I am moving this blog again. I will no longer be posting to this address. The new address is www.mousekaholic.com. Please come visit me there!
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Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Missing the Disney Days of Old
All my favorite childhood memories include a Disney trip whether it was Disney World or Disneyland. For our family vacations, my dad would actually drive our family all the way either to California or Florida from Texas without a single reservation for a hotel. This is how all the magic began. Because my dad was so spontaneous (or more probable, just a really bad planner), we enjoyed experiences we never would have if he were a planner. I have no doubt that my parents would not have planned a stay for us at the Polynesian at Disney World, but because that is what was available, we stayed, and we fell in love. Almost all our vacations from then on included stays at The Polynesian, and I have the most magical memories of that resort. To this day, I love walking into The Polynesian because it actually still smells the same as it did when I was 6, although there is the absence of the blue and green wicker chairs. Anytime a scent of lush vegetation with a hint of chlorine wafts my way no matter where I am, I'm transported back to those wonderful days of my childhood.
There was much talk on Twitter today about the Walt Disney Co.'s Investors conference that took place this morning. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs discussed the advances Disney is developing for future park enjoyment. Among those discussed, was a "version of Fast Pass for an entire Disney Vacation." Guests will be able to reserve ride times and other experiences before they arrive for their vacations. There were also talks of reserving meet and greet times before leaving home as well. The development of the Fast Pass was one of the smartest advances ever. I love being able to grab a pass, enjoy another attraction and come back later with a minimal wait. But, reserving Fast Passes from home? In my (very unprofessional) opinion, this may be taking it a little too far.
Everyone knows that I LOVE everything Disney, and nothing will ever stop me from going to Disney World as much as humanly possible. No doubt Disney's intentions are well intended in trying to create as stress-free a vacation as they can for their guests, but I miss the spontaneity that we used to enjoy from an earlier Disney World. Now, we must make dinner reservations 90 days ahead of our arrival or risk not being able to get into our favorite restaurants. Part of the fun is to just happen upon a restaurant in the park you're in that day and go in and eat. Now days, we really almost have to plan our days in the parks based on where we can get a dining reservation for that day, and there is just something wrong with that. Now, in addition, we will have to plan every minute detail of our trip or chance not getting to see some of our favorite characters. This becomes problematic for my family as my husband is in the Army. All our trips are spur of the moment trips due to the nature of this lifestyle. Our last few trips, we have had a very difficult time making reservations because we can only plan them a month or two out.
Of course, I'm just making assumptions on something I really know nothing about. And, because Disney is Disney I'm sure it will end up being spectacular. I have no doubt that this aspect of my Disney planning experience will become a staple, and I will in fact love it as much as I do everything else.
UPDATE: I wrote the above portion of this entry just before putting my 2 1/2 year old to bed. When he finally drifted off to sleep, I quickly ran back to the computer to finish up what I had written, but before I could finish my post I found this transcript from Tom Staggs' presentation from earlier today. I have to admit, it sounds extraordinary and pretty exciting!
With that, I'm ending this nonsense and going back to my normal neurotic Disney-loving self. But, while I'm still on this strange and unusual post where I'm actually complaining about something Disney, I will make this one more tiny request -- Now that The Tiki Room is being refurbished, can we PLEASE go back to the original? I burst into song every time I go in with hopes that maybe just maybe The Tiki Room Under New Management was only a bad dream, but alas that dreaded Iago always interrupts my favorite tune.
There was much talk on Twitter today about the Walt Disney Co.'s Investors conference that took place this morning. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs discussed the advances Disney is developing for future park enjoyment. Among those discussed, was a "version of Fast Pass for an entire Disney Vacation." Guests will be able to reserve ride times and other experiences before they arrive for their vacations. There were also talks of reserving meet and greet times before leaving home as well. The development of the Fast Pass was one of the smartest advances ever. I love being able to grab a pass, enjoy another attraction and come back later with a minimal wait. But, reserving Fast Passes from home? In my (very unprofessional) opinion, this may be taking it a little too far.
Everyone knows that I LOVE everything Disney, and nothing will ever stop me from going to Disney World as much as humanly possible. No doubt Disney's intentions are well intended in trying to create as stress-free a vacation as they can for their guests, but I miss the spontaneity that we used to enjoy from an earlier Disney World. Now, we must make dinner reservations 90 days ahead of our arrival or risk not being able to get into our favorite restaurants. Part of the fun is to just happen upon a restaurant in the park you're in that day and go in and eat. Now days, we really almost have to plan our days in the parks based on where we can get a dining reservation for that day, and there is just something wrong with that. Now, in addition, we will have to plan every minute detail of our trip or chance not getting to see some of our favorite characters. This becomes problematic for my family as my husband is in the Army. All our trips are spur of the moment trips due to the nature of this lifestyle. Our last few trips, we have had a very difficult time making reservations because we can only plan them a month or two out.
