So you are going to WDW (or DL, no matter!). How to get the kids or you into the spirit and generate some more excitement? Watch some Disney on DVD or on TV or wherever, however you can find it! I will denote the ones which have rides directly associated with the movie with an R, and for those with meet and greets, an M.
The oldies but goodies are Snow White (R,M), Cinderella (M), Winnie the Pooh (and the blustery day-R,M), Cars (R in DL, and M), Frozen (as if you haven't seen that already-M, and future ride to come), and maybe anything that is traditional Mickey Mouse (M, just about everywhere). Add to that the new movie Big Hero 6 (M in Hollywood Studios), Aladdin (R,M) Aristocats (M), and Peter Pan (great R, and M). Little Mermaid (two R, and M) is good too. For the younger set, I recommend the Disney Junior shows (for when you visit Hollywood Studios).
Did we do all of this? Nope, but we do watch them all on a regular basis. Wish we had watched Peter Pan closer to the trip (just a lovely ride), and we can't get enough of the old time Mickey Mouse videos.
There are movies which we did NOT watch, such as Dumbo (R), for the sadness factor, and we didn't watch Finding Nemo or The Lion King for the same reasons. Finding Nemo has the most fun show (turtle talk with Crush) in Epcot, and Animal Kingdom has an amazing show of the Lion King. If your group is good with the loss of a parent, go for it. If not, still do the rides, and enjoy them as is. They are swell and lovely.
What have we not seen? Anything with Chip and Dale. Still need to do that, and haven't done Stitch and Lilo yet either (though the ride in WDW is universally panned as the worst ride in the park).
I am sure I am missing some. Anybody have one that they love to see to prepare for the trip?
Main Mouse
Parade Magic!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
To plan or not to plan
So I just love this one particular group of Disney folks, called Liners, which is from the touringplans.com website, and the app that goes with it, called Lines. They can get cranky now and then but seriously, they are swell, fun, and a fountain of information. Join Touringplans and the app comes with it.
There is also a forum that recently started and while I can't quite get into that as much (limited time for me, means the app is much more convenient). I really love the chat on the lines app as it is easy, and you can ask anything and someone helpful answers.
What the app helps with is planning your WDW vacation (there is also one for Disneyland but that is a whole different animal).
I put planning in bold for a reason. There are different schools of thought, and all valid.
1. PLAN! Plan hard, plan early, be thorough. Your vacation will be wonderful if it is completely planned with ever conceivable fun thing to do at Disney. PLAN.
2. Do not plan! It is vacation after all, and a time for relaxation.
3. The middle. Some of both numbers 1 and 2. I fall into this category, as do most folks.
Why neither one or two really work? Humans. Big, small, all humans are, well, human.
If every minute of every day are planned, then you will be let down and big time. There is absolutely no way that you can control other people. The adage of "whom can you control? ONLY yourself." is never more true here. You are going to a place with a lot of other people, all of whom have their own ideas of what they want to do, want to experience, want to see. And on their own time frame.
So other people go to WDW. Also, you can not control folks in your own group. Other adults in your group, and especially children. I have heard that folks plan so their children can experience the magic. This is a great idea! Just allow for unscheduled magic, bathroom breaks, meltdowns (leave and fast, start over later or another day), and any other randomness that can and will happen.
So planning is bad? Nooooo! Planning is good!
Let's visit what happens to the non planner, shall we? A family walks into Magic Kingdom after waiting in the bag check line, the scan your magic band line, and the park has been open for a couple of hours (no way will this family get up early on vacation. No. Way.) They pick up a park map. Folks are running by them like banshees, but not these folks, they are going to enjoy their vacation!
They pick a ride and head towards it. Oops. There is a 45 minute wait. But the kids really want to do this, so they get in line. They finally ride the ride (after getting frustrated watching folks cheat with something to do with the bands), and pick another. It is mildly far to walk, and after a bathroom break, and oops, it's lunch time, so time to eat, they hit that next ride. 60 minute wait.
This goes on, and is extremely frustrating. So perhaps the zero planning isn't so great either.
The middle? Figure out what kind of family you have and embrace it. Look at a few resources (books, websites, or blogs) to figure out what you are interested in. Not an early family under any circumstances? There are less popular rides which are lovely and swell, and don't have huge waits, in the afternoon. There is FastPassPlus (FPP) where you can cheat the lines on the popular rides (not really cheating, just preplanned, a little), for those rides or character meet and greets that you absolutely have to do. Yes, ideally, you can plan the FPP 60 days out (for those staying on Disney property), but truly, you can work the FPP around up until the day of (ok, so Anna and Elsa seem to defy gravity on that one, but everything else can be had within reason, if you look often enough). You use the three, and you can start to add an additional one, and then another, and so on. On my solo trip, I had seven FPP on one day and it was swell.
Also, put in completely non planned times in the mix. Figure out what you want to do during the vacation. The pool and swim. See other fancy resorts. Pick a park and see the shows. Do something that didn't work out on an earlier day that you missed. Sleep! It is loose people, and it is good.
Go early, and waits for popular stuff is less. Stay to the end, and most families have gone back to the hotel, and waits for popular stuff is less. If you want the middle part of the day, the most crowded, well, that is time for FPP, patience and finding the random Disney magic, as opposed to the popular Disney magic.
I will stop and address planning more in another post. Suffice to say, I tend to look at the lines chat mentioned above, a lot. Why? Because I obsessively plan? Nope. Because I find out so many tricks and nifty things that I didn't know to look for, or reservations which I really want to get, that I didn't know about. Disney has so many layers of fun and magic, plan even just a tiny bit, so that the frustration part doesn't overshadow the rest.
I love Disney. Just love it (or why else would I be writing this blog?). It is very, very swell. I laugh so very much there and even tear up at the sweetness. Good stuff. I bet you can find that sweet spot too.
There is also a forum that recently started and while I can't quite get into that as much (limited time for me, means the app is much more convenient). I really love the chat on the lines app as it is easy, and you can ask anything and someone helpful answers.
What the app helps with is planning your WDW vacation (there is also one for Disneyland but that is a whole different animal).
I put planning in bold for a reason. There are different schools of thought, and all valid.
1. PLAN! Plan hard, plan early, be thorough. Your vacation will be wonderful if it is completely planned with ever conceivable fun thing to do at Disney. PLAN.
2. Do not plan! It is vacation after all, and a time for relaxation.
3. The middle. Some of both numbers 1 and 2. I fall into this category, as do most folks.
Why neither one or two really work? Humans. Big, small, all humans are, well, human.
If every minute of every day are planned, then you will be let down and big time. There is absolutely no way that you can control other people. The adage of "whom can you control? ONLY yourself." is never more true here. You are going to a place with a lot of other people, all of whom have their own ideas of what they want to do, want to experience, want to see. And on their own time frame.
So other people go to WDW. Also, you can not control folks in your own group. Other adults in your group, and especially children. I have heard that folks plan so their children can experience the magic. This is a great idea! Just allow for unscheduled magic, bathroom breaks, meltdowns (leave and fast, start over later or another day), and any other randomness that can and will happen.
So planning is bad? Nooooo! Planning is good!
Let's visit what happens to the non planner, shall we? A family walks into Magic Kingdom after waiting in the bag check line, the scan your magic band line, and the park has been open for a couple of hours (no way will this family get up early on vacation. No. Way.) They pick up a park map. Folks are running by them like banshees, but not these folks, they are going to enjoy their vacation!
They pick a ride and head towards it. Oops. There is a 45 minute wait. But the kids really want to do this, so they get in line. They finally ride the ride (after getting frustrated watching folks cheat with something to do with the bands), and pick another. It is mildly far to walk, and after a bathroom break, and oops, it's lunch time, so time to eat, they hit that next ride. 60 minute wait.
This goes on, and is extremely frustrating. So perhaps the zero planning isn't so great either.
