Free Wifi Coming to Epcot

For those of us who don't own a Smart Phone (mine, in fact, is beyond stupid), but do, in fact, own an iPod Touch or iPad (check and check), this is going to be great news. For the first time ever, free wifi will be available in Epcot, in conjunction with the Brave-inspired "Highland Games Tournament" that start today and will run through July 8. I'm not sure exactly how wifi fits into this particular event, or if the free wifi might possibly extend beyond this event (please, oh please!), but I see this as a great sign for things to come!

WDW Ramps Up Summer Offerings

School's out for most kids, and with a climb in attendance just around the corner, Walt Disney World is adding entertainment, special events, and additional dining options for summer. Here's a brief rundown:

• Disney's Hollywood Studios' "Star Wars Weekends" are well underway and will continue through June 10.


• Magic Kingdom has already begun running a summer edition of "The Magic, the Memories, and You" which features a sand castle scene, surfing, water skiing, and all sorts of other summer images.


• Animal Kingdom will introduce a "Sundown Celebration" from June 3-30. While we have no specific details, the name itself indicates that the park will likely be open later into the evening. Expect additional food and entertainment offerings.


• From June 1 through July 8, Epcot is hosting "The Highland Games Tournament" to tie in with the upcoming release of Brave. A sand sculpture and playground have already been built, and there will be Scottish games and other representations of Scottish culture featured.

In addition, expect most attractions and restaurants that are listed as "open seasonally" to be open throughout the summer months.

I Love This Kid!

Wow! It's all I can do to stifle the tears when I see what one 9-year-old did this morning on Good Morning America. The story had me at "Disney"--but I had no idea what I was in for. Here's the basic story: Brendan Haas was inspired by the Red Paper Clip (a guy made a series of trades that took him from a red paper clip to a house!) to do something similar--start with a toy soldier and keep trading up until he got a trip to Walt Disney World that he could give away to a military family. He accomplished his goal, and a family was chosen from a pool of deserving military families via drawing. Here's the initial story.

Already this young man has inspired and impressed me. But it gets better! Brendan was featured on Good Morning America this morning, and Robin Roberts had the privilege of telling him that Disney would provide a free trip to WDW to him and his family, including making him an honorary citizen of Walt Disney World--all the VIP treatment he deserves for his selfless act. So what did he do? He gave it away. He said he couldn't accept the trip, but that he had plenty of other families that could use it. Amazing kid. Truly.

I have a nearly 9-year-old daughter. She is kind and often generous. But I cannot imagine a scenario where she would give up two trips to Disney World. Brendan Haas amazes me. I want to be him when I grow up.

Wednesdays with Walt

"In planning a new picture, we don’t think of grownups and we don’t think of children, but just of that fine, clean, unspoiled spot down deep in every one of us that maybe the world has made us forget." --Walt Disney

Summer Room-Only Discount

Save between 15 and 25% off regular rack room rates at most Walt Disney World Resorts for travel dates June 15 through August 14. Offer must be booked by June 14. Here is the breakdown of discounts:

• 15% off: Value Resorts


• 20% off: Moderate Resorts, along with the Grand Floridian and Contemporary


• 25% off: other Deluxe Resorts and Villas

Not all resorts are available with this offer. Click here for more details or to book.

Ticket Price Increase Coming?

If history is any indication--and, let's face it, it usually is--ticket prices at Walt Disney World will be going up very soon. In fact, I would expect them in the next week or two. Last year, prices went up on June 12, a Sunday. A few years back, ticket prices were usually raised in early August. So, if you're planning a trip and haven't purchased tickets yet, now is the time. Some official ticket vendors may have remaining inventory of tickets at current prices, but there are no guarantees.

As far as how much they'll go up, you can expect a one-day Magic Your Way ticket to increase from $85 to around $89, with multiple-day tickets increasing at varying rates. Let's hope that the recent hefty $100 increase from $749 to $849 for Disney's Premier Passport, which allows guests entry into both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is no indication of a trend in future ticket price increases. Ouch!

UPDATE: The official word from the Disney Parks Blog is that prices are going up June 3, so get your tickets today!

Hidden Mickey Monday

Found this one in an Oriental Trading catalog:



 

Princess Fairytale Hall Opening Date Announced

Disney has finally given us some insight as to when we can expect the new Princess Fairytale Hall meet-n-greet to be open to guests--and it's not until late 2013. Yes, you read that correctly. So here's what I'd like to know: if Snow Whites Scary Adventures is closing in just a few days (May 31), and this meet-n-greet will be taking its place, why on earth won't it open until possibly a year and a half later?!? Based on this timetable, I'm hoping for a pretty amazing setup for this meet-n-greet. Here's a peek at the concept art.

