I know, you are like what?! The Walt Disney World girl likes something even better than the parks? It is crazy, and I'm not 100% convinced, but I will tell you, Disney Cruises are pretty amazing. We have only been on two so far, but have our third booked for next summer and we can't wait! So what makes Disney cruises so amazing?
1. There is something for everyone. Adult only areas? Check. Amazing kid clubs that are included in the price of the cruise? Check. Great pools? Check. Broadway caliber shows? Check. First run movies? Check. Wine tastings? Check. Diaper dashes? Check. No matter what your style, you will find something that meets your interests and needs.
2. The food is great. Disney ships feature this awesome concept of rotational dining. Each night you have the same wait staff but you switch restaurants. You might eat in Animator's Palate (where the scenery changes throughout the night as you eat and you see Disney or Pixar characters come to life) and then Tiana's Place or the Enchanted Garden where princess settings are more the decor. There are a few adult only restaurants that are absolutely amazing (and totally worth the small upcharge) and there is a buffet open most hours, as well as offerings like frozen yogurt, burgers, wraps, and fries available most times on the pool deck. Your dining staff will get to know you quickly. On day two they had my kids' desired drinks waiting when we arrived. They knew my daughter's kid meal was never going to fill her up so happily brought her a side of grilled shrimp or something from the adult menu. Want to try two desserts? Go for it. It's vacation!
3. Your kids will beg to go the kid club. A room modeled after Andy's bedroom from Toy Story. A mock Millenium Falcon the kids can fly. Dance parties with Disney characters. Art, cooking, and science events. Gaming stations for those that can't live without their screen time. For kids 3-10 or so, there is definitely something for everyone. And the kid area is super secure (they have a special bracelet system and check out safe word, as well as some of the most state of the art hand washers I have ever seen to keep germs at bay!). Our kids requested time there the final night to go one more time before leaving the ship they loved it that much!
4. Disney Shows. Each night there is a special show you can see either before or after dinner depending on your dining time. The shows are Broadway caliber but geared to families. They are based on Disney films or Disney concepts like believe and dream, and they are great. While other cruise lines often have great shows, most aren't rated G so aren't exactly what I am looking for. The Disney shows were perfect for my kids and grown ups enjoyed them too.
5. Disney's Private Island, Castaway Cay. This island wins the best private island award in every award list I have ever seen. There is an adult only area, several swimming areas, a kid club area on the island (complete with dinosaur digs and beach scavenger hunts), character meet and greets, and water slides and play areas in the middle of the water. You can rent bikes or snorkel equipment or just lay in a hammock. You can even get off the ship early and run or walk a 5K. It is beautiful and perfect.
While all these things are great, the reason I love Disney cruises the most is the vacation style it leads to. Disney World is go go go. No matter how much down time I try to schedule in to the trip, I have a hard time relaxing and slowing down. On the cruise, there is rarely somewhere you have to be. There is just a sense that you should be spending time just chilling and watching the waves or hanging in the theater or eating with the family and you don't feel like you are exhausted when you are done with vacation. You can schedule character meet and greets or port excursions but otherwise you just show up where you want and when you want. Want to skip dinner? That's fine. Room service is included or you can hit the buffet. If you want to go go go there is something scheduled from like 5 am - 2 am. And the kid clubs are open like 7 am - midnight. There are special clubs for preteens and teens too if you have older kids that are too cool for too much family time. It really is a great vacation for everyone and I can't wait for us to go back for a 7-night trip next August!
Feel free to share your favorite parts of the cruise! Or ask any questions about Disney or other cruise lines!
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Our Favorite Disney Quick Service Restaurants
Disney has lots of great food and not all of them are in the sit down restaurants. Here are my top five favorite Quick Service food options at Disney:
1. Sunshine Seasons. Located in Epcot in the Land Pavilion near Soarin and Living with the Land, the fresh and varied options in this eatery are probably the freshest and best at Disney. The chicken Caesar salad is one of the best I have ever had but the offerings are all amazing!
2. Flame Tree BBQ. Ribs and BBQ chicken your thing? The food at this Animal Kingdom eatery is also really fresh and good. The servings are also huge so can easily be shared! Avoid the birds that sometimes walk around the tables but otherwise this is a great meal and certainly a can't miss for our family!
3. Sleepy Hollow. This refreshment stand behind the castle as you enter Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom serves a lot of yummy desserts like funnel cakes, but it is the waffle sandwiches that are our go to here. The nutella fruit waffle sandwich makes an amazing breakfast to share but the spicy chicken waffle sandwich has my heart. Share it and then you can have more Mickey ice cream later!
4. Columbia Harbour House. Just around the bend from Sleepy Hollow and across from Haunted Mansion, this restaurant is another favorite. They have some lighter options like grilled salmon or a great veggie sandwich, but the lobster roll, fish sticks, or chicken tenders are always tasty if you are ok with something heavier. Head upstairs with your food for a cool place to relax and people watch and enjoy your meal with less hustle and bustle!
5. Tangerine Café. Located in Morrocco in World Showcase, the pita sandwiches and falafel at this establishment are yummy, filling, and relatively inexpensive for Disney prices. If your kids are less excited about the “exotic” food, you can easily grab them something from nearby American Adventure or a pretzel in Germany, but the food here is a go-to for my husband and I.
I am pretty sure that I could easily include most of Epcot’s World Showcase on this list and I know I am going to love the new Canteen in Pandora in Animal Kingdom, but right now these are my top five. Which Quick Service is your go to? And does anyone love any of the choices in Hollywood Studios? They are totally edible but just not on par with these in my opinion. Hopefully Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxies Edge fixes that in the years to come!
1. Sunshine Seasons. Located in Epcot in the Land Pavilion near Soarin and Living with the Land, the fresh and varied options in this eatery are probably the freshest and best at Disney. The chicken Caesar salad is one of the best I have ever had but the offerings are all amazing!
2. Flame Tree BBQ. Ribs and BBQ chicken your thing? The food at this Animal Kingdom eatery is also really fresh and good. The servings are also huge so can easily be shared! Avoid the birds that sometimes walk around the tables but otherwise this is a great meal and certainly a can't miss for our family!
3. Sleepy Hollow. This refreshment stand behind the castle as you enter Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom serves a lot of yummy desserts like funnel cakes, but it is the waffle sandwiches that are our go to here. The nutella fruit waffle sandwich makes an amazing breakfast to share but the spicy chicken waffle sandwich has my heart. Share it and then you can have more Mickey ice cream later!
4. Columbia Harbour House. Just around the bend from Sleepy Hollow and across from Haunted Mansion, this restaurant is another favorite. They have some lighter options like grilled salmon or a great veggie sandwich, but the lobster roll, fish sticks, or chicken tenders are always tasty if you are ok with something heavier. Head upstairs with your food for a cool place to relax and people watch and enjoy your meal with less hustle and bustle!
5. Tangerine Café. Located in Morrocco in World Showcase, the pita sandwiches and falafel at this establishment are yummy, filling, and relatively inexpensive for Disney prices. If your kids are less excited about the “exotic” food, you can easily grab them something from nearby American Adventure or a pretzel in Germany, but the food here is a go-to for my husband and I.
