I'll admit it …. In my collection of Disney World maps, the Pirate and Princess Party map of the Magic Kingdom has a special place. I was very excited to see that Disney is adding more party dates this spring. Well, technically, it's really late winter, but the beautiful Florida weather makes it feel like spring already.

So exactly what is the Pirate and Princess Party? Basically, Disney closes the Magic Kingdom early, then re-opens for admission with a separate ticket for a few more hours. Only the most popular attractions are open, with dining available at a few popular locations. What makes the Pirates and Princess Party special are the extra activities that combine rowdiness and elegance…

First is the special parade … Seeing the pirate ship with Captain Jack Sparrow surrounded by dancing pirate is devilishly fun. The princesses and their princes make striking figures on dramatic floats. Even Tinker Bell makes an appearance down at ground level, rather than flying overhead.

There's a special version of Wishes, the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks display. Broader and wilder than the regular version of Wishes, (title)

The treasure spots around the park are a nice treat, even if I'd prefer more beads and baubles rather than candy. Interactive shows and activities are located in each land… Learn how to be a pirate or dance with the royal court.

Because it is a separate ticket and NOT included with your Magic Your Way ticket, the crowds are typically much smaller. The party typically runs till midnight, which affects how you can get the most out of your trip.

If you have little ones, plan ahead by going back to your hotel room for a long afternoon nap. Return for the evening party well rested, and plan to sleep in the next morning. In other words, don't plan an early morning breakfast on the morning after the party.

For anyone else, my suggestion is to arrive later or chill out during the first hour or two of the party. If the park is crowded, the odds are good that it will become less crowded as families who didn't plan ahead (and didn't have naps) head home when their kids get tired. You'll find the lines typically get shorter as the hour gets later.

When you enter the park, be sure to pick up the special Pirate and Princess Party version of the Magic Kingdom map and check the schedule. It's definitely a map that you will treasure!

So all of the Disney World map guides have been updated to say "Disney's Hollywood Studios. I just have to ask: What's in a name?

Some bloggers and Disney critics ask if the new name more than just a way to avoid issues related to the original partnership with MGM Studios.

To me, the old issues with MGM don't really matter. Even back in the 1980s when Disney-MGM Studios opened, Disney hardly needed to shore up its identity in the world of movies, television and music. Being able to use the MGM name and collection was just a nice bonus … a way to provide more variety and perhaps a classic angle that added depth to the theme park.

So here's what I care about … What does the new Hollywood name mean to guests like you? I see the possibilities from two different angles.

On one hand, the "Hollywood" name reminds those of us of a certain age … yes, you know who you are… of the Golden Age of Hollywood. We think of great American traditions. Film and television stars, classic movies and timeless music recall a world of dreams fulfilled. The new art-deco-style logo seems to be inspired by this golden age. So that gives me hope that the Disney folks understand the foundation of historic Hollywood and we'll see more attractions based on Walt's vision of quality entertainment.

On the other hand, the word "Hollywood" means something different to my teenage daughter. Pop music, blockbuster movies, television shows for every conceivable audience, even trendy fashions have become the new trademarks. Hollywood has become hot, cool, phat, with-it, or any slang you can think of… anything that means everyone wants a piece of it. Tagging the park Disney's Hollywood Studios makes me think that we'll continue to see changes, just as we see changes in the weekly television schedule or Top 40 Billboard chart.

Both of these angles are good. Traditional and innovative are not mutually exclusive terms. So far, we've seen the new parade and Playhouse Disney show. Exciting details are leaking out about Toy Story Mania, and this week we heard that American Idol is coming to the park. It looks to me that the name change is a sign that Walt would be very proud of Disney's Hollywood Studios… always changing to bring the latest and greatest entertainment to his guests.

If you've ever thought about heading to Disney World in June *just* to see Star Wars Weekends, then you just gotta see this video:

Enjoy!

Hello to Hollywood ... and More

The world of entertainment is the theme of Disney-MGM Studios. Attractions, shows, restaurants and shops are all designed to bring the movies, television and music to life for guests. Tune in by flipping to the pages that follow.

