Rider Swap Helps Parents Traveling With Little Ones

Are you traveling to Disneyland or Disney World with small children?  Take advantage of Disney's Rider Swap pass.  This pass allows one parent to stand in line while the other watches the child or children that are too little to ride.  When the first parent finishes the ride, the next parent takes their Rider Swap pass and enters at the Fastpass entrance.  The rider swap pass is good for the adult plus 3 other riders, so it's possible that some members of your party will be able to enjoy the ride twice.  We like to get Fastpasses in addition to the Rider Swap which allows us to ride several times all at once.  Simply take the child that is too small for the attraction to the cast member at the front of the ride and ask for a Rider Swap pass.  Rider Swap passes are available on all rides that have a height requirement.

Another Reason to Buy the Park Hopper...

An air compression system is down at the Magic Kingdom, forcing almost every ride to be closed at the moment.

Astro Orbiter
Big Thunder Mountain
Dumbo
Haunted Mansion
Jungle Cruise
Laugh Floor
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Stitch's Great Escape

RIP Toontown

Mickey's Toontown Fair will officially close at the end of today.  It originally opened on June 18, 1988 as Mickey's Birthdayland to celebrate Mickey's 60th birthday.  It was then renamed Mickey's Starland on May 26, 1990 and finally Mickey's Toontown Fair on October 1, 1996.

Toontown is closing as part of the Walt Disney World Fantasyland Expansion.  The biggest attractions in Toontown are Goofy's Barnstormer, Mickey and Minnie's houses, and the character meet and greets.  The Barnstormer will be re-themed as The Great Goofini, while the rest of Toontown will be a part of Disney history.  You will find Tinker Bell in Hollywood Studios and her fairy friends in Epcot.  Mickey, Minnie, and the Princesses can be found in Tomorrowland until they make their move to the Town Square Exposition Hall in the spring of 2011.

I have to admit that I'm a little sad to see this piece of Disney World go.  I loved visiting Mickey and Minnie's houses and looking at all tiny details that make them so magical.  Although Toontown was fun to look at, our main reason for visiting was always the meet and greets.  I feel certain that the space is being put to better use.  I'm looking forward to seeing the progress as the first phase of the Fantasyland Expansion opens late 2012 and most new attractions by 2013.

Catch a Glimpse of the New Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coming Soon to the Magic Kingdom

Inside the Magic gives us a peek at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.  I can't wait!

Cut your wait time with Disney's FASTPASS

Did you know that you can cut your wait time to some of your favorite rides by using Disney's FASTPASS ? This complimentary service saves your place in line for an attraction while you enjoy the rest of the theme park. Here are the details:

To Use Disney's FASTPASS Service:

• Look for the "Disney's FASTPASS® Distribution" sign near the entrance of an attraction.
• Check the "Return Time" displayed on the sign.
• The sign will indicate the time you would return to enjoy the attraction using a FASTPASS ticket.
• For attractions, the return time is a one-hour window (e.g., 1:10 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.), so you don't have to be there exactly at a given time. For shows, your return time will be for a specific performance.
• If the return time is one that works for you, just insert your admission ticket into the Disney's FASTPASS Service machine. (You may use your Walt Disney World Resort admission ticket, readmission ticket, Disney Resort Hotel keycard or Annual Passport.)
• A FASTPASS ticket will emerge with your return time printed on it. Now you're free to go and enjoy the rest of the theme park!
• Go back to the FASTPASS ticketholder entrance when your return time rolls around, show your ticket to the Cast Member and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait.

Please keep in mind:

• FASTPASS tickets are only valid on the day of issue.
• Everyone in your party using the FASTPASS ticketholder entrance must have a FASTPASS ticket.
• There's a limit to the number of FASTPASS tickets you may have at one time. On your ticket will be printed the time at which you can get your next one. Disney's FASTPASS Service machines won't issue another ticket until the time stated on your current one.

Currently, the following attractions offer Disney's FASTPASS Service:

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park:

• Primeval Whirl
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• DINOSAUR
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest

Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park:

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Toy Story Mania!
• Star Tours
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Magic Kingdom Theme Park:

• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• Jungle Cruise
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Peter Pan's Flight

Epcot Theme Park:

• Mission: SPACE Pavilion
• Test Track
• Captain EO starring Michael Jackson
• Maelstrom
• Soarin'

Walt Disney World Tips

I started a discussion on my facebook page today. I would love to hear your thoughts as well. Comment here or click on the link to the right to join the discussion on facebook.

"What advice would you give first time travelers? I'll be adding a Disney Tips section to my website and would love to hear your ideas. I'll give you credit on the site. Thanks!"

Here is my answer:

My biggest tip would be to relax and be flexible. If you're traveling with a large group, it is okay (in fact, a necessity) to split up some of the time. Don't try to stay together the entire trip. It just doesn't work. Everyone will eventually want to do something different, and that is okay. If you're traveling with small children, let their needs guide your trip. If they are tired, take a break. It sounds like common sense, but too often we get caught up in the fun, and don't want to leave the park for any reason. You will have much more fun if your kids are rested. We like to go back to the hotel and rest during the hottest and most crowded part of the day. Little ones can take naps while older ones can enjoy the amenities that the hotels have to offer. Once they're rested and fed, you can then go back and stay for the entire night. We like to let them take a nice nap, and then we can stay for Magic Hours when the park is not as full. Don't think of this is your one and only chance to do everything. There is far too much to see unless you plan on staying a month. Imagine that you will be back, so if you don't get to do it this time, you will catch it on your next visit. Take a deep breath and slow down, look around and enjoy the details that make the parks magical, and most importantly...have FUN!

More Great Military Discounts

Now through September 28, 2011, active and retired U.S. military personnel can receive MAJOR discounts on park tickets and hotels. Purchase up to six 4-day park hoppers for $138 plus tax and receive 40% off selected resort hotels. Contact me for more information.