Finding the Toy Story Gang in Disney World

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From Buzz Lightyear to Bullseye and even a Star Wars themed Mr. Potato Head (named Darth Tater, naturally), you can spot the Toy Story characters at several different locations in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom. Plan on visiting the following rides and character greeting spots and see your favorite toys in “person” at Disney World.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Photo Courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Toy Story Characters in the Magic Kingdom:

  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: Battle the evil emperor Zurg and rack up plenty of points as you travel through this video game themed interactive galaxy. This is a relatively fast loading ride, so you can hit this one later in the day if needed, or pick up a Fastpass.
  • Buzz Lightyear Meet and Greet, Tomorrowland: Look for Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. Buzz generally appears just past his Space Ranger Spin, near the Carrousel of Progress. You can also spot another space movie pal, Stitch, in this location.
  • Round Up Gang Character Greetings, Frontierland: Frontierland is the natural place to find Jessie, Woodie and Bullseye. You can spot the characters strolling the street, on parade and greeting guests throughout the day here.

Toy Story Characters in Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

  • Toy Story Mania: The ultimate ride destination for Toy Story fans, Toy Story Mania takes you into the world of the toys and allows you to play along, video game style. Get here early or grab a Fastpass, this popular ride fills up quickly.
  • Pizza Planet: The Pizza Planet truck shows up in just about every Pixar film – and kids will love grabbing a mini pizza from the shop featured in the Toy Story films.
  • LA Prop Cinema Storage Shop: Home to a fun Mr. Potato Head accessory station – you can fill a box with potatoes and parts to make your own special spud.
  • Block Party Bash: This festive parade features plenty of music, dancing and interactive fun with the Toy Story characters; see your park schedule for details and times.

Disney World in June

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School’s out for most of the United States, summer has arrived and the weather is fine, making June one of the most popular times to visit Disney World. There are some advantages to visiting the happiest place on earth in June—and a few disadvantages as well. Read on for some tips to make your June trip to Disney World run smoothly.

Don't miss the Electrical Parade when you visit Disney World in June. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Expect moderate to heavy crowds, with crowd levels increasing as the month progresses. Big crowds mean you’ll need to spend a little more time waiting in line for most attractions, though you may get lucky if you show up first thing in the morning.

Big crowds means big waits, but it also means that Disney World extends theme park hours this month—parks will be open early and stay open late each day, so you’ll have plenty of time to play. Disney also brings out some of its best entertainment this month, with multiple showings of parades and shows on select dates.

Expect the weather to be hot this month; wear comfortable clothing and shoes, pack a bathing suit and plan on enjoying indoor attractions in the afternoon. You can also avoid the hottest time of day by heading back to your hotel for a swim in the afternoon. Hit the parks early in the morning, or stay late at night and you’ll avoid the worst heat and sun of the day.

Popular events at Disney World this month include Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – avoid the Studios on weekends if you’re not a fan of the series. This month’s Gay Days festivities will draw plenty of visitors to the featured park of the day, so check the event’s calendar if you want to avoid the crowds.

Disney World is at its best in many ways this month, so wear comfortable, cool clothing, pack plenty of sublock and prepare for some summer fun at Disney this month.

How to Find Characters in Disney World

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Need some help finding characters in Disney World? While you may be lucky enough to spot Mickey or Minnie just wandering by, you will likely need a bit of strategy to find your favorite Disney World Characters. Look in the right places at the right time, and you’ll be rewarded with a fun meeting session with your favorite character.

Meet Mickey in person at any Disney theme park. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Look in spots associated with your character: Disney World characters appear in places that relate to their storyline. This is why you’ll find Pocahontas in the Animal Kingdom (at Conservation Station) and Jasmine in Morocco (at Epcot). Think about your character’s story and you’ll get a good idea of where to look. Some current characters and their related spots are detailed below;

  • Woody, Jessie and Bulls eye : Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom
  • Buzz Lightyear and Stitch: Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom
  • Belle, Beast, Sleeping Beauty and Marie (from The Aristocats): In France (Epcot)
  • Fairy Godmother: Outside Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom
  • Handy Manny: Outside Playhouse Disney (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
  • Miss Piggy and Kermit: Outside Muppets in 3D
  • Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit: Mad Tea Party, Magic Kingdom

Look for scheduled character greetings; Check your park schedule and map when you arrive. You’ll spot some dedicated greeting areas that offer character sessions throughout the day. A few popular spots are listed below:

  • Character Greeting Spot, Future World (Epcot): Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto
  • Meet and Greet: Main Street USA (Magic Kingdom): Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses
  • Safari Character Greeting Spot: Camp Minnie Mickey (Disney’s Animal Kingdom): Minnie, Mickey and more in safari gear

Plan on waiting in a short line when you spot your character—other people will likely want to greet them as well. The Mickey and Disney Princess greeting locations in the Magic Kingdom offer Fastpass; the rest will likely have a small line.

