First up this week, Business of Magic editor and Walt Disney World Update writer Mark Goldhaber answers some reader mail. Tracie writes:
I am not sure if this is the right place to e-mail, but I am hoping someone will review soon the New Pal Mickey for the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration. I am really interested in what the improvements might be.
At this point, there are no current plans for an article comparing the various versions of Pal Mickey. For the best overall resource on the Internet about Pal Mickey, you might want to stop by PalMickey.net and see if they have any information that might help you.
Rachel writes:
I have heard some rumors that Disney is having a seniors night out for high school students… my questions are 1) Is this true? and 2) Which Disney is it? I would greatly appreciate if you helped me answer these questions. Thank you very much.
Disney Grad Nite is a program where entire classes take a trip to Walt Disney World for an after-hours party in the parks. I do not believe that individual students are allowed to participate. It looks like the 2007 dates are April 20, 21, 27 and 28. For more information, check out DisneyGradNite.com. I am uncertain if Disneyland has a similar program. If you’re looking for something in California, you might want to call the Disneyland information phone number.
[Editor’s note: Grad Nite began in Walt Disney World in 1972 a year after its Magic Kingdom park opened, but it’s been a regular staple at Disneyland since 1961 when the concept of an officially chaperoned all-night party for high school seniors was a relatively new concept. Disneyland’s Grad Nite, which still thrives every year, has its own, separate Web site at DisneylandGradNite.com.]
Matt S. writes:
I’ve been reading the WDW park updates for quite some time now. I just wanted to say thanks for the updates and the great job you guys do here.
Like you, I’ve got kids, own [Disney Vacation Club points] and try to visit the World as often as I can. In absence of those trips, I keep up with park happenings via the Web from your site and a few others (I’m sure you know the more reputable ones I’m referring to…). Great work!
Thanks for your kind words, Matt. It’s good to hear that our work is appreciated.
In this next group of letters, staff writer Lisa Perkis answers reader questions and responds to feedback on her DVD reviews. April writes:
I am taking my daughter and her friend to Disneyland for her 15th birthday, and I wanted to know if there were special birthday activities, etc. for this age group?
Well, it depends on what your daughter likes to do. There are some teenagers that will still enjoy doing character meals or the Happiest Birthday on Earth at the Plaza Inn, but others will want more grown-up fare. Dinner at the Blue Bayou (reserve in advance through the Disney Dining line at 714-781-DINE) is a special treat, and there are other nice restaurants in Downtown Disney suitable for a birthday. Depending if Fantasmic! is running when you visit, the dessert buffet and special seating for the show can also be a special activity for older kids (Disney Dining will take reservations for this as well, or phone 714-781-4400.)
Make sure you stop at City Hall for the birthday sticker, though—it’s a tradition for any age.
[Editor’s note: During the Year of a Million Dreams promotion going on this year, Disneyland’s City Hall is giving out birthday buttons instead of stickers. See our Disneyland Park Update from last October for details.]
Alan C. writes:
I picked up a copy of The Magnificent Seven last week. While watching the movie, it dawned on me that Pixar’s A Bug’s Life has the same plot. John Lasseter is a fan of Japanese films, so I’m sure that his own library has a copy of The Seven Samurai, the film that inspired The Magnificent Seven. I could mention The Three Amigos—the “heroes for hire” were closer to the circus bugs in A Bug’s Life than to the shiftless gunmen in The Magnificent Seven or the starving ronin in The Seven Samurai.
I am not opposed to remakes. I don’t like bad movies. A Bug’s life was a great movie. Did you see any reviews that compared A Bug’s Life to The Magnificent Seven?
Yes, many reviewers made the connection between A Bug’s Life and The Magnificent SevenThe Magnificent Seven. Good catch!
Tera E. writes:
I was wondering how I could buy English toffee made by Disney. Is there a Web site I can buy it from or as a phone order? Thank you very much.
The Disney Resort does not ship any perishable items—sorry. You might want to check out MouseShoppe.com—they have a personal shopping service and may be able to help you out.
Karen G. writes:
This is more a tip for being a courteous guest at the parks. I pack a couple of plastic tablecloths from the dollar store in our diaper bag. Before seating our 14-month-old, who is still learning to self-feed, I spread out the tablecloth on the floor under the high chair. All food that he deems not worthy of entering his mouth then lands on the cloth.
At the end of the meal, I simply fold up the cloth and find an open mouth trash can to shake it in. It can be used multiple times before being discarded. I tell you, this was a BIG hit with the wait staff (especially the ones who must clean up quickly in order to seat more guests)! I started doing this after getting dirty looks from waitresses at non-Disney restaurants when I seated my toddler. Now, at the restaurants we frequent often, we are greeted with smiles, because they know cleaning up after my little ones will be (relatively) a breeze!
Great tip, Karen. Thanks for the e-mail!
Finally, staff writer Brian Bennett responds to feedback on his photo tour of the Old Key West Resort at Walt Disney World.
Thanks for the great tour of Old Key West Resort (OKWR). We are DVC members, and will be making our first trip to that resort March 24 through 31. We stayed at Saratoga Springs in December and loved it. I am curious to try out the original DVC property.
I have been hearing a lot of negative comments from other DVC members about Olivia’s over the last year. Some complaints mentioned were: Vastly reduced menu, poor service, reduced food quality and no more takeout pickup at Goods to Go. This is disappointing since I had heard it used to be a favorite with guests and Cast Members alike.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy OKWR. Frankly, I’ve always thought it was the best of the DVC resorts at WDW. If I ever do buy back into the DVC as a member (I sold my membership when my family moved down to Central Florida three years ago), I would definitely do so as a member at OKWR! I like the laid-back, vacation atmosphere so much more than any of the other DVC resorts on property.
Regarding Olivia’s… I must say that I’ve never had what I would call exceptional service there. Servers tend to be very polite and especially so with young children (my boys were treated to some very kind service when they were younger), but speed is not a major concern. The menu has changed as they do at all WDW restaurants over time. Sometimes “regulars” tend to be unhappy when a particularly favorite dish is no longer available and that may be what you’ve been hearing about.
I have two such examples at other restaurants at WDW. I used to love the chef’s salad at the Plaza Restaurant, but it was discontinued several years ago. Also, my favorite shrimp and pasta dish at the Floridian Café at the Grand Floridian was discontinued just over a year ago. I would love for those two items to be reinstated.
Nikki C. writes:
Thanks very much for the photo tour of Old Key West. The only time I’ve ever been near this resort is during a pick-up on Magical Express. It’s very nice to see the grounds of a resort that, more than likely, I probably won’t get to see.
Your photo tour has also made me even more excited—my family and I leave for WDW in 22 days!
I’m glad you enjoyed the tour. You really should go over some time even if it’s just to have lunch at Olivia’s and take the water taxi over to Downtown Disney.
Tom S writes:
Brian, you wrote: “Here is the Conch Flats General Store. The store sells logo merchandise as well as some grossly overpriced grocery items.”
“Grossly overpriced?” How about “stupidly overpriced” or “insultingly overpriced”?
I have never felt so offended by a rip-off attempt as I did in that evil little store! I went without their cereal out of principle, and I have never fully trusted Disney with my money again. It should be renamed the Pressler-Eisner Market.
But, other than that it’s a pretty nice resort.
Regarding the Conch Flats General Store at Old Key West Resort, I really must agree. All of the convenience stores on WDW property are way expensive, and Conch Flats General Store is no exception.
Laura writes:
I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful photo tour of the Old Key West Resort. You did a wonderful job capturing the essence of the resort and made me feel like I was “home” again, even though I won’t really be there for another three weeks. Anyway, keep up the amazing articles!
Thank you very much for your kind note. Even though I’m no longer a DVC member, OKWR will always be a place my family and I remember fondly.