I am pretty sure that I could easily include most of Epcot’s World Showcase on this list and I know I am going to love the new Canteen in Pandora in Animal Kingdom, but right now these are my top five. Which Quick Service is your go to? And does anyone love any of the choices in Hollywood Studios? They are totally edible but just not on par with these in my opinion. Hopefully Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxies Edge fixes that in the years to come!
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Why You Shouldn't Book Disney On Your Own
Sure, you could book your own Disney trip. Disney makes it
fairly easy to price everything out on their consumer site and just hit book.
You enter a few details and pay and voila, Disney here you come. But wait. If
it was that easy, why would people like me exist? I promise you, it is not for
the money. I do this because I love Disney and want you to enjoy the trip. A
Disney trip is complicated, and even if you have done it a few times, you are
probably missing out on a lot of information and tips doing it on your own. So
what do you get when you book with me exactly?
- The same exact price as if you book direct. Yes, the exact same. Disney builds a small commission in to every single room/package/ticket they sell. You book with me, I get the commission. You book direct, they keep it. The prices I see are the prices you see. They are the prices any other travel agent sees. So really, why wouldn’t you book with me? Someone who goes to the park 3-5 times most years and eats, sleeps, and breathes Disney!
- Discount monitoring. I’ll be honest, Disney discounts are becoming fewer and farther between based on the popularity of their new additions and a stronger economy. But they do still release discounts several times a year. The most popular tends to be “free dining” in the fall, but room discounts and ticket deals are also released seasonally. If a discount is released and it matches your dates and package, I’ll apply it automatically. No need to search yourself, keep abreast of every new release, or worry about any of this. While I always say you should book at a price you are comfortable with, in many cases I am able to adjust the price down (or get you a nice upgrade at about the same price) closer to your trip. Of course there are never any guarantees, but knowing I am looking out for you is a nice perk!
- Who likes getting up at 5:45 AM to book dining? Not too many people. 180 days out I’ll be up for you booking the restaurants you wanted right as the clock turns to 6 AM. Of course this is after consulting with you about what best fits your preliminary plans, budget, and needs. I’ll share recommendations and work hard to get you exactly what you want. For busier times of year when some restaurants are almost impossible to book even at 180 days out (and also for people that book trips much closer to their travel date) I’ll set up reservation finders for your hard to get reservations to try to snag those ressies if and when they do become available.
- I know what you need to FastPass and what you don’t. Have six must dos at the Magic Kingdom and not sure how to assign your three passes and maximize time? I’ll not only tell you exactly how to set up your fast passes to make the day as smooth as possible, I’ll be online for you at 7 AM 60 days out to snag everything you need for your trip. When I see people using fast passes on rides with 0-5 minute waits it drives me crazy. You won’t be those people if you work with me!
- For packages (room and ticket with or without dining plan) booked on site, I also provide detailed daily itineraries as part of my service. This includes mapping out each of your days in the park to minimize time in lines and maximize what you can do. And these are obviously customized based on your family! Billy is scared of the dark? We can skip all dark rides and shows? Need nap/pool time worked in each afternoon? Done. Need to know the best park to hop to after naps? In there, along with the evening show times, recs for dinner if you don’t have a dining reservation, and travel time. I try to make the trip as stress-free as possible. With a hotel or ticket only booking I can provide this level of detail for a small additional fee, but include park recommendations and a general outline of each day in the packet you will receive before your trip.
- Brand new to Disney? Or been once or twice and friends and family are telling you how great it is and all of their advice is overwhelming? If you are local I am happy to meet in person. If not, or you prefer the phone, I’ll walk you through everything on the phone. There are lots of things to consider for a Disney trip. Hotel? Hopper tickets? How many days in the parks? Dining plan? How to stay on a budget? Magic bands? Magical Express? I will give you some general information, answer questions, and keep you on track through the process. I will not upsell you. I will listen to what you want and find you the best match. If your expectations aren’t realistic to your budget, I will tell you that and price things out at the level you want and the level you tell me you can afford. I want you to have a great trip at a price you are comfortable paying and whether that is 1 night at All Star Sports with a day at Magic Kingdom or two weeks in a Club Level Villa I will help you make your trip everything you imagine.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Disney in 2018
Are you thinking about Disney in 2018 but aren't sure if it is the right time for your family?! 2018 Packages were just released June 20th and there are so many reasons that next year might just be the perfect year for your family to experience the magic of Disney. Here are five reasons to think about a trip to the land of mouse:
1. Pandora just opened and is reportedly amazing at Animal Kingdom. Not so amazing however are the lines. Wait times have been up to six hours for Flights of Passage, the standout ride in the new area! Yes, people get around that with fast passes (and if you are going this year that will certainly be the first one I book for you!) but come 2018 everything will still be new without some of the obscene lines!
2. Toy Story Land. Hollywood Studios is currently undergoing a massive expansion. The Star Wars Land they are building won't yet be done in 2018 but all reports predict insanity the first year it opens anyways. While Disney has kept mum on the exact opening of the other new area, Toy Story Land, most are predicting a 2018 start. With a family coaster modeled after the Slinky Dog and a Spinning Alien saucer ride, it looks to be a great addition to a park that needed a few more rides for families with small kids. Check out my page for official word of this new land perfect for kids but my money is on summer 2018!
3. Speaking of kids, do you have little ones? Hitting the sweet spot when one is just under age 3, is a great way to do Disney for less money. Disney tickets and the dining plan for kids under 3 is free. They can even turn three after the first day of the trip and still count as 2 year olds. My kids have been going since they were infants but right before age 3 is pretty great at Disney. They can stay up later to see night shows (at least occasionally), tend to want to interact with characters more, and if you have a taller one, may even be big enough for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride!
4. Your family will love all of the new nighttime shows Disney has going on! From Magic Kingdom's brand new Happily Ever After to the Star Wars show with fireworks, lasers, and projections that end the evening at Hollywood Studios, every park now has something amazing to end a magical day!
5. Disney has really extended their festival line up at Epcot! Flower & Garden Festival now goes most of March-May with concerts, food and drink booths, and special events (plus the amazing topiaries and flowers everywhere). The main event for grown ups, Food & Wine expands each year and now goes from late August through early November! The holidays from Thanksgiving weekend on include the Candlelight Processional with celebrity narrators and Holidays Around the World where each country showcases their traditions. The new Festival of the Arts in January and February was a massive success and I expect it to return in 2018 and finally the Sounds like Summer Concert Series makes your summer evenings in Epcot a little more fun. Epcot really does have something special all year long!
As you can see, Disney always offers a lot to see and do. Take it from our family that visits multiple times of year, there is no bad time to visit and every time you go you'll see something new! If you are ready for a quote or just have some questions, message or email me anytime! And remember, you pay nothing extra working with me. A small $200 (plus insurance if desired) deposit is all it takes to book and you have until 30 days before travel to pay off your trip. Now is the time, contact me to get planning!
Monday, May 22, 2017
Saving Money at Disney: Part 1
When you think of Disney you probably think two things - lines and money! One of the reasons you would be well advised to use my services is I can help on both fronts. I'll use crowd calendars to tell you which park to visit on each day to avoid some crowds, book fast-passes strategically for the right rides at the right times, and create daily itineraries that maximize saving time on the line front. But I can also help you save money. A bit with your booking (I always monitor for discounts, even after you book and can apply things later!) but also with the tips I share here, on my facebook page, and in conversations with clients. Here are a few of my favorite tips for saving money at Disney!
