Theme Parks Archives - Page 2 of 7

Helpful Tips and Tricks on What to Pack for Disney World

August 29, 2018 by Danielle 2 Comments

Save yourself some stress and be as prepared as possible for your Disney vacation. By following these helpful packing tips you’ll maximize your enjoyment and avoid some common drawbacks. Not only that, but knowing better what and how to Pack for Disney may even save you some money!

Wallet

Make sure you have cash in your wallet that you can use in a pinch to tip your driver, bell service, etc. This can save you from needing to use an ATM and possibly face those fees. In addition to that, bring plenty of Disney gift cards and the credit card you purchased your reservations on.

Clothes

It’s almost always hot, though it might get a little cooler on winter nights. There is a lot of walking involved, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Please don’t be one of those people struggling in the parks in stilettos. To maximize comfort, wear shorts or a skirt (if you’re braver than me) and light breathable clothing. Formal wear is not a necessity if you are looking to pack light – however, for some dining reservations (like Victoria & Alberts!) you may need to get a little dressier.

Health and Beauty

Remember to bring sunscreen and use it every day – don’t forget the back of your neck if you have short hair or will wear a ponytail! Nothing zaps the fun out of a vacation in the sun like getting burned. Ya, I’ve learned that the hard way. Pain reliever is also good to have on hand, versus paying extra for it when you get there. Consider any other toiletries, ointments, or remedies you might need in advance so you can avoid the upcharge later.

You will need room in your suitcase to bring back souvenirs, of course. You can create that space and save money on water by packing a whole pallet of drinking water for the trip. It’s important to stay hydrated and you can get a 24 pack of bottled water for the price of a single bottle in one of the parks. By the end of the trip, water’s gone and there is room for all the t-shirts, plushes, and other awesome stuff you buy to commemorate your trip.

Accessories

Bring a cord and adapter for charging your phone overnight in your room. If you keep up on this you will not need to purchase or pack an external charger. The parks even have charging stations in case of an emergency. Small, travel-friendly backpacks can be your best friend – I don’t go to the parks without this one that’s been fabulous for 2 years!

Don’t forget an umbrella and some disposable ponchos, especially if you are going to Disney World in the Summertime. Ponchos are one thing you don’t want to be buying last minute in the middle of a rainstorm, trust me!

And definitely don’t forget your autograph books – these are the ones I made, complete with activities for during line waits. You can nab one here or on Amazon here!

Check out our previous post on What to Pack for Disney for more specific packing tips!

Everything You Need to Know about Tipping at Disney World

August 22, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Are tips accepted in Disney World? Absolutely – but with exceptions. While some Cast members are required to not accept tips for the most part, there are some positions at Disney where customary tipping is expected. Those cast members are paid by Disney as tipped employees, which means they can earn up to $3 less than minimum wage. When you vacation in Disney World, be sure to bring enough cash to cover tips for transportation, certain hotel services, and food servers. Here’s everything you need to know about Tipping at Disney World!

Who are “Tipped Employees?”

The following job types are classified as “tipped” and will gladly accept gratuity for their services.

Drivers: Obviously, the taxi service, or ride share app you use takes tips, but don’t forget about the Mickey’s Magical Express driver. They are your first point of contact on your Walt Disney World vacation and they work hard to make the experience magical. They’ll appreciate the gratuity. Generally, have $1 or $2 handy per piece of luggage they store and retrieve for you. The drivers on the internal buses do not take tips.

Hotel Services: Bell Service cast members are also tipped employees. Generally, anyone handling your bags will accept gratuity. The usual amount is $1 to $2 per bag. Salon and spa services are also tipped. Gratuity for massage, pedicure, etc. should be between 15% and 20% depending on the quality of service.

Food Service: Servers at table service restaurants do accept tips. It is also customary to tip at buffet restaurants, but not counter service or kiosks. The average tip for food service is 18% of the bill before tax. The minimum suggested tip is 15%.

Recognizing the Exceptional Efforts of Non-Tipped Employees

Non tipped Cast members include: ride operators, custodial cast members, outdoor venders and basically anybody not mentioned above. They cannot accept tips unless they have refused up to three times. Even then, the tip is taken to management. The best way to recognize these people for doing an exemplary job is to request a Great Service Fanatic card. You can also call or email Guest Communications: 407-824-4321 wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com You can even tweet @WDWToday with #castmembercompliment to show them some extra love and recognition!

