Should you go to WDW?

Why Does Planning Have to be so HARD?

Have you been thinking about a trip to Walt Disney World but aren't sure when, how or what? Hopefully I can help you understand the planning aspect of deciding on a WDW trip.

Disney is king of family vacation destinations! They offer the widest variety of accommodations, activities, theme parks and dining. How on Earth are you expected to understand it all and make the right choices for your family. A travel agent is a great first call! But here are a few things your travel agent is going to ask you so let's get you prepared!

What type of vacation do you prefer?
Active, quiet, take it slow, or full speed ahead. Think about your over all experience when you vacation. Do you want to unwind and slow your family down or do you want to make sure they don't miss a single thing?

Accommodations, what is a must have in a resort?
Disney offers 4 categories of resort options: Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Home Away From Home. As you guessed it, the price starts low (Value) and goes higher (HAFH). There is something to fit every budget and every size family but you really need to think about what you can't live without. Value is the HoJo version of Disney hotels. Yes they all have great Disney themes but you will get the basics of amenities. Moderates offer larger beds (queens vs. doubles), larger square footage and even some resorts with trundle beds for families of 5! Deluxe are the plush resorts. You will have high end amenities but the best part is location, location, location! All of those beautiful resorts along the monorail loop are Deluxe resorts as well as, the lagoon at the Boardwalk.

Home Away From Home resorts offer full kitchens and actually have resorts in all 3 main categories. Art of Animation and All Star Music have family suites with partial kitchens. Fort Wilderness Cabins are in the moderate category with full kitchens. And all other HAFH resorts are in the Deluxe category with full kitchens and top notch amenities.

Theme Parks ~ do you add the "others"?
Disney has 4 theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios. You can choose tickets that give you unlimited access for your entire stay (Park Hopper tickets) or you can choose one park per day (basic tickets). Some guests go to WDW every few years so they want to add everything into their trip including Sea World and Universal Studios. To do the absolute minimum each park offers you will need 7 full days (4 at WDW parks and 2 at Universal Studios and 1 at Sea World).

When ~ when do you want to go?
This will affect your cost a lot! There are seasons at WDW as with all hotels. Disney has Holiday seasons which are going to include Spring Break, Thanksgiving and Christmas thru New Years. Expect the highest prices and the largest crowds during those times. If you want my quickest answer to the best time to go, here it is: mid-January, May, September-early November and early December. Prices are kind of reasonable in July and August but the heat might just get you. Disney has of late been offering free dining September - November (with some time in early December). This offers you the absolute best bang for your buck if you can swing a trip during free dining. Keep in mind Disney blocks out certain popular times which include a lot of school fall breaks (except for any in September).

How does this all work?
You can book any Disney Vacation package with just a deposit of $200.00. Your entire vacation must be paid in full 45 days prior to your arrival. If you need to make changes you can for no fee, although prices will vary if you change to low season to high season or if ticket prices have changed.

Can a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children between the ages of 3-9) go to Disney for a week for $2,500. Yes they can! Value resort during free dining will be your absolute best time to go. You will be able to get 6 nights/7 days with basic tickets. It won't include Universal or Sea World, but for a little more you can add one or both. Travel agents (and I don't mean Expedia or the like) are you best resource to use when planning. Disney trains them all the time and they can provide the best way to get the most of your vacation.

I as your travel agent have your best interest at heart! I want to make sure you everything you want out of your trip. I can plan on Disney property or off Disney property and price everything in between. Use me! I charge no fees and will always put you first!  Visit my website for more information about me and what I offer and always check my Disney Information website that as a travel agent Disney maintains with the most current information. Email me at mackeymousetravel@yahoo.com or call me at 770.490.5974.

Cars Wing Opens at Art of Animation Resort

Cars Wing Offers High-Octane Fun at Disney’s New Family Suites Resort

Copyright: Disney

 Lightning McQueen, Mater, Flo and other characters from the popular Pixar film “Cars” race into Radiator Springs just in time for the summer vacation season as Disney’s Art of Animation Resort opened the second phase of its new family suites property at Walt Disney World Resort June 18. Less than a month ago, Disney’s Art of  Animation Resort opened its first phase of family suites, themed to Finding Nemo.

In the new Cars wing, featuring 480 family suites, a freshly paved road leads guests on the greatest road trip ever, a cruise down memory lane to small town America — Radiator Springs.  Parked at the entryway Sheriff and  the infamous  Doc Hudson welcome folks into town, along with other car “faces” parked along the road.  There’s backdrops of Luigi’s Casa Della Tires, Tow Mater Towing and the Wheel Well Motel, creating an authentic setting lifted from the super-charged adventure.

