Disney World Blog Discussing Parks, Resorts, Discounts and Dining | Only WDWorld

Snow White's Scary Adventures To Close Forever After May 31st

2012-05-25T07:32:00.000-04:00

One of the original Walt Disney World Resort attractions will be closing after May 31st. Snow White's Scary Adventures in the Magic Kingdom will be shutting down to make way for the new Princess Fairytale Hall.

Snow White's Scary Adventures
Since it opened on October 1, 1971 Snow White's Scary Adventures has been an integral part of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Prior to the new attractions that are being created as part of the Fantasyland expansion it has been the only Dark Ride/Attraction that has focused on one of the classic Disney Princesses.

As you made your way through this attraction in your ride vehicles named for the Seven Dwarfs and adorned with Snow White's animal friends you encountered a quickly paced retelling of Snow White's story.

For Snow White fans the good news is that there will be a bigger and much improved attraction that is focused on Snow and her friends. It will be tentatively be called the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which is scheduled to open in 2014.

The new Princess Fairytale Hall will be the place to meet and greet the Disney Princesses in Fantasyland. After the refurbishment of the area is complete the entrance will provide a castle-like setting that is appropriate for your meeting with royalty. The walls will be be made of stone and stained glass windows.

Once inside you will discover a large open galllery with high ceiling and portraits of the Disney Princesses. The Princesses will await you in elegantly adorned rooms befitting their royal stature.

These changes should be completed sometime in 2013 and fit nicely into the overall transformation of Fantasyland to have much more representation and connection to the Disney Princesses and their stories.

Disney World Top 6 Original Attractions From 1971

2012-05-23T06:09:00.000-04:00

The Walt Disney World Resort has been around for over 40 years and there are many current favorite attractions that have been here since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. For this installment of Disney World Top 6 we look at the best attractions that have stood the test of time.

6. Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
With the recent refurbishment to make this attraction closer to the original story line Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room makes our Top 6. The Disneyland version was one of the earliest uses of audio-animatronic figures in a show. This fun musical show featuring a variety of birds, flowers, and tiki gods puts everyone in a good mood and has them singing the Tiki Bird song as they exit.

5. Peter Pan's Flight
The story of Peter Pan is told through the use of ingenious sailing ship ride vehicles that give the rider the sense that they are flying over London and through the attraction. To this day it continues to be extremely popular and attracts long lines.

4. it's a small world
From its initial debut at the 1964 World's Fair, this fanciful attraction filled with colorful costumes and movement representing children from around the world, has been a favorite. What Disney World fan doesn't know the it's a small world song by heart?

3. The Jungle Cruise
Long before there was Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney World brought guest to the jungles of the world and their assorted wild animals through the Jungle Cruise adventure. Here the animals are of the audio-animatronic variety, but the corny jokes of the boat skippers make this a fun attraction to ride again and again. Besides, where else do you get to see the back side of water?

2. Hall Of Presidents
The show that brings life to all of the Presidents of the United States has been amazing guests with the lifelike appearance and actions of the audio-animatronic Presidents. What was astounding in 1971 is still amazing 40 years later. It shows that the innovation of the Disney Imagineers never goes out of style.

1. The Haunted Mansion
At the top of our list of Disney World attractions that have stood the test of time for over 40 years is the Haunted Mansion. Disney has created a "haunted house" that is creepy, but not gory or too scary. Again the Disney Imagineers have succeeded in creating masterful special effects that allow the guests to become engrossed in the story telling behind their tour of the home of 999 Happy Haunts. Amazingly it has stood the test of time very well with only minor upgrades and refurbishments.

This article originally appeared in the Only WDWorld Blog!

Best Disney World Attraction You May Have Never Heard of: Hyperspace Hoopla!

2012-05-22T05:55:00.000-04:00

Disney World is full of classic, well-known attractions, but one of the best attractions that you may have never heard of is called Hyperspace Hoopla! This fun filled Star Wars themed show closes each day of the Star Wars Weekends event at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The fact that it can only be seen by those who stick around to the end of the day on those 4 special weekends each year is the reason it is largely unknown to most Disney World fans.

Hyperspace Hoopla!
Call it a cult favorite, but this tongue-in-cheek Star Wars spoof that pits good vs. evil in the ultimate dance competition is a must see for many Disney World fans.

The show is hosted by the engaging Snig and Oopla. They get the crowd going and interject their own brand of Star Wars humor that anyone familiar with the movies will enjoy.

The show itself follows the same basic formula each year, but that is part of the charm. You want to know how they are going to keep it current, while loving the basic crazy premise of Good Guys vs. Bad Guys in a dance competition to settle their differences.

Count on seeing a multitude of your favorite Star Wars characters whether you are a fan of the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire. The Cantina Band from the original Star Wars Movie, aka Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, start the dancing off while frustrating the hosts during their rendition of Stump The Band.

