Pixie Dust Queen

- Walt Disney World Vacation Planning 101
  
  Posted at 3:25 pm by Laura Baustian, on January 3, 2018
  Walt Disney World vacation planning can be overwhelming. Here are some important things you need to know. Think of this as “Disney Vacation Planning 101.” If you have questions about Extra Magic Hours, Park Hoppers, Memory Maker, FastPasses, or MagicBands then I am here to help! As a travel consultant who specializes in planning vacations to Disney Destinations, I have can help answer all of your questions.
  
  Walt Disney World Vacation Planning: Extra Magic Hours
  
  Extra Magic Hours are special times when Disney will open a park early, or keep it open extra late as a special treat for Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort property. Typically, it’s a different park each day of the week. One day Hollywood Studios may open an hour early, another day it will be Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, or the Magic Kingdom. There are some days when Disney will keep a park open extra late! This is my favorite. We have been there when Animal Kingdom was open until 1:00 AM. Another time we enjoyed Magic Kingdom being open until 1:00 AM. Only one park per day will be open early with Extra Magic Hours, and only one park every few days will be open extra late.
  
  So, what tips and tricks do you need to know to make the most of Extra Magic Hours during your trip? Well, if you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel then you get to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours! They are included with your stay. Your MagicBand is linked to your reservation. When you get in line for a ride during Extra Magic Hours, the Cast Member will ask you to scan your band. If you aren’t linked to a Disney resort, then you will not be allowed to get in line for the ride. Staying on property has some perks, and this is a huge one! The wait time for rides drops. The crowds get smaller. Late night Extra Magic Hours are, in my opinion, the best. Late night hours usually keeps the park open two or three hours longer. Unlike early morning hours, where the park opens one hour earlier than usual. Some of the more popular rides with long wait times during peak day hours, have very short wait times. I think it has to do with the fact that young children are usually worn out after a full day of Disney, and may not have the stamina to keep going until 1:00 AM. Families with younger children usually attend the early morning Extra Magic Hours.
  
  Some Disney planners, websites, and touring plans will tell you to skip the park with the Extra Magic Hours as it can increase the crowd size in general. My suggestion is use your Park Hopper. If you are a morning person, then hit the park with the early morning magic hours, and then head to a different park for the afternoon. Or, if you are like me and enjoy the late night hours, then spend the day in a park with regular hours and use your hopper to make your way to the park with late night hours.
  
  Walt Disney World Vacation Planning: Park Hopper
  
  A Park Hopper is a ticket add-on. A ticket to Walt Disney World is good for one park per day, unless otherwise specified. This means you can come and go as much as you like to one park per day. Wake up, head to Hollywood Studios. Enjoy your morning at the park. Go back to your hotel to swim, have lunch and rest. Then head back to the park. With just a Disney World park ticket, you would have to go back to Hollywood Studios. Admission to one park per day. For an extra fee you can add the option to park hop. This means you can go to as many parks in a day as you’d like. In some Disney social media groups, there is a challenge to hit all four parks in one day. It can be done! If you have young children (under 10), or are limited on time, then I would not suggest attempting the challenge.
  
  Adding a Park Hopper allows you to have freedom and flexibility when it comes to dining reservations. You can have breakfast with the princesses at Akershus in EPCOT, and dinner with the Beast at Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom all on the same day! You also have the freedom to use the Extra Magic Hours as you like. Without a Park Hopper, you would be limited to one park per day.
  
  Walt Disney World Vacation Planning: Memory Maker
  
  All around the Disney parks and properties, are Photo Pass photographers. These are specially trained Disney photographers. They know where you need to stand to get the best shot of Cinderella’s Castle in the background. They take photos all day, every day of Disney guests. You can purchase the individual photos from the Photo Pass shop, or purchase the Memory Maker and get all of the photos, plus extras! Included with the Memory Maker are all of the pictures taken of you and your family on the rides. So, you know those pictures of people on the roller coaster? Those come with the Memory Maker. Disney also has Magic Shots they do with your Memory Maker. It might be Stitch coming out of a box, or Tinkerbell flying over your family while sprinkling pixie dust – you never know. There are videos included with the Memory Maker, as well as tons of Disney stock photos. If you enjoy making scrapbooks, or calendars then this is the best! All of your photos, plus extras allow you to put together a magnificent memory book about your trip to Walt Disney World.
  
