Best Bathrooms in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

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August 27, 2011

You just sat down to lunch and you hear it… “Mom, I need to go to the bathroom”. You look at your spouse who shrugs and you unfold your giant Disney map to locate the closest loo. Disney maps are really not all that user friendly for the frequent bathroom visitor. You finally locate it and its covered up (aka, a lot of people are in there!) As your child does the “pee-pee dance” and you tell them to “keep holding, keeeeeppp holding….”. Sure would be nice if you knew where the less crowded bathrooms were.

Disney Diva, here to help.

Now I can’t guarantee that if you go in June, or December when Touring Plans.com says that the crowd is a 10 out of 10, that you won’t have a wait, but there are a few places that if you’re willing to walk just a little further you can cut down your wait significantly.

If you’re in the Main Street area…

Front of the park: When you first walk into the park look to your left. There will be a visitors center and the fire-station is close to that. Between those two is a good bathroom. Because it is so close to the front of the park most people walk right past it, unless its around a parade time or park-closing. Its set back a bit so its less recognizable.

Closer to the the hubcap (the big circle in front of Cinderellas castle)

If you look to your LEFT you will see Caseys’ Corner Hotdogs, walk in that direction where the picnic tables are. Just on the other side of Caseys you will find a great bathroom and a nice place to just sit and relax. The bathroom is literally right between Caseys and The Crystal Palace.

If you walk to your right (toward tomorrowland) there are actually TWO sets of bathrooms there. One is just on the other side of the Plaza restaurant. Its set back a little. The second is one of my FAVORITES!!!

**DIVA FAVORITE** TOMORROWLAND TERRACE BATHROOM – As you go up a slight incline you’ll come up to a restaurant that I have only seen open ONE TIME in all my many trips to WDW. Its called the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle-Station. On the RIGHT of the station is the bathroom. This bathroom is very rarely used (so it doesn’t stink either) and I’ve never had a wait. The cut-through through tomorrowland terrace is also the least-crowded way to move from Mainstreet to Tomorrowland.

If you’re on the Tommorowland side of Fantasyland.

Directly across from The Mad Hatters Teacups is a pathway that would lead you all the way to the castle. There is a building on your right that is done in a more storybook form (while the one on your right is very tomorrowand). On the BACK SIDE of that storybook building is a great bathroom, always clean and rarely used.

If you’re on the Liberty Square side of Fantastyland.

On the side of Pinnochios Village Haus (resturant) there are good bathrooms. I think they sort of blend in so people don’t use them as frequently because they think its just a resturant.

Also on the OTHER side of Peter Pans extremely long que there are some bathrooms. It really depends on the time of the day whether they are busy or not, but in that area there is a SERIOUS bottleneck of traffic (they’re about to do construction actually to fix that) so I wouldn’t use that one unless your child is just about to burst.

If you’re in Frontierland.

It’s a bit of a walk, but ironically the best bathrooms are just on the exit of splash mountain. When you normally go to the right you veer to the left to enter the que, but if you went straight you’d see a chlds playground under the train tracks. if you continue straight there are some excellent bathrooms on your right. There seems like there would be a lot of traffic from those, but really people don’t really stop as they leave the ride.

If you can sneak in to Pecos Bills they’ve got great (and has great air conditioning) bathrooms in there, but they’ve been monitoring their area a lot more (read Beware the Seat Police)

If you are in Adventureland

You really should hit the bathroom between Casey’s Corner & Crystal Palace on the walkway to Adventureland because (in my opinion) theres not a really good bathroom in Adventureland.

If you are in Tomorrowland

Really the bathrooms on the extremes of Tomorrowland are the least crowded. The one near the terrace and the one near mad-hatters tea-cups I most prefer. But there is another that is stuck between the icecream shop and the Merchant of Venus gift shop that often goes unnoticed.

And there you go, the best bathrooms in Magic Kingdom. Plan accordingly because an accident without a change of clothes is the worst case scenario at Walt Disney World!