1. Stay on site. A value resort on property will be at most slightly more expensive than options off property. With an on-site reservation you maximize your time (and time equals money) through the extra hours resort guests get in the park but also save money on transportation. Off-site guests pay at least $20 a day in parking fees if they drive to and from the parks. Plus, you need to add in the rental car fee itself for anyone flying. Or ground transportation to and from the airport if you are going to use (the usually inconvenient) shuttles of an off-site resort. If you do drive to Disney, parking is free for those staying on site at both the hotels and the parks. If you don't drive, transportation to and from the airport and around Disney World is included in the price of all resorts on site. So any money saved by booking off site often quickly gets eaten away by transportation costs when you compare an on-site value resort verses an off-site reservation.
2. Bring costumes from home. Shocker I know, but prices in Disney stores on site are escalated due to demand. Your little princess or pirate may very well want to dress up in the parks; don't be caught off guard and subjected to the prices in the park. Bring a costume from home that is already well loved or even better, buy something cute brand new for the trip on Amazon or even etsy for less than what you'd pay on property.
3. Bring toys/trinkets/glow sticks from home. There is lots to buy at Disney. As soon as dusk hits, it is like a 4th of July viewing with glowing and flashing toys everywhere. Head that off with some dollar store or Target glow stick accessories. While you are at it, pick up a few other Disney toys to put out in the morning at the hotel room or pull out as a surprise in a line. Souvenirs are great but they don't have to kill your budget!
4. Bring food from home or use a grocery service. Even if you select a dining plan for your trip, you'll want to bring food from home or get some delivered to your resort from a local grocery company. Granola or other breakfast bars, apple sauce pouches, fruit snacks, and even peanut butter and jelly sandwich makings are great for our family. When we have a car we buy fruit and other fresh treats. We eat at a restaurant either for breakfast or lunch and then dinner and these snacks get us through the rest of the day without us spending $10 on the first thing we see when starvation (and with it, whining) hits. I find with bringing these items I can usually have my kids share one Disney kid meal at a counter service restaurant and then supplement with snacks. This lets us stretch our dining credits or save money when we aren't on the dining plan.
5. Think about autographs before you go. Autograph books at Disney are expensive and they also aren't always the best way to collect or display memories. Inexpensive items to collect autographs from home include a plain white pillowcase for characters to sign, a mat for a frame (if you have a place to carry this in the parks!), a Disney t-shirt, or a dollar store or craft store autograph book or photo album. There are so many creative ideas for this one - just search pinterest! But no matter what you pick, remember to bring a fat sharpie that will be easy for characters to grip!
6. Never buy bottled water! If you are on the dining plan, bottled water counts as a snack credit but you definitely won't get your money's worth on the plan if you spend all your snack credits on these instead of park treats like ice cream in Epcot's France pavilion or breakfast items at your resort. And ice water is free if you ask at any counter restaurant. You can also bring water bottles from home and refill through the park. If you don't like Florida water, use flavoring packets. There is almost never a reason to spend $3 a pop on what you can get for free in so many places!
7. Ask for gift cards for presents for you/your kids. No one needs more stuff in their house anyways, am I right? We give each kid a $25 gift card for souvenirs. They spend the trip picking something special and know they just get to spend that $25 and nothing more. Other gift cards can be used for food or special events. You can even pay for your trip using gift cards - I just need the numbers to apply to your account! You can even buy slightly discounted gift cards at some warehouse stores or at Target with your red card to save a little extra money going this route. But no matter how you buy them, using gift cards to help pay for your trip, especially if they have been given to you by others for holidays and birthdays, it definitely helps with costs! I used a $100 one I was given for Christmas to pay for ALL of my meals at Disney for a 4-day solo marathon trip last year. It was amazing and sort of like a challenge to see if I could eat well and do it!
8. Think about when you go. Disney's prices change seasonally. Hotels, park tickets, and even restaurant prices are more expensive when more people plan to be there. The most crowded and most expensive weeks? Christmas and Easter by far! If at all possible go off-season to save money on costs and to save time in lines. Who wants to pay more to be with tons of people? I can help you pick the best weeks for costs and lines.
So there are some money saving ideas! I'll share others in a later post. And as always, please contact me for quotes, with questions, or to book your magical trip!
1. Stay on site. A value resort on property will be at most slightly more expensive than options off property. With an on-site reservation you maximize your time (and time equals money) through the extra hours resort guests get in the park but also save money on transportation. Off-site guests pay at least $20 a day in parking fees if they drive to and from the parks. Plus, you need to add in the rental car fee itself for anyone flying. Or ground transportation to and from the airport if you are going to use (the usually inconvenient) shuttles of an off-site resort. If you do drive to Disney, parking is free for those staying on site at both the hotels and the parks. If you don't drive, transportation to and from the airport and around Disney World is included in the price of all resorts on site. So any money saved by booking off site often quickly gets eaten away by transportation costs when you compare an on-site value resort verses an off-site reservation.
2. Bring costumes from home. Shocker I know, but prices in Disney stores on site are escalated due to demand. Your little princess or pirate may very well want to dress up in the parks; don't be caught off guard and subjected to the prices in the park. Bring a costume from home that is already well loved or even better, buy something cute brand new for the trip on Amazon or even etsy for less than what you'd pay on property.
3. Bring toys/trinkets/glow sticks from home. There is lots to buy at Disney. As soon as dusk hits, it is like a 4th of July viewing with glowing and flashing toys everywhere. Head that off with some dollar store or Target glow stick accessories. While you are at it, pick up a few other Disney toys to put out in the morning at the hotel room or pull out as a surprise in a line. Souvenirs are great but they don't have to kill your budget!
4. Bring food from home or use a grocery service. Even if you select a dining plan for your trip, you'll want to bring food from home or get some delivered to your resort from a local grocery company. Granola or other breakfast bars, apple sauce pouches, fruit snacks, and even peanut butter and jelly sandwich makings are great for our family. When we have a car we buy fruit and other fresh treats. We eat at a restaurant either for breakfast or lunch and then dinner and these snacks get us through the rest of the day without us spending $10 on the first thing we see when starvation (and with it, whining) hits. I find with bringing these items I can usually have my kids share one Disney kid meal at a counter service restaurant and then supplement with snacks. This lets us stretch our dining credits or save money when we aren't on the dining plan.
5. Think about autographs before you go. Autograph books at Disney are expensive and they also aren't always the best way to collect or display memories. Inexpensive items to collect autographs from home include a plain white pillowcase for characters to sign, a mat for a frame (if you have a place to carry this in the parks!), a Disney t-shirt, or a dollar store or craft store autograph book or photo album. There are so many creative ideas for this one - just search pinterest! But no matter what you pick, remember to bring a fat sharpie that will be easy for characters to grip!
6. Never buy bottled water! If you are on the dining plan, bottled water counts as a snack credit but you definitely won't get your money's worth on the plan if you spend all your snack credits on these instead of park treats like ice cream in Epcot's France pavilion or breakfast items at your resort. And ice water is free if you ask at any counter restaurant. You can also bring water bottles from home and refill through the park. If you don't like Florida water, use flavoring packets. There is almost never a reason to spend $3 a pop on what you can get for free in so many places!
