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July 2013

Your Top Ten Secret Disney Indulgences.

Do you ever find yourself doing something in a Disney park you wouldn’t do anywhere else? Like how you rationalize eating an entire cupcake as big as your head? Or putting pink glitter in your hair? Well don’t feel alone. There are thousands of other guests who share your secret shame. Now, I’m not saying I do all of these, but let’s just say I’m, ahem, familiar with the following:

10.  Hunting down the biggest snack that will count as your snack credit.

And why wouldn’t you? If you want to beat The Mouse at the dining plan, you’re practically obligated to do so.

kitchen sink

9.  Feeding the kids a Kitchen Sink for dinner.

Six months later when the kids are complaining about having to do their homework and eat vegetables and how you’re the worst parent ever, whip out those pictures and silence them (almost) immediately.Read More »Your Top Ten Secret Disney Indulgences.

First trailer for Wikileaks Movie – The Fifth Estate starring Benedict Cumberbatch

"THE FIFTH ESTATE"

Every few years or so a new actor steps upon the world stage and takes it by storm. The last few years has seen a quick rise to center stage by British actor Benedict Cumberbatch. From the ill-fated Calvary major in War Horse to this year’s Star Trek where he more than capably filled the role of the big villain to Sherlock Holmes in the updated BBC production of Sherlock, now entering its third season, Cumberbatch’s angular chin and piercing blue eyes have been earning the appreciation of fans and critics alike. Now, Disney gets its crack at him as it distributes a new DreamWorks movie “The Fifth Estate”.

Traitors, whistleblowers or journalists – however you consider them, WikiLeaks changed the game in our age of high-stakes secrecy, explosive news leaks and the trafficking of classified information. “The Fifth Estate” explores the organization and the personalities behind it as it acquires sensitive information and a seat in the world wide conversation about information, war, and security. Read More »First trailer for Wikileaks Movie – The Fifth Estate starring Benedict Cumberbatch

Using Disney’s Kids’ Clubs.

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I’ve written before about planning a special night out for mom and dad when visiting Disney World. There are so many great restaurants and things to do–or if you’re like me, you grab your husband and head to the parks and ride all the rides your kids are too young to enjoy. Today I want to review the Kids’ Clubs on property, which are a great way to get a little bit of free time.

Disney’s Kids Clubs, known as Activity Centers, are located in the Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Polynesian, Beach Club, and at the Disney World Dolphin. You don’t need to be a guest staying on Disney property but children need to be between the ages of 3 and 12 (4 and 12 for the Dolphin) and potty trained.  The cost is $11.50 per hour; there is no discount for multiple kids.Read More »Using Disney’s Kids’ Clubs.

Monsters University – Behind The Scenes Videos

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

Monsters University has been in theaters for a few weeks now. Have you seen it? Disney hopes so, but just in case, Pixar has released three of the sort of videos you typically see as part of the DVD Special Features to show you a bit of the behind the scenes magic that made the movie possible

Monthropology

Read More »Monsters University – Behind The Scenes Videos

Disneyland Paris Much in Need of TLC says Report

Is it time for Disneyland Paris to get an extreme theme park makeover? Parcorama makes a strong case for it. Last week I spent a couple of days at Disneyland Paris. Just before the summer season, when the resort state and program usually is at… Read More »Disneyland Paris Much in Need of TLC says Report

Planning a Disney Trip for a Large Group.

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Planning a vacation for a large group can be full of challenges: Different budgets, egos and agendas can and will clash.  The payoff is spending time in the happiest place on earth with some of your favorite people. When you book a vacation for a group, Disney will give you a “group travel” number that ensures your rooms will be next to (or at least near) each other if you’re at the same resort. That’s the first step in organizing your group. Here’s some other tips that will help:

1. Designate one main planner who will communicate with everyone else. This should be the most Disney crazy person in your group.  I’m guessing this might be you.

2.  Consider creating a basic webpage where everyone can keep up with planning.Read More »Planning a Disney Trip for a Large Group.

The Number One Thing You Need to Know about Trip Insurance.

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When you’ve booked your trip through Disney, you were probably asked if you wanted to purchase trip insurance. Chances are, you bought it, at about $151 for two adults. But did you make the right decision? Well, there are some good reasons to buy trip insurance and I’m not going to cover those now. The real question is, did you buy it at the right time?

When you buy trip insurance, it’s non-refundable.  This means that if you book your trip six-months out on the 20th of the month and cancel on the 30th of that same month, you lost $151.  But what would you have lost if you hadn’t bought the insurance? Nothing. Not your deposit, not the money you put toward your trip. Nothing.

Read More »The Number One Thing You Need to Know about Trip Insurance.

Saving Mr. Banks First Trailer

SAVING MR. BANKS

Yesterday we got the first glimpse of Tom Hanks as Walt Disney in Saving Mr Banks and now the new trailer is available.


Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.Read More »Saving Mr. Banks First Trailer