Chip and Co Top 5 Disney World Snack! (couponingtodisney.com)
Ride the Disney World Mountains (chipandco.com)

Best Bathrooms in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

Disney’s Night of Joy Concert Schedules Released

By

Chip

-

August 26, 2011

Night of Joy 2011 is right around the corner. We are truly excited about the lineup this year, with artists representing a number of Christian Music genres including Praise & Worship, Rock, Pop, Urban and Contemporary Gospel. Hot off the press are the concert schedules for each night. Here’s how they shake out. Of course, times, stages and performers are always subject to change.

Friday, September 9

Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

7:45 p.m. – Jeremy Camp
9:50 p.m. – Newsboys
11:55 p.m. – Skillet

Galaxy Stage

7:30 p.m. – Francesca Battistelli
9:25 p.m. – Group 1 Crew
11:25 p.m. – Matthew West

Rockettower Plaza Stage

7:45 p.m. – Disciple
9:15 p.m. – Disciple
10:50 p.m. – Sidewalk Prophets
12:15 a.m. – Sidewalk Prophets

Saturday, September 10

Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage

7:45 p.m. – Jars of Clay
9:35 p.m. – Gospel Music Association Winner
9:55 p.m. – TobyMac
11:55 p.m. – MercyMe

Galaxy Stage

7:30 p.m. – Sanctus Real
8:35 p.m. – Disney Gospel Choir Fest Winner
9:45 p.m. – Kutless
11:50 p.m. – Marvin Sapp

Rockettower Plaza Stage

7:45 p.m. – Vashawn Mitchell
9:15 p.m. – Vashawn Mitchell
10:50 p.m. – Chris August
12:15 a.m. – Chris August

Night of Joy is an after-hours event, held Sept. 9 and 10, 2011, at the Magic Kingdom that requires a special ticket. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. each evening. While artists are performing at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions also are available for Night of Joy guests. Tickets are on sale now. One-night tickets are $51.95 plus tax in advance, $59.95 plus tax day of. Two-night tickets are $92.95. Groups of 10 or more can purchase one-night tickets in advance for $46.95 plus tax each and two-night tickets for $87.95. Additional information is available at www.nightofjoy.com.

Source Disney Parks Blog

Events and Attractions coming to Walt Disney World Fall of 2011 (chipandco.com)
Coming to Disney World Fall of 2011 (chipandco.com)

Disney’s Night of Joy Concert Schedules Released

A Toy Story by Any Other Name

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

August 26, 2011

Would a Toy Story by any other name sell as sweet? The Toy Story trilogy comprises some of the highest grossing, most critically acclaimed, Academy awarded animated feature films of all time. And I have to say they are some of my favorite Disney productions ever!

But would they have been so successful if they were titled something else? Lee Unkrich, who directed Toy Story 3, co-directed Toy Story 2 and edited Toy Story, recently Tweeted some of the nearly 200 rejects. Here are a few:

The New Toy
Made in Taiwan
Moving Buddies
To Infinity and Beyond
Wind-Up Heroes
The Cowboy & The Spaceman
Spurs & Rockets
Bring Me The Arm of Buzz Lightyear
Wind the Frog
Rex’s First Movie
For the Love of Peep
Toyz in the Hood
Each Sold Separately
Wings & Pullstrings
Some Assembly Required
The Favorite

A story tugs at the heart strings. It conveys emotion intertwined with humor, tension and a few snarky quirks. It pulls the viewer in and keeps him there. The Toy Story, um, story confirms something we’ve all suspected: toys really are alive! They move and talk, even play, when humans aren’t around. These movies pulled me and my kids in and kept us there through all three installments.

The first Toy Story released when my oldest child was an infant. He later wore out the VHS version, watching it over and over and over without tiring of its storyline. I never tired of it either. My son and I were both a bit anxious when Toy Story 2 debuted in 1999. Sometimes sequels disappoint, but TS2 did not let us down. It cleverly brought in Woody’s back story and at the same time introduced endearing new characters. Last year when the third and final installment, Toy Story 3, released to theaters, we didn’t worry about its success or failure. We worried what would happen to Woody, Buzz, and all our favorite toy friends when Andy left for college.