Emperor Palpatine starts the contest representing the Dark Side of the Force. Each year the songs chosen change. 2011 featured rock anthems with action kicking off with the AC/DC classic "Back In Black."

Chewbacca represents the Rebel Alliance and exhibits his own brand of stylish dancing that can only be performed by a Wookie. The Guns & Roses trademark "Welcome To The Jungle" will never be the same after this performance last year.

Not to be outdone or forgotten, Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers present another entrant for the Dark Side. Lord Vader danced to Metallica's "Enter Sandman."

After the initial competition the dancing does not stop there. Expect to see a multitude of Star Wars Characters including: Aurra Sing, Boba Fett, Zam Wessel, Kit Fisto, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, R2-D2, Princess Leia, Padme, Darth Maul, Ewoks, Jawas, Storm Troopers, Ahsoka Tano, and many more.

Great Little Known Disney World Attraction
Although the Hyperspace Hoopla! is only around for 12 performances each year, it is one Disney World attraction that every Disney World and Star Wars fan should have on their list of attractions that they want to see live in person. Pictures and YouTube videos don't do justice to the pure fun of experiencing this show in person. The music, comedy, pyrotechnics, and energy generated from the performers and the crowd just can't be beat.

Disney World Shopping: Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures

2012-05-21T05:52:00.000-04:00

Shopping at the Walt Disney World Resort is often more than finding the perfect souvenir to remember your Disney World Vacation. The shopping destinations can be attractions unto themselves with incredibly detailed theming and lots of details that you can spend time enjoying. One such shopping "attraction" can be found in the Dinoland section of Disney's Animal Kingdom. It is called Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures.

Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures
In keeping with the kitschy feel of Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama, the souvenir shop is the ultimate combination of 50's roadside attraction, dinosaur nostalgia, and pure Disney Imagineering fun. There is nothing high tech to the sights in this shop, but there certainly is plenty to see. There are dinosaurs and dinosaur references literally EVERYWHERE! From plastic dinosaurs, to comic books and movie posters, you don't have to look far to uncover another dinosaur.

The Mickey Mouse Marionette was a really cool item spotted in the store.

The toughest part of shopping at Chester & Hester's Dino Treasures is knowing where to start. The dinosaur references are everywhere!

How can you not love the Godzilla reference shown in the diorama above?

Disney World Magic
Do not pass up the opportunity to check out this amazing Disney World store. Whether you end up buying anything thing here or not doesn't really matter. You miss out on a wonderful part of Disney Imagineering magic if you do not take the time to see all that there is to see.

Make sure that you treat this store like the other Disney World Attractions on your "Must Do List." You will be glad that you did.

Model Of New Magic Kingdom Fantasyland At One Man's Dream Attraction

2012-05-16T21:34:00.000-04:00

Disney World fans do not have to wait until the construction is completed to get a detailed look at what the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom will look like. Visitors to the Walt Disney One Man's Dream Attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios can now see a large model of what Fantasyland will look like when all of the expansion construction is completed and the new attractions and restaurants are added.

The first phase of the Fantasyland Expansion recently opened to guests including the Barnstormer Starring The Great Goofini and half of the Dumbo The Flying Elephant Ride. During the Holiday Season during the end of 2012 is when the next phase is expected to be completed.

Disney World Family Fun At The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

2012-05-16T06:12:00.000-04:00

Tucked away at the Ft. Wilderness Campground you will find one of the Walt Disney World Resort's best shows for families to enjoy. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review has been entertaining Disney World Guests since June of 1974 with its family friendly songs and comedy. This lively dinner theater provides a great night of entertainment that is different than the theme parks, but is still great Disney entertainment.

Even though there are 3 shows each evening at 5:00 pm, 7:15 pm, and 9:30 pm, you must make reservations ahead of time to get a seat at this popular Disney world attraction. The action all takes place at Pioneer Hall which has been the home to this show for almost 38 years.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Dining Experience

As with any dinner show, you want to enjoy BOTH the dinner and the show. With the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue the dining experience is a down home barbecue served family style in an all you can eat fashion.

The dinner starts out with a salad and you soon learn that all of the food items are served in metal pots and the drinks are served in mason jars. No fancy pretenses here, just down home good food, set to match the entertainment.

The main entrees are Fried Chicken and Ribs. They both were very tasty and you could get refills on any item that you wished to have more of.

The side dishes included: Mashed Potatoes, Corn, & Baked Beans to go along with the great cornbread. There is also a long list of beverages (free refills) that are included with the package price including soft drinks, beer, and wine.

The final part of the meal was the dessert. The special Hoop-Dee-Doo Strawberry Shortcake was very good and definitely worth saving room for. How many desserts have you had where a special song accompanies the presentation?

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Although the food was very good, the show was the most memorable part of the evening. After being prepped for the corny humor, I was afraid that our two teenage children that accompanied my wife and I would not enjoy the show. I could not have been more wrong. The Pioneer Hall Players had us ALL laughing throughout the show making this a highlight of our recent Disney World Vacation.

