Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up January 31, 2016

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for January 31, 2016!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Magic YOUR BandDisney World Enthusiast Giveaway

Look for a new Magic YOUR Band giveaway beginning Friday, February 5, 2016! Good luck, everyone!

Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, and I discuss Disney news, rumors, and so much more. For more information about this week’s podcasts or to listen, please click here.

Featured Advertiser

BitbeltHave you heard of this incredible gadget – Bitbelt? If you aren’t familiar, this handy creation secures your MagicBand so that it doesn’t accidentally become lost. Anyone that carries a child, a backpack, or wears a jacket at Disney World knows how easily a MagicBand can become unclasped. That’s where this little beauty comes in! Simply place a Bitbelt on your MagicBand and save yourself the trouble of having to search for a lost band or take the time to get a replacement. Bitbelts come in a dozen different colors and in two sizes – adult and junior. They are only $4.99 each plus they offer discounted pricing when you purchase multiple Bitbelts in one order. And if you think Bitbelts are great for MagicBands, they are also available for your fitness trackers. Never lose a pricey Fitbit again! For more information about Bitbelt, please click here!

501 WaysFeatured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

Considering A Disney World Vacation

Book Your Disney VacationJennifer Hardy, a Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida, is the official travel partner of Disney World Enthusiast. She can help you book your next Disney vacation whether it is to Disney World, Disneyland, or aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently Jennifer has some incredible deals for discounted travel to Disney World. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

You’re Invited

Next Disney VacationJennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have more planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Behind The Magic Podcast Recap January 25 – January 29, 2016

BTM S4 Logo

Welcome to Season 4 of Behind The Magic Podcast!

This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute daily Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, and myself. Every day Monday through Friday you can join us for entertaining Disney information, discussions, guests, games, and more. We’ll be surprising you each and every day with all of our funny stories and Disney insider knowledge. And of course, we’ll also keep you up-to-date on all of the latest Disney news and gossip.

Here’s a quick peek at what you can expect each day:

  • Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Mondays with all of the latest Disney gossip and rumors!
  • Tuesday ~ Topical Tuesdays with exciting Disney discussions!
  • Wednesday ~ With Us Wednesdays with celebrity guests from around the Disney Universe!
  • Thursday ~ Theme Park Thursdays with fun information, facts, and stories about the parks!
  • Friday ~ Fun Fridays with fantastic fun and games!

This Week’s Episodes

This week’s episodes include:

  • Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Monday New Character Spot
  • Tuesday ~ Behind Costumes In Disney
  • Wednesday ~ Behind James Chats
  • Thursday ~ Behind The America Pavilion
  • Friday ~ Fun Friday

For more details about each episode and to listen, please click here!

We hope you enjoy our show!

“Zootopia” Exhibit Coming To Animal Kingdom

Zootopia Exhibit 1

Beginning January 29, a new addition will be opening inside Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This exhibit showcases some of the behind-the-scenes research that went into the production of Disney’s upcoming film “Zootopia.”

Zootopia Exhibit 2The Disney Parks Blog shares: At Walt Disney Animation Studios, the journey in making every film begins with research. In order to create the rich and engaging modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia and its wide variety of animal inhabitants, the filmmakers spent 18 months studying animals and their habitats. Their very first stop was Disney’s Animal Kingdom in March 2014, where they worked closely with the park’s team of animal care professionals. “Research is such an important part of every animated film we make at Disney, and for ‘Zootopia’ our research began at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to meet with some of the best animal experts in the world,” said Clark Spencer, the Oscar®-nominated producer of “Zootopia.” “Everything that we learned about animal behaviors, personalities and movement our artists incorporated into the world of ‘Zootopia,’ and to now be able to share those discoveries and influences with the guests at the park is truly a full circle moment.”

ZootopiaAlso a sneak peek of “Zootopia” is now being presented as a part of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The current finale of Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is on a brief hiatus during this time.

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

Here’s a look at the new trailer for “Zootopia”!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootopia,” a comedy-adventure directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and co-directed by Jared Bush (“Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero”), opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be checking out the “Zootopia” exhibit?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

TradNation Now Appearing At The Canada Pavilion In Epcot

TradNation 1

Now Appearing!

