A change...

I have always wanted to be a great blogger - I start out planning to write daily and it dwindles. So I go to weekly and then forget it.

Now there is more reason than ever to get this travel blog going again!!

I am taking my Travel Certificate!

Looking forward to regular blog posts as I work through this program!

~~Happy Travel~~
Amy

2015 Promotion - Stay, Play and Dine, or Room Only

The first Disney Promotion of 2015 was released today to Disney Visa Card holders (sadly as a Canadian we are not eligible for a Disney Chase Visa) however, this will be released to the general public on Thursday, October 9, 2014.

There are two promotions that were released, one is Stay Play and Dine (SP&D).  I cannot seem to find the specifics on that one, however I can let you know that in the past it has offered significant savings for families who choose to stay onsite and participate in the Disney Dining Plan (which our family always does!). It is actually comparable to the fall Free Dining promotion.  Disney does not release the details of the SP&D promotion, rather you will have to go to the website under special offers and start crunching some numbers.  Some forums report savings of several hundred dollars for a family.  (On Thursday when it is active I will post some examples).

The second promotion can be laid out and is nicely done so on the Disney Rewards website. The breakdown is as follows and includes most stays from January 5, 2015 to March 28, 2015:

Deluxe Villas (except for Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House and Kidini Village)
Save 30%

Deluxe Villas  Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House and Kidini Village
Save 20%

Deluxe resorts (Except for Animal Kingdom Lodge - Savanna View/Club View)
Save 30%

Deluxe resorts Animal Kingdom Lodge - Savanna View/Club View 
Save 20%

Moderate Resorts - Weekdays  (Except for Port of Orleans French Quarter)
Save 25%

Moderate Resorts - Weekends  (Except for Port of Orleans French Quarter)
Save 20%

Moderate Resorts - Weekdays Port of Orleans French Quarter
Save 15%

Moderate Resorts - Weekends Port of Orleans French Quarter
Save 10%

Value Resorts - Weekdays (Except for Little Mermaid Suites and All Star Movies)
Save 20%

Value Resorts - Weekends (Except for Little Mermaid Suites and All Star Movies)
Save 15%

Value Resorts - Weekdays All Star Movies Resorts
Save 15%

Value Resorts - Weekends All Star Movies Resorts
Save 10%

The Little Mermaid Suites at the Art of Animation Resort are not included in these Room Only Resorts. 

So the big question is, why is there a difference in Moderate Resorts? Why is there a difference in Value Resorts? And why are the Little Mermaid Suites not included?

The simple answer is popularity. Disney knows these resorts and these rooms do not need codes in order to sell out. The Little Mermaid Rooms are extremely popular and are often sold out and have never been included in any discounts since their opening.  

I will update this post with pricing examples once it becomes available on Thursday.  

~Happy Planning~

Mickey Monday - Top 5 Places to meet the Head Cheese

There are many places to meet Mickey onsite including Dining and Character meets in each of the parks.  Today's Mickey Monday will outline the Top 5 places to meet Mickey Mouse.

Number 5 -  Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch (& Mickey & Pluto) at Ohana

Why ?
There are several character meals where you can meet Mickey, but to our family this one is a favorite.  It is not a popular as the hard to get Chef Mickey's (nor is it is aloud and crazy!) and it is not inside a park (like Tuskerhouse and Garden Grill) so it is easier to get to.  We love the atmosphere at the Polynesian and exploring this hotel is a must for our family so adding a meal with Mickey is an easy choice.

Tips and Info you should know:
As always, character meals require an Advanced Dining Reservation and 180 days out is the suggestion.  However, this is one we have never had a problem getting, even as low as 60 days out.  We like to dine first thing in the morning (8:00am) and chose this restaurant for an Epcot or Magic Kingdom day.  We park at the Ticket and Transportation Center for the day and then use the Monorail to get to Magic Kingdom or Epcot.
The Breakfast is All You Care To Enjoy and is Served Family Style (meaning they bring the food to you, not a traditional buffet).  The meal includes: scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, pork sausage, bacon and a variety of fruits and breads. DH's favorite part of this breakfast is the Guava Juice it is delicious!  And of course, it is the best place on site to get coffee as they serve Kona Coffee.  DD loves dancing the hula and parading with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto.  This is the only character meal that has Lilo and Stitch, and the only time you can see Mickey in his Hawaiian clothes.

