Disney Dining Plans: Yes or No?

Let's talk dining plans today!  Deciding to include (or not include) a dining plan as part of a Disney vacation is a choice that is, without doubt, family-specific.  One of my favorite things about this "travel planning" gig is talking through the different package options and helping families--on an individual basis--decide which fit their specific situation the best.  I'll do my best to highlight some of the considerations related to the dining decision today, but I'm always available to talk through the details in depth with clients as well!

It helps to know a few basic things up front:

• Guests are allowed to bring food into Disney parks.  Meals, snacks, drinks--all are welcome! Glass containers and hard coolers aren't allowed (soft-sided coolers can be brought in, though), but just about anything else goes (no alcohol/illegal substances, of course).  Quick service restaurants give out free cups of ice water, and guests bringing their own food can absolutely utilize the tables & chairs found throughout the park when eating.  If you're able to pack & prepare food and don't mind carrying the necessary items with you throughout the day, this option can definitely save your family some money!
• Paying out-of-pocket for food, snacks, etc. is also an option.  You don't need the dining plan to purchase meals or make table service reservations, and even guests using the dining plan can pay for additional items if desired.  
• Disney offers three types of dining plans.  Only guests staying at a Disney resort are eligible to purchase a dining plan.  Dining plan credits can be exchanged for meals at all four theme parks, at both water parks, at all Disney resorts, and at Disney Springs.
• Quick Service Dining Plan: 
• 2 quick service (think fast food/counter service) credits & 2 snack credits per person, per night
• For 2018, a quick service credit provides one entree & one drink (Coke products, teas, milkshakes, smoothies, and/or beer, wine, & cocktails where available)
• One resort refillable mug per person (good for free Coke product & coffee refills your resort only--not inside the parks)
• While credits are awarded based on the number of people in your travel party, they are not assigned to specific people or to specific time frames.  For example, if a family of four is staying on property for five nights and decides to purchase the quick service dining plan, the family will be given 40 quick service credits (2 credits per person, per night) & 40 snack credits (2 credits per person, per night) to use at their discretion.
• For 2018, the quick service plan costs about $52.49 per night for adults and $21.75 per night for kids (ages 3-9).  Children ages 2 & younger are unable to purchase the dining plan but are allowed to share with other family members.
• Disney (Standard) Dining Plan:
• 1 table service (think sit down/character meal) credit & 1 quick service credit per person, per night & 2 snacks per person, per night
• For 2018, the table service credit provides one entree & one dessert OR one buffet AND one drink (Coke products, teas, milkshakes, smoothies, and/or beer, wine, & cocktails where available), and the quick service credit provides one entree & one drink
• Gratuity is not included with the dining plan, so guests will need to plan to tip their servers at the table service experiences
• Reservations are strongly encouraged for all table service experiences.
• One resort refillable mug per person (good for free Coke product & coffee refills your resort only--not inside the parks)
• Example: a family of four staying on property for five nights with the Disney dining plan will be given 20 table service credits, 20 quick service credits, and 40 snack credits to use at their discretion
• For 2018, the Disney dining plan costs about $75.49 per night for adults and $25.80 per night for kids (ages 3-9).  Children ages 2 & younger are unable to purchase the dining plan but are allowed to share with other family members. Young children will also receive their own plate & drink at all buffets at no additional cost.
• Deluxe Dining Plan:
• 3 dining credits per person, per night (no distinction between table service & quick service) & 2 snack credits per person, per night
• For 2018, the table service credits provides one appetizer, one entree & one dessert OR one buffet AND one drink (Coke products, teas, milkshakes, smoothies, and/or beer, wine, & cocktails where available), and the quick service credits provides one entree & one drink
• Gratuity is not included with the dining plan, so guests will need to plan to tip their servers at the table service experiences
• Reservations are strongly encouraged for all table service experiences
• One resort refillable mug per person (good for free Coke product & coffee refills your resort only--not inside the parks)
• Example: a family of four staying on property for five nights with the deluxe dining plan will be given 60 dining credits to use at their discretion
• For 2018, the deluxe dining plan costs about $116.24 per night for adults and $39.90 per night for children (ages 3-9).  Children ages 2 & younger are unable to purchase the dining plan but are allowed to share with other family members. Young children will also receive their own plate & drink at all buffets at no additional cost.