The show consists of 6 talented performers singing, dancing, and performing comedy that involves the audience and is entertaining for all age levels.

You will not believe how much fun you can have and may even find yourself twirling your napkins along with the rest of the Pioneer Hall crowd.

Volunteers from the audience even get into the action and become part of the show.

From start to finish this was a truly enjoyable show filled with an unbelievable number of laughs.

Highly Recommended Disney World Entertainment
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is an experience that I would highly recommend for people that are repeat Disney World Vacation visitors. You may not choose to make this a part of every vacation, although some do, you should make sure that you experience this at least once.

Disney World Hidden Secret: Pull The Rope! At Disney's Hollywood Studios

2012-05-07T21:10:00.000-04:00

Disney's Hollywood Studios has some special treats especially designed for observant and curious Disney World guests. One of the best Disney World Hidden Secrets can be found next to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular main entrance.

To the left of the entrance you will find a lashed together tripod over top of a construction scene with a rope that descends into a hole out of view.

To the left is a sign with the words "Warning! Do ~~Not~~ Pull Rope." Clever Disney World Guests will take this sign as a key that they are actually supposed to "Pull The Rope!" Those that do are rewarded with a treat by triggering a voice from within the well asking for help. The dialogue actually goes on for quite a while and it is quite entertaining.

This fits totally within the theme of Indiana Jones and its archaeological digging roots. The Disney Imagineers have designed this totally unadvertised mini-attraction and placed it here for guests to find.

This is just one of many Disney World Hidden Secrets that the majority of Disney World Vacationers never notice or even realize they exist. Often people are in such a hurry to get to the next ride or show that they totally miss these special touches.

Don't miss out on this Hidden Secret during your next Disney World Vacation. Make sure you slow down enough to notice some of the amazing details and enjoy the benefits of "Pulling The Rope!"

New Legend Of Captain Jack Sparrow Attraction Coming To Disney's Hollywood Studios

2012-05-05T08:46:00.000-04:00

The Pirates Of The Caribbean movie series, which was inspired by the Pirates Of The Caribbean Disney World and Disneyland theme park attractions, has now inspired a new theme park attraction called The Legend Of Jack Sparrow to be located at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The new attraction will be much more than just a "making of the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies," it is actually supposed to be an immersive guest experience into the world of Jack Sparrow, excuse me, I meant to say: Captain Jack Sparrow.

Here are the details released at Disney Parks Blog:

...we can now officially confirm that The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow will open this fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Details are still emerging, but the attraction will give guests a chance to become immersed in the world of the four “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, and an opening date will be announced later this year.

According to Jason Roberts, show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, “This is going to be an immersive experience. We’ll really delve into the story of Captain Jack Sparrow and put our guests in the middle of it all in new and exciting ways. Story is always the most important thing for us at Walt Disney Imagineering, but we’re always looking at new ways to tell the story that our guests have never seen before. In this attraction, we’ll let you walk in the footsteps of Jack Sparrow. It’s not ‘the making of,’ not ‘behind the scenes’ … it is really a first-person experience. We worked with the archives as well as the filmmakers while they were shooting the last movie. And as a fan, I just loved sitting through those films again and again, going through all the details and leveraging them for this new experience. It’s really been a blast.”

Disney Imagineers Share Details Of "Be Our Guest" Restaurant Under Construction In Fantasyland

2012-05-04T06:41:00.000-04:00

The Disney World Imagineers have been working hard designing and overseeing the construction of the new attractions in Fantasyland of the Magic Kingdom. One of the most anticipated additions is the Be Our Guest Restaurant which will be situated within Beast's Castle.

The Disney Imagineers have shared a video that gives us a peak inside this new restaurant and let's us know about the creative process that they go through to determine some of the details that we will see.

Even this small glimpse of the restaurant looks amazing! Can't wait until Holiday Season later in 2012 when it is supposed to finally open.

Who else is looking forward to the opportunity to dine here?

Disney World Announces Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Dates For 2012

2012-05-03T21:42:00.001-04:00

A Christmas Time tradition for many families is attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. This wonderful event starts in the middle of November and runs on select nights through December 21st.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that takes place on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park throughout the holiday season. Don’t miss Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, a very special holiday fireworks display, live entertainment with your favorite characters, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., free hot cocoa and cookies, and so much more! Purchase of an additional event admission ticket is required to attend.

Parties will take place:

November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21

Disney World Announces Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates For 2012

2012-05-03T06:14:00.000-04:00

Disney World has a fantastic way to take the fun of Halloween and spread it out over 22 nights from the middle of September until the beginning of November. So never fear that just because you cannot make it to the Magic Kingdom on October 31st, it doesn't mean you have to miss out on all of the fun.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a Halloween-themed special event held on select evenings at Magic Kingdom Park. Purchase of an additional admission ticket is required to attend, and plenty of fun is in store, including trick-or-treating, performances of Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade and Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Disney characters in costume, themed décor and much more.
Parties will take place:

September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 and 30
October 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31
November 2

Disney World Late Summer Resort Hotel Discounts Save Up To 30%

2012-05-01T21:29:00.000-04:00

It's time to book your Late Summer Disney World Vacation now in order to take advantage of the great savings of up to 30% on Disney World Resort Hotel Rooms.

