It can mean the worst case scenario for vacationers getting ready to take off for Orlando.  A tropical storm has developed into a stronger storm, is growing as it moves through the warm waters of the Carribean, and there's nothing to do but fret and keep watching the latest storm trajectories.  Will it intensify?  Will it hit Orlando?  Will our flights be able to make it in, or will our flights even make it from Orlando and be able to pick us up?  These are all questions that many would be Disney World visitors have been asking themselves these last couple of weeks. 

So, the good news... it looks like most of those questions will be returned with positive answers.  Hurricane Michael is cursing through the Gulf of Mexico, and will completely miss Florida's main coast.  However, it will be slamming into the panhandle, and our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in that area.  Orlando will experience rain and clouds, and some pretty good waves on the Gulf side, but overall Mickey (we mean Michael) has avoided the theme parks.

It's pretty unbelievable, but EPCOT's International Food and Wine Festival has already returned.  For those unfamiliar, this is the holy grail of food and wine festivals.  Visitors are able to bounce around EPCOT's World Showcase, which features a number of Countries (see below)...

•  United States of America
•  Japan
•  Morocco
•  France
•  United Kingdom
•  Canada
•  Mexico
•  Norway
•  China
•  Germany
•  Italy

There are so many things to love at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  However, the long lines and big crowds generally aren't two of them.  For vacationers looking to avoid these two obstacles, there is one solution, but only if they can make it on select days, and don't mind attending the park at night.

Disney After Hours takes place on select nights at the Magic Kingdom, and allows visitor access for a 3 hour period.  During this period, guests will have access to over 25 rides and attractions with little to no wait time.  We've been following up with guests, who have been positing pictures of the wait times they've been experiencing.  None of them have been over 10 minutes!

The price for an admission ticket is $119, for both Adults and Children, and must be purchased directly from Disney (link).

Disney is officially calling it "glamping", rather than camping, which I'm told is a blend word for "glamorous camping".  So, how do you go glamping in Pandora?  You win your ticket, you choose which of your friends you bring along with you, and you begin by entering the contest here.


2009's mega blockbuster Avatar is one of James Cameron's masterpieces, and it grossed nearly $2.8B in theaters.  I say "one of" because he also put together a couple of other fairly popular movies, such as Titanic, Alien, and Terminator.  Disney wanted in on the action, as did Disney fans, so everyone collaborated and build "Pandora - The World of Avatar" at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  To do so, they had to spend over $500M.

Pandora has been one of Disney's most popular and most visited attractions since the day it opened.  And, now, Disney is running a contest that will grant one lucky fan (plus a guest of their choosing) the opportunity to camp under the stars for a night in The World of Avatar.


To participate, fans must submit a video of themselves, and only themselves, explaining why they should be chosen for this incredible adventure.  The prize package includes:

• Overnight Stay in Pandora - The World of Avatar
• Two 4-Day Disney World Park Hopper Tickets
• Free Airfare
• Free Accommodations
• Private Rides on Na'vi River and Avatar Flight of Passage
• $250 Disney Gift Card

Good luck to everyone entering the contest...

For many of us, a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is a trip that we save up for.  Sometimes for years!  However, there are a few lucky people that spend more days in the parks than not.  They are fortunate enough to call Disney World their place of employment.

Well, if you're not happy with your current job.  And, if you're envious of these few fortunate souls, then perhaps these next three words will change your life...

The Summer season is by far the busiest for the World's most popular theme park destination.  However, this hiring campaign includes full-time, part-time, as well as seasonal opportunities.  There is somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,500 positions available!  And, one of the coolest parts, is the perks!  Many of these jobs come with medical and dental benefits, plus a signing bonus.  These additional perks depend on the position being offered, of course.

Disney World has a terrific reputation as a place to work.  In fact, Glassdoor recently ranked it in its list of the 100 BEST places to land a job.  There are all sorts of positions available, from transportation, to housekeeping, to life guarding, to food & beverage, and more.  If you think this may be for you, then go for it, and we wish you the best of luck!

Ninety years ago this year, Mickey Mouse was introduced to the World.  On November 18th, 1928, Disney premiered their Steamboat Willie cartoon, and, in a starring role, the great Mickey Mouse.  Now, hardly to be forgotten, many people forgot that this was also Mickey's girlfriend's, Minnie, coming out party.

