My Disney Blog

Getting around Disney World

Getting around Disney World is easy, accessible… and best of all, it’s free! There are a number of options to keep you going on your Disney adventure. In fact, this micro-transport system is comparable to some of the best public transport networks in the world, covering almost the entire Disney World area of  over 30,000 acres.
The benefits of the Disney World transportation system
·    It saves you money
·    You won’t have to worry about driving and parking your car
·    The vehicles are clean
·    The loading an unloading al of passengers is simple and effective
·    The wait is usually minimal
·    The system is efficient and convenient
Disney Buses
Rather than looking for parking for your own car, use the Disney Transportation System to take you to your Disney destination.  The buses run every 20 minutes, and even visitors who are not staying in Walt Disney World hotels are able to use the buses to get from park to park.
Monorail
This is a fast way to travel between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The monorail also takes passengers between Disney's Polynesian Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort, and the Grand Floridian resort & Spa. You can also get to the Magic Kingdom on an express train that runs from the main ticketing area (where you will park your car if you have driven to Disney Land).
Boat rides
Perhaps the most fun way to travel in Disney Land is to travel from place to place by water. You can arrive at the Magic Kingdom by boast if you are staying at the Wilderness Resort, the Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort, the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian resorts, or the Contemporary. You can also reach Epcot Theme park and Disney's Hollywood Studios by boat from a number of these resorts. A ferry also takes visitors between three resorts and Downtown Disney.
Trams
If you drive to the Epcot Theme Park or to Disney studios, you may need to use a tram to get to the actual parks as the parking areas can be situated quite a distance away if the parking area is full, although using a tram is not always necessary for these parks. You will likely need to use a tram if you park at the main ticket and Transportation Center.

Using the Walt Disney World transport system is just another way of making your holiday more relaxing and stress-free.

Walt Disney World August 2009 Theme Park Hours

The August 2009 Theme Park hours have recently been posted and are now available for your viewing pleasure. Heading to Walt Disney World in August 2009? Here are some links to information regarding the August 2009 schedule. Hope this helps, and wish I could go with ya! I was there last August, and I'm super jealous of anyone going this year. Looks like some great hours for August.

Official Walt Disney World Calendar
DIS/WDWinfo August 2009 Hours
AllEars.net (just advance months to get to August - should be updated soon)
TouringPlans.com (blog is updated frequently and is a great all-around resource!)

If you know of another source, please let me know! I'd be happy to link to it!

--- Disney Dean

The August 2009 Theme Park hours have recently been posted and are now available for your viewing pleasure. Heading to Walt Disney World in August 2009? Here are some links to information regarding the August 2009 schedule. Hope this helps, and wish I could go with ya! I was there last August, and I'm super jealous of anyone going this year. Looks like some great hours for August.

Official Walt Disney World Calendar
DIS/WDWinfo August 2009 Hours
AllEars.net (just advance months to get to August - should be updated soon)
TouringPlans.com (blog is updated frequently and is a great all-around resource!)

If you know of another source, please let me know! I'd be happy to link to it!

--- Disney Dean

Walt Disney World July 2009 Theme Park Hours

I'm a little late with this, but the July 2009 Theme Park Hours have now been posted. Heading to Walt Disney World in July 2009? Here are some links to information regarding the July 2009 schedule. Hope this helps, and wish I could go with ya! Looks like some great hours for July.

Official Walt Disney World Calendar
DIS/WDWinfo July 2009 Hours
AllEars.net (just advance months to get to July - should be updated soon)
TouringPlans.com (blog is updated frequently and is a great all-around resource! - thanks for the tip, Henry!)

If you know of another source, please let me know! I'd be happy to link to it!

--- Disney Dean

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

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

Walt Disney World June 2009 Theme Park Hours

One of the things I would like to do is let you know when the monthly hours/schedules have been posted for Walt Disney World. Heading to Walt Disney World in June 2009? Here are some links to information regarding the June 2009 schedule. Hope this helps, and wish I could go with ya!

Official Walt Disney World Calendar
DIS/WDWinfo June 2009 Hours
AllEars.net (just advance months to get to June)

If you know of another source, please let me know! I'd be happy to link to it!

