My Latest Craft Project

Back in January, when I was on the Disney Magic, I looked again at the Thomas Kinkade Disney prints and imagined what they'd look like in my home.  I say looked "again" because on each of the last few cruises I've been on, I've wandered near the art galleries on the ships and thought seriously about taking one of those gorgeous prints home with me.  I have just the spot for them, too; in my TV/family room, along a long wall.  I imagined them all lined up there, looking fabulous.

What always made me pause was the price.  The framed prints are at least $500 each, and although incredible beautiful I didn't really want to spend that much money.  Also, if I bought each of the framed prints, I would run out of wall space!

It was on that vacation that I had a lightbulb moment.  I was in the gift shop on the Disney Magic and noticed they were selling puzzles of the prints, 500 pieces each in sets of four.  What if, I thought....

I didn't buy them at the gift shop (because at that point, I literally had ZERO luggage space left) but searched for them on Amazon and eBay when I got back.  I bought two of the sets, and in the last few weeks have been going to town putting them together.

My plan was to put them together, use Mod Podge to glue them together, and then go to a local store and get them framed.  When I'm all done, I'll make a collage with the focal point being a larger framed print of the Tangled painting, which is my absolute favorite of all of them.  I will buy that print either on an upcoming cruise, or see if I can find one online.

Here is a Before and After; as you can see, the glue dries clear so no worries there.  The Mod Podge is perfect; I use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the glue for a puzzle this size and then brush it on with a clean paintbrush.  Make sure you spread it evenly and really into the corners and edges.

(And yes, I know this is the not the same picture :) but the after effect is the same.)

Didn't they turn out great??  I can't wait to share the finished product with you when I'm all done with this little crafty project!

What kinds of crafts do you like to do?

My Experience at the Expedition Everest 5K

On May 3rd 2014, I participated in my first runDisney event - the Expedition Everest 5K.  This race is part 5K, part scavenger hunt, and was a lot of fun!  I did the race with my aunt Wendy, who has participated in many runDisney events.

I traveled to Orlando on May 2nd, and arrived at Animal Kingdom Lodge early that evening.  After getting settled in the room and having a delicious dinner at Sanaa, we just relaxed in the room that evening.  I laid out my race outfit for the next day to make sure it wasn't wrinkled.

I LOVED both the shirt and running skirt.  The shirt is from a company called Raw Threads and is a SUPER soft and comfortable.  They have lots of designs, including Disney-inspired ones like my bow tank.

I bought the skirt from SparkleSkirts and I was also super impressed with it.  Wendy has quite a few of their skirts and liked them, so I was anxious to try it out.  They have lots of fun patterns and designs; I selected one that was Mouse inspired (Wendy and I wanted to match, so since she already had this skirt we decided to go with this look).  I had read reviews online about how great the skirts were and I can attest that after having worn one, they are FANTASTIC.  I got a skirt with bottoms built in (they're like bicycle shorts) and not once did those ride up or move around.  They were snug but still very comfortable.  So two thumbs up for SparkeSkirts; I'll be ordering more of you in the future!

When there are runDisney events, there are certain host resorts that offer transportation to both the race expos and the starting line.  Since the EE 5K is a smaller race, there were only a handful of resorts who were the hosts (for the larger runDisney races, all the Disney resorts have this transportation).  We were staying at Kidani Village, the Disney Vacation Club resort adjacent to Animal Kingdom Lodge and so when we walked over the Jambo House on Saturday for lunch, we saw this sign.  Excuse the blurriness - it gives check in times and bus schedules for the race expo and that evening's race.

We had a nice, relaxing day on Saturday.  Family of ours had arrived at Disney that day and so we visited with them a bit in the lobby of Kidani.  We walked over to Jambo House a few times for meals, and I also met and talked with my agency owner, Michelle.

We had plans that day to lounge at the pool but Mother Nature had other ideas.  That morning it rained - I should say, poured.  Those of you who have witnessed an Orlando rainstorm know what I mean; one minute it's clear, the next minute the sky has opened up and it's like buckets of water are being poured on you.  In early evening, it was time to don our race outfits and get ready to go!  We posed for an obligatory photo before heading out the door and walking over to Jambo House to catch our bus to the start of the race.

