Helllllooooo there!!! :-)
So you want to know another way I keep the Magic alive when we are not in our happy place? Well simple - we visit our local Disney Store! :-) The kids know when we go that we are not always going to buy something and since they did close the one nearest to us it really is a treat to go. It is only about 30 minutes away and happens to be in an area with outlets, so we make it a special shopping day with the Disney Store as the great reward for being good! :-)
Usually I do get them a little something because there are a lot of great items that aren't too expensive! We love just walking around, some are better than others, with movies and ads playing!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Favorite Rides - Kilimanjaro Safari
I cannot say enough about how much I enjoy this next ride!!! Our featured ride this week - Kilimanjaro Safari!
Some info:
This is by far one of the best rides in Disney! First of all, it is never the same ride. The animals are in different spots with each ride. Try to ride first thing in the morning as this is when the animals are the most active. We have ridden this ride and had to sit and wait for a giraffe to move from the "road" - kids found this very exciting! We have seen baby elephants and baby giraffes and even learned a few things. The hippos are pretty cool as well!! It is a longer ride - about 15 minutes. As for wait times, they tend to pick up as the day goes on, so if there is a wait of say over 30 minutes I would get a Fastpass and come back later. Don't look for the stroller parking! They even do that for you! You start out in the line with your stroller and will get to a spot where they take them for you! Nice and easy!! All in all we always enjoy this attraction and sometimes try to get on it twice in a day!
Random Facts:
Some info:
- Park: Animal Kingdom
- Land/Area: Africa
- Height Requirement: No
- Best suited for: Fun for the whole family
- Warning: Very bumpy at times - people with back issues, or pregnant women be warned.
- Fastpass: Yes
This is by far one of the best rides in Disney! First of all, it is never the same ride. The animals are in different spots with each ride. Try to ride first thing in the morning as this is when the animals are the most active. We have ridden this ride and had to sit and wait for a giraffe to move from the "road" - kids found this very exciting! We have seen baby elephants and baby giraffes and even learned a few things. The hippos are pretty cool as well!! It is a longer ride - about 15 minutes. As for wait times, they tend to pick up as the day goes on, so if there is a wait of say over 30 minutes I would get a Fastpass and come back later. Don't look for the stroller parking! They even do that for you! You start out in the line with your stroller and will get to a spot where they take them for you! Nice and easy!! All in all we always enjoy this attraction and sometimes try to get on it twice in a day!
Random Facts:
- Kilimanjaro Safari is the largest attraction in ANY Disney Theme Park!
- It provides animals with a 100 acre savanna to roam, while guests ride through in safari vehicles with a guide. The tour guide of your safari will point out animals and ask you to help locate them as well. Some are more entertaining and knowledgeable than others.
- The ride typically runs until sundown, so if there are evening extra magic hours and it is dark the safari will not run. Normally there is a sign at the entrance to the park or the ride that will tell you what time the last safari will run.
- It was recently announced (July 2010) that "guided treks" through the savanna would be made available to guests. This would focus on areas of the savanna that are not part of the ride.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Resort Review - Contemporary Resort
Today we are going to focus on one of Walt Disney World's original resorts - Disney's Contemporary Resort!
Here is a short video courtesy of Disney Parks Media!
Some Facts:
- Website: Disney's Contemporary Resort Information Page
- Category: Deluxe Resort
- Location: Magic Kingdom Resort Area
- Pricing: From $300 per night
- Rooms Available:
- Standard Rooms
- Concierge Level Rooms
- Suites
Resort Map:
Have I personally stayed here?
I have only stayed here once for one night back in 2002. So I cannot tell you much about what the rooms are like, especially since when I stayed there the rooms were not yet redone. Anyone that has stayed here for a full trip PLEASE comment below and I will post a guest post from you with a more personal detail about it! :-)
What I like about it:
I LOVE the location!!! You can walk to the Magic Kingdom! Can't complain about that feature, right?! And it isn't a long walk, maybe 10 minutes. The views are fantastic if you pay for the upgrade or if you get upgraded for free - hey it happens when you are checking in! You could have a view of Cinderella's Castle from your balcony...imagine that! I also love that the monorail stops there, and it doesn't just stop there it drives right through the hotel! You won't find this at any other resort on Disney property. There is something to be said for being on the monorail loop. One of our favorite restaurants and most popular in Disney is also located here - Chef Mickey's. All in all there are a lot of great pluses for the Contemporary Resort!
What I didn't like:
I am not a fan of the decor or theming. I am not a contemporary person, so that design for the rooms and such was not for me. The lobby is kind of cold in my opinion, especially compared to the other resorts on property. All of this though does not take away from the pluses in my opinion!
Would I stay here again?
If the price was right I would DEFINITELY stay here!! Like I said that walk to the Magic Kingdom in and of itself is a HUGE selling point right there! Plus I would love to stay on the Monorail loop!
Next up.....Disney's Fort Wilderness
If the price was right I would DEFINITELY stay here!! Like I said that walk to the Magic Kingdom in and of itself is a HUGE selling point right there! Plus I would love to stay on the Monorail loop!
Next up.....Disney's Fort Wilderness
Magical Monday!!
Hello everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a glorious week last week! Sorry I missed posting, but the Giveaway kinda had me busy! Making sure to post about it daily! We had a great turn out for people entering to win! Winners will be announced later today!
