Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up September 13, 2015

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for September 13, 2015!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

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 that must be booked by September 18. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

Cinderella Castle At NightTip Of The Week

We’ve all seen National Lampoon’s Vacation, right? Nothing will kill a vacation quicker than unrealistic expectations. Walt Disney World is enormous – about the same size as San Francisco. You wouldn’t expect to see everything a large city has to offer in a day or a week, so give yourself a break. Create a reasonable plan to follow, and then try to relax and enjoy each moment. When looking back on your vacation, it won’t be about how many attractions you experienced, but rather how much you enjoyed your experience at each attraction.

Halloween PartyDisney Did You Know

A cast of 175, including performers, float drivers, costumers, cosmetologists, decorators and maintenance cast members, brings Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade to life.

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”

Red Polka Dot MagicBand SkinsDisney World Enthusiast Giveaway

Look for a new giveaway, this time a set of four Red Polka Dot MagicBand skins, beginning Friday, September 18. Good luck, everyone!

Icon S3Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, Tim, Richard, Sarah 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.

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 holiday information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Do you have a question or article idea?
Please leave a comment!

Behind The Magic Podcast Recap September 7 – September 11, 2015

Icon S3

Welcome to Season 3 of Behind The Magic Podcast!

This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute daily Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, Tim, Sarah, Richard, and me. Every day Monday through Friday you can join us for entertaining Disney information, discussions, guests, games, and more. Zeek and Rachel will be surprising you each and every day with all of their fabulous humor and Disney insider knowledge. And of course, Tim will keep you up-to-date on Disney news with his daily “Mouse News Minute” segment.

Here’s a quick peek at what you can expect each day during Season 3:

  • Monday ~ Magical Mondays with fun and games featuring Zeek’s “DisKids Reactions” segment!
  • Tuesday ~ Topical Tuesdays with Top Ten lists and discussions featuring Richard’s “2 Cents To The Scoop” segment!
  • 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 featuring my “Mouse Whispers” segment!
  • Friday ~ Field Trip Fridays with information and discussions helpful to your park visit featuring Sarah’s “2 Minute Table Service” segment!

This Week’s Episodes

This week’s episodes include:

  • Monday ~ Tournament of Podcasts
  • Tuesday ~ Behind Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  • Wednesday ~ Behind The Special Mouse Podcast
  • Thursday ~ Magic Mythical Theme Park Thursday
  • Friday ~ Behind Your Rope Drop

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

This Week’s Mouse Whispers

In my Thursday, September 10 “Mouse Whispers”, I shared the latest Disney gossip and rumors about a brand new show coming to Disney World! Check out Thursday’s full episode here!

We hope you enjoy our show!

Last Chance – Chip And Dale Tsum Tsum Giveaway

The Latest Disney Craze

Last Chance

Friday, September 11 is the last day to enter to win a pair of mini Chip and Dale Tsum Tsum!

All About Tsum Tsum

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.

Tsum Tsum Collage

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 (affiliate link), 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 $4.95, 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. On Tuesday, September 1, the Nightmare Before Christmas Collection will be released.

The Giveaway

Interested in getting an adorable Tsum Tsum of your own? Well, you’re in luck! From now through Friday, September 11, 2015 at midnight, please enter daily to win a pair of mini Chip and Dale 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!

The Winner

Please check back on Monday, September 14, 2015 for the announcement of the winner! If you entered to win, be sure to check your email (including your Junk Folder) for a message with the subject line “Chip & Dale Tsum Tsum Winner”!

Can’t wait and need a Disney Tsum Tsum right away?
Please click this link to purchase one today!

Fall In Disney World Is Filled With Festive Fun

Hallowishes 2

Fall is my favorite season of the year – especially at Disney World! With so many fun-filled events and activities, you just can’t beat an autumn visit to the parks. Here’s what you can expect if you’ll be visiting soon courtesy of Disney:


A Spooktacular Celebration at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

This fall, the Magic Kingdom will be transformed into a home for happy haunts at “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.” This special ticket event returns this year for 25 nights of boo-tiful festivities at Magic Kingdom park. Guests are invited to dress up in favorite Halloween costumes for this “not-so-scary” occasion, where there is an assortment of trick-or-treat sweets waiting to be found.

