At Spaceship Earth, Mickey Mouse is hidden in his own constellation just beyond the attraction's loading area.

Where are your favorite hidden mickeys located?

Watch for loose change in the prize scene -- Hamm is carrying more than $6 in coins when his cork pops.

Another Midway Mania Fact.  For a more educational pig with change, consider heading over to Epcot.  Innovations hosts "The Great Piggy Bank Adventure" where through a series of mini-games you can try to save up for various items, as well as learning the importance of saving and investing.

This is pretty cool!

 Ok.  So, on my search for new fun facts, I came across one I had seen several times before about Pirates of the Caribbean. and the stalemate chess game that you pass entering the ride.  Imagineer Marc Davis saw it this way:

I then found this fantastic article, which I wanted to share with all of you!  I encourage you to check out the story.  I read through it, and it seems to me, those pieces aren't being moved by cleaning crews, but by the skeletons playing at night when the ride is closed.  You can decide for yourself, but either way, you should check this out!

http://www.thefloridaproject.com/blog/pirates-of-the-caribbean-chess-stalemate-rumor/

In order to create a show that responds not only to every pull of a guest's spring-action shooter but also every move their midway tram makes, there are more than 150 computers communicating over multiple networks throughout the attraction.

I'm a sucker for these Toy Story Midway Mania Facts.  Awhile back, I spent a whole day on Twitter sharing facts about this terrific attraction.  It's just incredible!

Throwback thursday!

As mentioned last week, I'm featuring Throwback Thursdays on twitter.  Here's the first one:  Throwback thursday! It's opening day at the Magic Kingdom!  So, the lesson here--follow me on twitter--and live through the memories! 

New feature!

Ok, not so much new here, but new on  facebook and twitter! Last week, I started Throwback Thursdays!  I was finding all kinds of fun posters and pictures on Pinterest that were too good not to share.  I will add a few here from time to time, but if you'd like to get in on all the fun and nostalgia, check me out on twitter mickeyinstyle or head over to the facebook page. I'm sure you'll enjoy all you see.

As for visiting here, Fun facts will be back next week! 

Garden Grill -- reviewing a favorite!

One of our family can't miss restaurants when we go to Disney World is Garden Grill located in the Land Pavilion at Epcot. The food is served family style, and you can get as many refills of your favorite food items as you like. The food is fresh, some of it grown right there in the Land Pavilion. Another reason this is a can't miss for us: the character interaction is some of the best we've experienced on property.

First, lets talk about the food. The food at Garden Grill is typical Disney fare, and on par with what you will find throughout the property. It frequently resembles thanksgiving dinner, complete with dressing (or stuffing, depending on where you live). This is the one item we always ask for more of when we dine. We've never experienced it to be dry or undercooked but just right. My husband enjoyed the fish, while my brother reported the steak was moist and tender. Our 3 year old of course enjoyed a chicken leg, sweet potato fries and macaroni. Anyplace that serves macaroni and cheese gets an A+ in her book.

 More importantly, we saw all four characters twice. Our daughter proudly told Mickey of all that she had accomplished since our last trip. Mickey nodded, hugged and high-fived, never rushing off to the next table. Pluto played a little hide and seek, Chip got her out of her seat and danced with her. Dale actually sat down on the floor and listened as our 3 year old told him all about her day. Even on their second trip around, where we expected to be waved off, or quick stops for more photos, the characters hung around the table, making our meal one of the best experiences of our week.

Our family loves the Garden Grill. My husband reports that the slow rotating of the restaurant does give him a mild headache because he easily gets motion sickness. The rest of us don't seem to notice, and love that the scenery changes as we dine. We attended several character meals during the week, but this was by far the best in terms of character interaction. It also seemed less chaotic than many of the others, and we were able to hear each other talk during the meal. I always recommend this meal to anyone traveling to Walt Disney World, because it is a terrific overall experience. Another bonus: if you time it just right, you can still make it to Illuminations at the end of your meal!

The jolly headhunter who shows up near the end of the Jungle Cruise is known as "Trader Sam".

The Jungle Cruise is one of our favorite classic rides, and we love the slapstick corny humor that makes the old and young chuckle and enjoy the experience.

The name for the ride vehicles on th omnimover at the Haunted Mansion are called "doom buggies"

This style of attraction is now popular around WDW, as it allows for the ride to load and unload non-stop, making wait times shorter. 

Both the Carousel of Progress and It's a Small World made their debut at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Which of these rides to you consider a "must do" for your trips?  I personally always head to Carousel of Progress, and my husband enjoys the short nap he gets as I enjoy te attraction. 

It always seems to me that I'm closer to the spirit the parks were created in when I enjoy that attraction--besides--it's a great history lesson that the kids don't even realize they are getting. 

Admission on opening day in 1971 was $3.50 for an adult.

Now, we pay that much for per gallon of gas to get to WDW. 

The opening day crowd at the Magic Kingdom in 1971 was approximately 10,000 guests.

That number is now considered a low attendance day across the WDW complex. 

This post holds a little secret:  book with me in November and receive a $25 Disney giftcard.  All you have to do is share this fun fact with me! Tell your friends!

2000 acres of turf around WDW are maintained by 450,000 mowing miles.

Those mowing miles would wrap 18 times around the Earth at th Equator. 

My dad loves mowing, but somehow, I think this would overwhelm him.  I can't wait to share this fact with him!

DEAL ALERT!!

48 HOUR SALE!!  DISNEY CRUISE LINE!! 

Receive $75 onboard credit per oceanview and verandah stateroom Valid for:
• 4-night Bahamian cruises Jan. 10 – March 21, 2013
• 5-night Western Caribbean cruises Jan. 5 – March 30, 2013
• Offer applies to categories 4A-9D
**all cruises depart from Miami, Fl

This deal MUST be booked by midnight October 27th to receive the credit!
 Contact me for more details!   This might be a great family christmas gift--memories last a lot longer than stuffed animals!

The Liberty Oak, the focal point of Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom, is the proud parent of over 500 young trees.

Trees throughout the WDW complex started as acorns harvested from this majestic oak.

Toy Story Midway Mania!

This has been one of the most popular rides at Walt Disney world since it opened.  There's a good reason for that--its FANTASTIC.  The theming is great, and the ride itself is so much fun, you want to get in line and do it over and over.  My dad liked it, my 3 year old liked it, and if I could have gotten grandma on it, she would have liked it too.

My family likes it so much, we have the Wii version of the game at home.  Today, I will be tweeting facts and pictures all day about this great ride--so join me  on twitter @mickeyinstyle and add a little bit of Toy Story to your day!

Each year, the horticulture staff plants 3 million bedding plants and annuals.

They also mainitain 4 million shrubs, 13,000 roses and 200 topiary.  Visiting WDW, you can see changes in seasons with this landscaping as well. 

This is one job at Disney that would be so interesting, but I don't have a green thumb, and can barely keep our grass alive, so I would only be useful if they wanted someone to grow weeds, but my friend Martha might want to consider this for her future career path.

Vacation is for...Relaxing with Recreation options at Walt Disney World

I have always been in the camp of non-stop park action at Disney.  I figure, I've paid for the parks, I should use them.  I forget that we also pay to stay at a Disney resort, and there has to be a reason for that.  I love the parks, I love the shows, rides and street entertainment.

My parents are more of the "been there, done that" camp.  They are of course a blessing to me because of this.  They take time to explore the resort, and do all sorts of things outside the parks.  This last trip, I decided to balance the way I do things with the way they do things.

One of the best recreation options, that I believe is overlooked at any of the magic kingdom resorts is the ability to rent watercraft.  I've overlooked it myself.  We always get a coupon for a discount on a rental during our stay, but I've never had any desire to do things I think I could do at home.  I have to admit, I was wrong about this one.  Dad rented a Sea Raycer to take out Ruby on our last trip.  For right around $30, he got 30 minutes of uninterrupted time with his granddaughter.  First, they got life vests (safety first), then dad got instructions on how to operate the boat.  Ruby listened intently, so that if her grandpa forgot anything, her 3 year old mind would be able to recall it.  It looked, from the shore, to be a very serious ordeal.  Of course, she fell asleep about 5 minutes into the ride, but he enjoyed cruising around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon and taking in the sights.  Discovery Island, River Country, even a different view of the Magic Kingdom.  No tour guides, no crowds, just him and the water.  I admit-I was jealous.  He never suggested taking my mom, brother or I out on the lake before.   Ruby tells me she had a good time on her boat ride with grandpa, except that it got "really hot".

Walt Disney World is full of these memory-making recreation activities.  Simple things, like pool parties at 3pm every day, or an evening movie and campfire .  What about real entertainment on the boardwalk?  As with everything it does, Disney does recreation well.  Golf courses, spas and carriage rides are only a few of the options available to guests staying on property at Walt Disney World resort.

What recreation options have you tried?

Nearly 12% of WDW property is devoted to gardens and intentional landscapes.

Thats 3000 football fields or 4000 acres of intentional beauty to make each guest experience even more outstanding by providing beautiful scenery everywhere you look.

Want even more beauty, or love landscapes and gardens?  Plan a trip in the spring to the flower and garden festival at Epcot.  From exotic flowers to creative topiaries, its an incredible transformation.

Family Vacations are More Important than Ever!

My family just returned from our family vacation on Sunday.  I thought it would be an ideal time to let you know why I choose to be a vacation planner.  My family spent a week at Disney, but more importantly we spent a week together.  As life gets busier and scheduling time as a family from day to day becomes more difficult for many families, my job is to help you set aside time to relax and enjoy being together on your family vacation.

One thing I've learned from helping people create magical Disney memories is that a family vacation isn't very fun if when you worry the whole time, or if you are overwhelmed.  That's where I come in: I can help your family have a fantastic family vacation, and take the stress out of the planning so that you can relax and enjoy spending time together.

We traveled last week with my parents, brother and grandma in addition to my husband, daughter and myself.  My parents told me that they enjoy vacation more now because they just have to show up and they know that I will have everything ready for them to enjoy.   Since my husband and I both work full time, family vacation time is a crucial time for us to spend time together, focusing on our daughter and not worrying about normal daily activities.  I know how important this time is, and of course I planned things for each member of our party to enjoy and feel special.

I love helping people plan their family vacations because I understand how overwhelming it can be, and how important those days with the family are. I love planning and organizing things to help each family enjoy their time together.  I help families take the stress out of their vacation so they can relax and enjoy time together.

Family vacations are important because they require you to set aside the routine of everyday life and focus on the people who matter the most in your life. 

Art of Animation

Here's a pretty princess, ready to let you explore her world at Art of Animation. 

The regular rooms opened just a few weeks ago, and Ariel and her gang were ready to greet families. 

If you wanted to stay in all the guestrooms in all of the resorts currently open on Walt Disney World Property, it would take over 68 years.

Thats moving rooms every single night, and it doesn't include Disney's brand new Art of Animation resort.  I think I'll settle for staying at a different resort each trip. 

We've been having a great week at Disney's Fort Wilderness resort as it is our family favorite.  We plan to try a few others over the next year, but when we travel with a large group, the cabins are a great way to relax and spread out. 

Creating Memories!

This sign is a great way to welcome anyone into a park! 

Our family is creating Magical Memories this week too!   I'm excited to report back on several new things upon return, as well as share some of the memories created this week!  I hope you have a Magical week!

The giant Big Wheel in th 1970's section at Disney's Pop Century can accomodate a child rider weighing 877 pounds.

This fact is another example of detail, as it can be found on the "recommended child weight" sticker attached to the gigantic toy. 

Another fun fact:  We're arriving at Disney this afternoon!  I'm so excited!  I'm pretty sure everyone in the car wishes I would fall asleep!

Avoiding Toddler Tantrums Through Packing Smart for your Disney Vacation

We're busy packing this week and preparing for our trip to Florida.  It's going to be a great time with a terrific cast of characters.  I'll share details when we return, but today we're still packing and planning (49 hours until departure!).  Here's a link to this week's examiner article.  Feel free to check in out and let me know what you think.

Avoiding Toddler Tantrums Through Packing Smart for your Disney Vacation

Trolley Time!

Main Street in the mornings is full of fun!

This trolley (complete with singers and dancers) is one example of the extra entertainment going on all the time.  This constant creation of an enviroment by street performers is just another example of how Disney stands out in creating an immersive guest experience. 

The musical notes across the registration desk at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter play out the first verse of "when the saints go marching in"

It's small details like placing actual sheet music on the walls that match the theme of the resort that makes Disney the leader in guest immersion and experience.  No details are overlooked, including the details of the decor. 

Swimming for everyone!

Many Disney resorts have more than just pools.  The moderate and deluxe resorts also have water slides.  All of the resorts also feature a kids splash area for smaller children where they can play independently.  With water only coming up to their knees, water play areas like this one at Caribbean Beach make relaxing at the pool even more fun for mom and dad as their little ones can enjoy the water without worrying about floating off into deeper waters. 

The Mosaic mural in the 4th floor lobby at Disney's Contemporary Resort was created with 1800 one square foot tiles and took 18 months to construct.

If you look closely at this mural, there is a 5-legged goat facing the monorail track.  It was created in 1971 for the grand opening of the Walt Disney World resort complex.  Have you ever stopped to explore this mural?

Chef Mickey's from above!

Here's the monorail shot that makes everybody dream of eating at Chef Mickey's.  Of course, it could also be that it's the easiest way to see the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto) but I think the overhead shot contributes quite a bit! 

