I commented “Boo, bring back the skyway”. You see, I think this is an awful upgrade, to prepare for an interactive queue for Peter Pan!?! OK, I don’t mind interactive queues, the wait for Peter Pan can be quite extensive, but really, is this the best we can hope for? I would rather the skyway return! And how does this make way for an interactive queue for Peter Pan, its on the opposite side of the path!

Over 40 new pictures have been posted of the latest Fantasyland Construction! Click over to Da Mouse. These look to be very recent pictures and things are starting to take shape. More pictures than you need, but, well then again, maybe not!

Here you will see a video of a rendering of the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster as part of the Disney World Fantasyland Expansion:

I added a new photos page, so if you register you can share photos now too. See all pictures here.

Random pictures (refresh the page to see new pictures or click the link above for all):

Or, click on these links to find related images:

Disney Music

I like to listen to music, when possible, at work.  I also like music when I’m paying bills, etc on the computer.  I also like Disney theme parks, and I think the music at the parks is a big part of the magic and reason why Disney is “special”.  When I came across a playlist on Youtube of all the music (including ride narratives!) at every park, I was hooked.  How cool to hear the Haunted Mansion ride – clear as a bell, or listen to Illuminations while typing away!  I got myself a cheap set of earplugs at the dollar store, and a little smile while at work listening to my favorite Disney theme park music.

Check it out at my CoolDisneyFan channel (subscribe to me while you are there).

Direct link to music playlists.

Free Dining is HERE!

Booking and Travel Window:

• Booking Window: May 3 – Aug. 14, 2010
• Travel Window: Valid for stays most nights Aug. 15 – Oct. 7, 2010, Oct. 22 – Oct. 28, 2010, Nov. 12 – Nov. 18, 2010, Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2010 and
  Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, 2010

Buy this Walt Disney World Resort vacation package with hotel and Theme Park tickets and get a Disney Dining Plan FREE!

Are you hungry for some fun? At this affordable price, you can enjoy meals included for every night of your visit! What a delicious way to enjoy their Walt Disney World® Resort vacation.

Offer Details:

When you purchase a 5-night, 6-day Walt Disney package that includes accommodations for five nights at a select Disney Moderate Resort and a 6-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket, they’ll get the Disney Dining Plan free**.

Those who purchase a 5-night, 6-day Magic Your Way Package with accommodations at a select Disney Value Resort get a free Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan.

Sample Pricing:

$1,843 for a family of four*, staying in a standard room at a select Disney Moderate Resort. That’s like paying $77 per person, per day!

$1,440 for a family of four*, staying in a standard room at a select Disney Value Resort. That’s like paying $60 per person, per day!

Ask about packages for other lengths of stay and accommodations at other select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.

Booking Information:

When calling or email Pixie Vacations, please ask for package code WG7 for FREE Dine or NF3 for FREE Quick Dine.

* Price based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. The number of packages available at these rates is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets are for 1 theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Offer is nontransferable. Advance reservations required.

** Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from the children’s menu if available. Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Special Thanks To Pixie Vacations for this promotion update.
www.PixieVacations.com
email: Lisa@PixieVacations.com
phone: 678-815-1584

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is an elaborately themed roller coaster at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida.

I have a popular video of the ride at my web site http://cooldisneytrips.com and on Youtube, and have had numerous questions about the ride.  I thought I would write an article to answer all these questions and perhaps serve as a nice reference for interested parties.

Is the ride scary?

A difficult question to answer, as one’s level of scared is different from another’s.  That being said, I would say that anyone who has ridden on Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, could handle Expedition Everest.  It is slightly scarier, and certainly faster, than either of those other roller coasters, due to the Yeti and significant theming of the ride.  But one must conquer their fears, and if you handled Space Mountain, for example, you can handle this.

Does it go upside down?

No, Expedition Everest does not go upside down.  It does go backwards at fast speeds and has a significant drop at one portion of the ride.

Where is the ride located?

It is in Orlando, Florida, at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, in the section or continent of “Asia”.

When was I there?

I visited in February 2007 and January 2010.  Both trips experienced some cool weather, actually January 2010 rarely reached above freezing!  It is true, look up the almanac if you must, pack a jacket or check the Weather Channel before visiting in January or February.

Do you get that feeling in your stomach?

Absolutely!

Does the ride go fast when going backwards?

The answer to this is pretty much yes.

Does the ride offer FastPass and did you use FastPass?

It does offer FastPass and we used it for both rides, which we waited approximately 90 seconds.  The wait line was often over 60 minutes, but I also understand the queue (waiting area) is quite nice.

How high does it go?

At the top of the ride you are 112 feet up.  This is roughly equivalent to an 11 story building, but I will say that it feels like you are even higher than that.

Does the ride smell?

I recall no strange or bad smells on this ride at all.

Do you head backwards the same way you went up?

No, if you check the video, at one point you can see the track switch using night vision on my camera. Very cool.

I hope these questions and answers will assist you in making plans to ride or not ride Expedition Everest on your next trip to Walt Disney World.

You may reproduce this article or portions of this article as long as the following reference is included in its entirety:

Submitted by Jim Ranieri, a Disney enthusiast, who manages http://cooldisneytrips.com which includes a video of the ride Expedition Everest.

EPCOT's spaceship earth

Hurray! As someone never able to get into Le Cellier (Canada’s restaurant at EPCOT), I am thrilled to hear that EPCOT is testing out an extra hour for dining March 28 to April 10. I hope it works out and they continue this for all visitors. Coral Reef and Garden Grill are the other two restaurants expanding their hour.

I for one would like to see the Disney Skyway to Tomorrowland (also the Skyway to Fantasyland going in the opposite direction) return! It was a great method of heading to the opposite end of the park with an entertaining ride. And as a little kid, it was a little scary hanging from that cable. Not a bad way to overcome a fear. Well, I don’t think the ride is coming back, but for all you youngsters out there, this video will make you feel like you rode on it:

My family loves Epcot. But, I think it is time for some changes at this park.

So what would I suggest? First, I really like the addition of the Kim Possible game. It makes investigating each country more exciting. I also like the additions in Innoventions. They are fun and interactive. But, the park is starting to seem aged to me. I think some excitement can be brought back to the park in very simple ways that would not cost a lot of money.

If I was in charge at Disney, I would immediately add several rides to the World Showcase area of Epcot. They do not need to be hugely expensive to fit in. I think at least every other country should have a ride. Examples:

- United Kingdom could feature a large ferris wheel (London is home to the largest ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere).

- Italy (or France) could feature a Soarin’ type of simulator adventure but bicycle themed instead of flying, with their history of bicycling. Alternatively, there could be a gondola type of ride.

The movies in the World Showcase countries are beautiful and impressive, but once you have seen them, why go back again?

I would love to see some other suggestions for rides or interactive features at Epcot.