The most magical part of a RunDisney race is easily the setting. So why not plan for additional days before or after your run to keep the pixie dust flowing?! Whether you choose to stay for a day or two or make it a week-long getaway, there are many things to consider when planning a RunDisney race-cation outside of a traditional Disney vacation. *Your resort hotel Any other runners joining you on the trip? Little kiddos in tow? I think your travel party affects many parts of planning of your trip, starting with accommodations. I recommend looking into family suites if you're traveling with other runners - Those extra bathrooms will really make a difference on race day(s), and the extra living space gives everyone extra leg room for a good night's rest. We loved staying at Art of Animation in the Lion King area during Princess Half Marathon Weekend! Something to consider also related to where you stay is where your race begins and ends. For most race weekends at Walt Disney World, I'd recommend staying within the EPCOT resort area - This allows for shorter bus rides to and from the race, and I think that little bit of extra peace of mind can really help with nerves on early race mornings. If you're running at Disneyland, definitely consider the three on-property resort hotels and Good Neighbor hotels on Harbor Boulevard or Katella Avenue to be within walking distance to the race start. *Transportation I'm a big proponent of using the various types of complementary transportation at Walt Disney World, and there are free forms of transportation available specifically for race events - Buses at resort hotels to and from the expo, buses to and from the race start/finish, and expanded monorail hours for the resort hotels on the rail line. There is oftentimes free bus transportation available in the Anaheim resort area around Disneyland as well, for races out on the West Coast. Be sure to check the official event guide for your race weekend details. But if you're traveling with a large party, staying off-property, or want to be in control of your own transportation, there are plenty of options to rent a car (both in California and Florida). Lines can get a little long for bus transportation back to the resort hotels after the races, so while I personally don't mind waiting I know some people might instead like to have their own vehicle to be on their own schedule. Worth noting though that traffic gets backed up really quickly around the race start and finish area with all of the people trying to go in the same direction, with road closures. So you might want to get going even earlier to give yourself extra time to get to all of your events. *Length of stay RunDisney race weekends usually go from Thursday-Sunday, with Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend being the outlier (currently) taking place Wednesday-Sunday. I like to arrive at least 24 hours in advance of my first race event to allow for a little bit of buffer in the event of travel delays, and to give myself plenty of time to enjoy the expo and pick up my bib(s). If you're able to, I recommend waiting to travel home until at least a full 24 hours after your last race event. My legs and back get crampy and sore from traveling as it is, so I want to make sure I'm feeling good and rested before getting on a plane for the long haul back. And if you want to tack on additional days for exploring the parks or spending time at your resort hotel, you'll definitely want to take a look at the pricing for the different tiers of Disney hotels. The deluxe hotels, and some moderates, will have more amenities than the value hotels - So if you want to stay on vacation a little bit longer it might be worth it to you to have additional pools to explore, a spa to enjoy, and space to stretch out. *Park days And continuing with planning for your race-cation length of stay, you'll want to consider whether or not you want to spend time in the parks. I recommend saving your park days for after you've finished your races, to save your feet and legs from extra work. I personally find it more enjoyable without the pressure, and you can't miss out on a picture in front of the castle (Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty) with your medal(s)! And if you're wanting to save a few bucks, I'd recommend not planning for a park day on the day of your race(s), as you'll have less time for enjoying them than on your non-running days. *Your meals, including pre-race fueling Table-service dining reservations are often hard to come by at Walt Disney World (not quite as much at Disneyland), so you'll want to make any special meal plans for your race-cation at the 180-day mark before your trip if you're staying on property. There will be a bit extra demand with all of the runners and families visiting at the same time, especially the nights before and after each race event with everyone fueling up and then refueling/indulging. And even if you're not interested in sit-down meals, you'll still want to make sure you at least have a plan for your pre-race meal, whether you want to stay at your resort hotel or catch a bite at a quick-service location in the parks or Disney Springs. No matter where you eat the night before your race(s), I recommend doing so early in the evening. You'll want to get in bed for a full night's sleep before your early wake up call the morning of your event(s), so plan to give yourself ample time to enjoy and digest before settling in. And while everyone immediately thinks of carbo-loading before a race, don't forget your protein, fiber, and hydration! Planning for a RunDisney race-cation is definitely a bit different than planning for a traditional Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation, so hopefully these considerations gave you some additional ideas and are able to help you make some decisions. It's important to plan ahead and not leave anything to chance with so much happening during a race weekend, in my opinion at least. As always, be sure to check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ and https://disneyland.disney.go.com/ for the most comprehensive and up to date info on resort hotels, tickets, dining, and more.
Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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Have a Disney Princess fan in your family? Well, while you're bound to make more than one princess sighting at Walt Disney World, there's so much more to see and do around the resort that your little royal will love. Whether you're traveling with a young princess-in-training or a more experienced, grown-up princess, there's plenty of offerings across property to get the royal treatment and make magical memories. Here are my top 10 "Princess Picks" to take in during your next WDW vacation: #1 - Dine with the Disney Princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table Put on your most sparkly tiara and join your favorite Disney Princesses for a meal inside iconic Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom! Whether you reserve a table for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you're sure to make magical memories that will last a lifetime as all of the day's visiting princesses come to meet you right at your table. Be sure to bring your camera and autograph book! Reservations are encouraged to experience a meal at Cinderella's Royal Table and can be made within 180 days of your trip. Be sure to plan ahead! #2 - Transform your little one into royalty at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Fantasies and dreams come true everyday at both Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations at WDW (Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney) as little girls are completely made over into their favorite princesses with hairstyling, makeup, nail polish, accessories, and more. Various makeover packages are available for reservation and range from the $54.95 to $194.95, depending on package inclusions, and girls can choose to be transformed into Ariel, Princess Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Tiana, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Merida, or Tinkerbell. Boys can even get in on the royal fun too with the Knight Package, which includes hairstyling, souvenir sword, and Mickey confetti. Guests ages 3 to 12 are available to receive a makeover, and reservations are strongly encouraged. #3 - Step into the Beast's library to enjoy Enchanted Tales with Belle Relive the magical, romantic story of Disney's Beauty and the Beast during this guest-interactive show starring Belle, Lumiere, and YOU! Guests enter Maurice's cottage located in the Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland and are transported right into the Beast's library to surprise Belle with a retelling of "the tale as old as time."This attraction offers Disney's FastPass+ service, and is highly recommended. FastPass+ times can be chosen within 30 days of your trip if you purchase your theme park tickets before you arrive at Walt Disney World. Read more about FastPass+ in another post! #4 - Meet your favorite Disney Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom Grab your cameras and autograph books, and get ready to meet the famous Disney Princesses at one of the newest areas inside the Magic Kingdom. Located in Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall currently allows you to meet Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Disney's newest princesses Anna and Elsa. While waiting in line, be sure to take a close look around the building for some familiar artwork and objects, including Cinderella's glass slipper and Snow White's storybook! FastPass+ is also offered at this attraction, and is especially recommended if your family would like to meet Anna and Elsa. #5 - Take in the sights and sounds of Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade Celebrate the magic and wonder of Fantasyland in this all-new parade that marches through the Magic Kingdom every day at 3:00 PM. Featuring familiar princess faces including Belle, Tiana, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Merida, and Anna and Elsa, this moving spectacle is must-see! Be sure to claim a viewing spot along the parade route within plenty of time beforehand, as Main St. USA and Frontierland quickly fill up before step-off. Also, inclement weather does impact this entertainment offering and is subject to cancellation for the safety of the performers. #6 - Join Princess Aurora for My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party at the Grand Floridian Want to really feel like a princess? Well look no further than the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for this magical celebration of all things royal. Little princesses can expect storytelling, dancing, and a delectable, kid-friendly spread of sandwiches and treats. All children must be accompanied by an adult who are welcome to enjoy a bevvy of tea selections, cheese, and sandwiches. Your reservation includes various gifts for