Disney Site Tour - Part 1

I got to go on a 5 hour tour today of a few different resorts at Walt Disney World. Although I've stayed at 2/3 of them, it was nice to see the different room types, and all the updates that have been made recently. Of course, it was also a huge plus that I got to see all the amazing Christmas decorations that are up around the resorts. Here is the tree at Art of Animation, isn't it fun? 

Since pictures usually speak louder than words, I'll go ahead and post most of the pictures I took today. Please note, I took them all with my iPhone, while on the move. 

Finding Nemo Suites:

Pull out sofa, sleeps 2

"Master Bed" 

Kitchenette 

Shower

Dining Table/Murphy Bed 

Next, we cut through Pride Rock to visit one of the standard Little Mermaid rooms.

2 Queen Beds

Shower

Wall Art

 

Stay tuned for Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney's Yacht and Beach Club.

 

Disney's 'Descendants' Stars Visit Magic Kingdom for Christmas Parade

The stars of the Disney Channel Original Movie "Descendants" were at the Magic Kingdom today filming this year's "Disney Parks Unforgettable Christmas Celebration".  Stars Cameron Boyce, Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, and Booboo Stewart took a quick break to pose for a photo in front of the castle.  The cast preformed "Rotten to the Core" from the movie and were wearing their original costumes.

The Christmas special airs on ABC Christmas Day.  

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2015 Commemorative Merchandise

This Sunday kicked off the first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party of 2015 at Magic Kingdom.  Each year, there are special items that are only available for purchase during the event, at specific locations.  We've got the inside scoop and want to show you some of the merchandise, and where you can find it.

One of last years most popular items was the Christmas MagicBand.  There is a new limited edition that was released on November 8.  It retails for $29.95 and can be found at the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.

Several Disney pins were created and released especially for the event, including a limited edition pin with Huey, Dewey, and Louie available only to Annual Passholders.  Pins can only be found at Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland.

There are a few varieties of t-shirts, for adults and kids. There is an annual passholder exclusive t-shirt as well.  There is also a decorative ornament, and a phone case that can be personalized (available at the new D-Tech location in Tommorrowland Light & Power Co.)

Here's the locations of the best places to find each item at the Magic Kingdom Park during the party.

Emporium - Main Street U.S.A. (apparel, MagicBand, ornament)

Frontier Trading Post - Frontierland (pins)

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe - Liberty Square (apparel)

Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. - Tomorrowland (D-Tech on Demand case)

Remember, all items are only available while supplies last.  Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held on select nights, November 8-December 18, and is a special ticketed event.  

New Walt Disney World Offers

A few new offers were released to the public today.  If you have been thinking about booking a trip, now would be a great time!  Here's a breakdown of the current offers:

Play, Stay, Dine

With the Play, Stay, Dine offer you can save up to $500 on a 5-night/6day Walt Disney World Vacation room, ticket and dining plan package for a family of four at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for stays most nights December 13-19, 2015 and January 2-March 7, 2016 when you book September 28-December 23, 2015.

Booking Window:
Sept 28.-Dec 23, 2015

Travel Window:
Dec 13-19, 2015
Jan 2- March 7, 2016

• Save $300 on a room, ticket and Quick Service Dining Plan package at a Value Resort hotel.
• Save $500 on a room, ticket, and Disney Dining Plan package at a Moderate or Deluxe Disney Resort hotel.
• Minimum 3-night length of stay

As always, there are rules and exclusions: The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.  Sample package savings based on 2 adults, 1 junior and 1 child for a 5-night/6-day room, ticket and dining plan package.  Savings based on a non discounted price for the same package.  Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.  Offer excludes campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Bay Lake Tower, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Art of Animation Resort- Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort- French Quarter, Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside (December dates only).

Disney Junior Offer

Take your little ones on a perfectly sized Walt Disney World Resort family getaway and receive a Disney Junior Park Pack.  Book this offer for arrivals Jan. 2 through April 13, 2016 with a minimum 3-night, 2-day room and ticket package and receive a great savings and a Disney Junior Preschool Park Pack! (Pack received at check-in)

What's included in the Park Pack?
The Disney Junior Park Pack is a small bag that includes a few fun activities for little ones.  It contains kid-friendly goodies from:

• Disney Junior
• Disney Publishing
• Walt Disney Records
• GoGo squeeze

Booking Window:
Sept 28-Dec 23, 2015

Travel Window:
Most nights January 2-April 13, 2016

Early 2016 Room Offer

Save up to 25%* on rooms at select Walt Disney World Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resort hotels for stays most nights Jan 2-April 13, 2016 when you book Sept 28-Dec 23, 2015