• This fall, ABC will air a star-studded celebration of Mickey in honor of his birthday, with special guests, musical performances and more.
• Disney Channel will debut season five of the Mickey Mouse animated shorts, taking the series total to more than 90 shorts, including a special seven-minute extended-length birthday episode that will air later this year.
• Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the world will celebrate Mickey’s 90th on November 18, marking the day with commemorative merchandise, photo locations and more.
• Beginning in late 2018 and into 2019 the World’s Biggest Mouse Party, saluting Mickey and Minnie, will take place at Disney Parks worldwide.
• Disney On Ice will salute Mickey as the “True Original” host of Disney On Ice since its inception in 1981 by creating Mickey’s 90th pre-shows for productions touring the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
• Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Special Celebration, a new production showcasing Mickey Mouse’s memories throughout the years, will launch in Japan in July 2018 and continue touring throughout the Asia-Pacific region until August 2019.
• In France, 38 design and art schools will take part in “Mickey Is Art,” a unique contest in which students will craft works of Mickey, inspired by their favorite artistic movement. The winning designs will be displayed this summer in 12 major train stations in France and for sale this September at Galerie Glénat in Paris.
• Disney store will continue to celebrate milestone moments for Mickey Mouse with the Mickey Mouse Memories Collection (launched Jan. 2018), a monthly, limited-release series of 12 collectible plush, mugs and cloisonné pins inspired by Mickey’s most memorable movie roles.
• Disney Publishing Worldwide will introduce more than 30 titles globally as part of Mickey’s 90th, including books, arts & crafts and comics.

Happy Birthday Mickey!  and Minnie...

Happy New Year from all of us in Orlando.  We wish all our friends and readers a safe, happy, and prosperous 2018.

For all of you battling the storm up in the Northeast, please stay safe and warm.

There was an excellent article that was just published, by Travel + Leisure, which discussed the better times of year to visit the Walt Disney World Resort, as well as the not so great times.  When considering the criteria for making their judgements, they evaluated travel expenses, pricing at both on-site and off-site Disney World properties, the volume of visitors in the parks, and, of course, the price of park tickets.

It's one of the most anticipated additions to Walt Disney World in years.  Ever since fans of Toy Story first learned of the 11-acre addition coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios, rumors have trickled in describing the Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster, Alien Swirling Saucers ride, and more.


Well, courtesy of Travel and Leisure magazine, a few more pieces of information are now known.  We know that there will be a restaurant fashioned after Woody's Lunch Box, serving delicious burgers, ice cream floats, and everything else Americana. 

Although we all have to wait until next Summer, it won't be long before we're able to be transported to Andy's backyard, and immerse ourselves in the world of toys for a day... or longer...

Check out the T&L article here.

Disney recently held their D23 Expo, and they announced some amazing new rides and attractions that will be hitting the parks within the next couple of years.  Many of these announcements were rumored and speculated about for quite some time, but some of them were complete surprises as well.  Most of the amazing new attractions will be coming to Disney World parks, and we want to know which of these YOU are the most excited to see and experience.

If you aren't familiar with everything that was announced at Disney's D23, here is a great write up by USA Today that gives a brief description of them - D23 Announcements.

Disney World's D23 Expo announced and unveiled some super exciting attractions and events.  From an EPCOT makeover to a space themed restaurant, from a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction to a Tron ride, from Toy Story Land coming in 2018 to Disney Skyliner gondolas, and SO MUCH MORE.

However, the news that was attracting the most attention revolved around the much anticipated Star Wars Land, which we finally learned will be called Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge.  There will be several rides, and none sound more thrilling than the Millennium Falcon where guests will assume control of the star ship and help defend the galaxy from the First Order.  Additionally, in a continued effort to have some of the coolest hotels in the World, a Star Wars themed hotel will  be opening soon.  Each room will be it's on space ship that includes windows with views of space.  Expo hosts are calling this hotel the "most experimental concept ever".

Just as with everything Disney creates, we could not be more excited to check out Star Wars : Galaxy's Edge, and all of the other new and amazing attractions coming to Disney World.  For a list of the top 23 reveals at D23, click here...

Each year Disney World comes out with some sort of dining plan offer, and this year it involves the word "FREE".



To qualify for the free dining plan, the visitor must be staying at a Disney World hotel.  Additionally, the visitor must also upgrade to a Park Hopper ticket.
However,  some people are looking at the deal, and depending on which hotel they are staying at, the deal might not be all that it's cracked up to be.  For the lesser expensive Disney world hotels, this deal could make sense for a family (especially if they had already planned on purchasing the park hopper option, which many people do).  For the more expensive and luxurious hotels, it might be worth it to pay your own way from restaurant to restaurant. 

For a more detailed look at the offer, and analysis, click here.

Disney World has been so many things to so many people.  But, for visitors looking for a couple of afternoon libations, there have historically been few options.  For years, people looking for cocktails in the the four major Disney theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), had options at all of them, except the Magic Kingdom.  The most popular option was to head over to EPCOT's World Showcase.  Many visitors participate in "Drinking Around The World", where they're able to move around from country to country amongst the different pavilions.  Now however, they'll also find some alcoholic refreshments in Disney's most popular and most famous park, the Magic Kingdom.

Starting at December 23rd, 4 restaurants at the Magic Kingdom will begin selling both wine and beer during lunch and beer hours.  These 4 restaurants are Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, the Liberty Tree Tavern, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen and Cinderella’s Royal Table.  There will also be some variations, such as champagne and sparkling wine being served at Cinderella's Royal Table. 

After Disney bought the rights to Star Wars, everyone knew that the mega franchise would find a significant home somewhere in Disney World.  And, it soon will, at the upcoming Star Wars Land inside Disney's Hollywood Studios.  However, what almost no one expected was for EPCOT's famous Spaceship Earth to be transformed into the infamous Deathstar.  Now, this isn't a permanent transformation, but the evil Empire put on quite a show at the unveiling event.  Check it out below...

