Trip Report in Brief

We are home and trying to re-establish some sort of order. Between the mound of laundry, getting back to our homeschool routine, and not having much to eat in the house, I haven't really been able to decompress enough to think about writing about some of our experiences at Walt Disney World this week. So...here's a preview of some of the posts I hope you will see in the next couple of weeks:

• A general trip report, overviewing everything we saw, ate, and did!


• Review of Be Our Guest--we used Direct to Table.


• A post on Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party--what we loved, and what we didn't.


• Whispering Canyon Café review--and how Disney makes up for their mistakes.


• Magic Bands--how they work, what they'll do, and hopes for what they can become.


• Off the beaten path: dining at a DVC resort.


• Disney's Homeschool Days--what we learned and why we love this program.

While we were away, there were some developments too. Of course, we saw the concept art that was released for Avatarland--did you? There was also the rumor that Lord of the Rings may be coming to the Disney Parks in the future. And, of course, more talk that Star Wars Land may prevail over Cars Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios. And while none of us were paying attention, Disney quietly decided to do away with their paper stock certificates that are so popular among fans. (You can still grab one until October 16.) There were also a variety of Limited Time Magic announcements.

I'll do my best to catch everyone up on what's going on around Walt Disney World in the coming days. In the mean time, suffice it to say we had a lovely trip (if a bit more crowded than we expected)--and the weather was nearly perfect!

 

Disney Homeschool Days

In exactly three weeks, on October 9, our family will be gathering in Disney's Hollywood Studios with other homeschool students and parents from around the country for one of our favorite events at WDW--Disney's Homeschool Days. Although it's becoming more popular each year (as is homeschooling, which is growing at a rate 7 times faster than public school enrollment!), this has been one of the best kept secrets at Disney World. And, hey, let's keep it that way, OK? Just between you and me, I kinda like the low crowds. ;-)

What's so great about homeschool days? Well, for starters, it's the best field trip ever! As homeschoolers, the world is our classroom, and in this case the World is our classroom! (Get it?) The presentations are amazing! You get behind-the-scenes perspective from a panel of Disney experts, and you learn a ton of fun Disney trivia. And it's fun to be with like-minded families that have a similar perspective. Sure, there are all different kinds of homeschoolers, but we have that one big thing in common. Oh, yes--there's also the little matter of the great discount tickets to Walt Disney World. That's pretty cool too. In fact, hands down, Homeschool Days are the best priced tickets I've found anywhere--better than Undercover Tourist, better than AAA, better than Disney's other educational programs. Yes, even better prices than employees get (aside from free passes, of course).

So if you homeschool, you owe it to yourself to check out Disney's Homeschool Days. Typically this event is in the fall (usually October), but it has been in January also. And they don't typically announce the dates until about 6 months out. Check the Disney Youth page often.

 

Top 10 Ways to Save Money at Disney World

I've been thinking about the best and easiest ways to save the most when planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Some of them are simply not available to all guests, but since I don't know each and every one of you personally, I thought I'd compile a list in the hopes that some of you would discover that you qualify for savings! Here they are, beginning with the most savings:

1. Be friends with a Cast Member--especially management. It's a fact that all CMs get some sort of discount that can be offered to guests, but these tend to be based on seniority. For example, CMs in Disney's College Program may only get 6 days of Maingate privileges (walking up to 3 guests in to the Parks on 6 separate days) while a salaried manager may have a Maingate pass that can be used every day of the year. Tickets are almost always the most expensive part of any Disney vacation, so knowing someone who can help you cut out that cost can be invaluable. In addition, CMs can offer guests incredible savings on Resorts (usually 40% off rack rates) and often special event tickets. And, savings notwithstanding, you never know what special treatment might come your way through your favorite CM. We've been blessed to have private character meetings, VIP parade viewing, and instant Fastpass access! These are privileges we don't take for granted, but they sure are nice!

2. Be active or retired (career) military. My dad is a Vietnam Vet, and I really, REALLY wish Disney would extend their military discounts to ALL veterans...but at this point, these deals only apply to those currently serving in any branch of the armed forces or those who retired after lifetime service. In other words, a tour of duty won't cut it...you have to be career military. But if you or a family member is and has valid military ID to prove it, you can snag some great deals, including up to 30% off Resort rack rates. Military Salute park tickets can be purchased for the military personnel and up to 5 guests for $156 each for a 4-day park hopper (price goes up to $169 on September 28). Plus, if you're military, you can stay at Disney's Shades of Green Resort--a lovely military-only resort where cost is based on your rank.

