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On Track with Test Track

Published August 28, 2012 by Disneyways.com

NEW INFO as of October 2012! Click here to learn more!

“Late Fall” is the time frame for Test Track to return. Don’t you love it when Disney gets specific?

Walt Disney Imagineering’s Melissa Jeselnick revealed more details about Test Track through a Q&A chat session posted Monday on the Disney Parks Blog.

Here are some things Melissa had to say about what we can expect.

Remaining the same:

•Ride vehicles. They are “still the same physical ride that our guests know and love,” Melissa says. “You’ll ride in our sim car.”

•Track layout. The indoor-then-outdoor nature of the attraction continues, including the 65 mph stretch.

•Queue workarounds. Both FastPass and single-rider line will be available again for Test Track. YAY!

Expect these to be updated:

•Marquee. Test Track will have a new look upon approach in Future World.

•Queue. The pre-show area will be totally rehabbed, with a theme that is “changing from testing to design,” Jeselnick says.  On display will be “actual items, sketches, cars, models from GM that have never been seen before by anyone outside the Chevrolet family,” she says.

•Music. The soundtrack will be futuristic and have sound effects. (To me, the thing looks like something from Tron. It seems the music may sound like Tron too!)

Here’s what will be totally different:

We will get a chance to virtually create a “dream vehicle” using interactive kiosks. Whether this is done individually or as a group, the new creation(s) will be graded against the standard sim car (the vehicles we actually ride in as we know them).  When you get to the slide show at the bottom, look for the photo with the dials.   We get to choose from factors such as capability, efficiency, responsiveness, power and speed. The actual ride will be the same, only now you get to see who makes the best “dream vehicle” in comparison to the sim car.

The post-show will kick off with a scoring opportunity, not just with the guests in our car, but guests throughout the day. (Think Toy Story Ride ending) From there, we’ll move into other opportunities to interact with our design. The show room space will still be there with the Chevrolet cars, and we’ll have our own photo ops with different concept cars.

Why the changes? Melissa told us car design has moved into a digital realm, and now Test Track will reflect that move. Test Track is one of my favorite attractions. I have a feeling it will stay that way. How about you?

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Don’t take away my M.M.Y!!

Published August 23, 2012 by Disneyways.com

I was hearing rumors about Disney taking away ” The Magic, Memories, and You” which is my favorite show!

But here’s what I found out from Disney:

“Celebrate the Magic,” a new nightly projection show on Cinderella Castle, will debut at Magic Kingdom Park in mid-November. “Celebrate the Magic” will incorporate favorite elements from “The Magic, The Memories and You!” with all-new music, storytelling and special effects. “The Magic, The Memories and You!,” will be presented for the last time on Monday, September 3, 2012 at both Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park.

SO, to me, I think they are actually just improving my favorite show – not just taking it away.

Whew!

YEE HAW!! Hoop Dee Doo!

Published August 20, 2012 by Disneyways.com

I’m pretty excited to announce that after years of working for Disney dining…and booking the Hoop Dee Doo review for probably hundreds of other people…I finally get to go see the show for myself. I’m sitting in category 1, and the big day is August 31st. I really want to hear from you if you have been!! What’s your favorite thing on the menu? Do you have any tips on how early to arrive? What was your take on the show over all? This is what my face looks like while I am typing all of these questions. As you can see, I really want to know!

My Disney Experience Mobile App for Apple and Android

Published August 13, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Have you heard about the My Disney Experience Mobile App?

MDE1

Here is the scoop:

“Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online has released  My Disney Experience, a free mobile application designed to help Guests make the most of their experience while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort.
• The app includes state-of-the-art maps with GPS and in-park navigation that provide a vivid, accurate representation of the theme parks, resorts and other on-property points of interest.
• My Disney Experience also includes park hours, wait times, dining and attraction information, a digital tip board and nearby attractions and services.

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• Some of the features require Guests to create an account and sign in to activate functionality.
• Initially, the app is available for the iPhone and iPad (Apple App Store). My Disney Experience for Android smartphones (Google Play and Amazon Android Marketplace) as well as Android tablets, Blackberry, and Windows devices.
• Enhancements and updates will be made to this application as needed.

FAQs

1. What is My Disney Experience?

My Disney Experience is a mobile application created by Walt Disney

Parks and Resorts Online as the official app of the Walt Disney World Resort.

2. How much does My Disney Experience cost?

My Disney Experience is available at no cost. However, messaging and data

charges may apply; check with your mobile carrier.

3. Will My Disney Experience be updated with new information regularly?

Similar to other Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts online content, My

Disney Experience will have the most up-to-date official information from the

Walt Disney World Resort.

Excitement is “brewing” Over Starbucks at Disney!!

Published August 3, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Disney Food Blog posted a wonderful piece today that includes beautiful pictures of the new Starbucks that has been placed in n the heart of Disney California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street! Why is this exciting? Because it means the Starbucks at Disney World are coming soon!