The world of Disney is the world of entertainment. So it makes sense that eventually Disney would dedicate a theme park to showbiz. Since its debut in 1989, Disney-MGM Studios has been the WDW park where guests could immerse themselves in the world of movies, television and music.

The World of Entertainment

Disney-MGM Studios is divided into seven areas, each named for a street or area famous in the entertainment industry. The Sorcerer’s Hat plaza is the center of the park, but the areas don’t all connect through the plaza around a hub as at the Magic Kingdom. And while they are not as strongly themed as the Magic Kingdom lands, similar attractions are frequently grouped together.

This just in from Walt Disney World ....

"LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Aug. 9, 2007) -- In the Walt Disney World theme park famous for all things Hollywood, it's curtain up on the launch of new attractions, new looks, new breakthrough experiences...

"...and a brand-new name.

"Disney-MGM Studios will be renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios, effective January 2008, announced Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort.

"'The new name reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today's Hollywood has to offer -- in music, television, movies and theater,' she said."

A name change had been anticipated for some time... so this announcement answers a few questions. The news release had a few other tidbits:

• More details about the new Toy Story Mania under construction on Mickey Avenue. Here's what the release said: "Past a queuing area featuring a giant Mr. Potato Head, guests grab 3-D glasses, board fanciful ride vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by many of their favorite "Toy Story" characters including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Once inside "Andy's Toy Box," the competition heats up. Who can rack up the most points? Using spring-action shooters, guests launch darts at balloons, rings at aliens, eggs at whimsical barnyard targets."
• A new parade named the Block Party Bash will replace Disney Stars and Motor Cars. The new parade is being touted as "the wildest, most interactive parade in Disney history." Favorite characters from "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "A Bug's Life" will be featured.
• Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage will be recast with new characters. After closing for most of January, the new show will reopen in February with stars from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," "Little Einsteins," "Handy Manny" and more.
• The High School Musical Pep Rally is being replaced this fall with Disney High School Musical 2: School's Out. Not a big surprise... considering all the hype for the new movie coming later this month. We can expect more singing and dancing in the streets.
• Characters will be greeting guests in the Animation Courtyard, with Handy Manny joining the team in November. Many of these character greeting areas had been on Mickey Avenue, which is closed now for construction of Toy Story Mania.

The news release also reminded us of the upcoming Playhouse Disney In Concert series that is part of the Little Ones Travel Time this fall.

One more bit of news... The Harlem Gospel Choir will perform at the Studios November 30-December 25. Yet another reason to love the holidays at Disney World!

And one more observation... While the name doesn't officially begin until January, I noted that all of the references to activities planned for the rest of 2007 referred to the park as Disney's Hollywood Studios. I expect that we begin to see some rebranding right away.

I can hardly wait to see the new logos...

Looks like the team at Disney World are making progress on the new American Idol Experience. The new idol, David Cook ... who I think totally rocks ... has recorded some video segments that will be used in the attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Here's a look inside:

The American Idol Experience is scheduled to open in January 2009, so you idol wannabes have a while to wait.

And in case you're wondering where Idol is going to appear on Disney World maps... This new attraction is taking over the ABC Theater area on Echo Lake, near the giant hat at the end of Hollywood Boulevard. Should look great!

Hmmm, wouldn't it be fun if Mission: Space at Walt Disney World was like this?

In case you're wondering, Mission: Space is an earthbound attraction in Future World at Epcot. It's a simulator that recreates the sensations of takeoff from Earth, weighlessness in space and landing on Mars. You can chose from two levels: Orange for the full experience or Green for a slightly less intense ride. I'm not including any more details so there are no spoilers here... If you want more details, leave me a note in the comments.

Great flying, Buzz!

Today, let's look at how to use your Disney World map to help plan your vacation.... Using a theme park map might seem a little different from using a road map. You might be surprised by how much alike they are!

When you use a road map, you usually start by locating where you are starting. Then you find where you want to go and plot the best route between the two locations. Use a pencil or a highlighter to mark the way.

When you look at a Disney World map, you'll want to do that same thing... Use the entrance to the park as your starting point. Most theme park maps put the entrance at the bottom center (even if that doesn't put north at the top of the map). Look for the ticket booths, lockers, stroller rentals and restrooms.

Then follow the walkways to explore the park. Use a pencil or highlighter to mark the attractions and restaurants that are most interesting to your family. Notice how the park is arranged... This will help you get around faster when you visit the park.

The Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom use the classic "hub and spoke" layout. That is... A main walkway leads to the center of the park, then other walkways radiate out from the center to lead you to the other areas of the park.

Disney-MGM Studios is a modified "hub and spoke" design. Some areas of the park aren't directly connected to the center hub. Follow the walkways to reach the back side of the park.

And Epcot is arranged like two circles side by side... From the main entrance, you'll enter Future World, which is mostly like a "hub and spoke" design. By walking through Future World, you'll reach the World Showcase. The attractions are arranged on an oval walkway around a lagoon.

No matter what park map you are exploring, check out each attraction, restaurant and other points on the map. Highlight the areas with the most interest, then plan your trip to the park by drawing a route on the map... just as you would on a road map.

So, think of the theme park map as your road map to your vacation. Some Disney World maps will have more details than other maps. I like putting short descriptions on the maps... that helps me remember important details and makes enjoying my day in the theme parks that much easier!

Is it possible? Can Disney's Animal Kingdom really be 10 years old?

In some ways, the Animal Kingdom still feels like a new park.... It seems like I discover something new every time I visit. There are so many special exhibits hidden along the walkways and ride queues. Maybe it just feels that it's all new because each season brings new and different plants. Maybe the exhibits never get stale or boring because the animals move around in their habitats. In any case, I still feel that there is so much more to explore.

On the other hand, Disney's Animal Kingdom has definitely matured into a very enjoyable experience. The first few months were challenging as the Disney team finetuned traffic flow and signage. Attractions have been added and updated throughout the last decade. And some of the latest additions are among the best -- the new Expedition Everest and "Finding Nemo: The Musical" are definite must-sees.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that there will be a special re-dedication ceremony when the park opens on April 22... I'll be watching for reports and will post them here. Happy 10th Birthday to all of the critters and cast members at Disney's Animal Kingdom!

The 15th Annual Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing at Epcot, one of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World in Florida. I've marked by Disney World map with my favorite features of the Flower and Garden Festival -- the topiaries and the butterfly garden.

Since this year's theme is "Fun in the Sun," all of the topiaries have an outdoor flavor. (Wait... I think I'm mixing metaphors there. Oh, well...) Here's a picture of Mickey with some seashells. He's standing next to Minnie and Goofy at the entrance of the park. By the way, Goofy is the largest topiary this year.... 14 feet!

Other topiaries can be found just north and south of the Dancing Fountain, which is at the center of Future World. And of course, there are more displays around the lagoon in the World Showcase. In all, there are 70 topiaries.

My other favorite addition at Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival is Minnie's Magnificent Butterfly Garden. It's a screened-in gazebo just south of Mouse Gear, between the main walkway and Test Track. The gazebo is 40 feet in diameter and houses 10 different species of butterflies. It's jam packed with lots of beautiful flowers -- plumbago, passion flower, honeysuckle and much more.

Just a little warning ... The butterfly garden can get very crowded. I prefer to wait until there are no strollers inside, then take my time browsing around. Early morning is the best time avoid the crowds.

Here are a few interesting tidbits about the Flower and Garden Festival:

• The Disney folks say there are 30 million blooms in all on display!
• At least 25 different plants are used to create the topiaries.
• More than 15 floral, herbal and spice ingredients of 10 popular perfumes are on display in the Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion. Guerlain, the perfume maker featured at the pavilion.
  
• Every evening, music from the 60s and 70s is featured at special (albeit short) "Flower Power" concerts at the American Gardens Theater.
  

Visit this special page on the Disney World web site to download the Flower and Garden Festival Guide.

No matter when you visit Walt Disney World, be sure take along your Disney World map. There's always something to explore! If you're lucky enough to be traveling before June 1, plan to spend plenty of time at Epcot enjoying the "Fun in the Sun" at the Flower and Garden Festival.

We probably should have expected it... Stroller rental prices have been the same for about three years. Last weekend, the price of Walt Disney World stroller rentals increased to $15/day for single strollers and $31/day for double strollers.

