Link to article: The 13 BIG Changes That Are Coming to Walt Disney World

An artist rendering of what a ride in the new Avatar World at Animal Kingdom will look like - cool!  Credit: themeparktourist.com

I knew about some of these, but there are some very interesting things going on in WDW right now.  A list of the 13 biggest changes coming in the next year are listed here on themeparktourist.com:

Something BIG!

I am looking forward to most of these, especially making Animal Kingdom more of a "full day" park with the addition of a nighttime show, an expansion of Africa, and the whole new Avatar World.  These are things I would love to see.

The addition of Star Wars to all things Disney has been a great success, and I think even more families will go to what is currently Hollywood Studios (although it will change, but to what is anyone's guess) to see an entire Star Wars WORLD.

I've not been completely smitten with Toy Story at Hollywood Studios, but some of the new rides might draw me in.  I can see a whole new theme for the park going in when they "officially" change the name to...whatever it's going to be.  I'm just glad I have both an MGM Studios AND Hollywood Studios pin in my collection already!

Disney Springs is about 60% complete and should be done before Christmas.  I will be taking lots of photos around Halloween, so I hope most of it is done by then.

I am REALLY glad they are adding a third section to Soarin' at Epcot - the wait for this ride is always extremely long, unless you have a FastPass.  Even after all this time, it never gets old, and I love it.

I also think that the addition of the Frozen-themed ride in Epcot's Norway pavilion is going to create a LOT more traffic where people with small kids probably avoided that whole area before, sadly.  I tend to think of Epcot as a whole a more "grown-up" park, especially the pavilions 
in the World Showcase at the back.  The front of the park currently has all of the rides, and I haven't seen as many families spending too much time wandering through the 11 pavilions as I have, with many of them indulging in an adult beverage, or two, or three.

Still, this is why WDW never gets old - there is always something new going on!

Drinking Around Epcot's World Showcase

This is definitely a good idea for adult couples who enjoy a nice beverage or two while they wander.  And families - believe me, Dad would like to have a beer in Germany, or any other country, for that matter.  It's a lot of walking.

There's a sign for everything.
Photo: Pinterest.com

For the most part, Walt Disney World's parks are dry.  That is, Magic Kingdom currently serves alcohol in only one of its restaurants (Be Our Guest), and Hollywood Studios offers alcoholic beverages at The Brown Derby Restaurant.  Both of these are for dine-in only, meaning you can't take them with you when you finish your meal, and you can't just buy a beverage to walk around with.  Animal Kingdom does not offer any alcoholic beverages that I am aware of.

BUT...go to Epcot, and you will be surrounded by alcoholic choices in each of the eleven countries that are represented there, and not just one drink choice, either.  Each of the countries has a selection of alcoholic drinks available for purchase every day, and you can walk around with them instead of sitting a a restaurant.

Or wine!
Photo: thesipadvisor.com

To this end, the "Drinking Around the World Showcase" idea came about because I'm sure there were some couples who couldn't wait to try a little bit of everything.  From beers to wines and specialty drinks, there is something for every taste.

My personal favorite: the Grand Marnier slush in the France pavilion.  Delicious!  AND there's a beautiful, quiet little seating area nearby so that you can people-watch, which is one of my favorite past times anywhere.

The Grand Marnier slush and the Grey Goose slush - delicious!
Photo: DisneyFoodBlog

As a reminder, the eleven countries are (from right side to left side):

Canada
United Kingdom
France
Morocco
Japan
United States
Italy
Germany
China
Norway
Mexico

A full list of the beverages - and snack foods - are available on the WDW website for each of the individual countries.  If you don't want to try one of everything, it will help you plan to drink what you really, really want to try. 

If you decide to do this "tour", make sure that you follow a few common sense rules:

1) This is still a theme park with lots of kids.  Don't get drunk, and don't act like an idiot.  They will throw you out if you are acting extremely drunk and stupid, and it doesn't matter how much you paid for those tickets.

2) Drink lots of water in between your alcoholic beverages. The hot Florida sun and humidity can make you ill, and you'll be spending more time in your resort room than you intended if you don't.

3) Have a snack.  Or two.  Or three.  It's better to take some time in between your alcoholic beverages, so why not get a snack to share?  For that matter, why not share your beverage AND your snack if you're not a big eater or drinker, but want to sample everything?

