The Blonde Diaries

Sources for Disney Information

Trying to plan a trip to Disney and not sure where to begin? Maybe you have been before and realized upon your return you didn’t know about something or missed something. Then again, maybe you are a Disney pro (aka nut) and know the basics but are looking for something off the beaten path but not sure where to turn. Well here are my suggestions which I hope will help you out.

I was never a huge Disney fan. In fact, on our 2nd trip to “the World” back in 1994 I begged my parents to leave me behind so I could go watch LSU begin their baseball season (umm yeah not sure what I was thinking there). I had a great time and slowly I started turning into a fan. I went on my senior trip in 1999 to WDW and then Mike and I’s first vacation in 2006 was to WDW because it was the cheap and economical choice. Since then I have turned into a full blown Disney nut and am happily planning my September 2008 trip which is officially paid off and I’m clicking/surveying to our Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets (halfway there!!) and then to our Photopass CD.

So where can you turn to for Disney information?

1. Podcasts - Podcasts are similar to talk radio shows on the AM radio dial. You can download podcasts for free from iTunes (also free from apple.com) on a variety of subjects. There are many, many podcasts out there about Disney. My 2 favorites are WDW Radio (Lou Mongello puts on a fabulous show) and I just started listening to Netcot (not as good as WDW Radio but a good 2nd). You can subscribe to your favorite podcasts and each time you sign onto iTunes, iTunes will automatically download the latest show for you. You can then either listen on your computer or transfer to your iPod. One show I cannot and will not recommend is DIS Unplugged after their “memorial show” to recently passed podcaster Bob (who did not agree with the discussion) featured what they called a “best of” moment where the podcasters were making fun of recent naturalized citizens, people with disabilities, and laughing over racial slurs. For a transcript of what was said visit this thread, and to hear it this sound bite which just features the segment in question. Just shameful and why they decided to play an unedited version after getting repeated negative feedback the first time they aired it and having to edit it twice I don’t understand. This podcast has since been edited again but it’s a little too late. So please stick with the other two podcasts mentioned and forget this one.
2. Guide Books - Birnbaum’s guide books are one of my absolute favorite books to take with me on my trips. They are very light and easy to carry in your backpacks in the parks. Birnbaum has a complete guide to WDW, couple’s guide, kid’s guide, etc. Basically a book to fit your needs. Another good book is the Unoffical Guide to WDW. I have not read this book yet but I have heard from various message boards that it is very good and easy to use but maybe too much information is in this book and can lead to over planning or commando-style touring of the parks. So use with caution.
3. Message Boards - These are my favorite ways to get up-to-date information on what is going on in the parks and what to look for/do. I tend to get a lot of ideas from fellow posters. Some of my favorite sites are:

• WDWWOW
• SunshineRewards Disney Boards
• DisneyworldTrivia.com Forums

I have heard good things about intercot and mouseplanet but do not belong to either. I am a former member of DIS boards due to the recent bannings of long time posters for no reason, hypocritical actions by webmasters (do as I say but not as I do), and the recent “best of podcast” put out by this group I have revoked my membership. More on that to come though.

Good luck planning your trip. I hope some of these sites, books, and suggestions will help make your planning more fun and enjoyable.

Up Next: Fun things to keep yourself busy while at Disney!

How I feel about the DIS Boards

So you probably read a small tidbit in my last Disney planning thread about a board called the DIS boards and how I am no longer a happy member over there. You may be asking why since they call themselves “the Happiest, Friendliest, Disney Message Board on the Web” (can I poke my eye out with your pen please?). Well here is the background. I was not going to get too involved in the board wars but after the latest bunch of bannings and the raciest/insensitive podcast I don’t feel like I can keep my trap shut anymore. Most of the “in the know” posters on the DIS boards know about the UnDIS which is an uncensored board that pokes fun into some pretty silly posts on the DIS. I think in the past people have gone a tad too far and have had some personal attacks against posters on the UnDIS but in the past month since the bannings and my joining the boards I haven’t experienced that.

