Working with a Travel Agent 101

Since I've started working with Mouse World Travel, I've had a few questions such as "Why have a travel agent plan your Disney trip?  What does that cost?  Couldn't I just do it myself?"  So since inquiring minds want to know, here are my thoughts on why you should consider working with a travel agent (like me!) when you plan your Disney vacation.

* It's a time savings.
Working with a travel agent saves you time.  While you're at work, juggling the kids, home responsibilities and going a million directions at once, I take care of the details.  I'll listen to the kind of vacation you're looking for, and spend the time researching the best options to fit your budget, the time of year you want to visit, etc.  If you've looked into planning a trip to a Disney park, on the Disney Cruise Line or with Adventures by Disney, you've probably noticed how many options and choices you have and that can get pretty overwhelming.  I'll help you sort through those so you can have the vacation that best fits you and/or your family.

* I pay attention to released discounts, new offers, etc.
From time to time, Disney will release discounts such as the Free Dining promotion, or special rates on rooms such as Annual Passholder discounts.  I will watch for those promotions to be released, and will let you know about them via this blog and my social media accounts so you can take advantage of those offers.  Also - if you've already booked your trip but you could take advantage of one of the promotions, I will take care of contacting Disney and getting those discounts applied to your reservation, saving you money! (And saving you time - no need for you to wait on hold with Disney to get those promotions applied, I take care of that for you.)

* I will make your dining reservations, help with your online check-in and other various tasks, freeing up your time.
There are many moving parts to planning a Disney trip, and I will help you coordinate all of those.  On the day you can make your Disney dining reservations, I will wake up early so we can try and reserve as many of your choices as are available.  When it comes time to do your online resort or cruise line check in, I am happy to do that for you or help guide you through the process.  If there is any new information released about the parks or cruise line, I will pass that along to you so you the information you need going into your vacation.

* You're working with someone who has extensive Disney travel experience and knows the ropes.
In addition to being a graduate of the Disney College of Knowledge, I have traveled to Disney World and on Disney Cruise Line since 1998.  I am also adding trips to Disneyland and on Adventures by Disney in the near future.  I also read many Disney fan sites, blogs and news releases so I am up-to-date on new information and changes to the parks and cruise line.  As you can probably tell, I LOVE Disney and I love helping people plan their vacations to some of the most magical places on Earth.  If you don't have a lot of travel experience with Disney, or haven't been in a while, it's great to have someone as a resource who can guide you on resorts, attractions, touring strategies, etc.

* All of this does not cost you anything.  My trip planning services are free!
Yes, you read that right - FREE.  As in costs nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.  Disney pays our service fees, so it doesn't cost you a penny extra to have someone help with the details and planning.

I'd love to help you plan your next Disney vacation - please feel free to get in touch with any questions, or to receive a no-obligation quote!

Have a great weekend!

Imagine yourself here, relaxing....let me take care of the work of vacation so you can enjoy!

We Have A Winner!

Happy Friday, everyone!

We have a winner in the Frozen Giveaway!!  Thank you again to everyone who participated.  I had great response and so we'll be doing these every so often; I'll be sure to let you know when another giveaway is happening!

As I said in the Giveaway post, I took all the comments that were placed on the blog until Midnight on Thursday the 28th, put them in a spreadsheet and had random.org generate a number for the winner.

And the winner is.....

Kimbra Noxon!

Congratulations, Kim!  Please send me an e-mail at kcmiller82@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can send you the Anna & Elsa dolls.

I hope everyone has a great Friday!  And thanks again to everyone for playing!

Feature Friday!

Happy Friday to you!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your family and friends. (Who else is in a post-Thanksgiving food stupor?)  If you're Black Friday shopping, best of luck; may the force be with you!  My day-after-Thanksgiving usually consists of sleeping in, putting up the Christmas tree, and generally being lazy around the house.

Since we can now officially start the countdown to the holiday season (even though I have secretly been listening to Kelly Clarkson's new Christmas album for about 2 weeks now - OMG it's so good!!), today I'm featuring links and information to get you in the holiday spirit.

DisneyFamily.com - Christmas Crafts & Recipes:  This link from Disney Family has some great craft projects and recipes as well as printables, games and more!  My personal favorite is Minnie's Polka-Dot Wreath; SO adorable!