My best advice for trying to "Drink Around the World" is to take your time, check out all the interesting things there are to see and do in each of the countries, and enjoy yourself completely.  There are little museums, shows, and lots of shopping opportunities while you're walking around Epcot, so don't forget about any of them.

Link to DisneyDining.com article: Top 8 Amazing Special Effects in the Parks

I really must be a big kid at heart.

DisneyDining.com's article about the top 8 special effects at WDW parks is right on - and I actually have NOT seen #1 (Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios) or #7 (Maurice's Workshop in the Magic Kingdom).  Fantasmic! has been on my list, and Maurice's Workshop will be on it now.

Fantasmic!
Photo: disney.wikia.com

Here's a link to the whole article:
WOW!

If you have small kids, be sure to take them to see #3 on the list: Turtle Talk with Crush in Epcot's The Seas pavilion.  It is the best interactive "show" for little kids, because Crush will ask them questions.  It's not a super-long show, either, so it will hold their attention.  It is cute, funny, endearing and entertaining.

Photo: land.allears.net

My personal favorite: the Hitchhiking Ghosts of the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom.  But that's not really a surprise since it's my favorite ride.

Photo: cl-evolved.com

Magic Bands : What are they?

Magic Bands are a fairly new addition to Walt Disney World.  They have been in existence for about two years, and during the first year they were completely experimental and not given to everyone.  This allowed the Disney powers that be to see how well things worked and tweak some things before they rolled them out to everyone.

This is how they will be delivered to your home before your WDW trip.
Photo: wordpress.com

The Magic Band is worn like a bracelet, and comes in several different colors:  

Gray (the standard color if you don't choose one, or if wait until you get to your resort or the park to get it)
Yellow
Blue
Pink Red
Green
Orange

When you book your trip, go to the Walt Disney World website, pick a color you like for each person in your party and personalize a name on each of the bands.  The name isn't visible; it's under the band, but it helps identify whose is whose if you have several people in your party. The RFID chip inside is linked to each individual band, so once you link your Magic Band to you it is yours for life.  Your bands will be mailed to you approximately 30 days before your trip.  Be sure to put your Magic Bands on at the airport!  You will be using them to check in for your Magical Express bus at Orlando International Airport, and from then on you will be using them pretty much everywhere until you head back to the airport again.

Photo: passporterboards.com

The Magic Band replaces the former "Key To the World" card, which is a card that was basically used for everything Disney: room key, a credit card for charging to your resort room, accessing the Disney Dining Plan, and for obtaining Fast Passes for the parks.  Magic Bands are waterproof, so you don't have to worry about getting them wet on a water ride, at a water park, or just by sweating throughout the day.  Having a Magic Band on your wrist means you won't have to carry a room key, a credit card, or any other form of ID, so your hands are free and no purse or backpack is really necessary in the parks or when you go to dinner.  Unless you have small children.  Then all bets are off.

The top of each Magic Band has a Mickey head on it that contains an RFID chip, and this is the part that activates everything from your resort room door to credit card charges.  It can even be used for Photo Pass purchases and Fast Pass+ selections.

Photo: mouseonthemind.com

As a Room Key
When you check into your Disney resort, you will touch the Mickey head on your Magic Band to a small Mickey head on the resort desk and enter a PIN.  This will officially activate the credit card charging ability and give you some security.  Children under 10 years of age do not use a PIN, since they generally are not allowed to purchase anything without parental permission (or shouldn't be allowed - who knows how many Mickey ice cream bars they would buy when you're not looking).  When you get to your room, just touch Mickey's head against the Mickey head on your resort room door, and the light will turn green.

Photo: attractionsmagazine.com

As a Credit Card
If you didn't link a credit card to your Magic Band when you personalized them online, you can do so at your resort.  This will allow you to "charge" any purchases you make at the parks, restaurants, and Downtown Disney to your account by just touching your Magic Band to another Mickey head at the time of each purchase.  At the end of your stay, you will get a detailed report with all of your charges listed, and your credit card will list one charge for all of your purchases made via the Magic Bands.  If you have any questionable charges, you can visit the front desk to go over them in person before you leave.

