Friday Photo

As I sit at my dining table (which also doubles as our classroom table), drinking coffee from one of my many Disney-themed coffee mugs, I am wishing for a yummy buffet breakfast at Chef Mickey's...and not the Greek yogurt that is before me. Oh, to fill my plate with Goofy's veggie lasagna, Minnie's breakfast pizza, and of course the famous Mickey waffles. Um...good. My youngest daughter Presley seemed to like it pretty well on her first visit too.

Move Over, Rapunzel; Make Way for Merida

It seems like just yesterday we were saying good-bye to Belle and the charming "Storytime with Belle" meet-n-greet at the Fairytale Garden. Sure, we were excited about hanging out with Rapunzel and Flynn (who, by the way, didn't last long with his princess) at the Tangled "play-n-greet"--but it still hurt to let our beloved Belle go.

Now, it seems that Rapunzel too will be displaced to Adventureland  by a newer character, Merida from Brave, beginning in May. Rapunzel will actually leave April 15 in order to accommodate renovations to the area. While I'm sure that Merida will be simply delightful in her new space which will be transformed with a Scottish Highlands theme, it's surprising that Disney has elected to replace what is arguably the most popular character meet-n-greet in any of the four Parks. (When we were last there, we arrived about 30 minutes prior to the attraction's opening--this in "off-season" September--and we were behind at least 30 other people. And because of the limited space, the attraction always seems to have to turn away guests. Moral of the story, just as I wrote in yesterday's Thursday's Tip: arrive early!)

Perhaps the silver lining in this character shift is that Flynn Rider will be rejoining Rapunzel on April 15 at their new meet-n-greet spot on the Adventureland Veranda porch. This, however, will displace Ariel and Prince Eric, who will then be found at the glass gazebo adjacent to the Adventureland Veranda.

Brave opens in theaters June 22.

 

 

Disney Outlet Opens in Nashville

Our morning plans to arrive early at the new Disney Outlet at Opry Mills were nearly thwarted when my youngest daughter tripped over the treadmill (not in motion) and bumped her head on the wooden stairs. After assessing that she was neither nauseated or confused, we applied ice and hoped the enormous goose egg would shrink. It did, and after a little extra attention, we were able to continue with our plans.

Still, arriving about 30 minutes before opening, we weren't quite first in line...but we were only behind a few others--easily within the number that would receive free ear hats (as see in the final pic). And we even met a blog reader and fellow homeschooler in line (Hi, Kim!), so that was fun! Time passed quickly chatting about Disney World and scanning the mall map to see what other stores we might want to visit. (Yes, there actually were other stores opening too...but none as important as the Disney Outlet, of course.)

The store is pretty basic--not the new high-tech stores we're seeing in some venues. It's pretty comparable to the previous Disney Outlet. Here are a few pics of the empty store before opening:









We picked up a few bargains. They had children's Tees for $5 and adult Tees for $8 and PJ Pals and nightgowns for as low as $7.99. With a purchase of at least $25, you could also buy an Easter Mickey or Minnie for just $7.50 (we got sucked into that one, despite the fact that we have way more plush critters than we need). There were also some great deals on toys--especially Cars stuff--and there was even a clearance section, which seemed kind of odd on a Grand Opening day...but I'm not complaining!

Here are a couple of pics from the ribbon cutting:





And, finally, one of the register...before it was slammed with customers. Yes, the line was nearly out the door by the time we left (we got in line just in time!). You can see the cute Mickey & Minnie Easter plush lined up, ready for eager guests to purchase.



Oh, Disney Outlet, it's good to have you back in Nashville!

Thursday's Tip

Today is a good day--no, a GREAT day--to welcome the Disney Outlet back to Nashville! Yes, if you're reading this between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and, oh, maybe 1:00 p.m. Central time, I'm at the Grand Re-0pening of Opry Mills. Closed since the flood of May 2010, the Mills is opening with a host of new and exciting stores. But none has caused more excitement in our household that the Disney Outlet, as Nashville has been without a Disney Store since months before the 2010 flood. (First the Mills outlet store closed--unreleated to the flood--and then our only other Disney Store at Cool Springs Galleria also closed.)

I plan to post later today with pics and a report from the opening. Technically, the store has its official Grand Opening on Saturday, but I called and was assured by a Cast Member that they will be open on Thursday with over 160 other stores.

