Adults Only Trips to Disney

If you read my blog post last week (if you didn't, don't tell me!), then you know that I just returned from a solo Disney World trip.  I came back from that trip with several thoughts for those of you that might be considering a Magical vacation but think you'll go somewhere else because you aren't planning to take any kids with you.

First of all, without kids you are free.  I missed my family the entire time, but I was free to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.  One night I didn't even stop for dinner until well past 10:30pm.  If kids were there, we would have had a massive meltdown well before that time.  And my dinner one night was pretty much just what I bought at Goofy's Candy Co.  My kids would have loved it for sure, but I wouldn't have wanted to hang with them after that!

Spontaneity is much easier.  I was headed for the Haunted Mansion when I saw that it had been temporarily closed.  Checking the MyDisneyExperience app, I saw that Buzz Lightyear had a 10 minute wait.  I instantly changed my plans and took off at a very brisk walk for Buzz, enjoyed that and then back to Haunted Mansion.  I wouldn't have asked my kids to walk that much for one ride.  And I would have been frustrated at their lack of speed in doing so if they'd agreed!

I sat and watched every parade and fireworks show without anyone telling me they were bored or wanted to move on.  I visited every Princess and character meet and greet that I wanted without the boys teasing me for wanting to hug Cinderella.

The most hilarious moment was when I witnessed a young boy throw a spectacular fit outside of the Lego store in Disney Springs because he didn't get what he wanted.  By the end of it, his shoes and hat were in 3 different locations spread out among the crowd.  I tell you that kid deserved an Oscar.  I partially felt sorry for the parents and partially laughed my head off that it wasn't my kid.  Luckily they never did that (in public anyway) but it felt pretty good to know that wasn't happening to me.

There are tons and tons of amazing restaurants and bars at Disney that cater to the adult crowd.  I'm not much of a foodie, but if you are, then you're in for a treat at these places.  They will accommodate children of course, but are wonderful for adults.

You're also free to come and go as you please.  I tend to make my family go from open to close at the parks, but if you're looking for a bit more relaxation, you can go at a slower pace.  There are 2 amazing golf courses at Disney World and several spas to indulge in. 

Most resorts have a "quiet pool."  They aren't adults only, but with the appeal of the other resort pool which usually has slides, there are rarely children in the quiet pool.

To be honest, I would prefer taking my kids with me just because I love seeing Disney and all of the Magic through their eyes.  But trust me when I say you can have a perfectly Magical trip as grown ups.

If you're curious about all Disney has to offer for an adults only trip, please give me a call!  I would love to help you plan the perfect getaway!

 

That Time I Went to Disney World by MYSELF

So last week, I did something I would've never believed I'd do...  I went to Disney World alone.  Without my family.  All by Myself!  

Here are some pictures to prove it:

 

You may be wondering how I could be so cruel as to go there without my kids.  I thought the same thing before I went.  But it's not like I just yelled, "See ya suckers!" and took off for my Happy Place.  I went for training and really, truly, had no choice in the matter.  :)

I was offered a chance to go to Disney's Agent Education Program.  Of course since it's a training program for agents, families weren't allowed.  I really did agonize over the decision and went back and forth for a bit, but let me tell you - I'm so glad I went!  

Although I already felt like I was an expert at Disney World, there were tons of things I learned to help you make your trip even better.  We toured many of the resorts I hadn't been to and even were lucky enough to take a tour of Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream.  

In the next few weeks, I will post specifics about what I learned, what's new and exciting at Disney World and even more tips and tricks that I learned from Disney Cast Members and the 40 other agents in attendance.  

I can honestly say I've NEVER come back from a work conference or training feeling pumped about my job - until now.  A Magical time was had for sure!

Hats Galore!

The best vacations are ones that you want to relive over and over in your memories and of course, pictures are a great way to do that.

