Kennels at Walt Disney World

A while back, Walt Disney World kennels were taken over by Best Friends Pet Care Inc. The kennels at WDW are still located at each park and at Ft. Wilderness campground. Plus there is a new addition over by Port Orleans Resort. The new facility has a separate area for dogs, cats and pocket pets.


The kennels are located at the entrances to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom there parks. The kennel closest to the Magic Kingdom is over at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Plus, as said above, Ft. Wilderness campground and on Bonnet Creek Parkway opposite Port Orleans.


The kennels at the TTC, Epcot and Ft. Wilderness include 2 walks and 2 feedings per day. From reading, it appears that the same will happen at Port Orleans area kennel too. Unfortunately, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom kennels, you will have to walk and exercise your dog 2 times a day. The kennels have a fee for each animal boarded for each day there. Reservations are not a guarantee for a space, and may have to be at another of the kennel choices. I would think that the kennels at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom would be the ones with more openings.


Documentation of the following vaccinations is required. No exotic animals are allowed in the kennels.
          Records Required for Dogs                   
          Rabies                                                        
          D.H.P.P.                                                    
          Bordetella                                                  
                                                                           
          Records Required for Cats
          Rabies
          Panleukopenia
          Rhinotracheitis
          Calicivirus


Disney's Animal Kingdom Kennel: (407) 938-2100
Disney's Hollywood Studios Kennel: (407) 560-4282
Epcot Kennel: (407) 560-6229
Magic Kingdom/TTC Kennel: (407) 824-6568
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Kennel: (407) 824-2735


Website and contact number for Best Friends Pet Care Inc. www.bestfriendspetcare.com or 877-4-WDW-PETS.


*DHPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. Adult dogs usually also have a leptospirosis vaccine included
*Bordetella- Kennel Cough
*Panleukopenia - Feline Distemper
*Rhinotracheitis - Feline Herpes Virus
*Calicivirus - upper respiratory virus

*edit: There has been some changes to the Kennels

Surrey Bikes

Did a small group for a Florida Resident Disney Fan meet. We met over at the Port Orleans Riverside resort. We had lunch in the food court and then we went out to do the Surrey Bikes. We decided on one bicycle and it was comical. We laughed a lot! 2 sat up front (one being an insistant child wanting to drive! LOL luckily, you have to be 18 or older to drive.) We should've put the 3rd person in the front there next to him or he could've been in the middle. But we were all game to let him enjoy it too I think. 3 of us were in the back and I was half off the outside! OMG! It was fun! I will recommend that one does not wear flip flops or open heeled sandals. This was the 2nd best day I have had all year with my depression.

Definitely something to do again later, when not so hot but also when we have more people. Would be fun to do something like a Chinese firedrill on them too! I would like to go back and do the Surrey Bike's there too with my mom. There are 3 sizes to these bicycles. All are based on the half hour time frame. Hours of operation may vary.

• 2 seater: $20
• 4 seater: $22
• 6 seater: $24

Something to Note

Upon the recent trip to MK, as we strolled along through Fantasyland, we noticed off towards Toon Town 2 large tent like buildings. It has to be for the new Dumbo rides. Okay... not "new"" but new. New location, double the ride size... I will need to ride the current one soon. I know it's not the original, since it was moved a bit years ago. I just need to ride it as I never had done it. (Really have NO idea why I never rode it. Mom doesn't know either. Was probably because I LOVED the carrousel.)

Summer Nightastic: Revisted

I went back to WDW this past weekend to the Magic Kingdom. I wanted to give the new fireworks another try. I had been talking to a cast member about them, that I didn't like them. She said that a lot of guests had complained about them. Another cast member had said that they have redone the fireworks to improve the flow better. That it is noticible.

I went with hope that I would see the better side of them. We found a different viewing area and waited.

I am glad to say that they are improved. The are still not as magical as Wishes. They seemed shorter, but the storyline was improved. They removed a couple things and sadly, one was Tinkerbell flying. There were some kids that were disappointed (besides me).

