Disneyland Trip Report

Disneyland Park

4/14-4/16/2011

Accommodations: Candy Cane Inn

• I really enjoyed CCI. The complimentary breakfast was good: orange/apple juice, coffee, bagels, donuts, fruit, yogurt, three types of cereal, and toast. The room was good size and very clean. Right around the corner from Disneyland. The only "negative" would have to be the fact that the walls are a little thin so late at night when people were coming home from the park and walking by our room we could hear them loud and clear. Not really the hotel's fault... more of people need to be more courteous.

Dining Reservations:

• Cafe Orleans (2:30pm 4/15/11): Excellent as always! I had the Mardi Gras Kitchen Sandwich, my mother had the Monte Cristo, and my sister had the Three Cheese Monte Cristo. For appetizers my mom and sister split the gumbo and we all shared the pommes frites. I did try my sister's Three Cheese Monte Cristo and it was tasty, but I don't think I could have eaten all four pieces of it in one sitting. It was interesting to say the least!
• Goofy's Kitchen (9:10am 4/16/11): It was really good! I was pleasantly surprised! The food selection was excellent and the food itself was delicious. Service was great. First we took a picture with Goofy at the front, then Chip, Dale, Baloo, Mulan, Aurora, and Pluto walked around and spent a great deal of time with each table, including us! It wasn't super busy so we weren't skipped by any characters and the characters that came to the table while my sister or I were up getting a plate, came back to see us just like they told my mom they would. I really enjoyed the meal!

Attractions

• Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough (twice) - 8:20am & 8:50am (walk on)
• Snow White's Scary Adventures (twice) - 8:25am & 8:39am (walk on)
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (twice) - 8:30am & 8:34am (walk on)
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey - 8:45am (walk on)
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant - 8:56am (5 min. wait)
• Storybook Land Canal Boats - 9:05am (5 min. wait)
• Disney Princess Fantasy Faire - 9:35am (30 min. wait)
• "it's a small world" - 10:15am (5 min. wait)
• SNACK BREAK - Chimichangas!
• Jungle Cruise - 11:00am (10 min. wait)
• Pirates of the Caribbean - 11:25am (10 min. wait)
• SNACK BREAK - Mint Julep!
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - 12:05pm (10 min. wait)
• Davy Crockett Explore Canoes - 12:30pm (5 min. wait)
• Haunted Mansion - 12:55pm (10 min. wait)
• Big Thunder Mountain - 1:20pm (10 min. wait)
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - 1:50pm (8 min. wait)
• LUNCH BREAK - Cafe Orleans!
• Indiana Jones Adventure - 3:30pm (FASTPASS)
• Casey Jr. Circus Train - 4:10pm (5 min. wait)
• Matterhorn Bobsleds - 4:30pm (20 min. wait)
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage - 4:40pm (25 min. wait)
• Disneyland Railroad - 6:45pm
• Space Mountain - 7:15pm (FASTPASS)
• Disneyland Monorail - 7:35pm
• SNACK BREAK - Hot Chocolate
• Fantasmic! - 9:00pm

Animal Kingdom -- Part I

A lot of people don't like Disney's Animal Kingdom. I don't know why. I rather enjoy it, although it does always feel 928475 times hotter in this theme park than any of the others. It doesn't have as much to do as the other parks, but it is home to some of the greatest shows: Finding Nemo--The Musical and Festival of the Lion King. I'm really sad they discontinued Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends, but I'm glad I got to see it one last time!

Although it's not as famous as Magic Kingdom, in many ways Disney's Animal Kingdom is much more magical. Set in 500 acres of lush landscapes, Disney's largest theme park features a real safari through a 110-acre African wilderness, two Broadway-style shows, a thrilling roller coaster and up-close encounters with live animals. The park's mission: to make it easy--and fun--to appreciate the beauty, magnificence, and importance of the animal world.

THE OASIS

This lush garden makes you feel as if you've been plunked down in the middle of a rain forest. Cool mist, the aroma of flowers, and playful animals and colorful birds all enliven a miniature landscape of steams and grottoes, waterfalls, and glades fringed with banana leaves and jacaranda.

DISCOVERY ISLAND

Primarily the site of the Tree of Life, this land is encircled by Discovery River, which isn't an actual attraction but can be viewed from a bridge in Harambe. The island's whimsical architecture, with wood carvings handmade in Bali, adds plenty of charm and a touch of fantasy to this park hub. The verdant Discovery Island Trails that lead to the Tree of Life provide habitats for kangaroos, lemurs, Galapagos tortoises, and other creatures.