The middle? Figure out what kind of family you have and embrace it. Look at a few resources (books, websites, or blogs) to figure out what you are interested in. Not an early family under any circumstances? There are less popular rides which are lovely and swell, and don't have huge waits, in the afternoon. There is FastPassPlus (FPP) where you can cheat the lines on the popular rides (not really cheating, just preplanned, a little), for those rides or character meet and greets that you absolutely have to do. Yes, ideally, you can plan the FPP 60 days out (for those staying on Disney property), but truly, you can work the FPP around up until the day of (ok, so Anna and Elsa seem to defy gravity on that one, but everything else can be had within reason, if you look often enough). You use the three, and you can start to add an additional one, and then another, and so on. On my solo trip, I had seven FPP on one day and it was swell.
Also, put in completely non planned times in the mix. Figure out what you want to do during the vacation. The pool and swim. See other fancy resorts. Pick a park and see the shows. Do something that didn't work out on an earlier day that you missed. Sleep! It is loose people, and it is good.
Go early, and waits for popular stuff is less. Stay to the end, and most families have gone back to the hotel, and waits for popular stuff is less. If you want the middle part of the day, the most crowded, well, that is time for FPP, patience and finding the random Disney magic, as opposed to the popular Disney magic.
I will stop and address planning more in another post. Suffice to say, I tend to look at the lines chat mentioned above, a lot. Why? Because I obsessively plan? Nope. Because I find out so many tricks and nifty things that I didn't know to look for, or reservations which I really want to get, that I didn't know about. Disney has so many layers of fun and magic, plan even just a tiny bit, so that the frustration part doesn't overshadow the rest.
I love Disney. Just love it (or why else would I be writing this blog?). It is very, very swell. I laugh so very much there and even tear up at the sweetness. Good stuff. I bet you can find that sweet spot too.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Remiss
Hello! I have been seriously remiss in talking about Disney, and that needs to change.
What has happened since last April?
I took a solo trip to WDW in early May, a very wet, three day long weekend. I did the behind the scenes tour in Magic Kingdom in the pouring rain (still good stuff), attempted all the thrill rides (I hopped to all four parks), that no one else in my family wants to try, and wandered and soaked (both rain and magic) in. It was a lovely trip but turns out that I do like to share with my family this goofy, fun time. The term "poncho up" and keep going was apt and necessary.
The kids and I went to Disneyland in late June, 2014 for a whirlwind three day, two night trip. It was awesome, crazed and very, very full.
Just my son and I went for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in WDW to celebrate his birthday. One night only and boom! Back to Texas and school the very next day.
Please remember, the key to all of this, that although I live in Texas, I am a flight attendant, and my family and I fly for free, space available.
I was truly thinking that perhaps I had gotten some of this Disney stuff out of my system, and yet, not so much. I listened to my children on my iPhone the other day, and they were watching old time Mickey videos in the back seat. Laughing. I was laughing too.
Yes, it is expensive. It is. Turns out that it can be done relatively budget though (or not, goodness knows, the price ranges for the add-ons such as lodging and food run from to bearable to seriously high).
My son's one day trip? Less then a birthday party thrown here in Texas. Free flight, value hotel, and party tickets, which run approximately 60% of a full day ticket, and it was very inexpensive. The party lets you in at 4pm, and you get to stay until midnight, and that is about the amount of hours we would stay anyway, so it was perfect.
So.
I will write some more about all things Disney. I have no trips on the horizon, though I feel pretty certain, that we aren't done with the mouse by any means. I have not done Universal (in a couple of years, I think we will be ready for that, but not yet), but I don't like Six Flags. Not even close to the immersed, magical experience. Sea World is ok but we had season passes once from my company, and we used those things UP. It got to the point where we would have a routine, feed some animals, diving show and water park. No real need to go back.
Disney? I want to go back. I do need to give it a rest, as four trips in 12 months is extreme. I will try to stay away during the summer. We shall see how that works!
What has happened since last April?
I took a solo trip to WDW in early May, a very wet, three day long weekend. I did the behind the scenes tour in Magic Kingdom in the pouring rain (still good stuff), attempted all the thrill rides (I hopped to all four parks), that no one else in my family wants to try, and wandered and soaked (both rain and magic) in. It was a lovely trip but turns out that I do like to share with my family this goofy, fun time. The term "poncho up" and keep going was apt and necessary.
The kids and I went to Disneyland in late June, 2014 for a whirlwind three day, two night trip. It was awesome, crazed and very, very full.
Just my son and I went for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in WDW to celebrate his birthday. One night only and boom! Back to Texas and school the very next day.
Please remember, the key to all of this, that although I live in Texas, I am a flight attendant, and my family and I fly for free, space available.
I was truly thinking that perhaps I had gotten some of this Disney stuff out of my system, and yet, not so much. I listened to my children on my iPhone the other day, and they were watching old time Mickey videos in the back seat. Laughing. I was laughing too.
Yes, it is expensive. It is. Turns out that it can be done relatively budget though (or not, goodness knows, the price ranges for the add-ons such as lodging and food run from to bearable to seriously high).
My son's one day trip? Less then a birthday party thrown here in Texas. Free flight, value hotel, and party tickets, which run approximately 60% of a full day ticket, and it was very inexpensive. The party lets you in at 4pm, and you get to stay until midnight, and that is about the amount of hours we would stay anyway, so it was perfect.
So.
I will write some more about all things Disney. I have no trips on the horizon, though I feel pretty certain, that we aren't done with the mouse by any means. I have not done Universal (in a couple of years, I think we will be ready for that, but not yet), but I don't like Six Flags. Not even close to the immersed, magical experience. Sea World is ok but we had season passes once from my company, and we used those things UP. It got to the point where we would have a routine, feed some animals, diving show and water park. No real need to go back.
Disney? I want to go back. I do need to give it a rest, as four trips in 12 months is extreme. I will try to stay away during the summer. We shall see how that works!
Friday, April 4, 2014
Ch Ch Ch Changes
Changes are the norm for WDWorld, for sure. Since I have started following all things Disney, learning all things Disney, reading all things Disney, I have noticed a few things.
1. It is complicated. To figure out what to do, where to go, when to go.
2. It is truly magical. I completely mocked that word when I first heard it the first 200 times (yea, right), but when you make an effort to plan and learn what is there, it is just amazing and well, yes, magical.
3. Plan like you mean it and then when you step off the plane or out of your car, let go. Go with your plans but be open to any and all changes and opportunities. Crazy magic happens then.
4. Whatever you plan for way in advance, will change to some extent. It just does. Right now, they are changing the whole fast pass thing to fast pass plus (FPP), and that seems to be changing rapidly as well. On site only to AP (annual pass folks), to everyone this past week. The advance booking for everyone has commenced too.
The Downtown Disney is changing, The Polynesian is changing (oh, maybe avoid that one for a while, maybe until 2015?), and the parks are changing (MK the most with new 7 dwarfs ride and hub construction).
I have heard rumblings of why can't Disney change as fast as Universal, but just from my point of view, it is changing lots.
Changes are closely monitored on the Disney parks blog, WDWmagic blog, and the touring plans blog. If you are into the forum boards, then the DISboards can't be beat for latest information, though I find it a big huge to navigate. Other blogs and sites have lots of information and good information, just maybe not as up to the minute.
So the magic stays constant, but how it is delivered to you is constantly changing. I would say that is a very good thing.
1. It is complicated. To figure out what to do, where to go, when to go.
2. It is truly magical. I completely mocked that word when I first heard it the first 200 times (yea, right), but when you make an effort to plan and learn what is there, it is just amazing and well, yes, magical.
3. Plan like you mean it and then when you step off the plane or out of your car, let go. Go with your plans but be open to any and all changes and opportunities. Crazy magic happens then.
4. Whatever you plan for way in advance, will change to some extent. It just does. Right now, they are changing the whole fast pass thing to fast pass plus (FPP), and that seems to be changing rapidly as well. On site only to AP (annual pass folks), to everyone this past week. The advance booking for everyone has commenced too.
The Downtown Disney is changing, The Polynesian is changing (oh, maybe avoid that one for a while, maybe until 2015?), and the parks are changing (MK the most with new 7 dwarfs ride and hub construction).
