Costumes for New Fantasyland Revealed

The Orlando Sentinel has a preview of Disney Cast Member costumes for the expansion area of Fantasyland--and I think they are just darling! You can view the story here, and be sure to click on the link for actual photos (my favorite photo is the second one!). I look forward to seeing CMs in more themed costumes in the Magic Kingdom. Aside from CMs who have performance roles and those in the World Showcase of Epcot, most of the current CM costumes seem more like uniforms to me. I'm ready to see more fun, themed costumes in the Parks!

Disney Fund Update

You may remember that just a few months before our WDW vacation last year, I created a Disney Fund Jar for our family. We had always been big on saving money, but this was the first time that we set aside money for our vacation with intentionality. The only funds we put in the jar are loose change (usually at the end of the week) and "found" money. Found money can include anything from gift cards we've received in promotions or as gifts, cash or gift cards earned for taking surveys, and literally found money. (A few months back, my husband found an envelope in our closet with $96 in cash--neither of us could remember what it might have been for, so we put it in the Disney Fund!) We do not trade savings for savings by siphoning in funds we've saved in other arenas, such as couponing or shopping clearance sales (although we do both those things!). We still "live cheap" in our every day lives and manage to save for Disney too!

I just counted up our fund and made a trip to the bank to trade in some rolled coins for paper money. Here is the grand total in cash and gift cards (which include Disney gift cards, gas cards, and generic cards that can be used as cash in most locations) as of our last trip in September 2011: $1062.09!

We seem to be saving around $100/month, so we'll likely end up with around $1200 before our trip in September. No, that isn't enough to pay for our entire vacation (although we have spent less than that on previous Disney vacations!). But it is enough to lessen the major hit that our credit cards would have otherwise taken in September. And all this saving is without really trying...it's money that we don't need or miss.

I share all this to let you know that an affordable Walt Disney World vacation is within your reach, with a little creative saving. Give up an expensive habit (like daily coffee at Starbucks, evening movies, or eating out) or take up one that helps you save (like couponing, switching to matinees, or eating at home more often), and you could multiply those savings over the course of a year.

What are your best ideas to increase your Disney Vacation Fund?

Upcoming Grand Floridian Closures

With construction of the Grand Floridian DVC well underway, we knew it was just a matter of time before a few things had to be closed temporarily. While they're at it, the GF decided to do some refurbishments at the same time. Here's a list of dining, pools, and shopping that will be affected over the coming months:

• The courtyard pool will close August 24 until sometime in December. They will be adding a zero entry feature. The beach pool will remain open for guests.


• Sandy Cove (shopping) will close from August 21 through December. But don't worry, there are numerous other shops throughout the GF.


• Narcoosee's is currently closed for a brief refurbishment and will reopen on July 22.


• Citricos will close just after Narcoosee's reopens, on July 23, and will reopen on August 5.


• The Beach Pool Bar is currently closed through August 24.


• Mizner's Lounge is also currently closed and will reopen July 14.


• Last, Gasparilla Grill will close on August 24 and reopen sometime in December.

I'm just glad my favorite eatery, the Garden View Tea Room, won't be closing!

Sneak Peek at Prince Eric's Castle

The Official Disney Parks Blog has a great shot of Prince Eric's Castle in the new Fantasyland expansion. It looks pretty amazing! You can check it out here.

DisneyStore.com Unveils "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" Collection

I am just loving the retro style of the new "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" collection on DisneyStore.com. Puts me in mind of the truly classic images of the Main Mouse himself. I'm particularly a fan of the Mouseketeers Mug and the Bowler Bag. If you haven't seen this new collection, check it out here.

Hidden Mickey Monday

I have been wearing this bathing suit all summer, and I just this week noticed the Hidden Mickey:



BTW, if you want to find all the great Hidden Mickeys in the Disney Parks, check out this book:

Free Fall Dining for Disney Rewards Visa Cardmembers

It's free fall dining time again! For now, it's just available to Disney Visa cardholders, but it will be released to the general public in just a few days. As always, availability is limited and there are minimum purchase requirements of a 3-night Resort stay (and a maximum of 14-day stay) and at least a 2-day Magic Your Way ticket per person. Those staying at a Value Resort will get the Quick Service Dining Plan (you can upgrade for the price difference), with Moderate and Deluxe stays earning the Disney Dining Plan. Here are the available dates:

• September 30 through October 4


• October 19 through November 1


• November 9-15


• November 23–29


• December 10–13

This offer must be booked by September 29, and all suites, campsites, and some villas seem to be excluded, as well as the new Art of Animation Resort.