Animal Kingdom Rope Drop Changes
Since we are headed back to Disney in August, I have been snooping around the internet for any changes that have taken place since our last trip in June of 2009. I am reading that there have been some changes to the rope drop ceremony at Animal Kingdom.
Yes, I am one of the those people (and my husband absolutely hates it). I am on the bus at 7:45 am and I make the rope drop of all the parks when we are at Disney. So, I was curious to read about this change. From what I am hearing, the restraining ropes are no longer at the entrance to Discovery Island in front of the Tree of Life, but have been moved up to the opening of the Oasis about 30 feet from the turnstiles.
They still have the characters show up on the truck to welcome you, but you will notice that Goofy is no longer there. And Mickey is now riding in the truck with Minnie and Pluto instead of rising up in front of the tree of life.
I am curious to see the new opening when we go in August. I will let you know what I think.
Holly
Disney World Dining Tip
I just booked our dining reservations for our trip in August 2010. It makes me so excited to do this because I feel one step closer to our next trip. If you have a trip coming up, you need to call and make advance dining reservations 180 days out from the start of your trip. I called on day 179 and was surprised to find out that all the Fantasmic dinner packages for Mama Melrose’s for the night that I wanted was all sold out. Well, I will keep trying back in case someone cancels. If not, I guess I will be showing up and waiting an hour and half before the show. L
If you are not on Disney Dining, here is another good tip. Schedule your sit down meals for lunch instead of dinner. They mostly serve the same items and you can save $5-$10 per person. Most restaurants serve lunch from 11:00 to 3:00. Go to www.allears.net and compare prices between lunch and dinner for your favorite restaurants.
Holly
Romantic Dining at Walt Disney World
Happy Valentines Day everyone!! Are you looking for a little romance on your next trip to Disney. Here are my top 5 romantic places to eat at Disney World. And yes 3 of the 5 are in the World showcase at Epcot.
1. Victoria and Alberts - Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
2. California Grill - Contemporary Resort
3. Tutto’s - Epcot Italy
4. Le Cellier - Epcot Canada
5. and last, but definitely not least.. San Angel Inn - Epcot Mexico.. I just love that Mexican atmosphere.
Ok here is a little lagniappe… I also find Cap’n Jacks at downtown disney to be romantic. Get a seat next to the window overlooking the water. I guess it is the southern girl in me that makes this place romantic to me.
Holly
Walt Disney World Space Mountain Changes
If you are like me, a day at Magic Kingdom has to include the “three mountains”. Well on our last trip in June 2009, we had to skip Space Mountain because as the cast members would say, it was going through a “Rehab”. Well we are headed back to disney in August and I have been snooping around to see if there were any major changes made to Space Mountain. I found a good article below that details some of the changes you will see when going on Space Mountain now…check it out.
Holly
Disney World Attractions Rehabs 2010
Disney World Attractions Rehabs 2010
Oh yes, sometimes certain Disney attractions may be closed during your visit. On our last trip in June 2009, Space Mountain was closed for refurbishment, so we had to miss one of my favorite Magic Kingdom rides. I am so looking forward to riding Space Mountain on our trip in August 2010. Below is a list of the rehabs scheduled for 2010. ** Note - these are unofficial and are subject to change without notice.
Epcot
Living with the Land 1-18-10 to 2-5-2010
Cantina de San Angel - the Mexican quick service - 1-5-2010 to 9-23-2010
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace - 1-3-2010 to 2-14-2010
Splash Moutain - 1-3-2010 to 2-27-2010
Sunshine Tree Terrace - 1-17-2010 to 2-12-2010
Liberty Square Riverboad - 2-1-2010 to 2-5-2010
Animal kingdom
Kali’s River Rapids - 1-3-2010 to 2-27-2010
Hollywood studios
Backlot Tours - 2-15-2010 to 3-27-2010
Studio Catering Co - 2-8-2010 to 3-21-2010
Water Parks
Blizzard beach - 1-11-2010 to 3-20-2010
Our Next Disney Trip
Disney Dining Plan
When booking your next Walt Disney World vacation you can add a Disney dining plan to your package. Many of the restaurants at the parks and the hotels now participate in the Disney dining plan. Depending on your eating needs there are a few plans that you can choose from and the amount that you pay will depend on what plan that you pick.
Not much on sit down meals. You prefer just to grab a quick meal instead of spending time at a sit down restaurant, then Disney has just adding a dining plan option that you may really like. It is called the Quick Service Dining Plan. It will cost you $29.99 per adult per night and $8.99 for children per night between the age of 3 and 9. So what do you get for that price? You get two quick service meals and two snacks per person per night. You also get a refillable mug per person.
So, do you like to have a sit down meal every once in a while? Then maybe the regular dining plan is what you are looking for. This plan will cost you $39.99 per adult per night and $10.99 for children per night between the age of 3 and 9. On this dining plan, you get one snack, one counter service meal and one sit down meal per person per night.
If you are really into to sit down meals, then the deluxe dining plan may be the right meal plan for you. You get three meals (you choose between counter services or sit down) and two snacks per person per night. You also get a refillable mug for everyone in your party. The cost for this package will be a little bit more. You will have to pay $71.99 per adult per night and $20.99 per child per night.
If you want to add a Disney Dining Plan to you package for convince and a little bit of savings, Disney has a good variety of plans to choose from. Also pay attention because sometimes Disney will have a period of time where they offer free dining.
For great savings tips go to http://www.dwinsider.info .
Holly
Pirate and Princess Parties Return in 2009
Mickey’s pirate and princess parties will be returning in 2009 (February – June). They have not released the ticket sale dates yet, but here are the dates of the events.
February 20, 27
March 8, 12, 20, 27
April 1, 22
May 1, 8, 15, 20, 25, 30
June 3
Advance Price: Adult $43.95
Advance Price: Child $37.95
Day of Event: Adult $47.95
Day of Event: Child $41.95
They have not released the discounts for AP and DVC members.
Holly
Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade
For the first time, we stayed and watched Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom. We really enjoyed it. Just like the parade at Hollywood Studios, the characters are very interactive. The parade takes place every day at 4:00 pm. Check out my You Tube video of my pictures from the parade.
Holly
Rachel Ray show at Disney today
Rachel Ray’s show “Hey you can cook 3” at Walt Disney is showing today. It makes me want to go back. They were in the Magic Kingdom. They got to make Mickey waffles.




