It’s official….tickets at Walt Disney World and Disneyland will increase in price after midnight (August 4th). The increase is $2-3 per day (plus tax) making a 9 day park pass increase by over $20 per person! Save now, and lock in these rates for any 2010 vacations.

Buy Discounted Tickets: Save up to $37.00 on Disney Tickets – Free Shipping, Discounted from Undercover Tourist.

Outpost

This Hidden Mickey is only in the late afternoon at the Outpost in the World Showcase. It is formed by the shadows from the table and chairs.

Picture:

• Outpost Shadow

HOT HOT HOT

Summer is here and if you are at any of the Walt Disney World theme parks you know what HOT is. While a Disney vacation is a special one, visiting central Florida in the hottest part of summer will require some planning if you want this to be a magical vacation… and not a miserable one. We have 10 tips to help you to beat the heat.

I love Disney World at any time of the year, but being at the parks when the heat index is close to 100 is a bit too hot for me.

So then, in order to keep our cool, here are some of our family’s favorite heat-coping strategies:

1. Do not stay at the parks from open to close. Really. It is just too much. Nothing makes me sadder than seeing little ones with beet red faces and sweat pouring off of them, sitting in their strollers crying, as their family waits in yet another line in the Magic Kingdom. Don’t do it. Plan for a break back at your room every day. Whether it’s to go to the pool or take a nap (and we’ve done both) everyone will really be much happier if you do this, when you return to the parks in the evening.
2. Consider which are the outside attractions and which are indoors and air-conditioned, and plan accordingly. As in, do the outside ones first thing when it is coolest… or later in the evening after sunset. Plan to be in as much air conditioning as possible after 11 a.m. Keep in mind that those air-conditioned places are good for naps too….
3. Think about the rides/attractions that are wet and will cool you off, and plan for those as well. By that I mean that when it is hottest and you really want to go on Splash Mountain to cool off… so will everyone else. Plan your Fastpasses accordingly.
4. Have access to lots of water to drink. Bring water bottles with you and refill if needed. We have often frozen them overnight, and then put them in the backpack frozen the next morning. It’s also a great way to cool off the back of the person carrying the backpack.
5. Mister fans are great. Save some money by getting some at home to bring with you. And remember to bring extra batteries.
6. Really think about touring the parks with the weather in mind. For example, World Showcase is just not the place to be in the heat of the day. As much as I love that area, it is just miserable walking in the sun around the lagoon, because there is not much shade. World Showcase is an evening place for us in the summer. Animal Kingdom is another park where I would very carefully think about how long I wanted to be there during the heat of the day. Seriously, even the animals know to take it easy in the afternoon there…. so you will truly see more of them if you go early or go late.
7. Go to the parks when they open. You will get a lot more done when crowds are lower first thing (because most people do not want to do this), and will be in perfect shape to have lunch and then leave for your break (see #1) just as everyone is arriving for the day.
8. Prepare to use lots of sunscreen. Bring it from home because it is much cheaper than buying it at the parks.
9. Know where the First Aid Stations are in each park in case someone gets overheated and needs assistance, and keep an eye out for where you can go inside to cool off quickly if needed: gift shops, food court, Hall of Presidents etc.
10. Remember that Florida has pools everywhere for a reason.

Confirmed Character Changes:

• DAK’s Good Times Gathering Spot is home to an interactive character experience this summer; June 13th-August 7th, 10:00a-3:00p daily.
• Power Rangers are leaving DHS on August 8th.
• Vidia is going to start making appearances at Pixie Hollow in August.
• Duffy the Disney Bear is going to start making appearances at Epcot in September.

Rumored Character Changes:

• Rapunzel, Mother Gothel and Flynn are expected to start making appearances in the Magic Kingdom in October.
• Phineas and Ferb have already made appearances in the Christmas Parade, a Disney 365 spot, and at the WDW Marathon, so when are they going to be available in the parks? Not this fiscal year. Disney has recognized the demand for these popular boys, but do not expect to see them until FY2011.
• Perry the Platypus and Agent Oso have popped up as characters, but no sign at WDW.

Fantasyland Expansion:

• Mickey and Minnie are moving to Exposition Hall once Toontown closes (announced for spring 2011). No word on if this will become their permanent greeting location, but most indicators point to yes.
• Princesses are moving to Exposition Hall as well. Once the Fantasyland Forest is complete, the princesses and fairies will move to their appropriate locations.
• Ariel is appearing in the Adventureland Veranda with Prince Eric. Once the Fantasyland Forest is complete, Ariel will move to her new grotto.
• Pooh and Tigger are moving to Town Square. No final word on if the new Fantasyland Forest will include the 100 Acre Woods.
• Fairies are moving somewhere once Toontown closes, possibly a different park. They will probably not fit in Expo hall as initially announced, more information to come.