Booking Window: 
Sept. 28-Dec. 23, 2015

Travel Window:
Jan 2-April 13, 2016

Offer exclusions: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Art of Animation Resort - The Little Mermaid Standard View Room

Go take a look at your calendars and get in touch with us for a quote!  If you are planning on participating in the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, the Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend, or the Star Wars Half Marathon - The Dark Side these race weekends fall withing the travel windows!  Why not plan a trip to the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival? Also, don't forget that this year is the last year for the Osborne Lights at Hollywood Studios.  There are so many wonderful things going on at the Walt Disney World Resort in the upcoming months,why not plan a trip to come check them out?

Be Our Guest Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The rumors are true, starting March 20, 2015 Disney will be launching a test for Breakfast at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom.  They will begin taking reservations starting tomorrow, March 17, 2015 for dates March 20-June 18, 2015.  The prix fixe breakfast will be offered from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. daily.

They are calling the breakfast a “fast casual breakfast”.  The French-inspired breakfast menu will include pastries, cured meats and cheeses, eggs Florentine, vegetable quiche, and more.  Plus, you’ll be able to try out a Croissant Doughnut, a fried doughnut topped with banana caramel sauce, chocolate ganache and whipped cream.  The Kids menu will include choices from brioche French toast, scrambled eggs, fruit crepes, in addition to cereal and oatmeal.

You can make reservations by logging into your My Disney Experience, calling (407) WDW-DINE or have your trusty Travel Agent do the work for you.  Advance reservations are encouraged. The Disney Dining Plan will be accepted.

New Parade and Fireworks Viewing Areas at Magic Kingdom

We've all been waiting to see what it's going to look like when they take down the walls that have be scattered around the "hub" at Magic Kingdom Park.  Many of the walls have finally come down, revealing new sections of the Central Plaza area between Main Street U.S.A. and Cinderella Castle.

You will now be able to schedule Disney Fastpass+ reservations to view the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks, and Parades from these new sections.  

We will continue to see some walls, and construction, as the completion of these new sections is just the first milestone in a multi-phase project that includes the addition of sculpted gardens, new pathways and expanded restaurant seating.

We can't wait to sit on the grass and just enjoy the scenery.

Villains Unleashed Event at Disney's Hollywood Studios

'Villains Unleashed' Event 

Disney Parks Blog announced yesterday that there will be a special one night event held at Disney's Hollywood Studio's on August 23, 2014.  Over 50 Disney villains will invade Disney's Hollywood Studios as part of this separate ticket event.  Some of the night's special events include: 

"Hades Hangout & Dance Party"

"Oogie Boogie's Variety Show"

Star Wars villain zone

"Villainy In The Skies" a new fireworks spectacular

A Villain-inspired pre-show to "Fantasmic"

Face Painting

Special Food & Beverages

Special Event Merchandise

And of course, some of the most popular rides will be open and available to enjoy - The Twilight Zone-Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, and Star Tours.

Guest will be encouraged to dress up and show their Disney villain side.  

The party will require a separate ticket for admission (similar to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party).  Adult ticket prices are $67 plus tax and children ages 3-9 are $62 plus tax.  Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can book their tickets now.  All other guests can book their tickets beginning June 9.  To book, call 407-939-1933 for APs and 800-800-9800 for DVC Members.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom

Party dates for 2014's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party have been released and tickets are now on sale.  The Party dates, prices and discounts are:

Date	Adult/Child Advance Purchase	Adult/Child Annual Pass and DVC Member Discounts	Day of Prices
9/1	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/9	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/12	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/14	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/16	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/19	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/21	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/23	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/26	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
9/28	$62/$57	$58/$58	$68/$63
10/2	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/3	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/5	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/9	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/10	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/13	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/16	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/17	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/19	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/21	$62/$57	$64/$59	$71/$66
10/23	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/24	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/26	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/28	$62/$57	N/A	$71/$66
10/30	$71/$66	N/A	$71/$66
10/31	$77/$72	N/A	$77/$72

* Please note that specially priced tickets must be purchased in advance.  Passholders may purchase discounted tickets for themselves and up to three guests.  DVC Members may purchase discounted tickets for themselves and up to five guests.

