New Spring Room-Only Discount

Disney has just released a new room-only discount for dates throughout spring, with a black-out period for spring break/Easter. The offer must be booked by January 12, 2012, and it's good for travel dates February 21-March 31, 2012 and April 13-June 14, 2012. Discounts are kind of all over the place based on dates (you might save more on certain nights), but here is the basic outline for most dates:

• All Value Resorts,  Fort Wilderness Cabins, Port Orleans French Quarter, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Polynesian: 20% off


• Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans Riverside: 25% off


• All other Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas: 30% off

This discount is available on the "special offers" page of Disney's website, and you don't need a booking code.

Great Deals on Disney Wii Games

Amazon has some great deals on Disney Wii games right now. Plus, if you spend $25 or more, shipping is free! Here are some of my top picks:

 $19.96 (great for older kids and adults!)

 $29.96 (includes microphone)

 $15.99 (my girls love this!)

 $19.46 (ditto on this one!)




 $15.99

Christmas Day Parade Taping Schedule

The taping of the Diney Parks Christmas Day Parade will take place this Friday and Saturday, December 2 & 3 at the Magic Kingdom. Unless you're determined to actually see the taping--and willing to camp out on Main Street and miss some of your other favorite attractions--I recommend skipping the MK on these two days and focusing on other Parks, as there will be some interruptions in the usual entertainment schedule at the MK. For example, the Main Street Trolley (or its accompanying "show") will not be running either day, and neither will the "Move it! Shake it! Celebrate it!" street party. The "Dream Along with Mickey" castle show will still run on Friday, but will not on Saturday. And the "Celebrate a Dream Come True" parade will start later on both days, at 5:00 p.m., and will begin in Frontierland.

Changes Coming to Animal Kingdom

I learned last week that Animal Kingdom would be losing a few key character meet-n-greets in December--namely, Jiminy Cricket and Pocahontas, who can currently be found at Rafiki's Planet Watch. (Sad, because this is really the only place where these two characters can currently be experienced in a meet-n-greet setting.) What I didn't know at the time (and still don't know, as it is merely a rumor at this point) is that the entire area including the Conservation Station, Affection Section, Habitat Habit!, and the Wildlife Express Train may be closing as early as January to make room for the new Avatar Land.

It was originally thought that Camp Minnie-Mickey would be the casualty to the much-anticipated, film-inspired land of the Nav'i--with the relocation of The Festival of the Lion Kingto another area in the Park--but moving the characters out of Rafiki's Planet Watch is a good indication that Disney has other plans. While I'm not a huge fan of the attractions that may fall victim to the expansion, I do think they have merit but have been under-utilized. The learning potential of the Conservation Station appeals to me as a homeschooling mom, but on our visits we have not seen much in the way of Cast Member/animal interaction. I would love to see Disney give guests a more intimate look into what they actually do at AK. Instead, the CS exhibits have become rather static, without much CM interaction or views of actual animal care. (I'm not asking them to perform surgery on a giraffe in the viewing area, but it would have been cool to see them giving a turtle an exam...you get the idea.)

So, what do you think? Would you rather see Disney close Camp Minnie-Mickey (assuming they relocate The Festival of the Lion King) or Rafiki's Planet Watch?

Free Shipping at DisneyStore.com

It's Cyber Monday, and you know what that means! Not much, really, since most online retailers have been having great deals since last Thursday. However, today on DisneyStore.com, you can get free shipping with no minimum purchase by using the promo code CYBER. That's a great bonus for those of us who don't have a Disney Store in our hometowns and aren't prepared to purchase the typical minimum of $75 to get free shipping.

I'm buying some PJs and a couple of Disney Parks Christmas ornaments. What's on your Disney Store wish list?

