WDW Planning (Part 3)

The planning continues. Most important was finding Daniel a park hopper ticket for the week. I didn't want to wait and get a ticket at the parks due to the extra cost. My first thought was to buy the ticket at the local Disney Store, but then I read that the Borders Perks program offered tickets at an even cheaper price. All I had to do is join Borders Rewards and then sign up for Perks a week later. After shipping and handling, I only managed to save about $9, but what the heck, every buck counts!

I also called to get my Disney Dining Experience card, a discount card for Florida residents and annual passholders. $65 gets you a 20% discount for a year in many restaurants throughout the WDW resort. The card used to have to be ordered in advance of the trip, but when I called this time, I was told that the rules had changed, and I could now purchase the card at any WDW Guest Relations desk. So this todo item was moved to the "after I arrive" list. I did try to arrange an Advanced Dining Reservation for Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The earliest seating I could get was 9pm! I hope this isn't a sign that we'll have problems getting table service meals all week.

My biggest disappointment was finding out that a newly-renovated Spaceship Earth would not open by the time I arrive. Apparently they ran into some difficulties with the renovations and have delayed reopening until early next year. I recently heard on Ricky Brigante's Inside The Magic podcast that Spaceship Earth might open for guest testing on December 5th, so I have a slim chance of maybe getting to experience it. I guess that's better than no chance at all, which is what chance I have to take a Segway tour. I called to sign up for one, but both the Epcot tour and the new Fort Wilderness tour were completely booked for my entire trip.

On the plus side, it was announced that the Harlem Gospel Choir would be performing in the Disney/MGM Studios in December. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing them! I have also spent some time learning more about the various MouseFest activities. There are so many meets, but it does look like it could be a lot of fun. I recently joined the Tagrel community and have sat in on a couple of MouseFest-related chats. They seem like a fun, crazy group of people. I just hope I can fit in.

My updated "Must See's" (in no particular order):

• The refurbished Haunted Mansion;


• The new Golden Dream montage in The American Adventure;


• "National Treasures," the new American Heritage Gallery exhibit;


• The new "O Canada!" movie;


• The Gran Fiesta Tour in the Mexico Pavilion;


• The refurbished Spaceship Earth (maybe);


• The Harlem Gospel Choir at the Disney/MGM Studio's Theater of the Stars;


• The Laugh Floor Comedy Club;


• The new Christmas parade (during Mickeys' Very Merry Christmas Party);


• Finding Nemo, The Musical (so I can take photos this time);


• Dream-Along With Mickey (to see the new articulated faces).