3. Live in Florida. Probably the next best discounts are those available to Florida residents. They come and go throughout the year, but residents are offered room discounts as well as special seasonal passes and discounts on regular Magic Your Way-type tickets. For example, a 3-day base ticket is around $191, and a 4-day is $212. You can add the park hopper option for just $29.50. For just $223, a Florida resident can get a "Weekday Select Pass" that allows them to enter any of the four main parks on weekdays only for an entire year, with a few blocked dates (does not include free parking).

4. Have a annual pass or belong to the Disney Vacation Club. Of course DVC members have already paid for their resort stay, in theory (there are lots of variables), but they are also offered discounts on annual passes and park tickets. And while those holding annual passes have already purchased park admission, they are often given significant discounts off Resort rack rates.

5. Be a part of a youth group. If your cheer squad, soccer team, or Boy Scout troupe takes a trip to Walt Disney World, you will qualify for group rates on both tickets and Resort rooms. Be advised, they do limit the number of adult chaperones who buy tickets--they know that every parent would offer to chaperone a Disney trip...and bring along the rest of the family too, if the price is right!

6. Homeschool your children. Typically once a year in the fall (although they have been in January too), Disney hosts Homeschool Days. This fun event allows homeschoolers to gather at one of the least crowded times of the year to enjoy a special presentation with like-minded families. This year, the event is October 9 and the theme is "On with the Show." In addition to the awesome program Disney produces, families can get great deals on park tickets--a 4-day park hopper costs around $181! (Note: families are again restricted on how many adult tickets you can purchase--no more than the number of students, unless you have only one student which allows for both parents to purchase tickets.) We're attending, so come out and join us!

7. Get educated. If you're still educationally minded but not actual homeschoolers, you can attend one of Disney's YES (Youth Education Series) programs. These 3-hour programs are super fun and informative, ranging in subjects from animal behavior to American history. The ticket prices aren't quite as good as the Homeschool Days, but they're still significantly discounted off gate prices. A 4-day park hopper will set you back around $$197 per attending student up to $323 per attending adult. Again, there are restrictions on how many adult tickets you can purchase.

8. Be Canadian. Disney Stores in Canada often sell park tickets, and with shifts in the exchange rate, you can sometimes get a significant discount on tickets this way.

9. Work for a company that sponsors a theme park attraction (or has any other affiliation with Disney). Often large corporations sell discounted Disney tickets. And if you're lucky enough to work for an attraction sponsor, you might even have a private lounge at your disposal while touring the Parks. It's always a good idea to check with your company's human resources department before purchasing tickets.

10. Belong to AAA. Discounts among clubs are varied, but members can typically save a few bucks off gate prices for tickets. In addition, AAA travel agents have access to all the latest discounts.

If you don't qualify for any of the above, take heart! There are still great discounts available throughout the year to the general public. Ticket vendors, room-only discounts, and free dining abound...you just have know where and when to look for them. That's why you read this site, right?

 

Disney Announces 2013 Homeschool Days

Disney has just announced its 2013 program for Homeschool families, and it looks like a super fun one--especially for this theatre-loving family! Here is the description:

Disney Homeschool Days: On With The Show
Glamour! Excitement! Applause! It's all that and more when you're in the world of theatrical entertainment! Check out what it takes to be a part of a modern day production at Homeschool Days at Disney's Hollywood Studios! Participants in this program discover real-world application in the "ABC's" of an exhilarating production.  The creative team and technical crew provide insights into the collaboration, communication, and creativity that it takes to bring the lights up and call for Showtime!
Participants will be able to:

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  Identify and articulate a variety of technical disciplines necessary for stage or show production.

  
  


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  Articulate the role of constructive criticism in performance arts and discuss application to everyday situations.

  
  


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  Identify and discuss fundamental responsibilities of creative and stage management teams.

  
  


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  Articulate the value of preparedness, presentation, and focus in performance arts and demonstrate these elements in everyday situations.

  
  


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  Define risk-taking and articulate the value of intelligent risk-taking.

  
  

 

Disney Homeschool Days 2013 will be on October 9. In addition to the program mentioned above, students have the option to add additional programs from the Disney Youth Education Series, via individual enrollment (additional fee applies). And, of course, there are discounted tickets available to those attending and their families (there are limits to the number of tickets you can purchase, based on the number of students enrolled). Prices for these packages aren't as great as previous years, but they're still discounted considerably from regular Disney gate prices.

As a homeschool family, we heartily endorse Disney Homeschool Days! It's a great way to enjoy the Disney Parks while getting a unique "behind the scenes" peek at the Disney experience. The presentations are of stellar quality and appeal to kids of all ages. And the dates for the programs are typically among the least crowded in the Parks. If you're a homeschool family, this is a great time to visit WDW!