(Black) Friday Photo

Happy Black Friday everyone! In honor of this occasion, enjoy this photo from the Once Upon a Toy store in Downtown Disney, circa 2009. Mr. Potato Head is displaying the "blue screen of death." Maybe that's why they removed these interactive computers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm celebrating Thanksgiving with most of my extended family in Southern Indiana this weekend, but we're missing a small faction of the family who are spending their Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World. Wishing a very happy Thanksgiving to my sweet cousin (and Disney College Program participant) Camille and my Aunt Donna. Wish you could be with us--or, rather, that we could be with you and Mickey! Eat a giant turkey leg for us, and we'll eat way too much of everything, watch Christmas Vacation, and decorate the tree while we think of you!

Beauty and the Beast Trailer

Here's a new trailer for the release of Beauty and the Beast, coming in 3D to theatres on January 13, 2012.

 

"Health and Wellness Suites" Cancelled

Remember this post, in which I told you about Disney's plans to create lush health and wellness suites at the Contemporary Resort? Well...um...never mind. Apparently, Disney has ditched the plans quietly. Not gonna happen. Sorry, fans of health and wellness...you're out of luck.

It's not the first time Disney has announced a grand idea, only to let it fade quietly into the past without coming to fruition. Remember Hyperion Wharf? Probably not. Over a year ago, the plan to transform the "Pleasure Island" portion of Downtown Disney into a waterfront shopping district was announced. But Disney hasn't moved on with the plans. In fact, they've made a few store changes that lead those watching the progress to believe they've abandoned the Wharf plan altogether.

Then there's Flamingo Crossing. This commercial district on the western portion of Disney property is still basically a series of empty acres, with the addition of a few paved roads and a basic utilities infrastructure. It has been in development since 2007.

The fact is, things change. Business climates change. Economies change. And even great ideas change, evolve, or turn out to be not-so-great after all. Still, I'm ready for Disney to do something more permanent with Hyperion Wharf and Flamingo Crossing, aren't you?

Hidden Mickey Monday

Forgive the blurry photo. As many times as we ride this attraction each Disney vacation, you'd think I could have gotten a better photo. The Hidden Mickey, of course, is in the lower right corner. This one's pretty easy...especially if you have little ones (they seem to love this ride, for some odd reason). Guess away!

AtM Featured in Tennessean Article

A few days ago, I received an email from a reporter for the Tennessean, our newspaper her in Nashville, requesting an interview on a story he was doing about "Disney bargains." Yep, it was a no-brainer...a perfect fit for this Disney fan! Here's the finished product, which just happened to appear on the front page of today's paper:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111118/NEWS01/311170072/Disney-fans-find-fairytale-deals-Middle-Tennessee-outlet-stores?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Friday Photo

Believe it or not, we had never seen Cinderella's stepsisters and stepmother (at least not up close and personal) until our most recent trip to Walt Disney World. Here's a pic of my girls enjoying their snide comments and general bad manners.

Happy Birthday, Mickey!

On this date in 1928, everyone's favorite mouse arrived on the scene with the release of Steamboat Willie. (OK, so technically he had arrived on the scene 6 months earlier in the silent film Plane Crazy...but most historians count Steamboat Willie as his official "birthday.") Happy 83rd birthday, Mickey! You don't look a day over 30!



Fun facts about Mickey:

• Walt Disney was the original voice for Mickey Mouse.


• Mickey Mouse was the first ever cartoon character to talk.


• During WWII, when Allied forces invaded Europe, the code name of the operation was "Mickey Mouse."


• Walt Disney is rumored to have said that Mickey and Minnie were actually married in their "private life," although they never were on screen.


• The first piece of Mickey Mouse merchandise was introduced in 1929. It was a child's writing tablet with Mickey's image on it.


• Walt Disney was actually quite frightened by mice...yet he saw them as sympathetic creatures.

Just for fun, who can tell me Mickey's original name? Disney later used this name as a rival character.

Thursday's Tip

You can probably guess that I'm a big proponent of staying on Disney property when traveling to Walt Disney World. We love the convenience and the atmosphere of being immersed in Disney magic for our entire trip. That said, I have stayed off-site when traveling with extra family members, simply because there weren't many affordable suite options on-site to accommodate us all. (Hopefully that will change when the Art of Animation Resort opens!)

