Nov 3 2014

Disney World News – Candlelight Processional Returns To Epcot

Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved holiday traditions Walt Disney World Resort, with the joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and glorious mass choir. Among new celebrity narrators this year is Jonathan Groff, who voiced the rugged mountain man Kristoff in Frozen. Candlelight performances are at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 pm at America Gardens Theatre in Epcot. (showtimes on December 7 are 6:45 and 8:15pm only)

11/28 – 11/29: Jodi Benson

11/30 – 12/2: Neil Patrick Harris

12/3 – 12/4: Jonathan Groff

12/5 – 12/6: Whoopi Goldberg

12/7 – 12/9: LeVar Burton

12/10 – 12/11: Edward James Olmos

12/12 – 12/14: Joe Morton

12/15 – 12/17: Chita Rivera

12/18 – 12/20: Ana Gasteyer

12/21 – 12/23: Marlee Matlin

12/24 – 12/25: Isabella Rossellini

12/26 – 12/27: Blair Underwood

12/28 – 12/30: Steven Curtis Chapman

Please note that narrators are subject to change without notice.

Guests may purchase Candlelight Dining Packages to reserve a seat at the Candlelight Processional. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal, a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances and a pre-arranged location for fireworks viewing. Guests may call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations or book online at DisneyWorld.com. Hurry – Availability is limited!

Oct 31 2014

15 Little Known Facts About Disney’s Haunted Mansion

In honor of the scariest holiday of the year, I thought it would be interesting to take a deeper look at Disney’s spookiest attraction: Haunted Mansion. Growing up I was always scared of anything having to do with ghosts and to this day I still try to avoid all things paranormal. My kids laugh every time I tell them the story about how I worked as a Scare Actor at a Haunted House in Kansas City one Halloween and that many of the visitors ending up scaring me instead of the other way around! I am truly a big chicken when it comes to scary stuff. However, I love the Haunted Mansion. Something about its perfect mix of supernatural with a touch of Disney magic and humor makes it more fun than terrifying. Here are 15 little known facts about Disney’s Haunted Mansion:

The Haunted Mansion was originally imagined as a walk through attraction.
Several times a year people are caught trying to spread their loved-one’s remains in the Haunted Mansion.
For years there were rumors that someone died of fright on a test ride of the Disneyland version and that is why it took so many years for it to open to the public.
In one of the versions considered, it was the bride that was to have “lost her head” instead of her many grooms.
The hitch-hiking ghosts, Ezra, Gus and Phineas, were given their names by fans.
Madame Leota in the Séance Scene is actually the face of the late Model Builder and Imagineer, Leota Toombs, whose face fit perfectly the dimensions for the crystal ball.
In the stretching room, the ceiling rises in Walt Disney World while in Disneyland you are in an elevator that is being lowered.
Fake dust and cobwebs are added inside the Haunted Mansion to make it look old.
On Madame Leota’s tombstone in the queue area, her eyes open and close and her face moves as guests walk by.
The raven that is seen several times throughout the attraction was originally going to be the narrator.
There are 13 candles on the birthday cake in the Grand Ballroom Scene.
The ghosts in the Grand Ballroom Scene are actually reflections of animatronics located above and below the Doom Buggy track. This is a variation of the “Pepper’s Ghost” illusion.
There are really only 107 ghosts in the Haunted Mansion not 999.
The caretaker and dog in the Graveyard Scene are lit differently to denote that they are living not dead.
With Walt Disney growing up in Kansas City and being friends with the Sauer family, it is thought that the Sauer Castle may have been an early inspiration for Walt Disney’s idea to add a Haunted Mansion to his theme parks. (I grew up in Kansas City as well. We referred to the Sauer Castle as Igor’s in my day and often drove past it during the Halloween season to see if we could witness anything creepy happening through the windows!)

Sauer Castle In Kansas City

The Organist

In the spirit of Halloween, if you would like to “ride through” the Disney World version of Haunted Mansion, just check out this video!

Heading to Disney World soon?

Ultimate Walt Disney World Hacks for Families with Kids
If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out my new books to help you save time and money!

Check out Ultimate Walt Disney World Hacks for Families with Kids and Ultimate Walt Disney World Hacks for Solo Travelers and Couples for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!

Ultimate Walt Disney World Hacks for Solo Travelers and Couples Discover how to:

save hundreds of dollars on your trip
pack including essentials to make your trip more enjoyable
score difficult-to-get dining reservations
master the complex Genie+ system to beat the lines

With practical advice and secret hacks on saving money, packing, dining, transportation, accommodations, and more, these books are must-haves for anyone planning a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Oct 30 2014

Disney World News – Early Release Of Infinity 2.0

If your kids are anything like mine, they are obsessed with video games and with Infinity specifically. My boys actually each have their own Infinity sets, because they are just that into it. When they heard that a new Disney Infinity 2.0 version was coming out with Stitch in it, they immediately had their sights set on getting it. My boys will have to wait for the national release on Tuesday, November 4, but good news for fans in the Orlando area! This weekend on November 1 and 2, there will be an early release of one of the Disney Infinity 2.0 Starter Packs at the Once Upon A Toy store in Downtown Disney. This Disney Infinity 2.0 Starter Pack contains Merida and Stitch and will cost $59.99 plus tax. A limited number of guests will also get the added bonus of one complimentary Disney figure with the purchase of the starter pack at Once Upon a Toy this weekend. Plus there will be Game Developers on hand throughout the weekend providing game demonstrations. Arrive early to be one of the first to get Disney Infinity 2.0 and a free Disney Interactive Game Piece! (supplies are limited)

Oct 29 2014

Disney Discounts For The Week Of October 27, 2014

Please check out this week’s amazing Disney discounts!