  Walt Disney World Vacation Planning: Fastpasses
  
  They are included with your park ticket. You do not pay extra for them. Think of them as cut in line passes. Everyone starts with three Fastpasses per day. You will choose which attractions, or rides, you wish to use a Fastpass for and what time you’d like to use the pass. Fastpasses are good for one hour windows. So, if you have a Fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at 11:30, your window is 11:30 to 12:30. Show up anytime in that time frame and your Fastpass is valid. Once you use the original three, you can use the My Disney Experience app, or go to the Fastpass kiosk to make another. Use that one, and make another. You are limited only by time and availability.
  
  Does Disney ever run out of Fastpasses?
  
  There is a limit to the number of Fastpasses avaliable for each attraction each day. To start, you can make them for one park only. If you plan to be at one park for the morning, and another for the afternoon, you will need to decide where you want to use your Fastpasses. My suggestion is to make them for the morning, and then use the app to make more as you go. There are some details you should know. In addition to starting with three, some of the parks have a tier system. You can choose one from tier I, and two from tier II. For example at Animal Kingdom, you may choose a Fastpass for Flight of Passage, or the Na’vi River, but you can’t have a Fastpass to both – at least not to start with. You then choose two from the remaining attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo- the musical, Dinosaur, Rivers of Light….well, you get the idea. Currently, the only park that doesn’t have a tiered system is Magic Kingdom. Fast Pass Selection may help you plan.
  
  Does everyone have to have the same Fastpasses?
  
  Everyone in your group does not have to use the same fastpasses. Let’s say you are planning your Hollywood Studios day. You have two people who want to ride Rockin’ Roller Coaster, and two who want Toy Story Mania. You can totally do that! When you choose your passes, you tell the system which guest are using a pass for which attraction. When you arrive to check in at the Fastpass entrance, you will be asked to scan your MagicBand. The system sees you have a pass, and into the short line you go!
  
  Walt Disney World Vacation Planning: MagicBands
  
  MagicBands, by the way, are your everything in Walt Disney World. If you are staying on property, your MagicBand is included with your stay. If you purchase tickets only, you can purchase a MagicBand, or use the card provided. The MagicBand has an RFID device inside. The first time you use it to enter the park, you will scan your index finger, thus linking the device to you. This is how the Photo Pass system knows to add your photos to your Memory Maker. The MagicBand is your key to your hotel room, park ticket, and if you so desire, you can link a credit card to your band. If you link a credit card to your MagicBand, then you will be asked to create a PIN number. When you are in the parks shopping and are ready to check out, you scan your band, enter your PIN, and off you go. If you are using the Disney Dining Plan, you MagicBand tracks your meal credits. It is your everything.
  
  What if I lose my MagicBand?
  
  And, if you lose it. . . . no worries! Go to Guest Services as soon as you notice it is missing. They will deactivate it, and issue you a new one. What if someone finds it? Well, it’s linked to your fingerprint, and reservation number, so they can’t use it to get into the park. They wouldn’t have your PIN so your credit card is safe. And once it’s deactivated, they really only have another bracelet to wear around.
  
  So, now that you have a better understanding of Disney tips and tricks you may be ready to plan your trip. Or, if you have a better understanding, but it all seems overwhelming, that is where my services come in. The Home link will provide you with more information on how I can help you. Or fill out the information for me to Contact you.
  
  Here is more information on Important Disney Deadlines, or Packing for Disney The Educational Tourist has extra tips on What to pack in your backpack for the park.
  
  Here’s to magical planning!
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  Posted in Disney, Planning, Tips | 6 Comments | Tagged "Disney" "travel" "families" "planner" "tips" "children" "vacation", "Disney" "travel" "vacation" "planner", Disney planning, Tips and Tricks
- Disney Tips and Tricks 101
  
  Posted at 3:25 pm by Laura Baustian, on January 3, 2018
  If you are researching for a trip to Walt Disney World, there are a few tips and tricks you need to know. What are Extra Magic Hours, and how do you get them? What is a Park Hopper, and why you want one? What is the Memory Maker, and why you need it? What is all the fuss about Fastpasses? And, what the heck is a MagicBand? I am here to help! As a travel consultant who specializes in Disney Destinations, I have some Disney tips and tricks to answer all of your questions.
  
  What are Extra Magic Hours, and how do you get them? Extra Magic Hours are special times when Disney will open a park early, or keep it open extra late as a special treat for Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort property. Typically, it’s a different park each day of the week. One day Hollywood Studios may open an hour early, another day it will be Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, or the Magic Kingdom. There are some days when Disney will keep a park open extra late! This is my favorite. We have been there when Animal Kingdom was open until 1:00 AM. Another time we enjoyed Magic Kingdom being open until 1:00 AM. Only one park per day will be open early with Extra Magic Hours, and only one park every few days will be open extra late.
  
