The Affordable Mouse » Affordable Disney Vacations

Thrifty Thursday: How About a FREE Disney Sundae?

Kelly — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:45:38 +0000

Many thanks to Kelly for sharing one of her great Money Saver tips with us, from her blog, Disney Guru today!

We just recently got back from a wonderful trip to Disney World. I just love that every time I am there, we learn new things!!! We stayed at Pop Century so this tip is for all of you Pop stayers out there. If you don’t stay at Pop but you know of a similar deal at your home resort please do share your findings in the comments section below.

When you are on the Disney Dining Plan and you order a quick service meal, you get 1 meal, 1 drink and 1 dessert of your choice. This usually consists of some sort of cake or ice cream bar. Did you know that at Pop they have a bakery section that serves up some wonderful made to order Sundaes? Did you know you can get one of those Sundaes instead of what is offered in the food court area? Well you can!!

When you check out simply tell the cast member that is checking you out that you are going to get your dessert later. He/She will stamp your receipt with a dessert time stamp good for 90 minutes. You can then enjoy your meal and head on over to the bakery, where you can order a Sundae with all of the fixings. It is sooooooooooo yummy!!! We did this almost every day!

*Tip I asked and was able to use my receipt past the 90 minute time slot. It never hurts to ask. :0)

Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple…and for a limited time, get a FREE Disney gift card when you book your trip with me! ($2000 minimum package cost)

Kelly, her husband, and three children live in the Chicagoland area. Kelly has been traveling to Walt Disney World since the age of two. She considers Walt Disney World to be her primary vacation destination. With 20 plus trips under her belt she still enjoys researching and learning new things about the most magical place on earth! Kelly began Disney Guru in August of 2010 with the vision of sharing fun vacation tips and magic with all fans of Disney World.

Terrific Tuesdays: Disney Resort Hopping

Shannan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:45:20 +0000

One thing my family tried on our last trip to Walt Disney World was resort hopping. Since we went around Christmas, all of the resorts were decked out in holiday decor.

Our first stop was the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, they aren’t Disney owned resorts, but they have many of the same luxuries and benefits as the Disney Resorts. The main lobby of the Swan had numerous trees with matching decor. As we headed through the back lobby towards the Dolphin resort, there was a Santa and train scene made completely of chocolate! Over at the Dolphin, the outside walkways were lined with trees covered in multi-colored lights. We took the escalator up to the second floor lobby where a beautiful tree made of white poinsettas blue lights stood. It was gorgeous.

Next we took the boats over to the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Outside there were poinsettia filled pots and decorated trees. As we headed into the Yacht Club Resort, we noticed the lobby tree was decorated with lighthouses and sailboats. There was also a working carrousel made of gingerbread. Each horse was named and there were hidden Mickeys scattered around it. The tree at the Beach Club Resort was adorned with starfish and mermaids.

During this trip we made a few ADRs at resorts so we could check out the decor there and “kill 2 birds” in the process. Our first was at the Whispering Canyon Cafe inside the Wilderness Lodge. The room doors open to the inside lobby and all of the balconies were trimmed with greenery. The lobby tree was gorgeous and decorated with bears, teepees and antlers. After we finished our meal, we took a stroll over to the camping sites at Fort Wilderness. Man these folks go all out! There were lights and Disney inflatables everywhere.

Our next resort hopping venture was the monorail resorts. First stop- The Polynesian. This place is beautiful, even without the holiday decorations. Mickey, Minnie and Goofy were dressed in their Christmas best and greeting in the lobby! We hopped back on the monorail and headed to the Grand Floridian. Grand it is! The lobby had a gorgeous Victorian tree and the famous life-sized gingerbread house over to the side. Here you can purchase various gingerbread treats. On the night we were there, bell ringers and carolers were singing in the lobby.

We had breakfast at Chef Mickeys. On the monorail ride, as you head towards it, you notice the HUGE Mickey shaped wreath adorning the side of the building. This resort is also where we found a rather large gingerbread tree, standing 17′ tall and 6′ wide.

We had a great time checking out these resorts, as they are beautiful no matter what the season is. Hopefully on our next trip we can hope around to the ones we missed!

