Friday Photo

I love this pic of my oldest daughter Reagan on her first visit to Walt Disney World. As I have mentioned before, one of the perks of having a Cast Member friend is special privileges. We've had the great fortune to experience VIP parade viewing, free entry into the parks, and, on this particular trip, a private audience with Pooh and his friends. This is Reagan "playing" with her new friends.

Hooray! Main Street Electrical Parade Is Staying...For Now

So excited that I will get to see this in September! Check out this post at the official Disney Parks Blog to read the details.

Thursday's Tip

This one is for all my fellow homeschooling peeps out there--but it can be applied by any family who likes to take "educational" vacations. That doesn't have to be a dirty word, ya know. Educational can be fun! My tip? Relate your learning to attractions at the Disney Parks. We're starting school in August, and instead of delving into our curriculum full-force, we'll be taking a brief detour in some subjects, to allow for a little "Disney school." Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about:

• My husband loves all things train-related. He's going to help teach the girls about rail travel and what it meant to our country as far as commerce and growth, as well as the science behind how steam engines work. Related attraction: Walt Disney World Railroad.


• We're going to read some American Folklore stories, particularly those involving Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and friends. Related attraction: Splash Mountain (theming from Song of the South).


• We're going to learn a bit about requirements to be a US President, as well as memorizing who the first five were, and learning a bit more about several of the most famous. Related attraction: Hall of Presidents.


• We're going to read aloud together Tom Sawyer, and my second grader will read some abridged versions of shorter stories about the character. Related attraction: Tom Sawyer Island.


• We're going to learn the language, flag, capitol, primary religion, form of government, etc. from all the countries in the World Showcase at Epcot. We'll also cook some native dishes of each country.


• We'll do a quick study of plant life and related subjects (photosynthesis, for example) and especially hydroponics. Related attraction: The Land.


• Another general study of marine life, especially learning a bit about the different varieties in the movie Finding Nemo, will relate to The Seas with Nemo & Friends.


• Our "green" study of simple ways we can take care of God's creation will relate directly to Ellen's Energy Adventure, as well as several attractions at Innoventions: Don't Waste It!, Smarter Planet, and the Environmentality Corner.


• For art, we're using several "how to draw" books that will be complemented by the Art of Animation tour.


• My daughter requested a study unit on dinosaurs, which will go quite nicely with all the exhibits in Dinoland at Animal Kingdom, but especially Dino Sue and the Boneyard.


• We'll study animal habitat and such as related to the various trails at Animal Kingdom, as well as the Kilimanjaro Sarafis and the Conservation Station.

I'm sure many more opportunities that we haven't even considered will present themselves too, but this is about all we can handle for the next month until our trip. (Don't worry, we're still doing math and language arts and all the other stuff your kids in "normal" school will do!) It's going to be fun finding ways to incorporate our favorite vacation spot with our new venture into homeschooling!

It's That Time Again...Prepare for the Ticket Price Hike

It's almost August, and you know what that means: time for a park ticket increase! If tradition holds, this Sunday will mark ticket price increases for all Magic Your Way tickets, including multi-day passes and add-ons such as Park Hoppers and Water Parks & More.

Since Disney tickets don't begin to expire until your first use (even those without the non-expiration feature), if you know you'll be going to WDW in the next few years, it's not a bad idea to purchase tickets now, as prices will with all certainty go up each year. (Of course, buying your tickets separately does prevent you from taking advantage of discounts where a Magic Your Way package purchase is required, so keep that in mind when deciding what the best deal might be for your trip.)

I'll have new official ticket prices posted once they go into effect.

Innoventions

We're fast approaching our September visit to WDW for Disney's Homeschool Days (read this post if you aren't familiar with the event). And since we're new homeschoolers, I've been looking at Disney attractions in a whole new way--for their potential educational value! (Hey, I knew Disney was educational...I just never cared until now.) One attraction (or more like a group of attractions) that instantly came to my mind was Innoventions at Epcot. Today, while doing a quick search to get a list of attractions within Innoventions, I came to a fabulous discovery: Innoventions has it's own website! I'm going to spend some time exploring and planning our "school time" for our time in Epcot. This is going to be the best field trip ever!

