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 November 5, 2007 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. Could you tell me about the holiday storytellers in Epcot? What else do you recommend at Epcot for a December visit? (Submitted by Karen G.)

A. Hello, Karen. No Disney park truly comes alive during the holidays more than Epcot. This year, Holidays Around the World takes places between November 23 and December 30. As you've already learned, part of the celebration involves storytellers from each of the countries who make scheduled appearances and describe the holidays in their respective countries. Of course, not all countries primarily celebrate Christmas, so it's also an opportunity for Japan and China to share their New Year's traditions, Morocco to share Ramadan, and for guests to hear the stories of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa at the American Adventure. Meet & greets are offered with each storyteller after their presentation -- Germany even has a special additional guest! In addition to the Santas and other storytellers around the World Showcase, Mr. & Mrs. Claus greet guests at the American Adventure. You can find the scheduled appearances for all countries listed in Epcot's Times Guide.

Epcot, along with the Magic Kingdom, also offers a tree lighting ceremony. The tree is located in the World Showcase Plaza between Future World and World Showcase. It is ceremoniously lit after a short show featuring cast members from all over the World Showcase and your favorite Disney characters. By the tree is the beautiful Lights of Winter, a large archway covered in lights that dance to holiday music.

Also offered is the Candlelight Processional, where a celebrity is accompanied by a complete orchestra and chorus in reciting the story of the birth of Jesus. Admission to the Candlelight Processional is free with the cost of admission to the park, but seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seating is offered first to those who purchase the Candlelight Processional Package, which includes dining at a participating Epcot restaurant. Once those who have purchased the package are seated in the large American Gardens Theatre, those guests who have been waiting in the standby line are allowed to find themselves seating. Reservations for the Candlelight Processional Package can be obtained by calling Disney Dining at 407-WDW-DINE, although this is a very popular package and may be sold out for your dates. For more information, read our Candlelight Processional page.

And last, but not least, there is a holiday version of IllumiNations exclusive to this time of year. IllumiNations starts at 9:30 p.m. during Holidays Around the World, and has additional features that bring a nice holiday touch to this already special fireworks display. Enjoy it, Karen, as well as all the other great holiday events Epcot, and Walt Disney World, has to offer.

Q. I heard that Disney was going to do a kingdom of steel roller coaster park. Is this true? (Submitted by Anne)

A. Hi, Anne. There are long-standing rumors of a possible fifth gate at Walt Disney World. Occasional construction on the property in unexpected spots is often the culprit for fueling these rumors. One of these fabled parks that most likely fits your bill is a more thrill-oriented park aimed at a teen-to-adult audience, with a Disney Villains influence. There is the constant question of what Disney will do to keep up with the Joneses (or the Universals, as the case may be) to attract an older demographic. Another example of this is the Jack Skellington Halloween Party at the Studios, which is expected year after year after year, but has yet to materialize. The reality is that there's just not enough saturation of the existing parks to justify building a fifth one at this time. Officials have recently been very vocal in assuring us there will not be a fifth park for a long time, if ever. So, unless they're pulling one over on us, it's not likely to happen any time soon. In the mean time, talk has been strong of an additional roller coaster at the Studios, themed around Ratatouille. Reportedly it's on the fast track. Another rumored project is a major thrill attraction to be constructed inside the Magic Kingdom, but this is expected to be developed at a much slower pace.

Q. Hello. When you call into any of the Disney lines, such as Disney Dining or to book your package, they ask about how many times you've visited Disney World, etc. Does it move you to the front of the queue? Or do you go to the back of the line because you are probably more patient? Or what? (Submitted by Robyn)

A. Hi, Robyn. No need to break out the tinfoil hats on this one. Those annoying and seemingly never-ending prompts don't seem to serve any purpose other than to fill up the columns of Disney Execs' spreadsheets. The good news is you don't have to listen to any of them -- they can all be interrupted by pressing the appropriate number when the question starts playing. And you can feel free to answer it however you want. It makes no difference in terms of your place in the queue if you say you're visiting within a week or not. Or if you say that you've visited three times, when really this is your first (or fiftieth) visit. It truly won't make a difference.