Trip In Progress: Monday December 30th

Hi everyone! Wanted to check in & let you all know what we've done so far today.

We woke up, had a nice breakfast at Everything Pop & then headed to Hollywood Studios!  During holidays (or anytime, really), making it to the park in the morning is essential to beating the crowds. We had FastPass+ and a lunch reservation, (also critical) and the combination of those reservations & getting there in the early AM made for a great, even relaxing, day!

We then headed back to Pop after a yummy lunch at 50s Prime Time Cafe, and sat by the pool for a bit, soaking up the sun.

Now, we're headed to dinner at California Grill. Yummo!!

Hope you've all had a great day - we'll check in tomorrow!

And...We're Off!

Your regular "Sunday With Friends" programming is being preempted today, because...

Today, we go to Walt Disney World!

As you're reading this, we're headed to the airport and down to Orlando.  One of our state airports has a direct flight to the Sanford, airport and so we'll fly them and arrive to Orlando about 9:15PM.  Then it's just a quick hop, skip and jump over to Pop Century, our home for the next few days.  After a good night's sleep, we'll head to Hollywood Studios on Monday morning!

Stay tuned here, on Facebook and Twitter for pictures, videos and more!  Can't wait to have you along!

Welcome to the Boardwalk!

In January 2012, I stayed a night at the Boardwalk, in one of the DVC Villa Studio rooms.  I really love the Boardwalk, and not only because of its proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios but because the decor and atmosphere is so relaxing, and inviting.

I mean, even the welcome is welcoming, as evidenced by this photo.  How could you not have a great stay, with an entrance like that?!

Feature Friday!

Here we are, at another Friday!  I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and now onward to New Years!

Here are some pieces of information that I thought you might find interesting:

* Disney Parks Blog - Top Five Entertainment at Disney Parks in 2013:  The Disney Parks blog is highlighting their choices for the Top 5 Entertainment features at the Disney Parks over the past year. Do you agree with their list?  Was one of YOUR favorites left off this list?

* A service dog meets Pluto aboard the Disney Fantasy: Check out this ADORABLE video of a service dog, meeting and interacting with Pluto while onboard the Disney Fantasy.  So much cuteness, I can't stand it!

And don't forget, The Most Delightful Place is headed to Walt Disney World on Sunday, so be sure to follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Getting Excited for Disney & The Days Before a Trip

First of all, I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!  We surely did; can't believe another Christmas has come and gone!

We're just a few short days from being at Disney World again, and I'm so excited to be nearly there. As a trip is getting closer, I find myself doing some of the same "pre trip rituals" that get me excited to be at Disney!

* Listening to Disney Parks music: I confess, I listen to the Disney Parks music often but in the days before a trip, it's especially exciting.  I really like the Disney Parks compilation, as this is the music you hear on the attractions or even just walking around Disney.  When I hear a song, I'm instantly transported to that area of the parks.  (Here is a link to Amazon to the Four Parks, One World CD - I love this one!)

* Watching Disney movies: As I mentioned in an earlier post this week, this past weekend a few of my cousins and I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon watching Disney movies.  This, of course, really gets me in the mood for a trip!  I also like to put a movie on in the background as I pack for vacation; my personal favorites are Mary Poppins or Sleeping Beauty.

* Starting to pack the items I use at Disney: There are certain items I only seem to take to Disney, like a cross-body purse (perfect for park travel, keeps your hands free), my Annual Pass (couldn't leave home without it!) and my Disney tee shirts, which I could wear at home but always seem to wear only at Disney.  :)  When I take those cuties out of the drawer, I know a trip is near!

* Reading friends past trip reports and looking at past photos: Many of my friends (some of whom you'll meet in upcoming Sunday with Friends posts!) write great trip reports on the Disney fan message board, www.DISboards.com.  In the days before a trip, I often find myself reading current and past trip reports, and dreaming about being there myself in just a few days!

How do you mark the days or pass the time before your Disney trip?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you and yours have a very safe, blessed and wonderful Christmas!  May the spirit of the season be with you today, and all throughout the coming year.

Walking Through Epcot...

One of the great benefits of staying at either the Boardwalk or Beach & Yacht Club resorts is that you're just a short 10-15 minute walk from your hotel to the International Gateway at Epcot.  This is such a pretty walk, and once you enter Epcot you're greeted with scenes like this (the buildings across the way are in France).

Also, as we celebrate Christmas Eve, I wish you & yours a very blessed and safe Christmas!

