A Walt Disney World Cast Member, 52-year-old Russell Roscoe, an attraction mechanic with Animal Kingdom Engineering Services, was pronounced dead this morning after experiencing a head injury Sunday at around 3:45 p.m. while working on the Primeval Whirl attraction at Animal Kingdom. The ride was not operating for guests, as it was undergoing refurbishment. The 911 call reveals that Roscoe was hit by a moving vehicle. Few other details have been released, and OSHA is investigating the accident.
This is the second death associated with this particular attraction. In 2007, a CM died five days after falling from the platform of the ride. After that, sensors were added to prevent similar tragedies from happening. In 2008, federal investigators faulted Disney for five safety violations and fined the company $21,000 for the accident.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Roscoe family.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Last Year for Grad Nites
This may be a case of a few bad apples spoiling things for the whole bunch, but Disney has confirmed that this will be the last year for its annual Grad Nites. A tradition at WDW since 1972, it seems that in recent years the outlandish behavior of some guests (including entering restricted areas and damaging attractions) has caused Disney to shut the whole operation down. Also cited in the decision was increased spring attendance and increased costs, but--let's face it--the main problem was hundreds of 17- and 18-year-old kids on property without parental supervision. (Seriously, teenagers are still just kids.)
While some young students who haven't yet experienced Grad Nites might lament the decision, I'm betting the bulk of Park guests will cheer this one. (Am I sounding like a parental stick-in-the-mud? Sorry, gang! I still have little ones and can't quite see myself letting them--even as seniors--go traipsing around WDW on their own. But that's just me.)
While some young students who haven't yet experienced Grad Nites might lament the decision, I'm betting the bulk of Park guests will cheer this one. (Am I sounding like a parental stick-in-the-mud? Sorry, gang! I still have little ones and can't quite see myself letting them--even as seniors--go traipsing around WDW on their own. But that's just me.)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday Photo
I'm having a cup of Earl Grey this morning--it's chilly in Tennessee! Made me think of this lovely spot in the United Kingdom (Epcot).
Thursday, March 10, 2011
New Site Feature: Resort Pages
I'm thrilled to announce that I have added Resort Pages to my site. Now you can click on the "Resorts" tab in the upper right corner of the screen, and you will be directed to links for Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and DVC Resorts. Every Walt Disney World Resort, with the exception of DVC/Villas (which I hope to add eventually), has its own page with information such as location, theming, dining options, and amenities. I hope to be adding to each of these as I am able to experience each Resort more fully with each trip I take to the Happiest Place on Earth!
If you have resort pics for any of the pages that look a bit sparse, I'd love to have them. (My family is usually so tired from our drive to WDW that we often forget to take room pics before we unload and mess everything up!)
If you have resort pics for any of the pages that look a bit sparse, I'd love to have them. (My family is usually so tired from our drive to WDW that we often forget to take room pics before we unload and mess everything up!)
Thursday's Tip
Today's tip: pack smart for the Parks. Yes, I promote bringing your own water and snacks into the Parks. By all means, pack the Jasmine costume for the princess breakfast. And absolutely remember to bring your camera, coins for the pressed penny machines, autograph books and pens, OTC or prescriptions meds, etc., etc., etc. But don't take things you don't need...and pack smart.
Here's an example--and I know I'll hear a collective groan from some parents: skip the handheld games in the Parks. Unless your child has ADHD or some other issue that keeps him or her from being able to stand still for more than 5 minutes, it's really not necessary to give your kiddos something to do every second of the day. There's so much to explore, even as you're standing in line. Let them use their imaginations a bit!
Also, consider whether you really need to take everything into the Parks. Are you driving? Can you leave your light jackets or a change of clothes for the toddler who might have an accident in your car? We love to take a small cooler in our car so that we can refill on cold drinks and grab a snack when we park-hop. That also allows us to unload our princess costumes the girls wore at breakfast and grab their sweatshirts if the forecast calls for cooler night temps. Or maybe you're going back to the resort for an afternoon swim--that's a great time to re-think what you'll need for the evening hours.
Finally, let everyone carry his or her own load. Even as preschoolers, my girls each had their own kid-size fanny pack that held their sunglasses, a couple of snacks, and anything else they insisted on taking. Dad carried our clear backpack (great for getting through security and finding things in a hurry--see this post), and Mom carried a small purse with lots of pockets (just got a great one on clearance at Target for $2.49--see pic below). We still have one who occasionally uses a stroller, so we often hang a small soft-side lunchbox with beverages in it over the stroller handles too. (But we sometimes eliminate this extra bag by letting each family member carry a small water bottle.) We have everything we need, and we're not overloaded.
Got any smart packing ideas you want to share?
Here's an example--and I know I'll hear a collective groan from some parents: skip the handheld games in the Parks. Unless your child has ADHD or some other issue that keeps him or her from being able to stand still for more than 5 minutes, it's really not necessary to give your kiddos something to do every second of the day. There's so much to explore, even as you're standing in line. Let them use their imaginations a bit!
Also, consider whether you really need to take everything into the Parks. Are you driving? Can you leave your light jackets or a change of clothes for the toddler who might have an accident in your car? We love to take a small cooler in our car so that we can refill on cold drinks and grab a snack when we park-hop. That also allows us to unload our princess costumes the girls wore at breakfast and grab their sweatshirts if the forecast calls for cooler night temps. Or maybe you're going back to the resort for an afternoon swim--that's a great time to re-think what you'll need for the evening hours.
Finally, let everyone carry his or her own load. Even as preschoolers, my girls each had their own kid-size fanny pack that held their sunglasses, a couple of snacks, and anything else they insisted on taking. Dad carried our clear backpack (great for getting through security and finding things in a hurry--see this post), and Mom carried a small purse with lots of pockets (just got a great one on clearance at Target for $2.49--see pic below). We still have one who occasionally uses a stroller, so we often hang a small soft-side lunchbox with beverages in it over the stroller handles too. (But we sometimes eliminate this extra bag by letting each family member carry a small water bottle.) We have everything we need, and we're not overloaded.
Got any smart packing ideas you want to share?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
New: Coupons.com Saving Center Added
As you may know, I have long been a proponent of using coupons to save money--and especially to help save toward a Walt Disney World vacation. (Read this post about the many simple ways to start saving today!) I'm such a big fan of using coupons (last year I saved $4,648.81 on groceries for my family!--yes, I tracked it), that I decided to open a "Savings Center" on my site to link readers with one of the best coupon sources on the web, Coupons.com.
You can now click the "Coupons.com" tab in the upper right corner of this page and access dozens of printable coupons that will get you started saving for your next trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. And by using Affording the Mou$e as your gateway to Coupons.com, you help me afford to keep writing this blog! (That's a win/win, right?)
You can now click the "Coupons.com" tab in the upper right corner of this page and access dozens of printable coupons that will get you started saving for your next trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. And by using Affording the Mou$e as your gateway to Coupons.com, you help me afford to keep writing this blog! (That's a win/win, right?)
Free Shipping on Disney Parks Merchandise
Get free shipping on your entire order at www.DisneyStore.com when you purchase any Disney Parks official merchandise. Use the promo code CASTLE at checkout to get this deal. There are some new markdowns (up to 40% off), so you might find a few great deals!
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