Always go LEFT and other things I learned

In May I got to do some thing totally amazing.  I boarded a plane by myself and flew to Orlando.  I boarded the Disney Magical Express by myself.  Checked in to Pop Century (with another agent for 2 nights) then checked in to Disney Yacht Club technically by myself but I was there with 49 other agents for a week of learning, tours and fun and making life long friends.  It honestly like going away to camp for a week.  I don't remember the last time I had that much fun and learned so  much. I did miss Scott and Drew but this week gave me the chance to experience Disney and all it had to offer in a totally different light.  I was able to think about how different groups of clients could experience Disney and how I could help them.

I did learn to ALWAYS go to the LEFT when entering the park.  It is human nature to go right so if you go left you will avoid a lot of the crowd.  This proved true at all places EXCEPT Animal Kingdom late in the afternoon.

Over the next few days I will talk about specific places I saw, things I learned and how I can help you experience Disney.

Below are a couple pictures of me enjoying Disney

Best time to go?

I am often asked when it is the best time to go to Disney World or take a Disney cruise.  Some agents answer anytime.  I disagree. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding the best time to go.  first and foremost  what is best for YOUR family. Do you mind crowds?  Do you care about taking your kids out of school?  Do you want to see the decorations for a certain season? Do you have a set budget? What are you celebrating - is this a surprise for Christmas, a birthday, a honeymoon?

I have some clients who can't take their kids out of school due to state laws or they feel school comes first. They usually travel during more busy times of the year - spring or fall break, summer - times when the ships and parks are busier and more expensive.

If you are not a crowd person and don't worry about removing kids from school I always suggest the from mid October to mid December (excluding Thanksgiving week) and then again from Jan 3 to mid January.  This is my favorite time to travel and do anything Disney.  The prices are lower, the decorations are up for Halloween or Christmas (even the first week of January you get the decorations at a Value price) Cruise ships during this time have a difficult time filling the ships and there are price drops galore.

There is always something going on at Disney.

Another benefit to October and early November, especially if you are a foodie is Epcot's Food and Wine Festival!   A great chance to drink and sample foods from around the world as you travel your way around the world   This year there are 25 International kiosks offering food and beverages.

 In October, Disney celebrates Halloween in style with Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.   A hard ticket event that limits the number of people in the park for the ultimate Halloween party.  The Villains take over, there are special meet and greets, parades, and trick or treating around the park.  Guests are encouraged to dress up and visit the candy kiosks and fill their bags to the brim.

November and December ushers in Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. Sip hot chocolate and eat sugar cookies while it SNOWS ON MAIN STREET!  The characters are dressed in their holiday finest.

This year I was there in May and got to take part in Epcots' Flower and Garden Show.

Topiaries abound during this time. 

 I was also there for the beginning of STAR WARS WEEKENDS

Disney is divided in to seasons that determines the prices for resorts.  Holiday Season is always the highest price. That is the time when the parks are the the most crowded.  I can't think of anyone who hasn't dreamed of being in the Magic Kingdom on Christmas morning.

Peak Season is the next most expensive time at Disney.  This typically runs Mid February to mid April. It coincides with Spring Break.  The crowds are very large but not as bad as during Holiday season.

Regular season is when there is average attendance in the parks usually April 18 to August 28 for Value and Moderate Resorts or April 18 to July 4 for all other resort types; and September 30 to October 30.  

Value season is when the crowds are historically at the lowest and Disney offers the best rates to try and fill the parks.  Value Season runs from January 1 to February 11, August 29 to September 29 for Value and Moderate Resorts or July 5 to September 29 for all other resort types and October 31 to December 19.

Ultimately, you have to decide when it is the best time for your family.  There is no BEST or WORST time to do anything Disney.  It is about what is BEST for your family. 

Contact Destinations by Cathy - 720-387-8279 to discuss the BEST TIME for your family and let us make your MAGICAL dreams come true.

