If you are like me you are a planner. It is very important to be prepared when traveling to Disney because poor preparation can make or break the enjoyment of your vacation. When preparing for your days at the parks it may be helpful to know what you can take into the parks and those things that you should leave behind.

Things you can bring into Disney Theme Parks and Water Parks:

• Sunscreen
• Snacks
• Nonalcoholic beverages
• Coolers that measure 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high or smaller.
• Strollers
• Wheelchairs

It is important to keep in mind that all baggage will be inspected at park entrance.

Things you should leave behind:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Wagons
• Skateboards
• Scooters
• Inline Skates
• Strollers larger than 36”x52”
• Coolers larger than 24”long x 15”wide x18” high
• Folding Chairs

The lists above are official lists that are approved by the Walt Disney World Travel Company. Now, how about a list of unofficial items that we think that you should have with you when you venture out to the parks? Enjoy!! 

• Hand Sanitizer
• Band-Aids ( Make sure you have various sizes)
• Autograph books
• Large grip pens for the characters..they can’t sign with small pens.
• Safety Pins
• Camera
• Extra SD cards
• Extra camera batteries
• Zip-lock bags
• Ponchos
• Small  water bottle for each traveler. These can be easily refilled.
• Gum
• Key to the World Card or Ticket holder/lanyard. You are always using your tickets so be sure they are easily accessible.
• Baby wipes…even if you are not traveling with babies. You can use them to cool off, clean off stains on your clothes, wipe your hands after rides, and clean off surfaces.

We would love to know what essential items you bring with you to the parks. Comment below and we will add your suggestions to our list!! 

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.

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!

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)

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!“

To start, let me give a little bit about what the Disney Marathon weekend offered. There were 3 “major” races (along with some fun “family” races): the 5-K which was billed as the Family Fiesta 5-K on Friday, the Half-Marathon on Saturday, and the full Marathon which was on Sunday. What amazed me was the number of people…and I mean THOUSANDS of people who participated in these events. And what was even more amazing to me….a total non-runner….was how many people participated in more than one race!! To clarify, this is how long these races are:

• The 5-K is about 3 miles
• The Half Marathon is 13.1 miles
• The full Marathon is 26.2 miles

And there were a LOT of people who did all 3!! You do the math…..

(If you don’t have your calculator handy, that would be over 42 miles folks!!!!)

And everyone gets a medal for participating. Even more fun is that they even recognize those who do both the Half and full Marathons with a special medal just for them: the “Goofy” medal. (There is an unofficial name for those who do all 3….it is the “Dopey” lol…but no medals for them, which seems kind of sad to me….)

Anyway, when we arrived at Walt Disney World on the Thursday before the races, we along with thousands of marathon-goers, went to Disney’s Wild World of Sports Complex, so our DD could pick up her registration packet. We were concerned about bus transportation there, but really, it’s Disney, why were we worried? Disney of course had special transportation running to all marathon events from all resort hotels all weekend, and in our experience, the transportation was pretty efficient.

Before we knew it, we were at Wide World of Sports where we got our first taste of the size and popularity of this event. There were thousands of people there, registering, picking up their packets, and participating in the Health/Fitness Fair that was going on. My personal favorite part was the sign-making area, where family members could prepare signs to cheer on their runners, which DH and I, of course, did! This was so much fun, to see children making signs that said things like “You can Do It Mom!” and “Run Fast Dad”…..I started to get a feel for how inspiring this weekend would turn out to be for me, as I saw how proud so many of these kids were of their parents!

We tried not to stay out too late that night, as our DD had to be at Epcot at 5:30 a.m. (!) on Friday for the pre-race. Of course, we were hardly the only ones on the bus that morning, as there were MANY entire families participating in the 5-K, including people who planned to push strollers in the race! In fact, the entire 3^rd wave of starters was scheduled to be those who walked or were pushing strollers. Cool fact: those “in” the strollers apparently got a medal too!

Disney of course, knows how to put on a show, so the “pre-race” festivities, while meant to help get everyone warmed up and excited, also consisted of a fun DJ, and character appearances, in this case the Three Caballeros. It wouldn’t be Disney without a character photo-op or two.

Before we knew it, our DD had to go line up, so we wished her good luck and made our way over to the finish line to watch for her. There was a grandstand set up for those who wanted to watch: for the Half and full Marathons, you had to purchase a seat to watch, but for the 5-K, anyone could sit there, so it was nice to be able to see so many of the finishers. It was so great to see so many kids running…many who were running a lot faster than the adults lol!

Finally we saw our DD run by and we waved our signs and shouted and hollered: we were so excited! She got her medal, we gave her hugs and then headed back to Kidani Village to shower and get ready for a celebration breakfast at Boma. What an awesome and fun experience and I have to say that doing my own 5-K is a goal of mine now!

