Walt Disney World Resort

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Top Five Activities for Tweens and Teens at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party ~ By Guest Author Karyn Locke

Published August 23, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Top Five Activities for Tweens and Teens at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

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Halloween parties are a snap when you’ve got wee ones. Dress them up in a costume and hand them a bag for their treats and they’re all set. So, what if you’ve got a tween or teenager that has maybe outgrown the Halloween costume or trick-or-treating fun? Can they still have a blast at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World? You betcha! Here’s a list of the top five activities for tweens and teens at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

5. Embrace the Lines and People Watch

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Let’s face it: There will always be some sort of line when you visit Walt Disney World (unless you visit on a really rainy day and magically manage to get a photo of Aloha Isle with no line. But that’s another story.) So what can your tween or teen do while their younger siblings are queued up in a goodie line or a character meet and greet? People Watch! My tween daughter loves checking out other visitor’s costumes and has even made a few new Disney friends while waiting in line at the party. Visitors from all over the world love going to Disney at Halloween and The Kid adores pointing out their elaborate costumes. She’s even come up with ideas for next year’s costume while people watching. Or you and your tween or teen can have a seat on Main Street and watch the party crowd stroll toward Cinderella Castle. After a full day in the park plus and a long night ahead of us, it’s a blast to just sit and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the most magical place on earth!

4. Let Them Eat Cake! Or Cupcakes! Or Popcorn! Or a Mickey Premium!

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I’m sure you all know that tweens and teens are insatiable when it comes to food; I know I hear, “Mom, what’s in the fridge to eat?” at least a dozen times a day. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has so many tasty options from table service to counter service to snack carts no fewer than a 60-second walk away from each other that it’s easy to give them what they want- fun food! The Kid loves the fun Halloween-themed goodies in Magic Kingdom and I find it easy to splurge when it comes to caloric intake at Disney. I mean, Disney sprinkles pixie dust on all of their food and makes them calorie-free, right? Wishful thinking.

3. Hallowishes Fireworks Display

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Tweens and teens may try to act more mature, but one glance at yours when they’re watching Hallowishes (or if you’re a stickler for details its official title is Happy HalloWishes: A Grim Grinning Ghosts Spooktacular in the Sky) and you may just see that tiny tot from years ago in their eyes. There’s plenty of viewing spots, our favorite being right in front of Cinderella Castle. Although, we have watched them from Astro Orbiter and they were pretty amazing, too.

2. Mickey’s Boo to You (and You, and You, and You) Parade

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One of The Kid’s top requests when we visit the Magic Kingdom at Halloween is to watch Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade. Yes, we all end up singing the VERY catchy tune for hours and even days afterwards and The Kid loves to somehow manage to start singing it at the very moment I’ve forgotten about it, but the parade is a blast! She loves seeing Disney characters in their Halloween costumes dancing and singing, especially the villains. It’s always a joy for me to watch her stick her hand out at the very end of the parade for a lollipop from the cast members with Goofy’s Candy Company. While you’re waiting for the parade to begin, take advantage of Disney cast members that love to take photos and encourage your tween or teen to act silly while having their photo taken. It always works for us.

1. Magic Kingdom Rides and Meet and Greets with No Line

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This has always been on the top of The Kid’s list. Most families are taking their kids around to meet and greets or queueing up to add to their candy haul, but we find the best time to ride the popular rides at Magic Kingdom is during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! We head for the Mountains and generally walk right on and then hit Haunted Mansion at least a half-dozen times. The HM cast members go all out for the party as well, and she adores how they look “antiqued”. If you’ve got older teens that like to head off on their own and you are comfortable with it, they’ll have the time of their lives riding the popular MK rides without much of a wait. As for Disney character meet and greets, the bulk of the partygoers will be getting autographs from The Seven Dwarfs and Jack Skellington and Sally, so feel free to head for daily meet and greets that you didn’t want to wait in line for during the day. We were able to walk right up to Merida from Brave, get a few pics, and were headed back to the party in under 10 minutes.

How do you keep a smile on your tween or teens face at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? I’d love to hear your suggestions!

Karyn Locke, Marketing and Social Media Guroo and Mid-America Guroo for trekaroo.com is a travel writer from Ohio that has a passion for all things Disney and a hankering for Dole Whip Floats at least three times a week. Also creator and blogger for www.sandandorsnow.com, she’s happy to give Disney tips to anyone that asks and is pleased as punch that her family shares her love of the most magical place on earth.

