Throwback Thursday - The Magic of Disney Animation/ Animation Academy

The Magic of Disney Animation was a show and tour as Disney Hollywood Studios. It opened on May 1, 1989 and closed permanently on July 12, 2015 as part of a major closing to make room for the Toy Story and Star Wars lands planned at the park. The building has now been transformed in the Star Wars Launch Bay.

When the park originally opened in 1989, the tour commenced with a short film, "Back to Neverland", featuring Walter Cronkite and Robin Williams followed by a tour of what was a real working animation studio. For more information on this film, check out our Throwback Thursday article HERE. Some of the productions created in this building include: The "Be Our Guest" sequence from Beauty and the Beast, the "I Just Can't Wait to be King" sequence from the Lion King, Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear and more.

When production stopped at this location, the building remained open. The first part of the tour began in a small theater where a Disney animator would explain the animation process with the help of Mushu, from Disney's Mulan, on film. You can find many fan-made videos of this short movie on YouTube. Afterwards, guests were led to the gallery. Here guests could view various displays of original work from various Disney films. This area also included several interactive games to play with.
This building also became a popular spot to meet some favorite characters, including Sorcerer Mickey.

As time went on, this was generally a good place to also find the latest Pixar film characters such as the the Incredibles, Bolt and Wreck-it-Ralph. Occasionally, this area was also home to Characterpalooza, which provided a random, unscheduled meet with a wide variety of characters. 

The final stage, and most popular piece, of this attraction was known as the Animation Academy. Here, guests were treated to a 20-minute art lesson by a real Disney artist. A character would be chosen and the artist would give the class step-by-step instructions to draw it.

At the end of the class, guests were able to keep the
drawing they created to take home with them. They were a wonderfully fun, free keepsake.

Sometimes, you could have the artist autograph your drawing or they would autograph their own and give it out to one of the students.

Fans of the Animation Academy soon learned that you could "skip" over the movie intro by entering through the exit gift shop. You could take as many classes as you wanted all day long. These drawings were fun to collect through the years to see how your family's drawing skills improved over time. Since the removal of this attraction, drawing classes are now being given at Art of Animation resort. 



How did you feel about The Magic of Disney Animation? And, how did you feel when it closed? 

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Top 10 Cost-cutting ideas for your next Walt Disney World trip!

The biggest drawback to taking a Walt Disney World vacation for most families is the cost. While it is the Most Magical Place on Earth, it is certainly not the cheapest! The best way to make your trip possible to is take advantage of the promotional deals that Disney offers throughout the year. These can include promotions such as Free Dining, Buy "x", Get "x" free, or Room Discounts. While these offers can save you big bucks, some people may find their dream vacation is still out of reach. 

With the recent rash of price increases and extra-cost events announced by Disney, making your trip affordable can be harder than ever. Here, we will give you our Top 10 ways to trim even more out of your budget and make that dream a reality!

1. Gift cards
If you have a lot of time to pre-plan, you can take advantage of many ways to earn gift cards at a discount or even free! Here are some of the most popular ways:

• Start a Disney Vacation Account. Use this account to save for your trip and you will earn a $20 gift card for free with every $1000 you spend on your Disney vacation. Get more information on how it works HERE.
• You can buy discounted multi-packs of Disney gift cards at big box stores like Sam's Club and Costco
• You can buy Disney gift cards at Target at a 5% discount when you purchase using your Red Card
• There are many websites and apps where you can earn points for shopping online, visiting websites, taking surveys and many other activities. These points can be redeemed for free gift cards. While most do not offer Disney gift cards, they can still be useful. Some offer GCs for Starbucks, Gas cards you can use if driving or Landry's Restaurants. Landry's cards can be used at Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex Cafe or Yak and Yeti in Animal Kingdom. Others offer GCs for stores like KMart, Walmart or Target. You can use these cards to purchase Disney gift cards in retail stores. Some of the most popular sites are MyPoints , Swagbucks, Shopkick and more. A quick Google search will find more!