There she goes!!!

What is especially cool about this weekend is that it is easy to feel a “part” of things throughout the weekend for the big races too! For example, we passed many of the marathoners along their route on the bus to Epcot on Sunday morning…..and were so excited when an entire family, signs in hand, spotted their dad on the road along side the bus! They were on their way to cheer him on at the end….but they got a little extra magic by seeing him along the way.

Probably the most inspiring thing to me though was being in World Showcase later that afternoon, as the final marathon finishers were making their way around the course. My thoughts about what kind of person it takes to do a marathon were forever shattered that afternoon as I saw people completing a race of over 26 miles that one would never think could do such a thing:

• Seniors in their 70s
• People with leg braces and one who had a prosthetic limb
• People wearing Weight Watchers shirts who had clearly worked very hard to be able to achieve this accomplishment
• Husbands and wives holding hands as they completed the race, inspiring each other to finish, in some cases literally holding the other person up in order to finish together

And then there were those who ran for a cause: cancer, leukemia, alzheimers, Give Kids the World, and more….they ran or walked, not for themselves but for a greater cause.

We sat down and watched the last finishers. We shouted encouragement, cheered, clapped and waved, as the final few made their way towards the end. And everyone stood and gave a standing ovation to the last person, broad smile in place, as she walked around World Showcase waving to all, knowing that she had DONE IT!

I loved Marathon Weekend. It was new, it was fun, it was inspiring….it was magical.  

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)

Thanks to Nancy for this great photo of Illuminations!

I was talking to a recent Walt Disney World visitor the other day. We talked about everything she and her family did on their trip and how much they all enjoyed Disney. When I asked her what they thought of the fireworks shows, she said they had not seen them. They had gotten up each day and went to the parks as early as possible, but had “pooped out” before the fireworks were to start and went back to the resort before they began each evening. It became very important to me to make sure you all know that you should not miss this important part of a Walt Disney World trip.

If you are heading to the parks early each day, take a midday break and go to your resort for some R&R or a nap. Then, head back to the park late afternoon or early evening and stay to enjoy these spectacles of magic in the parks. Whether it is Wishes at the Magic Kingdom, Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios, or Illuminations at Epcot, they are all well worth hanging in there for and, believe it or not, they will rejuvenate your spirit. The resulting extra endorphins will give you renewed energy.

Here is a description of each of these must-do shows:

 Wishes

Wishes Nighttime Spectacular is the biggest, brightest fireworks extravaganza in the history of Magic Kingdom park. Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, and highlighted by Tinkerbell flying through the sky from the castle, it tells a great story.

Jiminy guides Pinocchio, Cinderella, Ariel, Peter Pan and other beloved Disney characters through a fantastic tale accompanied by a wonderful and magical musical score which plays in sync with the fireworks show. Added features of pyrotechnics and special effects make this spectacular show a Disney-style fantasy where you will discover that wishes really do come true.

The fireworks schedules vary by season, so be sure to see the Times Guide when you enter the park for exact dates and times. The show can be viewed throughout the Park, but to see Tinker Bell flying in the sky, a view from the front of Cinderella Castle is best.

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic! has been temporarily closed for refurbishment, but will be re-opening on February 13, 2012.  Fantasmic! is an awesome 25-minute fireworks and water show that brings together all of your favorite Disney Characters.

The show stars Mickey Mouse, of course, as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice; as well as many other classic Disney characters from Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Aladdin, Pinocchio, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Tarzan, and more. But when the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs gathers such classic villains as Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Scar, Jafar and a larger-than-life Maleficent to turn Mickey’s dreams into a nightmare, leave it to Mickey and the power of imagination to save the day.

This show uses over one million gallons of water and 50 costumed performers. The Imagineers combine explosive pyrotechnics, shimmering laser lights and dazzling dancing water effects with beloved Disney songs and animation. This show is a musical extravaganza of sight and sound, and is full of surprises.

Fantasmic! is performed on select nights only, so be sure to check the Times Guide at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for show times. Fantasmic! is an outdoor show and, thus, is also subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Also of note is that guests sitting in the first couple of rows may get wet during the performance.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is definitely my family’s favorite. It is a mesmerizing spectacle of fireworks, lasers and water that features a rousing soundtrack. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a 14-minute, live pyrotechnic show that brings together the past, present and future of our planet and its colorful nations.

Shown atop the World Showcase Lagoon, it features breathtaking fireworks, laser-light effects, dramatic fountain barges, bursts of fire, and an awesome musical score. The highlight of this show is the appearance of the world’s first spherical video display system—the 350,000-pound Earth Globe. This is an inspirational and amazing show which tells the story of our planet in 3 acts:

Act 1: Chaos — Bear witness to the explosion at the dawn of time that brings about the creation of Earth, where you are invited to observe the Inferno Barge, a liquid-propane mechanism launching balls of fire 60 feet into the air.

