Disney Tips For Designing Your Halloween Jack-O-Lantern

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September 19, 2010

If you’re looking for ideas on how to design your Halloween jack-o-lantern, we’ve got 182 of them – and they all can be found on Main Street U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park.

It’s not the usual squares and rectangles for pumpkins at Walt Disney World Resort this season – they’re unique. Different designs and shapes include a hot dog pumpkin over Casey’s Corner and my favorite snowman pumpkin. There’s even a pumpkin featuring a spilled ice cream cone.

The Magic Kingdom Park hand-carved pumpkins on the buildings and in windows are redesigned with different designs and shapes, according to David Hartmann, an art director with Walt Disney Entertainment. Disney’s Event and Decorating Support then took David’s sketches and made them real. Check out some of David’s best in a quick video.

If you’re carving your own jack-o-lantern in the next few days, here’s some advice from the people who make Main Street, U.S.A. so unique this time of year:

Pick your pumpkin – Before you buy, put your potential pumpkin on the floor or ground and make sure it sits straight. If you can “see” where the face should go, it’s the right pumpkin for you.
Start sketching on paper – Once you start cutting into the pumpkin, it’s too late to go back. First, draw your design on a piece of paper (grocery bag, old wrapping paper, newspaper) the same size as your pumpkin. Once you’ve got your design just how you want it, you’re ready to move the design to your pumpkin. Disney’s Event and Decorating Support used an overhead projector and a black marker, but you can just as easily use a toothpick or fork. Hold your pattern to the pumpkin and poke a tiny hole through the paper every half-inch or so. When you take the paper away, you’ll have a dotted outline to follow.
Carve the lid at an angle – If you cut up-and-down around the pumpkin’s stem, your cap could fall through. Don’t worry if you don’t carve a perfect circle. That will actually help you find the “right” way to put the lid back on.
Skip the candle – All of the pumpkins along Main Street, U.S.A use LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Much safer than an open flame, LEDs don’t get hot. The also last longer than a candle and won’t blow out in the wind. New LEDs even flicker like a real flame.

Downtown Disney’s La Nouba Presents Fantastic Offer to Florida Residents Aug. 17–Oct. 23

By

Chip

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September 19, 2010

La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce a special $50 ticket price for Florida residents. This offer is available for performances August 17 – October 23 on category 2 seats (limit 6).

This authentic Cirque du Soleil production has added two acts inspired by the playfulness of youth. Last January a juggling act was added in place of the chair balancing act. With the help of The Green Bird, the Juggler throws balls, hoops and clubs in the air in unprecedented numbers at amazing speeds. In July the opening act was redesigned to feature the joy and technicality of skipping ropes in place of the German Wheel act. An exciting discipline for the house troupe, this act gives way to vibrant dance, acrobatics and a steady stream of solo, duo and group jumps and formations. Our two featured Skippers combine artful moves, exceptional agility and impressive speed that far exceed child’s play.

La Nouba is an unforgettable journey through our universe – at once threatening and exhilarating, frightening and familiar. La Nouba is the story of all stories, the site of all mysteries, where dreams and nightmares sleep side by side. La Nouba is memory, individual and universal. It beckons to us, challenges us to uncover passions we thought we’d lost long ago. Here, anything is possible.

TICKET INFORMATION

Florida residents can purchase $50 tickets (plus tax for adults and children) for performances August 17 – October 23. These are for Category 2 seats (limit 6). Tickets are available online at cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba, by phone at (407)939-7328, or at the box office located on the plaza level of the theater. For more information and to receive news alerts and priority sale details, visit facebook.com/lanouba. Group discounts are available by calling (702) 352-0197.

BOUTIQUE DISCOUNT

Florida residents will also receive a 15% discount in our newly renovated boutique located on the plaza level of the theater. This discount cannot be combined with sale or promotional merchandise. No ticket purchase is necessary. A valid Florida ID is required.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Tuesdays through Saturdays at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The theater is dark Sundays, Mondays and select times throughout the year.

