There is more to choosing your ideal resort than just looking at a picture and clicking “book now”. I’m always sad to hear that someone had a bad experience at one of my favorite resorts on Disney property, basically because they didn’t know any better! That is one reason we started Chip and Co. We wanted to share our Disney knowledge and help you plan the best trip possible with offering Tips, Tricks, and Planning Info.

Disney has many “on property” resorts in various categories: value, moderate, deluxe and deluxe villas. There is something for everyone but not ever resort will fit your ideal vacation experience.

You have to keep in mind that at each resort are multiple buildings of rooms and offer a variation of rooms at different price points. Much of the price is decided by proximity to the main building and/or transportation and the view. Standard view, water view, garden view, theme park view…these all effect the cost of your room. Just because you choose a standard view room doesn’t necessarily mean you have to look at a parking lot or roof tops.

So how do you find out which resort and which room will work for you?

• Know the differences in category-obviously a value resort and a deluxe resort are going to offer different amenities and have quite a different effect on your bank account. Even if you are going deluxe you need to research. Many people don’t know that not all the deluxe resorts are on the monorail system. For us Disney veterans it’s hard to believe…I know, but we can’t blame them…they’re newbies!

• Book what you can afford-If your bank account is saying “value” and your mind is saying “deluxe”…you need to book what you can afford. It’s much more reasonable to book a vacation you can afford than to book and plan way beyond your budget and have to cancel. We all would love concierge level theme park view rooms but fortunately for all of us Disney offers other accommodations as well.

• Research the various resorts: Disney has a ton of information on their own website about their resorts including photos, virtual tours, floor plans, etc. They also give detailed informational sites to Authorized Vacation Planners like this one to give you even more information to pick your perfect resort.

• Research the rooms within your resort: Once you decide which resort feels like home you still need to keep researching. Much of your vacation experience can be affected by your room location, for example if you are staying at the Coronado Springs resort your vacation from a room in the Cabanas can be far different than a room in the Casitas. While both are beautiful and have a lot to offer, perhaps you’d prefer to be closer to transportation or the main building or don’t feel like a 10 minute walk to the main pool. You need to research building locations and pick one that would suit your families needs. You CAN make requests about which building you’d like to be in, Disney doesn’t guarantee this but they do their best to accommodate requests.

• Make an informed decision-Picking a resort can be overwhelming and there are so many options. If you’re having a hard time making a decision use a Disney Authorized Travel Agent to help you. We can answer your questions and give you information that will help you make an informed decision. Not all resorts are created equal and someone’s “perfect resort” may not be perfect for your family. Know what the benefits of staying at your resort are and make an informed decision!

Vacation planning isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t into the details or just want someone to do all the work for you, so you can have all the fun; contact Michele@PixieVacations.com for a free vacation quote and concierge level service upon booking. Personalized autograph books, spiral bound itineraries and personal service make your vacation Pixie Perfect!

Valentine’s Day is upon us – and it’s one of those holidays you either love or hate. But no matter how you may feel about V-Day, showing you love someone and being romantic is a great thing to do not just on February 14th, but on any and every day of the year! When you’re taking a Walt Disney World vacation, romance might not be the first thing on your itenerary – but it should be! Here are some ways you can incorporate romance into your WDW getaway and show your someone special just how special they are to you:

Wine and Dine Them: Thanks to the Advanced Dining Reservation, or ADR system that Disney has put into place, you can plan a surprise for your loved one by booking a romantic meal for 2. And the great thing about dining at Disney World is there are so many choices, so no matter what kind of cuisine they are into, you can make sure you pick the perfect place for your meal. Some top favorites for romantic dinners include: California Grill (which can also be a great place to view the nightly fireworks from the Magic Kingdom!), Victoria and Albert’s (an upscale, intimate dining experience), or Cinderella’s Royal Table (a character dining experience like none other that takes place in the perfect setting – Cinderella’s Castle)

Plan A Special Delivery: “If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt himself said this, and the Walt Disney World Experience strives to embody this quote every day, and special occasions are no exception! The Disney Dream Makers can help you express your love with all kinds of gifts – from flower arrangements, to custom cake deliveries, to room decor, to gift baskets of all shapes an sizes – they do it all and more (check out this romantic “A Wish Come True” gift experience, which is just one of the many examples of gifting options)! If you know you want to celebrate but aren’t sure how to make it happen, check out the Dream Makers link or call them at 407-WDW-GIFT

Share your Love: Are you celebrating your engagement/wedding/honeymoon/anniversary, or even just your love for each other on your vacation? Show it with a pin – these are available at the guest services areas of each Park or at your Disney Resort – pins that announce you’re “Just Married” or “I’m Celebrating!” or “It’s My Birthday!”, and you can wear them while at the Parks. They definitely add to the magic, as Cast Members make a fuss over them, as do other guests – its a cute way that you can remind yourselves and the world about the love you share with each other!

Moonlit Stroll: There is nothing quite like a romantic walk after a delicious dinner in a setting as beautiful as Walt Disney World. I think every place is a great place for a romantic stroll in WDW, but some of the more beautiful ones include: The Polynesian Resort (the tiki torches light the pathways and make for a beautiful setting), The Boardwalk Resort (at night it comes to life and lights up in magical ways), and The Grand Floridian Resort (there is a reason this is the most popular place to have a wedding at WDW, its Victorian theming is charming and truly a sight to see!). In the evenings, people tend to flock to the parks to get a good spot for parades/fireworks viewings, so the Resorts are a great place for some quiet time to catch up and reconnect with your loved one

Carriage ride: There are few things more romantic than a horse drawn carriage ride, and Walt Disney World gives you two places where you can have this experience: ride through nature trails at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, or take a ride through old New Orleans at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Check out more info on the carriage rides here

Ultimate Relaxation: Surprise your honey with a couples massage or other spa treatments at one of Disney’s top rated Spas. This is vacationing at it’s finest – getting pampered, getting massaged and relaxing, all with your favorite person in the Happiest Place on Earth – Disney World!

Can’t afford a WDW getaway? Then get them the next best thing, something from the Disney Store that shows how much you love them – check out My Blog post for more info

Use these tips to make your magical Walt Disney World vacation even more special, and remember that while its definitely important to show your loved ones how much you care while you’re on vacation or on Valentine’s Day, its even more important to show them your love every day (so they don’t forget ha!)

Related articles

• What should I do? More Rides or More Relaxing at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
• Visiting Disneyland – What to expect from a Disney World point of view (chipandco.com)

Are you in the middle of planning your Advanced Dining Reservations for your upcoming Walt Disney World Vacation? You’re probably completely overwhelmed at all your many options and if you’re using a Disney Dining Plan you’re trying to figure out your meal credits as well. So you might be a little stuck!

If you’ve got a princess of you’re own then you’re probably already fantasizing about the first time your sweetie pie meets her favorite Princess. You may have seen that Disney World has two options for Princess-centered meals. You can either book Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, or  Akershus in Epcot.

You may have noticed that Cinderella’s Royal Table is two meal-credits and Akershus is only one and might be wondering how the two compare in order to make a choice.

Well, I can’t tell what is best for your family, but I can tell you about our family’s experiences. So before any of you FREAK OUT because you don’t like my opinion realize that it IS an opinion.

So lets break it down: Akershus vs Cindy’s Royal Table… LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE <DING! DING!>

Characters

There is absolutely no difference in characters as neither of the meals guarantee which Princesses will be there at any given time.  At both Akershus and Cindy’s you have a chance of catching Cinderella, Belle (either in ballgown or regular dress), Ariel (in ballgown), Snow White, Princess Aurora, & Jasmine. You’re definitely going to see Cinderella at Royal Table. Guaranteed! But we have been to Akershus three times and Cinderella has ALWAYS been there. Either way you’re getting 4 beautiful princesses coming to your table to give your princesses a squeeze, a photo, and an autograph. So this is not a deciding factor to me at all. You do not get more time with the Princesses at one than the other based on our experiences either.

