Thursday Tip - Meeting Merida

Switching it up and moving Tuesday Tip to Thursday!

Meeting a favorite character can be REALLY difficult, especially if they are a popular character that only meets in one location!  I will give my tips for meeting Elsa and Anna after I have gone and had that opportunity, but for now I am going to tell you how to meet Merida from Brave!  This was a must do for Princess E on our last trip, so we made sure to get there, even if it was on our last day!!!

Where is she?  How do I find her?

• Merida is to the far right of Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom.  You want to take Main Street straight up, staying to the right side.  Do not cross into Tomorrowland, but follow the path that will take you towards the tea cups - Cosmic Rays will be to your left.

When:

• Merida starts her Meet & Greet at 9:15am and goes throughout the day until 6pm.  See a Times Guide for exact meet and greet times as they are subject to change.  And know that they may close her line before 6pm because they will account for the people in line and the timing that her area is to close.

Tips:

• The BEST time to go to meet Merida is FIRST thing in the morning.  This means rope drop.  Be at the park at least 30 minutes prior to opening.  Stay to the far right.  Magic Kingdom will open at 9am after the opening show.  Once it opens walk briskly, no need to run (you can if you want of course!) and stay to your right.  It's quite fun as you may be walking in behind some of the characters that opened the park.  We followed in Alice, Peter Pan and Wendy in.  It was a really neat experience!
• Get in line at 9am.  The line forms quickly.  Within 10 minutes it was already at least 50 families deep!  We were 5th in line.  They only take a couple families back at a time as it is an experience not just a quick help, sign and move on.

The Experience:

• It lasts all in all about 5-10 minutes.  Lots of fun!
• First you enter into a themed area.

• Then you get up to meet Merida!  There is a Photopass Photographer there!  You can use your Memory Maker, if purchased.

• Then you can shoot a bow and arrow through a Target just like Merida does!

After that it's all over, but memories are definitely made.  You can visit any time during the day, but my understanding is the line never dies down and is always about an hour at least, even in not so busy times.  So try to get there early!  

Have a Magical Day!!

~Teresa

Flower and Garden Festival 2014

It's coming to be that time of year again!  The Flower and Garden Festival is getting ready to begin on March 5th at Epcot.  If you never have been it really is quite amazing.  The first time I went I had no idea I was at a special event!  I thought maybe Epcot just always had all those beautiful topiaries and floating flowers, but then we went back a few months later and it was all gone!  That's when I realized I had been there for one of the most beautiful special events held in WDW and I didn't even know it!  It has been years since I have been, but I do hope to go again soon and take more advantage of some of the great activities they have including the Flower Power Concert Series held on weekends throughout the festival and featuring music of the 60s, 70s and 80s!

Tasty Tuesday - Chef Mickey's

At the request of some of my Facebook followers I am going to start a new feature called Tasty Tuesday!  Thus moving my original Tuesday tip post to Thursday.  :-)  I just liked the sound of Tasty Tuesday!  :-)

So here's the first - Chef Mickey's!

Chef Mickey's is open for breakfast and dinner.  During the busy holiday rush it has been known to also have a lunch offered.  This is one of the most popular meals to be had in Walt Disney World!

Details:

• Location: Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Meals Served: Breakfast & Dinner
• Breakfast: Daily from 7am-11am
• Dinner: Daily from
• Style: Buffet; Character Meal
• Price: $$$$
• Dining Plan: 1 credit
• Characters Featured: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto (characters are subject to change per Disney's policy)

ADR Need: HIGH

• Disney allows you to make reservations 180 days before your vacation.  If this restaurant at normal eating hours is important to you, you may need to plan that far out!  It's not always the case, but this really depends on when you go.  If you have your trip planned and book far out then I would definitely recommend booking far out.  

Would I recommend it?

• YES!  Absolutely!  The food is not the best, but the atmosphere CANNOT be beat!  Between the napkin waving, singing fun, the characters (no where else has the FAB 5 all in one place!), the ambiance, and just feel of the Contemporary with the monorail coming right through the hotel, you just can't get it anywhere else!!  This is definitely one of my kids favorite restaurants.  We haven't been doing plus dining plan our last few trips, so it has been a bit since we were last there - September 2011, but it was always a must do and will be on our next trip for sure!!

The Menus (courtesy of All Ears):

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Some pictures of our visits to Chef Mickey's! (I'll share these on all the Tasty Tuesdays if I have photos to share!)

Meeting the Chef!

Donald is always a hit with my little guy!

Matching Minnies!!

Goofy being well....Goofy!!

So is this a must do for your family???  Tell me about your experience!  Comment below!

Magical Monday

Hi everyone!!

I hope you all had a happy weekend!  Mondays are always rough, but here in Chester County, PA it is especially hard this Monday!  Last week was a LONG one, heck this whole winter has been long and it's not even close to over yet!  We were hit with a pretty nasty ice storm and 87% of our county was without power.  By the grace of God my little community was not effected by the power outage, but several friends were and they went without power for DAYS.  Add to it freezing temps and it has been a crazy situation up here.  Thanks to all the states that sent workers from all over and as far as Canada to help get good old Chester County back up and running!!

The kids did not have school last week due to weather barely at all!!  My son, who is in half day kindergarten was completely off and my daughter went one day for only a partial day.  So with that we lost days off throughout the year and have had at least one day added on to the end of the year!  Needless to say we are all hungry for structure and excited to get back to school - well I am anyway!!