The Best Table Service restaurants at Walt Disney World for solo travelers ~ By Guest Author Katie Miller

Published July 25, 2014 by Disneyways.com
Some might balk at enjoying a Table Service restaurant solo, but just because you’re traveling alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy a nice meal.  There are lots of great Quick Service options at Disney but there’s something to be said for taking the time to savor a meal at one of the unique restaurants at Walt Disney World.
So what are the best Table Service restaurants at Walt Disney World for solo travelers? 
* Sanaa, Animal Kingdom Lodge 
The menu at Sanaa is not to be missed; the bread service alone is worth going there!  The vibe at Sanaa, although a touch upscale, is very comfortable for solo diners.  Asked to be seated a table near the window and see the animals roaming the savannah at the resort, or relax at the very comfortable bar area.  You can’t miss with Sanaa – even if you’re not staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, it’s worth a trip to eat there!
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* Rose and Crown Pub, Epcot’s World Showcase
What’s better than kicking back with a pint, watching the world go by at Epcot?  Not much, that’s for sure!  Not only does the Rose and Crown Pub (located at the UK pavilion on the World Showcase) have awesome food and great drinks, if you eat there in the evening you can request a table that faces the water and watch Illuminations, Epcot’s nighttime fireworks show. A perfect ending to your Disney day!

* Kona Cafe, The Polynesian
If you’re looking for a great breakfast option, look no further than Kona Cafe, located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.  There are some incredible options to choose from, including the famous Tonga Toast, the most decadent french toast. YUM!  In addition to delicious entrees they also have the famous Kona coffee; be sure to get it in the french press – there’s no better way to start your day! (and pssst: They have awesome lunch and dinner, too!)

* Artist Point, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Where should you go if you’re looking for an upscale dining experience?  Take time for an evening meal at Artist Point, located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.  The setting is simply gorgeous and incredibly relaxing, and the service is top-notch. Every solo traveler should take time to treat themselves to a special meal, and Artist Point definitely fits the bill.

* Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, Disney’s Beach Club Resort
If you like diners, amazing desserts and a “retro” vibe, be sure and schedule a meal at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The atmosphere of Beaches and Cream is super laid-back and fun, and hearkens to diners of yesteryear. Sit at a table, booth or better yet right at the counter, and transport yourself right back to the 1950s. The burgers and fries are great, but be sure to save some room for the ice cream!  The picture here is the No Way Jose – peanut butter, chocolate sauce AND ice cream?! Sign me up!
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Where are your favorite places to solo dine at Walt Disney World?
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*Katie Miller runs The Most Delightful Place, a blog where she shares her love of Disney theme parks and the Disney Cruise Line.  As a solo traveler, she has a unique perspective on traveling Disney on your own and is highly qualified to share her ideas for the best Restaurants at Walt Disney World for Solo Travelers. Katie is also an agent with Mouse World Travel, and would love to help you plan magical trips to the Most Delightful Places on Earth!  Check out her facebook page HERE.  If you would like to be a guest author for Disneyways please click HERE  for full details.

 

 

Finally! A Solution For Your Multiple MagicBands

Published July 24, 2014 by Disneyways.com

What you see in the photo below is a WONDERFUL problem to have. Disney loves sending multiple MagicBands to their returning guests, passholders, and more. First time guests may even find themselves with multiple MagicBands if the conditions are right. Lucky people like David Ciscon who visit several times (pictured in the photo below) have started quite a collection.

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The solution? You may want to try wearing them when you you are back home, long after your Disney vacation is over. Why not keep that Disney magic with you everyday?  MagicBands and My Fantasy Bands are waterproof and durable! With My Fantasy Bands – you can mix, match, coordinate with your outfits and wear a different character every day of the week on your MagicBands! Each My Fantasy Band you buy is recommended for single application. One application will stay on for 3+ years! Check out their list of frequently asked questions HERE.

Photo credits below go to MyFantasyBands.com

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I could write all day about my love for these, the detail, the quality, and why I believe EVERY Disney fan in the world who owns (or will soon own!) a MagicBand – or a collection of them- may want to consider owning a My Fantasy Band for every mood and occasion. But this post is more about the visuals – so I hope you’ve enjoyed all of these photos! If you are wanting a more detailed post, please check out what I wrote for Chip! This post is located HERE.

 

Get all of your My Fantasy Band details and SO much more by following them on facebook or by visiting MyFantasyBands.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Tips for First Time Disney Guests ~ By Guest Author Jen

Published July 6, 2014 by Disneyways.com

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Top 10 Tips for First Time Guests by Guest Author Jen B.

