Deconstructing Disney World

Disney to Host ESPN The Weekend 2011

2011-02-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

ESPN The Weekend 2011 will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex March 3-6, 2011. Highlights will include the ESPN Interactive Sports Zone, Fan Q&A with Athletes, Celebrity Game Shows, Athlete Motorcades, ESPN Live TV Telecasts and ESPN Radio Live Broadcasts of Mike & Mike in the Morning featuring cohosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, NFL Live, First Take, Baseball Tonight and much more. Don’t miss it!

Scheduled participants at ESPN The Weekend 2011 include:

Athletes
Anquan Boldin, NFL
Darrell Green, NFL
Alonzo Mourning, NBA Legend
Darrelle Revis, NFL
Frank Thomas, MLB Legend
Joba Chamberlain, MLB
Mia Hamm, Soccer Legend
Urban Meyer, Former Coach
Cal Ripken Jr., MLB Legend
Roddy White, NFL
Tony Dorsett, NFL Legend
Brandon Jacobs, NFL
Chad Ochocinco, NFL
Bart Scott, NFL
Bernie Williams, MLB Legend
DeAngelo Williams, NFL
Jason Witten, NFL

ESPN Personalities
Skip Bayless, ESPN First Take
Colin Cowherd, The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Nomar Garciaparra, MLB Analyst
Merril Hoge, NFL Live
Mark Schlereth, NFL Analyst
Derrick Brooks, ESPN First Take
Jay Crawford, ESPN First Take
Mike Golic, Mike & Mike in the Morning
Dana Jacobson, ESPN First Take
Howie Schwab, Stump the Schwab
Tedy Bruschi, ESPN Analyst
Herm Edwards, NFL Live
Mike Greenberg, Mike & Mike in the Morning
Ron Jaworski, NFL Analyst
Trey Wingo, NFL Live

For more information about ESPN The Weekend, visit www.espn.go.com/espntheweekend.

Note: Appearances scheduled to change without notice. 2011 ESPN The Weekend is included with the regular theme park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Traveling to Orlando for ESPN The Weekend? Check out the great deals at Westgate Resorts! Visit www.westgatedestinations.com for more information.

Upcoming Celebration Events for 2011

2011-01-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Winter Sidewalk Sale - January 14-16, 2011
Celebration Art Stroll - February 26, 2011
Spring Art Festival - April 2-3, 2011
The Great American Pie Festival - April 9-10, 2011
Celebration Exotic Car Festival - April 16-17, 2011
Celebration Art Stroll - June 11, 2011
A Flashback 4th of July - July 4, 2011
Survivor Weekend/Summer Sidewalk Sale - July 29-31, 2011
Celebration Art Stroll - September 24, 2011
Oktoberfest 2011 - October 7-8, 2011
Alfa Romeo Car Show - November 5, 2011
Radio Disney Holiday Concert - December 10, 2011
Now Snowing Nightly - November 26 - December 31, 2011

For more information about Celebration, check out the Celebration, Florida Guide.

2011 Atlanta Braves Spring Training Schedule

2010-12-03T08:07:00.001-08:00

Sunday, Feb. 27 – New York Mets – 1:05 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 28 – Houston Astros – 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 3 – Detroit Tigers *SS – 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 4 – Toronto Blue Jays – 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 5 – New York Mets – 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8 – New York Yankees – 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9 – St. Louis Cardinals – 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 10 – St. Louis Cardinals – 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 12 – New York Mets – 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 13 – Houston Astros – 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 16 – Boston Red Sox – 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 17 – Washington Nationals – 6:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 – New York Mets *SS – 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 – Houston Astros – 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23 – Florida Marlins – 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 25 – Detroit Tigers *SS – 6:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 27 – Philadelphia Phillies – 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 28 – Washington Nationals – 6:05 p.m.

*SS – denotes split squad
All times are Eastern and are subject to change.
All games to be played at Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Information on the Braves’ spring training season, group tickets and mini-packs is available by calling 407/939-GAME (4263) and online at www.espnwwos.com/atlantabraves.

Planning on traveling to Central Florida to catch the Atlanta Braves in action? Check out the latest deals at Westgate Resorts! Visit westgatedestinations.com for more information.

Candlelight Processional Returns to Epcot

2010-11-09T07:21:00.000-08:00

The Candlelight Processional will return to Epcot November 26 through December 30, 2010. Joined by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra, this immensely popular holiday tradition will take place at America Gardens Theatre nightly at 5 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM.

Below are scheduled celebrity narrators (subject to change without notice):

November 26-28, 2010 – Isabella Rossellini
November 29 – December 1, 2010 – TBA
December 2-4, 2010 – Corbin Bernsen
December 5-6, 2010 – Susan Lucci
December 7-9, 2010 - Jodi Benson
December 10-11, 2010 – Whoopi Goldberg
December 12-15, 2010 – Steven Curtis Chapman
December 16-18, 2010 – Thomas Gibson
December 19-21, 2010 – Trace Adkins
December 22-23, 2010 – Brad Garrett
December 24-27, 2010 – Edward James Olmos
December 28-30, 2010 – Marlee Matlin/Jack Jason

Note: Performances are included with Epcot admission, and guests are advised to arrive early.

For more information about the Epcot Candlelight Processional, visit www.disneyworld.com/holidays.

Westgate Resorts: Passport to Travel Adventure

2010-10-15T07:46:00.001-07:00

Westgate Resorts provides a passport to travel adventure in Florida! With full-service resorts in premiere destinations throughout the Sunshine State, you and your family can explore world-class theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, and relax on white-sand beaches. Flexible meeting space and catering services are available. Visit www.westgatedestinations.com and plan your dream vacation today!

Epcot Eat to the Beat! Concert Schedule

2010-09-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

The Eat to the Beat! concert series will take place in conjunction with the 2010 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival October 1 through November 14, 2010. Note: Concert schedule subject to change without notice.

October 1-3, 2010 – Taylor Dayne
October 4-5, 2010 – Kool & The Gang
October 6-8, 2010 – Sugar Ray
October 9-10, 2010 – Taylor Hicks
October 11-12, 2010 – Air Supply
October 13-15, 2010 – Sister Hazel
October 16-17, 2010 – Howard Jones
October 18-19, 2010 – Expose
October 20-21, 2010 – 38 Special
October 22-24, 2010 – Night Ranger
October 25-27, 2010 – Billy Ocean
October 28-31, 2010 – Starship starring Mickey Thomas

All performances are at America Gardens Theatre, with shows at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. each day. The opportunity to enjoy Eat to the Beat! is included with Epcot admission on the days of scheduled shows.

Seeking great deals on spacious accommodations that provide convenient access to Epcot and other Disney World theme parks? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts! For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Cool Off at an Orlando Water Park!

2010-07-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Beat the heat during summer 2010 and cool off at one of the Orlando area’s state-of-the-art water parks, where you can barrel down a thrilling waterslide, take a whitewater rafting adventure, snorkel through a colorful reef full of exotic fish, body surf in one of the world’s largest wave pools and interact with dolphins, sharks and stingrays.

Billed as the “ Coolest Water Park in Central Florida,” Disney’s Blizzard Beach boasts nearly two dozen waterslides – all centered around 220-foot-tall Mount Gushmore! Highlights of Disney’s Blizzard Beach include the twisting flumes of the Runoff Rapids tube run, Snow Stormers racing slides, Cross Country Creek river ride, Melt-Away Bay wave pool, Downhill Double Dipper racing slides, Summit Plummet free-fall slide, Teamboat Springs raft ride, Mount Gushmore Chair Lift, Tike’s Peak children’s water play area and Ski Patrol Training Camp.

According to Disney World legend, a freak storm dumped a ship high atop Mount Mayday and created Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in the process! In addition to a Shark Reef, Surf Pool and Humunga Kowabunga speed slides, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon features the Ketchakiddee Creek children’s water play area; Storm Slides; Keelhaul Falls, Gangplank Falls and Mayday Falls tube runs; Castaway Creek lazy river ride; and a Sandy White Beach, the perfect spot to enjoy some relaxation in the sun.

From thrilling waterslides to relaxing river rides to children’s water play areas, Wet ‘n Wild Water Park has something for everyone! Nestled in the heart of world-famous International Drive, Wet ‘n Wild is known as “ America’s most exhilarating water park.” The truly adventurous will want to experience Wet ‘n Wild’s “extreme slides” such as “The Blast,” “Der Stuka” and “The Storm,” as well as “Brain Wash” (which features a 53-foot vertical drop) and the Disco H20 raft adventure.

Spend a day in a tropical paradise at Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Orlando’s sister theme park, which allows visitors to interact with bottlenose dolphins, sharks, barracuda and stingrays, as well as snorkel through a colorful reef full of exotic fish. Float down a river through waterfalls and lush landscaping, feed hundreds of tropical birds and relax on a white-sand beach overlooking the beautiful lagoon. Attendance at Discovery Cove is limited to 1,000 guests a day, so it is never crowded. Note: Reservations are required for Discovery Cove.

In addition, SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica opened along International Drive in the spring of 2008. The sister theme park of SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove, SeaWorld Aquatica boasts 36 thrilling waterslides, side-by-side wave pools, raft rides, more than 80,000 square feet of white-sand beach, and six rivers and lagoons. SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica’s signature attraction is the 300-foot-long waterslide, which features a clear tube that will plunge riders down a 42-foot drop and through a crystal-clear lagoon full of black-and-white Commerson’s Dolphins.

With state-of-the-art water parks and world-class theme parks, Orlando is the ideal destination for family vacations this summer. And if you are seeking great deals on comfortable accommodations that provide convenient access to world-class theme parks and attractions, check out Westgate Resorts, which offers a variety of Orlando area properties, including Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Vacation Villas, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Palace, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Leisure Resort. For more information about Westgate Resorts, call (800) 864-1645 or visit www.westgatedestinations.com.
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Disney World Thrill Rides

2010-06-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

Walt Disney World’s four world-class theme parks – Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park , Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – each boast not-to-be-missed thrill rides with names like Expedition Everest, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Mission: SPACE, Test Track, Soarin' and Splash Mountain. Be sure to check height and medical restrictions that are listed at the entrance to each of Disney’s thrill rides.

One of the most popular Orlando-area thrill rides, Expedition Everest, can be found in Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest, which towers nearly 200 feet high, is a thrilling train adventure through icy canyons and mountain caverns toward a terrifying encounter with the ferocious Yeti or abominable snowman. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Expedition Everest.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, thrill seekers have their choice of Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, a classic indoor roller coaster that features classic songs from the legendary rock group; and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which features a scary, 13-story plummet aboard a faulty elevator within a decrepit, 199-foot-tall Hollywood hotel. You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and 40 inches tall to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Epcot is home to Mission: SPACE, which opened in 2003 and takes you on a simulated space flight to Mars (complete with motion sickness bags) at the “ International Space Training Center.” Each member of the four-person crew is assigned a specific role – pilot, commander, navigator and engineer. Adjacent to Mission: SPACE lies Test Track, a six-passenger vehicle that cruises onto 50-degree banked curves at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Mission: SPACE and 40 inches tall to ride Test Track. At Soarin', sttate-of-the-art technology allows you to take a bird’s eye view of California’s spectacular scenery, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Redwood forest, Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, Disneyland and much more.

Space Mountain, the original thrill ride at Walt Disney World, still draws huge crowds in Tomorrowland. Two roller coaster tracks wind their way through the 183-foot mountain at speeds of 28 miles per hour in total darkness. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Space Mountain.Two other classic thrill rides at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, lie within Frontierland. Splash Mountain takes you on a wild flume ride as you visit characters such as Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox from Disney’s 1946 classic, Song of the South. However, the real highlight of Splash Mountain is the five-story free fall at a 45-degree angle into the splash pool below at 40 miles per hour. Adjacent to Splash Mountain lies Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a “runaway train” that winds its way through an Old West mining town around mountains, through caves and over sulfur pools. You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride both Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

When you plan your itinerary around Disney’s popular thrill rides, make sure you take advantage of Disney’s FASTPASS, a free reservation system that will help you avoid long lines. To use FASTPASS, simply visit the FASTPASS ticket machine at the entrance to the ride and insert your admission ticket. The FASTPASS ticket you receive will indicate a time frame that allows you to return later without waiting in line.

Westgate Resorts offers spacious, comfortable and affordable accommodations that provide convenient access to Walt Disney World Resort. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Captain EO to Return to Epcot

2010-05-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

Walt Disney World Resort has announced that "Captain EO," the classic musical spectacular and thrilling space-fantasy adventure that ran at Epcot from 1986-94, will return to the theme park July 2, 2010. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas, "Captain EO" was a 17-minute, 3-D film that starred the Michael Jackson and Anjelica Huston. The colorful Disney-created characters in "Captain EO" included Hooter, Fuzzball, the Geex (which had two shaggy heads named Idy and Ody), Major Domo and Minor Domo. "Captain EO" will be presented multiple times daily at the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot, replacing "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience," which is planned to return at an undetermined date.

2010 Fall/Winter Events at Disney World

2010-04-13T08:26:00.001-07:00

Night of Joy
September 10-11, 2010

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
September 14 - November 1, 2010

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
October 1-2, 2010

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
October 1 - November 14, 2010

Children's Miracle Network Classic
November 11-14, 2010

Festival of the Masters
November 12-14, 2010

Old Spice Classic
November 25, 26 & 28, 2010

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Select Evenings in November and December 2010

Seeking great deals on spacious, comfortable accommodations during your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts, which features several Orlando area properties that provide convenient access to Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, as well as Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

2010 Flower Power Concert Series at Epcot

2010-03-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Jose Feliciano (video above) helped launch the 2010 Flower Power Concert Series at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 5-7, 2010, followed by Paul Revere & The Raiders March 12-14, 2010. Below are the remaining concerts in the 2010 Flower Power Concert Series. Concerts take place at the America Gardens Theatre Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15 PM, 6:30 PM and 7:45 PM.

David Cassidy - March 19-21, 2010
Starship Starring Mickey Thomas - March 26-28, 2010
Tony Orlando - April 2-4, 2010
Ricky Nelson Remembered Featuring The Nelsons - April 16-18, 2010
Atlanta Rhythm Section - April 23-25, 2010
Fran Cosmo (Former singer of Boston) - April 30, May 1 & 2, 2010
Davy Jones - May 7-9, 2010
Chubby Checker & The Wildcats - May 14-16, 2010

For more information about upcoming events at Walt Disney World Resort, visit www.orlando-florida.net.

