Happy 20th Birthday to Disney's Hollywood Studios!

It opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios. At that time, there were barely enough attractions to keep guests there for a full day. Today, as Disney's Hollywood Studios, the park has blossomed into a unique experience, fusing the magic of the movies with the magic that IS Disney.

The home of two of Disney's best thrill rides--The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock'n'Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith--is also the home of such low-key, yet fascinating, experiences as Walt Disney: One Man's Dream and The Magic of Disney Animation. Throw in classics like The Great Movie Ride and the Studio Backlot Tour, then add something for the kiddos (or kiddos at heart) like the new Toy Story Mania! and Playhouse Disney Live on Stage! and you've got more than a full day of non-stop fun for the whole family! Happy 20th, DHS!

I'm in Business!

Look what came in the mail today--my new business cards! I guess that means I'm official now. Can't wait to start handing them out. Aren't they cute?

Front

Back

The Pirates League Details

Aargh, Matey! As promised, details about The Pirates League in the Magic Kingdom are beginning to emerge. Beginning June 29, kids can experience the transformation into parrot-lovin', sword-wieldin', eye patch-wearin' pirates. Packages are as follows:

• The First Mate ($49.95 plus tax). Includes bandanna, choice of facial effects (scars, tattoos, fake teeth, earring, eye patch), sword and sheath, coin necklace, one 5x7 photo, and a personalized pirate oath.
• The Empress ($49.95 plus tax). This one is for the girl pirates (much like the Prince package at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Boutique). Includes bandanna, shimmering makeup (face gem, tattoos, nail polish, earring, eye patch), sword and sheath, coin necklace, one 5x7 photo, and a personalized pirate oath.
• The Captain ($124.95 plus tax). Includes choice of costume, choice of facial effects, sword and sheath, coin necklace, three 5x7 photos, and a personalized pirate oath.

The Pirates League will begin taking advanced reservations on May 11. Call 407-WDW-CREW to make yours!

Disney Vacation Planning Timeline

I'm often asked the question: How far out should I be planning my Disney vacation? My response: as soon as you know you want to go! Ideally, you would start planning at least 6 months out. That's a great time to order your free vacation planning DVD (click here). Here's a brief rundown of what to do when:

Six months out: Sign up for email updates on money-saving web sites. (Call or email me for a list of my favorites!) Check to see if Disney has any special events during your travel dates. (While some events add value to your stay, others might cause the parks to be more crowded or even to close earlier than normal.) Decide on a resort and make your reservation. (Deposits at WDW resorts are refundable until within 5 days of your trip, and you can call any time to change or cancel a reservation if you find a better deal). Start looking into flights and book if your travel dates are set and you find a good deal. (Note any fees to change/cancel reservations, and be certain of your plans before you book.)

Four to five months out: Decide what type of park tickets you'll need and purchase them from Disney or an official ticket outlet. Decide if you'll purchase the Disney Dining Plan (only available to those booking a Magic Your Way package--which is any package that includes tickets and resort stay). There are several different dining plans at Disney. Click here to see them.

Three months out: Check refurbishment schedules to see which, if any, attractions will be closed during your stay. (There's nothing you can do about this, but it helps to manage expectations if you know that, for example, that Space Mountain is closed until winter.) Make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). This is especially important for character meals, as the most popular ones fill up within hours if not minutes. If you're on the DDP, you'll want to make all your table service meal ADRs to be certain you can take full advantage of your plan. (You can always make changes, and those that require a credit card to hold the reservation are refundable until 48-hours before you dine.)

One to two months out: Check the park hours for your travel dates, and begin creating a touring plan. Decide which park(s) you'll be visiting on which days, and prioritize your attractions list. (If you attend a Disney 101 Boot Camp, you'll learn the best touring methods based on what attractions you want to see, as well as what days are best to visit each park.) Order your free customized maps, based on the attractions you want to see, here. This is also a good time to make arrangements for any pets you'll be leaving at home.

Ten days out: Complete on-line resort check-in. Re-check refurbishment schedule and park hours, as these are always changing. Confirm ADRs. Confirm ground transportation. If you'll be driving, program important addresses into your GPS. Start packing!

One week out: Check the Orlando-area weather forecast. Do final laundry and finish packing (don't forget necessary travel documents). Stop mail and newspaper service. Refill prescriptions. Let neighbors know you'll be traveling.

One day out: Double-check your packing list. Confirm pet arrangements. Set light timers. Get a good night's sleep!

The best Disney vacations are well-planned vacations. Happy planning!

On Your Marks! Get Set! Run!

It's Country Music Marathon day here in Nashville, and my husband is running the half marathon. To celebrate, I thought I'd tell you about some of the fun events that Disney will be sponsoring for runners in 2010.

