Water Parks as a Way to Escape the Cold?

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?

If you've ever dreamed of riding Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean at 3 in the morning, here's your chance. In honor of Leap Year, Disney is keeping its two most popular parks, Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, open for a full 24 hours in row. The special event, dubbed One More Disney Day, takes place on Leap Day, a.k.a., February 29. Both parks will open at 6 a.m. and remain open through the night. Rides, concessions, and restaurants won't close until 6 a.m. on March 1. Despite the unexciting name of the event, which almost sounds like "just another day," this is big news in certain circles. The average visitor goes on nine rides during a day's park visit, but experienced self-proclaimed "Disney dweebs" can easily do triple that. Or more. The unofficial record, according to one BT commenter, is 72 attractions in 11 hours. With the prospect of having a full 24 hours to take in rides and attractions, some Disney enthusiasts are salivating over the idea of breaking all sorts of ride records. The Motley Fool's Rick Munarriz, who says he "practically grew up at the Florida parks," advises against sticking with any one ride during the full-day admission: If your game plan is to marathon-ride Space Mountain -- and I'm sure plenty will attempt to do exactly that -- you won't make it 24 hours. Can you imagine? Twenty-four hours in a row on Space Mountain doesn't sound like fun. It sounds like a job, or perhaps even some unusual form of punishment doled out to kids who habitually cut the line. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL: Confessions of a Disney Cast Member Ask Trip Coach: Walt Disney World The Completely Obsessive, Absolutely Indispensable Guide to Disney World

We waited and waited, my son and I, to get into The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World. Eli, now 24 but then about 6, "really really, really" wanted to do it — until we got to the front of the line. At that point there was a look of terror in eyes, which were promptly welling with tears. We headed to the exit. Later, he reconsidered, and we stood in line again. There is emotion involved in the theme park experience that goes beyond screaming on a rollercoaster. And there are questions parents find themselves asking, such as: What rides are appropriate for my child? How do I deal with changes of mind and, conversely, "but I want to…" tantrums? Are there ways to assure we all actually have fun? Then of course there are the practical things that come along with a theme park visit. Did we park in Pluto or Goofy? (Yes, I have been known to mix them up.) Should we set a budget for souvenirs? Can we pack a picnic or do we need to indulge in park snacks? Are mobile apps practical in navigating the park experience? There are more than 400 amusement parks in the U.S., according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. In 2008, 300 million people visited the parks — going on some 1.7 billion rides. Chances are if you have kids and even if you don't, you'll find yourself at one of the parks at some point — whether it's a Disney, a Six Flags, a SeaWorld, a Legoland or a local favorite. We want to hear your tips, stories and especially questions about theme parks. We'll be discussing as many as we can in Trip Coach in an upcoming issue of Budget Travel. More from Budget Travel: 8 Record-Breaking Theme Park Thrills 5 U.S. Theme Parks Under $50 Rollercoasters Get Super-Sized for Overweight Guests