MVMCP 2011

The holiday celebrations have started in the Magic Kingdom and the "The Magic, The Memories and You!" gets in the spirit of the holiday season. The nightly light show on Cinderella Castle has a special segment which wraps the castle in colorful bows and boughs, gift paper and ribbons, ornaments, candy stripes, multi-colored strands of lights and gingerbread! Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has been in full swing since 8 November 2011. The dates for this year's party are November: 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, 30, 2011 and December: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 2011. Also, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios will run most nights from November 10, 2011 - January 7, 2012. Our family is especially excited that all of the celebrations have begun because it means that we are now only a year away from our first family vacation at Disney World!

Refurbishments for 2012

Refurbishment plans for 2012 have been announced. The following attractions will be closed for refurbishment on the following days:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Closed for Refurbishment January 9 - March 31

Dumbo The Flying Elephant - Closed for Refurbishment January 9 - February 17

Liberty Square Riverboat - Closed for Refurbishment January 28 - February 3

Swiss Family Treehouse - Closed for Refurbishment October 1 - October 31

Walt Disney World Celebrates 40 Years of Magic

This past Saturday, October 1, 2011, Walt Disney World celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Magic Kingdom opened that day in 1971. To celebrate there was a parade down Main Street led by Mickey and pals, and a sing-along of "When You Wish Upon A Star" at Cinderella Castle. Commemorative merchandise was also issued for the celebratory event.

Disney's AVATAR Announcement

Today it was announced that construction on the AVATAR Land project at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom park is slated to begin in 2013. The project is in it's beginning design stage, and a project of such dimension and scope takes about roughly five years to complete. DAK was chosen as the location for this land because the park "gives visitors the opportunity to experience the worlds of animals and nature - real and mythical - in whole new ways". AVATAR is one of the most extraordinary and mesmerizing mythical worlds ever conceived. The Animal Kingdom also celebrates adventure and living in harmony with nature, themes which are deeply rooted in the story of AVATAR.

If the estimate of 5 years from design to completion is accurate, the new AVATAR Land should be completed in the Fall of 2016. This would be wonderful for our family as we go to Disney World every two years - this would fit into our visits timeline...2012, 2014 and 2016!! The Cernadas Family is extremely excited and looking forward to this magical, mythical experience!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/09/avatar-coming-to-disney-parks/

MNSSHP 2011

The ghosts have come out to play! Walt Disney World's annual Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has kicked off. This year's spooktacular event will run from 13 September 2011 thru 1 November 2011. The schedule of events consists of Trick-or-Treating, "Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade", Happy HalloWishes Fireworks, Halloween Dance Parties and Disney Villains Mix & Mingle. In addition, you can find various events at select WDW resorts. What will you dress up as?

More information on MNSSHP and ticket prices can be found at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

Moms Panel 2012

Attention all Disney Moms, Dads, Aunts and Uncles! The application for the 2012 Moms Panel began today, Sept 12th and can be submitted until 11.59pm on Sept 16th.

"Mousekeeper" Gratuity Envelopes

When staying at any of the great Walt Disney World Resorts you will have housekeeping service, which is the Disney universe as mousekeeping. Your wonderful "mousekeepers" will make beds daily, resupply towels and toiletries (soap, shampoos), and leave behind cute little towel animals which you will love. It is customary to leave a gratuity for your mousekeeper. Gratuity amounts are always at the guests' discretion, but a gratuity of US$1 per person, per day is typical. One way to be prepared is to have Mousekeeper Tip Envelopes ready before your trip. You would have an envelope for each day of your stay and you wouldn't have to search for the exact gratuity amount each morning. Also, if you have children they will enjoy decorating the gratuity envelopes for their mousekeeper!