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Tag Archives: Passporter
What to do when one size doesn’t fit all?
With millions of visitors from around the world, it would be impossible to fabricate accommodations that would be ideal for everyone in Disney parks. If the “one size fits all” philosophy doesn’t apply to you, don’t worry, you aren’t out of luck.
There are three main areas where the majority of size worries may arise: rooms, restaurants and rides. In true Disney style…there really is something and somewhere for everyone; let’s look at what Disney is doing to make their parks fit for everyone.
- Rooms: If you would prefer a king sized bed, be sure to request one at the time of your reservation.. Rooms with king beds are becoming increasingly limited so if this is important to you, be sure to note it up front. While the Disney resorts have all of that Disney magic you’ve come to love, they may not have the square footage you have become accustomed to. Value resorts generally have the same square footage (approximately 260 sq ft) the moderates vary in size. To view the room layouts and footage and take a virtual tour click here. Caribbean Beach offers the most space (340 square feet) and the other moderates have 314 square feet.
- Restaurants: When you make your dining reservations, request a table or booth, whatever is more comfortable for you and when you check in at your restaurant, make your request again with the host or hostess. There are chairs without arms available at most restaurants. If you have any additional concerns about your dining experience, ask a cast member; they should either assist you, or find someone who can.
- Rides: If there is ever any doubt that one size doesn’t fit all, take a visit to Fantasyland. These rides are built for little one’s and you’ll find the accommodations are suited for pint sized prince’s and petite princesses. Look around the attraction before you get in line and see if you think the space is adequate for you, some attractions have ride cars outside so you can physically “test drive” them. Disney is always focused on safety first, ask a cast member for a seatbelt extender if you aren’t comfortable with the standard lap belt. Here’s a fast fact-Rock’n Roller Coaster and Test Track have more leg room in the front cars, Space Mountain has more leg room in the back car.
Of course there are far more needs than fit into these categories, so here are a few extra tips:
- The restrooms will all have a limited amount of handicapped accessible stalls which will give you more space.
- The turn styles at the park gates aren’t the only way in, ask to go through the stroller gates if you’re worried about fitting through the turn style.
- Know your options-Different rides and attractions offer different types of seating (lap bar, overhead bar, theatre seating, etc) know what doesn’t work for you and ask a cast member if alternatives are available.
- Check weight and activity restrictions on tours and special experiences, for example horseback riding and the Segway tour have a limit of 250lbs.
If you have a specific worry that isn’t listed, ask a cast member, or your Pixie Vacations travel agent or do some research online. Our friends over at Passporter have an entire forum dedicated to “Pooh sized” travelers and they have unlimited tips, tricks and resources!
Related articles
- Top 10 Disney World Desserts you have to try! (chipandco.com)
- Preparing for Hurricane and Tornado Season at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
Passporter 2012 Guidebook Giveaway
Design magical vacations with this FULL COLOR travel guide and planning system for everyone’s favorite playground … fully updated for 2012! Fourteen built-in organizer pockets keep plans, maps, and memories all in one place, and the full-color travel guide includes everything you need to plan the perfect vacation. All Disney parks and resort hotels are described in depth, with ratings, floor plans, and maps. Comprehensive information for planning, traveling, and dining is also included, along with an entire section devoted to extra-special Disney magic. Design your vacation with the help of six planning worksheets, write your itinerary on the front of each organizer pocket before you go, store guidemaps, brochures, tickets, and receipts inside the pockets while you’re there, and record expenses and memories to review and share when you return. This is the ultimate traveling companion for Walt Disney World!
Click here for a free sneak peek of PassPorter’s Walt Disney World 2012!
This weeks giveaway is sponsored by our writer and friend Brenda at Ideally Disney. We are giving away 1 copy of the Passporter 2012 WDW Guidebook. (Spiral Edition)
To enter, all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. The contest ends Saturday May 26th at 11:59pm. On Monday I will pick one lucky winner and notify them via Email or Facebook that they won. Be sure to use a valid way for me to contact you. You have 24 hours to respond or I will pick another winner so be watching your emails and Facebook Monday Morning!!!