For stays during most nights from August 15 - September 15, 2012 you can grab these savings if you book before August 14, 2012.

Here are the details on the Discounts that are available through this offer:

Save up to 20% at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney's All-Star Music Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Resort
Save up to 25% at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins
Save up to 30% at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney's BoardWalk, Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort (standard view), Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney's Old Key West Resort

No package purchase is required to get this discount, but you may add Disney World Theme Park Tickets and Disney Dining Plans if desired.

Book Your Disney Vacation Now!

To take advantage of this great offer or to get more information contact: Only WDWorld Travel.

Phone: 336-899-7943
Email: info@OnlyWDWorldTravel.com
Website: www.OnlyWDWorldTravel.com

Remember Only WDWorld Travel does not charge for providing a vacation quote and customers receive FREE Vacation planning help including Dining Recommendations and reservations, theme park planning advice, and much more. Let the people that know Disney World from firsthand experience help you take your best Disney Vacation ever!

Starbucks Coming To Disney World Theme Parks

2012-04-30T06:13:00.001-04:00

Coffee drinkers rejoice! Starbucks is coming to Disney World. Actually it is coming to Disneyland and Disney World with 6 locations opening in all, including one in each of the 4 Disney World Theme Parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, & Disney's Animal Kingdom.)

Not being able to get a really good cup of coffee has long been a complaint of Disney World Vacationers. With few exceptions, like the Coffee Bar at the Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort, coffee lovers had to do without their premium cup of coffee or coffee drinks that have become a staple in their lives.

Here is an excerpt from the Starbucks Press Release:

“Starbucks and Disney have many things in common,” said Arthur Rubinfeld, president, Global Development, for Starbucks. “We share a passion for providing excellent customer service, delivering high quality in everything we do, and ensuring that every experience with our brand exceeds our customers’ expectations. This is something our customers and partners (employees) have asked for through MyStarbucksIdea.com since the site launched more than four years ago, so we are pleased to bring this idea to life.”

Starbucks is not completely new to Disney. In June 2009, the company opened a store in Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, which has become a guest favorite.

At Disney California Adventure, Starbucks will be located in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café on Buena Vista Street, a place that transports guests to 1920s Los Angeles when Walt Disney arrived in California and a cup of coffee was the perfect way to jumpstart a busy day. The store’s location plays off the Spanish/Mexican architecture of the period, and baristas will wear 1920s-inspired attire.

The café will serve Starbucks items including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats.

“We know food and beverage offerings are an important part of the memories our guests make at Disney Parks and now they will be able to enjoy their favorite Starbucks® beverage as part of their experience,” said Maribeth Bisienere, vice president, food and beverage line of business for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Many of our guests have shared their passion for Starbucks with us, and we look forward to making their feedback a reality as we debut the first location at Disney California Adventure.”

Star Wars Weekends 2012 Celebrity Guests Announced Including Original Aurra Sing

2012-04-28T17:23:00.000-04:00

The Walt Disney World Resort will welcome back Star Wars Weekends to Disney's Hollywood Studios for four weekends starting on May 18 through June 10, 2012. Each weekend includes a wide variety of Star Wars related events and activities. Favorites includes more than 60 different Star Wars characters, Talk show style shows interviewing celebrities involved in the making of the Star Wars Movies, Hyperspace Hoopla, and Parades involving the celebrities and Star Wars Characters.

Celebrity Hosts For Star Wars Weekends

The Celebrity Hosts for the 2012 Star Wars Weekends will be James Arnold Taylor and Ashley Eckstein, reprising the roles that they served in so well last year.

Both James Arnold Taylor & Ashley Eckstein are best known to Star Wars fans for the voices that they lend to characters in the animated Star Wars The Clone Wars series. James portrays Obi-Wan Kenobi, while Ashley voices the spunky Padawan Ahsoka Tano.

James Arnold Taylor is an incredibly talented voice actor that you may have heard voicing: Fred Flintstone, Green Arrow, Johnny Test and Rocket. James will be the Official Celebrity Host for the 2012 Star Wars Weekends.

Ashley Eckstein was actually a Cast Member at Disney's Hollywood Studios before her days as an actress. Her acting career has landed her on shows such as: That's So Raven on The Disney Channel. Ashley will be the Celebrity Host of "Behind The Force," which is a show during Star Wars Weekends that gives fans a behind the scenes look at Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Aurra Sing, Darth Maul, & Boba Fett
This year the list of celebrity guests bring back some past favorites and a couple of newcomers to the annual Disney World Star Wars extravaganza. Making a sure to be well received return is Ray Park, best known as Darth Maul. He not only participates in the autograph sessions, but usually also host a special session showing off his martial arts talents that lead to his impressive display in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.