Remember that rain I talked about? It had tapered off by the evening, but it was still sprinkling.  We rode the bus for all of 5 minutes to get from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the parking lot of the Animal Kingdom park, and hung out there for a few hours before the race started.

There was a DJ playing music and getting people pumped up.  There were also some fun picture opportunities that we took advantage of.  As I hadn't done a runDisney event before, I really had no idea what to expect.  It was a blast ~ the atmosphere was great, very fun and exciting.

Wendy had a friend who was also there with her daughter, so we hung out with them while we were waiting.  The rain unfortunately started back up again, but Wendy was smart and brought garbage bags with her; we poked holes for our heads and then covered up so we wouldn't be soaked by the time the race started.

About an hour before the race started, we went to the Bag Check area and checked in our race bags. When you pick up your information and shirts at the expo, they give them to you in a clear, drawstring runDisney bag and a sticker with your race bib number.  You place the sticker on the bag and can leave it with them, and can pick it up after the race.  I had heard reports from past Expedition Everest races that the bag check was very long but we didn't have that experience.  We were able to get our bags pretty quickly after the end of the race.

With about 20 minutes to go before the start, we got in our race corrals. When you register for a race, you tell them either your previous runDisney race time or you guesstimate based on how you think you'll do.  I do not remember what I put for our time, but we were all the way back in Corral I. Each corral started about 5-10 minutes after the one before it, so by the time we went over the Start line it was about 10:45 PM.

As a running novice (read - running dummy!) I really, really appreciated how they made the start of the rate as special for the A Corral as they did for the K Corral.  They had a countdown for each Corral and then as you went across the starting line, they had some small fireworks and fake snow (we are at Everest, after all!)  And then we were off!

The race was a lot of fun.  You started in the Butterfly parking lot area of Animal Kingdom, and wound your way into the park.  By the time we went through the AK gates, we had already gone about .8 miles!

The race went through the park, and then even a bit backstage.  We saw Donald Duck and Mickey, and took our pictures with Mickey!  One of the great things about Disney races are the characters that on the course, and it's encouraged to stop and take pictures with them.

After the 5K portion, we did the scavenger hunt.  The questions were surprisingly challenging!  You go back to the entrance of Animal Kingdom, and the volunteers hand out clues and also let you know if you've got the right answer so you can get the next one.  It took us about 40 minutes to complete the scavenger hunt; once you cross the finish line a second time, you're done!  You conquered Everest!

When the race finish times are posted, you will get two numbers; your time for the 5K portion, and the time for the total with the scavenger hunt.  Be sure and finish the scavenger hunt portion, though, or else you don't count as finishing the race!

So would I do this race again?  Yes, in a heartbeat.  The atmosphere was great, and the race staff and volunteers were encouraging and it was tons of fun.  I really liked that you could see people of all abilities and body types racing - it was pretty inspiring to see. runDisney races are popular in large part because they are a fun race.  Yes, people are trying their best and going for personal goals but there is also an emphasis on fun and camaraderie.

If you're thinking about doing a runDisney event, I would encourage you to start with one of their 5Ks as there are no sweepers in these races (people who pace the minimum time of a 16 minute mile, and will take you off the course if you are slower than that pace).

So what will be my next runDisney event?  I am looking at my 2015 calendar and strongly considering doing the 10K during the Princess 1/2 Marathon weekend in February.

Have you ever done a runDisney race?

Have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: An Addition to the Plans!

Today's Pre-Trip installment comes with a change in plans - but never fear, it's a GOOD change!

I have been hearing a lot the past few weeks about Universal Orlando's expansion to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  The brand-new Diagon Alley looks and sounds just incredible.  I went to WWOHP a few years ago and was blown away by the detail and theming, it was incredibly well done. From all I've heard about Diagon Alley, it appears they have hit another home run.

Looking at the pictures and video got me thinking - I will already be in Orlando.  I am not set to arrive at Coronado Springs until Sunday (when my reservation there starts), so what if I arrive in Orlando a day or two earlier, and took time to see Universal and Diagon Alley??

And so this little addendum to the trip was born.

