Walt Disney World March 2010 – Crowd levels, Ride Closures, Attraction Refurbishments, and Special Events

There are some things going on at Walt Disney World in March that you need to know about:

 Walt Disney World Resort & Theme Parks Crowd Level Warnings:

1.      Crowds will get heavy around March 13^th as people enjoy their Spring break at Walt Disney World.   The early part of the month will have low to moderate crowds.    Low crowds mean shorter hours and fewer shows so plan accordingly.  

2.     Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) –This great show is no longer presented every night.  It will be offered March 4, 7, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 & 31.  This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it – arrive 60-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package.  Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings as we get close to Easter– if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one   Warning: When there are limited performances, you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  Afternoons will be especially busy as those with Park Hopper tickets come over to see the show.  A good touring plan will help you manage this.   Any day with both an Extra Magic Hour(s) and Fantasmic! will be especially busy.  Warning:  This show  is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes.  The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children.  For a full description, see our article at http://www.squidoo.com/Fantasmic-at-walt-disney-world 

3.     SpectroMagic Parade (Magic Kingdom) – This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a SpectroMagic Parade.   The SpectroMagic Parade will be presented on March 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.   If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier.   Any day that the Magic Kingdom offers both an Extra Magic Hour(s) and SpectroMagic Parade will be especially busy.

5.     Extra Magic Hours – (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guests) -  We strongly recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day during Spring Break.    Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone – that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You’ll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park.  This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort – you don’t want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you. 

7.      Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom Open Early– Spring Break.  The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks will open at 8:00AM for all guests from March 28th^th – April 10th.  This is an hour earlier than the typical opening.  You’ll want to be at the gates by 7:45AM to take advantage of the shortest lines of the day.

8.     A good touring plan will keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  You can spend your spring breaks in line or you can use a touring plan will make sure you see and do the things that are important to you in a way that keeps lines to a minimum. We provide three choices for custom touring plans – 1) a subscription to Tour Guide Mike, a highly respected online planning service and Disney planning community with 45,000 members, 2) the 2010 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, the most popular guide book available with information on every resort, restaurant, attraction and activity, and 3) our Custom Service, where we select the most appropriate touring plans and provide advice for customization for your specific group based on your preferences – at  no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip. 

Special Events At Walt Disney World in March 2010

1.      Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival – March 3 – May 16, 2010.  No extra ticket needed – included with your park admission. Expect Epcot to be in full bloom with flowers, topiaries, gardening demonstrations, and special activities.  

2.     2010 Disney’s Princess Half  Marathon.  March 5-7, 2010.   This popular event doesn’t really affect your time in the park but you will notice participants and their families in the resorts.  Be sure to book your accomodations early if you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World that includes these dates.  For full details, see: http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=PrincessHalfMarathonDetailPage&bhcp=1

3.  Atlanta Braves Spring Training at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Formerly known as Disney’s Wilde World of Sports)  2010 SPRING TRAINING HOME SCHEDULE:

March 3 — New York Mets 1:05 PM
March 4 — Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05 PM
March 5 — Washington Nationals 1:05 PM
March 7 — Houston Astros 1:05 PM
March 9 — Philadelphia Phillies 7:05 PM
March 10 — New York Mets 1:05 PM
March 12 — Pittsburgh Pirates 1:05 PM
March 13 — Toronto Blue Jays 1:05 PM
March 16 — Florida Marlins 1:05 PM
March 19 — Detroit Tigers 6:05 PM
March 21 — St Louis Cardinals 1:05 PM
March 24 — Philadelphia Phillies 1:05 PM
March 26 — Detroit Tigers 1:05 PM
March 27 — Washington Nationals 1:05 PM
March 30 — New York Yankees 1:05 PM
March 31 — Houston Astros 1:05 PM

5.     Celebrate Tonight – Downtown Disney’s West End Plaza.  Mini Street Parties featuring a DJ and stilt walkers lead dances, the limbo, party games, and sign-alongs.  They only last about 20 minutes each but are a lot of fun.  Sunday – Thursday:  intermittently 5:00pm– 11:00pm.  Friday – Saturday:  intermittently 6:00pm– Midnight.  Check on the hour and half hour.

Disneyworld Attraction Closures & refurbishments – March 2010:

• Disney’s Blizzard Beach (water park) – will be closed January 10^th – March 20th for its annual refurbishment.
• Mickey’s Toontown Square – date to be announced.  At some point, Mickey’s ToonTown Fair will close as Disney begins a major expansion on Fantasyland.
• Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals.  As of March 30^th, luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM.   Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk. 

 Free Theme Park Touring Plans

If you find this report helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for custom theme park touring plans.  We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself.  Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

•  Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Free Theme Park Touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  Or, if you prefer to do your own plans, we will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to you instead of our touring plans.  The choice is yours.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans.   During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines – our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners.   During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times.    But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone’s priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.  For more information see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

 You can purchase vacation planning services & touring plans from us but most of our clients get them for free.  We accept Disney and other hotel commissions as payment for our planning services. If you’ve already booked your own reservation, it may be possible to have our name added as the agent of record.  Your rate, confirmation, and benefits all stay exactly the same.  In this situation, Disney just pays us the commission they would’ve kept for themselves.  Then – free to you – we provide you with touring plans that let you enjoy more attractions with less lines.

If you have questions or are interested in our services:

•  just call us toll free at 877-815-6515
•  or use the online form 

 Thank you,

Stephen

 Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515
International callers: 719-495-5698

Walt Disney World in February – Special Events, Ride Closures, Attraction Refurbishments, and Crowd Levels

There are some things going on at Walt Disney World in February that you need to know about:

Walt Disney World Resort Crowd Warnings for February 2010 

1.      Presidents Day Week & Mardi Gras – February 13 – 19, 2010 – This year a 3-Day weekend & Mardi Gras fall on the same week in 2010. Each of these always increases the crowds a bit but the combination of the two will cause crowds to climb to the moderately high level. Disney doesn’t have specific Mardi Gras events but it does draw a good number of Louisiana residents fleeing their own state as the crowds come in to party. Universal Orlando also has some Mardi Gras related activities that bring some people into the Orlando area.  Have a good touring plan to help you manage crowds.

