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Top 5 Places to Find Unique Merchandise at Disney World

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Top 5 Places to Find Unique Merchandise at Disney World

Many stores in WDW tend to sell the same type of merchandise. For shoppers, this can be frustrating; but fortunately there are a some stores in WDW that sell unique merchandise that is difficult to find anywhere else on property. Here are my top 5 favorite places to find unique merchandise at WDW.

  1. World Showcase: All of the shops found in Epcot’s  World Showcase nations offer merchandise native to their individual countries. Here you can find souvenirs, candy, jewelry, perfume, and more from all around the world without ever leaving Florida! This location is a shopaholic’s dream!
  2. Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Unlike other Disney Resorts, the Grand Floridian has a variety of shops that offer both typical merchandise you can find everywhere and unique merchandise. Our favorite items to purchase at Grand Floridian are Disney Dooney and Bourke bags and Grand Floridian bathrobes! With the variety of shops and different merchandise, this resort is a shopping destination within itself.
  3. Hollywood Studios: At the exit of many of Hollywood Studios attractions are gift shops selling unique merchandise reflecting the ride itself and its characters. For example, at the exit of Rock n’ Roller Coaster and Star Tours, you will find Aerosmith souvenirs and Star Wars merchandise! Tower of Terror also has a gift shop selling Twilight Zone products, Tower of Terror bathrobes, hotel keys, and other hotel items with the Tower of Terror logo! Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular also has a shop selling replica Indy hats, jackets, and posters around the corner from the show. Finally, one of our favorites is a little shack near the park’s entrance known as Sid Cahuenga’s. This shop sells film posters and autographed photos of major celebrities, past and present. It’s a definite stop for any movie buff!
  4. Test Track: After exiting Test Track, you will be ushered into a showroom where you can get a glimpse of new cars that have been released! Guests are free to even sit in the cars and peer through the windows; and there are individuals nearby to answer any questions you might have about the cars. Who knew you could car shop at Disney World? There is also a gift shop selling Test Track themed merchandise, as well as hats, t-shirts, and more displaying different auto brand logos. Ladies, this is one shopping destination that men will enjoy!
  5. Resorts: Disney’s deluxe resorts are known to have a variety unique merchandise that reflect their resorts that can’t be found anywhere else.  Two of our favorites are Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Zwadi Marketplace and Wilderness Lodge’s Wilderness Mercantile. Zwadi sells great resort souvenirs, as well as carved animals, baskets, drums, and other African influenced items. Wilderness Mercantile sells great jackets and tees with the Lodge’s logo, as well resort artwork, carved souvenirs, natural beauty products, and plush characters in wilderness apparel.

So what are your favorite places to find unique Merchandise at Walt Disney World?

Let me know in the comment box below.

>>Savannah

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Top 5 Places to Find Unique Merchandise at Disney World

Special U.S. Military Rates on Disney Cruise Line

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Special U.S. Military Rates on Disney Cruise Line

In honor of the brave men and women who serve this country, Disney Cruise Line is proud to offer special military rates on select Disney cruises setting sail through December 2011.

Current Offer: 14-Night Westbound Transatlantic, sailing on September 10, 2011. Category 09D rooms available, rates starting at $50 per person, per night.

Calling all U.S. military personnel: Cast off on an unforgettable adventure for the entire family! Be dazzled by Broadway-caliber song-and-dance spectaculars and discover a plethora of exciting, Disney-themed activities and experiences for kids, teens, adults and families. Feast on a culinary confection of the finest and freshest food at sea while experiencing Disney’s unique and convenient Rotational Dining. Drop anchor at Disney’s very own private island paradise, Castaway Cay, and enjoy the legendary hospitality and commitment to excellence that Disney is known for—each and every day of your vacation.

Rates are available to book from Monday, May 23, 2011 through Sunday, May 29, 2011. Rates are per person based on double occupancy on the categories noted. Other categories are available at higher prices. Rates are in U.S. dollars and are not combinable with other discounts or offers.

