One of these days I will post my trip report and tell you about my stay at All Star Movies with 1,500 cheerleaders/dancers. I have nothing against teens (I had one once!), and I knew what I was getting into when I made the reservation...but REALLY?!?!? I even saw CM's who had enough! Anyway, I celebrated my birthday at ASMovies and aside from the kids I really liked the resort!

I loved staying at Oak Manor (Port Orleans Riverside) in a Royal Guest Room more, however!

You’ve been asking for a Cars Land meet-up, and now is your chance to be among the first guests to see Cars Land for yourself at our next Disney Parks Blog meet-up! Come with us as the lead Imagineers on Cars Land take 66 participants (see what we did there?) for a walking tour of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park on Tuesday, May 29.
Since Cars Land is still being polished up for its grand opening next month, we must keep our meet-up group very small. Thirty-three (33) participants will be invited, each with one (1) guest, to join us. No photography or video recording will be allowed inside Cars Land.* Since we’re visiting a working construction site, each participant and guest must check all electronic devices (including, but not limited to, cameras, phones and recording devices) with security staff who will be joining us for this event. Guests who choose not to check all of their electronic devices with security staff prior to entering Cars Land will not be able to participate in the event. This event is intended for Disney Parks Blog readers to see Cars Land. No members of the news media will be invited or allowed to attend.
Check-in for the event will begin at 5 p.m., and all participants and guests must be checked in no later than 5:30 p.m. All participants will be escorted into Cars Land for the tour, which will last approximately 45 minutes. During this exclusive tour, participants will be able to view Cars Land attractions but will not have the opportunity to ride. After the tour concludes, meet-up participants will be invited to spend the rest of the evening at Disney California Adventure park and enjoy the 9 p.m. showing of “World of Color” as our guests in a reserved viewing section. Park admission is not required to attend the event, but participants will be responsible for their own parking fees.
Space for the event is very limited and you must RSVP to meetups@disney.go.com, following these directions carefully:

• All participants who RSVP for the event must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18. Upon receiving the email confirming your attendance, you will be required to reply with the name of your guest. Meet-up invitations are non-transferrable.
• Valid RSVPs must include: 1) “Cars Land Meet-Up RSVP” in the subject line and 2) your name, email address and phone number in the body of the email. All confirmed RSVPs will be for the person who responds plus one guest. Incomplete RSVPs will not be accepted.
• Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in, and all participants and guests must agree to check all electronic devices with security staff at the event.

Entrants whose valid RSVPs are accepted will be sent an email to confirm their attendance for the event on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. All accepted participants must reply to the confirmation email with the name of their guest.
I will give an update at the top of this post when capacity has been reached. Please note the event is subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Get your RSVP in now and be among the first guests inside Cars Land with the Disney Parks Blog!
*Any participants found to be photographing or otherwise recording during this event will be escorted off the Disneyland Resort premises and may be precluded from participation in any future events.

RSVP Now for Disney Parks Blog Cars Land Meet-Up at Disney California Adventure Park by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 16, 2012 – With help from Mickey Mouse and dozens of VoluntEARS, Walt Disney World Resort today kicked off efforts to award a record $1.5 million in Disney Helping Kids Shine grants to 59 organizations that help enrich the lives of Central Florida kids.

Organizations and school districts with programs that use art, music and theater to stimulate creativity and critical thinking among children were the first to receive grants during a visit to the Orlando Repertory Theatre.

“At Walt Disney World Resort, our vision is to build on our philanthropic legacy by investing in programs that make a lasting change in our community and promote the happiness and well being of children and families”, said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “These organizations represent the best of the best.”

Throughout the week, Walt Disney World Resort will make surprise visits to other organizations in the five counties that encourage creativity, innovation and compassion in children. Combined, the grants are expected to benefit an estimated 70,000 children in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Polk counties.

A 15-member committee that included community leaders, government officials, educators, entrepreneurs and Cast Members selected this year’s grant recipients.