each princess-in-training, including a My Disney Girl doll dressed as Princess Aurora, silver bracelet, and fresh single rose, among others. Reservations made ahead of your trip are strongly encouraged as each party has a limited number of seats available. #7 - See the stage show spectacle Beauty and The Beast-Live on Stage at Disney's Hollywood Studios Sing along to the familiar tunes of one of Disney's most beloved animated classics brought to life on stage at the Sunset Boulevard Theater in Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. Multiple shows are offered throughout the day, so there's bound to be a time that fits into your schedule. Approximate run time is 25 minutes, which is perfect even for the littlest of princesses who might not be able to sit in one place for an extended period of time. Showtimes are subject to change, so make sure to check the daily times guide in the event of a cancellation. #8 - Meet the whole royal family at Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at the Grand Floridian The beautiful Grand Floridian Resort & Spa also plays host for another royal gathering every day, this one in the 1900 Park Fare buffet restaurant. Join Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and Anastasia and Drizella Tremaine as one of their guests of honor for a special character dining experience that allows you to get up close and personal with the original royal family. The buffet spread offers American selections including seafood, salad, pasta, and kid-friendly dishes like pizza and chicken tenders. Reservations are also encouraged for this dining experience and can be made within 180 days of your intended date. #9 - Travel to Norway and dine with the Disney Princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT This regal restaurant also offers up a place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with your favorite Disney Princesses, including Belle, Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White, and Princess Aurora (characters subject to change daily). The buffet/family-style fare includes both American and Norwegian favorites including kjøttkake, a dish made of pork, capers, and beef. A complimentary photo keepsake package per family is also included in each reservation. Reservations for this restaurant are also recommended and can be made within 180 days online or over the phone. #10 - Make a wish at Cinderella's magical Wishing Well at the Magic Kingdom Every princess has wishes and dreams, so make sure to take her to this secluded spot in the Magic Kingdom right by Cinderella Castle to make a wish. Nestled back by the Fairytale Garden where Merida is currently meeting guests, the well accepts wishes all day long. Plus, all of the money collected in the well is donated to various children's charities to help make even more wishes and dreams come true. An easy must-do for princesses of all ages! Visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ for more information on all of these royal entertainment and dining opportunities, as well as others your princess might enjoy. Keep checking back for more vacation planning posts and my other "top picks" to see and do around WDW. Until the next post, see ya real soon! Even though I've been to Walt Disney World many times, I enjoy experiencing new things with each visit back. There are always new attractions opening, stage shows debuting, improvements to classic favorites, and more. And along with those new things, I also have a list of "dream experiences" I consider to be somewhat of a Disney bucket list that I've compiled over the years. While some of these dreams have little likelihood of coming true, I can't help but hope to cross all of these off someday! Check out my personal bucket list for all of Disney's Theme Parks & Resorts across the globe, and dream along with me! *Visit all of Disney theme parks across the world Since the Disney name is widely-known across the world for their iconic characters, beloved stories, and USA's Disneyland and Walt Disney World, there have been other parks built to enjoy in other parts of the world! In France there's the Disneyland Paris Resort, which is comprised of two parks, seven resort hotels, and a shopping, dining, and entertainment district. I had the amazing opportunity to visit for two days about a decade ago when my mom and I vacationed in Paris, and I am so dying to go back soon! I like to describe it as a more elegant Disney Parks & Resorts experience all around, with softer colors, a lot of gold, and that refined French touch. Plus, there's a dragon living underneath their version of Sleeping Beauty Castle! And in Asia, there is so much more Disney magic to behold, with three unique destinations to visit! There's Hong Kong Disneyland with one theme park and two resort hotels, the Tokyo Disney Resort with two theme parks and three resort hotels, and the upcoming Shanghai Disney Resort, which will feature one theme park and a shopping, dining, and entertainment district. The Asian parks really take everything to the next level in storytelling and theming, and their parades and shows look like they're beyond anything currently showing the American parks. All of these places are definitely at the top of my Disney bucket list! *Spend the night at all of Walt Disney World's resort hotels Another task right at the top of my list is to spend at least one night in each and every resort hotel at Walt Disney World. I'm off to a good start with stays at Pop Century (our go-to resort), Caribbean Beach, and Coronado Springs, but there are so many others to explore! It's fun to visit other resorts for meals, shopping, and strolling between park days on longer vacations, but I really want to rest my head for a night in each! Some of the resorts I'm particularly interested in? Definitely the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian (those new bungalows!!!), and Animal Kingdom Lodge. That just means I have to take more frequent trips, right?! *Spend the night in the Cinderella Castle suite inside the Magic Kingdom My inner princess wants to see the inside of this very special suite more than anything! Tucked away high up inside Cinderella Castle, there is an ornately-decorated suite that was originally going to be an apartment for Walt and his family before he passed away in the beginnings of constructing the Magic Kingdom. The suite is now used for promotional giveaways and special events, when celebrities visit the park, etc. It cannot be booked and you can't just walk in, so this one is going to be a tough one to cross off! *Make it though the entire day at one of the Magic Kingdom's 24-hour events A few years back on leap day, Disney decided to keep both Disneyland and Florida's Magic Kingdom open for 24 hours straight as part of a campaign known as "One More Disney Day." Since that event was so successful, they've since hosted more like this, particularly to kick off the Summer season. I haven't yet gotten the chance to spend time at the Magic Kingdom for any of these events, but I certainly hope to someday. I already enjoy staying in the park from open to close, so why not take it up a notch and go for 24 hours?! *Go on a private cruise over Seven Seas Lagoon during Wishes I often see families taking special boat cruises around Seven Seas Lagoon (and Crescent Lake near the Boardwalk) to take in the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks, and I would love to do the same! Whether it would be to celebrate something special, enjoy a private meal, or just to say I did it, it would be amazing! It's worth noting that there are no prices listed on the information page of the Walt Disney World website though, which leads me to believe this experience doesn't come cheap! *Go on a Wild Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom Taking a ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of my favorite parts of each day at Disney's Animal Kingdom park, so why not get one step closer during this guided tour?! You get to walk on suspension bridges right over hippos and crocodiles, ride up closer to giraffes, learn more from a personal guide, pose for complimentary photos, and so much more. It may come at a high price (up to $250 per person during peak times of the year), but all of the guest reviews say it's worth it! *Complete the RunDisney Wine & Dine half marathon Now that I've completed my first RunDisney race, I'm itching to run another! The annual Wine & Dine half marathon at Walt Disney World is at the top of my list, which is held in the Fall season, and at night! It's themed around EPCOT's annual International Food & Wine Festival, and even includes a special finisher's party in the park afterwards with plenty food and drink samplings. I already thoroughly enjoy visiting WDW at this time of year, so why not add another amazing RunDisney experience to the plans?! *Take a tour through Walt Disney's apartment above the Disneyland fire station and the Dream Suite above Disneyland's Pirate of the Caribbean attraction This is another one that isn't very easy to come by (at all), but a girl can dream, right? Walt had a small apartment over the fire station right on Main Street for himself and his family that allowed him to stay right in the middle of the magic, quickly come down to meet guests, and be close enough to attend to any issues and help Cast Members. The Disney Dream Suite above Pirates of the Caribbean was an idea originally conceived by Walt himself so he could invite friends and celebrities to stay right in the park as well, but also so they didn't have to be bothered by other visiting guests. The suite was eventually completed and furnished a few years ago using Walt's original renderings, and like the Cinderella Castle Suite, is only used for promotional purposes and special events. *Ride Space Mountain with the lights on This may be a trivial one to have amongst my list of big Disney dreams, but it's still something I really want to do one day! I've seen many photos and videos, plus stories from guests on how the lights really add to the thrill factor (those tracks come very close together!), and I think it would be another great memory to make on one of my favorite attractions. Some things may be harder to accomplish on this list than others, but anything is possible! Disney is always dreaming up new magical experiences to be had at their theme parks and resorts, so I'm sure my list will continue to grow with each visit and announcement from the Imagineers. Be sure to visit the Disney Parks Blog regularly for announcements like these and more to help you build your own Disney bucket list! And please share yours with me in the comments below; I want to share in your Disney dreams! Until the next post, see ya real soon! My first experience with RunDisney at this year's Disney Princess Half Marathon was nothing short of magical! While I've ran a half marathon, multiple 5Ks, and other distance races before, this race was definitely a good course for athletes of all backgrounds and