Pandora...so so beautiful!

Pandora at Animal Kingdom is one of my new favorite places to walk around, especially at night. It's just so beautiful.

Take a look for yourself!

Why me??

Why me?

Why consider booking your family’s vacation through a travel agent, like myself?

~ I take the stress out of planning any Disney destination vacation. Disney vacation planning can be complicated and overwhelming for many people, which is why there’s serious value in booking through me. I make it easy. I make it fun!

~ I offer knowledgable, enthusiastic service and apply it to your particular circumstances, preferences, and needs.

~ I’m passionate about what I do. I know Disney inside and out. I’m literally tested on it every year. I'm eager to share my love of Disney vacations with my clients and friends. I plan every vacation as if Im planning it for my own family.

~ I book dining. I book Fastpasses. I answer all questions. I give detailed advice. I problem solve. I am IT support. I plan itineraries. I set up Magical Express. I prioritize celebrations. I customize Magic Bands. And more! I would be happy to be as hands on with your planning process as you want me to be.

~ Best yet? There’s no cost to you to utilize my services. I am paid a commission by Disney on the trips I book, so you don’t pay anything extra.

~ You have one contact (me!) who gets to know you, is responsive to your requests and questions, and has a vested interest in making sure you have a magical trip.

So the real question is: Why not me?

The Disney Dining Plan!!

One more amazing advantage to staying on-site at a Disney resort is the dining plan!!! It's only for resort guests!

Here is a description of the plan:

The Disney Dining Plan includes 1 table service meal per night, 1 quick service meal per night, 2 snacks per night, and a refillable mug for the resort’s beverage station. So for a 7 night stay, you'd have 7 sit down meals, 7 counter meals, and 14 snack credits per person, to use throughout your stay. 

Table service meals include most character meals, buffets, and a la carte restaurants all around Disney’s parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Meals include a non-alcoholic or specialty beverage, or an alcoholic beverage for guests over 21 years of age, and an entree and dessert. Gratuity is not included. Guests must pay that separately. Signature meals use two table service credits. Quick service meals are ordered at a counter and when ready, presented on a tray. They include a non-alcoholic or specialty beverage, or an alcoholic beverage for guests over 21 years of age, and an entrée. There are many locations all around the Disney property. Snack credits can be used on a variety of things, such as popcorn, soft pretzels, ice cream bars, beverages, Starbucks coffee, etc…

I like to point out....ALL meals on the dining plan include an alcoholic beverage! 

There are two other plans if this one isn't quite right, a Quick service plan with all quick meals, and a Deluxe plan with all sit down meals!

Just one more amazing reason to stay at a Disney resort!!

One more reason to stay onsite!

Another amazing perk for guests who stay at a Disney World resort: EXTRA MAGIC HOURS!

Disney will open the parks either one hour early or stay open 2-3 hours late ONLY for resort guests! That means short lines and way less people in the parks!

5 Lessons Learned the Hard Way

A Disney Parks vacation is the most magical family vacation, in my opinion. Nothing whisks you away from reality quite like Disney does. Most of our trips have been filled top to bottom with amazing memories and so much fun. BUT...... we have experienced unpleasantness, too. You can't always escape it or even prevent it, but you can be prepared.

Here are my top 5 lessons learned the hard way :( Hopefully you can learn from them.

#1- Rain

It rains in Florida. Sometimes just a little. Sometimes a lot. It depends on the time of year. But if you're traveling in rainy/hurricane season, which can be anywhere from July to November, you need to be prepared for inclement weather. I always knew it could happen, so we always brought dollar store ponchos. Those teenie tiny clear plastic things that are almost as thin as Saran wrap. I'm sure you know where this is going. Some years they were fine, but not when there is a torrential downpour. If you will be traveling during rainy season, please invest in some good ponchos or rain coats. Something with some weight to it. Even better if the sleeves are gathered at the wrist so they can't blow all around. And bring some kind of footwear that does not need to be worn with socks. Water shoes, good flip flops, Crocs, Keens, etc.. Even if you just throw them in your bag or stroller and change into them only if necessary. It is NOT fun to walk through unavoidable deep puddles in sneakers and socks.

#2- Sick Kids

Many trips are great and no one gets sick. But it's happened. Minor things to almost as bad as you can imagine. Once I woke in the middle of the night to my daughter scrambling to get to the bathroom to vomit. Another trip my son's breathing issues had become so bad due to the high Florida humidity that he had to be taken to Celebration hospital, then transferred to Orlando hospital. We spent the first 3 days of our trip there.

