Farewell Season of Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios

As some of you may know, Disney recently announced that this will be the final year for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. At least for the next few years, many insiders speculate that the Lights will return in some form after much of the construction is completed for the recently announced Toy Story and Star Wars lands.

A view from the Streets of America.

We recently returned from an amazing trip to Walt Disney World and got a chance to see the Osborne Lights dancing up and down the Streets of America. I must say this seemed to be the best year yet as well as the 20th anniversary for the light show. Check out our Periscope Live from the Osborne Lights a couple weeks ago!



We will have many more Periscope posts coming up from or recent visit so stay tuned! Also, if you want to follow us on Periscope or Twitter we are @betheirguest or click the Follow Me link on the right. See ya real soon!

DisneyStore Limited Edition Tee-Shirts! Hurry before they are gone!

Every so often the folks at Disney Design Group create awesome limited edition tee-shirts that are sold only online at DisneyStore.com. Sometimes they are widely announced and other times they come and go with little fan fair. So here is your chance to grab these limited shirts before they are gone. I have purchased several in the past including a WDW Monorail System and Epcot 30th Anniversary Horizons tee-shirt. These shirts are a great way to show your DisneySide while awaiting your next vacation!

I love my Monorail System shirt!



A great throwback shirt and you got to choose your design for the back, just like the ride! I went with Alpha Centari.

Right now they are offering two awesome shirts only until July 5th. You can get the Harmony Barber Shop tee-shirt:

Or this very cool Wedway PeopleMover 40th Anniversary tee shirt:

 

The adult sizes are $27.95 and kids are $22.95. But if you buy 2 you can get them for $22 bucks each! Plus, if you purchase the shirts on July 4 the DisneyStore is offering free shipping, use the code FREESHIP. These shirts are only offered until July 5th. Also, the Disney Store is offering posters and printed canvas of the 1975 People mover graphic. Both the poster and canvas are 22" by 28" and would look great on any Disney fan's wall!



Disney Dining Plan Changes!

Just this past Sunday, Walt Disney World implemented several changes to their Disney Dining Plan. These updates were not announced publicly but are a great benefit to their guests.

Snacks - First let's talk about the new changes to DDP snack credits. Disney Dining Plan snack credits usually covered most items under $5 at various carts, quick service counters, and stores. Now Disney considers any single serving size item a snack. How does that differ from the current plan, you ask? See the bullet points below:

• Originally, you could order a pretzel or funnel cake with no extras. Now snack credits have a slightly higher value in that you may receive toppings or dip with your snack. Like a Mickey pretzel with cheese, or a funnel cake with fruit topping. That's a sweet bonus!

Images courtesy of My Sweet Creations and the Disney Food Blog

• Any non-alcoholic beverage at any location, souvenir containers not allowed.
• All hand scooped ice creams and sundaes may be up to two scoops and include toppings.
• Soups and side items served at Quick Service locations my now be purchased with a snack credit.
• During breakfast at Quick Service restaurants you may use a snack credit for any side item offered with an entree. You can now grab bacon, eggs, french toast sticks, biscuits and gravy and more for one snack credit each!

Quick Service - The DDP Quick Service plan entitlements allow for any entree, side, drink, and dessert or a combo meal with drink at any Disney Quick Service location. Here is what is changing:

• Children may now order an adult meal when dining at a Quick Service restaurant. This is great news! We have been ordering like this for years in an effort to stretch our credits further by having our kids split an adult size portion. There never was a true distinction between kid and adult credits and it was rarely enforced. Now Disney is officially allowing it. Read my previous Disney Dining Plan post for how to maximize this new policy.
• Desserts and drinks may be substituted for any eligible snack. So if you are tired of eating that delicious chocolate cake for the fifth day in a row, you may order a side of french fries or soup instead.

Triple Chocolate Cake - mmm, courtesy of the Disney Food Blog

• Does you family always have Quick Service entitlements leftover at the end of your trip? And do you try and stuff your faces right before you check out to use them all up? Well now you may exchange a Quick Service credit for three snack entitlements in the same transaction. So finally, you can spend your extra Quick Service credits to grab Mickey rice crispy treats or Minne's bake shop cookies for the trip home instead of wasting several meals.