  So, what tips and tricks do you need to know to make the most of Extra Magic Hours during your trip? Well, if you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel then you get to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours! They are included with your stay. Your MagicBand is linked to your reservation. When you get in line for a ride during Extra Magic Hours, the Cast Member will ask you to scan your band. If you aren’t linked to a Disney resort, then you will not be allowed to get in line for the ride. Staying on property has some perks, and this is a huge one! The wait time for rides drops. The crowds get smaller. Late night Extra Magic Hours are, in my opinion, the best. Late night hours usually keeps the park open two or three hours longer. Unlike early morning hours, where the park opens one hour earlier than usual. Some of the more popular rides with long wait times during peak day hours, have very short wait times. I think it has to do with the fact that young children are usually worn out after a full day of Disney, and may not have the stamina to keep going until 1:00 AM. Families with younger children usually attend the early morning Extra Magic Hours.
  
  Some Disney planners, websites, and touring plans will tell you to skip the park with the Extra Magic Hours as it can increase the crowd size in general. My suggestion is use your Park Hopper. If you are a morning person, then hit the park with the early morning magic hours, and then head to a different park for the afternoon. Or, if you are like me and enjoy the late night hours, then spend the day in a park with regular hours and use your hopper to make your way to the park with late night hours.
  
  What about Park Hopper tips and tricks, and why do you need one? A Park Hopper is a ticket add-on. A ticket to Walt Disney World is good for one park per day, unless otherwise specified. This means you can come and go as much as you like to one park per day. Wake up, head to Hollywood Studios. Enjoy your morning at the park. Go back to your hotel to swim, have lunch and rest. Then head back to the park. With just a Disney World park ticket, you would have to go back to Hollywood Studios. Admission to one park per day. For an extra fee you can add the option to park hop. This means you can go to as many parks in a day as you’d like. In some Disney social media groups, there is a challenge to hit all four parks in one day. It can be done! If you have young children (under 10), or are limited on time, then I would not suggest attempting the challenge.
  
  Adding a Park Hopper allows you to have freedom and flexibility when it comes to dining reservations. You can have breakfast with the princesses at Akershus in EPCOT, and dinner with the Beast at Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom all on the same day! You also have the freedom to use the Extra Magic Hours as you like. Without a Park Hopper, you would be limited to one park per day.
  
  Now, onto the Memory Maker. All around the Disney parks and properties, are Photo Pass photographers. These are specially trained Disney photographers. They know where you need to stand to get the best shot of Cinderella’s Castle in the background. They take photos all day, every day of Disney guests. You can purchase the individual photos from the Photo Pass shop, or purchase the Memory Maker and get all of the photos, plus extras! Included with the Memory Maker are all of the pictures taken of you and your family on the rides. So, you know those pictures of people on the roller coaster? Those come with the Memory Maker. Disney also has Magic Shots they do with your Memory Maker. It might be Stitch coming out of a box, or Tinkerbell flying over your family while sprinkling pixie dust – you never know. There are videos included with the Memory Maker, as well as tons of Disney stock photos. If you enjoy making scrapbooks, or calendars then this is the best! All of your photos, plus extras allow you to put together a magnificent memory book about your trip to Walt Disney World.
  What are the tips and tricks for Fastpasses? Well, first of all they are included with your park ticket. You do not pay extra for them. Think of them as cut in line passes. Everyone starts with three Fastpasses per day. You will choose which attractions, or rides, you wish to use a Fastpass for and what time you’d like to use the pass. Fastpasses are good for one hour windows. So, if you have a Fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at 11:30, your window is 11:30 to 12:30. Show up anytime in that time frame and your Fastpass is valid. Once you use the original three, you can use the My Disney Experience app, or go to the Fastpass kiosk to make another. Use that one, and make another. You are limited only by time and availability. Disney does limit the number of Fastpasses per attraction per day.
  
  So to start, you can make them for one park only. If you plan to be at one park for the morning, and another for the afternoon, you will need to decide where you want to use your Fastpasses. My suggestion is to make them for the morning, and then use the app to make more as you go. There are some details you should know. In addition to starting with three, some of the parks have a tier system. You can choose one from tier I, and two from tier II. For example at Animal Kingdom, you may choose a Fastpass for Flight of Passage, or the Na’vi River, but you can’t have a Fastpass to both – at least not to start with. You then choose two from the remaining attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo- the musical, Dinosaur, Rivers of Light….well, you get the idea. Currently, the only park that doesn’t have a tiered system is Magic Kingdom. Fast Pass Selection may help you plan.
  