VISA Stay Play and Dine offer just released!!!!!

Call me 720-387-8279 or email me at travelnwiththink@gmail.com for the details on the new Disney Promotion. Currently only for Disney VIsa Card Holders. We can't guarantee it but we may hear in the near future of this being open to the general public.  STAY TUNED

New Disney Visa Promos are out today for travel January through Mid April. 

Stay, Play and Dine
Discounts room. tickets and dining plan..must have tickets for length of stay to get that portion discounted (staying 4 days/3 nights must have 4 day ticket..etc)
For Most Stays January 5-March 5 2014
3 Night Minimum Stay Required
Excluded: ALL OF ART OF ANIMATION, Grand Floridian Villas and Campsites

Room Only Discount -
Travel dates January 5, 2014 -April 12, 2014
The week of March 6 - March 13 (discount is 5% less than what is listed below)

All Star Sports, All Star Music, Pop Century - 20%
Art of Animation Family Suites - 15% (Little Mermaid Rooms excluded)
All Star Movies - 5%

Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside, Cabins - 25%
Port Orleans French Quarter, Junior Suites at Coronado Springs - 5%

Wilderness Lodge (Standard and Woods View), Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard and Pool View), Beach/Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, Polynesian, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Contemporary - 35%

Wilderness Lodge (Club Level and Courtyard View), Animal Kingdom Lodge (Club and Savanna View) - 25%

Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Boardwalk Villas, Beach/Yacht Club Villas - 35%

Bay Lake Tower - 5%

Deluxe Suites - 5%

Excludes - Campsites and Villas at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The Past Year - changes to GAC

I am sorry dear readers that I went missing for a year.  My agency was still around and it is growing but life got in the way of my favorite thing - letting you know about the goings on in the travel world.

There are any changes going on at the Mouse House.  Some that have caused great distress for families of children with disabilities.  I can understand the worry because I have a child with a disability and we have used the GAC many times to lessen the stress on our son.  We are keeping an open mind because we know any change like this will require tweeking on the part of Disney.  It will also take some adjustments and patience on the part of visitors.  If everyone works together this should be a better system and should lead to less abuse by those who don't need the pass.

Here is the latest on what we are being told. - thanks to Mousekeerz for this update

Procedures

After getting a DAS card, guests will approach the attraction they wish to visit. Each attraction will have a cast member at the entrance to assist you. (Not a kiosk as first reported)

§  If the wait is less than 10 minutes, they are admitted through an alternate entrance or Fastpass queue.

§  If the wait is more than 10 minutes, they are issued a return time on their DAS card. The return times will be based on the current posted wait time minus 10 minutes.

§  Only 1 (one) active return time can be written on a DAS card placing you in a virtual standby queue. Just like a regular guest in a standby queue, you can’t be in multiple lines at once. You are free to go stand in line for another attraction, go shopping or eat.

§  The DAS card holder (photo and name) does not need to be present to receive a return time which allows families with children with autism a chance to stay clear of the attraction while a member gets the return time to avoid potential meltdowns by not getting to ride right away.

§  Once the return time has arrived, you will arrive to the attractions alternate entrance or Fastpass line to redeem.

§  Once a return time has been redeemed it is crossed off and no longer active allowing you get a new return time.

§  Crossing off a return time also voids or cancels it to the equivalent of getting out of line.

§  Fastpass & Fastpass+ are not tied to this program and can be used in conjunction. So you can technically be standing in two lines at once.

Here is a difference between a DAS & a Fastpass

DAS Return Times have the same policy as a Fastpass when it comes to early arrivals, but they do not expire at a certain time of that day allowing those with special needs to not be restricted to returning back by a specific time if it doesn’t work for them. The catch however is that it will still remain active and additional return times can’t be gotten until it is used.

