Wednesday, May 31, 2017

15 Reasons Why Disney Cruises are the BEST

Photo Credit: Disney

15 Reasons Why Disney Cruises are the BEST

I get a lot of people asking why Disney Cruises are simply the best. It's hard to put that all in to one answer and I know there are more than 15 reasons as to why but I have broken it down the best that I can. My first Disney cruise was probably 10-15 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I can promise you, once you sail with Disney Cruise Line, you won't want to sail with anyone else. Ever.

Entertainment – The entertainment on a Disney Cruise is second to none. Their evening performances are absolutely amazing, just like a Broadway production. You will also have so much fun at each of the many Deck Parties that Disney Cruise Line offers. Some of these parties include, a Sail Away Celebrations on each cruise, Pirate Night, Marvel Day at Sea, Star Wars Day at Sea, Frozen Deck Party, Halloween on the High Seas, Thanksgiving at Sea, Very Merrytime Cruises, and a New Years Eve spectacular.

Dining Experiences – Disney knows that food is something that helps to bring families closer and they make sure that their dining experiences are fun for everyone! You will find amazing meals at each of the restaurants on a Disney Cruise. Each evening your family will rotate to a different restaurant on board for your dinner. The best part is, you will keep the same serving team for the entire trip so you will really get to know them and even better, they really get to know you.

Kids Clubs – Lets face it, we're all on a cruise to spend time together as a family but sometimes the parents need a night to themselves. Disney provides the most amazing kids clubs for every age so you can rest assured knowing your children are in extremely good hands and are having a blast while you enjoy some adult only time. While the theme of each ship's kids club is different, they all have these things in common; fun, character driven performances, story time, amazing playgrounds, dress up, fun games, arts and crafts, movies and more. The kids clubs are for children ages 3-12 and must be potty trained.

Teens Only Areas – Teens can sometimes be a little tricky to please, but not aboard a Disney Cruise Ship! There are so many options for them to have a little freedom, lots of fun and make some life long friends. All four cruise ships have a Chill Spa specifically for teens ages 13-17, they also have two lounges specifically for tweens and teens. Edge is a lounge for tweens ages 11-14 with high tech music, video games, karaoke, scavenger hunts, themed nights and more, and Vibe is a lounge for teens ages 14-17 where they will find big screen TV, music, video games, snacks, a dance floor and more. Rest assured knowing that your teens might be away from mom and dad but they are under the supervision of specially trained onboard counselors.

Adult Activities – Palo, an adult only restaurant aboard all four cruise ships, is sure to impress with two special meals available. A Champagne Brunch, with cruise casual wear suggested, and a fancy Dinner where men are required to wear a dress suit or jacket and women are required to wear a dress or pantsuit. Remy is the most upscale dining offered on board and is only available on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Remy requires men to wear and jacket and dress pants, tie is optional. Women are required to wear a cocktail dress, dressy pant suit, skirt and blouse or a nice dress. Absolutely no sandals, jeans or sneakers allowed. If you're looking for a tranquil oasis, adult only pools are available on all four cruise ships as well as Senses Spas which offer a wide selection of services.

Rooms – Cruise rooms can be a little cramped but Disney has gone the extra mile to provide bigger rooms and bigger balconies than other cruise lines to maximize your experience aboard their ships.

Character Meets – Aboard all of Disney's cruises you will find many opportunities to meet beloved Disney characters, get their autographs and have your picture taken with them! This is a great way to meet characters that might have longer lines at one of Disney's theme parks.

Service – All of the DCL Cast Members go above and beyond to make sure your cruise is the best vacation ever. They are sure to keep the ship nice & clean and full of fun! Some of my most memorable experiences on a Disney Cruise are of the amazing Cast Members.

Family Friendly – as mentioned above, Disney Cruise Line offers something for everyone in your family. They have also made sure to keep their entire ship family friendly so you won't find any gambling, no partiers, and specific areas for smokers as to make the cruise more enjoyable for everyone.

Fish Extenders – It might be a funny name but Fish Extenders are a great way to have a little bit of extra fun on a Disney Cruise. Before your trip you can sign up to be included in a Fish Extender and then you will be matched to a small group of other cruisers who you will bring a special little gift for. You will deliver each of those gifts to the rooms of the other members in your group and then you will receive a small gift from each of those people at your room. This is a great way to go home with some cute little souvenirs at the end of your trip!

Castaway Cay – Disney's own private island! Here you will find an amazing snorkeling opportunity, water fun, a 5k for the runners, great food, special port adventures and great entertainment all in one absolutely breathtaking location.

