Category Archives: Travel tips

Be Our Guest Restaurant…Make your Reservations!

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Today is the day to make your reservations for the Be Our Guest Restaurant for dinner starting November 19th. Don’t bother with trying online, as of today they are only taking phone reservations at 407-WDW-DINE. Online reservations should be forthcoming, I assume they didn’t want to take down their system for the day! If you are traveling within 180 days, you should try to get a reservation! This is opening a few weeks before the rest of the new Fantasyland which tells me that you will possibly be having “soft” openings of attractions as well.

For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about…Be Our Guest is the new restaurant inside the Beast’s Castle in the Fantasyland expansion. It will be a quick service during lunch and a sit down for dinner.  There will be 3 themed dining rooms, The West Wing, Ballroom & Rose Gallery. If you are a Beauty and The Beast fan, this restaurant is a must for you.

Mousekeeping & Tipping

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I have written a previous article about the cast members at Disney. Now it is time to focus on the people who make your hotel room your home.

Mousekeeping is the term WDW uses for its housekeeping staff. These people work very hard every day to make sure you come back from the park to a clean room full of surprises. They are happy to leave extra towels, coffee, or shampoo if you ask. They set up the kids toys in a fun way to make coming back to the room magical. The mousekeeping staff deserves a tip and is allowed to take it. One way to make your mornings go more smoothly is to put your tips for each day into an envelope before you leave for your trip. Make enough envelopes for each day of your trip and write your little housekeeping thank you note on them. Continue reading →

Let it begin…

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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

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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…

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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 →

Port Orleans

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We have stayed at both the Port Orleans Resorts in recent years and I have to say that they are my favorite Moderate resorts in WDW. The landscaping and theme of the resorts has a very rich and expensive feel like the Deluxe resorts. The counter and table services at both resorts serve great food. The entire resort has been undergoing refurbishment over the last few years. Most rooms have queen beds (versus double), flat screen TVs, and updated decor. The lobby of Riverside is close to finishing its remodel as well. Continue reading →

Update: Disney’s Photopass Service

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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

Continue reading →

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