  Everyone in your group does not have to use the same fastpasses. Let’s say you are planning your Hollywood Studios day. You have two people who want to ride Rockin’ Roller Coaster, and two who want Toy Story Mania. You can totally do that! When you choose your passes, you tell the system which guest are using a pass for which attraction. When you arrive to check in at the Fastpass entrance, you will be asked to scan your MagicBand. The system sees you have a pass, and into the short line you go!
  
  MagicBands, by the way, are your everything in Walt Disney World. If you are staying on property, your MagicBand is included with your stay. If you purchase tickets only, you can purchase a MagicBand, or use the card provided. The MagicBand has an RFID device inside. The first time you use it to enter the park, you will scan your index finger, thus linking the device to you. This is how the Photo Pass system knows to add your photos to your Memory Maker. The MagicBand is your key to your hotel room, park ticket, and if you so desire, you can link a credit card to your band. If you link a credit card to your MagicBand, then you will be asked to create a PIN number. When youarein the parks shopping and are ready to check out, you scan your band, enter your PIN, and off you go. If you are using the Disney Dining Plan, you MagicBand tracks your meal credits. It is your everything. And, if you lose it. . . . no worries! Go to Guest Services as soon as you notice it is missing. They will deactivate it, and issue you a new one. What if someone finds it? Well, it’s linked to your fingerprint, and reservation number, so they can’t use it to get into the park. They wouldn’t have your PIN so your credit card is safe. And once it’s deactivated, they really only have another bracelet to wear around.
  
  So, now that you have a better understanding of Disney tips and tricks you may be ready to plan your trip. Or, if you have a better understanding, but it all seems overwhelming, that is where my services come in. The Home link will provide you with more information on how I can help you. Or fill out the information for me to Contact you.
  
  Here is more information on Important Disney Deadlines, or Packing for Disney The Educational Tourist has extra tips on What to pack in your backpack for the park.
  
  Here’s to magical planning!
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  Posted in Disney, Planning, Tips | 1 Comment | Tagged "Disney" "travel" "families" "planner" "tips" "children" "vacation", "Disney" "travel" "vacation" "planner", Disney planning, Tips and Tricks
- Disney Quotes for Inspiration in the New Year
  
  Posted at 10:19 pm by Laura Baustian, on December 30, 2017
  With the new year just days away, take time to reflect back on some of the great things that happened this year, and set goals for the upcoming year. Disney movies have some great quotes, words of wisdom and inspiration when it comes to setting goals for the new year.
  
  Let’s get started.
  
  The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, said “ If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.” A suggestion from Rapunzel, “Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.”
  
  And as much as we’d like to believe what Peter Pan and Tinker Bell said, “All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust.” We might be wise to listen to Princess Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, who tells it like it is. “You can’t get what you want just by wishing for it. The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work.”
  
  If there comes a time when we are struggling and feel like giving up, Disney provides tons of encouragement! Winnie the Pooh tells us, “You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Dumbo was reminded “Don’t just fly, SOAR!” Even Hercules needed some extra support! “Giving up is for rookies.”
  
  If you find yourself getting lost in regrets, the should haves, and memories? Take a page from the Incredibles, “I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now.” According to Ratatouille, “If you focus on what’s left behind, you will never see what lies ahead.” Rafiki, from The Lion King, reminds us, “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.”
  
  Remember, “Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved,” Winnie the Pooh. Or, did Captain Jack Sparrow nail it with, “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” So, take a deep breath and remember what Brave taught us. “You control your destiny. You don’t need magic to do it.”
  
  Here’s hoping the New Year is all you want and need it to be. In the words of Walt Disney, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
  
  P.S. And a friendly reminder from Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, “Even miracles take a little time.”
  
  If you are thinking about traveling this year, read More than the parks. Looking to venture outside the wonderful world of Disney? The Educational Tourist is my go to for all global travel.
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  Posted in Quotes, Tips | 0 Comments | Tagged Disney quotes, encouragement, goals, inspiration, Resolutions
- Disney Quotes for the New Year
  
  Posted at 10:19 pm by Laura Baustian, on December 30, 2017
  With the new year just days away, take time to reflect back on some of the great things that happened this year, and set goals for the upcoming year. Disney movies have some words of wisdom and inspiration when it comes to setting goals. Let’s get started.
  
  The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, said “ If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.” A suggestion from Rapunzel, “Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.”
  
  And as much as we’d like to believe what Peter Pan and Tinker Bell said, “All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust.” We might be wise to listen to Princess Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog, who tells it like it is. “You can’t get what you want just by wishing for it. The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work.”
  
