Refurbishment Update

There are a few updates to the refurbishment list for Walt Disney World. Most recent additions/changes are in bold:

Magic Kingdom

• Aladdin’s Magic Carpets will be closed February 26 through March 10.


• The Liberty Square Riverboat will remain closed through May 21.


• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will close January 9 until May 28.


• Dumbo will remain closed through March 12.


• The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor will be closed January 4 through March 27.


• The queue of Peter Pan's Flight is under refurbishment. The attraction remains open during the work, and no closures have been scheduled.

Epcot

• Tutto Italia Ristorante (Italy) will remain closed through April 28.


• House of Innoventions (Innoventions) will remain closed until May 15, when it is expected to open with a new sponsor.

Hollywood Studios

• The Backlot Tour will be closed from February 13 through March 10.


• The Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playset Adventure will also be closed February 13 through March 10.


• Fantasmic! will be closed from January 9 through February 11.


• Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show will close on April 29 for a brief refurbishment, reopening on May 3.

Animal Kingdom

• Kali River Rapids will be closed January 23 through February 9.

Other

• Typhoon Lagoon is closed now through March 17.


• The Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian remains closed until sometime in 2013, due to construction on the DVC property there.


• The  volcano pool at the Polynesian will undergo refurbishment from January 30 to April 1 2012.  The pool will remain open for most of that time, except for approximately 4 weeks beginning February 6.


• The piano pool at All Star Music is expected to close on February 6,  re-opening on March 3.

 

Disney Premier Visa by Chase

I have long sung the praises of my Chase Disney Rewards Visa. Sure, there are probably other credit cards out there that offer better benefits--but surely none more fun! I get 1% back on all my purchases, with the occasional bonus of 3% back in specific categories. Now, Chase has just announced a new Disney Premier Visa that I'm very excited about, because it offers 2% back in rewards on the categories I use most often--gas, groceries, restaurants, and Disney locations!

Now, there is a catch. In contrast to its predecessor, the Disney Premier Visa has a $49 annual fee. But if you apply through this link, you will get a $100 statement credit after your first purchase. That basically gives you two free years to see if you like the card. (I personally use my card for nearly all purchases--being careful to pay the balance each month to avoid any fees or interest. With this in mind, I'm fairly certain that with the additional 1% in rewards the card will pay for itself, unless my spending habits change drastically.)

Those who have the current Disney Rewards Visa can transfer/upgrade to the new Premier card, but you would NOT qualify for the $100 credit. A better option is to apply for the new card separately and then cancel your original card. (I'm going to hold onto mine for a while, just to be sure the new card works out for me.)

The new Disney Premier Visa has the same Disney perks as the Disney Rewards Visa:

• private character meet-n-greet with photo


• 10% off qualifying purchases of $50 or more at the Disney Store


• 20% off select guided Park tours


• 0% financing for 6 months on Disney vacation packages

BTW, I chose the Cinderella Castle design, because it reminded me of the "Key to the World" that all guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort receive. Now I can feel like I'm on vacation every time I pull out my Visa...well, sort of. :-)

Hidden Mickey Monday

This one was from a piece of artwork in our room at the Grand Floridian. Sure am missing that place about now...sigh.



 

Friday Photo

My other car is a...

Thursday's Tip

I am a planner (duh!). But even the best-laid plans can fail when you neglect to check and double-check the details. So, even if you've made impeccably detailed touring plans for every day of your vacation, here a Thursday's Tip for you: check the Park hours and Times Guide again upon your arrival. You might find that the information has changed since you made your original plans. It is not at all uncommon for Disney to extend Park hours after they have initially been released or cancel a parade or fireworks display here or there. (Just this week, Disney extended previously-released hours for the Magic Kingdom for most days in February.) Likewise, special events, such as last week's presidential visit, can put a monkey wrench in your plans.

A copy of the current Times Guide is available at all Disney Parks as well as at the front desk of WDW Resorts. Cast Members--particularly those at the concierge desk--should be able to provide you with the most up-to-date information  and answer any questions that might help you tweak your plans and avoid hiccups.

Wednesday's with Walt

I'm feeling this quote from Walt today, as I have several "projects" on my desk that seem to have been there indefinitely. I think it's time for a few self-imposed deadlines!

