The countdown

Today's the day that for some reason I woke up thinking "it's only 2
months to my next trip to WDW!". Love that feeling. Now to start the
serious planning and building of my next infamous trip folder

Sent from my iPhone

Hidden Mickeys

On your next trip how about a little family challenge to see who can find the most hidden Mickeys. What's a Hidden Mickey you say? (from Wikipedia)

A Hidden Mickey is a subtle formation of a silhouette of the head of Mickey Mouse and his two ears, a more complete representation of Mickey Mouse (such as Mickey mixed in with a crowd or in the background), or a representation of another character (such as the huge hidden Jafar at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in Africa in the Animal Kingdom) that is found in various Disney media, such as animated films, TV series, or the Disney theme parks.^[1] Mickeys may be painted, made up of objects (such as rocks, or three plates on a table), or be references such as someone wearing Mickey Mouse Club ears in a painting.

HINT: Always check out your hotel room (This is the bedspread at Disney's Yacht Club)

Steve Barrett has an excellent book and web-site to help you on your Hidden Mickey journey.

Some geeky info on Toy Story Midway Mania

Was listening to the Netcot podcast and Vann mentioned a geeky article on the technology being used on Toy Story Midway Mania. It's a great attraction and a technical wonder.

Disney Rides on Wireless Ethernet

The automation system breaks new ground in other ways too. One is its scale. “It’s the biggest system we’ve done, not geographically but in the number of control zones,” says Gerstner. Another is in the amount of integration work that had to be done to weave the attraction’s distinct game, ride and show elements into a seamless user experience. And the attraction is a great example of how the clever use of position sensors and software can take up the some of the mechanical slack in motion control systems.

Hopscotch across the UK

One of our families favorite relaxing things to do on our trips (yes, I'm told trips to WDW can actually be relaxing) is to take our time and wander (wonder) around Epcot's World Showcase. My favorite relaxing spot is the United Kingdom. Our son usually finds a game of hopscotch occurring in front of the Rose and Crown pub as I grab my Guinness or black and tan. Grab some fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop and head out back to hear the British Invasion play. My deep dark secret is that I've never really been a Beatles fan but I do enjoy the music this way at Epcot. I've promised my wife that our next trip is actually going to be relaxing and we're staying at the Boardwalk Inn...so I believe I'll find myself sneaking thru the International Gateway and finding myself in the UK often during that trip.

Are you 23...yet?

Looks like the secret is out on the “Are You 23?” question. It’s the official online Disney community over at http://disney.com/d23 (fyi, The Walt Disney Brothers Studio was founded on October 16, 1923).

· Looks like membership is $74.95/year

· You get 4 quarterly “23” magazines

· Membership Card and Certificate

· Exclusive Special Events and Merchandise

· Surprise Collectible Gift

· D23 Expo in Anaheim, California from September 10-13, 2009. (hmmm, like Mousefest?)

· Subscription to bi-weekly D23 FanFare e-newsletter with breaking news and special offers.

· Access to http://disney.com/d23 for daily updates

That special picture

One of the things we try to do on each trip with our kids (we go a lot...really attempting to limit to once per year soon...really) is to take a picture in the same special place. We have a nice collection over the years of the kids growing up in the parks. One of our favorites is in the Magic Kingdom overlooking Cinderella Castle on the walkway from Sleepy Hollow. This is our artistic one (with the kids back to us while wishing on that star). We also have a large collection of attempts at freeing the sword from the stone in Fantasyland , of course. (My daughter was able to pull the sword out not once but THREE times last November...a first). So try to pick a spot on your next trip for that extra special memory.

The Kitchen Sink Sundae...and Monday...and Tuesday

One thing I always suggest for folks to try on their next trip, especially if they're veterans and think they've seen and done it all, is the kitchen sink sundae over at Beaches and Cream. It's over at Disney's Beach & Yacht Club Resort tucked away behind the amazing Stormalong Bay pool. Make sure you skip a meal before attempting to tackle this monster. Eight scoops of ice cream with every topping they can find with a whole can of whipped cream on top...served in...you guessed it, a kitchen sink.

Testing mobile posting

One of Wilson's favorite trophy's is from when he was Ski Captain for the Day at Disney's Blizzard Beach

Playing around with format

Playing around with Photoshop this week and various layouts for the blog. Will settle on a look and feel soon and then get into more content.

We did just move our reservations for our May trip to take advantage of the "buy 4 get 3 free" promotion at the Boardwalk Inn...and concierge too...yeah!!! We're starting the planning for the trip which I have promised my wife would be a calm and relaxing one this time. But in my defense, if WDW wouldn't keep the Magic Kingdom open until 2am if they didn't WANT me to be there, right? Nothing like riding Big Thunder Mountain after midnight and then insisting we be at the next day's rope drop.

Starting Up

Welcome to the WDWDaddy Blog.

My name is Gary and I'm addicted to Disney...there, I said it. I have 2 Disney kids, Wilson & Ella, who run the podcast wdwkids.com and a VERY understanding wife named Lisa. I plan on using this blog to help calm my nerves in between trips to WDW as well as to hopefully post some helpful tips I've learned from my travels and interactions with the company.