Every Monday morning, enjoy a little dose of Disney Magic!
A flying elephant? Magic!
Twenty Years of Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom turns 20 this year. This truly unique park opened on Earth Day 1998, April 22, 1998. A month later, I got married and spent part of my honeymoon at Disney World and we both enjoyed our day at this brand new park immensely. It was great then, but 20 years later…it’s so much better!
The newly added Pandora, World of Avatar land is a must see even for non-Avatar fans. Just the visuals, pictures don’t do it justice, you have to see it in person for the full effect. Mountains suspended in the air, waterfalls descending into pools seemingly on the rainforest floor, the colorful plant life and at night it all takes on an incredible luminescent glow.
This area brings with it two new attractions, one of which is hands down the best attraction in all of the Orlando theme parks according to me at least. Flight of Passage takes you on a Banshee ride! You fly…on a banshee! It is the best simulator I’ve ever experienced. It’s even worth the long lines. There is a height requirement of 44″ on this one, but the Na’Vi River Journey is family friendly. It’s a leisurely boat ride through the bioluminescent forest of Pandora.
Animal Kingdom has extended their hours and are open into the dark hours now adding a nighttime show, Rivers of Light which is also worth a look and don’t miss the projections on the Tree of Life after dark.
Of course, one of my favorite rollercoasters of all time is Expedition Everest, it wasn’t there in 1998, but I have since made up for that. Single rider line means no waits and the ability to ride it over and over and over again in quick
Some of my favorite things at Animal Kingdom aren’t even the attractions though. There is just so much to see. The trails that take you into the animal habitats are wonderful. Pangani Trail brings you up close to gorillas and so much more. The Maharajah Jungle Trek bring you up close with Bengal Tigers. A walk around the Tree of Life just marveling at its carvings could take hours and there are hidden spots with animals dispersed around the tree. And of course, Kilimanjaro Safari is a classic and now available at night as well for a completely different experience.
This park has truly become a full day park.
Monday Morning Magic
Every Monday morning, enjoy a little dose of Disney Magic!
How magical would getting married at Disney be?!?
Monday Morning Magic
Every Monday morning, enjoy a little dose of Disney Magic!
Mobile Ordering at Walt Disney World
One of my favorite new convenience features available on the My Disney Experience app is mobile ordering. I was able to use this several times on my recent trip and loved it!
When in the parks, you can access your My Disney Experience account as you would to view or change your fast passes and you can pull up any quick service that offers mobile ordering, most do now. You can order your food as you are heading to a restaurant and when you arrive at the location, simply tap the “I’m here, prepare my order” button. Within minutes, you will receive a response on the app telling you your order is ready for pickup. Then you go to the well-marked mobile order pickup counter to retrieve your food. No waiting in lines to order! No waiting at the counter for food!
Just this past week, Disney opened up mobile ordering to Disney Dining Plans, it was not available before. So now you can order online and choose the dining plan as payment and your credits will be adjusted accordingly.
Minnie Van Service
Disney World has a new service that I recently got to test out and it’s pretty fabulous.
Minnie Vans!
Disney’s version of Lyft or Uber
- The Minnie Vans will take you everywhere on Disney Property.
- Minnie Vans can make multiple stops along the way. If you want to go to McDonald’s, Speedway then your resort…you can. If you are leaving a park and need stops at different resorts, this is an option.
- There is not an extra charge for this feature.
- Drivers are Cast Members, not employed by Lyft. This means you receive the Disney customer service.
- Each Chevy Traverse has two versatile car seats with different options based on the childs’ needs.
- You must be 18 years or older to travel alone in the vehicle. However, an adult can take a child (14+) in the Minnie Van to drop them off at a park and the Minnie Van will return the adult back to where they would like.
- Hours of operation 6:30 am – 12:30 am
- They can transport up to 6 guests.
- They do have accessible vehicles available. You order your Lyft as normal and when they arrive they will call for an accessible vehicle.
- To book a Minnie Van – go to bell services where they will give you a code for booking. Download the Lyft app, when you enter the code you will see the Minnie Van as an option.
- The Minnie Vans give you closer proximity to entrances at the parks than Uber or Lyft. At Magic Kingdom, they take you to the bus stop in front of the park, not the TTC as everyone else does.