My plan now is to fly into Orlando International on Saturday morning, and hopefully arrive at my hotel by 12:30PM.  From there, I will plan on hanging out at the hotel on Saturday and exploring the resort, as I have never stayed at an on-site Universal resort before.  I am leaning towards the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, it looks simply gorgeous!

I am buying a package deal that includes the hotel, my one-day park ticket and includes front-of-the-line access (similar to Disney's FastPass) and an extra hour in the morning at WWOHP.  I want to make the most of this extra hour, so I will arrive bright and early Sunday morning so I can have plenty of time to explore!  I plan on staying at Universal until about 1PM, and then I will head over to Coronado Springs to start the Disney World portion of my trip.

Here are some of the places I am excited to see for myself (these photos are courtesy of Universal Studios Orlando).

Isn't the detail incredible?!?!  The above images are from the new Gringott's Bank.  Spectacular, huh?

As always, I'll be bringing you along with me for the ride, so when the trip nears be sure and stay connected with me here, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Until next time!

Rumor Alert: Attraction Closings at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Today's post is powered by the Disney Rumor Mill - and I have TWO potential changes to Disney's Hollywood Studios to report.  Of course, at this point they are JUST rumors and have not been confirmed, but the sources for both of these are good so I feel comfortable telling you about them.

The first on the alleged chopping block is The American Idol Experience.

No more confetti for you! (Courtesy of DisneyWorld.com)

Honestly, I am not super surprised or unhappy about this.  I was kind of shocked they even did the attraction in the first place.  I don't imagine American Idol is going to be on TV for many more years (they've had more judges than Elizabeth Taylor had husbands).  It just didn't seem to have the longevity and fan base to sustain an attraction for years and years.





The second is a bit more surprising - The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.

Quick, before they cancel us! (Courtesy of DisneyWorld.com)

I say more surprising because this attraction still appears to have a fair amount of traffic, even though it's been around for quite a few years. I like this show, and it's always a good thing when Disney has offerings for boys and teens in particular will enjoy.  However, as they say all good things come to an end, and we knew it wouldn't be in that spot forever, so away it'll go. Allegedly.



So what will go in their places??

There are two rumors / possible scenarios out there.  Lets's discuss.

The first is an expansion to the Star Wars attraction, which would create in essence a "Star Wars Land" at Hollywood Studios.  This makes sense, as the current Star Tours ride is right next to Indiana Jones, and backs into the American Idol studio area.  With those two attractions gone, space opens up without having to relocate the existing Star Tours attraction.

The second, and less substantiated rumor, is adding Cars Land to Disney World, very similar to what's at Disneyland.  Cars Land at Disneyland is VERY popular and friends who've seen it tell me it's pretty incredible.  The rumored locale of Cars Land would be back where the Lights, Motor, Action attraction is right now.  That was not meant to be a permanent addition to Disney World and as the Backlot Tour is on the way out as well, there would be a perfect spot there to add Cars Land.

Of course, both could be done; I don't think it's an either/or scenario.  I do think the Star Wars area will come first, as I would guess they want to time it as much as possible with the release of the upcoming movies in the next few years.  They also have the Avatar area coming to Animal Kingdom and with that expansion and the $1 Billion spent on the MagicBands and My Magic Plus, there is less money to go around so we could see these changes taking place over the next 5-6 years, at least.

But who knows - Disney surprises us ALL the time!

How do you feel about these rumored changes to Disney World?  What would YOU remove and/or add, if you had the chance?  Share your comments here and on Facebook!

Have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: First Full Day - Monday September 1, 2014

Good morning, everyone!  (Or afternoon, or evening - whenever you're reading this!)

Today is another installment of the Pre-Trip Report for my first full day at Disney World - Monday, September 1st.

Today, my plan is to hit Magic Kingdom, and tour there.  Crowd calendar predications are that crowds will be low today (as they are projected to be all week) so I am hoping to get in a LOT of attractions. Of course I will hit my favorites at LEAST once.

* Haunted Mansion

* Pirates of the Caribbean

* Jungle Cruise

* it's a small world (I can see you judging me for this one - it's a classic, come on!)

* Peter Pan

* Philharmagic 

I plan on making FastPass+ reservations for Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion and one of the character meet and greets but I honestly don't imagine I will need them if the crowd predictions materialize.