• January 7-10: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. This one kicks off the year with half and full marathons, as well as a Family Fun Run 5K. If that's not enough for you, you can compete in Goofy's Race & a Half Challenge. The name says it all: it's a full 26.2-mile marathon with an extra 13.1 miles tacked on for fun. You'd have to be Goofy to take that challenge! (Rumor has it that the half marathon is already 95% full, and Goofy's Challenge is 75% full.)


• March 5-7: Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon Weekend. Ladies, you can don your tiaras and glass slippers for this trek across the Walt Disney World Resort. The Royal Family 5K is available to everyone, not just princesses. (If I ever get to the point that I can actually run 13.1 miles, this is the one I'm going to do!)


• September 26: Expedition Everest Challenge 5K. This obstacle course race, set in Animal Kingdom, is for two-member teams. The race starts just after sunset.


• October 11: Race For the Taste. In conjunction with the International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot, this race offers a 10K or a 3K option. The post-race picnic promises to be an epicurean delight.


• October 24: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K and 5K. Disney's Hollywood Studios is the setting for this night race. At the post-race party, you can take in attractions including, of course, Tower of Terror.
  

Besides bragging rights, runners will receive medals, shirts, and goody bags at most races. Many of the courses have entertainment or character greetings along the way--which is a nice break for less competitive runners (like me!). Kids races are held on many of the race days. Special ticket prices are also available for some event weekends.

Extra Magic: Disney's Extraordinary Guest Experiences

Where can you dive into one a 5.7 million-gallon aquarium and swim with more than 65 species of marine life? Where can you don a grass skirt and dance the hula? How about taking a spin on a Segway? Or getting a trim in an old-fashioned barber shop? And where on earth can you design your own roller coaster and then go for a test ride?

Walt Disney World Resort, of course! Disney offers dozens of behind-the-scenes tours, as well as scientific, recreational, and luxury experiences. Here are just a few:

• DiveQuest, in The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at Epcot, lets certified divers become part of the show while they commune with tropical fish, turtles, sting rays, and even sharks! (Cost: $140/diver; must be at least 10 years old and have proof of SCUBA certification.)


• Disney's Polynesian Resort offers hula dancing lessons, and hosts a traditional Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau twice weekly. (Prices range from $25.99-$59.99 for the dinner luau.)


• Several Segway tours are now offered throughout WDW. Epcot hosts an Around the World tour in the World Showcase area. For a more rugged experience, you can tour the Ft. Wilderness resort property. (Tours vary in price. For more information, call 407-WDW-TOUR.)


• Harmony Barber Shop (Main Street in the Magic Kingdom) is a working, full-service barber shop! You can come in for a trim, get baby his/her first cut (complete with first set of Mickey ears), or simply get the color treatment--colored hair gel with Mickey confetti! (Walk-ins only, so be prepared to wait a bit. Cuts are $14 for kids and $17 for adults.)


• DisneyQuest's Cyber Space Mountain (located at Downtown Disney) is not for the faint of heart! This attraction allows guests to design their own thrill ride, saving the design to a digital card that then goes into a simulator which then re-creates the experience for the guest, visually and physically. If you build it, you can ride it! (Admission to DisneyQuest is $42.60 for adults and $36.21 for kids 3-9.)
  

For more information on extraordinary guest experiences at Walt Disney World, call 407-WDW-TOUR. Or, drop me an email: affordingthemouse@att.net.

Oh, and here's one more thing you can do at Walt Disney World: become the star of the show!

My husband and I were recruited to be in the show during the Backlot Tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios. That's me on the far right.

Playing the part. Notice the rain gear: "You will get wet in this show!"

Move Over Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique . . . Here Come the Pirates

Since 2006, little girls have been experiencing magical makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This pint-size salon offers hair, nail, and makeup services, as well as complete costume and accessory makeovers with photo packages. Two locations (Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom and the World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney Marketplace) transform young ladies into princesses daily.

Now it's time for the boys to have their turn! Coming this summer to the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop area is the masculine alternative to the BBB. The new Pirates League experience will feature pirate-themed costumes and accessories, and will include pirate and swordsmanship training. (I'm guessing Captain Jack won't be applying any makeup to the boys, but you never know!) I'll share more details about cost and services as they surface.

Three Days to See Four Parks. Can It Be Done?

The simple answer is yes. And no. Yes, you can see all four major parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) in three days, providing you have a park-hopper pass. But you cannot possibly experience all there is to offer in each of them. You have to prioritize!

