am really excited about this post, because I'm hoping we might just get to see a bit of this competition! Disney is hosting an inaugural Gospel Choir Fest to coincide with Night of Joy, the annual Christian music event held at WDW in September. It just so happens to fall toward the end of our upcoming trip! Have I mentioned that I was a music/voice major in college? Or that I sing on my church's worship team? Or that I used to teach voice? Or that I just simply love gospel music? Well, I was, I do, I did, and I really do!

Here are the details: choirs will compete on Saturday, September 11 in the morning at the American Gardens Theatre in Epcot. Master of Ceremonies for the event will be Smokie Norful, a Grammy-winning gospel artist. The winning choir will be awarded a set in the evening's Night of Joy lineup, alongside such popular artists such as Mercy Me, Third Day, and Family Force Five. 

Theme park admission to Epcot is required to watch the Choir Fest, even for performers, but there are special packages available for those participating (click here). Night of Joy is a separate ticketed event, and the Magic Kingdom will close early that evening to guests who do not have tickets for the show. (A good example of why it's important to always check park hours before making your touring plan!)

It's not too late to enter your choir--registration is open until July 15!

Three Disney Documentaries Coming to DVD

I've been anxiously waiting to see Waking Sleeping Beauty, the documentary that chronicles the mid-80s slump and subsequent re-awakening in the animation studios of Disney. Finally, we have a DVD release date: November 30, 2010. In addition, Disney will release The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story, about the famous brother songwriting team who penned "It's a Small World" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocous" (among others); andWalt & El Grupo, exploring Walt Disney's visit to Latin America and the films that trip produced, Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballaros. All three would seem to be must-see material for Disney historians and fans alike!

Friday Photo

Before it's gone, here's a look at Mickey's bedroom in his house in Toontown. (I just love the drawer full of white gloves!) Will miss this place, but I'm excited to see the Fantasyland expansion. Bittersweet.

Thursday's Tip

When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, it's great if you're able to travel off-season. Not only are the crowds lower, but the weather tends to be a bit more temperate. But, let's face it, most people do visit the Disney Parks in the summer--that's what makes it so busy! And if you're gonna be at Disney during the steamy season, you'll need some strategies for dealing with the heat. Which leads us to Thursday's Tip...er, Tips:

• Start your day early--at rope drop. It's cooler in the morning, and you can take a break in the heat of the afternoon if you need it.


• Wear sunscreen (duh!), and consider a hat if you're balding (a nice cotton breathable one is good).


• Wear light colors. That black Pirates of the Caribbean tee is going to absorb a lot of heat; opt for the pink Cheshire Cat tee instead!


• Drink plenty of clear fluids. Water is best, but if you can't stomach the Florida sulfur smell, opt for Sprite over Coke, as caffeine dehydrates.


• Carry a handheld fan. I've seen them for as little as $1, and some even have mister features. You can get larger mister fans--fans attached to spray bottles--but they make pocket-sized versions as well.


• Finally, be sure to partake of some indoor, air conditioned attractions.

Be safe and enjoy the summer!

Main Street Electrical Parade Hanging Around?

Please, oh please, oh please, oh please let it be so! Rumor has it that, although it is only scheduled to be at Walt Disney World through the Summer Nightastic Celebration (obviously taking place during the summer months), Disney will likely announce that "due to popular demand" the Main Street Electrical Parade will be hanging around a bit longer. I'm SO excited at this news, since we'll be traveling down in early September--just missing the original summer window. I am thrilled to hear that there's even a chance that I'll get to see this parade that I loved in my childhood! Keeping my fingers crossed...and my toes...and legs...and...well, I just look like a pretzel!

Buy a Home at Walt Disney World

Ever dreamed of living right there on Disney property with Mickey, Minnie, and the gang? Who hasn't! Well, now your dream can come true. All you need is between $1.5 and $8 million! Yes, it's true: Disney is pre-selling homes at Golden Oak, a new luxury development on the northwest corner of the WDW Resort in Florida. Only 30 sites are available this year, so you'd better snatch one up now! Or you can just read about it here.

Guests with Disabilities Will Soon Have Electronic Assistance

Some time ago, I heard that Disney was developing technology to assist guests with disabilities. Now, it seems that technology will soon be available at Walt Disney World--coming this Sunday! This Assisted Technology Device is pretty amazing, as it provides detailed explaination of surroundings for visually impaired guests and amplified audio and captioning for hearing impaired guests. Kudos to Disney for providing this first-of-its-kind technology! You can read more at the official Disney Parks Blog.

