Friday, we’ll finally be able to see the final installment of Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate adventures, or at least some people will be able to. Beci and I will be in Barcelona getting ready to board the Disney Magic the next day. We’re hoping to see the movie on board the ship.
I’m looking forward to seeing Kieth Richards play Jack Sparrow’s father, Captain Teague…
”He was one of the people I admired for what he’s done and how he’s handled it,” the 43-year-old actor tells Rolling Stone magazine in its new issue, on newsstands today. ”Forty-whatever years of being this god. And he’s just cool.”
The Rolling Stones guitarist agreed to play Sparrow’s father, Captain Teague, in ”Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” the third installment of the franchise.
Friday, we’ll finally be able to see the final installment of Captain Jack Sparrow’s pirate adventures, or at least some people will be able to. Beci and I will be in Barcelona getting ready to board the Disney Magic the next day. We’re hoping to see the movie on board the ship.
< more... >
UPDATE Easy as a stroll on the Boardwalk. From a reader’s point of view we should be done. From my point of view, still a few things to work on, but thanks for your patience while I took the site down and upgraded it this afternoon.
——
I’ve waited on this for far too long, and now it’s time for me to upgrade our version of WordPress from 1.5 to 2.1. I’ll update this post with more information as I go, but expect that there may be some down time at some point today or tonight. I’ll keep it as limited as possible, and when I’m done we’ll have a shiny new version of our blog (which should look identical but work better).
Thanks,
Chris
UPDATE Easy as a stroll on the Boardwalk. From a reader’s point of view we should be done.
< more... >
Disney Cruise Line opened up booking today for their summer 2008 sailings that are again heading west through Panama, doing some Mexican Riviera, and then back east through the canal again. The first time Disney did this in 2005 it was a big success and I can say from experience that the Panama Canal is amazing! So lots of people were eagerly awaiting the rates and hoping to grab a room today. As a dedicated (and slightly nuts) agent I was determined to do my best for every request I received. It was a heck of a day and now that it is almost at an end I can sit back and laugh a little. I even thought of a little diddy to sum it up. I think the other agent will appreciate this.
Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a crazy day It started out at 3 AM with no rates in sight!
The dates were for 2008 the itineraries good for sure 5 minutes before 7 that day started my 3 hour hold, a 3 hour hold
The website started crashing down and my desk was getting tossed if not for the IM of our fearless team my mind would be lost, my mind would be lost!
Coleen Coleen@MouseFanTravel.com
Disney Cruise Line opened up booking today for their summer 2008 sailings that are again heading west through Panama, doing some Mexican Riviera, and then back east through the canal again. The first time Disney did this in 2005 it was a big success and I can say from experience that the Panama Canal is amazing!
< more... >
Everywhere you turn in Disney World it seems you are bombarded by either pirates or princesses. When Disney first announced the Pirate and Princess Parties I thought it sounded interesting. I guess I may have been expecting too much because I was a little let down by the party. It pretty much seemed just like a Halloween party, but in January. There just wasn’t that WOW thing that would make you say I am so glad I shelled out the extra money for this.
There were plenty of places around the park to collect "loot" which was in form of beads and chocolate (mostly Hershey’s which was nice). Felt like we were trick or treating though.
Crowds were light (much lighter than Disney expected I bet). It was rather chilly which may have made some people rethink buying a ticket if they hadn’t already. What Disney did expect for January nights?
There was a special parade (short as it was) and it was cool to see Tink in a parade! There was also special fireworks - which were good but also seemed to be missing something.
Kids could join a dance party in either Fantasyland or Tomorrowland - both of which looked like fun. There was also the Pirate tutorial (which seemed the same as we have seen before) and a princess protector demo in Adventureland. There were a few carnival type games tucked away in he back corner of Toontown. There were also some cute photo ops around the park, but maybe it was bad timing on my part but it seemed as though the photopass people were missing. We did find a photopass person on Main St and got our picture taken but were very disappointed when we went to check out our picture and it was all dark behind, no sign of the castle or any of those cute digital effects we are used to.