Food

Breakfast

Akershus – Don’t be fooled, this breakfast may be in Norway, but its a typical all American breakfast. You can also eat all you’d like (but you have to ask). They will bring you get bacon, breakfast breads, fresh fruit, potato casserole, sausage, & scrambled eggs. Beverages such as coffee, juices and milk are all included.

Cindy’s – All you care to eat and they bring the food to your table. They bring you bacon, french toast, fresh fruit, granola, pastries, potatoes, sausage, & scrambled eggs. Beverages such as coffee, cocoa, ice tea, lemonade, milk, punch, soda, & tea. You can pay extra for cappuccino, espresso, or sparkling water.

Lunch

Akershus- Much more “Norwegian”. It begins with “Taste of Norway” deli meats, cold seafood, salads, cheese, and breads. For main course you can choose from Jarlsberg cheese & leek soup, Lamb, Pasta, Pulled Pork, Salmon, Soup & Sandwich, Traditional Kjottkake, & Trout. The dessert plate has Chocolate Mousse, Lingonberry Cheesecake & Rice Cream. There are many different Norwegian adult beverages to try.

Cindy’s – Appetizers, A choice of entrees – Grilled Chicken Salad, Pasta al Pomodoro, Pork Tenderloin, Shepard’s Pie, Salmon Salad, Salmon. Children can choose from chicken strips, pasta marinara, pretzel dogs, & shepard’s pie. Dessert options include Chocolate Cream Cheese Buckle, Rice pudding, Sorbet and a beverage. There is no alcohol served in Magic Kingdom.

Dinner

Akershus – Also very “Norweigen” it also includes the “Taste of Norway”. Dinner main course selections include: Beef Short Ribs, Cod, Lamb, Pasta, Salmon, Traditional Kjottkake, & Venison Stew. The dessert plate had Chocolate Mousse, Lingonberry Cheesecake & Rice Cream. There are many different Norwegian adult beverages to try.

Cindy’s – Appetizers, A choice of entrees – Beef Tenderloin, Braised Cobia, Duck Confit, Fried Chicken, Pork Chop, & Vegetarian Cassoulet. Desserts include the Chef’s Dessert Trio, Creme Caramel, Chocolate Mousse, and Sorbet, again, there is no alcohol served in Magic Kingdom.

As you can see food is comparable. Both are nice high-end restaurants from a food perspective and children can find things to eat at both.

 Experience

Akershus – After you check in you will wait a bit and then be called to be seated. They will take you to a small nook where you will get your picture taken with a Princess. This Princess will not rotate through the meal, so this is your one and only chance to get your photo with her. This picture will be free to you, so don’t skip it. Then you will be seated. Your waiter (who will be Norwegian) will take your drink orders and meal order. While you wait you’re likely to have at least one Princess rotate to your table.  The Princesses have an established pattern that they rotate through, so don’t bother calling over to them and do NOT let your children run across the room to Princesses while they’re at a different table. While you eat Princesses will rotate to you. Stay until you’ve seen all the Princesses you want to even if you’re done eating. They will bring your photo package to your table.  When you’re done you’ll get your check and leave.

Cinderella’s Royal Table - After you check in you will will wait a bit and then be called to be seated. You will be taken into the “throne room” where you will have a picture taken with Cinderella and she will spend a little time with your family (she does not rotate upstairs, so this is your only brief time with Cindy). I don’t remember feeling rushed through that. Cindy’s dining room is much smaller than Akershus and so you might feel a little closer to the families around you in proximity (this is also why its so hard to get a reservation). Your waiter will come and take your drink order and the Princesses will begin their rotation similar to that of Akershus. One cool thing that Cindy’s does is periodically Princesses will be “announced” into the room and people will clap for them. At some point during your meal they will have a “Wishing Ceremony”. Princes are all brought a plastic sword and Princesses are brought a magic wand. They are each given a blue “wishing star”. When the ceremony begins it walks the Princes and Princesses through what to do: closing their eyes, making a wish, then they all do a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo and when you look up to the ceiling all of the lights twinkle momentarily. You’re allowed to keep the wand, sword, and wishing star.Then you will clear you’re check and leave.

Cost

Akershus – 1 table service meal credit.

Cinderella’s Royal Table – 2 table service meal credits.

Akershus – (includes tax & photo package) Breakfast $39.40/adults; $23.42/children 3-9.  Lunch: $41.53/adult; $24.49/children 3–9. Dinner $46.85/adult; $25.55/children.

Cinderella’s Royal Table -(includes tax, photo package, & a wand/sword/wishing star)  Breakfast $44.80/adult; $29.86/ children 3-9. Lunch: $48.54/adult; $31.11/ children 3-9. Dinner $54.76/ adult; $33.60 children 3-9.

The cost is much bigger issue for those people  on the Disney Dining Plan who burn an additional meal credit, than for those people just paying cash. It’s basically the difference between paying (in credits) $300.00 for a meal for a family of 4 at Cinderella’s Royal Table instead of $128.00 for the same meal for the same family in cash. Essentially you could go to Akerhaus TWICE for the same amount of credits you can go to Cinderella’s table once.

Cost between Akershus and Cinderella’s Royal table is very comparable if you’re paying cash for the meal. And if you’re on the Premium Dining plan you’re not going to care anyway because you’ll likely end up with credits to burn.

The Verdict

So what is the Disney Diva’s verdict? Is Cinderella’s Royal Table WORTH the two dining credits? My answer would be, If you’re on Premium Dining Plan then Yes. The experience is great and you’ve got credits. If you’re not then I would say no. If you’re paying cash then all things being equal I’d say yes Cinderella’s Royal Table is great because it gives you the chance to eat inside the castle. If you’re doing Disney on a budget however and every dollar counts then the Akershus is great and will give you an awesome experience. Final say? Like everything.. . do what is best for your family and your situation!

Related articles

• Her Royal Highness Package-Cinderella’s Royal Table (chipandco.com)
• Everyone Gets The “Royal Treatment” When Dining With Cinderella (chipandco.com)

Sometimes the sound of the mail slot makes me cringe…it’s normally bills or junk mail. But when I hear a package go into the door it’s sheer excitement, especially when I know it’s my 2012 Walt Disney World PassPorter Guidebook!

The folks over at PasspPorter press have done it again with the must have guidebook for all of your Walt Disney World needs. Yes, there are other guidebooks and “official guides” for Disney World but I assure you, I’ve read all of them and none are nearly as good, or as user-friendly as PassPorter.

This spiral bound guide is printed in color and boasts “350+ pages of advice, maps, photos of resorts, restaurants and theme parks plus our famous organizer pockets”.

If you are looking for a hoity-toity, fancy-schmancy guidebook that looks impressive on a bookshelf but is of absolutely no use at all, get one of those “other” guide books. If you want the most complete, up to date, user-friendly trip planning and reference guide, then you want the PassPorter. That was a mouthful, but it’s not nearly enough adjectives to describe the magic of PassPorter.

If you’ve never experienced a PassPorter guidebook here is what you’re missing.
Honest opinions: the missing “official guidebook” stamp means that these are people just like us; they are Disney travelers. They can give an honest opinion about what they see and experience instead of giving you the “real estate” review : “quaint accommodations in a charming atmosphere”,when it should really read “rooms so small you can’t express an emotion and don’t look outside”.

• Travel equals: These folks travel just like you and I. They don’t squeak in on VIP treatment, free passes etc. They stay in the rooms we stay in and hunt for the same deals that will benefit you and I. They gather information from their own experiences and from fellow travelers in the PassPorter Community.

