Ok, how did this not happen sooner? The Disneyland monorails have been re-themed to celebrate the opening of Cars Land on June 15, 2012. Manny, Manda, and Mona Monorail are now riding the rail at Disneyland. Each Monorail has a distinct look and personality and they are now doing their own announcements onboard. Check them out at Disneyland this summer or now on the Disney Parks Blog!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Star Wars Weekend 2012 kicks off this Friday at Disney's Hollywood Studios. In addition to Celebrity sightings, character meet & greets, and other special events, exclusive merchandise is one of the highlights of the events.

Hands down, the award for coolest souvenir goes to Carbon-Freeze Me – a chance for guests to cast their likeness in Carbonite like Han Solo from Episode V.

Using cutting edge imaging technology, this experience renders your image as a 3D figurine that measures 8-inches high. At the "Carbon-Freezing Chamber" (located near The American Idol Experience), multiple cameras will capture your face from every angle. About four weeks later, the finished product is shipped to your home!

The figurine costs $99.95 plus tax and shipping. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (407) WDW-TECH. Guests must be at least three years of age to participate.

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

My stay at Port Orleans French Quarter last week reconfirmed its status at Walt Disney World as my favorite Moderate Resort. From the moment you arrive and are greeted by the gracious fountain in the lobby, to the well appointed rooms  – now with Queen Size Beds! – you immediately absorb the atmosphere of "Laissez le bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)

The resorts decor evokes the French Quarter of New Orleans with cobblestone streets, wrought iron fencing and bougainvillea blooming. My personal favorite touch are the street signs – "Rue d'Baga" anyone?

The rooms are heavy on the fleur de lys motif and while hidden Mickeys abound, you do have to look carefully to find them. The beds were my one complaint but this is universal to the moderate resorts. I personally do not find the new Queen Beds comfortable. But they are still a vast improvement over the previous full sized beds!

While the bus is your only option when traveling to the theme and water parks, boat transportation is offered to Downtown Disney. The boat carries you down the Sassagoula River, past Saratoga Springs, and docks at the Marketplace end of Downtown Disney. The trip is relaxing and somehow soothing after a long day of touring or shopping.

And last but not least – beignets. Ahhhh… beignets. "Scrumptious" was my sons very apt description of these pillowy pods of fried dough, doused in powdered sugar. The perfect start or end to a day! (Or mid-day snack, lunch time dessert, post-pool pick me up… You get the idea!) Freshly made beignets are available at the Sassagoula Float Works Food Court at the resort. The other offerings are equally as delicious! The Chicken Alfredo Pasta at dinner is not to be missed.

For photos of Port Orleans French Quarter, check out the incredible Photo Archive, over at PassPorter.com: http://www.passporter.com/photos/g543-port-orleans-french-quarter-reso rt.html

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

I have returned from the "Happiest Place on Earth" and it continues to live up to it's name. Our vacation was glorious and relaxing. But I promised you a review of the new PhotoPass+ and I shall deliver!

Prior to our trip, we had pre-ordered the PhotoPass CD using the Pre-Offer visit discount: http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

Then on our first day, upon arriving at the Magic Kingdom, our first stop was the Camera Center where I paid the difference to upgrade to the PhotoPass+ which costs $199.95. I was given a lanyard with a red PhotoPass card clipped to it. A smaller red card listed all of the participating locations.

The PhotoPass+ includes:

- Disney PhotoPass+ Card

- Voucher for Disney PhotoPass CD

- Gallery CD with over 400 stock photos (Perfect for Scrapbookers!)

- All PhotoPass pictures from around the parks

- Digital copies of ride photos from Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur

- Digital AND Printed Photo Packages from 1900 Park Fare, 'Ohana, Spirit of Aloha Show, Chef Mickey's, Cinderella's Royal Table, Tusker House, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, and Akershus

So was it worth it? You betcha! I ordered our CD yesterday and after editing, adding borders, and deleting some less-than-flattering shots, our CD will contain over 350 photos. And our dining photos in their souvenir card stock frames from 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's and Tusker House already adorn my office!

To get the most out of the PhotoPass+ we stopped at almost every photographer we saw! And they got some fantastic shots of our family. Best of all, the photos include all of us and I didn't have to lug around a camera!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

One of the things that I am most excited to experience next week is The Magic, the Memories & You! show at the Magic Kingdom. Since I plan to use the PhotoPass photographers quite a bit on this trip, I am hoping to see our family up on Cinderella's Castle! The show occasionally get seasonal updates and the Summer version will begin showing on May 25, 2012.