What's New at Walt Disney World Resort!

2010-02-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

Seeking great deals on comfortable accommodations that provide convenient access to Walt Disney World Resort and its four world-class theme parks (Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom)? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts! For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Mark Your Calendar for ESPN The Weekend

2010-01-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

Presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, ESPN The Weekend 2010 will take place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex February 25-28, 2010. Highlights will include the ESPN Interactive Sports Zone, Fan Q&A with Athletes, Celebrity Game Shows, Athlete Motorcades, ESPN Live TV Telecasts and ESPN Radio Live Broadcasts of Mike & Mike in the Morning, NFL Live, Baseball Tonight and more. Athletes scheduled to appear at ESPN The Weekend include Adam Vinatieri of the Indianapolis Colts, MLB legend Curt Schilling, beach volleyball player Misty May Treanor, Steven Jackson of the St. Louis Rams, soccer legend Brandi Chastain, NFL legend Darrell Green, NBA legend Scottie Pippen, University of South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, Brian Dawkins of the Denver Broncos, Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars, gymnast Shawn Johnson and NFL legend Thurman Thomas. ESPN personalities scheduled to appear at ESPN The Weekend include Mike Golic, Karl Ravech, Mark Schlereth, Skip Bayless, Stuart Scott, Mike Greenberg, Ron Jaworski, Jay Crawford, Tedy Bruschi, Sage Steele, Colin Cowherd, Trey Wingo, Dana Jacobson, John Kruk, John Anderson, Jay Harris and Howie Schwab. For more information about ESPN The Weekend 2010, visit www.espntheweekend.com.

Celebrate the New Year at Disney World!

2009-12-14T07:37:00.000-08:00

A multitude of activites will take place at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park to help ring in the New Year at Walt Disney World Resort:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Fantasmic! nighttime musical special effects extravaganza will take place at 6:30 PM. Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” are scheduled to take place at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat at 8 PM, 9 PM, 10 PM and 11 PM (DJ starts at 6:30 PM). A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” will begin at 11:55 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until midnight.

Magic Kingdom Park
The “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” parade and street party will take place at 11 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:40 PM. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is scheduled for 12 PM and 3:3o PM. The SpectroMagic parade of lights and music will take place at 7 PM and 10:30 PM. In addition, the Holiday Wishes fireworks display is set for 8:30 PM with a Fantasy in the Sky fireworks display at 11:50 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until 1 AM.

Epcot
A special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” will take place at 7:30 PM and 11:40 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until 1 AM.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade will take place at 3:45 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until 7 PM.

Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon
The Electrical Water Pageant will take place at 9 PM and plays to Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:25 PM.

Planning to spend New Year’s in Orlando? Visit www.orlando-florida.net to take advantage of great deals on Orlando vacation packages!

Disney to Host Marathon Weekend 2010

2009-10-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, scheduled for January 7-10, 2010, features several activities, including a 26.2-mile marathon that takes runners through all four Walt Disney World theme parks – Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Approximately 50,000 athletes are expected to attend the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, which also includes a 5K race, half marathon, kids’ races, and a health and fitness expo. An added bonus during the marathon and half marathon is the appearance of Disney characters along the route (many runners also get into the Disney spirit themselves by dressing up as their favorite Disney characters!). To register for the marathon or for any Disney World endurance race, simply visit www.disneyworldmarathon.com or www.disneyenduranceseries.com.

2009 Holiday Guide to Disney World

2009-09-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

The holidays are approaching rapidly and with so many events at Walt Disney World® Resort for the 2009-2010 season, planning ahead will prevent you from missing a major part of the theme park's holiday celebration. Walt Disney World® Resort will be featuring a variety of exciting events that promise this year’s holiday season to be better than ever. It is important for visitors to understand that in order to take full advantage of the holiday vacations, advanced planning is critical in order to save time and money while maximizing the holiday experience.

The key to enjoying all the special events at Walt Disney World® Resort during the 2009-10 holiday season is to be well-informed about the major events and plan ahead so that once in the park, you do not lose any time and go straight to what you want to experience. This year Walt Disney World® Resort will feature six outstanding and major holiday-themed events. From Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights the variety is unlimited and entertainment will be available for the whole family. Check out the following holiday guide that features descriptions of key events that will take place at Walt Disney World® Resort and will help you plan your holiday vacation in advance.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
November 10 - December 18, 2009
Celebrate the spirit of the holidays at “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!” This wonderful holiday event takes place at Magic Kingdom® Park on select nights from November 10 to December 18, 2009. The fantastic Mickey’s Merry Christmas Party parade features Mickey and Minnie Mouse with their friends having fun with park visitors as they walk through Main Street. Special performances, "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade," spectacular holiday wishes fireworks and even falling snow are part of this incredible party. The cheerful “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” is a great option to explore during your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Holidays Around The World
November 27 - December 30, 2009
What better way to celebrate all around the globe the joyous holiday season than at the “Holidays Around the World” event at Epcot®? Among the shows featured is a nightly Candlelight Processional, where an invited celebrity narrates the Christmas story accompanied by a fine 50-piece orchestra and a fantastic choir. Another excellent show is the “ IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which showcases more than 1,000 fireworks, an amazing floating Earth Globe that has state-of-the-art LED screens and lots of great music. Holiday stories from all over the world are told by special invitees, including France's Père Noël, Italy's LaBefana and America's Santa Claus. Other not-to-be-missed events at Holidays Around the World are Holiday Storytellers and Lights of Winter.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
November 27, 2009 - January 3, 2010
If you are looking for a different experience where the holiday spirit shines all over the place, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the perfect event. Millions of blinking, twinkling and colorful lights decorate New York Street at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ while dancing in a choreographed motion to splendid holiday music. Beautiful Christmas trees, heavenly angels, sparkling snowflakes and various three-dimensional and motion-based displays adorn the streets making visitors feel and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade
November 27, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle is a colorful and lively parade that takes place in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Mickey Mouse, Donald, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and other friends go for a great jungle adventure while fun performances take place and magnificent holiday music plays. The cheerful and exotic Mickey’s Jingle Jungle paradeis known for its outstanding abstract animal images, amazing designs made with natural materials and fabrics, and unique holiday decorations.

Festival of the Seasons
November 17 - December 24, 2009
Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney® Area provides a spectacular holiday shopping experience. All the Disney stores are decorated for the holidays and feature a great variety of holiday merchandise. Live entertainment, wonderful light consistent displays, Santa’s presence, magnicifinet music and friendly performers make the holiday shopping experience enjoyable and fun. Some of the stores at Downtown Disney® Area are: Once Upon a Toy, Virgin™ Megastore, LEGO® Imagination Center and Disney's Days of Christmas.

New Year’s Eve At Walt Disney World Resort
Dec. 31, 2009
Walt Disney World® Resort has a variety of options to countdown The New Year. Disney's Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot® and Downtown Disney® Area will be celebrating the arrival of the 2010 with music, festivities and entertainment.

When it comes to celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World® Resort with your family, many choices are available. As a result, an organized plan of holiday activities is a great idea to save time and enjoy to the fullest the holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort. And if you are seeking great deals on comfortable accommodations during your next Disney World vacation getaway, look no farther than Westgate Resorts. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit Westgate Destinations.

Disney to Host Mickey's Halloween Party

2009-09-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Disney’s Magic Kingdom on select nights between September 4 and November 1, 2009. Parties are scheduled for September 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 and 29; October 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31; and November 1, 2009. Highlights of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party include Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and “Happy Hallowishes” Fireworks Spectacular. Note: Separate admission is required for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

If you are looking for great deals on accommodations near Disney World, look no farther than Westgate Resorts. Visit Westgate Destinations for more information.

Disney World: Behind the Scenes

2009-07-22T12:26:00.001-07:00

Star Wars Weekends Returns to Disney World

2009-03-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will once again host Star Wars Weekends, an immensely popular sci-fi film festival, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 22 through June 14, 2009. Star Wars Weekends features all of your favorite Star Wars characters such as Wookiees, Sith, droids, Jedi, Ewoks, bounty hunters and Rodians in meet-and-greet sessions, as well as Jedi Training Academy interactive entertainment experience, Star Wars memorabilia, Star Wars trivia contests, special Star Wars parades and star conversations with famous Star Wars actors and creative geniuses. Events activities are included in theme park admission. For more information about Star Wars Weekends, visit www.disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends.

Seeking spacious and affordable accommodations during your vacation getaway to Star Wars Weekends? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts, which offers spacious villas, first-class amenities and convenient access to Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando theme parks, as well as other Orlando area attractions. Choose from Westgate Resorts properties such as Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.

Epcot to Host 2009 Flower & Garden Festival

2009-03-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

With world-class flower and horticultural displays, specially themed weekends and the Flower Power concert series, the 2009 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever! The 16th-annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival offers something for everyone and is included in Epcot’s regular admission price. And spring is a great time to visit Orlando since the weather is ideal and you don’t have to cope with the summer crowds.

Enjoy endless displays of colorful roses, wildflowers and topiary displays of your favorite Disney characters, as well as gardening seminars, workshops, demonstrations and more than 500 native butterflies in Minnie’s Magnificent Butterfly Garden at this immensely popular annual Walt Disney World® Resort festival, which runs 75 days this year - from March 18 through May, 2009.

Plenty of children’s activities will be available at the 2009 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival such as the all-new daily Fairy & Princess Procession, Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden (hands-on activities, play structure and colorful topiaries of Disney characters), Pirates Adventure Zone, Let’s Get Moving recreational garden, Green Garden playground area, Character Topiary Scavenger Hunt and Earth Station.

One of the highlights of the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is the Great American Gardener Series that will take place at the new Garden Town Festival Center in Future World East (next to Universe of Energy). Presented in partnership with the American Horticultural Society, the 2009 Great American Gardner Series features some of the most respected gardeners and nature experts in the United States such as Jon Carloftis (March 20-22, 2009), Shirley Bovshow (March 27-29, 2009), Susan Belsinger (April 3-5, 2009), Felder Rushing (April 10-12, 2009), Joe Lamp’l (April 17-19, 2009), Jeff Lowenfels (April 24-26, 2009), Joe Washington (May 1-3, 2009), Tom MacCubbin (May 8-10, 2009), Raymond Western (May 8-10, 2009), Melinda Myers (May 15-17, 2009), Robert Bowden (May 22-24, 2009) and Rita Randolph (May 29-31, 2009). Seminars will take place at 12 PM and 3 PM during the days listed above (schedule subject to change without notice).

In addition, the 2009 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will feature a stellar lineup of live entertainment through the Flower Power Concert Series such as Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Davy Jones, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone and Jose Feliciano. All concerts will take place at the America Gardens Theatre at 5:15 PM, 6:30 PM and 7:45 PM during the dates specified below. Concerts are included with regular Epcot admission.

2009 Flower Power Concert Series
March 20-22, 2009 - Davy Jones (”Daydream Believer”)
March 27-29, 2009 - Paul Revere & The Raiders (”Good Thing”)
April 3-5, 2009 - The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie (”Happy Together”)
April 10-12, 2009 - Herman’s Hermit’s starring Peter Noone (”I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”)
April 17-19, 2009 - The Ventures (”Hawaii Five-O”)
April 24-26, 2009 - Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes (”If You Don’t Know Me By Now”)
May 1-3, 2009 - Chubby Checker & The Wildcats (”The Twist”)
May 8-10, 2009 - Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons (”Love and Affection”)
May 15-17, 2009 - Jose Feliciano (”Light My Fire”)
May 22-24, 2009 - The 5th Dimension (”Up, Up and Away”)
May 29-31, 2009 - Tony Orlando “(Tie a Yellow Ribbon”)
Note: Concerts and show times are subject to change without notice.

Seeking spacious and affordable accommodations during your stay in Orlando to attend the 2009 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival? Look no farther than Westgate Resorts, which offers spacious villas, first-class amenities and convenient access to Disney World theme parks and area attractions. Choose from Westgate Resorts properties such as Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.orlando-florida.net/hotels.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Video

2009-02-17T12:48:00.001-08:00

25 Ways to Save Money at Disney in 2009

2009-01-29T07:53:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, you can live it up at Walt Disney World Resort in 2009 – whether you plan on visiting Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom – without making a huge dent in your wallet. By planning ahead, seeking out the best online deals and following the money-saving tips listed below, you can enjoy significant savings on your Walt Disney World Resort vacation getaway – without sacrificing any of your family’s comfort or enjoyment.

1. Take advantage of Disney’s “Celebration Vacations” promotion and enjoy free entrance to Walt Disney World Resort on your birthday in 2009. To receive free admission to one of the theme parks at Disney World, just bring valid ID, including proof of birthdate.

2. If possible, plan your Walt Disney World Resort trip during the off-season and you will usually discover significantly lower airfares and hotel/resort rates.

3. If you are staying at a Disney World resort, take advantage of complimentary transportation to all Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney Area.

4. Shop at area factory outlet stores such as Orlando Premium Outlets, which sells Disney merchandise at significantly lower prices than you will find at stores within the Disney World theme parks.

5. Check out some of the free things to do at Disney World such as strolling around Disney’s Boardwalk and Downtown Disney Area, or hiking through the Disney Wilderness Preserve.

6. Take the family to one of the all-you-can-eat buffets that lie just outside Disney World property such as Bill Wong’s Famous Buffet, Sweet Tomatoes, Boston Lobster Feast, Golden Corral, Ponderosa, Sizzler or Angel’s Lobster & Seafood Buffet.

7. If you don’t mind staying off Disney property, you will discover numerous accommodation choices within a five- to 10-minute drive of the main entrance to Walt Disney World Resort. For instance, you can find incredible deals on spacious villa rentals at Westgate Resorts properties that provide convenient access to Disney World theme parks such as Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas.

8. Look for free publications such as I Love Orlando magazine, which contain a multitude of discount coupons to Disney area attractions, restaurants and specialty shops.

9. Before you book a hotel or motel, check if they offer guests a complimentary continental or full breakfast each morning.

10. Check out comprehensive online guides to Disney World such as Orlando, Florida Guide for in-depth information on finding the best deals on Disney World tickets, accommodations and vacation packages.