There just seemed to be a lot of things missing - such as some kind of special "freebie" perks for party goers like maybe a photo or even hot chocolate would have been nice. I also did not see any special exclusive merchandise other than the really large balloons, which seemed odd. It also was not easy to find something to eat or drink since most of the carts around the park were closed.
All and all it was an enjoyable evening (made me wish Halloween could have small crowds like that again) but if you have already shelled out a lot of money for your Disney vacation you may want to save the money, skip the party, and just enjoy the Extra Magic Hours which are free. Without any big bang or holiday to draw you to this party I can’t see paying all of that money just for small crowds and some candy - but that is just my 2 cents.
Everywhere you turn in Disney World it seems you are bombarded by either pirates or princesses. When Disney first announced the Pirate and Princess Parties I thought it sounded interesting. I guess I may have been expecting too much because I was a little let down by the party. It pretty much seemed just like a Halloween party, but in January.
< more... >
I am sure I am not the only person in the country wondering if this is really January. Here in Florida we are in the middle of a heat wave! It has been in the mid 80s the past few days. This is my 3rd year living in Florida and I know no other Januarys were this warm. I never thought I would be riding Kali River Rapids in January but I did yesterday and with a 40 minute wait time I was not the only one! That was actually one of the shorter waits too, which again made me think is it really January? The first week in January used to be a pretty slow time, but not this year. Waits for the big e ticket rides were pretty much 70 minutes. I was really surprised by the crowds. It really seems that there just isn’t a slow time down here anymore. We thought we would hop over to MGM to catch the last weekend of the Osborne Lights and maybe that would help us remember what time of year it is. This was my first time checking out the lights after the holidays and while the lights are still just as nice the feeling just isn’t the same. The crowds were still the same though which again made me wonder what is today’s date? I am guessing that the marathon runners were pretty happy to find warmer temperatures than last year. That crack of dawn start time has to be easier when you are not freezing waiting for the sun to come up.
Sunday High: 84° F Low: 68° F
I have decided since it feels like summer why not head to the beach! So Daytona here I come!!
I am sure I am not the only person in the country wondering if this is really January. Here in Florida we are in the middle of a heat wave! It has been in the mid 80s the past few days. This is my 3rd year living in Florida and I know no other Januarys were this warm.
< more... >
As some of you know, after MouseFest Beci and I went on a 4 day cruise. This post isn’t about that. After the cruise we flew home, that’s where the adventure begins. You see, we live in Seattle, and we flew home one week ago, on Thursday.
Thursday the night of the big storm. Our approach to about 1500 feet was quite normal, then we started slowing and putting out the flaps and all that stuff you normally do. That’s when the tossing and dipping started. We came in late at night, when the storm was at its peak, but I’m sure we looked a bit like this plain that came in earlier that day .
We arrived home to no power, checked Beci into a hotel for the internet access, and I stayed home with the animals. 7 nights later, we have power again, and I’m sick as a dog from camping in near freezing weather in our living room. Needless to say, my posting has been a bit light. Once I recover from this gunk I’ve got I’ll start posting again.
Thanks, and to all those who attended MouseFest, welcome home!
As some of you know, after MouseFest Beci and I went on a 4 day cruise. This post isn’t about that. After the cruise we flew home, that’s where the adventure begins. You see, we live in Seattle, and we flew home one week ago, on Thursday.
Thursday the night of the big storm. Our approach to about 1500 feet was quite normal, then we started slowing and putting out the flaps and all that stuff you normally do. That’s when the tossing and dipping started. We came in late at night, when the storm was at its peak, but I’m sure we looked a bit like this plain that came in earlier that day .