How to Find the Disney Princesses in Disney World

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If you love the Disney princesses, you’ll be happy to hear that there are plenty of opportunities to spot your favorites when you visit the Disney World theme parks in Orlando. There are so many great ways and locations to meet the Disney princesses that you can meet Rapunzel, Meridia and more without going out of your way or making a special trip. Choose one of the following ideas to find your favorite Disney royal:

Meet Cinderella in person at Disney World. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Character greeting spots: Check your park map and daily schedule for a list of where to find the Disney Princesses. You’ll find several greeting locations in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Expect to see Cinderella, Rapunzel and Meridia in the Magic Kingdom, and Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White in Epcot. Jasmine appears regularly in both parks.

Character meals: If you want a little more time to visit, or want to see several of the princesses at once, schedule a character dining experience. You can enjoy a great breakfast, lunch or dinner, and the princesses will stop by and visit you at your table—no waiting in line required. You can find princess themed character dining at Epcot (in Norway), at Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom and at the Grand Floridian Resort (1900 Park Fare). Bring your autograph book and your camera, and be prepared to meet the Disney princesses in person.

Rides and Shows: While you won’t get a chance to chat, you can spot the princesses in a variety of shows in the theme parks. See Ariel in the Voyage of the Little Mermaid in Disney’s Hollywood Studios  and in Mickey’s Philharmagic in the Magic Kingdom. Belle and Jasmine join her at the Philharmagic as well. The ongoing Fantasyland expansion promises to bring plenty more princess themed attractions to the Magic Kingdom, with attractions featuring Ariel and Belle.

New Fastpass in Beta Testing at Magic Kingdom

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If you’re heading to the Magic Kingdom any time soon, you’ll notice something new. Not the Fantasyland expansion (though that is certainly new), but the first signs of Disney’s newest Fastpass innovation.

Paper Fastpasses may be a thing of the past at Disney World. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Fastpass has long been used by Disney to allow guests the chance to virtually save a spot in line, and the next generation Fastpass program takes that one step further. Up until now, to get a Fastpass, you had to go to the ride you wanted, insert your park ticket and receive a paper Fastpass card.

The new generation Fastpass does away with the paper, and you don’t have to be present to secure your spot. Using RFID technology, Disney’s new system will allow you to schedule up to four rides in advance–kind of like an advanced dining reservation.Once you schedule your day, you’ll show up for your ride at the time scheduled and go right to the front of the line.

You’ll be issued a card that tracks your info, and select attractions will have an RFID reader that will admit you to the ride, or let you know when to come back. You can see a reader right now in the Magic Kingdom at the Haunted Mansion–look for the blue Mickey topped post right out front.

This new system is being tested with guests at certain  on site resorts, and is expected to eventually replace the paper Fastpass system. The new Fastpass should be ideal for those who are computer savvy, like gadgets and enjoy planning out the day in advance.

Watch this spot for more Fastpass news as it becomes available.

by Samantha McNesby for OrlandoVacation.com

 

Star Wars Weekends Tips

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If you are planning on joining the thousands of guests from all over the galaxy at this month’s Star Wars Weekends events, the following Star Wars Weekend tips will help you navigate the event and get the most from the experience.

Pick up some fun souvenirs during Star Wars Weekends. Photo copyright SMcNesby

Arrive Early: This is good advice for any Disney World event (or even a regular day at Disney), but it is essential for Star Wars Weekends. Lines for the newly revamped Star Tours are long on any give day, but they will be overwhelming during the event.

Bring some cash: While the event is included with your theme park admission,  you’ll want to stock up on some of the souvenirs that will be available. Some are event specific, and only offered as limited editions. Choose from Star Wars themed Vinylmation characters, Jedi Mickey items,movie memorabilia and even a Star Wars themed Mr. Potato Head (Nicknamed Darth Tater).

Make Star Tours your first stop: Head to Star Tours and ride — but grab a Fast  Pass before you do. You’ll want to ride this one again, and since there are over 50 different ride experiences, you’ll get a different ride every time.

Grab a parade seat: Get your seat early along the parade route, and bring your camera. You’ll see characters from the Star Tours universe that only come out for this event, so snap a photo while you can.

Get an autograph: Characters will autograph just about anything that can be written on–so if you want your Minnie Leia doll to be autographed by Leia herself, bring the doll and a Sharpie marker. Celebrities from the series are on hand to sign autographs as well, but be prepared for substantial wait times.

