I'm fresh off my second visit to the Disneyland Resort in California, and thought what better way to pass the drive back than by sharing some new park touring tips I picked up this week. Like most of my tips, some of these will likely contradict the majority of advice you'll find on the web, but I promise, there is a method to my madness.
1. Go left. Most people tend to naturally favor the right side of anything. Like when Magic Kingdom finally lets the rope drop for the morning crowd, most folks head to either Tomorrowland (for Space Mountain) or Fantasyland (for Peter Pan or the Seven Dwarfs). Very few go left toward Adventureland and Frontierland, which means those areas are virtually empty. No people=no lines. Going left is also a smart move specifically on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction where there are two separate question. The left que is shorter than the right.
2. Hit the less popular attractions first. I know, I know. Everything you've ever read tells you to head immediately to the major attractions (that you don't already have a FastPass for) to avoid a wait. On this trip we tried a different approach. While everyone else was running to Peter Pan's Flight or Space Mountain, we enjoyed several other less popular rides in the same amount of time it would have taken for the one popular attraction. See, you still have to wait in line even when you rush straight to those major attractions (unless you are literally the very first person past the rope drop). Save those major attractions for parade or lunch times when the lines are shorter. Since you've already experienced all the smaller attractions, you're not losing any time. In fact, you've probably got enough for one more Dole Whip run ;)
3. Go solo. Single rider is hands down the most time saving thing you can do. Unfortunately only a limited number of attractions offer it (more do at Disneyland than Walt Disney World), but it should definitely be utilized whenever possible. Single rider means that your party will not be riding side-by-side, but you'll all be able to ride in a fraction of the posted wait time. For example, there was a 60 minute wait for Radiator Speings Racers. My husband and I hopped in the single rider line and we're on the ride in 6 minutes (and we both still ended up in the same car). Walt Disney World rides that offer single rider: Expedition Everest, Test Track, and Rock n Rollercoaster.
4. Catch the late show. If there are two showings of the fireworks or parades during your visit (this happens during peak season mostly), then always go to the latest one. Most folks, especially those with little ones, do the first showing and then leave the park for the night. Take advantage of this by hitting the major attractions that should now have a much shorter wait. Then you can mosey on over for a good show spot without the long camp out.
5. Go off the beaten path. When it comes to parades and fireworks, the so called "best" spots are always insanely crowded and fill up hours before showtime. Personally, I'm to that point where being able to watch in peace is more important than that specific view that everyone else wants. Now, we like to enjoy the shows from a different (and less crowded) perspective. For Illuminations at Epcot, try watching from one of the countries on World Showcase like Italy, America, or Japan (my personal favorite). The crowd over there is viturally non-existent, and you can grab some nearly empty park photographs on the way out. For Wishes, try viewing from Frontierland or Tomorrowland. You likely won't be able to see Tinkerbell, but the fireworks will still be plenty visible. It's even kind of fun to watch from Fantasyland (behind the castle). If you still want the straight on view of the castle, then I recommend the second level of the Main St. train station. There is even seating if you get there early enough.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Monday, July 20, 2015
The Money Debate: Go big? or Go a lot?
As my mom and I were discussing Disney trips this morning, she brought up a great point about the "it's too expensive" debate. The biggest reason most people have for not going is money. Yes, it can be expensive...CAN, but doesn't have to be. I've noticed many people save and save their money and go on one big, luxurious trip. That's great and all, but if you only go once or twice in your life, then you are missing out on so much. Disney is not meant to be experienced that way. It changes CONSTANTLY.
Let me start this off by saying that my family and I do not have money to burn. We have financial struggles just like everyone else. Yes, we visit the Disney parks often (usually at least once every 1-2 years), but our Disney trips are NOT luxurious. We would not be able to go as often as we do if we didn't pinch pennies on every single trip. Instead of spending a ridiculous amount of money on a single visit, why not spend less money on smaller trips and be able to go multiple times? Does that mean you will have to give up certain things like your desired deluxe hotel, dining in certain expensive restaurants, or buying out the souvenir shops? Most likely. But it doesn't mean you won't ever get to do those things. It doesn't have to be "go big or go home." I'd take frequent/multiple visits over my dream vacation any day. I still get to experience all the things on my "dream Disney vacation" list, just not all at once.
We choose one element of each vacation to splurge on. Sometimes it's the hotel, or an expensive restaurant, or other experience like a photo session or tour. For example, we usually choose one new sit down restaurant to try each time (we don't do dining plans to save money). On our most recent trip (we just got back yesterday. Boo!), we chose to splurge for an early character breakfast at Crystal Palace. I've always wanted to be the first into the Magic Kingdom in the morning, so this was my birthday present to myself. So worth getting up early and spending the extra cash on a buffet! For the rest of the trip, we ate two quick service meals per day (we brought cereal bars from home as our breakfast). My husband and I often split one meal, which saved us even more money (many plates are large enough for two people). I brought food for our 1-year old, or he nibbled off our plates. Throughout the day we got FREE water from the quick service restaurants. Yes, I said FREE. All you have to do is ask for a cup (make sure you say cup and not bottle) of water and they'll provide you one at no charge. You can get a cup of ice for free as well.
The hotel is often the most expensive part of a trip (aside from tickets of course). We usually stay in a value resort (they're the cheapest on property). The All-Star resorts are the cheapest. While I really wanted to stay in the Grand Floridian for my birthday, we chose the All-Star Music instead, since the Crystal Palace was our big splurge this time. If you have a little extra cash, the moderate resorts are a great option. We LOVE Port Orleans Riverside! Next time, we are hoping to make the hotel our splurge item and stay at the Polynesian. If you really want to save a ton, you can stay off-property at one of the Disney Good Neighbor hotels (I highly recommend the Clarion at Lake Buena Vista). Although you will have to pay for parking if you drive your personal vehicle to the parks ($17 per car, per park!). Most of the Good Neighbor hotels do offer a shuttle to Disney if you'd like to save the parking fee as well. Once on property, you can use Disney transportation to get everywhere you need to go.
Other things you can pinch or splurge on are your ticket options and length of stay. I would love to be able to stay a full week every time, but you don't have to. We typically stay 3-4 days in the parks, plus two days driving time. We also always include a weekend in our trip. This means that my husband doesn't use up as many vacation days, but we still have one full day for each park. Will you get to do everything in 3 days? Probably not. But that's why you're coming back, right? :) You can also save money by not purchasing ticket options like the water parks (we've only visited the water parks once in 8 years. No real need to go every time unless you're a big water nut), or no expiration (trust me, you'll likely not ever need this one). The one ticket option I can't live without is park hopper, although you can save over $50 per person by not getting it. It's worth every penny of that for us though, especially with a little one.
