MOVING!!!

We are finally moving...really. This week. And, I just found out that we won't have internet access at the new house until next Tuesday--yikes! But, let's be honest, I probably won't have time to post anything between now and then anyhow. So...I'll be taking a bit of a break from writing about my favorite place. Will you promise to come back, dear Reader, when I return? I hope it won't be too long. In the mean time, if I have time for quick updates, I'll post those to my Facebook page.

Hidden Mickey Monday

A new Hidden Mickey from our most recent trip. The pic kinda gives away its location, but--just for fun--can you guess it?

Disney Launches 2013 Marketing Campaign

At least, I think that's what it's supposed to be. Does anyone remember the good old days of "Year of a Million Dreams" or "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day"? It seems the last few yearly campaigns by Disney have been, well, somewhat underwhelming. 2013 is no exception with "Limited Time Magic." Here's the gist: There will be, throughout the year, multiple "limited time engagements" of any variety of incarnations. These may take the form "Long Lost Friends Week" where we'll see those not-so-common walk-around characters in the Parks. Or "Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands" (I think that is pretty self-explanatory). Or even the return of the "Golden Horseshoe Review." Now, don't get me wrong--I think these ideas are super fun. But is it enough to draw guests to the Disney Parks? I think not. It's a clever idea, and I'm sure many of the locals/Annual Passholders will make additional visits to the Parks to take in a special week, but I can't see it doing much to boost Disney's bottom line, or to excite guests worldwide.

Still, just for fun, what are some of the "Limited Time Magic" events you'd like to see? I'll start...how about a week where "refurbished" and "reimagined" attractions get their old soundtracks back? I'd really like to hear some of my favorites like, "If you had wings..." and even "Now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time of your life..." Anybody with me?

BTW, in case you missed it, Disney put a beautiful ice castle in Times Square to accentuate the "limited time" aspect of their announcement. If you didn't see

Fantasyland in Soft Opening

While there have been test runs of various attractions over the last few weeks, it has only been in the last week that many of the new Fantasyland attractions, restaurants, etc. have been in what I would call a true "soft opening." Photos are surfacing of areas in and around Belle's village, including Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's Tavern, and Bonjour Gifts. Just this morning, I spoke with an aquaintance who just returned from WDW and was able to experience those, as well as the Belle attraction (Magical Tales with Belle) and the new Little Mermaid attraction (this one got rave reviews, btw!). And while they weren't hiding that this area was open, they certainly weren't actively promoting it.

If you'll be traveling to the Parks in the coming weeks, be sure to check out the new Fantasyland. And even if an attraction doesn't appear to be open, it never hurts to ask a Cast Member nearby--you might just be pleasantly surprised!

Friday Photo

Have you met the newest Disney Fairy, Periwinkle (which just happens to be my favorite color!)? W

Thursday's Tip

This is a Disney tip wrapped in a general tip: always search for a coupon/discount code--for anything and everything! With a few exceptions (mostly holidays/peak travel season), there is almost always some sort of discount offered at the Disney Parks throughout the year--whether it be free dining, a room discount, or even the rare "Stay, Play, & Dine" discounts. Even if you haven't heard about one, it pays to do a quick web search for Disney discounts, including your travel dates in the search. (Most discounts can be found on Disney's own "special offers" page--but not all.) You never know what you might find! Likewise, whenever purchasing any item online, always search for a coupon/discount/offer code before proceeding. This all goes along with one of my personal mantras: NEVER pay full price!

Discount Updates

I've been terribly remiss in updating you on a few discounts around the World for fall/winter. Here's the rundown of what's currently being offerred:

• Annual Passholders can receive up to 30% off resort stays (discount varies from resort to resort) for travel dates now through December 24. Thanksgiving week is blacked out.


• Florida residents can save up to 35% off resort stays (again, varying greatly among resorts) for travel dates now through December 15. Thanksgiving week is again blacked out.


• The general public can also get in on room savings of up to 30% off for travel dates through December 22. And, you guessed it, Thanksgiving week is blacked out.


• Just released is a winter room-only discount for the general public of savings up to 35% off for travel dates Jan. 2 through March 7. (This was originally released to Disney Rewards Visa cardmembers, but it now available to everyone.) Must be booked by December 31, and there are no blackout dates listed...but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't exist.


• Also new is the "Stay, Play, and Dine" discount for dates Jan. 2 through March 7. This one is a little hard to put your finger on, as they don't list the specific percentage off of regular prices, and there are tons of variables. There is a 3-night minimum stay (maximum 14 nights) and you must purchase at least a 1-day park pass for all guests in the room, as well as the dining plan (either Quick Service or Disney Dining Plan, depending on the resort category). Little Mermaid section of Art of Animation, campsites at Ft. Wilderness, and 3 bedroom villas do not qualify, but there appear to be no blackout dates. My advice is to price out this deal and the above room-only deal to see which is the best price, as it could vary depending on your needs.

That's about it for now.

Monsters University Wants You!

Great news--Monsters University has a brand new website...no, not for the movie; for the institution of higher learning! My nephew Matt (one of my few family members who is a loyal reader--thanks, Matt!) is a high school senior and currently college shopping. I may have found the perfect school for you, Matt! They even have a School of Engineering! Check it out here.

Hidden Mickey Monday

This Hidden Mickey is on one of our favorite rides--do you know which one?

Add This to My Wish List...

OK, I know I just got a house for my birthday (coincidence, but I'll still claim it), but I could certainly use a second vacation home for Christmas! I pick this one. (OK, if I'm being perfectly honest, it would probably creep me out. But I do like the idea of it.)

 

Off the Grid...Sort Of

Hey, gang! I've been somewhat "off the grid" the past few days as we closed on our new home last Friday and have been working frantically to get ready to move ever since! (No wifi or phone yet in the new place...or TV...or, well, much of anything.) Making matters worse, my laptop power source bit the dust, making it temporarily impossible for me to access everything I needed to post here. All that to say, it has been a crazy week...and it will likely continue at this pace for the next few weeks.

Now that my laptop is back in working order, I hope to manage a few posts, but they will almost certainly be less frequent. Please know that the slowdown is merely temporary. I'm not going away...just diverting my energy where it most needed at this time--at home! I'm still trying to keep up on the latest WDW news, and I'll do my best to inform readers of the really big stuff. And if I manage to carve out some free time (hahahahaha!), I will continue with some of my planned posts regarding our most recent trip.

Thanks for sticking with me...I hope to be back at it soon!