2011 Unofficial Guide Is Available Now
by Len Testa on August 20, 2010 53 Comments
We’ve just received our copies of the new 2011 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and the 2011 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World With Kids. That means that major retailers such as Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble should have them available online any day now, and bookstores should have them in a week or so.
We’re extending a discount of 35% on an annual website subscriptions to those who purchase the book. That discount will be available through the end of 2011. We continue to support the 2010 edition (and its discount) through the end of 2010, too.
WDW Today Episode 762 – Extra Magic Hour Strategies
by Recent News on August 19, 2010
Episode 762 of WDW Today is now available for download here. Join TouringPlans.com owner Len Testa as co-host for a podcast that features many Walt Disney World travel planning tips!
One-click subscriptions to WDW Today:
BETAMOUSE #27 – Android Playtest In Epcot
by Recent News on August 19, 2010
A new episode of Betamouse is out, co-hosted by TouringPlans.com developer Henry Work.
Download the episode directly or subscribe via iTunes or RSS.
The Connected Traveler – Part 1
by Todd Perlmutter on August 19, 2010 18 Comments
Lets face it, traveling isn’t easy, especially if, like me, you’re not the greatest planner in the world. Thankfully I have a lot of really great folks in my life who are fantastic planners like my wife Cheryl, Kristen, Katie, and Doug. For me, just planning to show up can be the hardest part. So knowing there are people who have my back on this is fantastic. And after my recent Disney #crew trip, I was talking with my good friend, and mistress of travel, Kim, and it got me thinking about the tools I use to keep track of all this in a centralized location and ultimately in the palm of my hand.
So you’ve planned your trip (or in my case, had others do so for you), and the result is that you have several different reservations, itineraries, meet-ups you’d like to attend, etc. Some might have come in the mail, some in email, while others are associated with various online services. And you’re probably starting to wonder how to keep track of it all. Now I promise to get into some geeky tech stuff below, but before I do lets go low tech with a little something I like call my contingency plan: the hard copy.
Take paper copies of your reservations, fold up them up, and stick them in an envelope. Carry that envelope in a bag that will stay with you (as in not checked) when traveling, be it a pocketbook, knapsack, or briefcase. Seriously, you’re going to a place that is not home. Did you ever consider what might happen if you showed up at a hotel, knowing you have a reservation, only to arrive at that hotel at the appointed time to discover that they have no record of your reservation? I’ve had this happen to me before, and it can be quite a mess – the burden of proof is on you, the traveler, not the hotel. Now, when all else fails – phone battery is dead, cell phone network is down, Wi-Fi is nowhere to be found – just pull out the hard copies and you’re good to go.
Now on to the geek tech stuff. The simplest tool you can have for centralizing all your travel plans is your calendar. I’m not talking that thing hanging on your wall, or that black book you carry around. I’m talking about a computerized calendar that at a bare minimum supports iCalendar (iCal for short, but not to be confused with Apple’s iCal program) – the generally accepted format for computerized calendar events. While you could organize this all on a MacBook or notebook computer, I highly recommend doing this in the Cloud (a.k.a. the Internet).
My feeling is that you want your plans to be as portable as possible because you’re going to be on the go. So rather than have them scattered about several sources, you need to centralize them into a single location that is very accessible. This will make it easier for you to get at them in a quick, efficient manner, and through many different points of access . Putting your plans into the Cloud will help you do that. While you could use Yahoo to do this, I’m going to suggest Google, and I’ll tell you why.
These days many of us, especially in the Disney Online community, are getting one of two different types of smartphones: an Apple iPhone, or an Android phone. This could also be done for an Apple iPad or Android Tablet. Both types of devices are highly compatible with Google’s services – especially Google Calendar. I don’t personally own an Android phone, but from what I’ve picked up, when you turn the device on you’ll have an option to either create a new Google account, or connect to an existing one. At that point your Google account, including the calendar will be synced to your phone.
