Peter Pan Refurbishment Planned for Fall

Just a week after we booked our next WDW vacation, I read this announcement that was met with groans from my children: Peter Pan's Flight will undergo a month-long refurbishment from September 28 through October 31...during our planned trip. :( No doubt, we are the only guests disappointed by this news, and as avid Disney fans, we know that refurbishment is part of the deal...even when it's one of our favorite attractions.

What is it about Peter Pan's Flight that makes it such a favorite, especially among return guests? The ride itself is rather simple, really. And it's over much too quickly. And yet it remains one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom. It's still typically our first stop in the morning.

In a way, this is good news. Not having PPF in contention, we'll be able to concentrate our focus on the new attractions in Fantasyland. Yes, that's how I'm going to see it. Good news. We won't even miss it, right?
 

Friday Photo

We're heading to our neighborhood pool this morning...which inspired this Friday Photo.



Did you know that Disney Cast Members host poolside parties every day for their young guests? There are organized games, dancing with a DJ, and prizes. And it's free! My girls had great fun at this party at the Big Blue Pool (Art of Animation Resort). Have your kids participated in a pool part at WDW?

 

 

My Weekend...There's Always a Disney Connection

I spent this past weekend at my alma mater, Asbury University, for my 20th (gulp!) reunion. In addition, there was a reunion of all the choral groups featuring two directors that were very special to me in my college career. The reunion weekend was great fun, and aside from visiting and singing with old friends, the highlight was touring Asbury's new Andrew S. Miller Center for Communication Arts. The facility is amazing! Here's a little info:

The Andrew S. Miller Center for Communication Arts, designed by Sherman Carter Barnhart architects, has a convergence newsroom for The Collegian, WACW, WASB-TV and online news, a 120-seat movie and media theater, two multimedia production labs, audio and video editing suites, a professional level recording studio, a 6000 square-foot soundstage modeled after 20th Century Fox’s Hollywood studios, a 5000 square-foot black box theater, an interior and exterior backstage for filming, dressing rooms, a green room, prop storage, a set construction shop, and a garage area for the production trailer.

In additional to all that cool "communicationy" stuff, the center is a veritable treasure trove of movie and TV memorabilia. From a camera used on the set of I Love Lucy! to a broom used in filming Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to the very storefronts used in filming Citizen Kane, every turn offers new delights for the eyes. And, as promised, there is always a Disney connection!

One of Asbury's more famous students was Dean Jones, known primarily for his role in the various Herbie movies. Although Mr. Jones did not graduate from Asbury, he considers it his alma mater (and has received an honorary degree). He was on hand for the ribbon cutting of the new building in 2011--he even spoke in a chapel service! There is an entire case in the new Communications Center featuring memorabilia from Mr. Jones' personal collection. And guess what's in the case!

Yes, that is his Disney Legend award. (Sorry for the terrible glare...the lights in the building were reflecting in the glass.) How awesome is that! I got a little verklempt when I saw it! Oh, and there was some cool Herbie stuff too. And a personal letter to Dean from Ronald Reagan.

I've always been proud to be an Asburian...now I'm just a little bit prouder. If you or someone you know wants to major in communications, Asbury is definitely the place to be. Not only is the new facility stellar, their program can rival any large university out there, but with a personal, caring touch you won't find at a big university.

Hidden Mickey Monday

Crafty Hidden Mickey:

Friday Photo

Just booked our fall trip--woohoo! Grandparents are coming with. Here's a pic from our last trip together:



 

Thursday's Tip

Here's a handy saving tip that will ensure that your Disney vacation comes in under budget: figure up the total, non-discounted cost of a WDW vacation, and save that much. Then, if--and hopefully when--you find a great discount for a room or package, you'll have some cash left over for incidentals. Things always seem to cost more than you think, and unless you are a stickler for a line-item budget, it's likely that you've neglected to plan for some expense. Plan on paying full price--and then don't. Ever. Seriously, never pay full price is my mantra. And also, never go in debt to go on vacation...it is not worth it, no matter how much you love the Mouse.