Shannan is a mom that was born and raised in rural Tennessee. She tells us: “I live with my husband and 3 of our 5 children. Travis is 24 and is father to my grandbabies, Emma and baby Judson. I can’t wait to start sharing Disney with them. Dusty is 22, Clay 12, Zachary 10 and Erin is 8. I clean houses to make money to fund my magical trips. I went to Disney the first time as a teen and couldn’t wait to start introducing my own children to the magic. We took our 3 youngest in 2004 and that started it all. We have been 3 times since then and have our first Christmas trip planned for this December. Usually my parents accompany us on the trip and I have to research and plan for things that will suit various ages in our party of 7. Each time I go, I try new experiences in lodging and dining so I can share it with friends and family that seek my advice on trip planning! Disney is definitely my first choice in vacation destinations. Hopefully there is a Disney surf and turf vacation in our future!“

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

DeAnna — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:45:11 +0000

Since we are The Affordable Mouse, I thought this would be the perfect way to open up Mouse Resort Friday – a quick run through my favorite value property, Disney’s Pop Century. It’s a fun place to stay, and won’t crunch your pocket book.

Pop opened in 2003, and has 2,880 colorfully decorated guest rooms sectioned into different decades. The 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s are all represented by giant pop culture icons, as well as by dances crazes, toys and games. Also adding to the theme are three heated pools, the 60s Hippy Dippy Pool (shaped like a flower), the 50s Bowling Pool (shaped like a bowling pin), and the 90s Computer Pool (shaped like….well, okay, you get the message). Located adjacent to the lobby are the Fast Forward Arcade and the Everything Pop shop and food court. The food court offers many tasty options, including a Special of the Day.

We normally stay in a moderate resort, but since we visited rather close to Christmas, we chose to scale back a bit on cost, and this was the best option for us. We were NOT disappointed. The rooms were clean, housekeeping was prompt and courteous, and the grounds were immaculate. We wanted for nothing while we visited, and had no complaints.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is located near Epcot Center, and if you play your cards right (or book your room in the right location), you’ll be able to stand on your balcony and view Epcot’s fireworks from Illuminations at night. The room I requested also overlooked Hourglass Lake, and featured a walking/running track alongside the water….very nice.

If you’re trying to get the best bang for your buck, this is your resort. It’s newer than the other properties, and has its own bus service; the other values share a bus. Not a big deal, you say? Well, it is at park closing when you’re tired, your children are unhappy, and your feet – even more unhappy. Pop really gives you everything you need, while being on grounds, taking advantage of extra magic hours, free Disney transportation, and a myriad of other mouse perks that can only be experienced at a Disney property.

Ears to ya, DeAnna

DeAnna, along with her husband and teen-age son, lives in Wiggins, Mississippi, and has a passion for all things Disney. She is always eager to share the knowledge she has gained from her many trips to Walt Disney World, and has helped numerous people in their vacation planning to realize it’s not an unattainable dream. Her must-dos on every trip are Pirates of the Caribbean, Rockin’ Roller Coaster & a stolen moment of quiet with her “Boyz” (as she affectionately calls them) having a pastry from Boulangerie in Epcot World Showcase’s France. Disney is so much a part of her life, that she & her husband were married in front of Cinderella’s Castle, and she says it doesn’t get any more magical than that……

Disney Tips: Using the Disney Dining Plan Wisely

Kelly — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:45:43 +0000

When you plan your Walt Disney World Vacation, food is often a key factor in your budgeting and planning experience. The Disney Dining Plan(DDP) can offer you great food and memorable meals with the ones you love. But beware, if you do not plan wisely you can end leaving your magical vacation feeling frustrated and like you wasted your time. Here are some Disney Dining Plan tips that are sure to help you leave your Disney vacation feeling full and magical!!