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We have our Disneyland stay booked at Hotel Anabella from 6/4-6/7 but I just received a gift card from one of my vendors at work for Marriott that would make the hotel stay a little less if we stay at the Marriott Suites. I called and they have a direct shuttle that runs every half hour. Which seems like a nice perk. Has anyone stayed here recently? Input would be great!!

We have a 3 year old who will need to come back to the hotel mid day for a nap. Otherwise we don't have any real "needs" for our hotel. Just a seperate room for him to nap.

Hundreds of volunteers rose bright and early last Saturday, May 12, to help build a new playground just blocks away from the Disneyland Resort – and it came together in just one day!
Partnering with the City of Anaheim, Anaheim Family YMCA, KaBOOM! and local community members, Disney VoluntEARS built a playground at Stoddard Park in Anaheim that will provide more than 1,000 children a safe place to play. Planning began in March when local children met with Disney and KaBOOM! to design their ideal playground. The children’s drawings were then used to create the playground’s final design.
Disney is a KaBOOM! National Partner, supporting its vision of a play space within walking distance of every child in America. Since 2011, Disney has pledged more than $3.5 million to help build playgrounds and learning gardens across the country with the participation of thousands of Disney VoluntEARS. By the end of the year, Disney will have helped KaBOOM! build nearly 30 playgrounds nationwide!
Disney VoluntEARS Help Build New Playground Near the Disneyland Resort by Kevin Rafferty, Jr.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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DISNEYLAND: 'Brave' heroine joins park's cast of princesses Press-Enterprise BY FIELDING BUCK Merida, the red-headed warrior princess in Disney Pixar's “Brave,” will join Disneyland's cast on Friday, May 18, doing meet-and-greets in Fantasyland. In the 3-D film coming out on June 22, headstrong Merida is born of a royal family ... and more »

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I have now spent over two and a half hours over two days attempting to update my profile on the Disneyland annual passholder site to update my new pass number (downgraded from Premiere to Premium). Have talked with two different CM's, emailed another department, got an email back to clear my cache and cookies (which I had already done but did again), have re-set my password twice---all to no avail. I now have a call into the Annual Passholder "hotline" to see what they can do.

This is plainly ridiculous. The last CM I spoke to said the problem was there were too many passes on the server, and that she had been on duty since 8 a.m. this morning and spent most of the day helping other people with the same issue. Criminal waste of resources.

It was just announced yesterday that Disney earned One Billion Dollars in the last quarter--could they perhaps afford a new server?

The even more crazy part is that the CM's can't update the pass number for you.

Frustrated does not even begin to describe me. Has anyone else had/have the same issue (and if so how did you resolve it?)

Do something completely madcap today to celebrate. Why? Two decades ago, Muppet*Vision 3D opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a new dimension in deliciously demented daffiness was born — in an attraction that blended Fozzie’s “cheap 3-D tricks” with Audio-Animatronics characters, a live-in-person loony, little tiny bubbles and graet big explosions. In other words, the perfect Muppet storm!

Muppet*Vision 3D was also the grand finale project to benefit from the creative touch of Jim Henson himself. “Jim was involved in every aspect,” Emmy-winning writer Jim Lewis says. “He worked with all of us and directed the film. After Jim’s passing, Frank Oz came in to help put the finishing touches on it.”
The West Coast version of Muppet*Vision 3D opened almost a decade later at Disney California Adventure park. The two attractions differ mostly by the almost endless little gags that abound inside and outside. “In California, there’s a Swintrek spaceship crashed outside the show building,” said Jim. “But Florida’s the only place where you can find the net full of jello!”

“That’s my favorite gag of all,” says acclaimed writer Craig Shemin, who is today Vice President of The Jim Henson Legacy. Craig was a key member of the creative team, along with Jim H., Jim L., scriptwriter Bill Prady (co-creator of TV’s “The Big Bang Theory”) and Jim Henson Productions Creative Director Michael Frith. “A few feet from the theater doors, if you look up, you’ll literally see a net full of jello. If you say it fast, it can make you giggle.” (Hint: It’s the name of our own Queen of Walt Disney World Resort.)

