Overwhelmingly, the response was “We need help with dining”. People wanted to know things like:

• What types of restaurants and dining places are at Disney World….and how much do they cost?
• Where are the best places to eat with children?
• How can you have a character meal? Where are the best ones?
• Are Advanced Dining Reservations really that important?
• Can you really save money on food?

And that was just for starters.

So I started writing a guidebook, and this past week, finally, it was finished.

Please allow me to introduce: Magical Meals: A Guide to Affordable Dining at Walt Disney World……60 pages of information that will help you save money on food at Disney World.

In this guide, you will find chapters devoted to:

• Types of Food Options at Walt Disney World
• Disney Dining Plans and Discount Programs
• Getting the Most Value for Your Meals
• What You Need to Know About Advanced Dining Reservations
• Food Allergies, Specialty Diets, and Vegetarian/Vegan Dining
• And a lot more.

I really wanted to write this guide to help the many folks who have so many questions about Disney dining. As I shared in the introduction:

Meals are a major part of any vacation, and even more so at Walt Disney World, where dining can be an attraction all its own! But figuring out all the meal options at Disney can be overwhelming, because there are so many choices: there are hundreds of restaurant options on Disney World property alone, ranging from quick snacks to award-winning dining experiences. How do you know where to eat? How do you know when to eat? How do you use these Dining Plans?

And perhaps most importantly: How do you eat at Disney World affordably? Is it even possible?

THAT is what this guide is all about.

I want you to know that it IS possible to save money on your meals at Disney World.

It IS possible to navigate your way through the maze of Disney dining options, understand what it all means, make your plans, and then when you are on your Disney vacation, enjoy your meals, knowing that you are doing so as inexpensively as possible.

Magical Meals: A Guide to Affordable Dining at Walt Disney World will help you do just that.

For you, or anyone you know, who is trying to plan an affordable Disney vacation, check out Magical Meals. It provides the tools you need to have the meals your family is dreaming of…at a cost you can afford.

Many thanks to author Lisa Battista, for providing The Affordable Mouse with a copy to review.

Having spent over twelve years as a teacher of preschoolers and toddlers…in addition to having raised my own child…… …….I know only too well the joys…and challenges… that preschoolers can present on a day to day basis. Introduce them to something as overwhelming as Walt Disney World, and those challenges…and joys….become magnified. Being prepared is even more important with these little ones, if you want a magical vacation.

Knowing this, I was honored to be able to review the 2011 edition of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers. While there are a number of great Disney World guidebooks on the market, most are “general” types of books, providing valuable information, but not necessarily the kind of things that a mom (or dad) specifically needs to know when traveling to Disney with little ones. Such as which attractions your preschooler will probably love…and which ones could very likely scare the dickens out of them.  Or how the Baby Care Centers can be a lifesaver. Or what to do to make sure you don’t get lost from your preschooler at the parks (at Disney, children don’t get lost, their parents do…) Or what kinds of things you need to pack specifically for preschoolers.  Beyond the Attractions provides this information and a great deal more, making it indispensable in my opinion, for anyone who will be visiting Disney World with preschoolers or toddlers. Even Disney veterans who may have been many times before, will benefit from Lisa’s practical “mom” perspective, especially if this is a first trip with young children. As Lisa says in the introduction of the book, she offers a “new approach”:

“This Walt Disney World guidebook differs from other Disney World guidebooks in that it is not a general overview of everything the parks have to offer – much of which may not apply to small children – but is devoted solely to visiting with preschoolers. With a Disney World travel guide that provides specialized information and tips relevant to small kids, you’ll be able to plan an incredible trip with your preschoolers without wading through hundreds of pages of general information. Save hours of research with a succinct, yet complete Disney World travel guide that is easy to read without a lot of filler.

Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers was written by a parent for parents and caregivers. As a mother who has vacationed at Disney World with a young family, I know what parents care about and need to know when planning a Walt Disney World trip.”

One of the things that I especially like about Beyond the Attractions is that at 173 pages, it is an easy read: it’s filled with tons of valuable information, but yet not so long that you feel like you are reading War and Peace. Starting with “Top Six Tips for Travel with Preschoolers”, Lisa then moves on to discuss specific things that need to be considered when planning a Disney vacation as they relate to preschoolers. So for example, in “Preparing” she shares her thoughts on determining if your child is ready for a Disney vacation, gives some excellent planning advice, and provides helpful ideas for handling the “anticipation” factor with little ones. She then covers some of the basics like Lodging, Transportation, Touring, Attractions, Activities, Recreation, and Dining in subsequent chapters, all with planning tips for making things as stress-free for little ones…and their grown-ups….as possible.