abilities. I set a personal fitness goal a year ago to prepare for this event, and despite a little bit of nervous energy, I really felt ready. Plus, there were characters and entertainment along the course, tons of positive energy from Cast Members, volunteers, and fellow runners, and fireworks at the race start to get the party started. You really can't find a race location better than Walt Disney World! Here's some highlights from my race experience this year, as well as some helpful tips for registering for RunDisney events and getting ready: The registration process: Maybe you've never heard of RunDisney and all of their annual events, but trust me, THOUSANDS of other people have. If you're interested at all in participating in one of their races, be prepared to sign up the minute your event opens. My running group and I knew exactly what date and time registration for the Princess Half was set for, gathered our necessary personal and payment information, and situated ourselves at our computers 15 minutes prior to that time so we could get on right away. And boy, were we thankful to have done so! I believe this year's main event (the half marathon) sold out within 6 hours. The accompanying 5K, 10K, and Kids Races weekend events took a little longer to fill up, but everything happened much quicker than I initially anticipated. There a few things you'll need to know and have before you register. First, you really want to make sure you know exactly what kind of event you're signing up for and be prepared to commit MONTHS in advance. For the Princess Half February 2015 event, registration opened up in mid July (about 6 months ahead of time). Registrations are non-transferable to other runners, so you can't chicken out once you're signed up. Plus, your registration fees are non-refundable as well. It looks like the open early bird registration cost for the 2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon is $175 (without commemorative items). You may be eligible for an even earlier registration date if you're an Annual Passholder, member of the Disney Vacation Club, etc., so pay attention to the RunDisney website leading up to registration and sign up for their reminder emails! Secondly, know if you want to pre-purchase any commemorative items or participate in any of the weekend's special challenges. You'll be able to pre-order items like the event's special pin (what I chose to do), Mickey ear hats, and limited edition apparel, so I'd suggest adding on anything you know you'll want ahead of time, as a lot of merchandise does sell out quickly. And same goes with the challenges - If you're up to the task, get yourself signed up right away. These also fill up quickly! Thirdly, have all of your personal and payment information ready on registration day. This will just make the process quicker. As soon as registration opened for this year's event, I could tell that a lot of other people were also trying to get signed up, as the website was really moving slowly. Just be prepared with all of the necessary info you'll need, and you should be set to go in no time. Preparing for the race and training: Even though this is a fun Disney race, it's still a tough test of physical endurance. TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN! And start early. RunDisney offers a lot of really great training and nutrition resources for free to help you prepare, so take advantage of everything you can. Get involved in local running events and races, find a running buddy/group, do whatever you need to do and hit the pavement. You want to be fully prepared. Definitely set a training pace of a 15-minute mile or quicker, as there will be pacing in effect on race day (but I'll get to that in a minute!). You can even submit a proof of time to RunDisney (which I'd recommend) ahead of the event to help get a corral placement closer to the initial start. There are a few stipulations to submitting a proof of time, as well as a deadline, so pay attention to your event's rules. I submitted an earlier half marathon time from November of 2014 for this particular event. Also take time before your race to prepare a special costume! I saw so many amazing and creative costumes during the race that brought a smile to my face, and you really were in the minority if you weren't dressed up. Whether you want to get advanced with props, makeup, and headpieces, or would rather DisneyBound with a more simple, character-inspired look, get into it and have fun! Also take your event theme into consideration - I obviously saw a lot of Princesses during my race, but their corresponding villains and sidekicks were also popular. I of course had to dress up as my favorite Princess Aurora, but I saw everyone from Cinderella to Maleficent to Flounder! Booking an accompanying stay at Walt Disney World: Whether you want to make your race a long girl's weekend or a week-long stay with extended family, it's fun to add a couple of extra days to explore WDW before or after your run. Upon registering and getting your confirmation, start looking into what kind of vacation you want to plan, and when you want to arrive/depart. RunDisney races bring in thousands of runners, spectators, and family members (there were close to 50,000 runners alone for the three Princess weekend races), so hotels will fill up quickly, and especially those close to the race start/along the course. I stayed at Disney's Pop Century Resort in the EPCOT and Wide World of Sports areas, which is extremely close to the race start and Health and Fitness Expo. For some of the smaller events, RunDisney will designate some resort hotels as Host Resorts, which are essentially the only resorts you can get direct race transportation to and from. All of the WDW resort hotels were considered to be host resorts for the Princess weekend events, but some like The Expedition Everest Challenge only have three or four resort hotels as host resorts. Having direct transportation really helps on race day and getting to/from the Expo, so be sure to check where you can get that during your event. RunDisney also partners with some third-party travel providers for special vacation packages if you'd rather have someone else do the planning, so look into those opportunities as well. I personally prefer to book everything directly and independently through Walt Disney World, but that's just me. Race weekend and race day: Once you've arrived at your race destination (Walt Disney World, obviously, for the Princess Half), you must attend the accompanying Health and Fitness Expo to pick up some necessary materials before race day. These include your race bib with your timing device, gEAR check bag, and free race t-shirt. You will have to present a signed waiver to pick these items up, which will be emailed to you directly a few weeks out from the race so you can have it ready ahead of time. This waiver will also list your bib number and corral assignment, which is fun to know before you get to your race. The expo will also have numerous exhibitors with merchandise for sale, including official race items from RunDisney, Dooney & Bourke, and NewBalance. If you're particularly interested in any of the "official" items, be sure to get to the expo on the first day, and early. I was told later that all of the event's Dooney & Bourke bags had sold out within hours of the the expo opening. If you can't make it until later, there will still be plenty of other items to shop for from the other exhibitors and RunDisney, but some of the more popular items will go first. When race day arrives, be prepared for an early morning. And I mean EARLY. Depending on your event and first corral start time, buses could begin running as early as 3:00 AM. I personally think you should strive to be on those first round of buses to assure you get to the race start within plenty of time to fuel, stretch, warm up, take specialty character photos, check your bag, use the restroom, and get to your corral before the designated start time. Remember when I said that thousands of people participate in these events? Well they'll all be trying to get to the same place as you, at the same time, so get to everything early! My group and I pretty much made it to the buses at 3 and didn't feel rushed at all. You will feel like there's some downtime at the race start, but it's better to be relaxed than rushed! And if you're preparing to run in costume, be sure to have tear-away warmups with you in event of inclement weather. It was a little chilly the morning of the half (only to then get boiling hot!), but the 5K and 10K earlier in the week had near record-low temps. If you have to shed some layers once you get running, anything you leave along the course will be donated to local charities. So don't be afraid of losing some sweats to just be thrown away - Everything will go to someone in need! The magical course: The Disney Princess Half Marathon course is AWESOME! Coming from a particularly hilly area and having completed really hilly courses, this one was fairly flat and offered great places to vary your pace. Plus, the best part of RunDisney races are the characters, entertainment, and theme parks! This race started just outside of the EPCOT parking lot, moved along WDW roadways to go through the gates to the Magic Kingdom, around the Transportation and Ticket Center, into the Magic Kingdom via Main Street USA, then through Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Frontierland, out back past the Grand Floridian, down more property roadways, and back into EPCOT for the last mile and a half. There are a few exit ramps and uphill slopes, but they really aren't all that bad. And there are also a few areas where the road really narrows, so be prepared to have to move onto grass for a little bit. I definitely ran on grass a lot to weave through walkers. Just give a little shout to your fellow runners as to where you're moving or when you're slowing down. And if you ever need to walk, be sure to move to the side so faster-moving runners can move through. All of the character and entertainment stops really add extra pixie dust and magic to the course, so have a plan in place before you start as to how much you want to stop. Some Disney friends will attract more fans (think the Heroes and Villians gatherings, as well as the Cinderella Castle photo spot), so know that you may have to wait for some pictures. The photographers and character attendants really try hard to keep things moving, so have your camera/phone out and turned on so you can move through quickly and get back to running. Also know that characters will NOT sign autographs during races. There are plenty of water stops, bathrooms (port-a-potties and formal restrooms alike), and medial tents along the route, and the mile marker signs make for cute photo ops as well. Definitely bring some form of camera with you during your race, because you won't want to miss any magical moments! What you need to be mindful of though are the notorious balloon ladies, or the pacers. These volunteers