On April 19, 2008 (during a UFC fight night) the powers that be (TPTB) on the DIS boards thought it would be funny to redirect links from the UnDIS back to a thread on the UnDIS titled “Get a Life” instead of the appropriate threads on the DIS people were linking to. Well TPTB screwed up royally and actually redirected their own members to the UnDIS instead of what they intended to do. After many DIS members started asking about hackers, what happened, etc. TPTB came up with a lame excuse about how the other board hacked in and redirected everyone and started the rash bannings of people who either had an account at each place and were signed on at both at that exact moment, questioned on the DIS what that board was/how they ended up over there, and innocent bystanders who they thought were members over there but were not. Some people were even banned while on VACATION!!!

Ever since April 19, 2008, threads on the DIS have poofed faster than you can say poof and now 150+ people have been banned and the list is growing. It is censorship at it’s finest. If you don’t agree with what they are doing you are banned. If you ask a simple question and unfortunately use a “code” word that is not in their Terms of Service which has yet to be updated since this fiasco, you are banned (words such as crabs, cornbread, pudding - seemingly innocent). If you are a member of a site they do not deem appropriate you risk banning. Oh yes, there are webmasters over there who have offered to look over a list of sites you participate or lurk at and approve or disapprove of them. Sounds like a great place doesn’t it? Twatwafflers.

The latest snafu which has got a new group of people banned has been over the podcast tribute which contains racial slurs, jokes about “special” people, and newly sworn in immigrants to the US. Many were offended and asked the webmasters to either apologize or explain themselves but instead the threads just went “poof” and posters banned for “pot stirring”. I hope this is a good nail in the DIS coffin and their travel agency Dreams Unlimited. Yes they are just a shell for a travel agency which many people do not know but it makes sense now when you think about it because most mentioning of travel agents gets poofed pretty quickly.

So with that said I have found happy homes on numerous other boards such as Disneyworldtrivia, WDWWOW, and the UnDIS. I highly recommend the first two boards for trip planning and general conversation and the third for a good dose of uncensored sarcasm.

