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BEYOND THE THEME PARKS

ANITA ANSWER
Archives

9/22/08
--When Does the Holiday Decorating Commence?
--Looking for a Wooden Leg Named Smith?

--More, MUCH More on Those World Showcase OmniBuses
--An Old-Fashioned Phone on Main Street?
--Name of Soap Store at the Grand Floridian?
--Two Tracks at Everest?

9/15/08
--Parking Fees: How Many Times Per Day to Pay?
--Where Is Roy O. Disney's Statue Located?

--Castle Dream Lights for 2008?
--What Happens in Stormy Weather?
--A Mardi Gras Parade at French Quarter?
--Where Is This Hidden Mickey Located Inside the Haunted Mansion?

9/8/08
--When Do Charging and Dining Plan Privileges End after Check-Out?
--A Book with WDW Trivia and Stats?
--Should Guests Worry about Hurricanes and Tropical Storms?
--Is the New Pool at Caribbean Beach a "Zero Entry" Pool?
--The Grand Floridian and the Hotel Del Coronado
--Will Portobello Close for Rehab?

9/1/08
--No More 180-Day Dining Reservations?
--When Did the World Stop Using Dated Guidemaps?
--Was There a Double Decker Bus at Epcot?
--The Bonnet Creek Resort -- Any Disney Perks?
--Disney's Worst Kept Secret
--Seasonal Passholders and Block-Out Dates
--What's Going On in Mid-January?

8/25/08
8/18/08
--What is a "Premium Night" at the Parties?
--A New "Land" for Animal Kingdom?
--Best Route to Expedition Everest from Animal Kingdom's Entrance?
--Magical Express Reservations and Luggage Tags
--What Is This Hotel Near Saratoga Springs?
--Yo Ho and Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee Similar?

8/11/08
--Fantasmic!, IllumiNations and SpectroMagic Performances Scaled Back?
--Of Luggage Tags and Fastpasses
--What Is This "Creek" Resort?
--Pin Backs That Don't Fall Off
--A T-Rex Update?
--Where Did Cinderella's Carrousel Originate?

8/4/08
--Splitting a 10-Day Pass Between Two People?
--Boating to Epcot from Riverside?
--What Will Be Open at Pleasure Island?
--How Do Tickets with the No Expiration Option Affect the Dining Plan?
--Value or Moderate Resorts with More Than Two Beds
--What Does That Morse Code Message on Spaceship Earth Say?

7/28/08
--Bus Service and Best Location at Pop Century
--Riding Horseback at the World
--The Mystery Tower next to the Contemporary
--How to Get a Guest Assistance Card
--Correct Size of Moderate Resorts' Rooms
--Tipping Housekeeping/Offsite Visitors at Extra Magic Hours

7/21/08
7/14/08

--Who Is Stacey? / Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Inversions
--Are There Any Disney "Anitas?"
--Advice for Switching Resorts Mid-Trip
--Ordering Groceries for Resort Delivery
--How Far Is the Walk around Epcot's World Showcase?
--Clues in Image of Cinderella Castle on Old Ticket?

7/7/08
--Is There a Charge for Parking or Cars Entering Property?
--Walt Disney's Family
--Test Track's Speed Compared to Disneyland's Rocket Rods?
--How Could Resorts Be Booked Solid During Slower Weeks?
--What Happened to These Two Resorts?
--Magical Express, Luggage Service and Resort Check-In Explained

6/30/08
--Is A Park Hopper Pass Necessary to Leave and Reenter the Same Day?
--Southwest Airlines and Magical Express
--Where Were Soarin's Scenes Filmed?
--Can You Walk from Shades of Green to the Magic Kingdom?
--What Happened to the David Copperfield Project at the Studios?
--Buying Fastpasses on Ebay

6/23/08
--Adding the "No Expiration" Option to a Partially-Used Ticket
--Caribbean Beach Resort Getting Another Renovation?
--The Drops on Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean
--Annual Pass Prices Different on Disney Site?
--Can Any Fireworks Be Seen from Downtown Disney?
--What Dinner Show Was This?

6/16/08
--Alcohol in the Magic Kingdom
--Is It "Toy Story Mania" or "Toy Story Midway Mania?"
--Magic Kingdom History 101
--A Haunted Mansion Holiday Overlay?
--Which Rides Have Single Rider Lines?
--Does Dumbo Have a "No Adults without a Child" Policy?

6/9/08
--Who Are These Streetmosphere Performers at the Studios?
--Soarin's Show Music
--Where in the World Can You Sample Foreign Coke Products?
--What Was This Poly Restaurant Called?
--Who Is the Voice Of Abraham Lincoln?
--Where to Purchase the Teas Served at the Grand Floridian

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Anita Answers

 

 

Hi! I'm Anita!

aaphotoGot 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 and see if your answer is waiting, and be sure to check out my blog, Anita Talk. Meanwhile, I'm All Ears!

October 6, 2008

Is There a Lounge at the Wilderness Lodge?
Characters That Can't Sign or Stamp/A Hunchback of Notre Dame Show?
YoMD: Can You Still Send in Postcard Entries?
When Are the Summer Crowds Lightest?
What Is the Difference Between the Dining Experience and the Dining Plan?
Best Place to Get Sushi at the World?

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Daniel writes:

Is there a lounge at Wilderness Lodge where we can get a drink and relax after a day at the parks?

Hi Daniel!

There are two bar areas at the Wilderness Lodge. The Territory Lounge is located next to Artist Point, off the main lobby. Out by the pool, you'll find the Trout Pass Pool Bar. I've always found the Territory Lounge to be somewhat noisy, and it's located next to Whispering Canyon Cafe, which can become raucous at times. The Territory Lounge opens at 4 p.m. daily. Trout Pass' hours and operating days change seasonally, but it generally opens at noon. Be sure to check before you trek out there.