DINOLAND U.S.A.

Just as it sounds, this is the place to come in contact with re-create prehistoric creatures, including the fear-inspiring carnotaurus and the gentle iguanodon. The landscaping includes live plants that have evolved over the last 65 million years. In collaboration with Chicago's Field Museum, Disney has added a complete, full-scale skeleton cast of Dino-Sue--also known as "Sue"--the 65-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex discovered near the Black Hills of South Dakota.

ASIA

Meant to resemble a rural village somewhere in Asia, this land is full of remarkable rain-forest scenery and ruins. Grouping of trees grow from a crumbling tiger shrine and two massive towers, one representing Thailand, the other Nepal.

AFRICA

This largest of the lands is an area of forests and grasslands, predominantly an enclave for wildlife from the continent. The focus is on live animals at the key attractions. Harambe, on the northern bank of Discovery River, is Africa's starting point. Inspired by several East African coastal villages, this Disney town has so much detail that it's mind boggling. Signs on the apparently peeling stucco walls of the buildings are faded, as if bleached by the sun, and everything has a hot, dusty look.

RAFIKI'S PLANET WATCH

Take the Wildlife Express steam train to this unique center of eco-awareness. This land is divided into three sections. At the Conservation Station, you can meet animal experts and gather round for a critter encounter, enjoy interactive exhibits, learn about the worldwide efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats, and find out ways to connect with the conservation efforts in your own community. At the Habitat Habit! section, cotton-top tamarins play while you learn how to live with all earth's animals. And lastly, the Affection Section, where you get free rein in face-to-face with goats and some rare domesticated critters from around the world.

CAMP MINNIE-MICKEY

This Adirondack-style land is the setting for live performances as well as meet-and-greet trails. It has a rustic and woodsy theme, like a summer camp. It's also a cul-de-sac, meaning you can't get to any other part of the park without backtracking to Discovery Island. It's a fairly small land, about the size of Mickey's Toontown in Magic Kingdom.

Attractions

[ FAVORITE / * Fastpass Available / [ x ] Experienced ]

[ x ] The Oasis - Duration: up to you!

DISCOVERY ISLAND

[ x ] Tree of Life - It's Tough to be a Bug!* - Duration: 8 min.

[ x ] Discovery Island Trails - Duration: up to you!

DINOLAND U.S.A.

[ ] The Boneyard - Duration: up to you!

[ x ] Dinosaur!* - Duration: 4 min.

[ x ] Triceratop Spin - Duration: 2 min.

[ x ] Primeval Whirl* - Duration: 2.5 min.

[ ] Fossil Fun Games - Duration: up to you!

[ x ] Finding Nemo-The Musical - Duration: 35 min.

ASIA

[ x ] Expedition Everest* - Duration: 3 min.

[ ] Flights of Wonder - Duration: 25 min.

[ x ] Maharajah Jungle Trek - Duration: up to you!

[ x ] Kali River Rapids* - Duration: 7 min.

AFRICA

[ x ] Kilimanjaro Safaris* - Duration: 22 min.

[ x ] Pangani Forest Exploration Trail - Duration: up to you!

CAMP MICKEY AND MINNIE

[ x ] Festival of the Lion King - Duration: 28 min.

[ x ] Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends - Duration: 25 min. [CLOSED]

RAFIKI'S PLANET WATCH

[ ] Conservation Station - Duration: up to you!

[ ] Habitat Habit! - Duration: up to you!

[ ] Affection Section - Duration: up to you!

Have a Magical Day!

(c) The Color Companion to Walt Disney World

(c) Fodor's WDW Guide 2010

(c) The Complete Walt Disney World 2010

(c) Photos - their respectable pictures Flickr

Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow -- Part I

This is my favorite park. And I haven't even ridden all of the rides. I love learning, and EPCOT is the park that makes learning fun! (Sheesh, if THAT doesn't sound nerdy, wait until my Harry Potter post...) I don't want to work here. I don't know what it is, but the merchandise in Epcot just doesn't interest me, unless you count the World Showcase, but apparently only International College Programmers can work in those. However, I will absolutely be using my 50% holiday discount to my advantage in those WS shops.