My favorite splurge item that isn't hotel or food is a Disney photo session. We did a mini session for our maternity photos last year and it was absolutely WONDERFUL (I did a blog post all about it). When our son gets a little older, we'll do another family session as our splurge. These sessions are different from Memory Maker, which is another item you can save money on. We have never purchased Memory Maker because honestly, I don't see a need to. We still use Photo Pass and have all the same photos you get with Memory Maker. I just go through and only purchase the ones I want (I have never wanted all of them). But really, you don't even have to do that. Cast members are more than happy to take a photo with your camera, for FREE. Just have your camera set and ready to go before you hand it off. Photo Pass photographers always take some with my camera, as well as with theirs, so I have plenty of options to choose from.
It's a myth that a Disney vacation is a once in a lifetime trip. Disney vacations are lots in a lifetime trips. Please, PLEASE go more than once. If you don't, you're missing out on a big part of the Disney experience. Go at different times of the year (you'll be amazed at the difference in seasons and crowds), try new things. The parks are always changing and evolving. There's always a new attraction, or show, or maybe even an entirely new park. It's a myth that Disney is unaffordable, or that you can't afford to go often. YOU choose how much you spend. You don't have to go all out to have an amazing time. I have only spent a few hours at Disney before (after a lot of begging on our way to board our non-Disney cruise lol). We spent very little money on that visit, and it was still absolutely AMAZING. Expense doesn't make a trip memorable. It's how you spend your time that counts.
Let me start this off by saying that my family and I do not have money to burn. We have financial struggles just like everyone else. Yes, we visit the Disney parks often (usually at least once every 1-2 years), but our Disney trips are NOT luxurious. We would not be able to go as often as we do if we didn't pinch pennies on every single trip. Instead of spending a ridiculous amount of money on a single visit, why not spend less money on smaller trips and be able to go multiple times? Does that mean you will have to give up certain things like your desired deluxe hotel, dining in certain expensive restaurants, or buying out the souvenir shops? Most likely. But it doesn't mean you won't ever get to do those things. It doesn't have to be "go big or go home." I'd take frequent/multiple visits over my dream vacation any day. I still get to experience all the things on my "dream Disney vacation" list, just not all at once.
We choose one element of each vacation to splurge on. Sometimes it's the hotel, or an expensive restaurant, or other experience like a photo session or tour. For example, we usually choose one new sit down restaurant to try each time (we don't do dining plans to save money). On our most recent trip (we just got back yesterday. Boo!), we chose to splurge for an early character breakfast at Crystal Palace. I've always wanted to be the first into the Magic Kingdom in the morning, so this was my birthday present to myself. So worth getting up early and spending the extra cash on a buffet! For the rest of the trip, we ate two quick service meals per day (we brought cereal bars from home as our breakfast). My husband and I often split one meal, which saved us even more money (many plates are large enough for two people). I brought food for our 1-year old, or he nibbled off our plates. Throughout the day we got FREE water from the quick service restaurants. Yes, I said FREE. All you have to do is ask for a cup (make sure you say cup and not bottle) of water and they'll provide you one at no charge. You can get a cup of ice for free as well.
The hotel is often the most expensive part of a trip (aside from tickets of course). We usually stay in a value resort (they're the cheapest on property). The All-Star resorts are the cheapest. While I really wanted to stay in the Grand Floridian for my birthday, we chose the All-Star Music instead, since the Crystal Palace was our big splurge this time. If you have a little extra cash, the moderate resorts are a great option. We LOVE Port Orleans Riverside! Next time, we are hoping to make the hotel our splurge item and stay at the Polynesian. If you really want to save a ton, you can stay off-property at one of the Disney Good Neighbor hotels (I highly recommend the Clarion at Lake Buena Vista). Although you will have to pay for parking if you drive your personal vehicle to the parks ($17 per car, per park!). Most of the Good Neighbor hotels do offer a shuttle to Disney if you'd like to save the parking fee as well. Once on property, you can use Disney transportation to get everywhere you need to go.
Other things you can pinch or splurge on are your ticket options and length of stay. I would love to be able to stay a full week every time, but you don't have to. We typically stay 3-4 days in the parks, plus two days driving time. We also always include a weekend in our trip. This means that my husband doesn't use up as many vacation days, but we still have one full day for each park. Will you get to do everything in 3 days? Probably not. But that's why you're coming back, right? :) You can also save money by not purchasing ticket options like the water parks (we've only visited the water parks once in 8 years. No real need to go every time unless you're a big water nut), or no expiration (trust me, you'll likely not ever need this one). The one ticket option I can't live without is park hopper, although you can save over $50 per person by not getting it. It's worth every penny of that for us though, especially with a little one.
My favorite splurge item that isn't hotel or food is a Disney photo session. We did a mini session for our maternity photos last year and it was absolutely WONDERFUL (I did a blog post all about it). When our son gets a little older, we'll do another family session as our splurge. These sessions are different from Memory Maker, which is another item you can save money on. We have never purchased Memory Maker because honestly, I don't see a need to. We still use Photo Pass and have all the same photos you get with Memory Maker. I just go through and only purchase the ones I want (I have never wanted all of them). But really, you don't even have to do that. Cast members are more than happy to take a photo with your camera, for FREE. Just have your camera set and ready to go before you hand it off. Photo Pass photographers always take some with my camera, as well as with theirs, so I have plenty of options to choose from.
It's a myth that a Disney vacation is a once in a lifetime trip. Disney vacations are lots in a lifetime trips. Please, PLEASE go more than once. If you don't, you're missing out on a big part of the Disney experience. Go at different times of the year (you'll be amazed at the difference in seasons and crowds), try new things. The parks are always changing and evolving. There's always a new attraction, or show, or maybe even an entirely new park. It's a myth that Disney is unaffordable, or that you can't afford to go often. YOU choose how much you spend. You don't have to go all out to have an amazing time. I have only spent a few hours at Disney before (after a lot of begging on our way to board our non-Disney cruise lol). We spent very little money on that visit, and it was still absolutely AMAZING. Expense doesn't make a trip memorable. It's how you spend your time that counts.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Universal Studios Orlando Tips and Review
The last time I visited Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure had barely begun construction. Back to the Future, Jaws, and the King Kong rides were still the main draws, and Wizarding World of Harry Potter wasn't even a thought. Even though I had been several times as a kid, going into our 1-day, 2-park visit last week, I felt very much green in the ways of Universal.
Prior to our trip, I tried to research Universal tips and tricks on the ever-reliable web. But alas, there just isn't as much info out there as there is for say, a little place called Walt Disney World. So, I made my best educated guesses on crowd levels and wait times, and came up with a very rough touring plan. Because the main (ok, only) reason for our visit was to see the two Harry Potter lands, my plan centered around those attractions. Everything else came second. If WWoHP is not your main draw, then just adjust to what's important to you. Alrighty then, on with the show...