I am awaiting the return of Wishes, but the improvement to these fireworks was nice.

Race for the Cure

This event doesn't completely tie to Disney, but it use to. This is the second year that this event has been away from the WDW resort. I am disappointed in that, but am over it too. Breast cancer is something that came into my life several times. I had an Aunt that married to my mom's oldest brother who had suffered from it. Then my mom's sister survived it. And then my mom discovered a lump. She was just released from her 5 years clear (2009), and another lump was found her other breast within a couple weeks. I have had many, MANY patients who have had breast cancer and friends too. I have become friends with an AMAZING group of Disboard women because of this disease. They inspire me and am proud to know them. All the people mentioned above, even with a name, are why I want to do this or why I participate in other events (like scrapbooking for a cure).

This is something near and dear to me. I have on my bucket list to participate in a Race for the Cure. I had planned to do that this year..... but it took SO long to get this date from them, that I forgot and have other plans that weekend. Could I change them??? Not really. I have my vacation that week and am going away that first weekend (the weekend of the RFTC) to a place up north. (Sorry, no details about that). I come back and then go to WDW to see friends.

My plan was to create a small team and do the walk. There is both a walk and a run. Raise money to help fight this disease. More information can be found at the site below. Please join this fight in any way you can.

Susan B. Komen RFTC Orlando, Florida 10/17/2010

I really wanted to do this. I guess it's something to do next year...

Important Disney Numbers

These are some Disney numbers that I have in my phone or in my address book. I thought I would add these in with the blog from yesterday. I hope they are helpful to someone, and I will update as I find numbers that might be helpful or if there is an error that someone finds.

Information
     Walt Disney Parks 407.W-Disney (407.934.7639)
     Walt Disney World Resort 407.827.7200
     Mail Order Dept. 877.560.6477 or Fax 407.363.4918
     Disney Travel Company 407.823.3255
     Passholder information 407.560 PASS (7277) or 407.827.7200

Dining Reservations
     Dining Reservations & information 407.WDW.DINE (407.939.3463)
     Victoria and Albert's 407.939.3862
     Grand Floridian Private Dining 407.824.2473
     Epcot Food & Wine Events 407.939.3378
     Disney Cakes for special occasions 407.827.2253

Recreation
     WDW Recreation 407.939.7529
     Tours 407.WDW.TOUR (407.939.8687)
     Richard Petty Driving Experience 800.BE.PETTY (800.237.3889)
     Water Skiing 407.824.2621
     Wide World of Sports info 407.828.FANS (407.828.3267)
      Golf 407.WDW.GOLF (407.939.4653)

DVC
      800.800.9800

Lost and Found
     407.824.4245

Resorts
     Value-
          All Star Movies 407.939.7000
          All Star Music 407.939.6000
          All Star Sports 407.939.5000
          Art of Animation (opens in 2012)
          Pop Century 407.938.4000

     Moderate-
          Caribbean Beach 407.934.3400
          Corando Springs 407.939.1000
          Port Orleans French Quarter 407.934.5000
          Port Orleans Riverside 407.934-6000

     Deluxe-
          Animal Kingdom* 407.938.3000
          Beach Club* 407.934.8000
          Boardwalk Inn* 407.939.5100
          Contemporary* 407.824.1000
          Grand Floridian 407.824.3000
          Polynesian 407.824.2000
         Wilderness Lodge* 407.824.3200
          Yacht Club 407.934.7000

     DVC Resorts (along with resorts above marked with *)
         Saratoga Springs 407.827.1100
         Old Key West 407.827.7700

     Campground
          Fort Wilderness 407.824.2900

Non-Disney resorts on property-
     Epcot area-
          Swan and Dolphin 407.934.4000/Reservations 888.828.8850