"Everyone needs deadlines. Even the beavers. They loaf around all summer, but when they are faced with the winter deadline, they work like fury. If we didn’t have deadlines, we’d stagnate."  

--Walt Disney

"Disney Look" Getting a Makeover

You might be seeing a little more facial hair on your next visit to Walt Disney World as the "Disney Look"--the standard by which all Cast Members must maintain their personal appearance--has just made a few official changes that will go into effect February 3. Most notable: facial hair is no longer outlawed. Actually, mustaches were allowed as far back as 2000, but for the first time goatees and beards are now permitted. Of course, you won't be seeing any long, unkempt masses of whiskers at Disney--they still have rather strict standards. Here's the language from the The Disney Look guidebook:

For all male Cast Members, a fully grown in, well-maintained mustache, beard, or goatee is permitted, unless otherwise restricted by regulatory codes and standards. Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and may not present an unkempt appearance. Extreme styles are prohibited.

All facial hair (beards, goatees and mustaches) must create an overall neat, polished and professional look.

All facial hair must be fully grown in, neatly groomed and well maintained at no longer than a quarter of an inch in length.

Mustaches may extend below the corners of the mouth to meet with the facial beard.
Shaping the mustache or beard to a particular style is not permitted.

Mustaches (without lower facial hair) must not extend onto or over the upper lip and must extend to the corners of the mouth, but not beyond or below the corners.

Cast Members without a mustache, beard, or goatee are expected to be clean-shaven every day.

For clarification on whether a mustache, beard or goatee is acceptable, please consult your area leader or contact the Cast Image and Appearance team.

Another notable change is the addition of "Casual Friday." No, you won't see Cast Members manning the attractions or front desk of a Resort in their Levi's, but all CMs in non-guest areas will be permitted to wear casual attire on Fridays, as outlined here:

Also effective Friday, Feb. 3, non-costumed Cast Members in non-Guest facing locations can wear casual attire on Fridays for all U.S. based Theme Parks and Resorts. The “Casual Friday” dress parameters are outlined and additional resources are available on the Disney Look module of The Hub. Although we are a seven day a week operation, Friday is the only acceptable day for this option.

I have no problem with a goatee here or there, and I think Casual Fridays are great. That said, I really appreciate the "Disney Look" and don't particularly want to see tatted-up or heavily-pierced Cast Members when I'm visiting WDW. If that makes me old-fashioned, well, I'm OK with that.

 

Hidden Mickey Monday

Our newest family pets--a pair of platy fish--provide today's Hidden Mickey. We've named them after Mickey's predecessors, Moritmer and Oswald. We've had them just over a week, and despite Mortimer's unfortunate swim into the filter on their first day with us (a bit of a Finding Nemo moment), they both seem to be doing quite well now.



 

Take Home 'The Muppets' on March 20

The Muppets will be released for home viewing --DVD, Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, Digital Download, and On-Demand--on March 20, 2012. Now I know what my girls will be getting in their Easter baskets! I'll be on the lookout for coupons and deals to share with you as the release date grows closer.

Friday Photo

This is one of my all-time favorite Disney photos. It's my youngest daughter, just shy of two years old, on her very first visit. Just hours before, we purchased her very first ears and had her name embroidered on the back. Ah, sweet memories...

Thursday's Tip

Did anyone catch last night's premier of the new "American Idol" season? I missed it, but I read that one of the contestants who scored the coveted yellow ticket to Hollywood was a Golden Ticket winner at the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. In fact, when Gabbi Carrubba won the ticket in 2009 singing "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas, she was just 14 years old--too young to actually use the ticket for the real AI. So she held on to it until this year, where she wowed judges with her rendition of Adam Levine's "Sunday Morning."

You might be wondering about now, What does this have to do with Thursday's Tip? OK, I admit it's a stretch, but here it is: Visiting Walt Disney World is not a spectator sport. Become a part of the magic! No, that doesn't mean everyone should audition for the American Idol Experience. (There are those who have good pitch and those who don't. Know who you are and be that.) But there are dozens of ways to get involved beyond simply riding Space Mountain or watching Fantasmic! from the bleachers. Some require being at the right place at the right time. But mostly, Cast Members are looking for energetic, willing participants. Here are some of the ways you can "join the show" at WDW (I've put an * beside those that a member of our family has been fortunate enough to try):

