Fall!

I love fall!!

It is finally under 100 degrees here, and thankfully far away from 103-107 degrees which happened too often this last month. It is finally beginning to feel like fall. Even though it is still in the high 90's. I'm hopeful!

I am going to have to dig up the fall decorations I have somewhere in the attic! I have been continuing my Disney training online and they have been flashing so many pictures of the Disney Mickey's-not-so-Scary-Halloween-Party, (M.N.S.S.H.P for short) I've gotta share about it.

SO, M.N.S.S.H.P is a "special event" that requires you to buy an extra ticket. This year, they are $59.95 for adults and $53.95 for children. Last year and the year before we managed to take advantage of the discounts and deals that were available and so even though we had to pay extra it was definitely worth it.

This time, instead of putting it in my words, I'll send along this link that got me hooked on the Haloween Party and going to Disney in the Fall (Note: it is from last year):

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

These are the updated dates for the attraction this year:

2010 Dates For Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

One of the most fun things about this, to me, is that they give a trick-or-treat bag to *everyone* and as an adult, if you would like, they let you dress up in the parks. My sister Sarah and I, being the Disney nerds that we are, made costumes for ourselves and a couple of other Mad Hatter costumes + hats. This created loads of fun and craziness. Especially when we finally met up with the real Mad Hatter.

We have too much fun!

Enjoy the Fall if it has made it your way yet!

Mr Rogers Disney?

So, I will be conquering the Disney Dining Plan later, but this pretty much made my day today so I thought I would share:



Enjoy!

Attempting to Explain Packages

Hey!

Today I'm going to try to go through the different Magic Your Way packages Disney World has to offer. I will explain the dining plans more in the future, but today we'll stick with this. True, they are 'packages' but, the difference between these and just the quick and easy sign-me-ups on the Disney main website is, if you know what you are doing, you can get exactly what you want without extras you won't use. Given, a lot of times you have to go through a travel agent to get the best deals due to promotional codes and the like, but it gives a good idea of how affordable Disney can be.

Before I go through them though, there are options you should keep in mind before even looking into the packages. How long will you be there, what kind of a schedule do you like to keep (as in, will you be going to more than one park a day?) and of course how your family choses to dine while at the parks. I would like to point out here that on Disney World's main website, when you use the package booker, they will automatically tag on park hopper tickets (which I do actually recommend unless you plan on only going to one park a day), and water park tickets (if you are only staying a few days and or you don't care about water parks). These can be left off or tagged back on as you chose.

I personally get way into park hopping and not so much with the water parks. I have found that it is hard enough to get in everything in the main 4 parks without water parks, but it is all about preference and family vacation time.

Also, I would like to add, the dining plans are *excellent*. If you bring your own food and or get an offsite place with a kitchen that is a totally value conscious way to go. This is where I like to splurge though. To me it completes the experience, getting to eat where I never would before. I'm going to give the packages and the cost of the meal plans.  These are addons after tickets plus resort costs.





Magic Your Way Base Package: This is included when you click on the option for a  package deal, and is usually on the website, and includes of course, whatever accomodations you chose, tickets, and no dining. The packages all also include these perks:

- Room accommodations of your choice
-Planet Hollywood $15 meal voucher and souvenir keepsake (Valid for $15 worth of food and non-alcoholic beverages and a souvenir merchandise keepsake at Planet Hollywood, Downtown Disney West Side. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One voucher per room. One keepsake per room. Voucher required for keepsake.)
-Disney's Miniature Golf Experience  (Valid for one round of miniature golf per room at either Disney's Fantasia Gardens or Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Courses.)
- Sea Raycers or boat rental offer (Receive a certificate valid for 30 extra minutes of watercraft fun when you buy 60 minutes applicable for up to 5 Guests. Certificate valid for Sea Raycers by Sea Ray, Boston Whaler 170 Montauk and Pontoon boat rentals at participating Walt Disney World marina locations. (One per room. Not valid all dates; restrictions apply.)
- Disney arcade game card . Receive an arcade game card voucher valid for 100 game play points in arcades located in Disney Resort hotels. (One card per room.)
- Spa, fishing and water sports discounts Receive certificates for 15% off the regular price of select spa treatments or therapies, 10% off the regular price of select fishing excursions and 10% off the regular price of all activities at Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Center. (Subject to availability; restrictions apply.)
- Commemorative luggage tag

Magic Your Way Plus Quick Service Dining: As the name implies, it includes everything above plus dining. This particular dining plan is great for people who are all about fast food dining options while at the park. It gives you more time to get in and out of restaurants but only allows you to eat at the fast-food type places plus snacks. You get two meals, two snacks, and a resort refillable mug.