I have heard rumblings of why can't Disney change as fast as Universal, but just from my point of view, it is changing lots.
Changes are closely monitored on the Disney parks blog, WDWmagic blog, and the touring plans blog. If you are into the forum boards, then the DISboards can't be beat for latest information, though I find it a big huge to navigate. Other blogs and sites have lots of information and good information, just maybe not as up to the minute.
So the magic stays constant, but how it is delivered to you is constantly changing. I would say that is a very good thing.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Touring Solo
I am headed back to the World in a bit (47 days or something like that), all by myself and I. Am. So. Excited.
That is all. More later, just wanted to share.
That is all. More later, just wanted to share.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Where to Stay
On site (the bubble) or off site? Fast Pass Plus (FPP) is the deciding factor for me. Today. With Disney making so many changes, so fast, this could change. As of right now, and it is only for the right now, off site has to go to a kiosk in your park of choice, and sign up for fast passes that day. If you can stay on site, that is optimal due to advanced Fast Pass Plus booking (60 days out from trip). Not always practical due to size of your family and monetary concerns, but it is lovely to have advanced FPP. The lines to get those fast passes for offsite guests can be borderline insane and since the gist of FPP is to help alleviate lines, well, ??? Not sure what will happen when the parks get really crowded this summer, but until the lines get more manageable for FPP kiosks, then think seriously about staying on site.
That said, I will devote two different posts to where to stay- on site and off site. This post concerns ON site lodging alternatives.
If you are a family of four, you are pretty golden. Three levels of resorts (the term resort here makes me laugh somewhat, but I digress)- Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. There are campsites available for your tent or parking for your RV. At the campsite location (Fort Wilderness, NOT to be confused with the Wilderness Lodge), there are also cabins available. There is also a moderate choice called tree houses. There is Villa options in the Disney Vacation Club resorts or buildings (there are several DVC buildings attached to resorts as well as a resort which is ONLY DVC- Old Key West). The DVC option becomes available to the masses, should there be any unused rooms available but at premium rates and definitely closer to your travel date. If you are booking a year in advance, you won't find any villas available. The DVC has from studios up to three bedrooms, all with kitchens and every third (or fourth?) day maid and trash pickup.
Families of five or more get a somewhat modified selection of above. A couple of value resorts have two room suites which have sleeping for six (albeit very tight), and one moderate, and most (but not all) deluxe have day beds which work for a family of five. The tree houses, and the cabins also work for a larger family.
Villas that are two or three bedrooms have extra space as well (one bedroom and studios are only compatible for four people), but definitely at a premium price.
Lastly, for the truly ambitious, there is a community of homes for purchase, called Golden Oaks. These homes are located in the world, they have all the benefits of staying on site, and they are home ownership. Very, very, very expensive home ownership. If you are inclined to retire well and have all the children and grandchildren come visit, this is the place for you. The prices start well into the million dollar range and go up. But! They have all the perks, and transportation, and options as an onsite guest. Just throwing this one out there. If you have spare time, google Golden Oaks Disney and check it out. It is lovely.
You will notice that I am not doing a ton of recommending up to this point. There are several sites which do a good job of breaking down the differences between resorts. I like EasyWDW.com and Disboards.com, and allears.net.
This post is to let you know that you have a gazillion options, and figure out what you want, and what you can afford, what you need (a room to sleep, or a room to relax or a room that is close to where you want to go?), and go from there.
Oh, and the reason I laugh at the term resort? Values and Moderates, both, have doors that open to the outside world. In my mind, that is a motel, not a resort. That said, there is lots of theming (you will hear that word, A LOT), and some lovely pool areas which could be indicative of the word resort. Just be aware. Doors that open to the outside also means that windows face the walkways to rooms as well. Your "view" will be the view plus other folks trying to get to their room. Something to think about when you want to pay for an enhanced view.
Deluxe resorts are definitely closer to the meaning of the word resort- interior hallways and doors, and windows to the outside, often (but not always) with balconies, which make the view much more of a viable option. Many amenities and pool areas which are often really good, to great.
Lastly, WDW on site guests have a few benefits beyond advance booking of FPP for on site guests. The use of the Magical Express for transportation to and from the airport and your resort (they won't take you to a park first, you MUST go to your resort first). The Extra Magic Hours which can be an hour before the park opens to the masses outside of the bubble, or an hour after the park closes to the masses (enforced generally by checking for magic bands on rides. If you aren't a 'bubble' guest, you can still shop and spend your money, just not ride rides). A resort guest can also purchase something in a shop and have it sent to the resort instead of lugging it around the park (more incentive to BUY), though this option is not available on your last day.
That said, I will devote two different posts to where to stay- on site and off site. This post concerns ON site lodging alternatives.
If you are a family of four, you are pretty golden. Three levels of resorts (the term resort here makes me laugh somewhat, but I digress)- Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. There are campsites available for your tent or parking for your RV. At the campsite location (Fort Wilderness, NOT to be confused with the Wilderness Lodge), there are also cabins available. There is also a moderate choice called tree houses. There is Villa options in the Disney Vacation Club resorts or buildings (there are several DVC buildings attached to resorts as well as a resort which is ONLY DVC- Old Key West). The DVC option becomes available to the masses, should there be any unused rooms available but at premium rates and definitely closer to your travel date. If you are booking a year in advance, you won't find any villas available. The DVC has from studios up to three bedrooms, all with kitchens and every third (or fourth?) day maid and trash pickup.
Families of five or more get a somewhat modified selection of above. A couple of value resorts have two room suites which have sleeping for six (albeit very tight), and one moderate, and most (but not all) deluxe have day beds which work for a family of five. The tree houses, and the cabins also work for a larger family.
Villas that are two or three bedrooms have extra space as well (one bedroom and studios are only compatible for four people), but definitely at a premium price.
Lastly, for the truly ambitious, there is a community of homes for purchase, called Golden Oaks. These homes are located in the world, they have all the benefits of staying on site, and they are home ownership. Very, very, very expensive home ownership. If you are inclined to retire well and have all the children and grandchildren come visit, this is the place for you. The prices start well into the million dollar range and go up. But! They have all the perks, and transportation, and options as an onsite guest. Just throwing this one out there. If you have spare time, google Golden Oaks Disney and check it out. It is lovely.
You will notice that I am not doing a ton of recommending up to this point. There are several sites which do a good job of breaking down the differences between resorts. I like EasyWDW.com and Disboards.com, and allears.net.
This post is to let you know that you have a gazillion options, and figure out what you want, and what you can afford, what you need (a room to sleep, or a room to relax or a room that is close to where you want to go?), and go from there.
Oh, and the reason I laugh at the term resort? Values and Moderates, both, have doors that open to the outside world. In my mind, that is a motel, not a resort. That said, there is lots of theming (you will hear that word, A LOT), and some lovely pool areas which could be indicative of the word resort. Just be aware. Doors that open to the outside also means that windows face the walkways to rooms as well. Your "view" will be the view plus other folks trying to get to their room. Something to think about when you want to pay for an enhanced view.
Deluxe resorts are definitely closer to the meaning of the word resort- interior hallways and doors, and windows to the outside, often (but not always) with balconies, which make the view much more of a viable option. Many amenities and pool areas which are often really good, to great.
Lastly, WDW on site guests have a few benefits beyond advance booking of FPP for on site guests. The use of the Magical Express for transportation to and from the airport and your resort (they won't take you to a park first, you MUST go to your resort first). The Extra Magic Hours which can be an hour before the park opens to the masses outside of the bubble, or an hour after the park closes to the masses (enforced generally by checking for magic bands on rides. If you aren't a 'bubble' guest, you can still shop and spend your money, just not ride rides). A resort guest can also purchase something in a shop and have it sent to the resort instead of lugging it around the park (more incentive to BUY), though this option is not available on your last day.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Planning ahead for eating at Disney World
So you have booked a trip to Disney World! That trip isn't for a gazillion months from now, and you have lots of time!
