My Disney Blog

Free Dining at Walt Disney World

If you're a Disney fan, you've probably heard that Free Dining is now available to the masses for stays at Walt Disney World. Free Dining was first offered to those people with a Disney Rewards Visa card, but is now open to everyone. If you've been waiting for this, you're not alone. It is a very popular - so popular that you should make your Advance Dining Reservations (ADR's) as soon as possible.

You can also upgrade to their other dining plans for additional cost as well.

Here are some terrific resources to help you plan your Free Dining reservation:

MouseSavers.com - Mary's website has some terrific tips to help you plan this package.
DisneyWorld.com - the one and only DisneyWorld.com has all the very specific details.
WDWInfo.com (the DIS) - always awesome information
LaughingPlace.com - just an awesome site - you'll find great information

The package is available to guests buying a five-night/six-day room and theme park ticket package for stays most nights from Aug. 16 to Oct. 3, 2009.

Still waiting for packages for November or December, but this Free Dining package is TERRIBLY tempting!

--- Disney Dean

Magic Kingdom Update: Sunday, March 29, 2009

Well it was a wet day - but as I would see a princess with a tinkerbell shirt - I would ask her if she would have a chat with mother nature. They would look at me like "what?" and I would say to them to tell her we want it to rain from park close to park open. They would say OK and I said "great." Then, I saw a birthday button and I announced to the queue line that we had a birthday. I asked them if they would help me sing happy birthday to them. Well, that's the sum total of my magical day! Hope to see you all in the most Magical Place on Earth!! John the crazydisneydancer

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!!

Magic Kingdom Update: Friday, March 27, 2009

Well, another Friday has come to a close, and the magic was everywhere! I started at Buzz Lightyear as a greeter and was having a blast blowing bubbles, and making smiles for miles. The next location I was at was Buzz "stroller parking," and there was a mommy who was at her last straw. She was frantically looking for her stroller and I walked up to her and said "can I help you find your stroller." She looked at me like hmmm. I said "was it one of ours or your personal stroller," and she said it was the parks. I asked her "was it a double," and she said "yes." I then said "where was it parked," and she said "it was parked at the Monsters area." I asked her to follow me, so I escorted her and her princess over to the Merchant of Venus. Once we arrived, she immediately located it. I said "if you get a balloon and tie it to your stroller, you can find it quicker, and you can bring a balloon in from outside to tie to the stroller." She said "thank you," and I said "no problem - have a magical day!!" The next position I was at was Monsters Theater, and the monsters were making the magic and laughs!! The next place I went was Monsters "photocell." As the doors would open, I would greet the cue line with a huge "hello humans - come on in - monstropalas needs your help!" The children would ask "where is Sully," and I would say he is the CEO of the Laugh Floor, so we don't see him. The last place I was at was Buzz "load 2," and I would be closing the clam shell doors and asking moms and dads to watch their knees and mentioning their teams on their shirts or caps. The most fun of the day would be because dads would be ecstatic that somebody mentioned their alma mater, so hope everybody has a magical Saturday. See ya real soon, and hope to meet you all really soon at the most Magical Place on Earth. John aka the crazydisneydancer

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!!

Disney Comic Books from the Silver Age

I spent some time at my local comic book shop yesterday, and started to really get into some of the older Disney comic books. The particular comic books that I found were from the Silver Age of comic books (1956-1969), and they are just a pleasure to look through. Anyway, I thought I would share my finds with all of you. Pretty fun reading, for sure! Have you ever read any of these? If so, I would love to hear about it in the comments section! Really hoping to jump start a collection with these initial four comics. 

Here is a 1960 Kidnapped comic book, in "good" condition:

   

The next one is from "Walt Disney's World of Adventure" with two subjects - Mooncussers, and Captain Nemo (Doom Island). It is in good condition from 1963:

 

The next one is from 1961, and is called "Walt Disney's Nikki, Wild Dog of the North". It is in "Fair" condition, and along with the others - originally cost 12 cents! Wow, times sure change, huh? :)

 

The last one is called "Gallegher - Boy Reporter" and is from 1965. It is in "very good"condition.

 

Since coming back from the comic book store, I have found lots of other great ones on eBay, so I will have to check that out more often. There are also a few other comic book megastores that carry a lot of Disney comics. Very, very cool! These are the actual scanned covers, so hopefully you can see some of the details.

--- Disney Dean

Cat Cora to Open New Restaurant at Disney World

Chef Cat Cora and Disney are joining together to open an exciting new family dining restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort.  Kouzzina by Cat Cora will feature a menu of Mediterranean-style cuisine that pays tribute to the chef’s Greek roots.

The restaurant, to be owned and operated by Disney, is scheduled to open by fall 2009 in the space currently occupied by Spoodles.

“I am pleased to welcome Cat Cora and her engaging new concept for Kouzzina to the Walt Disney World Resort,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “This collaboration between Cat and Disney represents a significant step in our ongoing commitment to offer unique culinary experiences and choices for our guests.”

As a Mississippi native born to a family of Greek restaurateurs, Cora grew up immersed in two different and flavorful cultures , and has taken from that unique background the kitchen “know-how” handed down through generations.  The cuisine at Kouzzina (Greek for “kitchen” and pronounced “koo-zee-nah”) will showcase Mediterranean cuisine and Chef Cora’s philosophy to create simple yet sensational meals.

Cora said that the new restaurant will feature “time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves.” 