cross the start line last in the last corral and keep a 16-minute mile pace throughout the entire race. If you were to ever drop back behind these gals, you may get swept up before you finish the course and miss out on receiving a medal. I started in corral M (out of A through P), and I came very close to falling behind after a few photo stops. Proper training and a photo stop game plan will help in staying as far away from being swept up as possible. Post race fun: Once you've made it past that finish line, it's time to PARTY! You'll receive your medal as you move a little further down the chute, as well as some snacks, Powerade, water, and congratulatory greetings from all of the wonderful volunteers. There's also a photo spot for finishers and some additional entertainment, like a live DJ and character greetings. My travel party headed right to a buffet brunch at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, but really Walt Disney World is your oyster! I'd definitely recommend heading to Downtown Disney for the finisher's party that evening, where you'll see tons of other runners with their medals and can take advantage of some shopping and dining discounts at select locations (like T-Rex, where we had dinner!). Whether you want to take it easy by your resort hotel pool, or head right to the parks, be sure to celebrate your triumph! I'd highly recommend tackling the Disney Princess Half Marathon to interested athletes, and I myself am considering running again next year. Be sure to pay attention to registration dates, train properly, book your vacation early, and have fun! This event was definitely one of the most fun and engaging races I've ever participated in, so be prepared for a lot of smiling all along the course! For more information on RunDisney and all of their other events at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, check out http://www.rundisney.com. Have you ever done a Disney race before? Tell me about it in the comments below! Until the next post, see ya real soon! Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World can certainly be daunting task, but Disney is always working to make the planning process easier, more efficient, and more magical! Their most recent innovation, My Magic+, is a true testament to that goal. From selecting your personal vacation preferences to choosing FastPasses, making dining reservations to designing Magic Bands, and even booking a resort hotel stay, My Magic+ allows you to do it all. Here's my quick guide to navigating this new resource and feeling confident in your pre-planning abilities: Step one: Create your account Before you start putting together your Disney vacation, you'll want to create an account with My Disney Experience, the planning site/mobile app that will allow you to keep track of all your reservations and plans, as well as the current wait times and entertainment schedules in the theme parks once you're in Florida. To create an account, you'll need to supply an email address and a few other pieces of information, along with a personal password and security questions. Then once you're in, you can customize your profile with a character icon and vacation preferences - but we'll get to that in just a bit. As with any online account, be sure to write down your login info, password, and security questions just in case, and put them in a secure place. After you've created your account and played around a little bit on the site, be sure to then download the free app (available in the App Store). Having this app and your account linked will make all the difference as you plan your trip and spend time in the parks. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the different pages as much as you can, so you're comfortable - new technology can be hard tricky! You'll want to be sure each member of your travel party also creates as account so you can add them to your Family & Friends list. When you're connected, you'll be able to easily add them to dining reservations and FastPass+ selections in less steps, as well as extend vacation planning privileges and reservation access. Step two: Book your WDW vacation Once you've created your account and decided on the big parts of your vacation (when you're traveling, where you're going to stay), you're ready to book your trip using My Magic+ and your new My Disney Experience account. You can easily book your WDW resort hotel stay, add on theme park tickets and transportation, supply your flight information, and more. You can also directly pay the required deposit for your vacation package and save a credit card to your account, which will come in handy when it's time to book dining reservations and add on other special experiences. Your reservation will then be linked to your account, accessible on both the site and app, and you can move on to adding more magic to your vacation! Step three: Customize your Magic Bands The first bit of extra pixie dust you'll be able to add to your vacation are your travel party's Magic Bands! These water-proof, snap-on wristbands will serve as your hotel room keys, theme park tickets, Magical Express tickets, and even your credit card (should you want to link one for the duration of your trip). But most importantly, your Magic Bands serve as an accessory to your "Disney Side" personality! You can choose from seven different colors and customize exactly how you'd like your name to be printed on the inside of your band. Go by a nickname? Prefer to be called by your middle name? It's up to you! Once you've finished designing, My Disney Experience will approximate how long you have to make any changes before they're shipped to your home, which is about 3-4 weeks before your check-in date. And don't worry, you'll get an email letting you know when they've been shipped out. When you arrive at Walt Disney World, your Magic Bands will unlock a whole new world of possibilities for fun, so stay tuned for a future post with more information! Step four: Make your dining reservations One of my favorite parts about vacationing in WDW is the food, so be sure to take advantage of all the unique dining options available across property throughout your trip! Reservations before arriving for sit-down meals are pretty much required, or at least recommended, across the board these days, and My Magic+ allows you to do so while planning your vacation. You can make reservations for you travel party directly through your My Disney Experience account on either the site or the app, and you can do so starting as early as 180 days prior to your check-in date. This means you can make as many meal reservations as you'd like for any day of your trip as far as six months in advance. Pretty sweet, huh? Just log in to your account, find the location you want to reserve a table at, and choose your date, preferred time, and dining party. From there you'll need to provide credit card information to confirm your reservation - Remember when I said it would be beneficial to save a card to your profile? You can easily supply your card info without having to input it for each and every dining reservation you'd like to make. It doesn't seem like much, but it will save you plenty of headaches and frustration. Note: Your credit card will NOT be charged when making these reservations, it's just to secure your table. Should you not show up for your meal or cancel within the designated time frame, only then will your card be charged. Select locations do require pre-payment, but that will be indicated before you make the reservation. Once everything is submitted, you'll receive an email confirmation and be able to access your reservation directly from your My Disney Experience account on the app or site. You can edit your dining party to include your Family & Friends as well, so everyone can see the reservation from their own accounts. Step five: Choose your FastPass+ experiences Long gone are the days of paper FastPasses and having to rush to your favorite attraction first thing in the morning to reserve a time. Instead, My Magic+ and your My Disney Experience account allow you to choose your FastPasses before stepping foot in WDW! Once you're 60 days away from your check-in date, you can reserve FastPass times for attractions, shows, character meet and greets, and parade viewing for your entire trip (This 60-day window is only for guests staying at Walt Disney World hotel during their stay, so be mindful that it's 30 days in advance otherwise!). Simply go to the FastPass+ page on the site or app, and start selecting. There are some limitations to this service, so be sure to check out my previous post on FastPass+ for more details and my personal review! Now even if you've hit your maximum number of pre-selected FastPasses for any given day at the parks, you can preference or "like" your favorite attractions so My Magic+ plus can make suggestions for your party when you're in the parks. You can even set reminders for parades, shows, and fireworks times through your My Disney Experience account, without having to make a FastPass+ selection. This helps make sure you don't head home at the end of your trip saying "We forgot to see the Electrical Parade!" or "We didn't meet Winnie the Pooh!" among other very, very sad phrases. Utilize as much of the technology as you can! Step six: Check into your WDW resort hotel before you arrive Another advantage of My Magic+ is the ability to actually check in to your WDW resort hotel before arriving in Florida. Once you're within 60 days of your check-in date, simply visit your My Disney Experience account to get started. Find your hotel reservation and click the Online Check-In link to approximate your arrival time, place a room request (level preference, view preference, etc.), add a credit card for charging privileges and set pin numbers for your travel party, and bypass long lines when you arrive. Then, you can get to the fun stuff much quicker! There will be a special Online Check-In line in the lobby of your hotel where you'll need to present an ID and credit card for incidentals to receive your room assignment and ask any last questions you may have. I personally love to have as many details taken care of ahead of time, so having this ability with My Magic+ is awesome! Step seven: Let the memories begin! Well, you've made it to Walt Disney World and are ready to get started! With your customized Magic Bands in hand, you can get into your room, enter the parks, check-in for your dining reservations, and access your pre-selected FastPass+ experiences and reminders. Oh yeah, and have the most magical time of your life with the people you love most! My personal experiences with My Magic+ have been nothing short of magical, and I would highly recommend utilizing the technology while you plan your next Walt Disney World vacation! There's no better feeling than knowing the details are taken care of so you can make the most of your vacation time with family and friends from the very beginning. Whether you like to plan every moment or go with the