The best part is, if you save extra and don't need it, you'll be that far ahead in saving for your next Disney vacation. Winning!

 

Sign Up for FREE D23 Membership

photo ©Disney Store

D23 now offers a free membership level, and you can sign up through the Disney Store! Click on this link to get your free membership and finally be eligible for exclusive merchandise and insider info. What have you got to lose? It's FREE!!!

 

 

Main Street Bakery Reopens

Starbucks has taken over the world...Disney World, that is. The former Main Street Bakery on Main Street is now officially open as a Starbucks location. Coffee lovers have long lamented the lack of a decent cup of Joe throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Sure, there were a few gems on property (Kona at the Polynesian ...French presses at most of the Deluxe Resorts...even fresh-roasted beans at Writer's Stop in the Studios), but real coffee was largely missing from the theme parks. No longer. After a lengthy refurbishment, the Main Street Bakery has reopened as a Starbucks location. Guests can order from the full Starbucks drink menu. From opening until 11 a.m., only Starbucks items will be served, including their hot breakfast items. After 11, guests can still purchase some of the old favorites from the Main Street Bakery, including cupcakes, brownies, and cookies. Sadly, however, their famous cinnamon rolls are no longer sold here. But I'm told the same version is now available in Gaston's Tavern in Fantasyland.

I love coffee as much as the next person. Truly. I rarely start a morning without the hum of my Keurig. Still, I have to wonder if getting a good cup of coffee while on vacation is worth letting go of the true essence of the Main Street Bakery. Will sentimentality or practicality prevail? Ask me after I've satisfied my daily caffeine fix.

Hidden Mickey Monday

Honestly, I'm not sure where this one is...I'm thinking Polynesian Resort. Anybody know for sure?

More Limited Time Magic

There have been several recently-announced Limited Time Magic events. Here's what's coming up, along with details from Disney:

• Starting today: Attend a Monster's University Homecoming. The MU School of Scaring is hosting a campus bash inspired by Disney•Pixar's Monsters University and it all goes down each evening at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Hit the quad where you can hear your DJ—"Monster of Scaremonies"—spinning the latest beats, and take part in a series of fun activities. Then, get pepped up as the MU cheerleaders pop in to lead the MU Fight Song before those monsters of rock, Scare Supply, take the stage. Enjoy a medley of monstrous mash-ups, and laugh along as they're joined on stage by Mike and Sulley. It's a pep rally of epic proportions, and it's all part of Limited Time Magic!


• Now through August 3: See a Sneak Peek of The Lone Ranger. Saddle up for a wild summer ride when The Lone Ranger arrives at Disney's Hollywood Studios! Come mid-June, gallop over to ABC Sound Studio for a little Limited Time Magic and enjoy an extended trailer of The Lone Ranger, starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. Don't miss the chance to catch this sneak peek of Disney's thrilling adventure film before it opens in theaters on July 3, 2013! And from June 15 to June 16, keep your eyes peeled for statues of the Lone Ranger and Tonto at Downtown Disney area—see if you can spot the two whenever they pop up!


• June 17-23: Give Grads Congrats with Celebratory Ear Hats.  Every graduate deserves congrats, and what better way to pay tribute—and say "Ears to you!"—than with a Mortar Board Ear Hat! For a limited time when you purchase a mortar board graduation Ear Hat at La Chapeau Hat Shoppe in Magic Kingdom park, you can pick from 5 different tassels that best represent your school colors, individually available for just $1.95 each. So drop by and do the grad in your life a favor—help celebrate his or her determination in style, courtesy of a little Limited Time Magic!


