• September 30 – October 6, 2012
• October 14 – 20, 2012
• October 28 – November 3, 2012
• November 11 – 17, 2012
• November 24 – December 1, 2012
• December 10 – 22, 2-12

Just add Theme Park tickets and you can take advantage of all the fun this fall including Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party*, Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Osbourne Family Festival of Dancing Lights, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party* and Epcot’s Holidays Around the World.

Booking and Travel Window:

• Book August 27 – September 29, 2012.

Book your next vacation today and take advantage of all of the Magical Memories Travel VIP vacation planning services to save you time and money.  Best of all, their services are always 100% FREE to you!

Request a free, no obligation quote or
call toll free at 1-888-908-7718 for more information today!

* The number of rooms allocated for these offers is limited. Length of stay requirements may apply. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Additional per adult charges apply if more than two adults per room. No group rates or other discounts apply.

Lori Hardegree, President of Magical Memories Travel and Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts

Last week I did something that was new for me. I stepped out of the “Disney bubble” and spent an enjoyable day with Sandals and Beaches resorts.

For 8 years now I’ve worked as a Disney vacation specialist, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, but recently I made the decision that Magical Memories Travel would begin to expand our vacation product knowledge and services to include other family-friendly vacation destinations. Because of that I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend an all day event here in Atlanta hosted by Sandals and Beaches resorts. I even had a chance to meet their CEO, Adam Stewart.

When I made this decision to offer other family vacation options, it was very important to me that we didn’t offer just any vacation products. One of the reasons why we as an agency have specialized in Disney and why we choose to partner with the Walt Disney Travel Company is that we can count on them to provide a consistently fabulous vacation experience for our guests. We know once our guests arrive on Disney property that they are in good hands and will leave feeling that they got a great value for their hard earned vacation dollars and head home with tons of “magical memories.” We wanted to make sure that when you, our guests, are back from your Disney vacation and start dreaming about your next vacation, that we could recommend something else for you that we could have that same level of confidence in knowing that you’ll find a consistently superior vacation experience when you arrive. We want to know that the destinations we recommend for you will WOW you with wonderful attention to detail, customer service, amenities and “fun” options. I’m happy to say I believe we found just that with Beaches resorts!

Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort, Photo ©Sandals

Chances are you’ve heard of Sandals resorts. They are the leader in All-Inclusive vacation destinations in the Caribbean, and with good reason! Sandals is an adult only couples resort. It’s all about romance. From drop dead gorgeous suites with butler service to romantic private dinners on the beach with the perfect view of the sunset and a ton of fun in between, Sandals is a dream come true vacation for couples, but did you know there is an equally fabulous resort option for families? Beaches is owned and operated by Sandals and offer those same gorgeous suites and sunset dinners but they also have something for everyone in your family to enjoy, and best of all, those activities are all included in the price of your vacation. That’s right scuba diving, golf, kids clubs, water-skiing, paddle-boarding, even those tropical drinks with the umbrella that you can enjoy at the swim up pool bar or have delivered to you right on the beach are ALL completely included in the cost of your vacation! You can check in to your Beaches resort, toss your wallet in the safe and never reach for it once during your entire stay.

It’s always our goal to make family vacations as FUN and EASY for Mom and Dad as they are for the kids. As a Mom of 3 boys, I know that family vacations are typically a lot of work for Mom and she doesn’t always get to relax and enjoy things as much as everyone else does. I love that Disney does so many things to make sure that the whole family has an enjoyable time and that even Mom and Dad can relax and feel like a kid again. I wanted to make sure we could continue to bring you more vacation options that appeal to the entire family and that made vacation easy and relaxing for Mom. Beaches absolutely fits the bill here again!

Beaches Negril Resort, Photo ©Sandals

Parents tell us quite often how much they love how Disney Cruise Line provides dedicated activities and spaces for kids of all ages and how that gives them the opportunity to enjoy some time alone or with other adults in addition to the “family fun” on their vacation. You’ll find these same opportunities at Beaches. Even the youngest guests have their own area with trained and certified nannies to care for the little ones while Mom and Dad are out scuba diving, and unlike a cruise, child care for infants and toddlers is completely included in your vacation package pricing. Prescshool age children will flip to see their favorite Sesame Street characters join them for everything from tea parties to dance parties. My kindergartner has already mapped out his day of playing in the sand followed by hitting the water slides at Pirates Island waterpark. My “tween age” sons are counting the days until they can walk in to the “X-Box Game Garage” or “Scratch DJ academy” and have told pretty much anyone who will listen that they they will get to “take their first breath underwater” with some scuba lessons in the pool. My husband already has an eye on “our spot” at the pool bar and, since he fancies himself a bit of a foodie, is excited about fine dining and wine tastings. Me? Well all of that sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to do it all but hanging out in a beach chair with my kindle sounds like a dream come true most of the time.

