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Get ready, Halloween season is finally here at Magic Kingdom! Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween parties are in full swing! The spooktacular fun awaits you on select nights at Magic Kingdom. Guests who are gearing up for a visit will be treated to: Trick-or-Treating throughtout the park Mickey's Boo-to-You parade Disney's Not-So- Spooky Spectacular fireworks show Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular show Moonlight Melodies dance parties throughout the park Attractions with themed overlays Halloween themed photo pass experiences Characters in costumes....and more! I'm thrilled to share with you my top tips for making the most of the party! Dress up! You don't have to go in costume, but chances are you won't regret it if you do. It adds to the fun. Just be sure to dress for the weather and comfort. Check out Creative Costumes for Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party for inspiration. 2. Arrive at Magic Kingdom by 3:45. The party ticket allows you entry at 4:00. Lines start to form outside of Magic Kingdom for the party well before this. Cast members will start scanning tickets a little before 4:00 and begin allowing guests in at 4:00. Upon entry you will want to grab your Halloween treat bag and your first treat. 3. Consider making a dining reservation for 4:15 or 4:30 . When you first arrive the park will be busy. The guests who have arrived for the party will be entering. They guests who have been at Magic Kingdom for the day are not ushered out until 6. This overlap creates a bit of a crowd and its the perfect time to relax and fuel up for the evening. You can also use this time to view the party map that is provided when you arrive. 4. Make a plan and prioritize your time . As you can see on the party map, there is a lot to do. There is limited capicity and lower crowds so you should expect much shorter wait times for attractions, however lines for characters can get quite long. There will be characters you typically don't see during normal park hours as well as some regulars dressed up in their Halloween costumes. 5. Don't get in line for Seven Dwarfs or Tron when the party first starts . The lines will be long. These lines will be shorter during the parades and the end of the night. Take advantage of the large crowds at these lines and hit other attractions on your list. You may even find yourself the ONLY rider on an attraction! Only rider on Buzz Lightyear! 6. Try a specialty treat! There's a lot of Halloween treats to choose from. You can check menus ahead of time and make a list of your must try items! The Candy Corn Sundae at Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies takes just like Halloween! 7. Go to the second parade . There are two parades one at 8:15 and one at 11:15. If you can go to the second, skip the first and do this. The first draws a larger crowd. Use this time to get in line for a busier ride like Tron , Seven Dwarfs Mine Train , or Tiana's Bayou Adventure . The parade starts in Fronteirland. This is a great spot for viewing for two reasons. You will be the first to see the start of the parade (and the end), and Fronteirland has a Halloween vibe which offers the perfect backdrop to the parade. Parade viewed from Frontierland 8. Be sure to check out Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion . Although not noted on the party map, typically a Halloween twist is added to these attractions. Haunted Mansion Haunted Mansion Ghosts 9. Take a backpack to carry your treats . You will be given treatbags when you walk in. These are for trick-or-treaking around the park. If you want to gather candy and be hands free, you'll want a backpack to hold this bag in while you are walking around. Halloween Party Candy 10. Looking for great fireworks photos? Step behind Prince Charming's Carousel. Look up to view the fireworks. They will be directly over you and all around. You will not see the projections on the castle, but if you are looking to avoids a crowd, this can be a great spot for pictures. Fireworks viewed from behind Prince Charming's Carousel Fireworks viewed from behind Prince Charming's Carousel 11. If you can, stay on property. This party runs until midnight. After a fun filled evening, you won't want a long ride back to your hotel. Disney resorts offer a variety of complimentary transportantion options to and from parks and some resorts even offer walkability to parks. Ticket sales open early for resort guests and resorts are a great place to hang out and relax prior to and after your party night. You can enjoy more than just beautiful pools at a Disney resort hotel. You may find arts and crafts, movies under the stars, trivia, campfires or even a glow party! Pick up recreation activities at the front desk when you arrive! Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Epcot's Food and Wine Festival can be a great time for the entire family, kids included! I enjoyed the festival with my two daughters, ages 8 and 11. My 11-year-old said she enjoyed the festival more than the rides! I wanted to share a review of what we sampled and a few tips to help you make the most of this festival. What is Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival? Let's start with the basics. Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival runs each year from late August through late November. The festival features more than 25 Global Market places where you can order specialty drinks and food. These come in small portions leaving you room to try foods from many different market places. Each item generally costs between $5-$10. This doesn't sound like much, but if you consider grabbing a drink and food item at several different stops, it can add up quickly! Plan ahead. Menus are available on the my Disney experience app and here . Take a look before your visit This will allow you to prioritize and save room for the foods the foods you really want to try. When you arrive you will find festival passports available with all the offerings you can pick up as well. My kids really enjoyed looking through these and checking items off the list. Set a budget and share food. With items $5-$10 it's easy to keep spending. Considering there are over 25 Global Market places, there's potential for this to really add up! One strategy you can use to help budget is to purchase a Disney gift card with the amount of money you intend to spend. This can keep you from overspending. Once the gift card balance is gone, you know you are done spending! Sharing food is also a great idea, especially if you tend to fill up quickly. This gives everyone an opportunity to try a variety of foods. It's also fun to try something you may not have considered ordering yourself. One of my daughters really wanted to go to the Noodle Exchange, which would have not made my list, but I really enjoyed the Thai Shrimp noodles! Enjoy the entertainment & scavenger hunts. The festival offers more than just food. Check out the Eat to the Beat schedule . There's some great live shows and local talent. Showtimes are at 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm and 8:00 pm right in front of the American Pavilion. You'll also find a few scavenger hunts available. If you want to look for Remy around Epcot you can purchase maps at the locations below and pick up a prize at the end! Disney Traders Port of Entry Creations Shop World Traveler at International Gateway Festival Merchandise Kiosks Here's a sampling of the food. Now on to the food! Below are pictures of what we tried organized by the location. Menus are updated each year. The Noodle Exchange Thai Shrimp Impossible Pork Ramen Mexico Taco de Costilla The Alps Warm Raclette Swiss cheese Dark Chocolate Fondue Spain Seafood Salad Canada Canadian Filet Mignon Ireland Fisherman's Seafood Pie Italy Cavatelli Here's my thoughts. My personal favorites were the filet mignon from Canada, the seafood salad from Spain and the fisherman's pie from Ireland. The fisherman's pie was REALLY good. My kids were not fans of the seafood salad or fisherman's pie, which just meant more for me! They loved the filet mignon, the chocolate fondue and the taco from Mexico. The warm raclette swiss cheese from the Alps was very good and we all liked it, but the cheese bread ratio was a little off. We were left with a lot of bread at the end. It also had small pickles on the bottom which I found very tasty with the cheese, but my kids didn't care for it. The Cavatelli from Italy tasted very good and my kids loved it, but I was not impressed with the presentation. Everyone enjoyed the Thai shrimp and Impossible pork ramen from the Noddle Exchange. We did learn that the Impossible pork ramen is not a vegetarian dish. The broth is meat based. We were tempted to try the pickle milkshake they were serving at the Brew-Wing Lab, but decided to pass. The urge to try this was more curiosity than anything else. We joked about trying this item much of the day. At each market they do sell both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but they do not offer cups of water (they do have bottled water for purchase). This is important to keep in mind, because you will get thirsty as you are eating. If you want to get a cup of water you'll need to go to a quick service resturatant or just bring your own water bottle. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here .

Answer: YES and NO Disney's Beach Club Disney's Skyliner is a gondola transportation system that connects Disney's Hollywood Studios and International Gateway at Epcot to Disney's Art of Animation Resort , Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort , Disney's Pop Century Resort and Disney's Riviera Resort . Disney's Beach Club Resort While Disney's Beach Club Resort does not have a Skyliner entry point directly on its property, Disney's Beach Club Resort is a very short walk away from the International Gateway at Epcot where you will find an entry point to Disney's Skyliner . The other Disney resorts located along Disney's Boardwalk entertainment district, Disney's Yacht Club Resort and Disney's Boardwalk Inn are also conveniently located walking distance to International Gateway at Epcot . Disney's Skyliner Entry at International Gateway Does this mean the Skyliner is a good transportation option for guests staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort ? Well, it wouldn't make sense to take the Skyliner to Epcot (remember you are walking to Epcot to pick up the Skyliner from the resort) The walk to Epcot is quick and easy from the Disney's Beach Club Resort. What about taking the Skyliner to Disney's Hollywood Studios from the Beach Club ? Hollywood Studios , while a longer walk, is walking distance from Disney's Beach Club Resort . If you don't want to take the walk, there is also a ferry that can get you to Hollywood Studios from the Beach Club pretty quickly. If you were to take the Skyliner, there is not a direct route. You would need to transfer at Caribbean Beach Resort . This really doesn't make it the best option for efficient travel to Hollywood Studios . Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios So, when might you take Disney's Skyliner if you were staying at Disney's Beach Club (or Disney's Yacht Club , or Disney's Boardwalk Inn )? Disney's Skyliner can take you from International Gateway at Epcot to the other Skyliner Resorts opening up additional dining options! As mentioned above, Disney's Skyliner connects to Disney's Riviera Resort . Disney's Riviera Resort is only a short flight away from International Gateway and home to Topolino's Terrace where you can enjoy a great roof top Character Breakfast! Read more about Character Dining, the 2024 Disney Dining Plan, and Dining Discounts at Walt Disney World Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here .