3.     Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) –This great show is no longer presented every night.  It will be offered February 4, 7, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, & 28.  This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it – arrive 60-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package.  Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings during busier times – if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one   Warning: When there are limited performances, you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  Afternoons will be especially busy as those with Park Hopper tickets come over to see the show.  A good touring plan will help you manage this.   Warning:  This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes.  The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children. If you are concerned, we’ve written an entire article detailing the various aspects that may be frightening to your child.    See:  http://www.squidoo.com/Fantasmic-at-walt-disney-world

4.     SpectroMagic Parade (Magic Kingdom) – This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a SpectroMagic Parade.   The SpectroMagic Parade will be presented on February 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, & 27.    If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier.

5.     Extra Magic Hours – (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest)!  Crowds will be low for most of the month and these low crowd times are really the only time we recommend taking in the Extra Magic Hours.   We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park February 12^th – February 19th.    Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone – that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You’ll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park.  This is doubly important to pay attention to Extra Magic Hours if you are not staying at a Disney resort – you don’t want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you. 

6.     A good touring plan is still important during low crowds.   Shorter hours and fewer show times mean that some advance planning will make sure you see and do the things that are important to you. We provide three choices for custom touring plans – 1) a subscription to Tour Guide Mike, a highly respected online planning service and Disney planning community with 45,000 members, 2) the 2010 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, the most popular guide book available with information on every resort, restaurant, attraction and activity, and 3) our Assisted Service, where we select the most appropriate touring plans and provide advice for customization for your specific group based on your preferences – at  no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip. 

Special Events at Walt Disney World in February 2010

1.      ESPN The Weekend – February 26 – 28^th – Disney’s Hollywood Studios and  the ESPN Wide World of Sports.   Annual event with professional athletes and ESPN television personalities, athlete motorcades,  Fan Q&A sessions, and live TV Telecasts.   The Champion 5K at ESPN the Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods is Saturday, February 27^th.   For more information see www.espntheweekend.com

2.      Celebrate Tonight – Downtown Disney’s West End Plaza.  Mini Street Parties featuring a DJ and stilt walkers lead dances, the limbo, party games, and sign-alongs.  They only last about 20 minutes each but are a lot of fun.  Sunday – Thursday:  intermittently 5:00pm– 11:00pm.  Friday – Saturday:  intermittently 6:00pm– Midnight.  Check on the hour and half hour.

 Temporary Attraction Closures & refurbishments at WDW

• Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) will be closed from January 3^rd – February 27^th, 2010
• Crystal Palace Restaurant (Magic Kingdom) will be closed from January 3^rd – February 15^th, 2010.  During this time, character meals will be offered at Liberty Tree Tavern (Restaurant – Magic Kingdom).
• Backlot Tour (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) will be closed from February 15^th – March 27th, 2010
• Studios Catering Company (Counter-Service Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) will be closed from February 15^th – March 27th, 2010
• Living with the Land (Epcot) will be closed from January 18^th – February 5^th, 2010
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach (water park) – will be closed January 10^th – March 20th for its annual refurbishment.
• Luna Pool–  Disney’s Boardwalk Inn –  will be closed from January 18^th – early February. 
• Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals.  As of March 30^th, luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM.   Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk. 

 Free Theme Park Touring Plans

If you find this report helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for theme park touring plans.  We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself.  Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

•  Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Theme Park Touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  We will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World or assist you with our own plans.  The choice is yours.   

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans.   During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines – our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners.   During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times.    But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone’s priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.  For more information see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.htm

 You can purchase vacation planning services & touring plans from us but most of our clients get them for free.  We accept Disney and other hotel commissions as payment for our planning services. If you’ve already booked your own reservation, it may be possible to have our name added as the agent of record.  Your rate, confirmation, and benefits all stay exactly the same.  In this situation, Disney just pays us the commission they would’ve kept for themselves.  Then – free to you – we provide you with touring plans that let you enjoy more attractions with less lines.

If you have questions or are interested in our services:

•  just call us toll free at 877-815-6515
•  or use the online form    

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515
International callers: 719-495-5698

Walt Disney World in April – Crowd Levels, Special Events, Ride Closures & Attraction Refurbishments

There are some things going on at Walt Disney World in April that you need to know about:                                                                                                           

Crowd Warnings:

1.      Spring Break & Easter Week – The weeks immediately before and after Easter are the when the majority of schools close for Spring break. The theme parks will be at their most crowded during then. The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks will open at 8:00AM for all guests from March 28th- April 10th. This is an hour earlier than the typical opening. You’ll want to be at the gates by 7:45AM to take advantage of the shortest lines of the day.

2.      Easter - Sunday, April 4th. You’ll want to avoid the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Easter Sunday as these will be the two most crowded parks of the day.

3.     Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) –This great show is no longer presented every night except during peak times.  It will be offered April 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 20, 23, 24, 27 & 30.  This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it – arrive 60-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package.  Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings during busier times – if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one   Warning: When there are limited performances, you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  Afternoons will be especially busy as those with Park Hopper tickets come over to see the show.  A good touring plan will help you manage this.   Warning:  This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes.  The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children. If you are concerned, we’ve written an entire article detailing the various aspects that may be frightening to your child.  http://www.squidoo.com/Fantasmic-at-walt-disney-world

4.     SpectroMagic Parade (Magic Kingdom) – This wonderful nighttime parade is being offered more nights than usual the Magic Kingdom because of the Spring Break crowds.   The SpectroMagic Parade will be presented on offered April 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27 & 29.    If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier.   TIP: Avoid the Magic Kingdom on April 25^th, if possible.  This is the first day with evening entertainment after two nights of early closures due to the Disney Grad Nights – expect heavy crowds.

5.     Extra Magic Hours – (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest)!  We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day.    Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone – that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You’ll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park.  This is doubly important to pay attention to Extra Magic Hours if you are not staying at a Disney resort – you don’t want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you. 

6.     A good touring plan will keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  Most guests will just plan on spending  a lot of time in line but some advance planning will make sure you see and do the things that are important to you in a way that minimizes lines. We provide three choices for custom touring plans – 1) a subscription to Tour Guide Mike, a highly respected online planning service and Disney planning community with 45,000 members, 2) the 2010 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, the most popular guide book available with information on every resort, restaurant, attraction and activity, and 3) our Assisted Service, where we select the most appropriate touring plans and provide advice for customization for your specific group based on your preferences – at  no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip.  For more information, see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php 

Special Events:

1.      Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival ~ March 3 – May 16, 2010. The landscaping at Walt Disney World is always beautiful but everything is even more amazing during this festival (included in the cost of admission). Gardeners will find tips, displays, and special events just for them. Those who don’t sport green thumbs will also enjoy the beautiful topiary, Pirates Adventure Zone, Pixie Power Playground, and the popular “Flower Power” concerts.