On our first visit with a child, we only spent two days in the parks. We weren't sure our two-year-old was ready for more. We opted to skip Animal Kingdom entirely. (AK is a great park, but this was prior to the addition of the Finding Nemo: The Musical show, and there weren't many attractions that appealed to our little princess.) We also knew that we needed a full day at the Magic Kingdom. (This one really is THE park for the preschool set.) So that left us to split a day between Epcot and what is now Disney's Hollywood Studios. We were able to hit the highlights of both parks, but certainly missed out on dozens of attractions. Still, we had a magical vacation that suited our little family.

By our next visit, we had become a family of four, traveling with an almost-five-year-old and an almost-two-year-old. In addition, we invited the grandparents along (a great idea for letting Mom & Dad take in some of the thrill rides and grown-up fun!). This time, we spent three days in the parks and had our first glimpse of Animal Kingdom. (We enjoyed it, but it's still our family's least favorite park, validating our decision to skip it on the previous trip.) Although we hopped around, our time was roughly divided as: 1 day in the MK; 1/2 day at AK; 3/4 day at Epcot; and 3/4 day at DHS. We felt that, although there were attractions we skipped, we got to experience most of what our family wanted to see.

Some things to note: we skipped most of the major thrill rides. And, traditionally, thrill rides have the longest wait times. Also, my husband and I had been to WDW before (multiple times, actually), and we knew we'd be back soon. So we didn't have a sense of urgency to see and experience every attraction. Other than a couple of character meals, we mostly ate at counter-service restaurants and even took snacks to eat while waiting in line (saving time and money). Finally, we followed a very specific touring plan and used FastPass when available. We allowed for interesting diversions along the way, but for the most part, we stuck to the plan.

Should your try it? That really depends on your family's vacation style. Sometimes you can experience MORE when you see a little LESS of the World. But with strategic planning, if your crew can handle the pace, it is possible to visit all four major parks in three days.

New at Walt Disney World

Here's a quick list of some of the newest attractions, stores, and restaurants at Walt Disney World.

Now Open

• Characters in Flight: This tethered helium balloon at Downtown Disney takes up to 30 guests on a 400-ft. ascent for a breathtaking panoramic view of the area. ($16 for adults; $10 for ages 3-9)


• Tren-D: This hot boutique in the Downtown Disney Marketplace features designer apparel, ecclectic home furnishing, and hip Disney-inspired creations. This isn't your five-year-old's Disney store.


• Picnic in the Park @ Animal Kingdom: This new dining option allows guests to make selections from a preset menu and take meals on-the-go to one of the park's scenic picnic areas. Meals for 3-6 people come packaged in a reuseable Mickey tote. (Priced from $24.99 to $56.99 plus tax.)


• Chef Remy at Les Chefs de France: Disney's tiniest animatronic creation is now entertaining diners at Epcot's renowned table service restaurant. For a demonstration, click here.

Coming Soon

• Sanaa: The newest restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge features a fusion menu with the flavors of Africa and India. (Set to open May 1.)


• Stich's SuperSonic Celebration: This high energy show, featuring everyone's favorite mischievous alien, is set to debut on the newly-constructed Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland next month.


• Paradiso 37: This waterfront eatery at Downtown Disney (Pleasure Island side) will feature a menu celebrating the cuisine of the 37 countries in North, Central, and South America. (Set to open in May.)

As a reminder, Space Mountain closed this week for a major refurbishment. It is scheduled to reopen in late November 2009. Also, the Hall of Presidents remains closed through July 2009 for the installation of our newest President. For a full list of rehabs and closures, email me at affordingthemouse@att.net.

You Have Questions. I Have Answers.

When I meet with a client for the first time, there is a list of questions that I ask almost immediately. The answers to these key queries will provide the answers to how your family will "see the World."

Question 1: What is your vacation style? Are you a "See-eight-countries-in-four-days" kind of family, or are you more of a "Stop-and-smell-the-roses-and-buy-the-T-shirt" type of crew. The answer to this can determine how many days you'll spend at WDW and what you can expect to see in that time.

Question 2: How many people are in your party, and what ages? Your touring pace will be different with toddlers than with teens. Likewise, single adults will have different priorities than young families. The number of adults and children in your group will also determine the accomodations that are available to you.

Question 3: Are you more concerned with saving money or having a luxury experience? All of Disney's resorts are quality hotels, but there are some obvious differences in amenities. Even though I'm a world-class bargain hunter, there are certain things on which I'm willing to splurge. Knowing a client's budgetary restrictions is key in choosing the right experience for that family.

Question 4: Are your travel dates flexible? It's OK if they aren't. But know that a little flexibility could mean big savings.

Question 5: What are your eating habits? Do you prefer slow, relaxing meals or are you a grab-n-go family? The answer will help us decide which, if any, Disney Dining Plan is right for you.

Question 6: Are you a member of any organization that might offer discounts? Career military, AAA, AARP, Entertainment, government employees, and other groups are sometimes eligible for significant discounts on hotels and even park tickets.

