WDW Daily News

There are many things that can put a damper on or even ruin a Walt Disney World vacation. Not budgeting enough money might be the biggest, but not allowing for some down time or not wearing the right shoes can do as much damage. On my last visit I was reminded of another spoiler, the weather. Whether it is rain, heat or COLD, you must be prepared or your time will be less than magical.

I have written many articles about the Florida weather. For the most part it can be summed up the following statement: on any given day during the summer months, it is hot and humid with the possibility of a strong afternoon thunderstorm; and from November to March, it is cooler and less humid but can vary greatly.

We all know a daily rain shower in the summer months is a given, that sunscreen is required and that staying hydrated is a must. But I cannot remind everyone enough that the weather can be quite chilly, even cold, sometimes. While it rarely snows in the Orlando area, it may frost and or freeze with temperatures falling into the 30s. The wind can also play a part! Wind-chills can mean that even though the thermometer reads one temperature the air will feel much colder. For me, cold weather can disrupt a day at Disney more that rain!

I have visited when I wore shorts, a t-shirt and sandals one night and needed long pants, shirt and jacket with a hat and gloves the next! Being prepared is the key. Of course Disney will sell Guests items to keep warm. The minute the temp begins to drop out come the hoodies, gloves and hats; much like when it rains out come the ponchos. I have even seen Guests buy blankets or beach towels to wrap up in on cool evenings. But maybe that isn’t the souvenir that you wanted to buy. Being prepared will save your souvenir money as well as keep you warm.

Nothing is as miserable as walking around cold. Just as you would want to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated, putting on a hat to keep your ears warm and layering your clothing is smart. You have spent the money to enjoy the sights. Believe me you can enjoy the ‘snow’ on Main Street even more in a jacket and warm!

Walt Disney World is constantly changing. Some changes are more visible than others, like the expansion we now call Fantasy Land at the Magic Kingdom. Some are smaller and mostly behind the scenes. Never the less, change is constant. Walt himself was quoted as saying, “”It’s something that will never be finished. Something that I can keep developing…and adding to.” Although he was referring to Disneyland at the time, I believe it would apply to all the Parks.

He also said, “In this volatile business of ours, we can ill afford to rest on our laurels, even to pause in retrospect. Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.” Change is the future. We may not always agree with the change but in the big picture, change drives us forward. And when it doesn’t? Well, let’s hope those in charge are willing to admit when change isn’t for the better and reevaluate.

Over the years many attractions have come and gone. The list is extensive; there are even web pages devoted to the topic. Some went without fan fare; while others have a fan base, like Mister Toad’s Wild Ride and Off Kilter, screaming to be heard. Some of the changes happened before I ever visited for the first time so I am not aware of what I lost; while other more recent changes have saddened me greatly. I never knew there was a daytime show in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT but I bet it was fun to see. I do however remember the Tapestry of Nations Parade and wish it would come back, even on a limited basis. I did ride the Skyway from Tomorrow Land to Fantasy Land on one visit to the Magic Kingdom. I even visited Discovery Island before it closed.

Each Guest has their favorite attractions and experiences. Some of which are must dos on every trip, until there is a change. And some new attractions quickly become must dos. I miss the underlying story of the Poachers on the safari ride in Animal Kingdom but enjoy the addition of the zebras and the addax. I really miss Mickey’s Toon Town although the attention to detail in the new décor is interesting and fun. And remember 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? That can never be replaced. Some attractions are just timeless. New attractions are sometimes embraced with joy and enthusiasm by Guests. For example, Seven Dwarfs Mine ride seems to be quite popular. Try getting a Fast Pass! Others may not be as popular or may take time to get a following.

While many of us are repeat visitors, Guests that know what we want to see and do, others are visiting for the first time. These first time Guests may find some of the new attractions become their favorites. Fresh ideas and updates to attractions keep Guests coming while favorite attractions keep Guests coming back.
There is sentiment in things staying the same, nostalgia. We like to relive the past, return to our youth and maybe even share those memories with future generations. But there is excitement in new things, experiencing them for the first time, seeing new technology develop. Change pushes us forward. Memories ground us. A mix of both is the magic of Disney.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is getting the largest makeover in its history. The hotel has launched a multi-phase, multi-year, $125 million redesign project that will transform every guest room in the 758-room Swan Hotel and the 1,509-room Dolphin Hotel.

“As we celebrate the hotel’s 25th anniversary, it is appropriate that we mark the occasion with a renaissance of our room product,” said General Manager Fred Sawyers. “Our guests will continue to receive the level of service and hospitality that comes with a quarter century of experience while enjoying a modern new guest room.”

The transformation will occur without disruption to the guest experience as the majority of guest rooms will be available throughout the process. The hotel’s public spaces, restaurants, meeting rooms, shops, pools and recreational areas will not be impacted and remain fully operational throughout the renovation.