Chamilia Jewelry - Disney Beads:  I absolutely LOVE my Chamilia bracelet (thank you to my friend Anita for letting me know about them)!  They have a great selection of Disney beads, as well as other gorgeous beads to make your bracelet look super special and lovely.  Right now I have about 5 beads, and my plan is to add one to my bracelet each time I go to Disney or sail on Disney Cruise Line, as a memento of my trips.   They're also great to give as gifts, and then add beads for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.

Bring a Disney Christmas Home - The Disney Parks Blog: Check out this great article on the Disney Parks blog about how you can order fun and festive Disney decorative items and gifts!  (Isn't that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Tree adorable?!)

Have a great weekend!

Do you have a link you think I should see, and share with the class on an upcoming Feature Friday? Let me know by e-mailing kcmiller82@gmail.com.

What I'm Thankful For - Happy Thanksgiving!

So hard to believe, but another Thanksgiving is here.  I feel like 2013 has just FLOWN by; does anyone else feel that way?

At this moment, I am settled on the couch in the living room, watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with my nieces and a big cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee.  I watch the parade every year; nothing gets me in the spirit of the season like watching this fun event.  Then the family will come over late morning, and we'll snack on appetizers until our big meal at Noon.  After we all take naps, the food comes out again for the dinnertime Thanksgiving Round 2 meal.  (Who else makes a sandwich out of the leftovers?  SO GOOD.)

What are the Thanksgiving traditions in your family?

To commemorate today, I wanted to share just a few of the many things I'm thankful for:

* A great family.  I truly think I have one of the best families out there; I know I am biased, but they're pretty great.  I love being part of a large family (I am the oldest of 6, and I have 14 first cousins on one side alone!).  We all have such a great time together, and now that the "kids" are all getting older, I love that we're still staying close as adults.

* Wonderful, supportive friends.  I am lucky to have friends I've known since junior high, high school and college, and also new friends that I've been able to meet through our shared love of Disney.

* Warm clothes and a warm place to sleep.  At this time of year especially, when the wind is howling and the snow is blowing, I am thankful I have clothes to keep me warm and a safe home to live in.

* My Keurig single-cup coffee maker.  My darling, with you I have coffee and tea whenever I desire.  Let's stay best friends forever. (I had to throw at least one silly, nonsense, non-mushy thing on the list - it was getting way too serious in here!)

I hope you and yours have a very blessed and safe start to this holiday season.  Enjoy your time together, and if you're braving the Black Friday shopping - best of luck to you!

And a final reminder - you have until Midnight tonight to comment on any of the posts on this blog to be entered to win the Anna & Elsa dolls from Frozen!  The winner will be announced tomorrow morning so stay tuned!

Hello, Epcot!

Today's post is pretty simple, just a picture that makes me happy.  I took this in October 2012 as we were heading into EPCOT and I just love the way it turned out.  The sphere against the backdrop of that perfect blue Florida sky is pretty cool, and takes me back to that day.

Bonus points and a whole lot of kudos if you can tell me the technical name of the Epcot sphere.  And no, "giant golf ball" is not the correct answer, but thanks for playing.

(And don't forget - you have today and tomorrow until Midnight to enter for your chance to win the Elsa and Anna dolls from Disney's Frozen!  All you need to do is leave a comment on any post on this blog, and you're entered to win!)

It's IS a Small World After All

As Disney attractions go, It's A Small World can be pretty polarizing.  Some people love the nostalgia of the ride, the simplicity of it, and its place in Disney theme park history.

Some people, on the other hand, do not.  I think those people are crazy.

I love this ride; to me it's the essence of Disney, the heart of the parks.  You just CANNOT go into Disney World or Disneyland without riding Small World.  It's the law (and if it isn't, it should be!).

What I didn't realize was the historical significance of this piece of music.  Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman, the writers of the song (and composers of some of the most famous and iconic music of all time, also known as the Sherman Brothers), wrote it soon after the Cuban Missile Crisis.  It was intended to spread the message of peace between cultures and nations.  Pretty cool stuff.

Come on, sing along....you know you want to.

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hope, and a world of fears
There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware,
It's a small world after all.
(copyright Robert Sherman and Richard Sherman)

(You're going to have that song in your head all day. You're welcome.)

856,322....

What's that number, you ask?  The number of grains of sand you can fit into a bucket?  How many miles we are from Mars?  The answer to a long, complicated math problem?

Nope.  I'd say in the last 15 years, that's how many pictures I've taken of Cinderella's castle at the Magic Kingdom.

