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 19, 2007 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. I am going to WDW the first week in December and would like to know what resorts have the special things to see (Floridian has a gingerbread house, etc.)? And how does one get to all the different resorts to see everything? (Submitted by Sheila)

A. Sheila, December's a great time at Walt Disney World, in part because of the wonderful holiday decorations everywhere you look. All the resorts, from Deluxes down to Values, put on their seasonal best, but fitting it all in is impossible. Given that, you might want to concentrate on the two resort areas that are grouped and easiest to access: the Magic Kingdom resorts, and the Epcot-area resorts.

We like to tour the monorail resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian) after a morning at the Magic Kingdom, or before returning to the park for the evening. Either way, just pop on the resort monorail line, which stops first at the Contemporary Resort, then at the Polynesian (following a brief stop at the Ticket and Transportation Center) and finally at the Grand Floridian. If time is limited, the Grand Floridian does it up the most--they do indeed have a full-sized gingerbread house, and their holiday finery looks magnificent alongside the white background of the lobby.

The Wilderness Lodge is also considered a Magic Kingdom resort, but it's not on the monorail loop. You can take a bus or a boat to the Wilderness Lodge--I recommend the boat, just for the added experience. This is a bit more time-consuming, so maybe combine a nice dinner at Artist Point or Whispering Canyon Café with your décor-viewing visit. Wilderness Lodge has a stunning tree, and its theming is ideally suited for the holidays. For those with lots of time, you can continue on the boat to Fort Wilderness, which is also donning its gay apparel.

The Epcot-area resorts are spectacular year-round, and extra special this time of year. I highly recommend walking the loop around Crescent Lake and visiting the Beach Club, the Yacht Club, the Dolphin, the Swan and the BoardWalk Inn/Villas. Each resort has a signature central display, as well as holiday trappings all over. We like to do this after spending a morning at Epcot--you can exit through the International Gateway (between the U.K. and France pavilions) then re-enter Epcot after your Grand Tour. If you don't want to start at Epcot, you can take a bus to any of the Epcot-area resorts from the theme parks or Downtown Disney. Remember: Disney transportation does not run directly between Disney hotels, so a transfer will be necessary. If it's in the budget, a taxi will be quicker and easier, and will almost always run you under $20 with tip if you're traveling from an on-site location.

Enjoy your holiday visit to the World, Sheila!

Q. Why is the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade not filmed live and why do they do it so early in the month? (Submitted by Anne)

A. Anne, while many Christmas Day viewers at home think they are watching a live Disney show, you're "in the know" in realizing that in fact the parade and entertainment is taped over three weeks before the actual holiday. Since it takes two to three days of shooting to come up with this two-hour show, it would not be feasible to do it live. Plus Christmas Day is one of the busiest days of the year at the Magic Kingdom, and adding a parade taping to the mix would be logistically impossible. I'm guessing as well that the celebrities involved in the production would rather spend their holiday at home.

Traditionally, the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade taping is at the end of November or the very beginning of December.
This has been a slow season for Disney World (though it's getting more popular), which makes an endeavor as large as this taping much easier. This year, taping begins on Friday, November 30, with performances on the castle stage. It continues Saturday, December 1, for the actual parade taping on Main Street U.S.A. with Regis and Kelly. Sunday the 2nd is reserved as well, just in case. Disney has officially acknowledged some of the celebrities and entertainers involved, including Billy Ray Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Joey Fatone & Drew Lachey, Josh Groban, and Miley Cyrus (from Disney Channel's hit show Hannah Montana). Some of the High School Musical stars are also expected, as well as Harlem Boys Choir, and possibly Whitney Houston.

If you are interested in participating in the taping itself, you may want to start planning a trip for 2008. Annual Passholders were offered tickets on November 1, and their allotment was gone in less than six hours. The outfit that usually produces the parade, Lightship Entertainment, can be contacted for tickets at tvaudience@gmail.com. But again, plan on 2008, as tickets for 2007 are long gone. You can still show up, of course, and try for celebrity sightings from a distance and such, but my experience is that the park is so crowded during these taping days that it's just not worth the bother. Pick another park that day, and be sure to watch and/or record the "live" parade on December 25 at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. central).