Friday Photo

I call it "First Ears." This was our youngest daughter Presley's first trip to WDW, so of course we had to purchase her first ear hat with her name embroidered on the back. Sure, it was a little big. But nothing says, "I went to Disney World!" like a classic ear hat! It's still, IMHO, the perfect first-trip souvenir.

(BTW, you can purchase a variety of ear hats throughout the parks, but there are only a few shops that can embroider them while you wait. We purchased this one in Toontown.)

Guest Post @ Savings for Disney

I wrote a guest post today about planning a Walt Disney World vacation for a new blog, Savings for Disney. You can read the post here and check out the deals Kim has for you!

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is one of those "extra magic" kind of tips--not really necessary, but it makes for fun photos: buy your kids (or the whole family) matching shirts. Yes, it's cheesy. Predictable? You bet! But it really does make adorable photos. In fact one of the funnest Disney vacation photos I've seen was of an entire family wearing matching Incredibles shirts doing super hero poses in front of Spaceship Earth at Epcot. Too cute! While I haven't been able to get my husband in on the act, I usually have two or three matching Disney-themed shirts/outfits for my girls each time we visit WDW. An added bonus: it makes them easier to spot in a crowd!

Disney Begins Recycling Effort to Aid the Needy

I just love this idea! Have you ever heard of the Clean the World Hospitality Recycling Program? I hadn't, but it is a brilliant idea. This organization takes the unused portion of opened toiletries from hotels--you know, those little bars of soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc.--and recycles them and redistributes them to schools, orphanages, clinics, and churches in third world countries. When I say "recycles," I don't mean they simply get the little bits of leftovers. Clean the World cleans/sanitizes them (whatever that entails) before distribution.

Disney is partnering with Clean the World to recycle the partially-used amenities from their 28,000 hotel rooms in Walt Disney World. Hotels that participate contribute a tax-deductible recycling fee to participate in the program. This allows Clean the World to collect, recycle, and distribute the items free to those in need.

Last year, Clean the World sent more than 230 tons of products to countries such as Haiti, Mongolia, Uganda, Mali, and Honduras. Currently, they are distributing goods to Haiti in particular, in light of the recent earthquakes.

They're Looking for a Few Good Princesses

Oh, if I were fifteen years younger, I would be all over this! With the changes coming to WDW's Fantasyland--specifically, the addition of princess character greetings and attractions that feature live actors--Disney has begun the search for the many Cast Members needed to create the best experience for guests. Do you look like Cinderella? Resemble Snow White? You could be the next Disney Princess!

There are several nation-wide auditions listed here on the Disney audition website. While they are not specifically requesting princess look-alikes, rumor is that Disney is beginning an enormous recruitment drive with finding the perfect princesses as their primary goal.

To learn more about becoming a Disney performer, check out the Disney Auditions website.

See My Guest Post @ Couponing to Disney

Hop on over to Couponing to Disney today to see my guest post on saving money on food at Walt Disney World. While you're there, check out some of CTD's other great tips for saving money for your WDW vacation! Click here to view the post.

I Want One of These...

OK, so I'm no handbag aficionado. Oh, I like them. And I'm picky about what I buy. But that decision is usually driven by what will fit into it, rather than the designer insignia. However, I really, really, really, REALLY want one of these cool new Dooney & Burke Disney-themed purses! I like the style of the Mickey one, but I love the pink on the Minnie one. Check them out here.

My Magical Vacation Site Launch

Disney has just launched My Magical Vacation, an interactive site that allows guests to create fun short videos of their own customized Disney Vacations. It also has a tab for Disney's current discounts/deals and for ordering your free vacation planning DVD. What a unique way to "experience" what's new and fun at Walt Disney World.

Flower and Garden Festival Prep Underway

Character topiaries are beginning to appear at Epcot in preparation for the upcoming 17th Annual Flower and Garden Festival (March 3-May 16). My family has been at WDW for the Flower and Garden Festival the last two years, and we really enjoy seeing all the characters in plant form, as well as the other special attractions, such as the Butterfly Garden and Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden. This year's festival promises returning favorites, such as the Flower Power concert series and various gardening presentations, as well as several new features, including a new Victory Garden tended by topiaries of the Fab Five near the American pavilion.