Tell us your best experience with a cast member!

Five Top News Stories For Walt Disney World This Week

August 8, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

If you’re a big Disney park fan like us – especially if you’re planning a trip there anytime soon – Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom all have new experiences to offer. Plus, no more plastic straws. Here’s the Five Top News Stories for Walt Disney World This Week – read on for details.

Check out Get Away Today to book your trip today!

Be Our Guest Prix Fixe Menu

Be Our Guest restaurant now offers a new, enhanced dining experience as of July 27th. They serve dinner as a three course Prix Fixe menu. The enhanced dinner menu is much more French. Appetizers include Escargot and Charred Octopus. Among the entrees are Saffron- infused Seafood Bouillabaisse, Center-cut Filet Mignon, and Poulet Rouge Chicken. End the meal with a delicate dessert trio.

NEW Keepsake at Tower of Terror

You can now get a special photo keepsake whenever you “drop in” at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. The lenticular photo changes to show you entering The Twilight Zone with a fun and eerie effect. Memory Maker packages do not include the keepsake, and it is not part of Photo Pass. You must buy it separately, and they do charge $19.95 plus tax.

Vampirina Coming To Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The new Disney Junior character will be joining the Disney Junior Play and Dine breakfast at Hollywood and Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, beginning on September 30. Later this year, she will join the Disney Junior Dance Party at the park. Vampirina is an age appropriate cartoon about a vampire girl in a Munsters-like family who is making new friends in a human neighborhood and learning to celebrate her differences.

No More Plastic Straws

Single use plastic straws and plastic drink stirrers will no longer be used at any Disney owned locations. This new commitment is part of an ongoing environmental initiative by the Disney Company. The change will take effect in the middle of next year. It is still unknown whether they will replace the plastic straws with paper, or charge for reusable straws.

Don’t forget to check out Get Away Today to book your trip today!

New Lounge in Animal Kingdom

Right in the heart of the action at Dinoland USA, Restaurantosaurus has added a brand new lounge. Dinoland USA is a split American themed addition to Animal Kingdom that features dinosaurs in a campy roadside attraction setting, next to a science institute where time rovers study actual prehistoric creatures. Students at the institute live in on-site quarters that double as an elaborately decorated restaurant. That restaurant now has a lounge which offers snacks, as well as specialty drinks like Tequilasaurus and Primordial Booze.

What other news stories for Walt Disney World are you excited for?

Other Disney fun…

Top 3 Ways to Cut Food Costs at Walt Disney World

July 11, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

When you buy a Disney World Vacation, you get a room and some park tickets. If you’re lucky, you get a free dining plan, as well. But for most people that’s it, and buying a dining plan is not a viable way to save money. During your stay, you encounter all varieties of tiered service options, price ranges and more. You can easily rack up a heavier vacation tab then you expected if you’re not careful. To help, here’s our Top 3 Ways to Cut Food Costs at Walt Disney World.

This fall will be my first time ever trying the Disney Dining plan – and it’s only because we got the free dining special. As I was preparing our park plan and dining reservations, there was so much to look into – and I remember how hard it was figuring out a food budget in previous trips there. I don’t want you to have that stress, as well! So, here are three cost cutting measures you can take while on vacation in Disney World.

Leverage Counter Service

Quick Service is a substantially lower cost way to dine in the parks at Disney World. The entrees are less expensive and there is no gratuity attached to the meal. So, immediately you save money when you choose counter service over table service.

Even after that there are a few more things you can do to leverage the cost of your meal.

1. Drink ice water. Ice water is served for free. You don’t even need to buy anything. Keep that in mind when staying hydrated on hot Orlando days and definitely use this to your advantage when meal time comes around.

2. Purchase shareable entrees. Some quick service locations serve entrees that can easily be shared. It’s a great way to save on meals for guests with smaller appetites. Also, adults can order kids meals for themselves if they don’t want an adult size meal. Some kids check meals are very similar to offerings on the adult menus.