Have a great trip!

A.A.

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Elsie writes:

Anita, after reading in the archives of your wonderful column, I was surprised to find both King Louie and the Beast on your "can't sign or stamp" list after corrections. I have signatures from both of them!

Also, I seem to remember a Hunchback of Notre Dame show, maybe at the Hollywood Studios. Did it ever exist, or am I just dreaming? What happened to it?

Hi Elsie!

Wow, that was an old column you were looking at! The thing to remember about characters is that their costumes are redesigned, changed and evolved all the time. It's entirely possible that when I wrote that entry, those characters could not sign. It's also possible that in the time following that entry, their costumes have changed to enable them to sign. In some cases, a costume has been redesigned and a character who previously could sign an autograph no longer can! You just never know from trip to trip who is able and who is not able to sign an autograph.

To answer your second question, no, you didn't dream the Hunchback show. Hunchback of Notre Dame -- A Musical Adventure was performed in the Backlot Theater of the Disney-MGM Studios from June 1996 until September 2002. It was, in my opinion, the very best show ever staged at WDW, and is still mourned by many fans. Only Finding Nemo --The Musical at Animal Kingdom rivals it.

Miscellaneous stuff: In January 2008, the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park officially became Disney's Hollywood Studios.

After the Hunchback show closed, the Backlot Theater ceased operation. It was used for storage of the Osborne lights until last year. It recently underwent a total refurbishment, enclosing the theatre and adding air conditioning. It is now used for special events such as Star Wars Weekends and Magic Music Days.

A.A.

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Robert writes:

Regarding Year of a Million Dreams, do you know if people can still participate by sending in postcards?

Also, can someone in a family win if another family member has already won something? My wife won mouse ears over a year ago and my daughter wants to send in a postcard now. Thank you.

Hi Robert!

Yes, you can still enter to win via postcard, but you have to hurry. Final entries for Year of a Million Dreams prizes must be postmarked on or before December 31, 2008, and must be received before January 14, 2009.

Your family is still eligible to win prizes, even if your wife has won previously. I know friends and members of their immediate families who have won numerous times via postcard entries. Since this promotion is winding down, send in as many postcards as you wish. It certainly can't hurt, and you can't win unless you enter.

Disney's next promotion, "What Will You Celebrate?" begins on January 1, 2009. For more information about it, click here.

A.A.

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Michael writes:

Anita, first I would like to say that you have the BEST column for Disney World that I have ever seen!!

Okay, we just got back from taking the kids to Walt Disney World for the first time, and went in April. I want to take them again but it can only be during the summer because of school. Is there a better time during the summer to take them when the crowds are even just slightly smaller?

Hi Michael!

These days, it's rare to find light crowds at the World, particularly during school vacation times. The best you can hope for at those times is something on the higher end of "moderate" and that will be during the last two weeks of August. After Labor Day (when most kids are back in school) attendance drops dramatically compared to summer. The good news is that in late August, everything is open at the parks, and the hours are generous. The bad news is, it's during peak hurricane season, so it may be wet and windy during your trip. The Answer Family always visits at that time, and this year we were treated to a week of Tropical Storm Fay. On the other hand, even though it was wet, the crummy weather kept the crowds at bay and temperatures lower than normal. Other years, it's been very hot, dry and moderately crowded, so everything is a trade-off, right?

Have a great time planning your next trip to the World!

A.A.

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Wendy writes:

I was just reading the announcement for the Disney Dining Experience name change. I was wondering, what exactly is the Dining Experience and how does it differ from the Disney Dining Plan?

Hi Wendy!

Tables in Wonderland (originally called the Disney Dining Experience) is a membership-only discount dining program. It is only available to Florida residents and annual or seasonal passholders. It costs Florida residents $85 to join, and passholders pay $60. Membership must be renewed annually. The card will get you 20% off most table service meals, alcoholic beverages included, and a few counter service meals. An 18% gratuity is automatically added to any table service bill using the Tables in Wonderland discount.

Magic Your Way Plus Dining, or "Disney Dining Plan" as many guests call it, is a prepaid meal program. It is available to guests purchasing MYW vacation packages and to Disney Vacation Club members staying at DVC resorts using DVC points.

There are several levels of plans, with the price for the basic plan currently beginning at $37.99 for adults age 10+, and $9.99 for kids age 3 - 9. In 2009, prices will increase, and a new quick service only plan will be added for $29.99/$8.99. It's important to note that gratuity is no longer included in the price of the dining plan. For more information about the 2009 plan, click here.

A.A.

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Aimee writes:

Hello Anita! I am planning a vacation to the World with my boyfriend, and we both really enjoy sushi. Where is the best place on Disney property to get sushi? Love your column!

Hi Aimee!

For this one, I have to defer to Minnie Answer, who is the sushi expert in the family. Compared to her, I'm a mere dabbler. Minnie recommends Tokyo Dining in the Japan Pavilion for a table service meal. Tokyo Dining features an extensive sushi menu, and many other delicious selections for those non-sushi eaters in your party. The child's meal is served in an amusing little monorail car, which can be purchased from the Mitsukoshi department store downstairs, albeit at a rather steep price. The dining room is absolutely gorgeous, featuring dark woods, a sleek modern look, and an open sushi preparation area. The service is excellent at Tokyo Dining, even at peak times.

Other friends have recommended Kimono's Sushi Bar at the Swan, but I have never eaten there, so I can't speak from experience.

If you're looking for quick service sushi, a passable version of the "California Roll" can be found in the Yakatori House at the Japan Pavilion, as well as the Sunshine Seasons food court in the Land Pavilion.

A.A

 

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That's it for this edition!

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