My only advice is to take preventative measures ahead of time and load up on Vitamin D, Airborne, etc...(but I'm still not convinced that really works) and have a plan just in case. When my daughter was sick, my mother in law volunteered to stay with her so we could visit Magic Kingdom with my parents that day, who were only at Disney with us for 2 days. My husband had planned on doing it until she offered. When my son was hospitalized, we rented a car and took turns staying with him while the other took our daughter to the parks. Pack every med you might need, even though they do sell most common medications at the resort gift shop.

It makes me so sad to look at this awesome pic and my daughter and mother in law are not in it :(

He looks pretty happy in his hospital bed :) He had some good moments, but much of the experience he was miserable :(

Here he is the day he was released from the hospital. We headed to Magic Kingdom and he had a great time!

#3- Heat

It's unavoidable. It's hot in Florida, especially if you travel between April and October. All you can do is be prepared. Dress in light fabrics and colors. I prefer skirts and sundresses in the summer months. Bring sunglasses and hats. Purchase personal misting fans at home or buy the ones they sell in the parks. Take breaks. Especially midday. If you don't want to leave the park to go back to the resort and swim, do some indoor attractions. It's a great chance to do those things you might have skipped otherwise. Get a Fastpass for water attractions midday- like Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids. Stay hydrated. The kids WILL whine about the heat, so prepare yourself for that too! Listen to your body and don't overdo it.

#4- Sore Feet

Another inevitable thing. They say the average person walks an average of 10 miles per day! That's a lot of time on your feet! Not counting the standing in place, which is worse in my opinion. My solution is to wear a different pair of shoes every day. I don't mean you need a different pair for each day of the trip, but at least 2...3 is better. Never wear the same pair two days in a row. And decent shoes. Not cheap flip flops. I actually have fabulous flips flops from Teva and Clarks, and those are great. I love my Crocs sandals and ballet flats. Hubby swears by his Keen sandals. Bring a stroller for the kids, even if they are way too old for it. Kids don't have the stamina we do, and severely lack the ability to keep their complaints to themselves. It's better for everyone to have it. I have no shame in admitting I brought a double stroller to accommodate both kids until my daughter was 9-1/2. (She has always been very petite) And our last trip with the stroller for my son was when he was 5-1/2.

#5- Cold

Believe it or not, Florida can get downright cold, especially if you're traveling between December and February. One trip, there was unusually cold weather the entire winter and it got downright chilly. Lows in the 30's! Even as life-long north-easterners, we weren't quite prepared, and had not brought anything heavier than sweatshirts. I remember the coldest day that week...we all had on two long sleeve tees, two sweatshirts- one with a hood- and the kids were in the double side by side stroller with a fleece blanket tucked around them. I think the Photopass photographer thought we were completely nuts because we shed our sweatshirts for one photo. We all had homemade matching shirts on and I wanted at least one picture of them! We bought hats and gloves. We had to. So my advice for that time of year- bring coats and hats and gloves. Bring long johns! Bring an extra suitcase if you need to. You might regret not doing it.

The one pic we all took our sweatshirts off to take. It looks so deceiving. Sunny, but very very cold!

So there ya have it. My top five lessons. Hope they help you!!

Magic Bands!!!

If you haven't been to Walt Disney World in the last few years, you might not understand what all the hoopla is about Magic Bands. Well....I'm here to help you!

In the simplest of terms- Magic Bands are everything at Disney World. Your park ticket, room key, Fastpasses, dining...and a way to charge purchases to your room if you so desire. It's a flexible bracelet of sorts, comparable to a Fitbit. They're pretty lightweight and very adjustable. They can be made small enough for the tiniest of wrists.

To use it, you simple press the Mickey head on your band to the scanner...which will also have a Mickey head on it. The scanner will glow green when its verified. That's pretty much it! (I'll explain the rest below.)

Your first experience using the band will most likely be Magical Express. You don't need to have it on...your boarding pass from your voucher book will be sufficient. We didn't wear them the first time, but did the second time, and I preferred using the band. I didn't have to fidget with the booklet. And I felt kinda special already having it on....and I wasn't even on Disney property yet!

Next you'll use it to enter your Disney resort room. You'll see the same Mickey head on your door. Hold your band to it and wait to hear the click of the lock, then walk on in. No glowing green light here :(

Next up! The parks! When you approach the turnstiles, you'll see that same Mickey head scanner. He'll glow bright green and the you'll be prompted to scan your finger. Security! Gotta have it! That way, if you lose your band and someone else finds it, they can't use it.

I LOVE the Magic Band for Fastpasses! No more papers to keep track of and pull out. They're all linked to your Magic Band. Just scan your band and walk right in!