Here's a little tip: Going to a character meal allows you to see characters and get some good interaction without having to wait in long character lines throughout the parks.   The interaction is also a bit more natural, and tends to be a little longer than in the character lines as well. 

Stormalong Bay, at Disney's Beach club holds 750,000 gallons of water, making it the largest sand-bottom pool in the world.

Not only is it the largest sand-bottom pool, it is also one of the highest ranked pools in all of central Florida.  Stormalong bay boasts a big slide, a kiddie slide and a lazy river all as part of it's pool complex.  Not only that, Disney's Beach club is just a short walk to Epcot so it's in a great location, too!

Catastrophe Canyon!

Disney's Backlot tour is home to a ton of surprises, including this one that may get you a little bit wet.  

It would take nearly 9.5 MILLION tennis balls to fill one of the tennis ball cans at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort.

9.5 million is a lot of tennis balls.  If these balls were lined up next to each other, they would stretch from Disney World all the way to Key West.  Of course, you'd have to keep them lined up, and you'd have to figure out how to keep them from floating away once you approached Key West but its all in the numbers I suppose. 

I'm an Aunt!

My lovely niece was born to one of my dearest friends (and sister-in-law) this morning at 10:30.  Her name is Skylar and I'm so excited to go out and meet her next week.  I can't wait until I can take her to Disney!  Her mom and dad went with us in 2008 and we had a magical time!

Casting Agency

This door on Main Street is used as an inspiration to me.  

I had taken this picture on our February 2011 trip, and then 

I took it and hung it up outside my cubicle at work.  It made

me smile, and made other people ask questions, giving me 

the perfect opportunity to talk about my dream to work 

in the happiest place on earth. 

Lego Dragon!

Frequently, we travel with rookies and
first timers to Walt Disney World.
This is always one of the things
we love to show off at downtown
Disney.  Even though he is a sea
monster, his face reminds me of
Elliot from Pete's Dragon,
 one of my all time favorite
Disney movies.

*The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is tied as the tallest structure on Disney property at 199 feet. (The other structure is Expedition Everest).*

Florida state law requires anything over 200 feet to have a blinking red light to alert airplanes. The imagineers did not want to take away from the theming of the ride, so they built it just under the height restriction.

The Tower of Terror is themed after the Hollywood Tower Hotel, with a terrific back story about how 5 people disappeared on October 31, 1939. In true twilight zone fashion, the music, theme and story are enough to make you look for an emergency exit, and THEN the ride begins! Check out this link  for a sneak peak of this terrifying experience! Twilight Zone Tower of Terror also holds some surprises.  During the drop, it's possible a few people have gotten lost in the Elevator Shaft!  Do you have any stories of your adventures in the twilight zone? I’d love to hear all about them!

Welcome Home!

This is one of our favorite signs:

Mickey welcoming us to Walt Disney World!
Who doesn't get excited passing this fellow?

Fun Facts!

Today's fun fact is a little bit more personal!  July was my best month so far with Magical Memories! Cannot tell you how much I love planning disney trips--its awesome to love what you do!

I just wanted to take a few minutes to say THANK YOU to all of you who have trusted me with your vacations--one of the most important times with your family!  As a Thank you, anyone who books as a returning customer--or a direct referral from those customers in AUGUST will receive a $25 disney gift card!

Hows that for a fun fact?  Regular facts will resume next week!

Humans sighted!

This is a fun little sign I saw while hanging out at the Seas with Nemo and friends.  Once you exit the ride, you're only really halfway through the attraction.  Like an aquarium, there are several viewing rooms to see all kinds of different sea life.  There is also a children's playground area where we took a few minutes to relax and explore.  Here's a little hidden blog contest:  On your next trip--if you send me a picture of someone from your family next to this sign, I'll send you a $25 disney gift card.  This offer is only good for the first person who does it...but that doesn't mean it won't be around for a long time.  If anyone ever finds it, I'll post their story here, and I'll delete the contest.  Happy hunting!

Disney only has one full time harpist.

The harpist entertains diners at Victoria and Alberts, a signature dining experience at Disney's Grand Floridian. 

Victoria and Albert's, along with several other high end dining experiences are scattered throughout Walt Disney World.  These locations are perfect for romantic celebrations such as honeymoon's and anniversaries.  It is also a perfect choice for someone looking for a quiet, more formal night out during vacation, or what we like to call "a reason to dress up". 

Is that a cheeseburger?

This burger, if thats what you want to call this monster has pepperjack cheese, bacon, an onion ring, PLUS regular fixin's like tomato, lettuce, onions, well you get the idea.  This delicious sandwich is available at T-Rex at downtown Disney.  My husband ate it all, even the fries (he had in fact eaten some of the fries before I remembered I wanted a picture!).

Disney's Animal Kingdom encompasses 403 acres, and is the largest of Disney's parks.

The park icon, the tree of life is over 14 stories high and 50 feet wide at the trunk.

While this park is the largest, many consider this a half day park.  Some even skip it, thinking it's just like the zoo.  All of those people need to take some time to truly explore all of the details that make Animal Kingdom an exciting adventure for everyone.  Riding the Safari at different times during the day will often result in seeing different animals up close.  Taking the train to the back, almost forgotten conservation area allows for some great hands on activities, and even some unique cast and character interactions. 

Have you ever seen DeVine?  A human, covered in vines spends much of her time along the back part of the park.  Explore a few trails, you never know who you may run into!

Happy Birthday to my brother!

Today is my brother's birthday.  So, he of course gets to be made famous by appearing here in the blog.  This is not his first appearance, but it is the first that honors him.  We decided to take one of the friendship boats from Hollywood Studios to Epcot.  Those boats are LOUD, but they are very user friendly for anyone with mobility issues.  In fact, so user friendly that we're staying at an Epcot resort this fall so this will be one of our main forms of transport.  Happy Birthday Jay!

The Earffel tower at Disney's Hollywood Studios would wear a hat size of 342 3/4.

Once upon a time, before the Sorcerer's hat became the park icon in 2001, the Earffel Tower stood proud, welcoming guests.  The Earffel Tower still stands, and is still a reminder that Walt Disney world reaches everywhere.  Hollywood Studio's has faced some challenges since it opened in 1989, including a name change and the closure of the live television studio.  The effect of the studio closure is most obvious during the backlot tour, which was designed to take you through several areas of post production, including make-up and costuming.  The park has seen some really positive successes in the past few years with the opening of Toy Story Mania and the re-vamp of Star Tours.  Make sure you check out all there is to see and do on your next trip!

Free Dining for late fall!

The popular “Free Dining” offer at Walt Disney World is available for select dates for fall and winter 2012 travel.
Guests booking a minimum 3-night Magic Your Way vacation with at least 2 day tickets for check ins on select dates from 9/30/12 – 12/13/12 (see below for available dates) can receive an upgrade to include one of Disney’s popular dining plans for free.