If you are looking for a Walt Disney World Resort with turn-of-the-century Atlantic City charm, Disney's Boardwalk Inn , may be a great fit for you. There is a lot to love about this deluxe Walt Disney World Resort. Below are the perks as well as a few cons you should consider. Pros Walking distance to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The walk to Epcot is short and quick. You enter at International Gateway, which is a smaller entrance that generally has a shorter wait. The walk to Hollywood Studios is doable, but a bit longer. There is also a ferry available which is a better option especially in the hotter months. Newly renovated rooms The rooms at Disney's Boardwalk Inn have recently been renovated and are really nice! Not only are the renovated rooms beautiful, they are also very practical. The beds are elevated making it easy to store luggage under the beds and there is plenty of closet space. Pretty grounds The resort is beautifully maintained and there are a lot of places to walk around and take in the pretty sites. Some rooms have views of Epcot's fireworks There are many rooms (even standard view) with views of Epcot's fireworks . Your travel agent can put in a room request for you. Epcot Fireworks from Standard View Room Disney's Boardwalk has evening entertainment You are positioned right on Disney's Boardwalk and have access to evening entertainment. The performers are very talented and the shows are family friendly. The Beach Club and Yacht Club are a short walk away. This opens up additional dining options including the popular Beaches and Cream at Disney's Beach Club ! Beaches and Cream Access to the Skyliner While the Boardwalk Inn isn't considered a Skyliner Resort, there is a Skyliner entrance at International Gateway. This means if you want to head over to Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort for a Character Breakfast, you can easily get there on the Skyliner. Movies Under the Stars While all resorts have movies under the stars , the set up at the Boardwalk Inn is one of the best. They have a beautiful lawn where they lay out blankets and place lanterns. Surrey Bikes There are Surrey Bikes available to rent and ride around the Boardwalk (This is a great way to burn off some of that ice cream from Beaches and Cream ) Extended Evening Hours Disney offers Extended Evening hours for Deluxe Resort Guests select evenings at parks resorts. If you time your trip to align with Epcot or Hollywood Studio extended evening hours this works out REALLY well because you are right there. It's a just a short walk to Epcot and a short ferry ride or a Hollywood Studios. Extended Evening hours allow you lighter crowds and another opportunity to join virtual queues such as Guardians of the Galaxy. Cons Cost This is a deluxe resort, so expect to pay deluxe resort prices to stay here. While the pool is nice and has a waterslide, you can pay a similar rate and stay at Disney's Beach Club or Disney's Yacht Club in the same location and have access to a sand bottom pool with a water slide and mini lazy river. If you are looking for a less expensive resort with Skyliner access, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort can be a great alternative. Boardwalk Inn Pool Dining The dining can actually be a pro and con. When first arriving at Disney's Boardwalk Inn the only dining option that can be found INSIDE the resort is a coffee shop. However, when you walk outside the resort and along Disney's Boardwalk there are many options. This can feel a bit different than some of the other deluxe resorts which have many dining options available inside the resort. What will you make happen in 2024? I'm here to help! I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! To get started request a no obligation vacation quote here .

Hey there! If you're heading to Walt Disney World, you can now grab Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Passes up to a week before your stay. The prices vary depending on the day and park. If you are purchasing passes for all days of your stay, the cost can really add up! On my recent trip, I decided to go for the multi pass at Hollywood Studios and skip the single pass for Rise of the Resistance. When we went in mid-August, the Multi Pass was $24 per person, so for our group of four, we shelled out $96. Check out the breakdown of our Multi Pass day to see if it's worth it and how we spent our time! Money spent: $96 Time saved: 360 min (6 hours!) Lightning Lane rides: 7 Additional rides/attractions: 5 8:30 am: Woke up, got dressed and checked the weather. Saw rain was in the forecast. Put ponchos in our park bag (this will be important later!) 9:30 am: Took the ferry to Hollywood Studios from the Yacht Club Resort. 9:45 am: Arrived at Hollywood studios. Headed to first prebooked Lightnining Lane, Rock 'n' Rollercoaster . Stand by line was 65 min . After band was scanned, booked Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway for 1:30-2:30. 10:15 am: Ate breakfast at Fairfax Fare 10:50 am: Walked over to our second pre-booked Lightning Lane, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror . Stand by line was 90 min . After band was scanned booked Millennium Falcon for 1:30-2:30. 11:40 am: It was time to ride our third pre-booked Lightning Lane, Toy Story Mania . Stand by line was 45min . Booked Star Tours for 12:00-1:00 after band was scanned. 12:15 pm: Headed to Star Tours . Stand by Line was 15 min . We really didn't need the Lightning Lane for this one. 12:30 pm: Grabbed a funnel cake and drinks and headed to Indiana Jones . 1:15 pm: While waiting for Indiana Jones to start, modified Millennium Falcon Lightning Lane to 7pm which was after our dining reservation. We also booked Alien Swirling Saucers at 7:20pm. 1:45pm: Rode Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway using Lightning Lane pass. Stand by line was 65 min. 2:30 pm: Enjoyed drinks and snacks at Oga's Cantina . 3:30 pm : Exiting Oga's Cantina rain began. Took a break to put on ponchos and get out of rain. 3:45 pm: Walked over to Rise of the Resistance wearing ponchos, the rain was still heavy. The stand by wait time was listed as 40 min, most of this queue is indoor. We were able to walk right into the indoor queue area. Waited 20 minutes. 4:15 pm: When we exited Rise of the Resistance the rain had stopped. We head over to Star Tours and rode it twice. Wait time was listed as 10 minutes. We walked right in. (There are over 250 different storylines on this ride, so you are likely to enjoy a different experience each time) 4:45 pm : Walked right into Muppet Vision 3D . 5:15 pm: Headed to our dinner reservation at Sci Fi Dine in Theater. 7:00 pm: Rode Millennium Falcon using lightning lane. Stand by line was 45 min . 7:30 pm: Rode Alien Swirling Saucers using Lightning Lane. Stand by line was 35 min . 7:50 pm: Took ferry back to Yacht Club Resort and enjoyed a glow party on the beach and Epcot fireworks from our resort room. Pro Tip: Work with a travel agent who specializes in Disney to determine your travel party's priorities. Your agent can help you determine your lightning lane needs based on the time of year and your travel goals. Plus, they can give you strategies to help you get the most out of your passes! It'll help you save both money and time! Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here

