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Is It Worth Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel?

This week’s announcements out of Walt Disney World created a firestorm of responses on the internet. Disney fans struggle to make sense of the upcoming discontinuation of Disney’s Magical Express airport shuttle service and changes to the Extra Magic Hours perk for onsite resort guests. Compound these changes with all the other changes to perks for on-property guests in a post-pandemic Disney World, and many of us are wondering, “Is it still worth staying at a WDW Resort hotel?”

What Would Juliana Do? Let’s look at the current state of affairs one by one.

Magic Bands:

As of January 1 this year, Magic Bands are no longer complimentary as part of a resort hotel stay. When staying at a WDW Resort hotel, guests can choose to purchase solid-color Magic Bands for $5, or select a designed Magic Band for up to $20. If purchasing a Magic Band doesn’t suit you, don’t fret. Disney is upgrading the My Disney Experience app so guests can use their smartphones for many of the functions of the Magic Band, such as opening your room door, making purchases, and park entry.

WWJD: Personally, I love the Magic Band. I love that I have access to all I need in the parks and at my resort right on my wrist. I rarely have pockets in my warm-weather clothes, and even if I did, I wouldn’t use them for my phone. That just begs for me to lose it. I also really don’t like the idea of having to pull my phone out of a pocket or a bag as often as I would need to. I don’t even like to do that to snap pictures in the parks (one of the reasons I love Memory Maker).

I should also mention that last time I was at WDW, I accidentally left my Magic Band in the room and the app absolutely would not work to open my door. Every time I tried, either the app itself crashed, or, if I got it to load, the bluetooth wouldn’t work. I admit, I’m not very tech savvy, so it could have been an operator error. Regardless, I’ll take a Magic Band please! And I have no problem paying for it. In fact, now that I have to pay for a solid Magic Band, I’m more likely to upgrade my purchase to a designed one and have a little fun with it while I’m at it.

Dining Plans:

Since reopening in July, Disney has suspended the Dining Plan option, with no concrete indication of when it will return. So, instead of being able to pre-purchase a meal plan for that all-inclusive feel, guests have to pay for what they eat when they eat it. If you think about it, with so many restaurants not yet reopened, it makes sense not to offer guests an option to pre-pay for limited dining options.

WWJD: Full disclosure, I was never a die-hard dining plan fan, so this isn’t a deal-breaker for me. I’m certainly not against the Dining Plan, it’s just not a must-do for me with every trip. I think it depends on how you like to vacation and what your priorities and specific plans are. In short, it changes with every vacation. That said, I miss so many of the Disney dining options and experiences. When they return, I think I’ll take a full culinary tour of the Walt Disney World Resort and plan to dine at all of my favorite restaurants and at all those I have been meaning to try. Hopefully by that time, the Dining Plan option will be reinstated because I’m going to want to avoid the trauma of paying for those meals separately as I go.

FastPasses:

Back in the heyday of ‘beforetimes’, all ticketed guests at Walt Disney World parks had access to 3 pre-planned FastPass+ experiences in one park per day. The bonus perk for on-property resort guests was a pre-booking window beginning 60 days prior to check-in, versus 30 days for off-site guests. But like the Dining Plan, FastPass+ reservations did not return when the park reopened in July. Speculation about why this is, and about the future of the Disney FastPass+ Reservation system, abounds. We have our own theories about the Future of the FastPass+. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the option isn’t currently available to anyone.

WWJD: This one stings a little. Whether you’re an over-planner or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-little-red-pants kind of mouse, FastPasses guaranteed us 3 seamless/no-wait experiences. While the option remains unavailable to all guests, the real kicker for me here is as an on-site resort guest. The early FastPass+ booking perk all but ensured I would get to experience some of the most popular attractions (typically those with the longest waits). This perk really drew me into paying the premium to stay at a WDW Resort hotel. Not happy.