Recreation – Each cruise ship has multiple fresh water pools for every age. You'll also find awesome water slides and special areas just for little children. All of DCL's ships also has a fitness center as well as a sports deck. On Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy you will have access to Goofy's Sports Deck which houses mini golf, sports courts, a running track, ping pong, shuffle board and more! Disney Magic and Disney Wonder host the World Wide of Sports deck, complete with shuffle board, ping pong, basketball courts, and a running track.

Safety – Safety is a top priority for Disney Cruise Line. You will quickly come to find that they have thought of absolutely everything when it comes to keeping their guests safe.

Fireworks – Because who doesn't love fireworks? Just like everything else, Disney goes the extra mile to produce a mesmerizing firework experience on the ship for all of their guests that you won't soon forget.


Land and Sea – Want the best of both worlds? Enjoy a super fun trip to Walt Disney World and a Disney Cruise adventure all in one! You can choose whether you start or end your trip at Walt Disney World but we love to start off with a few days enjoying the rides and hustle and bustle of Walt Disney World and then finishing up our trip with a nice relaxing cruise. Bonus - if you sail from New York, a one day Hopper Pass to Walt Disney World is included in your cruise price.

Monday, May 22, 2017

Festival of Fantasy Parade Changes

Did you know, the most asked question at Magic Kingdom's Guest Services is, "What time is the 3 o'clock parade?" Sounds silly but what they're really asking is what time it will come by that area. Beginning August 20th, it looks like that question is going to change to, "What time is the 2 o'clock parade?" because the time is changing!

photo credit Disney

This seems a little insignificant but could it mean that there is a new night time parade coming to the Magic Kingdom? I sure hope so! D23 - a big Disney convention where they release all sorts of new happenings is coming up on July 14 so I'm hoping we learn some new things then. It's also known that the Paint the Night Parade from Disneyland is on the move. Again, we have no idea where it's going but could it be moving to Magic Kingdom? 

photo credit Disney Tourist Blog

What type of parade would you like to see? I certainly miss the Main Street Electrical Parade, its even my phone's ring tone, but I can get used to the idea of Paint the Night being at Magic Kingdom.

Angie

Pandora- the World of AVATAR

With just 5 days to go until the official opening of Pandora- the World of AVATAR, everyone is excited to hear details of what Pandora has to offer. Disney has allowed Annual Passholders to preview the area for the past week or so which means we have a few insider details to share. Pandora- the World of AVATAR is located in the Animal Kingdom Park. We love this addition because before now we would shamefully consider Animal Kingdom a half day park or even a park to skip if we were on a tight schedule. I'm sure Disney has picked up on this and knew they needed to add something spectacular to encourage guests to not skip the park. Its safe to say they did not disappoint and Pandora will be a huge hit. Some have even gone as far as to say that the new Avatar Flight of Passage ride is, "the best ride on property." What can we expect from Pandora- the World of AVATAR?

                                                                                     
photo credit Disney

photo credit Disney Food Blog


Rides:                                                                                                                                photo credit Disney
There are two new rides in Pandora. The first one being Avatar Flight of Passage. This is a simulation ride that looks just like you are riding on the back of a Banshee. It's an exhilarating 3D journey that your family is sure to love. Their is a 44" height requirement and some complaints of bigger guests not fitting properly. Don't worry, Disney will have a sample seat at the entrance to the ride to spare any wasted time and embarrassment should the seat not be able to close properly for you or a family member. The second ride is Na'vi River Journey where you'll climb aboard a boat and peacefully glide through the valley of Mo'ara. Na'vi River Journey does not have a height requirement.
Photo Credit Disney


Food:

Inspired by Pandora and international cuisine, Satu'li Canteen, is a quick service location you will want to have lunch at. All of the food looks amazing and they have something for everyone in your family. Pongu Pongu is a drink stand with some of the most amazingly beautiful drinks I have seen on property. I've made it my personal goal to try one of everything that they have to offer. 

Photo Credit Disney 


Scenery:
Pandora- the World of AVATAR is amazing. The area was thoroughly designed and didn't leave out any details. You'll see floating rocks, exotic flowers, peaceful waterfalls and so much more. I think I will need a full day just to explore the area on our next visit. Be sure to visit Pandora at night, the lighting is magnificent.

Merchandise:
Did someone say Banshee? Yep, you can take home your own banshee plus much more exclusive Pandora merchandise! You can see some samples here.


photo credit Disney

Be sure to add Animal Kingdom to your list of must explore parks if you were thinking of skipping. Pandora- the World of AVATAR is worth a visit. You may FastPass+ the rides but only one can be selected per day so you will need to choose which one is a definite must for your family. It is not likely that you would be able to add the 2nd to your FastPass+ list, once you use the first three, as the FastPasses are going quickly at the 60 day mark. Between May 27 and July 4th, guests staying on Disney property will get an additional 2 hours of Pandora time after park closing. This time is similar to Extra Magic Hours but only available for Pandora- the World of AVATAR, not the entire park.