If you have a Disney Dining plan attached to your reservation, you use it for that too! For snacks and counter service meals, the cashier will have a Mickey scanner. They will then have you key in your pin number, chosen at check in. Everyone who is on your reservation must use the same pin number, so make sure everyone knows it. Or they won't have access to their dining credits. For sit down meals, the waiter or waitress will scan your band at the table and ask for a pin, then print out a receipt right then and there. Proceed just as you have in the past with gratuity.

Photos! Every time you pose for a photo with a Photopass photographer, he or she will scan your band and wahlah! It appears in your My Disney Experience account.

You can use your band to purchase souvenirs too! Or anything! When you check in, you can link a credit card to your reservation and choose which guests on the reservation have charging privileges. When you make a purchase, simply scan your band, just like with your dining credits, and punch in your pin number. Done! I'd like to point out that your credit card will not be changed immediately...but rather the purchase is charged to your room. You can then choose to pay the balance any way you'd like, or just have Disney charge your credit car on check out day.

Magic Bands come in several colors: red, orange, yellow, green,. blue, purple, pink, and gray. You must customize in your My Disney Experience account ahead of time or they will come in the default grey. Or you can purchase a specialty band online. They range in price and have all kinds of characters on them. Visit Disney's website or the Shopping tab on the My Disney Experience app. There are also D-Tech locations inside Disney world where you can purchase a custom band. There are also ALL kinds of trinkets and charms to decorate your band with.

Disney Quick Service Dining plan!

I love to eat. I find zero shame in admitting that. And I especially love to eat in Disney World! The Disney Dining Plan has made eating very easy! Here are 4 reasons why I love the Quick Service Dining Plan!

1- SAVES TIME! For shorter Disney trips, we like to soak up every minute we can and use them to our fullest ability. Counter meals are just faster, especially if you dine during off times. We usually eat early lunches. Most counter places open at 11, some are 11:30. We get there right after opening. The lines are short and we have no trouble getting a table. Same with dinner. We'll shoot for 4:30-5 ish, after the lunch crowd has dined and the dinner crowd isn't ready. We can be in and out in maybe 45 minutes, as opposed to the hour and a half it takes at most sit down restaurants.

2- YOU GET MORE! I've done the math. Even if we all ordered the cheapest meal, shared drinks, skipped dessert (or at least only treated ourselves occasionally) we don't come out ahead of what the Quick Service plan costs. I don't know about you, but I would much rather spend the same amount of money and get MORE! Especially now that the plans include an alcoholic beverage with every meal!

3- RESORT MUG! Yep! Even the Quick Service plan comes with a refillable resort mug for every guest on the plan! It is only fillable at your resort, but it is definitely a great perk!

4- SNACKS! For me, a Disney trip is special because of all the fun treats I don't get to experience at home. Dole Whips, Mickey Bars, Smoothies, Floats, every awesome treat in World Showcase! There are a thousand different things to try and you get to try one every day of your trip!

So...what do you think? Have you done the Quick Service Dining Plan before? Would you do it again? What's your favorite use of a snack credit???

Little ones at Disney World!

Taken in September 2009. My daughter was 6 and my son was 20 months :)

Many parents state they are not taking their children to Disney World until they are old enough to remember it all. This seems kinda silly to me. Kids who are 1 or 2, even 3, don't remember anything from that age, so any vacation they're taken on will be a long forgotten trip. So why not go to Disney?

To me, vacations are all about family bonding, fun, togetherness, enjoying each other without the responsibilities of home, whether it's an amusement park, a beach, camping, historical sites, museums, parks. The point is to be together and have fun. And young children aren't going to remember playing in the sand or roasting marshmallows either.

Here are 4 great reasons to take your young kids to Disney World!

#1- Disney knows how to cater to families. 

We've done family vacations to other places...not so easy. The restaurants aren't entertaining and the kids get bored. It's not always easy to find a bathroom or somewhere to change a diaper or nurse a baby. People give you dirty looks if your kid cries or throws a little tantrum. Strollers are frowned upon and often hard to maneuver in many places. And if you've ever tried to take a stroller on a sandy beach, you know it's nearly impossible! Disney makes traveling and touring with kids so easy...effortless. Which allows parents more time to relax and enjoy themselves.

#2- Compared to other amusement parks, Disney does it right when it comes to families and small children. 

If you go to any Six Flags or other similar park, you're lucky if you find 2-3 family friendly rides. Mostly they have thrill rides or rides just for small children. There is rarely anything parents and kids can enjoy together. The majority of Disney attractions are family friendly. We even took our son on most things when he was only 9 months old. Obviously the roller coasters are out, and a few others, but Disney knows how to make attractions and Broadway-style shows that families can enjoy together.

