Friday Photo

You really can't get much better than the Partners statue, can you? Represents everything I love about Walt Disney World--the Man and the Mouse.

Free Fall Dining Available to Disney Visa Cardmembers

You know that I love my Disney Rewards Visa, right? I use it (responsibly) for almost everything, and enjoy the rewards each year on our vacation. As a DRV cardmember, I'm often privy to Disney World discounts before the general public--and today is one of those lucky days.

Disney World is now offering “Free Dining” to DRV cardholders for travel dates of August 28 through September 24. (You may remember that they had previously offered free dining through September of 2011, but it had to be booked quite some time back...many of us wondered if they'd still offer it in the fall. We now have our answer.) If you're not a DRV member (why aren't you?), have no fear--the deal will be released to the general public  on Monday. If you ARE a cardmember, I'd book before then!

Of course, the free dining  promotion precludes you from other discounts (such as room-only discounts), and you must book at least a 3-day and no more than 14-day Magic Your Way package (that simply means booking hotel and tickets together).  In doing this, you will receive one of the Disney Dining Plans for free for all guest three and older in your party.

Again, the breakdown of which plan you'll receive free is based on the Resort category. If you're staying in a Value Resort, you'll get the Quick Service Dining free. At Moderate, Deluxe, or Villas, you'll receive the regular Disney Dining Plan free. You can upgrade any of these plans to Deluxe by paying the difference in cost.

This deal is limited (probably even moreso than usual, since some people already snagged free dining when it was offered last year, but it appears you can book until August 27--don't wait that long!

If you need booking codes, or if you'd like a referral code to become a Disney Rewards Visa cardmember--and receive a $25 bonus in Disney Dream Dollars--you can email me at affordingthemouse (at) att (dot) net.

Thursday's Tip

You might say today's tip is a whole collection of tips. I like to call it Find the Hidden Gems. On your first visit to Walt Disney World, it really takes almost all your energy just to see the major attractions and soak in the atmosphere. And it takes several visits to be able to say you've done the major and most of the minor attractions. (After more than a dozen trips, I still haven't seen everything!) Somewhere around your 5th or 6th trip (it varies from family to family), you'll realize that you more or less "know the drill." You still enjoy every attraction, of course, but you are finally ready to dig in a bit more...to look for some of the many hidden gems around the World.

Hidden gems are those surprising details that Disney crams into every square inch of their Parks--little things that make you smile. Here are a few you can explore on your next Disney vacation:

Magic Kingdom

• On Main Street, you might come across the occasional "old-timey" telephone. Go ahead--pick it up and listen. You just might get an earful.


• If you're in the train station on Main Street and you have a penny, you can treat yourself to a "moviola" on one of the machines.


• If you get to Tom Sawyer Island early in the morning, you might just find a paint brush that Tom left behind. Take it to a Cast Member for a prize!


• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe has a couple of interesting trash cans. Listen closely, and you might hear something.


• Legend has it that Cinderella has a favorite horse on Prince Charming's Regal Carousel--the only one with a gold ribbon on its tail. (Hint: This horse is in the middle--not on the outside ring of horses.)

Epcot

• The Kim Possible Adventure has added a whole bunch of hidden gems to the World Showcase. You never know what you might see--and the best part is that you control the action with your Kimmunicator!


• Behind the United Kingdom pavilion, you can try to weave your way through a hedge maze. Don't worry--it's not nearly as tall as a corn maze.


• Near the Canadian pavilion, you will see three totem poles--only one of them is "real." See if you can tell which is made of cedar (and carved by renowned Tsimshian Indian carver, David Boxley) and which two are made of fiberglass?


• Try to make your way to the courtyard of the Germany pavilion at the top of the hour. Listen for the "kukoo!"

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• There's a well near the entrance to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. Pull the rope and listen!


• While you're there, go ahead and open those crates in the bushes that say, "Don't Open." Really...it's OK.


• There's a cool speeder bike near the exit to Star Tours. You're perfectly welcome to hop on and live the fantasy (great photo op!).


• As you go through the turnstiles at Muppet 3-D Vision, you'll see a welcome mat. Take a peek under it.

Animal Kingdom

• Look for D'Vine on the trail between Africa and Asia. This performance artist is not to be missed!


• Along the walkway to Camp Mickey & Minnie, listen for two talkative plants, Herb and Flora.


• The bridge near Kali River Rapids has a few buttons that allow guests to "shower" those riding the attraction.


• This one is a photo clue. If you stand near this small temple area in India, and look across the Park to Everest, you'll see something interesting in the silhouette.

There are so many more. Any favorites to add?

Sounds Dangerous Closing (Seasonal Operation)

OK, I have to admit something to you, dear reader: I'm not sure I have ever seen Sounds Dangerous. I may have seen it in my younger days when it first opened, but I really don't remember it. (I do seem to recall being in the building and trying some of the audio booths that let guests experiment with sound.)  In my adult years, our trips have almost always been when the attraction was down during "Seasonal Operation." (That just means that they only run it when it's busy enough in the Parks to attract sufficient crowds.) So, I really can't tell you if you should be disappointed with the news below.

Now that spring break and Easter have come and gone, Sounds Dangerous will again be closing on May 1 and returning to a "Seasonal Operation" schedule. What does that mean? I'm never quite sure. You might see it re-open in the middle of summer. It's likely to make an appearance around Christmas and New Year's. And, yes, it will almost certainly be opened for the spring break and Easter months.

More Themed Rooms Coming to WDW

Little princesses everywhere will rejoice at this news--I know mine will! Disney is adding 512 themed princess rooms--Royal Guest Rooms, as they're calling them--to its Port Orleans Riverside Resort by March 2012.



Since Princess Tiana is most at home in New Orleans, she appears to be the star of this renovation, but she has invited good pals Belle, Jasmine, and others to share in these luxurious rooms that feature  ornate beds with fiber-optic special effects in the headboards, along with gold and crystal accents. If you can believe the concept art of these rooms, they certainly appear to be fit for royalty of any age.

For the health-conscious among us, the Contemporary Resort is adding Health and Wellness Suites, which will feature such upgrades as non-allergenic mattresses, 100% cotton linens, and bamboo flooring. Bathrooms in the suites will include rainwater showers and tea tree oils. Cardio equipment will be conveniently in the rooms, and guests can enjoy yoga sessions or spa treatments at the renovated wellness studio. In addition, the conceirge lounge will feature fresh and seasonal organic foods.

British Invasion Leaving Epcot

This week will mark the final performances of a 15-year run for the perennial favorite, British Invasion. The Beatles tribute band has been performing for eager audiences at the Great Britain pavilion in Epcot. Their last performance at Epcot will be on April 30.

The band's Facebook fan page indicates that this decision was theirs, not Disney's. It also says that they plan to play at Disney from time to time, just not with the regularity of the past. A fan appreciation party is planned for sometime in May, and the boys will also have a concert in downtown Orlando on May 14. If you're a fan, you can keep up with British Invasion via their Facebook page.

Good Friday

I'm sorry for not posting sooner. Our family has spent most of today at church. This morning, we were preparing for our Walk Through Jerusalem experience tomorrow. My husband is playing  "Shadow Jesus"--that's Jesus on the Cross in shadow--and I'm helping out.  Then tonight I sang at our Good Friday Service of the Nails, where we heard graphic details of what Jesus' last week on earth might have been like.

All these activities have put Jesus' suffering and sacrifice in the forefront of my mind. It's hard to comprehend celebrating in someone's suffering, and yet we can celebrate Good Friday (yes, it is GOOD!) because we know that Sunday is just around the corner. I hope you will indulge me while I share a new insight that came to me tonight.

I have long known that the Temple Veil--the one that separated us from the Holy of Holies--was ripped from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death. This literal event is ripe with symbolism, as it allowed us direct access to the presence of God. But only tonight did it strike me in a unique and clear way that this didn't happen after the Resurrection--it happened at the point of death. Now, I don't want to present skewed theology, but it occurred to me that perhaps we place a bit too much emphasis  on the Resurrection. Hear me out: if the Veil was torn at the point of death, and if Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice--one that would prevent us from ever having to sacrifice another animal for our sin--then we had communion with the Father when Jesus died. In other words, it was the blood sacrifice of Jesus that makes an unholy people appear holy before our Heavenly Father.