Of course, I'm just making assumptions on something I really know nothing about. And, because Disney is Disney I'm sure it will end up being spectacular. I have no doubt that this aspect of my Disney planning experience will become a staple, and I will in fact love it as much as I do everything else.
UPDATE: I wrote the above portion of this entry just before putting my 2 1/2 year old to bed. When he finally drifted off to sleep, I quickly ran back to the computer to finish up what I had written, but before I could finish my post I found this transcript from Tom Staggs' presentation from earlier today. I have to admit, it sounds extraordinary and pretty exciting!
With that, I'm ending this nonsense and going back to my normal neurotic Disney-loving self. But, while I'm still on this strange and unusual post where I'm actually complaining about something Disney, I will make this one more tiny request -- Now that The Tiki Room is being refurbished, can we PLEASE go back to the original? I burst into song every time I go in with hopes that maybe just maybe The Tiki Room Under New Management was only a bad dream, but alas that dreaded Iago always interrupts my favorite tune.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Rider Swap Helps Parents Traveling With Little Ones
Are you traveling to Disneyland or Disney World with small children? Take advantage of Disney's Rider Swap pass. This pass allows one parent to stand in line while the other watches the child or children that are too little to ride. When the first parent finishes the ride, the next parent takes their Rider Swap pass and enters at the Fastpass entrance. The rider swap pass is good for the adult plus 3 other riders, so it's possible that some members of your party will be able to enjoy the ride twice. We like to get Fastpasses in addition to the Rider Swap which allows us to ride several times all at once. Simply take the child that is too small for the attraction to the cast member at the front of the ride and ask for a Rider Swap pass. Rider Swap passes are available on all rides that have a height requirement.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Another Reason to Buy the Park Hopper...
An air compression system is down at the Magic Kingdom, forcing almost every ride to be closed at the moment.
Astro Orbiter
Big Thunder Mountain
Dumbo
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
Laugh Floor
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Stitch's Great Escape
Astro Orbiter
Big Thunder Mountain
Dumbo
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
Laugh Floor
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Stitch's Great Escape
Friday, February 11, 2011
RIP Toontown
Mickey's Toontown Fair will officially close at the end of today. It originally opened on June 18, 1988 as Mickey's Birthdayland to celebrate Mickey's 60th birthday. It was then renamed Mickey's Starland on May 26, 1990 and finally Mickey's Toontown Fair on October 1, 1996.
Toontown is closing as part of the Walt Disney World Fantasyland Expansion. The biggest attractions in Toontown are Goofy's Barnstormer, Mickey and Minnie's houses, and the character meet and greets. The Barnstormer will be re-themed as The Great Goofini, while the rest of Toontown will be a part of Disney history. You will find Tinker Bell in Hollywood Studios and her fairy friends in Epcot. Mickey, Minnie, and the Princesses can be found in Tomorrowland until they make their move to the Town Square Exposition Hall in the spring of 2011.
I have to admit that I'm a little sad to see this piece of Disney World go. I loved visiting Mickey and Minnie's houses and looking at all tiny details that make them so magical. Although Toontown was fun to look at, our main reason for visiting was always the meet and greets. I feel certain that the space is being put to better use. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress as the first phase of the Fantasyland Expansion opens late 2012 and most new attractions by 2013.
Toontown is closing as part of the Walt Disney World Fantasyland Expansion. The biggest attractions in Toontown are Goofy's Barnstormer, Mickey and Minnie's houses, and the character meet and greets. The Barnstormer will be re-themed as The Great Goofini, while the rest of Toontown will be a part of Disney history. You will find Tinker Bell in Hollywood Studios and her fairy friends in Epcot. Mickey, Minnie, and the Princesses can be found in Tomorrowland until they make their move to the Town Square Exposition Hall in the spring of 2011.
I have to admit that I'm a little sad to see this piece of Disney World go. I loved visiting Mickey and Minnie's houses and looking at all tiny details that make them so magical. Although Toontown was fun to look at, our main reason for visiting was always the meet and greets. I feel certain that the space is being put to better use. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress as the first phase of the Fantasyland Expansion opens late 2012 and most new attractions by 2013.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Catch a Glimpse of the New Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coming Soon to the Magic Kingdom
Inside the Magic gives us a peek at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I can't wait!
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