BEYOND THE THEME PARKS

ANITA ANSWER
Archives

8/24/09
--Anita's Mini Blog for 8/24/09
--Space Mountain's Seating Configuration: Has It changed?
--Which Direction Was the Wand Set?
--Booking Accommodations for Six Online?

8/17/09
--A Brief History of Castaway Cay
--Name That Restaurant!
--The Morse Code Message in Spaceship Earth
--Answer to the 8/10 Trivia Question

8/10/09
--What Castle Served as the Inspiration for Cinderella Castle?
--The "Hotel" in the Canada Pavilion
--What About the Original Back Lot Tour?
--Anita's Mini Blog for 8/10/09

8/3/09
-- Anita's 8/3/09 Mini Blog
--What Was This Old Ride?
--Backlot Tour Bet
--Base Tickets and Extra Magic Hours
--Answers to Trivia Questions and Doctor Who Challenge

7/27/09
--Anita's 7/27/09 Mini Blog
--What Was the Name of This Ice Cream Shop?
--Square Footage of the New Treehouses
--When Do the Holiday Decorations Come Down?

7/13/09
--2009 Dates for Epcot's Candlelight Processional
--Using Music's Bus Stops When Staying at Movies?
--How Old Is Too Old for the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
--Answer to the June 29 Trivia Question

7/6/09
--A European Trip Blog
--The Difference Between B and C Tickets?
--A Lounge with Live Music?
--No Car, No Grocery Stop. Where to Get Alcohol?

6/1/09
--Where is the Randy Pausch Plaque Located?
--What Was This Old Store in the Studios?
--Rod Serling and the Tower of Terror Pre-Show
--Answer to the May 25 Trivia Question

5/25/09
--Is Christmas Really That Crowded?
--Adult or Child Ticket When Child Turns 10 in the Middle of the Trip?
--Which Was the First Disney Vacation Club Resort to Open?
--Answer to the May 18 Trivia Question

5/18/09
--Will Pirates and the Haunted Mansion Be Closed In June?
--Where Would Anita Stay and Dine?
--What Are Those Stone Things at Epcot's Entrance?
--Answer to the May 4 Trivia Question

5/11/09
5/4/09
--The Mural in the Contemporary
--Showers at Old Key West's Pool
--A Flashing Light above the Blue Bayou Restaurant
--The Wasps' "Sting" in Tough to Be a Bug
--Answer to the April 27 Trivia Question

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Anita Answers

Hi! I'm Anita!

Got a question about Walt Disney World? I probably have the answer! Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Information Guide is the most comprehensive guide to the World on the Web, but if you still can't find the information you're looking for by using the Search Function, or the Anita Answer Archives, drop me a line and I'll do my best to find the answer for you. Since there are only 24 hours in a day, I can't answer every email I receive - however, I do read every one and try to answer as many as possible.

Check back weekly to see if your answer is waiting, check out my blog, Anita Talk, and be sure to subscribe to All Ears® to read my new Question of the Week featurette! Meanwhile, I'm All Ears!

Janice writes:

We recently celebrated a wonderful Christmas week at WDW. Amazingly, there were SALES in the theme parks on T-shirts, mugs, Christmas decor, and beach towels. Sale prices seemed to be in effect everywhere except the Yak & Yeti Bhaktapur Market. The prices and promotions there were not consistent with the rest of the theme park gift shops, and they honor a passholder discount, which is extremely rare. Just curious - why is this shop different?

Hi Janice!

Actually the answer is pretty simple. The Disney-owned stores are the ones giving the discounts right now, and the store at Yak & Yeti is neither Disney-owned or run.

I'm at the World as I write this and I have to say that seeing such deep discounts at the Disney-owned stores is almost shocking! Rarely have I ever seen anything discounted to the general public. Holiday crowds have been very light in comparison to previous years' crowds, so the stores will likely be stuck with quite a bit of the holiday merchandise that they expected to sell, hence the sale pricing to move it all out. For guests who came to shop, there are a lot of really good bargains to be had this week!

A.A.

Kitty writes:

I was wondering about the Florida Resident Epcot After 4 annual pass. Are they strict about the 4 p.m. entrance time, or can you get into the park any earlier than 4 p.m.? Since you do not get free parking with this can you park at the resorts and take the bus? Or park in Downtown Disney and take the bus?

Hi Kitty!

As far as I know, you can only enter Epcot after 4 p.m. on the After 4 Pass. The ATS computer will probably not allow you through the turnstile earlier than that time.

