BEYOND THE THEME PARKS

ANITA ANSWER
Archives

12/22/08
--So, What About Leap Year Birthdays?
--Can One Person Get Everyone's Fastpasses?
--What Has Happened to the Yeti?
--What Is That Large Building Behind the Canada Pavilion?
--Magic Kingdom Parade and Show of the '90s?
--What Is This High Tech Dining Room Device?

12/15/08
12/8/08
--What Is This French Toast Dish?
--Park Purchases, Fireworks and Lights
--How Strict Are the "Birthday Rules" for the New "Celebrate" Promotion?
--A New Fairy Ride in the Magic Kingdom?
--What Is This Epcot Ship?
--One Last Time Before Christmas: How to Buy Park Merchandise From Home

12/1/08
--Best Way to Tote Tickets
--Checking In at a Resort for a Southwest Flight?
--What Are the Sci-Fi Dine-In Movie Trailers?
--Nearest Pharmacy to the Wilderness Lodge
--Will MouseFest and Pop Warner Events Affect Crowd Levels?
--Is There an Age Minimum to Purchase Packages?

11/24/08
11/17/08
--Booking a Room Overlooking the Boardwalk
--How to Tell Who Charged What When a Resort ID is Used
--Christmas Day at the Magic Kingdom?
--Why Can't You Go to a Park from Downtown Disney?
--Automatic Gratuities and Counter Service Restaurants
--What Does "BVG" Stand For?

11/10/08
--A Disney "Big Wig" Book?
--Tusker House and Jiko
--Why Aren't We Able to Walk Through the Castle?
--Why Are the Pepper Market's Prices Higher Than Other Food Courts?
--What Are the Alternatives to Free Birthday Admission?
--New Show at the Hall of Presidents

11/3/08
--The Semi-Annual Refillable Mug Question
--Disneyland Disappointment?
--Does This Question Make Scents?
--Dining on a Steamship?
--Was Barbie Ever at Epcot?
--Restaurants with Organic Foods on the Menu?

10/27/08
--The Path between Epcot and the Studios
--It's Holiday Shopping Time! How to Purchase Park Merchandise from Home
--Which Resorts Have Only One Bus Stop?
--What Is That White Plastic Card on a Lanyard?
--Stroller or Pediatric Wheelchair for a Disabled Child?
--Where to Rent a Car on Property

10/20/08
--Dining at Crockett's Tavern?
--Is Changing Resorts Mid-Trip a Good Idea?
--What's Going On When Cast Members Show a Slip of Paper and Switch Places?
--When Does Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade Begin Daytime Performances?
--Will Universal Tear Down Dueling Dragons for Wizarding World?
--Who Is the Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrator on Christmas Eve?

10/13/08
--Who Lives Behind the Magic Kingdom?
--License Plates on the Sci-Fi Dine In "Cars"
--Anita's Annual Holiday Crowd Predictions 2008
--If You Knew Sushi...
--The Demise of Pal Mickey/Will He Still Work in the Parks
--Harry Potter Coming to the World?

10/6/08
--Is There a Lounge at the Wilderness Lodge?
--Characters That Can't Sign or Stamp/A Hunchback of Notre Dame Show?
--YoMD: Can You Still Send in Postcard Entries?
--When Are the Summer Crowds Lightest?
--What Is the Difference Between the Dining Experience and the Dining Plan?
--Best Place to Get Sushi at the World?

9/29/08
--Treasure Hunts at the World?
--Is Park Admission Necessary to Dine at Cinderella's Royal Table?
--No More Characters at the Garden Grill?
--How to Get a Christmas Tree for Your Resort Room
--Fort Wilderness Movie Schedule
--Who Is the Voice of Teddi Barra?

9/22/08
--When Does the Holiday Decorating Commence?
--Looking for a Wooden Leg Named Smith?
--More, MUCH More on Those World Showcase OmniBuses
--An Old-Fashioned Phone on Main Street?
--Name of Soap Store at the Grand Floridian?
--Two Tracks at Everest?

9/15/08
--Parking Fees: How Many Times Per Day to Pay?
--Where Is Roy O. Disney's Statue Located?
--Castle Dream Lights for 2008?
--What Happens in Stormy Weather?
--A Mardi Gras Parade at French Quarter?
--Where Is This Hidden Mickey Located Inside the Haunted Mansion?

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Anita Answers

Hi! I'm Anita!

Got a question about Walt Disney World? I probably have the answer! Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Information Guide is the most comprehensive guide to the World on the Web, but if you still can't find the information you're looking for by using the Site Map, the Search Function, or the Anita Answer Archives, drop me a line and I'll do my best to find the answer for you. Since there are only 24 hours in a day, I can't answer every email I receive - however, I do read every one and try to answer as many as possible.

Check back weekly and see if your answer is waiting, and be sure to check out my blog, Anita Talk. Meanwhile, I'm All Ears!

Kim writes:

Hi! I have two questions. The first one is about a girl named Stacey who does the "Top 7 Things to Do at Walt Disney World," which is shown on the resort televisions. My family and I want to know what her full name is and what other shows or programs she's been in.

My second question is about Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. My sister and I went on it and we don't know if there were two inversions or three. Do you have any idea? Thanks!

Hi Kim!

The actress in question is Stacey J. Aswad. In addition to hosting the Top 7, she is also the live host for the Los Angeles Sparks' WNBA games, and has made several film and TV appearances since 2005. She was also a five time national roller skating champion. That last fact is just plain stranger than fiction -- you can't make that stuff up! Her bio and resume can be found on her website: http://www.staceyjaswad.com/bio.htm

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has three inversions: one loop and two corkscrews. The 1 minute, 22 second ride goes approximately 58 mph and reaches that speed 2.8 seconds after launch, and is the second-fastest ride at WDW.

