Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids » Disney Tweets

Friday Favorites: You!

Hedy — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 15:37:54 +0000

Yes, just when you got over being Time’s Person of the Year in 2006, here is another honor for you. By “you” I mean the Disney Online community. See, 2009 was a rotten year for me. Fast forward to marathon weekend 2010. I was following Rikki’s tweets, which is how I started seeing Katie’s tweets. Shortly thereafter, I saw tweets about Betamouse.

Listening to Betamouse, I went back to an idea I’d had in my rejected Mom’s Panel application as well as in conversation: why didn’t adults who love Disney have a place that catered to them online? And the rest is why you all are my favorite people. I picked up on Nate’s idea, and started a Twitter that was dedicated to my new blog*. I followed a bunch of Disney folk, including Amanda, Suzannah, and A. J.. Then, Katie started #ConfessFriday My Tweep list exploded with more folks that I could name, but I’ll name Amanda, Kim, Susie, and Todd.

I love my tweeps, and readers, and all the rest of you! Happy 2011!

*Incidentally, if you are thinking of starting a Disney Twitter, I highly recommend this method.

Tech on a boat!

Hedy — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:01:50 +0000

As I am happily just over 1 week out, I figured I’d talk about tech on a boat. Since I wrote my last tech post, Todd wrote two awesome posts about the “connected traveler.” I took Todd’s suggestion and signed up for Plancast-I’ve imported my Plancast into my Google calendar, making all my plans a click away on my phone. I don’t know how it works on other phones, but I can access my Google calendar on my Droid Eris even when it is in airplane mode so I can use it on the ship even if I don’t have cell service. I’ve discussed my love of Kayak.com and Tripit before. I downloaded Dropbox, but after looking it over I decided to just make my meds a list in Evernote.

Techwise, I am thinking I may not bring my laptop-it won’t fit in the safe, and leaving it locked up when I’m not in my cabin seems like unnecessary stress. I’ll have my phone, so I can pay for on-ship wifi if need be. I was debating bringing a laptop purely to back up photos, but I opted just to get a new memory card instead.

I’ve heard that dcl cabins are low on outlets, so I plan on bringing my Belkin USB Charger. I’m bringing my camera-I have not decided if I am bringing my (cheap, but still a video camera) video camera or not. However, I will be having a new tech toy come with me on my trip-I got my Christmas present of a new Kindle 3G in Graphite early. Anyone have any Kindle tips?

Feel free to subscribe, follow me on Twitter, Plancast, Foursquare, Gowalla or Facebook.

Twitter Countdown!

Hedy — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 20:31:44 +0000

Oh Em Gee! TWO weeks from right now I will be getting ready to go to MVMCP! Awesomespice. Anyway, here’s this week’s Twitter countdown.

24. Checking into the future site of the Be Our Guest Podcast restaurant on Foursquare.

23. Having a Babycakes Cupcake.

22. Eating at Palo on the Wonder.

21. Seeing the Beach Club gingerbread

20. Seeing Castaway Cay

19. Drink of the Days

18. Seeing the Hyatt MCO’s Christmas tree

17. Trying the Cape May Cafe

The Twitter Countdown!

Hedy — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:57:14 +0000

So, guess who will be in the Magic Kingdom three weeks from right now? w00t w00t w00t. I stole the Twitter Countdown idea from Amanda and Steph, and have been doing it all week. Here wrre this week’s things I’m looking forward to doing:

30. Hearing the monorail spiel.

29. Hearing my name being called as I board the Wonder

28. Shopping at the World of Disney

27. Seeing snow on Main St USA (oh, the irony)

26. Riding the new (refurbed) Space Mountain

25. The adult grilled cheese at the Poly.

Apparently I don’t make Disney memories…

Hedy — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:53:30 +0000

At least according to the powers that be at Disney. Once again, a Disney press conference has sent me into rant mode. Today Disney unveiled their new “Memories in the Making” promotion campaign (the same one that Stitch Kingdom revealed months ago). This campaign will include “guest generated content.” Now, you all know how much I love sharing Disney stuff on social media sites, and I must admit I am a total sucker for sappy Disney World ads. The idea of sharing stuff on park icons? For a company who was using their twitter account as an RSS reader a few months ago, it’s pretty cool.