 © The Disney Co.

Friday Photo

Still one of my favorite family Disney vacation photos. My youngest enjoying Chef Mickey's...

Thursday's Tip

Like most families, we treasure our vacation time at Walt Disney World. It's tempting to try to cram every last moment with non-stop fun and activity. Especially tempting when we all know that Park tickets get cheaper per day the more days you play. It's hard to argue with the logic that it's better to buy a 6-day ticket that's only $8 more than a 5-day ticket.

BUT may I offer a suggestion...or a Thursday's Tip? Take at least one day--preferably in the middle of your vacation week--away from the Parks. Swim in the pool, ride on a boat, tour a Resort or two, and get to bed early. It will energize and invigorate you. And it will help you enjoy the remainder of your vacation even more!

I am among the worst offenders for cramming too much in a day. But we almost always take a day off from the Parks to recuperate and rejuvenate. It gives our tired feet a bit of a rest and helps us strategize and prioritize for the remainder of our trip. There's so much to see and do outside the Parks that we never feel cheated for skipping a day inside. Give yourself a mid-vacation break, and your mind, body, and spirit will thank you.

Wednesdays with Walt

"We are not trying to entertain the critics. I'll take my chances with the public." --Walt Disney

Hidden Mickey Monday

Cleaning up and packing our homeschool classroom for the year (woohoo!), I came across this Hidden Mickey in a kindergarten workbook:

Friday Photo

It's the last official day of school for the Gibbs Family Academy! (Although, as a homeschooling family we try to create a lifestyle of learning that goes beyond the school calendar or classroom walls.) In honor of that momentous occasion, I'd like to share a photo from our visit to Disney's Homeschool Days in 2010. This is a pic of the stage setup for our Homeschool Days presentation. The program centered on the arts, which was a big draw for this creative family! We heard from executives and experts in areas including costume design, performing arts, and design/construction. We learned the story behind those cool ovens in Via Napoli and listened as an Imagineer told us how she worked her way up into that position and gave some insight to some of the projects on which she had worked. All fascinating stuff!



This year's Disney Homeschool Days presentation will be on October 25. Not only does Disney offer some excellent educational programs to complement your visit, but they also offer great discounts on tickets--and ticket discounts are very rare at WDW! If you're a homeschooling family, click here for more information.

Thursday's Tip

Many of you are planning Walt Disney World vacations in time to take advantage of the free fall dining plan offer (by the way, today is the LAST DAY to book this for Fall 2012!). Although our family doesn't typically use the dining plan, I have done some of my own "what-if" planning...just to see where we would best be able to maximize our savings if we did. Today's Thursday's Tip is all about snack credits and where to get the biggest "bang for your buck." Here are a few rules that will help you do just that:

• Don't waste snack credits on a beverage. Instead, take along a refillable, filtered water bottle. It's hard to stomach the idea (no pun intended) of spending a precious snack credit on a bottle of water when you could use that same credit for one of the yummy treats listed below.


• As a general rule, snack credits are good for items priced up to around $4.50-$5. These tend to include side items, desserts, and beverages. What you may not know is that snack credits are often accepted for many items at the booths for Epcot's annual Food and Wine Festival too.


• Compare desserts. For example, why use a snack credit for an ice cream cone at Hollywood Scoops (Disney's Hollywood Studios) when you can get an ice cream sundae for the same credit? Instead of a blueberry muffin from the Main Street Bakery (Magic Kingdom), go for the enormous cinnamon roll that costs around $1.50 more.


• Not all snack items have to be desserts; there are some great savory options that are more filling. One of the best-kept snack secrets in the Magic Kingdom are the take-away baked potatoes (with fixings) at the Liberty Square Market. Using a snack credit for one of these is a great way to compensate for using 2 table service credits for a signature dining experience earlier in the day. With cheese, butter, and sour cream available, one of these potatoes is a perfect light meal.


• Try something you've never had before! Some of my favorite classics are the Mickey Ice Cream Bars (found in carts everywhere), the Carrot Cake Cookie (Writer's Stop, DHS), and the Dole Whip (Aloha Isle, MK). But on my next visit, I plan to try a few new "under the radar" snacks, such as beignets from Port Orleans or one (or more) of the many cupcake variations that are found around the World.


