Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

Walt Disney World announced a new promotion today for travel 11/1-12/24/09 and 1/3-3/27/10. Book a 7-night stay at a Value Resort and get 2 nights free. Book a 7-night stay at a Moderate, Deluxe or Villa resort and get 3 nights free!

Hang on, you say, I just booked a trip in December with free dining! Is this a better deal? Not in most cases it turns out. I’ve double checked every single one of my clients booked for 2009 and so far not one has saved money with the new offer. But for 2010 bookings, it has been a great deal. If you are working with a Mouse Fan Travel Planner, chances are they’ve already done this for you. If you aren’t (and why aren’t you?) definitely contact them and double check. You never know, there are exceptions to every rule.

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

Walt Disney World announced a new promotion today for travel 11/1-12/24/09 and 1/3-3/27/10. Book a 7-night stay at a Value Resort and get 2 nights free. Book a 7-night stay at a Moderate, Deluxe or Villa resort and get 3 nights free! < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

Disney today unveiled the new campaign for 2010, a slight twist on the current "What Will You Celebrate?" theme. New for 2010 is "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day." In a bid to inspire a million people to donate a day of service to volunteer for a participating organization in their community, Disney will give each qualifying participant a free one-day pass to either Disneyland or Walt Disney World. Already have admission for your trip? You can also choose a special FASTPASS, collectible figurine or better yet - donate your pass to a participating non-profit organziation! Disney will also continue to "celebrate" special occasions but the free admission is reserved for volunteers.

Volunteerism has long been a part of the Disney tradition and this is a great way to encourage people to get involved! How will you participate?

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

Disney today unveiled the new campaign for 2010, a slight twist on the current "What Will You Celebrate?" theme. New for 2010 is "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day. < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

I was thrilled to get a chance to experience D23 and get a peek at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure earlier this month. While I did not get to spend much time at either park, I did get a chance to make some first impressions. 

Being where it all started was a real thrill for me, die-hard Disney fan that I am. DL gave me a sense of the history of the parks and attractions. Riding the Matterhorn was a lot of fun but it made me appreciate my personal favorite - Expedition Everest - even more! I’ll definitely be back! In fact, the Behind the Magic Adventures by Disney has jumped to the top of my wish list.

If and when D23 is held again, I will be first in line to attend. Getting to experience the excitement and magic with such a large group of like-minded folks was inspiring! Next time, hope to see you there!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

I was thrilled to get a chance to experience D23 and get a peek at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure earlier this month. While I did not get to spend much time at either park, I did get a chance to make some first impressions. < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

On Saturday night, I got my first look at Disney’s California Adventure. I have to admit, I was disappointed. The park definitely lacks the magic of WDW and DL. But I quickly got over my sense of boredom with the park once I got on California Screamin! Vicki, my partner in crime this evening, and I hopped in the single rider line and with barely any wait were counting down to take-off. (I admit to missing the sound of Aerosmith that I associate with this kind of coaster!) I LOVED this ride! So fast, so smooth…perfect! And man, did I scream. We got off and ran right back to the single rider line again and this time got to ride together when the person next to me chickened out at the last minute. 

From here it was off to Grizzly River Run. We were quickly ushered on to a raft with a family who were the perfect ride companions. You may get wet, you WILL get soaked!!! Similar to Kali River Rapids but with slightly steeper drops, we shrieked and giggled our way through this ride. Every time we started to breathe again, we would get drenched and lose our minds laughing. Vicki’s jeans were still damp the next morning!

Dinner al fresco followed at the Wine Country Trattoria. Yum!

Tomorrow: Final thoughts!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

On Saturday night, I got my first look at Disney’s California Adventure. I have to admit, I was disappointed. The park definitely lacks the magic of WDW and DL. But I quickly got over my sense of boredom with the park once I got on California Screamin! < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

After our adventures on the Matterhorn and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, we decided on dinner. Belle River Terrace and it was yummy! From there it was on to Indiana Jones. This ride became an instant favorite! It was a wild ride but definitely well worth the wait. On to Big Thunder Mountain! This was my first direct comparison to a ride at Walt Disney World and DL actually edges out the WDW version! It felt slightly longer and with slightly steeper drops. Whether or not this was just my perception, I’m not sure but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

We finished off the night enjoying drinks at Cafe Orleans while watching Fantasmic. And there is no doubt - Disneyland’s Fantasmic kicks the WDW version’s hindquarters!

Tomorrow: Wow, they sure named that ride correctly!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

After our adventures on the Matterhorn and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, we decided on dinner. Belle River Terrace and it was yummy! From there it was on to Indiana Jones. This ride became an instant favorite! It was a wild ride but definitely well worth the wait. On to Big Thunder Mountain! < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

So after making our way up Main Street and through the castle (with me again marveling at the difference in size) we headed for the Matterhorn. A 20 minute wait? Bring it on! We loaded into our cars - singles please, no tandem riders! - and headed off. Wow - this ride makes Big Thunder Mountain look smooth! In spite of the constant jostling, I really enjoyed this ride. But the Yeti pales in comparison to Expedition Everest! It’s actually unfair to make the comparison but it’s Disney’s fault for making them look the same!