Some of the most valuable information to the parents of preschoolers comes in the later chapters:

• Child Care and Safety: Here there is important information about safety, child-proofing, child identification, first aid as well as child care services so mom and dad can have some time for themselves if they want.
• Must-Do List: The best activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Resources: This section is indispensable with a list of important phone numbers, websites, books, local shopping, medical care and pharmacies (because unfortunately those ear infections still happen while you’re on vacation)
• Planning and Packing Checklists: Think you know everything you should bring to Disney with your preschoolers? Lisa has a complete list with ideas for things that are “must-brings” on a Disney vacation no matter what the age of your family members (I will be adding several to our next Disney trip).
• Paying for the Magic: Always near and dear to The Affordable Mouse, there are some very helpful ideas for saving for your trip…and on your trip.

Traveling to Disney with little ones has its own challenges that Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers will definitely prepare you for. I mentioned earlier in this review that Lisa starts her book with her Top Six Tips for Travel with Preschoolers. My years of working with preschoolers make this one my favorite:

“Don’t Force the Issue. Preschoolers are a funny bunch. They sometimes have difficulty communicating a fear or just plain discomfort with a ride or situation. If they resist a particular attraction, don’t force the issue; it’s easier to find a ride they do enjoy than having to coax them on future rides if they have a “bad” experience.“

Will you find this to be a helpful book as you plan your Disney vacation with your preschoolers? I am sure of it. In fact, I am sure that you will find this to be a helpful book even if you are a family of adults.

Disclaimer: While a copy of Beyond the Attractions was provided to The Affordable Mouse at no cost, this review consists solely of my own thoughts and opinions.

Step by Step Guide to Planning Affordable Disney Vacations

The main reason I started The Affordable Mouse was to share ways to make Disney affordable…to help folks make a magical vacation for their family possible. This Guide is meant to help you do just that.

My Step by Step Guide is perfect for anyone who is trying to plan their first visit to Walt Disney World….or who wants to know what steps they need to take in order to have an affordable Disney vacation. Basically, I take you by the hand and walk through everything you need to think about, from the very beginning…figuring out when to go….to after you get back and are planning your next Disney trip!

Think this will be a help to you? Sign up to receive Planning Affordable Disney Vacations Step by Step right here. Remember, it’s FREE….from me to you, as a Thank You for being a friend of The Affordable Mouse.

Have a magical day!

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I will say that I truly love Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World travel guide. Part of this is due to the fact that this was the first Disney book I purchased, when we were planning our very first visit to Walt Disney World. But beyond that, I really feel that this book is an excellent option to help in your Disney vacation planning…mostly because it provides a very nice, initial, overview for what to expect at Disney World. Think of it as “setting the stage” for beginning to learn about the best way to plan a Disney vacation.

If you have never been to Walt Disney World, I really think this is a great way to start. Get a feel for what is available, see what appeals to your family….and then move forward with more detailed planning. I kind of compare it to getting in a pool: you can jump in the “deep end” with a completely detailed guide about absolutely everything there is to know…but you risk getting in over your head quickly if you do lol! For me, I kind of liked starting at the shallow end, and getting used to the water before venturing into that deep water.

It is important to realize that as the official Disney-endorsed book, it is not unbiased. Even so, I found it to be especially helpful especially regarding rides. When we were still new to Walt Disney World, the “Birnbaum’s Best” designation for some of the rides was how my family decided which rides were must-sees.

With maps and graphics that really help a Disney newbie get a sense of what the parks look like, it is a light and easy read, and in my opinion is a must-read for anyone who has never been to Walt Disney World. Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World travel guide is the absolute best way to plan a Disney vacation for a first-time visitor.

So there you have it. A collection of great Disney vacation guidebooks, each providing great information for planning a Disney World vacation. Which is the right one for you?

PassPorter Walt Disney World is very possibly one of my favorite Disney vacation planners, probably because organization is my thing. Filled with lots of detailed information about every aspect of Walt Disney World, in cluding the parks, the resorts, and the restaurants, it is organized so well that it is very easy to follow….and very easy to quickly find just what you are looking for.

The authors cover each of the 4 parks in great detail, including full-color fold-out maps, tons of their personal pictures, and a complete description of every ride and attraction (this is so helpful!). There are also profiles of each of the Disney-owned hotels which also include maps, color photos, and room layouts. And then there are the reviews of each of the Disney World dining options….all 300+ of them. What is especially nice are the average meal costs for each, from counter-service to table-service. This is a great help when trying to decide where you want to eat before you get to Disney!