Trip To-Dos: It's Almost Vacation Time!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend!  I have family in town, and so yesterday my cousins and I spent the afternoon watching Disney movies.  It was a great way to spend a bitterly cold day!

It's the official trip countdown!  We leave next Sunday (6 days from now - woo hoo!) and so I have started to pull out the suitcases, and make my packing lists.

I also wanted to make a list of the attractions / pictures / restaurants etc that I want to be sure and see this time around.  The week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest time of the year at Walt Disney World, and so I am going into this trip with expectations of crowds and busyness.  (If you're going this time of year, you'll want to be sure you pack your patience, as well!)  However, that doesn't mean that we won't have fun, so here are the things to see and do while at Disney:

* New Years Eve Fireworks:  Armed with my trusty new DSLR camera, I hope to get some pretty great fireworks pictures on New Years Eve.

* Dinner at California Grill: My friend Leilani is going to be at Disney at the same time, and on Monday night we are dining with her and her family at California Grill, which is located at the Contemporary.  I haven't had the chance to dine there before, and I'm really looking forward to it!

* Character photos: I hope to also get quite a few character photos this trip; I have found in looking through past photos that I don't have many with the characters, so I want to remedy that on this trip! We are having breakfast at Tusker House at Animal Kingdom with Mickey and the gang, so we'll be able to see those folks up close.  (Booking a character meal is a great way to get one-on-one interaction with the characters, and some great pictures, too!)

* Tour some of the resorts, and see the holiday decor: Each of the Disney resorts is decorated for the holidays in their own way, and they're all so beautiful.  I would like to take at least part of an afternoon, and go to a few resorts to see those decorations up close.

What attractions / restaurants / etc do you NOT miss on your Disney trip?  What are your favorites?

Stay Tuned - Headed to Walt Disney World!

Happy Sunday morning to you all!  As we head into Christmas week, I hope you have lots of fun activities planned with your families and friends!  (Is it just me, or did Christmas sneak up on us this year?!  This year went FAST!)

One week today, we'll be headed down to Walt Disney World to celebrate New Years with some great friends!  I can't wait to experience Disney at Christmas time again; yes, the parks are crowded, but there is something pretty special about seeing the parks all decorated for the holidays.

Stay tuned here, and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for pictures, live posts, and more fun from Disney!  When I get back in early January, I'll give you my trip report and share pictures, stories and tips with you.

As always, thanks for reading along and I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

Hello, Bo!

As you enter the turnstiles at Disney's Hollywood Studios, you'll be greeted by this cheery fellow, Bo the Coca Cola man.  I stop and get a picture of Bo nearly every trip; he's also the favorite of my friend Ms. Jackie and her daughter, Chelsea!  He always has a smile, and a cold Coca Cola!  What a guy.

What picture or pictures do you always take at Disney?

Feature Friday!

Happy Friday to you - the last Friday before Christmas! If you're traveling this weekend and celebrating the holidays, I hope you have lots of fun!

Here are some fun items I found this week...

A Croissant or a Donut?  Take a Taste at Epcot: Oh man ALIVE I will have to get my hiney to Epcot this trip.  They will have available, brace yourself - their homage to the famous CRONUT.  The cross between the croissant and donut that people in NYC stand in line for HOURS for.  YUMMO.

Sweet Tidings from Disney Parks: Take a look at the awesome Gingerbread houses at Disney's Aulani, Disney Cruise Line and the Disney Resorts!  (I made a gingerbread house this year and mine looked NOTHING like those!)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Clementines + Cupcakes = Healthy AND Delicious!

The treats at Walt Disney World are by-in-large amazing and not to be missed.  One of my favorites is the plain vanilla cupcake with sprinkles; I got this particular treat while staying at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa this past February.

In my quest to have balance in my life, I thought that having the cupcake AND a few Clementines would be a good idea.  Because, as you know, the healthy fruit cancels out the sugary calories of the frosted cupcake.

Wait....you meant that's NOT how it works?  Darn it.

Oh well - it's still one of my favorite treats on property!

What treat, sweet or otherwise, do you like to get on your Disney trip?

I came, I saw, I rode Tower of Terror....Never Again!

I love 99% of the rides and attractions at Disney World, from the tame Small World to more thrilling rides, like Mission: Space.  However, I've never been big on roller coasters, for one main reason: I HATE the drops.   I don't mind going upside down, backwards or fast.  But those drops, ugh - even as I type this I have a pit in my stomach.  Blech.