Number 4 - Epcot Character Spot

Why?
Aside from meeting Mickey, you can also meet Minnie and Goofy and have only one line up (you meet the characters individually in a receiving line formation).

Tips and Info you should know:
This is a Tier 1 Fastpass+ option (meaning if you chose this as a FP+ option you cannot chose Test Track, Maelstrom or Soarin').  However, when DD and I were on site in May we selected this as our 4th option late in the day and had no trouble getting in (this was a lower crowd level, so if meeting Mickey, Minnie and Goofy are a must then you may want to use your tier 1 FP+ selection for them). We have also had luck here in the past by coming late in the day (after a supper ADR), the lines tend to slow down and we have gotten in fairly quickly.
Photopass Photographers are available for each of the characters.

Number 3 - Sorcerer Mickey at The Magic of Disney Animation at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Why?

It is always magical to meet Mickey in his Sorcerer's Attire

Tips and Info you should know

This is not a Fastpass+ Character Meet so you can expect some lines and waiting.  However, it is inside the Animation Courtyard which can only be accessed through the Magic of Disney Animation Attraction or the Animation Gallery shop.  This makes it a littler harder to find for guests who are just wandering around.  

Also in this area are Disney's newest characters, who are also usually temporary.  We have met Lotso from Toy Story 3, Carl Fredrickson, Russell and Dug from UP! and Ralph and Venelope from Wreck It Ralph.  It is rumored that later this year Baymax from Disney's Big Here 6 will be appearing here. 

Photopass photographers are available for this Character Meet.

Number 2  - Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost at Animal Kingdom

Why?

This is the only place you can have a photo with Mickey and Minnie together (not including special events). 

Tips and Info you should know

This is a Fastpass+ location and it is highly recommended.  Since this is the only place where you can meet Mickey and Minnie together, it is popular.  The nice part about this venue is the queue is mostly inside, which is very important in the heat of Animal Kingdom.

Photopass photographers are available for this Character Meet.

Number 1 - Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom

Why?

It is the only place where Mickey talks!

Tips and Info you should know

Fastpass+ is available and is highly recommended.  Even first thing in the morning it is quickly lined up and busy.  Since Mickey talks the interaction takes a little longer than usually Character meets. 

For more information on Talking Mickey see my previous blog post "Mickey Monday - HE TALKS!"

Photopass photographers are available for this Character Meet. 

As I said earlier there are other places to meet Mickey including Chef Mickey's and Tuskerhouse (both we enjoy), but these are our family's top 5. 

~Happy Planning!~

Technology Tuesday - MagicBands

To me, Magicbands are one of the best things to happen to Disney in recent years.  You will find many blogs and forums full of people who disagree, but when DD and I were at Walt Disney World in May 2014, we found the MagicBands very easy to use and they did not fail us.

