The new waiting area for Dumbo

    We just returned from a week and a half at the world with lots to share, so stay tuned.   For now enjoy this video on the new Dumbo area to open soon, no long will you have to wait in line.   The kids can play and you will be paged when it's your time to enter the line and fly with Dumbo!

Wordless Wednesday

The Magic, The Memories, and You! Summer Show Starts May 25 At The Magic Kingdom

 It's time for the summer show of The Magic, The Memories, and You, and from the concept art released the other day looks like the castle will be one big sandcastle. The new show will begin May 25th at both Disneyland and Disney World.    

Tip: Water costs what? What can I bring in the parks?

As you stroll around the park, hot and thirsty you spot a Disney drink cart. You’re exhausted feet stumble around visitors until dehydrated and depleted, you finally reach that Oasis. But wait…certainly it must be a mirage, $2.50 for a single bottle of water?  What if I have a family of 4, you say?  That’s $10 just to get something to drink!

Yes, Disney is pricey, but there are ways to save a couple bucks without going too far out of the way. Bring some snacks and drinks to the park with you.

We always bring a backpack full of a few random snacks and definitely a bottle of water for the three of us each day we go to the park. You may also want to invest in some kool-aid or other type of flavor additive. Refilling your water bottle can be done at any drinking fountain, but be sure you have flavoring as the Disney water can have an interesting taste. If water is to heavy for you to carry around all day, you can also go into any counter service restaurant and request a free cup of water.

Book bags and coolers are allowed as long as they don’t have wheels on them and are not any larger than 24 inches long: 15 inches wide, and 18 inches high. Coolers that are required for any type of medication can conveniently be stored at Guest Relations, just ask as you come into the park.

But of course there are restrictions. Here is a simple list of items that cannot be brought into the park:

•  Alcoholic beverages
• Weapons (really do I need to say it)
• Glass Containers (baby food jars are ok). Even glass drinks purchased at Disney can’t reenter the park. We learned this from experience when we bought a couple glass bottles of soda in Japan, Epcot. When we tried to bring them to the park the next day, security wouldn't let them in.
•  Folding chairs – there are benches everywhere, Walt made sure of that.
•  Animals (service animals are obviously welcome)
• Wheeled items
• Shoes with built in wheels
• Inline Skates, scooters, skateboards, etc.
• Wagons
•  Animal Kingdom (due to the animals they have other restrictions)
• Balloons
• Straws (you will notice that all straws in the park are paper)

Good Bye Little Red....Hello Zebras???

The official Disney Parks Blog has announced that this fall there will be a new Kilimanjaro Safaris savannah featuring zebras.    To accommodate the zebras the final scene of the Safari including the saving of Little Red will be removed and thus more of the ride dialog will have to be updated.    


Work is expected to begin on the zebra area soon, but no closures of the ride have been reported at this time.   

FastPass Return Window

 
    Well looks like it is official as official can get and Disney will begin enforcing the FastPass Return Window.   Rather disappointing and will definitely mean more walking for us as we criss cross the park to use our passes.

So what does this mean to you?  Basically the time window on your fastpass will now be the only time you can enter the fastpass line.    Cast Members do have the ability to make exceptions if there is extreme circumstances such as an attraction being down, but not because you were at Space Mountain and had to walk to Splash Mountain.   So, plan accordingly.

When does this start?  March 7th 2012.  

Tip : What to bring?

We are packing for our next trip to Disney World so what better subject to write about than the things we can’t live without while on our trip! 

·         Backpack – Okay, so some of you might not want to carry a heavy backpack, but for those of you who like to save some money… this allows our family to carry the camera, water bottles, and any snacks we need for the day.   You can also throw in a change of clothes for the little ones who will get soaked at the splash areas.   

 ·         Hat – For those of you with no hair like me, the FL sun will definitely welcome you if you don’t have a hat. Your dermatologist will also tell you it’s good for kids to cover their heads from the harsh sun.      

 ·         Wet Wipes or Hand Sanitizing Gel – There will be many times when you want to sit down to eat or have a snack, and running into the bathrooms to wash your hands just cuts into your Disney time. 

 

 ·         Poncho – Yes, it does rain in the happiest place on earth so be prepared.  You can pick one up at the dollar store (thin, light weight and cheap at 2 for $1) or at the parks for around $7.  The benefit of paying $7 for a Disney poncho at the parks is if they do rip you can return them to any store for a new one.   

 ·         Sun Block and Sun Glasses – It’s sunny out there, protect your skin and eyes, especially your kids!

 ·         Breakfast food – If you are staying at a Disney hotel or hotel that doesn’t have free breakfast I recommend bringing some breakfast bars, donuts or dry cereal that you can enjoy without milk (such as our family favorite: Fruit Loops) and some Ziploc bags.   Most mornings we will grab something and eating it on the ride to a park or while waiting in line to get into the parks.   Again, you’re on Disney time so you want to be at the parks early and if your family isn’t early risers this gives you a few more minutes.   

·         Snacks – Again, bringing your own snacks into the park can greatly cut down on your snack bill. Just make sure it won’t melt!    Mmmmm Twizzlers.   

 ·         Gift Cards for Kids – Beware the rides that empty into gift shops! I’m talking to you, Pirates of the Caribbean. Kids will beg for everything they see. The best way to deal with a frustrating situation is purchase a gift card at the start of the trip with a certain amount of money that your children can spend.   When it’s gone, it’s gone.   This teaches some responsibility and makes them think twice before buying something.  Gift cards can be purchased before your trip at the Disney Store or some gift card centers at Kroger’s and other stores.

