Merry Christmas from Trips by Mouse!

Of course, it’s not quite Christmas yet, but Disney announced today that tickets are now on sale for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! This is just another reason to get your Disney World trip booked far in advance so that you don’t miss out on things like this!

The event transforms Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland for a magical 23 days of the year!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates for 2019:

• November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24

• December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22

Returning favorites include a special holiday-themed parade and fireworks display as well as magical stage shows such as “A Frozen Holiday Wish” where guests can get swept up in the holiday spirit when Queen Elsa transforms Cinderella Castle with glistening ice.

In addition to the wonderful, holiday entertainment, guests can also ride Magic Kingdom Park classic attractions, savor complimentary treats and enjoy a magical “snowfall” on Main Street, U.S.A.

Buy early and save! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets start at $99 for select nights after $10 advance-purchase savings. Here are the specific costs for adult/child tickets:

November 8, 15, 22: $109/104
November 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21: $99/94
November 24: $115/110

December 1: $115/110
December 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15: $109/104
December 6, 13, 17: $115/110
December 19: $129/124
December 20, 22: $139/134

Have a trip planned and want to add tickets? Call me! Or still thinking of a trip? Call me for that too!! My services are always FREE!!

5 Crazy Facts about Disney World's Trash!

Disney World has an average annual attendance of 52 MILLION visitors! So of course, that means a lot of trash is generated. Here are some amazing facts about all of that trash…

1 - AVACS - You’ve probably heard that a lot of the behind-the-scenes work at Magic Kingdom takes place below the park itself. It’s built on top of a series of utility corridors or “utilidors” that house many of the operations that keep the park running smoothly.

The AVAC system — Automated Vacuum Assisted Collection System — was imported from Sweden. It’s basically a series of large tubes that hang from the ceiling of the utilidor. It moves trash around the park through pneumatic tubes at 60 miles per hour to a central collection point located behind Splash Mountain where it is processed, compressed or recycled. There are access points all over the park and the garbage is actually “sucked” into the tubes. The vacuum is created by two motors and exhausts and the tubes themselves are 20″ in diameter.

2 - AMOUNT OF WASTE - An average of more than 80,000 pounds of garbage run through the AVACS every day. And that’s just at the Magic Kingdom! According to a report from the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which oversees Disney World operations, more than 110,000 TONS of solid waste were discarded in 2017.

3 - GARBAGE TRUCKS - Who is taking care of all this trash? That falls on the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s 35 solid waste transfer vehicles. In 2017, these vehicles made an average of 191 pick-ups per day. Keep in mind these are full-size garbage trucks that would be full each pick-up. That’s a pick-up every 7.5 minutes on average!

4 - CUSTOM TRASH CANS - Walt Disney World trash cans have become such a crucial part of the Disney experience, that they even sell merchandise designed around them.

Walt himself wanted to make sure the park was clean and tidy. Typical trash cans at the time were simple round, open receptacles that led to foul odor and trash spilling out - far from clean and tidy.

Trash can inspired salt/pepper shakers!

Walt came up with a solution - the covered bin with a swinging lid. This would contain the trash out of sight, and control the smell. Disneyland was the first place to use these trash cans, but Walt never patented the idea because other manufacturers told him they were useless.

The trash cans are themed appropriately to the area of the park they are in. They are part of the decor and actually FUN to look at. This makes you more likely to walk up to a trash can and use it.

5 - PERFECT PLACEMENT - Besides the perfect designs for trash cans, Walt knew they had to be perfectly placed in order for people to use them. He decided to station a trash can every 30 feet.

There are a few different versions of the story of how Walt came up with this exact measurement. The first is that it’s how long it took him to finish his hot dog as he walked from the stand. When he was done, he needed a trash can to dispose of the wrapper. The second is that Walt and his team removed all of the trash cans on Main Street and then handed out candy and snacks to people as they entered the park. They then watched and counted how long people would carry the wrappers and paper before giving up and dropping them, and it was around 30 feet.

Who knew that trash could be so interesting?? Remember that I will plan and book your Disney trip for free and leave you with time on your hands to read about things like garbage!

Drop that Rope!!!

Every now and again, I mention “Rope Drop” to someone and I get a blank look back. I’ve gotten so used to the term that I assume everyone knows what I mean. If you’re one of the people looking at me like I’m crazy, please read on! (And even if you know what it means, keep reading. You might have some comments to add below!)

