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by Shelly on March 7, 2020 1 Comment

Bare Minimum of What You Need to Plan Before Going to Disney World

Right now it is 7 months out from our family trip to Disney World. This will be our first trip with both girls and Lilly’s first trip to see The Mouse. To some, it seems incredibly early to start planning a trip. But when you do Disney, the earlier, the better. I’m going to narrow down the bare minimum of what you need to plan before going to Disney World.

Growing up, we had a Disney Binder which held maps and schedules and all kinds of information for our week-long trip to Disney World. Now, everything can be done online. There have been two times in my life that I have gone to Disney without a plan. Once, when my husband surprised me with a trip. And when I went on my solo trip in October.

I’m not saying you can’t have a magical time at Disney World without having a plan but there are some things that will improve the magic if you take care of them before your visit.

Here are the 9 Essential Steps before going on your next WDW trip (in the order I recommend).

Book Your Resort

Booking your resort should be the first thing you do when planning your vacation. Even if the hotel is not a priority on your list. The resorts fill up fast. Go into your booking with a couple in mind within your budget.

For example, you might be able to find a room with no special view at a DVC rental at Boardwalk that is the same price as a standard room at Art of Animation. With the DVC rental, you could have the bonus of a kitchenette and nicer furnishings. With DVC rentals you can book 11 months out for the ‘home resort’ and 7 months out for all others. Ali has a great post on the basics of renting a DVC room.

What to plan before going on your next Disney World vacation — Disney’s Boardwalk Resort

Pick out magic bands (if staying on-site)

When booking a resort stay on Disney property you’re automatically gifted a free Magic Band which acts as your room key and holds all the information for your trip. Previously, you were given a choice of colors but now they’ve offered the option of upgrading to a specialty Magic Band. These specialty bands are only $10 as opposed to the (up to) $30 price tag in the parks.

When I went on my solo trip I did not stay on property and forgot to bring my Magic Band from a previous trip. I was given an admission card but was annoyed with getting it out for each FP+ ride. I bought an adorable It’s a Small World Magic Band that was $25 in the Animal Kingdom.

It is now $7.50 on ShopDisney.

Buy Park Tickets

Disney often has ticket discounts when you buy them in a package. Right now they’re running a promotion for a 4-Day ticket at $89/day (a huge savings from the normal base ticket). Other options for buying your park tickets: Costco or Undercover Tourist. Undercover Tourist is Disney affiliated. Disney knows that they’re selling their tickets at a discounted price so you don’t need to worry something shady might happen.

Create an account and link everything on MDE

MDE stands for My Disney Experience and is an app in your app store. In MDE you can do all of your planning from dining reservations to FP+ and lots more. Once you’ve created an account, it’ll be your account for every future trip. You link your confirmation numbers for everything within the app and it keeps track of everything.

Study the Once Upon a Planner Insiders Guide

Aside from going to the parks daily while I worked there for a semester, I have been to WDW 11 times. I’m knowledgable on the parks, the food, the transportation etc. but am always searching for a way to save time and money. The Insiders Guide on Once Upon a Planner has been the most bang for my buck 10 times over. The hacks guide tells you how to get lost of FP+ after your initial 3 that you book before your trip. There is so much info on the site from Planning Guides to cost analysis posts and tips on saving money.

When I went on my solo trip, I scored 18 FP+ in one day. I’m not guaranteeing you can get that many but a lot of people have gotten way more than that! I HIGHLY recommend taking a look at their site if you want to maximize your ride time at the parks. You can use my affiliate code if you’d like to help support our next trip to Disney.

schedule Magical Express

Once you book your flight you can schedule a Magical Express reservation. Link your flight in the My Disney Experience portal and make sure to click how many bags you’ll be checking. The Magical Express takes you on a bus from the airport to your resort and they also take care of your luggage. It will magically be sitting in your room when your room is available!