Extra Magic Hours: Another you-get-what-you-pay-for perk of staying at a WDW Resort hotel was the use of Extra Magic Hours. Previously, on-property guests could enjoy a full hour before park opening or up to 2 hours after park closing at specified parks on specified dates. But this option has gone the way of the FastPass+ and the Dining Plans. Disney has promised us, however, a new Early Theme Park Entry option in which all parks will be open to WDW Resort guests a half an hour prior to rope drop each day. While Disney hasn’t given a start date, they have said it will be in time for the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration this October

WWJD: I don’t mind this one. While I loved Extra Magic Hours for getting a jump on the crowds, I didn’t love having to wait for schedules to be released and planning my park days around which parks would offer EMH on which days. Additionally, the one park that offered EMH often ended up more crowded by afternoon, effectively counteracting the benefit to lower crowds in the morning. Now, with all parks offering early entry each day, on-site guests will be dispersed across 4 parks. So, we will be able to accomplish more in a half hour with fewer crowds, and we probably won’t see an afternoon spike in crowds at a single EMH park.

The down side is for those non-morning people. With no mention of an after park closing option, night owls have no good option. Personally, I’m a morning person, so I’m all set.

Magical Express:

Perhaps the most disturbing news of all for our friends on the internet was the announcement that in 2022, Disney’s Magical Express complimentary airport shuttle service will be discontinued. Fans are noticeably upset, including our own MousekeMom Lori. Magical Express offered such convenience. Not only was airport transportation super simple to add to a resort stay, luggage delivery service and eliminating the need for car seats added an extra bonus. Not to mention, it was, well, Magical. Your Disney vacation started the moment you got off the plane. No fuss. No stress. Just convenience handed to you effortlessly by helpful and friendly cast members.

WWJD: I get it. Losing Magical Express makes getting to and from MCO a bit more challenging. It’s hard to let this one go, but as Lori tells us, maybe something better is on the horizon. Or maybe not. Consider that nearly every other vacation destination requires effort and money in planning your own transportation from the airport. Is this loss really going to keep you from staying on-property or even taking the WDW vacation at all. For me, it won’t. To be honest, I’ve rarely used Magical Express anyway. My family prefers a road trip, so we opt to pay for resort parking anyway. Even when we do fly, we don’t have to worry about car-seats, so that’s a non issue for us. But for those of you still in the car-seat stage of life, remember that airlines can not charge you for checking a car seat with your luggage. Many taxi services in Orlando will allow you to install your own for the transfer or will have them available with an advanced reservation.

As much as many of us will miss the Magical Express perk, let’s try to remember complimentary airport transportation is not what makes magic. No one ever leaves Disney saying, Magical Express sure was the most magical part of my trip.

Now, let’s add up all these changes. What Would Juliana do?

For me, taken individually, none of these changes are a deal-breaker for staying at a WDW Resort hotel. But what about when we add them all up? It’s an awful lot of disappointment. Subtract the value of all of these perks, and one can legitimately question the premium price of an on-site stay. Even still, I say don’t think about the dollar value of the perks. It’s about two things: convenience and Magic.

Walt Disney World is a huge resort. Free transportation is still offered within the resort, so once you get there, you don’t need to worry about getting around like you would if you stayed off property. If staying off property, you would have the added hassle and expense of renting a car and parking at the parks. If you chose a taxi or ride-share, drop off points at Magic Kingdom are actually far from the park entrance. The same is true for bus services offered by other Orlando area hotels. Additionally, those tend to run more seldom, so if you miss one, you have to wait a really long time for the next.

When staying in what many fans call “the Disney bubble,” the Magic begins the moment you wake up in the morning with that call from a favorite character. It extends through your breakfast Mickey Waffle and carries all through your day to your welcome back ‘home’ at night. Cast Members at resorts continue to go above and beyond to make each Prince and Princess of any age feel extra special. You can’t put a price on that..

What do you think? Would you still stay at a WDW Resort hotel for your next WDW vacation. It’s a hot button issue right now, and we would really love to hear your thoughts. Send us a comment.

Ollivander’s Wand Selection: A Review

Harry Potter fans will not want to miss their chance to truly feel like a wizard! Ollivander’s wand shop has two locations: one in Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and one in Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. You can simply enter the shop and browse and purchase the wand that speaks to you. Choose between custom wands or the wands of the popular Potter characters themselves. But why have a regular shopping experience when you can have the wand maker himself guide the wand to choose you in the unique Ollivander’s wand selection show?