11. For larger families, reunions or any other get-together at Disney World, it may make better financial sense to look into renting a spacious villa (see No. 7) or vacation home, many of which offer enclosed garages, private backyard pools and washer/dryers.

12. If you are visiting one of the Disney World theme parks with young children, don’t forget to bring along a backpack with some snacks or juice boxes.

13. If you are an active or retired member of the U.S. military, you may obtain one complimentary 5-day “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” ticket with Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of Disney Water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. All tickets and options are nontransferable and must be used by December 23, 2009.

14. Instead of spending a fortune at a Disney character breakfast, take your kids to Town Square at Main Street, U.S.A. in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park for autograph and photo opportunities with Disney characters.

15. Choose the appropriate Disney World ticket deal based on your family’s length of stay in Orlando and remember not to overdo things – you will want to schedule time for rest and relaxation during your trip.

16. If you choose to eat at the Disney World theme parks, try to make lunch your big meal of the day when prices are considerably lower than for dinner (especially at Epcot’s World Showcase).

17. Whenever you leave one of Disney World’s theme parks, make sure to get your hand stamped. Then after you rest awhile and enjoy a cheaper dinner off site, you can head back to the park after the crowds have thinned out.

18. You may want to schedule your Walt Disney World vacation around one of Disney’s highly acclaimed annual events and festivals, many of which are included with the price of admission such as the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, Star Wars Weekends, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, Festival of the Seasons, Festival of the Masters and Holidays Around the World.

19. Carry your own water bottle into the Disney theme park and you can fill it up at any of the abundant water fountains throughout the day.

20. Establish a budget for Disney World souvenirs and stick to your budget (no matter how many cool gifts you see as you stroll through Epcot’s World Showcase!).

21. If you are an AAA or AARP member, take advantage of any special rates or discounts that are available during your Disney World vacation.

22. Check to see if your hotel and motel features an onsite restaurant that offers a “Kids Eat Free” deal (one child eats free per paying adult).

23. Purchase such necessities as film and sunscreen before you arrive at Disney World, since prices at the theme parks are more expensive for such items.

24. If you are staying at one of the Disney resorts, take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express, which provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the Orlando International Airport (reservations are required for Disney’s Magical Express).

25. If possible, try to avoid Disney World during holiday weekends and Spring Break when prices are higher and the theme parks are most crowded.

Disney Prepares for 2009 ESPN The Weekend

2009-01-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

Billed as the "ultimate ESPN fan fest," the 2009 ESPN The Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ will feature star athletes, live entertainment, ESPN broadcasts and plenty of interactive activities for all ages! Presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 2009 ESPN The Weekend will take place February 27-March 1, 2009.

Highlights of 2009 ESPN The Weekend at Disney's Hollywood Studios will include ESPN Live Telecasts & Tapings, ESPN Radio Live Broadcasts, Celebrity Appearances, Inside ESPN, Motorcades and Conversations with famous athletes, Dream Job - The Experience, Stump the Schwab All-Star Game, ESPN Sportszone, live editions of the Mike and Mike in the Morning radio broadcast, ESPN The Weekend 5K Race (new for 2009!), Atlanta Braves at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex and much more.

Sports celebrities scheduled to appear at 2009 ESPN the Weekend include Tedy Bruschi, Joba Chamberlain, Donnie Edwards, John Franco, Matt Garza, Ricky Henderson, Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs, Shawn Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jim Kelly, Bill Laimbeer, Misty May-Treanor, Warren Moon, Jim Palmer, Scottie Pippen, Aaron Rodgers, Curt Schilling, Charles Tillman, Hines Ward, Kurt Warner, Brian Westbrook, Roy E. Williams and Adam Vinatierie.

ESPN personalities scheduled to appear at the 2009 ESPN The Weekend include John Anderson, Skip Bayless, Colin Cowherd, Jay Crawford, Peter Gammons, Mike Golic, Mike Greenberg, Dana Jacobson, Al Jaffe, John Kruk, Chris McKendry, Steve Phillips, Karl Ravech, Howie Schwab, Stuart Scott, Mark Schlereh and Trey Wingo.

While attending 2009 ESPN The Weekend, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy all of the great rides, attractions and live shows at Disney's Hollywood Studios such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, The American Idol Experience, Star Tours, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Toy Story Mania!, Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage, High School Musical 3: Live on Stage and Fantasmic!

Looking for great deals on spacious villa rentals during your stay in Orlando for 2009 ESPN The Weekend? Visit www.orlando-florida.net for information on Westgate Resorts properties, including Westgate Blue Tree Resort, Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, Westgate Leisure Resort, Westgate Palace, Westgate Towers, Westgate Town Center and Westgate Vacation Villas.

Note: Appearances subject to change without notice. 2009 ESPN The Weekend is included with the regular theme park admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios™. Online registration at disneyworldsports.disney.go.com for the 2009 ESPN The Weekend 5K Race will close Sunday, February 22, 2009, or when registration reaches capacity.

Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Disney

2009-01-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

The Atlanta Braves will return to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex for their 12th-annual Spring Training at Champion Stadium in March 2009. Home game tickets will go on sale on January 10, 2009, at 10 AM. Visit disneysports.com for more information.

Disney World Water Parks With Corbin Bleu

2008-12-31T07:17:00.000-08:00

The High School Musical star takes you on a tour of both Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach water parks.

Holiday Celebrations at Disney World

2008-11-24T12:00:00.001-08:00

Top 10 Disney World Thrill Rides

2008-11-19T11:19:00.000-08:00

1. Expedition Everest
2. Splash Mountain
3. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Starring Aerosmith
4. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
5. Mission: SPACE
6. Test Track
7. Space Mountain
8. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
9. Soarin'
10. Maelstrom

Source: www.orlando-florida.net

Disney World Tickets Video

2008-11-12T12:21:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Epcot Attractions

2008-11-05T05:38:00.000-08:00

1. Mission: SPACE
2. Test Track
3. Soarin'
4. Spaceship Earth
5. Maelstrom
6. The American Adventure
7. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
8. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
9. Living with the Land
10. Reflections of China

Source: Orlando World Blog

Ongoing & Upcoming Disney World Events

2008-11-03T07:52:00.000-08:00

International Foot & Wine Festival, Epcot - Through November 9, 2008
Festival of the Masters, Downtown Disney Area - November 7-9, 2008
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Magic Kingdom Park - November 10 - December 19, 2008
ABC Soapnet Super Soap Weekend, Disney's Hollywood Studios - November 15-16, 2008
Festival of the Seasons, Downtown Disney Area - November 28 - December 24, 2008
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, Disney's Hollywood Studios - November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Holidays Around the World, Epcot - November 28 - December 30, 2008
Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park - November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009

Source: www.orlando-florida.net

High School Musical 3 Comes to Disney Parks!

2008-10-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Disney Ad - "What Will You Celebrate?"

2008-10-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

What is Your Favorite Jungle Cruise Animal?

2008-10-15T06:49:00.001-07:00

Orlando/Disney World Hotel Guide

2008-10-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Orlando hotels are available for every budget, from cheap motels to full-service business hotels to condos and vacation homes. Most accommodations provide convenient access to Orlando theme parks such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando.

Orlando Budget Hotels
Want to save your money for attractions, restaurants, shopping and live entertainment instead of upgraded hotel amenities? Many Orlando hotels and motels provide economy rates without sacrificing quality. The guestrooms and facilities at these Orlando hotels are clean but very basic and most are usually located within walking distance of low-priced dining and affordable attractions.

Orlando Business Hotels
Although Orlando is known as "The Theme Park Capital of the World," a large percentage of travelers arrive here on business. That's why many Orlando hotels and resorts offer flexible meeting space for receptions, seminars and conferences, as well as onsite business centers, Internet access and more. In addition, more than 8,000 hotel rooms are convenient to Orange County Convention Center along world-famous International Drive.

Orlando Condominiums
For larger families, reunions or any large party, a hotel room may seem a little crowded during their Orlando vacation. For these travelers, a condo or timeshare rental provides the perfect solution. In addtion to more space, many condos feature fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas, sleeper sofas and private balconies or patios.

Orlando Pet-Friendly Hotels
Planning an Orlando vacation but can't stand to leave your favorite pet at home? Feel free to bring them along, as there are several quality pet friendly motels and hotels in and around the Orlando area to suit your family's needs.

Orlando Resorts
Travel in style at one of the many luxury Orlando resorts available near such attractions as Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy such world-class amenities as spacious suites loaded with modern conveniences, lagoon-style pools, award-winning fine dining, luxurious spas and first-class meeting facilities, as well as proximity to fun-filled Orlando theme parks and attractions, outdoor recreation, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. Surprise your loved one with a romantic getaway or treat the whole family to the vacation of a lifetime at an Orlando resort.

Orlando Vacation Homes
For larger families, reunions or any other get-together, a hotel room may seem a little crowded. For these travelers, a fully furnished vacation rental home may be the best solution. In addition to more space, all Orlando vacation homes feature a fully equipped kitchen, separate bedrooms, and living and dining rooms. Many vacation homes also offer enclosed garages, private backyard pools and washer/dryers. Most Orlando vacation homes are within 10 to 20 minutes of Walt Disney World Resort.

Take some time and do your research BEFORE you arrive in Orlando and you will find the appropriate Orlando hotel to suit your family's needs.

World-Famous Roller Coasters

2008-10-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Preview some of the best roller coasters at top-rated theme parks throughout the world such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Africa, Busch Gardens Europe and Cedar Point Amusement Park.

Magic Kingdom Park Overview

2008-10-08T10:51:00.001-07:00

2008-09 Disney World Holiday Guide

2008-10-07T12:35:00.001-07:00

The holidays are approaching rapidly and with so many events at Walt Disney World® Resort for the 2008-2009 season, planning ahead will prevent you from missing a major part of the theme park's holiday celebration. Walt Disney World® Resort will be featuring a variety of new and exciting events that promise this year’s holiday season to be better than ever. It is important for visitors to understand that in order to take full advantage of the holiday vacations, advanced planning is critical in order to save time and money while maximizing the holiday experience.

The key to enjoying all the special events at Walt Disney World® Resort during the 2008-2009 holiday season is to be well-informed about the major events and plan ahead so that once in the park, you do not lose any time and go straight to what you want to experience. This year Walt Disney World® Resort will feature six outstanding and major holiday-themed events. From Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights the variety is unlimited and entertainment will be available for the whole family. Check out the following holiday guide that features descriptions of key events that will take place at Walt Disney World® Resort and will help you plan your holiday vacation in advance.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
November 10 - December 19, 2008
Celebrate the spirit of the holidays at “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!” This wonderful holiday event takes place at Magic Kingdom® Park on select nights from November 10 to December 19, 2008. The fantastic Mickey’s Merry Christmas Party parade features Mickey and Minnie Mouse with their friends having fun with park visitors as they walk through Main Street. Special performances, spectacular holiday wishes fireworks and even falling snow are part of this incredible parade. To stay awake for the grand finale, where Santa makes his debut, complimentary hot cocoa and cookies are offered. The cheerful “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” is a great option to explore during your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Holidays Around The World
November 28 - December 30, 2008
What better way to celebrate all around the globe the joyous holiday season than at the “Holidays Around the World” event at Epcot®? Among the shows featured is a nightly Candlelight Processional, where an invited celebrity narrates the Christmas story accompanied by a fine 50-piece orchestra and a fantastic choir. Another excellent show is the “ IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” whichshowcases over 1,000 fireworks, an amazing floating Earth Globe that has state-of-the-art LED screens and lots of great music. Holiday stories from all over the world are told by special invitees, including France's Père Noël, Italy's LaBefana and America's Santa Claus. Other not-to-be-missed events at Holidays Around the World are Holiday Storytellers and Lights of Winter.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2008
If you are looking for a different experience where the holiday spirit shines all over the place, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the perfect event. Millions of blinking, twinkling and colorful lights decorate New York Street at Disney's Hollywood Studios™ while dancing in a choreographed motion to splendid holiday music. Beautiful Christmas trees, heavenly angels, sparkling snowflakes and various three-dimensional and motion-based displays adorn the streets making visitors feel and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade
November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2008
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle is a colorful and lively parade that takes place in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Mickey Mouse, Donald, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and other friends go for a great jungle adventure while fun performances take place and magnificent holiday music plays. The cheerful and exotic Mickey’s Jingle Jungle paradeis known for its outstanding abstract animal images, amazing designs made with natural materials and fabrics, and unique holiday decorations.

Festival of the Seasons
November 28 - December 24, 2008
Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney® Area provides a spectacular holiday shopping experience. All the Disney stores are decorated for the holidays and feature a great variety of holiday merchandise. Live entertainment, wonderful light consistent displays, Santa’s presence, magnicifinet music and friendly performers make the holiday shopping experience enjoyable and fun. Some of the stores at Downtown Disney® Area are: Once Upon a Toy, Virgin™ Megastore, LEGO® Imagination Center and Disney's Days of Christmas.

New Year’s Eve At Walt Disney World Resort
Dec. 31, 2008
Walt Disney World® Resort has a variety of options to countdown The New Year. Disney's Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot® and Downtown Disney® Area will be celebrating the arrival of the 2008 with music, festivities and entertainment.

When it comes to celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World® Resort with your family, many choices are available. As a result, an organized plan of holiday activities is a great idea to save time and enjoy to the fullest the holiday season at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Final Countdown at Pleasure Island

2008-09-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

On September 28, 2008, Disney World closed all of its Pleasure Island nightclubs - including BET Soundstage Club, Mannequins, 8Trax, Comedy Warehouse, Adventurer's Club and Motion to make room for a new "family-friendly environment" with new restaurants and specialty shops that will be added gradually over the next few years.

Disney Set for "Celebration Vacations" in 2009

2008-09-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Everyone who visits a Walt Disney World Resort theme park on their birthday in 2009 can get in free as part of its "Celebration Vacations" promotion.

In this new national trend, American families are hitting the road to mark life's special occasions - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, reunions and more - with a "celebration vacation." In 2009, Walt Disney World (as well as Disneyland Resorts) will lead this growing trend with new entertainment and services that will allow guests to turn their personal milestones into magical Disney experiences.

And to kick it all off - a first-ever opportunity for guests to receive a free ticket to one of the Walt Disney World theme parks on their birthday in 2009.