Walt Disney World® Resort

Stay Play & Dine: Save up to 30% off your hotel accommodations for a 2015 Disney World vacation. Select dates from January 5 – March 28, 2015.
Free Dining Bounce Back Specials: During your Disney vacation, you can book your next Disney vacation at huge savings! The current bounce back special includes the Disney Dining Plan for free. Book your Disney package before you check out and then contact Jennifer Hardy at Destinations in Florida for details on transferring your reservation.
Active/Retired Military Rates: For US active and retired military, save money on tickets and resort accommodations through October 2015.
Florida Resident & Annual Passholder Rates: Florida Residents and Annual Passholders can take advantage of great rates on rooms at select Disney Resort Hotels up to 35% off.
RunDisney Group Rates: Are you a runner? Do you want to run a race with Mickey Mouse? Join our VIP runners at Destinations in Florida for some of the favorite races including Disney Marathon and Disney Princess Run. These exclusive rates are only with Destinations in Florida.

Click the banner below and fill out the quote form to take advantage of these great offers!

Disneyland® Resort

Save up to 25% Off Spring 2015 Vacations: Save up to 25% on Disneyland® Resort Hotel stays January 4 – February 12, 2015 and save up to 20% on stays February 13 -March 26, 2015.
Save up 20% on Premium Rooms Sunday-Thursday: If you always wanted to try a premium room at the Disneyland® Resort hotels, now is the time. Save up to 20% off the room rates, when you visit during the week days!
Active/Retired Military Rates: For US active and retired military, save money on tickets and resort accommodations through October 2015.
Book a Package for as Little as $89 Per Person/Per Day: Stay right down the road from the Disney Magic at a Good Neighbor Hotel from now through November 21 for as little as $89 per person/per day.
3rd, 4th or 5th Night Free at Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels: Visit Anaheim during select nights through December 2014. Stay at a select Disney Good Neighbor Hotels and enjoy a 3rd night, 4th night or 5th night free. Contact Jennifer Hardy at Destinations in Florida for details.

Click the banner below and fill out the quote form to take advantage of these great offers!

Disney Cruise Line®

Canadian Residents Save up to 20% Off: From November 2014 – January 2015, Canadian Residents can save up to 20% off Disney Cruise prices on select cruises.
Special Rates for Florida Residents and US Military: Take advantage of special deals for Florida Residents and active/retired United States Military.

Click the banner below and fill out the quote form to take advantage of these great offers!

Oct 29 2014

Disney World News – New Restaurants Announced For Disney Springs

Earlier this week the details of two new restaurants located in the reimagined Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) were released. The first location, opening in the spring of 2015, will be the BOATHOUSE featuring steak and seafood. The second location, opening in summer of 2015, will be Morimoto Asia offering pan-Asian cuisine. Here are the latest details from Disney Parks Blog:

It was just announced that Chef Masaharu Morimoto, who many of you know from his appearances on Iron Chef America, is opening a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort. Morimoto Asia will be the Japanese master chef’s first-ever pan-Asian restaurant featuring flavors from across the continent. This Disney Springs dining destination will include unique exhibition kitchens showcasing traditions like Peking duck carving, and dim sum. “I’m very excited to bring this new concept to Disney, something I’ve always dreamed of,” said Chef Morimoto. “It’s a wonderful chance to share some of my favorite foods from across the Asian continent.” The two-story restaurant is scheduled to open in the Summer 2015 at The Landing (formerly Pleasure Island) in Disney Springs. Morimoto Asia will feature waterside seating, terraces, a grand hall and a cocktail lounge.

Also today, another new concept dining experience, The BOATHOUSE, was announced for The Landing in Disney Springs. The BOATHOUSE will be an upscale, waterfront dining experience that’ll immerse guests both on land and on water with live music, guided tours aboard the Captain’s piloted 40-foot Italian Water Taxi with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries and guided Amphicar rides that launch from land, enter the water, and take guests on a 20-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs. “We are very excited that the BOATHOUSE is joining the Walt Disney World family at Disney Springs,” says creator Steven Schussler. “Walt Disney Imagineering has created a wonderful, interactive, culinary and entertainment experience at Disney Springs. We are proud to be part of this magical experience.” The BOATHOUSE will open in the Spring of 2015 in Disney Springs. The restaurant’s gourmet menu (served daily until 2 a.m.) will feature steaks, chops, seafood and a raw bar. The BOATHOUSE is the latest project of Schussler Creative, the creators of Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex and Yak & Yeti at the Walt Disney World Resort.