2. Skip the Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan has raised it's prices again. While some people enjoy the convenience of having their meals pre-paid, many find that the plan includes much more food than is really needed resulting in waste and leftover credits. All dining plan meals include drinks and desserts which may not be necessary at every meal for all people. This all adds up to wasted money. Of course, you need to decide what and how your family eats to see if it's really worth it for you. But, should you decide to skip the plan, there are several other ways you can save while dining at WDW restaurants.

• Split a meal! most meals at WDW have very generous portions which can easily be shared by 2 people, especially if you have light or picky eaters. You can share entrees, split a double cheeseburger into 2, or (where available) use the toppings bar to beef up that sandwich or salad into a satisfying meal for 2.
• Have brunch! If you would like to try a character meal, prices are much lower for breakfast. Try to schedule your reservation for very late morning closer to lunchtime. This way, you can fill up enough to last through the afternoon until dinnertime meaning you will only have to purchase 2 meals per day instead of 3.
• Don't pay for food you don't want! Meaning if you aren't very hungry, you can order from the kids menu. Sometimes at a table service restaurant, an appetizer and dessert can be a very satisfying meal. Most Counter Service locations list a combo price for meals. If you don't want the sides, you can order without and it will usually take a few dollars off the price. Smaller portions, smaller prices and no waste. 
• Florida residents, DVC members and AP holders can join the Tables in Wonderland program. This program offers 20% off food and beverages at many WDW restaurants.

3. Apply for a Disney Visa card from Chase

The Disney Visa card from Chase allows you to earn Disney Dream Dollars which can be used anywhere for dining or shopping at WDW or Disneystore.com. I had enough built up to purchase a $500 gift card from Disneystore.com and apply that to my trip balance as well. A good way to build up Disney dollars without putting yourself in debt is to use the card for your everyday purchases such as gas, groceries, utility bills and other necessities. Then pay the balance in full each month. You will earn Disney dollars without paying any interest on money you would have been spending anyway! 

The card also has perks which can be used while on vacation. You can get discounts at select shopping and dining locations at WDW, discounts on tours and recreation experiences and private character meet and greets.

As you can see from the photo, Chase periodically offers incentives to apply. The current offer is a free $100 gift card if you are approved and make $500 in purchases. If you use it like I suggested above, you can earn this easily in the first month or two. You must have the referral information to qualify for this offer. I have available referrals left. If you would like to apply, send me a message through Facebook HERE and I will give you the information. This offer is available until April 30, 2016. 

4. Forget the rental car!

If you are flying to Orlando, you can save hundreds of dollars by NOT renting a vehicle for your stay. If you plan to stay on Disney property, Disney provides free transportation to all locations on their property PLUS to and from the airport. While Disney transportation can be crowded and inconvenient at busy times, just keep in mind: it's free! Even if you plan to venture off-property to shop or visit another theme park (gasp!) you can get shuttles, taxis or Uber a ride for much less than the cost of a car rental. 

5. Save on strollers, scooters and wheelchairs!

If you are traveling with littles or people with mobility issues, you may have need of one of these items. They are all available to rent in Disney parks, but you have to consider a few things: They are available on a first-come, first-served basis so you are not guaranteed to get one. They can only be used in the parks. And, they can be expensive. Save some money by renting from an offsite company. Disney has a list of approved vendors that will deliver and pick-up right from your resort! You can rent for the entire length of your stay at a much lower rate than the daily park rentals. And you will have use of them for your entire stay, inside AND outside of the parks. 

For a way to save even MORE, we have a pretty successful guest-to-guest sharing group on Facebook called WDW Recycle, Reuse and Regift where a number of strollers have been donated that guests can use for their entire stay absolutely FREE. You can check it out HERE.

6. Skip the Park Hopper and Water Parks and more options.

Purchasing Base Tickets allows you entry into one of the four major parks each day of your visit. The Park Hopper option allows you to visit more than one of the four major parks in one day.  However, depending on the tickets you buy, it will usually add a cost of anywhere between $45 and $75 per ticket. With a little bit of pre-planning, you can schedule all your Fastpass and dining reservations for one park per day. You will find that there are more than enough things to see and do to keep you busy in one park for the day. You will save time traveling between parks and save money.

The Water Parks and More option gives you admission to Disney's two water parks, plus DisneyQuest and Disney's miniature golf courses. While this option can be a very good value if you plan to visit all these places during your stay, it can also be expensive. Currently, the cost to add this option is about $64. Take a look at your vacation itinerary ahead of time and decide if you will really have the time to fit all this in. If the answer is no, skip it. If you would like to try just one of these activities, check the current one-day admission prices and see if it would be cheaper than purchasing the add-on.

7. Save on Memory Maker

Memory maker now includes all your photos taken by Photopass photographers, plus ride photos and character dining photos (where available). It also includes cute videos and gives you the ability to edit and add custom content to your photos. Memory Maker currently costs $169. But, you can save $20 by pre-ordering before your trip. You must order at least 3 days before your trip to have all your photos included. If you are traveling with other friends and family members, you can save even more by sharing the cost with them. Just link everyone together using Friends and Family on My Disney Experience and everyone's Memory Maker photos will be included in one account.

To save the most money, you can opt not to purchase Memory Maker at all. All Photopass photographers will take photos using your own camera as well as theirs so you can get the same shots without the added cost. Just keep in mind, you will not get any of your ride photos unless you purchase them separately. Doing so can cost much more than the Memory Maker package price.

8. Save even more on food, bring your own!

You can save a lot on snacks and drinks by bringing your own to the parks. You can even pack a lunch. Be aware that you can not bring in glass bottles, alcoholic beverages or hard-side coolers. You can also cut down on purchasing meals by bringing your own simple breakfast foods to the resort. Most food courts have toasters and microwaves you can use, along with utensils and condiments like jelly, peanut butter or cream cheese. There are many items you can pack right in your suitcases. Or, you can have foods delivered to your resort from outside companies for a small fee. Many people on property use Garden Grocer or Amazon Prime. 

9. Magical Extras Card and more

When you purchase a vacation package from Disney, you will receive some magical extras with your travel documents. The Magical Extras card lets you save at various restaurants, shops and select activities throughout Walt Disney World resort during your stay. You will often also find vouchers offering free admission to places like DisneyQuest or miniature golf, discounts for Disney Springs restaurant locations or free play in your resort arcade. 

10. Save on souvenirs!

With so much great stuff to buy, souvenirs can be the biggest budget-buster you come across! But there are ways to make everyone happy without breaking the bank.  Here are just a few tips:

• Bring your own! Stock up on low-cost toys, clothes and novelty items at home before you go. Pack them in your suitcases to surprise the kids when you arrive.
• Many must-have souvenir items are available on Disneystore.com. Watch their site for sales on park merchandise or free shipping offers.
• Hit the outlets! Visit some of the outlet stores in the Orlando area to find park merchandise at deep discounts!
• Set a souvenir limit! Give each person in your party a set dollar amount or a pre-determined gift card to spend. Be sure they understand that when it is spent, they are done buying!

What do you think of our ideas? Do you have any we missed? Discuss all these and much more by joining 1,000,000 Disney SUPER Fans on Facebook!

Top 25 fun FREEBIES at Walt Disney World!

There is certainly no shortage of things to buy at Walt Disney World. Pins, ears, balloons, popcorn. The list goes on and on! But, did you know there are lots of neat things for FREE as well? From things-to-do to things-to-keep to ways to save a few dollars, you can find a bunch of cool stuff that won't cost you a penny! Here we will give you our Top 25 of the best freebies you can find on property.

1. Celebration Buttons
Disney offers a selection of free buttons to celebrate just about any occasion. Recently, a change was announced to the design of the buttons. You can see the new selection in this photo. You can wear your buttons proudly through the parks and see what extra "magic" they might bring your way. And they best part is, they are also fun collectibles you can collect and take home. The buttons shown here can be obtained from Guest Relations, retail locations and your resort front desk. There are also surprise buttons you can get from Cast Members such as promotion buttons, DVC, Honorary Citizen and lots more. You never know when or where some free magic may fall in your lap!

