Happy Groundhog Day! Punxsatawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter this morning. (Little rodent… grumble, grumble…) So to cheer myself up, I am dreaming of our upcoming family Disney vacation.

This time, we're trying to try some new things – dine in new restaurants, see new shows, even a few first time attractions for our son. He will be 8 at the time of our trip, he was 5 the last time and far more hesitant. So he is pretty convinced that he is ready to ride some of the big rides! Just to be sure, we have been watching YouTube videos of the attractions he is interested in. For the record, there is not much to see on a video of Space Mountain! LOL…

I recommend parents preview any online videos (you never know!) and then watch them with their kids. This can be incredibly helpful in determing whether a child feels ready for a new attraction and help prevent mid-ride meltdowns. Now – bring on Splash Mountain!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Beginning tonight, "The Magic, the Memories & You" show is getting a new segment featuring timeless Disney love stories. Cinderella Castle and “it’s a small world” will be covered in red roses for one sequence and turned into a beautiful, star-filled sky for another. During part of the show, spectacular stained glass windows will protray the stories of Cinderella, Snow White and Beauty & the Beast. The new segment debuts tonight and continues until April 15, 2012. The show will get yet another new theme this Summer!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner?

Happy Literacy Week! Ridley Pearson, Author of the 'Kingdom Keepers" series, will be at Disney's Hoolywood Studios, today, January 26, 2012 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm signing books at Writer's Stop. (If you have not read this series, do! I bought the books for my son and have been reading them myself. I'm not sure who is enjoying them more!)

Then on Saturday, January 28, 2012, Emma Walton Hamilton (daughter of Julie Andrews and Co-Author of their book, "The Very Fairy Princess") will be appearing at Once Upon A Toy in Downtown Disney from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Disney Cruise Line has announced the 2013 itineraries! The 2013 cruises will sail from not only Port Canveral, Florida but also Miami, Florida; Galveston, Texas, and Barcelona, Spain. There will also be a Panama Canal cruise, new ports on select Mediterranean itineraries, and a Trans-Atlantic cruise from Galveston, Texas to Barcelona, Spain!

Gold and Platinum Castaway Club members can book on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Everyone else can book on Thursday, January 26, 2012. Contact your favorite Mouse Fan Travel Planner today to request a quote!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Disneyland will be celebrating Lunar New Year, January 20 – 29, 2012! Lunar New Year (commonly referred to as "Chinese New Year") is celebrated in the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. (And in my house we celebrate our son's Korean heritage with new clothes for the new year!)

Disneyland will celebrate with Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese performers, special decor, and chacter meet and greets, all in front of "it's a small world" as Disneyland Park.

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Be well and make magic where you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

President Obama will be visting the Magic Kingdom tomorrow, January 19, 2012. He will be reportedly be unveiling a strategy to help boost the Tourism industry.

As a result of this official visit, guests can expect higher than usual security at both Orlando International Airport (MCO) and at the Disney theme parks. In addition, Main Street USA will reportedly be closed until 3:30 pm. The afternoon parade at the Magic Kingdom has been pushed back to 3:30 pm. Hours at the three other Disney theme parks have been extended in order to encourage guests to visit these them parks, to help avoid congestion at the Magic Kingdom.

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Fun news for "Alice in Wonderland" fans, sad news for "ElecTRONica" fans… ElecTRONica, the night-time dancy party at Disney's California Adventure, will end later this Spring. Beginning Summer 2012, the Mad T Party will take over! Inspired by the world created by Tim Burton in "Alice in Wonderland," this psychedelic dance party will allow guests to fall down the rabbit hole and enter a world where nothing is what it seems! The party features a live band, unique entertainment, fun-filled games and plenty of dancing.

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

The Disney Fantasy is one step closer to her Maiden Voyage on March 31, 2012! The "Float Out" ceremony took place at the Meyer Werft Shipyards in Germany on January 8, 2012. The Float Out is a construction milestone and was celebrated in true Disney fashion with any appearance by the Main Mouse himself and even fireworks! You can view a time-lapse video of the event on the Disney Parks Blog.  

Are you booked on the Disney Cruise Line's newest ship yet? Book now for cruise through 2013 and better yet, the earlier you book, the lower the price! Contact your favorite Mouse Fan Travel Planner today!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

The 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon is being held this weekend, January 5 – 8, 2012. Runners from all over the world will be competing in a variety of races including a 5k, half-marathon and full marathon. Team AllEars, led by Team Captain Michelle Scribner-MacLean (and including some MEI & Mouse Fan Travel agents – not me!), will be running anf raising money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. If you would like to donate to Team AllEars, please visit this link. If you would like to follow a runner, there is information at runDisney.com.

Good luck to all the runners! Stay warm!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a safe, happy holiday season. Back to reality, eh? 2012 is a Leap Year which means one extra day of work. Or does it? Disney believes that it means one more day of magic! "One More Disney Day!" Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World will be open for 24-hours straight beginning at 6:00 am local time on February 29, 2012.

In addition, book a 3-night package that includes 3-day park admission and get one more night and one more day – FREE! That means one more night at your resort and one more day on your park admission. Offer is available most dates February 26 – March 10, 2012. Must be booked by January 31, 2012. Restrictions apply, room availability varies.

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner