Adios...See you in Orlando!

Good morning, everyone, and Adios! Tomorrow morning I will be flying the friendly skies and starting my Disney World & Disney Cruise Line vacation!

I have a few last-minute things to take care of at home before tomorrow, and then I am in full-on vacation mode.

I will be sharing blog posts, pictures, and also videos here and on my social media pages - - so if you don't already follow me on those, be sure you do so you don't miss a thing!

Thanks again for following along - I can't wait to share with you!

See you in Orlando!

The Great Packing Experiment of 2014

Packing.  UGH.

I LOVE to vacation, that's no secret.  I get giddy as I mentally cross of the days in my mind until I am back in my happy place. I love nothing more than the anticipation and excitement that goes along with a trip. But packing is the pits.  Unfortunately, I typically wait until the night before I leave to pack, and then I end up forgetting things.  Grr.

Not to mention, I always get slightly annoyed when I check in for my flight and then have to pay for my checked bags.  It's lunacy to me that after paying $100s of dollars for a plane ticket, I have to shell out another $50-60 minimum to take more than the clothes on my back. Plus, we've all been in the delightful situation where we arrive before our bags do, and that's no fun at all.

So in light of both of these issues, today I undertook what I am calling "The Great Packing Experiment of 2014" - also known as "How I Packed for 1 Week at Disney World and on Disney Cruise Line in One Carry On Bag."

Those of you who know me personally are probably on the floor right now.  You've vacationed with me, and have been a witness to the sheer volume of (mostly) crap I bring with me when I go out of town.  But those days are gone, and the days of packing smarter, not harder, are upon me.

To get started, I went online and found articles and blogs from people who have packed all in a carry on.  Some people were packing for WEEKS in a carry on.  Now that is impressive; if they can do it, I have no excuse.

One thing that has SAVED me with packing are packing cubes.  You MUST get some, if you don't use them already.  They're a great way to consolidate your items and keep everything nice and cozy. I have 6 of them, in various sizes, and they have been a lifesaver.  I use them for clothes of course, but also for makeup, charging cables - anything that I want to consolidate and not having rolling around my luggage.

To get started, I laid out exactly what I was taking with me (exact shoes, outfits, etc).  I also got out my carry on suitcase, and the backpack I am using as my personal item. I started by laying out what would go in the carry on, and what would go in the backpack.

So you know what went in the carry on bag, here is what I packed:

* 5 tee shirts
* 5 pairs shorts
* 3 cardigans and 2 camisoles for dinners on cruise
* 1 pair capris
* 1 pair long dress pants
* 1 pair PJs
* Undergarments
* Swimsuit and coverup
* 3 pairs shoes (I am wearing one pair on the plane)
* Jewelry
* DCL hoodie sweatshirt (wearing this on the plane - they get chilly!!)
* Cruise items: Fish Extender, magnets for cruise door, docs, etc
* Two purses: my Vera Bradley Disney cross-body for the parks, and then a smaller purse for dinner on the cruise.  I like to have a smaller purse for the cruise, to carry my phone, room key, etc.

You'll notice I don't have a brush, or hairdryer, or even items like sunscreen.  Something that has saved my packing bacon is the Owners Locker - it's a purple plastic tote that you rent, and the OL folks store it for you in their warehouse in Orlando.  You simply let them know when you're arriving and when you're leaving, and they will drop off and pick up your tote from a large list of Disney (and non-Disney) resorts.  It's a wonderful option if you go to Orlando regularly, as you can use it to store items you want to have with you but don't want to pack every time.  I use mine to store shampoo and conditioner, my hair products, sunscreen, a small medicine kit, and more.  Check them out at www.ownerslocker.com - you'll be glad you did!

The remaining items (laptop, Kindle, toiletry bag, etc) go in my personal item, and I'm using a Disney Cruise Line book bag that I received as a Castaway Club gift a few years ago.

I started out by using two of the larger packing cubes, one for the cruise / dress clothes and another for the shorts and tees.  I then used another large cube for my PJs and swim suit + cover up, and then a medium sized one for the undergarments.

It's INCREDIBLE how much you can fit in those packing cubes!  All of the packing tips I read said to fold your luggage, but I would be you can save even MORE room by using the cubes.

I also have an awesome suitcase that has 2 compartments, so you can fit LOTS of items in this bag. I placed the two largest packing cubes on the bottom, and then on top of that placed my shoes and the purses.  I still have room to spare!  

Then, in the second compartment, I placed my undergarments packing cube, the bag with the computer / Kindle / phone, etc chargers and cables, my jewelry container and the other larger packing cube that holds my PJs and swimsuit.

