Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. What are your questions? Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths who would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the September 24, 2007 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. Are the Princess and Pirate Parties going to continue in 2008? Our friends took their daughters last year and the girls had a wonderful time. We might schedule a repeat trip if we could plan on one of these parties. (Submitted by Ben C.)

A. Hi, Ben. Good news! While it's been hinted at for quite some time without the slightest official confirmation, Walt Disney World has now made it known that the Pirate and Princess parties will return during winter 2008. The latest mention of the 2008 parties comes in the form of a blurb on the back of the map being distributed at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It's not a huge secret that the parties were well received when they debuted, but ticket sales left a lot to be desired, something that could easily be attributed to the low crowd levels from January through early March. Word was that while the parties were expected to return in 2008, the number of them might be scaled back to compensate for the low sales. Still unknown are the exact dates the parties will be offered, but eagle-eyed guests have noted that the calendar at disneyworld.com has the Magic Kingdom closing at 7 p.m. on sporadic dates between January and March. It's important to remember that until actual dates are announced, everything is subject to change. So don't buy your airline tickets just yet.

Q. Hi Ask, thank you for the fun column. Could you tell me about the High School Musical show at MGM? We have two kids who are big fans – along with most tweens in the known universe! (Submitted by Celeste R.)

A. Hi, Celeste. Excellent timing! This week actually marks the debut of the High School Musical 2: School's Out show at Disney-MGM Studios (soon to be the Disney Hollywood Studios). After a brief hiatus, this all-new show replaces the original highly successful and popular HSM production with a completely new show based on the most recent entry in the High School Musical series. There are several performances throughout each day, in which a roving stage travels along the parade route, starting by Star Tours and ending by the park entrance on Hollywood Boulevard. When the stage reaches the Sorcerer's Hat, it stops and the fun begins! Performers dance to and sing several HSM2 songs including "I Don't Dance," "Work This Out," "You Are the Music in Me" and more. There's even some interactivity with the audience during the show.

Tip: Because this is always a popular show, arrive at the Hat at least 10-15 minutes before the scheduled show time to get a good spot. Also, times and location may vary so make sure you check the Times Guide when entering the park.

Q. I don't know if you will have time to answer this question before we travel to Disney, but I hope so! I think we will be at Epcot on October 1. We have read that there will be a celebration of Epcot's anniversary on that date. Do you have any information on what might be going on? (Submitted by Alayah M.)

A. Hi, Alayah (or should I say hola, goddag, ni hao, jambo, guttentag, buongiorno, konichiwa, salam, bonjour and.. uh.. hi, hi and hi). It's true, October 1st, 2007 marks the 25th Anniversary of Epcot (and not-so-coincidentally, the 36th of Magic Kingdom). Wisely, WDW executives have opted against painting Spaceship Earth Pepto pink to celebrate, but until recently, there wasn't much of anything planned. Prior to leaving the company a few months ago, the former VP of Epcot, Brad Rex, made it clear that there would be no official celebrations to mark Epcot's 25th, leaving many Epcot enthusiasts disappointed, to say the least. Enter grassroots efforts and new VP Jim MacPhee to change things for the slightly better. The efforts of teenager Adam Roth (http://www.freewebs.com/zmanatr/index.htm) have convinced Disney to join hands and offer a rededication ceremony to take place at 10 a.m. on October 1, by the Fountain of Nations. Also within the past few days, the WDW Annual Passholder site has announced there will be a special event for Passholders only, featuring Disney legend Marty Sklar. No further details were available at press time.

Special events aside, however, Epcot has seen many additions and changes (and one major loss) this year. In Future World, Soarin's standby queue has gotten a little pep with interactive games as you wait in line, Turtle Talk got a new larger theatre, and the Character Spot replaced the Character Connection. The Wonders of Life pavilion saw its welcoming DNA structure removed, and was permanently gutted in preparation for being used as a venue for the Food and Wine Festival. The World Showcase saw El Rio del Tiempo transition into the Gran Fiesta Tour with the Three Caballeros, and the Canada pavilion got a brand-new film, featuring Martin Short and Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila. The biggest changes of all continue with Spaceship Earth. We saw the removal of the wand (added in 1999 for the millennium celebration), which restored it back to how it was originally. With assistance from sponsor Siemens AG, Spaceship Earth is also currently undergoing interior changes, includin g a new narration that tips its hat to the beloved Horizons. The new exit queue, dubbed Project Tomorrow, was introduced earlier this year and features some really neat, free, cutting-edge video games, such as a 3-D game that allows the player to build a human skeleton.

Enjoy your 25th Anniversary visit to Epcot, Alayah. No matter what, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event.