The cost:  $34.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $11.99 per night for children (ages 3-9), unless they are running the free dining option and you are staying in a value resort. Then it is included. Given,it sounds kind of expensive, but adding it all up, unless you just don't eat much you do end up coming out ahead.

Magic Your Way Plus Dining: Also includes everything as mentioned in the regular package but instead of only the fast food places, you get one table service meal a day. This means you can have character breakfasts/dinners and eat at some of the amazing Epcot restaurants. This one gets tricky though if you do want to dine at the super nice resort restaurants. This plan does not include the refillable mug but you do get two snacks as well.

The cost: $47.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $12.99 per night for children (ages 3-9) - unless they are running the free dining promotion and you are in a moderate resort. Then it is included.

Magic  Your Way Plus Delux Dining: This plan includes all that was in the basic plan, plus 3 meals a day (wherever you want to eat except for two very fine dining places), 2 snacks and the refillable mug. This is the one I prefer but we don't have kids yet and we both like to try new places and keep our dining options open. Some of the restaurants require two 'meal points' so with this one you can pretty much eat anywhere. The down side is, sometimes you have to limit your time in the parks, but sometimes we like to sit back and just enjoy our meal and surroundings anyway so for us it was the best fit.

The Cost: $78.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $21.99 per night for children (ages 3-90) unless they are running the free dining plan, then you get it for the cost difference between the two, so...$31 a night.

There are more options that get more lavish...

Magic Your Way Premium Package: This includes the delux dining plan, Unlimited Use of Select Recreation - Enjoy unlimited use of select recreational activities including Disney's 18-hole championship golf courses (greens fees, electric cart, range balls, rental golf shoes and rental golf clubs included), water sports, guided fishing excursions, horseback riding etc,

- Admission to the Cirque du Soleil Show La Nouba - Admission to this "must-see" show offers a truly dazzling evening of spectacular entertainment. One admission per person. Advance reservations are required and can be made up to 180 days in advance.

- PhotoPass Portrait Session - Guests receive one Portrait Session and Print Package from Disney's PhotoPass Professional Portraits Service. A portrait session includes 20-35 minutes with a Disney's PhotoPass portrait photographer resulting in dozens of professionally composed photos. Advance reservations required.

- Unlimited Admission to Select Disney Tours - Includes most tours EXCEPT Backstage Magic, Dolphins in Depth, Aqua Seas, Divequest and Holiday D-Lights. Theme park admission is required for theme park tours. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations are required. Subject to availability and schedule.

- Unlimited Admission to Select Children's Activity Centers - Kids ages 3-12 get admission to Children's Activity Centers at select Disney Resorts. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations are required. Hours and activities vary by location. Dinner option may be offered.

- Preferred Fireworks Viewing - Enjoy preferred fireworks viewing for Wishes at Magic Kingdom and IllumiNations at Epcot. One viewing per theme park, voucher required. Advance reservations are required at least 24 hours prior and can be made up to 90 days prior to viewing date. Subject to availability, certain block-out dates apply. (One certificate per person.)


The cost: $169 per adult per day and $119 per child

And finally

Magic Your Way Platinum Package: For $229 per adult per day and $160 per child per day.   This sucker includes everything in the premium package (including dining) PLUS this:

- Itinerary Planning - Personalized Itinerary Planning is included to help with the details. A Disney Itinerary Planner will make contact up to 180 days prior to arrival.


- Magical Evening Events - Enjoy 2 spectacular entertainment events under the stars:

Reserved seating at Fantasmic! on selected nights and shows (performed Mondays and Thursdays only; schedule subject to change without notice; valid Theme Park admission and advanced reservations required; one per person; subject to availability).
A spectacular fireworks cruise to view either IllumiNations at Epcot OR Wishes at Magic Kingdom (one cruise per reservation, advance reservations required, subject to availability, Itinerary Planner will assist with reservations).

- Spa Treatment - One selected luxurious skin therapy, relaxing body treatment or manicure & pedicure is available at participating spa locations to help make your tensions melt away (one treatment per guest, age restrictions apply). Itinerary Planner will assist with reservations.

