Magical Kingdoms Disney Blog

Walt Disney World Escapes Worst of the Weather 

Tropical Storm Fay’s presence continues to be felt around the Walt Disney World area as it very slowly moves off to the east of the State, although its effects are starting to subside. Only light winds and rain blighted park-goers experience yesterday, with the threat of an early park closing not coming to pass. Crowds were noticeably lighter than normal however, which meant short wait times at the attractions for those who chose to brave the conditions.
Although afternoon parades at both the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were brought forward to escape the weather, schedules have remained largely unaffected by the storm.
Today’s park hours will run as per normal, although conditions are likely to be much the same as yesterday, with weather bands on the outskirts of Fay passing through.
As for the Tropical Storm itself, the latest path has it predicted to ‘boomerang’ back towards the northern counties of Florida and into Georgia, picking up intensity as it reaches the Atlantic coast and possibly being upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane on its return inland.

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Nothing is free at Disney World, right?

Wrong!

Although you have to pay to get into the parks, and for meals, there are quite a few things you can do or get for free.

* Watch Wishes for free!
You don’t have to pay for admission to the Magic Kingdom to be able to watch Wishes fireworks. A great view can be found on the beach at the Polynesian, and the marina at the Grand Floridian. The view is all the more better for the event fireworks, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, when they let perimeter fireworks off too. Depending on the fireworks schedule you may just catch a glimpse of the Electric Water Pageant while you’re there!

 * Free Scrapbook Supplies
If you’re a keen scrapbooker or just starting out you can find various items around the World which you can use in your vacation scrapbook. Park maps, kids’ menus, napkins, Resort maps, Resort newsletters and stationery from the deluxe Resorts can all be used and are all free.

* Monorail
Have some spare time but no spare money to visit the Parks? Hop onboard the monorail! You can visit each one of the three monorail Resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian), take a walk around and explore the theming, or relax in a hammock on one of the beaches. If you ask the monorail Cast Member nicely you may even be able to ride up front in the driver’s cab. Remember to ask for your free co-pilot’s license if you do!

* Free Ice Cream
Sign up for the Disney Vacation Club tour, which is free and there’s no hard sell or obligation. You’ll be picked up from your Resort and listen to a presentation followed by a tour of the sample rooms at Saratoga Springs Resort. After which you’ll get a free ice cream sundae, and dropped off back at your Resort.

* Email home
Send a free email postcard from Innoventions at Epcot.

* Downtown Disney
You don’t just have to visit Downtown Disney to shop! At peak times there may be singers or musicians on the stage at the Marketplace. The kids will love splashing around in the play fountain near the Art of Disney store in Marketplace, or building new creations at the Lego Store.

* Free Drinks
Enjoy free tasting of Coca-Cola products from around the world at Club Cool in Epcot, located in Innoventions Plaza in Future World. Try the Beverly if you dare!

 * Free Buttons
Celebrating a special occasion, maybe a birthday or anniversary? Call in at Guest Relations at any one of the Parks and pick up your free button/badge. They’re available for birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, and 1st visits.

* Campfire and Sing-along
Join Chip and Dale at Fort Wilderness Campground for a nightly sing-along, followed by a Disney movie shown on a giant screen.

* Petting Farm
Young children will love seeing the ducks, rabbits and other small animals at the petting farm, located at Fort Wilderness Campground.

* Free Tours
Some of the deluxe Resorts offer free tours at certain times of the day, ask at Resort Guest Services for availability and schedule.

* Resort Activities
If you’re staying at one of Disney’s Resorts, ask at Guest Services if they have any kids’ activities going on. Many do, with the Animal Kingdom Lodge offering a great schedule of free activities.

* Kidcot
Make World Showcase at Epcot more fun for kids by visiting the Kidcot stations at each World Showcase pavilion. Here kids can make a free craft, adding bits to it at each country’s station.

Do you know of any free activities that aren’t listed? Let us know if you do!

© 2008 Magicalkingdoms.com

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1. When someone boards the monorail shake their hand and say “Hi, I’m Walt Disney!”

2. First, make sure there is someone with Mickey Mouse on their t-shirt, bag, hat, etc. Suddenly exclaim “MOUSE!” (the more high-pitched the better). Once everyone is hysterical enough, calmly point to the image of Mickey.

3. If the monorail stops mid-way because there’s already one in the next station, say quite loudly “last time this happened they had to bring a really long ladder for us all to climb down.”

4. Ask the nearest kid in your cab if they’re looking forward to meeting Bugs Bunny.

5. Sing or hum “it’s a small world” for the whole journey.

6. Put your hand to your ear as if talking to someone on an earpiece and describe the appearance of someone in your cab just loud enough for them to overhear. If they ask what your doing, reply with “It’s classified”.

7. Point to someone wearing a Winnie the Pooh t-shirt and shout in a really loud voice “Hey, you’ve got Pooh on your t-shirt!”

8. Open your bag, look inside and say “have you got enough air in there Tinker Bell?”

9. Learn the monorail spiel and repeat it loudly in sync as you travel along.

10. Just after boarding, say to those around you “I love this ride, especially the drop at the end!”

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When we announced we were going to be taking our 6 month old daughter to WDW, a few people asked why? She won’t remember it, they said. We replied that she may not, but we would, and we’d have many wonderful photos to show her when she’s old enough.

