Silent Sunday in the Park-Epcot, Morocco Pavilion

Epcot, Morocco Pavilion

Silent Sunday in the Park: Epcot, China Pavilion

China Pavilion, Epcot

Silent Sunday: Epcot-Spaceship Earth at Night

Epcot, Spaceship Earth

Photo taken 1/12/2015

Monday Morning Treat from Epcot

Just to start your Monday morning off right...here's some School Bread from the Norway pavilion in Epcot:

What's your favorite WDW snack?

Silent Sunday in the Park-Epcot, Future World

Tuesday Tip-Take Your Time-Refresh, Recharge and Don't Rush

Walt Disney World is an exciting, fun vacation destination with tons of things to do and see.  Many guests are in such a rush trying to do everything and see everything that by the time it's time to head home, they are totally exhausted and wondering why the heck they decided to make the trip.

Some things you need to know about heading to Walt Disney World--yes, the resort is HUGE and yes, there's more things to do there than you could ever imagine.  It's not just four theme parks...which, honestly, if you've never been to WDW before, then no-you're not going to be able to see everything in every park if you only spend one day in each.  You also have 2 water parks, 2 mini-golf courses, Downtown Disney-where you can shop, eat, enjoy live entertainment, go bowling, see a movie, explore an indoor interactive, virtual reality theme park at DisneyQuest, catch the amazing La Nouba Cirque du Soleil show...not to mention the golf courses, water sports, fishing, hay rides, carriage rides, dinner shows...and a whole lot more.

If you really want to experience everything the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer, first realize that you are not going to be able to do everything in one trip-even if you do the commando-park thing from open to close each day.  And honestly, if you want to enjoy your vacation, you're not going to want to approach it like that to begin with.  Yes, I know there are those of you out there who are totally gung-ho and love doing the park commando routine; but for your average guests-especially those with families and small children, a more relaxed approach is the key to a low-stress, enjoyable vacation.

So, on to the Tuesday tips...

First, make sure you allow yourselves enough days for your trip.  You may have to save your pennies for longer, but in the end you'll appreciate not having to rush through the parks trying to get everything in before you go.  If you've never been to WDW before, I'd recommend at least a full week for your first trip.  The Magic Kingdom and Epcot are both at least two days if you want to see and do everything in those parks.  Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom you can probably handle in one day for each one.

Epcot itself can fill two whole days of your trip-maybe even more!

Next, while you may want to get to each park at "Rope Drop" (just before the park opens) and stay until the park closes down, you're looking at anywhere from 7 to 15 hours of constant go-go-go if you go that route.  That's a lot of time on your feet and waiting in lines.  So your second tip is to take a break.  Head to the park early in the morning while the crowds are low and the temperatures are too.  Then take a break around lunch time until late afternoon.  Use the time to head back to your resort for some relaxation at the pool or a nap in your room before heading back out to either the same or-if you have Park Hopper tickets-a different park in the evening after the heat and crowds have started to dissipate.  If you're staying on Disney property, this tip is even easier to execute since the time to go back and forth from the parks to your resort is drastically shorter.  You may think you can go without the break-but it will sure make your days go smoother and help you feel less stressed if you take some time out to relax and recharge each day.

Pool or nap time can help you recharge

Finally, don't rush.  Take your time and really look around you at the parks, hotels and the rest of the property.  Little details are everywhere-Disney has made sure of that so you are totally immersed in not just each park, but each area of each park, hotel, shopping areas and so on.  You're not going to see everything in one trip--really.  It's just not possible-and some of the attractions you want to experience may not even be available during your trip if they're being refurbished.  Plan out your days so you can see all of your must-do's, just realize you'll need to come back if you really do want to see and experience everything the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer.  Don't blow through each day of your vacation trying to see everything-you'll wind up exhausted and disappointed that you couldn't get to your entire list.

Your Walt Disney World vacation should be fun and enjoyable.  Allow yourself enough time for your visit, take time to rest and relax along the way, and don't rush yourselves.  You'll have a better time with great memories if you're not dragging every day trying to accomplish the impossible.

Mickey wants you to have a great time :-)

Are you a park commando, or do you take your time and take breaks during your days at WDW?