(Side note: I tried my best to be objective throughout our visit, and with this post, but the Disney geek in me always manages to come out and I find myself comparing the two theme park giants in certain areas. Sorry Universal!)
Parking and Entering
Universal makes use of a parking deck for guest parking (I'm guessing due to the limited space). They offered preferred or regular parking (the preferred costing about $7 more). As far as I could tell, the only difference in the two was that the preferred was on ground level and the regular was on the upper levels.
To get to the theme parks, you must go through CityWalk (Universal's version of Downtown Disney). There are huge signs saying "Attractions" that lead you from the parking deck toward the park entrances. Bag check is before you enter CityWalk.
The parks typically open at 9 a.m., although we arrived earlier than that (around 8:45) and went right in without encountering any kind of rope drop or anything. All the attractions seemed to already be open.
Where To Go First
Because Diagon Alley is the newest addition to the parks (it just opened summer of 2014), it is typically the most crowded area. It's only attraction (besides the Hogwarts Express), Escape from Gringotts, also typically has the longest line. We headed straight there and the wait time was already 30 minutes. That would have been great, except the ride had technical issues just as we were about to board, and we ended up waiting over an hour. From talking to others who have visited before me, Gringotts is no stranger to ride delays. Sounds like they still have some bugs to work out. The attraction (when it works) is amazing though! The que, which takes you on a tour through the bank, is equally as awesome. It's incredibly detailed and true to the films, as is the whole Diagon Alley. It's an A+ from this Harry Potter geek!
After Gringotts, we hit a few other attractions in the Universal Studios park (this is the original park. The newest park is called Islands of Adventure). E.T. is a can't miss and one of the original Universal attractions. In all honesty, it's probably still my favorite. The other, newer attractions lack it's storytelling and cohesiveness. We also experienced Men in Black and the Mummy, all with short waits. I'm not sure if this is the norm, or if we just hit the right time of year (January and on a Thursday). We opted to skip the biggest non-Harry Potter attraction, Transformers, but the line didn't appear incredibly long there either.
With our list of Universal must-dos complete, we hopped aboard the Hogwarts Express and headed to Hogsmeade in the Islands of Adventure Park. You MUST have park-to-park admission to ride the train, as you depart from one park and arrive at another. You must scan your ticket and fingerprint before boarding.
Islands of Adventure
The village of Hogsmeade hosts three Harry Potter attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Dragon Challenge. The Forbidden Journey has the longest wait, although we only waited about 35 minutes. It was my favorite attraction of the day. A definite can't miss, even if you aren't a Harry Potter fan!
Other than Harry Potter, we only did one other attraction at Islands of Adventure, and that was the carousel at Suess Landing. It was the ONLY attraction our 7 month old was allowed to ride in either park. That was a big bummer, especially considering that there were several attractions similar to those at Disney (like Dumbo or the teacups) that he is allowed to ride at Disney, but not at Universal. I noticed Universal was much more strict about certain things (such as absolutely NO bags on rides) than Disney. But more on that later.
Islands of Adventure is where you'll find more thrill rides like the Hulk, Jurassic Park, and Dr. Doom's Fearfall. After researching each one (mostly via YouTube POVs), we decided we could skip most of them. As I mentioned, the Harry Potter areas were what we came to see, so we spend 90% of our time there.
The parks both closed at 7 p.m. After doing a little golden hour, pre-sunset photography in Hogsmeade, we walked back to the Universal Studios park (which isn't far at all. The parks are rather small), and headed back to Diagon Alley for some ice cream at Fortescue's and so I could do some nighttime photography. Diagon Alley was amazing during the day, but was even more impressive after dark.
To Express Pass or Not to Express Pass
Express Pass is Universal's version of Disney's FastPass system. At Universal, however, this little pass will cost you extra. Limited passes start at $40 for one park (limited meaning you can only use them once per attraction), or unlimited passes for both parks are $60 (unlimited passes can be used multiple times per attraction). I've never used it, but from what I understand, you can use the pass one time for each attraction that accepts it (if you purchase the one park limited passes), or as many times as you want if you purchase the unlimited. There are no set return times like with Disney's FastPass. Skipping lines always sounds good, but is that extra $40-$60 worth it? From what I saw while we were there, I'd say no. There were no ridiculous wait times for even the most popular attractions, and standby lines moved constantly for everything we rode. Generally speaking, Universal crowds are lighter than Disney crowds on any given day, so I'd recommend saving your Express Pass money for Harry Potter souvenirs (that stuff is outrageous!).
The Great Disney vs. Universal Debate
- No magic bands. This one is probably more of a personal preference of mine, but I love that Universal is still pretty old school in their tickets and park entry. A simple paper ticket and fingerprint scan is all you need. No awkward plastic band around your wrist, or trying multiple times to get it to read at park entry. It was a fabulous step back in time.
- Everything is in walking distance. Both theme parks, as well as CityWalk, are all right beside each other. It's just a short walk between each area, making it very easy to park hop as you please.
Universal Cons
- Not very kid-friendly. If you have very young children or infants, you may want to hold off on your Universal trip until they're older. There just isn't a lot for little ones to do here. All but two attractions have height restrictions (and one of those still doesn't allow infants). Suess Landing and Fivel's Play Area are about the only places for little ones to go, and those spots don't offer much.
- Poor park layout. The layout of the parks is not as smooth as Disney's hub and spokes design. Here, there is no "weenie" and no way to really orient yourself in either park. The theming and storytelling is also very lacking. I noticed several attractions that didn't make any thematic sense in the lands where they were located. In fact, I'd say Universal spent all it's theming and detail on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Less than friendly staff. Maybe it's just because Cast Members have us spoiled, but we found most of the workers at Universal to be not-so-happy in their work. There were a few who were absolutely wonderful and welcoming, but I saw others being a little rude to park goers, especially the ones who couldn't speak very much English.
- Major ride restrictions. Universal doesn't allow any bags or loose items like cameras on any of their rides (or at least the ones we rode). Those items must be stored in free lockers at each attraction. Because the lockers are located inside the que (and most people don't know they have to store their items there), this causes major line disruption and sometimes confusion. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was the worst. It was so crazy in there, we almost got separated and couldn't fine the actual que. I snuck my camera onto Gringotts, but probably couldn't have gotten away with it on Forbidden Journey. They were brutal about that one. These intense restrictions added to staff unpleasantness as well.
- Cost. There's a common misconception that Universal is cheaper than Disney. Let me tell you right now, that couldn't be more false. Everything we saw, from tickets to souvenirs to food, was more expensive at Universal. Think about it. It costs $300 (tax included) for two adult one-day park-to-park tickets at Universal. That's two theme parks for one day. Two adult one-day park hopper Disney tickets cost $285 (tax included), That's admission to four theme parks. See what I mean. You get more bang for your buck at Disney.
