WDW Daily News

If there’s one thing Disney parks are good at, it’s giving you opportunities to spend money. Not that there’s anything wrong with that: Disney attractions, rides and resorts deliver a brand of magic worth the price of admission.

But those admission costs add up, often making getting the biggest bang for your buck a challenge. Luckily, a bevy of bloggers have done your homework for you. Here are 10 expert tips from some of the top Disney fanatics to help you navigate the spendiest place on earth.

Full Story

Disney has just released the perfect movie to get you into the Halloween spirit.  Tim Burton’s classic THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Sing-Along Edition is a must have for anyone who loves this fun-filled holiday film.  The Blu-ray includes two versions….the original full-length movie and the sing-along edition.  Of course I chose to sing-along.  With amazing songs like This is Halloween, What’s This, and Oogie Boogie’s Song, it is impossible not to belt it out with Jack Skellington and the other creepy characters. As a huge fan of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World, This is Halloween has always been my favorite. In fact, Jack, Sally, Oogie Boogie, and Zero are literally sitting in the front window of my house right now as I listen again to the songs. I am half expecting them to start dancing around my living room! THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Sing-Along Edition also has fantastic bonus extras like deleted scenes, audio commentary with Tim Burton and Danny Elfman, and Tim Burton’s early films Vincent and Frankenweenie. In my opinion, the best bonus is “What’s This?” Jack’s Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour.  If you have never been to Disneyland California to see the Haunted Mansion decorated for Halloween and Christmas, then you need to make your vacation plans today.  It is so awesome! This bonus extra takes us behind-the-scenes to see how THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS takes over the classic attraction.  I absolutely love to learn how the Imagineers “plus” an attraction for us. The details that have gone into the holiday decorations are mind blowing.  Who knew that the giant gingerbread house in the Ballroom Scene is real and that it is different every year? I never even noticed the hidden Mickeys made of snow.  I love that so much thought was put into it to make it a must-see for guests. Now if only Walt Disney World in Florida would do it too then my east coast vacations would be complete!  Tim Burton’s THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: Sing-Along Edition is frightful fun for the entire family from preschoolers all the way up to grandmas and grandpas.  So find your bowl of Halloween candy, put on your Santa hat, start singing, and enjoy this holiday mash-up!

We all have a travel bucket list. If yours includes visiting all of the Disney parks around the world, the international Disney features that are totally different from U.S. parks means that each experience on your Disney world tour will be fresh and exciting. New York Times writer Brooks Barnes completed his tour of every Disney park in 2014, and noted that while there are definitely differences, the Disney spirit is alive everywhere.

Full Story

The renderings of new Orlando attractions that Disney Parks unveiled a year ago — including a roller coaster based on the movie “Tron,” another based on “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and a Star Wars themed hotel — have now turned into concrete and steel.

Full Story

The kids are back in school. Summer is winding down. Halloween decorations are popping up in stores. Sounds like the perfect time for Disney to release a Blu-ray of its Halloween cult classic, HOCUS POCUS. It has been 25 years since Disney originally released HOCUS POCUS in theaters. Releasing the movie in July of 1993 wasn’t the greatest idea for a Halloween movie so it was a bit of a flop in theaters at the time. Over the years, however, with VHS, DVD, television, and now Blu-ray, HOCUS POCUS has become a holiday classic for every generation in your family. The movie stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the wicked Sanderson sisters who return to life in Salem after being away for 300 years. Yes, the flying scenes and magic spells are pretty cheesy compared to the high tech computer animation of today, but it is still great fun! It is also a bit edgy for a Disney family movie with references to virgins and hell. Some of the jokes are certainly for the grown-ups in the room. The silly action is for the kids. HOCUS POCUS: Anniversary Edition comes with an amazing bonus feature. You can watch a pop-up edition of the movie in HOCUS POCUS: Trivia and Treats Edition. Here you can watch the entire movie and learn about the film through cast and crew interviews, trivia, storyboards and concept art, and behind-the-scene secrets. I am always a huge fan of that!  The three Sanderson sisters have become pop culture icons as they can be found on tshirts, phone cases and even home decor. I have also seen them at various Comic Cons that I have attended over the years. I think that solidifies their status at Disney villains. Disney HOCUS POCUS:Anniversary Edition is the perfect movie to kick off the Halloween season with your family. You may just think differently about any black cats you see in the neighborhood on Halloween night!

I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream during the heat of the summer — especially when visiting Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World is home to countless frozen treats but there are so many delicious options that go far beyond the famous Mickey premium ice cream bar.

