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Is Disney Christmas party worth a separate ticket?
We asked our Disney mom, Suzannah DiMarzio, to fill us in on big Christmas party over at Disney World. Suzannah has her own blog, ZannaLand.com, and she's a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, so she's got it bad for the Mouse. But she always gets asked whether it's worth it to buy this separate ticket event. There are new character meets this year, she reports, Phineas & Ferb and Duffy the Disney Bear will be there to meet the kids. And Duffy is now appearing on the float in the parade with Mickey and Minnie. The holiday addition to Cinderella's Castle is what really lit up her eyes. The castle transforms right before your eyes, appearing as a giant gingerbread house, a gift wrapped in paper and bows, or as a giant candy cane.
Here's Suzannah's guide to a Disney Christmas:
I know the Halloween candy isn't even gone yet, but Christmas is already all around us if you venture into a Target, Starbucks, or of course, Walt Disney World. Not quite all of the holiday decor and magic that you'll find at the resort is completed yet, but the main park decorations, holiday music, merchandise and treats are ready to get even the humbug-iest among us into the spirit of the season. The holiday happenings at most of the parks are free to enjoy, but similar to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, November brings Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a separately ticketed event. Many people ask me if it's worth the price, especially those with annual passes that may not want to spend the extra cash. My answer is always a resounding yes. Here's why: ... Read more
You can't park in Goofy anymore
I can't quite put my finger on why, but I was really bummed to read this story that the phrase "I'm parked way out in Goofy" is headed for the same extinction as "E-ticket rides" at Walt Disney World. No more Seven Dwarfs parking spots. No lots named for the classic Disney characters of Goofy, Minnie, Mickie, Donald, Chip and Dale. The theme park has renamed the sections in its 12,000-space parking lot at the Magic Kingdom for Disney heroes and villains in a nod to more current Disney characters.
In are Woody, Aladdin, Simba, Hook, Scar, Zurg and a half dozen other goodies and baddies. They have replaced sections named for classic Disney characters and the seven dwarfs of Snow White fame. They say it's to better help visitors remember where they parked their car. If you can't remember Dopey, how are you going to remember Scar and whether he's a hero or villain? ... Read more
Review: Lego center reopens at Downtown Disney
The Lego Imagination Center in Downtown Disney has been reopened for a few weeks now but I was just able to get over and check it out this past weekend. It was worth the wait!! While the Lego merchandise within the store is certainly enough to entertain even the oldest Lego-maniac, what I was most excited about seeing were the new giant Lego scenes put together off-site and shipped over to install at the Downtown Disney location. I had seen pictures, but nothing compares to seeing them in person. Well, if you aren’t visiting the area any time soon, hopefully these photos will tide you over, or if you’ve seen them before, serve as reminders of the amazing talent on display! ... Read more
Disney will end Grad Nite for students
It's the end of era. The Disney Parks Blog has announced that this spring will see the last Grad Nite celebrations at Magic Kingdom. The larger springtime crowds at the park have made it too difficult to schedule this separate-ticket late night event.
Is this news making anyone else nostalgic? My mid-1980s self couldn't wait for our turn at Grad Nite, when Kool and the Gang or Night Ranger might be playing in Tomorrowland.
It's been a rite of passage. Disneyland launched Grad Nite in 1961 (and the California park will continue to do so). Disney World, which has also held the annual after-hours party since 1972, with squeal-worthy big musical acts, from Katy Perry to New Kids on the Block.
Who played at your Grad Nite? The Times in 2008 ran this list of the entertainment going back to the beginning with Paul Revere and the Raiders. ... Read more
First look: Disney's new mega cruise ship
Get a load of the eye-popping features on the new Disney Dream cruise ship that you can read about in our colleague Janet Keeler's review. Sure, Disney has always had a go big or go home way of doing things, but this cruise ship seems to take that to a new level. She writes:
This is the genius that Disney has wrought. A 4,000-passenger cruise ship that has the corporate touches you would expect — Mickey Mouse woven into carpets and upholstery — combined with sophisticated subtlety that is welcome and a little surprising. ... Read more
3 local moms land coveted spots on Disney Moms Panel
There must be some kind of Disney spell taking hold in Pasco County, because the Tampa Bay area now has three Disney-savvy moms — all from Pasco County — who have landed a coveted spot on the Disney Moms Panel, an online board of helpers that dispense advice in exchange for a free vacation and other perks.
Deborah Bowen of Land O Lakes and Leslie Krzan of Holiday beat out more than 10,000 other rabid Mouse fans to be among the 15 newest members of the moms panel, joining last year’s panelist Suzannah DiMarzio, of Wesley Chapel, who is staying on as an “alumni panelist.” ... Read more
Some tips for visiting Disney over the holidays
The holidays at Walt Disney World are my most favorite time to visit. There is just something in the air (sometimes literally when it "snows" on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom!) and the magic is amplified. But the crowds are amplified too, so here's some tips if you plan to hit the Mouse House over the holidays. ... Read more
New Disney Store in Tampa is a sight to see
Tampa's International Plaza became the first Southern site for an Imagination Park Disney Store this week, designed with input from Apple's Steve Jobs. The soft-opening already had a small crowd of people lining up by 9 a.m. earlier this week and I was there when an hour later, the queue wrapped around the play area in front of the store to see a store made with theme-park special effects.
The first 250 guests received Mickey ear hats as we waited. By the front entrance, look for the Be Our Guest Board, a constantly changing display which features the store events, sales and even messages from the Disney Store's Facebook and Twitter page also appeared on the board. ... Read more
Take a walk on the mild side at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
My family and I had a blast at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party last Saturday night during a special media event. At some media parties, officials want to "guide" you around. But at this one, we were allowed to roam around on our own and use the park like regular guests. We spent about four hours there, and came away with these pointers for you if you decide to trick or treat at the Magic Kingdom: ... Read more
Deadline approaches to apply for Disney Moms Panel
If you have been to the Disney parks more times than you can count, or are known as "that crazy Disney person" to friends and family --- helping plan vacations in the check-out line of the grocery store or telling people the best time to visit the Parks as you pick up your kids from school -- the Walt Disney World Moms Panel may fit you like snug mouse ears. The deadline is Friday or whenever they get 20,000 applications, so keep reading if this is up your enchanted alley. I am that crazy Disney person, and being that way actually landed me a spot on the panel last year. ... Read more
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THE AUTHORS
E-mail Sharon Kennedy Wynne:
wynne@tampabay.com
E-mail Kate Brassfield:
katedaphne17@gmail.com