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Walt Disney World Tries to Make Dining Easier
 You can work up an appetite making your way through the Orlando theme parks and standing in all of those ride lines. There are so many great places to eat at the Disney theme parks too. Over at the Magic Kingdom you have the great buffet restaurant The Crystal Palace. For a great hotdog or cheeseburger you can check out Casey’s Corner. There are also a variety of dining locations throughout the parks like the Noodle Stand in Tomorrowland or Mrs. Potts’ ice cream shop in Fantasyland. The great themed restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are always fun to check out. You have the Sci-Fi Diner where you can sit in a “car” and watch old sci-fi movies while waitresses roller skate up to you. Over at the Prime Time Diner, a 50’s themed restaurant, you can enjoy old-fashioned American food where the waitresses make sure you eat all of your food—just like mom would. But if you’ve ever eaten at any of these restaurants, you might have had to encounter one of the negatives: overcrowding. Especially during the summer, when park attendance is at its highest thanks to the kids being out of school, the Disney restaurants can be an incredibly stressful experience. Groups usually have to designate people to order the food while the other group goes to reserve the table. If you’re in a large group, it’s especially difficult. Well, the problem was apparently getting out of hand and Disney, always ready to please their customers, is ready to change the system to make dining at the parks a smoother experience. You will no longer be able to send someone to hold a table for your party. Disney restaurant cast members will now be seating hungry guests in their restaurants much like a waiter would in a regular restaurant. This doesn’t apply to every restaurant in the Disney parks, only the quick service restaurants like the Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While some guests are complaining about the longer wait times this is causing, Disney feels this will help make the dining process easier, even if it does take a little bit longer. Labels: Disney Dining, disney resort dinning, disney world, orlando park tickets, Orlando Restaurants
Disney Tours Spotlight: Behind Our Steam Train Tour
 There are many tours you can take at the Walt Disney World Resort, from behind the scenes-themed to character meet and greets. That is the great thing about the Walt Disney World Resort, you can always choose to be in the magic or find out how they make the magic from behind the scenes. While there are some places that are off limits in the Disney theme parks, the people at Disney still try to give guests as many behind the scenes experiences as they can. One of those great tours is “The Magic Behind Our Steam Train” tour. It’s no secret Walt Disney loved trains. He was always building models and they were a huge influence when designing Disneyland and Disneyworld. Over at the brand new Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco you can see a model of one of Walt’s favorite trains, the most famous being the Lily Belle. But right here in the Magic Kingdom, this special tour will let you enter the park before everyone else does for a three hour tour that will have you meeting one-on-one with Disney’s train engineers. The Backstage Roundhouse will be the first stop on your tour. This is where the trains are stored. At the Magic Kingdom we have the Lily Belle, the Roy O. Disney, the Roger E. Broggie and the Walter E. Disney. All of the trains are antiques, “meticulously” restored by Disney’s Imagineers. After you learn all about the trains’ inner-workings from your engineer and tour guide, you will then get a chance to ride around the Magic Kingdom as you continue to learn about Walt Disney’s love of trains and how they influenced the Disney parks. This tour is outside, so make sure you plan well according to weather. It’s a great choice for the upcoming cooler months. You have to be 10 or older in order to participate and you have to purchase an admission to the park before taking the tour, so get your discount Disney ticket beforehand! If you’re a train enthusiast this is the perfect tour for you. Labels: Disney Attractions, disney world, tours, walt disney world
The Secrets of Disney in the Palm of your Hand
 If you are an iPhone user and like to find out cool facts and insider secrets when you visit the Orlando theme parks, you will enjoy TimeStream’s Walt Disney World Secrets Gold notescast. Kind of like a podcast, a notescast delivers information straight to your iPod, iPhone or iTunes account. But the great thing about Walt Disney World Secrets Gold is that it can be used as a handy, electronic tour guide that will give you information on the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The latest update in the Walt Disney World Secrets Gold notescast is the addition of pictures and more information. It only costs $1.99 at the App store but the updates are free and this little gem of an app keeps getting better and better every time new information is added. Another plus: Hidden Mickeys! Hidden Mickeys can be found in every Walt Disney World Resort theme park and even the hotels. A Hidden Mickey is a Mickey Mouse head carefully hidden in décor and even floor patterns. This practice was originally started by Disney Imagineers as a joke. But now, the hunt for Hidden Mickeys has spawned plenty of websites and even guidebooks. Your Walt Disney World Secrets Gold notescast features Hidden Mickey Tour with over 80 certified Hidden Mickey spots. This notescast has over 200 secrets about the Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts. Learn about the tricks Imagineers used to make the World Showcase Pavillion’s “Eiffel Tower” look true-to-scale. Or find out secrets about Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. With this great app you can look up anything you want to know in an instant. It definitely beats having to pull out a guide book and search a long index as you thumb through page after page for one little fact. With walking tours, WDW secrets, and the ability to receive frequent updates on all of the latest news from the Disney theme parks, this little app is a great tool to have on hand. If you’re not an iPhone user you can still download the information onto your iTunes and check it out there before heading to the parks. Labels: Disney, disney world, Disney World Guide, walt disney world, Walt Disney World News
Slow Season, Short Lines: Head to Orlando Now!
