When I lived close to Disneyland I usually visited in the winter and spring when the crowds were less and the weather was nice. But lots of people visit during the summer. The combination of crowds and heat can wilt the most enthusiastic Disney fan. Below I list five ways you can keep your cool even on the hottest days. Some of these ideas work no matter where you are. So stay cool and read on.

5 ways to stay cool while visiting the parks on hot days:

1) Ride the right rides. Big Thunder Mountain is a great ride, but I would not want to ride it in the heat of the day. Instead head for rides that are 1) Dark rides with cool interiors 2) have indoor lines or 3) are water rides. Some great examples are Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain. Save rides like Mad Tea Party and Autopia for early mornings or night. Another cool idea is to head over to Epcot. You can enjoy several rides, and even a nice meal inside the various pavilions in Future World.

2) Drink lots of water. If you stay hydrated you’ll have a much better vacation. I once got dehydrated and couldn’t enjoy a meal at Club 33. What a bummer. Don’t blow your budget by buying water. Instead bring water bottles for everyone and refill as needed.

3) Escape during the afternoon. If you are staying on property this is easy to do. You can relax in your air-conditioned room, enjoy a drink in the many lovely lounges, or splash in the dozens of themed pools found at the resorts. You’ll be cool, rested, and ready to deal with the crowds during the much cooler evening.

4) Apply sunscreen often. Nothing ruins a trip more than a bad sunburn. To avoid this apply sunscreen thoughout the day, not just in the morning. There are lots of great products out there that make this task much easier. I like the sprays the best because I hate the thick lotions that never seem to rub in. You don’t need to be obsessive, but if you apply after every meal you’ll be glad you did.

5) Seek shade or water. When there are tons of people in the parks it may be stuffy indoors and too hot in the sun. I suggest two things. Find shade or find water. There are lots of water sprays and fountains set up in the parks so you can get soaked and cool off. A table in the shade may be just as cool as one inside if the restaurant is crowded. Also, some restaurants, like the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland‘s Critter Country have lots of covered seating. Since it is by the water it feels cooler.

If you know you are going to be visiting on a hot day it pays to prepare ahead of time. Your goal is to keep cool, calm, and collected so what you remember is your fun vacation, not the awful heat. And remember, when tempers are hot you can always cool everyone down with a Mickey ice cream bar, or my favorite, a chocolate-covered frozen banana. Just beware of brain freeze. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: If you are traveling with kids and you are going to the parks on a hot day have your kids wear their swimsuit under their clothes. Then, when they want to run though the fountains or the spray they can play in their swimsuits and have dry clothes for the rest of the day.

I’d rather have Disneyland tickets

In my last post I explained how, even though park prices are going up, tickets to Disneyland are still a good value. Today I’d like to put the ticket price in real life terms. By giving up some or all of these items you can save the money needed for a Disneyland ticket without really noticing the ouch, and as always, a lot of these ideas are high in fat or high in calories so you get the added advantage of being healthier when you do visit the parks.

How much do you need to give up to pay for a $92 Disneyland ticket?

26 Vente Chai Teas at Starbucks ($3.50)

29 Double Doubles at In & Out Burger ($3.20)

15 Whopper value meals at Burger King ($5.79)

57 20-oz. bottles of Coca Cola ($1.59)

46 Lottery tickets ($2)

11 paperback books ($8.99)

18 People magazine copies off the newsstand ($4.95)

92 iTunes songs ($0.99)

9 Papa Murphy’s Cowboy Take-and-Bake pizzas ($10)

3 bouquets of a dozen red roses ($30)

5 DVDs ($18.96)

Easy, no? Can you live without pizza 9 times? Each time you would buy a pizza put the money in a jar or a savings account instead. You’ll have $92 in no time flat. We all indulge in things that could be reduced or removed from our lives without us really knowing. Just think of all the ways you could save for a trip to the Disney Parks. It’s not about depriving youself, it’s about priorities. What do you want more – a Starbucks drink or a trip to Disneyland? Me, I’ll make a drink at home and take it with me. Disneyland, here I come! Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Make the trip a gift. Instead of giving flowers for your anniversary make paper flowers and include a tag that says the money you saved is going toward Disney tickets. Or make a gift card that shows the ammount you added to your Disney savings account. Flowers may die, but the memories of a Disney trip last forever.

