Showing posts with label WDW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WDW. Show all posts

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Gearing Up to "Meet the Mouse- It's Magic Band Time

   


While gearing up to meet the MOUSE, make sure you accessorize! Aside from our family MICKEY shirts from the Disney store, we made our own family shirts.   Nothing says "stick together" like  everyone wearing matching Mickey's!  We created tie dye shirts using white t-shirts, elastics, and navy blue tie dye powder.  First you make a large circle and put an elastic on it.  Then create two smaller circles with elastics.   The more Mickey's the better.  After dying the shirts and removing the elastics - presto!  You can even do this with white socks! 
Aside from choosing the colors (um, why no purple?), you can also accessorize your Magic Bands!  We received a pack of Magic Bandits to use on our bands.  Although we have yet to try them, Minnie is waiting to hop on my wrist!  That is until I see an Olaf one!  T-shirt tip: Wait to tell your husband about all the matching clothing until packing day when he sees multiple shirts!  Once he gets to the magical world of Disney he will be so happy, he will wear anything!

                                                                    Ready for the trip!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Gearing Up to "Meet the Mouse"- A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

                                                                       Spare some change?
How do you save for your Disney vacation?  Aside from our special savings account and our Disney Visa we have a family tradition which gets the kids involved, we collect spare change.  Each year we start collecting all the spare change we find or have and put it in large jars (we are big applesauce eaters).  We then designate what we will use the money for when we cash it in.  This year our kids chose to save for character dining (after overhearing Mom and Dad say it is more expensive this year now that our 10 year old is an "adult").  We will put our change towards dinner at Chef Mickey's and our breakfast at  The Crystal Palace.  Our kids get very excited to see a jar get filled and then to start a new one.  They are even more excited to roll the change and make the deposit at the bank.   For our upcoming trip we have $351.00 to pay for dining with our favorite "friends". Tip: encouraging your children to ask their grandparents for change every time they visit will fill the jars faster!

Monday, July 7, 2014

Gearing Up to "Meet the Mouse"- The Countdown Begins!

For those planning a trip to Walt Disney World, 180 is a magical milestone number.  At that time you can book all your dining reservations and who doesn't think about food on their vacation?  Mmmm, can smell those MICKEY waffles already.  But, to your young ones at home 180 days will seem like forever.   Keep a countdown in your house so your little ones can see the number going down and their excitement levels will be going up!  We have a "countdown in the kitchen" where we take turns changing the number.  You can highlight certain days like: 100 days (kids just happen to love that number) and 60 (fast pass selections - pick your favorites kids) and as the number gets smaller they will realize their magical vacation is near!  My son has a countdown app on his kindle device and our family phones have the countdown to the minute! 

Friday, June 6, 2014

Some of my Favorite Walt Disney World Tours!





Premium VIP Tours
Walt Disney World is massive and Disney virgins & veterans might find it difficult to navigate efficiently. Well don’t fret Disney can take that worry away- for a little cha-ching, O.K. a lot of cha-ching. Imagine the experience of WDW with perks such as; door-to-door transportation preferred event seating and expedited entry to select attractions. I just wish we had Prince Charming to pick up the tab, lol. Here is a list of what Walt Disney World offers. Up to 1o people per group- For more information, please call (407) 560-4033.
                                   Hourly Rate per guide        Hourly Rate per guide (holiday)         
Resort Guest-          $315.00                                 $355.00
Non-Resort Guest $340.00                                 $380.00 
Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour
Location: Magic Kingdom® Park
Price: $79.00
Guests must be 16 years of age or older
Want to see the (not so secret) Utilidors of the Magic Kingdom, learn secrets & tips about Walt Disney & your beloved attractions. Then you’ll enjoy this 5 hour walking tour that includes lunch at Columbia Harbour House. For more information, please call (407) 939-8687.
Backstage Magic
Location: Epcot®
Price: $249.00
Guests must be 16 years of age or older
Discover Walt Disney Nursery & hit all four theme parks in one day on this magical 7 hour tour. Lunch is included at Whispering Canyon Café at majestic Wilderness Lodge. Please call (407) 560-4033 for more information.
Disney's Family Magic Tour
Location:  Magic Kingdom® Park
Price $34.00
Guests ages 4-10 years old with paying adult
Guided 2 hour walking tour filled with adventure. Find hidden clues & complete the quest. For more information, please call (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687.
The Magic behind Our Steam Trains Tour
Location: Magic Kingdom® Park
Price: $54.00
Suited for tweens, teens & adults
Step aside Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney had a love before you were imagined and it was steam locomotives. If you are a train enthusiast join Disney engineers for this in-depth 3 hour tour which includes backstage access of the roundhouse. Please call (407) 560-4033 for more information.
Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
Location: Magic Kingdom® Park
Price: $30.00
Guest ages 12 & older
Like many of you- I love Mickey Mouse; it was love at first mouse ears, until I learned about the kid-at-heart behind the mouse. If you admire Walt Disney as much as I do, you will definitely enjoy this delightful 3 hour walking tour. Learn about Walt’s childhood in Marceline, Missouri and enjoy an early arrival into Magic Kingdom for photo opportunities. For more information, please call (407) 939-8687.
Behind the Seeds
Location: Epcot®
Price: Child $16.oo & Adult $20.00
Guests of all ages
This is a one hour educational tour which features a peek at the four greenhouses that makeup the Land pavilion. Learn about hydroponics and more efficient ways to garden. Call for Reservations (407) 939-8687
There are so many terrific Walt Disney World tours, I couldn’t list them all. Disney’s made it difficult for you to select just one. Remember valid theme park admission is required. Have fun choosing the one that’s fits your family! Woot.
 
