Disney World Pin Trading

Trading Pin Etiquette

**Have fun! Pin trading is a great way to interact with and meet Cast Members and other Guests.
**Pins should be in good and undamaged condition.
**Trade one pin at a time, hand to hand, with backs attached.
**Guest can trade a maximum of two pins with each Cast Member.
**Certain pins should be traded as sets.
**Only operating participant pins that have a Disney or Walt Disney World affiliation will be accepted for trading.
**Name pins or tags may not be traded with Cast Members.
**Always offer a pin that is not already displayed on the Guests or Cast Members lanyard.
**Monies or gifts may not be exchanged or used in trade for a pin.
**In addition to the 12 pins on Cast lanyards, some Cast Members may wear a "Showcase" pin. These "Showcase" pins are for demonstrations to our guests and are not available for trade.

Disney Vacation Tips: New Guide Just Released for 2006

Book Description
"A Tourist's Best Friend!"-Chicago Sun-Times
"Indispensable"-The New York Times
Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide(r):
* Exclusively patented, field-tested touring plans that save as much as four hours of standing in line in a single day
* Tips, advice, and opinions from hundreds of Walt Disney World guests in their own words
* Almost 250 hotels rated and ranked for quality and value, including the top non-Disney hotels for families
* A complete Dining Guide with ratings and reviews of all Walt Disney World restaurants, plus extensive alternatives for dining deals outside the World
* Every attraction rated and ranked for each age group; extensive, objective, head-to-head comparisons of the Disney and Universal theme parks

Disney World Vacation Tip #16

Take a small first aid kit with you during your travels through the theme parks. This way you will not have to find the first aid center if your child or someone in your group scrapes a knee or cuts their finger. A plastic baggie with gause pads, alcohol wipes and band-aids will save you a lot of time should there be a mishap.

Disney Tip #11: Security Checks

Isn't sad that at the 'happiest place on earth' we have to think of sercurity against terrorism? Well, Disney does think about it and does check your bags, so does Hershey Park. We were there this past weekend. Click the link above to learn more and see our other Disney tips.

Disney Tip -Thirty Hidden Mickeys

"In Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom, there is a mural in the entrance of the building. The pictures are so lifelike that it is almost haunting. In this mural, there are over 30 hidden mickeys. "

Thanks Dan for the tip!

Walt Disney World Online Ad Spending

The Walt Disney World Resort, better known as Disney World, has spent six-figures an online campaign to support the launch of a new TV push to attract visitors.

The rich-media campaign, which backs TV work by Leo Burnett, will target ABC1 parents with children aged five to 15, with a slight bias towards mums, Jon Bigwood, direct marketing and new media manager at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, said.

***Read more at the link. I certainly have seen the ads - and responded being a mom and in their target group. Have you seen them? Leave a comment to tell me where. I've mostly seen them at About.com

Disney World Tip: Walking First Aid Kit

Take a small first aid kit with you during your travels through the theme parks. This way you will not have to find the first aid center if your child or someone in your group scrapes a knee or cuts their finger. A plastic baggie with gause pads, alcohol wipes and band-aids will save you a lot of time should there be a mishap.

Disney internships for college students

This is really cool! If you know a college student, pass it on:
The scoop is here!

As reported on MSN news, it's very interesting. Makes me want to go there just once in my lifetime:

When Disney began designing its newest kingdom in Hong Kong, planners decided Mickey's magic wasn't enough for success. The park needed an extra boost from "feng shui."

The ancient Chinese practice involves ensuring that there is a good flow of energy, or "qi." Buildings and other structures need to face a certain direction depending on their surroundings. Elements such as wood, fire and earth have to be carefully balanced.

It's a tricky business, but few dare to ignore it in Hong Kong. Many believe bad feng shui can cause financial ruin, and Disney wasn't about to risk it, said Tom Morris, a chief designer at Hong Kong Disneyland.

More here: http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/business/news/20050907p2g00m0bu013000c.html

Bring Disposable Cameras

Even if you have the top of the line Sony Digital camera, give the kids some disposable ones for the trip. You will be surprised at some of the fun pictures they get. And don't forget the water cameras too if you are going to the water parks... don't bring the Sony there :O

Disney Resort Requests Tip

When you want a certain room or view you should ask when making the reservation. It will be noted, although Disney will not guarantee that you will receive it. But, if you call the Disney Resort 3-4 days before your arrival and request it again, it will up your chances of receiving your request.

Ask - twice - and ye shall receive ;-)

Staying offsite? Try this trick for parking...

If you are not staying at one of the Disney Resorts and you have to drive into the parks, try parking at one of these hotels and taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. If you have breakfast at Contemporary, Grand Floridian or the Polynesian you can park there!

Brunswick, Walt Disney World Team Up for Hurricane Relief

Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) and the Walt Disney World(R) Resort announced today that they have partnered to deliver nine Trophy center console boats with Mercury Marine engines to New Orleans to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Coordinated through the US Marine Division of the Brunswick Boat Group, these boats will be turned over to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and used to shuttle refugees, officials and medical supplies in the devastated city. US Marine makes and markets Bayliner, Maxum and Trophy boats as well as Meridian Yachts.

Read more here:
http://www.fishingworld.com/News/Read.php?ArtID=000015786

The Geyser at Wilderness Lodge

The geyser at Wilderness Lodge errupts everyday, every hour on the hour from 7:00a.m. until 10:00p.m.

Having a birthday? Get your "IT'S MY BIRTHDAY" button!

Pick up your birthday button here:

• City Hall on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom
• Guest Services in EPCOT
• Guest Services in the Animal Kingdom
• Guest Services in MGM (??not sure, checking this one)

This generates special attention from the Cast Members in the Parks and you will get special birthdya autographs if you use your autograph book on that day.

Can you bring a cooler into Disney's theme parks?

Glass and alcoholic beverages are not allowed, whether you have a cooler or not. Small coolers are allowed at most parks, but not in Animal Kingdom ~ they only allow coolers for medication if it is needed. Coolers must fit and should be stored in the lockers available at the parks. Note: There are no lockers for coolers at the water parks.

If you have a medical need for a cooler in Animal Kingdom, you may store it in a locker or leave it at Guest Relations.