Disney Vacation » Disney World

I want to buy a Disney park hopper pass, but how do I get from one park to another?

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:24:38 +0000

With Walt Disney World being divided into four theme parks, a Disney Park Hopper pass is the only way to go. The park hopper pass allows you to go from Magic Kingdom to Epcot to Animal Kingdom then over to Disney-MGM Studios in any order and as many times as you want during your stay. Now the question is “how do I get from park to park?” Below you will find FREE transportation options while visiting the parks.

Monorail:

The elevated monorail has two loops, one links TTC and Magic Kingdom and a handful of resorts the other is from TTC to Epcot. Each one passing by various rides and areas giving you an overview of what is to come.

Tram:

Trams provide transportation from the parks entrances to the parking lots. Be sure to write down or text yourself where you parked. After a long day of fun, shopping and excitement, you may not remember where your car is or even how you got there.

Buses:

Buses provide direct connections between the major theme parks as well as connections from all on premise resorts. Buses a low you to be dropped off at the turnstiles of each park. Go from Downtown Disney, Epcot, Yacht and Beach Clubs, The Caribbean Beach Resort, the Dolphin, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Boardwalk. This is the most convenient transportation within Disney.

Boats:

If you are staying in a water front resort or want to travel along the waterways of Disney, you can catch one of their many boats. Boats will carry you anywhere from Downtown Disney, Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake.

Car:

When you pay for parking at Disney World, keep your receipt… You can move your car from park to park if you do not want to use the free transportation provided by Disney. If you do move your car, be sure to remember which parking lot and which zone you moved your car to. The parking lot is setup with various themes to make it easy to remember where your car is. Again, after all the fun and excitement you may not remember where you parked.

Remember that all Disney World transportation is free!

Events Happening at Disney World for 2010 Summer

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:59:56 +0000

Are you planning a special trip down to Orlando this summer? If so, there is plenty taking place in Disney World for the 2010 summer season. Without a doubt you will find something that is available to you or that interests you even if you have come to Disney World every other year. Disney is the master at providing fun and magical things to do and without a doubt this summer will not be any different.

What is on the list of things to expect from Disney in the summer of 2010? Check out the following options.

Why not check out Star Wars Weekends happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? This is one of the best experiences for any Star Wars fan who wants to see live characters and awesome exhibits throughout the park.
Summer Nightastic also happens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer. You will be able to see some amazing lights in the park.
At Epcot, there is plenty to do and see. The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is taking place throughout June and July 2010. This features some amazing tribute bands including Bee Gees, Eagles, Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, U2 and Chicago.
The Summer Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular occurs in the Magic Kingdom this summer in Disney. You will find lots of visual effects, whimsical music and of course fireworks that fill the night time sky.
If you are a pin collector, the Disney Pin Celebration 2010 0 Trade City, USA occurs in August of 2010 this year. You will find it in the World Showplace in Epcot.
In addition, do check out the Magic Kingdom in late May for Disney Grad Nites 2010 which is a special celebration with live performances from a variety of stars you may know.

As you can see, there is plenty happening this summer in Disney World. If you are planning your trip, do book in advance as some of these celebrations do sell out. You will want to be sure that you get advanced admission to any of the shows you plan to see and experience.

Meeting Disney Characters in the Parks

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:35:56 +0000

Tigger

When I took my two year old out going daughter to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, I was a little concerned with how she would react to the Disney characters that make appearances in the theme park. After all, she was only two. The characters all are friendly, of course, and they will take the time to pose for family photos and will sign autograph books and memorabilia. At any given time, you can find famous Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Tigger, Captain Hook and a host of other characters throughout all of the Disney parks.

Anyhow, while we were at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios I noticed Tigger not to far from us, and before I could grab my daughter, she ran off to him. She was not intimidated in the least. Once she got to him, she just stood there and looked at him. I think she wanted a hug or to be picked up by him. Her response really surprised me because smaller children can tend to be afraid of the characters especially the Disney villains. Tigger was kind enough to take a picture and sign her autograph book for her. Now, our daughter is a teenager and really does not remember meeting Tigger, but we have a picture, memories, and autograph to prove it.

