3 Days of Disney: World of Color Tips

I have shied away from posting about Disneyland because I am sure there are people out there who know more tricks and tips than I do.  Even though my family has been to "the happiest place on earth" more than a dozen times, I still learn something new every time I go.  So, as nod to the three days I recently spent there, here are three days of Disney posts.

World of Color

Tickets: You will need to get a FASTPASS ticket to view the World of Color.  You will still be able to use your entrance ticket to obtain a FASTPASS ticket to another ride immediately. Every ticket holder must be present in order to receive a FASTPASS. Even though it says specifically on the Disneyland website that this is not the case, the cast members apparently haven't been told this. So unlike other FASTPASS distribution areas, you can't send one person to get the tickets for everyone.  (We learned this the hard way.) Currently the FASTPASS distribution area is located next the Grizzly River Run.

A limited number of tickets are distributed each day.  Shows can "sell out" in as little as 25 minutes on days with only one showing. It's best to get in line for tickets as soon as California Adventure opens.

Seating: Tickets are distributed in two seating groups: blue and yellow.  Both seating groups are comparable. "Seating Groups" is a misnomer because there aren't any seats.  If you are watching with your kids, look for the steps in the the viewing area (there are several places) and find a space at the top.  By standing at the top, it will be easier for little one to see over adults when the show begins.  Plus, you have a good place to sit while you wait.

Seating opens 1 hour to 45 minutes before the show (depending on if there is one or two showings that day).  It is okay for one person to save space for the rest of the family.  I like to save space and let the kiddos go on one or two more rides rather than have them wait all that time.  The Little Mermaid ride behind the viewing area is surprisingly empty during this time. Also, if you can find a space towards the middle, cast members remove these rope barriers at the end of the show for a quick exit.  There are a few benches behind the viewing area, but they go quickly. Plan on grabbing one of these at least 1 1/2 hours or more before the show begins.

If you would like a space up front, get in line for seating early.  Keep in mind that when they say people in front will get wet, what they mean is that people in front will get wet.  We were about midway both times I saw the show, and I still got a little wet.  Luckily, the park has posted signs in the "wetter" viewing areas.

If you have more questions about World of Color, click here http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/world-of-color/questions/ for Disney's FAQ page.

Pajama Party at Disneyland?

OK, so it's not exactly a pajama party, but Disneyland will let you play all night long this February 29th.  In celebration of leap year, for the first time ever Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom Park will remain open for 24 hours straight-from 6 am on February 29th until 6 am on March 1st.

Don't forget that it's not too late win one of 60 vacation packages for four that Disney is giving away.  Deadline is February 29th. Follow the link below to register and for more info.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/one-more-disney-day/?CMP=SOC-DisMemFY12Q2TWDgsndOMDD0001

National Park Fee Free Days 2012

This year visitors will have four opportunities to visit land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, including National Parks, for free.  The BLM is waiving recreation fees on the following dates during 2012:

Jan 14-16   Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend

Jun 9          Get Outdoors Day

Sep 29        National Public Lands Day 

Nov 10-12  Veterans Day Weekend

Other fees, such as camping and and cabin rentals will remain in effect.  Don't forget that "free" can mean "crowded" and "get there early."  For more info click here:http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/Recreation/BLM_Fee_Free_Days.html

Keeping Food Cool

Keeping food cool on the go can be a challenge, especially with TSA's restrictions on liquids and gels.  The good news is that frozen gel ice packs are allowed on planes.  However, in their thawed state, they are considered a gel and can only be taken on board if they are less than 3 ounces.  Have you ever seen a 3 ounce ice pack?  If your hotel has a fridge, you can refreeze the pack.  But what if there is no freezer available?

A flight attendant recently gave me a great solution for this problem.  Old fashioned ice packs. You remember the old blue, floppy, plastic things your grandmother used.  Fill them with ice to keep your lunch cool.  When the ice melts, just empty it and refill when needed.  You can always count on an ice machine at your hotel, even if there isn't a freezer in your room.  You can also refill your ice bag at airport restaurants on longer trips.

