My Disney Blog

Winter months and the Disney Waterparks

Many people believe that it is too cold to go to Disney water parks in November, but this is not entirely true. Some guest are of the mindset that most Disney World hotels offer heated swimming pools why would you want to spend the extra money go to the Water Parks. This coupled with the fact that it usually gets dark around 5:30 pm in November that your time is limited if you do decided to got to the water parks.
One of the most important things to check if you do decide to visit the Disney water parks in November is the status of the parks. A lot of the water parks close during this period for maintenance and refurbishments. You can contact the parks you are interested in staying with directly and this way you can plan your trip around what is open and operational.
Disney can actually be very mild during the November months and many people say that they have visited the water parks and been swimming during this time. You will need to keep a close eye on the weather though as it can be unpredictable and you may get a lot of rain or it may turn and become a lot colder.
If you do decide to visit the Disney water parks during November then aiming for the beginning or first half of November is your best bet, towards the end of the month the weather can become much cooler quite quickly. A lot of whether it is too cold or not will also depend on what climate you come from, for people living in far cooler climates, a trip to the water park in November will doubtfully feel cold. Whereas for others that live in much hotter environments, the park would most likely be too cold for them.
The water at all the Disney water parks is heated though which will make you feel much warmer and make provide you with a good time, whatever the weather. And you must remember that the parks wouldn’t remain open all year if they felt it was too cold for people to enjoy.
The two Disney water parks are Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Typhoon Lagoon is open from 10am to 5pm each day, this water park is packed with things to do and is all centered on a tropical island vibe. With action packed water slides to snorkeling in the reefs with real sharks, you won’t be disappointed.
Blizzard Beach is also just as fun. At Blizzard Beach it is winter all year round, so it is a great park to choose if you are visiting in November and it also is beautiful in those upcoming weeks to Christmas.

If you are visiting Disney World in late November or December we suggest only ordering the base tickets in your Disney World vacation packages, this way if the weather is too cold you will not have lost any money by springing for the water park fun and more options.

 

Best Disney PhotoPass Review

I've been thinking about signing up for Disney's PhotoPass (doing the pre-order), and I was doing a little bit of research. Well, lo and behold, I found a terrific review on the service on the Harp's Disney Adventure website. It is very comprehensive and I strongly believe anyone looking to do this should check out this review. So, head on over to the Harp's blog, and start researching!

--- Disney Dean

Ten Disney Deals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Mouse ears and plush toys and T-shirts, oh my! How oh how to decide what to buy?

It's easy for guests to have the urge to splurge at Walt Disney World Resort, with exclusive Disney merchandise at every turn.

And while guests can indeed go for the extravagant -- including an antique carnival bumper car, Italian leather handbags, Winnie the Pooh cuckoo clocks or a set of Armani-crafted Seven Dwarf figures -- unique bargains abound for the budget-minded.

Among a treasure trove of finds:

