There is a rumor that free fall dining may be returning for a few select weeks. As has been the case the last few years, the Quick Service Dining Plan would be offered for those staying in a Value Resort, while the regular Disney Dining Plan would be offered for Moderate and Deluxe resort stays. The dates that would qualify are:

Cleverly excluded are the popular holiday dates (Thanksgiving and Christmas), as well as several other weeks that are a little more puzzling. Yes, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival covers some of the blackout dates, but some dates of the Festival aren’t blacked out. There is a cheer competition Dec. 3-10 that could explain that week being excluded. I’m sure the dates offered are based on lower-attendance and/or resort reservations, as well as other factors known only to Disney.

I’ll offer more details if/when this discount becomes official–expected August 3.

HollywoodNews.com has an interesting snippit with a few more details about the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures film The Great and Powerful Oz, a prequel of sorts to the classic Wizard of Oz. Click here to read about the general plotline and find out what actors are attached for this Sam Rami-directed movie that began filming this week.

Jeff and Denise from Mousesteps posted this great video of the new reusable mug test happening at the food court of the All Star Sports Resort. Gives a better idea of how things will work, especially for those only purchasing a beverage for one meal.

My big girl, Reagan, turned 8 this week. In honor of her birthday, I share this photo from her very first visit to Walt Disney World–she was 2!

I’ve probably made mention of today’s tip in other posts, but I think it deserves its own Thursday’s Tip: Save space by procuring (hopefully free) sample sizes of just about everything to take on your Walt Disney World vacation. Sure, most of us take sample sizes of our shampoo, conditioner, etc., but what about the less common things? For example, we rarely do laundry on our Disney trips (although I know some families who almost always do). However, on occasion, we have a little wardrobe mishap that requires our attention. Having a sample size of detergent comes in handy! Likewise, we don’t typically experience issues with bugs while at WDW, but I keep a few individually-packaged Cutter wipes in our luggage, just in case.

I get a ton of sample sizes by signing up for free offers. Sometimes I even get them free with coupons. (Many coupons restrict the size of the item you’re purchasing, but sometimes you get lucky and there are no restrictions–this almost always make the sample size of the item free.) And, of course, there are those that come from your dentist, stylist, or even a cosmetics counter. What are some of the sample items I take on vacation? Here are a few:

• OTC medications
• wipes of all varieties (baby, shout, insect repellent, antibacterial…you name it)
• shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, toothpaste, and other hygiene products
• cereal (we eat in our resort room each morning, so those little boxes of cereal are convenient)
• detergent and fabric softener
• cosmetics (I especially love when I get moisturizer samples–hate taking those big bottles)
• garbage bags (seriously, are those hotel room trash cans ever big enough?)
• antibacterial hand gel
• sunscreen

What are your favorite “free sample” finds?

Disney Consumer Products has announced that they will co-brand merchandise with the NHL (National Hockey League) for the 2011-12 season. Anybody else think this is an odd combo? Still, we love our Nashville Predators, so I can’t wait to see the many products they come up with in this new collaboration. You can read the full press release with more inforation here.