Two great moms – My mom, and my best friend, Rhonda

Your Mother And Mine from Peter Pan

Well, a mother, a
real mother
Is the most wonderful person in the world
She’s the angel
voice that bids you good night
Kisses your cheek, whispers, “Sleep tight”

Your mother and mine
Your mother and mine

The helping hand
that guides you along
Whether you’re right, whether you’re wrong

Your mother and mine
Your mother and mine

What makes mothers
all that they are
Might as well ask, “What makes a star?”
Ask your heart
to tell you her worth
Your heart will say, “Heaven on earth”
Another
word for divine
Your mother and mine

If MyMagic+ sounds as awesome to you as it does to me then take time to explore MyDisneyExperience on the Walt Disney World website. Through this site you can customize your trip and add personal information to your Magic Band. There is also a mobile app you can download for a variety of smart phones and tablets. I had a lot of fun playing with all the features and now I want to plan a trip to Walt Disney World more than ever. Who wants to come with me? Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: Now online check-in at Walt Disney World resorts can be done 60 days in advance. When you check-in online your packet and keys are at a special desk at the resort. Just show your I.D. and you are ready to go to your room. What could be easier? To use online check-in click here.

Image from Disney Parks Blog

December 6, 2012 was a red-letter day for Walt Disney World. Three parks had grand-opening celebrations for new attractions, and while some were larger than others, they all showed how the  Imagineers never stop trying to improve your Disney experience.

Test Track Presented by Chevrolet in Epcot reopened after a major remodeling. This ride, which used to explain how auto manufacturers kept passengers safe in the 20th century, now shows Guests how they are improving the cars of the future. With a new queue, new cars, new storyline, and new post-show this attraction has changed everything but the name (and that changed a little, too.) I can’t wait to check it out.

The Legend of Jack Sparrow opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I think the best part of this walk-through attraction is the amount time you get to interact with Jack Sparrow and other pirates. As you learn if you’ve got what it takes to become a pirate you’ll think you had stepped into the movie, something I have always wanted to do. Now I need to decide, do I visit Epcot first, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

And the answer is neither. The next time I visit Walt Disney World (let it be soon) I’ll be heading straight for the Magic Kingdom because the New Fantasyland is officially open. I’ll be making dinner reservations at the Be Our Guest Restaurant and I’ll eagerly try out the non-queue at the new Dumbo ride (it is now inside a Big Top and has two Dumbo attractions running at the same time.) I’ll enjoy LeFou’s Brew, a new signature drink, and get my souvenir Gaston mug. And I’ll be walking around and admiring the new world that the Imagineers have created.

So much is going on at Walt Disney World that I can’t wait to go back. Anyone want to come with me? It should take about 10 days to see everything that is new and revisit all my old favorites. I think I’ll start planning my trip today. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: The new Fantasyland expansion is the largest improvement made to any Disney park ever. Two new castles were added along with new attractions and restaurants. This is going to be a wildly popular area for a long time. To get the most out of your experience do some research before you arrive. By knowing what is available and how the various lines (or non-lines) work you will have a magical, not a confusing, time.

Image from www.spoonful.com

If you wander around the stores right now you might think Christmas has arrived. The big box stores have a forest of lit-up trees on display in case you really need one in November. I worked in retail for many years so I know that the employees don’t want to see Christmas decorations in November any more than the public does. So let’s fight Christmas creep. How? Decorate your home for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in 2012 is on the 22nd which is really early. We don’t have very long to celebrate fall and family so we should start now. A simple way to spend time with your family is to make lovely autumn decorations for your house. And spoonful.com has some wonderful ideas with a Disney touch.

Image from www.spoonful.com

These 10 crafts vary from elegant to silly. I love the Bambi and Winnie the Pooh lanterns. They are beautiful and will fit into any decor. I am not fond of squash, but I would buy one just to turn it into a pilgrim Pluto. These activities will bring fall, fun, and family time to your home and I think that is what Thanksgiving is all about. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: I have a friend who is posting one thing she is thankful for each day on Facebook. Why not turn that into a family tradition? You could make the fall crown from spoonful.com and each person can take a turn wearing it and sharing one thing they are thankful for. It is a great way to bring a family together during a meal. I am thankful for everyone who reads my blog.

Today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

For my birthday I would like to share a quote from Walt Disney that has always been a favorite of mine.