Know your eating habits There are three DDP’s to choose from. Before you decide which one will suite your needs there are a few things to keep in mind. There is a lot of food offered with each plan. Plans that include sit down meals not only will have an ample amount of food but can include signature dining which can take hours to fully experience. So knowing your eating habits along with those of your travel party can help you determine which plan will having you feeling like you got the most for your money.
Understand the DDP credits For those that are looking for food other than your average burger and fries it is good to know that almost all of the table-service meals on the DDP (except for Signature dining) are considered equal. Dining at the famous Ohana’ will cost you no more DDP credits than dining at the burger drive in Sci-Fi Dine In. Or knowing that you can indulge in a wonderful steak lunch at Le Cellier for 1 DDP credit vs. 2 DDP credits for dinner can make a huge difference. Understanding the way the DDP credit system works can help you feel like you ate like royalty while on your Disney vacation.
Where is the deluxe food? There are several DDP locations that offer you a more bang for your buck type of meal, but while on the DDP you will not have to pay a penny more to enjoy it. Breakfast lovers will enjoy the higher end breakfast selections at; 1900 Park Fare Character Breakfast at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort or Booma’s at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Lunch lovers would love to know that you can get a great quality lunch at Le Cellier and Coral Reef at Epcot and at Sanna’s located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. For those on the quick service plan do not fear there are some wonderful high end quality dining experiences for you as well. Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express both located at Downtown Disney along with Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine Cafe and Animal Kingdom’s Flame Tree Barbeque are all wonderful quick service dining options.
Plan Last it is super important to plan out your Disney Dining in advance. Compare park hours with your dining selections and then make your Disney Dining reservations at least 180 days in advance.

With the proper planning and following these easy tips your Disney Dining Plan experience is sure to leave you full and feeling like you got your money’s worth. Wishing you happy planning!!

What Would You Do With One More Disney Day?

Nancy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:05:34 +0000

Take a full 24 hours to create as many memories as you can — because on Leap Day, 2012, Disney Parks are celebrating like never before!

For the first time ever, both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park will be open for 24 hours of wonder, imagination and magic starting February 29 at 6:00 a.m.

Plus, beginning January 1, 2012, Disney Parks.com is giving away a vacation package every day until February 29, 2012 and has an exciting special offer!

Spend an extra night for free at either a Disneyland Resort Hotel or a Walt Disney World Resort hotel when you book a Room and Ticket Package for 3 nights or more, between February 26 and March 10, 2012. Purchase before January 31, 2012.

Get a Vacation Quote

AND: Starting January 1, 2012, enter every day through February 29, 2012 for a chance to win one of 60 vacation packages for 4 to either Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort.

Enter the Contest Here

Thrifty Thursday: Awesome Disney Photos in All the Best Locations

Brenda — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:45:28 +0000

Many of my most treasured Disney mementos are photographs of my family throughout the years. I love looking through them and remembering special times as my kids were growing up. I have thoroughly taken advantage of Disney’s PhotoPass photographers and I think they are one of the best perks Disney has to offer.

Disney’s Photopass is a card you carry which houses your photos in one location. I am sure you have noticed the photographers set up in all the very best locations throughout the parks. They are hired to capture your family’s magical memories on film. Located in all the best areas, whether right in front of Cinderella Castle, at the entrance to Epcot next to the monorail, in front of the Sorcerer’s hat, on the way to Expedition Everest, or countless other locations in the parks they are strategically positioned in all of the prime locations.

If you purchase a Magic Your Way Package, you will receive a PhotoPass card in your travel packet. If not, any Photopass photographer will gladly provide you with one free of charge. Just carry it with you in order to take advantage of all the best photo opps with your family. During or after your travel, you can view your pictures and order any you would like.

I usually do purchase some of the PhotoPass pictures, especially for special photo gifts, but I like knowing I don’t have to. Professional photographs can be expensive and that is why I think the very best thing about the PhotoPass photographers is that they are happy to take a picture using your personal camera as well. All you have to do is hand them your PhotoPass card as well as your personal camera and they will take all the pictures for you. The same exact pose for your professional Photopass photo will be captured on your own camera free of charge. This is especially welcome to the person in your family who is usually responsible for taking photographs and never actually appears to be on the trip.

Personally, I appreciate the fact that Disney offers this service to their guests, rather than making families feel that they must purchase photos they really cannot afford. It is just another free little extra they have decided to throw in to make everyone’s trip more memorable. Take advantage of this free service the next time you are in the parks and keep smiling!

Brenda is a native Texan born and raised on the Gulf Coast. She visited Disney World twice as a teenager and always dreamed of growing her family Disney. She took her first-timer husband and their three children to Disney World in 2000 and they now spend every Thanksgiving there. Brenda writes with a comedic twist on various Disney topics. She will be sharing tips she has learned during her travels and also hopes to enlighten people on little-known freebies that Disney has to offer. She wishes she could have met Walt Disney and considers herself to be a student of Walt. In parallel to his dream it is her wish that everyone would take at least one trip to Disney World in order to share in its magic with their families.