Muppet*Vision 3D also ushered in one of the pioneering advances in computer-generated animation, the spirit of 3-D himself, Waldo C. Graphic. Fun fact: Waldo and another Muppet*Vision 3D co-star, Bean Bunny, made their debuts on “The Jim Henson Hour” in 1989.
Muppet*Vision 3D is also a treasure in that it combines talent and artistry from both Jim Henson Productions and Walt Disney Imagineering. “What an incredible, brilliant, creative individual Jim Henson was!” recalls Kathy Rogers, Senior Show Producer-Director, Walt Disney Imagineering. “He always acknowledged everybody’s value and talent around him, while he always kept the focus going forward. I was in awe of that.”
For more Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks, see below:

• Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: Robert Sherman Made Our Lives a Jolly Holiday
• Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: For Your Consideration – ‘The Oswalds’
• Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: Ducky and ‘Lady and the Tramp’

Sights & Sounds at Disney Parks: A Frog, a Pig and a Dream by Greg Ehrbar: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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Global Theme Parks Industry Sacramento Bee The report profiles 291 companies including many key and niche players such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Islands of Adventure, ... and more »

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Many generations have grown up with “The Mickey Mouse Club.” From its debut on black-and-white television in the 1950s through the pop-driven cast of the late-80s and early-90s (when the cast also called Disney’s Hollywood Studios “home”), the show has long been a part of our world’s rich culture.
In the late-1970s, “The New Mickey Mouse Club” hit the TV airwaves and featured segments shot at both Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Recently, Julie Piekarski, one of the Mouseketeers from the show’s 1970s revival, vacationed at Walt Disney World Resort — a visit that was loaded with fond memories of her days in the club that’s made for you and me.
And while the series was short-lived (Julie would go on to star on the premiere season of “The Facts of Life”), her memories are ones she re-lives each and every time she visits a Disney theme park. And she still even remembers the lyrics to a song she and her fellow Mouseketeers sang about “River Country.”
We caught up with Julie and asked her about her memories of the show. Be sure to keep a lookout for some classic Mickey Mouse Club memorabilia, as well as a few special guests who pop in to be a part of the homecoming.
One special guest even misses a cue and I give him some good-natured ribbing about it. But don’t worry, while he’s been known at times to lose his cool, he knew I meant it all in good fun.

A Mouseketeer Homecoming Lets ‘New Mickey Mouse Club’ Member Share New Memories with Her Family at Walt Disney World Resort by Gary Buchanan: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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See Disneyland's Matterhorn makeover in only 47 seconds Los Angeles Times By Hugo Martin The iconic Matterhorn Bobsled ride at Disneyland has been closed for a six-month renovation and is scheduled to reopen June 15. The overhaul is the first top-to-bottom construction project of the 147-foot-tall peak since it was built in ...

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Inside the Magic

Disneyland gives monorails a 'Cars' facelift, adding eyes and a mouth in ... Inside the Magic by Ricky Brigante Posted on May 16, 2012 Mandy, Mona, and Manny are the names Disneyland Resort has given three of its monorails, now featuring faces in the style of Disney/Pixar's film “Cars” in promotion of the upcoming grand opening of Cars Land on ...

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If you’ve been to the Disneyland Resort in the past couple of days, you may have noticed a few new faces along the Disneyland Monorail line. Here to welcome their “Cars” friends to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park, Mandy and Mona Monorails began making trips around the resort yesterday – and they will soon be joined by a third friend, Manny Monorail. You can tell each by their colors: Mandy Monorail is blue, Mona Monorail is orange and Manny Monorail will be red.

