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! :)

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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!

Typhoon Lagoon.

While Disney World is well known for its four major theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios), the two water parks on property often remain unnoticed and overlooked, making them hidden gems in my eyes! :)

Seriously.  Just imagine a water park near your home.  Then imagine that same water park built using Disney's impeccable design.  Our family has fallen in love with Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon, the two water parks in Orlando bearing Disney's name.  

For the stage of life we're in right now, Typhoon Lagoon is our clear favorite.  The area built for smaller children, Ketchakiddee Creek, is a huge hit with our youngest two, but we also love the fact that our four- and five-year-old can enjoy the majority of the water slides across the property as well.  

The select few that they can't ride quite yet are made much more tolerable, however, by the fact that there is typically a pool or smaller water slide built in the immediate area of said attraction.  For example, our older kiddos love riding the Crush n' Gusher slides inside the park.  Even though our youngest aren't quite tall enough, the splash-down pool is literally attached to a zero-entry pool, meaning that while my husband rides the "water coaster" with our oldest, I can splash & play with the littles...and vice versa!  It truly is the perfect set-up, and even with the focus on families, there are still plenty of thrill rides to entice & excite my nine- and eleven-year-olds. 

My husband, who is slightly afraid of heights, loves the fact that the stairs leading up to most of the water slides are made out of concrete and securely built into the surrounding landscape--no freestanding towers of stairs to sway in the wind or make him nervous.  :)  We also appreciate that the walkways and paths are shaded and/or constantly sprayed with water--the soles of our feet are never burnt!

Most importantly, though, Typhoon Lagoon simply "feels" like Disney:  the park is clean, the cast members are accommodating (no need to bring your own towels!), the food is good, and, like all great Disney attractions, the backstories to each slide and the theme to the park as a whole is amazing.

And did I mention the character meet & greets?!?!  

Lilo and Stitch are available throughout the day for pictures, hugs, and autographs, and in all of the times we've visited Typhoon Lagoon, we've never waited more than 5-7 minutes to meet these highly sought-after favorites.

The water parks are a great way to add a day of fun to a vacation without breaking the bank, too. Water park admission is typically cheaper than theme park admission ($62/adult and $56/child, free for those under three), and can be purchased as a stand-alone ticket or added to the Park Hopper option as part of a package.  Both water parks are open for a good portion of the year as well, typically closing from mid-January through mid-March for seasonal maintenance.  

If you're looking for a great way to stay cool on your next Disney vacation, be sure to consider a visit to either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.  As always, please don't hesitate to let me know how I can help your family book & plan a fantastic trip; even if you're not quite sure where to start!  I'd love to answer your questions and/or simply talk through the possibility of customizing some magic for your next vacation, all with no obligation!  Contact me through email at heather@mmadventures.net or on Facebook at My Magical Mouse Adventures.

The Pirates League.

Y'all.

Out of all of the "extra" experiences we've done over the years, The Pirates League just might be my very favorite.

I didn't know much about what to expect when I made the reservation for my four-year-old son, Buddy, but I assumed that the experience would be right up my pirate-lover's alley.  I couldn't have been more right!

The Pirates League is located inside the Magic Kingdom, very near Pirates of the Caribbean over in Adventureland.  I was pleasantly surprised that all six of us were allowed in to witness Buddy's transformation!  Unlike Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, there is no limit to the number of guests allowed in with the pirate-to-be.

From the minute we walked in, we found the whole experience to be warm & welcoming, in a pirate sort of way. :)  We felt right at home with the easy conversation, gentle teasing, and jovial atmosphere that permeated the place.  Buddy spun a ship's wheel to determine his new "pirate" name (Frances Sailmonger) and was then escorted to his seat.

We LOVED Buddy's "Pirate Master!"  She was excellent at engaging our entire family in the experience, but went out of her way to make sure Buddy felt extra special.  Her quick wit had all of us laughing constantly, and the way in which she interacted with the other Pirate Masters and their Pirates-in-Training added such a fun group element.  It was as if everyone in the entire room was part of a big, fun family dinner.