--- Disney Dean

Disney.com/Celebrate

I meant to post this some time ago, but for some reason, I never did! The good news is that you still have plenty of chances to partake in the new disney.com/celebrate Magical Celebrations contest. Each day in February, you can enter your name in the drawing, where they are giving away 5 Disney Parks' vacations! I tell you what, I could DEFINITELY use one of those right about now :)

You just go to the following website -- http://www.disney.com/celebrate and if you are registered, you just enter your email address and password. If you are NOT registered, you can easily register after clicking on "Enter Sweepstakes". PLUS - each day you enter the sweepstakes, you will get a FREE digital downloadable prize. I just love everything I've gotten so far, including Ratatouille Recipe Cards, picture frames, shopping list, etc. The contest ends at 11:59 Pacific Standard Time on February 28, 2009, so get in there each day and try to win one of those vacations! No purchase is necessary to enter, and the rules are clearly stated in a link from the above website.

What do you think of this contest? I think it's great, and would think it is even better if I won :)

--- Disney Dean

Walt Disney World May 2009 Theme Park Hours

One of the things I would like to do is let you know when the monthly hours/schedules have been posted for Walt Disney World. Heading to Walt Disney World in May 2009? Here are some links to information regarding the May 2009 schedule. Hope this helps, and wish I could go with ya!

Official Walt Disney World Calendar (should be posted soon)
DIS/WDWinfo May 2009 Hours (has been posted)
AllEars.net (just advance months to get to May - should be updated soon)

If you know of another source, please let me know! I'd be happy to link to it!

--- Disney Dean

Independence Day at Walt Disney World!

A popular July 4th tradition at Walt Disney World Resort will continue this year as star-spangled salutes to America's independence are presented all across the Florida Vacation Kingdom.

Here's some of the fireworks fun scheduled for July 4 this year:

• A Fourth of July "Concert in the Sky" will light up the night at Magic Kingdom in honor of Independence Day. Featuring a magnificent display of aerial fireworks, dazzling pyrotechnic effects and dynamic music, the show, entitled "Disney's Celebrate America!-A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky," is a grand tribute to the United States, its people and traditions. The special show is scheduled for 9 p.m. Magic Kingdom also will feature two performances of the "SpectroMagic" nighttime parade, first at 10:30 p.m. and then again at 12:30 a.m. that same night.
• A holiday-inspired finale will be added to Epcot's nightly fireworks extravaganza, "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth." The park's American Adventure pavilion also will feature enhanced entertainment throughout the day, with visits from historic characters who will share their stories. American Adventure also will feature additional performances of its signature musical group, Voices of Liberty, performing patriotic classics.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios will present a special July 4th fireworks show at 9 p.m., with skyrockets and patriotic music filling the air at the showbiz-themed park. The park's popular "Fantasmic!" show, featuring fireworks, animation, dancing waters and Disney characters, will be presented on July 4 at 10:30 p.m.
• Downtown Disney will present July 4th fireworks at 10:30 p.m. for the revelers, shoppers and diners enjoying the nighttime entertainment district.

--- Disney Dean

MVMCP 2008 - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Dates

The always awesome AllEars.net has posted the 2008 dates for MVMCP (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party). You'll definitely want to check out the page on AllEars.Net, but here are the dates that they have listed:

November 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30
December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 19

Tickets reported go on sale on May 1, 2008. Would you believe Disney Dean has NEVER been to MVMCP? That's right - I have NEVER been to this, but it is on my short list of things I absolutely, positively, for sure have to do within the next few years. I became a Disney addict over the past 3 years, so I'm trying to catch up to all the other Disney fanatics out there :) Since we will be going in August for two weeks, probably can't do another trip during MVMCP, but you never know!! What's bizarre is that we were there during MVMCP in 2005 and 2006, but didn't know enough about it to go at the time!!

For more information on this very popular special event, check out the following:
AllEars.Net
DisneyWorld

From what I hear - it's best to buy tickets early, as some dates sell out rather quickly.

Do you have tips on buying tickets, or making the most out of MVMCP? Would love to hear about them - just share it in the comments section, and get the party started!

--- Disney Dean