Location, Location, Location: Where to Stay at Disney World Based on Your Favorite Park

If you've read any of my previous posts, you know that the Magic Kingdom is far and away my favorite Disney World park (also my favorite place anywhere).  But some of you probably have a different favorite and you're wondering where to stay if you plan to spend most of your time at your favorite spot.

You're in luck - you'll find the answer here today!  Below are the resorts I would stay in for each park.  It's mostly based on location but in the case there's more than one resort to choose from, I picked the one I like best.  I've also included a runner-up to stay in if you prefer something different due to cost or decor or whatever floats your boat.

Magic Kingdom

Contemporary

Contemporary

Polynesian

The Contemporary is the perfect location to stay if you are spending a lot of your time at Magic Kingdom.  Also, we should be friends if that's the case...  You have 2 great options to get to the park - you can walk or ride the monorail.  The Polynesian is beautiful and has the monorail, but you can't walk to MK from there.  Bonus though - they have Dole Whip on site!

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Coronado Springs

It only makes sense that the Animal Kingdom Lodge would be a great place to stay if Animal Kingdom is your favorite park.  It's close to the park PLUS if you love animals, you'll see a bunch at your resort!!  Both of these locations use bus transportation to get to the park, but it's not a long drive.

Epcot

Beach Club

Yacht Club

You can walk to Epcot from both the Beach Club and the Yacht Club.  They also share an amazing pool area.  I would choose the Beach Club mainly because the Yacht Club seems more like a "conference" hotel and less Disney.  But both are in a great location for Epcot!

Hollywood Studios

Boardwalk Inn

Pop Century

The Boardwalk Inn is in a perfect location - you can actually walk to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot from here.  They also have boats or buses if you'd rather.  I love the Boardwalk because they have a fun boardwalk area with lots of restaurants and entertainment.  Pop Century is a really fun resort for kids - tons of great photo ops.  

Future Stays

If you're planning to stay after mid-2019 I would add into this list Art of Animation and Caribbean Beach for enjoying Epcot or Hollywood Studios.  Disney is currently in the process of the construction of the Skyliner.  This will be a gondola system that will connect those 2 resorts (along with Pop Century) to those 2 parks.  Construction is rumored to be done sometime before Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens in the Fall of 2019 at Hollywood Studios.

PLEASE give me a call if you'd like more info on any of these resorts - or any others!  I love finding the perfect fit for each guest's situation.  And my services are FREE!!

How to Save Money and Time at Disney with Grocery Delivery

When we go to Disney, we always order groceries ahead of time and have them waiting for us at our resort.  This is a super simple and convenient way to save money and time at Disney World.  First of all, we can eat breakfast in our room before we head out (except for the day we do Tusker House breakfast which is a must!).  

We also buy snacks and bottled water to take into the parks with us.  Disney will allow food and drink to be brought in and it's way cheaper to take in your own water than it is to buy drinks at the parks.  I have a slight caffeine addiction so I buy flavor drink packets that include caffeine.  My family appreciates that as they don't want to be around me when I get a caffeine headache!!  I also bring non-caffeinated ones for the kids since they haven't become addicted yet.  :)

I also pack a sharpie to bring with us and each morning, I put the boys' initials on a bottle.  That way we're not all sharing germs.  Don't forget your backpack to carry the water and snacks!!

If you're in a villa or Fort Wilderness Cabin, you'll have a full-sized fridge so order all the groceries you'd like!  In standard resort rooms, you'll have a small dorm-sized fridge so think about what you really need to refrigerate.  And I wouldn't do anything that needs to stay frozen as it may or may not have small freezer section in your fridge.  

Each night when we returned from the parks, I would put in the water for the next morning.  Of course, I had a few Diet Cokes in there and some milk for the boys.  So you don't have a ton of room but if you plan ahead a bit, it's great.