Wand Selection

Fans will want to make sure to arrive early to sign up for this experience. Advance reservations were not available at the time of publication. You may sign up BEHIND Ollivander’s main entrance to the shop- in the central courtyard by the Museum of Muggle Commodities. You will be given a return time and you will be asked for the name of the witch or wizard who will be purchasing the wand. This entrance is also where you will be returning to for your appointment. The appointment itself is full of fanfare. Ollivander is just as you would expect- mysterious and wise. He takes his craft seriously. Watch below as my wand chooses me.

Practice Your Craft

Wizards do not have to purchase the wand from the show and the show is complimentary. I purchased my wand. It was $55 plus tax and comes with a map. On one side of the map is Hogsmeade and on the other is Diagon Alley. Spots are indicated on the map (and then marked on the cobblestone ground) where witches and wizards can practice their craft by casting spells. I was able to use the Meteolojinx spell to make it rain!! This by far was my favorite experience in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I would recommend that all Potterheads make time for this unique Ollivander’s wand selection show during your next trip!

Visiting Walt Disney World in 2021

Countless considerations await those planning a Walt Disney World Vacation: weather, pricing, and crowds to name a few. But, if you’re thinking of planning a Disney Trip for 2021, you are left with even more to consider, from health and safety concerns to how the re-opened Disney might stack up against your expectations.

As Walt Disney World parks dropped their ropes after four months of closure, health and safety guidelines have been the driving force behind many of the changes we will see in 2021. Some regulations include mandatory mask wearing for all guests older than 2 years, and no eating or drinking while strolling through the parks. Disney takes these precautions very seriously, and it’s been frequently reported that the rules are being strictly enforced. You can get the most current information straight from Disney, here. Once you have the facts, only you can evaluate them and decide if you feel safe and comfortable with a Disney Vacation. If not: full stop. You have made your decision.

If, however, you can accept the protocols in place, you’ll want to know what Walt Disney World is going to be like in 2021. While only Madame Leota has a crystal ball, we can tell you what we know about Disney’s plans for 2021 thus far, and what we Disney enthusiasts are speculating.

First, when will you go? Disney is currently accepting reservations at most resort hotels through September 27, 2021. This date is not insignificant as it falls just before Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on Oct 1, 2021. While many expansion projects set to debut by the anniversary celebration have been delayed by the pandemic, we do expect to see Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, TRON, and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind open in time for the big anniversary. No official dates have been released, but it’s probably safe to say that this is a goal timeline for the release of these and possibly other new experiences as well.

If the 50th Anniversary Celebration is important to you despite not knowing what it will look like just yet, we suggest waiting until Fall 2021. But, keep in mind that even in a Covid-19 Disney, crowds will likely be higher during this once-in-a-lifetime event. If avoiding large crowds is more important, book earlier in the year.

Next, where will you stay? Not all resort hotels have been released for booking. All three All-Star Resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge, both Port Orleans Resorts, and Wilderness Lodge (except DVC villas) are NOT available. With so many resort hotels at Walt Disney World, you should still have no problem finding a great option in your budget.

Once you have decided when to go and where to stay, you can start looking at the details of your trip. Park reservations are still required, so as soon as you book your package, use your My Disney Experience account to reserve your park days. Currently, even though Park Hopper tickets ARE being offered in 2021, you can only reserve one park per day. We will be watching closely to see how this changes.

We will also be closely watching changes to park hours. Initially hours had been significantly reduced, but we are seeing slow expansion to these times recently. This may be tightly correlated with the increase in crowds we have been seeing lately as well. To be clear, we are not seeing crowded Disney parks, but we are seeing some parks reach their limited capacity maximum, and therefore not accept new park reservations. We are seeing this most at Hollywood Studios, where higher attendance and suspension of FastPass+ opportunities have led to wait times of over an hour at headliner attractions on some days.

Dining reservation windows now open up 60 days in advance, vs 180 days prior to reopening. Dining Plans are not being offered, but can always be added to a package if available later. Right now, a dining plan may be hard to justify, anyway. Several restaurant locations are not open yet across all 4 parks and Disney Springs, and character dining is extremely limited with modified experiences. Character meetings in the parks are now socially distanced as well, so don’t expect that big old hug from Mickey on your camera roll.