Except for a small thing called Advance Dining Reservations (which aren't reservations at all, really. They are sort of reservations to be on the list).
What Disney World would really like for you to do is to look at the time period for which you are going to travel. Now look at their schedule and figure out what park you want to be in, on what day. What? You aren't going for 8 months? That's crazy! Except. Do a little research (and trust me, it will all work out) and figure out what park you want to be in, on what day (Touringplans.com and EasyWDW.com both have crowd level predictions based on prior history of attendance which should really help in this planning). Just get an idea of what park on what day and file it away. Also, read over the list of restaurants and what they serve and what appeals to you or might appeal to your family. Character dining is available as well as something called signature restaurants which cost more, but (ahem) should be worth it.
At 180 days prior to your trip, the ability to make advance dining reservations opens up (literally, 180 days) at 6am online, Eastern time, and 7am on the phone.
Now that you sort of have a plan on which park on which day, take that information and make some reservations for dining! It does require a credit card to hold the reservation and if you change your mind, do so before 24 hours prior to the reservation or your card will be charged in full.
Hot tickets right now? Be Our Guest restaurant (BOG), Tomorrowland Dessert party, Cinderella's castle, Chef Mickey's, early morning Crystal Palace and prime time Hoop de Doo Review. Newly revamped California Grill at the top of the Contemporary Resort is great in the evening if you can time it with the Wishes fireworks. The view is lovely.
A personal note, in Epcot, I love Via Napoli (wonderful pizza crust) and in Hollywood Studios, I find the Sci Fi Diner fun (food is ok, sometimes even good but atmosphere is awesome with old thriller movie trailers). When you talk with your friends and with strangers and with anyone, you will find folks who love and who hate the same restaurants. All good. Read the menu, make the BOG reservation (you can cancel later) and relax.
Yes, you will change these plans. You will and it is ok. But a general starting point is good and if you could make some of these reservations early on, it will take the stress away when you try later and they are all booked. It is pretty nice, once in a while, when you are exhausted and tired and maybe hot, to find a lovely restaurant (that you have made ADR's for) and just walk in and have some peace and quiet (use that term loosely in a theme park).
Except for a small thing called Advance Dining Reservations (which aren't reservations at all, really. They are sort of reservations to be on the list).
What Disney World would really like for you to do is to look at the time period for which you are going to travel. Now look at their schedule and figure out what park you want to be in, on what day. What? You aren't going for 8 months? That's crazy! Except. Do a little research (and trust me, it will all work out) and figure out what park you want to be in, on what day (Touringplans.com and EasyWDW.com both have crowd level predictions based on prior history of attendance which should really help in this planning). Just get an idea of what park on what day and file it away. Also, read over the list of restaurants and what they serve and what appeals to you or might appeal to your family. Character dining is available as well as something called signature restaurants which cost more, but (ahem) should be worth it.
At 180 days prior to your trip, the ability to make advance dining reservations opens up (literally, 180 days) at 6am online, Eastern time, and 7am on the phone.
Now that you sort of have a plan on which park on which day, take that information and make some reservations for dining! It does require a credit card to hold the reservation and if you change your mind, do so before 24 hours prior to the reservation or your card will be charged in full.
Hot tickets right now? Be Our Guest restaurant (BOG), Tomorrowland Dessert party, Cinderella's castle, Chef Mickey's, early morning Crystal Palace and prime time Hoop de Doo Review. Newly revamped California Grill at the top of the Contemporary Resort is great in the evening if you can time it with the Wishes fireworks. The view is lovely.
A personal note, in Epcot, I love Via Napoli (wonderful pizza crust) and in Hollywood Studios, I find the Sci Fi Diner fun (food is ok, sometimes even good but atmosphere is awesome with old thriller movie trailers). When you talk with your friends and with strangers and with anyone, you will find folks who love and who hate the same restaurants. All good. Read the menu, make the BOG reservation (you can cancel later) and relax.
Yes, you will change these plans. You will and it is ok. But a general starting point is good and if you could make some of these reservations early on, it will take the stress away when you try later and they are all booked. It is pretty nice, once in a while, when you are exhausted and tired and maybe hot, to find a lovely restaurant (that you have made ADR's for) and just walk in and have some peace and quiet (use that term loosely in a theme park).
The Packing List
So there are several sites which have packing lists. There are several folks who have opinions on packing lists. Take from this what you will. Prepare in advance or do it last minute, it is your trip and your style.
1. Clothes for every day of trip x 1.5 (summer, make that x 2). There will be water rides, swim days, and sweat days (even in the winter, you will have days where you sweat)
2. At least 2 pairs of shoes - you will walk so much, that blisters will happen, two pair will change the pressure points on your feet.
3. Power strip for your hotel. You have cell phones and remote chargers for the parks. Lots to be charged and not that many outlets.
4. A laundry bag or pop up hamper. If your trip is more then a couple of days, you will thank me for this one. Laundry piles up people.
5. Medicines- such as Tylenol, stomach upset, Motrin, and band aids. Blister band aids are golden.
6. Cheap rain ponchos. Some folks swear by the $8 ones in the parks, or you can go cheap route (Academy sports or Wal-Mart or ?) and get disposable for a dollar each. Our last trip was in December, and it never rained. We used our ponchos on Splash Mountain. If you travel in summer, you better bring them and multiples of them. It rains pretty much every single day around the 4 to 5pm time slot. The Disney ones will be replaced if damaged and are of better quality. I prefer the cheap, but it is up to you.
7. Snacks. Breakfast bars will save you a fortune, as will any sort of snack that you enjoy.
8. Sunscreen. Enough said. You need it 365 days a year.
9. Pajamas or something to sleep in.
10. Underwear
11. Swimsuit(s)!!!
12. A remote charger to charge up your phone as you tour the parks. Trent makes several kinds and I believe there are others out there too. We the advent of My Disney Experience (MDE) and FastPassPlus (FPP), and other helpful apps (Lines is one I like, gives real time data on wait times for all attractions and you can access touring plans to reduce line waiting for you), you go through battery power fast. It is very handy to have a charger hooked up to your phone, so it doesn't die during your day.
13. Autograph book and retractable sharpie. If you are going to meet any characters, AT ALL, bring this. Especially for those who don't speak (non face characters like Donald and Goofy), having an autograph book is a nice thing along with the hugs.
14. If staying for nighttime activities, some glow sticks/ glow jewelry. Cheaper if you bring it from home.
15. Other. Night light, zip lock bags (for leftover snacks that you can't finish right away), hat for sunshade (though take it off and hold it during Test Track), mini handheld misting fans (you will thank me later) in the summer, empty paper towel roll (to roll up animation academy art and protect it until you get home), colorful scarf (to tie on stroller for easy ID). Wet wipes (just think of all the rides you go on and hold on for dear life. Now think of all the people who sat there before you. Wipes!).
16. Toiletries. Most hotels have the basic shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap.
a. toothbrush
b. toothpaste
c. razors
d. hairbrush or comb
e. facial wash
f. deodorant
g. shampoo/ conditioner/ lotion (see list above), if you are mildly allergic to basic stuff.
h. feminine monthly supplies
17. CAMERA and battery and battery charger or extra batteries if need be. Several folks just use their cell phone, several use the new memory maker (WDW's program where you pay up front and get access to all the pictures taken of you at WDW by their photographers). You can always have the photographers use your camera or cell phone to take those special pictures in front of the castle. We didn't use our fancy camera nearly as much as I would have thought. I was too busy riding the rides and being goofy to actually stop and take the kids pictures. Still, I did use it some and was glad for it.
18. Backpack or fanny pack (I won't judge) or cargo shorts with zippered pockets for carrying things into the parks. Our back pack held the autograph books, the camera, the sharpie(s), my wallet with ID, credit cards (which I never used), and extra key to the world cards (which won't be active anymore but you might need them for ??) If you don't need the autograph books, and the camera (use your phone), and you have secure, deep pockets, you are golden and can bypass the bag check station.