7. Ask for gift cards for presents for you/your kids. No one needs more stuff in their house anyways, am I right? We give each kid a $25 gift card for souvenirs. They spend the trip picking something special and know they just get to spend that $25 and nothing more. Other gift cards can be used for food or special events. You can even pay for your trip using gift cards - I just need the numbers to apply to your account! You can even buy slightly discounted gift cards at some warehouse stores or at Target with your red card to save a little extra money going this route. But no matter how you buy them, using gift cards to help pay for your trip, especially if they have been given to you by others for holidays and birthdays, it definitely helps with costs! I used a $100 one I was given for Christmas to pay for ALL of my meals at Disney for a 4-day solo marathon trip last year. It was amazing and sort of like a challenge to see if I could eat well and do it!
8. Think about when you go. Disney's prices change seasonally. Hotels, park tickets, and even restaurant prices are more expensive when more people plan to be there. The most crowded and most expensive weeks? Christmas and Easter by far! If at all possible go off-season to save money on costs and to save time in lines. Who wants to pay more to be with tons of people? I can help you pick the best weeks for costs and lines.
So there are some money saving ideas! I'll share others in a later post. And as always, please contact me for quotes, with questions, or to book your magical trip!
Monday, March 6, 2017
Disney Hotels
Staying on site at Disney comes with some big advantages, many of which I have already discussed in other posts. First, you get to book your fast-passes 60 days out instead of 30 days. Those super popular rides often get snatched up before that 30 day mark so off-site guests have to either endure long lines or skip those attractions. Second, one of the parks either opens an hour early or stays open 2-3 hours late just for Disney hotel guests. Third, you can do without a rental car by using Disney's Magical Express to and from the airport and take advantage of their luggage service as well coming and going. Finally, you get magic bands, have free parking at the parks if you do have a car, have charging privelleges, and even have package delivery service.
So I have sold you on staying on property, now you have to decide where to stay! Disney has lots of options and they fall in to four main categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa. There is also an on-site campground if you prefer that. Here is a quick run-down of the different categories.
Value: These are the least expensive of the Disney hotels and they cater to families with little kids and groups. They are highly themed and there are five options - All Star Sports, All Star Music, All Star Movies, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. While All Star Music and Art of Animation have family suites, most rooms are standard hotel/motel rooms with two double beds, a bathroom, and a small table and chairs. There will be several pools throughout the resort, a food court, and bus service to the parks. These hotels are best for families on a budget, families that won't be spending much time in the rooms, and families with little kids who will love the decor that many adults find a bit cheesy. Art of Animation is the newest value resort and is themed to Disney classics like the Little Mermaid, Cars, and the Lion King. About half of all my bookings are at this hotel, either for the suites or the Little Mermaid standard rooms and everyone loves it! My favorite value is Pop Century. Across the lake from Art of Animation, it is all standard rooms which work fine for our crew of four when we are doing Disney on a budget. The rooms are clean and the food court and transportation have always been more than acceptable.
Moderate: These are mid-range hotels that have a little more grown up feel in decor and setting. Moderate resorts have slightly larger rooms with either two queens or a king (and some have an extra pull down or something for a smaller kid). The pools are slightly more elaborate than the values and have a slide. They all have large food courts but they also have a sit-down restaurant that is a bit fancier. The two Port Orleans resorts (French Quarter and Riverside) have a boat that takes guests to the Disney Springs downtown area and back. The Fort Wilderness Cabins (which are bigger than the other moderates with a small kitchen and sleep 6) has a boat that goes to Magic Kingdom, and the other two, Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs, are served exclusively by bus. My favorite moderate by far is Port Orleans - French Quarter, Smaller than the other resorts, with boat service to Disney Springs, and set among Magnolia trees, it feels more grown up and relaxing than the other resorts in the value or moderate categories. We have had good stays at the other resorts in this category as well, although have never tried the cabins. I'll report in later this year when a client checks those out!
Deluxe: These are generally the hotels you see in Disney TV commercials. They are beautiful, have rooms that fit 4-5, generally with 2 queens and sometimes a pull-down or bunk bed for kids in the room. The rooms also have balconies which is nice if you are relaxing while kids are napping! The pools are themed and have both slides and water play areas with spilling buckets, sprays, etc. There is generally a small quick-service food area and then several sit-down restaurants. These resorts tend to be a little closer to the parks. Three are on the Magic Kingdom monorail line (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary); Wilderness Lodge has boat service to the Magic Kingdom; Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club are within walking distance to Epcot or are a quick boat ride to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios; and Animal Kingdom Lodge doesn't have any special transportation options but you have the animals in your backyard! These hotels are really awesome and while I love all of them, my absolute favorite is Wilderness Lodge which is themed like a national park lodge out west. Complete with a geyser that erupts hourly and a waterfall, as well as two of my favorite restaurants on all of property (and favorite lounge for drinks and snacks by far!), it definitely has my heart!
Deluxe Villa: Disney has a timeshare program called Disney Vacation Club. While Disney sells most shares, they keep about a 10% ownership in these resorts for regular guests. The rooms are either studios (similar to a Deluxe traditional hotel room but with an added kitchenette), or 1, 2, or 3-bedroom suites with kitchens. Generally Deluxe villas are located in one area of Disney deluxe resorts but there are two properties, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, both located on the Disney Springs boat route (and Saratoga is also walking distance to Disney Springs), that do not have traditional hotel rooms at all. The Deluxe Villas have everything the Deluxe hotels have - fancier pools, sit-down restaurants, balconies, more grown up decor, etc. For extended families hoping to all stay together, grabbing one of the 1-3 bedroom suites is often the best bet.
What hotel is your favorite or are you most eager to try? Do you have questions about any of the categories? Remember that whether you stay in a value room or 3-bedroom suite you get the advantages of staying on property so let me help you figure out the best fit for your crew and your budget!
So I have sold you on staying on property, now you have to decide where to stay! Disney has lots of options and they fall in to four main categories: Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa. There is also an on-site campground if you prefer that. Here is a quick run-down of the different categories.
Value: These are the least expensive of the Disney hotels and they cater to families with little kids and groups. They are highly themed and there are five options - All Star Sports, All Star Music, All Star Movies, Pop Century, and Art of Animation. While All Star Music and Art of Animation have family suites, most rooms are standard hotel/motel rooms with two double beds, a bathroom, and a small table and chairs. There will be several pools throughout the resort, a food court, and bus service to the parks. These hotels are best for families on a budget, families that won't be spending much time in the rooms, and families with little kids who will love the decor that many adults find a bit cheesy. Art of Animation is the newest value resort and is themed to Disney classics like the Little Mermaid, Cars, and the Lion King. About half of all my bookings are at this hotel, either for the suites or the Little Mermaid standard rooms and everyone loves it! My favorite value is Pop Century. Across the lake from Art of Animation, it is all standard rooms which work fine for our crew of four when we are doing Disney on a budget. The rooms are clean and the food court and transportation have always been more than acceptable.