flow, you're able to do so with My Magic+. How do you utilize My Magic+? Tell me about it in the comments below, and feel free to ask me any other questions you may have. For more information, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/my-magic-plus/. Until the next post, see ya real soon! Are you a fan of classic Disney animation, heartwarming stories and timeless characters? Well, Disney's Art of Animation resort, the newest resort hotel at Walt Disney World, allows you to step right into you those stories and experience animation like never before. A Value Level accommodation that offers both standard rooms and family suites, this resort is a great option for larger groups traveling together, families with children, and animation lovers of all ages. Let's explore the resort together and find out if it's the right place for you stay during your next WDW vacation! Art of Animation is another Disney resort hotel that is made up of multiple buildings, including the main Animation Hall, which is the first building you'll see when you arrive and the epicenter of the resort. It's here that you'll find the main check-in area and guest services, a business center with phones, a large gift and sundries shop, an arcade, and Landscape of Flavor, the resort's main dining location. Animation Hall is adorned with tons of sketches, drawings, and art from the classic Disney and Pixar films Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid (these are also the films that come alive in each of the guest room buildings, but well get there in a second). The resort's WDW Transportation stop is just outside of the main entrance, and you'll also find the Magical Express bus stop there as well. No matter where your room is at the resort, you'll want to familiarize yourself with Animation Hall, because you'll be visiting many times during your trip! Landscape of Flavor is the food court-style eatery inside Animation Hall, and is the main dining location for the resort. It serves up everything from pasta to burgers, pizza to salads, and seafood to chicken, with backdrops of larger than life animated landscapes to view while you dine. You can also pick up and refill your resort mugs at the drink station and enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All of the stations change for each meal (very similarly to Everything Pop at the Pop Century resort hotel), so you don't have to worry about a lack of variety. I'd definitely suggest utilizing this dining location for breakfast before long days at the parks, and for a quick bite at the end of the day before bed. I can just taste the Mickey waffles now, can't you?! Art of Animation also offers in-room pizza delivery if you ever want to relax in your room and keep it simple for dinner. What makes this resort hotel unique are the themed areas of guest rooms you encounter when you step outside of Animation Hall. There are eight different buildings of guest rooms in four film-themed sections with both standard rooms and family suites: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid section is where you'll find the standard rooms (and standard rooms only) with all of the usual WDW resort hotel room features, including either two double beds or one King, a split vanity-bathroom area, and an in-room refrigerator. The other three sections offer family suites that sleep up to six adults each and include a small kitchenette, various bed types, and two bathrooms. Every guest room is intricately themed to the film section it's located in, with brightly colored furnishings, linen patterns, and wall icons of your favorite characters. The Little Mermaid and Cars sections are the furthest from Animation Hall, but any area is a good choice and fun for the whole family. The animated film themes extend outside of the guest room buildings into elaborate courtyards with larger than life character icon statues, specifically-chosen greenery and landscaping, and pool and recreation areas. The Finding Nemo area boasts the biggest and most advanced Big Blue pool, and is actually the largest pool of all the resort hotels at Walt Disney World. It even has underwater speakers! There's also a zero-entry area for little ones, plenty of chaise lounge chairs, and two play structures. Plus, you can grab a cold beverage at The Drop Off bar just steps from the pool. The Little Mermaid and Cars sections also have their own pools, which are smaller and typically less crowded and quiet, and The Lion King section has the Elephant Graveyard playground if the kids want to let out some energy. If you're looking for a little bit of fitness during your trip, you can run along the resort jogging trail, which totals 1.38 miles. And on select nights, you and your family can enjoy a movie under the stars in The Lion King courtyard. A nice offering for those nights when you want to stay at the resort and unwind. Disney's Art of Animation resort is a great place for larger parties traveling to Walt Disney World together, families with young children, and those looking to save a few dollars on their accommodations. All of the bright colors, characters, and animation create a unique world that puts you right into your favorite stories. And since it's the newest resort at WDW, there's plenty to land discover if you're a seasoned Disney veteran! For more information, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/art-of-animation-resort/, and be sure to compare all of your options before making any reservations. Have you stayed at this resort hotel yet? Did you enjoy your stay? Tell me about it in the comments below! Until the next post, see ya real soon! The very first time I visited Walt Disney World in May of 1998, my family and I stayed at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. A tropical paradise situated in the middle of WDW right by EPCOT and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, it's one of my favorite places to stay on property. With countless recreation options, 200 acres of beautifully landscaped greenery, and six different "islands" to stay at, Caribbean Beach is a great accommodation option for families of all sizes with kids of all ages. Considering staying here during your next WDW vacation? Let's explore the resort together!
Caribbean Beach is a Moderate Level resort hotel, and is another one that's made up of multiple buildings. The guest rooms are in buildings separated into six different islands, with six room buildings per island. There's Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad South, Trinidad North, Martinique, and Barbados. All of the islands are scattered around Barefoot Bay, a picturesque 45-acre lake, and there's plenty of beach to comb in each island area. The islands all have a unique, tropical color scheme, as well as their own leisure pool (There's a larger, main pool for the resort - but we'll get to that in a minute). All of the rooms feature either two double beds or one King bed, with standard or water views (pool or lake). You can also request adjoining rooms if you're traveling with a larger party, as well as a Preferred Room to be closer to the main Custom House, buses, etc. Each room offers the same amenities that come with staying at a WDW resort hotel like a flat screen TV, free WiFi, a split vanity/bathroom setup, and an in-room safe, among others. Each island also has it's own WDW Transportation bus stop so you don't have to walk far to catch a bus to the parks! Perfect for getting to a bus quickly for morning Extra Magic Hours! A unique room option found only at Caribbean Beach are Disney's special Pirate Rooms. Intricately themed like the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the beds are fashioned into ships, and rich reds and golds illuminate the space. While I've never stayed in a Pirate Room, I think it would be a great choice for families with pirate fans and young children. Definitely adds extra magic! In addition to the six islands of guest rooms, there's the main Custom House, where you'll find the check-in area, Guest Services, and the Disney's Magical Express shuttle stop. You'll really only spend time here at the very beginning and end of your stay, but it's important to know where to find it. There's also Old Port Royale Centertown (found between Trinidad North and Martinique), which is pretty the much the central activity hub of the resort. Here you'll find the main Fuentes del Morro Pool, which features water slides, hot tubs, and the Banana Cabana Pool Bar for drinks and snacks. Old Port Royale also houses the resort's two main dining options: the sit-down Shutters at Old Port Royale and the quick-service food court. Shutters is open for dinner only, and features American and Caribbean cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The food court is normally open from 6:00 AM to midnight, and has great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Perfect location to fill up before a day at the parks! Caribbean Beach also offers a ton of recreation options for families looking to spend time together away from the parks. In addition to the Fuentes del Morro Pool at Old Port Royale, there's also an arcade, beach area, bike rentals, and fishing found in the area. Plus, each island has it's own smaller pool and beach area if you want to relax in a quieter space, with beach volleyball available at Martinique. You can also run along the resort's 1.4 mile jogging trail, roast s'mores at the nightly campfire, and little buccaneers between ages 4 and 12 can set sail on a Pirate Cruise to search for treasure! Special reservations are required for this recreation option, so be sure to make yours before you leave home or visit Guest Services when you check in. Kids can also enjoy three different playgrounds found around the resort in Martinique, Jamaica, and Trinidad South. One of the biggest resort hotels found at Walt Disney World, Caribbean Beach is a great option for families looking to enjoy a tropical escape during their Disney vacation, buffer time in between park days with outdoor recreational activities, and indulge in an upscale hotel experience without breaking the bank. Plus, there are options to make your vacation more magical found only at Caribbean Beach. For more information, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/caribbean-beach-resort/ and weigh your options before settling on your vacation accommodations. Until the next post, see ya real soon! My all-time favorite resort hotel at Walt Disney World has to be the beautiful Disney's Coronado Springs Resort! One of Disney's Moderate Level accommodations, it's a great place for families looking to stay at a higher-end hotel without breaking the bank and utilize all of the amenities that come with staying on property at WDW. Plus, Coronado Springs is located just minutes away from all of the theme parks, and is especially close to Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, and Hollywood Studios. Is this Spanish-colonial Mexico themed resort hotel the right place for you? Let's find out!
