Booking your Fastpass+ Selections

So exciting! You have reached the 60 day mark on your countdown to your Walt Disney World vacation!! So, now what? You will be able to reserve your FastPass+ selections for your stay. But, if you follow my advice and plan in advance, this will be a fun and worth while planning step! I suggest starting your FastPass+ research early! I like to have mine all written down in the order I would like to secure them, in my preferred time spots. This way, when you get to that 60 day mark, you will have picked out which FastPass+ selections you want and for what times. This makes it so much easier for you. You will be able to secure 3 FastPass+ selections per person per day. Now, if you have a Park Hopper ticket....you can only reserve an extra 3 FastPass+ selections AFTER you have used the first 3 at your first park. You can do this by using the mobile app or at the FastPass+ Kiosk at your second park. You CANNOT book your second park's FastPass+ selections on your 60 day mark. So, it is time to get out some paper and a pen!!!

• Choose which park you will visit on each day of your vacation. 
• Write down under each day approximately what time you will eat lunch and dinner. Make sure you definitely write down the time of each of your Table Service reservations. That way, you make sure not to overlap you dining times with your FastPass+ selections.
• Never been to Disney World before? Take the time to look over which attractions yourself and your family will really want to experience. Narrow that list down to the 3 you will be allowed, do that for each day and park you will be visiting. 
• Remember, if your family has older and younger kids, they might want to experience different attractions. Sometimes, you may need to split up. Although, I do not prefer this. We go on a family vacation to stick together and make memories....but if you have little ones and Daddy and older sibling want to ride Tower of Terror....take the little one to see the Disney Junior show:)
• Remember that the parks are big...especially when you are visiting the Magic Kingdom that has a lot of attractions that accept FastPass+. So, you need to plan your FastPass+ selections carefully and strategically, so you are not bouncing from one side of the park to the other. 
• I recommend making your FastPass+ selections after lunchtime. Why, you ask? If you plan properly and get to the park when it opens, you will be able to ride multiple attractions before the park gets to busy. Then, in the afternoon when the parks are busier, you can ride your FastPass+ selections. 
• ALWAYS try to make your FastPass+ selection for Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom for as early in the morning as possible. The animals are likely to be more active and more easily viewed.
• If possible, plan 2 days to visit the Magic Kingdom. Here is why I say that: On day one, right after the park opens, you can head straight over to Fantasy Land. Get on as many attractions as possible before it gets to busy or until lunchtime. Then, after lunch, you can head over and use your FastPasses for... lets say Big Thunder RailRoad, Splash Mountain and The Haunted Mansion. All three of those rides are all in relative distance to one another. On the second day you visit The Magic Kingdom, you can head straight over to AdventureLand/FrontierLand and get on those same rides(that you gor FastPasses for on day one) before it gets to busy or lunchtime. Then you can head over to TommorowLand or FantasyLand and visit the attractions you have secured your FastPasses for. This way...everyone gets to ride what they want and not waste time. You will also be able to ride those great attractions that get very long lines more than once during your vacation.
• Next, figure out the times you may want to try to secure those FastPasses for. You will have about an hour time window. So, you can book a FastPass for 12:30-1:30. You can visit that attraction anytime within that window. Your FastPasses cannot overlap. So, you can book a 12:30-1:30 FastPass, but cannot also book a 1:00-2:00 FastPass. Make sure to account for that. Write down the times you would like to get next to each of the three rides you have choosen for each day of your visit. Make sure to download and look at the attraction layouts on the park Maps. You do not want a FastPass in FantasyLand and then have to high tail it to FrontierLand to make the next one. Especially with little kids and/or strollers (or big crowds to get through).

Now, on your 60 day mark, you will have it all laid out. Make all of your FastPass+ selections one park at a time, using the rides and times you have already picked out. It takes a while to plan, but it is fun planning it. You will be so happy when your vacation runs smoothly and everyone gets to ride as many rides as possible!!:) 

Budgeting for every single expense

Okay, so you have booked your Disney World vacation. You have your package which includes your hotel, park tickets, dining and Memory Maker. If you still have to purchase your plane tickets...that is okay, you have budgeted for that. But, many people overlook the little expenses that add up when they are planning their vacation. When you break down every single aspect of your vacation, you can be smart with your money, set a budget for everything and really make sure that you are making every dollar accountable.