Guests staying at a value resort will receive a free upgrade to the Quick Service Dining Plan while guests staying at a moderate or deluxe resort will receive a free upgrade to the Magic Your Way Plus Dining Plan. You may opt to pay the difference in plan cost to upgrade to a more comprehensive dining plan.
Available travel dates include:

• Sept 30, 2012 – Oct 4, 2012
• Oct 19, 2012 – Nov 1, 2012
• Nov 9, 2012 – Nov 15, 2012
• Nov 23, 2012 – Nov 29, 2012
• Dec 10, 2012 – Dec 13, 2012

The number of rooms available with this offer is extremely limited. Standard rooms at Disney’s new Art of Animation resort is excluded from this offer as are all suites (excluding family suites), campsites, and 3-bedroom villas. Must be booked by 9/29/12.

Feel free to fill out a quote on the right or give me a call 815-214-9832!
Remember, our services are always free, and asking an expert never hurts!

2013 packages released!

Disney has released their product for 2013. Package components remain the same. 

The dining plan remains unchanged, you still get the refillable mug with any of the dining plan components. It will be December before all the non-Disney owned restaurants sign on.
 If you book now and a special is released, I always check to see how you can get the best deal! 

Don't forget there is never a fee for these services!

Also, be sure to check back tomorrow for an exciting fall announcement! 

Dreams Come True

Several times daily, a super cute show called "Dreams Come True" takes place in front of the castle.  I suggest seeing this show mid-afternoon and use it as a little break.  Grab something to snack on or drink and relax.  You're at Disney--and it's easy to believe Dreams really do come true. 

Disney's Wedding Pavillion was designed to provide the Bride and Groom a view of Cinderella's Castle while standing at the Altar.

Talk about a dream come true!  What bride wouldn't feel like a real life princess with the castle as a backdrop on her magical day?  Disney Wedding planners take care of all the details so that nothing gets overlooked in true Disney style.  Wouldn't it be cool to turn your magical day into a magical EXPERIENCE for everyone in attendance, while keeping the focus where it belongs--on the bride! 

Fireworks, of course.

Well, it's fourth of July week, so today our magical memory comes from the classic fireworks over the castle photo.  Fireworks are one of the things that makes a Disney trip magical.  It's hard to be upset, or frustrated as you listen to the music and watch the fireworks explode overhead. 

Happy fourth of July everyone!

The fountain at Innoventions Plaza can shoot water 150 feet in the air--within 30 feet of the top of Spaceship Earth.

Here's another little fact about that fountain:  If all the shooters fired at once, there would be 2000 gallons of water in the air. 

Watching the fountain is a great way to keep kids entertained while you rest for a few minutes.  It's relaxing and fun all at the same time.  Here's a tip: Grab a snack to boost your energy and then relax watching the fountain for a few minutes.  It's a great time to regroup before continuing on your day.  

Monster's Inc, Laugh Floor

Today's picture comes from the queue (or line) area of the Laugh Floor.  Join Mike Wazowski, along with an entire cast of monster comedians, as they interact with the audience and make jokes (sometimes at the expense of select audience members) in hopes of getting enough laughs to fill the gigantic laugh canister. This attraction is live and not scripted, using real-time animation, sophisticated voice-activated animation, and a terrific cast of talented improv back stage comedians.  You can even text your favorite jokes to the show from your cellphone (just prior to showtimes) -- and you may find yourself laughing at a joke or two of your own! The number is available in the queue area.  

Spaceship Earth, the centerpiece for Epcot weighs 16 million pounds. The outer skin is made up of 11,324 aluminum and plastic-alloy triangles.

Also: Rainwater never falls off the sphere.  It's channeled into the ball and funneled away.  

When I first read this, I thought: that is a lot of weight!  Then, when I learned about the rainwater, I was completely blown away.  This is a perfect example of Disney's attention to detail. It rains a lot in Florida.  Some people say that in August it rains every day.  So, the simple fact that Disney didn't want rainwater pouring off the edge of the attraction onto unsuspecting guests shouldn't surprise me.  It still does though.  Mix that with the fact that I can be a doubter--and well, next time I'm at Epcot in the rain, I'm going to head over to Spaceship earth and see for myself.  

Happy Birthday Scott!

This week is Scott's birthday, so today's magical monday is dedicated to him.  Here he is hanging out in Downtown Disney.  I love wondering around looking at all of the shops and exploring the area.  Scott, well, he loves me, so he explores too.  Besides, he gets to do cool things like pose for pictures at places like this.  Happy Birthday Scott--thanks for being such a good sport!

More than 1.6 million turkey drumsticks are devoured each year in the four Disney World theme parks.

Scott and his brother had a long standing joke about legless animals, which I think is appropriate here. 1.6 million turkey legs is a LOT of legless turkeys!  These drumsticks are a classic favorite at the disney parks, and can be found at carts throughout all four parks.
Here are just a few stand locations: 
Magic Kingdom: Frontierland
Hollywood Studios: the cart near Rock-n-Roll'er coaster
Epcot: America Pavilion in World Showcase
Animal Kingdom: near the entrance to Dinoland

Don't worry!  These delicious treats only have 1100 calories! Enjoy--you're on vacation after all!

Disney for Dads!

What do you plan to get your dad for Father's day? Another new tie? Dinner at a nice restaurant? Aftershave? Why not try something more creative, like something special just for him on your next vacation.

We are not going to Disney until September, but our family is all about giving each other memorable experiences, so we are giving dad a magical Disney experience. This is great for a few reasons: 1-it creates lasting memories, and 2-it keeps us from becoming hoarders.

We spend time focusing on the magic and special experiences for kids on Disney trips. Sometimes, we forget that grown-ups need magic once in awhile too. As my husband and I began to think about what to do for dad for father’s day, we began looking at one important question: what is there for dad to do at Disney?

The answers we came up with might surprise you. At the top of our list was a fishing excursion. My dad has always loved fishing, and several of the moderate and deluxe resorts offer opportunities to rent out a boat, equipment and fishing guide for a few hours. A great way for dad to get away for a few hours, relaxing and doing something he enjoys.

Next up: Pirates League. You have probably heard about how they can make over kids into pirates, and guess what--they can do it for dads too. When we were little, we used to do something similar right outside Pirates of the Caribbean. We would all get dressed up in pirate attire and they would take pictures. Dad always loved it, so for nostalgia, Pirates League made our list.

Finally, we looked at other tours. From learning about the Walt Disney World railroad to touring Epcot on a Segway, there are tours for every age group, but deciding which one would be the best fit became a challenge.

These were our Top three for my dad. There are countless others. You could go to a dessert party, or take a fireworks cruise. If he is into speed, there is the Richard Petty Driving experience. Maybe a night on the town at Downtown Disney, complete with tickets to Circ de Soleil or DisneyQuest (Depending on the dad). Alternatively, simple things, like letting dad choose which ride is his priority.

