Photo Friday: Story Time with Aladdin

Welcome to another Photo Friday!

This week, I wanted to share a photo from an experience that few get to experience.  In 2008, I booked a trip through AAA (now I use and recommend MouseFanTravel).   One of the benefits of booking with AAA is guests can book an exclusive story time opportunity.  In 2008, when this photo was taken, this story time took place in the Exposition Hall in the Magic Kingdom.  Now, with Mickey's meet-and-greet moving to the Town Square, the AAA story time was moved to the Norway pavilion in Epcot.

What made this story time interesting was how intimate it was.  There were only a handful of kids sharing a story with Aladdin, so the kids got to really connect with the character.

Tip Tuesday: A new way to showcase character autographs

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

This week, I wanted to share a tip from the DisneyMommy!  She's pictured above in the red lanyard.  She's the pin and Vinylmation collector in the family and she came up with a neat idea for collecting and displaying character autographs.

Of course, the most common way to collect character autographs is by using an autograph book, but my wife came up with something even better -- using a create your own Vinylmation!

Simply go to any Disney retail store in the park that sells nine-inch Vinylmations and pick up a blank create your own Vinylmation, or just get one online at DisneyStore.com.  We've done one in white and one in yellow (seen above).  I don't recommend using black unless you have a white, gold or silver paint pen (but now that I think about it -- the gold and silver on black might look awesome!).

Next have several different colored Sharpies on hand and start getting your autographs.  I suggest getting the most important characters first -- the ones you want to be most prominent on the figure.  For me, of course, was Mickey Mouse, so he was first to sign.  As you go on, you can get more characters to sign on the front or back.  I had most of the princesses sign the back and the classic animated characters sign the front.

While Disney has created a three-inch Vinylmation with character autographs on it (gee, I wonder where they got thiat idea... ;) ), I perfer my method because you personally collected each autograph.  Of course it might take more than one trip to get all the autographs you want, but that's ok... it's just another excuse to plan another trip to Walt Disney World! 

When you're done you have a truly unique Disney collectible!

Photo Friday: What's behind the Magnificent Mickey?

Welcome to another Photo Friday!

This photo is of the bulletin board located in the preshow area of the new Mickey Mouse meet and greet location at Town Square.

While this may just look like some additional decoration, there are a few subtle tributes here.

Most obvious are the tributes to Disney Legends Fred Joerger (Imagineer and model maker) and Ward Kimball (animator, Imagineer and good friend to Walt Disney) seen at the bottom of the far right poster:  "Opening act:  Fred & Ward."

If you look closely, the letter in the center is signed by an "S.A. Tilley."  While I'm not sure about this one, it's possible this is a reference to current Disney publishing artist Scott Tilley (though I don't know if his middle name starts with an A).  Tilley has illustrated several children's books for Disney.  What makes this a possibility is that the letter refers to the artwork (left part of the picture) not being final and requiring Mickey's approval.

Below Tilley's letter are two smaller mock ups of posters.  The one we can see completely should look somewhat familiar -- it's likely and early version of the interactive poster that's on display in the queue.  In that interactive poster, Mickey asks you to pick a card... much like what's displayed here in the mock up.

Oh, and the crystal ball that's referenced in the big poster on the left?  Look for that once you're in the meet and greet area.  It's there.

Tip Tuesday: Streamlining meet-and-greets

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

With today's announcement from Disney about a new meet-and-greet location for Mickey Mouse and friend at Town Square and the announcement about adding FastPass to the meet-and-greet location for the first time, I thought I'd share some quick tips about ways to streamline the meet-and-greet process so you (and those behind you) aren't waiting in line quite as long.

Autograph books: Have them out and ready, turned to the page you want the character to sign. Characters often have pretty large fingers and that makes page turning difficult.

Pens: Have them also out and ready. Sharpies are best because they produce a nice thick crisp line (as opposed to a ball point pen).

Cameras: Ditto. Have your flash already on and charged and start shooting the moment it's your turn. Sometime the best photos happen right at the beginning rather than the posed shots.

PhotoPass cards: Have that ready as well and be ready when the photographer gets you into position. If you don't have a PhotoPass card yet, that's fine, the photographer will have one for you.

Small children: Don't push them. The characters are very good at meeting a young guest at their level of comfort. Remember that to a 3-year old, Mickey Mouse might just look like a giant rat (no offense Mickey!).

Entrance and exits: Know where the entrance and exit is to the meet-and-greet location. I know this sounds obvious, but you'll be surprised at how many guests will walk right up to the exit and think they're next in line.

Things to do while in line: Try to find some hidden Mickeys. They're all over the place. Also take a moment to pin trade with the cast members nearby.

Most importantly have fun and interact with the characters. You'll find they are a blast to be around.

This one was short and sweet. Until next time!

Restaurant Review: Chef Mickey's

It's time for another restaurant review.

This restaurant needs no introduction. It's run by the head cheese himself - Mickey Mouse!

It just so happens that this restaurant also is the most popular character-dining location in all of Walt Disney World, and for good reason.

Of course I'm talking about Chef Mickey's!

As character dining goes, it really doesn't get any better than Chef Mickey's, located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. In one meal, guests will meet the entire Disney Fab 5: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto.

In recent months, Chef Mickey's has received a decent expansion, taking over a portion of space that was the Concourse Steakhouse, which has allowed for a little bit more seating, but also a better queue area for the pre-meal photo opportunity.