• Budget for your long term Airport parking. Go online and price out how much it will cost you to park your car for the duration of your trip. 
• Airline baggage fees...so dreaded! If you book on Southwest, they still give you 2 free checked bags. Go onto your Airline's website to see how much they are currently charging for checked bags. Click on the Airline to go directly to their page: JetBlue, Delta, American, Alaska, Allegiant, United.
• Make sure you budget in for your airport food. If you have an early morning flight, budget for a quick breakfast for the family at Dunkin Donuts inside the terminal. Do the same if you have a lunch time flight or dinner time flight.
• Make a shopping list for snacks you will pack in your bags. Granola bars, fruit snacks, trail mix, Goldfish, crackers, etc. You can work this budget into your regular weekly grocery budget the week before you leave. 
• You will need to purchase sundries such as: Shampoo, conditioner (if you have kids, sometimes the little bottles they give you just are not enough. If you stay in a Villa make sure to pack your own!) toothpaste, lotion, SUNBLOCK!!!!, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes...for the plane :),  pack pain relievers for both the kids and for you, pack some gas/tummy medicine also.  So, set aside and account for these purchases.
• Budget in to have some groceries delivered to your hotel for you. Even if you are not staying in a Villa, your room will have a mini fridge. Have them deliver a couple cases of bottled water, juice boxes, a half gallon of milk, orange juice, maybe a box of cereal, oatmeal (hot water from the coffee maker) etc. You will be happy to bring along those juice boxes and bottles of water to the parks with you....unless you want to pay $3-$4 per bottle! I have used The Garden Grocer and would highly recommend their service. They deliver right to the Bell Services of your resort. 
• Set a daily budget for your children's souvenirs!!! It is very easy to get carried away and pull out that credit card to buy everything they want. It is also not a good feeling to go and not be able to buy them what they want. Set strict daily budgets for them...we set a $25/day per child. This is for them to buy a stuffed animal, tee shirt, Mickey ears etc. Explain to them that it is up to them how they spend it. If they see something they want that is $50...don't cave in and give them extra money. They can choose to not get anything the next day and use tomorrow's money to make that $50 purchase. This is a great way for them to be smart with their money and make a responsible decision on what they really want.
• Set a souvenir budget for yourself! The only thing I HAVE to get every time we go to Disney, is a Christmas ornament. So, I usually set aside $25, just for that.
• If you drink alcohol.......try to set a budget for your drinks. If you are traveling with your kids, chances are you are not going to be spending an arm and leg on alcohol...but keep that in mind. 
• Restaurant tips are NOT included with your dining plan. Make sure you set aside money for every time you will be dining at a table service restaurant. Remember, that parties of 6 or more, will have an 18% gratuity added to the bill. If your family is of 5 people or under at a buffet...probably $25 would be good.
• If you have the Dining Plan: You will get lunch, dinner, a snack per person per day. You will also receive a refillable mug to use for drinks at YOUR resort. So, you will have to get breakfast on your own. There are a couple of ways to do this...You can eat a light breakfast in your room with the things you brought in your suitcase or had delivered. You can pay out of pocket for your breakfast and eat at your resort's quick service eatery (you can grab waffles,egg sandwiches, pancakes,eggs etc ). You can get an idea of the menu pricing by searching for your resort's quick service restaurant's breakfast menu. Get a sense of the prices and budget how much it will cost you to buy the whole family breakfast...multiply that by how many days you will do so. My favorite thing to do is to use our snack credits for breakfast!! Seeing as you had waters and juice boxes delivered to your room and how you get dessert with both lunch AND dinner, this is a great use for your snack credits. You can get a huge cinnamon roll, muffins, pastries, etc using your snack credits. You can switch it up and only use them some days and then save those snack credits for a yummy cupcake or sweet treat at one of the park's confectionery stores!
• Make sure to budget for some fun things your resort may have to offer. For example....if you are staying at The Port Orlean's Riverside, budget in to take the family on a horse drawn carriage ride. Or, to fish at the fishing hole, rent a boat or to rent a Surrey Bike! Visit your resort's homepage to learn more about what your resort has to offer and if you want to enjoy any of those extras!
• Budget in for tips, if you are planning on using Bell Services.
• If you have a pet that you will be boarding...budget in for that as well!

Okay, I know it sounds like a lot...but that is why we are planning, well in advance. Having a budget and sticking to it will make your vacation a lot more relaxing and less stressful!

The Disney Visa Card

 The Disney Visa is a great way to earn Disney Dream Dollars to use to pay for or as for spending money while in Disney. This card awards you 1 Disney Dream Dollar for every $100 you spend. I know it does not sound like a lot, but here are some great ways to utilize this card:

• Use this card to pay for your weekly groceries
• Use this card to pay for your gas
• Use this card to pay for any utilities that you can pay by credit card
• Use this card for any large purchase
• Use this card to pay for your flights

Pretty much, use it for everything! Now, I am not a big credit card fan. It is very easy to get in over your head with them. DO NOT put bills/utilities/etc on your credit cards unless you have the cash to pay for them!! I have a budget for groceries/gas/each utility, when we get paid I take my budget for those items and pay that right towards my credit card that way when I use it, I am not racking up debt, instead I am paying it off....immediately.

