October 30th, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!!!
Happy Friday and Happy Halloween! I am Disney Dream-ing. As I mentioned yesterday, Disney Cruise Line announced the itineraries and details for the Disney Dream - DCL’s newest ship. Which means that I am in full on planning mode on how to convince my husband that we NEED to go on the new ship as soon as possible. It’s research honey! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…
But first I have a small Darth Vader who is upstairs dreaming Halloween dreams and has a big day planned tomorrow. Not to mention my wedding anniversary this weekend. 12 years and counting! I got married when I was, ummm…. 17, yeah that’s it, 17! Again, that’s my story…
No matter what you are celebrating this weekend - be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!!!
Happy Friday and Happy Halloween! I am Disney Dream-ing. As I mentioned yesterday, Disney Cruise Line announced the itineraries and details for the Disney Dream - DCL’s newest ship.
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October 29th, 2009 - by Sara V
(Hmmmmm - I could swear I posted a blog yesterday!!)
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Have you, like me, been waiting with bated breath for the announcement regarding the new Disney Cruise Line ship - Disney Dream? Breathe easy as the wait is over!
The Disney Dream will have it’s maiden voyage on
Janurary 26, 2011. The deposit for this sailing will be $400 per person, is
due by 11:59 pm on the day you book and is non-refundable. Castaway Club
Gold and Platinum members (5+ cruises) can book on Monday, November 2, 2009 and
everyone can book the following Monday, November 9, 2009. Bookings are limited
to one stateroom per Gold or Platinum member.
Where is the Disney Dream
going? The Dream will alternate 3- and 4-night sailing in the Bahamas until
summer 2011 when it will alternate 4- and 5- night sailings with two stops at
Castaway Cay!! What is on the Disney Dream? An amazing new AquaDuck - the
world’s first ever shipboard water coaster! Not to mention virtual portholes in
all inside cabins, amazing new things in the Oceaneers Club and Lab, a new teen
only area including sun deck and so much more.
The ship is absolutely stunning judging from the "photos" and
"video" they have posted online. I can’t wait! Interested? Fill out a quote request form at www.mousefantravel.com to get pricing information!
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
(Hmmmmm - I could swear I posted a blog yesterday!!)
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Have you, like me, been waiting with bated breath for the announcement regarding the new Disney Cruise Line ship - Disney Dream? Breathe easy as the wait is over!
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October 27th, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
As expected, there were some snafus with the Disney Dining system during the switchover to a 180 day window. (For example, I could have easily gotten another hour of sleep!) The good news is that slowly but surely things are getting sorted. Cinderella’s Royal Table was unavailable for most of the day but Disney expects the issue to be resolved by tomorrow morning.
Hopefully tomorrow things will be back up and running smoothly!
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
As expected, there were some snafus with the Disney Dining system during the switchover to a 180 day window. (For example, I could have easily gotten another hour of sleep!) The good news is that slowly but surely things are getting sorted.
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October 26th, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Tomorrow is October 27. Why is this day significant? Because tomorrow Walt Disney World Dining is changing their advanced dining reservation policy from 90 days to 180 days in advance that you can make your reservations. That means that if you are checking in between January 25 and April 25, 2010, you can make your dining reservations tomorrow! Check out www.pscalculator.net to double check your dates. (Plus, it’s just a really cool site.)
So plan on being up early! The online system at www.disneyworld.com/dining usually opens prior to the phone system - (407) WDW-DINE. Better yet - if you are using a Mouse Fan Travel Planner, let us take care of it for you! 
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Tomorrow is October 27. Why is this day significant? Because tomorrow Walt Disney World Dining is changing their advanced dining reservation policy from 90 days to 180 days in advance that you can make your reservations.
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October 23rd, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Ahhhhhhh…the Disney Box. What the heck is a Disney Box, you ask? Well, it varies from person to person but in my case, it is literally a cardboard box that I covered in paper many years ago and decorated with mickey head sketches. In it goes everything that I need for my frequent Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise trips. Things like lanyards with plastic passes to keep room keys dry and handy, hand sanitizer packets, cheap sunglasses that I only bring so I don’t lose my good ones, travel size toiletries, ziploc bags for those toiletires in case I am traveling carry on, door magnets for my stateroom door, etc. I also keep some "only in WDW" clothing in there on occasion i.e. sparkly tinker bell shirts that my family rolls thier eyes at anywhere else. (Not my husband, mind you, just my extended family. My husband is the guy wearing the mickey shirt to work on casual Friday that spells out M-I-C-K-E-Y in sign language… One of the many reasons I love him.)
A Disney Box can be another great way to help have some fun while you prepare for your trip! It also makes a great place to stash any travel documents or Magical Express tags that you are going to need.
What do you keep in your Disney Box? I would love to hear other ideas!