Also new and exciting: The Princess and the Frog Wedding Bayou! This gated area near Test Track will feature the beloved characters in large cutouts rather than topiaries, but there will be plenty of natural elements as well. There will also be activities for the kiddos, such as craft/coloring stations. I expect this to be the new hot attraction of the Festival, much like Pixie Hollow when it first appeared.

Here are a few pics of our favorite Flower and Garden Festival topiaries from years past:

Friday Photo

What do I love about this photo? For starters, that's my youngest daughter, and she's simply adorable. (OK, I am biased.)  But I chose this Friday Photo because she is partaking of one of our family's very most favorite treats from Walt Disney World: the Mickey ice cream bar!

I'm not sure what they put in these things (I've heard they are merely Dove bars in a different shape, but I've also heard they have their own set of ingredients). Whateveris in there is addicting. We try to limit ourselves to about 2 per person per trip (not each day...the whole trip). I'm just glad they don't sell these at my local grocery store, or I would be in serious trouble!

BTW, this photo was taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios this past October (notice the "BOO!" shirt).

Thursday's Tip

When you book a vacation package directly with Disney, they will almost always recommend tickets for the length of your stay. But if your flight into Orlando lands at, say, 10 AM, it could be noon or after before you're able to visit the parks. On a Extra Magic Hours morning, you would be missing out on over 4 hours of fun, but still paying for it! Same goes for the day you leave...if you have to leave the parks early to catch a flight, you're not getting the most bang for your buck.

Instead of paying for a day that you'll only get to enjoy half of, take a tip from me (Thursday's Tip, to be precise): instead of purchasing tickets for half days, try one of the many other activities that Disney has to offer outside the parks. Here are a few of my favorite suggestions:

• Do a character meal at one of the resorts. My favorites: Chef Mickey's (Contemporary) and the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian).


• Visit Downtown Disney. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and activities to keep you busy for a half day or more.


• Play mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland.


• Take a resort tour. Ride the monorail to the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. Get off at each stop and explore! Or, drive or take a bus to the other WDW resorts. All are elaborately-themed and tons of fun.


• See Orlando. While we mostly enjoy staying in the midst of Disney magic, there are lots of other things to see and do in the greater Orlando area.


• Have afternoon tea in the Garden View Tea Room (Grand Floridian). This is a favorite of mine! It's an inexpensive--at least by Disney standards--treat. I took my oldest daughter last year, and she was thrilled!


• Take a Disney Vacation Club tour. Yes, it is a timeshare. Yes, they will try to sell you a membership. However, the process isn't "shady" like many time-share presentations. Besides, seeing the DVC properties is really fun, and you're often rewarded with something cool, such as a special FastPass.


• Relax by the resort pool. If it's at the beginning of your trip, you're going to need your energy when you start tackling the parks! And if it's the end of your trip, you'll be ready for some rest after touring.

Beauty and the Beast 3-D Delayed Until 2011

So, I was flipping through Parents magazine, where I saw a little blip about Beauty and the Beast being release in 3-D this month. What?!? How could I have missed this? I mean, I knew it was coming...but THIS MONTH? After doing a little digging (OK, not even digging...just a quick web search), I found out that Parents had missed the memo about this movie being delayed...like, 'til next year.

Yes, originally Disney had plans to release BATB in 3-D in theaters in time for Valentine's Day. However, it's simply not ready. But that actually makes timing even more perfect, as BATB will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2011! When I hear more details on a specific date, I'll be sure to share those with you.

Discounts Continue Through Summer

While Bob Iger has hinted that the days of deep Disney discounts are winding down, two current discounts have been extended through August (with a few blackout dates, of course). The free gift card offer, originally for dates through June 3, has been extended to August 14. Here are the details:

• You must book at least a 5-night stay at a Disney resort.


• You must purchase at least a 5-day Magic Your Way ticket (unsure if this is required for everyone in the party).


• Your gift card amount is based on the level of resort you choose: $300 for Value, $500 for Moderate, $750 for Deluxe or Deluxe Villas.

