The Orlando Sentinel reported in March that Disney is seeking rezoning and de-annexing on what used to be the Osprey Ridge Golf Course. The plan is to build single-family homes, multi-family homes, condos and time-share units in this area.  Read the story here.

        

Just read that Disney has announced some new movies in the works for release in 2011.  I know you are probably thinking "I don't plan that far ahead!"  Well, it just gives us something to look forward to!

Here's the scoop:  Cars 2 is a long shot (it wasn't that successful in the theaters).  Pirate 4 is already in the works with a storyline focusing on everyone's favorite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow.  TRON may turn out to be a remake instead of a sequel.  Guess we will have to wait and see on that one.

But here is the best news of all (at least for me!).... National Treasure 3!  I loved the first 2 and can't wait to see where they go this time.  Rumor is they may be searching for Atlantis and a lost power source that is pure and clean and will put an end to global warming.  Wouldn't that be great?

I would love to see a ride based on National Treasure at Disney World.  Maybe they could make that part of Disney's Night Kingdom. (oops!  that's another blog post altogether!)

        

Fast Company magazine has named the Disney Company as #14 in the world's 50 most innovative companies.  Of course, we have known for years how innovative Disney is.   Pixar cofounder Ed Catmull, now president of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios, says Disney has brought back the interplay between art and technology that is the rich tradition of the company.

        

I was just over on YouTube and found this video.  This guy has really captured the essence of Walt Disney World in a beautiful video... 

        

A friend recently sent me this link.  It is a fun little way to see your name (or anything else you care to type) on the sign at Disneyland.

        

When you think of Walt Disney World, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Mickey Mouse? Space Mountain? Fun resorts? Parasailing?

WHAT?!? Parasailing? Yes, parasailing. I'll bet there are dozens of things you can do at the World that you never knew. Here are a few of my favorites.

Parasailing
You can book a parasailing adventure on Bay Lake leaving from the Contemporary Resort.

Horesback Riding
Enjoy a leisurely ride through lush pines at Fort Wilderness.

Segway Tour
There are now 2 locations to experience riding a Segway: Epcot and Fort Wilderness.

Miniature Golf
Now I know you are probably thinking, "I can do that at home." But Disney's 2 courses are like nothing you have seen at home!

Drive a Race Car
At the Richard Petty Driving Experience you can take a spin around the track in a real Nascar race car. Depending on how much you want to spend, you can ride with a professional driver or drive yourself.

        

Ok.  New Year's Resolution:  I am going to blog at least once a week!! Please, hold me to it!  I guess I really haven't found my focus yet but will do so this year.  There are so many great blogs and websites out there about Disney that I sometimes feel inadequate.  I only know I love Walt Disney World.  My favorite thing to do is plan Disney vacations so maybe I will just give you some of my favorite itenararies for various times of the year.

Anyway, I hope your Christmas was very blessed and your New Year prosperous!!

        

There are many ways to avoid the crowds at the World.  I am going to give you my top 3 in a countdown.

#3. Don't Go!  Of course this is not even an option!  So my real #3 way to avoid crowds is to use the FastPass system.  FastPass is Disney's way of jumping to the head of the line.  Insert your admission ticket into one of the FastPass machines at any of the rides that have them and you will receive a FastPass with a time window on it.  Come back during that time window and go straight to the FastPass line.  The FastPass riders are given priority for getting on the ride.  The wait time for returning FastPass riders is usually 5-10 minutes.

There are a few restrictions when using a FastPass.  They must be used within the time frame printed on the ticket and on the same day you received the FastPass.  You are only allowed to hold a limited number of FastPass tickets at one time.  For example, if you get a FastPass for Mission:Space, you must wait until the time printed on the Mission:Space FastPass ticket before you can get your FastPass for Test Track.

#2. Visit the theme parks on their "off" days.  Certain parks are historically busier on certain days of the week. The Magic Kingdom is busiest on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Epcot's busy days are Wednesday and Friday. For MGM Studios, avoid Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.  And Animal Kingdom is most crowded on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.  I have always planned my visits accordingly and never run into huge crowds.

#1. The very best way to avoid crowds at Disney World is to go in what Disney refers to as Value Season.  The absolute least crowded times at Disney are September and January.  Although the park hours are shortened somewhat at these times, the lack of crowds mean you are able to see just about everything you want without any wait times.  The next best times to go are the first of October up til the week before Thanksgiving and the first couple of weeks in December.  December is a really great time to go since all the Christmas decorations are up and of course on selected dates the Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

The most crowded time at Disney World is the week between Christmas and New Year's.  So if you love being in a crowd, by all means go then!  It is a very festive time and a great Christmas present!

Ok, so I'm a terrible blogger.  But sometimes life just jumps right in front of you and you can't get around it, under it, or over it — you just have to go through it.

Last weekend, my granddaughter Kaylee spent the night.  At 3 years old, she is more than a handful!  The one time I was able to get her to sit still was when we watched my DVR'ed shows about Disney from the Travel Channel.  She sat in my lap and was mesmerized!  "I wanna do that, Mamaw!"  "I wanna go there."  "I wanna be a princess."  And when I asked which princess, she said "Yes".  "Do you want to be Ariel?" "Yes" "Do you want to be Cinderella?" "Yes" "Do you want to be Belle?" "Yes"

I guess when we take her to Disney, she can be a different princess everyday! I feel like she is still a little too young to really enjoy it (and Mamaw is still a little to out of shape to keep up with her!), so we plan to take her October, 2008.  She will be 4 1/2 by then and thanks to Jenny Craig, I should be about 60 pounds lighter! 

One of my best memories of my first trip to the World back in 1994 was Journey Into Imagination.  This was the one everyone longs for: Dreamfinder and Figment. (And yes, I have a stuffed Figment. My granddaughter and I fight over it every time she comes over. I always win!)

To get to the point, the good folks over at Magical Mountain have released a new DVD in honor of Epcot's 25th anniversary. It is Epcot's Journey Into Imagination - 25th Anniversary Collectors Edition.  It is a 2-disc set that is chock full of Disney goodness.

Hop on over there and check it out!