Is Disney's New Disability Policy Fair?

We've got some great news for Harry Potter fans: Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express are coming to Orlando in 2014, part of a new park expansion that will extend The Wizarding World of Harry Potter from its current home at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure to include both Universal Studios Orlando theme parks. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Diagon Alley will feature buildings and scenes from London, in particular Diagon Alley, the magical street where the main characters get their school shopping done. There will be stores you'll recognize from the books and films—Orlando Informer reports that Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the Leaky Cauldron, and a larger version of Ollivander's Wand Shop are in the works—and a new family-friendly 3D thrill ride attraction based on Gringotts Bank. Madam Millkin's Robes for All Occasions, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, and more sinister additions like Knockturn Alley and Borgin & Burkes store of Dark Magic are also rumored to make an appearance, but have not been confirmed as of yet. Perhaps the most exciting part of the expansion will be the opportunity to take the Hogwarts Express from London to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, just like Harry and his friends do in the books and movies. The train ride, an attraction in itself, will connect the two parks, but according to this article by Fox News Travel, it's not clear yet how ticket prices will be affected for guests hoping to ride the Hogwarts Express from one park to the other, an interesting detail to keep an eye on as the new section is built next year.

We here at Budget Travel were pretty disgusted by the recent New York Post's story about wealthy Manhattanites hiring disabled "black market tour guides" to pose as family members at Disney World. The benefit? For $130 per hour—or more than $1,000 per day—up to six of the disabled guide's "family members" can cut in line at popular rides such as It's a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean, while the less fortunate wait, sometimes more than two hours, for their turn. The practice is, of course, not endorsed by Disney, and takes advantage of the park's sensitive policy toward disabled guests. While we share the revulsion just about everyone else feels about this illicit scheme, we're also a little puzzled. For one thing, major theme parks handle long lines really well, and increasingly keep them moving along briskly or keep folks entertained while they wait. Some of my friends have even told me that the whole line-wait experience is, for them, part of the fun. Not sold on that idea? Well, theme parks like Disney, Universal, Six Flags, and Busch Gardens offer express pass programs that can get you to the head of the line for free, or for a (relatively) modest fee. Here, details about the pass programs at some of the most popular parks. Think of this as your theme park cheat sheet (or, make that your NOT-cheat-sheet): Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. FastPass is free, but distributed only on a first come, first served basis at machines around the park. You get to skip the line within specified times printed on the pass. Six Flags Great Adventure. Flash Pass starts at $43. A beeper alerts you when it's your turn to board select rides. Universal Studios Florida. Express Plus Pass starts at $20 but is free if you stay at an on-site hotel. It lets you skip lines at select rides. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Quick Queue starts at $20 and lets you skip lines at select rides. TALK TO US! Do you have favorite strategies for beating the lines at theme parks? We'd love to hear them, and might share them in an upcoming Budget Travel story!

Knowing what the customer wants is obviously one way to succeed at business. And Disney really wants to know what you—yes, you—want. The newest initiative is wristbands that store your personal info and preferences. The MyMagic+ bands, set to launch some time this spring, will store info like your name and credit card info so that you can use sensors to enter parks (instead of buying tickets and going through turnstiles) and buy souvenirs, food, and drinks once you are inside. You can also use it as your room key at Disney hotels and register for three Fast Passes for rides before you leave for your trip. It will also allow employees—including characters—to greet you by name. The win for Disney is the ease that it allows you to spend money, of course, and that the bands will store your preferences, from which rides you went on to which characters you chose to interact with. According to an article in the New York Times, you will also be able to control some of the info stored on the bands and manage it through an app and website. You or an employee of the park can deactivate bands if they are stolen, and a PIN will be required for purchases of more than $50. So a wily thief won't be able to take your band and run up a big tab. What do you think of these new bands? Are they an invasion of privacy, or a smart way to make a trip to Disney a lot easier? 

This year, Disneyland is rolling out the red carpet for a holiday trio that sometimes gets short shrift in the U.S.: The Three Kings. In Spain, Mexico, Central America, and Puerto Rico, the feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Three Kings (also known as the Three Wise Men and the Magi), who followed the Christmas star to pay tribute to the baby Jesus, is a day for treats, music, and religious ceremonies. (The feast is also part of the "12 Days of Christmas," with Twelfth Night falling on the eve of the Epiphany, January 5.) Now, Disneyland is getting in on the action with Three Kings Day, actually a three-day celebration (January 4, 5, and 6) at Big Thunder Festival Arena, in Frontierland. Highlights will include: Music. The celebration will include performances by the Ballet Folklorico Dancers in brightly colored costumes, music by Mariachi Divas, and, of course, Disney characters dressed in traditional Latin American fiesta garb. Crafts. There will also be Magi-themed art projects for the little ones, including paper crowns that kids can decorate with crayons and plastic jewels and face-painting featuring the moon and stars. Food. Latin-inspired treats will be available, including chimichangas, traditional Rosca de Reyes (King's Bread), tamales with pineapple, and pleasantly spicy Mexican hot chocolate. Talk to us! Have you participated in the Feast of the Epiphany in Spain or Latin America? We'd love to hear what it was like!