 The kids are back in school and those with seasonal jobs are back to work. Retailers are preparing for the holidays and the Orlando theme parks are gearing up for Halloween events. What does this all mean for those of you thinking of heading to Orlando now? Shorter lines! That’s right, you can expect to find shortened wait times in all of the Orlando theme parks including SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and the Walt Disney World parks. There are tons of big rides that have opened up as of late, especially over in SeaWorld and Universal Orlando. Already a hit with coaster lovers thanks to Kraken, the new Manta rollercoaster at Sea World had huge wait times when it first opened. After all, it’s the closest experience you can get to actual flying as you glide around the huge track face down with your arms and legs free to dangle or cling to the bars for dear life (depending on what kind of rider you are, of course). At Islands of Adventure, The Hulk is one of the most popular rides and always a long wait right along with Spiderman (both of them located on Marvel Superhero Island). Spiderman is definitely a favorite and it even won a Golden Ticket Award for Best Dark Ride. At Universal Studios Orlando Revenge of The Mummy and the brand new Rip Ride Rockit are the big ticket thrill rides you usually need to wait in line for. At the Walt Disney World Resort, you can always expect the “Mountains” at the Magic Kingdom to have long wait lines. Mission Space and Soarin’ at Epcot and Aerosmith’s Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster and Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios usually have packed lines, as well. Such is not the case this time of year. But you can also take advantage of two special holiday parties that will guarantee short lines on just about every ride! Both Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party allow only a certain number of people into the parks to experience holiday fun the way only Walt Disney World can. So if you’ve been thinking of coming to Orlando, check out OrlandoFunTickets.com for the best deals and take advantage of the slow season! Labels: disney world, Sea World, Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Orlando, walt disney world
Disney Takes the Cake on the Food Network
 Who does not love a nice piece of cake? Whether you are having a birthday, celebrating a holiday or just having a craving for buttercream frosting or red velvet, there are plenty of cake lovers out there in the world. Disney and Universal fans, if you’ve never had a chance to catch the show Food Network Challenge on The Food Network, you are missing out. Every now and then this great show comes up with challenges fans of the two biggest Orlando theme parks would love. About four or five of the best pastry chefs from around the nation compete in this show where they are given seven hours to make a three foot cake based on a the theme chosen for that show’s episode. Food Network Challenge has ventured into the world of Disney World magic and Universal Studios Orlando adventure with a number of episodes dedicated to characters from both of these beloved theme parks. With their Disney Princess challenge, chefs were assigned princesses like Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White and Cinderella and told to represent their stories the best they could in cake form. Belle was surrounded by her dinnerware friends and Cinderella was in her carriage on her way to the beautiful castle. Ariel was resting on the shore with seashells and her fishy friends as Snow White sang to the birds and Jasmine stood high above a hot air balloon. Another episode featured characters from Pixar movies like Toy Story, Cars, Ratatouille and Monsters Inc. For the Universal Studios character challenge, we got to see Scooby-Doo, Popeye, Betty Boop and Curious George all brought to life using cake ingredients and the sturdy, edible fondant covering that helps these chefs build the huge cakes. They aren’t allowed to use any non-edible sources on the exterior of the cake, but they can use plastic rods and other items to help get height on the massive 3 foot structures. You always find yourself holding your breath when they have to move the large cakes to the judge’s table—they could easily fall! If you want to tune into this exciting show that showcases just how difficult it can be to make incredible cake creations, check out the Food Network Sunday nights at 8pm/7c to see if one of the upcoming episodes is dedicated to one of your favorite Disney or Universal Studios characters. Other challenge themes have included castles, fantasy vacations and birthday surprises. What will be next on this great show? We’re thinking favorite theme park ride challenge would be awesome. Labels: disney world, Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Orlando, walt disney world
Personal Favorites: The Magic Kingdom's Mountains
 Some people just are not roller-coaster enthusiasts. The idea of huge loops, drops, inversions and crazy speeds make them queasy just thinking about it. But thanks to the Walt Disney World’s “family friendly” coasters there are plenty of ways to have some fun on a coaster without having to worry about losing your lunch. You’ll see little kids dragging their parents to rides like Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain because they’re all fun and give you just the right amount of “thrill” and no spill…if you get what I mean. Space Mountain is getting ready to reopen this November just in time for the holiday season. You and fellow riders hop into a rocket that takes you through “space” as you race by shooting stars and comets. It’s great to wait in line at Space Mountain and feel like the galaxy is right above your head as you hear the distant screaming of guests riding the space coaster. Don’t let the fact that there are no loops or inversions on Space Mountain fool you: this is an intense and FAST ride! The “mountains” usually have the longest lines of any of the Magic Kingdom’s attractions, but thanks to the Fast Pass system you can plan ahead and not have to wait too long. Over in Frontierland we have the other two mountains in the park: Splash Mountain and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (or Thunder Mountain for short). Splash Mountain is a silly adventure with Br’er Rabbit and Br’er Bear on a log flume ride that will leave you soaked—you’ve been warned! It’s great on a hot summer day but might not be a good idea when the temperatures start to drop in Orlando. Over at Thunder Mountain you’ll take a trip through the Wild West on a runaway train that takes sharp turns and dips into dark caves as you hear banjos and train whistles going off around you. This is a nice attraction to reserve for night time as you take many curves outside and the breeze is excellent (as is the brief glimpse you can catch of Cinderella’s Castle through the trees). So these may not be huge coasters like SeaWorld’s Manta or Busch Gardens’ Kumba…but the mountains at the Magic Kingdom can be thrilling for all ages. Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, disney world, Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom Attractions
Remembering September 11th: Be Patriotic at Walt Disney World
