Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up March 17, 2019

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for March 17, 2019!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Tip Of The Week

A great way to prepare young children who might not be familiar with some of the older Disney characters is by watching Disney movies and reading books featuring those characters in advance.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Disney Did You Know

The storyline of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror sets the date as Halloween night – October 31, 1939.

Walt’s Words

“Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows.”

Featured Advertiser

Create your own unique look with a personalized Disney MagicBand Skin. Magic YOUR Band has a range of designs to choose from that you can use as-is or customize with your own text. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can even upload your own photos or images to fully personalize, customize, and decorate your MagicBand. With great discounts for multi-buys, why not create one for the whole family? For more information or to start customizing your own Magic YOUR Band Skin now, please click here.

501 WaysFeatured Book

UPDATED! 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 Walt 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 some planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Fact vs. Fiction: Disney Skyliner At Walt Disney World

If you’ve been to Walt Disney World recently, you have probably noticed one of the massive construction projects throughout the property…the Disney Skyliner. In advance of its opening later this year, fact and fiction abound across the Disney fan sites about this newest addition to the World. Let’s take a look at the Disney Skyliner and see what’s true!


First the fiction…

“There is no air conditioning in the gondolas. I am going to die of heat stroke!”

Living in Colorado, gondolas are very commonplace out here. Let me assure you that while it is true that there is no air conditioning in the cabin itself, you will be just fine. There are vent windows at the top of both sides of the gondola that allow for air flow. If you have never ridden in one, you will be pleasantly surprised at the breeze that circulates in the cabin while in motion.

“I am going to have to run and jump on the moving gondola. That’s just an accident waiting to happen. I am going to sue Disney when I break my leg!!”

Don’t worry, there will be no running and jumping required. Gondolas are spaced far enough apart that when they come in to a station they slow down dramatically for guests to exit and board. The cabins typically move slower than the moving walkway attractions like Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth that Walt Disney World visitors are accustomed to navigating with ease. The ones we use at several of the ski resorts here in Colorado allow for plenty of time to load our equipment on the outside of the cabin and then board as it very slowly creeps through the station.

“The Disney Skyliner will never run in the summer, because of the rain, lightning, and winds.”

Believe it or not, gondolas can and do run in all types of weather all over the world on a daily basis. The type of cabins that Disney will be using from Doppelmayr, can operate in rain and wind speeds of over 50mph safely. While Disney may chose to shut down the Skyliner from time to time during electrical storms, that is not necessarily required. For fellow science geeks out there, think of each cabin as its own Faraday cage.

“There’s no way I’m riding that thing, if it gets stuck, I am going to have to repel down a hundred feet on my own!”

It is actually very rare that cabins get stuck, and often even if there is a malfunction, a line can still be brought back in and unloaded. But in a worst case scenario, you have to be evacuated, keep in mind the Disney Skyliner is approximately 50 feet high at its tallest point, not a hundred feet. Here in Colorado, our ski patrol routinely spends time practicing with volunteers evacuating them from the gondolas. With Disney’s stellar record, I am sure they will do the same. In the event an evacuation becomes necessary, safety personel board your cabin from the roof, harness each guest in, and slowly assist you being lowered to the ground. Not necessarily an ideal situation by any means, but it certainly would be an exciting memory from your vacation that you wouldn’t soon forget!

And now the facts…

The Disney Skyliner will transport guests by connecting Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Not only will there be brightly colored gondolas, there will also be select gondolas adorned with graphics from favorite Disney attractions and movies. Some of the featured themes will include:

  • Mickey & Minnie
  • Frozen
  • Donald & Daisy
  • Coco
  • Lilo & Stitch
  • Moana
  • Finding Dory
  • Peter Pan
  • The Haunted Mansion
  • Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Chip & Dale
  • The Princess and the Frog
  • Ralph Breaks the Internet,
  • Monsters, Inc.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  • Ratatouille
  • Toy Story
  • Beauty & the Beast
  • Zootopia
  • Star Wars

There will be five loading stations located at Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and the last one situated between Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation.

The initial testing of the Disney Skyliner has begun in recent weeks, and appears to be going well.

While no official opening date has been announced, Disney has said that it will be ready to go by fall 2019.

Let The Countdown To The Disney Skyliner Begin!


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 chose the Disney Skyliner over other Disney transportation?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

New Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Experiences Just In Time For Spring

If you have a trip to Walt Disney World planned soon, get ready to check out several brand new experiences debuting this year at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. With so much to try, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s everything you need to know, courtesy of Disney!


Channel your inner Ariel and learn to be a mermaid. Get artful and create your very own Disney masterpiece on canvas or on a wine glass. Sign on to Captain Hook’s band of buccaneers and see if you have what it takes to be a pirate. Indulge in the comfort and privacy of a private poolside cabana.

In time for spring, Walt Disney World Resort is launching new recreation offerings and activities at select resort hotels, treating guests of all ages to even more ways to live out their Disney dreams and create vacation memories to last a lifetime.