All roads lead to the 60′s style Cozy Cone Motel where distinctive orange cone-shaped cabanas invite guests to kick back and then take a dip in the Cozy Cone Pool. High-octane theming is full-throttle inside the family suites, with orange cones imprinted in the carpeting and adorning the light fixtures plus animation-inspired artwork. Guests will feel as though they walked into a scene from the blockbuster film as a pull-out bed extends from the living room sofa (whimsically appearing as the back seat of an old hot rod), the tool chest is actually the dresser and the bathroom design is inspired by a car  wash.

Opening in phases, each of four distinctly designed wings of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort celebrates rich storytelling, spirited characters, original sketches and playfulness with colorful icons and whimsical theming inspired by classic Disney and Disney•Pixar films.

The Harmony Barber Shop

1st Hair Cut at Walt Disney World?

I wish I had thought of this for my children!! A few years ago, my sister took my niece to our favorite place for her first visit. This was the visit my sister found this fabulous barber shop in the Magic Kingdom!

The Harmony Barber Shop is located on the left as you enter the Magic Kingdom, past City Hall, tucked in between the "car barn" and the Emporium.You sit in the chair and get stickered up and get an old fashioned hair cut! They will cut hair on anyone male or female from 1 to 101 so next time you are there, give it a try!!

at 7 months they can be a bit squirmy!

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Cost for a haircut is $19 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Colored hair gel, $5. Beard and mustache trims are $10. "First Haircuts" is the establishment's specialty. Young Walt Disney World guests who receive their first haircut at the Magic Kingdom barbershop are treated to many delightful surprises, from "pixie dust" and bubbles to Mickey Mouse stickers, and an extra-special "My 1st Haircut" set of Mouse Ears and certificate.The "My 1st Haircut" special is priced at $18.

Super proud of her new ears!!

 Now not to be out done, my dad decided it was time for his usual Jar Head cut.....they gave him a little more :)

How to Prepare for a Vacation at a Disney Park pt 3

New Series: How to Prepare for a Vacation at a Disney Park

Using Guest Services!

Young guests.  Old guests.  Guests with mobility challenges.  Guests with vision or hearing disabilities. Guests whose “native tongue” isn’t English.  Guests with special diets.  The “Guest-centric” culture of Disney strives to create a welcoming environment for everyone…

♦ Special guide maps pointing out kid-stuff – where you can find the characters plus attractions, entertainment and interactive activities of special interest to young children – are available at Guest Relations in all the theme parks.

♦ Baby Care Centers in all four theme parks feature private rooms with rocking chairs for nursing mothers, diaper-changing rooms, and feeding rooms with highchairs, bibs and plastic spoons.  There are even diapers, formula and teethers for sale.

♦ Stroller rentals are available.  Rather than lugging a stroller (including on and off of parking-lot trams), parents with young children can rent a stroller at the theme parks.  Tips for renters:

• A length-of-stay rental saves some money.
• Even for a one-day rental, keep your receipt; if you park-hop, drop off the stroller when you leave a park and use your receipt to obtain a stroller when you enter another park.  (The receipt also permits you to claim another stroller if yours “disappears.”)

♦ Theme park guidemaps are available in six languages – English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese.  They are available at Guest Relations locations in each park, along with times guides for shows, character greetings, parades and fireworks.

♦ The Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guests with disabilities and is available at Guest Relations locations within all four parks as well as Lobby Concierge locations at Walt Disney World resort hotels.  Types of disabilities covered include mobility disability, hearing disability, visual disability and non-apparent disability.

♦ Wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent at Disney theme parks for the convenience of guests with disabilities.  A tip:

• A length-of-stay rental ticket is available which offers not only savings but also involves a one-time payment transaction after which the guest simply shows the receipt at the stroller rental location and is expedited through the queue with little or no wait time.

♦ Special dietary requests can typically be accommodated.  The Walt Disney World Food & Beverage team is committed to offering a wide range of choices to accommodate guests who require lifestyle dining options, as well as most specific requests from guests with food allergies or intolerances.  Some considerations to note:

• Whether dining at a table-service restaurant or at a quick-service restaurant, desired dining requests will be addressed.
• In many cases, advance notice is required – usually at the time of your reservation.
• Please call Disney’s Dining Reservation Center at 407/WDW-DINE to discuss arrangements.

♦ Professional photographers take keepsake shots of family vacations – with everyone in the picture.  Here are some of the details:

• Disney’s PhotoPass service photographers are stationed at prime photo spots throughout the theme parks.
• The guest’s Disney’s PhotoPass ID card (issued free) is used by the photo team to keep track of images.
• The images can be viewed online; guests can order prints, customized photo albums, T-shirts, mugs and more.
• Additional information is available online by visiting www.disneyphotopass.com.