 No one will ever forget the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. All you have to do is ask someone where they were and they will tell you what was going on in their lives when they first learned about the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The entire nation was affected by the terrible event and the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland were no different. It’s no secret Walt Disney was an incredibly patriotic man and that is a sentiment still very much engrained in the Disney family today. The day of the attacks, Disneyland kept their parks closed. Because of the time difference no one had gone to visit the parks, but there were still people at the resorts. Food and beverage stations remained open and all telephone charges were suspended so visitors could call their families. Groups that had been stranded were entertained by free Disney movies over at Downtown Disney. Here at Walt Disney World, Cast Members were instructed to link hands and form a human wall to gently guide visitors out of the parks. Hotels let stranded visitors stay in and also suspended telephone charges so people could try and connect with their loved ones. The closing of the Disney parks on September 11th marks only the second time in history the Disney parks closed. The first was when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. There are plenty of ways to salute America and be patriotic in the parks. Over at the Magic Kingdom you can visit the refurbished Hall of Presidents. Over at Epcot you can visit the American Adventure Pavilion at the World Showcase. Check out Voices of Liberty, an eight singer group that sings classic American songs or check times for the next performance by the The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps. This incredible group marches right into the streets with incredible renditions of “Yankee Doodle” and “God Bless America” all in colonial costume. You can also view the 30 minute American Adventure which features music, film and Audio-Animatronics of important figures from American history like George Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. Despite the country’s ups, downs and tragedies the spirit of Walt Disney and patriotism will always be found at Walt Disney World. Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, disney world, history, walt disney world, Walt Disney World News
Mother Knows Best
 Mother knows best, right? Well at the Walt Disney World Resort moms definitely know best with the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. Going to Disney for the first time can be a daunting experience especially for those with young children. Trying to figure out what to pack or thinking of something as simple as figuring out where to eat is hard to do when you have to please a family—so why not let the moms help you out? The Disney Mom’s Panel has an online forum where they offer advice about all sorts of things related to the Disney parks, hotels, shopping and even the Disney Cruise Line. Every year a new panel of moms is selected to work as correspondents for the Walt Disney World Resorts. They can be your source of info if you don’t want to speak to a travel agent and would rather speak to someone who knows, first hand, what traveling to the Disney parks is all about. So what kinds of questions can the Disney Mom’s Panel help you out on? How about starting with the parks themselves. Whether you are visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot or the Magic Kingdom, the moms will help you figure out what’s the best way to navigate the parks and where to begin. Because the moms help guests through an online forum, you can ask whatever question you want and you will receive a number of replies, not only from official panelists, but from other guests of the forum as well. If you’re looking to make a reservation at one of Disney’s fantastic restaurants, the moms can help you on questions regarding dietary restrictions and which restaurant is the most kid friendly. Thinking of catching a fireworks show but not sure if you will be able to bring your stroller? Ask the moms panel. Don’t know if The Haunted Mansion is too scary for the little ones? Ask the moms panel. This valuable resource has become a mainstay in the Disney community. If you would like to be a Disney Mom, applications for new panelists are accepted every year. As a panelist not only would you get to work on the forum, you would also get to attend special Disney events and report on them for the site. Just recently, the Disney Moms were at the unveiling of the new Hall of Presidents and the opening of the new Animal Kingdom restaurant Sanaa. If you would like to apply for the Disney Mom’s Panel, check out the applications and see if it’s a job for you! Labels: cheap disney tickets, Discount Disney Tickets, Disney, disney world
Staying Safe in the Disney Parks
 Disney theme parks are incredibly fun, but they are also incredibly big! The Walt Disney World Resort parks are huge and can take up an entire day if you plan to see every attraction possible. But the size of these theme parks can create many safety issues that can affect the entire family. So we’re here to bring you some tips to keep the entire family safe while on your visit to the Orlando theme parks whether you visit Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld or any other attraction. One of the best things to do once you enter the park is pick up a map. Take some time with your group to get oriented on where everything is and pick a spot where you can meet up in case the group becomes separated. Nowadays it’s easier to find each other thanks to technology like cellphones, but for children that don’t have these tools picking a meet up spot is important. If your child is very young, you can put a sticker on the meetup place and instruct the child to tell a cast member their parents are waiting for them at that spot in case they get lost. When you are entering busy lines try to keep your family together. It’s easy to separate while everyone is making the rush toward the ride entrance. A lot of this has to do with being polite. A simple “excuse me” or asking someone to let your group enter in an orderly fashion goes a long way. If there is a taller member of the group or you are traveling in a family unit, have one person assume the responsibility of letting the younger ones in first before entering the line and as always, thank the people around you. Thanks to modern technology, strollers have become an even safer option to transport your kids within the park. Big Leap GPS has partnered with Orlando Stroller Rentals to provide you with the ultimate experience in safety technology. If anything were to happen to your stroller you would be able to utilize the GPS tracking system to locate it. But technology can only do so much. Common sense plays a big part in park safety. Don’t leave small children unattended. Make sure you pay attention to all safety regulations provided by the parks before going on a ride. If you have health conditions or you are pregnant, getting on thrill rides is the worst possible thing you can do! To make sure your trip to the Orlando theme parks is fun, follow the rules and stay together—that’s the best safety tip of all. Labels: Disney, disney world, safety, Seaworld Orlando, Universal Orlando, walt disney world
Disney Presents Ponyo