Table Service - There have been a few changes to the Table Service entitlement policies as well.

• Guests on the DDP are no longer limited to the number of credits used for a single meal. Originally you could only use Table Service credits for your family that was listed on your reservation. Now you may bring your friends and use your Table Service entitlements for their meals too! This will work out great if you are traveling with a group not using the DDP but will eat together often.
• Desserts can be substituted for a side salad, a cup of soup, or a fruit plate. If you are sick of sweets (I never am at WDW), you can order something else and pass on the sugar. Make sure you let your server know so this may be accommodated. Also, appetizers are still not allowed as a substitution. Check out my other DDP post to see one exception to this rule!
• If you have the Disney Deluxe, Premium, or Platinum Dining Plan, children are no longer restricted to ordering from the kids menu. This only applies to the higher level plans and not the Standard Disney Dining plan (the on often included with Free Dining offers).

Overall these changes seem to be very positive for Disney guests. My family has been using the Disney Dining Plan for many years and I see us applying the new policies to our next vacation at WDW. This seems like a good step forward for Disney after several years of DDP restrictions and price hikes. I feel that future visitors may now get better use of there Disney Dining Plan.

If you liked this post I encourage you to read my original DDP post, I'm a Disney Dining Plan Expert, for additional information about getting the most out of your DDP.

Walt's Words - What ever you do, do it well.

Here's another great Walt Disney quote to live by!

 



Mickey Balloon Tips

     Have you ever wanted to get a Mickey Balloon while at the Magic Kingdom but thought it wasn't worth the cost? Well think again. The current Mickey Balloons (colored mickey head with a clear bubble around it) cost around $12 and stay inflated for many days. This is one of the cheapest souvenirs you can get. You can carry it to all of the Parks except Animal Kingdom.

     Also, if your balloon ever pops you just need to return the pieces and the Mickey weights to the nearest balloon handler and they will give you a new one, no questions asked. So if your kids are into balloons, then buy one early during your trip and they can enjoy it the whole vacation. Tie it to your stroller to for easier identification. Leave it in your room to keep the motion sensor activated air conditioning running. Or just bring it along with you like another member of the family!

     I encourage you to buy your little pirate or princess a Mickey Balloon on your next Disney vacation, not to maximize your money or because it's free to replace. You should buy it because you'll never forget the look on their face when you hand it to them.

2015 Disney Free Dining Offer

Disney has their annual FREE DINING offer out for this coming Fall and Winter. This is one of the best discounts available for any WDW vacation. I can't say enough great things about the Disney Dining Plan, especially when it's free! You will receive a free Quick Service (for stays at Value Resorts) or Standard Dining plan (for stays at a moderate, deluxe, or deluxe villa resort) with a non-discounted room rate at a Disney Resort. This deal excludes the following resorts: Port Orleans Riverside, Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation, and all 3 bedroom villas.

Here are the dates available: 8/28-10/2/2015, 10/25-10/31/2015, 11/8-11/19/2015, and 12/15-12/21/2015.

The offer must be booked by July 10. This promotion is very popular and very limited in number of rooms available. Remember you only have to check in on one of the days shown above and you will recieve the dining plan your entire visit. We highly recommend the Disney Dining plan. We have traveled with the dining plan every visit since 2006. Please review my previous post about using the Disney Dining Plan. Book today!

See additional information in the link below.

