Visions Fantastic - Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/ Plan your trip to WDW with members of our discussion team! en Fri, 24 May 2013 21:33:16 GMT vBulletin 1440 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png Visions Fantastic - Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/ Minimum age for parks to change http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33184-Minimum-age-for-parks-to-change?goto=newpost Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:48:22 GMT * Minimum age requirement for unacompanied children to change* * Minimum age requirement for park entrance policy to change *... Minimum age requirement for unacompanied children to change


Minimum age requirement for park entrance policy to change

TouringPlans.com
Starting on March 23, Disney will change its age of admission policy for entry into the gates. The new policy states that kids under the age of 14 must now be accompanied by a guest age 14 or older. The previous rule was that guests under the age of 8 had to be accompanied by a guest age 14 of older.

This change will affect all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, both Walt Disney World Water Parks, DisneyQuest, and both Disneyland Resort Parks.
by Rikki Niblett

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Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33184-Minimum-age-for-parks-to-change Disliked rides you like and loved rides you hate http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33169-Disliked-rides-you-like-and-loved-rides-you-hate?goto=newpost Sat, 09 Mar 2013 15:42:21 GMT Let's play a game! In this thread, we list rides we like that nobody else likes and rides that we hate but everyone else loves.

LIKE: Journey Into Imagination With Figment. I mean, yeah, it's not as good as the original, but I still go on it every time I go to Disney World.

DISLIKE: Okay, prepare to be shocked............ I DON'T LIKE MUPPET*VISION 3D. Look, I'm sorry, but I just DIDN'T FIND IT FUNNY. ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Brer Kitten4215 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33169-Disliked-rides-you-like-and-loved-rides-you-hate Disney Parks Blog:Taking the Disney Guest Experience to the Next Level http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33090-Disney-Parks-Blog-Taking-the-Disney-Guest-Experience-to-the-Next-Level?goto=newpost Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:38:39 GMT Original Article... Original Article

Being a technology geek, this sounds pretty awesome. Being that I've never been to WDW, and don't see it in my future, I'm bummed to read no mention of it coming to DLR.
I don't know how the Cell coverage is at WDW, but my last couple of trips to DLR, both parks had fairly poor coverage. With the recent addition of Disneyland/DCA Today Facebook pages....park wide guest Wi-Fi would be awesome. ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning bigben78 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33090-Disney-Parks-Blog-Taking-the-Disney-Guest-Experience-to-the-Next-Level VISITING the WDW resort in March 1 to 8 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33072-VISITING-the-WDW-resort-in-March-1-to-8?goto=newpost Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:44:01 GMT First time with friends going to the WDW coming in on March 1 in the everning and leaving March 9. What days are the best time to visit the four... First time with friends going to the WDW coming in on March 1 in the everning and leaving March 9. What days are the best time to visit the four parks and how many days sure we stay for each park. We live in Calif. and gone to DL many times and we do have a hopper tickets for our trip. And what is the weather like in March and how busy with it be for the parks in know it just before the spring breaks starts. any help on this and any other time we should know and do in the time we have.
thanks, dan ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/33072-VISITING-the-WDW-resort-in-March-1-to-8 going the Magic kingdom this spring http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32930-going-the-Magic-kingdom-this-spring?goto=newpost Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:04:38 GMT can you tell me what kind of crowd will be like March 1 to the 9th 2013? and what is the weather like? can you tell me what kind of crowd will be like March 1 to the 9th 2013? and what is the weather like? ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32930-going-the-Magic-kingdom-this-spring New Fantasyland D23 preview Nov. 3-4 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32789-New-Fantasyland-D23-preview-Nov-3-4?goto=newpost Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:40:44 GMT * New Fantasyland D23 preview at Magic Kingdom * * New Fantasyland Preview *... New Fantasyland D23 preview at Magic Kingdom


New Fantasyland Preview
November 3 or 4, 2012

D23
Be among the first to experience the enchantment of New Fantasyland during a special preview event! Upon completion, Fantasyland will nearly double in size—for the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom Park.

D23 Members registered for this itinerary will be able to take a self-guided tour of Be Our Guest Restaurant, ride the Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction, and either experience Enchanted Tales with Belle or enjoy a meet-and-greet with Ariel.

The beautifully decorated dining rooms of Be Our Guest Restaurant will not be serving food during Previews. There will be limited food and beverage options inside of the Preview area. To maximize your time, you are encouraged to enjoy one of the many food and beverage options at Magic Kingdom Park before or after your Preview window.

There will also be a selection of New Fantasyland Commemorative Collection merchandise created especially for special guests invited to attend the New Fantasyland Preview at Magic Kingdom Park. The New Fantasyland Commemorative Collection will only be available online for a very limited time: October 1 – 14, 2012. details
Events

complete details

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Related Article:

New Fantasyland Commemorative Collection
Collections by Disney


Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32789-New-Fantasyland-D23-preview-Nov-3-4 New Fantasyland opens Dec. 6 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32569-New-Fantasyland-opens-Dec-6?goto=newpost Wed, 08 Aug 2012 02:23:14 GMT * First phase of New Fantasyland opens Dec. 6 * * Disney announces grand opening date of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom *... First phase of New Fantasyland opens Dec. 6

Disney announces grand opening date of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom

Orlando Sentinel
Great news for Magic Kingdom fans. The grand opening of Fantasyland will be December 6, the Disney Parks Blog announced today. According to the Disney website, previews of the attractions will begin November 19.