• July 1-7: Independence Week Celebration. Get set for a red, white and blue bash of patriotic proportion! In honor of America, Limited Time Magic is prepping a week-long Fourth of July celebration you won't soon forget. Be on the lookout for updates in the near future and don't miss your chance to salute our nation's birth at Disney Parks on both sides of the U.S. of A.—from sea to shining sea!

Friday Photo

I read today that Disney Theatrical Productions is exploring the possibility of a Muppets musical on Broadway. How fun would that be?! So, in honor of this, I present today's Friday Photo:



 

 

Registration Open for Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon

Registration is now open for the 2014 Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon. The race and surrounding events will take place February 20-23, 2014. You can find all events and pricing on the Run Disney website.

Star Wars Episode VII Starts Production in 2014

I am a bit of a JJ Abrams geek. In fact, I'm currently obsessed with an older Abrams series, Alias, which I'm watching on Netflix. So when I heard that he would be at the helm of the first Star Wars film since Disney purchased Lucasfilm, I was almost giddy. And now we have an idea of when production will start: early 2014! If you want the full details, check out this story. Expect to see the film in theatres in 2015.

Thursday's Tip

Here's an oldie but a goodie for our Thursday's Tip: never pay full price! Whether it be for your Disney vacation package or for something as minor as the snacks you pack to take along on your trip, always seek out a deal. For example, if there is any flexibility in your WDW vacation schedule, you can usually find some sort of discount to save a little cash. A great place to start is at the Special Offers page on Disney's site. And, of course, I try to post discounts here as they become available.

Another great way to save money on your Disney vacation is to purchase souvenir items on sale before your trip. You can find small items for kids at your local dollar store or Target, but right now DisneyStore.com is having their "Twice Upon a Year" sale. They have great prices on items--some that are even from the Disney Parks line.

If you adopt a "never pay full price" policy in your every day life, you'll have more money left over for more Disney vacations!

Disney Announces 2013 Homeschool Days

Disney has just announced its 2013 program for Homeschool families, and it looks like a super fun one--especially for this theatre-loving family! Here is the description:

Disney Homeschool Days: On With The Show
Glamour! Excitement! Applause! It's all that and more when you're in the world of theatrical entertainment! Check out what it takes to be a part of a modern day production at Homeschool Days at Disney's Hollywood Studios! Participants in this program discover real-world application in the "ABC's" of an exhilarating production.  The creative team and technical crew provide insights into the collaboration, communication, and creativity that it takes to bring the lights up and call for Showtime!
Participants will be able to:

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  Identify and articulate a variety of technical disciplines necessary for stage or show production.

  
  


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  Articulate the role of constructive criticism in performance arts and discuss application to everyday situations.

  
  


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  Identify and discuss fundamental responsibilities of creative and stage management teams.

  
  


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  Articulate the value of preparedness, presentation, and focus in performance arts and demonstrate these elements in everyday situations.

  
  


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  Define risk-taking and articulate the value of intelligent risk-taking.

  
  

 

Disney Homeschool Days 2013 will be on October 9. In addition to the program mentioned above, students have the option to add additional programs from the Disney Youth Education Series, via individual enrollment (additional fee applies). And, of course, there are discounted tickets available to those attending and their families (there are limits to the number of tickets you can purchase, based on the number of students enrolled). Prices for these packages aren't as great as previous years, but they're still discounted considerably from regular Disney gate prices.

As a homeschool family, we heartily endorse Disney Homeschool Days! It's a great way to enjoy the Disney Parks while getting a unique "behind the scenes" peek at the Disney experience. The presentations are of stellar quality and appeal to kids of all ages. And the dates for the programs are typically among the least crowded in the Parks. If you're a homeschool family, this is a great time to visit WDW!

 

Hidden Mickey Monday

It's a two-for-one Hidden Mickey. Did you spot them both?

 

 

New Disney Ticket Prices, Effective June 2

Disney has confirmed their annual ticket price increase will begin on June 2. Go here to see the new pricing. Yikes! Even when you know it's coming, it's still a kick in the gut!