Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1210

July 18, 2014

In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of July 18, 2014

By Rikki Niblett

Tips for the Solo Traveler in Disney World

By Claire Nat

Seriously – why wait? This Kingdom is just begging to be explored!

Sometimes, a trip must be made.

Whether it’s the perfect time of year, the premier of a new attraction, or simply the impatience, a person just needs to go to Walt Disney World. I am planning a trip in October, and even though the timing/cost does not work out for my friends and family, it works out for me. So I am going by myself.

It’s not uncommon to see solo travelers in Walt Disney World – I have already done one solo trip back in 2012. There are blogs covering the topic at AllEars.net and even an entire website called Solo Disney Traveler. If you have an inkling to get down to Walt Disney World soon, and find it difficult to arrange dates with your family and friends, don’t be afraid to try out a solo trip!

Here are some of my suggestions when booking and taking a Walt Disney World solo trip:

Be mindful of your hotel.

There are so many hotels and motels in the area surrounding Walt Disney World, and more in the resort itself. If you are planning to stay on property, then the risks are smaller. Every resort has well-lit parking lots and walking areas, and during “normal” hours (6am-midnight) there are always people around.

If you are planning to stay off property (like I am), make sure to check out all the hotels in detail. Do they have outdoor walkways or indoor halls? Are the parking spaces near the entrance or do you have to walk a bit? How far is the hotel from the Walt Disney World entrance? Do they have a shuttle?

I don’t just point these out for safety reasons – I point these out for practicality, too. When going solo, there isn’t another person with which to split the check. A hotel with a great rate but far from property means that you’ll have to rent a car, pay for parking every day you go (now $17 per day at the theme parks), and maybe pay for gas. That can add up if you’re not careful.

Shuttles to the parks aren’t always reliable, either, but at least it will save a couple bucks.

Don’t forget to eat – and be adventurous.

I laughed when a podcast host reminded solo travelers to eat. Then I went on a solo trip and realized how easy it was to forget to eat! When you’re on your own schedule, that kind of power sometimes blocks out other necessary functions, like eating.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich – found at Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square

I try to be more adventurous when eating on my own. During my solo trip, my first destination was the Contemporary resort, where I took an elevator to the California Grille and ate sushi at the bar. No reservation? No problem. I tried a Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich as I watched the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party (and was rewarded greatly – the food was incredible and the street party was catchy). But I had to make sure to get one of my favorite meals at the Magic Kindgom: the BBQ Slaw Dog at Casey’s Corner. It was messy, and it was delicious. And nobody made faces at me as I made a mess eating it.

This solo trip falls during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, which means I will be very adventurous when it comes to my food choices. I will try something from all the vendors, if I can, and I won’t try to play it safe.

Make friends and be outgoing.

I always enjoy telling people the story of my little brother and the Walt Disney World buses. At 7 years old, he would get on the bus, immediately walk to the very back, sit down, and start a conversation with the people next to him. My family met a lot of cool people because my brother was such a personality. (Actually, he still is.)

On a solo trip, you have a chance to be bold. You have a chance to be a completely different person. Are you an introvert at home? Well, no one that knows you at home will be at Walt Disney World – be an extrovert for a couple of days. Instead of rolling your eyes at the loud family in line in front of you, strike up a conversation with them. If you see someone that looks a little confused, use your amazing load of Disney knowledge to help them out. There isn’t anyone tugging on your shirt making sure you hurry up, so take the time to get to know people.

At Walt Disney World, some of the best places to have a good conversation are on the transportation systems: the buses, the monorail, and the boats. People aren’t looking for an in-depth conversation; they are just looking for someone with whom they can share their stories and bounce their ideas.

Share your experience in social media.

My initial point was going to be “put away the social media,” but that’s hard to do thanks to My Disney Experience. Because we as Walt Disney World customers use our phones for apps like My Disney Experience and TouringPlan’s own Lines, it’s better to just go with the flow. Tweet all the fun experiences you’re having. Text your friends the picture of you with Jedi Mickey. Put that video of the Festival of Fantasy parade on Facebook. Ask your family where you should go next.

However, I am not trying to encourage you to walk with your nose facing the ground. Using your phone can be a way to connect to the world, but don’t let it dominate your life that it prevents you from connecting to the World. Set some time in your schedule to find a quiet spot to text and tweet and post, but be sure to put that phone away as you walk and see the magic with your own eyes!

Of course, all social media warnings apply: don’t be so bold with your posts that people following you decide to take advantage of you or your situation.

Don’t be afraid to splurge.

Sometimes splurging can be bad. An Illuminations cruise isn’t worth it for just one person, for example. But sometimes splurging as a solo traveler is worth it. Instead of paying for five or six people to do Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there’s only one! Enjoy the savings in that regard. Try a dessert party. Check out the Harambe Nights evening entertainment. Try out one of those top-tier restaurants. Get that extra special souvenir. I could attend the Food and Wine Festival’s Party for the Senses in October - a reasonable price for one person that might become pretty pricey for a family of four.

Go off the beaten path.

Do I want to see the Citizens of Main Street? Why yes. Yes I do.

When was the last time you walked the Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? How many times have you done the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover? When we go to Walt Disney World in a group, there are fewer opportunities to hit those lesser-known spots because everyone has a favorite attraction or show they want to see. But by going solo, there are so many great things to be done after you hit your favorites. How about finally stopping and seeing Captain Jack’s Pirate Tutorial from start to finish? Take a trip back in time and enjoy the laser show at Voyage of the Little Mermaid! Don’t walk straight through the video after Maelstrom!

Have fun!

I could spend a lot of my time wishing that there was someone with me to share my fun. But that would be a large waste of time. There is so much to do and see at Walt Disney World, and it’s just begging to be experienced – even if it’s just by you!