Each Monorail has its own personality, which Disneyland Resort guests will certainly hear when riding. Manny, Mandy and Mona Monorails are taking charge of the overhead announcements themselves – providing a new experience along the “Highway in the Sky.”
Come take a ride on the Disneyland Monorail and visit our three newest Disneyland Resort friends – Manny, Mandy and Mona Monorails!
Three New Faces Come to the Disneyland Resort: Manny, Mandy and Mona Monorails by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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New build-your-own Droid feature coming to Disney in time for Star Wars Weekends Orlando Sentinel By Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel If you feel a tremor in the Force, it might be the feeling of throngs of Star Wars fans' wallets getting lighter because of a new merchandise feature at Disney's Hollywood Studios opening in time for Star Wars ... and more »

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Just wanted to give you a quick update on the new Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure, including showcasing some new renderings of the experience we debuted at our Summer to Remember press event in April.
Starting in late June, Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is based on the wily secret-agent alter-ego of Perry the Platypus – faithful pet to the title characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas & Ferb.” Although just a simple pet to Phineas and Ferb, Perry turns into Agent P in each episode to help stop the misguided plans of his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

Epcot guests will transform into secret agents to help Agent P thwart some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most daring plots. Agents will use a high tech detection device called a “F.O.N.E.” or Field Operative Notification Equipment to receive clues for each case. Solving the clues will take agents to different places throughout seven World Showcase countries at Epcot – Mexico Pavilion, France Pavilion, Germany Pavilion, Norway Pavilion, Japan Pavilion, China Pavilion and the United Kingdom Pavilion. Agents will scour each country for clues, evil “Inators,” and – with a little bit of luck – help Agent P defeat Dr. Doofenshmirtz.
The current Disney Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure will close this Friday, May 18.
Disney Phineas & Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure Coming In Late June by Charles Stovall, Public Relations, manager: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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We have never been to WDW in the fall. This year we will be there at the end of October and staying at BCV. Can someone explain how the Food and Wine Fest works in "basic, someone who has never been there" terms? What is free (other than admission)? What are the highlights, etc??

Walt Disney World Then And Now: Mexico Pavilion WESH Orlando LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Mexico Pavilion at Disney's Epcot theme park opened on October 21, 1982. When it opened in 1982 it was known as El Rio del Tiempo. It's now known as Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros.

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9NEWS.com

New souvenir: 'Carbonite' yourself like Han Solo 9NEWS.com Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida has a new souvenir to take home besides Mickey's mouse ears. Who can forget the scene from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, when Han Solo was frozen in carbonite for delivery to Jabba the Hutt?

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One festival ends, another one begins this week at Walt Disney World, plus ... Orlando Sentinel (blog) Those events are included in regular Epcot admission. For more info about the Flower and Garden fest: www.disneyworld.com/flower. + Star Wars Weekends returns Friday to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The event, which runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays ... and more »

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So you don’t to have to wait until your next visit, yes, a tortoise is a turtle, but a turtle is not necessarily a tortoise (see fun fact below). You can find out all kinds of fascinating information and participate in a variety of activities for the whole family May 23 when Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends celebrate World Turtle Day.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests may see a turtle getting a veterinary exam, find out if they are smarter than a turtle, and get an up-close look at some of the turtles and tortoises that make their home at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and learn about how we care for them.

At The Seas with Nemo & Friends, sea turtles are the focus (naturally!). Guests can watch a sea turtle swimming gracefully by in the 5.7 million gallon saltwater main aquarium, learn about the conditions needed for sea turtles to nest successfully (did you know that female sea turtles return to the same beaches where they were hatched to lay their eggs?), and take part in an activity that follows a sea turtle hatchling on its journey to the sea, discovering how all of us can help to remove the obstacles that stand in its way.
I am very proud that the team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo & Friends celebrate and conserve turtles and tortoises every day. Over the years, for example, our animal care team has nursed more than 300 endangered sea turtles back to health and released them back to the wild. And since its inception, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has directed more than $1.1 million to sea turtle conservation efforts through more than 27 nonprofit organizations worldwide.
All of us can help turtles and tortoises by taking action to reduce, reuse and recycle, by making sure that we dispose of trash properly, and by observing turtles and other wildlife from a safe distance, taking care not to disturb them or their habitats.
Fun Fact: The word “turtle” refers to all species of turtle, including freshwater and sea turtles, box turtles and tortoises. Tortoises are turtles that live on land.
Upcoming 2012 wildlife conservation events at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (as always, dates subject to change):