I don't want to diminish the Resurrection. It's what we all wait for, right? But I think sometimes we try to rush through the pain to get to the celebration. All the while, we forget that it was Jesus' work on the Cross that frees us.

Thank you, dear reader, for allowing me to share my personal reflection. I promise to be back to "All Disney, All the Time" by Monday. If you happen to live in the Nashville area, please join us for Walk Through Jerusalem, Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at New Hope Community Church in Brentwood.

Thursday's Tip

If you've ever been in one of the Disney Parks at parade time, you know that the parade route can get quite crowded. In fact, if you want to get a premium spot on the street, you might need to stake out your area up to an hour before the parade starts. Sitting on the hard concrete sidewalk for an hour can get old fast. Here's a great tip to make it a bit easier to take: carry an envelope lined with bubble wrap in your park bag (9 x 12 or so should be sufficient). It's small and can be rolled up to fit in your backpack, but the cushion from the bubble wrap will make a big difference when you're sitting for an extended period of time.

[Here's a bonus tip: have one member of your party grab lunch at a counter service restaurant for everyone while the rest of you hold your spot. Might as well multi-task, right?]

Free Wifi Program Expands

You may have read this post about Disney offering free wifi (finally!) at specific locations around the Contemporary Resort. Lucky for us, they are expanding this program to include the Grand Floridian and Coronado Springs. There is no word on whether the free wifi will last, but we can hope!

Currently, you can find free wifi at these locations at Walt Disney World:

• Coronado Springs, in Casitas Building One


• Grand Floridian, in the Sugarloaf Building 


• Contemporary, in the main lobby, main pool area, The Wave restaurant, and the Convention Center common areas


• At the McDonald's near the All-Star Resorts

They're Going Back to the Vault!

You have just over 10 days to grab three animated Disney classics before they go back in Disney's "vault." (That just means that you won't be able to purchase them in stores until Disney decides to re-release them in a few years.) Snow White, Pinocchio, and Fantasia 2000 will be leaving store shelves after April 30, so you might want to pick them up if you haven't already added them to your collection. They'd make great additions to an Easter basket!

New Disney Dream Portraits Feature Johnny Depp

I just love the whole series of Disney Dream Portraits by Annie Leibovitz. The latest in the series features Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), first alone and then alongside a fellow pirate, portrayed by rocker Patti Smith. Fun, fun, fun! Check 'em out below, and look for them in some of your favorite magazines.

both photos copyright the Walt Disney Company

Lady Gaga Visits the Magic Kingdom

photo copyright the Walt Disney Company

Apparently, Lady Gaga found a kindred spirit at the Magic Kingdom when she visited on Saturday. The "Born This Way" singer stopped by Walt Disney World while she was in town for her concert at the Amway Center.

Friday Photo

This is one of my favorite photos that I've ever taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I know some folks think the hat is an eyesore that obstructs the view of the Chinese Theatre (and, well, it does do that), but I really like it when it's all lit up at night. It looks...well...magical.

Thursday's Tip

Most days of a WDW vacation, our crew is out the door by 8 a.m. (earlier for Extra Magic Hours) and not back in the room until 10 p.m. or after. That's most days. But on some trips, we take a day in the middle of the week to "recover" from our hectic park schedule. We like to sleep late, do a little shopping, and maybe visit the resort pool. The sleeping late part can get complicated when you have an eager Mousekeeping crew knocking on your door.

And what about families with young kiddos who need an early nap? (Or, let's face it, exhausted parents who need one.) They might come back to their room to put junior down, only to find Mousekeeping zooming through the room with the vacuum.