 What Walt Disney is to the West, Hayao Miyazaki is to the East. Miyazaki is the most famous Japanese animator in the history of the nation. His films have won Oscars and his animated movies have brought more people to the movies than "Titanic" did on this side of the world. Some of you might be familiar with previous movies like “Princess Mononoke," "Spirited Away" (which won an Oscar in 2003), or "Howl’s Moving Castle"; but if you aren’t Disney is planning to change that with Miyazaki’s latest film “Ponyo." “Ponyo” tells the story of Ponyo, a little half-girl, half-goldfish that wishes to be human. Sound familiar? While there are hints of “The Little Mermaid” in this tale, there aren’t any singing crabs or musical numbers. “Ponyo” has similar elements to the classic tales but the similarities end when Miyazaki’s infusion of Japanese imagery comes into play. Water plays a huge part in Japanese imagery and mythology as it does in “Ponyo." There is an ocean wave sequence in the movie animators are raving about and there is a sea witch by the name of Lady Eboshi, but she is nothing like Ursula. The characters in Miyazaki’s world are never fully evil or fully good. Just like in real life there is plenty of grey area in this film that will have the older crowds thinking. Kids will love the adventure and story of true friendship, adults will love the deeper life themes that are always weaved into every Miyazaki story. Everything is hand-drawn, so don’t expect any Pixar 3D animation here. Miyazaki has stated before that he plans to draw by hand as long as he can, and his animators will be doing the same. “Ponyo” also features the voice talents of Disney kids Noah Cyrus (Miley’s little sister), Frankie Jonas (the youngest Jonas brother) and star actors like Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett and Tina Fey. As for Ponyo’s presence at the Disney theme parks, we’ll have to wait and see. Disney is presenting this great movie to American audiences, but whether or not this adventurous little girl will be featured in the Disney theme parks or not is still unknown. OrlandoFunTickets.com is guessing we’ll see Ponyo merchandise at Epcot’s Living Seas or near Ariel’s Grotto. After all, Ponyo is now part of the undersea world in the Disney film family. “Ponyo” is playing in theatres across the US now, so make sure you check it out! Labels: disney world, movies, ponyo, walt disney world
Disney Gearing up for The Princess and The Frog
 The holiday movie season is fast approaching and both Walt Disney fans and the news media are buzzing about The Princess and The Frog. Not only does this movie mark Disney’s return to hand-drawn 2D animation, but it heralds the arrival of Disney’s first black princess, Princess Tiana. Hints of merchandise have already come out including pictures of the adorable Princess Tiana doll and promotional “fortune cards” that go with the voodoo and magic theme incorporated in the New Orleans-based story. The Princess and the Frog brings together the winning creative team that brought us classics like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. With gorgeous animation and a variety of jazz-infused songs that are sure to get stuck in your head, Disney is hoping the magic of 2D animation returns with the re-telling of this classic fairytale. But until the movie’s holiday release, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland are gearing up for a series of promotional events to let everyone know Disney is ready for a new princess—and they want you to be too! One of the first things the Disney company did was formally introduce the Princess Tiana cast member to the press. While she is voiced by Anika Noni Rose, a Tiana cast member will now appear at both Disney parks in California and Florida, greeting fans of all ages and races in her elegant princess dress and crown. Herown “Prince Charming” is the frog-turned-human Prince Naveen, who will also be making appearances and signing autographs for fans of the movie starting this fall. Tiana will officially be introduced into the princess merchandise lineup in early 2010 after the movie’s release, and then we will see her next to Aurora, Jasmine, Cinderella and all of the other princesses in Disney’s products. As for events at the Disney theme parks, fans can expect to see Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee for the 2009 holiday season. This promotional show will debut at Disney World on October 26, 2009 and will run through January 3, 2010. Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee will be a “Mardi Gras-style” musical show that utilizes the gorgeous Liberty Belle show boat in Frontierland next to the Haunted Mansion attraction. The show begins with a procession of jazz musicians heading over to the Liberty Belle as the crowds follow along to the docks. Once there, a small group of pre-selected guests will be selected to board the Liberty Belle with characters from the movie including Tiana and Naveen as the boat then takes off performing songs from the feature’s soundtrack along the river. With all of these great promotional events going on at the Disney theme parks, T he Princess and The Frog is going to be a hit this holiday season. Princess Tiana’s reign has only just begun! Labels: Disney Attractions, disney world, Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom Attractions, Magic Kingdom Events, New attractions
Disney World Takes on Disneyland in Friendly Wager
 The 2009 NBA Finals have become known as the Disneyland vs. Disney World NBA Finals, so it is only appropriate that the head honchos of each Disney theme park resort have gotten a little more invested in the Orlando Magic’s upcoming battle against the Los Angeles Lakers. Similar to the way mayors of towns involved in a sports championship bet on their team for the big win, Walt Disney World president Meg Crofton and Disneyland president Ed Grier have made a friendly wager on the outcome of the finals with some rather interesting conditions. If the Orlando Magic win, Disneyland’s Grier has promised to walk down Main Street, USA at Disneyland wearing a pair of specially made Mickey Mouse ears in blue and silver, the Magic’s colors. Alternately, if the Lakers win, Disney World’s Crofton will don a pair of mouse ears in Lakers’ purple and gold while she walks down Main Street, USA at Magic Kingdom. Already, the two presidents are engaging in some friendly banter. “The Lakers are going to make your team very Grumpy this week,” predicted Grier to Crofton. “But we have ‘Magic’ on our side,” shot back Crofton. “And isn’t that what Disney is all about?” Crofton and Grier went through their respective parks Wednesday looking for fans and drumming up support in an impromptu pep rally. At Magic Kingdom, Crofton was accompanied by Minnie, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and basketball jersey-clad cast members as she passed out Orlando Magic hats, t-shirts, balloons, and basketballs to park-goers in front of Cinderella Castle. And though either Crofton or Grier will have to make a walk of shame down their respective Main Street, U.S.A.’s, both park presidents can take comfort in a show of team support each park will be making throughout the finals. In celebration of the historic finals, Cinderella Castle and Sleeping Beauty Castle will be lit up in the Magic and Lakers’ colors, respectively. Cinderella Castle was already lit up in blue and white on Thursday night. So far, the Lakers have won game 1 of the Finals, which took place last night. Game 2 of the finals will take place on Sunday, followed by game 3 on Tuesday, and game 4 on Thursday. Game 5, 6, and 7, if needed, will take place on the following Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. If the Orlando Magic win the finals, you can expect an amazing celebration at Walt Disney World, complete with parades and appearances from team players. After all, it’s a safe bet to say that Dwight Howard will be asked, “You’ve just won the 2009 NBA Finals! What are you going to do next?” and he’ll respond, “I’m going to Disney World!” Check out Walt Disney World tickets on OrlandoFunTickets.com and get ready to celebrate the Magic’s win with a festive day at the parks – hopefully! Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, disney land, disney world, walt disney world events