• June 6: Pollinator Day
• August: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month
• Sept. 5: International Vulture Awareness Day
• Sept. 26: Elephant Awareness Day
• Oct. 31: Bat Day

And at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8
For more Wildlife Wednesday posts, see below:

• Wildlife Wednesdays: See ‘Spot’ Swim at The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Wildlife Wednesdays: Walt Disney’s Words Tell Today’s Conservation Story
• Wildlife Wednesdays: Central Florida Kids Connect with Nature During a Special Day Camp at the Walt Disney World Resort

Wildlife Wednesdays: Is a Tortoise a Turtle? Find Out This and More at The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Jackie Ogden, Ph.D.: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog


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Japanese lesbian can't wait for Disneyland "wedding" Reuters But Higashi is openly lesbian and her upcoming commitment ceremony is being characterised in the media as the first "gay wedding" to be held at Japan's Magic Kingdom. While US President Barack Obama came out in favour of same-sex weddings last week, ... and more »

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Inside the Magic

Disney reveals Buena Vista Street details OCRegister By SARAH TULLY / The Orange County Register The new entrance corridor in Disney California Adventure is supposed to give a feel of 1920s Los Angeles, more like a neighborhood similar to Los Feliz. A view of Carthay Circle Theatre and a fountain are ... Disney D23 members to preview Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, Carthay Circle ...Inside the Magic all 3 news articles »

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We Can't Believe These Theme Parks In Europe Are Real (PHOTOS) Huffington Post (blog) Counting more than 250 million visitors since it opened in 1992, Disneyland Paris, not the Louvre nor the Eiffel Tower, is Europe's most popular tourist destination by far. We can't say we're surprised, given the competition.

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Resort Review: Disneyland Paris celebrates 20 years AOL Travel UK By AOL Travel, May 16, 2012 Back in April 1992, Disneyland Paris opened its doors for the first time to thousands of guests. Since then, the park has welcomed more than 250 million visitors, expanded with the opening of Walt Disney Studios and has ... and more »

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Disney to award record $1.5 million to benefit Central Florida kids Orlando Sentinel Walt Disney World Resort will launch an effort on Wednesday to award a record $1.5 million in grants to help Central Florida children. According to a press release that went out to news media late Tuesday, "Helping Kids Shine" grants will go to 59 ...

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USA TODAY (blog)

Airfare Expert: What you should pay for summer airfare USA TODAY (blog) Here, visitors enjoy the Soarin' ride at Disney World's Epcot park. By Gene Duncan, AP It's difficult to know this summer whether you're getting an airfare deal or being taken for a ride, but following these tips could help you save a bundle and arrive ...

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Speaking of Walt by Jim Korkis

Jim shares some thoughts about Uncle Walt from those who knew him best.

Read it here!

3D TV

Disney to award record $1.5 million to benefit Central Florida kids Orlando Sentinel (blog) Walt Disney World Resort will launch an effort on Wednesday to award a record $1.5 million in grants to help Central Florida children. According to a press release that went out to news media late Tuesday, "Helping Kids Shine" grants will go to 59 ... Time is Money: Save Time Through Packing LightUSA TODAY (blog) Art of Animation Resort ~ A Sneak Peek At Disney's Brand New Resort HotelChild Mode (blog) all 8 news articles »

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Who: Mal and MDM, plus pups, joined by SIL and Brother, with their twins (5) and G3 (9).

Where: Residence Inn, where else!

