Getting ready to "ignite the magic" with a Walt Disney World vacation? 
Join thousands of smart travelers who choose Aronda Parks' 
Making Walt Disney World Memories
above all other travel guides.

Aronda's Weekly WDW Survey
NEW FEATURE!!
Always interested in what other Disney fans are thinking, Aronda has adopted a new web service she recently discovered, known as Survey Monkey, to create Disney-oriented weekly surveys that YOU can complete. Just click the link below to visit this week's survey. It takes only a couple of minutes, and the results will be posted here for the previous week.
This week's survey focuses on the NEW American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Sound interesting?

Check it out! Click here to see the survey!!

Check out last week's survey results ("What Will You Celebrate?") here.

UPDATED 2009 Edition Now Available 
Get the Walt Disney World guidebook from the author who lives just down the street from the Mouse! 

Making  
Memories 
Walt Disney World 

A Comprehensive Vacation Planner by People Who Love Disney!
Check out Aronda's special offer here.
Click directly above for details. Books ship right away!

Click here to  read all about Aronda's special discount offer just for Website visitors!

Here's an Extra-Special offer just for our website visitors

Our updated 2009 edition of Making Memories is filled with the most up-to-date Walt Disney World info you'll find anywhere--and we want you to be the first on your block to get one! You'll pay only $16.95--that's more than 25% off the $22.95 cover price--and we'll pack a Prep Pad into your shipping package for an extra $3.95. And, as always, standard shipping is FREE to US addresses! 

What are you waiting for? Click here or on any of the links above to learn more about this giveaway deal! You can place your order directly through our website with your PayPal account, or simply print out our easy-to-use order blank and mail it to us with your check. It's so easy to order--and you'll get the very best WDW vacation planning guide with our best offer ever!

*What's a Prep Pad? Click through to the special offer page to learn all about this terrific vacation planning resource!

Making Memories
is now available on E-Bay!
 

Check out all of Aronda's listings at User ID: TheOriginalPress or 
click here at www.ebay.com for Making Memories--and so 
much more. Now you can buy directly from this 
website, or through E-Bay!

Get Making Memories on E-Bay!!

Look what some of our E-Bay buyers have said  
about Making Memories in our FeedBack:

"Very helpful book. Every Disney visitor 
needs this! Thank you."

"Excellent transaction, excellent Disney travel 
guide, would deal with again, AAAAA+"

"Wonderful book... arrived very quickly... great 
transaction & seller... thanks"

 


We have many pages covering all things WDW. To view our page indexes, click any of these links:

All WDW Pages
Our complete index to all pages on the site, cross-referenced to make it easy for you to find whatever you need



Restaurants/Menus
Our list of all Walt Disney World restaurants, including table service, counter service, snacks, and more--we're constantly adding current menus too! Each eatery has its own page
Shopping
Our list of stores, shops, and merchandise carts at WDW, including those in the parks, in the resort hotels, and Downtown Disney--as well as those elsewhere on Disney property
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island, and West Side organized alphabetically, as well as in separate categories for attractions, shopping, restaurants, clubs, entertainment, and more
Magic Kingdom
All Magic Kingdom theme park attractions, restaurants, shops, live entertainment, and more, sorted by category as well as our alphabetical list of all things Magic Kingdom
Epcot
All Epcot theme park attractions, restaurants, shops, live entertainment, and more, sorted by category as well as our alphabetical list of all things Epcot
Disney's Hollywood Studios
All Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park attractions, restaurants, shops, live entertainment, and more, sorted by category as well as our alphabetical list of all things D-MGM
Animal Kingdom
All Animal Kingdom theme park attractions, restaurants, shops, live entertainment, and more, sorted by category as well as our alphabetical list of all things Animal Kingdom
  Disney Resort Hotels
Index of all WDW resort hotels, including cross-references to dining, shopping, pools, and more at each hotel
Aronda's Parks Boutique
Check out Aronda's WDW paper goods--both current and vintage--custom matted and framed, ready to hang in your home or office
 

***Fresh WDW News***

Diana--The People's Princess
(updated Wednesday, June 24)
Details about the new Princess Diana exhibit coming to 
the former Virgin Megastore building at Downtown Disney 
West Side. Check it all out here!

