Disney Homeschool Days

In exactly three weeks, on October 9, our family will be gathering in Disney's Hollywood Studios with other homeschool students and parents from around the country for one of our favorite events at WDW--Disney's Homeschool Days. Although it's becoming more popular each year (as is homeschooling, which is growing at a rate 7 times faster than public school enrollment!), this has been one of the best kept secrets at Disney World. And, hey, let's keep it that way, OK? Just between you and me, I kinda like the low crowds. ;-)

What's so great about homeschool days? Well, for starters, it's the best field trip ever! As homeschoolers, the world is our classroom, and in this case the World is our classroom! (Get it?) The presentations are amazing! You get behind-the-scenes perspective from a panel of Disney experts, and you learn a ton of fun Disney trivia. And it's fun to be with like-minded families that have a similar perspective. Sure, there are all different kinds of homeschoolers, but we have that one big thing in common. Oh, yes--there's also the little matter of the great discount tickets to Walt Disney World. That's pretty cool too. In fact, hands down, Homeschool Days are the best priced tickets I've found anywhere--better than Undercover Tourist, better than AAA, better than Disney's other educational programs. Yes, even better prices than employees get (aside from free passes, of course).

So if you homeschool, you owe it to yourself to check out Disney's Homeschool Days. Typically this event is in the fall (usually October), but it has been in January also. And they don't typically announce the dates until about 6 months out. Check the Disney Youth page often.

 

Meet-N-Greet Update

photo ©Disney

Sofia (as in, "Sophia the First") is now greeting guests at Disney's Hollywood Studios, just outside "Disney Junior--Live on Stage!" Check the entertainment times guide for specific times so that your little princess doesn't miss it.

 

Happy Star Wars Day!

Happy Star Wars Day--and May the Fourth be with you! (And to all my fellow Kentuckiana natives, happy Derby day too!) To celebrate this auspicious occasion, Walt Disney World has several "Limited Time Magic" offerings for guests today. You can find more information on the events HERE.

In other Star Wars related news, Star Wars Weekends will be back beginning May 17 and running through June 9 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You can get more information HERE.

 


 

Is Cars Land Coming to WDW?

It has been rumored for some time now, but I'm hearing buzz that there might be an official announcement as early as this week that Disney is indeed bringing Cars Land to Disney's Hollywood Studios! The area would likely cover the area now occupied by the Studio Backlot Tour and the Lights! Camera! Action! Extreme Stunt Show. I, for one, am thrilled at this new, as it will save my family a large chunk of change that we probably have dropped in the next year on a trip to the West Coast to see the original Cars Land. As it is, we'll likely hold out for the much closer Orlando version.

While I tend to be a traditionalist and often cling to older attractions--especially those that are original to any Park--I think the Backlot Tour has definitely overstayed its welcome. If there were any amount of realism or actual studio backlot insight to be gained from the attraction, I might feel differently. But since very little work is actually being done on the site--and almost no filming, other than promotional materials--the attraction has lost its credibility. It's time for it to go. And, well, I never really cared for the stunt show, so I'm OK with that too. These two will be a small price to pay for the awesomeness that will be Cars Land.

Fantasmic! to Add Seating

If you've ever seen Fantasmic!, you understand why I'm really excited about the 1000 seats that are being added to the amphitheatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios. With limited showings in most seasons (it used to show nightly, sometimes twice nightly), it is becoming harder--meaning, you must get there earlier--to secure a seat for this ever-popular nighttime spectacular. Still, it's not all good news--these extra seats will actually occupy the area that is now "Standing Room Only," which means that to get 1000 actual seats, Disney will eliminate standing room that holds approximately 3000 standing guests. Essentially, this lowers the capacity of the venue from 9900 (6900 seated; 3000 standing) to less than 8000 (assuming the "SRO" area is eliminated altogether). Good decision? Only time will tell. As for me, I still plan to arrive early and sit on the cold, hard bleachers that extra hour to make sure I get a seat for the show!

Friday Photo

Is it going away? If you believe the rumors, it is. But there are some other pretty hefty rumors to go along with it--like tales of Cars Land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios, and maybe even a Star Wars-themed land...not to mention that long-in-development Monsters Inc. suspension coaster. Only time will truly tell, but I'm betting that this icon's days are numbered.

Friday Photo

I don't know about you guys, but my whole clan is pretty obsessed with the Muppets right now. We bought the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Target that included a download of the soundtrack, so we find ourselves singing "Everything is great...everything is grand..." or "Am I a man...or am I a Muppet?" at all hours of the day. So...since I have Muppets on the brain, please enjoy this pic of Miss Piggy from Disney's Hollywood Studios, taken in the fall of 2010.

Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guests Announced

The annual Star Wars Weekends will be held at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning May 18 and running through June 10. Events include autograph signings, a "Hyperspace Hoopla" show, a daily parade of Star Wars characters, and various presentations and talks. The celebrity guest lists has finally been announced:

May 18-20: Ray Park (Darth Maul); Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda); Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody in Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

May 25-27: Andy Secombe (Watto); Ray Park (Darth Maul); Tom Kane (voice of Yoda in Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

June 1-3: Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker); Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi

June 8-10: Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing); Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi); Daniel Logan (Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones); Nika Futterman (voice of Asajj Ventress in Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

More details will be released as the event nears.