I have to admit the Toy Stor-ies have made it nearly impossible for me to sort through my kids’ toybox without guilt and shame over donating ones that are no longer played with. I just don’t think I’d be quite as sentimental over Wings & Pullstrings. Would you?

Toy Story characters are coming back to the big screen later this year! (chipandco.com)
Video: John Lasseter talks about Toy Story 4 (chipandco.com)

D23 Expo talks details of the Fantasy, newest Disney Cruise Line ship

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

August 26, 2011

D23 Expo talks details of the Fantasy, newest Disney Cruise Line ship — D23 Expo showcases the Disney Cruise Line ship, the Fantasy

This past weekend’s D23 Expo offered a session on the newest ships for the Disney Cruise Line (DCL). The Sunday morning presentation was entitled “Imagineering the Dream and the Fantasy.” Led by Imagineers Joe Lanzisero and Bob Zalk, the presentations covered some of the details of the new ship.

The highlight of the Disney Cruise Line presentation was the information on a new experience at Animator’s Palate, one of the rotational dining experiences, on the Disney Fantasy. The restaurant will feature an experience in which guests draw characters. These drawings will be collected – and later given back – for an animated dinner show featuring guests’ artwork integrated with classic Disney sequences. There are nine zones in the restaurant, so the drawings will appear where the guests artists’ are dining.

Some of the other highlights of the 45-minute presentation and the D23 Expo focused on the Disney Fantasy, some of which had been announced earlier:

A new character will appear on the Disney Fantasy, but who has yet to be revealed. Soon, the Imagineers promised.
A statue of Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse will grace the atrium lobby of the Disney Fantasy.
The Disney Fantasy’s virtual portholes will feature some new characters, including Winnie the Pooh, Woody and Buzz, Kaa even Band Leader Mickey and other related characters.
Europa will be the night-time adult district, themed to evoke European travel. As with the Disney Dream, it will offer lounges and bars. The main club will be called The Tube and one of Europa’s bars will be O’Gill’s, an Irish pub. The Skyline Bar will feature views of seven cities.
Changes are in store for Enchanted Garden, another DCL restaurant, including light fixtures that “come to life.” The restaurant will transition throughout the day.
The Fantasy will have a Goofy miniature golf course.

During the talk, Lanziero and Zalk also discussed the challenges and inspirations of designing a cruise ship. They emphasized that DCL, just as the theme parks, deals with storytelling at its core.

But there are some essential differences – guests aboard a cruise ship are immersed in a space for a much great period of time compared to that of a Disney theme park (e.g living, dining in a space for days vs. the short time spent in an attraction.) To help with this, the DCL experience focuses, in part, on creating a sense of discovery for guests.

Other notes:

In terms of theming the Disney ships, DCL works to balance a sense of old-style cruise elegance with Disney touches, such as the “whimsy” in the atrium.
One of DCL’s innovations in the cruising industry has been to create a variety of dining atmospheres – casual, elegant and entertainment-focused.
The focus on keeping families together was one of the reasons DCL linked the Dream’s age-specific kids’ clubs, the Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club.

The Disney Fantasy sets sail on its maiden voyage March 31, 2012. The Disney Cruise Line ship will offer week-long Caribbean cruises.