Disney Increases Its Cast of Characters

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:31:54 +0000

The sale of Marvel comics to Disney was recently approved by Marvel shareholders. Each share owned by the shareholders brought in $54.03. The final purchase price of Marvel by Disney was $4.24 billion. The purchase by Disney is their largest since they purchased the animation company, Pixar Animation Studios, the maker of Cars, Up and Toy Story.

Isaac ‘Ike’ Perlmutter, Marvel Chief Executive, will maintain his position at Marvel where he oversees all business and he will have to report to Disney CEO Robert Iger. Iger was quoted saying that the sale can help Disney increase profits.

Some 6,000 Marvel characters were included in the sale. Some of the more popular Marvel characters included are Captain America, Spiderman, Daredevil, Wolverine, Cyclops, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Dr. Strange, Ghost Rider, Sub Mariner, Green Goblin, and King Pin.

In a separate deal, Disney took 10% control of POW! Entertainment for $2.5 million. POW! is run by Stan Lee, who created many of the popular Marvel characters. Lee said that they agreed upon a three-year relationship with Disney where they will provide Disney greater rights to their creative output & exclusive consulting services. Stan Lee is considered the creator of Spiderman.

Disney Theme Park Attendance Expected to Fall in 2010

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:40:19 +0000

Disney World

The 2009 struggling economy is expected to make it well into 2010, and as we all may kn0w, the economy affected the number of visitors to Orlando theme parks in 2009. Estimates for this year predict that the number of combined visitors to Disneyland and Walt Disney World will decrease by about three percent in 2010 according to an independent Wall Street analyst and investment firm. One of the reasons for the decrease in attendance is Disney is believed to be cutting back on there special promotional pricing for tickets and hotels that they have been using in 2009.

It’s hard to believe that in the middle of a global recession that Disneyland in Anaheim, California had their attendance increase by 7% for the Disney fiscal year (which ends in October) and park attendance at Disney World in Orlando stayed the same for the fiscal year. Although attendance did well during the current recession, profit margins were greatly impacted because Disney cut back on their ticket prices. Another important statistic is that those who are traveling to Disney World are spending less money. Spending per visitor is down by about 6 percent. That is why Disney will be cutting back on all of their special promotions so that they can increase their profit margins in 2010.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:25:17 +0000

Merry Christmas

If you are looking for a great way to get a way from all of the holiday stress this holiday season, and you will be in the Orlando, Florida area, then, you might want to take the family to special event like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This event will truly provide everyone with some very special memories this holiday season.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom is an add on event (requires a separately purchased ticket) that takes place at each year at Walt Disney World Resort inside the Magic kingdom, and this year the event is being held on November 10th through December 18th. The hours for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are roughly $50 per person, and special wristbands are issued to guests attending the holiday celebration. Those who do not purchase the ticket must leave by 7:00 PM.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features parades, marvelous fireworks, a visit from the North Pole’s most popular resident, Santa Clause, tasty cookies, hot cocoa, some snow, and you can also ride all of the fun Disney rides throughout your time the magic Kingdom.

So if you have the time and the itch to do something different this year, then give Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party a visit for a time that you and your family won’t forget.

Revamped Pleasure Island to be Ready in 2012

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:34:46 +0000

Downtown Disney

Disney has not unveiled a lot about what they plan to do with the space that the closed Pleasure Island occupies in Downtown Disney, but whatever they do come up with is set to open in 2012. Pleasure Island was the home to 6 alcohol serving nightclubs that did not cater to the whole family and it closed on Sept. 27, 2008. It’s can of odd thinking that Disney World would try to go after this kind of audience when they are so family centered. I am not quite sure what Disney’s marketing team was thinking, and I think that this is something that was doomed from the beginning. That really is more of Universal’s market and not Disney World’s market. Now, the space will be used to appeal to families rather than clubbers with dining and shopping for the whole family.

Since Pleasure Island closed, only one restaurant, Paradiso 37, has opened there in the last two years. They serve South American and Mexican dishes, and they are quite good too. Disney has opened one other attraction in Downtown Disney and that was there Characters in Flight attraction which allows guests to get a birds eye view of the Disney Resort for a small fee.

