Family, travel, mom blog | Theme Park Mom (Leigh Caldwell)

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party continues tonight in the Magic Kingdom. This party runs on 24 nights this fall, and it requires a separate ticket for admission. (The park closes at 7 p.m. for non-partygoers.)

Walt Disney World is offering lots of halloween merchandise for the not-so-scary party. Here’s a look at some of what you’ll see in the stores:

Halloween mugs with Mickey ears

(more…)

Walt Disney World is accepting applications from Disney-loving moms for next year’s Moms Panel. This will be the third time that Disney has chosen moms who are Disney experts to help families plan their Walt Disney World vacations.

Now through Sept. 20, parents (and grandparents!) who pride themselves on knowing their way around Mickey’s house can apply for the panel online. If you are one of the lucky few who are chosen for the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, you will spend time each week answering questions at www.disneyworldmoms.com. Moms Panel members go to Walt Disney World in December for training, and they are invited back with their families for a magical vacation.

And if you need some help planning a Walt Disney World vacation for your family, the Moms Panel Web site, www.disneyworldmoms.com, is a great place to search for frequently asked questions and ask a question of your own.

On a recent visit to Holiday World, workers had already cleared the site where the massive water coaster will sit. The Wildebeest will be 1/3 of a mile long, and will sit here, on a two-acre plot behind the Bahari wave pool inside the Splashin’ Safari water park.

Park goers will notice it’s a very different water ride right from the start, because there won’t be any stairs to climb to get onboard. Riders will board their toboggan-style cars at ground level, then get a conveyor ride to the top for a four-story drop. Linear Induction Motors – the magnetic system that propels many newer steel coasters – will power the rest of the 2 1/2 minute ride.

Here’s a look at Holiday World’s Point of View simulation for The Wildebeest:

The folks at Holiday World have set up a Web cam so that coaster fans can track the Wildebeest’s progress. They are already taking delivery of some of the fiberglass parts of the water coaster.

The free dining special is now in effect at Walt Disney World, where many guests who stay on the property get the Disney Dining Plan for free. There’s an abundance of great food to try, and that means there are a lot of heavy meals on the horizon.

But sometimes, you just want a sandwich. Here are four good sandwiches to buy with your quick-service dining credits at Walt Disney World.

1. Ham and Salami on Asiago Ciabatta at Sunshine Seasons (EPCOT)

This sandwich (shown above) is plenty big enough to split with another adult or a child. It’s topped with peppery arugula and sharp, creamy asiago cheese, which ties the whole thing together nicely. This wedge-shaped sandwich is served with a side of tangy potato salad, which is accented with pimentos and green olives. (more…)