So, we signed up for the Fantasmic! 20th event so figured what a way to celebrate Mother's Day. We were later invited to join friends at Club 33 for a special event on the 14th which included Fantasmic! We drove down after work on Friday the 11th, and arrived about 9pm. We checked in and kicked back in the room for the night.

Saturday morning we got up and headed to the park. MDM and I got in the park about 930am and noticed Charles Boyer was doing a signing, so we grabbed 2 pieces we had wanted and got them signed. I checked them in at package hold, and we headed to Jungle Cruise. When we got off, my SIL with kids in tow arrived. We headed towards POTC. On the way, we opted to let the boys run through the Treehouse. Then off to POTC. We then headed over to the Golden Horseshoe for lunch and to watch the Billies. The boys were in fine form, and only fell off their chairs about a half dozen times. After the show, we took the boys to BTMRR. Then I ran for fastpasses, while the rest headed to get in line for Space Mountain. Then, we headed back to the hotel shortly after to rest and regroup. I headed back to the park a couple hours later to join some friends for a couple laps around the park on the Lilly Belle. It was nice to just relax. MDM went to check out a couple shops. Then I headed to Tortilla Jo's to get a spot for dinner. There were 10 of us, as my brother and folks were joining us. At this meal, only one twin tipped their chair over... The food was great, the Margaritas were great, and the Divas were fantastic. From there, we headed to Soarin' to use some fastpasses. Then we headed back to Disneyland, and over to Star Tours. I shopped while they rode. Found a zippered fleece for MDM. After they got done, I opted to head back to the room (it was 1030) while they headed off to ride Splash Mountain.

MDM and I slept in a little, then headed to the park for Mother's Day. I picked up my carnation, and also one for my SIL and my mom who would be joining us for brunch. I did a little window shopping, then we hopped the monorail over to the Disneyland Hotel for brunch. We arrived at the brunch, checked in, and were seated promptly. We didn't even get a chance to check out the ante room! The brunch was INCREDIBLE. I need to thank cstephens for recommending this brunch. They had such a large variety of food. Everyone was well satisfied. The boys loved the "all you can Mickey bars". They also loved the Uncrustables. I enjoyed the crab and shrimp, omelet bar, carving station, there was just SO much food. For dessert, we had bananas Foster crepes, amongst all the other desserts. It was all so good. MDM declared it "best buffet ever!" (And no child fell out of their chair!) After saying good bye to the folks, we headed into DCA. We headed to the Zephyr, Screamin', Swings, ToT, then I headed to DL for Soundsational, then Flag Retreat. Then we headed to POTC, caught the train to Tomorrowland for dinner at Pizza port. After that, MDM, SIL, and I staked out spots for fireworks, while brother took kids on Splash for a few trips. MDM and I had dessert and relaxed while we waited. The boys returned and managed to sit through dessert and fireworks with only one fall out of a chair. (We were at the Plaza Inn.) After fireworks, we headed down Main St, shopping along the way. We found several items we just had to have!! Then it was back to the room for the night.

Monday, May 14th, Fantasmic! - MDM and I headed into DL early and hit the River Belle for breakfast. After that we sort of roamed the park, hit DCA to check out Off the Page and Blue Sky. After checking out Cars Land, we opted to call my brother and meet up so we could get their wrist bands for the event that evening. MDM and I were going to go to the Club 33 Voice event, but I had gotten my brother's family the AP event on our APs. While we were waiting for them, MDM noticed an injured bird in one of the "tree holes" by the ticket booth. After noticing it probably had an injured wing, she notified a security gentleman. They came over and looked, then brought in another one, then called in 2 custodial people. 20 mins later, they had it in a box and taking it to Circle D. MDM became "Bird Rescuer!" We then headed back to the hotel room for a nap since it would be a late night.

