3 Strategies to Plan Your Perfect Walt Disney World Vacation

You may think you know all there is to know about Walt Disney World. But no matter how many times you've visited, there's always something new to discover. So how do you make sure you don't miss anything? And how can you get the most out of every day and still allow some time for rest and relaxation?

Here are THREE strategies you can use to plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.

1. Plan Ahead! Using "MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE" This fabulous online or mobile app tool allows you to link your tickets, your resort and dining reservations, and connect with other friends or family who are traveling with you. Once you're linked up, you can add personal notes and even choose your FastPass selections. You can do this online, or download the free app.

2. Take advantage of EXTRA MAGIC HOURS As a Walt Disney World resort guest, you can enjoy extra time in the theme parks before they open and after they close. TIP: Not every attraction is open during extra magic hours; however, you will see shorter lines and fewer crowds at some of your favorite attractions.

3. Work with a professional planner. OK, you knew we'd throw that one in there right? Here's why. We do all the research for you! We'll book your airfare, hotel, dining reservations, special event reservations or tickets, such as: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and more. Plus, we'll let you know about other things that would affect your trip such as renovations, attraction closings, park hours and more. And our services? Always free.

So what are your tips for saving time and money when it comes to a Disney vacation? We'd love to hear from you. 

Learn All About The New "Princess Fairytale Hall" AND Enter To Win Two Lithographs!

The newest character greeting location - Disney's Princess Fairytale Hall - opened last week in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Here, guests can choose to meet either Cinderella and a visiting princess or Rapunzel and a visiting princess.

Here's what you need to know:

1. Where's it located? Princess Fairytale Hall is located behind the castle where Snow White's Scary Adventures used to be.
2. How does it work? Cinderella and Rapunzel each have their own line - so choose your favorite and then switch lines.
   (Hint: Word on the street is Rapunzel's line grows longer throughout the day, so visit her first!)
   
   Hot Tip! You can use FASTPASS at this attraction! Stop by the FASTPASS distribution station near Peter Pan's Flight to get your return time ticket, or use the MyDisneyExperience app.
    
3. What can you do there? Meet the princesses, get autographs and take pictures. Due to slightly lower light levels, you might be better off having the Disney photographer take some shots with the Disney PhotoPass. 

Meet Cinderella

Meet Rapunzel

Don't miss Cinderella's famous glass slipper!

ENTER TO WIN!

Three winners chosen at random will receive a set of two beautiful lithographs of scenes from New Fantasyland! They measure about 9" square and come with a mat border. Here are the scenes depicted in each lithograph:

TO ENTER: Just comment on this blog post with the name of the princess you'd most like to meet!

Winners will be chosen at random and announced on the blog and on our Facebook page at noon EST on Thursday, September 26, 2013.

NEW MOBILE APP: "My Disney Experience"

Everywhere you look, people are on their phones. It's become the primary way we get our news and communicate with friends and family. 

You probably bring it with you on vacation, and now there's a good reason why you'll want to have your phone with you on your next Disney vacation: The MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE app (free download on the app store and Google Play). 

My Disney Experience - on your laptop or Smart Phone

You can do so much with this app:

• Explore Walt Disney World with the interactive GPS
• View your FASTPASS return times 
• Get wait times for attractions, shows, fireworks and parades
• Find Disney character greeting locations and times
• Browse restaurant menus and making dining reservations
• Share your plans with others through "Family & Friends"
• Keep all your reservations and activities in one spot

Your Disney vacation will literally be at your fingertips.
So what do you think? Will you use this app?
 

MagicBands at Walt Disney World

What are MagicBands?

MagicBands are waterproof devices worn on your wrist. They are all-in-one bands that serve as your theme park and water park tickets, your Disney Resort room key, FastPasses and more. 

How Do You Get MagicBands?