- If clients are going to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue – they will be taken right to the entrance vs having to walk. Also, the Minnie Van driver will take them through the campgrounds to see all the decorations.
- Resorts are being added as they have enough staff trained.
- They have a track of Disney music they play during the ride.
- They have phone chargers available in the vehicle.
- Cost is $20 flat rate. The cast members are salary but you can tip them through the app or cash.
They are now available at all the Disney Deluxe Resorts. It’s particularly a great option for those early morning breakfasts!
Perfectly Princess Bibbity Boppity Alternative
A makeover at Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is a popular right of passage for a little princesses Disney World trip. But what happens when that tiny BBB is fully booked months in advance?
Did you know there are alternatives?
Less convenient and not the same experience of the boutique in inside Cinderella Castle, there is a BBB at Disney Springs which is a bit easier to get a reservation at.
An even better alternative though is the Ivy Trellis Salon at the Grand Floridian Resort. Ivy Trellis has Perfectly Princess Packages starting at $50 which are similar to BBB without the clothing options or photo shoot. Don’t forget that a 20% gratuity is added to every service.
M. Mouse Mercantiles is the gift shop located right across from Ivy Trellis Salon inside the Grand Floridian for all your princess attire needs if you didn’t bring them with you.
Ivy Trellis is a great option to schedule right before your 1900 Park Fare dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming or the Wonderland Afternoon Tea Party!
Package #1 = $50 + tax and gratuity
- Hairstyle with glitter
- Tiara
Package #2 = $75 + tax and gratuity
- Hairstyle with glitter
- Tiara
- Makeup
Package #3 = $90 + tax and gratuity
- Hairstyle with glitter
- Tiara
- Makeup
- Manicure
The same Perfectly Princess Packages are also available at the salons at Disney’s Coronado Springs, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resorts. All resorts have a shop where Princess attire can be purchase if you don’t bring it from home.
For questions and reservations, call 407.WDW.SPAS. You can also call the salon at the Grand Floridian Resort directly: 407.939.7727.
Prices subject to change at any time.
What are the Disney Visa Rewards Perks
Make the most of your vacation with Walt Disney World ®
Do you have a Disney Visa Rewards Card? Do you know of all the perks that come with it?
Disney Character Experience at Our Private Cardmember Location
At Walt Disney World® Resort, stop by our private location—reserved just for Cardmembers—to meet and pose with some of your favorite Disney Characters. You’ll receive downloads of your photos, too! Just present your Disney Visa Card to enter this exclusive event, offered daily 1pm to 7pm at the Disney Visa Photo Spot at Epcot®. Our new location is located in Future World next to Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
Star Wars™ Character Experience at our Private Cardmember Location
Feel the power of the Force at the Star Wars™ Character Experience, offered daily from 11am to 4pm at the Star Wars Launch Bay in the Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. You’ll receive downloads of your photos to mark your visit to the dark side! Simply present your Disney Visa Credit Card to enter this exclusive location.
10% Off Select Merchandise
Receive 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at select locations at Walt Disney World® Resort.
You can enjoy this discount any time during normal Theme Park hours. Just use your valid Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards® Redemption Card and mention this offer.
10% Off Select Dining Locations
Receive 10% off select dining locations most days at Walt Disney World® Resort (restrictions may apply). Just use your Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at the locations below and mention this offer to receive the discount.
Save at Select Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant Coffee/Tea and Merchandise Locations
Receive 20% off entire purchase at Joffrey’s coffee/tea kiosks throughout Walt Disney World® Resort, at Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’s, and online at Joffreys.com with code: VISABEANS. Plus, receive 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at the following Walt Disney World® Resort Operating Participant merchandise locations including Basin®, Basin White®, Chapel Hats, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, kidsHeritage and Marrakesh Emporium Arts & Crafts.
15% Off Select Guided Tours
Receive 15% off the non-discounted price of select guided tours at Walt Disney World® Resort. Just use your valid Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card and mention this offer.
10% Off Select Recreation Experiences
Receive 10% off the non-discounted price of select recreation experiences at Walt Disney World® Resort. Just use your valid Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card and mention this offer.
15% Off at Select Spa and Salon Locations
15% off the non-discounted price of any salon treatment valued at $45 or greater or any 50-minute or longer spa service most days at the spas and salons at Walt Disney World® Resort.