In Conclusion
It had been 16 years since we had last been to Universal Studios, and will likely be another 10 before we return. While there are things that I really enjoy about the parks (E.T. and Harry Potter are amazing!), overall it's just not the place for me. As a whole, the parks and attractions lack the storytelling and theming that makes a theme park a THEME park, instead of just an amusement park. I wish they had applied as much thought and care into all areas of the parks as they did into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I had heard that those areas rivaled Disney quality as far as detail and theme, and I can say I wholeheartedly agree.
If you do plan to make a trip to Universal, I'd say one to two days is all you need. There's not really enough to fill up an entire week. If you don't plan to visit the Disney parks at all, consider combining your Universal trip with a stop at Sea World that's just down the road.
As for me, I'm sure I'll return to Universal again someday. Maybe when my son is old enough to read and enjoy the Harry Potter books and begs to see Hogwarts for himself. Until then, I can say I've sipped Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, shopped in Diagon Alley, and survived the vaults of Gringotts, but I'm still a Disney kid ;)
Prior to our trip, I tried to research Universal tips and tricks on the ever-reliable web. But alas, there just isn't as much info out there as there is for say, a little place called Walt Disney World. So, I made my best educated guesses on crowd levels and wait times, and came up with a very rough touring plan. Because the main (ok, only) reason for our visit was to see the two Harry Potter lands, my plan centered around those attractions. Everything else came second. If WWoHP is not your main draw, then just adjust to what's important to you. Alrighty then, on with the show...
(Side note: I tried my best to be objective throughout our visit, and with this post, but the Disney geek in me always manages to come out and I find myself comparing the two theme park giants in certain areas. Sorry Universal!)
Parking and Entering
Universal makes use of a parking deck for guest parking (I'm guessing due to the limited space). They offered preferred or regular parking (the preferred costing about $7 more). As far as I could tell, the only difference in the two was that the preferred was on ground level and the regular was on the upper levels.
To get to the theme parks, you must go through CityWalk (Universal's version of Downtown Disney). There are huge signs saying "Attractions" that lead you from the parking deck toward the park entrances. Bag check is before you enter CityWalk.
The parks typically open at 9 a.m., although we arrived earlier than that (around 8:45) and went right in without encountering any kind of rope drop or anything. All the attractions seemed to already be open.
Where To Go First
Because Diagon Alley is the newest addition to the parks (it just opened summer of 2014), it is typically the most crowded area. It's only attraction (besides the Hogwarts Express), Escape from Gringotts, also typically has the longest line. We headed straight there and the wait time was already 30 minutes. That would have been great, except the ride had technical issues just as we were about to board, and we ended up waiting over an hour. From talking to others who have visited before me, Gringotts is no stranger to ride delays. Sounds like they still have some bugs to work out. The attraction (when it works) is amazing though! The que, which takes you on a tour through the bank, is equally as awesome. It's incredibly detailed and true to the films, as is the whole Diagon Alley. It's an A+ from this Harry Potter geek!
 |
| The signs of Diagon Alley with a Gringotts backdrop. |
After Gringotts, we hit a few other attractions in the Universal Studios park (this is the original park. The newest park is called Islands of Adventure). E.T. is a can't miss and one of the original Universal attractions. In all honesty, it's probably still my favorite. The other, newer attractions lack it's storytelling and cohesiveness. We also experienced Men in Black and the Mummy, all with short waits. I'm not sure if this is the norm, or if we just hit the right time of year (January and on a Thursday). We opted to skip the biggest non-Harry Potter attraction, Transformers, but the line didn't appear incredibly long there either.
With our list of Universal must-dos complete, we hopped aboard the Hogwarts Express and headed to Hogsmeade in the Islands of Adventure Park. You MUST have park-to-park admission to ride the train, as you depart from one park and arrive at another. You must scan your ticket and fingerprint before boarding.
Islands of Adventure
The village of Hogsmeade hosts three Harry Potter attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, and Dragon Challenge. The Forbidden Journey has the longest wait, although we only waited about 35 minutes. It was my favorite attraction of the day. A definite can't miss, even if you aren't a Harry Potter fan!
Other than Harry Potter, we only did one other attraction at Islands of Adventure, and that was the carousel at Suess Landing. It was the ONLY attraction our 7 month old was allowed to ride in either park. That was a big bummer, especially considering that there were several attractions similar to those at Disney (like Dumbo or the teacups) that he is allowed to ride at Disney, but not at Universal. I noticed Universal was much more strict about certain things (such as absolutely NO bags on rides) than Disney. But more on that later.
 |
| Don't expect a grand castle reveal when you round the corner of Hogsmeade. The theme park version of Hogwarts is actually pretty small...But very detailed! |
Islands of Adventure is where you'll find more thrill rides like the Hulk, Jurassic Park, and Dr. Doom's Fearfall. After researching each one (mostly via YouTube POVs), we decided we could skip most of them. As I mentioned, the Harry Potter areas were what we came to see, so we spend 90% of our time there.
The parks both closed at 7 p.m. After doing a little golden hour, pre-sunset photography in Hogsmeade, we walked back to the Universal Studios park (which isn't far at all. The parks are rather small), and headed back to Diagon Alley for some ice cream at Fortescue's and so I could do some nighttime photography. Diagon Alley was amazing during the day, but was even more impressive after dark.
To Express Pass or Not to Express Pass
Express Pass is Universal's version of Disney's FastPass system. At Universal, however, this little pass will cost you extra. Limited passes start at $40 for one park (limited meaning you can only use them once per attraction), or unlimited passes for both parks are $60 (unlimited passes can be used multiple times per attraction). I've never used it, but from what I understand, you can use the pass one time for each attraction that accepts it (if you purchase the one park limited passes), or as many times as you want if you purchase the unlimited. There are no set return times like with Disney's FastPass. Skipping lines always sounds good, but is that extra $40-$60 worth it? From what I saw while we were there, I'd say no. There were no ridiculous wait times for even the most popular attractions, and standby lines moved constantly for everything we rode. Generally speaking, Universal crowds are lighter than Disney crowds on any given day, so I'd recommend saving your Express Pass money for Harry Potter souvenirs (that stuff is outrageous!).
The Great Disney vs. Universal Debate
Oh, you knew this was coming. This being a Disney blog, it shouldn't be hard to guess my preference, but even so, let's do a little comparison just for academic sake, huh?
Universal Pros
- Lower crowd levels. Universal just isn't as popular as Disney, therefore crowds tend to be lower than at the Disney parks. The original Universal Park was almost like a ghost town, except for Diagon Alley. Islands of Adventure was a little more crowded.- No magic bands. This one is probably more of a personal preference of mine, but I love that Universal is still pretty old school in their tickets and park entry. A simple paper ticket and fingerprint scan is all you need. No awkward plastic band around your wrist, or trying multiple times to get it to read at park entry. It was a fabulous step back in time.