Whether a guest is celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, Quinceanera or any special occasion, Disney parks already are filled with favorite characters, world-class attractions and entertainment, and legendary guest service - exactly the "something for everyone" that trend-watchers say families look for in a "celebration vacation."

A nationwide survey of nearly 4,000 adults conducted by Ypartnership - coauthor of the influential National Travel Monitor - showed that 70 percent of U.S. leisure travelers have taken a vacation with the primary purpose of marking a special occasion in their lives - a "celebration vacation," as Ypartnership President and CEO Peter Yesawich termed it.

Respondents mentioned a broad range of events worth celebrating with a special vacation - not just birthdays and anniversaries but a first vacation with children, a job promotion or recovery from an illness.

Whenever something positive happens in their lives, people seek out ways to make them more special, Yesawich said, and vacations are clearly perceived as both an appropriate and desirable way to do so.

Research showed that when they take that "celebration vacation," families are looking for destinations that provide activities for children and - better yet - activities adults and children can enjoy together.

At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing from more than 200 experiences ranging from breathtaking (magical fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths with undersea creatures) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids' pirate adventures).

With all there is to do in Disney parks, guests can tailor their celebration with favorite attractions, favorite characters and special experiences. Maybe they turn Walt Disney World "wild" with trail riding, bass fishing and waterskiing.

Planning any event can be challenge. With Disney's new celebration planning tools, it's easier than ever for guests to plan celebration large and small, customizing and personalizing each experience and tending to all the details, from a special cake to an elaborate one-of-a-kind celebration that only Disney could create.

Thanks to new Web tools, guests can discover magical experiences, unique events, dining enhancements and more.

Disney's planning services allow guests to stay focused on what really matters - the people closest to them. And vacation packages make celebrating at Disney right for any budget.

Depending on the Disney park they are headed to, guests can order everything from special dining to princess tea parties, from yacht cruises to treasure hunting on a pirate sailing adventure, from a quiet trail ride to parasailing thrills. Or they can opt for magical experiences for their group - from dessert parties to a Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise to special entertainment.

Among add-on experiences guests can choose to customize their "celebration vacation":

Custom Bakery Cakes and Signature Desserts: Disney chefs create an unforgettable finale to a special dinner with a beautifully decorated cake themed to any occasion or a new line of celebration desserts.

For Lovebirds: Sweetheart dinners for two in which couples can clink "Celebrate Today!" champagne flutes.

Family Portraits: Capture the memory with a portrait session with Walt Disney World photographers. Build a custom photo album with Disney's PhotoPass.

Personalized Souvenirs: Mark your occasion with personalized Mouse ears, character T-shirts and collectible pins.

Decorate your Disney Guest Room: Step into a resort room decorated to fit your celebration them with confetti, banners, surprises and more.

Stay Inside a Dream Theme: Coming in 2009, book a pirate-themed guest room at Walt Disney World Resort.

Set Sail: Book a private romantic cruise on a yacht or set your party afloat on a shared magical fireworks voyage.

Go Inside the Magic: Behind-the-scenes tours take you inside the storytelling, adventure and history of Disney Parks.

Disney Story Book Experiences: Choose from pirate adventures, tea parties, princess makeovers and more - all with the magic of Disney.

Disney is unwrapping all-new entertainment with memory-makers in mind, allowing guests to focus their celebration on favorite characters, favorite attractions and favorite stories to create a custom celebration in the park. New park experiences coming in 2009 for all park guests to enjoy:

Street Parties: Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort comes to life with interactive street parties. The call to "Celebrate Today!" goes out to guests, music floods the streets, dancing kicks into high gear and the parks become "the happiest party on Earth."

Tomorrowland Party: A high-energy, retro-futuristic music video dance party features Stitch, an interactive dance troupe and a DJ celebration host who's inviting all Walt Disney World guests to come party, dance and celebrate.

Park Decor: The parks will be decorated with colorful banners, balloons and festive party hats - as if awaiting your celebration.

Buttons: Complimentary celebration buttons will help Disney cast members and fellow guests recognize you and your celebration.

Disney parks are the ultimate setting for any celebration, turning a special occasion into a magical Disney experience. And with the opportunity of free admission to a Walt Disney World Resort theme park on your birthday in 2009, it's even more special.

Note: To receive free admission to one of the Walt Disney World theme parks on your birthday in 2009, guests must bring valid ID, including proof of birthdate. Guests who already hold a valid multi-day ticket they will use on their birthday may choose from other birthday treats instead. However, no cash refunds or credits will be given.

Ultimate Disney World Trivia Challenge

2008-09-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

Do you have what it takes to take the Ultimate Disney World Trivia Challenge? Answers will be posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2008. Good luck!

What year did Disney’s Magic Kingdom open its doors?
A) 1955
B) 1971
C) 1975
D) 1982

What is the tallest structure at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Space Mountain
B) Swiss Family Treehouse
C) Cinderella Castle
D) Splash Mountain

What is the tallest artificial mountain at Disney World?
A) Expedition Everest
B) Splash Mountain
C) Space Mountain
D) Big Thunder Mountain

What is the fastest ride at Disney World?
A) Space Mountain
B) Test Track
C) WEDway PeopleMover
D) Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Which Cirque du Soleil show takes place at Downtown Disney?
A) Mystere
B) La Nouba
C) La Strada
D) LOVE

Encompassing more than 500 acres, which is Disney World’s largest theme park?
A) Epcot
B) Disney’s Hollywood Studios
C) Disney’s Animal Kingdom
D) Disney’s Magic Kingdom

What is the name of the indoor interactive theme park at Downtown Disney?
A) DisneyQuest
B) DisneyInterQuest
C) Cirque du Quest
D) Johnny Quest

What is the name of the free reservation system Disney World uses for its most popular rides and attractions?
A) QUICKPASS
B) FASTPASS
C) SUNPASS
D) RAPIDPASS

Which is one of the seven enchanted lands that make up Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Seussland
B) Copland
C) Adventureland
D) Mickeyland

Which of the following countries is represented at Epcot’s World Showcase?
A) Bangladesh
B) Morocco
C) Algeria
D) Libya

Who was the first champion at the inaugural Walt Disney World Open Golf Invitational in 1971?
A) Jack Nicklaus
B) Tiger Woods
C) Arnold Palmer
D) Lee Trevino

What is the former name of the Astro Orbiter attraction in Tomorrowland?
A) Skyrockets in Flight
B) Star Jets
C) Mon Calamari Star Cruisers
D) Star Voyager

Which astronaut took the first ride during the grand opening of Space Mountain in 1975?
A) Major Anthony “Tony” Nelson
B) Commander Neil Armstrong
C) Colonel Gordon Cooper
D) Major Roger Healey

What is the name of Disney World’s first water park (now defunct), which opened at Fort Wilderness Campground in 1976?
A) River Country
B) Splash Country
C) Wilderness Country
D) Blizzard Beach

What did EPCOT originally stand for?
A) Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
B) Experimental Polyester Clothes of Tomorrow
C) Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed
D) Everyone Person Comes Out Tired

Which thrill ride can be found in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot?
A) Troll Trauma
B) Maelstrom
C) El Rio Del Norway
D) Mission: Norway

Singer Gloria Estefan owns which Downtown Disney restaurant?
A) Raglan Road Irish Pub
B) Bongos Cuban Cafe
C) Latin Quarter
D) Wolfgang Puck Cafe

Which is one of Disney World’s two miniature golf courses?
A) Disney’s Winter Summerland
B) Disney’s Summer Winterland
C) Disney’s Fall Springland
D) Disney’s Spring Winterland

Which PGA golf tournament takes place at Disney World each October?
A) Children's Miracle Network Classic
B) Arnold Palmer Golf Classic
C) Bushwood Golf Classic
D) Minnie Mouse Fall Network Classic

Summit Plummet, the world’s fastest and tallest free-fall waterslide, can be found at which water park?
A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach
B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
C) DisneyQuest
D) River Country

Which legendary rock band is associated with a thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
A) Guns N’ Roses
B) Aerosmith
C) Insane Clown Posse
D) Rolling Stones

Which annual event takes place at Disney's Hollywood Studios?
A) Fear Factor Live Weekend
B) K-Fed Rapper Wannabe Weekend
C) ABC Super Soap Weekend
D) Revenge of the Sith Weekend

Which NASCAR legend offers a stock car “Driving Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Speedway?
A) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
B) Richard Petty
C) Ricky Bobby
D) Cole Trickle

Disney World is actually located in what city?
A) Orlando
B) Lake Buena Vista
C) Bithlo
D) Kissimmee

Which Disney World theme park has more than one entrance?
A) Disney's Hollywood Studios
B) Disney’s Animal Kingdom
C) Epcot
D) Disney’s Magic Kingdom

The Living Seas Pavilion at Epcot has changed its name to honor which Disney animated character?
A) Nemo
B) Arial
C) Foghorn Leghorn
D) Simba

What year did Epcot open its doors?
A) 1978
B) 1982
C) 1989
D) 1998

Mount Gushmore serves as the centerpiece of which Disney World water park?
A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach
B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
C) River Country
D) Splash Mountain

Which Fantasyland attraction boasts the world’s largest seamless projection screen?
A) It’s a Small World
B) Peter Pan’s Flight
C) Mickey’s PhilharMagic
D) Snow White’s Scary Adventures

The theme and characters for Splash Mountain were inspired by what 1946 Disney movie?
A) Song of the South
B) Fantasia
C) Splash
D) The Incredible Mr. Limpet

President Richard Nixon gave his famous “I am not a crook” speech during a convention at which Disney resort in 1973?
A) Polynesian Resort
B) Contemporary Resort
C) Motel 6
D) Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Which science fiction writer assisted in the design of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?
A) Ray Bradbury
B) Isaac Asimov
C) Thomas Anderson
D) Philip K. Dick

Who is the actor that currently narrates the Spaceship Earth ride at Epcot?
A) Judy Collins
B) Judi Dench
C) Judy Garland
D) Judge Judy

How many ghosts reside at the Haunted Mansion?
A) 99
B) 999
C) 9,999
D) 99,999

Name the body of water that lies directly in front of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
A) Discovery Lagoon
B) Seven Seas Lagoon
C) Toon Lagoon
D) Maroon Lagoon

Which was not one of the original attractions when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?
A) Haunted Mansion
B) Jungle Cruise
C) Pirates of the Caribbean
D) Hall of Presidents

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland was replaced by which attraction in the late ‘90s?
A) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
B) If You Had Wings
C) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
D) Stitch’s Great Escape

How much did a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?
A) $4.75
B) $8.75
C) $67.75
D) $75

How tall is Space Mountain?
A) 89 feet
B) 189 feet
C) 289 feet
D) 29,028 feet

Which of the Country Bears sings “Blood on the Saddle” during the Country Bear Jamboree?
A) Big Al
B) Mr. Big
C) Notorious B.I.G.
D) Liver Lips McGrowl

What is the name of the fort that is connected to Tom Sawyer Island by a swinging suspension bridge?
A) Fort Courage
B) Fort Longhorn
C) Fort Langhorne
D) Fort Lauderdale

What is the nickname of the vehicles used at The Haunted Mansion?
A) Doom Buggies
B) Creepy Carriages
C) Haunted Hearses
D) Mansion Monorails

Which is not a location of one of the three Walt Disney World Railroad stations at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Frontierland
B) Adventureland
C) Mickey’s Toontown Fair
D) Main Street, U.S.A.

What is the highest rank you can achieve through accumulating points at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?
A) Galactic Hero
B) Starfleet Captain
C) Space Nerd
D) Star Cadet

What is the maximum speed of the Indy cars at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway?
A) 2.5 mph
B) 5.5 mph
C) 7.5 mph
D) 160 mph

Which of the following animated films was worked on at Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Disney's Hollywood Studios)?
A) Mulan
B) Treasure Planet
C) The Lion King
D) The Little Mermaid

What is the original name of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority?
A) Mach Go Go Go
B) Blade Runner
C) WEDway People Mover
D) Speed Racer

The Leave a Legacy Sculpture is located near the entrance to which Disney World theme park?
A) Disney’s Magic Kingdom
B) Disney's Hollywood Studios
C) Epcot
D) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Which Epcot attraction gives you a bird’s-eye view of California landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland?
A) Soarin’
B) Flyin’
C) Glidin’
D) Spinnin’

Who was the original narrator of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?
A) Walter Cronkite
B) Carl Sagan
C) Butch Patrick
D) Walt Disney

Which of the following is one of the audio-animatronic characters that host The American Adventure at Epcot?
A) Mark Twain
B) Abraham Lincoln
C) Donald Trump
D) George Carlin

What is the nickname of the water tower icon at Disney's Hollywood Studios?
A) Eyeful Tower
B) Earffel Tower
C) Falafel Tower
D) Waffle Tower

The Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney's Hollywood Studios reaches 0 to 60 miles per hour in how many seconds?
A) 2.8
B) 3.8
C) 23.8
D) 60

The Sounds Dangerous show at Disney's Hollywood Studios stars which TV comedian?
A) Carrot Top
B) Andrew “Dice” Clay
C) Drew Carey
D) Chris Rock

How many stories does the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror plummet?
A) 15
B) 13
C) 11
D) 2

Which of the following attractions is no longer open at Disney's Hollywood Studios?
A) Muppet Vision 3-D
B) Voyage of the Little Mermaid
C) Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It
D) Toy Story Mania!