This was picture #852,198...I think.

I discovered this while moving pictures from an older computer to my Cloud account.    I have pictures from far away; pictures close up; pictures REALLY close up.  Pictures at night, during the day, and pictures with fireworks in the background.  I've photographed it from nearly every angle and from various places in the park.

I even have pictures INSIDE the castle, taken while eating at Cinderella's Royal Table.

I just can't help myself.

I would tell you I'm reformed, I've taken enough, and when I go back to Disney World in about a month I won't need to take any more. 

But we both know that's not going to happen. 

What's your favorite attraction or spot to photograph at Disney?

(And don't forget about the Frozen giveaway!  Make sure you comment on any post on this blog before midnight on Thanksgiving [Thursday the 28th] to have your chance at winning those cute Anna and Elsa dolls!)

Sunday with Friends - Marc & Anita Anderson

Tonight I'm starting a new weekly feature on the blog!  Each Sunday evening we'll have a conversation with some of my favorite people, my Disney friends.

This week we're visiting with Marc & Anita Anderson, two great people & friends of mine who I've had the pleasure of knowing for a few years now.  They've generously offered to share a bit about themselves, so take it away Marc & Anita!

Introduce yourselves to our readers.
We are from Derby, Kansas.  Both elementary school teachers.

Tell us a bit about yourselves.
As for hobbies, we love researching Disney and staying current on all happenings in the parks and being up to date with DVC [Disney Vacation Club] news.  We are Disney Vacation Club members and own at four of the different properties.  We have four children, Baylor 15 is the only one currently living at home as the rest are grown and on their own.  We have four grandchildren and have taken them all to WDW [Walt Disney World] with the exception of Preslee who is just a month and a half old.

What is your favorite time of year to visit the Disney parks?
Typically we go tour times a year so we are fortunate to experience the changing seasons of Disney.  As much as I love Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and Christmas in the parks, my favorite time to go is spring.  I just adore Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival.  There is something about seeing all of the parks with their spring flowers planted that lets me know that warmer weather is around the corner back home.

Tell us a story about one of your favorite memories from your visits to Disney.
It has to be from our last trip.  My husband has such a love for the Evil Queen from Snow White that I had a costume made for our oldest granddaughter, to wear to the Halloween party.  We stood in line during the mix and mingle party to have her picture made with the Evil Queen and it was beginning to look like we were going to run out of time before the characters were going to be going in.  BUT just before they were to go, we were up.  The Queen saw Harper, as you know they never break character, but when she saw this five year old girl dressed like her, she broke into the smallest of smiles and quickly caught herself, went back into character and had quite the chat with her small look alike.  She taught her how to properly hold "the apple" and they posed for some photos.  She even told her "do not smile."  This was Disney magic indeed!

If you had a friend visiting a Disney park for the first time, what tip(s) would you give them?
When setting up your FastPass+, do not waste those passes on early morning rides.   Get to the park early and ride.  Use your FastPass+ for later in the day, parades or firework seating.  You can still get so much done by just arriving early and always have a plan!  Never go without doing your homework...Yes, I know, I am a teacher.

Thanks again, Marc & Anita!  Tune in next Sunday when we visit with another Disney friend - in the meantime, have a great Sunday night!

Marc and Anita Anderson

Giveaway Time!!

Have you seen the trailers for Disney’s newest animated feature, Frozen?   The early buzz is that this movie is AMAZEFEST.  From the lucky few who have seen it already, it sounds like this will be another Disney classic.  It’s coming to a theatre near you on Wednesday, November 27th and would be a great family activity during Thanksgiving weekend.

To celebrate the release of Frozen (and the launch of The Most Delightful Place!) I’m announcing a contest!  Woo hoo!  It’s really simple; just post a comment to any post on this blog from today through midnight on Thursday, November 28th.  Feel free to comment on the specifics of that post, or let me know what Disney film is your favorite, or what character you like.  Or what you had for breakfast today.  Or you can just say Hi.  That’s it.  (Also - if you choose to comment as Anonymous if you don't have a Gmail account, make sure and tell me your first and last name on your comments so I know who you are!)  And don't worry - if you've already commented on an earlier blog post, you're entered as well.

(If you're not familiar with how to post comments on Blogger, HERE is a link that explains how to do it.)

From the comments received by midnight on 11/28/13, I’ll place everyone's names into a spreadsheet and randomly pick a winner using random.org.