Photo: militarydisneytips.com

For Park Entry
If you purchase your Magic Bands in advance, you can link your theme park tickets to them, as well.  When you get to your first theme park of the trip, you will touch your Magic Band to another Mickey head at the entrance but also use one finger (pick one you will remember) to "activate" the Magic Band at ALL of the parks from that moment on.  Like the PIN associated with the band for credit card charges, the finger you use will be linked to that Magic Band as long as you use it.

Photo: allthingsd.com

For the Dining Plan
If you sign up for the Disney Dining Plan, you can use the Magic Band to track your meals and snacks used on a daily basis.  Depending on the type of Dining Plan you get for your party, you may have a lot of meal choices to keep track of, and you can get a printout from any restaurant or quick service counter to see how many meals and snacks you have left in your plan.

Fast Pass+
This is my absolute favorite benefit of the Magic Bands.  You can make Fast Pass+ reservations on line 60 days in advance, up to three per park (all in the same park), per day, in order to bypass the lines at the parks for some of the more popular rides.  Also, you can reserve Fast Pass+ times for everyone in your party at the same time, so that none of you are separated and can all ride or experience shows together.  At the parks, you can also select a fourth Fast Pass (and a fifth, if you plan it right) after you have used your first three for that particular day.  Not all rides have Fast Pass+ available, but most do.  Also, some rides cannot be chosen together.  (I will go into this in another article.)  Just go to the WDW website when your 'window' opens up at 60 days and start planning for your favorite rides.

Photo Pass
There are photographers everywhere in the parks, and you may want to have your family's picture taken everywhere you go, especially at Character meets and in front of Cinderella's castle (who wouldn't?).  Just ask an available photographer to take your photo, and they will scan your Magic Band and "link" your photos online so that you can view them for 30 days after your trip.  This will allow you to purchase any (or all) of the photos and personalize them with Disney borders and other special effects.  They also take special effects photos that add Tinkerbell and other characters to your photos magically, as you will see online when you view them.  These photographers will also take photos with your camera at no charge to you, so don't be afraid to ask.

Tinkerbell!  Hayley and I didn't see you when the photo was taken!

Other things you may want to be aware of:

Lost...and Found?
If anyone in your party loses their Magic Band, ask a Cast Member where you need to go to replace it as soon as possible.  They will make sure that the old one is deactivated and no one else will be allowed to use them to charge, enter your resort room, or use your passes.  If you find it again, you can reactivate it again, or you can just keep it as another souvenir.

Limited Editions
In addition to the Magic Bands you get for free online when you book your stay, you can also buy Limited Edition Magic Bands at the parks.  These have special designs or cover and include everything from Star Wars themes to Christmas and character designs.

Photo: wdpromedia.com

And this is the coolest marriage proposal idea EVER!

Oh. Em. Geeeeee!
Photo: howheasked.com

Bling it!
There are many, many ways to personalize your Magic Bands, from "skins" to something called "Magic Bandits", and they can be found in many shops throughout the parks.  They can be character pieces or just bright and shiny stuff.  Lots of options there.  You can also purchase some items online from the WDW online store before you go if you'd like:
Yourwdwstore.net

Photo: Pinterest.com

Get your Magic Band before you go!  You don't want to be stuck like this:

Photo: blog.ges.com

That photo seriously made me laugh out loud!

What are you waiting for?  Start planning!

Special Events at Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom)

Photo: lebeauleblog

Depending on the time of year you travel to Walt Disney World, your trip may coincide with a "hard ticket" event, meaning you have to have an actual ticket specifically purchased for the event in order to get into the park, and you cannot use your Magic Bands, Park Hoppers, or Annual Passes to do so.

These "hard ticket" events are called Special Events on the WDW site.  You can purchase your tickets directly from the official WDW site: disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/events/, or even through one of several third party vendors if you're particularly adventurous.  

I would highly recommend going directly through the WDW site to ensure you are getting a "real" ticket, and not one that has been re-sold and may not be valid for you.  It would be a shame to get to the park on the day of the event and find out that either your tickets are not good for the event, or that the park is SOLD OUT because of the Special Event, and your family will not be able to attend.  That would be a real bummer, especially if there are little kids - or adults - in your party who were really looking forward to something.  