#3- Money and the money-saving aspects of taking young kids to Disney. 

This is the only time you can take them to Disney World and not pay for them. Once the kids turn 3, they need a park pass. And if you decide to do the Disney Dining Plan, you need to pay for a plan for them, too. When the kids are under 3, all you pay for is the adults and kids 3 and up. 

#4- Memories.

The kids will not remember it...we already established that. They won't remember anything from that age. But you as a parent...you sure will remember it, and remember the smiles on their faces going on fun rides for the first time and experiencing it together. You will have pictures of your toddler with Mickey and Donald, excited and happy with a pure joy that wanes as kids get older. You will remember how it it felt to sit in front of the castle at night as fireworks explode above, cradling your sleeping child in your arms.

Souvenirs!!

In my opinion, you can't go to Disney World and NOT buy anything. Most trips I have to really control myself and not buy every single awesome thing I see....which is very difficult because there are awesome things EVERYWHERE!! But over the years I have become really skilled at asking myself if I really need something before I buy it. Will I actually use it at home, or will it collect dust?

So here's my list of the best souvenir buys for your next Disney vacation!

* Photo Albums

I am a huge fan of photos. Always have been. And I need them printed and in albums. We usually get Memory Maker so I can have all the fun photos. I buy a photo album (or two!) every trip. Usually I buy the one with the year on it. I display all the albums on a shelf in my living room. They're so pretty!

* Ornaments 
I just started this a few years ago. It started simple with one ornament with the year on it. And well..... Now I buy like 5 or 6 every trip. I love all the fun ornaments they have! I have the show, ear hat, and purse collections!

* Jewelry
I have a few pieces I've bought during our trips. They're not expensive pieces, but I love them. I love wearing them :) My favorite is a necklace that says "Love" in rhinestones with a tiny Mickey head off the "L".

*Housewares
We all have a kitchen at home. We all use dishes. So this is definitely a souvenir that gets used. I have a few mugs, some kitchen clips, a set of vintage Disney glasses, a Mickey pancake mold. There's a set of Mickey flatware I've had my eye on for a couple years, but have yet to actually buy it.

* Sweatshirt 

Where I'm from, it's cold for many months out of the year. And even in the warm months, it's chilly at night. So we own sweatshirts...lots of them. Disney sweatshirts are pricey, but they're good quality and we get lots of use out of them.

* Pressed Pennies
I got kind of obsessed about this one for a while ;) Disney has Pressed Penny machines all over it's property. Don't know what a Pressed Penny is? Basically the machine takes your penny...and 50 cents... and squishes it. When it come out it has a new picture pressed into it. All kinds of pictures, from Mickey and friends to princesses, to attraction logos and other fun stuff. They even sell books to hold all your pennies. I have a few. I counted once. I think I had over 300 different pennies just from Disney World. And there were tons I hadn't gotten. The machines are easy to spot. Make sure you have tons of quarters on you and nice shiny pennies.

So what are your favorite souvenirs??

Disney is only for kids??? NO WAY!!!!!

So far, I have visited Disney World, Disneyland, or sailed on the Disney Cruise line without my children 8 times. And let me tell you....it was awesome!

There is a HUGE misconception that Disney vacations are only for families with kids. That is SO not true! There are so many amazing things to do that aren't even designed for kids. And yeah...we have a ton of fun doing the kid stuff without them, too!

So here's a list of awesome things to experience without the kids!

~ Epcot's World Showcase.  Let's be real here. Despite Disney's efforts, World Showcase is just not that exciting for the kids. My kids have always enjoyed it. They loved exploring each country and it's shops. They love filling their passports and participating in the KidCot stations and the Agent P Adventure, but many do not. During the trip with just me and my mom, we spend an entire day in World Showcase, eating, browsing, seeing all the films. It was an amazing day. With my hubby, we try all the fun drinks. I love the atmosphere. I love to just sit and relax and soak it in.

~ Bars, Lounges, and Beverage Stands. I openly admit I enjoy adult beverages, and Disney has some amazing ones in 3 of their parks- Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. (Magic Kingdom is a dry park except for the sit down restaurants.) Plus all the unique options at Disney Springs and the resorts. So many fun options! And how about the Disney Cruise Line? They really have some great places with yummy offerings!

~ Adult Only Pools on the Disney Cruise Line. Yep. Every Disney ship has pool areas only for adults, where you can rest and relax in the sun and some drinks, and no kids.

~ Adult Only Entertainment on the Disney Cruise Line. There are all kinds of shows and games that are only for adults. Trivia, interactive games, comedians, etc. SO much fun!