Rope Drop refers to the park opening. It’s when the “rope drops” and you’re allowed to enter the park.

Through the years, Rope Drop has looked different at the parks. Currently, Magic Kingdom is the only park that has a ceremony/show welcoming you to the park.

Guests are actually allowed to enter Magic Kingdom one hour before official park opening time. If the park is scheduled t open at 9:00 a.m., then Guests will be allowed to make their way in starting at 8:00 a.m. Guests are welcome to take a stroll along Main Street U.S.A., grab a cup of coffee at Main Street Bakery and make their way to Cinderella Castle to watch the morning welcome show. The shows starts about 5 minutes before park opening, so you can watch the show and make your way to the land you want to start in. The bridges to the individual lands are blocked off by Cast Members until the opening ceremony is officially over.

Animal Kingdom theme park is another park that does a nice early morning welcome.  The park typically starts letting guests in somewhere between 8 – 8:30 depending on the season and visitors are able to congregate in front of the Tree of Life on Discovery Island.  Just before the park officially opens at 9am, the many feathered friends that call Animal Kingdom home, will give Disney visitors a morning welcome.

At the other parks, it’s a rather unceremonial opening of the line by Cast Members and entry through the scanners. But hey, even without the ceremony, it’s exciting to be heading into any Disney park bright and early in the morning!!

Sometimes, the parks are opened anywhere from 15 - 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time, so it’s best to be at the park an hour before open if you’re driving and parking, and 30-45 minutes before the posted open if you’re using Disney transportation.

I know you’ll want to get to Frozen Ever After, Toy Story Land, Flight of Passage or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to avoid a long line, bu you won’t actually be allowed to take off running.  At Magic Kingdom, it’s become more of a graduated opening, with Cast Members leading the way into the Town Square, the Hub, and then allowing guests into the various lands from that point. They sometimes lead the way in other parks as well, just to make sure everyone stays safe and orderly. Once you’re allowed into all the parts of the park, you’re free to go to your favorite attraction. Just keep in mind that the attractions aren’t necessarily open right at Rope Drop, so even if you’re first in line, you may have to wait a few minutes to get on an attraction.

So, why would you start at Rope Drop? Being among the first in the parks has certain advantages. You can head straight to a popular attraction with little to no wait and save your FastPass selections for later in the day. You can hit several attractions before lines get long and start your fun before the day gets too warm. If you have little ones that take an afternoon nap, you can also get plenty of fun under your belt before naptime.

As crazy as it seems to me, some people prefer not to be at the parks for Rope Drop. I personally think Disney isn’t the type of vacation to get a lot of relaxing done. You’re paying a premium to be there and sleep ranks low on my list compared to anything at Disney. Just be sure you add and extra day off of work on your return to rest up!!

This is the kind of people-less pic you can get if you show up early!!!

Do make your family/friends aware of your plans, though. Springing an early morning on everyone after an exhausting day can make some a bit annoyed. And like I’ve said before, don’t be afraid to break up your group a bit. If you have a few peeps that just can’t stand the thought of getting up so early, let them sleep in! You can have your fun and catch up with them once they get in. Feel free to brag about your lack of crowds and lines, though! :)

Please contact me if you’re even remotely considering a trip to Disney or Universal. I have tons of tips to help you maximize your fun and minimize your frustrations!!

Five Fun Secrets of the Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion was one of the original rides at Magic Kingdom’s opening day on October 1, 1971. It’s the home of “999 happy haunts” - but of course there’s always room for one more!!

Poor Ryan thought he was going to become the 1000th resident ghost in the Haunted Mansion.

The Imagineers certainly had fun creating this attraction, and snuck in a few fun details. Watch for these on your next trip…

A Missing Engagement Ring

The Imagineers didn’t go overboard in telling the story of the Haunted Mansion - they left it fairly vague which adds to the mystery. The legend you’ll hear most often is of the engagement ring. Supposedly the attic bride threw it off of the balcony after murdering one of her husbands. The reality is that it was a scrap of metal left over from an old gate removal. At one point, the attraction received a refurbishment and the metal was removed. Guests were so furious that when the queue was redone in 2011, the Imagineers added a real engagement ring. Look for it as you weave through the entrance line – it’s in the part of the line where you’ve wrapped around and the “head” statues are on the other side of the fence. It’s tucked in between a wall and a nearby trash can. If you can’t find it just ask a Mansion Maid or Butler. They’re always DYING to help out guests.