On these Special Event nights, the Magic Kingdom is actually closed to ALL other guests, even those staying at Disney Resorts.  If you are already in the Magic Kingdom prior to the Special Event, you will have to return to the front of the park prior to the Special Event in order to get a special wrHere's a list of the biggest Special Events that Disney World has every year that require a "hard ticket":

Night of Joy (September) - Christian bands performing on two nights, in the Magic Kingdom.  Cost: $65.00 + tax per person.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, or MNSSHP (September-November 1) - 7 pm until midnight on select nights (check the WDW calendar).  Candy, special performances, the Disney villains, a special parade with a ghostly Halloween theme, and extreme fireworks are the benefits of having a ticket to this event.  Oh, and much shorter lines for the rides and attractions.  This year will mark the first time I've attended this event, and I am very excited! The closer you get to Halloween, the quicker the tickets may sell out.  Cost: $63.00 - $68.00 + tax per person.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (November-December) - As with MNSSHP above, these tickets are available for select nights only, and the closer you get to Christmas, the tickets will be harder to get.  Christmas is a very popular time for families to visit the parks.  There are special fireworks displays, and Elsa from Frozen lights Cinderella's castle each night.  That is sure to set the little girls off on a scream fest!  Cost: $69.00 - $74.00 + tax per person.

So check the website for these events, and book your tickets early to make sure you get your first choice.

Link to Article: Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar to Open this Fall at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

Photo: io9.com - ADORBS!

I am a fan of the Indiana Jones movies.

I adore Harrison Ford (in pretty much everything).

When I saw that WDW would be opening Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar in Downtown Disney this Fall, it made me very, very excited because I will BE THERE this Fall!

More information and artist renderings on the Disney Parks blog here - it looks like it will be a neat place to visit:  

Indiana Jones

They will serve tapas-style plates (small plates) and alcohol, so this is the sort of place for the adults to visit.

The article doesn't give an exact date, but I hope it's open by October 22nd when I arrive, because I want to pay a visit!

Hollywood Studios map - 2015

Hollywood Studios map - 2015

Click on the image to enlarge it and print it off if you want to.  

Current park maps are always available at the park entrances.

Photo: totaldesign.net

Animal Kingdom map - 2015

Animal Kingdom map for 2015

Click on the image to enlarge it and print it off if you want to.  

Current park maps are always available at the park entrances.

Photo: totaldesign.net

Epcot map - 2015

Epcot map for 2015

Click on the image to enlarge it and print it off if you want to.  Current park maps are always available at the park entrances.

Photo: fortfiends.net

Magic Kingdom map 2015

Magic Kingdom

Click on the image to enlarge it and print it off if you want to.  

Current park maps are always available at the park entrances.

Photo credit: The Best of Walt Disney World blog

Here is a link to the website with the latest map:
Magic Kingdom map

Link to Article: Top 10 Places to Meet Mickey Mouse at Disney World

Photo: WDWLive.com

Character meet and greets are not a big deal for me and my family because we don't have any small children in the family.  That being said, we DID take Hayley's photo with Mickey at the Country Fair in Magic Kingdom on our first trip because the line was not very long at all.

Here's a list from Disneyfanatic.com that lists the best places to meet THE mouse himself.  I think I would actually like to do #1 - meet a talking Mickey!

Mickey Mouse Meet and Greets

On another note, there are now far more character meet and greets for all of the princesses and beloved characters like Chip and Dale (they show up in several places in each park), and the Jungle Book characters are always wandering around Animal Kingdom.  Some of the princess lines are long, but some of them also have FastPass+ if you really, really want to meet them.  Plan your day accordingly.

Link to article: 12 Things You Might Not Know You Can Do At Disney

A recent article on Disneyfanatic.com - some things that most people don't realize you can do at Disney World:

12 Things

We discovered # 2 on our last trip to Disney - we had no idea you could send packages back to your Disney resort so you don't have to carry everything around all day, and we used it.  We picked up our packages the next morning so we didn't have to carry a Haunted Mansion throw and Disney trading pins from one ride to the next.  You juts fill out a package pick up ticket at the time of purchase and take your copy back to your resort.  The Cast Member making the sale should let you know where to pick up your items at that time, but if they don't know the exact location just ask any Cast Member back at your resort.