- Everything is in walking distance. Both theme parks, as well as CityWalk, are all right beside each other. It's just a short walk between each area, making it very easy to park hop as you please.
Universal Cons
- Not very kid-friendly. If you have very young children or infants, you may want to hold off on your Universal trip until they're older. There just isn't a lot for little ones to do here. All but two attractions have height restrictions (and one of those still doesn't allow infants). Suess Landing and Fivel's Play Area are about the only places for little ones to go, and those spots don't offer much.
- Poor park layout. The layout of the parks is not as smooth as Disney's hub and spokes design. Here, there is no "weenie" and no way to really orient yourself in either park. The theming and storytelling is also very lacking. I noticed several attractions that didn't make any thematic sense in the lands where they were located. In fact, I'd say Universal spent all it's theming and detail on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
- Less than friendly staff. Maybe it's just because Cast Members have us spoiled, but we found most of the workers at Universal to be not-so-happy in their work. There were a few who were absolutely wonderful and welcoming, but I saw others being a little rude to park goers, especially the ones who couldn't speak very much English.
- Major ride restrictions. Universal doesn't allow any bags or loose items like cameras on any of their rides (or at least the ones we rode). Those items must be stored in free lockers at each attraction. Because the lockers are located inside the que (and most people don't know they have to store their items there), this causes major line disruption and sometimes confusion. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was the worst. It was so crazy in there, we almost got separated and couldn't fine the actual que. I snuck my camera onto Gringotts, but probably couldn't have gotten away with it on Forbidden Journey. They were brutal about that one. These intense restrictions added to staff unpleasantness as well.
- Cost. There's a common misconception that Universal is cheaper than Disney. Let me tell you right now, that couldn't be more false. Everything we saw, from tickets to souvenirs to food, was more expensive at Universal. Think about it. It costs $300 (tax included) for two adult one-day park-to-park tickets at Universal. That's two theme parks for one day. Two adult one-day park hopper Disney tickets cost $285 (tax included), That's admission to four theme parks. See what I mean. You get more bang for your buck at Disney.
In Conclusion
It had been 16 years since we had last been to Universal Studios, and will likely be another 10 before we return. While there are things that I really enjoy about the parks (E.T. and Harry Potter are amazing!), overall it's just not the place for me. As a whole, the parks and attractions lack the storytelling and theming that makes a theme park a THEME park, instead of just an amusement park. I wish they had applied as much thought and care into all areas of the parks as they did into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I had heard that those areas rivaled Disney quality as far as detail and theme, and I can say I wholeheartedly agree.
If you do plan to make a trip to Universal, I'd say one to two days is all you need. There's not really enough to fill up an entire week. If you don't plan to visit the Disney parks at all, consider combining your Universal trip with a stop at Sea World that's just down the road.
As for me, I'm sure I'll return to Universal again someday. Maybe when my son is old enough to read and enjoy the Harry Potter books and begs to see Hogwarts for himself. Until then, I can say I've sipped Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, shopped in Diagon Alley, and survived the vaults of Gringotts, but I'm still a Disney kid ;)
Monday, January 5, 2015
Miranda's Top 5 Most Underrated WDW Attractions You've Probably Never Experienced
- O' Canada, Epcot - Epcot has three 360° films on World Showcase. They are all great films, but my personal favorite is O' Cananda, tucked away in the Canada pavilion. When it first debuted, the 360° Circle Vision was AMAZING, and still is pretty neat. Giant screens surround you on all sides, making the breathtaking vistas of the Canadian landscape even more so.
- Temple of Heaven, Epcot - The China pavilion's Temple of Heaven is home to the film Reflections of China (another 360° Circle Vision movie). While the film is great, the real attraction to me is the temple itself. Just walk in and look up. You'll see what I mean.
- Walt Disney World Railroad, Magic Kingdom - Not just an attraction, but a great means of transportation inside the park. With stops at Main Street, Frontierland, and Fantasyland, taking the train is a relaxing (and scenic) way to get from one side of the park to the other. Because the train circles the entire perimeter of the park, you get a different perspective and view of some of the attractions, including an inside view of Splash Mountain.
- Country Bear Jamboree, Magic Kingdom - So it's a little corny...OK, maybe it's a lot corny, but this is a classic everyone should see (especially if you have little ones). The personalities of the animatronic bears are what make the show for me. They are a great example of Disney storytelling at its finest. The music and humor is, like I said, corny, but it still makes you laugh and tap your foot to the beat.
- Walt Disney: One Man's Dream, Disney's Hollywood Studios - This one is easily my favorite on the list. If you have any interest at all in Disney history, you'll love this walk-through exhibit. You'll learn about Walt's humble beginnings, his struggles in the business, and how his amazing dreams became reality. There are also great artifacts like the multi-plane camera, early Mickey Mouse merchandise, and models of theme park attractions. At the end, you can view a short film about Walt that is wonderful (yeah, it makes me cry). Definitely don't miss it!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Tips for visiting the parks during pregnancy
Less than a month after I booked mine and my husband's 5th anniversary trip to Disney World, we found out that our family would be growing by two little feet. Many people thought it was crazy to be going to Disney at 6 months pregnant, but I was more than excited! What a great opportunity to get some beautiful and unique maternity photos, and to just slow down and take time to enjoy the parks. I could not imagine any better way to celebrate!
If you are thinking about planning a trip to the theme parks during your pregnancy, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. For instance, what attractions are safe and not safe to ride, as well as keeping well hydrated. You also need to keep in mind how far along you will be during your trip. Based on my experience, I would not recommend going when you are farther than 24-28 weeks along.
Here are some tips for expectant mothers in the parks, as well as some tips on getting great maternity photos.
1. Pace yourself. As someone who is used to being there when the park opens and going hard all day until closing, I was in for a surprise when I had to try out more benches than normal. Don't be afraid to take a break when you need it. You will be doing a lot of walking, so sometimes a short rest is necessary to catch your breath. Because you will not be able to ride some of the more popular attractions, you will have extra time to sit and enjoy people watching.
2. Try new things. If you are a WDW veteran, this is a great time to try things you've never done before. For example, if there are less popular attractions that you have never experienced (because perhaps time didn't allow it), now is your chance to try it out. If you have odd cravings, now is also a great time to try to restaurants and quick service meals. We ate more than normal on this trip, and really enjoyed trying out new places.
