Morning Commute

My main goal in life.........

Best Disney World Info

I love reading other blogs about Disney World.  I swear,  just when you think you know everything you need to know about Disney poof! someone hands you a little unknown tidbit that blows your mind.  Like bus crashes or accidents on The Jungle Cruise........

Yup, hard to believe but reality does creep into Disney's back door.

I get my information from my personal experiences at Disney World, blogs, articles and The Orlando Sentinel.  I have their app on my phone and it's amazing all the non-magical stuff that happens at and around Disney World. Dis Blog is one of my all time favorites for information and updates.

Just a word of caution.  If you only want to know about the Disney side where everything is  magical and covered in pixie dust don't go to these sites!  Stick with DisneyWorld.com!!

Central Florida Weather

While I was in the deep cold north for Thanksgiving.  The deepest part for me was Illinois which is too far north and too effing cold in my book....   All I did was fantasize about how warm central Florida might be.

I went as far as to check my weather app on my phone oh about 3 times a day to see what the temp was in FLA.

It was nice.   70 and 80's nice.  For the end of November that's super nice.

Hmmmm, I think I want to be a local....

Ringing in The New Year

So....... I've been thinking.  How about New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World??!!

Sound super fun to my boys and me but the Mr. is not down with it.

Jeez, just because our October trip had about 50,000 people per park per second he's says he's out.  indefinitely.   And I would say that New Year's Eve might be rather cozy with another 50,000 people or so.....

But, I've never seen the pretty Christmas lights!!   Hmmmm, I will have to ponder upon this and come up with a master plan.  Cause this gal has an annual pass burning a hole in her pocket..... 

The Depth of My Disney Love

Yup. About sums it up.

Inherited Tomfoolery or Buffoonery

Inherited Tomfoolery or Buffoonery

More Tomfoolery,   And in all honesty looking at these there might be more of a hereditary issue than I realized.  Sorry Fella's!!

I Don't Do Christmas Cards

I quit sending Christmas cards quite a while back.   I mean, c'mon stamps are pricey and I text with these people all year long....Bah Humbug.


But, if I had to send one this would be it:   Because it makes me laugh like crazy.  And we look like the Jetsons.

My Boys Are Bufoons

Just recently had time to sit down and go through all of our vacation pics.  You know, the ones that you delete half of when you realize the chubby one is yourself....lol  

Anyhoo,  upon looking closer I realize my rather quiet 14 year old is quite the prankster.  Every picture that he was on a ride (Disney World)  he pretended to be asleep.  How on earth he knew where all the cameras were I'll never know.  Maybe it's because we've been there 4,316 times......

From 1971

From 1500 employees to over 60,000 today.  Pretty cool Disney World.

Year Round Entertainment

Even though I have been back from Disney World a couple of weeks I'm ready to go back.

Usually, when I come home I'm good for about 6 months before the urge to head south gets me.  Not now.  Maybe it's the 35 degree weather I woke up to this morning.  But, I could easily hop in my car head 75 south for about 7-8 hours and be in sunshine magic land.

It's hard when you have all the Disney apps, Orlando Sentinel app, and all the fun updates that are going on in and around Disney World.

It's surprising to me all the great events that go on year round there.

There are local festivals in the communities and surrounding areas throughout the Orlando area.

It makes me want to explore outside the parks just a little.  Gasp.  I know.  

Plus, even Disney World has things going on all year.  The Christmas parades, parties and events are already getting in the swing.  Then before you know it there are all of the marathons, 5k's etc starting in Jan and Feb. Those book up very early!!   Baseball Spring Training is a personal favorite at The ESPN Wide World of Sports. 

Downtown Disney has a variety of entertainment all year.  You can find some great musical delights at almost anytime just walking around. Plus, we actually bowled at the phenomenal bowling alley at Downtown Disney and had a blast.

So,  maybe think outside of Space Mountain once and a while.  You might catch something you would have missed!

Crowded? Stop and Smell Roses

Oh to be back.  Back to my private non-reality laden beloved Disney World.   Being back is well,  being back.   School, early morning alarms, (which I don't mind early morning alarms, it's the getting up and having to go somewhere that's annoying...)

It's ok.  I have my warm memories.   Like I said even though this past Fall Break was crowded if you knew what you were doing it was doable.  

We didn't miss not one attraction that was on our "list".   In fact, we took so many back ways and short cuts that we found some great out of the way stop and smell the roses kind of places.