All of this is great and makes the Passporter Walt Disney World a valuable resource in itself. But the aspect that I like the best are the handy organizer pockets and journal. This is the perfect place to keep your maps, passes, receipts, must-see lists, as well as anything else that you need to keep! And with a place to make notes and journal memories of your trip, you end up with a wonderful keepsake at the end of your trip!

So, is it important to you to have a well-organized Disney vacation planner? Do you like the idea of being able to keep everything in one place? If so, then for you, the best way to plan a Disney vacation will be with the PassPorter Walt Disney World.

(And if you have missed my other posts on Disney vacation guides, you can find them all here.)

At over 800 pages, the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010 is the book for the Disney World visitor who want to know everything there is to know about the parks. It is thorough and provides an unbiased perspective of all the Disney parks, plus SeaWorld and Universal.

To say that it is detailed would be an understatement. Yet it is this detail that make this the book of choice for many. This guide covers pretty much every aspect of a vacation to the Orlando area that you could possibly think of. And it does it without bias, and is, in fact, not shy about being critical where needed.

I will be honest here though, and say that when I read the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010, while I appreciated the author’s forthrightness, as a Disney-lover, I was not always a big fan of the cynicism. After all, I am going to Disney for the “magic”…don’t spoil it for me, ok?

All kidding aside though, I will also be honest and say that many folks really want a critical perspective to help in their Disney vacation planning…and if you are one of them, then you will like this book.

Other than that, there is much to appreciate in the Unofficial Guide. One of the most popular aspects of this book are the Touring Plans which offer how-to guides for spending a day or so at each park. Very helpful indeed, especially if you are planning a trip during one of the busiest times of the year.

While all of the detailed information is great, it is alot of information in my opinion, and is definitely not a little book to take to the parks with you. Still, if you want a great planning guide and don’t mind wading through the many chapters, the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010 may be, for you, the very best way to see Disney World.

Have you missed the other posts in the series? You can check out my reviews of my favorite Disney travel guides here.

I hope that 2010 has a vacation to Walt Disney World planned for you! And I hope that I can help you make it as memorable….and affordable…as possible.

With that in mind, I want to continue this series of blog posts on some of the most popular…and helpful….Disney guidebooks that are available. January begins prime vacation planning time (got to have something happy to look forward to after Christmas!), so hopefully these posts will be well-timed for you.

Please keep in mind that each book as it’s merits, and while I like them all….for different reasons….one may be better for you than another, depending on your experiences, needs, and circumstances. Which is why I present a variety

Last time I discussed a special favorite of mine, the Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide. As an e-book, it is different from the others I review, and is therefore not as well known. But it has some great benefits, and if you really want some additional perspective on how to have an affordable Disney family vacation, you may want to give it a look.

Today I want to highlight another favorite of mine, the Complete Walt Disney World 2010. This latest edition to this popular series is really, in my opinion, one of the most useful books out there.

As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things I like about this book. To start, the color pictures are extremely helpful in giving lots of detail about the parks, rides, and attractions: this can be a great tool to help prepare for what to expect…especially for little ones.

I also really like the size, as it is small enough to be easily transported with you to the parks, which is a great benefit. Some books have a wealth of information, but are the size of a phonebook….which is just not helpful when you want to find something quickly. And let’s face it, if you are new to Disney World, the chances are very good that you are going to have questions…and isn’t it nice to be able to refer to a well-organized guidebook to find your answers while in the park? Not only is the Complete Walt Disney World 2010 small enough to be able to do this easily, with each park color-coded, you can find what you want almost immediately. I really like that!

There are also some great tips and ratings on the rides and attractions, which is very helpful for doing your planning. Of special note are the suggested touring plans as well as descriptions, wait times, and a kid’s “Fear Factor” for each ride. Any parent traveling with children to Walt Disney World for the first time should be prepared for the Fear Factor on each ride: nothing ruins the magic more than a terrified child.

These are just a few of the things that I really like about the Complete Walt Disney World 2010. If you would like to see what some others have to say about this guidebook, click here for reviews on the 2009 version. I feel pretty  confident that the latest edition will be just as good if not better.

I hope you found this helpful! Until next time, I hope your New Year is filled with much joy, great memories, and peace.

Have a magical day!

If so, as you know, doing some planning will make the trip more enjoyable for all, as well as make it easier to actually have an affordable Disney family vacation.

With this in mind, I want to spend my next few posts discussing some of the Disney guidebooks that I have come across in my years of researching the best way to plan a Disney vacation.