Chef Mickey's is a Disney Dining Plan (DDP) participant, requiring one table service credit per guest. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a buffet format. Parents: this is one meal even the most picky of eaters will find something they will like. The entrees are creative and quite good. I personally prefer lunch/dinner to breakfast, simply because the dinner menu offers more variety as compared to breakfast. Just about every breakfast opportunity at WDW offers eggs, sausage and bacon.

What sets Chef Mickey's apart is the atmosphere. This is a place where even the oldest guest can be a kid again (or finally act like the kid they really are - that would be me!). The characters spend plenty of time at each table and the wait staff helps to make your experience magical. Oh, and talk about celebrations - the folks at Chef Mickey's will find ANY reason to celebrate! My son graduated from 5th grade this summer. The server saw his "I'm Celebrating" button and the next thing we know it's party time!

Before being seated, guests have the opportunity to have a photo opp at a big hidden-mickey themed plate. I have several of these photos. The location for this photo opp changes from time to time and (as you can see) will reflect different holiday seasons (when appropriate). The photos are nice to get if you like family photos. This is the one PhotoPass-like opportunity at Chef Mickey's. Otherwise, you're on your own for character photos.

We don't always purchase the photo - it is optional and runs somewhere around $30 or so for an 8x10 and a pair of 5x7's. The other benefit is that the photo does include a photopass code on the corner, so you can add this shot to your photopass CD and get the digital version as well.

Chef Mickey's is a must-do for everyone who visits Walt Disney World. As for my family, Chef Mickey's has become our most favorite place to eat. In fact this November, we will have Thanksgiving dinner at Chef Mickey's, of all places. We enjoy the fun, the friends, the food and the family time.

What could be better?

DisneyDaddy returns to WDW Radio Show

I, once again, had the distinct honor of joining Lou Mongello on the WDW Radio Show this week. We discussed character dining and the best ways to meet characters for photos and autographs. This segment is based on a Tip Tuesday post from March 24.

My thanks to Lou for having me on the show once again!

Tip Tuesday: Best way to get character autographs/photos

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

See if this sounds familiar. You're at the Magic Kingdom with your small children who are dying to meet as many characters as possible including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella, Jasmine, Alladin, Genie, Belle, Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, and on and on. Your children want autographs and photos with the characters.

Thinking that Mickey is at the top of the list, you head straight to the Judge's Tent in Toon Town (which opens at 10 a.m., a hour after the usual 9 a.m. park opening) only to encounter an hour wait just to meet the head cheese.

There's got to be a better way.

Good news! There is! Actually there are several ways to maximize your approach.

Option 1: Character dining
Here's where a little bit of planning can (again) make all the difference. Determine which characters are most important and schedule a character breakfast (or lunch, depending on the restaurant) at a restaurant featuring those characters. Why? In the space of time it would take to get one photo and autograph (Mickey), you can get several characters (up to five), plus have a fun meal. Best of all, for breakfasts, you can get an early reservation and be done just as the park opens, leaving time to try to get some of those other characters.

Consider these restaurants and characters featured (characters can vary sometimes):

Chef Mickey's (Contemporary): Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto (all day)

Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom): Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet (all day)

Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom): Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White (breakfast only) / Cinderella, Fairy Godmother (Lunch, Dinner only)

1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian): Alice, Mad Hatter, Pooh, Tigger, Mary Poppins (breakfast) / Alice, Mad Hatter, Cinderella, Prince Charming, evil stepsisters and stepmother (lunch/dinner only)

O'hana (Polynesian): Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, Stitch (breakfast only)

Akershus (Epcot-Norway): Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora, Alice (all day)

Cape May (Beach Club): Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale (breakfast only)

Garden Grill (Epcot-Land): Mickey, Pluto, Chip, Dale (dinner only)

Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios): Jo-Jo, Goliath, June, Leo (all day)

Tusker House (Animal Kingdom): Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy (breakfast only)

There is one considerable downside to this plan. As mentioned in some previous Tip Tuesday posts, I'm a big fan of using PhotoPass. At the regular in-park character meet and greets, PhotoPass photographers are there to capture the moments. At the restaurants, you're on your own.

So this leads me to:

Option 2: Epcot is best
The other way to get character autographs and photos is to NOT try to get them at the Magic Kingdom. Did you know that you can find nearly every character that's in the Magic Kingdom at other parks? Yet the Magic Kingdom is where most guests go to find characters (based on the huge lines for each character meet-n-greet). So use your time at the Magic Kingdom for attractions and save the autographs and photos for other parks.

If you're looking for the fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto) then you need to go to two places in Epcot. The first is the Character Spot. Here guests line up in one line to meet the following characters: Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Goofy and Pluto. All in one shot. You (usually) first meet Mickey and then go right down the line to each group. Boom! Six characters in one sweep,and all with PhotoPass. For Donald, just go to the tree-covered walkway to the right of the Mexico pavilion (check a times guide or ask a castmember for times when Donald's out). You might encounter a moderate line, but it won't be an hour!

For the princesses and other characters, catch them at the different pavilions in World Showcase.

Mexico: Donald and the Three Caballeros
China: Mulan and/or Mushu
Morroco: Alladin and Jasmine
France: Belle and Beast
England: Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Mary Poppins

I've seen additional characters around at different times, so it's a very good idea to get a daily times guide and to check with a castmember if you're looking for a specific character.

If you combine both options you can end up getting autographs and photos with a LOT of characters, so good luck!

Characters also can be found in Animal Kingdom (see Camp Minnie-Mickey) and all over the place in Hollywood Studios (again, check the times guide).

Happy character hunting! Wait, that didn't sound right. Please don't hunt the characters. Disney wouldn't like it and you would ruin the magic for everyone else.

Uhh, how about happy character meeting!