Category — p. News and Changes

In a hard-hitting article in this morning’s Wall Street Journal, writer Eric Hague probes the hitherto unreported role of Walt Disney World in one dimension of the economy’s recent financial travails. 

Click here for the article.

For more in this genre of fact-filled, deeply-researched, made-up stuff about Disney World, see this.

More is out on Disney World’s 2012 winter ride closures. 

• The much rumored extension of the Big Thunder Mountain closure into late May is now a fact.  It is now posted as closed through May 27.
• And Kali River Rapids has been added to the list–closed from January 23rd through February 9.

For more, see this.

FREE CHRISTMAS AT DISNEY GUIDE FOR READERS OF YOURFIRSTVISIT.NET

My friends at Destinations in Florida are making available a free guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World to readers of yourfirstvisit.net.

To sign up for this free guide to Christmas at Disney World, click here.

Thanks to Allison and the rest of the crew at Destinations in Florida!

For more on the holiday season at Disney World, see this.

DISCOUNT ON TOURINGPLANS.COM FOR YOURFIRSTVISIT.NET READERS

My friends at TouringPlans.com are making a special gift available to readers of their affiliate sites: a holiday discount on their wares.

To get 10% off, go to TouringPlans.com, sign up for either their Disney World or Disneyland products, and use the following offer codes:

• Use offer code: MERRYCHRISTMAS2011 for 10% off a Walt Disney World TouringPlans.com subscription
• Use offer code: DISNEYLANDHOLIDAY for 10% off a Disneyland Resort TouringPlans.com subscription

Check it out, and thanks to the crew at Touringplans.com for making this discount available!

NEW DISNEY WORLD DEALS ANNOUNCED

Disney World has posted a new set of room discounts that cover most dates from April 13 through June 14, 2012 (book by March 31 February 28).

Per-night savings range from 15% to 30%, depending on travel dates, resort, and resort type.

At first glance, this is a complex offer. [Read more →]

THE LITTLE MERMAID: ARIEL’S UNDERSEA ADVENTURE

Business took me to Southern California in earlier November, so I had the chance to ride Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.

This ride is basically identical to what will be opening in late 2012 as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, part of the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland expansion.

I was curious if the ride was enough of a powerhouse to be a good reason for people to frame their trips around its opening, or for me to have to change my itineraries.

The short answer: nope.

ARIEL’S UNDERSEA ADVENTURE: COLORFUL, CHARMING, NOT A BIG DEAL

Without giving away the details, Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a short re-showing of key scenes from The Little Mermaid.

Younger fans of the movie will love it. 

Everyone else will likely find it colorful and fun, but not particularly special. This is definitely not an “E” Ticket ride–it’s more like a “C” or a “D.”

It’s charming and loaded with Ariel, including some nice allusions to the effects of traditional Disney “dark rides” like Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

But in all honesty there’s not a lot to it, and it’s not worth framing your travel dates around its opening.