3. Toppings Bars. Some counter service locations have toppings bars. Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is one example. You can augment the already sizable portions with as much of the toppings as you like with no added cost to you. You can even make a side salad out of it. It’s a thing.

Leverage Breakfast

You can go two ways on breakfast to make it work for you:

1. Skip it (as far as eating out goes). Or bring small snacks from home to eat in the hotel room before you start the day. This will cut down on meals by 1/3. You can schedule your lunches earlier to help cover the difference.

2. Fill up. This is a good strategy if you are capable of loading on the calories in the morning and not having another meal until dinner time. If your accommodations include a continental breakfast this can really save you money. You can even pack away some snacks for later. Even a buffet, like one of many character dining experiences around Disney World such as Tusker House, can save you money. Of course that depends on how much you would be likely to spend on lunch, how much a smaller breakfast would be, and how that sum compares to the buffet price.

Be prepared…

There are pros and cons of planning. Planning is meant to make things easier. Life is unpredictable, though and sometimes plans fall through. So, be prepared to change your mind. Preparedness is good, like bringing water and snacks into the park to save money, or planning your next meal to stay on schedule. One thing you definitely don’t want to do is follow through with meal plans if you aren’t really hungry.

When you have a reservation, it’s a little bigger of a deal and there may be a fee involved for cancelling, but generally speaking don’t spend money on food if you aren’t hungry just because it’s what you had planned. It might sound weird, but its really effective. When you get caught up in “we have to do this next” stop and ask yourself if it’s what you really want. This little thing can save hundreds of dollars over vacations for a few years.

I hope you liked these tips and found them insightful. Was there anything you expected to find but didnt? What are your favorite ways to save money while you’re in Disney World. What tips do you plan to use?

How do You Save Money in Disney World?

Updated Walt Disney World Ride Lists

June 19, 2018 by Danielle 33 Comments

If you loved our previous Disney park checklists, you’ll be thrilled to hear that we now have our most recent Updated Walt Disney World Ride Lists available for you to print off! These free printables feature favorite characters from each of the 4 main Disney World parks and we listed height requirements to make it convenient. These printable Disney checklists will be perfect for your next trip to Orlando! (most recent version updated June 2018)

Now updated to include Toy Story Land, opening June 30th 2018!

Y’all loved our last Disney World Ride Lists, but with Toy Story Land opening at Hollywood Studios, we knew it was time for some updates. A few rides have switched up, so these are the most accurate we have at the moment. Don’t forget our popular Unofficial Disney Autograph & Activity Book for your trip!

For great prices on your magical vacation, check HERE.

We have a page for each of the 4 main Disney theme parks, sized at 8.5×11 – I highly recommend printing onto cardstock, and of course they look tons better in color! Click the links to download these free printable Disney World Ride Lists!

Since sometimes it’s a pain to carry around a full sheet of paper on your Disney trip, we also put all 4 onto one 8.5×11 sheet, making them compact and much easier to take with you. Here’s the link to download and print that one:

4 Parks on one sheet

There’s a little checkbox next to each ride/activity, and if the attraction has a height requirement, that’s listed out to the side in red so it stands out.

You not only have an easy guide to which rides there area, but can check them off to see what you have left to complete! You can even highlight ones that are your ‘absolutely cannot miss this’, so you can tell at a glance what your priorities are for that park. Don’t forget our popular Unofficial Disney Autograph & Activity Book for your trip!

Don’t forget to check here for great prices for your next vacation.

Don’t miss the biggest update – Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios!

*We are not responsible for any ride availability, hours, refurbishment schedule, closings or height requirement changes. Check the Disney website for the most up-to-date information for your trip dates.

Other Disney Fun…

Everything to Know About Pixar Fest & Pixar Pier

June 11, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Exciting news for my fellow Disney-lovers! If you haven’t heard, Pixar is taking over at the Disneyland Resort this summer! From now until September 3rd, you can experience Pixar Fest when you visit The Happiest Place on Earth. Here, you’ll be able to interact with your favorite Pixar characters, enjoy dazzling entertainment and celebrate Pixar like never before. Plus – on June 23rd – you can be one of the first guests to experience the re-imagined Pixar Pier and the thrilling Incredicoaster. With so much to do, you won’t want to miss your chance to experience it all. Because of this, I’ve partnered up with my friends at Get Away Today to give you everything you need to know about Pixar coming to the Disneyland Resort this summer.