Beauty and the Beast

OK, so you'll have to indulge me for a post. My daughter is in  a production of Beauty and the Beast this weekend at the Boiler Room Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee, and I just had to post a few pics. (It is related to Disney!) She is a villager (Sausage Curl Girl, to be specific) and an enchanted piece of silverware (knife, fork, or spoon--just whatever she grabs on a particular show). She is having a ball and definitely has been bitten by the acting bug in a big way!

I chose this pic, because she's the only one facing the audience--and it's easy to see who she is!



Here's the scene from the tavern ("No one's slick as Gaston; no one's quick as Gaston; no one's neck is incredibly thick as Gaston's...").



Here's one of the enchanted cast singing "Human Again."



And finally, one of Belle and the Beast.



Reagan had a big day yesterday: she did her second show of B&B (another tonight and one tomorrow night); she celebrated her 7th birthday; and she lost her front tooth!

OK, now back to our regularly scheduled WDW info & tips. Thank you for indulging me. :-)

No FastPass for Dumbo?

As I reported in this post, Disney filed papers in Orange County, FL to build what was assumed to be a FastPass machine for Dumbo. As it turns out, the permit was actually for a new wait-time clock. Boo! I mean, accurate wait times are nice, but we want our FastPass! Maybe (hopefully) we'll get it with the new Fantasyland expansion.

Friday Photo

This evening is my daughter Reagan's opening night in Beauty and the Beastat the Boiler Room Theatre in historic Franklin, Tennessee. She's very excited and a little nervous. She'll be portraying a villager and also an enchanted spoon! I'll post pics of her soon, but in the mean time, here's a shot of the Beauty and the Beast show at Disney's Hollywood Studios--"Be Our Guest!"

Target and Disney Launch Tween Fashion Line

If your tween girl is beyond Disney Princess character Tees, but still wants to dress like her favorite Disney Channel stars, she's gonna love this new line from Target and Disney. D-Signed is inspired by the fashions worn on shows like Sonny With a Chance and Wizards of Waverly Place. I know for certain that my almost-7-year-old will be wild about this line!



She'll love that it's a little more grown up than her current wardrobe. And I love that the line is still more modest than a lot of clothes marketed to tweens. You can check out more images of the line here.

Thursday's Tip

As much fun as a WDW vacation is, sometimes a day in the parks can be downright exhausting. If you need a little "down time" or a break from the chaos, here are a few relaxing ways to get through the afternoon slump:

• Take a ride on the TTA--Tomorrowland Transit Authority (MK). This easy-breezy attraction not only cools you off for its 10-minute duration, it also allows you to see what's going on around Tomorrowland.


• Sit in the lovely dark and cool theatre to watch the Hall of Presidents (MK). One of my favorite napping spots for little ones, it also provides respite from the midday Florida heat and a rest for weary feet (pardon the rhyme). And you might just learn something too!


• Hop on Spaceship Earth (Epcot). Another long ride, this one is a slow mover...very relaxing and, again, educational.


• Take a slow boat to...well...wherever. An underrated mode of transportation, in my opinion, the boats around the World can be super relaxing and refreshing to weary travelers. And they can get you where you're going.


• Grab a snack (may I recommend the Mickey Ice Cream Bars?) and a bench, and people watch. You're certain to see some interesting things.


• Finally, when all else fails, retreat. Go back to your resort for a few hours and have a short nap. Return relaxed and refreshed!

Now You Can Choose Your Language on Wake-Up Calls

Walt Disney World is now offering multi-lingual wake-up calls in all its on-site resorts. You can choose from English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Japanese. Sadly, these additional languages do not apply to character wake-up calls, which are available only in English.

Make Food & Wine Special Event Reservations Now

2009 Epcot Food & Wine Festival

The phone lines are officially open for all special events associated with the 2010 Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Call 407-WDW-FEST to secure your spot for events such as the First Bites Opening Reception ($195 plus tax and theme park admission), or the “3D” Disney’s Dessert Discovery ($45 plus park admission) that includes a front-row seat and sweet treats for Illuminations.

I've visited WDW during the Food & Wine Festival a few times, and it's always fun to see the special menu items added--at really affordable prices, I might add. (Portions are sometimes small, but this is essentially a tasting party.) Although I've never had the opportunity to experience it sans children, my dear friend who is a dedicated "foodie" (and attends Food & Wine annually) would agree that this event is an ideal adult-only Disney excursion--not that kids can't enjoy it, but adults can really enjoy it without the kiddos. :-)

Start dialing...NOW!

