Guide Book Review: "The Complete Walt Disney World 2009"

LOVE IT!

The book arrived in the mail during the work week and I barely got it out of the package and my husband grabbed it out of my hands - "COOL PICTURE!" he exclaims at the cover page. He then proceeds to flip through the book for the next 20 minutes looking at the pictures. Please understand - my husband LOVES Disney but when it comes to guidebooks and planning - that is totally my domain. My 2 year old daughter also likes to flip through it and look at the pictures.

This Guidebook is very different from the other guidebooks that I have read and used over the years. It isn't as "scientific" as the Unofficial Guide or as light as the Official Guide.

What stands out about this guidebook is the detailed descriptions of the different rides. Typically guidebooks will give you a 2 sentence summary of the ride, the wait times, who will like it and who won't, etc. This book goes through each ride and gives you the story from beginning to end. Points out where to look for Hidden Mickeys and fun facts about the ride. It also has all the practical information you need about wait times. These descriptions are great for a Disney newbie who really doesn't know what the heck the Tiki Room is and for Disney Gurus like myself who like learning new facts and trivia about the rides and parks.

The pictures are the real gem of the book - practically every page has a beautiful color photo on it. Some from truly the most amazing perspectives of the parks. It will truly get you excited about taking your trip.

One note - if you are looking for reviews of "offsite" hotels - they are not covered in this guide.

"The Complete Walt Disney World 2009" retails on Amazon for $16.47 + s&h. Go buy one! You won't regret it!

RIP Lodge Boards - NEVERMIND!

editted - the Lodge is still up and running - Yea!

One of my favorite sites about Disney "the Lodge" will be shutting it's doors on 3/31/2009 - I don't have any details as to why but the announcement is from their official webmaster.

The Lodge was a fun place with lots of cool people, that really knew how to enjoy life. I'm going to miss reading on the site. Thanks for the memories guys!

The image here was my official Lodge Board Signature. I loved it as I thought it really captured me personality in the character they used.

Harley's Angel

My Grandmother passed away on March 3rd - she lived a long and glorious life and we honored that life on Friday March 6th.

As the car lined up to make their way to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery so my Grandmother could be laid to rest with my Grandfather. As the cars left the church with their lights on and emergency hazards flashing the first of many idiots cutting into the funeral procession began.

Now I use to live in this neck of the woods and everyone knows that the national cemetery isn't far from there and everyone pretty much knows you are going to run into a funeral procession at some point in time. The first car that almost hit the hearse was the first offender. Actually what she was trying to do was BEAT the hearse out of the parking lot so she wouldn't have to wait for the entire procession. Thanks Idiot! Our family has already lost one member we aren't interested in losing another.

The 2nd offender came into the intersection as the procession was turning left through a red light. Horn blaring at us and the middle finger sticking out the window as she drove by my Father. Not only an idiot but a rude idiot!

Then as we were going through another intersection a jerk came out in front of me and almost side swiped me. Then in his rush to get in front of me he ended up having to STOP at a red light while the rest of the procession continued to the cemetery. What I can only describe as a yuppie in his pretty brand new jeep had so little respect for the funeral procession not only almost causing an accident but then held us back from the rest of my family! To say I was angry especially after the 3rd offense would be an understatement.

Just then the loudest roar went flying past my passenger side window as a man on a Harley came up on the shoulder and proceeded to BLOCK THE JEEP! This man would have been described by my ultra conservative aunt as being a hoodlum. He was tattooed out, long gray hair flowing in the wind, leather chaps over his jeans and a long beard. He was a through and through Biker on a Hog and he was blocking this jeep so that we could go around the guy and get back into the procession - HE had the respect of the funeral procession in order to risk his own neck to go out in a busy intersection and block traffic for us.

We didn't know this guy, never seen him before in my life - but there he was waving us into the intersection so that we could catch up with our family. The Hoodlum biker had more sense and respect for a funeral procession then the rich yuppie in front of me.

Had I not been sitting in the car with my mouth hanging open I would have rolled the window down and invited him to be there with my family.

God Bless you my Grandma's Angel on a Harley. I'll never forget what you did for us.

Some Cool News and trivia!

I got the coolest email today from Julie Neal author of "The Complete Walt Disney World" which I happened to mention in my latest Disney nuggets - she offered to send me a copy of their guide book to read and review for myself! How very cool is that!?!? I can't wait to get my hands on it and promise to review it thoroughly! Also she went to the University of Mizzou and Mike Neal (co-author and photographer for the book) grew up near where I live! Small World!

Disney Trivia:

How long (in feet) is the Great Movie Ride in MGM Studios and what is it's significance?

The answer is it is 1928 feet long - the same year that the Chinese Theatre opened in Hollywood - talk about paying attention to the little details!

Disney Nuggets

The Park Calendar for June 2009 has been released! http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/calendar/

Online Check in has been released - Walt Disney World Resort guest can now "Check in" online up to 10 days in advance of their actual arrival date. Guest are able to notify the resort of their arrival & request room preferences (no gurantees). You can also register the names of guest in your party as well as sign up your credit card for transactions while in the Walt Disney World parks. From the topics on the messages boards this service seems to be working out well and people are generally pleased.

AllEarsNet.com posted photos of the new Pirate themed rooms at the Carribean Beach Resort - http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/02/caribbean_beach_resort_pirate_1.html
They are actualy pretty cool looking and I am now officially pissed off that the moderate resorts have flat panel TV's while the Boardwalk Villas do not! HELLO - I'm Paying DUES here people!

Jim Hill's site has a great review of a guidebook called "The Complete Walt Disney World 2009" - I haven't gotten it myself but I'm thinking I might just because it has 400 photographs in it! WOW! http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2009/02/25/complete-disney-world-guide.aspx

Kidcot Fun Stops in Epcot

Chloe has been to young to take advantage of the Kidcot Fun Stops that are hidden in the World Showcase - but I am looking forward to having her participate on her next trip. Kids get a free paper mask that they take to each country and color it along the way. Each country has a special Stamp, and paper tag to decorate the mask with. The Chinese and Moroccan pavilions will write the child's name in the countries language.

Someone directed me to a very cool website:

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/kidcot/

which shows where all the Kidcot stops are and the tags and stamps that come with it. This will be great for Chloe who doesn't want to wander shops - she can color and get her stamp while myself or her father runs into the shops or grabs nibbles!

I have been tagged by Shannon at Nonnie Bear to do a sixth of the sixth meme. I have never been tagged before so this is exciting stuff.

This is a photo from our wedding - my Mom and my husband dancing.