I hope you enjoy today’s video, be sure to leave a comment and share it with your friends!

Courtesy of Travel with Rick

Adventurers Outpost opens today on Discovery Island, and it’s the exploration headquarters for everyone’s favorite globetrotting duo, where they get together with friends old and new.

Step inside Adventurers Outpost, and you’ll find mementos from Mickey and Minnie’s expeditions around the world, including stunning photographs from their trips to destinations as varied as the mountains of Nepal and the savannas of Africa.

Of course, some of the best memories of all come when you get your chance to meet Mickey and Minnie, share stories of your own travels and capture that postcard-perfect photo with your Disney pals, before heading out to continue your adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

As we arrived at the Magic Kingdom, we discovered that a mammoth construction wall had been built between the bus stop and Seven Seas Lagoon.

I don’t know about you, but curiosity ‘kills’ this ‘cat’, so, as usual, I went in search of answers.  What in “The World” we’re they up to now?

In most cases, all you need is a friendly Cast Member and a few minutes of their time to chat.  This time, the bus driver that chauffeured us back to our resort fit the bill.  Folks, when it comes to “The Wall”, a new bus loop is being built.  It will be the Magic Kingdom’s third bus stop and will be tailored specifically for WDW’s twelve, soon-to-be new, articulated buses.

If you aren’t familiar with articulated buses, they are essentially double-buses that comprise two rigid (bus) sections linked by a pivoting joint.  Think of a two-piece bus that bends in the middle!

Articulated buses, obviously, come with a higher passenger capacity, while still allowing the bus to maneuver adequately on the roads, and, boy, does Disney have the right task in mind.  These buses are mainly targeted for use to service the massive crowds of guests that stay at Disney’s Value resorts – Pop Century, Art of Animation, and the three All-Stars.  Given the long lines we’ve waited in when we’ve stayed at any of those places, this is very appropriate, let me tell you.

Could these tandem buses be used to pick up and deliver guests elsewhere?  Our driver speculated as to the potential for use at Port Orleans but was unsure as to whether or not they would have room to maneuver.  I would ask the same about Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs, perhaps.

It is expected that a select portion of the driver force will be trained to drive these types of buses in the near future.

Our Cast Member was full of other prospective details, as well.  For example, Disney is evidently expanding their team of drivers.  Currently at about 1,600 drivers, they are, allegedly, trying to grow the force to near 2,000.  Plus, clearing up another misconception (that I had, at least), the resort bus drivers ARE Disney Cast Members.  We had thought that WDW had out-sourced their various bus services to Mears Transportation Group a long time ago.  Apparently, only Disney’s Magical Express and the Disney Cruise Line drivers are employed by Mears.  And, according to that Cast Member, Disney might be taking those drivers back into the fold!

Have you already heard the stories (and seen the pictures) of Disney’s new paint scheme for the WDW resort buses?  It is a ‘red and silver’ style that has been applied to two buses already, according to our bus driver.

In addition, when it comes to the resort buses, WDW is angling to add 40 of the new-style buses to their fleet.  You know the ones … they’re “boxy” in shape with a big wide aisle down the middle and seats against the side of the bus.

In the meantime, all but six of Disney’s older buses will be retired.  Those few will be kept to help out in peak seasons.

What do you think, folks?  Have you seen the buses with the new red and silver paint scheme as yet?  What do you think about the idea of using articulated buses to service the Value resorts?

Leave us your comments and let us know!

Guest Author – Bob Sikon

Bob Sikon is a Cast Member “Wanna-Be”. He fell in love with Walt Disney World on his first visit to Mickey’s Florida home in 1999, and it was all because of the Cast Members. In his words, “The way they take care of you, they make you want to be part of The Magic.” Someday, his dream will come true, and he’ll proudly wear a Cast Member name badge, but, for now, you can find him in Atlanta, GA, planning his next trip to “The World”, and blogging about the place “Where Dreams Come True” at allinwdw.com.

Sister Hazel

These concerts are free with Epcot admission, and take place three times per evening (usually at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, 8:00pm).

Information is coming in very slowly for the 2013 Eat to the Beat Concert Series line up! But here is what we have gathered so far…

Note that these are subject to change; and may be shifted due to scheduling conflicts.