  If there comes a time when we are struggling and feel like giving up, Disney provides tons of encouragement! Winnie the Pooh tells us, “You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Dumbo was reminded “Don’t just fly, SOAR!” Even Hercules needed some extra support! “Giving up is for rookies.”
  
  If you find yourself getting lost in regrets, the should haves, and memories? Take a page from the Incredibles, “I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now.” According to Ratatouille, “If you focus on what’s left behind, you will never see what lies ahead.” Rafiki, from The Lion King, reminds us, “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.”
  
  Remember, “Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved,” Winnie the Pooh. Or, did Captain Jack Sparrow nail it with, “The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem.” So, take a deep breath and remember what Brave taught us. “You control your destiny. You don’t need magic to do it.”
  
  Here’s hoping the New Year is all you want and need it to be. In the words of Walt Disney, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
  
  P.S. And a friendly reminder from Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, “Even miracles take a little time.”
  
  If you are thinking about traveling this year, read More than the parks. Looking to venture outside the wonderful world of Disney? The Educational Tourist is my go to for all global travel.
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  Posted in Quotes, Tips | 0 Comments | Tagged Disney quotes, encouragement, goals, inspiration, Resolutions
- Packing Tips for Walt Disney World
  
  Posted at 12:30 pm by Laura Baustian, on August 6, 2017
  Packing for a trip to Walt Disney World can be an overwhelming, time consuming pre-vacation activity. So, what do you pack for a Walt Disney World vacation? I always look at the 10 day forecast to get an idea of what to expect for temperatures. Generally speaking, the Florida summers are hot and humid. The spring time tends to be cool enough for a light jacket in the mornings and at night, but warm enough for short sleeves during the afternoons.
  
  For my family, I pack one set of clothes for each day. Then, I add three extra sets of everything. We are not a matchy-matchy family. My handsome husband and wild boys would revolt if I tried to make them wear matching Disney shirts. They do allow for color coordination. I’m not sure they are aware of how everyone has on a shade of blue, or a hint of orange in their outfits. But, it does make for nice family photos. I don’t know about y’all, but we take a lot of pictures on vacation. Inevitably, one of our vacation photos ends up on the yearly Christmas-New Year’s card.
  
  Matching colors for family photos
  
  Lots of coordinating orange
  
  An outfit a day, plus three extra has always served us well. Disney pools are heated, so we bring two swim suits per person. No one likes putting on a cold, partially wet swim suit. We also bring our own ponchos. I love Disney souvenirs, but don’t want to spend my vacation money on ponchos. There is a good chance it will rain at least once during your trip. An external battery charger for the phone has proven invaluable, especially now that both boys are old enough to have a phone. Band aids, sunscreen, and blister block stick are must haves. My boys travel in tennis shoes and pack flip-flops for the pool, and deck/boat shoes for nice dinners. The same for the hubby. I strongly suggest you take your most comfortable two or three pairs. No matter how comfortable your favorite pair of shoes may be, after walking seven to ten miles in them, you will feel so much better slipping into a different pair in the evening.
  
  Anything else to pack?
  
  Beyond that, you really don’t need much more than your toiletries. Disney resorts provide hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion. The Disney H2O brand of bath and body products is a favorite in our house. The hubby has even purchased some to bring home. Disney even provides mosquito repellent in the parks.
  
  I do suggest packing small snacks. My boys love any kind of jerky, and trail mix. Both are great sources of protein and pack in a suitcase pretty easily. I tried granola bars and cheese crackers once. No one wanted them because they were crumbled by the time we got to the parks.
  
  Don’t forget to keep the magic bands in the carry on. You will need those to get on Disney’s Magic Express, the complimentary bus service from the airport to the resort. I usually pack the boys’ swimsuits in the carry on, as well. After a long flight, or car ride, they need some to release some extra energy. After a quick swim for the boys, and a beverage by the pool for mom and dad the vacation is official! We’re all more relaxed and ready to hit the parks after a little down time. Here is a very Packing for Walt Disney World (basic) to get your started.
  
  If you’d like to read more about what to pack The Educational Tourist has some awesome tips, too!
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  Posted in Disney, Disney Wear, Tips | 1 Comment | Tagged "Disney" "travel" "families" "planner" "tips" "children" "vacation"
- Packing for Disney
  
  Posted at 12:30 pm by Laura Baustian, on August 6, 2017
  Whether you are driving or flying, you want to make sure you pack everything you need. So, what do you need to pack? I always look at the 10 day forecast to get an idea of what to expect for temperatures. Generally speaking, the Florida summers are hot and humid. The spring time tends to be cool enough for a light jacket in the mornings and at night, but warm enough for short sleeves during the afternoons.
  
