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 October 6, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. I read the article about the celebration tour and I know the tour is coming to Dallas October 14th. My questions is, can anyone attend the event or is it for travel agents only? If anyone can attend...how can we find out more information? (Submitted by Stacey M.)

A. Hi, Stacey, thanks for writing. The "What Will You Celebrate?" tour is open to everyone and their grandmother too. It looks like the Dallas stop on October 14 will be at Urban Market. I hope there's plenty of parking! For more information on the tour schedule, prizes associated with this new Disney promotion, and cyber-gifts, check out www.disneyparkscelebrations.com.

Q. I would like to understand how tips are handled with the Disney Dining Plans. I have read some reviews about the Basic and Deluxe Plans, and it seems for table-service meals, the taxes are covered, but the tips are automatically added and must be paid separately. Also, do you receive vouchers for the meals, or is the Plan added to your room card, like your park admissions? Can you help? Thanks! (Submitted by Seesunnyfla)

A. Hi there, Seesunnyfla, thanks for the good questions. Disney dining can be confusing for the most dedicated Mouse fan, so it never hurts to clarify the rules.

Both the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan do not include gratuity. So it is true that you have to pay tips separately. An 18% gratuity is not automatically added unless your party size is six or over. Also, for certain dining experiences (Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, the Spirit of Aloha dinner show, Mickey's Backyard Barbeque, and Cinderella's Royal Table) do include gratuity on the dining plans. All of these experiences cost two dining credits. There is a Disney dining discount program that requires guests to automatically pay a gratuity, the Disney Dining Experience, ummm, I mean, Tables in Wonderland. When using the Tables in Wonderland, a gratuity of 18% is added to your bill, regardless of your party size.

As for how you receive your dining credits, you will indeed get them added to your Key to the World (aka your room key). Each time you get a snack, counter-service meal, or table-service meal, you'll hand over your room key, and the server will deduct the appropriate number of credits. The receipt you get back will have a running total, so that you can see how many credits you have remaining. It's a good idea to keep an eye on these numbers, to verify that the total credits listed match the number you think you should have left. Mistakes aren't common, but they do happen. If the totals don't match, discuss the discrepancy with a guest services Cast Member at the parks or at your resort. And have a great trip!

Q. Hi, I have some no expiration Magic Your Way tickets from Disney World with a few days left on them, and will be going out to California in the fall. Are the Disney World passes valid for theme park admission at Disneyland, or do I need to by new tickets for Anaheim? Thanks. (Submitted by Keith)

A. Keith, you can definitely use your Walt Disney World tickets at Disneyland (although you'll strike out if you try to do the reverse, and use Disneyland tickets at Walt Disney World). Just give the ticket to a Disneyland Cast Member at the gate, and they'll take a day off your WDW pass and give you a one-day Disneyland ticket.

However, since tickets at Disneyland are less expensive, you might want to just purchase new tickets in California if you're fairly certain you'll be returning to Disney World in the future. For instance, a two-day adult hopper at Disneyland is $143; at Disney World it costs $199.

If you are going to buy Disneyland tickets, know that, as with Disney World, you'll rarely find a deep discount on this media. You can save some money if you order and print out your Disneyland tickets online (an e-ticket!). You redeem the printed ticket at the turnstile. Sometimes these online tickets come with extra benefits, like early-morning entry, or a merchandise discount. Check out the date-specific specials by visiting http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/reserve/ticketListing?name=TicketListingPage. You can also get some Disneyland media at Disney Stores, West Coast Costcos and Safeways, through AAA, or at Good Neighbor hotels in Anaheim. On-site, you can get tickets at either end of the Esplanade between Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

Additional Info

In our last issue, we were helping a family that wanted to know the transportation choices from Disney World to other area theme parks. One option we offered was Sunray Transportation, but we neglected to mention that Sunray only offers transportation services to local attractions as a courtesy to those customers who use their service from the airport. For more information, visit the Sunray Transportation website.