19. Magic bands! (if on site, off site and Annual Pass holders will have hard card tickets for now, but magic band testing is happening for AP and hopefully will soon for off site folks)
20. A folder filled with your travel paperwork. Copies of all flight arrangements, hotel confirmations, car rental confirmation, touring plans (if you made these), maps.
21. Envelopes for the maid tips (usually a dollar a day, per person, per room or some folks just leave $5 a day).
22. Trading pins, if you do it. It is pretty cool to get some pins at an outlet (hit or miss if they have them) and then trade them for good stuff behind hotel desk counters or in stores or with cast members who have the lanyards on. They also make for reasonable souvenirs (use that term loosely).
I am SURE there is more, but this is a pretty good place to start.
1. Clothes for every day of trip x 1.5 (summer, make that x 2). There will be water rides, swim days, and sweat days (even in the winter, you will have days where you sweat)
2. At least 2 pairs of shoes - you will walk so much, that blisters will happen, two pair will change the pressure points on your feet.
3. Power strip for your hotel. You have cell phones and remote chargers for the parks. Lots to be charged and not that many outlets.
4. A laundry bag or pop up hamper. If your trip is more then a couple of days, you will thank me for this one. Laundry piles up people.
5. Medicines- such as Tylenol, stomach upset, Motrin, and band aids. Blister band aids are golden.
6. Cheap rain ponchos. Some folks swear by the $8 ones in the parks, or you can go cheap route (Academy sports or Wal-Mart or ?) and get disposable for a dollar each. Our last trip was in December, and it never rained. We used our ponchos on Splash Mountain. If you travel in summer, you better bring them and multiples of them. It rains pretty much every single day around the 4 to 5pm time slot. The Disney ones will be replaced if damaged and are of better quality. I prefer the cheap, but it is up to you.
7. Snacks. Breakfast bars will save you a fortune, as will any sort of snack that you enjoy.
8. Sunscreen. Enough said. You need it 365 days a year.
9. Pajamas or something to sleep in.
10. Underwear
11. Swimsuit(s)!!!
12. A remote charger to charge up your phone as you tour the parks. Trent makes several kinds and I believe there are others out there too. We the advent of My Disney Experience (MDE) and FastPassPlus (FPP), and other helpful apps (Lines is one I like, gives real time data on wait times for all attractions and you can access touring plans to reduce line waiting for you), you go through battery power fast. It is very handy to have a charger hooked up to your phone, so it doesn't die during your day.
13. Autograph book and retractable sharpie. If you are going to meet any characters, AT ALL, bring this. Especially for those who don't speak (non face characters like Donald and Goofy), having an autograph book is a nice thing along with the hugs.
14. If staying for nighttime activities, some glow sticks/ glow jewelry. Cheaper if you bring it from home.
15. Other. Night light, zip lock bags (for leftover snacks that you can't finish right away), hat for sunshade (though take it off and hold it during Test Track), mini handheld misting fans (you will thank me later) in the summer, empty paper towel roll (to roll up animation academy art and protect it until you get home), colorful scarf (to tie on stroller for easy ID). Wet wipes (just think of all the rides you go on and hold on for dear life. Now think of all the people who sat there before you. Wipes!).
16. Toiletries. Most hotels have the basic shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap.
a. toothbrush
b. toothpaste
c. razors
d. hairbrush or comb
e. facial wash
f. deodorant
g. shampoo/ conditioner/ lotion (see list above), if you are mildly allergic to basic stuff.
h. feminine monthly supplies
17. CAMERA and battery and battery charger or extra batteries if need be. Several folks just use their cell phone, several use the new memory maker (WDW's program where you pay up front and get access to all the pictures taken of you at WDW by their photographers). You can always have the photographers use your camera or cell phone to take those special pictures in front of the castle. We didn't use our fancy camera nearly as much as I would have thought. I was too busy riding the rides and being goofy to actually stop and take the kids pictures. Still, I did use it some and was glad for it.
18. Backpack or fanny pack (I won't judge) or cargo shorts with zippered pockets for carrying things into the parks. Our back pack held the autograph books, the camera, the sharpie(s), my wallet with ID, credit cards (which I never used), and extra key to the world cards (which won't be active anymore but you might need them for ??) If you don't need the autograph books, and the camera (use your phone), and you have secure, deep pockets, you are golden and can bypass the bag check station.
19. Magic bands! (if on site, off site and Annual Pass holders will have hard card tickets for now, but magic band testing is happening for AP and hopefully will soon for off site folks)
20. A folder filled with your travel paperwork. Copies of all flight arrangements, hotel confirmations, car rental confirmation, touring plans (if you made these), maps.
21. Envelopes for the maid tips (usually a dollar a day, per person, per room or some folks just leave $5 a day).
22. Trading pins, if you do it. It is pretty cool to get some pins at an outlet (hit or miss if they have them) and then trade them for good stuff behind hotel desk counters or in stores or with cast members who have the lanyards on. They also make for reasonable souvenirs (use that term loosely).
I am SURE there is more, but this is a pretty good place to start.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Cost/ Benefit Analysis of Flying vs. Driving
It can definitely save you some money. It also gives you a car when you are there, which, depending on where you stay, can be a good thing. Sometimes, you don't even need a car, other times, it is golden and will save you lots of time and grief and even money (eat outside the world? Cheaper! Maybe not as fun, but cheaper!).
When you weigh driving vs. flying, please consider the costs.
Flying costs:
The cost of flying your entire family (see posts below for ways to cut those costs).
If staying on site-Magical Express = free
If staying on site or off site and want a rental car. Rental car plus all taxes and fees.
If staying off site and not an annual pass holder = $15 a day parking at parks
Transportation from airport to your hotel if staying offsite and not renting a car.
Driving costs:
Gas to get there and back.
Staying off site? Cost to park at hotel (sometimes nothing, sometimes a lot).
If staying off site, and not an annual pass holder = $15 a day to park at the parks.
On site guest park at parks for free.
Time spent driving (see next paragraph).
This one is a BIG consideration, the cost of TIME. Besides a lucky few, everyone has a certain amount of time allotted for vacation. Flying generally takes half a day, with security, checking bags, duration of flight, give or take. If you don't have to drive far, swell, but the longer the driving distance, the greater the difference between flying and driving, time wise.
Consider the physical cost of driving if it is a long drive too. You have to focus for that driving time vs. letting someone else do the driving. Drive for a long time, and share the duties help, but when you arrive at your destination, you will need some rest and sleep to recover. More time away from the main focus of your vacation.
This sounds like I am saying FLY! No matter what. I am not.
What I am advocating is, if you drive, take it easy. If you can take a break and make that into a mini vacation perk, do it. Stop and play. Stop and sleep. Stop. The good old USA has so much to offer, explore a bit. It will make for a safer drive. You will just feel better and more awake, when you get there. It will make a much more fun first day at WDW.
Benefit of driving? You can bring whatever you want with you. You are not bound by the confines of checked luggage. Much more fits into your vehicle then into bags.
Check out the cost of flying (early! costs are much more palatable) vs the cost of driving (time).
I do not have the answer for you, only you do. What I do want you to think about is that is not just the difference of cost of tickets vs. cost of gas.
When you weigh driving vs. flying, please consider the costs.
Flying costs:
The cost of flying your entire family (see posts below for ways to cut those costs).
If staying on site-Magical Express = free
If staying on site or off site and want a rental car. Rental car plus all taxes and fees.
If staying off site and not an annual pass holder = $15 a day parking at parks
Transportation from airport to your hotel if staying offsite and not renting a car.
Driving costs:
Gas to get there and back.
Staying off site? Cost to park at hotel (sometimes nothing, sometimes a lot).
If staying off site, and not an annual pass holder = $15 a day to park at the parks.
On site guest park at parks for free.
Time spent driving (see next paragraph).
This one is a BIG consideration, the cost of TIME. Besides a lucky few, everyone has a certain amount of time allotted for vacation. Flying generally takes half a day, with security, checking bags, duration of flight, give or take. If you don't have to drive far, swell, but the longer the driving distance, the greater the difference between flying and driving, time wise.