Guests visiting Walt Disney World can now reserve certain attractions and experiences in advance using Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days before their visit! This updated system replaces Genie+, which previously enabled guests to make reservations starting at 7 am on the day of their visit. Discover all the details about this new system and get some helpful tips to enhance your visit! What is the difference between Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass? There are two pass types of Lightning Lane passes, a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and a Lightning Lane Single Pass. The Multi Pass allows you to reserve up to 3 attractions ahead of your visit. With the Multi Pass, however, the attractions you may select are limited. The attractions are also tiered. For your first three selections you may only select one attraction from the most popular attractions. For example, if you are visiting Hollywood Studios, below are the attractions you may choose from: Choose up to one experience from this group: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Slinky Dog Dash Choose your other 2 experiences—or all 3—from this group: Alien Swirling Saucers Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage Disney Junior Play & Dance! For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Muppet*Vision 3D Star Tours – The Adventures Continue The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ Toy Story Mania! You may also notice, one of the most popular attractions Star Wars Rise of the Resistance is not on the list. This attraction is a Lightning Lane Single Pass ride. In addition to purchasing the Lighting Lane Multi Pass, you may purchase Lightning Lane Single Passes. All Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass offerings can be viewed through your my Disney Experience app and on the website. How much do the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Signal Pass cost? Prices for the pass vary by date and park. You will be able to see prices 3 weeks in advance through your my Disney Experience account. When. you are eligible to purchase your passes you do not have to check out until you have selected your rides. Selections will stay in your cart for about 5 minutes. This new feature is different than what guests experienced with Genie + where you purchased then booked your experiences. You can now see what you are purchasing prior to checkout, which many guests may prefer. TIP You may not need to purchase the Multi Pass for every park during your visit. If you are visiting during a less busy time consider cost worth benefit by monitoring wait times on available attractions. If you are working with a travel agent they can assist you with this money saving strategy. If I have a park hopper pass can I book experiences in more than one park? Yes, you will purchase the Multi Pass at the first park you will be visiting and make your first three selections there. Then you will be able to book future selections at your current park or the next park you plan to visit. TIP If you have the park hopper ticket, after redeeming your first multi pass, you can look for availability at all parks to determine which park you would like to go to based on ride selections available, offering you more flexibility in choices. How many passes can I book? Once you redeem a selection, you can use the app to check availability for your next attraction. There is a limit to one Lightning Lane entry per day. So for example, after you have redeemed Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway you may not book this attraction again that day. TIP I f you would like to maximize the number of passes you will be able to redeem, book your passes as early as you can. As the day progresses availability for passes will become more limited. Use the modify feature to check for earlier times after you have booked. When can I book my experiences? Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels (Swan and Dolphin and Shades of Green), can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay. This means you are eligible to choose experiences starting 7 days before the first day of your resort stay for the length of your stay. Other guests can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit. Booking opens at 7am. You will want to book as soon as your window opens up. TIP If you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel you can book passes for your entire travel stay (up to 14 days after your check in day) at once. You do not have to book your days in consecutive order. Consider booking the most popular attractions first, this may require you to book your days out of order. You can also have more than one party member booking at a time using multiple devices. How do I purchase passes? Passes are purchased through your my Disney Experience app, on your mobile device only. Be sure to connect everyone in your travel group on your Family & Friends list and make sure everyone has valid park passes linked to the my Disney experience account. TIP To save time, be sure you have preloaded your credit card information to your my Disney Experience account for purchases and that you have gathered your wish list of attractions and experiences so you are ready and organized. You will need to move fast when it's time to book. Once I book passes can I modify? Once passes are booked they are non-refundable, but they can be modified. You can change your selected park and/or date in advance (subject to availability) up until the moment you redeem your first Lightning Lane selection of the day. You can also change each selected experience and/or arrival window in advance (subject to availability) up until the start of the arrival window. TIP If you don't initially get the time you want, keep trying to modify your selection. If you want to maximize the value of you Multi Pass, try to get the earliest times possible. Once you have redeemed a selection, you may book another. Are there any additional perks to purchasing Lightning Lane Passes? Yes! When you purchase the Lightning Lane Multi Pass you will receive free digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos  from your day, captured with Disney PhotoPass Service. Plus, access Disney PhotoPass Lenses . Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here .