The answers to these key questions inevitably lead to more questions. But that's how we get the ball rolling. Oh, and here's one final question:

In 2009, what will you celebrate?

Consultant vs. Travel Agent

Why did I choose to become a vacation consultant, rather than a travel agent? For starters, I believe that the traditional career as a travel agent is nearly obsolete. Not that many years ago, when you wanted to plan a vacation, the obvious choice was to visit your local travel agent. He or she had brochures and information on every imaginable travel destination. You could hear your flight options, pricing, and all the details rght there in the office. It was magical, wasn't it? Nobody really understood where all that information came from, but didn't you feel like the travel agent was some sort of exotic genius?

But now, with the widespread availability of the internet, all that informaton that was once so mystical and secretive is now available to the general public. You or I can log onto any number of travel sites and get flight schedules and pricing for multiple airlines at once. You can compare hotel prices and amenities for every hotel in a specific location.

And while it is a travel agent's job to know everything about your destination and get you the best deal possible, it's a nearly impossible task to accomplish for every destination. By hiring a Disney vacation consultant, you get someone who devotes all her research and expertise to one fabulous corner of the world: Walt Disney World, that is! Disney World is all I do. All Disney. All the time. (Yes, there are a few Disney-specific travel agencies out there, and many of them are very good. I still contend that their emphasis is not always on getting you the best deal possible. Mine is.)

Finally, by being a consultant, I can work with you in a number of ways. I can spend an hour with you and give you the tools you need to plan your own perfect itinerary. Or you can spend a few hours at one of my Boot Camps and have a pretty good plan already mapped out. But if saving time and hassle is more of a concern to you than saving money, I will handle it all: resort reservations, ADRs (that's Advanced Dining Reservations for those who don't speak Disney), and even give you a customized touring plan for your time in the parks.

Consulting fees start at $40/hour. My Disney 101 Boot Camp is $125 for a three-hour seminar plus an additional 30-minute private consulation. Full vacation services begin at $200 and vary according to the services you require and length of stay.

My goal is to save you time and money. I'm confident I can do that--so confident that I guarantee my fees. If you're interesed in planning your own Disney dream vacation, I'd love to hear from you!

affordingthemouse@att.net

Official Debut of Affording the Mouse

Welcome to the innaugural post of Affording the Mouse! My goal is to help families realize that they really can afford their dream vacations to Walt Disney World. In these posts, I hope to share practical information that can help you, the consumer, stretch your travel dollar and make the best decisions for your family about when to go, how to get there, where to stay, etc.

What qualifies me to do this? For starters, I love Disney! While that may not seem like a significant qualification, it's my love for all things Disney that propels me to research. And, boy, do I research! On a typical day, I read about a dozen blogs or websites devoted to Disney. Some are travel sites. Some concentrate on business and operations. Others are simply for fun! I read--no, devour--them so that you don't have to!

Did you know that one of the most popular guide books, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, has 846 pages? Who has time to read it--much less absorb it? (OK, so I read it. Again...so you don't have to.)

My point is, not everyone has the time or even the desire to do the intense research it takes to find the best deals. That's why I started Affording the Mouse--so that I could share the best tips, and the best deals, with my clients.

In addition to being a self-proclaimed Disney enthusiast and expert, I have about a dozen trips to the World under my belt. I have attended as a child, a teen, a single adult, a married but childless adult, and an adult with small children. (That last one, by the way, is my specialty.) I know what WDW has to offer for every age group and interest. I have traveled via plane and via car. I have gone at different times throughout the year--in nearly every crowd level. I have stayed off-site and at the on-site resorts.

I think every kid (and adult!) should get to take that most magical of vacations to Walt Disney World. If you think you can't afford it, I would love to prove you wrong. Where there's a will, there's a way for almost any income level. But it does take careful planning.

And if money isn't so much the issue, but time is, I can offer full-service vacation planning--everything from detailed itineraries to making resort and dining reservations.

Finally, for those of you who live in the Nashville, TN area, I will be offering a Disney 101 Boot Camp (date and location TBD). This three-hour session, which includes an additional 30-minute private consultation, will give you all the tools you need to plan a successful Disney vacation that won't break the bank. In fact, I'm so confident that you'll save money with my tips that I'm offering a money-back guarantee. If, by following my recommendations, you don't save at least the cost of the Boot Camp on your vacation, compared with Disney's regular seasonal rates for tickets and a resort stay, I'll refund your fee! (Details and clarifications on this promotion will be given at registration.)

There has never been a better time to take that Disney dream vacation. Sure, the economy is bad--that's why Disney is offering deals like never before! This could be the year you finally take the trip of a lifetime...without spending your life savings!

If I can help, drop me an email: affordingthemouse@att.net