You will be pleasantly surprised to see how fast you can accrue enough Disney Dream Dollars to put that $200 deposit down on your Disney trip. Or have a nice chunk of change saved for those souvenirs. The Disney dream dollars can be used throughout Disney World.

Aside from the awesome Reward Dollars...there are a few different perks us Disney Visa card holders get!

• Receive 10% off select Star Wars merchandise purchases of $50 or more at select locations at Walt Disney World
• Disney Character Meet 'N' Greet at our private Cardmember locations at Walt Disney World
• Enjoy 0% APR for 6 months on select Disney vacation packages
• Save 10% on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com.
• Star Wars Imperial Meet 'N' Greet at our private Cardmember location at Walt Disney World

Disney Springs

Downtown Disney got a face lift! Now referred to as Disney Springs. They have added several dining options as well as a ton of new shopping! There are a total of 41 Dining Options and 58 Shopping Options!

The Boathouse is a new signature dining restaurant. You will use 2 Table Service Dining Credits here, for both lunch and dinner. If you are willing to eat quick service for both lunch and dinner one day...you can plan on eating here. The menu is full of delicious and EXPENSIVE options. No worries if you have the Dining Plan! Here are a few of the yummy menu options:

-Baked Crab Stuffed Lobster $45

-Filet Mignon Oscar Style (12oz) $62

-Maine Lobster Mac'N'Cheese $34

-New York Strip Steak (14oz) $48

They have a pretty good kid's menu too, which includes (all are $10):

Popcorn Shrimp

Fish or chicken tacos

Pig in a Blanket

Angus Cheeseburger

Mac'N'cheese

Chicken tenders and fish nuggets

 

The Boathouse has great dessert offerings also! Here are just a few:

-Key Lime Pie in a Jar $9

-Florida Sunshine cake for 4 $40

Just remember...this is a signature restaurant that uses 2 Table Service Dining Credits. You will have to alot more money for a tip. For my family it would be about a $40-$45 tip. Groups of 6 or more have a gratuity of 18% automatically added to your bill. 

This is just a highlight of one of the new restaurants! The have added many more and also a few new bars. 

Disney's Boardwalk Villas

Okay, we may have found our official "home away from home"!  We stayed for eight nights in a deluxe studio villa. Remember, we had two adults, an eight year old, a five year old and a baby. This was a sufficient space for us. We will stay in this sized accommodation until the baby is three( and not free anymore).

We rented DVC or Disney Vacation Club points from David's DVC Rentals. Using their service was a breeze!! If we were to book that exact room for the exact dates right through Disney, it would have been about $4000! For the room only! Yup, sorry, not frugal! We paid $1800 for those EIGHT nights at the Boardwalk, a deluxe Disney hotel. Now, that is a savings!

So, right off the bat we were super impressed! Right as we exited the Magical Express, they knew we were the Lovely family! A cast member with an I Pad, welcomed us. They escorted us into the unbelievably beautiful lobby. The invited us to sit(on a comfy sofa). After I gave them my driver's license, they set off to fetch our welcome package. Now, I always do the online check in before we arrive. This was seamless and we waited for no more than 10 minutes. Our room was not ready (we always get early flights to maximize our time in Disney!). We checked our carry on bags and anything else we did not need right away with Bell Services. Then we explored the resort and headed to Hollywood Studios, a short Derry ride away!

Seeing as our room had a kitchenette, I ordered bottled water, juice boxes, breakfast items and some fruit from Garden Grocer They delivered the items right to the hotel for us. I found it very reasonably priced for the service. But, silly me, forgot and packed the large pancake syrup in my carry on, so we had to throw it away in the airport!! Not frugal! So, without syrup and being to cheap to pay resort prices for such a thing:) We ended up using most of our snack credits for breakfast down at the Boardwalk Bakery. They had delicious huge cinnamon rolls, muffins, etc all that could be purchased using one snack credit!! Score!

The location of this resort is wonderful! It is a literal five minute walk to the back gates of Epcot. Also, a 10 minute Ferry ride to Hollywood Studios. Anytime you get to avoid the buses with small kids, the better! 

The pool was great here! They had a wonderful  water slide, large hot tub, kiddie splash pool, playground, arcade, club house. The clubhouse was great. On some rainy days or nights, you can rent movies, do a craft, play some video games, air hockey, board games, watch a Disney movie, etc. That was a life saver! 