  For my family, I pack one set of clothes for each day. Then, I add three extra sets of everything. We are not a matchy-matchy family. My handsome husband and wild boys would revolt if I tried to make them wear matching Disney shirts. They do allow for color coordination. I’m not sure they are aware of how everyone has on a shade of blue, or a hint of orange in their outfits. But, it does make for nice family photos. I don’t know about y’all, but we take a lot of pictures on vacation. Inevitably, one of our vacation photos ends up on the yearly Christmas-New Year’s card.
  
  Matching colors for family photos
  
  Lots of coordinating orange
  
  An outfit a day, plus three extra has always served us well. Disney pools are heated, so we bring two swim suits per person. No one likes putting on a cold, partially wet swim suit. We also bring our own ponchos. I love Disney souvenirs, but don’t want to spend my vacation money on ponchos. There is a good chance it will rain at least once during your trip. An external battery charger for the phone has proven invaluable, especially now that both boys are old enough to have a phone. Band aids, sunscreen, and blister block stick are must haves. My boys travel in tennis shoes and pack flip-flops for the pool, and deck/boat shoes for nice dinners. The same for the hubby. I strongly suggest you take your most comfortable two or three pairs. No matter how comfortable your favorite pair of shoes may be, after walking seven to ten miles in them, you will feel so much better slipping into a different pair in the evening.
  
  Beyond that, you really don’t need much more than your toiletries. Disney resorts provide hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion. The Disney H2O brand of bath and body products is a favorite in our house. The hubby has even purchased some to bring home. Disney even provides mosquito repellent in the parks.
  
  I do suggest packing small snacks. My boys love any kind of jerky, and trail mix. Both are great sources of protein and pack in a suitcase pretty easily. I tried granola bars and cheese crackers once. No one wanted them because they were crumbled by the time we got to the parks.
  
  Don’t forget to keep the magic bands in the carry on. You will need those to get on Disney’s Magic Express, the complimentary bus service from the airport to the resort. I usually pack the boys’ swimsuits in the carry on, as well. After a long flight, or car ride, they need some to release some extra energy. After a quick swim for the boys, and a beverage by the pool for mom and dad the vacation is official! We’re all more relaxed and ready to hit the parks after a little down time.
  
  If you’d like to read more about what to pack The Educational Tourist has some awesome tips, too!
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  Posted in Disney, Disney Wear, Tips, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged "Disney" "travel" "families" "planner" "tips" "children" "vacation"
- Disney for everyone! Is there a “best age” for Disney?
  
  Posted at 3:00 pm by Laura Baustian, on July 24, 2017
  
  ” What is the best age to take a child to Walt Disney World?”
  
  “Aren’t you too old for Disney?”
  
  “Aren’t they a little young for Disney? They won’t remember it.”
  
  Three questions I hear on a regular basis. So, what’s my answer? No – no one is too old for Disney, and no one is too young for Disney. Each trip is a different experience. And, any age is the best age to go to Walt Disney World!
  
  Taking a two year old to see Mickey and Friends will create memories for mom and dad. The photos will last forever! Is this the trip to experience all the thrills of Expedition Everest and Rock ‘n’ Roller-coaster? Probably not. This is the trip to experience the magic through the eyes of a child. Savor the smiles of joy and giddy giggles as your little one experiences Disney magic for the first time. Watch as faces light up when fireworks go off over Cinderella’s castle. Remember what it was to truly believe in magic.
  
  Taking an eight year old will be a very different adventure. Ride all the thrills they want. They can keep up and go for a much longer time without a melt down. Take a break mid-day if needed. Go back to your resort, swim, relax, and have lunch. Then, hit the parks again! Eight year olds still believe in, and love their favorite characters.
  
  We love Chip!
  
  We love Dale!
  
  My youngest was eight the first time he went to Disney. My oldest was ten years old. Eight and ten – look at those faces! There is no faking that kind of excitement, joy, laughter, or happiness.
  
  Teen/Tweens
  
  Ok, so what about teens and adults? Roller-coasters, water parks, fabulous resort pools, and food keep teens entertained and going. Teens are also old enough to appreciate the scavenger hunt activities offered at the parks. “The Treasure of the Caribbean” is a treasure hunt around Adventureland. Solve the problem, find the treasure, report back to headquarters and collect your prize. There are multiple maps and treasures to go through. “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” is another interactive adventure for older kids, and kidults (kid-adults). You work your way through the entire Magic Kingdom solving problems to save the Kingdom. There are different levels, free playing cards, and maps. I hear people are into trading the playing cards as well. So, know what you have before you trade.
  