The only caveat here is that you can't be checking out the next day.  Otherwise, you can also ask to have your packages delivered to a location at the front of the park (with a reasonable amount of time before you are leaving for the day - more than 3 hours), and they will be available to pick up.  Each park has a couple of locations for package pick up near the entrance.

I also didn't know about the free water.  Bottled water costs $2.50 each time you buy it, but a cup of cold ice water for anyone - or everyone - in your party is available at all quick service and counter locations.  Plus you can pour it into your own container once you get it if you have a refillable water bottle or some other container you are reusing.

Link to article: My 5 Favorite Walt Disney World Resorts

Don't just take my word for it - here's a Disney expert who has stayed at many Disney World resorts.  

Article on DisDining.com: 
Stay with me!

Number 5 on this list is the only one that is not a Deluxe resort and is my personal favorite Moderate resort: Port Orleans - Riverside.  That says something for the beauty and comfort of this resort.

Port Orleans - Riverside's main entrance, river access, restaurant and food court

Link to article: And they lived happily ever after

I can only imagine a Disney themed wedding in the Happiest Place on Earth.

When I saw this article on the World of Walt blog, I found that the prices aren't quite as steep as I thought they'd be.

Happily Ever After

It's something little girls dream about, especially if they were raised on the classic Disney movies.  And, according to the website, you can have any theme you want, or no theme at all.  What an invitation!

Photo from Pinterest

Link to article: Top 7 Mickey Shaped Foods

Some of the best Disney stuff is Disney FOOD!

DisneyDining.com has an article about their choices for the 7 best Mickey-shaped foods in WDW:

Hey, Mickey!

I enjoyed Mickey waffles so much on our first couple of Disney trips that I bought a Mickey waffle maker as soon as they were available!  They had them at our local grocery store, and I couldn't resist getting one.  It was only $16 - that's about the cost of two Mickey waffle breakfasts at a resort!

Mmmmm...Mickey ice cream and Mickey candied apples...

Disney Resorts

Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside 

If you stay on property at Walt Disney World (WDW), you will be staying at a Disney resort.  Let's face it: if you're going to vacation at Disney World, you should stay at a Disney resort!

I'm a believer in immersing myself in the Disney experience, and fortunately there is a resort available for every price range and taste at WDW, so you shouldn't have a problem finding something that suits you personally and financially.

In addition to several campground areas priced under $50 per night, there are three "levels" of resorts (prices are approximate and can change seasonally, and are for standard rooms): 

Value resorts - $90-$120 per night
Moderate resorts - $160-$230 per night
Deluxe resorts - upwards of $280 per night

All of the resorts have a theme, and it's up to you to determine how "themed" you want to get.  Family suites and connecting rooms are available at every Disney resort, so be sure to check out the official Walt Disney World website at www.disneyworld.disney.go.com to see all of your options as well as lots of photos and detailed lists of amenities, restaurants, and other fantastic things about each property before you make your decision.  Sometimes just seeing photos of a particular property is enough to make up your mind.

Value Resorts

These are the lowest priced hotels on the Disney spectrum, and they are by no means "cheap hotels".  These resorts are decked out from top to bottom in all things Disney, Disney, Disney.  The Value resorts tend to have more children around and have amenities that are generally closer together, which is great if you have a family of younger children who like to be social and/or you don't want to have to go too far to get breakfast, or dinner, or to the pool.

The rooms, pools and restaurants are themed at every Value resort, so there is always something to look at, experience, and always grab your attention.  

Here's a list of the Value resorts:

*Pop Century (50's to 90's fads)
*All-Star Sports 
*All-Star Movies
*All-Star Sports
*Art of Animation 

Art of Animation is classified as a Value resort on the WDW website, but I really think it falls between Moderate and Deluxe price-wise.  There are 3 different themed areas at this resort to choose from: The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Cars.  The lobby of this resort has scenes from all three of these Disney movies, so you are immersed from the moment you walk in.

Each of these resorts has multiple dining options, but not all of them have a sit-down restaurant.  Check the WDW website to make comparisons before you book.