Planning for Your 2012 Disney Vacation

Nancy — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:45:54 +0000

As we near the end of this year, and look ahead to a brand new, shiny New Year, it’s also the perfect time to start thinking about planning that next Disney vacation. After all, is there any better New Year’s resolution than visiting one of the Disney parks, or maybe finally taking that long-dreamed-about Disney Cruise?

So with that in mind, I thought it was the perfect time to re-run portions of an article that I wrote last spring about taking those first steps towards making your Disney vacation dreams a reality. I hope you find it helpful! Happy New Year…..and happy planning!

I always tell folks that there are 3 basic keys to making an affordable Disney vacation happen: planning, budgeting, and an open mind. With these three things guiding you, you can really take all the aspects of a Disney vacation and change each as needed until you have a vacation you can afford.

In fact, I like to think of it as putting the pieces of a puzzle together to create a beautiful picture. In this case that picture is your dream of a Disney vacation only with this puzzle there is no right way to put those pieces together! The only right way is the one that makes your dream a reality! Saving money on a Disney vacation is about choices and in some instances, trade-offs: if you want or need to spend more in one area, then work to reduce costs in another. Start with making a realistic budget, and then consider the following:

When Are You Going?

It may seem as if this goes without saying, but knowing when you can go has a huge effect on the cost of your vacation: some times of year are simply more expensive than others. Typically holidays and school vacations are the most expensive of all….so if you have any flexibility at all, try to schedule your trip during the cheaper times of year if you can. If you can’t do that, then know that you will be moving other puzzle pieces around this one, in order to make it all work. But no worries, it will all work!

What Disney Deals Are Available?

When people ask me what is the cheapest way to plan their Disney vacation, I always tell them “it depends”. The thing about this Disney vacation puzzle that we’re putting together is, as I have already said, there is more than one way to put the puzzle together.

There are so many factors that go into planning a Disney vacation that you really need to be prepared to do some comparisons. So get out that trusty calculator, and once you have your budget and know when you will be traveling (or at least the general time of year or month) then start with looking at the promotions that Disney offers for that time. Get a quote. Add in one of the Disney Dining Plans if you think it might work for your family, and compare the costs with paying for your food out of pocket. And look at each of the Dining Plans too, because it may be that a different “level” of plan (Quick Service for example) might be more cost effective than another for your family.

Remember the 3 keys: planning, budgeting, and an open mind? This is where that open mind is crucial. You may “think” you know what will be least expensive, but until you actually run all the numbers, you can’t know for certain. And people are surprised about what is actually cheapest for them all the time!

How Will You Get There?

I always recommend trying to make a decision, at least a tentative one, about your transportation as soon as possible. You don’t necessarily have to book your travel, but having a pretty solid idea of how you are going to get to Disney World….and how much it will cost….is important to know at the beginning, preferably before you book your accommodations or package. This way, you can play with the puzzle pieces a bit more, if necessary until you make them fit with your budget.

Another benefit of doing this early: start watching for ways to save money at the beginning. If you are flying, figure out what your likely carriers are and get on their promotional email list, and/or become Facebook or Twitter fans. Many discounts are given out this way that the general public never knows about. Giving yourself enough time on this part will allow you to jump on a promotion when it becomes available.

Don’t Forget the Tickets

Most people who are not getting a package, try to save money on their Disney park tickets, and it is possible to save a little on the actual cost, by using an authorized Disney ticket broker….but it won’t be a huge savings. What may save you more money is having an “open mind” (again!) about the type of ticket that you buy: maybe you save by not getting a Park Hopper, or the Water Parks Fun and More option. Or perhaps you will benefit from a package promotion where “Kids Play Free”, so that you are saving on your ticket costs that way.

This puzzle piece has a little flexibility…but not much. Whatever you do, as we discussed before, never buy tickets from eBay or Craigslist: tickets that have been partially used are non-transferrable, and you can’t be sure that there are really ANY days on the tickets at all until you get to the gate. Which is too late to do anything about it.

And Then There’s Food

This is a puzzle piece that you can move around a LOT, as there are many ways that you can save money on your Disney dining. Dining plan options, bringing food with you, eating off-site, cooking/eating in (a benefit of having a condo or house with a kitchen!) are just a few ways that you can potentially make your trip more affordable.