So, what is my Thursday's Tip? Arrive early. Whether you're going to a store opening where free goodies might be distributed (please, please!) or to the Disney Parks, where the early bird really does (often) catch the worm, arriving early is always a good idea. Early to arrive means early through the gate. And early through the gate means early in line for rope drop. And early in line for rope drop means early in line for your favorite attraction. And, if you're really lucky, arriving early might just give you a chance at being the family who gets to help Mickey and the gang open the Park for the day!

In the case of the Disney Outlet opening, I'm hoping early to arrive means some kind of fun freebie. I hear they are giving out ear hats on Saturday, but I'm hoping for something fun on opening day as well. I'll be sure to share the fun right here on Affording the Mou$e!

UP Characters Replace Flik in Animal Kingdom

Guests can now find Dug and Russell from Pixar's UP at Animal Kingdom, near the entrance to "It's Tough to Be a Bug." These characters replace the meet-n-greet with Flik from A Bug's Life. (Somehow Flik seems more appropriate for the space, but I imagine Disney wants to showcase some of the more current characters.)

WOW...Just WOW!

While making my daily rounds on the Disney fan sites, I found something that just has to be shared. A reader of ImagineeringDisney.com has created the Main Street Electrical Parade in miniature. It's a fully-functioning (as in, it lights up and MOVES along the parade route) model with extensive detailing. While the buildings and floats themselves were purchased, not created, by this reader, the table that houses and brings them to life was all his. Hop on over to ImagineeringDisney.com to see photos and video of this amazing creation!

Watch "Tangled Ever After" Online

Did you miss the new Disney short, "Tangled Ever After"? It was first presented in theaters alongside Beauty and the Beast in 3D. It has also been shown on Disney Channel a few times recently. But if you still haven't seen it, you can click here to watch it online.

Hidden Mickey Monday

Can you see it. The Bloomin' Onion is the head, with the sauce and spice forming the ears. A stretch, I suppose, but it caught my attention nonetheless. What a delicious Hidden Mickey!

Art of Animation Opening Dates Announced

The Art of Animation Resort will be opening soon! But, as might be expected with such a large venture, it will be opening in shifts. First, expect to see the Finding Nemo family suites open by May 31. Next, the family suites in the Cars section open June 18. On August 10, the Lion King family suites will open. Finally, by September 15, the final Little Mermaid section will open with guest rooms--not suites.

While the Resort is in the Value category, the rooms and suites are slightly more expensive than other rooms and suites in the same category, but the difference is minimal over the course of a week's vacation, in my opinion. We're hoping to stay in a Little Mermaid room for our visit in the fall!

Friday Photo

If you're driving to Walt Disney World and staying at a Deluxe Resort, you may notice that parking isn't always (or even often) convenient to your room. But never fear! These lovely extended golf carts, like this one at the Grand Floridian, are able to transport you and all your luggage from the parking lot to the entrance of the resort that is nearest your room. Handy, right? And fun too, apparently, as we also snapped this pic of my youngest daughter on the ride:

Thursday's Tip...and a Deal!

The most common reason I hear for why a family has not taken a Walt Disney World vacation is the expense. I get it. I really do. Even using all the savings tips I offer here on the site, a Disney vacation is still going to cost a decent chunk of change. So our Thursday's Tip(s) will focus on saving $ elsewhere and putting that savings in a designated Disney fund.

Here's how it works: If you save money that you normally would have spent, such as skipping a morning cup of Joe at your favorite java joint, put that money in the Disney fund. If you come into "found" money (a rebate or coupon for something you would have purchased anyhow... an unexpected bonus at work), put the cash in the Disney fund. If you typically eat out twice a week, stay home one of those nights and put the money you would have spent in the Disney fund.

Pretty simple method, eh? And it adds up...fast! And not only will you be saving money for your vacation, you might also save a few calories too! Here's a deal from Amazon to get you started: order any of these three eligible Disney Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs, and you'll save $20. Boom! That's $20 in your fund! Most are priced from around $21.99 to $25.99, which is a great deal anyhow, so the bonus savings is the proverbial "icing on the cake." If you missed any of these when they first released, this is a great chance to snag them. Click the link below to see the selections and order.