From there it was off to meet up with the crew from WDW Radio and experience Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. A Disney classic, this was a lot of fun to ride again. I’ve missed it at WDW where it has been replaced with Winnie The Pooh! It was in line for Mr. Toad that the dinner debate began…

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

So after making our way up Main Street and through the castle (with me again marveling at the difference in size) we headed for the Matterhorn. A 20 minute wait? Bring it on! We loaded into our cars - singles please, no tandem riders! - and headed off. Wow - this ride makes Big Thunder Mountain look smooth! < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

While at D23 last week, I made my first official visit to Disneyland. (I was there once for about an hour in 1996 but have little to no memory of it!) Much hoopla ensued with my travel buddies (namely Beci, Annette, Vicki, Lori and her Mom) snapping photos of me getting my ticket, using my ticket and walking through the turnstile. They then proceeded to shield my eyes, lead me to the bottom of Main Street USA and aim cameras at me to immortalize my expression upon seeing Sleeping Beauty’s Catle.  <— It looked a little something like that! I was stunned by how small it is in comparison to Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World. I think I actually said something like, "It’s so cute!"

After a stop to pay homage to the light in Walt’s Apartment above the Fire Station, it was on to ride some rides. I was thrilled to be where it all began!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

While at D23 last week, I made my first official visit to Disneyland. (I was there once for about an hour in 1996 but have little to no memory of it! < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans! Happy Friday!

A few of my favorite things from D23!

The Treasures of the Archives exhibit: From Herbie the Love Bug to the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Disney put some of it’s best artifacts on display. While the exhibit was not as large as I was expecting there were some real gems. My favorite was the collection of crowns and tiaras from movies such as the Princess Diaries and the Chronicles of Narnia.

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts - What’s Coming: This interactive exhibit begins with a short movie presentation. The screen then opens and you walk into an area filled with coming attractions. The interactive Wall-E and Lightning McQueen were both very cool but my favorite part was the model of the new Disney Dream ship and the Ko Olina Resort, the new Disney Vacation Club resort being builit in Hawaii. The Cars Land display also has be contemplating another California trip in a few years for my race car obsessed son!

Disney’s VoluntEARS: Disney’s community outreach program had a different project each day for guests to participate in. In addition to being a nice break from being in the booth, it was a great way to give back. The projects included making blankets for children living in shelters, putting together snack packs for school children, painting Disney artwork to be hung in children’s hospitals, recording messages for our troops overseas and planting flower pots for community gardens. I felt very lucky to be attending D23 and even luckier to be a part of such wonderful projects!

Next week: A WDW lover’s first impressions of DL!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans! Happy Friday!

A few of my favorite things from D23!

The Treasures of the Archives exhibit: From Herbie the Love Bug to the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Disney put some of it’s best artifacts on display. While the exhibit was not as large as I was expecting there were some real gems. < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!!

Everyone heard about Johnny Depp’s appearance at D23. But I had my own John encounter - John Tartaglia that is! John is the star of the Disney Channel’s Johnny &  the Sprites as well as Broadway’s Avenue Q, Beauty & The Beast, and Shrek the Musical. I am a HUGE fan! So when I was chatting with two gentlemen from NFFC and they mentioned that they had just seen him walking around, I immediately got excited. Maybe I’d spot him! Little did I know that they went in search of him and brought him back to meet me. Having spent years in theater I pride myself on not being overly star struck. Well that all flew right out the window when I spotted him walking right towards me smiling!!

I was so touched by the fact that these two men (whose names completely escape me I’m horrified to admit) went out of their way to make sure I met John that I teared up and started babbling. John was just so sweet, very kind and very friendly. He posed for photos, appeared on WDW Radio’s live stream and was just wonderful. He was very humble and honestly seemed pleased to be recognized.I am SO grateful to the guys (man, I hate that I can’t remember their names!) who arranged this. It truly made my day! As Annette told John, "This made up for her not seeing Johnny Depp!"

And I guess that was the best part of D23 - being in a room full of people who completely understood! People who share a love of magic and wonder and all things Disney. Admit it - don’t you wonder about people who dislike Disney? It’s kind of like hating puppies! So to be surrounded by people who believe was, well, magical!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!!

Everyone heard about Johnny Depp’s appearance at D23. But I had my own John encounter - John Tartaglia that is! John is the star of the Disney Channel’s Johnny &  the Sprites as well as Broadway’s Avenue Q, Beauty & The Beast, and Shrek the Musical. I am a HUGE fan! < more... >

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

D23 - Disney’s first official fan expo. It was absolutely incredible to be there! I’ll get to my first trip to DL later in the week but for now I’m going to focus on the Expo itself.

The energy was palpable even on Wednesday when set up began. The Anaheim Convention Center and all the roads surrounding it were covered in D23 banners. By Thursday morning at 5:00 am, a queue had begun forming - three hours prior to the doors opening! Our first big thrill was when Disney CEO, Bob Iger, walked right by our booth apparently checking out the Expo for himself. Surrounded by security and other Disney execs he didn’t stop but smiled in passing. Day 2 brought the Disney Cruise Line announcements and a surprise appearance in the Arena by Johnny Depp in full Jack Sparrow regalia. The place went NUTS! (Sadly, I did not see him but frankly just being in the same building was a thrill.)

Tomorrow: My own John celebrity moment and more!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!

D23 - Disney’s first official fan expo. It was absolutely incredible to be there! I’ll get to my first trip to DL later in the week but for now I’m going to focus on the Expo itself.

The energy was palpable even on Wednesday when set up began. < more... >