La Nouba is performed exclusively at Downtown Disney® West Side at Walt Disney World® Resort.

Books Galore!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 19, 2010

We have had a lot of books show up at Imaginerding HQ over that past week. According to my LibraryThing account, I am up to 326 Disney books!

The first two we found on eBay. There were created by Lawson Mardon Post Card in 1992 (Twelfth Printing) and 1991 (Second Printing), respectively. Both are souvenir-type guides that are full of photographs from the parks. I haven’t found more information about them, though. There is no ISBN, but each has a barcode on the back (it is the same code), which means they might have been sold in a box set

Magic Kingdom: A Treasure Book of Memories 1992
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park: An Adventure With the Movies 1991

The Art of The Princess and the Frog by Jeff Kurtti

The Art of Bolt by Mark Cotta Vaz

Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Diz Biz for First Time Travelers

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 19, 2010

So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge – to visit the land of “Mouse”!

Everyone’s been but you, right?

Well, not everyone, but let an ole veteran give you some Disney Dos and Don’ts……..

ROOM:

DO as much research as you can before booking. It is actually more affordable than ever to visit, with various options offered to appeal to everyone. On the Disney web site, you can view various price levels of resorts from Value to Luxury, and determine which one fits into your budget long before actually booking.

DON’T put all of your eggs in one basket. If you’re on a tight budget, don’t spend the majority of your funds on a room. You will not be there as much as you think, and even Disney’s value resorts offer the “Disney Magic” in their interiors/exteriors.

CLOTHING:

DO remember this is the deep south and dress accordingly. If you are making a summer visit, try to dress in lightweight, breathable fabrics. Cotton shorts & shirts are best for all family members. Also, remember to pack swimwear & water shoes, as each resort has it’s own themed pool. If you’re traveling in winter months, wear layered clothing that can be removed easily, as parks will be cooler in the mornings/evenings and warmer mid-day.

DON’T make this a fashion show – you’ll end up regretting it. Cute children’s outfits, ladies’ dresses and cute pant suits…..all of those are fine – for your nights out to dinner, but not advisable for the parks. Children can easily get overheated if overdressed, and you’ll be climbing in and out of rides, ladies, so a dress is NOT your best option – if you get my drift. Also, stick with athletic shoes, which you have worn around home at least 2 weeks before vacation. There will be more walking than you can imagine, for hours at a time, and sandals, flip-flops, crocs, etc. will NOT lend you the support you need. Ladies – NO HIGH HEELS – if I’m telling you this, you know someone has actually done it.

TRAVELING “PARTNERS”:

DO be careful in choosing your vacationing “partners”. You’re going and you think it would be great if everyone went with you — not so much. If you have an aunt who lives to complain, or a friend with a difficult wife, leave them at home your first time visiting. Remember, you’ve worked a long time for this vacation, and it’s going to cost you quite a bit of money, so make it all about you and your household. Save “friendship” and “extended family” trips for another time, so you and yours can enjoy yourselves to the fullest.

DON’T tell young children of your travel plans if the trip is a year away. Children have NO CONCEPT of time, and from this day forward, you will hear “Is it time to go to Disney World yet?” It will be hard for you to conceal this, with it being your first time, and you’re as giddy as a kid yourself, but trust me, you will thank me later that you didn’t disclose to Little Johnny and Precious Janie in January that they will be visiting the Mouse in December.

ASK QUESTIONS!:

DO talk to someone who has been before, whether family member, friend, or even someone on this forum. Most people are more than happy to inform you of their personal dos and don’ts.

DON’T assume something is a stupid question. I will guarantee someone before you asked the same question. You’ll never know if you don’t ask!

Hopefully, these tips will aid you in having the most magical vacation ever! Happy Disney Days! DeAnna Welch

DeAnna is now a member of the Chip Panel an elite group of Disney Guest Bloggers featured on the Chip and Company site. If you love Disney and enjoy writing you should apply to the Chip Panel..Along with being immortalized on Chip and Company Website you will be entered in a drawing for a free $25 Disney Store Giveaway!