Madame Leota’s Tombstone

If you get the feeling you’re being watched while in line, you just might be right. Right before you enter the building, look to the graveyard on your left. Watch Madame Leota’s tombstone for a moment and she might spring to life. And yep, this is the same Madame Leota from the seance room inside the Mansion!

A Haunted Game Piece

Look up to the rooftop of the Mansion. Notice anything? The cement ornaments on top are chess pieces! Marc Davis, an Imagineer that designed the Mansion was a fan of the game. While working on the attraction design, he often left chess pieces laying around the model and one night left them on top of the model. They must have liked the look of it since they made it onto the actual attraction! Be sure when you leave the attraction to ask the PhotoPass photographer for the “Magic Shot” with the hitchhiking ghost!!

Meet Your Host, Your Ghost Host

Most people love the chilling voice of the Ghost Host (and many will recite the stretch room speech by heart). But guess what? You can actually get a glimpse of the Ghost Host on the ride! His portrait hangs in the Mansion. Look for it after you pass the casket with the hand coming out of it as your doom buggy has turned backwards. It’s hanging on the right just before you swivel back around and see the grandfather clock.

Mr. Toad in the Graveyard

One of the attractions that people miss most from Disney World is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. I was lucky enough to get to go to Disneyland recently where the attraction still exists and rode it there. Not quite as terrifying as I remember it being when I first rode it at the age of 10, but still fun!! It was replaced at Disney World with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (there’s a nod to Mr. Toad in that ride also). The Haunted Mansion Imagineers included poor Mr. Toad in the special pet cemetery at the graveyard. Look to the left as you’re exiting the attraction (he’s at the far back left).

Do you have other attractions you’d love to know the secrets of? Or do you have secrets of your own to share? Put it in the comments!

And one thing to not keep secret - if you let me help you book and plan your Disney vacation, you’ll be getting my expert service FREE OF CHARGE!! Give me a call!

Winter Snow Storm Predicted to Hit Disney World This Week!

Wait, what?? Snow at Disney World? I might be a little confused - although it’s supposed to snow in Oklahoma tomorrow, none is predicted for Orlando. According to rumors, it’s only actually ever snowed at Disney World twice - once in the late 70s and once in the late 80s but not enough to stick either time.

So if you want snow, Orlando is probably not the best option for you. However, with the possibility of snow here, I’m dreaming of Disney World and the warmth of it all - along with a warm hug from Olaf!

Not everyone wants to be quite as toasty warm as I do, though. So if you’re one of the people looking to stay cool on a Disney World trip, here are a few tips for you.

First off - go during cooler weather!! October/November are beautiful and have fewer crowds. January, February and early March (avoiding Marathon weekends and Spring Break) also have fewer crowds but you’ll run into a bit more rain then. Still, that helps keep it cooler.

If you do happen to go in the hotter months, there are plenty of ways to cool off. When we were there a few years ago, they had a Frozen themed “snow” playground. It’s not there anymore but you never know when something like this will pop up!

Of course, there of tons of refreshing treats (DOLE WHIP, ANYONE??) to help you beat the heat. And don’t forget about Club Cool in Epcot where you can drink all you want of the complimentary sodas from around the world!

Look for water areas to help your kids cool off. There are misters scattered around and plenty of fountains to run through. And sometimes just the “feeling” of being cold is all you really need - it’s a frame of mind!

I love how almost all of the queues for attractions are indoors or in the shade. Stick to the rides that will keep you out of the sun. A great spot for this is in Norway at Epcot. Even in the summer, you feel like you are in the snowy mountains. Be sure to visit the Frozen Singalong at Hollywood Studios for an indoor snow storm! Or take a trip to visit the Yeti on Mt. Everest! I tend to black out on that ride but based on the shakes I get, I think it cools me off…

You may not always get perfect weather on your trip, but with some advanced planning we can make sure you have the best time possible. Please give me a call if you are thinking about a Disney (or Universal!) trip. I can’t wait to help you have a Magical time!!

Here's Why You Should Book a Disney Trip REAL SOON!!