Here are the things we ordered for our trip just to give you an idea:

Keep in mind these prices were from last year so probably not still valid.  This is from Garden Grocer - a grocery delivery service that takes the items directly to your hotel at Walt Disney World, leaving them with bell services (which refrigerates perishable items). I highly recommended them and most do as they are the most popular with Walt Disney World guests by far.

The process is simple:  You go to Gardengrocer.com and click on "Create Your Account" and fill out the form to register your account.  Browse through over 5,000 products and add them to your cart. Shop by brand, category, or use the search toolbar to find the products you want.  Click on the shopping cart at the top of the page to begin the checkout process. Fill out the form with your billing information & let them know what resort you're staying at and what time frame you'd like your groceries to be delivered in.  

So other than the cost of the groceries, are there any delivery fees?  Yes.  Disney charges a flat $5 to recieve the order.  Garden Grocer charges a $14.00 delivery fee but if you spend over $200, the delivery fee is waived.  You need to plan ahead though - if you need same day delivery, the fee is $30 and next day delivery is $20.  Keep in mind that there are limited delivery time slots so if you wait until the last minute to order, there may not be availability for delivery. I tend to order several months in advance - you can add on to your order later if you think of something else you need.   They also usually offer a discount for ordering early - this is the current discount and it was the same when we traveled last year:

Besides the cost savings of eating breakfast in the room, taking your own water and snacks, having groceries delivered saves time too.  We can eat while getting ready or while on our way to the parks so the minute we get there, we're ready to get on our favorite attractions while the lines are still small.  Even getting a quick service breakfast can take what feels like forever when you want to be on Space Mountain!

Same thing goes for standing in line for drinks and snacks.  Don't get me wrong, an apple won't replace Dole Whip but it does limit the lines to stand in.  (FYI, don't forget about Mobile Ordering to also limit those lines).

A couple of other things to consider - beside bringing along your own sharpie, I pack a bunch of ziploc bags.  It's nice to have those when you want to have individual snacks in your bag or you want to save that last bit of candy.  

Please give me a call if you have any questions!  I would love to help you plan and book your Disney or Universal vacation!  And even better - there's NO fees for my services!!

Rooms for Your Royal Family!

With all of the buzz about the new Royal baby and the upcoming Royal wedding, I thought I'd highlight Disney World's very own Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside resort.

Port Orleans is considered a Moderate resort on the Disney property.  As with all on-site resorts, your stay includes Extra Magic Hours, MagicBands, FastPass availability 60 days in advance, Option to purchase Dining Plan, Magical Express, Ability to charge items at the parks onto your room account...  And above all, Disney Customer Service which really is priceless.

Having fun while parents check in.

Awe...Back when Rapunzel (his puppy) went everywhere!

The resort is located in the Disney Springs area and there are boats to take you directly to Disney Springs from the resort.  To reach the Disney Theme Parks, you'll take complimentary Disney bus transportation.

Views of the resort and the Sassagoula River

There is an amazing food court at the resort (Riverside Mill Food Court) which is a great place to have a quick breakfast before heading out.  And don't forget if you're on the Dining plan, you can refill your souvenir mug with your favorite soft drink here!

The pool is one of the best at Disney - Ol’ Man Island is a 3.5-acre refuge with a swimmin’ hole and a fishin’ hole. Fashioned after an abandoned sawmill, this pool is accessible by 3 wooden bridges and includes a 95 foot-long rustic waterslide built into the millworks.

One of the room types at Port Orleans Riverside is the Royal Room.  I had the chance to tour one recently and even if I didn't have kids, I'd love to stay in this room!!

The headboards in this room glitter with fiber optic lights, creating your own personal “fireworks” display that can be turned on and off as you like.  During your stay, discover special mementos left by Tiana’s royal friends from classic Disney animated films such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. For example, the bathroom faucets are in the shape of the genie’s lamp from Aladdin and the luggage bench is in the shape of Sultan, the dog that was turned into a bench in Beauty and the Beast. And does that ‘rug’ on the carpet look familiar?