Disney Work Planning Tips for Plus Sized Travelers
What to do when one size doesn’t fit all?
With millions of visitors from around the world, it would be impossible to fabricate accommodations that would be ideal for everyone in Disney parks. If the “one size fits all” philosophy doesn’t apply to you, don’t worry, you aren’t out of luck.
There are three main areas where the majority of size worries may arise: rooms, restaurants and rides. In true Disney style…there really is something and somewhere for everyone; let’s look at what Disney is doing to make their parks fit for everyone.
- Rooms: If you would prefer a king sized bed, be sure to request one at the time of your reservation.. Rooms with king beds are becoming increasingly limited so if this is important to you, be sure to note it up front. While the Disney resorts have all of that Disney magic you’ve come to love, they may not have the square footage you have become accustomed to. Value resorts generally have the same square footage (approximately 260 sq ft) the moderates vary in size. To view the room layouts and footage and take a virtual tour click here. Caribbean Beach offers the most space (340 square feet) and the other moderates have 314 square feet.
- Restaurants: When you make your dining reservations, request a table or booth, whatever is more comfortable for you and when you check in at your restaurant, make your request again with the host or hostess. There are chairs without arms available at most restaurants. If you have any additional concerns about your dining experience, ask a cast member; they should either assist you, or find someone who can.
- Rides: If there is ever any doubt that one size doesn’t fit all, take a visit to Fantasyland. These rides are built for little one’s and you’ll find the accommodations are suited for pint sized prince’s and petite princesses. Look around the attraction before you get in line and see if you think the space is adequate for you, some attractions have ride cars outside so you can physically “test drive” them. Disney is always focused on safety first, ask a cast member for a seatbelt extender if you aren’t comfortable with the standard lap belt. Here’s a fast fact-Rock’n Roller Coaster and Test Track have more leg room in the front cars, Space Mountain has more leg room in the back car.
Of course there are far more needs than fit into these categories, so here are a few extra tips:
- The restrooms will all have a limited amount of handicapped accessible stalls which will give you more space.
- The turn styles at the park gates aren’t the only way in, ask to go through the stroller gates if you’re worried about fitting through the turn style.
- Know your options-Different rides and attractions offer different types of seating (lap bar, overhead bar, theatre seating, etc) know what doesn’t work for you and ask a cast member if alternatives are available.
- Check weight and activity restrictions on tours and special experiences, for example horseback riding and the Segway tour have a limit of 250lbs.
- If you have a specific worry that isn’t listed, ask a cast member, or your Disney travel agent or do some research online. Our friends over at Passporter have an entire forum dedicated to “Pooh sized” travelers and they have unlimited tips, tricks and resources!
Know any more planning tips for plus size individuals let us know in the comment box below!
Related articles
- Vacationing at Disney World with Special Needs: ASD/ADHD (chipandco.com)
- Who do you tip at Walt disney World? (chipandco.com)
2012 Passporter’s Walt Disney World Guidebook Is Here!
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)
- Visiting Disneyland – What to expect from a Disney World point of view (chipandco.com)
Passporter’s 2012 Walt Disney World Guidebook Giveaway
How would you like to win a copy of Passporter’s 2012 Walt Disney World Guidebook? For me this Guidebook is a must have if you are planning a Disney World Vacation. Our good friends at Magical Mouse School House is hooking us up with a copy to Giveaway on the Chip and Company site!
To enter just use the Rafflecopter form below. Try to do everything on the checklist. You can tweet and share this post on your Facebook wall as many times as you like! The more you share the more entries you receive!
Contest ends on 12:01am on Saturday February 4th. I will pick a winner that morning and notify them via Rafflecopter that they won. The winner has 24 hours to respond or I will pick another.
Related articles
- Family Traditions at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