2.      Disney Grad Nights (Magic Kingdom) – April 23, 24, 30 & May 1. The Magic Kingdom will close early (generally at 7PM) for these special nights just for graduating high school seniors. The Magic Kingdom theme park will not have a SpectroMagic parade or Wishes fireworks on the days that it closes early for the Disney Grad Night events.

3.    Celebrate Tonight – Downtown Disney’s West End Plaza.  Mini Street Parties featuring a DJ and stilt walkers lead dances, the limbo, party games, and sign-alongs.  They only last about 20 minutes each but are a lot of fun.  Sunday – Thursday:  intermittently 5:00pm– 11:00pm.  Friday – Saturday:  intermittently 6:00pm– Midnight.  Check on the hour and half hour.  

Temporary Attraction Closures and refurbishments:

• Mickey’s Toontown Square (Magic Kingdom) - dates to be announced.  At some point in 2010, Mickey’s ToonTown Fair will close as Disney begins a major expansion of Fantasyland.
• Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals.  As of March 30^th, luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM.   Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk. 

 Free Theme Park Touring Plans 

If you find this report helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for theme park touring plans.  We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself.  Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning. 

• Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Theme Park Touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  We will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World or assist you with our own plans.  The choice is yours.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans.   During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines – our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners.   During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times.    But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone’s priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.  For more information see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.htm

You can purchase vacation planning services & touring plans from us but most of our clients get them for free.  We accept Disney and other hotel commissions as payment for our planning services. If you’ve already booked your own reservation, it may be possible to have our name added as the agent of record.  Your rate, confirmation, and benefits all stay exactly the same.  In this situation, Disney just pays us the commission they would’ve kept for themselves.  Then – free to you – we provide you with touring plans that let you enjoy more attractions with less lines.

If you have questions or are interested in our services:

• just call us toll free at 877-815-6515
• or use the online form

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515
International callers: 719-495-5698

What Is A Dole Whip and How Can I Get My Hands On One?

Everything You Need To Know About Dole Whips

Dole Whip: “Dole Soft Serve Mix is a lactose free dry mix that is reconstituted with tap water and frozen down in a soft serve machine. Marketed under the popular Dole brand name, this unique product delivers an intense, natural pineapple fruit flavor, yet is fat free and cholesterol free.”. That phrase – while being technically accurate – fails to capture the joy your tastebuds experience when introduced to a Dole Whip.

Imagine yourself miserably hot and humid – you dread moving because that’ll just make you even hotter. Then someone (maybe an angel) hands you a dish of a cheerful yellow, softly frozen pineapple (flavored) treat. From the first bite, your outlook brightens while visions of hula girls dance in your head. Okay, that might be a little bit of over-sell but Dole Whips are just plain wonderful! My whole family loves them and we’ll use any excuse to get one. Under the light of harsh scrutiny, they’re probaby just another icecream-like product but just try telling that to the fans.

Where to Buy A Dole Whip? 

Dole Whips mixes are sold to ice-cream vendors throughout the United States but they sure don’t seem to be found on every corner.  Most people who land on this blog will want to know where to find a Dole Whip at Walt Disney World.

•  Magic Kingdom Theme Park – Adventureland Area – Aloha Isle. This refreshment stand carries both pineapple and vanilla Dole Whip. You can also get pineapple spears, pineapple juice, and Dole Whip floats here. If you’re on a Disney Dining Plan, you can use one of your snack credits to get a Dole Whip. There are those – even in my own family – who get sprinkles on their Dole Whips. Sprinkles!?!? Yuck!  TIP: If there are multiple lines, check to see which server gives the bigger servings and get in that line.
• Orlando, Florida – Walt Disney World Resort – Disney’s Polynesian Resort Hotel – Captain Cook’s Snack Company. The hotel food court sells Dole Whips but doesn’t carry as many items as Aloha Isle, in the Magic Kingdom. No sprinkles here.  TIP: My family loves to buy a Dole Whip at Captain Cook’s just before going out to the Polynesian resort’s “beach” area to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electric Water Pageant (floating parade). This is one of life’s simple pleasures.
• Anaheim California – Disneyland Theme Park – Tiki Juice Bar. Did you know that the Tiki Birds were the first Disney Animatronic figures? The Disneyland show hasn’t experienced the hostile take-over by Iago that you endure at the Magic Kingdom – it’s delightfully “old school”.

Do Dole Whips Come In Any Flavors Other Than Pineapple?

According to the manufacturer’s website, the Dole Whip mix does come in six flavors: Pineapple, Orange, Mango, Raspberry, Chocolate, and Vanilla. Disney sells pineapple and vanilla flavored Dole Whips; I’m not sure where you go to try the other flavors.

Does Everyone Like Dole Whips? 

Strangely enough, there is a small minority of people who think Dole Whips are terrible. There are also some people who think Dole Whips are entirely over-rated – they aren’t bad; they’re just not amazing. I’ll admit that nostalgia may be part of the attraction since many people experience these for the first time while on vacation.

Disney sometimes goes a little crazy around Christmas, serving Dole Whips that are tinted green or red and some people find that just a little weird

Ingredients, Nutritional Information, & Stuff Like That

Are you the type of person who asks for the nutritional analysis of a precious little puppy or a rainbow?  Clearly you’re confused about the purpose of a Dole Whip…this isn’t about nutrition.     If you need to know, you can find all that stuff on the official website.

You Need A Disney Vacation and a Dole Whip….Pronto!

The kind of people who selflessly eat Dole Whip after Dole Whip – just to be sure they’re something you would want to try - are the kind of people you need to help make your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation great.   You’ll get all the benefits of our expert Disney dessert taste testing when you book your next trip through www.buildabettermousetrip.com  Remember, we ate all those Dole Whips for you!

Is Fantasmic! at Walt Disney World Too Scary For My Child?

Should I Take My Small Child To See Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park in Orlando, Florida?

