Friday Photo

Found this Hidden Mickey at the YMCA.

Additional 20-40% Off Warehouse Sale

Go NOW to www.DisneyStore.com and shop the warehouse sale for an additional 20-40% off. (As I was shopping, two items in my cart became "out of stock" in a matter of minutes! You'll get an additional 40% off already-reduced clothes (promo code SALE40); 30% off toys (promo code SALE40); and 20% off home, collectibles, and accessories (promo code SALE20). I just got several nightgowns, bathing suits, and T-shirts for my girls, all for under $90 (free shipping on orders of $75 or more!). Hurry--they're going fast!

Thursday's Tip

Most of my Thursday's Tips are ways to make a Walt Disney World vacation more enjoyable in one way or another. Quite honestly, most of them are focused on you, the guest. But today, we're taking the "it is more blessed to give than to receive" approach. Today's tip is: spread a little magic! Making someone else's day more magical will inevitably make yours magical too! How? you may ask...here are a few ideas:

• Let the mother with the toddler cut in line at the bathroom. You can hold it a little longer, right?


• If you're hopping to another park, give away any extra FastPasses you might have to a family coming in as you leave.


• Bring extra glow bracelets/necklaces and share them with the kiddos nearby at the evening parade. (A whole tube only costs $1! At that price, you can afford to buy several packs to share.)


• Be sure to show gratitude to any Cast Members who go the extra mile to make your trip "magical." Be generous to Mousekeeping--especially if they've left you lots of towel creations. (We had one particularly special Mousekeeping CM who used our daughter's princess costumes to make a window display for us--it was awesome!)


• Have a great attitude when waiting in line for attractions--even when the line is longer than you had hoped. Your happy mood just might rub off on other guests, and it will certainly make your day more enjoyable.

What other ways do you like to spread a little magic?

Disney Has Box Office Mojo

Movie website www.Boxofficemojo.com keeps a running tab of the top-grossing movies worldwide, and Disney makes a very impressive showing--taking 5 of the top 10 spots. Did I mention that three of those are from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise?  Here are the top 10 (Disney titles are in bold):

1. Avatar

2. Titanic

3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

5. Toy Story 3

6. Alice in Wonderland (2010)

7. The Dark Knight

8. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

9. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

10. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

John Lasseter Takes in a Race

This one is for my husband, the perrenial NASCAR fan. Pixar's chief creative officer John Lasseter visited the Infineo Raceway in Sonoma Valley this past Sunday (stunning timing, John!) and even brought along a few friends--life-sized versions of Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Finn McMissile. He poses here with Juan Pablo Montoya's #42 racecar, sporting a snazzy Cars 2 paint scheme.

Disney/Pixar Releases Brave Trailer

Disney/Pixar has finally released its first official Brave trailer, and it looks like a winner! The animation is visually captivating--with the foggy mist and then the stunning red hair--WOW! I don't even know the story line yet and I'm hooked. If you want to see for yourself, click here. The movie opens in theatres next summer.

Flynn Rider to Leave Meet-N-Greet

My girls were more than a little disappointed to hear that Flynn Rider will be leaving the Tangled meet-n-greet in the Magic Kingdom, beginning July 3. The "play-n-greet" which replaced Storytime with Belle in the Fairytale Garden, will continue with only Rapunzel.

If there is a bright side to this news, it's that Disney has added additional meet times to the schedule. And guests can still expect to find Flynn Rider at special events, such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

20% Off Disney Parks Merchandise

You can score some authentic Disney Parks merchandise for 20% off at www.DisneyStore.com now through June 29. Just use the promo code PARKS20 at checkout. The discount applies to already-reduced sale items as well, as long as they have the "Disney Parks Authentic" tag in their description. This would be a great time to purchase that Dooney & Bourke bag you've been eyeing--several of them have been marked down already!

To see all Disney Parks Authentic items, click here.

Cars 2 Review

Before I jump into my assessment of Cars 2, I want to take a moment for a "bargain brag": our family of four saw the movie yesterday for just $9! How? We got 2 free tickets (up to $8.50 value each) by purchasing Cars and The Incredibles on Blu-ray (and I got those at a bargain price with coupons too!). For the remaining two tickets, we used the Fandango deal we recently purchased from Groupon--two tickets for $9. Voila! Four tickets to see Cars 2 on opening night for just $9.