It's probably safe to say that Epcot was what Walt most wanted to build after the success of Disneyland. Designed to demonstrate new technology and innovation, Walt envisioned it as a sort of permanent world fair for companies, universities, and governments to show off their newest creations. Epcot is a theme park about ideas, such as ecologies, energy sources, and the role communication systems and how they play in human societies.

FUTURE WORLD

Gleaming futuristic structures of immense proportions define the first themed area beyond the main entrance. Broad thoroughfares are punctuated with billowing fountains--all reflected in shiny space-age facades. Everything, including the landscaping. is sparkling clean and seems bigger than life.

WORLD SHOWCASE

This half of Epcot is devoted to a collection of elaborate pavilions representing the landmarks and cultures of various countries from around the world. It is an ongoing world fair encircling a picturesque 40-acre lagoon. The cuisine, culture, history, and architecture of almost a dozen countries are spaced along a 1.2 mile promenade.

Attractions

[ FAVORITE / * Fastpass Available / [ x ] Experienced ]

Future World

[ x ] Spaceship Earth - Duration: 15 min.

[ ] Innoventions - Duration: up to you!

[ x ] Mission: Space* - Duration: 6 min.

[ x ] Test Track* - Duration: 5 min.

[ x ] Ellen's Energy Adventure - Duration: 45 min. - The Universe of Energy Pavilion

[ x ] The Seas with Nemo and Friends - Duration: up to you!

[ x ] Soarin'* - Duration: 5 min. - The Land Pavilion

[ x ] Living with the Land* - Duration: 14 min. - The Land Pavilion

[ x ] Circle of Life - Duration: 20 min. - The Land Pavilion

[ x ] Honey, I Shrunk the Audience - Duration: 20 min. - Imagination Pavilion

[ ] Journey Into Imagination with Figment - Duration: 8 min. - Imagination Pavilion

World Showcase

[ ] O Canada! - Duration: 17 min. - Canada Pavilion

[ ] Impressions de France - Duration: 18 min. - France Pavilion

[ ] The American Adventure - Duration: 30 min. - America Pavilion

[ ] Reflections of China - Duration: 19 min. - China Pavilion

[ x ] Maelstrom* - Duration: 10 min. - Norway Pavilion

[ x ] Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros - Duration: 9 min. - Mexico Pavilion

Have a Zippidy-Doo-Da Day!

(c) The Complete Walt Disney Guide 2010

(c) Fodor's WDW 2010 Guide

(c) The Color Companion to Walt Disney World

(c) Photo by Jeff B. (Flickr)

Disney-MGM I mean, Disney's Hollywood Studios -- Part I

Yes. Years later I am still bitter and resentful towards this unnecessary name change. Anyway, enough with my griping and belly-aching. On with the show...

I want to work at this park so badly. It has everything: Tower of Terror, RNR Starring Aerosmith, the Beauty and the Beast Show, Toy Story Mania-- just wow. Besides Fantasyland and Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom, it has by far the BEST shopping ever. Minus the JoBros & Hannah Montanna stores, but I can deal.

DHS is a park dedicated to the process of making films, theater productions, television shows, and music. This intimate park is one for the whole family. Boys are especially well served (unlike any other park besides probably EPCOT). It is the park with the smallest public area, but by no means does it mean this park is small. The main thoroughfare, Hollywood Boulevard, is just 500 ft. long, and from there nearly every attraction is just a few minutes away. Thematically the park is divided into two sections. The front is Old Hollywood, a 1940s world with period architecture, signs and stoplights. The rear resembles a modern production studio and backlot. The entrance arch is based on the Paramount Studios Bronson gate.

HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD

With its palm trees, pastel buildings, and flashy neon, Hollywood Boulevard paints a rosy picture of the 1940s Tinseltown. There's a sense of having walked right onto a movie set in the olden days, what with the art deco storefronts, strolling brass bands, and roving starlets and nefarious agents (Citizens of Hollywood).

SUNSET BOULEVARD

This avenue pays tribute to famous Hollywood monuments, with facades derived from the Cathay Circle, the Beverly Wilshire Theatre, and other City of Angels landmarks. It's pretty much the place to be and is home to some of my favorite attractions and shops.

ANIMATION COURTYARD

Animation Courtyard pays tribute to the the era of Disney animation including Lilo & Stitch, Mulan, Brother Bear, and Home on the Range (the forbidden Disney movie that should have never been made), which were being produced in Florida. It is also home to Playhouse Disney, which though I am 20, I still find highly entertaining. Shame.