Disney Visa Free Dining Offer

Epcot - Fast Tips

Epcot, at almost twice the size of Magic Kingdom, was Disney’s vision of a future of innovation and dreams paired with an international bazaar. The front half of the Park, Future World, consists of large themed pavilions centered around an attraction. Each pavilion contains the main attraction with smaller themed areas to explore and learn. Here is a list of the pavilions:

• Spaceship Earth – a ride through the history of human communication and knowledge inside the big “golf ball”
• The Seas with Nemo – a huge aquarium merged with Nemo and his friends
• The Land – an exploration of man’s use of his environments and farming – Ride Soarin’ (FP+)
• Journey into Your Imagination – join a purple dragon for a ride through your imagination
• Universe of Energy – learn about the creation of fossil fuels on this moving theater ride with life size animatronic dinosaurs
• Mission Space – train to pilot a mission to mars on this space simulator (FP+)
• Test Track – design a custom vehicle and ride in through a test course (FP+)
• Innoventions – two pavilions dedicated to rotating exhibits of various themes

The back section of the Park is the World Showcase. This is a collection of pavilions representing 11 different countries including America, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, Germany, Norway, China, and Mexico. This half of the Park opens at 11am, although you can eat breakfast in France starting at 9. Each location is beautifully detailed with architectural styles representing its region. Every section has a restaurant featuring great foods and drink found in the Country that has been recreated. Several Countries have attractions, live bands, and street performers that are not to be missed.
 

Tips:

• Spend the morning exploring Future World and the evening strolling around the World Showcase
• Get a FP+ for Soarin’ and ride Test Track first thing to beat the rush
• Visit Turtle Talk with Crush for an interactive visit with Nemo’s sea turtle friend
• Innoventions is a great place to visit during a rainy afternoon
• See the Voices of Liberty and watch the American Adventure for a dose of Patriotism
• Great sit down restaurants: Coral Reef, Le Cellier, Via Napoli, and La Hacienda de San Angel
• Make sure a stay for the nighttime show around the World Showcase Lagoon, Illuminations
• Starbucks is adjacent to the fountains behind Spaceship Earth
• Play the Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure. Pick up a secret phone to follow clues to save the Tri State Area from the evil Dr Doofenshmirtz. You are sent throughout the various countries on this interactive scavenger hunt.
• There are great street performers and musical acts everywhere grab a beer in Germany of wine in Italy and watch.
• Use rider swap when you have children who don’t meet the height requirements. See the cast member at the attraction entrance and request a rider swap pass, send the older kids with one parent and wait for their return. Once they are back, switch out and enter the FastPass line. Your pass is good for 4 people so the big kids can ride twice! (rider swap is available at all the Disney Parks)

*FP+ - These are rides I recommend using FastPass+ for.

Check back soon to see Fast Tips for the other parks! If you liked this article please read Epcot Quick Service Restaurants.

 

Magic Kingdom - Fast Tips

Often, people who have never visited Walt Disney World ask me for trip planning help in 30 seconds or less. As most of you know a great Disney trip can take hours of planning, but I wrote up a short summary of each Park to share my tips in 30 seconds or less.

Magic Kingdom

A classic Disney theme park, it has castles, pirates, princesses, parades, and seven separate lands to explore. When you mention Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom is the first thing that comes to mind. This park has the most attractions of any of the four parks at WDW. A few highlights are:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (FP+)
• Space Mountain (FP+)
• Splash Mountain (FP+)
• Big Thunder Mountain (FP+)
• Haunted Mansion
• It’s a Small World
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Enchanted Tales with Belle (FP+)

7D Mine Train is MK's newest attraction.

Tips:

• To tour the Magic Kingdom properly, I advise at least 2 full days at the Park
• Arrive prior to Park opening and see a special welcome show then explore the park before the crowds arrive
• The best eats are at Be Our Guest restaurant, Cosmic Rays Starlight Café, or Pecos Bill’s.
• Visit Gaston’s Tavern for a LeFou’s brew and a cinnamon roll
• Recommend watching the Main Street Electrical Parade (night time), Celebrate the Magic (nighttime show projected on the Castle), Wishes (nightly fireworks)
• There is a Starbucks in the Main Street Bakery
• Always go to Fantasyland first. Kids can ride everything there and crowds get larger as the day goes on
• Cool off in the Circus tent at Dumbo, it’s an indoor playground for all ages
• Tom Sawyer Island is not usually crowded and a big space for kids to run and explore, visit here in the afternoon when the crowd is highest
• Play the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game. You can sign up at the Fire Station and get a new pack of trading cards each day.