Special Military rates are available to all retired and active U.S. Military personnel, including U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, U.S Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Department of Defense personnel. Active and retired members of the U.S. military must provide valid identification at time of check-in. This offer is limited to a maximum of 3 staterooms per military member, per sailing. A U.S. Military service member is required to sail to take advantage of this offer. Activated members of the U.S. National Guard or the U.S. Army Reserve must also show active duty orders (active duty papers must be dated as of January 1st of the previous year to qualify).

To take advantage of this offer, be sure to enter the special booking code “MTO” when booking your cruise.

Government taxes will vary by itinerary and are in addition to the below rates. Third and fourth Guest prices valid with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom. Rates may vary by sail date and category. Other restrictions may apply. Limited to 50 staterooms. Other categories and sail dates may be available. Effective 2/7/11, DCL will only accept new bookings under the Military promotion, new bookings only.

For your free quote or for more information email [email protected].

*When you book with Pixie Vacations in May or June (For travel anytime) you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $250 Disney gift card!*

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Special U.S. Military Rates on Disney Cruise Line

Top 5 Disney World Attractions With the Best Lines

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
-

Top 5 Disney World Attractions With the Best Lines

Standing in line at Disney World can be a pain. It is hot, you see strange things in line, and if you have kids they can get quite antsy. While Disney do anything about long lines (especially in the summer) here are the top 5 Disney World Attractions With the Best Lines.

1. Haunted Mansion: This attraction’s line recently underwent renovation and now it is interactive! While waiting, you can be entertained with a spooky organ that you can play with, a mysterious book that writes by itself, and more! In this line, you are also entertained by hilarious epitaphs in the graveyard. This line will keep you and your kids entertained while you wait and sets the stage for the ride.

2. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: For me, waiting in line for Tower of Terror is just as entertaining as the ride itself! You immediately feel as if you have walked into an episode of the Twilight Zone when you walk through the hotel’s empty, unkempt courtyard; but my favorite waiting area is the lobby which truly looks like an old hotel lobby, frozen in time. No matter how many times I’ve walked through here, I see something new every time. The careful attention to detail only continues when you enter the hotel library where Rod Serling, the host of the Twilight Zone television series, explains via video that you are now in an episode of the show and are about to enter the Twilight Zone. Even the windows in the library flash with lightning during the video! Your final waiting area is the boiler room, where the boilers are glowing and tools, coal, and belongings of the workers are scattered below the catwalk. Before you board the maintenance service elevator, take notice of the generators nearby which are flickering and make you wonder if this is such a good idea…

3. Expedition Everest: Like Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest has one of the best lines to wait in. The story of this attraction is that you are joining an expedition team in Asia who is researching the mythical Yeti in the Himalayas. The line weaves inside and out of a research base located in an Asian village. This line is packed full of details, like the research base’s equipment and supplies, as well as photos of the research team, a small Yeti museum, and a idol to the Yeti where villages have placed food sacrifices.

4. It’s Tough to Be a Bug: This 3-D show based off of Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” is usually loved or hated by Disney guests, but the waiting area is always a hit. This attraction is located inside of the Tree of Life; and the line begins outside around the base of the tree, giving guests a close up look at Animal Kingdom’s breathtaking icon. This ride usually doesn’t have much of a wait; but if it does, you won’t be bored with this view! This is also a great time to snap some photos. The waiting area eventually leads inside the Tree of Life where you will experience what it’s like to be the size of a bug with the giant pebbles and tree roots around and overhead. Throughout the waiting area, be sure to pay attention to the posters advertising what characters and acts you will see in the show!

5. Rock n’ Rollercoaster:  The waiting area for the attraction is made to resemble a working recording studio by the name of G-Force Records. The line is boring until you get inside. Be sure to notice the columns that resemble guitar necks and the details in the floor, ceiling, and doors. You will also see a display of recording and music equipment that has been used through the history of the music industry, as well as vintage Rock n’ Roll posters. Disney often shows videos that help to tell the story, and Rock n’ Roller Coaster’s is the best as you witness a projection of the members of Aerosmith in a recording session who invite you along to their concert. You are then ushered into a replica parking garage which is made to look as if it outdoors. This area is chock full of rock music references. Be sure to notice them before you board your limo!