Here's a Thursday's Tip for those staying off-site: budget and plan to drive your own car (or a rental car) to the Parks. Even if your hotel has "scheduled transportation" to the Disney Parks, that schedule will undoubtedly be limited. Having the freedom to come and go at will is well worth the $14/day parking fee, in my humble opinion. If you have small children who may require an afternoon nap or--heaven forbid!--a trip to a walk-in clinic (been there/done that), I'd consider my own transportation a necessity.

We stay on Disney property and still actually prefer to take our own transportation to the Parks in most instances. We love the flexibility it affords, and we even pack a small cooler with cold drinks and snacks and often make a late afternoon trek out to the car to refresh our Park stash. And, of course, when you're staying at a WDW Resort, parking at all of the theme parks is free!

The Bobby Driscoll Story: A Cautionary Tale

This one is for the Disney historians among you. I stumbled across this tragically fascinating story about Disney's first child actor to fall victim to the dark side of entertainment. While I was aware of Bobby Driscoll and some of his story, I did not realize that this same actor who starred in Song of the South was also the voice of Peter Pan. There are so many parallels that can be drawn here, and so much to extrapolate and apply to the lives of our modern-day child actors (Lindsay Lohan, anyone?), but I'll simply offer you the link and let the writer's words do the rest.

http://wdfmuseum.squarespace.com/posts/2011/11/14/once-youve-grown-up-you-can-never-come-back.html

Happy Birthday, Thunder Mountain Railroad!

It zoomed down the track with WDW guests for the first time on this date in 1980. Happy birthday to one of our family's favorite attractions, Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Tangled Short to Accompany B&tB Theatrical Release

When Beauty and the Beast comes to theatres for a limited engagement in 3D on January 13, moviegoers will get an additional treat: the Disney short, Tangled Ever After. You'll want to make sure you're in your seat on time, as this brief film will roll before the feature at each showing.

Tangled Ever After is the continuing story of Flynn Rider and Rapunzel, specifically the royal wedding that inevitably follows the story line of Tangled (mentioned in the whole "happily ever after" ending, but the viewer didn't get to see it). You'll be reacquainted with old pals Maximus and Pascal, and undoubtedly hi-jinx will ensue. It looks to be a great accompaniment to B&tB, as it will certainly appeal to the princess-loving crowd.

While we have seen Beauty and the Beast in nearly every sort of venue--from movies to live musical performances--our family will most definitely be lining up on opening day to catch this perennial favorite with a new, fun addition!

Weekend Top Stories

So, I was out of town this weekend, so I missed out on a few stories. (Why is is that when I'm home with plenty of time, it seems as if nothing happens. Then when I'm swamped or out of town, there are dozens of exciting things going on at WDW?) Here are a few Disney news items that you might have missed over the weekend:

• Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, a new interactive game similar to the Kim Possible Adventure, is now testing in Adventureland. The game appears to use electronic "spell cards" rather than the cell phone technology that KP utilizes.


• The gospel choir D'Vine will be performing special holiday shows at the Fountain of Nations Stage in Epcot daily at various times in the afternoon, beginning November 25 and continuing through December 29.


• The new Talking Mickey is making limited appearances in Town Square (Magic Kingdom), but there is no set schedule at this time. You are more likely to catch him at a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but he has also made some daytime appearances. Unfortunately, no official schedule has been published at this point, so it's really just a matter of being at the right place at the right time.


• The Enchanted Grove (quick snacks & beverages in the Magic Kingdom) is now the Cheshire Cafe. Not much else has changed, it seems--other than signage and a few prices going up a bit.


