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 September 8, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. I will be going on my third trip to Disney World in the first week of October! I've never been there in October before, just September. How different will the weather be? More importantly, how about the crowds? I've never had to use the FASTPASS system before and was wondering if you think I will have to use it. I know it's hard to guess at how the crowds will be. (Submitted by Amy E.)

A. Amy, to answer briefly, I think you'll find Orlando to be a little less humid and hot, and Walt Disney World to be a little more crowded. The weather in October is, on average, about five degrees cooler, and there's three to four less inches of rain. As for the crowds, you are going in the beginning of the month, and that's good news. All of October used to be slow, but Disney has beefed up the crowds with Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween parties, and the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. Around about Columbus Day (October 13 this year) there's an up swell of guests, and then toward the end of the month, things calm down a bit.

As for FASTPASS (FP) use, it is always a good idea, even in the January and February dates that now seem to have the lowest crowd count. The system is quite easy to use, and can save you time if you do encounter a lengthy line for an attraction you like. Here's how my family uses it: first thing when we enter the park, we go to our FP-enabled attraction of choice and get our first set. (Just insert tickets for all your family members, then remember to grab both your tickets and the FPs that the machine spits out.) Then we tour however we've planned, keeping an eye on when our FP window opens and when we can get a second set of FPs. This may sound like a hassle, but really it's just a couple minutes extra, minutes that can keep you out of a 40-minute or longer queue.

We can't resist sharing a link to the Disney Mom's Panel video explaining how the FP-system works. Look for the video entitled "Reduce Your Wait in Line with FASTPASS." The "Mom" involved is brother to co-editor Erica. Enjoy! And have a great trip, Amy!

Q. We will be visiting Disney World in October and will be staying at the All-Star Movies resort. My granddaughter will be 19 months old and has a heart defect and will need to rest. Do you know if you can request a fan in your room (to block noise)? Also do they have connecting rooms? Thank you! (Submitted by Susan B.)

A. Susan, Disney World is an ideal place to vacation when family members have medical issues. Disney goes out of their way to accommodate guests with health challenges. Unfortunately, however, All-Star Movies does not have fans on hand for guest use. You can certainly request a quiet room, and be sure to have noted on your reservation that it is for medical reasons. Consider purchasing and bringing down a white noise machine. Some of them are fairly affordable (under $50) and fairly light-weight (under 2 pounds), and a white noise machine could come in handy for other trips in the future. Or even at home.

All-Star Movies definitely has connecting rooms. Generally, if you have two adults and any number of children (up to the room limits), you are guaranteed to get a connecting room. Disney can book those two rooms as one reservation. If you have three or more adults, though, it's considered two reservations, and the request for a connecting room is just that, a request. When you check in, the Cast Members will do their best to find a connecting room for you. You might, however, have to decide what is more important, a quiet location, or connecting rooms.

If you have other questions concerning how the Cast Members at All-Star Movies can help you, their direct number is 407-939-7000.

Q. Are there any discounts or tips for purchasing park hopper passes? If we get our room/meals reserved and paid for and then later comes a "free meals" discount, can we change our "package" to take advantage of the free meals? Also, is there anywhere to do laundry on Disney property? We will be staying at Pop Century, and after the one week there, we will leave for one week elsewhere. I don't want to pack for two weeks! (Submitted by rreece).

A. Let's look at your ticket and reservation question first. You can definitely get a room-only reservation and make your advanced dining reservations (ADRs), then later switch your room-only ressie to a package reservation with free dining (or whatever other discount is available for your dates). You wouldn't have to do anything to change your ADRs. Currently, they are independent of your resort reservation. You might have to switch resorts, as discount availability can be limited, so it pays to be flexible about where you'll stay.

I would recommend you hold off on buying tickets if there's a chance you might change your room-only reservation to a package one. To book a package reservation, everyone in your party will have to purchase at least a one-day base ticket. The money you might save by buying park-hoppers elsewhere will be more than eaten up by having to get that additional one-day pass for the whole family. Beyond that, Disney World tickets never have the deep discounts that some other theme parks have. Since there was already a price increase recently, you should be safe to wait a few months. If it turns out that a discount package you like doesn't turn up, you can always get your hopper tickets from one of the recommended on-line vendors when you get closer to your actual vacation dates. These vendors may save you $5-10 off the gate price, depending on the number of days you need.

You'll be glad to know that there are, indeed, laundry facilities at the Value, Moderate and Disney Deluxe Villa resorts. Their location varies at each resort, although they are generally quite close to a pool. This should make it easy to keep the kids happy with a dip in the water while still getting the clothes clean for Week Two of your vacation. Have a great one, rreece!