That Time I Went To Disney World by Myself... AGAIN...

Here we are again. I know you’ve heard my stories of going to Disney by myself but those times involved a training class so I really couldn’t take my family. This one’s a bit different. I wanted to be at Walt Disney World on the Opening Day of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. I was able to score some great deals on hotel and tickets and had points for my flight. So for a solo trip it was super cheap. Once I started pricing adding the boys in, the price skyrocketed (most of my travel agent perks can’t be used for family).

So I made them a promise to take them back in a year or so once the newness of Galaxy’s Edge wore off a bit. Back when I booked this, the talk was pretty much that the lines would be so ridiculous that I may not get on the attraction or even into the land. Knowing that waiting in a line for an entire day would be torture to all but me, I decided to book my trip alone.

I know I could have just gone for that one day, but really, who are we kidding? If I’m going all the way to Florida, I’m making it worth my while. I got there 3 days prior to the opening and spent every possible moment in the parks. I did shows and rides that we typically don’t do as a family. In fact, I probably spent over a third of my time doing things that the boys wouldn’t have been interested in. That helped ease the guilt a bit!

Although I truly did miss them all, I’m thankful to have had the time to explore on my own. I learned even more about my favorite place on Earth and made the most of my trip. There are a few downsides to traveling alone - mainly having no one to ride with and visit with! But there are a lot of upsides to it also. Today I’ll list those for you!

I know a normal person probably won’t schedule a solo vacation to Disney World, but you never know when you may have a conference or a reason to be there alone. Do me a favor and if that happens, call me to talk about how to have a great trip by yourself! Check out my pics of the fun I had alone and then keep reading below those for the reasons you’ll want to do just that…

Your Schedule

When you go with family or friends, you can’t do whatever you want whenever you want to. Unless you’re a bit of a bully. Everyone should have input on what to do. And if you’re the type like me to want to go from open to close (and beyond), going alone makes that easy. I got 3 hours sleep one night, up for 23.5 hours the next day and then 4 hours sleep the next night. I can handle that at least for a few days at Disney. My kids would have melted down along the way.

Price

Obviously one person is cheaper than a family when you’re talking hotel, flight and tickets. But the food costs are much less also. And I skipped a few meals and had snacks instead. Much easier on your own. Since I was alone, I also decided to do an After Hours Party. At $125 a ticket per person, that adds up to A LOT for a family. While it’s still a lot for just me, I felt like it was totally worth it. I’ll devote an entire blog post to this miracle of a party coming up!

Work

If you have a job that requires you to check-in while you’re gone or do some remote work, you have the freedom to do that without worrying others are waiting for you. I had some sweet clients that were in the midst of dealing with the incoming hurricane and I was able to sit on a curb in Toy Story Land and work on that for them. I would have felt awful if my boys were waiting on that curb the whole time with me.

Less “Stuff”

By less stuff, I mean there is less to carry around. But also, less to buy (I can sometimes stop myself from wanting souvenirs). When a rainstorm hit, I only had to worry about one poncho. And security was a breeze due to the little amount I carried with me.

No One to Make Fun of Me

Ok, so to balance out the “lonely” times where I wished I had a buddy to sit next to me on a ride, or talk about something amazing I just saw, there were times when the boys would have made fun of me for sure. I love to pose for ALL of the Magic Shots and Character Meetings (they don’t). And I always get teary-eyed and sometimes flat out cry during the fireworks. (That’s some sort of weird trick Disney does because fireworks most definitely don’t normally make me cry).

Less Stress

I’m that weird Mom that is convinced I’m going to lose a kid every time we’re in a large crowd. Yes, they are too old to get lost and all have cell phones but it’s a phobia I can’t shake. No worries about that when you’re by yourself!

No Mousekeeping

Probably the most surprising thing as I normally don’t even consider it, is that I used the option of refusing Mousekeeping (hotel room housekeeping) and instead they gave me a $30 gift card. With 3 boys, we’d be in a filthy pit after a few days. By myself I was able to keep the room clean on my own (as I was rarely there) and brought home a sweet sweatshirt instead.