What are you looking forward to?

Angie
Affiliate of Academy Travel

Walt Disney World's Best Pools

"Which Walt Disney World Resort has the best pool?" is one of the most frequently asked questions my guests have. Of course we love spending days at the park but we also make sure to take a few days off to just enjoy our resort and spend lots of time swimming. I have come up with a list of my most favorite pools on property and why the are so impressive.

Yacht and Beach Club- Stormalong Bay:
The Yacht and Beach club are sister Deluxe Resorts that share an amazing pool called Stormalong Bay. Complete with a zero entry, sand bottom pool, an amazing 230 foot slide, 3 whirlpools and even a lazy river, this pool is often referred to as, the best pool on property.  Stormalong Bay holds 795,000 gallons of water and spans over 3 acres of land. There are also 3 additional leisure pools on property and a shipwreck pool specifically for children with a smaller water slide.




Polynesian:
Within the Polynesian, a Deluxe Resort, you will find several pools with great amenities. The Lava Pool features an impressive volcano, waterfall and thrilling 142 foot water slide. It also has a zero entry point. Kiki Tiki water play area made just for kids with a fun Polynesian theme, bridges, splash areas, slides and more. The Polynesian is also located right on the Monorail which makes for super easy transportation to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Oasis Pool is for all ages but is much quieter and tranquil than the lava pool, perfect for families that want a relaxing evening dip in the pool.



Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter:
Riverside and French Quarter are Moderate sister resorts much like the Yacht and Beach Club. You may utilize both resort's pools making for lots of fun options during non park days. At French Quarter its Mardi Gras every day and their pool certainly shows it! You'll find a super fun splash pad for guests 48" and smaller, whirlpool spa, a large pool complete with a serpent slide, Mardi Grags pool bar and several smaller pools throughout the property. Riverside offers a fun water slide, large pool with whirl pool tub, pool bar and a kiddie pool. You will also have access to 5 leisure pools located around the property. No matter where your room is located, you're never far from a pool!






Art of Animation:
AOA is a Value resort filled with fun, great pools and a fantastic room price that makes it perfect for families looking for a memorable vacation while sticking to a budget. Here you'll find the Big Blue Pool, inspired by Disney Pixar's hit Finding Nemo. Adults and children will love the big blue pool for its amazingly large size, underwater speakers and fun theme. The Cozy Cone Pool is inspired by Disney Pixar's Cars movie where you'll find cone shaped cabanas, and life size Cars characters. Flipping Fins Pool is inspired by The Little Mermaid and features the Under The Sea Orchestra.


Angie
Affiliate of Academy Travel

Friday, May 19, 2017

LuLaRoe & Disney Collab!

There was some buzz going around the last few days about a possible collaboration with Disney and LuLaRoe and we now have word that its official!



Late last night, from the Disneland Parks, LuLaRoe made the announcement that they will be producing a Disney line. We don't have any official word on which styles or characters will be offered but I have seen adult and child sizes of dresses, shirts and, of course, leggings. Some consultants were there in person and brought home a few of the new styles.

Photo Credit: an unknown consultant


LuLaRoe is a home based business, aka direct sales, much like Avon or Mary Kay. As always, prints will be limited so LuLaRoe consultants are recommending you start booking in home pop ups as soon as possible to be sure you can get your hands on some. The release date has not been announced, however, rumor has it that sales should begin late May or early June. 


While we don't know official pricing as of now, current pricing for adult leggings is $25 and shirts are about $35. Children's pricing is $23 for leggins, $28 for shirts and $32-$39 for dresses.

You can view the LuLaRoe official video here 

I'm anxious to see what all they offer! Maybe some will even match my Jamberry's


Angie
Independent Travel Consultant
Affiliate of Academy Travel and Mickeyvacations.com

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Limited Time Romance Package at Walt Disney World

Did you know that more childless adults visit Walt Disney World Resort than Families with children? We went on a kid free vacation for our anniversary last summer and it was so much fun! Of course we love Disney vacations with our children as well but there was something so special about visiting with just my Husband. There's so much for adults to do and now Disney has announced even more romantic options!

photo credit: Disney


Beginning May 20 and running through the end of 2017, couples can enjoy an Enchanted Evening Romance Package featuring the new Happily Ever After evening spectacular at Magic Kingdom. 

Make your adult only trip or adult only evening even more special with this special package! The Enchanted Evening Romance package can be included in any Disney vacation package for an additional $160 per couple. 