For instance,  at Epcot beyond the France pavilion are the boats that will take you to other resorts and Hollywood Studios which was our destination.  A lovely uncrowded boat ride down canals was quite relaxing.  Not sure if the masses know that the boats are there but there was certainly no crowd.
It's also a great way to get a glimpse of other resorts such as Boardwalk Villas and Beach Club Resort.

Fall Break??

I'm back!!  And let me tell you friends out of my many trips to Disney World this was the BUSIEST I have seen.

Fall Break used to mean relaxing sunshine, meandering through parks, no wait times........   Well, welcome to 2013.  This Fall Break mean record crowds (for this time of year)  Pop Century Resort was over-booked and the over flow were upgraded to other resorts and all other property resorts were booked as well.   The main computer went down when we tried to check in and we spent 45 minutes at the check in counter.  Then we were given 1 room key for our family of 4 for the entire day. And let me tell you our family of 4 didn't really want to hang all together after being cooped in the car for 8 hours.  

So someone had to be available that day to get everyone in the room.  Yup, that would be me.  Mom.   

I had friends who were there at the same time and we kept texting back and forth "Is it busy at the park your at"???  Yes it is.  

Numerous cast members that I spoke with chalked up the crowds to the new Magic Bands being out.  I think the free dining plan offered didn't help either.

We did not load our Magic Bands with Fast Passes until we got there and some of our favs were already full for certain days in advance. 

But, we still managed to have a good time.  The weather was fabulous.  Thank you Florida sunshine!!   And when we did get our fast passes loaded they worked like a charm.  The water parks were our saving grace last week.  Although they were fairly crowded the wait times there were usually only 5-10 minutes.  Sure beat having our feet run over by the millions of strollers that were in the theme parks :)  And I mean a million........

Countdown

Yay!   Only 6 more days until our Disney vacation!   While I haven't been blogging much I have been online devouring every little morsel and tidbit about Disney World the week we will be there.   Weather, ride refurbishment schedule, refrigerator saga, crowd speculation..... You name it I've googled it.

The weather looks fantastic for our week.  Having trouble getting an extra room.  Disney reservations say that Pop Century is booked.   That always sends panic through me.  Envisioning crowds out of control, crying toddlers, park Nazi's plowing everyone down.....

Last year Pop was "booked" and I swear there wasn't another family on our whole floor.   I'm hoping Disney booked and my booked are two different things.

My teens and I have been playing around with the My Disney Experience app and have had fun speculating how well our magic bands will work.   Still not ready to commit to setting up our daily FP's.   We don't decide which park to go to until the night before.

If you are going to be in Disney World over fall break or anytime really, take the time to check out some of the resort room windows.   I love decorating our window with Disney memorabilia from past visits.   Some families go way out and it is so much fun seeing their Disney love displayed for all to see!!

Disney World Flip Out Mode

I broke down and called Pop Century Resort (or Disney's Ghetto as my teen boys call it) at  Disney World this morning.  My burning question is about those gosh darn refrigerators that are being replaced.   I was told (just like I was told when I went in July)  that they are being replaced as we speak.....

I was told that a note would be attached to my reservation that will make sure I have one.  

I certainly don't want to take one from someone who has medical need for one.  I actually just want one to supplement our cooler with all of our drinks, snacks etc....  Plus,  someone in our family always has some left overs from a fabulous Disney restaurant that I won't let them throw away.   Is that so wrong???   

Then I requested a connecting room and was told there weren't anymore available.  Bummer and crap crap crap.   We have discovered that our family of 4 is a large family of 4 and no amount of bribing or flipping of coins will get anyone to share a bed.  That includes my husband and myself.......

So now for the next 13 days I will be in flip out mode trying to decide if we should change resorts. (Pop is our fave and is one of few with dedicated buses)  or should I try calling every  morning to see if there is a connecting room that has come open.  

My Disney vacation would not be complete if I didn't flip out on something.  My teenagers pointed this out just a few minutes ago....

So I guess this makes it about my 22nd Disney flip out.

Refrigerator Saga Continues

Received our new Magic Wrist bands last week!!   Some of my fam (myself included) are such  Disney dorks we have been wearing them already.  You get to have your name engraved on the bands as well.  We always have vacation nicknames.  The names that are engraved are on the inside of the band.  Disappointed a little that they weren't on outside of band.  Oh well.  