The new attractions to open then will be Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid attraction, the Be Our Guest Restaurant, the Enchanted Tales with Belle site, Ariel’s Grotto princess meet-and-greet location, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

The new Fantasyland expansion will continue with the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall next year and the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride in 2014.
by Steven Ford

complete article




Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32569-New-Fantasyland-opens-Dec-6 WDW Princess Half Marathon 3013 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32484-WDW-Princess-Half-Marathon-3013?goto=newpost Thu, 12 Jul 2012 06:03:47 GMT *Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon * * Disney Princess Half Marathon registration opens *... Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon


Disney Princess Half Marathon registration opens

Orlando Sentinel
Registration for the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Feb. 24, 2013, opened Tuesday. The entry fee will be $140 through Sept. 25, $155 from Sept. 26 to Nov. 13 and $170 after that.

All finishers will receive a medal to mark the fifth anniversary of the event tailored to female runners. Runners can sign up at rundisney.com.

More than 19,000 competed in this year's race. Next year's race is expected to draw more than 20,000 runners.

The race weekend, with the half marathon as the focal point, includes five-kilometer and children's races. A race expo and a speaker series also are planned.

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Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32484-WDW-Princess-Half-Marathon-3013 WDW Animation Academy? http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32123-WDW-Animation-Academy?goto=newpost Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:36:28 GMT Does WDW have anything similar to the Animation Academy found in DCA? Does WDW have anything similar to the Animation Academy found in DCA? ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning kjbAZ1967 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32123-WDW-Animation-Academy Star Wars Weekends 2012 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31823-Star-Wars-Weekends-2012?goto=newpost Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:44:28 GMT * Star Wars Weekends 2012 * * Star Wars Weekends * (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios/special-events/star-wars-weekend/)... Star Wars Weekends 2012


Star Wars Weekends
May 18 to June 10, 2012

Walt Disney World Resort
Star Wars Weekends is an annual special event at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park that celebrates the legendary Star Wars Saga and the animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each weekend, you can join celebrities and characters for special shows, panels, presentations and more! continue
Disney's Hollywood Studios

complete details



Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31823-Star-Wars-Weekends-2012 Test Track refurb April 2012 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32147-Test-Track-refurb-April-2012?goto=newpost Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:03:15 GMT Epcot Test Track's "Chevy" remodel


Vacation Alert: GM To Revamp Disney World Test Track Ride

The Car Connection
Disney is shutting down the 13-year-old GM Test Track thrill ride at Epcot Center. The ride will reopen later this year (probably fall/winter) as the Chevrolet Design Center. According to Disney Parks Blog, the Chevrolet Design Center will allow visitors to design their own vehicles. Then, they'll be able to take five of their closest friends on a test drive in their new "SimCars".

GM has long been a sponsor of Disney World, and the current Test Track ride — which basically gives visitors an overview of the production process, then turns them into crash test dummies — has been a popular attraction for over a decade. GM says it's not wavering in its sponsorship of the resort; the revamped ride is simply a part of GM's initiative to refocus the world's attention away from parent company General Motors and onto its four individual brands — in this case, Chevy.

This could be a lot of fun for families in the future. Though the company has released few specifics about the new offering, the Chevrolet Design Center could and should give the public a much better idea of what goes into the design and manufacture of a new car. Who knows? It might even inspire a few younger visitors to become industrial designers themselves.
by Richard Read

complete article




Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/32147-Test-Track-refurb-April-2012 FL 3-days $99 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31691-FL-3-days-99?goto=newpost Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:37:03 GMT * Florida residents 3-day tickets for $99* * Disney World theme park offer: 3 days, $99 *... Florida residents 3-day tickets for $99


Disney World theme park offer: 3 days, $99

Orlando Sentinel
Disney World has re-introduced an early year ticket deal for Florida residents. The "Wild for 3" pass offers three days in its theme parks for $99. Guests can add a water-park option or convert the tickets into park-hopper for a total of $126.50 per person. Tacking on both water parks and park-hopping powers costs $154. A fourth day can be added — make that "Wild for 4" — for an additional $30. (All prices are plus tax.) Child and adult prices are the same in this deal.

There are limitations. The tickets must be purchased by May 21 and used by May 24 — and not during the blackout periods of Feb. 18-20 and April 1-13. The tickets are not park-hoppers — that is, you are limited one park per day. They are valid for all four Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Proof of Florida residency is required for each adult age 18 and older.
complete details
by Dewayne Bevil

complete article




Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31691-FL-3-days-99 WDW planning website http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31629-WDW-planning-website?goto=newpost Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:32:09 GMT *Walt Disney World trip planning website* * Disney World planning website YourFirstVisit.net continues to gain accolades *... Walt Disney World trip planning website


Disney World planning website YourFirstVisit.net continues to gain accolades
Added to list of recommended sites in the award-winning The Complete Walt Disney World 2012

PR Web
The Walt Disney World Instruction Manual at http://YourFirstVisit.net has been added to the list of 20 or so recommended sites in the recently published book, The Complete Walt Disney World 2012. Julie Neal, author of this award winning book, says that http://YourFirstVisit.net contains “insightful, no-nonsense advice for both novice and repeat visitors” to Walt Disney World.

