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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 Site Map,
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!
Sean
writes:
Hi, Anita!
I can't get enough of your column! I read it religiously every week,
and it makes me feel like I'm still at Disney World, even if my next
trip is months away.
You're
always helping us plan our trips, keeping us up on the latest news and
what to see, but here's my question: What are YOUR favorite attractions
when you go? Also, how many times have you visited Disney World? (I'm
guessing it's got to be more than 100 to be so knowledgeable.)
Thanks
again for all you do to keep Disney geeks like me satisfied until our
next trip!
Hi Sean!
Thanks
for asking! I've been to WDW so many times, I've actually lost count!
I've also been to Disneyland Resort, and to Disneyland Paris Resort.
Someday, I hope to visit the three Asian parks, like some close friends
of mine are about to do. (Jealous? Who me? I'm always this shade of
green!)
Anyway,
in no particular order, here are my top four favorite attractions for
each of the Florida parks:
Magic
Kingdom:
Space
Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Big Thunder Mountain
(I also love Splash Mountain,
but hate to walk around all day with soggy drawers, so I rarely ride
it.)
Epcot:
Soarin'
Impressions de France
Spaceship Earth
Mission: Space
Disney's
Hollywood Studios:
Rock
'n' Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Star Tours
Great Movie Ride
Animal
Kingdom:
Expedition
EVEREST
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Finding Nemo: The Musical
Flights of Wonder
You may
have noticed that roller coasters make up a large portion of my list.
I try to ride coasters wherever I visit. Most recently, I tried out
the Boardwalk Bullet in Kemah, Texas. It's a great wooden coaster, but
at $5 a ride, it's pricey! I'm looking forward to my next visit to Hershey
Park this July when I'm in the area for Magic
Meets 2008. I can't wait to see what's new at Hershey Park,
and I hope to see some of you there!
Well, Sean,
hopefully this will help tide you over until your next trip!
A.A.
Kim
and many others write:
I was on
a video sharing site that starts with "You" this morning,
looking at videos of the Wishes fireworks and to my surprise there was
a close up video of Tink flying from the top of the castle. I knew she
did fly across, but in the video there is an actual LIVE person. Can
you tell me if this is true or just a doctored video? We are leaving
for Walt Disney World very soon and we are very curious about this.
Thanks!
Hi Kim!
What? Don't
you believe in fairies? Of course Tink is real!
SPOILER
Ahead! If you don't want to know how Tink flies, skip to the next question
and answer now.
SPOILER
SPACE
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Tink is a real live cast member, and she flies from the top of Cinderella
Castle to a rooftop in Tomorrowland
every evening as weather conditions permit. She wears a special harness
that allows her to slide down a cable that is rigged between the castle
and her landing area. For a close look at her, position yourself on
the bridge between the Hub and Tomorrowland, directly under the cable.
This isn't the best place to watch Wishes,
but you'll see Tink really well from there. Tink has the best job at
WDW, in my opinion. Can you imagine flying over a beautifully lit Magic
Kingdom with thousands of people cheering you on almost every
night?
Do keep
in mind that Tink may not fly if it's too rainy, foggy, windy or if
there is lightning in the area. If you miss her one night, try again
later in your trip. You can also see her on her float in the Pirate
and Princess Party parade.
RUMOR:
For several months, I've been hearing rumors that there may finally
be a Tinker Bell meet and greet at the Magic Kingdom, to coincide with
the release of the Tinker Bell Movie, which is due to open in the fall
of 2008. The Rumor Mill says that this meet and greet will begin
this summer. Remember, these are just RUMORS, and no official
announcement has been made by the Walt Disney Company.
Have a
pixie-dusted trip to the World! (And why does a fairy throw pixie dust,
anyway?)
A.A.
Breea
writes:
Hi, Anita.
I enjoy all of your info, but please tell me that there is somewhere
in Epcot, in the Future World/Land area to grab a quick bite for breakfast?
So far, I have not found anything except someone told me that they think
the Sunshine place might have something. We are doing a quick weekend
in October and considering an Extra Magic Hour (morning) at Epcot, but
might not want to eat breakfast before 8:00 a.m. Is there any place
that serves breakfast bites? Thanks so much!