Also returning in 2012 are both the original Boba Fett, Jeremy Bulloch, and the actor that played the young version of Boba Fett, Daniel Logan, in Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones.

A new addition to the 2012 line-up is the actress/model who portrayed the mysterious bounty hunter Aurra Sing, Michonne Bourriague, that was seen in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. The character has also seen additional action in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series.

Schedule Of Celebrity Guests:

Ray Park at Star Wars Weekends

Weekend I (May 18 – 20)

Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Tom Kane at Star Wars Weekends

Weekend II (May 25- 27)

Andy Secombe (Watto – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend III (June 1 -3)

Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
(Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice talent – currently TBD)

Aurra Sing at Star Wars Weekends

Weekend IV (June 8- 10)

Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
Daniel Logan (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones)
Nika Futterman (voice of Asajj Ventress – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Aurra Sing & Darth Maul

Opening Dates Announced For Remaining Disney World Fantasyland Attractions

2012-04-27T12:14:00.001-04:00

The Walt Disney World Resort is undergoing a major construction project in the Magic Kingdom Theme Park where Fantasyland is receiving its largest expansion ever. Recently the first phase of the expanded Fantasyland has opened including the 1st part of the new Dumbo The Flying Elephant attraction and the revitalized Barnstormer Roller Coaster Starring The Great Goofini. Disney World has now released the expected opening dates for the remainder of the new attractions.

Opening Dates For New Fantasyland Attractions:

July 2012:
The next phase of Storybook Circus including the 2nd half of Dumbo The Flying Elephant attraction and the Casey Jr. Splash n' Soak Station.

Holiday Season 2012:
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern, and Ariel’s Grotto.

2014:
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride

Can't Wait!
Which attraction are you looking forward to experiencing? Is it one of the new rides or perhaps the innovative new Table Service Restaurant. Leave a comment to let us know!

Top Disney World Deal At The Harmony Barber Shop

2012-04-27T06:39:00.000-04:00

Everyone wants a great deal when they go on vacation, and that is certainly the case at the Walt Disney World Resort. One of the best deals can be found in this quiet looking Barber Shop tucked away in a corner on Main St. in the Magic Kingdom.

Harmony Barber Shop
The Harmony Barber Shop is a real functioning barber shop located within the Magic Kingdom. They are best known for providing 1st haircuts along with a special set of 1st Haircut Mickey Ears and a certificate, but they also do regular hair cuts all at reasonable rates.

The best deal at the Harmony Barber Shop has nothing to do with hair cutting at all. For only $7.50 Disney World Guests young or old can have colored hair gel applied to their hair, including the famous "Hidden Mickey" design and Tinker Bell "Pixie Dust" glitter.

Watch the transformation take place in the series of pictures below. The talented Disney Cast member does an excellent job creating the look that the guest wants, including customizing the colors.

The final look is great and expect to receive complements and questions about where you got it done. If you are careful it can last up to 3 days if you can refrain from visiting those temping Disney World swimming pools.

Great Disney World Deal!
If you are planning a special surprise for your family on your Disney World Vacation take them to the Harmony Barber Shop to get the special Hair Gel and Glitter treatment. You can't beat the low cost on this great Magic Kingdom Activity. They take walk ups so reservations are not required. The results are amazing and you will be so glad you took our advice.

An Amazing Disney Deluxe Dining Plan Experience

2012-04-26T06:03:00.000-04:00

Being a Disney Dining Plan veteran did not prepare me for the culinary experience that my family enjoyed when we tried the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan during a recent Disney World Vacation.

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
For the uninitiated, the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan turns your Walt Disney World Vacation into a near all inclusive culinary experience. Each day you receive 3 Table Service credits and 2 snack credits in Dining Plan speak. This means that you can enjoy three different meals at a multitude of Disney World sit down restaurants savoring an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage for each. this process repeats for night of your stay. You also receive two Disney designated snack items per person per night of your stay. On top of that you also receive refillable Drink Mugs to use at your resort during your stay.

If you use your credits properly you should not need to purchase any additional food during your Disney stay.

The Deluxe Dining Plan with its 3 Table service credits per day (including appetizer) is a far departure for the original Disney Dining Plan that includes 1 Table Service Meal (entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage), 1 Quick Service Meal, and 1 snack per night of your stay. You also receive refillable Drink Mugs to use at your resort during your stay.

You will find that you will spend a larger portion of your vacation sitting in restaurants, so this is not necessarily the best option for first time visitors or those with young (impatient) children. If you are looking for a relaxing, leisurely paced vacation where fine dining is one of the keys, then this may be the option for you.

Veteran Disney Dining Plan Tricks
For frequent visitors of Disney World, including especially Disney Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members, there is an advantage to breaking up your vacation into 2 separate resort stays. This allows you to choose whether you would like to purchase one of the Disney Dining Plan options for one or both parts of your stay.