The room-only discount, also originally set to end June 3, has also been extended to August 14. Value Resorts will be discounted 25% off normal Disney seasonal rates; Moderates are 30% off; Deluxe are at 35% off; and Deluxe Villas are 40% off.

Both discounts must be booked by March 27, and you cannot combine discounts. If you'd like to take advantage of either offer, email me at affordingthemouse (at) att (dot) net.

Over 600,000 Sign Up for "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day"

If you're planning to take advantage of Disney's 2010 "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion, you might want to sign up now! According to the official Disney Parks Blog, the program has reached 600,000 volunteers in just 6 weeks! (Now, granted, that is the number who have signed up--not the number who have completed their service and received vouchers.) Disney has said they will cap the program at one million volunteers, although there's always the possibility that they will extend it. *Fingers crossed!*

Our family has completed 5 of 6 blankets for Project Linus and will turn them in on Feb. 27 (you have to specify a date, so we gave ourselves plenty of time). We're hoping to use our vouchers in October, our favorite time to visit.

To sign up for "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day," go here.

Valentine Sweets from Epcot

In honor of Valentine's Day, I am posting my very most favorite Walt Disney World treat from my very most favorite WDW eatery: Chocolate Mousse from the Boulangerie Patisserie (France, Epcot). This recipe yields 3 cups of the most heavenly treat that would be the perfect cap to your Valentine's dinner. Sadly, I'm calorie counting, so I won't be making it tonight. Maybe to reward myself when I hit my goal weight! If you make it, let me know how it turns out. Looks simple enough for even the culinary-challenged. Bon apetit!

 

My youngest, enjoying the last bit of chocolate mousse.

5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, melted

2 egg yolks, slightly beaten

1/4 cup cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
Melt chocolate over hot water. Remove. Combine egg yolks and cream. Gradually add to chocolate, stirring rapidly. Add vanilla. Beat egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into chocolate mixture. Chill until firm.

Friday Photo

OK, so that should actually be "Friday Photos," since there are two today. These very similar photos were taken three years apart, in 2005 and 2008. Both girls were around two at the time their respective photos were taken. Both photos were taken at the end of our Disney vacation. Clearly, neither girl was potty trained. :-) Can you tell them apart? They look like the same kid, right? They even have the same hairstyle. Sweet, sweet memories...

Disney Announces "Summer Nightastic"

A press conference was held Wednesday to announce Disney's plans for summer 2010. I can hardly contain my excitement at the announcement that they're bringing back a fan favorite (and one of my fondest childhood memories!), The Main Street Electrical Parade. And, yes, just as Meg Crofton mentions in the video above, just hearing the first few bars of the music play can send me back in time! I love, LOVE this parade! Can't wait to introduce it to my children!

Oh...and there's going to be a new fireworks spectacular and some changes to Tower of Terror, too. But the parade...the PARADE!

Thursday's Tip

When traveling with children, it's always best to be prepared for any and every scenario. And while none of us plan on losing track of a child, the reality is that children get separated from their parents at Walt Disney World every day. (Incidentally, there are no "lost children" at WDW--only "lost parents." Disney labels them as such, so as not to alarm the children who are temporarily separated from their guardians.)

Today's tip is to ensure that, in the event that this unfortunate separation occurs, your children will be reunited with you as quickly as possible: label young children. OK, it sounds a little strange to put it like that, but that's pretty much what I do. Since our first visit with my oldest daughter, who was two at the time, we have put a label somewhere on our children's clothing with the following information:

• child's first name


• Mom's cell phone number


• Dad's cell phone number


• known allergies or health conditions

It is also important that your children learn to recognize Cast Members. Point out the uniformed CMs wearing the special Disney name tags  to your children when you arrive at the parks. Make sure they know to only speak to a CM in the event that you are separated. (It's also a good idea to go over all the usual safety items with your kids, such as not going with strangers offering candy and that sort of thing.)

When my kids were younger, I put the sticker right on their back (click on the photo above for an example), in plain view, in case they weren't able to articulate to a CM who they were or how to contact us. Now that they're a bit older (3 and 6), I still put a label on the inside of their shirt tail so that if they get nervous and forget our phone numbers--or are crying and can't clearly relay them to a CM-- they can simply point to their label.