So...the movie. Although I won't go so far as to say I didn't like it, I can't say that it falls among my favorite Disney/Pixar films. For starters, Cars 2 was missing so many of the things our family enjoyed about the original: the NASCAR theme (my husband is a huge fan), character development (I honestly can't even remember the names of most of the new characters, much less understand their personalities), and good storytelling. This sequel is much more action-oriented, and the story takes a backseat. Oh, and if you were hoping for a Lightning McQueen-centered film, you're out of luck. Mater is definitely the star of this one.

Don't get me wrong: there are funny moments and some fun "Easter eggs" to be found, but, in my not-so-humble opinion, this movie lacks the heart of the original. Do I recommend seeing it? Sure...I mean, it is a Disney film. And if our experience is any indication, everybody is seeing it--our enormous theatre was sold out, as were most of the showings yesterday. Bottom line: it's not the best movie of the summer, but it's a fun family outing that will make the kiddos happy.

Disney Legends Inductees Announced

Each year Disney honors "magic makers" who have made outstanding contributions to the Walt Disney Company in various fields--performance, imagineering, writing. This year there are five inductees who will be honored in August at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, receiving not only a lovely bronze plaque, but the status that goes with it. Make no mistake: this is a HUGE honor.

The 2011 Disney Legend class includes:

• Regis Philbin (host of TV's "Regis and Kelly" and frequent host of Disney Christmas parade)


• Jim Henson (creator of the Muppets...enough said)


• Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid and Barbie in Toy Story 2 and 3)


• Paige O'Hara (the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast and its sequels)


• Linda Larkin (the speaking voice of Jasmine in Aladdin and its sequels)


• Lea Salonga (the singing voices of Jasmine in Aladdin and the title character in Mulan--and one of my favorite singers EVER!)


• Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Tiana from The Princess and the Frog)


• Bo Boyd (33-year career in Disney merchandising; instrumental in opening the first Disney Store outisde of Disney property)


• Ray Watson (former Chairman of the Board and real estate visionary with over 30 years service to Disney)


• Guy Williams (actor who portrayed Zorro in film and TV)


• Jack and Bonita Wrather (with Walt Disney, conceived and built The Disneyland Hotel)

Quite an interesting class--a mix of those who make magic behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Although I love, LOVE the Disney Princesses, I am a little surprised to see them on this list--especially Anika Noni Rose, since she is very young and has really only done one Disney animated film. (Jodi Benson, on the other hand, has been working with Disney in some capacity for more than 20 years. And the other "voices" also have sequels under their belts.)

My other surprise from this list is Jim Henson. Honestly, I would have thought he was already a Disney Legend. What took you so long, Disney?

You can read more about the Disney Legends and the criteria used to select them here.

Friday Photo

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there love to take their kiddos' pictures wearing 3D glasses? Thse especially fun ones are from "It's Tough to Be a Bug" in Animal Kingdom. While the attraction isn't our favorite (my kids aren't bug fans, and the 4D elements are a bit intense), we had fun looking at all the faux

Thursday's Tip

Most of my Disney World travel tips tend to relate to families with young children--undoubtedly because that's the season I'm in with my own family. Still, I have very fond Disney vacation memories of trips when I was a teenager--trips of the "Grand Gathering" variety, with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins...and even my grandparents. So I thought today I would switch gears and offer a few tips for traveling with senior citizens.

Taking along Grandma and Grandpa can be great fun for everyone. They'll enjoy quality time with the grandkids, and you and your spouse might actually get a chance to enjoy a more adult side of Disney. (Dinner at Victoria & Albert's, anyone?) Still, if the seniors in your life are mobility-challenged, there are a few things to consider:

• You will only move as fast as the slowest member of your group. Accept this, and embrace the relaxed pace.