Act 2: Order — Behold the glowing Earth Globe as it glides peacefully to the center of the lagoon, illuminated with—and celebrating—the famous faces and achievements of our time.

Act 3: Meaning — During this final act, the Earth Globe blossoms to reveal a torch and the glow of a thousand fireworks and laserlights that fill the night sky in a shimmering kaleidoscope of color and sound, propelling us into the future.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth can be viewed anywhere throughout the World Showcase that offers a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon. It runs nightly, but be sure to check the Times Guide at Epcot the day of your visit for show times. An important note is that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an outdoor show and, thus, is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. My advice is that if it should be cancelled during the night you plan to be there, attend on a different night if at all possible.

Disney has put a great deal of thought, time and money into creating these magnificent shows.  They are an important part of the Disney magic and are created to be enjoyed by families spending time together in love at Disney. This is some of the best FREE time you will spend at Disney so, no matter what,  don’t miss them!

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)

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.

One thing my family enjoys doing while at Walt Disney World is looking at the scenery a little differently than others do. Most people think that you need to rush to places by monorail or bus transportation.  Though sometimes we do, we also like to go by boat.  

Our first Disney boat experience was when we stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter. From here you can travel by small ferry boat to Port Orleans Riverside or Downtown Disney.  The boats leave the dock, which is located on the backside of the resort along the Sassagoula River, approximately every 20 minutes during the day time hours and every 10 in the evenings.   The captains of these boats usually give a little bit of the area and river history and tell you about the scenery that you pass along the way.

Our next boating venture was at the Swan and Dolphin Resort.  There, they have a ferry that can transport passengers to the Beach and Yacht Resorts or to Disney’s Boardwalk.  These ferries are a bit larger than those at the Port Orleans docks.  Also on our most recent trip we took the large ferry from the ticket and transportation center to the Magic Kingdom.  This ferry is the largest of all with two levels to choose from.  It does take a bit longer to get to your destination, but you’re on vacation so why rush it?

There are also many attractions that use boats as a means to take you from scene to scene.  My favorite, Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s A Small World, The Jungle Cruise and the Adventures of the Three Caballeros just to name a few.

And don’t forget about the magnificent Liberty Belle at the Liberty Square Riverboat.  This is a paddle wheel steamboat that lets you take in beautiful scenery of Native Americans, pirates and wildlife and catch backside glimpses of Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Haunted Mansion.  There are three levels to this boat where you can choose to stand and see the scenery as it circles Tom Sawyers Island or rest your feet.  The 17 minute trip is about a half of a mile cruise. 

There are also rentals available at other resorts and locations for paddle boats and pontoons. So take a different view the next time you visit and see what you have been missing 

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)

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!“

We truly had a wonderful time and I am looking forward to sharing some of the details of our trip with you in the coming weeks! In the meantime, here are some of the highlights:

Disney Marathon Weekend

The main reason we chose this weekend to visit was because our daughter was participating in Marathon Weekend. Despite a change of plans a few months ago, she was able to run in the 5-K and what an amazing experience it was! In fact, the entire weekend was inspiring!

Kidani Village

One of the things I was most excited about was the chance to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge-Kidani Village….and what an absolutely beautiful resort it was. I just couldn’t believe at times that we were at Walt Disney World!

New Restaurants

We had a number of new dining experiences on this trip and really enjoyed them! Among our favorites: La Hacienda de San Angel, and Via Napoli. Both were delicious and are highly recommended!

New Experiences

We have done several Disney tours in previous trips and we did another new one this time: Wild by Design at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This was a fascinating tour, providing tons of details about this park….and gave us all a new appreciation for Animal Kingdom.

New Construction

We also had the chance to get some glimpses of the Fantasyland construction, and I have to say it was exciting to see what is going on! I just can’t wait to see it all when completed!

In fact, seeing that construction makes me want to plan another trip to see the results….which would be the perfect cure for my Post-Disney Depression!

So stay tuned in coming weeks for details on some of the “new” things we did. And stay tuned as well, because I’ve got a little giveaway coming soon….because you know I never take a Disney vacation without bringing you home souvenirs!

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)

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

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)

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……

We princesses are at it again. Yes that’s right, another girlfriends trip is in the works. In February, I will be joining my friend, Susan; my daughter, Kristen; and her friend, Jill, on a fun girls trip to Disneyland.