Do DHS Fireworks Have a Presidential Connection?

There is a special, one-night-only fireworks display, "Rock the Night", coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios on Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m., and rumor has it that a certain resident of the White House may be responsible--in a roundabout way. You see, President Obama is scheduled to be in Orlando on Thursday, where he will discussing the economy. Now, no one knows exactly where this discussion will take place, but Disney has made changes to its schedule--most notably, cancelling evening Extra Magic Hours for the Magic Kingdom and scheduling them for all three of the other major Parks--that would essentially divert crowds away from the Magic Kingdom for the evening, leading to speculation that he may be visiting the MK on Thursday.

We know that the President has another engagement in New York on Thursday, so his visit to Orlando will likely be a brief one. It is possible that  he will give his economic talk at one of the Disney Resorts--there has been precedence, as he and other political leaders have done it in the past. And diverting crowds away from the MK could mean that one of the monorail Resorts is the most likely site. Still, this is all just speculation, and we likely won't know until after the fact exactly where President Obama visited.

Regardless, there will be fireworks at the Studios--a rare treat for guests!

DHS Testing New Opening Procedure

I'm hearing rumors that Disney's Hollywood Studios is testing a new Park opening procedure that essentially allows guests into the Park a half hour earlier than before. This "rope drop without a rope," as they're calling it internally, will allow all Park guests with valid tickets through the turnstiles at 8:30 a.m. (previous "normal" opening has been at 9:00 a.m.). The only three attractions that will open at 8:30 are Toy Story Midway Mania!, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror. All other attractions will open at 8:45. FastPasses will be distributed for all attractions that use the system beginning at 8:30, and signups for the popular Jedi Training Academy will also begin at 8:30 near the ABC Sound Studio that formerly housed Sounds Dangerous.

My guess is that they hope to alleviate some of the backup and harriedness that occurs when guests are rushing to the three big attractions--whether to ride or to retrieve a FastPass--at rope drop. Perhaps this will keeps guests with--how shall I say it?--less aggressive touring plans out of the fray. Whatever the reasoning, I can only guess that this will make the mad rush for FastPasses--particularly for Toy Story Midway Mania!--even more competitive, as they will likely be gone even earlier in the day than before.

Friday Photo

Happy 17th birthday, Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Fantasmic! Goes to Daily Schedule in July

I'm excited to report thatFantasmic!, the spectacular nighttime show at Echo Lake in Disney's Hollywood Studios, will once again be seen nightly beginning July 2. Currently, you can catch Fantasmic! twice each week. With the popularity of the show and its limited schedule, crowd levels at the Studios are almost always elevated on days that a Fantasmic! performance is scheduled. (Not to mention that guests have to arrive as early as an hour before the show if they hope to get a seat!)

In light of this change, there are also a few days of extended hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Check the Disney website for details. Fantasmic! will operate on this schedule through September 30, when it will likely go back to a limited schedule for fall. There are two exceptions to the daily schedule: there will be no performances on September 2 or September 27.

Did I mention that we go WDW mid-September? Our chances to see Fantasmic! have now tripled! Hooray!

One Man's Dream: a Hidden Gem

An often overlooked attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios is One Man's Dream. This walk-through attraction features artifacts and memorabilia from Walt Disney's personal and professional life, up to and including what's being created for the next generation. While it's not usually first on our "to do" list (mostly because you can usually fit it in whenever it's convenient, since there's rarely a wait associated with it), our family--OK, mostly me--really enjoys this mini-museum of Disney!

Imagineers have posted a mini-tour of this attraction on YouTube. You can view it here...and maybe it will whet your appetite for more on your next visit to the Studios.

Countdown to Star Tours Return

One week and counting until the opening of the new Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. If you're among one of the lucky guests who signed up online for the preview, you'll get to experience the attraction beginning at midnight on May 20 (checking in at Blizzard Beach at 10:45 p.m. on Thursday). But since that registration was completely full in less than an hour, most guests will have to wait until the officially opening. And while Disney's Hollywood Studios is scheduled to open to guests at 8 a.m. on Friday, the attraction isn't expect to open until midday!

What? Not open until midday? How will all the Star Wars fans, who have swarmed the Studios for the annual Star Wars Weekends opening, be able to stand it?I kid, of course, but can anyone doubt the loyalty and fervor of Star Wars fans? If you're visiting the Studios next weekend--or even any time in the next few weeks--expect the stand-by line to be rather long for this popular attraction. I highly recommend using FastPass.

Star Wars Weekends Celebrity Guest List Announced

Is your family as geeked out about Star Wars as mine? My husband, particularly, is a fan, but thanks to the Lego Star Wars game for Wii, my girls are pretty into it too. (In fact, we contemplated a Star Wars costume theme for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, but all three of us girls would probably fight over who got to be Leia.)