Consider the physical cost of driving if it is a long drive too. You have to focus for that driving time vs. letting someone else do the driving. Drive for a long time, and share the duties help, but when you arrive at your destination, you will need some rest and sleep to recover. More time away from the main focus of your vacation.
This sounds like I am saying FLY! No matter what. I am not.
What I am advocating is, if you drive, take it easy. If you can take a break and make that into a mini vacation perk, do it. Stop and play. Stop and sleep. Stop. The good old USA has so much to offer, explore a bit. It will make for a safer drive. You will just feel better and more awake, when you get there. It will make a much more fun first day at WDW.
Benefit of driving? You can bring whatever you want with you. You are not bound by the confines of checked luggage. Much more fits into your vehicle then into bags.
Check out the cost of flying (early! costs are much more palatable) vs the cost of driving (time).
I do not have the answer for you, only you do. What I do want you to think about is that is not just the difference of cost of tickets vs. cost of gas.
Monday, January 27, 2014
The Magical Express
You have arrived and are staying a Walt Disney Resort! You are going to take the Magical Express (a company that is hired by Disney, it is NOT a Disney company) to your Disney hotel! Your vacation is beginning!
Here is the scoop from the Disney website:
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Here is the scoop from the Disney website:
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How It Works
- Reserve Disney's Magical Express Transportation when you book online or by calling (407) WDW-MAGIC or (407) 939-6244. Guests under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian's permission to call.
- Upon landing at Orlando International Airport, skip baggage claim and proceed to the Disney's Magical Express Welcome Center in the Main Terminal Building, B side, Level 1. Disney's Magical Express service will collect your luggage and deliver it directly to your Walt Disney World hotel room within 3 hours after you check in at the resort. Luggage delivery service provided by Disney's Magical Express is available for flights arriving between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm daily. For airport arrivals after 10:00 pm, Guests may collect their luggage at Baggage Claim and transport it with them on the motorcoach.
- International Guests flying into Orlando International Airport from another country must follow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection process and claim luggage after disembarking the plane. After completing the process, proceed to the Disney's Magical Express Welcome Center in the Main Terminal Building, B side, Level 1. Disney's Magical Express service will recollect your luggage and deliver it directly to your Walt Disney World hotel room within 4 hours after you check in at the resort. Luggage delivery service provided by Disney's Magical Express is available for flights arriving between 5:00 am and 10:00 pm daily. For airport arrivals after 10:00 pm, Guests may collect their luggage at Baggage Claim and transport it with them on the motorcoach.
- Sit back and relax as Disney transports you to your Disney Resort hotel in an air-conditioned motorcoach.
- As your vacation draws to a close, you'll receive a Transportation Notice advising you of the pick-up time and place for your motorcoach ride back to Orlando International Airport. Please note that it is your responsibility to bring your luggage to the pick-up point.
*******
Ok, so the above details how to do it. You will also receive the Magical Express yellow tags for your luggage several weeks prior to travel along with information on what to do.
That said, there are things you might want to know.
If you have the Magical Express folks take your luggage (pick it up from baggage claim and transport it "magically" to your room), you can get to your room, sometimes, up to three hours before your bags do. Sometimes less, and a few times, sometimes longer. If this is a problem, don't put those yellow tags on your bags (that tells the ME folks to pick them up and transport them)!!!
Just leave the yellow tags off your bags, go down to baggage claim (level 2), claim the bags, and roll (hopefully, you will have rolling luggage!) them to Magical Express check in on the first level. Get in line with your bags and roll them up to the bus, and watch the driver put them on your bus. It's magic! Those bags will go with you to the resort and come off when you get there (don't forget to tip the driver for this extra loading and unloading). You take your bags right then and head to the resort check in desk. Viola', your bags are ready when you are.
When to use the yellow tags and when don't you? If you are going early enough in the day that you won't need your bags for a while, let Disney do it. Put on the yellow tags and relax and head to parks after arrival at your resort. Your room probably isn't ready anyway! Going to land and arrive after 2 or 3 in the afternoon? Might as well skip the yellow tags and grab your bags, so you can take them right up to your room, which will probably be ready by then.
Landing after 10pm or before 5am? You have to go to baggage claim. Do not use yellow tags! If you use them but are delayed past 10pm, go to baggage claim.
Last thing! Magical Express is a privilege of guests of WDW, staying on site at a WDW resort hotel. The ME goes between the airport and Disney World resort hotels ONLY. Not to the parks, not off site hotels, not any Downtown Disney hotel (or Disney Springs as it will soon be called), not Swan or Dolphin, not Shades of Green.
That said, what if you land late and want to stay near the airport or at the airport Hyatt Regency (it's in the Orlando airport and very convenient) and then go in the morning? You can do that! Call the Magical Express folks and set it up. You are a guest of WDW and you are going from the airport to the WDW resort. All good. Talk to someone at the Magical Express office though, and not a cast member from WDW. The ME folks know the exact rules about what you can and can not do.
Orlando Airport
Ok, so the Orlando airport is a large one, with gates and ticketing all on level three, Baggage claim on level 2, and transportation on level 1 (this includes the Magical Express, car rental agencies, and other forms of transportation).
When you land, take the tram or the monorail into the main terminal (all gates are out at satellite gate pods). There are two terminals, the A terminal (with two gate pods) and the B terminal (also with two gate pods). There are food choices in all of the gate areas along with a few shops. In the main terminals, you will find a food court and Disney specific gift shops (two of them in the main terminals), along with a Universal gift shop and many other ways to spend your money.
When you land, take the tram or the monorail into the main terminal (all gates are out at satellite gate pods). There are two terminals, the A terminal (with two gate pods) and the B terminal (also with two gate pods). There are food choices in all of the gate areas along with a few shops. In the main terminals, you will find a food court and Disney specific gift shops (two of them in the main terminals), along with a Universal gift shop and many other ways to spend your money.
Flying? What happens if.....
Oh flying. I love to fly. I fly a lot. Most of the time, everything runs smoothly and life is good.
But.
What happens if:
My flight is canceled?
Get in touch with your airline by all means necessary. Get in line at the counter, and get on the phone, and get on the website from someone else's phone (if you are traveling with someone). Rebook as quick as you can. Get that empty seat on another flight as fast as you can. Do not wait to make it to the front of the line, if you can do it on the phone or online, do it. Work out the details when you get to the counter. Most flights and airlines run at a very high load factor (how full the plane is), and if there are empty seats on a flight on the same day, trust me when I tell you that there aren't enough for all the folks on the canceled flight. That said, if you are in a large party or group or family, and you can split up, go for it. If an airline cancels a flight, also, very often (unless it is out of their control like weather and then it is sometimes, not all the time) they will give you accommodations and food vouchers.
They will get you out, just the when is a question. They wanted to run the flight too, promise and didn't cancel just to make folks cranky.
Another note, if you find a flight on a different airline, then you are on your own. You will usually have to buy that seat on the different airline. Your airline is under contract to you to fly you on that specific airline to your destination, not on any airline.
My flight is delayed and I will miss my connection?
Double check that you will indeed miss the connection. If it is the last flight of the night, often times, they will hold the last flight of the night for connections. Not always! But sometimes. I have seen it many times, especially with last flights of the night. Mid day or morning missed connections will roll over to the next flight, usually. You will be later then planned.
You miss the last connection and it is their fault, then see above. Go to the counter, see if there is an alternative way to get to your destination (Orlando or ?), and if not, ask for accommodations and food vouchers and to be rebooked on the next flight, the next day. If it is weather or something beyond their control, they aren't liable to assist in accommodations but maybe? It never hurts to ask!
I can't sit together with my family?
This one is tricky. For example, this is an issue with Southwest sometimes. The flight attendants WANT you to sit your family, promise. If you have a child who is 4 years old or younger, you can board with family boarding (between A and B groups).