My weekend was great! We had a family party to go to and then just spent some time relaxing together. I am so glad it is finally spring! How about all of you?!
Last week Disney announced FREE dining for Disney Visa cardholders. Well TODAY they announced it officially for the General Public! Dates are much more limited this year than in years past and of course now rumors are swirling about more dates being added. Don't let that hold you back. These rooms fill up - only a limited number are offered at each resort with the FREE dining. If you want to take advantage of this Yummy deal, then email me - info@beourguestvacations.net. I will price it out for you. This is even a better deal than the kids stay and play and usually better than room only discounts, so don't let it pass you by!!
Stay tuned to the blog for the announcement of winners post!
Have a Magical Monday!!!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a glorious week last week! Sorry I missed posting, but the Giveaway kinda had me busy! Making sure to post about it daily! We had a great turn out for people entering to win! Winners will be announced later today!
My weekend was great! We had a family party to go to and then just spent some time relaxing together. I am so glad it is finally spring! How about all of you?!
Last week Disney announced FREE dining for Disney Visa cardholders. Well TODAY they announced it officially for the General Public! Dates are much more limited this year than in years past and of course now rumors are swirling about more dates being added. Don't let that hold you back. These rooms fill up - only a limited number are offered at each resort with the FREE dining. If you want to take advantage of this Yummy deal, then email me - info@beourguestvacations.net. I will price it out for you. This is even a better deal than the kids stay and play and usually better than room only discounts, so don't let it pass you by!!
Stay tuned to the blog for the announcement of winners post!
Have a Magical Monday!!!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates - 2011!
The dates have been announced!! I can't wait to take the kids when we go this fall! They always LOVE this extra and while it has gotten pricey, it still is an extra we are willing to pay for! :-)
The dates are:
September 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
October 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
November 1
Pricing:
Sep 13 to Sep 30
Advance purchase adult $53.95
Advance purchase age 3-9 $47.95
Day of event adult $59.95
Day of event age 3-9 $53.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member adult $49.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member age 3-9 $43.95
Oct 2 to Nov 1
Advance purchase adult $56.95
Advance purchase age 3-9 $51.95
Day of event adult $62.95
Day of event age 3-9 $57.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member adult $52.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member age 3-9 $47.95
The dates are:
September 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
October 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
November 1
Pricing:
Sep 13 to Sep 30
Advance purchase adult $53.95
Advance purchase age 3-9 $47.95
Day of event adult $59.95
Day of event age 3-9 $53.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member adult $49.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member age 3-9 $43.95
Oct 2 to Nov 1
Advance purchase adult $56.95
Advance purchase age 3-9 $51.95
Day of event adult $62.95
Day of event age 3-9 $57.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member adult $52.95
Annual Passholder and DVC Member age 3-9 $47.95
This Month in Disney - May 2011
May gets back to normal after a busy Easter and Spring break season come to an end, but summer craziness is just around the corner! Here is what to expect in May!
Park Hours in May -
Park Hours in May -
- Magic Kingdom
- Opening time is consisitent at 9am. There are some early morning extra magic hour openings at 8am. (Resort guests only for the extra magic hours!)
- Closing time varies between 9pm and 11pm
- Magic Kingdom Official Calendar
- Epcot
- Epcot never really strays from their 9am to 9pm operating hours. There are some extra magic hours here and there in the morning (8am to 9am) and evenings (9pm to midnight).
- Note: The World Showcase does not open until 11am
- Epcot Offical Calendar
- Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Average opening time is 9am. With a few early morning extra magic hours in there.
- Average closing time is between 7pm and 9pm. It varies due to whether or not Fantasmic will be playing that night. There are some evening extra magic hours as well.
- Hollywood Studios Official Calendar
- Disney's Animal Kingdom park
- Opening time is 9am on extra magic hour days it is 8am.
- Closing time stays fairly consistent at 6pm with a few nights of staying open til 7pm.
- Note: When I have stayed for extra magic hours here before the safari stops operating by a certain time regardless of the closing time. There will be signage in the front of the park and near the ride to alert you of the last departure time.
- Magic Kingdom
- The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management (Tuesday, March 1 - Thursday, June 30)
- Epcot
- No closures to report at this time
- Hollywood Studios
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue - (Wednesday, February 2 - Thursday, May 19)
- Animal Kingdom
- No closures to report at this time
FREE Dining!!!
It is no longer a rumor....FREE Dining will be announced for the general public tomorrow! Not sure when booking will start - could be 7AM, might take a bit for them to get it posted, who knows!
Since it is not being officially announced until tomorrow, I am not sure what all the details will be, but in the past it has followed the Disney Visa deal and been the same. So you should be expecting:
Since it is not being officially announced until tomorrow, I am not sure what all the details will be, but in the past it has followed the Disney Visa deal and been the same. So you should be expecting:
Free Quick Service Dining at all Values and Free Plus Dining at Moderates, Deluxes and Villas
Dates are limited - August 28th to September 24th, 2011. Booking is open right up until 8/27/11. Rumors are already swirling about the deal being extended, but don't let this deter you from booking what is available! Rooms are limited! Email me to get a quote and book your trip!! A $200 deposit secures your magical vacation!!!
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