Disney Store Deals and a Customer Service Plug

 photo ©DisneyStore

So, my girls and I have fallen in love with the new dolls from "It's a Small World" that can be found at DisneyStore.com. And since Christmas is coming, I decided to take advantage of a $10 off $50 purchase coupon I got from my Disney Rewards Visa, as well as a free shipping with Disney Parks purchase (I also bought a new autograph book for my youngest) and get a couple of these pretties for my girls. Then, this morning, I got an email alerting me to a 3-day sale on various toys (check out those deals HERE)--including the dolls I had just purchased.

Without a specific agenda (except, well, complaining about my dumb luck), I tweeted this:

Bought dolls yesterday @DisneyStore (used a coupon & got free shipping) but today they are on sale.  :-/ #kickingmyself #hatewastingmoney

Guess what?! I got a response from Disney Store:

@ValerieBGibbs I am sorry for the inconvenience, Valerie. Please contact Guest Services at (800) 328-0368 and we will happily assist. ^MN

So, I did just what they said, and guess what?! I will be getting a credit for a future purchase for the price difference! The moral of the story? It never hurts to ask for a refund when an item goes on sale. Many stores advertise that they do this, but even if it's not common knowledge, it certainly doesn't hurt to try.

I have long sung the praises of the stellar customer service that Disney provides, both in the parks and elsewhere, and this is just one more example. And, yes, I did tweet my appreciation back to them. :-)

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!

 

Thursday's Tip

My best (and most broad) WDW vacation tip is to be prepared. The more planning you do in advance, the less time you'll spend hemming and hawing once you arrive at the Disney Parks--and the more time you'll have for fun! So this Thursday's Tip is a variation on a theme: prioritize your top attractions and structure your touring plan around them.

Here's an example: On our last trip, the new Little Mermaid and Belle attractions were not yet open in the Magic Kingdom, so those will be at the top of our list. But we'd really also love to try to eat at Be Our Guest. And, of course, we don't want to miss "Mountains" either. Fortunately, our Magic Bands will allow us to pre-select Fastpasses for 3 attractions. Because they were at the top of our list, we chose Journey of the Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Thunder Mountain Railroad (an old favorite). We've also been able to secure a lunchtime "Fastpass+ Direct to Table" seating for Be Our Guest (it's a pretty cool pre-order setup, and we're excited to see how well it works). With those plans in place, we'll likely head straight for Splash Mountain to get Fastpasses  (or ride) as soon as we enter the park, then continue through the rest of the park and using our pre-selected Fastpasses.

If you aren't lucky enough to have the Magic Bands, head to one of your top destinations to ride first thing in the morning, while another member of your party heads to a different favorite to snag Fastpasses for the group. If you choose the fastest "runner" who knows his or her way around the park, they can likely catch up with you before you even board your first attraction (especially if you're lugging small children and/or strollers, etc.). That way, you're sure to at least conquer your two top attractions with little or no wait time.

The worst mistake you can make is deciding to wait until the line dies down at your must-see attraction. It likely won't happen, if it's a popular one, and Fastpasses might be gone for the entire day before 10 a.m. To avoid disappointment, structure your day around your favorites or the most popular attractions, and add in the rest once you have those secured.

 

Thursday's Tip

Here's a handy saving tip that will ensure that your Disney vacation comes in under budget: figure up the total, non-discounted cost of a WDW vacation, and save that much. Then, if--and hopefully when--you find a great discount for a room or package, you'll have some cash left over for incidentals. Things always seem to cost more than you think, and unless you are a stickler for a line-item budget, it's likely that you've neglected to plan for some expense. Plan on paying full price--and then don't. Ever. Seriously, never pay full price is my mantra. And also, never go in debt to go on vacation...it is not worth it, no matter how much you love the Mouse.

The best part is, if you save extra and don't need it, you'll be that far ahead in saving for your next Disney vacation. Winning!