I know I say this all of the time, but now is one of the absolute best times to book a trip to Disney World. In anticipation of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening in the fall, a lot of people are opting not to travel to Disney this summer. Makes sense if you are a die-hard Star Wars fan and think you may only make it to Disney once. Why would you go before it opens?

But if you are more into the other Disney characters and attractions, or think you might be able to go again in a couple of years, you should definitely take advantage of the crowds and deals for the summer.
Disney recently released some room specials and even free dining in some cases for the summer months which is unheard of. Typically that’s a peak time for Disney World travel and they don’t need to offer discounts. But with a lot of people putting off a trip until Star Wars opens, the crowds are expected to be down this summer.

Now don’t get me wrong - it’s still summer and there will be crowds but it will be much less than when Star Wars opens. And getting a discount always helps put up with a bit of a crowd, right?

The current specials run through September 30 and if you were able to travel in September, you’d have even smaller crowds.

And if you’re able to get a room with a discount, the price may be good enough that you could go before and after Star Wars opens! Maybe wait a couple of years for your repeat trip and the crowds should level off a bit.

You may not think you need multiple trips but honestly, EVERY SINGLE TIME we go to Disney, I find new wonderful things. One trip is never enough in my opinion. Plus, how else are you going to get adorable time-lapse pics of your family with Mickey if you don’t go visit him every now and again?? On a side note - why does Mickey never age like we do?! :)

Call me to get your trip planned and booked. For late summer and early fall trips, you’d still have time to take advantage of me getting your Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days in advance. And of course, 60 days for FastPasses.

Planes, Trains and Monorails... All about Disney World Transportation Options!

So you’ve never been to Disney World, or it’s been a few years. Besides the all-important details of where to stay and when (which of course I can help you decide!), you’ll likely be wondering how to get around. The size of Disney World is around 40 SQUARE MILES - basically the size of San Francisco or double the size of Manhattan!!

Odds are you’ll be taking many forms of transportation to get to all of the Magical spots you want to encounter. I’ve listed most of the different choices you’ll have here - but as things are always changing and you may have special needs not covered here, please call me and we can make sure these options work for you!!

The Monorail - This is one of the best options. Classic Disney and basically an attraction on its own. If you ever see T-shirts with the slogan, “Please stand clear of the doors / por favor mantentase alejado de las puertas” you can bet that’s a Disney monorail shirt. But not only is it fun, it’s practical. The monorail goes through 3 resorts - Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary. It also connects the Magic Kingdom to the Ticket and Transportation Center which then connects to Epcot. If you stay at a Monorail resort, you can use this for 2 of the 4 parks!

Boats - Who doesn’t love a short boat ride especially when the Magic Kingdom is looming ahead? For a nice, fresh air ride to the Magic, hop on a boat. Fort Wilderness Campground, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian boats will take you directly to Magic Kingdom. Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter both have boat service to Disney Springs as does Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club have boat service to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Buses - This may not be the most glamorous way to travel, but it gets you there without worrying about parking or finding your way and as with all of the other transportation listed here, it’s free! Buses are available from all resorts to the parks and Disney Springs. Just look for the big signs telling you which bus stall to head towards - super easy. And now you can see the bus arrival times in your My Disney Experience app so you could spend a few extra minutes soaking up Main Street instead of standing in the bus line! Just be aware that at times like closing, the lines could get long so get a move on if you are in a hurry to get to your resort.

Minnie Vans - This is the one service that is NOT free. It’s provided through the Lyft app. You’ll pay a bit but if you have dinner reservations that you don’t think you’ll make or a FastPass to Flight of Passage that you’re about to miss, it might be worth it. The service is door-to-door so people with limited mobility might think about this. Although the buses/monorail/boats are all accessible, it can be nerve-wracking to try to drive a scooter onto those with a crowd watching. Minnie Vans are personal transportation.

Skyliner - Not yet open but should be amazing when it does! Once operating, the gondola system will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and a new Vacation Club property, Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Walking - I know, you’re well aware that you can walk from place to place! But keep in mind that you can only walk to the Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary. And you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios from Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club. More walking may not work for everyone but I love to stroll through Disney World and prefer this whenever I can!

Let’s get you a trip booked to Disney World - give me a call!!! Don’t forget - just like the Disney provided transportation, my services are FREE!!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - A Review!!

If you’ve been to Disney World or have ever seen someone’s vacation photos from their trip, you’ve probably noticed how some of the little girls look just like their favorite Princesses!! They receive this Magical transformation at an awesome place called Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

As you well know, I have 3 boys so I’ve never had the chance to check out the Boutique. They also have a Knight makeover but I think my boys were afraid they’d actually have to talk to a princess so they never wanted to do it.

Not having been, I’m relying on others’ information here but trust me when I say I have reliable sources!!

Here are the details…

Share the fun as your little one enjoys a resplendently royal head-to-toe transformation. With the wave of a magic wand—plus a few hands-on tricks of the trade—our Fairy Godmothers-in-Training will pamper and primp your child until they’re storybook stunning: ready to dance at the ball or gallop off on epic adventures. It’s all in a day’s work at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, owned by Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother and operated by her skilled apprentices.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers head-to-toe pampering packages that include imperial hairstyling, makeup, manicures, costumes and accessories suitable for even the most castle-worthy occasion.

First, select the hairstyle of your choice:

• Fairytale Princess

• Disney Diva

• Color Star

Then select your package:

The Crown Package (starting at $64.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

The Courtyard Package (starting at $109.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique T-shirt

• Trendy tutu

The Castle Package (starting at $199.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess necklace, sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

• Disney Princess gown of your choice (shoes not included)

• Additional coordinating accessories

The Deluxe Castle Package (starting at $229.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess necklace, sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

• Deluxe Disney Princess gown of your choice (shoes not included) - Select from a limited number of Disney Princesses

• Coordinating boxed accessory set

The Princess Signature Dress Collection (starting at $450.00 plus tax)

• Disney Princess gown made with heirloom-quality fabrics and intricate design details that tell the story of the princess

• High-quality crystal tiara with box

• Organza garment bag and satin hanger

• Hairstyling

• Shimmering make-up and face gem

• Princess sash and cinch sack

• Nail polish

The Knight Package ($19.95 plus tax)

• Hairstyling with gel

• Mighty sword and shield

• Confetti

The Deluxe Knight Package ($79.95 plus tax)

• Prince Costume

• Hairstyling with gel

• Mighty sword and shield

• Confetti

Please note: all prices are subject to change without notice and were current at the time of this blog post (Jan 2019).

All Disney PhotoPass photos taken at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are included with the purchase of Memory Maker which is another reason to get the Memory Maker!!

Some tips… makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique are very popular. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance and are highly recommended. To book your appointment with a Fairy Godmother-in-training, just let me know before your 180 day mark. I’d be happy to get your appointment as soon as phone lines open at 6am!

• A $10 cancellation fee will be applied to credit cards for all no-shows or if a reservation is canceled within 24 hours of scheduled time - so please let me know if your plans change.

• To participate, Guests must be between 3 and 12 years of age and be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age or older). I WISH IT WERE OLDER!! But if you are interested and you’re not in this age range, let me know. There are other options - not as fun as getting pampered in the castle but the result will be the same!

• Transformations will take 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the package selected.

• Costume choices may include Anna, Elsa, Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Cinderella, Tinker Bell, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Merida.

• Costume selection and sizing may vary and certain accessories are sold separately.

Have you been to the BBB (as the cool kids call it)? I’d love to see your pictures!!! And as always, it’s my pleasure to book your appointments for you when you book with me. And my services are free!!

19 Reasons to Visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2019!

Hey Howdy Hey kids!  It’s time to start planning your 2019 Walt Disney World Resort vacation!  There will be more to see, do, taste and experience next year than ever before.  Whatever you love about Disney, there’s a big dose of pixie dust waiting for you at all four parks. 

Love Mickey and Minnie Mouse? Want to get wild with “The Lion King”? Feel like playing with your Pixar pals? Or maybe live music is your thing? All this and more will be waiting for you next year. Here’s a glance at 19 new and limited-time experiences to look forward to in 2019 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Starting Jan. 18…

1. In honor of the true originals, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration will bring new music, dancing and all sorts of other fun to Magic Kingdom Park. 

2. For starters, the new “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party” at Magic Kingdom Park will invite you to dance with Mickey, Minnie and their pals in front of Cinderella Castle. Shake it along with live singers belting out new arrangements of classic “Mickey Mouse Club” songs. 

3. The Dapper Dans and other entertainers on Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park will sing songs in honor of Mickey and Minnie. 

4. Look for special Mickey- and Minnie-themed merchandise and food at Magic Kingdom Park to make this party complete.

5. And this is a Surprise Celebration, after all, so you can expect more Limited-Time Magic entertainment and other experiences to pop up periodically around Magic Kingdom Park. 

6. The Incredibles are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as Pixar Place will transform into a Municiberg city block.

7. At the end of the block, a party will be held in honor of Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone to celebrate their Super deeds. 

8. Meet the one and only Edna Mode – the greatest super suit designer! She will set up a special location on Pixar Place showcasing some of her best creations (no capes!). 

9. Also on Pixar Place, look for clues to the whereabouts of the youngest Incredible, the mischievous and multi-powered Jack-Jack.

10. Elsewhere at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a door to the monster world will open inside Walt Disney Presents, where you’ll have a chance to meet Mike and Sulley from Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.

11. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom along with Timon and Rafiki in the “Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party” on Discovery Island. Let your inner animal roam free on the dance floor in this raucous party! 

12. Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, have fun posing in front of special three-dimensional photo opportunities re-creating scenes from the animated classic. 

13. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is back! This year’s special event takes place Jan. 18 – Feb.25, allowing you to indulge in world-class culinary, visual and performing arts. 

14. The Disney on Broadway Concert Series is expanding to seven days a week during the Festival of the Arts, so you’ll have even more opportunities to experience some Disney musical magic live on stage. 

And later in the year…

15. Welcome spring’s arrival with the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, returning March 6 – June 3 with its wide selection of delectable bites at outdoor kitchens and dozens of Disney-themed topiaries blooming around the park.

16. Even better, this year’s Garden Rocks Concert Series expands, as well, to seven days a week during the Flower & Garden Festival, which means a total of 270 concerts over the course of the 90-day event. 

17. Ka-Chow! Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy rolls into Disney’s Hollywood Studios in spring 2019. In this new show experience, you’ll come face to face with Lightning and learn from his years of experience on the track.

18. Outside the Racing Academy, you’ll get to meet Lightning McQueen’s speedy pal, Cruz Ramirez. 

And finally…

19. If you haven’t visited Walt Disney World Resort recently, then there’s even more for you to explore and experience. Become an honorary toy at Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, travel to the bioluminescent planet of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or wish a fond farewell to “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” – the nighttime spectacular at Epcot – before its conclusion scheduled for the second half of 2019. Start Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is also set to open late in 2019!

Whew…that’s a lot! Now, more than ever you’ll want to be here for it all. Don’t wait to book your vacation – give me a call/text/email to get started! 

www.TripsByMouse.com

405.204.8301

lisa@MadHatterTravel.com

Thanks to the Disney Parks Blog at https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/ for the information for today’s blog post!!

How to Get that High Score

Want to get the high score on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin ride at Disney? Read on for a couple of tips that will help!!

First, hold the button down on your laser shooter the ENTIRE time. It’s easier on your hand and it will shoot as fast as possible that way. You aren’t penalized for missed shots - in fact you earn points for shooting at all so just keep that button pressed!

As you are leaving a room, start lining up your shots (and shooting) into the next room. Some shots are hard to make right in front of the target as your gun doesn’t always move up or down enough. From a distance you can hit those targets with less of an angle.

As soon as you see the giant orange robot, aim for his hand!! This is a high scoring target worth 100,000 points.

The other 100,000 point target is below Zurg. This is one where you need to be aiming for it as you enter the room. If you wait until you are directly in front of Zurg, your laser shooter won't aim down far enough to hit the target.

The total points possible in the ride is 999,999 and it’s not that hard to get! Just hit those high value targets a few times and you’re there. Then you can brag to your family that you are a Galactic Hero!

Bragging rights are fun but I rarely remember the score I had - if you hit the high score, take a pic quickly before the ride ends for proof!!

And don’t forget that the ride has an in-ride photo spot - pay attention and you can come home with some great pictures along with your great memories (you did the Memory Maker, didn’t you?).

Considering a trip to Disney? Please give me a call! I love to help families plan their trip and as long as you book through me, my services are FREE! You won’t pay a penny more than if you booked your trip yourself. That’s even better than a high score!!