What’s better than a week at Walt Disney World? Coming home and talking about it for another week.

Enter to win your own trip here and put my theory to the test.

I am an addict - thus my book, “Mousejunkies” (Travelers’ Tales 2009). Obviously I’m happy to talk ADRs and ME and MNSSHP all day long. (If you know what I was talking about in that last sentence, I salute you and offer the secret handshake. Masons got nothing on Disney geeks.)

But dabblers in the ways of the Mouse are fine, too. And whether you’re a hardcore Mousejunkie or just someone who wants to get the kids in front of Mickey, there are often questions. During my last foray to Walt Disney World - some of which was chronicled in this blog, more on the Mousejunkies Facebook group - I received a number of messages from people who were looking for answers. So, for those who seek guidance from a leisure ninja such as myself, I present the Mousejunkies Mailbag:

* Are they closing Ariel’s grotto for good with the Fantasyland expansion?

Yes. Although we are getting a “Little Mermaid” themed attraction in the old “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” space. They’ll also be taking Pooh’s Playful Place away. My daughter loved playing in the fountains there, but I think she’ll love visiting the new castles that are planned in its place even more. The meet-and-greet opportunities currently available in Toontown (Mickey, Minnie, etc.) will be moved to Exposition Hall near the front of the park.

* Will there be new restaurants in the Fantasyland expansion?

Yes. The new Be Our Guest restaurant is planned for Belle’s section of Fantasyland Forest. It will be one of three dining rooms in the expansion. And just outside of Be Our Guest, Imagineers plan to create Gaston’s Tavern. Though the term “Tavern” should be used loosely, since the Magic Kingdom is a dry park. (However, Epcot is the very opposite. And may I recommend the extra spicy bloody mary at the ESPN club on the BOardwalk. It is a tastebud-searing concoction that is guaranteed to convince you Disney isn’t just for kids.)

* As the loser in the First Annual Mousejunkies Fishing Invitational, what humiliations were you subjected to?

Well, since the results remain under review indefinitely, nothing too humiliating was foisted upon me. Each of us taking part in the fishing excursion caught two largemouth bass. Only Walt, my opponent, caught the bigger of the fish. You can see my objection to naming him the ultimate champion, right? While I do admit that this slight detail does make him the winner, I hope to regain my self-esteem in a rematch. And as for what I was subjected to… Let’s just say the disdain from the North Shore restrauter was more than enough punishment.

* Can you see the animals in the savannah throughout the Sanaa restaurant in Kidani Village?

Kidani Village is the Disney Vacation Club addition to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. However, you dont have to be a DVC member to eat at this great new restaurant. It does offer great views of the savannah along the window seats, where we saw giraffes, zebras, some kind of giagantic buffalo, ostriches and a number of different fowl. By comparison to, say, Boma - the buffet in the Animal Kingdom Lodge - Sanaa is tiny. It was designed that way to create a feeling of intamacy, according to Imagineers. So while the best seats are along the window, you can move around and get a look at the wildlife throughout the restaurant. Just be careful not to lean on anyone’s naan.

* What is the difference between Spectromagic and the Main Street Electrical Parade?

Different music, different floats. Both parades occur after dark and all the floats and performers are lit up. In a way it seems as though WDW is tipping its hat to longtime fans by replacing Spectro with MSEP. The music evokes childhood memories for guests who visited as children in the 70s and 80s. Here’s a look at the Main Street Electrical Parade (without the new floats to be added in this summer’s presentation.)  And here’s a look at Spectromagic: Part 1 | Part 2.

* Which would you prefer: A moderate studio room, or a value family suite?

Disney has remodeled some of its rooms at the All Star Music resort into suites. I would choose a suite over a moderate studio hands-down. But then again, I’m a long time fan of All Star Music. It’s inexpensive, clean, bright and fun. And now you get a much bigger accomodation with the new suites. Here’s a look at the suites from AllEars.net.

* With all the walking involved, how do you avoid blisters?

If you insist on hoofing it from one attraction to the next at top speed, you risk incurring one of the most objectionable penalties imaginable on Disney property. I refer, of course, to blisters and chafing. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill, “I just walked around the mall in July” chafing. This is an aggressive, flesh-searing strain of chafing unique to Southern states. During a vacation built around walking, it can cripple even the best-laid plans. There is only one way to combat the chafing, and its closely-related cousin, the blisters, and that is with a liberal application of Bodyglide. Bodyglide is your friend. It completely prevents chafing and blisters. It comes in a stick resembling deodorant and is applied in much the same manner. It can literally save a vacation.

* How does one become a Mousejunkie?

Do you have a WDW trip planned? Good. Do you have a second trip planned before you even leave for the first? Stand up and announce it to the world - you are a Mousejunkie.