I've made several photo books and even movies including all of our pictures and videos from our trips.  Don't worry, I won't make you watch them - but you can if you want!  :)

We like to do similar pictures on each trip and it's fun to see what changes and what stays the same.  On Disney trips, we've always had fun trying on silly hats.  And at Disney, there are LOTS of gift shops with LOTS of hats so we've tried on a bunch.  Scroll through these pics to see some of the many hats we've worn:

When you travel to Disney, be sure to take advantage of the Disney professional photographers, but take your own camera also.  Most of my favorite pics are quick shots that just happened to be in the perfect setting, light or circumstance.  

Stay tuned and soon I'll do a blog post on tips and tricks for using Memory Maker (Disney's photo service) and your own camera.  Call me today to book a trip and get started snapping your own pics! 

Should You Take Your Grandkids to Disney?

Of course!  You surely knew I was going to suggest that's exactly what you do.  Unless you're my childrens' grandparents.  If you take them without me, I won't survive.  But I'd be open to tagging along with you on the trip!  :)

One of my favorite memories of childhood is when my grandparents took my sisters and my cousin to California to Disneyland when I was around 10 years old.  I can still hear my Memaw squealing and can see her smiling on the Matterhorn.  Before that trip, I would've never believed she would get on a roller coaster, much less have that much fun.  

Here are some pics of that trip - wish I had more of them!

Here are some tips to help you if you decide to take your grandkids on a Magical vacation!

Plan Ahead!!  This is important in any vacation with kids, but with Disney, you can plan almost everything ahead of time.  Spontaneity is fun, but if you are a little older and a little less mobile, you want to minimize standing in line or backtracking all over the park because you didn't realize someone's favorite ride was half a mile the other way.  

Even with careful planning, I've walked over 13 miles in one day at Disney.  If this seems like an impossible task, consider renting a motorized scooter.  There are tons of them being used all over the parks and Disney is very helpful to guests using them.  Just keep in mind that they don't move very quickly so you'll need to come up with a plan to keep excited little ones with you if it's crowded.  Make them have a hand on the scooter at all times or some other rule to keep them with you.  I always recommend putting your information on a tag on their shoes that they can show to guest services if they get lost!

Have dinner or lunch at the Prime Time Cafe if you are at Disney World.  It's a restaurant stuck in the 1950's and it's just like eating at Grandma's house.  Would be fun to take your grandkids there and reminisce about the "good old days!"

Don't try to cram too much into a few days.  Consider adding a day or two that are "non-park" days where you can hang out at the pool, see some of the surrounding area or do some shopping.  I personally want to spend all of my time in the parks from open to close but I've been told (by my own family) that doing that can be exhausting.  I don't believe it, but to each his own!

If you take your grandkids and their parents, you can take turns with the kids.  Nice way to spend time with everyone but you could trade off one or two days of the trip and have some time alone and let the parents have an evening to themselves.  And a cost saver  - when you travel in a group and purchase the Memory Maker (photos) at Disney World, you can buy just one Memory Maker and everyone in the group can use it to print and download photos - you don't need one for each person. 

Please give me call or email me if you want more information about planning this type of trip.  I can really help with the pre-planning and make sure you get the most out of your vacation!

Christmas is an Especially Magical Time at Disney

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.  I promise you though, it's even more Magical at Disney!  From the over-the-top decorations and lights to the most mouth-watering treats you've ever had, Disney doesn't disappoint if you're looking for a perfect way to celebrate the season.

The crowds can be crazy the closer you get to Christmas Day (do NOT go on Christmas Day unless you love wall-to-wall people!), but if you go the first couple of weeks of December, it's amazing.  Crowds are low and the weather is pretty close to perfect.  

Magic Kingdom at Disney World has a Christmas party that is an extra ticketed event and I hear that it's great but I've always been too cheap to pay for an additional ticket over the cost of normal admission.  But if you end up in the back of the park at closing time, they can't really kick you out. Ryan and I very slowly made our way out the night of the party and got to see great entertainment, amazing lights and it even snowed on Main Street.  You can't ride any attractions or shop in the stores but you can soak in as much atmosphere as possible without any extra cost!

We had a wonderful and completely Magical trip when we visited over Christmas.  Besides the free ambience, we had a great visit with Santa.  And now, he's over at Disney Springs and they'll text you when it's your turn to visit.  You can check in and go eat dinner instead of standing in line.

