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 July 28, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. My husband and I are planning a commemorative 25th anniversary visit to Disney World; we honeymooned there, too. I was wondering if there are any special events I could plan for us, besides a special meal on the actual day of our anniversary. I know Disney does weddings, but do they offer anything special for anniversaries? Thanks in advance. (Submitted by Max)

A. Sounds like you've got the beginnings of a romantic vacation planned, Max. And Disney definitely can help. A whole section of the Disney Fairytale Weddings site is dedicated to vow renewals. Options range from an intimate ceremony and cake at the Poly's Sunset Pointe, to a full ceremony in the Wedding Pavilion and a cake reception at the Grand Floridian. Disney also offers vow renewals at sea, on their Disney Cruise Line ships. For more information, talk with a Disney-specialized travel agent or visit the Disney website.

Beyond these formal vow renewals, pretty much the sky's the limit at Disney. Your plans to commemorate your anniversary depend on your budget and your personal preference. Think about what it is that you and your husband most enjoy doing together. If it's dining out, make sure to plan your day around splendid meals. Maybe a breakfast at Cinderella Castle with royalty, and dinner at the California Grill during the fireworks. Or a brunch at Animal Kingdom Lodge's Boma, and dinner at Bistro de Paris in Epcot's France pavilion. Or the pinnacle of fine dining at Disney, Victoria and Albert's Chef's Table. If you enjoy more active pursuits, you could book a Segway tour (offered both in Epcot's World Showcase and the campgrounds at Fort Wilderness) or a fishing or parasailing experience. Perhaps you want to try to book the Breathless II for an unforgettable look at IllumiNations.

To personalize your experience, think back on what you did for your honeymoon at Disney World, and revisit your favorite honeymoon memories. Was there a restaurant that you loved to which you could return? A park attraction that you both loved 25 years ago? Reliving that once-in-a-lifetime visit to Walt Disney World could make your 25th that much more memorable.

Q. Hi. I just read in your newsletter about the butterfly garden behind the Acadian House at Port Orleans Riverside. I have never seen this mentioned before. Can you tell me more about it? I will be staying here for the first time next month with my two daughters and we all are looking forward to our stay! Thank you. (Submitted by J. Corbin)

A. The talented gardeners at Port Orleans Riverside designed the garden behind Acadian House to attract butterflies. This means that they chose plants that produce nectar (that butterflies can drink) and plants with specific foliage (that attract egg-laying butterflies and that caterpillars can eat). The garden also has woody plants for shelter during bad weather and for roosting or sleeping. A water source is also present. The garden is tucked behind the Acadian House to give the butterflies a low-traffic area protected from the wind.

Since you are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, a stroll over to check out this garden could be a nice diversion during your downtime at the resort. I don't think I would try to fit this into my Disney itinerary if I were not staying at Port Orleans Riverside or Port Orleans French Quarter, but it is one of the special touches that Disney adds to its resorts; one of those little-known secrets that make a visit special. Have a wonderful vacation!

Q. My family of four will be visiting the Walt Disney parks for five days in December. Of the five days, we will only park hop for two of the days. It's much cheaper to buy a seven-day base ticket than it is a five-day park hopper ticket. This would still give me the ability to visit two parks on two of the days. Is there any disadvantage to doing it this way? Seems like a good way to save over $160. (Submitted by Kim W.)

A. Hi, Kim. First off, you've picked a fabulous time to visit Walt Disney World. There's nothing quite like the holiday atmosphere that Disney wraps around guests in December. I know you'll have a magical visit.

On the ticket front, if you want to visit more than one park in one day, the most economical way to do it is to buy the park hopper. The base tickets are programmed so that you can only use them for one park in one day. If you try to insert the base ticket in the turn style at a second park in the same day, it won't be accepted. Disney recognizes that its pricing structure could encourage using base tickets at multiple parks in one day, instead of buying park hoppers, and they made it impossible.

So, unfortunately, if you want to avoid the additional cost of the park-hopping add-on, perhaps there is a way to rearrange your vacation to avoid your two park-hopping days? Also, know that if you buy the base ticket ahead of time, you can very easily add the hopping feature at the parks, for the same price it would have cost you ahead of time. That might be the way to go, so that you can decide, during your vacation, if you really need that second park on a given day. Either way, enjoy your Disney visit!