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Top 5 Disney World Attractions With the Best Lines

Non Stop fun for guests this summer at Walt Disney World

By
Chip
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Non Stop fun for guests this summer at Walt Disney World

Talk about making vacation memories: In summer 2011, guests at Walt Disney World Resort will begin embarking on adventures to places no one has ever gone – to the planets Coruscant and Tatooine, located in a galaxy as far away as imagination can carry them – as “Star Tours – The Adventures Continue” opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

And over in the Magic Kingdom, guests can revel in the memories they’ve made, during a new nighttime show, “The Magic, The Memories, and You!”

Beyond “Star Tours” headlining the summer fun, here are some of the details about what’s in store:


Filling the night with memories

“The Magic, The Memories, and You!,” a dramatic new projection show filled with special effects and magic, transforms Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort and “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Resort into shimmering canvases for images of guests and the memories they made that day at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park.

The ten-minute experience dazzles park guests in ways never before experienced, themed to beloved Disney stories and with playful animated sequences that seem to defy the architecture of the buildings – and even “bring the architecture to life,” said Alan Bruun, associate creative director, Walt Disney World Entertainment. The spectacle is scheduled most nights with up to two shows per night depending on theme park operating hours and other special ticketed events.

So what else is new?

  • Guests wanting to venture off the beaten path at Disney’s Animal Kingdom have the chance during a new, immersive, add-on experience, Wild Africa Trek, that takes a small group of adventurers on personalized, guided excursions that include a bushwalk through unexplored areas of the forest along with over-landing in customized vehicles across an animal-filled savanna. On these expert-led treks, extended time is spent observing and learning about the wildlife. Reservations for Wild Africa Trek (ages 8 and up) can be arranged by calling 407/939-8687. More information: Disneyworld.com/disneyafricatrek.
  • “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” landed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios March 4, 201l less than a month after they cast off on their first adventure on Disney Channel as part of the launch of Disney Junior programming, designed for children ages 2 to 7. Jake and the Never Land Pirates perform at Disney Junior–Live on Stage! The show also includes current favorites from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Little Einsteins.
  • Guests will be able to take part this summer in an energetic and fun-filled meet-and-play experience with Phineas and Ferb at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Phineas and Ferb – from the popular television show of the same name – “know what they’re gonna do today”: the duo will make a movie all about their crazy adventures. With the help of guests and movie director Cletus Filmore, they will recreate some of their favorite moments…unless they are taking a break to meet with their adoring fans, signing autographs and taking pictures. The fun will take place near the exit of “Muppet«Vision 3-D.” In addition, Winnie the Pooh replaces Lotso in the meet-and-greet location at Feature Animation. Lotso will continue to be seen in the Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! Parade. A “Cars 2” meet-and-greet is scheduled to open June 5, 2011 near “Muppet«Vision 3-D,” and Lightning McQueen will replace Herbie the Love Bug on stage in Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show beginning June 5, 2011.
  • Guests calling on Mickey Mouse for a meet-and-greet at his permanent new location in “Town Square Theater” can obtain a Disney’s FASTPASS ticket specifying a one-hour window when they can return to see the popular character for hugs, photos and autographs — without waiting in the standby queue. It marks the first time the complimentary, computerized service has been available for a character meet-and-greet at any Disney Park.
  • New interactive queues are greeting Magic Kingdom guests. A visit to the Haunted Mansion now begins with a new story line inspired by some of the characters previously seen only inside the Haunted Mansion. The new interactive queue includes new crypts and other “spooky” sights to see, as well as tombstones with witty epitaphs to the dearly departed like, “Drink A Toast To Our Friend Ken, Fill Your Glass And Don’t Say ‘When.’” Inside the attraction new hitchhiking ghosts board the “Doom Buggies” to interact and play with weary mortals thanks to the newest and most innovative technologies. New playful features also enhance guest wait times at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. A towering honey tree welcomes Fantasyland guests at the entrance, which young guests are welcome to climb through and explore. Further down the path, guests can stomp their feet to rid Rabbit’s garden of pesky gophers, or they can drum a tune on Rabbit’s fruit.
  • The “Sounds Like Summer” concert series returns to Epcot featuring tribute bands that will bring back the sounds of decades of summers gone by. Opening with Hotel California – a Salute to the Eagles, June’s lineup of bands will also “play” tribute to the timeless tunes of the Bee Gees and Bon Jovi. Sounds like Summer concerts are under the skies of the open-air America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase at Epcot. Show times are 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. Here’s the summer lineup (subject to change without notice):
  • June 12 – June 18: Hotel California — A Salute to the Eagles
  • June 19 – June 25: Stayin’ Alive — A Tribute to the Bee Gees
  • June 26 – July 2: Slippery When Wet — The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
  • July 3 – July 9: Little Queen — The Music of Heart
  • July 10 – July 16: Frontiers — A Tribute to Journey
  • July 17 – July 23: Karin Lawson — A Tribute to Janet Jackson
  • July 24 – July 30: 2U — A Tribute to U2

*Summer concerts are included with Epcot admission*

  • Favorite Pixar pals perform in an all-new Disney’s Hollywood Studios parade, “Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun!,” showcasing appearances by four characters not previously featured – Remy and Emile from “Ratatouille” and Carl and Russell from “UP.” The parade is performed to a new musical track from the current Pixar parade at Disney California Adventure. The new show replaces “Block Party Bash,” which was presented between March 2008 and January 2011.
  • A Magic Kingdom favorite, “Enchanted Tiki Room,” is scheduled to reopen later this summer in a version reminiscent of the original show (called Tropical Serenade). The attraction has been entertaining guests since the theme park’s opening day Oct. 1, 1971. Its winged hosts — Jose, Fritz, Pierre and Michael — led 200 other birds, tikis and flowers in an entertaining Polynesian revue. The Adventureland attraction was inspired by Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, which opened at Disneyland Park in 1963.
  • AMC Theatres® has put a new twist on the date-night concept of “dinner and a movie” at AMC Downtown Disney 24: “a movie with dinner.” Six auditoriums at the Downtown Disney West Side location have been transformed into AMC Dine-In Theatres where guests can watch the latest movies while dining from a menu including quesadillas, burgers, flatbread pizzas, grilled sandwiches and house specialties as well as appetizers and desserts. Reserved seating and table-top dining is offered.
  • Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria. Epcot’s lively, 300-seat restaurant that is operated by the Patina Group is full of energy with an open kitchen and three wood-burning pizza ovens that represent Italy’s three active volcanoes (Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli).  Those ovens crank up to 700 F with oak wood, and with a touch of Disney whimsy, the “faces” of the fiery ovens open their “mouths.” Patina Executive Chef Charlie Restivo focuses on the pizzas, with mozzarella flown in from Italy, the water from a source that is similar to the water in Naples, and San Marzano tomatoes.
  • La Hacienda de San Angel and Cantina de San Angel. At the Mexico pavilion at Epcot World Showcase, two eateries nestle along World Showcase Lagoon.  La Cantinaoffers quick-service and features tacos, nachos and empanadas, and a variety of frozen margaritas.  La Hacienda is a table-service restaurant with contemporary Mexican fare such as mixed seafood grill, roasted pork loin and flank steak. La Hacienda has its own “tequila ambassador” and features tequila flights and a new line of margaritas, including a coffee margarita.  La Cantina, with indoor and outdoor seating, is open daily for lunch and dinner; 250-seat La Hacienda opens daily at 4 p.m.

More information about Walt Disney World vacations is available at www.disneyworld.com, or at www.disneyparks.com/blog

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Non Stop fun for guests this summer at Walt Disney World

Disney Confidential – Cars 2 Gets Brave

By
Anonymouse
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Disney Confidential - Cars 2 Gets Brave

Hey there guys and gals! It is time for another installment of Disney Confidential with me Anonymouse.

According to many sources if your going to see Cars 2 next month Disney will be attaching the Pixar’s Brave trailer to it. WooHoo!

Brave is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Merida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus and Queen Elinor . An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Merida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom.

In an attempt to set things right, Merida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Merida’s quest — and serving as comic relief — are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin, the surly Lord Macintosh, and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall.

Brave (previously titled The Bear and the Bow) is an upcoming Americancomputer-animated3-D film. It is being produced by Pixar and will be distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It is directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman.