We headed back to Disneyland to meet up with our friends to head to the club. This was my first event, other than Candlelight, so it was going to be an interesting evening. AT precisely 630p, they opened the doors and started allowing everyone to head up. The club was decorated in a Mickey and Goofy theme, since the event was to celebrate and do a meet and greet with the voice over actors who portray Mickey and Goofy. It was very nice to meet various members, and the Club manager was very sweet and came over to say hi. We were introduced to so many people, I lost track of who was who. Our favorite server was there, and he came to get a hug and tell me how much he had enjoyed serving our group back in December. It had been his first night serving a large table (we were 9 or 10) and he had been nervous, but we made him feel comfortable and gave him confidence. (It explained why he had to keep looking at notes.) The first half hour was more of a cocktail hour and we had champagne with various appetizers (cheese puffs, chicken nuggets, and peanut butter and "jelly" on a crumpet. It was very interesting! About 715, they had us take seats, and brought in the first speaker, Rick Dempsey, who is in charge of voice over actors and continuity. He gave about a 20 min presentation regarding why continuity was important. He then had various clips of various voice over acting, including some of Walt dubbing Mickey. ANd a lot of outtakes! (We learned it took an hour and 15 mins to get the "Ut Oh" by Mickey in Fantasmic!) It was soooo fantastic! He was followed by Bill Farmer, who had us all in stitches with his stories of life as Goofy! He was followed by Bret Ivan, voice of Mickey. During all this, they were expecting us to eat! The food was incredible, but the stories were even better! The poor guys were trying to take their turns eating along with talking. We learned a lot about how Phil Collins sang the music to Tarzan in various languages, and got to hear them. They took a question and answer period for about 20 mins. The dinner consisted of a Spring roll for the first course, followed by a salad with beets and feta cheese, then a porterhouse steak with a "corndog potato"!! And finally a "Goofy Sweet Treat" which was very similar to a HUGE ding dong surrounded by raspberries. It was very good. After the dinner, the artists were in the lounge area and signed lithographs made for the event. It was really nice, as we each got to spend a few mins talking with them and they personalized their autographs. MDM asked Bret to record a message on her iPhone, so of course I did too! He laughed and loved it. Bill also recorded for us. I have 2 of him, one where he is saying he has no idea how to work the recording button! Afterwards, we headed downstairs about 1030p and were given the Fantasmic! event tee shirts and a voucher to enter an area reserved to view Fantasmic! We left to look around a few and ran into cstephens and The Husband. We chatted for a few, and noticed the reserved area was a nice standing area, but considering the age of many of the members, I was very surprised they did not have chairs available to the members. MDM and I staked an area inside the reserved area for us and our sponsors, who are older. There were several of the Club 33 staff helping arrange things at the reserved area, and I asked about getting a couple chairs for our sponsors, and they brought 2 out. About 11p, our sponsors came into the area, and I was surprised, but not really surprised to see he had Bill Farmer and Bret with their wives with him. So, our sponsors wife and Bill's wife sat, while we stood and chatted with the voice actors. Not kidding, we pretty much had them to ourselves for the wait for the show. I was very surprised the Club did not have seats for this, or at least for the actors. But better for me! We found out all about their dogs, and they got to hear all about ours. MDM declared it the best night ever. We hung out for a while after the showing, and were amused by one of the Fantasmic! "bumblebees" who was working in our area. She came over and asked about what was going on, and we explained the 2 gentlemen, and then Bret broke out in Mickey voice and the girl was just trembling. It was so good. We finally headed out about 1230a so MDM could ride BTMRR one last time, then back to the hotel. We were exhausted...

We got up early Tues (considering we didn't get to bed til 130am) at 8am to meet a couple Padders for breakfast at Steakhouse 55, followed by hitting the road home....

It was a GREAT Mother's Day weekend!!

Pictures tomorrow...

Canada's Cruise Line Industry Business Review Canada Victoria, also in 2011, was the first British Columbia port selected as a stop for Disney Cruise Line's Disney Wonder. In Prince Rupert, 2011 brought 50000 cruise passengers to port from a total of 21 ship calls. Prince Rupert's Port Authority, ... and more »

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