 
 




 

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Color Us Pink! Introducing Beth Elliott-Newest Member of the 2014 Mom's Panel







Any dream can come true if you have the courage to pursue it. Never has a statement had more meaning than last night when the Disney Gals found out along with the rest of the world that after 7 years of dreaming, our very own Walt Disney World expert Beth Elliott had all of her dreams came true when she was named as one of the 17 pixie dusted members of the class of 2014 of the Disney Parks Moms Panel. For those that don’t know this magical gal, is happily married and lives in St. Louis, Missouri where she works at Washington University. Beth is proud mom to 3, count them 3 boys which may be why she has to keep her running shoes ready to go as she also is a Sweat Pink Ambassador.

Beth said some of her earliest memories are of family vacations at
Disneyland and Walt Disney World, so I knew she wanted to pass the Disney gene on to her own kids.  She’s traveled at every age and stage of her life, planned trips for groups of one to 20, stayed at resorts from value to deluxe, and is currently chasing down a dream of trying every last Walt Disney World dining spot on property (90+ and counting).  Did we mention she loves food?  Some of Beth’s other "must dos" at Walt Disney World are the thrill rides, Wishes, the Magic Kingdom opening show, and at least one Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush per trip. Beth we are so incredibly proud of you and over the moon excited to see all of your dreams come true. Be sure to follow Beth as she begins her magical journey.

We can wait to see you donning the life altering pink polo as you show the world your #DisneySide. In the words of Walt, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Honorary Gal Dawn is Back With her Disney Rap of the Week



Disney or Bust








We persuade peeps to go to Disney all the time. No matter at church, kid’s performance or the grocery line. We’re Disney dorks to the core. No need for apples here, just give us a Dole Whip or Mickey Bar & we’ll chEAR.

Our friends ask--why Disney, are you sick & deprived? Because it’s like Neverland, adults are kids again & our dreams come alive! This magical place brings us laughter & treasure, monorails galore & so much pleasure. It’s an absolute vacation that we all adore, get an annual pass & you can enjoy more.

I salute the Disney freaks out there & raise our flag to you - stars & stripes neither here nor there, just fun furry characters everywhere! So with pride we fly our freak flag high into the air & wave it like we just don’t care.

Give us the choice of the First Family of the United States or being the First Family of Magic Kingdom-our choice is clear - even if you bribed us with a cold beer. There would be shanghaied military secrets, if Disney dorks were in charge, easily revealed with promises of Fastpasses at large.

All we ask for is Magic & Fantasy--is that such a crime? No bread & water for us, just Mickey pancakes & Tonga Toast--if we’re doing time. Walt Disney World arches are the first thing we see, when entering this special place to be--Welcome home is the next & dearest to us. Faith Trust & Pixie Dust are a must, that’s why our motto is “Disney or bust!”


Monday, September 2, 2013

Happy Anniversary Disney Gals! Let's Celebrate with a Give Away!

Help Us Celebrate By Winning Our Basket!




    It's time to thank each of you for being with us as we've grown over our first year  and what a great give away we have for you. We've gotten together and created a basket with items that represent our many areas of expertise and we think we've come up with an  incredible gift just waiting to find it's way to your house.  Included in the basket you will find:
       

Disney Gal Lynette - 2 Mickey plates, 2 matching cups, 4 smaller matching cups with lids and straws (kids),plus a Brave kids water bottle



Our DCL Disney Gal Specialist Kelly (Direct form her recent Disney Cruise) - Disney Cruise Keychain, Castaway Club Note cards and Disney Cruise Playing Cards, 2 Chip & Dale snacks



 Our WDW and runDisney Specialist Tricia - runDisney Hat - it's not too late to help her reach her Give Kids the World Fundraising Goal! Just click here for more information on how you can help this wonderful group Give Kids the World


Our International Disney and WDW Specialist Lori - Mickey/Minnie Lanyard and a bag with coasters (paper) from different Disney Hotels, Minnie tissues from Tokyo as well as M&M candy from China
 
Our WDW and Military Specialist  Judy - a large Disney Chicago shopping bag, Chicago Disney Pin, Mickey and Minnie spatula's, Mickey measuring cups

Our Disneyland and Disney Performing Arts Specialist Gayle - Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park Keychains and a Guide Book and tote from D23!