If your child is 5 or 6, you are still worried but can't board with family boarding. You are late in the process of boarding. At this point, your best bet is, as you walk on the plane, talk to the first flight attendant you see at the door of the plane. Point to your sweet youngest child, and ask if their is any seats together or close to each other (middles in front and behind each other might have to work where you reach your hand through the seats to hold hands). Sometimes, the flight attendant will call to the back flight attendant and ask if they can move folks or save seats.
If your child is 9 or 10 or older, then resign yourselves to sitting separately and know the flight won't last forever. Sit in front of each other in middle seats. Younger (2nd grade and down), check with flight attendant to see if they can do something.
This flight is driving me nuts for whatever reason (noise, smell, clicking sounds, conversations)?
First, see if you can move. With today's heavier flight loads, this isn't always an option but maybe? If at all possible, just try to ignore it. No flight lasts forever (and trust me, I have been on some that I thought would never end). Peace and love, peace and love. If it is kicking on the seat from behind you, maybe give them a look. If it appears that the folks who are doing X which is driving you nuts won't be receptive to a gentle request, then DO NOT DO IT. Remember, that you are in a confined space with folks whom you do not know and do not know how they will react.
If the seat belt sign goes off during the flight, and you can get up and go to the back of the plane for a break, do that. Take the break. Maybe ask the flight attendant if there is anything that can be done. Sometimes all it takes is a professional in charge to make a request or point out the rules of the road to make folks understand.
Worse case, remember, it won't last forever, it won't last forever, it won't last forever.
But.
What happens if:
My flight is canceled?
Get in touch with your airline by all means necessary. Get in line at the counter, and get on the phone, and get on the website from someone else's phone (if you are traveling with someone). Rebook as quick as you can. Get that empty seat on another flight as fast as you can. Do not wait to make it to the front of the line, if you can do it on the phone or online, do it. Work out the details when you get to the counter. Most flights and airlines run at a very high load factor (how full the plane is), and if there are empty seats on a flight on the same day, trust me when I tell you that there aren't enough for all the folks on the canceled flight. That said, if you are in a large party or group or family, and you can split up, go for it. If an airline cancels a flight, also, very often (unless it is out of their control like weather and then it is sometimes, not all the time) they will give you accommodations and food vouchers.
They will get you out, just the when is a question. They wanted to run the flight too, promise and didn't cancel just to make folks cranky.
Another note, if you find a flight on a different airline, then you are on your own. You will usually have to buy that seat on the different airline. Your airline is under contract to you to fly you on that specific airline to your destination, not on any airline.
My flight is delayed and I will miss my connection?
Double check that you will indeed miss the connection. If it is the last flight of the night, often times, they will hold the last flight of the night for connections. Not always! But sometimes. I have seen it many times, especially with last flights of the night. Mid day or morning missed connections will roll over to the next flight, usually. You will be later then planned.
You miss the last connection and it is their fault, then see above. Go to the counter, see if there is an alternative way to get to your destination (Orlando or ?), and if not, ask for accommodations and food vouchers and to be rebooked on the next flight, the next day. If it is weather or something beyond their control, they aren't liable to assist in accommodations but maybe? It never hurts to ask!
I can't sit together with my family?
This one is tricky. For example, this is an issue with Southwest sometimes. The flight attendants WANT you to sit your family, promise. If you have a child who is 4 years old or younger, you can board with family boarding (between A and B groups).
If your child is 5 or 6, you are still worried but can't board with family boarding. You are late in the process of boarding. At this point, your best bet is, as you walk on the plane, talk to the first flight attendant you see at the door of the plane. Point to your sweet youngest child, and ask if their is any seats together or close to each other (middles in front and behind each other might have to work where you reach your hand through the seats to hold hands). Sometimes, the flight attendant will call to the back flight attendant and ask if they can move folks or save seats.
If your child is 9 or 10 or older, then resign yourselves to sitting separately and know the flight won't last forever. Sit in front of each other in middle seats. Younger (2nd grade and down), check with flight attendant to see if they can do something.
This flight is driving me nuts for whatever reason (noise, smell, clicking sounds, conversations)?
First, see if you can move. With today's heavier flight loads, this isn't always an option but maybe? If at all possible, just try to ignore it. No flight lasts forever (and trust me, I have been on some that I thought would never end). Peace and love, peace and love. If it is kicking on the seat from behind you, maybe give them a look. If it appears that the folks who are doing X which is driving you nuts won't be receptive to a gentle request, then DO NOT DO IT. Remember, that you are in a confined space with folks whom you do not know and do not know how they will react.
If the seat belt sign goes off during the flight, and you can get up and go to the back of the plane for a break, do that. Take the break. Maybe ask the flight attendant if there is anything that can be done. Sometimes all it takes is a professional in charge to make a request or point out the rules of the road to make folks understand.
Worse case, remember, it won't last forever, it won't last forever, it won't last forever.
Last Minute Flying
Ok, so you want to go to WDW and you want to go tomorrow or next week or within a few weeks. NOW even. There are lots of things I want to go over but for here and now, let's talk about flying last minute.
Generally, expensive. If you can plan ahead, swell! But if you are reading this, you want last minute deals.
Try the tried and true from previous posts:
www.kayak.com (everyone but Southwest)
and
www.southwest.com.
Try not to fall over in shock at last minute fares. If you are within three weeks of travel, it will be much more expensive, and within one week, top dollar.
Are there any alternatives? Yes and Sort of. Ok, there is an alternative, but the sort of comes into play with flexibility again.
www.priceline.com
These is one of my favorite last minute hotel booking sites. Car rental site too! If you need a flight, you can do this too and it will, most likely, get you there cheaper. There is a catch though.
Let's look at the site. Priceline has flights available with the airline listed and connection. Prices are pretty much what you would get from the airline site directly. It looks like kayak.com or expedia.com.
IF you are willing to spend all day going (or early or late or ? whenever they have availability), then hit the box for up to 40% off (this is on Priceline) and you bid. The catch is that you can't request a non stop or time of travel or airline. You can request a 1 or less stop flight to your destination. If you are ok with possibly two flights (and a change of planes) to get to MCO (Orlando airport code), then go for it. The fine print is that you can't really tell it where the two flights go on it's path to MCO or even what time of day it leaves. The time of day is IMPORTANT. You tell it a day, and it could be anytime on that day. Your flight might not leave until 7 at night, getting into Orlando around midnight.
Why is a connection a problem? Because if you are in Dallas, it could send you to Chicago or Denver or even Los Angeles, change planes and head to Orlando. You could have a long layover. What ends up on the discounted sites is the leftover empty seats. There is a plane somewhere, usually, with an empty seat to Orlando and the airline wants to fill it. You start from somewhere. They fly you to that plane with an empty seat, and then you fly to Orlando. This could take much longer then a non stop or even a scheduled connection (though double check connections on the airline sites too. They have some random connections as well) from a directly booked flight.
You won't know the route the flight is going to take until after you book it and pay for it, non-refundable (that last part is very, very important. You click buy and that flight is YOURS, no refunds).
The good part? You can get to Orlando, CHEAP, usually. Buyer beware for the length of travel time to get there and time of day you get there. If you are loose though and can take a day to get there, and you want to go last minute and you want to fly (and all day at the airport is still less stressful then all day driving but that is just me) there, check out these sites.
Another site,
www.hotwire.com
used to be buyer beware, hidden flight information until you purchase but I am thinking that perhaps they have gotten many negative reviews for this as now for flights ( I still LOVE Hotwire for hotels and car rentals), it looks a lot like Expedia in the listing of what is available.
The last site for last minute deals that I really like but destinations are hit or miss, so not a sure thing to get to Orlando specifically is:
www.travelzoo.com.
Sign up for their weekly newsletter (comes out on Wednesdays- The Top 20), as it is much fun to dream and go last minute to places. They cover all of the USA but deals can vary week to week as to destination or mode of transport. They run deals quite often on flights.
Ready to drive yet? More on that later!
Generally, expensive. If you can plan ahead, swell! But if you are reading this, you want last minute deals.