And what are you playing for?  This super cute set of dolls from Frozen, Anna and Elsa, a $30 value!  

The winner will be announced here on Friday, November 29th so when you wake up from your turkey food-coma and your nap after Black Friday shopping, check out this blog and my Facebook page to see if you’ve won!  And make sure and tell your friends!

This giveaway is open to anyone in the world ages 18 and up. On Friday, November 29th I will be putting all the names into a spreadsheet and using random.org for a number of the winner. I will contact the winner via a post on this blog, which will also be promoted on Facebook and Twitter. The winner will have 5 days to respond, if they do not, I will have random.org give a new number, and so on. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or The Walt Disney Company.

Feature Friday!

Every Friday, I am going to feature links regarding Disney products I like, interesting news items, and links to great blogs and Disney fan sites.  I hope you will like them, too!

* Mickey Tips by Brook Wozniak - Aulani Updates:  Brook is one of my dear Disney friends and a colleague of mine at Mouse World Travel.  All of her blog is fabulous but check out this entry in particular about the recent upgrades at the Aulani resort in Hawaii. (Calgon, take me away!)

* Disney Parks Blog - The Grumpy Cat Meets Grumpy at Disneyland: What do you get when you bring the famous Grumpy Cat together with Grumpy at Disneyland?  Pure magic, that's what.  Check out this funny (and sweet!) video of their first meeting over at the Disney Parks Blog.

* ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas movies schedule: I love Christmas, and I love movies about Christmas even more.  If you're like me, visit this link from ABC Family where you can download their 25 Days of Christmas movie schedule.  (I'm freeing up space on my DVR as we speak.)  The first movie is on Sunday, December 1st, with the classic Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  The PERFECT way to kick off the holiday season!

Oh, and one more thing - - be sure to keep an eye on the blog tomorrow, Saturday November 23rd, as I announce a giveaway to celebrate the release of Disney's Frozen!  Who doesn't love free stuff?!

Have a great weekend!

Do you have a link you think I should see, and share with the class on an upcoming Feature Friday? Let me know by e-mailing kcmiller82@gmail.com.

My Second Home - Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

I've been lucky enough to stay at a large number of the resorts on Disney property.  I can't say I dislike any of them; they're special and unique in their own ways.  But if I *had* to pick a favorite, it would be Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.

Hello, gorgeous!

Each Disney World resort has a theme or style. Saratoga Springs is inspired by the city of Saratoga Springs, New York and has a casual Victorian vibe.  Horse riding and racing were an important part of life in Saratoga Springs at the turn of the century, so you'll also see equestrian influences at this resort.

In the past 5-10 years, I've been lucky enough to take quite a few trips with my uncle, aunt and cousins; they are DVC (Disney Vacation Club) owners, and Saratoga is their home resort.  I know that part of the reason I love it so much is because of all the great family memories we have there.

From the time I step onto the property at Saratoga, I get calm almost instantly.  It's peaceful, tranquil and serene.  It's a very large resort, but to me it never feels that way.  

One of ways I relax is at one of their great pools; the picture below is one of those pools near the Grandstand section.  I've spent many a summer (or spring, fall or winter) day lounging in that pool, or sitting in the hot tub.

If I got on a plane now, I could be there in about 4 hours....

The other great bonus about this resort is its proximity to Downtown Disney.  It's a quick boat ride, or you can even walk if you're looking for a little exercise.

Golfers will also LOVE Saratoga, as Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is located on property.

I can't wait until I can stay here again, my home away from home.

Rest in Peace, Diane Disney Miller

Tonight we learned of the passing of Diane Disney Miller, the eldest daughter of Walt and his wife Lillian.  She passed away at age 79, after complications from a fall.

Diane was known as a philanthropist who founded the Walt Disney Family Museum, and was committed to preserving the memory and work of her father.  She was also instrumental in the building of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Robert Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company released a statement this evening; he said, in part, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Diane Disney Miller and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.  As the beloved daughter of Walt Disney and one of his inspirations for creating Disneyland, she holds a special place in the history of The Walt Disney Company and in the hearts of fans everywhere."  The Disney Inside blog has printed the full statement on their website, and that can be viewed here.