Kris Allen is Going to Disney World
 Kris Allen - you have become the newest American Idol! What are you going to do next? "I'm going to Disney World! WOO!" Kris Allen shoted from the American Idol stage in the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Moments after being proclaimed 2009's American Idol on the night of May 20, Kris Allen participated in a Disney tradition that dates back to Super Bowl XXI in 1987. Over fifty football heroes, Olympic medalists, and World Series champions have uttered the famous phrase, "I'm Going to Disney World!" after some kind of victory, with their taped declaration airing on TV as a commercial soon afterwards. And now, it seems as though American Idols will be the latest to join the campaign. Allen is the second singer in history to film the iconic commercial, following season 7 American Idol winner David Cook last year. In accordance with tradition, the new Disney World commercial aired hours after the show's finale. It featured photos of Allen when he was young along with clips from his first American Idol audition, all set to the sound of Allen's sweet voice signing, "When You Wish Upon a Star." It concluded, of course with Allen enthusiastically announcing his future trip to Disney World. The best part of this famous advertising campaign, however, is that Allen really will go to Disney World! The dates of his trip haven't been released yet, but he'll undoubtedly meet with park guests and star in a parade, like many athletes and celebrities before him. When Allen does come to Walt Disney World, it's a sure bet that he'll participate in a filming session to update American Idol Experience, which currently features clips of past American Idols and contestants like Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta, and David Cook, singing and giving contestants a little stage advice. One of the newest attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the American Idol Experience captures the energy amd excitement of American Idol, and just like the show, it offers real people a chance to become stars every day. Regular park guests audition to take the spotlight on stage, and the chosen performers with the most talent compete in shows throughout the day while fellow guests in the audience cheer them on and vote for their favorites. Hours before the American Idol finale wrapped up and the newest American Idol proclaimed his love for Disney, several past American Idols and former contestants walked the red carpet and gave kudos to the American Idol Experience. "The American Idol Experience really will blow your mind. If you've never been to the show, you pretty much have been to the show after you've been there," said Jason Castro, season 7 finalist. "Disney does it right, that's all I can say," added Melinda Doolittle, season 6 finalist. "Going to the American Idol Experience, I was blown away." If you're an American Idol fan, you'll definitely want to check out this fun and musical attraction at Disney. And stay tuned to find out when Kris Allen will be heading to Disney World - it might be sooner than you think! Check out Walt Disney World tickets on OrlandoFunTickets.com to get ready for his arrival. Labels: American Idol, Disney Hollywood Studios, disney world, Disney World Tickets
Yo Ho Ho - It's a Pirate's Life at Disney
 If you dream of a life of pillaging, sailing, and adventure, or if you just want to develop a notorious reputation as the scourage of the seven seas, then you just might find your dream coming true at Walt Disney World. This summer, those with pirate ambitious can actually sign up to join the crew of the Black Pearl. Believe it or not, the vessel made famous in Pirates of the Caribbean will be dropping anchor in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom in late June, where Captain Jack will be looking for a few good men - or rather, some scoundrels, rogues, and ne'er-do-wells. The Black Pearl will be recruiting for The Pirates League, which will train Walt Disney World guests in the scurrilous ways of the buccaneer. Doing for would-be pirates what the Bippidi Boppidi Boutique did for little princesses, The Pirate League will transform guests into swashbucklers, providing them with a new identity and an assortment of pirate ware. The process starts with each guest checking in at the plunder-filled pirate's lair in Adventureland, where they'll receive an official pirate name. Then, it's off to the Muster Station where they'll receive beards and eye patches, scarves and scarsm earrings, and gold teeth, all applied by a seasoned pirate who'll share tales of his own sea-faring adventures. After they're outfitted with pirate gear, the new buccaneers will recite a sacred pirate oath, making them an official part of Captain Jack's crew. Then they'll make one last step into the treasure room to have their "pirate portrait" taken before being turned loose on an unsuspecting Magic Kingdom. The Pirate League comes in three packages for aspiring scurvy sea dogs. The First Mate Packages includes a bandana, choise of facial effects, scars, tattoos, fake teeth, earring and eye patch, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, one 5x7-inch photo, and a personalized pirate oath for $49.95. The Empress Package, also $49.95, is for female pirates and includes a bandana, shimmering makeup, a face gem, tattoos, nail polish, earring and eye patch, sword and sheath, pirate coin necklace, and the photo and oath. And for a little more, guests can really go all out with the Captains Package, which provides the above options in addition to a choice of pirate costume, and three 5x7 pictures. The package costs $124.95. Once ready for the priate life, guests can venture out on the streets of Adventureland with a trasure map and seach for clues and treasures. Mateys who want to continue their training can also check out Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial, which takes place several times daily outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. The Pirate League will open for business on June 29, so if you have a little pirate in the family or are nursing some dreams of piratehood yourself, be sure to drop by Magic Kingdom next month. Take a look at the Walt Disney World tickets on OrlandoFunTickets.com to begin planning your swashbuckling adventure. Labels: disney world, Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom Events, Pirates of the Caribbean
Did You Know? Interesting Disney Factoids
 With four theme parks and over 35 years of history behind it, there is so much to learn about Walt Disney World. And even if you’ve been to the parks a thousand times, chances are there’s still plenty of interesting Disney World facts you may have never heard before. So in honor of one of our favorite Orlando theme parks (or rather, several), here’s a sprinkling of Disney knowledge to brighten your day.