The Disney World planning website YourFirstVisit.net earlier this year also received high praise from Lee Cockerell, Disney’s former Executive Vice President in charge of operations at Disney World’s theme parks and resort hotels. He said that http://YourFirstVisit.net is “highly recommended, and astonishingly helpful in ensuring both first time and repeat visitors have a magical visit to Walt Disney World.”

The site http://YourFirstVisit.net is the only website designed solely for first time visitors to Walt Disney World. It gives them exact instructions, but if they can’t follow these instructions, it gives next best options.

For these first time visitors, it has precise advice for making a first family visit to such a complicated place as good as it can be. In addition to when to go, and how long in advance plans need to be made, instructions include how long to stay, how old and tall children should be, where to stay, what to budget, how to eat, where to eat, itineraries for every day of a stay, and a to-do list. Families that can follow its advice to the letter will be done with their planning after reading just 400 words on the home page.

Moreover, for families that can't follow its exact advice, the site includes their next best options. For example, if a family simply can't follow its advice on when to go, the site ranks every week of 2012 (and 2013!) in order, based on whether or not rides are open, weather, typical crowd levels, and prices. Families can simply go down the list of ranked weeks until they find the one that works for them.

The site http://YourFirstVisit.net, called “the most valuable Disney World site on the web” by one of its readers, had its millionth visitor in late 2011, and more than 90,000 people have visited it five times or more.

David Hobart, the site’s author, says that he is honored to be included in The Complete Walt Disney World 2012. “That’s a great guidebook, and the other sites on Julie Neal’s list are amazingly good. It’s humbling to be included on that list,” he said.
press release

original press release



Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31629-WDW-planning-website AllergyEats WDW microsite http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31598-AllergyEats-WDW-microsite?goto=newpost Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:19:19 GMT * AllergyEats Walt Disney World microsite * * AllergyEats helps diners find allergy-friendly restaurants in and around Walt Disney World *... AllergyEats Walt Disney World microsite


AllergyEats helps diners find allergy-friendly restaurants in and around Walt Disney World

MarketWatch
Walt Disney World, known for being the happiest place on earth, is one of the most popular vacation spots for families. Now, families with food allergies will be even happier because AllergyEats, the biggest and fastest growing source for finding allergy-friendly restaurants, has just launched a new website focused exclusively on restaurants in and around Disney ( www.AllergyEats.com/Disney ). People who log onto this new, free AllergyEats Disney World microsite can quickly and easily view and rate the food allergy-friendliness of all the restaurants in Walt Disney World's parks and hotels, as well as thousands of restaurants in the greater Orlando area.

"Walt Disney World is widely-regarded as the 'gold standard' in terms of accommodating food-allergic guests, but some establishments still handle food allergies better than others and not all of the local restaurants are run by Disney itself," said Paul Antico, Founder of AllergyEats and the father of three food-allergic children. "The new AllergyEats Disney World microsite allows people with food allergies to learn more about their restaurant options and make more informed decisions about where to dine while visiting the area," Antico added.
BusinessWire

complete press release




Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31598-AllergyEats-WDW-microsite ESPN Weekend cancelled http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31157-ESPN-Weekend-cancelled?goto=newpost Sat, 23 Jul 2011 19:54:57 GMT * ESPN Weekend cancelled * * Disney’s ESPN The Weekend Update *... ESPN Weekend cancelled


Disney’s ESPN The Weekend Update

Disney Parks Blog
In order to focus our efforts on ESPN’s growing year-round presence at Walt Disney World Resort, we have decided to no longer host ESPN The Weekend. Moving forward, our focus will be on creating events like the new ESPN RISE Girls Showcase and the ESPN RISE Games, which provide a stage for tens of thousands of athletes from around the country, and providing opportunities for guests to be part of events they’ve only before watched on television, such as the Home Depot College Football Awards and the Old Spice Classic.
by Darrell Fry

complete article



Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31157-ESPN-Weekend-cancelled <![CDATA[Who's going for F&W 2011 and what are you looking forward to try/do this time around?]]> http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31041-Who-s-going-for-F-amp-W-2011-and-what-are-you-looking-forward-to-try-do-this-time-around?goto=newpost Fri, 01 Jul 2011 01:07:30 GMT Looking forwardto trying the Guava Berry Colada!!! Yum!!! Cant wait ! will be going on Oct. 17-25 and doing Mickey's Not So HAIRY ;) Party on the 21st... anybody else ??!!! And if you are going are you grazing the party with a costume?? Me... this is it I thik am scary enough hahahahahah!!! ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning DFD http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/31041-Who-s-going-for-F-amp-W-2011-and-what-are-you-looking-forward-to-try-do-this-time-around Park ticket price increase http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30938-Park-ticket-price-increase?goto=newpost Sat, 11 Jun 2011 02:20:27 GMT Park ticket price increase * Disney Parks Ticketing Update * _ Disney Parks Blog _ We wanted to let you know that ticket prices are increasing... Park ticket price increase

Disney Parks Ticketing Update

Disney Parks Blog
We wanted to let you know that ticket prices are increasing at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The new prices go into effect on June 12, but today we’re sharing an early look at pricing details as well as some existing special values for Florida and California residents.