Shows and Parades:

• Disney’s Electrical Parade (DEP) has returned to the Magic Kingdom, the currect expected end date is August 14th.
• The Hoedown has transformed into a Flash Mob in Frontierland! This change occurred on February 26th.
• The Pirate Tutorial is performing on a new stage in Adventureland! The stage was tested in summer 2009, but has become permanent as of January 5th.
• Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee was discontinued after January 3rd with little momentum to support a possible return.
• Totally Tomorrowland Christmas was considered a success in 2009 so there is a strong indication it will be back in 2010!

If you haven’t been to the Magic Kingdom lately and wanted to know how the expansion was going, below is a video update.

Fast Tube

Ever wonder what it would be like to spend the night in the super-exclusive Cinderella Castle Suite in the middle of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom? For one thing, it’s by invitation only; there is no price tag for guests who wish to reserve the suite.

During 2007 and 2008, lucky guests were chosen randomly just about every day from the Disney theme parks to stay in the suite as part of the Year of A Million Dreams campaign. Since then, recipients mostly have been winners of charity auctions and various contests or specially chosen guests.

Here is one of those opportunities: a contest sponsored by Liberty Travel that you can easily enter with a grand prize that features a one-night stay on Sept. 10 in the suite for four people. The prize also includes three additional nights at a Disney World hotel, breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table the morning after the winner’s stay, four three-day Magic Your Way tickets with Park Hopper option and a $500 Disney gift card. Airfare is not included.

Deadline to enter is Friday, June 25. One entry per household is allowed; click here to enter.

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) today unveiled a first look at its unprecedented fall line-up of TRON: Legacy inspired electronics and toys (#TronMerch), including the first-ever action figures to feature impulse light projection technology.

Also unveiled were high-end lifestyle headphones and advanced computer peripherals for gaming enthusiasts, illuminated iPod® docks, high-quality ear buds and iPhone® cases; and break-through zero-gravity vehicles that travel up and down walls. Walt Disney Picture’s TRON: Legacy, starring Academy® Award winning actor Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde, will take audiences on a thrilling action-packed adventure in a unique virtual world when it hits theaters Dec. 17, 2010 in Disney Digital 3D(TM) and IMAX® 3D.

Check out this video

Fast Tube

Featuring dark finishes, neon lighting and a cyber aesthetic, DCP’s new TRON: Legacy line will immerse kids and adults alike into the amazing, illuminated cyber world of TRON. Developed in collaboration with leading industry innovators including Spinmaster, Monster, Performance Designed Products (PDP) and Razer, TRON products will be available at retail beginning this October and will be showcased at the San Diego Comic Con International Convention next month giving fans an exclusive first look.

“TRON: Legacy is a cutting-edge film with a unique futuristic feel, and we wanted to create products with new technology and high-end design that live up to what you will see on screen,” said Chris Heatherly, VP of toys and electronics, Disney Consumer Products. “This is not a typical movie line. We’re working exclusively with trailblazers who normally do not do movie merchandise, but they believed so passionately in TRON that they jumped at the chance to help us make great products.”

TRON: Legacy Toy Line
Every product in Disney’s TRON: Legacy toy line lights up and is designed to bring the film’s characters and themes to life by boasting sleek design, eye-popping technology and endless opportunities for active play.

TRON Action Figures: The new TRON: Legacy action figures are the first to feature impulse projection technology, which brings the characters to life by projecting digitized, illuminated and moving faces onto the helmet just as in the film. The line features 7.5″ figures and a special 12″ Ultimate Sam Flynn figure. The characters also speak phrases from the TRON: Legacy film. With prices ranging from $15 to $40, TRON Action Figures are expected to immediately attract avid collectors and to shake up the toy aisle this holiday season. (Ages 4 & up).

TRON Core and Deluxe Vehicles: TRON Core and Deluxe vehicles are detailed replicas from TRON: Legacy that come to life when a character is inserted and they both light up. The Deluxe model features launching projectiles, tri-color light changes, pop-up air brakes (pop-up blasters on the Light Runner) and gravity tilt sounds, just like in the movie ($14.99 and $19.99, ages 4 & up).

TRON Zero Gravity Light Cycle: The TRON Zero Gravity Light Cycle features six-foot light-emitting trails and legendary Air Hogs technology allowing the vehicle to be driven on a wall or even upside down. Includes controller (SRP $34.99, ages 8 & up).

TRON: Legacy Electronics
Disney’s TRON: Legacy electronics line is designed to appeal to discerning gamers and audiophiles who seek out products that offer high quality and innovative design. Key licensees include Monster, PDP and Razer.

TRON Headphones, iPod® Dock from Monster: DCP and Monster, a leading manufacturer of high-performance headphones and A/V accessories, have collaborated to bring the ultimate set of headphones designed for the TRON fan, music enthusiasts and serious gamers. The new TRON Headphones capture the design aesthetic of the world of TRON. The Monster Tron T1 over-ear headphones feature Advanced Noise Suppression Technology and ControlTalk(TM), which enables easy and clear hands-free calling (SRP $349.99). The Monster/Disney Tron line will also feature an iPod dock inspired by the iconic data disk from TRON: Legacy ($249.99) and high quality in-ear headphones that will feature ControlTalk(TM) Universal and crystal-clear Monster Headphone signature sound technology ($99.99).