And as if that wasn't information overload, it also helps to consider the following when debating the dining plan:

• Convenience & ease: Are you willing to bring food into the parks or are you planning to purchase your meals?  If you are planning to purchase food, will you have a budget?  Is keeping up with a budget something you don't mind or would you prefer to have everything paid for up front?
• Types of meals: Are character meals high on your priority list?  How many character meals would you like to experience?  For most trips, there is a "tipping point" at which the number of character meals desired makes the dining plan worth the cost.  
• Amount of food:  How much does your family eat?  Will you want a sit-down experience each day?  Can you share quick service credits with one another to make them last longer or cover more than two meals per day?  These types of questions can help determine the type of dining plan that would work best for your family.
• Price: Is the dining plan worth the money?  How does it compare to paying out of pocket for meals?  It's good to know that character meals average about $45/adult and $20/child (prices vary depending on time of year, restaurant and meal type), quick service meals average about $12/adult and $8/child, snacks range from $4-$8, and resort refillable mugs are $17.99 a piece. Add in the cost of specialty drinks (milkshakes, smoothies, & alcohol) and the dining plan more than pays for itself--if you're interested in eating all that food. :)
• Freedom & flexibility:  Some families find the dining plan restrictive; they may want the freedom to order two appetizers and a dessert instead of the entree that is provided.  Other families love the flexibility of the "credits;" because credits do not have dollar amounts associated with them, many families find that they are able to select dining experiences (both quick service & table service) based on interest rather than trying to find the "best deal" or "cheapest experience."

There are so many variables that factor into the dining plan decision, and the right choice for one family isn't always the right choice for another.  As mentioned previously, please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to talk more about Disney dining plans (or any other aspect of a Disney vacation!).  I am here to serve. :)

Perks of Staying at a Disney Resort.

One of the main considerations when planning a Disney vacation is deciding where to stay.  While this choice--just like most others--boils down to personal preference, there are quite a few things to keep in mind when selecting a hotel, condo, resort, or vacation home.

The options in the greater Orlando area are vast: large resorts with huge pools, vacation homes & condos that can be secured through sites like VRBO and Airbnb, timeshare properties, and "Good Neighbor" hotels can all be found very close to Disney World.  Additionally, there are currently more than 25 Disney resort hotels that are actually part of the Disney World property, with price points to match most budgets (there are value, moderate, & deluxe resorts from which to choose).

In my opinion, the driving factor for most families choosing to stay "off-property"(in a nearby location) is space.  Believe it or not, the Disney resort prices are comparable (if not, in some cases, cheaper) per night than the non-Disney options.  The difference is that most condos & rental properties simply come equipped with full kitchens and multiple bedrooms, while Disney resorts are most often fashioned after typical hotel rooms (with Disney touches, of course!).

There are, however, many benefits to staying at a Disney resort that, depending on your personal preference, might outweigh the need for so much space:

• Disney resort stays include Magic Bands for all guests in the party.  Magic Bands are personalized bracelets (you choose your color!) that act as your room key & park ticket, allow you to make purchases & charge the expenses to a linked credit card, hold your dining reservation & FastPass selection information, and can be scanned to link pictures to your online account.  And they're free with a Disney resort stay. :)
• Speaking of FastPasses, guests staying at a Disney resort can make their initial FastPass selections (for up to 3 attractions per day) 60 days in advance of their trip.  At this 60 day mark, Disney resort guests can make selections for up to 10 days immediately following their check-in date. Off-property guests must wait until 30 days prior to their trip before making FastPass selections and are only able to make selections for one day at a time.
• While all guests are able to make dining reservations 180 days in advance, guests staying at a Disney resort can make reservations for the 10 days immediately following their check-in date at this point, while those staying in nearby locations can only reserve dining experiences one day at a time.  Dining plans are only available for purchase with a Disney resort stay; guests staying off property are not eligible to purchase these plans.
• Each day, one of the four Disney theme parks is open for "Extra Magic Hours."  Extra Magic Hours are times when a particular park is open only to guests staying on Disney property. These times are offered one hour before a park opens to the public OR two hours after a park closes to the public and are a great way to experience attractions with lower crowd levels.
• Transportation is provided to and from each Disney resort from each of the four theme parks, Disney Springs, & the two water parks.  Free transportation is also provided to and from the Orlando airport for Disney resort guests.  Additionally, should Disney resort guests choose to drive their personal vehicles to the parks, the daily parking fees are waived.  Guests staying off property must pay this daily parking fee, typically around $20/day.
• Additionally, guests staying at a Disney resort can buy theme park tickets as part of a package. This means that room, ticket & dining (if desired) packages can be secured for a $200 deposit, with the remaining balance due 30 days before travel.  Packages can be changed or canceled, with no penalty, up until the 30 day mark.  Guests staying off property must purchase tickets as a stand-alone item, meaning that payment is due in full upon purchase.  Ticket-only purchase are non-refundable.