If you are in DCA you will have to keep your eyes peeled. Disney is famous for adding little touches and details that you really have to look for, and the sign at the new Starbucks fittingly is discreet. You will want to go inside Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, which is a quick service restaurant, for your Starbucks fix. While you’re there you can also choose to partake of some of the cafe’s food offerings. They have soups, and also sandwiches, like the roasted veggie or roast beef and cheddar.  Check out the sweet treats too!  With a few exceptions, the top two shelves in the case are Starbucks treats, and the rest are Disney.

I am still California dreamin’ but if you get to go – please send me a note and pictures.  I’d love to hear all about it! 

Click here to go to the Disney Food Blog and see the post!

Video! 2013 Disney Dining Plan Entitlements Explained

Published July 29, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Here is a pretty good 5 1/2 minute video that Disney released to help guests understand the differences between the quick, basic, and deluxe dining plans. Prices are not included but it helps with understanding why some people choose which dining plan is best for them. Remember the Disney dining plan is exclusively available to guests staying in Disney resorts.

Click here to watch the Dining Plans explained in 5 1/2 minutes

The Disney Dining Plan has become a Guest favorite to include as part of Magic Your Way Vacation Packages. The Disney Dining Plan (DDP) for 2013 mirrors the 2012 program, with a new option for table-service restaurants to offer menu add-ons and prix-fixe menus.
• Prix-fixe menu: Table-service restaurants may offer a separate prix-fixe menu that is available for a retail price. DDP Guests can choose this option with payment of a surcharge in addition to the table-service entitlement redemption. Separate surcharges for Disney Dining Plan Guests and Deluxe, Premium, and Platinum Dine Plan Guests will be noted on menus.
• For restaurants that offer only a prix-fixe menu (such as Cinderella’s Royal Table) or have a prix-fixe menu included on their regular a la carte menu (such as Captain’s Grille): the prix-fixe menu is fully covered by the required DDP meal entitlements.
• The new offering is a separate prix-fixe menu that is available in addition to the regular a la carte menu. DDP Guests who select the separate prix-fixe menu will be required to pay a surcharge in addition to the table-service entitlement redemption
• Menu add-ons: Table-service restaurants may offer menu add-ons, the ability to add another protein component to their entrée selection (e.g., option to add sea scallops to entrée). This option will be listed on the menu and requires payment of a surcharge by Guests who choose this option. DDP Guests can choose the menu add-on with payment of the surcharge in addition to the table-service entitlement redemption.
• Be Our Guest Restaurant: Be Our Guest Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom Park offers fast casual service for lunch (requires one quick-service entitlement); however, for dinner, it operates as a table-service restaurant (requires one table-service entitlement).

Key reminders about the Disney Dining Plan
• Participating locations: Most Walt Disney World Resort theme park, resort hotel, Disney water park, EPSN Wide World of Sports Complex, and the Downtown Disney Area restaurant locations accept the Disney Dining Plan, including Operating Participants.
• Eligible snack items: The list of eligible snack items includes a large variety of food and beverage items available at carts, kiosks, quick-service and select merchandise locations across property. A complete list of eligible snack items will soon be available on The Hub >> Food Tools
• Refillable Mug: All Disney Dining Plan packages include a Resort Refillable Drink Mug allowing Guest to refill at Quick Service locations and select Merchandise Shops at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotel at which they are staying and throughout the length of their current stay.
• Dining reservations for table-service restaurants can be made in advance or cancelled online at http://www.disneyworld.com/dining. Guests can also make or cancel a reservation by visiting any Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Front Desk, Concierge or Guest Relations, by calling 407-WDW-DINE, or by pressing 55 from any house phone.

World Secrets: Video! Walt Disney and the 1960 Olympics

Published July 28, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games was on TV  – and with it – lots of talk about the Olympic Games of the past. In 1960 the organizers of the Olympics asked Walt Disney to provide the entertainment for the event. Walt brought in big named entertainment, fashion shows, and even snow sculptures to the Winter Olympics. He also had Art Linkletter plan logistics for performers to provide nightly entertainment for the athletes and officials. You will hear Art Linkletter tell you in this video that the stars and performers came out to be a part of this at no charge. Not only that – but Art got to be a guest in Walt’s home while all this work was taking place.

Walt wasn’t just responsible for glamour and glitz – they even asked him to provide help with tickets, parking, and security. Walt was such a pioneering business man, was there anything he couldn’t do?