By splitting up your vacation you can use the Dining Plan to its fullest capability and still not feel "burnt out" with too much food. We have found that sometimes an entire week on the Dining Plan can be a bit much. For our Deluxe Disney Dining Plan test we spent one night at the Old Key West Resort where we purchased the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan and then followed that up with an additional 6 nights at Disney's Animal Kingdom Kidani Village without the Dining Plan.

Another important fact to note is that all Dining Plans are good until midnight of the day that you check out. In our case since we checked into the Old Key West Resort on a Saturday afternoon, it meant that we had from our check-in time until midnight on Sunday night to use our Deluxe Dining Plan Credits, thereby spreading it out over a day and a half. This allowed us to avoid feeling overwhelmed with food and to be able to maximum the value of the credits with our dining choices.

Restaurant Choices
Dining at Disney World is never cheap, but there are certainly some dining experiences that are more expensive than others. It is in the guest's best interest to use the Disney Dining Plans when they wish to dine at the more expensive restaurants and either pay out of pocket or use other discounts (Disney Annual Passholder, Disney Vacation Club Member, or Tables In Wonderland)when dining at the others.

For our Deluxe Dining Plan Experience the 3 restaurants that we chose were: Kouzzina, Coral Reef, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Each provided a combination of intriguing menu choices and prices that justify using the Disney Dining Plan. For each meal that included appetizer, entree, non alcoholic beverage,and dessert our check averaged over $50 per person. All told including the actual 3 Table Service meals, snacks, and refillable drink mug, it averages slightly over $170 per person. Considering that we paid $85.52 per person for our one night of being on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan we saved 50%!

Choose Great Snacks!
Never settle for boring snack with your Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits. Although the Disney suggested representative snacks are: Soft drinks, coffee, and ice cream bars there are so many more options to enjoy. The snack choices vary widely and change frequently. You can obtain a variety of great breakfast items (danishes, muffins, warm giant cinnamon rolls, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit cups, etc.). There are also an unbelievable selection of dessert and pastry items available at many of the bakeries throughout Disney World. Starring Rolls at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot are 2 favorites.

There are even special treats in the candy shops and many different forms of ice cream and desserts at shops and stands everywhere. Explore and spend your credits well. We even used some snack credits during this trip to get some "Zebra Domes" at the Mara at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They are one of Disney World's most talked about treats and deservedly so.

Enjoy the Food!
Often it's all about the food, so expand your horizons. Try foods that you have never tried before, and above all, enjoy the experience! During this trip we tried the Greek specialties at Kouzzina that we recommended by our server, tasted Norwegian cuisine in their unique salad/appetizer bar, and enjoyed the delightful creations at the Coral Reef.

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan Experiment

Without a doubt the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is a lot of food. I don't know if I could handle an entire week of it. Our one day was amazing and I could easily see two or three days, but I don't know if I would want to do it longer than that. There is too much a Disney World to enjoy to spend the entire vacation enjoying the restaurants. I am definitely glad that we chose to try the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan and I can foresee us trying it again in the future. It was too much fun not to!

Experience The 2012 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

2012-04-24T21:19:00.001-04:00

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is one of the Disney World Special Events that everyone should make a point of trying to experience. This amazing transformation of the normally well landscaped Epcot into a sea of blooming colors and wonderful topiaries is a sight that everyone in your family will enjoy.

At the front of Epcot for the 2012 rendition of this annual festival you will find Mickey Mouse in one of his most popular roles as Sorcerer Mickey posing along with some of the other characters from Fantasia.

Throughout Epcot you will find amazing gardens and beds of flowers that literally take your breath away. During the entire festival, March 7 through May 20, the Disney Horticultural staff works hard to keep the plants blooming at their peak.

One of the best areas to explore is the France Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. Not only do you find beautifully landscaped gardens, but you will also find many special Disney Characters transformed into Topiaries.

Cinderella dancing with Prince Charming.

Princess Aurora dancing with Prince Phillip.

Belle and the Beast

The rest of the cast of Beauty and The Beast: Cogsworth, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, and Chip.

Container Gardens

Fans of container gardens will be truly inspired in the Italy Pavilion. There is an amazing array of container gardens that will encourage you to mimic once you return home. Also, who can't help but fall in love with the Lady & The Tramp topiaries?

Peter Pan takes center stage in the walkway between Future World and the World Showcase in a picturesque garden complete with topiaries from the Disney Classic Peter Pan.

Garden World Of Pixie Hollow
Some times the smallest details make the biggest impressions. That surely is proven true when you walk through the Garden World of Pixie Hollow. Here you will find Tinker Bell and her Fairy friends as well as some imaginative Fairy houses.

Experience The Magic Of Nature

There are so many different gardens, topiaries, and gardening related activities to enjoy that you will definitely have a different Epcot experience when you visit during this magical time of year. For the advanced gardener to be there are even seminars each weekend conducted by HGTV celebrity designers and night time concerts to enjoy as part of the Flower Power Concert Series.