Day one of the Mousefest cruise and walking into the port today was like a happy homecoming or family reunion. There were so many happy, smiling faces waving and greeting each other throughout the terminal. After checking in, walked back to meet up with Deb and Linda, who were giving out goodie bags to every Mousefest cruiser. There were all sorts of great items like pens, lanyards, a mousepad and even a first aid kit – which I hope no one needs to use – but very nice to have with you. The Passporter folks were also there with Pocket Guides to get everyone ready for their adventure. As I waited for my boarding group number to be called I walked around talking with lots of old friends and a few new ones I met on the shuttle over to the ship.
As fellow Mousefesters started the hunt that would take them thru 4 days of clues, they began to meet one another. The first step on the map was to find two annual passholders… so that makes you start talking to people!
Later we gathered with more Mousefesters to get into the holiday spirit and who else but Disney could make it snow inside a cruise ship!
It truly is a friendship cruise!
Day one of the Mousefest cruise and walking into the port today was like a happy homecoming or family reunion. There were so many happy, smiling faces waving and greeting each other throughout the terminal. After checking in, walked back to meet up with Deb and Linda, who were giving out goodie bags to every Mousefest cruiser. There were all sorts of great items like pens, lanyards, a mousepad and even a first aid kit – which I hope no one needs to use – but very nice to have with you. The Passporter folks were also there with Pocket Guides to get everyone ready for their adventure. As I waited for my boarding group number to be called I walked around talking with lots of old friends and a few new ones I met on the shuttle over to the ship.
The MouseFest excitement has begun! This is the 4th year in a row for me and MouseFest has become my new favorite holiday tradition. Since Thanksgiving I have been counting down the hours until that fun day when Disney fans from all over the world converge on the Disney Wonder and Disney World.
I arrived in Orlando today and met up with Coleen and Stephanie at the Wilderness Lodge to do some prep work for the land and sea meets and activities. We were magically turned into MouseFest elves as we began to unpack our 6 suitcases and the car load of boxes that arrived with Coleen. We had some entertaining looks from the bell staff and the scene reminded me of the DisMeet in PA in July when we had to track down every available luggage rack from the bell staff just to get the goodies to the room.
We have Radio Disney playing and we are having a blast getting ready for all the fun! The alarm will ring early so we can get on the road in the morning to drive to port for the first leg of the MouseFest fun – the 4 night cruise on the Disney Wonder.
The prep for MouseFest is half the fun, but after weeks of preparation and the prep party tonight, I am really ready for the most important part – I can’t wait to see old friends and make even more new ones!
Annette
The MouseFest excitement has begun! This is the 4th year in a row for me and MouseFest has become my new favorite holiday tradition. Since Thanksgiving I have been counting down the hours until that fun day when Disney fans from all over the world converge on the Disney Wonder and Disney World.
I arrived in Orlando today and met up with Coleen and Stephanie at the Wilderness Lodge to do some prep work for the land and sea meets and activities. We were magically turned into MouseFest elves as we began to unpack our 6 suitcases and the car load of boxes that arrived with Coleen. We had some entertaining looks from the bell staff and the scene reminded me of the DisMeet in PA in July when we had to track down every available luggage rack from the bell staff just to get the goodies to the room.
Depp’s in awe of ‘this god’ Richards :: Chicago Sun-Times
Day one of the Mousefest cruise and walking into the port today was like a happy homecoming or family reunion. There were so many happy, smiling faces waving and greeting each other throughout the terminal. After checking in, walked back to meet up with Deb and Linda, who were giving out goodie bags to every Mousefest cruiser. There were all sorts of great items like pens, lanyards, a mousepad and even a first aid kit – which I hope no one needs to use – but very nice to have with you. The Passporter folks were also there with Pocket Guides to get everyone ready for their adventure. As I waited for my boarding group number to be called I walked around talking with lots of old friends and a few new ones I met on the shuttle over to the ship.
w favorite holiday tradition. Since Thanksgiving I have been counting down the hours until that fun day when Disney fans from all over the world converge on the Disney Wonder and Disney World.