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Ahhhhhhh…the Disney Box. What the heck is a Disney Box, you ask? Well, it varies from person to person but in my case, it is literally a cardboard box that I covered in paper many years ago and decorated with mickey head sketches.
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October 22nd, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
How do you help pass the time in between planning a trip and actually going on that trip? We’ve discussed watching videos online but there is also creating a countdown chain. A countdown is similar to, in fact it is, a construction paper loop chain often used to decorate Christmas trees. Only in this case, you can decorate the loops with Disney stickers, stamps, etc and number each loop for each day between now and your trip. Every morning, you or your child - don’t laugh, I know plenty of child-free adults who do this! - remove that day’s loop. When the chain is gone, it’s time to leave! Make extra special loops for significant days like the day you can make your dining reservations or when you make it into single digits. Just a little something to help pass the time while you wait!
Coming up tomorrow: The Disney Box!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
How do you help pass the time in between planning a trip and actually going on that trip? We’ve discussed watching videos online but there is also creating a countdown chain. A countdown is similar to, in fact it is, a construction paper loop chain often used to decorate Christmas trees.
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October 21st, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
You’ve booked your trip, you’ve made your dining reservations, now what? One of the best ways I’ve found to keep the magic alive in between trips and to help prepare my 5 year old for those trips is watching videos online. It is incredible what you can find!
YouTube has an incredible number of ride videos, show videos, vacation videos, etc. The ride videos are some of my favorites as they really help to show my son what to expect. Disney also has some great videos on their web site!
Coming tomorrow: What the heck is a countdown chain?
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
You’ve booked your trip, you’ve made your dining reservations, now what? One of the best ways I’ve found to keep the magic alive in between trips and to help prepare my 5 year old for those trips is watching videos online. It is incredible what you can find!
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October 20th, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Ok, so today is not so much a blog as a share… A friend sent me this video this morning on Facebook and it warmed my Disney loving heart! Check it out: A Model Day at Disney Parks
My son and I must have watched it three times this morning! He insists that he is in there somewhere…
Coming tomorrow: YouTube as planning tool and how to get your kids ready!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Ok, so today is not so much a blog as a share… A friend sent me this video this morning on Facebook and it warmed my Disney loving heart! Check it out: A Model Day at Disney Parks
My son and I must have watched it three times this morning!
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October 19th, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Halloween draws ever closer this month and panicked parents begin to haunt the aisles of stores searching for the perfect costume for their trick or treaters. Or if you are like my friend Jennifer, her sewing machine has been smoking as she handmakes costumes for her four, count ‘em FOUR, children. Me? My little Dath Vader has been wielding his lightsaber all over the house for two weeks.
Some things to keep in mind if you plan to do any of your trick or treating at a Disney park during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party at WDW or Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party at DL.
"Guests
of all ages may wear costumes only to the Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party event
for which their ticket is valid. Otherwise, costumes are only permitted at
either theme park for Guests ages 9 and under. All costumes must adhere to any
guidelines as determined solely by Disney. Please choose costumes that are not
obstructive, offensive, or violent. Guests may wear masks, but masks must not
obstruct vision and the eyes must be visible at all times. Guests dressed as
Disney characters may not pose for photos or sign autographs for other guests.
Costumes should not drag on the ground, and should not contain sharp or pointed
objects that could strike other guests. Costumes should not contain weapons or
objects which could be mistaken for weapons."
And keep in mind - if you choose to dress like a Disney character, Disney asks that you not pose for photos.
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Halloween draws ever closer this month and panicked parents begin to haunt the aisles of stores searching for the perfect costume for their trick or treaters. Or if you are like my friend Jennifer, her sewing machine has been smoking as she handmakes costumes for her four, count ‘em FOUR, children. Me?
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October 16th, 2009 - by Sara V
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
TGIF! Friday has finally arrived like it always does. Why is it that short weeks always seem to feel the longest?
Today’s blog theme is misinformation. There is a lot of it out there, especially when it comes to planning a Disney trip. For example, a website who shall remain nameless, just recently posted some incorrect information regarding Annual Passholder rates. Within minutes, I had e-mails from clients wanting to see if this new "code" could be applied to their reservation. Sad to say, this "code" was in fact one of the infamous PIN codes sent to specific guests and is only available for use by the recipient. It is not available to the general public.
Rumors are fun and great to speculate about. But this is where working with a reliable travel planner can really help. They can sort through the chaff and direct towards real values! I know people who spent a lot of time on hold with Disney last night and today only to come away disappointed. A quick e-mail to a knowledgeable travel planner would have saved a lot of time and hassle.
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
TGIF! Friday has finally arrived like it always does. Why is it that short weeks always seem to feel the longest?
Today’s blog theme is misinformation. There is a lot of it out there, especially when it comes to planning a Disney trip.
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Sara’s Snippets - October 30, 2009