Tuesday Tip-Free Activities for Kids (and Adults!) in the Walt Disney World Theme Parks

We all know that a vacation in Walt Disney World can get a bit pricey, so it’s always great to find free things the kids can do while in the parks.  Here’s some for you to try on your next trip:

-Wilderness Explorers-Animal Kingdom-Inspired by the Wilderness Explorers in the Disney/Pixar film “Up”, this experience is included in theme park admission.  Kids can complete up to 30 different challenges to earn badges (stickers) for their “Wilderness Explorer Handbook”.  And shhh...don’t tell the kids, but they’ll get to learn too--about the animals, nature skills, folklore and more.  Kids can pick up their field guide from the “headquarters” (on the bridge between the Oasis and Discovery Island) or the Wilderness Explorer stops to begin the challenges.

-Kidcot Fun Stops-Epcot’s World Showcase-Many guests with small children tend to shy away from the World Showcase in Epcot thinking the kids will be bored.  Enter the Kidcot Fun Stops in each country where your child can get a free cardboard Duffy the Disney Bear that they can decorate with supplies available at each station.  The Cast Members at the stops will also give a stamp of Duffy in each country, as well as tell about their native land (again, shh...don’t tell the kids they’re learning on vacation!).

-Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure-Epcot’s World Showcase-This adventure lasts anywhere from 30-45 minutes.  You’ll pick up your interactive handheld device from either the Odyssey Bridge (that connects Future World to the World Showcase), Norway Pavilion, Italy Pavilion or near the International Gateway, then look for clues throughout the World Showcase so you can defeat Dr. Doofenshmirtz from carrying out his dastardly deeds.  This activity is free with your park admission as well.

-Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom-Stop by the Firehouse on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom to become an apprentice sorcerer to help fight the forces of evil. You’ll get a Sorcerer Key card and a package of Spell Cards (you can get one pack of spell cards per day, per admission ticket-for FREE!) to help you unlock Magic Portals and challenge Hades and his henchman as you complete missions in the park to thwart the evil Disney villains.  *Special note-you can sometimes score extra “special edition” spell cards-last year when I went to the Halloween Party, there was a special card given out to partygoers only...so keep an eye out for things like this!

Free pack of spell cards

Special Edition spell card from the 2012 Halloween Party

-Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas-Magic Kingdom-This interactive quest is inspired by the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films and turns you into one of Captain Jack’s pirate recruits. There’s five different pirate treasure raids throughout Adventureland...be sure to pick up your magic talisman at The Crow’s Nest in Adventureland so you can read the maps and help Captain Jack complete each mission.  Each of the five missions takes about 20 minutes to complete, and again-this fun adventure is included with your park admission.

Freebies on vacation are always a plus, especially when they can add so much fun to your trip!  And just between us, you don’t necessarily need to be a kid to do all of these... ;-)

Have you or your kids tried any of these free adventures while in the WDW theme parks?  What did you think?  Would you recommend them to others?  If you've done more than one, which is your favorite?

Keep an eye out--a special August giveaway will be posting very soon!  You won't want to miss this one!

Where in Walt Disney World Am I Wednesday-Flying Balloons

Okay, since the last couple seemed to be a bit tough, here's an easy one...where in Walt Disney World am I?

Where in Walt Disney World Am I Wednesday-Peek-a-Boo

This one may be a hard one, so I'll give you a hint...it's in Epcot., though you may or may not still be able to find it.  Here's a side view:

Don't forget while you're here to check out my giveaway for a Toy Story Buzz & Woody pair of Vinylmation figures!  Odds are really good right now...make sure you get yourself entered and share the giveaway with friends and family too!

Tuesday Tip-The Monorail to Epcot

The monorail...a ride itself!

Most of you are probably aware that there is a monorail at Walt Disney World that takes you from the Magic Kingdom Transportation & Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom itself.  You may also be aware of the Epcot monorail which will take you from the Magic Kingdom's Transportation & Ticket Center to Epcot and back.  This makes it really easy to hop from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot or vice versa during the day without having to board the buses or take your car if you drove.

But don't look at the monorail solely as just a way to get from point A to point B...WDW veterans know the monorail is a ride too!  Hopping on the monorail, especially the Epcot monorail-which takes about 8-10 minutes one-way, 16-20 minutes round-trip-can be a relaxing ride in itself.  It's an air-conditioned, smooth ride, plus you get to see some nice scenery along the way.  It's a great way to take a break from your day, especially if you're about to end your vacation and want to do just one more thing to prolong it ;-)  I like to take one or even two trips around to help cool off and relax a bit before my drive home once vacation time is over.