For a limited time through mid-April 2016, a new musical group is entertaining guests at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot. Known as TradNation, this energetic family of performers showcases traditional and original French Canadian folk songs as well as dance.

This musical act replaces the former Canadian Lumberjack show. TradNation is currently scheduled to perform on the Mill Stage in the Canada Pavilion Wednesday through Sundays at 12:00pm, 1:15pm, 2:15pm, 3:50pm, 5:00pm, and 6:15pm. Times and dates are subject to change. To check the scheduled times during your visit, please click here.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you seen TradNation yet? Do you miss the lumberjacks?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

To Visit Or Not To Visit Hollywood Studios

Tower of Terror

If you’ve been following the Walt Disney World news lately, you know that Hollywood Studios is being largely reimagined to include Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land. So the big question is…Should you spend time and money visiting Hollywood Studios during this transitional period?

If this is your first visit to Walt Disney World or likely your “once-in-a-lifetime” visit, by all means spend a day at Hollywood Studios. Likewise if you are traveling with a group of people that all measure up to the height requirements and enjoy thrill rides, Hollywood Studios has a couple of the best attractions for adrenalin junkies – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Or if you are a diehard Star Wars fan, the Star Wars Launch Bay, Symphony in the Stars fireworks show, updated Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, and new Star Wars: The Force Awakens scenes added to Star Tours should make the admission cost worth it.

However if your family does not fall into one of these categories, I would consider not visiting Hollywood Studios during the transition. If time or money is an issue, you can safely skip this park on your next trip and not worry about missing too much. Also if you have younger children that don’t measure up to the height requirements of most of the attractions and don’t like to sit still for shows, there will be little for them to do in Hollywood Studios right now.

With so many closures happening recently at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you might be wondering what is left to enjoy during the next two or three years of construction. Here’s a quick rundown for you:

Attractions
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (must be 48″ or taller to experience)
  • Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (must be 40″ or taller to experience)
  • The Great Movie Ride
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (must be 40″ or taller to experience)
  • Toy Story Midway Mania!
Shows
  • Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
  • Disney Junior – Live on Stage!
  • For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
  • Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Characters
  • Club Disney
  • Meet Buzz & Woody in Pixar Place
  • Meet Disney Junior Pals in Animation Courtyard
  • Meet Disney Pals near Center Stage
  • Star Wars Launch Bay
Nighttime Spectaculars
  • Fantasmic!
  • Symphony in the Stars
Quick Service Dining
  • ABC Commissary
  • Anaheim Produce
  • Backlot Express
  • Catalina Eddie’s
  • Fairfax Fare
  • Hollywood Scoops
  • Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner
  • Oasis Canteen
  • Rosie’s All-American Café
  • Starring Rolls Café
  • Toluca Legs Turkey Co.
  • The Trolley Car Café
Table Service Dining
  • 50’s Prime Time Café
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby
  • Hollywood & Vine
  • Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
  • Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre
Lounges
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
  • Tune-In Lounge

If you decide to skip the park, but still want to experience attractions similar to what you will be missing, here are some easy swaps:

  • Instead of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom. Both are indoor, dark coasters.
  • Instead of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue ride Mission: SPACE in Epcot for a different take on space travel.
  • Instead of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom. Although the ride systems are completely different, both are dark, spooky attractions.
  • Instead of Toy Story Midway Mania ride Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom. Both are Toy Story themed attractions that include a blaster game.
  • Instead of Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage visit Enchanted Tales with Belle in Magic Kingdom. Both include many of the same characters, and with Enchanted Tales your child has a chance to be one of the participants as an added bonus.
  • Instead of For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration visit Elsa and Anna in Magic Kingdom.
  • Instead of Voyage of the Little Mermaid ride Under The Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid in Magic Kingdom. Both include much of the same characters and music, but the Magic Kingdom version is a more entertaining ride-through attraction.

No matter what you ultimately decide, you’re in Disney World so you really can’t go wrong!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

To visit or not to visit – what do you think?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!