She began working with Disney in 2008 by creating a Disney Video on Demand series to showcase ways to help families develop more healthy eating habits. “I’m extremely excited about this latest extension of my relationship with Disney,” she said. “Together, we’re going to develop a truly amazing contemporary Mediterranean restaurant.”

The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network's hit show “Iron Chef America,” Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She also is Executive Chef for Bon Appétit magazine.  In addition to hosting the instructional cooking demonstrations for Disney Video on Demand, Cora has been a featured chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and at Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort.

--- Disney Dean

Free Dining at Walt Disney World

Huge news! Walt Disney World has just released their Free Dining offer for Disney Rewards Visa members. You must have a Disney Rewards Visa to participate in the Free Dining offer at this time, BUT if you don't - the offer is expected to be opened up to the general public on March 30th, 2009. I don't have a Disney Rewards Visa, mainly because I get more reward points through my other credit card, but this is one huge advantage to having this card. There are other Disney-related advantages as well. You must book a full price Walt Disney World vacation package to qualify for this special deal, which runs from 8/16/09 through 10/3/09. This is a bit longer than the previously announced Free Dining for 2008, so now is the time to snap up this great deal. Again, it will be offered to the general public - most likely on March 30th! Mary, over at MouseSavers.com has a great post with all the details. I strongly suggest that you check out Mary's page for the 2009 Free Dining at Walt Disney World. A family of four (with 2 children aged 3-9) can save $101.96 a day (the price of the Disney Dining package). Eating for free in these uncertain economic times will likely persuade a great number of people to book for this period. Personally, I am waiting to see what I can get before Christmas. I don't get PIN codes, so I'm not sure if we will be able to go, but waiting to see if there is a public special offered during that time.

Let us all know if you got the free dining, and your thoughts on it! Leave a note in the comments and get the party started :)

--- Disney Dean

Magic Kingdom Update: Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Well, another magical day has come to a close, and it was a truly magical day! It started at Buzz Lightyear as a greeter, and I was greeting the guests and the princesses. I also ran into a princess who had a birthday, so I escorted her to the front of the que line and announced to the entire que line that it was her birthday. I asked them all to help me sing happy birthday to her. The next place I went was Buzz Lightyear in the "unload 2" position, where I greeted the guests as they would exit the attraction. The next place I went was Buzz Lightyear at "merge point," where I ran into another 4 birthdays (not at the same time). I would announce that it was their birthday, and asked if the que line would help me sing happy birthday to them, and the que line did it. The next place I went to was Carousel of Progress. I would ask the space rangers/princesses if they knew any magic words, and they would say abra cadabra. I would say "how about please and thank you and bibbidi bobbidi boo," and the doors to the Carousel of Progress would open magically. I would say "remember, please and thank you are just as magical too!"
 
--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!!

Magic Kingdom Update: Monday, March 23, 2009

Well, another magical day has gone by, and I wish I could do it again! I started at Buzz Lightyear as a  greeter, and there was a hint of rain. I ran into a princess who was dressed up like Tinkerbell, and I asked her if she would do us a favor. She looked at me and her mom, and mom said "sure," so I asked her if she could talk to mother nature and ask her if she would hold the rain off til after the Magic Kingdom closes. Then, it can rain until 9am!! That way, we can have fun all day. Everybody was waiting for her response and she said "sure.". Everybody else said "yeaa." Then, I ran into a birthday princess and her 2 friends, and I said to her "happy birthday." Her friends said "can you do a little more," and she said "no no." And of course I can, so I walked her over to the que line at Buzz and in my loud bellowing voice I announced to the entire que line that it was her birthday. I asked if they would help me sing happy birthday, so we all sang happy birthday. Her friends were snapping pictures and she was embarrassed. When we were finished, they thanked me and I said "have a magical day," and they said "thank you." The next place I was at was Buzz Lightyear, doing stroller parking, and bubbles rule! I would be like the pied piper. Once I started blowing bubbles it's like I have a magnet on my belt. The families are drawn to me, and moms and dads stand and watch as their children run around chasing bubbles with huge smiles on their faces. Cameras were out taking lots of pictures. PS. I am keeping an eye out for all my Disney friends, so if you are coming to the most Magical Place on Earth, let me know so I can meet all of you. Your friend John the crazydisneydancer!

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!!

Magic Kingdom Update: Sunday, March 22, 2009

Well hello - it's been another magical Sunday and I had lots of fun spreading the magic! It started at Buzz Lightyear "merge point," where I ran into lots of birthdays. I would announce to the people in line that it was their birthday, and ask everyone within the sound of my voice to help me sing "Happy Birthday." Soon, I had 200 people singing happy birthday to 5 young space rangers and princesses. The next place I went was to the Carousel of Progress, where I brought the magic, and my bubble wand with me so I could make magic and smiles for millions of miles. While I was at the C.O.P., I would ask a young princess or space ranger if they knew any magic words. Most of the time they would look at mom and dad, and mom would say "abra cadabra," and I would say "that works for Aladdin!" Then, I say "what about please and thank you and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo," and the doors to the COP open magically! See you all really soon in the most Magical Place on Earth. John the crazydisneydancer

--- CrazyDisneyDancer

CrazyDisneyDancer works in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom and is a guest author at MyDisneyBlog.com. We are so happy to have John here!!

Win a Copy of 'Bolt' on Blu-Ray

Adam, over at Disney, etc, has a great contest going right now! He is giving away a copy of Bolt on Blu-Ray. Check out his review, and post a comment, and you may be the proud new owner of 'Bolt'. So, head on over to Disney, etc. and check out Adam's great review!

For Adam's full review of Bolt, check it out here.

--- Disney Dean