Star Wars Weekend Tips by Samantha McNesby for OrlandoVacation.com

New Pirates Themed Attraction Coming Soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Pirates of the Caribbean – a ride, that became a movie, that became…an attraction? Disney World announced a new attraction this week, designed to take guests into the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow debuts fall 2012. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

The new attraction will be located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in Soundstage 4, right next door to Toy Story Mania. The building most recently housed a Narnia-themed exhibit, with props and other items from the first two movies. This location has been home to other exhibits through the years and is well suited to a walk-through experience.

While there is not a lot of detail on the new attraction, it is expected to immerse viewers in the sights and sounds of the movies, and is rumored to be an interactive experience. Watch this space for more details as they emerge, and keep an eye out for construction in the Studios.

By Samantha McNesby for OrlandoVacation.com

Disney World’s Fantasyland Expansion Update

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Disney World recently announced some changes to the ongoing Fantasyland expansion and update. If you will be visiting the Orlando area from now until 2014, these changes may impact your time in the Magic Kingdom. Expect to see some signs of ongoing construction and for some areas to be closed to guests. The new, revised timeline is listed below, and is current as of press time.

A new Little Mermaid themed ride will debut late 2012. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney company

Open now:

  • The first of two Dumbo rides—expect the same classic experience with a more comfortable waiting zone.
  • Guests have reported soft openings of the re-booted Barnstormer kiddie coaster

Opening July 2012:

  • The second Dumbo ride, along with an interactive indoor queueing area. If you’ve visited the new interactive line queues at the Haunted Mansion or Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, you’ll have an idea what to expect from the new Dumbo zone.
  • A splash zone, adjacent to the Dumbo/circus tent area.

Opening holiday/winter 2012:

  • Be Our Guest restaurant, with a Beauty and the Beast castle theme
  • Gaston’s Tavern (dining)
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle (character storytime)
  • Ariel’s Grotto (character greeting location)
  • Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid (new dark ride)

2014, date to be announced

  • 7 Dwarfs Mine Train (roller coaster with innovative tracking and seating components)

While construction is going on,  you can still ride all of your favorites, just expect to see walls blocking off some of Fantasyland and some construction zone activity in the months leading up to completion.

Starbucks Coming to the Disney Theme Parks

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Disney World excels at so many things, but creating a decent cup of coffee is not one of them. The “regular” park blend you’ll find at most restaurants, counter service locations and kiosks is barely tolerable. Thankfully, you can get your coffee fix via Starbucks in the Orlando Disney theme parks later this year.

Add Starbucks to the list of snack and breakfast spots in Disney World. Photo courtesy the Walt Disney Company

Disney announced this week that a Starbucks location will be added to each of the California and Florida parks, making it easy to get your favorite coffee drinks on the go. Guests will be able to explore the Magic Kingdom with a Frappuccino in hand later this year.

If you are traveling to the Orlando area before the new Starbucks arrive, there are still a few places to grab a decent cup of coffee in the Disney theme parks. The best place you’ll find for now is the Writer’s Stop which offers traditional blended coffee drinks, created to order.  The Writer’s Stop is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park and offers a great selection of pastries and treats as well. Epcot offers a coffee kiosk in Future World that has a small but good selection of hot beverages, head towards Test Track when you arrive, and you can’t miss it.

Look in the deluxe resorts for more coffee options—both the Contemporary and the Polynesian offer good coffee spots to grab and go. You can also find good coffee at several of the table service locations, including Chefs de France and the California Grill.

Disney Announces Star Wars Weekends Appearance Schedule

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Star Wars Weekends is offered each May in Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. The event features special shows, parades, guests and merchandise designed to tempt Star Wars fans. Look for more info on this event as opening day approaches, but in the meantime, the celebrity appearance schedule has been released and appears below.

Behind the scenes at the 2011 Star Wars Weekends. Photo by Samantha McNesby

The event runs May 18 through June 10, and will be hosted by Ashley Eckstein (Ahsoka Tano) and James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) from the Clone Wars television show. Each weekend features appearances by different performers from the Star Wars Universe:

May 18 – 20

  • Ray Park – (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

May 25- 27

  • Andy Secombe (Watto – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Ray Park (Darth Maul – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Tom Kane (voice of Yoda – Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

June 1 -3

  • Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi – Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • (Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice talent – to be announced)

June 8- 10

  • Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
  • Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
  • Daniel Logan (Boba Fett – Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones)
  • Nika Futterman (voice of Asajj Ventress – Star Wars: The Clone Wars

By Samantha McNesby for OrlandoVacation.com