 

Thursday's Tip

Here's an oldie but a goodie for our Thursday's Tip: never pay full price! Whether it be for your Disney vacation package or for something as minor as the snacks you pack to take along on your trip, always seek out a deal. For example, if there is any flexibility in your WDW vacation schedule, you can usually find some sort of discount to save a little cash. A great place to start is at the Special Offers page on Disney's site. And, of course, I try to post discounts here as they become available.

Another great way to save money on your Disney vacation is to purchase souvenir items on sale before your trip. You can find small items for kids at your local dollar store or Target, but right now DisneyStore.com is having their "Twice Upon a Year" sale. They have great prices on items--some that are even from the Disney Parks line.

If you adopt a "never pay full price" policy in your every day life, you'll have more money left over for more Disney vacations!

Thursday's Tip

It's our first official week of summer vacation, so I'm going to keep my post brief and fun. Here's a great tip this Thursday: when staying at Walt Disney World property, be sure to carve out some time to visit your resort's fabulous pool(s)! Disney has some of the most fun, unique "watering holes" in the country, and you'll want to take advantage of them, providing the weather cooperates. Here are a few of our favorites:

the "dragon" pool at Port Orleans French Quarter

 

Yacht & Beach Club

 

Ariel at the Piano Pool (All-Star Music)

 

The Big Blue Pool (Art of Animation)

 

Grand Floridian

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is rather vague...but I will illustrate it with a real-life example (thus making it worthy of a blog post). Here it is: Plan your trip in as much detail as you can tolerate. OK, I'm not suggesting that you create a spreadsheet with a to-the-minute schedule (although, I was almost that meticulous on our first few trips as a family...I'm better now). But it is a good idea to have a plan, a framework. Know which Park you'll visit on which day, have an idea of what restaurant you'll eat at for at least one meal (if it's table service, you'll need to book ADRs anyhow), and know your top three or four attractions that you don't want to miss so that you can give them priority. Without a plan, you'll be spending too much time hemming and hawing about what to do next.

And, really, isn't this the way it is with any undertaking? Case in point: As a homeschool family, I find that we accomplish so much more when we have a plan in place. I am a big fan of The Well-Planned Day homeschool planner. In my first year of homeschooling, I wrote extensive and very detailed lesson plans for each subject in this handy book. I probably went overboard. By my second year, my approach was less stringent as I merely wrote the framework for what I wanted to accomplish within the week. This worked well--it gave me goals to strive for but didn't make me feel trapped into a set schedule. This year we moved to a new home in the middle of the school year. It was a "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" kind of year. I barely kept track of how many hours we were in school, and I certainly didn't have a daily plan for each subject. Yes, we covered math, language arts, science, and social studies, but there were definitely some gaps in our learning this year. And while I'm still confident that my children are getting a quality education and that we covered the core concepts for each of their grade levels, I feel less certain that they excelled. In fact, this is the first year EVER that we've come to the end of our 180-day school year and I still have pages left to cover in some of our textbooks. Usually, we've completed all curriculum well before our 180 days are completed. (FYI, the 180-day school year is a state mandate for homeschoolers in Tennessee. While we have at least 180 official days of school, we try to foster an atmosphere of learning all year long. We focus primarily on academic subjects during those 180 days and use our summers to fill in gaps with enrichment activities such as drama, piano, and foreign language.)

Back to the planning. If I had properly used my very efficient The Well-Planned Day planner this year, I would likely feel better about how we're finishing the school year. Not having a clear plan has caused me to suffer self-doubt and will likely cause us all to play catch-up this summer. A few extra minutes of planning each week would have saved us all some trouble. Lesson learned.

I could easily spend many hours (and often do) planning a Walt Disney World vacation. But even a few minutes of researching Park hours, attractions lists, refurbishment schedules, restaurant menus, and crowd calendars online before you go can save you HOURS in the Parks. You really can't over-plan a Disney vacation. Good planning is really what allows for spontaneity.

By the way, you can click below to purchase The Well-Planned Day. It really is a great tool.

Superoo 2013

Are you familiar with Trekaroo? It's a travel site designed especially for families with kids, featuring thousands of reader-driven reviews of restaurants, hotels, and attractions that are deemed kid-friendly. And, of course, one of the more popular destinations is Walt Disney World.