Disney World Guests Welcomes New Waterfront Restaurant in Epcot Mexico Pavilion

By

Chip

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September 19, 2010

With all the color and cuisine that helps define Mexico, La Hacienda de San Angel and La Cantina de San Angel – two restaurants under one roof – have opened at the Epcot Mexico pavilion.

Overlooking World Showcase Lagoon, the lakeside house, or La Hacienda, is a 250-seat table-service restaurant, while La Cantina is a 150-seat quick-service restaurant. Together, the newly renovated and expanded restaurants, which originally opened in 1982 as a 3,500-square-foot, 288-seat quick-service eatery, will now boast 12,000 square feet, providing more seating capacity and variety of new dining offerings.

With the new architectural design, guests can fully enjoy the panoramic waterfront views of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks and laser light spectacular while they savor authentic Mexican specialties made from the freshest ingredients at La Hacienda de San Angel. Combining two of Mexico’s most important cultural gifts – art and food – the restaurant transports guests back to a different time and place, one in which they are welcomed into the Old World, countryside house of their gracious Mexican hosts.

“It’s an honor to bring the traditions, style and flavors of Mexico to the World Showcase at Epcot,” said Richard D. Debler, president of San Angel Inn, LLC. “This project is filled with passion, inspiration and pride. As the beauty of the World Showcase has evolved over the past 20 years, so has San Angel Inn and we are thrilled to bring this level of cuisine and cultural exchange to Disney guests from all over the world.”

Original pieces of art adorn each room at La Hacienda, which are filled with zesty aromas set to resemble different living areas such as the living room, grand salon, pantry and artist’s studio. The outdoor, casual environment lends itself to the dazzling sights and sounds of Epcot where guests can indulge in the chef’s interpretations of the traditional flavors of the Mexican taquerias and street food vendors.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with San Angel Inn on this project,” said Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot. “Providing another unique, high-quality, authentic experience for our guests, La Hacienda will further enhance the architectural landscape of World Showcase. And, wait till you see the view from this beautiful new restaurant – it’s truly spectacular!”

About La Hacienda de San Angel and La Cantina de San Angel

La Hacienda de San Angel opens daily for dinner service at 4 p.m. The menu features starters like queso fundido (warm cheese with poblano pepper and chorizo) accompanied by fresh homemade tortillas. Entrées include a mixed grill for two with flank steak, chicken, chorizo and vegetables, or a seafood version with grouper, shrimp and scallops; roasted shrimp in pepper garlic broth; flank steak with spring onions, refried beans and cactus leaves; and grilled red snapper with roasted corn and cactus leaves. Dessert specialties include chocolate churros, sweet tamales and fruit empanadas. Refreshing margaritas are available for a mid-day break from the World Showcase journey, or to enjoy as the light of the night sky dances on the water.

La Cantina de San Angel opens daily at 11 a.m. and serves both lunch and dinner. The menu features many traditional favorites including chicken and beef tacos on fresh handmade corn tortillas; nachos; cheese empanadas; guacamole and chips, with warm churros and Mexican popsicles for a traditional Mexican treat.

Guests can reserve seating through Disney’s main reservation line at 407/WDW-DINE(929-3463).

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule September 2010

By

Chip

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September 19, 2010

Refurbishment/Closure Schedule at Disneyland in California

Refurbishment information is subject to change and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at http://www.disneyland.com.