Pixar Fest

Entertainment:

At Pixar Fest, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of delightful entertainment that will take you to “Infinity and Beyond!” The first parade that you’ll want to catch is the Pixar Play Parade. This beloved parade has made a comeback for Pixar Fest, but is now in Disneyland Park for the first time ever. On Main Street U.S.A., you’ll be able to see characters from Monsters University, The Incredibles, Toy Story, A Bug’s Life and more. Plus, you can also enjoy new floats like the Pixar Lamp, Pixar Ball, UP and Inside Out. The best part? This is the perfect parade for a hot summer day. With all-new water features, that might just get you wet, you’ll be able to stay cool as you party with some of your favorite Pixar pals. You can catch the Pixar Play Parade daily at 3:30 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.

Another fan-favorite making its return for Pixar Fest is the Paint the Night Parade – my favorite! This nighttime show was instantly loved during Disneyland’s 60th Diamond Celebration, so I was ecstatic when I heard it was coming back for Pixar Fest. Here, you’ll be able to dance and sing along to catchy tunes with cherished Disney and Pixar characters. Each character lights up the night with thousands of LED lights on their floats, making it an unforgettable sight to see. On June 15th, you won’t want to miss your chance to see The Incredibles make their grand-entrance to the Paint The Night Parade. With new features – a little bit of magic – The Incredibles float won’t be anything short of super. This parade is enjoyable for people of all ages, so you’ll want to make sure you catch it before it speeds out on September 3rd, 2018.

To end your Disney day the perfect way, you’ll want to make time to see “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular.” With pyrotechnics, projections, music and scenes from Disney-Pixar films, you’ll be laughing – and maybe even crying – at this beautiful celebration of friendship. As a tip, you’ll want to make sure to watch this nighttime show from Main Street U.S.A., so you’re in the middle of all of the fun. “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” is a show you won’t want to miss.

Food & Fun:

Ya’ll know I’m all about the FOOD, right? Well, in addition to the entertainment, you’ll be able to enjoy over 50 food and beverage options during Pixar Fest! These Pixar-themed treats are not only delicious, but worthy of their own Instagram post! With delectable eats like Cheeseburger Pizza, Three Flavored Corn Dog and a Cocoa Churro, you’ll want to make sure you save room for it all! Plus, you’ll be able to meet your favorite Pixar pals at Paradise Gardens. Say hello to Mr. & Mrs. Incredible, Mike Wazowski, Sulley, Woody, Buzz and more! In addition to the character meet and greets, be sure to enjoy colorful décor located throughout Paradise Gardens.

Pixar Pier

Neighborhoods:

Pixar Pier will include four new neighborhoods for guests to enjoy. Each neighborhood is themed after a classic Pixar film. Enjoy Incredibles Park, Toy Story Boardwalk, Pixar Promenade and Inside Out Headquarters. Each neighborhood will include attractions, food and fun for everyone to enjoy.

Incredicoaster:

While I can’t wait to see every detail of Pixar Pier, I’m most excited for the Incredicoaster. This re-imagined attraction has taken over for California Screamin’ and now features our favorite superhero family. This thrilling ride will take you on an adventure with The Incredible family as they try to rescue Jack-Jack after he escapes. With brand new effects, a renovated queue and an entire area dedicated to The Incredibles, I can’t wait to save the world the next time I visit Disney California Adventure!

Dining:

When you need a break from all of the fun, make sure you stop and explore one of the many new dining options at Pixar Pier. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, you can enjoy Poultry Palace, SeñorBuzz Churros, Angry Dogs or Adorable Snowman Treats. However if you want to have a unique dining experience, make sure to check out the Lamplight Lounge. With California gastro-pub themed food, you can dine right on the Pier. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy Pixar-themed knick-knacks, drawings and sketches located throughout the restaurant. No matter where you choose to eat, you’re in for some scrumptious grub!

If you haven’t booked your Disneyland vacation to experience the most “Incredible” summer yet, make sure you book with Get Away Today. With discount Disneyland tickets, hotel specials and a flexible Layaway Plan, Get Away Today makes vacationing more affordable than ever before!

To book, visit getawaytoday.com or call 855-GET-AWAY to speak to a travel expert directly. Make sure to mention promo codeBusyMomsHelper to get an additional $10 off your next hotel and tickets vacation package.

Printable Disney Banner

June 6, 2018 by Danielle 12 Comments

With our family Disney World vacation happening in a few months, we’re getting our countdown out and ready. I’m excited that many of YOU can enjoy this Printable Disney Banner too!! Even if you’re not planning a Disney trip, it can be used for parties, or just for fun.

Book your next Disney vacation with Get Away Today for the best deals – use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for $10 off your vacation package!

(originally shared March 2016) See, isn’t it fun?! I did Mickey-eared numbers from 1-31, so you can count down the month leading up to your vacation. OR combine numbers for a birthday banner for the special persons age! There are TWENTY pages, with 4 triangle banner pieces per page. Just print them off (I recommend cardstock, but that’s entirely up to you), cut them out, then string or tape where you like.

My hubby had a super idea (when I agreed it was genius, our Thor said ‘wait…what?!’ Guess he needs to come up with great ideas in front of the kids more often, but it sure was funny!) – String up the numbers, then gently tape a character one on top. So each day you take off the character to display the number! Or you can do it in reverse, and life off the number each day to reveal a surprise character. Yup, totally fun!

My kids asked if we would use this the next time we have a Disney vacation – I said definitely, along with my favorite DIY Disney Countdown using a frame and straws! I’m leaving it up in our house just for fun this week 🙂

Book your next Disney vacation with Get Away Today for the best deals – use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper for $10 off your vacation package!

Other Disney fun…

Disney's New Paint the Night Parade is my favorite Disneyland parade yet! by BusyMomsHelper.com Our experience with Paint the Night Parade with kids was fantastic!

Disneyland's 60th Diamond Celebration / by BusyMomsHelper.com

Star Wars Half Marathon by Nikki Christiansen for Busy Mom's Helper

Free Printable Disneyland Height Requirements / by Busy Mom's Helper / Free Printable California Adventure Height Requirements

Club Cool at Epcot

May 30, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard of being able to try soda’s from around the world for FREE in Club Cool at Epcot, but if you’ve been curious as to what it’s really all about – listen up! Or ‘watch’, because I caught the reactions of hubby and myself trying every single soda, including the famous one ‘The Beverly’. Not sure if he’s forgiven me for that one yet 😉

Despite having gone to Walt Disney World before, I didn’t make it to Club Cool at Epcot until my trip with hubby last fall. I’d heard people talk about it and was eager to give it a try myself – after all, how awesome is it to try different soda’s for FREE?! I’m all about trying things from other places, and here you can taste test sodas from EIGHT different countries, which is actually a really cool activity and experience. Not only that, but if you need a little drink then it’s great to grab one for free while passing by.

When you walk into Club Cool at Epcot, they have several different soda stations – as far as I could tell, they’re all the same but just spread out so it’s not a huge line waiting for ONE station. All eight of the varieties are there, with plenty of small paper cups to the side for you to use. We decided to start at one end and work our way down…

There were actually several of them that were pretty good – not as good as my beloved Dr Pepper, but still good 🙂 Sorry for the shakiness of the video, it was a bit tricky going back and forth, filling the little cups while holding the phone.

Hubby wasn’t too thrilled that I didn’t give him a heads up, but I couldn’t resist the surprise of it! The Beverly is totally gross – bitter is probably the best way to describe it, which isn’t how a soda should taste – but it’s really kind of a right of passage type thing. If you’re going to try them, please do give it a try just so you can say you did!

The atmosphere was pretty fun in there, as well, and people-watching is fantastic because you can see other people’s reactions to the sodas.

I’m so excited to take my kiddos here in the fall, not only to see their reactions (yes, I’ll film! Ha!) but to let them experience sodas from around the world, giving them a taste of something different and new. I love learning of other cultures and places, and sharing that with my kids is really important to me. So why not have some fun with it along the way?

If you’ve done Club Cool at Epcot, which soda was your favorite?

Fun Secret for Epcot’s Test Track

May 23, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Even though Epcot at Walt Disney World seems to be best known for it’s World Showcase (and food – yum!), it does have some truly amazing rides, Test Track being one of the most popular. During my trip with hubby last fall, we learned a little-known but very Fun Secret for Epcot’s Test Track that made the ride even better – and today I’m sharing it with you!

First of all, for those that may not know, Test Track is a ride where you design a ‘test car’, then get in car simulators that go through different types of tests – such as efficiency, power, capability, and responsiveness – to see how your particular design would rate on it. There’s touch-screens for you to do your design, then it saves to your MagicBand for you to scan to your ‘seat’ before you board the car.

Here’s a little secret – the design stays on your MagicBand for 30 days (or until you put a new vehicle design on it, so be careful)! Knowing this, we wanted to really design a great vehicle, but needed more than the super quick amount of time you’re allowed at the screens in the normal line. That’s where the bigger secret comes in – there are those same computers after the END of the ride that you can use, without being rushed as much by a line!

That’s right, after you exit the ride and pass by the show cars, to the right are 3 or 4 stations where you can do your design with much more attention and detail than in the actual ride line!

We had a BLAST with this, designing some awesome vehicles and then riding Epcot’s Test Track to see how they’d score with each of the categories. Hubby focused more on power – his looked like a beast of a truck!

Mine was more balanced between things, so although he kicked my trash in the power test, overall I scored much higher 🙂

Knowing this and telling our kids about it for our upcoming trip, they’re super excited to make their own designs (and I know they’ll take time, so those other stations will be a huge life saver) and test them out. I bet we’ll be redoing it quite often, which will be for some fun memories.

What type of design would you do for Epcot’s Test Track?

5 Awesome DIY Disney MagicBand Decorating Ideas

March 21, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

For those that don’t know, our family is working extremely hard to be able to go visit Disney World later this year – that means saving money, planning ahead, skipping on some ‘extras’ to make it a reality. We’re all on board, and doing little things along the way to keep us excited and the momentum going – such as planning how we’ll customize our MagicBands! This is a great way to personalize your own band, and can be a fun Disney-themed craft project as you’re preparing for your next trip. Here’s 5 Awesome DIY Disney MagicBand Decorating Ideas to help get your creativity going!

If you saw when I shared earlier on why I think MagicBands are completely incredible and super useful on a Disney trip, you’ll know many of the ways you use it at the parks, hotels and more. Well, now you don’t only have your own handy band to help along your trip, but you can personalize it however you want to REALLY make it yours! Plus, it’ll add a little bit of ‘magic’ while you’re planning, preparing and counting down to your next visit.

Don’t forget to check Get Away Today for the best Disney Vacation deals!

The usual – purchase a design, or buy add-on accessories

You can order fully designed/printed MagicBands from Disney – everything from classic characters, to superhero or Star Wars. There’s also some fun accessories from places like the Disney Store that just pop into the holes along the band for some 3D accents.

Paint

Okay, how awesome is this Captain America themed band from Creative Green Living? Head over to see how she used paint to customize hers!

Temporary Tattoos

Check out how simple it is to use a fun tattoo for your MagicBand at Disney Insider Tips.

Or see The Delightful Life for another tutorial…

Jewels

How fantastic is this beautiful jeweled MagicBand from The Delightful Life?! I totally love it – this plus the ‘bonus’ craft at the bottom are likely what I’ll do to customize my own this year!

More fun ideas on the blog at Get Away Today!

Nail Polish & Stickers

There’s so many possibilities when you have some nail polish on-hand, so check out ScrapPop for how to use it on your band!

Bonus – GLITTER!!!

I absolutely LOVE this MagicBand creation from Creative Green Living – not just because it’s sparkly, but it’s also purple! I want to mix this tutorial with the jewel/bling one on my own band for our trip – I’ll be sure to share pics when it’s done!

How would you customize YOUR MagicBand?

Disney MagicBands: Why They’re Amazing

March 7, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I was a bit confused the first time I went to Disney World. I’d been to Disneyland in California many times before, but there were so many differences that I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. For example, how the heck was I suppose to use these cool MagicBands that I received? Luckily I figured it out pretty quickly, and have since come to really love using them in place of tickets and such. There’s so many ways they make your trip better, and we’re sharing all our tips with you. So read on to learn all about the Disney MagicBands: Why They’re Amazing!

