Fast Pass changes coming?

Sounds like March 7, 2012 may be the day one of my most used fast pass strategies come to an end.

Our good friends at Touringplans are reporting that cast members at Walt Disney World Resort have been informed that beginning March 7, 2012, return times on Fastpasses will be enforced for all guests. Whereas in the pasts, guests could get a Fastpass for a scheduled return time and then save it for later in the day (so long as it was used the same day), guests using a Fastpass will reportedly be given only a small window in which to use the pass. Guests will be allowed to present the Fastpass 5 minutes prior to or up to 15 minutes after, the return time printed on the ticket. Guests presenting Fastpasses after this time will be denied admittance.

Patricia Disney dies

Former wife of Roy E. Disney, Patty Disney, has passed away.

Patty was a vibrant, intelligent, witty, well read independant soul who devoted her entire life to supporting her husband Roy in everything that he did. She sailed with him and when she stopped crewing on the races she met him on every dock he sailed to. Together they traveled the world. With Stanley Gold they built their empire. Patty was happiest when at Coolmain Castle in Ireland, her refuge from the world.

Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2006, she slipped into the clutches of Alzheimer's Disease without losing her sense of humor.

John Carter for passholders

Hey annual passholders...here's a little treat for you on March 3 & 4.

Check out http://wdwscreeningtickets.com/ where you are invited to a special screening of the new John Carter of Mars film to be shown in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom

Would love to hear from anyone that's played the new card came via the soft openings in Jan. Sounds interesting.

In this role-playing game, guests become Merlin’s apprentice sorcerers and embark on a quest to stop more than 20 Disney villains – including Hades and Cruella De Vil – from stealing one of the four shattered pieces of Merlin’s crystal ball. Armed with spells in the form of special cards, guests search for the magic symbols that lead them to villains’ hiding places in Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A. Once there, apprentices use magic keys to reveal a villain’s hideout and use spell cards to stop them in their tracks.

According to the game’s developers, the cards really are the secret weapons of the game. There will be 70 different spell cards available and guests will receive five complimentary cards when they play. Each card features a different Disney character that offers a spell unique to him or her. Guests can use more than one card simultaneously, casting multiple spells at a villain at one time.

Magical Trash

Everything is just a little more magical with Disney...even the trash cans.

Before they were stars...they were cast members

Great list of some of the famous folks that were once cast members. Can you imagine Robin Williams as a Jungle Cruise skipper?

The Jack Sparrow floodgates are now opening

Attention all you folks with facial hair:

Disney employees now allowed to have facial hair
The Walt Disney Co. is making more changes in their strict dress code policy. Beginning February 3, the decades-old facial hair ban is being eliminated. In 2000, mustaches became acceptable; now, male employees will be allowed to sport beards and goatees up to 1/4 an inch in length. Since the opening of Disneyland in 1955, Disney cast members have been known for their clean-cut "Disney Look", which Walt thought made them look more approachable to guests. The other change happening next week is the introduction of Casual Fridays for cast members who aren't in front-line roles interacting with guests.

One More Disney Day

Very kewl...Magic Kingdom & DisneyLand will be open 24 hours on Leap Day...and you can also win!!!

We love to celebrate the good life! Families spending time together, sharing hugs, giggles, smiles, and magical moments they will treasure forever in their hearts.
In 2012, we're celebrating Leap Day with One More Disney Day. For the first time ever, we're giving away a vacation every day from January 1 through February 29.
Enter each day for a chance to win a 5-day/4-night vacation at Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World Resort in Florida!*
You're one more day closer to realizing a vacation dream come true for your family if you win.