*FP+ - These are rides I recommend using FastPass+ for.

Check back soon to see Fast Tips for the other parks! If you liked this article please read Magic Kingdom Quick Service Restaurants.

European Mickey Bathings Masks

Check out this vintage ad promoting Mickey bathing masks:

Photo courtesy of D23.com

Produced and sold in Europe in 1936. The company created an official Mickey version (looks more like a cat) and a long nosed "Country" Mickey version. Bathing masks were very popular in Europe at the time and used in lieu of sunscreen. Wouldn't it be awesome to see a bunch of these at a popular Florida beach today?

A little New Years motivation for 2014 from Walt

Here's a kick in your teeth to get you going in 2014!

The Following Message Will Self Destruct...

     Check out the new secret mission USBs Disney is sending to their Magicband guests. In preparation for a visit to Walt Disney World, guests are receiving a tutorial for the Disney Magicbands. The Tutorial is delivered in the same Incredibles packaging as the Magicbands. Inside the box is a neat Mickey head USB stick to play on your computer.

photo by Steven C.

     Once you get the video running you get a description of how the Magicband works as told by Edna Mode of The Incredibles. The video is similar to this one. The best thing is that after the USB drive is plugged in, it lights up green just like the Magicband stations throughout the parks at Walt Disney World.

photo by Steven C.

    I hadn't seen these until yesterday and now I want one. How many of you have received this top secret Mickey USB drive?

If you'd like to know more about Magicbands check out our previous post Our Magicbands Have Arrived.

Walt Disney Family Museum

     My most recent post was announcing Diane Disney Miller's passing a couple weeks ago. Today, I will cover one of her most well known achievements, the Walt Disney Family Museum. 

Yes, I was very excited to be there.

     On a weekend trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley in September, we made a stop to see the Walt Disney Family Museum. The museum is in the Presidio just off of San Francisco Bay with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Presidio is a former US Army base that has been converted to a multi-purpose historic preservation zone. The museum building was formerly an army barracks that was built in the 1890's that has been beautifully restored. 

A cartoon Walt drew for his high school paper.
Courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Museum

     The museum houses 10 galleries dedicated to Walt's life. The first one covers Walt Disney's childhood, family, early jobs, his first cartoon doodles, and some home videos Walt filmed himself. (Walt Disney fact: Did you know Walt had 3 other siblings besides his more famous brother, Roy?) In the next gallery Walt goes to Hollywood with a brief case and a few dollars to his name. Here you discover his earliest cartoons including the Alice Comedies, Oswald the Lucy Rabbit, and of course Mickey Mouse!

The earliest known drawing of Mickey.
Courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Museum

    The next several galleries look at the history of the Walt Disney Studios, starting with cartoon shorts of Mickey and the gang. Here you discover the making of the fab five and techniques in animation. In the adjacent gallery you see the formation of Walt's first feature length cartoon, Snow White followed by Pinocchio, Fantasia, Bambi and more. Also, there are very interesting sections which focus on the 1941 animator's strike and the effect of World War 2 on the studio.

A bracelet worn by Lillian Disney at the Snow White premier.
Courtesy of the Walt Disney Family Museum

   Next up is a small area that shows Walt's life as a loving husband and father. You learn about Lillian and Walt's courtship, their two daughters Diane and Sharon and their home life, including a menu for their chef written by Walt that specifically states "No vegetables!" (Walt Disney Fact: Did you know Walt's youngest daughter Sharon was adopted?) In this room you will also find gifts Walt gave his girls and their wedding videos.

    On the way to the next gallery, you pass a huge picture window overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Be sure to take in the views as seen below in my photo. Plus, there is an original Griffith Park bench where Walt sat on the weekends while his daughters rode the carousel and he planned Disneyland.