  Adults
  
  As an adult, the parks, rides, shows, fireworks, and parades are all great fun. Did you know there are some behind the scenes tours for adults? For example, “Backstage Magic” is a 7 hour tour of all four parks. “Holiday D-Lights” and “Yuletide Fantasy” are two different tours where you get to explore the ways Disney transforms for Christmas time. “Keys to the Kingdom” lets guests take a sneak peek at the technical and logistical sides of operating the park. EPCOT and Animal Kingdom have tours as well. There are some tours for families with children, but some are for ages 16 and older only.
  
  If you enjoy the culinary scene, and/or adult beverages then you can eat and drink your way around EPCOT. Really, the “Food and Wine Festival” at EPCOT is for adults. It’s held in the fall when schools are in session. There are some fine dining experiences I recommend for grown ups only. The California Grill is located on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort. The service and food are amazing, and the view is stunning! Jiko, in the Animal Kingdom Lodge has one of the largest collections of South African Wines in the US. On my list for a future visit is Victoria and Albert’s. There are only 18 tables in the main dining room, and a chef’s table that seats ten. They list 700 wines on the menu, and have 4,200 more in the cellar. Children under ten are not allowed at the Chef’s table. There is a dress code requiring evening wear for women, and jackets for men. This is definitely a grown up dinner.
  
  If you are hungry for more about the Disney food scene, read Discover the Yumminess! Another great article to check out – The Educational Tourist Talks Disney.
  
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  Posted in Disney | 0 Comments | Tagged "Disney" "travel" "vacation" "planner", "family" "children"
- Disney for everyone
  
  Posted at 3:00 pm by Laura Baustian, on July 24, 2017
  
  “Aren’t you too old for Disney?”
  
  “Aren’t they a little young for Disney? They won’t remember it.”
  
  Two questions I hear on a regular basis. So, what’s my answer? No – no one is too old for Disney, and no one is too young for Disney. Each trip is a different experience.
  
  Taking a two year old to see Mickey and Friends will create memories for mom and dad. The photos will last forever! Is this the trip to experience all the thrills of Expedition Everest and Rock ‘n’ Roller-coaster? Probably not. This is the trip to experience the magic through the eyes of a child. Savor the smiles of joy and giddy giggles as your little one experiences Disney magic for the first time. Watch as faces light up when fireworks go off over Cinderella’s castle. Remember what it was to truly believe in magic.
  
  Taking an eight year old will be a very different adventure. Ride all the thrills they want. They can keep up and go for a much longer time without a melt down. Take a break mid-day if needed. Go back to your resort, swim, relax, and have lunch. Then, hit the parks again! Eight year olds still believe in, and love their favorite characters.
  
  We love Chip!
  
  We love Dale!
  
  My youngest was eight the first time he went to Disney. My oldest was ten years old. Eight and ten – look at those faces! There is no faking that kind of excitement, joy, laughter, or happiness.
  
  Ok, so what about teens and adults? Roller-coasters, water parks, fabulous resort pools, and food keep teens entertained and going. Teens are also old enough to appreciate the scavenger hunt activities offered at the parks. “The Treasure of the Caribbean” is a treasure hunt around Adventureland. Solve the problem, find the treasure, report back to headquarters and collect your prize. There are multiple maps and treasures to go through. “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom” is another interactive adventure for older kids, and kidults (kid-adults). You work your way through the entire Magic Kingdom solving problems to save the Kingdom. There are different levels, free playing cards, and maps. I hear people are into trading the playing cards as well. So, know what you have before you trade.
  
  As an adult, the parks, rides, shows, fireworks, and parades are all great fun. Did you know there are some behind the scenes tours for adults? For example, “Backstage Magic” is a 7 hour tour of all four parks. “Holiday D-Lights” and “Yuletide Fantasy” are two different tours where you get to explore the ways Disney transforms for Christmas time. “Keys to the Kingdom” lets guests take a sneak peek at the technical and logistical sides of operating the park. EPCOT and Animal Kingdom have tours as well. There are some tours for families with children, but some are for ages 16 and older only.
  
  If you enjoy the culinary scene, and/or adult beverages then you can eat and drink your way around EPCOT. Really, the “Food and Wine Festival” at EPCOT is for adults. It’s held in the fall when schools are in session. There are some fine dining experiences I recommend for grown ups only. The California Grill is located on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort. The service and food are amazing, and the view is stunning! Jiko, in the Animal Kingdom Lodge has one of the largest collections of South African Wines in the US. On my list for a future visit is Victoria and Albert’s. There are only 18 tables in the main dining room, and a chef’s table that seats ten. They list 700 wines on the menu, and have 4,200 more in the cellar. Children under ten are not allowed at the Chef’s table. There is a dress code requiring evening wear for women, and jackets for men. This is definitely a grown up dinner.
  