There’s a show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios called Fantasmic! and it is only offered a couple of times a week. It’s about 26 minutes long and is very popular – however, there is a fairly significant villain section in that lasts about 8 minutes and it includes a dragon. This article will give you all the information you need to decide whether or not the Fantasmic! show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is appropriate for your child. Fantasmic! is an impressive show and is generally suitable for older children and adults but it may not be appropriate for preschoolers, anyone who does not yet comprehend the difference between reality and make-believe, or to individuals who are prone to nightmares.

What Fantasmic! Is All About – A Brief Outline of the Plot of Fantasmic!  

Stylistically, Fantasmic! may remind you of Fantasia, Mickey’s Philharmagic (3-D attraction at the Magic Kingdom), or the Disney Silly Symphonies. There is very little dialogue and most of the action corresponds with the tone set by the musical score. There are live action sequences with characters from the Disney movies along with familiar images being projected on a screen of water mist. The storyline follows the classic Disney model of a fairly peaceful beginning, followed by a conflict with a villian, good overcoming evil, and a happy ending. In this case, Mickey is having a dream but his imagination runs away with him causing a montage of classic Disney villians come to intimidate Mickey – in the end, he announces “Hey, this is my dream!” and everything goes back to happiness and dancing princesses. Although the story itself is very simplistic, adults will be impressed with the elaborate affects and scene changes. Lightning, giant puppets, fountains, mist screens, flames, and pyrotechnics are impressively incorporated into this spectacular production.  

Things in Fantasmic That Might Frighten Small Children  

If you have any concerns about your child becoming frightened or upset by Fantasmic!, we highly recommend you take the 27 minutes necessary to watch the Fantasmic You Tube video we’ve embedded in this post. You know your child best so you will be able to evaluate the show and pick up on any less obvious elements that might frighten your child. The list below includes some of the things in the show that we think could be potentially frightening to preschoolers or timid souls.

1. Starting at about 7:19 minutes into the youtube video – or about 7 minutes into the show – you’ll notice that the tone of the music and the images starts to change in subtle ways. The whale from Pinocchio is projected onto a screen, there is a fight scene from the movie Pochahontas, and we start to see some elements of conflict introduced into the plot. Mickey, in the Sorcerer Mickeycostume,  gets caught into a typhoon and calls out “What’s Going On!?!”.
2. The most intense portion of Fantasmic begins at about 13:45 minutes into the You Tube video or about 13.5 minutes into the actual show. Maleficent (from Sleeping Beauty) appears and threatens Mickey Mouse. Her image is always a bit frightening but we also see the images of other Disney villians like Ursula (Little Mermaid), Hades (Hercules), Jafar (Aladdin), Cruella (101 Dalmatians), & Scar (Lion King) morph from one to the next on a mist screen. The voice track during this portion is ominous. Later on, this segment also includes some wraith, ghost, dragon or demon figures set to the more intense portion of the soundtrack.
3. At one point, the entire lake catches fire, with actual flames (approximately 21 minutes into the show). People in the lower rows can actually feel the heat from these flames. Flames, in smaller amounts, are also used in other scenes. A comet-like ball flies through the air and causes a bright flash in the scene from Pocohontas. Flames and flashes are a part of Maleficent’s spell.
4. There is live action snake-like dragon with glowing eyes that appears and moves menacingly. This occurs between 16:30 – 17:35 minutes and at 20:43 – 22:45 minutes into the video and roughly around the same duration into the actual show. This dragon gets absolutely huge.

Ways to Help Your Child Watch Fantasmic Without Getting Scared  

Depending on the maturity of your child, the following tips may help your child enjoy Fantasmic and deal with the scary portions.

1. Tell your child the whole storyline or let them watch the You Tube video – knowing what to expect in advance can make the intense sections manageable. Don’t worry about spoiling the show; young kids love familiar things – think of how many times they’ve watched their favorite DVD.
2. Do you have a smart but sensitive older child? Consider arming them with good information and technical details.Tell them that the whole lake will catch on fire. Then explain that Disney uses a carefully measured amount of propane that will float on the water. Assure them that Disney has practiced this over and over so they know the exact amount of gas to use to burn the exact right amount of time. If they express concerns about accidents, tell them that the concrete steps and metal bleachers are not things that easily catch fire.Show your child the snake segment (16:30 – 17:35 minutes into the video) and talk about how it is regular humans that are carrying each segment of the snake. You can show them this You Tube Video of the Chinese Dragon Dance to show how it is done.
3. Give your child a “weapon” for self-defense. Some people may find this method objectionable but many, many years ago, my son was frightened by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. His grandma purchased a plastic sword from the gift shop and gave our son permission to fight off any pirates that attacked us on the ride. She carefully explained the difference between pirates and the other tourists in the boat. My son brandished his sword throughout the ride, managed to avoid whacking any of the other guests, and felt brave throughout the whole experience. If you don’t want to buy a sword, consider teaching your child a few good karate chopping motions accompanied by “Hi Yah!” type exclamations before going into the show. The ability to defend oneself goes a long way towards feeling confident in this world.
4. We’ve given you approximate show times for the most intense, potentially frightening portions. You may be able to distract your child with a snack or a toy. Failing that, you can always take them to the restroom beginning about 12 minutes into the show. If you plan to use this tip, try to sit at the edge of a row so you won’t be stepping over other people as you make your way to the aisle.
5. Always keep in mind the possibility that you may have to come to your child’s rescue by taking them out of the show, should it become too frightening. You have a choice here – you can react with irritation at the fact that you had to leave the show and you can belittle your child for being frightened. Or…(and this is what we recommend) you can be your child’s hero by protecting his/her precious heart and mind until she/he is older and better able to deal with these types of images. Keep smiling, assure your child that you didn’t mind leaving the show, and tell him/her about a time when you were a child and got frightened by a movie or a scary story. Let your child know that you’re on their side. Remember that you’re making memories – they can be memories of shame and frustration or this can be a situation where you child sees that they can trust you with their fears and with their feelings.