Plan Your Dining EXperiences

180 days out from your trip you’re allowed to start booking for sit down restaurants. They call these reservations ADRs or advanced dining reservations. If you have no clue where to start, you could ask a Travel Agent to help make a good decision on where/when to eat for your family. Otherwise, I suggest looking into Disney Food Blog Guide or WDW Radio to hear about all the wonderful options at the Walt Disney World Resort (includes the parks, Disney Springs and the resorts).

30 or 60 day FP+ booking

When you book a stay at a Disney resort you are allowed to book FP+ passes 60 days prior to your vacation. When staying off-site you’re allowed 30 days prior. If you have a strong opinion on rides, I definitely recommend waking up and ready to book these as soon as the window opens (7am).

TIP: Start with your final park day of your trip. You’ll be more likely to score the ones you want because other people start with the beginning of their trip.

Book any extras: dessert party, tours, after hours, bippity boppity Boutique

Your final step, after planning for all the others is to book your extras. In my case, I knew I wanted to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party while we’re there in October. The ticket prices are lower right now since the dates were just released so I bought those ASAP. I have yet to buy my park tickets or flight because I’m waiting to see if there’s a better deal. In some cases, you can book your extras as soon as you have your dates set (I usually base this on when my room reservations are set).

You can check this post from Disney Tourist Blog to see some of the different options Disney offers for extra magical experiences. These are just opinions. You can go to Disney’s site to get the full details.

I hope I didn’t overwhelm you with everything there is to do before your next trip to Walt Disney World. In reality, you only need to book a flight or set aside time from work to take your vacation. You could have a lovely trip without any planning. You WILL wait in lots of lines and be frustrated that you can’t eat at certain places. If you want to save some time and money, use these steps as the bare minimum of what you need to plan before going to Disney World.

Let me know in the comments when your next trip is! What do you get most stressed about when planning for your trip?

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by Shelly on February 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

8 Reasons You’ll Need Your Phone in Disney World

When in the happiest place on Earth, it’s likely you’ll want to keep your phone in your backpack so you can stay in the moment. Soaking up every bit of Disney magic and the wonder on your kid’s faces is priceless. I am a big believer in focusing on the present to stay grounded but there are definitely times when using your smartphone in the parks is going to save you lots of time. Disney is leaning more towards making things more digital and some things (Rise of Resistance) are only accessible through your phone. Here are 8 reasons you’ll need your phone in Disney World.

My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience App has replaced the giant binder we used to use for planning 10 years ago. You can now use MDE (My Disney Experience) for your FastPass+ reservations, restaurant reservations, park merchandise locations, ride wait times, bus schedules and even unlocking the door to your resort room!

This is the main reason I always bring a portable charger to the park (or even a brick so both my husband and I can charge throughout the day). The app sucks up a ton of battery and in the Florida sun, you’ll need your brightness all the way up.

Mobile Ordering At Quick Service Restaurants

Mobile Ordering is becoming more prevalent throughout the parks and I’m here for it. There’s something to be said about a character meal or fine dining experience at Disney but when you just need to get food in the kids so everyone stops crying, mobile ordering is your savior. You can order food at a nearby quick-service restaurant, while you’re in the queue for a ride, and go straight to the pick-up counter after the ride, avoiding all frustration of waiting in a long line. It’s lovely. If for no other reason, you’ll need your phone in Disney for this one.

Checking In At Your Resort

After an early 2:30am wake up time to catch the first flight out of Indy, my vacation doesn’t start once I get to the parks but once I get on the Magical Express! I’m officially giddy once I am checking into our hotel. With a background in hospitality, I love talking to the receptionist about the property and gaining all those special tips about the resort. At the same time, I love that Disney makes it possible for those who hate waiting in line to be able to quickly and easily check into their room via the MDE app.

If you’re getting there before check-in time your room may not be ready but the app will alert you with a text on where your room is with a digital map of the property and your luggage will be in the room when you get there. You can even use the MDE app to get into your room if you don’t have your magic band. PRO TIP: Use the MDE App to unlock the closest door to your room during after hours when they’re typically locked. You can go directly from the airport to the parks or Disney Springs without dealing with the hassle of checking in at the resort!