PIXAR PLACE

Once known as Mickey Avenue, Pixar Place has a fresh new look. Where television and film production soundstages once stood, warm brice facades welcome you to the land of Woody and Buzz. It's also basically a replica of the Pixar Studios in California. Bricks here match the same texture, look, and color as the ones in California. Talk about authentic, right?

STREETS OF AMERICA/BACKLOT

This avenue gives you a glimpse into the streets of New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. The buildings are all facades, but you'll spot a London street, and even a street right out of Chinatown. If you listen closely, you'll often hear the sound effects of a busy city in the background, too.

ECHO LAKE

Echo Lake represents an idealized southern California. In the center is the cool, blue lake of the same name, an oasis fringed with trees and benches and ringed with landmarks, including Gertie the dinosaur. The architecture reflects Los Angeles' programmatic style, California Crazy or duck. du * ck' : one who's exterior is in the shape of the everyday object they relate to and is a building in which the architecture is subordinate to the overall symbolic form.

Attractions

[ FAVORITE / * Fastpass Available / [ x ] Experienced ]

Hollywood Boulevard

[ x ] The Great Movie Ride - Duration: 22 min.

Sunset Boulevard

[ x ] Beauty and the Beast-- Live on Stage! - Duration: 30 min.

[ x ] The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror* - Duration: 10 min.

[ x ] Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith* - Duration: Preride 2 min., Ride 1 min. 22 sec.

Animation Courtyard

[ x ] Playhouse Disney-- Live on Stage! - Duration: 22 min.

[ x ] The Magic of Disney Animation - Duration: 22 min.

[ x ] Voyage of the Little Mermaid* - Duration: 17 min.

[ ] Walt Disney: One Man's Dream - Duration: 20 min.

[ x ] Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian - Duration: 15 min.

Pixar Place

[ x ] Toy Story Mania* - Duration: 7 min.

Streets of America/Backlot

[ x ] Studio Backlot Tour - Duration: 35 min.

[ ] Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show* - Duration: 33 min.

[ x ] Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure Playground - Duration: up to you!

[ x ] Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D - Duration: 25 min.

Echo Lake

[ x ] Star Tours* - Duration: 5 min.

[ x ] Indian Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!* - Duration: 30 min.

[ ] The American Idol Experience - Duration: 25 min. preliminary show, 45 min. finale

[ ] Sounds Dangerous Starring Drew Carey - Duration: 12 min.

Have a Zippidy-Do-Dah Day!

(c) The Complete Walt Disney Guide 2010

(c) Fodor's WDW 2010 Guide

(c) The Color Companion to Walt Disney World

(c) Photo by Jeff B.

The Magic Kingdom Part I

I am going to start doing trilogies of the four Disney parks. I've been wanting to do this-- not only to enlighten those who have never been or haven’t been since they were younger, but it also serves as a helpful reminder to all of us frequent guests who can’t wait to plan out our first day at Magic Kingdom. This is to reiterate about all of the magic and excitement the Magic Kingdom stands for, but it is also a stress reliever to me because talking about it (or rather, writing about it) makes me happy and even more pumped about what's to come in four months. A lot of people think: Magic Kingdom = Cinderella's Castle, but to me, I think of the Railroad. So here we go...

The Magic Kingdom is the heart and soul of the Disney empire and is comparable (in scope) to California's Disneyland. It's divided into seven 'lands': Main Street USA, Liberty Square, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Mickey's Toontown Fair (which will be closing in order to expand Fantasyland, so I will not be touching on this one).

MAIN STREET USA

You begin and end your visit of Magic Kingdom with Main Street, U.S.A. It may open half an hour before and close half an hour to an hour after the rest of the park. It is a Disneyfied turn-of-the-19th-century small-town American street. Along the street are shops, eating places, City Hall, and a fire station. Occasionally horse-drawn trolleys, fire engines, and horseless carriages transport visitors along Main Street to the central hub.

ADVENTURELAND

It is the first land to the left of Main Street. It combines African-safari theme with a Caribbean atmosphere.

FRONTIERLAND

Frontierland adjoins Adventureland as you move clockwise around Magic Kingdom. The focus is the Old West, with a stockade-type structures and pioneer trappings.

LIBERTY SQUARE

This land recreates America at the time of the Revolutionary War. The architecture is Federal or Colonial. A real 130-year-old live oak, the Liberty Tree, lends dignity and grace to the setting.

