D-Tech Me Princess Experience – A first hand look

dtechprincessThis past trip to WDW, we were able to have a first hand look with the D-Tech Me Experience. Last year they unveiled this technology with “Carbon Freeze Me” during Star Wars Weekend. Basically, they took a 3D image of your face and molded it into a carbonite figurine ala Han Solo. Here is a video of the “Carbon Freeze Me” experience. This was so wildly successful with the Star Wars weekend attendees that they expanded the concept this summer.detechprincess2

We were able to do the D-Tech Me Princess experience during the first week of operation. It was located at The World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney, near the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I assumed this would be just as popular as the Star Wars so we arrived early. There was no one there and they didn’t even seem to be booked. I am pretty sure we could have walked in and had it done. IMG_1153The check in desk and photobooth were in a tiny corner of the store and out in the open for anyone to watch. First they gave each of the kids a choice of princess and hair color. One choose Belle and brown hair, the other chose Ariel with red hair.

IMG_1155They gave us headbands to hold the girl’s hair back and then they sat in a fancy salon chair which adjusted to the correct height for the camera. They were told to watch a screen and smile. The picture was taken by 10 different cameras simultaneously to make the 3D image. They take the girl’s picture several times to give you options to choose from.

It is very disconcerting to see a 3 dimensional version of your daughters face and theydtech (2)can show it to you both inside and out. The experience is very quick and efficient and the kids thought it was fun. The figurine arrived 6 weeks later encased in foam with a beautiful pink box. The girls love their figures, though it is a little creepy to see their faces on the body of a princess. They also were given a little charm bracelet to take home that day because they have to wait for the princess figurine.

A few things to know. This is only available to girls ages 3-12 years old. You must cancel 48 hours in advance or you are charged $25. Make sure your child has her eyes opened pretty wide and smiles with teeth. It looks more like them with an exaggerated expression.

Brave and Merida

We got in line at 8:30 in the morning on an extra magic hour day. Why would we waste precious ride time at Magic Kingdom to stand in line?! 8-9 on EMH is the best time to ride everything in Fantasyland!!! It was worth it to see our newest  favorite princess (and her mischievous brothers), Merida from Brave. We were in the first group to be allowed into the interactive meet and greet. Unlike the other characters, they only allow a finite number of people to enter the pavilion and then close the curtains. A giant table in the middle of the area for the kids to color a Brave themed picture. Continue reading

Port Orleans Riverside: Royal Guest Rooms

This past vacation was the first time I was able to have a glimpse of the renovations done at Port Orleans Riverside. Last summer, we stayed at French Quarter and were very happy about the new rooms there. Riverside is my favorite moderate resort, so I was very excited to stay here once again. Originally, I was booked for a normal, no view double room. When I called to change a few things to our reservation (I added 2 more nights) I was upgraded to a Royal Guest Room with a garden view free of charge. I was pumped! Who doesn’t love get something extra for free! Continue reading

I’m Back…

Sorry, I haven’t blogged in quite a while. We just got back from the most magical place on Earth and then school started 2 days later. Talk about cutting it close! On top of all of that is the fact that this was our longest Disney vacation yet (7 nights/8 days) and we were all exhausted. I had planned on writing while there but let’s face it, spending time with the family was more important.

It was such a magical trip! We did almost everything on our Disney bucket list and still had time for swimming and some great meals. Here are the highlights and I will post more details on everything later: 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

Continue reading

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Are you girls obsessed with princesses? Most are…including mine.

A special experience your kids (yes, the boys too) can have while you are visiting Walt Disney World is an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. There are 2 locations, inside Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom & in The World of Disney store at Downtown Disney. Continue reading

Princesses!!!

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

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 Continue reading