2. Vacation Planning DVD
Each year, WDW provides a helpful vacation planning DVD that you can have delivered to your home for free! The DVD is packed with information to help you plan your stay plus gives you a sneak peek at all the great stuff happening in the parks. Even though I keep up on all the latest, I am always sure to order one each year that I have a trip planned. I keep it in my trip scrapbook. They are great keepsakes and it is so much fun to watch them and see how the parks have changed through the years! They are also available for Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line! You can order your free planning guide by following this LINK. 

3. Free drink refills
Most dining locations will charge you for drink refills. However, there are a few spots where you can get your refills for free! They are: Tortuga Tavern and Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, Sunshine Seasons and Electric Umbrella in EPCOT, Reataurantosaurus in Animal Kingdom and Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios.

4. Cracker Jacks
Head down Main Street U.S.A to Casey's Corner at opening. Cast Members sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" while handing out bags of Cracker Jacks.








5. Pixie dust
Don't want to spend big bucks at Bibbidy Bobbity Boutique? The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street U.S.A. will sprinkle confetti and pixie dust in your child's hair for free. Castle Couture in Fantasyland also has pixie dust.

6. Water
Don't waste those precious snack credits (or your cash) buying expensive bottled water. You can receive a free cup of ice water at any Quick Service location.

7. World Showcase Passports
At EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival you can get a free passport. Each country's kiosk will stamp your passport and you can keep track of the food and drinks you have tried. It's a fun activity and a nice souvenir to take home! 

8. Exclusive Meet and Greet
Each day, EPCOT offers a private meet and greet for Disney Chase Visa cardholders at Innoventions West. You get to meet privately with randomly selected characters. Recently, a second exclusive Imperial Meet was added at the Launch Bay in Hollywood Studios where cardholders can meet Star Wars characters as well. 



9. Campfire Activities
You can enjoy free campfire and sing-along activities at Fort Wilderness campsites followed by a movie under the stars each evening. Bring your own food or buy smore kits for a small fee. Chip and Dale usually appear for autographs and photos. You do not need to be a resort guest to attend the campfires. You can find similar campfire activities without characters at Beach Club and Grand Floridian. Port Orleans Riverside also offers similar activities on a seasonal basis. Ask the front desk for schedules.

10. Character phone calls
While staying at a Disney resort, you can get a wake up call from some of your favorite characters. You can also get a phone call if someone is celebrating a birthday! Check with the front desk or press the wake up button on your room phone.

11. Lego mini model
The Lego Store in Disney Springs hosts a special event, usually on the first Tuesday of every month for children ages 6-14. They will learn to build a cool mini-model and get to take it home for free. They also have a huge 3000 sq. ft. play area filled with thousands of Lego blocks to play with.

12. Walt Disney World Transportation cards
There are free collectible trading cards for 3 modes of transportation in WDW: bus, boat and monorail. Just ask one of the cast members working these if they have any. Don't be surprised if they say no. They run out quickly. Just keep asking every time you use Disney transportation.


13. Wilderness Explorer Badges
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, you can pick up a free Wilderness Explorers Handbook. In it, kids can complete 30 hands-on challenges to earn badge stickers for their book. They will learn all about wild animals and wild places in the park while collecting fun keepsakes to take home!

14. Pirate's Treasure maps
In Magic Kingdom's latest game, A Pirate's Adventure, Treasure of the Seven Seas, you get the chance to defeat your enemies and find treasure throughout Adventureland. You can stop by the Crow's Nest to receive your magic talisman and free treasure map. Find all the treasures to become a member of Captain Jack Sparrow's crew!

15. More fun and games
When you purchase a Magic Your Way vacation package, Disney will send you vouchers along with your travel documents for free admission to various attractions. These vouchers can include free admission to DisneyQuest, Disney World miniature golf and free play at resort arcades.

16. Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom trading cards
This interactive Magic Kingdom game is played with collectible trading cards. Whether you play the game or not, these cards are great to collect and keep. Each member of your party can get a free pack of 5 cards each day you enter Magic Kingdom. Get yours at the firehouse on Main Street U.S.A. or behind the Christmas shop in Liberty Square. 

17. Electrical Water Pageant
Each night, you can visit one of the Seven Seas Lagoon resorts to watch this floating water show. Approx. showtimes:
Polynesian 9 pm
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa 9:15 pm
Wilderness Lodge 9:30 pm
Ft. Wilderness Campground 9:45 pm
Contemporary Resort 10 pm

18. Kids crafts
Check out the Kidcot fun stops in each country of EPCOT'S World Showcase. Your child will receive a complimentary Duffy the Bear cardboard cutout. There are supplies to decorate it. Cast members will stamp their Duffy in each country while teaching kids to say Hello or write their name in their native language.

19. Visit Tri-Circle D Ranch
You can visit Cinderella's ponies and the majestic horses of Main Street U.S.A. Watch the blacksmith make horseshoes and affix them to horses. Also, see the Dragon Calliope, a horse-drawn musical instrument purchased by Walt Disney for Disneyland in the 1950s. 

20. Soft drinks
Club Cool, sponsored by Coca-cola in EPCOT, offers free soft drinks samples from around the world. You can sample all of them for free. Don't forget to try the Beverly! It's a cool treat on a hot day.






21. Free samples
Stop by Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs for a free sample of chocolate! Many times, you can also find free samples at the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom!

22. Stickers
You can find cast members giving out stickers in tons of places!! Keep an eye out at your resort, parks, restaurants, and everywhere else to score some cool stickers for your photo albums and scrapbooks!

23. Street performers
Visit the boardwalk and you will often find plenty of entertaining street performers. Jugglers, fire-eaters, musicians and comedians. You can find hours of fun, free entertainment.

24. Tomorrowland Speedway Driver's License
This official license if often given out in the queue line for the Speedway. If you don't see anyone handing them out, just ask a cast member!

25. Pirate crew certificate
Take a few minutes to watch Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial in Magic Kingdom. Not only is it a REALLY fun show, but if you are lucky enough to be chosen by Capt. Jack, you will be sworn in as an official crew member and receive this signed certificate to prove it! A great free keepsake for the scrapbook!

BONUS!! 26. Soaps!
Everyone loves the best freebie on property! The resort hotel soaps, shampoos and lotions! I always end up taking a bunch home with me to extend the magic a little longer. Do you???

These are just some of our favorites, but there are plenty of other surprise freebies all around Walt Disney World if you just keep an eye out for them. So take some time to stop and smell the roses and you never know what kind of Disney magic you may find!

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Breaking News! Purple Magic Bands have arrived!!!

Great news! The long-awaited and much-requested purple Magic Bands are finally available for customization on the My Disney Experience website!!

Now bringing the total to 8 choices, purple can be selected for your free Magic Band color when staying as an onsite guest or for purchase to offsite guests. The other colors still available are: red, blue, green, pink, yellow, orange and gray.

Can't wait to get mine! :)

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2016 Flower and Garden Festival Menus!

The 2016 Garden Passport is now available for download here.

The passport gives you all the information from the festival including topiaries, Garden Rocks concerts, weekend events, merchandise and more. It also give a full list of Outdoor Kitchens and what they will be serving.

Here is a rundown of the food being served this year:

URBAN FARM EATS (Near Pineapple Promenade)

• Watermelon Salad with Pickled Onions, B&W Gourmet Farms Baby Arugula, Feta and Balsamic Reduction
• Vegetable and White Bean “Naanwich” with Arugula Pesto and Oven-dried Tomatoes featuring Seeds of Change® Quinoa, Brown & Red Rice
• Seared Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Ragoût, Spring Vegetables and Marble Potatoes

PINEAPPLE PROMENADE (World Showcase Promenade)

• Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Taro Chips
• Pineapple Soft-serve

LA ISLA FRESCA (World Showcase Promenade)

• Jerk-spice Grouper or Chicken with Mango Salsa, Chayote and Green Papaya Slaw with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
• Jamaican-braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice and Micro Cilantro
• Tres Leches with Guava Purée