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Published on July 18, 2014 08:00

Gadgets and Gear to Grab for Disney World

By Bob Whitten

When my wife and I visit the parks, we go loaded for bear. Laden as we are with our bags and gear and gadgets we are often mistaken for Sherpas, which explains why folks are constantly asking us to lead them to Expedition Everest. We of course try to explain that we’re not really Sherpas, but they just respond that it’s all right, it’s not really Mount Everest. Touché.

Fortune, as they say, favors the prepared, and although I’m not sure who “they” are, they nevertheless make a good point. Whether or not you choose to gear up for a day at the parks, however, is strictly personal. Of course, you could always make some other member of your party the pack mule, in which case, it’s nothing personal. Or that’s what you should tell them.

Walt Disney World Best Gadgets and Gear for the Parks

Shoes – As much fun as it may sound to run barefoot through the parks, Disney frowns on this sort of behavior. After about ten minutes, I’m pretty sure you would too. Although you may have heard this already from many great sources, including The Unofficial Guide to Disney World , wearing a comfortable pair of shoes—preferably shoes designed for walking—may be the smartest thing you can do for yourself. Napoleon said an army marches on its stomach, but you will be crawling on your belly before long if you choose style over sense.
Sunscreen – Again, this one seems like a no-brainer, but it is an essential. My wife and I have spent hours and hours in the parks and managed to keep our complexions pasty white. Seriously we have to wear long sleeves in The Haunted Mansion to keep from being mistaken for one of the happy haunts.
Magic Bands – These days, the Magic Bands are nearly ubiquitous and

Feel the magic!

practically non-negotiable, which makes their inclusion on this list a mere formality. It is still possible to visit the parks without making use of the Magic Bands, just like it’s possible to go to Epcot and skip Soarin’, or sail the River Styxx through It’s a Small World and not have that song in your head the rest of the day. It’s in there now, isn’t it? You’re welcome.

Bag – Unless you’re hitchhiking across the galaxy, then the

My awesome bag of awesome!

one thing you want to always have on you isn’t a towel but a really good bag. For me, that means one large enough to hold my gear, but small enough that I’m not mistaken for Quasimodo. The day they build a replica of Notre Dame at the France Pavilion, I’ll happily change my bag of choice and take up residence in the bell tower, but until then, it’s best to stay as hunch-free as possible. Also, a good bag should have lots of pockets of varying sizes for your gadgets.
Portable containers – In my bag, I like to carry a couple of Altoids tins, in which I store things like earphones, memory cards, Pepto tablets, minor first aid items (including blister packs), and hand sanitizer. It’s a good way to keep your smaller items organized. It’s better to have these things and not need them, than need them and not have them. Don’t tell me you haven’t gone through the queue at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and not had the occasional, instinctive shudder as you watch people “interact” with the flowing wall of honey, even if you didn’t touch it yourself.

Organizer – If you find a bag you like, but it lacks the requisite number of pockets, or they’re too large, I recommend getting a Grid-It insert. It’s a great tool for keeping your gadgets from jangling around in your bag. No one wants that.

Foam (optional) – It’s also a pretty good idea to glue some foam in your tin, so your supplies don’t rattle around–unless you don’t mind auditory evidence your screws are a little loose.

Smartphone/tablet – With the implementation of My Magic Plus, there is all the more reason for you to be packing either a smartphone or tablet. The My Disney Experience App makes it possible to change your FastPass+ reservations on the fly, at least in theory. Plus, it’s nice to have something to read on those occasions when our wait lasts longer than 20 minutes. If the wait is really bad though, I’m breaking out the Minecraft.

I also highly recommend both the Touring Plans Lines and Menus apps, to keep up on wait times and wait staffs, well not so much wait staffs, but the stuff they will be serving. The Menus app came in very handy last year when we took our extended family to Disney World at Christmas and we needed to pick a restaurant where everyone could find something to eat. We have picky eaters, vegetarians, and a person (myself) who doesn’t like cheese. I am a special category of “picky.” All the different tastes can make finding food a quest that reads like the most tragic of Greek mythology. Believe me, if King Pelias had given me the task of retrieving the Golden Fleece Cheese, that thing would still be lost.

Extra batteries/Battery chargers – It’s great that there are now locations in the park where gadget-heads can charge their stuff, but having your own will give you the assurance that you will always have a charge without having to battle for an outlet or charging station. I find it much easier to carry additional batteries than chargers for those gadgets that have swappable batteries. It takes forever to charge versus the 2-3 seconds it takes to pop out one battery and pop in a fresh one.

Note – If you intend to pack a charger for your tablet, select one with a power bank of at least 6000mAh. I’ve tried lower rated chargers in the past and they have provided only a small boost. You’d be better off with one of the Professor’s stationary bike generators, but that’s going to make your pack significantly heavier.
If you bring a charger, don’t forget the appropriate cables.

Camera/Video Camera – I know, I know, folks these days use their smartphones and tablets to snap photos or take videos, and I get that. You can take decent photos with them. Nevertheless, I like my trusty DSLR for really high-quality photos, although it does increase my bulk somewhat. Of course, having good gear is no substitute for talent. Unfortunately.
Poncho – This may come as a shock. It rains in Central Florida. It has rained pretty much every day we’ve been in a park. You can pick up ponchos for very little at any big retailer like Target or Walmart, or you can pay quite a bit more and get one at the parks. We bought ours at Magic Kingdom on our honeymoon eighteen years ago. I wear it in the shower sometimes with the hope of eventually getting my money’s worth.
Maps/Touring Plans on lanyards – When we visited the parks with our extended

It’s what all the cool kids are wearing.