New Pirate Experience

Ahoy, mateys! Reservations are open for a new group experience that invites young recruits ages 4-12 into the world of pirate feasting and treasure seeking, high-energy sailin’ and swashbucklin’ fun. The new Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is the latest chapter of immersive experiences for kids at Walt Disney World Resort. Captain Hook will be lookin’ for a new band of adventurers to learn the pirate code and follow clues leading to hidden treasure. As part of Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew, these young buccaneers will comb through the resort and set sail on a pontoon boat around Crescent Lake, in the latest seafaring adventure at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Once the treasure is unearthed, all join in a Pirate Feast that includes selections such as Cannon Meatballs with marinara or macaroni and “gold” sauce for entrees, along with a treasure chest treat or fruit for dessert. Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew is priced at $55 (plus tax) per child; the adventures begin April 28. For more information or to book a reservation, call 407-824-KIDS.

Mermaid School

Guests will feel like they are part of Ariel’s world during the Mermaid School at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Guests ages 4 and older will enjoy an hour-long class where they’ll be fitted with a swimmable “tail” and led through activities teaching them how to swim in a pool like a mermaid. The Mermaid School will be offered at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Classes are $50/person (plus tax). Bookings (select dates per resort) will open mid-March through 407-WDW-PLAY.

Cabanas at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Reservations are open for rentals of the new poolside cabanas at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, where guests can indulge in the lap of luxury. These private hideaways exclusive to Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts provide guests with a bevy of services, including:

  • Padded furniture (chairs and couch)
  • Dedicated Disney Cast Member service
  • Cocktail service
  • Mounted television with cable access
  • Complimentary sunscreen and other skincare products
  • Mini-refrigerator stocked with complimentary soda and water
  • Complimentary fruit tray
  • Plush towels
  • Lockable cabinet
  • Charging outlets for mobile devices

These new cabanas are exclusively for guests staying at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Reservations for half and full day rentals are now open for dates beginning March 17 through 407-WDW-PLAY.

New Art Programs

All-new master classes led by professional artists at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels will have guests creating their own masterpieces. Classes range from $35 (plus tax) to $50 (plus tax) per person, offered to ages 12 and older for most experiences. The artful lineup:

  • Win, Paint, Show at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Wild About Painting, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Painting on de’ Bayou (adults), Painting by the Lagoon (kids), Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Resort. NOTE: children’s painting class is $30 per person (plus tax); designed for ages 6 and older; accompanying parent required.
  • Painting in the Vineyard, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
  • Canvas and Wine Glass Painting on the Boards, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Bookings (select dates per resort) are available through 407-WDW-PLAY.

Fishing Excursions

Whether a seasoned sportsman or amateur angler, guided excursions or dockside fishing in the waterways of Walt Disney World Resort are great fun for guests of all ages. Aboard a 21-foot SunTracker pontoon (up to five guests) or a tournament-style NITRO bass-fishing boat (for one or two participants), teeming Disney waters are an angler’s dream. Outings (two or four hours) are catch-and-release. The fleet has been joined by a new NITRO ZV21, operating out of the Magic Kingdom marinas. For more information or to book an excursion, guests can call 407-WDW-BASS.


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:

Which new offering are you most excited to try?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Raglan Road

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2019 In Walt Disney World

If you will be visiting Walt Disney World around St. Patrick’s Day and are looking for a fun place to celebrate, look no further than Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs. This year’s Mighty Festival runs from Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 17. Here’s the scoop, courtesy of Disney:


The Raglan Road Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival presents three days and nights of live Irish music March 15-17 headlined by one of Celtic rock’s hardest working bands, the Young Dubliners. Nine bands in all join the talented Raglan Road troupe of Irish dancers to feature non-stop entertainment from mornings and on into late night during the annual celebration.

Families can enjoy the festival atmosphere while dancers invite children on stage for a fun dance lesson. Late-night revelers can grab a seat for a hearty rock- and Irish-infused live performance by Young Dubliners, who play hundreds of shows to thousands of fans across the United States and Europe every year.

Raglan Road co-owner John Cooke says fans of the annual celebration of all things Irish will be sure to hear something new: “We’ll also mix it up with some unique musical collaborations by our in-house artists.”

Plan ahead for the fun.  On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 cover charge for each guest age 18 and older. Reservations can be booked for other festival days (no cover) by calling 407-938-0300. Guests can enjoy a mighty selection of beers, whiskeys, and craft cocktails to pair with exceptional pub grub and more elegant Irish fare while musicians and dancers perform on multiple stages, indoors and out, from 3pm to 1:30am March 15 and 11am until 1:30am March 16 and 17 (Pub opens at 9am for seating Saturday and Sunday).  Mighty Festival guests can accent their Irish holiday attire with complimentary face painting March 15 from 3-9pm and March 16-17 from 10am-8pm. For the entertainment schedule, please click here.

