Di$ney

The Hubby and I were on the way back to the parking lot after finishing our Sunday morning walk around Boardwalk.

There was an ambulance, with lights flashing, pulled up to the front of the Boardwalk Inn.

Hubby remarked, "Somebody just got their bill."

(Hint: Never, ever, add charging privileges to your room key! You just might get a real surprise at check-out if you don't keep track of all your charges.)

What the Tink?

Remember that major refurbishment of Fantasyland I wrote about?

Well.
It just might be majorly more than merely major.
Theme Park Rangers has the blue prints ... and a few questions!

+ What does this mean to Mickey and Minnie's houses in Toon Town?

(Oh no! They had better NOT get bulldozed like Residential Street over at the Studios was!)

+ Why are two areas designated "DUMBO"?

(Dueling Dumbos?)

+ Like much of Disney in the 21st century, it's princess-heavy: a Cinderella attraction, an Aurora attraction and big Little Mermaid attraction.

(And all the Disney Princess merchandise to go with them.)

+ The area marked as "Castle Wall"?

(What the Tink?)

+ Reason to believe: something HAS to be in the works somewhere, right?

(Right! Disney will definitely do SOMETHING to counter Harry Potter over at Universal's Islands of Adventure).

YeHaa Bob!

Yehaa Bob is one of WDW's hidden treasures.

If you've ever been over at Port Orleans-Riverside on a Wednesday-Saturday night and walked past the River Roost Lounge, you've seen and heard Bob Jackson in action.

If you've stopped to watch and listen, you already know what I'm talkin' about.

And I hesitate to educate any one who doesn't because Bob's shows are already pretty crowded.

Here's Bob's website

Something New at WDW Water Parks

If you have an extra $250 in your pocket:

Beachcomber Shacks at Typhoon Lagoon

Polar Patios at Blizzard Beach

Renters receive all-day drink mugs, bottled water, lounge furniture, tables, towels, private lockers and the services of an attendant. The 4 Beachcomber Shacks / 4 Polar Patios are currently offered on a first come, first served basis, and accommodate up to 6 guests at a cost of $250 plus tax for a day.

Photo: Bsikor

H/T: WDW Magic

Up, Up, & Away!

There's a new sight on the WDW horizon:

The big yellow (and red) "Characters in Flight" balloon.

It is located at DTD-West Side, at the bridge-to Pleasure Island end;

The altitude varies depending on weather;

The # of Passengers (up to 30) depends on weather;

Fare: $16 adults, $10 children (ages 3-9)

Did it. Loved it. Want to do it again at night!

(Photo by Kiyomi Photography )

Reading Trip reports

I enjoy reading the Disney newsgroups. Sometimes I learn something, sometimes I get a new perspective, sometimes I get a headache.

Recently, a Disney DVC member (as she kept reminding the readers) posted a very detailed 5-part trip report about her 5-day visit.

She complained about:

the resort,
the food,
the Cast Members,
the other guests,
the Disney bus transportation,
the parks,
the weather,
the local television news bumping scheduled shows to report on the severe flooding in the area,

ad nauseum.

And - wait for it - at the end of the last report, she can't wait to come back!

BTW: on her 1st day, she notes that in a phone call from her office, she approved the laying off of staff in her business ...

I wonder if those folks are enjoying her trip reports?

Destination: Dollywood

After much (much) discussion/whining, the hubby has agreed to take me to Dollywood!


Although I'd love to go in the fall, we're planning on a spring trip because the park hours are better.

Now, as all experienced Disney World-goers know, having a trip plan is essential, especially for the first visit. It doesn't have to be set in stone, but knowing what and where can save lots of time and trouble.

And oftentimes, unofficial info (from experienced park-goers) is much more informative and helpful than what you find on the official site.

So, I've been doing research or at least attempting it because other than the official site, there just isn't that much current information out there.

I have tried joining Yahoo groups, but there is absolutely nothing going in them (except for the spammers ... "I want to meet you"... "Please be my friend".)

I have read the Dollywood and Pigeon Forge Trip Advisory Forums which sometimes offer helpful hints, but most often it's folks complaining about the cost. They have obviously never visited certain Orlando attractions.

Anyhoo ... if there happens to be an experienced Dollywood-goer out there who will share advice, hints, and helpful do's and dont's, I would love to hear from you! Just drop a note to the comments section. TIA !!

Inside Hogwarts Castle

Who here is excited about Universal Orlando-Islands of Adventure's
Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

Me! Me! Me!

I've been watching that big building go up behind the fence for many, many months.

It's gotta be Hogwarts Castle!

But what will be inside?
Restaurants? Shops?

Bill Davis, Universal Orlando's president, may have given Orlando Sentinel writer Dwayne Bevil a big hint last October.

"When you get off that, you'll say 'Wow, how did they do that?' "

Whoa! A ride?!?

There are a couple of WWoHP rides rumored to be in the works: a Quidditch match (using the Dueling Dragons tracks) and a flying car (the Weasleys' Ford Anglia) through the Forbidden Forest.

Whatever it may be, I'm excited!

A Sad Day

Wayne Allwine,

Mickey's voice for 32 years,

has died.

Confession # 10: I Miss Food Rocks

Food Rocks (previously known as the Kitchen Kabaret) closed in January, 2004, to make room for Soarin'.

We never missed this 12-minute, er, concert when we were at Epcot. And if the Boy was with us, we might see it twice.

And I should mention two things: 1) the Boy was much older than you might think, and 2) this was the only animatronic attraction that Hubby never slept through.

Although Soarin' is absolutely worth the wait in line, I DO miss those hokey little characters singing those familiar, yet different, tunes:

Füd Wrapper (the host),

The Utensils - a collection of kitchen gadgets based on the band Queen ("Give Us Junk"),

The Refrigerator Police ("Every Egg You Break"),

the Peach Boys ("Good Nutrition"),

Pita Gabriel ("High Fiber"),

Chubby Cheddar ("Let's Exercise"),

Neil Moussaka ("Vegetables Are Good For You"),

The Sole of Rock 'n' Roll, a fish that strongly resembles the singer Cher,

a piano-playing "Little Richard" pineapple ("Tutti Frutti"),

and The Get-To-The-Point Sisters (a new version of "Respect")

Maybe these guys could be relocated, like over in the Wonders of Life building?