• Epcot is already testing an RFID entry system. They are doing this by adding stickers with embedded RFID chips to guest tickets. Tickets are scanned, then the ticket info is tranferred to the chip. Upon re-entry, simply scan your chip and your fingerprint, and be on your merry way. Expect this to become a permanent entry system once Disney works any kinks out of the system.


• Sleepy Hollow Refreshments (Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom) is now offering waffle sandwiches--both sweet and savory! All I can say is, this will be a "must try" on our next visit! You can read more about them on the Disney Food Blog.


• Jake, of "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" fame, has replaced the "Little Einsteins" characters at the Animation Courtyard meet-n-greet. He has also joined the Hollywood and Vine character "Play-n-Dine" experience.

Those are the main highlights you might have missed over the weekend.

Hidden Mickey Monday

Here's another Hidden Mickey our oldest daughter spotted on our most recent WDW vacation. Can you guess where she found it?

Friday Photo

I'm on a little getaway with my husband, celebrating our 11th anniversary--yes, we are celebrating 11 years on 11/11/11! Our first date was on 12/11/99; we got engaged on 5/11/00; and we got married on 11/11/00. We're staying at a B&B that has 11 rooms, and we're eating at a restaurant named Eleven tonight for dinner!

In honor of our anniversary, here's a rare photo of just me and the hubs at WDW (taken by our oldest daughter, who was probably 6 at the time):

Thursday's Tip

So, it's now 3:42 p.m. Central, and I just realized that I have not yet posted a Thursday's Tip for the day. While going through my mental rolodex of tips, fate broke in and rescued me (much as it does in that Disney favorite, "When You Wish Upon a Star") with some great news: Nashville will once again have it's own Disney Outlet Store!!! So excited that Opry Mills will rise from the ashes--or the flood, as it were--and open again later this month. Among the stores confirmed to be returning (eventually, at least) is the Disney Outlet! Woohoo!

So...back to my tip. It goes hand in hand with my personal mantra, "never pay full price." The tip: shop at outlet stores for great Disney merchandise at exceptional prices. In addition to the official Disney Store Outlets that are featured around the country, there are several Disney-related outlet stores that have inexpensive Disney merchandise. We actually have an AMS Character Depot not terribly far from us in Whitehouse, TN. Most of the merchandise there is actually from Disneyland rather than Walt Disney World, but some of it just says "Disney." They have also just opened a seasonal shop in nearby Murfreesboro, TN (gonna check that one out this weekend). And, of course, there is the Character Outlet and Disney's Character Premiere in the Orlando area. The first is not necessarily official Disney Parks merchandise, but tends to have rock bottom prices on a few items. The latter is actually owned by Disney. The prices are higher, but the merchandise is more authentic and specifically Disney.

Anybody out there have an outlet nearby that sells Disney merchandise?

We Got Another PIN Code

Our family received another PIN code via email this week, but this one is what I would call a non-offer: a PIN code for something that Disney has already offered to the general public. In this case, it was free dining for most dates in January. (You can read about the previous offer in this post.) We've received similar non-offers in the past. But just the mere idea of getting a PIN code--an offer meant just for our family--is exciting and lets me know that Disney recognizes and rewards my loyalty as a guest.

Looking back at my files, I see that my most recent PIN code was in March of this year--about 8 months ago--and this makes 3 that we have received in 2011! The March code was another "non-offer" of free dining for fall. But the one before it, in January, was a great room discount, and we used it to book our most recent WDW vacation.

Did any of you Disney regulars also get the free dining PIN code?

WDW Holiday Decorations Are Up!

Christmas has descended upon Walt Disney World. How I wish I could be there to see it in person! (One of these days...) Since I'm not able to be there and photograph the lovely sights for you, check out this photo essay on WDWMagic.com.

Disney Wins Another Lawsuit

Any corporation as big as Disney is bound to be the defendant in numerous lawsuits, but I think Disney might win the prize for the most unique ones. Sure, there are very valid and serious suits concerning guest and employee safety. (And, yes, Disney does occasionally lose them...but they're more likely to settle cases that they have any chance of losing, especially if big money or the potential for bad publicity is involved.) But many lawsuits against Disney are just frivolous, to put it mildly.