With this special package you will receive 2 exclusive Magic Bands in a romance theme, 2 exclusive luggage tag keepsakes also in a romance theme, and two admissions to the Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party overseeing the Plaza Garden at Magic Kingdom! You will also receive a very special treat to celebrate your love. The Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party is available on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings.  

Photo Credit: Disney



*Magic Kingdom Theme Park admission is required and is not included in the above pricing. 
*Book between May 12 and December 23, 2017
*The enchanted evening package must be purchased at least 7 days prior to arrival
*Not available on 10/9, 11/1 or 11/8

All of my services are 100% free. You can request a free quote here: https://goo.gl/forms/e5B3PmFh6rYXaTwj1

Angie

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Party Tips and Tricks

Now that tickets have been released for this year's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, I wanted to put together a list of tips and tricks that help us enjoy the most out of the precious time we have at the parties.


  • Enter Magic Kingdom at 4 pm. While the party doesn't start until 7 pm officially, you will be allowed entrance in to Magic Kingdom at 4 pm with just your party ticket. If you wish you enter before 4 pm you will need a regular park ticket as well.
  • Sleep in on party days. We love to keep our party days as an "off day" and sleep in then spend the day lounging by the pool. We have young kids and 4 pm to midnight plus transportation back to the resort makes for a really long night in and of itself without adding 10ish hours of park time before the party even begins.
  • Arrive at security around 3:30 pm. Arriving at 3:30 pm ensures that you will be through security and ready to enter the parks by 4 pm. 
  • Already in the park? Pick up your party wristband at an inside location. If you're already in Magic Kingdom for the day before 4 pm, you'll need to find a check in location to receive your party wristband. Instead of going the whole way back to the main gate, you can check in at any of these locations: Tortuga Tevern in Adventureland, Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland, Exit to Monsters, Inc. in Tomorrowland or Town Hall.
  • Make Fastpass+ selections. If you are making fastpass+ selections for earlier in the day then you won't be able to add them for the party but if not, you will be able to select time beginning at 3:30 pm. We make them for 3:30- 4:30, 4:30- 5:30 and 5:30-6:30. Fastpass+ is not available for any times after 6:30 pm during party nights. 
  • Line up early for Jack and Sally. If Jack and Sally are a must meet for your family you will want to line up around 4:30 pm. They usually come out to meet party guests around 5 pm. You will always want to line up early to meet the Seven Dwarfs as well. Both lines pretty long.
Photo Credit: Disney

  • Watch the fireworks from the Hub. We get to the hub (the circular area in front of Cinderella Castle. There's even some patches of grass that make for a really comfy seat) about 45 minutes before the fireworks begin to grab a perfect viewing seat in front of the castle. One of us will stay with the kids to save our seats while the other goes to grab some snacks. This is a great time to just relax and rest your feet. 
  • Watch the 2nd parade. Shortly after the fireworks display is the 2nd Boo To You parade. We like to stay right where we sat for the fireworks to watch the parade. If there isn't any room along Main Street we make our way over to Liberty Square and can usually find some great seats there.
  • Get Magic Shots. Photopass offers some great magic shots during the party. Locations will be listed on the party map. We always have Memory Maker for our entire trip but if you are only going for one day or you only want the images from the party, I suggest purchasing the one day Memory Maker for $59. 
  • Bring big bags for MNSSHP candy. While Disney provides small bags for candy, you will definitely need more room. We like to go to the Dollar Tree to pick up large plastic Trick or Treat bags to take along with us. Some people will take a pillow case instead but we love the bags. Trick or Treating is available to all guests so dress up your whole family!

  • Enjoy the snow on Main Street during MVMCP. Grab some hot cocoa and some cookies then go enjoy the snow on Main Street. It's a truly magical experience that will get you in the Christmas Spirit.
  • Dance with Mike and Sully from Monsters, Inc. During MNSSHP you can find a Monsters, Inc. Dance party over in Tomorrowland. It's so much fun to dance with Mike and Sully! 


  • Enjoy the Rides. Ride lines are super short during the parties so make sure you take some time to enjoy the interactive queues without waiting in outrageous lines.
  • Most importantly, have fun! The parties are so great and so much fun. Remember to take a few minutes just to enjoy the scenery.
- Angie
Affiliate of Academy Travel

Looking for a free quote? You can fill out my quote request form here: https://goo.gl/forms/1eKzSEp5i7XCGqCN2
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Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Party Tickets on Sale NOW!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2017

I was so excited this morning when I woke up and saw that Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets are now on sale!