Please call me when you’re thinking of a trip - solo or with 50 of your closest friends. I truly love helping everyone have a Magical time and I don’t charge a penny for it!!!



See a Penny, Pick it Up! Now Squish It!!

One of the cheapest souvenirs at Disney World just happens to be one of the most fun since it’s a do-it-yourself item. For just one penny (+ 50 cents), you can make a squished penny!

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And you can do this over and over and over again as there are tons of these machines throughout Disney World. Back when my boys were little, there was always a fight over who got to turn the handle. But with so many machines, they took turns and we mostly avoided having meltdowns over it.

Check out this video of Andrew getting his turn. For smaller kids, you may need to help a bit as the crank gets harder to turn as it does the actual squishing part. (And please notice how adorable Luke is with his little backwards hat…)

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You can buy souvenir books to keep your pennies, or I’m sure on etsy, you’ll find all kinds of ways to show them off. We tend to put things in plastic baggies fully intending to put them in something cooler later but rarely get to that! :)

So grab those pennies and get to squishing - you’ve got A LOT of options! Each machine has several different options. Currently there are 147 pennies to be squished at Magic Kingdom, 77 at the Animal Kingdom, 132 at Hollywood Studios and 140 at Epcot. There are even a few machines that will squish quarters. You can find these machines listed on the MyDisneyExperience app if you don’t happen to see one near you.

If you find yourself with a few extra minutes and a few extra coins, make yourself a souvenir!! I’d love to help you plan your next Disney or Universal trip - FOR FREE! Give me a call!!


Skyliner - Opening Date Announced!!

On September 29, Disney Skyliner gondolas will take flight and officially begin transporting guests around Walt Disney World Resort.

This state-of-the-art transportation system offers a new way to experience the resort with amazing views only available from the sky. Disney Skyliner connects Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort scheduled to open in December 2019.

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Some Disney Skyliner cabins feature graphics based on Disney films, attractions and characters. Disney stories taking flight with guests include:

  • Mickey Mouse

  • Minnie Mouse

  • Pluto

  • Chip & Dale

  • “Coco”

  • Goofy, Pete, Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow

  • “Finding Dory”

  • Haunted Mansion

  • “Monsters, Inc.”

  • Pirates of the Caribbean

  • “Ratatouille”

Guests aboard Disney Skyliner will travel quickly across the sky, with rides approximately five to 15 minutes in length, depending on the destination. • Disney’s Caribbean Beach to Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 5-6 minutes • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney’s Pop Century Resort or Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: under six minutes • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to Disney’s Riviera Resort: about 5 minutes • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to International Gateway at Epcot: approximately 15 minutes • Disney’s Riviera Resort to International Gateway at Epcot: approximately nine minutes.

There are more than 300 cabins, each with bench seating that can comfortably accommodate up to ten Guests, including those traveling with wheelchairs or assistive devices.

Although they won’t have air conditioning, the cabins were specifically tailored to provide a comfortable ride for guests in the Florida climate, with cross-ventilation for sufficient air flow and reflective windows to prevent direct sunlight.

I am BUMMED that these won’t be open yet on my trip in August, but I’ll just have to go back! Let me book and plan your trip for FREE and then be sure to brag to me how you got to ride these before me. I promise I’ll try not to be too jealous!!

10 Incorrect Disney Myths

With something as large as Disney, there are bound to be countless rumors and myths. Today’s post will cover 10 of the most widely believed, yet false tales… Have you heard other myths? Put them in the comments!!! And if you haven’t been to Disney in a while (or ever), call me to get a trip planned for you. Without seeing it for yourself, who knows what you’ll believe!!

Myth: Cinderella Castle Can be Quickly Deconstructed Before a Hurricane

Walt Disney World has closed down several times due to hurricanes but the Magic Kingdom’s centerpiece can’t be taken apart to prevent it from being damaged. Despite the castle’s magical appearance, it’s a building like any other..