• Here's a fun idea: save up your snack credits for an "eat your way around the World Showcase" evening. Nibble on school bread from Norway. Grab an espresso in Italy. Gobble down a soft pretzel in Germany. Sample churros in Mexico. Have a side of Tabouleh in Morocco. Munch on egg rolls in China. The possibilities are endless--and yummilicious! (Yes, I just invented that word.)


• Always ask. Sometimes an individual restaurant will be more flexible with what counts as a snack credit than the brochure might imply. It never hurts to ask (politely) if an item can be purchased with a snack credit--you might get an especially generous Cast Member who will do it for you.


• NEVER leave WDW property with unused snack credits. As a last resort, visit your Resort's food court or even the gift shop for pre-packaged take-home items. You'll have a fun reminder of your trip, or you can even give them as gifts. (My girls were thrilled to get a gift bag full of Disney treats from cousins who took a Christmas trip last year!)

Kim Possible Leave the World Showcase

Much to the dismay of my children, the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure will officially close on Friday, May 18, to make way for the Phineas & Ferb/Agent P World Showcase Adventure that will open in late June. If you happen to be at WDW this week, go have one final adventure with Kim, Ron Stoppable, Wayne, Rufus, and the gang before they leave the World Showcase. (Reagan, my eldest daughter, recommends the France adventure.)

I'm sure we'll happily embrace the new Phineas & Ferb-themed adventure too

FASTPASS+ Expanding to Quick Service Dining?

FASTPASS+ doesn't appear to be going away, if you read anything into the latest rumors in the blogosphere. It seems that after testing the system with some 4000+ guests last week, Disney is considering how the system might expand to include quick service dining establishments for guests who carry smart phones. Possible applications would include previewing menus, ordering meals, arranging a pick-up time, and even paying for the meal--all via smart phone app.

The definite up-side to this plan is that it allows guests to multi-task--to make lunch or dinner plans while waiting in line. Yes, this will definitely save time for some.  There are, however, some possible negative ramifications. For starters, how about those poor folks who don't have a smart phone (like me--although my husband does)? Will this make what looks like a short line at Cosmic Ray's turn into a 30-minute wait to receive your food? And even if you do have a smart phone, how long would you be able to use a highly-sophisticated app without running down your battery entirely? And finally, I'll just throw this one out there: isn't it all just a bit elitist? The beauty of the current FASTPASS system is that it's very simple to use, and it's available to everyone. There's talk that FASTPASS+ will be offered--at least initially--only to those staying in Deluxe Resorts. Does that apply to this dining aspect as well? Or will the app be offered for a fee?

There are still a lot of questions, and this is obviously still in the planning stage. I am very open to new technology--and I love the idea of smart phones making things easier for guests. My real concern lies in whether this minimize the experience for the average guest while Disney offers a a superior guest experience for those who can afford to pay for it. Walt Disney World should be experienced fully by all guests--not just those who

Wednesdays with Walt

"Mickey Mouse popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad twenty years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner."  --Walt Disney

Annual Star Wars Weekends Reminder

Just a reminder: The annual Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios begin this Friday, May 18 (which also just happens to be our last official day of our homeschool year--can I get a "Woohoo!"?).  To see the lineup of celebrity guest, check out this post. The event runs weekends through June 10.

Here's something new: "Carbon-Freeze Me." Yes, you can get your image cast in carbonite--ala Hans Solo in The Empire Strikes Back--for just $99.95. So, the piece will be decidedly smaller-than-life at a mere 7 3/4" x 3" x 1". Yep, tiny. And expensive. But among hard-core Star Wars fans, I'm sure this souvenir will still be a popular one. And Disney is anticipating its popularity too, as they are offering reservations for the experience. Call 407-WDW-TECH to reserve your time slot! Be forewarned, you'll need a credit card to hold the reservations and no-shows who don't cancel at least 48-hours in advance will be charged $25. You'll find the "Carbon-Freeze Me" chamber near the American Idol Experience.

If you're looking for a unique souvenir that's a bit more reasonably priced, head to Tatooine Traders for the "Droid Factory." Here you can put together your own customized droid (around 4" tall) from the available parts that include bodies, legs, arms, and even novelty hats, and it will only cost you $11.95 for one or $18.95 for two. Not cheap, but definitely more doable than freezing yourself in carbonite.

Hidden Mickey Monday

Here's one we found on our last trip to WDW. Can you guess where? There are some pretty good clues in the pic.