What year did Disney’s Animal Kingdom open its doors?
A) 1989
B) 1998
C) 2000
D) 2008

Which attraction lies underneath the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
A) It’s Tough to be a Bug!
B) Expedition Everest
C) Kali River Rapids
D) DINOSAUR

Expedition Everest takes you on a thrilling adventure that leads to a confrontation with what mythical creature?
A)Yeti from the Himalayas
B) Yoda from The Empire Strikes Back
C) Sloth from The Goonies
D) Ursula from The Little Mermaid

What is the nickname of the Tyrannosaurus Rex replica that serves as the unofficial mascot of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
A) Dino-Mite
B) Dino-Sue
C) Dino-Sam
D) Dinah-Shore

Surfing instruction can be arranged at the Surf Pool of which Disney World water park?
A) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
B) Disney’s Blizzard Beach
C) Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park
D) River Country

The grand opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971, drew approximately how many guests?
A) 10,000
B) 20,000
C) 100,000
D) 1,000,000

Which is one of the classic attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom that originally made its debut at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair?
A) Carousel of Progress
B) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
C) Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm
D) Haunted Mansion

The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios is housed in a replica of which famous theater?
A) Mann’s Chinese Theater
B) Apollo Theater
C) AMC Pleasure Island 24
D) Hollywood Bowl

Which Adventureland attraction was once sponsored by Florida Citrus Growers?
A) Pirates of the Caribbean
B) Tiki Room
C) Jungle Cruise
D) Swiss Family Treehouse

A replica of what famous icon can be found in the center of Liberty Square?
A) Declaration of Independence
B) Liberty Bell
C) Mount Rushmore
D) Michael Jackson’s Chimp, Bubbles

What thrill ride at Epcot is so authentic that motion sickness bags are available just in case of emergency?
A) Mission: SPACE
B) Test Track
C) Ellen’s Energy Adventure
D) Soarin’

Where does “intergalactic lounge singer” Sunny Eclipse perform daily at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Tomorrowland
B) Johnny Appleseed’s Tavern, Liberty Square
C) Cinderella’s Royal Table, Fantasyland
D) Pecos Bill Café - Frontierland

What is the name of the audio-animatronic dog in the Carousel of Progress?
A) Rover
B) Spot
C) Triumph
D) Santa’s Little Helper

Which of the following was not an “E” ticket attraction?
A) Jungle Cruise
B) Haunted Mansion
C) Mad Tea Party
D) Space Mountain

Approximately how many animals are carved into the 14-story Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
A) 3
B) 30
C) 300
D) 3,000

Which former Magic Kingdom attraction was based on a classic Jules Verne science fiction novel?
A) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
B) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
C) If You Had Wings
D) Flight to the Moon

The Leap-Frog Fountains can be found in which Disney World theme park?
A) Disney’s Magic Kingdom
B) Epcot
C) Disney’s Hollywood Studios
D) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Which attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom does not have height restrictions?
A) Space Mountain
B) Stitch’s Great Escape
C) Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
D) Splash Mountain

Captain EO, the former big-budget 3-D movie at Epcot, starred which pop singer?
A) Michael Bolton
B) Michael Jackson
C) Michael McDonald
D) Michael Corleone

Mark Calendar for Mickey's Halloween Party

2008-09-09T05:43:00.000-07:00

During 26 fun-filled evenings between September 5 and October 31, 2008, Disney's Magic Kingdom will host the popular after-hours extravaganza, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Guests are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes for the 7 PM to midnight bash, which boasts the "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade and the "Happy HalloWishes" fireworks spectacular. There's trick-or-treating fun as well and also the opportunity to enjoy Magic Kingdom rides and attractions throughout the night.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is scheduled for September 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 28 and 30, as well as October 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 31, 2008.

Kim Possible Attraction to Open at Epcot

2008-08-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

Epcot guests at Walt Disney World Resort will be treated to a brand new, highly interactive attraction inspired by Disney Channel's Emmy Award-winning animated series, "Disney's Kim Possible." The new experience is slated to premiere in late 2008.

Using the latest technology, Disney's Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites guests of all ages to become secret agents, teaming up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions.

As guests embark on this international adventure, they will receive an official "Kimmunicator," at kiosks throughout Epcot. The interactive, handheld device is designed to help them maneuver through the mission. Using state-of-the-art technology, the interactive device connects guests with a variety of Kim Possible characters who provide clues to stop villains from taking over the world. The highly interactive devices also allow guests to control top-secret equipment hidden inside the World Showcase pavilions, creating an ultra-interactive adventure jam-packed with mystery and excitement.

Guests can play Disney's Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure in seven of the World Showcase pavilions: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France and United Kingdom. Each pavilion features a unique mission, including distinctive visual events and a different super villain from the animated series.

Disney World: Past, Present & Future

2008-08-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

Disney World Raises One-Day Ticket Prices

2008-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Disney World has raised its one-day ticket prices from $71 to $75 for ages 10 and older and from $60 to $63 for ages 3 to 9.

Sounds Like Summer Epcot Concert Series

2008-07-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

The Epcot Sounds Like Summer Concert Series takes place through August 10, 2008. The remaining Sounds Like Summer Concert Series will feature Captain Fantastic (a tribute to Elton John) from July 28 to August 3, 2008, and The Sounds of The Supremes (a tribute to The Supremes), from August 4-10, 2008. All concerts take place at Epcot's America Gardens Theater.

Carousel of Progress, Disney's Magic Kingdom

2008-07-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

For more information about the history of the Carousel of Progress attraction, visit The Ultimate Guide to Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Tee Off at Disney World's Oak Trail Course

2008-07-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

The nine-hole, par-36 Oak Trail Golf Course, located adjacent to Shades of Green along with Disney’s Magnolia and Palm golf courses, plays at 2,913 yards (2,552 yards from the front tees). It features undulating target greens. Holes range from 132 yards to a 517-yard, double dogleg par five that Disney pros regard as one of the more interesting and challenging of Disney’s 81 holes of golf. Oak Trail, which was designed by well-known course architect Ron Garl, is considered perfect for both the developing golfer and the experienced player – ideal for a family outing or a quick nine.

Epcot Norway to Host "Deadliest Catch" Star

2008-07-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Norway Pavilion at Epcot will host Sig Hansen - one of the featured stars on the popular reality series on The Discovery Channel, "The Deadliest Catch" - for an in-park appearance July 10-13, 2008. Hansen will appear inside The Puffin's Roost, the pavilion's merchandise location, each day. He will be joined by his brothers, Edgar and Norman, who also appear on the show.

A fourth-generation Norwegian fisherman, Sig Hansen is the captain of the Northwestern, one of the crab-catching vessels on "The Deadliest Catch." He, Edgar and Norman own and operate the Northwestern. Based in Seattle, Washington, the Hansens have fished together for nearly 20 years.

In addition to signing autographs and posing for photos, the Hansens will have Northwestern merchandise for sale during their Epcot appearance.

Tampa Bay Bucs Training Camp Information

2008-06-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come back for their seventh NFL training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, from July 26-August 14, 2008.

The team's daily practices are free and open to the public, with the schedule often incorporating two-a-day sessions in the morning and afternoon.

Featuring one of the league's most animated head coaches, the Jon Gruden-led Bucs seek to build on their winning ways from 2007 with a collection of established stars such as quarterback Jeff Garcia, linebacker Derrick Brooks and cornerback Ronde Barber.

The 2008 season will also see the return of Warrick Dunn back into the Buccaneer fold. The diminutive, big-play tailback spent his first five seasons with Tampa Bay, totaling more than 6,500 yards of offense and 26 touchdowns.

A fertile breeding ground for success, the Buccaneers have produced three division titles and one Super Bowl championship since first arriving at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in 2002. Fans once again will be allowed the unique access to witness the daily workouts and drills that NFL players undertake in preparation for the rigorous regular season, along with routine autograph opportunities following practice.

Plan Your Fourth of July at Disney World

2008-06-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

A popular July 4th tradition at Walt Disney World Resort will continue this year as star-spangled salutes to America's independence are presented all across the Florida Vacation Kingdom.

Here's some of the fireworks fun scheduled for July 4 at Walt Disney World Resort this year:

Disney's Magic Kingdom
A Fourth of July "Concert in the Sky" will light up the night at Disney's Magic Kingdom in honor of Independence Day. Featuring a magnificent display of aerial fireworks, dazzling pyrotechnic effects and dynamic music, the show, entitled "Disney's Celebrate America!-A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky," is a grand tribute to the United States, its people and traditions. The special show is scheduled for 9 p.m. Disney's Magic Kingdom also will feature two performances of the "SpectroMagic" nighttime parade, first at 10:30 p.m. and then again at 12:30 a.m. that same night.

Epcot
A holiday-inspired finale will be added to Epcot's nightly fireworks extravaganza, "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth." The park's American Adventure pavilion also will feature enhanced entertainment throughout the day, with visits from historic characters who will share their stories. American Adventure also will feature additional performances of its signature musical group, Voices of Liberty, performing patriotic classics.

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios will present a special July 4th fireworks show at 9 p.m., with skyrockets and patriotic music filling the air at the showbiz-themed park. The park's popular "Fantasmic!" show, featuring fireworks, animation, dancing waters and Disney characters, will be presented on July 4 at 10:30 p.m.

Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney will present July 4th fireworks at 10:30 p.m. for the revelers, shoppers and diners enjoying the nighttime entertainment district.

Disney World 3-D Park Tour Information

2008-06-12T05:41:00.000-07:00

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is harnessing the power of Google Earth™ to build an interactive, three-dimensional tour of Walt Disney World Resort that brings you one step closer to a true park experience . . .

Disney World Teams with Google Earth for 3-D Park Tour

Mr. Potato Head at Toy Story Mania!

2008-06-11T12:05:00.001-07:00

Vintage Disney's Magic Kingdom Film

2008-06-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

Disney World Announces Night of Joy Lineup

2008-05-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

Disney World has announced its lineup for the 26th-annual Night of Joy, which will take place September 5-6, 2008, at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Night of Joy 2008 will include performances by tobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath, MercyMe, Rebecca St. James and Marcos Witt, among others.

Admisison to Night of Joy requires a separate admission ticket valid from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Advance tickets cost $44.95 for one night and $75.95 for both nights. Tickets purchased at the gate cost $49.95. However, it is a good idea to purchase tickets early since the event could easily sell out.

For more information about Night of Joy, visit Night of Joy Guide.

Virtual Disney World

2008-05-20T06:59:00.001-07:00

Disney has partnered with Google Earth to create a virtual walk-through of Disney World. Check it out at disneyworld.com/3dparks.

New Disney World Events Blog!

2008-05-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

Check out my new Disney World events blog: http://www.wdwevents.wordpress.com. I will keep it updated with ALL upcoming Disney World events at all four theme parks, as well as Downtown Disney. Visit early and often, so you won't miss any upcoming Disney events!

Deconstructing Disney World will continue to offer the best in Disney World news, insider tips, trivia, history, videos, photos, etc. for Disney fans around the world . . .

Helicopter Ride Over Disney World

2008-05-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Assault at Mad Tea Party Leads To Lawsuit

2008-05-09T12:19:00.001-07:00

According to the Orlando Sentinel (May 9, 2008), "the Clermont woman who was beaten by another park visitor at Walt Disney World has sued the theme park, saying that its negligence caused her to suffer permanent injuries."

'Teacups' Beating Victim Sues Disney

Toy Story Mania! Preview Video

2008-05-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Scheduled to open at Disney's Hollywood Studios in late May 2008, Toy Story Mania! is the first time that Walt Disney Imagineering is creating an attraction for two Disney Parks simultaneously (a second Toy Story Mania! will open at Disney's California Adventure in June 2008. Stay tuned for more information about Toy Story Mania!

Tower of Terror - Best Ride in America?

2008-05-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios was voted "Best Ride in America" by readers of the Theme Park Insider website.

Mark Your Calendar - Upcoming Disney Events

2008-04-29T05:37:00.001-07:00

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - Epcot, Through June 1, 2008

Mickey's Pirate & Princess Party - Disney's Magic Kingdom Park, Select Dates through June 4, 2008

Toy Story Mania! - Disney's Hollywood Studios, Opens Late May 2008

Star Wars Weekends - Disney's Hollywood Studios, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, June 6-29, 2008

Sounds Like Summer - Epcot, June 9 - August 10, 2008

Journey into Narnia - Disney's Hollywood Studios, Summer 2008

Night of Joy - Disney's Hollywood Studios, September 5-6, 2008

Source: www.orlando-florida.net

Celebrities to Appear at Star Wars Weekends

2008-04-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Star Wars celebrities will be at each weekend of 2008 Star Wars Weekends for photos, Q&A, autograph sessions and Hollywood-style motorcades. All four weekends, Star Wars actor Warwick Davis (who portrayed "Wicket the Ewok") will serve as celebrity emcee and host of the event. Here's the list of celebrities scheduled to attend (subject to change without notice):

June 6-8, 2008: Jeremy Bulloch ("Boba Fett") and Daniel Logan (young "Boba Fett")
June 13-15, 2008: Peter Mayhew ("Chewbacca") and David Prowse ("Darth Vader")
June 20-22, 2008: Amy Allen ("Aayla Secura") and Matthew Wood ("General Grievous")
June 27-29: Dave Filoni (director of the upcoming "Star Wars: The Clone Wars")

The Star Wars Weekends fun is included with regular admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Guests can access more information by visiting disneyworld.com/starwars or www.starwars.

Animal Kingdom to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

2008-04-14T08:29:00.001-07:00

Animal Kingdom, Disney World's largest theme park, opened on Earth Day - April 22, 1998, and celebrates its 10th anniversary next Tuesday. More information to come . . .

Upcoming Disney World Events & Attractions

2008-04-10T05:53:00.002-07:00

Source: HotelsCorp.com Travel Events Blog

Toy Story Mania!, a one-of-a-kind interactive ride, is scheduled to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in May 2008.

The Wave, an upscale restaurant that will offer “bold American cooking with flavors from all over the world,” will make its debut at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the summer of 2008.

The all-new Jostens Center at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will open in the summer of 2008 with 45,000 square feet of competition space for basketball, volleyball, wrestling, martial arts, gymnastics, cheerleading and dance, team handball, roller hockey and more.

The 15th-annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will continue daily through June 1, 2008, with Flower Power music filling evenings at the end of days that feature horticultural exhibits, seminars and demonstrations.

The Magic Kingdom’s newest after-hours special event, Mickey’s Pirate and Princess Party, will offer fun-filled adventure on seven evenings in May and early June 2008.

Star Wars Weekends will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from June 6-June 29, 2008.

Epcot’s “Sounds Like Summer” concert series, which will take place nightly from June 9 through August 10 at America Gardens Theatre, will feature an excellent lineup of tribute bands covering tunes from the likes of Elton John, The Eagles, The Supremes, Bon Jovi, U2, the Bee Gees and more.

The NBA Pre-Draft, which will boast many of the top pro basketball prospects, takes place May 27-30, 2008, inside The Milk House at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will return for their seventh training camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex from late July to mid-August 2008. The Bucs’ daily practices are free and open to the public.

