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 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!

Sheryl writes:

In 2006 I went to a restaurant (Crockett's Tavern?) and I remember catching a ferry at the end of a pier at the Contemporary Resort to get there. Is that the tavern I'm remembering, and where do I go to get a menu listing? It was a great place to eat and not too busy.

Hi Sheryl!

Crockett's Tavern is a lounge at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, located near the marina. The tavern only serves beverages and light appetizers. If you ate a meal, you were probably next door at the Trail's End Buffet. The Trail's End is, in my opinion, the best food bargain on property, but it's difficult to get to, which would explain why it's usually not very busy. The best way to get there is just like you got there before, by taking a launch from the Contemporary, or from the Wilderness Lodge or the Magic Kingdom. Pricing and breakfast, lunch and dinner menus for Trail's End can be found by clicking here.

A.A.

Michelle writes:

Hi Anita. I love reading your column every week!

My family and I are planning a trip to WDW in June 2009 for my son's graduation. We plan to stay seven or eight nights. We would love to stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, but hate the extra expense vs. the Caribbean Beach Resort. Would it be more trouble than it's worth to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge for two nights, then move to the Caribbean Beach Resort for the remainder of our vacation?

And Frank writes:

I have often wondered what it would be like to stay at different resorts during my stay. Is this possible? How much trouble would this be, or is it worth the trouble? Thank you for your time.

Hi Michelle and Frank!

Many people split their stay between two Disney resorts. I've done it myself on occasion. It's a great way to experience different resorts; however, in my opinion, it may not be worth it on short trips, because you could potentially spend about half a day of your park time checking out, traveling to your new resort, and checking back in again. If you still want to try it, here's what I suggest to make it go more quickly:

Check out of resort #1 very early in the morning. Either drive your own car or take a taxi to the resort #2, and (this is important!) TAKE YOUR LUGGAGE WITH YOU. Yes, it's tempting to allow Disney to transfer your luggage for you, but I've heard too many horror stories about lost or delayed luggage that occurred during the transfer. Last year, my friends Kev and Kiwi spent days chasing a misplaced bag all over property. That is not a good way to spend your vacation, right? By the way, luggage is not allowed on Disney transportation, so if you choose to get to your next resort this way, you'll have to let Disney transfer your bags. If you choose this method, make sure your bags have clear identification both outside and inside.

When you get to resort #2, check in. If your room isn't ready, check your luggage with Bell Services. Take your valuables, medications, eyeglasses, bathing suits or whatever else you might need during the day with you. Go to the parks, the pool, Downtown Disney or wherever you plan to spend the day.

You'll be given a number to call to check on your room's readiness, and when it is, your Key to the World card, which you were given at check in, will now work as a room key. If your tickets are part of a package, they will be encoded on the KttW card, as will any dining plan options that you may have included. You may use the tickets and dining plan immediately after check in.

Remember, if you reserve your resorts using a Magic Your Way package, you will have two separate reservations, two sets of tickets and two sets of dining plan credits. When you make your reservations, be careful to avoid buying too many days of tickets!

So, now that you have an idea of what the pitfalls may be, you can make an informed decision whether changing resorts is right for you. Have a magical time at the World!

A.A.

Pollyanna writes:

I love reading your column! I read it every week. This is kind of a strange question, but we just got back from Walt Disney World and I noticed something I had never seen before. I noticed the Cast Members trading places and when they did, they handed off a piece of paper. I am just curious to what it was, what it says, and why they have to do this. Do you know how often they have to trade off positions? Thank you for sharing all of your Disney knowledge!

Hi Pollyanna!

What you were seeing was the Cast Deployment System (CDS) in action. My dear friend KC says the CDS is defined in this way:

"The Cast Deployment System is used by most attractions and merchandise locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. The system helps deploy the Cast to the positions that need to be filled during the day. The system helps give the Cast Members breaks and relieve them for their time to clock out. The system also rotates the Cast through the different positions to help keep them fresh. A rotation usually is initiated anywhere between 20-45 minutes based on operational needs."

The most likely scenario you witnessed was a Cast Member just coming into the rotation for the first time that shift. The piece of paper is printed when a CM clocks in via computer backstage for her/his shift, and usually contains instructions for the CM's initial deployment.

A.A.

Jen writes:

Hi, Anita. I love your column! My question is, when does the 3 p.m. parade at the Magic Kingdom change over to the holiday version? My family really wants to see the holiday parade, so we are hoping that it is some time during Thanksgiving week. Thanks a million!

Hi Jen!

The Christmas Parade never replaces the regular 3 p.m. parade until the day following the final Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This year, the final party is on Friday, December 19, so Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade will be performed daily at 3 p.m. beginning on Saturday, December 20, continuing through Saturday, January 3, 2009. Between Sunday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 31, the Christmas Parade will be performed twice each day, at noon and 3 p.m.

I'm sorry you won't be able to see the parade if you don't have party tickets, but plenty of other holiday decorations, parades and shows will begin the week of Thanksgiving in the other parks. Click here for information about other holiday happenings to enjoy at the World.

Have a merry time on your vacation!

A.A.

Holley writes:

I have a question pertaining to an answer you had given about the future Harry Potter attraction being built. Are they tearing down all of the Lost Continent as you had answered or only part of it? I really don't see them tearing down the Dueling Dragons because it is an awesome coaster. Thanks for taking your time to read this.

Hi Holley!

It's my understanding that the entire Lost Continent will be re-themed or rebuilt to become the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The RUMOR Mill says that Dueling Dragons is already in the process of being re-themed to the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, which of course, involves dragons.

A.A.

Susan writes:

Who will be the celebrity reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve at Epcot? Thank you.

Hi Susan!

The Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve will be narrated by contemporary Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman. Narrators are always subject to change, but here is the current complete list of narrators for 2008:

November 28-30 John O'Hurley
December 1-3 Neil Patrick Harris
December 4-6 Brian Stokes Mitchell
December 7-9 Virginia Madsen
December 10-12 Marlee Matlin
December 13-15 Monique Coleman
December 16-18 Chita Rivera
December 19-21 Abigail Breslin
December 22-24 Steven Curtis Chapman
December 25-27 Edward James Olmos
December 28-30 Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance

A.A.

That's it for this edition!

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