You can pick up a basic blue ice bag at most department stores for less than $10.  For a little more, you can find a bag with a more contemporary design.

Kids Free through December 25th at Sea World Orlando

Now through December 25th, you can get one free child's admission (age 3-9) with each adult admission purchased for Sea World Orlando.  What's more, these tickets are also eligible for Sea World's 2nd Visit Free promotion, which means both of you can return within 7 days for free!

Adult tickets are $81.99.  For more info go to: http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/Book-Online/Tickets/Tourists/Single-Park

Snacks on a Plane

Feeding five people at an airport can get pretty expensive, especially when you you travel as much as we do. We generally pack our own snacks when we head off on a trip.  Here are some of my tried and true favorites.

Go-gurt: Freeze them overnight and they will stay cold until you eat them. Plus, the thicker texture of frozen yogurt means less spilling.

Pringles: The canister keeps these chips intact and takes up very little space in your carry-on.  I also like that Pringles has multi-grain and lower-fat options.

Grapes: Pack these in a plastic container with a lid to prevent squishing.  I love grapes because waste is minimal and a lot less slimy than waste from other fruits (think apple cores and orange peels). Just store the leftover grapevines in the plastic container until you have access to a trash can.  Easy and mess-free!

Nabisco Go-Packs: Packed in convenient ready-to-go plastic containers, these packs come in several varieties including Cheese Nips, Teddy Grahams, Ritz Bits, and Honey Maid Cinnamon Sticks.  The snacks are all bite-sized, so crumbs are minimized.

Pizza: Yes, pizza.  A great alternative to sandwiches, pizza travels well.  I individually wrap slices of cheese or pepperoni pizza the night before a trip and stick them in the freezer.  They don't get soggy like sandwiches with condiments do.  It also eliminates the picky eater problem of determining "is this the ham, no-cheese with mayonnaise or is this the ham with cheese and mustard sandwich" while you are squished in an airplane seat.

Bagels with Cream Cheese: These have saved me many times when we have had to make a 6 am flight. Pre-assemble the night before a trip and grab them on your way out the door.  Eat on the plane or on the way to the airport!

Airplane Food Do's and Don'ts

Fish Crackers: Always messy, never a good idea.

Pull Top Foods: Remember that an airplane is pressurized but the food sealed inside your container is not.  So foods with a pull top, such as pudding or yogurt can often "explode" when opened.

 

Waste: If you have something messy, like paper towels from a spill or an apple core, to throw out, wait until the flight attendant comes around with a trash bag.  Place the waste directly in the bag yourself.  Do not expect the flight attendant to handle it.  Also, do not throw food waste in the lavatory trash receptacles. 

 

Know your Limit: TSA limits liquids to 3.4 ounces or 100 ml.  All liquids and gels, including food items, need to be placed in a quart-sized bag and screened separately.  For more info, see http://www.tsa.gov/311

TSA Relaxes Screening for Kids

I was pleasantly surprised on a recent trip to discover that TSA has implemented new screening procedures for children age 12 and under. Here's a summary of the changes from a CNN article posted September 13th.

Responding to the uproar over physical searches of children, the Transportation Security Administration is rolling out new procedures that should reduce, although not eliminate, the number of times children are patted down at airport checkpoints.

Under the new procedures, children age 12 and younger will be allowed to keep their shoes on, the TSA said. If a metal detector or full-body image detects a suspicious object, the children will be allowed multiple passes through the machines in an effort to identify the anomaly.

Not all airports have implemented the changes yet.  In SLC we still had to pull off our shoes, but in San Diego we were told to "tighten those laces." Expect the changes to be in effect at all US airports by the end of the year.

For more info, read the full CNN article here: http://articles.cnn.com/2011-09-13/travel/tsa.kids.screening_1_tsa-chief-john-pistole-pat-downs-airport-screeners?_s=PM:TRAVEL