When I was thirteen or so I bought a book called Disneyland – the First Thirty Years. (I guess I have always thought buying books at the Disney parks was a goofy idea.) I still own this book and look through it often. It is hardback with large color pictures of the park. Sprinkled throughout is trivia, history and quotes. On the very last page (pg. 122) is a photo of a man and a woman in Mickey Mouse ears. They are looking at Sleeping Beauty Castle. In this picture the couple is in focus and the castle is out of focus. Beneath the picture is the following quote. Whenever I see this photo and read this quote I always get choked up. I hope you enjoy it, too.

“Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children’s approach to life. They’re people who don’t give a hang what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought – sometimes it isn’t much, either.” - Walt Disney

Today, on my birthday, I am going delight in simple pleasures. Whether it is your birthday or your un-birthday, I hope you will do the same. Happiness Squared.

Goofy Tip: If you are visiting the Disney parks on or near your birthday be sure to pick up a birthday button at City Hall or Guest Services. Wear it proudly and you’ll be surprised by the number of people who will wish you a happy birthday.

Epcot opened 30 years ago as the second park at Walt Disney World. To celebrate this impressive anniversary we’ll take a tour of Future World and look at how the different Lands have changed over the last 30 years. If you want to learn more about this innovative park read The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot (affiliate link). World Showcase is also part of Epcot. For a fun tour of that area check out my World Showcase Wonders series. Today we’ll look at the Universe of Energy.

We’ll start our tour of the pavilions by turning left and going past Innoventions East. The first pavilion on our left in the Universe of Energy, home to Ellen’s Energy Adventure. I’ll say this right now, even though many may disagree with me – I love this attraction! It is my favorite attraction in Epcot. Don’t get me wrong. I love Soarin’ and Mission: SPACE, but my absolute favorite ride is Ellen’s Energy Adventure.

Many of you are shaking your head and wondering if my taste is all in my mouth. But let me just list the three reasons I love this attraction.

1) It is really funny.

2) It is really educational without feeling like school.

3) It has dinosaurs.

Enough said. My biggest fear is that Disney is going to replace this attraction with a newer, more advanced ride. I will be very sad when that happens, but I hope if they do replace it that the new ride has humor, fun facts, and dinosaurs. Happiness squared.

5 fun facts about the Universe of Energy:

1) Ellen’s Energy Adventure stars Ellen Degeneres, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Ellen and Jamie play Jeopardy! in Ellen’s weird dream. Alex Trebek makes an appearance, too, and it becomes one crazy game show.

2) Your theater seats are actually ride vehicles. The seating area is divided into six parts and each section becomes a vehicle. As you move forward Ellen’s dream goes from 2D to 3D.

3) The vehicles weight 30,000 pounds fully loaded. But the amazing part is they are guided through the ride by a wire that is only 1/8 inch thick. Imagine that!

4) The roof of this pavilion is covered with photovoltaic cells. There are two acres of them or about 80,000 cells. They produce 15% of the power needed to run the attraction. All that power from the sun could run six houses.

5) The building sits where it does to get as much sun as possible. The slope of the roof was also designed to direct more of the sun on the cells.

Talking about energy needs and possibilities can be a touchy subject in today’s world. Everyone seems to have an opinion and they are more than willing to defend their opinion to the death. With Ellen’s Energy Adventure we can explore many avenues of energy generation and laugh instead of argue. No wonder I like this ride so much.

Goofy Tip: This ride never has a line and you will be sitting for most of the show so it is a great ride do go on after lunch. Do the busy rides in the morning and then relax in the afternoon. Just make sure you wait at least 30 minutes after eating so you don’t get a tummy ache from laughing too hard.

Epcot opened 30 years ago as the second park at Walt Disney World. To celebrate this impressive anniversary we’ll take a tour of Future World and look at how the different Lands have changed over the last 30 years. If you want to learn more about this innovative park read The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot (affiliate link). World Showcase is also part of Epcot. For a fun tour of that area check out my World Showcase Wonders series. Today we’ll look at Spaceship Earth.

Spaceship Earth is a wienie! Like Cinderella Castle it is a large object that draws you into the park and gives you an idea of what you’ll experience at Epcot. It could be said that Spaceship Earth is Epcot. When you see a picture of it you immediately think “Hey, that’s that ball at Epcot!” and that leads you to thinking about your favorite ride or memory of Epcot.

Along with invoking great memories Spaceship Earth is an amazing structure that houses a fun and educational ride that takes you through the history of communication. From cave paintings to computers humans have told stories in a variety of ways. These stories have helped us navigate along our voyage on “Spaceship Earth.”