Hall of Presidents to Reopen in July
(updated Tuesday, May 26)
The Hall of Presidents attraction in Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square has been closed for several months now pending updates including the addition of an Audio-Animatronics representation of President Barack Obama. Check out more info here

The Pirates League  
(updated Tuesday, May 12)
The new Pirates League is announced by Disney. Located in 
Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom, The Pirates League 
transforms boys and men into real pirates! Check out 
more info--and a drawing of the interior--here!

Stitch's Supersonic Celebration 
(updated Thursday, May 7)
The new Stitch show in the Magic Kingdom gets some 
Disney PR coverage. We've reproduced it here, with our 
own review and photos to come very soon.

Disney Announces Free Dining Plan for August-October 2009 Stays 
(updated Thursday, April 9)
Disney is offering its dining plan FREE with package purchases for 6-day 
stays most nights from Aug. 16 through Oct. 3, 2009.
Read all about it here.

Characters In Flight Elevates Guests Above Downtown Disney 
(updated Thursday, April 9)
The new balloon ride attraction at Downtown Disney West Side 
promises to make Guest "upwardly mobile"--for only $16!
Read all about it here.

Sanaa restaurant to open in Animal Kingdom Lodge   
(updated Wednesday, April 1)
A new restaurant to open in the new Kidani Village section of Disney's Animal Kingdom resort is detailed in this reprinted press release from WDW's PR department.
Read all about it here.

New Restaurant to Replace Spoodles  
(updated Tuesday, March 17)
Just announced Tuesday, March 17: A new restaurant to replace Spoodles at BoardWalk! 
Kouzzina, a Greek-style eatery, is being opened by celebrity chef Cat Cora. 
Read all about it here.

New Attraction going in at Innoventions  
(updated Monday, March 16)
Just announced Monday, March 16, 2009, a new game-type of attraction is scheduled to open in Epcot's Innoventions in May. Sponsored by investment firm T. Rowe Price & Co., the attraction is called The Great Piggy Bank Adventure. Read the news report here.

Online Check In Now Available at WDW  
(updated Tuesday, March 10)
Disney has announced that the new online check in process is available to Resort Guests staying in Disney and DVC hotels. This promises to streamline the check in process for Guests--hopefully, no more waiting in a long line at the front desk upon arrival! Check it all out here.

Kim Possible Attraction Now Operating in Epcot 
(updated Monday, February 9)
Disney's new interactive Kim Possible attraction is now up and running in Epcot's World Showcase. Aronda tried it out on Saturday, Feb. 7, and has a little info posted here. Photos coming soon.  Read all about it here!

Disney Announces Bay Lake Tower: The Newest DVC Resort 
(updated Wednesday, Sept. 17)
Disney has just announced that the new Contemporary Resort expansion 
is indeed a Disney Vacation Club Resort: The Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Also, the Treehouse Villas are to be ceded to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort as DVC units. Here's a link to a YouTube video from Disney! Click here to read the press release and see photos!

"Hidden" WALL-E discovered at WDW! 
(updated Wednesday, June 25)
With the new Disney-Pixar film about to hit the theaters, Aronda has decided to publish some first-ever photos of the "hidden" WALL-E, spotted in Epcot World Showcase in the China pavilion. Oh, and she threw in a couple of photos of the huge inflatable WALL-E at Downtown Disney, too! Check it all out here.

Aronda's NewsPad email Newsletter
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Contact Aronda
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Aronda's Parks Boutique
Unique Disney Collectibles

Beautiful framed WDW paper items of the past and
present--each individually created by Aronda herself!

Don't forget to check out Aronda's Parks Boutique! Aronda's
unique collection of WDW items--some brand new, some old
and very hard to find--all available for purchase right here
at reasonable prices
. Check out her selection of one of a
kind framed WDW prints and paper material, all beautifully
matted and framed and ready to hang in your home!!

Go to Aronda's Parks Boutique by clicking here.

Drop Aronda A Line!
Let us hear from you

Aronda wants to hear from YOU!! Whether you'd just like
to say "Hi!" or you have a comment on her website, a WDW
vacation tip you'd like to pass along, or whatever--please
drop Aronda a line.
Click here
for contact info.

Birthday Bashes--Disney-Style!

If throwing a birthday party at home isn't your idea of fun, there are plenty of places to try in Central Florida .

Aside from spending a day at the three major theme parks, you can also book birthday packages that come with extras at Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando. (Universal Orlando said it does not offer birthday packages.)

At Disney, packages can range from hundreds of dollars to thousands. One popular spot for young girls is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney. There, the birthday girl and friends can try the ultimate princess makeover, where "Fairy Godmothers in Training" apply makeup, style fantastic hairdos and, in some packages, bestow royal gowns, crowns and magic wands on the lucky party goers.

Not to be outdone, the birthday girl receives an "It's My Birthday" sash and "princess waving" lessons along with a fanfare-filled exit.

Prices for the experience range from $35 to $175 a child.

 

Upcoming Event Coverage
Learn more about events occurring at Walt Disney World

Star Wars Weekends
May/June 2009

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties
Info and Dates for the 2008 event

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Info and news about the 2008 event


Frequently used links
A quick way to jump over to some of our most popular pages

Disney Vacation Club Perks
Current DVC Member Perks as reported in the Portable Perks booklet
(January through June 2009)

Epcot 
Flower and Garden Festival

Info and news about the March 18 through May 31, 2009 event.
UPDATED!

Aronda's Prep Pad Offer
Need a fresh copy of Aronda's Walt Disney World Vacation Prep Pad? Discount offer and order details here!

 

Annual Pass Benefits
Learn about all the current Annual Pass benefits, including discounts, here. Current benefits are good through Jan. 1, 2009.

Extra Magic Hours
The evening Extra Magic Hours are available to Disney resort guests staying on property. You'll enjoy three extra hours in a selected park after it closes for regular guests


Disney Planner
Spring 2009
Info from WDW's PR department regarding upcoming happenings at WDW


Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2008
Info about the 2008 Food & Wine Festival.

Click HERE to view the full menus from all kiosks--and check out photos of each kiosk too!

Dateline Disney
July/August 2009
The current events listing for the Resort as reported by the Walt Disney World press department
see also Disney Season
UPDATED!

 

 

 

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Sign up for Aronda's FREE e-mail newsletter!! Loaded with WDW info,
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Contact Aronda
with your name and e-mail address. 
If you ever decide to unsubscribe, just
contact Aronda again, or reply to any newsletter to let us know!

 

 

Aronda Parks is the author of the immensely popular Making Walt Disney World Vacation Memories, a WDW travel guide. Her website is filled with information about the Walt Disney World Resort, including trip planning info to help you in getting ready for your trip, as well as detailed descriptions of the many attractions, restaurants, stores, entertainment, nightlife, special events, behind-the-scenes tours, and more. Be sure to consult the detailed restaurant descriptions--including many full, current menus--when deciding on your dining reservations. Be sure to check back regularly, as Aronda and her team are constantly adding and updating the info on the site. And be sure to check out our special discount offer for Making Memories, which is the most thorough, most up-to-date WDW travel guide available!

This site last updated on Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Original Press Contact Information
The Original Press
PO Box Three
Babson Park, FL 33827
PHONE: 407-574-5231
Electronic Mail: See Aronda's Contact page.

Making Walt Disney World Vacation Memories and ArondaParks.com are not sponsored by, endorsed by,
or connected with The Walt Disney Company in any way.