One of our agents, Patricia Mickus, shared with us her impressions of her family reunion at Beaches Turks and Caicos. Here is what she had to say:

I have been recommending Beaches for years to friends and families who want a great family vacation option in addition to Disney! We never left the resort except to take the kids to Iguana Island. I loved putting my wallet in the safe and never taking it out until we left.

The Turks and Caicos resort is absolutely breathtaking! One reason I love it is you get off the plane and will be in the resort within minutes. Our kids loved all the amenities. One family traveling with us had an infant. I was really impressed with the nannies caring for them. They kept wonderful records so the parents could know what time each child was fed and when diapers where changes. I thought they were very thorough. 

Paul and I enjoyed snorkeling each day and taking the kids on the sea kayak. The pools there are beautiful and each pool has its own vibe. There are quiet pools and pools with a party atmosphere.

There are a bunch of different restaurant options so it’s easy to find something everyone can agree on, even for the picky eaters. Because it was an all inclusive we pretty much could order what we wanted off the menus. After the first night the kids were having so much fun they didn’t even want to eat with us! We fed them an early dinner and put them in the kid’s club. All the adults in our party then had a nice long relaxing dinner and everyone was happy.

I think Beaches will be a good fit for us and for our clients.  I’m really excited about this opportunity!

 

Beaches Ocho Rios Resort Photo ©Sandals

 I know this is a little bit of a change from our typical weekly Disney content, but we’re all really excited about this new partnership with Beaches resorts so we couldn’t wait to tell you about it! We’ll be developing a web site with more information but while we do, if you have any questions or would like for us to send you a brochure or video on Beaches, drop us a line and let us know! We’ll be happy to tell you all about it!

Disney has always been, and will continue to be, an entertainment company at heart. They have perfected the art of storytelling. Yes, they do travel too but there is storytelling at the heart of everything they do. You see it in the queues at the theme parks, in the set up of the water parks, it’s everywhere at Aulani but nowhere is it more apparent than on Adventures by Disney vacations.

The movie Brave rolls in to theaters in just under a month. This latest addition to the Pixar collection is highlh anticipated and is getting great “buzz” from those who have been fortunate enough to have attend an advance screening. It’s no surprise that Disney decided to give families a chance to visit Merida’s world and learn more about her native land.

Earlier this week Adventures by Disney announced their newest itineraries for 2013. Earlier this year we learned that guests will have the opportunity to visit Southeast Asia inclduing Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Adventures by Disney Vice President Josh D’Amaro announced on Tuesday that the newest location for 2013 is none other than Scotland.

“‘Scotland: A Brave Adventure’ combines the creative genius of Pixar Animation Studios with Disney’s ability to bring iconic stories to life with in a whole new way,” says Josh D’Amaro. “For the first time ever, our guests will be fully immersed in the legends and locations that inspired the film. ‘Brave’ is the perfect tale for Adventures by Disney to share; Merida’s experience speaks to the importance of the family bond – a cornerstone of any Disney vacation.”

I will admit that Scotland intrigues me quite a bit! There are several Adventures by Disney itineraries that are on my wish list ”to do list” but this Scotish adventure just leapfroged over several of them claiming it’s spot up at the top (the #1 pick changes with my mood!).

As with all Adventures by Dinsey trips, this itinerary is designed to appeal to everyone in your family no mater what their age (Disney recommends a minimum age of 8 for this tour). You’ll visit some of the most historic and scenic locations in Scotland including a private, after hours VIP tour of Edinburgh Castle and passing through the Calanais Standing Stones. Your family will also have the chance to take part in some of Merida’s favorite activities too. You’ll ride a highland pony through the Rothiemurchus Fores, try your hand at archery taught by a local expert on the grounds of Glamis castle, whip up some traditional Scottish pastries and show off your artistic side as you learn Celtic music and dance.

Of course no trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to Loch Ness! Your family won’t just stand on the shores gazing out at the loch. No way. You’ll be out there gliding across Loch Ness in a canoe in search of the elusive Nessie. If that’s not quite your style, you can conduct your search for Nessie from a motorboat as you listen to your skipper regale you with tales of hunting the Loch’s most infamous inhabitant.