♦ Merchandise purchases don’t have to be a burden.  There are alternatives to carrying the packages throughout the parks:

• Package pickup is available at no charge.  Merchandise is moved to package pickup, conveniently located near the front entrance of each park, for guests’ pickup when they are leaving the park.
• Hotel delivery is available at no charge to guests of Walt Disney World resorts.  Purchases made prior to 7 p.m. will be delivered to the guest’s hotel by noon the following day.  Purchases made after 7 p.m. will be at the hotel on the second day after purchase.
• Shipping is available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.

♦ Lockers are available for rental.  They are first come, first served – and quite popular.  They are located near the entrance of each park.  There are a variety of sizes.  If you are park-hopping, you don’t have to pay the locker fee a second time on a day (just a key deposit) provided you keep your receipt.

The theme park itineraries that Disney guests create are as varied as the guests themselves – from their interests to their individual circumstances.  But with planning, all of their experiences can be equally magical.

Knowing what to do when you get there is key to a magical vacation at any Disney Park. We at MackeyMouse Travel are here to help you use all of these resources and more. Think of us as you advocate to the World! Contact us today to book your next amazing family vacation! mackeymousetravel@yahoo.com

How to Prepare for a Vacation at a Disney Park pt 3

New Series: How to Prepare for a Vacation at a Disney Park

Making the Most of Your TIME! 

If “a penny saved is a penny earned,” then what of time?  Shouldn’t it follow that saving time is also merit-worthy? Certainly using time purposefully is important, given that a guest has invested both money and time in a vacation. What is “purposeful” varies from person to person, however. Some guests at Epcot once shared that they were so enamored with the gardens that they hadn’t done any attractions – but they weren’t complaining; rather, they were complimenting … and beaming.  Here are some ways to “make time,” save time, add time and use time during a Disney park visit…

♦ Disney’s FASTPASS System allows guests to avoid waiting at designated popular attractions in all four Walt Disney World theme parks.  Here’s how it works:

• At the entrance to experiences offering FASTPASS, two times are posted – (1) approximate wait time using the normal queue and (2) return time for FASTPASS tickets currently being issued.
• If the wait in the normal queue is long, guests can choose to obtain a FASTPASS ticket (at no charge) with an assigned return time (an hour-long window) and then use the time until then to enjoy other experiences in the park.
• Upon returning to use their FASTPASS, the guest can experience the attraction with little or no waiting.

♦ A “rider swap” program lets both parents enjoy a ride – one parent waits with a child who is unable to ride an attraction while one parent rides.  Afterwards, the other parent can board the ride with minimal wait time.

♦ Tip Boards located at strategic “crossroads” in each theme park provide guests with a heads-up concerning attractions’ wait times.  Guests can save time – and “steps” – by consulting the boards throughout the day.

♦ Select mobile devices are capable of running downloadable apps that allow the user to obtain real-time wait information.

♦ Extra Magic Hours provide guests of select hotels at Walt Disney World Resort an opportunity for exclusive time in a Walt Disney World theme park.  The details:

• The exclusive time is one hour prior to scheduled park opening or up to three hours after park closing.
• The park varies from day to day.
• In all, there are up to 16 extra theme park hours available each week.
• The time is exclusively for guests of the Walt Disney World owned-and-operated hotels plus Walt Disney World Dolphin, Walt Disney World Swan, Shades of Green and the Hilton at Downtown Disney.
• Disney water parks sometimes open one hour early for guests of select Disney resort hotels.
• To take advantage of the additional time in the parks, guests must have a Magic Your Way ticket valid for the park(s) offering Extra Magic Hours – and, of course, their hotel ID.
• The Park Hopper option on Magic Your Way tickets allows guests to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours in a park or parks different from where the guest spends the rest of the day.

♦ Guests arriving at park opening frequently head to a favorite attraction and enjoy it before it gets busy.

♦ Guests who decide to forego viewing a popular parade frequently discover it’s a time to experience a popular attraction with less wait.

♦ Festivals and special events are times when the theme parks feature extra entertainment and excitement – included with regular admission.  Several long-running events are the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (spring), Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (fall), Star Wars Weekends (spring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), and elaborate decorations and seasonal entertainment at all four parks for the holidays.