Disney vacations are magical, and phenomenal memories can be made, regardless of whether families choose to stay at a Disney resort or somewhere in the nearby area.  It is important to consider, however, the benefits of staying on Disney property.  These benefits, along with family priorities and budget, should be considered when choosing where to sleep during your Disney vacation. :)

As always, I would love to talk through these options and help your family select a book a trip that best meets your desires.  Feel free to contact me and let's start planning today!

Questions to Consider When Planning a Disney Trip

I've been having such fun serving my current clients that the blog has been a little neglected lately. Forgive me!  I know I've said it a hundred times, but one of my favorite aspects of my vacation planning role is the opportunity it gives me to help families create custom trips.  I love talking through the wishes & desires of each specific family and then offering suggestions, selecting FastPasses, & making dining reservations that are tailored to that family's dreams (and budget!), and I never grow tired of answering questions and talking through options with guests.  More often than not, I actually feel a sense of loss once each family travels and our communication becomes significantly less than what it was during the planning process.  Call me crazy, but I love it! :)

That being said, I thought I'd share a few of my most essential Disney-related planning questions here on the blog tonight.  In case you're wondering, these are the types of things I help clients work through as part of the quote-building and vacation-booking process.  Whether you're looking to book through a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations (which, by the way, should always be a completely free service) or attempt to handle the planning on your own, below are some important things to consider:

• What is your budget?  (I'm a huge fan of a budget, by the way!)
• It's no secret Disney World is expensive.  There are so many options, though, that really allow for flexible pricing, as well as a variety of ways to save.
• What time of year do you want to visit? 
• Is your schedule flexible?  Do you want to avoid crowds & heat or do you literally have one week that will work for your family this year?  Are you interested in seeing the holiday decorations?  Do you want to travel when it's cheapest?  It's important to prioritize your wants/needs when picking travel dates!
• Where do you want to stay?  
• Do you want to stay "on" or "off" property?  In a value, moderate, or deluxe resort? Do you know the benefits of staying at a Disney hotel?  There is so much to consider here!
• Which parks would you like to visit?
• Did you know that not all characters can be found in every park?  Or that some parks have more shows than rides?  Or that Epcot might actually appeal more to your family than Animal Kingdom?  Have you ever thought about visiting Disney's water parks? Park details can be incredibly overwhelming; it helps to have an idea of what to expect at each place!
• Are you interested in purchasing a dining plan?
• Is a dining plan the best use of your family's money?  Are you interested in dining with characters?  Do you know where to dine with the characters you'd like meet?  Did you know you can bring your own food & drinks into the parks?  How much food do you actually need/want each day?  Disney's food & dining options are vast--and delicious--and it can definitely help to bounce some ideas around!
• What rumors/myths (positive or negative) do you need to verify before you move forward?
• Let's be honest: everyone, everywhere has an opinion about how to "do Disney."  Some information you'll find via google is accurate, some is not.  Some will work for your family, some won't.  It's important to know your options, but to not allow yourself to get overwhelmed in the process, which can be tough!!

I don't want to leave you hanging, so if you're interested in a Disney trip, be sure to check back soon! I'll be blogging more on each of these topics (with details!) over the next few weeks (or even months!). If you have specific questions, please don't hesitate to email me at heather@mmadventures.net or check out my Facebook page for more info!  I'd love to help your family plan a fantastic vacation!!

Free Disney Fun: Club Cool.

Without a doubt, one of my kiddos' favorite spots in all of Epcot is Club Cool, a refreshment station/gift shop sponsored by Coca-Cola and located right in the heart of Future World inside the gates of Epcot.  While I'm not sure I'd list the attraction as one of my very favorites, my husband & I don't mind swinging by Club Cool, either, because honestly..."If it's free, it's for me!"

It's no secret that Disney World isn't the cheapest place to vacation (although I promise I'll help you find the best deal possible!), so when you stumble upon something that is both FUN and FREE, it's a most definitely a win!

Club Cool serves a wide variety of Coca-Cola products from around the world.  For free.  Guests can grab small cups and sample as many (and as much!) of the drinks as they desire.  Each of my children has discovered a favorite, but beware: some of the choices are downright disgusting!

That's part of the fun, though, for our family.  We enjoy daring one another to try different selections and laughing together as we work to find the "grossest" flavor possible.  As mentioned, however, my kids have each found something they love as well, so we'll often stop by the store for a cool, refreshing drink whenever we pass by!