I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a 2013 Superoo. (That just means they liked my reviews and I might be offered the opportunity to review other attractions, hotels, or restaurants...yes, I'm talking free tickets, meal passes, and hotel stays!) This is where I need your help. First, I think you should check out the site because it's full of honest and helpful information. But while you're there, could you seek out a few of my reviews--especially the Disney-related ones--and mark them as "helpful"? (Only if they truly were, of course.) It might help me to get a bit of recognition and perhaps have a leg up for review opportunities that come my way.

I truly appreciate all my readers. And as I have said before, the compensation I receive for my work on this site is the minimal ad revenue (because I hate tons of ads on sites) and little perks like review items. So being able to take a basically free trip with my family would be so awesome! Thanks for your support!

You can click HERE to find my reviews. The Disney ones are mostly near the end of the grouping, as I wrote most of them first.

Thursday's Tip

With the recent Boston bombings filling our TV screens, and with my family planning a trip to New York City next month, I've been in "Safety Mom" mode. Typically, I feel incredibly safe at Walt Disney World. We've been enough times and my kids are comfortable enough with their surroundings that I feel confident that they could handle a situation where they might get separated from us. Here are a few safety tips that will help you and your children feel safe and secure in the crowds and (sometimes) mayhem of Walt Disney World:

• Teach your kiddos to recognize Cast Members. The most obvious way to recognize them is by dress, but you can also teach them to look for their nametags. In the event that a child gets out of your sight, CMs are trained to handle the situation quickly and efficiently.


• Tag your children. It can be a sticker, a bracelet, or anything that can list their name, your name, and your cell phone number. It's probably safest if the information is hidden (some predators will use a parent's name to lure children away), but make it easy for the child to locate in the event of an emergency. Sometimes little ones get flustered when they're lost and can't remember important numbers--having it in an accessible spot (I sticker my girls on the underside of their shirt tail in front, so they can just flip it up to show a CM) allows them to give that information to a CM and be reunited with you faster.


• Carry money and valuables such as tickets in a front pocket, or somewhere close to your body. Don't put your wallet in the front zipper pouch of your backpack--that's just asking for someone to take it.


• Don't leave valuables behind in your stroller. Especially if it's a rental, as other guests might accidentally mistake it for theirs.


• If anyone in your party has a life-threatening medical condition, wear a medic alert bracelet or something that would clearly indicate the nature of your condition to emergency workers. Carry any medication you might need with you into the Parks. Wherever I go, I'm always packing...an epi-Pen, that is, for my oldest daughter (tree nut allergy).


• Believe the best in all people, but prepare for the worst. Mostly, guests at Walt Disney World are basically honest people hoping to share a few days of fun with their families, just like you. But heat and exhaustion and lack of sleep and crowds can cause irritability to escalate into ugliness. If you encounter an angry guest, steer clear if you can. Humor can often diffuse a potentially-nasty situation. As for your own attitude, try taking annoyances in stride and adapt a "go with the flow" mentality. (This does NOT come naturally to me!) It's almost a given that some minor inconvenience will come to hamper a bit of your fun, but fixating and complaining about it is sure to spoil the fun for everyone in your party.


• Finally, obey the rules. They really are there for your safety.

Thursday's Tip

I'm trying to plan a trip for our family to New York City to see my cousin in Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway. (That's almost a Disney connection, right?) I'm realizing that our entire family can visit Walt Disney World for over a week for less than what it will cost us to spend 3 days in NYC. Ouch! If any of my readers have any great NYC money-saving tips, please hit me with them in the comments.

But I digress...all my trip planning has led to much frustration, as I know very little about the area. While I can plan a trip to WDW in my sleep, with the confidence that I'm getting the best deal available, I feel pretty lost when it comes to NYC. So, here's my tip: don't be afraid to seek professional help. No, I don't mean a therapist (although, I could probably use one of those at this point!). I'm talking about a travel agent or consultant--one that specializes in all things Disney. Most travel agents work on commission, so theoretically they won't cost you anything. And even a consultant who charges a fee (like me) will typically save you more than you pay in fees...and will save you countless hours of hassle and frustration. (I actually guarantee my fees against the client's savings; if I don't save you more off standard Disney rates than my fee, then I don't get paid!)