Photo Credit: Disney


Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party - MNSSHP for short - Is super fun! Families dress up for Halloween and spend the night meeting exclusive characters dressed in their own costumes, trick or treating throughout the park, a dance party with Mike and Sully, the best parade and fireworks I have every seen and not to mention the almost nonexistent lines for the attractions. MNSSHP is an event you don't want to miss!

Pricing starts at $74 and ranges to $115. Pricing increases the closer you get to Halloween.

August:
25, 29

September:
1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29

October:
1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31

November:
1


Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - aka MVMCP - is a Christmas celebration your entire family will love. Main Street is decorated with gorgeous wreaths, Cinderella Castle glows with beautiful, frosty lights, rare characters are dressed up in their own winter and Christmas attire, you can enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, an amazing parade complete with snow on Main Street and spectacular fireworks! 

Pricing starts at $94 and ranges to $109. Pricing increases the closer you get to Christmas.

November:
9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26, 28

December:1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22

Photo Credit: Disney


Know before you go:

The party hours are from 7pm to Midnight but you will be allowed in at 4pm. We always arrive around 3:30 so we can get through security and in to the park right at 4.

You do not need a park ticket as well when you enter at 4pm. Only a special event ticket is needed. 

If you do NOT plan on staying for a party but are visiting Magic Kingdom on a day that there is a party being held, you will need to exit the park at 7pm.

Keep an eye out for my party tips and tricks blog coming soon!
Angie

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Guide to Character Dining at Walt Disney World

Mom's Guide to Character Dining at Walt Disney World


Character dining is a great way for you and your family to meet all the Disney characters you would like without needing to wait in long lines for each individual character. You'll even get to eat a delicious meal at the same time! While it seems like there are a lot of princess meals, don't be discouraged, there are plenty of options that are fun for the whole family.

1900 Park Fare - 
Located in the beautiful Grand Floridian, you'll be able to dine with your favorite characters while you feast on delicious foods. Breakfast includes traditional breakfast favorites, a yogurt bar, a carving station and, my personal favorite, strawberry soup. Their Dinner menu includes fresh salads like a delicious tossed Ceasar salad, Savory dishes including a fantastic Magnolian beef stir fry and a wonderful Kid's station complete with pizza, mac and cheese, hot dogs, chicken tenders and more! There is sure to be something for the entire family to enjoy here.
photo credit: Disney

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast: Marry Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Tigger & Winnie the Pooh

Wonderland Tea Party: Characters from Wonderland. Children ages 4-12 will enjoy and hour of games, stories and cupcakes. They will get to sip on a delicious "tea" (aka apple juice), decorate adorable cupcakes, partake in a super cute craft and even get their picture taken with their very merry party hosts.

Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner: Cinderella and Prince Charming. Maybe you'll even get to see Cinderella's step sisters! Special guests are subject to change.


Akershus Royal Banquet Hall -
During your visit to Norway, in EPCOT's World Showcase, you might stumble upon a beautiful Medieval Castle full of your favorite story book characters. Each meal is a mix of family style and buffet. You'll have all you care to enjoy choices of traditional breakfast items, luxurious lunch selections including Norwegian meatballs and dinner selections fit for a King.

Princess Storybook Dining: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora & Ariel.

Cape May Cafe-
Surf's up! Connect with your inner surfer side with this super fun Beach Bash Breakfast! Located in Disney's Beach Club Resort, Minnie Mouse host's a super fun breakfast with her friends and they're all dressed in their best beachy attire. Breakfast includes all of your traditional favorites including the infamous Mickey waffles. Yum!

Minnie's Beach Bash Breakfast is the only character meal that Cape May offers.


Chef Mickey's-
Join Chef Mickey himself, at the Contemporary Resort for a delicious, all you can eat buffet filled with American Cuisine. Meal selections include family friendly fare for all meals such as waffles, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, peel & eat shrimp, a carving station and kid's favorites.

Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck & Goofy.


photo credit: Disney


Cinderella's Royal Table-
If you have a princess of your own, you won't want to miss this spectacular dining experience located inside of the beautiful Cinderella Castle right at the center of Magic Kingdom. Cinderella herself with greet your family at the Grand Hall where you will dine in a setting only fit for royalty. Tiara's and gowns are optional but little ones are encouraged to dress up for this special occasion. Extend the fun by securing a reservation for your princess at Bibbity Bobbity Boutique where a Fairy Godmother will transform your little girl in to a perfect princess complete with a beautiful hairstyle, a glittery gown and even pixie dust in her hair. *CRT is 2 dining credits and requires payment in full at time of booking if you are not on the Disney Dining Plan.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Classic Disney Princesses. Character appearances are subject to change

Crystal Palace-
Visit your friends from the Hundred Acre Wood right in Magic Kingdom. Crystal Palace lives up to its name, it's a beautiful glass atrium inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800's. Each meal is delicious American Cuisine served buffet style.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Winnie the Pooh & friends.