family at Christmas, we wanted a plan in case we got separated. Nothing dampens the mood of returning home from vacation more than doing so with fewer members of your party than you started with. Our party included a smoker, so for his sake, I marked out the designated smoking areas on his map. Everyone else got the non-smoking version. They were all nice and laminated and clipped to lanyards so everyone could see just how cool we were. When my family first saw them, I think a small part of them crawled into the fetal position as the gravity of what they had gotten themselves into finally hit them. We warned them.
Notebook and pens – I realize this may make me seem like a proper Luddite. Nevertheless I’m very fond of the old-fashioned way of jotting down things I see, or the thoughts such events evoke; it’s more immediate and tangible—and more flexible. Okay, technically notebooks and pens probably haven’t been considered proper gadgets since before Gutenberg invented movable type. In fact, I think their invention is reenacted somewhere on Spaceship Earth between the Phoenicians and the Renaissance. Isn’t there something about Michaelangelo showing his patron his new iNotebook? You think the “i” is starting to seem a little silly these days.
Water Bottle and carabiner hook – I like my bag, but its one I carry with me every day, and as a personal choice, I didn’t want one with a mesh pouch on the side for my bottle. The next best thing is a bottle with a hook and a clip for the bag. Just be careful where you hang it, unless you don’t mind being constantly massaged in one spot on your lower back the entire day. Trust me, you’ll go from not realizing how much that spot needed a massage, to how nice the incessant banging of cold-to-lukewarm-to-warm plastic feels to pretty much realizing that spot desperately needs a massage afterwards.
Snacks – We usually pack granola bars of some kind for a boost of energy or anytime we feel peckish. I know folks with kids will sometimes carry bags of cereal for those long waits in line. This works unless you’re going to meet Anna and Elsa. For that, you might want to pack a pizza, a sleeping bag, clothes for the next day . . .
Extras – I also carry a small container of truffle salt. Until you have had truffle salt on popcorn, you haven’t had popcorn. That’s one of the reasons I started carrying a bag in the first place. Now I never have to remember to bring the salt when we go to the movies.
Umbrella (optional) – A nice small one will come in handy to provide a little shade while waiting for a parade.

Walt Disney World Best Gadgets and Gear for the Resorts

SleepPhones – These are basically headphones you sleep in. Disney does a great job of keeping their resorts peaceful places to relax and unwind after a hard day of park adventuring. Nevertheless, there are times when you may need to tune out ambient noises. If you’re like me, and prefer to sleep with a little white noise, and your spouse prefers total silence, these are a good investment. It may not be a cone of silence, but have you ever tried to sleep in one of those?
Travel charger/surge protector – I really doubt this thing is going to protect against any surges, but it does come in handy when you have more gadgets than outlets. Most of your gear is going to need more time to charge than you can give them in the park.
Grounded extension cord – Adding additional outlets to your room won’t do you much good if the outlets are on the other side of the room.
Ethernet cable – Hotel Wi-Fi is notoriously spotty, not to mention less secure than a good old-fashioned wire, but you are less likely to find rooms with working Ethernet ports these days. I still pack one just in case. If you want to get really geeky and the Ethernet in your room works, try connecting a portable Wi-Fi hotspot to share the wired connection with the whole room.
Laptop – Call me old school, but there are still things I prefer to do with an actual keyboard. I carry my trusty Ubuntu-rocking 11′ Sony Vaio everywhere. Sometimes, it even finds its way into the park because, I’m that big of a geek.
High Capacity Flash Storage – If you take a lot of photos or video, you have four options when your memory cards fill up: 1. upload them to the cloud; 2. upload them to an external drive; 3. buy additional cards; or 4. weep bitterly. Again, given the spottiness of hotel Wi-Fi, I find it much easier to just dump my media onto an external drive. Alternatively, you can pack a portable hard drive. I like this option, as I can be assured all my media is in one place, and on something I’m less likely to misplace, but I also roll my own Owncloud server for added redundancy. For a less technical, more straight-forward cloud option you can use iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive.
RavPower charger and wireless FileHub – this little device is handy for sharing videos and the like with everyone connected on your ad-hoc network. It relies on Wi-Fi, so once again it’s anyone’s guess how well it’s going to work.

This list may seem daunting at first, but my bag really weighs no more than about 4-5 pounds, but Every extra pound will feel like even more after a few hours of lugging it around. It’s all about comfort. This is one of those occasions when it’s a good idea to think small. Don’t be a hero. It’s also a good idea to divide the gear among the party.

Of course, not everything in this list is strictly “essential” to enjoying yourself at the parks. I’m sure there are many people who go to the parks every day and bring with them nothing more than excitement, a smile, and a can-do attitude. We call those people . . . well, it really doesn’t matter what we call them, since we’ll probably never see them again.

So what gadgets do you bring to the parks? Let me know in the comments below.

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Published on July 18, 2014 03:00

July 17, 2014

Disneyland Social Clubs: Who are They?

By Ray

Disneyland has such an interesting and unique culture that is not found at any other Disney park around the world (well, maybe Tokyo). Having a Disneyland Annual Pass is like being in a club all its own, and Disneyland fandom is very strong on the West Coast. The creation of social media has made it easier to connect with people with this same passion. With the mix of passionate Disneyland fans and social media came social clubs. There have been a ton of articles written about social clubs lately but I am here to give you the quick facts, the history, and some insight on who and what social clubs are.

So, What Exactly are Disneyland Social Clubs?

Disneyland social clubs are an organized group of fans that gather together to share their love all things Disney. Social clubs have their own unique attire, to separate themselves from other Disneyland visitors. Each club has their own guidelines and steps for members to follow before joining. All social clubs names reflect something Disney related and have a certain part of Disneyland they enjoy spending time at the most.

Disneyland locals were the socials clubs of the late 90′s. Picture from the documentary The Disneyland Locals.

When Did Social Clubs Start?