Similarly, there will be no special event parties, shows, parades, or fireworks either. But Disney announced special Holiday décor and there have been spontaneous character cavalcades down Main Street, which are pretty enjoyable.

For trips starting January 1, 2021 and later, MagicBands will no longer be included with resort reservations packages. If you have MagicBands from previous trips, you can still use them. They will also still be available for purchase with a package at a discounted rate compared to purchasing separately at a WDW gift shop or online at shopdisney.com. A silver lining here is that Disney is working to expand the functions of the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone to offer the same features as your MagicBand and more.

While all of these changes can be disappointing, let’s focus on those silver linings. Planning a Disney trip had gotten to be pretty complicated: Early openings for Dining Reservations, FastPasses, Daily Itineraries, etc. The modifications to this process might force us to stop planning the details and start just enjoying them instead….smell the Queen of Hearts’ red roses, if you will. Spontaneous, but distanced, character appearances are actually really fun and can add a much-needed whimsical spontaneity to your vacation. Shorter park hours may give those of us who visit the parks from rope drop to close the time to enjoy all that the WDW resorts have to offer outside of the parks. Let’s just say that with SO much regularly offered at WDW, it was impossible to do it all, and FOMO was real. Maybe now, we can all learn to relax a little bit more.

That said, there is still a lot to keep track of when planning your WDW vacation. With so much changing so frequently, a Disney Vacation Planner will keep you abreast of any new policy changes and can be your one point of contact for any plans or modifications you need to make. We highly recommend booking early with one. As long as capacity restrictions are in place, there is a chance that park reservations will fill up, or that WDW will halt new resort package bookings altogether. Booking early is the best way to ensure you will get the resort hotel room of your choice and the park reservation days you want. You can always make changes. Remember, Disney’s modification and cancellation policy for 2021 is still very lenient, so there is little risk.

If previous marketing trends are any indication, and if crowds continue to stay away from theme parks, we do anticipate a potential for steep discounts for 2021 resorts stays. Your Disney Vacation Planner can always get available promotions applied to your existing trip, and you won’t have to wait on hold for hours to do it yourself.

The best reason of all to book your 2021 Walt Disney World Vacation is that studies show that the act of simply planning a vacation can boost happiness. I think we can all agree that we could all use a little more happiness and magic these days.

Packing for the Parks- COVID19 Edition

If we’ve learned anything this year, it is that things have changed.

As we all start to get comfortable with the “new normal”, some are starting to head to the parks again. If you have gone to Walt Disney World before, I am sure you had your list of items to bring to the park; well now we need COVID19 edition items! So with your usual list of items to bring to the park we also suggest the following:

Masks

Right now, Walt Disney World requires you to wear a mask at all times while outside. Here are the official rules on masks from Disney:

Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

Be made with at least 2 layers of breathable material

Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin

Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free

At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings.

Since Orlando can be very hot and humid, I recommend bringing multiple masks with you, so if they get all sweaty you have extras!

Hand Sanitizer

All around Walt Disney World you will be seeing extra hand sanitizing stations, but I still think it is important to have your own. Disney has a few cute hand sanitizer holders too that you can clip onto your bag. Target is selling cute Disney Character ones right now.

I also bring along a small container of sanitizing wipes. I use these to wipe down eating surfaces, little kid hands sometimes, and some high touch areas in the hotels

Water

Pre-COVID I would bring my reusable water bottles and fill them up at the water fountains found throughout the park or ask any kiosks for a glass of ice water. Although water fountains are open currently, I don’t see this as the safest option. They also are currently not giving out the free ice water at kiosks. I suggest you bring a large water bottle with you and if that doesn’t last for you, you can always buy a bottle of water.

Park Bag

Before all the madness, I would bring a park bag and even have items hanging off of it. Not everything would be contained in the bag. I now want to make an effort to bring as little with me as possible, and make sure everything fits in my bag so there is less contact between my belongings and all of my surroundings.

Gratitude

This is the most important one! We just recently lived in a time where all Disney Parks, Resorts, and Cruise ships were completely closed. Thousands of people lost their lives, thousand lost their jobs, and we were told to stay home all day. Although things are not back to normal, some of the parks are open, some cast members are back to work and we’re slowly moving toward a new normalcy. Please be mindful that Cast Members are getting used to the new normal; this is all new to them too! Be grateful, even waiting in lines. Remember there was a time we would have been so happy to wait in any line instead of sitting alone in your houses. Enjoy your time and, in keeping with the theme of 2020, embrace the changes, be ready to pivot, and have fun!