A.A

Laura writes:

I know Anita is only your pen name, but Anita is a beloved name in my family. My question is: Are there any classic Disney characters named Anita? One of the Dalmatian puppies, perhaps, or maybe Anita Fork and Pasmia Napkin in Beauty and the Beast? My grandmother was really Annette, and you can't get any more classic Disney than that!

Hi Laura!

Your names for facetious Beauty and the Beast characters made me laugh out loud!

You were close with your "Dalmatians" guess -- Anita and Roger were the dogs' humans in the 101 Dalmatians films. Other than that, the only other Disney Anita I know of is me, and I'm considered a character in certain circles.

A.A.

Rachael writes:

We need some clarification regarding switching resorts midway through our vacation. We are planning on staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for two nights and then switching to the Wilderness Lodge for the rest of our stay. I was told that we have to buy separate Magic Your Way packages for each resort. Is that true?

Also, how does our luggage get from one resort to the next? Do we transport it via the bus system? If not, who do we contact to assist us with the transfer to the other resort? Since we are changing resorts midway, do we need to wait until 3:00 p.m. to check into the new resort? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi Rachael!

Yes, it's true that you must book two separate vacation packages, one for each resort. The reason is that each Disney hotel is run as a separate business unit, and their bookings and other records are separate from the other resorts. Think of it as moving from The Dew Drop Inn to the Heartbreak Hotel in the same town.

Transfer of luggage between two resorts can be handled two ways: If you wish, you can have Bell Services do it for you. Simply take your bags to Bell Services and explain what you want to do. They'll move the bags for you. Make sure you have all valuables, medications, eyeglasses or whatever you may need during the day with you. Luggage transfers can sometimes take a very long time. Also, be aware that occasionally, a bag goes missing en route. My friends Kev and Kiwi spent a great deal of time and effort looking for a missing backpack in December when it was sent to the wrong resort during a transfer.

The second method (and the one I recommend) is to pile your luggage into a taxi and accompany it yourself to the new resort. If you have a large party or family, send them to the parks while you go and check into the new place. If your new room isn't ready when you check in, store your luggage with Bell Services. You can check in at any time during the day -- you don't have to wait until 3 p.m. You may have to wait until 3 p.m. to get into your new room, however.

Luggage is not allowed on any Disney transportation, so you can't move it yourself unless you use a taxi or a personal car.

Have a magical time at the World!

A.A.

Debbie and others write:

With the restrictions of amount of checked luggage, and traveling with three kids from 6 months to 5 years, I was thinking about ordering some of the groceries and baby supplies that I normally pack and have them delivered to the hotel. Do you know any reliable places that do this, and will Disney hotels accommodate this? We are not renting a car so I can't easily go to the store myself.

Hi Everyone!

I had been meaning to try a grocery delivery service for some time, and I finally did in May on my most recent trip to WDW. On the recommendation of some Disney Vacation Club friends, Flo and I used Garden Grocer (http://gardengrocer.com/) and were very pleased. The groceries arrived on time, in perfect condition and were exactly what we ordered.

Garden Grocer's prices are comparable to local stores, but there is a delivery charge, plus gratuity for your delivery person is recommended. Although we had a car and usually shop for our own food, this trip was very short and we deemed the extra charge to be worth every penny. As you readers know, one of my mottoes is, "Time is money." The Disney resorts are familiar with Garden Grocer, so you shouldn't have any trouble receiving your order.

Have a wonderful time at the World!

A.A.

Alicia writes:

Anita, I have tried to find the answer to this, but just can't find it anywhere! My grandparents are visiting Epcot at the age of 83. I tried to explain to them just how large Epcot is. Do you know how long the walk around World Showcase is exactly?

Hi Alicia!

According to Disney, the distance around the World Showcase Promenade is 1.3 miles, although I've seen estimates of 1.1 and 1.2 miles elsewhere. The entire park covers 260 acres, and the parking lot is 141 acres, including the bus stop area. I know your grandparents won't be swimming across World Showcase Lagoon, but it's approximately 40 acres in case they decide to get a little crazy.

I hope your grandparents have a wonderful time exploring Epcot!

A.A.

Josh writes:

In anticipation of a future visit I've been reliving past vacations by searching through your column archives. One of these pointed me to the ticket archives page. My question is about the image of Cinderella Castle on some of these tickets. At the bottom of the silhouetted images for example, there is a triangle with post-like features protruding from it. Could this possibly be a depiction of the Utilidors underneath The Magic Kingdom? I love it when Disney does their not-so-obvious fun extras (i.e. Hidden Mickeys) and thought I may have found another one. Thanks for all the research you do.

Hi Josh!

I had to do some digging to find the correct picture of Cinderella Castle from the early days for comparison to the ticket. The southern elevation of the castle looked very different than it does now, as the Castle Forecourt Stage wasn't there.

Even though the Utilidors are located below the castle, the design on the ticket doesn't depict them. What it does depict is a very stylized version of the castle and the curved walkway that leads up to the castle. The two taller white rectangles are actually the turrets on either side of the portcullis, and the smaller square with the curved top is the portcullis itself. The inverted triangle represents the ramps and the flat area where they meet just outside the castle's entrance. So, it may not be as exciting as you originally thought, but it was fun digging through old stuff and to be reminded of what the castle originally looked like before the stage was built!

A.A.

That's it for this edition!

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