Anne's blog

The 2010 edition of ESPN The Weekend has begun! If you're a sports fan -- and even if you aren't -- it pays to plan ahead. How can you survive one of the busiest weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios?

• Scope out the schedule in advance. Visit the ESPN website for daily schedules. Get a detailed schedule at the park entrance.
• If you are planning to attend events at Disney's Hollywood Studios, arrive no later than 8:30 AM -- even earlier if possible! Pick up Fastpasses for Toy Story Mania ASAP, because they are sure to run out early in the day. 
• Be prepared for extra traffic on Saturday morning during the Champion 5K. Runners start at 7 AM, so plan for delays all morning. 
• If you aren't planning to participate in ESPN The Weekend events, skip Hollywood Studios this weekend. Enjoy one of the other parks -- Magic Kingdom, Epcot or Disney's Animal Kingdom. (Considering the weather, I plan to visit Epcot.)
• Most of all, relax and enjoy yourself. The crowds and long lines can try your patience if you let let it! Remember that you're at Disney World!

Weather Forecast: Ah, this week is perfect Florida weather! Highs are forecast to be in the mid-70s all week, except for Thursday... which they say is going to be a bit warmer with a chance of thundershowers. Lows will be mostly in the upper 50s. Just to be on the safe side, bring some disposable rain ponchos.

Ride Closures: At the Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain is still closed for its annual rehab, with reopening scheduled for Feb. 27. Blizzard Beach has closed for its annual rehab; reopening is planned for March 21. At Epcot, Living with the Land at Epcot, closed Jan. 18-Feb. 5.

Extra Magic Hours: Here's the posted schedule for this week. Check at your resort for updates:

• Disney's Hollywood Studios: Tuesday evening (7-10 PM), Saturday morning (8-9 AM), and next Monday evening (7-10 PM)
• Epcot: Friday evening (9 PM-midnight), next Tuesday morning (8-9 AM)
• Disney's Animal Kingdom: Tuesday morning (8-9 AM), Wednesday evening (5-8 PM), next Monday morning (8-9 AM)
• Magic Kingdom: Thursday morning (8-9 AM), Sunday evening (8-11 PM)

Note about Park Hours: Now that we're in the winter season, crowds are smaller, which means park hours will be shorter. The good news -- at least in my opinion -- is the parks are closing earlier. That means my favorite touring tip still applies: Arrive at the theme parks early! Read more about how to get the most from arriving early.

Current Special Offers: Thinking about a Disney World vacation? Now's the perfect time to plan your trip! Disney is running a few special offers that should make the decision making easier. My friends at Dream Come True Vacations have all the details:

• Winter/Spring Room Only: Save up to 30 percent; special rates for Florida residents and Annual Passholders.
• Free Disney Gift Card with Vacation Packages: Get up to $750 in gift cards that can be used on your vacation.

If you're heading to Disney World this week, download your Mouse Map here. Any other questions about this week? Send a Twitter message to @wdwtips or use our nifty contact form.

Shopping for souvenirs in certainly a favorite pasttime at Disney World... and there are so many options! To help you plan in advance, check these Disney shopping-related sites:

• Vinylmation Blog: The Vinylmation characters are an edgy addition to the selection of Disney World souvenirs. They're cute and clever, with endless possibilities. Read what new releases are on the calendar and be on the look-out for them during your vacation. Read the blog here, and visit the shopping site to order.
• Disney Pin Trading: Pins are huge (which you probably already know)! There are dozens of fan sites, and then there's the official blog: What's HapPINing? I met their chief blogger last year, and he's such fun! Can you imagine how much fun it would be to think about Disney pins all day long?

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Gotta go check out the upcoming pin events... See ya real soon!

Weather Forecast: After some of the coldest weather in Central Florida history, we are wishing for a warmer week -- and we'll get it by the end of the week. The forecast low for Monday is 29F. It will still be chilly Tuesday, with highs around 60. The high temperatures will be in the mid-70s by Friday. Thundershowers are possible Saturday and Sunday. What that means for you: plan to dress in layers, and carry rain ponchos and extra socks! Trust me -- fresh, dry socks can make all the difference when your feet are cold and wet.

Ride Closures: At the Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain is still closed for its annual rehab, with reopening scheduled for Feb. 27. Blizzard Beach has closed for its annual rehab; reopening is planned for March 21. At Epcot, Test Track will be closed Jan. 11-17. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular will be closed Jan. 11-15.

As soon as the weather warms a bit, I'll head over to Typhoon Lagoon and look for anything new from its annual rehab. Upcoming closures include Living with the Land at Epcot, closed Jan. 18-Feb. 5.

Extra Magic Hours: Here's the posted schedule for this week. Check at your resort for updates:

• Disney's Hollywood Studios: Monday evening (8-11 PM), Saturday morning (8-9 AM)
• Epcot: Tuesday morning (8-9 AM), Friday evening (9 PM-midnight)
• Disney's Animal Kingdom: Wednesday evening (5-8 PM), next Tuesday morning (8-9 AM)
• Magic Kingdom: Thursday morning (8-9 AM), Sunday evening (8-11 PM) 

35th Anniversary of the Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom

Thirty-five years ago this week, Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress opened at the Magic Kingdom. As you might imagine, this is one of my favorite attractions -- somehow it feels like you're directly connected to Walt Disney's imagination -- that the dad might even be Walt himself.

To commemorate the anniversary, Orlando performance artist Brian Feldman plans to ride the attraction for 11 hours straight (that's from opening to close at the Magic Kingdom that day). Brian has an open invitation on Facebook for fellow fan to join him. Brian's day at the Magic Kingdom is sponsored by my friends at Dream Come True Vacations -- thanks, Joe and Liz!

(I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be able to stop by Friday evening... I'm doing some contract work right now, and we have two web sites launching this week. Follow me on Twitter for updates!)

If you're heading to Disney World this week, download your Mouse Map here. Any other questions about this week? Send a Twitter message to @wdwtips or use our nifty contact form.

PS: Being stuck indoors (yes, I'm afraid of cold weather!) had its benefits... I finally finished the new pocket-size edition of Mouse Map. I'm now working on getting it added to the shopping cart... should be functioning tomorrow evening!