There were a variety of pirate faces from which to choose, and Buddy quickly decided on the "Blackbeard" style.  Regardless of the make-up chosen, all pirate packages included a sword & sheath, a pirate bandana, an earring, an eye patch, a Pirates League pouch, a pirate coin necklace, a pirate's key, and a large, printed copy of the Pirate's Oath, personalized with each child's newly given pirate name (totally frame-worthy).

The transformation was amazing!  It was as if my Buddy was given a totally different persona.  He loved it!

With his transformation complete, Buddy was asked to recite the Pirate's Oath and was then greeted with a loud "Yo Ho!" from the room as he was officially given the title of "pirate."  (Actually, his Pirate Master stressed the fact the he was merely a "First Mate," which meant my husband & I outranked him--and thus Buddy would need to follow our orders throughout the day.)

Our experience ended with a trip through a "secret" door, which led to Captain Jack Sparrow's treasure room!

Once inside the treasure room, Buddy was able to "search" for his treasure (the pirate coin necklace) and sit in Jack Sparrow's chair for a few pictures.

It was such a great morning for our entire family!  We truly felt as if we'd been welcomed into a Pirates League, and Buddy was SO EXCITED to have a sword, sheath, and pirate key (and an earring!).  

Pirates League packages average about $50 (the most expensive is $100), and include Mermaid options as well!  In fact, after witnessing the mermaid transformations firsthand, both of our girls (ages 5 & 9) declared their desire to participate next year.  While the minimum participation age is three, there is no maximum age, and we saw quite a few adults working with Pirate Masters while we were there!

Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made 180 days in advance.  As always, I'd love to help your family book & plan a custom Disney trip!  Please don't hesitate to let me know how I can help! :)

Tusker House.

As far as "table service" (or sit down) restaurants go, the options can sometimes seem limited when visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom.  Unlike Magic Kingdom & Epcot, Animal Kingdom's physical location does not provide easy access to a variety of resort dining, and there are not as many choices inside the park as some other places.  

While there are two phenomenal table service experiences within the gates (Yak & Yeti and Tiffins), the menus don't always appeal to our kiddos, leaving us with two Animal Kingdom "go to" restaurants: Rainforest Cafe and Tusker House.  We love them both!  Today we'll take a closer look at Tusker House.

Tusker House is the only restaurant inside Animal Kingdom that provides a character experience. Goofy, Daisy, Donald, and Mickey are decked out in their best safari gear and visit each table to give hugs, take pictures, and sign autographs.

Tusker House serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner (buffet-style), and much of the food is prepared with an African twist (although corn dog nuggets and macaroni & cheese can be found as well!). We've found that the restaurant's menu allows our family to be adventurous in our eating, knowing that there will definitely be something we'll enjoy even if we end up not liking the new food we've tried (although we typically find most of it to be delicious!).  Sweet plantains, spit-roasted bone-in ham, curry chicken, mojo pork with spicy mustard, and beef bobotie have become some of our favorites!

The restaurant is located toward the very back of the property, near the entrance to The Festival of the Lion King and Kilimanjaro Safari.  Early breakfast reservations (at least an hour before the park opens) can allow your family to enjoy the meal, meet the characters, and be among some of the first in line to ride the Safari, but you'll need to be sure to arrive at the park early enough to make it through security and complete the trek back to the restaurant in time for your reservation!  (Valid theme park admission is required to dine at Tusker House.)

We LOVE the breakfast buffet, but prefer to eat as late as possible (typically around 10:30-10:45ish), so we often time our meal with the start of The Festival of the Lion King, which allows us to finish eating and immediately head over to see one of the best live shows in all of Disney World.

The breakfast buffet costs around $30/adult ($18/child), while lunch is about $38/adult ($23/child) and dinner averages $42/adult ($25/child).  You can also pay for the meal with one (1) table service credit per person on the Disney dining plan.

If you're looking for a fun character dining experience that offers a little more variety than your standard buffet, Tusker House would be a great spot to try!  I'd love to help your family book & plan a Disney trip-- tailored specifically to your desires and budget--with as little stress as possible.  Please don't hesitate to let me know how I can help!