What is Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party?  It's one of the coolest events at Walt Disney World! The Magic Kingdom closes at 7pm on scheduled party days, and opens to Party ticket holders from 7pm-12am, however in the past, they have allowed Party guests to enter the park at 4pm.  Guests are not only permitted to dress up in costume, they are encouraged to.  There is a special parade "Mickey's 'Boo-to-You' Halloween Parade, that is lead by the Headless Horseman, and there are trick-or-treat stations are set up throughout the park (don't worry, if you forget a bag, there are free bags provided).  My personal favorite, is the special fireworks show "HalloWishes"..it's AMAZING!  Of course there are lots of characters around the park for meet & greets - some are wearing their own Halloween costumes. There's a Villain's party, where you'll get to meet some of you favorite villains.  Other special characters you'll have the chance to meet are the princes with their princesses, all seven dwarf's together...you might even meet some hitchhiking ghosts..

It's truly a fun experience for the entire family. 

Free Dining for Disney Visa Card Holders

The 2014 Disney Visa Card Holder Free Dining promotion has been released!  

If you are planning a Walt Disney World Vacation in the fall of 2014, there is a good chance you may qualify for free dining.  The 2014 Vacation Dates are:

• August 31-October 3
• October 26 - November 1
• November 9 - November 20
• December 12 - December 23

If you book a Magic Your Way vacation package for at least three nights, and purchase a minimum of two days of theme park tickets and are planning on staying at a qualifying Disney Value Resort - 

• Disney's Pop Century
• Disney's Art of Animation Suites
• Disney's All-Star Music Resort
• Disney's All-Star Sports Resort

 You will receive Disney's Quick Service dining plan (2 Quick Service, 1 Snack Credit per night), for FREE!  You can always upgrade to the basic dining plan (1 Table Service, 1 Quick Service, 1 Snack Credit per night), just let us know that's what you'd like to do!

If you would like to qualify for free Basic dining (1 Table Service, 1 Quick Service, 1 Snack Credit per night), simply book a Magic Your Way vacation package for at least three nights, and purchase a minimum of two days of theme park tickets and stay at one of the qualifying Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts -

• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney's Fort Wilderness Cabins

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney's Polynesian Resort
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge
• Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
• Disney's BoardWalk Inn

• Disney's Beach Club Villas
• Disney's BoardWalk Villas
• Disney's Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary
• Disney's Old Key West Resort
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas

The following are excluded from the offer: Campsites, 3-bedroom villas at Disney Vacation Villa Resorts, Disney's Art of Animation Resort Little Mermaid Rooms, Disney's All- Star Movies Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter and Riverside and The Villas at Disney's Grad Floridian Resort & Spa.

This offer will be released to the general public on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.

Saving for Disney

We recently wrote a featured article for the Port Jefferson Macaroni Kid website.  Since we've been a bit behind on updating our blog here, we figured we would share these great tips on saving for your Disney vacation...You can view the article by clicking here.

Disney Visa Perks - Private Character Meet 'N' Greet

Did you know that there are special perks for Disney’s Visa card from Chase?  As a cardmember, you and your family can experience extra perks every time you visit Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, or Disneyland Resort.  

My favorite perk is the Character Meet ‘N’ Greet at the Private Cardmember Location.  If you are headed to Walt Disney World, be sure to stop by the Innovations West building at Epcot.  If you head to the back of the building, between 1PM and 7PM and you’ll find a special roped off section where you and your family can line up to be part of an exclusive Meet ‘N’ Greet with some of your favorite Disney Characters.  Who’ll you’ll meet is always a surprise until you are allowed behind the curtain, but it’s usually at least 2 of the “Fab Five”.  

When you join the line, you’ll be asked by a cast member to show your Disney Premier Visa Card or Disney Rewards Visa Card in order to enter.  Once it’s your turn to go behind the curtain, make sure you have your autograph books and photo pass card ready.  There will be a photo pass photographer who will take several photos of you and your family with the characters. They will give you a special voucher with the last four digits of your Visa on it to hold onto.  Make sure you put it someplace you won’t lose it, so that you can take it to the Photo Center on your way out of Epcot for a free 5x7 print.

In addition to the Character Meet ‘N’ Greet, the Disney Rewards Visa Card offers the following year round perks:

• Earn 1% or 2% (depending on what card you have) in reward dollars on card purchases
• 10% off on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at DisneyStore.com and Disney Store locations.
• 10% off on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at select locations at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort
• 10% off on select dining locations at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort
• 20% off non-discounted price of select guided tours at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort
• Special vacation financing
• $50 Onboard Credit on a Disney Cruise

There are often “Limited-Time Offers” as well.  For example, at the time of this writing, cardholders can order an exclusive cardmember pin.  Also, at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival there is a special lounge open just for Chase Cardmembers where you can recharge your phone, get complimentary soft drinks, or just put your feet up and relax for a little while.