10) Stay on property

Though this could easily be further down on the list and closer to one of the most important tips for your first visit, many of the following tips are only available if staying on property, so alas, your #10 tip! Disney offers more than 25 different hotels that are broken down into various categories according to price (value, moderate, deluxe, and deluxe villas). Staying on Walt Disney World property puts you that much closer to the magic, provides you with extra benefits, and presents you with even more hidden Disney magic. Each hotel is themed differently, so find the one that fits you and your party the best and book your stay!

9) Try ALL forms of Disney Transportation

In order to take full advantage of all the transportation opportunities Disney has to offer, you must be staying at a resort. Rather than paying for parking and waiting in long traffic lines, opt for the complimentary buses, monorail, ferry, walkways, and magical express. Each form of travel is unique and serves as a great way to both start and end your magical days at WDW!  Disney buses pick up from every resort and arrive every 15 minutes or so. They start running before parks open and drive all day until after parks close. The monorail is a must ride for your first visit as it is an attraction within itself! Another neat option is the ferry between some of the resorts and MK. Lastly, start your vacation the right way and let Magical Express pick up your bags from baggage claim once you arrive at Orlando International Airport. Hop on that motor coach and head right to the parks, there’s tons to see and do!

8) Extra Magic Hours & Fast Pass

With so much to see and do, plus the benefit of being a WDW resort guest, be sure to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours and Fast Pass Times. Every day one of the four main parks either opens up to 1 hour early or stays open up to three hours late.  Only guests staying in a WDW resort can take advantage of these times when crowds are minimal! Use this time to see the wild animals roaming the savannah after their morning stretches, ride the Tower of Terror before the wait time climbs to 2 hours, or stroll down Main Street USA and window shop without the crowds and endless strollers!

7) Park Hop!

 Adding the Park Hopper option to your Magic Your Way Base Ticket is truly a personal preference, but I would advise that you do! When vacationing to WDW you can either plan every minute of your vacation or agree to be flexible, but either way, the ability to travel from park to park to help with either schedule will make your vacation much less stressful and far more magical! I can’t tell you how many times we woke up to catch the first Kilimanjaro Safari ride, but then wanted to see the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular before bed that same night. On a first time trip, it might seem overwhelming and you might be sitting there saying, “This is crazy. One park per day is far more than enough, Disney offers so much!”, but I find the park hopper option to be far less overwhelming. When on vacation, one is supposed to be relieved of all stress, free of all plans, and in favor of spontaneity. Be spontaneous and hop!

6) Visit Magic Kingdom in 2 days (There’s far too much magic to explore!)

After reading #7, this is only necessary. Given that the park is broken into different lands (Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Main Street USA) it’s almost as if this park is really 5 parks in one. Thus, the more time you can spend here the better. Strolling through the shops on Main St. and watching the parade that rides down the street as well, can easily eat up a solid chunk of your afternoon. Pending ride wait times and if you enjoy a sit down meal or not, no matter how early you enter, or how late you stay, Magic Kingdom deserves at least two days. Just think, this was Walt’s dream and the very first part of the Walt Disney World grounds. Plus the castle serves as the iconic staple of all things Disney. All first-timers should truly immerse themselves in all the magic that the Magic Kingdom has to offer. Don’t rush through it!

5) Bring your own snacks and drinks but splurge on a Main Street Treat!

When you’re waiting for the parade to start (as it is suggested that you find your spot along the parade route at least thirty minutes before it is to begin) enjoy a delicious treat from one of the many shops and snack stands. Disney, in an attempt to cut back on cost for it’s guests, allows you to bring in your own snacks and refillable water bottles, but the Mickey ice cream bars, Dole Whips, or anything from the Main Street Confectionary will appeal to your taste buds and please your tummy, just as much as a honey jar does for Winnie the Pooh!

4) Slow Down & Take Part in Character Meet and Greets

It is unacceptable to visit Walt Disney World without meeting Mickey Mouse right? What about his sweetheart Minnie Mouse? Or his friends Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, and Donald Duck? Though the lines may often seem long, there is nothing better than interacting with the characters that roam the parks—this is when the magic truly comes to life.  Take a picture with Donald Duck wearing his sombrero in the Mexico pavilion of Epcot; meet Rafiki in the jungle at Animal Kingdom; high five Sully and his pal Mike Wazowski on the Laugh Floor in Hollywood Studios; or spend some time chatting with the princesses in Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom. Hugs are free, autographs are unique, and interactions with all of Disney’s characters, whether you are young or old, last a lifetime!