Today's tip: Call Mousekeeping upon arrival and request a specific time each day to have your room serviced. This can be the same time every day or your trip, or it can change every day--as long as you let them know and your request is reasonable (between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. seems reasonable to me, since most rooms have check-in by 3 or 4 p.m.).

A little planning ahead can make things more convenient and relaxing for you, and, as always, Disney is happy to oblige.

Guests Greet a New "Pirate"

There's a new character meet-n-greet happening at the Adventureland Veranda in the Magic Kingdom. Guests can now meet Angelica, the daughter of Blackbeard who will be played by Penelope Cruz in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. I hear that Angelica speaks with a Spanish accent (makes sense), and of course she is quite a beauty. She's on the lookout for Jack Sparrow, and she'll tell you of their previous run-ins.

We're looking forward to meeting Angelica on our next visit!

Disney-Inspired Bridal Gowns

This is the latest gown in the Disney-inspired line by Alfred Angelo. Any guesses which princess inspired it? It's Rapunzel. I love the concept art on this one--so beautiful! (The actual dress on a model wasn't quite as flattering, in my opinion.)

In the Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo line, you'll find dresses to match any princess personality--Jasmine, Snow White, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Sleeping Beauty, and--of course!--Cinderella. If you're planning your own Disney fairy tale wedding, you can check out the entire line here.

The Incredibles Comes to Blu-Ray

The Incredibles released today on Blu-ray, and I'm hearing that it's pretty spectacular. If you purchased it on DVD, you can enter the UPC code and get a coupon for $10 off the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Disney Movie Rewards. In addition, there's a similar coupon for Cars (same deal, enter the UPC from your DVD) for $8 off.

It gets better: when you buy these two combo packs together at Best Buy, you'll get an additional $10 off! So, here's how it all works out:

Cars Combo Pack: $24.98 + Incredibles Combo Pack: $24.98 = $49.96

$49.96 - $10 (for buying them together) - $10 (Incredibles coupon) - $8 (Cars coupon) = $21.96, or $10.98 each

Not good enough for you? Here's a bonus: each Blu-ray combo pack includes a free ticket to see Cars 2! So, if you figure a cost of around $8 each for the tickets (that would be a matinee, or child's admission), you're getting a fabulous deal! And you know you're going to see Cars 2 in the theatre, right? Hoping to make it to Best Buy today and snag mine.

Good Morning, Mickey!

I let my bananas get a bit over-ripe, but made a happy find this morning:

Fall Homeschool Days Announced

I've been anxiously awaiting the announcement of dates for the fall Homeschool Days at Walt Disney World. After a great experience at last year's Homeschool Days (you can read about it here), we were all set  to go again this year. But after multiple calls and emails to no avail (Disney seemed to be dragging their feet a bit in releasing the dates), we decided we needed go forward with planning our fall vacation. Instead of the Homeschool Days, we're taking advantage of Disney's individual enrollment for their YES programs (a similar experience to Homeschool Days that you can read about here).

All that explanation to say...today I was perusing the Youth Programs website and discovered that they actually had a listing for fall registration for Homeschool Days! No, you cannot register just yet...and they don't have the complete list of programs...but they did list the date and theme of the special presentation that is included with your registration/ticket purchase.

The program will be October 3, and here's a brief summary of the presentation: 

Join us as a Walt Disney World® Resort Chef uses his culinary expertise to teach your homeschooler how to create a healthy lifestyle through the science of food. During this interactive presentation, students will hear why it's important to eat a balanced diet, how to make healthy food choices and even learn to prepare a delicious, good-for-you recipe.

Sounds fun! We're a little sad that we won't be hanging with our fellow homeschoolers this year, but I'm super excited to instead be spending my 40th birthday at our family's favorite vacation spot.

More on the Tiki Room

With each new announcement comes new hope that our beloved Enchanted Tiki Room will no longer be "Under New Management." (See previous posts here , here, and here for background.) It seems that the re-opening date has been pushed back yet again, this time to August 16. And it looks like Iago and Zazu will indeed be noticeably absent from the latest version of the show. While I doubt that Disney will choose to restore the attraction to its original version--because, after all, Disney is always moving forward--I am hearing that it will certainly be more attuned to the "Tropical Serenade" that most of us have been hoping to see.