photo credit: Disney

Garden Grill-
Garden Grill is located in the Future World section of EPCOT. Here you will dine buffet style with Chip 'n' Dale. The meals here at Garden Grill are all American Cuisine inspired by a harvest feast! You'll find food for the whole family including a scrumptious farmer's salad, home-style pot roast and sliced turkey with gravy.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Chip 'n' Dale

Garden Grove-
Do you love American and Sea Food Cuisine? You'll want to check out Garden Grove located in the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. You will dine beneath a majestic 25 foot oak tree in a space inspired by New York City's Central Park. Garden Grove is not include in the Disney Dining Plan.

Good Morning Breakfast: Goofy & Pals Satuday's and Sunday's only

Dinner: some of your favorite Disney friends. *Character selections are subject to change

Hollywood & Vine-
Traveling with pre-schoolers and early elementary aged children? Hollywood & Vine character breakfasts are perfect for young children. Hollywood & Vine is located in Disney's Hollywood Studios Echo Lake

Disney Junior Play 'n Dine: Breakfast and Lunch - Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, Jake and the Neverland Pirates & Handy Manny.

Minnie's Seasonal Dining: Minnie & Friends

photo credit: Disney


*Please note, starting September 4, 2017, Disney Junior Play 'n Dine will be for breakfast only. Lunch will become part of Minnie's Seasonal Dining.

Mickey's Backyard BBQ-
At Mickey's Backyard BBQ, you will feast on a delicious BBQ spread while you enjoy the sounds of a live country- western band. Once you are finished eating you can head over to the dance floor where you will enjoy line dancing lead by Disney Friends! Mickeys Backyard BBQ is only offered on select nights.

Dinner Show: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy & Chip 'n' Dale


'Ohana-
For breakfast only you can enjoy an all you can eat family style breakfast with Lilo & Stitch along with other friends. 'Ohana serves an american breakfast inspired by Polynesian flavors.


Tusker House-
Located in the heart of Africa, Animal Kingdom Park, you will find a colorful Harambe marketplace eatery. Tusker House includes a family-focused buffet of American and African Cuisine.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Donald Duck & friends in safari attire

Trattoria al Forno-
Join Rapunzel, Flynn Ryder, Ariel and Prince Eric for their "Bon Voyage" Breakfast. Located at Disney's Boardwalk, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast with these aforementioned characters.

Character dining for breakfast only.

photo credit: Disney



Monday, May 8, 2017

Disney's FastPass System

What's a FastPass and why do I need one?




Disneyland and Walt Disney World operate on two different FastPass systems. Walt Disney World has what's known as FastPass+ while Disneyland still has the "old" FastPass system but before I jump in to all the nitty gritty of FastPasses, you should know that FastPasses are completely free to every Disney park guest. You can obtain an unlimited amount of FastPasses daily as long as there are still some available at the end of the day. I have gotten as many as 10 but I'm sure other people have gotten more. FastPass gives you a specific time frame to arrive at an attraction so you can bypass the standby line. This will help you wait less and enjoy more time playing!

Disneyland FastPass System

Upon arrival at either of the parks in Disneyland California, you can head to an attraction and look for a FastPass distribution sign. Here you will pick up a paper FastPass. The FastPass will give you a return time for later in the day. While you wait for your return time you are free to visit other attractions, grab a bite to eat or even do some shopping. You may get another FastPass after using the first one or two hours later, whichever comes first. So if you pick up your FastPass at 9am and use it at 9:30am you can get another FastPass right away. If you pick up your FastPass at 10am and have a return time for 4pm for that specific attraction you may still get another FastPass at noon. Another thing to note, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure FastPass systems do not talk to each other. This is specifically helpful for those of you with park hopper passes. You will be able to get a return time for a ride in Disney California Adventure and head over to Disneyland Park and grab some other FastPasses right away or vise versa. The park entrances are only about 100 yards away from each other so you don't have to worry about a long walk back and forth. Below is a sample FastPass ticket. You will see your return time frame, when you can obtain a FastPass for another attraction and the date. 

photo credit: touring plans

Disneyland Park FastPasses:
Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Fantasmic!*
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones Adventure
Matterhorn
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Star Tours

Disney California Adventure FastPasses:
California Screamin'
Goofy's Sky School
Grizzly River Run
Radiator Springs Racers
Soarin'
Toy Story Mania
World of Color*

*Fantasmic! and World of Color are not included in the 2 hour wait limit before you can obtain another FastPass. These are very popular so be sure to grab a FastPass as soon as you enter the park. The Fantasmic! tickets are located behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Walt Disney World FastPass+ System