Disney D23 Expo – Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Arena presentation (examiner.com)
Walt Disney Parks Take Fans Through the “Carousel of Projects” at Disney’s D23 Expo, August 19-21, 2011 (chipandco.com)

Disney’s ‘John Carter’ Footage

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

August 26, 2011

Disney's 'John Carter' Footage

In 1912, Edgar Rice Burroughs released his first book, in what would become a very popular book series known as the Barssom series, called ‘A Princess of Mars‘. The story revolved around a former Civil War soldier named John Carter, who had lost everything he knew and cared about. One day, Carter is mysteriously transported to Mars, in the middle of the planet being on the brink of war. John must once again find himself, finally be the man he was meant to be. Almost a hundred years after it’s first book was released, Disney is bring John Carter back to life in a new live action movie, written and directed by Andrew Stanton (Wall-E, Finding Nemo) and starring Taylor Kitsch as John Carter, Willem Dafoe, and Lynne Collins. At D23 this weekend, we we’re shown four new clips from the movie and I thought I’d share my thoughts on what we saw.

The footage we saw was still a bit rough, so not everything was finished. But what we saw was really, really good. The first clip we saw focused on after John Carter arrives on Mars, and he’s discovered by an alien hunting party, led by Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe, in full CGI-Motion Capture glory). Carter soon realizes this planet is different, as he realizes he can jumped higher and farther than he was able to before, and uses what he has just learned to his advantage to get away from his new enemies. The scene was clever, and had quite a bit of tension. I was really glad to see this that they kept the tone of the books in tact with the transition to film. Dafoes’s character Tars looks really, really incredible. The CGI is top notch, and I’m very excited to see so much care was taken in bringing this character to life. Taylor Kitsch was also quite good as Carter. He was a bit fearless and cocky, but played the hero well. I’m really looking forward to seeing his full performance.

The second scene we we’re shown involved Carter, not long after the first scene we saw, imprisoned and chained to a wall. He breaks free only to discover he’s been guarded by a big dog looking alien. As it turns out, the alien is actually very playful and enjoying chasing after John as he escapes. This character is going to be one little kids are going to love. He’s a cute character, one that they’ll attach to early on and parents will be buying plush characters of him after the movie. The scene was very funny, and had a lot of jumping and running, so it was never dull. Again, Kitsch was good as John Carter, and really plays the confused hero well.

Now the third clip we were shown was a much more dramatic, slower scene in the movie between John Carter and the Princess Dejah Thoris. The Princess is being forced to marry someone to try and keep the peace, and John is trying to talk her out of it. She asks him why, but he doesn’t give her an answer. Men show up at the door, trying to get into her room, and she frantically tells John the way to use a device that will transport him some place else. She tells him the words, and makes him repeat it. As the doors finally open, they ask her if she’s alone. The camera pans around the room, with John no where to be seen. She begins to tear up, saying yes. This scene was very well done, and shows that, even with Andrew Stanton working in live action, he knows how to bring real emotion to a movie. Collins and Kitsch both have very good, real chemistry together in the scene, and it felt very real. I was very, very impressed with it. It should definitely be a standout moment in the movie.

As the Carter panel came to a close, we were shown one final scene. This is an action packed scene with Carter and Tars, who are fighting a giant creature in a Colosseum duel. I’m not sure where in the movie this takes place, but Carter and Tars are now friends. Carter’s leg is chained to a rock, so as he tries to jump he can’t jump farther than the radius the chain will let him. Tars is hurt, so John is trying to to protect him. We weren’t shown too much, but the brief clip was very exciting. It had a lot of very well shot action, and it looked very cool. This was the most action packed of the scenes we were shown, and Stanton delivered in spades. This clip really got my pumped for the movie. It just goes to show that he was absolutely the right choice to do the movie.

‘John Carter’ looks to be a standout movie of next year. The cast is great, and Stanton has seemed to transition from animation to live action very effortlessly. I’m very excited to see more from this movie over the next few months, but all concerns I had for it were gone after this weekend. Disney showed they were the right company to bring the character of John Carter to the big screen, and I’m glad they are. March 9, 2012 can’t get here soon enough, and I know I’ll be in the theater opening day.

Thank you for D23 Media for the photo.

‘John Carter: World of Mars’ Comic from Marvel Entertainment/Disney Publishing (chipandco.com)
Walt Disney Studios to Release John Carter in IMAX 3D in March 2012 (chipandco.com)

Changes to Free Dining.