     Magic Kingdom-
          Shades of Green 407.824.3600

     Downtown Disney-
          Best Western 407.828.2424/Reservations: 800.348.3765
          Buena Vista Palace 407.827.2727/Reservations: 866.397.6516
          Double Tree 407.934.1000
          Hilton 407.827.4000/Reservations: 800.782.4414
          Holiday Inn 407.828.8888/Reservations: 888.465.4329
          Regal Sun 407.828.4444/Reservations: 800.624.4109
          Royal Plaza 407.828.2828/Reservations: 800.248.7890

     Other-
          Waldorf Astoria 407.597.5500

Pizza places that deliver to WDW
     Pizza Hut 407.239.0950
     Papa Johns 407.477.7777

Taxi's
     Orlando Cab Company - 407.575.7757
     Checker Cab - 407.699.9999
     Quality Taxi/Van - 407.397.2000
     Mears - 800.759.5219

Other important numbers
     Cirque du Soleil 407.939.7600
     AMC Pleasure Island 800.AMC.4FUN (800.262.4386)
     AMC Guest Services 407.827.1308
     House of Blues 407.934.BLUE (407.934.2583)
     Disney Floral & Gifts 407.827.3505
     Disney Photographers 407.827.9099

Disney Fairy Tale Wedding 407.828.3400
Disney Fairy Tale Honeymoons 407.827.7200

Child Care
     Kindercare 407.827.5437
     Fairy Godmothers (and other kids clubs) 407.827.5444

Disney Cruise Line
     Information 407.556.7000 or 800.951.3532
     Passholders info and ressies 407.556.7000 and 800.284.2901

Disneyland California
     Information 800.225.2024
     Ressies 714.781.3463
     Tours 714.781.4400
     Disneyland Weddings (714) 520-7005.

Disney Information Sites

There are so many places to get Disney information. Sometimes, there is misinformation from rumors and so forth and of course, many that hold one's own opinion. This is what my blog is at part, as a prime example... my thoughts of the new fireworks show at MK with the Summer Nightastic. Regardless, of my opinion, mine isn't meant to sway someone one way or another. It's just my opinion. Today's blog, is to give other options of sites to help find information and other opinions. Some are blogs I follow. This is just a few.... there are many other sites out there.

Official Disney Sites

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

http://www.facebook.com/WaltDisneyWorld

http://www.youtube.com/DisneyParks
http://twitter.com/waltdisneyworld

http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/

DVC

http://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/

member login

Other sites and podcasts

http://allears.net/index.html

http://www.wdwinfo.com/

http://www.disboards.com/

http://www.wdwtoday.com/

http://www.wdwradio.com/

http://www.mousesavers.com/

Blogs I follow that have information
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

http://disneydaddy.blogspot.com/

http://www.mainstgazette.com/

http://disneyobsession.blogspot.com/

http://www.disneybyjoe.com/

Other Disney's

Disneyland

Disneyland Paris

Email for getting that item you forgot: wdw.mail.order@disneyworld.com

Florida Residents Meet

There have been a few Florida Resident Disney Fan meets. They have been nice. Some have been small groups and one has started with a larger group, but then tapered down. It was really nice to meet some of the others who have shown an interest. Rebecca was brillant in starting the thread to do the meets. I think there should be one in each state, and if need find different locations to meet. I noticed that they do some of that in another thread.

Not sure when the next one is yet, but am sure it will be just as nice to meet up with whomever. The love of Disney is great, and even better when shared with others. Flexibility has made the meets nice too. Sometimes someone can't get there until later or can't be in the park because of seasonal passes and blackout dates.

Come and join in if you are in the area!

Return of Main Street Electric Light Parade

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disney proudly presents our spectacular festival pageant of nightime magic and imagination in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sounds. The Main Street Electrical Parade!"

On Saturday, the 5th of June, the Main Street Electric Light Parade returned to Walt Disney World. I was thrilled to be there for this as it was initially suppose to return on the 6th. I surprisingly wasn't up on the curb of Main Street to watch this, but the magic was still there for me. I was able to see the flash of lights reflecting off the buildings as it headed toward us. I could hear the music and felt people bumps on my skin. Then the lights went out....