You’ll even visit the sites that inspired some of Brave’s locations. The Witch’s cottage was inspired by the Black Houe of Arnol and the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and Merida’s home is modeled after Dunnottar Castle…and you’ll see them all first hand!

There are even special events just for the kids, or “Junior Adventurers” as Disney calls them. Imagine the tales your children will be able to tell their friends and teachers about how they participated in the Disney Highland Games during their visit to Scotland. No boring “what I did last summer” essays for them! These are the type of memories that will live with them forever.

This 8 night, 9 day adventure will begin departures in March of 2013. They are available for booking now and the key to getting the best possible pricing on an Adventures by Disney vacation is to book early! As the departures begin to fill, the price only goes up.

So, who’s with me? Are you “Brave” enough to tackle this adventure? Disney, in case you are listening, if you need someone to test out the itinerary for you, I’m available! Have passport, will travel…I just need a few hours to pack!

Ready to start planning your next Adventure?
Request a quote online or contact us
at 678-744-4939 to get started!

Book any Adventures by Disney vacation by July 1, 2012 and receive a gift card worth up to $750 as our gift to you.

Disney Cruise Line has long been a favorite for families looking for a vacation that pleases everyone. Their newest ship, the Disney Fantasy does not disappoint!  They have taken all of the fantastic things about the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder and kicked them up a notch.

Here are the top 5 features of the Disney Fantasy that will make your vacation one to remember for a lifetime:

Disney Entertainment:  Disney is without a doubt one of the most respected names in entertainment and certainly tops in family entertainment.  They continue live up to that reputation with entertainment on board the Disney Fantasy.  The nightly shows in the Walt Disney theater are Broadway caliber productions complete with your favorite Disney characters. The newest production at sea, Aladdin , is definitely not to be missed!

The entertainment doesn’t stop there. Even the art work on board gets in to the act. Interactive art, which looks like a regular picture comes to life if you pause to look at it. Some of these pictures are even hiding clues to a mystery kids can solve with help from the Mid-ship Detective Agency featuring the Muppets. While dining in the Animator’s Palate dining room guests create their own animated character that is then brought to life and made to be a part of the show during dinner. “Pirate Night” has been a guest favorite on Disney cruises for some time now but the Buccaneer Blast and Pirate Party on the Disney Dream takes the experience to a new level. Disney is the only cruise line to have fireworks at sea and on the Fantasy, those fireworks are set to music. This is one party you won’t want to miss!

Youth Activities: When you think Disney, you think children. The majority of Disney Cruise Line guests are families traveling with children but remarkably the ship doesn’t seem overrun with kids. Why? Because they are almost always engaged in the kids activities onboard! Disney offers supervised programming for kids age 3 months to 17. Onboard the Disney Dream children age 3 months – 2 years enjoy the It’s a Small World nursery which is staffed with caring “counselors” and equipped with everything from soft toys to rows of cribs for nap time. Children age 3-10 will love the Oceaneers Club and Oceaneers Lab.  While these two clubs flow together through a project room and children can move from one to the other, typically the Oceaneers Club appeals to those age 3-7 and the Oceaneers Lab for ages 8-10. Both clubs offer ample play space with lots of high tech play options plus some good old fashioned fun with everything from dress up to board games.

Tweens will enjoy their own space at Edge where they can make green screen movies, mix their own music or even hang out on their own water deck with a splash pad and sun deck. Teens will enjoy Vibe with it’s key card access areas, private pool deck at the front of the ship, shipboard social networking options and even their own spa called “Chill.”  Don’t be surprised when you hear parents telling their children that yes, they do have to come out to have dinner or spend time with the family!

Night Life for Mom and Dad: There is plenty for Mom and Dad to do while the kids are in their respective clubs! The adult areas of the ship include everything from intimate cocktail lounges, a sports bar, a dance club and even an in-the-pool bar at the adult only pool! There is even a private, adult only beach on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. Disney does insist that the 18 and up age limits are strictly followed in these areas. Be sure to make time to check out The Tube, the high energy dance club found in Europa. Our group had lots of fun there. We recommend you give one of their signature drinks – the Tuppany Tube – a try!