FANTASYLAND

Fantasyland is the heart of the Magic Kingdom, a truly enchanting place spread gracefully like a miniature Alpine village beneath the steepled towers of Cinderella Castle.

TOMORROWLAND

It is a mix of rides and experiences relating to the technological development of man and what life will be like in the future. If it sounds like Epcot’s theme, it is because Tomorrowland was a breeding ground for ideas that spawned Epcot. However, Tomorrowland is more fun, depicting the future as envisioned in science fiction rather than Epcot, which is more educational.

Attractions

[ FAVORITE / * Fastpass Available / [ x ] Experienced ]

Main Street, U.S.A

[ x ] Walt Disney World Railroad - Duration: 21 min.

Adventureland

[ x ] Enchanted Tiki Room * - Duration: 12 min.

[ x ] Jungle Cruise * - Duration: 10 min.

[ ] The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - Duration: about 3 min.

[ x ] Pirates of the Caribbean - Duration: 10 min.

[ x ] Swiss Family Treehouse - Duration: up to you!

Fantasyland

[ x ] Ariel’s Grotto - Duration: up to you! [CLOSED]

[ ] Cinderella Castle and Bippidi Boppidi Boutique

[ x ] Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel - Duration: 2 min.

[ x ] Dumbo the Flying Elephant - Duration: 2 min.

[ ] Fairy Tale Garden: Story Time with Belle - Duration: 25 min. [CLOSED]

[ x ] it’s a small world - Duration: 11 min.

[ x ] Mad Tea Party - Duration: 2 min.

[ x ] The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh * - Duration: about 3 min.

[ x ] Mickey’s PhilharMagic * - Duration: 12 min.

[ x ] Peter Pan’s Flight * - Duration: 2.5 min.

[ ] Pooh’s Playful Spot - Duration: up to you!

[ x ] Snow White’s Scary Adventures - Duration: 3 min.

Frontierland

[ x ] Big Thunder Mountain * - Duration: 4 min.

[ ] Country Bear Jamboree - Duration: 17 min.

[ x ] Splash Mountain * - Duration: 11 min.

[ x ] Tom Sawyer Island - Duration: up to you!

Liberty Square

[ ] Hall of Presidents - Duration: 25 min.

[ x ] Haunted Mansion - Duration: 8 min.

[ x ] Liberty Square Riverboat - Duration: 15 min.

Tomorrowland

[ ] Astro-Orbiter - Duration: 2 min.

[ x ] Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin * - Duration: 5 min.

[ x ] Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor - Duration: 15 min.

[ x ] Space Mountain * - Duration: 2.5 min.

[ x ] Stitch’s Great Escape - Duration: 15 min.

[ x ] Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - Duration: 5 min.

[ x ] Tomorrowland Transit Authority - Duration: 10 min.

[ x ] Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress - Duration: 20 min.

That's it for part one, check back tomorrow for the second installment! It will be about the Character Meet n' Greets, parades, shows, and fireworks!

Have a Magical Day!

(c) Fodor’s WDW 2010 Guide

(c) The Complete Walt Disney Guide 2010

(c) Photo by Jeff B.

What's New? WDW 2010

So it’s a new year. A lot of us won’t get to see Disney until our arrival date—I know I haven’t been to WDW since Sept. ’08. So, because of this, I thought I’d blog about everything new and exciting that’s waiting for us down at our new home!

MAGIC KINGDOM
Barack Obama has finally joined the Hall of Presidents! The attraction has been completely redone, including a new movie with a new narrator (Morgan Freeman) and all-new staging.

Tinker Bell and her fairy friends now pose and sign autographs at the Toontown Hall of Fame.

The seven-month $12 million refurbishment has made Space Mountain more exciting with a darker, quieter track and faster swoops and drops; a more colorful view of space; and an optional souvenir photo.

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority has new audio narration.

Donald Duck is among the Disney characters who shake their tail feathers at the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party.

New characters have been added to the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade.

Princess Tiana has now officially joined the princesses and now greets and signs autographs with Prince Naveen in Liberty Square.

The Pirates League makeover salon transforms adults and children into swashbucklin’ pirates.

Say goodbye to the long-empty Tomorrowland Skyway Station as it has been demolished & removed.

EPCOT
Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure is a new high-tech scavenger hunt around the ‘world’.
Living with the Land is reopened in 2009 after a refurbishment.