3) See the Shows & Parades

Festival of Fantasy Parade, Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes Nighttime Spectacular, Illuminations, and Fantasmic. just to name a few. Walt Disney World prides itself on all the intricate details it employs for the fantastic, heart-pumping, ear-to-ear smiling, sing along shows and parades throughout each park everyday.  Take a break from the sun, find some shade, sit back and relax. Immerse yourself in Disney Entertainment. Without it, no first time visit is complete.

2) Timing is Everything…On many different accounts!

First things first, plan the proper length of stay for your visit. My suggestion is at least a week, but of course that decision is up to you! Don’t try to cram all four parks into a 3-day visit.  It’s just not worth it. In addition, plan your first visit for the right time of year. Take into account all factors including first, what works best for you and your family, but also weather, crowd control, and WDW specials and promotions.

Next, once visiting WDW, timing continues to be everything. Save valuable time as you venture through the parks by using your time wisely.  Eat your meals during non-meal times, either earlier than normal or after the rush; Ride the most popular attractions during major parade times or fireworks shows; Take breaks during the middle of the day and go swimming in your resort pools or enjoy a nap to recharge!  And lastly but most importantly, by no means rush through the parks. Slow down, you’re on vacation in the happiest place on earth! Enjoy every millisecond!

1) Allow the magic to erase your fears!

2, 10, 14, 27, 42, 60, 75…no matter your age, Walt Disney World is a place for you to always feel like a kid. Allow the magic to erase all of your fears. Celebrate your first visit, and every consecutive visit afterwards, by releasing all your fears and fully embracing the happiest place on earth! Conquer your wardrobe fears and wear something that you wouldn’t think to in your “normal” life. Embrace your inner child and break out that Goofy t-shirt. Or, buy yourself your first official pair of Mickey ears, in whatever style suits you best, and wear them around the parks for a full day, at least. Conquer your fear of heights and free fall 13 stories on Hollywood Studios’ Tower or Terror or face the Yeti on Animal Kingdom’s Everest.  Conquer your fear of the dark and ride Aerosmith’s Rockin’ Rollercoaster at Hollywood Studios or Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. Conquer your fear of all things haunted by gliding through the Haunted Mansion. Conquer your fear of stage fright and bright lights by volunteering to be an extra in the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular show at Hollywood Studios. Conquer your fear of singing and dancing in public by singing along and dancing to the beat at Animal Kingdom’s Festival of the Lion King or any of the shows at the stage at Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom. Lastly, conquer your fear of the unknown by allowing the magic to take control and see what Walt Disney World has in store for your very first visit!

Most of all, get that trip booked and enjoy your magical first time at Walt Disney World!

Feel free to comment with YOUR tips for first timers – or email guest blogger Jen at diariesofdisney@gmail.com if you have questions about any of these tips!

 

3 Steps to Save for Your Trip to Disney! By Guest Author Poet Mase

Published May 28, 2014 by Disneyways.com

3 Steps to Save for Your Trip to Disney! ~ Written By Poet Mase

So, the decision’s been made…you’re going to Disney! Congratulations! A world of fun and excitement awaits! Whether you’ll be staying for a day or a week, you’re in for a great time!

But first, you’re going to need to make sure that your funds will hold out for as long as you’d like them to. It’s no fun when money worries intrude on your time at the Happiest (or Most Magical) Place on Earth, and a little planning before the trip will keep the good times rolling. So, here are three steps to ensure that the magic never ends on your Disney vacation:

Set a Savings Goal!

Saving for a trip to Disney is a little like running a race. If you don’t know where the finish line is, you’ll have a hard time finishing. By defining a concrete goal, you can craft a timeline for your savings, making it easier to monitor how far you’ve come and how far you have left to go.

When setting your savings goal, it’s important to consider all of the expenses that go with a Disney vacation so you don’t end up kicking yourself later. What time of year are you going to visit? How long are planning to stay? Which hotel or resort fits your budget and preference? Which parks do you want to visit? Is a dining plan a good option for your family? Will there be any money left over for snacks and souvenirs? Tally up all of the relevant financial considerations, and you’ll be well on your way to a great vacation!

Stay on Track!

Just as important as defining your savings goal is making a plan for how you’ll get from here to there. There are a hundred daily temptations threatening to drain your growing vacation fund, so your best defense is devise a savings strategy.