If you're looking for a neat, outside-the-box experience and don't mind going out on a limb with your taste buds, be sure to swing by Club Cool during your next visit to Epcot.  It's such a great way to add a little extra fun to your day--at no additional cost! :)

\

If you're interested in planning a Disney vacation and/or would like more information, be sure to contact me at heather@mmadventures.net or via my Facebook page.  I'd love to help your family book & plan a magical adventure!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

On our most recent trip to Disney (just a couple of weeks ago), our 5-year-old daughter, Emmy, got to experience Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the very first time.

Many guests with whom I have the pleasure of working often inquire about this "princess salon," and most choose to book packages for their own personal princesses.  While packages range in cost from approximately $65.00-$200.00, our personal experience has been that the Crown Package ($65) is the perfect fit for our family's budget and our daughters' dreams.  

Just as there are multiple packages from which to choose, there are also multiple locations: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can be found inside Cinderella's Castle within Disney's Magic Kingdom (valid theme park admission is required to access this salon) as well as at Disney Springs, the outdoor mall area located on Disney property (no theme park tickets necessary!).

The pictures featured in this post are from our experience at the Disney Springs location, which we found to be quite spacious and fun!

All of the available salon packages include hairstyling, shimmering make-up & a princess gem, nail polish, and a princess sash & cinch sack.  The difference in the more expensive packages comes down to the addition of items such as t-shirts, tutus, and Disney princess gowns.  Princesses are allowed to bring their own gowns from home, however, and doing so is a great way to cut down on cost (and is exactly what we chose to do with Emmy!).

Two adults and all children in the party can accompany princesses into the salon, so our entire family was able to experience the Boutique with Emmy--and the experience was definitely entertaining enough for us all!  (If more than two adults are part of the group, the grown-ups can take turns visiting the salon throughout the experience.)

Before Emmy met her Fairy Godmother-in-training, she had the opportunity to change into her gown inside an enchanted dressing room (no pictures/spoilers here!).  Our whole family got to watch the magic come to life, which only heightened the excitement!

Emmy selected her own hairstyle from a picture menu of four choices and then sat back to let the transformation begin. 

Her Fairy Godmother-in-training was kind, personable, and age-appropriate, always keeping our family engaged in the process but going out of her way to make Emmy feel special.

Fingernails were polished and make-up was applied once the hairstyle was completed.

And of course there was pixie dust!  Lots and lots of pixie dust! :)  (Side note: all guests can stop by the front desk at any Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location to receive a little pixie dust of their own!)

The big "reveal" (her chair was finally turned around to face the mirror) was definitely my favorite moment to watch.  I loved, loved, loved seeing Emmy's reaction to her transformation.  I also loved that PhotoPass photographers were on hand inside the salon, taking lots of pictures that became part of my Memory Maker package. :)

Emmy was given a sash and a precious pink cinch sack, which held all of her new trinkets: the make-up palette & "dinglehopper" (comb) that were used, the bottle of sparkly nail polish, the sheet of remaining face gems, a make-up remover cloth, and a bottle of shampoo.  I will say that, contrary to what has occurred in the past, large amounts of hair spray & gel are no longer used inside the boutiques.  Emmy's hair was held in place with lots of bobby pins, a small amount of spray, & a hair net placed over her bun. While the style definitely made it through the evening, it didn't have a chance of lasting on its own overnight.

She got to participate in a quick photo shoot with a PhotoPass photographer before leaving the salon (again, the pictures were included with our Memory Maker purchase), which she absolutely loved!

And, because we visited the Disney Springs location, we also had the opportunity to visit the new PhotoPass Studio there for a few more pictures.  In addition to having the pictures from the studio uploaded to our Memory Maker, our Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique package purchase included an immediate 5x7 print of our choice as well!

Our experience at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique did not disappoint in any way, and I know our little princess had the time of her life (and thoroughly enjoyed all of the attention she received as she sashayed her way through the shops & restaurants at Disney Springs!).

If you have questions related to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or would like help selecting the perfect magical addition for your little one, please don't hesitate to let me know!  I'd love to help your family plan an amazing Disney vacation, even if a trip to the Boutique isn't on your agenda. :)

Quick Packing Tips.

My household is currently gearing up for a trip to Disney World.  While packing for a family of six is always a cumbersome task, I thought I'd throw out a few of my "grab & go" essentials for a successful Disney experience, both at the parks as well as at the resorts.  Heads up, though: this won't be your typical "comfortable shoes, sunscreen, poncho, autograph book, & good attitude" post, although those are certainly important.  In this quick list, you'll find more off-the-wall, random type essentials that make our trips easier.