♦ The “best time” to visit…depends.  The busier times to visit Walt Disney World parks are when school’s out for major holidays, the summer and three-day weekends.  The very busiest times typically are Christmas to New Year’s and around Easter.  Some considerations:

• Avoiding the busy times likely means shorter waits for attractions and shows and better access to dining reservations.
• Busy times can mean extended operating hours and sometimes special incremental entertainment.
• Disney planners attempt to schedule periodic attraction closures for refurbishment at times other than vacation peaks.

♦ Quick Service meals can cut down dining time – and sometimes cost. Add in “flexibility” because you can catch a gulp on the go without a reservation, and quick service can make consummate “good sense.”

♦ Table Service restaurant experiences can enhance the theme park experience. There are restaurants that are worth the extra planning effort of a reservation, the extra time at the table, and possible extra expense.  These eateries, replete with elaborate theming, extend the entertainment experience of the park to mealtime.  Dining and relaxing in an ambiance reflecting a different time or place is an entertainment experience worth the time sitting.  Sometimes these restaurants serve up entertainment acts along with meals.  And sometimes the meal may be part of a package that provides preferred seating at no extra cost for a signature entertainment performance (such as Candlelight Processional at Epcot or “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

♦ A longer stay can yield a vacation at a more comfortable pace.  Guest surveys show higher satisfaction ratings for longer stays – with “pace” typically cited as the reason.  After a week-long visit, guests have reported that they “didn’t feel rushed” and they “discovered a pool at the hotel.”

♦ For a short-duration visit, make a short list of “must-sees” and “must-dos” based on the vacationing group’s interests.  One of the worst mistakes a guest can make is over-scheduling.  Be realistic in planning.  Don’t attempt to see and do everything.  Vacation shouldn’t feel like a track meet!  And remember to take into account any relevant factors such as height restrictions or ambulatory concerns.

One of the many services MackeyMouse Travel offers is a daily itinerary designed for your party along with Tiny Tidbits to help you make the most of your time! Email us today: mackeymousetravel@yahoo.com.

How to Prepare for a Vacation at a Disney Park pt 2

New Series: How to Prepare for a Vacation at a Disney Park

What Tickets Do You Need?! 

Copyright: Disney Travel Company

The Magic Your Way ticket system lets guests decide what ticket features best fit their Disney vacation plans … and that’s what they buy.  Guests decide the number of days and whether optional features – park hopping, visits to Disney attractions outside the theme parks and “non-expiration” of tickets – are important.  Some price and value considerations…

♦ Per-day ticket costs decrease for longer stays.  A seven-day ticket without optional features brings down the per-day cost to less than half the price, per day, compared to seven individual one-day Base Tickets.  And the per-day cost of a 10-day ticket is less than one-third the price, per day, compared to 10 individual one-day Base Tickets.

♦ Kids under age 3 are provided free admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks.

♦ The Water Park Fun & More option can produce significant savings for recreation and entertainment outside the theme parks. Here’s what you need to know about the option:

• It provides admissions to the guest’s choice of Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, DisneyQuest, Disney’s Oak Trail golf course and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
• The number of admissions it provides varies depending upon the number of days of the Base Ticket (the option added to a one- or two-day Base Ticket provides two visits to the guest’s choice from among the listed attractions; added to a seven-day Base Ticket, it provides seven visits).
• It costs $57.  Considering that one-day admission to a water park is $52 or to DisneyQuest is $44, substantial savings are possible.

♦ The Park Hopper option can enhance the value of the vacation by allowing a guest to take advantage of special fun offered at different times of day at different Disney theme parks.  Other potential Park Hopper benefits:

• If the vacation stay is longer, “hopping” is perfect for repeating favorite attractions at the various parks.
• If the guest is staying “on property,” park-hopping can be the ticket to extra time in the parks (more about this under “Making the best use of time”). 

MackeyMouse Travel can help you decide which ticket is perfect for your family and your vacation. Contact us today to discuss your options: mackeymousetravel@yahoo.com 

Disney Cruise Line® Weddings and Vow Renewals

Weddings and Vow Renewals

Weddings at Sea
A cruise wedding is the ultimate romantic adventure. Walk down the aisle onboard one of our magnificent and elegant cruise ships or make your vows on Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay. It's an unforgettable ceremony on land or sea.

As Disney Cruise Line® Senior Officers cannot perform legal ceremonies, the legalities of the wedding license must be taken care of before the ship leaves its departure port.

Vow Renewals
You're not just taking a cruise. You're reliving the romance of your wedding day. So set your sails on a magical voyage with Disney Cruise Line and experience the second honeymoon of your dreams with the magic of Disney. Choose from ceremonies onboard or at Disney's own private island paradise, Castaway Cay.

Wedding and Vow Renewal package options may change, vary by cruise and may not be available on all departure dates. Visit disneyweddings.com for more information.