Because of this strong dislike of drops, up until a few years ago I had never done the Tower of Terror, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios.  I'd walk by the ride, see the doors open at the top and hear the screams of those poor riders and think, Nope, never, not gonna happen.

However, a few years ago, I was guilted by my cousins into riding.  "Come on!" they said, "You'll like it!  It's not that bad."  (How many of you have been goaded into rides with that very phrase?)  I should also mention these cousins were all under 14 years old, so they obviously got the brave genes (and strong stomachs) in the family.

So I stood in line, got on the ride and hyperventilated as we made our way to the top of the tower. They tell me the theming on this ride is awesome, which I wouldn't know, because my eyes were clamped shut the entire time.

And then it happened.  We dropped.  And went up again, and dropped AGAIN.  And again.

We were finally let off and as I queasily made my way to the exit, we passed the ride photo and all had a good laugh.  I should have bought that particular picture, because as everyone around me was screaming in delight, my eyes were tight, tiny slits and I had a death grip on the bar in front of me.  And while they were screaming in delight, I clearly was not.  Very attractive.  The kids, of course, had a good laugh about this.

So I came, I saw, I rode....and now I never have to do it again.  Because the next time someone tells me "It's not that bad", I can respond that yes, yes it is and I will be more than happy to hold your bags, strollers and sunglasses while you ride. One ride on the Tower of Terror was more than enough for me!

What rides or attractions at Disney do you NOT do?

My nemesis....

What is a Fish Extender?

When I first started cruising on the Disney Cruise Line, I would see these adorable pocketed decorations hanging by people's stateroom doors, often stuffed full of goodies.  After a few cruises, I found out about the Fish Extenders and how fun it is to participate in one!

My stateroom door & Fish Extender on the Disney Fantasy

The Fish Extender (which I will now refer to as a FE) got its name because they hang from the silver fish that is next to your stateroom door (check out the fish in the picture above).  It has space where you can hang a FE; this is also where DCL will put your dining rotation information and specifics about any excursions, spa treatments or Palo or Remy reservations you made before embarking.

For my FE, I contacted a seller via Etsy who did an AWESOME job.  I selected the fabric and Mickey/Minnie heads I wanted, and I think it turned out super cute.  You can get them with your names as well, but since I wanted to be flexible depending on who my travel companion was, I didn't have her include the names.

You don't have to buy a FE, you can make one yourself as well.  If you're crafty, you can make your own and customize it for your family.  And don't worry about getting too fancy here; just make sure you have pockets in it so the gifts can easily be placed in it!

To participate in a FE, you need to connect with other Disney fans who are cruising the same voyage as you.  The popular message board site www.disboards.com has Cruise Line Meet threads on their Disney Cruise Line section of the message board, separated by voyage date.  Check out the threads and see if there is one with your cruise date (and if not, maybe you'd like to start one!).  If you'd like to participate in the FE, post a message that you're interested and the other thread participants will let you know how to sign up.

Typically, FE groups are limited to 15-20 families so it doesn't become a financial burden for someone to participate.  On my last cruise, we actually had 2 separate groups of 15-20 families each and you could choose to participate in one or both.  The FE sign ups are also usually accepted until about a month before the cruise, so everyone can have a chance to purchase and/or make their items.

So, what kinds of items do you get?  And what do you make?

For my June 2013 cruise, I chose to bring a gift for each girl, a gift for each boy, and a gift for each couple or adult in the room.  For the young girls I made hair ties with Disney ribbon, and the older girls got stretchy bead bracelets.  The boys received decks of playing cards, and the couples/adults got a small Excursion Survival Kit that included a highlighter, hand sanitizer, bandaids and wet wipes.

What you bring is entirely up to you.  Some people make their items; others buy theirs.  (I did a combo of buy and make). Whatever works for you is great, and is very appreciated!  You also don't have to spend a ton of money to participate in a FE; I scoured coupons and sales for the items I used, and didn't break the bank.

When you get to the ship, select a time when you'll deliver your gifts.  I placed each stateroom's gifts in a large Ziploc gallon bag, then labeled it with their room number.  I went from floor to floor and delivered the gifts, placing them in their stateroom FE.  If you're traveling with kids, they have a blast delivering the FE items around the ship.

One of the great things about the FE is coming back to your room and finding what goodies are there for you!  It was so neat to see what people chose to give; I was so impressed with the creativity!  Many people themed their gifts around where they lived, or things you could use on the ship.  One that I loved what getting a small cup with a spoon and some Oreo cookies, with instructions to take the cup to one of the free ice cream dispensers on the ship, fill it up, add crushed Oreos and voila!  A "cool", customized, make-your-own treat!

