Advantages of the Disney Memory Maker

Advantages of the Disney Memory Maker

Disney Memory Maker is a convenient way to document your Walt Disney World vacation with photos and videos. Have access to professionally taken photos during your vacation to print them out, edit, order copies and to share!

Advantages of the Disney Memory Maker:

• Select ride photos and videos- capture your party's excitement or even fear  during certain attractions. No need to rush off the ride to see your photo or pay extra to have one printed out, it will be available in your My Disney Experience account.
• Magic Shots- the photographer will position your party in certain ways then Disney magic will add a character to your photo. Who doesn't want a photo holding Tinker Bell or being scared by Stitch. Magic Shot locations can be found here: Epcot- behind Spaceship Earth, Disney's Hollywood Studios-Hollywood Boulevard, Epcot- Norway Pavilion and Disney's Animal Kingdom- on the bridge near Expedition Everest.
• Unlimited downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos and videos- you can download and print as many copies as you want of your photos and videos. You can even add boarders and stickers to personalize your photos. Share away, you have the rights to your photos.

• Picture quality- professional photographers equipped with digital SLRs take your photos with the perfect photo settings. No more worrying about if you need to use the flash or not or how the photo will turn out in low lighting. No asking strangers to take photos on your phone that maybe they aren't familiar with and ending up with blurry or cut off photos. Get vibrant, clear photos that are perfect for larger prints.
• Everyone is apart of the picture- no more photos with someone from your party missing or having to track down someone to take your picture. Everyone is included, every time. Want a photo of just the kids then one of everyone? Done. Disney's photographers are accommodating to your requests. 

Cost: 

• Advance purchase- $149.00 
• You can activate and start using Memory Maker three days after purchase. Purchase is nonrefundable.
• Immediate start- $169.00
• Begin downloading photos immediately. Purchase is nonrefundable.

Want a Little Extra Magic?

Do you know about EXTRA MAGIC HOURS?

There are many benefits to staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. But one of our favorites is the chance to experience "EXTRA MAGIC HOURS." As a Disney resort guest, you can enjoy additional time in one of the four Disney theme parks either before or after regular operating hours. 

Be sure to check at your hotel front desk or concierge for a listing of which parks will open earlier or remain open later for EXTRA MAGIC HOURS during your stay. This perk is included with your theme park admission ticket.

Today just happens to be when the Magic Kingdom Park is holding EXTRA MAGIC HOURS for all Disney resort guests.

The park opened for all guests at 9am; however, Disney resort guests were able to enter at 8am. Getting in earlier means less crowds, shorter wait times and special character appearances. And more time to make great family memories. 

So tell us, which park would you like to visit first thing in the morning when there are no crowds? 

Your Child's First Haircut...At Walt Disney World?

Did you know that you or your kids can get your hair cut at Walt Disney World? Oh sure there are some spas and salons on Disney property that offer hair cutting services, but nestled in a little space next to the Emporium on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom is a wonderful hidden treasure called "Harmony Barber Shop." 

Have you ever noticed it before? It's easy to miss! In fact, you've probably walked past it a million times. To the right of the fire station is the big gate where the parade enters (or exits) Main Street. Next to the gate are some storefronts - and one of them is Harmony Barber Shop. There's a striped barber shop pole out front to welcome you as well as pixie dust, bubbles, and a pair of whimsical giant red scissors to make kids smile.

The trained stylists will cut adult or children's hair and they even offer a special "First Haircut" package, which includes a special commemorative set of Mickey ears! Can you imagine? What a special way to remember your child's first haircut. 


Pricing: 

Adult haircut - $19
Child haircut - $15 for ages 12 and under
Hair Gel - $5
My First Haircut Package - $18 

Reservations can be made in advance, but walk-ins are welcome, too. 

NEW DINING EXPERIENCES ABOARD THE DISNEY MAGIC

There’s an extra dose of magic aboard the Disney Magic! You and your family can experience new adventures from bow to stern, including new spaces, reimagined areas and exciting additions for kids, teens, adults - the whole family. In this first in a series of blog posts about the new Disney Magic, we'll show you Carioca's and Animator's Palate - two of the exquisite restaurants that every guest experiences at least once during the reserved Rotational Dining occurring each day on the Disney Cruise. 

Carioca’s

The vibrancy of Rio de Janeiro creates an energetic dining atmosphere in Carioca's on the Disney Magic. Buffet meals are served with a festival theme during daytime hours, and the restaurant transforms into an after-hours scene with table service each evening. The menu is classic fare during the day - with plenty of kids' options. And dinner is a selection of South American specialties like deep fried lobster croquettes, empanadas, lobster, shrimp, mahi mahi, and flank steak.

Some of our agents, including Magical Travel owner Denise Hafto, got a special preview of the Disney Magic recently. Check out the photo of this food sculpture she snapped while visiting Carioca's!