So by a show of hands who is going to see Brave when it comes out? To me it sounds like a very serious movie and I am wondering how they are going to make it into a fun movie for kids.

I want to hear your thoughts.. Let me know in the comment box below.

That is all the time I have for today. See you kiddies next time.

Got any good rumors?  Please email me at [email protected] on my Facebook Page.

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Disney Confidential - Cars 2 Gets Brave

Don’t Make These Newbie Mistakes!

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Don't Make These Newbie Mistakes!

If you’re reading here, you’re probably pretty Disney savvy and could come up with a list of “don’ts” in your sleep, but for those who aren’t, let’s talk about the most common mistakes Disney newbies make.  Here are the ones we see over and over again–we’ve even made some ourselves:

1.  Fastpass? What’s that?  Don’t wait until your third day to figure out what a fastpass is.  And yes, I’ve done this.  Oops.

2.  Not making advanced dining reservations.  I’m not saying you have to plan out every meal, but making a few ADRs ahead of time will guarantee you get a chance to experience one of the best parts of Disney World–the food!

3.  Your mom was right:  Take a sweater.  Florida weather can be very unpredictable.  Even during the hottest months of summer, pack something  light to throw on at night or in cool restaurants.   Layers are your best bet in the winter, when even on mild days it can get very cold by early evening.  Bring a jacket if you’re visiting from November through March.  Last December, we experienced daytime temperatures in the 40s and in the 80s all during the same week. That’s a pretty dramatic range of temperatures!

4.  Not checking for room and package discounts.  I only pay rack rate after I’ve exhausted every resource.   You can always try to apply a discount to your existing reservation, so be on the lookout for them.  One of the first places I look for discounts?  On the discount sub-forum of the resort board at Disboards.  When free dining came out a week ago, posters on this forum were the first online source to confirm it, hours before many travel agents were notifying their clients.  Since discounted rooms/packages sell out quickly, it’s important to keep up with it.

5.  Not bringing a poncho from home. Yes, you can buy one in the park, but they’re expensive and ill-fitting.  Invest in a small, packable raincoat before you leave.  I have one that folds as small as a pack of cards.  I just toss it in my purse.

6.  Not understanding how Disney transportation works.  Last December we spent about 45 minutes waiting for the express monorail, which had broken down.  Now, we could have just caught the resort monorail, since both the express and the resort stop at the Ticket and Transportation Center, but the crowd was so bad we couldn’t get through it to leave.  Once we got on the monorail, we started talking with another family who was staying at the Contemporary.  I asked if they knew they could have walked over and they replied that they had no idea.    When we got off, I realized they weren’t behind us because they had mistakenly thought the monorail would take them to the Contemporary, so I asked my husband if we should turn around and tell them, but again, the crowd was too thick to get through.  The lesson here?  Know the basics of Disney transportation. It’s very simple and effective, but not always logical.

7.  Expecting EVERYTHING!   No one needs a towel animal everyday, parents don’t need to drop $150 at  Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, you don’t need to stay at the most expensive resort, and your trip won’t be ruined if a cast member forgets to make note of your special occasion pin.  Let Disney magic happen in unexpected places.  One of my favorite Disney memories is the result of something that could have been a  small disaster.

8.  Trying to do everything.  You’re the guy with seven character breakfasts, spreadsheets, and timed potty breaks.  At some point, expect a mutiny from your traveling companions.  Remember, Disney is always going to be there. Save something for your next trip. If you’re like most Disney fans, it will happen sooner than you think.

9. Forgetting how blasted hot it can get in Florida. Bring your own sunscreen from home. The stuff they sell in the parks is fine for those who don’t burn easily, but if you’re like me and Caspar looks tanned next to you, invest in the best, non-greasy sunblock you can find.  Oh, and bring a hat.

10. Do the math on how much you’ll save by staying off site. There are some gorgeous off site properties just minutes from Disney World and in general, you’re going to get more space for less money, but do the math.  What are extra hours in the parks worth to you?  How about free transportation or the ability to use the dining plan?  Don’t forget to add in the cost of transportation; that $14 a day for parking can add up.