Tips for Seeing Fantasmic At Walt Disney World  

1. The entrance to the Fantasmic! Amphitheater is on Sunset Blvd., between the Beauty & the Beast Live! stage and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride.
2. Except during peak travel times, Fantasmic! is no longer offered every night of the week so check the Walt Disney World calendar of events before you go and plan to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on a day when the show is offered.
3. Avoid any day where Disney’s Hollywood Studios has an “Extra Magic Hour” (special times reserved just for Disney resort hotel guests) and Fantasmic! The combination of these two things will make Disney’s Hollywood Studios disproportionately busy on days that offer both incentives.
4. Fantasmic Dinner Package – You reserve an early dining time (generally before 4:20PM) and you receive a voucher for a spot in a reserved section. This can save a lot of time you would otherwise spend in line. The three restaurants that participate in the Fantasmic Dinner Package are Hollywood & Vine (buffet), Mama Melrose (Italian), and the Hollywood Brown Derby. The Fantasmic Dinner Package reservation must be confirmed with a credit card and you will be charged a “no-show” penalty if you skip the reservation. There is a 48 hour cancellation policy.Are you on a Disney Dining Plan? The Fantasmic Dinner Packages at Hollywood & Vine and at Mama Melrose each only take one Disney Dining Plan table-service credit per person; the Hollywood Brown Derby is a Signature Dining Location and will require two table-service meal credits per person.There is very limited availability for the Fantasmic Dinner Package so reserve early (up to 180 days prior to arrival). You must specifically reserve a “Fantasmic Dinner Package” to receive these benefits. These restaurants will have regular reservations available that do nto include the Fantasmic seating vouchers.
5. You don’t have to have a Fantasmic Dinner Package to see the show. It is included as part of your admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. However, the show may fill to capacity. The gates open about 90 minutes prior to the show and, during busy seasons, it is essential to line up at least 70 minutes prior to showtime. It may be possible for one parent to hold a place in line while the other parent gets food at Catalina Eddie’s, Rosie’s All-American Cafe, or the Backlot Express to eat while you wait for the show to start. Combining mealtime with waiting time will reduce the sense that you are wasting time.
6. There isn’t any meal type food sold inside the amphitheatre but snacks like popcorn and sodas are available for sale. There are restrooms inside the theatre.
7. Are there two performances of Fantasmic! on the day you’re visiting? If so, the second performance will always be less crowded than the first. The other advantage to the second performance is that it gives you more time to enjoy Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park rides and attractions.
8. There are no bad seats but we think theseats just to the right or to the left of the center from the middle row of the amphitheatre back to the top row are the best seats. This show has a pretty wide scope so sitting too far forward can actually make it harder to take it all in.
9. The show is about 25 minutes long. Your showtime might be such that you have about an hour of park time after the show ends. If you hope to get in a few last rides after the show, consider sitting on the right side (as you face the stage) so that you’re closest to the exit when the show ends. Get up and leave promptly so that you don’t get stuck in a slow moving crowd.
10. Theme Park Touring Plans – Remember that you’re going to have a better time if you have a good touring plan.  It just so happens that we provide three great options for touring plans when you book your Walt Disney World Resort vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip.

      Note:  Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park used to be called Disney-MGM Studios.

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/
Toll free: 877-815-6515

 

Walt Disney World in January 2010 – Crowd levels, Special Events, Promotions, Refurbishments, and Ride Closures.

There are some things going on at Walt Disney World in January that you need to know about:                                                                                                           

Crowd Warnings:

1.      Crowds will very heavy through January 3^rd as people enjoy their Christmas break at Walt Disney World.   The rest of the month will have low to moderate crowds.    Low crowds mean shorter hours and fewer shows so plan accordingly.  
2.     2010 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January 7^th – 10^th . The Disney marathons are very popular so we’ll see a bit of a surge in the crowds for this weekend.  The marathon events won’t affect the crowds but you will find runners and their families at the resorts and visiting the parks when not involved with the marathon itself.  The Magic Kingdom will see the largest number of visitors.
3.     Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) –This great show is no longer presented every night.  It will be offered January 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21, 22, 24, & 28.  This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it – arrive 60-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package.  Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings around New Years  – if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one   Warning: When there are limited performances, you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  Afternoons will be especially busy as those with Park Hopper tickets come over to see the show.  A good touring plan will help you manage this.   Warning:  This show  is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes.  The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children.
4.     SpectroMagic Parade (Magic Kingdom) – This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a SpectroMagic Parade.   The SpectroMagic Parade will be presented on January 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30.    If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier.
5.     Avoid going to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot New Years Eve.   There is a good chance that the park could close because of capacity level crowds and the lines will be horrible.  Disney’s Hollywood Studios &  Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks are much better choices for these days.
6.     Extra Magic Hours – (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest)!  Crowds will be low enough that January (after January 3^rd)  is really the only time we recommend taking in the Extra Magic Hours.   We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day through January 3^rd.    Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone – that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You’ll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park.  This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort – you don’t want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you. 
7.      Magic Kingdom – Christmas Break.  The Magic Kingdom theme park will open at 8:00AM for Disney Resort Guests only at 8:00AM from December 24^th – January 2^nd.  This may create some complications for visitors who are not staying at a Disney hotel.    Be sure to arrive by 8:30AM and get a FASTPASS as soon as you’re allowed in.  Not every attraction is open during Extra Magic Hours so you’ll have the same access to many attractions as anyone else.  Use a good touring plan to help you.
8.     A good touring plan is still important during low crowds.   Shorter hours and fewer show times mean that some advance planning will make sure you and do the things that are important to you. We provide three choices for custom touring plans – our Custom Touring Plans, the 2010 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (book), or a subscription to Tour Guide Mike (online service) – at  no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip.  For more information, see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

Special Events:

1.   Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancng  Lights  (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – November 10, 2009 – January 4, 2010.  This is an incredible holiday light display beginning around dusk.   Every 15 minutes, the display will glow and dim to correspond with the holiday music.  It is quite a sight!  No extra ticket needed – included with your park admission.
2.     Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade (Animal Kingdom)  – Offered through January 3rd.
3. Photos with “Santa Goofy” at Santa’s Chalet in Downtown Disney Marketplace.  Offered through January 3^rd.  3:00 – 10:00PM.   
4. 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon.  January 7-10^th.   Very popular event. 
5.     Celebrate Tonight – Downtown Disney’s West End Plaza.  Mini Street Parties featuring a DJ and stilt walkers lead dances, the limbo, party games, and sign-alongs.  They only last about 20 minutes each but are a lot of fun.  Sunday – Thursday:  intermittently 5:00pm– 11:00pm.  Friday – Saturday:  intermittently 6:00pm– Midnight.  Check on the hour and half hour.

