DisneyDawgs

Category: Blog

  • 109 Days

    Christmas has passed and we are now counting the days more than ever.

  • Trip Planning – Getting our Ducks in a Row.

    Hi Everyone, welcome back to our Vacation Planning Blog for our 2020 Disney World Vacation.

    Our last post we showed how we secured airfare from Rhode Island to Orlando if you haven’t read that post, click here

    We have now purchased the most important part of our trip, room, tickets, and more.

    When we first started taking the pups to Disney World, the plane tickets were easily the most expensive cost.  This is no longer the case.  Park tickets are now extremely expensive, costing almost 70% more than the first time that we visited in 2005.  Disney World Resort Hotels are also almost twice as much today as when we stayed in All-Star Movies back in 2005.  With that being said, this will most-likely be the last time that we travel together as a family with my pups going off to college, so we decided to bite the bullet and purchase a true Disney World Vacation, still on a budget somewhat.

    Disney World Resort Hotel

    Our first Disney World Resort Hotel that we stayed in was the All-Star Movies.  We have also stayed at Coronado Springs and Art of Animation.  But our favorite of all that we have stayed at is Pop Century.  Pop Century, for our family, was very comfortable.  We found that the amenities at this resort we very easy to access and the prices that they charged were affordable for our family.  I have been trying to book a room at Pop Century for several months now and the prices for rooms are short of ridiculous… $249/night for a value resort????  I know that most of the rooms have been renovated and Pop Century shares a stop on the Disney Skyliner so they could pretty much charge what they want for a room. But $249/night for our family is a little out of our price range.

    Trying to somewhat stay in our budget, I started looking at the All-Star Resorts.  We do not need anything special for a hotel room.  All we need is a place for the four of us to sleep, take a shower and get dressed in the morning.  We expect a clean and quiet room.  While searching for a room at the All-Star Resorts, I noticed that the prices for rooms there were quite high too, $149/night.  We had only spent $68/night for All-Star Movies back in 2005.

    Thinking that we were not going to be able to afford a Disney World Resort Hotel, I checked on a website that I normally purchase tickets from, Undercover Tourist.  When I purchased tickets and hotel through Undercover Tourist, the price was WELL below what Disney was charging (even with their so called 25% discount).  So I booked our room for our vacation through them and we are staying at the All-Star Music Resort for our vacation.

    Although we have never stayed at All-Star Music before, I did some research before I booked the room.  Results were varied, but all agreed that the rooms were clean and the Cast Members were very friendly.  As I said, we do not need a spectacular room because we spend the majority of our waking hours in the parks.

    Disney World Tickets

    If you haven’t checked lately, Theme Park Tickets are obscenely priced today.  Whether it is Disney, Universal, SeaWorld or LegoLand the cost of JUST admission to a park will run you and average of $100+/day per person.  For my family that is a minimum of $400/day just to get in to see Mickey.

    As you probably figured out by now, I bundled my ticket purchase with my hotel room with Undercover Tourist.  By doing this, I saved $500 off of what Disney has listed as their 25% off price.

    When purchasing your park tickets, make sure to shop around.  Most years we have used Undercover Tourist, but there have been years where AAA have been cheaper.  Sometimes when Disney World Resorts is offering a special bundle price, it is actually cheaper to purchase your tickets through Disney.

    Car Rental

    You will hear people say that you do not need a car when you visit Disney World. And for the most part, this is true.  Disney World has an excellent transportation system that will take you from your room to the parks.  But what happens when you want to go off of Disney Property?  Taxis, ride sharing and Minnie Vans can get quite expensive very quickly.

    We prefer renting a car due to the fact that Disney food prices are beyond ridiculous. Because of this, when my family first gets to Lake Buena Vista, FL, we will go to a local Target or Walmart and get our snacks and supplies for the week.  Also, there is nothing worse than spending 16hrs on your feet and then having to stand in line with a crowd of exhausted, sweaty, tired people who also just want to get back to their room and having to wait in the vicinity of 30 minutes to get on a bus and up to another 30 minutes standing on a bus getting back to your resort.

    With that, we have rented a car for the time that are down there.  Again, as with anything in Orlando, prices for renting a car from Orlando International Airport (MCO) are very expensive.  The average to rent a car for the time in April in which we are going is around $450 for a compact car!  Luckily, we were able to find an intermediate sized car for much lower than the average cost.  As with anything in the Orlando area, do your research and it is possible to find a little lower of a price.