Here's a complete listing of the miscellaneous items at Disney World parks:

• Parking: $11 per day or $12 per day for camper/trailer
• Single Stroller: $15 per day, or $13 per day for length-of-stay rentals
• Double Stroller: $31 per day, or $27 per day for length-of-stay rentals
• Locker Rental: $5 per day plus $5 refundable deposit
• Wheelchair: $10 per day, or $8 per day for length-of-stay rentals
• ECV (electric cart): $45 per day plus $5 refundable deposit
• Kennel: $13 per pet per day

To get your refundable deposit back, you have to return the locker key or ECV to the rental location by the end of the day.

With single stroller rentals going so high, it might be worth the effort of bringing your stroller from home or even stopping at a nearby Target or Walmart to pick up a stroller for your stay. That could make your Walt Disney World vacation just a little bit easier!

I was flying home today from a meeting in California, and our route took us over the Rocky Mountains. As I looked out the window at the snowcapped mountains, I couldn't help thinking about the newest mountain on the Disney World map: Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom!

Yes, I know that it's not a real mountain and that the white stuff clinging to the top of the mountain isn't real snow. But you don't go to Disney's Everest to ski or to take a real expedition to search for monsters.

You go to Expedition Everest for another type of adventure. The mountain is visible even before you enter the park… you'll see its snowy peak as you drive up to the park. Yes, it's very tall. As you walk up to the attraction, you'll hear the screams of other guests as the train whirls up, around and down the mountain. After you board the train, you'll begin the ascent up the mountain for your own thrilling search for the hidden secrets of Everest.

And as you race through the tunnels and come face to face with the yeti, you know that you are safe in world of Disney magic. That's part of the magic of Disney… it's an elegant blend of thrilling adventure and secure safety.

By the way, I've found that the best time to visit Expedition Everest is first thing in the morning. Arrive at Disney's Animal Kingdom at least 15 minutes before the park opens so that you'll be one of the first guests in the park. Then head immediately to Asia… take a right at the Tree of Life and go over the bridge to Asia. (Don’t take the walkway to the far right to DinoLand USA. It takes a bit longer.) You can either get in the ride queue to ride or get in line for a FASTPASS. If the ride queue is less than 20 minutes, I get in line right away, then get a FASTPASS after my first ride. On other days, I get a FASTPASS ticket, then go ride another attraction and come back.

There's also a single-ride line, which is perfect if only one or two people in your group want to ride. It's typically much faster so your friends or family don't have to wait as long.

See what I mean? The magic of Disney makes it easy for everyone to have the perfect vacation… the thrill of adventure, the confidence of a safe environment, and theme park attractions designed to allow everyone to have the most fun possible!

So as you're planning your next vacation, be sure to locate Expedition Everest on your Disney World map and plan your own adventure.

The Disney World map of Epcot will feature a few extra attractions this spring… all in honor of the 15th annual Flower and Garden Festival. And I'm very excited this year because it's the longest festival ever!

Epcot is one of my favorite parks without any special embellishments. So the Flower and Garden Festival is like icing on the cake -- although that metaphor is probably best reserved for the International Food and Wine Festival scheduled for the fall. Okay… the Flower and Garden Festival is like discovering an extra row of roses blooming in your garden.

If you've ever been to Epcot, you know that part of its magic is the beautiful landscaping. During the Flower and Garden Festival, the Disney crew goes all out. Giant topiaries of your favorite characters, special gardens and exhibits, and even a butterfly house are added to the park. Horticulture experts give special talks… the list goes on and on.

Live musical performances are another Epcot trademark, and the festival takes a special spin on the music angle. Every evening (well, almost every evening), you can enjoy a special "Flower Power" show featuring music from the 60s. Most are tribute bands, but a few are performances by the 60s stars themselves. Each show is about 30-40 minutes, presented three times each evening in the American Showcase Theater. That's the outdoor amphitheater in front of the USA Pavilion.

If you are traveling to Disney World from March 19 to June 1, be sure to include extra time for Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival in your touring plans. As you enter the park, pick up the current Times Guide and special Flower and Garden Festival brochure. They are must-have additions to your Disney World map!