 Temporary Attraction Closures and refurbishments:

• Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) will be closed from January 3^rd – February 27^th, 2010
• Crystal Palace Restaurant (Magic Kingdom) will be closed from January 3^rd – February 15^th, 2010.  During this time, character meals will be offered at Liberty Tree Tavern (Restaurant – Magic Kingdom).
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon (water park) – will be closed through January 9th for its annual refurbishment.
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach (water park) – will be closed January 10^th – March 20th for its annual refurbishment.
• Liberty Belle Riverboat is closed to guests until January 4^th, 2010 due to the Tiana’ Showboat Jubilee.
• Uzima Pool & Spa –  Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge –  will be closed from January 4^th – January 29^th.  Guests may use the pool at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village area.
• Luna Pool–  Disney’s Boardwalk Inn –  will be closed from January 18^th – early February. 
• Other refurbishments  -  January typically has a lot of pool refurbishments because the weather is cool and crowds are low. We’ll keep you posted if additional pool closures are announced.  Most resorts have more than one pool.
• Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals.  As of March 30^th, luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM.   Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk. 

 Can You Save Money with the “Free Nights” Promotion?

Disney recently released a “free nights” promotion that includes select dates in December.   There is very limited availability for December but the savings can be significant.   Guests staying at a Disney Value resort for 5 nights can receive two additional nights free.   Guests booking a qualifying Magic Your Way package at a Disney moderate or deluxe resort for four nights can receive up to three nights stay.   Your ticket length is also increased but you still have to pay for the dining plan for those nights, if you are using a Disney Dining Plan.  Use tour online form  to contact us to book your reservation.

 Free Theme Park Touring Plans

If you find this report helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for custom theme park touring plans.  We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself.  Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

•  Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Custom touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  Or, if you prefer to do your own plans, we will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to you instead of our touring plans.  The choice is yours.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans.   During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines – our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners.   During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times.    But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone’s priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.  For more information see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.htm 

You can purchase custom planning service from us but most of our clients get them for free.  We accept Disney and other hotel commissions as payment for our planning services. If you’ve already booked your own reservation, it may be possible to have our name added as the agent of record.  Your rate, confirmation, and benefits all stay exactly the same.  In this situation, Disney just pays us the commission they would’ve kept for themselves.  Then – free to you – we provide you with touring plans that let you enjoy more attractions with less lines.

 If you have questions or are interested in our services:

                * just call us toll free at 877-815-6515
                * or use the online form    

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515

Build A Better Mouse Trip is a full service travel agency specializing in Florida vacations & Cruises. Build A Better Mouse Trip is not affiliated with or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates.

Walt Disney World in November – Crowd Levels, Special Events, Ride Closures, Attraction Refurbishments, and Promotions

There are some things going on at the  Walt Disney World Resort  in November that you need to know about:                                                                                                           

Crowd Warnings:

1. Jersey Week – The New Jersey Public schools all have November 5^th & 6^th off for teacher-in-service days.   This has a huge impact on attendance during the first week of November as thousands of families take the opportunity to take a few extra days and head to Disneyworld.  Expect moderately high crowds for the whole first week of November.
2. Thanksgiving Week – “Holiday Season” is even more crowded than “Peak Season” so expect very high crowd levels November 21^st – 28^th.   Heavy crowds can be fun because Disney extends park hours and adds extra show times but you’ll need a good touring plan to help you avoid horrible lines.
3. Pop Warner National Football, Dance & Cheer Events at Walt Disney World – November 30 – December 12. These events take place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports and the events themselves won’t affect you but you may encounter groups of young athletes (and their families) in your resort and – during their spare time – in the theme parks.
4. Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) –This great show is no longer presented every night.  It will be offered November 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30 .  This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it – arrive 60-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package.  Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings during the busiest times – if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one   Warning: When there are limited performances, you know Disney’s Hollywood Studios is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  Afternoons will be especially busy as those with Park Hopper tickets come over to see the show.  A good touring plan will help you manage this.   Warning:  This show  is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes.  The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children.
5. SpectroMagic Parade (Magic Kingdom) – This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a SpectroMagic Parade.   The SpectroMagic Parade will be presented on November 2, 5, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 22,  23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 3o.    If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier.
6. Avoid going to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot on Thanksgiving Day.   There is a good chance that the park could close because of capacity level crowds and the lines will be horrible.  Disney’s Hollywood Studios &  Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks are much better choices for Thanksgiving Day.
7. Extra Magic Hours – (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest) We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park(s) of the day.   Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone – that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You’ll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park.  This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort – you don’t want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you. 
8. A good touring plan will keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.   We provide three choices for custom touring plans – our Custom Touring Plans, the 2009 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (book), or a subscription to Tour Guide Mike (online service) – at  no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip.  For more information, see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

Special Events:

1. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Disney’s Magic Kingdom)- 7:00PM to Midnight – November 10, 12,  13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29.  This special event is a lot of fun for families, with rides, a parade, shows, and fun party type events.   These nights require a special event ticket ($49 – $63  per person, depending on age and date) – you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets.  Ticket prices vary with an advance purchase discount offered on select nights. There are a limited number of tickets sold for each party Warning:  The Magic Kingdom will close to the public at 7:00PM on party nights.  Magic Kingdom resort area restaurants (Chef Mickey’s, 1900 Park Fare, Whispering Canyon, etc.) will fill their reservations early as people look for something nearby to enjoy after the early park closing.  Contact us today to purchase your party tickets. 
2. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancng  Lights  (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – November 10, 2009 – January 4, 2010.  This is an incredible holiday light display beginning around dusk.   Every 15 minutes, the display will glow and dim to correspond with the holiday music.  It is quite a sight!  No extra ticket needed – included with your park admission.
3. Holidays Around the World. (Epcot) – November 27 – December 30^th. The World Showcase pavilions will each feature a special holiday storyteller that tells about Christmas (or other holiday) festivities in that country.  No extra ticket needed – included with your park admission.  Check your Epcot times guide.
4. Candlelight Processional (Epcot) – November 27 – December 30^th.  Nightly:  5:00, 6:45, & 8:00PM.   A large choir, orchestra, and celebrity narrators retell the Christmas Story in the America Gardens Theatre.  This beautiful production is extremely popular and fills to capacity.  People sometimes line up hours early.  TIP: Arrive at least 45 minutes early for the 5:00PM performance for your best chance to get in with a minimum wait.   TIP: Candlelight Processional Lunch/Dinner Packages eliminate long waits.  You have several restaurant choices and you’ll receive a voucher that guarantees seating at the Candlelight Processional.  These packages aren’t cheap but a nice meal and the wonderful Candlelight Processional are certainly a special occasion worth celebrating.  The Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages are included in the Disney Dining Plan but will take two table-service meal credits per person.  Call 407-WDW-DINE to check availability and to make reservations. 