All in all, this was by far the best Disney hotel we have stayed at! We will be staying here again. 

The midday rest

One of the most important golden rules to a great Disney trip with small kids: THE MIDDAY REST!!! It is so easy to get caught up in the mindset of fitting in every last bit that you can into everyday. Let's face it, you want to get every pennies worth of your vacation. But, trust me, if you start early and end late with small kids, no one will enjoy themselves. So, my advice to you:

• Get up, eat breakfast and get to the park for 9am. 
• Choose 3 or 4 rides or shows to visit before lunch.
• Eat lunch at a quick service at the park, or eat when you get back to your resort.
• Take the bus back to your resort for a nap or a swim break. Stepping away from the hustle and bustle does wonders. This is especially important if you want to stay up for fireworks, parades, or a movie under the stars.
• After everyone is rested up, probably two hours later, take the bus back to the park..

Then enjoy the rest of your day. When you walk by that family with exhausted and crying kids(and parents!)you can just smile and enjoy your drama free day! We have had our kids nap in the stroller, but honestly, if you have little ones you will most likely benefit from a nap as well!

Multi-use extra suitcase....

We give our kids each a $25/day allowance when at Disney for toys or souvenirs. We have learned along the way, that stuffing the shopping bags in overhead bins on the way home, is not convenient. We always try to fly Southwest, two checked bags always fly for free per person. So, we started dedicating one big suitcase(to be checked) for all of the treasures your family has gathered throughout your Disney trip. You can use this suitcase to pack snacks to have in your room.  At the end of your vacation these items are used up and that frees up that checked bag for souvenirs.

When you have small kids, lots of on hand snacks are great. You never know when they will say they are hungry, or when a snack bribe will be needed. Your hotel will have some available for purchase, but this can add up really quickly with resort prices. So, here are some things you may want to pack:

• cereal
• oatmeal
• boxed donuts
• muffins
• chips
• goldfish
• trail mix
• Slim Jims/Jerky
• Fruit snacks
• Pretzels



The sleeping situation....

Having been on a multitude of family vacations with 4 small children, I have some incite on the sleeping arrangements at the hotel. If you have 
more than 5 people in your party, you will have to get a family suite at one of the value resorts (Art of Animation or All-Star Music)which sleep six, a studio that sleeps 5 at some of the moderate (The Port Orleans's River Side and the Caribbean Beach Resort) and deluxe resorts(The Beach Club, Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Polynesian and The Wilderness Lodge) all have studio rooms with 2 Queen Beds and 1 Bunk-Size Pull Down Bed. But, for the kids who sprawl out and need extra room, especially when sharing a bed, it can make for some restless nights. I am a very light sleeper, so every time one of them bump, elbow, or take the other's space, I hear it. I am on vacation too, I want to sleep! So, my advice:

• If you have two little kids sharing a bed, give them the bed closest to a wall. Push the bed against the wall. Instead of having them sleep normally ( the long way) have them sleep sideways on the bed. Since they are short, it is no biggey. It is like creating a king bed for them, more space to have their own space while sleeping.
• Split it up, one parent sleeps with one kid, the other parent with the other kid. This is good if you, the parent needs more space. Instead of sharing the bed with your partner, you can share with a much smaller being.
• All of the Resorts also offer port-a-cribs. You can make it comfy and ask your smallest to sleep in there. Some 3/4 year olds may think this is a "cool" little fort for them to sleep in. My kids never slept in those, but they are there if you need one.
• I have also found child size air mattresses. So it is great for those families of six that include a child under 3. One kid on the pull down bed, a parent and a kid in each of the queen beds and one kid on the little blow up mattress. This one we found at Walmart for $35 is great!
  

All of the Value Resort studios have Double beds. All of the Moderate Resorts have Queen beds. All of the Deluxe Resorts have Queen beds. 

Travel tips

Here are a few travel tips that I live by:

 