Below are pictures that I took of what I received in my FE.  So much fun!!

My FE haul mid-cruise, and by the end of the cruise.  SO much cool stuff!!

Just make sure you leave a little extra room in your suitcase so you can take these goodies home!

(If any of my June 2013 cruisers are reading this - THANKS AGAIN for the great gifts!  Each time I use them I think of you guys!)

Running with Mickey - runDisney Races

In January 2012 I watched my aunt run the Disney 1/2 Marathon and cheered on my uncle at the Marathon the next day.  The race atmosphere was so cool, it was pretty awesome to see everyone running, and having fun, while being at Disney.  With Disney races you'll see both experienced runners as well as novices; the races are designed to be fun and non-intimidating.  Many runners wear costumes; I saw Tinkerbell, Beauty and the Beast, a few Princesses, and many more! The seed was planted that maybe, just maybe, I could participate in a runDisney race one day.

I would rank my fitness level at somewhere between "meh" and "not horrible."  In the last 3-4 months I have been working out a few times a week with my brother and sister in law, and thought that a fun fitness goal would be to commit to a runDisney race.  I want to start out small, and so thought the perfect race for me would be the Expedition Everest 5K!

Photo copyright runDisney

You run the race at night, at the Animal Kingdom theme park.  The course is a 5K (approximately 3.2 mile) run through the park, and includes a fun scavenger hunt; there is even a nighttime party you can attend after the race.  (And you get the cool medal above, which is pretty sweet.)

Sometimes part of making a goal is sharing it with others, so they can cheer you on and provide encouragement when you need it.  So here and now, I am publicly saying that on May 3, 2014, I am going to run the Expedition Everest 5K at Disney's Animal Kingdom!    My aunt is going to be my race buddy, so it'll be fun to experience this with her.

Looking forward to sharing this journey with all of you!  (Now off to shop Etsy for a cute race costume.....priorities, priorities!)

Thank You!

We're taking a short break this Sunday from our regularly scheduled Sunday with Friends programming, because I wanted to thank YOU!  Yes, you - - all of you who are reading this blog, and enjoying it (hopefully!).  I feel like we hit a pretty cool milestone today!

This weekend the blog went over 900 pageviews and as we're just entering the 5th week of The Most Delightful Place, I think that's pretty darn cool.  I hope you like a bit of Disney in your day and I thank you SO MUCH for reading along!

Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months as I bring you pictures from Walt Disney World - I'll be recapping our trip in a special Trip Report!  We leave for Orlando two weeks from tonight, and are SO EXCITED to spend New Years with the Mouse (and some pretty great friends, too!).  They'll also be more contests and giveaways and some special announcements, too!

As always, please let me know if there are pictures you'd like to see, a review of a Disney resort or restaurant, etc.  I want to hear from you and what you'd like to read about!

Thank you again!  Have a great week!

Very funny, Florida, very funny!

The picture below as making the rounds of social media this last week.  As the rest of the country was suffering from freezing temperatures, snow storms and ice, Florida was just hanging out in its sunglasses, sunbathing & mocking us.  :)

We're headed down to the land of 70 and 80 degree temperatures in just a few weeks - I hope the nice weather holds while we're there!

And if you're looking to escape the frozen tundra this winter, get in touch with me at katie@mouseworldtravel.com - I'd love to help you plan a trip to Sunny Florida!

Feature Friday!

Here we are, at another Friday!  Hope you have some fun weekend plans!

Below are some links and info I thought you'd find interesting:

YouTube video - WestJet Christmas Miracle:  You might be one of the over 6 million people who's viewed this video from WestJet airlines but if you haven't, take a few minutes to watch this airline surprise passengers with some of their Christmas wishes.   Very sweet and moving - way to go, WestJet!

Disney.com - What Your Packing Style Says About You: I was all over this.  What DOES my packing style say?  Packrat?  The "just in case" traveler?  I want to say I'm a Galatic Hero, but in truth I am probably a Classic Romantic.  Check out the article on Disney.com and share in the comments, what kind of travel packer are YOU?

ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas - Toy Story Marathon TODAY!:  Starting at 4:30pm/3:30pm central is the Toy Story Movie Marathon over on ABC Family, part of their 25 Days of Christmas movies.  So pop some popcorn, snuggle in those blankets on the couch and hang out with Woody, Buzz and the gang!  (And be sure you have some tissues nearby for Toy Story 3! Sniff!)