First of all, make sure your keep your MagicBand SAFE, because this is your ticket and key for many things! There are clasp slider things you can get, like a BitBelt, that help secure your band on just in case. This can be especially helpful for little kids who not only have tiny wrists, but also move around and mess with their bands a lot. Here’s why they’re so important, and why I absolutely love them on my Disney trip! And don’t forget to check out Get Away Today for the best prices on your magical vacation!

Magical Express Check-in

If you’re staying at a Disney-owned hotel, you can use the Magical Express shuttle from the airport to/from your hotel – for FREE! When you get to the airport, you check in at the Magical Express area (there’s plenty of signs all around the airport, don’t worry) – if you have a MagicBand, you just scan it and your reservation for the hotel pops up nice and easy. Otherwise you have to pull out your documents showing your reservation, taking more time and hassle.

Hotel Room Key

I’m a big fan of online check-in, because the lines when you arrive at your resort are typically pretty long (especially if you took the shuttle, because a LOT of people are arriving with you!). Checking in online beforehand is a great way to just skip straight to the fun – and they’ll email/text you when your room is ready, with the room number and location, so you can just go there at your convenience. What about a key? Your MagicBand is your hotel room key – yay! That means you don’t even have to go to the front desk to pick up any keys.

Purchases

Whether you’re buying that cute Stitch stuffed animal (that my hubby wants so badly), paying for your tasty meal at Tusker House, or paying for that delicious Dole Whip, you can just scan your MagicBand and it’ll charge it to the card you have on file with your band. Don’t worry, they do require a PIN for purchases, so if you do happen to lose it, it’s not the total end of the world. Still keep a good hold on it though – just in case 😉

Fast Pass+ & Reservatons

Unlike Disneyland, they do the FastPass+ system without tickets – this means it’s tied to your MagicBand! When it’s time for one of your FastPasses, you go up to that line and scan your band at the little Mickey stands. It’ll turn green if you’re good to go, and that’s it. No more keeping track of tiny paper tickets, thank goodness. And for your dining reservations, those can be pulled up by scanning your band, as well.

Park Tickets

To get in and out of the park, you can just scan your band at the Mickey stands, check your fingerprint (made the first time you go), then walk on in! It’s so nice to not have to have your tickets out and handy as you’re already trying to get through the lines, security and everything.

Check out Get Away Today for awesome prices on your Disney trip!

Ride & Photographer Photos

You know those amazing photographers all over the parks willing to take your photos? They just scan it onto your MagicBand, then the photos are loaded to your account to view and/or purchase. So convenient! Plus, during rides that have photos – they’re automatically scanned to your band, so you don’t have to rush at the end to nab your photo before it switches to the next one.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

If you do breakfast or lunch at the Be Our Guest restaurant (highly recommend it – so fun!), you seat yourself after placing your order. With your Magicband, they can find you to bring you food right to your table. Don’t worry though – if you don’t have a band they give you a special ‘rose’ so they can still locate your party.

Test Track

For this amazing ride in Epcot, you design a ‘test’ vehicle for a simulation ride while in line (or at a station after the end of the ride), then scan your design from your MagicBand right before you get into your ‘car’. This is really exciting for kids (heck, and us adults, too!) who want to see how their design does. Also, a cast member told me it stays on your MagicBand for about 30 days – so if you design the perfect one and don’t want to replace it when you return in a few days or so, just be sure to not scan a new one onto your band and your cool design will still be there.

Our friends at Michael’s VIPs can give you all sorts of fun tips with their unforgettable guide services!

Personalized Message Surprises

Since they can ping/locate your MagicBand, some ques or rides will have special messages with YOUR NAME on there! At the end of it’s a small world, it said goodbye to ‘Danielle & Vardee’ when I went with my mom a couple years ago. Last year with hubby in line for Expedition Everest, one of those screen ‘ads’ that scroll through personalized to ‘Clayton’, and we saw a few kids get excited when their name popped up in others as well.