This year’s celebrity narrators:

• November 27-29 Isabella Rossellini
• November 30 & December 1-2 John O’Hurley
  December 3-5 Steven Curtis Chapman
  December 6-8 Anika Noni Rose
  December 9-11 Andy Garcia
  December 12-14 Vanessa Williams
  December 15-17 Abigail Breslin
  December 18-20 Whoopi Goldberg
  December 21-23 Brian Dennehy
  December 24-6 Edward James Olmos
  December 27-30 Angela Bassett / Courtney B. Vance

1. Celebrate Tonight – Downtown Disney’s West End Plaza.  Mini Street Parties featuring a DJ and stilt walkers lead dances, the limbo, party games, and sign-alongs.  They only last about 20 minutes each but are a lot of fun.  Sunday – Thursday:  intermittently 5:00pm– 11:00pm.  Friday – Saturday:  intermittently 6:00pm– Midnight.  Check on the hour and half hour.

Temporary Attraction Closures and refurbishments:

• Liberty Tree Tavern (Restaurant – Magic Kingdom) the restaurant will be open but – beginning January 5^th – Liberty Tree Tavern will no longer offer character dining.
• Space Mountain has been closed for refurbishment and is scheduled to re-open on November 22^nd.
•  Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon (water park) – will be closed November and December for its annual refurbishment.
• Liberty Belle Riverboat is closed to guests until January 4^th, 2010 due to the Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee.
• Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals.  As of March 30^th, luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM.   Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk. 

Can You Save Money with the “Free Nights” Promotion?

Disney recently released a “free nights” promotion that includes select dates in December.   There is very limited availability for December but the savings can be significant.   Guests staying at a Disney Value resort for 5 nights can receive two additional nights free.   Guests booking a qualifying Magic Your Way package at a Disney moderate or deluxe resort for four nights can receive up to three nights stay.   Your ticket length is also increased but you still have to pay for the dining plan for those nights, if you are using a Disney Dining Plan    Did you book your reservation under the “Free Dining Promotion”?  For value & moderate resort guests, that is usually the better value.  Deluxe resort guests may save more with this promotion.    Use this online form to contact us to book your reservation.

Free Theme Park Touring Plans

If you find this report helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for custom theme park touring plans.  We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself.  Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

•  Help with building a Best Days Itinerary – a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip
• Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)
• Custom touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  Or, if you prefer to do your own plans, we will provide either a subscription to Tour Guide Mike or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to you instead of our touring plans.  The choice is yours.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans.   During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines – our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners.   During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times.    But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone’s priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.  For more information see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.htm

You can purchase custom planning services from us but most of our clients get them for free.  We accept Disney and other hotel commissions as payment for our planning services. If you’ve already booked your own reservation, it may be possible to have our name added as the agent of record.  Your rate, confirmation, and benefits all stay exactly the same.  In this situation, Disney just pays us the commission they would’ve kept for themselves.  Then – free to you – we provide you with custom touring plans that let you enjoy more attractions with less lines.

If you have questions or are interested in our services:

                * just call us toll free at 877-815-6515
                * or use the online form 

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll Free Phone: 877-815-6515

International callers: 719-495-5698

YeHaa Bob Jackson Entertains at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort

Are you ready to try something new on your next trip to Walt Disney World? If you’d like to do something fun without having to purchase a special ticket, check out Bob Jackson – who leads a great boogie-woogie sing-along at the River Roost Lounge in Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.   This can be a great way to spend an evening if the weather is bad or the theme parks are just too crowded to be fun.   If you do go, please tell Bob that Steve  at Build A Better Mouse Trip told you about the show.   We really like Bob Jackson – Disney hires a lot of really great people but Bob stands out even in that high caliber group.

 

What to expect from YeeHaw Bob’s Boogie Woogie Sing-Along at the River Roost Lounge

• Expect a tall man in brightly colored pants playing a ragtime piano and leading songs that everybody knows -  songs like Hey, Jude; Piano Man; I Got You, Babe; Sweet Caroline, and The Addams Family theme song. Bob is an energetic performer with a gift for encouraging audience participation.  
• The atmosphere is fun and energetic. It might not appeal to the very dignified but is probably perfect for people who enjoy a good time and who don’t take themselves too seriously. You’ll get to beat your chest and yell, “Charge!” at the end of a bugle call, and you might get to do the hand-jive, or swing your arms in your best Elvis style.   Did you ever watch “Cheers” or do you have some kind of vague idea of a friendly Irish pub?   That gives you something of what to expect.
• Bob signs autographs, poses for photos, and seems genuinely interested in every person who comes up to say hello during the intermissions.  He has quite a knack for remembering names and including people in the fun.   It doesn’t matter where you’re from, everyone in the room will yell “Me Too!”  when you name your hometown.
• The show is family-friendly. The night I was there, there were several kids present until about the second intermission. The River Roost has a bar but I didn’t observe anyone in an intoxicated state. The wait staff are available for drink orders but there was no pressure. I recently purchased two sodas over the course of the evening and that didn’t seem to be unusual. It is probably a good idea to tip very generously if, like me, you are there for several hours. There is a no smoking policy at the River Roost.
• Cost: no admission charge, no cover charge.
• If you want to take the fun home with you, there are five different CD’s available for about $10 each.
• Schedule: Bob is usually at the River Roost Lounge Tuesday through Saturday nights and plays from 8:30PM – Midnight but the schedule is subject to change. I’ve  included his current schedule at the end of this email.  
• You do not have to stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort to enjoy these activities. If you drive, just tell the gatekeeper that you’re going to be visiting the resort for a few hours and they’ll direct you to the visitors parking area.
• If you are using Disney transportaton:   You can take a bus from any of the Disney theme parks to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort.   The resort shares a bus with Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter resort so don’t get off the bus too early.  If you’re feeling unsure, ask the driver to tell you when you should exit.
• You can also take a boat from the Downtown Disney Entertainment and Shopping district to Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort.