• Beyond a guidebook: This is more than a guidebook, this is a planning guide. The planning doesn’t start when you want to book your vacation, it starts far before. It starts at the conception of your vacation thought and encourages you to immerse yourself in the Disney experience prior to your vacation. Participating in forums, learning from other travelers, ordering vacation planning video’s. etc. are all a part of the planning process and PassPorter will show you how to do it all. The book is designed to be personalized with spots to make notes, interactive planning pages you can access online, and “Passpockets”-the one page folder that holds all of your day-to-day details (confirmation numbers, notes, tips, etc.) and also serves as a folder to store your receipts.

• Worksheets: There are budget worksheets, planning worksheets, transportation worksheets, lodging worksheets, packing lists and more. These folks know what you need to plan, even if you don’t!

• All inclusive information: The PassPorter breaks down into eight main categories: planning, getting there, staying in style, touring, feasting, making magic, index, notes and more. You’ll find everything you need to know within these categories. For example, the “staying in style” section outlines each resort and includes the following: ambiance, resort layout and rooms, eating and drinking, playing and relaxing, getting about, tips, notes and ratings. Then there’s the mini resort maps (in color of course!), best locations, rates and info. Whew. I’m exhausted and that’s just one category!

Passporter is your one stop shop for any question you may ever have about Disney World and is great to keep on hand for reference; even for us veterans! I know what you’re thinking, “why should I invest in this guidebook when things are constantly changing?” Well, the folks at PassPorter have already thought about that! Their books are being updated in real-time with PassPorter articles on their website, questions and answers in their forums and the free book updates you can get online.

You can find me on Passporter Boards, if you book your vacation with me and mention Passporter I’ll give you a $25 Disney gift card to spend on your trip!

Michele@PixieVacations.com for your free quote! Don’t forget that all of my services as your Authorized Disney Travel Planner are FREE!

Related articles

• Passporter’s 2012 Walt Disney World Guidebook Giveaway (chipandco.com)
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Recently, a Chip Panel Blogger wrote a great article about where to start planning a Disney Vacation as a military family.  This article is a great overview of some fantastic options.  I wanted to expand on this article from my perspective.

As a member of the U.S. Military for over 7 years now, I have taken full advantage of many of the perks Walt Disney World offers to the U.S. Military.  I am regularly asked questions by my coworkers what the best options are and I usually hear everyone say that they stay at the Shades of Green.  Why?  The assumption that the “military resort” offers the best deals for members of the military and their families.

The first time I looked into the Shades of Green, it was completely booked.  When that happens, they have an overflow rate at the Disney resorts, even if they have no official discount.  When I was looking, the discount offered from WDW was a better deal than the Shades of Green overflow rate.

As mentioned in the previous article, there is no transportation from the airport, so either a car rental or a cab ride is necessary.  If you do rent a car, the cost to park at the Shades of Green is $5 per day and this does not transfer to the parking lots for the theme parks.

Then comes the actual cost of staying at Shades of Green versus staying at a Disney resort.  1st – while I’ve never experienced the SoG first hand, the pictures don’t make me feel like it is as magical and filled with Disney magic – after all, it is not run and operated by Disney.  I have coworkers and friends who have stayed and enjoyed it, but when I look at cost, I still see it as Disney vs. Non-Disney.

Let me show you this comparison:

For E6 to-E9, O1 to O3, WO-1 to CW3, a Standard Room runs for $123 per night.  More for higher ranks, less for lower ranks.

With Walt Disney Worlds 35% of a moderate resort offer, a night at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort runs for $117 night.

Though the Shades of Green does consider itself a “deluxe” resort, I would choose Disney Magic an extra perk to staying at POR.  And, with the 40% discount on Deluxe Resorts, a night in a standard view at the Animal Kingdom Lodge would be $195 per night.  That includes parking, Disney’s Magical Express, and full time Disney Magic.

Which would you choose?

Related articles

• Disney salutes the U.S. Military (chipandco.com)
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You all know the story.

Boy meets Girl. Girl loves Boy. Girl & Boy have babies. Babies get bigger and Girl & Boy decide that “in order to be good parents” they must take Babies to Walt Disney World. Boy & Girl begin planning, obsessively looking at blogs and WDW maps and books. Boy & Girl design a plan of action for Disney World and then freak out when Babies go into complete and utter meltdown at the Disney Witching Hour of 3:00pm(15:00). Boy and Girl scream at Babies “we’ve paid a lot of money for this vacation and you are going to LIKE IT and we’re all going to have a GOOD TIME now GIVE MICKEY A HUG”. Babies heads spin around, Boy & Girl head’s spin around. They decide they are never going back to Walt Disney World again because they were all miserable. The End.

Perhaps you’ve heard this story from friends? Perhaps you have people look at you crazy when you say are going (back) to WDW(…again). Or you’ve had them take the “I had a 28 hour labor” (aka misery loves company) approach where they tell you every single thing that has ever gone wrong in the history of a Disney Trip and inform you that its “too expensive” and its “not all its cracked up to be”.

Blasphemy I tell you! As Walt says “All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” And courage MAY be exactly what you need to have this trip go well.

Walt Disney World IS a place where dreams come true every single day. There are tears that come from the magic of watching a “Make a Wish Foundation” child and family meet their wish-character. And there are tears that come from the sheer frustration of your children turning into little chucky dolls while your spouse (without mercy) drives the cattle of your family down the winding paths of Frontierland.

Two things happen on the extremes of most WDW trips:

1. People don’t plan at all and wander aimlessly through the streets, missing entire rides and waiting in 60-minute long lines.

2. People over-plan, do not allow any time for “moments” to happen and make everybody in their family utterly miserable.

So, obviously you are planning so no need to talk about #1, but there IS a need to talk about #2.

There is only one time I’m ok with you being a slave-driver. When you Make people get up early to get to the parks. Lets say you have a 7:45am Chef Mickey reservation. Well you need to leave the resort at 6:45am Which means (most likely) you all need to be up at 6:00am. Which in Disney Time is about 2 minutes before the “crack of dawn”. So yeah, make those people get up and get going in the morning, but take into consideration how late you will be up the night before in your pre-planning. If you’re staying for fireworks at 11pm it is unrealistic to ask your family to get up at 6am the next day. Especially if its day 4+ of your trip.

Plan cushion time into your days. Have a flurry of “must dos” then plan in “and we can do whatever until we decide to eat lunch”. We just planned our friends 6 day trip today and realistically they will have done everything that they really would want to do in about 3-days. Build in cushions like “Mike gets to pick what we do” but be sure to specify WHICH side of the park it must be done on. You don’t need to be crossing parks, you’re doing enough walking without hoofing it from Tomorrowland Transit Authority to Big Thunder Mountain.

We always leave the last day as a “whatever we feel like” day. That way if we missed something we can go back and get it. We schedule a meal in that day, but everything else is up for grabs. (unless touringplans.com says it’s a “park to avoid” that day, then its just too bad for whoever wanted to ride the ride.

And, of course, what is super key to not having your family want to stab you in the eye with some of their extremely overpriced collectable pins is the AFTERNOON NAP. Yes yes, I hear you complaining already, but let me tell you people. Its about quality of life not quantity of rides. Checking off another ride on your must-dos while your children try to figure out if their mickey mouse stuffed animal might serve as a good-enough voodoo doll for YOU is not quality WDW time. As a matter of fact it’s a bigger time-waster than not being in the parks at all.

So trust me, take a break. You’re NOT going to do every single thing in WDW in one week folks. If you could do you think you’d have “repeat-offenders” like me coming back 3-4 times a year? Disney is always changing, always growing. Even if you get it all done this time there will be all new stuff in 2 years (especially with the new changes being made in Magic Kingdom). Relax people, its supposed to be a VACATION. You’re supposed to be building memories, not torching relationships. If it doesn’t get done, so what?! Really, do you think you will be stewing on your deathbed “if we just could have done Jungle Cruise”….