In the clear zipper pocket went my cruise packet and paperwork, my Fish Extender and magnets for the Disney Cruise Line doors.  My FE gift is a bit heavy and I knew I couldn't place it in my suitcase, so I am mailing it to my Disney World hotel.  It'll all go in one of the "if it fits, it ships" USPS boxes and is cheaper than having to check a second suitcase.

Here are a few more pictures of the packing process:

I was then able to zip it up, WITH room to spare!  No sitting on it or praying for the zipper to work.  Everything fits great, and I am certainly not straining the bag at all.  I even have the two outside zipper pockets still available!  I will probably use the smaller one on top for my 3 oz or less toiletry bag, so that's easier to get to when going through airport security.  I might use the larger one for my sweater on the plane.

So there you have it!  A successful packing experiment.  After I took these pictures, I removed the clothes from the suitcase because A) I am going to wear some of them this week, and B) I didn't want them to wrinkle in the suitcase for 6 days.  However, having run through the packing, I will be able to pack "for real" very quickly on Friday night, and be ready to head to the airport on Saturday morning!

Thanks for coming along on this packing adventure!  Just a few more days, and I'll be headed down to Orlando - I can't wait!

Have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: A(nother) Slight Change in Plans

I hope you all have fun weekend plans ahead! Today, I am visiting a friend (who I met through Disney) in Wisconsin - I haven't seen her in quite a few months, so should be a fun day.

Then, it's ON with the trip packing and getting ready to go!  I fly out of Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon the 30th, so over the week of the 25th I am going to get my ducks in a row and start packing. I hate packing last-minute, because invariably I forget something important.  And never something minuscule - I always seem to remember the things I really probably don't need, while forgetting things like a toothbrush or deodorant.  Yes, you can buy these things at the resort but it's a pain to have to do so, especially because they are often marked up pretty high price-wise.

Today, in Pre-Trip news, I have a slight change in plans.  (Ellen, stop rolling your eyes at me, I can see you!! haha) I was looking over my itinerary and decided a few things.  First, while I really DO want to experience one of the Water Parks, after further reflection I decided I would prefer to do it on a trip where I had travel companions, so I am not going to take that Wednesday morning to explore Blizzard Beach.  Also - I am arriving in Orlando on Saturday, and saw there is a Fantasmic! showing that night, and decided to do that instead of on Sunday.  So, instead of doing Hollywood Studios on Sunday afternoon and evening, I am going to do it on Wednesday and then on Sunday afternoon, will be exploring Animal Kingdom.

I also have cousins who attend UCF in Orlando, and on Sunday afternoon we're going to bowl and have lunch at Splittsville at Downtown Disney, so that should be fun!

So, now the plan looks like this:

Saturday: Arrive at POP Century around 6:30-7:00 and go to Hollywood Studios to watch Fantasmic! at 8:30PM.

Sunday: Check out of POP, then head over to Downtown Disney and Splittsville.  In the late afternoon/early evening, go to Animal Kingdom.

Monday: Magic Kingdom, with lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern.

Tuesday: Epcot, with lunch at Les Chefs de France.

Wednesday: Hollywood Studios, with dinner at Maya Grill in the evening.

Thursday: Kona Cafe for breakfast, then off to the Disney Dream!

One week from today, I will be in Orlando!  Eeek!  Cannot wait.

Have a magical day!

Souvenir Shopping at Walt Disney World

Each time I go to Disney World or on the Disney Cruise Line, I like to bring home some small mementos of the trip.  It might be a magnet, a coffee mug, or a picture to hang in my home.  Sometimes I also find cute shirts, or jewelry items, or items for my office.

I try not to go to crazy because A) I don't want to burst the seams on my luggage! and B) There is only so much stuff my house can hold.  But it's fun to bring a piece of the magic home with me!

Here are a few of the special items that have come home with me over the last few trips - what types of souvenirs do YOU like to purchase?

Two Weeks from Today...

When a trip is to Disney is getting so close I can almost taste it....I like to play the "where will I be __ days from today?"

And today's answer?  Two weeks from today, I'll be spending the day at this lovely place.  Hello, gorgeous! Cannot.  Wait.

In the meantime, I have lots to do before the relaxation starts - but mentally going to the Disney Place helps me get in that "vacation" frame of mind!

What games do YOU play while waiting for your vacation?

The Disney World Annual Pass - Is It Worth It?

Hope you all had a great weekend!

It's probably no surprise that I have the Disney World Annual Pass.  I like to make it down to Orlando 3-4 times a year and so for me, having that AP makes sense.

I also like the additional features of the Annual Pass, which include:

* 10% discount on merchandise at Walt Disney World

* Free parking at the theme parks

* Special Passholder discounts for resort rooms, available at different times throughout the year

But how do you know if making the investment in the AP is right for you? Let's take a look at the dollars and cents.