So your Tuesday tip...take a round-trip monorail ride on the Epcot line, just for the heck of it.  Hey, you (or your spouse...or kids) may even catch a short nap to keep you going for the rest of the day.

Do you ever take the monorail just because?

Don't forget to check out my giveaway for a Toy Story Buzz & Woody pair of Vinylmation figures!  Odds are really good right now...make sure you get yourself entered and share the giveaway with friends and family too!

2014 Disney packages now available to book!

Today's the day...2014 packages for Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Aulani are available to book starting today!  Packages are room & tickets or room, tickets & dining plan.  The packages that are now available to book are for arrivals January through December of 2014.  Packages can be booked up to 499 days before arrival and travel must be concluded by December 31, 2014.

So, anyone out there who has been waiting for the 2014 packages to be released (runners, think Marathon Weekend, Princess Half Weekend, Tinkerbell Half Weekend, etc), you can now get package pricing and make those 2014 bookings.  If you've got a room-only reservation and want to convert it to a package, you can do that now as well.

Also, if you've been waiting to book the Candlelight Processional dinner packages at Epcot for this holiday season, those opened up yesterday!  This year you can even book online.  Performances occur every day, three times a day from November 29-December 30, 2013.

If you'd like a quote, whether for 2014 or this year, just drop me a line (check out the Contact Me or Magical Moments Vacations tabs up top) or you can go directly to my Disney quote page on my website to request a free quote.  My services are totally free and do not add any cost to your vacation, plus once booked I'll continually monitor your reservation...then if any future promotions/discounts come out that you qualify for, I'll automatically get them applied to your reservation for you.  Plus, any booking over $2500 will receive a $25 gift card; over $5000 will receive a $50 card.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Tuesday Tip-Epcot's Germany-It's the Little Things...

If you've been to Epcot and checked out the Germany pavilion in the World Showcase, you may have noticed the amazing model train landscape they have set up there.  There's a little village, trees and landscaping, a little farm...all in miniature.  There's usually three trains running, though sometimes you may only see one or two chugging along.

Now for the fun tip...

You know how Disney is known for its amazing attention to even the smallest of details, right?  If you're lucky enough to be able to visit Walt Disney World more than once, especially if it's at different times of the year, be sure to carefully scrutinize the display.  The setup will change depending on the time of year.  During the winter, the little town is decorated for the holidays, and during Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, you'll see miniature food booths just like the food booths around the World Showcase!  There's even people standing around tall tables enjoying what they got at the booths and a mini-cranberry bog, just like the real-life cranberry bog they had for the festival!

Miniature Food & Wine Festival Booths in the train set

So, on your next trip to Epcot, be sure to check out the trains in Germany and see what setup they have going on.  My favorite?  Many years ago in the farm section, there was a crop circle in the middle of the farmer's field and they had the farmer standing next to it with his head tilted back staring up at the sky as if he was looking for the aliens who did it.  The best part?  The crop circle was in the shape of a Mickey head!

Do you check out the trains whenever you visit?  What different setups have you seen?

Here's a wider view of the above set...see the walkway at the top?  That's where you can walk thru, so it will help with the perspective of the size of the setup (and yes, there's more of the model trains on the other side of the walkway-there's a tunnel that takes the trains thru to the other side!)

Don't forget while you're here to check out the giveaway I'm doing for a cute Disney Vinylmation figure!  Only a couple days left to enter and right now the odds are really good for anyone entered!  Click HERE to check it out, then check back again on the blog next month for another Vinylmation giveaway!

Tuesday Tip-Epcot's Spaceship Earth

The moment you enter Epcot this is the sight that dominates-Spaceship Earth.  A relaxing ride through the history of communication, crowds of people head directly for it the moment they open the gates.  Tip for the day?  Wait until later in the day to ride instead.  The crowds will be significantly lower and in many cases you should be able to just walk right on...so save it for your last ride on the way out instead of your first ride on the way in, especially first thing in the morning.

WDW Quick Tip-Parking at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Driving to the Walt Disney World theme parks can be quick and convenient, and if you stay at a Disney resort, you don't have to pay the parking fee-which for cars is currently $14 per day!  One thing you'll want to do if you decide to drive yourself instead of taking Disney resort transportation is to remember where you park.  The parking lots for the WDW theme parks are HUGE.  The Magic Kingdom's lot at the Transportation and Ticket Center is one of the largest in the world and can hold more than 12,000 cars.  Epcot's lot holds over 11,000; Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom hold over 6,000 each.  And if you happen to visit on a very crowded day, forgetting where you parked your car can turn your fun vacation day into a nightmare.