Is it Safe to Fly in the New Age of COVID?

Air travel has undoubtedly taken one of the hardest hits since the Coronavirus began. As the nation begins to slowly come out of quarantine and look to some sort of normalcy, we begin to wonder- how safe is it to fly now?

Six months after the initial crisis began in our country, the TSA reports that they’ve definitely seen a rise in air travel since Labor Day, but that rise is still only about a quarter of the volume they see in typical years. And let’s examine the facts. First, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission on any US flights. This begs the question, does that mean there is no risk? What are the odds of getting sick in the air? One common fear is the notion that the recycled air throughout the cabin will be a natural breeding ground to quickly transmit the virus among all of the passengers should a COVID positive passenger be on board. This is FALSE. According to the CDC, most viruses in fact do NOT spread easily on flights because of the way the air is filtered and then circulated from the ceiling to the floor. Carriers have been using HEPA filters on board since well before the Coronavirus pandemic. These filters capture at least 99.97% of airborne microbes by circulating the cabin air once every 2-4 minutes. Combine this with the strictly enforced policies of wearing a mask for the duration of the flight, leaving the middle seat open, limiting passengers, enhanced cleanings, temperature checks and health screenings and the probability of contracting COVID in flight goes down even more.

The bottom line is use your common sense. Research the various airline carrier to make sure you’re comfortable with their health and safety protocols. Maintain a social distance in the airport. Wash your hands often. Use hand sanitizer. Wipe down the arms of your seat, your window shade, tray table and control buttons. Wear your mask at all times. Don’t touch your face. Apply for your TSA Pre-Check to minimize the need to stand in line for security. Pack lightly so that you don’t need to go to a crowded baggage claim carousel. And, most importantly, be vigilant. Travel will come back and we will all be ok.

Top 8 Rides for your MousekeToddlers at the Magic Kingdom

When traveling to Disney World with toddlers, it can be overwhelming and tiring. The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is home to a ton of options for your littlest travelers, and deciding which rides fit your toddler can be tough. I have been to the Magic Kingdom with my three kids at every stage of baby and toddler and have outlined the top 8 rides for toddlers so you know what rides not to miss!

#8. Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

This colorful ride has everything your toddler is looking for: comfy seating in a shell, colorful characters, entertaining music, and little scare factor. Plus, after the ride you can go directly to Ariel’s Grotto to meet Ariel herself. Lines aren’t typically too long and the que line has shells in the ground that the kids will love trying to pick up!

#7 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

There is nothing better than

climbing into a honey pot to start your journey to the Hundred Acre Wood. This ride bounces, floats, and lifts through the story books. It will keep your little one entertained, and pointing out all their favorite characters. One of the best things is the queue which has many activities to keep your little one occupied.

#6 Tomorrowland Speedway/Jungle Cruise

Listing two? That’s cheating, right? Hear me out!

Children under 2 head to the Jungle Cruise, an easy cruise through the jungle with lots to see, while the adults are entertained by the boat skipper’s commentary.

Over 2 head to Tomorrowland Speedway. I have never heard my sons laugh so hard as when they were driving me around the track. That’s right, a 2-year old takes the wheel of the car and you control th

e gas and brakes. Since the car is on a track they can swerve to their hearts desire and taking Mom and Dad for a spin will be remembered for years to come.

#5 Mad Tea Party

A ride for the littlest and the oldest travelers in your party. You can spin the wheel as fast or as slow as your little one would like. It is also a great photo opportunity for all your family fitted into a tea cu

p. Hearing my boys argue about who made Mommy dizzier was a highlight!

#4 It’s A Small World

Going to the Magic Kingdom and not going to It’s a Small World is like having a birthday party without blowing out the candles. It’s a classic Disney ride for the whole family. A slow-moving boat takes you through lands around the world while singing the familiar “annoying” song. There are so many colors, animals and items from the ceiling to the water that your little ones wi

ll love taking a relaxing ride around the world. Great place to give a baby a bottle too!