Order 3 Save $20

Easter Basket Ideas

Here are a few of my favorite Disney-themed items that would go great in your child's Easter basket this year. Of course, my top pick is The Muppets--as long as you can wait that long to watch it (we couldn't!). I'll probably be sharing a few more of my "favorite things" (look at me getting all Oprah on you guys!) as we get closer to Easter.





 

Take Home The Muppets TODAY

You can purchase The Muppets on DVD and/or Blu-ray starting today. There are so many different combo packs and store exclusive bonuses that I can barely sort through them all to decide which to purchase! (I think we're going with the Target combo pack that includes DVD, Blu-ray, digital download, the movie soundtrack, AND a bonus DVD of episodes from "The Muppet Show.")

If you're a member of Disney Movie Rewards, be sure to log into your account and print the $5 off coupon! It should make the Target combo pack around $19.99 (the one without the soundtrack would be just $17.99).

What about you? Did you find a better price or bonus gift? (Of course, "better" bonus gift is a matter of opinion, I suppose.)

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny

Now through April 8, guests can meet Mr. & Mrs. Easter Bunny at City Hall in the Magic Kingdom. The famous Easter couple will be available in the Tour Guide Garden there from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

Hidden Mickey Monday

"Just another Hidden Mickey Monday...oooooh..." For some reason, this, to the tune of "Manic Monday" by the Bangles, was going through my head this morning. Anyhow, today's HM is pretty easy to locate if you've visited the Disney Parks often. And although its shape isn't a perfect Mickey, less experienced HM hunters might be able to guess its location based solely on its composition.

Wifi Reaches Value Resorts

It's official: all the Walt Disney World Resorts--including the Value Resorts!--now have complimentary wifi. Woohoo! Wifi is available in guest rooms and public areas that include lobbies, pools, and restaurants.

This is a huge improvement, in my opinion. Sure, lots of folks have iPhones (I don't; my husband does) or iPads (not me; but, yep, my husband does) to access the web, but I still find it easier to fire up my laptop and return emails or even do a quick blog post from the World. It will be so nice to be able to do that from my room without any extra gadgets (such as a broadband card that, again, my husband provides) on our next trip.

Friday Photo

This is one of my favorite photos from a trip to WDW in 2008. My girls LOVE to dress up, and we tend to indulge that in our home. One of the best things about Disney World is that every day is a great day for a costume--but especially when you're attending a character meal. We were on the monorail, heading to Chef Mickey's this particular morning. Mini-Minnie was on her way to meet Minnie Mouse!

Thursday's Tip

This tip is for all the aspiring performers out there. Have you always wanted to be a Disney Princess? Or maybe you have the vocal chops to be the next Dapper Dan. Perhaps you have the stunt skills of Indiana Jones--or Marion? If you think have what it takes to be a Disney performer--whether in the theme parks around the world, on a cruise ship, or anywhere else throughout the Kingdom--you'll want to check out Disney's audition page. That's where you'll find all the information on what Disney is currently casting and where and when you can audition.

Not only will you find the calendar of scheduled auditions, you'll also find great tips as to what Disney is looking for in its performers, as well as what to expect when you attend a Disney audition.

Phineas & Ferb Adventure Coming to World Showcase

My eldest daughter is very sad that Kim Possible will be making an exit, but I'm sure there are kiddos galore who will be excited to hear that Phineas & Ferb--and, of course, Perry the Platypus (Agent P)--will be getting their own World Showcase Adventure. No specific date has been given, but later this summer expect to see a similar experience to the Kim Possible one, except that guests will join Agent P in his secret agent exploits. This from the Official Disney Parks Blog:

All the would-be secret agents out there will find a great new interactive experience at Epcot this year.