WDW's parking lots are all named and numbered.  For example, Animal Kingdom's lots are named after animals (well, that should have been obvious, right?), such as Unicorn, Butterfly and Giraffe.  At Disney's Hollywood Studios, you could be parking in lot called Film or Television, at Epcot there's Create, Discover, Amaze and more.  Examples from the Magic Kingdom include Peter Pan, Ursula, Woody and Zurg.

If you have a pen and paper, you could write down where you parked.  Many guests save the information in their cell phones.  My favorite tip, though?  Take a picture-preferably with your cell phone, especially if your regular camera doesn't have a screen to view your pictures (the picture you took with it would be kind of worthless then LOL):

This will make it a lot easier at the end of the day to locate your car-unless you really feel like you need the extra exercise ;-)

An extra tidbit about the Magic Kingdom's parking lots...they are divided between the "Heroes" lots and the "Villains" lots.  Heroes include Peter Pan, Rapunzel, Aladdin, Woody, Mulan and Simba.  Villains include Cruella, Ursula, Jafar, Hook, Zurg and Scar.  This is important because there are two separate tram lines depending on where you parked.  If you parked in one of the Heroes lots and you get on the Villains tram, well...you're not going to get to your car and will have to ride the tram back to the Transportation and Ticket Center, then get on the Heroes tram instead.  A bit confusing if you're not paying attention, so just keep this in mind when you park as well.

If you forget where you parked and can't find your note, deleted your photo or something else happens, you can flag down one of the Disney security vehicles that patrol the lots for assistance.  If you can provide the time that you arrived and parked, they may even be able to help narrow down the search for you to a particular lot that was being filled at that time. 

Have you ever forgotten where you've parked at Walt Disney World's theme parks?  What's your favorite tip for remembering your lot and row?

Transportation while at Walt Disney World

So your trip’s finally here and you’re ready to enjoy the theme parks, Downtown Disney, water parks and more.  You’re all checked in to your hotel, whether on or off Disney property.  How are you going to get to all of those places from your hotel?  The answer will be very different depending on where you are staying and how you got to the Walt Disney World Resort in the first place.  This post looks at how to get around after you’ve arrived and checked in to your hotel.

If you decided to make the drive from home in your own car (or a rental), you certainly could just drive from your hotel to wherever you’d like to go.  This is the route we personally go, even if we stay on Disney property as it really is the fastest way to get where you are going.  You also don’t have to be on anyone else’s timetable for drop off/pick up.  Having your own car also lets you explore other places in the Orlando area and can be a time and money saver over taking a taxi, bus or hiring a car service.  If you are staying on Disney property there’s a bonus-you get a parking pass that lets you park at any of the four Disney theme parks for free.  Considering that parking costs $14 per day, that’s a nice savings.

What if you’re not staying on Disney property and don’t have your own car?  Many hotels in the Orlando/Kissimmee area offer shuttles-usually free-to Disney’s four theme parks as well as Universal Studios and Sea World.  These usually run on a set schedule and can vary from one drop off in the morning/one pick up in the evening to every hour.  If you use your hotel’s shuttle make sure you check the schedule beforehand and just be sure of one thing-don’t miss the last one at the end of the night or you’ll be forking over some of your vacation money for a taxi to get back to your room.  Which is also another option when staying off property-you can take a taxi to and from the parks and other places you’d like to go.  While taking taxis can be a bit more costly, you do have a lot more freedom in your schedule to go where you want when you want.  Another option is the local bus service.  In Orlando, that is the Lynx bus system.  The Walt Disney World Resort is currently accessible through Links 50, 56 and 111; Universal Studios is on Links 21, 37 and 40.  Check out the Lynx website for schedules, maps and a trip planner.

If you are staying on Disney property, you have many different options available to you.  Of course if you have your own car, you can drive everywhere and it will be the fastest way to get to and from most places on Disney property (depending on what resort you are staying at).  You can also take a taxi, though again it is an added expense.  Another option is the Disney bus system which is complimentary for guests staying at a Disney resort.  Every Disney hotel has bus service to all four theme parks, both water parks and Downtown Disney.  Most of the time you shouldn’t have to wait more than 15 minutes for a bus.  It is advisable if you are going to use the bus system to build some extra time into your schedule to account for any delays, especially if you are trying to be on time for a dining reservation.  Some resorts, like the three All-Star Resorts, sometimes share bus lines so you may have extra stops to wait until you reach your resort.