    Our Vacation Itinerary

    So now that we have gotten all of the frustrating stuff out of the way, now comes the fun part of planning our Disney World Vacation.

    The first thing that we did once the purchase of our tickets and hotel were completed was to link them to our MyDisney Experience Account.  If you have not purchased the tickets or room from Disney, this can be a scary experience and you hope that it works and you did not get scammed.  Fortunately, we purchased our tickets and room from Undercover Tourist and did not have any problems and we never have.  Just follow the directions on the MyDisney App and it should take only about 5-10 minutes to do.

    Once our room and tickets are linked to our account now we can start to have some fun!

    Because we are staying at a Disney World Resort, we are allowed to start booking Dinning Reservations within 180 days of the first day of our visit, which we are, so we booked three Disney Dinning Experiences for our visit:

    • Cinderella’s Royal Table
    • 50’s Primetime Cafe
    • Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

    We will also be able to start booking FastPasses within 60 days of the first day of our trip

    We are also able to Check-In now so that we do not need to go to the front desk when we arrive at the All-Star Music Resort.  Trust me, this will actually save you about an hour.

    With our trip we though about the Disney Dining Plan, but when we crunched all of the numbers, it would be more expensive.  Once reason is that we would have to cancel the room registration that we purchased through Undercover Tourist and purchase the room through Disney. That would be almost $400 right there.

    Remember, even though you have booked airfare, car and hotel, if you find a better price or better offer, you can usually change for little to no fee.  So we will keep looking and hope that Disney comes out with some lower priced rooms at Pop Century or if Southwest lowers the price on some later flights on the day that we head home.

    So now we have the vacation booked and paid for.  The next thing that we will do is to get our FastPasses in February and then start shopping for our trip.

    Thank you for taking the time to read our blog.  DisneyDawgs is a family blog that will hopefully be able to give you information or insight at Disney World to let you save some money or have even a better vacation.  Our family has loved going to Disney World in Florida for fourteen years and we hope that we are able to share some of the experience that we have picked up, to make your day even better.

     

  • 113 Days

    113 Days until vacation… Follow or Blog for how we plan for a vacation…

     

     

     

  • Tips for First-time Disney World Visitors: Arriving in Orlando

    See our previous article Tips for First-time Disney World Visitors: Pre-Trip Planning.

    OK, your plane has now landed (I am assuming at Orlando International Airport), so what do you do next?  One tip is to find the restrooms when you get off of your flight because it may be a little while before you are able to have a minute or two to relieve yourself or even splash a little water on your face.  Once that is done, there are a some restaurants to grab a bite, or you can wait until you get to the main terminal.

    The First Ride in Orlando

    You will want to make your way to the MCO People Mover that will take you to the main terminal.  The People Movers are automated shuttles that ferry passengers from the main terminal to the satellite terminals and visa-versa.

    Once you have arrived at the main terminal, you will be on level 3.  Here you are able to visit stores from Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and NASA. There are also several photo opportunities in this area.  There is also a greater variety of restaurants and shops in the food court and mall area.  There is also a hotel in the main lobby of the 3rd level.  We have stayed there and it is excellent if you have a very early morning flight.

    Baggage Claim

    Once you have made your way through the main terminal, you will want to take the escalators down to level 2 the baggage claim.  At MCO, depending on which airline you have used, it will take approximately 30 minutes for your bags to get from the plane to the baggage carousel.  This area can be a mad house if several planes come in at the same time.  I usually go up to the carousel and stake my claim to an area and wait for my bags to come to me. I also make sure to rent a baggage cart before I go to the carousel, they are worth their weight in gold if you have several heavy bags and just got off of a long flight.  Again, this area can get quite busy and everyone just got off of a plane, so I would advise that you take a deep breath and your bags should be out soon.

    Transportation

    Now that you have your luggage you’re going to need to get to Walt Disney World or your hotel.  All transportation is on level 1 of the terminal.  You will want to make your way to the elevators and head down.  If you have opted to take Disney’s Magical Express, follow the signage and there will be a Disney Castmember to check you in.  Car Rentals are toward the other side of level one.  Be prepared to wait!  No matter how many times I have rented a car at MCO it amazes me how the rental agencies know when there will be an influx of people coming off of a flight, yet, they NEVER have enough agents ready to handle the lines.  If you have pre-paid for your rental, you may be able to skip this step and go right across the street to pick up your rental.  If you did not rent a vehicle or are not staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, taxis and shuttle services are right outside the doors.