At some point in the day, I am going to use one of my Snack credits and grab a treat.  Perhaps I'll choose one of these delectable treats, under the Big Top right by the Dumbo attraction.

Or perhaps I'll get myself one of these yummy and refreshing Dole Whips.  YUM.  SO delicious.  I really need to figure out how to create these at home! (Please ignore my mutant hand in this picture. Seriously, could I have taken a LESS flattering picture??)

I have a lunch reservation at 1PM at Liberty Tree Tavern, and after I eat I imagine I will mosey my way out of the park, and back to Coronado Springs for some pool time.  The last time I went to Orlando in September it was HOT and HUMID, and most days I took an afternoon break by the pool.  This was super refreshing and a great way to relax and get into true vacation mode.

I have no set plans for Monday evening; we'll see where the wind takes me!  I plan on using Counter Service credits for dinner and having a meal at the food court at Coronado Springs, the Pepper Market. I might go out later that night to Epcot to watch Illuminations, but it's also a decent possibility that I will have a relaxing night at Coronado and explore what the resort has to offer.

So, that wraps up my first full day of the trip!  Stay tuned in the coming days for my plan for Tuesday, September 2nd.

What are your favorite uses of the Snack credits?  What treat do I just HAVE to try? (Share your comments here and/or on Facebook!)

Have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: My Dining Choices, Finalized!

Hello readers!  Time for another Pre-Trip update.  Let's talk food!

After much hemming and hawing (and a creation of a dining spreadsheet - yep I am *that* kind of crazy), I have decided on the following Table Service Dining Reservations for my upcoming Labor Day week trip.  I made my decisions based on my earlier list of places I've never been (you can read that again here), as I am on a quest to eat at each of the Table Service locations on Disney World property.

So without further ado, here is where I will be breaking bread in approximately 80 days:

* Hollywood & Vine, Disney's Hollywood Studios (Dinner) 

I chose this location for two reasons. First, this is the only table service restaurant at Hollywood Studios that I haven't been to, and have been wanting to try it.  I hesitated because I erroneously thought that all meals at this location were Character meals, but only Breakfast and Lunch are. Dinner is a buffet format and the food looks good.

Second, I chose it because I was able to make a Fantasmic! dinner package with this reservation.  It's still 1 Table Service credit and with your meal, you are given a voucher for a special reserved seating area at Fantasmic!, the night show at Hollywood Studios.  I haven't been to this show in about a year and it's my absolute favorite.  It tends to fill up fast and as there are only a few showings a week in the summer, you need to get there about an hour early to get in line.  However, with the voucher I will only have to get in line about 20-30 minutes ahead of time, which is nice.

* Liberty Tree Tavern, Magic Kingdom (Lunch)

Liberty Tree Tavern is one of the places that I have heard rave reviews about, and I am excited to try it. The fare is pretty basic (salads and sandwiches) but a quick look at the menu and I think I'll really like it. Plus, I have to try the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake that people RAVE about.

* Les Chefs de France, EPCOT (Lunch)

Les Chefs has been on my dining list for some time now, and I've just never made it there.  Everything on the menu looks good to me, in particular the macaroni and cheese, made with Gruyere.  Delish.

                                                             

* Maya Grill, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort (Dinner)

I added Maya Grill to the list because I am staying at Coronado Springs, where this restaurant is located.  It's on my list of "never done" so what better time to try it than when I am staying there.  I am going to dine here on my last evening at Disney, the night before I head out on the Disney Dream.


So there you have it!  My table service dining for this upcoming trip.  What do you think of my choices?  If you've eaten at any (or all!) of them before, share here and on the Facebook page; what menu items are your favorites?

Have a magical day!

All images from the Walt Disney Corporation.

5 Ways to Enjoy a Rainy Day at Disney World

Image courtesy of wondersofdisney.disneyfansites.com

If you've spent any time in central Florida, you know that rain is a part of life there, nearly any time of the year.  In the summer especially, most afternoons you will have a rain shower; it only lasts a little while, but you can usually bet on having some rain when you're at Disney World.

But there are also those days where it rains ALL day; what do you do then?