If you have room in your regular budget, the best way to save for your family’s Disney adventure is to set aside regular contributions directly from your paycheck each pay period. By making automatic contributions, there’s less temptation to divert your dollars elsewhere. The key here is to make contributing to your vacation fund into a routine, regardless of the amount of money actually put aside every week or month, so even if it’s only five or ten dollars, stick to the schedule!

Once you start contributing, though, stick to your saving strategy by making your chosen account, cookie jar, or spot under the mattress untouchable. Staying true to your saving strategy can be difficult when unforeseeable expenses crop up, so try getting ahead of the game by identifying opportunities to spend less on daily purchases. Can you nurse one cup of coffee throughout the day instead of buying a second in the afternoon? How about cooking up some pasta instead of ordering take-out one night a week? If your resolve ever wavers, just imagine the look on everyone’s faces when they’re walking down Main Street U.S.A. after arriving at Disney on your vacation!

Plan for Fun!

Now that you’ve got your goal in sight and you’re chipping away with regular contributions, it’s time to think about ways to maximize your ability to pay for fun at the park.

When I was a kid, my family’s approach was to build a “slush fund” for fun things that would normally be out of the question for a family as frugal as ours – things like snacks, souvenirs, and video games. Whenever someone had some spare change – or even a few extra dollars – he or she would toss it into a large plastic jug. After almost a year of watching our slush fund grow, we counted it all up and were amazed by how much we had saved!

The slush fund is a great way to avoid tantrums and grumbling tummies on your trip, but it’s also a good way to get the entire family involved in saving for your Disney vacation. If the trip is going to be a surprise or if your kids are already responsible savers, you can even choose not to divulge the true purpose of the slush fund until just before the trip. Watch everyone’s excitement when the big secret is revealed!

Whatever your financial means may be, making a plan to pay for your trip to Disney is hugely important. With a little planning and self-discipline, you and your family will be rewarded with a magical vacation full of smiles and memories!

What are your favorite ways to plan for a Disney vacation? Share your ideas in the comments below!

Poet Mase is a writer of fiction whose passion for life translates directly to his work. A firm believer in the power of story to explain and to evolve notions of the human condition, Poet favors allegorical narrative structures that develop meaningful themes while relentlessly driving captivating plot lines. Poet is a founding member of the Order of the Raconteur and is currently working on several independent projects in the adventure and science fiction genres. His stories run the gamut from flash fiction to novel-length tales.
Prior to focusing on his creative work full-time, Poet wrote for IGN.com‘s Comics channel, contributing comic book reviews, interviews, and the occasional editorial as a freelance writer. Poet can be reached on Twitter at @PoetMase, on Facebook, and via his blog at http://poetmase.wordpress.com/

Do you want to be a guest author? Click HERE to learn how!

Video! Rock Your Disney Side All Night Party Opening Ceremony

Published May 23, 2014 by Disneyways.com
Appearances by all of your favorite characters and more! Check out this video to see how they kicked off the party before the sun came up on May 23rd, 2014!
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Thanks to our Man-On-The-Scene Reporter Ramon Rodriguez from ThemeParkConcierges.com for sharing!
CLICK ON THE WORD “Post” (below) to be taken to the video!

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Post by Disney Travel Advisor & Theme Park Concierge – Ramon Rodriguez.

Enter To Win a $50 Disney Gift Card and More!

Published May 18, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Many of you have asked for another chance to enter to win and here it is!!

Right now until mid June 2014 – you can enter to win a $50 Disney Gift Card PLUS a Disney Themed Prize Pack! Total value is $308 all for one winner!

CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO THE RAFFLECOPTER SO YOU CAN ENTER!

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Win a Trip for 4 to the Swan and Dolphin at Walt Disney World

Published April 13, 2014 by Disneyways.com

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I love the Swan and Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World. The atmosphere and “feel” of this resort is wonderful. Inside you can enjoy Karoke at Kimonos, delicious ice cream treats at The Fountian, and so much more. Probably the only thing I could imagine that would be better than visiting the Swan and Dolphin, is actually getting to enjoy a stay there. How great would it be to actually win a 4 night visit for FREE? This might be your chance to find out. The Express your Peepsonality Sweepstakes is here! You can pin and win your way to a 4 night stay, plus airfare, Disney park tickets and more! Check out the Peep “deets” at the link below!

In other Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin news, it’s about that time of the year to enjoy a sweet Easter week at the resort that’s filled with fun for the whole family. There is so much to do and see! During 2014 you can celebrate your “Peepsonality” with special Peeps welcome samples at check-in and get Peeps from the Easter Bunny as he greets you around the resort. There are special rates on rooms for a limited time when you ask for promo code PEEP189. There will be glow in the dark Easter egg hunts, Peep s’mores by the campfire, Easter crafts, and games. Chefs at the Swan and Dolphin are creating specialty items featuring Peeps – and there will even be a holiday dinner buffet with visits from Disney characters.

