Baby Sinclair, Pregnant Polar Bears and More on this Holiday Theme Park Round-up

Published December 3, 2013 by Disneyways.com

The Orlando Water Hole podcast is a local favorite. You can always count on the podcast’s wonderful host, Ben, to keep you up to date on what’s going on here in the town where Mickey Mouse lives. I was super excited to be included along with Maureen from AutismAtTheParks.com and Kellie from SeaWorldMommy.com to come on to the show and talk about holiday highlights at all of your favorite Orlando theme parks. It was such an honor to be included in this esteemed panel!

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Ben was a terrific host, as always and he kept the show at right around 30 minutes. As a podcaster this is no easy task, especially with 4 guests on the show at once! I hope you’ll tune in and find the show helpful if you are a local or a tourist who wants to come spend some time in the parks this holiday season! You can catch the show by clicking HERE.

Highlights include:

Who is selling Hot Toddies… Mmmmm
Where you can find a giant hippo as a holiday icon!
New enhancements to classic Disney attractions.
The connection beagles have to polar bears.
Where in Orlando you can find Baby Sinclair.
Where you can hear the festive sounds of Mannheim Steamroller live!
Favorite holiday events outside the theme parks!

Tips to Help Make Your Trip to Disney More Relaxing

Published August 21, 2013 by Disneyways.com

5 Tips to Help Make Your Trip to Disney More Relaxing

Are you ready to plan a trip to Disney with a big group or maybe just with your small family? Are you worried about keeping it all together so you don’t need a vacation after your vacation? Whether it’s your 1st or 100th trip, everyone can use some tips to help make this magical journey a little more relaxing. Here are some quick tips that I hope will help you keep calm – and Disney ON!

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Use a Travel Agent!

You will want to find one that specializes in Disney vacations and pricing structures. Just let us know if you need a referral. Sometimes travel agents even run specials where you get free Disney gift cards or other fun bonuses. Even the most experienced Disney vacationer will love saving extra time waiting on hold to book the various aspects of a Disney trip. It is not uncommon for an agent to stay vigil on your behalf to help save you money too. If Disney drops a price, a travel agent can automatically cancel your original itinerary and re-book it at the lower price. They can help you with dining reservations to maximize your Disney Dining plan, help you plan the best time of year to go based on your family’s needs – and even reserve a stroller for your kids. Again, it doesn’t cost a penny more than doing it on your own. In fact, it saves you money… a lot of time…and will help maximize your relaxation factor.

Prioritize & Plan!

I have lived here in Orlando my whole life and STILL have not seen and done everything the parks have to offer. There is no way you will be able to cover everything in one trip. It’s just not humanly possible, so don’t beat yourself up over it. Now you just have a reason to keep coming back to do more. Communicate with the folks in your party to find out what top priorities are, and plan to cover as many of those as you can. Use this list to help you pack. Take advantage of extra magic hours, (more on that later.) I also HIGHLY recommend using Theme Park Concierges to help you with your family’s ideal touring plan with less walking, gathering your fastpasses, and arranging all the extra magical experiences you could not possibly think of ahead of time on your own. Plus you will have so much more time to slow down, take deep breaths and enjoy more atmosphere, sights and smells of the Happiest Place on Earth.

Rent A Stroller!

Even if your child doesn’t use a stroller at home, get one. It gives them a place to rest and lets you move faster through the parks to beat the crowds. Also, it’s a handy place to stash your bags, extra water bottles, snacks and other fun things you may accumulate while making all those magical Disney memories. Check out our tips on making your stroller stand out from the rest so you can find it easily after each attraction. These tips help make using a stroller a breeze.

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Book Sit-Down Meals!

Book one or even 2 reservations each day for a table-service meal so you can rest your feet and eat a good balanced meal in air-conditioned bliss. Here’s a Disney secret: book your dining at odd times. You are even MORE likely to get in to your favorite places AND enjoy relaxing service if you book late breakfasts or early dinners. If it’s not in the budget – counter service restaurants are more relaxing if you avoid the 11am – 2pm rush. One person from your party should go find a clean table,and get condiments and napkins while the others are in line to order the food. It’s more relaxing to team up in these locations.