• For guests who love vacation photos, but hate lugging around a camera, Disney's PhotoPass photographers are stationed throughout all four Walt Disney World theme parks, ready to point and shoot. Photos are stored on a digital card and uploaded to the exclusive PhotoPass Web site where guests can crop, edit and add fun do-dads like character signatures and themed borders. The whole process -- viewing the photos, editing and even e-mailing to friends and family -- is free! (Guests who wish to order photo prints can do so for a fee, with many different packages and options available.)
• If sweet saltwater taffy brings back memories of afternoons by the boardwalk, the taffy station at Magic Kingdom Confectionary is sure to satisfy. Here, the flavors really have "character" -- like "Mickey Cherry," "Goofy Lime" and "Donald Lemon" (there are a total of 11) -- and guests can create a delectable mix with something for everyone. Taffy is sold by the size of the bag -- not the weight -- and with a small bag holding approximately 80 pieces of taffy ($2.95) it would be a "stretch" for guests to find a sweeter bargain anywhere.
• Looking for a meal on a budget, but don't want to sacrifice taste? Take a trip to Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney Marketplace, where delicious tossed salads, wraps and gourmet sandwiches are all under $6 a pop. The specialties: the All-American -- a hot, roasted turkey sandwich with buttermilk ranch, cranberries, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato ($5.75) and The Earl's Cobb Salad -- Swiss and cheddar cheeses, applewood smoked bacon, cranberries, grilled chicken and buttermilk ranch dressing on a bed of lettuce ($5.95). "The Earl" also serves up freshly baked cookies, brownies and muffin crowns, plus fruit, yogurt parfaits and side dishes, all at value prices.
• Disney pin trading is hotter than ever, but many guests might not realize they can start a collection of these souvenirs at under $7. There are thousands of unique designs -- including favorite Disney characters, theme park attractions, resort destinations and more -- meaning there's a pin for every magical Walt Disney World memory. Pin lanyards, used to both store a collection and show it off to passers-by, come in a variety of colors and are just $5. Even better? Many pins are released in limited or special-edition quantities, which mean the keepsakes might become a valuable, collectible piece.
• There's a gem of a store tucked quietly between Disney Tails and Goofy's Candy Co. at Downtown Disney Marketplace. The Everything Under $10 store sells literally that -- a huge assortment of Disney products including plush toys, picture albums, electronic games, mugs, hats, ornaments and mouse ears -- all for less than $10.
• Make a favorite Disney souvenir even more personal with custom embroidery from Adrian & Edith's Head to Toe at Disney-MGM Studios. Guests are invited to bring any Disney Parks-purchased item to the store and watch through the glass as specialists customize with a name, phrase or favorite Disney character. Almost all embroidery, including designs on mouse ears, towels and T-shirts, is $10 or less.
• Most Walt Disney World resort hotels offer length-of-stay refillable drinking mugs for $11.99, good for unlimited free refills of coffee, soda, iced tea and hot chocolate at the resorts' food-court areas. A practical purchase, the mugs also double as souvenirs with colorful resort logos and matching colored lids.
• Interactive, sci-fi fun flourishes at the new Build Your Own Lightsaber area at the Once Upon a Toy store at Downtown Disney Marketplace. The Star Wars-themed kiosk gives guests of all ages step-by-step instructions to build an electronic lightsaber from their own imagination -- or they can replicate designs used by Star Wars characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The toys come complete with lights, sounds and vibrations, and no matter how elaborate the completed creation, the cost is just $19.95 (which includes batteries). As an added bonus, guests also receive a store-exclusive Jedi or Sith-themed collector pin with their purchase.
• At Island Mercantile at Disney's Animal Kingdom, guests can find the Disney Dream Book, an all-in-one autograph book, sticker book, photo album, journal and pocket keeper for mementos of the trip priced at just $22.95. The book, valued at more than $50 if items are purchased individually, also comes with an exclusive pin.
• "Magical makeovers" reign at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the World of Disney Princess Room at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Here, Fairy Godmothers-in-Training are on-hand to pamper little princesses and "cool dudes." Girls can receive a hair makeover with choice of colorful clips, rhinestone pins or a tiara, plus a makeup kit, pink princess sash, deluxe princess bag to cart around their goodies and a special photo shoot. Salon services start at $35 with several packages available. The pixie-dusted Downtown Disney salon also rolls out the welcome mat for boys with its Cool Dude treatment. For $10, boys as young as four get their hair spiked with colored gel, glitter and a "hidden Mickey" in the back of their head. Guests can call 407/WDW-STYLE for reservations or more information.

For more information about Walt Disney World Resort, guests can visit disneyworld.com or phone 407/824-4321.

Disney Tip - Waterproof Cameras

I found this great tip on a message board the other day. If you're planning on heading to the water parks of Walt Disney World, a great suggestion is to buy your waterproof cameras in advance. Or, if you will have a car in Orlando, head to a discount store and purchase the cameras. Waterproof cameras are notoriously $$ EXPENSIVE $$ at Walt Disney World, and MANY people forget to bring waterproof cameras to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, so they end up forking out the money for the cameras at the water park. You'll probably save 75% from the Disney price! Just another tip from Disney Dean :)

--- Disney Dean

Money Saving Disney Tips

One of my favorite message boards - DISBoards - has a really good thread going right now called "Best tips for saving money in the parks". If you've never been to the DIS - you might want to check it out - it could end up saving you a great deal of money. The one thing that floors me is that it sometimes takes only a few minutes to get your first reply to a thread that you've started. One of the best suggestions in the thread is to find some way to bring your own water - whether you have it shipped by Costco, Staples or Amazon (or even Garden Grocer - but you'll pay a fee for small orders), or by going to the store if you have a car. The Disney parks allow you to bring bottled water into the parks, and trust me - it will save you a great deal of money if you usually drink a lot of water. ALSO - most of the places in Disney will give you free ice water if you ask. Another poster suggests eating breakfast in your room. Anyway, lots more tips in the thread, so why don't you head on over to the DIS to find out :)

Undiscovered Walt Disney World

  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- High-flying elephants and spinning teacups usually take center stage when a guest is thinking of Walt Disney World Resort. But did you know that nine-pound lemons flourish at The Land pavilion at Epcot, or that sunset safaris explore Africa-inspired savannahs in the middle of Florida? Guests who take a second glance find undiscovered gems within the 40-square-mile Vacation Kingdom. Here's a sample of "the unexpected":

• Take a spin on a Segway Human Transporter -- The Segway HT, first displayed to the public at Epcot Innoventions in 2002, is the world's first self-balancing human transporter that uses advanced technology, gyroscopes and tilt sensors to emulate human balance. Guests can put these high-tech machines to the test in two tours offered most days at Epcot.