Star Wars Weekends at Disney World

2008-04-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar for the 2008 Star Wars Weekends, which will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between June 6 and June 29, 2008, at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Star Tours will serve as a centerpiece for Star Wars Weekends, which will feature autograph sessions with Star Wars celebrities, photos, Q&A sessions and Hollywood-style motorcades. Star Wars Weekends is included with the regular admission price to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Don't miss it!

Catch the Wave at the Contemporary Resort

2008-04-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Wave, an upscale restaurant featuring "bold American cooking with flavors from all around the world," will make its debut at Disney's Contemporary Resort in the summer of 2008. Located on the first floor, The Wave will offer a seasonal menu, "superlounge" and an innovative wine list. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served daily.

Explore "Cities in Wonderland" at Epcot Fest

2008-03-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

Fine cuisine and some of the best "foodie" cities in the world will take a bow at the 13th-annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival September 26 through November 9, 2008.

Epcot guests can explore "Cities in Wonderland" - from trendy Cork, Ireland, to the melting pot of Cape Town, South Africa - around the World Showcase promenade while also discovering blissful bites at international and regional marketplaces brimming with exotic flavors and comfort foods. The six-week festival will showcase tastes from countries on six continents.

More than 25 international marketplaces will serve tapas-sized portions of regional specialties at $2-to-$5 each, and recommended wines and beers make perfect pairings at each kiosk. New festival flavors explore the culinary wonders of Lyon, France; Marrakesh, Morocco; Shanghai, China; Bologna, Italy; Tokyo, Japan; and Mexico City, Mexico.

Daily complimentary wine and beer tastings serve up sips from around the world, and culinary demonstrations dish up featured taste treats. A series of special culinary programs features a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Musical entertainment pairs perfectly with culinary fun during the nightly Eat to the Beat! concert series featuring a varied lineup of classic rock, soul, R&B, oldies, jazz and funk hitmakers. Concerts are performed three times each evening at America Gardens Theatre along the World Showcase lagoon. New acts to appear include Kool & The Gang, Spyro Gyra, En Vogue and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. David Sanborn, Jon Secada and Otis Day and the Knights are among returning crowd-pleasing acts.

Other festival highlights include: The Festival Welcome Center, complete with a Champagne and Wine Bar, complimentary wine seminars and book signings; some 250 Disney chefs and guest chefs conducing culinary demonstrations and hosting elegant dinners and tasting events; a weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting event featuring tempting tastes from eminent chefs, more than 70 wines and beers, and live entertainment.

Wine and beer seminars, cooking demonstrations, special book signings at the Festival Center, Eat to the Beat! concerts, culinary and cultural exhibits, and all attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission. The weekly Party for the Senses grand tasting, Food and Wine Pairings at select Epcot restaurants, Regional Feasts, Epcot Wine Schools, Cheese Tastings, Sweet Sundays, and other special wine and culinary programs require reservations and separate admission.

Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs.

Top 10 Most Popular Theme Parks for 2007

2008-03-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

1. Disney's Magic Kingdom - 17.06 million visitors

2. Disneyland - 14.87 million visitors

3. Epcot - 10.93 million visitors

4. Disney-MGM Studios (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - 9.51 million visitors

5. Disney's Animal Kingdom - 9.49 million visitors

6. Universal Studios - 6.2 million visitors

7. SeaWorld Orlando - 5.8 million visitors

8. Disney's California Adventure - 5.68 million visitors

9. Universal's Islands of Adventure - 5.43 million visitors

10. Universal Studios Hollywood - 4.7 million visitors

Sources: Park World, InPark, TEA Inc., Economics Research Associates

Stump the Schwab at ESPN The Weekend

2008-03-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Remember the Skyway to Tomorrowland?

2008-03-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

Opened in 1971, the Skyway to Tomorrowland once provided a bird's-eye view of Disney's Magic Kingdom between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The Skyway to Tomorrowland closed permanently in the fall of 1999.

Tampa Bay Rays to return to Disney in April

2008-03-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Rays will return to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex April 22-24, 2008, for an American League series with the Toronto Blue Jays. In May 2007, the Rays swept a three-game series from the Texas Rangers at 9,500-seat Champion Stadium in the first regular-season major league games EVER played in the Orlando area.

Individual tickets for the three-game set are on sale at the Champion Stadium Box Office at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, Tropicana Field Box Office, Rays Tampa Office & Pro Shop, via the Rays official website at www.raysbaseball.com or www.raysbeisbol.com, all Ticketmaster locations, and via Ticketmaster Phonecharge at (727) 898-7297 or (407) 839-3900. The Rays are also offering a special three-game package. Luxury entertainment suites and group ticket specials are available by calling 888/FAN-RAYS or by logging on to www.raysbaseball.com.

All fans attending the games in Orlando will receive a voucher for a ticket to a designated weekend game at Tropicana Field this season.

Pleasure Island to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-11T10:41:00.001-07:00

Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney will host a special St. Patrick's Day celebration called "Sham-Rock 'n' Roll," a fun-filled street party for the whole family, on March 14, 15 and 17, 2008. Highlights will include live music featuring Seven Nations, videos by Irish artists and stilt walkers. Club admission is not required for "Sham-Rock 'n' Roll," which begins at 7 PM during the above dates.

In addition, the Raglan Road Irish Restaurant & Pub will feature Irish music, song and dance for St. Patrick's Day on March 16-17, 2008.

Spaceship Earth: The Relaunch!

2008-03-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some interesting facts about the recent relaunch of Spaceship Earth at Epcot:

New scenes depict a family in the late 1960s viewing the moon landing on television; a massive, two-story computer room of the late 1960s with reel-to-reel-computers; a garage of the early 1970s where the "personal computer" is born; and a "tech tunnel" in which guests become part of a digital data stream.

"Practically every Audio-Animatronics figure in Spaceship Earth has been updated in one way or another," said Show Producer Bob Zalk of Walt Disney Imagineering. "To make the figures more realistic, they've received a makeover of everything from their hair to their costumes to their movements."

The new narration is delivered by English actress Dame Judi Dench, who earned an Oscar as best supporting actress in 1999 for her role in the motion picture "Shakespeare in Love."

While Dench delivers the ride vehicle narration in English, guests can also choose five other languages for their vehicle, a Disney "first" -- French, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

The new musical score was composed by Bruce Broughton, who has won a record 10 Emmy Awards and has been nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy during a career writing in every medium - from theatrical releases and TV feature films to the concert stage and computer games. A 62-piece orchestra and 24-voice choir brings his latest composition to life.

As the ride-through adventure nears its finish, interactive touch-screens in the ride vehicles light up with a series of questions, soliciting guests' preferences concerning things such as where they'd like to live and work in the future. Then guests are treated to a personalized view of themselves in their idyllic future.

When guests disembark the time travel experience, they are invited to visit "Project Tomorrow: Inventing the World of Tomorrow" presented by Siemens, where interactive exhibits bring to life the ideas and technologies Siemens is developing to help make the world a better place for the future. The space is filled with fun, interactive games and displays that showcase innovative technologies.

Primeval Whirl Gets Added Safety Features

2008-03-05T11:54:00.001-08:00

Check out this Orlando Sentinel article about new safety features at this Animal Kingdom ride.

Hanging Out at ESPN The Weekend

2008-03-03T06:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday morning we took the kids to Disney's Hollywood Studios with the idea that we would have the theme park to ourselves. However, when we arrived promptly at 8:30 AM there was already a good crowd - mainly middle-aged, overweight, balding dudes wearing football jerseys. Then I realized that we were caught in the middle of ESPN The Weekend!

Actually it wasn't too bad, all of the sports fans seemed to be hanging out in the designated ESPN The Weekend areas, while we were able to go on a bunch of rides and view shows such as Great Movie Ride, High School Musical and Star Tours without waiting in any lines. I did break away from the family for awhile to catch a celebrity motorcade that featured football legends Mercury Morris (I'm a lifelong fan of the Miami Dolphins, especially when they actually won Super Bowls!), Harry Carson and Tim Brown followed by an entertaining Q&A session.

Also, we ate lunch for the first time at the '50s Prime Time Cafe. Every time we've tried to get in this popular eatery in the past there was always a horrendous wait time for a table. It was a cool place: You sit down at what appears to be a kitchen table from the '50s with a TV playing clips from popular '50s TV shows. The wait staff is lively and the waiters and waitresses call everyone "kid." The will also reprimand you if you don't eat your vegetables. The food was overpriced (I guess it was about typical for a Disney World sit-down restaurant though) and the menu specializes in "comfort food" like fried chicken and meatloaf, as well as mac and cheese, hotdogs and chicken strips for kids. I enjoyed the fried chicken, which came with green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. The check itself was somewhat of a shock: $54 for lunch for a family of four! However, it's worth the experience at least once in a lifetime . . .

Oh yeah, I have plenty of photos of ESPN The Weekend that I will upload over the next few days (as well as photos I took at Disney's Magic Kingdom the night before).

Great Movie Ride Wazzup Video

2008-02-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

More Disney World Videos

Top 5 Disney World Urban Legends

2008-02-27T08:07:00.000-08:00

5. Cinderella Castle at Disney's Magic Kingdom contains a secret apartment that was originally built for Walt Disney and his family. (Walt Disney died in 1966 - long before construction began on Cinderella Castle. The "Cinderella Castle Suite" used for Disney's Year of a Million Dreams celebration was recently constructed out of an unused space in the castle.)

4. In case of a hurricane, the Cinderella Castle's 10 spires can be easily removed to prevent them from damage. (Although the castle was built to withstand hurricane force winds, no part of it can be disassembled in the event of a hurricane.)

3. The plane from the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios OR from the Jungle Cruise at Disney's Magic Kingdom is the same one that was used in the famous final scene of the classic 1942 film, Casablanca. (Actually, the plane from Casablanca was just a movie prop.)

2. A Disney World guest was decapitated after standing up while riding Space Mountain. (According to some reports, it was a "test dummy" that had its head severed during testing by Disney Imagineers before Space Mountain was opened to the public.)

1. Walt Disney's body lies cryogenically frozen in a secret chamber buried deep beneath Disney's Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. (Disney was actually cremated and buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.)

Can you think of any others?

Disney World Promotional Film, Early 1970s

2008-02-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

Check out this vintage 8mm film produced by Walt Disney Productions and used to promote Walt Disney World shortly after it first opened in 1971. Look for some long-gone Disney attractions such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Walt Disney Story, Plaza Swan Boats, Flight to the Moon and The Mickey Mouse Revue.

Check out new Disney World MySpace Pages

2008-02-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

I've created two new Disney MySpace Pages: A Disney World Trivia page at www.myspace.com/disneyworld71 and a Walt Disney Tribute page at www.myspace.com/waltdisney1971. Both are full of interesting Disney World trivia, blogs, photos and videos. Check them out and don't forget to leave your comments and suggestions.

Hit or Miss? American Idol at Disney World

2008-02-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know what to make of the recent announcement that Disney World will open an American Idol attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in late 2008. One of the main reasons that the TV show version of American Idol has been so monstrously successful is the interaction among the judges: Randy, Paula and especially Simon. Without them, American Idol would be just another lame variety show (remember Star Search?). Also, unless you are chosen to actively participate and perform on stage (think Who Wants to be a Millionaire - Play It!), you will probably get bored quickly watching some of the Gong Show-caliber talent culled from the theme park crowd. I think the American Idol attraction will gain a lot of attention initially due to the buzz and then fade rapidly . . . What do you think?

Staying Relevant

2008-02-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

"Toy Story Mania . . . reflects the larger pressures and challenges facing [Disney's] $10.6 billion parks and resorts business. To stay relevant to younger, digitally savvy visitors while also delivering growth to investors, Disney, the company that invented the modern theme park, knows that it has to devise a new era of spectacular attractions rooted in technology . . . The quickening pace of daily living, advances in personal technology and the rapidly changing media landscape are combining to reshape what consumers expect out of a theme park, Disney executives say . . . Consumers' fixation on instant gratification and personalization has been reshaping the entertainment industry for some time, but it has finally caught up to the theme park business in visible ways. For instance, Disney has spent much more effort - and money - developing ways to entertain people as they stand in line for Toy Story Mania. An animatronic figure with an estimated $1 million price tag will sing songs and interact with guests as they wait. Employees dressed as 'Toy Story' characters will stroll among the crowds."
- Brooks Barnes, "Will Disney Keep Us Amused?", The New York Times, February 10, 2008

Top 10 Worst Disney World Attractions

2008-02-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

We always hear the rave reviews about such great Disney World thrill rides as Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Mission: SPACE at Epcot, Splash Mountain at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney-MGM Studios. However, what about those Disney World attractions that we love to hate, the ones that never draw a long line, the mediocre rides that have taken the place of true Disney classics (does Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride ring a bell)?

Therefore, here’s my own PERSONAL list of the top 10 worst Disney World attractions:

1. Stitch’s Great Escape: Based on a mediocre animated movie, Lilo & Stitch, Stitch’s Great Escape in Tomorrowland tops the list since it will bore anyone over the age of 5 and, worst of all, it actually replaced a popular attraction, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter!

2. Sounds Dangerous: This extremely dull Disney-MGM Studios show highlights “wacky audio illusions” and stars third-tier comedian Drew Carey. Skip it at all costs unless you are in desperate need of some air conditioning to beat the heat.

3. Wildlife Express Train: Don’t worry, you won’t see much wildlife during your five-minute journey to Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, you’ll see a few uninteresting warehouse-type buildings along the way (apparently that’s where they house the animals at night or something).

4. Donald’s Boat: Near the back of Mickey’s Toontown Fair lies this big empty boat. Kids will run into it with great expectations and find absolutely nothing to do here. Occasionally, a little water play area is in operation in front of the boat, the S.S. Miss Daisy.

5. The Circle of Life: Characters from Disney’s The Lion King appear in this “amazing ecological adventure” at Epcot. A real snoozer!

6. Swiss Family Treehouse: A massive concrete tree with polyethylene leaves, the 60-foot-tall Swiss Family Treehouse at Adventureland offers a spectacular view from the top. However, you have to climb a total of 116 steps through uninvolving exhibits to get there.

7. Journey into Imagination with Figment: The original Journey into Imagination, which made its debut at Epcot in 1983, was by far the best incarnation but Disney has totally ruined the ride by tinkering with it so much over the years.