 Now, this week we got a letter from Disney World asking us to order wrist bands and be test subjects for them.   Um, already have done that.   I'm not sure Disney is on the ball with their wrist band promotion.  

Regardless, we are super stoked and can't wait the 4 weeks til Vacay time!!

One of the key features is loading your Magic Band with your Fast Pass.  You can program them before you even leave home.  I'm not sure that works for us.  We have no idea what park we will be in on which day.   I guess when we arrive we might use that feature.   The plus side is being able to load 3 Fast Passes a day.  Very cool!!

On another note, I got a letter from Disney World explaining about their room frig problems and that we wouldn't have refrigerators in our rooms during our stay.   Are you kidding????  We were there last week of July with same problem.  Now we are going in October and the frig issue is still going on????
WTH Disney????   We are already staying in Disney World's version of the  ghetto value resort (Pop Century) with twin beds (double they say but I have a hard time believing it)  no coffee pot and now no frig.   

Looks like The Hermann Family will be roughing it with 2 coolers in a 200 sq ft room.  Oh well,  I'm going for the magic not the "resort" room......

I'm With The Band

So In my little Disney mind I'm planning out our Food and Wine Festivities!!!
Our boys are now gigantic teens and can wander from Mom & Dad if we embarrass  them too much with our random break out dancing along World Showcase.


Every year we usually just blow through the Food & Wine Festival just to say we went.  The boys were bored (duh) and we didn't want to look like we were the bad parents knocking back beverages at every kiosk.....

But, this year looks like The Hubs and I will get to have a "date night" after oh about 317 years........   The boys want to go to Disney Quest with their new annual pass so it's a win win no guilt plan.

So, I was giddily looking at the line-up for Eat to the Beat series.   I was going to see a band for the first time since 1987!!!  

The Go-Go's!!!  Smash Mouth!!!   Spin Doctors!!!  Manhattan Transfer!!! Big Bad Voodoo Daddy!!!!

Oh, yeah.  But let me tell you who is going to be there the week we are there.

Night Ranger, Survivor, .38 Special and I think Christopher Cross.   WTH.

My first party night in years and I get the bands who play in or around our hometown every freakin year.    I think their on the carnival circuit as well.
.38 Special I think even plays at gas station openings around us.......

Ok, I think I'm kidding about the gas stations but C'MON DISNEY!!!!!   I buy your merchandise, we worship the Mouse,  We are eating hot dogs so we could splurge for the holy grail annual pass.  The least you can do is throw some good entertainment the week that I AM THERE..........

Disney Bridesmaids

I always wanted a fairy tale Cinderella wedding.  What gal doesn't? 

I didn't have one and that's ok. Mine was pretty fun.  

For a number of years when Disney started promoting dreamy themed weddings at Disney World I would tell my husband If we ever re-newed our vows that's what I wanted.

Well, the years went by and the kiddies came and so did life.  By now, this Cinderella would look a little   um what's the nicest word?? mature.  Yeah, mature.  I would look more like Cinderella's Godmother riding around in that carriage.    

And the cost?   Holy wicked stepmother!!    The cost of a Disney wedding is more than a mortgage, braces, Hollister shirts and feeding 2 teen boys.

But,  I came across this picture.  And I would so do it all over again if I could get all my favorite friends to be my bridesmaids.  Problem being I would be laughing so hard that I would miss my own wedding........

Disney for Newbies

I just was informed that my brother and his family have committed to a Disney vacation in 2014!! Being the Disney fanatic that i am I was asked to help with questions they might have. Ahhhhh. Newbies.Where to begin??

Well, I suggest planning ahead for for first trip (and probably your first 5-10 trips!)   Disney World vacations are best savored and explored trip after trip. After my family going so many times we still find plenty that we haven't experienced or enjoyed before.  If you hit the parks too hard too fast and too driven you will fast become a hater.




Start with your time of year you want to go.  Then research and pick your resort.   Do you want to stay inside or outside property??   We stay inside property because it is so convenient and you feel the Disney magic as soon as you arrive.  It's like your in your own non-reality Disney bubble for a week!

My boys who are teenagers now have had a hard and fast rule for years of no driving our car once we arrive on property.  Seriously.  And they mean it.  Disney transportation only.  (of course, my husband and I have snuck out on occasion to hit the local grocery for drinks and snacks)

This Disney newbie website has great information on crowd levels at certain times of year and resort info and is a great start to first time visitors.

http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/best-and-worst-times-to-visit/

Magic Bands

My boys and I are excited about the new Disney Magic Bands which came out just a few days after our last trip in July.   The beauty about the magic bands are that they are waterproof wristbands that virtually are your room key, park tickets, charging, and fast passes all on your arm. And you can even link your Disney photo pass to them!