My favorites are the ones where guests make ridiculous claims of Disney's fault, such as the one where the woman tripped on the sidewalk and sued Disney for having uneven pavement. Really? I guess I'm of the "suck it up" mentality, because I don't think you can blame a company for your clumsiness. Perhaps the most notable frivolous lawsuit came from a guest who claimed her eardrum burst from the quick descent in the Twin Hydrolators that were once a part of The Living Seas pavillion at Epcot. This former attraction that closed in 2006 gave guests the experience of going deep down to the ocean floor in an elevator-type device. The only problem with this woman's logic: the ride was a simulation--the floor shook and you could see bubbles moving up the glass walls, but the Hydrolators didn't actually go anywhere!

But onto the news of the day. Disney won their most recent frivolous lawsuit on Thursday, as a jury awarded no damages to a woman who sued the company when she got in a fight in line for the Mad Tea Party. Note that she got in a fight...and yet she somehow considered this Disney's fault. The woman who sued, Aimee Krause, has a history of violent behavior, including battering her husband and being suspended from high school six times for fighting, among other noted anger management issues. But she still claimed that Disney failed to provide adequate security for its guests. Wow, really? Gee, maybe...just maybe, Disney expects that most adult guests will act like grown, responsible citizens and not get in physical with other guests when there are children present.

What is happening to the idea of personal responsibility these days? Ugh. I'll get off my soap box now and simply let you know that you can read the full story on the Orlando Sentinel's website.

Hidden Mickey Monday

This upside down Hidden Mickey can be found in one of our favorite attractions. I bet you can guess it from the other items in the picture.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Disney Fans

I have a confession to make: I have yet to purchase one single Christmas gift. This is not like me. I'm usually well on my way at this point, sometimes nearing the finish line. But not this year. Not even close.

In the unlikely event that you're in the same boat as me, I thought I would offer you a random menagerie of Christmas gifts that may be appropriate for the Disney fan in your life. Since there are so many, I'm doing them in several posts. This is the book/music edition. I have notated my favorites, just in case my husband is reading. I've made it really simple for him (and you!). Just click on the pic and order from Amazon. (Most purchases qualify for free shipping and you save yourself the hassle of fighting the ridiculous crowds--a win/win, as far as I'm concerned!)

 A great coffee table book for the true Pixar fan.

 Disney...Bluegrass style.

 For the business man who has everything.
 There are several variations of these hardcover books, but this one is a great gift for the kiddos!

 This one makes me salivate...I want--NO! I NEEEEEEEEED it. (Did I oversell?)
 This story about the contributions of the late Imagineer John Hench looks like a winner to me!
 Technically, this book is for kids...but it might be a good gift for the dad who can't keep his Disney Princesses straight from his Fairies, or his White Rabbit from his Yellow Rabbit. (Yes, there is a difference.)

 Yes, please!

 Sure, they're technically for tweens, but I'd sure like to own the complete set of Ridley Pearson's Kingdom Keepers books (hint, hint).

 Ah, the soundtrack of my childhood!

There are sooooo many more I could list. Next up, I'll share some of my favorite Blu-ray/DVDs.

Friday Photo

Have you heard the Dapper Dans? This super fun and talented group of guys entertains on Main Street USA. On our last visit, they sang "Happy Birthday" to me--both fun and embarrassing. Here they are posing for the camera:

Cars 2 Blu-Ray/DVD Deals

If you've got a racing fan in your house like we do, you might want to pick up a copy of Cars 2, now available on Blu-ray and DVD. You can buy it from Amazon by clicking on the picture above (or here). Be sure to check out some of the rebate deals below.

