Staff writer Brian Bennett answers some reader questions related to visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida.
John McAlister writes:
Our family is going to WDW and staying at Wilderness Lodge. There are six of us. Two of us have vouchers for annual passes while 4 of us will need to buy them on site. We are planning to take care of this at the Magic Kingdom? Do we go to the ticket counters there or the Guest Relations location to the right of the park’s entrance? Any info would be very helpful.
You can, indeed, take care of your ticket issue at Guest Relations at the park entrance. You can also do so at the Guest Relations desk at Fort Wilderness. When you check in at the resort, I would suggest that you bring up the topic and ask. Perhaps they’ll be willing to handle the admission media transaction along with check in and save you the time of standing in line a second time.
Dana Baker writes:
I made reservation for L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante. Can you tell me the attire for that restaurant?
All of the restaurants in the Walt Disney World parks have a “resort attire” casual dress code. That is, they expect guests to be wearing comfortable, casual clothing. Shoes and shirts will be required.
In all of the in-park restaurants (and most of the resort restaurants as well), most guests dress in the same clothes that they wear in the park. Jeans and not uncommon during the cooler winter months, shorts and light tops are common during the hotter months.
Victoria & Albert’s, at the Grand Floridian, is the one exception where formal attire — including jacket and tie for gentlemen — is required.
Cast Place editor Shoshana Lewin answers letters from readers asking about the Disney College Program.
Megan writes:
I am planning on trying out to be a face character in the summer at Disneyland but I have a question about housing. I am from Arizona so obviously I would have to move. Is there any housing for Cast Members? Or is there any place where you can find roommates? I know they have housing for the college program but if I’m not a student where should I look? Any info you could give me would be very helpful!
They used to have housing for College Program, but not anymore. The bad news: you are on your own; the good news: they have apartment and roommate listings in the cast member newsletter and bulletin boards. When you audition, you might see some signs posted up about roommate wanted. Also, you might meet people at the audition who are in the same boat. You also might want to check Craig’s List to see if there are rooms in the area. And, if you don’t mind a small commute, check out housing around Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine — a lot of students will be seeking roommates to rent spaces to during the summer.
Johanna writes:
I just wanted to thank you for helping out with the cast member section of this site. I also really enjoyed hearing the story of your college program experience!
Soon I too will be working for the Mouse, also through the college program–only I’ll be working at WDW. Reading these stories makes me so excited to get down there!
You are very welcome, Johanna… Have a great time in the WDW College Program and please write to us about your experience!
Finally, Stephanie Wien, the mailbag editor, answers questions, including responses to previous mailbags.
Joel Schware writes:
In your 3/30 mailbag, you had a question from Ami regarding viewing fireworks from outside the park. During our December 2005 trip, we stayed at the Ramada Maingate on Harbor Blvd. during some of the most crowded days of the year at Disneyland. Early in our trip, my family (my wife, 7-year old, 2-year old, and myself) viewed the fireworks from the hub area in a massive crowd. My 7-year old quickly grew tired of the wait and irritated with standing in the crowd, while my 2-year old proceeded to fall asleep. Although the show was spectacular, and enjoyed by all, we simply didn’t feel it was worth putting up with the crowds with the kids to see it again in the park. The next night, we went back to the hotel early and picked up a late dinner on the way. While my wife and I were finishing dinner, and the kids were just starting to fall asleep, we heard the fireworks begin. We looked out our large window and were amazed to see that we had a very clear, if far away, view of the fireworks. The kids woke up quickly, and even the two-year old “oohed and aahed” at each one. Some of the effects were marginally visible, and even my oldest son could figure out what part of the show was going on throughout. They went to sleep after the show perfectly content, with smiles on their faces and another happy memory of Disneyland.
I would think this view would apply to just about any of the hotels on Harbor Blvd. It’s probably just a matter of luck (or planning) to have a room with a view of the park.
What a lucky break for you to have such a great room! Thank you for writing to MousePlanet and sharing your story with us.
Derek S. writes:
Ami wrote in about the fireworks and I have a couple of suggestions for her as far as hotels and such… Being from Canada and this year will make my five year in a row of going to a Disney park. I always stay at different hotels looking for good deals therefore I can afford to go again next year… I’ve seen some great views… But my absolute favorite is the Carousel Inn and Suites in the breakfast room. It’s on the top floor of the hotel so you don’t get a lot of the buildings in the way and of course you don’t get music… but the view is wicked… We watched the fourth of July from there and it was great… PLUS you can even see the fire from the Indiana Jones part of the works and some of the lower effects…
My second choice would be the main promenade between the two parks. This is a hugely popular spot as well and a little closer than the hotel view, so you can still hear and feel the bang… again no music and no lower fire works…
If you booking a hotel that says great view of the fireworks… Check the map… I had stayed in one hotel that stated, a fire works watching deck… And you couldn’t see them on inch… It was a Super 8 Hotel on Katella…
Remember that MOST of the fire works are launched around Toon Town… Therefore most hotels on the NW side of Disneyland should be good… I’ll find out this year… Only 72 days left till my trip!
Thanks for the great tip on viewing the fireworks! The Carousel is a popular hotel with our readers and now they’ll know about the breakfast room view.
Dan Van Duine writes:
In the mailbag, Jack wrote about how the photos of an empty DCA are taken at park opening. You mention that they were taken at about 1:30. It’s easy to see that indeed the pictures were taken in the afternoon due to the shadows which point to the northwest. Anyway, I’m glad to see that the photographer wasn’t just providing a set-up for what he wanted to show.
Excellent point! Thanks for sharing your observation and writing to MousePlanet.
Rich writes:
Greeting from one “Upstater” to another! I keep hearing conflicting reports regarding the Wilderness Lodge in WDW. Are the rooms being renovated? If so do you have any details?
PS love the site!
Mark Goldhaber, resident WDW expert and author of our weekly Update, informs me that they’re definitely redoing the rooms at the Lodge. MouseSurplus already has auctions for the old furnishings up on its site.
Lori Theilken writes:
I was reading the response from the music and I could not help but agree. I bought a CD when we first visited Walt Disney World and I could not wait to go back and buy another one. I run a day care and when I need to go away in my mind I put the CDs in and it is like I am walking down Main Street. My kids and I have Wishes memorized and can tell you when the fireworks go off. It is great that they find a way to get us sucked in and want us to visit time and time again. To me Walt Disney World has always been my dream vacation. When I was young I would watch the Wonderful World of Disney and want to visit there so bad. Now it is a yearly thing for our family. We say we are going to take a break, but always end up there and when the days get closer to going the excitement is like we have never been. Only the people who have the problem can relate. It is a great feeling to see, smell, and hear the sounds.
It’s great how the music can take you back. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, and thank you for reading MousePlanet.
Rich writes:
I hate to bother you with this question but not sure where to go to find out more info. I am looking to buy Disneyland Attraction posters for a store and now sure where to look for them… any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help!
You can get Disney attraction posters at the Disney Gallery in Disneyland. You might also be able to find some for sale on eBay. Good luck, and thank you for writing to MousePlanet.
Christopher writes:
I read the Disney article about acquiring the rights to Oswald from Universal for Al Michaels. First off, I commend Bob Iger and Disney for being able to acquire back these rights. I personally think it won’t be long before we start seeing Oswald walking around the park and in parades. I had one question for you, I think we’ll start seeing merchandise and maybe DVD releases of the old 26 shorts Disney created. Do you agree? I think some people will call it exploitation but I disagree. I think like Mickey’s 75th birthday, Disney should have a celebration on honor of Oswald returning home. I think Disney fans will love to see Oswald and consumers wanting merchandise will be just part of it. Yes, Disney could go overboard with the stuff but they might not. I personally would love to see Oswald in parades with his own float or with the old Mickey’s from the late 1920’s.