The room is wonderful top to bottom and no details were overlooked.  The only downside to the Royal Room is that it doesn't include the fold-out bed like others at Port Orleans so you have a maximum of 4 people in this room.  If you have a family of 5 and would like to stay at Port Orleans, you'll need a standard room but those are really nice also.  You can just pretend that you're still Royalty but you're incognito!  

Give me a call and let me help you find the right room for your Royal Family!!!

Disney World... The SCARIEST Place on Earth??

Although in my mind, Disney World is most certainly NOT a scary place, there are some scary elements to be aware of if you're heading there with small children.  

There are some obvious scary things that parents are prepared for like thrill rides intended for adults.  A few off the top of my head are the Tower of Terror, Mission: SPACE, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster...  

But there are a few rides that you think of as family friendly that just might make smaller ones a bit nervous.  I love the Haunted Mansion, but as a kid that one can be a little spooky.  Check out one of my favorite videos of Luke's reaction when he was 3.

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And it's not just my goofy little kids that have been known to be nervous on this ride.  I love this picture while on Haunted Mansion - Ryan looks a little nervous.  But check out the kid in the Doom Buggy next to us.  His Dad just decided it was too much and covered the kid's face.  Hilarious! (Maybe not to the kid).  I would still recommend this ride to families, but just know it's dark and spooky and think about if your child could handle that.

Another potentially scary part of the parks is the noise of the fireworks shows and parades.  Andrew hid from us once (causing ME to be terrified) during a parade because he didn't like the noise.  And he likes looking at fireworks but the noise bothers him.  Wish I'd have thought back then to take ear plugs along to help him enjoy these parts more.  If you have one that is nervous with loud noises, plan ahead and take those ear plugs.

Dark areas, even those that have no scary elements, can bother a lot of kids.  We let the boys take tiny flashlights with them the first time they went and if they got nervous in a dark part of the park, they could turn them on for a minute to calm their nerves.  I would also recommend taking a nightlight for your hotel room as those are either pitch dark at night or you have to leave the bathroom light on which seems super bright!

Security can also be an issue for some children.  Something about the officers in uniform and everyone crowding around can cause anxiety.  Mention it to your child ahead of time so that they are prepared for it.  And once in a while, there will be a security dog on duty.  If your child is afraid of dogs, letting them know that one may be nearby may help.

Of course, I've seen tons of kids that have a complete meltdown when approached by Characters.  The good news is that most characters now have Meet-and-Greets and are rarely just out wondering in the parks.  But once again, just prepare the child in advance.  The characters are awesome though about realizing that the child doesn't want to be approached and you'll probably not have any problems in this area!

Please give me a call if you're thinking about a Disney trip.  I have a list of rides and how my kids handle them that can certainly help when you're planning.  And remember my services are always FREE to plan and book your trip!!

Be One of the First to Enjoy Disney World's Toy Story Land!

This Summer, Get Ready to Play Big in a New Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Toy Story Land opens in just 95 days people!!  Want to be one of the first to check it out?  Call me!  I'll get you set up with reservations and tickets.  And if you want to be one of the first to enjoy the new rides in the new land, you'll definitely want a FastPass.  The new attractions will be the most popular at the parks this summer and you don't want to waste your time standing in line! Disney hasn't released information yet on when FastPasses will be available, but based on past new attractions, I'd expect them at the 60-day out mark.  So you've got about 35 days to get booked and then we'll be able to get that FastPass!

Here's a glimpse at all of the fun to be had in the new land...

Attractions:

Slinky Dog Dash - 

Andy’s assembled his Mega Coaster Play Kit—and Slinky Dog is gonna take you on a wild, toy-filled adventure as you stretch Slinky Dog’s coils to the limit across Andy’s backyard! Come along for a roller-coaster-style ride as he bends and twists and stretches his way all throughout this new land.  Make no mistake, it’s one wacky attraction… and fun for the entire family!