Noted hotel and condominium interior design and architecture firm Garcia Stromberg/GS4 Studios, designers of the Conrad Hotel Ft. Lauderdale, the Waldorf Astoria’s Boca Beach Club and One Thousand Ocean condominium in Boca Raton, Fla., created the concept for the new rooms.

The new room design is inspired by the resort’s water-themed architecture. The goal was to create a serene and sophisticated atmosphere.

The guest room features upgraded furniture and all of the latest technology including large HD TVs.  Additional power outlets provide corporate executives and family travelers more options for use of multiple personal electronics.

Blending an artistic combination of whites, blues and grays, the design creates a tasteful ambiance that appeals to adults while abstract artwork playfully delights children as well.

The centerpiece of the room is the famous Westin Heavenly Bed with its all-white custom-designed pillow-top mattress set, cozy down blanket, a trio of crisp sheets, goose down comforter and four over-stuffed pillows.

The design continues into a completely new bathroom, featuring a back-lit mirror mounted on iridescent glass tiles.

The project will start at the Swan Hotel, with approximately 500 of the 756 rooms redesigned by the end of 2014. The first phase of the Dolphin Hotel rooms will begin in 2016 with the entire rooms project currently scheduled for completion by the end of 2017.

This year has been the year of firsts for me with Disney. It’s my first year being here for the Halloween Season ( Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was AWESOME!!). It’s my first year being here for the Food and Wine Festival (i.e- that time I tried snails on purpose). And it will be my first year being in the parks for the Holiday season. But my most exciting first this year is….MY VERY FIRST DISNEY CRUISE!!! That’s right guys I’ll be cruise with the mouse himself in December! To say I’m excited is pretty much the understatement of the year, but I have to say I’m a little bit nervous because I have no idea what to expect. I’ll be traveling with two of my closest friends that have cruised with the mouse before so I’m very happy they’ll know what they are doing, but still I’m a wee bit nervous of what a Disney cruise entails.

From my research I know I’ll be spending a fair amount of time on the ship itself—I’ll be traveling on The Disney Dream which looks absolutely amazing! I’ve been reading up on the dining options and I think I’m most excited about the Animator’s Palate. I’ve been checking out videos of the Aquaduck because I’m the biggest chicken ever when it comes to water slides but I’m determined to try it out! And of course I’ve got my blank vinyalmation all set for character autographs! Since it will be a Holiday cruise there are special offerings just for Christmas but one thing I’m very excited about participating is Fish Extenders! Essentially it’s secret santa with a group of cabins through your cruise. I’ve been steady working on my gifts and bar packaging I’m almost done making them. If you look on pinterest you’ll find a host of fun ideas for gifts and even the doorhangers to collect them in!
I have no clue how I’m going to package my gifts just yet, but I’ll figure it out eventually. For now I’m making sure I’m swimsuit ready and reading up on seasickness remedies just in case. When we get a little closer to sailing time I’ll have even more fun things to tell you about, but that’s all for now. Any other Disney Cruisers here? Help me out with some tips for an awesome time! I’d love to hear! 😀

After you run through Disney’s Hollywood Studios and make a break for Toy Story Midway Mania or take a spin on a starspeeder at Star Tours, take some time out of your day to explore the One Man’s Dream exhibit. This attraction is akin to a museum that tells the story of Walt Disney from his humble beginnings to the creation of the many Disney Parks that we love today. We can thank D23, the official Disney Fan Club, for giving us this fantastic exhibition of Walt Disney’s life. Now, I am a fan of history, and when you mix history and Disney World, that is more than I can handle. I have to say that this attraction has something to appeal to every park guest. There are many displays of pictures from the past of the Disney family as well as Walt’s grammar school desk. Yes, the actual desk that Walt occupied in school; it even has a “W.D.” carved into the desk! You can see a recreation of Walt’s office from his days at the studios as well as early animation experiments. Walt enjoyed creating miniatures, and one of his miniature houses is even on display. To think that Walt actually built this small house with all of its tiny furnishings is just so surreal.

In addition to these types of displays, there are also different cases that house vintage park souvenirs as well as costumes from movies and television shows of the past. A great deal of artwork lines the walls, and there are even some pieces from old attractions showcased at the rear of the exhibit. Many videos are also shown as you make your way through this attraction. You can even watch Walt explain the Florida Project in full detail on endless loop. I have found myself standing and watching this for at least a few loops, I must admit. At the end of the tour, there are models of Disney Parks throughout the world. These models are truly impressive and show the huge amount of detail that Disney Imagineers pay to attractions and parks when they are being designed. After you tour the entire gallery, you can watch a video about the life and times of Walt Disney. This video is informative and takes a nostalgic look back at Walt’s life and his untimely death in 1966.