#3 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

This ride is a must in my house, and a ride that is talked about for many months after. A 2-person ship takes you into Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger program where you will fight off the evil Emperor Zurg. Each person gets a laser gun, easy to use for the little ones and they can spin your ship around and around. Although the adults will try to get the highest score, your little one will love spinning you and shooting at the targets with their own sound effects of course!

#2 Peter Pan’s Flight

I’ll be honest, I never understood why this ride always had high wait times, until I had kids. You board a 2-person pirate ship and away you go, flying into the London night and off to Neverland! There is no scare factor to this ride as it is all colorful fun. There are so many objects to point out to your little one, and it is a very smooth ride even for infants. This ride can have high wait times, so try going first thing in the morning!

And #1 Dumbo the Flying Elephant

There is nothing more classic than Dumbo. Kids of all ages will love that they can control whether you go higher or lower, and flying over Fantasyland makes Dumbo a perfect ride for your toddler. A plus is after you get off the ride they added a stationary Dumbo so you can take your little one’s picture on Dumbo!

Cruising with Disney

I spend a lot of time on my Facebook page talking about and promoting vacations in Walt Disney World. This is mostly because, of all of the Disney vacation options, this is the most popular destination.

However, I’ve realized that this means that I neglect the other amazing vacation destinations and that is not my intent.

Without further ado, let’s talk about cruising—Disney style!

Of all of the Disney vacation destinations, THIS one is actually my favorite. I actually even gave my kids a choice for our next Disney vacation- Walt Disney World or a Disney Cruise—and they unanimously opted for the cruise.

So here we are planning for our next sailing in the Western Caribbean with a Star Wars Day at Sea, and my whole family couldn’t be happier.

What sets Disney apart from other cruise lines (and other vacations for that matter), is their attention to detail and their impeccable reputation and customer service. People see the Disney brand and know to expect all of those things. Disney Cruise Line is no exception.

Clearly, the cruises excel in their ability to truly cater to families. Staterooms are designed to accommodate larger parties with a split bath option, allowing for more space and for several people to get ready at the same time.

Obviously, there are no other cruise lines that can compare to the quality of children and teen programming on the Disney Cruise Line. This programming even extends to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, with exciting activities and even a private, teens-only area of the beach!

Speaking of Castaway Cay, I have sailed on other cruise lines and none of those private islands even remotely compares to that of Disney’s. There are more options for excursions on this island than I can even list. You can even participate in a fun 5k run!

Guests feel so strongly about Castaway Cay that I’ve even heard of people booking shorter back-to-back cruise itineraries in order to get multiple days on Castaway Cay.

The quality of the ships themselves is spectacular. Disney’s attention to detail is evident at every turn. The food is the best I’ve had on any ship. The pools are clean. The activities are plentiful and the stage shows are Broadway quality. The theming throughout the ships is elegant: still giving the Disney fan a taste of Disney theming, but in a way that is classy, not cheesy.

And these cruises are not just for families! Adults can enjoy an adults-only pool, restaurants, the spa, bars and nightclubs, and an adults-only section of the beach on Castaway Cay which is truly secluded from the noise of the family section.

And finally, shore excursions offered on Disney Cruise Line are top notch! The Disney Company is fiercely protective of its’ brand name and requires partner companies to meet very stringent requirements in order to even be eligible to offer services to its’ clients. What does this mean? It means that you know that in every port, the excursions will not only be fun, they will be safe, organized, and top rated.

This is just a brief summary of all of the options and opportunities awarded to guests aboard the Disney Cruise Line. As always, please contact me if you’d like more information or a no obligation quote. Happy sailing!!!

Disney on a Budget? Yes, please!

Can I really afford to take my family on a Disney vacation? Yes. Let’s be honest: a Disney vacation is an expensive vacation. That being said, you’re definitely getting what you pay for! But it can be overwhelming so let’s talk about ways you can save money without sacrificing fun. How much you can save is really dependent on several factors: how long will your vacation be? What type of resort will you stay in? Will you be adding extras like a park hopper pass or a dining plan (in the case of a Walt Disney World vacation) or excursions or signature dining (in the case of a cruise)? Let me break it down for you in 5 easy steps:

1. BOOK EARLY. The first bit of good news is, that in order to book a reservation, a very small percentage of money is due up front, giving you ample time to slowly save the rest (for Walt Disney World, and Disneyland, a $200 deposit is required, or one night of the resort reservation when you book a room only package; or 20% of the cost of your stateroom when booking a cruise). Since you are able to book your land vacation up to 499 days in advance and your sea vacation up to about 15 months in advance, booking early is the way to go to give you the longest amount of time to slowly pay down your trip. Keep in mind that discounts may be applied later should they become available, so there is absolutely no down side to booking your vacation as soon as your dates are available.