Take a Break!

During your trip, take a retreat to the hotel in the afternoons for a quick nap and some fun time in the pool. Many times the kids enjoy the pool about as much as they enjoy the parks – especially if you are staying at a Disney resort – because the distance is shorter – and the pool will be extra fabulous. Another bonus of doing this is you can maximize Extra Magic Hours! These are the hours the parks are only open to guests staying at Disney resorts. Lower crowds and shorter lines…talk about relaxing – wow! What a difference those Extra Magic Hours can make! Your travel agent can tell you dates, parks and times for extra magic hours during your stay. If you take a break in the afternoons the kids (and you!) won’t be as tired if you decide to get up early or stay up late to take advantage of that extra park time.

Take advantage of these 5 simple tips to help keep you relaxed and having fun on your Disney trip. Most of all, try not to stress to much, this is going to be fun no matter what. You are on vacation after all!

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Specially Priced Theme Park Military Tickets Through Early Fall 2013

Published August 20, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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Walt Disney World Resort is saluting U.S. military personnel by offering Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for just $156 each, plus tax. The Park Hopper Option is included, so you can come and go as you please through all 4 theme parks each day of your ticket!

Purchase through September 25, 2013 and receive admission on any 4 days through September 28, 2013.

And if you’re looking for a little extra magic, add the Water Park Fun & More option for just $28 more, plus tax.

Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets by Eligible Service Members (defined below) or their spouses, for use by themselves and other family members and friends, as provided herein. These tickets may not be otherwise transferred, distributed or resold.
“Eligible Service Members” are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The actual prices charged at the individual U.S. military base ticket offices for Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be less than the prices set forth above.
Participating military sales outlets must require that Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) present valid military identification to purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets.
Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort are not valid until activated by the Eligible Services Members (or their spouses) at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows. Tickets and options expire and may not be used after Sept. 28, 2013. Valid military identification will be required for purchase and use.
No more than six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased and (if applicable) activated by any Eligible Service Member or spouse (regardless of the place of purchase and whether purchased by that person or that person’s spouse). In addition, one of the six (6) Tickets purchased must be used by the Eligible Service Member or his/her spouse.
Each Disney Military Promotional Ticket must be used by the same person on any and all days.
Tickets must be used by September 28, 2013.

Information and offers subject to change – check out disneymilitaryoffers.com for more details and the latest information! For Dapper Day discount ticket information -click here.

Epcot 30 Fireworks “Tag”

Published October 2, 2012 by Disneyways.com

October 1, 2012 we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the opening day at Epcot! It was HOT, humid, and somewhat crowded but I am chalking it up to one of my favorite Disney days in history.

The IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks show at Epcot at Walt Disney World. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Please enjoy this video that my wonderful, tall husband took of the special Epcot 30 Illuminations “tag”. Illuminations is always awesome but the tag really added something amazing, and to me, the show was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I almost cried about 5 times while watching it.

Feel free to play it over and over just to enjoy the sounds while you work. That’s what I have been doing.

One other thing…there was soot literally raining down after the show from the multiple pyrotechnics! INCREDIBLE!

Food and Wine Booking Dates Announced!

Published May 23, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Disney has just released booking dates for the 2012 EPCOT International Food & Wine Events. Food and Wine will take place September 28, 2012–November 11, 2012. The date to call and book your events is August 10th at 7:00AM (eastern) for Annual and Seasonal Pass Holders, DVC Members, Tables in Wonderland Members and Golden Oak Residents. On August 14th at 7:00AM (eastern) all festival programming will open for booking for everyone. We will get additional information on all of the event celebrity guests and cooking demonstrations in the near future! You may want to subscribe to Disneyways by typing in your email address on the right hand side of this page – so you can be one of the first to know!