See a Penny, Pick it Up! Now Squish It!!

One of the cheapest souvenirs at Disney World just happens to be one of the most fun since it’s a do-it-yourself item. For just one penny (+ 50 cents), you can make a squished penny!

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And you can do this over and over and over again as there are tons of these machines throughout Disney World. Back when my boys were little, there was always a fight over who got to turn the handle. But with so many machines, they took turns and we mostly avoided having meltdowns over it.

Check out this video of Andrew getting his turn. For smaller kids, you may need to help a bit as the crank gets harder to turn as it does the actual squishing part. (And please notice how adorable Luke is with his little backwards hat…)

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You can buy souvenir books to keep your pennies, or I’m sure on etsy, you’ll find all kinds of ways to show them off. We tend to put things in plastic baggies fully intending to put them in something cooler later but rarely get to that! :)

So grab those pennies and get to squishing - you’ve got A LOT of options! Each machine has several different options. Currently there are 147 pennies to be squished at Magic Kingdom, 77 at the Animal Kingdom, 132 at Hollywood Studios and 140 at Epcot. There are even a few machines that will squish quarters. You can find these machines listed on the MyDisneyExperience app if you don’t happen to see one near you.

If you find yourself with a few extra minutes and a few extra coins, make yourself a souvenir!! I’d love to help you plan your next Disney or Universal trip - FOR FREE! Give me a call!!


Skyliner - Opening Date Announced!!

On September 29, Disney Skyliner gondolas will take flight and officially begin transporting guests around Walt Disney World Resort.

This state-of-the-art transportation system offers a new way to experience the resort with amazing views only available from the sky. Disney Skyliner connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort scheduled to open in December 2019.

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Some Disney Skyliner cabins feature graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters. Disney stories taking flight with guests include:

  • Mickey Mouse

  • Minnie Mouse

  • Pluto

  • Chip & Dale

  • “Coco”

  • Goofy, Pete, Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow

  • “Finding Dory”

  • Haunted Mansion

  • “Monsters, Inc.”

  • Pirates of the Caribbean

  • “Ratatouille”

Guests aboard Disney Skyliner will travel quickly across the sky, with rides approximately five to 15 minutes in length, depending on the destination. • Disney’s Caribbean Beach to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 5-6 minutes • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney’s Pop Century Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: under six minutes • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney’s Riviera Resort: about 5 minutes • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to International Gateway at Epcot: approximately 15 minutes • Disney’s Riviera Resort to International Gateway at Epcot: approximately nine minutes.

There are more than 300 cabins, each with bench seating that can comfortably accommodate up to ten Guests, including those traveling with wheelchairs or assistive devices.

Although they won’t have air conditioning, the cabins were specifically tailored to provide a comfortable ride for guests in the Florida climate, with cross-ventilation for sufficient air flow and reflective windows to prevent direct sunlight.

I am BUMMED that these won’t be open yet on my trip in August, but I’ll just have to go back! Let me book and plan your trip for FREE and then be sure to brag to me how you got to ride these before me. I promise I’ll try not to be too jealous!!

10 Incorrect Disney Myths

With something as large as Disney, there are bound to be countless rumors and myths. Today’s post will cover 10 of the most widely believed, yet false tales… Have you heard other myths? Put them in the comments!!! And if you haven’t been to Disney in a while (or ever), call me to get a trip planned for you. Without seeing it for yourself, who knows what you’ll believe!!

Myth: Cinderella Castle Can be Quickly Deconstructed Before a Hurricane

Walt Disney World has closed down several times due to hurricanes but the Magic Kingdom’s centerpiece can’t be taken apart to prevent it from being damaged. Despite the castle’s magical appearance, it’s a building like any other..

Myth: All of Walt Disney World is Built on Top of an Underground City

This one has a bit of truth at its core, since the Magic Kingdom is built on top of a series of underground tunnels known as Utilidors. However, outside of the area underneath Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the system wasn’t replicated in any of WDW’s other parks.

