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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 and see if your answer is waiting, and be sure to check
out my blog, Anita Talk. Meanwhile,
I'm All Ears!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
That's
it for this edition!
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question?
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Anita Answer, that is.
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