Well Designed Staterooms: Ask anyone who has ever cruised before to describe their stateroom and “spacious” is not a word they are likely to use. Space on a cruise ship is limited so staterooms are typically quite small. The staterooms on the Disney Fantasy are very thoughtfully designed to make the best use every inch of space. Though it may seem like common sense, most cruise lines do not leave enough space under the bed to store luggage. Thankfully Disney corrected this and even the largest suitcase in your luggage set will slide under your bed for storage. There are ample shelves, drawers and closet space for storing your wardrobe while on board. Disney introduced the concept of the split bath on their first ships and the Fantasy features them as well. Most staterooms have 2 separate bathrooms; one with a sink and toilet and the other with a sink and tub/shower combination. The designers of the stateroom seem to have though of everything, except to include an outlet in the bathroom for plugging in a hair dryer! If your family likes to sleep in, pack a long extension cord to or plan to have to turn on the lights and run the hair dryer in the vanity area as your family covers their heads with pillows and considers tossing you, or at least your hair dryer, overboard.

The AquaDuck: Dubbed a “water coaster at sea”, the AquaDuck is 765 ft of fun! Riders are taken out over the edge of the ship and along the top deck overlooking the pool and outdoor movie screen. The ride is fun for all and not at all scary. There has been some criticism that it is not enough of a thrill but it was never intended to be “Space Mountain at Sea” but rather a family fun attraction. Judging by the line of people waiting to ride again and again, it earns a thumbs up. Water in the AquaDuck is heated, but the wind on deck can make it a bit refreshing in winter months as you queue up for another chance to “do the Duck.”

The Disney Fantasy is a truly beautiful ship that is reminiscent of a classic ocean liner. Equipped with the latest in technology and thoughtful design, Disney strikes a perfect balance of elegance and entertainment. It is no wonder that almost 90% of first time cruisers say they will plan another cruise vacation in the future!

I think, that as a child, every little girl dreams of being a princess.  I know I made that wish a time or two and I know that my daughter does that now.  After all, who wouldn’t want to stay in a grand castle with beautiful and lavish décor?  Leave it to Disney to make those wonderful dreams a little bit more of a reality!

This past week, my family and I were guests at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort where we made plans to stay in the new Royal Rooms!  The story behind these regal rooms is that we are all royal guests of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.  And even better, all of the Disney Princesses have been guests here, as well!  And in true Princess style, they each left a gift for Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen.

As you enter the room, you will instantly notice the rich wood, beautiful golds, and jewel tones of sapphire, emerald, and ruby.  If you imagined what a room inside a castle would look like, I think this is exactly what it would be.  The large, luxurious beds are a real focal point in the room.  They are dressed with beautiful linens that are adorned with crowns, glass slippers, and magical mirrors.  And of course, if you look close enough, a few hidden mickeys, as well!  The oversized headboard, that is decorated with gold medallions, has a beautiful picture that comes to life with an LED firework display.  This magical firework display became a routine for my children each night before going to bed.

The decorative touches that we all especially enjoyed were the things that reminded us we were staying in the same room as the other Princesses.  The unique artwork hanging throughout the room features Tiana and her Princess friends, all in familiar places around the Riverside property.  And of course, those gifts that I mentioned earlier, are placed around the room.  You will find gifts from Jasmine- such as the magic carpet laying on the floor and the gold genie lamp faucet.  Belle left behind a bench that may remind you of the Beasts sweet pup that was transformed.  Cinderella gifted a coat rack adorned with her magical carriage and of course, there is much more!  Even Princess Tiana leaves a warm welcome note on the entry table.  There are many magical special touches around the room for everyone to enjoy!

These majestic rooms are a special treat for your Princess and even your Prince.  They allow them to become part of the fairytale and really experience the magic!

The resort itself is really lovely as well. The lush landscaping and beautiful views are very relaxing and a nice break from the high energy, hustle and bustle of the parks. The resort is laid out with a river winding around “Old Man Island” and meandering throughout the resort grounds. Old Man Island houses the resort pool, waterside, hot tub, playground and bait shack. You can rent a cane pole and bait and fish from several different points along the river.

 Dining options at Port Orleans Riverside include the Riverside Mill Food Court and Boatwright’s Dining Hall table service restaurant. Guests also have easy access to the sister resort, Port Orleans French Quarter and the Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory food court as well as to Downtown Disney restaurants. The easy boat access to Downtown Disney makes this resort a favorite for many families! The boat launch will drop you off right in the middle of the shopping, entertainment and dining locations at Downtown Disney which is perfect for an afternoon or evening outside of the parks!