At Walt Disney World Resort, the Magic Your Way ticket offers a variety of options for you to customize your ticket purchase and save on your visit. Florida residents can also take advantage of the monthly payment plan we launched last year to give them greater flexibility when they purchase an annual pass. All updated pricing is posted on the Blog and also will be added to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/.

And at Disneyland Resort, details about ticket prices are posted on a special page we’ve created on the Disney Parks Blog. The information will also be available at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/ on June 12, including details about special summer values for Southern California and Northern Baja residents, as well as our Southern California resident pass, which is more popular than ever with the monthly payments option.
by Thomas Smith

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Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30938-Park-ticket-price-increase Bloc28? http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30894-Bloc28?goto=newpost Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:52:37 GMT A few questions:
1: I'm a huge fan of the Bloc28 series. Does anyone know if there will be a series 3 anytime soon?

2: My wife and I are going to WDW next week, are there any stores there that feature Bloc28 hats like Vault 28? We've never been to Florida before, we're super excited
Thanks! ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Bballpitcher2 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30894-Bloc28 Last minute wdw trip discounts!!! http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30812-Last-minute-wdw-trip-discounts!!!?goto=newpost Sun, 15 May 2011 01:58:48 GMT So I was with my mother and we were bored and had nothing to do. I brought up wdw and how cool it would be to just right there and then go to orlando... So I was with my mother and we were bored and had nothing to do. I brought up wdw and how cool it would be to just right there and then go to orlando and go to MK or something. I dont live far at all from orlando. Its usally a 4 hour drive which is not much at all. since it was night already at the momment I told her we can wake up like at 5am in the mourning and get their 9am for the park opening the next day and come back home at night right when we are done with the park! It sounds tiring but really cool! I usally plan 2-3 months in advance for a WDW vacation while I can just go their any time I please Without paying for a hotel and only pay for gas, tickets, and food! is their any way that I can even save more money on this idea of going last minute? maybe on tickets?;) ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning FLEX95 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30812-Last-minute-wdw-trip-discounts!!! WDW Scavenger hunt ideas needed! http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30804-WDW-Scavenger-hunt-ideas-needed!?goto=newpost Fri, 13 May 2011 03:51:47 GMT Hey everyone! To gear up for the VF DL scavenger hunt (which I can't attend) I thought it would be fun to set up a WDW scavenger hunt for my bachelorette party. The problem is that I'm participating so I can't come up with the clues however I thought I'd post on here and hope you guys can help me out! So if you guys can just post as many clues and hints as you can think up it would be much appreciated! I think I'm doing teams of two or three and everyone is a cast participant and there will be guys coming too hopefully. Since it's a bachelorette party I might try to make it so that at least one member of each team is over 21 so we can have clues like 'drink a beer from 3 countries'. I'm going to make it a photo hunt and we need to do it in a day but want tons of clues. Thanks in advance and have fun! ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning kairamoon http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30804-WDW-Scavenger-hunt-ideas-needed! <![CDATA[WDW Halloweeen & Christmas party tickets]]> http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30787-WDW-Halloweeen-amp-Christmas-party-tickets?goto=newpost Fri, 06 May 2011 19:56:50 GMT Halloweeen & Christmas party tickets

Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Available Now

Disney Parks Blog
Tickets for two favorite annual events at Magic Kingdom Park, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, go on sale. Here are the details: continue
by Jennifer Fickley-Baker

complete article



Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30787-WDW-Halloweeen-amp-Christmas-party-tickets 25% off dining voucher April 17-23 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30659-25-off-dining-voucher-April-17-23?goto=newpost Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:37:36 GMT 25% off dining voucher April 17-23 * Save 25 Percent with Voucher When You Dine Off Hours at Disney Parks *... 25% off dining voucher April 17-23

Save 25 Percent with Voucher When You Dine Off Hours at Disney Parks

Disney Parks Blog
Back by very popular demand, a voucher for 25 percent off dining with the purchase of any entrée at select quick-service restaurants – this time, from April 17-23 at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

To save money – and alleviate wait times during one of the busiest seasons – you must dine before 11:30 a.m. or between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Alcohol is excluded. You can print out the voucher from this website continue
by Pam Brandon

complete article


Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30659-25-off-dining-voucher-April-17-23 WDW International Program Jan 2011 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30228-WDW-International-Program-Jan-2011?goto=newpost Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:14:50 GMT Hi all, After a few years of waiting, I am FINALLY going on the Disney World Program, starting on Jan 22, 2011! I am from Australia and am looking... Hi all,

After a few years of waiting, I am FINALLY going on the Disney World Program, starting on Jan 22, 2011! I am from Australia and am looking forward to it.