Take this handy quiz to see if you have a Mouse problem:

1. What does HDDMR stand for?

2. How many dining credits for dinner at Narcoossee’s?

3. What is a “rope drop”?

4. What is the name of the lounge at the top of Bay Lake Towers?

5. How many booths are in the bar side of the ESPN club at the Boardwalk?

6. Who does the voice-over on the Carousel of Progress?

7. What is the traditional way servers at ‘Ohana ask you if you would like another serving of steak?

8. Recite the “Please stand clear of the doors” spiel in Spanish.

9. Who portrays Captain Patrick on Soarin’?

10. Just before you climb the drop inside Splash Mountain, a small rodent sticks its head out of the ceiling and says something. What does it say?

Extra credit:

11. Wasn’t Cosmo in the Tapestry of Dreams parade awesome?

If there are any further questions, drop me a line at bill at mousejunkies.com. Remember, admitting you have a problem is the first step to really obsessing and then spending too much money and indulging in a pastime that very well could break you. Not that that’s bad.

Four theme parks, 22 resorts, scores of restaurants, five championship golf courses, dozens of recreation opportunities and endless shopping spread across 47 square miles.

This is what you’re attempting to get your arms around when you book a trip to Walt Disney World. It can leave even the hardiest vacationer beaten. I’ve seen them. They pay full price for everything, they spend too much time standing in line and their chafed and blistered bodies are strewn from one end of Fantasyland to the other. You can identify them by the tell-tale stroller tire marks across their backs. They leave tired, frustrated and broke.

I know because all of these things have happened to me at some point in my Disney addiction. I’m not free of its grip, but I have gotten a little better at navigating Walt Disney World.

It can be daunting, but there are some great resources to help ensure you don’t become a casualty.

* “Mousejunkies” (Travelers’ Tales 2009) - Let’s just get this out of the way - I wrote a book about my experiences and those of a group of friends who travel to Walt Disney World obsessively. Rather than a traditional guidebook, it’s all told through anecdotes and narrative. Words like “anecdotes” and “narrative” are not funny. But the book is. It has words like “mayhem,” “splurge” and “droppings.” Which, in context can be quite amusing. Learn about when to go, where to stay, where to eat, and even where the best restrooms on Disney property are.

There is a community of on Disney journalists, and they are special people who are friendly, helpful and are an endless font of valuable information. The following are the kings of online Disney information:

* WDWToday.com - Mike Scopa, Matt Hochberg, Mike Newell and Len Testa lead an interactive Webcast/Podcast that airs new episodes three times a week. They are funny, smart, and a can’t-miss. Their collective experience is invaluable when planning a Disney vacation. Listen in a few times and you’ll be considering them friends.

* WDWRadio.com - Lou Mongello is the iron man of online Disney information. The hardest working man in WebDizBiz, Lou has won the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 awards for Best Travel Podcast. Do yourself a favor and dive into WDWRadio.com.

* JimHillMedia.com - Who has better sources than Jim Hill? No one. Jim gives his view on all doings at Walt Disney World, and the Disney company as a whole.

* Mickeyxtreme.com - Great info, another great online personality, and the most up to date collection of Walt Disney World News. Julian’s news section is like a Drudge Report of Disney news. I visit this site daily.

There are a million Disney information sites and forums, but the granddaddy of them all is Disboards.com. It is the largest, most expansive online Disney community on earth. Need to find out about theme park strategies? Dining information? Renting Disney Vacation Club points? You can find it all here. If you have a question about planning a vacation, search the forums here.

And of course there’s Disney official site, which right now includes information on resort savings and other special offers.

While it may not be a relaxing process, it does result in a rewarding vacation. Just do your homework - pick up “Mousejunkies” and “The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.” Visit the sites listed on this page. Don’t try to do it all, and above all slow down and enjoy the small details. It is vacation, after all.

The massive Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom was announced at the D23 expo a few months ago, and reiterated at a press conference last night by, among others, Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Both were great on the broad brushstrokes, but I was hoping for a few more details. When will the walls go up? What will we lose? When will the first shovel break ground?

I had a chance to sit down with Christine Sedlock, associate manager, marketing strategy for Disney Destinations and Marketing, and she shed some light on what’s to come in what she called “the heart of the Magic Kingdom.”

* Groundbreaking on the three-year project will take place this spring.

* The first phase will be finished in late 2012.

* The entire project is expected to be finished by 2013.

* It is the largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom history.

* Say goodbye to Toontown. It will now be home of part of the Fantasyland Forest.

* The meet and greet opportunities currently available in Toontown will be moved to Exposition Hall. Goofy’s Barnstormer will live on in the expansion.

* The Pooh-themed play area, opposite The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Ariel’s Grotto will be closed.

* The remaining classic Fantasyland attractions will be untouched.