QUALITY over QUANTITY + a 2 hour nap in the middle of the day is the REAL secret to (Disney) life.

And in the words of Forest Gump “That’s all I have to say about that”.

Love, The Disney Diva

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When people make their packing list for a vacation at Walt Disney World or Disneyland most people that I know just write “toiletries”.  This is fine for some people, but for me, I need “toiletries” to be listed out specifically!  If I just rely on my little brain to remember all the bathroom and toiletry needs for our family of 4, I KNOW I’d forget something.

I know Disney provides soap, shampoo and conditioner in each room but I always pack ours from home so we won’t run out and so I know how my hair will do! I also pack my own hairdryer even though some rooms provide one because I am familiar with my dryer!

So, here is a list of additional toiletry/ bathroom items for your next Disney vacation:

• brush/ comb
• razor
• toothpaste/ brush/ floss
• deodorant
• lotion
• make up
• cotton balls/ q-tips
• moisturizer
• mouse/ gel/ hairspray
• contact solution
• feminine products
• First Aid Kit: fever reducer, band aids, cold and sinus meds, antacids, prescriptions, Neosporin, thermometer, Benadryl, Dramamine, etc.

A few additional items I have added to my list are:

1. Pump soap to make hand washing easier in the room.
2. Lysol spray.  You can buy travel size cans in the travel toiletry section at Target.  It makes me feel better to use Lysol spray for smells and germs- especially if someone gets sick!
3. Dishwashing liquid- if you have a baby or toddler who is using a bottle or sippy cup or if you buy the resort mugs or a bucket of popcorn, it’s nice to be able to wash it out with soap while on your vacation!
4. Don’t forget potty training “stuff” if you will be potty training while on your vacation!  Bring the portable potty or a seat that sits on the big potty, if you can.  If you reward for using the potty, don’t forget to pack the rewards!
5. Bath Toys for your kids!  It makes bath time at night so much easier if they have familiar toys to play with in the tub.
6. A pop up or plug in deodorizer for the room.  This helps make your room smell fresh and when you return home you still have a smell from your trip to remind you of Disney!

What are some things you bring with you?

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Even if you’re a Disney vet, you can still make some newbie mistakes. Here are some of the top five mistakes to avoid.

1.  You didn’t make your dining reservations ahead of time. If you’re reading here you probably know that you can make your dining reservations 180-days prior to your arrival, but did you? Hmmm?  Good. But for the rest of you (and yes, Disney has a file on you) get those fingers moving and make those ADRs!  Even if you just make two or three for a week-long trip, you’ll be happier knowing that you have a few incredible meals waiting for you.

2. You didn’t get a discount. If you paid full-price for your Disney vacation, raise your hand. Now look around the room. Seriously, I am shocked at how many of you there are. Go ahead and put your hands down.  Next time, keep in mind that unless you’re traveling during the weeks of Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving, moving your trip around just a little bit can mean a big discount.  If you read here, you’ll always hear about the latest discounts the day they come out. Apply them to your existing reservation (or your travel agent will do it automatically) and relax knowing that you saved hundreds of dollars that you can spend elsewhere.  Like in the parks.

3.  You forgot to pack something important.  Sure, you can replace it on property, but it will cost a lot more and the selection is really limited. And yes, there are Targets and drug stores close by, but do you really want to spend precious hours on your vacation roaming around a super store looking for sunblock?  Make a packing list and start crossing off items as you go. You can do this weeks ahead of time.  Right before you travel, put a list on the back of the door you’ll be leaving out of on the morning of your trip. Do this for things like phone chargers and medicines, stuff you can’t pack until right before the trip. Then just cross those items off the list as you go. Before you leave, check your list one last time.

4.  You lost your tickets!  Actually, this is easily remedied and yes, we know because we do it all the time. If you’re a guest of Disney property,  just ask to have them replaced at your resort (or any resort) concierge desk or at guest services in the parks. If you’re not a resort guest or if you are but you bought your tickets separately and not as part of a package, make sure you’ve made copies of your tickets. I like to leave a copy back home with someone who can get to them easily and take a copy with me.  Most of the time tickets bought directly from Disney will be in the computer and can b easily replaced, but this isn’t always the case.  This is especially important if you bought a discounted ticket as part of one of your benefits of running a Disney half-marathon. These tickets are very difficult to replace for some mysterious reason I am not privy to.  But I think it has something to do with elves.

5. You bought a park hopper that you didn’t need.  When someone who makes a commission selling you something tells you not to buy it, you know she’s telling the truth. Not everyone needs a park hopper and at $58 per ticket, not everyone can afford one on top of an already expensive vacation.  I always park hop, but if you are unsure, wait to add it. You can always upgrade a ticket by adding extra days or options like the park hopper once you get on property, just make sure you have at least one day left on the ticket.

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a travel agent and a member of the Mouse Chat podcast.  Contact her at  ChrisW@pixievacations.com or call 919-889-5281 for free Disney trip planning and information on how you can get free Disney gift cards and onboard credits when you book your next Disney vacation.

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The cruise line industry is buzzing with the release of the 2013 itineraries and the return of the Disney Magic to Europe.

Californians are saddened that the Wonder will be leaving the Port of Los Angeles, but east coasters can’t wait to have the two newest ships in their two Florida ports (Port Canaveral, Miami).

Maybe all the excitement has you interested in a cruise, if it’s your first time looking into a cruise you’ve probably already shut down the Disney Cruise Line website out of frustration and confusion. Don’t let your cruise dreams end there! Here are the five basics of cruise planning that will get you started on a path to your magical voyage!

Pick your travel dates: Disney Cruise Line offers itineraries year round based on weather patterns and destination highlights. Everyone wants to know the “best time” for cruising here or there. Disney has already picked the best times to cruise…so just pick the time that works for you, keeping in mind that popular travel times such as spring break and Christmas will have higher pricing.

Pick your itinerary: The 2012-2013 cruise itineraries have been released, you have plenty of options to choose from!

2012:

•  Mexican Riviera (Port of Los Angeles)-Last chance for this itinerary! The Mexican Riviera itinerary will not be offered in 2013.

• Hawaii (Port of Los Angeles)-For the first time ever the Disney Wonder will sail twice to Hawaii on a 15 night (April 29th) and 14 night (October 14th). There are limited number of rooms available for this itinerary.

• Panama Canal Repositioning Cruise (Port of Los Angeles): This 14-night itinerary is offered on December 9, 2012 and is a very popular itinerary. Those who have cruised this itinerary often say it was their favorite cruise.

• Bahamas: Year round itineraries to the Bahamas (3, 4 and 5-night cruises)

• Alaska: 7-Night itineraries departing from Seattle, Washington.

• Caribbean: 7-Night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

• Pacific Coast: 7-night and 6-night cruises (6-night departing from Vancouver and arriving in Los Angeles)

2013

• Caribbean itineraries (Western and Eastern) sailing from Galveston, Texas

• Trans-Atlantic Repositioning Cruise-(May 18, 2013) Sailing from Galeveston, Texas arriving in Barcelona, Spain

• Mediterranean Cruises: Departing and returning to Barcelona, Spain these voyages are 4, 7, and 12 nights.

• Mediterranean with Greece: For the first time ever these two Mediterranean itineraries will include Greece! Sailings on June 15, 2013 and July 13, 2013 only.

• Bahamian: Everyone’s favorite cruise is still on the agenda!

