OK, this one is a bit of a stretch, but I still think it was intended to be a Hidden Mickey. Anyone know where we found it?

Disney is finally answering the questions we’ve all been asking…When are the various attractions in the new Fantasyland expansion going to open? While they don’t give us every detail, this post on the official Disney Parks Blog gives us a a few more specifics, including some regarding a few highly-anticipated attractions.

Here’s the gist:

• July 2012: the second half of Dumbo, Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station
• Holiday Season 2012 (I would assume this means around November): Under the Sea/Journey of the Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern, Ariel’s Grotto
• 2014: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Hmmm…we might just have to fit a holiday visit in this year. Convincing my husband might be a little tough, considering we’re going in September–oh, and we’re trying to buy a new house this summer. Better start saving my pennies now!

I don’t know about you guys, but my whole clan is pretty obsessed with the Muppets right now. We bought the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack from Target that included a download of the soundtrack, so we find ourselves singing “Everything is great…everything is grand…” or “Am I a man…or am I a Muppet?” at all hours of the day. So…since I have Muppets on the brain, please enjoy this pic of Miss Piggy from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, taken in the fall of 2010.

Presley helps pack her clothes.

It has been an unusual spring here in Nashville. We had record high temps in February and March, and just last week it was downright cold (at least in comparison). All this erratic weather brings an important Thursday’s Tip to mind: pack for a variety of weather conditions. Even if you’re visiting in July or August, and you think the temperature can’t possibly drop below shorts and tank top weather. Even if you’ve checked the radar, and there’s nary a cloud in the sky or the forecast for the next few days. Even if it’s January, and you’re quite sure you’ll wear a sweater every day of your trip.

The only thing predictable about Florida weather is that it changes frequently. And while meteorological instruments have improved by great lengths over the last decade, they are not infallible. Weather systems spring up quickly, and things may change drastically from the time that you pack your clothes to the end of your vacation. Be prepared!

I like to pack in layers. Usually, the bulk of our attire is shorts and T-shirts or other summery, casual attire. We always pack at least one pair of jeans (and usually two) per person and some sort of sweatshirt or fleece. I also typically include a long-sleeved shirt for everyone, in case it’s too cool for short sleeves but too warm for a fleece. Oh, and we ALWAYS pack our rain ponchos. If you’re traveling in the winter months, you’ll want to include heavy coats. Yes, frigid weather is rare in Orlando, but it does get quite chilly at times, especially in the evening hours. (And, yes, it does even snow in Florida at times.) In contrast, it can also be unseasonably warm in the winter months, so go ahead and throw in those bathing suits–you never know!

If you’re a home educating family like we are, you’re always looking for unique, fun, ecucational, and–of course!–inexpensive field trips. Walt Disney World fits the bill. Really. Yes, even the inexpensive part, when compared with other vacation venues…as long as you know how to find the savings. Fortunately, Disney is offering great ticket discounts to homeschooling families for their annual (semi-annual? over the last few years the dates have been a bit erratic) Disney Homeschool Days.

This year’s program, slated for October 25, puts the focus on primates and preserving their habitats (a less-than-subtle promotion of Chimpanzee, now in theatres). The one-hour presentation included with your registration/ticket purchase will undoubtedly be both informative and entertaining, but you also have the opportunity to schedule additional Youth Education Series (YES)programs during your stay. These are typically 3 hours in length and cost $28 per student per session. We’ve found them to be a perfect balance of learning and fun, especially for younger students.

While we won’t be attending this year’s event (we had our trip planned before the dates were announced; we are, however, attending a YES program through individual enrollment), we have attended Disney’s Homeschool Days in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a sense of commaraderie, as you are surrounded by other home educating families. And it doesn’t hurt that Disney typically schedules these events during the least busy times in the Parks, since we homeschoolers like to vacation in the off-season. (Our Homeschool Days program was in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the crowd was as light as I had ever experienced.)

For more information on this year’s event, click here.

Yes, some of us Moms would really love a gift from the Disney Store for Mother’s Day. Here are a few of my favorite Disney-themed items (hint, hint) from Amazon too:

And for the gift that always fits–a Disney gift card: