Orlando vacations Archives - Chip and Co

Disney Planes set to take off at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Thursday, May 2, 2013 Siera No comments

There will be a special preview screening of Disney’s “Planes” at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Oshkosh becomes the busiest airport in the world the week of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will take place July 29-August 4, 2013. Although airplanes take off all the time here, 2013 will be a first for some very special planes.

We’re looking forward to the summer release of “Disney’s Planes,” the animated comedy adventure from above the world of the popular 2006 film “Cars!” Those attending AirVenture 2013 will have the opportunity to experience a special preview screening at the Fly-In Theater on Friday night, August 2, 2013. This will be one week before the movie opens in theaters nationwide. Disney’s “Planes” will help all who see it understand the thrill and excitement that flying offers.

Honoring Our Heroes

Thursday, March 28, 2013 DisneyDaniel 4 Comments

I am fortunate to have close friend’s who are military families. It’s always such an honor for me to help plan their Disney vacations! As such, I’ve become very familiar with the Disney Military Discount Offers. Honoring our Heroes is one way Disney can give back to those that are serving and/or have served. It’s an incredible feeling when I speak to one of our military families to answer any questions. I love being able to help Disney in Honoring our Heroes! It’s truly one of the greatest parts of my job!! I am becoming my own Military Disney Vacation expert, with a lot of help of course.

As we all know, those serving our country don’t get to be home often enough. It’s truly awesome that when they come home for leave that they have time to spend with their families. What could be better than spending that time at Disneyland or Disney World! Disney makes it a real possibility for them all.

I realized though that there may not be a lot of information out there for our heroes and their families on what is available to them. Disney truly wants to Honor Our Heroes, the loyal men and women of all the branches of the military, active and retired, as well as their families. This includes all our heroes in all branches of service, reservists, Coast Guard and National Guard included. There are some ‘rules’ that need to be followed, but none too complicated that I’ve experienced. It’s simply a matter of finding the dates that work and speaking with a Disney Specialist to get you set.

Don’t forget to pack your Medicine for Walt Disney World…

Monday, January 21, 2013 DisneyDiva 1 Comment

Dont forget to pack your Medicine for Walt Disney World...

Normally I would tell you to just say no to drugs, but on a Disney World Vacation I’m tellin’ you… YOU BETTA BRING SOME WITH YOU!!!

On two of my trips to WDW I got sick. Sick as a dog. Sick as in “please Jesus let me DIE before my throat explodes” kind of sick. I’m fairly sure I spent as much on medicine at the gift shops as I did on park-tickets!

People book Disney vacations months in advance, so if they, or their children get sick it is extremely likely they will go ahead and on vacation. This becomes a problem because, if your kids are like mine, you cannot stop the darlings from TOUCHING THE QUEUE (WAITING LINE) HANDRAILS. (enter scary huffing-out-of-frustration sound here). Which means germs are being spread like wildfire.

Do NOT underestimate the importance of bringing a medicine bag with you. Now be smart… if you’re flying there are all kinds of wacko regulations about how much liquid you can bring in your carry-on, so don’t get yourself into a situation that requires a pat-down, but I wanted to make sure that I told you about some medicines that you just simply SHOULD NOT go to Disney without. Obviously you’ll remember any daily meds you take regularly, so they will be excluded from the list.

1. COLD Medicines:

Head Cold/Congestion Medicine – DAY & NIGHT. (this costs a TON at WDW and goes fast)
Tussin – will work for both kids or adults if a cough creeps up.
Claritin – With the ABUNDANT flora of Middle Florida and California you may discover you have an allergy to something you didn’t know you had. I would just suggest taking one every day just in case.
Thermometer – Is your kid just acting crabby b/c they’ve had a busy/overstimulating day, or have they caught something? A thermometer will help to see.
Ayr Nasal Spray – again, allergies or congestion can really ruin a trip. Don’t forget this kind of stuff.

Don’t forget to pack your Medicine!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 DisneyDiva 2 Comments

Normally I would tell you to just say no to drugs, but on a Disney World Vacation I’m tellin’ you…

YOU BETTA BRING SOME WITH YOU!!!

On two of my trips to WDW I got sick. Sick as a dog. Sick as in “please Jesus let me DIE before my throat explodes” kind of sick. I’m fairly sure I spent as much on medicine at the gift shops as I did on park-tickets!

People book Disney vacations months in advance, so if they, or their children get sick it is extremely likely they will go ahead and on vacation. This becomes a problem because, if your kids are like mine, you cannot stop the darlings from TOUCHING THE QUEUE (WAITING LINE) HANDRAILS. (enter scary huffing-out-of-frustration sound here). Which means germs are being spread like wildfire.

Disney World is Not Just for Kids

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 PixieLesley No comments

Let’s take the kids to Disney World! Or better yet, let’s not ! You don’t ALWAYS need the kids to have a great time in Disney. The parks offer plenty for adults who’d prefer to party or just plain relax.

When my husband and I first went to Disney World, it was as honeymooners without kids.

Then, starting in 1998, we made our trips with our two little ones every year (or more than once per year). We enjoy our family vacations to Disney very much, watching the magic through our children’s eyes, but we’ve also learned that adult time in Disney can be just as magical for us – sometimes even more so!

Use Disney’s Child Care Centers

If you are on a trip to Disney but want a night out adults only Disney has amazing child care centers located at many of the deluxe resort hotels that you can take advantage of during your vacation! And you don’t have to be staying at the hotel to use its child care center!

We hesitated many years before giving them a try, but once we did, we didn’t look back.

We first used one of the centers when we wanted to enjoy a romantic dinner alone. Upon returning to pick up our kids, they begged us to let them stay longer, so we left them there for an additional hour while we relaxed with a drink at the hotel bar.

Another time, we left the kids at the Neverland Club at the Polynesian and enjoyed four hours of adult time at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.

We thought by then the kids would have had enough of the Neverland Club, but when we picked them up they pleaded with us to drop them off there again the next day.

We now make sure on family vacations to schedule at least one date night for the two of us. Our date nights might include a night at the park enjoying the rides together (we’ve hit Magic Kingdom on our own for a few hours once and it was WONDERFUL; we felt like honeymooners again!).

We’ve also scheduled romantic dinners at Jiko or at the Yachtsman Steakhouse, evenings at the Food and Wine Festival, or just a few hours strolling through the World Showcase without having to worry about pushing strollers or standing in lines for characters.

Once, we even stayed to watch Illuminations – just the two of us.

What a perfect Disney date!

Or Better Yet, Plan an Adult Getaway!

This past November, my husband Tim and I headed down to Disney World for our first-ever adults only getaway. We booked 3 nights/4 days at the Boardwalk, met another couple down there, and had an incredible time!

At first, I felt guilty leaving the kids behind while we went to Disney, but we’d do it again in a heartbeat!

We were there during the last weekend of the Food and Wine Festival. They had just put up the Christmas decorations, and it was the perfect time to visit.

We loved staying at the BoardWalk and staying out late with our friends – just sitting, talking, and enjoying the atmosphere with an adult beverage. We loved walking over to Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival, then strolling over to Hollywood Studios for the Osborne Lights.

Single Rider Lines!

Since it was just the two of us, we were able to use single rider lines. This allowed us to skip to the head of the line for popular rides like Test Track and Rockin’ Roller Coaster and ride them several times in one day.

Relax!

We slept in (try doing that with the kids along!), shopped around, enjoyed long romantic dinners, and treasured the ‘us’ time that every marriage needs and deserves.

So, the next time you plan your Disney vacation, don’t think of it as only a family affair, but rather take some time to also enjoy it as a couple. You won’t regret it! What would your ideal “Disney date” be?

Lesley is a travel agent with Pixie Vacations, contact her for your next Disney vacation at Lesley@pixievacations.com or check her out at www.destinationmagic.com. She is currently offering generous booking incentives (Disney gift cards and Disney on board credits for Disney Cruiseline) as well as $200 per person Disney gift cards for all Adventures by Disney Vacations!