Friday Photo

This is still one of my all-time favorite photos from our many Disney trips. This particular night had Extra Magic Hours at Epcot, and while the girls really wanted to stay, they just were too worn out to stay awake. Gotta love those super-large double rental strollers--so easy to push and plenty of room to take a little snooze. (Looks like Big Sister is taking up more than her share of the space.)

Thursday's Tip

A full day at Walt Disney World--especially one including Extra Magic Hours--can wear out even the most robust and vibrant guests. Families with young children almost always require some sort of mid-day break. For many, this means commuting back to a resort room for a nap. And while that may be best for some families, the idea never really appealed to this squeeze-every-bit-of-fun-and-get-your-money's-worth type of gal! Still, some sort of break is necessary for most of us. While I've already shared my favorite nap spots in this post, today's Thursday's Tip will focus on calm, sedate places (and even attractions) where even us "old folks" can catch our breath without feeling like we're missing out on any of the Disney fun. Here are my favorites:

• Take in a show. There are several choices in each of the four main parks, but my favorites include Finding Nemo, the Musical (Animal Kingdom) and American Idol Experience (Disney's Hollywood Studios) because they're both indoor, air-conditioned theatres.AIE is a little noisy and bright, but it has incredibly comfy seating. In a pinch, we'll watch the Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom), but my husband sort of despises this one, so it's not quite as relaxing.


• Hop on a slow-moving, long-lasting attraction. Some good choices include the Great Movie Ride (DHS), the half-ride/half-attraction Carousel of Progress (MK), The Walt Disney World Railroad (MK), Liberty Square Riverboat (MK), Living with the Land (Epcot), and Spaceship Earth (Epcot). There aren't many great alternatives in Animal Kingdom, since most of these attractions are outdoors and, therefore, hot.  The Wildlife Express Train is probably your best best there.


• Grab a snack and sit in the shade. Nearly all the pavillions in the World Showcase of Epcot have food kiosks that sell snacks or sweets that are native to their countries, with seating nearby. (A favorite: have a croissant from France and eat it by the beautiful fountain!) In the Magic Kingdom, there are shaded tables at the Sunshine Tree Terrace, or you can grab a Dole Swirl from the nearby Aloha Isle. I love the Carrot Cake Cookie from the Writer's Stop in Disney's Hollywood Studios, and there's plenty of seating inside or nearby outside. And while shade is harder to come by at Animal Kingdom, you can grab a drink from the Asian Slush Cart and head for the trees. There are usually fences or boulders around that you can lean on if you don't find a cool seat. Then there are our favorite Mickey Ice Cream bars, found throughout the parks at various carts. Good anytime, anywhere.


• Follow a trail off the beaten path. There actually are a few out-of-the-way spots around the Disney Parks. These are usually in the "corners" of the parks--areas that don't necessarily lead to an attraction and are, therefore, less traveled. You'll often find a park bench or two, just waiting for weary travelers.

These are some of my favorite spots to take a break. What are yours?

Wednesdays with Walt

"When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable."  --Walt Disney

New Disney Visa Room-Only Discount for Art of Animation Resort

I'm super excited, because the Art of Animation Resort was excluded from the previous Room-Only discount I posted here, but now AOA has it's very own discount for Disney Visa cardholders! Book by June 14 and receive 15% off of regular seasonal rates for both suites and regular guest rooms at AOA for travel dates June 18 through September 27. (Yay! This includes our travel dates!) Rooms are limited, so make your reservations ASAP.

When I called to apply the discount to my existing reservation, I wasn't asked for a promo code (although, if asked, the code is Q4F), but I did have to verify that I am indeed a Disney Visa cardholder.

While most Disney Visa discounts are later offered to the general public within a week or so, there is no indication of whether or not this will be true for this discount. It's possible. It's also possible that they will offer this as an exclusive discount for cardholders. Either way, all my savvy readers have a Disney Rewards Visa, right? If not, read this post and learn about the new Disney Premier Visa (the link also allows you to apply for the traditional Disney Rewards Visa).

Hidden Mickey Monday

Hidden Mickeys seem to abound in kindergarten workbooks. We found this one last week on one of my youngest daughter's math pages:

May the 4th Be With You

May 4 is what some people (unofficially) call "Star Wars Day." Devotees will greet one another with: "May the 4th be with you!" In honor of this--or perhaps by pure coincidence--Amazon is offering the entire Star Wars saga for just $78.99. That's nearly 45% off  of the regular price for six movies ($139.99). So if you can't make it to one of the Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios, you can make your own Star Wars Movie Marathon Weekend at home!