Coronado Springs is another resort hotel that is made up of multiple buildings rather than one large high-rise, and features three separate areas of guest rooms (nine buildings in total), a building just for dining, and a recreational area. There's also a convention center adjacent to the resort, which is used throughout the year for various corporate and public events. While the map of the resort makes everything look spread out and far away, all buildings are easily accessible by walking. Plus you get to look at the spectacular Lago Dorado lake at every turn! The main building of the resort, El Centro, is where you'll find the check-in desk, Guest Services, a souvenir and sundries shop, and one of the resort's four different WDW Transportation stops. The Disney's Magical Express shuttle service stop for the resort is also found here. Right next door is the dining building, which features three different options to grab a bite: the sit-down Maya Grill, and the quick service Cafe Rix and Pepper Market. The quick service locations are perfect for breakfast before hitting the parks for the day, and the Maya Grill is a great place to unwind and relax at the end of a fun-filled day. We especially love visiting Cafe Rix in the morning for pastries, coffee, and juice, while the Pepper Market offers up a larger spread that's great for when we want a bigger breakfast. The three guest room areas at Coronado Springs are Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas. The nine buildings in total feature single rooms with either two Queen beds or one King, and suites with beds and pullout sofas. Rooms offer standard or water views (pool or lake), and preferred rooms are available for those willing to pay a bit extra to guarantee a room closer to El Centro. But don't worry, each of the three guest room areas boast their own bus stop so you don't have to walk to El Centro every day to catch WDW Transportation - Buses circle the resort so you can utilize a stop that's closest to your room. For a small, always on-the-go family like mine, I suggest a standard view room with two Queen beds. You can save a little bit of money and still get to experience the resort and all WDW resort hotel amenities! Coronado Springs also offers many recreation options for families looking to enjoy extra activities during their vacation, including swimming, jogging, and volleyball, among others. The Dig Site serves as the main recreation area at the resort, with the Lost City of Cibola pool (the largest pool on site), Explorer's Playground and volleyball court, and Iguana Arcade. The pool even features a 50-foot water slide and the largest hot tub found at Walt Disney World - Enough to fit 22 people at once! Plus there's the Siestas Cantina to enjoy a beverage and light snack after a day of play, and a campfire every night to enjoy s'mores! There's also a 0.9 mile jogging trail around the resort for those who want to stretch their legs in the morning, three other pools, and La Vida Health Club to get a full workout. Clearly, Coronado Springs is a great place for active families and those looking to spend extra time at their resort during their vacation! We love Disney's Coronado Springs Resort for many reasons, but more than anything, it's an upscale accommodation offered at a reasonable price that's right in the middle of Walt Disney World. It boasts great dining and recreation options, is always clean, and has a beautiful theme unlike any other resort hotel at WDW. For more information on Coronado Springs, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort/ and do your research to make sure it's the right fit for your family or travel party before booking. Have you ever stayed at Coronado Springs? Share your stories in the comments below! And don't forget to email me if you have any questions about planning your WDW vacation. Until the next post, see ya real soon! With so many resort hotel options at Walt Disney World, it's hard to decide where's the best place to stay during your vacation. It's most important to consider your budget and the time of year you're looking travel before you start narrowing your hotel search, and then there's also the decision to either stay on Disney property or off. To offer some insight on these options, I want to share some information and reviews of my favorite Disney resort hotels in a series called WDW Resort Hotel Spotlight. First up is my favorite Value Level resort: The Pop Century!
The Pop Century resort is one of my family's favorite places to stay when we visit Walt Disney World, and I've stayed there three times. It's the perfect place for us on-the-go vacationers to rest our heads and decompress in between park days. And since it's a Value Level resort, you're saving money on your accommodations that you can then allocate for airfare, food, souvenirs, and extra fun! It's always clean, offers adjoining rooms for larger travel parties, has multiple swimming pools, and features larger-than-life icons from classic decades. The resort is made up of multiple buildings as compared to one, large high-rise, and the guest rooms are separated into ten different buildings that are grouped together by decade. There's the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's, and Classic Hall, which boasts a counter service food court, souvenir store, arcade, and check-in desk/Guest Services. Classic Hall is easily accessible from each guest room building by a short walk, and the 90's is the furthest away. Just outside of Classic Hall is the WDW transportation stop for the resort where you can hop on a bus to each theme park, water park, and Downtown Disney. I personally enjoy staying in the 50's section, which is very close to Classic Hall and not as busy or loud as the other sections, since it's close to the outer edge of the resort. The resort features three swimming pools in the 50's, 60's, and 90's areas, with the Hippy Dippy pool in the 60's being the largest. You can also visit the Petals poolside bar at the Hippy Dippy pool, which features specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to cool off with. Lifeguards are present at each pool during most operating hours, and there are plenty of chairs and tables available if you prefer to stay out of the water and relax. Pop Century also offers a jogging trail around the resort and a playground in the 60's area as additional recreation options, and Disney movie nights on the grounds are offered on select nights, free of charge. The Everything Pop food court inside Classic Hall is the main dining option available at the resort, which is usually open between 6 AM and midnight each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu changes for each meal and normally includes waffles, pancakes, omelets, and cereals for breakfast, and pastas, pizzas, burgers, and salads for dinner, among other options. There's also a full service beverage station where you can fill up your refillable mugs during your stay, get coffee, and purchase bottled drinks. It's the perfect place to get a quick bite before heading out for a day at the parks. You can also visit the main resort souvenir store inside Everything Pop, which sells classic Disney items like stuffed animals, t-shirts, and pins, among others. There are a couple of different room options available at the Pop Century which all sleep up to four people. Each room has the option of two double beds or one King bed, and you can even request which type of view you'd like (pool view vs. standard view, etc.). Each room offers free WiFi and quick in-room pizza delivery if you ever get a late-night craving. You can also request adjoining guest rooms if your family requires two rooms during your stay, so you can make sure everyone is nearby. Other resort amenities include free parking if you're bringing your vehicle in your vacation, an ATM, laundry services, locker rentals. I'd definitely recommend the Pop Century resort to any family traveling to Walt Disney World, but especially to those on a budget, planning to spend most of their time on the go, or are coming for a quick stay. For more information on all of Disney's on-property resort hotels, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/ and check back for more WDW Resort Hotel Spotlight posts right here! Until the next post, see ya real soon! A large part of planning a trip to Walt Disney World is determining a budget and trying to stay within that budget. It's important before you make any plans or reservations to first determine a total amount of money you're willing to spend, and what your priorities are (level of hotel opulence, number of park days, recreation options, etc.). When you have that budget set, it might feel overwhelming trying to adhere to that number. Here are a couple of money saving ideas to help your family stay on budget and head to WDW with a little more cash. **Create a "Saving for Disney" jar I know I already included this tip on my list of things to make your pre-trip more magical, but a savings jar, box, stash, etc. can really help towards adding to your vacation budget. Whether you want to have a savings jar just for extra souvenir spending money, or you want to heavily save towards your hotel accommodations, having an extra outlet for saving some cash can really add up. Plus, it's a great way to get children involved in the vacation planning and saving process and count down to your trip. Make sure to put your jar somewhere in your home that everyone in the family regularly visits so you can watch the progress! **Keep an eye on airfare rates, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays The airline industry is always adjusting rates, adding fees, and making other policy changes, so it's important to monitor flight rates and schedules before you purchase your seats if you're flying to WDW. Airfare typically goes down a bit on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so be especially sure to check costs on those two days of the week. Take a look at all of your options on different vacation planning sites like Expedia, Kayak, and Priceline, among others, and definitely consider adding your flights and hotel together in a vacation package if there are discounts offered. You don't want to wait too long to book your travel party's flights, especially if you're traveling with a large group, but don't jump the gun too quickly to book either. **Consult with local travel agents or travel providers for discounted theme park tickets Tickets for your theme park days are definitely a large expense to consider in your vacation budget, so don't be afraid to look for discounts outside of Disney's main vacation booking services. AAA often offers discounted theme park tickets for members or families booking a vacation package, and there are many runDisney travel providers who offer discounted tickets to runners and spectators participating in a runDisney event. More info on runDisney to come in a future posts! Don't immediately assume that you have to purchase your tickets through Disney, but beware of scams or unofficial travel providers/websites who are selling faux tickets. Thoroughly research the