It's no secret that a trip to Walt Disney World takes a little bit more pre-planning than a trip to Disneyland but did you know that FastPass+ reservations open 60 days in advance to guests staying on Disney property and 30 days in advance to those stay off site? If you're not a huge planner, don't let that frighten you. I'm going to give you all the tips you need to make this a stress free, easy going and fun vacation. First things first, make sure you have the My Disney Experience app downloaded on to your smart phone. I find it easiest to make my FastPass+ selections from my phone app as opposed to the My Disney Experience website. You'll also want to sit down and make an itinerary of which park you want to visit on which days. You may have (aka hopefully) already done this when you made your Advanced Dining Reservations at 180 days out - Whats that? Don't worry, I have a blog coming up about that too. Once you know what parks you want to visit on which day, you can pick which attractions you would like a FastPass+ for. You will be able to pick 3 FastPass+ per person per day of your trip in advance. All of your initial 3 must be for the same park and must be used before you can add a 4th FastPass+. Once you use all 3, you can go on to your My Disney Experience app and add a 4th FastPass+, once you use your 4th you can add a 5th and so on. This could be for the same park or, if you have hopper passes, could be for a totally different park. Additional FastPass+ selections are subject to availability.  There is no limit as to how many additional FastPass+ selections you can make as long as there are still some available for that day. They do limit the amount of FastPass+ that they offer per attraction to keep the FastPass+ lines shorter. Also, you will see that all the parks in Walt Disney World, aside from Magic Kingdom, have a tier system. This means that you may pick only one attraction from tier one and two attractions from tier two (or three if you're not interested in any of the tier one picks). As opposed to Disneyland where you get a paper ticket with a return time, all of your selections will be housed within your My Disney Experience app. You will be granted access in to the FastPass lane by scanning your Magic Band or park ticket.

photo credit: Disney


Magic Kingdom FastPass+ Top Picks
There are so many FastPass+ selections for Magic Kingdom that I decided to show you the ones that are most popular and are the best use of a FastPass+ selection. 
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 40"+
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Seven Dwarf Mine Train 39"+
Space Mountain 44"+
Splash Mountain 40"+


EPCOT Fastpass+
Tier One - pick only one:
Frozen Ever After
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth*
Soarin 40"+
Test Track 40"+

Tier Two - pick two or three:
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Meed Disney Pals @ Epcot Character Spot
Mission Space 44"+
Spaceship Earth
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Living with the Land

Disney's Hollywood Studios Fastpass+
Tier One - pick only one:
Beauty and The Beast - Live on Stage
Fantasmic!*
Rock n' Rollercoaster 48"+
Toy Story Mania!
The Great Movie Ride

Tier Two - pick two or three:
Disney Junior - Live on Stage
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing Along
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Muppet Vision 3D
Star Tours 40"+
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 40"+

Animal Kingdom Fastpass+
Tier One - pick only one
Avatar Flight of Passage 44"+
Na'Vi River Journey

Tier Two - pick two or three
Dinosaur 40"+
Expedition Everest 44"+
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo - The Musical
It's Tough to be a Bug
Kali River Rapids 38"+
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Meet Disney Pals @ Adventure Outpost
Primeval Whirl 48"+
River of Lights*

*Some dining locations also offer VIP seating for select shows when you book a dinner package that way you don't need to use one of your fastpass+ selections. Also, included in a dining package is VIP seating for Pixar LIVE located in Hollywood Studios. 



So there you have it. All you need to know about Fastpass. Does it all still seem so confusing and overwhelming? That's what I'm here for! As a travel consultant specializing in Disney Destinations, it is my pleasure to not only help you choose which fastpass+ selections are best for you, but I will even book them for you early in the morning so that you don't have to! All of my services are 100% free of charge when you book a trip through me. You can request your free, no obligation quote here: https://goo.gl/forms/9oUrDmJqTOXlK7lD2

Until next time,

Angie





Welcome!

Welcome to A Mom's Guide To Adventure!



I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. My name is Angie. First and foremost I'm a wife and a mommy. I work as an Independent Travel Consultant and am affiliated with Academy Travel at www.mickeyvacations.com

I've been to Walt Disney World so many times that I lost count. Ever since I was little I loved going on vacation to Florida and visiting Mickey. As I started having children of my own, I wanted to share that love with them as well but now I have decided to venture out and share my passion with others! I am here to teach you everything about Disney. I will post any changes that happen within Disney, new promotions, delicious recipes and super fun DIY activities. Stick around, the best is yet to come.


Thanks for stopping by!

