Friday Photo

I made a very sad phone call this week: the call to cancel our Resort reservation for a Disney trip scheduled next month. It was to be our first visit to WDW during the Christmas season. But several factors were working against us--including our busy schedule and limited funds due to our recent purchase of a home--and, in the end, we just couldn't justify the time or money involved (especially since we just went in September). Still, one day...one day I WILL see this:

More Disney Deals on Amazon

Here are some Cyber Monday Week (it's a little much, isn't it? now it's a whole week...) deals from Amazon.


90% off!!!


40% off


45% off


50% off


over 60% off



Over 25% off--and she can tote her doll along! (My daughter totally wants this.)

Hidden Mickey Monday

 

You have to possess a certain item to see this one...do you know where it is?

Want to find all the Hidden Mickeys around the World? Check out this book:



 

 

 

 

 

 

You have to possess a particular item to see this one...do you know where to find it?

Want to know where all the Hidden Mickeys can be found around Walt Disney World? Check out this book:

 

Disney Amazon Finds

Amazon has already started their Black Friday Lightning Deals. Be sure to check the site frequently to see what's on a flash sale. Meanwhile, here are some great prices on Disney or Disney-related items that I found today while shopping:

Hidden Mickey Monday

This one is actually in a gift shop outside an attraction. Can you name the shop or guess the attraction?

Friday Photo

Thursday's Tip

I am generally someone who believes you can't possibly start planning for a Walt Disney vacation too early. In fact, I typically have a resort reservation by around six months before an upcoming trip. That said, a lot can change in those six months--including the release of new discounts. My tip for this Thursday: plan ahead, but keep be willing to change your plans.

For example, if you have the flexibility, it might be worth adjusting a reservation a few days one way or the other to qualify for a discount that wasn't yet released when you booked. Or you might learn that your favorite attraction will undergo refurbishment during your scheduled trip--and changing your dates by a week may exponentially increase the enjoyment of your vacation. I have been known to call the Disney reservation line as many as four separate times to change dates or resort for one stay. Chances are, you'll get a different Cast Member each time, so you don't have to worry that they are getting tired of hearing from you! And isn't it worth a few minutes of your time if it saves you cash or hassle?

That reminds me...I need to make a call about a reservation. I'll let you know how it all works out for me.

Brave Releases Today

As a reminder, Brave releases on DVD/Blu-ray today! I haven't had a chance to even research the best deals on this one--did anyone find a great one? I'll be doing most of my holiday shopping online this year, so I'm especially interested in great online deals on Disney movies and merchandise. (In fact, UPS just brought a box from DisneyStore.com this afternoon!) Share your great Disney deal in the comments.

 

Hidden Mickey Monday

The pic is sideways...the sign in the back might give you a clue. Where did we find this Hidden Mickey?

Friday Photo

My oldest daughter is obsessed with all things French. We just finished mudding and painting her room, which has a black/white/fuchsia Paris theme. Here she is in September at one of her favorite Epcot photo spots. Notice the looming dark clouds. Yep, we got a bit wet that day.

Thursday's Tip

I'm sure many of you read the recent news that George Lucas will donate the bulk of the proceeds of selling Lucasfilm to Disney to his "philanthropic endeavors." This charitable act reminds me of one of my favorite Disney tips: pay it forward. What does that look like, in real terms? Well, I'd like to think it's what I do here every day by sharing my Disney knowledge with others. (FYI, I do not make money from this site. I have earned a few dollars--and I mean a few--from Amazon for purchases made from the site, but nothing beyond that. My meager income is from clients who pay me to plan their trips.) Other ways we like to "share" Disney with others are pretty simple--and anyone can do them. Here are a few ideas:

• Keep a few extra cheap rain ponchos in your park bag. When the inevitable Florida shower starts, hand them out to guests without them.


• Buy a couple of packages of glow bracelets to pass out to kiddos waiting for the night parade to begin.


• Aren't going to make it over to Space Mountain to use that FastPass? Give it to another guest.


• When it's really crowded at a counter service restaurant, don't dawdle over your food. Be aware of those waiting on tables, and let them know when you're cleaning up and about to leave.


• If you hear guests asking themselves a question you know the answer to, talk to them! Your advice might save them some time or money.


• Offer your seat on a bus or monorail to the haggard mother carrying her heavy two-year-old. Or anyone...just because.


• If you're leaving for the day and sure you're not coming back, offer your rental stroller to a family coming in for the evening.


• Instead of holding a place in line for your entire family of 12 who went to the restroom, let others go around you and don't worry about the ten minutes you lost.


• In general, give up the best seat...the best place in line...the best anything for someone else.

I'm as guilty as anyone about wanting to have the best experience for myself and my family at Walt Disney World. But I find that the more trips I take, the less important it is for me to have the best, and the more joy I get from seeing others have a wonderful experience. It only takes a small gesture to help someone else have a magical day.

Update Around the World

I have been terribly remiss about even reading WDW updates, much less posting about them! We're finally settled into our new home (well, settled is a relative term), so I'm desperately trying to get back on track with my blogging. Here are some general updates of what's going on around WDW, including refurbishments and openings:

• Although the new Fantasyland doesn't officially open until December 6, Cast Member and passholder previews are in full swing, as well as previews for the general public.


• Test Track (Epcot) is also now scheduled to reopen on December 6.


• The re-imagined Bistro de Paris (Epcot) is also set to open December 6 with a new menu and new name.


• Epcot's Character Spot remains closed through February. If you have a trip scheduled between now and then, you can check with a Cast Member to see where your favorite characters have been relocated.


• The Studio Backlot Tour, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, and American Film Institute Showcase (Disney's Hollywood Studios) are expected to reopen on November 17.


• Lights! Motor! Action! Extreme Stunt Show (DHS) will close next week for a brief refurbishment, closing on November 11 and reopening on November 15.


• Typhoon Lagoon is closed for its yearly rehab and will reopen on January 5, weather permitting.


• Blizzard Beach will undergo its yearly rehab January 6 through March 16.


• Splash Mountain (MK) will be closed from January 2 through March 19, for a rather lengthy refurbishment.


• Mad Tea Party (MK) will be closed January 7-February 18.


• The Liberty Square Riverboat (MK) will close for refurbishment February 1-7.

Whew! I think that about covers it for now. Lots going on around the World.  We were hoping to take a quick trip in December, to experience some of the new and improved attractions, but I'm not sure it's going to happen with all that's going on (new house and especially busy time at work for my husband). Still holding out hope!

Election Day

Tonight I'll be curled up on the couch with my family and a cup of tea. But instead of watching one of our favorite Disney films or even Disney Channel, we'll be watching election results. Truth be told, I don't really like politics. Bu as a responsible adult, I know how important the election process is, and I want my voice to be heard. Whatever the outcome, there will undoubtedly be a lot of angry people. We all know it's close...very close. One side is not going to be happy. Of course, I'm praying that it's not my team that loses. But here's what I know: Although I do believe this election is critical in the direction our country takes over the next four years, tomorrow we will still wake up in "the land of the free and the home of the brave." We need to diligently protect our freedom, but also need to realize that this election is one battle...not the whole war. And, more importantly, I believe that a soverign God puts men in office (and not always good men--read the Bible to see some of the scoundrels He allowed to run things). Nothing happens here on earth that He doesn't have His hands all over! However critical this day may look to us, its merely a blip on the radar for a God who sees the big picture. I don't know about you, but I find that very reassuring.

Perhaps this wasn't a very Disney-ish post. So, I'll leave you with this:

 

Hidden Mickey Monday

Where did we find this one? The design on each circle gives a big hint.