Fantasyland Construction Walls Go Up

In preparation for the Fantasyland expansion that I told you about here , here, and here, walls are finally going up! The current walls border parts of Toontown and continue behind Pooh's Playful Spot and Ariel's Grotto in the current Fantasyland.

And while we're on the subject, I've been reading some amazing details about some of the attractions and restaurants that will be coming to Fantasyland. Here are two updates:

• The "Dreams Come True with Cinderella" attraction will feature a live actress who will transform before our very eyes from "servant Cinderella" to "go-to-the-ball Cinderella" by simply spinning around three times! Disney is being pretty tight-lipped about the technology, but I've heard it's amazing.


• The Beauty and the Beast-themed Be Our Guest restaurant will allow guests a glimpse of the Beast's castle, with rooms such as the Library, the West Wing (not the TV show--the place where the special rose is kept), and the Grand Ballroom. In addition, I'm hearing that there will be animatronic characters on carts (much like Remi in Chefs des France) that interact with guests.

Our family is planning our next trip for October. It will be interesting to see what has changed in that time. If you're going before then, I'd love to see your construction update photos! You can email me: affordingthemouse (at) att (dot) net.

He Went to Disney World!

At the risk of alienating some readers, I'm just going to say it: I hate football. I'm sorry. I have tried to like it. Really I have. My tiny high school didn't have a team (I'm from Indiana, where basketball is THE sport), so when I dated a football player from another school, he tried to teach me about football. To this day, I do not understand it. I'm not stupid (hey, I was valedictorian in high school and graduated magna cum laude from college)...just not motivated, I guess.



With that disclaimer out of the way, my favorite part of any major sporting event always comes at the end. It goes a little something like this:

Announcer: "Drew Brees, you just won the Super Bowl! What are you going to do next?"

MVP: "I'm going to Disney World!"

And, indeed, he did! Quarterback of the New Orleans, Drew Brees, was greeted by a ticker-tape parade at the Magic Kingdom on Monday. From the looks of things, he brought a few Saints fans with him! Brees rode in a convertible with Mickey, who was clad in his own football uniform with a super-sized helmet. The crowd and Cast Members were cheering together as the brief parade passed.

While I'm not a huge fan of the game, I do like Drew Brees. I think he's a class act--well spoken and a true humanitarian. To find out more about his charity work, visit www.drewbrees.com.

Guest Post: Kristin from Couponing to Disney

 

I am excited to bring you our first guest post! I discovered Couponing to Disneypurely by accident--and yet it has fast become one of my favorite sites. How could I not love it? It combines two of my favorite things--couponing and Disney! I listed couponing as a way to save for a Disney vacation in this post, but Kristin at Couponing to Disney takes it to a whole new level. I trust she will encourage you to see that you can have the Disney vacation of your dreams without spending your life's savings. After you've read this, hop on over to Couponing to Disney to check out the latest deals that Kristin has for you, so you can start saving today!

Here's a bit of Kristin's story:

When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I started making elaborate plans about a fantastic trip to Disney World when she was old enough to enjoy it. I only went for one day as a child and I wanted to give her experiences that I did not have. Then I saw the price tag of a Disney vacation and compared our finances, and those dreams diminished. There was no way we could afford a Disney vacation with our current budget.

It wasn’t long after my daughter was born that I discovered coupon shopping. But I only used a coupon here or there. I had no idea the amount I could save. In January 2008, my New Year's resolution was to become more adamant about using coupons. I started learning everything I could about saving money. I learned how to combine coupons and sales, how to stockpile, and how to save my family thousands of dollars a year.

I was a smart shopper for over a year before I realized we could now afford a Disney vacation. So I started planning and by May 2009, we were at Disney World. We had eight wonderful, magical days at the parks. It was everything I had dreamed of and more. We fell in love with Disney World.

When we returned home, we decided we wanted to go in 2010, but we had other things we need to spend our budget on. So we had to find another source for the funds. It was going to be tricky, because I was already saving thousands of dollars a year with coupons. If we didn’t want to feel the pinch, I was going to have to get resourceful.

