Yeti Returns To Work…

Reports have it that the Yeti in Expedition Everest is back in “A” mode.  It is further rumored that he now just swings his arms.  This is pure speculation, but maybe maintenance finally figured out that him swinging down could have been what caused the initial injuries to his structure.

Good Work, and Kudos to Maintenance.

For those that don’t know the difference between “A” mode, and “B” mode…

There are 2 modes of operation for the Yeti.

A mode which is where the Yeti moves, and swings his arms as if to try to grab you.

B mode is where the Yeti essentially does nothing, and blowing air, and strobe lights “simulate” his moving.

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Fastpass Getting Overhaul???

I have read a few articles about Disney making some changes to the existing Fastpass system.  The Fastpass is a system that allows visitors to get tickets to go to a ride at a later time without as much of a wait.

Well, I have just read that they are running tests on their new system…

Orlando Sentinel’s Theme Park Rangers
July 24, 2009

Disney currently is testing the concept of centralized FastPass station at Animal Kingdom. When I visited yesterday afternoon, there were six machines in operation in the area that once was the FastPass distribution area for It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Three attractions were available at two stations apiece. You could get passes for Dinosaur, Expedition Everest and the Kilimanjaro Safaris. You could still get FastPasses at those individual attractions as well.

Remember, this is a test and a work in progress. Certainly, signage would be better and it would be listed on guide maps were it to become reality.

Another bugaboo, to me, was that you could not tell what time you were going to get BEFORE you put your ticket into the machine or what the current wait time was at that attraction. (The cast member there was happy to tell me the times it was currently distrubting, but that’s labor-intensive.).

I liked that the machines were designated by logo of the attraction, although the Dino Institute design doesn’t scream DINOSAUR like the Everest or Safaris signs. And they were low to the ground and hard to see if someone were actually using the machine.

FastPass is confusing enough to newbies, and the cast members spent a lot of time there explaining how it works and how this test is working. Of course, there were people trying to get FastPasses for It’s a Bug’s Life there still.

I got a FastPass for Everest, and it told me to arrive at 12:40 p.m. I think walked over to Everest, which took five minutes or so, and the FastPasses there were being distributed for 12:55. Made sense.

I’m not a huge FastPass fan, though my fellow Rangers can’t live without it. What exactly Disney is testing for is not clear. However, a front-line cast member pal of mine is totally in favor of centralizing FastPass. He says he spends untold hours at the entrance explaining to guests how FP works (and measuring the height of kids, but that’s another problem, one that he wants to wristband kids for.).

What do you think about this change?  I personally like the old system.

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Disney Spring Float Contest Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the Disney Spring Float Ariel Giveaway.

The winner is: Madeliene

29
14
4

These are the numbers as chosen through Random.org.  There are 3 listed so you can see where you were in the list.

The winner will have 3 days to contact us before another winner is announced.

Thank you to everyone that participated, and keep watching for more exciting contests.

For some of our other contests you can check out:

MolliCoolz Giveaway

Trix Pack Giveaway

Country Bobs Giveaway

YoPlait Pack Giveaway

Sonic Giveaway

Bake Me A Wish Contest

Rubbermaid Contest

FREE Blog Contest

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Wizards Of Waverly Place News & Contest

 wowp

July 21, 2009 – Burbank, CA – There’s magic in the air as Walt Disney Records is set to release the new CD, Wizards of Waverly Place.  Inspired by the Emmy-nominated hit Disney Channel series starring Selena Gomez, as well as the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie of the same name, the Wizards of Waverly Place album features brand new songs and interpretations of classic tracks from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, each one about magic. The CD arrives in stores August 4, while “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie” premieres on Disney Channel August 28.

With the show recently ranked as the No. 1 TV series for kids, anticipation for the “Wizards of Waverly Place” film and soundtrack is running high. The CD includes several new songs performed by series star Selena Gomez, including “Disappear,” the rock ballad “Magical,” the show’s theme song “Everything is Not as it Seems” and a new version of Pilot’s 1975 Top 10 Hit “Magic.”  The CD features exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with Selena, plus her all-new music video. an adventure comedy complete with more than 350 special effects, premiering Friday, August 28 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) as part of the Disney Channel Original Movie franchise.

