Happy New Year from Orlando!

    Well, 2013 is almost over, and it has been a great, yet challenging year for us.  We finally moved to Orlando, and we are living our Disney dreams!  It has been such a difficult path to reach where we are now, but I wouldn't trade our new home or our location for anything.  It really is true that good things happen if you work hard enough to make them happen.  Nothing will ever be handed to you; working hard to achieve a goal is such a life defining experience.  So, 2013 New Year's resolution is a success!  It's been a long time since I could make such a comment and really feel like I am being completely truthful.  Now, we just have to see what 2014 will bring.  For me, I plan on applying at Disney soon.  I can't wait to get a job at my favorite place!  I know it will be difficult at times, and I have heard just about every comment about my desire to work at WDW, but all jobs have their moments.  I know it sounds cliche, but Horizons was right, "if you can dream it, you really can do it!"  Walt was right too; "all of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."  We had the courage, and we love this next chapter in our life.  What will you go out and achieve in this new year?  Whatever it is, work hard, and keep moving forward!

These photos are my view of the New Year's fireworks at Magic Kingdom from my neighborhood!

FastPass + and Magic Bands

            On a recent stay at the Pop Century when we first moved to Orlando, we were lucky enough to be selected to participate in a test of the MagicBands that have now become ubiquitous at Walt Disney World.  As a part of this test, were able to make Fastpass+ reservations throughout the World.  After experiencing this test, I can firmly say that I support the Fastpass+ system with some concerns. 

First, let me explain how this works.  When you receive your MagicBand, you are instructed to visit the My Disney Experience App, where you can make dining reservations as well as set up your Fastpass+ reservations.  You can only select one park per day for these reservations, which I hope will be amended.  I like to park hop, and it would be nice to be able to have ride times spread out over the entire resort, instead of being limited to one park.  Once you select your park, you are then prompted to choose three attractions that you would like to experience on that day.  After making your selections, the app gives you several options for planning your day.  There are usually four different times and groupings of your three selections.  You can choose whichever works the best for you, and then you can even alter the times or the attractions that you selected if you decide to change your mind later. 

All of this pre-planning can lead to a much less stressful day because now you don’t have to run through the park to grab fastpasses.  If you want to obtain paper fastpasses, you still can, but you can only do this if you have a physical park ticket in the form of a paper ticket, a key to the world card, or an annual pass.  Some resorts are going to begin testing soon that only provides you with a MagicBand, not a key to the world card in addition to the band.  We have continued to use our MagicBands as well as the Fastpass+ system since we have annual passes, and these passes are linked to the bands. 

Since we have been using the Fastpass+ system for about two months now, we have had many enjoyable experiences as well as a few concerns.  First, it is amazing that we can make reservations, leave work and then go to Hollywood Studios and ride Toy Story Midway Mania.  Without Fastpass+, we could have never even gotten on that ride without standing in a three-hour line.  We have also utilized the new system for Wishes and Fantasmic, and both of these experiences have been awesome.  The seating for Fantasmic goes much smoother when we enter the Fastpass + line instead of the standby line.  Also, for Wishes, we were ushered into the Rose Garden near the castle, where we had a prime view of the show.  All of these experiences were definitely magical. 

What hasn’t been too magical is the My Disney Experience App.  There have been several times when neither my husband nor I have been able to get the app to load.  We were unable to look up our Fastpass+ times or amend our choices because the app simply would not work.  The app is also very, very slow, so it is quite difficult to use it.  I have recently started to take a picture of my Fastpass+ selections so that I do not have to open the app.  I am sure that Disney is aware of the app’s issues, and I hope that they are working on a solution, especially with the busy season just around the corner.

            Overall, I really like the new system, and we have not struggled with the transition from fastpasses to Fastpass+.  It will be interesting to see what other experiences are added to this new system as it reaches its full launch.  Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!

Nighttime Fun at Walt Disney World

Whenever night falls in Walt Disney World, no one ever has to be afraid of the dark because of all of the light-up merchandise that can be purchased throughout the World.  This type of merchandise has been available for years, but lately, Disney has taken lighting up the night to a whole new level.

Glow with the Show Ears recently debuted at Walt Disney World in October, and these Mickey Mouse ears lend a whole new layer of entertainment to both Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios and Wishes at the Magic Kingdom.  These ears are not just festive nighttime accessories; they are actually stunning pieces of technology. Chuck Davis, Disney Entertainment Technology Director, explained how the technology in these hats works in a video that was released in June of 2012 when these ears made their first appearance at World of Color at Disney California Adventure.  Each hat has a unique serial number and works like the infrared that can be found in a television remote.  Because the hats have different serial numbers, Disney can control each hat differently; even each ear can light up differently on each hat.  Because of this technology, Disney can create “geographic spatial effects” that are amazing when an entire amphitheater full of people have the hats. 

Of course, I couldn’t wait to try out my ears at Fantasmic.  The show is enhanced with the Glow with the Show ears because the whole theater is full of color when certain sections of Fantasmic occur.  For example, when Monstro the Whale splashes water, all of the ears turn blue, and the theater emulates the look of water.  Overall, the Glow with the Show ears are a fun addition to Fantasmic, and I can’t wait to see how they will work with the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights in November. 

       Glowing with the Show is not the only option for nighttime fun.  You can also purchase festive light-up necklaces for Halloween and Christmas.  Many restaurants also sell specialty drinks that come with a pirate or Ariel glowing character that can be clipped onto your clothes.  There are characters that spin and light up as well as light sabers and wands. Disney has even begun selling glow-in-the-dark t-shirts and sweatshirts with iconic characters and pictures of Cinderella Castle.  I am a huge fan of glow-in-the-dark merchandise, so I may have to purchase one of these shirts!  Finally, if you want to create your own magic, just stop by your local Dollar Store and pick up some of the bracelets or necklaces that light up when you pop them.  Many stores sell a large number of these accessories for a small amount of money. However you decide to enjoy nighttime fun at Walt Disney World, take the time to experience a nighttime spectacular like Wishes or Fantasmic or Illuminations.  You won’t regret it! Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!