No matter what you choose, taking time out to celebrate Dad on your next Disney vacation would be a great way to say thank you for all the things he has done for you over the years because dads deserve a little pixie dust too!

Happy Father's Day!

This is my very handsome daddy.  He LOVES frozen cokes.  In fact, I'm pretty sure he used ALL of his snack credits on this treat.

In his honor for fathers day, I've listed a few of the places you can get frozen cokes at Walt Disney World.  I'm sure this isn't all of them, so feel free to let me know if you spot any other locations, and we'll get them added to the list!
    
Magic Kingdom - Lunching Pad,

Epcot - Cool Wash, Club Cool, Liberty Inn, African Outpost

Hollywood Studios - Hey Howdy Hey! Takeaway, Peevy's Frozen Concoctions, Herbie's Drive-In

Animal Kingdom - Drinkwhallah (across from Yak & Yeti), Dino Diner, Safari Coffee

More than 30 tons of fruits and vegetables grown at the Land paviliion at Epcot are served on property at Walt Disney World Restaurants

What?  You mean that there's more than Soarin' over at the Land pavilion?  Aside from the boat attraction "living with the land" that takes you on a brief trip through the Disney greenhouses, you can also take a behind the scenes tour called "Behind the seeds".  This inexpensive walking tour takes you through the greenhouses offering more information about how everything works.  It gives you a much more interactive experience, doing different things such as feeding the tilapia or releasing lady bugs.  Like everything Disney, each tour offers something different, and promises to be an enjoyable experience.

Delicious Dessert!

This beautiful, perfectly browned creme brulee is one of the regularly featured desserts at the Coral Reef. 

The Coral Reef Restaurant is housed in the Seas with Nemo and Friends, and while you dine, you can relax and enjoy the wall to wall view of the Seas aquarium.  It makes this restaurant a place you must try-and of course, follow up with something delicious like this.

More than 26,000 feet of lights outline the World Showcase pavilions. Thats enough to stretch across the golden gate bridge more than 6 times.

It's confession time here at the blog.  I have never really enjoyed the World Showcase until this last trip.  On our last trip, we were collecting smashed pennies and exploring the shops in each pavilion to do so.  I also, other than running through at night to get to illumination had never seen it all lit up.  It's really very beautiful.

Have you ever neglected an attraction to fall in love with it later?  While I'm not yet "in love" with the World showcase, I'm going to try and spend more time there each trip, exploring all the things I've missed for years.

June has a theme!

I'm going to try something new for the month of June.  All the Fun Fact Friday's will be themed.  The theme: Epcot.  As the second oldest Walt Disney World park, it will celebrate it's 30th birthday this fall, so it seems a good time to learn a little more about it.

Epcot is the park I usually take for granted.  It has a lot of things I enjoy, but it's something I usually just put on my schedule.  When I stop to think about all of the great things that Epcot actually has, it makes me wonder why I don't spend more time there.  Each trip, we find something new or different to explore.  This last time it was the World Showcase, but in passing through innoventions, I think I will spend some extra time there on our next trip.  There are tons of things to do for every age group, so don't just think of the big name attractions or restaurants and ignore the rest.  Take some time on your next trip to really explore and enjoy Epcot.

Driving in my car..

This is my brother, pretending to drive the cut out car found in Chester and Hester's Dinorama. He asked Ruby if she wanted to go for a ride.

She thought it was really funny that her Uncle Jay was driving a fake car. I had never seen this before and thought it was a great photo op. Good thing my brother was in a posing mood!

Since 1971, the total miles logged by Walt Disney World monorail trains would be equal to more than 30 round trips to the moon. One dozen new cars were put into service along the 14-mile beamway in 1990 as the original fleet received a well-deserved retirement.

The Monorail is one of my favorite things at Disney. It may be nostalgia, but when I'm on the monorail, nothing is wrong in the world. My phone ringtone is the express monorail announcement. There's probably nothing magical about the trains by themselves. However, I don't think any trip to Disney is complete without a ride on these wonderful trains.

Disney, Autism, GAC.....Oh my!

My friend Elizabeth Kaplar (and fellow disney fanatic) wrote this terrific article for me, to help you!  She's awesome!

*******
 Traveling anywhere with a special needs child, especially Disney, and especially with 3 special needs children (all on the spectrum) can seem nearly impossible.....

But Disney has become our "home" away from home. Being the parent of three special needs children, for me, Disney has almost become my lifeline. It's a place where we get to go and....Just....Be. We get to forget about schools and IEPS, therapies, extra-curricular activities, doctors, work.....Just the craziness that life tends to throw our way on a day to day basis.

Back in 2004, we took our "once in a lifetime" trip. I was the only one, at that point, who had ever been to WDW. But, once we finished that trip in 2004, we, as a family, were hooked! We've returned every 12-18 months since then. And in January 2012 we took another one of those "once in a lifetime" trips: A 7 night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Disney Cruise Line. That trip was nothing short of amazing! Oh......And we've rebooked another cruise since. We'll be sailing DCL for our second time in March 2013.

As amazing as these trips are, they don't come without some extra help and pixie dust. The extra help comes in the form of a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). Due to my boys' disability, it makes it difficult for them in certain situations, such as standing in large, loud crowds. You are probably thinking....Well, then WHAT on earth are you thinking when planning a WDW trip? It's full of large AND loud crowds of people. This is where the GAC comes in to play. It allows the special needs child, and up to 5 family members to use an alternate entrance to the rides. This minimizes standing in the lines with 100's of people that can cause them to become so over stimulated, and then cause a meltdown. One of my boys cannot handle going in the room with the "moving walls" before boarding our doom-buggy at Haunted Mansion, however, he LOVES the ride itself. With the aide of the GAC, we are able to bypass the room, and walk through some "secret walls", as my boys call them. It doesn't necessarily get us on the ride faster, but it does help make a smoother transition for us to board and enjoy the ride as others do. A GAC can also allow you to use a stroller as a wheelchair. So if your child is not able to stand in line, or in our case, the stroller can help our child avoid some of the extra sensory overload (he can sit in the stroller, and cover his head with a small blanket) to help 'escape' his overwhelming surroundings, and allow him to regroup. Basically, any extra assistance that you feel would benefit your child, and make the day more enjoyable, not only for your child, but those around him/her.....Make sure to mention to the Cast Member assisting you in getting the proper GAC.

People often think that, in order to get a GAC, one must get a note from their doctor, or bring a copy of their child's IEP to WDW. This is just not the case. On your day of arrival, at your first park.....Go to Guest Services. Bring your child with you (the person requiring the GAC must be present). Explain to the Cast Member your child's needs, how many people are in your party, and how long your visit to the World is. You only have to do this once during your stay. The GAC will be dated for your specific visit, and will be good in all 4 parks.