If you're like me and you love to do the research yourself, then there are tons of resources available to you. But if your head is about to explode from the information overload, seek qualified help. After all, time is money, so you'll likely save some $ and your sanity too!

 

Thursday's Tip

Today I have a savings tip for you: never pay full price. No, I'm not just referring to a Walt Disney World vacation (although I certainly never pay full price on that!). This is my mantra for every day life. If you adopt a "never pay full price" attitude, you'll become a saver. And savers can afford to take their families to Walt Disney World!

Here's an example: I coupon shop. And if it's not on sale or I don't have a coupon, I rarely buy it. Obviously, there are a few exceptions...but not many. For example, my husband and I have been sharing a tiny sample of toothpaste this week because I actually let my stockpile of regular-sized tubes run out, and I don't currently have any good coupons. That's how cheap I am! I'm sure that soon there will be a great sale or I will come up with some coupons and we can replenish our stash. Until then, we're finally putting all those freebies from the dentist to good use.

Another great way to implement this tip is to shop seasonally. As I've mentioned, we're homeschoolers, and I'm currently deciding on next year's curriculum for my girls. Although I have made most of the decisions, I'm holding off on purchases because I know there will be several deals that coincide with the spring homeschool conventions and fairs around the country. There are also usually some springtime used curriculum sales at local churches. I'm holding out for the best deal. BUT, I'm going to purchase my favorite planner this week, because it's on sale and I'm fairly certain I won't find a better price before school starts next fall. (I'm a loyal "Well-Planned Day" user. Click on the link below for more info or to purchase.)

Every day savings can add up to a week of vacation with some careful planning!

 

Thursday's Tip

I shared many tips over the years on how to save money on food at Walt Disney World. But even the cheapest among us (yes, I'm speaking of myself) likes to splurge every now and then. While we're not big fans of spending too much time (or money!) in table service restaurants while on vacation, our family usually tries to splurge on at least one new dining experience each trip. So my tip is two-fold: First, make your ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) as early as possible--in most cases, you can do this 180 days in advance of your arrival. This step has become increasingly important in recent years, as "Free Fall Dining" promotions have become the norm. And second, be sure to know about any dining closures for your travel dates. Obviously, when you call to make ADRs, you will be alerted to closures for table service restaurants, but it's also good to know if your favorite counter service eatery is going to be closed too. Here's a list of current and upcoming closures:

• ESPN Club (BoardWalk Resort): closed now and will re-open late spring


• BoardWalk Bakery, BoardWalk Resort: currently closed and expected to open late spring or early summer


• Main Street Bakery (Magic Kingdom): currently closed and will re-open May 18 as a Starbucks location


• California Grill (Contemporary Resort): closed now through late summer


• Fountain View Cafe (Epcot): closing in March and will reopen sometime this summer as a Starbucks location


• Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom): closing briefly for refurbishment May 13-16

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip is a hard one for me to admit, because of my affinity for efficiency. I tend to be the "cram-as-much-as-you-can-and-be-sure-you're-getting-your-money's-worth" type of vacationer. That means working the Fastpass system to our advantage (at least in the past), Park Hopping efficiently to beat the crowds, and doing anything and everything to save time and money. But here's a tip that I've learned to embrace over the years: If you're having fun--no matter what you're doing--it's a good use of your time and money.

For your family, that might mean standing in line most of the day to get character autographs, but skipping the thrill rides. Or it might mean stopping to listen to all the "streetmosphere" acts and watching the parades, but avoiding characters altogether. It might even mean taking an afternoon trek across Tom Sawyer Island to get the wiggles out. The point is, seize any opportunity for fun that comes along, and don't worry about "wasting" time. If you're enjoying yourself, if it's what your family loves or even needs, it's never a waste of time!