Groups like social clubs have been around for about 15 years or so but they were totally different in nature. Back in the late 90′s, there was a large influx of teens that started to get Disneyland Annual Passes, and they would come into Disneyland in huge groups. Many of these teens would come to Disneyland, cause trouble around the park (vandalizing attractions), and not follow by Disneyland’s code of conduct. These rebellious groups of teens were known as the Disneyland locals. A few years after the Disneyland local teens started to take over, Disneyland started to crackdown hard on them. Eventually Disneyland cleared the park of these rambunctious teens. Fast-forward to 2011 , when Instagram started to become really popular, and social clubs started popping up around Disneyland. However, the huge difference between the Disneyland locals and social clubs is that social clubs do not vandalize and they follow Disneyland’s code of conduct. Social clubs have a deep respect for Disneyland and its guests. Social clubs just want to share their passion for Disney but do it in a rather unique way.

What Makes Them Different From Any Other Disneyland Fan?

What really makes social clubs standout is their attire. All Disneyland social clubs wear short sleeve, jean vests, that are embroidered with their social clubs’ name and their favorite Disney character. Also, to be a part of a social club there is a process that you must follow to officially join. This process is done through social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and group meet-ups.

Example of what social clubs’ jean vest look like. Picture from Neverlanders blog.

How Many “Social Clubs” are There?

There are many social clubs but here is a list of the most popular ones:

Main Street Elite
Neverlanders
The Hitchhickers
Mickey’s Little Monsters
Sons of Anakin

Why are Social Clubs Such a Hot Topic?

There are two reasons why social clubs have been such a hot topic lately: social media exposure and the debate about whether they are “gangs” or not. With social media, it is easier to spread the word and that is what social clubs have done very well. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are their social media tools of choice, and they have been getting a lot of buzz because of it. There is a debate going on, in the Disney fan community, on whether social clubs are “gangs” or just a group of hardcore fans that show their love in a unique way. There have also been numerous articles written about social groups using the term “Disneyland Gang” to describe them, which has not helped their image.

No matter what side you fall on with social clubs, we all have two things in common: we love Disney and want to share our passion with others. Either you do it with a patched up, jean vest or wearing Mickey ears with your family. We all just want to have fun, be safe, and create memories.

Photo – Tom Bricker

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Published on July 17, 2014 12:00

Taking Your Tween to Magic Kingdom Without a Single Eyeroll

By Trista VanderVoord

Two families ready for a day at Magic Kingdom… look at all those tweens!

This October, our family ventured to Walt Disney World on a shared vacation with good friends, and we spent a beautiful week with four kids between 9 and 11 years old. My two tweens had been to Disney World several times, but it was the other family’s first magical vacation and I wanted it to be special! I arrived with comprehensive two-day touring plans that would cover all of the attractions at Magic Kingdom, in order to give everyone the full Magic Kingdom experience. When it’s your first time touring, you want to see it all, right? As my experience showed, this approach turned out to be flawed.

You see, Magic Kingdom conjures up images of awestruck toddlers dressed in princess costumes waiting to meet their favorite characters, which definitely doesn’t appeal to self-conscious kids on the edge of becoming teens. When I made my touring plans, I forgot to take into account that a member of the fussy preteen demographic can go from elated to scowly in a split second if there’s even a hint of them being treated like a baby. “Just try it, you might like it,” is met with a fierce determination to prove me wrong. And when you add three more children of the same demographic to the mix, you don’t just quadruple the eyerolls, the compounding effect approaches infinity. (I’m sure it can be scientifically proven, I just don’t have time for that today.)

A ride on the Prince Charming Regal Carousel was a “gray area” for the tweens.

So, while my approach was a good one when my kids were in first and second grade, my efforts to expose the tweens to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and Dumbo for the sake of experiencing Magic Kingdom to its fullest turned out to be counterproductive. If I could rewind time, I would focus our touring on the “hits” and just repeat them, avoiding the “duds” for this age group. To help you avoid the same mistake, here are the “hits,” as decided by four tweens:

Best Magic Kingdom Attractions for Tweens

The Mountain Trio: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (note that not all of the tweens would attempt Splash Mountain: the visible big drop can deter even the bravest kids)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Mickey’s Philharmagic
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
The Haunted Mansion
Mad Tea Party (so glad we adults could just watch this one)
Peter Pan’s Flight
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (note that while Dumbo was seen as too childish, this Dumbo-like attraction was somehow cool enough to ride… ah, the mysterious tween)
The Hall of Presidents (this was quite the surprise, but it was well-liked… and as an added bonus, has the best air conditioning in all of Magic Kingdom)
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (it wasn’t up and running yet while we were there, but I’m certain it will be a big hit for my tweens when we return in August)

The tweens wouldn’t go out of their way to meet a character, but the buffet at The Crystal Palace provided an acceptable photo op.

Those were the tweens’ favorites. For the TouringPlans official one-day touring plan for tweens, go here.

[Not to worry, parents, you are not doomed to spend the day on Space Mountain. If you fear that your tween’s fussiness will dictate your Magic Kingdom plans, you can institute the Parents Choice, requiring your family’s touring plans to include something for everyone to enjoy. Parents can add an attraction or two that the tweens wouldn’t choose themselves (like Carousel of Progress or it’s a small world, in my family’s case.) The best part of Parents Choice? No eyerolls allowed.]

Please welcome Trista VanderVoord to the TouringPlans blog team. Trista planned her first Walt Disney World vacation for her family four years ago and is currently planning for her fifth trip there from her home in Michigan.

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Published on July 17, 2014 08:00

#TBT: Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

By Kylene Hamulak

Sleeping Beauty Castle dressed for the 50th

Today, Disneyland Park celebrates 59 magical years, and preparations begin for the resort’s next milestone birthday. As some fans get a sneak preview at what’s coming to the resort for the 60th Anniversary, let’s take a look back at “The Happiest Birthday On Earth” – July 17, 2005, Disneyland’s 50th birthday!

The Disneyland 50th Anniversary celebration was a huge campaign that reached Disney Parks worldwide – as well it should! All of this may have been started by a mouse, but when it comes to family vacations as many of us know them, it was all started by Disneyland.