Now for me to finally get a view, the floats had to come around the hub and start to cross the bridge into Liberty Square, but there it was... the parade I have missed. Tinkerbell was leading the way in a brand new float. There were 2 other floats that were new. They were with Pinnochio. I have to say though, that I wish they had not removed any floats though... miss seeing the Blue Fairy and Dumbo with the circus.


I saw Goofy in his train and remembered the commercials showing that it was coming back during its last run. They made it look like it was really parading across the US in the commercials. There was Alice and others from Wonderland, the snail, the turtle and my FAVORITE lightning bug! I remember when it left again too. I know at the end of summer, this favorite will once again be gone. I still have the poster that they gave to AP holders (maybe SP too, but I don't remember) when it left. I have pins that light up from it in a shadow box with a postcard of Goofy in the train in front of the castle. I may add the 2 new pins to that.


I will miss it when it is gone, but in the meantime, I welcome it back like I would an old friend who has been away. Thanking in my heart for the time we get to enjoy memories that Disney has brought to us.

Summer Nightastic

On Saturday, I was able to see the new fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. It's call Summer Nightastic and it was okay. I think I honestly need to see it again before I completely write it off. I thought I read that there was going to be some other effects. Saw a picture somewhere that I can't find that had a picture of Dumbo in it (and it wasn't a Disneyland picture as I know Dumbo flies there). Maybe it was my imagination.


They started out kind of slow with the Fairy Godmother speaking. There was some fighting over the castle being pink or blue from the little fairies from Sleeping Beauty. (Hmmm why would they fight over what color Cinderella's castle is???? Can understand Sleeping Beauty's at Disneyland, but not here.) The pirates took over at one point and the castle was under attack. That was a great effect. It was also a play off of the Pirate and Princess party fireworks. The fireworks were the only good thing about those parties! I want to give it another chance.... there were some cute moments, but overall, they just didn't capture Disney's magic as much as Wishes does. There is something magical for me when I watch Wishes. And Wishes is romantic. I want to see them with that someone special one day and kiss under the falling sparkles of light.


These fireworks are suppose to go only until August 14th. I noticed a sign as I was going to Magic Kingdom that said expect delays nightly for perimeter fireworks.

Parasailing

Thanks to a friend, I was able to enjoy something that many people never take the chance of doing at Walt Disney World. On Friday, May 14th 2010, I went parasailing. Yes, I did and I’m afraid of heights! Now, when I say I am afraid of heights, it’s not like the kind where you get a panic attack. I don’t get all freaked out. I have done a few things that I wouldn’t be able to do if I didn’t just do it.


You take off from the stern of the boat and return there without getting wet. I am not aware of being able to get dunked on this. I was in regular clothes and didn’t bring my suit for this due to other plans that we had that day. There is a pilot of the boat, the one who gets you hooked up and another who is like a spotter.


While my friend was up in the air, I was moved to the waiting position and stepped into my harness. I was given simple instructions: where to hold on at, where not to hold onto, and scissor kick to come down. I was hooked up and asked if I was ready… and off I went!


It was exciting and I could see for 15 miles that day. It was quiet and peaceful up there. It was smooth for the most part. I felt very safe in the harness and the guys were great that handled everything. I didn’t want to know until I came back down, but I was told I was at 600 ft. when I settled back onto the boat. I did get a little motion sick coming down from the sensation.


Over at the Contemporary Resort, there at the boat dock by the pool, you will find the Sammy Duvall’s Water Sports Centre. They offer not only parasailing, but waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and Jet Skiing. I haven’t looked into the other offerings yet, though maybe one day I will.


For the parasailing, you can do a single or tandem flight. There are 2 levels to each flight, regular and premium. The single regular is $95 plus tax. This flight takes you for 8-10 minutes at 450 ft. The premium single is $130 plus tax and the run is 10-12 minutes at 600 ft. Tandem flights run the same length of time and height with a cost of $170 plus tax for single and $195 plus tax for the premium.