    Picking Up the Rental Car

    Make sure that you are alert when picking up your rental car.  Some Rental Agencies, not all, but some are very sneaky and there could be quite a few hidden fees that you may not be aware of until you receive your credit card statement after you’ve returned from your trip.  Be aware that one of the biggest scams that they pull at MCO is that when you return your rental, you have to show them a receipt from a gas station that is within 5 miles of where you return the vehicle.  There is only one station that I’ve found to be that close and they conveniently charge over $5/gallon.  If you do not fill up the vehicle within this range or if you do not have a receipt, all agencies will charge you for a FULL tank of gas at THEIR rate.  This is even if the vehicle is showing the tank to be full on the gauge.

    Before you drive out of the parking garage with your rental, make sure to go over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb.  Take pictures and/or video of any scratches, dents or damage anywhere on the vehicle (body, tires, glass, etc.) and make sure that your report them to the agent BEFORE you leave the garage.  Once you leave the garage, YOU are responsible for the damage on the vehicle if you did not report it.

    Heading to the Disney World Resorts

    Once you have your vehicle and have loaded all your bags and have buckled everyone in (In Florida you MUST wear a seatbelt) you are now ready to head to your hotel.

    There are two exits to Orlando International Airport, North and South.

    If you take the North Exit, you will want to get on the Martin Anderson Beachway Express, west-bound (SR-528) to Interstate 4 South to the Disney World exits.  Keep in mind, I-4 is the main highway for ALL of the theme parks and the Metro Orlando area.  This highway is very busy and will have constant backups and delays.

     

    If you take the South Exit (I find this to be shorter and MUCH less traffic)  You will want to take Jeff Fuqua Blvd South to the Central Florida Greenway West-bound (SR-417) to either World Center Dr or West Osceola Pkwy, depending on which resort you are staying at.

    Whichever route you take, be aware of the toll-boths.  Florida was very sneaky the way that they designed the toll plazas.  If you purchased tolls with your car rental, you really don’t have to worry about this.  But if you didn’t, as I don’t, the plazas are tricky.  If you are paying cash for the tolls, be aware that for all cash tolls you will need to go to the far right of the plaza.  This area almost looks like a highway offramp.  If you get confused and stay on the main highway, a picture of your license plate will be taken and you will be charged by the rental agency for renting the ez-pass system for your entire rental (usually $20+), plus any tolls that should have been paid.  This can get quite expensive, very quickly.

    Also, be aware that during overnight hours, many of the toll booths are unmanned.  So if you do not have exact change, you will also be charged by the rental agency.

    Arriving at Your Disney World Resort

    So you have finally made it to your resort hotel.  If you are able to check in (Normal check-in time is 3PM, but you can usually check-in earlier.) you can head to your resort.  Each resort has a guard shack that you will need to stop and give your driver’s license or government issued ID to so they can verify that you are actually checking into the resort.

    Once past security, if you have done online check-in, you may head directly to your hotel room (if it is ready).  If you did not use online check-in or if there are any problems, you will need to go to the main lobby of your resort and go the Guest Relations desk.

    Once any problems are taken care of, you will want to move your vehicle as close to your room as you can.

    Checking Out the Room

    Once you are in your room, make sure to check that you have enough towels and that the room is clean.  Although it rarely happens, you will want to take care of this right away.  If you need extra towels, pillows or anything from Mousekeeping, you may want to do this as soon as you get into your room.  Mousekeeping does an excellent job and I have never had a problem, but mistakes do happen.

    Getting Supplies

    Once all of my bags have been unloaded and everything is OK with my room, I will usually head out to the nearest Walmart or Target to get some supplies.  As you must already know, Disney is VERY expensive.  A bottle of soda from the resort is over $4 and the snacks are even more.  If you go out to one of the local stores, prices are AT LEAST a THIRD of what you would pay on the resort.  Picking up snacks such as cookies, crackers, peanut butter, etc will save you quite a bit of money.

    Beyond the snacks, the local superstores all carry Disney Souvenirs at much cheaper prices than the parks.  Mickey and Minnie ears, Autograph Books and pens, shirts and some even carry trading pins at half the cost in the Disney Parks.

    Getting Some Rest

    Usually, the day that I arrive in Orlando I do not go to the parks.  I think that it is a waste of a $100+ ticket to not spend the entire day inside the park.

