A Walk Around The World With Ridge--iPhone apps part 2...Lines

Now honestly, who among us doesn't like to spend thousands of dollars to stand in line all day wasting valuable park time and losing that special park mojo that comes when you're on a roll? Enter Lines and TouringPlans.com *ding*.

Lines is a very easy to use app for ride queue estimation. Now I don't want to make Lines sound like it is the only app out there that handles wait times. There are many and I have used a number of them on my last several trips. Some were good, some weren't, and it all depends on the honesty of the end users to make sure everything is on the up and up. Unlike other apps of its ilk, Lines does not depend upon the participation of its users to update the wait times. It combines user input with years of historical data to predict waits. The Lines app itself is free, however the service is part of a subscription to www.TouringPlans.com. Seeing as I was a member of TouringPlans.com before Lines existed, this isn't a problem for me. So to tell you about Lines, I need to back up and quickly tell you about TouringPlans.com.

TouringPlans.com is a site dedicated to providing trip planning resources, crowd calendars, ticket calculators, and massive amounts of data on the parks and resorts. This is all done to save you money, time and frustration. These good people have been writing one of the best books about the parks since 1985: The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2010 (Unofficial Guides) *ding*. It offers tips on hotels, restaurants, activities and plenty of examples of ways to make your stay at Walt Disney World even better. So back to Lines.

Lines, like many other apps, tends to be intuitive. The home screen (after logging in) immediately shows park operating hours, if a park has extra magic hours and the crowd estimates. The below image is the home page scrolled from top to bottom. Getting more information on any of the listed items is as easy as tapping one of the selections.

When we select the Magic Kingdom, for example, a list of all the attractions comes up with current wait times and FASTPASS times displayed. (Continue to scroll for complete list of attractions.) If you select a particular attraction, detailed information about the wait times and forecasts of future times are shown.

To report a time, look to the top right hand corner to the + Time button, select the ride you want to submit and then enter the time on the standard scroll wheel that we all know so well from Apple.

This is a fun app that does exactly as advertised. When I used it on my last trips in October 2009 and April 2010, it was right on time. Also an innovative feature is the built-in chat. You can post a question and get responses from other knowledgeable Disney goers.

Other information from TouringPlans.com is available to you through the Lines app, such as crowd calendar, park hours, and refurbishments.

Don’t have an iPhone? You’re not left out of the fun. Lines is also available for Android, Palm Pre/Pixi, and BlackBerry phones.

Have you used Lines? What did you think?

Gone but not Forgotten - The Mickey Mouse Revue

Photo from LIFE magazine October 15, 1971
(click on photo for larger view)

One of the original “E-Ticket” attractions at Walt Disney World was The Mickey Mouse Revue in Fantasy Land. It opened as one of the original park attractions on opening day in 1971. Since I “grew up” (I still don’t admit to being grown up. Like Jimmy Buffet sings: “I’m growing older but not up.”) with the Mickey Mouse Club on TV, Mickey has always been my favorite and The Mickey Mouse Revue put him in the spotlight.

The Mickey Mouse Revue consisted of a pre-show and the main show like so many of the attractions at WDW. The pre-show was an 8 minute movie highlighting Mickey’s career and the use of sound. It was narrated by an animated sound oscilloscope line. From here you went into the main theater where an all audio-animatronics show was presented. Mickey, dressed in his finest white tie and tails, conducts an all character 23 piece orchestra. The expansive stage had a total of 73 different Disney characters where vignettes from Disney’s animated movies brought to life a medley of songs from your favorite movies. Songs included: “Heigh Ho”, “When you wish upon a star”, “So this is Love”, "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”, "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” and of course “The Mickey Mouse Club March.”

I read an interview Bill Justice, the Imagineer who designed The Mickey Mouse Revue, gave with MousePlanet’s Wade Sampson. When he designed the attraction a large model was built to show Roy O. Disney. Bill Justice described when Roy saw the model:

“Roy looked the model over, then paid me the best compliment I ever had in my career: ‘This is the kind of show we should spend our money on.’ That’s how ‘The Mickey Mouse Revue’ was born.”

I loved seeing the Mickey Mouse Revue. It closed down 9 years later due to not playing to a full house - Justice continued:

“As the show’s theater in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World was being constructed, someone came up with the idea of having a pre-show. They designed an area just outside the main theater where guests could watch a film on Mickey while they were waiting to enter. Good idea, except there was a glitch. The theater seated 504 people, but the space available for the pre-show could only accommodate 300. Unfortunately, there was no time left to make further changes.
“The Mickey Mouse Revue was always very popular. It came as a shock when I was told my pride and joy was being moved to Tokyo Disneyland. Why? ‘Because it never played to full capacity’. Of course not! How can you fill 504 seats with 300 people? Management!”