As always, please email me at katie@mouseworldtravel.com if you have links or info that you think I should share on an upcoming Feature Friday!

I'm Going to Disney World! Now What Do I Pack?

You've booked your trip, paid the final deposit and you're crossing off the last of the Mickey Heads on your "How Many Days Until Vacation?" countdown.  Now you're thinking about what to pack and take with you to Orlando....what do you take, and what do you leave behind?

Just think, after all the packing, you'll be driving through these gates!

Here are my suggestions for what should take up your valuable suitcase space, and what you can leave at home.

What to Take:

* Weather-appropriate clothes: Before you start packing, check a weather site such as weather.com for the current temperature, as well as the projected temps while you're in Orlando.  Yes, it's Florida but that doesn't mean every day is sunny and 90 degrees.  I'm leaving in a few weeks to be there in late December / early January and am planning on packing a pair of long pants, and a sweatshirt or light jacket.  A little pre-planning beats having to hit up the stores and spend all your souvenir budget on a jacket because all you packed were shorts and tank tops.

* Comfortable footwear: This is a MUST.  In 2003, I went to Disney World with my cousin and because I was trying to be all cute and fashionable, I packed a pair of cheap colored flip-flops to coordinate with each of my outfits (that was back in the day when I cared about such things ).  About 1/2 way through the first day, I had had enough, gave up on my dream of color-coordinated footwear and bought a pair of Mickey Mouse Keds and some socks.  You will walk a LOT at Disney - even if you're not trying to see and do it all, you'll walk at least 3-4 miles per day so please pack shoes that allow you to walk that distance comfortably.

* The chargers you'll need for your phone, iPad, etc:  There are many things that you can buy at the resort or even get at the front desk if you forgot things at home (like a toothbrush) but it would be a giant pain in the you-know-where to have to take time out of your vacation to go and locate those items, especially if you don't have a car.  I found inexpensive iPhone and iPad chargers and cables at my local Walgreens store, near the checkout.  I bought an extra charger, and have it in my vacation supplies so I don't have to worry about forgetting mine at home.

* A small bag with a few bandaids, Tylenol, etc: Each time I travel anywhere, but especially at Disney, I always pack a small first-aid kit.  In case someone scrapes a knee, gets a blister, a headache, you have those supplies ready.   You can buy these items on property but of course you'll pay a premium, so a little planning ahead here goes a long way.   (If you have devices with you that take batteries, pack a few extra of those as well - batteries are pretty expensive when bought on property).

* Sunscreen and aloe vera:  The sun is no joke, and it's no fun to get a sunburn on your vacation.  Be sure you apply sunscreen every few hours, even when it's cloudy.  Bring some aloe vera lotion with you just in case you get a sunburn; I burn pretty easily, and I find this provides relief.  If you have a fridge in your room, store the aloe in there so it's cool when you apply it.

What to Leave at Home:

* Every piece of clothing and every shoe you own: I understand the compulsion, believe me.  I like to have options when I go on vacation; I'm not good at saying "On Monday I'll wear this, on Tuesday I'll wear this", etc.  But I have learned that in packing clothes and shoes, less is definitely more.  Make your packing piles, then edit those down.  My general rule of thumb is 1 outfit per day, with 2 extra outfits just in case.  I also usually bring two pairs of shoes; one pair of sandals and a pair of tennis shoes.

* Dress clothes:  The atmosphere at Disney is very casual; at the parks and 99% of the restaurants, the dress code is "vacation casual." There are a few signature restaurants where a dress code is in place, such as Victoria and Alberts at the Grand Floridian, but if you're not eating there, leave the suit coats, dresses and heels at home.

* Lots of toys and "things to do" for the kids: By all means let them bring their special stuffed animal they sleep with, or their "lovey" that they like to have with them.  But I bet you'll be so busy having fun at the parks, going in the pool and hanging out together that you won't be spending time in your room and needing toys for the kids to play with.  (I do sometimes bring a deck of cards to play with if we have downtime in the evening.)

What items do you take on vacation, and what do you leave at home?

Those Disney Abbreviations - What Do They Mean?

If you've spent any time on a Disney fan website or have talked to a Disney fan, you'll notice sometimes we forget that other people aren't on our "obsessed" level and we talk in codes and acronyms that sound like nonsense to the average listener.  Well, never fear - I'm looking out for you, and have prepared a list below of some of the most common Disney abbreviations!  We'll delve into some of these further on subsequent posts.