Myth: Walt Disney is Frozen

After Walt Disney succumbed to cancer in December 1966, rumors spread that he had been cryogenically frozen, with the hope being that he could be “thawed” out when a cure was discovered for cancer. In later years, this myth evolved into the idea that Disney’s frozen body was kept in various places, including underneath Epcot. However, it’s flatly untrue. While Walt did apparently show some interest in cryonics, the first human being wasn’t cryopreserved until 1967, the year after Disney died. Walt’s remains were actually cremated and interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Myth: Paramedics Will Only Declare Someone Dead Once They’re Off Disney Property

Once again, this urban legend — that medical teams won’t/aren’t allowed to declare someone dead until they’re off Disney property in order to uphold the company’s safety record — is completely untrue. In fact, in the 60-plus years since Disneyland opened, there have sadly been documented deaths on Disney property, including inside the theme parks.

Myth: Cast Members Portraying Toy Story Characters Will “Drop” to the Ground Any Time Someone Says “Andy’s Coming.”

In the past, cast members portraying Toy Story characters would drop to the ground and lay still like the film’s characters if a guest said “Andy’s coming.” However it was never an across-the-board policy that happened every time, and after an internet meme of a character laying on the ground went viral in 2013, Disney put a stop to the practice entirely for safety reasons.

Myth: There’s a Fully Constructed, Yet Unopened Boat Ride In Epcot’s Germany Pavilion 

While there were originally plans for a Rhine River cruise attraction at the back of the pavilion, the construction never began as some believe. The only physical remnant of the original plan is a foyer and mural-covered wall at the location of the planned entrance gate and loading platform near the pavilion’s Biergarten restaurant. 

Myth: Walt Disney is One of the Singing Busts in the Haunted Mansion Graveyard Scene

The busts are actually the Mellomen, a popular singing group who sang in several Disney films, as well as numerous Elvis Presley films. The specific members immortalized in the Haunted Mansion are Thurl Ravenscroft (often mistaken for Walt), Jay Meyer, Verne Rowe, Bob Ebright, and Chuck Schroeder.

Myth: The Dream Suite in Cinderella Castle Was Initially Designed for the Disney Family

Walt Disney did have an apartment above the fire station in Disneyland, and a suite was being constructed for Walt and his family in New Orleans Square prior to his death — this space went on to become the Disney Gallery and later the Disneyland Dream Suite. Walt died before proper plans of WDW had been made, however, and no lodging was ever planned for him in Orlando. The Cinderella Dream Suite was instead constructed in the mid-2000s as part of the Year of a Million Dreams promotion, carved out of a space previously used for storage and as the headquarters of the Walt Disney World phone system.

Myth: There is a “Club 21” at Walt Disney World

For years, it’s been rumored that WDW had a version of Disneyland’s famously exclusive – and expensive – Club 33 called “Club 21” which is completely untrue. However, Disney is currently constructing real Club 33 locations in all four Disney World parks, which should end the “Club 21” myth once and for all.

Myth: There’s Always a Vice President Animatronic on Standby at the Hall of Presidents in Case of Assassination

It’s unknown what, if anything, Disney would do in the case of a presidential assassination, as one has never occurred while the Hall has been open.

How Insane was Disneyland on the Opening Day of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge??

For months (or really, years) since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was announced, people have talked about the ridiculous lines that would be formed to get in and ride the attractions.

This pic is one of the many memes that people have come up with to depict how long the lines were going to be. This one’s for Disney World, but the expectation was the same for Disneyland.

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But Disneyland pulled off a miracle and day one of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is likely to go down in the history books as a success. The lines worked. The land largely had the capacity for the capped number of visitors. Both the physical structure and the cast were clearly ready to bring this world to life even though the second ride wasn’t yet available. Although it wasn’t empty, there was a bit of breathing room you can see in the pics below.

The main complaints on opening day were things like not being able to even enter a line for some key experiences (such as building lightsabers or visiting Oga’s) when the line got too long. There was also period of time where there was a two-hour delay on mobile food ordering at lunch.  But compared to the expectation that you would be shoulder-to-shoulder and wait hours just to enter the land, things were much better.

When Walt Disney World opened up Frozen Ever After, a boat ride themed around the Frozen franchise in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot, on opening day the wait time reached upwards of 300 minutes. The lines for the attraction stretched all throughout the park as families queued up for literally hours.

If you think that’s bad, the next year in 2017 when Disney World opened its brand new land, Pandora: The World of Avatar, the wait to just get into the new land surpassed two hours, and then once you were inside it was still another four hour wait to ride the main attraction, Flight of Passage.