Create more magic and memories on your next vacation. Use your Disney Visa® Card to treat your family to amazing perks while you relax, dine and play throughout Walt Disney World® Resort!
Remember, even though you might have your Disney Visa Card linked to a MagicBand or RF-enabled card, you will still need to present your Disney Visa Card at the Cardmember Character Experience locations and use it for purchases to receive your Cardmember perks throughout your stay.
Staying Cool at Disney World
I often have people asking me how we survive traveling to Disney World in August, which is when we always go. For various reasons, school, work…it really is the only option we have. Yes, it’s HOTTER than the surface of the sun most of the time!
Channel your inner Olaf!
But, with some strategic planning and accessories, it can still be a very enjoyable vacation.
Beat the summer heat at Disney World with these tips!
- Rope Drop – I hear you, you want to sleep in on your vacation, but getting to the parks early at opening, or even Extra Magic Hour opening even better is really one of the best ways of beating the heat. The coolest part of the day, relative to the heat of Florida in the summer, of course, is before noon. Which leads right to the next tip.
- Schedule a midday break – If it’s a short trip it might be difficult to schedule downtime, but a midday pool break will save your sanity and hopefully prevent those kid meltdowns when they’ve just been pushed too far. Doesn’t matter how hot it is, being in the water or under an umbrella with an icy drink will keep you cool.
- Stategic FP and Queue Planning – Choose the longest queues that are outdoor for your Fastpasses in the afternoons. Become familiar with the queues as many are inside and have a/c or even outdoor ones have fans and are shaded. It helps…a lot. Outdoor ones that are kept fairly cool are Rock n Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Expedition Everest. Inside queues where you might enjoy a slight wait to cool off include Test Track, Soarin, Space Mountain, Toy Story Mania and Dinosaur.
- Plan those WET attractions – There are rides that you WILL GET WET on in most of the parks. Plan those for afternoon, noon – 4pm. It’s amazing how even a little bit of water can make a difference, and you’ll dry quickly. These include Kali River Rapids which will get you soaked. Splash Mountain and even a little splash on Pirates of the Caribbean is possible.
- Water Parks – If you have any interest in the water parks, summer is the time to explore those. If you have a long enough trip 1-2 afternoons at the water parks is a great way to stay cool.
- Accessories – Cooling towels like Frog Toggs or iCool Towel will keep you cool and misting fans can be bought in advance from Walmart for less than the ones they sell in the parks.
- Showtime – Shows such as Mickey’s Philharmagic, Turtle Talk with Crush, Finding Nemo the Musical, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Indiana Jones (although outdoor it’s covered and there are fans) are another great way to cool down and rest, mingle them into your schedule.
- Use Disney transportation – Nothing is worse than getting into a hot car that has been baking in the Florida sun for hours. Use the air-conditioned monorails, buses, boats to get from A to B.
Disney actually did a very good job of creating waiting areas and queues to ensure the least amount of time out in the heat and sun.
Don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses!
With a little bit of strategic planning which I am happy to help you with if you book your trip with me, you can prevent melting in the hot Florida summer sun.
Top 5 Shopping at Disney World
Shopping at Disney World is fun! So many interesting things, not just gifts but for the home as well.
Here are my favorites:
5. The Lego Store at Disney Springs. My boys really enjoy this store and so do I. Lego is fun. They have things you’ll never find anywhere else and the Lego creations are incredible.
4. 365 Days of Christmas at Disney Springs. Do I even have to say why? Because it’s Christmas… always. Christmas is the best.
3. World of Disney at Disney Springs has everything which is fitting as it is the largest Disney Store in the world. Even the decor is amazing to see.
2. MouseGear at Epcot smack dab in the middle of Future World. I particularly love the selection of t-shirts and hats here. I could spend hours in this place!
1.The Emporium on Main Street. This store runs almost the entire length of Main Street and it’s a great way to beat the crowds and heat by walking through it instead of the street! You can find anything and everything here and if you don’t want to carry your purchases, have them sent to Guest Services to be picked up on your way out or if you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort, have it shipped there. And let’s face it, there is just something special about shopping right inside the Magic Kingdom on Main Street USA.
Magical Travels with Barb 