The Go-Go’s

Sep. 27-29: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas

Sep. 30-Oct. 1: Go-Go’s NEW!

Oct. 2-4: Air Supply

Oct. 10-11: Edwin McCain NEW!

Oct. 12-13: The Manhattan Transfer NEW!

Oct. 15-17: Pointer Sisters

Oct. 26-27: 38 Special

Oct. 28 – 30: Smash Mouth

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Spin Doctors NEW!

Nov. 2-3: Christopher Cross NEW!

Spin Doctors

More artists are being added including Boyz II Men, Sister Hazel, Hanson, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (all past Concert Series favorites).

The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will run from Sept. 27 through Nov. 11, 2013.

During the ride, you:

• Travel 765 feet through an acrylic tube
• Go on a thrilling journey up, down, around and off the side of the ship, through the Forward Funnel—down a span of 4 decks!
• Enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and ship below—assuming you’re brave enough to keep your eyes open during the ride
• Get a bird’s-eye view of the new pools available to family, kids and adults aboard the Disner Dream and the Disney Fantasy
• Splash into a lazy river at the end of the plunge

Enjoy the thrill of riding the AquaDuck without even getting wet!

Presiding over the ceremony was Gymnastics gold medalist Gabby Douglas, and of course, our Disney Princesses: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana and Rapunzel, were in attendance.

It was a magical entrance as Merida and here trusty stead Angus walk in from Liberty Square and come to the coronation!

And after a hug from her mother, Queen Elinor…

Merida is a princess!!

You can watch the entire coronation in this video:

Now you can get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels, valid for arrival most nights September 2 – September 25, 2013.

That means while vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort, you can choose from over 100 select restaurants available, and for a limited time, when you book you vacation with a Magic Your Way Vacation Package, you can get free dining for your trip.

We know choosing which plan is best for you can be difficult, that’s why we are sharing this video with you to help you make the right decision.

I hope you enjoy today’s video, be sure to leave a comment and share it with your friends!

Courtesy of Travel With Rick

Don’t let this offer slip away. This is the best deal of the year!

Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels, valid for arrival most nights September 2 – September 25, 2013.

You can treat your family to a special offer: a great Disney vacation complete with meals!

A package must be purchased that includes a minimum of 3 nights accommodation at an on-site Walt Disney World resort and a minimum 2-day Base Ticket at full price.

Plus, when you stay at a select Disney Resort hotel, you’ll enjoy an array of special Disney touches that lets you do things like:

• Spend more quality time with your family and friends with a benefit where a Theme Park is open extra time each day to enjoy select attractions! (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required.)
• Get around with ease – thanks to complimentary motorcoach transportation between Orlando International Airport and your Disney Resort hotel AND throughout Walt Disney World® Resort, as well.
• Experience amazing entertainment for everyone – fantastic pools included!

Click Here to Get Your FREE Quote Today!

These departures are from May 22 – Sept. 2, 2013 and May 24 – Sept. 1, 2014

The excitement begins when you board the ship to find that all of your needs have been anticipated—and the fun continues as you travel from port to port. In each port, enticing adventures await you and your family—like whale watching, gold mining, dog sledding and more.

Discover all the rugged grandeur and unspoiled frontier of Alaska, renowned for its:

• Historic mining and fishing towns
• Fascinating Native American culture
• Fjords, waterfalls, glaciers and other natural wonders
• Majestic wildlife, like bears, elk and humpback whales

And that’s just the beginning. During Alaskan cruises, a world of wonder is yours to explore. With all that—combined with the exemplary customer service, magical experiences and unrivaled entertainment that is unique to Disney Cruise Line—you can look forward to the vacation of a lifetime.

Important Information

• You will be too far south to see the aurora borealis—or northern lights—during your cruise, but you can still anticipate beautiful scenery as you travel through Alaska.
• The Pixar Party takes place in the ship’s atrium.
• There are no fireworks on Alaska sailings.
• The average summer temperatures in Alaska typically range from a high of 62 F° to an average low of 45 F°, so be sure to pack accordingly. For tips on packing for your Alaska cruise, please explore our frequently asked questions.

As a special Thank You to our valued clients enjoy some extra special magic for your Disney Cruise. We’ll give you an onboard credit of up to $1000 per stateroom! 

If you want to know more or book your own Alaskan adventure, CLICK HERE.