TS3 Breaks Box Office Record

My family and just about everyone else we know saw Toy Story 3this weekend. It would appear that the rest of America did likewise. Raking in a record $109 million for the weekend ($41 million on Friday alone!), TS3 topped box office receipts and broke the record for the opening weekend haul for an animated feature. Certainly aided by the upcharge that comes with most 3-D flicks, this is still a huge opening for any film, but especially for a second sequel. Can't wait for the Blu-Ray/DVD release!

Disney Slices Summer Golf Prices

Once again, Disney's Price Slice, the popular discount golf program, is available for summer at The Magnolia, Palm, Lake Buena Vista, and Osprey Ridge golf courses. Now through September 6, a round of golf at any of these 18-hole courses will cost just $59 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and only $49 after 3 p.m. The fee includes cart rental, greens fees, and a bucket of practice balls. Normal rates are $99-$114 (weekends) and $89-$104 (weekdays), so this is a considerable discount! To reserve a tee time, click here or call (407) 939-7415.

TS3 Fever Hits NASCAR

My husband is a huge NASCAR fan, and one of his favorite drivers is Carl Edwards. Look what Edwards will be driving in this weekend's race:

A Disney Connection

So, by now, I'm sure you've all heard the story about the couple who, upon viewing old childhood photos about a week after their wedding, discovered that they were at Walt Disney World at the same time as children. If not, you can read the story here--it's pretty amazing really. This week, that couple returned to the "scene of the crime" to recreate the photo with their own children. View this most recent piece of the story on the official Disney Parks Blog.

TS3 3-D...We'll Be There!

We just bought our tickets to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D tonight! For our family of 4, the cost would have been $49! But with 3 free tickets (2 from buying TS and TS2, and 1 from Kellogg's PopTarts), the cost was only $20 (had to pay the 3-D upcharge for all tickets). Still, not a bad deal for a fun night for the whole family!

So...who's with me? Going to see it tonight?

Friday Photo

Just for fun, can you guess the location? This is an easy one!

Star Tours Re-Opening Date Released

So I told you here about the refurbishment planned for Star Tours. Well, now we have a revised (or is that "official") re-opening date! Star Tours 2.0 (not an official name...just what everyone seems to be calling it) should re-open just in time for Star Wars Weekends 2011 on May 17-- a few days earlier than originally scheduled. Certainly this date could change again, but it stands to reason that Disney will do everything in its power to have it open by Star Wars Weekends.

DisneyStore.com Is Having Semi-Annual Sale

Go here to check out all the deals!

Thursday's Tip

Here's a tip for families who expect to make multiple trips to Walt Disney World over the years: buy 10-day non-expiring tickets, and consider adding the Water Parks & More option. Yes, they can be expensive--almost as expensive as an annual pass. But if you plan to return to WDW but not within the year, this is the best deal in most cases.

My brother's family is a perfect example. Each spring break their family of four visit the parks. Over the course of their week, they probably only use 3 or possibly 4 days of tickets. On their "off" days, they explore the resorts and visit the water parks and Disney Quest. (They purchase the Water Parks & More option. And they also purchase them ahead of time from an official Disney ticket outlet at a discount.) Those 10-day tickets will get them  through three years of vacations! Buying those tickets separately, without the non-expiration feature, would cost them somewhere in the range of $225 more per person--or $900 for the whole family!

While you won't be able to pair previously-purchased tickets with a full Magic Your Way Package that includes dining (those require a new ticket purchase), you can pair them with a room-only discount and see significant savings. For returning visitors to the Disney Parks, 10-day non-expiring tickets are almost always the way to go.

No Snarling Mickey for Wii Game

I'm really glad the makers of the new "Epic Mickey" video game have come to their senses. Original plans were to have the beloved icon turn into a snarling rat when players made poor/mischievous choices in the game. Obviously, and with good reason, fans were outraged at this idea. Instead, Mickey will now give naughty players a disapproving look--much more fitting for the beloved Mouse. You can read the full story, with lots more info on the actual game, here.

Disney Employees Go Casual

OK, not exactly. But Disney has made a few changes to their employee dress code that will have some ladies jumping for joy. Most notably, women wearing skirts will no longer be required to wear pantyhose. This is of particular interest to those who work inthe Parks during the hot summer months. Women can also wear sleeveless tops, providing the strap is at least three inches wide (sorry, no spaghetti straps or camis, ladies). The gentlemen will also now be permitted to wear certain styles of dress shirts (Hawaiian or Tommy Bahama styles) untucked.

It was as recently as 2000 that Disney finally permitted male employees to grow facial hair, so obviously the Mouse takes its all-American, clean-cut employee look very seriously. A few years later, male employees were given permission to style their hair in cornrows. Before making these seemingly minor changes, Disney consults the dress codes of other Fortune 500 companies and other theme parks. They have meetings...panels...committees. Seriously--they do not take employee appearance lightly. But then, that's part of the Disney Magic, isn't it?

