Winners Announced!

Three winners from our blog comments were selected at random to win a set of two Disney "New Fantasyland" lithographs!

The winners were: Noreen Milson, "Brittany" and "Albrecht".

Contest winners should email their name and mailing address to info@magicaltravel.com to receive your lithographs. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

Got a Disney VISA? Special Offers Announced Today!

This winter, Disney VISA cardholders can save up to 35% off select Walt Disney World Resorts for most stays January 5 - April 12, 2014. 

 

 

Here are just a few of the resorts included in this special offer:

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Disney's All Star Music Resort

When you're ready to book your Walt Disney Word Resort vacation with your Disney VISA, give us a call at 1-866-207-8387 to speak with an agent. Or, email us at info@magicaltravel.com. Or you can do it all online with our convenient request form. 

Book by December 31, 2013.

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?  

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?

"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!