 

Friday Photo

It's the last official day of school for the Gibbs Family Academy! (Although, as a homeschooling family we try to create a lifestyle of learning that goes beyond the school calendar or classroom walls.) In honor of that momentous occasion, I'd like to share a photo from our visit to Disney's Homeschool Days in 2010. This is a pic of the stage setup for our Homeschool Days presentation. The program centered on the arts, which was a big draw for this creative family! We heard from executives and experts in areas including costume design, performing arts, and design/construction. We learned the story behind those cool ovens in Via Napoli and listened as an Imagineer told us how she worked her way up into that position and gave some insight to some of the projects on which she had worked. All fascinating stuff!



This year's Disney Homeschool Days presentation will be on October 25. Not only does Disney offer some excellent educational programs to complement your visit, but they also offer great discounts on tickets--and ticket discounts are very rare at WDW! If you're a homeschooling family, click here for more information.

Disney Homeschool Days in October

If you're a home educating family like we are, you're always looking for unique, fun, ecucational, and--of course!--inexpensive field trips. Walt Disney World fits the bill. Really. Yes, even the inexpensive part, when compared with other vacation venues...as long as you know how to find the savings. Fortunately, Disney is offering great ticket discounts to homeschooling families for their annual (semi-annual? over the last few years the dates have been a bit erratic) Disney Homeschool Days.

This year's program, slated for October 25, puts the focus on primates and preserving their habitats (a less-than-subtle promotion of Chimpanzee, now in theatres). The one-hour presentation included with your registration/ticket purchase will undoubtedly be both informative and entertaining, but you also have the opportunity to schedule additional Youth Education Series (YES)programs during your stay. These are typically 3 hours in length and cost $28 per student per session. We've found them to be a perfect balance of learning and fun, especially for younger students.

While we won't be attending this year's event (we had our trip planned before the dates were announced; we are, however, attending a YES program through individual enrollment), we have attended Disney's Homeschool Days in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a sense of commaraderie, as you are surrounded by other home educating families. And it doesn't hurt that Disney typically schedules these events during the least busy times in the Parks, since we homeschoolers like to vacation in the off-season. (Our Homeschool Days program was in Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the crowd was as light as I had ever experienced.)

For more information on this year's event, click here.

 

Disney Homeschool Days and "Famous" Friends

I am fortunate to have a few Disney Cast Member friends, and from time to time I spot one of them in a promotional photo, video, or ad for Walt Disney World. Most recently, I spotted our friend Claire on the 2012 Disney Vacation Planning DVD in the section about Disney's Hollywood Studios (she's a hostess at Disney Junior). But this is the first time one of our non-Cast Member friends has ever made it into a Disney promo video.

Lori, a fellow homeschooling mom that I've known since my eldest daughter attended preschool with her daughter, is the second parent (and first mom) featured in this video about Disney's Homeschool Days. I believe her husband is the last one who speaks in the video. And, yes, we are among the friends she mentions who had attended the program previously and recommended it!

 

If you're a homeschooling family and don't know about Disney's Homeschool Days, I encourage you to go here and learn more. No dates have been released for the 2012 Homeschool Days, but other YES (Youth Education Series) programs are listed for the year.

Fall Homeschool Days Announced

I've been anxiously awaiting the announcement of dates for the fall Homeschool Days at Walt Disney World. After a great experience at last year's Homeschool Days (you can read about it here), we were all set  to go again this year. But after multiple calls and emails to no avail (Disney seemed to be dragging their feet a bit in releasing the dates), we decided we needed go forward with planning our fall vacation. Instead of the Homeschool Days, we're taking advantage of Disney's individual enrollment for their YES programs (a similar experience to Homeschool Days that you can read about here).

All that explanation to say...today I was perusing the Youth Programs website and discovered that they actually had a listing for fall registration for Homeschool Days! No, you cannot register just yet...and they don't have the complete list of programs...but they did list the date and theme of the special presentation that is included with your registration/ticket purchase.

The program will be October 3, and here's a brief summary of the presentation: 

Join us as a Walt Disney World® Resort Chef uses his culinary expertise to teach your homeschooler how to create a healthy lifestyle through the science of food. During this interactive presentation, students will hear why it's important to eat a balanced diet, how to make healthy food choices and even learn to prepare a delicious, good-for-you recipe.

Sounds fun! We're a little sad that we won't be hanging with our fellow homeschoolers this year, but I'm super excited to instead be spending my 40th birthday at our family's favorite vacation spot.