All of this enjoyment is included with your Epcot admission for no additional charge. Plan your next Disney World Vacation to be during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and you will be glad you did!

Classic Disney World Food Items Make Great T-Shirts

2012-04-23T23:12:00.005-04:00

Now you can proudly show your love for classic Disney World Food items on great new T-shirts. Walt Disney World Resort guests have always shown great support for those Disney World classics such as: Turkey Legs, Churros, Mickey Ice Cream Bars, and the world famous Dole Whips. Now they can take that support one step further by picking up one of these great looking T-Shirts to let the world know that they are a fan.

Imagine the great conversations that you may get into with total strangers that share your love for Turkey Legs. These Disney World treats near iconic status and are long overdue to be emblazoned upon t-shirts so that the faithful can show their support.

Don't forget to add one of these shirts to your collection during your next Disney World Vacation!

Celebrate Earth Day At Disney World Or In Your Home Town

2012-04-22T08:32:00.001-04:00

Take the time this Earth Day, April 22, 2012, to think about what you can do to help protect the planet and the environment.

Disney World
If you are fortunate enough to be at the Walt Disney World Resort this weekend travel over to Epcot and enjoy the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival where you can not only enjoy all of the wonderful flowers and gardens, but learn new gardening techniques that conserve water.

You could also visit Disney's Animal Kingdom. Here spend the time talking to the Cast Members to learn more about the animals and their care or travel to Rafiki's Planet Watch where they have a number of exhibits and programs designed to teach people about preserving the planet and its creatures, large and small.

Disneynature chimpanzee
From your own home town you can go see the newly released Disneynature chimpanzee film. This Disney True Life Adventure takes you to Africa to meet Oscar. It is a story of family bonds and individual triumph.

From the Disney Nature Website:

Disneynature takes moviegoers deep into the forests of Africa with "Chimpanzee," a new True Life Adventure introducing an adorable young chimpanzee named Oscar and his entertaining approach to life in a remarkable story of family bonds and individual triumph. Oscar's playful curiosity and zest for discovery showcase the intelligence and ingenuity of some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom.

Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom Is New Interactive Hit at Disney World

2012-04-21T21:20:00.000-04:00

There is a new adventure to experience in the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. It combines interactive gaming technology, collectible trading cards, and Disney Characters and Storytelling to make a compelling new attraction to experience. The best part of it all is that the Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom is included with your admission to the Magic Kingdom Theme Park.

Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom
Merlin is looking to recruit Sorcerers to help him defeat Hades and other Disney Villains in an effort to retrieve portions of a crystal ball with magical properties. By agreeing to help Merlin you can spend as much or as little time as you wish traveling to different lands of the Magic Kingdom (currently Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland, & Main Street ) to participate in the story and help Merlin defeat the Disney Villains.

The process starts at the Fire Station (Engine Co 71) on Main Street. Here you can get signed up and take an initial tutorial to learn how the game works. All you need to participate is your theme park admission ticket.

After you check in, the Cast Members will swipe your Park ticket and give you a Key Card and a pack of 5 Spell Cards.

While you are here you may see Merlin and hear him describe your mission.

You will also see Hades and hear how he is planning to defeat Merlin and gather the pieces of the crystal.

When you receive your key card (shown above) and your 5 spell cards you will also be given a map to all of the portals that you will be using to play the game. The Cast Member will also let you know which portal you need to go to in order to start your adventure. This is important since you can only start at the specific portal that they tell you. If you go to a different one, it will let you know that you are in the wrong place and show you where you need to go next.

Do not lose your key card. Although it does not look special, it actually has an RFID device embedded in it that reacts with the games and uniquely identifies you as the player. This information is then linked to your park ticket. Pretty impressive use of technology.

Playing The Game
Once you get to the designated portal it is time to play the game. You take your key card and touch it to the lock at the portal (see picture above). This activates the system and starts the interactive video.

Follow the on-screen instructions to play along. They will prompt you when it is time to use one of your spell cards.

To actually use your card you hold it in front of you and cameras recognize the card that you are using and have a specific response based upon the spell card that you have chosen to use.

Each mini-adventure takes approximately 5 segments to complete. You can continue on additional adventures until you have defeated all of the Disney Villains.

Spell Cards
One exciting aspect of this interactive game is the collectible trading cards that you receive for free. Each day you can get another free pack of 5 cards. Currently there is 70 different cards in the series with each having a unique Disney Character and scene.

The reverse side of the spell cards all have the Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom crest. You are asked several times during the game to use that side of the cards to help you defeat the villains.

The cards are fun to use to help you cast different spells as you battle the Disney Villains. They are also collectible and they are fun to trade in order to try to collect a complete set. Currently you cannot purchase additional cards from Disney, you can only receive them for free in daily packs of 5.

