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Did you know that the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride has some stringent ride restrictions for size?  One Wizarding World park guest found out the hard way that he wouldn't be able to ride the new ride on his first visit.

The guest, Banks Lee, turned the experience into a positive circumstance by changing his diet and lifestyle to lose the weight and get on the ride --- he was successful, just this past week!  However, Banks lives in Orlando and apparently has an annual pass to Universal Orlando parks.  What would you do if you were at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for your vacation and got turned away?  Really, there's not a whole lot you can do, except prepare!

Lots of rides at Universal and Disney have ride size restrictions.  This is nothing new.  Banks had been told prior to his first visit to the Harry Potter ride that if he could fit in the modified seats for rides at Universal, he would fit fine into Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  Wrong!  Banks always fit in the modified seats for other rides, such as the Dr. Doom Fearfall and the Hulk coaster.  However, when it came to the Forbidden Journey ride, Universal cast members just couldn't get "three clicks" --- Universal requires three clicks of the safety restraints for this ride.

The ride has "test seats" as you progress through the queue line, so you can test it out before getting all the way to the front of the line.  When I first rode the ride, I was about 240 pounds (I'm now 45 pound lighter!) on a 6' tall frame.  I still fit, but it was very tight, as I've mentioned before.  This at least gives you some idea of where you may need to be, size-wise for your visit to the Harry Potter park and to ride the Forbidden Journey.

If this is a ride you just "must do" when you're visiting Universal Orlando, be sure to get down to your "fighting weight" before traveling to Orlando or it will be a "won't do" ride for you.


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Tails were wagging at Walt Disney World Resort today when Best Friends Pet Care opened the doors to its new, luxury pet resort.  Dennis Dolan, CEO of Best Friends Pet Care, and Phil Bernard, vice president of Walt Disney World Operating Participants, were joined by Mickey Mouse's favorite dog Pluto to welcome the first guests.

The one-of-a-kind pet resort offers 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, 10,000 square feet of covered outdoor runs and play areas, and a 25,000-square-foot dog park exclusively for the use of Best Friends clients and their pets.

"Best Friends is thrilled to open the doors of this special, luxury pet facility," said Dolan.  "We've been looking forward to this day for a long time and we are very excited to finally be ready to open the doors and show off this special facility.  It incorporates the very best concepts from our other Best Friends facilities with some imaginative ideas that we think will delight and surprise ourWalt Disney World guests.

The facility, which already has many pet guests booked for the Labor Day weekend, is able to accommodate as many as 300 pets for both daytime and overnight boarding.  Dog owners can choose from a variety of accommodations, ranging from a standard 32-square-foot all-indoor suite, to an expansive 226-square-foot VIP (Very Important Pet) suite with television, raised bedding and private outdoor yard.  Feline guests will spend their visit in the separate "Kitty City" pavilion – away from the dogs – in two- and four-room condos.  There also is a special area for the boarding of pocket pets, small mammals and birds.

"At Walt Disney World Resort, we are focused on providing the highest quality entertainment experiences for all guests.  Working with Best Friends Pet Care, we are pleased to be able to extend that commitment to pets traveling with their owners," said Bernard.  "Our mutual appreciation for even the slightest detail is reflected in this one-of-a-kind facility and its unique services and amenities."

The facility offers a private dog park exclusively for the use of Best Friends guests.  It comprises a walking trail overlooking natural wetlands and several large areas of varying terrain for running and playing, including a 1,300-square-foot "canines only" splash-and-play water feature.  There also are sitting areas where owners can relax and watch their dogs play.  The entire park is secure from outsiders and is available for use after dark.

Other features of the resort include: a grooming salon, which will provide go-home-fresh baths and haircuts for pets, and two 1,100-square-foot camp rooms for play group and doggy day-camp, each opening onto an outdoor play-yard.

Pet parents can choose from a wide range of a la carte activities for pet guests from one-on-one playtimes and social playgroup with other doggy guests, to cuddle time and bedtime stories with staff.  Additional amenities and upgrades include ice cream treats, bottled water and premium orthopedic bedding.  Feline guests can also enjoy private playtimes, activity toys in their suites, and treats such as "Cookies and Milk" or "Tuna on a Ritz."

Best Friends Pet Care resort is located across from Disney's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside at 2510 Bonnet Creek Parkway inLake Buena Vista, Fla., 32830.  Pricing and other details are available at wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com or by calling 877/4-WDW-PETS.

Best Friends Pet Care resort at Walt Disney World Resort was designed by Mateu Architecture of Palmetto Bay, Fla.  General contractor for the project was Synergy Group of Bloomfield, Mich., and Orlando, Fla.

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Star Tours II Sneak Peek

September 1, 2010

Disney Parks blog has released a “commercial” to help you plan your travel in the new, re-imagined Star Tours rides at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, next year.
The old Star Tours ride, that will celebrate it’s final flight on Sept. 7, will be re-modeled (thank goodness!) and re-imagined to bring it a bit more up-to-date. [...]

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Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend

August 31, 2010

To replace the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K, Disney World has added more and longer races to celebrate the Halloween season, as well as the International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot®.  The weekend of October 2 will feature a new Disney half-marathon, half-marathon relay, and a family fun run (5K) throughout Disney World. [...]

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New Disney World Discount Offers with Free Dining Extended

August 30, 2010

Disney recently announced that they’d be extending the Free Dining offer through 2011.  This isn’t just into January — the dates extend into September of next year!
Available Dates: 10/1 – 10/7; 10/22 – 10/28; 11/12 – 11/18; 11/27 – 12/2; 12/10 – 12/21; 1/1/11 – 1/5/11; 1/9 – 1/13; 1/21 – 2/3; 2/11 – 2/17; [...]

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Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

August 30, 2010

I really look forward to two events at Disney World, every year.  They both combine small crowds (because attendance is very limited), lower ticket prices (and they sell out, quickly!), and holiday themes.
Even though I visit Disney World over 30 times per year, I never miss Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) and Mickey’s Very Merry [...]

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The New San Angel Inn To Begin Taking Reservations

August 25, 2010

The new restaurant at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, La Hacienda de San Angel, will begin taking reservations for after October 15th.  The restaurant will begin a soft opening phase in mid-September, but no reservations until after October 15th.
The restaurant will also begin utilizing “Flex Space” Disney Dining with the La Cantina de San Angel.  During the [...]

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Disney World Hurt by Wizarding World of Harry Potter?

August 24, 2010

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park has had a significant impact on the Central Florida travel picture for 2010.
July saw a 6.8% increase in the number of rooms booked versus July of 2009 with an additional 3.6% increase in the average cost of a room night.  Hotels [...]

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Via Napoli Review

August 23, 2010

“Blech!”  in a word.

We had the opportunity to visit the new restaurant in Epcot’s Italy in early August, just prior to the official opening and were very disappointed.
The food was not very good — we had one of their pizza’s.  The crust felt like it was dipped in water and the taste left lots to [...]

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Eat to the Beat Schedule Announced

August 22, 2010

The concert series that coincides with the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, Eat to the Beat, has recently announced the schedule of entertainers for the event.
Oct. 1-3 – Taylor Dayne
Oct. 4-5 – Kool & The Gang
Oct. 6-8 – Sugar Ray
Oct. 9-10 – Taylor Hicks
Oct. 11-12 – Air Supply
Oct. 13-15 – Sister Hazel
Oct. 16-17 – Howard [...]

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