May the 4th be with you! Unleash your inner Jedi and check out this list of fun Star Wars finds! Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means, if you click on a link to one of these products and make a purchase,  I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.  I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Who doesn't love to be the creator of their own destiny! These books were a personal childhood favorite of mine, so I was very excited to find a Star Wars version to purchase for my kids! Check out these Star Wars Choose Your Own Destiny books! How cute are these Stackable drinking glasses by Joy Jolt? The Star Wars Stackable collection glasses are as versatile as they are adorable! The perfect glassware set for any Star Wars fan, whether they’re in use or on a shelf. Available in 5 iconic characters. Choose your favorite Star Wars character or collect them all! Looking for something cozy? Barefoot Dreams makes the softest blankets. This Star Wars throw will keep you cozy and warm! This Corkcicle Droid Gift Set is perfect for morning or night keeping coffee warm and wine chilled! Pair with Joffrey's Coffee Star Wars Dark Side Blend or Once Upon a Vine Wine! Looking for a cooler backpack for your next park visit or summer outing? Picnic Time brand makes a great Star Wars cooler backpack in a variety of Star Wars designs! Take this bag along as you explore Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. Read my recent blog post Tips for Making the Most of Your First Visit to Oga's Cantina to prep for your visit! Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to help you plan an amazing Disney adventure! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here.

I love Epcot. Since the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, it may be my favorite park. Epcot, however, isn't always thought of as a main attraction for pre-schoolers. Epcot is known for futuristic attractions and international food and drinks. Often times this park is dismissed when planning trips for preschoolers. I believe Epcot is truly a very versatile park. It's a great time for adults, kids, tweens, teens and pre-schoolers! Here are 5 ways your pre-schooler can enjoy Epcot: Catch a ride on The Seas with Nemo and Friends. As you exit the attraction be sure to pick up a complimentary scavenger hunt and check out SeaBase, a two story aquarium, home to thousands of sea animals! Located in the same building you will find, Turtle Talk with Crush. This attraction is an interactive chat with Crush from Finding Nemo! Guests can ask Crush marine life questions and learn what it's like to live in the ocean. The show is improvised, so it’s different every time. It’s an ocean full of laughs for all ages! 2. Take a walk through Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. Guests may choose to play in the water as it travels from the sky to the ocean and back again. 3. Enjoy a gentle boat tour through a greenhouse as you ride Living with the Land! Learn about innovative growing techniques. You'll even see some modified fruits and vegetables with jaw dropping effects! If you are visiting during the holidays, this attraction may be decorated with a special holiday overlay! 4. Travel through time as you ride on Spaceship Earth. Guests learn about communication from the Stone Age to modern day. At the exit of this attraction, there is an interactive play area called Project Tomorrow Wonders of the Future. 5. Check out a 4D movie! Vacation Fun Animated Short with Mickey and Minnie is not an only a great spot to cool off, but your kids will be amazed by the 4D effects as they watch the show! With plenty of seating, wait times here are generally very short! 6. Let your imagination run wild as you explore your sense with a Journey into Imagination With Figment. This attraction also has an interactive play area at the exit. Explore ImageWorks "What If" Labs on your way out! 7. Head over to Norway to ride Frozen Ever After. Voyage to Arendelle aboard an ancient Nordic vessel as you take a musical tour of the wintery world of Frozen. This attraction can have a longer wait, so be sure to check wait times on the My Disney Experience app or book a Lightning Lane pass. On your way out stop by to meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus. If you want to plan a dining experience with Princesses, also located in Norway, you will find Arkershus Royal Banquet Hall, where Belle is the guest of honor. 8. If you are looking for a boat ride attraction with little to no wait, head over to Mexico and hop on Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. This gentle boat ride is bright, cheerful and takes you through famous sights and cities in Mexico. 9. Experience one of Disney's newest attractions, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure located in France. This 4D adventure allows riders to feel as if they they shrunk down to the size of a mouse as they ride through a bustling kitchen. This attraction can have a longer wait, so be sure to check wait times on the My Disney Experience app or book a Lightning Lane pass. 10. Explore the countries throughout the World Showcase. In addition to being great places to find unique souvenirs and personalized gifts, each international pavilion around the World Showcase offers a Kidcot Fun Stop. This is a free activity station that teaches facts about the culture and traditions of each county. Visiting during The Flower and Garden Festival? Pick up an Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt map (for a small fee) and search for eggs around the World Showcase. Turn in the completed map for a prize! 11. Meet favorite characters around the park. Character locations and appearance times can be found on the my Disney Experience app. Consider bringing something for characters to sign. Check out The Best Items for Disney Character Autographs for inspiration. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here.