TRON PC Peripherals from Razer: Razer is a leader in high-end PC gaming and lifestyle peripherals and has an established reputation for creating the world’s most precise and advanced tools for gaming. The new TRON: Legacy inspired gaming peripherals from Razer include: an ergonomic gaming mouse incorporating Razer’s 5600dpi 3.5g gaming grade sensor, a gaming keyboard with programmable keys and macro capabilities as well as a detachable keypad, and a high precision mouse mat – all designed to create the ultimate gaming experience featuring highly detailed finishes and lighting effects. The product line will range in price from SRP $79-139.

TRON Game Controllers and Apple Accessories from PDP: Unique multiplatform TRON game controllers from PDP bring the look and feel of TRON: Legacy directly into the hands of gamers with light-up accents, perforated details and performance-enhancing contours and design. Playstation 3® and Xbox 360® controllers are corded with precision parts and vibration support; the Wii(TM) controller is wireless. Available in tandem with the TRON: Evolution video game release, the SRP for each is $49.99. PDP will also offer a line of iPod®, iPhone® and iPad® cases inspired by the world of TRON.

TRON: Legacy Products at Comic Con
Fans will get a first look at the all new TRON: Legacy-inspired toys and electronics at San Diego Comic Con next month. Disney will showcase an interactive TRON booth that will engage fans with an array of new TRON-inspired merchandise launching this fall. Capturing the action, light, and cool aesthetic style of the film, the line on display will also include collectibles, apparel and accessories for men and women, publishing and the new TRON: Evolution video game from Disney Interactive Studios. Comic Con exclusive TRON product will also be on sale. Disney will also reveal exciting new mobile content at the event. San Diego Comic Con will be held at the San Diego Convention Center July 22-25, 2010. Visit booth #3712 to see the TRON showcase.

Pictures:

• Action Figure
• Vehicle
• Pen
• Headphones
• Keyboard
• iPod Dock
• Xbox Controller
• Controller
• Mouse
• Motorcycle
• RC Vehicle

Fort Wilderness – Kennel Sign

There are two Hidden Mickeys on the FW Kennel sign. They are underneath the word “Club”, one on the left and one on the right. They are in the scrollwork.

Pictures:

• Fort Wilderness – Kennel Sign
• Fort Wilderness – Kennel Sign – MOUSEovers
• Fort Wilderness – Kennel Sign Closeup
• Fort Wilderness – Kennel Sign Closeup – MOUSEovers

The famous song “It’s a Small World,” says it all. But no one knows it better these days than Alex and Donna Voutsinas. You might have seen their now-famous photo with Mr. Smee in the news recently, and today they visited Magic Kingdom park to recreate the snapshot.

The year was 1980, and young Donna was with her family at the Magic Kingdom park, posing for a photo along Main Street, U.S.A. with Mr. Smee and her brothers. What she didn’t know at the time was that her future husband, Alex, also would be in the background of the same photograph – riding in a stroller pushed by his father. (Alex and his family were visiting from Montreal; Donna and her family were visiting from Miami.)

Years later, as the couple looked through childhood photos one week before their wedding, Alex noticed something that immediately caught his eye.

“We were looking through pictures for our wedding video and my wife took this one out, and I noticed my dad,” Alex told the Disney Parks Blog this morning. “My dad used to have jet-black hair with a white tuft and I just noticed him right away. Then I saw myself in the stroller.”

The couple held onto the snapshot for about eight years. Two weeks ago, at the urging of friends and family, they posted it on Facebook. After the media and press discovered it on Facebook, their amazing story took flight and has since been reported around the globe.

Today, the couple visited the exact spot the snapshot was taken, recreating the famous photo with Donna’s picture pal, Mr. Smee. And this time, their own children – six-year-old Rocco, three-year-old Vince and one-year-old Antonio – posed with them and shared in the fun. The family now lives in Boynton Beach, Fla., and – as can be expected – are Disney Parks fans.

Read original story

Pictures:

• It’s A Small World Original
• It’s A Small World 2010

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is a themed camping resort within Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The site officially opened on November 19, 1971.

Fort Wilderness is designed with a rustic theme with tree-lined winding roads which loop around to the various regions. Part of the resort is filled with campsites, where visitors with tents or recreational vehicles can stay. The remainder of the lodging area is filled with cabins, which are designed to look like log cabins.

Details:

• Opening Date: November 19, 1971
• Resort Area: Magic Kingdom
• Resort Category: Campground
• Address: 4510 N Ft Wilderness Trail Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
• Phone: (407) 824-2900
• Fax: (407) 824-3508