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Friday, July 23, 2010
This Week in WDW History....Fastpass was introduced!
Hello Disney fans!!
So on July 21, 1999 the first Disney Fastpass was given out at Kilimanjaro Safari! I honestly cannot imagine Disney without the fastpass system that we all know and love! And rumor has it that a popular Disney attraction will be getting a fastpass...what attraction - Dumbo! Yup the flying elephant is apparently joining the FP family! :-)
Now I said I cannot imagine WDW without FP, but I do remember it! I was in WDW when the castle was decorated like a big pink birthday cake - yes it happened and if you didn't see it be glad!! (Some did like it...but that is a whole nother post!!) The year - 1996 the month - July - the ride - Splash Mountain - the line 120 minutes! We waited....it was insane, now I am spoiled and don't wait in anything over 20-25 mintues!! I also don't go to WDW in July.
So on July 21, 1999 the first Disney Fastpass was given out at Kilimanjaro Safari! I honestly cannot imagine Disney without the fastpass system that we all know and love! And rumor has it that a popular Disney attraction will be getting a fastpass...what attraction - Dumbo! Yup the flying elephant is apparently joining the FP family! :-)
Now I said I cannot imagine WDW without FP, but I do remember it! I was in WDW when the castle was decorated like a big pink birthday cake - yes it happened and if you didn't see it be glad!! (Some did like it...but that is a whole nother post!!) The year - 1996 the month - July - the ride - Splash Mountain - the line 120 minutes! We waited....it was insane, now I am spoiled and don't wait in anything over 20-25 mintues!! I also don't go to WDW in July.
Show a little magic....
Hey my fellow Disney fans...
So I think a good idea is to share the magic. Everyday in every way, there is something you can do to show a little magic to our neighbors. When in the "World" everyone is so kind (well at least almost everyone) and people are kind to each other. So why not implement that treatment in our everyday life.
Today - show some magic to your neighbor by - holding the door open even if it means you have to stand there for an extra minute. Take the time to smile and say hello as well. This is something I try to do everyday. Most times I get a thank you which makes it all worth while. But even if I don't it brings a smile to my face knowing that I did a little something for someone else, even if it was something just as small as holding open a door! :-)
So I think a good idea is to share the magic. Everyday in every way, there is something you can do to show a little magic to our neighbors. When in the "World" everyone is so kind (well at least almost everyone) and people are kind to each other. So why not implement that treatment in our everyday life.
Today - show some magic to your neighbor by - holding the door open even if it means you have to stand there for an extra minute. Take the time to smile and say hello as well. This is something I try to do everyday. Most times I get a thank you which makes it all worth while. But even if I don't it brings a smile to my face knowing that I did a little something for someone else, even if it was something just as small as holding open a door! :-)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Debate - How Young is Too Young?
You will get opinions from EVERYONE about what age is the RIGHT age to take your child to Walt Disney World. My best advice, nod and say ok and then decide for yourself. No one knows what the right age is but you!
For me I took my children as babies. My daughter made her first trip to WDW at the ripe old age of 7 weeks! Yup you read right! Many thought I was insane, but seriously, it was one of the easiest trips with children I have ever taken! I nursed, so I didn't have bottles to worry about. She wasn't even eating solids, so I didn't need that. I sat her in the travel system and pushed her around or put her in the front pack and I was off. My family was with us and I was able to go on the major attractions and utilize the Child/Baby Swap. My son was 3 months on his first trip, and while a bit tougher since I then had almost 2.5 year old too, he was the easier of the two!
Now many will say, oh I want to wait until they can remember. Seriously??? For me I don't get this. I remember every moment of my children's faces and delight in Disney. My son is still talking daily about his trip a 6 months ago. (He is 2.5 now.) Will he remember it at 10, 20, 30? Probably not, but I will! I will remember that first ride with him on Goofy's Barnstormer (Goofy Rollercoaster to my son) and the way he got so excited and his face lit up. I remember my daughter's first ride on the Barnstormer as well and that was 2.5 years ago. Now she probably doesn't remember it, but like I said I do! So for me it is not about them remembering it is about me remembering and making memories of my children!
Plus if you wait until they are older, isn't a little bit of the magic gone? No not from Disney, but the innocence of children only last so long! If you wait til they are like 10, then more likely than not they know that that is not really Mickey, but at 3, 4, 5, 6 they are pretty darn sure that that is THE Mickey Mouse! And there is something magical about that!
Also let us not forget - under 3 is FREE!!! So as was my tip on Facebook a few weeks ago - take them at least once before 3, even if it is when they are 2 years, 11 months and 28 days!
For me I took my children as babies. My daughter made her first trip to WDW at the ripe old age of 7 weeks! Yup you read right! Many thought I was insane, but seriously, it was one of the easiest trips with children I have ever taken! I nursed, so I didn't have bottles to worry about. She wasn't even eating solids, so I didn't need that. I sat her in the travel system and pushed her around or put her in the front pack and I was off. My family was with us and I was able to go on the major attractions and utilize the Child/Baby Swap. My son was 3 months on his first trip, and while a bit tougher since I then had almost 2.5 year old too, he was the easier of the two!
Now many will say, oh I want to wait until they can remember. Seriously??? For me I don't get this. I remember every moment of my children's faces and delight in Disney. My son is still talking daily about his trip a 6 months ago. (He is 2.5 now.) Will he remember it at 10, 20, 30? Probably not, but I will! I will remember that first ride with him on Goofy's Barnstormer (Goofy Rollercoaster to my son) and the way he got so excited and his face lit up. I remember my daughter's first ride on the Barnstormer as well and that was 2.5 years ago. Now she probably doesn't remember it, but like I said I do! So for me it is not about them remembering it is about me remembering and making memories of my children!
Plus if you wait until they are older, isn't a little bit of the magic gone? No not from Disney, but the innocence of children only last so long! If you wait til they are like 10, then more likely than not they know that that is not really Mickey, but at 3, 4, 5, 6 they are pretty darn sure that that is THE Mickey Mouse! And there is something magical about that!
Also let us not forget - under 3 is FREE!!! So as was my tip on Facebook a few weeks ago - take them at least once before 3, even if it is when they are 2 years, 11 months and 28 days!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday's Question
Hello to all my Disney Friends!
So last week I asked where you all liked to relax....so many think Disney is not a relaxing vacation. I think it is all what you make of it.
This week my question to you all is this - What is your first stop (after checking in of course) when you get to the World?
For me I cannot wait to get myself into the magic of the Magic Kingdom! When I step off the boat, or monorail, or bus, however it is I got there and see the train station and gardens my heart skips a beat! Then when I walk into the park and head towards main street and look up and see the iconic Cinderella's Castle I feel like I am 5 again!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing the castle and all that it symbolizes!
How about you - what is your first stop? Comment and let me know!
So last week I asked where you all liked to relax....so many think Disney is not a relaxing vacation. I think it is all what you make of it.
This week my question to you all is this - What is your first stop (after checking in of course) when you get to the World?
For me I cannot wait to get myself into the magic of the Magic Kingdom! When I step off the boat, or monorail, or bus, however it is I got there and see the train station and gardens my heart skips a beat! Then when I walk into the park and head towards main street and look up and see the iconic Cinderella's Castle I feel like I am 5 again!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing the castle and all that it symbolizes!
How about you - what is your first stop? Comment and let me know!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday's Tip
Are you going to Disney at a busy time? Are you curious as to what the crowds may be like? There are so many ways to do research this, but the one I know most about is - www.touringplans.com. I have used their crowd calendar several times. I don't pay for the service, but you can. If you don't pay for it you can see 30 days out. You will see that I post the information both here and on facebook, saving you time from having to go find it yourself. There is also tourguidemike.com. I have not used this, so I can't really comment on it!
Touring Plans crowd calendar basically goes up to a 10 and the closer to 10 the more crowded it is. It also tells you the best park and the parks to avoid on a given day. It is a helpful tool. I wouldn't say to follow it 100%, but maybe use it as a guideline. I believe they encourage you to avoid Extra Magic Hour days, but I am a fan of EMH, especially in the evening, so that is why I say use it as a guideline, but don't make it be the be all end all! :-)
On the science of the crowd calendar and what the numbers all mean for you go here - http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=258
Touring Plans crowd calendar basically goes up to a 10 and the closer to 10 the more crowded it is. It also tells you the best park and the parks to avoid on a given day. It is a helpful tool. I wouldn't say to follow it 100%, but maybe use it as a guideline. I believe they encourage you to avoid Extra Magic Hour days, but I am a fan of EMH, especially in the evening, so that is why I say use it as a guideline, but don't make it be the be all end all! :-)
On the science of the crowd calendar and what the numbers all mean for you go here - http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=258
Sunday, July 18, 2010
How Crowded Is Disney today???
Hey Disney Goers!!
So are you in Disney today? Are you thinking of going to Disney this time next year? Want to know what it is like in Disney today? Well here ya go....
Crowd level today is an 7 out of 10, so crowded, but not insane!! The Best Park is Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom and the Worst is Epcot. (courtesy of touringplans.com)
High today is 91, but it will feel like 102, so not as bad! Also no thunderstorms in the forecast, but be prepared just in case, this is Florida after all!!
So are you in Disney today? Are you thinking of going to Disney this time next year? Want to know what it is like in Disney today? Well here ya go....
Crowd level today is an 7 out of 10, so crowded, but not insane!! The Best Park is Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom and the Worst is Epcot. (courtesy of touringplans.com)
High today is 91, but it will feel like 102, so not as bad! Also no thunderstorms in the forecast, but be prepared just in case, this is Florida after all!!
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