There's no need to sit in your room and sulk; here are 5 ways to still enjoy a rainy day while you're at Walt Disney World!

1. Explore the amenities your resort has to offer.

From Value to Deluxe, each of the resorts have amenities and activities for guests to enjoy. A rainy day is the perfect time to take advantage of all your resort has to offer, as those things are sometimes missed when you are spending your time touring at the parks.

2. Go to Downtown Disney and see a movie.

There is a very nice AMC Theatre at Downtown Disney where you can catch one of the newest blockbusters.  In addition to the regular movie theaters, they also have a Dine In option where you can order your meal and eat during the film!

3. Speaking of Downtown Disney - go bowling at Splittsville.

Splittsville is one of the newer additions to Downtown Disney; it's a very nice bowling alley where you can bowl and grab a meal.  They even have sushi!  The rates are reasonable, especially if you go in the afternoon.

4. Do family activities in your room.

If you're like most Disney travelers, you don't spend a lot of time in your room.  A rainy day can be a great excuse to spend family time together and relax in the room for a few hours.  You can watch TV or a movie (the Deluxe and DVC rooms have DVD players and you can borrow movies, or bring your own from home), or play a game together.  One of my favorite vacation memories was from this past January, when a friend and I had a rainy morning at our resort.  We decided to go to the gift shop, bought a puzzle and spent the next few hours putting it together.  It was a lot of fun!

5. Go into the parks!  No, really!

Grab a poncho (you can buy them at Guest Services or at any retail location) and venture out into the parks.  As long as it's not a severe storm and you're not dealing with thunder and lightening, rainy days are actually a great time to tour, as the crowds will thin.  Ride and attraction wait times are generally shorter and it's a great time to be able to see and do a lot.  Some rides (such as Test Track in Epcot) might be shut down, but by in large the attractions are still up and running.

Pre-Trip Report: Today I Am Dreaming Of....

On today's Pre-Trip installment, I am dreaming of the Disney Dream.

Included in your cruise fare is room service - unless you're ordering alcohol or soda delivered to your room, everything on the room service menu is free!  Yes, free as in no cost. There's a decent variety of choices including sandwiches, snacks and this cheese and cracker platter.  One of my favorite cruise rituals is to order this platter during sail away, while I sit on my deck and watch us leave Port Canaveral.

I also sometimes get room service when I want a little pre-dinner snack. I prefer the later dining at 8:15PM; it's nice to not have to rush back to your stateroom to get ready for dinner after your day of laying out, swimming, port excursions, etc.  I often go back to my stateroom around 6:30 to get ready for that evening's meal and if I need a little something in my tummy to tide me over, one of the room service items is a great option.

Only 86 days until I am back on the Dream!  I cannot wait!

What is one of your vacation rituals?  Share here in the comments, or on Facebook!  (and don't forget to put in your e-mail address, so you can receive blog updates right to your inbox.)

10 Ways to Save for Your Disney Vacation

Photo courtesy of www.wondersofdisney.disneyfansites.com

As science and agriculture has not progressed to the point where we can grow money on trees, sometimes you have to get creative when putting aside dollars for your upcoming vacation.

As you're saving for your next trip (Disney or not), there are lots of little things you can do that can add up to padding that vacation savings account. Remember, every little bit helps!

Here are my Top 10 Ways to Save for Your Vacation!

1. Collect all of your loose change.

Grab a jar or container you have around the house, and put it in a place where everyone in the family can see it (kitchen, office, etc).  Every few days, place your loose change in the jar. You'd be surprised at how fast $.25 here and $.50 there adds up!

2. Set up automatic transfers through your bank.

Most online banking sites allow you to set up a transfer schedule where on a certain date each week / month, money is moved from one account to another.  If you have a set amount each month that you're putting towards your vacation, this is one way to automate that process and make it very easy.

At my bank, I also set up a transfer where every transaction I make on my debit card puts $1 in my savings account.

3. Eat out one less meal a week, and put that money in your change jar / vacation savings account.

One budget area that I personally have been working on is eating fewer meals out, and more at home. If you're making that switch as well, start small - just commit to eating out one less meal per week, and put that money in your vacation savings instead.  For a family of four, that could be as much as $30-50 per week (or more)!

