Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue, we answer questions from our readers. Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or a cruise? You name the question and our great team of Disney experts and sleuths will answer it. Questions should be sent to magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com. If your question is trip-related, please include when you will be traveling. Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the November 17, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. My daughter saw someone with an invisible dog on a "leash" two years ago on a visit. Does anyone know what shop sells them and in which park? I'm thinking it may be near the Haunted Mansion, but I really don't recall. She has her heart set on getting one for her souvenir this year. I don't want to spend hours looking for one, so I hope you can help. Also, is there some sort of service that takes purchases to your resort for you? I can't imagine carrying this leash around once we find it! (Submitted by the Diehls)

A. We're pretty sure that your daughter can find one of those invisible dogs on a leash, as you guessed, near the Haunted Mansion. We've spotted them in the past at the Madame Leota cart, so that's your best bet on property. If it is going to ruin your daughter's vacation if you don't find this item during your trip, you might want to consider buying the leash ahead of time and giving it to her as a surprise pixie dust gift once you arrive. You'd be surprised how easy it is to find those invisible dogs online – google it, or go to Amazon.com.

If and when you do locate your invisible dog with leash, you can definitely get Disney to hold onto your purchase until later. If you are staying in a Disney-owned resort or at the Swan or Dolphin, you can have the item delivered to your hotel, where you'll be able to pick it up the next day at the resort gift shop. If you aren't staying at a Disney-owned resort, you can arrange to pick up your purchase as you leave the park later in the day. At the Magic Kingdom, package pick-up is at Station Break underneath the Main Street Train Station, and at Epcot, package pick-up is at the Entrance Plaza. Package pick-up at Disney's Hollywood Studios is at Oscar's Super Service, and at the Animal Kingdom, it's at Garden Gate Gifts just inside the main entrance to the park.

Q. This is our first trip to Disney that we are planning for early 2009. I was told that it will be a good idea to make nightly dining reservations now. But with little kids, it is so hard to pick where and when, especially right now. I was told it is a good idea for the reservations now because they fill up but was also given some advice to make two reservations different places in case we completely miss the first one! What should be done? (Submitted by Chantel)

A. Hi, Chantel. I am always so envious of people going on their first vacation to Disney World. There's nothing like the first trip — I'm sure you'll have a magical time.

Sometimes making magic does require advance planning, though, and we have to agree with your friends that it's important to have a general idea of your plans, including the sit-down restaurants where you'd like to dine. You don't need to know where you'll be every minute of every hour, but knowing which park you will go to each day can help you structure your vacation so that you don't end up missing out on parks and/or attractions that are important to you and yours.

Once you decide when you're going to visit which park, it's much easier to think about which restaurant might be a natural fit for each meal. Pick a restaurant that is either at that park, or in a resort close to that park (one of the monorail resorts, if you're at the Magic Kingdom, or one of the Epcot resorts, if you're at Epcot). If you're on the Disney Dining Plan, you probably do want to have an average of one sit-down (or table-service) meal scheduled each day. If you're not on the plan, you can be more flexible. If counter-service fast-food meals are more your family's style, those of course do not require advance planning. Just schedule a couple of special meals; maybe a character breakfast or a nice dinner at one of Epcot's World Showcase restaurants.

As for making more reservations than you know you are going to use, we cannot endorse that approach. While it makes your vacation smoother for you, it makes advance planning harder for other families. Thus, we highly encourage you to think in broad strokes about your vacation, nail down a general plan of where you think you'll be each day, and make reservations based on that plan. When things change, you can go to guest services or call 407-WDW-DINE from the park and see what is available at the last minute.

If you are traveling in 2009 after the marathon weekend (January 8-11) and before President's Day weekend (February 14-16), crowds should be low enough that there will be availability at many Disney restaurants for last-minute Advanced Dining Reservations. But they may not be at your first- or second-choice restaurant, or at the time you prefer, so follow your friends' advice, and make some ADRs now, before you go. That's 407-WDW-DINE!

Q. We are planning our five-year-old daughter's first trip to Walt Disney World. We will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, along with my sister-in-law and her children (ages ten, five, and two). We'll be there over New Year's Eve, which we understand is a very busy time at the park. What are some good strategies to deal with the crowds and still give the little ones a great Disney experience (and us adults too)? Thanks! (Submitted by Stephanie)

A. Stephanie, how exciting to be at the World for New Year's Eve. You are right to be thinking ahead about how to make the best of the parks during what is both a very wonderful and a very crowded time of year.

My first advice is to do your research. You mention that it's your daughter's first trip, but not if it's your own. If you are a newbie as well, definitely invest in a good guide book (maybe Unofficial Guide, or Passporter's Guide to WDW). Be sure you understand Disney's FASTPASS system, and how to use it. While it isn't going to keep you out of all long lines, it will help you experience some of Disney World's headliner attractions without having to spend hours to do so. Any and all knowledge you have under your belt before arriving is going to enhance your vacation when you're finally at Walt Disney World.

If you're interested in specific restaurants or character meals, you definitely should call and get reservations – I'm hoping you already have done so. Walking up to a restaurant podium and hoping for a table, during the holidays, just won't work, so have something lined up for any mealtime that you'd like to have a sit-down meal. If you don't have an Advanced Dining Reservations yet, call right away (407-WDW-DINE), and be prepared to consider some of the lesser-known dining options. We have loved meals at Epcot's France pavilion, when the oh-so-popular Le Cellier in the Canada pavilion was booked solid. It's easier to get princess dining at Norway's Akershus than at Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom. Chef Mickey's character meals fill up fast, but you can often find availability for breakfast at 'Ohana's breakfast at the Polynesian (with Lilo, Stitch, and classic Disney characters) or at the Cape May Café breakfast at the Beach Club (where you can usually find most of the Fab Five).

Finally, make sure that you have a New Year's Eve plan. Consider having the kids go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge kids' club (if there's space still) so that you can have a nice dinner at Jiko's. If you will be at a park that evening, know that the Magic Kingdom will be the most crowded, and that it might close to guests at some point in the day due to reaching maximum capacity. Keep that in mind when deciding your arrival time.