• Kimberly Clark Rebate: Get $10 back when you purchase $20 worth of Kimberly Clark products along with Cars 2 on Blu-ray or DVD


• Johnson & Johnson: Get $10 back when you spend $10 on J&J products and purchase Cars 2 on Blu-ray or DVD


• Rayovac Batteries: Get $5 back with the purchase of various batteries (see rebate form for details) and Cars 2 on Blu-ray or DVD

Please note that some rebates require original cash register receipts, while others allow for copies (which will allow you to submit more than one rebate). You also should keep in mind that your Disney Blu-ray or DVD comes with only 2 Proof of Purchase tabs, limiting the number of rebates you can submit to 2, unless a POP is not require for a specific rebate.

Thursday's Tip

It's hard to imagine or even conceive it, but did you know that there are some people out there who do not love Walt Disney World? Believe it or not, my husband wasn't always the WDW fan that he is today. He wasn't exactly anti-Disney, but if you would have told him when we first married that we'd be going to WDW every year (sometimes twice a year) in the not-so-distant future, he would have certainly questioned your sanity. And yet, that is pretty much our situation today.

Our Thurday's Tip is all about making it easier for those who are not Disney fans to come on over to our way of thinking. Sure, you could call it manipulation, but I prefer to think of it as helping them see what they've been missing in the equation. Because, really, I believe that almost anyone would enjoy Walt Disney World, given the proper circumstances. How can they not? Most of the time, when someone says they hate Disney, it's because they hate some aspect of it: crowds, cost, whiny children, the heat...but not the totality of it.

So, the tip: help your loved one find their own "happy place" at Walt Disney World. Here are a few ways:

• If crowds are the issue, go during Value Season when crowds are light. (Fortunately, this also usually tends to be the cheapest time to go and often the coolest, tackling the financial and heat complaints too.) I highly recommend the Crowd Calendar on TouringPlans.com, which helps you decide which Park will be least crowded on any particular day. Also, choose one of the smaller Resorts, such as Port Orleans French Quarter, for your stay. Starting your day with less of a crowd in the morning will set the tone for a more relaxed, less claustrophobic day.


• Is it about the money? Fortunately, you've come to the right place, as saving money is one of my top priorities at WDW and anywhere else. Never, ever pay full price. Ever. Scan my site for tips on savings, and always be on the lookout for new discounts when planning. Create a savings statement to show your reluctant traveler how much you are saving--when she sees what you would have paid vs. what you did pay, she will be overjoyed!


• Find out what he loves, and find a way to connect it to WDW. Is he a NASCAR fan, like my husband? Point out that Disney has its own speedway and offers unique driving experiences to guests. Does she enjoy shopping? There are gift shops in every Resort, after nearly every attraction at the Parks, and all throughout Downtown Disney (not to mention the outlet malls in Orlando). If he's an outdoorsman, tell him about the options for fishing, archery, and horseback riding at Ft. Wilderness. She might enjoy the spa services offered at several WDW Resorts. There really is something for just about anybody...you just have to know where to look.


• Show him/her some Disney "propaganda." Before you go, watch some of those great Travel Channel Disney specials (most are on Netflix). They're pretty interesting and will draw in even the most reluctant observer. And you might even find your excitement rubbing off onto those around you.


• Use the old "it's for the children" line. It definitely worked with my husband...and eventually won him over. He'll be the first to tell you that a Disney vacation is the most fun we have as a family. Sure, he enjoys it himself. But he especially loves seeing how happy it makes his girls. And that makes him happy.


• Go alone...or at least threaten to. OK, this one might be a little manipulative. But if your spouse is the only holdout, why not take the kids yourself? I'm not suggesting you create a rift in your marriage, but if your spouse genuinely doesn't want to go, maybe he or she won't mind you going. And when you come back with great stories and photos, maybe that will entice him or her to go with you next time. Or, if you're lucky, the mere idea that you might consider going without him or her will be enough to convince your spouse to go.