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| Pop Century has artifacts from different decades. This life-size twister board painted off the beaten path was a big hit with my little ones! |
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| The trees and fountains at French-Quarter just make me happy! |
Deluxe: These are generally the hotels you see in Disney TV commercials. They are beautiful, have rooms that fit 4-5, generally with 2 queens and sometimes a pull-down or bunk bed for kids in the room. The rooms also have balconies which is nice if you are relaxing while kids are napping! The pools are themed and have both slides and water play areas with spilling buckets, sprays, etc. There is generally a small quick-service food area and then several sit-down restaurants. These resorts tend to be a little closer to the parks. Three are on the Magic Kingdom monorail line (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary); Wilderness Lodge has boat service to the Magic Kingdom; Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club are within walking distance to Epcot or are a quick boat ride to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios; and Animal Kingdom Lodge doesn't have any special transportation options but you have the animals in your backyard! These hotels are really awesome and while I love all of them, my absolute favorite is Wilderness Lodge which is themed like a national park lodge out west. Complete with a geyser that erupts hourly and a waterfall, as well as two of my favorite restaurants on all of property (and favorite lounge for drinks and snacks by far!), it definitely has my heart!
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| Even during a summer thunderstorm, the view out the window of Wilderness Lodge is gorgeous. And for an amazing dinner, try Artist Point! |
Deluxe Villa: Disney has a timeshare program called Disney Vacation Club. While Disney sells most shares, they keep about a 10% ownership in these resorts for regular guests. The rooms are either studios (similar to a Deluxe traditional hotel room but with an added kitchenette), or 1, 2, or 3-bedroom suites with kitchens. Generally Deluxe villas are located in one area of Disney deluxe resorts but there are two properties, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, both located on the Disney Springs boat route (and Saratoga is also walking distance to Disney Springs), that do not have traditional hotel rooms at all. The Deluxe Villas have everything the Deluxe hotels have - fancier pools, sit-down restaurants, balconies, more grown up decor, etc. For extended families hoping to all stay together, grabbing one of the 1-3 bedroom suites is often the best bet.
What hotel is your favorite or are you most eager to try? Do you have questions about any of the categories? Remember that whether you stay in a value room or 3-bedroom suite you get the advantages of staying on property so let me help you figure out the best fit for your crew and your budget!
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Increasing Your Disney Vocab
If you are new to Disney, you are probably wondering about some of the terms that get thrown out all the time! This entry is the first (but likely not the last) that helps to define some things for the Disney newbie (or new to the 2017 version of Disney):
Dining Plan - Ok so Disney actually has several dining plans, but when people are talking about "the dining plan" they generally are talking about a plan offered to people staying on Disney property that have gotten a ticket and room package. The plan is priced per adult or child per night and includes a table service credit for a sit down restaurant, a counter service credit for a fast-food type experience, two snack credits, and a refillable mug. To purchase, everyone in the room must be on the plan and it is per night not number of total days you are at Disney which confuses some people. There are lots of restaurants to pick from and generally casual Disney visitors generally like the plan so they can schedule some nice meals in to their trip that are basically pre-paid. Occasionally Disney offers free dining promotions for full-price room packages. If you book with me and free dining or any discount is announced I monitor that and add it to your package if it is available for your room.
Disney Springs - This is the downtown area of Disney. It doesn't require a ticket or admission and is a lovely area of outdoor shopping, restaurants, and activities like a movie theater, bowling, and a Cirque show. Buses run from the hotels and later in the day, directly from the theme parks.
Fast-pass - This is basically like a go near the front of the line reservation for rides and shows. Each guest gets three a day they can schedule in advance. If you are staying on property you can reserve yours 60 days out; if off property you reserve them 30 days out. They are electronically added to your account so you just show up to the entrance at the correct one-hour window and they scan your magic band (will get to that in a minute) or ticket, and in you go. Instead of waiting in the regular line, you'll likely wait 2-5 minutes. Once you use your three fast-passes, you can get more, one at a time. There are only a limited amount of each though so they run out (even at 60 days out!) for the most popular rides. There are also tiers of ride experiences at Epcot and Hollywood Studios so you can't get avoid a line for every super popular ride, but these definitely help!
Magical Express - Disney's Magical Express is complementary bus transportation to and from Orlando International Airport for Disney guests staying on property. While it is great because it allows you to not have to rent a car or uber/taxi to the resorts, the best thing about it is the luggage service. When you leave home, you simply attach special Disney luggage tags to your bags. When you arrive in Florida, skip baggage claim (unless you have a late night flight!) and head straight for the bus. Disney will pick up your luggage for you and it magically arrives in your room 2-3 hours later. On the way home you can use resort airline check-in the morning you depart where you check your luggage in at your hotel just like you would at an airline ticket counter and then you'll see your bags back at your home airport baggage claim after you trip. This is one of my favorite perks of staying at a Disney hotel!
Magic band - This sort of looks like a fitbit. It is a bracelet that guests staying on property get for their vacation. Off site guests can purchase them. They hold everything electronically - your tickets, your fast pass reservations, your dining reservations, your room key, pictures you have purchased, etc. If you assign a credit card you can even use it to charge purchases in the park (with a pin). It allows you to carry almost nothing in the parks (well, unless you have kids with you!)
MyDisneyExperience - Ok, if the magic band is your wearable electronic system, mydisneyexperience is the website/ap that powers it all. It is sort of the Disney cloud. It is the account you use to link your reservations, fast passes, pictures, etc. initially that the magic band basically pulls information from. You can link to other travelers (extended family, for example, staying in another room) and do your planning all together from this system. It helps you find park hours, wait times, and all of your reservations and if you have a smart phone, you MUST download this ap before you arrive. You will add additional fast passes in the park or switch reservations around using this system. When I book your package, we will share your MyDisneyExperience account so I can book meals and fast-passes for you at the 180 and 60 day mark!
Rider/Baby Switch/Swap - This is a system that allows adults to split up and go on the thrill rides without each waiting in a full-line when they have kids too short (or scared) to ride a ride. It basically works like this. Family shows up at the line and Parent A and big kids/friends/family get a ride swap pass and wait in line and ride the ride. Parent B stays out with little kid(s). Parent A comes out, hands Parent B the pass and they and at least one other then take the pass and go to the front of the line and ride. Many times Disney allows more than one extra rider the second time but the policy as written only allows one extra person to go with Parent B. And if your short folks are awake while this is going on, they don't just have to sit and wait and be bored - there are many play areas throughout Disney which are excellent places to take the little ones while the big ones experience the coasters and such.
Ok so that is it for post one as I try to up your Disney vocab! If I or others throw around other words or things you don't understand, comment and we will help you out! And as always, I am here to book your trip to Disney with just a $200 (plus insurance if you want it) deposit so hit me up with some dates and I'll get things moving for you!
Dining Plan - Ok so Disney actually has several dining plans, but when people are talking about "the dining plan" they generally are talking about a plan offered to people staying on Disney property that have gotten a ticket and room package. The plan is priced per adult or child per night and includes a table service credit for a sit down restaurant, a counter service credit for a fast-food type experience, two snack credits, and a refillable mug. To purchase, everyone in the room must be on the plan and it is per night not number of total days you are at Disney which confuses some people. There are lots of restaurants to pick from and generally casual Disney visitors generally like the plan so they can schedule some nice meals in to their trip that are basically pre-paid. Occasionally Disney offers free dining promotions for full-price room packages. If you book with me and free dining or any discount is announced I monitor that and add it to your package if it is available for your room.
