Q.

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You're probably thinking of "Fastpass." "Fastpass" is a new way to minimize waits in the queue lines at the WDW parks. If you decide to use Fastpass, you can skip the queue (for the time being) and return at a specific time later in the day when you can enter the shorter Fastpass line.

Click here to check out MousePlanet's WDW Trip Planning Guide page on Fastpass.

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Q.

I just wanted to mention something. In your MGM pics commentary you'd said that Judy Garlands Red Shoes were on display in the queue. They may have been moved but, last I saw them they were in the Smithsonian in D.C.???? Is that possible? Anyway, just wanted your site to be as accurate as possible as it seems SO great already!

A.

Here's an interesting piece that I found when I did a net search.  The words used there are "a pair of." Perhaps several pair were made and used by Judy Garland during production of the film. That would explain why the actual slippers could be displayed in two places at once... and why one pair could be sold for $660,000 at auction while the others are at the Smithsonian and WDW.  ;)

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If you're staying onsite, I'd use WDW transportation. I think it's easier than dealing with finding a place to park and so on each day.

MousePlanet's WDW Trip Planning Guide has a page that is a "primer" on WDW.  If you scroll down to the bottom of that page, you'll see a list of several pages that explain How to Use the Walt Disney World Transportation System, when it makes sense to drive, and so on.  It also has a series of WDW Transportation Guide Charts that explain how to get from one place to another when you're on site.

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Q.

I still love to read your excellent reports.

A.

The resorts were always operated as a combined resort, but on March 1st, the names were "merged," too. No one really knows why, but my guess is that -- with the closing of Bonfamilles and the original Port Orleans marina, they still wanted to be able to claim that each moderate resort had a full-service restaurant and full resort amenities. With the merging of the two, Boatwrights and the Riverside marina serve both parts of the resort.

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Universal has two parks that are worth considering. Frankly, I wouldn't plan on a day at Universal Studios with kids that young since most of the attractions are too intense. However, Nickelodeon has some attractions there (it won't take all day to see them, though.) Also, Islands of Adventure has Seuss Landings, a children's area, but again, it won't take all day to cover that part of the park.

Unfortunately, Disney doesn't have park hopper passes that are only good for two days, so I think you're on track in just picking two parks and going with them.

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Sorry, but no... MousePlanet only has a web interface at the present time.

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Q.

We will be visiting again the week of June 3-10. I have emailed Disney unsuccessfully to question about food allergies.

My 4 year old daughter is highly allergic to cow's milk and anything that contains cow's milk or protein from cow's milk -- highly allergic as in can't breathe and has to make a trip to the emergency room. It is extremely difficult to feed her in restaurants. This is something we handle on a day to day basis quite easily at home - however when traveling it is quite difficult to provide a entire days worth of food, not to mention nutritious meals for a week. she basically has whatever I bring and French fries in the parks.  The Itzakadoozie Popsicles are a treat too, and of course fresh fruit.

Any suggestions on how to get info on restaurants etc. we have eaten at the castle previously and the chef came out and was extremely helpful and made her a special breakfast - this was fantastic as we visited Cinderella for her 3rd birthday.

Not to ramble - but any help you could give would be appreciated. we just feel we cannot eat every meal at a sit down restaurant with a special meal request and get to enjoy much of the parks other than dining. Thank you.

A.

Your problem is not an easy one to solve, but there is an answer. What you need to do, is make advanced priority seatings for your sit-down meals. When you make the priority seating (as far in advance as possible), let them know about your special requirements.

The other thing you should do (as an insurance policy) is call the restaurant directly and discuss the issue with them! You can do that (I'd suggest at least 24 hours in advance) by calling the WDW main switchboard at (407) 824-2222 and asking to be connected to the restaurant you're trying to reach. If you're staying on property, I'd also let the front desk of your hotel know that you'll be making those calls -- and why -- so they won't charge you for the "local phone calls" at the end of your visit.

With advanced warning, any of the full-service restaurants should be able to prepare meals that meet your requirements. The key to making this work is going to be advanced planning on your part (doing priority seatings well in advance will make your trip plan much more rigid) and follow-up with the restaurants (to eliminate unpleasant surprises... "they never told us about this!" kinds of things).

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Q.

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Stay tuned, though...

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Q.

I've booked a Yacht Club vacation this year, even though I earn a Dixie Landings salary. I was considering going all out and booking an Illuminations Cruise, but am wondering if it's worth the price.

Whaddya think? Is it one of those memories of a lifetime, or would I be better off just watching Illuminations from the Rose and Crown?

A.

Well, first of all, my spellchecker doesn't like the word, "whaddya."  ;)

On the questions you asked, though...

First, you might want to read Kenny Cottrell's article on the cruise here on MousePlanet.

Frankly, you're asking a question that really needs to be answered on a very personal basis. I've never personally taken the IllumiNations cruise, because I don't personally feel that it would be worth the money for me and my family. Other tastes differ, though.

On a trip to Disneyland a few years back, I DID spend the money (with just my wife with me) to see Fantasmic! from the Disney Gallery balcony. That was almost as much money, but was something that was more our style.

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Q.

I am planning to go to WDW on the Memorial Day weekend with my Mom and Dad who are coming to the US for the first time. It had been my lifetime dream to go to WDW and thanks to your website, looks like the dream will come true.

Thank you all so much for creating such a great site. It is so detail and so good. I don't think there is anything else that I need to know to go there and enjoy the theme parks.

Please let me know how I can contribute by posting my experience once I get back from WDW.

Thanks again and Keep Up the good work!

A.

You can go to MousePlanet's Trip Report Archive, and look at the pages listed in the left hand margin, to get an idea about how to write and post a report.

Click here to see some awesome WDW pieces that have run on MousePlanet recently!

Click here to check out the rest of Brian's Archive, including all of the previously published "Notes From the World" pieces!

I've always gotten email about the WDW Trip Planning Guide, but since we added the feedback form to the site several months ago, the number of questions has increased dramatically!  I do my best to answer each and every question personally, but I've noticed that a lot of the questions are asked again and again.  The question that one person asks might very well be the question that someone else is wondering about.  Thus this page!

So...I'll post reader email and feedback every once in a while, because the question someone else asks might be the same one you're thinking about yourself!