Should Rome Open a Romaland Theme Park?

"Habit Heroes," an interactive exhibit at EPCOT that features overweight villains with names like "Snacker" and "Lead Bottom," was supposed to open on March 5. Head over to HabitHeroes.com, the website Disney created specifically for the exhibit that was expected to open in early March, and you'll encounter a message stating that the site is "Down for Maintenance." As for the exhibit itself, Disney has decided to postpone its opening indefinitely. You can probably guess the reason why. Last month, the exhibit had a "soft opening," during which EPCOT and the exhibit's partner, insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield, could get feedback from the public. The point of the interactive exhibit was supposedly to help children and other park guests develop good habits while fighting off the bad ones. To dramatize the battle, exhibit designers created characters: good, healthy ones, such as Will Power and Callie Stenics, and bad ones, including the oversized Snacker, The Glutton, and Lead Bottom, as well as villains such as Drama Queen, Control Freak, and Sweet Tooth. Their names should give a pretty good indication of what their powers (weaknesses?) are. After word of the exhibit spread, the complaints started coming in. Per the Orlando Sentinel: "We're appalled to learn that Disney, a traditional hallmark of childhood happiness and joy, has fallen under the shadow of negativity and discrimination," came a heated response from the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. "It appears that Disney now believes that using the tool of shame, favored so much by today's healthcare corporations, is the best way to communicate with children." The association said, based on the exhibit, both Disney and Blue Cross have sided with "bullies" who mock, insult, and vilify the obese. At the website WeightyMatters, Yani Freedhoff, a physician based in Ottawa, wrote: So thanks for being so helpful Disney - I mean if your kid's not overweight or obese, here's to Disney reinforcing society's most hateful negative obesity stereotyping, and if they are overweight or obese - what kid doesn't want to be made to feel like a personal failure while on a Disney family vacation? Ouch. Apparently, Disney got the word and has kicked the "Habit," so to speak. There is no word yet, on the other hand, regarding what if anything may come of the "Habit Heroes." MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: Confessions of a Disney Cast Member Disney Worker Beard Ban Finally Gets Clipped The Completely Obsessive, Absolutely Indispensable Guide to Disney World

It's the dead of winter and summer seems very, very far away. Some folks are lucky enough to be escaping the cold (like my manager who wisely booked a trip to Florida). Then you have people like me who used their vacation time to escape a cold and rainy city (New York) to travel to a cold and rainy city (Dublin). I don't regret the decision—I was visiting a friend—but now that we're solidly in February and I haven't been anywhere warm in months I'm starting to long for a reason to break out my swimsuit. I shared my longing with a friend who looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and said "you're a travel editor, shouldn't you be able to figure out a way to get a warm weather fix in February?" Oh yeah. Right. if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('fa4c734d-d46d-41c6-be57-a196bbae878d'); Get the Poll Creator Pro widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info) I tossed around the idea of taking a 3-day weekend somewhere warm—maybe Florida, or the Caribbean. There are certainly plenty of deals out there, but I want to save my vacation days for a big trip this summer. Then I happened upon an article we did last year—a round up of the ten best indoor water parks. The first line grabbed me: "no matter how cold it gets outside, you'll always find temperatures in the 80s in these indoor water parks." That's it! Visions of lazy rivers, waterslides and wave pools filled my head. As it turns out, those aren't the only places that give you an outlet to splash around when the mercury is close to zero. We also have a list of the top hotel water parks in the U.S. (Of course, come summer there are even more options—check out our favorite 15 water parks nationwide.) Upon closer investigation, however, I discovered that none of these places are within driving distance from where I live. Fortunately, a quick Internet search revealed an indoor water park much closer to me—Greek Peak in upstate New York—and, yes, I'll be going there next weekend. Out of curiosity, a question for my fellow travelers in colder climes—how far will you go to escape the chill? Do you plan your winter retreats far in advance like my colleague? Or are you more inclined to play things by ear? Vote in our poll or share your thoughts below. SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: 10 Indoor Water Parks in the U.S. Top Hotel Water Parks Best U.S. Water Parks