Disney Annual Pass – Now 90 Days Free

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:28:54 +0000

Disney Annual Pass

Disney annual passholders- what’s up with the renewal offer of three free months? You may have heard that Disney is offering three free months to use your passes if you renew by December 31^st of this year. I know I know. What about everyone who’s passes don’t expire until after then? Well, at first, Disney was not going to offer the deal to anyone who’s passes expired later, but then there was some good news! Disney’s Passholder site announced, right on the welcome page, that they have extended the offer through August!

This extension offer is Disney’s attempt to maintain its annual passholder numbers while offering a good deal. Three free months- you do the math. The savings are considerable. I was really glad that Disney decided to extend the offer. It’s a smart business decision on their part and in this crazy economy, families are looking for bargains. I think this may just be a great idea for all involved. I’m told that this extension offer does not apply to the Epcot After 4:00 pass, so check into that, if you’re an After 4:00 passholder.

But, some pages on Disney’s sites still mention the December 31^st date, so there is some confusion around this offer. I believe they have extended the offer through August, but if you want to be sure it’s best to contact them and make sure! Let’s hope they really do mean to offer the extension until next year. This would be a good idea for them and us!

Disney’s Newest Ride in Epcot – The Sum of All Thrills

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:45:52 +0000

Epcot Center - The Sum of All Thrills

Disney World’s Epcot in Orlando has a new ride. It is a simulated roller coaster. What is a simulated roller coaster? It is a ride that you actual get into, but only two people at a time. You are enclosed, so it feels like you are riding the roller coaster, but you are really staying in the same spot, just moving around some. You will have a screen in front of you that will make it look like you’re actually moving along a track on a real roller coaster. It just opened last week, so if you want to be one of the first to experience it, there is still time.

It is a virtual ride, so people with motion sickness, like me, may not want to risk it. Your body will be moving and I’m sure the Disney imagineers have done a great job coordinating the physical movements with the virtual ones on the screen, but somehow my body knows the truth.

This new ride is called The Sum of All Thrills and it can be experienced in the Innoventions pavilion at Epcot. Probably the coolest thing I have heard about the ride is that riders get to design their own ride. For example, you can simulate a bobsled ride, an airplane ride, or a traditional roller coaster ride. Then you lay out the track that your ride will take. This can include loopty loops, straight falls, and all the ups and downs you think you can handle.

It’s the next step in technology-driven rides and Epcot is the perfect place for it-with their technology focus. Right now it’s one of the only rides that you have a part in creating, but I think it’s the future of thrill rides and if stomachs can handle it, more power to them!

Free Disney Birthday Ticket

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:52:59 +0000

Free Disney Birthday Ticket

In this troubled economy companies are forced to be more creative than ever to attract new business and keep previous customers coming back. In the past I thought Disney would never be affected by a lagging economy, but yes, even the mouse has had to actually work for his cheese this year. One effort to boost Disney ticket sales this year has been the birthday campaign. They gave free admission to anyone who registered their birthday on Disney’s website, then provided proof of their birth date when arriving at the park.

At first, people thought it was too good to be true, but think about it. No one goes to Disney World alone. No, you’re going to bring at least one person with you, especially on your birthday. Plus, you’re going to buy souvenirs or food while you’re there, so they aren’t losing money on the deal. But it is a nice break if you’re planning to go to a Disney park this year. At least one person would get in free and that saves a good chunk of money. All year I have been thinking, “If only my husband and I shared the same birthday. How cool (and rare) would that be, to both get in free at the same time!” Oh well. I bet it has happened, but not often.

Anyway, next year, 2010, Disney’s campaign is going to be that to get a free ticket, you have to volunteer at a selected charity for a day. Like with the birthday ticket, you’ll need to sign up to volunteer at one of the charity options on Disney’s site. Once you complete your volunteer work, you will receive a voucher to take to a Disney park, which you will redeem for your one-day park ticket.

Well, if this campaign is as successful as the birthday campaign, a lot of charities will have a lot more help next year. Disney has given out almost a million free birthday tickets so far this year. Yes, they are trying to get and keep business, but at least they have paired it with helping others. It’s a win-win for everyone.