The 1960 Olympics were where many “firsts” took place – thanks to Walt. For instance, this Winter Olympics introduced Disney artist John Hench’s Olympic Torch design, which all further torches have been based on. Then came the idea of having the first ever Olympic sponsors. Walt Disney decided on the concept of thirty steel poles for the flags of all nations participating in the games. They each cost $500-$600 (big money back then!) so every flagpole came with a plaque from Walt thanking the Olympic sponsors for their contributions. What a way to get your company some exposure!  After the Games were over, each company received the flagpole their finances had helped place. Things I wold imagine you don’t read on a thank you note every day…my paraphrased version: “Yay you got to be one of the first Olympic sponsors in history! Thanks so much, and here’s your flagpole back now.” Actually, I’m sure Walt Disney would have written a thank you note with much more class…if he actually wrote thank you notes that is.

Olympic officials complained about the costs for some of Walt’s elaborate plans but he quickly responded, “Either we’re going to do it the right way or Disney will pull out.” (You tell ’em Walt!) The Opening and Closing Ceremonies involved 5,000 participants, 1,285 instruments and 2,645 voices from 52 California and Nevada high school bands. This and so much more meant Disney set new pageantry standards for future Olympic games. In the Los Angeles Times, reporter Braven Dyer wrote, “The opening ceremony was the most remarkable thing I ever saw. No matter how much credit you give Walt Disney and his organization, it isn’t nearly enough.”

Disney Podcasts!

Published July 23, 2012 by Disneyways.com


I recently started doing a mile a day on a treadmill in my living room. I guess I am still in the honeymoon stage because I look forward to my evening “walk” and have not missed a day since my friend Amy gave me the thing, and my son put it together for me.  Something I did not count on is how much fun I have had actually taking time to listen to some of my old favorite songs, almost completely without distraction. It is amazing how easily you can forget about the little things in life  when you are busy – even the little things that you really used to enjoy!  In case you were wondering, yes I still remember all the words to every Olivia Newton John song in history. I do have some Justin Timberlake and Usher thrown in as well, just so I can tell myself I am still young and cool.

Even when my teenage sons have friends over – I am not ashamed to belt out the songs (from Olivia or any other artist) as I walk. It is now just a price you pay for being a guest in my home. I figure since I  make them dinner, and I give them fair warning, they will just deal with it. So far – it’s worked out for us…my children haven’t lost any of their good friends…and I haven’t heard a whole lot of complaining.

Much to my delight – today I found a link on the internet to a whole bunch of Disney podcasts! These podcasts are usually hosted by Disney rats like myself and the content includes everything from the sounds of the parks, audio from the rides, Disney food reviews, Disney wedding tips,  and even Disney celebrity interviews. Today I listened to about an hour of the guy who does the voice in the Tower of Terror, just talking about some of the other cool Disney voice-over gigs he has had, and how he got started in the business. Quite possibly the most boring thing ever to some people, but fascinating to me. I just wanted to share the link with you today, in case you need a Disney distraction from work, while sitting in traffic, or- if like me – you are just doing housework and would rather be at Disney World! I am a new listener to the podcast scene so if you have any shows you particularly enjoy – please let me know what they are. I think the podcasts are fun and I can’t wait to listen to more. I hope you feel the same – and have a magical day!!

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST OF DISNEY PODCASTS!

Here is a super cool write up on the new podcast app!

Talking Turkey at Disney with Andrew Zimmern

Published July 9, 2012 by Disneyways.com

What’s with the ubiquitous Disney snack – the turkey leg?

They are a really big deal! Just like a rock band – they even have T-Shirts! You can find the shirts right in the shops of  Main Street at Disney World.

It’s one thing that probably won’t be in my wordrobe any time soon. I enjoyed this article in the Orlando Sentinel. It goes a little deeper into why a turkey appendage could possibly be a big deal at Disney, and what Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods thinks about it all. It looks like the author and I share a lot of similar feelings on the matter.

Here’s a link if you want to read more.

“New car smell?” That is so 8 minutes ago…

Published July 9, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Do not adjust your computer – these are real pictures – and yes – that is a turkey leg scented air-freshener. What do turkey legs have to do with Disney?

Click here to read more on the subject.

Forget that new car smell! If you are a fan of not only the sights but the SMELLS of Disney this is for you!! Disney has released these air fresheners to be purchased in Disney World and Disneyland. They have worked on them for a whole year and the last time I checked, they were still available for purchase in the parks. I’m not so sure the turkey leg smell is my thing. I imagine the dogs in the neighborhood might all want to break into my car. It’s OK though – there are other options. The ice cream freshener is scented to smell like (what else?) a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar. These are candy apple and mickey waffle scented – respectively. My experience with these kinds of fresheners is that the scent is really strong for the first day or so and then the rest of the month…it just makes for a cool decoration to hang from my rear-view mirror. Could the Disney magic and pixie dust on these particular air fresheners prove me wrong this time? Perhaps I will buy a collection of them and at the end of the year when the smells are gone– there will be enough to decorate my Christmas tree! I bet my husband would love that – NOT. Just kidding, but you have to admit this is yet another creative idea from Disney and they ARE kinda cute!

So what do you think?