There  500 Royal Rooms available at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, which start at $189/night.   The Royal Rooms can accommodate up to 4 Princesses or Princes.

Christina Moore has been visiting Walt Disney World regularly since she was a little girl. She lives in Lexington, KY with her husband and 2 children. Christina specializes in planning Disney vacations for first time guests, guests with young children and honeymooners.

Contact Christina to start planning your next Disney vacation!
She can be reached at  1-888-908-7718 ext 110 or click here to request a customized vacation quote!

]]> http://visitmickey.net/royal-guest-rooms-fit-for-a-princess/feed 0 http://visitmickey.net/tasty-family-fun-at-epcot http://visitmickey.net/tasty-family-fun-at-epcot#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:30:54 +0000 Lori http://visitmickey.net/?p=848 Continue reading →]]> Today’s article is written by Disney Vacation Specialist, Patricia Mickus
of Magical Memories Travel.

Epcot allows guests the opportunity to see the world (or at least 11 countries) in a day.  My family always enjoys visiting each pavilion and learning about the customs of other cultures.  With over 25 restaurants you can broaden your kid’s palate by sampling a variety of international cuisines.  The World Showcase traveler only needs to wear a pair of decent walking shoes to travel the 1.1 miles around the lagoon, while encountering authentic restaurants representing the flavors of Morocco, Mexico, Norway, China, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  Executive Chef for Epcot, Jens Dahlmann puts it best.

“Authenticity and tradition were two key words when we embarked on the search and planning for our restaurants.  Our goal is to stall each World Showcase restaurant with people form the country represented, so when you’re in Germany’s Biergarten, for instance , you hostess will greet you and take your order as if you’re in Hamburg or Munich”.

One of our favorite family activities while at Epcot is tasting different sweets and desserts the World Showcase offers.  A list of our family favorites include:

• France – Chocolate Crepes
• Germany – Black Forest Cake
• Norway – School Bread
• Morocco – Baklava
• Canada – Maple Crème Brule
• USA – Funnel Cakes
• Japan – Shaved Ice
• United Kingdom – Sticky Toffee Pudding
• China – Caramel Ginger Ice Cream
• Italy – Gelato
• Mexico – Churros

Nothing is better than a free cold drink in the hot Florida sun.  Before you start your culinary adventure make sure you check out Club Cool located near Innoventions West in Future World.  Disney has partnered with Coca-Cola to offer samples of various Coke products that are not available in the U.S. These sodas were recently highlighted as favorites from these countries.

• China – Xingmu (Smart) Watermelon
• Israel – Kinley Lemon
• Thailand – Lychee Mello
• Japan – Vegitabeta
• Costa Rica – Fanta Kolita
• Germany – Mezzo Mix
• Mexico – Lift Apple
• Mozambique – Krest Ginger Ale
• Italy – Beverly

Make sure everyone in your group tastes the Beverly from Italy.  The description on the dispenser reads:  “Beverly, with its bitter flavor, is a popular non-alcoholic aperitif that stimulates the appetite before dinner.” Quinine is the key ingredient that gives the Beverly it’s distinctive bitter flavor.  My boys will never forget their father’s reaction to his first sip.  The look on his face was unforgettable.  Make sure you have your camera ready.

Patricia Mickus, who believes you can have a DIsney vacation of a lifetime and maximize your vacation dollars no matter what your budget, lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and sons.

Contact Patricia at patricia@magicalmemoriestravel.com, by phone at 703-539-2668 or 1-888-908-7718 ext  130 or click here to request a quote from Patricia for your next Walt Disney World vacation!

There are tons of articles out there about whether or not to use the Disney Dining Plan and if its right for your family and travel needs. This is not one of those articles. This is what happens if the answer is no, it’s not right for you family.

First off, its okay, the Dining Plan is not for everyone, my family included (I have 2 young boys so the day will come where I will need it). On our last trip in January of 2011 we went for my husband to run the Marathon. Our family at the time consisted of my husband and I as well as our 3 year old daughter and 7 month old son. For our 10 day trip we successfully ate for under $600. This included 3 Character Meals: Chef Mickey’s, Norway’s Storybook Princess Breakfast, and the Crystal Palace. 3 Table Service Meals: Via Napoli, Le Cellier, and Rainforest Cafe. All other meals were counter service both in park and at our resort.

So, how did we do it?