    The last two galleries were my favorites. Gallery 9 details Walt's creation of Disneyland and the beginnings of Walt Disney World. The room is huge and has an amazing entrance the winds down to a lower level with a large model of Disneyland. There are historic ride posters, attraction models, early sketches of the Jungle Cruise and much more. The Disneyland model is the main showpiece of the room. It contains attractions both past and present and includes the tiniest details of the park.

My picture doesn't do it justice, see the official museum photo below.

The Disneyland model at the Walt Disney Family Museum.

    The final gallery is an area depicting the impact of Walt's untimely death. Here you can read newspaper clippings, telegrams from Hollywood's elite, and watch news reels covering the period surrounding his passing. This room is very quiet and respectful of the man who influenced so many people around the world.

A telegram from Dr Wernher Von Braun. I'm a huge space nut and knew the he consulted
 with Walt Disney on his many TV series about space.

    If you are ever in the San Francisco area I highly recommend visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum. The museum is full of one of a kind original works by Walt and his artists at the Studio. There are numerous interactive displays with games, audio of Walt, videos of his family and much more. The museum layout was well planned and the most beautiful exhibit I have ever visited. We spent about 3 hours on our tour and I could have stayed longer if we didn't have other commitments. If your a casual fan 3 hours should do it. However, if you are a super fan then give yourself 5 to 7 hours. I could visit several times and still discover items I didn't see the previous time. So make a special trip if need be and see the Walt Disney Family Museum!

If you are looking for other things to do on your trip, check out my post on the Lasseter Family Winery.

If you are reading this post on December 5, then click the Amazon link on the right to access great deals on Disney games, books, movies, toys, clothes and more.

Walt's Eldest Daughter has Died - RIP Diane Disney Miller

I just came across this very said news on CNN.com. Diane Disney Miller age 79 passed away due to injuries related to a fall. She died in Napa California.

Tom Hanks discussing his upcoming role playing her father with Diane Disney Miller
courtesy of Hollywood Reporter 

This is very sudden and sad news and I'm sure the Disney community is mourning her loss. When I visited the Walt Disney Family Museum a couple months ago, I learned many new things about Diane and her sister Sharon. There was a room dedicated to Walt the family man which had many gifts he had given to his children. Also, they show footage of both  his daughter's weddings. Mrs. Miller was a huge proponent of the Walt Disney Family Museum and was the current board president at the time of her passing. The museum is accepting donations in lieu of flowers at the family's request. Below is a statement I pulled from the museum website:

     "In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations may be made to the memorial fund that The Walt Disney Family           Museum has created in honor of Diane Disney Miller. Donations will support the museum's ongoing               education efforts, exhibitions, and programs. Donations and cards can also be sent to the family through         The Walt Disney Family Museum, attn: Director's Office; 104 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA         94129."

See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/DianeDisneyMiller#sthash.PhRDq6eo.dpuf

Diane Disney Miller on a 2005 visit to Disneyland with Art Linkletter.

If you are in the San Francisco area, I highly recommend visiting the museum. I am currently working on a future post about my visit.

Keep Moving Forward!!

7 Reasons Why Walter White is Like Walt Disney

I am a big fan of the show Breaking Bad. I especially love the lead character Walter White. But would you ever have expected Walter White to have similarities to Walt Disney? Check out the seven reasons below why Walter White is like Walt Disney.

• Both Walts had mustaches:
• Walter White had a mustache most of his life, and grew it into a goatee after he was diagnosed with cancer.
• Walt Disney grew his mustache in at age 19, and was rarely seen clean shaven.
• Liked to wear a fedora:
• Walter White took on his Heisenberg persona when he donned his Fedora
• Walt Disney wore his fedora to many movie premiers.
• They each created an empire:
• Walter White built a meth empire in the Southwest.
• Walt Disney started a new theme park empire, still unrivaled today.
• Both men provided a premium product unlike anything else available:
• Walter White was able to cook 99.1% pure blue crystal meth. 
• Walt Disney produced the most renowned animated movies in the world.
• Did their best work in secret:
• Walter White lead a secret double life as a Meth chemist.
• Walt Disney secretly bought up 1,000's of acres near Orlando for his Florida Project.
• Had passion for the railroad:
• Walter White pulled off a Methylamine heist from a train.
• Walt Disney had a train in his backyard with over a half mile of track.
• Each had lung cancer:
• Walter White was diagnosed with lung cancer which drove him become a meth cook.
• Walt Disney was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away a two months later.

