This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, Jerry and myself. Every day Monday through Thursday you can join us for entertaining Disney information, discussions, guests, games, and more. We’ll be surprising you each and every day with 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.
NEW THIS SEASON: On Friday nights, please join us for our 90 minute special BTM The Showthat airs live at 10:30pm EST/7:30pm PST on YouTube!
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~ BTM The Show – Live at 10:30pm EST/7:30pm PST!
This Week’s Episodes
This week’s episodes include:
Monday~ Minion Murmurs
Tuesday ~ Please Make It Wonka
Wednesday~ Behind Chris From WDW Navigators
Thursday~ Behind Universal Studios
Friday~ BTM The Show
For more details about each episode and to listen, please click here!
Have you heard about the latest Disney craze – Tsum Tsum? Tsum Tsum, which literally means “stack stack” in Japanese, are offered in both an app and adorable plush. The free app is available for download in the App Store or Google Play. Collect, connect, and pop the cute Disney Tsum Tsum to earn coins.
The adorable Disney plush Tsum Tsum are the hottest new collector’s item and are available in a variety of characters and sizes.
Here’s all of the important information that you’ll need to get yourself some Tsum Tsum gear:
Disney character Tsum Tsum are available for purchase on DisneyStore.com(affiliatelink), at your local Disney Store, at Target, and at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney.
They come in three sizes – mini, medium, and large.
They also have Tsum Tsum clothing and gear available on DisneyStore.com.
Mini Tsum Tsum are $5.95, medium Tsum Tsum are $12.95, and large Tsum Tsum are $24.95.
There are many characters to choose from in a variety of sizes including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale, Dumbo, Stitch, Pooh Bear, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, and more.
On the first Tuesday of every month, a brand new collection of mini Tsum Tsum plush are revealed on DisneyStore.com.
The Giveaway
Interested in getting an adorable Tsum Tsum of your own? Well, you’re in luck! In honor of the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Blu-Ray and DVD this week, from now through Friday, April 22, 2015 at midnight, please enter daily to win a pair of mini R2-D2 and C-3PO Tsum Tsum. Just click the image below and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please feel free to share with your friends and family!
Click image to enter!
Can’t wait and need a Disney Tsum Tsum right away?
Please click this link to purchase one today!
During April, May and June this year, Disney is offering a new ticketed event called “Disney Early Morning Magic”. For $69 per adult and $59 per child (ages 3 – 9) plus tax in addition to regular theme park admission, a limited number of guests will be granted exclusive early entry to Magic Kingdom for breakfast and quick access on three beloved Fantasyland attractions: Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
“Disney Early Morning Magic” will take place on:
April 26 and 30
May 3, 7, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, and 31
June 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28
The hours of this event will be from 7:45am to 10:00am each event day.
Your ticket will grant you access to the park beginning at 7:45am on your event day; a little over an hour prior to the regular park opening to all other guests at 9:00am. Check in will begin at the left most turnstiles at 7:30am. At 7:45am, guests will be guided to Fantasyland to experience the trio of attractions and to enjoy breakfast. The attractions will be open to event guests from 7:45am – 9:00am only at which time event-only attraction access will end as the park opens to all guests. Breakfast will be served at Pinocchio Village Haus from 8:30am – 10:00am and will include seasonal fruit and berries, freshly baked pastries, cheese and cured meats, waffles, scrambled eggs, vegetable frittata, smoked bacon, pork and turkey sausages, fried potatoes with caramelized onions, chilled juices, coffee and teas.
Remember tickets to this special event are very limited and are now on sale! To purchase or for more information, please click here or call 407-827-7350.
Heading 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:
If you’re like me and have a trip to Walt Disney World coming up in the next few weeks, you’ve probably been anxiously waiting for Disney to post the updated hours for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Every day I’ve been checking; ready to book Fastpass+ for the new nighttime experiences, just hoping to see extended park hours. Unfortunately, Disney has announced that the opening of these new evening activities is being pushed back from its originally scheduled date of April 22, 2016 to an unknown date this summer. According to Disney Parks Blog, more information regarding the timing of the opening will be shared by mid to late May. I’m still hoping for a miracle so that maybe there will be at least a soft opening going on during my vacation! In the meantime, here’s a look at everything we have to look forward to this summer courtesy of Disney:
The magic of nature after dark takes center stage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom when the all-new Rivers Of Light waterside show premieres marking the Walt Disney World theme park’s thrilling transformation from a day-into-nighttime experience.
“Disney’s Animal Kingdom is such a majestic and beautiful park,” said George A. Kalogridis, President of Walt Disney World Resort, “and to now show our guests original stories that reveal the magic of nature and bring this special park to life like never before — makes nighttime at Disney’s Animal Kingdom a can’t miss experience for Walt Disney World guests this summer.”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will transition from a day-into-night theme park, aglow with wondrous new nighttime experiences and entertainment celebrating marvels in nature, epic storytelling, innovative effects, and a festive street party. Across the park, guests can experience long-time favorites such as Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, and Kali River Rapids with more time to enjoy them into the night.