Anonymous once said, "You shouldn't wait for other people to make special things happen. You have to create your own memories". Let 2024 be the year you make things happen! Here a few Disney travel inspiration ideas to get you started! 1.Sail a themed cruise. There are several to choose from, such as, Marvel Day at Sea, Pixar Day at Sea, Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime 2. Ditch the kids and book an adults exculsive adventure. 3. Stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. surf North Shore, visit filming locations of Fantasy Island, Tropic Thunder and the Descendants., kayak and visit Pear Harbor. 4. Try a new Disney restaurant. 5. Challenge your family members to see who can find the most hidden Mickeys on your 2024 Disney trip. 6. Plan to attend Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom. Read The Dos and Don'ts of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to learn more. 7. Register for a RunDisney Race. 8. Travel the world by visiting Epcot's World Showcase, then dine in space at Space 220. 9. Embark on a 3-, 4-, 5- or 10-Night cruise from Florida that includes a stop at the all-new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. 10. Visit a new state or country by booking an Adventures by Disney tour. (There are over 40 adventures to choose from on 7 continents). 11.Cruise Alaska this Spring or Summer. Read 10 Reasons You'll Love An Alaskan Cruise With Disney to learn more about Alaskan cruises. 12. Take a bike ride on Castaway Cay, one of Disney’s Private Islands. Read 8 Inexpensive Ways To Enjoy Disney's Castaway Cay for more ideas! 13. Attend an after hours party at Walt Disney World. There's a lot to choose from! Check out Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios or the Villains Party at Magic Kingdom. 14. Cruise with friends and book connecting verandah staterooms. The verandahs also connect creating one long verandah to enjoy and gather on together. Order the free room service for breakfast each morning and enjoy great food, conversation and scenery! 15. Stay at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. Play golf, look for sea turtles and kayak. 16.Discover Europe this summer! In July and August consider a Norwegian Fjord and Iceland cruise. This is just the start, there are many more European destinations offered by Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney. 17.Surprise your kids with a Disney vacation and don’t tell them until you are on route to your destination. 18. Let each member of your family make plans for one day of your trip. 19. Visit Columbia by booking a Columbia and South America Adventure by Disney and discover the magic found throughout the Cocora Valley landscape, a spot that provided inspiration for the filmmakers of Disney Animation’s “Encanto.” 20.Challenge your family to pool trivia at one of the Disney resort hotels. Winner gets to choose the first activity the next day. 21. Visit an Epcot Festival (Festival of the Arts, Flower and Garden Festival, Food and Wine Festival, Festival of the Holidays) 22. Attend Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival. Let each person in your party select an item for everyone to try, be adventurous - maybe the pickle milkshake? Read Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2023 (with kids!) to read about my visit this year. 23. Stay at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort. Take a bike ride on the beach followed by a dole whip back at the resort. 24.Book a National Geographic Signature Land Expedition and travel with a National Geographic expert such as an archaeologist, conservationist, or photographer—who enriches your experience with their knowledge and insights. What will you make happen in 2024? I'm here to help! I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! To get started request a no obligation vacation quote here.

Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of the two original Walt Disney property resorts. This iconic resort was built in 1971 and designed to be "ultra modern". Disney's Contemporary Resort is a deluxe resort with a deluxe resort price tag, which could leave you wondering if it is right pick for your next Walt Disney World vacation. Below are six considerations that can help you decide. When staying at Disney Contemporary Resort you are walking distance to Magic Kingdom. This makes trips back and forth to Magic Kingdom quick and simple. It's perfect for families who want a mid-day break at the resort pool or have little (or not so little) ones who would like a nap back in the room. This easy park access is also really convenient for anyone who is planning on enjoying an evening special ticketed event, such as Disney's After Hours at Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. With parties ending as late as midnight, it's much nicer to walk directly to your resort rather than waiting around for a bus with overly tired family members. Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of Disney's three monorail resorts. The monorail transportation system will take you effortlessly to other monorail resorts (Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Polynesian Village Resort), opening up more dining options, and to the Magic Kingdom. Additionally, you can take the monorail to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and transfer to the Epcot monorail for a scenic ride over to Epcot. Garden wing rooms at Disney's Contemporary Resort are the most affordable rooms on the monorail. Disney's Contemporary Resort garden wing rooms are the most affordable rooms available with monorail access. While these rooms are set back away from the main tower and do not offer balconies, you still get monorail access and great walkability to the Magic Kingdom making them a good value for a deluxe resort. Main tower lake view rooms at Disney's Contemporary Resort are less expensive than theme park view rooms and offer beautiful dawn and dusk views. Main tower theme park view rooms are much pricier than the main tower lake view rooms. You don't have to feel like you are scarificing by booking one of these less expensive rooms. While you won't have a view of Space Mountain, you will wake up to a beautiful sunrise over Bay Lake and can enjoy gorgeous evening views as well. Disney's Contemporary Resort is home of two very popular restaurants, Chef Mickey's and California Grill. Great dining options will not be a problem if you are staying at The Contemporary Resort. This resort is home to two very popular resort restaurants, Chef Mickey's, a character buffet that serves breakfast and dinner right in the center of the main tower, and California Grill, one of the best firework dining experiences at Walt Disney World. Additionally, with easy access to other monorail resorts, you can enjoy character dining at Ohana and 1900 Park Fare ,fine dining at Narcoossee's and much more! (Be sure to make your dining reservations 60 days ahead of your stay) Rooms have been recently renovated! Keeping with the retro modern theming, rooms were recently renovated to Incredibles decor. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to help you find the perfect resort for your stay! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here.

The most special and unique souvenirs my family has brought back from Disney vacations have been items we have used to collect character autographs. Autographed souvenirs are one-of-a-kind and unusually inexpensive. With a little planning before your next Disney adventure, you can create something extra special to remember your trip. Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means, if you click on a link to one of these products and make a purchase,  I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.  I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Below are a few of my favorite items for autographs. A Canvas Pouch This pouch was found in the dollar section at Target. We used fine tip fabric markers to collect autographs. After the trip it has been used to store make up and jewelry. Amazon also has quite a Disney canvas make up bags for around $10. Photo Mat A photo mat can be a great place to collect autographs. This idea is best for cruises, as the photo mat is a little more difficult to carry around with you at the parks. After your trip, use the mat to frame your favorite vacation photo! A Baseball Hat This hat was purchased on sale online from ShopDisney. When considering a hat for autographs, find one with enough open space for autographs and use fine tip fabric markers. Another great place to look for an autographs hat is 15 Needles Embroidery. This small business is highly rated and owned by a former cast member. They offer a wide range of Disney designs and hat colors so you can make a custom hat that matches your style! Pillow Case You'll need a light colored pillow case and medium tip fabric markers for this creation. Be sure to put a piece of paper of cardboard inside the pillow case as the characters are signing so the autographs don't bleed through. For an added magic, have your favorite character or your name embroidered on the pillow case ahead of time. White Insulated Water Bottle This item does double duty. Grab a white refillable waterbottle to keep you hydrated during your trip, and use it to collect autographs! These were signed with a metallic sharpie and spayed with a clear coat to finish. You can purchase the Stanley Cup and the Metalic Starpie Markers from Amazon. Christmas Ornaments Ornaments are a great place to capture autographs, especially if you are only looking to prioritize visiting a few characters as you don't have much space to fill. I love these ornaments from It All Started With A Flag. They make hand crafted wood ornaments for virtually every Disney resort and destination. This highly rated small business is owned by a former cast member. Here are a few additional items to consider: canvas tote white t-shirt or tank (just be sure you are carrying it and not wearing it, characters do not sign clothing on guests) apron white backpack small white purse (you can wear this and carry your fabric pens inside) Disney story book, each character signs on their picture Character meals are an enjoyable way to meet a lot of characters in a short time with no lines. Read more about character dining in Character Dining, the 2024 Disney Dining Plan and Dining Discounts at Walt Disney World. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here.