Full Story

Once again, WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON Chicago-2018 was amazing!  The moment you drive into the area you just know you are going to a special event.  Where else can you see superheroes, anime characters, and pop culture icons walking down the street together? Seeing a dad and 5 year old son in Ghostbuster uniforms is beyond cute. No matter what you are a fan of, you will find it at WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON.  I have to admit my favorites were the two guys dressed as Parks and Recreation character Andy Dwyer dressed as Bert Macklin-FBI and Johnny Karate. Chris Pratt would have been so proud! I I also love that this is a great family event.  Parents sharing their memories and new experiences is just what kids need today. I literally did not see one child on an electronic device while we were there. I can’t say that very often these days. The generation cross over is what makes WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON so popular.  Families and friends can come together in one space. My 21 year old daughter has found “her people” at WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON over the years.  A shy introvert puts on a wig and her cosplay costume and transforms into an outgoing extrovert.  In fact, she has even hosted panels at smaller Cons in the Midwest. Talk about coming out of her shell. Even if you aren’t quite brave enough to wear a costume, there is so much to look at and explore.  There are thousands of comics to peruse. If collectibles are your thing, you will spend hours shopping and sharing your finds with other like-minded individuals. I can’t leave out the incredible artwork.  I am always mesmerized by the artists who are creating masterpieces on site. So much creativity in one building!  If celebrity sightings peak your interest, then WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON Chicago-2018 was the place to be for sure. From movies and television to animation and wrestling, you could probably find someone who made you starstruck.  Ian Somerhalder, James Marsters, and Michael Rooker were very popular.  We lucked out and saw Michael Rooker talking to some friends on the show floor.  The Walking Dead and Guardians of the Galaxy fan in me was freaking out…low key of course. My daughter is a huge fan of voice actors so Rob Paulson and Maurice LaMarche were on the top of our list.  How can anyone not like Pinky and the Brain? WIZARD WORLD COMIC CON is something everyone should experience at least once.  I guarantee that you will be hooked after that first visit.  It is just so much fun! If you missed out on Chicago, don’t worry because you still have a chance to attend in Tulsa, Austin, Sacramento, Springfield, Montgomery and Madison.  Go to WIZARDWORLD.COM for more information and follow WIZARD WORLD on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Calling all vacationers who know a thing or two about the power of magic: The Disney Parks Moms Panel is looking for you! Entering its 12^th year, the search for the Disney Parks Moms Panel (www.DisneyParksMomsPanel.com) will be open Sept. 5-12, 2018, inviting park-savvy Disney buffs to apply for a coveted spot to serve on the popular online forum. Disney welcomes dads, moms, in-the-know family members and anyone who feels they’ve spent as much time at a Disney park as Mickey Mouse himself to apply at www.momspanelsearch.com for a chance to be a part of the magic.

The Disney Parks Moms Panel is an online resource comprised of everyday parents, grandparents and even adults without kids who share first-hand advice with those planning a Disney vacation, while offering personal guidance on any and all topics surrounding Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and beyond. The panel offers recommendations on vacation “musts” and information on a variety of Disney experiences and activities, such as identifying the most incredible experiences for toddlers at Disneyland Resort’s new Pixar Pier, reccomendations on what to order at Woody’s Lunch Box in the newly opened Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort, or how to uncover the best snorkeling spots on Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay. New this year, the Disney Parks Moms Panel will be more accessible than ever with answers optimized for search engines and home assistant devices – a first for Disney Parks and Resorts – allowing the panelists to reach even more Disney guests around the world.

“My passion for creating epic Disney getaways led me to the Disney Parks Moms Panel,” said Jerry M., one of the Disney dads on the panel. “The magic of the Disney Parks Moms Panel is our collective experience and our diverse backgrounds coming together that make this panel so informative. Our mission is to be everyone’s trusted guides when it comes to planning a Disney vacation, offering heartfelt advice from our own experiences. Together, as a panel, we’ve just about done it all!”

“It is truly rewarding to see Disney guests come together and share their personal stories and experiences in an effort to help others plan a memorable Disney vacation,” said Leanne O’Regan, Director of Public Relations for Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “For 12 years, the Disney Parks Moms Panel has helped millions of people around the world plan outstanding Disney vacations with over 250,000 questions and answers available at any given time, all thanks to the impressive group of panelists who are chosen each year. We encourage those who have a passion for sharing their knowledge on all things Disney Parks to be our guest and apply to the 2019 Disney Parks Moms Panel!”

How to Apply

Applications for the 2019 Disney Parks Moms Panel will be accepted from noon EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, through noon EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. To apply, visit www.momspanelsearch.com. The application process includes a series of short-answer questions, a brief video submission and a phone interview over three rounds. The 2019 Disney Parks Moms Panelists will be announced in January. Applicants selected must be available to attend a training session at Walt Disney World Resort from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 2018. Panelists are selected based on their wealth of Disney knowledge, as well as their ability to communicate authentic answers to those seeking assistance for their upcoming trips.