Spaceship TechnologiesIt’s no secret that Spaceship Earth at Epcot possesses one of the coolest architectural designs in the country. Designed with the help of science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, the park icon is a geodesic globe made out of more than 10,000 isosceles triangles, and it opened along with Epcot in 1982. However, did you know that when it rains, not a drop of water running through Spaceship Earth’s grooves actually falls to the ground? The cladding was designed so that when it rains, all the water is absorbed through one-inch gaps in the facets and collected in a gutter system – which eventually is channeled right into the World Showcase Lagoon. Neat, huh? Disney’s No Dummy
When Disney was first acquiring the property for Walt Disney World as we know it today, the company used various dummy corporations to avoid a burst of land speculation. The first five-acre lot was bought in 1964 by the “Ayefour Corporation,” a subtle pun on Interstate 4. Other interestingly named and secretly Disney-owned lot purchasers included “M.T. Lott Real Estate Investments” – get it? Empty lot! Royally Cool ConstructionCinderella’s Castle, the iconic figure of Magic Kingdom, was inspired by several French castles. Completed in 1971 after 18 months of construction, the castle reaches a height of 189 feet. However, an optical trick called forced perspective makes it look much larger than it really is. As you proceed to look up at the castle, the proportions get smaller the higher up it gets, making the castle look taller. Also, despite appearances, no bricks were used in the castle’s construction. Two of the spires, however, were built using actual gold and gold leaf. Hidden MickeysSure, you can find Mickey Mouse in any number of Disney parades every afternoon, such as the Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom. But did you know that Mickey’s famous round head and two round ears can be spotted all over the Disney parks in random, secret places? Called Hidden Mickeys, these little stamps can be seen in restaurants, on the sidewalk, on the art of attractions, and even on parade vehicles. Keep your eyes peeled for a broccoli Mickey in the Body Wars mural in Epcot, for a row of hidden Mickey railings underneath a window at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror, and for a Mickey at the center of the manhole covers at all of the parks. If you want to learn more about your favorite Disney theme park, one of the best and most fun ways to do that is to visit! Score your Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a Disney expert. Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, Disney Attractions, disney world, Disney World Tickets
Super Bowl Winners are Going to Disney World!
 One particular phrase in the English language has become so iconic over the years that it is now a trademark reaction to any kind of milestone achievement. Most recently uttered by American Idol winner David Cook, the expression “I’m going to Disney World!” has even been used as a sort of joke – that’s how often it’s been said. But for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, “going to Disney World” is no joke – it really is how the players will celebrate their dramatic victory in Super Bowl XLIII. In the midst of frenzied celebrations just after their team claimed the National Football League championship on Sunday, February 1, Roethlisberger and Holmes shouted, “I’m going to Disney World!” And indeed, they will. Steeler victory celebrations will kick off at Magic Kingdom on February 2 with a special Super Bowl victory parade down Main Street, U.S.A. Holmes, a native of Belle Glade who scored the winning touchdown last night in Tampa, will be joined by NFL Youth Football players from Jacksonville, Florida, for the special celebration beginning at 11 am. Through Roethlisberger initially planned to join the MVP wide receiver, he’ll be making his celebration visit at a later date. Roethlisberger and Holmes made their victory announcement as part of one of TV’s longest commercials, filmed immediately after the Steelers’ 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. This latest commercial is the milestone 40th of a series that first began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “I’m going to Disney World” commercial featured New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, and as a national commercial involving a current event airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion, it was regarded as a groundbreaking concept. Holmes and Roethlisberger have joined a long lineup of people from sports, music, and beyond who have celebrated milestone achievements by “going to Disney World!” If you’re a Steelers fan, there’s nothing quite like celebrating your team’s victory with fellow fans at Holmes’ victory parade at Magic Kingdom. Or, if you can’t make the parade, you can plan a day at the park to coincide with Roethlisberger’s future visit. No matter when you drop by Walt Disney World, you’ll be sure to celebrate the Steelers' Super Bowl victory in style. And don’t forget that Walt Disney World offers special promotions for birthday celebrations too – check out all the details on our What Will You Celebrate? page. After all, there’s no place quite like Disney theme parks for celebrating an event that’s close to your heart. Be sure to check out Walt Disney World tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com in order to get your birthday party or sports celebration started. Labels: Discount Disney Tickets, disney world, sports in orlando, super bowl, walt disney world events
How to Celebrate at Walt Disney World: A Magical Disney Birthday