4. Turn up / down the thermostat.

In the winter, turn down your thermostat a few degrees; in the summer, turn it up a few degrees. You probably won't notice the change and it can add up as decent savings on your electrical bill.

5. Have a garage sale, or sell on sites such as eBay and Craigslist.

Make the rounds of your house, garage and basement and sell those items you no longer need or use in a garage sale or online.  Not only will it pad your vacation budget, but you'll clean out clutter in the process!  Double win!

6. Put any "found money" info your vacation account.

Sometimes you get lucky, and "found money" makes its way to you.  This is money that you weren't expecting, or even forgot about.  It could be a product rebate, a refund, any money that you weren't planning on and isn't part of your normal monthly income.

7. Have fun at-home nights instead of going out.

You can have lots of fun at home for very little or no money.  Rent a movie at RedBox or watch on Netflix, do a puzzle, play a boardgame, etc.  The options are endless and not only will you be saving money vs going out to eat or to the movie theatre, you'll also be spending valuable time together.

(For ideas, take a look at this post from May about how to combat the Disney blues.)

8. Consider dropping your Cable TV package.

I can hear the groans and exasperated sighs already - "Not my cable TV!" But hear me out - most cable plans are in excess of $100/month.  That could mean $1200 / year in your Disney account! There are SO many shows you can get on Netflix, Hulu and the websites for the TV Networks.  Combine that with the network TV channels that are available for free, and 90% of the time you can watch your shows for much less than you would if you were paying for cable.

9. Utilize your credit cards rewards program.

If you don't have a credit card that pays rewards, look into getting one.  Most have 1 point per $1 of charges; some offer extra points for gas and groceries.  For example, you could charge your household expenses such as utilities, groceries, etc and then each month have monies that can be transferred into your savings account.

Of course, be sure to pay your balance each month so you don't incur interest charges!

10. Use your tax return for your vacation fund.

If you receive a tax return, put that towards your vacation fund.  If it's a lot or a little, it all helps!

How do you save for vacation?  What are your family's tips and tricks?

Have a magical day! (And remember to sign up with your e-mail as a follower of the blog!)

5 Ways to Beat the Heat at Walt Disney World

Anyone who's traveled to Orlando in the summer and fall can tell you - it's HOT, and often quite humid.  If you're not careful you can easily become overheated, sunburned and even suffer from heat exhaustion.

So how can you beat the heat while vacationing at Disney World?

1) Hydrate!

Water is your friend.  Notice I said water, and not soda, beer or even those incredible cocktails you can find around the World Showcase at Epcot.  You don't have to abstain from other beverages, but just make sure that you're consuming enough water so you can stay hydrated.

2) Tour in the morning, and then plan on the resort pool or a water park for later in the day.

It's not secret that the afternoon is the hottest part of the day, when the sun is at its peak.   If you tour in the morning, you can head back to your resort pool or to one of the water parks in the afternoon, and cool off.  Another option would be to check out some of the activities offered at the resort, or to even head to Downtown Disney and check out a movie. You can always go back to the parks in the evening, if you'd like, but this gives everyone some downtime and a break from being out in the sun.

3) Bring that sunscreen!

Make sure to pack your sunscreen and apply often.  It can be miserable when you're park touring with a sunburn.  I have both spray and lotion-style sunscreen; I apply it in the morning before I leave, and I also carry some with me into the parks.  Make sure you don't forget areas like the back of your neck and your ears.

4) Listen to your body and take a break when you need to.

If you can feel yourself starting to get a sunburn, or if you're getting lightheaded, find a place to sit and take a breather.   Don't try to power through it; listen to your body's signals and act accordingly.  The last thing you want is to spend your vacation at Urgent Care.

5) Choose healthier food options and be sure to get your fruits and veggies.

Vacation is about indulgence, and I'm not saying to completely lay off the cupcakes, turkey legs and funnel cakes.  But you're feel better and less sluggish walking around in the sun and heat if you don't overload on heavy foods.   In the past few years, I've noticed an increase in the healthier food choices that are available at Disney World - be sure to include some of those in your daily dining.

How do you stay cool at Disney?

Have a magical day!

















What ways do you stay cool on your vacations?