Disney Springs - This is the downtown area of Disney. It doesn't require a ticket or admission and is a lovely area of outdoor shopping, restaurants, and activities like a movie theater, bowling, and a Cirque show. Buses run from the hotels and later in the day, directly from the theme parks.
Fast-pass - This is basically like a go near the front of the line reservation for rides and shows. Each guest gets three a day they can schedule in advance. If you are staying on property you can reserve yours 60 days out; if off property you reserve them 30 days out. They are electronically added to your account so you just show up to the entrance at the correct one-hour window and they scan your magic band (will get to that in a minute) or ticket, and in you go. Instead of waiting in the regular line, you'll likely wait 2-5 minutes. Once you use your three fast-passes, you can get more, one at a time. There are only a limited amount of each though so they run out (even at 60 days out!) for the most popular rides. There are also tiers of ride experiences at Epcot and Hollywood Studios so you can't get avoid a line for every super popular ride, but these definitely help!
Magical Express - Disney's Magical Express is complementary bus transportation to and from Orlando International Airport for Disney guests staying on property. While it is great because it allows you to not have to rent a car or uber/taxi to the resorts, the best thing about it is the luggage service. When you leave home, you simply attach special Disney luggage tags to your bags. When you arrive in Florida, skip baggage claim (unless you have a late night flight!) and head straight for the bus. Disney will pick up your luggage for you and it magically arrives in your room 2-3 hours later. On the way home you can use resort airline check-in the morning you depart where you check your luggage in at your hotel just like you would at an airline ticket counter and then you'll see your bags back at your home airport baggage claim after you trip. This is one of my favorite perks of staying at a Disney hotel!
Magic band - This sort of looks like a fitbit. It is a bracelet that guests staying on property get for their vacation. Off site guests can purchase them. They hold everything electronically - your tickets, your fast pass reservations, your dining reservations, your room key, pictures you have purchased, etc. If you assign a credit card you can even use it to charge purchases in the park (with a pin). It allows you to carry almost nothing in the parks (well, unless you have kids with you!)
MyDisneyExperience - Ok, if the magic band is your wearable electronic system, mydisneyexperience is the website/ap that powers it all. It is sort of the Disney cloud. It is the account you use to link your reservations, fast passes, pictures, etc. initially that the magic band basically pulls information from. You can link to other travelers (extended family, for example, staying in another room) and do your planning all together from this system. It helps you find park hours, wait times, and all of your reservations and if you have a smart phone, you MUST download this ap before you arrive. You will add additional fast passes in the park or switch reservations around using this system. When I book your package, we will share your MyDisneyExperience account so I can book meals and fast-passes for you at the 180 and 60 day mark!
Rider/Baby Switch/Swap - This is a system that allows adults to split up and go on the thrill rides without each waiting in a full-line when they have kids too short (or scared) to ride a ride. It basically works like this. Family shows up at the line and Parent A and big kids/friends/family get a ride swap pass and wait in line and ride the ride. Parent B stays out with little kid(s). Parent A comes out, hands Parent B the pass and they and at least one other then take the pass and go to the front of the line and ride. Many times Disney allows more than one extra rider the second time but the policy as written only allows one extra person to go with Parent B. And if your short folks are awake while this is going on, they don't just have to sit and wait and be bored - there are many play areas throughout Disney which are excellent places to take the little ones while the big ones experience the coasters and such.
Ok so that is it for post one as I try to up your Disney vocab! If I or others throw around other words or things you don't understand, comment and we will help you out! And as always, I am here to book your trip to Disney with just a $200 (plus insurance if you want it) deposit so hit me up with some dates and I'll get things moving for you!
Monday, January 23, 2017
Why Disney?
One question I get asked a lot is why our family continues to go to Disney when there are so many other options out there. For us, there are multiple reasons, some of which you may resonate with as well.
1. Disney is safe. I feel totally comfortable walking around the parks, the hotel grounds, Disney Springs, etc. by myself. At night. It is easy to tell my kids who to go to if they get lost (every Disney employee has a very clear name tag) and Disney has amazing security and lost child protocols in place. They know what they are doing and you can feel it walking around. When my kids are in middle school I will have no problem allowing them to go to a different part of the parks by themselves, and when they are high school seniors I plan to send them and friends to Disney where I know they won't get alcohol or be able to get in to trouble over a week at the beach with friends.
2. It is clean. I have been to a lot of cities and a lot of theme parks and I am often appalled at how dirty they are. Trash is everywhere. People are using curse words all over the place. It just feels yuck. Disney is rarely anything but pristine. Even the bathrooms are almost constantly attended to.
3. My whole family enjoys it. As much as I want to take the kids to Europe or great cities in the US or wherever, my son isn't ready for days of monuments, museums, and churches. Nor is he someone who can find food to eat wherever we go. I want my vacation to be relaxing. Arguing with a child over food choices or hearing whining that this is boring isn't relaxing or fun to me. At Disney there is something for everyone - food, rides, shows. I know plenty of people that love it without going on a single ride and know others whose favorite other trips are amazing safaris in Africa. It really does appeal to almost everyone and while perhaps it isn't always relaxing, it is because there is so much to do, not because you are having battles with your family!
4. The price is comparable to other destinations. Yes, I often hear Disney is expensive and it is true it isn't a small drop in the bucket, BUT so is almost every other vacation worth going on. Long weekend to NYC - pricey. A week at a beach house in the summer - super expensive. Europe for a week? Just the flight will cost an arm and a leg if you don't have the frequent flyer points. Vacations are a luxury. For us we have found ways to make it cheaper and we save on other things throughout the year to make them happen. If you want advice on how to save for a trip, let me know! I am almost as good at budgeting as I am at Disney planning :)
5. It allows us to go on vacation with multiple generations. Every other year or so my parents and brother join us for Disney. We don't have the exact same agenda but we love being able to easily go back and forth between doing things together and doing our own thing. Disney's layout and transportation makes getting places quick and easy and allows us to start days together, split up for part of the day, and then see each other again for dinner or fireworks. While this can be done in other places, it often takes more planning and consideration of how everyone will meet up and get places.
We will go other places. We plan on trying NYC and Niagara Falls this summer and doing the national parks out west in the next few years once I am confident both my kids can keep up on long hikes. And we got our kids passports and plan for Europe and the Caribbean in the next few years. But Disney will always be our go to. Even if our kids end up not loving it some day (HA!), my husband and I will still go without them. If you want to know more about how Disney might be right for you, I am happy to send you some info - just email me!
1. Disney is safe. I feel totally comfortable walking around the parks, the hotel grounds, Disney Springs, etc. by myself. At night. It is easy to tell my kids who to go to if they get lost (every Disney employee has a very clear name tag) and Disney has amazing security and lost child protocols in place. They know what they are doing and you can feel it walking around. When my kids are in middle school I will have no problem allowing them to go to a different part of the parks by themselves, and when they are high school seniors I plan to send them and friends to Disney where I know they won't get alcohol or be able to get in to trouble over a week at the beach with friends.