There is much to see and do on a Walt Disney World Vacation it's important that you make the most of your time. It's no secret that there are often long waits for many popular attractions. In recent years Disney has introduced a new service called Genie + to help guests manage time. Below are answers to some commonly asked questions and answers about Genie + and tips on how to use this service strategically to make the most of your vacation. What is Genie +? Genie + is a newer system designed to help you save time waiting in line using what are referred to as "lightning lane entrances". Lightning lane entrances are separate entrances to attractions where Disney limits the number of guest that can enter a lighting lane each hour, so waits are shorter. How do I purchase Genie +? Genie + can be purchased through your my Disney experience app the day of your visit. You can purchase Genie + for one park or multiple parks. The price will vary by park and day. Rates are higher on days parks are expected to be busier. Simply open the mobile app, click on the "purchase" button on the "Disney Genie + Service" section, then scroll to the bottom and click "Get Disney Genie + Service", then select the park you will be visiting that day. There is also a multiple parks option for guests using park hopper tickets and visiting more than one park. Does Genie + Include all Walt Disney World Attractions? Genie + includes most attractions, however there are a few attractions that can only be purchased individually. These are referred to as Individual Lightning Lane, or "ILL" attractions. How do I book rides with Genie +? After you have purchased Genie + you may begin selecting attractions by going to your tip board as early as 7am if you are staying at a WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort, or when the park opens if you are staying off property. Your tip board can be found by clicking on the menu button on the lower right corner of the app (3 horizontal lines), then you will see the tip board button on the top left of the screen. On your tip board you will see the next time available for each attraction or show. You will be able to book one Genie + attraction at this time. (You can also book a Individual Lightning Lane (ILL)"attraction at this time. You will see these attractions listed on the tip board and marked with a price. Most rides are included with Genie +, but there are a few attractions that are "Individual Lightning Lane (ILL)". You would purchase these rides separately.) When can I book my next Genie + attraction? You can book another Genie + lightning lane attraction after you have scanned a lighting lane attraction at the attraction queue or if it's been 2 hours since you booked your last lighting lane (and two hours after the park has opened). This means you can hold more than one Genie + lightning lane attraction at a time. You will see the next time you can book an attraction listed at the top of your tip board. Here are a few tips when booking attractions -Book the most popular rides first. These will have later return times, but that's OK. When the park first opens everyone goes to the most popular rides. The lines for other attractions will be shorter. Use this time to wait in the shorter lines. Then later in the day when it's your turn for the more popular attraction you can skip the stand by line using your booked Genie +. You may also be able to experience one of the attractions you enjoyed earlier in the day a second time by booking it through Genie + and skipping the stand by line. -Genie + allows you to book a lightning lane each for each attraction only once based on availability. Some of the most popular attractions may not have availably by the end of the day. Prior to your visit, you can view wait times on the app to see which rides have the longest waits. -You can modify rides after you book. Just click on the 3 dots in the right corner. This will not change the time you can book your next ride. -Be sure to book your next attraction as soon as you are able to! Don't forget you can book an attraction after you have scanned an attraction or if it's been 2 hours since you booked your last attraction. The time you can book will be listed on the top of your tip board. -If you have trouble or questions with Genie + while at the park, look for a guest service blue umbrella. Cast members here can assist you. I'm only going to the park for half a day, is it a waste to purchase Genie +? NO! You can still purchase Genie+ and begin booking attractions at 7 am. Be sure to modify the times so you are moving the times to later in the day. Continue adding on attractions every 2 hours. You will arrive at the park with a few attractions lined up or "stacked" and ready to go to. What happens if my booked attraction is closed during my scheduled time? Sometimes attractions close due to a variety of reasons. If this happens during your scheduled time your booked experience will change over to a "lightning lane-select experience". You can use this on any Genie + lighting lane experience (not ILL). Do I need Genie + for all 4 parks? Genie + is an additional add on and extra expense. This is not something that is required for your Disney World vacation, but I would consider the value of your time when thinking about the purchase. During less busy times you can get by without purchasing Genie + for Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Both of these parks offer many experiences that don't require waiting in lines. I would still recommend Genie + for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Both of these parks have many rides and the service will really save you time and allow you to experience more. Are there any other perks to purchasing Genie +? My favorite Genie + perk outside of the lightning lane service is the DisneyPhotoPass photos included for select attractions. Many attractions have photo opportunities. Prior to using this service I had fun with the pictures, but never purchased any. Now that they are included, my family has had a great time posing for pictures during the rides. You will also receive a PhotoPass lease app which gives you access to a ton of Disney filters through your phone, my kids have had a lot of fun playing with this during downtime in our resort room. All of this information is the most up to date at the time of the publishing of this blog post. Periodically updates are made to the Genie + service. For the most accurate information and strategies, be sure to check with your travel agent. Ready to start planning your next Disney adventure? I'm Irene, a travel agent with Mouseketrips, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and I would love to work with you! My planning services are free and I price monitor saving you time and money! Request a no obligation quote here.