seller before making any purchases. **Consider buying some souvenirs before actually arriving in Walt Disney World This is an especially good idea to consider if you're traveling with young or a lot of children, as souvenir costs quickly add up with each purchase during your Disney vacation. Little things here and there quickly turn into a large haul, and Disney souvenirs are by no means cheap. It's important to remember to save up and purchase some items to remember your trip by when you come back home, but there are some things that can be bought at home before you leave to save a few dollars. Take a trip to your local Disney store for t-shirts, sweatshirts, and stuffed animals, among other items, or megastores like WalMart and Target that sell licensed Disney merchandise. You can surprise your kids with a gift in the morning before heading the parks, or even put together a "Disney Survival Kit" before you travel filled with coloring books, snacks, etc. **Make sure to pack all of your preferred toiletries before arriving Disney is very good at having many resources available to you at every turn, including toiletries and personal items, but the packaging sizes tend to be smaller than what's offered at your local drugstore, and at an equal or higher cost. Every single WDW resort hotel will offer personal items for sale including sunscreen, band aids, antacids, etc., but make sure to pack for your family accordingly with your preferred brands before you leave home. Buying little items here and there during your trip will add up faster than you think. **Plan out your meals and consider the Disney Dining Plan, among other options Disney offers various dining plan options that many families swear by for all of their vacations. But sometimes the dining plans might cost you more than you actually need to spend on meals and snacks. Take some time to roughly plan out your meals with your travel party so you can estimate your overall cost and decide if a dining plan is right for you. Sometimes Disney will offer a "free" dining plan with your vacation package, but free is never really free. I'd definitely suggest taking a look at the husband-wife duo behind YouTube's See Ya Reel Soon and their free online dining plan calculator. Definitely a great resource for budgeting your meal costs and determining what the best dining plan, if any, is a good fit for your trip. It's important to set a budget for your vacation, but know that it costs a lot to visit Walt Disney World. There are many things you can do to save some money and cut costs, but always be aware of your finances and recognize that you're going to be spending money on your trip, no matter what. Don't jump in on a vacation deal too quickly, evaluate all of your options, and take advantage of the many resources available with and outside of Disney. Be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com for complete and comprehensive vacation information, and check out other vacation planning sites. Do you have any money-saving tips or things you do to save money on your Disney vacations? Let me know in the comments below or send me an email! Until the next post, see ya real soon! Whether you're a first-time visitor to Walt Disney World or are a veteran vacationer, there always seems to be something you forget to pack. Sometimes you need things you didn't even think to pack in the first place! Now you know to pack clothing, shoes, and underwear, but what about the other stuff? Well here's a quick list of the top 10 special items I always pack for my Disney vacations, including some things you may not think you'll need, but will:
#1 - Rain Ponchos I cannot stress this one enough! Florida is known for frequent rain and daily squalls in the Summer, so plan ahead. Get you and your family rain ponchos before heading to WDW to save a little extra cash and time once you're in the parks. Disney does sell their own ponchos and umbrellas, but they are also Disney-priced, and many guests will up and leave the parks once it starts to rain. If you bring your own ponchos, you're one step ahead of the game and don't have to forfeit your theme park time. Check out your local Target, WalMart, Dollar Tree, etc. for cheaper ponchos, and make sure to only buy those with hoods! #2 - Sunscreen A given on any Disney packing list. But more people forget to pack sunscreen than you'd think. Make sure to pack enough for all members of your family, at least two applications a day (a larger family may need two bottles), and put it in a bag you're planning to check through your airline. Nothing's worse that getting to security at the airport and having to throw things out of your carry-on that aren't allowed on the plane like liquids, gels, or aerosols. You can find ample amounts of sunscreen all over WDW property at various sundries shops, but just like the ponchos, the price may be higher than you normally pay at your local drugstore. Don't forget the sunscreen lip balm either! #3 - Extra camera memory cards/batteries You want to document all of the magic on your Disney vacation, right? Well don't get caught with a filled-up memory card or drained battery while meeting your favorite character or at your favorite photo spot. Plan ahead and make sure to bring along completely empty/cleaned-out memory cards, as well as fully-charged batteries. Your camera/phone charger is another easy one to forget during the rush to the airport, so charge your devices up the night before and put those chargers in your carry-on before you head to bed. While everyone in my family has the same phone, we all bring a charger if disaster strikes! #4 - Tums/antacids Even if you plan on "eating clean" at Disney or only giving into a treat every so often, it's inevitable that you'll break that plan, and you'll break it every day (let's be real). You don't want to miss out on all of the yummy food Disney has to offer! From sandwiches, to pasta, to ice cream, there are a lot of options. But with all of that eating comes repercussions, including upset tummies, so be prepared with your antacid of choice in your arsenal before indigestion strikes. This is another item you can find at any sundries shop in Disney, even in the parks, but it will be priced higher for a smaller dosage. And don't just put in your suitcase as a "what-if" item, take it in your park day bag/purse! #5 - Chewing gum If you're a gum-chewer, or have one in your family, you better stock up on your favorite stuff before making it to WDW. You will not find gum for sale in any store on Disney property. This is done to help prevent gum from being stuck everywhere and keep everything clean and hygienic. It's not prohibited to bring into parks, but it isn't sold anywhere either. If you absolutely need to chew a piece after a meal for whatever personal reason, pack your favorite in your park day bag/purse before heading out for the day, and make sure to dispose of it properly. #6 - Extra pair of sunglasses Florida is nicknamed "The Sunshine State" for a reason. Everybody has their go-to pair of sunglasses, but what happens if they break or get lost? Disney sells thousands of pairs of sunglasses each day and can be found in all of the theme park and resort hotel shops, but again, they're priced a little bit higher. Be sure to bring an extra pair of sunglasses for each member of your family if you're not willing to use some of your allocated spending money while on vacation on sunglasses. Or you can always bring along your favorite sunglass/eyeglass straps to help keep your specs on you at all times. Either option is better than having to buy a new pair! #7 - Band-Aids You're going to be doing a lot of walking while at Walt Disney World, and even if you plan accordingly and pack comfortable, worn-in shoes, blisters and accidents are bound to happen. Grab a box of your go-to brand and pack them in your park day bag/purse in case of emergencies so you don't have to scourer around for a sundries shop and waste valuable vacation time. Be sure that box also includes various sizes, so you're not trying to put a tiny finger bandage on a tough heel-blister. #8 - Hand sanitizer/wipes A lot of people visit the WDW theme parks everyday. Those people are touching the same handrails, door handles, and ride seatbelts as you are, so make sure to keep your hands clean throughout the day with the hand sanitizer or wipes of your choice. Disney always make sure to have their bathroom sinks stocked with plenty of hand soap, but it's nice to have the convenience of your favorite cleanser right in your park day bag/purse. I'm partial to the Wet Ones travel packs, which are also allowed in carry-on bags and can go through airport security! #9 - Collapsible tote bag Even if you're not planning on bringing back a lot of Disney souvenirs, you will still more than likely purchase a few to bring back home. Pack a collapsible tote bag or duffle bag that can lay flat in the bottom of your luggage so you can fill it up with your goodies on the way home and carry it on the plane. If your souvenirs won't squeeze into your bag or send it over your chosen airline's weight limit, you might be paying for new luggage or an extra fee. An extra tote is great if you purchase stuffed animals, breakable items (Christmas ornaments, mugs), or specialty snacks (Mickey rice crispy treats, coconut patties, etc.). Some Disney gift shops even sell grocery/tote bags or offer them at a discounted price with a purchase, so you can always pick one up if you forget or think you'll need another one with the amount of shopping you're doing. #10 - Disney-themed clothing and accessories Don't forget to have fun with your outfits each day on vacation! I personally like to plan my outfits ahead based on what theme park I'm going to visit each day, special dining reservations, events, etc. Characters love to see themselves on your t-shirts and hats, and the princesses especially love to see fellow royalty if you choose to sport a tiara. You'll find a ton of park-exclusive apparel and accessories all over property, but don't forget to bring the special items you already have, including your favorite Mickey ears! There are so many other things to remember to bring on your Walt Disney World vacation, especially if you're traveling with little ones, family members with special needs, or anybody with dietary restrictions (among others), so make sure to do your homework and make a list of your own to fit your family's needs. Be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/help/ for many valuable trip planning resources and more information, including helpful tips from Disney's Moms Panel. Check back later for more posts on packing tips, park outfit ideas, and what to leave at home. Until the next post, see ya real soon! While planning your Walt Disney World vacation, there are a lot of things to consider, options to choose from, and decisions to make. One thing you don't have to worry about though is transportation around Walt Disney World, including getting from Orlando International Airport to your Disney resort hotel. How does this happen? Well, that's when the aptly-named Disney's Magical Express comes in!