  Around the World at Epcot is a two-hour tour that allows guests to operate the device throughout World Showcase before the area opens to park guests ($85/person; tours are daily at 7:45, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 a.m.).

  Simply Segway is a one-hour program that gives guests a product overview, training and indoor riding time at Innoventions ($25/person; daily at 11:30 a.m.). For both programs, class size is limited to 10 guests. (407/WDW-TOUR)

• Harmony Barber Shop a cut above the rest -- Sit back in the barber's chair and experience a good old-fashioned haircut at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. Located near the Emporium and with a signature candy-striped pole outside, the shop transports guests to a simpler time when barbershop quartets entertained and getting a haircut was a real treat. "First Haircuts," the establishment's specialty, treats young'uns to pixie dust, bubbles, Mickey Mouse stickers and an extra-special "My 1st Haircut" set of Mouse Ears. Haircuts for children are $14; adults are $17; first-come, first-serve.
• Sunset Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge offers up-close encounters with exotic creatures -- Club-level (concierge) guests can enter a serene animal reserve for an up-close encounter on the Wanyama Safari. Just before sunset three nights a week, guests board a specially designed vehicle that explores the resort's three savannahs. Guests get picture-perfect views of more than 200 mammals and exotic birds and then partake in a savory South African feast at the resort's signature restaurant, Jiko-The Cooking Place. The 3 ½-hour experience, including dinner, is $160 for guests ages 10+; $80 for guests ages 8-9. For club-level reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, call 407/W-DISNEY.
• New, fashionable Mickey Mouse ears "all the rage" -- Trendsetters and fashion gurus get ready to strut your stuff with a new line of Mickey Mouse ears. The new ears come in a variety of vibrant colors and styles to suit the pirate or princess in your family. Gal versions don pink veils, jeweled princess crowns or wild cheetah prints. For the boys, pirate scarves and hoop earrings adorn the headgear, plus Stitch-themed offerings and more. There's also gold-sequined, patriotic-themed, and a bride and groom version. The new Mouse ears are available in limited quantities at select locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort starting at $8.
• Epcot is a World Showcase for art lovers -- Epcot World Showcase has been a "showplace" of nations since its grand opening in 1982. But beyond the pagodas in Japan and the longboats in Norway lies a whole other world, treating art lovers to museum-quality galleries. Current exhibitions include: The Vikings: Conquerors of the Seas at Norway, Tomb Warriors at China, "Tin Toy Stories" Made in Japan at Japan, and Gallery of Arts and History at Morocco. Admission to the exhibitions is included with general park admission.
• The Land at Epcot mixes science and entertainment to grow one-of-a-kind plants -- Behind the brightly colored, mosaic façade of The Land pavilion at Epcot sits offices where greenhouse magic takes place. "Horti-tainment," a mix of horticulture and entertainment, creates some of the most visually interesting fruits and vegetables found under one roof anywhere in the world. Among the highlights: a world-record harvest from a single tomato vine (see next bullet point); Mickey Mouse-shaped cucumbers, watermelons and pumpkins; nine-pound lemons, and more.
• 'Tomato Tree' sets record with 32,000 tomatoes -- The Tomato Tree at The Land pavilion at Epcot has blossomed into a record-setting plant. The tree recently was recognized as an official Guinness World Record Holder, with a one-year harvest of more than 32,000 tomatoes and a total weight of 1,151.84 pounds. Guests can spot the tree during the pavilion's Living with the Land boat ride.
• Take the ultimate dive in a 5.7-million-gallon indoor aquarium with more than 65 species of marine life, including sharks, turtles, eagle rays and diverse tropical fish. DiveQuest at Epcot offers guaranteed calm seas, no current, unlimited visibility, incredible marine life and bright coral structures.  Additionally, you become part of the show. Your family members and friends (with Epcot admission) can view your dive through any of the 56 giant acrylic windows at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Guest must be at least 10 years of age and must provide proof of SCUBA certification to participate. Price of $140/person includes a limited edition T-shirt, refreshments, dive certificate and a dive log stamp. Call 407/WDW-TOUR for information.
• Discover the magic backstage -- A "must do" for any true Disney fan, the Backstage Magic tour unveils the fine points behind the artistic, technical, and scientific operations found throughout the theme parks.  This 7-hour behind-the-scenes adventure guides guests through the magic of one man's dream, Walt Disney.  Highlights may include a journey beneath the Magic Kingdom theme park to view support systems located in the "tunnel," the opportunity to observe the unique technology that brings the story of the American experience to life at The American Adventure at Epcot, or a peak into the Disney-MGM Studios Creative Costuming area to examine the process of Disney costume design and fabrication. A family-style lunch at Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano is included. Guests must be 16 years of age to participate; $199 per person. 407/WDW-TOUR for more information.
• Build your own roller coaster at DisneyQuest's CyberSpace Mountain attraction -- Bill Nye the Coaster Guy walks guests through the design process where they choose from three different speeds, three world settings (fire, ice or outer space) and an infinite number of track combinations. The roller coaster of your dreams (or nightmares!) can do flips, corkscrews and even wild maneuvers such as a loop that flies off the tracks. A digital card tracks guests' personal coasters and the simulator re-creates it both visually and physically. Guests must be 51" to ride, 407/938-6253 for more information.
• Wonder of wonders -- The Disney Wonder, the most magical ship afloat, received an extra dose of pixie dust recently, adding major enhancements that appeal to all members of the family. Adults will enjoy the expanded fitness center and new spa villas -- an industry-first spa treatment room with private outdoor verandah complete with hot tub. Families can gather for poolside movies with the new 24-by-14-foot Ariel Vision jumbo screen, and the youngest cruisers will delight in a brand new toddler splash zone.
• Learn to hula dance at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, where complimentary classes take place most days in the resort’s lobby. Auntie Kaui, a hula dancer and instructor with 50 years experience, leads most of the classes offered Monday through Saturday at 3:45 p.m., and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon. Weekday classes are geared toward the younger set, with leis and grass skirts aplenty, while the Saturday morning lessons encourage guests of all ages to do the hula shake. And whether guests stay for five minutes or the full two-hour Saturday classes, they’ll learn a variety of chants and dances from such tropical locales as Hawaii, Tahiti and more.