 So I started looking around online trying to figure out how I could save for Disney without designating any of our monthly budget toward our trip. I had a little less then a year to save.

The first and most obvious way to me was to start saving all our loose change. I designate $150 a week for groceries, out to eat, entertainment, etc. (that $150 covers everything that is not gas or monthly bills). So instead of using that amount out of our checking account, I withdraw it in cash instead. When I shop, I use cash and I always break my dollars. The change goes into the Disney fund. It usually averages out to about $10 a week. That’s $520 a year! That’s one fifth of the cost of our trip and we don’t miss that money at all.

Out of that money, I also save anything that is left over at the end of the week. This inspires us to eat out less and not buy items we don’t need. Also if we were planning to spend money and we were able to resist, that money goes into the fund as well because it would have been spent otherwise.

Another great way I found to add to our Disney fund was to save all "found" money. Found money can be anything from $1 in the dryer to an unexpected gift from a relative. It could also be money earned at a yard sale or by selling your Aunt Irma’s spoons on Ebay. If we weren’t planning on receiving the funds, they get applied to our trip.

The next way I started to save was by using rebates. Prior to saving for the fund, I was not very diligent about using every rebate available to me and there were times that I would forget to mail in my receipt and I would lose out on the rebate. So I became more dedicated and organized, and in the first three months I earned approximately $400 in rebates.

I also found ways to earn money online. I started participating in surveys and various online rewards programs. It doesn't make me rich, but over the course of the year I have added over $500 to the funds by doing these.

I started saving for our trip on June 1. As of the first of February, our Disney fund is $2400! And not one cent has come out of our paychecks. We don’t miss the money at all. A Disney trip is not out of your reach if you just become resourceful. As the great Walt said “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Kristin started her blog Couponing to Disney to keep track of her savings for Disney. She also teaches others how to save on their household expenses and earn extra money on the side so they too can afford something they previously thought was out of their reach.

New WDW Special to Air on Travel Channel

I don't know about you, but I just love watching programs about Walt Disney World! In fact, when we can't be at WDW, my family loves to watch our home videos as well as the various Disney Planning DVDs we've accumulated over the years. (By the way, the 2010 Planning DVD is now available. Haven't ordered yours yet? Click here to order today.)

Our favorite shows about Disney are those produced by the Travel Channel. More specifically, we love the ones that feature Samantha Brown. So I was excited to hear that to celebrate ten years of Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel, the network will roll out a new Samantha Brown/WDW special on February 10 (8 PM eastern/7 PM central). Set your DVR, TiVo, or (if you're old-school) VCR!

Own a One-of-a-Kind, Hand-Painted String Bass

Have I mentioned that I live in Nashville--aka Music City? Or that I was a music major in college (vocal performance, to be precise)? Music is in integral part of my life, and I'm a big believer in/supporter of music education. Now five lucky (and perhaps rather wealthy) people will have an opportunity to not only own a one-of-a-kind instrument, they will also get to help keep music education alive!

 

photo copyright Disney

Designed and hand-painted by Disney animators, the string basses seen above each feature a different Disney character or movie (my favorite is the Cheshire Cat!). They will be auctioned this summer, with the proceeds going to benefit the music education programs at GRAMMY Foundation. You can read more about it and see the instruments in greater detail here.

OK, Nashville musician friends, now is the time to start saving! You know you want one.

February is "I Love Mickey" Month at the Disney Store

While February will bring the sad closing of Nashville's only Disney Store (a moment of silence, please...OK, moving on), Disney Stores across the country will be celebrating "I Love Mickey" month with new products and fun activities. Products include new lovable Mickey and Minnie plush, stationary, and apparel and accessories for kids and adults. Activities may vary from store to store (call your local store before heading out), but should follow a schedule similar to this:

• Week of Feb. 7-13: Mickey Storytime and Sing-along


• Week of Feb. 14-20: Mickey Trivia


• Week of Feb. 21-17: Learn to Draw Mickey

All sessions above are currently scheduled as:  Monday through Friday at 5:00 and 7:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 and 4:00 PM. On Feb. 10 at 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Storytime will feature a Mickey's Valentine's Craft Activity.

Individual stores are encouraged to add their own spin to this event, so there's no telling what other fun you might run into at your local Disney Store in February.

Friday Photo

This family favorite photo (wow, say that fast 3 times!) is from our most recent trip to the World in October of 2009. It was near the end of our trip, and we had been going at typical Mama speed--which is to say, cramming in as much fun as possible! Fortunately, we had this lovely double stroller. (No, I didn't pay the astronomical rental fee. I know people.We'll just leave it at that.) Our two girls, ages 6 and 3, fit quite nicely, and pushing it was a breeze. But I digress... We were touring the World Showcase in Epcot during Extra Magic Hours (also during the Food & Wine Festival). Not a ton of fun for little ones, but we always enjoy sampling the cuisine and taking in the sites for a couple of hours. Before we realized it, both girls had nodded off and created this perfect photo op. Are they cute in their matching Tink sweatshirts, or what?

Enchanted Sequel in the Works

I couldn't be more thrilled to report that a follow-up to 2007's Enchanted is officially on! Disney has hired screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam, Stepmom) to pen the screenplay, and Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses, The Proposal) will be directing. No word yet on which stars will be returning (crossing my fingers that Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, and James Marsden will all be back!). We'll be reporting more details as they become available.

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is near and dear to my heart. You see, I have a child with a severe allergy to tree nuts. Pistachios and cashews, to be precise. One bite can send her into anaphylaxis (that's very, very bad).  So we are always vigilant about avoiding allergens when we eat away from home. My tip? When eating anywhere on Disney property, inform the Cast Member serving you of your dietary restrictions. (A no-brainer, right? But read on for more details.)

On our first trip after discovering our daughter's allergy, I was still in that "anxious mom" mode, navigating the minefield of hazardous food. So when I called to make our ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations), I mentioned Reagan's allergy. I was told that it had been noted but that it would also be a good idea to mention it upon arrival at each restaurant. When we finally made it to WDW and arrived at our first scheduled meal, I was pleasantly surprised upon check-in that the Cast Member immediately mentioned the allergy before I even had the chance. (It really had been noted!) She also told me that a chef would come to our table to talk to us once we were seated. Which was exactly what happened! The very helpful chef asked the specifics of Reagan's allergy. He then gave us the "all clear" on most of the buffet items and pointed out the two or three items that Reagan should avoid. This process was repeated at every meal we had planned. I was one impressed--and relieved--Mama!

But Disney isn't just prepared to handle food allergies. They can guide you to make safe food choices for a variety of health concerns, such as diabetes, or other dietary restrictions, such as eating Kosher or being vegan.

I really can't praise Disney enough for how they turn what could be a very stressful, anxiety-inducing experience into a pleasant and fear-free one!

Great Rates on European Disney Cruises

While Affording the Mouse is primarily about Walt Disney World (not Disneyland...not Adventures by Disney...not Disney Studios...), you will find related discounts and stories featured from time to time. This is one of those. Right now, Disney Cruise Line is offering some great rates on European cruises for spring. While my family isn't quite ready for cruising, I can definitely see a Disney Cruise down the road (or ocean, as it were) for us. To find out more about these great rates, click here.

New Apparel at Mouse Gear

Two new lines of apparel have appeared at the Mouse Gear store in Epcot. The first set of T-shirts features fun and inspiring quotes from the man himself, Walt Disney. Some of my favorites: "Why do we have to grow up?" and "Today we are the shapers of the world tomorrow."

In addition to the Walt quote shirts, a line of Muppet VoluntEar shirts is also now available. One of Kermit's shirts reads: "Hop to it! Do good today!" Piggy has this to say: "Moi can do it! You can too!"  These are sure to be a hit with the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" crowd.

Here's a Voicemail That Will Make You Smile

The year of "What Will You Celebrate?" may be over, but Disney continues to find new ways to make every day a celebration at Walt Disney World. Now guests staying at one of the resorts will get a special greeting from Mickey or Minnie when they are celebrating! Upon check-in, simply let the Cast Member know what you're celebrating (options are birthday, anniversary, or a generic/catch-all celebration theme), and you'll have a fun message sent directly to your in-room phone.