• Audition for the American Idol Experience (DHS)*


• Get a bit wet as you star in the pre-show at the Backlot Tour (DHS)*


• Be an "extra" in the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (DHS)


• Open the doors to The Voyage of the Little Mermaid (DHS)*


• Be a part of the Streetosphere entertainment (DHS)*


• Be the Rebel Spy on Star Tours (DHS)*


• Be a Jedi in training (DHS)


• Get chosen as That Guy at the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (MK)


• Dance, dance, dance at the "Move it! Shake it! Celebrate it! Street Party" (MK)*


• Be serenaded by the Dapper Dans (MK)*


• Sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" with Casey (MK)*


• (Military only) Participate in Flag Retreat (MK)


• Learn how to be a pirate from Jack Sparrow (MK)


• Hold up some cash for the exotic birds at Flights of Wonder (AK)


• Join the parade and play percussion at The Festival of the Lion King (AK)*


• Talk to Crush (Epcot)


• Explore all sorts of science at Innoventions (Epcot)


• Help Kim Possible save the world (Epcot)

There are dozens more, I'm sure. If you have a unique way that you or a family member was able to become part of the magic, let me know in the comments!

UPDATE: President's Visit to MK Confirmed

In regard to my post on Tuesday, the White House has confirmed that President Obama will be visiting Walt Disney World, specifically Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom, on Thursday, January 19. His speech begins at 12:35 p.m. and he will introduce a new strategy to improve travel and tourism, as well as elaborating on his "We Can't Wait" initiative for creating jobs.

But here's the catch: if you're visiting the MK and hoping to catch the Prez's speech, you're out of luck. In fact, without an official White House invitation, you can expect to be routed around Main Street altogether (Disney will use Cast backstage areas to enter the Park) from prior to open until after the President makes his departure. Guests who enter the MK with a single-day, single-park ticket and are unhappy with the closure will be offered entrance to another of the Disney Parks.  All tours in the Magic Kingdom have been cancelled, as have Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) for Tony's Town Square on Main Street. And while Disney expects to honor most other ADRs,guests should be prepared to change any and all plans.

If you plan to be at WDW on Thursday, my official recommendation is to visit another Park. There is little to no chance of catching a glimpse of the President, and you will likely loose a lot of time jumping through the hoops required by his security detail.

Wenesdays with Walt

In order to make good in your chosen task, it’s important to have someone you want to do it for. The greatest moments in life are not concerned with selfish achievements but rather with the things we do for people we love and esteem, and whose respect we need. -- Walt Disney

Well said, Walt.

Do DHS Fireworks Have a Presidential Connection?

There is a special, one-night-only fireworks display, "Rock the Night", coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios on Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m., and rumor has it that a certain resident of the White House may be responsible--in a roundabout way. You see, President Obama is scheduled to be in Orlando on Thursday, where he will discussing the economy. Now, no one knows exactly where this discussion will take place, but Disney has made changes to its schedule--most notably, cancelling evening Extra Magic Hours for the Magic Kingdom and scheduling them for all three of the other major Parks--that would essentially divert crowds away from the Magic Kingdom for the evening, leading to speculation that he may be visiting the MK on Thursday.

We know that the President has another engagement in New York on Thursday, so his visit to Orlando will likely be a brief one. It is possible that  he will give his economic talk at one of the Disney Resorts--there has been precedence, as he and other political leaders have done it in the past. And diverting crowds away from the MK could mean that one of the monorail Resorts is the most likely site. Still, this is all just speculation, and we likely won't know until after the fact exactly where President Obama visited.

Regardless, there will be fireworks at the Studios--a rare treat for guests!

DHS Testing New Opening Procedure

I'm hearing rumors that Disney's Hollywood Studios is testing a new Park opening procedure that essentially allows guests into the Park a half hour earlier than before. This "rope drop without a rope," as they're calling it internally, will allow all Park guests with valid tickets through the turnstiles at 8:30 a.m. (previous "normal" opening has been at 9:00 a.m.). The only three attractions that will open at 8:30 are Toy Story Midway Mania!, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror. All other attractions will open at 8:45. FastPasses will be distributed for all attractions that use the system beginning at 8:30, and signups for the popular Jedi Training Academy will also begin at 8:30 near the ABC Sound Studio that formerly housed Sounds Dangerous.