8. TriceraTop Spin: Basically a rip-off of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, TriceraTop Spin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom gives you the opportunity of waiting in line for 40 minutes to an hour in order to take a ride for 1 ½ minutes aboard a spinning dinosaur-shaped vehicle.

9. Astro Orbiter: Another spinning rip-off of Dumbo means another extremely long wait for a short, dull ride. Been there, done that (however, you do get a good view of Tomorrowland from high above).

10. Tomorrowland Indy Speedway: Yes, it’s one of the original attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (originally known as Grand Prix Raceway). However, you’ll have more fun at your local go-cart track without having to deal with ridiculously long lines, annoying gas fumes and beaten-up race cars that travel at speeds up to a whopping 7.5 miles per hour along a guided track!

Disney World Trivia Quiz

2008-02-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

1. What year did Disney’s Magic Kingdom open its doors?A) 1955
B) 1971
C) 1975

2. Which Major League Baseball team plays its home games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex during Spring Training?
A) Houston Astros
B) Atlanta Braves
C) Milwaukee Beers

3. What is the tallest structure at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Space Mountain
B) Swiss Family Treehouse
C) Cinderella Castle

4. What is the name of Disney World’s major promotional celebration that runs throughout 2007?
A) Year of a Million Dreams
B) Year of a Thousand Dreams
C) Year of 10 Dreams

5. What is the tallest artificial mountain at Disney World?
A) Expedition Everest
B) Splash Mountain
C) Space Mountain

6. What is the fastest ride at Disney World?
A) Space Mountain
B) Test Track
C) WEDway PeopleMover

7. Which Cirque du Soleil show takes place at Downtown Disney?
A) Mystere
B) La Nouba
C) La Strada

8. Encompassing more than 500 acres, which is Disney World’s largest theme park?
A) Epcot
B) Boardwalk and Baseball
C) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

9. What is the name of the indoor interactive theme park at Downtown Disney?
A) DisneyQuest
B) DisneyInterQuest
C) Cirque du Quest

10. What is the name of the free reservation system Disney World uses for its most popular rides and attractions?
A) QUICKPASS
B) FASTPASS
C) SUNPASS

11. What year did Disney-MGM Studios open its doors?
A) 1982
B) 1989
C) 1998

12. Which of the following countries is represented at Epcot’s World Showcase?
A) Bangladesh
B) Morocco
C) Algeria

13. Who was the first champion at the inaugural Walt Disney World Open Golf Invitational in 1971?
A) Jack Nicklaus
B) Tiger Woods
C) Arnold Palmer

14. What is the former name of the Astro Orbiter attraction in Tomorrowland?
A) Skyrockets in Flight
B) Star Jets
C) Mon Calamari Star Cruisers

15. Which astronaut took the first ride during the grand opening of Space Mountain in 1975?
A) Major Anthony “Tony” Nelson
B) Commander Neil Armstrong
C) Colonel Gordon Cooper

16. What is the name of Disney World’s first water park, which opened at Fort Wilderness Campground in 1976.
A) River Country
B) Splash Country
C) Wilderness Country

17. What did EPCOT originally stand for?
A) Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
B) Experimental Polyester Clothes of Tomorrow
C) Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed

18. Which thrill ride can be found in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot?
A) Troll Trauma
B) Maelstrom
C) El Rio Del Norway

19. Singer Gloria Estefan owns which Downtown Disney restaurant?
A) Raglan Road Irish Pub
B) Bongos Cuban Cafe
C) Latin Quarter

20. Which is one of Disney World’s two miniature golf courses?
A) Disney’s Winter Summerland
B) Disney’s Summer Winterland
C) Disney’s Fall Springland

21. What International Drive landmark is known as “Orlando’s only upside-down attraction”?
A) Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
B) Skull Kingdom
C) WonderWorks

22. Which PGA golf tournament takes place at Disney World each October?
A) Children's Miracle Network Classic
B) Arnold Palmer Golf Classic
C) Bushwood Golf Classic

23. Summit Plummet, the world’s fastest and tallest free-fall waterslide, can be found at which water park?
A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach
B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
C) DisneyQuest

24. Which legendary rock band is associated with a thrill ride at Disney-MGM Studios?
A) Guns N’ Roses
B) Aerosmith
C) Insane Clown Posse

25. Which annual event takes place at Disney-MGM Studios?
A) Fear Factor Live Weekend
B) K-Fed Rapper Wannabe Weekend
C) ABC Super Soap Weekend

26. Which NASCAR legend offers a stock car “Driving Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Speedway?
A) Dale Earnhardt Jr.
B) Richard Petty
C) Ricky Bobby

27. Which Disney World theme park has more than one entrance?
A) Disney-MGM Studios
B) Disney’s Animal Kingdom
C) Epcot

28. The Living Seas Pavilion at Epcot has changed its name to honor which Disney animated character?
A) Nemo
B) Arial
C) Foghorn Leghorn

29. What year did Epcot open its doors?
A) 1978
B) 1982
C) 1989

30. Which is not one of the characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies to be added to the Pirates attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Captain Jack Sparrow
B) Barbossa
C) Cap’n Crunch

31. Mount Gushmore serves as the centerpiece of which Orlando area water park?
A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach
B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
C) Wet ‘n Wild Water Park

32. Which Fantasyland attraction boasts the world’s largest seamless projection screen?
A) It’s a Small World
B) Peter Pan’s Flight
C) Mickey’s PhilharMagic

33. The theme and characters for Splash Mountain were inspired by what 1946 Disney movie?
A) Song of the South
B) Fantasia
C) Splash

34. President Richard Nixon gave his famous “I am not a crook” speech during a convention at which Disney resort in 1973?
A) Polynesian Resort
B) Contemporary Resort
C) Motel 6

35. Which science fiction writer assisted in the design of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?
A) Ray Bradbury
B) Isaac Asimov
C) Thomas Anderson

36. How many ghosts reside at the Haunted Mansion?
A) 99
B) 999
C) 9,999

37. Name the body of water that lies directly in front of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
A) Discovery Lagoon
B) Seven Seas Lagoon
C) Toon Lagoon

38. Which was not one of the original attractions when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?
A) Haunted Mansion
B) Jungle Cruise
C) Pirates of the Caribbean

39. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland was replaced by which attraction in the late ‘90s?
A) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
B) If You Had Wings
C) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

40. How much did a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?
A) $4.75
B) $8.75
C) $67.75

41. How tall is Space Mountain?
A) 89 feet
B) 189 feet
C) 29,028 feet

42. Which of the Country Bears sings “Blood on the Saddle” during the Country Bear Jamboree?
A) Big Al
B) Mr. Big
C) Notorious B.I.G.

43. What is the name of the fort that is connected to Tom Sawyer Island by a swinging suspension bridge?
A) Fort Courage
B) Fort Longhorn
C) Fort Langhorne

44. What is the nickname of the vehicles used at The Haunted Mansion?
A) Doom Buggies
B) Creepy Carriages
C) Haunted Hearses

45. Which is not a location of one of the three Walt Disney World Railroad stations at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?
A) Frontierland
B) Adventureland
C) Mickey’s Toontown Fair

46. What is the highest rank you can achieve through accumulating points at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?
A) Galactic Hero
B) Starfleet Captain
C) Space Nerd

47. What is the maximum speed of the Indy cars at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway?
A) 2.5 mph
B) 7.5 mph
C) 160 mph

48. Which of the following animated films was worked on at Disney-MGM Studios?
A) Mulan
B) Treasure Planet
C) Fritz the Cat

49. What is the original name of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority?
A) Mach Go Go Go
B) Blade Runner
C) WEDway People Mover

50. The Leave a Legacy Sculpture is located near the entrance to which Disney World theme park?
A) Disney’s Magic Kingdom
B) Disney-MGM Studios
C) Epcot

Answers: 1) A, 2) B, 3) C, 4) A, 5) A, 6) B, 7) B, 8) C, 9) A, 10) B, 11) B, 12) B, 13) A, 14) B, 15) C, 16) A, 17) A, 18) B, 19) B, 20) A, 21) C, 22) A, 23) A, 24) B, 25) C, 26) B, 27) C, 28) A, 29) B, 30) C, 31) B, 32) C, 33) A, 34) B, 35) A, 36) B, 37) B, 38) C, 39) A, 40) A, 41) B, 42) A, 43) C, 44) A, 45) B, 46) A, 47) B, 48) A, 49) C, 50) C

More Disney World Trivia Questions

Barbershop Quartet, Main Street, U.S.A.

2008-02-11T05:41:00.000-08:00

While you stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disney's Magic Kingdom, don't miss a chance to catch a performance of the immensely entertaining Dapper Dans Barbershop Quartet . . .

Disney Flashback: 1990's Epcot Commercial

2008-02-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

Since there is a reference to Captain EO and Epcot is referred to as "Epcot Center," I would date the above Epcot commercial in the early 1990s. I really enjoy the last shot of Mickey Mouse high atop Spaceship Earth. Awesome!

2008 Epcot International Flower & Garden Fest

2008-02-06T08:11:00.001-08:00

I always look forward to festivals at Epcot, especially the food and wine festival and the upcoming Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which will boast world-class flower and horticultural displays, specially themed weekends and the Flower Power concert series. I plan to wander through the endless displays of colorful roses, wildflowers and Disney topiary displays, as well as attend some of the fascinating gardening seminars, workshops and demonstrations. Children's activities will be available also at the 15th-annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which has been expanded to 75 days this year - from March 19 through June 1, 2008. Best of all, the festival is included in Epcot's regular admission price.

2008 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Themed Weekends
March 21-23, 2008 - Premiere Weekend
March 28-30, 2008 - Characters in Bloom
April 4-6, 2008 - Art in the Garden
April 11-13, 2008 - Wellness Weekend
April 18-20, 2008 - Green Weekend
April 25-27, 2008 - I Dig Bugs
May 2-4, 2008 - Florida Farmers Market
May 9-11, 2008 - Coming Up Roses
May 16-18, 2008 - Garden Party
May 23-25, 2008 - Outdoor Living
May 31 - June 1, 2008 - Festival Farewell

In addition, the 2008 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will feature a stellar lineup of live entertainment through the Flower Power Concert Series such as The Guess Who, The Searchers, The Ventures and The Cowsills. All concerts will take place at the America Gardens Theatre at 5:45 PM, 7 PM and 8:15 PM during the dates specified below.

2008 Flower Power Concert Series
March 19-22, 2008 - The Guess Who ("American Woman")
March 23-24, 2008 - Petula Clark ("Downtown")
March 25-29, 2008 - Paul Revere and the Raiders ("Good Thing")
March 30-31, 2008 - The 5th Dimension ("Up, Up and Away")
April 1-3, 2008 - Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons ("Can't Live Without You")
April 4-5, 2008 - Jay Black ("This Magic Moment")
April 6-9, 2008 - Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone ("Henry the 8th")
April 10-12, 2008 - The Grass Roots featuring Rob Grill ("Midnight Confessions")
April 13-16, 2008 - The Happenings ("See You in September")
April 17-18, 2008 - Peter & Gordon ("A World without Love")
April 19-23, 2008 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas ("We Built This City")
April 24-26, 2008 - The Ventures ("Hawaii Five-O")
April 27-30, 2008 - B.J. Thomas ("Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head")
May 1-3, 2008 - Arlo Guthrie ("Alice's Restaurant")
May 4-5, 2008 - The Searchers ("Bumble Bee")
May 6-10, 2008 - The Tokens ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight")
May 11-15, 2008 - Davy Jones ("Daydream Believer")
May 16-17, 2008 - Jose Feliciano ("Light My Fire")
May 18-20, 2008 - Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals (Good Lovin'")
May 21-24, 2008 - Gary Puckett ("Over You")
May 25-27, 2008 - The Cowsills ("The Rain, the Park and Other Things")
May 28 - June 1, 2008 - Tony Orlando ("Tie a Yellow Ribbon")

Note: Concerts are subject to change without notice.

Upcoming Disney World Calendar of Events

2008-02-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage! - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Opens February 2008

Atlanta Braves Spring Training - Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
February 27 - March 27, 2008

Disney's Pirate & Princess Party - Disney's Magic Kingdom
Select Dates in February and March 2008

ESPN The Weekend - Disney's Hollywood Studios
February 29 - March 2, 2008

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - Epcot
March 19 - June 1, 2008

Block Party Bash - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Opens Spring 2008

Toy Story Mania! - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Opens Summer 2008

Star Wars Weekends - Disney's Hollywood Studios
Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June 2008

Toy Story Mania! Sneak Preview

2008-02-04T06:25:00.000-08:00

I just received my Spring 2008 copy of Mickey Monitor, which features a sneak preview of Toy Story Mania!, the new attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios that is scheduled to open in the summer of 2008. Inspired by Disney-Pixar's immensely popular Toy Story movies, Toy Story Mania! will provide a combination of "colorful, ride-through excitement, 3-D technology and full-on competition!" Riders will take a unique journey through a "Midway Games playset" and stop at various carnival booths along the way where they will use their "spring-action shooter to launch virtual darts at balloons, rings at aliens and eggs at barnyard targets," states Walt Disney Imagineering Show Producer Chrissie Allen in the Mickey Monitor. To learn more about Toy Story Mania, visit toystorymania.com.

Toy Story Mania! Sneak Preview Video

Last Chance for Disney Stars and Motor Cars

2008-02-01T06:22:00.001-08:00

The Orlando Sentinel gave a heads up today for those wishing to check out the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade. It will be replaced soon, even as early as next month, by the Block Party Bash. Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade features characters from some of Disney's best-loved animated films such as Toy Story, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Lilo & Stitch, Ratatouille and much more.

For more information about discount tickets for Disney's Hollywood Studios, visit Orlando-Florida.net.

Blast from the Past: Disney World 1971

2008-01-30T08:56:00.000-08:00

Julie Andrews sings "When You Wish Upon a Star" during the Grand Opening Special for Walt Disney World, October 1971.

Spend a Magical Night in Cinderella Castle!

2008-01-29T10:29:00.000-08:00

A select few Disney World guests will be lucky enough to spend the night at the Cinderella Castle Suite at Disney's Magic Kingdom as part of Disney's "Year of a Million Dreams" celebration.