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

August 26, 2011

Changes to Free Dining.

There have been some changes to the free dining promotion that’s out right now. Here are the new dates:

Oct. 1-6, 2011
Oct. 22 – Nov. 3, 2011
Nov. 12-17, 2011
Nov. 26 – Dec. 1, 2011
Dec. 10-15, 2011
Jan. 8-12, 2012
Jan. 21- Feb. 2, 2012
Feb. 11-16, 2012
March 3-8, 2012
March 24-29, 2012

Here are the old dates for comparison.

Oct 2-8
Oct 23-Nov 5 *
Nov 13-19
Nov 27-Dec 3
Dec 11-17
Jan 8-14
Jan 22- Feb 4
Feb 12-18
Mar 4-10
Mar 25-31

Not surprisingly, free dining has sold very well this time. When this happens, Disney will occasionally adjust the dates based on availability. If you already have a free dining package, don’t worry: Your reservation will not change: You and Disney have entered into a contract where there are certain obligations placed on both parties and Disney will not violate guests’ trust.

Dining Debacle… Disney Free Dining Dates Change (chipandco.com)
Disney Free Dining 2011 and 2012 (pixievacations.com)

Review: Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

August 26, 2011

Review: Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension — Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension

Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension takes this popular, Emmy Award-Winning, Disney Channel series to new level, literally! The 2-Disc DVD has been released, and this “Ultimate Fan Pack” will make any Phineas and Ferb fan happy with a DVD + digital copy of the movie, eight digital music tracks, a do-it-yourself platypult, deleted scenes, and more!

The Plot: In this adventure, Dr. Doofenshmirtz has found a way to enter an alternate reality where his alternate self rules over an alternate version of the Tristate Area. As the boys enter the 2nd Dimension, they finally discover that their pet platypus, Perry, is a secret agent. They also meet up with their alternate selves in order to prevent Dr. Dooftenshmirtz from taking over their own dimension! What a day! Of course, their sister, Candace, and friend, Isabella, and more of the gang are along for the ride too! Can Phineas, Ferb, and Perry save their dimension? What will happen now that the brothers know about Perry’s identity? Watch Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across The 2nd Dimension to find out!

Special Features: Disc 1 of this 2-Disc Ultimate Fan Pack offers deleted scenes, a bonus episode, “Perry-oke,” and more; but that’s not all! Disc 2 includes eight song tracks! Young fans looking for more Phineas and Ferb action should be pleased with these extras; and those looking for behind the scenes info should enjoy the character/creator commentary on the bonus episode.

Bambi II Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack Review

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

August 26, 2011

In Disney’s Bambi II, join Bambi (Alexander Gould) as he is reunited with his father the Great Prince (Patrick Stewart) who must raise the young fawn and teach him the ways of the forest. Proud and distant at first, the Great Prince finds that there is much he can learn from his son. All of the lovable characters from the original film, Thumper, Flower, and Owl, return as well as some new friends.

I sat down to watch this movie with a bias that I was probably not going to enjoy it. I was pleasantly surprised when I began to enjoy it. I loved the father son story. As the Great Prince begins teaching Bambi how a Prince should act, he starts to get to know his son and sees that there are a few things that he could learn from his son. Thumper and Flower are there for comic relief and I am sure they will be your children’s favorites. Overall I think it is a cute film that you can enjoy with your family. My criticism is that they advertise that the animation is in the “breathtaking” style of the original classic. While I can see the similarities in the animation, this film doesn’t come close to the beauty of the original.

The Blu Ray combo pack has two new bonus features. In Friend Owl’s Forest Fun Games you follow Owl through the forest and help some of his friends. I think it would be a great game for small children but might be too easy for older kids. There is also a deleted song, “Sing the Day”, that was intended to be in the original film. They place it back into the film and show the storyboards where the film was shortened. Honestly, I’m glad it wasn’t included in the movie.