Coming this summer, Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is based on the wily secret-agent alter-ego of Perry the Platypus – faithful pet to the title characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas & Ferb.” Although just a simple pet to Phineas and Ferb, Perry turns into Agent P in each episode to help stop the misguided plans of his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Epcot guests will transform into secret agents to help Agent P thwart some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most daring plots. Agents will use a “high-tech secret agent device” to receive clues for each case. Solving the clues will take agents to different places throughout seven World Showcase countries at Epcot – Mexico Pavilion, France Pavilion, Germany Pavilion, Norway Pavilion, Japan Pavilion, China Pavilion and the United Kingdom Pavilion. Agents will scour each country for clues, evil “Inators,” and – with a little bit of luck – help Agent P defeat Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Rumors...Let's Hope They're True

I have two juicy tidbits. One is all-but-confirmed (just waiting on an official announement/date), while the other is largely speculation but seems likely enough to post. Here are the two totally unrelated bits of info:

• Free wifi is coming to the Value Resorts! Considering some folks have been reporting that they already have been able to log on for free at Pop Century, it's very likely only a matter of time before the All-Star Resorts are also on board. And I would certainly expect Art of Animation to offer free wifi at opening. Expect a c0mpletion date to be posted soon.


• I am reading that Avatar Land may be nixed before Disney every breaks ground on the project. Rumor has it that James Cameron and Disney are having a few...um..."creative differences" on certain attraction ideas. Making matters worse, both sequels to the blockbuster movie are rumored to be behind schedule and not likely to get back on track, given Cameron's reputation as a perfectionist. Did I mention this is a rumor? Still...without the new material and cross-marketing potential, and factoring in the public's negative--or apathetic, at best--attitude toward the whole project, it's possible we might see Disney quietly shelve this project. That said, I have also read just the opposite--that this rumor is completely false. Still, we can hope, right?

That's all my speculation for today. I'll let you know if/when any of this comes to fruition.

 

Storybook Circus in Soft Opening

Despite a few delays here and there (Dumbo, especially), the new Storybook Circus area of the Fantasyland Expansion is in soft opening! Dumbo is up and running, as it the Barnstormer (this new version features Goofy as "The Great Goofini"), with the Fantasyland Train Station also in operation. Hooray!

Hidden Mickey Monday

The last time we visited the Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian, my daughter put her teacup and small teapot in the "ear" position next to her plate, making a Hidden Mickey. Cute--and yummy!

Friday Photo

In honor of Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival...



...ah, precious memories!

Thursday's Tip

Let's talk hydration. It's pretty important in general, but especially in the Florida heat. At its worst, dehydration can contribute to serious health problems such as heat stroke. But even mild dehydration can cause fatigue or--worse?--just general grumpiness. Bottled water can cost upwards of $3 or more at the Disney theme parks. In the past, we've carried in several bottles of our own to off-set the cost. In addition, we would bring along flavor packets (Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, etc.) to use in water from counter service restaurants, due to the sulfur taste that often accompanies Central Florida tap water. Most recently, we have begun using a filtered water bottle, which allowed us to drink freely from any water fountain or tap without worry of the taste or quality. We loved this on our last trip: it meant we carried only one bottle (we took a couple of extra plastic cups to share from the one filtered bottle) and we always had fresh, great-tasting water at our disposal.

But here's the thing--my new Thursday's Tip: Disney now filters its tap water, so you can now drink water freely (both without cost and without reservation) from most any Walt Disney World restaurant without worrying about the taste of the water. That essentially means that there's no real need to carry water or even a water bottle into the Parks, since you can get a free cup of water at any counter service location.

That said, I don't think we'll be retiring our filter bottle anytime soon. It's still great to have the convenience of stopping at any water fountain and grabbing a quick drink, instead of having to stand in line for a fresh cup from a restaurant. And we always like to have a little in our bottle, in case someone gets thirsty while we're standing in line. Still, it's great to know that there's one less item on our "must pack" list, for those times when we want to travel light in the Parks.

Flower and Garden Festival Begins Today!

Epcot's annual Flower & Garden Festival is here! This is a wonderful time of year to visit Walt Disney World, not only to see the beautiful and amazing topiaries, but also because crowds are extremely manageable (with the exception of a couple of weeks around spring break and Easter). The main entrance of Epcot features a Fantasia theme this year that is tons of fun. And, if you're a true horticulturist, there are lots of special seminars and meet-n-greets with gardening experts for you to enjoy as well. Here are a few of my favorite F&G pics from previous years that we've attended:







 









 

Disney Legend Robert Sherman Passes

Disney has lost a legend, as songwriter Robert Sherman died March 5 in London. Born in Manhattan in 1925, the more reclusive of the famous sibling writing team lived out his later years "across the pond," where he had relocated after the death of his beloved wife. His son Jeffrey posted this to Facebook on March 5: "My Dad, Robert B. Sherman, passed away tonight in London. He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death. He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more."