With the trip now behind us we don’t regret it one bit! We have many fantastic memories, and hundreds of photos to share with her in years to come. I think it actually did her good and helped with her social skills too. She met so many new people, made friends and had a fantastic time!

It’s by no means easy though! Having been used to visiting WDW many times before, doing as we wanted, when we wanted, staying out late and everything else you do as a carefree adult, it can be a bit of a shock to have the restrictions an infant brings. The key is to go with a totally different mindset. You’re not going to be able to ride all the “e-ticket” rides. You’re not going to be able to stay out late at Pleasure Island. You will have to keep stopping every half hour to feed or change the baby. You may only get a handful of rides done each day. But you will enjoy it. Just relax, take things easy and go with the flow. 

There’s a secret haven in each park. Somewhere that most childless guests aren’t aware exist. They’re called Baby Care Centers and they’re a lifesaver for those travelling with tots. Nestled away next to the first aid centers, they are somewhere parents can escape to to change, feed or just have a break in quiet air-conditioned comfort. Equipped with highchairs, rocking chairs, changing tables, microwaves, and private nursing rooms. They also stock a range of baby food, diapers, and other baby essentials, but expect to pay a little more than you would in your regular supermarket. The only snag is there is only one center in each park, and if you’re on the other side of the park it can be a bit of a trek, especially with a screaming baby.

Locations:
  • Magic Kingdom - next to Crystal Palace
  • Epcot - Odyssey Center in Future World
  •  Disney’s Hollywood Studios - next to guest services building inside main entrance
  •  Animal Kingdom - Discovery Island, between Pizzafari & Africa

Changing tables are available in all women’s and some men’s restrooms. Make sure you have some sort of disposable or fold-up changing mat with you, as the changing tables are either stainless steel or marble, which are both cold and hard, and not pleasant for a baby to lie on.

A major thing to consider is strollers. Do you take your own or hire one? Disney hire out single or double strollers, but have just raised the prices considerably. Singles now cost $15 a day, with doubles weighing in at a whopping $31 per day. If you’re staying for any length of time it would actually work out cheaper to buy a cheap stroller just for the trip. However, most airlines will carry a collapsible stroller for free, in addition to your regular luggage allowance, so just bring one from home. Lightweight umbrella strollers are the best type to use, especially if you intend to use the Disney transportation system, as you’ll have to fold the stroller up onboard buses.

  You can’t take strollers into any rides or wait/queue areas, and a front baby carrier can come in useful here with a young baby. Be aware that where you leave your stroller on entering an attraction may not necessarily be where you’ll find it when you exit. Cast Members often move strollers to a different place or even different area, so don’t panic thinking someone has walked off with yours! Having said that, it does occasionally happen, but there are things you can do to reduce the risk. Write your name on a piece of paper and put it inside your stroller, preferably somewhere visible like a clear plastic pocket if it has one. Tie brightly coloured ribbons to it, or anything that make it easily identifiable which will put someone else wandering off with it.

So, which rides can you go on with an infant? Well, you are a bit limited but there are still plenty of attractions you can experience.

Magic Kingdom
  Tomorrowland Transit Authority 
  Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor 
  Minnie’s Country House 
  Mickey’s Country House
  Donald’s Boat 
  All of Fantasyland (with the exception of Mad Tea Party which I wouldn’t recommend for babies!)
  Hall of Presidents 
  Liberty Belle Riverboat 
  Haunted Mansion
  Country Bear Jamboree 
  Magic Carpets of Aladdin 
  Enchanted Tiki Room 
  Jungle Cruise 
  Pirates of the Caribbean

Epcot
  Spaceship Earth 
  Ellen’s Energy Adventure 
  Honey I Shrunk the Audience 
  Journey Into Imagination with Figment 
  Living with the Land
  Circle of Life 
  The Seas with Nemo & Friends 
  Turtle Talk - With Crush! 
  All World Showcase attractions

Hollywood Studios
  Great Movie Ride 
  Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage
  Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!
  Voyage of The Little Mermaid
  The Magic of Disney Animation 
  Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream 
  Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour
  Lights, Motors, Action!™ Extreme Stunt Show (some infants may be scared by loud noises)
  Muppet Vision 3-D 
  Indiana Jones ™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! (some infants may be scared by loud noises)

Animal Kingdom
  Festival of the Lion King 
  Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends
  Kilimanjaro Safaris
  Conservation Station
  Maharajah Jungle Trek
  Flights of Wonder
  Finding Nemo - The Musical

If you’re worried about baby crying in the middle of a show, try to sit on the end of a row near the exit for a quick getaway if need be.

If you still want to ride the non-infant friendly rides, make use of “babyswap.” Simply enter the queue area as normal, infant too. Tell the Cast Member that you want to use baby swap. When you reach the front of the queue one of you will ride while the other stays with baby. Once the ride is over you simply swap round and the other one rides without a wait.

When you book your hotel, request a pak ’n’ play crib, and request again at check-in. Disney Resorts provide these free of charge. You’ll also find high chairs in all restaurants and food courts.

So there you have it, a brief guide to taking your infant of it’s first Disney trip. It requires more work and planning, but is well worth it. Go and enjoy, before that cooing baby grows up and starts demanding to go on small world for the fifteenth time, and wants every plush toy she sees!

http://www.magicalkingdoms.com

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