2. It is clean. I have been to a lot of cities and a lot of theme parks and I am often appalled at how dirty they are. Trash is everywhere. People are using curse words all over the place. It just feels yuck. Disney is rarely anything but pristine. Even the bathrooms are almost constantly attended to.
3. My whole family enjoys it. As much as I want to take the kids to Europe or great cities in the US or wherever, my son isn't ready for days of monuments, museums, and churches. Nor is he someone who can find food to eat wherever we go. I want my vacation to be relaxing. Arguing with a child over food choices or hearing whining that this is boring isn't relaxing or fun to me. At Disney there is something for everyone - food, rides, shows. I know plenty of people that love it without going on a single ride and know others whose favorite other trips are amazing safaris in Africa. It really does appeal to almost everyone and while perhaps it isn't always relaxing, it is because there is so much to do, not because you are having battles with your family!
4. The price is comparable to other destinations. Yes, I often hear Disney is expensive and it is true it isn't a small drop in the bucket, BUT so is almost every other vacation worth going on. Long weekend to NYC - pricey. A week at a beach house in the summer - super expensive. Europe for a week? Just the flight will cost an arm and a leg if you don't have the frequent flyer points. Vacations are a luxury. For us we have found ways to make it cheaper and we save on other things throughout the year to make them happen. If you want advice on how to save for a trip, let me know! I am almost as good at budgeting as I am at Disney planning :)
5. It allows us to go on vacation with multiple generations. Every other year or so my parents and brother join us for Disney. We don't have the exact same agenda but we love being able to easily go back and forth between doing things together and doing our own thing. Disney's layout and transportation makes getting places quick and easy and allows us to start days together, split up for part of the day, and then see each other again for dinner or fireworks. While this can be done in other places, it often takes more planning and consideration of how everyone will meet up and get places.
We will go other places. We plan on trying NYC and Niagara Falls this summer and doing the national parks out west in the next few years once I am confident both my kids can keep up on long hikes. And we got our kids passports and plan for Europe and the Caribbean in the next few years. But Disney will always be our go to. Even if our kids end up not loving it some day (HA!), my husband and I will still go without them. If you want to know more about how Disney might be right for you, I am happy to send you some info - just email me!
Friday, January 6, 2017
When To Go
The number one question people ask me about Disney is when they should go. And the answer isn't simple. The days of low crowds at Disney are pretty much over with the promotions and special events they have been doing to fill rooms and the parks in what used to be slower seasons. But there are certainly less crowded times to visit the parks. And for some people, the more crowded weeks might be the right weeks to visit. When thinking about your trip consider weather, special events, holiday decorations, operating hours, and most importantly for many, school breaks. While many that have younger kids are totally fine pulling their kids out for a week at Disney, most parents of older kids reach a point when they are no longer comfortable having their child(ren) miss a lot of school for vacation. So breaking down the year, here is what you'll generally get at Disney.
January: New Years and the few days after remain busy at the parks as people finish out their holiday breaks at Disney. Christmas decorations tend to stay up through marathon weekend (at least the big trees and the lights on the castle) so early January is beautiful. The annual marathon weekend is usually the week after New Years starting on Thursday with a 5K and followed by a race every morning until the big 26.2 miler Sunday morning. The rest of the month remains pretty slow with the exception of MLK weekend which is generally extended to 4-5 day weekends in many school districts. While pretty crowded, this is a nice option if you want to take school-aged kids to Disney without pulling them out for an entire week. Weather in January is unpredictable. It can be 80 and it can be 40. Most likely you'll see day temps in the high 60's or low 70's and colder evenings. Layers are a must and your suitcases will be full as you'll likely have a mix of shorts and jeans weather! If you are from a colder climate, even a cold snap in Disney will feel amazing in January though! A new festival is in place this year from mid-January through February that brings Broadway singers, art events, and flood and drink booths to the World Showcase in Epcot.
February: Disney has another race weekend, the Disney Princess half, that is crowded, especially since the crowds tend to merge with those from the long President's Day weekend, but otherwise crowds are pretty easy to manage this month. The same weather patterns that are found in January hold for February although temps by the end of the month are usually a bit nicer.
March: The first week or so of March is a pretty nice time to go to Disney. Weather starts to be more predictably warm and spring breaks generally don't happen to closer to the middle of the month. The rest of the month will be busy and it is pretty crowded through the week after Easter which falls in early April in 2017. To make up for the crowds, starting in March is the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival where there are beautiful topiaries and flower displays around the park, as well as food and drink booths (for an extra charge) around the World Showcase Lagoon. This festival goes to late May.
April: Crowds will be really high the week before and after Easter. Late in the month things will be less hectic. The weather is about as good as it gets in April. Not as hot or humid as much of the year. The Flower and Garden Festival still goes on. There is a smaller Star Wars race in mid-April but that shouldn't bring many extra crowds.
May: The first half of May is great time to visit Disney. The weather is warm but not generally oppressive and crowds tend to be lower. As you get closer to Memorial Day and schools getting out, crowds start getting more intense. Remember college kids are done in early May and many K-12 school districts start in early August and end in late May.
Summer: Summer is busy, although not as crazy as it once was. Disney has done a good job of making crowds more consistent throughout the year instead of everyone coming summer and holidays than they used to. But expect lots of people and lots of heat. If you want to spend time in the pool, it is a great time to go. Early June and late August tend to be better then the rest of the summer, and July 4th is generally the most crowded day of summer. But summer crowds bring long park hours so if you are up for it, hit the parks early, take a mid-day rest/swim break, and then head back to the parks after dinner; this great strategy will keep you having fun, allow you to enjoy lower lines, and keep you cooler!
September: If there is a "slow" time in Disney, the week after Labor Day is it. No one pulls their kids out of school the week after it starts! It will still be hot, it will likely rain a bit each afternoon, and you do have to worry a tiny bit about hurricanes (although Orlando is several hours inland so often missed). Mid-month Epcot's Food and Wine Festival starts. This is a great event that lasts much of the fall with food and drink booths around the World Showcase lagoon, great concerts, and seminars that are awesome for foodies or foodie wannabes that are reasonably priced. My husband and I did one that was a chef prepping two tapas-size plates and a winery pairing them with reserve blends and it was about $12 a person - great for Disney standards!
October: Late September and October are Halloween time at Magic Kingdom. They have special ticketed parties many nights which are fun and festive but do cost extra and mean that park closes at 7 to day guests many evenings. Many schools also now have fall breaks mid-month so between that, Food and Wine Festival, and many Disney deals often being available in October, a month that used to be pretty dead is now fairly busy. But the weather starts getting a bit cooler and medium crowds when it is 70/80 when you can also sample food from around the world at Epcot and see fun Halloween decorations at Magic Kingdom beat similar summer crowds in the sweltering heat any day for me! October has definitely been a hit with our family!
November: November is generally pretty lovely at Disney. New Jersey schools are usually out for a week towards the beginning of the month bringing a slight bump in crowds but nothing too crazy. The parks start getting dressed up for Christmas and Magic Kingdom will be totally decked out in early November as they start hosting ticketed Christmas parties many evenings the first week of November. Food and Wine Festival finishes up just before the Thanksgiving crowds descend and the weekend before until the weekend after will be one of the most crowded times of the year. By Thanksgiving weekend everything at the resorts and parks will be decorated though and there is no more beautiful time of the year to visit the parks. And the weather is generally still good. You may need to wear jeans a day or two and layering for evenings and mornings is advisable but shorts will be fine most days.