    So once I get back to the Resort Hotel that I am staying at, I will either explore to see what the resort has to offer, or I will drive or take a Disney Bus over to Disney Springs and spend a couple of hours there.

    Once done with Disney Springs, I will head back to the Resort and maybe go for a swim in the pool if there is time.  If not, I will head to bed early so that I can hit the ground running early the next day at my first park.

    I hope that this post was able give you some ideas and/or information about arriving at Orlando International Airport, all the way through checking into your Disney World Resort room.  Check out my next post on the ways to save some money on park mornings and how to quickly navigate Disney Property and Transportation so that you can make the most of your day at a Disney World Theme Park.

     

  • 125 Days

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  • 127 Days

    127 Days

  • Tips for First-time Disney World Visitors: Pre-Trip Planning.

    So you’ve decided to visit the Disney World Resorts in Orlando, FL for the first time.  Quite intimidating isn’t it?

    Hopefully we will be able to give you some hints and tips to make your first visit to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” go a little more smoothly and keep you and your family from running in circles (as my family did the first time we visited.).

    Let’s face it, the first thing that everyone asks is “where do we start?”.  Assuming that nothing has been booked or reserved, here is a list of things to do before you leave for your trip.

    Travel Planning

    Which Airport?

    How are you going to get there?  If you live close enough to Orlando, then you are most likely driving.  For the rest of us, this will most likely involve flying.  Taking a plane into Orlando is not that difficult.  Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the busiest airports in the United States serving all major US Airlines and those from around the world.  If the size of MCO is intimating to your family, there is nearby Sanford International Airport (SFB).  Sanford is a much smaller airport than MCO, but airfare and car rental may be much more expensive.  Some also find flying into Tampa International Airport (TAM) to be less expensive.  But, keep in mind, Tampa is approximately 2hrs away from Orlando depending on traffic and construction (and yes, there is always construction.).

    Which Airline?

    As for which airline…  That depends on your preferences.  The best advice that I could give is to book as early as you can.  For our family’s trip this year, we booked our flights as soon as Southwest Airlines made them available (that was 3 weeks ago).  As of the time that I am writing this post, if I were to purchase those same tickets, it would be almost $900.00 more for four travelers.  For more information, visit our “Trip Planning – Booking and Airline” post.

    Should I Rent a Car?

    Again, that depends.  If you are planning to do only Disney and do not plan on visiting any on the other parks, I would say no.  Although, keep in mind, Disney transportation can be inconsistent and very crowded.  If you plan on staying until after nighttime shows or when parks close, depending on the crowds, it may take up to 2 hours to get back to your hotel via the buses.

    If you plan on going to other parks or exploring everything that Orlando has to offer, most definitely rent a car. Uber and taxis will eventually cost you as much as a week-long rental.  Remember though, Disney World Resort Hotels do charge you for parking in their lots.  Even though you are charged for parking, the freedom of being able to go off-site for meals or other attractions out weighs the $15/day cost.  Also, keep in mind that most Disney area hotels also charge for parking and the fee is usually hidden on websites.

    What Hotels?

    Again, this is a matter of preference. But if this is the first time that you are visiting Disney World, I would suggest staying at one of the on-site Disney World Resort Hotels.  When staying on-site, you have access to Disney Transportation to and from the parks, Extra Magic Hours and other amenities that guest staying at other hotels are not able to use.  The advantage to staying at an off-site hotel is the cost.  As you may already know, Disney is VERY expensive. A hotel or motel in Kissimee, FL can cost 25% of what a “Value Resort” room would cost.

    If you do plan on staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel, there are four tiers of Disney Hotels

    • Value Resort – Just as the name suggests, this is the least expensive hotels on property.  They offer a swimming pool, Cafeteria style Dinning Hall and sleeps up to four guests.
    • Moderate Resort – These rooms are a little larger than Value Resorts.  Each hotel has a themed pool, most with a water-slide.  Cafeteria and Sit Down Restaurants.  Some Moderate Resort Hotels have Suites that accommodate up to six guests.
    • Deluxe Resorts – Deluxe Resorts are some of the most expensive rooms on property.  They include The Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, and more.  Rooms at these resorts are usually $400+ per night.  They do offer day spas, room service, concierge service and more. Deluxe Resorts offer several of the finest restaurants on Disney Property and are quite, quite expensive.
    • Villa Resorts – Villa Resorts are basically 1 – 3 bedroom apartments with full kitchens.  One bedroom villas can sleep up to 4 guests where 3 bedroom villas can sleep up to 12 guests.  Most Villa Resorts are also DVC (Disney Vacation Club) Resorts.  I would recommend this type of room for those that may have large families or if you are staying at the resort for two or more weeks.  Keep in mind, this tier of room is very expensive.