If you are staying at Disney’s Port Orleans (French Quarter or Riverside), Old Key West or Saratoga Springs Resorts, these offer ferryboat service to and from the Downtown Disney area.  Even if you did drive a car, I’d recommend taking the boat at least once for a relaxing, scenic ride-especially since sometimes the parking at Downtown Disney can get a little crazy, particularly on the weekends and during peak seasons.  At Downtown Disney, there is also a boat that will take you from the far end of the West Side (near the House of Blues) to the heart of the Marketplace side and back again.

If you are staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan or Dolphin, boats are available to and from both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Epcot is also within walking distance from these resorts.  Hollywood Studios is as well, though the walk is a bit farther...but it is along a waterway and can be a nice way to de-stress after some time in the park if your feet aren’t too tired.

Staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground?  Water launches are available to and from the Magic Kingdom from these resorts.  The last way to travel by boat in Walt Disney World is from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to/from the Magic Kingdom using the ferryboats.  

Disney also has a monorail system with three separate lines.  The first is the Resort Monorail line which travels around the Seven Seas Lagoon stopping at the Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Resort, Transportation and Ticket Center, Contemporary Resort and the Magic Kingdom theme park.  If you’re lucky enough to be staying at one of these Deluxe resorts on the monorail line, it makes getting to and from the park easy and quick (great for those mid-afternoon breaks for a relaxed lunch back at the resort or at the hotel pool!).  You could also walk from the Contemporary (and Bay Lake Tower) to and from the Magic Kingdom, and quite often it may even be faster than taking the monorail.

The second monorail line is the Express line which only goes between the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom around the loop that encircles the Seven Seas Lagoon.  If you are driving in to the Magic Kingdom, once you park you can take either the Resort line or the Express line, though the Express of course will be much faster.  While Disney usually tells you it will take the same amount of time to get from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom whether you take the ferryboat or the monorail, the Express monorail is normally faster.

The third monorail line offers round-trip service from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Epcot.  If you are planning to visit both Magic Kingdom and Epcot the same day, you could park your vehicle at either theme park and use the monorail to go between the two.  If you are staying at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Contemporary Resorts, you could take the Resort monorail to the TTC (or walk to the TTC if you’re close enough), then switch to the Epcot line.

All three lines of the monorail system are free, regardless if you are staying on or off Disney property.  All complimentary Disney transportation is available from one hour before theme park opening times up to one hour after those parks close.  Buses to and from the Downtown Disney area continue to run until 2am.

As you can see, there are lots of options.  I personally always recommend staying on property as I find that it is much more convenient whether or not you have a car while there thanks to the multiple transportation options that Disney offers-all included in the cost of your stay.  That’s not to say staying off property is not a viable option-it certainly is and once you have arrived on property those boats and monorails will move you around as well.  If you are staying on property and are not sure of the best way to get from one place to another, check with the concierge desk in the lobby-they’ll be happy to help you map out a route.  

How do you like to get around while at WDW?

If you’d like a quote for your own magical Walt Disney World vacation, check out my Facebook page or website for a free, no obligation quote.  My services are always free, plus I can assist with WDW itinerary planning at no extra cost.

The Best Times of the Year for a Walt Disney World Visit

Now, as I’ve stated before, I don’t have any kids of my own (just a godson) so when it comes to travel, my DH and I can go pretty much any time of the year...theoretically (DH’s job limits when he can take his vacation due to projects).  And I’ll tell you right up front-the best times of year to head to Walt Disney World are NOT when the kids are out of school.  Because most parents are not willing to take their kiddos out of school for a vacation, families tend to visit WDW during Summer vacation, Thanksgiving break, Winter break and Spring Break-making all of those times of year super busy with huge crowds and horrible lines.

If you have the luxury of being able to travel at any time of the year, here are your top choices for a less crowded, more comfortable Disney vacation:

Fall: mid-September thru mid-November...especially the month of October

As the kids return to school, crowd levels start to drop, and the later into the Fall season it gets, the temperatures start to drop as well.  No, it’s not cold-not even close-but temperatures do start to fall off from the crazy mid-90s that are so common during those crowded summer months.  While September might still see highs reaching up to 90, the average high in October is 84 and in November that drops further to around 78.  Lows are much better as well, falling from the low 70s of the summer to the mid-60s in October and even upper 50s in November.  One of my favorite times of the year is the last couple of weeks in October-cooler temperatures, much lower crowds plus Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is taking place as well as the Epcot Food and Wine Festival so there’s an opportunity to add some extra magic into your vacation!