You sync your wrist bands with Disney's new smart phone app My Disney Experience.   And from what I understand with the app you can schedule your fast pass times and even schedule up to 4 a day!   Can't wait!!

The bands can be customized.  From the the Disney Experience app we chose our band colors and names that will be imprinted on them.  We all have vacation nicknames so we used those.   They will be shipped to our home within 10 days. 

I can't think of how many times I have fumbled for my room/ticket key card out of my bag at a park entrance or even left it in the resort room!   

If this works as well as hoped I think it will be one of the best "new" and handy gadgets for park goers of all time.  

Please Stand Clear of My Vacation

Holy Tinkerbell!   I just got an email reminding me about my upcoming trip to DW in 8 weeks.  8 weeks??  8 weeks!!   Wow, this annual pass makes it so much more fun!!!  I mean, you have to go right??  That little card makes it a law that you need to go to DW as many times as you can to make it worth it.

So, I've planned out my strategy.   Just went in July.  Going for fall break in October  (hello free dining plan!! whoop whoop!!)  Then we have never seen the spectacular holiday lights that everyone raves about.  So probably a shortie trip over the boys Christmas/Holiday break.   Then, as some of you might not know I am a HUGE  Atlanta Braves fan.  This means a trip over spring break for Braves spring training at ESPN Wide World of Sports.  Gotta see my man McCann and Freddie Freeman aka Fre Fre and that cute little Gattis boy......

After all that then it's up in the air.   But, I can't wait.  Now just need to let my knight in shining &^%$#  (Scottie) that we need to incorporate all of these trips into the budget.  Me:  "But Baby, our tickets are covered"  Him: eyeroll.   (sigh)  reality vs. whimsy.   My daily struggle  :)

Annual Pass Let Down

I am rather disappointed in the lack of hoopla that comes with my new Disney World Annual Pass.  

After years of debating and longing it for it I finally have it.  

For some strange reason I thought that maybe I would be sent some sort of welcoming package to the annual passholder club.    You know, like glitter or pixie dust falling out of an envelope with all kinds of secret hush hush information in it.   Nope.  Nada.   C'mon Disney!!  Throw this gal some magic.

Don't Be Scared of Disney In Summer

July can be a brutal month weather wise for Disney World fanatics.  This is why my family and I tend to stay away from Disney during the summer months. And for a heat lover like me it can still take a toll!!

Well,  this year my husband surprised us with annual passes!!!  In July!!  (probably got tired of me wondering if we should ever get them year after year!)   Of course, he got us 3 passes (him excluded of course! Prince Charming can only handle so much "magic" with us!)   So, without further ado the boys and I took off.  As in the very next day.  No reservations. Nothing.  And let me tell you it was one of the best trips ever!!!

Let me start by saying yes, it was hot.  Sweaty hot.  Put on your sunscreen before leaving room at 7:30am hot.  But, if you knew what you were doing it was fantastic.

This is our tip:

Get to your designated park upon opening.  Grab a fast pass for popular rides.  Hop on your fav rides.  By noon we had ridden all we wanted in that particular park.  

Then it was back to the resort.  Pop Century again for us.  My teenage boys caught up on computer and PlayStation time or napped while I played mermaid in the almost empty pool.  Every single day this was our routine.  The games and music around the pool were so fun to watch and participate.   Then once the sun went down it was off to the parks again.   The humidity dissipates and you are left with a wonderful evening to play.

One thing I did notice were that the strollers and scooters were very few and far between. I'm assuming due to the warm weather.  As in, not a lot of dodging strollers or feet being run over by scooters...... Not that I mind them.  (Hey, I've done my stroller time with 3 boys and I love that more elderly and disabled are more mobile than ever :)

Which was so cool for me because my least favorite thing is having my magic busted by listening to hot, cranky yelling parents and poor tired hot kiddies crying.  

So, it's also a good time of year with your older kids!

And the nights were so much fun!   Instead of being exhausted from park hopping at other times of the year we actually saw the fireworks and nightly shows and parades.  