ADR: Advanced Dining Reservation

AK: Animal Kingdom (Theme Park)

AP: Annual Pass

CM: Cast Member

DCL: Disney Cruise Line

DDP: Disney Dining Plan

DL: Disneyland

DVC: Disney Vacation Club

FP+: FastPass+, Disney's new system of making FastPass reservations at the Disney parks.

HS: Hollywood Studios (Theme Park - to me, it will still and forever be MGM Studios!)

MDE: My Disney Experience, an online feature where you can see all of your vacation info at a glance and also schedule dining and fast pass reservations.

MK: Magic Kingdom (Theme Park)

MNSSHP: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

MVMCP: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

WDW: Walt Disney World


Which ones did I forgot?  What Disney abbreviations do you use?

It's All in the Details: Artwork on the Disney Fantasy

If you spend any time at a Disney theme park, resort, or on the Disney Cruise Line, you'll notice pretty quickly that the attention to detail is second to none.  One of my favorite parts about any trip is taking time to see all those details.

The pictures below showcase some of the gorgeous artwork on Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Fantasy.  They depict famous scenes from Disney movies as well as beloved Disney characters. The pictures below are just a fraction of the artwork on the ship; when I am able to go on the Fantasy again, I hope to check out more!

What are your favorite Disney details?

Shopping at Disney World - World of Disney

A stop that I always make while at Downtown Disney is World of Disney, one of the largest Disney stores in the world.  Simply put, if you can't find it there, they probably don't make it.  There are so many items to choose from, it's a great place to shop for your Disney merchandise and souvenirs.

What is your favorite souvenir to pick up at Disney?

Yay time for shopping!!

Sunday with Friends - Katie Schafer

Hello everyone, and happy Sunday!  Welcome to another Sunday with Friends.  Today I'd like you to meet my friend Katie and her family.  I've been friends with Katie for about 3 years and am so glad we met, have gotten to know each other and become great friends.  Katie and her family will also be at Disney World in late December / early November so we'll have a chance to hang out there, as well!

Welcome, Katie!  Introduce yourself to our readers.
I'm Katie, I live in Iowa with my husband and two sons.  My first trip to Disney was in 1974 when I was 3 years old.  We visited every few years with both sets of my grandparents until I was in high school and I wasn't able to return for 20 years.  I now visit with my family every couple of years.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My husband and I are both science teachers.  I love to travel anywhere and often dream about touring the world!

What is your favorite time of year to visit the Disney parks?
In recent years I have been able to visit most often in the summer since that works best with our work calendar.  It's hot but the days are long and my boys love the water parks and especially Star Wars Weekend.  I have also traveled in the spring during the Flower and Garden Festival which was a lot of fun.  We are currently looking forward to a Christmas trip and I am excited to see it again during this time since that is when we visited when I was young.  Someday I hope to get there in October for the Food and Wine Festival too.  I guess there is no bad time for a trip to Disney!

If you had to pick your favorite attraction, what would it be?
I don't know if I could choose just one!  I have a special fondness for the oldest attractions since they bring back special memories of being there with my grandparents.

Tell us a story about one of your favorite memories from your visits to Disney.
I have 2 particularly special moments.  On our first visit, my oldest son was 6 and not very brave so we talked about how Disney is like make believe in an effort to help him not be afraid but it had the side effect of him understanding that things aren't real.  At the end of Mickey's Philharmagic, he ripped off my 3D classes to show me that Donald had really flown out of the movie, he was a believer!  On our second visit, my younger son was 6 and didn't remember much of his previous trip.  On our first night at Magic Kingdom we were riding the PeopleMover while the fireworks were going off and he smiled and said "This really is a dream come true!"  I will never forget seeing my boy experience the same magic I feel when I am there.

If you had a friend visiting a Disney park for the first time, what tip(s) would you give them?
Don't try to do it all, there is no way you can!  Slow down and appreciate all the details that go into the parks and resorts.  The details are what sets Disney apart from other destinations.

Thank you for sharing, Katie!   Have a great week, everyone!

Katie Schafer & Family (and Tinkerbell)

Memories of Sunnier Days....

Since it's FREEZING here (and in many parts of the country, as well), I wanted to post some sunny, bright, warm pictures to cheer us all up and remind us that eventually, summer will come again and it won't be 5 degrees and chilly forever.

(Those of you who are lucky enough to live in warm weather climates & are laughing right now, I can hear you.)

If you're in the path of any hazardous weather, stay safe!

The pictures below were taken during the June 2013 cruise that I took on the Disney Fantasy, when we stopped at St. Maarten and St. Thomas.  Gorgeous, tropical places that I can't wait to see again.