Set ground rules with our entire travel party before leaving on what our budget is and how often we planned on eating. If possible determine the restaurants before going. This will save money as well as arguing over what’s for dinner while there. We also set rules for snacks with the kids. How often and how much? Part of our success is we rarely get snacks.

Bring breakfast and some snacks from home. Nearly every hotel has or has the option of a small in room fridge. We purchase milk and yogurt from the resort store upon arrival for cold cereal. I pack granola bars, small boxes of cereal, prepackaged muffins/donuts, instant oatmeal, small bags of chips, fruit snacks, goldfish, and small packages of cookies/candy, paper plates, and plastic utensils. By eating in room we save time and money and it’s nice to have it available should anyone get hungry when we get back from touring. If you don’t have room to pack, or the bag fees are too high, you can order groceries from Garden Grocer and have them delivered right to your room.

Set your budget before going and put it on a Disney Gift Card. The gift card allows you to see your balance after every meal and snack purchased. To see how much to put on there does require some planning. First determine what, if any, Table, Character Meals, and Dinner Shows you want to do on your trip. Then approximately how many counter service meals and snacks you will need. For our family we planned for 3 counter service meals, 2 kid’s meals, and 3 snacks per day for our entire family. My husband and I would split a counter service meal at lunch due to the sizeable portions. Depending on the day did the same thing at dinner, but always planned on having our own. A counter service meal will run $8-12 give or take with a drink. The second benefit of a Disney Gift Card is any extra money at the end of your trip can be used for souvenirs (our souvenir budget was also on gift cards for each person and once it was gone it was gone).

Share. The portions in the parks are quite generous and easy to split. My husband and I would get a combo and share. If one of us was extra hungry we’d add a salad or extra side. At locations like the Yak and Yeti counter service we made ourselves a nice little take out buffet. We did wind up splitting one Table Service meal as well at the Rain Forest Café, mostly because we’d snacked that day and were getting dinner pretty late, neither one of us wanting anything too filling.

Buffets. When dining at a buffet such as Chef Mickey’s I booked it for later in the morning (last seating) so the meal covered both breakfast and lunch that day. Then since we passed on lunch we snacked to get us to dinner, saving us the cost of a counter service meal. Now, if our daughter was hungry we would get her a kid’s meal, we would never make her go without. But we did control her snacking and not let her have every treat she saw and wanted.

Give yourself a ‘Carrot’. Choose a special treat for the last day of your trip, and tell yourself we have to come in UNDER budget to get it. We choose lunch at the Crystal Palace and had plenty of money to spare. Your ‘Carrot’ can be a meal, extra souvenir, or special photo. Our savings came from snacks being kept to a minimum and we either skipped or split more meals than we had planned.

While this plan works for us, we are very aware it won’t work for everyone. If you would like advice and help on planning your own Disney vacation,  please contact me chelsey@magicalmemoriestravel.com or contact me at 1-888-908-7718 ext. 109.

Good luck and happy dining!

Disney’s most popular special offer for Walt Disney World guests is back for 2012! Book a minimum 3-night vacation package with 2 day tickets for arrivals between 8/25/12 and 9/29/12 and receive a fee upgrade to one of Disney’s popular dining plans for FREE. Guests at Disney’s value resorts will receive the Quick Service dining plan for free while guests at moderate, deluxe and deluxe villa resorts will receive the Magic Your Way Plus Dining plan for free.  This offer can save a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 small children around $1000 on a one week vacation!

Would you like more information or a personalized vacation quote? Contact Magical Memories Travel at 1-888-908-7718 or visit us online today!

In the Hawaiian culture, Ohana means family and the Ohana restaurant in the Polynesian Resort  completely grabs hold of this sentiment by bringing together Disney guests with delicious food, fun entertainment, and an unbeatable atmosphere!

Your Ohana experience,which is served family style, begins with a loaf of bread that, in appearance, seems quite plain.  However, as you soon as you indulge in your first bite, you immediately realize that this is definitely not the case.  This wonderful coconut bread, referred to as Ohana’s Welcome Bread, is extremely tasty, soft and the perfect beginning to your meal. Fair warning, you do not want to fill up on bread because there is much, much more to come!

Soon after the bread is served, your server brings a large mixed green salad with a honey lime dressing that is out of this world!  It is the perfect tang with the crunchy (yes, crunchy—not wilted) greens.  No sooner do you wipe the corners of your mouth, when the next course is delivered.  And although the entire meal is just fantastic—this upcoming course is my favorite!