Anniversary mosaics, made from guest photos

The celebration kicked off officially on May 5, 2005, offering special experiences, new entertainment and décor throughout the resort. In addition to the typical banners and signs that advertise any new campaign, dozens of photomosaics – created with pictures submitted by guests from 50 years of vacations – were set up throughout the park.

Golden Horse

Attractions that opened originally with Disneyland were identified with a golden ride vehicle among each fleet. (And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to carefully timing our line movement so we could ride in golden Dumbo and a gilded Teacup!) Even Hidden Mickeys got a makeover, as a special anniversary edition scavenger hunt challenged guests to

find 50 golden ears!

Of course, the crown jewel of Disneyland was treated royally as well. Unlike the widely criticized pink birthday cake that took over Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle for the Florida resort’s 25th Anniversary, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle got a much classier dressing, including golden bunting and five themed crowns for her turrets – one for each incredible decade.

A new nighttime spectacular – “Remember, Dreams Come True” – debuted, with Julie Andrews narrating a day in Disneyland in fireworks and pyrotechnic effects. Park guests also enjoyed Walt Disney’s Parade of Dreams, as a cavalcade of characters led by Tinker Bell welcomed us all to their family.

All of these details were part of the longer celebration, enjoyed by visitors for more than a year. But what was it like to be there for Disneyland’s ACTUAL 50th birthday?

Well, to begin, the day started early. Really early. Like, the night before early. There were reports that some visitors got in line late in the afternoon, but we were too busy enjoying Disney’s California Adventure to realize it. It wasn’t until we reached the esplanade at park closing that we realized the line was already forming, and we did what any good fan does – we joined the queue.

It was just about midnight and, while we weren’t the FIRST guests, the mass of people behind us grew exponentially, and quickly. For a few hours, we made ourselves comfortable, the line snaking down the yellow brick road around the green traffic cones. It became quite a small world after all as we made fast friends with the strangers around us, sharing a slab of pavement for a night.

As the regular day guests filtered out and operations for July 16th began to wind down, those of us waiting for history were moved to another area – right inside Disney California Adventure! This was in the days before 24-hour parties, so I never dreamed I’d be having a sleepover in a Disney park. Yet, there we were, curling up on the sidewalk of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot (now known as Hollywood Land), under the neon lights of Schmoozies.

Spending the night at California Adventure

Sleepover at California Adventure!

There was very little sleep, of course – everyone was too busy sharing their favorite Disney memories and buzzing with excitement. The family next to us were locals from Tustin, CA, so we swapped stories and compared our home parks – Walt Disney World for us, Disneyland Resort for them.

By the time the sky woke up hours later, the line extended throughout most of California Adventure. My sister, who joined just an hour or so after we did, was caught in the mass all the way in Paradise Pier! Crowds were organized by colored wristbands, and we were within the first couple of corrals – we were told that was among the first thousand or so people out of more than 10,000 who spent the night. Now, I always take crowd estimates with a grain of salt, but in this case? Well, I believe it.

50th Anniversary Mickey Ears

As the corrals moved towards Disneyland’s gates, we received our special Mickey ears and commemorative maps and times guides. Main Street, USA was lined with more Cast Members than I’ve ever seen in one place, all waving at us and welcoming us to the “Happiest Birthday On Earth.” It was like we were our own parade, and even though it was a LOT of people, it was no rampage.

Merchandise lines were long, but it was our only chance to score commemorative pins, shirts, and other items. Still, monitors throughout the park gave everyone a chance to watch the special ceremonies, including a park-wide chorus of Happy Birthday, and appearances by Bob Iger, Michael Eisner, Art Linkletter, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Diane Disney Miller.

There were also cupcakes. Lots. And Lots. Of cupcakes. And I’m cupcake lover, so I was ok with that, but it seemed every counter we passed was another chance to push sugar down our throats, and I guess we probably needed it, with all the excitement.

“Disneyland is your land…”

Then, on July 17th, 2005, at precisely 4:45pm, guests gathered around the flagpole in Town Square for the most special moment of all – Walt’s dedication speech. It is often noted that Disneyland is a special place because it is the only park where guests can truly “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps.” Staring down the same Main Street where Walt strolled can make any Disney fan teary-eyed, but hearing his words echoing off those buildings – particularly The Firehouse and the light in its window – gave me a new appreciation for what he built.

“To all who come to this happy place…Welcome.”

Fifty years to the day – nearly to the moment – Walt Disney’s words held as much promise as they did on Opening Day. We look forward to celebrating again in 2015!

What are your thoughts on Disney parks anniversary celebrations? Still upset about the cake castle or looking forward to Disneyland’s promotions in 2015?

Please welcome Kylene Hamulak to the TouringPlans blog team. Kylene was raised on Disney and, as a pass holder and DVC member, is lucky enough to visit several times a year.

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Published on July 17, 2014 06:00

Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: July 17, 2014

By Daisy Lauren

Hi everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World! I have tons of Frozen fun to share, but to start let’s pop over to Epcot. While the weather has been incredibly hot the skies have been beautiful! Check out those blue skies and fluffy white clouds!

I wasn’t just there to admire the skies, though. I’d heard online that personalized bottles of coke were available for free. It wasn’t something I was excited about but I wanted to check it out for you guys. I got there about 15 minutes before the posted start time thinking I’d beat the rush. As you can see from the photo below, I could not have been more wrong! There must have been 100 people in line! I quickly decided that coke bottles were not news worthy and moved on.

Next, I stopped by the construction going on where Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House was setup for Flower and Garden Festival. I’ve heard online that there was a water main break in this area that caused a great deal of damage. It must be true because they’ve been working for quite a while.

Here’s a closer look. I’ll keep you guys updated on progress. I can’t wait for this area to get cleaned up!

Keeping with the “construction” theme, I’d heard that the Imagination fountains were under renovation. Now, these fountains were a big part of my childhood so I wasn’t thrilled to see them torn apart. If you aren’t familiar the fountains look like they jump from one pad to another. Here’s what it looks like:

I spent hours getting drenched in these fountains as a kid! Visiting as an adult it makes me appreciate how much my Mom likely didn’t want to deal with a soaking wet kid, and even more how much my Dad likely didn’t want to hold that soaking wet kid over his head to get even wetter! Did you play in these fountains? Or do your kids now? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! And good news, the fountains are all put back together and look absolutely perfect! Here’s a nice view for you:

Last piece of news I’d heard about at Epcot was the Wonders of Life Pavilion opening up for the World Cup. I stopped by a little before lunch time and it was still looking abandoned. I didn’t see anyone report that it was ever opened. Did anyone see it open?

So who’s ready to head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for some long awaited Frozen coverage? I was so excited to go see everything for myself. To start you’ll notice the Frozen gals have taken over some real estate from Beauty and the Beast on the entrance sign.

And they didn’t stop there! There are almost too many signs for the event all over Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can’t go anywhere without seeing them. On the other hand, it’s pretty amazing to see the Studios really invested into something besides Star Wars Weekends. Spoiler alert: I love, love, love this event! The best part is the cast at the Studios have really invested into it. Everyone I encountered was proud and beaming about the event.

Just after the security bag check you’ll find this Olaf sandman. Of course, that is assuming he survives the crazy afternoon showers we’ve been getting daily!

But if the sandman doesn’t make it, there is always Olaf on a stick! They are distributed at several stations throughout the park at no charge. Below is my Olaf posing with the crowds waiting to get into the park. I anticipated having to really fight for tickets to the Frozen Sing-a-Long show so I was there bright and early to stake my claim.

There was a very brief countdown to open the park and then I ran to the Premier Theater. Really, I ran! I was so proud of myself when I arrived to the theater. There was nobody there! I had beaten them all. I snagged a ticket to the 12:30pm show and waited to see what it was like when they crowds hit. But, the crowds never came. I waited until 9:15am and maybe 20 tickets were claimed in all that time. I decided to go see if I could find where everyone went. There were a few small lines at merchandise carts.

While I was wondering around I noticed the billboard at Sci-Fi Dine-In was blank! Does anyone remember what it used to be? I think I remember an octopus?

Next I popped into Oaken’s Trading Post to check out what they had going on for merchandise. It was very crowded! I don’t know why they put this market in such a small space. Here’s some of the merchandise. They have everything you could ever want in stock here. It’s a little girl’s dream.

Here’s a view inside the market place. This video was taken in the evening but gives you an idea of what the crowds are like here. There’s no sense rushing, it seems like it’s a zoo all day. The best part is when a register opens they make that little noise Oaken makes to greet people. It’s really fun!

Next I visited the funland they’ve setup next door. It’s so deliciously chilly in this area, I bet around 65 degrees or so. I’ll miss having this space to cool off when the event ends. Here’s the little refreshment bar they have setup inside.

And here are the featured items on that menu! I think I’ll have to try these… for you, of course! Any preference which one?

A skating rink is also in this space. There was no way I was trying this out! But a kid came along and scraped the ice with his skate to show me it was real. Can you believe they are able to keep this frozen in Florida, in July? You can’t see in the photo, but on the wall behind the rink snowflakes are projected to make it look like it’s snowing. It’s a very magical feeling in the building.

Next to the rink there’s a big snow filled play area. What you’re looking at is actual, frozen snow. It was cold to even stand near it. This area filled up quickly so it makes sense to go play early before there’s a line.

You’ll also find a photo location in the building. There are several more around the park but this is the only one indoors.

I poked around a bit until it was time for the Frozen Sing-a-Long. I’d assumed this was going to be packed but they still had tickets for the show when I arrived to get in line. Your mileage may vary, of course, but it seems like you don’t have to stress about getting into this show. If you do want to get tickets early you’ll only need to send one person from your party to collect them. They were allowing a single person to get enough tickets for a family.

The first four center rows are taken up with the paid package, but I was able to get good seats just by waiting. In my personal opinion I don’t think the paid package is worth it. I skipped the parade (you can see it here) but was able to get a great view of everything else without paying.

This show is what every little girl dreams about. Remember the old Disney Sing-a-Long tapes? The show is one of those tapes brought to life. I will warn you that the characters are a very small part of the show. Anna comes out to greet everyone but then realizes that Elsa is missing and goes to find her.

In the meantime a couple royal subjects retell the story of Frozen. These actors are wildly talented and keep the show fun for kids and adults. In between their story telling the songs are played with the movie projected on a big screen. Everyone is encouraged to sing a long! I didn’t take video because I’ve heard most are getting muted on YouTube, but I can imagine lots of parents are recording this show for kids to watch over and over.

You should have heard the girls howl when Kristoff showed up on stage! It was one of the best parts. The other highlight for me was watching all the little girls sing “Let It Go”. When the song was over you could here them all begging for it to be played again throughout the crowd.

Of course, at the end Elsa is reunited with her sister and the entire audience are declared honorary citizen of Arendelle.

And much to the delight of every little girl in the theater, we all sang “Let It Go” again while Elsa’s snow fell all around us. I know it isn’t Diagon Alley, but this is something very special. I’m excited to see what this means for the future if Disney can pull something like this together in just a week. I hope this marks the end of Disney’s Hollywood Studios being a half day park. (Or one that just gets skipped all together.)

The last event of the night is the dance party in front of the hat. The crowd forms so early that the best I could do was a stroll by from the front. You can see it’s a little extreme.

Maybe that’s because themed bars are readily available around the stage. I didn’t try any of these but they seemed to be popular with the crowd.

As the evening comes to an end Frozen fireworks light up the sky. We went looking for a spot about 15 minutes before showtime and were shocked to find every spot along the street taken! I was about to give up and watch from outside the park when I remembered the spot by Gertie. It was wide open and provided a great view. Here’s the show finale:

After the fireworks show started falling. Here is a quick video:

I hate those fake snow machines but this was magical. Even my hubby said he wants to be back to see the fireworks again soon. Overall, Disney has done a stellar job with this event. Does anyone have any questions about it? Please let me know in the comments below. I’m happy to respond or go find the answer for you.