My guess is that they hope to alleviate some of the backup and harriedness that occurs when guests are rushing to the three big attractions--whether to ride or to retrieve a FastPass--at rope drop. Perhaps this will keeps guests with--how shall I say it?--less aggressive touring plans out of the fray. Whatever the reasoning, I can only guess that this will make the mad rush for FastPasses--particularly for Toy Story Midway Mania!--even more competitive, as they will likely be gone even earlier in the day than before.

Spring/Summer Room-Only Discount

There is a new room-only discount of savings up to 30% off, available for most travel dates from February 21-June 14, 2012 (with April 1-12 blacked out). This discount must be booked by January 22 for travel dates through March 31, and by February 28 for dates April through June. Discounts vary wildly among the resorts, but I believe this list is accurate:

• Pop Century, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, Fort Wilderness Cabins, Port Orleans French Riverside, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian: 20% off


• Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom Villas: 25% off


• Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West: 30% off

As you can see, a few resorts have been left off the list entirely. You may find that a meager 5% discount is offered for these resorts, but some may be excluded entirely.

To book this discount, you can visit the Special Offers page of the WDW website here.

Refurbishment Schedule Changes

There have been a few changes to the most recent refurbishment schedule that I shared with you in this post. Most notably, Dumbo the Flying Elephant will not be reopening on February 17 as expected. The new re-open date has been pushed back nearly a month to March 12.

In addition, I have a minor edit to the refurbishment for Epcot's Tutto Italia Ristorante. The eatery will actually reopen on April 28 (not May 1, as I had said), and it will include a new wine bar, Gusto.

A new addition to the schedule: Lights, Motor, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Disney's Hollywood Studios will close on April 29 for a brief refurbishment, reopening on May 3.

And while Disney hasn't officially added this to its refurbishment schedule--probably because the attraction will not be closed--I hear that the queue to Peter Pan's Flight is now undergoing a refurbishment that will last until March 6. Expect to see interactive elements that have now become the norm for Disney queues. The work isn't expected to have any major effect on the attraction, although it's safe to say that guests can expect some minor inconvenience or confusion as FastPass machines, stand-by lines, and FastPass return lines sometimes relocate overnight during a refurbishment.

Friday Photo

Did you know you could get this close to Space Mountain without ever entering the Magic Kingdom? This photo was taken on Disney property from a road that runs along the back side of Tomorrowland. While Disney doesn't encourage guests to travel these back paths, they are not in a restricted area and are open to all vehicles.

Thursday's Tip

We all know that food at Walt Disney World can eat up (pardon the pun) a huge portion of your vacation budget. And character meals can get especially pricey. Want to stretch your food dollars as far as possible? Thursday's Tip: strategically plan your dining. Even if you have the meal plan, and aren't paying out of pocket for each meal, you'll want to maximize what you get for your dining dollars. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make the most of your meals:

• Plan character breakfast inside the Parks for first thing in the morning--before the Parks open. You'll get to enter the Park before other guests--allowing you to take some awesome photos!--and you'll likely finish eating before the Park opens, which puts you first in line for the rope drop. In addition, you'll start your day with a full tummy and won't likely need to eat again until afternoon. Win all around!


• If you plan to attend a character breakfast at one of the resorts, try to do it on a day you won't be entering the Parks. This keeps you from using precious touring time for travel. If you must do a resort meal on a Park touring day, try to visit the Park closest to that resort (for monorail resorts, the obvious choice is the Magic Kingdom).


• For non-Park days, plan to eat a character breakfast at the last seating of the morning--around 11:00 a.m. If you're early risers, you can have a small snack in your room for breakfast, and your character meal will essentially serve as lunch. An added benefit at buffet meals such as Chef Mickey's is that you'll likely have the characters to yourselves as the restaurant empties out from earlier diners (there is a bit of a lull as they switch the buffet from breakfast to lunch items).


• If you have the Disney Dining Plan, be sure to order all the food you're entitled to at each meal or you'll "lose it"--you cannot save partial dining credits. If you're too full for dessert, try to choose something that is relatively non-perishable and can be taken back to your room and stored in a refrigerator or cooler for later snacking.


• If you have leftover dining snack credits at the end of your trip, visit any Disney gift shop and spend the credits on packaged snacks. Qualifying snacks may vary from store to store, but most packaged candy, pretzels, chips, etc. are included.