Our most popular post - Strollin-Strollin-Strollin

Interactive Mickey Debuts at Magic Kingdom

Yesterday, the Disney Parks Blog posted this video of Magician Mickey interacting with guests. I knew they were testing this concept but did not know he was ready to go. Check it out...

You can meet Magician Mickey at the Magic Kingdom at the Town Square Theater daily. What do you think? Or what will your kids think?

Another way to interact with Disney characters is to write them a letter. To learn more visit our earlier post Dear Mickey-or-Mater-or-Donald-or-Buzz.

DIY Pirate Mickey Shirt

As we finish prep for our latest trip to Disney (just 4 more sleeps!), be prepared for cuteness and tutorial overload. While Jason's favorite parts about Disney are strategy and spreadsheets for the parks, mine is forced family matching and cute shirts. I often get comments when we wear them from people expressing that they wish they could make some for their kids but they don't sew/have time/ know where to start.  Here is the answer my friends: Pellon, also known as Under Wonder.

This amazing stuff is found in local craft stores. I buy mine from Amazon, it's cheaper and fast to ship. I'm a terrible seamstress at best and this has changed my crafting life. It's totally non-judgey and makes everything you do look good. It's the prefect best friend. It bonds fabrics to each other so that if you don't want to sew them, fine! If you want to go around the edges and add a bit of stitching, have at it, Pellon will hold everything still so you don't have to pin anything! Dreamy. You're welcome.

Today I finished up this cute Mickey Pirate Shirt

Materials: 1 yard of black material
                 1.5 yards of Pellon
                 0.5 yards of pirate fabric ( I used stripes)
                 0.5 yards of fabric for the letter ( I used white)
                 An iron
                 Shirt
                Mickey Head Outline

Since this one is for my Little, I grabbed a plain onsie, the kind that come in a pack. I didn't even wash it first. Print out this  Mickey Head Outline and cut it down to the size you need. If you are fancy I hear your computer can size it before you print, but "ain't nobody got time for that" I only have naptime to get this done!

Take a square of your black fabric large enough to fit your Mickey Head and lay it on a coordinating piece of your Pellon. You want the rough side of the pellon touching your fabric.

Flip the whole thing over so that the smooth Pellon is on top ( it feels like wax paper) and iron that sucker down. It takes holding the iron in place for a few seconds. After it's good and attached, trace your Mickey Head onto the back of your Pellon. Cut it out.

One side will be black fabric, the other will be smooth, white, wax paper-esq Pellon. Peel the Pellon backing off.

It may snag and not be perfect, that's ok.

Lay your Mickey onto your onsie with the Pellon touching your shirt and iron again. Make sure you focus on the edges.

Now repeat the Pellon process with your pirate fabric for the bandanna. Lay a small square over the Pellon and iron. Pay attention to how the stripes or pattern will end up so that it looks correct on Mickey. Lay your Mickey Head onto the smooth side and just trace between his ears and draw a tail.

 

 

Fill in the rest of the pattern freehand.

Cut out your bandanna, peel the backing off and lay it over your black Mickey Head. Iron it directly on top.

I didn't take pictures of this part but for the letter I just printed out an enlarged letter from Microsoft Word. I probably made it bold too. Then I followed the same process as above with Pellon, tracing, cutting and ironing. Here it is before I sewed it.

You could stop here if you don't like to sew, but I like the finished look and extra security that stiching gives the shirt. So I just whipped the whole thing through my machine, the Pellon held everything still while I zipped around the outside (no need to pin anything down), and it's done! Now my Little will match my Middle and Big! 

If you liked this post, check out other Shirt posts! Chevron Disney Shirts