The honey ginger chicken wings and pork dumplings could be a meal in themselves.  The chicken is tender, flavorful, and has the perfect combination of sweetness and spice.  The pork dumplings are served with a very tasty dipping sauce and are the highlight of the meal for me.  The pork and veggie filling is packed with flavor and the wonton wrappers are prepared perfectly, to avoid that chewy texture that you sometimes find in Asian-style restaurants.

At this point of your meal, you may be lucky enough to partake in some of the entertainment that adds to the wonderful atmosphere.  Children are encouraged to play games, such as limbo or coconut shell races, there are storytellers, and talented Hawaiian singers-usually adorned with a ukelele.  And, depending on the time of your dinner reservation, you may be lucky enough to witness Wishes Fireworks taking place at the neighboring Magic Kingdom.  They dim the lights and play the same music that is playing in Magic Kingdom.  This is a real treat!

Hopefully, the entertainment gave your stomach a rest, because at this point—we’re not even half way through the meal!  Hard to believe, isn’t it?!  Your server will now start bringing out the lo-mein noodles and steamed vegetables.  The lo-mein noodles are the perfect texture and taste great.   The steamed veggies consist of snow peas, broccoli, and shredded carrots and are cooked just right.  Now, let the overabundance of meat skewers begin!

The assortment of meat skewers are cooked on a 18 foot long oak burning fire pit.  You will be served Marinated Sirloin Steak, Spicy Grilled peel and eat shrimp, Asian BBQ Pork Loin, and Oak Grilled Chicken.  They also bring you a trio of sauces consisting of a peanut sauce, a mustard sauce, and a sweet and sour sauce.  They are all excellent–none of the meats are dried out, they are juicy and each one is seasoned perfectly.

At this point of the meal, you’re wondering if anyone will notice you loosening your belt and honestly, that might not be too bad of an idea because here comes dessert and is it ever yummy!  Your server brings a large serving of warm bread pudding with a banana and caramel sauce, a la mode.  The warmth of the bread pudding melts the ice cream which then seeps into the bread pudding, mixing with the caramel banana sauce creating Heaven on Earth!  This is one of those desserts where after every bite you just have to go on and on about how good it is.

You’ve completed your meal and you’re more than satisfied.  Your children had a wonderful time and you’re already talking about your next visit.  THAT is the sign of a fantastic restaurant and I highly recommend it!  Enjoy!!

Ohana is one of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World so Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended!

Christina Moore is a life-long Disney fan. She has been traveling to Walt Disney World since childhood and even honeymooned with Mickey! She and her husband enjoy frequent visits to Walt Disney World with their 2 children. Contact Christina at christina@magicalmemoriestravel.com or by phone at 1-888-908-7718 ext 110 or click here to request more information and find out how Christina can help you plan your next DIsney vacation!

One of the most important parts of a successful touring strategy at Disney World is making good use of Fastpasses. Although they are most important during busy times, they will allow you to make the best use of your time during slower periods as well. The basic concept of a Fastpass is simple, but using it effectively requires some more in depth understanding.

What is Fastpass?
Fastpass is a virtual line system. It is a free perk to anyone visiting any of the four Walt Disney parks in Florida. All you need to use it is your admission ticket. Each of the four parks has a number of Fastpass attractions. These are generally the busiest and most popular rides. Fastpass effectively allows you to have your place in line held while you go do something else.

How does Fastpass work?
When you approach a Fastpass attraction, you have two choices. You can enter the regular (standby) line and wait. Or you can go to the Fastpass kiosks that will be somewhere next to the attraction. When you approach the kiosk, you insert your park ticket into the machine. The park ticket will come back out, and a piece of paper (your Fastpass) will print. On the Fastpass, it will say the name of the attraction and a return window of 1 hour.  So it may be 9:30AM right now, and your Fastpass has a return window of 11:10 to 12:10. That means you can go and ride other rides, eat, or anything else you want, and then return to the ride later. When you return, you enter the special Fastpass line. Since there are a limited number of Fastpasses distributed each day, the wait time in this line is usually only about 5 or 10 minutes.

How often can I get another Fastpass?
When you get a Fastpass, the time that you are eligible for another will be printed at the bottom of the ticket. In general, that time will be the earlier of the start time of your return window and 2 hours from when you got the Fastpass. So if you got a Fastpass at 9:30 with a return time of 10:15 to 11:15, you would generally be eligible for another Fastpass at 10:15. If you got a Fastpass at 9:30 with a return time of 2:15 to 3:15, you would generally be eligible for another at 11:30. However, there can be variations to these guidelines, so always check the time listed on your Fastpass.  Note that you don’t have to use your first Fastpass before you get another. You just have to reach the time listed on your current one.