Winter: First two weeks of December, most of January and the first two weeks of February

The Walt Disney World Resort area cools down even further with highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s in the winter.  Yes, some may think this is a bit chilly for being outdoors in the evening, but it’s a chance to bundle up and cuddle with your sweetie while wandering under the magical lights of Disney.  And with these being some of the drier months of the year, the daytime hours are simply phenomenal with sunshine aplenty and cool breezes without sweating through your clothes.  As far as crowds go, the first couple of weeks in December are pretty nice with low to average crowds.  The later it gets in the month, the more crowded it will get as schools start to let out for their winter breaks.  After the first week in January, crowds go down again and stay low through the first couple of weeks in February.  A really fantastic time of year to go if you can swing it-especially in December while the fantastic holiday decorations are up!

Spring: Late April thru the first three weeks of May

While the weather has started to warm up again, climbing toward the mid- to upper-80s for highs with lows in the mid- to upper-60s, crowds aren’t too bad...though May will be better than April.  Be careful though-rainy season is about to start and sometimes starts to hit a bit early!  A plus for this time of the year? The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival!

With all that said, what times do you absolutely not want to be there?  Most of the summer, particularly the months of June and July, is just stinkin’ hot & humid (can you say 90%+ humidity?  The Florida summer can!) and the crowds are pretty much all over the place.  Especially bad?  The 4th of July and the days surrounding it (but if you are there then, be sure to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom--totally amazing!).

Another bad time is mid-March through mid-April.  That’s the window for school Spring Breaks and Easter Breaks and since the weather is still pretty nice at WDW then, it’s a popular time for families.

Even more popular and the absolute worst time of year to visit due to wall-to-wall crowds? From about December 22nd thru January 2nd.  Yes, the weather is phenomenal.  Yes, the holiday decorations are sensational.  Yes, there’s holiday parades and lots of fun to be had.  But there will be so many people in the parks, you’ll get hardly anything done.  If you’re just there to soak up the ambience of the season-great.  But if you want to ride the rides, meet the characters and so on--you’re better off picking a different time of year to do it.

While there’s always going to be exceptions with the weather (anyone there January 9, 2010? I did the Disney Half Marathon that day and we had SLEET, snow flurries and very chilly temps--and the next day while clear and sunny, the temps were in the teens and 20s that morning!) and the crowds (you never know when a convention or sports gathering will pop up when you weren’t expecting it), the general guidelines I’ve laid out here are a pretty good gauge for planning your visit dates.  If you are a family and you’re limited by school schedules, try for a Fall Break visit if you have one (NOT Thanksgiving weekend-that’s another crazy busy time!) or as late into August as you can go.

One cool thing about going during an off-peak time of the year?  You’ll most likely be able to score either a discounted room, package or maybe even a free Disney Dining Plan since Disney puts these promotions out to entice people to book during slower times of the year.

Don’t forget-I can help you plan and book your vacation for free!  Check out my website at www.enchanteddreamvacations.com and use the Get A Quote page to request your free quote.

When’s your favorite time of the year to visit Walt Disney World?

Romance on Your Walt Disney World Vacation

It’s not just rides and kids and craziness-yes, you can find romantic spots at Walt Disney World.  Here’s a sampling of ideas for finding romance while vacationing in one of the most magical places on earth...I’ve picked out a few for each area.

Hotels

Coronado Springs-a sprawling layout with beautiful buildings and landscaping and a 0.9 mile loop trail around Lago Dorado-perfect for a nice long walk together at night around the lake; there’s also hammocks by the beach to share

Polynesian-with it’s lush tropical setting, you can walk along the beach while watching Wishes fireworks

Staying at a Value resort?  Even at Pop Century, you can stroll along the lake down the pathway at night while reading all of the trivia signs.  Pretty much every resort at WDW has pathways that are great for just wandering.

