New FastPass+ information released from Disney

Disney Parks released a new version of their "My Disney Experience" app today. Buried in the terms and conditions of that release are the following details of FastPass+:

• Disney FastPass+ service allows you to select an arrival window to experience certain park attractions, character meet and greets, and quick-service restaurants, and to arrange a viewing location for certain entertainment such as fireworks, parades and shows.
• Availability of a FastPass+ experience, the number of experiences you may select and arrival windows are limited and vary based on factors such as the theme park you are visiting, the attraction or entertainment experience, the time of year and the day of the week, and prior demand. In addition, the number of days for which you can hold FastPass+ selections at any given time is limited.
• Each confirmed FastPass+ attraction, entertainment or restaurant selection is valid for (1) guest admission to the entrance of the designated FastPass+ location on the date and during the arrival window confirmed by the Site/App.
• The operating hours of all attractions, entertainment and restaurant locations are subject to closures and change without notice.
• You can make and modify FastPass+ selections for yourself, your Managed Friends, and your Connected Friends.
• Your Connected Friends can also make FastPass+ selections for you or modify the selections you've made without prior notification to you. You can view the selections and modifications made for you by Connected Friends by logging into your account and viewing your itinerary.
• FastPass+ selections made for you by a Friend will count toward the limited number of FastPass+ selections you may make and hold.
• A confirmed FastPass+ selection is not valid for admission to any theme or water park and valid park admission is required to make and use FastPass+ selections. To make a FastPass+ selection for yourself or your Friends, you must either retrieve a Resort package reservation including valid park admission through your account or associate valid park admission to your account.
• Each FastPass+ selection will designate an arrival window for an attraction, restaurant location or entertainment experience. TheFastPass+ selection is not valid before or after the designated arrival window or at any other FastPass+ location.
• You may make FastPass+ selections for one park per day. You may only select and use a FastPass+ selection for a particular attraction, entertainment or restaurant experience once per day.

• When you initially make FastPass+ selections for a particular park, you will choose a FastPass+ experience set. If your plans change, you may modify the entire FastPass+ experience set until the first FastPass+ experience is used or the first unused experience expires. You may also modify any unused individual FastPass+ experience any time prior to the end the day.
• All FastPass+ selections, whether arranged by you or a Connected Friend, expire at the end of the day for which they were confirmed. Unused and expired selections count toward the FastPass+ experience limit for the day.
• Magic Your Way ticket holders and annual passholders may make FastPass+ selections beginning 60 days prior to day of use. The selection window may vary for other admission tickets.
• Ticket holders holding passes or tickets with block-out dates may not make FastPass+ selections for any block-out date without the purchase of separate valid park admission and assigning that admission entitlement to their account.
• We reserve the right to re-assign or re-schedule a FastPass+ selection due to an unplanned attraction or entertainment down time or change in operating hours.
• Other restrictions and rules may apply based on type of park admission. FastPass+ experiences are not transferable, have no cash value and may not be substituted.

Details for Walt Disney World's 4th of July festivities and Limited Time Magic

Here is the press release from Disney Parks regarding upcoming Limited Time Magic for festivities around the 4th of July:

Disney Parks guests can get their red, white and blue on for an entire week during a special tribute to the stars and stripes with Independence Week July 1-7, 2013 — all part of Limited Time Magic at Walt Disney World Resort.

It’s a seven-day patriotic extravaganza as Disney Parks honor America with a Fourth of July celebration like never before. At Magic Kingdom, a 15-minute 360-degree fireworks spectacular rockets into the air every night with ”Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.”

Guests can enjoy a patriotic spectacle as Goofy, Donald and Pluto lead a spirited procession down Main Street, U.S.A, prior to the daily Celebrate a Dream Come True parade at Magic Kingdom. The rousing pre-parade features the Main Street Philharmonic, Citizens of Main Street and Walt Disney’s historic horse-drawn calliope.

Patriotic-themed merchandise and tasty treats inspired by Americana will also be on the menu all week long.

On Independence Day only:

Epcot: Discovery Experiences at American Adventure spotlight American history and heritage. Guests can meet with Disney characters adorned in patriotic dress. An afternoon of live entertainment kicks off at 12:30 p.m. in the America Gardens Theatre with the Voices of Liberty Fourth of July concert. This holiday special is a harmonizing partnership of the eight-part, a capella Voices of Liberty, Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters. The Heartbeat of Freedom, a special tribute following IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth lights up the sky at 10 p.m.

Details:

• Characters in patriotic dress are on set from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and from 3:30 – 6 p.m. outside near Kidcot (under the porte-cochere)

• Voices of Liberty showtimes at America Gardens Theatre are 12:30, 1:45, and 3 p.m.  They are also doing two sets inside the American Adventure Rotunda at 4:15 and 5 p.m.

• Special showtimes for Slippery When Wet (Sounds Like Summer concert series) on the Fourth of July are 5:15, 6:30, 7:45, and 9 p.m.

Disney Hollywood Studios: Enjoy a twist on traditional fireworks with the all-new “Rockin’ 4th of July Celebration”. The party begins at the Sorcerer Hat with a DJ at 6 pm.  At 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m., Mulch, Sweat & Shears will take you on a musical road trip through America. Everything leads up to a special rock ‘n roll fireworks presentation at 10:15 p.m.

New Test Track Tip for Fastpass Experience

Have you experienced this problem yet a the newly redesigned Test Track? You get a Fastpass to bypass the long lines in the stand-by line only to find out that you don't get the full design experience Imagineers made for Test Track. You only get to choose a pre-designed vehicle configuration when using FastPass.

Screen shot of Chevrolet Design Studio at New Test Track Experience

Here is a tip to get the benefits of fully designing your vehicle. Before you enter the Fastpass line at your return time go in through the gift shop you normally exit the attraction. Ask for a keycard from one of the cast members in the Chevrolet showcase area.

Keycard links your design to the different stations in Test Track

Once you have your keycard then find a design station and fully design your vehicle to your liking. Once you have completed your design you can then take your keycard with you on the ride. After you enter the Fastpass line, by-pass the area where you collect new keycards and select a pre-configured design and head to the Sim-Car track. Using your keycard that you configured your personal design, load the design prior to getting on the ride as shown above. Enjoy the ride and see how your design did. 

This way you still enjoy the full experience of the ride AND the benefits of Fastpass!

Happy Fourth of July....Disney Style!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!
Here is a tribute to all of the Disney fireworks shows over the years. Enjoy!

Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Hollywood Studios

Star Wars Weekends returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Listed below is the list of Star Wars celebrities scheduled to appear. More details to follow.

Weekend I (May 18 - 20)

• Ray Park - (Darth Maul - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Jerome Blake (Rune Haako/Mas Amedda - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Dee Bradley Baker (voice of Clone Captain Rex and Clone Commander Cody - Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend II (May 25- 27)

• Andy Secombe (Watto - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Ray Park (Darth Maul - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Tom Kane (voice of Yoda - Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Weekend III (June 1 -3)

• Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Silas Carson (Nute Gunray/Ki-Adi-Mundi - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• (Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice talent - currently TBD)

Weekend IV (June 8- 10)

• Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace)
• Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett - Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi)
• Daniel Logan (Boba Fett - Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones)
• Nika Futterman (voice of Asajj Ventress - Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

New Years Eve Fireworks Video at Magic Kingdom

Twas the Night Before Christmas at WDW

Very cool reading of the classic Christmas tale from WDW Cast Members. Really shows the diversity there is at WDW. Enjoy!