• I always pack Clorox Disinfecting wipes with me for the plane. You can buy little packs of these in the travel section of Walmart/Target. You can also put some from a bigger container into a Ziploc baggie.  When you get on the plane, wipe down all of your arm rests, try tables, seat buckles and I even go as far as to wipe down the air nozzles above head.
• Get one of those little plastic accordion folders. You can sometimes find them in the dollar bins at Target. Make a section for your gift cards, cash for airport food, index itinerary cards, travel vouchers, etc.
• If you have booked an early morning flight, buy a pack of muffins and some single serve juice or milk at the grocery store before your trip. That way the kids can eat on the drive to the airport.
• If you fly out of a big airport, like Logan in Boston, it is easier to spilt up on arrival. Drop one parent, preferably the Mom, curbside at your departure terminal, while the other parent(preferably the Dad) drives and leaves the car at the long term parking lot. This saves you from parking and loading baggage, strollers and small children onto an airport shuttle. So, drop Mom, kids, stroller and as many bags as she can manage and then meet inside. Remember to thank your Husband for parking the car.
• Make sure to pack your swim suits, sunblock(in small 3 oz bottles), a change of shorts or warm weather clothes, swim diapers, arm floaties, hats, sunglasses, and anything else you may need at the hotel before your bags arrive. It takes a few hours for Magical Express to have your luggage to your room.
• Make your kids nap on the plane! I know with little ones it is super exciting to fly. Explain to them if they take a nap, it will make getting there faster. Also, that it will give them energy to go to a park when you get there. If  they do, you can nap also! Everyone will be ready to enjoy your vacation the moment that plane lands!
• If you arrive to your Resort and your room is not ready, be polite and do not freak out at the hotel receptionist! There is nothing worse than watching someone else loose it when checking into the most magical place on earth! If this happens, chill out. Put on your vacation panties and relax! You can check your bags and any other items you wish at Bell Services. Then, you can hit the pool or a park and go to your room when you are done. Bell Services will bring your bags right to you.

Renting DVC (Disney Vacation Club) Points to save BIG!!!

Save BIG time by renting DVC Points!!!

The Disney Vacation Club is a Disney Time Share program. The members buy into the program by purchasing "points". The number of points they purchase allows them to stay at different Disney Hotels for different lengths of stay. You can save a lot of money by renting these member's points that they do not use. Here are some reasons to rent points:

• If you are traveling with more than 4 people in your party. Most Disney's standard rooms only accommodate 4 people. You can rent points to stay in family suites. These suites cost an arm and a leg as a rack rate (through Disney or another travel site).
• If you want to stay at a Deluxe Disney Hotel, no matter how small or large your party is. The Deluxe Disney Hotels are SUPER expensive and it will amaze you how much you will save.
• Every Disney Vacation Villa (what the Vacation Club rooms are called), even the studios, have a kitchenette or a full kitchen. This means you can eat breakfast in your room before hitting the parks. Also, if you wish, could prepare lunch or dinner.
• If you have a larger party, the one and two bedroom suites have multiple bathrooms. This is a huge plus for big families/parties.

 The only two negatives I have found of renting points:

• You will not get daily maid service. Trash and Towel service is included in all stays of more than four days. If your stay is for less than eight nights, you will receive Trash & Towel service on day four. If your stay is for eight nights or longer, you will receive a full cleaning service on day four, and Trash & Towel service on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day twelve. Day one is check-in day. Daily housekeeping can be arranged and paid for at time of check-in. The following rates are subject to change:

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:
Studio - $30.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $45.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $60.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $75.00 for each day requested
Additional Trash & Towel Rates:
Studio - $15.00 for each day requested
One-Bedroom - $20.00 for each day requested
Two-Bedroom - $25.00 for each day requested
Three-Bedroom - $35.00 for each day requested

• You will not be able to get the Free Disney Dining Plan, if they are running that promotion the time of your trip. You will be able to purchase the Dining Plan, so no worries there.

Different times of year combined with different lengths of stay, determine how many points you will need to rent.

We use and would recommend David's Vacation Club Rentals. You will pay $14.00 per Vacation Point rented. On their site you will find an easy to use Points Calculator, to tell you how much your stay will cost you. This is a very reputable renter of points. They do everything for you and is very trustworthy. Like I said before, this is who my family personally uses. 

You will have to pay for your room all at once, no spreading out payments, like if you booked on Disney's site.

Here are some sample prices. I will show you how much your room would cost booked through Disney- "Rack Rate" and also if booked through David's (where you rent points from). These are rates I just looked up today 01/28/2017

If you had a party of 4 staying 7 nights May 16- May 23rd 2017, in a savannah view villa at the:

•  Animal Kingdom Lodge- 

Disney's "Rack Rate" room only price $3474.00

David's DVC Rental price- $1845

That is a savings of $1629!!!

_________________________________________________________________

If you had a party of 8 staying the same 7 nights in a two- bedroom villa at the

• Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary Resort-

Disney's "Rack Rate" room only price $8099.00

David's DVC Rental price $4755.00

                                         That is a savings of $3344.00!!!

If you had 2 families of 4 split the cost of a two-bedroom villa, that would cost less than the price of one family of four to get a studio room at that same Deluxe Resort!







Ways to surprise your kids.....

Ways to surprise your children with your Disney Trip...