A regular, non-Florida resident Annual Pass will cost you $643.00 (prices current as of this posting). There is a Premium Annual Pass which includes admission to Disney Quest and the Disney Water Parks, as well as other perks, but for the purposes of this post we're going to talk about the regular AP.

With looking at current Walt Disney World ticket prices, a 10 day Park Hopper ticket is $440.91; a 2 day Park Hopper ticket is $252.41.  So, if you're going to be at Walt Disney World more than 12 days a year, an Annual Pass is worth the investment.

You might think 12 days seems like a lot - but if you're someone who goes to Disney for one long trip a year or even two trips (say a week over Spring Break and a week around the holidays), the Annual Pass is the ticket for you.

I will warn you, though - having the Annual Pass is a slippery Disney slope.  Once you have that bad boy in your hands, a trip suddenly makes much more sense, and you will rationalize all day long as to why you need to go to Disney like right NOW.  So you've been warned.

Have you had (or do you currently have) a Disney World Annual Pass?

Have a magical day!

Last Call for the Giveaway Prizes...

Good morning ~ hope you're all having a nice Wednesday so far!

Thanks again for a fun giveaway a few weeks ago - I'm so glad we had so many people participate!

However, I have not been able to reach the following three ladies:

* Kate Giella: Winner of the "Tow Racer" My Fantasy Band

* Samantha Jones: Winner of the $20 Disney Gift Card

* Nikki Pierce: Winner of the 4 hour VIP Concierge Service donated by ThemeParkConcierges.com

Please reach out to me at katie@mouseworldtravel.com with your mailing address before 7AM central on Thursday the 14th.  If I'm not able to reach you at that point, I will draw for other winners.

Thank you!

Rest in Peace, Robin Williams

As I sat down on Monday night to do some blog writing, I was hoping to cover some fun, uplighting and exciting news about Disney.  Unfortunately, today is time to mourn and reflect on a life gone much too soon.

On Monday, August 11th, the world lost one of the great comedic talents - - actor Robin Williams.  Mr. Williams had been suffering from addiction and depression, and reportedly took his own life.  He was 63 years old.

Disney fans know Robin as the voice of the Genie in Aladdin; his comedic timing and zany one-liners turned the Genie into one of the most popular sidekick characters in all of Disney animation.  He also appeared in 100s of other movies and TV shows, including Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poet's Society and Patch Adams.

Please keep his wife and children in your thoughts and prayers.  And PLEASE - seek help and reach out to someone if you're in pain and thinking of hurting yourself.

RIP Robin Williams.

Announcing....the Winners of the Giveaways!!

Yay, we have some winners!  Woo hoo!

First, THANK YOU to everyone who entered - there were over 425 entries for these 5 prizes!  Sweet! You know what that means, right? Since you guys like to win free stuff (and who doesn't!) there will be many more chances to win prizes here on the blog, so stay tuned!

The next prize giveaway will be in mid September, when I return from Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line, so keep your eyes peeled for those.

And, without further ado.....here are the winners!  You have all been notified via e-mail; please get in touch with me within 48 hours so I can mail you your prizes.

* Jess Griebel: Winner of the "Love Will Thaw" My Fantasy Band

* Kate Giella: Winner of the "Tow Racer" My Fantasy Band

* Samantha Jones: Winner of the $20 Disney Gift Card

* Dawn Taylor Sanford: Winner of the Snow White bag

* Nikki Pierce: Winner of the 4 hour VIP Concierge Service donated by ThemeParkConcierges.com

Congratulations, ladies!

Thank you again to every for playing, and have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: Saturday, September 6th - Castaway Cay!

Hello, readers!  And welcome to anyone who's new to Most Delightful Place!  There are TONS of you who have entered the giveaway (thank you!) and I hope you find other items and articles as you peruse the blog.

Today is my FAVORITE day of any cruise.  It's Castaway Cay day, folks!

Castaway Cay is Disney's private island in the Bahamas and is just stunning.  Crystal clear waters, a wonderful beach, water sports....what more could you want?

One thing I am most looking forward to is docking the boat itself at CC.  I have an aft (back of the boat) cabin and since Disney "backs in" the boat to the dock, if you have an aft room you have a perfect vantage point for seeing CC.  You typically arrive at CC around 7:30AM (disembarking starts about 8:30AM) and so it's super relaxing to sit on your balcony, have a cup of coffee and watch the boat arrive.  Pure bliss.

I did a blog post a few months ago all about Castaway Cay, with some fun pictures - - you can check that out at the link HERE.

The plan for today is "no plan at all!" I will probably eat breakfast and be off the boat about 10AM and head to Serenity Bay, the adults-only area of Castaway Cay.  It's incredibly beautiful, peaceful and a great way to spend the day.  My favorite thing to do is take one of the beach chairs into the water and sit and read my book as the clear blue water of the Bahamas laps around my ankles.