JARDIN DE FIESTAS (Mexico)

• Tacos de Camarón – Tempura Shrimp Tacos served with Hibiscus Flower, Caramelized Onions and Habanero Sauce
• Corn Tortilla Quesadilla served with Roasted Mushrooms and Zucchini Blossom topped with Green Tomatillo Sauce
• Flan de Rosas served with Hibiscus Reduction

LOTUS HOUSE (China)

• Gaoli Beef Bun
• Beijing-style Candied Strawberries
• Vegetable Spring Roll with Orange Sauce

BAUERNMARKT: FARMER’S MARKET (Germany)

• Chicken Fricassee with Green Asparagus and Peas served with Uncle Ben’s® Rice Pilaf
• Currywurst with Paprika Chips – Roasted Bratwurst with Curry Ketchup and Paprika-spiced Chips
• “Armer Ritter” – Egg Battered Toast with Cherry Compote and Powdered Sugar

PRIMAVERA KITCHEN (Italy)

• Pollo alla Parmigiana – Breaded Breast of Chicken Parmigiana, Tomato, Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese
• Mezze Lune Primavera – Egg Pasta stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach in a Creamy Sauce with Spring Vegetables and Pecorino Cheese
• Cremoso al Pistacchio – Pistacchio Cream, Strawberries and Mascarpone Cream

THE SMOKEHOUSE: BARBECUE AND BREWS (The American Adventure)

• Pulled Pig Slider with Crispy Onions and Coleslaw
• Smoked Pork Ribs with Roasted Corn Salad
• Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños
• Warm Chocolate Cake with Bourbon-Salted Caramel Sauce and Spiced Pecans

HANAMI (Japan)

• Frushi – Fresh Pineapple, Strawberry and Melon Rolled with Raspberry Coconut Rice, sprinkled with Toasted Coconut and Whipped Cream on the side
• Chicken Edamame Bun – Steamed Bun filled with Chicken and Edamame and topped with Curry Sauce
• Beef Teriyaki Udon – Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger

TASTE OF MARRAKESH (Morocco)

• Harissa Chicken Kebab with Sweet Couscous Salad
• Falafel Pocket with Cucumber-Tomato Salad and Tahini Sauce
• Baklava

FLORIDA FRESH (Between Morocco and France)

• Kale Salad with Dried Cherries, Almonds, Goat Cheese and White Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Shrimp and Stone-ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro
• Florida Larder Board – Orlando-made Ricotta Cheese, Cahaba Farms Micro Onions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic, Country Pâté and House-made Pickles

FLEUR DE LYS (France)

• Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne – Alsatian Onion Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Puff Pastry Crust
• Cassoulet au Confit de Canard – Pulled Duck Confit with Braised Flageolet Beans
• Macaron Chocolat Framboise – Large Raspberry Macaron with Chocolate Fudge and Raspberry Jam

CIDER HOUSE (United Kingdom) 

Land-harvested Field Greens with Apples, Dried Blueberries, Stilton Cheese and Apple Cider Vinaigrette

• Pear Cider-brined Shredded Corned Beef with Braised Cabbage and Pears and Branston Dressing
• House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare
• Freshly Baked Lemon Scone with Crème Fraîche and Mixed Berries

You can also try these tasty treats at Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion:

• Oak-grilled Vegetable Flatbread
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad

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Updated Garden Rocks Concert Series

This year's EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival runs from March 2 to May 30, 2016.

Here is an updated list of the Garden Rocks Concert Series:

• 3/04 - 3/06: The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
• 3/11 - 3/13: Starship starring Mickey Thomas
• 3/18 - 3/20: Little River Band
• 3/25 - 3/27: Village People
• 4/01 - 4/03: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
• 4/08 - 4/10: The Guess Who
• 4/15 - 4/17: Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice  
• 4/22 - 4/24: Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company  
• 4/29 - 5/01: Georgia Satellites  
• 5/06 - 5/08: Gin Blossoms
• 5/13 - 5/15: Darlene Love  
• 5/20 - 5/22: Night Ranger
• 5/27 - 5/30 (Monday): The Spinners

 Note: The concert schedule is subject to change without notice.