For more information about Walt Disney World Resort, guests can visit disneyworld.com or phone 407/824-4321.

Disney 800 Number

UPDATE AS OF 12/17/08: What a bummer! Apparently, the number listed in the update below no longer works either. If you know of a new 800 number for Walt Disney Travel Company, just let us know in the comments section, and we'll update. Thanks to Jenn for the heads up!

UPDATE as of 11/9/07: Thanks so much to Laura for posting the comment below. Apparently, the 1-800-828-0228 number is no longer active, but the 1-877-939-3732 number still works - I just tried it!

A friend of mine came up to me the other day and said they couldn't believe Disney didn't have a 800 number. Well, the good news is that the Walt Disney Travel Company does have an 800 number (in fact a few)! They don't make it well-known, but the 800 number I'm about to give you will allow you access to Walt Disney Travel Company cast members. OK, so here it is: 1-800-828-0228. Other numbers you can try are: 1-877-939-3732, and 1-888-870-9173. The latter is for their Spanish language desk, but the Disney cast members (CM's) are bilingual and will be glad to help you. Just press 1 after a couple seconds, then wait 15-20 seconds, and enter your zip code followed by your phone number. They will then ask you two questions - just press 1, wait about 8 seconds and press 1 again.

If you call the 1-800-828-0228 number, simply press 1 for resort reservations, 2 to modify an existing resort reservation, 3 for dining reservations, 4 for park hours, to order a DVD or ask questions on ANYTHING, and 5 for tickets to the parks, events, etc.

The Cast Members (CM's) do not know which line you are calling from, so you can feel comfortable to use these phone numbers, and have done so on many occasions myself.

Long ago, Disney decided to do away with the 800 numbers on their site, and in their press releases, by going to the 407 area code numbers that many people are used to seeing. Some of the 407 numbers are 407-W-DISNEY and 407-WDW-DINE, supposedly to make it easier to remember :) BUT, if you are on a budget, this can save you sometimes a good deal of money on long distance charges.

Got any questions? Just leave me a comment and I'll be glad to help out!

Disney Dean