Friday Photo

Did you know that Walt Disney World has kid-friendly maps for early readers and even pre-readers? They do! (They're usually in the rack with the maps that are in various languages--yep, they have those too.) My youngest daughter, who had just turned 4 on our last trip, thoroughly enjoyed flipping through hers and helping us decide what our next adventure would be!

Misc. Resort Rumors

Here are a few recent rumors--some from pretty reliable sources-- regarding expansion and refurbishment of Walt Disney World Resorts:

• You may have already heard that the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be the next Disney Resort to get a Disney Vacation Club property. Sources say there is yet another DVC property planned for the old River Country property (RC was the first water park opened at WDW in 1976; it closed in 2001), but that announcement won't be made until sales of the GF DVC reach a certain point.


• The Polynesian Resort is in need of a serious rehab (something about asbestos...it was built in the 70s, after all). Considering the extent of the refurbishment, this will likely be more of a "rebuild," requiring the main building which houses check-in, restaurants, and shops to close for an extended period of time. Disney is expected to shift reservations to DVC properties that are often under-booked, such as Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. No time-frame was given for this rehab.


• In light of the opening of the Art of Animation Resort (coming Summer 2012), we're hearing that some of the other Resorts that can accomodate 5 guests will stop doing that--in particular, the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside, which offers a trundle bed that allows for an extra small child in the room. The trundle beds have never been highly publicized by Disney, and you aren't offered POR as an option if you try to book for a family of 5 on Disney's website. Still, this has been one of the most affordable options on property for a family of 5 until this announcement. I assume they won't begin denying families this option until Art of Animation is open.

That's about it for now. I'll keep you up on the latest rumors and gossip as I hear it!

Thursday's Tip

Here's a tip that's great for anyone who travels. With the abundance of gadgets we all seem to carry on vacation--laptops, cell phones, iPods, video camera, handheld gaming systems, etc.--there are rarely enough electrical outlets in hotel rooms to charge all these items each night. (And I don't need to tell you that there are few things worse than having a dead camera battery when a magical moment is happening at WDW.) Solution? Bring along a power strip to create your own "charging station." This serves an additional purpose, too, as it makes these items easier to locate in the morning when you're packing to head to the Parks. (Am I the only one who has ever had to call her own cell phone from the hotel phone in order to locate it?)

A Favorite Disney Recipe

We all have our favorite Walt Disney World dishes, am I right? I am particularly fond of the chocolate  mousse served at  (France, Epcot). I also love the cheddar cheese soup at Le Cellier (Canada, Epcot) and the carrot cake cookie that can be found at the Studios in the Writer's Stop (haven't found a good recipe for that one yet--boo!). So, I thought I would periodically share recipes that will allow you to recreate some Disney favorites in your own kitchen.

Tonga Toast has been served at the Polynesian Resort for over 25 years, and, quite frankly, I'm ashamed to say I have never tried it. But those who have rave about it. Perhaps I'll start with the recreation in my own kitchen and then make a stop at 'Ohana on my next visit to see how well I did. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• slices sourdough bread cut 1-2 inches thick


• bananas


• 1/3 cup granulated sugar


• 1 teaspoon cinnamon


• 1 egg


• 1/4 cup milk


• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


• oil for frying


• whipped butter & maple syrup

Preparation:

Mix sugar and cinnimon, and set aside.

Depending on the size of the bread slices, dig out a 1 inch pocket in one side of the bread slice (do NOT cut all the way through the bread). Peel banana and cut in half crosswise, then again lengthwise. Stuff two pieces in each pocket.

Mix egg, milk and vanilla extract until well blended. Heat about 4 inches of oil in a pan to 350 degrees (it's important that the oil temperature be precise, so as not to burn the toast). Dip stuffed bread into egg mixture, allowing it to soak in but not get soggy. Fry in hot oil until lightly brown, turning to brown both sides. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Serve with whipped butter and maple syrup, if desired.