1. What is a MagicBand?
• A MagicBand is simply a bracelet that contains RFID technology (similar to that used with the CHIP on your bank card).  These bands are comfortable and waterproof and are worn like a bracelet. 
2. What can I use my MagicBand for?
• You can use the MagicBands to (below taken directly from Disneyworld.disney.go.com):
• Unlock your Disney Resort Hotel Door
• Enter theme parks and water parks (with valid admission)
• Check in at Fastpass+ entrances
• Connect Disney PhotoPass images to your account
• Charge food and merchandise purchases to your Disney Resort hotel room (only available during your hotel stay)
3. How do I get a MagicBand and how much do they cost?
• If you are staying at a Disney World Resort, you will get a MagicBand at no cost. For US guests MagicBands are mailed to you about two weeks before your arrival.  For international guests (yes, that includes Canada) Magicbands are picked up at check in. 
• For guests staying offsite, MagicBands can be purchased and linked to your theme park tickets for $12.95.  These can be purchased at Disney Parks or Downtown Disney. 
4. Is it safe?
• MagicBands are linked to your Disney account which can be linked to your Credit Card for food and merchandise charges, so safety is a concern. This technology is very similar to the Pin and Chip technology of your Interac or Credit card. Whenever you scan the MagicBand for purchases or dining credits you are asked to enter a four digit PIN code.  This ensures that only you (or others you allow) can use your MagicBand for purchases. 
• When you sign up for your MagicBand on the Disney.com website you can choose to link a credit card to the MagicBand (if you do not link a Credit Card you will not be able to charge merchandise to your room).  You can also choose who will have charging privileges. On our recent trip I allowed DD9 to have charging privileges as well as she was spending and keeping track of her own money.  Since she was under the age of 10 we had to do this at check in, but it was easy to do and worked perfectly. 
5. How do I customize the bands?
• Once you have booked your vacation on the Disney.com website, you will have the option to customize the bands by naming them and choosing colors. You have until 30 days before your trip to make changes.  If you do not customize your bands you will be sent generic grey bands.
6. How does it work?
• It is easy and simple - as you enter a park or enter your hotel room you will touch the Mickey Head of the band to the Mickey Head of the scanner.  It is referred to as "Mickey-to-Mickey" 

Really, Disney wants you to have an easy vacation.  By introducing the MagicBand they allow you to not have to carry anything - no wallet, no camera, no tickets, it is all on your wrist.  This is especially handy at the Disney Water Parks.  

Here are our MagicBands from our May 2014 Vacation. 

The Adult and Kids MagicBands are actually the same.  The kids is just popped out of the black extension that is attached to the Adults.  Once they are popped out they cannot go back, so it is important to measure to ensure the Kids size is what you want. 

MagicBands are available in seven colors: pink, blue, red, green, orange, grey and yellow. When you customize your bands you will have the opportunity to select your color.  We chose blue to match our costumes for the 24 Hour Rock Your Disney Side party.

To tell them apart, each band is given a Name and a Band Number.  You select the name at the time of customization. 

The bands are comfortable and stay very secure.  During our 8 days we did not lose them once.  DD found them a little irritating in the heat, but I found it to be the same as a watch or bracelet and it did not bother me at all. When DD took hers off, we just looped it to her lanyard. 

Here is a fantastic video from the Disney.com website showing the use of the Magicbands: 

My Disney Experience MagicBands.  

As always, feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

 ~Happy Planning~

Pretty as a Princess - Elsa Costume

This will be my first crossover post- a post which I will be posting on both of my blogs.  I do not plan to do this a lot, but there are certain times it seems fitting and Costumes for Disney is the perfect time.

There are plenty of opportunities to buy costumes and princess dresses at Disney, but the feedback on them is not always positive and let's face it they are expensive. We bought DD a dress the first time we did Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and while I am happy we did it, it is certainly not something we can do every trip.  So I have started crafting my own.

I say "crafting" because sometimes these creations are upcycles and sometimes they are made from scratch.  I have taken a new shine to Thrift stores and the treasures within.  I am working on several costumes for the upcoming holiday (Halloween) which all started with DD wanting to be Elsa for our recent trip to Walt Disney World.

Elsa dresses are ridiculous!  If you can find them they are expensive.  The Disney Store version goes for over $100 on eBay.  So I decided to get crafty.

I managed to find this two piece Jessica McClintock wedding dress at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for $12!!  What a steal!

(Not sure why DD had to make that face) 

You can see it is far too big and shows her belly, but I modified it. 

First I painted the polyester with Tulip soft Fabric Paint in Turquoise (from Michael's).  It painted over the polyester nicely.  

I added various snowflakes to the skirt and more sequins to the top of the dress.  The snowflakes were metal charms I found on eBay and the sequins were from Dollarama.  I sewed the snowflakes on and used my Aleene's Jewel It Embellishing Glue for the sequins. 

I needed to make the top a lot smaller in width, but because I did not want DD's belly to show, I did not have to alter the length at all. Since it was a corset style tie back, I just took out the tie and added Velcro to wrap it snugly around DD's body. To make the straps I used scraps from the cape, made strips and sewed them on.

