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Letter to the editor

Mad for that mouse

By RODNEY THRASH, Times Staff Writer
Published February 8, 2008

Beatrice Rose, a resident of Waterchase, has recently been named one of Disney World's vacation planning experts. Here, she poses with Mickey Mouse and some of her daughter's Disney themed purses.
	[Carrie Pratt | Times]

WATERCHASE - Beatrice Rose didn't want just any couple sitting atop her wedding cake. She wanted Mickey and Minnie Mouse. "That tells you we like Disney," said the former elementary teacher turned full-time mom. No wonder Walt Disney World named Rose one of 12 park experts nationwide. Chosen from a pool of 10,000, Rose will share secrets and vacation planning tips with families who visit www.disneyworldmoms.com; for example, how to prepare for the weather, or where to go for a character dinner. The St. Petersburg Times sat down with Rose at her Waterchase home to test her Disney IQ and to see if she ever gets sick of the "happiest place on Earth."

So what are the responsibilities of a Disney expert?

We're supposed to help people who have questions about Disney, about the resorts, about the parks. For example, 'I have small children. What should I do when I go to Disney? Should I rent the small strollers?' Another question that pops up often is, 'I don't want any crowds. When is the best time to go to Disney?' Those are the little things people are asking.

How do you become a Disney expert?

We just moved four years ago to Tampa. We lived in New York and New Jersey. All our trips would be to Disney. Going there so often, you learn little things that people don't realize.

Like what?

The extra Magic Hours. When you stay in the resorts, they open the park an hour early for you. At night also, they let you stay there after the park closes for everybody else.

Then, oh my goodness, Disney Fastpass. At the entrance of the ride, there is a machine. A ticket comes out that tells you when you can go back to the ride so you don't wait in line. You have a standard line and a Fastpass line.

When was your first trip to Disney?

1991. My husband was a Disney fanatic. When I got into Magic Kingdom and saw that castle, I couldn't say a word. It was amazing, beautiful, gorgeous. It felt like I was a little girl. I started to cry because it was something I'd never seen in my life.

How often do you visit Disney?

We were just there a couple weeks ago celebrating my son's birthday.

Most every other month. It varies. We're already booked for June. We're going for a week. 

Every other month? That must set you back a bit financially? How much does that cost?

Aww, that's a tricky question. You buy fries, churros, turkey legs, this and that. My husband is the one that usually takes that responsibility, to be honest.

Could you walk the park blindfolded?

Blindfolded? Hey! Oh my goodness, with somebody walking in front of me making sure I don't step on anything? No, I wouldn't go blindfolded. I know exactly where everything is, but blindfolded, I would fall.

How do you keep interested in Disney if you feel like you know it all?

My children love Disney so I want to make them happy. Every time they go, they are the happiest people on Earth. They wake up at 5 o'clock in the morning. 

I read that your 7-year-old daughter wants to have her wedding there. It seems like you've passed along your love of Disney to your children.

Oh my gosh, yes, she would love to have her wedding at Cinderella's castle. But that would cost a lot of money, so we better start saving. I think they're going to grow up to be like us: Disney fanatics. 

Do you ever get sick of Disney?

No, they're always adding and putting extra things, like right now they're redoing Splash Mountain. I think they realize that people come and they don't want to see the same thing over and over and over. They're always trying to upgrade.

Okay, pop quiz. Spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. (Answer: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious)

Oh, my gosh! I'm from Peru. I wasn't born and raised here. Are you kidding me? That's not right. You really want me to spell it? (Rose pulls out pen and paper) I'm going to tell you: S-U-P-E-R-K 

Wrong?

S-U-P-E-R-C-K

C-A?

(Sounds it out phonetically, then starts writing again) Am I right? S-U-P-E-R-C-A-L-A

L-I?

Forget it.

Next question, Walt Disney originally wanted to name Mickey Mouse another name? What was the name? (Answer: Mortimer)

(Gasps) I know this one. (Pauses) I don't know. By the way, before you continue, I'm going to tell you, we're not here for trivia questions. We're here to help people from our experience.

Last one: How many stones were used in the Walt Disney World Castle? (Answer: Zero.)

Ah. 3,000?

It's made of fiberglass.

Fiberglass! That's right. They just said it that weekend that I was there. Oh my gosh! You win!

Rodney Thrash can be reached at rthrash@sptimes.com or (813) 269-5303.

[Last modified February 8, 2008, 00:06:50]