Disney's Hollywood Studios will once again be hosting its annual Star Wars Weekends in May and June. Schedule celebrity guests are listed for each weekend.

May 20-22: Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Dave Filoni (Clone Wars supervising director)

May 27-29: Anthony Daniels, Bruce Spence (Tion Medon), and Dee Bradley Baker (Captain Rex in Clone Wars, General Grievous)

June 3-5: Ray Park (Darth Maul), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett), and Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker in Clone Wars)

June 10-12: Ray Park, Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Tom Kane (Yoda in Clone Wars)

So, those are the scheduled celebrity guests, right? But I'm hearing rumors of a VERY IMPORTANT un-scheduled celebrity guest that is expected on the opening Star Wars Weekend (May 20-22). No, it's not Harrison Ford (aw, shucks!). It's none other than Star Wars creator George Lucas! Makes sense, right? Of course Mr. Lucas would like to be on hand for the May 20 launch of the new Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.

We've been at Disney twice for Star Wars Weekends, and it's great fun. But expect large crowds during scheduled SWW activities--and especially if Lucas makes an appearance.

Thursday's Tip

You might say today's tip is a whole collection of tips. I like to call it Find the Hidden Gems. On your first visit to Walt Disney World, it really takes almost all your energy just to see the major attractions and soak in the atmosphere. And it takes several visits to be able to say you've done the major and most of the minor attractions. (After more than a dozen trips, I still haven't seen everything!) Somewhere around your 5th or 6th trip (it varies from family to family), you'll realize that you more or less "know the drill." You still enjoy every attraction, of course, but you are finally ready to dig in a bit more...to look for some of the many hidden gems around the World.

Hidden gems are those surprising details that Disney crams into every square inch of their Parks--little things that make you smile. Here are a few you can explore on your next Disney vacation:

Magic Kingdom

• On Main Street, you might come across the occasional "old-timey" telephone. Go ahead--pick it up and listen. You just might get an earful.


• If you're in the train station on Main Street and you have a penny, you can treat yourself to a "moviola" on one of the machines.


• If you get to Tom Sawyer Island early in the morning, you might just find a paint brush that Tom left behind. Take it to a Cast Member for a prize!


• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe has a couple of interesting trash cans. Listen closely, and you might hear something.


• Legend has it that Cinderella has a favorite horse on Prince Charming's Regal Carousel--the only one with a gold ribbon on its tail. (Hint: This horse is in the middle--not on the outside ring of horses.)

Epcot

• The Kim Possible Adventure has added a whole bunch of hidden gems to the World Showcase. You never know what you might see--and the best part is that you control the action with your Kimmunicator!


• Behind the United Kingdom pavilion, you can try to weave your way through a hedge maze. Don't worry--it's not nearly as tall as a corn maze.


• Near the Canadian pavilion, you will see three totem poles--only one of them is "real." See if you can tell which is made of cedar (and carved by renowned Tsimshian Indian carver, David Boxley) and which two are made of fiberglass?


• Try to make your way to the courtyard of the Germany pavilion at the top of the hour. Listen for the "kukoo!"

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• There's a well near the entrance to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. Pull the rope and listen!


• While you're there, go ahead and open those crates in the bushes that say, "Don't Open." Really...it's OK.


• There's a cool speeder bike near the exit to Star Tours. You're perfectly welcome to hop on and live the fantasy (great photo op!).


• As you go through the turnstiles at Muppet 3-D Vision, you'll see a welcome mat. Take a peek under it.

Animal Kingdom

• Look for D'Vine on the trail between Africa and Asia. This performance artist is not to be missed!


• Along the walkway to Camp Mickey & Minnie, listen for two talkative plants, Herb and Flora.


• The bridge near Kali River Rapids has a few buttons that allow guests to "shower" those riding the attraction.


• This one is a photo clue. If you stand near this small temple area in India, and look across the Park to Everest, you'll see something interesting in the silhouette.

There are so many more. Any favorites to add?

Friday Photo

This is one of my favorite photos that I've ever taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I know some folks think the hat is an eyesore that obstructs the view of the Chinese Theatre (and, well, it does do that), but I really like it when it's all lit up at night. It looks...well...magical.

Character Changes Coming to the Studios

You'll see a few changes at the meet-n-greets throughout Disney's Hollywood Studios in the coming months. We'll be saying goodbye to Lots-o'-Huggin Bear, as he leaves his post at the Magic of Disney Animation (you can still spot Lots-o' in the afternoon parade!). On May 16, Winnie-the-Pooh, who has a new movie opening on July 15, will be found in his place.

The Luigi's Casa Della Tires meet-and-greet will also be mixing it up a little. Lightning McQueen will leave the party on April 8, with Tow Mater staying behind until April 18. At that time, the area will be closed and re-themed for Cars 2, opening with the new look on May 16, well before the movie opens on June 24.

Finally, the promised Phineas & Ferb play-and-greet I told you about in this post is set to open on May 16 as well. 

So, yep, May 16 is a big day for the characters at Disney's Hollywood Studios!