 Whether it is a birthday, a graduation, an engagement, a reunion, or a first visit, there is no place like Walt Disney World to celebrate special moments. And these events have just gotten even more magical at Walt Disney World with new products, services and programs that are sure to make a special day truly spectacular. This week, we will be highlighting all the new features Disney has to offer and giving tips on how to celebrate your special event Disney-style, starting with the ultimate Disney birthday. Beginning in 2009, birthdays everywhere will get a little more special when Walt Disney World begins to offer free admission to one of the theme parks on your birthday. This makes it even easier to take advantage of Disney’s latest features available for birthday celebrations. One great new option is the Magical Pop-Up Party Pack, available in Spring 2009 at character dining and buffet locations inside Walt Disney World Resort. These packs include goodies, treats, activity sets, and a surprise pop-up centerpiece, and are perfect for the celebration of any special little guy or girl’s birthday. And for the mini-princess who has gotten a year older, any fabulous princess celebration starts with a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney's Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney, where girls three and older can be transformed, hair, makeup, nails, clothes, and all, into a princess or a star like Hannah Montana. The perfect follow up is the My Disney Girls’ Perfectly Princess Tea Party, where girls can put on their tiara, sit with Princess Aurora and Rose Petal, and enjoy princess food and tea, storytelling, and sing-a-longs. Or, for the little Pirate, there’s Disney’s Pirate Adventure or the Island of the Caribbean Pirate Cruise, where the birthday boy can go on a two-hour hunt for treasure and adventure on the high seas of Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Then you can end the day with a Neverland Club Birthday Party at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, which comes complete with crafts, activities, a Disney movie, and games. And of course, no child’s birthday celebration is complete without a birthday cake! Starting in Spring 2009 at select Walt Disney World restaurants, you can order a Disney Pirate Treasure Chest or a Disney Princess Jewelry Box, each containing surprises and an individual cake. For a special 15th or 16th birthday, Disney now provides packages for the perfect Quinceañera – whether it’s with the Belle of the Ball, Dancing With A Star, Reflection of You, or custom packages, a magical birthday filled with dinner, dancing, and fireworks is never far away! These packages are available year-round and include entertainment, food and beverages, and linens and centerpieces. You can even choose the location from a variety of choices. And if you’re not a little pirate, princess, or 15-year old, don’t fret – you too can celebrate your birthday Disney-style with customized parties available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert for groups of 20 or more at select Walt Disney Resort locations. Customize your party however you like it – it’s your birthday, and Disney is determined to make it magical. With all these new options available, there’s only one question left: how will you celebrate? One thing is certain – you can start your celebration by getting discount Walt Disney World tickets here at OrlandoFunTickets.com. And stay tuned for more tips on how to celebrate your special event at Disney! Labels: Birthdays at Disney, Discount Disney Tickets, disney resort dinning, disney world, Magic Kingdom Events
Top 10 Attractions at Walt Disney World
The Walt Disney World Resort is very well known for their world class theme parks and attractions but with so much to choose from how does one possibly choose a favorite ride or attraction? The answer may be simple – you can’t have just one! Below you will find a list of the 10 most popular attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort – and while some of them (ok, most) are thrill rides and not for the faint of heart, most of these are also attractions that the entire family is sure to fall in love with… and want to experience again and again! It is important to note, however, that everything below has one prerequisite for you before you can experience it – theme park admission! Yes, Disney has the best attractions of any theme park resort in the world, but if you don’t have any tickets, you are missing out. This is where OrlanfoFunTickets.com can help out – we are your No. 1 online source for discounted Disney tickets, offering you deals that you can’t get anywhere else. Click here now to see all of our unbelievable discounted prices on Walt Disney World tickets so that you can start experiencing these attractions for yourself – and coming up with a top 10 list of your own! Without further ado, here is OrlandoFunTickets.com’s top 10 attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort. 10. Summit Plummet at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park – What goes up must come down! We start off the list with perhaps the biggest thrill ride of them all. Climbing 12 stories in the air, Summit Plummet is a 120-foot ride that is the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall body slide. If that isn’t enough to get you excited (or scared out of your mind!), then you may also want to know that while you take the plunge, you can reach speeds of up to 55 mph. But don’t worry – even if you are scared, it is over in less than five seconds!  9. Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This show is still fairly new at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it is as popular here as it was at Disneyland Paris where it originated. Featuring incredible stunts using specially-designed cars, motorcycles and jet skis, plus tons of other special effects, this stunt show also gives the audience a rare look at how car chases and collision scenes in movies and on TV are created and filmed.  8. The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot – This pavilion in Epcot is based after the loveable movie and begins as you cruise in a clammobile and ride along with all of your favorite friends from the animated feature “Finding Nemo.” Afterwards, all kinds of treats await guests, including up-close views of marine wildlife and the opportunity to interact with your favorite sea turtle, Crush, in Turtle Talk with Crush.  7. Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom Park – An oldie-but-goodie, Space Mountain has entertained millions of guests since the Magic Kingdom Park opened and will continue to do so for decades. This attraction is a six-passenger, high-speed roller coaster that is completely in the dark and makes you feel as if you are seated in a rocket that is racing through space. While this thrill ride may have one of the longest wait times you will find in any park, any hard-core Disney enthusiast will tell you that it is well worth the wait!  6. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – “Walk this way!” That’s right – thrill seekers have found plenty of reasons to walk on over to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster! Guests jam along to their favorite Aerosmith tunes as they rocket from zero to 60 mph in under two seconds at the beginning of this action-packed ride. The entire coaster is inside and primarily in the dark, and there are plenty of twists and loops along the way to make even the most die-hard thrill ride fans keep coming back for more.  5. Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – A trip to the Walt Disney World Resort would not be complete without a visit to the Kilimanjaro Safaris. On this 32-passenger guided safari adventure through more than 100 acres of re-created African terrain, you can expect to see exotic animals such as giraffes, zebras, rhinos, elephants, crocodiles, lions, hippos and more, as they all roam free throughout the land. There really is no other attraction like this at the Walt Disney World Resort, and whether you are an animal lover or not, we promise this will be a welcome respite from the chaos that awaits you back in the park after your return from the safari.  4. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This attraction is perhaps the best themed ride in the entire world. From the moment you approach the Hollywood Tower Hotel to the trek you make into the lobby, everything at this attraction will make you believe that you really are entering a hotel from Hollywood’s Golden Age. And once inside, things really start to get scary! Guests will board elevators that have four different random sequences of drops – so you never know which sequence you will get once you get on board. In all, each ride will plummet down 13 stories in matter of just three exhilarating seconds. This attraction never seems to get old, as can be seen by the number of people who ride it daily – and the number of people who repeatedly keep coming back for more.  3. Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – This welcome addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is a high-speed train adventure that takes guests through the 20-story towering Forbidden Mountain. While onboard, riders will travel both forward and backward through mountain caverns and canyons as you head for a face-to-face encounter with the yeti – otherwise known as the Abominable Snowman! The first real thrill ride at Animal Kingdom, this ride fits in perfectly at this theme park and has finally given thrill seekers another reason to shout – literally!  2. Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Consistently rated as the top show at Walt Disney World, this approximately 30-minute intimate production features dancers, singers, characters, and larger-than-life puppets of Simba, Pumba, an elephant and a giraffe in a spectacle that is worth of Broadway. You can expect to see and hear all of your favorite songs from the movie performed, as well as some ballet, acrobatics, fire twirling and a lot of fun for the whole family.  1. Soarin’ at Epcot – Soarin’ came to Epcot in 2005 after becoming one of the most popular attractions at Disney’s California Adventure Park in Anaheim, Calif., and this attraction has been marveling guests in Florida ever since. This unique attraction is great because it is enjoyable for literally everyone in the family, no matter what your age or what kind of rides you like to go on. Soarin’ simulates hand gliding over the natural wonders of the state of California, and guests will literally feel the wind in their hair and experience smells such as the California orange groves as they soar across the state. No matter what the wait time, this is one attraction you can’t leave the Walt Disney World Resort without visiting! Labels: Christmas in Disney Hollywood Studios Attractions, Disney Animal Kingdom Attractions, disney world, EPCOT attractions, Favorite attractions, Magic Kingdom Attractions, New attractions
The Osborne Family Lights Truly are Out of This World
 Christmas is a time for special celebrations, and spending some time at one of the Walt Disney World parks is a uniquely wonderful way to say Happy Holidays. An annual Orlando yuletide event that is super popular among locals and vacationers alike is The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at the Disney-MGM Studios (soon to be Disney Hollywood Studios). Another fantastic holiday opportunity you will not want to miss is the cheap theme park tickets you will find right here at OrlandoFunTickets.com, your most spectacular source for discounts on tickets to Walt Disney World and all of the Orlando attractions. All of the theme parks at Walt Disney World are beautifully decorated for the holiday season, but nothing wraps itself around park guests quite like the Osborne Lights. You feel like you actually walked into Christmas. There are lights on practically every inch of every surface you can see, and when the festive music starts the light dancing begins. The tradition of this extraordinary Christmas display began over 20 years ago in Little Rock, Arkansas, when six-year-old Breezy Osborne asked her daddy to put up some Christmas lights. Not being able to say no to his little girl, Jennings Osborne adorned their home that year with a modest 1,000 lights. The display expanded as the years went by and contained 3 million lights by 1993!  The Osborne’s neighbors did not get so caught up in the holiday spirit, however, and they complained about the inconveniences the exhibit caused. Following a law suit, the Arkansas Supreme Court put some restrictions on the Osbornes and eventually shut down the holiday display all together. But there is a happy ending. The folks from Disney contacted Osborne and arranged to acquire his family’s illuminating extravaganza and turned it into a holiday attraction at the Disney MGM Studios back in 1995, and the show is still going strong. The Osbornes also sponsor Christmas light displays in 32 cities across the State of Arkansas. Now there is a generous guy who really loves Christmas! Everyone at OrlandoFunTickets.com loves the holidays too, and we especially love providing you with the best discounts on Walt Disney World tickets. We are the best place to find cheap tickets for all of Orlando’s attractions, so click away and display your Christmas spirit today! Labels: Christmas in Disney Hollywood Studios, Christmas in Disney MGM Studios, Christmas in Orlando, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Tickets, disney world, Osborne Family Specticle of lights
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