• Consider renting a wheelchair if your senior has any difficulty walking , and especially if you're bringing more than one grandparent. While neither of my grandparents used a wheelchair in their day-to-day lives, they both tired from walking quickly. With a rented chair, they were able to take turns riding, giving them much-needed rest breaks and keeping the group pace from dragging. (Most Disney buses, boats, and the monorail can accommodate wheelchairs if your senior guest requires one.)


• If your senior qualifies for a handicap parking, and you're renting a car, be sure to bring the parking placard along on the trip.


• Follow the posted warnings and precautions of all attractions. They are there for the safety of all guests--not just to keep Disney from getting sued.


• If Grandma has any special health conditions, consider a medical ID bracelet or even a simple label on her clothing (much like I sticker my children with both parents' cell phone numbers).


• Hydrate, and take frequent breaks from the Florida heat.


• Disney World restaurants can accommodate most special dietary needs with some advance warning (and often without warning). Always mention these requests when making ADRs (advanced dining reservations). If you have specific questions, you can email specialdiets@disneyworld.com.

Taking multiple generations to Walt Disney World can be a fun experience for all involved, with a little patience and planning.

Mixed Reviews for Cars 2

 © the Disney Co.

It's one of the most anticipated sequels of the summer--at least in our household--but Cars 2 is receiving some very mixed reviews. Right now, it's posting a 52% rating on the Tomatometer on RottenTomatoes.com. Yikes!

We'll be seeing it this weekend, and I hope we'll have positive things to say. However, I've already read a few reviews that have me wondering if Disney is trying to put their political slant on the oil crisis (and I really HATE when family films do that!). I'm going to withhold judgement until I actually see it.

C'mon Lightning and Mater--don't disappoint me!

UPDATE: As of Thursday morning (6/23), Cars 2 is at a dismal 43% on the Tomatometer. Wowser! (Oh, and I just discovered the fascinating coincidence that Tow-mater is the star of a movie that is being tracked on a Tomatometer. Yep, I'm a little slow.)

UPDATE 2: After opening, it's now sitting at 33%. Ouch.

Southwest Deals to MCO

Our family is within decent driving distance of Walt Disney World--around 12 hours with a few stops, and we usually break the trip up into two days by stopping over and seeing family along the way. I really sympathize with families who live much farther away, as airfare for a family of 4 can raise the cost of your Walt Disney World vacation by $1500 or more. (And with my bargain-hunter mentality, that's usually the full budget for our Disney vacation!)

When we do need to fly anywhere, we almost always go with Southwest. Lately, there haven't been many good deals to Orlando. But, depending on your proximity, that may have changed with the most recent 40th Anniversary sale from Southwest. (Interesting to note that WDW is also celebrating its 40th anniversary this year!) I found Nashville to Orlando for as low as $80 one-way! (Flights are pretty limited at this price, and you may have a stop-over, but this is still a better deal than we've been seeing lately.)

You can check out prices from your nearest city here.

One More Chance for Free Fall Dining

If you didn't get in on the previously-announced Free Fall Dining deals, there's still a chance to cash in. Disney has just introduced its new Memories Vacation Package, offering the dining plan free for stays August 28 through September 24. This package includes a 5 nights/6 days resort stay, theme park tickets, the aforementioned free dining plan, and a 20-page photo book from Disney's Photo Pass.

This package must be booked by August 27. You can read more about it on the Official Disney Parks Blog.

Additional 30% Off Clearance Toys at DisneyStore.com

The Warehouse Sale continues at www.DisneyStore.com, and now through June 23 you can receive an additional 30% off of toy clearance items by using the promo code TOY30. Quantities on many items are very limited, so shop ASAP to get the best deals!

New Muppets Trailer

Happy Father's Day!

Daughters without mothers seems to be a recurring theme in Disney films, making fathers all-the-more-important in the lives of the ingenue characters. In honor of Father's Day, here are a few of my favorite father/daughter pairings from Disney movies(all photos below ©The Disney Company):

Belle and her father, Maurice

 

Jasmine and her father, the Sultan



Ariel and King Triton



Pocahontas and Chief Powhatan



So, here's to fathers and daughters (and sons, but Disney seems to favor the father/daughter pairing)! Hope all you dads have a great Father's Day! I'm spending mine with two of the best dads I know: my father and my husband.

Found This Week at Target

We found a few new Disney-related items at our local Target this week. First, at the "Dollar Spot," we found this cute little pocket-size Fromer's Walt Disney World for Your Family. I glanced through it--it seemed to have some good basic information in it...a great resource especially for first-time WDW guests.



Then we cruised on over to the girls clothing department and found this:



My eldest daughter was thrilled to see that the Sharpay Collection--from the D'Signed fashion line--has finally arrived! Of all the collections thus far, this is certainly her favorite (OK, mine too). Here are a few more looks from the line:



Fun Disney finds at Target are one of the reasons we enjoy shopping there!

More Themed Rooms Available for 2012 Stays

As an update to this post about Art of Animation Resort bookings for 2012, Disney has also just announced that the Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside are also available for Summer 2012 bookings. Also, from the wording on the Official Disney Parks Blog, it seems that the standard rooms at Art of Animation will also be available for booking next year. (Earlier info was unclear on what rooms would be available when.) You can get the full details here.

Friday Photo

Found this Hidden Mickey (or should I say Mickeys...they were all over it) on my mother's shirt last weekend.

Thursday's Tip

Here's a tip for first-time Disney guests: study the Park maps before you go! No, it's not the same as walking through the Parks, but if you have studied the maps, you'll have a general idea of where the major attractions in each Park are located. Knowing that Disney Parks usually follow a standard "Hub and Spokes" pattern, you'll be able to navigate the crowded and sometimes narrow "streets" of the Disney Parks to get to your destination.

Although it is the most spread out--and therefore involves the most walking--Epcot is by far the easiest Disney Park to find your way around (in my most humble opinion). The World Showcase, in particular, is the most basic of circles...you're not going to get lost there! The Magic Kingdom is a close second, with its strict adherence to the "Hub and Spokes" model, although there are a few smaller walkways that can be confusing if you aren't familiar with where they lead. I would call it a tie for the least-navigatable (pretty sure I made that word up) Park, between Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Yes, AK follows the "Hub and Spokes" plan, but the walkways are very narrow--designed that way intentionally, so guests would indeed feel like they were in the jungle--and with all the trees it's sometimes hard to tell major thoroughfares from minor walkways that lead you off the path.

You can view maps for all the Disney Parks online, or you can order your own free customized maps. These make a great keepsake, and they're larger than the online version (or even the versions you pick up at the parks!), so they are a bit easier to read. They don't, however, include most of the eateries around the World.

And, if you didn't do your "homework" quite as well as you had hoped, you can always find a Disney Cast Member who would be happy to point you toward your destination.

Disney Releases New Storybook Circus Concept Art

Disney has just released new concept art for the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland. Most notable is the "Double Dumbo" on the right side of the page--hooray for a faster-moving queue! This new concept art varies quite a bit from the art released last year, but all the major attractions are still included.

copyright the Disney Co. 

Fantasmic! Goes to Daily Schedule in July

I'm excited to report thatFantasmic!, the spectacular nighttime show at Echo Lake in Disney's Hollywood Studios, will once again be seen nightly beginning July 2. Currently, you can catch Fantasmic! twice each week. With the popularity of the show and its limited schedule, crowd levels at the Studios are almost always elevated on days that a Fantasmic! performance is scheduled. (Not to mention that guests have to arrive as early as an hour before the show if they hope to get a seat!)

In light of this change, there are also a few days of extended hours at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Check the Disney website for details. Fantasmic! will operate on this schedule through September 30, when it will likely go back to a limited schedule for fall. There are two exceptions to the daily schedule: there will be no performances on September 2 or September 27.

Did I mention that we go WDW mid-September? Our chances to see Fantasmic! have now tripled! Hooray!

Disney Holds Longest-Running Show Honors

Did you know that there is a show at Walt Disney World that has the honor of being the longest running continually performed musical production in American theatre history? It has played to more than 10 million guests over its 37-year run. Any guesses as to what it is? It's the Hoop-de-doo Musical Revue, playing three shows nightly at Pioneer Hall in Disney's Ft. Wilderness Resort. The all-you-care-to-eat dinner show started its record-breaking run on June 14, 1974, as a means to generate revenue to offset the cost of building Pioneer Hall. 



You can read more about the Hoop-de-doo Musical Revue on its official web page from the Walt Disney World site.

Art of Animation Resort Booking for 2012

If you're heading to Walt Disney World next summer, you can book your room in the new Art of Animation Resort now! The Finding Nemo Family Suites are available for bookings June 1, 2012 or after at a rate of $395 per night. Beginning September 1, 2012, you can book at either the Finding Nemo or Cars suites at rates starting at $279 per night. Finally, beginning October 1, 2012, you can stay at the Finding Nemo, Cars, or The Lion King suites, with rates  from $265 per night.

You can make your reservation by calling Central Reservations at 407-WDISNEY or through the Online Reservations System. You can read details about the Art of Animation Resort on its official web page.

Ticket Price Increase Coming Sunday

Disney really threw me for a loop on this one! Traditionally, they raise park ticket prices in August, but I just learned that Both Walt Disney World (and Disneyland, but I only deal with the World on this site) will increase ticket prices beginning Sunday, June 12. One-day, one-park ticket prices are going up $3 from $82 up to $85. Likewise, a 10-day ticket is now $30 more than before. Prices for DisneyQuest and the water parks are increasing as well. The official Disney Parks Blog has an article detailing the new ticket prices here.

If you know you'll be going to WDW this year, you might want to purchase tickets online now. Tickets without the "no expiration" feature do not expire until 14 days after first use. So, conceivably, you could purchase your tickets now for a trip well into the future.

Outside ticket vendors will likely begin raising their prices as well, once their current ticket inventory is depleted. So...get 'em now while they're cheap! (OK, not cheap...just not quite as expensive.)

In addition,

Friday Photo

My youngest daughter's 5th birthday is tomorrow, and we're having a Barbie party! As I opened up the plastic Barbie table cloth, my oldest daughter saw this Hidden Mickey on the collar of Barbie's cat:

Refurbishment Update

There are a few upcoming refurbishments to tell you about:

• The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade (Magic Kingdom) will be closed now through October 1.


• It's Tough to Be a Bug (Animal Kingdom) will be closing on August 15 and is also expected to reopen October 1.


• Voyage of the Little Mermaid (Disney's Hollywood Studios) will close for a short refurbishment August 15 through September 4.

While two of these will hit during our next planned trip, fortunately the one we really care about (Little Mermaid) will open in time for our visit! Have I mentioned that we know Ariel? Seriously, we do. And she is awesome.

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is another of the "do the math" variety: always check that your "discount" is actually saving you money. For example, many people assume that if they buy their tickets and hotel stay in a package from Disney, they will save money. While this may sometimes be the case, it isn't necessarily. One way to check is by plugging each element into Disney's website to see the individual prices. Unless there is an advertised discount, it's usually pretty much the same to purchase tickets and a resort stay separately. (This same principle is at work in the fast food industry--you can often get the burger, fries, and drink for the same price when you order them separately. The "combo" makes it easier to order, but doesn't always save you any cash.)

Another example of this can be found in today's Eversave deal, a five-night stay for a family of four at the Country Inn and Suites Kissimmee--a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel ($695 value) for just $295. That averages out to about $59/night. Not bad...not bad at all. However, this is for a standard room in an off-site hotel. Compare that with our nightly rate of $55 at the All-Star Sports Resort (on-site) in September. Granted, we have a PIN code, but they are actually running a room-only discount for the time that we're there which makes the same room about $69/night. OK, it's $10 more per night. But let's not forget that it costs $14/day to park at Walt Disney World, which now brings your savings to $4/night to stay right there in the middle of the magic! If I had simply taken for granted that the Eversave deal was a great one, I would actually be losing money to stay in a less-desirable location. (BTW, I never once considered buying the Eversave deal--I'll choose to stay on Disney property every time!--but it did catch my eye because of the location.)

Primeval Whirl to Remain Closed Through September

You may find it hard to believe, but there are actually a few attractions at Walt Disney World that I've never experienced. Mostly, they are the newer thrill rides that have cropped up since I had children. (When I was a kid, I would ride anything. Now...not so much.) One such attraction is Primeval Whirl in Animal Kingdom. (OK, not really a "thrill ride," but I don't do spinning either.)

You may recall that Primeval Whirl has been closed since January, originally for routine maintenance. However, the closure was extended when on March 13 a resort mechanic was struck by one of the ride vehicles and died the following day from a massive head injury. Pending an OSHA investigation, Disney has announced that the attraction will now remain closed until at least September 14. This 6-month time frame seems to be standard operating procedure for OSHA on such an investigation.

Just Redeemed Some Disney Movie Rewards

Do you collect Disney Movie Rewards? If you don't, you're missing out on some great free stuff that you can acquire simply by going to see Disney movies in the theatre and/or buying them on DVD and/or Blu-ray. I had been saving my rewards in the hopes that I might get to see Mary Poppins on Broadway within the next year. (See, my super talented cousin is one of the stars of an amazing production of Oklahoma! at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, and everyone is hopeful that it will go to Broadway soon. Hoped to catch a little MP while I was there to see him.) Alas, the MP ticket offer on Disney Movie Rewards is no longer available. Boo.

Soooo...since I had accrued over 6000 rewards points, I thought I'd do a little "shopping." We had planned to buy my oldest daughter a new bike for her birthday in July, since her knees are hitting her chin on her old bike. A little trip to the bike store today revealed that 20" is the size she needs. Well, it just so happens that there is a High School Musical bike available from DMR for just 4400 points--score! Although it might not be her first choice, my daughter does llike the HSM movies. And when I explained to her that if I didn't actually have to buy her the bike, she would likely get more/better presents, she was totally on board. To seal the deal, we picked out a nice pair of rollerblades that will be among those other presents.

Here's what we'll get for just 4400 points:



Not bad for, essentially, free. I mean. we were gonna buy all those movies anyhow...might as well get something free in the process!

Disney Legends/Co-Stars Die One Day Apart

Wally Boag, a Disney Legend who played Pecos Bill in nearly 40,000 performances of the Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland, passed away Friday, June 3, at the age of 90. Just a day later, Betty Taylor, Boag's long-time co-star who played Slue Foot Sue in the show, passed away at age 91. Also a Disney Legend, Taylor joined the show about a year after Boag and continued for an astounding 31 years. Both performers had record-breaking runs and played to nearly 10 million guests. In addition to his performances in the Revue, Boag voiced Jose from the Enchanted Tiki Room. Taylor had performed briefly in Las Vegas with Frank Sinatra before auditioning with Disney and securing the role that made her a Legend.

George Kalogridis, president of the Disneyland Resort, made this statement: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a second Disney Legend in just two days--Betty Taylor. Betty’s role as leading lady in Disneyland’s Golden Horseshoe Revue helped turn it into the longest-running stage show in entertainment history. It is a tragic coincidence that her passing comes just one day after the death of longtime co-star Wally Boag.”

DisneyStore.com Toy Clearance an Extra 25% Off

Now through June 12, take an additional 25% off of toys in the Warehouse Clearance sale at www.DisneyStore.com, using the promotional code TOY25. This Warehouse Clearance event has been going on for a while now, so supply is limited on many of the most popular toys. Hurry, before they're all gone!

Friday Photo

My husband is doing a NASCAR ride-along experience today at the Nashville Superspeedway, much like the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World. (He won it in a trivia contest. He's smart--and lucky--like that.) So in honor of his morning activities, as well as the recent Indianapolis 500 (hey, I'm a Hoosier by birth), I give you the Tomorrowland Speedway!

Thursday's Tip

Ack! Very late on the tip today. We've been traveling, and I *thought* I had prepared a post before I left...but apparently not. So...here's a quick tip for those staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge: balloons of any type (mylar or latex) are not permitted in guest rooms, due to the hazard they present for the animals. So, if your little one begs for one of those fun Mickey-shaped balloons as you depart the Magic Kingdom, you might want to dissuade him or her. If you do purchase a balloon, you will be asked to check it at the front desk and it will be returned to you when you leave. But let's face it, balloons do have a rather brief  "shelf life." If you simply must buy one, try to do it on the last day of your trip so your child will actually get to enjoy it before it deflates.