Mmmmm! I think I need to go shopping now. Breakfast is over...do you think it would be OK to serve for dinner? (Hey, there's fruit in it--it's gotta be healthy, right?)

TRON: Legacy Coupon

There is a coupon for $5 off the purchase of the TRON: Legacy Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on the Disney Movie Rewards site now. You'll need to hurry, as this coupon expires April 10.  (They really mean it when they say, "For a Limited Time Only"!)

Winnie the Pooh Soundtrack Now Streaming

Want to listen to the full soundtrack from the upcoming Winnie the Pooh movie? Click here to stream the entire albumn online (courtesy of Walt Disney Studios France--yes, the site is in French). There are some old favorites with some unique updates. I'm really digging Zooey Deschanel's vocals (first heard her sing in Elf and really enjoy the unique lilt of her voice--hearkens back to 1940s Big Band singers).

Winnie the Pooh opens July 15.

What Are You Reading?

I had every intention of posting this morning to let readers in the Orlando area know that author Ridley Pearson was signing his Kingdom Keepers series--particularly the fourth and latest in the series--at Downtown Disney this afternoon. Yep, that was my intention...but the day got away from me and it didn't happen. (I have excuses, really...but I won't bore you with those.) Aren't familiar with the Kingdom Keepers books?  You can read all about them here. My oldest (7) especially enjoys them, although the action is sometimes a little intense for our four-year-old (we listen to the audio versions on long trips!). They both love hearing mention of their favorite attractions and characters, and it's easy for them to picture the setting of most scenes, since they've been there!

In addition to these fiction titles, I've read quite a few Disney-related books in recent years. Here's a quick run-down of a few that stand out--both good and bad:

• Disney War by James B. Stewart. This is quite a lengthy tome at 572 pages, but I found it intriguing. It delves pretty deeply into the business of Disney, with the most intense scrutiny of Michael Eisner. This book confirmed my suspicion that Eisner was/is a complete egomaniac.


• The Gospel According to Disney by Mark I. Pinsky. I was attracted to this book because of the parallels it draws between Disney films and religion--particularly the Bible. The author is a Jewish religion writer for the Orlando Sentinel (I mention this merely as a point of reference for his own religious perspective). Chapters are essentially brief synopsises of Disney movies, highlighting anything that can be constrewed as religious in any way. There's also a final section that focuses on the theme parks, as well as discussing the 1997 boycott by the Southern Baptist Convention. (I actually worked in the Seminary Extension of the SBC while the boycott was going on--kinda funny considering my love of all things Disney, right?) While I enjoyed the book, I do feel the author was definitely reaching to make the connection in many instances.


• Disney: The Mouse Betrayed by Peter & Rochelle Schweizer. This book was downright disturbing to me. It definitely focused on the dark side of Disney. It features reports of Cast Member crimes (everything from peeping Toms to sexual assaults) and focuses on ways that Disney is failing to put guest safety first. While I do believe there is factual information here, I feel that the authors' intent is to sensationalize and terrorize. I don't recommend reading it unless you actually enjoy looking on the dark side.


• Cast Member Confidential by Chris Mitchell. This is a memoir from a former Cast Member. Again, it's disturbing on some level, and he would have us believe that most of the people who play a role in delighting our children in the Parks are--how should I say this?--slightly off balance. This is a look at the sordid underbelly of Cast Member behavior. The author admittedly has a Peter Pan complex, and his whole purpose for working at Disney was to run away from an uncomfortable family situation. Here's my take on it: people are drawn to like-minded people. Yes, the CMs the author was acquainted with were not people I would choose to have entertaining my children. But for every nutty CM, there is one with a pure heart who love to make people--especially children--happy. I personally know two lovely CMs of that variety!

Those are just a few...there are so many others. How 'bout you? Have any great Disney reads to recommend?

Dining Printable Coupon Now Available

The coupon I told you about in yesterday's post is now available for printing here. The coupon is a pdf, which means you can print it as many times as you need (however, only one coupon may be used per transaction). Happy dining!

Friday Photo

Found this Hidden Mickey in my big water jug.