Myth: All of Walt Disney World is Built on Top of an Underground City

This one has a bit of truth at its core, since the Magic Kingdom is built on top of a series of underground tunnels known as Utilidors. However, outside of the area underneath Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the system wasn’t replicated in any of WDW’s other parks.

Myth: Walt Disney is Frozen

After Walt Disney succumbed to cancer in December 1966, rumors spread that he had been cryogenically frozen, with the hope being that he could be “thawed” out when a cure was discovered for cancer. In later years, this myth evolved into the idea that Disney’s frozen body was kept in various places, including underneath Epcot. However, it’s flatly untrue. While Walt did apparently show some interest in cryonics, the first human being wasn’t cryopreserved until 1967, the year after Disney died. Walt’s remains were actually cremated and interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Myth: Paramedics Will Only Declare Someone Dead Once They’re Off Disney Property

Once again, this urban legend — that medical teams won’t/aren’t allowed to declare someone dead until they’re off Disney property in order to uphold the company’s safety record — is completely untrue. In fact, in the 60-plus years since Disneyland opened, there have sadly been documented deaths on Disney property, including inside the theme parks.

Myth: Cast Members Portraying Toy Story Characters Will “Drop” to the Ground Any Time Someone Says “Andy’s Coming.”

In the past, cast members portraying Toy Story characters would drop to the ground and lay still like the film’s characters if a guest said “Andy’s coming.” However it was never an across-the-board policy that happened every time, and after an internet meme of a character laying on the ground went viral in 2013, Disney put a stop to the practice entirely for safety reasons.

Myth: There’s a Fully Constructed, Yet Unopened Boat Ride In Epcot’s Germany Pavilion 

While there were originally plans for a Rhine River cruise attraction at the back of the pavilion, the construction never began as some believe. The only physical remnant of the original plan is a foyer and mural-covered wall at the location of the planned entrance gate and loading platform near the pavilion’s Biergarten restaurant. 

Myth: Walt Disney is One of the Singing Busts in the Haunted Mansion Graveyard Scene

The busts are actually the Mellomen, a popular singing group who sang in several Disney films, as well as numerous Elvis Presley films. The specific members immortalized in the Haunted Mansion are Thurl Ravenscroft (often mistaken for Walt), Jay Meyer, Verne Rowe, Bob Ebright, and Chuck Schroeder.

Myth: The Dream Suite in Cinderella Castle Was Initially Designed for the Disney Family

Walt Disney did have an apartment above the fire station in Disneyland, and a suite was being constructed for Walt and his family in New Orleans Square prior to his death — this space went on to become the Disney Gallery and later the Disneyland Dream Suite. Walt died before proper plans of WDW had been made, however, and no lodging was ever planned for him in Orlando. The Cinderella Dream Suite was instead constructed in the mid-2000s as part of the Year of a Million Dreams promotion, carved out of a space previously used for storage and as the headquarters of the Walt Disney World phone system.

Myth: There is a “Club 21” at Walt Disney World

For years, it’s been rumored that WDW had a version of Disneyland’s famously exclusive – and expensive – Club 33 called “Club 21” which is completely untrue. However, Disney is currently constructing real Club 33 locations in all four Disney World parks, which should end the “Club 21” myth once and for all.

Myth: There’s Always a Vice President Animatronic on Standby at the Hall of Presidents in Case of Assassination

It’s unknown what, if anything, Disney would do in the case of a presidential assassination, as one has never occurred while the Hall has been open.

Do You Want to Spend the Night in Cinderella's Castle?

Last week I talked about the amazing Specialty Suites at Disneyland. This week, I’ll tell you about special rooms at Walt Disney World!

I can’t imagine getting to spend the night in Cinderella’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. And sadly, I don’t imagine it will ever happen for me. As of now, the only way you can stay there is if you’re invited (usually for celebrities) or you win a contest. But you can bet I’ll keep hoping it happens. Here are a couple of pictures from lucky ducks that have seen the suite…

Below are other rooms that regular peeps like me can actually book… I’ve included the one at Wilderness Lodge mainly due to the bedding options. You can get bunkbeds! When you have 2 kids that nearly kill each other shoving each other in the bed, you really appreciate an easy bed time. Each in their own bed!! This option is also available at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And bonus there, you can see animals from some of the rooms!