 

Thursday's Tip

Today's tip (or, rather, group of tips) are for parents of small children. Although my husband and I are very grateful to be beyond the days of toting diaper bags and pushing strollers, we remember well the strategies one must employ to navigate Walt Disney World with a toddler. Here are a few of my favorite stroller-related tips:

• Even if you don't regularly use a stroller, most children will need one at least part of the day up to around the age of 4 or 5. My eldest daughter was still hopping in little sister's stroller when she was 7 (good thing she's skinny).


• While the WDW strollers are very comfortable and easy to push, they are rather expensive to rent--around $15/day for a single and $31/day for a double, last time I checked. If you're driving, bringing your own lightweight stroller is a no-brainer. Even if you fly, it might be worth bringing yours from home. There are also several companies that rent strollers for the length of your stay, with pricing considerably lower than WDW offers. And if transportation is available, a trip to the local Wal-Mart or Target could yield an umbrella-style stroller for around $20-$30. Again, the price of a taxi might ultimately be worth it for the length of your stay. As a fun "pay it forward" move, you could offer your new stroller to an arriving family  with little ones on your departure.


• Always put an identifying item on your stroller. With rental strollers, it's easy to confuse yours with someone else's--especially when the "stroller fairies" keep moving those little beauties around the stroller parking area. But even with non-rentals, there will likely be another family nearby that has the same model as yours, so anything you can do to obviously identify yours will be helpful. We typically tied a colorful scarf or bandana on ours.


• Never leave valuables in your stroller unattended. (Do I really need to tell you this?)


• Look for designated stroller parking areas and use them. Don't think that you can park it anywhere and expect to find it when you return. Let me assure you that it WILL be moved--probably within 2 minutes--to a designated area. As I mentioned, the "stroller fairies" mean business.


• Your stroller usage will vary among Parks. You may not need it at all in the Magic Kingdom if you have a bit older preschoolers. We find that in Fantasyland especially it is more trouble to go back and forth to the parking area than it is to simply forego the stroller. But you will undoubtedly need it in Epcot, as most attractions are spread out on more acreage.


• If you choose to rent a Disney stroller, hold on to your receipt. If you Park Hop,  simply turn in your stroller at one Park and show your receipt at the next to receive your stroller.


• Take a cheap plastic poncho as a rain cover for your stroller. If there's even a hint of a chance of shower, put the poncho over the stroller before you get in that 60-minute queue, just in case. Trust me on this...you will thank me.

And my youngest daughter's favorite tip comes in handy for those of us who no longer take along a stroller but still have kiddos that tire out at the end of the night: After the fireworks, it is perfectly acceptable to snag an abandoned rental stroller (there will be dozens) and give your child a ride back to the front entrance. Not only do her little legs get a break, but you're helping Disney by returning the stroller to the rental area. Win/win!

 

Thursday's Tip

This is a Disney tip wrapped in a general tip: always search for a coupon/discount code--for anything and everything! With a few exceptions (mostly holidays/peak travel season), there is almost always some sort of discount offered at the Disney Parks throughout the year--whether it be free dining, a room discount, or even the rare "Stay, Play, & Dine" discounts. Even if you haven't heard about one, it pays to do a quick web search for Disney discounts, including your travel dates in the search. (Most discounts can be found on Disney's own "special offers" page--but not all.) You never know what you might find! Likewise, whenever purchasing any item online, always search for a coupon/discount/offer code before proceeding. This all goes along with one of my personal mantras: NEVER pay full price!

Best of AtM: Miscellaneous Packing Tips

Please enjoy this "encore performance" of a previous Affording the Mou$e post. Back on Monday, September 24, with all new material!

This is our final installment of "Best of Affording the Mou$e." Tomorrow, I'll share a Friday Photo, and if all goes as planned, I'll have a trip report (or several) next week. But for now, enjoy these miscellaneous (or, Mousellaneous?) packing tips:

• We drive to Disney from Tennessee, which usually means an overnight stop on the way. Fortunately, we have family along the path, so we save $ by not paying for a hotel. Rather than unpack our entire vehicle to get our enormous suitcase that is, inevitably, in the back and at the bottom of everything else, we've learned to pack a separate overnight case for our personal items (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) and a change of clothes for each member of the family. Such a timesaver when packing back up the next morning!