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How to Stop Facebook Scams!

Free trips, free tickets, free prizes! Facebook is certainly full of them. However, before you jump on that next great offer, pull back that itchy clicking finger and take a minute to really LOOK at what you are sharing. If it looks to good to be true, it usually is. Many of these "offers" floating around Facebook are scams and some can be VERY harmful. In many cases, a quick Google search or a look at Snopes.com will instantly tell you the ad you're seeing is a fake. When deciding what to click on Facebook, a little common sense goes a long way!! Here are some common things you should be looking at before sharing:

This is the latest offer to come through my groups. This particular scam has been circulating since last year and can cause major problems for you! Let's examine it.
1. READ THE CAPTION! Every Disney fan in the world knows that Disneyland has been celebrating their 60TH anniversary all year long. We also know that Walt Disney World is in it's 45th year. So, there is your first red flag.
2. The "ticket" say Walt Disney World and the caption reads "Disneyland". This is NOT an error the company makes.
3. Look at the "website" listed at the bottom. Dot "xyz" is not a valid domain! This is your next tip-off that clicking this link is leading you to a place you do NOT want to go. Most, BUT NOT ALL, of these offers are using the .xyz extension. So even if you see one that doesn't, you still need to be careful.

Now, I've already mentioned this scam has been around since last year and I'm sure you have seen it without even knowing! That's because they have used McDonald's, Burger King, Walmart, Aldi, Target, Rolex, Netflix and just about EVERY major company name in the country to draw you in. But the results of trying to claim these "free" prizes is all the same and it is NOT good. Aside from not giving you anything, they can cause big problems for you. Let's take a look at how:

When you click on these offers, it will take you to a page that leads you believe you are still getting what you want. All you need to do is send this ad to 5 groups. Well, that's your first problem. Many group admins, like myself, who are tired of combating this onslaught of spam have decided that it's much easier to just ban members who share this junk in their groups. You can find yourself losing membership to some of your favorite FB groups by posting these. But that's the least of your problems. Clicking these links also is giving them access to your profile. Soon, you will find out that unbeknownst to you they are posting their spam, phishing and sometimes PORNOGRAPHIC ads to all your groups from YOUR profile! This will definitely get you thrown out of a lot of groups and can also get you locked out of your entire Facebook profile. But what's worse is these hackers are now gaining access to your computers and devices where they can access valuable personal information that could end up costing you BIG financial problems.

Aside from the trouble you are causing for yourself, you are also putting your friends and family at risk by sharing these phony links. Another popular scam is the free Disney trips. You will see a free trip being offered by Walt Disney World or Disney Cruise Line or some other major company. You click to enter and find a page like the one shown here. BEFORE you share that link, let's think about a few things:
1. Any legitimate contest by Disney will be listed on their official website, such as disneyworld.com or disneycruise.com. Check their website first to see if it's real.
2. Walt Disney World is the number one vacation destination in the world! This FB page has 14,000 likes. Seriously? The real Disney Facebook pages have followers in the tens of millions!
3. See that period at the end of the name? That's a dead giveaway. Copycat pages will have a random period, hyphen, comma or some other punctuation that will tip you off. Also, you can see that the rest of the page has no real Disney posts or news other than the "giveaways".

Also, official Facebook pages will have the checkmark in the circle at the end of their name to let you know they are verified as real.





These are just some of the ways scammers can draw you in. Sadly, they will always come up with new ideas. The only way to stop the harm they cause is by not helping them!! Whether it's Disney, or an "abused" animal, or a "sick" child, or an amazing free offer, ALWAYS take a few minutes to verify that what you are sharing is authentic. Keep yourself and your friends safe by REPORTING these fake links to Facebook. Do NOT share them on your wall or in groups. If you want to post a warning to people, do NOT share the link. Take a screenshot instead to show others. Always THINK before you CLICK!

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