I have pre-ordered the PhotoPass CD and plan to upgrade to the PhotoPass+ as soon as we get to a park. And I have warned my shuband and son that we WILL be stopping at every single PhotoPass photographer we see! I'll have my review of the PhotoPass+ service when I return.

And with that, the Snippets will return on May 9, 2012. Have a wonderful week and as always…

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

For those of us who are not fully awake until our morning jolt of caffeine, Disney parks have long been a barren wasteland of bad instant coffee. Good news Java addicts! Starbucks is coming to Disney Parks! Starting in June with the first location in Disney California Adventure, all six major US parks are getting a Starbucks location.

The Starbucks will be themed to fit their locations and will offer traditional Starbucks items such as coffee and espresso beverages, Frappucinos, etc. as well as some Disney treats. I'll have a Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato upside down please!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Our family trip is fast approaching and much like the cobbler's children who go barefoot, my family trip doesn't get much focus from me until it is imminent. I'm too busy helping my clients with their family vacations! In an effort to get more excited for the forthcoming trip, I have been trying to take the advice that I give clients who try to maintain the excitement in the time btween booking and traveling.

1) Create and celebrate your countdown! Whether it is a construction paper chain with the days numbered on it, or a more elaborate calendar, celebrate the milestones in your countdown. Just reach double digits? Celebrate with a double digit dance! My son and I did our single digit dance in my office this morning!

2) Use this time to pull out those Disney DVDs and refresh your memory. When was the last time you actually watched Cinderella? (ok, if you have a 4 year old daughter, chances are the answer is yesterday afternoon but still…) Netflix has some great Mickey & Friends cartoons as well as Disney movies.

3) Music sets the mood. As I write this blog, I am listening to the Disney Channel on Pandora.com. But there are internet radio stations that play Disney music all day long as well! Sorcerer Radio and Mouse World Radio are two good choices. Play it in the background while you clean and you will find that you actually do "Whistle While You Work!"

These suggestions will help the time fly by until it is departure day. Before you know it, you will be boarding the Disney's Magical Express bus and be on your way to the magic! 

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

My family vacation to Walt Disney World is fast approaching and today is the day I am eligible to check in online. Online Check In gives guests the opportunity to enter their arrival time, credit card and other information ahead of time, to speed up the check in process when they arrive at their resort. Guests who complete this process online have a dedicated check in line where they pick up their resort packet and room key and proceed directly to their room.

Sounds great, right? Actually, I have very mixed feelings about this process. While it may occasionally (bot not always) speed up the regustration process, it robs you of a chance to have a real interaction with the Cast Member checking you in. Striking up a friendly conversation and explaining about your celebrations or any special requests you may have for your room, may give you a better chance at getting the room you really want, if not an upgrade!

That said, there are times when I absolutely recommend online check in. If you are going to be arriving very late in the day, it helps to let the resort know this. Same thing if you are arriving very early in the day and want to get right to a park. Or if you are hurrying to try to make a dining reservation.

With all that in mind, I've just completed the online check in for our trip next week. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner

Having had a private cabana on my last two visits to Castaway Cay, I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to life without one!

Available at both the Family Beach and Serenity Bay (the adult-only beach on Castaway Cay), Cabanas are the perfect way to make the most of your day on Disney's private island.

The Cabanas have an interior space furnished with sofa, chairs, small tables, a mini-fridge stocked with Evian, Soda, and cold washcloths, a closet with a safe, and a small curtained changing area. There are also towels and snacks on a shelf along the wall. There is also a call button should you wish to order an adult beverage (not included) or if you require the assistance of your cabin host.

Just outside the Cabana is a private hammock and a pathway to the beach. The Cabanas on the Family Beach have a private beach. The pathway from the Serenity Beach Cabanas leads to the public beach.

The deck of the Cabana has two loungers, more chairs, and a small table with a basket sticked with an assortment of sunblock. The best part? The drinks, snacks, and sunblock are all included in the cost of the Cabana! Float, Tube and bicycle rentals are also included in the cost.

For this fair-skinned, blue-eyed girl, the Cabana offers the perfect place to escape the sun, relax and enjoy. Cabanas are a wonderful option for a family travling together. The Cabanas are $499 for up to 6 people but the Cabanas at the Family Beach can accomodate up to 10 for an additional $50 per person. A family of five can easily spend $500 on a shore excursion in another port, but for my money, a Cabana is a much better use of your vacation funds!

Be well and make magic wherever you go!

Sara Varney
Travel Planner