3. Avoid certain attractions. Disney posts health restrictions outside all of the attraction ques. The ones that have an expectant mother warning are: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, the Barnstormer, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Mission Space, Primeval Whirl, Rock n' Roller Coaster, Splash Mountain, Star Tours, Test Track, and Tower of Terror. Kilimanjaro Safaris also has a pregnancy warning, however, after thoroughly researching why, I chose to ride it and was totally fine. The main reason for the warning is because of the bumpy roads. But if you're from a rural town like I am, you probably drive on roads every day that are much rougher than the safari. There are other rides that do not have a warning, but can make some pregnant women sick (if they are prone to it). These are rides like Dumbo, the Mad Tea Party, Aladdin's Flying Carpets, and anything that spins.
4. Drink plenty of water. This is especially true if you are going during hot weather. We were there just a week ago, so we had pleasant Spring weather that wasn't too hot. It's a great idea to carry a water bottle with you and refill it at the water fountains. This is a great way to save money, and Disney water is yummy.
5. Wear the most comfortable and supportive walking shoes you own. This applies to everyone, not just expectant mothers. I highly advise against wearing any type of sandal or flip-flop to the parks. You need shoes with good walking support, otherwise your feet, legs, and back will hurt much more than necessary.
If you are thinking about planning a trip to the theme parks during your pregnancy, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. For instance, what attractions are safe and not safe to ride, as well as keeping well hydrated. You also need to keep in mind how far along you will be during your trip. Based on my experience, I would not recommend going when you are farther than 24-28 weeks along.
Here are some tips for expectant mothers in the parks, as well as some tips on getting great maternity photos.
1. Pace yourself. As someone who is used to being there when the park opens and going hard all day until closing, I was in for a surprise when I had to try out more benches than normal. Don't be afraid to take a break when you need it. You will be doing a lot of walking, so sometimes a short rest is necessary to catch your breath. Because you will not be able to ride some of the more popular attractions, you will have extra time to sit and enjoy people watching.
2. Try new things. If you are a WDW veteran, this is a great time to try things you've never done before. For example, if there are less popular attractions that you have never experienced (because perhaps time didn't allow it), now is your chance to try it out. If you have odd cravings, now is also a great time to try to restaurants and quick service meals. We ate more than normal on this trip, and really enjoyed trying out new places.
3. Avoid certain attractions. Disney posts health restrictions outside all of the attraction ques. The ones that have an expectant mother warning are: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, the Barnstormer, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Mission Space, Primeval Whirl, Rock n' Roller Coaster, Splash Mountain, Star Tours, Test Track, and Tower of Terror. Kilimanjaro Safaris also has a pregnancy warning, however, after thoroughly researching why, I chose to ride it and was totally fine. The main reason for the warning is because of the bumpy roads. But if you're from a rural town like I am, you probably drive on roads every day that are much rougher than the safari. There are other rides that do not have a warning, but can make some pregnant women sick (if they are prone to it). These are rides like Dumbo, the Mad Tea Party, Aladdin's Flying Carpets, and anything that spins.
4. Drink plenty of water. This is especially true if you are going during hot weather. We were there just a week ago, so we had pleasant Spring weather that wasn't too hot. It's a great idea to carry a water bottle with you and refill it at the water fountains. This is a great way to save money, and Disney water is yummy.
5. Wear the most comfortable and supportive walking shoes you own. This applies to everyone, not just expectant mothers. I highly advise against wearing any type of sandal or flip-flop to the parks. You need shoes with good walking support, otherwise your feet, legs, and back will hurt much more than necessary.
Taking Maternity Photos in the Parks
Disney is a perfect place to get unique photos! There is no shortage of beautiful spots around all four theme parks. Because we didn't spend as much time on attractions as we normally do, we had plenty of time to take photos. Here are some tips for doing your own maternity photos in the parks:
1. The classic shot in front of the park icon. The photos that almost everyone gets on every trip are the classic poses in front of Cinderella's Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tree of Life, and the Sorcerer's Hat. All you need to do to make these maternity shots is to place a simple hand on the belly. This draws the viewer's eye to where your bundle of joy is being carried. There are always PhotoPass photographers in these locations. They will be happy to take a photo with your camera, as well as one with PhotoPass.
2. Use props. A pair of baby shoes, a sonogram photo, or even a personalized baby ear hat make great props for maternity photos. You can hold the objects, or place them in the image by themselves. Because we knew we were having a boy, we bought a personalized ear hat and placed it in various locations such as the Partners statue and the monorail, to have some distinctly Disney images.
3. Look for places off the beaten path. World Showcase at Epcot is a treasure trove of photo opportunities. There are tons of places to get great photos that don't necessarily scream "taken at Disney World." My favorite spot is the Morocco pavilion, underneath the archway and around the hidden fountain just to the left. Asia land in Animal Kingdom has lots of interesting walls and doors that provide a great texture for your images. In Magic Kingdom, use the castle wall or the archways in the entrance to New Fantasyland to create a classic look.
4. Meet the characters. Who doesn't love a classic photo with Mickey? Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, you can even get the characters to help you reveal the gender to friends and family, or even make the big announcement that you are expecting. If you plan to do that, be sure to bring a sign or something that makes your announcement, then just ask the character to hold it in your photo.
5. Posing. When doing maternity portraits, I always ask my clients to place at least one hand on their belly in every shot. This draws attention to the very purpose of the photo. You can place one hand on the top of your bump and the other underneath, or just one hand in either location. Also remember to take some shots that are just of the belly, keeping your back all the way to one side of the frame (like we did in the first image on this post). Leaning against a wall is a great classic pose that is very flattering to most anyone. Take a step or two away from the wall and lean back so that your shoulder blades (and not your entire back) are touching the wall. Take the foot that is farthest away from the camera and step in back toward the wall, letting your knees bend slightly. Keeping your weight on that back foot gives you a slimmer figure and really shows off that gorgeous baby bump (See the black and white image above). One last thing: don't forget to take some photos where you are looking down at your belly. This too helps draw the viewer's eye to the focus of the image.
I hope you can find these tips to be helpful on your trip. Don't be afraid of visiting the parks during pregnancy. If you and baby are healthy, there is no reason why you can't have just as much fun as you always do. I loved it so much, that I hope I am able to visit during any future pregnancies!
Taking your Toddler to the Parks
Ever since we found out we were expecting a baby this summer, I have been planning his very first Disney trip. Is it a bit too early? Never! Planning a trip with a little one is a bit different than planning a trip with all adults, or even with older kids. Does that mean you are limited in what you can do? Absolutely not! Disney does everything possible to make bringing your toddler as pleasant and smooth as it can be. After all, this place was built for families right?
In this post, I'll be sharing a few tips and tricks for visiting with toddlers. Keep in mind that my first trip with my own toddler is still about 3 years away, so most of these tips actually come from my mom, who is a pro when it comes to wagging a little tyke around the parks, as well as my own experience actually being a toddler at the parks. (Yes, I remember it very well!) So without further delay, here are my tips for toddlers!