“Rivers of Light”
After the sun sets, guests will gather waterside for the majestic nighttime jewel, “Rivers of Light.” This illuminating musical experience celebrates the magic of animals and humans and the natural world with a blend of performers, floating lanterns and theatrical animal imagery.
On the natural stage of Discovery River, guests will marvel as a timeless custom comes to life before their eyes in a stirring performance. The ceremony begins with the arrival of a pair of mystical hosts, two complimentary forces who come to the river bearing gifts of light. They set out from the shore on elaborate lantern vessels, engaging in a dramatic dance of water and light to summon the animal spirits. With these storytellers as guides, the wonders of “Rivers of Light” unfold, building to a magnificent finale with bursts of light as animal images soar to the heavens– signifying the ancient belief that when animals passed from one world to another they danced in the sky and became beautiful rivers of light, according to Michael Jung, Creative Portfolio Director, Walt Disney Imagineering.
To create “Rivers of Light,” Imagineers and Disney Creative Entertainment partnered with experts including award-winning master designer Michael Curry, whose Disney Parks contributions include “Finding Nemo: The Musical” and “Disney Festival of Fantasy parade.” Film composer Don L. Harper created the soaring musical score for the nighttime show which also includes an original song by noted composer Mark Mancina. Disney also collaborated with the award-winning filmmakers at Disneynature to bring never-before-seen footage, telling dramatic and compelling stories from the animal world to the show.
Here’s a sneak peek for you:
The Tree of Life Awakens
Nearby on Discovery Island the area will come alive each night with a celebration filled with music and dance. The theme park’s iconic Tree of Life will undergo extraordinary “awakenings” throughout the evening as the animal spirits are brought to life by magical fireflies that open a window into the body of the tree, revealing colorful stories of wonder and enchantment.
Here’s a sneak peek for you:
Kilimanjaro Safaris after Dark
Each evening, the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris daytime experience is artfully bathed in the look of sunset with special lighting allowing guests to explore and enjoy this attraction well into the night. During the expedition guests can now enjoy the wildlife at night, and may discover two new species: African wild dogs and hyenas.
Harambe Wildlife Parti/Discovery Island Carnivale
When the sun sets, the popular Village of Harambe will become a hot spot with the new Harambe Wildlife Parti. Here, “party animals” can dance alongside local street musicians and entertainers, partake in exotic foods and libations and explore the diverse wares of village artisans and merchants. And the new Discovery Island Carnivale will captivate guests with lively music, spirited dance, vibrant costumes, and tasty culinary creations, spreading from one end of the island to the other.
Tiffins Signature Restaurant
In addition to the masterful new entertainment offerings beginning this summer, guests will enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s newest eatery, Tiffins. Open for both lunch and dinner, this new signature dining experience will celebrate the art of traveling and include waterfront views from both indoor and outdoor seating areas. “Tiffin” is an Indian English word meaning midday meal or type of container used to carry food while traveling.
Heading 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:
So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in September 2016?
September is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!
Weather
The weather in Disney World during September is warm and mildly rainy. The average high is about 90 degrees, the average low is about 72 degrees and the average rainfall is about 5.09 inches. You can expect a little rain during your vacation, so be sure to bring your poncho!
Crowds
The crowds in September drop dramatically as kids head back to school. This month has the lowest crowd levels of the year.
September 1 – September 3
Average Crowd Level 2.7 out of 10 September 4 – September 10
Average Crowd Level 2.7 out of 10 September 11 – September 17
Average Crowd Level 2.6 out of 10 September 18 – September 24
Average Crowd Level 3.4 out of 10 September 25 – September 30
Average Crowd Level 3.0 out of 10
Park Hours
Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours) Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours) Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours) Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 5pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
For specific hours on each day during September, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.
Events
On September 9 and 10 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, soak up the spirited sounds of a contemporary music festival featuring performances by Christian superstars in rock, pop and gospel during the Night of Joy.
On select nights beginning in September, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a lively, light-hearted, family friendly event. There are special parades, exciting dance parties, stunning fireworks and tons of trick-or-treating stations filled with candy for everyone! Adults and children alike really get into the spirit of the event by dressing in costume, trick-or-treating and dancing the night away with all of the characters. For more information, please click here.
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival will begin on September 14. No details for the 2016 event have been released yet, but last year’s festival featured 270 chefs and included more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts. Check back often for more updates about this fabulous celebration. In the meantime for some fun facts about the Food and Wine Festival, please click here.
Refurbishments
Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during September (subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: August 8 – November 19, 2016
“it’s a small world”: August 22 – September 15, 2016
Swiss Family Treehouse: July 7 – September 24, 2016
Epcot
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time
Hollywood Studios
Pizza Planet: January 11 – November 2016 Star Wars Land: Opening in 2018 Toy Story Land: Opening in 2018
Water Parks
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time
Disney Springs
Fulton’s Crab House: May 1 – December 31, 2016
Resort Hotels
Boardwalk Inn: Flying Fish Café February 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016
Walt Disney World Dolphin: Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2017
Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit To Be Completed In 2017
Planning Tips
If you are traveling to Disney World in September 2016, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:
Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
Once your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
Disney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. 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! Please click here to be a part of our group!
Disney World Enthusiast 