Have a magical day!

BIG Disney movie news!! BIG!!

Photo courtesy of movies.disney.com

You know how a few weeks ago, we talked about what classic Disney animation movies we'd like to see being made into live-action films?

Yesterday, Variety (a trade Hollywood magazine) is reporting that....drumroll please.....Beauty and the Beast is being made into a live-action film!  YAY!!!

No word yet on cast; as Cinderella is coming out in 2015, I would venture a guess that this will be in theaters in 2016, as they haven't yet started filming.  I will keep you posted on any details as I find them out.

Who would YOU like to see in this movie?  Who do you think would make the perfect Belle, Gaston, the Beast, etc?  Leave your comments here and/or on the Most Delightful Place Facebook page (link is above).  I'd love to hear your thoughts about casting!  I'll share them on a future post.

Have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: Arrival Day - August 31, 2014

Welcome to the first day of the Pre-Trip report!  This is where I'll fill you in on my plans for each day, dining reservations, etc.  I'm so glad to have you along with me as I plan!

My departure day is Sunday, August 31st.  I will be leaving from the Minneapolis - Saint Paul airport at 7:10AM, so I'll drive up the night before and stay in a hotel near the airport.  I prefer to fly out of MSP, because they have direct flights to Orlando.

(Traveler's Tip: When looking at airline tickets, make sure you look at every airport with reasonable driving distance of your home.  Often times, even with factoring in gas + hotel + parking, it can be cheaper to fly out of an airport further from your home.  Also, be sure to look at different carriers and pay attention to fees for items such as choosing your seat & baggage!)

My flight lands at 11:30AM, and then I'll make my way down to Magical Express!  From there I will take a motor coach to Coronado Springs Resort.  When using ME, plan on a timeline of 60-90 minutes after you land to arrive at your resort; often times, they wait for the buses to fill up before they leave, and you also make more than one stop to the different resorts.  You could be first on that list, or last!

At approximately 1PM, I will arrive here, at the lovely Coronado Springs!

Picture from DisneyWorld.com

After I arrive, I will leave my carryon bag with Bell Services as I don't expect my room to be ready quite yet.  If it is - BONUS!  Check in time is 3PM but on occasion, a room will be ready if you arrive before then.  If not, it's super easy to leave your things at Bell Services; they'll send you a text message when your room is ready.  You can jump right in, and start to enjoy the parks!

I am going to get a bus to Hollywood Studios, and spend the afternoon there.  I would like to get FastPasses for Star Tours & Toy Story Midway Mania.  I also haven't seen the Indiana Jones show in a few years, so I'd like to catch that again.

One of my favorite Hollywood Studios activities is the Animation Academy so I will be sure to make a stop there as well!

For dining on this day, I am going to use 1-2 snack credits and grab something for lunch.   I have mapped out the Dining Plan credits and what I want to use each day, and as I am not going to pay out of pocket for any food, I'll use some snack credits.  However, there are plenty of filling choices that count as snacks including pretzels, fruit and vegetables.  You can get more than just pop and candy with your snack credits!

For dinner, I am going to one of the Counter Service locations in the park, and use one of those credits from the Dining Plan.  I don't know yet where I'll have dinner - it will probably depend on what sounds good to me at the time!

I am going to end my day with my favorite show at Walt Disney World - Fantasmic!  Sorcerer Mickey is my favorite incarnation of the Main Mouse and I just love this show.

After the show, I'll make my way to the bus stop and back to Coronado Springs.  I'm hoping to get to bed at a decent time, so I can get to Magic Kingdom at rope drop the next morning.

What is your favorite way to spend your first day at Disney?

Have a magical day!

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Pre-Trip Report: My Dining Options

A cinnamon roll at Magic Kingdom - Holy Big As Your Head breakfast, Batman!

As I said in an earlier post, one of my Disney World goals is to eat at each of the Table Service locations.  (I would also like to conquer all of the counter service locations, as well - but there are TONS of those!)

Below is a list of the places I have never tried, separated by theme park or resort. (If a park/resort is not listed, it's because I've been to all of their Table Service locations.)

