WDW Refurbishments - As of 11/14/14

Wondering what is open or closed during your trip?  Here is the most up to date info that I have for WDW Refurbishments at the parks.

This Month in WDW - March 2014

Crowds will start off slow and then tend to pick up towards the end of March as the Spring Break season really gets going.  Touring Plans has most of the month a moderate level.  (For full access to Touringplans.com and their awesome crowd calendar you can join or you can book with me and I will pass on the crowd levels for your trip!)

This year Easter isn't until the end of April, but spring breaks are at all different times of depending on your location.  Since some schools let out in mid May, they aren't going to a have a break the last week of April.  :-)

Plan on temps that range, but they should be leveling out to absolutely beautiful!!  March also brings with it the start of the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot!  So beautiful you must check it out!  (It runs through May.)

Park Hours for March 2014

Refurbishments throughout the World:

Magic Kingdom® Park
Splash Mountain Splashdown Photos Agrabah Bazaar Monorail - MK Express Pinocchio's Village Haus The Plaza Restaurant Big Thunder Mountain Pirates of the Caribbean	Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 7 - Feb. 13, 2014 Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 30, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 15, 2014 April 7 - 9, 2014 April 28 - May 1, 2014
Epcot®
None
Disney's Hollywood Studios®
Backlot Tour	Jan. 5 - Mar. 1, 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Festival of the Lion King	Jan. 6, 2014 - TBD

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
None
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Annual Refurbishment	Dec. 22, 2013 - Mar. 17, 2014

Disney's All Star Sports Resort
Grand Slam Quiet Pool Deck	Feb. 11 - 13, 2014
Sports - Resort Lobby Construction	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Game Point Arcade - Closed due to Lobby/Corridor work	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Disney's Boardwalk Villas
Villas Quiet Pool & Spa	Feb. 10 - Mar. 14, 2014
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Polynesian Resort
General Construction	Dec. 2013 - Mar. 2015
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
The Never Land Club	Jan. 28 - Apr. 27, 2014
Capt. Cook's - alternate Dining Experience available	Mar. - Jun. 2014
Great Ceremonial House - Lobby	Mar. - Dec. 2014

Downtown Disney® Area
Team Mickey Athletic Club	Jan. 27 - Jun. 13, 2014

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf
None

Special Events:

• Flower and Garden Festival starts on March 5th and runs until May 16th
• Flower Power Concert Series Line Up
• Features music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s
• Runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
• See Times Guides for details on times

That about covers March!! 

Have a Magical Trip!!

~Teresa

Thursday Tip - Signing Up for Jedi Training

Do you have a Star Wars fan in your family?  Are they between the ages of 4 and 12?  Then I am guessing that defeating Darth Vader may be the highlight of the decade for them!

Star Wars Jedi Training Academy is held in Disney's Hollywood Studios daily.  Show times vary, so be sure to check the times guide located throughout the park.  This is one of the most popular things to do in Hollywood Studios.  Many do not know that you have to sign up.  Years ago it was that they picked people from the audience.  You got up close and they randomly selected children, but a few years ago they started the sign up.  It is completely free to participate!  Some are angry that it is now an event you sign up for, but really everyone gets an equal shot this way too.  I guess there are arguments for and against it.  Regardless, you MUST preregister for it.  

My son in 2011 fighting Darth Vader.  I think he was slightly Star Struck!  He has since done it 2 more times - again fighting Darth Vader and the last time he got to fight Darth Maul!

Here's how to ensure your little Jedi gets to train with a Jedi Master and fight the one and only Darth Vader.

1. Get to Hollywood Studios at least 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time.  If the park is opening at 9am, be there and ready to walk through the gates at 8:30am.  A little known fact is that Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios routinely open before the posted 9am.  If it is an Extra Magic Hour Morning for Hollywood Studios and you are a Disney resort guest get there early still, but you don't need to be there at 7:30am.  (It couldn't hurt though!)  The exception to all of this is traveling during Star Wars Weekends.  (I will cover that in it's own section!)
2. Ok you got to the park bright and early.  They start letting people in, but where do you go?  Sometimes they have a cast member holding a sign, but not always telling you how to get there, but for you....a map!  Notice the "OR" - go the way that the least people are going, it shouldn't be to bad if it's not a really busy time of year.  Walk briskly and have the Jedi WITH YOU!!  The child signing up must be present at the sign up!!!
   
