Disney in February = LOVE!!!

Hi gang! We're back from our trip (although against my will ;) and let me just say that February is an AWESOME time to visit! Our weather was perfect; the crowds were light; and we only missed one attraction due to refurbishment. I took about 2,000 photos. Needless to say, I'm still going through and working on them, but you can see them all as I post them on my Flickr photostream.
For now, I thought I give you my review of traveling during the "value season" at Walt Disney World. Overall, I was very impressed. All the great things I had heard and read proved true, and some of the not-so-good things turned out to be wrong (at least for us). Let me break it down into the most notable pros and cons:

Pros
*Weather - We had absolutely PERFECT weather! It was about 80 during the day and about 65 to 70 at night. It wasn't miserable hot or freezing cold either. On our third day, it was overcast which made for a really comfortable day. This was also the first time I've ever been when it didn't rain at all during our stay. For Florida that's a rare occurance indeed!

*Crowds - This is probably what I was most impressed by. We arrived at Magic Kingdom around mid-morning on our first day. Usually by then Main St. is so packed you can't move. I was pleasantly surprise to find it fairly empty! We took our time taking photos without worry of getting run over. Then we headed to Peter Pan's Flight, where I'm used to wait times of an hour or more. We only waited about 10 minutes! The next day we went to Animal Kingdom and rode Expedition Everest twice in less than 30 minutes. Our longest wait time was for Space Mountain, where we waited about 30 minutes (I've waited an hour and a half before). I also noticed a big difference when it came to the firework shows. We had spectacular spots for both Epcot and Magic Kingdom without getting there super early.

Characters - I'm not sure why, but apparently this time of year is a great time to meet some rare characters. We met Pocahontas, the Evil Queen, Mary Poppins, Thumper, Chip and Dale, Pluto, Phineas and Ferb, Tinkerbell, Goofy and Max, Pooh, Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters, Woody, Buzz, Mickey, Minnie, and my favorite: Peter Pan! We also saw several other characters that I had never seen do meet-and-greets before. The lines were also fairly short, so it was easy to meet several of them quickly. Sometimes we didn't even have to stand in line at all.

Cons
Refurbishment - When doing research, this was just about the only con that kept popping up, although for us, it wasn't much of one. There was a lot of refurbishing on Main Street, with several of the buildings being covered in construction wrap, but all the main attractions were still open. The only thing that was closed that we wanted to do was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, so the whole refurb thing didn't affect us much.

Seasonal show and parade cancellations - While refurbisment wasn't an issue, this was. Fantasmic does not show this time of year, and for the week that we were there, Main St. Electrical Parade wasn't showing either. This really bummed me out, as they are two of my favorite things. On the bright side, we were able to get in bed a little earlier on a couple of nights.

So there you have it. Would I plan another trip for February? You bet! Other than October, it's probably my new favorite time to visit. The pros definitely outweigh the cons (and did I mention it's cheaper too!). Until next time, I'll leave you with one of my favorite shots from Wishes. See ya real soon!

Miranda

Tickets? Check. Hotel? Check. Tootbrush?...Uhhh...

Eeeeppp!!! Just one week until I'm back, zooming across Space Mountain, dodging the yeti on Everest, and speeding around Test Track. Wow, those 100 days went by fast! Now we're getting down to crunch time. This is the part of planning where you "dot your i's and cross your t's." Everyone has their own way of doing things, but here's my "Week Before" checklist. 

#1. Vouchers and Reservation Information

About a month or so before your vacation, you will receive a packet in the mail of maps, brochures, vouchers and details about your reservation (see my "Magical Mail" post). Be sure you hang on to this packet, especially your voucher book. If you flip through it, you'll see that one of the very first vouchers is for your hotel room. You'll need to bring this with you when you check in. You can use the other vouchers throughout your visit. It's also not a bad idea to hold onto your reservation confirmation number. Although I've never had an occasion come up where I needed it, I always like to have it on hand just in case.

#2. Double-Check the Park Calendars

It's always a good idea to take another look at the park calendars on the website as your vacation date approaches. Disney has been known to move things around a bit. For example, I had planned on us watching the Main Street Electrical parade on our last night. But last week when I went to confirm the start time on the calendar, I noticed that the showing for that night had been canceled, as were all the showings for that week. Needless to say, I was totally bummed, but now I can adjust our schedule to allow time for other attractions.

#3. Check the Extended Weather Forecast

This probably won't surprise you, but I am one of those silly people who gets so anxious that I'm packed a week in advance. LOL All that effort would probably go to waste though, if not for that ever-helpful extended weather forecast. As soon as it's available, I check the weather for Lake Buena Vista, Florida during the dates of our trip. (FYI: Disney World is not actually in Orlando. It's just a few miles outside the city in beautiful Lake Buena Vista :). This time I was happy to see highs were all in the upper 70s and lows were in the upper 50s/low 60s. AWESOME Disney weather!