• Take advantage of your Disney Dining Plan and order something you might never try otherwise! Who cares how expensive it is, right? You're not paying (except for the tip, of course). Pre-paid meals are a great time to think outside the box and try something new. Besides, with appetizer, entree, and dessert, you're bound to order at least one thing that you'll like.

With these tips, you're well on your way to saving time and money, and getting the most out of your dining dollars at Walt Disney World.

Art of Animation Video

Here's a short video that gives us a sneak peek at the new Art of Animation Resort:

Wednesdays with Walt

"Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." --Walt Disney

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Now Testing

The new interactive game I told you about in this post is now up and running--at least in the testing phase--at the Magic Kingdom. Orlando Attractions magazine has a blog post here  explaining the game and featuring several photos highlighting the different portals. Guests can begin their adventure in the old Fire Station on Main Street, near City Hall.

Refurbishment Update & Test Track Plans

As a reminder, Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) is now closed for a pretty significant refurbishment. It is expected to re-open on May 28.  Dumbo the Flying Elephant (MK) is also now closed in order to move the existing Dumbo to the new location of the "new and improved" Dumbo that will be twice its current size. The new Dumbo will re-open on February 18.

A few other closures worth noting:

• House of Innoventions (Epcot) remains closed and is expected to reopen on May 15 with a new sponsor.


• The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (MK) is closed until March 28.


• Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) is dark until February 13.


• Tutto Italia Ristorante (Epcot) is closed until May 1.


• Typhoon Lagoon is closed for winter refurbishment until March 18.


• The Grand Floridian Spa is closed to accomodate work on the new DVC villas. It will reopen around June of 2013.


• The beach at the Polynesian Resort is closed for "sand renourishment" until January 17.

In other big news, Disney has confirmed that General Motors will renew its sponsorship of Test Track (Epcot) and that the attraction will undergo a lengthy refurbishment beginning in April. There are some unique elements in the works, as evidenced in this excerpt from the Disney press release:

As part of the re-imagining, the Future World attraction will feature a sleek new “Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot” immersing Guests in the fascinating world of automotive design. Amid upbeat music, engaging media, dramatic lighting and a collection of Chevrolet concept cars and model vehicles, guests themselves will become automotive designers – and peer into the future of personal transportation in the process.

At interactive design and styling workstations, Guests will be able to create their own custom concept vehicles. The adventure will then shift into high gear as Guests buckle into their 6-person “SimCar” ride vehicle and put their design through its paces on the exhilarating hills, switchbacks and straight-aways of the Test Track circuit.

You can read the press release in its entirety here.

Hidden Mickey Monday

I spotted this Hidden Mickey in a sale ad a week or so ago. Check out this Mickey-inspire MP3 player! (Sorry about the picture quality--photography is not so much in my skill set.)

Good Luck, Marathoners!

I wanted to wish all those participating in the Walt Disney World Marathon, Half Marathon, Family Fun Run 5K, and especially Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (wow!) the best of luck this weekend. Below is a run-down of the race schedule. I especially want to wish my Cast Member friend Claire good luck as she runs her first full marathon this weekend! (She has completed several half marathons and other races as well.) Good luck to all runners! And let's be careful out there.

Friday, January 6:

• 5:30 a.m. Family Fun Run 5K at Epcot


• 11:00 a.m. Disney Kids' Races at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex


• 12:30 p.m. Mickey Mile at ESPN WWOS

Saturday, January 7:

• 5:30 a.m. WDW Half Marathon at Epcot


• 5:40 a.m. Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge at Epcot

Sunday, January 8

• 5:30 a.m. WDW Marathon at Epcot


• 5:30 a.m. WDW Marathon Relay (runner #1 begins at Epcot, runner #2 begins at the MK Pluto parking area)


• 5:30 a.m. Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge at Epcot

Friday Photo

Since my brother and his family visited Walt Disney World the week before Christmas, they brought back a few Walt Disney World treats as Christmas gifts for my girls. (Tip: this is a great way to use those leftover dining snack credits!) The girls have been kind enough to let me sample a few items, and my favorite has been the Mickey-shaped rice treat with chocolate-dipped ears--yum!

One More Disney Day Sweepstakes Site Issues

Has anyone else out there had any issues entering the One More Disney Day Sweepstakes? I have only managed to enter once since it began on January 1, because I get a "Communication Error" nearly every time I try. I have tried using both Internet Explorer and Chrome. (Successfully entered on Chrome once, but now it's not working for me.) Is anyone else having problems? Am I alone in this?