There is a 24 hour cancellation policy. The weight minimum is 125 lbs, with maximum is 330 lbs. When the weight minimum isn’t met then they may be paired with another flier to meet the minimum weight requirement. Children of at least 5 years old may participate and children under the age of 18 must have an adult present to sign the waiver before departure.


The schedule for parasailing is 7 days a week with weather permitting from 9:00am to 4:30pm for summer season and from 10:00am to 4:30pm during winter season. Departures are every 30 minutes.


To book you can call 407-939-0754 for a bird’s eye view. Reservations are preferred and you have a 90 day window to book your flight.


Enjoy!

Fairy God Mail

There is a nice and simple way to spread some pixie dust for children and occassionally some adults. It's called Fairy God Mail. I came across a thread awhile back, and even though I have not done it lately, I think its fun and its inexpensive. You can do one or more, depending on how much you want to share. The cost per person, a post card and a stamp.


Sometimes people are asking for a post card for their child or children (just one or you can do individually), saying "Can't wait to see you" or "Heard you are coming to Disney World, Hope to see you" and sign it with a favorite character.


Now it doesnt have to be exact for the characters writing. Sometimes people get the character to sign the card. I have done both and the magic is there either way from what I have been told by the parents. The only thing I ever ask for when I do this, is for the parent to tell me the reaction. It is magical on both sides.


On the thread below, you find someone who is asking for a post card, you contact them either with private message or on the thread, they send you the information you need and all that is left is for you to send the post card.


****Fairy Godmailer List  Part II*****


****Fairy Godmailer List***** (closed thread but you can see more about how it works)


Another thing I have done, is gone with a card, whether it is a get well card or a sympathy card... I have gotten characters to sign the card and sent it to a friend that loves Disney. Sometimes, little things like that they treasure and sometimes they don't. The magic can be something this simple though and is worth to share and pay forward.

Happy Thoughts

A friend asked me today "What is your Disney Happy Thought?" What make you happiest at Disney?


I wasn't that sure at first whether that meant at Disney or in general. Hence the repeat of the statement. That was easy. The Castle. Wishes. But then I started thinking about it more. There are many, many happy thoughts that I have when I go to Disney. But the Castle is something I look for when I come over the overpass on 429. Now I could see it better before BLT was built but I still can find it. One happy thought I haven't had yet, is sharing it with that someone special. We are trying, but it's just not in the cards yet.


Some others that come to mind: the cast members that I have become friends with, driving under the gate when coming onto property, the music that makes part of streetmosphere, Main Street Electric Light Parade, the lightning bug from this parade, Cinderella's wishing well, sharing the magic with friends, rides that make me smile like POTC, HM, BTMRR (especially at night), RnR, Soarin', Illuminations, the exit song to Epcot, the Goodnight Kiss from the Castle, Cinderella's carrousel, dole whips, pink mickey mouse balloons... the little details in places where you don't quite expect them, people waving back when you wave and some of the resorts.

2010 Food and Wine Eat to the Beat Concert series

Another great selection has been made for the concert series. I just wish I had that day of in the middle of the week like I use to have! Food and Wine begins in Epcot October 1st and ends November 14th. The concerts are held over at the American Pavillion in the America Gardens Theater. Shows are  at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45pm.

10/01 - 10/03 - Taylor Dayne

10/04 - 10/05 - Kool & The Gang

10/06 - 10/08 - Sugar Ray

10/09 - 10/10 - Taylor Hicks

10/11- 10/12 - Air Supply

10/13 - 10/15 - Sister Hazel*

10/16 - 10/17 - Howard Jones

10/18 - 10/19 - Expose

10/20 - 10/21 - 38 Special*

10/22 - 10/24 - Night Ranger*

10/25 - 10/27 - Billy Ocean

10/28 - 10/31 - Starship starring Mickey Thomas

11/01 - 11/03 - Boyz II Men*

11/04 - 11/05 - Roger Hodgson

11/06 - 11/07 - Jon Secada*

11/08 - 11/09 - Hanson

11/10 - 11/11 - Rick Springfield*

11/12 - 11/14 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

* are the concerts I would really like to see this year.