They’re Fun & Customizable

Whether you want to add fun things to it yourself, like little button stick-ins or glitter, or want to order a printed design, you can have a lot of fun designing your own MagicBand. Since you don’t HAVE to get a new one each visit, but instead can keep your favorite band, it makes it like a special keepsake as well. If you don’t want to pay more for customizing or decorating it, no worries – if you’re staying at a Disney-owned hotel they send each person one for free and have a handful or so of colors you can choose from. And yes, you can still put your name or something on it while you’re doing the personalizing, too!

What color or design would you want your MagicBand?

2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

February 7, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

While I’ve heard many people say that Epcot is more of a ‘partial day’ park – and maybe that’s so if you’re looking at it from a ride perspective – but during their festivals you’ve got to allow more time to enjoy all they offer. In its second year, the 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts is no exception, with plenty going on! Whether you’re a love of culinary arts, visual arts or performing arts, there’s something for everyone during this event.

Ya’ll know how much I love food, right? One of my favorite things about the festivals at Epcot are the opportunities to try new, unique and/or interesting tastes. What makes the Epcot International Festival unique is that their focus is on the ART – so the foods at the various booths are specially designed so they look as incredible as they taste!

There’s about 15 food booths around the World Showcase, all with their own special theme – as well as special offerings at the 4 Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company locations, the Funnel Cake stand and the two Refreshment stops. While most things I tried were really good, my favorite was the red wine-braised beef short rib by Cuisine Classique in Germany.

As for dessert, I was really tempted to order a second Le Coucher de Soleil (Sunset Mango & Raspberry Cake) at L’Art De La Cuisine Francaise in the France area.

This is one of those festivals that you’ll want to take some fun photos, since the presentation of these tasty snacks are not something you see everyday!

The Artist’s Table in The American Adventure Area

The Deconstructed Dish in Showcase Plaza

El Artista Hambriento (the hungry artist) in the Mexico AreaL’Arte Di Mangiare (the art of eating) in the Italy AreaThe Masterpiece Kitchen in the Canada Area

The Painted Panda in the China Area

Pop Eats in Showcase Plaza

Takumi Table in the Japan Area

I’m not sure if many of you know, but I really enjoy art. I’m no professional/fancy art collector or gallery attendee, by any means, but I have a few fine artists I like to collect – and I especially enjoyed the various Disney-themed artwork for display and sale during Epcot’s festival.

There’s booths all around, often with one of the artists there either creating a new art piece, or just answering questions and chatting with guests – or signing one of their works if you want (you have to purchase the art first, of course). I picked up a fun Disney-themed piece from Viz Art Gallery because it really fits my family – but y’all already knew we were Disney nuts, right?!

I admit I was SUPER tempted to by a lot of things, but then had to remind myself that 1. my bank account wouldn’t quite agree with this spending and 2. I didn’t plan to bring much of anything extra home, so no spare room in my luggage! It was really fun to look around, though.

They even had different types of art – like a booth where you could get custom-painted TOMS shoes. Or you can paint/marble your own scarf. I wish I’d had more time to look at everything, but there was just so much available that I couldn’t fit it all in!

If you want something more interactive, try one of their classes or seminars – you could have a drawing lesson, or learn more about different artistic mediums. I walked by when there was a lesson on how to draw a proper Mickey Mouse face, and it was really neat with screens around so you could not only hear the instructor, but see exactly what he was doing at the same time.

It was a bit overcast/rainy when I was there, so they probably didn’t have this at that specific time (at least not that I could find), but the festival is suppose to have chalk artists all around the showcase, as well – so be on the lookout for some incredible sights on the ground!

Is performing arts more your style? You’re in for a treat, because they have a bit of everything it seems: gravity-defying gymnasts, living statues, musical performances and much more!

And don’t forget to take advantage of the various photo-booth stops, where you can ‘step into’ awesome artworks from all over the world!

Or join in with everyone to help create a HUGE wall mural with paint – the kids will especially love this activity!

Just like the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, they have a ‘passport’ full of information and lists – complete with stickers to mark off that ‘stop’ during your journey. I have fun checking off the different food booths on mine! Can YOU complete the whole passport?

It’s a treat for all your senses at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts! I’m glad they changed it to EVERY day for the duration this year, as opposed to only weekends or something like that last year. I hope they keep this one around a long while, and it becomes a regular occurance just the like the Food & Wine Festival!

Which ‘art’ is your jam: culinary, visual or performing?

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