    Travel Preparation

    Personal Items

    So now you have a way to get to the Orlando area.  There is still a lot to get done.  Remember, Orlando is one of the largest Tourist Destination sites in the World.  An estimated 68.5 million people from around the world come to Orlando each year.  As a tourist destination, it will cost you much more to purchase personal items in the Orlando area than if you were to purchase them at home.  Please make sure that you view FAA/TSA guidelines on what and how much of a product that you are able to take on the plane.  If you do not follow the FAA guidelines, you will need to throw that product out, or you will not be allowed to fly.

    With that being said, remember, Orlando is three things weather-wise… HOT, MUGGY and RAINY.  That’s it.  The sun in Florida is brutal for most of the year with heat and humidity for about 10 months out of the year.  The only exception is if you are traveling in January or early February.  It is possible for it to be around 40°F (4°C) one day and 80°F (27°C) the next.

    Generally, I would recommend packing the following items for a trip to Disney World

    • Sunscreen – Even on chilly days, the sun in Florida is very strong.  Getting a bad sunburn on the first day of your vacation would really not make for a fun time for everyone in you family.  Due to the strength of the sun in Florida, I would also suggest that you pack a hat.  Those of us that are follicly challenged as I am will tell you that a sunburn on your back and shoulders is very uncomfortable, but one on the top of your head is miserable.
    • Comfortable Shoes – When visiting the parks, you will easily walk 10-12 miles (16-20Km) a day.  The second worse thing that you can do, besides getting a sunburn, is to develop a blister on your foot early in your visit.  Do not where flip flops, it rains quite often in Florida and when flip flops get wet, you can slide in them and really hurt yourself.  It is actually a good idea to have at least two pairs of comfortable shoes, just it the case your first pair are damaged or get wet in the park.
    • Ponchos/Rain Gear – Disney does sell rain-gear inside the parks, but, as with anything that is sold in the parks, it is obscenely expensive.  The same poncho that you can purchase at your local Walmart for $1, sells for $25 in the parks.  Purchasing 2-3 for each member of your family may be a good idea.  They are small and fit nicely into checked luggage.
    • Clothes – My rule of thumb when packing for Disney is to pack for 1-2 days more than I am staying.  This is for the chance that I am forced to stay extra due to weather or cancelled flights.  Disney does have washers and dryers at most of the resorts if you are staying an extended period of time and are not able to travel with that much clothing.
    • Medicines/Health Care – As with clothing, I always make sure that I have enough prescription medication with me, just as I mentioned above if my flight were cancelled or some other reason forced me to stay in Orlando a few extra days.  Disney does have First Aid stations in the parks and they do sell brand name over the counter medicines in the gift shops at each resort.  But as I mentioned before, it would be much less expensive if you purchased these items before you left for your trip.

    Theme Park Tickets

    Believe it or not, this will most-likely be the biggest expense of your trip.  Tickets to any of the Orlando-area theme parks are not cheap.  Most of the parks usually run anywhere from $85 – $150 per day.  All of the parks use a Marketing plan where the more days that you purchase at a park the cheaper the tickets become per day.  This is to have you stay at that park longer and spend more money with them (Disney, Universal, Sea World and Busch Gardens all use this tactic.). Last year, Disney started using a tier-based ticketing system for their theme park tickets.  This means that tickets will be a different price based on the time of the year that you visit the parks.  Basically, a ticket to Magic Kingdom in January is much cheaper than one for July.  With this, the most expensive time of the year is Christmas time.  Tickets during Christmas week can be as much as 75% more than a ticket for the same park in late January.

    There are ways to save some money purchasing theme park tickets.  There are legitimate business that are authorized by Disney, Sea World, Universal, etc. to sell park tickets.  Also keep in mind, there are quite a few businesses in the Disney World area that are NOT authorized to sell tickets.  Quite a few businesses along US-192 (the main drag outside Disney World) offer to buy your unused tickets.  NEVER BUY TICKETS FROM THESE BUSINESSES!!! The first time that you use a multi-day ticket, you have to scan your fingerprint.  Those tickets are now assigned to that fingerprint!!!  This means that nobody else would be able to use those tickets.  Also, most tickets must be used within 14 days of the first use.  Nothing would be worse than dishing out $1,000.00 to one of these businesses, getting to the gate and your family not being able to get in because the tickets you purchased were invalid and now you have to pay another $1,600.00 for actual tickets.

    Like I said, there are legitimate businesses that are authorized to sell theme park tickets.  Below are some that I have used myself.

    • Disney – Beleive it or not, sometimes purchasing park tickets as a package with a room is cheaper than going through a third-party vendor.
    • AAA/CAAA – AAA will sometimes offer discounted prices to it’s members.  You can also checkout hotel and car rental prices with their Travel Advisors.
    • Undercover Tourist – Undercover Tourist offers some of the best prices for all theme park tickets.  The also offer ticket packages that include free days.  Undercover Tourist also offers Car Rental and Hotel reservations.  I have used Undercover Tourist many times and have never been disappointed.  You can visit them at https://www.undercovertourist.com/  and let them know that DisneyDawgs recommended them.
    • Costco – Costco is suposed to offer good prices for tickets. Since there are no Costco locations in my area and I am not a member, I cannot say whether this is true or not.

    These are some of the businesses that I know and some that I have used.  Please make sure that you purchase your tickets ONLY FROM DISNEY AUTHORIZED RESELLERS!!!

    Scheduling

    So we now have the Airline, Car Rental, Hotel and Theme Park tickets, now comes the most fun and nerve-wracking part of the planning state of the trip.  Setting up an itinerary is important.  The itinerary will setup some guidance for what you are planning to do and see during your vacation.

    If you are staying at a Disney Hotel you will be receiving Disney Magic Bands.  Magic Bands are used to open your hotel room, you are able to set up a credit card and purchase merchandise using the Magic Band and a PIN number.  The FastPass+ system is done through your Magic Bands.  So needless to say, your Magic Bands are quite important.

    Once you receive your tickets to the Disney World Theme Parks, you can add them to your Magic Bands too.  Once you have done this, there are some amazing things that you can now do.

    Making Reservations

    • Dining Reservations – You are able to make reservations up to 6 months before you visit the parks.  Depending on which restaurant or Character Dining Experience you wish to book, you may want to do this right away.  Experiences like “Cinderella’s Magic Table” and the “Be Our Guest” restaurant are very, very difficult to get, yes, even six months out!
    • FastPass+ – If you are staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel you are able to make FastPass selections upto 60 days before your visit (30 days if you are staying at an off-site hotel).  A FastPass allows you to pick a time window where you do not have to wait in the stand-by line to go on an attraction.

    If you are staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel, now is the time to check to see when Disney World has scheduled “Extra Magic Hours” for the four parks.  Extra Magic Hours are for those guests staying on Disney property to enter a specific park at pre-scheduled hours.  Ideally this offers less crowds and shorter ride lines.

    Extra Magic hours are either early morning (7am – 9am) or late night (park close – ???)…  I’ve seen the late night EMH go as late as 3am.

    At this point, you should be ready for your trip.  In our next blog post, we will give you tips on what to do once you are in Orlando.  We really hope that these tips help.  Our family’s first trip would have been so much easier had we known this information.

    After fifteen years of visiting Disney World, we have picked up these tips and tricks to help us have a fun, stress-free vacation.

     

     

  • Magic Kingdom Entrance Upgrade

    The entrance to Magic Kingdom has not been spared in the MASSIVE amount of construction that is being done throughout Walt Disney World.

    Crews are currently rebuilding the bag check area in front of Magic KIngdom so that it will be ready to handle the overflow amount of crowds that are expected in 2021 for Magic Kingdom’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

    Some construction still exists at the TTA, but the majority of the disruptions are focused on the Magic Kingdom side of Seven Seas Lagoon.

  • Success – First step of our Trip Planning is Done!!!

    It took a little longer than we planned, but the first step of our 2020 Disney World trip has been completed.

    The first thing that we do when we are planning a trip is to secure airline tickets from Rhode Island to Orlando.  This used to be the most expensive part of the trip, not anymore.

    So Southwest Airlines opened booking for airfare for April, 2020 and beyond yesterday (October 30, 2019).  We were able to get direct flights from PVD to MCO and MCO to PVD for a pretty good price.  As always, we purchased the early-bird option for an extra fee.  This means that we do not have to sit at the computer 24hrs before our site and hope that we get a good boarding number.  If you do not know, Southwest does not have assigned seating.  This means that seating is first come, first serve and if you do not have a low number on your boarding pass, your party may be separated on the flight.

    Now we have always flown with Southwest and have gotten used to the way that flights are posted and the costs of certain flights at certain times.

    Usually it costs much more to fly home (MCO -> PVD) than to fly down to Orlando.  Also, early morning flights are usually as much as 2.5x the cost of evening flights.  So we usually fly down on a 6:30PM flight, getting into Orlando around 9:30ish and to the resort by 10:30PM.  The same is with the returning flight, we usually do not leave MCO until 6-8PM, getting back into Rhode Island around 11PM and not back into our house until Midnight.

    For some reason, this year is different.  Flying down to Orlando, we were able to get an early flight, a VERY early flight, where we will be in Orlando before most people are in work.  Also, this year, our flight home will cost MUCH less than the one to start our vacation and it is also a very early flight.  The early flight coming home is good because both of my pups and my wife have to be in school the next morning.

    Well, there we go, I guess we can check plane tickets off of our “2020 Vacation ToDo List”, but we still have quite a bit more to do.

    • Plane Tickets
    • Hotel/Resort
    • Theme Park Tickets
    • Car Rental
    • Boarding the Dogs
    • New Clothes for Trip
    • Buy new Disney Trading Pins for girls and wife

    As you can see, there is more for us to do.

    Thanks for visiting our Blog!  Subscribe and we will send an email each time a new post is made or updated.  Again, thank you and have a Magical Day!

  • ‘Disney Genie,’ Coming to Walt Disney World Resort

    Recently announced at D23 2019, “Disney Genie”.  From the description give, the “Disney Genie” is the current Disney World App on steroids.

    According to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek, the Disney Genie will enhance the way that you plan for and experience a trip to Walt Disney World Resort.  It will join other products such as the MagicBand to help rookies and veterans of the parks have a much better experience.

    The Disney Genie will allow you to make custom itineraries based on your interests.  Food, Characters, rides, etc.  The app will also send you notifications of entertainment in the parks that match your interests in real-time.

    It was not mentioned whether the Disney Genie was going to replace the “Disney Parks App” or if it would have the same functionalities such as FastPass+, Mobile Ordering, Unlocking Resort Room Doors, and more.

    I am sure that there are quite a few bugs to be worked out still

     

  • The End of an Era: A Valediction for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”

    The End of an Era: A Valediction for “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”

    After a celebrated two-decade residency at Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon, the curtain is set to fall on one of the park’s most iconic and defining spectacles. “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which premiered on October 1, 1999, to inaugurate the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration, will conclude its nightly run on September 30, 2019.

    While its 1988 predecessor, simply titled “IllumiNations,” first established the tradition of a nighttime spectacular, “Reflections of Earth” has defined the Epcot experience for a generation. Its conclusion marks a pivotal moment in the park’s announced, large-scale transformation. Beginning October 1, 2019, a new, temporary nighttime show titled “Epcot Forever” will debut, serving as an interim production that pays homage to the park’s rich musical history.

    The Show’s Thematic Structure

    “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” is far more than a 12-minute pyrotechnic display; it is a sophisticated, tripartite narrative presenting a symbolic story of our planet. The show’s three distinct movements are:

    1. Chaos: Representing the fiery and explosive creation of the planet, this segment is driven by intense fireworks and powerful flames.
    2. Order: The chaos subsides as the massive “Earth Globe” glides to the center of the lagoon. This movement showcases the history of humanity and the diversity of our civilizations.
    3. Meaning: The globe opens like a lotus flower to reveal a final “Unity Torch.” This climax, set to the soaring anthem “We Go On,” serves as a powerful message of global unity and a hopeful future.

    This entire multimedia symphony is set to a stirring, award-winning orchestral score composed by Gavin Greenaway.

    Technological Innovation

    A centerpiece of the show’s technological achievement is the “Earth Globe.” This 28-foot-diameter sphere was a groundbreaking feat of engineering upon its debut: the world’s first spherical video display system. Featuring 15,000 internal LED clusters, the globe serves as the show’s visual nucleus, displaying a continuous tapestry of images depicting humanity and the natural world. This innovation, combined with choreographed high-pressure water fountains, lasers, and perimeter fireworks, created an immersive 360-degree experience.