5 fun facts about Spaceship Earth:

1) Spaceship Earth is a geodesic dome: Geodesic domes were invented by Buckminster Fuller. The dome is made up of tetrahedrons because of their strength. Click here for a detailed definition of a geodesic dome. It is quite an amazing structure.

2) Spaceship Earth is actually made of two parts. The sphere itself could not be supported by the posts so instead they created a table with six legs. The upper 3/4 of the sphere sits on the table and the lower 1/4 hangs below the table. Ingenious!

3) Spaceship Earth is actually 2 spheres. The inner sphere contains the attraction and is covered in a thick rubber blanket for protection. The outside sphere is the surface made up of 11,324 individual triangular panels. Each one is custom made!

4) Buckminster Fuller coined the word “Spaceship Earth.” He envisioned people as travelers on a cosmic voyage with our planet as the ship. Our destination is the future.

5) You’ll never get rained on under Spaceship Earth. There is a gutter system around the sphere that funnels water to the World Showcase Lagoon. Thanks!

At 180 feet tall Spaceship Earth towers over Epcot acting as a beacon for Guests wandering through Future World. Not sure where you are? Look for the big silver ball and you’ll never get lost. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: As the day progresses attractions like Soarin’ get more crowded while attractions like Spaceship Earth have shorter lines. Consider coming back to this ride in the early afternoon when most Guests are farther into the park. Or, if you are coming to Epcot to visit World Showcase, which opens later than Future World, consider riding Spaceship Earth first and then heading over to World Showcase. Either way you do it Spaceship Earth is an attraction that will stir your imagination.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is unique among the parks. Not only does it feature live animals, but it is designed to be explored, not just admired. The walkways wind in and out of leafy areas and you never know what animal you might find around the bend. The detail in each area is so rich that it transports you to an African town finding its roots or an Asian village living in the shadow of a forbidden mountain. There are very few fast rides in this park so it is ideal for the Guest wanting something unusual. Take your time and absorb all that this park has to offer. It truly is an oasis waiting to be discovered.

5 Disney’s Animal Kingdom attractions for people who hate rides:

1) It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Most of the 3-D movies in the park are fun, but the story stays on the screen (or somewhat on the screen since it is 3-D). In It’s Tough to Be a Bug the action starts on the screen and then quickly moves out and around the theatre. Beware. If you are afraid of spiders this can be a very intense show (I admit I close my eyes just a little). But that is only one small part of a fun and witty show about why bugs are our friends.

2) Festival of the Lion King. Wow does not even begin to describe how fantastic this show is. Take the music of the lion king, add some oversized animals, some acrobats, some tumblers, some fire batons, and some incredible singers and what do you get? A don’t miss extravaganza. I could gush over this show all day, but instead I’ll just say that everyone should go see it. Then you can gush over this show, too.

3) Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and the Maharajah Jungle Trek. For an up close view of animals from Africa and Asia take a walk on the wild side. On the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail you’ll see hippos under the water and naked mole rats burrowing in their homes. (Did you know they are not naked, moles, or rats?) If you want to see tigers roaming the ruins of a palace then explore the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Along these easy trails you’ll discover a wealth of mammals, reptiles, and birds.

4) Conservation Station. If you want to touch snakes and rodents, see surgery being done on a monkey, and play games about the rainforest then head over to Conservation Station. The only way to reach this area is by the Wildlife Express, a small train that leaves from the Africa area. Along with the educational center there is a petting zoo called the Affection Section. Anyone who loves animals will love this interactive area.

5) Flights of Wonder. I love bird shows and never miss a chance to see one wherever I may be visiting. Flights of Wonder is a lovely show that allows you to see magificent birds up close and learn about them at the same time. The birds are not trained, they are encouraged to do what they would do naturally. Sometimes this results in some funny antics. I enjoy the combination of puns and performances and would recommend everyone to come see the birds. Then you can “tweet” about them.

The animals make this park special so keep your eyes open. You never know what may be swimming at your feet or swinging above your head. Happiness squared.

Goofy Tip: This park is not for the feint of heart. The walkways are bumpy and have some incline to them. Make sure you take time to relax while at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and don’t overdo it. Grab a pastry from the Harambe Market and enjoy the sound of the park. There is a lot to notice if you slow down and look around you. This is one park that is best savored, not gulped.