§  The DAS card holder (photo and name) must be present and experiencing the attraction in order to use the return time. If the person isn’t present or choose to sit out and let their family ride, they will be turned away and potentially have their card revoked. After all, the card is designed to assist the card holder and a few other companions or family members, but it is not designed to solely assist the family or companions when the card holder chooses not to or can’t ride.

§  If an attraction is broken, they can’t give you a return time. If you return and it’s broken, they will accommodate you by giving you a Fastpass to come back later and clearing your DAS return time to allow you to get another.

§  If all your return slots get filled, you have to return to Guest Relations for a new one. This would likely only fill up for someone that is staying on property for all 7 days.

Additional Procedures

§  Attractions that are not fully accessible through the standby queue may also have return cards. These are only for guests with wheelchairs, scooters, & strollers acting as wheelchairs who do not have a DAS card. Space Mountain is an example of a place that already does this, but additional attractions will soon be getting a similar procedure. The return times for these are just like DAS, but because they are attraction specific cards verses a global DAS card, you are able to grab multiple at once if you visit attractions that require it. Not all attractions will have this.

I promise I will be back tomorrow.  I have to share my incredible experience at an advanced training at Disney World this summer.  And I have to talk about my upcoming cruise on the Disney Wonder and I have to talk about the new dining changes. Oh yea, there will also be a new give away and a little bonus if you book with Destinations by Cathy and a way you can help charity by booking with us as well.  WOW everyone stay tuned lots coming up!

Cathy

book with me for Disney

Did you book your vacation directly with Disney?I am offering $25 Disney Gift Card if you  allow me to be your Travel Agent! I will take excellent care of your booking, offering you my free concierge level of service. I will make your advance dining reservations for you and create a detailed itinerary to fit your families needs. I will also offer great tips and advice for your families magical vacation. This applies to any Disney Vacation or Disney Cruise.

Best Age for Disney?

> What age is the best age to take my kids to Disney for the first time?This is something that all travel agents get asked A LOT. My answer?  There is no right answer.

I have seen 3 week old babies in their mothers arms on Pirates of the Caribbean on up to 60 year old kids going for the first time.

Several things to take in to account.

 How does
your child handle being out of routine? Nothing ruins a day at Disney like a child who is at the end of their rope of being dragged from ride to ride because the parents want to do one more thing the "child will love"

How does your child handle crowds?  Disney on certain days and certain times of year can be overwhelming to seasoned adult veterans.  Planning your trip during
the off season can be helpful to your child as well as your pocketbook.

Do they know who Disney characters are?  Yes there are families out there who have kids who don't know who Mickey and Minnie are.  I have met two such families this summer.  One of those families took a day trip to Disneyland. I understand the kids had a great time.

How does your child feel about characters?  Will they scream bloody murder if Mickey or Donald come up to them at a character breakfast?  That is no fun for anyone at your table or the entire restaurant. Some kids are scared of whole costume characters but no of those who have "real" faces.



These are all things that need to be answered before you go. If you have never taken your child to an amusement park, then take a day trip to a local amusement park to see how they do with all of the above.  It will give you a sense of what your child can handle.

With younger kids, the biggest advice I can offer is plan down time.  Do not go all day everyday to the parks.  Plan time for swimming, resting and just hanging out.  We enjoy taking trips on the monorail to see other hotels.

 When Phil was 17, we took a long family vacation to WDW.  It was Phil's high school graduation present.  Drew was 4.  Drew hit over load and one day refused to go to the park.  Rather than it ruin the day, Scott stayed with Drew.  They hung out in the room, did laundry, played with the toys Drew had gotten earlier in the trip, swam and had a great day.  He just needed a do nothing day.  By about 2 he was ready to get back in the action.

Flexibility is the key when taking kids to Disney.  Any age is a good age to take kids to Disney World as long as the grown ups remember to listen to the cues of the kids and make sure to put the kids first.

prevent panic

See this little guy?  He is one of four lights of my life.  The others are my husband, oldest son Phil and my new daughter in law, Betsy.

