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Move Through the Parks Like a Pro: Shortcuts and Cut Throughs You Ought to Know

Thursday, June 7, 2012 Ashley 6 Comments

Let’s face it, when you go to Disney World you pretty much open yourself up for being surrounded by people, caught up in crowds, and pushing and shoving your way through tight spots. Now, there are times where you can find the parks virtually crowd free, but friends, those times are few and far between! When it comes to packed parks, it is good to know a few shortcuts and cut-throughs to get you around like a pro! Today I am sharing my top travel tips!

Work the Walk: Walking Path Between Hollywood Studios and Epcot

Okay, so before you write this one off because it is more walking, give me a few lines. I love this self paced choice of a shortcut. You’ll find this path along Crescent Lake. It takes you along the Boardwalk (great eating and shopping…just saying) and alongside hotels like the Swan and Dolphin and the Boardwalk Villas. This is a beautiful and peaceful walk. It takes between 10 and 20 minutes (give or take) to make it from one side to the next. I would say on a crowded day, this beats a crowded boat or a long bus wait (in the sun by the way). We found this path a few years ago after waiting to ride the Friendship boat to the International Gateway at Epcot…after 2 boats loaded and pulled away with us still in line, we heard about the path and gave it a shot. I figure with all the walking you are already doing, why not skip a bus or boat ride (where you might even be standing) and trade it out for a beautiful walk!

Taking a Ride Down Main Street USA

Saturday, May 5, 2012 PixieLesley No comments

Have you seen the Main Street Vehicles that ride down Main Street USA? These wonderful historic vehicles come in the form of a fire engine, omnibus, horse-pulled trolley or horseless carriage.

At Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park they offer guests an opportunity to take a one-way ride on a fire engine, omnibus and more down Main Street.

This is not something you are going to want to experience when you are in a mad rush at rope drop to head to your favorite ride, however if you take time to take it slow and hop on board and enjoy the ride you will not regret it.

There is no cost for this experience and you do not make a reservation. When you see one of these vehicles stopped, just hop on board and enjoy the ride!

You can get on board one of these vehicles in front of the Train Station by the main entrance to the park which will take you on a one way journey to Cinderella’s Castle or you can pick up a ride in front of Cinderella’s Castle to take you back to the front of the park.

Have you experienced this for yourself yet, if so, what did YOU think?

Lesley is a travel agent with Pixie Vacations, contact her for your next Disney vacation at Lesley@pixievacations.com or check her out at www.destinationmagic.com. She is currently offering generous booking incentives (Disney gift cards for Disney World/Disneyland, and Disney on board credits for Disney Cruise line)

Tickets On Sale for Not-So-Scary, Very Merry Christmas Party Events at Walt Disney World Resort (chipandco.com)
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Rope Drop: Love it or Leave it?

Tuesday, May 1, 2012 guest blogging 4 Comments

There are two groups of Disney World guests; those who hit the ground running from park opening to park close and those who wake up when they want to and leave the parks when they are ready. I want to use every minute of my vacation but, I also like sleep. I think I sit on the fence of the two groups. I will say that using Extra Magic Hours and waking up early have their advantages. First, you are squeezing out every minute of your stay! Second, because you are in the most magical place EVER. If you have been in the “sleep in” group then you might have missed out on something truly magical…rope drop ceremonies. While every park (but Epcot) has a rope drop, my favorite is at the Magic Kingdom.

The rope drop at the Magic Kingdom is a beginning of the magic for each day. Guests gather 15-20 minutes before the park opens to be greeted by the Citizens of Main Street USA. The Mayor ushers in singing and dancing citizens and eventually a train load of characters, including the mouse himself! A lucky family rides in on the train and opens the parks for the day with magical pixie dust and all!

So, now that you know what this rope drop is all about, let’s take a look at some pros and cons as you weigh your choice to love it or leave it!

pro: Early birds get the worm! This is true! If you are early, you not only take full advantage of the parks for the day but, you also get other benefits. One of the best benefits is lure of the characters who make their way directly from the train into the parks. Lines form quickly but, if you make a run for it, you can manage to meet and greet lots of characters quickly!