Accessing Your Photos

I’ve been getting more into taking videos on our trips but I don’t feel comfortable taking my professional camera around the parks. Our phones have great quality photo and video options that will help us remember our trip for years to come. You’ll also need your phone if you’re utilizing Disney’s PhotoPass or Memory Maker to look at your photos.

This year will be our first trip as a family of four and instead of being stressed by trying to get great photos we’re utilizing the Memory Maker. I will still have my phone for quick shots and video but I’m excited to have all access to all of the wonderful photos from the PhotoPass locations and ride photos.

Restaurant Waitlist

The days of holding onto the buzzer while you wait for your table is long gone in Disney World. If you have a reservation to a sit-down restaurant you’ll likely only need to wait a few minutes before your name is called. If you’re getting your name on the waitlist because you didn’t make a reservation ahead of time or they don’t take reservations (ahem, Skipper Canteen) you’ll be notified via your phone. You’ll have 10-15 minutes to get to the restaurant so don’t wander far.

Transportation Around Walt Disney World Resort

Disney gives us several different options for getting around their resort. From buses (supposedly every 20 minutes) to monorails to gondolas to ferries. You can use your phone to check the bus schedules in MDE or use it to order a Minnie Van. It’s a Lyft service with guaranteed car seats (we’ve had lots of trouble with Ubers not having car seats). Sometimes it’s just worth getting an Uber back to your resort when the parks are closing during peak season.

Fun In The Queues

I’m a big believer in utilizing FastPass+ to its full potential but if you’re more of a go-with-the-flow type person there is a lot of fun to be had while waiting in line. There is a newish app called Disney Play that lets you enhance your experience of the parks while in the ride lines. They’ve incorporated special features within Galaxy’s Edge like translating languages and being able to help the resistance. You can also test your knowledge of Disney trivia and achieve a special pin by visiting certain rides.

Another fun app to play while waiting is Heads Up. There is a new Disney themed deck you can play while in the parks!

Updates From Disney

The MDE app has been designed to notify you when there is some interruption in your plans. The most common notification that I have received is when there is a ride disruption that interferes with your FastPass+ due to weather or a 101 (ride not operating). Generally, you will be allowed to use your FastPass+ for that ride whenever the ride opens again, or, if it is down for the rest of the day, you can use a FastPass+ on any ride in that park.

The app is also able to notify you of park closures because of capacity or when certain areas of the park are busy so you can head to an emptier area. Disney really is trying to make things easier for our special trips to the parks.

So, next time you think about unplugging for your Disney vacation, think twice because having your phone handy could really enhance your trip!

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by Shelly on December 3, 2019 12 Comments

7 Tips for a Solo Disney Trip

This year I was able to take a solo Disney trip for three days that coordinated with a blogging conference. I was excited to learn at my conference but I was ecstatic to add on a couple days to do Disney by myself.

Flying makes me nervous and I wasn’t thrilled about taking Ubers alone but having worked in Disney I felt very comfortable being in the parks alone. It felt like home and I’m so glad I had that experience.

These were the types of questions I was asked when I told people I did a solo Disney trip:

1. How long of a trip?

Because I am very extroverted a shorter 2-3 day trip was perfect for me. Not having people to share the experience with was the hardest part. I would have been too lonely past that amount of time. However, if you’re fine being on your own, I always suggest a full day for each park.