Current

Haunted Mansion (Disneyland) closed through 9/16/10 for installation of holiday overlay.
Space Mountain (Disneyland) closed through 9/16/10 for installation of Halloween overlay.
Catch-a-Flave (DCA) closed through 9/16/10 for refurbishment.
Muppet Vision 3D (DCA) closed through 9/16/10 and 9/20/10-9/24/10 to install and test a new film for the ElecTRONica Dance Party.
French Market (Disneyland) closed through 9/17/10 for refurbishment.
Minnie’s House (Disneyland) closed through 9/23/10 for refurbishment.
Alice in Wonderland (Disneyland) closed through 9/30/10 for refurbishment.
Horse Drawn Streetcars and Main Street Vehicles (Disneyland) closed through 9/30/10 for refurbishment.
Newsstand (Disneyland) closed through 9/30/10 for refurbishment.
Disneyland Hotel Guest Laundry closed through 9/30/10 due to construction. Hotel guests can use the laundry facility at Disney’s Paradise Pier.
Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular (DCA) closed through 10/7/10 due to construction.
Toy Story Midway Mania! (DCA) closed through 10/11/10 for refurbishment.
Village Haus Restaurant (Disneyland) closed through 12/19/10 for refurbishment.
“Honey I Shrunk the Audience” (Disneyland) closed through 1/28/11 due to the temporary return of “Captain EO.”
Corn Dog Castle (DCA) closed through 3/20/11 due to construction in the area. Corn dogs are currently available at the Bountiful Valley Farmer’s Market.
Star Tours (Disneyland) closed through 5/20/11 for renovation and upgrade to Star Tours 2.0.
Pizza Oom Mow Mow (DCA) closed through 5/24/11 for conversion to Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.
Burger Invasion (DCA) closed through 5/24/11 for conversion to Paradise Garden Grill.

Upcoming

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (Disneyland) closed 9/20/10-12/16/10 for refurbishment.
Indiana Jones Adventure (Disneyland) closed 9/22/10 for refurbishment.
Mark Twain Riverboat (Disneyland) closed 9/27/10-9/30/10 for refurbishment.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Disneyland) closed 9/27/10-9/30/10 for refurbishment.
Mickey’s House (Disneyland) closed 9/27/10-10/14/10 for refurbishment.
Mulholland Madness (DCA) closed 10/11/10-4/20/11 for conversion to Goofy’s Fly School.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug! (DCA) closed 10/25/10-10/29/10 for refurbishment.
“it’s a small world” (Disneyland) closed 10/25/10-11/11/10 for installation of holiday overlay.

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Source MouseSaver Newsletter.

Disney World the Grown Up Way

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 19, 2010

My Husband and I try to get to Disney World at least two times a year. Ok, truth be told, I like to go to Disney at least two times a year and I drag him along with me. He usually complains about going right up until we are there and then magically he is swept away into a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable vacation.

We are newly weds of just two and a half years and with no children to entertain Disney World is a completely different type of vacation. Often, our friends and family ask us why we choose to keep going back to Disney when clearly there are so many other choices. The answer to us is simple. Disney offers us every single thing we could want in a vacation without compromise.

We have Disney for grown ups down to a science. We choose to stay at a deluxe resort, usually the Wilderness Lodge, for the quiet atmosphere and fantastic restaurants. If you have never been to Artist Point, make reservations now and thank me later. We wake up each morning, grab a quick bite to eat and head off to the park of our choosing. We are thrill seekers and we know that getting to the parks before they open will allow us the enjoyment of seeing the opening festivities that occur at rope drop and it will get us on the rides we want without any wait at all. Most families with small children don’t arrive at the parks until later in the morning and if they are there at park opening they will not be heading straight for the big thrills. We usually fast pass one attraction as we walk right onto another. The Animal Kingdom is a fabulous park to do first thing in the morning as Expedition Everest usually runs out of fast passes by mid day. We can usually ride it two times before heading over to the safari or the river rapids.

As lunch approaches the parks really start to fill up. This is when we make our escape. If we are at Epcot we will eat lunch at the world showcase, otherwise we head back to the hotel to eat, lounge at the pool with a cocktail, and rest. At the Wilderness lodge you can lay on the sand beach with a rum runner and your Disney vacation becomes a Caribbean get away! Sometimes we may choose to draw the curtains in our room, turn on the AC and nap! As an adult we start to miss out on the luxury that is napping. Doing this for an hour not only recharges your batteries, but it lets you indulge in something that our normal day to day routines don’t allow! Vacation is all about indulgences after all!