2. PAY WITH GIFT CARDS. This is perhaps my favorite hack and a great way to save about 5% on your travel. I use my Target card to purchase Disney gift cards. My Target card rewards me with 5% off all purchases. So, essentially, I’m paying $95 for a $100 gift card. I typically purchase several of these in the months leading up to our vacation and then use the Disney gift cards to make payments toward our Disney vacation. This is a great savings! I know there are other stores that sell Disney gift cards at a discount so do some research and definitely take advantage of this great perk! Keep in mind, though, that should you have to cancel your vacation for any reason, the money will go back onto the original form of payment so save those cards!

3. PRIORITIZE. Ask yourself and your family what the main goal of your vacation is and prioritize those things. Is your goal to see and do as much as possible in the theme parks? Perhaps, then, you forego the deluxe resort accommodations and opt for a more budget friendly Value Resort to rest your head. Maybe use that savings on the room to splurge on a day with a VIP Tour Guide to help you get the most out of your park experience. The idea is to work within your budget to get the dream vacation you see for yourself!

4. PLAN AHEAD. It’s important to go with a plan so that you are maximizing your time. Know the park hours so that you are taking advantage of extra magic hours where you can. Time is money. Planning ahead also means being a smart packer. Pack your ponchos. No one wants to have to purchase the expensive ones in the theme parks because you forgot to pack the cheap ones before you left. Grab dollar store glow sticks for the kids so you have a solution when they are begging you for the expensive glow toys during the nighttime shows. Throw some quick grab-and-go snacks into your suitcase or have them delivered to your resort room with Instacart or another grocery delivery service. Each snack purchased in a park will be at least $6. That’s the price of an entire box of snacks from home. Plan ahead and save!

5. And finally…. my best advice is to WORK WITH A TRAVEL AGENT. Find a good one. You’re off to a great start with Kingdom and Cruise! It is our job to keep track of the discounts and promotions available from the destinations we sell. We will be on the lookout and be able to apply savings for you, sometimes before you even know that there are discounts you qualify for!

Traveling In the Time of COVID

Look… the decision to travel during this time of uncertainty is DEEPLY personal. I can’t tell you what to do. But I CAN help you access the information you need in order to make the decision that’s best for you and your family. Here are the top things to consider to keep you (and your wallet) safe:

1. Be sure you understand all cancellation policies. Know, in advance, the deadline for cancelling and make sure you read the fine print about fees. Always pay with a credit card so that you have an extra layer of protection in your corner. For even more security, consider adding travel protection. HOWEVER, be sure you understand the policy completely and know what they do and do not cover. Oftentimes, cancellations due to the pandemic are excluded.

2. Keep track of any possible travel restrictions both in your home state as well as any regulations or restrictions in your destination. Some states require a quarantine period. Florida, for example, has imposed a mandatory 14 day quarantine for visitors from New York. And New York requires a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon return.

3. Familiarize yourself with the sanitation and safety regulations at your destination. How are they cleaning and disinfecting between guests? How are they minimizing interactions with staff and enforcing social distancing in public spaces? How is the area, in general, handling their COVID cases and what is the ratio of positive cases?

4. Do your research regarding dining, entertainment and amenities. Are restaurants open for dining in or are they still limited to take out? Are tourist locations open for business? Are they limiting admission to parks and beaches? Will there be enough options for you and your family during your stay?

5. Now, more than ever, it is critical that you book your vacation with a travel agent. At Kingdom and Cruise Travel, we make it our business to keep up-to-date with the ever changing rules and regulations that impact your travel. We know the individual policies of each destination- policies that are changing sometimes DAILY. We will navigate the sea of information for you. You’ll have us in your corner!