Today I want to discuss The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide an e-book that has been written by a former Disney castmember.

I really like this book because, having been written by someone who worked at Walt Disney World, it offers a perspective that you are not likely to find anyplace else. As an e-book, once purchased, you can download it for immediate access, which is very nice, especially if you are doing research and want immediate answers!

The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide is also a good size: at 100 pages of tips and suggestions it is far shorter than many other books that you could purchase that don’t offer half of the specialized information that you get here. There is a lot of “bang for your buck” as the saying goes.

Another benefit, which I think is really important, is the unlimited access to the author’s  webpage for updates: it is updated monthly, so you always have access to the most current information, which is so helpful since Disney is known to change and add things on a regular basis. =)

Now I realize that e-books are not for everyone, as many people don’t like to “read” on their computer. But I honestly liked the fact that I could look over everything, and print out only what I wanted/needed for future reference, and then organize it any way that I liked. I found that to be far more productive for my planning purposes than highlighting and bookmarking pages of a traditional book…and then lugging it around all over the parks so I could have it to refer to.

Now, is it possible to find most of this information for “free” on the internet, via message boards, websites, etc etc? Sure it is, but that is the case, really, with any book. The point of this is that it really takes hundreds of hours to research and track down every little tip and suggestion…and who really has time for that?

I know, I have done it. That’s why I am doing this website, so that you don’t have to!

Even so, I do believe that The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide offers some great information, based on the author’s unique castmember experiences, that I have not found elsewhere.  Which is why I think it is a great place to start planning an affordable Disney family vacation of your own.

Have a magical day!

This trip was A BIG DEAL.

Oh dear.

As I began to think it all through, I pretty quickly became overwhelmed. After all, having a successful vacation with all of that in mind, is a tall order. My Mommy reputation was clearly on the line. And so was my Planner-in-Chief reputation. So, like any good general, I prepared for battle. This was serious business!

I poured over the Walt Disney World website. I ordered the free vacation video that Disney World offered (which they still do by the way, only now it’s a DVD). I read every newspaper and magazine article I saw, cut them out and put them in my expanding file, and then read them again. I went to the library, where I found, oh joy of joys, books on Disney World!! Checked out the ones that appeared to offer valuable information, and then went out and bought the ones that I liked the best. I actually bought one for our daughter as well, so that she could also get an idea of what to expect. Had to start training the next generation of vacation planners early. =)

(You might wonder why I didn’t just surf the net. Well, this was 1998, and doing a Google search was just not an integral part of our life at that point, as it is now. I was still doing things the “old fashioned way”, lol…I read books.)

In any event, two interesting things occurred from all of this research:

1. I realized that the more I knew, the more I needed to know.
2. And I also realized that we needed a PLAN.

It was evident from reading the advice of those wise souls who had been there before me, that a Disney World vacation was like no other. There was not going to be any relaxing on this trip! We could not just “go with the flow” (well we could, but were likely to end up frustrated, hot, and cranky if we did). I realized that truly the best way to plan a Disney vacation absolutely involved knowing waaaaayyy before we walked onto Main Street USA, what we wanted to see, when we wanted to see it, and how much we were going to pay for it.

So, I became Disney obsessed. I admit it. My family really thought I had taken leave of my senses. It was all I talked about for months. Looking back, I am amazed that they didn’t say, “Hey, never mind, we don’t really need to go to Disney World”. I am sure that they thought I was over the edge.

Until we got there. And I whipped out the daily planner I had created for us, showing what rides and attractions everyone wanted to see. I knew when the parks opened, when we could go early or stay late, where to go for some peaceful, air-conditioned moments, where to eat, where NOT to eat, etc. etc. etc.

The trip was a success. We all had an absolute blast, and the Planner-in-Chief was thanked time and time again. And we began to think about going back again. Which we have done, more than 10 times since. Yup, we’re all Disney fanatics now.

The moral of this story? Well, I would have to say, do your research, and have a plan. You will NOT regret having a plan.

Now some folks are like me and looove to do hours and hours of reading and researching. And the internet can be a big help to folks like me, since there is always something new to learn!

But not everyone has that kind of time, and I get that. Which is one reason why I started The Affordable Mouse, to help folks plan affordable Disney vacations, by having the very best money-saving tips and ideas in one place. If you don’t have the time to scour the internet, staying up until 3 a.m. reading message boards, and drilling down through Disney vacation planning websites that have hundreds of pages, that’s ok. I am doing that part for you.

And don’t worry, I love doing it. As my husband says, I am happiest planning a Disney trip. If not mine, then others. =)