Military Room Rates and Ticket Discount Released:
- Active and Retired US military personnel
- Room discount for stays August 17, 2012-September 25, 2013 Continue reading
Military Discounts have been announced for 2012-2013
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Category Archives: Fun Disney Stuff
Opening Date Set for New Fantasyland!
The main section of the new Fantasyland expansion will open on December 6. This will include Under the Sea – Voyage of the Little Mermaid Ride, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern adn Bonjour Village Gifts. Previews and soft opening are set to begin November 19. Will you be lucky enough to be there to ride? If you are, make sure you make your reservations for Be Our Guest in late August!
Storybook Circus already opened in July and contains the new double Dumbos, Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station & Barnstormer – Starring the Great Goofini.
Let it begin…
To quote Rhino the Hamster from Bolt: “Let it begin, Let it begin!” I have started my packing. Yes, we don’t leave for a few weeks, but it takes me that long to get ready for a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. Plus, I love to pack for Disney. I don’t even make a list anymore. I will remember everything (eventually) as I pick at a few things each day.
Maybe I am crazy…I was chomping at the bit to start packing. Continue reading
My favorite Disney apps
There are bunches of apps for smartphones to help you on your Disney vacation. Some of my smartphone apps are helpful with planning and others are in constant use while on my vacation.
Here are my favorites: Continue reading
The ways cast members make your trip magical…
I had a friend ask me why I like vacationing at Disney (and I wasn’t allowed to answer making the kids happy)! After some thought, I said that I would continue to go to WDW until I found another vacation destination that gave me the same level of customer service as Disney. I definitely surprised him with my answer and I think I even surprised myself. Continue reading
Update: Disney’s Photopass Service
I love Disney’s Photopass Service. I think that it is totally worth the money if you utilize it correctly and plan ahead. Our first few trips, we didn’t use photopass and I regret that because we have so few pictures of our whole family. The photographers will take pictures with your camera, but their photos will be better! 
To get the most bang for your buck, stop at every photographer you see in all the parks. Let’s be honest, you can’t have too many pictures of your family in front of the castle! There are photgraphers in every park. Here is a map and some tips of all the photopass photographers. Disney Photopass Map
Having the kids involved with planning
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
Oh no…I don’t have dining reservations!
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
Fun For Adults
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
Traveling with Babies & Toddlers
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.
Mouse Ear Momma 