~ Signature Dining Experiences. There are restaurants at Disney World and on the Disney Cruise line where children are not allowed. Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian is for those 10 and over only. Also, Remy and Palo on the Disney Cruise Line are for adults only.

~ Tours. Oh my! So many fun tours to do, and many are not for kids or only for those 12 and up! Backstage Magic, Keys to the Kingdom, Backstage Magic Trains tour, Epcot Sea Adventures, Wilderness Back Trail Adventure, plus many more! On the Disney Cruise Line there are several port adventures that young children are not allowed to participate in.

In general, we enjoy going without our kids because we can go at our own pace, sit and relax instead of running off to the next attraction. We don't mind waiting in long lines because we don't have kids complaining or in need of entertaining. There's no one complaining about the heat or how much their feet hurt. There's no one asking for every souvenir they see. We can ride Tower of Terror 10 times in a row if we want (though we only made it to 5). We can eat at all the unique places without worrying if they have something the kids will like.

But with all that said, every time I'm there without my kids, I can't wait to plan the next trip so we can have a great family adventure :)

Character Autographs!

One of the most fun--and most inexpensive--things for kids to do in Disney is collect character autographs! Almost every character they encounter will be more than happy to scribble their name for you. Some even drawn pictures! And it makes the whole meet n greet experience even better.

Most importantly, you need an autograph book! They are sold in every gift shop on Disney property. There are simple books filled with blank pages. They hold the most autographs. Or there are photo/autograph combo books. These are the ones I like! One side has a blank page for signing, the other a clear sleeve for you to place a photo of you and the character. These books do hold less autographs though. There are lots of other options for autograph books, if you don't want one from Disney. There are tons of websites that sell them. There are even hand-made ones on sites like etsy. Or a fun notepad works, too. If you want to get creative, make your own!!

Next, make sure you have a signing implement on hand. Something thick works best, like a Sharpie or fat pen. Characters sometimes have a hard time holding small pens, pencils, or markers.

After you've waited patiently in line and it's your turn, have your book open to the page you'd like the character to sign on and hand them your pen or Sharpie. Face characters (like princesses, who do not have a full mask or "head") will often ask your name and chat while they sign. It's a fun experience. They always do autographs first, then pose for photos.

An FYI...certain characters do not sign autographs because they are physically unable, like Mike and Sully, Buzz Lightyear, Baymax, and Beast.

Young kids, maybe up to age 4, don't really "get" what's going on with autographs. I suggest waiting until they are older and really understand. My daughter had no interest until she was five. She noticed other kids getting autographs and just had to do it too! Not to say some younger kids won't be interested, but honestly, if they are real little, it might be better just to focus on them meeting and interacting with the characters.

Why I love the Disney Dining Plan!

There is tons of debate on the web as to whether or not the Disney Dining Plan is worth it. In my opinion, it varies from person to person and their individual vacationing style. I personally love it, and here are my reasons why!

- It's all paid for ahead of time.

The Disney Dining Plan is a package addition and needs to be paid in full 30 days prior to arrival. That means all my food is paid for and I don't have to worry about it when I'm there. I've done trips without it and honestly, it's a big pain to pay for my food every time and worry about not going over budget. (PS- gratuities for tase service restaurants are not included. That needs to be paid at the time of service.)

- Snacks!

One of the most fun parts is all the great snacks you can try. Pretty much anything under $6 is considered a snack credit on the dining plan and there are so many wonderful things. You can even use snack credits for items during the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot.

- The ability to order the most expensive meal on the menu and not feel guilty for spending that much $ on one meal.

I'm a money-saving budgeter. Even when I try to splurge and not think about the cost, I do. I can't help it! But when we have the Disney Dining Plan, I can order anything I want with no worries.

- I like to save $.

The Disney Dining Plan can definitely save you some money. Many will say it doesn't for them, and that is true. If you are a light eater and share meals, don't like to order dessert, or if character and family style all-you-care-to-enjoy type of meals do not appeal to you, the plan is not the best option. But we love to eat! And we love buffets and family-style meals. If you have kids aged 3-9, you definitely save a nice chunk of money! The kids plan is really cheap! And new for 2018, adults aged 21 and over can order an alcoholic beverage with every meal! That's a great perk!!

And if you need a quick run down of what the Disney Dining Plan is, here you go!