I recall watching a documentary a few years ago which played an audio clip of Walt discussing why he built Disneyland.  He recalled taking his daughters out to the park, which he deemed "daddy-daughter day" and how he felt there was a real need for a clean, visually appealing and safe place for families to have fun and spend time together.  Walt and Lillian struggled to have a family, and were blessed with both Diane and her sister Sharon, who passed away in 1993.  In that same documentary I couldn't help but be touched by Walt's obvious love for his girls, and how that love influenced him to create some pretty magical places.

Tonight, Diane has been reunited with her father, mother and sister and I am smiling, thinking of their reunion.  Please join me in sending condolences to Diane's husband Ron, their seven children, thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The King of the Jungle

One of my FAVORITE experiences in all of Walt Disney World is the Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom park.  There are many reasons to love this attraction but to me, one of the best reasons is that it's truly different every time you do it!  You never know what animals are going to be out and about, who you'll see and who will be hiding from you.  

Case in point:  This past February I was able to finally take a picture of this handsome fellow, the lion. On every other trip I've taken with the Safari, he was hiding, or napping in an obscure place, or being anti-social and not wanting his picture taken (maybe he was having a "bad mane day").  But on this trip, success!   

(And here's a tip: if you're going to Animal Kingdom when it's especially hot, go on your safari early in the day.  As the day gets hotter the animals often retreat to cooler places within their reserve and during the afternoon, you might not see as many of them.)

What animal would you love to see on safari?

How you doin'?

Fall is slipping away...

Since winter is upon us, and fall is fading away, I thought I'd share this picture I snapped back in October 2012 during a trip to Walt Disney World.  I just love how every park, but the Magic Kingdom in particular, transforms their decor to celebrate the season.  Just gets me in the mood for hot apple cider, pumpkin pie and Halloween!

What's your favorite season?

Look at the sweet face on that pumpkin!  Adorable!

Reminiscing about the Disney Fantasy

I took the picture below this past June at Cabanas, a restaurant on the Disney Fantasy.  At Cabanas you can grab a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items in buffet-style dining.   There is a ton of variety from salads to soups, pizza, pasta dishes and sandwiches, items for the kids and of course desserts.  Cause you're on vacation, and calories don't count.  (That's the way it works, right?)

This breathtaking, colorful, intricate mosaic mural (depicting scenes and characters from Finding Nemo) is so beautiful and, in true Disney fashion, incredibly detailed.   If you get the chance to sail the Fantasy, be sure to take a minute to stop and admire this incredible piece of art.

Welcome to The Most Delightful Place!

Welcome to The Most Delightful Place!

Welcome to my very first blog post!  I’m glad you’re here, and hope to see you often!  

I created A Delightful Place to share trip reports, photos, memories and more from the Disney parks, resorts and Disney Cruise Line!  My love of all things Disney started when I was a little girl; I remember the first time I saw a Disney movie in the theater, and I loved watching the Disney Sunday Night Movie with my family (Who else remembers those?  Who else wishes they’d bring them back?!).  I loved the characters and magic of Disney from an early age, and that all culminated when I made my first trip to Walt Disney World in 1998.

And, as they say, the rest was history.  I was enchanted by the sights, sounds and yes, even the smells of Walt Disney World.  I knew I was somewhere special.

Since that first magical trip, I’ve traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando twelve times, and have cruised on Disney Cruise Line three times.  By the end of January 2014, I’ll have completed my thirteenth trip to Disney World and will have taken my fifth cruise, sailing at least once on each of the four Disney Cruise Line ships.  I plan on making a trip to Disneyland in California in the near future, and I would LOVE to see Disney’s newest resort in Hawaii, Aulani!  

I am also a travel agent with Mouse World Travel, and would love the opportunity to help you and your family plan magical vacations with Disney.   It doesn’t cost you a dime extra; my expertise, tips and travel knowledge are all free to you!  I can help you make your Disney parks, Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney reservations and trip plans, and take the “work” of vacation off your hands, so you’re free to just pack your bags, head to the airport and enjoy!

In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing travel tips, information and news about Disney, as well as photos and videos from my travels.  I will also be posting Disney and Pixar movie reviews, information about Disney products that I love, and more!

In addition to the blog, A Delightful Place can be found on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.  I also have a Facebook page; you can find me at Mouse World Travel - Katie Miller.  The links to all those pages are on the top right of the blog.

Please feel free to comment, share posts with your friends or contact me directly with questions.  This blog will definitely be “full audience participation”; I’d love to hear from you with questions, comments or suggestions on blog posts you would like to see.  

Thanks again for joining in, and as Mickey says “Let’s get on with the show!”