#4. Don't Forget the Snack Bag!

This one is another tip I learned from my super-resourceful Mom. Snacks and drinks in the park are expensive! Just one bottle of Coke can cost you nearly five bucks. If you don't purchase the dining plan (and we didn't), then it's never a bad idea to pack a cooler of drinks and easy snacks. Feeding the whole family inside the parks for three meals a day can be very pricey, so we usually opt for a parking lot picnic in the back of the car. My mom always packs a cooler full of drinks and sandwich meats for lunch and a snack bag of cereal bars and muffins for breakfast. That way, the only meal we had to worrying about buying was supper. Trust me, it saves a LOT of money, and it gives you a little break from the crowds without having to go all the way back your resort. 

And of course, don't forget your toothbrush! LOL But if you do, don't worry, Disney's got ya covered ;).

See ya real, real soon!

Miranda

Magical Mail

There's nothing like going to the mailbox to find Mickey's face smiling back at you. I call it "magical mail." No matter how horrible my day has been, opening mail from Disney always makes me smile. But when that mail is concerning my very soon-to-be visit back, that grin gets even bigger.
When I got home yesterday from a nearly 6-hour photo shoot, I found two such envelopes waiting for me. My sister-in-law, Kayla (who is also my ever-handy photo assistant) and I both squealed with delight. What we had received was the first "welcome" package from Disney. Guests receive it shortly after booking their vacation, usually in about a month. I've mentioned this packet in one of my earliest posts, but in case you missed it, here's a look at what kinds of goodies you get.

• In the first envelope (top of the picture), you'll find park maps and a personalized booklet filled with details about your resort, dining plan options and special tips for your family. The last page also has a ready-made note card to record all your reservation information.
• The second envelope (bottom right) contains all of the vouchers you receive when you book your stay at a Disney World Resort hotel. These vouchers include everything from a free round of mini-golf, to restaurant discounts, jetski rentals, arcade points, spa services and merchandise discounts. But the most important voucher is the very first one which details your hotel reservations. This is the first voucher you'll use. When you check in at your resort hotel, be sure to tear it out and take it with you.
• Also included in the second envelope are luggage tags (bottom left) for everyone in your party. They change the look of these every year, but they are always so adorable. It adds that little touch of magic to even the most boring old suitcases.
• One other piece of magical mail I received (not pictured) is something kind of new that Disney has started doing. Now when you book a vacation, you'll receive a card in the mail with a personal URL. Type the URL into your browser and you'll find custom tips and suggestions for your vacation. You can also keep track of all your reservation information on this page. It's pretty neat to have your space on Disney's piece of the web.

See ya soon!
Miranda

A little note from the heart...

As I sit here less than a month away from my 15^th visit to Walt Disney World, I feel all kinds of sentimental nostalgia toward my favorite place on earth. The closer it gets, the more I think about it, the more I talk about it, and the more I reminisce about every happy moment I’ve spent there throughout my life.

Some people just don’t get it. They can’t understand how a 24-year-old could still be so much in love with something that most people lose interest in by the age of 10. Why do I love Disney so much? It’s something that’s kind of hard to explain, but today I’ve decided to try.

First of all I have to say, I think it’s different for me than it is for most people I know. Most of them didn’t grow up with it the same way I did, visiting the parks every Spring for the better part of their childhood. I know I am extremely blessed to have been able to do that. My children probably won’t get to do that, although I will do everything I can to take them as often as possible. I love my mom and dad to pieces for everything they did to give me unforgettable childhood memories.

Now on to a few of the reasons why I am, and will always be, a Disney kid.

#1: Magic is real.

You can’t see the face of a three-year-old as they meet Mickey Mouse or Cinderella for the first time and say that magic doesn’t exist. If there is one thing I’ve learned from my Disney adventures, it’s that magic lives inside all of us. It’s not something that can be seen or touched. It’s something you feel in your heart, and it will be there as long as you believe in it. To a child, Mickey isn’t a cartoon character, he’s a real friend; Cinderella really does live in the highest room of the highest tower of the castle; and “happily ever after” is not a dream, but an everyday reality. Children can feel the magic no matter where they are, but at Disney World, they can really live in it.

#2: Every day is an adventure.