Rides

Magic Kingdom-Peter Pan-fly through the air in the night on a ship for two; find an out-of-the-way bench to sit, cuddle and watch the fireworks; Haunted Mansion-cuddle up in your doom buggy for two; how about a nice, slow ride on the Liberty Belle Riverboat?  And if you’re there for the Halloween Party, trick-or-treating together in matching costumes.

Epcot-The Seas-cozy up in a clam-mobile for two for a ride through the dim, underwater world of Nemo and friends; Spaceship Earth-sit back and relax together on your dark journey through Spaceship Earth; and wandering the World Showcase at night is a favorite for many couples.

Hollywood Studios-during the holiday season when the Osbourne Lights are up, stroll hand in hand under the twinkling lights together

Animal Kingdom-meander along the tree-lined paths of Discovery Island hand in hand; check out the hidden trails around the park.  If you’re lucky enough to be at Animal Kingdom after the sun goes down (or at sunset), the entire park is a romantic place to be with all of the trees and low lighting.

Restaurants

Downtown Disney-Fulton’s Crab House-delicious food on a replica riverboat; request a seat by the window, or outside if the weather’s nice (beautiful at night when the boat is all lit up)

Grand Floridian Resort-Victoria & Albert’s-the ultimate in luxury dining-you even have your own maid and butler for the approximately 2 to 2.5 hour meal.  V&A’s is a AAA Five Diamond award recipient and the cost is a reflection of the exceptional evening-anywhere from $135 per person for the main dining room up to $210 per person for the Chef’s Table--which MUST be booked the moment your advance dining reservation window opens if you have even a sliver of hope of eating there.  Oh, and bring your dressy clothes-there is a mandatory dress code (men must wear dinner jackets with dress pants, women a dress or dressy pant suit, no exceptions).  A huge splurge, but if you’re going all-out, V&A’s is certainly a must do.

Epcot-Mexico’s San Angel Inn-try for a table next to the water, then you’ve got the dim lighting, water view plus the volcano in the distance as you dine under the starry sky.

Epcot-Coral Reef Restaurant-try for a table next to the aquarium at a late seating (kids like to wander over to see the fish so a later seating=less kiddies).

Disney's Hollywood Studios-Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at DHS-sharing a seat in your drive-in car in a dimly lit room while watching cheesy B-movie clips in the glow of the dashboard lights...quite romantic indeed!

Magic Kingdom-Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table-if you can score a table by the window, even better.  For the ultimate "pop the question" evening, Disney even has an engagement package available here.

And more

-How about a horse-drawn carriage ride? They are available at Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans-Riverside and cost $45 for a 25-minute ride...advance reservations are recommended, though you may be able to just walk up and score a ride if a carriage is not already reserved during slower times of the year.

-Walking the Boardwalk at night-the lights, the ambience...and don’t forget the Boardwalk games where you can try and win a prize for your sweetie.  For a nice LONG walk together, after a day at DHS, take the pathway from DHS to the Boardwalk...it follows along a waterway, then up toward the Epcot resorts and the Boardwalk.  Very romantic at night!

-Taking Disney transportation?  Whenever possible (especially at night), take the boats and sit in the back, outside (if it’s a boat with an inside to it).  A couples’ favorite is the ride from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans-Riverside down the Sassagoula River, again especially at night.

-Did you know Disney has their own florist?  You can have special gifts delivered to your room for your sweetheart!

-There’s always spa treatments for two...time for that couples massage!

-The Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom-scrumptious desserts laid out in a buffet for this separately-priced ($35.99) event held most nights that the Wishes fireworks display is shown at the Magic Kingdom.  A limited number of tickets are sold (and they sell quickly!) for this intimate party with a prime viewing location for Wishes.

-Feel like splurging?  Try a specialty cruise, whether it’s a fireworks cruise or just to celebrate a special occasion with your sweetie.  You can do these as a group or if you really want to splurge (to the tune of a few hundred dollars), get a boat all to yourselves.  These are available for Wishes (on the Seven Seas Lagoon) or Illuminations.

These are just a sampling of ideas for romance while at Walt Disney World.  All of the parks are wonderful to walk through hand in hand at night when everything is lit up so beautifully.  Be sure to explore those pathways in each park or resort that you think go nowhere-most are quiet and very lightly traveled so you have a good chance of having them to yourselves...and even if they do go nowhere, you’ll probably find a good place to hang out alone for a bit.  And remember-take your time, enjoy your surrounding and just relax-after all, you're at Walt Disney World with your special someone.

What do you like to do for romantic activities while in the World?