If you would like to know more about Bambi II:
“Like” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DisneyBambi
Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DisneyAnimation
View exciting trailers, video clips, and more at http://www.youtube.com/disneymovies

Bambi II is available for for purchase now as a Blu-ray and DVD combo pack, DVD, and movie download for a limited time only. Rated G

BAMBI 2 on Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack August 23rd! (chipandco.com)
Save $5 off Bambi 2 Bluray Combo Pack (chipandco.com)

Bambi II Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack Review

Walt Disney World Resort Links with Arnold Palmer Golf Management

By

Chip

-

August 26, 2011

Walt Disney World Resort and Arnold Palmer Golf Management have signed a 20-year strategic alliance to create even more magic for Disney golfers. Beginning Sept. 25, Arnold Palmer Golf Management will operate, manage, maintain and help promote all five Disney courses including Disney’s Palm and Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, Osprey Ridge and Oak Trail golf courses.

As part of this long-term alliance agreement, golf legend Arnold Palmer and his golf course design team will be actively engaged in implementing strategic and innovative design features to several of the golf courses. Future enhancements include plans for a full renovation of Disney’s Palm under his direction to become an Arnold Palmer designed course.

“After 40 years as a golf course architect, I’m looking forward to this opportunity to contribute to Disney’s rich and storied golf legacy,” said Arnold Palmer. “I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of memories playing golf and it will be a great reward to pass that on to those who share a passion both for Disney and the game of golf.”

With an extensive following of serious golf enthusiasts, Arnold Palmer Golf Management is known for its excellent course conditions, pace of play, service standards and player development. In addition to course operation, the company also manages “Palmer Advantage,” a reciprocal club and concierge service program, that provides members with unique travel benefits and access to more than 250 private clubs, resorts and golf courses around the world.

“Drawing on Arnold Palmer Golf Management’s expertise and experience enables us to build on our mutual strengths and extend our appeal both among leisure players and avid golfers,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises. “We’re excited about this new collaboration, which will benefit Disney guests and Palmer Advantage club members wanting a destination golf experience.”

The agreement gives Arnold Palmer Golf Management an opportunity to add a uniquely Disney, family-friendly golf destination to its portfolio of more than 70 private clubs and championship golf courses. Disney Golf will be promoted within the Palmer Advantage network of golf devotees, through a dedicated website and featured within the exclusive publication, “Kingdom Magazine,” which celebrates Mr. Palmer’s contributions to the game of golf and extensive philanthropic ambassadorship.

“With a reputation for service excellence and exceptional family entertainment, Walt Disney World is an ideal complement to our member offerings,” said Jim Hinckley, president of Arnold Palmer Golf Management. “This collaboration will give our members both a superior golf experience and a one-of-a-kind family golf vacation.”

Since Walt Disney World opened with two 18-hole courses in 1971, golf has been a key component of the resort. Over the past four decades, Disney World has hosted professional and amateur golf tournaments, including one of the longest-running events in PGA Tour history – the PGA Tour’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Disney has also hosted the LPGA Tour, NCAA golf championships and dozens of celebrity golf tournaments.

Early Buyers Prepare to Move in to Golden Oak Homes (chipandco.com)
Walt Disney World Resort Welcomes the PRSA 2011 International Conference to Orlando (chipandco.com)

Walt Disney World Resort Links with Arnold Palmer Golf Management

Around the “Disney” World: Camp Minnie-Mickey

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

-

August 26, 2011

Around the "Disney" World: Camp Minnie-Mickey — Camp Minnie-Mickey

It’s always summer vacation at Animal Kingdom’s Camp Minnie-Mickey. When Guests hike down the trail, camp counselor Mickey and his pals immerse them in the forested, lake-strewn Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, where the fish are always biting and everyone has a story to share around the campfire.