FastPass Coming to Dumbo?

Paperwork has been filed in Orange County, Florida for Disney to build a FastPass kiosk for the Dumbo ride! Parents of toddlers and preschoolers are rejoicing and dancing in the streets! But seriously, if you've ever waited in the hot sun (because the line weaves through open air with a small area under shade), then you know how exciting this can be. Since the ride only has 12 cars...each seating 2 adults, or 1 adult with 2 small children, the line can get backed up rather quickly. I've almost never seen a wait of less than 30 minutes.

So, take heart, parents! Help--in the form of a Fastpass--is on the way! (No word yet on when the kiosk might be functional.)

Friday Photo

This is something you don't often see...me in a picture from Walt Disney World. Mostly because I'm almost always behind the camera. I chose this Friday Photo because it displays something that everyone should do at some point on their WDW vacation: play in the fountains at Downtown Disney! The year was 2008 (May, I believe), and as you can see, my oldest had embraced the fountain with gusto! Proof that not only is Downtown Disney a great spot to shop 'til you drop, but also an ideal location to beat the heat of the Florida sun!

Thursday's Tip

I have mentioned in several posts that I strongly recommend using a stroller for any children under five at Walt Disney World (my nearly-seven-year-old still hops in whenever she can!). Whether you're using your own stroller or renting one of the posh WDW ones (and they are pretty awesome, I must say, but expensive), you don't want to come off a crowded ride or attraction and have to sort through the dozens of others to find yours.

In the past, I have recommended tying a bandana, scarf, or other object to your stroller to make it easier to find. This works great during daytime hours. But what about when it's dark? (I'm thinking particularly of the night we left Fantasmic as the park was closing, and we had to search for our relocated stroller in a not-so-well-lit area.) Here's a great Thursday's Tip: attach glow bracelets, or even a book light, to your stroller! The glow bracelets are super cheap ($1 for a whole package), and well worth every penny in this situation. The advantage to a book light is that it can act as a headlight for your stroller as you exit. [And here's a bonus tip: don't do this to a rental stroller during the final Fantasmic of the night, as they ask you to remove all items from the WDW strollers and they return them to the rental area for you.

Merchandise Coupons at the MK

If you're headed to Walt Disney World in the next couple of weeks, be on the lookout for 20% off merchandise coupons at specific dining locatons in the Magic Kingdom. Dine at one of them and you may receive the coupon (redeemable at specific locations in various parks, valid only at specific times) now through July 24.

Here's where you can find them in the MK: Main Street Bakery, Casey's Corner, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Columbia Harbour House.

Here's where you can redeem them throughout WDW:

• The Emporium (Magic Kingdom)


• Mouse Gear (Epcot)


• Island Mercantile (Animal Kingdom)


• Mickey's of Hollywood and Keystone Clothiers  (Disney's Hollywood Studios)


• World of Disney (Downtown Disney)

What My Kids Are Playing This Summer

My seven-year-old is totally enamored with the fairy paradise of www.pixiehollow.go.com. It's a lovely little computer world that allows you to create a fairy and then fly her throughout Pixie Hollow. While there, you can "friend" other fairies and chat with them, buy trinkets and clothes in the virtual shops, and simply play and explore to your little heart's content. You can do most everything for free, but if you want to purchase some items and do the "extras," you have to pay a subscription fee. My daughter keeps casually mentioning how her fairy really doesn't have enough clothes, etc., and that she really needs to become a "member." Cheapo Mom is content to let her play for free.

If you have boys, and they're not keen on joining the fairy world, they can now have a similar--albeit very different as well--experience in the World of Cars online community (www.worldofcars.go.com). Much like Pixie Hollow, you can create your own car, with customized specs and colors, and join the race! And, also like PH, you can chat with other cars and enjoy much of the site for free. But a paid subscription will get you the "premium" services.

Disney is committed to keeping these sites safe and friendly for kids. There are no ads, and there are parental controls available too. If you get the "Mom, I'm bored" speech this summer, you might want to let your kiddos log on and join the fun.