If you’re heading to Disney World next week, here’s a look at what you can expect:

Crowd Calendar: Can you believe crowd levels won’t be over an 8? With summer being one of the busiest times of year that isn’t too bad! There are even some 4 and 5 days creeping in at Epcot. Be sure you use the crowd calendar to pick the best days to visit!

Weather: Expect it to be mostly sunny with a chance of the apocalypse. Seriously, the afternoon showers have gotten downright violent! Be sure you pack serious rain gear or just plan to take a break when the storms come through. A monorail was hit by lightening this week and 120 people had to evacuate through the roof! Be careful, y’all!

Remember: The Liberty Square River Boat will be going down for brief refurbishment next month. For a list of all upcoming refurbishments you can click here.

Here’s my top tip for this week: In the summer more than any other time of year it makes sense to take a break in the middle of the day. If you don’t want to take a nap find a cool spot to rest your feet. It’s tough out there! Don’t forget to reapply that sunblock.

It isn’t long before I’ll be heading back to Disneyland for my solo trip! Since I’m on my own, it’s all about you! What would you like to see? Do you have questions or requests? Let me know in the comments below.

Do you have any news I missed or any requests for coverage next week? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, and thanks so much for reading! I’m wishing all of you the Best Week Ever, until next time!

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Published on July 17, 2014 03:00

July 16, 2014

Disneyland Character Meet and Greets: A Walking Tour

By Adam Britten

My friend Scott and I with Mary Poppins and Bert. I’m trying to make a Bert face.

Meeting characters is an integral part of a day at Disneyland Resort for many Disney fans. Both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, in addition to the nearby Downtown Disney District and on-property hotels, have a decent amount of character meet & greet locations.

There are character greeting components in popular parkgoer activities like Disneybounding and the growing number of runDisney events. Plus, we cannot ignore the giant Elsaphant in the room, with waits for characters from Frozen often exceeding three hours! (No offense meant to the lovely ladies who play the very svelte and lovely snow queen.) And who can resist taking an Instagram selfie with Mickey?

In a short series, let’s take a walking tour of various character meet & greet opportunities across Disneyland Resort. First up: Disneyland Park.

Especially in the morning, Disneyland Park is very front loaded with meet & greets. There’s just something that can’t be beat about making it in time for a rope drop at the park and running into Mickey and the gang right away. This part of the park is also a great place to catch rotating Disney Princesses and a few other characters, including Mary Poppins.

Sometimes you pass all the nice friendly characters offering you a high five or a hug, and you hear the perfectly scathing voice of Cruella De Vil shouting things at you walking by. Even if you choose not to wait in line, standing and just watching her could almost be an attraction in itself.

Crossing into Fantasyland, you may find yourself wanting to see a few warmer faces in Fantasy Faire. (Or some colder ones if your child wants to meet Anna & Elsa. I myself haven’t braced that line yet. Although I do enjoy stopping to watch Olaf chat with the crowd for a moment.) Closer to the front of Fantasyland, you can often meet Cinderella, Aurora, Tiana, Mulan, or other princesses in the Royal Hall. Merida has also recently been spotted in Fantasy Faire.

Twirl.

Twirl!

On a couple rare occasions, I’ve been in Fantasy Faire when it was so uncrowded that the Princesses would sometimes walk over to visit with another Princess, and seeing a crossover like that can be a memorable Disney moment. (Pro tip: Use the Lines app to try to configure your touring plan so that you hit this attraction when other groups might not be so that your experience is extra special.)

Elsewhere in Fantasyland, you may run into a few more familiar characters. Especially now that the Alice in Wonderland attraction has reopened, there’s always a little madness in the air.

Alice in Wonderland and Mad Hatter at Disneyland

Photo Credit: Guy Selga

My friend Alex and I meeting Thor. (Side note: Alex films super cool YouTube videos in the parks. Check him out!)

He didn’t say anything.

If you move clockwise from Fantasyland into Tomorrowland, you can swap your Princesses for Heroes. (At least for now, until they potentially move into Disney California Adventure.) Sans Hulk, Black Widow, and a few of the other Marvel characters that would make awesome meet & greets in my opinion, Innoventions is home to many of your favorite Avengers. Captain America and Thor are often hanging around. While these are more separated and don’t allow for interactions between the two of them, they make fun meet & greets on their own.

One small thing about the meet & greets in Innoventions, though, is that a few parties behind you might be sent in at the same time as you. You may find it a little awkward when other guests are watching and listening to your character meet & greets, especially if you have young children in your group and others are taking lots of photos.

You can also experience the Iron Man exhibit in this attraction, or you can see the Innoventions Dream Home. (Just kidding, you don’t have to do that.)

Hop on the Disneyland Railroad and get off in New Orleans Square, and just a short walk away are a few other wonderful opportunities to meet characters. Big Thunder Ranch features various sets of rotating friends throughout the year. Some fan favorites have been the group of Disney rabbits around Easter. It’s not very often that you see Roger Rabbit in the park!

Elsewhere in the land, you also might be able to find Woody, or a few of your more Western-suited favorite Disney faces.

How quaint.

Crossing back through Fantasyland and into Mickey’s Toontown, you can often find Mickey, Minnie, and more of the gang welcoming visitors into their home. Be sure to leave Mickey’s Toontown before it gets dark and scary…so that you don’t run into evilish Maleficent on your way back through Fantasyland. (If you should be so lucky!)

You could swing by another land to visit Aladdin & Jasmine, Tinker Bell, Winnie the Pooh, and others, but more characters await you elsewhere on the resort.

—

Coming up: Meeting some favorite characters at Disney California Adventure.