It’s a bit more complex for an iPhone, but not as hard as you might think, and Google has some really good directions for doing so here. Please, please, please read carefully before doing this. If you do this, you will be connecting your iPhone to Google using the Microsoft Exchange format. There is a chance you could lose existing Calendar and Contact info on your iPhone. However, if you follow the directions, especially Step 13, you should be able to get your existing information synchronized into your Google Account properly. I strongly suggest that before doing this that you connect your iPhone in your computer and use iTunes to back it up.
Once your Google calendar is connected to your device, you’ll notice that when you add calendar events to the device that the events will then sync to Google calendar, and vice versa. This is the crux of getting your planning into the palm of your hand (or palms if using a device larger than a phone). Now any computer or other device capable of connecting to Google calendar is a means for accessing your planning data. Welcome to your new connected world view.
You can start entering in your reservations as calendar events putting in as much or as little data as you feel is necessary. At a bare minimum I recommend including your reservation number along with the name, address, and phone number of the location associated with the reservation. The neat thing is that you don’’t have to stick to just vacation planning. You could schedule anything this way, from lunch, to an interview, to a PTA meeting. The Cloud’s the limit. I’ve been scheduling my life this way for the past few years now, and I really can’t recall how I managed it all beforehand.
Now for the fun part. For the recent #crew vacation, Kristen created a #crew calendar in Google that she then invited those of who requested it. Once my Google calendar was subscribed to Kristen’s #crew calendar, within minutes all of her plans for our trip were also on my iPhone. It’s that easy for one person to organize a series of events for another person, or an entire group of people. A calendar owner controls who can see and/or edit their calendars.
In Google calendar, you can subscribe to any calendar you find online, all you need is the iCal URL – often this will be denoted on a web page by a green 
icon. However, some sites may denote this with a text link to “export” the calendar. Once you have the URL:
- Open Google Calendar
- Under Other calendars, click Add
- Choose Add by URL
- Paste or type the URL into the Add by URL dialog
- Click Add Calendar
It’s even easier if the calendar is hosted by Google and you’re given an embed link for the calendar – this will take you to an embed page for the calendar. On an embed page you’ll be presented with a 
button – just click the button and you’ll be subscribed to the calendar.
But wait it gets better. If you’re a part of the Disney online community these days you’re likely subscribing to events and meet-ups. You know how it is, Lou Mongello schedules an event in Facebook, you hit Attend, and it’s in your Facebook calendar. Or Katie schedules a TouringPlans.com meet in Plancast, you choose count me in, and it’s in your Plan. It’s very easy to add either to your Google calendar.
For Facebook, go to your home page, and then click Events – this will bring you to the Events page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and choose
Export Events. This will bring up a dialog that displays the iCal URL. Simply right-click or command-click the link and choose to Copy link address. Then follow the directions above. Your Facebook events will now be listed in your Google calendar. Only events you have designated as Attending will be shown, birthdays will also not be shown.
For Plancast, I don’t recommend using your Home feed because it will also include items for which you have not chosen to count me in. Instead, use your Profile feed , this way you’ll only get items where you have selected count me in. This is much more manageable. 
From your Profile page, scroll down and choose Calendar Feed under Export these plans. Then on the Export plans to calendar dialog that appears, choose Google - you’ll be presented with a list of steps to add your Plancast Profile to Google calendar. Follow the steps, just like any other calendar the events you’ve planned will appear in Google calendar.
The final step is to get all these calendars you’ve been adding to actually appear on your phone. By default Google will only sync your default calendar. Directions for syncing multiple calendars on an Android device can be found here. There’s a bit more to it on an iOS device – you’ll want to use your Safari browser to http://m.google.com/sync. Log in as needed. Then select your device. 
This will bring you to a list of your calendars, just check off the ones you want on your device. Click Save. All the selected calendars will now sync to your phone – this may take a while depending on the size of the calendars. And you’re done.
If you’re having any problems with any of this, don’t hesitate to ask me here, or contact me on Twitter or Facebook. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Next week I’ll talk about some travel related apps I use on my iPhone as well as a fantastic service called TripIt that I think you’ll really like. Safe travels.