·         Kool-Aid or other drink packs for bottled water – If you aren’t a huge fan of water it’s good to bring some flavor packs.    Since it is so hot, make sure you drink a lot of water.  The park water from the water fountains tastes horrible, it’s best to bring along a flavor pack. Do they do that for a reason?

  

 ·         First Aid – At least some Band-Aids to throw in your daily backpack and a travel size Neosporin would not be a bad idea.   

 ·         Comfortable Shoes – You are going to walk a lot so bring something comfy.   Now isn’t the time to break in your new shoes, or your new stilettos (which we’ve seen many times).  Look around while you’re at the park, you will be amazed at what people think are good Disney shoes.   

 ·         Camera – Yeah, I know this is a given, but I’m just reminding you. 

 ·         Glow Sticks – If you have kids and you stay at the park until it gets dark you will be happy you have these.   Disney brings out their light up toys at night and you can distract your kids with much cheaper glow sticks from the dollar store, at, again, for only a dollar,   Kid’s usually don’t care where they come from, they just want to have something that lights up.  Plus, they’re a good way to amuse your kids while waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade.    

 ·         Bottled Water – If you are driving be sure to throw a case in the car, then you can put a bottle in your backpack for each family member.  It might be a little heavy, but can save you $2+ a person.   

-   Disney T-Shirt -  Another cost saver is to purchase a Disney shirt at the Disney Store or at your favorite discount store (Target, etc) before coming to the park.  

Leave a comment and tell me… what do you take along on your trip to Disney?

Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats, worth it?

  As you exit the Jungle Cruise with your kids, get ready to hear – “Can I drive one?  Come on…. Please!?!”   Do your best to keep walking, but I will admit that I have been pulled in.   Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats is the chance for you to drive your own miniature version Jungle Cruise boat.  At a cost of $2 for a few minutes you’ll be able to steer your mini boat around a variety of obstacles, including a small volcano.   Be sure to have a few $1 or $5 bills to purchase your tokens.

  Let me start off by saying when I was a kid I loved the chance to drive anything remote controlled and this included the boats.  Now that I have a son, I truly enjoy sharing these attractions with him and seeing his eyes light up.  So, it hurts me to say that this area has been a major disappointment on our last few trips to the Magic Kingdom.   Many of the boats are out of service; with their wheels covered. Others that we have put money into don’t work.  Oh, and once you put your money in, if it doesn’t work, it is difficult to find an employee in the area to help out.  On the off chance that you have the coins and your boat does work, your kids may find steering difficult.  Good luck trying to get your boat turned around once you are trapped in a corner.     

  You have already had the thrill of seeing the back side of water and Da Nile river, so as you exit the Jungle Cruise be sure to walk swiftly and keep your child’s eyes from wondering to the right.   You and your pocket book will have a much better day.   If you enjoyed this blog then my name is Sean and this is the www.disneydaybyday.blogspot.com blog.   If not, then my name is Bill and this was Pirates of the Caribbean.   Enjoy the rest of your day here at DisneyDayByDay!

Tip: Kim Possible's World Showcase Adventure

Location: Epcot

Duration:   I would allocate 30 mins to your mission

Doot-Do-Dee-Do-Deet   If you don’t know that sound you will after your adventure.   Welcome to Kim Possible’s World Showcase Adventure.   

           In summary, this free Adventure invites everyone to become a secret agent and help Team Possible save the world from villains and their mad inventions.  

             Interested? Your first step is to head to Innovations East or West located at the front of the park. By using your park pass you’ll be able to secure a ticket at one of the recruiting stations in these buildings. These tickets (similar to a fast pass ticket) will display the time and location of your Kimmunicator pickup. What is a Kimmunicator? A GPS enabled cell phone that kids love! (Tip) If you have more than one child I would suggest scanning a couple park tickets to keep everyone happy.    (Tip) You do not have to rush to get to your country as the Kimmunicator can be picked up any time after the time noted on the ticket.   

            Once you make it to your designated country, there will be a booth where you can pick up your Kimmunicator.   And don’t worry if you’re new to this experience, there are plenty of agents there to help you get started.   (Tip) If you have fought crime in the country assigned, be sure to ask your agent for a new location.   

             After you have your Kimmunicator and have moved a safe distance away from the pickup station, open the Kimmunicator to begin your mission.   As you go through your mission you will be introduced to many Kim Possible characters that will provide clues on how to stop these nasty villains.  There are many exciting tricks that the Kimmunicator will do throughout the mission; you might open a door, sound a bell, or scare the villain out of his hiding place in the toy shop.   (Tip) Some of these are so much fun you may want to do it again and the Kimmunicator will have a button to do just that.     

             You can take up missions in seven of the World Showcase pavilions: China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Norway and United Kingdom.  Each country features a different adventure and includes many surprises.  After you have completed your mission the Kimmunicator will direct you to a drop off location, or if you are lucky you may even get another mission.   

            Hurry! Kim Possible needs your help!

            Note:   The Kimmunicator does keep making sounds every so often to make sure you are still there.   Taking the noisy Kimmunicator into one of the nice movies or the American Adventure could result in pointed glares.