Right now, Disney is in a testing period, so if you're invited to participate, our agents can walk you through the Disney website (StartYourDisneyExperience.com) to "link up" your MagicBands with your resort reservation and the theme park and/or water park tickets you've already purchased. Eventually, the test period will end and all Disney Resort guests will use MagicBand.

*TIP* You can choose the color of your MagicBand and the name that appears on the band. Pink, blue, green...your kids will love it. 

When Will The MagicBands Arrive?
 

Once you've requested MagicBands, they'll arrive at your home at least three days prior to your Disney Resort arrival date.

IMPORTANT! 

Don't pack your MagicBands in your luggage! You'll need the MagicBands as soon as you arrive to be able to ride the Magical Express from the airport to your Disney Resort. So, be sure to wear them while you travel and all throughout your stay.

What Are MagicBands Used For?

1. As your Disney Resort Room Key. You don't need to remove the band, simply hold the band against the door reader to enter.

2. They work as your Theme Park and/or Water Park Tickets, depending on which ticket package you've purchased. 

(*TIP* MagicBands are waterproof - great feature when you visit the water parks!)

3. If you set up Charging Privileges with a credit card, you can use your MagicBand to buy food and merchandise at the parks or resorts.  

4. FastPass+. This is such a cool feature! You can select FastPass+ attractions and shows in advance, or if you've already made your selections, you can update your selections at any time.

How Do MagicBands Work? 

Hold your MagicBand up to the "Mickey" reader to enter the parks, your resort room or to access the FastPass+ queue line at your favorite attraction. 

 

How Can I View My Dining Info, Check or Change FastPass Times and More?

View and make changes to your information on the MyDisneyExperience.com home page on your laptop or SmartPhone. The app is free to download so you can have the world at your fingertips on your vacation!

This is a lot of information to comprehend - so feel free to ask us any questions. Many of our agents are in Walt Disney World right now using the new MagicBands, so they'll have the latest news, tips and tricks to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

What would YOU like to know about MagicBands?

Top 7 Ways My Family Stays Cool at Walt Disney World

With the passing of Memorial Day, I guess it's safe to say that summer is officially here! But with the warm temperatures in Orlando nearly year-round, you could say it's summer everyday at Walt Disney World.

This is just my personal list of ways to cool off at Walt Disney World. But I'd love to know what your best tips are...

How do you and your family beat the heat of hot summer days at the Disney theme parks?

Reply in the comments below.

Here are the Top 7 Ways my family stays cool at the Disney theme parks!

1. Splish Splash! Get a FastPass for Splash Mountain early in the morning. Some people like to ride this attraction first. But if you wait until it's really steamy, that last drop will be so refreshing!
2. I Scream, You Scream...Who can resist ice cream at the Plaza Ice Cream Shop on Main Street? Honestly, it doesn't matter what the temperature is outside. I always get an ice cream at the Plaza Ice Cream shop. Chocolate chip. In a dish. With sprinkles. Just in case you were wondering.
3. Play in the fountains! At Epcot, there are fountains just bubbling with refreshing cold water right off the main walkway. They're mostly for the kids, but I say take off your shoes and socks and run through them! Everyone's a kid at Disney World, right?
4. Ride the monorail. Might seem silly, but a gentle, air-conditioned ride around Seven Seas Lagoon or to Epcot and back just might be the trick to staying cool.
5. Learn Your History. The Hall of Presidents is one of my favorite attractions. I enjoy history and I love watching my daughters learn about our country's presidents. Also, air conditioning!
6. 3..2..1..Blast Off! Space Mountain is one of the most popular Disney attractions. My family and I don't mind waiting in line because we know the majority of the line is inside the building...which means there's plenty of air conditioning. (same thing is true for Pirates of the Caribbean, too!)
   
7. Ride the Rapids. The Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom is perhaps the best way to beat the heat. You'll definitely get wet on this ride, but that's the part my daughter loves the best. She stays cool for a few hours walking around the park as her clothes dry.

So there you have it. My family's top 7 ways we stay cool at Walt Disney World.

How do you stay cool? Shout out your best tip!