Mahalo
I want to thank everyone for their emails commenting on how much they like the new site. I am surprised by the numbers of hits to the site. Over 2000 unique visitors since the new site opened this weekend and from a list of countries (USA, Canada, UK, Singapore, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Bermuda, Netherlands, France, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Iraq, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Mexico and Spain).
You will see that the site is growing and it will change from day to day for a while as I keep adding stuff on. I was going to wait to get more done before the release but I was spending all my time answering emails about the site being closed and people wanting to help. It is nice to know I have that much support out there. This site would not be what it is if it were not for all the people that visit and contribute.
Some new things
I have added trip reports under the News drop down. These are reports that I wrote at the time so some things may have changed since then. I report on the resorts we stayed in day to day and tried to list some information about where we ate. I am going through old photos and adding pictures to the reports so keep checking back for the changes.
All the other pages will be growing and getting new info and photos as I go through the new pages one by one and updating them.
Some people have said they have had problems with seeing the room numbers on the longhouse floor plans. All the photos on the pages will expand to a certain percentage of whatever your window is at when you open them. The bigger you have your screen expanded the larger the photo will be. I am working on more detailed floor plans that will be larger also with details on where other things are like stairways and elevators and those should be up in a few weeks.
Disney Travel Planners
Many of you know I use Magical Vacations for my travels. They also set up Tikifest and get the special group rate rooms throughout the year. Lisa at Magical Vacations has become a trusted friend over the years like many others I have meet in the Disney community. This does not mean that I would not be happy to post about any other specials that my readers can get at the Polynesian through someone else. I have met many people from other travel agencies that are great and would do an awesome job planning your trip. Many of them have contributed to my site. I don’t believe in censoring out any sites or information that can help visitors to my sites. I understand why some discussion boards decide to censor out info but to me the Disney community is all about sharing information that is helpful and not just directing people to their travel agencies. We are all here to help each other. If you are using another trusted travel planner like Small World Vacations, Mouse Fan Travel, Fairytale Dreams & Destinations to name a few and they have done a great job for you then you should stick with them.
Why even use a travel planner over calling Disney? Well I use to wonder that myself until I started to use a trusted planner like those listed above. They can get all the deals that Disney gets and they don’t charge you for the service. They get paid by Disney and you are paying the same or less for your trip through them. Also in my opinion they know more about Disney then many of the people they have at the Disney Travel call centers. They also have more interest in their customers than some of the people I have worked with through Disney directly. Many of them will also keep an eye out for new discounts and let you know if a better deal comes out. If you booked through Disney directly they will not be letting you know when a better deal comes out.
Be kind in tough times
With all the layoffs and the remaining Cast Members having to work longer hours and more days in a row, it has to be stressful on the staff. Let’s try and be good guests and go to the resort with a positive attitude. Any of us who have worked in a jog that deals with the public know that people can set the tone of your day. If you have a good attitude it will not only help your experience with the Cast Member but it will help the person that will be next in line. Also I think more Disney Magic happens to people that are happy and problems seem to get resolved more often when the guest is more understanding. Also be respectful of your fellow guests.
Easter Day Religious Services
For our Guests celebrating Easter, the Walt Disney World® Resort will host religious services on Sunday, April 12, 2009, in the Fantasia Ballroom of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
To assist you in planning, please note that the parking lot at the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be operating under parking restrictions. As a result,
• Resort Guests around the monorail beam are encouraged to take the monorail or watercraft system to the Contemporary Resort.
• All other WDW Guests must use Walt Disney World® Resort transportation to the Magic Kingdom® Park and then transfer to a shuttle bus to Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Cold Weather
I know that there have been quite a few days in the last few months that the Luau was canceled because of unusually cold weather. Well I guess the cold temps are still affecting Disney World. Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks will be closing at 5:00 PM Tuesday 4/7/2009, due to the colder weather.
Crowded?
Today the Magic Kingdom is at a Phase 3 closing. Day Guests will be turned away. All other parks remain open.
Phase Three means that currently admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests, Annual and Premium Annual Pass holders, Guests of Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort and Downtown Disney Resort Area Guests using their respective transportation. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.
News around the World
Our Guests have experienced the restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. Now it’s time to take their adventure one step further with Picnic in the Park.
Starting Tuesday, April 7, Guests will be able to purchase a meal for the family packaged in the “Every Tree Has Character” reusable bag to take with them to one of many picnic spots throughout the Park. Plates and utensils are provided so that our Guests have everything they need for their picnic.
Meals include a choice of entrees, side dishes, desserts, and water. There are two tiers available for our Guests to select from:
• Tier 1 features a chicken wrap, ham grinder, tuna pita, or turkey focaccia sandwich.
• Tier 2 offers a choice of rotisserie chicken or ham.
• Guests may select from the following side dishes: chips, coleslaw, corn medley, green beans, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes & gravy, orzo pasta, oven-roasted potato wedges, seasonal fruit salad, and tomato & cucumber salad.
• Dessert options are an apple, orange, brownie, cookie, cornbread, or crisped rice treat.
• No modifications or substitutions are allowed.
• Guests with food allergies should alert the Cast Member when placing their order, who will then contact a chef to discuss the Guest’s needs.
Guests will be able to place an order at the Picnic in the Park podium located in front of Guest Relations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, staffed 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. daily. After that time, or if the Guest has decided to get their picnic pack after they’ve ventured into the Park, they may go directly to the podium at Tusker House Restaurant to place their order. Pick-up time needs to be at least two hours from the time the order is placed, and Guests should bring their copy of the order form as confirmation. Payment is due upon pick-up of the order. The pick-up location is at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery.
If Guests are on the Disney Dining Plan, Picnic in the Park may be used as a Quick Service Meal (requires one adult entitlement per meal amount). For example, a meal for three will require three adult entitlements.