1. What age is the best time for a first visit? This question is one I get asked a lot. The answer is different for every child, depending on their imagination and attention span, but the general rule is anytime after they are potty trained. For most children, this is around 2 or 3 years old. I was 2 1/2 when I had my first visit. My son will be the same age. Some people think this is too young, using the excuse that the child "will not remember it," but this is just what it is: an excuse. I remember every detail of my first visit to the Magic Kingdom (in fact, it's my first vivid memory of life period). Memory is no reason to wait to take your child to the parks. Even if they don't remember it when they are 2, you will. You will remember the magic and light in their eyes during every first moment. That magic dims a little more the older they get. Children age 6 or 7 are not nearly as compelled to believe in make-believe as younger ones. Besides, don't think that you are only going to take your child once in their life. You will probably revisit the parks again and again as they grow.
2. Use a stroller. If you don't think it's worth it, just ask my mom. On my first trip, they opted not to you a stroller for just one day and totally regretted it. There is an insane amount of walking involved in a Disney trip and toddlers will want to be carried for most of it if they are not riding in a stroller. You can bring a stroller from home, or you can rent one from Disney. There is much debate over which option is better. As with anything, it depends on what's right for your family, so I will simply share with you what we are planning on doing. After watching countless tired parents having to lug their big strollers on and off trams, monorails, buses, and boats, it was a no-brainer for us to rent. You can rent single strollers from Disney for just $15 per day (double strollers are available for $31 per day), or you can rent them for the entire length of your stay for $13 ($27 for doubles) per day. Strollers cannot be removed from the parks (a blessing, trust me), so when you are finished at one park and ready to go to another, all you do is return your stroller, go to your next park and show your rental receipt and they will give you a stroller to use there. Easy as that, and great for park hoppers. If you bring a stroller from home, you will be required to fold it every time you get on a tram, bus, or boat. Monorails do not require folding. Every attraction has stroller parking nearby.
3. Get the Park Hopper option on your ticket. This is another one of those things that people debate over. Some say it is a waste of money, but others (like me) couldn't live without it. It's especially handy if you have a toddler. Why? Naptime. If your toddler (or you lol) needs a break to rest during the day, with Park Hopper you can return to your room for a few hours, then head back to the parks later without having to use another ticket day. Park Hopper also allows you to maximize your time and do what you want, when you want. You are not limited to remaining in one place the entire day. With toddlers, variety is a very good thing!
4. Take small snacks. Disney allows you to bring your own food and drinks to the parks (but no coolers), so pack a small baggie of your child's favorite snack to hold them over between meals. You also might want to carry a couple bottles of water. Once your bottle is empty, you can refill it at one of the water fountains. We did this on our last trip and it was very convenient and saved us the extra drink money.
5. Don't push character greetings. This tip comes from a very scared little girl who really did NOT want to meet Tigger as much as he wanted to meet her. Not all kids will love to talk and play with the characters right away. On my first visit, my parents tried to get me to interact with characters like Tigger, Mickey, and Minnie, but I was very shy and scared of them. I was not expecting them to be that BIG! I loved watching them from a distance, but up close meet-and-greets were not my thing yet. I didn't really enjoy the characters until I was 5. Not every child is this way of course. Your child may love the characters. But if they don't, don't try to push it. I know how much you want that classic photo with Mickey, but sometimes you just have to wait until they are ready to come out of their shell.
6. Staying away from loud noises. If your child does not do well with very loud noises, like fireworks, try viewing the show from farther away than normal. At Magic Kingdom, most crowds gather around the statue and hub area in front of the castle. Most people don't realize there is a perfect viewing area from the second level of Main Street Train Station. This is far enough away that the booms aren't so loud, but is still a great view of the entire show. At Epcot, try viewing Illuminations from anywhere on World Showcase. No crowd and a more spectacular view.
7. Rider Swap. Just because your little one is too small to ride the rollercoasters doesn't mean you have to miss out. Disney offers something called Rider Swap. One parent gets in line to ride the attraction and is given a ticket. After they ride, they come back and give the ticket to the other parent who then rides with little to no wait. This way, one parent is always waiting outside with the child. This is very similar to doing the single rider line, which is a super fast and great way to ride the big attractions like Rock n Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, and Space Mountain.
8. See it through their eyes. Don't forget to take an opportunity to see things from your toddler's level. For example, when watching a parade, crouch down to their height and see it from their view. Some of the things you may think are annoying or cheesy are absolutely inspiring to them (ever heard of It's a Small World?). Take the time to enjoy those magical firsts. You won't ever get them back.
In this post, I'll be sharing a few tips and tricks for visiting with toddlers. Keep in mind that my first trip with my own toddler is still about 3 years away, so most of these tips actually come from my mom, who is a pro when it comes to wagging a little tyke around the parks, as well as my own experience actually being a toddler at the parks. (Yes, I remember it very well!) So without further delay, here are my tips for toddlers!
1. What age is the best time for a first visit? This question is one I get asked a lot. The answer is different for every child, depending on their imagination and attention span, but the general rule is anytime after they are potty trained. For most children, this is around 2 or 3 years old. I was 2 1/2 when I had my first visit. My son will be the same age. Some people think this is too young, using the excuse that the child "will not remember it," but this is just what it is: an excuse. I remember every detail of my first visit to the Magic Kingdom (in fact, it's my first vivid memory of life period). Memory is no reason to wait to take your child to the parks. Even if they don't remember it when they are 2, you will. You will remember the magic and light in their eyes during every first moment. That magic dims a little more the older they get. Children age 6 or 7 are not nearly as compelled to believe in make-believe as younger ones. Besides, don't think that you are only going to take your child once in their life. You will probably revisit the parks again and again as they grow.
2. Use a stroller. If you don't think it's worth it, just ask my mom. On my first trip, they opted not to you a stroller for just one day and totally regretted it. There is an insane amount of walking involved in a Disney trip and toddlers will want to be carried for most of it if they are not riding in a stroller. You can bring a stroller from home, or you can rent one from Disney. There is much debate over which option is better. As with anything, it depends on what's right for your family, so I will simply share with you what we are planning on doing. After watching countless tired parents having to lug their big strollers on and off trams, monorails, buses, and boats, it was a no-brainer for us to rent. You can rent single strollers from Disney for just $15 per day (double strollers are available for $31 per day), or you can rent them for the entire length of your stay for $13 ($27 for doubles) per day. Strollers cannot be removed from the parks (a blessing, trust me), so when you are finished at one park and ready to go to another, all you do is return your stroller, go to your next park and show your rental receipt and they will give you a stroller to use there. Easy as that, and great for park hoppers. If you bring a stroller from home, you will be required to fold it every time you get on a tram, bus, or boat. Monorails do not require folding. Every attraction has stroller parking nearby.