I always schedule dinner in the vicinity of the park we will be attending for the evening. Knowing what parks have extra magic hours is a bonus when making advance dining reservations. You can make dining reservations up to 180 days in advance of your trip and park hours are usually posted way ahead of time so knowing where you are going to be on any given night of your vacation is pretty easy! If we are spending the evening at The Magic Kingdom I make sure to book the California Grill. This is one of our favorite restaurants on the property. It is a signature dining experience and for that reason it will cost you 2 table service credits if you are on the dining plan. It is very important to note that the Grill is one of the most spectacular views you will ever have of the fireworks over the castle. They also go the extra mile here and pipe in the music so it is like watching the show on Main Street USA! If you dine at the California Grill early in the evening, save your receipt and you can go back up at show time! If our evening is at Epcot I book into a restaurant in the World Showcase. We love Le Cellier steak house in Canada for a sit down meal and the Tangerine Café in Morocco if we want to play things by ear at a quick service venue.

As adults we have figured out that there is truly only so much time we can spend in the amusement parks and want some of our vacation to reflect the fact that we are actually on vacation. Before each trip we pick 2-3 activities that we would like to do. These activities cost extra and we make sure to budget accordingly. We have had spa treatments, gone horseback riding, rented sea raycers, shopped at down town Disney, and been canoeing just to name a few! We have also made time for tours that are specifically for adults! One tour we went on was the backstage safari tour at Animal Kingdom. If you attend the early outing, the group is generally small and you usually beat the heat! This tour is for guests over the age of 16 and as an adult doing Disney sans children, we found that it was a great escape from the crying babies and stroller brigades!

Enjoying Disney World can be done at any age, but it is really special to be able to enjoy this magical place as an adult. Disney can actually be a romantic getaway, a fantastic pal’s trip, or a fabulous place to celebrate a graduation! Finding activities, amusements, and restaurants that reflect your age and interests will make your vacation everything that you want it to be!

Some Great Grown Up Ideas

California Grill
Horseback Riding
La Cava del Tequila
Spa Treatments
Bike Rentals
Victoria and Alberts
Guided Fishing Excursions
Boating
Richard Petty Driving Experience
Golf
World Show Case
Artist Point
Down Town Disney
Cirque Du Soleil
Back Stage Safari
World Showcase

Article by Jessica Hayes

Jessica is now a member of the Chip Panel, an elite group of Disney Guest Bloggers featured on the Chip and Company site. If you love Disney and enjoy writing you should apply to the Chip Panel. Along with being immortalized on Chip and Company Website you will be entered in a drawing for a free $25 Disney Store Giveaway!

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Picture and Info

By

Chip

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September 19, 2010

Coming soon: a new Walt Disney World Resort! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort hotel, a Disney Value Resort hotel, will draw its inspiration from 4 classic Disney animated films: The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Disney·Pixar’s Finding Nemo and Cars.

Booking dates for this family-friendly resort, scheduled to open Summer of 2012, have not been announced yet. Please continue to check back for more information and details.

Step into some of your favorite stories! Each one of the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort buildings are being designed to make you feel like you are part of one of 4 beloved animated films. Trace the movie’s theme, from the playful courtyards to the festive room interiors.

The 864 rooms planned within The Little Mermaid buildings will be sea-inspired with an eye towards value.

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings are planned to exclusively feature family suites which accommodate up to six guests. The concepts show a total of 1,120 family suites—all arranged for added space and comfort.

The concept for these family suites include:

2 separate bathrooms
A master bedroom
3 separate sleeping areas within the living space, which includes an “Inovabed”—an impressive piece of furniture that transforms from a generously sized dining or work table to a comfortable bed in seconds.

Kids and kids at heart will be able to romp through one of the 4 courtyards—one courtyard for each film—where there will be icons and sculptures to interact with and play around. Make a splash in the main pool—complete with a pool bar—or relax in one of the 2 quiet pool areas. Planned amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort include an animation-themed food court, arcade, retail location and interior airline check-in stations.