Disney's Magical Express is a luxury motor coach transportation service available exclusively for Walt Disney World resort hotel guests that really takes a lot of stress off your shoulders while on vacation. How does it work exactly? Well, the magic and convenience begins when you first make your hotel reservation in the vacation planning process. When you reserve your WDW vacation, you will be prompted with the option to add-on Disney's Magical Express service if you are flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO). I highly recommend adding on this perk to anybody staying on property at WDW, as you are guaranteed worry-tree travel from the airport directly to your resort hotel, return to the airport from your resort hotel at the end of your stay, and convenient, hands-off luggage transfers both ways. You simply submit your incoming flight information to let Disney know when to expect you, your return flight information for a pickup time and location at the end of your trip, and after a small, additional charge to your vacation package, you're in! With booking this ground transportation service, you'll receive a handful of things in the mail to bring along on your trip. The first, and one of the most important things, are your luggage tags, which will be delivered to your home approximately 2-3 weeks before your check-in date. Remember that part about "convenient, hands-off luggage transfers?" Well with Disney's Magical Express, you don't have to worry about getting your suitcases from baggage claim when you arrive in Orlando. Why? Because Disney takes care of getting your bags for you and transferring them directly to your assigned hotel room. No having to wait endlessly for your family's luggage at baggage claim, no hauling your suitcase up and down stairs or escalators, and most importantly, no worries (Hakuna Matata, if you will). Instead, you'll receive bright yellow luggage tags that include a bar code linked to your hotel reservation information and a Mickey silhouette with letters indicating your resort hotel. Each guest in your party will receive two tags assigned to them, and all you have to do is tag your bags at the very beginning of your journey when you first check in at the airport. The next time you see them, they'll be sitting in your hotel room! Pretty cool, huh? Your luggage may not arrive in your hotel room for a couple of hours after you land in Orlando, so it's extremely important to pack all travel documents, prescription medications, and other family essentials in your carry-on bag. This includes your family's Magic Bands, which I'll get to in a just a minute. My family also likes to pack flip fops and sunglasses in our carry-on bags so we can get right to the fun when we arrive in Orlando. And don't forget to leave your camera, phone, and chargers in your carry-on too! It is important to note that if you're arriving to Orlando International Airport before 5:00 AM or after 10:00 PM, you will be responsible for claiming your luggage before boarding Disney's Magical Express. Another important item you'll receive in the mail before your trip are your Disney's Magical Express boarding vouchers. These also include your hotel reservation information and serve as your boarding passes to get on the motor coach. It's extremely important that you or your family's "travel leader" brings these along in their carry-on bag. When you arrive in Orlando, you'll have to make your way to baggage claim B using the airport shuttle (or the "first ride of the trip" as my family calls it!) and proceed to level one where the Disney's Magical Express check-in counter and boarding area are located. Your return vouchers to take you from your WDW resort hotel back to the airport will also be sent to your home, so be sure to hang on to them until the end of your trip. The night before you are scheduled to check out of your resort hotel and head home, you will receive a pickup time and location to return to the airport and information about Disney's airline check-in service. More information on that service to come in another post! If you book your vacation package through Disney (as compared to travel sites like Expedia, Priceline, etc.), you will receive customizable Magic Bands that will serve as your boarding passes for Disney's Magical Express. Each member of your family will receive a band assigned to them, and all you have to do is scan your band at the Magical Express check-in to proceed to the motor coach for your hotel. You can't get any easier than that! Your Magic Bands will also serve other important functions while on your trip, so be sure to check back for a post dedicated to how they work and all they can do. So once you've checked in and provided the essentials, you're ready to board and start your vacation! I think using Disney's Magical Express is really a no-brainer if you're on staying on WDW property, and it really kicks off your vacation in a special way. The buses are plush and adorned with familiar Disney character silhouettes, the drivers are a pleasure, and you can enjoy Disney cartoons and trivia during the short drive to Walt Disney World. It really is a magical journey on Disney's Magical Express! For more information on Disney's Magical Express, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/ or call (407) 939-1936. Until the next post, see ya real soon! While the thought of visiting the four theme parks at Walt Disney World already sounds magical, staying at one of Disney's on-property resort hotels can add even more magic to your vacation! With 30 different hotels and accommodations to choose from, there's something for each and every family to enjoy. But having that amount of lodging to choose from can get intimidating, and just how do you choose?
When looking at where to stay during your Walt Disney World vacation, there are multiple factors to consider, but the most important thing to look at is your budget. Your budget will be the ultimate factor in choosing your hotel. Disney classifies their resort hotels by category: Value Resort Hotels, Moderate Resort Hotels, Deluxe Resort Hotels, and Deluxe Villas. The accommodations are grouped into these categories by average price per night, with the Deluxe Villas costing the most. The Value Resort Hotels are great for families with younger children, guests on a tighter budget, and the all-day theme park goers. Why is that? Well all of the Value Resort Hotels are designed with bright colors , larger-than-life icons, and offer food court-style dining that's perfect for kids of all ages to get a quick bite before heading out to the parks for the day. They feature a main hall for check-in, shopping, and dining, and the rooms are grouped into different buildings usually separated by a theme. At Disney's Pop Century Resort, the rooms are grouped into different buildings themed to a iconic decade. At Disney's All Star Movies Resort, the buildings are identified by a Disney animated classic film. The Value Resort Hotels offer the lowest rates and the rooms are all fairly standard. So for the family who's looking to spend the majority of their days in the parks and just want a place to rest their heads, the Value Resorts make the most sense. The Moderate Resort Hotels have higher average nightly rates than the Value Resorts and boast more elaborate themes, recreation offerings, and dining options. This type of resort hotel is perfect for families still trying to adhere to a budget but maybe want to include pool days amidst their time in the parks, sleep in a little later each morning, or want those extra recreation options. Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort has six different pools on site (one for each "village" of rooms), Disney's Coronado Springs Resort has the 24-hour fitness facility La Vida Health Club that is perfect for adults who want to get a workout in each day, and Disney's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside offers "Royal Guest Rooms" that are perfect for families with Princesses in tow. The Deluxe Resort Hotels and Deluxe Villas are the most expensive places to stay at Walt Disney World and are good options for the seasoned Disney veterans and families with older guests or without children. These are the most opulent hotels that offer even more recreation options, specialty dining opportunities, and spa offerings. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is famous for sweeping Savannah views in which you can see animals right from your hotel room balcony, and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa houses the famed Victoria & Albert's Restaurant, which is a AAA Five Diamond Award recipient. The guests who are looking for a luxurious, elegant hotel experience, fine dining options, and plush accommodations should consider the Deluxe Resort Hotels and Deluxe Villas. WDW is also home to a campground at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, which is a great option for guests who prefer to travel via RV or sleep under the stars. Rates are low as you're paying for a place to camp without beds, TV, room service, etc. Now you might be thinking, "What about staying off-property?" Well, I am fairly one-sided on the argument of staying off vs. on Disney property. I think it pays to stay on-property, by far! While the nightly rates are almost always higher at a Disney Resort Hotel, you're getting other amenities that off-property hotels simply cannot compete with. The biggest amenity being free transportation from your Disney Resort Hotel to all four theme parks, both water parks, and Downtown Disney. Each hotel has its own bus station(s) that can conveniently get you to any place on property you may want to visit. So no need to rent a car or hail a taxi at all during your stay! Another perk of staying on property is the opportunity to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours at the parks during your stay. Every day, one of the four theme parks either opens an hour early or stays open an hour later that only Disney Resort Hotel guests can take part in. This means early access to your favorite attractions, not having to rush to exit the park at the end of the day, etc. It's definitely a nice bonus when planning out your theme park days! WDW hotels on property also include countless other amenities (which vary by hotel of course), including free WiFi, free resort and theme park parking, 24-hour ATM services, and laundry services, among others. Plus all Disney Resort Hotel guests are eligible to take advantage of Disney's Magical Express bus service to and from Orlando International airport. Check back later for a post entirely dedicated to Disney's Magical Express and its benefits! All in all, Walt Disney World offers too many lodging options to count, but there's something for everyone. The most important thing to consider is your budget and then exactly how you're planning to spend your WDW vacation days. Be sure to check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/ for complete hotel listings and overviews, and don't forget to check out sites like TripAdvisor and Expedia for guest reviews and ratings. Whether you choose to stay at a Value Resort Hotel or Deluxe Villa, on vs. off-property, or camping in your RV, you'll have a place to rest and recharge at the end of the day, spend time with your family and friends, and create magical memories that will last a lifetime! Until the next post, see ya real soon! |
About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
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