For nearly 60 years, Disney employees haven't been allowed to grow beards or goatees. Soon, though, "Cast Members" won't have to be clean-shaven. Since the company began, Disney has prided itself on being extraordinary. As in: not ordinary. Its movies are not the typical animated fare. Its theme parks, resorts, and rides are far more magical (not to mention expensive) than the competition. Also, its employees aren't mere workers, staffers, or, well, employees. Instead, they're all referred to as "Cast Members." To bring the customer experience to the next magical level, all Cast Members have been expected to play their roles as clean-cut, exemplary, all-American hosts and hostesses. For about six decades, there was a ban on facial hair so that all Cast Members could play the part and maintain the "Disney Look." But times, and what's acceptable in terms of the Disney Look, are changing. A new policy, taking effect on February 3, removes the facial hair ban. Guests shouldn't expect a flood of Cast Members with scruffy faces or ZZ Top beards on their next visit to a Disney park, though. The Orlando Sentinel clarifies what's OK and not OK: Disney's new policy restricts any facial hair to no more than a quarter of an inch in length. And the company says any chin whiskers "must create an overall neat, polished and professional look" and must be fully grown in and well-groomed. In other words, no beards like those grown by the Seven Dwarfs, and certainly no facial hair along the lines of Beast from "Beauty and the Beast." Even so, for the pro-hair faction, Disney's change means progress. It follows another policy adjustment in 2000, when mustaches for Cast Members were given the OK. While beards, goatees, and mustaches are allowed, there are still plenty of rules and restrictions, such as: Mustaches (without lower facial hair) must not extend onto or over the upper lip and must extend to the corners of the mouth, but not beyond or below the corners. And: Mustaches may extend below the corners of the mouth to meet with the facial beard. Shaping the mustache or beard to a particular style is not permitted. The Disney Look guidebook also advises: For clarification on whether a mustache, beard or goatee is acceptable, please consult your area leader or contact the Cast Image and Appearance team. To which many employees must respond: Oh, forget it! I'll just shave. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: Confessions of a Disney Cast Member Disney Parks to Stay Open 24 Hours on February 29 The Completely Obsessive, Absolutely Indispensable Guide to Disney World

A Napoleon Bonaparte-themed amusement park may be built at a location slightly south of Paris. The theme park, nicknamed Napoleonland, is set to cost about $280 million—'Mon Dieu!'—and vie with Disneyland Paris in size. Details on the project will be officially announced next month. Russian and Middle Eastern investors are interested, and the project has backing from state officials and Atout France, a tourism promotion organization. Attractions are still being decided, but there's talk of a museum saluting the life of the famous revolutionary turned emperor. Surprisingly, France has no national Napoleon museum, even though is he arguably the country's most famous figure in three centuries. It's possible that the park will hold costumed re-enactments of one of general's famous battles, such as Waterloo or Trafalgar, in the style of a Renaissance Fair. More fancifully, there is talk of simulations of major events in the life of Napoleon, such as the guillotining of France's last king, Louis XVI. Yves Jégo, mayor of Montereau, has blogged that he hopes the park will be opened by 2017 at a location about 45 miles from Disneyland and a one-hour drive south of Paris. The story was first reported in English by The Economist. The Times of London dug up additional details this morning. Once comedian David Letterman hears about it, he's sure to have some fun with this idea. Can you hear it already: "Top Ten Things to do at Napoleonland: Number 10: Lose your arm from untreated bullet wounds...." More seriously, France wants to retain its status as the world's most touristed nation by dominating the market in historical attractions and war memorials. In November, it opened the Museum of the Great War in Meaux, one of a series of new historically-themed attractions. War tourism is especially popular. In 2010 (the most recent data available), France's 155 war museums, memorials and historical sites that charge entry fees attracted 6 million visitors, reports The Guardian. Anyway, what do you think? Would you go to Napoleonland? Or do you think it will be a "cultural Chernobyl." Sound off in the comments! SEE MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Disney Parks to Stay Open 24 Hours in a Row on February 29 SeaWorld's Expanding … to Antarctica? Is Legoland Florida Worth the Cost?