* Guests will be able to have more immersive encounters with Disney princesses in each of their own themed villages within Fantasyland Forest.

- At Dreams Come True with Cinderella, guests can meet Cinderella face to face in her country chateau, share a dance or train to be a royal knight.

- At a Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty, guests will be able to take part in a surprise birthday party with the princess.

- An “enchanted mirror” will move guests from Belle’s father’s cottage to Beast’s castle for a storytelling performance. (This will replace Storytime with Belle near Tomorrowland.)

* Also, the new district will feature the Be Our Guest Restaurant, one of three dining rooms inside Beast’s castle.  And just outside the castle in Belle’s Village will be Gaston’s Tavern (though the “tavern” will be dry - the Magic Kingdom is a dry park), another themed eatery.

Sedlock said Imagineers are still studying and planning how to best handle the expected crowd surges, since each experience is going to be longer, and be potentially slow-loading.

* Taking the place of the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction will be “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” attraction. It will be the same attraction located in Disneyland.

* Dumbo fans, fear not. “There will always be a Dumbo ride operating,” Sedlock said. However, when all is said and done, Dumbo’s Flying Circus will provide twice the size of the classic attraction.  Inside a stylized tent, guests will enjoy midway games and other fun-filled experiences while waiting in line. Because if you want to ride Dumbo, you gotta wait in line.

The expansion is going to render the face of the current Fantasyland unrecognizable, but it should improve the historically stroller-choked bottleneck immeasureably.

Volunteers take part in “Give a Day Get a Day” at Walt Disney World. The world’s largest “can-struction” piece, comprised entirely of canned goods that will be distributed to food banks throughout the southeast, was assembled and disassembled entirely by volunteers.

Here are some fun facts about the sculpture:

·      A team made up of Disney VoluntEARS and project leaders devoted more than 500 “man hours” over a four-day period to construct the sculpture.

·      Tens of thousands of cans of food – plus assorted boxes and bags of food items – were used in the sculpture, anchored by a larger-than-life Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto.

·      Mickey’s famous head was shaped from cans of black olives, and cans of sliced pineapple made up Pluto’s eyes.  Containers of Atlantic salmon were used to construct a portion of Goofy’s face while cans of tuna made up Donald’s hat.  Common to each character: pupils made from pans of popcorn.

·      If all the cans making up the sculpture were stacked on top of one another, the topmost can would be more than a mile above the 29,035-foot summit of Mt. Everest.

·      The sculpture contains approximately 44 tons of food – everything from albacore tuna and apricot halves to spaghetti, stewed tomatoes and mixed vegetables – destined to become more than 70,000 meals for the needy.

·      Guinness World Records, the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement, on Thursday authenticated the structure as the Largest Canned Food Structure ever created. The previous record for a can sculpture was 54,527 cans, set in June 2009 in New Zealand, Guiness said.

·      Following a “Kodak moment,” the sculpture was to be disassembled Thursday afternoon – a process expected to take approximately six hours and involve as many as 200 people led by 25 Disney VoluntEARS and project leaders.

An old favorite is returning to Walt Disney World, as the theme park prepares to up the ante for the summer vacation season.

“After the sun goes down, our Walt Disney World parks will light up the night with ‘Summer Nightastic!’, ” Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said at a media event Wednesday.

The event, held at the newly rebranded ESPN Wide World of Sports, filled in the details on several already-announced changes, and revealed a few new surprises.

 With that, she announced several initiatives for the coming months:

•  With floats and characters appearing for the first time at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” returns with its joyous sights and sounds.  Direct from Disneyland and marking its first engagement in Florida since 2001, the cherished parade will be led by Tinker Bell waving from the basket of a magical balloon aboard a new float.  Pinocchio and Snow White join the parade this summer, aboard bright new floats.  Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” is set for its summer-long nighttime premiere in early June at Magic Kingdom.  
•  The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror welcomes “drop-ins” this summer with even more pulse-racing surprises.  New lighting effects and the addition of a new drop sequence, created especially for “Summer Nightastic!”, will bring unexpected frights to guests who step into that infamous service elevator.  If they dare.
•  The Magic Kingdom will treat guests to a special summer fireworks spectacular.  The night sky will explode in vivid colors and brilliant visual effects as whimsical music fills the air.
• The return of the Sounds Like Summer concert series to Epcot and extended evening hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom several times a week add up to summer fun as only Disney can do – at all four Walt Disney World theme parks.

This is all in addition to the planned expansion at Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. The massive project will double the size of the current Fantasyland. I have interviews with Magic Kingdom representatives later today and will try to nail down construction dates, how it will affect guests, and whether we’ve seen the last of Toontown.

If you have any questions you’d like answered, Tweet them to me at twitter.com/mousejunkies.