So as you can see, with planning, that trusty budget and an open mind, you really have all kinds of ways that you can shift and adjust the puzzle pieces of your vacation until you create your Disney dream.

As Walt Disney himself, was fond of saying: “If you can dream it, you can do it!”

Thrifty Thursday: Paying at the Disney Parks

Brenda — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:45:43 +0000

I am a huge fan of the Key to the World cards at Walt Disney World. For those of us who use our debit cards for everyday purchases and rarely ever have cash on hand, it is a real convenience to carry that one card to make all our purchases. For all guests staying at a resort on Disney property, the Key to the World card is the most convenient way to pay for things while at the parks.

I am often asked by new visitors, “Do I need cash in the park?” I tell them that depends on what they hope to buy while there. With the Key to the World card, you only need cash at the parks if you want to buy a Mickey balloon or something from the carts during the shows. Also, if your kids enjoy collecting pressed coins you will need quarters and pennies on hand for that.

Some people believe that it is difficult to keep track of what they are spending with their Key to the World card. I have a very simple method of keeping track of my charges, so when I go to the desk to check out of the resort, I have all of my charges in chronological order. It is the simple little Debit Card Register.

My Debit Card Register is only 2 1/2″ x 3 3/16″, holds 18 pages and is easy to carry. Each time I charge something, I just jot it down on the next available line. Each line has a place for date, description of charge, and amount. It does not have a column for balance but I wouldn’t take the time to add it up each time anyway. If I want to know what I have spent so far, I just add it up and put it on a line of its own in a different color pen.

I can keep track of what I am spending this way and it is a very cheap solution. You can buy 5 Debit ATM Mini Checkbook Registers for $3 at Amazon and they last forever. I certainly don’t use 18 pages per trip so whenever I end a trip, I mark off the rest of that page and whenever we go again, I just start a new page. I carry my debit register and my Key to the World card together in a clear, plastic folding card holder. This is all I need for the parks.

We do take cash to use at the resorts. This is necessary for mousekeeping, bell services, and parking valets. However, at the parks we stick to our Key to the World card and it works just great. It couldn’t be more convenient.

Happy touring!!

Thrifty Thursday: Taking a Disney First Timer…and Giveaway Number 4!

Brenda — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:45:58 +0000

Welcome to Day #4 of our Birthday Week Celebration! Today’s Giveaway of the Day is a $25 Gift Certificate to Garden Grocer ! Use it to have snacks, water, groceries or even entire meals delivered to your hotel or vacation home. Many thanks to the folks at Garden Grocer for offering this gift certificate today. So, to enter, simply answer today’s question in the comments below. I will then choose one winner using Random.org from everyone who enters before 11 p.m. ET, Thursday, December 8. Please note: you must answer on the blog post to be eligible!

And now, for your chance to win today’s giveaway, please tell us in the comments below:

What is the ONE thing that should not be missed on someone’s first trip to Walt Disney World? (And if you have not visited Disney World yet….what is the ONE thing that is most important for you to see/do?)

As you may have read in my post last week, we will be taking my son’s girlfriend to Walt Disney World with us this trip. She has never taken a Disney trip and she is very excited. This being her first time, I want to make sure she experiences all the important things at Disney, but our “land” part of the land and sea trip is limited to only 3 park days so I have been trying to narrow them down.

Here is a list of the things I am trying to incorporate into the trip because I believe they are some of the most important things for her to experience. Since it has been a while since we have taken a first timer, and since the other times we took kids who were much younger, I wanted to make sure this is inclusive of everything a nineteen year old girl would just HAVE to experience at Disney.

MUST SEES AND DOS

Castle Dream Lights
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Fireworks shows at MK, Epcot and Hollywood Studios
Parades at all parks (even though we have seen them often and usually skip them now to ride a popular attraction instead)
Ride the monorail
Watch, or even participate in, the great live entertainment in each of the parks
Epcot’s World Showcase (especially during the holidays)

MUST-TAKE PHOTOS

Pictures in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom (which for my family is this park’s icon even more than the Tree of Life), and the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We will take her picture with our camera also, but I want her to have PhotoPass pictures in front of these iconic locations.
Photos with Disney characters; as many as she would like.