Maybe I'll crank the heat in the house and pretend I'm there again!

Have a great day, everyone!

Feature Friday!

Hello, everyone and happy Friday!  Welcome to another Feature Friday post.  Take a look, and let me know what you think!

A new children's book from Disney Imagineer Jason Grandt:  What a great storybook to add to your family's collection!  The 128-page, hardback book was written and illustrated by Disney Imagineer Jason Grandt. It retails for $19.99 and will be available in select locations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland (or, if you're not going to be in FL or CA in the near future, the link includes information on how to order it via phone or e-mail).  I can't wait to pick up my copy when I'm at Walt Disney World later this month!

Chip and Co - Top 10 Disney Dining Snack Credit Buys at Disney World: Chip and Company has a great article on their site about their top recommendations for snack credits at Walt Disney World.  If you purchase the Disney Dining Plan (we'll cover this in more detail in future posts), you will have snack credits to use each day and they give some great options as to what is the best value for those credits.

Pocket Princessess: If you want hilarious artwork featuring the Disney Princesses on your Facebook newsfeed each Friday, Like the Pocket Princesses page on Facebook.

If there's an item, website, etc that you'd like me to showcase on an upcoming Feature Friday, send me an e-mail to katie@mouseworldtravel.com!

Happy Birthday, Walt Disney!

Today is a very special day indeed, as we celebrate the birthday of Walt Disney!

Happy birthday, Walt!

Thank you, Walt, for creating beloved characters, wonderful places to share memories with family and friends, and showing us all that with hard work and a little pixie dust, anything is possible.  

My Tips for Vacations with Groups

Hopefully your group isn't quite this big!

Traveling in a group with family or friends can be a great way to experience the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line.  There's something pretty great about spending time with your loved ones in these special places.  I personally have great memories of family trips, from seeing my baby cousin get his first haircut at the Barber Shop on Main Street in Walt Disney World, to having a "just us girls" cruise on the Disney Dream.

However, it can be challenging to travel in a large group to Disney (or anywhere, really).  Even though there can be issues, there are things you can do to cut down on the chaos and make sure that everyone is enjoying their vacation.

1.  Have a discussion before you leave about everyone's expectations.

If you can, have a quick discussion with your group before you leave on your trip.  If you're not all in the same area, have a video chat or send out a group e-mail.  What are the expectations you all have for your trip?  What things are must-dos, and what can you skip? Are Grandpa and Grandma OK with watching the kids in the evening so the parents can go out, or would they rather join in on the fun, too? Whatever your group decides, this helps to cut down on disagreements and misunderstandings later in the trip.

2. Do your own thing; don't plan on being together 24-7.

One of the hardest parts about traveling in a group is moving around with a lot of people.  Even the simplest task (where do you want to eat lunch, what ride should we go on next) can turn into a major discussion.  We've all seen those groups who are standing around, waiting for someone to make the decision about what to do next.  When I've traveled in a group, we all discussed (see tip #1) that we should all feel free to do what we wanted during the day, so no one felt bad about striking out on their own.   

Also, not being together all day every day gives everyone a breather, because sometimes too much togetherness is not a good thing.  Tempers can flare up if everyone is together all the time, so be sure to give everyone the space they need.

3. Meet up once a day for a group activity, like an attraction or a meal.

I think this is one of the greatest group-trip tips.  This allows each person or smaller group within the larger party to do their own thing, while still having time together, which is why you went on vacation together in the first place!  If you're at one of the Disney parks, make table service reservations before you leave on vacation, or plan on all doing an attraction as a group.  If you're on the Disney Cruise Line, perhaps your activity is all coming together at the evening meal, or doing an excursion together at one of the ports.

4. If sharing hotel rooms or ship cabins, give some thought to who rooms with who.

Since you're traveling with a group, you're going to have multiple hotel rooms within your resort (or multiple cabins on the ship, if you're cruising).  If you're traveling with family, you might have a college-aged or single adult on the trip or grandparents who might not get their own room but want to share with another family member.  

If you're vacationing with friends, some might be couples but there might be single people, as well.

Or, you might have people looking to room together in order to have fewer rooms in order to save money.

In any of the events above, group like-minded people together.  For instance, your cousin Lucy might be a night owl who likes to hit the evening Extra Magic Hours and prefers to sleep in.  It would probably not work out to have her room with your Great Aunt and Uncle who like to get to bed by 9PM and wake up at 5AM.  

