I was just sitting around the house. It’s 9:00 and I needed a fireworks fix. So I found this …

Enjoy

Daily Disney (Explored)

Originally uploaded by Express Monorail

I just came across a website that’s almost 10 years old and is called Disney Dreaming. (Please don’t visit this site because of this. It will only encourage them.) They say the purpose of their site is to help people plan trips to Walt Disney World.

Somebody get me some duct tape, my head’s about to explode. First it’s Disney World crowds, now this.

On July 26, this website posted a page called Disney Tiki in which they talk about visiting Disneyland and staying at the Polynesian Resort (News Flash – it’s a long commute to the parks from the Polynesian to Disneyland. A 4,000 mile commute and Disney Transportation won’t take you there.

Hey, Dad, you might say, it’s just a small, little mistake. NO!!!!! It’s not. Anyone that claims to know anything about Disney knows that Disney World is in Florida and Disneyland is in California.

Deep cleansing breath …

Ahhhh ….

Dad hasn’t gone on a rant for a while, but today I got a very nice question from a very nice, concerned person about Jersey Week at Disney World and it set me off. I’m going around the house yelling at the dog (he’s the only one here), breaking dishes (not really Mrs. Mom, I didn’t break anything) tearing my garments and sitting in sack cloth and ashes … (anyone have any sack cloth?)

Then the idea came to me. I should come here and share my heartfelt feelings with you.

Before I really get into my rant, let me say to the very nice person, who didn’t leave their name, that this is not directed at you, but at the (insert appropriate insult here) people that think they know something about crowds at Disney World. Thank you again nice person for your great question.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way …

Let me state one not so obvious fact before we get started – Disney World crowds are a good thing.

Yes, Disney World crowds are a good thing. Without Disney World crowds, there wouldn’t be any Disney World. What do you think keeps Disney in business? The World Cup Soccer? Not in this decade. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Disney World needs crowds to keep the doors open.

But Dad, I thought you were all about avoiding Disney World Crowds.

Thank you for noticing. Yes, Dad is all about avoiding Disney World crowds. That’s because there are crowds at Disney World to be avoided. (Notice Dad doesn’t have a website about avoiding Universal Studios crowds. Might have to change that if the Harry Potter thing doesn’t die down in a year or two.) So Dad want to help you avoid them.

The problem Dad is having today is there are some people out there that are “so called Disney World experts” who make claims that are patently false. You, the unsuspecting readers of this tripe, see this somewhere and panic. It’s a natural reaction. I use to do the same thing.

How do you know that Dad isn’t one of these “so called experts”? You don’t. You’ll just have to read what Dad writes and figure it out for yourselves.

It’s like the panic that ensued when someone said the June 6 is the most important day in the year for Disney World lovers, because June 6 is 180 days prior to the best week to go to Disney World (the first week in December). Dad blew that one out of the water. (See Dad’s page on the most important day on a Disney World calendar.)

OK, over 400 words, it’s about time for Dad to wind this up.

Dad’s November Disney World Crowds calendar page

Dad’s Bottom Line

When you read something that scares you about your Disney World trip, first, do a little research starting on Dad’s site. If you use the search thingy on all of Dad’s pages, you can see what Dad has written about it. If Dad hasn’t written anything about it, do what the nice person did today, send Dad a question so he can go on another rant.

Yep, Disney World crowds are a good thing.

Whew. Gotta go shower and get the ashes off.

It’s about a billion degrees in Orlando during the summer, so how can you stay cool while you visit Walt Disney World? As the poem goes … “Let me count the ways…”

Swimming Pools

The obvious way to stay cool at Walt Disney World is to jump into one of the great pools. Pools like the Hippy Dippy Pool at Disney’s Pop Century, or Nanea (the Volcano Pool) at the Polynesian Resort are – like all of the hotel pools around Disney World –  great places to escape the heat.

Water Parks

Another way to get away from the Central Florida summertime furnace is by visiting one of the awesome water parks. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach (the world’s coolest water park) are great for getting out of the broiling sun and into a nice, cool lazy river.

Rides in the Parks

Finding places to cool off when you are in the theme parks is essential. Each of the parks have some attractions where you can sit down in the air conditioning and cool off.

Magic Kingdom -

Carousel of Progress – A great place to cool off. The air conditioning is always set on 68 or so, and there is never a wait.
The Enchanted Tiki Room -  A cool place to take a nap, oops, I mean cool off. The benches aren’t very comfortable, though.

Epcot -

Impressions de France – A 20 minute movie with wonderfully comfortable chairs.
Sunshine Seasons Food Court - It’s in the Land Pavilion, and you can sit here all day and no one will bother you.

Disney Hollywood Studios -

Sounds Dangerous – They even turn out the lights for you in this one. This attraction is kinda short, but usually doesn’t draw a big crowd.
ABC Commissary - It’s a restaurant, but there is almost never a crowd (for a good reason, but that’s a different story), and the temperature is usually just above freezing.

Animal Kingdom -

It’s Tough to Be a Bug - The waiting area is under the Tree of Life. Although it’s not technically indoors, it’s usually fairly cool. Once you get in the theater, you will chill out.

Spurting Water

There are a couple of places where kids can go and play in spouting. They are located in Epcot on either side of the big fountain. In this area water dances up out of the ground and splashes the wee ones. Kids don’t just get wet, they get soaked.

Of course if you just want to get a bit wet, you can ride some of Disney World’s water rides. The rides that will get you the wettest are Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids, and The Backstage Tour in Disney Hollywood Studios (make sure to sit on the left side of the tram if you want to get wet).

Enjoy Disney World, and stay cool!

Finally, (and yes, it’s about time) Dad has gotten his Disney Contemporary Resort main page up. Coming in the next few days will pages all of the other things around the hotel. From the restaurants to the convention center. Dad will tell you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth …

Dad’s dreaming (pun intended) of taking a cruise on the Disney Dream. Why? Well maybe because of …

See more about the Disney Dream at Dad’s Disney Cruise page

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is the spiffy new Italian restaurant in Epcot’s Italy pavilion. It’s now slated for a soft opening on August 5.

Disney has posted the menu for Via Napoli here. It doesn’t have prices or anything, just a list of offerings. Disney is saying that the average bill at the restaurant will be $23.00. That’s pretty good for good pizza.

News Flash !!!!

Prices on Disney World Ticket prices will increase on August 1 2010.

If you are in the market for Disney World tickets in the next few months, you might want to buy them now.

How does Dad know Disney World ticket prices will increase on August 1? For the last several years, Disney has increased ticket prices on the first Sunday in August. No reason to think they won’t do it again.

Hey Disney, prove me wrong on this one, please.

Dad’s Disney World Ticket page

Yes, I said it would be big …

It’s not the next best thing to sliced bread, but it is a big change for Dad.

If nothing else, it’s a big picture.

This has been the week for questions and answers. (That’s a good thing.) Dad loves answering your questions.

Marjorie asked about crowds and weather at Halloween.

Vickie had several about -

Extra Magic Hours
Parade times
Restaurants

Sarah had questions about November at Disney World

As you can see, Dad’s been busy. But it’s fun. Send in your burning Disney World question to Dad today.