Test Track now features a post-show area displaying a Chevy Volt Extended Range Electric Vehicle that appeared in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.

Remy from Disney’s Ratatouille now appears as a small audio-animatronics creature at Chefs de France.

At the Japan pavilion the Tin Toy exhibit has been replaced by Timeless Beauty: World Heritage Sites of Japan.

Mexico’s new La Cava del Tequila offers 70 varieties and a ‘tequila ambassador’ to teach the history of the drink.

Kidcot children’s arts-and-crafts stations in Future World have been removed.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
The American Idol Experience lets you compete for a chance at ‘stardom’.

A street show High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now! features songs from HMS3.

Luxo Jr. (Pixar’s hopping desk lamp) performs in Pixar Place.

Fantasmic is now only performing a few nights a week.

The indoor ABC Commissary no longer serves breakfast. Instead outdoor Fairfax Fare food court will.

The Sounds Dangerous sound-effects show is only open seasonally.

The ambient sound inside Once Upon a Time gift shop is now the actual radio broadcast of the 1937 premiere of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Kids can now draw and color at the new arts and craft area near the exit of Rock n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

The colorful chicken coop featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie is now a prop on the Studio Backlot Tour.

The Coca-Cola bottle in front of the Studio Backlot Tour has been replaced so now it opens to spray mist.

The hot air balloon outside of MuppetVision 3-D and Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat have been repainted.

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM
At Festival of the Lion King host Timon’s eyes now blink and move.

Two male giraffes were born at AK in Oct. ’09.

Amphibian widows at Conservation Station now display unusual frogs, newts, salamanders, and toads.

WATER PARKS
Summer guests can now meet Goofy at Blizzard Beach and Lilo and Stitch at Typhoon Lagoon.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY
Characters In Flight takes guests on a 400 ft hot-air balloon ride above the West Side.

The Virgin Megastore and Starabilias memorabilia shop is now closed.

Although the Pleasure Island’s club scene was closed in 2008, their new restaurant and bar, Paradiso 37, features ‘street cuisine’ from North, South, and Central America and nightly entertainment.

SPORTS AND REC
The ESPN Wide World of Sports complex is installing large video screens at many of its venues.
Disney has introduced two new tours: Epcot’s Nature-Inspired Design and Holiday DeLites.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience has lowered the minimum age for it’s ride-along program to 14.

The Pirate & Pals Fireworks Voyage, formerly the Magical Fireworks Voyage, is now open to all guests, not just those booking Disney’s Grand Gatherings.

Two foot races are no more: Disney’s Race for the Taste during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K… the Wine & Dine Half Marathon will pass through multiple theme parks and end at Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival. It will be held Oct. 1 & 2.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Rooms at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort have undergone an extensive renovation that includes flat-screen TV's and all-new furnishings and carpet.

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort has redone some rooms in a pirate theme; all others have a subtle 'Finding Nemo' decor.

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground have added archery lessons as well as bicycle abd surrey rentals.

The Downtown Disney Holiday Inn is scheduled to reopen this year.

Three new Disney Vacation Club properties opened in 2009: Bay Tower Lake at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Kidani Village at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort.

A Four Seasons hotel, golf course, and vacation-home complex is being built on the site of the former Eagle Pines golf course.

First announced for 2009, a luxurt pet resort is now promised for 2010-2011.

RESTAURANTS
Kouzzina is opening at the BoardWalk Resort (replacing Spoodles).

The Wave at the Contemporary Resort (replacing Concourse Steakhouse).

Sanaa at the new Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Effective Feb. 7, 2010: Cinderella's Royal Table will feature Cinderella in the lobby and other Disney princesses mingling with guests in the dining room.

Walt Disney World no longer sells all-beef hot dogs. They will now be a mixture of chicken and beef.

PRACTICAL MATTERS
Disney is experimenting with a centralized Fastpass distribution system where guests can pick up multiple Fastpasses at one location.

A new handheld device delivers audio descriptions of visual images at 33 attractions for use by the blind; the same device has captions for hearing-impaired guests.

You can now order over 500+ theme-park merchandise items online at DisneyStore.com.

A new mobile website mdisneyworld.com offers a handy overview of the resort.

SPECIAL EVENTS
MK's Totally Tomorrowland Christmas show has replaced Twas the Night Before Christmas.

At Epcot, Lights of Winter has been removed and gospel choir D'Vine Voices has been added.