I was wondering if anyone else here was going to be on the 12-month program starting this year? ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning emma15677 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30228-WDW-International-Program-Jan-2011 CM discount for Christmas 2010?? http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30078-CM-discount-for-Christmas-2010?goto=newpost Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:33:12 GMT Ok...Im leaving in about a day and a half for disney world :castle: cuz my friend works there and i was just wondering what exactly the discounts... Ok...Im leaving in about a day and a half for disney world :castle: cuz my friend works there and i was just wondering what exactly the discounts were during the xmas season? I heard a few different things and dont know which to believe lol. Im mainly looking for merchandise and restaurant/food discounts...everythings else is already taken care of. Oh and I asked her a few times but she never answered :P lol So if you guys could help me outwithin the next day or so that'll be awesome! :mickey: ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning snowwhite92387 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/30078-CM-discount-for-Christmas-2010 Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/29931-Animal-Kingdom-Lodge-Villas?goto=newpost Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:58:51 GMT Has anyone stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas? I have the opportunity to stay there through my Time share. I wondered what the pros and cons... Has anyone stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas? I have the opportunity to stay there through my Time share. I wondered what the pros and cons would be for staying in the Villas rather than the main lodge. Anyone have any insight on this? ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning tuckere7 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/29931-Animal-Kingdom-Lodge-Villas Military discount tickets http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/29905-Military-discount-tickets?goto=newpost Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:59:54 GMT Military discount tickets *U.S. Military Can ‘Let the Memories Begin’ in 2011*... Military discount tickets

U.S. Military Can ‘Let the Memories Begin’ in 2011
with Special Offers at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resorts

Walt Disney World
At Walt Disney World Resort – now through Sept. 28, 2011, active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase:
  • Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Option for $138 each, plus tax
  • Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Water Parks Fun and More Option for $138 each, plus tax AND
  • Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More Options for $165 each, plus tax

Disney Military Promotional Tickets can be purchased by active and retired U.S. military personnel for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Oct. 1, 2011 (certain blockout dates apply).
Resort News

complete press release

Submitted by Ezra
]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning Tom Morrow http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/29905-Military-discount-tickets <![CDATA[PL7764's 2010 WDW/Universal Trip Report!]]> http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/29463-PL7764-s-2010-WDW-Universal-Trip-Report!?goto=newpost Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:55:21 GMT In almost 4,000 words, I have recounted as much as I can remember of the 2+ weeks I've just spent in Orlando, FL! I survived the deadly heat and humidity, and had some fun in the process. ;)

Here goes...!

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DAY 1 – 7/26 – ARRIVAL DAY + MAGIC KINGDOM

We arrived in Orlando at 5:18 PM Eastern. The humidity was immediately noticeable – a very weird feeling to someone like myself who’s lived in a dry (in the “non-humid” sense – Seattle is anything BUT “dry!”) environment their whole life. The heat was also very prominent, of course. The news a couple of days later that Orlando was in the midst of a heat wave was good in that it meant this wasn’t normal for the area, but bad in that it meant we had to put up with it for several more days.

After unpacking and changing into some more suitable clothes, we went to the Magic Kingdom for the evening. Something must be said for the lines into the parks here – despite having much higher attendance than Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom’s main entrance is VERY quick to get through, unlike the 30+ minute lines outside Disneyland at any time of day. We were into the Kingdom within about 2 minutes of getting in line.

After a round trip on the WDW Railroad (which has much clearer sound for the narration than the DLRR – must be newer or better-maintained speakers; they’re in the ceiling rather than out in the open, so less exposure to the elements, I suppose), we got off in Frontierland and fought the crowds (much denser than Disneyland!) to get to the Haunted Mansion to escape the deadly temperatures. Great to finally see the new effects added in 2007, but the ride was over all too quickly.

We wandered the park (somewhere in there were It’s a Small World and Snow White’s Adventures – I don’t think “Scary” is a part of the title at WDW right now, though it has been in the past) and eventually found our way to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and then Space Mountain, which we waited in the standby line for (crazy, I know). The queue games were pretty cool. The ride itself was … a bit of a let-down compared to Disneyland’s. I think an on-ride soundtrack might put it on par with DL’s though.

Eventually, 11:00 came around and we watched the Main Street Electrical Parade from the hub. Around 11:40 we finally left and waited in the monstrous line in the equally monstrous heat to get on the monorail. It took us an entire hour just to get back to our car! The A/C in the hotel was welcomed wholeheartedly.

DAY 2 – 7/27 – ANIMAL KINGDOM + EPCOT

We spent the morning at the Animal Kingdom as my sister’s friend was supposed to be there at that time, on a separate trip that ended shortly after ours began. She never showed up though, with the reason turning out to be that her mother had passed out twice from heatstroke the day before. The heat really does get to you…

We rode the Harambe safari jeeps (forgot the real name), which I deemed “an accurate simulation of an actual African safari” due to the heat and humidity. I forget what else we did that day, but I know none of us rode Expedition Everest (though my dad and sister would on another day, and I almost would, but I was too worn-out by the time I had the opportunity to be willing to do anything new and thrilling).

After a break at the hotel we went to Epcot and rode the Test Track, Spaceship Earth, and Maelstrom and the Three Caballeros ride in the World Showcase. My dad and sister also did Mission: Space.

Fun fact: This was our original planned arrival date, long before we’d decided even whether we were going or not.

DAY 3 – 7/28 – MAGIC KINGDOM + EPCOT

We gave the Magic Kingdom another shot, this time in the morning. We walked up Main Street this time rather than taking the train. MSUSA here is much shorter than at Disneyland. The atmosphere is also less “small-town” than DL’s. A book I got late in the trip describes it well: “While Disneyland’s Main Street is based on Walt’s boyhood home of Marceline, Missouri, the Magic Kingdom’s has much more of a Kansas City feel.” (Not exact words, but close.)