• Panama Canal Repositioning Cruise (Port of Miami): This 14-night itinerary is offered on May 6, 2013

• Alaska: Departing from Vancouver, Canada

Pick your stateroom: There are only a few categories of staterooms, and then there are sub levels within each category.

• Inside staterooms-The most affordable, with the least square footage. The Magic and the Wonder offer no exterior view from their inside staterooms. The Dream and the Fantasy have magical portholes with real time views of the ocean.

• Oceanview staterooms: The next most affordable with a tiny bit more square footage. These rooms offer one large or two small porthole windows, some with window seating.

• Verandah Staterooms: Moderate to high pricing, with the most square footage compared to the other categories. Verandah rooms can offer a range of prices based on location and view.

• Suites and Concierge Level: The most luxurious of them all! The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder offer a variety of suites from 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom with all the luxury you could imagine; some of those suites sleep up to 7. The Dream and Fantasy suites will only sleep 5.

Pick your dining time: There are two dining times on each ship. They are referred to as “Main Seating” and “Second Seating”. There are benefits to both, many people with small children prefer the main seating, as it happens earlier (5:45pm on the Magic and Wonder and 6:00 on the Dream and Fantasy) and second seating is later (8:15pm on the Magic and Wonder and 8:30pm on the Dream and Fantasy). Second seating dining offers “Dine and Play” for kids registered in the kids clubs. About 45 minutes into your meal a cast member from the Oceaneer’s Club and Lab will come to the restaurant and wait at the main entrance for kids who are done eating and want to go back to play.  Let your server know if your child is participating in dine and play and they will expedite their meal.

Make your deposit-The deposit isn’t $200 like your average Disney World or Disneyland vacation package. The deposit is approximately 20% of your cruise fare so it’s a bit more hefty than Disney travelers may be used to. The deposit is refundable and will hold your stateroom on the ship. Keep in mind that the availability on the ship is limited to a specific quantity based on safety regulations and accommodations. There are no roll away beds available and you can’t just “add an extra” person to your stateroom as easily as you may think. Availability is no joke for these cruises. They literally disappear at any minute so if you don’t want your pixie dust to be blown away, ask your Disney Authorized Travel Planner to place a courtesy hold on your stateroom. This will hold your room for 5 days with no payment and no payment information required. It’s simply a courtesy that holds your stateroom while you decide and either prepare to make your deposit or release the room back into the system with no obligation.

Disney Cruise Line offers a vacation experience that’s unparalleled. If you’re considering a cruise vacation, you should contact a Disney Authorized Travel Planner (Michele@PixieVacations.com) for your free quote. There are no fees when working with Pixie Vacations and we’re here to answer all your questions (you’ll have plenty…trust me!) and we offer Pixie Perks like itinerary planning, personalized service and onboard credits. Contact me about your Disney Cruise Line vacation and let’s talk about which Pixie Perks are right for you!

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Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland

Cinderella's Castle in Disney World

So you’ve been to Walt Disney World, and now you’ve decided you want to make a trip to the place where the magic began. Disneyland is as special and magical as can be, and it is also VERY different from Walt Disney World.

Here are some things to expect when you head to Disneyland:

Booking your trip: Things are different in Disneyland, the Dining Plan is actually meal vouchers (purchased at a discount rate then redeemed at participating restaurants), and their Advance Dining Reservations can only be booked via phone up to 60 days in advance (versus 180 days with WDW). They do have vacation packages, where you can book hotel/tickets/meal plan all together, which is similar to how Walt Disney World package vacations work.

Hotel Choices: There are only 3 “on property” hotels at Disneyland – The Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and they aren’t grouped into “value/moderate/deluxe” classifications like at Disney World. However, Disney Land does give more lodging options with their “Good Neighbor Hotels”, which are hotels Disney recommends and are close to the resort, and these are listed by types (economy/moderate/superior/suites) to help you pick which one works best for you and your travel companions

Park Size: This was the first thing I noticed upon arriving at Disneyland – its so much smaller than Disney World! The Walt Disney World Resort sits on roughly 25,000 acres while Disneyland’s parks and resorts occupy just 430 acres. Instead of a huge parking lot like at WDW, you park in a tall parking garage at Disneyland, and instead of huge intricate indoor line queues, your wait times for rides at Disneyland takes place mostly outdoors (which might be in part due to the fact that California weather tends to be a lot less rainy/icky than Florida weather, but i’m sure its partly a size issue too!). It doesn’t really feel cramped or small, but there definitely was a limit on the amount of space Walt had to work with when building Disneyland – which was why he purchased so much land for the building of WDW – to make sure any and all ideas would have space to flourish in the future!

Theme Parks: There are 2 theme parks at Disneyland, the Disneyland Park (which is similar in layout and theming as it’s Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Counterpart), and Disney’s California Advanture, which opened in 2001 and is divided into 6 districts, each of which represents various aspects of Californian culture and landmarks

Authenticity: Disneyland was where it all started, it was Walt’s ideas that created it, and he was there to see them executed and was there for the opening day of the park, to see all his hard work come to life in amazing ways. Sadly, he passed away before Walt Disney World opened, so while many of his ideas were brought to life in Florida as well, Disneyland is truly ‘the real deal’ when it comes to the man behind the mouse – Walt Disney.

Oh yeah, and one more difference – the castles! At Disney World, you stand at the base of Main Street USA and see Cinderella’s Castle tall and looming in the distance (and soon you will see the Beast’s Castle too, once they complete the Fantasyland expansion!), and in Disneyland, your view down Main Street is of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

There may be a lot of differences between the two Resorts, and it is these differences that give each park a unique guest experience. But at the end of the day, both places were created by Walt Disney, a man who knew how to create a truly special place for those of all ages to go to enjoy themselves and feel like kids again. The magic is abundant in both places, and no matter whether you decide the World or the Land is more your speed, you will have a great time!

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In this digital age with Websites and Apps from Touring Plans to long articles like Easy WDW with their Extended Crowd Calendar. Everyone seems to know which park will have the least amount of people for that day. Let me say that after a little trial and error last week I have determined which park will be the least busiest at any given day at Walt Disney World!

None of them!

According to all the websites, apps, magic eight balls they all said last week was going to be completely dead at Walt Disney World. But let me just tell you it was not! It wasn’t Christmas busy but everyday the big rides at all 4 parks were at 60-90 minute waits.

So before you just give up going let me offer you a few tips on how to pick the best park and make your trip a bit more enjoyable as your banging elbows with that Brazilian Tour Group.

Tip #1 – If a park was open late the night before most times it will be less busy the next day. Most people won’t go back to the same park the next day if they were there till midnight the night before.

Tip #2 – Take advantage of Morning Magic Hours! I have noticed that most people come walking in the park around 10-11am. Which means if you are there for Extra Morning Magic Hours that you will most times have the run of the park for an hour or two before the crowds show up.

Tip #3 – Use Touring Plans Lines App – If we are in a park that seems packed what I will do is whip out the Touring Plans Line App and check the Big 4 Rides. Which are Soarin, Dinosaur, Tower or Terror, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Most times if those lines are over 90 minutes that park will be way to crowded for my tastes. Ok before you ask me about Toy Story Midway Mania, Peter Pan and Expedition Everest keep in mind those rides are always going to be slammed no matter how busy the park attendance.

If you follow those 3 tips you can pretty much avoid most crowds at Disney World. Unfortunately with the invention of Crowd Calendars and Disney Free Dining you can pretty much expect crowds at all parks 365 days a year.

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Welcome to this week’s edition of the Chip & Company Week in Review.  There have been a lot of stories to read about, so here are the stories that caught our eye last week:

• As we discussed a couple of weeks ago, the itineraries for the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder for 2013 have now been released!
• For you D23 members out there, you will enjoy knowing that they have released more discounts for their members!
• Disney recently announced that their cast members will now be able to grow beards, whereas before this was not allowed.  What do you think of this change?
• A new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse video is being released!  Look for “I ❤ Minnie” on February 7^th!
• Jane By Design, volume 1, is coming to DVD on March 20^th, to mark your calendars!
• Aljon recently did a review of “Timmy Time: Timmy Needs a Bath.”  According to Aljon, it’s good clean fun for the Kids!
• The Muppets will be coming to DVD and BluRay on March 20^th, 2012!  I’ll be marking my calendar for that release date!
• Mel shares with us information on how to charge to your “Key to the World” card.
• Will you be boarding your dogs at Best Friends Pet Care between now and February 4^th?  If so, your friends will be in for an ice cream and cookie treat!
• Lastly, here are the Tables in Wonderland special events for February, 2012!

That’s our look at some of the news stories from last week, now let’s take a look at some of the incredible original articles that our writers produce each and every day!  Enjoy!

• Amanda had another of her famous posts of photos submitted by Chip and Company fans!  Check out Andrea’s picture of Star Wars Weekends!
• Chris shares with us the cruising secret no one wants you to know!
• Lastly, Catie shares with us her top 5 adult restaurants to eat at!

That’s all we have for you this week.  I hope you have a terrific week, and remember to check out Chip & Company often for the latest in Disney News, Views, Giveaways, and more!  To keep up with the latest Disney news and views on the fly, check out the Chip & Company Facebook Page or follow Chip & Company via Twitter!  Also, head on over to the Disney for Seniors page and tell Ken you hope he’s feeling better!  Ken, get well soon my friend!

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My husband and I are DVC members so our family travels to Disney World at least once a year.  We try to save money whenever and wherever we can without cutting back on the full Disney experience.  Snacks and drinks in Disney World can be quite expensive and kids get hungry OFTEN so our solution is to pack a smaller suitcase loaded with snacks and drinks to bring with us on our trip.  We then throw a few snacks and drinks in our park backpack each day.

Some items we include are…

• Bottled water- we like to have bottled water in our hotel room and we bring a bottle or two with us to the park each day.  Quick service counters will give you water for free so it is not necessary to load your suitcase down with too many bottles of water.  We usually bring a 12 pack of bottled water and that works well for us.
• Juice boxes- we pack one juice box per child per day, as well as a refillable water bottle for each child.  The kids get milk at meals and this helps to cut down on the cost of milk in the hotel store and the hassle of buying it and taking it to the room.  Be sure to pack your juice boxes in a storage bag just in case one breaks on the plane.  You do not want juice leaking all over your stuff or anyone else’s stuff!
• Energy bars or granola bars- this is a heartier snack that will help tide the kids over for a late breakfast.
• Fruit leathers, fruit ropes, fruit snacks- My kids are HUGE fans of any processed fruit snack.  We bring Disney fruit snacks with us as a special treat.  We also stock up on fruit leathers and fruit ropes before we head to Disney.  These are snacks that I know my kids will eat so I always try to have them on hand.  You never know when you will need a favorite snack to help calm a fussy child!
• Homemade trail mix including dried fruit, pretzels, Goldfish, Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies or Honey Grahams, nuts, Cheerios, etc.- We bring plastic baggies or reusable snack dispensers and each day we make a trail mix for the kids.  This is something they can enjoy while waiting in line for a ride or watching one of the awesome parades.  We are sure to include some of their favorites in the mix and maybe even something new!
• Cheese sticks- we put a package of 12 in an insulated cooler bag with a small ice pack.  This is a healthier snack option for the kids and my husband and I even enjoy a cheese stick once in a while.  You also have the insulated cooler bag and ice pack now that you can take items to the park in each day.
• Instant coffee/iced tea packets- I LOVE my Starbucks coffee and since you cannot get Starbucks at Disney, I prefer to bring Starbucks Via packets with me.  I bring an insulated travel mug with me and I make my coffee in the hotel room before we leave for the park each day.  This helps me keep my sanity which is good for my entire family!

This list works well for my family.  You may have a different list for your family as it should be snacks and drinks that your family enjoys.  I know some people bring their own Pepsi products to Disney since Disney serves Coke products.  I highly recommend bringing as much as you can without going overboard so you can cut down on food costs.  We still get the Disney Dining Plan(DDP) each trip but we save our DDP snacks for our favorite Disney treats.  We don’t want to waste a DDP snack on a bottle of water.  Chocolate covered marshmallows on a stick or a Mickey Mouse ice cream sounds way better than a bottle of water to me!  I suggest saving your money on the basics so you can fully enjoy all that Disney has to offer!!

Guest blogger Jennifer P.

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Cinderella’s Royal Table is a very popular dining location at Walt Disney World and is especially popular for celebrations. The castle is prime location for proposals, birthday and anniversary celebrations.

Cinderella’s mice have thought up another special way you can celebrate your special day while dining inside her castle.

The “Her Royal Highness Package” is the newest way to pamper the princess in your family.

The package includes a balloon with six of the Disney Princesses, a tiara (to be princess for a day!) and a 6-inch round cake with your choice of Arial, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, or Tiana. The cakes can be personalized (up to three words) and made in either chocolate or vanilla.

So what does it cost to be a princess inside the castle? $112.05 (including tax and 18% gratuity). Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Disney Dining Line (407) 939-3463 or via email wdw.crt.special.events@disney.com. Disney resort guests can make dining reservations 180 days in advance and you must allow at least 7 days notice for the “Her Royal Highness” package.

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So you want to go to a Disney Park?

Everyone who wants to go to a Disney Park faces the same problem you have to find a way to get there. This can be the single most challenging part of your experience. A poorly thought out travel plan can put you in a bad mood before you get to the Magic Kingdom or be the sour note that ruined the tune of an otherwise great trip.

How you get there is up to your own needs and budget. You can go by car, you can go by bike, you can go on a Zike-Bike if you like (sorry Dr. Seuss moment). There are three components you need to consider: distance, cost and practicality.

Practicality-Where you live and what resources are available to you are the first thing to consider. I love to drive. I love to see the country and am able to have full control of my schedule (Except when I am at the mercy of the orange barrels). If you live in Hawaii maybe a car and train are not your best bet. I know someone who loves to take the train. It is a great experience but if you live too far away and not near a train station it could be difficult for you. Flying is always an option. You can try and be creative? Google Maps has travel options for when you plan your trip such as walking, public transportation and kayaking (Going to Tokyo Disney? It says to Kayak 2,756 mi across the Pacific Ocean!); plan carefully.

Cost-this could be single most important factor, and let’s face when planning a Disney trip you always want to spend more in the park than getting to it, right? Some people who live where I live (19 hours from DW and 28hours from DL) would rather fly then drive but cost makes them hit the open road. If you plan far enough ahead flying can be as cost effective as driving as long as you don’t need a car when you get there. If I had the money, a private jet to ORD and a helicopter ride to the park would be the way to go. So I drive; however the wife has made it easy to fly by getting miles through buying tickets to the park and other expenses well in advance of our planned trip so we could fly cheaper.

Distance-How far away you are to the parks really will dictate how you get there. If I wanted to go to DL it is flying all the way. Once you figure in gas and lodging for the trip out and back flying is cheaper and faster. Unless you go in a caravan of hybrids with external gas tanks and everyone pees in the plastic bottles that previously held the caffeine you needed to stay awake…still not a good idea. The further away you are the more likely it is you have to fly. If you live over large bodies of water you most certainly will fly; unless you take a Disney cruise!

I have gone to WDW by car and by plane and I can tell you each has its drawbacks. I am thinking of taking a train to DL to combine what I don’t like about driving and flying into one package. The voyage to a Disney park can be as an exciting and interesting part of your trip as the park itself. The wrong choice in transportation can put a damper on the whole trip. I suggest if you have the money, live sufficiently far enough away, and you are not scared to death of it; fly. Only do the other options if you have to/really want to. Maximize your time in the parks, that is why you are going in the first place.