There are so many shows and attractions to see during your trip to the World, but it is worth it to take some time to visit with the man who made all of the magic possible. This attraction is worth your time, and you will learn something. Maybe you will be inspired to go out and create your own magic! Enjoy the photos of some of the items that you will see as you experience this attraction. Till next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!

“The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn’t you ever dream of a house up on a tree top?”-William Robinson

There’s a new contest going on to win a private party in the Haunted Mansion and a night’s stay in the royal suite of Cinderella’s Castle. Imagine how much fun that would be! I think the party would be really cool, as the Haunted Mansion is one of my all-time favorite “must dos” when visiting. I know the spiel, the music, the words of Madame Leota…The overnight in the castle, although certainly a Disney fanatic’s dream come true, would not be my first location choice to stay inside the park.

Aside from a peek out the windows at night, after the park has closed you are pretty much confined to the suite itself. If you require anything, there is a concierge posted outside your door to assist you. No all-night exploring the park on your own or raiding the kitchen at Cinderella’s Royal Table-bummer! I do think you can get pizza delivered, however.

Don’t get me wrong, if I would ever win the stay, I would certainly not turn it down- just for the bragging rights alone, but there is another place in the park that I’d much rather have a chance to hang up my mouse ears for a night.

I’m talking about the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House! This often overlooked and passed by attraction is original to opening day of the Magic Kingdom in 1971. According to Disney-Wiki it stands roughly 60 feet tall and 90 feet wide and is constructed of steel, concrete and stucco. There are 116 steps, 9 limbs, 1,400 branches and 300,000 polyethylene leaves. Looks real enough to me!

Like many visitors, I have my certain habits when in the Magic Kingdom. Some have to visit the Partners statue for a photo, some head right to the Astro Orbiter or Walt Disney Railroad. I head over to Adventure Land to enjoy a Dole Whip and then venture up the stairs of the tree house. The views from high up are amazing and you’re far from the crowds of pedestrians below. Music plays from the family’s organ, repeating the Swiss Polka in the upper family dining room. Many times I’ve been the only one up there and could take my time to take photos and just relax. (Catch the fireworks from up here…AMAZING although slightly obscured from view.)
I grew up with tree houses and camping out in the woods so this is of particular interest to me. I imagine myself stretched out in a hammock or on the bed as the park guests leave and the night crew comes in to do the nightly cleaning and maintenance. It would be even better if there was a light rain and cool breeze… No cell phone, no internet…just the sounds of the night creatures above and the cast members below. Give me a good book and I’d be in heaven!

Younger guests today are probably not too familiar with the Robinson family’s story. I admit I had to refresh my memory with a reading of the book by Johann David Wyss and viewing of the 1960’s Disney classic movie, which by the way gave me an even greater appreciation to the details of this awesome attraction. Hopefully the same can be an inspiration for future guests.

There were rumors at one time going around that the imagineers were thinking of giving the old tree an overhaul and tying in a new theme to Tarzan. As much as I liked Tarzan, he’s fine swinging overhead in the Great Movie Ride. This is a great representation of the classic novel and movie. I’m all for the education and bringing to light the history of this story rather than replacing it with an animated feature tie in. [Think Maelstrom/Frozen] But that’s just me, nostalgic and appreciative of what is there.

If they wanted to do something along the lines of Tarzan or Jungle Book…how cool would it be to have a series of tree houses to stay in overlooking the Kilimanjaro safari trail? Or even better, a complete tree top habitat on the original Discovery Island with rustic amenities and shipwrecked theme? Now that would be dream to come true! In the meantime, check out the SFR tree house, it is well worth the climb!

There are so many different things to buy on the Disney store. But one of the hidden treasures are the books you can buy. The “Art of” books. The “Art of” books are books that tell the story of how the animators got from the drawing board to the big screen. They show you pictures of the original sketches and the first sketches of the main characters. They then go through the step by step process of how the animation team did location scouting for the setting and the original pictures they took. If you have any interest in learning the history of the making of your favorite movie, I’d look into purchasing the book. They run a bit expensive on disneystore.com. Around $44-$49. But on eBay, some run for as low as $10 preowned. They’re great coffee table books or even a rainy day read. Stay Magical!

A Disney park is the last place you want to be with a heavy backpack or weighed-down purse. Not only is it tiring to carry around a 15-pound bag; nobody wants to be that person holding up the line because they can’t find their wallet in a purse that could easily pass as Mary Poppins’ never-ending carpet bag! Instead, I try to consolidate as much as possible for a trip to the parks. Here are my Disney park essentials that will make for a happier back and vacation!

1. The Bag- First, you need to start with the perfect bag. If you have littler kids and will need a bit more during your time in the parks, find a comfortable, sturdy backpack that will hold everything. Otherwise, I like to use a smaller backpack or a medium-sized cross-body purse.

2. Wallet- Even if you have a credit card linked to your MagicBand, it’s a good idea to keep your wallet with you in the parks in case you would need your photo ID or a little extra cash/change. Back in the “old days,” I would keep my park ticket and Fastpasses in my wallet, but with all of the new technology, tangible tickets are quickly becoming obsolete!

3. Cell Phone- Not only is your cell phone a good communication device, it also is a useful tool for rescheduling Fastpasses, reservations, and much more on the go! Make sure you have the MyDisneyExperience app downloaded and ready to go before your trip starts! Even though my phone usually starts out in my bag, by the end of the day it’s made its way into my pocket for quick access.

4. Poncho- This one is optional, especially depending on the day and season you’re in the parks. Either a cheap poncho from the Dollar Store or a nicer, heavy-duty one will work, but it is nice to be prepared for one of those Florida storms! (and not have to overpay for a Disney parks poncho!)

5. Park Map and Times Guide- Even though many of us know most of the parks by heart, it’s always a good idea to have a park map handy. They can be a helpful tool for figuring out where you want to eat, what you want to do next, or what time a show is playing.

6. Snacks/Candy- Be prepared to settle that “rumbly in your tumbly” with a granola bar or some gummy fruit snacks. Of course, candy is something that can be enjoyed while you’re waiting in line or just walking around the park!

7. Bandaids- Unfortunately, this is something I can speak about with some experience: always have a few bandaids packed! Whether it’s a blister from a new pair of shoes or a scrape from falling down at Tom Sawyer’s Island, you never know when you’re going to need one!

8. Medications- If needed, make sure you pack some motion-sickness pills for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or pain-killers to take care of a nasty headache, as well as any other medications that you may need.
Even though you will have to go through the bag check to get into each park, the line usually moves fairly fast. I definitely think it’s worth it to have some of these necessary items on hand!

Just a little side note: I will be in Walt Disney World next week (October 18-25) to celebrate my sixteenth birthday, so I’ll probably be doing a lot of live-tweeting and instagramming while we’re there! If you want to follow along on our adventures, my handle for both Twitter and Instagram is @disnemma.

Check out the new Haunted Mansion merchandise location “Memento Mori”
now open at the Magic Kingdom!

I’ve just returned from a week-long trip to Orlando and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival was in its second week, going full swing. Thirty six designated stations this year (although some are existing venues with festival offerings). There were a few repeats from last year and many new offerings as well.

Puerto Rico returned this year and judging from the long lines to the kiosk, it was missed by many. I had the Carne guisada con arroz blanco: Slow-braised beef with Puerto Rican-grown rice-delicious! Actually everything I sampled was very good. I even tried the CraB’less CraB Cake with pepper slaw and Cajun remoulade at Terra. I’m normally not a fan of protein substitutes but it was also delicious.

Be sure to stop at the Festival Center in Future World to pick up a “passport”. They are available at most of the kiosks and merchandise outlets, but a look around the Festival Center is a good way to start out and plan your strategy for all of that wonderful food. The first day I attended I stopped in to look at this year’s merchandise and Chef Robert Irvine was giving a food demo. That was a nice surprise.

The food booths are relatively close to one another and the lines, regardless of how long they are move very quickly. Pace yourself! It is very easy to bounce from one to the next in minutes and the next thing you know you’re full. I suggest having a sample or two, then stop to enjoy a beverage (if you have not paired one with the food item) and just sit and relax between “countries”.

Last year I had three days to cover the festival, this year I had seven. I managed to hit most of the booths in four days and I tried something at each one. The connection between your MagicBand and credit card (for guests staying at a WDW Resort) saves a lot of time and fumbling with cards and cash. There is also a miniature Disney gift card that is on an elastic wristband that you can load up with funds to wear on your arm.
Having a group of friends to do the festival with is ideal as you can all get something different and share to get a wider selection from each country. As I was traveling alone, I stuck with one choice needless to say I had to spread my time out so as not to get too stuffed right away.

The festival was originally started during the “off season” to bring additional guests to the park that normally would not travel at this time. Because of its increased popularity from year to year, more and more countries are added, the dates have been extended and the merchandise tie in grows, too.

Prices for items are quite reasonable, considering regular resort pricing and compares well with most other food events that I have attended. I do recommend going later in October or towards the end of the festival at the beginning of November. The last couple of years I have been in Orlando in late September, the temp has been quite high and it was very rainy and humid this year.

Between the concerts, the demonstrations, private tastings and all of those great food booths, there is definitely something for everyone. And if you have a particular favorite restaurant in the World Showcase that is usually very busy…this is a great time to enjoy it with far fewer guests.