Everyone but my mother rode Big Thunder Mountain. Pretty much the same as DL’s, but some of the SFX are blessedly quieter – the DL ones warrant the plugging of one’s ears sometimes. My mother and I did IASW again, since it closed on August 1 for a refurbishment lasting until October 22. We also rode the Haunted Mansion again and Pirates of the Caribbean, which is kind of like “Disneyland’s PotC: The Abridged Version.” Same ride idea, shorter ride. Which isn’t bad, but I missed getting to ride up the lift hill at the end.

We had the Enchanted Tiki Room in there someplace. The idea of a “sequel” show to the original (which I feel this is) has potential, which is why I went in with the expectation that this show would be better than all those who decry it made it out to be. Coming out, though, I rather agree with those decriers. Honestly, this feels like a “direct-to-video” execution of the “sequel show” concept, with all the (very few) songs except “Friend Like Me” being extremely short (not even full songs, any of them – just one verse and *maybe* a chorus!) and mostly modern pop-music for some reason. I still say though that this show idea could be saved, if they used full-length songs with a style either closer to the original or with the jazzier mood found in “Friend Like Me.” As it is now, it’s worth seeing once so you can say you did, but definitely not the repeat attraction that the original is. Oh well, at least it’s still better than Stitch’s Great Escape. ;)

Epcot again for the evening, if I remember correctly. Just Future World stuff, including Ellen’s Energy Adventure this time. I think this might be when only my dad and brother and myself went, and my mom and sister stayed back at the hotel. I know we stayed for IllumiNations when it was just the three of us.

In the planning stages of our trip, this was the day we planned the trip around so we could see a shuttle launch this day. It got moved to a much later date though, after we’d booked our stuff.

DAY 4 – 7/29 – UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Our first of four days at Universal! On my first – and only previous – Universal trip, which was to the Hollywood park, the Simpsons Ride was just about to open, which it did within 2 weeks of us leaving, much to my dismay. So this time we went straight for the ride as soon as we arrived! It was awesome, and featured just as much Simpsons humor as you would expect. The queue area is almost as much fun as the ride (save for the heat of course), with TVs showing alternating clips of classic moments from Simpsons episodes and new, purpose-made clips showing the Simpson family and the rest of Springfield’s populace during their experience at Krustyland, “The Krusty-est Place on Earth!” It’s EXACTLY what you’d expect from the clown. Even the safety video inside the building was fun – you just gotta love the bloody-and-gory fun of Itchy and Scratchy demonstrating theme-park safety! The ride itself was awesome, although its rerideability is unfortunately debatable. One of the scent effects – the baby ointment smellf when Maggie uses the car as a pacifier – irritated my head whenever it was used, so I was a little off-put by that. Still, an overall satisfacorily “Simpsons-esque” experience. The numerous inevitable Disneyland/Magic Kingdom parody elements were also an added bonus. I even bought a T-shirt with the poster for “Captain Dinosaur’s Pirate Rip-Off” on it.

Afterwards we rode the E.T. ride. I kinda liked E.T. without the cheesy “kiddy” expanded universe concepts shown here. A prime example of what happens when a movie/franchise originally aimed at an all-ages audience gets narrowed down to appeal only to young children. I did kinda like the “Peter Pan’s Flight” rip-off scene though (come on, that flight over the model city doesn’t remind you of anything?!).

The Animal Actors show was fun, even if pretty much just a clone of the CA one. I thought this one seemed like it was missing a scene or two that I’d seen in videos – perhaps some sick performers that day?

My memory then gets blurry until waiting in line for the Simpsons Ride a second time, at which point I started getting a headache which after the ride developed into a splitting migraine – I had succumbed to heatstroke. I barely walked back to the car without blacking out. The rest of my family went back to visit Islands of Adventure while I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in bed, with patchy memory of events happening around me (I think I did actually black out once or twice). I felt a bit better the next morning, but it took me a couple days to completely recover.

DAY 5 – 7/30 – DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

In keeping with the Studio theme after Universal the day before, we went to DHS today. We had a nice breeze to take the edge off the heat, finally. We rode the Great Movie Ride and the backlot tour, but I don’t remember what else we did. I know we didn’t do Toy Story Midway Mania, One Man’s Dream, or the Voyage of the Little Mermaid (all very enjoyable) until our second DHS day.

Our evening was spent at the hotel because it was raining really hard outside, with lots of lightning and thunder. Not theme-parking weather.

DAY 6 – 7/31 – KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Our one non-theme-park day was spent at the Kennedy Space Center. It rained hard briefly mid-day. We were inside the IMAX building at the time, but we walked through the rain to get someplace. Reminded me of home! The temperature went down after the rain, but the humidity went waaay up – it felt so alien to me! Like being on another planet or something, having the air be that thick and … moist. We did all the obligatory stuff – bus tour, etc. My dad wanted to file a complaint at the lack of quality in the Star Trek stage show. I definitely remember that.