This makes an already somewhat lame marketing promotion seem even lamer, in this blogger's humble opinion. But maybe it's just me.

Thursday's Tip

There's nothing more disappointing than deciding on your perfect vacation destination (let's just say it's Walt Disney World), only to discover that you've waited too late and everything is booked solid. Today's Thursday's Tip is pretty simple, so oh-so-important: book your Walt Disney World vacation early. If you're thinking of visiting Mickey Mouse anytime during 2012, now is the time to start planning. And if you have your heart set on staying at a specific Resort, especially during peak season, now is the time to book your stay!

By booking early, you ensure that you get your preferred travel dates and preferred room. Another advantage to booking early is that you will pay a deposit on your stay and can begin making payments at your leisure, softening the blow a bit upon arrival. And, with a few exceptions (that are clearly-stated at booking), all WDW vacation packages and Resort stays are fully refundable up until five days prior to your arrival. Better still, you can make changes to your reservation up until your arrival, providing they have rooms available for the dates you have chosen. That means you can make your reservation now at full price, but can still apply a discount that you come across later. Or, you can change the dates of your trip and transfer your deposit. You can even cancel your trip altogether for a full refund (but who would want to do that?).

Making planning and booking early, you can eliminate the stress of last-minute scrambling and alleviate the stress of paying for everything at once.

FL Resident "Wild for 3" Pass

Disney is offering a new discount pass for Florida residents, the "Wild for 3" Pass. For $99 plus tax, FL residents with valid identification can get a 3-day ticket, good at any of the four main Parks (one Park per day--not a Park Hopper ticket; guests can add a fourth day for an additional $30 plus tax). The "Wild for 3" pass can be purchased from January 4 through May 21, and is valid for most dates now through May 24. Blackout dates include February 14-20 and April 1-13.

Wednesdays with Walt

Since it's the beginning of a new year and many of us are coming up with goals and plans for 2012, I found this quote from Mr. Disney to be quite appropriate:

Think beyond your lifetime, if you want to do something truly great. Make a fifty-year master plan. A fifty-year master plan will change how you look at the opportunities in the present.

--Walt Disney

WDW Park Closing Phases

 

Have you ever wondered what Walt Disney World does when the crowds get too big? I'm talking the-fire-marshall-is-going-to-shut-us-d0wn big! When the Parks are beginning to get too crowded, Disney implements a closing process in phases, according to a number of factors--whether guests are staying on-site, if they have multi-day tickets or annual passes, if they have dining reservations, etc. Only as a last resort--when the Parks are truly at capacity--will they be closed to all incoming guests.

Here's a breakdown of the four phases of Park closure at Walt Disney World:

In Phase 1, all guests will be admitted to the Parks, with the exception of:

• Guests who haven't yet purchased tickets.


• Guests who have a single-day Magic Your Way tickets (not Park Hoppers).


• Cast Members using Main Gate or Silver Pass privileges to admit additional guests. (The Cast Member can still be admitted.)

In Phase 2, only guests meeting the following criteria are admitted:

• Disney Resort guests (including the Swan and Dolphin and Downtown Disney area hotel guests, providing they arrive on a bus from their hotel)


• Annual passholders


• Guests with Park Hopper tickets arriving from another Park


• Guests re-entering the same Park


• Guests with ADRs or reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League


• Any guest using Disney Resort transportation

In Phase 3, admission is further limited to:

• Disney Resort guests (including the Swan and Dolphin and Downtown Disney area hotel guests, providing they arrive on a bus from their hotel)


• Annual passholders


• Guests with ADRs or reservations for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League

Phase 4 is a complete closure to any additional guests. No, they won't kick guests out that are already in the Parks, but they won't let anyone new guests in at this point.

So, there you have it. Based on this, a good strategy for anyone visiting WDW during Peak Season is to make (and keep) dining reservations in the Park you want to visit each day. Another great strategy: arrive early! Then you won't be the guest who is turned away. (But I think the best strategy of all is to visit WDW during a non-Peak season.)

Hidden Mickey Monday

It's back to (home)school for us tomorrow, so we'll celebrate this Hidden Mickey Monday with one we found on my youngest daughter's phonics paper: