The Many Marathons of runDisney

I just came in from my morning run with my dog, so it seems appropriate that now I’d sit down to write about the Disney Parks’ many marathons. I run for the sake of my health and my dog’s health, however, not so much for fun, so don’t expect to hear of me signing up for any of these any time soon. For 2012 runDisney has added another marathon to its schedule. The Los Angeles Examiner reports that on January 29, 2012 Disneyland will host the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. This is another event exclusively for women, joining the already-established … Continue reading

Limited Time Magic at the Disney Parks

2013 is a big year for the domestic Disney Parks. 2012 saw a lot of change for the both of them, between the reimagined California Adventure and the Fantasyland expansion (the largest in history for the Magic Kingdom). To celebrate, both parks are throwing a party for 2013, called “Limited Time Magic.” One-of-a-kind events will take place at the parks at certain times throughout the year next year. The official Disney Parks blog has a look at some of them. Two follow holidays: Valentine’s and Independence Day. For Valentine’s the Disney Parks are rolling out “True Love,” an event lasting … Continue reading

Girl Removed from Disney World for Dressing as Tinker Bell

Disney loves to encourage devotion or obsession among its fans. That makes it mind-boggling, then, that last week a girl was kicked out of Disney World for wearing a Tinker Bell costume. The justification park execs gave? Her costume was too good. Tampa Bay Online has the details. Fifteen-year-old April Spielman worked and saved for over a year in order to afford tickets herself to Disney World. She also put a lot of dedication into creating her own rather realistic Tinker Bell costume. The plan was for her and her boyfriend to go to Disney World on their own money … Continue reading

What Is the Disney Mom’s Panel?

Over my past 2.5 years as a Disney blogger I’ve frequently seen reference to the Disney Moms Panel. Each time I learned about it I was in the middle of researching for a different article, so even though I always meant to visit it someday it took me a long time to actually get around to it. But finally I’m here to answer: what is the Moms Panel? Just going by name alone I imagine the Moms Panel as a group of Disney-loving mothers ready to answer questions, likely posed by other moms, or at least parents, about Walt Disney … Continue reading

Mousejunkies: One Man’s Life at Disney World

Today I’m looking at the second of the three books my mother bought me about Disney World vacations. This time around it’s the multi-titled “Mousejunkies! Tips, Tales, and Tricks for Disney World Fix: all you need to know for a perfect vacation” by Bill Burke. I’d call Burke’s book a proto-blog, but it was published in 2009 and thus right at the height of the blogosphere’s popularity. I want to name it that because like “Mini Mickey,” “Mousejunkies” is essentially a review of a Disney World vacation, containing looks at all the relevant restaurants, attractions, and hotels. “Mini Mickey,” however, … Continue reading

Disney Youth Programs

Your kids could learn physics from a roller coaster Three times now I’ve written about special events offered by Disney World under the Disney Youth Programs division: Grad Nite/Senior Class Trip, STEP Classic, and Festival Disney. So what is Disney Youth Programs itself? Its official website doesn’t have an “about” section, but perhaps that’s because the name of the department is rather self-explanatory. Disney Youth Programs is the banner under which the Disney Parks offer a multitude of deals, discounts, and opportunities for youth groups and organizations. Youth Programs falls under four main categories: Performing Arts, Education, Celebrations, and Field … Continue reading

A Study in Princesses

I realize I’ve been almost nothing but harsh on the Disney Princesses. Sure, I have an avowed love of the relevant movies from the late 1980s/early 90s, but I direct constant criticism at the fact that these characters are princesses. However, the trend is getting better. Disney needs to finally let go of its penchant for royalty, but it hasn’t just been twiddling its thumbs about feminism in the meantime. Let’s look at the evolution of the princesses. I don’t need to say much about the heroines from Disney Animation’s Golden Era. Their lives are basically on hold until they … Continue reading

Disney Senior Class Trip

Disney World might be ending its decades-long Grad Nite event this year, but that doesn’t mean execs want to miss out on all the revenue brought into the park by partying seniors. In an effort to retain its status as a popular stop for high school kids celebrating their matriculation, Disney World announces its Grad Nite replacement: the Disney Senior Class Trip. Instead of offering a few nights toward the end of the school year during which the Magic Kingdom turns into a seniors-only party destination, Senior Class Trip options are available year-round. Anyone who is a high school senior … Continue reading

Disney Deals Abroad

Just as the domestic Disney parks periodically update and change their special offers page, so do the international Disney parks. It’s time to take a look at the summer deals for Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Hong Kong Disneyland has some special hotel and ticket packages, just like Disney World and Disneyland, but the deals don’t quite work the way that they do for the domestic parks. You don’t have to make your reservations by a certain date for a particular time; these packages are simply on offer from now until July 15. Four options are available. The first … Continue reading