3. Get the Park Hopper option on your ticket. This is another one of those things that people debate over. Some say it is a waste of money, but others (like me) couldn't live without it. It's especially handy if you have a toddler. Why? Naptime. If your toddler (or you lol) needs a break to rest during the day, with Park Hopper you can return to your room for a few hours, then head back to the parks later without having to use another ticket day. Park Hopper also allows you to maximize your time and do what you want, when you want. You are not limited to remaining in one place the entire day. With toddlers, variety is a very good thing!
4. Take small snacks. Disney allows you to bring your own food and drinks to the parks (but no coolers), so pack a small baggie of your child's favorite snack to hold them over between meals. You also might want to carry a couple bottles of water. Once your bottle is empty, you can refill it at one of the water fountains. We did this on our last trip and it was very convenient and saved us the extra drink money.
5. Don't push character greetings. This tip comes from a very scared little girl who really did NOT want to meet Tigger as much as he wanted to meet her. Not all kids will love to talk and play with the characters right away. On my first visit, my parents tried to get me to interact with characters like Tigger, Mickey, and Minnie, but I was very shy and scared of them. I was not expecting them to be that BIG! I loved watching them from a distance, but up close meet-and-greets were not my thing yet. I didn't really enjoy the characters until I was 5. Not every child is this way of course. Your child may love the characters. But if they don't, don't try to push it. I know how much you want that classic photo with Mickey, but sometimes you just have to wait until they are ready to come out of their shell.
6. Staying away from loud noises. If your child does not do well with very loud noises, like fireworks, try viewing the show from farther away than normal. At Magic Kingdom, most crowds gather around the statue and hub area in front of the castle. Most people don't realize there is a perfect viewing area from the second level of Main Street Train Station. This is far enough away that the booms aren't so loud, but is still a great view of the entire show. At Epcot, try viewing Illuminations from anywhere on World Showcase. No crowd and a more spectacular view.
7. Rider Swap. Just because your little one is too small to ride the rollercoasters doesn't mean you have to miss out. Disney offers something called Rider Swap. One parent gets in line to ride the attraction and is given a ticket. After they ride, they come back and give the ticket to the other parent who then rides with little to no wait. This way, one parent is always waiting outside with the child. This is very similar to doing the single rider line, which is a super fast and great way to ride the big attractions like Rock n Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, and Space Mountain.
8. See it through their eyes. Don't forget to take an opportunity to see things from your toddler's level. For example, when watching a parade, crouch down to their height and see it from their view. Some of the things you may think are annoying or cheesy are absolutely inspiring to them (ever heard of It's a Small World?). Take the time to enjoy those magical firsts. You won't ever get them back.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Booking a photo session with Disney Photography
.jpg)
Many people don't realize (even I didn't until a couple years ago) that Disney offers one-on-one professional portrait sessions at the theme parks and resorts. Being a portrait photographer myself, I was super excited to book an anniversary/maternity session for my husband and I during our trip this week. We haven't had professional photos made in 7 years!
Compared to what I charge for portraits (and what others charge in my area), these sessions are very expensive. However, we were so extremely pleased with our images and the entire experience that I would say it is well worth every penny.
Portrait Session Options
There are two different types of sessions available: The Mini Portrait Session and the Enhanced Portrait Session. Each type offers different locations and pricing. Here's a closer look at each:
Mini Portrait Session
The Mini Portrait Session is the least expensive option. It is $150 (plus tax) and includes a 20-minute session at one of these Disney resort hotels: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Beach Club, Art of Animation, or Animal Kingdom Lodge. (Theme park locations are not available for these sessions.) At the end of your session, you will sit down with the photographer and view the images on an iPad. You will also receive a flash drive of all the images with copyright releases. These images are straight out of the camera, with no editing whatsoever. If you know someone who can edit them professionally, this is definitely a great value. Here's a side-by-side comparison at the original Disney file and an edited version:
The number of images varies for each session, but ours ended up being about 72. However, there are several duplicates of each pose. In reality, after I edited them, we ended up with only about 20 different poses. While there is not time for outfit changes, you are welcomed to bring props and ideas. We had an ear hat personalized with our son's name that we used for some shots. The entire process, from shooting to viewing, takes about 30-45 minutes.
Enhanced Portrait Session
The Enhanced sessions are more expensive than the mini sessions. The $350 (plus tax) price includes a one-hour session at your choice of any of the resorts, or even Epcot World Showcase during certain times of the year. It also includes a 6x6 proof book and website posting with slideshow. Images from these sessions are professionally edited by Disney. In addition to the main photographer, there is also an assistant and professional lighting equipment present during your shoot. The downside with this session is that no prints or files (except the proof book) are included in the price. All that must be purchased extra. Disney offers four different print packages ranging in price from $75 to $300. You can also purchase large prints (size 11x14 to 24x30) from $120 to $275 each. It isn't listed on the website, but I have read from other Disney bloggers that a CD of the images is available for $100. Looking at Disney's pricing model, this seems extremely cheap so I'm not sure how true this actually is now.
What time should you schedule your session?The best time for a photo session (Disney or otherwise) is during what photographers refer to as "golden hour." This short window of perfect light only occurs during the morning at sunrise and in the evening just before sunset. Our session was at 8 a.m. and we hit morning golden hour perfectly! We were still at the hotel when the session after ours began around 9 and the lighting had already dramatically changed.
How far in advance should you book?
To get the best time slot at your preferred location, it's best to book at least 3 months in advance. If you are going during a busy time (such as Spring Break, summer, or Christmas), you will probably need to book much earlier. I had originally wanted a sunset time, but when I called to book (3 months before), the only availability at our choice resort was the morning slot just two days before the end of our trip. This also brings us to another reason to book early: You will want to do the session as early in your trip as possible (within one to two days of arrival). If you wait until the end of your trip, like we did, everyone will be tired and not in the mood for pictures.
What should you wear?
This can depend on your location, but generally keeping it simple is always the best way to go. Avoid shirts with large logos or writing, or very bright neon colors. Decide whether you want something casual or dressy and keep everyone's outfits in that style. Once you decide your location, look up photos of the area online to be able to see what colors would look best with your setting. We chose the Grand Floridian which is mostly white and rust colors. I decided on a navy dress for contrast, and my husband wore a white button down with khakis, which seemed to compliment the scenery well.
Which type of session is best for small children?
If you are planning a family session with small children, it may be best to do the Mini Portrait Session. As a children's portrait photographer, I can tell you from experience that a child's attention span for photos is very short. They will not be nearly as excited or interested in getting them done as you are. The 20-minute session is a perfect amount of time to get great images before the little ones start getting bored.
I'll leave you with some more (edited) images from our session. If you want to see more examples at different locations, you can visit the Disney Fine Art Photography website and browse through their galleries.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)