Get full details on the Express Your Peepsonality Sweepstakes HERE.  Also, be sure to get full details on all the Peeptastic fun at the Swan and Dolphin HERE.

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 Want to know where to find the power couple while visit the Disney Parks this Easter? Check out this facebook Post!
Have you celebrated Easter at the Swan and Dolphin? Leave me a note in the comments below!

Megabus Trip ~ Written by Tamara Botzum

Published April 10, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Let’s face it, a vacation to Walt Disney World can suck your wallet dry. Or does it have to?  I decided to try to find the least expensive way to get to Walt Disney World, spend two nights, and visit one park.  It’s cold in northeast Ohio and I need to see some palm trees. I even found a friend who can take the time to travel with me.
First, the transportation.  Flying is out because that would be around $200 round trip.   Amtrak isn’t an option either because that is more than the flight!  $376 to be exact.  Then I remembered a very affordable bus line called Megabus.  I can go from Cleveland to Atlanta Georgia, then hop another Megabus to Orlando.  The total round trip cost will be $98 per person. Now I’m getting somewhere!
I checked out the Walt Disney World website and found a discount on a room-only reservations. The cost of a Value resort is within my budget.  I booked a room at Pop Century resort and added a ticket for one park, Magic Kingdom.  The cost per person is $275.
So right now, my costs are $336  for the entire trip.  I anticipate the cost of a public bus to be under $10 as we will need to take one to Downtown Disney so we can get a Disney bus to our Value resort.
This isn’t going to be the fastest way to get to my resort. It will take approximately 16 hours on the Megabus to Atlanta. Then, the 6 hour layover until our Orlando bus arrives.  The ride to Orlando will be approximately 9 hours. It will be a long trip.

THE TRIP

Long doesn’t begin to describe it. Sitting for endless hours on a bus with sketchy or non working wifi isn’t easy. There was a bus change in Cincinnati, Ohio.  For 45 minutes we transferees huddled together on a dark and dirty street. Fortunately, the next bus arrived on time.

This Megabus took us to Georgia with stops in Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.  We finally arrived in downtown Atlanta at 6am. Now, much isn’t open at this time of day.  Upon the suggestion of a local, we found our way to a nearby hospital and chose to rest there. The time here passed quickly and pleasantly.  We even had breakfast and then a light lunch.

We finally arrived in Orlando at 9:30pm at the Orlando Lynx transportation center where we caught a local bus to Downtown Disney for $2.    From there, we took a Pop Century resort bus to check in.  By midnight, we were fast asleep.

Total travel time ended up being 32 hours of bus travel one way.

The time at Walt Disney World was delightful. But not perfect. My issues of MS, lack of proper sleep on the bus, and a disagreement with my stomach, I began to feel the toll of my long bus ride.  I wish I could say I endured the long tortuous Megabus ride back to Ohio, but I didn’t. I became so ill, I chose to fly home after we checked out.  This added $450 to my inexpensive trip including the cost of a hotel room, taxi ride to the hotel, and my one way flight home.  No cheap trip goes unpunished.

Would I ever take such a bus trip again?  No. I prefer not to.

Tamara Botzum is a graduate of The Disney College of Knowledge and is happily selling Disney travel through CruiseDirections.com. Tamara and husband Spencer have visited Walt Disney World over eight times so far. Their first trip together was in 2006.  They have also visited Disneyland twice.  When Tamara is not selling Disney vacations, she enjoys reading, interacting with Disney friends on Facebook, traveling, writing short stories and crafting.

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The Muppets Most Wanted – Great Constantine Caper

Published April 9, 2014 by Disneyways.com

Have you heard? For a limited time, there’s a new interactive adventure at Epcot! Projected to last only during the The Flower and Garden Festival 2014 – you can help capture Constantine in the new Muppets Most Wanted – Great Constantine Caper! To find the kiosk where you will begin, just enter World Showcase, start walking towards the Mexico Pavilion. You will see it on your left. Cast members will ask you to choose from 2 different adventures, hand you a passport, and send you on your way. Big thanks to our Man-On-The-Scene reporter Ramon Rodriguez of ThemeParkConcierges.com for the photos taken inside Epcot today. He described the Constantine Caper as simple but fun! I can’t wait to check it out for myself – how about you?

 

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