Con:There are a lot of people who either made it out early for the rope drop or because they belong to that first, “sun up, sun down” group. Either way, you might find a morning rush of guests and a bit of a crowd.

pro:After the crowds disperse, you pretty much have the park for the taking. I don’t waste my time at the standard “short wait” stand-by lines. Instead, I head for the big ticket rides like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.

Con:It is stinkin’ early. Maybe too early. Coffee helps here

pro: It is a great way to get you in a magical mood. I love the cheery songs and dancing that the Magic Kingdom rope drop provide. On mornings like those, I can learn to be a morning person.

Cons:Those songs have an uncanny ability to get stuck in your head. Like all day. Again, coffee is strongly suggested.

Maybe this swayed your choice. Maybe you’ll give the Magic Kingdom rope drop a try next time you are in the parks! Don’t hit the snooze on this daily celebration!

Ashley of disneydonerightblog.com

How to Tour the Parks – Floating through the Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)
Top 10 Things To Do at Night in the Magic Kingdom (chipandco.com)

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule May 2012

Monday, April 16, 2012 Chip No comments

If your heading to Disneyland soon be sure to check out the Refurb/Closure list below. Refurbishment information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to visiting. Updated information is available on the Disneyland website.

Current

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (Disneyland) closed through 4/25/12 for refurbishment.
Candy Palace (Disneyland) closed through 4/25/12 for refurbishment.
Penny Arcade (Disneyland) closed through 4/25/12 for refurbishment.
Ariel’s Grotto (DCA) closed through 5/3/12 for refurbishment.
Cove Bar (DCA) closed through 6/1/12 for refurbishment.
Goofy’s Sky School (DCA) closed through 6/1/12 for refurbishment.
Carnation Cafe (Disneyland) closed through 6/1/12 for refurbishment.
Pacific Wharf-Ghiradelli (DCA) closed through 6/1/12 for refurbishment.
Matterhorn Bobsleds (Disneyland) closed through 6/14/12 for refurbishment.
Blue Ribbon Bakery (Disneyland) closed through 7/13/12 for refurbishment.

Upcoming

Ariel’s Grotto Restaurant (DCA) closed 4/30/12-5/3/12 for refurbishment.
Frontierland Shooting Exposition (Disneyland) closed 4/30/12-5/25/12 for refurbishment.
The Plaza Gardens (Disneyland) closed 4/30/12-Winter 2013 for the construction of Fantasy Faire.
Indiana Jones Adventure (Disneyland) closed 5/1/12-5/2/12 for refurbishment.
Enchanted Tiki Room (Disneyland) closed 5/7/12-5/10/12 for refurbishment.
Disney California Adventure will be closed 6/14/12 to make final preparations for the grand opening of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.

Source Mousesavers Newsletter

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule for April 2012 (chipandco.com)
Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule March 2012 (chipandco.com)

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule May 2012

Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule for April 2012

Saturday, March 24, 2012 Chip No comments

Current

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
Candy Palace (Disneyland) closed until Spring 2012 for renovation.
Pacific Wharf-Ghiradelli (DCA) closed through 6/1/12 for refurbishment.
Matterhorn Bobsleds (Disneyland) closed through 6/14/12 for refurbishment.
Blue Ribbon Bakery (Disneyland) closed through 7/13/12 for refurbishments.
Carnation Cafe (Disneyland) closed until Summer 2012 for renovation/expansion.

Upcoming

Ariel’s Grotto-Cove Bar (DCA) closed 4/9/12-5/30/12 for refurbishment.
Goofy’s Sky School (DCA) closed 4/9/12-6/1/12 for refurbishment.
Ariel’s Grotto-Restaurant (DCA) closed 4/30/12-5/3/12 for refurbishment.
Frontierland Shooting Exposition (Disneyland) closed 4/30/12-5/25/12 for refurbishment.
Enchanted Tiki Room (Disneyland) closed 5/7/12-5/10/12 for refurbishment.
Disney California Adventure will be closed 6/14/12 to make final preparations for the grand opening of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street.

Source Mousesavers Newsletter