Camp Minnie-Mickey mimics the northeastern style with distinctive architectural elements and deliberate ornamentation. Stone and carved wood supply naturalistic foundations and rustic components so that the setting seems to have grown into its form without human assistance. It’s yet another beautiful example of Walt Disney Imagineering’s fine design, as the site retained only a few dozen original trees when the Park was built. Nearly all plant material at Camp Minnie-Mickey was brought in and installed on location, making the effort one of the largest landscape designs every undertaken.

The main draw of Camp Minnie-Mickey is the Broadway caliper live stage show, “Festival of the Lion King,” which is held in the camp’s assembly hall. Familiar characters from Disney’s feature animation The Lion King spring to life with pageantry and celebration, sharing their music, dance and other skills with all the campers in an air-conditioned theater-in-the-round with stadium seating. Gymnasts, puppeteers and even acrobatic monkeys encourage Guests to be part of the action and interact with life-sized Disney Characters.

For those who walk on past the Lion King entrance, a wonderful rendezvous awaits. Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy meet and greet visitors throughout the day at the Character Greeting Trails. Each of the four pavilions is shaded and tucked into a fan-cooled and misted wood, while back by the main walk, a slew of their other wildlife friends pause for photos and fun. Periodically, a Cast Member camp counselor leads sing-a-longs and teaches campers new songs too, like the one he sang about my kids’ laceless tennis shoes!

Be sure to check the Park schedule for show times and Character appearances. My family has experienced the least wait time at the meet and greet when arriving at the greeting trails just before the Lion King lets out.

Radiator Springs Racers Begins Ride Testing Today

By

Chip

-

August 25, 2011

In the normal development process of any ride-based attraction at Disney Parks, Imagineers spend weeks and even months testing the ride vehicles. Many of you may have seen one of the first ride vehicles, which was on display at the D23 Expo in Anaheim this past weekend in the Parks & Resorts Pavilion. While it might be a while before you see this or any of the other ride vehicles racing around Ornament Valley, keep checking back with the Disney Parks Blog for the latest updates.

Source Disney Parks Blog

‘Carousel of Projects’ from Disney Parks at the D23 Expo (chipandco.com)
D23 Expo Day 1: Walt Disney Parks/Resorts Panel (chipandco.com)

Radiator Springs Racers Begins Ride Testing Today

Walt Disney World Resort Welcomes the PRSA 2011 International Conference to Orlando

By

Chip

-

August 25, 2011

As a destination that combines imagination with exceptional storytelling to inspire people of all ages, Walt Disney World Resort, will serve as the premiere sponsor of the Public Relations Society of America‘s (PRSA) 2011 International Conference, Oct. 15–18, in Orlando, Fla.

“Walt Disney World Resort is an ideal sponsor for the PRSA International Conference, especially considering this year’s theme, ‘Imagine. Create. Inspire: Envisioning the Future of Public Relations,'” said Rosanna Fiske, APR, PRSA chair and CEO. “Our theme speaks to the new opportunities that today’s technological advances are creating for public relations professionals, and invites practitioners to join together in imagining the ways in which those changes will impact the profession’s future.”

Disney extends their imagination to the Conference in the shape of Joe Rohde, senior vice president and creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, Calif. Rohde will open the General Session on Monday, Oct. 17, with his presentation “Theme Is a Noun.”

Walt Disney Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company and its affiliates. Representing more than 140 disciplines, its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation of Disney resorts, theme parks and attractions, hotels, water parks, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, cruise ships and new media technology projects.

Rohde joins other keynote speakers at the International Conference, including Soledad O’Brien, award-winning special investigations correspondent and host of CNN’s “In America” documentaries; Peter Diamandis, CEO of X Prize Foundation; and Chris Brogan, social media consultant and president of Human Business Works.

Conference participants can take advantage of discounted hotel rates in Orlando. PRSA also offers a $200 saver rate on registrations completed by Aug. 26.

Chiquita and Walt Disney World Resort Announce Multi-Year Alliance (chipandco.com)
Grand Gathering Celebrations to be discontinued at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)

Walt Disney World Resort Welcomes the PRSA 2011 International Conference to Orlando

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