Guest Blogger Matthew Williams of State Controlled Media
Erstwhile Disney Blogger

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At long last the announcement we’ve all been waiting for has been made! Disney Cruise Line announced its 2013 itineraries for the Magic and the Wonder.

I must say it was worth the wait and the news is very exciting! New destinations include Venice (Italy), and the Greek Isles and Miami will serve as the second Florida port.

The previously cancelled Mexican Riviera holiday cruises will be replaced by a 14-night Panama Canal Cruise.

Bookings open for Gold and Platinum Castaway Club Members on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 (phone only). Bookings open to everyone on Thursday, January 26, 2012 (online or via phone).

Disney Magic will return to Europe and offer the following:

• 4-Night Mediterranean Getaway: July 9, 2013 and August 6, 2013
• 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise: June 1, June 8, August 10, August 16, August 24 and August 31st
• 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise with Venice: June 27, July 25
• 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: June 15, and July 13

Disney Wonder 2012 Special Itineraries:

• 14-Night Panama Canal Repositioning Cruise: December 9, 2012
• 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Holiday Cruise: December 23, 2012
• 6-Night Western Caribbean New Years Cruise: December 30, 2012

Disney Wonder  2013-will be sailing from Miami and will offer the following:

• 4-Night Bahamian: January 10, Janaury 24, February 7, February 21, March 7, March 21, April 4, April 18 and May 2
• 5-Night Western Caribbean: January 5, January 19, February 2, February 16, March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13 and April 27
• 5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise: January 14, January 18, February 11, February 25, March 11, March 25, April 8 and April 22
• Repositioning Cruise: 14-Night Panama Canal-May 6, 2013
• 7-Night Pacific Coast-May 20, 2013
• 7-Night Alaskan Cruise: May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19, August 26 and September 2

The Disney Fantasy and Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida.

For your free quote or for more information email Michele@PixieVacations.com, an Authorized Disney Travel Planner. Mention this article when you book and receive an additional $25 onboard credit and a monogrammed tote bag!

For the last few years the Disney Company has offered amazing ticket and room discounts for us Military families. I for one really appreciate it when a company like Disney offers these kinds of deep discounts to us.

Disney offers a $138.00 park hopper promotional ticket to Active duty, Retired Military, National Guard and Reservist. For $27 more you can also add the Water Parks, fun and more option. This is an incredible savings. Disney allows you to activate only 6 tickets at a time and the Military member has to be one of the ticket holders. The tickets have to be activated no later than September 30, 2012.

Another great thing about these tickets is Disney doesn’t restrict to only your immediate family using the tickets. You are able to bring extended family and friends along with you just as long as you only activate 6 tickets. You can purchase these tickets at your local base ticket and travel center or they can be purchased at the Shades of Green Resort. You will still need to activate the tickets before the first use and this can be done at any of the ticket windows at any of the parks. The Military member has to be present as do all of the guests that will be activating tickets. Also the Military member will need his or her Military Id.

Once the tickets are activated you are free to use them as you wish. It is a very generous way Disney says thank you to the members of the Military and their families. My family has had years where we spent the majority of it apart, but with the Disney Military promotion we are able to plan a trip that we can afford and spend the much needed time together making memories and forgetting all of those days apart. On top of the amazing ticket promotion Disney also offers up to 40% off its resort hotels to its Military guest. This is an incredible savings.

Usually they base the discount on which level resort you decide to book. In most cases, it is 30% for Value Resorts, 35% for Moderate Resorts, and 40% for Deluxe Resorts. Disney also allows you to add the Dining Plan. This is the only time Disney will allow the Dining Plan to be purchased without a ticket and room package. Disney will not allow you to use the room discount with any other promotion such as free dining.

We always end up going during the free dining promotion and every year I do the math and it never fails……the Military room discount plus promotional tickets and paying for the Dining Plan is always cheaper than getting the Dining plan for free.

With that being said, there is another option and that is staying at the Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World. This is a Military owned Resort complete with an AAFES store and the rooms rates are based on Military rank. The resort often has promotions that include meals but the Shades of Green does not participate in the Disney Dining Plan therefore any meals that are included would only be for use at the restaurants at the Shades of Green. It is a very nice resort with some of the largest rooms on Disney property and it is located with beautiful views of a golf course and located parallel to Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

It is a beautiful resort in a great location but the only thing it is lacking to me is Disney feel. It is what I would call a grown up Resort. When I come to Disney I want to wake up surrounded by Disney and go to sleep on bed that is covered in “hidden Mickey’s”, but if you don’t mind not being immersed in Disney then the Shades of Green is a great Resort option.

You have to decide what the best fit for your family is and of course what is best for your budget. Disney has offered a way for the Military and their families to enjoy a Magical Vacation for a great price. If you are eligible please try and take advantage of this great offer before it’s too late.

No matter where you decide to stay or when you decide to visit it will be a magical experience that your family will never forget.

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Are you all pack and ready to make your way down to Walt Disney World? Well, open those suitcases back up and add a few more “must” items.

Plastic Bags – Baggies are a must have item at Disney World unless you walk the parks without any extra items. They are perfect for keeping those important, must not get wet items, dry. Not only is Florida known for their sudden showers, but also there are a couple of fun rides that just may leave you and your belongings waterlogged. Nothing will ruin a trip faster than having a blast on Splash Mountain and then ending up with a broken camera or cell phone. Baggies are also great if you are travelling with small children. Pack a few snacks in your backpack to enjoy throughout the day and save a little extra money. Plastic grocery bags are also good to keep your shoes dry on rides like Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids. They are also good to have to keep your bag dry during those sudden rain showers. Inexpensive ponchos from the Dollar tree would also be worth packing for these same reasons.

Medicine – Everyone that takes prescription medicine remembers to pack them when heading down to WDW. What most people don’t do, is pack a few nonprescription items. When you leave for vacation, you and your family may be feeling great. But what happens when two days into your vacation you get a head cold, heartburn, or upset stomach? Well if you didn’t pack some travel sized over-the-counter medicines, you will be paying a hefty price for some much needed relief. And if WDW doesn’t have what you need, you will end up paying extra to travel elsewhere. In an effort to prevent from getting unwelcomed sicknesses, I also always bring extra hand sanitizer. With the amount of germs crawling on every surface, it’s better to try to prevent sickness so that you can enjoy your vacation.

Batteries – Batteries are essential to a successful vacation. Why? Because your camera is the key to capturing those precious family memories. Of course you can purchase batteries while at the parks, but be prepared to pay extra. For those of you travelling by car, make sure to bring the right size batteries for those portable DVD players or wireless headphones. Nothing worse than a 16 hour drive with a nonfunctioning DVD player.

Sunscreen – Sunscreen in another item that you can purchase down there, but at an elevated price. I’ve noticed that many people visiting during the Fall and Winter months don’t think that they need sunscreen. They end up burning the first day and purchasing sunscreen the next. Save yourself from the burn and the extra cost by packing a bottle.

Gum – While gum is not an essential item, if you like to chew it, pack it. Gum is not sold anywhere on Disney property, so there is no chance to find it if you forget it.

For more discussions and fun giveaways, visit me at Between the Lines.

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Planning a vacation for a military family can be hard. There are deployment schedules and training exercises that always seem to get in the way, but with the right amount of planning, it can be pulled off.

The first thing to consider is who is going with you.  Sometimes, it is best to go as just your own small family unit.  Other times, it is a great time to get together with your extended family.  This is actually the first thing you need to decide, because it will affect all of the rest of your trip planning.