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Don't Make These Newbie Mistakes!

That’s a Lot of Water! Disney Pools and Parks

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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That’s a Lot of Water! Disney Pools and Parks

The theme parks aren’t the only place to find thrill rides at Walt Disney World Resort. At Magical Mouse Schoolhouse, we spent the month of April surfing Typhoon Lagoon, one of the world’s largest wave-motion pools; snorkeling the Shark Reef, like a dive in a natural aquarium; and chuting down Crush ‘n’ Gusher, the only water coaster in North America with three separate rides off a single tower. We caught our breath with a relaxing float along Castaway Creek before chilling out at Blizzard Beach. There we Plummeted from the Summit, an 8-second drop down a 12-story flume; scaled Mount Gushmore, the only ski resort in Florida; and took in a Nice View, via a leisurely ride on the Chair Lift.

But you know, the water parks are not the only places swimmers can splash around. Combined, the Resort hotels have 54 pools (theme and leisure), 14 kiddie pools and 23 whirlpools. In Florida, sunny skies and pleasant temperatures invite Guests to dive in year round. Even when the air is chilly, the pools are a cozy 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

While it may be tempting, pool-hopping is not allowed. You may swim only at the Resort where you are registered. IDs are checked frequently. You are, however, more than welcome to explore other Resorts. If your head is swimming over where to stay on your next trip to the World, the pool might just be the deciding factor!

A few of the most interesting:

That’s a Lot of Water! Disney Pools and Parks

Stormalong Bay, the largest and most unusual water recreation area of its kind, at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort is “a 750,000-gallon, sand-bottom lagoon with bubbling fountains, whirlpools, a life-size shipwreck play area and a giant water slide.”

That’s a Lot of Water! Disney Pools and Parks

Nanea (“tranquil”) at Disney’s Polynesian Resort features a giant volcano, waterfall and waterslide and includes a zero-entry feature for guests with disabilities as well as near-hidden hottubs.

That’s a Lot of Water! Disney Pools and Parks

A grand piano-shaped swimming pool is the centerpiece of Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.

Study the effects of the sun’s rays on human skin and test sunscreen effectiveness. This ScienceBuddies.com discussion provides the full procedure (about the 5th comment box down) on how to test SPF, using nothing but hotdogs, sunscreen and a warm, sunny day.

This article was by our newest writer Jodi. For more from her check out her website Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

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That’s a Lot of Water! Disney Pools and Parks

The Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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The Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World

If you are thinking about a Disney World vacation, chances are the first thing you will be deciding on is when to go. It may seem like an easy decision to make, but actually it is not easy because there are a number of factors to consider. So how do you choose the best time of year to visit Disney World?

Deciding on the time of year for your visit affects everything else about your Disney vacation, including cost. Certain seasons are just more expensive than others. And if you have school-age children, like the majority of families that visit Walt Disney World, then traveling during school vacations is often a necessity. Not surprisingly, summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, and spring/Easter breaks are the busiest times to visit…and accordingly the most expensive. If you simply must travel during those peak times, then you must be prepared for resort accommodations to be more expensive than they would during other non-peak times of the year. And while there are always lots of options for affordable lodging in the Orlando area, you may find that your choices may be limited if you do not plan ahead.

Crowd levels are important to consider as well, as they can dramatically affect the enjoyment of a Disney World vacation. If you hate crowds, and don’t like standing in line, do not plan a visit during peak times! It is a surefire recipe for a miserable, rather than magical vacation!

Don’t overlook the weather factor. Most people are well aware of how hot and humid Florida can be in the summer: if you are visiting Disney World during this time of year, be prepared to go early, take mid-day breaks, and relax in your pool. And if you just can’t handle heat and humidity, choose another season to go. Winter months, on the other hand, can be very unpredictable: a glorious and sunny day in the 70s one day, and 30s at night the next. Visiting during the winter requires a different kind of pre-planning, with special attention paid to packing wisely before you leave home!