Try the tried and true from previous posts:
www.kayak.com (everyone but Southwest)
and
www.southwest.com.
Try not to fall over in shock at last minute fares. If you are within three weeks of travel, it will be much more expensive, and within one week, top dollar.
Are there any alternatives? Yes and Sort of. Ok, there is an alternative, but the sort of comes into play with flexibility again.
www.priceline.com
These is one of my favorite last minute hotel booking sites. Car rental site too! If you need a flight, you can do this too and it will, most likely, get you there cheaper. There is a catch though.
Let's look at the site. Priceline has flights available with the airline listed and connection. Prices are pretty much what you would get from the airline site directly. It looks like kayak.com or expedia.com.
IF you are willing to spend all day going (or early or late or ? whenever they have availability), then hit the box for up to 40% off (this is on Priceline) and you bid. The catch is that you can't request a non stop or time of travel or airline. You can request a 1 or less stop flight to your destination. If you are ok with possibly two flights (and a change of planes) to get to MCO (Orlando airport code), then go for it. The fine print is that you can't really tell it where the two flights go on it's path to MCO or even what time of day it leaves. The time of day is IMPORTANT. You tell it a day, and it could be anytime on that day. Your flight might not leave until 7 at night, getting into Orlando around midnight.
Why is a connection a problem? Because if you are in Dallas, it could send you to Chicago or Denver or even Los Angeles, change planes and head to Orlando. You could have a long layover. What ends up on the discounted sites is the leftover empty seats. There is a plane somewhere, usually, with an empty seat to Orlando and the airline wants to fill it. You start from somewhere. They fly you to that plane with an empty seat, and then you fly to Orlando. This could take much longer then a non stop or even a scheduled connection (though double check connections on the airline sites too. They have some random connections as well) from a directly booked flight.
You won't know the route the flight is going to take until after you book it and pay for it, non-refundable (that last part is very, very important. You click buy and that flight is YOURS, no refunds).
The good part? You can get to Orlando, CHEAP, usually. Buyer beware for the length of travel time to get there and time of day you get there. If you are loose though and can take a day to get there, and you want to go last minute and you want to fly (and all day at the airport is still less stressful then all day driving but that is just me) there, check out these sites.
Another site,
www.hotwire.com
used to be buyer beware, hidden flight information until you purchase but I am thinking that perhaps they have gotten many negative reviews for this as now for flights ( I still LOVE Hotwire for hotels and car rentals), it looks a lot like Expedia in the listing of what is available.
The last site for last minute deals that I really like but destinations are hit or miss, so not a sure thing to get to Orlando specifically is:
www.travelzoo.com.
Sign up for their weekly newsletter (comes out on Wednesdays- The Top 20), as it is much fun to dream and go last minute to places. They cover all of the USA but deals can vary week to week as to destination or mode of transport. They run deals quite often on flights.
Ready to drive yet? More on that later!
To Fly or Not to Fly?
Sometimes it isn't even a question. If the concern is money or time or convenience, then your decision is made for you.
But! If it is a question- what do you do? Start out with your dates. Find the ideal date by crossing out the days/months that are absolute no way, can't go. School? Work commitment? Personal commitments?
Do you care about crowds or can you roll with whatever theme park crowds can deal (which is a LOT) out? To me, crowd levels are important in considering when to go.
Ok, so picking a date(s) probably needs more consideration and I will address later in more detail. But generally, pick a date of travel. It is really helpful if you can be a bit flexible in those dates, even if by a day or so on either end. That will help immeasurably in pricing flights. If you really think this is the only trip you will ever take to WDW, trust me when I tell you that it probably won't be. It might for some but most folks go, and then at some point in the near or distant future, go again. So flexibility (if you cut the trip short a day due to much better airfare, for instance) isn't so bad!
Two sites to visit on the web:
www.kayak.com for all airlines, except Southwest Airlines,
and
www.southwest.com for Southwest.
So go ahead, and price the flights from your ideal dates at the ideal time, from your ideal airport. I can wait.
Now, that you have priced the ideal, switch it up. Day before, day after on the going and coming end. See what happens? Hmmm, usually good stuff.
What happens if you leave from an airport that isn't ideal? An airport that perhaps might be in the less then 100-150 mile range (drive a bit to get to it). This doesn't always change the results to make it worth it, but for some of you, wowza.
Timing of said flights is another consideration. I had our first trip all planned out and we were going in for a room only and were to have a lovely dinner at a Disney hotel the night before, then we would move to package hotel the next morning, and hit the ground running. Except the week before, things changed and we couldn't leave until last flight of the night before package. Enter flexibility again! So we canceled the room only about a week prior to coming, canceled the Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs), and flew in late. What happened next was wonderful! We stayed at the Hyatt in the airport. Got off the plane, took the tram to central part of airport, and went up an elevator and were in our room. We also saved a ton of money by not staying on site for the room only
We packed a bag separate from our main trip bag with clothes for the next day, along with pjs to sleep in, and toiletries. Set the alarm, and went down to Magical Express (ME), and took the ME to the hotel of our package, checked in at 7am, left bags, and was on a bus towards Epcot right after. Remember the Magical Express just wants to take you from the airport to your onsite, Disney hotel and back again at the end. That is the only two places it will go. Not the parks, not offsite hotels.
The long and short, is life is rarely clean and if you want to fly, BE FLEXIBLE. If you can't be flexible, hope for the best because weather, airline operations, and life happens. You will get to your vacation. You WILL. Flexible will save you money!
Driving? I have another fifty posts for that! Until later....
But! If it is a question- what do you do? Start out with your dates. Find the ideal date by crossing out the days/months that are absolute no way, can't go. School? Work commitment? Personal commitments?
Do you care about crowds or can you roll with whatever theme park crowds can deal (which is a LOT) out? To me, crowd levels are important in considering when to go.
Ok, so picking a date(s) probably needs more consideration and I will address later in more detail. But generally, pick a date of travel. It is really helpful if you can be a bit flexible in those dates, even if by a day or so on either end. That will help immeasurably in pricing flights. If you really think this is the only trip you will ever take to WDW, trust me when I tell you that it probably won't be. It might for some but most folks go, and then at some point in the near or distant future, go again. So flexibility (if you cut the trip short a day due to much better airfare, for instance) isn't so bad!
Two sites to visit on the web:
www.kayak.com for all airlines, except Southwest Airlines,
and
www.southwest.com for Southwest.
So go ahead, and price the flights from your ideal dates at the ideal time, from your ideal airport. I can wait.
Now, that you have priced the ideal, switch it up. Day before, day after on the going and coming end. See what happens? Hmmm, usually good stuff.
What happens if you leave from an airport that isn't ideal? An airport that perhaps might be in the less then 100-150 mile range (drive a bit to get to it). This doesn't always change the results to make it worth it, but for some of you, wowza.
Timing of said flights is another consideration. I had our first trip all planned out and we were going in for a room only and were to have a lovely dinner at a Disney hotel the night before, then we would move to package hotel the next morning, and hit the ground running. Except the week before, things changed and we couldn't leave until last flight of the night before package. Enter flexibility again! So we canceled the room only about a week prior to coming, canceled the Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs), and flew in late. What happened next was wonderful! We stayed at the Hyatt in the airport. Got off the plane, took the tram to central part of airport, and went up an elevator and were in our room. We also saved a ton of money by not staying on site for the room only
We packed a bag separate from our main trip bag with clothes for the next day, along with pjs to sleep in, and toiletries. Set the alarm, and went down to Magical Express (ME), and took the ME to the hotel of our package, checked in at 7am, left bags, and was on a bus towards Epcot right after. Remember the Magical Express just wants to take you from the airport to your onsite, Disney hotel and back again at the end. That is the only two places it will go. Not the parks, not offsite hotels.
The long and short, is life is rarely clean and if you want to fly, BE FLEXIBLE. If you can't be flexible, hope for the best because weather, airline operations, and life happens. You will get to your vacation. You WILL. Flexible will save you money!
Driving? I have another fifty posts for that! Until later....
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