Wayne Newton Performs Phineas and Ferb Tribute at Licensing Expo

At the recent 2010 Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas,  Wayne Newton surprised the crowd at a private Disney event by performing a Vegas-style musical number to celebrate the success of Disney Channel's animated series Phineas and Ferb. You might recognize this as the theme song of Perry the Platypus.

WDW Bus Driver Not at Fault in Fatal Crash

It turns out that an under-inflated bike tire may have contributed to the accident that killed young Chase Brubaker on April 1 at Ft. Wilderness. The investigation has confirmed earlier reports that the driver of the WDW bus was not at fault. You can read the full story from the Orlando Sentinel here.

Yum...My Favorite Disney Treat

My oldest daughter wanted to spend some time with me tonight (I know--trying to hold onto that while it's still the case!), so she decided we should cook together. We made our favorite Walt Disney World dessert--the chocolate mousse they serve at Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot (France). It's chilling right now, but I took a little taste before putting it in the frige and...YUM! It's gonna be soooooo good. I've given the recipe here before, but if you missed it, here it is again. Easy enough for a six-year-old and her non-gourmet mom to make together!


5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/4 cup cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar

Melt chocolate over hot water. Remove. Combine egg yolks and cream. Gradually add to chocolate, stirring rapidly. Add vanilla. Beat egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into chocolate mixture. Chill until firm. Yields 3 cups.

Tangled Gets Its Own Site

Tangled, Disney's upcoming animated feature (formerly titled Rapunzel) has its own website now. Check it out here.

Friday Photo

Today, is my youngest daughter's 4th birthday! We actually celebrated last weekend with a Disney Fairies party. I have a tendency to, well, um...overdo theming at kids parties. I've been known to do CandyLand (featuring a chocolate "swamp" and a game-board cake), Neverland (with all the kids in costume--Peter Pan, Tink, Lost Boys, Fairies...you name it), and even a Mad Hatter Tea Party (we played crochet, although not with flamingos and hedgehogs). This year, my only thematic splurge--besides the cake that I copied from the one I saw at Publix--was a large paper tree that I constructed in our den...it's the Pixie Hollow tree, of course! Here's a pic:

And here's one of my little fairies. That's Presley, the birthday girl, dressed as Tink, of course. Reagan is being Vidia, the fast-flying fairy. And little Elphie is simply enduring the few minutes that she was dresssed in this Build-A-Bear fairy costume.

Thursday's Tip

Just about everyone knows that when you visit WDW, you need to wear comfortable shoes. But not everyone can agree on the perfect style. Our family are strict athletic shoe people--at least at the theme parks. But I know families who swear by Crocs, especially for their little ones. I've even known folks who wear flip flops to the parks (I admit that I don't quite get this one, but maybe that's just me). Today's tip isn't really about the shoes you wear; it's about what to do if the shoes you wear fail you: pack some moleskin.



Haven't heard of it? Moleskin is a sort of adhesive bandage (kinda like a thick cloth bandaid) that can be used as both blister prevention and blister coverage (preventing further pain). My husband found it to be invaluable for distance running, but it's equally effective for blisters from too much walking in uncomfortable shoes.

Sure, the smart plan is to break in your shoes before your trip, being certain they will provide the most pleasant walking experience for you. But if that just doesn't happen, it's a good idea to have some Moleskin on hand...just in case.

New Teaser for Tangled

You can catch a sneak peek at the new Disney animated film, Tangled (formerly Rapunzel) on the Disney Channel Sunday, during the all-new "Sonny with a Chance"--and you're already going to be watching that anyhow, right? OK, well, we were.

Dating Tips from Ken

You can find more of these on YouTube--too funny!

TS3 Cakes Featured on Tonight's Food Network Challenge

Don't you just love the Food Network Challenges? My favorite are always those involving Disney. Tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern/6:00 Central, the FNC will feature Toy Story 3 cakes. Four professional pastry chefs, along with their assistants, will create elaborate cakes featuring Woody, Buzz, Mrs. Potato Head, and Jessie. The chef with the best cake earns bragging rights and a check for $10,000. Check local listings if you don't have the Food Network channel memorized like I do. :-)

August Refurbishments for DHS

Disney's Hollywood Studios has at least two refurbishments scheduled  for August. The first, for Toy Story Midway Mania, will be brief: August 16 through 28. Still, if you have a vacation planned at that time, it's a bummer. This is, hands down, our family's favorite attraction! An often overlooked attraction, One Man's Dream, will undergo a lengthy refurbishment August 16 through November 2. I'll be the first to admit that we have passed by this one on more than one trip. But if you've never taken the time to visit this exhibit, it really is worth devoting an hour to it (you can do it in less, but you can really absorbit in an hour). This one really is a must-see for any Disney-phile, a hidden gem among the other high-profile attractions at the Studios.