While most kids were sharing stories about their trip to the beach or the mountains over Spring break, I would tell about zooming into outer space or riding on a runaway mine train or traveling all over the world in less than an hour. It sounded crazy, but I wasn’t exaggerating because it really felt that way. The difference between a Disney park and any other theme park is the incredible attention to detail that Disney puts into every attraction. When you step onto a pirate ship on Peter Pan’s Flight you really feel like you’re flying over Neverland. When you hop on the train at Expedition Everest, you really feel like you’re running from a yeti. When you eat lunch under the Eiffel Tower at the French pavilion, you really feel like you’ve been to France. You can do things on a Disney vacation that you can’t do on any other kind of vacation. But then again, it’s not really a vacation… It’s an adventure you never forget.

#3: That feeling.

There’s something that happens to you the first time you walk through the gates at Magic Kingdom. It’s something unexplainable, a feeling that you can only get at that moment. It’s different for everyone. For some, it’s pure excitement; for others, it’s like being a kid again. But for me, it’s like coming home. For someone who’s never really fit in anywhere, those streets and passageways are like a sanctuary. At Disney World, everyone is welcomed with open arms; everyone belongs. Cast members go out of their way to make each guest feel special and appreciated. Everyone is given the opportunity to shine, no matter who you are. Of all the places I’ve ever been, Disney World is the only place where I seem to truly relax and be happy. Once I’m on Disney property the rest of the world melts away. I’m not worried about work or bills or any other part of everyday life. I just get that feeling, and I’m home.

See ya real soon!
Miranda

A little Disney magic makes Christmas even better :)

Hi gang! Sorry I've been M.I.A. for the past couple months, but it's been that time of year and well, you know how it is. Even has hectic and crazy as the season can be, this year I couldn't resist taking the time to make it extra magical for my sisters-in-law. For their Christmas gifts, I knew I wanted to get them something for our trip, but everything I thought of just didn't seem quite special enough for that first time visit. Then it hit me: Why not put together a pack of Disney World essentials? A Disney Survival Kit sprinkled with love and advice from an older sister and WDW veteran :). Inspired by all the tiny, extra magical Disney touches, the gift became a piece of art. I think I had as much fun making it as they had opening it.
So if you're looking for some creative ways to get your kids even more excited for a Disney trip, or if you just want the magic to start right away, maybe this will give you some ideas. It was definitately a big hit with Kayla and Ashley. I think they are still wearing their Minnie Mouse boggins!


I decided to use a Neverland theme to tie all the parts of the gift together. I found a treasure chest at Hobby Lobby big enough to hold everything and painted the outside and inside of the lid. I also attached tags to each item inside, with a poem explaining why it was in the box.

When the girls opened the chest, the first item they pulled out was an envelope filled with customized maps of all four theme parks. You can order them from the Disney World website personalized with your favorite attractions lists. And best of all: they're FREE! Once you've ordered them, Disney will mail them to you in about 3 weeks.

Next, they found two Mickey ear pens (one of my favorite souvenirs) and an autograph book, as well as two disposable cameras.

 

Since we're going in Feburary, I wanted to get them something cute to keep warm with. I found adorable Minnie Mouse boggins at Wal-Mart and paired them with some plain black gloves.

The last surpise took me almost a month to complete. I had seen some "I'm going to the Walt Disney World Resort" T-shirts on the Disney Store website and loved them for a gift idea, but I really didn't like the ones from the store, so I made my own :). I bought two plain shirts at Hobby Lobby and a special paint medium to make my acrylic paints suitable for fabric. (You can also use ready-made fabrice paint, but I wanted more control over my colors and I have TONS of acrylics already.) For the front of the shirt, I painted an artsy version of Cinderella Castle on a background of paint-splatter fireworks, based on my own "Wishes" painting. On the back, I painted Mickey ears and "Disney Bound!"

The best part was seeing their faces when they first opened it. It's that look of magical anticipation, and I can't wait to see it again the first time they walk down Main St. at the Magic Kingdom. If it's possible, I think they are even more excited now! Seeing them excited makes me excited. I'm so glad I could bring a little Disney magic to their Christmas morning.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Miranda

Planning Step 4: What time is the 3:00 parade??

Now that we've got all the major decisions out of the way, it's time for the fun part. This is my favorite part of the planning process, but for some (especially first-timers) it can seem a little daunting. You've got all these days and nights to live in the magic of Disney, so how are you going to spend them?
The first step I take to answering this question is to take a look at the calendars for each park. (You can view them on the Disney World website several months in advance.) You can view the times for major entertainment events (i.e. fireworks and parades) in the parks by clicking on any date on the calender. Opening and closing times are also listed, as well as Extra Magic Hours.