Why do we want to go to Disneyland? There are many reasons, paramount to them is that I have not visited Disneyland since I was 8 and the other girls have never been at all. Here are some other great reasons I personally am looking forward to visiting Disneyland:

• Disneyland is the original. It is the only park where Walt Disney personally walked, ate, rode rides, greeted guests and spent many, many hours of his life. As a Walt Disney lover, I want to be where Walt was.
• The history in Disneyland will certainly be amazing. As someone who loves Disney history, I can’t wait to be on Main Street USA. After all, this is where Walt had, and still has, an apartment above the fire station with the light left on for him. I will even be able to sit on the bench where Walt first came up with the idea for Disneyland.
• Walt was personally involved in the design and creation of many of the Disneyland attractions. I do realize that both Disneyland and Walt Disney World were dreams of Walt’s, but only Disneyland has his touch in so many areas.
• Disneyland has some blockbuster attractions that can’t be found in Florida. Among these are Indiana Jones Adventure, which is said to be one of the best rides in any theme park anywhere; California Screamin’ which my daughter cannot wait to ride is said to be one of the smoothest, most exciting roller coasters ever; Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage which is sure to be awesome to see since I love Nemo; and the new Little Mermaid ride is open at DL but is not yet open at WDW and Ariel is Kristen’s favorite.
• There are some common WDW/DL rides that are rumored to be better versions in Disneyland.  For example, Pirates of the Caribbean is said to have 2 drops instead of one, and is also described as longer and better. Space Mountain is said to be better also, although I can’t imagine how. It’s a small world is in its own beautiful standalone building and that ride, along with the Matterhorn Bobsleds, are the only rides I remember from my visit with my daddy when I was 8.

We are all so excited about our upcoming trip. If you have been to Disneyland lately and you have some advice for us, please write in and give us your tips.  Thanks!

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)

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.

We had been to Walt Disney World three times previously and had never taken the time to sit back and enjoy any of the shows.   I was bound and determined that on this trip we would.  Though we only saw two, I think we picked the best ones there are.  

Our first was the Festival of the Lion King in the Camp Mickey Minnie area of Animal Kingdom.  It is a live stage show that runs about  minutes long.  This show features many of the popular songs from the movie.  Guests are ushered in and seated at one of four sections, which will later become the Giraffe Section, the Warthog Section, the Elephant Section and the Lion Section.  At the beginning of the show, each section will have to imitate the sound that their animal makes!  The kids really enjoyed enjoyed the singing, dancing and acrobatics, especially those by the tumbling monkeys.  This show is also put on at Hong Kong Disneyland.

The second show was also in Animal Kingdom.  Zachary and I chose not to ride Expedition Everest and instead headed towards Dinoland.  On our way, we noticed that they were still seating for the next showing of the Finding Nemo – The Musical.  Lucky enough, since it was just the two of us, we got great seating and the 30 minute show began.  It tells the story that is played out in the movie of Nemo being taken away and his father Marlin and new friend Dory, set out on an adventure to find him.  After swimming through jellyfish, escaping hungry sharks and swimming the EAC with Crush and Squirt the sea turtles, they are finally reunited when Nemo has himself flushed.  This show is performed using puppets, dancers, acrobats and other animation.  The music from the movie is also used to bring this fantastic show to life.  Fans and audience members sing along to favorites like Big Blue World and Go With the Flow.

Take time to slow down from the rush of running from attraction to FastPass line and watch one or any of the fantastic stage shows offered at the parks.  You’ll be glad you did!

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)

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!“

photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorenjavier/3721037553/

So, you’ve decided you’re going to Disneyland. You’ve booked your hotel and figured out your dining plans. Next, tickets! Tickets to Disneyland are basically the same as at Walt Disney World: Park hoppers or single-park tickets, and they run just a few dollars cheaper than WDW tickets.

If you’re looking at doing more than Disneyland in Southern California, the Southern California CityPass may be the right choice, and can be booked as part of your vacation. It includes a three day park hopper to Disneyland, one day at SeaWorld San Diego, one day at your choice of the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park, and one day at Universal Studios Hollywood. These tickets are about $65 more than the three-day park hopper at Disneyland. We used all admissions on the CityPass except for the Universal Studios.

And what to do outside of the parks? In the Downtown Disney district you’ll find shopping, dining and entertainment, all just outside the park gates. While smaller than the Downtown District at Walt Disney World, it includes several of the favorites, including the World of Disney Store and Lego Imagination Center. You’ll also find Disney Studio 365, a makeover spot similar to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique but it transforms you into a superstar rather than a princess.

While Disneyland is a little different than Walt Disney World,  I don’t think I could say one is better than the other. They are both magical and both have their strengths and weaknesses. So if you’re up for something a little different than Walt Disney World but still want the magic of a Disney parks vacation, I strongly encourage you to consider Disneyland!  

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)

Rachel is a Virginia native who now lives in Louisiana. She is married with two children, ages 5 and 3. After dreaming and wishing for several years, her family had their very first Disney vacations this year and are now addicted to researching and planning—whether for themselves or for others. They now plan to visit the parks at least once a year.