HalloweenEntertainment features the twice-nightly “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” a bone-rattling spectacle featuring Disney characters donning Halloween costumes. Also, for the first time ever, the mischievous Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s Hocus Pocus will throw an evil Halloween party for the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular.” This new show is a not-to-be-missed Halloween production and features appearances by Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent and other great Disney villains, along with dancers, projections and special effects. For the fiendish finale, “Happy HalloWishes,” a green and orange fireworks display complete with Disney villains, will creep across the sky.

In addition to trick-or-treating, meet and greets with Disney characters in their festive Halloween costumes and Halloween treats and eats unique to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are available throughout the evening. For guests’ ghostly pleasure, a barbershop quartet of dead cowboys also will be serenading Frontierland with their chilling musical arrangements. Listen if you dare!

Party dates are September: 15, 18, 20, 22, 25 and 27; October: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31; November: 1. For more information, please click here.

Savor the flavors at the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

Disney guests can sip and savor fresh flavors from around the world during the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, presented by Chase September 25 – November 16, 2015 at Walt Disney World Resort. This year’s festival will include more than 30 global marketplaces, with four new food and beverage locations stretching into Future World. This will be first time the festival has expanded beyond the World Showcase.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ©DisneyAlong the walkway toward Future World West, the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese festival area will feature the Cheese Studio (offering a cheese sampler served on an artist’s palette to pair with wines) and the Wine Studio with premium wines on tap.

Near the Epcot Character Spot, the new Next Eats area will debut with Sustainable Chew and Chew Lab marketplaces inspired by ABC’s Emmy-Award winning lifestyle series “The Chew,” starring co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz. Sustainable Chew will feature three dishes, and Chew Lab will show off hot culinary tech trends like a Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel.

For more information, please click here.

New Downtown Disney Dining Locations and Roadway Ramps Opening Soon

Downtown Disney gives guests an assortment of options to “eat in style.” World-renowned chef Masaharu Morimoto and the Patina Restaurant Group will open Morimoto Asia, Morimoto’s first Pan-Asian restaurant, at Disney Springs in fall 2015. Morimoto Asia’s culinary elements will provide flavors from across Asia, while exhibition kitchens will showcase the continent’s traditions. Included among them are street-food stalls, Peking duck carving, and dim sum.

Hangar BarGuests with a flair for adventure (even those afraid of snakes) can visit Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in fall 2015. With a storyline centered on the pilot from the “Indiana Jones” films, this aviation- themed lounge will feature unique drinks and small plates. Themed décor like propeller-based ceiling fans, vintage travel posters and correspondence between Jock and Indy will immerse guests in a world of adventure. With a prime location along Lake Buena Vista and seating for 150, the venue is perfect for a sky-high good time.

A new way to get around also will be introduced to Downtown Disney this fall, improving access to the Orange garage. The flyover ramp on Buena Vista Drive will likely open first, with the I-4 slip ramp (with direct access from I-4, connecting near Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park) slated to open in time for the holiday shopping season.

The largest expansion in Downtown Disney history, Disney Springs will provide even more opportunities for guests to relax and enjoy themselves. When completed in 2016, Disney Springs will double the shopping, dining and entertainment experiences, with an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands.


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 visiting Disney World this fall? What are you most excited about?
Please leave a comment!

TouringPlans – Touring Epcot Without Fastpass+ Or Dining Reservations

As a reader of a Disney blog, I’m going to assume that you like to spend some time planning your Walt Disney World vacations. And if you’re anything like me, you might spend a lot of time planning (okay…obsessing) about all of the details that go into a perfect day.

So what is an uber-planner to do when they find themselves in Epcot with no Fastpass+ or dining reservations booked? No need to panic! I’m going to share with you my favorite personalized Epcot touring plan that requires no Fastpass+ or advance dining reservations, minimizes your wait times, and still allows you to experience all that Epcot has to offer.

Please click here to read my latest TouringPlans article and to see my plan in action!

What is your favorite way of touring Epcot without reservations?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!