The Mickey Mouse Review became the first Magic Kingdom attraction to be removed. It showed continuously until September 1980 when the entire show was transferred to Tokyo Disneyland where it was an opening day attraction in 1983. It showed continuously at Tokyo Disneyland until it was closed in 2009 to be replaced by Mickey’s PhilharMagic. The Mickey Mouse Review was located in Fantasyland at WDW in the theater where you now find the 3-D attraction Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

The show ended with Mickey saying:

“Thank you folks, that concludes our show. We hope you enjoyed it!”

I enjoyed it. Hope you did too. Do you have memories of The Mickey Mouse Revue? Share them with us using the link below.

Photo Flashback! Pixie Hollow

These beautiful topiaries of Tinkerbell and her friends were featured in the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden at the 2010 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. 

Team Favorites--Thrill Rides

The view from the top of Tower of Terror.  Look quickly!

Amy:  I am a thrill ride junkie.  I have yet to find one I won't queue up for.  What I love about the Walt Disney World thrill rides is the combination of a well-developed storyline with a 'take your breath away' experience.  

Tower of Terror is impeccably themed.  From the time you enter the area, everything feeds into the story of this once-grand hotel.  From the small signs naming the varieties of the trees to the personal possessions in the lobby, you can sense the energy that once filled the space and the eerie stillness that has now taken hold.   I'd love to go on a tour of all the details in this attraction.  I tend to linger where I can to take it all in.  And on the thrill side, you can't beat the multiple drop sequence!  

Space Mountain was one of my early coaster experiences.  I love that you ride in the dark and can't really see what you are in for until it's too late.  It's got plenty of speed and drops that always surprise.  The long walkway in the cool darkness builds the excitement and is a great transition from the heat of the Florida sun.  I'm a little disappointed that the peek into Space Mountain is now gone from the TTA.  It was fun to see in a bit from the tame ride.

Expedition Everest's Fastpass line makes me a little sad.  This has to be one of the most detailed queues ever and most people just blow right past it.  Walk just a smidgen slower through this area and take in the displays around you and let the story build.  And then... Everest is a fast-moving, "I dare you to keep your hands up" ride.  I love the section where you go backward.  Such a well-themed and exciting ride, too bad the yeti doesn't move anymore.  But I think lots of people miss him anyway--it's hard to see even a huge creature when you have your eyes closed and you are holding on for dear life.

Thank you, Imagineers, for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and its inversions.  That is all.

I have to give an honorable mention to Splash Mountain.  It's a fabulous attraction that is well themed to its story.  I just don't like walking around in wet pants so it's a must do every 5 years for me.

Splash Mountain

DisneyDad:  When Space Mountain opened in 1975, I got my wife on to ride it - ONCE! It took twenty years to get her to ride again.  She's due to ride it again in 2015.  For her, once every twenty years is enough.  One thrill ride she does enjoy is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom.  Disney describes it as a "mild but wild" coaster.  It may be tamer than the other "mountain" rides but this is no kiddie ride.  You are warned to "hold on to your hat" as you enter the gold mine ore trains that run through the town of Tumbleweed.  It provides some "air time" as well as a nice spiral as you make your way from the mountain to the town.  Lookout for a few animals around town and Cousin Ed in his long-johns sitting in a bathtub after the flood.

Expedition Everest:  Even the photo ops are well-themed!

Ridge:  Thrill rides.  


Well, what to say about thrill rides at Disney?  The most obvious are the roller coasters: Space Mountain, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest.  Space Mountain is the classic ride at Disney: fast, dark and fun.  Part of the fun of this one is the queue's build up.  A dark cool tunnel underground with ominous sounds and lighting.  Once on the ride, more dark, more ominous sounds and a ride that drops you into the darkness for the duration of our journey. 


Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is just a new and smoother take on the dark rides at Disney.  It isn't creepy or ominous inside at all, unless you are unsettled by the music industry.  The ride is faster and smoother than Space Mountain.  Think fighter jet vs. biplane or rock and roll vs. Gregorian chant.  OK, that last one is a bit harsh but you get the point. 


Expedition Everest is an outstanding mix of these two rides.  Fast and in the dark with the feeling of an old coaster in terms of ride smoothness or as one might expect an escape from a mountain yeti would be.  The queue is a great part of this ride walking through the mountain shop or the museum showing the aftermath of dealing with the elusive yeti.  Fun times. 


There lots more rides that can be called thrill rides.  Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Universe of Energy, Mission Space... Yeah one of those things is not like the others.  Attractions are thrilling for lots of reasons, speed, lighting, education factors...no on that last one? Well then just overall experience, if it gets your heart pumping then it's thrilling.