DAY 7 – 8/1 – ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

My brother suddenly felt sick on the way into IoA, so my mother stayed out with him while my dad, sister, and I went into the park. It took us a little while to determine that the line to get into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter wrapped all the way from there around the left (from the entrance) side of the park, almost to the entrance. For those unfamiliar with IoA’s layout, picture a line going from Mickey’s Toontown Fair at the MK or IASW at Disneyland all the way west through Fantasyland, then down through Frontierland (DL) or Liberty Square (MK), then to the west all the way to Adventureland, THROUGH Adventureland to the hub, and down MSUSA, almost to Main Street Station. That’s LITERALLY how long it was. So I took the car key back to my mom and brother and went back to the hotel with them for the morning.

In the evening I joined by father and sister in going back to IoA. We rode the Spider-Man ride, which was really, really fun. I would have done it again, but like everything else in the FastPass-less world that is Universal Orlando Resort, the line was outrageously long. I found a surprise favorite in the “Seuss Landing” area, which literally looks like something Dr. Seuss would have drawn himself. I really liked all the references to stories I recognized from my childhood, and being an audiophile I paid attention to the area music, which is every bit as weird and fun as the stories on which the land is based. The outdoor architecture, especially in the light fixtures, seems very Toontown-ish, I noticed.

By the evening, the line to get into Harry Potter had vanished, so of course we went in. Here are my thoughts!

The town of Hogsmeade has some really nice area BGM. I’m guessing it’s just score elements from the movies. The town itself though doesn’t have much to do. There were long lines for any of the shops, so I didn’t go in. The only attraction was the “Dragon Challenge” dual roller coasters (formerly “Dueling Dragons”), which I was not interested in, not being a roller coaster person. The buildings are all slightly crooked, giving a strange, not-quite-real, almost “Uncanny Valley”-like feeling to the very forced-perspective-heavy buildings.

Hogwarts Castle was stated in pre-opening media to be “going to dwarf Cinderella Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.” While it may be bigger in size area-wise, it is certainly not taller. The fact that it is built at a very small scale relative to the actual castle makes the forced perspective seem to go up just a little bit too quickly for realism. The castle itself is also only half of the structure – the lower half is the mountain that it sits on. It also looks aged, as it was supposed to, but unfortunately I quickly realized from seeing the castle and certain other IoA structures that significantly aged-looking buildings don’t draw my attention or interest in a theme-park environment nearly as much as pristine, well-kept structures. I think Walt was definitely onto something with his insistence that everything at Disneyland, even the Haunted Mansion, be shiny and clean on the outside!

The ride inside the castle, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” uses a robot-arm setup with a car moving along a flat track and the riders in a row of seats on the end of … well, a robot arm … which can turn and twist in pretty much any direction. The seats never invert, but they do tilt back far enough that you feel like you’re starting to go over backwards (you don’t go over, though). The ride is a mix of video screens, where the car moves Star Tours-style by sitting still in front of the screen while the seats are jerked about, and animatronic scenes, with the set-arm flailing and the car on the track moving along at various speeds. The ride follows a short story about Harry, Ron, and Hermione investigating an escaped dragon, but upon finding it (and the riders coming face-to-face with it and very nearly getting cooked), they get caught up in something with giant spiders, Dementors, and some other creatures, all of which they have to save us, the riders, from. Overall, a fun ride, but DEFINITELY not worth waiting 40 minutes in a line full of VERY LOUD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. The #1 reason I was happy to finish high school was that it menat I could escape those people. I guess they all went to IoA.

OVERALL:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was, as we all know, hyped to no end prior to opening. Unfortunately, as with just about all things, it’s very difficult if not impossible to live up to the hype. While the area is far from a letdown, the fun to be had is definitely proportionate to how much of a Harry Potter fan one is. The “Forbidden Journey” ride is fun enough that it would be a multiple-repeat attraction if not for the ridiculous wait time.

I’d rate my experience about 8/10.

DAY 8 – 8/2 – MAGIC KINGDOM

This might actually have been Day 9. My memory isn’t quite straight right now!

I think this was our first day of doing one park per day, staying in the hotel until the early afternoon. What better way to get back into Disney at the start of a new week than with a day at the Magic Kingdom? Mostly we were just re-riding stuff today, but I think we did Winnie the Pooh as well.

This was the day we all subjected ourselves to watching Stitch’s “Great” Escape. I hadn’t heard a single positive thing about this show beforehand, and the only one I honestly have to say afterwards is that the cannon-arm pieces animated remarkably well. (It goes without saying that it’s a bad sign when that’s all the good one has to say about a ride afterwards…) None of us feel the need to ever do that again.

I got some great video footage of the Main Street Electrical Parade from Liberty Square on this day. If I ever get around to editing it, I’ll put it on YouTube.

DAY 9 – 8/3 – EPCOT

This might actually have been Dat 8. I wish I had my mother’s notes of everything we did on which specific days! But the rest of my family left for another vacation minutes after arriving home from this one. (I stayed home because where they are now, there are also about 12 other people in a house built for 6 or so people, so … ‘nuff said.)

We “cleaned up” at Epcot by going all-out and doing everything we wanted to get done on this trip that we hadn’t, including Captain EO, Journey into Imagination, and Living with the Land (we didn’t get to do Soarin’ due to wait times – we’re familiar enough with the DCA version though). Unfortunarely we didn’t get to walk around the World Showcase for time reasons. 14 days in Orlando seems like a lot in theory, but when you’re actually doing it you realize that while you have the TIME you need to do everything, you don’t necessarily have the ENERGY.