Now, for the pixie dust.....I'm not sure how true this is, but I've been told that Disney Cast Members have been trained to identify autism. Like I said, I'm not 100% sure this is true, but I wouldn't be surprised. The CM's have always been wonderful with my boys. I truly believe they are able to distinguish autism. We've had many CM's approach us throughout the years, and just happen to sprinkle a bit of pixie dust our way. It could be something simple, from just talking to our family and making my kids feel special, to them receiving some kind of special token....Just because. There was this one specific CM who stopped to talk to my husband and middle child (age 10 at the time). She was carrying on a conversation with them as they were waiting to board Space Mountain. Nothing big, just "How has your day been? Are you enjoying the park? Have you seen Mickey yet today?" Then as they were getting off the Space Mountain, the same CM approached them again to see how Jeremy, our son, enjoyed his ride. He said he liked it. The CM then asked my husband if she could get her "New Space Ranger friend a slushie from a nearby kiosk. My husband told her that was fine. They ordered the slushie, and while waiting for the slushie to be made, the CM asked my husband if she could ask a personal question. My husband told her "Sure". She then asked "Does Jeremy have autism?" He said yes. At that point the drink came up. She handed the drink to my husband to give to Jeremy. And as she did, she said "I understand how challenging living with autism can be, I hope this slushie makes his day at the Magic Kingdom just a little more special. Have a magical day"....And then she was off......

This is a very common theme while at Disney for our family. We don't expect this extra pixie dust....But when it comes our way, it just makes it all the more special for our entire family.

While cruising, we found the same level of care....Actually a bit higher, if you can imagine that! On our fist day on the ship, we went to the Kids' Clubs so we could meet the staff and introduce them to our boys, and to see if the Clubs were even an option for them. The CM we spoke to had two questions for us (one being that the boys had to toilet independently, which they do)...After getting that out of the way, the CM asked "What can we do to make this the most memorable vacation ever for you and your family?" They were amazing with our boys! And even though we cruised almost 5 months ago, our boys still talk about it as if we just got off the ship yesterday.

When all is said and done, I think the biggest thing I would say to other special needs family is: Don't think a vacation to Disney (World, Land, or Cruise) is impossible. We once thought it was too, and wow would we be missing out! And one other thing.....Don't be afraid to ask for a GAC if you have a child with special needs.

Traveling with Autism.

My friend Elizabeth is an extraordinary person.  She has adopted 4 children, 3 of them on the autism spectrum.  She is a Disney fanatic, and her family regularly travels to Disney.  She was kind enough to write an article for me about how her family utilizes the Guest Assistance Card, and how her children are all treated with special care when they travel to Disney.  Tomorrow, I'm going to feature that article, in hopes that it helps other families make the most of their Disney experiences. 

Stay tuned... see you tomorrow!

Jaylene turned 16 on Saturday.  She's a pretty cool girl...in her honor, i'm sharing a terrific picture of her and Scott.  During our February 2011 trip there was a blizzard back home in Chicago. Closing schools and stopping traffic for hours. Places were closed 2-3 days, there were power outages, and it was, I imagine, pretty cold. We came across this snowman at Hollywood studios and thought we should get a picture and send it back to all our friends snowed in at home. They didn't think it was as funny as we did, but that's okay. Do you have any stories about weather at home or at Disney during your vacation?

According to long-time Lost and Found staffers, the most unusual items turned in have been a glass eye, a prosthetic leg and a potty trainer. Each, incidentally, was claimed (but not by the same person).

I'm a little obsessive about my stuff. I check and double check for my camera probably three times an hour. I remember getting frustrated with my brother when he forgot his wallet in the room--WITH HIS PARK TICKET IN IT! I couldn't imagine losing a prosthetic leg during a day in the park. My brother on the other hand would probably be checking lost and found by noon. What is the most unusual thing you've ever lost on vacation?

Happy Mothers Day!

Here's my mom, taking a break while shopping at Downtown Disney. My mom is awesome, and one of the first people to help me see that Disney really did hold magic for families. She spent hours planning our vacations when I was growing up, focusing on the things that each of us would enjoy so that all of us had a special experience. She worked full time, took care of us, and made the whole thing look easy. She's basically one of the coolest people I know, and so this magical monday is just for her!

There are enough Disney character T-shirts sold to put Mickey Mouse’s smiling face on the chest of every resident of Montana.

Need a few ideas to make your t-shirt into a timeless treasure? Purchase a t-shirt with the year of your stay on it and grab a permanent marker. Use the t-shirt all week and gather up character autographs. Once the shirt is outgrown, you can turn it into a pillow case or put it in a frame. Right now, my favorite Disney shirt is a white 2011 zip up sweatshirt. Do you have a favorite disney shirt?

See the May 2 post for current offers--remember free dining for September must be booked by May 18th!  Happy friday!

First Haircut!

Harmony Barber shop specializes in making even haircuts magical. Little ones getting their first haircut receive a certificate and mouse ears. They'll even wrap up that lock of hair to save for the baby book. With little extras like bubbles and stickers, a hair cut becomes a favorite activity. Pixie dust and colored gels are also a feature of this tucked away treasure.

Harmony isn't just for kids though. Adults are also welcome to stop in for a trim in this little corner of main street magic. Prices for all cuts from the smallest to the tallest range from $14-$22

Call 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529) for a reservation up to 180 days in advance. Harmony Barber Shop reservations requires payment or a credit card guarantee, and there is a one-day $10 cancellation policy. No same-day reservations can be made but walk-up appointments, if available, are accepted.

A note about tipping: Please be aware that tips are accepted at Harmony Barber Shop, but can not currently be processed with Disney’s credit and charge system. Guests should carry some cash if they want to offer a gratuity.

When laid end to end, there are enough of the famous “Mouse Ear” hats sold each year to stretch 175 miles or cover the head of every man, woman and child in Orange County, Florida

Could you imagine driving down 175 miles of Mouse Ear road? Thats 3 straight hours of mickey hats.

Not a traditional Mickey Ear fan? No problem. Mickey ears come in a variety of colors and patterns. You can get specialty ears to celebrate your special event or holiday experience. My favorite ears are the ones my daughter got during her first haircut at the Harmony Barber shop on Main Street. You can see my favorite ears and learn more about Harmony's hair cuts on Magical Monday! Do you have favorite ears?

News and Notes May 2, 2012

April Showers bring MAY...discounts! In today's newsletter, I'm going to make you aware of all the upcoming discounts being offered at Disney through September 29th, and I've also included information for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!

If you haven't booked a trip yet, feel free to email me or give me a call at 815-214-9832.  Oh hey--or there is a link to the right that you can submit a request.  :)  I'm easy to reach!