There are 3 plans to choose from:

The Quick Service Dining Plan includes 2 counter meals per night of your trip for each person on the reservation, as well as two snacks per night and a refillable mug for the resort’s beverage station. Counter meals consist of a non-alcoholic or specialty beverage, or an alcoholic beverage for guests over 21 years of age, and an entrée. These meals are ordered at a podium and are ready within a few minutes. You can choose from a wide variety of restaurants with varied cuisines. Snack credits can be used on a variety of things, such as popcorn, soft pretzels, ice cream bars, beverages, coffee, etc…

The Disney Dining Plan includes 1 table service meal per night, 1 quick service meal per night, 2 snacks per night, and a refillable mug for the resort’s beverage station. Table service meals include most character meals, buffets, and a la carte restaurants all around Disney’s parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Meals include a non-alcoholic or specialty beverage, or an alcoholic beverage for guests over 21 years of age, and an entree and dessert. Gratuity is not included. Guests must pay that separately. Signature meals use two table service credits. Quick service meals are ordered at a counter and when ready, presented on a tray. They include a non-alcoholic or specialty beverage, or an alcoholic beverage for guests over 21 years of age, and an entrée. There are many locations all around the Disney property. Snack credits can be used on a variety of things, such as popcorn, soft pretzels, ice cream bars, beverages, coffee, etc…

The Deluxe Disney Dining Plan includes 3 meal credits per night of the package that can be used for either counter meals or table service, as well as 2 snacks per night and a refillable mug for the resort’s beverage station. 

Top 5 Thrill Rides!

I'm a big fan of thrill rides!! How about you??? Here are my top 5 Disney World thrills!!!

Tower of Terror

The second you walk up to the Hollywood Tower Hotel inside Disney's Hollywood Studios park, you know something isn't quite right. The ambiance is creepy, the place is a mess. You shouldn't be there, but you keep moving toward it. And you know you're in for something scary. Once you're seated in your elevator, anticpation swirls because you don't know what's going to happen!

If you don't know, Tower of Terror is a drop ride, but this one goes up and down multiple times with no rhyme or reason. It's all random. Every ride is different. One second you're free-falling, the next, shooting back up. Non-stop thrills!

Rock n Roller Coaster

Combine a super fast car with blaring rock n roll and twists and turns in the dark and you have Rock n Roller Coaster, the second thrill on our list from Hollywood Studios. Visit the "band" at the recording studio then dash off to their concert.

Your ride begins by speeding zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, flattened to your seat as Aerosmith tunes blare from the speakers. Zoom through a florescent city illumintaed with black lights as your stretch limo swirls through corkscrews, then finally dropping you off at the red carpet, hair a mess, heart racing.

Space Mountain

Travel through space at lightning speed! Board your spaceship and blast off through the sky, dotted with a million stars. You're in space and it's dark, so you can't see the dips and turns coming. It's non-stop thrills as you fly through the galaxy. All you can do is hold on!

Space Mountain is a classic Disney attraction, having opened in the Magic Kingdom in 1975, just a few years after the park opened. Despite it's age, it's still one of the most thrilling rides on property.


Flight of Passage

Pandora is a beautiful land, filled with unique plantlike and animals. What better way to explore it than by soaring on the back of a Banshee? And actually feel it breathing underneath you! Join the Na'Vi as you fly fast and slow, over hills and oceans, mist in your face, soaking in everything that makes up the amazing planet of Pandora.

Flight of Passage is an immersive experience, similar to Soarin' at Epcot, but way more intense. This is Disney's best display of 4D thrills. You feel like you're there, a part of Pandora!

Expedition Everest

As you enter Anandapur, an eerie feeling decends over you. Something's been here and it wasn't very happy. But you brave the wilderness anyway in search of the Yeti. High up in the Himalayan mountains, you board a train with your team and gear, ready to face him. But he finds you first, and doesn't like that you're there!

Expedition Everest is a great coaster filled with hills and turns, broken pieces of track, thanks to the Yeti. He sends you falling backward in the darkness through the mountain, an amazing coaster experience.

Need a break? I got ya covered!

A Disney World vacation is magical and amazing and exciting...but it is also tiring. I won't even try and tell you it's not.

Many people will take a break midday and go back to the resort for a nap and/or swim. That's a good idea, but sometimes not. There is travel time to consider, plus the time you spend there. It takes a big chunk out of your day.

I have another idea! You can rest and relax, right inside the parks!

I know what you're thinking. Stephanie has lost her mind. How can anyone relax in a busy theme park?

Disney World is great at creating spaces all throughout the parks where families can find a little peace and quiet. It sounds too-good-to-be-true, but it's not. Some of my favorite moments during a Disney vacation are when I sit (usually with a snack or beverage) and just people watch and listen to the sounds around me. The music and laughter. Smiles everywhere. There are benches and other seating everywhere, some more quiet than others. So definitely take advantage!

Here are a couple of my favorite spots for resting while in the parks.

Side streets off Main Street at the Magic Kingdom. My last trip, I bought some cake pops at the Main Street Confectionary and found a little wrought iron table and sat for a while.