Alien Swirling Saucers - 

Blast off on an interstellar romp, set to an out-of-this-world beat!  Inside a play set that Andy won at Pizza Planet, the Aliens have powered up their flying saucers—and they’re ready to spin you on a wild ride into space! Hold on for some wild fun as your toy rocket takes off, all while electronic space music provides an intergalactic soundtrack.  And if you’re really lucky, you might just get “chosen” by the claw. Oooooo!

Toy Story Midway Mania - 

Step inside Andy’s room and wind your way through a toy treasure chest of classic playthings. Pass a Candyland® game box, Viewmaster® discs, crayon drawings and a Scrabble board before picking up a pair of special 3D glasses for the fun to come.  Climb aboard an early 20th-century-inspired Carnival Ride Tram and grab your spring-action shooter. With 3D glasses on, glide into the Toy Story Midway Games Play Set and take aim at stationary and moving 3D objects in a variety of fast-paced games.  This popular ride may not be new but it never gets old!

Food:

Woody's Lunch Box - 

Lasso your hunger with a meal from Woody’s Lunch Box!  During your upcoming Toy Story Land adventures, be sure to drop by this food stop for a toy-riffic meal! Dishing out all sorts of tasty treats for “honorary toys,” Woody’s Lunch Box features classic American fare, old-fashioned soda floats and other Toy Story-themed specialties.

Character Encounters:

Inside this new land, you’ll have the chance to encounter some of your favorite characters from the Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” films, including Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl!  And keep an eye out for the Green Army Men - one of the most fun character encounters out there!

Thinking of going to Disney World later in the summer or even this fall/winter?  Now's the time to firm up your plans so that you can have me get the dining reservations you'd like.  Remember those are available 6 months out.  Contact me today!!!

Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Disney's EPSN Wide World of Sports Complex

Champion Stadium at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is home to Atlanta Braves Spring Training in 2018 and 2019.  

Atlanta’s spring training home schedule is a great one with games against clubs like the Nationals (Feb. 26, March 1), the St. Louis Cardinals (March 3, 17), the New York Yankees (March 9, 24) and the 2017 World Series Champion Houston Astros (March 8).

I haven't personally attended Spring Training in Florida but have had the good fortune to spend a few days at the Cactus League Spring Training in Arizona.  It's a really fun atmosphere and my boys LOVED it.  Spring Training is a time where the rules are a bit more relaxed, the players talk to the fans and it's just a great way to watch a baseball game.

The Florida league (called the Grapefruit League) is a similar setup and the best bonus is that you can also go to Disney World while you're there!!  Also while at the game, Disney character appearances and special moments such as kids running the bases after every game are some of the in-game entertainment opportunities that make Braves spring training at Disney a unique experience.

It's best to buy your game tickets ahead of time although they will be available at the gate if not sold out.  Good news - parking is free!!  Be sure to get there early for the best chance at catching practice balls or snagging an autograph from your favorite player.

Don't wait too long though to check this out...  The Braves announced recently that 2018 and 2019 will be their last seasons at Disney.  The Braves have held spring training at the Walt Disney World complex since 1998. But with many of the other major-league teams having moved out of Central Florida, the Braves reached a deal with Sarasota County to relocate to North Port, which will have a new 9,000-seat stadium, 6 1/2 practice fields and 55,000-square feet of clubhouse and fitness center space.

Call me today and I can set you up with a great time at Disney while you're enjoying some Braves baseball!!  Tomahawk chop!!

FYI, if you are just in it for baseball and not Disney (WHY???), then here is info on how to get tickets...  Braves fans can purchase individual spring training game tickets at www.espnwwos.com/braves, through Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office. Tickets range from $15 (general admission berm seating in left field) to $59 (lower level reserved seats).  But you should make a trip of it - I'd love to help you get it all planned!!

Here's Why You Should Book a Walt Disney World Trip TODAY!!

This sign is one of my favorites ever since it's at the entrance to Magic Kingdom.  But I say ignore it for now - don't leave Today until you've booked your trip!  Seriously, you need to do this today.  Disney has let the Travel Agent community know that they will increase prices for packages (room and ticket combos) on February 21.  That's TOMORROW people!!  No word on exact amount, but if we can guess from the recent ticket only price increase, it will possibly be around 4-5%.  That may not sound like much, but we all know Disney vacations aren't cheap and I'd want that extra money to go towards Dole Whip instead of my room.