 

 

Every year when we take the kids to Disney, we surprise them. They never know when we are going. Every year we come up with a new way. Sometimes it is a little twist and a little bit of a different fib.

 

• If you have planned an early morning flight, wake the kids up super early and surprise them. In the past we have told them that Dad's car was broken and we had to get up really early to bring him to work. We have also told them that Ikea was having this huge sale, and we had to get up extra early so we did not miss out! When you wake them, give them their Tee Shirts you made them and tell them to figure out what it says. I have also put on their shirts that I have made them before they get out of bed. Make sure it is dark in their room, so they cannot see the shirt. Tell them you are just putting a clean shirt on them. Then, make sure you put a sweatshirt or coat over the shirt to hide it. Right before you get to the airport, have them take of the sweatshirt or coat to reveal their  "We are going to Disney shirt". They will be so excited!
• You can book a midday or right after school flight. This way you can tell them they have a doctors appointment and you have to pick them up from early from school. Then you can head straight for the airport and don't say anything until they ask you why you are at the airport!
• You can fill a suitcase with balloons, confetti, and a sign that tells them they are going to Disney. Ask them to open it for you, that you have a special surprise for them. I would wait until the night before for this one.
• Have them get up and ready for school, have them dress and eat as they normally would. When they grab their backpacks to head out the door, say "I think you will need these instead today." Then grab their packed carry-on bags from a closet.

 

 

There are so many creative ways to tell them. I really think a last minute surprise is the best way. They will surely never forget it!

Magic Bands

Disney has created a great new program for their Disney Resort Hotel Guests. They have rolled out MagicBands. These are waterproof bracelets that everyone in your party will receive before you leave for your vacation. You will also get to personalize these bands on MyDisneyExperience. Here, you will choose from eight different colors: red, purple, blue, green, pink, yellow, orange and gray. You can also choose which name you would like to be one everyone's band. I chose a pink one that says "Mom".

So here is what these MagicBands will do:

• When you arrive at MCO (Orlando International) and head down to the Magical Express (Disney bus that takes you to your hotel), you used to have the travel vouchers that came in the mail. These were very easy to lose, and were just one more thing to keep track of. Now, your MagicBand will serve as your voucher to get on the bus!

• These will be your room key. No more swiping your Key to the World Card. You just touch your MagicBand to the hotel room door, and you unlock it!

• These will also serve as your theme park tickets. They are waterproof, so no worries when you have a day at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach!

• Okay, I know, there is more!! The MagicBands will also be used for your Disney Dining. So, when you check out or at the end of your meal,  scan your bracelet and it will deduct your meal allotments.

• You will use your bands for your FastPass+ also. This is great because you can schedule your FastPass attractions before you even leave home! They will load to your MagicBand. Then at your scheduled time, head to the attraction and scan your Magic Band! No more paper FastPass to lose!

• Okay, last but certainly not least. You can link your credit card to your MagicBand, so you can make in park purchases! No worry, you will also have to enter a pin at checkout, so no one can steal your band MagicBand and make purchases. Also, you will not have to worry about the kids being sneaky and grabbing that extra large pixie stick you said no to!







The stroller dilemma....................

Should we or should we not bring our own stroller?

If you have kids, trust me, you need a stroller at Disney World. Not only are you constantly walking, but with the heat, it can be a lot on little ones. I choose to bring our stroller, not only do I find it more convenient, but it saves lots of money. Disney has stroller rentals (follow link) at all of it's parks. 

Single Stroller:

Daily: $15

Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $13

Double Stroller:

Daily: $31

Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $27

There is also a local company Kingdom Strollers, who also rent out strollers. They also will deliver to your hotel for free. Their Stroller prices are as follows:

 Single Stroller:

• 1-3Night Rental:$40.00/$45.00 Total
• 4-7Night Rental:$60.00/$65.00 Total
• 8-10  Night Rental:        $80.00/$85.00 Total
• 11-14Night Rental:$100.00/$105.00 Total

Double Stroller:

• 1-3Night Rental:$50.00 -$60.00  Total
• 4-7Night Rental:$70.00 - $80.00 Total
• 8-10NightRental:$90.00-$100.00  Total
• 11-14Night Rental:$110.00-$120.00 Total

If you fly to Orlando and do not bring your own stroller there are several things to remember. You will not have the stroller at the airport. To me this is not good at all. With your carry-on bags and kids who do not want to walk, this is a set-up for an airport melt down. It also makes it a lot less stressful to have the kids in the stroller and not wondering in front or behind you in crowds with lots of strangers. Disney resorts are large, just taking the kids to the park or down to the pool could be a hike in itself.  Yes, you will have to fold up and lug the stroller in the buses to/from the parks. We have never had an issue, even with our double stroller. So, my advice, BRING YOUR OWN STROLLER!!!