Disney Hosts Homeschool Days in September & January

"Schoooool's...out...for...summer! Schooooool's...out...for...ever!" This is the song we were singing in earnest a couple of weeks ago when my daughter finished her last day of public school. Yes, we've joined the ranks of those who take the road less traveled--the road of home education. Or, as I like to say, we've joined the "crazy homeschooling cult." ;-)

So, in preparation for our next trip to Walt Disney World, I started thinking in terms of educational opportunities there and how we could turn our vacation into a learning experience for Reagan. I did a simple internet search to see if other homeschooling families had blogged about their Disney learning experiences, and I happened upon a fabulous discovery: Disney hosts Homeschool Days!

Under the umbrella of Disney's YES (Youth Education Series) program, Homeschool Days offer educational opportunites in the form of exciting, hands-on presentations, as well as deep discounts on park tickets for the whole family (no minimum number of guests, as is the case for some of the YES programs). They also happen to fall during two of the least crowded times of the year--September and January. (Traveling off-season to WDW is one of the many perks of being a homeschooling family!)

We're attending the upcoming Homeschool Days on September 8 & 9 this year! You can register or get the full run-down of presentations offered and ticket prices here. The next session of Homeschool Days will be January 24 & 25 of 2011. Registration and details for that event will likely be available after the September event.

This appears to be one of Disney's best-kept secrets. After a comprehensive web search, I found very few Disney fan sites (even the really BIG ones!) that made any mention of this bi-annual event. While homeschoolers make up only a small segment of the school-aged population (best guesses are somewhere around 3% in the US), our ranks are growing every year. I expect this even to become more popular as the homeschooling population grows. But for now...let's keep this our little secret, OK?

I'll see all my fellow homeschooling peeps in September!

Friday Photo

Did you know that It's a Small World boasts an actual working cuckoo clock of sorts? Every fifteen minutes, guests are treated to a little something extra from the clock tower in the ride loading zone. Next time you visit (if the attraction isn't closed, as it will be for our next visit...*sigh*), be sure to stop by this iconic attraction on the quarter hour!

Create the Toy Version of You!

Disney/Pixar has launched a new site that allows you to create the toy version of yourself. With a similar look and feel to the avatar creator on the Wii gaming system, the Toy Story Toy Creator allows you to select the specific features you want--hair, eyes, clothing, etc.--and create a custom creation to save, print, or share. Tons of fun for kids or adults! Here's mine--what do you think?

Thursday's Tip

When our family goes on vacation, we go from living in a comfy house with multiple rooms to living in one room. And though the moderate and deluxe rooms at Walt Disney Resorts are roomy, the value resorts can be a bit cramped with four people and all the "stuff" that comes with us. Here are a few Thursday's Tips to help with organization:

• Assign everyone his or her own clothing drawer and unpack immediately.


• Set your empty suitcase on end with it zipped up, except for about a six inch section on the top end. Then, each day, you can stuff your dirty laundry back in the suitcase. When your week at WDW is finished, you're already packed! (This also prevents the bulging dirty clothes bag that inevitably falls over and spills out repeatedly.)


• Buy an inexpensive over-the-door organizer to hold shampoo, deodorant, and other hygiene items, keeping the counters from being over-stacked.


• Take collapsable bins to keep papers and other items tidy.


• Use the free safe that each Disney resort room offers. Not only will it keep your tickets, wallet, keys, etc. safe, but it will also keep you from losing them!

Disney Uses New Facebook Ap to Sell TS3 Tickets

The perfect marriage: social media and entertainment. Now, thanks to a new Facebook application created by the Walt Disney Company, you can log onto the social networking site, make plans to see Toy Story 3with your friends, and buy your tickets without ever leaving the site. The ap, Disney Tickets Together, is designed to let you invite friends to the movies by alerting them when you purchase tickets. So, your whole group of friends can meet up for your favorite flick--and nobody gets left out!

You can check it out here if you have a Facebook account.

Start Planning Now for Marathon Weekend in January

In January, Walt Disney World hosts its annual Marathon Weekend. In addition to a traditional 26.2 mile marathon, they also host a Princess Half Marathon, Goofy's Race and a Half (yep, that's a full marathon PLUS a half--or 39.3 miles!), as well as other short races for the whole family. Races tend to fill up fast (the half marathon is already half full!), so it's a good idea to register as soon as you know your plans. This year, if you finish the full marathon, you'll get a day in one of the Disney Parks for free!

And here's something fun--you can help choose the medal design for the marathon. Click here to cast your vote today!