BUT, I’m somewhere between bummed and angry that their “Let the Memories Begin” promotion is completely centered around families. So does my trip in December not count because I’m going solo? If my brother and DSIL go as a couple, do they not make memories? What about Disneymooners? What about solo folks? I simply do not get why Disney hasn’t figured out that non-”family”/adult Disney Parks fans exist, and welcome them. I was happy to see the dancing couple in their opening video, though.

I am excited for the 3-D Star Tours, though.

What did you think of today’s announcement? Let me know in a comment, on Twitter, or on my new facebook page. If you like what you’re reading, feel free to subscribe in a reader or by e-mail.

Significant others and Disney…

Hedy — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:54:02 +0000

On this week’s DISboards episode of the DISUnplugged, they discussed the DISBoards’ Single Seeking Singles thread, which segued into whether or not your significant other is a Disney fan and if it is something you look for in a significant other. I’m single, so I’ll give my opinion, but take it with a grain of salt (I saw Alanis Morsette during her Jagged Little Pill 10 year anniversary tour a few years ago. She played “21 Things I Want in a Lover,” and laughed at herself and how she put all these hypothetical things out there).

Honestly, as much as I make jokes about my Disney Fairytale Wedding I’ve been planning on having since I was nine, and how my personal ad should include a willingness to avoid single supplements and to share DVC payments, being a huge Disney fan isn’t a deal breaker for me. I have various political and ethical values which are more important for my significant other to have (and now we know why I’m single ) ahead of a Disney obsession. However, I think it would be best if there was something that my significant other was into in a similar way that I am into Disney. I could probably make it work with a non-Disney fan, but I’m not sure a Disney hater could put up with me.

How about you? Are you looking for a Disney fan for a partner? Is your partner a Disney fan? Let me know in the comments, on Twitter, or on Facebook (new!).

If you like what you’re reading, feel free to subscribe via RSS.

The Top Five Reasons Being a solo adult Disney fan rocks

Bringing technology into the parks…

Hedy — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:55:03 +0000

Sorry for the lack of substance lately. I have been planning, packing, etc! Anyway, I was in New York last weekend, and had a great time. However, I went to take a picture of my meal, and realized the flash on my camera had died. As such, I picked up a new camera (the Canon SD1300). It’s got better megapixels than my old one, it also has a face self-timer option. I really look forward to using this with my xshot (I’m also looking forward to using my XShot
as a monopod to try to get photos of the old Hard Rock Cafe). Anyway, my new camera came with a new battery and charger, so I was adding it to my charger bag. As such, my charger bag will hold my laptop charger, my camera battery charger, my mini-surge protector, USB iPod cable (although I have been known to kick it old-school and bring my firewire cable and charger), cell charger, and external battery for phone.

Given the amount of tech chargers I’m bringing, the topic of tech is the parks came to me. Tech in the parks kind of has two schools of thought: the people who embrace tech in the parks with open arms, and those who fall into what I will call the “unplug and vacation” school of thought. While frequently people in the “unplug and vacation” camp play the “people should spend time with their kids” card, I think that this can also be hurled at adults touring the parks. Of course, the contrarian in me is tempted to reply to the unplug and vacation people that I’m an adult, I paid for my own vacation, if I choose to stay plugged in I can do so. However, in my opinion using technology in the parks has other perks.

The obvious one is that having your camera or smartphone on you enables you to capture vacation memories. You can also use twitter and your foursquare checkins as a way of keeping track of what you did on your vacation when you get home. I also store my ADR numbers on my phone in its calender (with both my smart and messaging phones). You can also keep track of your party via talk or text. On our trip in 2002, before everyone carried a cell phone, we lost my dad in the Animal Kingdom. He opted to go see Tarzan Rocks rather than go to our meet up location. I was the only member in our party that had a phone (Oh, my Nokia 5165, may you rest in peace). We tried calling our hotel room, but my dad was not there (I also had to pay a roaming fee as I was outside of New England). We eventually found my dad, but it would have been a lot easier had he had a cell phone. If you decide to use your phone as a phone, you can also make ADR adjustments on the fly. I have yet to try using a mobile app in the parks (I have Ride Hopper on my phone), but I think the ability to check wait times would behoove everyone.