• If you do convince your non-Disney-loving family member to go, be sure to take a day off from touring the Parks in the middle of your vacation. Relax...do some shopping...swim (most of the Resorts have a "quiet pool" for adults only, if that's appealing to them)...or get off Disney property if that helps. Being immersed in the "magic" is overwhelming to some personalities. If that fits your situation, allow for some non-Disney activities.

Maybe it won't work. Maybe you'll never win them over. But it's worth a shot, right? Walt Disney World isn't going to be everyone's favorite vacation (gasp!), but it's a vacation that almost everyone can enjoy--even if it's "once in a lifetime."

Earl of Sandwich...A Brief History Lesson (and Review)

This is a little off the beaten path, as far as Disney goes, but there is a connection. Today, November 3, we celebrate the birth of John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich. If you've visited Downtown Disney, you may have seen or even eaten at the Earl of Sandwich. A review of this restaurant will follow a brief but unique history lesson. (Hey, we're homeschoolers. We turn everything into a lesson!)

On November 3, 1718, John Montagu--also known as the 4th Earl of Sandwich--was born.  He was a British statesman who succeeded his grandfather, the 3rd Earl of Sandwich, at the age of 10. Throughout his lifetime he held various military and political offices, including Postmaster General and First Lord of the Admiralty (whatever that is). But  Lord Sandwich (yep, that was really his title) is best known as the inventor of the modern concept of the sandwich.

It is said that Lord Sandwich had quite a gambling habit. And because he didn't want to take time away from his "hobby" to eat, he asked servants to bring him slices of meat between two pieces of bread, so that he could eat without slowing down the game. (Silverware and table manners are such a nuisance!) Friends who shared his love of gambling became familiar with Lord Sandwich's concoction and began to order "the same as Sandwich," which eventually got shortened to simply, "sandwich." Thus, the sandwich was born.

This story, of course, is a matter of controversy (as are most anecdotal stories). Some say Lord Sandwich was a devoted statesman and that this first sandwich was more likely consumed at his desk while working. Other explanations abound as well. But I think the gambling story is the most fun.

So, there you have it...your brief history lesson for the day. Or maybe we should just call it trivia, 'cause, let's face it, this information isn't really critical in the realm of history. Either way, you now know just a bit more about the origin of both the sandwich and the name of the restaurant we're going to discuss.

©Earl of Sandwich

Earl of Sandwich is a great breakfast, lunch, or casual dinner option on Disney property that won't cost you a fortune. Breakfast sandwiches start at around $4, with lunch/dinner sandwiches at around $6. You can get soup for around $3, and there are plenty of fresh fruit and salad options as well. There are also plenty of dessert options as well as a kids menu.

Bottom line: the value you get here is excellent in comparison to other counter service restaurants on WDW property. (A $6 made-to-order sandwich, compared with a $9 pre-made hamburger? Sandwich, please!) The food is yummy (basic) and filling, and there is great variety in the menu, within the confines of the soup/salad/sandwich genre. The only disadvantages I would note are that it tends to get rather crowded during peak meal times, but the line moves relatively fast. Seating, however, tends to be an issue as well. If you have a nice day and are willing to take your sandwich out to a bench near the lake, you'll be just fine. But if you need to seat a family of 6 that includes a high chair, it might be more challenging. And claustrophobic.

By the way, Earl of Sandwich does accept the Disney Dining Plan as a quick service restaurant and also for snack credits.

Wednesdays with Walt

I've always been bored with just making money. I've wanted to do things; I wanted to build things, to get something going.

—Walt Disney

Pooh Queue Ready for Refurbishment

Does it seem odd to anyone else that the interactive queue of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is already in need of refurbishment, just one year after its opening? I suppose rambunctious tots are more destructive than we might imagine! It seems that many of the elements in the queue were not as durable as Disney had hoped and are already showing significant wear and tear.

The refurbishment is scheduled for November 2-9, but the attraction will remain open during this time, utilizing the FASTPASS return line as the main entrance to the attraction. That said, FASTPASS distribution will be suspended during the refurbishment.