Hi
Breea!
You can
have breakfast at Sunshine Seasons
on the lower floor of The Land pavilion
in Epcot. There is also a coffee
stand on the walkway near the Universe
of Energy serving items like muffins if you're looking for something
lighter. It's surprising to me that there aren't more places serving
breakfast at Epcot, but at least you have two choices!
Have a
magical time on your trip!
A.A.
Ashley
writes:
Hi! Have
you ever walked off of "Mission: Space" and heard that song
that plays over and over again? What on EARTH is that called?!
Hi
Ashley!
The song
played in the corridors as you leave Epcot's
Mission: Space ride is called "Destiny."
It was written by Cliff Masterson and Brian Rawlings, and is performed
by British singer Louise Warren. It's available on the CD "Where
Magic Lives: The Official Album of Walt Disney World."
A.A.
Donna
and several other readers wrote:
When booking
a special "party night," like the Christmas Party or the Pirate
and Princess Party, do you have to purchase a regular ticket plus the
party ticket? I'm thinking, of course you do, but then I am wondering
how they keep people away who haven't purchased the "party tickets."
Is it a regular admission day? How early can we get into the park using
our party tickets? How do they clear the park of guests without tickets?
Do people in costumes get into the Halloween parties free? Thanks!
Hi Everyone!
Lately,
I've been getting lots of questions about "hard ticket" events
like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party,
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party,
Mickey's Pirate and Princess
Party, Night of Joy,
etc., so I thought I'd answer them all at once, since they all work
the same way. Note that Night of Joy has been moved from the Magic
Kingdom to the Studios
this year, so the rules may be different -- plan accordingly.
Generally
at the Magic Kingdom events, this is how it goes:
The Magic
Kingdom is open to day guests all day until about an hour before the
party is scheduled to start. All guests who wish to attend the party
must have a separate ticket for the party. In the past, party ticket
holders arriving at the Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. or after have been able
to get into the park using only the party ticket. (Don't count on this,
however, as it could change at any time at park management's discretion.)
If you want to get to the Magic Kingdom earlier in the day, you'll need
valid admission in addition to the party ticket.
When party-goers
arrive, they will be asked to show their ticket to get a colored bracelet.
If you don't have a bracelet, you won't be allowed to stay in the park
after it closes to day guests. You'll find bracelet stations all over
the park.
When the
park closes to day guests, (approximately an hour before the party is
scheduled to begin) cast members begin to sweep the park of guests who
don't have bracelets. Non-ticketed guests will not be allowed past a
certain point on Main Street after park closing. If you are lucky enough
to escape this "sweep" you still won't be able to get on any
rides or attractions without showing your bracelet. Eventually, a cast
member will find you and escort you out, so keep that in mind before
you attempt it.
If you
have a dining reservation at a Magic Kingdom restaurant that runs past
closing time but you don't have party tickets, you'll be allowed to
dine, but you will not be allowed to stay in the park once you are finished.
You'll be swept as described above.
Finally,
no one gets in free, costumed or not. Tickets can cost approximately
$50 for adults and $45 for kids 3 -9 depending on event, date of event,
and discounts.
Party on!
A.A.
Andrew
writes:
I love
your column and read it every week! I love learning all the new things
about Disney since you can't ever know everything about Disney (even
if my parents think I might!)
My question
is about the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Someone had recently told
me that the Tower of Terror used to have three shafts, but one was put
out of commission. I had always thought that since you can see only
two drop shafts from the outside of the attraction, there could only
be two shafts. I was hoping you could tell me if this rumor has any
truth to it or not. I greatly appreciate any help you can give.
Hi
Andrew!
The Florida
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
has two drop shafts (Echo and Foxtrot) and four ride vehicle shafts
(Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta) that lead from the load zone to the
two drop shafts. Alpha and Bravo share the drop shaft called Echo and
Charlie and Delta share the Foxtrot drop shaft. The Florida tower wasn't
designed to handle three drop shafts, so there's no truth to the rumor
you heard. Although... an entire wing of the hotel disappeared after
being hit by lightning on October 31, 1939. Odd things have happened
at the hotel ever since...
Thanks
for dropping me a line!
A.A.
That's
it for this edition!
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