I’ll admit it-I bring my iPod into the parks with me. I don’t usually listen to it on the bus or walking around the parks, but I do like it for listening when I am in queues. As my iPod is usually turned to Disney Podcasts, it seems pretty meta. While in the Toy Story Midway Mania queue last year, I was listening to Rikki’s audio and heard her sing the praises of Captain Cook’s Adult Grilled Cheese. I ended up going there for lunch and getting that, LOL.

So in addition to chargers, I am also accompanied by other tech accessories. My xshot is joined in my park bag with my gorilla pod. I also have a couple of memory cards on me. I have a digital camcorder, but truth be told it’s not used that much-it was $40, so it’s not exactly high tech.

Do you bring tech into the parks? Why or why not?

Eating solo at Disney World…

Hedy — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:50:02 +0000

“Hello, I have an ADR for 4:50pm, under the name Hedy, party of one.” A solo trip may sound ok to some people, but then they get worried about eating. I think for some people, the idea of eating alone on a solo trip harkens back to memories of desperately looking for a place to sit in the high school cafeteria. As a veteran solo traveler, I’ve eaten solo at Disney World many, many times. It’s not too scary, but there’s definitely a Good, Bad and Ugly to it.

The Good: You can order whatever you want, without worrying about a traveling companion judging you for having popcorn for breakfast or a Dole Whip for lunch. As you have a table to yourself, you can position yourself as you like-so you can see the kitchen, be closer to the hot waitperson, or further away from the screaming baby or adult at the next table. Disney host people have never even blinked while I walk up with an ADR for one. Being solo also enables you to choose you type of dining adventure (sort of)-do you just want to chill with your thoughts of the day, or would you rather Tweet events of your day? Do you want to try to chat with the family next to you, or would you rather review your photos of the day?

The Bad: When eating solo at a counter service restaurant, you don’t have the luxury of sending a traveling partner up ahead while you order to grab a seat or fill your sodas. If you see some Disney big wig, you have no one to squee with you. You have no one to be there with you if the family next to you needs help getting from Kidani to Ft. Wilderness, you have to choice if you want to help other than sounding like an eavesdropper.

The Ugly: If you end up eating at an odd time, you may be the high schooler wandering to ind a table. If you’re in the Magic Kingdom, Main St Bakery has a counter with seats, which may be preferable. Similarly, some table service bars enable an adult to eat alone-the Prime Time Cafe springs to mind.

Friday Favorites: The Sassagoula River

Hedy — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:50:14 +0000

“If you are asked about major rivers in America, and you name the Sassagoula, you’re in the right place!” So says Mike on Magical Mouse Radio. And while I may not go that far, I do love the Sassagoula River. If you’ve never stayed at Port Orleans (either French Quarter or Riverside), Old Key West (OKW), or Saratoga Springs (SSR) (AKA Disney Institute), you may not have a darn clue what I’m talking about. It is the river that starts off at the rustic area of Alligator Bayou at POR, then goes along the “city” to POFQ, then continues to OKW and SSR.

Because I’ve mainly stayed at either POR or POFQ since starting my Disney travel lifestyle, nothing says “home” to me like the boat ride from my hotel to Downtown Disney. As such, although I’ve never stayed there, the re-opening of the treehouses at SSR warmed my heart because I associate them with being home. The Sassagoula River ride is calm and easy. Once you get out in the splendor of Downtown Disney, the river is a nice accompaniment to the area.

Win a $25 Disney Gift Card through 3/19/10

Hedy — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:27:15 +0000

THIS CONTEST IS OVER, THE WINNER HAS BEEN E-MAILED!

To celebrate the launch of Walt Disney World: It’s Not Just For Kids, I am giving away a $25 Disney Gift Card. Want to win it? Here’s how:

Leave a comment on this post. Please leave an e-mail so I may reach you if you win. You MUST enter this way to enter the other ways (one entry, once).
Subscribe to my RSS feed or e-mail feed. Leave me a comment to let me know that you did so (one entry, once).
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Tweet the following “I just entered to win a $25 Disney Gift Card @WDWNotJustKids. Enter at bit.ly/afCZSV” (one entry per person every 24 hours, up to ten entries)
Blog about this contest and link to the contest. Leave a comment to let me know blogged it (Five entries, once).

This giveaway will end on March 19, 2010 at 7pmEDT. This giveaway is only valid to readers in the United States of America over the age of 18. The use of a Disney Gift Card in no way implies a relationship with the Walt Disney Company.

Feel free to contact me at Wdwnotjustforkids@gmail.com with any questions.