Angie

Walt Disney World With Small Children

Navigating Walt Disney World With Small Children


photo credit: Disney Travel Professionals



Walt Disney World is probably on every person’s list of places to visit and there’s no wonder why! Disney certainly knows how to entertain and make family vacations amazing. However, there’s so much information that it can be totally overwhelming to try to plan. Don’t worry, I’ve compiled some of my best tips for families with small children that will hopefully help you in your planning.
With so many options, how to we pick where to stay?
There ARE a lot of options. Be sure to have a set budget in mind before starting your search for the perfect resort. Value resorts offer the classic “Disney” feel with fun themes and larger than life statues along with fun pools for the kids! Moderate Resorts are a step up from Value with bigger, softer beds, more pools and better amenities. These don’t scream Disney like the value resorts but you’ll surely find some hidden mickeys and other hidden Disney gems. Deluxe Resorts are top notch. They have the best pools with slides, kiddie areas and other fun activities. If you have young children that will need to nap, check out one of the three monorail resorts.


Make advanced dining reservations and fastpass+ selections.
If you want character dining and the best table service meals during your stay its very important that you make advanced dining reservations well ahead of your vacation. The best and most popular restaurants fill up quickly so you’ll want to try to get in as soon as they open up availability at 180 day before your stay. Fastpass+ is a way to skip select standby lines at WDW saving you a lot of time. It is a completely free service and available to reserve 60 days before your trip if staying on property and 30 days before each day if you stay off property. You may choose 3 fastpass+ selections per person per day ahead of time. Once you use all 3 of the fastpass+ selections you can add 1 more at a time via the My Disney Experience app for smartphones or any fastpass+ kiosk in the parks.


So much to see, so much to do, so little time!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you won’t ever “see it all” in one trip, or maybe ever for that matter, so make sure you take time to breathe, enjoy your trip and know that there’s always next time to see the things that you may have missed. Children can get cranky in the heat, crowds and over stimulation so days off are essential. We like to sprinkle a few pool days or half park days in between full park days so that the kids don’t get to overwhelmed. We also like to go back in the afternoon while the parks are super full and crazy hot to nap and then head back to the parks after dinner when it’s cooled down a little and hopefully not as busy.


Memory Maker
If there’s one thing I recommend for families with young children, it’s to get the memory maker! Memory Maker is currently $149 if purchased before your trip and allows you access to all pictures taken by Disney Photopass Cast Members as well as all the rides that take photos. We love to stop and have our pictures taken every time we see a Photopass Cast Member. They add in some special magic shots and take great family pictures!


Oh no! It’s raining! Rain and kids in a small hotel room is no fun.
Raining? Don’t worry! The first thing I will mentions is that it’s Florida. It rains almost every day for a few minutes and then stops so don’t lose hope for a nice day too quickly or for a nice week if you see rain on the forecast every day. However, there may be a day where it’s storming or heavy rain all day long and then that’s where Disney Springs come into play. Disney Springs is a fun shopping district that houses a movie theater and bowling alley plus much more that is perfect for a rainy day!


Other random tips
Make use of the Baby Care Centers in each park for a quiet place to nurse, change a diaper or just cool down with your baby. Decorate your stroller so it stands out from the rest. Stroller parking can have literally hundreds of strollers and cast members are constantly moving them to keep the area neat and efficient so your stroller will get moved. Battery powered string lights works especially well for the evening. And since we were just talking about rain, head to the dollar store and grab a shower curtain. When it rains just throw the curtain over the stroller to keep everything dry. Check out Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for children 3-12 or The Pirates League for children and adults 3+. Need a night out with your spouse? Disney offers several Child Activity Centers and in room babysitting all at an extra fee. Food allergies or Special Needs? Disney is extremely accommodating and has several services in place for these specific needs. There’s too much information for me to share here but feel free to contact me with any questions and I can guide you in the right direction.


Planning a Disney vacation can be stressful and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! As a Travel Agent specilizing in Disney desitnations, I will help plan the most magical family vacations. I will help you choose the best resort for your family and your budget, plan all of your dining such as dining plan options, character dining, table service and dinner shows, schedule your fastpass+ experiences and more. It is my goal to find you the absolute best deal I can and save you as much money as possible plus all of my services are completely free! In addition to Walt Disney World I specialize in Disneyland, Alulani, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Universal Orlando.


There are still some Walt Disney World promotions available for fall 2017 which include free dining (limited availability remaining) and a room discount of up to 25%.

Trips booked at least 30 day in advance only need a small deposit and I can set you up with a payment plan.


Be sure to join my facebook group for all the newest promotions, changes and more. https://www.facebook.com/groups/590587627812502/


You can request a free, no obligation quote here: https://goo.gl/forms/kd3kL20V0IIsZWk63


Angie