Soarin' Closed Temporarily Due to Guest "Escape"

So, apparently, a guest on Soarin' was able to exit the ride just before it went into motion yesterday, causing all sorts of questions about the safety of the restraint system for the attraction. (It was unclear if the guest was buckled in at all or how the guest was able to circumvent the restraint system.) No one was injured in yesterday's ordeal, but both the Epcot and California Adventure versions of Soarin' have been temporarily shut down, pending an investigation of the obviously-not-fail-proof restraint system.

Friday Photo

OK, so it's not my typical Friday Photo, where I tend to showcase my favorite WDW attractions alongside my favorite people--my family! But unless you're living under a rock, you've probably heard that The Avengers opens this weekend. Not sure when or how, but I'm sure my husband will find a way to be among those who see it. Are you heading to the theater this weekend?

Thursday's Tip

Today's Thurday's Tip is actually more of a list of several of my favorite tips for packing a bag to take into the Parks. After traveling to WDW with toddlers and school-aged kids for the last 6 years, we've learned a few things about packing light (relatively) and in the most convenient way. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Use a clear backpack. Not only will you breeze through security, but you'll also be able to find what you need in a timely manner. You'll avoid unpacking and repacking your bag every time you need to find something in it.


• If your kids love pressed pennies, keep an empty tube from those yummy mini-M&M's to hold shiny pennies and quarters for the machine. (These are also great for holding quarters for laundry and even tolls.)


• Put everything within your backpack (cameras, autograph books, costumes) in plastic zipper bags. This protects items from Florida showers, and also from getting soaked on water attractions. And cramming those Disney Princess costumes into a zipper bag keeps them from taking up your entire backpack. (Most are very durable and forgiving...they shake out and look just fine.)


• Keep tickets, FastPasses, Photo Pass, and even credit cards in a small plastic photo shield/album for easy access. You know the kind I mean--they come with almost any wallet you purchase. These allow you to see all your cards and grab the proper one that you need at any given moment.


• Finally, carry a small, soft insulated cooler/lunchbox for cold drinks and/or snacks that require refrigeration. Use ice from your Resort (in doubled or even trippled zipper bags), or freeze items like yougurt tubes, water bottles, or juice boxes that will gradually thaw while keeping other items cool. By the end of the day, your load will be lighter from consumed snacks, and you will have saved a good chunk of cash!

These are some of my favorite tips for packing a Park bag. If you have others to share, leave them below!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates & Prices

Disney has released official dates and ticket prices for the annual Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP). The dates are: September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, and 30; October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, and 31; and November 2. The event runs from 7:00 p.m. to midnight and requires a separate admission ticket (not regular park admission), but guests with valid MNSSHP tickets have traditionally be allowed into the Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 p.m. on the day of the event.

Pricing for dates from September 11 through September 28:

• Advance purchase adult $55.95


• Advance purchase child (age 3-9) $50.95


• Day of event adult $62.95


• Day of event child $57.95


• Annual Passholder or DVC Member adult $52.95


• Annual Passholder or DVC Member child $47.95

For dates September 30 through November 2 (except for October 31), pricing is:

• Advance purchase adult $58.95


• Advance purchase child $53.95


• Day of event adult $64.95


• Day of event child $59.95


• Annual Passholder or DVC Member adult $54.95


• Annual Passholder or DVC Member child $49.95

And, of course, Halloween (October 31) gets its own special pricing:

• Adult 69.95


• Child $64.95

Prices do not include tas, and there are a several blackout dates for the Annual Passholder/DVC member discounts: October 5, 12, 26, 28, 30, 31, and November 2. In addition, there are NO ADVANCED PURCHASE tickets for October 5, 12, 26, or 31. (This is a change from previous years--and a very interesting one, considering that in past years Halloween night has nearly always sold out in advance. My advice if you plan to attend MNSSHP on Hallowee: arrive EARLY!)

 

 

 

 

Fall Room-Only Discount Released

It's what those of us who don't typically go for the "Free Fall Dining" discount have been waiting for: the later summer/early fall "Room-Only" discount! The discounts off regular "rack rate" prices of most resorts range from 20-30%, but there are several excluded resorts (or a few that offer a minimal 5% off). The discount is good for travel dates from August 15 through September 29, and must be booked by August 14. Here are the specific discounts by Resort:

20% off: All-Star Sports and Music, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, and Port Orleans Riverside

25% off: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Fort Wilderness cabins

30% off: Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West

Log onto the Special Offers page of WDW's website to book!