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Fastpass+ and the Tiered Fastpass System.

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Disney is currently trying out a “tiered” Fastpass+ system at Epcot. The idea behind it is simple, in that you’re limited as to how many major attractions you can choose a Fastpass for.  It works like this:

Choose one Fastpass from the following:

  • Character Spot
  • IllumiNations
  • Maelstrom
  • Soarin
  • Test Track

And then two Fastpasses from the rest:

  • Captain EO
  • Journey into Imagination
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission:  SPACE
  • Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

This is clearly a response to guests choosing all “e-ticket” rides for their three Fastpass selections and none being available for off-site guests.  It’s rumored (key word) that it will be implemented resort-wide during Christmas week, at the very least.  The good news is that if you already have Fastpasses chosen, you won’t be effected by this new change, at least during this initial period of testing.

Read More »Fastpass+ and the Tiered Fastpass System.

21st Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Sets Course For Flowers and Flavors March 5 to May 18

Yes, it’s early, Food and Wine isn’t even over yet, but Disney has given the first taste of what next year’s 21st EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will include. The the 75 days between March 5 – May 18, 2014 guests will enjoy all… Read More »21st Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Sets Course For Flowers and Flavors March 5 to May 18

Double Dipping with Disney’s MagicBands.

We received this comment from Scott on the post “Part of Disney’s MagicBands Testing? Here’s Everything you Need to Know” and it seemed like a great idea to expound on this topic a little more: I am assuming that for now the Magic Band is not being… Read More »Double Dipping with Disney’s MagicBands.

Festival of the Masters Returns to Downtown Disney Novemember 8-10, 2013

Festival of the Masters at Dowtown Disney

Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World resort is in the early stages of its transformation into Disney Springs. A lot of what we knew as DTD (including Pleasure Island and NYE every night) is gone forever. However, there are some traditions that continue and we hope will survive the transition. One of these is the Festival of the Masters, which, believe it or not, is in its 38th year. The event will takeover Downtown Disney Nov 8-10, 2013.

The prestigious open-air fine arts festival features more than 300 artists creating and showcasing their unique works in painting, photography, sculpture, chalk, glass and more. Exhibits feature more than 130 award-winning artists, nearly 20 up-and-coming Emerging Masters, the Disney Artist Village, live performance artists and more.

Here’s a video I made capturing a few of the highlights from last year:

A crowd favorite, the Disney Artist Village will return with one of the largest displays of official Disney art available for purchase and will include meet and greets with the more than 25 artists behind those masterpieces. Located between Cirque du Soleil and House of Blues on Downtown Disney West Side, the Disney Artist Village tent will feature Disney character art created by masters from various Disney disciplines including Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney’s Yellow Shoes Creative Group. Disney Artists also will perform live shows as they create new works of art on stage and will host interactive chats about art and what it can be. Both the art chats and live performances will take place at Waterside Stage in the Marketplace.Read More »Festival of the Masters Returns to Downtown Disney Novemember 8-10, 2013

Inside the new DVC Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Disney Vacation Club Opens its 12th Resort in "Grand" Fashion

Disney Vacation Club welcomed the 12th resort to its collection with the opening of The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This is the second of three planned DVC locations along the monorail resort loop at the Magic Kingdom. It features a few of its own amenities, but also shares the world-class dining and recreation offerings of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the flagship Walt Disney World resort.

“The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is yet another example of how we are listening and responding to our members,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Vacation Club. “The resort builds on the continuing momentum to provide our members with ever-greater choices and experiences.”

The new resort features a variety of villa accommodations that sleep anywhere from five to nine guests, all designed to bring families closer and create memories that last a lifetime. The resort is the first Disney Vacation Club property to feature deluxe studios that sleep up to five guests. Additionally, expansive grand villas sleep 12 guests and feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a media room with a home theater system.

Timelapse Construction Video, more facts and photos from the new Villas below the jump:

Read More »Inside the new DVC Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Magic Kingdom Meet & Greet Adds Extra Magic with Talking Mickey Mouse

Disney has been working on their “living character” initiative for over a dozen years. My first encounter with the technology was with an interactive Stitch in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. Since then there has been Lucky the Dinosaur, Turtle Talk with Crush, and a number of other… Read More »Magic Kingdom Meet & Greet Adds Extra Magic with Talking Mickey Mouse

Free Guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Mike and Julie Neal, co-authors of The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World, can be counted on for providing the absolute best most useful information in a format that’s easy to digest. Now the Neals have a new format for their books that enables them… Read More »Free Guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Disney World Engineers Help Students Win STEM Prize

disney-student-engineers

Disney’s Community involvement results in a ton of great stories. It’s always been my pleasure to share how support from The Mouse is helping an endangered species, cleaning the environment, or helping a non-profit. Today’s story focuses on Disney’s efforts to promote the the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Students coached by Disney engineers took home the top honors from the 14th annual College Bowl during the HENAAC conference in New Orleans. One highlight from the annual conference held by Great Minds in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) was the team’s creation of a fantastical magic carpet model designed during a timed challenge.

Great Minds in STEM hosts the HENAAC College Bowl each year to encourage and recognize a new generation of STEM talent and help create a diverse workforce. The conference includes seminars, networking, internship and recruitment opportunities for attendees.Read More »Disney World Engineers Help Students Win STEM Prize