Location and General Information
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is scheduled to be located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It will be a smoke-free Resort; smoking will be permitted only in designated outdoor smoking locations.

Source

Discovering a Gem at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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September 19, 2010

There is so much to do at Disney World and often we plan big. On our last trip, which was in March of 2010, we realized our budget would not allow for park tickets for all eight days of our stay. We opted for a 5 day hopper and decided to leave three days open for pure exploration and whimsy. One of these days which started as a fly by the seat of our pants kind of day, ended as one of our most memorable to date.

As guests of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge we decided one sunny morning that we would spend our day at Fort Wilderness Campground. My husband and I strolled to the campground along the trail that connects the two resorts. We spotted several deer and armadillos (which we found fascinating and later learned that the locals find them to be a nuisance!)

When we arrived at Fort Wilderness we lingered around the pony petting area admiring the petite animals as they ate their breakfast. We toured the barn where the horses that pull the trolleys on Main Street USA reside and reviewed the role of horses in the history of Disney World. We then made our way to the Tri Circle D Ranch where we decided to take a guided horseback ride. This was hands down the most fun “extra curricular” activity we have done at Disney! The ride itself was quite tame, but the guides were hilarious and so informative! We got tons of inside stories and tips! My husband and I were the only ones on the trail ride so it was very personal. We both enjoyed every minute of it! We took the first ride of the morning which was extremely peaceful and the heat of the sun had not yet made being outdoors unbearable.

After our ride we tipped our guides and headed to the Trails End Restaurant for a late breakfast. The prices were great and the food was even better! All you care to enjoy biscuits and gravy, Mickey waffles, grits, muffins, bacon, and cinnamon buns left us ready to pop!

To digest we sat on the beach and watched the world go by. We played horse shoes, had a few cocktails and snacks at Crockets Tavern, and generally lazed our afternoon away. We played checkers and jenga on the tavern porch and for a moment we were not in Disney World, but back at the turn of the century when things were simple and life was not decorated by the noise of ipods, TV’s, or cell phones.

We rented bicycles and toured the campground and as the sun began to set we made our way to the nightly campfire where we ate marshmallows with Chip and Dale and even joined in on a sing along!

Our night completed with a 9:30 showing of the Hoop Dee Doo Review at Pioneer Hall. Since we were attending the final performance of the evening we were able to get seats last minute in the tier three section of the hall. The seats were actually great, but for those of you who have not been to Pioneer Hall, there really is not a bad seat in the house. The show was outstanding and one I recommend to all of my friends. It was funny, upbeat, and the food really hit the spot!

We made our way back to the lodge having experienced a slower side of Disney, a side that was welcomed and refreshing. Now, each time we return, we try to block off a bit of time to visit Fort Wilderness and take in the world that once was.

By Jessica Hayes

Jessica is a member of the Chip Panel an elite group of Disney Guest Bloggers featured on the Chip and Company site. If you love Disney and enjoy writing you should apply to the Chip Panel..Along with being immortalized on Chip and Company Website you will be entered in a drawing for a free $25 Disney Store Giveaway!

DisneyWorld Refurbishment Schedule September 2010

By

Chip

-

September 19, 2010

Refurbishment/Closure Schedule at Walt Disney World

Refurbishment/closure information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available at http://www.disneyworld.com

Current

Cantina de San Angel (Epcot) is scheduled to be closed through 9/23/10, but may have a “soft opening” as early as 9/16/10.
Flame Tree Barbeque (Animal Kingdom) closed through 9/24/10 for refurbishment.
“it’s a small world” (Magic Kingdom) closed through 10/22/10 for refurbishment.
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (Hollywood Studios) closed through 11/3/10 for refurbishment.
Star Tours (Hollywood Studios) closed through 5/16/11 for refurbishment.