How do you win all of these amazing prizes? Just click the link below and may pixie dust fly your way!


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Guest Author Sunday

             Guest Author Sunday Meranda
                       



Disney Gals are pleased to welcome back Guest Author Meranda! We're so happy to have you as one of the Gals!

If you are visiting Disney for a honeymoon, anniversary, or just a special “couples only” trip, you’ll definitely want to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the parks for one evening and book yourselves a romantic Fireworks cruise. If you’re vacationing with more people than just the two of you, that’s okay too because this is an activity the whole family will enjoy!

We hosted a Wishes Fireworks Cruise to celebrate with some of our friends and family one evening before our Disney Wedding. We had a specific time that we all had to meet at the marina behind Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  Life jackets were provided for the little kids, and once we arrived on board snacks and drinks were provided.  A friend of ours even brought champagne to share.  Our captain for the evening was “Dave”.  He sailed us around the Seven Seas Lagoon, played a little Disney trivia with us, and gave us some background information on how the Wilderness Lodge was built.  I won’t give the whole story away, but the front of the lodge is supposed to resemble a very famous bear. Can you guess who?   We also got to catch a glimpse of the Wedding Pavilion from the water.  It looked like there may have been a ceremony going on because we could see candlelight in the windows. This was a special sighting because we would be getting married there in two days!      

As the sun had gone down, our captain parked our boat in front of the Magic Kingdom train station.  We had a great view and the music was piped in. One of the little kids in our group even pointed out that he saw Tinkerbelle fly by.         
                                                                         
I will let the photos speak for themselves.
The following year we booked an Illuminations cruise to celebrate our one year anniversary. This time we met our boat at the marina behind Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.  The captain took us for a cruise along Bay Lake and gave us some background information on the Epcot Resorts that we had gone by. Before too long we were anchoring our boat underneath the bridge at the International Gateway.  Snacks and beverages were served on this cruise as well.  We ate our snacks and watched the show. Seeing the show from on the water made it sound even louder and more explosive. It was a good show though.


If you want to book a fireworks cruise there are several options you have.                                                             
Do you want to watch Wishes or Illuminations?
*If you choose Wishes, you can choose from a 21’ Tracker Pontoon boat that will accommodate 8 guests for $292.88 or a 25’ Tracker Pontoon that will accommodate 10 guests and pipe in the Wishes music on the boat for $346.13.
*If you choose to take the Illuminations cruise, you may have up to 10 guests on board and the cost is  $325.
Snacks and beverages are provided on each cruise but you can also order private dining from several Disney resorts at an additional cost.
Other options for fireworks cruises including renting the Grand One Yacht which holds 18 guests, or the Breathless ( a 1930’s mahogany boat) that hold only 6 guest.
To book your own fireworks cruise you can call (407)-WDW-PLAY.
*Prices at time of publication.

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Guest Author Sunday- Meranda

Guest Author Sunday

Meranda


What little girl doesn't dream of growing up to being a Fairy Tale Princess and having her dream wedding at Walt Disney World Resort! Meet this week's Guest Author Meranda of Fairytale and Fitness sharing with us the day all her dreams came true. Welcome to the family Meranda. We are so happy to have you as one of the Gals.




When I was younger I absolutely loved vacationing at Walt Disney World with my family.  I may or may not have remembered passing the Wedding pavilion as the monorail traveled past the Grand Floridian Resort, but it didn’t matter because I never gave it a thought that marrying there would ever become a possibility. 

Fast forward several years and many vacations later.  I was engaged. We had no wedding date or location set, but I was already flipping through travel brochures searching for a honeymoon destination.  I came across a tropical island resort that hosted wedding packages and the thought crossed my mind that we could get married on an island.  I asked my fiancé if he would consider this idea, and he said sure!  We called my sister in law to tell her about the idea and she informed us that kids were not allowed at this particular resort.  She had two small children, so that idea was shot down.  I continued to flip through the travel brochure and I came across this beautiful advertisement for Disney Fairytale Weddings. I had never seen this before. I immediately say to my fiancé  “I’m sure they’ll allow kids here, what do you think?”  And with that statement, my Disney wedding planning began.