The personalities of your family members can make or break your trip, as well.  My husband is “that guy” who likes to ask Cast Members what time the 3 o’clock parade is.  My dad is the one who will nudge an unsuspecting family member toward a nearby trash can or spin the teacup fast enough to have everyone squished all on one side.  They make trips fun.

On the other hand, we have family members who don’t exactly get along with each other, and a lot of thought has to go into a trip on whether or not they even want to travel together.

Once you know who you are travelling with, you can decide when to travel.  School schedules, deployment schedules, training schedules.  You name it, it can get in the way, and the bigger your group, the harder it can be to fit in a trip.  The other thing to keep in mind is that every unit has its own leave policy.  My husband’s current unit wants leave requests no more than 60 days and no less than 30 days out.  Our last unit wanted them 90 days out.  Because of this, we made sure to mention the trip to the unit commander so that he wouldn’t be surprised when the request came across his desk.  Luckily, our commander is very approachable and easily accessible.  Not everyone has that luxury.  Our previous unit had two very unapproachable commanders in a row and did not want to hear anything until the request showed up on their desks.

Proximity to the World, or Disneyland, can also be a factor.  When we lived in Georgia, we took quite a few Disney trips.  Long weekends made for easy trips to plan and execute.  Now that we live in Missouri, we’re much further away and have to decide between flying a driving, length of stay, and whether or not we want grandparents, aunts, uncles, and/or siblings to come with us.
Whatever you decide, you will certainly have taken the first steps toward a memorable, military family vacation.

Choosing your hotel can always be a challenge.  These days, price is almost always a factor.  For the military family, this can be an easier question to answer than it is for others.  There are three options available to help military families save money on lodging.

The first option, is Disney’s military discount.  Right now, they are offering 40% on select hotels.  The Disney website says that the discount is available at select moderate resorts in Disney World.  It does not say which moderate resorts are included.  I find this a little bit disappointing because, when they first started offering the discount, you could use it at all of the hotels, and I got a great deal at the Polynesian.  In Disneyland, the discount can be applied at Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel, and the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.  There are also limits on how many rooms you can have and the discount cannot be combined with any other discounts.

The second option, only in Florida, is the Shades of Green Resort.  Operated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, this hotel is only open to current and former servicemembers and their families, Department of Defense civilian employees, and a few others related to the military.  For specifics, you can check eligibility on their website, www.shadesofgreen.org.  Shades of Green underwent some major rennovations a few years ago, and they added a significant amount of rooms.  The size of the rooms are comperable to a Disney deluxe hotel and everyone gets a private balcony or patio.  The cost of the hotel depends on your paygrade, so that people who make more money, pay more money, but the difference in cost still keeps the room rates lower than Disney’s.  Also, since it is considered federal property, there are no taxes.

Each service member and spouse is eligible to sponsor up to 3 rooms each, but the cost for the other two rooms will be higher than the cost of the sponsor’s room.  Shades of Green guests are not eligible for the Magical Express from the airport and must find their own transportation, and there is also a $5 a day fee to park your car.  They are, however, eligible for free bus transportation throughout the resort, Extra Magic Hours and package delivery from the parks to the hotel.

The third option, is going to the travel office aboard your local military installation, and asking about off-property discounts.  Two years ago, I got my hands on a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo, with a kitchen, dining area, living room, and screened in porch for under $100 a night.  They offered complimentary transportation to and from the parks, but had a specific schedule that didn’t work for us.  Luckily, we had a car, and could get around ourselves.  There was a grocery store nearby, so we were able to save ourselves some money on food, and we were only about a mile from the gate.

One last thing.  If you want to use a Disney Travel Agent for your trip, they cannot help with Shades of Green.  It is not a Disney hotel, so you would be on your own.  Whatever your needs, whether they be based on the size of your party, or price, there are plenty of options for the military family.

Buying tickets can always be an issue.  How many days you want, to hop or not to hop, water parks or no water parks.  Disney’s current military special in Florida is a for a 4 day base ticket, with the option to add the hopper and the water park and more.  In California, the deal is for a 3 day park hopper.  Disney limits each service member or spouse to 6 tickets, including their own, and it is only open to active duty.  The sponsoring service member or spouse must also be present to activate the tickets at the ticket window if you purchase your tickets ahead of time.  If you buy them at the park, the service member or spouse must be present to make the purchase.

Sometimes, though, 6 tickets just isn’t enough.  When that happens, you do still have options.  Every military installation should have a travel office that carries discounted tickets.  This also comes in handy if you want more than the 4, or 3 days that are being offered as part of the special.  However, I would strongly recommend doing your research, because the military discount offered by your travel office may not be the best deal you can get.  If you do decide to check around, make sure you are getting your tickets from a reputable company that is approved by Disney.  You don’t want to buy tickets and then show up at the park and find out you’ve been taken.  It would certainly put a damper on your trip right from the start.

Good luck, and have fun!

Guest Blogger Corey Applegate, former Marine and current military spouse.

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We have all seen the eye rolling from our friends and family who aren’t “in the know.” While we certainly dread the blank stares we will receive and without a doubt we quickly get over it because we are planning a trip to the most magical place the universe will ever know!

No matter where you stay, from the Grand Floridian to a tent at Fort Wilderness (I’ve even been tempted to sleep in my car!); you know that your vacation takes some planning. I know you’ve already researched and booked the hotel in which you will only nap and shower in as close to the 12 month time frame that you can. You may even have 2 or 3 trips you’re planning in the back of your head because, you never really return from Walt Disney World, there are spaces of time that you are working towards your next trip but, your eye is always on the prize.

Dining: I am a planner since the inception of free dining. I want to eat where I want to eat while I’m on vacation. From the magical setting of Cinderella’s Royal Table (dinner is by far the most magical experience in my opinion) to the very few restaurants that can still handle walk ups. I know that I am on the phone with dining as soon as they open the lines 180 days from the date of check in to get those most coveted spots. While I am on hold I am also on the Disney website making ADR’s for less popular places, multitasking ya know. I certainly wish Earl of Sandwich took ADR’s!

Park times: I actually have an Excel spreadsheet that gets looked over 47 times before I leave, regular park hours, extra magic hours. Most of those checks are the night before. Seriously, what commando sleeps the night before a Disney trip? Isn’t that the reason you booked your flight for the first one out of the terminal? Maybe that’s just me but, by the time I am done I have memorized park hours. Thank goodness for that because I usually leave it at home.

Now, when to pack: I don’t think I ever really completely unpack from a Disney trip. It is physically painful for me to do that. If I unpack fully I might not get to go again. (I’m beginning to think I have some serious issues!) But I do take the suitcase down from the closet about 30 days before. So I can look at a mostly empty suitcase 3 days prior to departure in a panic. I am now on Disney overload!

Packing: Sigh, packing. Even after all the trips I have made I hate packing. I am an over-packer. I know I always do laundry (Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets are amazing I also throw in a Shout Color Catcher) while I am there so I’m not quite sure why I need to bring 87 shirts or 5 pairs of jeans, in the middle of August. Really? Is that a sweat shirt AND a parka I have packed in there? What am I thinking? I’m not, I’m just preparing! You never know when or where a snow storm will hit…In Florida…In August. I think I need a personal packer!

So, you have your hotel, your tickets (you go so much you’re an Annual Passholder anyway!), you’re packed, you haven’t slept in 2 days because you’ve been sitting at the airport that long. Now what? Well, no matter how many times you go to Disney nothing beats that feeling you get the first time you see the sign that says “Walt Disney World.” If you’re like me all of the planning just starts to melt away. Learn to relax. Look for the things you have passed by. Smell the roses, no, really, smell the roses! Enjoy your trip with friends or family!

Chip and Co Guest Blogger Sarah Sorg

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