Moderate Resorts

The next tier up on the list are the Moderate resorts.  These are a little higher in price, and in general they have a more subtle theme throughout the property and the rooms.

The Moderate resorts are:

*The Cabins at Fort Wilderness
*Port Orleans - French Quarter
*Port Orleans - Riverside (antebellum mansion look)
*Caribbean Beach
*Coronado Springs (Spanish style)

We have stayed in Moderate resorts for all of our Disney trips  so far and probably will continue to do so because they are a great value, have more open spaces, and allow for some actual privacy without running over little kids at every turn, even though there are kids everywhere as there are in all of the resorts.  You just don't feel cramped next to another hotel room, and the atmosphere is more relaxed and calm overall, even when you're heading to the pools.

Port Orleans - Riverside has Princess themed rooms available, modeled after "The Princess and The Frog" movie with Princess Tiana prominently featured.  The Princess rooms are generally about $30/night higher than the standard rooms.

All of the Moderate resorts have a sit-down restaurant (Port Orleans shares one between French Quarter and Riverside: Boatwright's Dining Hall), as well as a food court and quick service meal options and poolside bars with adult beverages. 

The Moderate resorts have open spaces and jogging trails, some have exercise rooms and/or spas, and other activities such as horse-drawn carriage rides or campfire stories, nightly movies on the grass, or even bikes and fishing opportunities available for additional fees.

Deluxe Resorts

At the top of the list are the Deluxe resorts.  These are definitely pricier and have high-end fixtures and experiences that truly say "I'm on vacation".  A couple of the Deluxe resorts have actual vacation villas available for rent, in addition to its regular hotel rooms.  I've listed the villa options separately below. 

The Deluxe Resorts are:

*Polynesian Village
*Animal Kingdom Lodge
*BoardWalk Inn
*Beach Club
*Yacht Club
*Wilderness Lodge
*Contemporary
*Grand Floridian

The Grand Floridian resort is the top-of-the-top and is a village unto itself.  Sitting directly across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom entrance, it is definitely grand and imposing. They even offer afternoon tea at this resort.

The Polynesian Resort will immerse visitors in all things Hawaiian.  From tiki huts to luaus, there is something here for everyone longing to head to the islands.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge has rooms that overlook the "savannahs" and animals to gaze at morning, noon and night. The inside of this resort is amazing in pictures, and I think it's the only Deluxe resort that I would pay extra to stay in to be immersed in the African wilderness.

All of these resorts have numerous sit-down restaurants, adult entertainment areas, quick service food spots, and tons of open space and amenities.  There is nothing you could want for at a Deluxe Disney resort, but you will definitely pay for the privilege.  Just looking at the photos on the WDW website can be breathtaking, and doing a Google search of photos taken at these properties is a fantastic way to get a feel for the resorts themselves and things people do to entertain themselves on vacation.

Villas

There are also several resorts with villas available, which are higher priced than Deluxe resorts at more than $600 per night.  These would be great options for families traveling with multiple generations for reunions, where there is more than one person or family paying for the trip.

*Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House and Kidani Village
*Polynesian Villas and Bungalows (recently opened and on the water - they look amazing!)
*Old Key West Resort (the most affordable option, priced slightly higher than the Deluxe resorts)
*Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
*Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
*Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
*Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
*BoardWalk Villas
*Beach Club Villas

Check out the WDW website for a complete list of the amenities, restaurants and features.

Other Disney Resorts

Disney Swan and Disney Dolphin hotels are not considered "true" Disney hotels because they are not themed and have a more modern, architectural look inside and out, but they are on Disney property.  These would be considered Deluxe resorts for the prices, which are above $280 per night.

So, there you go!  Lots of options to stay and play and truly enjoy your Disney vacation.  All Disney resorts have transportation to and from the theme parks by bus, monorail or boat depending on the location, but be sure to check with the resort to determine what options are available and if it really suits your needs before booking.

Disney's Magical Express - the best way to get to Walt Disney World

If you're traveling to Walt Disney World by plane, the best way to get to and from your Disney resort is Disney's Magical Express.

This is a free service offered by Disney World when you stay at a Disney resort, and you can book it along with your airline tickets, vacation package, OR directly through the Walt Disney World website if you book your resort hotel separately.

The Magical Express is a truly magical way to travel.  