On Castaway Cay there are lots of excursions to choose from, such as catch-and-release fishing, snorkeling, parasailing, etc.  I plan on renting a tube to use in the water, but other than that, I haven't planned any excursions for this day.  I might end up doing a bike rental, as I did that back in February and really enjoyed it - it was a nice way to see the island AND get some exercise at the same time!

After a day basking in the gorgeous sun, I'll head back to the boat for our last dinner.  Since I have the later dining rotation, I'll be able to sit on my balcony and watch as we leave Castaway Cay.  I plan on ordering the cheese platter and a glass of wine from room service, and enjoying some time out on the deck before I get ready for dinner. Perhaps I'll also catch a movie, or go to one of the lounges with some of my other cruise friends.

Later that night comes the worst part of cruising - packing to go home! :( I'll get my things together so I am ready for breakfast the next morning and to walk off the ship.  Since I have the later dining rotation I'll have a later breakfast as well and should be off the ship by about 9:30AM at the latest. Then it's off to Orlando International airport and back home!

Be sure to follow me here and on social media as I will be posting live pictures and videos of my cruise on the Disney Dream.

In the meantime, have a magical day!

Guest Author Sarah Norris: Visiting the Walt Disney World Resort with a Special Diet

When you have a special dietary need, the thought of traveling and eating out can be overwhelming. But when you visit the Walt Disney World Resort, you are transported to a wondrous place where guests with special dietary needs are treated like royalty. Disney is known throughout the world as one of the top locations for special diets vacationers, offering delicious treats like allergy friendly Mickey waffles, beignets and more. To add to this, Disney chefs and members of the culinary team go through rigorous food allergy and special diets training to ensure your meal is both magical and safe for all your dietary needs.  

Millions of people affected by special dietary needs flock to Disney World each year, and if you’re one of them, you’ll want to check out these tips and tricks to help make your experience more magical. To get into the Disney spirit, we’re channeling our favorite Disney characters to help us go through some of these tips and tricks.

Be like Belle and do some research! Before your vacation, check out Disney’s official website for information on the Disney Special Diets Department and even read menus from most table service locations on property. You can also find menus for both quick service and table service on comprehensive sites like Allears.net.  If you’re looking for special diet specific sites, check out: Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW, Allergy Free Mouse, Gluten Free in Orlando and more for reviews, tips, and tricks from those who have been to Disney World with special diets first-hand. You can also find lots of different blogs that post trip reports too.

Don’t be like the Mad Hatter and be late for important dates! You can book your advance dining reservations 180 days in advance. As a special diets diner, you’ll want to pay extra attention to this, particularly if you have specific restaurants in mind for your dietary needs. When you make your ADRs don’t forget to note your special dietary needs on your reservation, which you can do online, by phone or through the My Disney Experience app.

Listen to Scar and “Be prepared!” Sure, Scar isn’t the nicest Disney character, but he has a point. Being prepared is always a good thing when it comes to visiting Disney World with a special diet. This means packing safe snacks or ordering grocery delivery from a service like Orlando Theme Park Shoppers. Always have a snack on hand when you’re in the park! It will save you time, money, and added stress of trying to find a safe snack when you or your kiddos need one.

“You’ve got a friend” in Disney chefs and managers! When you arrive to any table service location, Disney chefs will assist you with your meal from start to finish. They will customize dishes to fit your special dietary needs and prepare your food in a designated area of the kitchen. They are on hand to answer any questions about options, cross contamination and more. If you dine at a quick service location, the restaurant manager will assist you with your meal from start to finish instead. Be sure to let a cast member at the cash register know you need assistance for your special dietary needs, and they will make sure a manager comes out to help you.

Explore a “Whole new world” like Aladdin and Jasmine! You’ll be amazed at how many special diets options are available at Disney World – including ones you’d never guess. Did you know that you can find gluten free and allergy friendly beignets at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort? Made in a dedicated fryer in a separate area of the restaurant, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the streets of New Orleans with these deep-fried beauties. Think buffets are completely off limits? At Disney, chefs will walk you through the buffet and even prepare dishes for you in the kitchen so that you can limit the risk of cross contamination. These are just a few examples of the “unbelievable sights” you’ll find in Disney restaurants.

Get ready to “Go the distance” like Hercules! With just a few tips, tricks, and tools, you’ll be well-equipped for your Disney World vacation with a special diet. Disney chefs will make you feel like you’ve gone from “zero to hero” with their amazing accommodations and handling of special dietary needs. You’ll be ready to conquer your day in the parks and eat your allergy Mickey waffles too!

Sarah Norris is the owner of Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW, where she chronicles her experiences visiting the Walt Disney World Resort gluten free, dairy free, and Crohn’s disease. You can frequently find her scouring the parks for the latest special diets Disney dining news and enjoying a safe and delicious meal.