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Travel Planning

Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates 20th Anniversary May 1st

Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates it’s 20th anniversary on May 1st. Three representatives from Walt Disney Imagineering will speak at Premiere Theater at 9:00am & 10:45am about the history of the theme park. * Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President, Senior Creative Executive * Eric Jacobson, Senior… Read More »Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates 20th Anniversary May 1st

Characters In Flight Balloon Officially Up, Up, and Away

aerophile characters in flight
A ribbon awaits its severing for the grand opening.

Although the winds of fate prevented any actual guests from going up, up, and away, the new “Characters in Flight” balloon from Aerophile officially opened Tuesday morning in Downtown Disney, Orlando.

aerophile-3
A single tether connects the balloon to the launch platform.

Many who have been on the ride during its soft opening days, claim it’s the best deal in Downtown Disney. Of course, the problem is that sometimes the ride isn’t open. Wind gusts can keep the balloon grounded. This has led to some issues with guests who get upset they can’t experience the ride. Disney has to put safety first even if the guest is leaving for the airport in 30 minutes.  So plan accordingly and perhaps visit the balloon early in your trip.

aerophile ticket booth with prices
Prices at the ticket booth.

Another problem is the unfortunate name of the attraction. The name “Characters in Flight” has led some guests to expect actual characters on the flight for a meet and greet. Alas, that’s just not the case. With all the other possibilities to name this attraction you have to wonder why they chose one that would be so misleading. Kind of like Disney marketing insisting on calling “Toy Story Midway Mania” Toy Story Mania, which makes it sound like a soft horror film instead of the fun midway games it actually is.

More info and photos below the cut:

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Gatorland Question

How much would someone have to pay you to get in the same enclosure as a 13 foot Alligator? I don’t know how much this worker at Gatorland is getting an hour, but I’m sure it’s not enough. Crikey! Talk about a dangerous job. The… Read More »Gatorland Question

Disney World adds Descriptive Audio for Blind

Jason Garcia at the Orlando Sentinel has the scoop on an update to one of Walt Disney World’s best kept secrets. Since 2005 Disney has had a rugged wireless device that provides captions and assisted listening for disabled patrons who might need that to fully… Read More »Disney World adds Descriptive Audio for Blind

Star Wars Weekends, Guest Celebrities List

Last year’s Star Wars Weekends was pretty amazing. With ‘behind the force’ in the new enclosed theater and the best photo themed photo ops and character costumes yet, it set a high bar for this year’s event. And yet, inevitably, the weekends grow closer until… Read More »Star Wars Weekends, Guest Celebrities List