Great Use Of Interactive Technology!
The Sorcerers Of The Magic Kingdom is a fun game that is surprisingly addictive. You saw people both young and old enjoying the game and collecting the cards. This is a great activity for people that have done all of the attractions and are looking for something different to do or an alternative activity to avoid long lines. It is highly recommended to check out during your Disney World Vacation.

Avengers Monorail Arrives To Protect Disney World

2012-04-21T09:21:00.003-04:00

The Avengers have arrived at the Walt Disney World Resort and you can find them adorning one of their famous monorails. This eye catching transformation of the monorail not only looks great, but it also promotes the May 4th arrival of the Marvel Studios movie: "Marvel's The Avengers."

The Avengers
The Avengers monorail brings to life this team of superheroes that are making their big screen debut as a group after several recent movies starring the superheroes individually.

The Avengers, for this movie, is made up of: The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Nick Fury.

Here you can see a close-up view of Iron Man and Captain America.

You can make out the Hulk in the above picture.

Close-up of Hawkeye.

Closer view of Thor.

Disney World Monorail

This is the 2nd time in recent history that Disney World has re-themed a monorail to promote a movie. The previous one was for the Tron sequel: Tron Legacy, that came out in 2010. Although it is obvious that the remake of the monorail is blatant advertising, they look great and attract a lot of attention as they make their circuits around Disney World.

The Barnstormer Roller Coaster At Disney World Is Now Better Than Ever

2012-04-19T21:34:00.000-04:00

The best roller coaster for kids at the Walt Disney World Resort has recently re-opened after a change to incorporate it as part of the new Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. It's called The Barnstormer Starring The Great Goofini. It is the only attraction to remain in any form from Mickey's Toontown Fair. We are glad to see that this great beginning roller coaster is now better than ever.

Storybook Circus Presents: The Barnstormer Starring The Great Goofini
The new name of this little roller coaster in the new Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland is a quite a mouthful: The Barnstormer Starring The Great Goofini. The roller coaster keeps the barnstorming airplane theme that it held previously, but many new changes have been made to the props surrounding the attraction.

The transition from farm theme to circus theme has been smoothly made and the ride has never looked better. Goofy is now a dare devil for the circus called the Great Goofini.

Beyond the theming is what makes this attraction so special. It is a true roller coaster that is big enough for adults to ride (with or without children), yet it is mild enough to introduce children to the great thrill of riding a roller coaster.

Must Do Disney World Roller Coaster!
This is a ride that all families should put on their Disney World Must Do list. Check it out for the great new theming and ride it over and over to enjoy this fun little roller coaster.

Fantasyland Construction Update At Disney World's Magic Kingdom

2012-04-17T06:02:00.000-04:00

The largest expansion ever for Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom Theme Park at the Walt Disney World Resort is taking shape with the first phase now open. As you will see in the pictures posted in this article, great progress can also be seen on the remainder of the project.

Storybook Circus
The first phase of the Fantasyland Expansion to open is part of the new Storybook Circus area. Magic Kingdom fans will notice that this is located in the area previously occupied by Mickey's Toontown Fair. Guests can enjoy part of the new Dumbo attraction, although the entire double Dumbo is not complete.

The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini is now completed and guests can enjoy this excellent beginner roller coaster that is very well themed.

Construction Continues
Progress can be seen on the other, as yet to be opened attractions in the new Fantasyland area. The above picture shows what will become the Journey Of The Little Mermaid attraction.

You can compare this to the Disney World Fantasyland Construction Update from October 2011. There has been a lot of progress made throughout the area. You can now notice the beginnings of the structure that will become the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride.

For Disney Dining lovers the new Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston's Tavern are much anticipated additions to Fantasyland. The Be Our Guest Restaurant, which will be located within Beast's Castle, will provide another Table Service Dining location within the Magic Kingdom and promises to provide an interactive dining experience with state of the art technology.

No dates have been given yet as to the opening of the next phase, but it is expected to happen later during 2012. The expansion project will not be completed until 2013.

Disney World Easter Snacks & Cupcakes

2012-04-15T14:34:00.000-04:00

Disney World guests are in for a treat literally when it comes to the Easter and Spring themed snacks, treats, and cupcakes that are available for a limited time at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Easter Themed Cupcakes

The cupcake artists at Disney World have created a new line of cupcakes for Easter 2012 to enjoy. The signature cupcake complete with Bunny Ears is pictured above. You could find it at Disney's Hollywood Studios in that cupcake fan favorite Starring Rolls Cafe. It was also available at other locations as well.

Easter Bunny shaped crisped rice treats were also a big hit.

Easter egg crisped rice treats with a variety of chocolate decorations are also available.

The bakery/candy counter at the Confectionery on Main St. in the Magic Kingdom had a wide variety of rabbit themed snacks at treats to enjoy.

Special Disney World Snacks & Treats
Disney World fans with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed at the great selection of sugary goodies that can be found throughout the Walt Disney World Resort for Easter and Spring.