Here are the direct links to the calendars for the four major theme parks:
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom

I always jot down the days and times for each firework show and parade in each park so that I can make a quick reference to it later. Not every event happens every day. For example, Wishes and the Main St. Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom only happen on select nights.
The first event I schedule is Wishes. It is my favorite event at the parks, and I always love to save it for that very last night. It makes for a sort of grand finale to a great vacation. If possible, I also like to schedule Wishes for a night when the Electrical Parade happens right before the fireworks. That way, you get both events back-to-back. This most typically happens on weekend nights. This will be the case for us on our next trip, as our last night will be a Saturday night.

From there, I decide which days I want to do catch the other events. If you have the Park Hopper option on your ticket, you can visit one park during the day and then catch the nighttime fireworks at a different one. We are going to do that on our first day on our February trip. After arriving, we'll head to the Magic Kingdom first. After lunch we'll go over to Epcot and enjoy the attractions before ending the night with Illuminiations. The Fantasmic show at the Hollywood Studios does not show in February, so we will have the other two nights to enjoy extremely short attraction lines while everyone else is grabbing their spots for the fireworks.
During the day, three of the parks have parades at 3 or 4 p.m. These parades are daily, so you have plenty of flexibility in choosing which days you want to see each parade. As for us, we will be seeing Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom on our second day and the Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade at Magic Kingdom on our last day. We're skipping the parade at the Hollywood Studios and instead, taking advantage of the shorter attraction lines during that time.
By planning firework and parade viewings first, it's much easier to decide other aspects of your vacation schedule, such as dining reservations, since you already know which parks you're going to be in on which days. Next I'll share with you how it's possible to see a whole theme park in less than a day ;).

Miranda

Planning Step 3: Tickets

In one of my very first posts, I gave you the skinny on the different ticket options available. (If you need a refresher, check out the "That's the Ticket" post.) There are three options to choose from. You can add all of them, just one or two, or none to your base ticket.
This time the only option we'll be adding is the Park Hopper option. We're going in February, so it will be much too cold to visit the water parks (adios Water Parks & More option!); and since we're really trying to save on this trip, we won't be needing the No Expiration option either.
I think I've mentioned that my favorite option is the Park Hopper. I use it every time I visit the parks. This option gives me the freedom to jump around to multiple theme parks in the same day, so that I can see what I want to see when I want to see it. It helps add great flexibility to my vacation schedule. Let me give you one example.

Since this is Kayla and Ashley's first visit, the first thing I really want them to experience is that walk down Main St. at the Magic Kingdom. I can't tell you how excited I am to see their faces when they see Cinderella Castle for the very first time. There's just something about that walk that is profoundly magical, and I can't think of a better way to start off our Disney adventure.
But I've got a plan, and you can't see Illuminations fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
So after that inaugural walk, we'll hit a couple of classic attractions (Peter Pan!!) and then catch the monorail to Epcot. We'll spend the rest of the afternoon and evening enjoying the attractions there, and then end our first day with the brilliant Illuminations of Earth firework show. Without the Park Hopper, we would have to stay at Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day, or would have to go straight to Epcot to begin with. And another great plus: if at lunch time, we decide we need a break, we can head back to the hotel, take a nap and then head right back to Epcot without having to buy another ticket. It's like having a skeleton key that unlocks all the doors to all the parks any time you want :).

~*What do you do with that half-day at Disney?*~
This is a question that's crept up on more than a few of our vacations. From where we live, Disney World is about a 9 or 10-hour drive, depending on traffic. Usually we leave very early in the morning, around 2 or 3 a.m. to avoid rush-hour in Atlanta. Traffic is almost never an issue that way, but it does give us a somewhat annoying arrival time, around mid-afternoon. So, do you spend the full price of admission just to enjoy a few short hours at the parks?
As hard as it is for me to step on Disney property and not race to the Magic Kingdom, I have to say I can't validate paying full price for less than half the time. A few times in the past, we have paid for that extra ticket day, but not anymore. Why pay extra when there's plenty to do at Disney that doesn't require theme park admission! Case in point: Downtown Disney.
If our travel schedule causes us to arrive with only a half-day for our first day of vacation, we get settled into our hotel room, then head to the Downtown Disney area. There's plenty to do there for the rest of the evening. You can go shopping, try out some great restaurants, do a little dancing, catch a movie or a show. If you're tired from traveling, end the night early and rest up for a full day in the parks.
Another way to avoid unused park hours is to simply adjust your travel schedule. For our next trip, we're planning on leaving a few hours earlier than normal so we'll arrive mid-morning. That way, we'll still have plenty of time to enjoy the parks that day. 

Now we're getting to the fun stuff! It's time to start planning out our days :). See ya real soon!


Miranda