You know your group the best, so if room sharing is a necessity, work out those details when you book your trip so that everyone has the kind of vacation they're looking for.

5. HAVE FUN!

This is the most important tip of all.  You're vacationing as a group because you want to spend time together, and create memories that you'll all talk about for years to come.  Enjoy yourselves, and cherish that time together.

Share your tips with me and other readers: what are your best tips to enjoying a vacation with a group?

Giving Tuesday

Please join me in helping to celebrate #GivingTuesday!

This is the 2nd year of the event, a national day to kick off the giving and holiday season. Celebrated the day after Cyber Monday, it hopes to inspire everyone to include their favorite charity on their gift-giving list each year.  Many stores, companies and individuals are taking part in #GivingTuesday, so I wanted to do my part as well.

(To learn more about the #GivingTuesday movement, please click here to their website.)

Take a look at my Facebook page, Mouse World Travel - Katie Miller (there is a link to my FB page above).  On that page you'll see a post about #GivingTuesday and the charity I've chosen, Give Kids The World (GKTW).  Give Kids The World is a resort, located in Central Florida, where children with life-threatening illness and their families can have a wonderful weeklong, cost-free vacation (to learn more about GKTW, click here).  Give Kids The World is an INCREDIBLE place and I am very proud to support them.

Once the #GivingTuesday post on my Facebook page reaches 50 Likes (or more!) I will donate $100 to Give Kids The World!

So what are you waiting for?  :)  Get over to the Facebook page and "Like" that post!

Thank you to everyone for your participation!

Is That You, Dumbo?

As I've mentioned before, one of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World is the Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom.   And one of the best experiences on the safari is when you get to see sweet new baby animals who've recently been born at the reserve.

On one of my most recent safaris, I was able to see this cute little baby elephant.  How adorable, right?!

I mean COME ON, right?!  Cuteness overload!

Sunday with Friends - Jennifer O

Welcome to another Sunday with Friends!  (And it's DECEMBER, y'all....wow, where did this year GO?!)

Today's friend is Jennifer!  I've also known Jennifer for a few years now; we met a few years ago, and then hadn't seen each other in a while.  Then she and her family moved near-ish to me (nearer than they were before!) and so luckily I'm now able to see her more often!

Welcome, Jennifer!

Introduce yourselves to our readers.
Hi, my name is Jennifer and I'm located smack dab between Madison and Milwaukee, WI!  We recently moved from Austin, TX to up here and I can definitely say as I'm typing this with snow falling down outside that things have definitely changed.

Tell us a bit about yourselves.
I am a wife to a Non-Disney fan (Phillip), mother to a Disney princess (Sophia - 9 months), and a college professor of Biology (this would be my geeky side showing through).  For hobbies I enjoy baking, reading (especially blogs) and lately I have enjoyed doing puzzles.  I hope to take up some sort of craft this summer and see if I do have an artsy side after all.

What is your favorite time of year to visit the Disney parks?
I have been to Disney many many times and have visited during every season except Christmas (I know, I know but I plan to remedy that in the future with Sophie).  I would have to say there is a tie for my favorite time.  I love fall and I love January.  In the fall you have wonderful decorations, MNSSHP [Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party], and Food and Wine, it really doesn't get a whole lot better than that.  However, January is a cooler and less crowded time of year and I have some really great memories from tips during that time.

Tell us a story about one of your favorite memories from your visits to Disney.
Well there is no doubt about my favorite attraction, that would be where the 999 Happy Haunts live, The Haunted Mansion.  I don't care what anyone else tells you, I have the 1000th spot already reserved, it's MINE!!  There is no limit to how many times I can ride HM.  I think one of the coolest moments in my Disney history had to be when I was able to ride HM at exactly midnight on my birthday!  I was so excited and happy for that moment that the CM [Cast Member] asked to what was going on and when I told him, he told me to stay in my doombuggy I was setting a special birthday ride on him!  SO AWESOME!

If you had a friend visiting a Disney park for the first time, what tip(s) would you give them?
The best tip I could give a first time visitor to Disney would be to make your ADRs [Advanced Dining Reservations] (or have your TA make your ADRs) before you go.  I can't tell you the number of times I have seen people turned away from a Disney restaurant because they didn't know they had to make an ADR.  I know it may seem kind of silly to have to make your reservations 180 days in advance but trust me on this one...nothing beats being able to sit down and rest your feet in AC with great food before tackling more of the park.

Thank you, Jen!  Tune in next Sunday when we visit with another Disney friend - in the meantime, have a great Sunday night!

Jennifer O