Tag: Walt Disney World


Sep
2013

Using the Monorail to Countdown to Your Walt Disney World Vacation {Free Printable}

categories: Disney-Inspired Crafts, Free Printables, Walt Disney World Travel Tips

Countdown to disney on monorailMy little Mousketeers LOVE the Monorail.  As the Magical Express Bus takes us from the airport to our resort, my children yell “Monorail!” as soon as they see one from the window of our bus.  Upon seeing the monorail, our vacation has officially started.  So, this year when planning our trip to Walt Disney World, I created a Countdown to Disney that included the monorail.  My six-year-old and two-year old helped me set it up and let me say, you would have sworn we were setting up the monorail under our Christmas tree.  Both kids were so excited!

If you’d like to do this project with your children, it’s a lot of fun.  I put it all together for you as a Free Printable!  All you’ll need is white cardstock, a pencil to trace, scissor to cut our your monorail beams, a hole puncher, ribbon, Velcro spots, and maybe a few pieces of tape. Also, you need space to hang it!   I think it would be perfect in a child’s room.  Our home is a Cape Cod style so the kids’ rooms have slanted walls. I ended up turning our dining room wall into a monorail station for a month.  Thank goodness I have an understanding husband that puts up with all of my Disney crafting!

To get started, print out the monorail and monorail beam templates.

Click here for the template:  Monorail Countdown

1. Cut out the Monorail beam templates.

2. Alternating track styles, trace and cut out one beam per day of your countdown.  Then number each accordingly.

3. Hole punch the ends of the beams.

4. Connect the beams by stringing ribbon through the hole punches.

5. Cut out the monorail.  I laminated it too, since we would be using it for a month.

6. Adhere Velcro onto the back of the Monorail and onto each of the beams.

7. Print out the castle to place at the end of your track!

Click here for the castle printout: Cinderella castle

I didn’t create the Cinderella Castle artwork and would love to give the artist credit.  However, I found the image listed as free clip art, with no additional information.

If you and your kids love the monorail like we do, then I hope you and your family take a moment to make a Monorail Countdown for your family’s next Walt Disney World Vacation!

 


Sep
2013

Should I Purchase Walt Disney World Park Hopper Tickets And How Can I Get My Tickets Discounted?

categories: Walt Disney World Travel Tips

TicketsThe most frequent question that I am asked by a person planning their first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is “Should I purchase Disney Park Hopper Tickets?”.

Believe it or not, my answer is different for each family.  If you’re planning your first vacation to The Walt Disney World Resort, I have listed below three scenarios when I believe adding a Park Hopper Option to a Base Ticket is a win to achieve a perfect vacation and three reasons that I believe the cost of adding the Hopper option is a waste of money.

Walt Disney World January 2013 103

Reasons to Purchase the Hopper Option

(approximately an additional $60 cost per person to the base ticket price)

  1. If your kids have entered into the tween and teenage years, have left the nest or you’re travelling without kids, go for the Hopper Option.  Everyone in your family can stay up past 7pm and you’re ready to get the party started!  During slower seasons,  Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park often close earlier than Epcot and Magic Kingdom.  Once one park closes hop on over to another park.
  2. Your time at The Walt Disney World Resort is limited to three days or less.  If you’re planning on seeing all four parks, it’s not going to happen unless you have the Hopper option.  I highly discourage this if you have small children.
  3. You Really Really Really want to keep special reservations within a certain park but do not plan on allocating an extra day to that park.  For an example, within the Magic Kingdom, Beast’s Castle’s “Be Our Guest” restaurant is an extremely popular place to get dining reservations, as is Cinderella’s Royal Table.  You will most likely have reservations for these special dining locations on separate days, yet you may not want to spend the entire two days at Magic Kingdom. For instance you might want to spend your day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom until park closing and then go to the Magic Kingdom Park for a 7pm reservation.

Walt Disney World January 2013 192Reasons to Purchase a Base Ticket Only

(Referred to as a One Park Per Day Ticket)

  1. If your family includes small children, elementary grade school age or younger, it’s a good idea to stick to a base ticket.  A Walt Disney World Vacation is TONS of fun and TONS of physical movement and mental stimuli.  Most times too much to make it from park opening to park closing without meltdown consequences.  My family often leaves midday for a nap and returns at dinner time.  This helps us stay longer than bedtime, but not to park closing.  Having said this, each park offers much more than could be experienced in a day, even if you are there from open to close.  Realistically, you will need to stay put in that park or return to the same park later in the day to even come close to seeing everything on your “must see” list.
  2. Your resort stay is longer than four days.  Currently (September 2013), the cost difference between a 4 Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket and a 5 Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket is $10.  Instead of adding the additional $60 fee for the Hopping Option, add an additional $10 instead and spend another full day in the park you intended to hop to.  Even if you only do a half day in the park, it’s still very cost-effective.
  3. Slow down a notch.  Hopping from Park to Park is fun, but exhausting and you miss out on time spent in a park while you’re travelling.  Reduce your vacation stress a bit by taking a moment to sit with your kids and eat a Premium Mickey Bar.  Let them watch the swans in Magic Kingdom or jump in front of the Jumping Water Fountain at Epcot instead of rushing to the next attraction.  You may witness the most special magical moment by sitting back, relaxing and simply watching.

The second question I’m usually asked is, “Where can I find the cheapest place to purchase tickets?”

I personally purchase my tickets through Undercover Tourist.  I’m not affiliated with this company, nor am I recommending you purchase your tickets from them.  I can only speak in regards to my experiences.  I’ve never had any problems with this company and I’ve always found them to be the least expensive.  If you’d like to visit their site, their website is listed below.

http://www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/attractions/tickets.html

You could also purchase your theme park tickets from Disney directly.  Here is their website:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/

Most importantly, when you receive your tickets, take a close up photo of the back of them.  I take the photo with my iPhone.  This way I if the tickets are lost, I can have Disney reissue my families tickets very easily. 

Happy Planning!  And look for my latest Disney Inspired Vacation Savings Craft for Kids to hit your mailboxes this Friday!


Sep
2013

Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation for Families with Preschoolers or Infants

categories: Walt Disney World Travel Tips

mickey earsPlanes, Trains, and Automobiles to Monorails, Buses and Boats

Whether you plan on traveling by plane, train or automobile, the thought of traveling with small children for a long period of time can be a bit overwhelming. Then you throw in the fact that Walt Disney World consists of 42 square miles of fun and I’m certain most heads start to spin. Thoughts flood your mind. What should I pack? How can I prepare for all the potential issues that could arise? How will I meet all of my children’s needs and have an enjoyable vacation for the whole family?

As a mom of two young children (2 years old and 6 years old), as well as a Disney File, I find myself running the same thoughts through my mind each year. My husband and I met while we worked at Walt Disney World about 10 years ago. Since moving back to Pennsylvania in 2002, we have visited our old boss at least once every year and our son, Gavin, has been to WDW 8 times in his six big years. We’ve traveled by automobile and plane, both have had their perks. Today, I’d like to help you prepare with packing lists and tips for travel to and from WDW, as well as tips for being prepared to have FUN with your little ones in the parks. Most importantly, I promise that after all your preparations, no matter what happens along the way to Disney, once you arrive Tink’s Pixie Dust will make many moment magical and your memories will truly last a lifetime.

Below is a link that will take you directly to a page that I wrote a year and a half ago, yet it is still relevant today.  On this page you’ll find my Plane Flight Packing List for Traveling with an Infant and a separate list for Traveling with a Preschooler.  In addition the page includes a Children’s Packing List for Automobile Travel  and a Packing List for your Daily Disney Excursions while on vacation.  It’s nine pages packed with valuable packing lists and advice for travelling to Disney with small children.

http://a2zdizney.hubpages.com/hub/Planning-a-Pixie-Dust-Filled-Walt-Disney-World-Vacation-for-Families-with-Preschoolers-and-Infants

If you’re not currently planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Pin It for later.


Aug
2013

A peek into Disney Vacation Club’s newest resort, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

categories: Reviews

DVC 1Disney Vacation Club’s Newest Resort is Almost Done!

As some of you may already know, at one time my husband and I worked for Disney Vacation Club and we are also very happy Disney Vacation Club “Members”.  We own points at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and also own points at our favorite place to stay, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  On August 8th, DVC members were offered a special on-line “First Glimpse” to see “Behind the Grand Design” with Samantha Brown.  After viewing the video, now I want stay there too!  It’s simply stunning.  I’m not going review the resort at this time, as I haven’t stayed there yet, but I do want to tell you about a couple things that really stood out during their presentation.