3. Once you get there you will be in a line, unless you have beaten everyone there, then you are good!  The line moves quickly and they start assigning shows.  They start with the first and move on through.  When they get to you they will speak to you and the child, but they will ask your child specific questions - How Old?, etc.  Nothing hard at all.  They will then assign you a time and give you a ticket to come back 30 minutes before.  If that time is a conflict you can ask to be moved to a later show, but do it right then.  For instance - if you have a Fastpass+ reservation for Toy Story Midway Mania at the same time as Jedi Training, that won't work, so tell them and they will work with you.
4. Show up 30 minutes before at the same location.  You will want to send one parent to get a spot close to the stage to be able to see your little Jedi!!  Jedi Training Academy takes place on the stage right next to the Star Tours ride.  Another show may be just finishing up when you arrive so wait for them to clear out.  Be sure to secure a space for the parent that is with the child too!  

That pretty much covers it!  Take lots of photos and videos!  If you purchased the Memory Maker there is a photo pass photographer there taking GREAT shots, so make sure you get the card to be able to upload it to your account.  You can get the card regardless and buy some of the photos taken up front at the Photopass shop.

IF IT IS STAR WARS WEEKENDS PLEASE READ:

1. The park opens at 8am on SWW.  That is the posted time.  They will start letting people in as early as 7:30am, I have heard even earlier, so try to be at the main entrance by 7:15am.  You will want to see the opening show anyway!  :-)
2. You have the opportunity to fight either Darth Vader, Darth Maul or Ventress.  However - you CANNOT request who you will fight.
3. Sign ups - follow the same path....BUT sign ups will be at the Indiana Jones Theater.  There will be a cast member carrying a sign if you got there at opening telling you where to go.  
4. Be sure you have your Jedi with you!

Thursday Tip - Meeting Merida

Switching it up and moving Tuesday Tip to Thursday!

Meeting a favorite character can be REALLY difficult, especially if they are a popular character that only meets in one location!  I will give my tips for meeting Elsa and Anna after I have gone and had that opportunity, but for now I am going to tell you how to meet Merida from Brave!  This was a must do for Princess E on our last trip, so we made sure to get there, even if it was on our last day!!!

Where is she?  How do I find her?

• Merida is to the far right of Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom.  You want to take Main Street straight up, staying to the right side.  Do not cross into Tomorrowland, but follow the path that will take you towards the tea cups - Cosmic Rays will be to your left.

When:

• Merida starts her Meet & Greet at 9:15am and goes throughout the day until 6pm.  See a Times Guide for exact meet and greet times as they are subject to change.  And know that they may close her line before 6pm because they will account for the people in line and the timing that her area is to close.

Tips:

• The BEST time to go to meet Merida is FIRST thing in the morning.  This means rope drop.  Be at the park at least 30 minutes prior to opening.  Stay to the far right.  Magic Kingdom will open at 9am after the opening show.  Once it opens walk briskly, no need to run (you can if you want of course!) and stay to your right.  It's quite fun as you may be walking in behind some of the characters that opened the park.  We followed in Alice, Peter Pan and Wendy in.  It was a really neat experience!
• Get in line at 9am.  The line forms quickly.  Within 10 minutes it was already at least 50 families deep!  We were 5th in line.  They only take a couple families back at a time as it is an experience not just a quick help, sign and move on.

The Experience:

• It lasts all in all about 5-10 minutes.  Lots of fun!
• First you enter into a themed area.

• Then you get up to meet Merida!  There is a Photopass Photographer there!  You can use your Memory Maker, if purchased.

• Then you can shoot a bow and arrow through a Target just like Merida does!

After that it's all over, but memories are definitely made.  You can visit any time during the day, but my understanding is the line never dies down and is always about an hour at least, even in not so busy times.  So try to get there early!  

Have a Magical Day!!

~Teresa

Tasty Tuesday - Chef Mickey's

At the request of some of my Facebook followers I am going to start a new feature called Tasty Tuesday!  Thus moving my original Tuesday tip post to Thursday.  :-)  I just liked the sound of Tasty Tuesday!  :-)

So here's the first - Chef Mickey's!

Chef Mickey's is open for breakfast and dinner.  During the busy holiday rush it has been known to also have a lunch offered.  This is one of the most popular meals to be had in Walt Disney World!

