Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. 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 that 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 April 7, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. My family loves the Soarin' over California ride and wanted to know if you could list the places that you fly over in the ride. I know in the queue the video flashes them but we can't remember all of them (we remember Napa, Yosemite, San Francisco, Tahoe, Monterey, Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs). We were thinking of taking a "Soarin' over California" trip -- we would start off in Northern California and try to hit all of the places in the Soarin' ride down to San Diego and then go back up to Disneyland. (Submitted by Terrie Y.)

A. Hi, Terrie! Well more than one of us at Magically Speaking would like to join that trip! It sounds like a great time. We did some searching and found that MousePlanet's MouseAdventure site had a great list of the locations. So, these were MousePlanet's official answers:

San Francisco (Golden Gate bridge)
Redwood Creek (river rafting)
Napa Valley (hot air ballooning)
Monterey (Coast Guard patrol)
Tahoe (skiing)
Yosemite (hang gliding)
Palm Springs (golfing)
Camarillo (orange groves)
Anzo-Borrego (horse riding)
San Diego (battleship)
Malibu (surfing)
LA (Downtown LA)
Disneyland (watching the Christmas Parade)

Sounds like a good trip!

Q. We will be at Blizzard Beach in April. Are there towels available on site. How available are the lockers, are there plenty? (Submitted by Susanne O.)

A. Well, Susanne, Blizzard Beach is a lot of fun. And yes, there are both towels and lockers available for rent at both Disney water parks. At Blizzard Beach, you will find these at Snowless Joe's. Towels rent for $1 each. Lockers are $10 for a small locker and $12 for a large locker, including a $5 refundable locker deposit. Since you are going in April, you shouldn't have a problem with locker availability at all. In fact even in the summer when crowds are large, finding available lockers is quite possible. If you have non-swimmers in your party, life vests are also available free of charge if you leave an ID card or refundable deposit.

Have a great trip and don't forget the sunscreen!

Q. Will Disney offer the "free dining" again this fall (2008)? (Submitted by Betsy C. )

A. Well, Betsy, you have excellent timing. Free dining will indeed be back this fall. In fact, the offer will become available this week for resort stays between August 24 and September 20. Starting today, guests with a Disney Visa can begin making reservations and the general public will be able to book beginning April 10. If you're interested in this offer, your best bet is to contact your Travel Agent (like those at The Magic for Less) now, and give all of your requests. As with any offer, things tend to fill up quickly, so be ready. It may also help if you have a little flexibility with your travel plans.

Q. We're going on a Disney cruise in 2009, and I'm a little confused about the passport requirements. Do we really need one? I feel like the rules keep changing. (Submitted by Bonnie S.)

A. A very timely question, Bonnie. It appears that the passport rules are set, after many changes in the recent past. Here's the skinny. If you are traveling outside of the U.S. inside of the Western Hemisphere (Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean) between now and June 1, 2009, you will need a passport, a passport card (available this spring), a WHTI-compliant document (click here for list), or a government-issued photo ID (like drivers license) along with proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate). Beginning on June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens will only be allowed entry at sea or land ports with a passport, passport card, or a WHTI-compliant document.

There are two things to note in these new regulations. One is that following June 1, 2009, cruisers on a closed-loop voyage (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) will still be able to sail with just a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) and proof of citizenship. One-way cruises (say from Port Canaveral to Puerto Rico) would still require a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. Please check the passport requirements of your cruise's port calls to find out those countries identification rules (the cruise line or your travel agent should be able to help you with this).

Also, please remember that if for any reason you end up having to fly back into the United States, only a passport is accepted as identification. Unexpected medical emergencies or emergencies back home are stressful enough without the added difficulty of not having proper documentation. Our advice? Get a passport (and travel insurance).