If you’re a member of Disney Movie Rewards, log onto the site today and snag your $8 off coupon for the Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack of Toy Story 3. I’ve been anxiously awaiting a coupon for this movie (which releases on November 2) and was beginning to wonder if Disney would break their streak of providing these high-dollar incentives to purchase. I needn’t have worried–Disney always comes through for me. Not quite the $10 off that I was hoping for, but I’ll take it!

Every week when I prepare the “Thursday’s Tip,” I run through my previous posts to see if I’ve already used the tip that’s on my mind. And today I started thinking, Hey, I’ve gained quite a few new readers since I started this site. And those lovely readers may not have had the chance to read some of my earlier posts. So, I think I finally decided that if I recycle a tip or two here or there, it’s not really a big deal. [I say all this for those ever-conscientious readers who will want to remind me that I'm recycling my own material. I would be THAT reader, too! ]

So, here’s one I’m quite sure I’ve shared before…but it’s worth repeating for the masses: Bring your own. Bring your own what? you may ask. Well, everything. Sunscreen, snacks, rain ponchos, OTC meds, etc. Because whatever you forgot at home will cost you approximately twice as much inside the confines of the Mickey complex. If you’re fortunate enough to have a car with you, there are drugstores and discount stores within a ten or fifteen-minute drive from most anywhere on Disney property. But if not, you’re at the mercy of the gift shops in the Parks or your Resort.

Trust me, you do not want to make this rookie mistake. Pack absolutely everything you can fathom needing and have room to take. You can thank me later.

Signs outside The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh say it all: “Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends are hibernating during renovations.” Yep, after months of walls, moved trees, and all-around chaos, the attraction is finally closing until November 14 to complete the final phase of refurbishment. The ride will re-open with a new interactive queue, and hopefully the walls will come down too!

My kids are almost past the whole Playhouse Disney thing (sigh). They still enjoy the occasional episode of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” but really they have moved on to “Phineas & Ferb,” “Sonny With a Chance,” etc. But in years past, many an evening or afternoon has been salvaged in my home by using “On Demand” to play episodes of the Playhouse Disney classics like “JoJo’s Circus” and “Little Einsteins.” Because of modern technology, my children have no concept of a world where children’s programming only exists at certain times of the day/week. Still, there are times when “On Demand” goes on the blink and finding appropriate programming for a grumpy teething tot is difficult.

But no more! Playhouse Disney is about to get its own 24-hour-a-day channel. Well…sort of…but not anytime soon. See, Playhouse Disney is in the process of morphing into Disney Junior, a block of morning programming geared toward two- through four-year-olds. (Basically, it’s just a new name at this point for what already exists as Playhouse Disney.) This minor transition should take place in early 2011. But by 2012, Disney Junior should be ready for it’s own channel.

As is always the case with Disney, we will be hearing about this for a long time before anything actually happens. (Remember seeing promos for Camp Rock 2 a full two months before it premiered? Yep, me too.) Disney will begin teasing us by introducing the Disney Junior  logo, which will feature the letters J-U-N-I-O-R “clothed” in the costuming of the main six characters–instantly recognizable to most children and Disney fans. Promos will run during popular Playhouse Disney shows. (Has anyone seen one yet?)

So, parents of small tots, you have something to look forward to…in a year or so. For now, you’ll have to rely on your DVD stash, “On Demand,” or your TiVo. Still, our kids have got it pretty good, haven’t they? Anybody else remember when the only children’s programming was on Saturday morning or a brief hour on weekday afternoons?

As I mentioned in this post, there is a room-only discount available for active and retired U.S. military personnel, with travel dates through Oct. 1, 2011. Disney has now introduced discounted military park tickets for approximately the same dates.

Now through September 28, 2011, active or retired military (including Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase up to 6 of these special tickets at pretty amazing prices. Here are the specifics:

• 4-Day ticket with Park Hopper Option for $138 each, plus tax
• 4-Day ticket with Water Parks Fun and More Option for $138 each, plus tax
• 4-Day ticket with both the Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More Options for $165 each, plus tax

All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by Oct. 1, 2011, and as with the room-only discount, certain blackout dates apply. Vouchers for these tickets can currently be purchased at Shades of Green, Disney’s military-only resort, and also at military bases. (Take the voucher to the Disney ticket window to exchange it for your tickets.) Any questions about availability should be directed to Shades of Green.

Since our children have been to Disney World several times, we have pics with most of the main Disney characters. Sure, we still stop to pose with Mickey or Minnie on occasion–especially when there’s a short line. But, motly, we concentrate on characters we’ve never had the opportunity to pose with on previous visits. This trip, we were able to catch a couple of “new-to-us” characters. Behold: Ms. Bunny. She’s Thumper’s girlfriend, in case you aren’t up on your Bambie cast (I’m ashamed to admit that I had to ask which bunny this was). Thumper came out a bit later, but we were on our way to a show and didn’t stay for a pic. Next time, perhaps.