In Memory of the DIS Banned 2008:
1 DisneyPhD- 8,515
2 PoohandWendy- 19,120
3 Poohnatic - 10,200
4 KariC- 3,009
5 Janet2K- 6,978
6 Kejoda- 10,296
7 Katerkat- 7,449
8 Becka- 15,943
9 Kribit- 2,730
10 Thats for Shore (3 times)- 2,509
11 Boomhauer- 6,459
12 WatchinCaptKangaroo- 2,197
13 Mirthmaiden- 2,916
14 Helenabear- 49,902
15 Disneyholic ***(Reinstated) ***
16 dcgrumpy- 6,029
17 suzibrat- 232
18 Kylara- 1,575
19 Miss Jasmine- 19,187
20 Bob Slydell- 11,165
21 Tiggersmom2 - 8,623
22 Kribit husband (not his name)
23 LindsyDunn ***(Reinstated) ***
24 Aidensmom- 10,763
25 Chloe’sMom- 2,456
26 ASFCurly- 7,013
27 jgmklmhem- 2,055
28 CheshireVal- 6,682
29 TiggerPiglet- 3,741
30 Queen Quinnella- 528
31 6 time momma -616
32 beagle744- 632
33 Hixski- 2,029
34 TinkerbellMama- 3,046
35 Nienor- 830
36 Mice Pins- 160
37 coqui Helenabear DH- 629
38 Art Vandalay- 1,409
39 Yasmia (Mmecam)- 1,850
40 Kimmie5870- 605
41 Montana Disney Fan aka Buzz- 5,798
42 Texas Munchkin- 313
43 Eclectics (FreddieFillmore)- 9,967
44 Yearbook50- 3,358
45 DisneyDotty- 2,481
46 Southern4sure- 5,718
47 ShayMaraysMom- 2,282
48 Tiziminchac- 2,815
49 Warden John -31
50 1Prince2Princesses (Robin3P) -8648
51 Sassyat30 -1,426
52 Delswife -1,262
53 Brother 32
54 Scuba Steve (Delswife’s hubby) -71
55 Reeeoga- 4,138
56 Jackson66 (muzzbee)- 34
57 kayeandjim00 (AristoKat) - 2,101
58 Kaw1218 13,950
59 aplejax76 -930
60 Darlene9947 (Tink4me) -690
61 Taylorl25 -244
62 Beth76- 14,212
63 Toby’sFriend- 8,372
64 Pam- 14,029
65 The Paint Nazi (invisible posts) -83
66 Missy Mouse (disneynurse) -1,215
67 bjmach-47
68 CinderellaIam- 1,671
69 DakotaLynn- 2,935
70 Crossfamily- 10, 443
71 Nynaeve (Malkierprincess)- 787
72 Junkyard Willy (Jay Santos)- 9
73 2bemarried- 5,113
74 Tag Fairy (Am I There Yet?)- 6,600
75 Mudpuppy- 1,090
76 MitziWitzi- 40
77 Kama89- 10,666
78 BigDaddy101
79 Cass (Bree Hodge) 3,215 >>^..^<<- 6,820
80 jaymie_g -49
81 VA32h- 4,673
82 Mickeyfan2- 16,138
83 New Jersey- 11,500
84 Amapola -485
85 Blondy876 - 3155
86 dreamin in pa - 796
87 PoohBearLovinMama -870
88 Mugg Mann -2,504
89 Disney4Drew-5,660
90 DVCScrapper 17
91 LeftCoaster -1,132
92 ToasterWaffle-92
93 Byrd-1,431
94 hundredacrewood -300
95 TCPluto- 2,272 **reinstated**
96 NorgeKathrine -424
97 solferino - 3,661
98 Ally_DeVille -144
99 kdibattista - 7,941
100 Glass Slipper Girl - 768
101 rascalmom — 2,862
102 luv2crash — 418
103 strollerpatrolmom - 2,403
104 3crazymice - 144
105 dutch_girl_scout - 1033
106 Passions71203 - 1,900
107 lunabkat -604
108 Imsorry -10,343
109 tink38 -2,295
110 Turbokitty - 2,516
111 Devil_Dog99 725
112 Al and Kate’s mom - 2, 269 (10 day ban for asking why she received points.)
113 meandtheguys2 (10 day ban)
114 thop529 - 56
115 Honu -4,999
116 Acklander -1,683
117 RSoxFan - 1,063
118 sydally9367 - 2,936
119 reddixie - 397
120 MUDNURI - 5,021
121 KoalaJanie - 140
122 Nikel - 1459
123 - Disneymom3 - 8521
124 Autumnbaby9 - 1653
125 MareQ - 3912
126 mommylicious - 250
127 grlpwrd - 5,873
128 HollySox -207
129 JennymominRI 12,000
130 madysophiemom - 3,315
131 FSUMARCHIEF -1,199
132 fitswimmer - 11,824 Global ignore, can’t post or be seen.
133 hydster -3,800
134 JRJStarman -55
135 CyranoJones - 1,206
136 Virgo10 - 10,062
137 tinaluis -2,932
138 SuBeat -538
139 Aunt Polly - 7,785
140 Daxx -6,586
141 paigevz 27,535
142 Auntiem03 (10 day ban, we will see.) 2,152
143 sanctus - 364
144 wdw4life (30 day ban) 12,290
145 DisneyfeverTN -1,555
146 PrincessTiff
147 mugmunster
150 Magickndm
151 Sherbiedoo
152 momof3littlelilos

You may add me to the list at 153 m ‘n c when you stumble upon it.

Disney Dining: Cold Strawberry Soup

One of the most popular and longest threads you will find on any Disney related message board is the “food photos” thread. These threads are basically show and tell pictures of everything people ate on their trip. Now if you are not a die-hard Disney fan this concept may sound odd to you. Believe me, it took me a while to understand as well. But after reading an 82 page post I now get why it is a helpful planning tool. If you don’t know anything about the restaurants and the food they serve looking at pictures will help you decide on your reservations.

In those 82 pages I found a picture of 1900 Park Fare which is a character meal at the Grand Floridian. This restaurant apparently has a very tasty and very popular Strawberry Soup which is sold cold. I am super excited to give it a try as I have never really tried a cold soup and I love strawberries. I thought it might be wise to go ahead and post the recipe for it as well in case I come back loving the soup I can easily find the recipe! Normally I would make this first before posting but I don’t want to make this at home before trying the real thing. So if you happen to make this or have made it before please post and let me know how it turned out for you.