 Animator's Palate

One of the most popular restaurants on the Disney ships, Animator's Palate on the Disney Magic is updated with all-new, animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat-screens to provide the best views of the animation magic that takes place all around. 

At Animator’s Palate, the room comes to life as guests are immersed in the wonder of Disney animation during magical interactive dinner shows.

*INSIDER TIP* If you're traveling with children, consider choosing the earlier dinner time. Your dining time - either the early seating or the later seating - is a pre-assigned reservation made prior to sailing. The earlier time offers the exact same selections, just at an earlier hour. Our agents can work with you to determine which dinner seating would work best for your family.

Stay tuned for Part Two of our blog series on the newly-reimagined Disney Magic, where we'll showcase the new kids' areas including the Marvel's Avengers Academy, It's A Small World Nursery and the Oceaneer Club, Pixie Hollow and Mickey Mouse Club!

So, tell us - what would you like to know about the Disney Magic? And what are you most excited to see?

So You Think You've Done Everything at Disney?

There's one thing that even the most seasoned Disney fans may not have experienced: the chance to meet with dolphins at The Seas pavilion at Epcot!
 

This is a bucket list item for many people, but really it's such an awesome experience. You'll go behind the scenes in a group no larger than 8 people to see how the bottlenose dolphins at Epcot are cared for, trained and fed. And you'll even get a chance to interact with these beautiful creatures one-on-one in waist-deep water.
(*Note: you do not need to know how to swim or be SCUBA-certified to participate)

Swimsuits are required and changing facilities, towels, shampoo, and hair dryers are provided. It's worth noting that you don't have to go in the water if you don't want to; however the price is the same for the tour either way. 


The details:

• Cost: $199 per person - open to adults and teens (ages 13 and older. Under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult).
• The tour is wheelchair-accessible - you must be able to transfer to a standard wheelchair and then to a ride vehicle.
• Cameras, cell phones and video equipment are not permitted in any backstage area including the aquarium.
• For safety reasons, jewelry is not permitted in the aquarium.
• Reservations must be made in advance - but we can take care of that for you! And if you need to cancel, be sure to give at least two days notice or you'll be charged the full price.
• Whether you go in the water or not - be prepared to get wet!

Did you know about this special dolphin encounter at Epcot? Have you done the tour? Who in your family would most love to get up close to some of the dolphins at the Seas at Epcot?  

"Glow With the Show" Comes to Walt Disney World

Earlier this year, we posted on our Facebook page about the "Glow with the Show" ears at Disneyland. 

These magical Mickey ears light up and interact with the World of Color nighttime spectactular at Disney's California Adventure and at various spots in Disneyland. 

And now, they're coming to the Walt Disney World Resort!

 

Take a Look at How They Work:

This October, "Glow With the Show" comes to Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios and to the nighttime show "Wishes" at the Magic Kingdom. 

And this holiday season, there will special surprises for guests who wear their "Glow With the Show" Ears during the Osborne Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios and during the Holiday performances of "Wishes."

Just one more way to make your visit to Disney even more magical!

Every Dollar Counts

One of our clients was kind enough to write us and tell us why she chose to book with Magical Travel.
I'm delighted to share her comments with you:

"I received our travel documents yesterday. Thanks for the great service and the gift card! It was a pleasure doing business with you. Just wanted to let you know that my daughter's college roommate's mom has a (Disney) travel agency. I received a quote from her also, which was exactly the same as yours, but she didn't offer the $75.00 gift card. I remember my friend telling me about the gift card and that stuck in my mind. It's a great idea and made my decision to book through you. Every dollar counts these days!"

We know you have a budget. And we know you don't want to waste your time or money.

So we'll work with you to make sure you get the most for your money...plus a few magical extras!

 

 

 

TOP 4 Things to Bring to Castaway Cay

Disney's private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, is a favorite stop on the Disney Cruise. The ship pulls right up to the island. So when you debark, there are no buses or ferries to wait for. You're right there on the island! 

Here are the TOP 4 Things you'll want to bring with you for a magical visit to Castaway Cay!

1. Beach toys! If you've got kids, a pail and shovel might be in order. Looking back on my Disney Cruise last year with my two young girls, I really wish I'd thought to pack some beach toys for them. The ship's stores sell toys, but I could've saved a few bucks and brought my own.
    
2. A waterproof camera.  Even if snorkeling isn't your thing, you'll want to have a good waterproof - (and for that matter sandproof) - camera or phone to capture all of your memories.
   
   
3. Your appetite! There's a huge outdoor restaurant that serves up barbecue, grilled chicken, veggies, fruits, french fries and more for no additional charge (except for alcohol). The food is delicious and there's even ice cream to cool off after a warm day on the beach.
4. 
   Your favorite person...if you're not traveling with kiddos, grab your best adult friend and take the short tram ride to the other side of the island. The quiet, adults-only beach is tranquil and so relaxing. You can even pre-book a seaside massage to maximize the relaxation. 

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF CASTAWAY CAY 

So what did we miss? What would you say are the most important things to bring to Castaway Cay? 