New Costumes Premier at DisneyStore.com

You can catch a sneak peak at the newest costumes for the kiddos at www.DisneyStore.com. This year, I'm sad to say, I'm a bit underwhelmed. There don't seem to be many design changes or anything that makes the princess costumes stand apart from the usual assortment. I do like the new deluxe Tiana costume, but it comes with a hefty price tag. But I think the stand-out item in the collection has to be the Buzz Lightyear deluxe action wing pack! Check it out here. Fun, fun!

So...who will your kids be wearing this Halloween?

Animal Kingdom Hosts "Taste of Africa"

Perhaps the most succinct way to describe the inaugural "Taste of Africa Street Party" at Animal Kingdom is to call it a scaled-down version of Epcot's Food & Wine Festival. All the elements are there: tapas-style appetizer servings of new & unique foods at a reasonable $2.50-$4.00 price point, along with beverage pairings (some wine & beer, but also some non-alcoholic tropical juices). Oh, and there's music too--a DJ as well as a band!

The Street Party begins today (right after Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade) and lasts through July 24.

Via Napoli to Open in August

If you're planning a late summer/early fall visit to the World, you could be among the first to try Epcot's new Italian eatery, Via Napoli, set to open next month. The big draw, of course, are the wood-oven pizzas, but you'll also find an array of appetizers, pastas, salads, and the sweet ending of gelato! I'm thinking we may need to try this on our September trip!

 

Friday Photo

This little guy was just one of many we saw daily during our stay at the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. It was late May, and the critters were out in full force. In fact, we made a game of counting how many crossed our path on the walk from our room to the food court or bus. But, don't worry...we didn't see any inside our room.

What's For Dinner? Soup ala Le Cellier!

So, let me start by saying that I am by no means a good cook. I manage. I make do. But I go out of my way to avoid cooking for people outside of my immediate family. So, when I say a recipe is easy, you can trust me to be honest. And...this recipe was easy!

Tonight for dinner, we're having Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup--and it's the recipe they serve at Epcot's Le Cellier Steakhouse! Yes, I made something from one of Disney's finest dining establishments. And it's good! Have mercy, it's incredible, actually! Hey, wow, I'm a great cook!

OK, well, it might have something to do with the 4 tablespoons of butter...or the half pound of bacon...or perhaps the pound of white cheddar cheese. Granted, this soup is by no means "light." But it is seriously yummy! Goodness, I'm going to need to run an hour on the treadmill to work this off--but it is worth it.

In case you were questioning the validity of the recipe, it came straight from the Mickey Moms website. It serves 10 (maybe less if you can't stop eating it like me). Here are the ingredients:

1/2 lb. bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 med. red onion

3 ribs celery, cut into 1/4 inch pieces

4 Tbsp. butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups chicken stock

4 cups milk

1 lb. grated white cheddar cheese

1 Tbsp. Tabasco sauce

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

coarse salt, freshley ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup warm beer

chopped scallions or chives for garnish

Preparations:

1. In a 4- or 5-quart Dutch oven, cook the bacon, stirring, over med. heat for about 5 min. until lightly browned.

2. Add the onion, celery, and butter. Saute until onion has softened, about 5 min.

3. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 min. over med. heat. Whisk in chicken stock and bring to boil for 1 min.  Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 15 min., stirring occasionally.

4. Add the milk and continue to simmer for 15 min. Do not boil after you add the milk.

5. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, Tobasco, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and soup is smooth. Stir in warm beer. If soup is too thick, thin with warm milk.

6. Serve hot, and garnish with chopped scallions or chives.

Or, if this all sounds too complicated (it's SO not, though), you could just book an ADR for Le Cellier on your next WDW vacation! But be sure to call 180 days before your trip, as this Canadian steakhouse is one of the hardest dining reservations to snag in the World Showcase.

Thursday's Tip

Here's a tip that applies to almost anything you rent at Walt Disney World: Save your receipt! For example, if you rent a stroller at the Magic Kingdom in the morning, but decide to hop over to Epcot in the afternoon, you simply take your receipt to the stroller rental area at Epcot and they'll give you one there! (This will also save you $ if someone happens to "borrow" your rental stroller.) Ditto for a wheelchair. Locker rental? Sure thing! (You may have to actually see an attendant to get a receipt for locker rental.)  And the same goes for parking--park at the TTC in the morning, and you can hop in the car and drive to Animal Kingdom later in the day if you so choose, as long as you have your receipt.