MUST RIDES (BY PARK)

Magic Kingdom

Dumbo, Tea Cups, It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tomorrowland Transit Authority (PeopleMover), Carousel Of Progress, Peter Pan’s Flight, Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney Railroad, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

Epcot

Soarin’, Test Track, Spaceship Earth

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and the American Idol Experience.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, It’s Tough To Be A Bug

MUST HAVE SOUVENIRS

Mouse Ears
1^st Visit Pin

MUST DO DINING EXPERIENCES

A character meal — our choice is Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
A special dinner – our choice is dinner at ‘Ohana with the most wonderful bread pudding at Walt Disney World.
A fun, lively Disney dining experience – our choice is the Whispering Canyon – we will all have our first experience here
Snacks – Mickey ice cream

I am hoping this will be a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience for her. If I have left something important out, would you please be so kind as to let me know? Thanks and have a magical day!

We’re Having a Birthday…and Celebrating with Disney Giveaways!

Nancy — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:45:11 +0000

A little over two years ago, I had the crazy idea to start a blog about Walt Disney World. A number of things contributed to this, but the main reasons were probably a couple of questions that I get asked a lot:

“Why do you go to Disney World all the time? Don’t you get tired of it?”

“How do you afford to go to Disney World so often?”

Having a friend who knew all about blogs and such, I was encouraged to share my love for the Mouse and my desire to answer those questions, by starting a little blog of my own. First hosted over on Blogger.com, I quickly realized all the things that my little site could do and be, so before long I made the decision to become a “grown-up” website and www.theaffordablemouse.com was born.

The rest, as they say, is history. Two years later, I am astounded at how this has changed my life. First, it has brought me some wonderful friends! I have come to know some special folks and my life is richly blessed by the addition of them. I don’t know what it is about Walt’s vision that inspires people, but I truly believe that Disney folk are among some of the most wonderful and inspiring people on the planet. And I am honored to know so many of them.

Among the most special Disney people that have come into my life are the wonderful ladies of The Affordable Mouse. Brenda, Kelly, Debbie, DeAnna, Belinda, Rachel, Shannan, and Lisa unselfishly share their time and Disney love with us every week and I am grateful beyond words for their support and love for TAM and what we do. Ladies: you all mean the “world” to me!

I am also astounded, as I look back, to see how a little idea can grow so large and impact so many people in only a few years! When I see that we have thousands of Facebook Friends and Twitter followers, in addition to the thousands who read our daily blog posts, email updates and newsletters….I can see that what we do truly helps people to live the dream that I had when I started: to help people create Disney magic for their families.

Of course, it was to further help people with their Disney vacation planning…and to realize a long-held Disney dream of mine….that I became a Disney travel agent this past spring. I absolutely know that without The Affordable Mouse….and the support of you, all of our wonderful Disney Friends…I would never, ever, have done this. And I can honestly say that being a Disney vacation planner is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

All that being said, I….we….have a lot to celebrate!

Now, I don’t know about you, but I think that giveaways are one of the best ways to celebrate, don’t you? So over the next 6 days, we will be doing some giveways…one each day, starting today! Each day’s blog post will feature at the top, the Giveaway of the Day, along with a *simple* question to answer. To enter, simply answer the question in the comments below. I will then choose one winner using Random.org from everyone who enters before 11 p.m. ET. Please note: you must answer on the blog post to be eligible!

Want to know what you can win?

Well, here are the prizes, in reverse order:

Saturday, December 10: Mickey Tote Bag

Friday, December 9: $25 Gift Certificate to Garden Grocer

Thursday, December 8: 18” Golden Anniversary Plush Winnie the Pooh

Wednesday, December 7: Copy of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World With Preschoolers

Tuesday, December 6: Cars or Princess Wipe-Off Board

And today’s Giveway: Winner’s choice of a custom Tee or Onesie (with Mickey or Minnie ears, or Christmas Mickey or Minnie with Santa) from Stitch-This Custom Embroidery.

Winner’s choice of fabric, thread color, name, tee color, tee or onesie, long sleeve or short sleeve. (Thank you to Stitch-This Custom Embroidery for their donation! Please be sure to visit their website to see all of the beautiful custom things they create!)

And now, for your chance to win today’s great giveaway from Stitch This, please tell us in the comments below: What is it about Disney that makes YOU want to visit?

Good luck……and from the bottom of my heart…….THANK YOU!