The Long and Short of It

I saw this quote recently and it stopped me in my tracks.

"The days are long, but the years are short" - Gretchen Rubin 

As a mom to two young daughters, I'm acutely aware of how true those words are. Sometimes the days seem endless, don't they?

Diapers. Tantrums. Spilled food. Homework. Chores. "Tween" drama.

By the end of the day, I'm exhausted. Ready to collapse in my bed only to wake in six hours to do it all over again. Yes, some days can be really l-o-n-g.

But the years? Oh man, the years go by so fast.

I recently got a new computer and decided I'd try to organize some of my digital photos. I chose a random year - 2008 - and began what I thought would be a tedious task. Instead, I found myself captivated by each photo.

My 9 year old was only 4 then and my two year old hadn't even been born yet. I saw photos of preschool, apple-picking, Santa visits, and a trip to the Magic Kingdom. She was so young and small compared to the young lady of today who loves fractions, Instagram and painting crazy designs on her fingernails.

My daughter in 2008, age 4

Looking at the photos, I don't remember the daily frustrations I invariably felt as a new mom. Instead, I found myself cherishing the feelings of nostalgia and remembering how quickly everything seemed to happen.

I love that I have a little time capsule on my computer. (Note: I realize these photos really should be in photo books or in frames displayed in my home, but that's another post for another time).

Ask any parent and they'll nod their heads in agreement - sometimes the days are unbearably long, but the years are most definitely short. 

My husband and I have resolved to buy less things for our girls and try to give them more experiences. Memories they can treasure and take with them out into the world. We try to travel as much as we can, even if it's just quick day trips to surrounding towns and cities. We're not really souvenir people, but we do take a bunch of photos in a futile attempt to capture the magic of the experience forever.

One thing I've realized is that no matter how hard we try to stop time - and I think we all try to do this at some point - we can't fight the inevitable. Time will pass whether we're paying attention or not. So I'm trying my hardest to be grateful for each day (however long!) and hope that in the end, I'll look back fondly and cherish the years.

What do you think? Do you agree? What special magical moments come to mind when you look back over the years?

SERVICES FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

Just about the only thing my family has to worry about when we go to a Disney park is packing enough diapers for our two year old and getting all the fast passes we possibly can. We're very fortunate. But for many families, a bit of extra planning and care is necessary to make sure their Disney parks visit is worry-free and full of magic.  

SERVICES FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

Disney is known for their customer service and for really wow-ing their guests with great shows, a clean and safe environment and friendly cast members. But what you may not know is that Disney offers a wide variety of services for guests needing special assistance. Things like electronic convenience vehicles, sign language interpretation for some shows, park guidemaps in Braille and "Audio Description."

GUESTS WITH VISUAL DISABILITIES CAN USE AUDIO DESCRIPTION

This last service, Audio Description, is pretty neat. It's a handheld device that provides additional audio for guests with visual impairments.

Here's a sample of what visually impaired guests hear with Audio Description when they ride the Haunted Mansion:

DISNEY SERVICES ASSIST GUESTS WITH A VARIETY OF NEEDS

Audio Description is available for many attractions at the parks in Florida and California. There is a $100 deposit that is completely refundable when you return the device on the same day.

The bottom line is if you or your family have any special needs like the ones mentioned here as well as special dietary concerns, let your travel agent know in advance and they can help you plan a worry-free vacation. Or, when you arrive, you can always stop by the hotel front desk or Guest Relations at the theme parks for more information.

The Disney Cruise Line also has handicapped-accessible staterooms and other on-board amenities to accommodate a variety of needs. With a little advanced planning, your Disney vacation can be relaxing and enjoyable - as it should be.

How has Disney helped your family with any special needs or accommodations?

What Would You Take?

If you had just two minutes to evacuate your home - and assuming all human beings and pets are evacuated safely - what would you take?

Most people don't hesitate. They would take family photos, scrapbooks, family memories. In fact, I have a friend who keeps a packed suitcase in her front hall closet. It's not packed with clothes - just precious family photo, ready for the grabbing in case she needs to make a quick exit.

I've been scrapbooking for years. Photos and ticket stubs and other memorabilia spill out of boxes piled high in a spare closet. And I'm embarrassed to tell you just how many digital photos are hiding out on my computer's hard drive. 

So many memories! Our honeymoon. The days my daughter's were born. Their first steps, first haircuts, first day of school, first time meeting Mickey Mouse.

And there are historic family photos. Great aunts and uncles at holiday gatherings from back in the 70s and even earlier. Yellowing photos of days gone by that pull at my heart and make me smile.

I love my photos because they connect me to my fondest memories. They remind me of what's most important - my family. I'm rarely without my camera or at least, my smart phone, so I can snap memories as they happen. I'm definitely known as the family shutterbug and historian. And I love those titles.

Are you the family historian? How do you make and preserve your family's memories? And what would you grab if you just had minutes to run out of your home?