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 October 8, 2007 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. Thanks for all the park info. I'm wondering if you can help me with a cruise question. How much is a dinner at Palo? We're planning a cruise and would like to treat ourselves. Thanks. (Submitted by stahrrs6)

A. Palo offers a fine dining experience, for adults only, on the Disney Magic and Wonder cruise ships. Reservations are required and go fast, so first, know when you can book. Those staying at concierge level may book up to 105 days in advance. Those who have sailed with Disney Cruise Lines before (and are therefore Castaway Club members) may book up to 90 days in advance. First-time DCL guests who are not sailing at the concierge level may book up to 75 days in advance. Reservations are available on a first come, first served basis and payment must be received in full for the cruise before being able to book. Can't get the exact reservation you want ahead of time? Book what you can and proceed to guest services as soon as you board the ship – additional reservations may be open then.

Dinner at Palo is available on all DCL cruises, at a cost of $10 per guest. This includes the tip, although many guests prefer to leave an additional tip on top of it. On all cruises of more than three nights, Palo also offers a champagne brunch (also $10). And on cruises of seven-nights and more, there's an afternoon high tea ($5).

Remember that because dining at Palo is outside of your regular restaurant rotation, you will not have the same server you have during the rest of your cruise.

Q. Whatever happened to River Country in Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World? (Submitted by Anne)

A. River Country, arguably one of the first parks of its kind, opened at Walt Disney World in 1976. It effectively closed in 2001, although that wasn't made official until 2005. For those unfamiliar with River Country, it was Disney's first water park, near Fort Wilderness, which got its water from a natural source – Bay Lake.

There have been many reasons offered for why it may have closed. Some say that Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach adequately filled the water park demand. Others say the water was unheated and too cold except in the summer. Still others feel that oil from boats on Bay Lake would contaminate the River Country water. The list goes on: remote location, capacity issues, lack of parking, 9-11.

The most enduring and convincing reason seems to be health. A change in statues governing the safe operation of water parks required that operators get their water from a chlorinated municipal supply, not a natural source. Amongst other potential hazards (frogs and toads and snakes – oh my!), using natural water as a source for the attractions exposed guests to a species of amoeba which can spread a potentially fatal disease, known as amoebic encephalitis. Amoebic encephalitis has already claimed the lives of three children in the Orlando area (not at WDW) this year alone. And it's the primary reason that swimming is forbidden in all natural lakes and bodies of water at WDW.