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Published on July 16, 2014 12:00

Chill While Others Thrill: Skipping Disney World Thrill Rides, Part I

By Sarah Graffam

Walt Disney World’s more thrilling attractions may not be part of your plans for multiple reasons. Maybe you simply don’t enjoy abrupt dips and drops, are prone to motion sickness, have a bad back, have a child who doesn’t meet height requirements, or are visiting Walt Disney World while pregnant. Whatever your reason for preferring more relaxing attractions and experiences, you can have as much fun taking a chill as the more adventurous people in your party do seeking a thrill.

Part I of this article looks at some Magic Kingdom attractions where either all or some of your companions may break away for some thrills. While they have their fun, you may be surprised by the number of ways a non-thrill rider can see a whole other side of Magic Kingdom. Part II will focus on Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Mountains of Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

With its three Mountains, the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and several spinning attractions, there are many opportunities for those who avoid thrill rides to relax in Magic Kingdom. Instead of experiencing thrills, you can experience the details and attractions that the thrill seekers in your party may not have much time to see.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (photo by Tom Bricker)

Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are both in an area of Frontierland that is often bustling with activity. In this corner of the park, there’s not a lot to do besides experiencing these two rides. One option is to take a stroll and enjoy the views from the out-of-the-way boardwalk running along the Rivers of America between Frontierland and Liberty Square. Another option, which also offers shade and quick access to a restroom, is to find a seat near Splash Mountain in the underpass for the Walt Disney World Railroad.

Meet back up in Frontierland: The Splash Mountain underpass is a good place to meet. Bonus: You can meet Toy Story Friends in this same area, either before or after you meet up with your party.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is less intense than Magic Kingdom’s Mountains but still may be a bit too thrilling for some. This attraction has an absolutely gorgeous and interactive queue that warrants going through the line with the rest of your party. You can escape before the boarding area by asking a Cast Member to show you the exit. While you wait for everyone else, wander back toward Beast’s Castle to savor a cinnamon roll or try the frozen signature drink LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern. Or head straight for the back of the castle and follow the right-hand path along the water to reach Liberty Square’s Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, where there is some quiet outdoor seating.

The Barnstormer is a short but lively coaster in the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland. While others ride, you can immerse yourself in the carnival atmosphere, especially at night when the circus lights up. Or see a performance by one of the Streetmosphere troupes that entertains in this area, including Royal Majesty Makers and Storybook Circus Giggle Gang. Browsing at Big Top Souvenirs is another option.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic (photo by Tom Bricker)

Other good options in Fantasyland include using a DisneyFastpass+ for Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, which works especially well if others in your party have a Fastpass+ for either Dumbo or the Barnstormer. Or enjoy the 3-D movie attraction Mickey’s PhilharMagic and its cool theater.

Meet back up in Fantasyland: In the Storybook Circus section or if experiencing Journey of The Little Mermaid, meet at Big Top Souvenirs for a yummy circus treat. Otherwise, a central meeting place for Fantansyland’s other attractions is the Friar’s Nook counter-service restaurant (seating is outdoors).

Space Mountain’s location in Tomorrowland and its generally longer line even with DisneyFastPass+ provide an excellent opportunity to experience a couple of the most relaxing attractions in Walt Disney World. Take a trip on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover or see Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. In fact, depending on the current wait time for Space Mountain, you may be able to make two go-arounds on the restful People Mover. Another option in the evening is to enjoy the #INCREDIBLESSuperDanceParty.

Meet back up in Tomorrowland: Meet at the dance party or tell your party that you will be sitting on one of benches surrounding the base of the People Mover. Tip: This is a perfect place to “people watch” while you wait.

Astro Orbiter (photo by Sarah Graffam)

In addition to its coasters, Magic Kingdom has several spinning attractions. Astro Orbiter (in Tomorrowland) and Dumbo (in Fantasyland) provide another chance to enjoy the options mentioned earlier for Space Mountain and the Barnstormer. When waiting for your party at the Mad Tea Party (in Fantasyland), head toward Tomorrowland to find a path leading to Cinderella Castle’s peaceful wishing well. The tea-cup-energized members of your party can meet you there. For Magic Carpets of Aladdin (in Adventureland) absorb the incredibly detailed Old West atmosphere, grab a seat or snack at Sunshine Tree Terrace, or browse through nearby shops. The area is small enough that your party should be able to meet you at any of these locations.

What other tips or ideas do you have for non-thrill riders at Magic Kingdom? Stay tuned to read about your options when you skip the thrills at the other parks.

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Published on July 16, 2014 11:00

Halloween Horror Nights 24: From Dusk Till Dawn Added to Lineup

By Derek Burgan

Photo provided courtesy of Universal Studios

After previously announcing that AMC’s The Walking Dead would return for its third straight year at Halloween Horror Nights (the first brand of any sort to accomplish that feat,) Universal added Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn series to the list of 8 haunted houses that will make up HHN 24.

Many know the From Dusk Till Dawn brand thanks to the original 1996 film which was directed by Robert Rodriguez, written by Quentin Tarantino, and featured George Clooney in his first major movie lead role. From Dusk Till Dawn went on to have two straight-to-video sequels (the second of which stars Robert Patrick, who played the T-1000 character in Terminator 2) and has recently been revived into a television show on the El Rey network.

The haunted maze at HHN 24 will be based on the From Dusk Till Dawn television show, featuring characters and locations from the first season’s 10 episode run.

Both the original From Dusk Till Dawn movie and the television show are centered around the villainous Gecko brothers. On the run from the FBI and the Texas Rangers, the Geko brothers find themselves in a strip club that is not what it seems. With a unique and interesting take on the vampire genre, Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn features over-the-top gore and stylized action that will fit in well with Universal’s signature Halloween event.

Halloween Horror Nights is on selected nights from Sept 19 – Nov 1 at Universal Studios Florida. For more information check out HalloweenHorrorNights.com

The first season of From Dusk Till Dawn will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD on Sept 16th.

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