Mentioned in The Bloggie Awards 8/14/10 – 8/20/10
A Big Thank You!
by Kristen Helmstetter on August 18, 2010 14 Comments
This past weekend some of the Touring Plans gang and I hosted a series of meets in the parks where our readers and fans could converge and share in our love of Walt Disney World. I’m happy to declare the meets a a smashing success! Katie, our social media guru, and I were on hand for all of the events and our bloggers Caroline and Todd also got to join the fun for most of them. I think I speak for all of us when I say we had a wonderful time with all of you!
Our first meet was held on the evening of August 12th at the Tower of Terror. We wanted to check out the attraction with its “improvements” for
Summer Nightastic which was a blast with such a great group. We needed two elevators to accommodate our group! I think most of us liked the original version of the attraction better, but we still had a great time. Some people even stuck around to hang out with us for a while that night after the meet and it was great to get to chat with all of them.
The our second meet was our biggest and included close to 40 people taking in the Main Street Electrical parade, popcorn, and soda. When, Katie, Caroline, and I went up to the popcorn cart and asked for 30 drinks and 40 boxes of popcorn they couldn’t have been sweeter and more helpful. A special thanks to the cast members who helped us out that night. Our blogger, Todd, was also on hand to meet with readers and help stake out a spot for the parade on the hub. It was packed and hot, but we had a great time dancing to the parade’s music and laughing together anyway.
The next afternoon on August 14th we invited everyone to stop by the Germany pavilion at Epcot to sample one of my favorite snacks: pretzels! It was really, really hot so we tried to find a shaded spot to munch on our pretzels and some enjoyed a beer. The cast member at the pretzel cart couldn’t believe how many we wanted to buy! I think a good time was had by all and we took a much needed afternoon break.
Our final meet took place on Sunday the 15th at the Dawa Bar at Animal Kingdom. People gathered there for a while in the extreme heat to chat a
bit before heading over the Kilaminjaro Safaris. We had our own jeep and got some great views of the animals roaming about. The heat index that day was 113 degrees so a special thanks to those who braved the elements to join us!
I want to thank all of the folks who took time out of their busy vacation (and real life for the locals) schedules to come meet us! It was so nice to put some faces to names I’ve been chatting with online through the blog and twitter. I think I have walked away from the meets with a lot of laughs, hugs, and a few new great friends. Please be on the look out for future events with the Touring Plans staff!
Next week I’ll tell you more about my recent trip to Walt Disney World with my trip report…
Location, Location, Location — Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
by Caroline Baggerly on August 17, 2010 15 Comments
Last week I shared my love of Disney’s Boardwalk Resort – Club Level. In an effort to keep you informed, there’s little I won’t do in the name of Disney Research. I went back and stayed for 3 nights over the weekend. I just returned Sunday. I got a tour of all of the different rooms and spent a good bit of time interviewing guests. 
To get a feel for any resort, I like to stay several nights and also be a repeat visitor. In repeat visits you get to know the resort on a deeper level. I have been to the Boardwalk three times in less than a year, staying three nights each visit. I think of you each time I’m there. If you plan on spending time at Epcot or Hollywood Studios, I highly recommend staying at the Boardwalk.
Location, location, location is another reason why I love the resort. It’s just a short walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. I love the ease and the access to the parks. I enjoy the walk. If walking is not your cup of tea, the Friendship Boats will take you to both parks. Not only is getting to Epcot and Hollywood Studios a breeze, but it’s also fun to be on the Boardwalk. The night life is what you think of first. Located on the Boardwalk are Jelly Rolls piano bar and Atlantic Dance Hall.
One of my favorite restauraurts, Flying Fish, is right there – have dinner and a glass of wine and then walk back to your room. The Boardwalk enjoys a plethora of other 
eating establishments from the Boardwalk Bakery to the ESPN Club. Just across the way at the Beach Club is Beaches and Cream. You can either take the short walk or ride the boat.
If you are a runner, the Boardwalk is your resort. There is so much to see and a there’s a nice long path. Running in the morning is the best time before the heat of the day and too many guests are out.