To make the skirt narrow enough to fit DD It just took the existing darts and made them an inch deeper. (If I were to do this again I think I would cut the skirt down one of the seams and just take the entire seam in. I did this on a future project which I will post soon and it worked much better).  I also hemmed the skirt to fit her. 

To hide DD's belly I added Velcro to the top and the skirt so they would stay "close together". If this was more than a costume I would have done something more permanent, but knowing she would not be wearing this often I knew Velcro would work. 

I found some fabulous organza that had silver snowflakes on it at the local craft store - and I lucked out because it was damaged!  It had a red stain on it that ran through the entire bolt.  However since I planned on cutting it anyways, I know I could work around it.  I bought 2 meters for about $10. 

I cut a large half circle out using a pretty intricate tool - a pencil on a string! It worked perfectly. 

After hemming the edge, I sewed snaps to the cape and the back of the dress.  This allowed us to remove the cape for washing. Finally, we used two white Rainbow Loom bands and sewed them to the cape (an arms length down from the center). This allowed DD to hook the cape on her fingers like Elsa.

The final product....

One more touch was the braid. I knew we were going to Disney in May and that it would be hot.  So I did not want DD to be wearing a scratchy wig all day. Instead I bought an inexpensive wig on eBay and modified it.  I cut it apart and hot glued it to a barrette.  I added some blue and white ribbon and some snowflakes I found on eBay to finish it.  When it came time to wear it we tied DD's hair in a side bun and hid the bun with the braid. 

Here she is with Anna and Elsa striking a pose:

And just the girls...

~Happy Crafting~

Amy

Mickey Monday - HE TALKS!

In May 2014 DD and I were lucky enough to meet Mickey in Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and he talked!!

Talking Mickey is a new addition to Magic Kingdom and I hope they introduce more of our favorites who talk.

Fastpass+ is offered for this experience (and highly recommended as the lines get long quickly). DD and I tried to meet him earlier in the week and at park opening lines were 20 to 40 minutes long. We got a FP+ for our last day and were glad we took the time to meet him.

DD was a bit shy at this encounter (which is not like her) but it was fun to watch her interact with Mickey in a new way.

~Happy Planning~

~Amy~

Throw Back Thursday - A tip for a great castle photo!

One of my all time favorite shots is of DD and I in front of the Castle on our first trip to Walt Disney World in 2008.  We had an early morning breakfast reservation and we were in the park before it opened to others.  To this day we plan at least all of our "in park" breakfasts before park opening for a chance to get some fantastic photos and to beat the crowds.  In order to get those early breakfasts you need to book at 180 days (or as soon as you can).

Below is a list of restaurants that are inside a park and offer breakfast. Reservations start as early as 8:00am and most parks open at 9:00am (depending on the season or EMH hours).

Magic Kingdom

• Cinderella's Royal Table - Character meal with Cinderella and various princesses,  2 Table Service Credits, includes Memory Maker photo with Cinderella
• Crystal Palace - Character meal with Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eyeore, and Tigger, 1 Table Service Credit

Epcot 

• Akershus - Character meal with Belle and various Princesses, 1 Table Service Credit, includes Memory Maker photo with Belle

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Hollywood & Vine - Character meal with Disney Jr pals, 1 Table Service Credit

Animal Kingdom

• Tuskerhouse - Character meal with Donald and the gang in a Safari setting, 1 Table Service Credit 

One other early morning reservation that is available is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the Castle at Magic Kingdom.  Reservations here can start as early 8:00am giving you plenty of opportunities for great shots before your reservation.  

Photopass Photographers are out and ready to assist you with your photo taking. Remember if using Disney Transportation allow yourself 90 minutes to get to your reservation.  If driving and parking, allow yourself 30 to 40 minutes from most Disney World Hotels to Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot (remember most of these restaurants are quite a walk from the main entrance of the parks). If parking and driving to the Magic Kingdom allow yourself a full hour as you will need to take the Resort Monorail or Boat from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the park entrance. Early reservations often have their own turnstiles at the park entrances to the far left or far right, watch for the signs and never hesitate to ask a cast member. 

~Happy Planning~