Also included, are British rocker Steve Rushton (“G-Force,” “Hannah Montana The Movie”) with his version of the 1976 ELO classic, “Strange Magic;” Honor Society with an edgy update of the Cars’ 1984 hit, “Magic;” “Hannah Montana” co-star Mitchel Musso with a faithful rendition of “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” by the Police; all-girl rock band sensation KSM performing the 1968 Top 10 smash from Steppenwolf, “Magic Carpet Ride;” Meaghan Martin covering Olivia Newton-John’s #1 1980 hit “Magic;” “You Can Do Magic” by Drew Seeley; Raven-Symone’s straight-up R&B track, “Some Call it Magic;” and a favorite from Aly & AJ, their 2006 hit version of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do You Believe in Magic.”

“Magic” by Selena Gomez, “Magic Carpet Ride” from KSM, and “Magic” by Honor Society are featured in “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie,”

The Emmy-nominated “Wizards of Waverly Place” premiered in 2007, and has since become a global TV phenomenon. The show follows the Russos, a New York family that includes Alex (Selena Gomez), her brothers and parents. The three kids are wizards, able to perform amazing feats of magic, though they aren’t supposed to do so without parental permission. Of course, that usually doesn’t stop Alex.  “Wizards of Waverly Place” ranks as TV’s #1 scripted program among the targeted kid demographics in second quarter 2009. It registered all-time series highs in Total Viewers (6.0 million) on June 26, 2009.

Track list:

1. Disappear Selena Gomez      
2. Magical Selena Gomez
3. Magic (Pilot) Selena Gomez
4. Strange Magic Steve Rushton
5. Magic (The Cars) Honor Society
6. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic Mitchel Musso
7. Magic Carpet Ride KSM
8. Magic (Xanadu) Meaghan Martin
9. You Can Do Magic Drew Seeley
10. Some Call It Magic Raven-Symoné
11. Do You Believe in Magic Aly & AJ
12. Everything Is Not As It Seems Selena Gomez

The Wizards of Waverly Place CD will be available on August 4, 2009 wherever music is sold. All Walt Disney Records audio products can also be ordered by visiting DisneyRecords.com.

If you would like to get your hands on a copy of the music cd, then keep reading, as I have 10 to award to contest winners.

Here’s how to enter for your chance to win 1 of the 10 prizes.

Visit Disney and comment here about which resort you would stay in, and why.

Additional Entries: (Each additional entry must be accompanied by an individual comment here telling me what you did.)

Contest will run from 7/31/09 through 8/21/09.  Winner will have 3 days to respond before another winner is announced.

**All blog posts, button placements, Follows, Favs must stay active for duration of the contest.

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Disney World & Our Dieting Economy

Our economy keeps to its diet very well.  It seems that more, and more people are loosing their jobs, and homes.  Strangely enough people are still able to afford vacationing.  I have read many news articles that Disney is continually looking at ways to draw crowds.

The econonomic problems facing everyone are like diet pills that work.  People love to go to Disney, but Disney isn’t FREE.  Even with incentives like FREE dining, and FREE admission on your birthday, the amount of people aren’t there like they used to be.  I can remember when Disney World was pretty much full during most months.  Reports I have read state that attendance has dipped badly.

In my eyes Disney is probably doing everything that they can to keep the prices low.  The other area attractions have to offer huge amounts of discounts, and FREEBIES in order to get people through their gates.  Disney is unique, and thus does not need to resort to these tactics.

I know if it wasn’t for the fact that I have a DVC timeshare that I would not be able to go to Disney World in the fashion that I do.  All we pay now is fuel to get there, and food.  We have elected to get annual passes because they are very well worth every penny.  I even saved more money a year ago when I paid off my timeshare with a credit card that had a very low interest fee for the duration of the payments.  Now my DVC is almost paid off.

I have previously posted quite a vast amount of information that can help almost anyone save money when trying to go to Disney World.  Search the site, and you will find something that will help you.

For discounted Disney World tickets click HERE.

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