The Disney character touches found throughout the resort feature Dumbo or Mary Poppins.

Mary Poppins fountain

Located in the Grand Atrium Lobby of The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you’ll find this Mary Poppins’ Penguin Fountain.  I can’t wait to see it in person!  I found this image on WDW News Today.  They have a few other images you could see of the fountain. This link will take you to their site to view the other photos.

http://wdwnt.com/mary-poppins-penguin-fountain-to-grace-the-villas-at-the-grand-floridian/

The sleeping arrangements are a bit unique in this DVC resort.  They sleep an additional person!  There is a pull down bunk size bed in a studio, so it sleeps five and the 2 bedroom sleeps 9 people.  Check out Disney’s website to see their floor plans.

http://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/resorts/grand-floridian-villas/

The Villa’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are scheduled to open October 2013.  Here are some additional photos of the current state of it’s construction.  My friend, Jodi Diamond, took these photos a few days ago and she so kindly said that I could share them with you!

DVC 2 DVC 3

 

 


Jul
2013

Top Three Magic Kingdom Hot Spots for Cooling Down

categories: Walt Disney World Travel Tips

photo (15)“We’re walking right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A”…and sweat is already rolling down our faces when an oasis suddenly appears- The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor.

1. The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, located at the end of Main Street USA, calls you in with is alluring smell of freshly made waffle bowls and a promise of a cool scoop of creamy ice cream.  It’s menu is simple; offering ice cream sundaes, hand-scooped ice cream cones, a delicious ice cream cookie sandwich and ice cream floats.  However, if you have special dietary needs, the Plaza does offer Tofutti and Rice Dream, also No Sugar Added Raspberry Sorbet and No Sugar Added Butter Pecan.  In addition, if you are simply watching your fat intake, you could purchase their Fat-free Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl.  The purchase cost per item ranges from $4.29 to $5.29 for adult portions.  For little Mouseketeers, a Mickey Mouse Kid’s Cone is around $3.00.  My favorite thing about the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is the outdoor setting area with stunning views of Cinderella’s Castle.  It’s also a fantastic location to view The Main Street Electrical Parade and the night-time fireworks show, Wishes.  Just remember to go to the ice cream parlor before the parade begins, because the seating fills up fast.

Dole Whip

Deep in the heart of Adventureland, where there is danger lurking around every corner, you’ll find nestled quietly, golden treasures hidden behind a window at the Aloha Isle .

2.  Aloha Isle.  OK, so I’m being dramatic,  if you simply cross the bridge from Main Street USA into Adventureland ,then walk a short distance past a small merchandise area, you’ll find the Aloha Isle Quick Service order window across from The Swiss Family Robinson’s Treehouse Attraction.  This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE place to cool down with a special treat.  The Aloha Isle is often referred to as the Dole Whip stand, since it is famous for its Dole Whip Pineapple products. From its Dole Whip Soft Serve Pineapple or Orange Swirl to the Pineapple Juice Float, this location is a must try once and I guarantee you will be going back for more. If you don’t enjoy pineapples or oranges, the Aloha Isle also offers Coca-Cola or Barq’s Root Beer Floats. The purchase cost per item ranges from $3.79 for the soft serve ice cream to $4.99 for the ice cream floats.  This is also a great location if you are simply looking for a location to purchase Apple Juice, Orange Juice or Pineapple Juice for the kids.

Ice Cream Cart Menu
Photographer: Vanessa Mroczka
Twitter: Vanessa_rules 1
Instagram: so_truee_postss

3. Ice Cream Carts-Home to Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar.  My final “Hot Spot’ for cooling down is actually found in 11 location throughout Magic Kingdom Park’s Six “Lands”.  The Ice Cream Carts offer a variety of frozen treats that vary at each cart.  There is one classic item that is a favorite of most Walt Disney World guests, the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar.  Moms and Dads, the bars are extremely yummy and enjoyed by children of all ages, but I do want you to be aware of the nutritional values on this set of Mickey Ears.  One Mickey Premium Bar is  330 calories with 22 grams of fat.  It’s a rather large ice cream bar and most little mousekeeters will not be able to finish one.   That said, you may want to have smaller children share one or even opt for the Strawberry Fruit Bar, which is a fraction of the calories,

What is your favorite “cool” snack at The Walt Disney World Resort?  I’d love to know! Please feel free to post them in the comment section below.