The rider swap (also known as baby swap) is a feature offered by Walt Disney World to allow both parents enjoy a ride that is not appropriate for young children. This can be because a child doesn’t meet the height requirements or they are too young for the ride. The parents receive a rider swap pass that will allow the other parent to ride without waiting in line again. Continue reading
UPDATE: The old Fastpass system is gone the way of the dinosaurs…Extinct! See my updated post on the new Fastpass + system here!
I have so many people ask me…what is a Fastpass?
Fastpass is a system used by Walt Disney World to help guests avoid long lines on the most popular rides. This is open to everyone in the park, not just resort guests.
Here is how it works: Continue reading
If you have little girls, then seeing as many princesses as you can is a must! The princess meals are a great way to see a bunch of characters, but you can still miss one that is important to your little one. Princess are not just for girls, I know plenty of little boys whose favorite character encounter has been Ariel or Jasmine!
It is not a requirement to “dress up” for your princess experience, but you will see many little girls running around dressed as their favorite. If you have a miniprincess, then you might want to consider packing a dress for them to wear. The ones in the park go for $50-100, so it is to your advantage to think ahead and buy one at Target! My girls are usually ok with a few princess themed t-shirts and a skirt.
Here is a list of where you can find the princesses (and the not technically princesses): Continue reading
People ask me all the time if there is a good age to take the kids to Walt Disney World. My answer is always the same…Any age is a good age! Every kid I know that has gone to Disney has had fun, no matter what age. My god-daughter is not yet 2 and talks about Mickey & Goofy living at Disney World. My girls went on their first trips at the age of 20 months and 16 months!
There are always rides, attractions, and shows that little guys can enjoy.
There are great counter service restaurants to try at WDW. Don’t be limited to hamburgers & pizza! We have gone an entire vacation without eating one cheeseburger (it was our goal that trip).
First, you would be surprised how often you will eat the quick service at the resort. So if you are deciding between hotels, look at the restaurants available to you. You never know when the kids are going to melt down and your original plan will be altered.
Port Orleans French Quarter only has a quick service restaurant, but the food there was wonderful. They have a New Orleans inspired menu with sandwiches, nightly specials, along with beignets.
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
The dates were recently announced for the openings of the new Fantastyland expansion.
July 2012:
Holiday 2012: (this can be any time up til 12/20)
2013:
2014:
Renting strollers in the parks can be very expensive. It is $15/day for a single stroller and $31/day for a double. You cannot take these out of the park which can make a long walk back the hotel transportation.
I have traveled with 2 umbrella strollers and had success but my kids are getting too big for these now:(
I have also used outside sources for stroller rental. You sign up and pay online, they drop the jogging stroller off at bell services and you have it for the entirety of your trip. I loved this but you do have to drag them onto buses and boats. When you have a full bus at closing, standing with a folded double jogging stroller is a little tiresome (especially for my hubby). Continue reading
Mouse Ear Momma 