Lastly, Disney offers many fun and interesting events that are scheduled throughout the entire year. Are you a runner? You might want to consider the Disney World Marathon Weekend in January. Love flowers and gardening? Then take a look at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival every spring. Is the Force with you? If so, you may want to think about a visit during one of the Star Wars Weekends each spring. What about great food and wine? Lots of people find the Epcot Food and Wine Festival each fall to be their favorite time of year. The fall also brings the fun Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties at the Magic Kingdom. And of course, if you love Christmas, then you will join the thousands who can’t celebrate the Holiday Season without a Disney World visit.

So now you know the things to think about, what is the best time of year for your family to visit Walt Disney World?

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The Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World

New ‘American Idol’ Scotty McCreery Set to be Honored Monday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By
Chip
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New ‘American Idol’ Scotty McCreery Set to be Honored Monday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Exciting news Idol fans! We can confirm that the new “American Idol,” Scotty McCreery, is scheduled to be honored at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in a gala motorcade on Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m.

While the details are still coming in, we’ve learned that the 17-year-old country crooner from Garner, N.C., will join Mickey Mouse in a sports car near the park’s entrance and take a celebratory ride down Hollywood Blvd. toward the Sorcerer Mickey Hat icon. The car will turn left and head toward “The American Idol Experience” attraction, where Scotty and Mickey will stop near a specially constructed stage. There, Scotty will pose for some souvenir pictures with Mickey and Minnie, and have the chance to talk about the dream-come-true moment when he was crowned the newest “American Idol.”

Prime viewing and photo opportunities will be along Hollywood Blvd., as Scotty and Mickey will share the spotlight in the car while they parade down the famous theme park street.

Of course, these plans are subject to change because of travel schedules or inclement weather, but stay in touch with @WaltDisneyWorld on Twitter and we will post any late-breaking updates or schedule changes involving the planned festivities. And, be sure to check the Disney Parks Blog later in the day for a recap of Scotty’s big day.

Source Disney Parks Blog

Coming Soon: Disney Universe Video Game

By
Chip
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Coming Soon: Disney Universe Video Game

Disney Universe is a new off-the-wall non-stop action adventure video game scheduled for release in Autumn 2011. It will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and as a digital download for the PC.

In Disney Universe you’ll be able to battle in a mix-up of worlds inspired by numerous Disney and Pixar films. Suit up in iconic costumes and face challenges in legendary Disney worlds. Defeat enemies, collect coins and powerups, unlock new costumes and explore with friends.

In the Disney Universe video game you’ll be able to:

  • Suit-up for action in more than 40 classic and contemporary Disney character costumes including Alice, Mike, TRON and Stitch.
  • Explore 6 different worlds inspired by Disney and Pixar films where Mischief, Madness and Mayhem reign.
  • Team up with up to four friends to solve puzzles or defeat enemies or toss your friend into trouble!

Coming Soon: Disney Universe Video Game

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Brings Star Wars Thrills in 3-D to Disneyland Park

By
Chip
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Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Brings Star Wars Thrills in 3-D to Disneyland Park

The power of the Force and the magic of Disney have combined to create Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, a new 3-D attraction set to open at Disneyland park on June 3, 2011. The attraction also opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on May 20, 2011.

Based on the Star WarsTM films, Star Tours will take Walt Disney World Resort guests to multiple Star Wars destinations where they will interact with characters from throughout the Saga. And it will all be in 3-D.

With an eye-popping digital presentation leveraging Dolby 3-D to deliver a vivid and realistic experience, a dramatic musical score and motion simulator-based technology, guests will be immersed in the Star Wars galaxy like never before on a theme park attraction.

Star Tours, which had thrilled Disney Parks guests since the 1980s, was “powered down” at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2010 so Imagineers could begin work on the new attraction.

And in a new twist, guests can enjoy the attraction multiple times without ever experiencing the same adventure. More than 50 story combinations are possible for guests to experience aboard Star Tours.

Just as the Star Wars films immerse movie-goers in storylines that keep them on the edge of their seats, Star Tours will feature multiple stories and scenarios that will hurtle park guests throughout the Star Wars galaxy. And all of the storyline’s twists and turns will be random, affording guests the chance to ride the attraction multiple times.