What about my under 3 year old child who doesn’t have an admission ticket?
Children under 3 who don’t have a ticket (and therefore can’t get a Fastpass) can go through the Fastpass line with an adult who has one. Most rides with Fastpasses are thrill rides that have height restrictions that an under 3 wouldn’t be riding anyway. But there are some exceptions (most notably Toy Story Mania). Your child will have no problem going through the Fastpass line with you.

How strict is the return time?
The beginning time of your Fastpass window is very strict. You will not be able to enter the Fastpass line even 1 minute before your return window. However, the end time is more flexible. Currently, Disney does not enforce the end time of the Fastpass window. So if you have a return window of 10:15 to 11:15, you can not return before 10:15. You can return anytime after 10:15 until the end of the day. Note that this is an unwritten rule, and there are always rumors that Disney is going to stop allowing it. For the time being though, it is a huge help to touring plans. A great strategy is to collect Fastpasses in the morning every time you are eligible.  While doing this, you can either ride the less popular rides, or ride the same Fastpass rides while lines are short. Then later in the day when lines are long for everything, you can use your Fastpasses to ride the popular rides quickly.

How do I decide whether to get a Fastpass or ride Standby?
In general, if a line has less than a 30 minute wait, it most likely makes sense to ride Standby. However, you can also do both -ride it Standdby while the line is short, and also collect a Fastpass for later. Also, during slow times of the year, you may see a Standby line with a 20 minute wait, and Fastpasses with a window that starts in 20-30 minutes. In that case, you can get the Fastpass and ride at the same time without having to stand in line.

What rides use Fastpass?
Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Jungle Cruise, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Peter Pan’s Flight.

Epcot: Mission: SPACE, Test Track, Captain EO, Maelstrom, and Soarin’

Animal Kingdom: Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, It’s Tough to Be a Bug, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Primeval Whirl

Hollywood Studios: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Star Tours, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid

How do I use Fastpass with rider switch?
Rider switch is a way for families with children who are too short for some rides to get on the rides without having to wait twice.  The whole family (including the child that is too short) approaches the start of the line.  All but one adult get in line to ride.  The cast member at the line will give a special Fastpass to the adult who is staying behind.  It will allow that adult (and up to 2 other people) to ride the attraction by going through the Fastpass line.

Rider switch can be combined with regular Fastpasses in a couple of ways.  For example, assume you have a family of 4 – 2 adults, 1 child tall enough to ride, and 1 child who is too short.  You can get 4 Fastpasses for the ride using your 4 tickets.  Then use 2 of the Fastpasses for an adult to ride with the tall enough child.  The other adult can then use the rider switch pass to ride with the tall enough child (they get 2 rides!).  After that, you still have 2 Fastpasses left, and can do the whole thing again.  Another option is to only get 2 Fastpasses for the ride, and get 2 Fastpasses for another ride.  Then use rider switch at each of the 2 attractions so that everyone tall enough can ride both.

Anything else I need to know?
Some of the most popular attractions can run out of Fastpasses very quickly during the day.  The biggest examples of these are Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios and Soarin’ in Epcot.  For both of these attractions, it’s very important to get to the park early and immediately get Fastpasses.  During busy times, Toy Story Mania can run out of Fastpasses by 10AM, and even getting there slightly after park opening can result in a return time late in the day.  Even during slow times, Fastpasses are often gone by lunch time.

There are also a few shows that sometimes distribute Fastpasses.  It is usually not necessary to use them at these attractions.  The theaters for them are large, and except for at very busy times, you will most likely get into the next show whether or not you have a Fastpass.

Using all the information and guidelines above will make for a much more relaxing day of touring.  There’s nothing better than seeing a standby wait time posted at 90 minutes and walking through the Fastpass line in 5!

Jen Zinno, a self described “Disney addict,” is a Disney vacation specialist with Magical Memories Travel. She lives in Sharon, MA with her husband and two children. Jen looks forward to her Disney vacations where she can leave her worries behind and be a kid again. You can contact Jen at jen@magicalmemoriestravel.com or by phone at 339-364-3475 or 1-888-908-7718 ext 104.
Click here to request a personalized quote from Jen
for your next Walt Disney World vacation.