1.  Desitin.  Yep, I said it.  And yes, I'm referring to the diaper rash cream.  We always pick up a tube at our local grocery store and/or CVS when packing, especially when we're visiting the parks in the summer. I'm hoping I don't have to say much more than this for you to get the picture: long, hot, sweaty days and lots & lots of walking. Trust me; it's a game changer for kids (and adults) of all ages. A bottle of Advil (for both children & grown-ups) can make a big difference, too.

2.  A bottle brush.  Even though our children gave up bottles long ago, we've found that a bottle brush is the perfect design for thoroughly cleaning the resort refillable drink mugs that come as part of the dining plan (and are also available for purchase).  While there is a sink area in the food court at each resort, I'm a fan of actually washing my dishes every couple of days or so, and a bottle brush and a small bottle of dish soap go a long way in a resort room sink!

3.  A sharpie marker.  Now, sharpies are great for character autographs in the parks, but they come in super handy at the resorts, too.  My kiddos are notorious for always choosing the same color refillable mugs, even when there are more than enough options for our family!  It never fails that three of the four will choose pink mugs, or that my husband & son will want red, or whatever.  In theory, the different color choices are a great way for family members to distinguish which drink/mug belongs to which person, but my family tends to defy the odds at every turn.  I started to write names on the tops of refillable mugs and we haven't had an issue since.

4.  A pre-loaded Peach Pass.  This one won't work for everyone, but for those of you who live in Georgia, purchasing a Peach Pass (and/or putting a few dollars on your current account) will save you a ton of time on the Florida turnpike.  There are multiple toll booths on the way to Disney World, and because Peach Passes are also valid on Florida's toll roads, having one on your vehicle will allow you to pass right through the pre-paid line (no stopping!).

5.  Breakfast foods.  We ALWAYS bring breakfast foods that can be eaten in our room and/or on the go.  Cereal bars, bananas, protein bars, cold pop tarts, dry cereal, etc. are within reach and simply make life easier.  We stock the mini fridge with milk and bottled water as well!  Rooms aren't always located close to the food court, and with kiddos waking up and/or being ready at different times, it helps to have some healthy choices on hand to start the day.  We also know that the first hour a park is open is typically when you'll find the shortest lines, so spending time eating breakfast in the food court simply isn't on our priority list.

This certainly isn't a complete list, but it does include five of my "must have" items for any and every Disney trip we take.  I'm a light packer and prefer not to have lots of extraneous stuff, but I've found that the items mentioned above definitely help me keep my sanity when traveling with my family. Please don't hesitate to reach out and let me know how I can help your family plan and prepare for a fantastic Disney vacation of your own!

Kingdom Strollers.

I'll never forget the night my husband & I were seated across from each other on the monorail, headed to a fancier Disney dinner than normal, soaking up the time we had together with no kiddos in tow.  I think we both noticed it at the same time: a family boarded the car & stood in between us, their young children comfortably fastened in a double jogging stroller with a tag attached at the bottom, their last name printed in bold letters.  My eyes met my husband's across the top of the stroller and I immediately pulled out my phone and googled: "Kingdom Strollers."

We reserved a City Mini double stroller for our very next visit, and have rented from Kingdom Strollers ever since.

I know, I know: you have a double stroller.  Maybe even the very same one.  We had one, too.  But Kingdom Stroller's fantastic service & competitive prices have more than made up for the extra space lost in attempting to pack our bulky stroller, along with the rest of the luggage needed for a family of six, in the back of our car.

I love that the stroller is always waiting for us at the front desk of our resort upon arrival, that all we have to do is drop it back off for pick-up at the date & time of our choosing, and that it comes equipped with a small cooler (score!) and a rain cover that perfectly fits.  I especially love the City Mini model--it's full of storage, provides great air flow, is easy to fold, and has seats that fully recline!  I also appreciate that renting from Kingdom Strollers is cheaper (per day) than renting directly from the Disney parks and that a Kingdom Stroller rental allows me to use the stroller throughout the duration of my trip; I don't have to return it when I leave the park like I would if I rented directly from Disney.  It's much more comfortable for my kiddos, too!

If you've been looking for a way to free up space when packing and/or would like to save your personal stroller from the wear & tear of travel, I highly recommend renting from Kingdom Strollers. Single stroller rentals start at $60 for a full week, with double strollers starting at $70.

And--here's the best part--our travel agency has just become authorized to work with Kingdom Strollers, meaning that in addition to helping plan a fantastic vacation for your family, I can set up the stroller rental as well!  One less detail on your plate, which translates into more brain space for fun! :)

And who doesn't want a little more fun in their life?!?!  Let me know how I can help!