Don't forget the water parks.  Which were the busiest "parks" this last week of July.  But the lines and crowds were handled perfectly.  Plenty of seating in shady areas.  Plus, I got a great view of the Teen Beach Party!!  And my boys were quite surprised that dear old Mom was up to riding any of the water rides!   Hey, I was willing to do anything to stay cool!!

So, don't let those hot summer months scare you off.  With realistic expectations it can be a blast!

Main Street Bakery Leaving?

Saying Goodbye to the Main Street Bakery (As We Knew It)

Posted on Thursday, 10th January 2013 by Kathy Werling

I literally gasped when I read this article this morning.   We have stopped at Main Street Bakery every visit for years. My husband indulges us our magical trips but he himself doesn't have one bit of whimsy.   The only request he has when we go is to get a gigantic cinnamon bun from the Main Street Bakery.  Even if he doesn't go we have to have one packed up and drive it home 8 hours with utmost care to his waiting mouth.  Teresa Gibson-Hermann  

It will be a sad day for many when the current Main Street Bakery closes on January 12, 2013. Walt Disney World has plans to turn this into a Starbucks location that will open May 7, 2013.

If you weren’t aware of the coming changes, you might want to read this blog. Many people have strong feelings about what Disney plans to do with this location.  Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom has a special feel to it.  You can really feel Walt Disney’s vision for what a small town Main Street should be. For many guests, they have a favorite sweet or sandwich here that will be missed. Others hate to see change to a favorite tradition when they enter the Magic Kingdom.  I am going to go out on a limb and say let’s wait until we see what happens before deciding if this was a bad change or a good one.

I for one always enjoyed their giant cinnamon roll.  It was often my first stop of the day to get one and sit outside and just people watch. I haven’t tried the cinnamon roll back at Gaston’s Tavern yet so I have something to look forward to. What new treats will they offer when Starbucks takes over this space?  What will the theming be like? Will I feel like I am at Disney World, where I can forget about the outside world or will I feel like I am in a Starbucks that could be anywhere?

If you had the chance to visit before they closed, I hope you were able to enjoy all your favorites. I have my fond memories to keep me company while they refurbish this area.  I can remember at Downtown Disney when they closed the food location to build what would become the Earl of Sandwich.  So many were upset that that store was going away and said they would never patronize the new Earl of Sandwich.  I can’t even remember the name of that place now but I sure do enjoy the Earl of Sandwich and so do many others. I am looking forward to finding new favorites when the Main Street Bakery with Starbucks reopens.  How do you feel about this change? Let us know. I will be anxiously awaiting this change and will report back when it reopens.

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Related Blogs:

• Starbucks to Replace the Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom
• Disney Parks Vinylmation Craze – Here to Stay?
• Walt Disney World & Disneyland: Learning Laboratories in the Parks
• Disney Parks Announces “Year of the Ear” with Limited Time Ear Hats for All Ages
• Analyzing the Disney Parks Starbucks Announcement
• New Disney Parks Merchandise Continues to Impress
• Walt Disney World Transportation – Flawed or Convenient?
• Frappes, Lattes, & Liquid Gold: Starbucks Opens in Disney’s California Adventure

Tags: disney world, Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwich, Magic Kingdom, Main Street Bakery, Starbucks
Posted in Disney World | Comments (2)

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1. Indianahitman Says: (January 10th, 2013 at 11:58 pm )
   I visited the Main Street Bakery for the first time when I visited the park back in December. We were on our way out of the park close to 2 AM since there had been extra magic hours for the Magic Kingdom. I got the cinnamon roll to have for breakfast the next morning. I couldn’t believe how light it was (and wished I had another one.) After that experience I wish Disney would reconsider what they are going to do. Bring in the Starbucks coffee but keep the other products in the bakery.
2. cherokeemamma Says: (January 11th, 2013 at 1:20 am )
   Thank you so, so much for posting the pictures. I gasped when I read the headline and realized that Sat. the MSB will be closing. Wow! Time moves quickly doesn’t it? I am very hopeful that Disney does the right thing and keeps the look, feel and most of the yummy goodies that we all love. However, I am very concerned that on my next visit, which will hopefully be May, our beloved bakery will be unrecognizable.

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!    Now that the new year is here we can start planning when our next Disney trip is!!  Whoo hooo!    Hmmmmmm, Do we want to go Spring Break?  Summer Break? Fall Break?    All I know is that I'm dying to see the new Fantasyland.    If anyone has already been since Fantasyland opened send me your reviews and pics!!!

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