The gardens in the Hub at the Magic Kingdom. These are relatively new, and are so so pretty. You'd think the Hub would be very busy, and it is, but the gardens are pretty relaxing.

The fruit bat exhibit on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Animal Kingdom. I could watch those cute little guys all day.

World Showcase pavilions in Epcot. TONS of great places to sit and relax. I love to feel like I've been transported somewhere else. The sights and smells, the music.

There are TONS of great attractions that are peaceful and gentle...the perfect place to relax for a bit!

it's a small world (Magic Kingdom)
Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom)
Walt Disney Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Magic Kingdom)
Spaceship Earth (Epcot)
Living with the Land (Epcot)
The America Adventure (Epcot)
Beauty and the Beast Live (Hollywood Studios)
Voyage of the Little Mermaid (Hollywood Studios)
Finding Nemo: The Musical (Animal Kingdom)
Wildlife Express Train and Rafiki's Planet Watch (Animal Kingdom)

And if you have little ones, there is a Baby Care center in each park, giving guests a quiet place to change a diaper, feed or nurse baby, or just to get out of the heat and sit for a bit.

Planning timeline!

When is the best time to start planning your Disney World vacation? What comes after you book it? When do you do what?

These are questions I get a lot :) So here's my suggested timeline!!

7 months or more prior to travel: Select a date and contact Fairytale Journeys by Stephanie for a quote on your vacation package. Book the reservation with a minimum of a $200 deposit. Begin researching Disney restaurants and make note of any that sound interesting to you. Create a My Disney Experience account and link your resort reservation. Customize your Magic Bands.

6-1/2 months prior: Finalize your dining selections.

6 months prior (180 days exactly): Book dining reservations. Online reservations open at 6:00am EST on the dot, whereas the phone lines open at 7:00am. If you book your package with me, I'll do it for you!

4-6 months prior: Research the parks and all the attractions. Make a list of your must-do attractions. Familiarize yourself with the park layout by studying the park maps. Watch the planing DVD. Make a countdown chain. Put away money each week to pay for the trip. Purchase Disney gift cards periodically to use for souvenirs.

2-1/2 months prior: Finalize your Fastpass+ selections. Choose 3 per day to book ahead of time. I can help you decide by offering advice on which attractions need them most.

2 months prior (60 days exactly): Resort guests can book Fastpass+ online at 7:00am on the dot. If you book with me, I'll do it for you! If you are able to, pay off your balance. If you plan to rent a car, stroller, or ECV/scooter/wheelchair, reserve it now. If you haven't yet, make sure you customize your Magic Bands in My Disney Experience.

6 weeks prior: If you need to make any changes to your resort package, do it now. This is your last chance to change resorts, add a dining plan, alter the length of your park pass, etc... without incurring a penalty fee.

1 month (30 days exactly): If you are staying off Disney property, book Fastpass+ online at exactly 7am. Pay your vacation package in full. Start packing. Have your suitcases out and toss things in whenever you think of them.

2 weeks prior: If you'd like a grocery delivery, set that up now. You should have received your Magic Bands, Magical Express packet, and resort voucher booklet by now.

1 week prior: Pack. Make sure you have all of your travel documents in your carry on bag, including your Magic Bands. If you'd like to add Memory Maker, do so now if you haven't already.

24 hours prior: If you are flying, check in online for your flight. If you are flying Southwest, make sure you do it exactly 24 hours to the minute to ensure the best boarding group number possible. Print boarding passes, if you desire. (You can also print at the airport.) Finish packing. Attach the yellow Magical Express tags to your checked bags.

Morning of departure: Double check to make sure you have everything, including any medications you need. Then enjoy your vacation!

Fastpass+ Explained!

Disney World has what they call Fastpass+. It's a way to hold your place in line at all of the most popular attractions so you only have to wait a few minutes to experience them instead of possibly hours. The service is free to all park guests and can really help maximize your time in the park.

The Fastpass system has been around for years but the original system worked a little differently than what we have now. The new system has a lot of pros and cons, many people loving it, many people hating it. I personally love it.

First of all, you need to create a My Disney Experience account, either on Disney's website or on their app. You cannot use Fastpass+ without an account. 

Desktop version

App

Next you need to have a valid park ticket linked to your account. If you have a resort package, the tickets will be included and the entire package needs to be linked to your My Disney Experience account. If you are not staying at a Disney resort, you need to purchase a park ticket and link it to your account.