    Looking to the Future

    While the impending retirement of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” is a bittersweet milestone for countless Epcot visitors, it signals the dawn of a new era. The forthcoming temporary show and the permanent, technologically advanced spectacular planned to debut in 2020 are integral components of Epcot’s ambitious revitalization.

    Although we bid farewell to this beloved production, the core message of unity and inspiration it championed for twenty years is expected to remain central to the park’s future identity.

  • Dealing With the Crowds at Disney World

    Crowds… If you’ve ever been to any of the Disney parks, you have had to deal with the huge crowds that are in the parks.

    In the past, there were times of the year where the crowds were not as bad.  This was called the off-season.  The off-season was mainly mid-January through mid-February and late August into the first week of October.  During this time the parks were not as crazy as say Christmas week or Spring Break. You would be able to get on attractions fairly quick.

    Unfortunately, the off-season does not exist anymore.  Whether April, December or January you are going to face an obscene amount of people in the parks at any given time.  Even more so now in this era of Disney unveiling a new land or attraction every year or so.

    So how do you deal with crowds and still be able to enjoy a vacation at Disney World?  Below is a list that we have compiled through our experience and from other Disney Bloggers and Message Boards.

    Our Tips

    1. Rope Drop – Get to the parks early.  Rope Drop is the official opening time of the park. Yes, in some areas of the parks, they actually drop a rope to let people in.  Once you have entered the park, head to the very furthest ride from the entrance as quickly as possible. (Magic Kingdom – Thunder Mountain. Epcot – Soarin or Test Track.  Animal Kingdom – Pandora. and Hollywood Studios – Rock n Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror). You will most-likely encounter a very short wait to get on that ride. Most people will try to ride the attractions closest to the entrance.
    2. Extra Magic Hours – If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, check to see if there are “Extra Magic Hours”.  Extra Magic Hours are usually rotated throughout the four parks. They are where guests staying at WDW hotels are allowed in the park before the general public.  EMH are usually 1-2 hours before or after normal park operation.
    3. FastPass+ – WDW parks offer free FastPasses which are basically a reservation for a certain time at a specific attraction.  Your FastPass will allow you to skip the “standby” line for that attraction saving having to wait in some cases over an hour.  You may select 3 FastPasses at the beginning of the day and once you have used those three, you may select additional attractions based on availability.  A benefit to staying at a WDW Resort is that you are able to select your FastPasses up to 60 days before your visit (30 days if you are staying off-site.). Fastpasses for the most popular attractions do run out quickly, so reserve them as soon as you can.
    4. Food – Ordering food anywhere in the parks can be time consuming.  Try to eat at off hours (lunch at 2PM, supper at 8PM, etc), crowds will be much later at those times.  WDW has recently introduced Mobile Ordering through the MyDisney app on your phone.  This program allows you to order and pay for your food ahead of time and, for the most part, it is ready for you to pick up when you enter the Quick Service Restaurant.

    Dealing With the Crowds

    Like we said, no matter when you visit a WDW park, there are going to be crowds.  Here some personal tips for you.

      1. Get Plenty of Sleep: Make sure that you get as much sleep as you can.  You will be walking miles and miles in the Florida heat and humidity.  That alone will take a toll on any unrested individual.  Now add in crowds and you could make yourself miserable very quickly.
      2. Comfortable Shoes: Believe it or not, your shoes could make or break your vacation.  Trust me, if your feet are not happy, you will not be happy and like we said earlier, you will be walking your entire visit to the Park.  I suggest that a light pair of broken in sneakers will make your vacation.  If you are buying new shoes for your trip, make sure to give plenty of time to break them in before you hit the parks.
      3. Take Breaks: The Florida heat and humidity can make you very sick if you do not take care of yourself during your visit.  Even during January and February the parks can get quite warm.  If you are coming from a climate that has 6 feet of snow on the ground and sub-zero temperatures, even a 70°day can knock you for a loop.  Make sure to every now and then duck into one of the air conditioned shops for a few minutes or find a table in one of the quick-serve restaurants and take 5 and get a cold drink and/or snack to recharge you batteries.  Your body will thank you later on in the evening.

    Like we said, no matter when you go to Disney World, there are going to be crowds.  Hopefully the tips that we gave can help ward off some of the frustration that comes with them.  Let us know if you have any tips or tricks that you have for dealing with the crowds.

    We hope that you have a fun and memorable visit to the parks.