This was my last day at Epcot, although my dad and brother went back to be there at opening on one of our final days.

DAY 10 – 8/4 – UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Back to Universal, hopefully without getting heatstroke this time. (None of us got heatstroke this time.) We did the Simpsons Ride again, and I met a family whose daughter, about my age, was apparently deathly afraid of the ride. I tried to offer helpful words, but how helpful is the stranger next to you in line nowadays? Still an awesome ride, but like I said, that one scent effect still bugged my head.

We saw the “Twister” special effects thing. It’s exactly the same concept as the “Backdraft” show at Universal Studios Hollywood, just a different movie being used as the basis.

We rode the “Men in Black” ride today as well. As with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin later on in our trip, I couldn’t aim the darn gun! It also didn’t help that I had no idea what part of the aliens to shoot. The spinning was kinda fun though. It’s a fun ride overall, and I’d do it again, but I would enjoy it more if I only knew what to shoot!

Our last activity of the day was “Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast” near the entrance. Since SpongeBob is the only one of the cartoons shown in the ride that is actually still being shown on TV, this was a welcome blast from the past, with a lot of shows I watched as a kid being featured. Not the best ride ever, but I did like being reminded of all my favorite old shows.

DAY 11 – 8/5 – DOWNTOWN DISNEY + MAGIC KINGDOM

I remember what I did on this day! I spent the morning at Downtown Disney while everyone else went to the Typhoon Lagoon water park. Water parks just aren't really my thing anymore. I thought about finding a bus over there later, but I realized I didn't have anywhere near proper sunscreen for it, so I didn't want to risk getting a full-body sunburn. Plus it was getting late by then.

I went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner since nothing else in DTD was selling anything I wanted. It ended up costing $24 for a one-person meal, but the service and food were both amazing, making it well worth it. I left a $5 tip. :biggrin:

Evening was at the MK again. Nothing new, as far as I can remember.

DAY 12 – 8/6 – ANIMAL KINGDOM

This is the day we said good-bye to the AK. We saw the “Festival of the Lion King” show, which we all enjoyed. My dad and sister rode Everest at some point, and my mom and I rode the safari jeep again at some point. We all went to Rafiki’s Planet Watch aboard the train that reminded us all of the Disneyland Railroad with its sideways seats. Not a lot to do out there, but a few interesting facts to be learned.

I was gonna ride Everest, but by this time in our trip I was too worn-out and ready to be finished to try something big and new.

DAY 13 – 8/7 – DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Our second, and last, day at DHS. We saw One Man’s Dream, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, and rode Toy Story Midway Mania, which was a lot of fun. I really liked the queue area being made up of different toys and books – after the third movie I felt a real emotional connection to my memories of toys and books like those. There was one picture I wish I’d taken – of the “Scooter the Squirrel” book just inside the FastPass area – but I couldn’t get a good angle for it, and when I finally found such an angle, a camera wasn’t available.

I almost rode Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, but same deal as the day before – I was too tired for anything new.

DAY 14 – 8/8 – MAGIC KINGDOM

Our final Disney day was, of course, spent at the Magic Kingdom. We re-rode all our favorites and finished out the rides we hadn’t done, including Peter Pan’s Flight, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, and the soon-to-be-rethemed Goofy’s Barnstomer. Hard to believe that was the last time I’ll ever see Mickey’s Toontown Fair! It really wasn’t much compared to Disneyland’s Toontown though.

I was going to ride Splash Mountain finally, but … well, see previous two days.

We watched the fireworks, and I got some video of it, but not as good as my MSEP footage. Speaking of which, I got a VERY front-row seat to the 11:00 MSEP in Town Square, right where the parade route starts, and got to see the whole thing without anyone in front of me. By far the best possible way to end my Walt Disney World experience that there ever could have been.

DAY 15 – 8/9 – UNIVERSAL STUDIOS + ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

We still had 1 more Universal/IoA day, so we did a little park-hopping. Unfortunately none of us really wanted to still be there, so it was hard to muster up the energy and enthusiasm needed to enjoy the parks. My mother and I ended up spending the last 90 minutes or so just sitting on benches.

DAY 16 – 8/10 – GOING HOME

Finally, we went home. Spending this long in Orlando had the positive effect of making us all VERY ready to go home at the end. Now we’ve all had our fill of theme parks for quite a while!

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That's it ... I think I got almost everything right! No gross misremember-ings. :tongue: Except for the repeatedly-mentioned heat, it was a really, really fun trip, and I'm glad I did it. Next trip will definitely be to Disneyland CA though, whenever that is! ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning PL7764 http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/29463-PL7764-s-2010-WDW-Universal-Trip-Report! How Many Days Until WDW!!! http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/24792-How-Many-Days-Until-WDW!!!?goto=newpost Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:15:16 GMT Keeping with the VF tradition and seeing as how there is a thread for the days until Disneyland...I thought I would start one for Disney World!!! (If... Keeping with the VF tradition and seeing as how there is a thread for the days until Disneyland...I thought I would start one for Disney World!!! (If there is one started already sorry for the repeat!!) ]]> Walt Disney World Resorts® and Trip Planning laffertyangus http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php/24792-How-Many-Days-Until-WDW!!!