So needless to say, when it was announced that Disneyland would be opening up a Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge, both guests — and cast members — braced themselves for the worst. This wasn’t just a single ride, it was an entire land with a dedicated and die-hard fan base already clamoring to get inside. How would Disney be able to combat the hours-long wait times that were sure to form and stretch on endlessly?

Doing something the theme park has never done before, it decided to require guests to obtain a reservation to access Galaxy’s Edge. It’s like a FastPass, but not just for a ride, but the whole land. The reservation system opened up roughly a month before its opening, and all reservations for Galaxy’s Edge were gone in a matter of hours. However, come opening day, would this actually work?

Surprisingly, yes. In a move that is now sure to be repeated again in the future (hopefully), with this reservation system in place Disney managed to keep the wait time for the one ride in the area — Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — below 45 minutes for roughly the entire day. Honestly, that’s unheard of. Opening day of new land with a brand new attraction? A 45-minute wait?

By all accounts, this opening went incredibly smooth, it’s time to turn our attention to Disney World where its own Galaxy’s Edge is set to open August 29th, 2019. Currently, there are no plans to use a reservation system to access the new land in Orlando, Florida. Will that opening go as smoothly as Anaheim? I sure hope so as I will be there that very day! If you have any pull over any big-wigs at Disney, please convince them to do the reservation system there, too. Please! :)

Do you want to get to Disney World or Disneyland to see Star Wars? Or do you want to go and avoid that area all together? Either way, contact me!! It’s always FREE to use my services!!


My Worst Nightmare: What Happens if You Get Kicked out of Walt Disney World??

Did you know that it’s possible to get kicked out of Disney World?  Or worse yet…  BANNED FOR LIFE.  Geez that would just be the end of me.  So what could cause you to get into this horrible trouble?  And what happens after you’re removed from the park?  Read on and DON’T let me ever hear that this has happened to you….

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Cutting in line can get you kicked out of the park.  It kind of depends on who sees you and how they react.  Seems to happen all the time without consequences but if you catch the wrong Cast Member on the wrong day, they certainly can have you removed.

Jumping out of a ride can get you kicked out as well. I have heard that in some cases this can even result in the person being banned from the park. First of all, it’s a safety issue.  You could possibly endanger yourself and others around you.  Plus, it ruins the ride for everyone!  Don’t even be tempted to do this.

Making rude gestures. This is another good way to get kicked out of the parks. This often happens on ride photos like Splash Mountain or Expedition Everest. If the right cast member sees the offensive gesture while blurring it out, they might just take action to have you removed from the park. The same goes for making rude gestures or remarks at cast members or other guests in the park. You don’t want to be removed for a silly impulsive decision.

Now, making a silly face or giving your cheesiest smile for the camera is a-okay.  Proof here…

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Refusal to comply with Disney rules. If, for example, you somehow get a selfie-stick through security and are seen with it in the park, you probably won’t get kicked out simply for having that “illegal” item. But Disney cast members will escort you from the park if you refuse to give it up.

Fighting. Especially with cast members or characters! Disney is all about safety. So, if a guest does anything that disrupts other guests or a cast member’s safety, Disney will likely take precautions. There are times that families will actually get physical with one another while waiting in lines or for the fireworks. These guests are removed from the parks. Some fights have been bad enough for the guests to earn a ban as well. It’s easy for emotions to run high when you’re hot and tired and hungry.

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Smoking. As of May 1, 2019, smoking (which includes vaping) has been banned in Disney Parks. There are designated smoking areas located just outside the park entrances, at the Disney hotels and Disney Springs, but getting caught smoking in a nonsmoking area may get you escorted out or possibly banned.

Sneaking Backstage. Disney, like most other companies, does not allow guests in private employee areas behind the scenes, both for safety reasons and to help preserve the mystery of how the “magic” is made. If you’re caught in an off-limits area, you will be escorted from the park. If you simply must find out what’s going on behind the guarded walls, there are tours that will take you to some backstage areas.  Let me know if you’re interested in those and I’ll hook you up!

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Getting too drunk at the parks. It’s OK to have a good time and to drink around the world if that’s what you want to do. But, if drunk guests start causing problems or scenes, Disney will not hesitate to remove them from the premises.