Now you can pick out 3 Fastpasses for each day of your trip. Which means you must decide which park you will go to each day of your trip. You can still use the Hopper option if you choose to purchase it, but you do need to decide ahead of time at least one park you will go to each day. I recommend using the Fastpasses for the most popular and newest attractions, such as 7 Dwarves Mine Train, Frozen Ever After, Soarin', Flight of Passage, Na'Vi River Journey, Expedition Everest, Peter Pan's Flight, and Splash Mountain during the hotter months. Or slow-loading attractions such as Rock n Roller Coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Space Mountain. Also, a good use is the popular character meet n greets such as Princess Fairytale Hall, The Character Spot, and Mickey Mouse at Town Square.

Resort guests can book 60 days prior to check-in. Non resort guests can book 30 days prior to check-in. A HUGE perk to staying at a Disney resort, especially if you want to ride some of the most popular attractions where the wait times easily reach triple digits (in minutes). As a travel agent/travel planner specializing in Disney vacations, one of the services I provide is booking Fastpasses for my clients. I get online and do it for them so they don't have to worry about it. 

Fatspasses are booked with a one-hour availability window, for most attractions. Some shows only have a 15 minute window, which grants you early seating in the theater before guests in the standby line. 

After they are booked you can view them in your My Disney Experience account either on a desktop or the app.

Desktop

App

Once you arrive at the park, you an enter the Fastpass line at any time during your hour. So if your Fastpass return time is 1:30-2:30, you may enter the line at 1:30 on the dot, but not a minute sooner, and have til 2:30. If you are unable to get there by the ending time, the Fastpass will expire and you will not be able to use it. When you approach the line, you must scan your Magic Band (resort guests) or park ticket (non resort guests). The scanner will illuminate green if you have a valid Fastpass, red if you do not. You may have to scan again at the end of the line. This prevents line jumpers from hopping over from the standby line. 

After you have used all three of your pre-booked Fastpasses, you can go on the app and book more! You can book them one at a time.

The Fastpass+ system is a great way to minimize your time waiting in long lines and ride your favorites faster :) If you'd like help with this or any thing else Disney, book your trip with me!! I'll do all the work and you just enjoy!!

Memory Maker: Step by Step Instructions!

Disney has a service they call PhotoPass. Basically, they station professional photographers all over the parks who are ready and willing to take your photo with their camera. It's great because everyone is in the picture and it's a high quality image. You can then choose to purchase individual images in either print form or digital. One of the products within Photopass is the Memory Maker. This is a pay-one-fee type of product that gives you digital downloads of every photo you pose for during your vacation. Even ride and dining photos!

As a huge fan of photos, I love the Memory Maker! It is well worth the cost to me. And I love enhancing the photos afterward, adding fun borders and stickers, cropping them, changing to black and white. So much fun stuff you can do with them!!

Here is a How-To for when you go home!!

If you are a resort guest, the photographers will scan your Magic Band and all your photos will show up in your My Disney Experience account. Simply log into your account and go to the drop down menu. Choose "My Photos" under photography. It will look like this:

If you are not a resort guest, You will have to manually link the photos. Just enter the code from the back of your park ticket or the PhotoPass card the photographer gave you. Then it should look like the above photo.

If your photos have watermarks on them, you need to activate your Memory Maker. Click any photo then click "Download." It will ask you if you want to activate your Memory Maker and inform you of the expiration date. Say yes. Now you can start customizing and enhancing!

Here is what your screen will look like:

Click any photo. It will open like this:

Most important to note first is the expiration date on the lower right. This is the date you need to download by or you will lose that photo forever. The date will vary from day to day as the photos expire 45 days after they were taken.

Along the right hand side you'll see all the options. First you need to click "Create a Copy." VERY important. You want to keep your original images. Once you make a copy, click on one of the suggested borders or use the drop down menu to browse other categories.

Click whatever one you like. If you try one and don't like it, just click on another.

Once you find one you like, click "Save and Close" on the top. The photo will close and take you back to your menu. The new enhanced photo will appear on the screen with the rest of the un-nhanced photos. You can then go back to the same original imagine and do the same thing but add a different border, crop, turn it back and white. Just make sure you make another copy first. Disney is always changing the borders to coordinate with the season and social events. So many cool fun things!! Continue on with the rest of your photos for that park and then move on the the next.

Play around with it and have fun!! There's no limit to how many photos you can create in your account!

When you're 100% completely done, go back to your home page. On the upper right hand side you'll see how many photos you currently have and buttons underneath. Click "Download" to download all the photos to your computer. This MUST be done before the photos expire or you will lose them forever.

Once they are downloaded to your computer, they are yours to do whatever you'd like. You can print at home or upload to any online photo processing site for printing. You can share on Social Media too.

Here are a few more cool photos from my Memory Maker over the years!

Questions??? Post them below!!!