When we go on vacation we take certain precautions.  We are not alarmists but know that we can get separated and rather than panic we have plans in place to find everyone again.

First, I make shirts for our trip. We wear them on certain days of our trip.  I find bright colored shirts and then design themes for the day.  I can always look around and see 4 shirts just like mine and know where my crew is.

I take a picture of Drew every morning in what he is wearing.  I take it next to something so we can have an approximate height.  That way I am not having to try and recall how tall he is, what he is wearing (yes I know I can say - he has on this same shirt but that can't be dispatched quickly if he is separated from us, a photo can be)

When Phil was younger and now with Drew the first thing we do when we enter any amusement park or museum is approach someone wearing a badge. We tell him if he gets separated to look for a person with that type of badge and only talk to them.

I know some mom's who put a small bracelet or necklace on their kids with a parental cell phone number so they can be reached.

With the advent of cell phones we can text each other through out the day if some choose to go in different directions just to check in or let them know where to meet up.

One mom I know has a code word and when the kids hear that they know to line up and listen up because important information is about to be said.  (she has SEVERAL kids) It is only used in an emergency so they know it is important.

I know everyone has their own plans in place in large places to keep together or find each other if separated. What do you do?

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For a limited time grab up to 30% off rooms at Disney World. Contact me at travelnwithtink@gmail.com for the latest rates.  Add tickets and dining and you are set to go.

Book by Sep. 29, 2012, for stays most nights Sep. 30, 2012 – Nov. 16, 2012 and Nov. 24, 2012 – Dec. 22, 2012 and:

• Save 15% – 20% at Disney’s Value Resorts (excluding Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms)
• Save 20% – 25% at Disney’s Moderate Resorts (excluding Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
• Save 15% – 30% at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Standard View only), Disney’s Contemporary Resort (excluding Magic Kingdom® view rooms) and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
• Save 25% – 30% at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House and Kidani Village (standard view).

Emergency kit

We are by no means amusement park fiends.  We love all kinds of vacations.  But one thing I have learned is to have a small travel emergency kit on me at all times.  Scott and Philip teased me unmercifully the first time we went to Disney for 10 days and I had this bag a Baggalini Messenger bag

I chose it for a couple reasons.  The reviews on it were fantastic, it had TONS of pockets for storage plus it was a bright color so if separated I could be spotted.  It has a zipper pouch on the top strap that is great for holding tickets which are about the size of a drivers licences.  I also kept our PhotoPass in that pouch so it was also handy when it was picture time.

The middle pouch has several mesh compartments. I kept my point and shoot camera there.

The front pocket held receipts.  I also kept small disposable ponchos in this area.  I refused to buy the ones at ANY park because of the cost - 12-15 dollars each.  They are also bulky and can't be folded back up in any reasonable way.  The benefit to the disposable ones - they are CHEAP - about a buck each. I don't mind throwing those away.  They are great for a late afternoon rain storm plus we use them when riding water rides.  They help to keep you dry. Once the ride is over throw them away and enjoy the next ride. For the cost of one park poncho I can get enough disposable ones for the whole trip.

In the large pocket I kept a zipper bag.  It held everything for an emergency.  I had moleskin for the unexpected blister.  Tums, or Rolaids and pepto bismol - never know when someone is going to eat one to many churros.  Bandaid and Neosporin were packed in there as well.  Tylenol is a must, after riding Haunted Mansion and all the silly girls screaming in the first room can give anyone a headache. A pair of tweezers in case of splinters. I also stashed a couple granola bars in there.

Back in the hotel room I keep sheets of moleskin and a small pair pair of scissors.  Cut to fit for larger blisters.  Also for us Pooh sized people or anyone who suffers from chaffing I highly recommend Body Glide.  I rub it on my thighs before getting dressed and it prevents chaffing during the day.  It also helps prevent chaffing if your clothes get wet on the water rides.

I know everyone has must haves in their emergency kit - what is your most important thing to pack for a park emergency?