Tips about Special Events

We go to "The World" every other year at Thanksgiving and love going at that time of year. The decorations are breathtaking and the weather is wonderful! We have always had Thanksgiving lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom because it feels like you're being waited on by the pilgrims themselves. The decor of the place and the costumes of the staff, not to mention the way they call you in for you reservation ("Hear Ye! Hear Ye!") really sets the mood for our Thanksgiving meal. Also, even though we are at Disney I don't miss out on my "Black Friday" shopping. I take care of most of it shopping in Disney Springs! - Peggy Benoit

On Thanksgiving Day we went to the Studios early in the morning. (I spent the day wishing all the cast members -- from the bus drivers to the Streetmosphere players -- Happy Thanksgiving and thanking them for working to make our holiday special. We saw the shows, rode the rides and had a great time. We ate dinner at the Biergarten. What a treat! My sister's kids (high school and college ages) danced and sang and had a blast. Everyone loved the food. They still say that it was one of the best Thanksgivings ever! Great food, fun music and a wonderful show. So my advice is try something non-traditonal for your Thanksgiving at WDW. Go see a show, fireworks or have a special meal, but it doesn't have to be right on Thanksgivng Day. And don't forget to wish the cast members you meet a Happy Thanksgiving too. After all, they are making your day special! - Nancy L. Gessner

We had a very delicious Thanksgiving meal that evening at the food court in All Star Sports. They served turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Just like we would have had if we would have been home in Louisiana. Another note is to dine early on Thanksgiving. - Alyce S. Miller

Our family (included parents, grandparents and two teenage daughters) traveled to Disney World for Thanksgiving week. It was the first time we spent the holiday away from home and were able to keep some of the many traditions alive that we kept each year. That included catching Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV in the morning, watching college football, and being together. We even included some non-traditional swimming in the pool... nothing we could have done in New England. We investigated the many dining options available and finally chose a restaurant at the Polynesian, which is where we were staying. The meal was truly NE traditional including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, squash, mashed potatoes, and yummy pie (we even took extra pie back to our room to have later in the day... just like at home!). The waitstaff at the restaurant made us feel as if we were guests in their home and shared that very special Thanksgiving with us. Another treasured Disney memory. - Carol Trainor

After eating out at great Disney restaurants the week prior to actual Thanksgiving Day, we found we were really no longer "up" for another huge meal. We cancelled the dinner reservations we had made and picked up the Beach Club Marketplace Thanksgiving prepared individual meals. They were both delicious and affordable. AND we had our traditional Thanksgiving turkey! - JoAnne Miller

Epcot - We went to WDW in October to avoid the crowds. It was almost sucessful! Epcot was jammed like New Year's Eve because of the Food and Wine Festival. My suggestion is to go to Epcot very early in the morning to catch the normal stuff and then come back later to enjoy the Festival! - William

MNSSHP - For everyone who loves travelling to Walt Disney World during the fall for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, the Boo to You Parade is one of the highlights of the evening. What most people don't realize, however, is that the Headless Horseman who ushers in the parade by galloping through Magic Kingdom on the parade route, actually originates at the horse stables at Fort Wilderness. He returns there, in full costume and character, after the parade. As you can imagine, it was quite a surprise for my daughter to see him on a pitch-black evening on his return to the stable. It made quite a memorable, spooky tale that she'll remember for a lifetime! - sgriggs EDITOR'S NOTE: On occasion the Headless Horseman has been known to appear Chip and Dales Campfire Singalong in Fort Wilderness on the 30 or 31.

Regarding the Birthday FastPass, we were in the Magic Kingdom for my son's 5th birthday and my husband went to the will-call window to get FastPasses for our group. The rest of our group entered the park and headed in different directions... we didn't realize that my husband would need the park tickets for each member of our party in order to get FastPasses for each of us. Unfortunately we spent the first hour of our day frantically calling (thank goodness for cell phones) to get our party back together at the front gate. - Keri

Flower and Garden Festival - The AllEars® Picture This! Photo Bloggers offer these tips:

-- Be sure to bring extra memory cards and an extra set of camera batteries. There are so many beautiful flowers you'll end up taking lots of photos.