As for parking at resorts and taking the bus to Epcot, you probably won't be allowed to park at a resort unless you're staying at the resort. Particularly at the Epcot and Magic Kingdom area resorts, you may see signs at their entrances informing guests that they will not be able to park there for access to the parks.

Downtown Disney unfortunately won't work either, as there are no direct buses from DTD to the parks. Parking there would require traveling to a resort, then a transfer at the resort to a bus, boat or monorail. This could be very time-consuming, and you'll have to do it all in reverse after the park closes.

For more information about WDW admissions media, please read AllEars.net's Ticket FAQ.

A.A.

Bonnie writes:

Can guests at Disney make use of the swimming pools at other resorts other than their own?

Hi Bonnie!

It's that time of year again. I'm getting a number of questions about using other resorts' pools, so once again, here is the official policy on pool hopping:

Disney resort pools are for the use of that resort's guests only, with the following exceptions:

- Disney Vacation Club Members staying at a DVC resort on points may hop to any other Disney resort's pool with the exception of the Uzima Pool at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club (unless they're staying at the Animal Kingdom Villas or the Beach Club Villas, of course!). When Kidani Village opens at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Samawadi Springs Pool will very likely be restricted as well. At certain busy times of the year, all pool hopping is suspended at all resorts.

- Guests of any of the All Star Resorts may use any other All Star Resort's pool.

NOTE: The Pop Century Resort is not included in this agreement, as it is not one of the All Star Resorts.

- Guests of Port Orleans Riverside may use Port Orleans French Quarter's pool and vice versa.

The only time you may see an exception to the above rules is when a pool is undergoing a refurbishment and is closed for a long period of time. When you check into your resort, the front desk will advise you on which pools are available for you to use.

An important note about Stormalong Bay: Valid Yacht and Beach Club ID will be required to enter the pool area, and the cast members at this pool are very strict about this policy. After showing your ID, you are given a bracelet to wear to identify you as a Yacht or Beach Club guest. Attempting to sneak in is not advised.

A.A.

Joanie writes:

I was at Hollywood Studios last weekend for the Osborne Family Lights. When we went in, I asked where to go to get our arm bands for the Extra Magic Hours. The CM told me that they aren't doing arm bands anymore and to get on the rides, we would have to show our resort key. Is this a permanent change or is it because of the holidays? By the way, I love your column! I read it every week.

Hi Joanie!

Wristbands for Extra Magic Hours (EMH) were discontinued in early September 2008 as a cost-saving measure. The bands themselves aren't the issue, it's the personnel required to put them on your wrist. This appears to be a permanent change, and seems to be efficient.

Interestingly, I attended EMH at Epcot last week and we were all asked to show our Key to the World card to enter the Land Pavilion and then again at the beginning of Soarin's queue. At all other Epcot attractions, they were only checked at the queue.

A.A.

Shannon writes:

Hi Anita, I love your column! I have a question about the birthday Fastpass. Do you know if it is valid only at one park or may you use it at all of the parks that you visit for the day? Thank you.

Hi Shannon!

The special Birthday Fastpass Badge is good only on select attractions at the park in which you received it. It can only be obtained on your actual birthday and must be used that same day. Quantities will be limited, so if you want to get this perk, it is suggested that you get to your park of choice early on your birthday before they're gone for the day.

For more information about the "What Will You Celebrate?" promotion, click here.

A.A.

Amy writes:

This is a question I have had since my very first trip to WDW when I was 3 years old. My parents didn't know the answer then, but I'm hoping you might be able to answer it now!

As seasonal passholders, my husband and I go to WDW multiple times throughout the year. All around the parks, I've seen people toss coins into fountains, by the boat docks and so on. We always make a wish and toss a coin when we are in our favorite room of "It's A Small World." Do you know how often they collect it and what all that money goes towards? Many thanks!

Hi Amy!

It is my understanding that what happens to the coins and how they are collected differs depending on where the coins are tossed. If coins are thrown into ride areas, such as the Small World or Pirates rides' flumes, those coins are not collected until a major ride rehab, usually involving draining the water. The coins collected are generally too corroded and water damaged to be used as currency, so they are considered scrap metal.

Coins tossed into fountains are collected more often, but are still considered scrap metal and not currency.

Coins tossed into Cinderella's Wishing Well are collected often and are contributed to charitable organizations.

So there you have your answer. Not very glamorous, but now you know!

A.A.

That's it for this edition!

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