Magic Kingdom:
Be Our Guest
Liberty Tree Tavern
Tony's Town Square

Epcot:
Chefs de France
La Hacienda de San Angel
Monsieur Paul
Teppan Edo
Tutto Italia
Garden Grill

Hollywood Studios:
Hollywood & Vine

Boardwalk resort:
ESPN Club
Flying Fish Cafe

Caribbean Beach resort:
Shutters

Contemporary Resort:
The Wave

Coronado Springs resort:
Maya Grill

Dolphin resort:
Bluezoo
Shula's Steak House

Fort Wilderness resort:
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Trail's End Restaurant

Grand Floridian resort:
Grand Floridian Cafe
Narcoossee's
Victoria and Alberts

Polynesian resort:
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

Swan resort:
Il Mulino

I've highlighted the front-runners in blue.  But I'd love your input - from this list, where have you tried and loved?  What should I be sure and check out?

Thank you!  And have a magical day!

Coming Attractions - Labor Day Free Dining + 3 Night Disney Cruise!

Good day, everyone!  Hope you had a nice weekend and are gearing up for a good week.  It's the first week of June - can you believe it?!  I feel like I say that every month, but it's true that time does fly.

Last week, I finalized plans for a fall trip, the week of Labor Day - August 31st to September 7th.  I have wanted to go during this week, as I've heard many times that Disney is VERY quiet this part of the year due to school just starting.

Then Free Dining was announced, and my travel dates aligned with it - awesome!!  I have done the dining plan but haven't had Free Dining yet, so I am excited to go during that promotion.

After 5 days and 4 nights at the Coronado Springs resort, I am going to head to a 3 night cruise on the Disney Dream!  I haven't sailed the Dream since 2011 and am very excited to once again sail on this awesome ship.

I have a few plans & goals for this trip, and things that I'll report on in future blogs:

1) One of my goals is to stay at every Disney hotel / resort.  I am checking another off the list with this stay at Coronado Springs.  I have also decided to stay in a Business level room at the resort.  This is very similar to the Club Level that you'd find at the Deluxe Resorts.  Coronado Springs hosts a fair amount of conventions every year, and so they have a business section; these rooms are closest to the main building and convention meeting areas, and you have access to a Club Level-like lounge in the morning and evening for breakfasts, snacks, etc.  This gives you the Club Level experience but without the higher price point of the CL at the Deluxe resorts.

2) I am going to use the Free Dining credits +  Club Level food offerings exclusively and not pay out of pocket for any food for these four nights.  With the Dining Plan, I will get 1 snack credit, 1 counter service credit and 1 table service credit for each night of my stay.  This will give me a total of 4 of each of the credits to use over the course of my stay.  Counter service is like fast food, but that shouldn't scare you - there are many awesome counter service meals on property.  Table service is a sit-down restaurant, where you have a server who brings you the food.  There are also TONS of options that satisfy the snack credit - cookies, pieces of fruit, 20 oz sodas, bags of candy, etc.

On occasion, even with the dining plan you can choose to pay out of pocket for a meal each day, a snack, etc but you certainly don't have to with a little forethought and planning ahead.  Because I want to give you all the best information about Free Dining, I will be documenting what food I choose, and where.  I won't spend any additional money out of pocket, except for tips.  This is very important to know, as tips for your servers at the Table Service restaurants are not included on the Dining plans.

3) Speaking of dining - I am going to continue on my quest to try each of the Table Service dining locations at Walt Disney World.  Another goal of mine is to try each of the Table Service dining options at the parks and resorts, as I want to be able to report back to you all with pictures, my opinions, tips, etc.  I have a list of those that I have not yet tried, and will use this as my guide when making my dining reservations.

4) I have booked a 5E stateroom on the Disney Dream, which is a balcony room with a very roomy verandah. I am SUPER excited about this room, as those staterooms go fast and are hard to come by.  The verandahs on the 5E rooms are larger, as they're at the back (aft) of the ship.  I can't wait to wake up and have coffee there each morning!

I also am going to do a "Pre-Trip" report for you as well, where I fill you in on my plans during my days at WDW and on the Dream.  I hope you'll join me and provide me with your ideas and suggestions, as well!

So stay tuned as I plan this Free Dining + return to the Disney Dream vacation!

Have a magical day!