What is your favorite thrill ride at Walt Disney World?  We definitely didn't include them all.  Anyone for Test Track or Mission Space?  Or maybe Barnstormer?

Special Dietary Needs at Walt Disney World

I've gotten a few questions this week about Walt Disney World and allergies or special diets so I thought I would address it here on the blog.  Disney is very happy to work with you to provide an enjoyable and  healthy experience.  Essentially, be sure your needs are clear on your reservation, contact WDW about two weeks in advance, follow up when you arrive for your meal, and allow some extra time.

Below is Disney's official statement regarding special dietary needs from Disney's website.

"The Walt Disney World food and beverage team is committed to offering a wide range of choices to accommodate Guests who require lifestyle dining options, as well as most specific requests from Guests with food allergies or intolerances. Note that in many cases, advance notice is required—usually at the time of your reservation.

Whether dining at a table service restaurant or at a quick service restaurant, your desired dining requests will be addressed. Please call the Disney's Dining Reservation Center at (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 to speak with a Cast Member. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

General information
The Walt Disney Company will use reasonable efforts to prevent the introduction of the allergen of concern into the food through close attention during our sourcing, preparation and handling processes. However, it is ultimately always up the Guest to use his or her individual discretion to make an informed choice regarding whether to order any particular items, since the Walt Disney Company cannot guarantee that allergens may not have been introduced during another stage of the food chain process—or even inadvertently—by us.

Food Allergies and Intolerances
Walt Disney World Resort table service restaurants that accept reservations can accommodate most food allergies and food intolerances—such as gluten or wheat, shellfish, soy, lactose or milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or eggs. Please contact one of our representatives by email at SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com once you have booked your dining reservations, at least 14 days in advance.

If you have multiple allergies, please contact one of our representatives before you finalize your trip to Walt Disney World Resort to discuss your allergies, as we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet your requests. Please note we do not have separate kitchens to prepare allergen free items or separate dining areas for Guests with allergies to dine.

Making a Special Dietary Request for Table Service Locations
To make a special dietary request, call the Disney's Dining Reservation Center at (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

• Indicate to the Cast Member at Disney's Dining Reservation Center your special dietary requests.
• Know that your special dietary request will be noted by the Cast Member on your reservation.
• Write down the dining location phone number(s) that the Cast Member provides you, as well as your reservation number and the day and time of your reservation.
• Please contact one of our representatives by email at SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com, at least 14 days in advance.
• Please feel welcome to speak to the chef or manager on duty when you arrive at your dining location.

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park – Special Dietary Information for Quick Service and Counter Service Locations
The locations listed below have menu items or products that may meet many dietary requests:

• Restaurantosaurus
• Flame Tree Barbecue
• Harambe Fruit Market

Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park – Special Dietary Information for Quick Service and Counter Service Locations
The locations listed below have menu items or products that may meet many dietary requests:

• Sunset Ranch Market
• Backlot Express
• Studios Catering Co. Flatbread Grill
• ABC Commissary
• Toy Story Pizza Planet

Epcot theme park – Special Dietary Information for Quick Service and Counter Service Locations
The locations listed below have menu items or products that may meet many dietary requests:

• Liberty Inn
• Sunshine Season Food Fair

Magic Kingdom Theme – Special Dietary Information for Quick Service and Counter Service Locations
The locations listed below have menu items or products that may meet many dietary requests:

• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
• Pecos Bill Café
• Main Street Bakery
• Toontown Farmer's Market
• Liberty Square Market
• The Pinocchio Village House

Additional Information for Special Dietary Requests
If you need additional information regarding your special dietary requests you are welcome to contact us by email atSpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com or by telephone at (407) 824-5967. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Kosher Meals
Most Walt Disney World Resort table service restaurants that accept reservations can accommodate Kosher needs if requested at least two business days in advance by calling (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

We do require a credit card to guarantee this order, but we will not charge the card unless the reservation is canceled within 24 hours or the party is a no-show.

Kosher Meals are available at the following Walt Disney World Resort quick service locations with no advance notice needed:

• World Premiere Food Court at Disney's All-Star Movies Resort Hotel
• Intermission Food Court at Disney's All-Star Music Resort Hotel
• Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• End Zone Food Court at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort Hotel
• Pizzafari at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
• Old Port Royale Food Court at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort Hotel
• ABC Commissary at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park
• Everything Pop Shopping and Dining at Disney's Pop Century Resort Hotel
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom theme park
• Liberty Inn at Epcot theme park
• Electric Umbrella at Epcot theme park
• Artist's Palette at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Gasparilla's Grill & Games at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• The Mara at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge"