Archive for August, 2010

PLEASE NOTE:  THIS OFFER HAS EXPIRED

One of Disney Cruise Line’s most popular special offers is back for early 2011.  Sail away to the Caribbean in a Verandah Stateroom and two full-fare adults can bring the kids along for free.  Choose from most seven-night voyages between January 8 and March 5, 2011.

The Disney Magic is sailing both Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, all of which include a call at Castaway Cay, Disney’s beautiful private island.  Visit our Special Offers Page for full details and take a peek at the Disney Cruise Line brochure for more information on the complete cruise schedule for 2011.  Start off your new year with an unforgettable winter cruise in the tropics – request a proposal and begin planning today!

It takes a sharp eye to capture Mickey, hidden amongst all the amazing detail of the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you’re visiting at the right time and looking for a change from the usual fast food fare, consider a stop at El Pirata y El Perico Restaurante, located in Aventureland at the Magic Kingdom.

Open seasonally, the limited menu features food with a Mexican twist including such favorites as burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, with meatless selections for vegetarians.  The pleasant ambiance continues the theming of the nearby Pirates of the Caribbean and offers covered open-air seating.

Generous portions and a nice toppings bar make this a great option for a quick-service lunch.   El Pirata y El Perico is open only during the busiest seasons, and the short hours, typically from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. require a bit of advance planning.

UPDATE:  As of February, 2011, this restaurant has been renamed “Tortuga Tavern!”

A creative take on the reflective possibilities of the Universe of Energy Pavilion.

Those who think of September as an autumnal month may be surprised by the levels of heat and humidity in central Florida, where it is still very much summer.  Although temperatures remain pretty much the same as August, spanning the low seventies to the low nineties, the humidity actually ratchets up a notch and often lingers through the night.

Prices are at annual lows for pretty much the entire month and Labor Day is the only major American holiday that does not reflect any rate increases.

Historically, this month has been recognized as a quiet month and years before the advent of deeply-discounted packages, the Magic Your Way program, and the Dining Plan, Disney offered special deals that included such things as meal vouchers and savings on recreation and shopping.

The Christian music festival, Night of Joy generally takes place near the beginning of the month, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party runs on a number of evenings.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Both the Night of Joy, which runs for two evenings, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, generally offered on six or seven nights during the month of September, are held in the Magic Kingdom which is closed to all but holders of these hard tickets.  Other guests should plan accordingly.

Attendance levels: Few families take vacations at the very start of the school year and the low room rates reflect the light crowds.

Weather: Expect a continuation of summer heat and humidity.  Although this seems to be the time when guests express the most concern about hurricanes, the season typically runs from approximately June to November.  Located in the center of the state, Walt Disney World faces a lesser risk than coastal areas and has been constructed to exceedingly high standards.  There’s also a decrease in precipitation and more days without the afternoon showers so prevalent in June and July.

Packing: Bring summer clothes, but toss in a light jacket or sweater if you’re visiting towards the very end of the month.  Although it generally remains hot, cooler weather starts to arrive in October and occasional lower evening temperatures are not unheard of.

Summer weather and extended park hours, coupled with lessening crowds and lowering prices make August a favorite of many families; particularly those with back-to-school dates in September.

While the heat and humidity remain at peak summer levels, there’s a bit less rain and, toward the end of the month, attendance tapers back to half of what it was during the first week.  It’s the perfect time of the year to enjoy the water parks and the “cool” rides like Splash Mountain the Kali River Rapids!

Fast Facts

Special Events: August is traditionally a quiet time at Walt Disney World – perfect for just relaxing and enjoying the parks and resorts.

Attendance levels: As different areas around the country head back to school, crowd levels drop off dramatically.  Numbers are typically at July levels for the first week then gradually decrease day by day as local and national school districts reopen for the new school year.

Weather: Although it’s the least-rainy summer month, August nonetheless sees an average of more than six inches of rain.  It’s still very hot with daily highs and lows mirroring those of July.

Packing: Plan for the heat and pack accordingly.  Water parks often attract many local visitors so the last couple weeks in August offer a terrific opportunity to enjoy Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon since Florida schools generally start earlier than those in many other parts of the country.  So, toss in some extra swimwear and enjoy the pools!

Photo by S. E. Smith

On September 12^th, the book will close on Storytime with Belle in the Fairytale Garden at the Magic Kingdom.  Happily, it seems that Belle is awaiting the construction of her new home which will include an expanded version of Storytime: Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The area will be reimagined and open on October 15^th as a play and greet area featuring the stars of the upcoming movie “Tangled.”  Rapunzel, the princess with magical hair who has been imprisoned in a tower her entire life, and dashing bandit Flynn Rider who accidentally discovers her, will be on hand to greet guests at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks.

This new animated film, scheduled to be released this November, has been designed to recreate the look of classic fairytales, with details and ambiance inspired by Disneyland’s Fantasyland.

It’s wiring made wonderful!  Make it your mission to track down this special Mickey, hidden in Future World at EPCOT.

It’s not unusual to hear complaints from loyal Disney fans who continue to pine for long-lost attractions and entertainments.  While we expect to see new and ever more spectacular offerings, we don’t want to lose any of our sentimental favorites.   There was so much fuss about the Wonders of Life, for instance.  Now, I have to say that no one was more distressed than I to hear news of this closing so I understand the dismay.  However, it was open seasonally for a very long period after the announced closure.  I went every time I visited Walt Disney World, and I would stay there for several hours because I always felt it might be the last time I would set foot in the building.  I’d watch the show, play the games, sit and have lunch…I was pretty much alone.  Only a handful of people came through, and this was often at Christmas time when the parks were jammed.

Disney doesn’t shut down a ride to antagonize millions of people who throng to the attraction.  Most often, it closes because it because it isn’t pulling its weight – no one is visiting.  Horizons closed because it wasn’t getting the traffic, the same with, yes kids, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Other attractions closed for different reasons.  With the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island became redundant.  The company chose to build new water parks rather than address the issues of fresh water and an aging infrastructure at River Country.  We know that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was both slow-loading and not handicapped-accessible, as well as being incredibly expensive to maintain.  The Skyway to Tomorrowland was shut down for many of the same reasons.  The Plaza Swan Boats suffered from ongoing engine problems; the Tapestry of Dreams Parade was adversely affected by winds across the World Showcase Lagoon. If You Had Wings lost its sponsorship.

Because Disney is in the business of making people happy, it’s easy to forget that, first and foremost, they are in the business of making money.  It’s not reasonable to expect any company to continue to foster an element that is no longer financially feasible due to its being out of date thematically, mechanically, or historically; too expensive to update or maintain; or simply not pulling sufficient numbers through the doors.

Yes, I miss the time when today’s bright red double-decker “Character Bus” was a fun and relaxing form of public transportation around the World Showcase; and I loved the World of Motion.  It’s sad to know that the wonderful Streetmosphere cast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been reduced.  But, I’m not sorry that ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter has passed into memory, and I wish Stitch’s Great Escape! would follow.  Don’t hear much clamoring for a return of Tarzan Rocks!, either.

On the bright side, after 45 years, the Carousel of Progress is still turning.  The PeopleMover is still moving people, and It’s a Small World is still big.  If you have a special affection for a ride or show, don’t pass it by.  Make a point to experience your favorites each time you visit – show your support with your feet!