The Pokémon GO invasion is in full force.  It has taken over sidewalks, parks, museums, restaurants, churches, and, now, the Walt Disney World Resort.  If you've noticed crowds of people that appear to be walking around aimlessly while staring into their cell phones, then the Pokémon GO invasion has affected you as well.  

With one of the most anticipated openings for a new Disney World attraction in history, "Frozen Ever After" finally opened to the public on June 21st.  The attraction is located within the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT, which makes sense since Disney's blockbuster "Frozen" used the Country of Norway as a major theme in the movie.

There were a lot of negative nancy's chirping all of the Internet even before this attraction opened.  Many of them were hard supporters of the attraction that was previously located in this space, "Maelstrom", although I don't seem to remember such support for it in the past.  During the first week though, they may have been smiling a bit as many visitors were shocked as they were told how long the wait was.  Below is a picture snapped by a visitor, and, yes, those are actually minutes...


That being said, the ride itself has been getting tremendously positive reviews.  It must be pretty spectacular for visitors to speak so greatly about it, especially after waiting for a full 5 hours (reports are that even FastPass'ers had to wait up to 3 hours).  Disney's FastPass won't be much use for most visitors, since Disney limits FastPass access to new rides and attractions.

If any of our readers have the good fortune of having already visited this attractions, please share your experiences with us.  For the rest of us, this point of view video will have to do for now...

Water is wet, fire is hot, the sky is blue, and Orlando theme parks will raise their prices at least once each year.  For regular visitors of the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando, these are truths that they know all too well.  Albeit a nominal annual increase, when visitors purchase their ticket packages, they have become all too aware that each year those packages are a few dollars more expensive than the previous year. 

Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, executed their annual increase last Wednesday (10 News).  It's unfortunately timing since most of the Country is on school vacation this week, and the parks volumes start to increase in the next few weeks.  However, it should also be noted that Universal is reinvesting in their parks.  This summer a revamped Incredible Hulk roller coaster will be opening back up, as well as the much anticipated Skull Island : Resign of Kong.

Disney World, in a reversal of usual order, will be following up shortly with a raise in their own admission pricing (Inquisitr).  The actual figures have not yet been released, but we are expecting nominal figures.  The good news is that Disney World is also putting a lot of money back into their parks.  For example, the new Frozen Ever After will be opening soon at EPCOT's Norway Pavilion.

Ticket websites, such as DW Tickets, will also need to raise their pricing to match the theme parks' price increases.  This generally happens within a week or two, as inventory bought at the old pricing is depleted.

For the last couple of years Disney World fans have been asking the same question: when will the purple MagicBand be available?  The MagicBand has been one of the biggest hits of Disney's new MyMagic+ program (details on MyMagic+ here).  With the MagicBand, guests are able to perform a bunch of cool actions, including opening their hotel room doors, making purchases through their Disney account, and accessing their FastPass+ reservations for park rides and attractions.  The one thing that has been missing though is the ability to customize and personalize the nifty bracelets that are strapped to guests' wrists throughout their vacations.

Well, not anymore...



Inside the Magic Kingdom, head over to the Tomorrowland Power and Light Co., found right near the Space Mountain exit.  Walk up to the MagicBand on Demand station, and choose among the above 8 super cool colors, including purple!  After that, you'll have over 40 cool designs to add to your MagicBand, including Disney characters and park attractions.  Lastly, for an additional charge, you can personalize your bracelet by having your name printed on it.  Just a bit of caution here though, since sometimes the printing is done over the bracelet holes.  Pricing for a custom MagicBand is $21.95, and a personalized MagicBand is $29.95.

We're sure that a lot more customization is coming to the MyMagic+ program, and this is a great start!

Disneyland in Anaheim, California was Disney's first theme park creation, but Disney World in Orlando, Florida soon followed.  The two parks sit on opposite sides of the country, and, according to Google maps, the 2,499 miles between them can be driven in 34 hours.  But, for the average family of 4 that doesn't live close to either park, which one offers the more affordable vacation?

Hipmunk, a trip and travel planning website, took on this question and delivered some interesting results.  The graphic below illustrates most of their findings.  For a larger version, please click here.


After looking over this graphic, we offer 3 main takeaways:

• Flights into Los Angeles are generally 1/3 more expensive than flights into Orlando
• Tickets (admission) to Disney World are roughly 10% more expensive than tickets to Disneyland
• The biggest price discrepancies lie in whether a family decides to stay at a Disney property, or at a non-Disney hotel.  For a family looking to save money, this is, by far, the area where the most savings can be realized.  At Disney World, vacationers can save an average of 60% by staying at a non-Disney property.  And, at Disneyland, the savings are almost 70%.

*Staying at a Disneyland property is more expensive than a Disney World property, but that's only because Disneyland offers a small handful of options, and Disney World offers 31 total properties to stay at.