Upcoming

Mad Tea Party (Magic Kingdom) closed 9/26/10-11/12/10 for refurbishment.
Osprey Ridge Golf Course closed 10/10/10-10/20/10 for refurbishment.
Lake Buena Vista Golf Course closed 10/21/10-10/30/10 for refurbishment.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Magic Kingdom) closed 10/25/10-11/14/10 for refurbishment.
Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses closed 10/31/10-11/7/10 for refurbishment.
Typhoon Lagoon closed 10/31/10-1/8/10 for annual refurbishment.
Astro Orbiter (Magic Kingdom) closed 12/5/10-12/9/10 for refurbishment.
Blizzard Beach closed 1/9/11-3/26/11 for annual refurbishment.

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Source Mousesaver Newsletter

Disney becoming more generous with political contributions

By

Chip

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September 19, 2010

This article comes from Jason Garcia the Daily Disney..

Mickey Mouse appears to be quite fond of state Rep. Dean Cannon.

Shortly after Cannon, a Winter Park Republican in line to be the next speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives, opened his campaign for re-election last year, Walt Disney World wrote him a check for $500, the maximum amount allowed by state law.

Disney didn’t stop there. In February, according to state campaign-finance records, the giant resort gave Cannon eight more checks worth $500 apiece — each one issued by a different Disney entity, from its time-share unit to its cruise line to its gift-card processor.

And Cannon isn’t the only candidate benefitting from Mickey’s generosity. Records show that Disney has used its myriad corporate affiliates — with names such as Disney Photo Imaging LLC and Magic Kingdom Inc. — to rain checks on state legislators from Miami to the Panhandle.

The corporate check-bundling is part of an overall surge in political spending by Disney this election cycle. Although more than a month remains before the Nov. 2 elections, Disney has already pumped approximately $1.5 million worth of money and free theme-park tickets, hotel rooms and food into political parties, candidates and committees across Florida — as much as the resort gave during the 2006 and 2008 election cycles combined.

It’s a strategic shift designed to give Disney an even louder voice in the state Capitol.

As a diverse company with 58,000 cast members and a strong commitment to our community, we routinely engage in the political process,” Disney World spokesman Bryan Malenius said. “We have evaluated our political giving and determined this is an appropriate contribution level for a company of our size, especially in a historic election year with so many open seats locally and across the state.”

Critics say Disney will expect a return on its investment.

Click here for more.

Photo credit dailydisney.com

2010 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Boo To You Parade

By

Chip

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September 19, 2010

“Boo” has never been uttered in a bouncier, bubblier, “not-so-scary” fashion than during “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” … and ghostly apparitions never have been more wistful than they are skittering along the rooftops of Main Street, U.S.A. When you put it together with a green and orange fireworks spectacular and Land-to-Land trick-or-treating throughout Magic Kingdom, you have a Halloween event like none other: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

It’s enough to bring a smile to the face of a Disney villain! And the special-ticket after-hours party on 24 select evenings between Sept. 14 and Nov. 1, 2010, at Walt Disney World Resort will do just that. About the only one not wearing a grin is The Headless Horseman as he rides his trusty steed through the park ahead (no pun intended) of the parade.

Guests wanting to join in the spirit (no pun intended) of the party are welcome to don their favorite Halloween costumes for the 7 p.m.-to-12 midnight event. “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” takes place at 8:15 and 10:30 p.m. and the “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular at 9:30 p.m.

In addition to trick-or-treating, meet and greets with characters and entertainment unique to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions – including, of course, The Haunted Mansion – are available to experience (but beware of hitchhiking ghosts).

Party dates in 2010 are: Sept. 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30; Oct. 1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31; and Nov. 1.

Prices are $59.95 (ages 10+) and $53.95 (ages 3-9) for all dates except Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 when tickets cost $64.95 (ages 10+) and $58.95 (ages 3-9). Advance purchase (prior to event day) savings of $6 per ticket are available for the parties on Sept. 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30; Oct. 1, 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26; and Nov. 1.

Additional information is available at www.disneyworld.com/halloween. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 407/W-DISNEY.

Here is the first video from the 2010 “Boo to You” Parade at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Thanks as always to JeffLangeDVD for the video!