I have been sending out quotes like crazy, even with our weather craze!  The Facebook Page has grown exponentially the last few days!  We are loving all our new fans!  Facebook on the other hand seems to hate pages anymore and wants to keep us hidden from you all!  The best way to make sure you see what is going on is to interact with the page.  But how can you do that if you don't see the posts....well make sure you see them and here's how:

Coming up on the blog this week - I will be starting a new series called Tasty Tuesday!  It will cover a restaurant on Disney property.  This week I will be talking about Chef Mickey's!  I also just restarted the monthly series of This Month in WDW.  That post came out a couple days ago, so be sure to look back and take a peek!  I'm continuing the Tuesday Tip, but it has been moved to Thursday.  This week - how to meet Merida!  Check back for information on current promotions and be sure to check out our newly redesigned website!!

Have a great Monday everyone!  Make it Magical!!

~Teresa

Spring 2014 Deal!!

This Month in WDW - February 2014

I know, I know, I am late at getting this post out, but hey, I am trying to get back in the swing of things!!

February can be a great time to visit WDW.  The parks shouldn't be too busy, except for Presidents Weekend.  Remember everyone is trying to limit days missed, so holidays bring the crowds!!  You will find things down for refurbishment a bit more during slower months and shorter park hours, and iffy weather (think hard to pack - warm, cold, what?!), but overall it is a really great time of year!

Park Hours for February

Current rides closed for refurbishment around the World:

Magic Kingdom® Park
Casey's Corner Splash Mountain Splashdown Photos Agrabah Bazaar Monorail - MK Express Barnstormer Pinocchio's Village Haus The Plaza Restaurant Big Thunder Mountain Pirates of the Caribbean	Jan. 6 - Feb. 15, 2014 Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 6 - Mar. 21, 2014 Jan. 7 - Feb. 13, 2014 Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014 Feb. 3 - 5, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 30, 2014 Feb. 17 - Mar. 15, 2014 April 7 - 9, 2014 April 28 - May 1, 2014
Epcot®
None
Disney's Hollywood Studios®
Backlot Tour Monsters Meet & Greet	Jan. 5 - Mar. 1, 2014 Jan. 29 - Feb. 8, 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Festival of the Lion King	Jan. 6, 2014 - TBD

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
None
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Annual Refurbishment	Dec. 22, 2013 - Mar. 17, 2014

Disney's All Star Sports Resort
Grand Slam Quiet Pool Deck	Feb. 11 - 13, 2014
Sports - Resort Lobby Construction	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Game Point Arcade - Closed due to Lobby/Corridor work	Feb. 17 - March 9, 2014
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
Uwanja Camp - Kiddie Pool Wet Deck - Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open	Jan. 21 - Feb. 28, 2014
Disney's Boardwalk Villas
Villas Quiet Pool & Spa	Feb. 10 - Mar. 14, 2014
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Pool slides - pools remain open	Jan. 27 - Feb. 7, 2014
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower Kiddie Pool Wet Deck - Only wet deck is closed, pool will remain open	Feb. 10 - 28, 2014
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Gurgling Suitcase	Feb. 5 - 28, 2014
Disney's Polynesian Resort
General Construction	Dec. 2013 - Mar. 2015
Monorail - Magic Kingdom Resort - Restricted Service - Monorail service will be temporarily suspended on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Buses and watercraft transportation will be available.	Jan. 21 - Mar. 21, 2014
The Never Land Club	Jan. 28 - Apr. 27, 2014
Capt. Cook's - alternate Dining Experience available	Mar. - Jun. 2014
Great Ceremonial House - Lobby	Mar. - Dec. 2014
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Doubloon Lagoon Pool - transportation will be provided for Guests to swim at Ol' Man Island Pool at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside	Jan. 13 - Feb. 28, 2014
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
Paddock Pool	Feb. 1 - 13, 2014
Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Vero Beach Pool, Spa, Pirates Plunge Pool Slide - Tiger Lilly Wet Deck is not affected	Jan. 6 - Feb. 10, 2014
Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Yacht Club Quiet Pool	Jan, 21 - Feb. 7, 2014
Beach Club Quiet Pool	Feb. 12 - 13, 2014

Downtown Disney® Area
Team Mickey Athletic Club	Jan. 27 - Jun. 13, 2014

Golf Courses/Miniature Golf
None

Be sure to check back here for updates throughout the month!!

Have a Magical Trip!!

Why to Use a Travel Agent

Good afternoon!!

I get asked all the time why should I book with an agent when I can go to Disney's site and book my own trip.  Of course I think you should book with an agent because, well I am an agent!!  :-)  But there are legitmate benefits to using a travel agent when booking your Disney vacation.

1. Most importantly PLEASE make sure your travel agent is a Disney specialist.  Don't just book with Joe Shmo at Liberty Travel.  Chances are he has never set foot in a Disney park or maybe he went there a couple times 10 years ago.  He may have completed the Disney College of Knowledge and have a certificate pasted on his wall, but any of us can take and pass that.  Make sure you ask questions and see how knowledgeable he really is.  The last thing you want is someone helping you plan your Disney trip that knows even less than you do!!
2. Your DISNEY travel agent should be your advocate.  Yes some may give you little extras here and there for booking with them, but are they there when you need them?  They should be able to answer your questions and if they don't know the answer they should be able to get that answer for you.  They should be the one sitting on hold and getting those answers for you and looking it all up online.
3. When a promotion comes out they should know if it works for your trip and immediately change your reservation over for you and then pass on the great news to you.  I have sat on hold for 3 hours before changing a client's reservation!
4. Every change and every question is handled by them.  They are they to help and explain and get you through.  A Disney trip is unlike many vacations, you need to do your research to really get the most out of your trip!
5. The service to book your trip should be FREE!!  If it isn't run, don't walk and find another agent!

So there are some reasons why you should use a Disney Travel Agent!  And I am the one for you!  Please share with your friends.  I am working on a referral program and a giveaway!!  Look for that in coming posts!!