Whether it’s a battle with Darth Vader and his legion of stormtroopers or a plea from Princess Leia to help her save the Rebellion, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action – literally – in the 3-D, multi-sensory attraction.
Entering the attraction queue area, Star Tours guests walk into a bustling spaceport. The famed Star Wars droid duo, C-3PO and R2-D2, greet them as the Starspeeder 1000 is prepped for service.

Anthony Daniels, the voice of C-3PO and the only actor to appear in every theatrical chapter of the Star Wars Saga, reprises his role as the golden protocol droid. Daniels worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to record new dialogue for the attraction. Guests also are introduced to AC-38, a hotshot droid pilot known simply as “Ace,” and Aly San San (voiced by actress Allison Janney), the “spokesbot” for the spaceport.

After winding through the spaceport, guests board the Starspeeder 1000 spacecraft and prepare for Star Tours Flight #1401. Through a series of mishaps, however, C-3PO finds himself in the pilot’s seat instead of Ace, and it’s up to him and R2-D2 to navigate their passengers through the galaxy. However, the tyrannical Empire is out to stop the Starspeeder at all costs. C-3PO and R2-D2 take the controls and try to outwit and outrun the Imperial forces and a galactic bounty hunter hired to pursue the spaceship and its passengers.

Utilizing the 50+ random story combinations, the Starspeeder then embarks on a wild trip through the galaxy, visiting several planets made famous in the Star Wars films. Among the locations that might provide haven from the Empire’s pursuit are the icy planet of Hoth, the lush jungles of Kashyyyk and the underwater Gungan world of Naboo. And along the way guests may encounter Star Wars characters that offer to help (or hinder) their journey, including Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, Darth Vader and Boba Fett. “Skytroopers,” a legion of stormtroopers created just for the Star Tours attraction story, might even join in the chase.
In fact, with multiple ways to experience each flight, guests will never know where the Force will take them.

At Walt Disney World Resort, Star Tours opens May 20, 2011, the same day the annual Star Wars Weekends event begins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Star Tours and Star Wars Weekends event activities are included in regular admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. For more information and to purchase theme park tickets or book vacation packages, guests may visit disneyworld.com/startours or disneyworld.com/starwarsweekends.

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Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Brings Star Wars Thrills in 3-D to Disneyland Park

Disney World Fun Facts – Epcot

By
Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends
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Disney World Fun Facts - Epcot

The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT) is the park with the future in sight, here you can play with up and coming gadgets in Future World and experience the sights and flavors of11 countries in the World Showcase. Originally opened in 1982 the park boasted some pretty advanced engineering and ideas which continue to evolve today.

1. The inside of Spaceship Earth hosts a ride, but the outside of the structure also serves a purpose. Aside from finding shelter underneath the giant sphere during a Florida rain, the outside panels of Spaceship Earth were designed to absorb the water, so the rain would never hit the ground. Instead, the panels funnel water through an internal gutter system that are eventually empty into the World Showcase Lagoon!

2. Look up as you enter the Universe of Energy, hosted by Ellen Degeneres, those large panels you see outside are actually 80,000 photovoltaic cells that provide solar energy. The solar energy is converted and that’s what powers the ride!

3. When you become a “crash test dummy” on Test Track, the car you are riding in has more than 4 wheels. There are actually 22 wheels and 6 braking systems in each vehicle! Count your blessings when you exit the ride, the real crash test dummies you see throughout the ride cue are smashed on average of 720 times a day!

4. Mission Space was a bit too realistic for some when it first opened and now has two different versions: green (non-centrifuge version) and orange (the original, full blown experience). Although the ride now offers a less intense experience, it remains the only attraction in Orlando to come with “motion discomfort bags”.

5. Next time you board for your flight on “Soarin’”, look for the flight number listed during the pre-flight video. 5505 signifies your flight number as well as the date the attraction made its debut in Epcot (May 5, 2005)

Although Epcot may not have turned out exactly how Walt originally envisioned it, the advanced concepts used in the creation of the park are right on point with the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The foresight to save rain water to fill the lagoons is pretty advanced for an idea from 1982!

If you have any fun facts about Epcot we would love to hear them in the comment box below.

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Disney World Fun Facts - Epcot
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