I do all the work, so you can relax and enjoy your family and make magical memories. Services are free, and I can do as much or little as you need to make your experience truly one of a kind. Reservations, dining and customized touring plans are just a little of what I can do. I also monitor trips to make sure you get the best value possible. If you've already booked (through Disney) and want to transfer your reservation, let me know.

So,lets get started! First--the discounts!

Free dining is offered Aug. 25-Sept 29 but must be booked by May 18th!

Summer discounts: 15-30% off rooms June 15-Aug 15, booked by June 14.

Late Summer also offers discounts: 10-30% off rooms Aug. 15-Sept 29 (cannot be combined with free dining offers)

Next: Let's talk about the parties!

If you would like to purchase tickets for these events--shoot me an email or give me a call!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!
2012 Dates: 7:00 p.m. - Midnight

September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 & 30
October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 and 31
November 2

Halloween at the Magic Kingdom is one of the most unique parties hosted by Disney. Come out for an evening of fun and see all your favorite Characters dressed up in their costumes. Watch for Cast Members from the Haunted Mansion. They are roaming the park, looking for new tenants perhaps...? Eek!

Returning this year is a spectacular Halloween-themed fireworks display -- “Happy HalloWishes” -- featuring spooky music from family-friendly Disney attractions and movies including Haunted Mansion and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as well as the voices of memorable Disney characters such as Madame Leota, Ursula, Jafar, Maleficent and Oogie Boogie. The one and only Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parade will make it's way down Main Street USA, past all those ghostly shadows flying along the buildings. (Watch for the Headless Horseman.) The parade is shown twice. Unique floats include a Villains Float, Haunted Mansion Float, and Hades Float. The fog is thick, so watch your step. The decor of the evening is hay bales, cornstalks, balloons, and jack o lanterns... everywhere! Upon arriving guests receive a Trick-or-Treat bag with a few goodies, and can go to designated locations throughout the Magic Kingdom for even more treats.

Tickets: September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28

Advance Purchase: $55.95 for adults 10 and older, $50.94 for ages 3-9

Day of Event: $62.95 for adults, $57.95 ages 3-9

October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30
November 2 (No discounts are available for Friday nights, October 5,12,26, 31)

Advance Purchase: $58.95 for adults 10 and older, $53.95 for ages 3-9

Day of Event: $64.95 for adults, $59.95 ages 3-9

Military Dates:
Sept.11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
$37.77/$36.77 plus tax
Up to 5 additional tickets for family and friends. Id requirements same as Mil Promotion tickets.

October 31$69.95for adults 10 and older, $64.95 for ages 3-9

This is a hard ticket event. Guests need to purchase a separate ticket for entry. Halloween Night always sells out in advance, so get your tickets early. Tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable and are not included with any other ticket media.

Beginning at 4:00 p.m., Guests already inside the Theme Park who have purchased admission for the "hard ticket event" for that day may return to the Main Entrance to have their hard ticket event admission swiped. The Guest will receive a wristband which will serve as proof of admission for the event later that evening. Guests with wristbands may stay in the park at closing; all other Guests will be asked to leave the park.

Boo! What? Where? & When?

Trick-or-Treating Goodies for your ghouls all evenings. Consult park map for locations. 7PM-12AM
Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade    8:15 & 10:30 PM
Halloween Dance Parties  Stitch's Cosmic Dance Party - Tomorrowland and Get Up & Boo-gie - Fantasyland
“Happy HalloWishes” Fireworks  9:30 PM
Villain's Mix and Mingle Your favorite Disney Villains take center stage in this Halloween production - stick around, you don't know who you may meet after the show.

Transportation to resorts will continue through the end of the party.

 

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
7 p.m. - Midnight
2012 Dates:
November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30;
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21.

Pricing Advance-- 58.95/$53.95 plus tax

Same Day --$64.95 plus tax/$59.95

Premium Date - December 21 --$67.95/$62.95 plus tax

On an ordinary day during this season, Christmas in the Magic Kingdom is very festive in every way. A towering Christmas tree decorates Town Square and the whole place is decked out in Disney fashion, with garlands, wreaths, decorations and lights everywhere.  On select evenings during the Holiday season you can purchase tickets for the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party event, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, a complimentary family photo and button, and even SNOW... Don't miss the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade held twice during the evening. Also see a Special Holiday Wishes Fireworks.

Tickets/Dates: Military Dates
Nov.9, 12, 15, 25,27, 29
$41.27 plus tax/$37.77 plus tax

This is a hard ticket event. Guests need to purchase a separate ticket for entry. Walt Disney World limits the number of tickets sold in order to keep the crowds down and many dates sell out in advance

Event tickets are valid only during specific dates and hours. Tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable and are not included with any other ticket media.
Beginning at 4:00 p.m., Guests already inside the Theme Park who have purchased admission for the "hard ticket event" for that day may return to the Main Entrance to have their hard ticket event admission swiped. The Guest will receive a wristband which will serve as proof of admission for the event later that evening. Guests with wristbands may stay in the park at closing; all other Guests will be asked to leave the park.

What? Where? & When?
Cinderella's Holiday Wish --Castle Forecourt Stage
Mickey's Once upon a Christmastime Parade 8:15 & 10:30 PM
Holiday Wishes 9:30 PM

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland
See Santa Next to City Hall in Town Square
Character Dance Parties Join us in Fantasyland and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland for our Holiday Disney Character Dance parties.
Save 40% on Disney PhotoPass
Exclusively for the event. See any Disney PhotoPass Photographer for Details. Special Event Merchandise is also available in select locations throughout the park be sure to check your map for exact locations.

Mickey ice cream sandwiches

This is Ruby’s first experience with a Mickey Mouse ice cream sandwich. She didn’t want our help, but she didn’t really want her hands to get sticky either. In the end, we sat on the bench and shared this delicious treat before taking our first ever ride on the Liberty Belle.

*Mickey Mouse himself has more than 290 different sets of duds, ranging from a scuba suit to a tuxedo. Minnie Mouse’s wardrobe contains more than 200 outfits, including everything from a cheerleader ensemble to evening gowns.*

Who knew Mickey had such a sense of style! Can you imagine having 290 sets of clothes? That would be AWESOME. I have tried to think about all the times I've seen Mickey in person, mickey in movies, mickey in pictures and I think I've only seen maybe 20 or 30 of his 290 outfits. I think my favorite is the formal wear outfit. Mickey looks like royalty in his tuxedo.

How many different outfits have you seen Mickey in? Which one is your favorite?

It's a small world after all...

This ride is probably one of the most famous in the world. Everyone knows the song. Grown ups tire of its repetitiveness quicky, and young children sing it for hours. What is it about these dolls and this music that constantly draws us back through the tunnel?

*62,000 are employed at the Walt Disney World Resort. That’s how many people it takes to create the magic at the Vacation Kingdom. Not surprisingly, Walt Disney World Resort is the largest single-site employer in the United States.*

It takes a log of people to make magic happen. If you've been to Disney before, think about how everything is handled in an almost seamless way. The way rides are loaded, crowds are moved through the parks, and cast members taking time to talk to you as you make your way down main street.