Here’s more about the entertainment lineup:

  • Young Dubliners – One of Celtic rock’s hardest working bands, the Young Dubliners play hundreds of shows to thousands of fans across the United States and Europe every year. Young Dubliners are known for their hearty rock and Irish-infused live performances.
  • Ben Gunnery – Irish music superstar and multi-instrumentalist Ben Gunnery, who studied at prestigious music conservatories, has toured since age 14. Now 39, he has been soloist for high-profile productions like Riverdance and films including “Lord of the Rings” and Harry Potter movies. Ben will appear on Raglan Road stages for his first Mighty Festival.
  • Briste — This inspiring all-female duo includes Emma Robinson (flute, whistle) and Joanna Boyle (banjo, vocals). Blending their rich musical backgrounds, Briste creates a fresh and exciting mix of country, folk and Irish traditional music.
  • The Byrne Brothers — An exceptionally talented traditional Irish music family from Donegal. They are Luca, 14 (button accordion); Finn, 12 (banjo, mandolin and whistle); Dempsey, 9, (whistle and bodhran); and father, Tommy (guitar, Uilleann pipes, fiddle, whistles, bagpipes and bodhran). Their show combines exciting Irish tunes with modern dance beats, and they love to interact with every audience.
  • The Raglan Roots Coalition This edgy house band is known for its soul-rockin’ Celtic bluegrass with hip-swingin’, knee-shakin’ funky roots beats. Emily Furlong (guitar, vocals, banjo); Blain Curtis (guitar, vocals); Ben Roe (percussion); Keelan Kelly (bass); and Ellen Daly (fiddle) will get everyone in the St. Paddy’s spirit.
  • Reel Republic – Hailing from the four corners of Ireland, Aisling Egan-Sage (fiddle); Liam O’Keefe (box, vocals); Niall McIlroy (guitar, flute); and Eleanor Roe (keyboard, vocals, bodhran) are Reel Republic 2.0, seriously talented musicians always pushing to make the next gig better than the last.
  • Trad Gad – Three talented musicians from Kerry, Dublin, Colin Foley (guitar, vocals); Fionn Morrison (Uilleann pipes, whistles); and Ciara Ni Bhrian (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, Uilleann pipes, tin whistle, banjo and bazouki, charm Raglan Road audiences with their vibrant performances.
  • Maca – Three Irish sister-musician-songwriters dubbed “Ireland’s next big thing” are rocking Raglan Road Pub stages with their extraordinary talent. Saoise Carty (guitar,vocals); Naoise Carty (Fiddle, vocals); and Ciara Carty (Bodhran) are from Wexford, Ireland.
  • High Road — Three talented musicians hailing from Galway, Kilkenny and Glasgow meet in the middle to play a crowd-pleasing symphony of traditional Irish tunes and songs. Hannah NcNeil (fiddle, banjo, vocals); Aidan Byrne (guitar, vocals); and Roisin Broderick (concertina) rock the stage.
  • The Raglan Road Irish Dancers – Plucked from the cast and stages of the world’s greatest Irish dance shows, the Raglan Road Irish Dancers perform throughout the Mighty Festival. You can even learn some traditional Irish dance steps – no experience necessary!

Guests can order from Raglan Road’s brunch, lunch, dinner and bar menus that include new menu items like the Guinness-infused Bangin’ Bangers and Mighty Mash and In Cod’s Way – pan-seared north Atlantic cod with lemon and herb crushed potatoes, garden peas with tomato and caper butter sauce. Traditionalists can dig into the pub’s loin of bacon and cabbage, the authentic Irish dish of St. Patrick’s Day, plus other pub classics.  Throughout the event, the restaurant’s Cooke’s of Dublin counter-service eatery will offer Irish favorites, as well, including fish and chips, now available by mobile ordering.


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 Walt Disney World for St. Patrick’s Day?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up March 10, 2019

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for March 10, 2019!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Tip Of The Week

If you are in Magic Kingdom and need a place for the kids to run around and let off some steam, make your way to Frontierland and hop aboard a raft to Tom Sawyer Island. Once you arrive, there are paths to follow, rocks to climb, caves to explore, and more. This small hideaway is an adventurous child’s dream come true.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Epcot International Flower And Garden FestivalDisney Did You Know

More than 200 floating mini-gardens, each three feet in diameter, of multi-hued New Guinea impatiens provide splashes of color on two ponds that border the walkway between Future World and World Showcase.

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Featured Advertiser

Create your own unique look with a personalized Disney MagicBand Skin. Magic YOUR Band has a range of designs to choose from that you can use as-is or customize with your own text. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can even upload your own photos or images to fully personalize, customize, and decorate your MagicBand. With great discounts for multi-buys, why not create one for the whole family? For more information or to start customizing your own Magic YOUR Band Skin now, please click here.

501 WaysFeatured Book

UPDATED! 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 Walt 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 some planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!