Author Archives: Mouse Ear Momma

Having the kids involved with planning

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My kids help with our trip planning even though they are only 5 & 7 years old. We discuss when to go, where they would like to eat, which characters are important for us to see, what rides are a must, what parades we have to watch. This helps us plan our time there and what is a priority for each of us. At Christmas, the main goals were Rapunzel and Santa. We planned 2 mornings in Magic Kingdom to be in line for those characters as soon as the park opened. For Star Wars weekend, the goal was to do Jedi Training and see the Hyperspace Hoopla. This upcoming trip, we are excited about Storybook Circus, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom & Agent P!

I think it is important for them to realized that this costs us money and we have to save and plan each time we go. Continue reading →

The odd things I pack

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If you have been reading my blog, you know that I am a Disney obsessed, odd thought processed, dress my kids at WDW alike, type A nerd. I have a box where I keep all my Disney travel stuff together for the next trip. I also keep one in my closet to toss in the newly purchased supplies for months before our next vacation.

Here is a list of the odd things (and not so odd) you will find in my suitcase: Continue reading →

Rumor has it…

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Rumor has it that WDW will be offering free dining to the general public starting Thursday July 12!

This is always one of the best discounts available at Disney. The amount of rooms at each hotel for this offer is limited. Remember, if you already have a trip booked during this time frame, you can apply the promotion by calling Disney. Your arrival date must be within the promotion dates. You will also be charged the new ticket prices, if you booked before June 3.

Dates this will probably be available:

Update 7/12/12: The dates are accurate. Remember you have to arrive for your trip within that window to receive free dining. Also, to get free dining you must book a 6 night/7 day vacation.
9/30-10/4
10/19-11/1
11/9-11/15
11/24-11/29
12/10-12/13

Here is the link:  free dining

Oh no…I don’t have dining reservations!

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If you read my previous post about the importance of dining reservations and are now freaking out, don’t worry! There are wonderful restaurants throughout WDW that will have open tables for walk up customers. I would not recommend going without dining reservations, but I am anal retentive and like to have my schedule planned out! Do not expect to get into character meals, these are always booked and impossible to get in unless you have lucked out with a cancellation! Epcot is always a good choice because there are so many restaurants. Yacht Club & Boardwalk are walking distance from Epcot & a long walk or boating distance from Hollywood. Contemporary, Grand Floridan & Polynesian are on the monorail line, so you can head there from Magic Kingdom and Epcot very easily! You can always call the reservation line – (407) WDW- DINE or use your smart phone and book through the internet!

Restaurants where you can get a table with little or no wait: Continue reading →

The Importance of Dining Reservations

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If you are new to WDW, you will see all sorts of information on Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). If character meals & where you eat are important to you then I would highly recommend doing your dining reservations as soon as you book your trip. You can book dining without being on property and even before you book your trip.

Here is how it works: Continue reading →

Fun For Adults

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Who says Walt Disney World is for kids?! I would love to go without mine just once…doubtful but maybe someday! Part of the fun of a Disney vacation is to see you child’s face when they see Mickey and ride the tea cups. But, we adults would like to have a little fun too. I did a day at Epcot in college with some friends and I have to say it was a blast!

There are so many adult oriented things to do at Disney this post could go on forever, so I will give you a sampling of some. Continue reading →

Why would I do laundry on vacation?

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I always do laundry at least once on a trip. Why would anyone want to do laundry on vacation? Aren’t you trying to get away from all that?

There are a few reasons…

  1. Less clothes = less luggage. With airlines charging for luggage these days, it is cheaper to pack less!
  2. Florida is hot and I do NOT like packing sweaty stinky clothes for the trip home!
  3. I do not have that many clothes & we all have a few favorites that we want to wear again.

In the resorts, laundry costs $2 a load to wash and $2 to dry. I bring quarters specifically for laundry day. I also pack detergent and dryer sheets, now a couple brands have little packs that you just throw into your load. I just wash everything together on cold. I plan for a midday break halfway into the trip to swim and relax. Usually, the laundry facilities are near the pool. We throw in a load, swim, take a break to switch, swim & get dry clothes on the way back to the room.

I think it is totally worth the effort because everyone is happy to wear their favorite princess shirt again. It also forces us to slow down and not try and cram more and more into each day of our trip.

Traveling with Babies & Toddlers

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I have so many people tell me that they will wait to take their kids to Disney when they are older. I recommend going while they still believe in the “magic”! Often, that means taking your preschooler with the baby tagging along.

First of all with young children, plan to travel during the late fall or winter season. Don’t take little guys when it is hot unless that is the only time you can take vacation.  The weather is so much better, you will enjoy yourselves more, & the prices are at their cheapest! If you do have to go in the heat, plan on daily breaks at the hotel to rest and cool down and have plenty of snack and drink breaks.

Continue reading →

Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure

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Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure is up and running at Epcot’s World Showcase. For previous visitors of WDW, Agent P is basically a repurposed Kim Possible. For those of you new to this interactive way to visit the countries, I would highly recommend doing it! This is a free activity at the park and is a great way for kids to enjoy the World Showcase. I would do this in conjunction with the Kidcot stations where the kids color a Duffy Bear and get stamps at each country. Both of these are free of charge and the Kidcot is a free souvenir.

You can sign up at an Agent P kiosk at the International Gateway or the Odyssey Bridge between Future World and World Showcase. Innoventions had a place to get your mission, but that is not open yet.

You will receive a F.O.N.E (field operative notification equipment) which basically looks like a cell phone. This is your guide to a mission in your assigned country. You will be given instructions from Phineas and Ferb characters and given clues and directions to stop Doofenshmirtz. The F.O.N.E will give you pictures of places you need to stand near and have you push ok for things to happen. It will also ask you to find clues and codes and input them into the F.O.N.E. After you finish your mission, you will be asked if you would like to do another in a different country or the F.O.N.E will show you where to deposit your device in that country. Continue reading →