So many of you are probably thinking you don't want to risk booking a trip too far in the future.  But the good news is that Disney only requires a $200 deposit on their packages and that money is fully refundable if you have to cancel (as long as it is more than 30 days prior to travel).  So there is really no risk!

Others of you may have been to Disney World in the past and think you've been there, done that.  But you haven't!!  Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios is opening June 30!  (Which means you're already in the window for Advanced Dining Reservations so HURRY UP!!).  Also, if it's been more than a year, you probably haven't seen Pandora at Animal Kingdom which is amazing.  

Give me a call today! I want you to get the best bargain you can.  Remember I'll do all of the planning and booking for you for FREE so you'd be silly to miss out on that!  

Whoa Pardner!! You're About to Miss Out on Those Reservations You Want!!

I know it's still Winter.  And ridiculously cold where I am so I don't even want to think about winter anymore.  But Summer is coming!  It may seem a long way off but June will be here in 4 short months!  

Have you made plans for your Summer Vacation yet?  If you're like me you're thinking, "Well I've got 4 months - tons of time to figure it out!"

The problem is that if you're thinking of a trip to Disney World (and if you aren't, I don't know if we can be friends...), you need to be well into the planning process for a summer trip.  Yes, you can certainly go without planning and have a spectacular time.  But if you want to have a spectacular time where you do everything you want and with the least amount of waiting possible, you've got to plan in advance.

Advanced Dining Reservations (Disney speak for sit-down restaurant reservations) are available starting 6 months out.  So if you or your kids have dreams of eating at a specific restaurant (like the castle!), you really need to get those reservations on the 6 month mark.

All hope isn't lost if you don't get them 6 months out - sometimes Disney Magic works in your favor and a reservation opens up.  But sometimes, it just doesn't.  I have a client right now wanting to eat at Be Our Guest and nothing is open for their timeframe.  I log in and look for open slots up to 6 times a day and have been doing that for a few weeks now and nothing.  Makes me sad to think of them at Disney World and not getting to do something they had their hearts set on.

So please - call me and let's talk about what you'd like to do!  Disney requires a $200 deposit to book a vacation package.  Of course, plans change, so that amount is fully refundable as long as you cancel at least 30 days prior to your trip.  So you really have nothing to lose by booking early - and I'll be able to get all of the reservations you'd like if we do it far enough out!

Bring on SUMMER!!!  

This is US

As much as I like the TV show This is Us, this blog post is about a different US - Universal Studios!  Sorry to disappoint those of you that were expecting info about the show!  :)

I've done a blog post previously that is mainly about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - check it out here.  

This post is about some of the other rides and attractions that Universal has to offer.  My main reason for going will always be to hang out with Harry, but they've got a lot of other fun spots too.

First of all, something that seems to confuse a few people - Universal is not a part of Disney.  They are two completely different companies.  I think the confusion comes from the fact that Disney has a movie studios type park in Hollywood Studios.  But Universal is not on Disney property - it's about 10 miles away.  

There are 3 parks now at Universal Studios - Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of  Adventure and Universal's Volcano Bay (which is a water park).  Both Universal Studios  and Islands of Adventure house Harry Potter areas - with delicious butterbeer at each!  Universal Studios is home to Diagon Alley while Islands of Adventure is home to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  To ride the Hogwarts Express between the two parks, you must have a park-to-park pass.

Universal Studios Florida

This is the newest part of The Wizarding World - Diagon Alley.  It has the most incredible ride around - Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts.  The ride is a huge thrill mixture of roller coaster and virtual screens.  So. Much. Fun.  And the line to the ride is really cool as you make your way through the bank lobby into the vaults.