Your Disney World vacation photos

When you take your family to Disney World, you want to capture every magical moment, right? Disney has photographers everywhere. In front of the Castle, with all of the characters and scattered everywhere in between. Now, on certain Disney World rides/attractions they have cameras set up to snap your picture at the height of the excitement. That drop on the Tower of Terror, that fun ride on the Mine Train and that stomach in the air drop on Splash Mountain, just to name a few. As you exit the ride, you come to a counter where you can purchase the photo. There have been so many times I have passed on a great picture, just because it is super expensive! Disney has a program called Memory Maker. This rolls all of your attraction and throughout the park photos into one account. Then, you purchase a digital copy of all of your photos. If you purchase at least 3 days in advance it is just $149. It sounds like a lot, but trust me it is totally worth every penny! Memory Maker costs $169, if you do not buy in advance. Now that Disney offers MagicBands, this band/bracelet will be what the photographer or the person behind the counter at the attraction scans to save that photo to your Memory Maker account. Photos usually upload to your My Disney Experience App pretty quickly for viewing. How convenient is that!!??

Stockup all year for vacation necessities on CLEARANCE!!!!

If you plan your trip one year in advance, you can take advantage of buying a lot of your vacation necessities on clearance.  My family usually visits Disney World between March and May. Orlando, with the exception of a few months in the winter, is very warm.

• If you have small children, it is easy to guesstimate what size they will be wearing the next season. At the end of the summer, well really when the stores are rolling out school clothes, watch for the summer clothes to go on clearance. You can scoop up lots of cute outfits for really cheap for your kids to wear on your next vacation!  I love to buy the kids a new outfit for everyday we will be in Disney. I know, it sounds silly, but remember frugal but fabulous! Sometimes two outfits,  especially for the little ones, who will get dirty.
• Look not only for clothes, but for sundries like sunblock and sunblock sticks, aloe vera gel, packs of disposable swim diapers, rubber swim diapers, etc.. These things also go on clearance at the end of the summer and will stay good through your next trip. I have found that Target will have these things at great prices around early September.
• If you shop at Target, watch the dollar bins they have in the front of the store. Here you can score little coloring packs, books and puzzles for the plane ride. Also, sometimes they have little spray bottles that are great to fill with water for your children to use when they are hot at the parks.
• Remember that arm floaties, water shoes, and goggles also go on clearance at the end of the season.  These are great to get on the cheap and you can give them to your kids as extra Christmas presents, then just put them in your vacation stash until your trip!
• Periodically throughout the year, stores will have cute kids carry-on luggage on clearance also. Yes, I am name dropping Target again! They have great things all year long. So, if you get bored, grab a popcorn and soda and stroll through the isles! You never know what you can find for your family on sale or clearance to put away for your next trip!

Using your tax return to pay for your vacation

Using your tax return to pay for the parts of your family vacation that you have not saved for is a great idea. Now, I only recommend this if you have stayed on budget and have been smart with paying down your debts all year. If you plan your trip one year in advance and have saved a certain amount every week, you will most likely not have to use the whole tax return. I aim to save enough throughout the year to buy our plane tickets, for us that is $1000-$1200. Also, if you use your Disney Gift Cards that you will receive for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions, you can use these to pay down your vacation package.

When you are on a tight budget all year, it is so easy to take that tax return and spend it in a blink of an eye. Usually, it is spent on going out to eat, clothes, and lots of other things that we do not treat ourselves to all of the time. Then, when it is all gone, you regret not spending it on things you REALLY needed. So, my advice to you, stick to your budget as close as possible and be very smart with your money. When tax time comes around, use your tax return to pay for the rest of your vacation package. Any money left after paying for your vacation should be put into savings.  You will always have bills, need to fix that one last thing in your home, or need that newest bag or pair of shoes. But, your children are only given one childhood, so make it as magical as possible!

Quick Service eats at the Disney Resort Hotels

There is nothing better than a good quick service restaurant at your hotel. When you have small children, you need to have that option for Breakfast, Lunch during a swim break, or for Dinner after an early quit from the parks. Grabbing a few Mickey waffles or a hot breakfast platter is the way to start your day off right.

 

Unfortunately,  The Deluxe Disney Hotels lack in great quick service options. I have found that even though they may have a quick service, like The Mara at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the menu is not as extensive as some moderate resorts.