Of course, this is only a small sampling of rooms. There are a LOT of options depending on what you and your family need. Please give me a call if you’re thinking of taking a Disney trip. I will help you get the room that will work best for you and make your trip as Magical as possible. My services are FREE!!



What are the Absolute BEST Rooms at Disney??

All of the rooms on Disney property are amazing in my opinion - I mean if you’re staying there, you’re at Disney so you’re having a pretty good day, right?! But there are a few rooms that will blow you away.

The rooms I want to show you today are Signature Suites at the Disneyland Hotel. These are all available for booking by anyone - if you are willing to pay a bit more! I can’t give you exact costs here as they change based on time of year and availability but expect thousands per night!! If you are actually interested in staying in one, let me know and I’ll give them a call for you to find out specifics!

I was able to personally visit all of these suites on my last training trip to Disneyland. Staying in all of them is now definitely at the top of my bucket list! Forgive me for my photography. There were quite a few agents on the tour and we didn’t get a lot of time to get the perfect shot.

First up is the Fairy Tale Suite. This one just has space for 2 guests but it’s the most “magical” of the suites. It has a beautiful bathroom and spectacular views of the resort!

Next up is the 2-bedroom Pirates of the Caribbean Suite. You’ll be completely immersed in a Pirate’s Life for sure… Be sure and ring the doorbell!!

Want to take the most luxurious safari ever? Then head on to the Adventureland Suite. This amazing suite even has a stone grotto that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the rain forest!

All aboard the train as we head into the wonderfully rustic Big Thunder suite. It’s the wildest suite in the wilderness for up to 6 guests.

Finally, up to the Penthouse, you’ll find the Main Mouse’s suite! It’s the Mickey Mouse suite! It’s ultra-modern and huge. Mickey definitely gives it a big thumbs up…

If you could choose your suite to stay in, which would you pick? If I had to choose, I think it would be the Adventureland Suite - there’s a grotto in it for goodness’ sake! But if you want to gift me with a week in one, I won’t be picky.

These Signature Suites are exclusive to Disneyland, but there are some really fun (and more affordable) special rooms at Disney World. I’ll tell you all about those next week!!

Want to know more about planning a trip to Disneyland or Disney World? Contact me and remember there’s no charge for my trip planning services!

Hey! Watch Where You're Walking!!

I’ve mentioned before that one of my favorite things about Disney World (and all things Disney actually…) is their attention to detail. One of the seemingly small things is the ground that you walk on! In today’s post, I’ll focus on the interesting things to see on the ground at the Magic Kingdom, but keep your eyes open at all of the parks - the detail isn’t limited to the Magic Kingdom.

As you may have read in the past, my favorite spot in the Magic Kingdom just happens to be the Tangled restroom area. Don’t worry, I don’t have a medical condition that keeps me near the bathrooms, it’s just that this is the only real Tangled area in the park and that’s my fav Disney movie. Plus, the area is actually really pretty regardless of what’s housed there. One detail I love is that if you look down, you’ll see that my favorite horse, Maximus, has been there!

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Next up is the line queue and surrounding area of Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid. Scattered throughout the area are tons of colorful sea shells.

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For more colorful sidewalks, head on over to The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Here you’ll find an assortment of broken tiles, jewelry and stones. Looks like someone may have dropped a bit of their loot from the Cave of Wonders!

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I haven’t had a chance to see the new Dumbo movie but it’s on my list! While you’re visiting the Dumbo area in the park, look down to see the discarded peanut shells. Dumbo and his friends are a messy bunch!

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One of the most interesting (and historically accurate) pavement areas is found in Liberty Square. Notice the brown area of pavement that winds through the middle of the area below. It’s actually there to represent the fact that during Colonial times, there was no indoor plumbing. People pretty much just threw their bathroom waste into the road creating this brown “river.” Yeah, it’s gross but Disney wants to educate you as well as entertain!!

Have you noticed any of these or any other ground-level fun I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments!! Remember, I will book and plan your Disney trip for FREE so you can get there and see what you’ve been missing!

The Cats of Disneyland!

For years, I’ve heard rumors about the cats of Disneyland. Being a huge fan of both cats and Disney, I loved the idea of cats living there. So you can bet I was pumped to actually see one on my last trip!!

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This was at the Disneyland Hotel. Unusual to see one during the day as they normally stay hidden until night, but a maintenance worker was working in the bushes where the kitty probably was trying to hide. Of course I tried to pat it since I was out of town and missing my own cats but it was a bit too quick for me.

It’s hard to know exactly when the first cats started to appear on Disneyland property, but there have been sightings going as far back as 1955. Soon after Disneyland opened, Walt decided that there should be an attraction inside of Sleeping Beauty Castle. When he brought imagineers into the castle to begin the planning process for what would eventually become the Castle Walkthrough attraction, he was greeted by quite the sight—scores of feral cats had set up a home for themselves inside the building. Not only that, but the cats had brought with them an infestation of fleas. It became clear that something needed to be done about the cats, but the Disney company knew they couldn’t exactly “eliminate” the problem without considerable uproar from guests. The immediate solution was to adopt out all the cats to cast members and ensure them good homes.

Meanwhile, being an outdoor theme park with lands meant to simulate rustic situations, Disneyland had developed a bit of a rodent problem. While the irony was lost on no one in the company, Disneyland had mice running around—and we’re not talking about Mickey and Minnie. There were also still plenty of feral cats on property who hadn’t set up shop in the castle. The cats were smart and realized they’d found a decent hunting ground on a property that was free of all the typical dangers stray cats have to face. They were able to emerge at night to a relatively empty park, and they could hunt in peace.

It was around this time that someone in the Disney company must have had a pretty brilliant idea. The cats weren’t bothering anyone—feral cats, by nature, are scared of humans—and they were doing a much better job with pest control than any human exterminators were likely to do. So the cats were put to work. More accurately, they were allowed to continue doing the work they were already doing, but now it was with Disney’s blessing, and some payment.

A relationship between the company and the Disneyland Cats was established that still operates in basically the same fashion today. Feeding stations were set up around the property where the cats could get their fill when they couldn’t subsist on hunting alone. The cats were all captured and spayed/neutered before being released back out onto the grounds so that the cat population would remain under control. The cast members at Circle D Ranch (the same cast members who look after the Main Street trolley horses and the goats at Big Thunder Ranch, etc.) help manage the cats. They give them medical treatment if necessary, keep the food refilled, and generally look after Disney’s herd.

The cats actually live a pretty mundane life, similar to most other feral cats you might have in your neighborhood. Of course, they do so in the Happiest Place on Earth. They generally stay hidden out of sight during the day and only come out at night. There are exceptions, of course, and guests have been known to spot cats sleeping in the parks or otherwise slinking around property. As a general rule, Disney doesn’t encourage guests to get too close to the cats. In addition to the simple fact that it’s never smart to try to pet a cat you don’t know, these cats are often better off remaining solitary. If cats start to appear too comfortable around humans, Disney will adopt them out to cast members. The same is true of any new litters of kittens that are accidentally born on property.

It is estimated that the current cat population on Disneyland property is about 200. Some of the feeding station locations where guests are most likely to spot a cat include ones near the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland, Taste Pilot’s Grill at Disney’s California Adventure and White Water Snacks at the Grand Californian. Cats can also often be spotted in the Rose Court Garden at the Disneyland Hotel and in the ditch that runs parallel to the path for the Mickey and Friends Tram.

There are most likely feral cats that roam Disney World also, although they don’t “officially'“ live there like at Disneyland.

Want to head to Disney to try to catch a glimpse of the cats? Call me! It’s always FREE to book with me!

**Credit for the information in this post belongs to disneylandcats.com.