Disney's goal isn't to be the largest employer in the United States. Their goal is to provide the best possible experience for everyone who enters the gate.

If you're getting ready to go to Disney for the first time, you should be excited that Disney has so many cast members waiting to greet you. Do you have a favorite cast member experience?

Rope Drop at Hollywood Studios

Once upon a time, before the park opened, a magical show, known as the Rope drop, happened at Hollywood Studios.  It occurred about 15 minutes before the park opening. Some cast members would come out in character and interact with the crowd.  It was fun to watch, and even more fun to be a participant.

I'm sure these players can now be found up and down the streets throughout the day, like all the other players. Or maybe, Rope Drop will come back, who knows?  Either way, there's more to do at Hollywood Studios than just Toy Story Mania! (Did I really just say that?)

*Most guests walk an average of 8-10 miles a day when on vacation at Walt Disney World.*

If you're going to Disney for more than one day, those miles will start to add up fast. Going for 5 days--you'll want an average of 45 miles. As part of trip preparation for my family, I try to get everyone out walking a little each day.

Personally, I love wearing Crocs in the parks. If not, I'll take tennis shoes. Do you have footwear you cannot live without when you visit the parks? Do you have any stories about shoes that WILL NOT WORK in the park?

Festival of the Lion King

Tucked away in Camp Minnie Mickey is a terrific show, one we consider a can't miss!  Set in a circular stage area, cast members interact with the audience and everyone is part of the show. The cast members dance, sing, and do various levels of gymnastics during a fast pasted, exciting performance. It's a great show for people of all ages, not just for little ones. It often gets overlooked by adults because of its location, next to the character greetings.  As I said, it's a terrific show that we always try to attend, regardless of the ages of the people we're with at Disney!

*Covering 40 square miles, Walt Disney World Resort is about the size of San Francisco or two Manhattan islands. Of the more than 25,000 acres, less than 35 percent has been developed with a quarter designated as a wilderness preserve.*

Size Matters. Walt Disney World being so big attributes a lot to the magic. Once you enter property, you are surrounded by people just like you. You're cut off from the regular world, and you're living in the Disney experience.

That is one of the single greatest benefits of staying on property. You are truly on vacation from the outside world. Disney takes care of every detail, from getting your stuff to your room to driving you anywhere you want to go. If you forgot something, stop by guest relations or the resort gift shop and they're sure to have what you need.

Donald Duck!

A little time with Donald? Sounds like a great way to spend the afternoon. Donald was hanging out not too far from the Mexico Pavilion, with no line. We had a great time getting a little extra time with one of Ruby's favorite characters. She told us he was wearing a funny hat. Her dad, always the teacher, tried to explain to her that it was called a sombrero. All she cared about was that she was getting extra time with Donald because there was no one lining up behind us. The world showcase is a great place to see lots of characters. Several of the princesses make appearances near their home countries. It's worth checking the times guide to see who you can meet!

* It would take more than 20 million 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola to fill one of the humongous Coke cups at Home Run Hotel in Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort.*

I am a soda addict. Seriously. I just love pop. I think I’ve mentioned this before. I also love baseball. So, lets take a few minutes to talk about the All-Star Sports resort. While some people have the idea that a “value” resort is not as high quality as the moderate or deluxe resorts, that isn’t true when it comes to extraordinary attention to detail in the theme of the resort, the cleanliness or the Disney cast member service. The resort has two fantastically detailed pools. The main pool being surf themed, and the smaller pool being baseball themed and shaped like a baseball diamond. The baseball pool also has the added feature of Goofy on the mound, shooting water at passing swimmers. There is also a playground and video arcade.

The End-Zone food court offers a variety of different counter service options throughout the day. For anyone on the dining plan, this is the place to use those refillable mugs up! Nearby is also Goofy’s Gifts, with a wide variety of Disney merchandise and vacation necessities. Like all Disney on-site resorts, complimentary transportation is offered to all the theme parks, water parks and downtown Disney.

Free Soda!

Ok. So, as we have discussed on more than one occasion, I LOVE soda (or as some people call it..pop). Anyway, club cool at Epcot has free soda from around the world. It's a fun little place. We stopped in twice, and they have some cool coke items for sale as well as the great free tasting machines. We all had different favorites. Ruby liked the one that tasted like watermelon, while Scott liked the one with ginger. My brother had no favorite, and I liked the german option, which was coke with an orange flavor. This is a great place to cool off on a hot day, or just to stop by to taste some really different flavored sodas. No matter what, you won't be disappointed, it is free soda after all.

*If you emptied the water from The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion in Epcot into one-gallon milk jugs and laid them side by side, they would stretch from Orlando to New Orleans,– 540 miles. And the recipe for the artificial seawater called for 27 truckloads of sodium chloride, or common table salt.*

That’s a big fish tank! It’s the second largest tank it the world, taking second only the Georgia Aquarium. The Seas with Nemo and Friends brought life back to the pavilion in 2007. The re-designing and opening of the former Seacabs became Clamobiles. But this ride is only a small portion of what The Seas offers. An interactive children’s play area, several aquarium viewing areas, a few interactive exhibits, and cast members available to answer questions have turned this informative ride about sea life into an afternoon event. It also has been re-imagined thematically to the elementary and toddler aged children.

The Seas with Nemo and friends is also home to the very popular attraction “Turtle Talk with Crush”. This interactive Question and Answer session with everyone’s favorite sea turtle. Families could spend an afternoon exploring the Seas with Nemo and Friends and not be disappointed by all there is to discover.

FASTpass

FastPass is one of the best tools for saving time on your Disney vacation.  With the swipe of your park ticket, it gives you a free "pass" to get in a shorter line later that day.  During crowded park days, this one little object can get you on twice the attractions.  FastPass does come with rules though.  Printed on your FastPass is a return window of one hour for you to come back to ride.  You also can't get another FastPass until the return window opens up OR 2 hours have passed from the time you got your current one, so it takes a little planning to use them well.
Recently, Disney started getting much more strict on the return window of your pass.   

One way to really utilize the system is to get your FastPass, like the one above, for the most popular ride early in the day.  The earlier in the day you get a FastPass, the more likely you will have a return window within a couple of hours.  Right before your window to ride opens up, plan to be near another FastPass attraction, so you can get your next FastPass.  Then head over and use your current pass. 
Never get a FastPass for anything with less than half an hour wait, as you won't be saving that much time, as there are still sometimes about 15 minute waits in the FastPass line.  Of course, if you plan to ride something twice, go ahead and grab one because there might be a line later in the day. 

FastPass is free to all Disney park guests.  If you plan accordingly you can get the most out of your time at Disney, and you'll spend less time waiting in line.