2. Where to stay?

I’m a huge believer in staying on property with family vacations. The ease of transportation and luggage transfer makes the trip much less stressful. However, because I was trying to save as much money as possible, I used Hotwire.com to get a hotel room off property for $55/night. The downside was taking Ubers cost about $20/trip so at the end of the day I could have opted for a stay at Pop Century for around the same price. The upside, Ubers are much faster than the Disney bus system and I had free breakfast at my hotel each morning. So it’s really what you prioritize. If you are doing a luxurious solo trip, try staying at a new resort in a studio that you would otherwise not fit in with your family. My favorites are Disney’s Boardwalk and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

3. Which parks are best for solo travelers?

All the parks are great for solo travelers so I recommend doing all four. If you’re staying a shorter period, try doing a park hopper to get the most out of your days. While I was there I did the Animal Kingdom (AK) and Hollywood Studios the first day and the second day I did the Magic Kingdom (MK), Hollywood Studios (HS) for a little and back to the Magic Kingdom. I did it this way because I was meeting people at certain parks, otherwise, I would have done the Magic Kingdom one day and the second-day Animal Kingdom in the morning and Hollywood Studios at night. I opted out of EPCOT this trip because I like enjoying food and culture with people. If you’re a huge Star Wars fan, make Hollywood Studios a full day park and split AK and MK.

4. How to move past the awkwardness?

My favorite part of doing a solo trip is talking to other guests and cast members. I learned so much from people by talking to them about their tips on the parks and about their cultures. Look for people with an Annual Passholder slider on their Magic Band. They’ve got the most experience coming to the parks frequently and will know the best places to eat and hacks to save time. I also saught out families who were speaking other languages to talk to them about their trip. It’s fascinating learning how month-long travel is the norm for so many cultures. I also love talking to first-timers and kids who are worried about rides. There is never a shortage of people to relate to at Disney World.

5. How to stay safe?

If you are sharing on social media, do not post live on a solo trip. Wait until you get back to the hotel to upload everything. If you have a bad feeling about an Uber driver or anyone at the parks, listen to your gut and remove yourself from that situation. I make sure I only accept Uber drivers that are platinum and have tons of great written reviews. The nice thing about staying off property is that you’re dropped off right at the hotel entrance. If you’re staying on property you’ll likely have to walk to your room at night which is the only time I think I would have felt uneasy. In this case, just be aware of your surroundings and stick with families.

6. How to maximize time?

I could talk all day about various ways to save time in Disney but the two biggest are Mobile Ordering and line hacks. I took a course through Wish Upon a Planner to learn about line hacks and maximizing the number of FP+ while in the parks. While in MK I rode 8 rides within 4 hours and ate and rested during that time.

Mobile Ordering is free on the My Disney Experience App. While you’re in line at an attraction, log into the app, choose a restaurant and order your food. When you get to the quick service location, check-in and within minutes you can pick your food up at the designated Mobile Ordering location with no waiting in line. While I was by myself I didn’t like not being able to share my food with my family so I was happy to order whatever was close, cheap and quick.

7. what to bring?

There are so many blog posts about this out there. Some people like to over-prepare so they don’t have to buy anything while at the parks. I’m more of a minimalist and like to pack very little. The few things I highly recommend for a solo trip are water bottle to refill, large portable battery pack and fanny pack.

Water Bottle

Water is $3.50 and with how much walking you’ll do you need to stay hydrated. There are water fountains everywhere so just keep refilling. When I go with my family we take a Camelbak so all of us can drink while waiting in line.

Portable Battery

I suggest a large portable battery because you’ll be using the My Disney Experience App during the day and will likely have your brightness turned up. You don’t want to be stuck alone at the end of the night with no phone to call an Uber. Be sure to bring different ways of charging it because my hotel did not have a USB port for charging.

Fanny Pack

My fanny pack was how I kept my sanity. I wore a backpack to carry my sweatshirt, poncho, water bottle, and battery pack. However, while I was there I wore my poncho a lot so it became frustrating to take off my poncho to get into my backpack every time I needed a credit card or phone (most women’s pants don’t have pockets). I was also able to carry my mini portable charger in my fanny pack so I could continue to charge my phone but get it out quickly when needed. Most people don’t need their phone that much but I was constantly documenting for my blog.