-- Visit the various topiaries and exhibits during different times of the day; the sunlight will be different, resulting in a different photograph.

-- Learn how to use the Macro setting on your camera for closeup photos of the flowers: http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2009/03/he_can_call_me_a_flower_if_he.html

-- Topiary Photography Tips: http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2008/06/ready_llvl_at_fg_livin_la_vida_1.html

-- Remember the Flower and Garden festival is not just about flowers and blooms, but also about landscapes! http://land.allears.net/blogs/photoblog/2008/11/japanese_garden_1.html

Flower and Garden Festival - Here are some of AllEars® best tips for having fun among the flowers:

-- Be sure to pick up a special Flower and Garden guide when you enter Epcot so you know where the special seminars and exhibts are.
-- Go to the butterfly garden early in the morning. It gets crowded later in the day.

Debra Martin Koma shares a few tips for the upcoming ESPN The Weekend (February 27-March 1):

We went to ESPN The Weekend last year for the first time and found there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your time there:

-- While it is possible to get the autographs of the celebrities after they've been interviewed on the main stage under the Sorcerer Mickey Hat, an even better way is to wait until after one of the smaller shows in one of the other venues, such as the Theater of the Stars or after the Dream Job Experience. There will be fewer fans crowding around to meet the celebs who were on hand for the show, and they seem more relaxed and willing to chat and sign, and even pose for photographs, then.

-- Arrive early if you want to get in to the shows like the Dream Job Experience or Stump the Schwab, or any of them really. They fill up quickly. If you want to be close enough to see the athletes, you need to arrive early to make sure you can sit (or, in the case of the shows taking place on the Sorcerer's Hat stage, stand) up front.

-- Arriving at the shows early is also a good way to the catch the athletes for a quick autograph or a photo as they enter the venue.

-- If you plan to also ride the rides while in the Studios, be sure to get your Fastpasses early in the day. The park is much more crowded than usual, and all of those people have to go somewhere while they're waiting for the next show or motorcade -- you can bet they'll be on the rides, too.

http://allears.net/tp/mgm/espn.htm

If you have limited time and have a park hopper ticket you can enjoy the Osborne Spectacle of Lights in Hollywood Studios right around 6pm. Then hop on the boat and take it to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. Enjoy the sights of the World Showcase and if you are lucky see the Candlelight Processional by at least standing in the back. Grab a caramel treat in Germany's Caramel Kuche and find a spot for the 9:30 Holiday Illuminations which you just don't want to miss. (Kay)

One of the smallest lines in general to see Santa and Mrs. Claus is at the American Adventure in the World Showcase at Epcot. They normally are available starting around 4pm but check with the Times Guide or the concierge at your resort. (Kay)

CHRISTMAS - When people think of Florida, they think of warm, humid, tropical weather. But Florida does get cold fronts, as we experienced firsthand a couple years ago during the holidays. We brought those packet hand warmers that you shake to activate. We put them inside the kids' gloves to keep their hands warm. The kids loved them, and they really came in handy in the evenings when it got chilly. They're very inexpensive and can fit into a purse or pocket until you need to use them. - Jones Family

CHRISTMAS - I consider myself to be one of the very fortunate people to have been to the Candelight Processional almost every year for the past 15 years. As a birthday gift my great hubby sends me to see this spectacular event. That aside, I have seen the show many different ways, but the best way to get a seat without having to wait in line for 90 minutes is to purchase the dinner show package. I have often stood in line for the first show knowing that I would not get a seat, but I enjoy the show so much I stand in the back and watch it -- and then watch it again when I get a seat. Or if I get a seat for the first show, I sit outside of the American Adventure and listen to it a second time. The only problem with the dinner show package is that they sell out very quickly, especially at the lower price level. But, if you have never seen this show before I highly recommend it, any way you can get to see it --sitting or standing! - Geri Preisser