 

My favorite quick service resort food court is Old Port Royale food court at The Caribbean Beach Resort.  This dining option offers a variety of kid and adult friendly menu items. It also won  me over by serving the kid's meals in a pail with shovel. When you have some down time, there are white sand beaches scattered throughout the resort. You can relax in a comfy hammock, while the little ones build away in the warm sand.

 





Make your kids Disney Tee Shirts!

 

Every time we go to Disney, I surprise the kids with their own special tee shirt. It is super easy and cheap! Get the kids matching colored shirts. If you have a baby, get them a coordinating colored onsie. Buy black iron on patches, and puffy paint. I like to stick with red, black, white and sometimes some blue. Trace and cut out a Mickey head shape. Iron that onto the shirt. Use the puffy paint to add a fun message, the same on all shirts. Keep the shirts hidden until right before you leave. Your kids will love this surprise, and everyone at  the airport will think it is so cute!

 

Save the below Mickey Mouse head outline to your pictures, then open it in word. You will be able to adjust the size. Then print it out to use as a template for your tee shirt iron on patches.

 

 

 

 

Getting to Disney

I live in the North East, so my travel help to you will be tailored to getting to Orlando from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont. Here are some of my travel tips for you:

• Do not book your flight to far in advance. If you do so, you will most likely end up paying to much. Travel experts say to book domestic flights two months ahead of time. If you are traveling on a major holiday, book as soon as possible.
• Do not book last minute flights, way to much money!
• Southwest is the only airline that still offers free checked bags. Southwest offers 2 free checked bags (best when traveling with small kids).  
• Try to hitch a ride to and from the airport. Ask a friend, or a member of your family to drop you off and pick you up. This will save you from having to pay for parking at the airport! 
• If you have a  HHonors™ account, you can exchange your points towards your JetBlue airfare.

I prefer to fly JetBlue, they have TV screens on the back of every seat. This is great for the kids! Make sure to pack your own head phones or ear buds, this will save you from buying them on the plane! Also, the JetBlue terminal at Logan in Boston has a little play area for the kids. This is a great way for them to get out any energy they have before boarding the plane!

Best ways to save for your Disney World vacation:

• Start a "Disney" jar. Every time you or your kids find change on the ground when out and about, even a penny, save it and put it in the Disney jar. When you come home from the store with loose change, put it in the Disney jar. If you receive a rebate via mail, Disney jar it. Yard sale, sold something on Craigslist for $5? Disney jar it! Get it? Any little bit helps! Your kids will love helping out! Your bank will give you free change rolls. Every month, sit with your kids and count out the change, then roll it with them. This is a great way to teach your little ones to count and learn quarter, nickel, dime, penny!

• For birthdays or holidays, ask friends and families for Disney gift cards. These cards can be used for everything Disney, Hotel, tickets, meals, shopping, even to rent a boat or bike, or to go fishing at your resort! Then, put them in your Disney jar!
• If you have a Target Red card, you can save 5% when you use it to purchase Disney gift cards.
• Save a little every week. I know, I get it. With daycare costs, groceries, gas, shoes, socks, lunch money, that 10th birthday gift you have to buy for a child you have never  even met. It is so hard to find any extra money to put away. Even if it is $10 or $25 a week, it adds up. Especially when you PLAN AHEAD!!! If you know a year in advance that you are going to take those kiddos to Disney, save a little each week! For example: If you decide in April that you will take the kids next April school vacation. You put aside $25 a week, no matter how painful it is. You will have saved $1000 at the two month mark before your vacation. Use it to buy your plane tickets!
• My favorite way is so simple. Now, I am done and over using my credit cards for everything! I learned that lesson, thank God, when we were in our early 20's. But, I do have a Disney Rewards Visa. This is what I do. My husband gets paid every two weeks. I have a grocery budget, a gas budget, a family entertainment budget, my cable, my oil, my daughter's gymnastics, dog and chicken food(yes, we have chickens), etc. I take all of that money out of the paycheck and make payment in that total amount to my credit card. Then, I use my Disney Rewards Visa to pay for the things listed above. You are charging it, but you are immediately paying it off, so it cancels out any negatives. DO NOT use your credit card for things you do not have money for! Every $100 you put on you Disney Rewards Visa, you earn $1 Disney Dream Dollar. Does not sound like a lot, but it adds up! Do you know if you are going to buy a washer, a pool for the kids, a hotel stay for a friend's wedding? Take the cash, pay it towards your credit card, and use the credit card to for those purchases to earn Disney Dollars! Again, I only use my credit card if I have the cash on hand to make that certain purchase. Do not use that card unless you have the cash to immediately pay it off! Remember, we are only using it to earn rewards, not to dig a hole we cannot get out of!