WDW Tips

In trying to correct the sins of the past (Paul Pressler), Disney is looking at investing around 1 billion in Disney’s California Adventure. DCA opened around the same time as Tokoyo DisneySea and the differences were/are amazing. Both parks were nearly the same size, yet the detail that went into DisneySea is overwhelming. DCA on the other hand, was penny pinched and not well thought out at all. This money is reported to be more than what it originally cost to build the park just a few years ago. Although it’s not capital that is being spent on WDW, I think it continues to show that the new leadership at Disney is going back to it’s roots. It’s all about a good show. If you make a quality product, even if it costs more than what the bean counters think it should, people will come and come back again and again.

After long overstaying it’s welcome the Mickey hand over Spaceship Earth is coming down starting tomorrow! I cannot begin to tell you how happy this makes me. The wand, while very effective for the Millennium Celebration, lost it’s meaning when it just became some kitchy part of Epcot. Now if the would just please get rid of those horrible Leave a Legacy tombstones. I cannot wait for the day when the entrance of Epcot is the pure, clean version that I vaguely remember. The wand coming down is a start….

I know I have talked before about passporter.com being a great resource. I also wanted to talk how much I am enjoying the online worksheets that they offer to passporter’s club members. The cost is around $5/month and you also get access to the e-books as well. I have not used the e-books, but the PDF worksheets have come in handy while planning my fall trip. I have also used some of the generic worksheets for our upcoming Vegas trip. As someone who as owned a passporter for the last 6+ years, I cannot begin to tell you how helpful they are. Anytime someone tells me they are going to Disney I suggest they pick up a copy (or I get one for them!)

I started playing around with the newly redesigned Disney.com and I really like it. One of the features they offer is a customized map for your trip. I have them saved, but have not ordered them yet. It’s a pretty neat feature….you put in your favorite attractions in each park as well as parades and select dining locations. I will let you guys know how they look when I get mine in.

Those of you who know me and know my obsession with Disney understand that the one thing that I still have not done at the Magic Kingdom is be the Grand marshal for the 3pm parade. When you are grand marshall you ride at the begining of the parade and they announce the “Graham family from Biloxi, MS” as you go by.
Soooo, for our trip in September I had t-shirts made which said ” Caden’s 1st Trip to Walt Disney World, September 2006″ They had a graphic of the Fab 5 in tourist garb. All five of us (me, Jim, John, Ariane, and Caden) all wore this shirt our morning at the Magic Kingdom. Now I had read several reviews of people who had been asked to be grand marshal before and had planned out how to best put us in position to be asked. #1 we ate a light meal at the bakery approximatly 45 minutes after the opening rush, # We had matching shirts, and # we had a “hook” (small child, 1st trip)
So we are eating our pasteries at the bakery when I notice a castmember outside on Main St watching guests go by. When we walked out she came over to us and asked about our shirts. When I tell you I was about to come out of my skin, that is an understatement. She asked about Caden’s 1st trip and if it was more than just his 1st trip. She then asked us where we were from. I stated that we were from Biloxi, MS. She then said, ” I hope you guys have a great day.” OMG! We got rejected. I suppose I could have played the “katrina card” and maybe that would have helped us. I was so disappointed especially when I realize how close we were to realizing my dream. However, I do know what worked and what didn’t and I know for sure that I will be grand marshal some trip here soon!

Here are a few helpful resouces that you should use when planning a trip to disney:

allearsnet.com This site is run by Deb Wills and probably is the most comprehensive site out there. This site can answer pretty much any question you might have concerning your upcoming trip to WDW

passporter.com This site is run by Dave and Jennifer Marx. I have (or had) a copy of their guide book for the past 6 years. This is also a must have for anyone planning a trip to Disney. They also have a Cruise line and Disneyland edition of the passporter. I personally recommend the Deluxe version. I basically use it by itself when we travel to WDW.

Mousesavers.com This site is one which you should sign up to receive the newsletters. Some of the best codes I have ever used at Disney I have gotten from this site. She also keeps you updated on any great airfare prices to Orlando and disney shopping.

mouseplanet.com This is also a great weekly site for new info on the “world”

I am starting this blog to list out tips I have either gained from other very useful websites or just in my own travels to WDW. A little background:

I have been traveling to the “world” for about 30 years. My first trip took place in 1977 when it was just the Magic Kingdom and we stayed in a camper trailer at Ft. Wilderness. Since then I have made about 25+trips, with at least 12 of those coming in the last 10 years. My trips have consisted of just me and my husband, a group of 7 (parents and grandparents), trip with friends, and most recently a trip with a 2 1/2 year old. Hopefully some of the things I have learned will be helpful to you.

Hope you enjoy and happy planning