Approximately 3-4 weeks before your trip, you will receive a packet with Mickey Mouse luggage tags and special yellow luggage strips that have all of your Disney resort information that allow the magic to happen.  

Your name and address go on the back - cute keepsake!

Luggage tags with your resort and flight information.

Put your tags on your luggage, and when you get to the airport and deposit your bags with your airline carrier, you won't have to worry about them again.  It will arrive at your Disney resort and be delivered directly to your room.  This will allow you to go to one of the parks, to Downtown Disney, or just explore your resort - or any of the Disney resorts, for that matter.  You won't have to worry about a thing.  The next time you have to mess with your luggage is when you leave your resort to head for the hotel, and then you'll just have to take it to the designated checkin station at your resort. THEN you won't have to mess with it again until you're back at your home airport.

A nice way to travel!

Orlando International Airport is very, very big.  Coming from a smaller airport like San Antonio, it can be very overwhelming if you're not used to large airports.  Knowing that I just have to take a couple of escalators and a tram to get on a bus that will take me to my hotel is much better than thinking about renting a car, or catching a shuttle, dealing with toll roads (which there are a LOT of in Central Florida) or anything like that.  This is, after all, your vacation, and you should enjoy every single minute of it.

The Magical Express allows you to take a Disney bus - and watch a little Disney video - while you take the 20-30 minute trip from Orlando International Airport to your Disney resort, depending on where you're staying and how many stops your particular bus has to make and where your resort is on the drop off list.  You get to relax, kick back, and take in the scenery, and you are deposited directly to your hotel lobby where you can just check in and go about your business and not WORRY about anything, because they will take your bags directly to your room and you don't have to be there waiting for them.

When you arrive in Orlando, you will follow the directions you receive in your Disney packet (depending on the airline you are using) and head down to the bottom level to catch the Magical Express to your resort.  You will check in with the Mouse helpers and board your bus.

At the end of your trip, it's the same thing in reverse: you check in your luggage at the time requested by your resort, then board your Magical Express bus back to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled domestic flight (if you are flying overseas, you may have to head to the airport a little earlier than that in order to clear Customs, etc.).  The 3 hour window allows travel time to the airport and you get time to relax and recover from your Disney World vacation before you get back to reality!

Downtown Disney - Overview

Photo: smallworldvacations.com

Downtown Disney (DD) is an area of Disney World that has restaurants, shopping, shows, and lots of family activities. 

DD is open at 9 a.m. daily, and stays open as late as 12 am or 1 am on the weekends, depending on the season.  You can drive and park if you're traveling by car, or get there by bus from any of the Disney resorts or theme parks, OR you can even get there by boat if you are staying at Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Old Key West, or Saratoga Springs resort.

DD has recently expanded to include The Boathouse, a signature dining experience, and "Amphicars", amphibious water cars that you can ride out over the Downtown Disney lagoon for about 20 minutes.  

One of the newer experiences is called Characters in Flight - a hot air balloon that takes you for a short ride up and over Downtown Disney and the surrounding lagoon.  Looking at the YouTube videos, it looks like a beautiful view of a LOT of the Disney World surrounding area, and I look forward to trying it on my solo trip in October!

Some of the best shops are found at DD, including a huge store called World of Disney, billed as the "largest Disney character store" in the world. You can find just about anything Disney in this store for a good souvenir.

There is a Cirque show called La Nouba on the West Side of DD, as well as a large AMC theater, bowling alley, DisneyQuest (an indoor gaming extravaganza), the House of Blues, Rainforest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich, a Ghirardelli's shop, and food trucks with tastes from around the world.

DD is the best place to go on one of your "off days" - either a day in the middle of a long trip when you want to take it a bit slower, or on the day you arrive when you don't want to waste a partial day at the park when you've paid for a full day or park hopper ticket (these are covered separately under ticket options).

Check out the options on the Walt Disney World Resort website here: Walt Disney World Resort.

Welcome to my Disney blog!

I'm just starting this one, but I've been asked so many questions lately that I decided I needed to do this for my friends.  

This will be a blog with my own photos, reviews, and ideas.  I will post links to events and other websites that I find - or have found - helpful.

So many things to do!

Hayley and me at Hollywood Studios - January 2015