Visiting the World Showcase at Epcot is really great because they have authentic Christmas decorations and traditions for each of the countries.  I try not to make vacations educational, but I think we all learned something about Christmas around the world!

Be sure and check out the resorts - they are all decorated in unique ways.  The life-sized gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian is definitely worth seeing!

And save some of your souvenir money for special Christmas items.  My light necklace is one of my favorite possessions and lets me relive our trip each year while I wear it and embarrass my kids!

Celebrating Christmas isn't just for Disney World, of course.  I haven't personally visited any other Disney Destinations during the Holidays but I guarantee they are just as wonderful!  Sleeping Beauty Castle is transformed at Disneyland and even The Haunted Mansion gets in the spirit.  

Let me know how I can help you plan and book your Disney Vacation!!!

 

 

 

 

How to AVOID Spending Your Life Savings on Your Trip

The first option sounds crazy but you can do it!  Drive to Disney rather than fly.  I know this sounds nuts if you're not close to a Disney Destination, but we live in Oklahoma - which is SADLY nowhere near Disney - and we survived the road trip.  You may get sick of being in the car together but there are lots of memories to be made along the way!  Here are a few pics from our road trip.  Whatever your path to Disney, there are sure to be some sights to see.

Besides saving money on the travel portion, you'll have your vehicle with you.  This saves you on taxis or shuttles if you're planning to head over to Universal for a day.  You'll also have everything you need with you.  I tend to overpack, but I hate buying something on vacation that I already own just because I couldn't fit it in my luggage.  If you're in your own car, you can take tons more than on a flight.

It's not for everyone and as my kids get older and need less equipment, I have to admit that flying is preferable (especially now that Andrew is okay with flying - if you missed that video, click here!).  But if saving money is a priority, the travel portion of a trip to Disney is a huge cost that can be cut.

The second place to save money is on your food bill.  If you eat out each and every meal, you're going to come home with a huge bill.  First, try to find a time when Disney is offering free dining.  I will always post on my website when that deal comes out!  

If you're going at a time free dining isn't offered, you can still save big bucks.  We order breakfast items, snacks and drinks from gardengrocer.com and have it all delivered to our room on the day of our arrival.  Disney will hold your cold items in cold storage so order anything you'd like - it will be kept until you check in.  Except for the one morning of our trip that we head to the best breakfast in the world at Tusker House Restaurant, we eat in our room before heading out.  For a family of 5, that's a big savings.  

We also take water bottles into the park along with flavor packets.  You can always go to Quick-Service food locations for free cups of water if you don't want to carry your own.  But you'll most likely have to wait in line and I like having a bottle that I can drink from whenever I want, seal back up and hop on a ride.  I also take granola bars and easy snacks with us.  Don't get me wrong, I have to have my Dole Whip and Mickey ice cream bars but can get away with only buying one snack a day.  You'll walk a lot and get pretty hungry.  Hungy = grumpy in our family so snacks really help.  Having some in our bag saves money, time and sanity!

If your family eats several big meals a day and you don't want to have to carry your own food around, do look into the dining plans.  It sometimes works out a bit cheaper than buying meals individually.  And it's always nice to have pre-paid for your food and not be facing a large bill after you're home.  Please let me know if you want more info about the dining plans and I'll help you decide if it's right for your trip!

I'm not suggesting you lie, but if you're celebrating ANY occasion near your trip, let me know.  In the pics above, I had mentioned it was my birthday when making dining reservations and each restaurant made a big deal of it, with confetti, cards and FREE dessert.  Free is good.

The third cost savings tip is to buy souvenirs before leaving home.  I know it doesn't sound as fun as purchasing authentic Disney Parks items, but trust me, it's a whole lot cheaper.  Dollar Tree and Target have a lot of Disney items that are super cheap.  Be sneaky and buy them without your kids.  Hide them in your luggage and each morning before heading out to the parks, give them one of the gifts.  

Another way we kept our kids from begging for EVERYTHING in every gift shop (there are hundreds), was to give them each their own Disney gift card before travel.  You can put just a few dollars or as much as you want on the card, but the point is that there's a set limit.  Once the money is gone, it's gone.  My kids knew the amount before we left and were amazingly careful with how they spent the money.  There wasn't a single meltdown over wanting something they couldn't have.  It can even be a great incentive pre-trip - offer to add money to the card based on behavior.  They can also add their own money to it if they're savers like I hear some kids can be!  :)

Get your Disney shirts, hats, and autograph books before you go.  I even made shirts for Luke and I on our last trip and it was fun to have Cast Members point them out.  There are a few things you just can't get anywhere else, so save a little in the budget for those fun items (specifically for me - Mickey shaped licorice from Goofy Candy Company!). 

There are so many ways to save so don't let the cost be a deterrent from checking into a trip.  It can be as affordable or once-in-a-lifetime as you want.  Please request a quote today to find out!

 

 

 

How to Travel to Disney with Babies or Young Kids

It's no secret that babies can make the worst travelers.  But I'm here to tell you that we successfully took Luke to Disney World when he was 9 months old.  Going into the trip, I would have said that just surviving it would be a success but it was so much easier than I expected.  And I'm shocked when I think back on it, because not only did we take this trip with a baby, we had 2 preschoolers also.  Surely you didn't think I left Ryan and Andrew home!

To make the trip even more exciting, we decided to drive.  And we don't live anywhere near Florida.  We began our trip in Oklahoma.  Disney World is over 1200 miles from here - if you drove straight through, it would take around 19 hours.  

We're not that crazy though.  We did stop overnight in Memphis and Atlanta.  

So before you say you'd be crazy to take little kids to Disney, it can be done and it can be an amazing time with some of the best memories of your life!  

Tips from past trips with little ones:

Vacation_20080520 012.jpg

There are a lot of excellent places to rest and nurse or give a bottle.  There are nursing stations at each park.  I found that the People Mover at Magic Kingdom is one of the best places to relax out of the sun and give a bottle.

Take a small flashlight for young kids to use in the evenings if they are afraid of the dark.  My kids wore a small one around their necks on a lanyard.

Make use of the playground areas for crawlers.  Sitting in a stroller or being held all day leads to a lot of pent-up energy!

Order diapers and groceries you may need ahead of time from GardenGrocer.com.  They will deliver it to your resort and have it waiting for you when you arrive.  You can even order refrigerated items and the resorts will hold those items in cold storage for you.

 

 

If you have kids that are bothered by loud noises, consider taking headphones or some sort of noise canceling item.  Andrew was not a fan of a lot of the fireworks shows and parades due to noise.

Order tags ahead of time that you can attach to kids' shoes with your contact info in case they get lost.  

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!  And hats!  If you go in the summer, you're going to be hot and a hot baby is an unhappy baby for sure.

Take advantage of the free water cups offered at Quick-Service locations.  I always pack a backpack of water bottles and flavor packets and that helps reduce the amount of drinks you have to buy.  Since you can reseal and place back in backpack, you can always hydrate while waiting in line for a ride.

 

 

Vacation_20080520 066.jpg

Strollers are a must with small kids.  A few things will make it easier:  1) Mark your stroller in some way to distinguish it from others and be easily spotted.  Cast members move them out of the way often and it's not always where you left it.  2) Take a poncho or something to keep it dry in a rain storm.  3) Take your own stroller instead of a rental.  The rentals don't lay flat and you want to be able to let baby nap in it while you shop or stop for a meal.  4) Make sure it folds up.  You can take the open stroller on the monorail but the buses between parks and resorts require them to be folded.  

There are only a handful of rides that small children aren't allowed to ride so plan on taking them on all that you can.  

Take advantage of the baby care centers in the parks.  In a pinch, you can purchase diapers, wipes and formula.  It's at a premium price though so pack as much as you can to take in with you.  I always carry a large backpack with food and drinks with a small ice pack - Disney allows you to bring all of that in.

 

Take plenty of pictures - one thing is true about a baby at Disney - they won't remember it.  But trust me when I say that as parents, you will never forget the first time your baby smiles at Mickey Mouse!