Here's a bonus tip: keep all your receipts in a ziplock bag to prevent the ink from "bleeding" in the event that you get soaked on Splash Mountain or in one of those infamous Florida downpours.

Fall Refurb for Flame Tree BBQ

OK, so I already noted in this post that one of my favorite attractions, It's a Small World, will be closed during our upcoming trip. Now, I have learned that a favorite restaurant, Flame Tree Barbecue, will also be closed.  :( The schedule refurbishment will begin August 9 and last through September 19.

In Animal Kingdom FT BBQ is our favorite place to dine. The speed and ease of counter service is great with kids, and the seating for this eatery is tranquil and cool, even though it's outdoor. Best of all, the food is great and the portions are large. We usually share two adult entrees among our family of 4 and have enough for everyone. At around $10-12 per plate, this is a rare Disney food bargain.

I guess it's good for us to step outside the comfort zone a little and try something new. Anyone else have a Animal Kingdom favorite eatery?

Princess Half Marathon Opens Registration

Registration for one of Disney’s most popular races is officially open! Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend, sponsored by Lady Foot Locker, is scheduled for February 25-27, 2011, with the actual half marathon race taking plance on February 27. Additional activities include a Royal Family 5K and Royal Family Kids Races.

The ladies go all out for this race, donning everything from tiaras to fairy wings. And there are ample opportunities for photos with characters along the course. Yes, there will be seasoned, hard-core runners, but this is also a great race for those run for the fun of it and take things a bit less seriously. While the event is women-focused, men are not excluded. However, all awards are given to women, and men are placed in later starting corrals.

To register for any of the Weekend's events, click here.

Free Dining Extended Through December

Free fall dining has been extended through December 21! There are numerous black-out dates, including a good chunk of October, Thanksgiving week, and a week in early December. Here are the dates that free dining IS available:

• 
  
  Aug. 15 – Oct. 7, 2010


• 
  
  Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 2010


• 
  
  Nov. 12 – Nov. 18, 2010


• 
  
  Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2010


• 
  
  Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, 2010

For more information, or to have Affording the Mou$e help plan your next WDW vacation, drop me an email at affordingthemouse (at) att (dot) net.

Last Day for Free Shipping at DisneyStore.com

Click here to take advantage of this offer!

Disney on TV

If you are home for the holiday on Monday, you're in luck! Here's your chance to catch some Disney-related shows on TV. Most of them are re-runs, but if you missed them the first go-round (or you just love watching them over and over like me),you can see:

• The Cake Boss: Castles, Cannolis, and Cartoon Characters. TLC at 9:00 a.m. Eastern/8:00 Central.


• The Pixar Story. CNBC at 10:00 a.m. Eastern/9:00 Central and again at 8:00/7:00 p.m.


• Unwrapped: Disney Delights. Food Network at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/7:30 Central.

Disney-related programming is one of my favorite ways to "remember the magic" of previous vacations!

Actress Who Gave Cinderella a Voice Has Died

Disney Legend Ilene Woods, the actress who voiced Cinderella in the animated feature, has died at the age of 81. Woods once said that the most rewarding thing about doing the film was “knowing how timeless it is and that even after I’m gone to know my voice will be heard.” And indeed it will.

Friday Photo

Any guesses where this photo was taken? Do any of you, perhaps, have a similar shot of your own little princess? Answer is below.

This was my daughter's first visit to Walt Disney World (age 2), so we simply had to dine at Cinderella's Royal Table! I just love this pic of my tiny princess on the huge throne. Those are Snow White's lip prints on her forehead--SW  just can't keep from kissing the little ones!

We're going back to Cindy's Table this fall, since our youngest hasn't had the chance to dine in this castle. (She's eaten with royalty in Akershus in Epcot...but not at the castle. Fun with princesses, but not quite the same.) We managed to snag a reservation before the park opens--hoping to get some great castle shots without random people in the background.

Free Shipping at DisneyStore.com

Now through Monday, get free shipping on any order at www.DisneyStore.com by using the code FREESHIP. Happy Independence Day!