Post from: The Disney Traveler

• Jon at The DC Traveler created the Inside the Beltway Martini. 
• J. Michael at Starked DC created the DC Martini.
• Susan at The Disney Traveler created the Martinimagination.
• Justin at The Toronto Traveler created the Toronto Toddy.
• Shane at The Tokyo Traveler created the Tokyo Tsunami and the Tokyo Tourist.
• Alex at Sirened created the Amsterdam Green Haze Martini.
• Mary Jo at Fly Away Cafe created the Stew-tini. 
• Mary Jo at The Seattle Traveler created the Useless Needle.
• Matt at The Chicago Traveler created seven Chicago cocktails.
• Geoff at The Switzerland Traveler created the Zurich Banker and the Zurich Blue.

Enjoy!

Photo: Flickr

Post from: The Disney Traveler

It’s important to remember that shuttle launches are highly dependent on the weather and can be cancelled at any moment.  Also, keep in mind that shuttle launch tickets purchased through the Kennedy Space Center website are nonrefundable, so if the launch is cancelled for any reason, you won’t get your money back.  A great alternative is to view the launch from one of the most popular local spots.  You can find a list of sites to view a shuttle launch for free on the NASA website.

If you’d rather not plan your vacation around whether or not a scheduled shuttle launch will actually take place, don’t forget that you can see the shuttle in the sky from anywhere in Central Florida.  I even got the chance to watch a shuttle launch once while I was riding the Walt Disney World monorail between the Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian Resort.  In other words, check the NASA schedule before your trip then look up to the sky when the launch is scheduled (if it hasn’t been cancelled) and you’re bound to see it.  And by the way, it’s awesome to watch at any time and in any place!

Have you seen a shuttle launch?  Where were you?  Do you have any recommendations to share with The Disney Traveler readers?

Photo © NASA

Post from: The Disney Traveler

From my own experience, I can say these calendars are fairly accurate.

Post from: The Disney Traveler

The picture shows Disney Imagineers testing the new Toy Story Mania ride vehicle. According to WDWNews.com, riders will wear 3-D glasses then “shrink” to the size of toys where they’ll follow a midway-themed route. At each game booth, riders will use the spring-loaded guns on their ride vehicles to shoot at animated targets. It sounds like fun!

Toy Story Mania is scheduled to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this coming summer and at Disneyland later this year.

What do you think of the new picture of Toy Story Mania?

Post from: The Disney Traveler

It seems some guests were offended by those classic lines which were generally ad-libbed by cast members, and those guests actually complained to Disney about it.  Disney’s reaction is to keep even the smallest minority of guests happy, so they’re writing a new script that the Haunted Mansion cast members will be required to follow.  Disney is even going so far as to hire an acting coach who will train cast members in Disneyland and Walt Disney World who work at the Haunted Mansion teaching them exactly how to act, deliver lines and move.

Naturally, Disney is saying the scripting changes are not a reaction to guest complaints but rather a planned enhancement to the attraction.  Whether that’s true or not is anyone’s guess, but the change is coming soon.  According to Jim Hill Media, the new script will be delivered to Disneyland and Walt Disney World this month.  No word on how long the training will take or when the new script will be put into action. 

Disney claims the changes will be great.  I have to assume they will be, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.  What do you think about the servants’ script changes at the Haunted Mansion?  Do you think the ad-libbed scripts should stay or are you looking forward to hearing something new?

Post from: The Disney Traveler

You have to enter on or before December 23rd.  The winner will be announced on December 24th, and you have to take your trip between December 29th and 31st of this year.  Follow the link to enter the contest to be the first family ever to ring in the new year from Cinderella’s Castle!

There wasn’t much notice for this contest that I saw, so you just might get lucky!

Post from: The Disney Traveler

Regardless of why Disney is actually closing the ride, the fact is it will be closed for ten months starting on January 22, 2008.  That means if you love It’s a Small World and you’ll be at Disneyland in the next month, make sure you set some time aside to take a ride.  Otherwise, you’ll have a long wait to ride again.  It’s a Small World won’t reopen in Disneyland until November 28, 2008.

Post from: The Disney Traveler

If you need a break from the parks during your Walt Disney World vacation or simply love baseball, catching an Atlanta Braves spring training game is a lot of fun.  The crowd is always very involved during the games, and children even get a chance to run the bases!  Not only that, but there are often chances to get autographs from the players.

Here is the schedule for the 2008 Atlanta Braves spring training games at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex: 

All games are at 1:05 p.m.

• 2/27 vs. University of Georgia
• 2/29 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
• 3/2 vs. Houston Astros
• 3/4 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
• 3/7 vs. Detroit Tigers
• 3/8 vs. Houston Astros *SS
• 3/9 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
• 3/10 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
• 3/11 vs. Washington Nationals
• 3/12 vs. Cleveland Indians
• 3/15 vs. Tampa Bay Rays *SS
• 3/20 vs. Detroit Tigers
• 3/21 vs. New York Mets
• 3/23 vs. Houston Astros
• 3/26 vs. Washington Nationals
• 3/27 vs. New York Mets

* SS means it’s a split squad game. 

Here are the individual ticket prices for 2008 Atlanta Braves spring training games at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex:

• Lower level reserved = $23.50
• Upper level reserved = $20.50
• Bleacher reserved = $20.50
• General admission = $14.50

Ticket packages are also available that allow you to purchase a complete season ticket, 3 or 5-mini game plan tickets (for specific games only) or group tickets.  You can follow the link to find the pricing for different types of Atlanta Braves spring training tickets, or you can call 407-939-GAME.  To purchase individual tickets, call 407-839-3900.  You can also visit the box office at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

Have you been to an Atlanta Braves spring training game at Walt Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex?  If so, leave a comment and share your story with The Disney Traveler’s readers.

If you’re planning a trip to a Disney theme park, or simply love Disney, take a moment to subscribe to The Disney Traveler’s feed, so you can stay on top of all the news, information and tips.

Post from: The Disney Traveler

When you purchase eTickets on the Disneyland website, you simply print out your tickets on your computer (from a PDF file) then bring them to the Disneyland park entrance when you visit.  You can bypass the ticket window and will call windows entirely and head straight to the entrance gate.

eTickets provide two main benefits to Disney guests.  First, you can save money because you don’t have to pay for shipping fees to receive your Disneyland park tickets that you buy from the Disneyland website before your trip.  Not only that but purchasing tickets online is generally cheaper than purchasing them at the gate because Disney typically offers online discounts. 

Second, you can save time because you don’t have to wait to have your tickets mailed to you (you can buy them in the morning online and hit the park in the afternoon).  You’ll also save time since you don’t have to wait in line once you get to Disneyland to buy tickets.  That’s because you’ll already have your eTickets in hand. 

eTickets offer a great way to purchase Disneyland park tickets if you’re not using a vacation package that includes your tickets.  You can get more information at the Disneyland eTicket FAQ page.

Have you used eTickets at Disneyland?  If so, leave a comment and share your experience with The Disney Traveler’s readers!

Post from: The Disney Traveler