• I roll some clothing, rather than folding it. I don't believe in unused space, so I fill every corner and crevice of our suitcase by rolling small items such as socks and underwear.


• Again with the theme of no unused space, I pack items within items. For example, I don't just toss in the empty clear backpack or fanny packs--I fill them with items first. Our soft-sided cooler/lunchbox that we'll take into the parks is full of plastic utensils and disposable bowls. My small purse is holding various sample sized items.


• Speaking of samples, I save up every shampoo, floss, cereal, or medication sample I get throughout the year and take them all to Disney World. I love having a variety of items in miniature. It lets me take "the kitchen sink" with little commitment.


• When we arrive at our WDW resort, we unpack the aforementioned enormous suitcase into the ample drawers that Disney resort rooms offer. Since I detest the thought of packing up on our final day, I try to make it go as quickly as possible. One way we accomplish this is by turning our empty suitcase up on its side in the closet area, leaving only about a 6-inch opening at the zipper, and using it as a dirty clothes hamper all week. You can easily cram worn clothing through the slot, and at the end of your trip your suitcase is already packed (more or less).


• I know some of you will balk at this, but we drive from our resort to the parks. (It really is a packing tip...wait for it.) Yes, Disney transportation is, for the most part, efficient and reliable. But there are advantages to having your own vehicle. First and foremost, we don't have to wait in the never-ending bus line at park closing. Also, you have the ability to leave and eat off-property if you wish. (We've done this when meeting up with friends from the area who didn't have park tickets.) And here's the packing tip: we keep a small cooler of beverages in our car where we can stop and reload our "lunch box" as we park hop. It's a refreshing break and an opportunity to load/unload anything else we might need.


• We make our kids carry their own snacks. Yep, I'm the "mean mommy." But seriously, each girl has her own little fanny pack. Inside she has two snacks--usually one that's somewhat healthy and one that's more of a treat. This offers them easy access, and gives them the responsibility to make them last between meals.


• We have saved a couple of tubes from miniature M&Ms. These make great holders for quarters and shiny pennies for the pressed penny machines around the property. Film canisters work too (but who uses film anymore?).

That about wraps up our series. If you have some favorite packing tips, feel free to share them in the comments section.

Thursday's Tip

As I am finally beginning to gather a few things and at least think about packing for our trip in just over a week, I was reminded of the single most important Disney vacation planning tip: be prepared for anything and everything! And, particularly, I feel it is important to be prepared for illness when you're away from home. So, as part of today's Thursday's Tip, I now share a list of walk-in clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and discount stores (many that we have personally used) near Walt Disney World. Print the list and take it on your next trip, so that you won't be scrambling if the unexpected happens:

Miscellaneous items or Over the Counter Medications

• Wal-Mart Supercenter, 4444 West Vine Street, Kissimmee


• SuperTarget, 2155 Towne  Center Blvd., Orlando


• Publix, 2925 International Drive, Kissimmee

Walk-In Clinic/Pharmacy

• Walgreens Take Care Clinic, 12100 S. Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando. (We had a great experience at the clinic when our youngest ran a fever the day we arrived. They are able to handle most minor illnesses, including bloodwork, cultures, etc.)

Hospital (in a true emergency, call 911 for an ambulance)

• Celebration Health Hospital,  400 Celebration Place, Kissimmee (small, but sufficient for minor emergencies)


• Osceola Regional Medical Center, 700 West Oak Street, Kissimmee

Also, it's good to note that Turner Drugs (407-828-8125) will deliver to Walt Disney World Resorts for a small fee. (Of course, you will need to see a doctor to get a prescription for any new illness, so this is really only for refilling prescriptions or for OTC meds.)

 

Thursday's Tip

I have a confession to make: Though I am constantly seeking and trying new experiences in and around Walt Disney World, I have never taken my two princess-loving daughters to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Have you seen what they charge for the whole enchilada of a makeover? My frugal nature just won't allow it. On top of that, I actually really don't like the way the hairstyles look--particularly the uber-tight-on-top-of-the-head buns with tiny plastic tiaras attached to them. Every little girl that emerges looks basically the same--so where's the fun in that? (But mostly, it's the money thing.)

So, here's my Thursday's Tip: do your own Disney Princess makeover for a fraction of the cost. First, the costumes. When purchased at the right time (usually after Halloween, but sometimes earlier in the year if they're clearing out old costumes to make way for new designs), I have bought Disney Princess costumes from the Disney Store for around $20--sometimes even less! (And, let's be clear--these are WAY nicer than the licensed versions you find at other stores.) For makeup, you can find all manner of sparkly stuff in the cosmetics aisle of Target or Wal-Mart. They make glitter lotion, glitter eye shadow, glitter hairspray, and even a fine glitter that you can shake on almost anything. (Trust me, that stuff sticks wherever it lands!)

As for the hairstyle, this is where you can get creative. And you can tailor it to whichever princess your child is portraying. But if you want to stick with simplicity, try a ballet bun. Simply put the hair in a ponytail (high, but not ON TOP of the head), wrap it around itself (you can add a small hairpiece from your local beauty supply if your child's hair isn't quite thick enough), and secure with pins. As a ballet mom, let me offer the secret weapon from my arsenal: an old lady hair net (the thin kind your grandma probably wore home from the beauty shop). I put the net around the wrapped hair before pinning, and it keeps all those little wispy parts tucked in neatly.

With costume and all, you've probably spend less than $30 to complete the look....compare that to around $150 at BBB. With the extra $120, you can book a character meal! (OK, maybe not the whole family at Cinderella's Royal Table, but it's a good start!)

Thursday's Tip

This is a tip I'm sure I've shared before--but it's such a good one! Here it is (oh-so-basic!): buy it before you go. What is "it"? Anything and everything you think you might need: sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, even souvenirs. By waiting until you're in the airport or even on Disney property, you will pay a premium for basic items that you can find in your local discount store or online. Buying before you go leaves you with more cash for items that are uniquely-Disney and can only be purchased at the Parks.

That said, there are a number of Disney souvenir items that can be purchased outside of the Parks. Ironically, DisneyStore.com has a whole section of "Disney Parks Exclusive" merchandise (which always bothers me, since it's obviously NOT exclusive to the Parks if you can purchase it online...but whatever). In addition, cheaper licensed items can be found anywhere from your local Target to Dollar Tree stores. And, of course, there are hundreds of unique items to be found online. Here are a few of my favorite online finds from Amazon:

Thursday's Tip

We go to Walt Disney World every year...and on rare occasions, twice a year. It's something we look forward to for months. In fact, as we're leaving the greater Orlando area, we're already planning what we'll do and where we'll stay on our next trip. There are some days when we desperately wish we could snap our fingers and be back at the most magical place on earth! So, if you're like us, let me offer a few tips that help us quench our WDW cravings and squelch out those "we miss Disney World" blues:

• Watch our home video of previous Disney vacations. This is definitely our favorite! We re-live memories and look forward to re-visiting our favorite spots on our next visit.


• Flip through our Disney vacation scrapbooks and souvenirs/memorabilia. We get a "snapshot" of the fun you've had, and it's fun to remember where we collected all our "treasures."


• Watch a Disney planning DVD. While there's not a ton of new information for us as Disney veterans, it's still fun for us to see our old haunts and see a glimpse of what's new or coming soon. If you don't have one yet, order yours (it's free!) here.


• Cook something from an original Disney recipe! We've made Tonga Toast (Polynesian), Chocolate Mousse (Epcot, France), and Cheddar Cheese Soup (Epcot, Canada) at home, and there are dozens of other favorite Disney recipes available online (a quick web search produces multiple sources).


• Plan! Believe it or not, the "chore" of making our Disney plans (Resort reservations, purchasing tickets, ADRs, etc.)  actually helps me look forward to our next trip.

Do you have any unique ideas for keeping the Disney magic alive at home?