December: My absolute favorite time to go to Disney is the first week of December. The parks are fully decorated, the weather is still pretty warm, and the crowds are fairly low. The second week is also great but as you approach the weekend before Christmas get ready for chaos. The parks are open from like 7 am until late in to the night but people will be everywhere. If you hate crowds, this isn't the time to go. But if you love enjoying the holidays with thousands, this is your week! And if you have a great touring plan (which you will have if you book with me!) those crowds won't keep you from having a great time and getting lots of rides and shows done.The biggest thing to remember in winter months is that your pool time will likely be limited or non-existent. While the resort pools are heated and some will certainly be in the pools even when it is 60, you won't be spending nearly as much time swimming if that was one of your goals for a trip!
So there you have it, a little summary of what to expect different times of year at Disney. The most important thing to remember of course is there is never a bad time to go to Disney. It will be the most fun (and probably most exhausting) vacation you have had. When there are crowds, there are long hours, and there are strategies I can help you use to beat the crowds. When there are fewer crowds, the hours are shorter but you can get more done during the day. A good plan is still vital as even the least crowded days will have long lines for key attractions.
If you have questions, feel free to comment or post on my facebook page! And if you are interested in predicted crowds on a specific set of dates, I can help you there too!
January: New Years and the few days after remain busy at the parks as people finish out their holiday breaks at Disney. Christmas decorations tend to stay up through marathon weekend (at least the big trees and the lights on the castle) so early January is beautiful. The annual marathon weekend is usually the week after New Years starting on Thursday with a 5K and followed by a race every morning until the big 26.2 miler Sunday morning. The rest of the month remains pretty slow with the exception of MLK weekend which is generally extended to 4-5 day weekends in many school districts. While pretty crowded, this is a nice option if you want to take school-aged kids to Disney without pulling them out for an entire week. Weather in January is unpredictable. It can be 80 and it can be 40. Most likely you'll see day temps in the high 60's or low 70's and colder evenings. Layers are a must and your suitcases will be full as you'll likely have a mix of shorts and jeans weather! If you are from a colder climate, even a cold snap in Disney will feel amazing in January though! A new festival is in place this year from mid-January through February that brings Broadway singers, art events, and flood and drink booths to the World Showcase in Epcot.
February: Disney has another race weekend, the Disney Princess half, that is crowded, especially since the crowds tend to merge with those from the long President's Day weekend, but otherwise crowds are pretty easy to manage this month. The same weather patterns that are found in January hold for February although temps by the end of the month are usually a bit nicer.
March: The first week or so of March is a pretty nice time to go to Disney. Weather starts to be more predictably warm and spring breaks generally don't happen to closer to the middle of the month. The rest of the month will be busy and it is pretty crowded through the week after Easter which falls in early April in 2017. To make up for the crowds, starting in March is the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival where there are beautiful topiaries and flower displays around the park, as well as food and drink booths (for an extra charge) around the World Showcase Lagoon. This festival goes to late May.
April: Crowds will be really high the week before and after Easter. Late in the month things will be less hectic. The weather is about as good as it gets in April. Not as hot or humid as much of the year. The Flower and Garden Festival still goes on. There is a smaller Star Wars race in mid-April but that shouldn't bring many extra crowds.
May: The first half of May is great time to visit Disney. The weather is warm but not generally oppressive and crowds tend to be lower. As you get closer to Memorial Day and schools getting out, crowds start getting more intense. Remember college kids are done in early May and many K-12 school districts start in early August and end in late May.
Summer: Summer is busy, although not as crazy as it once was. Disney has done a good job of making crowds more consistent throughout the year instead of everyone coming summer and holidays than they used to. But expect lots of people and lots of heat. If you want to spend time in the pool, it is a great time to go. Early June and late August tend to be better then the rest of the summer, and July 4th is generally the most crowded day of summer. But summer crowds bring long park hours so if you are up for it, hit the parks early, take a mid-day rest/swim break, and then head back to the parks after dinner; this great strategy will keep you having fun, allow you to enjoy lower lines, and keep you cooler!
September: If there is a "slow" time in Disney, the week after Labor Day is it. No one pulls their kids out of school the week after it starts! It will still be hot, it will likely rain a bit each afternoon, and you do have to worry a tiny bit about hurricanes (although Orlando is several hours inland so often missed). Mid-month Epcot's Food and Wine Festival starts. This is a great event that lasts much of the fall with food and drink booths around the World Showcase lagoon, great concerts, and seminars that are awesome for foodies or foodie wannabes that are reasonably priced. My husband and I did one that was a chef prepping two tapas-size plates and a winery pairing them with reserve blends and it was about $12 a person - great for Disney standards!
October: Late September and October are Halloween time at Magic Kingdom. They have special ticketed parties many nights which are fun and festive but do cost extra and mean that park closes at 7 to day guests many evenings. Many schools also now have fall breaks mid-month so between that, Food and Wine Festival, and many Disney deals often being available in October, a month that used to be pretty dead is now fairly busy. But the weather starts getting a bit cooler and medium crowds when it is 70/80 when you can also sample food from around the world at Epcot and see fun Halloween decorations at Magic Kingdom beat similar summer crowds in the sweltering heat any day for me! October has definitely been a hit with our family!
November: November is generally pretty lovely at Disney. New Jersey schools are usually out for a week towards the beginning of the month bringing a slight bump in crowds but nothing too crazy. The parks start getting dressed up for Christmas and Magic Kingdom will be totally decked out in early November as they start hosting ticketed Christmas parties many evenings the first week of November. Food and Wine Festival finishes up just before the Thanksgiving crowds descend and the weekend before until the weekend after will be one of the most crowded times of the year. By Thanksgiving weekend everything at the resorts and parks will be decorated though and there is no more beautiful time of the year to visit the parks. And the weather is generally still good. You may need to wear jeans a day or two and layering for evenings and mornings is advisable but shorts will be fine most days.
December: My absolute favorite time to go to Disney is the first week of December. The parks are fully decorated, the weather is still pretty warm, and the crowds are fairly low. The second week is also great but as you approach the weekend before Christmas get ready for chaos. The parks are open from like 7 am until late in to the night but people will be everywhere. If you hate crowds, this isn't the time to go. But if you love enjoying the holidays with thousands, this is your week! And if you have a great touring plan (which you will have if you book with me!) those crowds won't keep you from having a great time and getting lots of rides and shows done.The biggest thing to remember in winter months is that your pool time will likely be limited or non-existent. While the resort pools are heated and some will certainly be in the pools even when it is 60, you won't be spending nearly as much time swimming if that was one of your goals for a trip!
So there you have it, a little summary of what to expect different times of year at Disney. The most important thing to remember of course is there is never a bad time to go to Disney. It will be the most fun (and probably most exhausting) vacation you have had. When there are crowds, there are long hours, and there are strategies I can help you use to beat the crowds. When there are fewer crowds, the hours are shorter but you can get more done during the day. A good plan is still vital as even the least crowded days will have long lines for key attractions.
If you have questions, feel free to comment or post on my facebook page! And if you are interested in predicted crowds on a specific set of dates, I can help you there too!
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