Craig Smith

For more than a quarter century, a 130-foot water tower topped with an enormous pair of Mickey Mouse ears rose above the backlot of Disney-MGM Studios. It was called the Earffel Tower, and although it never carried a single gallon of water, few structures better represented what Walt Disney World’s third theme park was originally … Read more

Planning your first trip to Walt Disney World can be an exciting, but overwhelming project. There are so many different aspects of the trip that need to be planned out and the pricing differences between options can be significant. You almost need, or have to become, a Disney travel agent to do it right. Thankfully, there … Read more

If you’ve been to Disney World or Disneyland over the years, no doubt you have been exposed to the Dole Whip phenomenon. The iconic frozen dessert is a favorite of many a visitor to the Enchanted Tiki Room (or the area surrounding it) on a hot California or Florida afternoon. Now you can make your own … Read more

Since his debut in the 2013 blockbuster Frozen, Olaf has become one of the most sought-after characters for hugs and photos at Walt Disney World. However, a lot has changed since he first “set up shop” in the parks. Whether you’re looking for a warm hug or want to see the latest in Disney robotic … Read more

With so many things to see and so much ground to cover between Walt Disney World’s four main theme parks and other important stops like Disney Springs and the water parks, it is very easy to return from a week’s trip and realize your kids missed their favorite character. In this installment of my “Where … Read more

A few months ago, Disney further integrated Star Wars into the theme park experience by launching “Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This new show is set to a Star Wars soundtrack and offers one of the best fireworks displays in all of Walt Disney World. “Symphony in the Stars: … Read more

Disney After Hours are a special ticket option for Walt Disney World visitors that want to enjoy quick access to some of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney After Hours ticket holders can enjoy three hours of more exclusive park time in Magic Kingdom as the number of … Read more

In this installment of my “Where to Find” series, I am going to run through where the Star Wars characters like to hang out in the various Walt Disney World parks (OK, mostly Hollywood Studios). While there are only a handful of Star Wars characters roaming the streets of Disney World currently, this list is … Read more

Here is a quick rundown of links to the park hours and schedules for the various Walt Disney World properties. Please note that Disney World hours are always subject to change (like anything at Disney), so while you are at the park, you will want to download the My Disney Experience mobile app. The app … Read more

Here is a quick rundown of the Disney vacation deals and discounts I have been able to dig up. I do the searching, so all you have to do is figure out which Disney deal works best for your vacation plans. Let’s Face it; A trip to a Disney resort or park can be amazingly expensive. … Read more