The Cinderella Castle Suite features three exquisitely decorated rooms: The Royal Bedchamber, Royal Bath and Royal Salon. The Royal Bedchamber boasts two queen-size beds with custom-designed mahogany headboards. Check out the Cinderella Castle Suite video below . . .

Disney World Year of a Million Dreams Video

2008-01-28T05:59:00.000-08:00

Here is a Year of a Million Dreams video I have never seen before that covers both Disney World and Disneyland. Enjoy!

Top 10 Disney World Day Trips

2008-01-23T06:32:00.000-08:00

While Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando are all essential ingredients for any family’s Orlando itinerary, you will definitely want to take at least a day trip during your vacation to escape from all the crowds, hectic pace and total madness of these world-class theme parks. Fortunately, Orlando lies within an hour or so of a variety of diverse attractions where you can spend an afternoon far from the madding crowd. The following list features 10 of the best Orlando day trips:

1. Busch Gardens Africa: Sure Busch Gardens in Tampa is another theme park but it draws fewer visitors (4.3 million in 2006) than Disney World, Universal Orlando or SeaWorld Orlando. In addition, Busch Gardens features some eclectic thrill rides and attractions such as SheiKra, Florida’s first dive coaster, which boasts two 90º drops at 70 miles per hour.

2. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park: Opened in 1936 as Florida’s first theme park, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven still features its beautiful botanical gardens and spectacular water-ski shows, but has added thrill rides, live concerts and the Splash Island Water Park over the past few years.

3. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Just 45 minutes East of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center gives you and your family the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the incredible history of American space flight and view rockets and exhibits, tour launch areas, watch a 3-D space movie at an IMAX theater and much more.

4. Silver Springs: Billed as “ Florida’s Original Theme Park,” Silver Springs lies near Ocala and boasts colorful botanical gardens, animal habitats, live shows, rides, specialty shops and the world-famous glass bottom boat rides.

5. Florida Aquarium: Opened in 1995, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa is home to more than 10,000 aquatic animals and plants from all over the world such as alligators, tropical fish, sharks, stingrays and sea turtles, as well as interactive exhibits.

6. Lowry Park Zoo: Approximately 1,600 animals can be viewed in their natural habitats at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, which also features a Florida wildlife center, aviary, petting zoo, live shows and more.

7. Canaveral National Seashore: One of just 10 National Seashores in the United States, Canaveral National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped beach along Florida’s East Coast. Popular activities here include sunbathing, swimming, surf fishing, surfing and hiking.

8. Central Florida Zoological Park: Just a short drive up Interstate 4 in Sanford lies the Central Florida Zoological Park, which is home to hundreds of animals, including alligators, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and monkeys.

9. Daytona USA: Adjacent to the Daytona International Speedway, Daytona USA features racing exhibits, motion simulator rides, the World Center of Racing Visitors Center and behind-the-scenes tours of the speedway.

10. Salvador Dali Museum: Nestled in downtown St. Petersburg, the Salvador Dali Museum boasts the most comprehensive collection of permanent works by famous surrealist painter Salvador Dali.

Disney World Thrill Ride Guide

2008-01-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most popular and newest Orlando-area thrill rides, Expedition Everest, can be found in Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest, which towers nearly 200 feet high, is a thrilling train adventure through icy canyons and mountain caverns toward a terrifying encounter with the ferocious Yeti or abominable snowman. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Expedition Everest.

At Disney-MGM Studios, thrill seekers have their choice of Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, a classic indoor roller coaster that features classic songs from the legendary rock group; and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which features a scary, 13-story plummet aboard a faulty elevator within a decrepit, 199-foot-tall Hollywood hotel. You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and 40 inches tall to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Epcot is home to Mission: SPACE, which opened in 2003 and takes you on a simulated space flight to Mars (complete with motion sickness bags) at the “ International Space Training Center.” Each member of the four-person crew is assigned a specific role – pilot, commander, navigator and engineer. Adjacent to Mission: SPACE lies Test Track, a six-passenger vehicle that cruises onto 50-degree banked curves at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Mission: SPACE and 40 inches tall to ride Test Track.

Space Mountain, the original thrill ride at Walt Disney World, still draws huge crowds in Tomorrowland. Two roller coaster tracks wind their way through the 183-foot mountain at speeds of 28 miles per hour in total darkness. You must be at least 44 inches tall to ride Space Mountain.Two other classic thrill rides at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, lie within Frontierland. Splash Mountain takes you on a wild flume ride as you visit characters such as Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox from Disney’s 1946 classic, Song of the South. However, the real highlight of Splash Mountain is the five-story free fall at a 45-degree angle into the splash pool below at 40 miles per hour. Adjacent to Splash Mountain lies Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a “runaway train” that winds its way through an Old West mining town around mountains, through caves and over sulfur pools. You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride both Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Splash Mountain Video

Epcot's National Treasures

2008-01-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to visiting the new National Treaures exhibit inside The American Adventure at the U.S.A. Pavilion in Epcot. Apparently, the exhibit contains some of Abraham Lincoln's personal effects such as one of his stovepipe hats, the book of Lord Byron poetry that inspired his Second Inaugural Address and his dressing room mirror "where he probably took his last glimpse of himself before he went off to Ford's Theatre," according to the press release. Other artifacts at the National Treasures exhibit include George Washington Carver's microscope, the Purple Heart awarded to Japanese-American World War 2 hero Sen. Daniel Inouye and the flight vest of Native American Commander John Herrington, as well as several of Thomas Edison's original inventions. The fascinating collection of artifacts at the National Treasures exhibit will be continually changing, so you will never know what to expect during each of your Epcot visits.

New Disney World Eateries to Open in 2008

2008-01-18T06:37:00.001-08:00

Several new Disney World restaurants are on schedule to open in 2008. In fact, Landry's Restaurant just opened the new Yak & Yeti Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom (which received a scathing review from Scott Joseph in the Orlando Sentinel today: Yak & Yeti: It's Not Just Bad, It's Insultingly Bad. Sounds great! Also, T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure is scheduled to open in Downtown Disney (near the McDonald's) later this year. At Epcot, Nine Dragons in the China Pavilion will closed in early 2008 to make room for a new, as yet unnamed dining experience to open in the fall of 2008. The Wave is a new restaurant scheduled to open at Disney's Contemporary Resort in the spring of 2008. Finally, Tutto Italia Ristorante ("Everything Italy") will open at the Italy Pavilion later this year.

How to Save Up to $1,000 at Disney World

2008-01-17T05:56:00.001-08:00

Here are some tips I've compiled over the years that have helped some of my friends and family save up to $1,000 on a week's vacation at Disney World:

Plan Ahead
Don't just wing it! Research the destination thoroughly before you arrive and sketch out your Disney World itinerary. Don't make it too rigid (you'll want to leave some room for spontaneity). Check out comprehensive online vacation guides to Orlando and Disney World such as Orlando-Florida.net, which provides detailed information on Walt Disney World Resort such as theme park attractions, live entertainment, restaurants, resorts and specialty shops, as well as great deals on discount theme park tickets, hotels and vacation packages.

Travel During the Off-Season
Avoid the crowds! Walt Disney World theme parks are most crowded during Spring Break, from mid-June to mid-August, Easter weekend, Thanksgiving week, the week before Christmas through New Year's Day and on three-day holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. Value season typically runs from after Labor Day weekend through the end of September, the week after Thanksgiving until a week before Christmas and after New Year's Day until just before Presidents' week in February. For an added bonus, schedule your vacation around one of Disney's immensely popular annual events and festivals, many of which are included with the price of admission such as the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, ABC Super Soap Weekend, Holidays Around the World, Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and Star Wars Weekends.

Seek Out Budget Accommodations
Believe it or not, you can still stay on Disney property without spending a fortune by booking a reservation at one of Disney's budget all-star resorts - Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's All-Star Music Resort and Disney's All-Star Sports Resort - all of which provide complimentary scheduled transportation to Disney World theme parks, as well as Downtown Disney. However, you will enjoy even more savings if you opt to stay off Disney property at one of the numerous budget motels and hotels that lie near the main entrance to Disney World along Highway 192 in Kissimmee or along world-famous International Drive. Before you book your reservation, check to see if the motel or hotel offers a complimentary continental or full breakfast each morning for guests. If you have a large family or are planning a family reunion, look into renting a vacation home - many of which offer private backyard pools, enclosed garages and washer/dryers.

Take Advantage of Complimentary Transportation
All Disney World resorts provide complimentary scheduled transportation to Disney theme parks and many area hotels, motels and resorts also offer free scheduled shutttle service to Disney World, as well as Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando. If you are staying at a Disney resort, enjoy free shuttle service to and from the Orlando International Airport aboard Disney's Magical Express (reservations are required).

Purchase Multi-Day Tickets
Believe it or not, a one-day, one-park ticket to Disney World is currently $71 plus tax! Fortunately, there are more Disney World multi-day ticket options than ever before. Look into Disney "Park Hopper" tickets, which allow you to come and go as you please throughout any of the four Disney World theme parks: Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Choose the appropriate Disney ticket deal based on your family's length of stay in Orlando and remember not to overdo it - you should definitely schedule time for rest and relaxation during your Disney vacation. Most importantly, do not purchase your Disney World tickets at the gate - seek out the best online deals for discount Disney World tickets before you arrive to the theme park.

Eat Out Wisely
If you plan to eat at one of the Disney World theme parks, make lunch your big meal of the day when prices are significantly lower than for dinner (especially at Epcot's World Showcase). Also, don't forget to bring along some water bottles and small snacks for the kids. In addition, you don't have to spend a fortune at one of the Disney Character Breakfasts for autographs and photo opportunities - just take your kids to one of the free character meet and greet areas throughout all of the Disney World theme parks such as Town Square at Disney's Magic Kingdom or Camp Minnie-Mickey at Disney's Animal Kingdom. If you have a large family, check out one of the many budget, all-you-can-eat buffets that lie just outside Disney property on Highway 192 and along International Drive. Also, pick up a copy of free publications such as I Love Orlando magazine, which contain discount coupons for Orlando restaurants. Finally, many motels and hotels with onsite restaurants offer "Kids Eat Free" deals (one child eats per paying adult).

Set a Budget for Souvenirs
Establish a budget for Disney souvenirs and, most importantly, stick to your budget! Check out some of the area factory outlet stores such as Orlando Premium Outlets for Disney merchandise at substantially lower prices. In addition, purchase such necessities as film and sunscreen before you arrive at the theme parks, since prices at Disney are more expensive for those items.

Take a Break from the Theme Parks
Plan some time to take occasional breaks from the Disney theme parks and you can unwind and save money in the process. Check out some of the free things to do at Disney World such as strolling around Disney’s Boardwalk and Downtown Disney, both of which offer theme restaurants and specialty shops. If you really want to get away far from the madding crowd, consider a hike through the scenic, 12,000-acre Disney Wilderness Preserve, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee is just $3 for adults and $2 for ages 6-17.

Enjoy Membership Discounts
If you are an AAA or AARP member, make sure to take advantage of any special rates or discounts that are available during your Disney World vacation at hotels, restaurants and Orlando area attractions. Also, if you are a Florida resident, check with Disney World about any available discounts.

Book Your Disney Vacation Online
The best way to enjoy significant savings on your next Disney World vacation is to seek out the best online deals for discount Disney World tickets, budget accommodations on or off Disney property and individually tailored Disney vacation packages. Several leading online vacation providers such as HotelsCorp.com serve as comprehensive "one-stop" resources for incredible deals on Disney tickets, hotels and vacation packages.

Top 10 Disney's Animal Kingdom Attractions

2008-01-16T13:01:00.000-08:00

Once again, here is one of my highly subjective top 10 lists, this time I attempt to rank my favorite rides/attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom:

1. Expedition Everest: Expedition Everest is a high-speed train adventure that combines roller coaster-like thrills with a theme based on the folklore of the ferocious yeti or abominable snowman.

2. Kilimanjaro Safaris: An open-sided, 32-passenger safari jeep takes you on a fascinating adventure through the 100-acre “Harambe Reserve” in the remotest regions of Africa during Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you can view some of the earth’s most incredible creatures.

3. Festival of the Lion King: Based on the extremely popular animated movie, this production features songs from the film and a cast of familiar faces, including Simba, Timon and Pumbaa.

4. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail: The Pangani Forest Exploration Trail is a walk-through attraction that takes you through a beautiful tropical forest with many interesting animal habitats along with way.

5. Maharajah Jungle Trek: The Maharajah Jungle Trek is a walk-through attraction that winds through the ruins of an Indian temple and takes you through a variety of exotic animal habitats.

6. Kali River Rapids: Climb aboard a 12-passenger raft and prepare to get soaked as you experience the turbulent rapids of the Chakranadi River during the Kali River Rapids flume ride – an amazing whitewater adventure!

7. DINOSAUR: The DINOSAUR thrill ride allows you to travel back in time 65 million years and come face to face with a variety of menacing prehistoric creatures!

8. Primeval Whirl: A wacky roller coaster, Primeval Whirl allows you to take a spin through time and features plenty of sharp turns, curves and dips along the way!

9. It's Tough to be a Bug!: This incredible 3-D adventure features characters such as Flik, Hopper and Princess Atta from Disney’s 1998 animated film, A Bug’s Life.

10. Tree of Life: The icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom, Tree of Life is a 14-story, 50-foot-wide tree sculpted with animal carvings by more than a dozen skilled artisans.

Expedition Everest Video

Jungle Cruise Riverboats

2008-01-16T06:22:00.000-08:00

During your Jungle Cruise river adventure at Adventureland in Disney's Magic Kingdom, pay special attention to the name of your riverboat, which might be Amazon Annie, Bomokandi Bertha, Congo Connie, Ganges Gertie, Irrawaddy Irma, Kwango Kate, Mongala Millie, Nile Nelly, Orinoco Ida, Rutshuru Ruby, Sankuru Sadie, Senegal Sal, Ucvali Lolly, Volta Val, Wamba Wanda or Zambesi Zelda.

Remember the Mickey Mouse Revue?

2008-01-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

One of the original attractions at Disney's Magic Kingdom when the theme park first opened its doors in 1971, The Mickey Mouse Revue in Fantasyland closed in 1980 and was shipped to Tokyo Disneyland. Mickey's PhilharMagic now occupies the former site of The Mickey Mouse Revue.

For more interesting Disney World history, visit the Walt Disney World Timeline.