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 June 2, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. A trio of friends and I are planning our "first" trip (all together) to Disney for this October and are planning on attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP). I know this event is called a "hard ticket" event, meaning you have to have a special ticket to enter the festivities. What I was wondering was, do I need to have a regular park admission ticket and the party ticket or just the party ticket to get in? Thanks for the information and for the great newsletter! (Submitted by Shelly B.)

A. Hi Shelly, thanks for the kind words.

To answer to your question depends in part on your plans. If you are hoping to spend much of the day at the Magic Kingdom, you'll need both regular park admission and the separate ticket for MNSSHP. However, if you are just planning on enjoying the party, you and your friends are all set with just the MNSSHP ticket.

One thing that's good to know, in terms of making the most of your Magic Kingdom party, is that while the parties usually officially begin at 7:00 p.m., your party ticket gets you into the Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 p.m. (for parties that start at 7:30 p.m., tickets activate at 4:30 p.m.). So consider using the earlier part of your day for non-park pastimes, and arrive early for your Magic Kingdom evening. Hope that helps!

Q. My family (with two teenagers) is planning a trip to WDW the last week of August and into September. We have never gone at this time of year, usually opting for mid-October. What differences can we expect? Any can't-miss events, like the Halloween Party? We hear there is a Pirates party. Is that worthwhile? (Submitted by Teri E.)

A. Teri, in general, you'll find the parks to be less crowded during your August-September trip, and the weather to be more hot and humid than in October. There will be a greater likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms, as well. Park hours are often longer during more crowded times (October) but when the sun is up later (August/September), Walt Disney World has little choice but to wait until the later sunset times to hold Wishes and Fantasmic! In August, Wishes is at 10:00 p.m. across the board. In October, it ranges from 8:00-10:00 p.m., depending on how crowded Disney anticipates the parks will be. Fantasmic! is appreciably earlier in October (between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.) as opposed to late August (8:30 or 9:00 p.m.).

Since your travel-dates fall during the "free dining" period, be sure that you arrange all of your dining plans as soon as possible. Between August 24 and September 20, the dates when the free-dining discount is offered, all of the popular restaurants, and many of the run-of-the-mill ones, will be booked solid.

As for special events at the end of August and the beginning of September, the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween parties start on September 5, but there are no 2008 Mickey's Pirate and Princess parties announced yet for dates past June. In the last few years, there has been a Magical Beginnings promotion, with special programming for toddlers, but it doesn't look like Disney is planning that for this fall, either. An event that might interest you is Night of Joy, held September 5 and 6. Night of Joy features live concerts from big acts in the Christian rock world. It's being held at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the first time, and promises to be a sell-out. For more information on the performers, ticket prices, and more, visit the annual event page for Night of Joy at TheMouseForLess.com.

Q. Hello, I have an unusual question for you: What is the fragrance/potpourri used in the lobby of the Beach Club resort? Every time I go there it has a lovely distinct smell and would like to know what it is and is it available to buy? If so, where? Many thanks. (Submitted by B Hiti)

A. We know just the smell you mean! And what a great idea, to bring that fragrance home, and keep the magic alive between vacations. The scent is called Simply Fragrance, and it's a spray used by Beach Club housekeeping. Unfortunately, they purchase it through Ecolab, so it's not available to the general public.

It is possible to purchase many Disney resort items, however. The Walt Disney Company recently opened the Disney Resort Collection, a catalog offering of almost anything you find in your Disney resort room. Want a bed just like the one you slept in on your most-recent vacation? They have it there. They also sell the resorts' bath products, towels, bedding, lamps, and more (1-877-888-8287).