While the Beach and Yacht Clubs may have the most famous pool in all of Disney World, the Boardwalk pool with its coaster is a hit. I’m also a fan of the quiet pool as well.
All and all the Boardwalk is a well rounded resort that offers amenities to please a variety of guests. With an outstanding staff and fabulous location, the Boardwalk is an A+ in my book.
Have you stayed at the Boardwalk? What did you think? Are you considering the Boardwalk?
WDW Today Episode 761 – Listener Questions
by Recent News on August 17, 2010
Episode 761 of WDW Today is now available for download here. Join TouringPlans.com owner Len Testa as co-host for a podcast that features many Walt Disney World travel planning tips!
One-click subscriptions to WDW Today:
WDW Today Episode 760 – Ticket Price Increase
by Recent News on August 15, 2010 3 Comments
Episode 760 of WDW Today is now available for download here. Join TouringPlans.com owner Len Testa as co-host for a podcast that features many Walt Disney World travel planning tips!
One-click subscriptions to WDW Today:
Update: The Crowd Calendar For Non-Subscribers
by Katie Siloac on August 14, 2010 3 Comments
In a few days you will notice a change in the way the Crowd Calendar is displayed to users who do not have a premium subscription. Currently, we show the next thirty days of crowd calendar predictions free to all users of the site.
In order to provide the best value to our premium subscribers, we’re changing the way the calendar is displayed. With this change, all users of the site will see crowd calendar predictions 31 to 60 days out instead of the next 30 days. Doing this allows us to provide a useful sample of our crowd prediction methodology to new folks, while still valuing our premium subscription members.
A premium subscription of TouringPlans.com gives you 365 day access to our crowd calendar, the crowd calendar predictions per park, our mobile wait times application Lines, more than a hundred touring plans, and more! If you have any questions or concerns please contact the TouringPlans.com team.
As always, thank you for your constant support!
Foto Face-off Friday – EPCOT Center v. Epcot
by Tom Bricker on August 13, 2010 2 Comments
Congratulations on making it to the conclusion of another work week! Do to the delay in this week’s post (busy day at work!), your weekend has likely already started, but hopefully this still eases you into relaxation mode. In this somewhat different edition of Foto Face-off Friday, the weekly blog that features photographs from our TouringPlans Flickr Group that are an extension of the Disney Debates we’ve been holding on our Twitter Account, @TouringPlans, we will attempt to resolve one of Walt Disney World’s “biggest controversies,” which is the better incarnation of Walt Disney World’s second park: EPCOT Center or Epcot. Since pictures speak louder than words we’ve decided to seek definitive resolution photographically for this especially hotly contested Disney Debate!
Going into this, I thought it was an interesting topic. A plausible argument for Epcot’s quality can be made; the problem is, plausible arguments don’t really matter when people are choosing their favorites. The undeniable champion of this week was EPCOT Center. It wasn’t even close, although some did side with Epcot on Twitter. Here is what some of our followers on Twitter had to say:
@RikkiNibs Epcot era. For me, EPCOT Center was too boring. Didn’t offer me personally enough.
@RyanKilpatrick EPCOT Center hands down. Loved original recipe JII, Horizons, WoM. Soarin’ is the only new ride I’d take. #disneydebate
@AmyBethCombsThe EPCOT Center era, without a doubt. Everything was original & free of synergy. It all inspired me. Loved it. #disneydebate
@DisneyMoose EPCOT center all the way bring back Horizons, Wonders of Life and Dream Finder
@wdwfigment As much as I like most of the current stuff, I would give it all up for one EC ride, Journey into Imagination (w/ Dreamfinder)
@JackieWhite0922 I don’t think that’s fair! I would say the epcot era is modern thrills with edutainment filled in. So there. :p
Perhaps that seem so polarized, but when coupled with the thoughts of our photographer friends, EPCOT Center became the clear winner. Perhaps Epcot isn’t as fun to photograph?
Along with their photo entries, we asked for an explanation as to why each poster preferred their respective choice. Their reasons may pertain to photography, general enjoyment of the choice, or both. Their personal thoughts are provided below their photo-entry. To view more of their photography click on their respective submission, which will direct you to their Flickr photostream. It was such a good week in the Flickr group with great photos and thoughtful explanations that I just felt I couldn’t limit it to the best ten. Plus, this is a throwdown, rather than a face-off, so technically, I should be able to include up to twenty entries (that’s my justification and I’m stickin’ to it. Plus, does anyone really mind seeing more excellent photos?!
Ralph.Anseus:
This is actually a tough call for me, because there are two very good reasons that Epcot Center is better. I figure I’ll get this out of the way early: “Journey Into Imagination” I look forward to someone else taking up the mantle of The Living Seas (withOUT Nemo and Friends). It will be some time before I forgive them for taking out the hydrolators.
ddindy:
My first-ever visit to Walt Disney World was a one-day trip to EPCOT Center in November, 1982, a mere six weeks after it opened. I have fond memories of the attractions that were open then and those that were added over the next several years. Don’t get me wrong, Mission Space (orange) and Test Track are among my favorite attrractions in the whole World, but if I have to decide, give me Communicore and the Astuter Computer Review, hydrolators, the rainbow tunnel and an Ellen-free Universe of Energy. At the very least, please, please, please bring back the ponds that provided this wonderful view of Spaceship Earth.
Cory Disbrow:
For me, it’s definitely EPCOT Center. I remember the first time I saw SSE and it blew my mind. I remember the Hydrolators tricking the 6 year old version of me into think we actually went down below to Sea Base Alpha. I remember Horizons being one of favorite rides as a little boy. And now while I don’t have any shots from my childhood(thankfully my parents didn’t give me the camera back then, film was expensive!), I have this shot from part of EPCOT Center where old is new again: Captain EO. I remember being young and between this, Journey into Imagination, and the Image Works playground(the whole thing, not the crap that’s there now), we could spend two hours in just one pavilion. Absolutely amazing!
Matt Pasant:
Give me Epcot Center. Disneyland was revolutionary, Walt Disney World and the the Magic Kingdom were epic. Epcot Center was revolutionarily epic. A living breathing Worlds Fair where science and the diverse worlds cultures come together. It may not have been what Walt first described in 1966 but I am betting he would not be disappointed.
SkaGoat:
World Showcase is the best part of Epcot Center. I love how you can experience so many different cultures all in one spot.
wonderful_world_of_Hilary:
I had never really been to the classic EPCOT Center, by the time I had made my first trip to Disney World, Horizons had disappeared and the Dreamfinder was no where to be found but luckily for me Nemo had not swam his way into The Living Seas and I vividly remember my sense of panic as I flashed back to Jaws 3 while the Hydrolators began to “travel” deep into the oceans.
Years later I made a trip to EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival where I stepped into the Wonders of Life Pavilion looking for some sort of wine tasting, demonstration thing. I was dumbstruck, while the Pavilion had been more or less gutted, this sense of wonderment, creative, innovation, and learning washed over me. I know it sounds strange but knowing what EPCOT Center used to be and without the fear of Jaws clouding my judgement, I was able to catch this glimpse of an EPCOT Center that I wish I could have been to and now very dearly hope that they bring back. (Wow that was a bit long winded, wasn’t it?)
Centerline_717:
I have to go with EPCOT Center also. The vast majority of my pictures from EPCOT could be classified as from EPCOT Center. World Showcase allows you to experience so many different cultures all in one place. Like many of the comments above I miss the attractions that have passed into history. The Hydrolators provided such a great illusion of traveling down to the bottom of the ocean. The Wonders of Life pavilion used to provide hours of things to see and do. When the Wonders of Life pavilion is open for other events I still enjoy going in and reminiscing about how it used to be.
Photogineer (Doug):
As much as I love EPCOT (current), I would have to go with EPCOT Center. It is still my favorite park but I really wish we could go back to the edutainment aspect again. Horizons, World of Motion were by far what made EPCOT for me. Being an engineer I was always looking forward to the future and looking at what this world could invent. EPCOT Center always fueled that forward looking for me. I fell in love the first time I stepped foot in Future World. Plus you had World Showcase which was a huge bonus. I am glad the Land still holds true in some way to the EPCOT Center. Just wish there was more.
wonderful world of hilary:
Finally, my entry and commentary:
Most people who know me would think, after reading the preceding entries, that mine would make it a clean sweep. Since this is a Disney Debate, I figure I’ll make this interesting and choose the unpopular side. Unpopular might be a bit of an overstatement, because Epcot as it presently stands is wildly popular, satisfying millions of guests annually. Perhaps unpopular among Disney geeks such as ourselves (don’t view it as a pejorative term; embrace it) it’s unpopular, but what the diehard fans want and what the public enjoys are clearly not always the same thing. Stated differently, if this Face-off were presented to a representative segment of the Walt Disney World-going public, the results wouldn’t be nearly so skewed.
So if the sage wisdom of diehard fans instructs us that EPCOT Center is superior, why do casual guests respond so well to (most of) Epcot? My reasoning would be its balance. Whereas EPCOT Center had wonderful storytelling and ahead-of-its time Omnimover attractions, it ignored broad demographics of guests. Change had to occur to achieve balance, and with that, some favorites had to go, as the park couldn’t sustain further expansion. While it could be argued that some attractions at Epcot are being reduced to the lowest common denominator in such a manner that they’re almost insulting to the majority of guests. Fans offer extremely limited and constrained examples (a single line from the new SpaceShip Earth such as “…thank the Phoenicians…”), but overlook the rest. There is still plenty of Edutainment at Epcot. The whole of World Showcase, Livin’ with the Land, SpaceShip Earth, the Seas, and elements of Universe of Energy are all instructive to various degrees. I would argue that those who think Epcot educates to a substantially lesser extent than it once did are engaging in revisionist history. Certainly, it does not educate quite to the extent, but as a theme park, it can be argued that EPCOT Center was not fulfilling its primary purpose to entertain. Moreover, a theme park cannot, and should not, attempt to educate on the level of a graduate level dissertation, and must be carefully parse divisive topics so as to not alienate any segments of the audience (see Universe of Energy). To this end, Epcot accomplishes its goals rather well.
It’s tough to argue with the loss of Wonders of Life, Journey into Imagination, Horizons, World of Motion, and the Kitchen Kabaret. However, sometimes the memory of something is better than having the thing itself. Were some of these attractions around today, it is likely that they’d be largely neglected, popular only with only the most steadfast Disney fans, and ignored by the majority of guests who felt no connection. Perhaps unfortunately, but it’s a different world today than it was in 1982. Although we may not like that, rather than dwelling on the past, we should embrace the present. Attractions like Soarin’, SpaceShip Earth (even with its descent) and its excellent Project Tomorrow, Turtle Talk, O’ Canada, Mission: Space, Test Track, and the Sum of all Thrills offer wonderful new options that, while perhaps not on par in our minds with those of years past, offer something new with mainstream appeal.
Now, let’s just get a refurbishment to Journey into Imagination that brings back Dreamfinder, and I think we’ll all be a little more satisfied with Epcot!
Next week’s Disney Debate subject of the Foto Face-off Friday is going to be a good one. This challenge features two of Walt Disney World’s biggest stars: Cinderella Castle and SpaceShip Earth. Post a shot showing your favorite and explaining why it should be the “chosen one”! Foto Face-off Friday will be taking a week off next Friday while I travel to Disneyland, so you have until the following Friday to post your entry–and as an added bonus for this Face-off of the most epic proportions, all Flickr entries will be posted to the blog! Please, help us settle the debate on Twitter by voicing your thoughts to @TouringPlans and entering your submissions in the TouringPlans Flickr Group discussion entitled “TouringPlans’ Foto Face-off Friday Blog – Cinderella Castle v. SpaceShip Earth!” You could have your comments and picture chosen to be featured in next week’s blog, so get to Tweetin’ and Postin’!