I’d love to know what tips you have used for a successful solo Disney trip (or if you’d even consider taking one!) It’s not for everyone but I do think, if you are Disney obsessed, it’s worth trying once. You’re able to do tours your family might not enjoy. You can take your time or go as fast as you’d like. It’s really a cool way to experience the parks.

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by Shelly on January 17, 2019 1 Comment

Favorite Disney Gear for Kids at the Parks

We’re headed to the most magical place on earth in less than a month. Of course I am consumed with all things Disney. I’ve been looking for the best outfits for my family and I and wanted to share what works best for us when we head to Walt Disney World Resorts. I’ll share a women’s post but this is what I found works best for our daughter.

Favorite Disney Gear for Kids at the Parks

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links.

What Should My Kid Wear to Disney?

Custom Magic Band– Magic bands are good forever and they really hold up well through sweat, sunscreen and Splash Mountain.
Minnie Ears– Minnie Ears have exploded over the past few years. People make them and pay lots of money for custom ears. We found this rainbow sequins pair on Amazon for almost half of what they are in the parks.
Fanny Pack– I know! They’re totally in again though. Our daughter is always carrying a purse with her lip gloss, pen, money, bows and her mirror. We want her to be able to feel responsible to carry her own money for souvenirs.
Cute Sunnies– Sunglasses are a must in Florida no matter what time of year you visit. We love these because they’re flexible and tough. They are also polarized which a lot of kid sunglasses don’t have.
Pin Lanyard– We love pin trading and our daughter does as well. It’s a great way for her to talk to kids and other park guests. It’s also the perfect way to collect an inexpensive souvenir each time we visit.
Minnie Skirt– Our girlie wants to wear her princess dresses all day every day but they can get hot in the parks. She settled for a little Disney Bounding skirt to look like Minnie this year.
Character Shirt– The Disney Store runs sales all the time so we usually pick up our favorite character shirts before heading to the park. Target is great for this as well.
Comfortable Shoes– They’re going to want to wear flip flops or princess shoes but you’ve got to put your foot down with this. Broken in tennis shoes are necessary for them and yourselves while walking all day in the parks.

What kid gear am I missing besides the obvious of sunscreen and tons of water?!

by Shelly on November 8, 2018 1 Comment

Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet Coloring Pages

Is your family looking forward to Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet – in theaters November 21st? Download and print FREE Disney Ralph Breaks the Internet Coloring Pages today!

Disney’s Ralph Breaks the Internet

Are your kids begging to see Ralph Breaks the Internet every time they see the trailer or a poster like mine? We were stoked to get the invite to the premier but I didn’t have super high hopes for the movie. I typically like the originals way better than the sequals so although Disney always kills it with their animated films, I was still wary it would be as good as Wreck it Ralph. I am excited to say that I was wrong and it is amazing! It’s definitely as good as the first movie with tons of humor for both kids and adults as well as some seriously good messaging on friendship and the internet.

Before you check out the movie go ahead and download and print out these adorable Ralph Breaks the Internet Coloring Pages for us– plus there are a couple of bonus activities! Simply scroll to the bottom to print the coloring pages today!

About the film:

In RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and best friend Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) leave the comforts of Litwak’s arcade in an attempt to save her game, Sugar Rush. Their quest takes them to the vast, uncharted world of the internet where they rely on the citizens of the internet—the Netizens—to help navigate their way. Lending a virtual hand are Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), the head algorithm and the heart and soul of the trend-making site “BuzzzTube,” and Shank (voice of Gal Gadot), a tough-as-nails driver from a gritty online auto-racing game called Slaughter Race, a place Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces—so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he’s ever had. Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Zootopia,” writer, “Cedar Rapids”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt,” “Lilo & Stitch”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.

Like WRECK-IT RALPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WreckItRalph/
Follow WRECK-IT RALPH on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wreckitralph
Follow WRECK-IT RALPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wreckitralph/
Visit the official RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET website here: http://movies.disney.com/ralph-breaks-the-internet-wreck-it-ralph-2

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET arrives in theaters everywhere on November 21st!