Here are a few other rides at this park that I highly recommend:

• Revenge of the Mummy - really good and thrilling with a great surprise near the end.
• E.T. Adventure - I LOVE this ride.  It is a super calm and pretty ride about the movie.  I love that you ride on your bike through the ride.
• Transformers: The Ride
• The Simpsons Ride - made all of us nauseous but I know a lot of people love it!
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon - new!
• Rip Ride Rockit - only Don was brave enough to ride this one.
• Terminator 2
• Men in Black - fun and you can compete against your family!
• Shrek 4D - really cute and funny movie with 4-D effects.

There are also a lot of great places to eat - the food at the Leaky Cauldron is delicious.  But save room for dessert - there's butterbeer ice cream or a giant donut in the Simpson's area at Lard Lad Donuts!

You're probably thinking this donut could feed more than 1 person.  Hmm...  Mine didn't.  :)

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure has the original Wizarding World - you can visit Hogwarts and Hogsmeade.  Be sure to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - the line takes you through Hogwarts.  Once you've explored all of this world (and had plenty of butterbeer), head on out to check out the rest of the park.

Here are the rides at Islands of Adventure you need to be sure and check out:

• Doctor Doom's Fearfall
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Skull Island:Reign of Kong
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
• Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

We've been to Islands of Adventure a couple of times but our kids were too young to like the thrill rides.  Plus this park has a lot of rides that are basically water rides and we're weird about not liking those.  So while the Harry Potter area is AWESOME, if I had only one day, I'd spend the majority of it at Universal Studios Florida.

But if you're wise and have listened to me, you'll have a park-to-park pass so that you can ride the Hogwarts Express.  If you hurry, you can hit a few rides here when you're done with the other park.

Speaking of ways to save time...  Universal offers a little different take on the line skipping pass.  Unlike Disney's FastPass, it is an extra charge.  But you get to skip the line once on all the rides - where Disney just gives you 3 to start.  If you're staying on-site at Universal, some of the resorts include an Unlimited Express Pass which is good on the rides as many times as you want to use them.  Well worth the money if it's a crowded day - and if you're staying on-site it just might be included!

Volcano Bay

You've heard me say before that my family really doesn't do water parks.  So while I don't have personal knowledge of Volcano Bay, I have done training on it from Universal Studios.  It's an amazing park and if you're into water parks at all, it's a must-do!

Be sure to give me a call if you're interested in a Universal vacation.  I'd love to plan and book your trip and make sure you're getting the best value for your money!!

Did You Know?

This year, Epcot celebrates its 35th birthday!  Opening date was October 1, 1982.  Here are 4 fun facts about the park.

It’s huge - Epcot covers 305 acres.

It is divided into 2 major sections - Future World and World Showcase.  Future World focuses on technology and innovations that make the world a better place.  You’ll find Test Track there as well as Soarin’.

World Showcase brings to life Walt’s belief that our cultural differences enrich us.  Be sure and explore all of the different countries and enjoy the shopping and food that they offer.

The American Adventure is the Host Nation of the World Showcase.

Imagineers were inspired by colonial American architecture when designing The American Adventure.  Inside, the mulit-media theatrical experience uses a projection screen which is 28-feet-tall by 155-feet-wide.  That’s the largest projection screen ever built!

Spaceship Earth is an iconic landmark.

It houses an attraction about the history of human communication.  It's 180-fee-tall and is covered with 11.324 alucobond tiles.  Inside, there's a hidden network of backstage corridors for maintenance workers.  It’s so complex that the workers sometimes draw pencil lines on the walls to find their way back from where they came.

Don’t pass this attraction by - it’s a slow moving ride which some people equate to boring.  But I love it - especially the actual smell of smoke when you pass by a burning Rome!

The Living Seas is an amazing aquarium.

It debuted in 1986 and features a 5.7 million gallon aquarium that is home to over 2,000 sea creatures!  A fun show for guests of all ages is Turtle Talk with Crush.  Be sure and participate in the interactive show if possible!

Want to discover Epcot for yourself?  Give me a call!  I’d love to help you make the most of your time at Walt Disney World.