Details:

• Location: Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Meals Served: Breakfast & Dinner
• Breakfast: Daily from 7am-11am
• Dinner: Daily from
• Style: Buffet; Character Meal
• Price: $$$$
• Dining Plan: 1 credit
• Characters Featured: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto (characters are subject to change per Disney's policy)

ADR Need: HIGH

• Disney allows you to make reservations 180 days before your vacation.  If this restaurant at normal eating hours is important to you, you may need to plan that far out!  It's not always the case, but this really depends on when you go.  If you have your trip planned and book far out then I would definitely recommend booking far out.  

Would I recommend it?

• YES!  Absolutely!  The food is not the best, but the atmosphere CANNOT be beat!  Between the napkin waving, singing fun, the characters (no where else has the FAB 5 all in one place!), the ambiance, and just feel of the Contemporary with the monorail coming right through the hotel, you just can't get it anywhere else!!  This is definitely one of my kids favorite restaurants.  We haven't been doing plus dining plan our last few trips, so it has been a bit since we were last there - September 2011, but it was always a must do and will be on our next trip for sure!!

The Menus (courtesy of All Ears):

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Some pictures of our visits to Chef Mickey's! (I'll share these on all the Tasty Tuesdays if I have photos to share!)

Meeting the Chef!

Donald is always a hit with my little guy!

Matching Minnies!!

Goofy being well....Goofy!!

So is this a must do for your family???  Tell me about your experience!  Comment below!

This Month in WDW - February 2014

I know, I know, I am late at getting this post out, but hey, I am trying to get back in the swing of things!!

February can be a great time to visit WDW.  The parks shouldn't be too busy, except for Presidents Weekend.  Remember everyone is trying to limit days missed, so holidays bring the crowds!!  You will find things down for refurbishment a bit more during slower months and shorter park hours, and iffy weather (think hard to pack - warm, cold, what?!), but overall it is a really great time of year!

Park Hours for February

Current rides closed for refurbishment around the World:

Magic Kingdom® Park
Casey's Corner Splash Mountain Splashdown Photos Agrabah Bazaar Monorail - MK Express Barnstormer Pinocchio's Village Haus The Plaza Restaurant Big Thunder Mountain Pirates of the Caribbean	Jan. 6 - Feb. 15, 2014 Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 7 - Feb. 13, 2014 Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014 Feb. 3 - 5, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 30, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 15, 2014 April 7 - 9, 2014 April 28 - May 1, 2014
Epcot®
None
Disney's Hollywood Studios®
Backlot Tour Monsters Meet & Greet	Jan. 5 - Mar. 1, 2014 Jan. 29 - Feb. 8, 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Festival of the Lion King	Jan. 6, 2014 - TBD

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
None
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Annual Refurbishment	Dec. 22, 2013 - Mar. 17, 2014

Disney's All Star Sports Resort
Grand Slam Quiet Pool Deck	Feb. 11 - 13, 2014
Sports - Resort Lobby Construction	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Game Point Arcade - Closed due to Lobby/Corridor work	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
Uwanja Camp - Kiddie Pool Wet Deck - Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open	Jan. 21 - Feb. 28, 2014
Disney's Boardwalk Villas
Villas Quiet Pool & Spa	Feb. 10 - Mar. 14, 2014
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Pool slides - pools remain open	Jan. 27 - Feb. 7, 2014
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower Kiddie Pool Wet Deck - Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open	Feb. 10 - 28, 2014
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Gurgling Suitcase	Feb. 5 - 28, 2014
Disney's Polynesian Resort
General Construction	Dec. 2013 - Mar. 2015
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
The Never Land Club	Jan. 28 - Apr. 27, 2014
Capt. Cook's - alternate Dining Experience available	Mar. - Jun. 2014
Great Ceremonial House - Lobby	Mar. - Dec. 2014
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Doubloon Lagoon Pool - transportation will be provided for Guests to swim at Ol' Man Island Pool at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside	Jan. 13 - Feb. 28, 2014
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Paddock Pool	Feb. 1 - 13, 2014
Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Vero Beach Pool, Spa, Pirates Plunge Pool Slide - Tiger Lilly Wet Deck is not affected	Jan. 6 - Feb. 10, 2014
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Yacht Club Quiet Pool	Jan, 21 - Feb. 7, 2014
Beach Club Quiet Pool	Feb. 12 - 13, 2014

Downtown Disney® Area
Team Mickey Athletic Club	Jan. 27 - Jun. 13, 2014

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf
None

Be sure to check back here for updates throughout the month!!

Have a Magical Trip!!