1900 Park Fare: Cold Strawberry Soup

Note: Takes all of 10 min to make. Store it in a pitcher in the fridge and eat it for about a week.

• 2.5 pounds frozen strawberries, thawed w/juice
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon sugar, optional
• fresh strawberries, for garnish.

1. Mix strawberries, cream, sour cream, and yogurt in blender until smooth
2. Add sugar, if desired
3. Chill. Stir well before serving
4. Garnish with fresh strawberries

Another Note: There was discussion on whether or not you could sub in low-fat/non-fat ingredients and the consensus was no because the soup would not thicken and blend together since it is not cooked.

Disney Planning: Important Dates to Know

When planning your Disney vacation, there are some important dates you should know about. Many first timers do not know this and well it could lead to a very disappointing trip because not all guide books will tell you how important they are. If you aren’t a first timer but have not visited in the past 5 years or so these dates will help you as well since Disney frequently changes things. So lets break them down into Parks and Other.

Parks:
Disney has added many themed weekends and themed “private” parties throughout the year that are fun to attend such as Pirate and Princess Parties, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, ESPN Weekend, Soap Opera Weekend, and Star Wars Weekend. Knowing the approximate times of year these parties happen can help you plan your trip around these weekends or avoiding them if they are not your up of tea!  One thing to note is that the parks get “themed” to match the event and the characters wear special costumes and as a bonus some really rare characters come out to play.

• Pirates and Princess Parties - this year they are occurring Jan - June in prior year it was August so you just have to watch this one.
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party - mid-September until Halloween night.  Tickets go on sale May 1st each year for the selected dates
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party  - mid-November through Christmas.  Tickets go on sale May 1st each year for the selected dates
• ESPN Weekend - no special tickets required!  All you need is park admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  This is typically one weekend in February.  There are many sports related activities and stars that show up for this event.  Check with Disney for the exact date.
• Soap Opera Weekend - same as ESPN weekend but with Soap Opera stars!  Occurs in one weekend November each year.  Check with Disney for the exact date.
• Star Wars Weekends - Yes this event is so big and popular it is every weekend in June.  No additional admission is required other than your park tickets to the Disney Hollywood Studios.  I’m not a huge fan but this is one I’d love to try and attend one year.

Other Dates you should know:

These are not so much plan your trip to Disney around them but they are important while planning your trip.

• Dining -> Dining at Disney has become a huge deal even during non-free dining periods.  To make sure to get the reservations you want call at the exact 180 day before your trip to book.  If you book online just check the Disney website and they will tell you how many days you have until your trip.  When it hits 180 call WDW Dining!  This is extremely important when you go in peak times because most restaurants will not allow walk ups.  So if you want to avoid burgers at every meal, make some reservations!
• Free Dining -> you are probably wondering what that is in my previous bullet point.  Basically during peak hurricane season (late Aug - Sept) Disney offers the basic dining plan to guests booking their trips and you basically eat for free the entire trip.  Free dining promotions are announced in early April each year for the dates in August and September and book up fast so keep an eye out if you want to catch this special.
• 45 days -> 45 days out your trip package must be paid for in full if you booked a Magic Your Way Package.  It is also when you should be getting your package details in the mail including your Magical Express luggage tags and information on how to use the Magical Express service.  Make sure to read carefully to ensure they have your reservation information (both Disney stay and your airline information) correct.

I hope this installment of Disney trip planning helps you.  If you have any other dates to share please leave a comment.

Disney planning: Need an excuse to go in July??

Hello there fellow Disney fans. If you need an excuse to get down to Disney this summer and are meeting resistance from your male significant other or kiddos maybe you can use this tidbit of information to help you out.

Thanks to the allearsnet.com weekly newsletter I found out that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be training again this year at Disney.

July 26-August 14: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come back for their seventh NFL training camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The team’s daily practices are free and open to the public, with the schedule often incorporating two-a-day sessions in the morning and afternoon.

Sounds like a fun and free thing to do while you are visiting the mouse this summer. From what I can understand this is usually something that recurs at Disney every year so if 2008 is not in your plans keep this in mind for 2009. You can cheer for your favorite team and have some fun in the parks!