It's virtually impossible to be even remotely aware of Disney films, television productions, or Disney theme parks without experiencing the brilliant work of Robert Sherman. Likewise, one cannot catalogue Robert Sherman's accomplishments without mention of his brother, Richard Sherman. Though the relationship was at times tumultuous, together the Sherman Brothers penned more than 200 songs for at least 27 films and dozens of television productions--not to mention the music that saturates the Disney Parks. With a career spanning five decades, the brothers won a host of musical awards and continue to be recognized for their contributions to film, television, and theatre. Here are just a few of my personal favorite Sherman Brothers tunes:

• "It's a Small World" (Interesting side note: this song was originally written as a slow ballad.)


• "One Little Spark" (Journey into Imagination)


• "Feed the Birds" (Mary Poppins)


• "There's a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow" (Carousel of Progress)


• "I Wanna Be Like You" (The Jungle Book)

For more insight into the music and life of Robert Sherman, I highly recommend the documentary, The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story.

Refurbs/Closures for the Week

We have a few last-minute closures and refurbishments to tell you about:

• Innoventions East (Epcot) will be opening late--at noon, instead of its usual 9:00 a.m.--today (March 6).


• The Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom) will close early on Thursday (March 8), with its last show running at 3:00 p.m.


• The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Disney's Hollywood Studios) will be closed Saturday and Sunday (March 10-11)


• for a brief refurbishment.

UPDATE: The re-opening date for Dumbo has been pushed back until March 31.

 

Free Fall Dining Now Available to General Public

The Free Fall Dining offer that was available to Disney Visa cardholders (see this post) is now available to the general public. You may now book at will!

Hidden Mickey Monday

I found this Hidden Mickey while shopping on SwagBucks. (Don't know about SwagBucks? Click on my widget on the right side of this page for more info. I earn "bucks" for products and gift cards just by searching the web.) It's a dog toy--or, rather, three dog toys. I was drawn to it for some reason....hello, Mickey!

Tigger's Bouncy Place to Become Meet-n-Greet

When creating the new interactive queue for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, someone had the brilliant idea of inserting cute little "bouncy spots" in the flooring of one area--essentially tiny springy trampolines that would allow kids to sink and bounce back up, just like their bouncy friend Tigger. Only Imagineers didn't quite think this one through to the inevitable twisted, sprained, or even broken ankles that were bound to come...or the eventual lawsuits that would follow.  But I guess it became clear pretty quickly, as Tigger's Bouncy Place was closed to guests before it even officially opened, during the "soft opening" phase.

Blocked off by shrubery and potted plants until now, the area will soon get a refurbishment to turn it into a meet-n-greet for Pooh and his friends. While having the Hundred Acre Wood gang near their attraction makes perfect sense, one might argue that a better use of this space would be the return the attraction's FastPass machines back to the area (they were moved to nearby Mickey's Philharmagic when the queue was expanded). I'm sure Imagineers have their reasons for keeping this awkward system...right?

Magic Kingdom Monorail Closure

Beginning today, the Magic Kingdom monorail beams--both express and the Resort beams--will be closing from 11:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. for maintenance. This schedule is expected to go through the end of the month. This closure is actually unrelated to the recent weather-related beam issues I told you about here.  Instead, this closure is to allow for construction on the Grand Floridian DVC property which is very close to both beams.

Stay tuned for updates on monorail and other closures.

Free Fall Dining Is Back

It's the discount that many of you have been waiting for: Free Fall Dining. Right now, it's only available to Disney Visa cardholders (both the Rewards and Premier cards, I believe), but expect it to be released to the general public on March 5. This time around, the offer is extremely limited. Travel dates include August 25, 2012 through September 29, 2012 and must be booked by March 18. Guests staying at a Value Resort will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan, while guests at a Moderate, Deluxe, or Villa will get the Disney Dining Plan for each night of their stay. As usual, you can upgrade plans and pay the price difference out of pocket.

Suites, campsites, and 3-bedroom Villas are excluded from the offer. There is a three-night minimum stay and a maximum stay of fourteen nights. And, of course, you must purchase at least a 2-day Magic Your Way ticket per guest to qualify for the offer.

OK, Free Fall Dining fans--ready, set, BOOK!