Please contact Build A Better Mouse Trip with all your Walt Disney World Resort vacation planning needs.

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
www.buildabettermousetrip.com
Toll free: 877-815-6515

You can also read this article at http://www.squidoo.com/YeHaa-Bob-Jackson-At-Walt-Disney-World

Great Walt Disney World Restaurants for Older Kids, T’ween, and Teens

It is easy to find dining experiences for young children at Walt Disney World.  There is a plethora of character meals and you certainly never have to go far to find a kids meal.  But what about older kids, junior high students, and teens?  Are there any memorable or fun restaurants for them?

We’ve compiled a list of restaurants we consider the best Disneyworld has to offer big kids and teens.  We aren’t including counter-service / fast food type locations in this list – just table service restaurants. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Restaurants for Teens – see: http://www.squidoo.com/Animal-Kingdom-restaurants-for-teens

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park Restaurants for Teens – see: http://www.squidoo.com/Disneys-Hollywood-Studios-restaurants-for-teens

Epcot Theme Park Restaurants for Teens – See: http://www.squidoo.com/Epcot-restaurants-for-teens

Magic Kingdom Theme Park Restaurants for Teens – see: http://www.squidoo.com/Magic-Kingdom-restaurants-for-teens

Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Restaurants for Teens – see: http://www.squidoo.com/Walt-Disney-World-Resort-Hotel-Restaurants-for-Teens

Downtown Disney (Orlando) Restaurants for Teens – see: http://www.squidoo.com/Downtown-Disney-Restaurants-for-Teens 

Thank you,

Stephen

Build A Better Mouse Trip
Toll free: 877-815-6515

Everything you need to know to meet Tinker Bell at Pixie Hollow in Mickey’s Toontown Fair

Tips to avoid long lines when getting an autograph or your picture taken with Tinkerbell.

Can you meet Tinkerbell in person? Yes – you can meet Tinkerbell and her fairy friend at Pixie Hollow in the Mickey’s Toontown Fair area of Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park. Here’s what you need to know before you go:

For many, many years Disney said that there would never be a Tinkerbell “Meet & Greet” area for photos and autographs because…well…Tinkerbell is very tiny and people are much larger. This creates some special difficulties that have only been overcome recently. Disney solved the problem by creating a special area where Magic Kingdom theme park guests are shrunk down to fairy size, making it so much easier for fairies and humans to interact. Some say this happens by magic and others attribute it to modern technological advances. On the other hand, some skeptics suggest guests don’t really shrink and that the whole thing is it is a trick of the eye brought about by making everything in the room look bigger. I’m not an expert on shrinking technology or pixies so I’ll limit my comments to an area where I am an expert: experiencing Disney attracations without waiting in long lines!

Long lines are a huge issue at Pixie Hollow because the fairies want to make each person feel special and this takes time. Lines to meet the fairies build quickly but move slowly.

1. If you want to see Tinkerbell, you need to line up at the entrance of the “Mickey’s Toontown Fair” area of the Magic Kingdom before it opens – when the park opens at 9:00AM, “Mickey’s Toontown Fair” typically opens at 9:45 or 10:00AM. This is subject to change so check your theme park times guide as soon as you arrive. Plan to line up at the entrance by 9:35AM, at the latest.

2. You cannot take strollers through the line to see the fairies so park your stroller in the appropriate area near the “Mad Tea Party” ride (Fantasyland area). Parking your stroller before “Mickey’s Toontown Fair” opens will save valuable time when you get to Pixie Hollow.

3. Go to the left side of the crowd gathering at the entrance. You’ll be turning to the left to go into Pixie Hollow at “Mickey’s Toontown Fair” so starting out on this side of the crowd puts you at a slight advantage.

4. When Mickey’s Toontown Fair opens, a cast member (Disney employee) will direct everyone to walk at a reasonable pace (no running allowed) toward the Toontown Hall of Fame. Politely pass slow movers & be careful not to get stuck behind strollers but don’t be aggressive; there no reason to cause an injury.

5. When you arrive at the “Toontown Hall of Fame”, follow signs to Pixie Hollow and line up immediately; you can take photos outside this area when you exit. This area has two entrances – the one on the left is for the Disney Princesses and the one on the right is for the fairies. The two lines are separate so be sure you’re in line for the fairies. You can get in the princess line when you’re done with the fairies; Tinkerbell is the biggest draw right now so you definately want to do this first thing.

6 As you near the front of the line, you’ll be asked for the number of people in your party. You’ll also receive a special “Pixie PhotoPass” wristband – just in case you want to purchase the pictures taken by the Disney photographers. Then you’ll be ushered through some closed doors to the areas where you’ll be “reduced in size” for your meeting with the fairies. This process is completely painless and they promise to return you to your regular size when you leave Pixie Hollow.

7. As a courtesy to those waiting behind you, have your camera and autograph books ready. It is perfecly acceptable to ask the Disney photographer to use your personal camera to take a picture of the family or kids with the Fairies.

8. Tinker Bell is almost always available for photos and autographs and some of Tinker Bell’s fairly friends (like Iridessa and Rosetta) will also be there. On rare occasions, Tinker Bell may not be available – probably because Peter Pan needs her help for a few minutes.

9. After meeting the fairies, you’ll exit Pixie Hollow. If the Disney princesses are a priority, get in line to see them right away. You can also see Mickey Mouse nearby.

10. Lining up at Pixie Hollow as soon as Mickey’s Toontown Fair opens will mean waiting in line for 10 – 20 minutes. Check the “Waiting Time” sign when you leave – it is not uncommon to see 60 – 90 minute wait times within 15 minutes of this attraction opening and waits of up to 3 hours later in the day. Tinker Bell’s popularity also increases the waiting time at the other character Meet & Greet areas in Mickey’s Toontown Fair.

See our expanded article at http://www.squidoo.com/tinkerbell-at-walt-disney-world  for more ways to see Tinkerbell at Walt Disney World Resort and theme parks.  

Contact us today to plan your next Walt Disney World Vacation.  

Thank you!

Build A Better Mouse Trip

www.buildabettermousetrip.com

Toll free: 877-815-6515