Want to plan your own romantic Disney getaway?  Check out my site, www.enchanteddreamvacations.com where you can get more information on Disney vacations and request a quote!

Epcot-Drinking Around the World...nah, DESSERTS Around the World!

You may know that there is a popular pastime for adults while at Epcot known as “Drinking Around the World”.  It involves going from one end of World Showcase to the other, stopping to try an adult beverage (read “alcohol”) in each country-something unique to that country.  Me?  I used to drink alcoholic beverages back in my early 20s but haven’t really touched them in the last 15 years or so (I don’t like how alcohol makes my head feel like I’m detached from the world).  So what’s a non-drinker like myself to do when invited to drink around the world?  Why, turn it into DESSERTS Around the World instead!

Just like with Drinking Around the World, Desserts Around the World works best if you share with others.  That way you can try more desserts (YUM!) and not fill yourself up after just a couple of stops.  Everyone has their favorites-chocolates, frozen desserts, pastry-type desserts and so on.  Here’s my personal picks for desserts in each country:

Mexico-I’m a sucker for a churro.  Fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar?  Sign me up!

Norway-School Bread-A yummy sweet bread/roll with vanilla custard inside, then topped with icing and toasted coconut.  It’s not super-sweet but is just right and a really yummy snack (and it will fill you up pretty well if you eat the whole thing by yourself).

China-Cinnamon Apple Egg Roll-Egg roll exterior, but the inside is filled with cinnamon-sauced apples.  Yum!

Germany-OMG...can you say “caramel”?  Germany’s Karamelle-Kuche shop has all sorts of yummy caramel desserts-from caramel applies to hard caramel candies.  My favorites (right now-I LOVE caramel so these choices can change pretty quickly as they introduce new desserts) are the caramel-marshmallow pinwheel (try sucking on it after putting it in the refrigerator for a while!) and the chocolate cookie with caramel filling (also has caramel drizzled on top).

Italy-I may be the odd one out here, but I prefer raiding the chocolate candies from the store out front (right hand side as you’re looking at the pavilion-Delizie Italiane).  But then again, when I eat a meal in Italy’s restaurants, there’s never any room left for dessert. 

United States-okay, this is a toss-up.  Traditional?  Gotta go with the funnel cake at the funnel cake kiosk.  Fried dough topped with powdered sugar?  Perfect!  My other choice here is at the Liberty Inn counter service restaurant-the S’Mores Mousse Brownie--and yes, it’s as good as it sounds!  When I first ordered it I was wondering just how bad could a counter service dessert be?  And then I took a bite...and devoured the rest without offering to share with anyone.  Good thing my friends had ordered one as well.

Japan-Kaki-Gori...basically a sno-cone though this is called “shaved ice”.  Love the strawberry flavor.

Morocco-I can honestly say I’ve never had a dessert from Morocco.  I’ll have to remedy that by stopping in to the cafe to see what’s available.  I’m not a baklava fan...anyone have a dessert favorite in Morocco for me to try?

France-hmm, desserts in France...with Boulangerie Patisserie, how can you pick just one?  Everything I’ve tried there so far has been delicious.  If I had to pick a favorite, I’d probably go with the Creme Brulee, followed by the Chocolate Mousse...and Chocolate Eclair...oh and the Cream Puff.  But a tip for those of you who will be in Epcot during the Food & Wine Festival--get your Creme Brulee at the F&W kiosk instead.  It’s not just regular Creme Brulee--it’s MILK CHOCOLATE Creme Brulee!  Oh YUM!

United Kingdom-another country I haven’t had a dessert in, though I’ve heard the Sticky Toffee Pudding at the Rose and Crown is pretty tasty.  Adding that to my list of desserts to try this fall.  

Canada-For me, Disney disappointed me when they removed the Beaver Tail kiosk from Canada.  Beaver Tails are fried dough in the shape of a beaver tail, topped with your choice of maple and chocolate, strawberries and whipped cream, apples and cinnamon, chocolate hazelnut and sugar...and my favorite-cinnamon and sugar.  Unfortunately, the kiosk has been gone for many years and every time I pass by I lament this fact.  Fortunately, Le Cellier has MAPLE Creme Brulee.  Unfortunately Le Cellier is now a Signature Dining restaurant and is still pretty expensive so no maple creme brulee for me...at least not every trip.

Have you ever tried doing Desserts Around the World? Which are your favorites?