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Spreading ashes can get you kicked out or even banned for life. A lot of people want to have their cremated remains sprinkled around the Disney Parks. Believe it or not, the ashes will glow and the cast members will be alerted to what has happened. The ride will have to be closed until the ashes can be cleaned. Then, Disney will locate those who threw the ashes and will likely ban them from the park. Don’t forget, Disney has cameras everywhere and is always watching.

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Stealing. This one should be pretty obvious, but stealing is another action that will result in being banned or kicked out of the parks. Don’t even think about it!   Again, Disney has eyes (and cameras) everywhere!

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SO, WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET KICKED OUT?

Disney operates on a case-by-case basis. They’ll evaluate each situation based on a variety of factors to determine what action should be taken.

Many times, guests are only removed from the parks for a day. They are given a warning and allowed back into the park. Other times, Disney may “blacklist” a guest, banning them for life.

Disney will document what has happened so that they can keep a record of the events that took place. They will also take a photo of the offending guest.

If the situation warrants it, Disney will contact the appropriate law enforcement officials to take action. This could result in the guest being arrested. Other times, the guest may just be presented with a trespassing admonition.

Despite its best attempts, Disney cannot monitor who is entering its parks and properties everywhere at all times. But if you are caught trespassing after you’ve been banned, Disney will contact the authorities.

Let’s keep Disney Parks magical for everyone!  Don’t get yourself in trouble - it will break my heart!!

And be sure and call me to book and plan your trip - I don’t charge any fees at all and love helping others get to my Happy place!!

Now More than Ever!

The most common question I receive from people considering a Disney World trip is “when is the best time to go to have the best experience?” 

Although I have written in the past about the best/worst times (take a look here), we’re getting to the point where crowd levels are going to be high no matter the time.  With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening, crowds will be flocking to the parks in droves. 

Disney is currently running a marketing campaign called “Now More than Ever!”  and I couldn’t agree more.  I wouldn’t normally recommend visiting in the middle of the summer due to the crowds and heat.  But it will be a while until the crowds slow down after Star Wars opens.

So you’ve got until the end of August to get there and enjoy what is turning out to be a slower summer for the parks.  A lot of people are putting off trips until Star Wars opens and that leaves rooms open this summer.  Disney has even put out a rare summer offer to lower the costs of some rooms.  In fact, in looking at a quote for a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 kids, for 5 nights with a 4 day park hopper ticket in June, you’re looking at less than $3000.  That’s typically one of the higher priced times to travel to Disney so a great deal at the moment. Costs will most likely just keep going up from here with all of the new attractions/resorts/entertainment options heading to the World.

Need more reasons to travel to Walt Disney World Now More than Ever?   Here you go!

Join Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park!

Join Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park!

Party with Pixar Pals to Celebrate 30 Years of Disney’s  Hollywood Studios

Party with Pixar Pals to Celebrate 30 Years of Disney’s 
Hollywood Studios

Celebrate the Circle of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Celebrate the Circle of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Satisfy Your Cravings for Food, Entertainment and Fun at Epcot

Satisfy Your Cravings for Food, Entertainment and Fun at Epcot

Other Can’t-Miss Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort

Other Can’t-Miss Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort

Do You Want to Spend the Night in Cinderella's Castle?

Last week I talked about the amazing Specialty Suites at Disneyland. This week, I’ll tell you about special rooms at Walt Disney World!

I can’t imagine getting to spend the night in Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. And sadly, I don’t imagine it will ever happen for me. As of now, the only way you can stay there is if you’re invited (usually for celebrities) or you win a contest. But you can bet I’ll keep hoping it happens. Here are a couple of pictures from lucky ducks that have seen the suite…

Below are other rooms that regular peeps like me can actually book… I’ve included the one at Wilderness Lodge mainly due to the bedding options. You can get bunkbeds! When you have 2 kids that nearly kill each other shoving each other in the bed, you really appreciate an easy bed time. Each in their own bed!! This option is also available at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And bonus there, you can see animals from some of the rooms!

Of course, this is only a small sampling of rooms. There are a LOT of options depending on what you and your family need. Please give me a call if you’re thinking of taking a Disney trip. I will help you get the room that will work best for you and make your trip as Magical as possible. My services are FREE!!