Greetings, MousePlanet faithful! This week’s mailbag opens with Walt Disney World update writer and MouseStation podcaster Mark Goldhaber answering some travel questions.
Andrew B. writes:
Do you know if the free dining plan can be purchased for a vacation of a military family that would be using the $99 Military tickets and staying at the Shades of Green Resort?
The free dining plan is only available to guests staying at a Disney-owned resort that purchase a Magic Your Way package. That would preclude those on the military plan from getting the package. My recommendation would be to price out your trip both ways, and to see if it would be less expensive at Shades of Green (counting your estimated food expenses) or at your preferred Disney resort (with the all-included Magic Your Way plan).
One factor to possibly weigh in is that you could buy a one-day, one-park pass for the Magic Your Way plan to qualify for free dining, and get a less-expensive military pass to cover the rest of your stay. It’s an old Annual Passholder trick for getting free dining. That may or may not change your comparison.
Regardless of which way you choose, have a magical vacation!
Jane W. writes:
First, let me say that I really appreciate Mouse Planet and all its info. I have been a devoted reader for years. My family and I are planning to to stay at the Grand Floridian the last week in August in the Sugarloaf building. I have been reading about renovations in that building, but can’t get a handle on how invasive they are. Apparently, they are changing flower beds and renovating the exterior emergency staircases. I have not been able to obtain reliable information on the extent of the interior work. I have a son on the autism spectrum who suffers from hyperreactivity, a condition that makes loud noises unbearable. (We have to tailor our Walt Disney World visits with this in mind.) So, it is really important for me to know in advance how much construction there is and how noisy it is.
Would you be able to ask your “in the know” sources and post an update under your “refurbishments” link? I’m sure I am not the only reader who would find that helpful. Many thanks!
Thanks so much for your kind words. I emailed my contact at the Grand Floridian, and he has advised me that the Grand’s concierge manager will respond to you directly. Have a magical trip!
Jane replies:
Thank you so much for your assistance and for connecting us with Mr. Campbell at the Grand Floridian. He has agreed to monitor the construction at Sugarloaf and, if he suspects that it will be too much for my son to handle, move us to the main building. It is such a relief to know that we won’t have to scramble to reserve a room at a another resort or be worried that my son Jacob’s trip to Walt Disney World would be ruined by the noise. We really appreciate your help. Thanks again!
I’m so glad to hear that they were able to take care of you. Have a wonderful trip!
Finally, contributing writer Chris Barry answers reader mail on his recent articles “The Ultimate Disney Collectible” (August 7, 2009) and “Top 5 Things I Have Yet to Experience at Walt Disney World” (July 24, 2009).
Mary R. writes:
What is the age limit for a child ticket? What age babies are free?
For the purpose of park passes, dining and other packages, Disney defines a child as ages 3-9. Infants and toddlers under the age of 3 do not have to pay for park admission, buffet dining food, etc.
Leslie B. writes:
I liked your list, but it made me laugh. My husband and I have a similar list, but the #1 on our list is: staying AWAKE through Hall of Presidents. We’ve gone in there on 5 different visits, at all times of the day. We have yet to watch the whole show. Have fun on your trip, and hope you make it through your list.
Well, I see someone has taken Iago’s advice. Maybe I’ll need a nap on this next trip as well.
Scott M. writes:
Just read your article on the Disney stock and turned around to look at my one share framed on my wall at work. My quote..”when you believe a thing, believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.” It’s a christmas gift of a few years back from my wife. I bought her one from EBAY!
Thanks for the response. That’s another great quote on your frame, always one of my favorites. I’m glad we enjoy the same Stuff.
Mike writes:
Chris, I have to vent. Your comment about Hall of Presidents irritates me. I’m sure you were at least half joking about the Bushes and Nixon, but Hall of Presidents is supposed to be a celebration of all the leaders who have served our country over the years. It’s not supposed to be partisan. The reason your comments irritated me, more than they should have I’m sure, is because of poor audience behavior at the new version of Hall of Presidents, with some folks feeling like they have to show their political leanings during the show with applause or other responses to certain Presidents. Unfortunately, that of course affects the experience of others seeing the show, and not in a positive way just speaking for myself. Starting in the Clinton years, and especially during the years of Bush 43, I’ve seen this kind of behavior.
Anyway, without getting any more preachy than I already have, please see Hall of Presidents when you go this time and enjoy it as a technological marvel and a pretty decent history lesson. I seriously doubt you will find it to be nap time. I’m sure you will be respectful of those around you, and I hope for your sake others will afford you the same courtesy. If there are two things this world could use a lot more of it’s courtesy and respect.
First of all, thanks for reading and responding. Feel free to vent.
Second of all, I seem to owe an apology to many readers for signalling out one side of the political spectrum. To be quite honest I’d rather not see Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter or George Bush or Richard Nixon or Reagan or JFK. I went with the easy George Bush and Nixon joke, but I certainly could have went with a Clinton joke, now couldn’t I have? I wasn’t trying to be partisan. It was just a little joke (and admittedly not all that funny of a joke at that.)
I totally get what the Hall is supposed to be about and I would always be more than respectful and yes I would expect the same from my peers. Shame on those that don’t respect their fellow guests.
These discussions I’ve been having with some readers that I’ve obviously offended, has exposed one clear thing to me. I now realize why I haven’t gone in to the Hall to begin with. When I’m in Walt Disney World, I want to truly escape. I don’t read the paper. I don’t watch the news. I don’t leave Disney property. I don’t want to drive a car, or go to a supermarket or a gas station or a Wendy’s or anything I can do here at home. And I don’t want to think about politics. I don’t want to see either George Bush or Bill Clinton or Barack Obama or anybody that would remind me of the real world. I prefer to leave that topic at home completely. It’s very similar to the reasons that I’m not that crazy about Hollywood Studios. I’ve worked in TV/Film for 20 years. I don’t want to tour a backlot on my vacation. That’s work for me.
So, despite the amazing technology that may exist in the Hall of Presidents, I think I’ll still skip this attraction, again, the next time I visit Liberty Square. I want Fantasyland, not Realityland on my vacation.
I’ve been enjoying these discussions with all of the readers. All sides are certainly welcome! I never meant to irritate anyone.
Daniel McC. writes:
I love your articles and top 5 lists but this is a Disney forum not a political platform. Let’s leave the politics at home…
It wasn’t politics. It was just a joke! It wasn’t even a very funny joke. But it was just a joke about who’s in the Hall of Presidents. I went the easy route and picked on Bush and Nixon. I could’ve easily joked about Clinton and Carter and I wonder if anyone would have complained? Several readers seem incensed that I cracked a joke about George Bush. Is that not allowed? Can we not joke about our political leaders when discussing an attraction all about political leaders?
I appreciate your kind words about my writing, but please believe me when I say, I wasn’t making some grand political statement. It was just a joke.
Daniel responds:
I just finished reading some of the listener feed back on the same subject I commented on. I think it was a little harsh and I do believe you were just trying to make a joke, unfortunately in today’s political climate the American people seem quite divided and easily polarized. I think that is one reason we love to “escape” to Disney and any breach into the real world is frowned upon. I will continue to enjoy your writing and look forward to your next subject!
I’m totally into the open discussion that these articles bring out, so you weren’t harsh.
After writing this piece and discussing it with the readers, I’m convinced more than ever that the reason I haven’t gone into the Hall is because of just what you said. I don’t want the real world or politics or anything, for that matter, to breach my escape into fantasyland that i seek out at Disney.
Thanks for the discussion. Keep reading!