  If you are hungry for more about the Disney food scene, read Discover the Yumminess! Another great article to check out – The Educational Tourist Talks Disney.
  
  Like this:
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  Posted in Disney | 0 Comments | Tagged "Disney" "travel" "vacation" "planner", "family" "children"
- Discover the yumminess! Walt Disney World Food
  
  Posted at 4:36 pm by Laura Baustian, on July 18, 2017
  Who doesn’t love a delectable meal? I know we do. Deciding where to eat is one of the most exciting parts of vacation planning for me. We have a rule in our house: We don’t eat anywhere on vacation, where we can eat at home. This forces us out of our routine, and comfort zone making us try new places.
  
  Some of our most heavenly meals were at Walt Disney World. My youngest discovered lobster bisque at The Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT. This lead to a love of lobster anything. He was 8 years old at the time. We were able to try out African cuisine at BOMA, and Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jiko is a favorite. They have one of the largest selections of South African wines. We enjoyed a lovely bottle of Black Pearl Oro. I remember the name because it’s also the name of Captain Jack Sparrow’s ship.
  
  Celebrations
  
  If you are celebrating something, like a birthday or anniversary, Disney loves to join in the celebration. As a vacation planner, I always add notes to the reservations so the restaurant is aware of the celebration. You never know, you may end up with a complimentary dessert! We did for our anniversary.
  
  Celebratory dinner at the California Grill ended with a wonderful surprise!
  
  The Parks
  
  There is yumminess to be discovered in the parks as well. We have a list of things we must eat every trip: Mickey pretzel, Dole Whip (soft serve pineapple ice cream), Mickey Bar, popcorn, and a roasted turkey leg. On our last trip, I tried the adult beverage version of the Dole Whip with dark rum. After a busy day at Magic Kingdom, it was perfect.
  
  I highly recommend getting reservations for Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom. We tried the Grey Stuff, and it was delicious. Towards the end of our dinner, Beast came through the dining room. Some of our favorites are pictured below.
  
  Mediterranean Mule at Via Napoli
  
  Donut from Joffrey’s in the Contemporary
  
  Tonga Toast at the Kona Grill
  
  Mickey Bar was yummy!
  
  Yes, we have a lot of favorites. We really enjoy our food! What are some of your favorite Disney foods?
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  Posted in Activities, Disney, Food, Tips | 14 Comments | Tagged "Disney" "travel" "families" "planner" "tips" "children" "vacation", Food
- Discover the yumminess!
  
  Posted at 4:36 pm by Laura Baustian, on July 18, 2017
  Who doesn’t love a delectable meal? I know we do. Deciding where to eat is one of the most exciting parts of vacation planning for me. We have a rule in our house: We don’t eat anywhere on vacation, where we can eat at home. This forces us out of our routine, and comfort zone making us try new places.
  
  Some of our most heavenly meals were at Walt Disney World. My youngest discovered lobster bisque at The Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT. This lead to a love of lobster anything. He was 8 years old at the time. We were able to try out African cuisine at BOMA, and Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Jiko is a favorite. They have one of the largest selections of South African wines. We enjoyed a lovely bottle of Black Pearl Oro. I remember the name because it’s also the name of Captain Jack Sparrow’s ship.
  
  If you are celebrating something, like a birthday or anniversary, Disney loves to join in the celebration. As a vacation planner, I always add notes to the reservations so the restaurant is aware of the celebration. You never know, you may end up with a complimentary dessert! We did for our anniversary.
  
  Celebratory dinner at the California Grill ended with a wonderful surprise!
  
  There is yumminess to be discovered in the parks as well. We have a list of things we must eat every trip: Mickey pretzel, Dole Whip (soft serve pineapple ice cream), Mickey Bar, popcorn, and a roasted turkey leg. On our last trip, I tried the adult beverage version of the Dole Whip with dark rum. After a busy day at Magic Kingdom, it was perfect.
  
  I highly recommend getting reservations for Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom. We tried the Grey Stuff, and it was delicious. Towards the end of our dinner, Beast came through the dining room. Some of our favorites are pictured below.
  
  Mediterranean Mule at Via Napoli
  
  Donut from Joffrey’s in the Contemporary
  
  Tonga Toast at the Kona Grill
  
  Mickey Bar was yummy!
  
  Yes, we have a lot of favorites. We really enjoy our food! What are some of your favorite Disney foods?
  Share this:
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  Posted in Activities, Disney, Food, Tips | 13 Comments
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