 - Richard Petty Ride-Along Experience - Guests can "ride shotgun" in a two-seat stock car driven by a professional instructor and experience the thrill of a simulated Race Qualifying Run (3 laps). One Richard Petty Ride Along Experience per room (ages 14 and up). Proof of age required. No reservations needed. Offered daily 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; operating hours subject to change due to inclement weather.

 - Disney PhotoPass CD - As a remembrance of your trip, you will receive one Disney's PhotoPass Photo CD per room, created especially for Magic Your Way Platinum Package Guests.The Photo CD is only redeemable online and DOES NOT include the photos from your Portrait Session.

- In-Room Babysitting - One-on-one in-room babysitting is provided by Kids Nite Out. The caregivers will provide individual attention to your child right in the comfort of your Disney Resort room. Itinerary Planner can assist with advance reservations.



Hope all this helps a little with Disney understanding. I'll be taking a crack at many different areas of explaining Disney in the future, so if you have any questions, let me know!

Disney!!

So,

I've officially finished the Disney College of Knowledge course for becoming a "disney specialist" travel agent. I could not be more excited!! I found an online based (but accredited) travel agency and she is helping me figure out the ins and outs. I get to begin with friends and family doing vacations and I get to hand out my own cards too (coming soon in the mail haha)

As I was going through all this information, they suddenly put up all the new deals for the rest of the year and into 2011. I'm dying to go back soon and it really excited me. They have extedned their free dining plan promo as well as the discounts on the resorts (20% value, 30% moderate and 40% delux) and they have even added a little extra. Depending on what tier of resort you stay in they give you a gift card. ($200 value, $300 moderate and $400 deulx). That is crazy. In a fun way though!

So, I tell people Disney is much more affordable than you think especially if you can go at odd times of the year (I hear you out there homeschoolers)! One of my favorite examples is when we went with my family last October. My sister gave my dad about 6 months before a qote per person of 1600 dollars from the package deal on the website which was, at the time, just room and tickets. I told them to lie low and wait. So we did. About two months before we went, they put up the discounts on the rooms, so we got all our stuff in and it took it down to 1100 a person. The next week, they put up the free dining plan. We stayed for a week at a moderate resort with the delux dining (3 fulll meals a day, 2 snacks) for like 970 an adult. Given, that was without flights, but my mom  had already snagged some super good deals with Southwest. My dad said when I told him that if I keep at it maybe the'll pay me to come. Hahahaha....well, not so much, but still.

There are so many options it willl make your head explode, but they are a lot better about making things workable.

If ya' need me, y'all know where I am!

Meg

Quickie

So....


Today I have started to Earn my Ears!!! I am so excited. First time I've been excited in a while. I am enrolled in the Disney course to be a Disney Travel Agent. This is something that I wouldn't have looked into probably before...so, even though temping and everything should get me through, I am so very excited about this travel agent business.

Ciao!

Unexpectedly forced to explore options

Hello depths of cyber-space

This past Wednesday at 4:00 after my last patient I was informed that I could no longer be afforded by my employer. I am officially laid off. This has never happened to me, and yes I panicked a bit (still comes wraking havoc on my mind here and there). I have come to the realization though that I can now explore options. Such as temping and making my own schedule. I could work on trying to plan disney trips part time for a living...

All this came at a good time in a way though; our house sold on Friday of last week and my husband is set to take a final test for computer certifications on Friday of next week. I am hoping and praying it will all resolve in a month so I can enjoy the fall. It is my favorite time of the year.

Fall speaks of mischief and fun and pies, cinnamon and lots of candles. I mean, how often is bright orange and yellow everywhere with reds thrown in accepted? It speaks to me. It makes me want to sew, bake, go walking and many other things all at once. It is also football season. I admit it, I like football. Perhaps not 24/7 but it goes with the excitement of fall.

Disney raised their prices a little on tickets this week. Honestly everyone was making a big deal about it, but at only a couple of dollars a ticket, it wasn't what I was expecting. They still have good deals and great promotions. Been looking into the ins and outs of the Disney Vacation Club. The points system was very intimidating to me at first but I'm starting to get a handle on it. There is also the DVC Resale...that is pretty awesome.

I married a nerd. Nerds will take over the world.

Lots of love

Me

Monday, Monday...

It is Monday...

For me it is a long week (yes I know, I'm spoiled) because I work 4 days. I tend to get into 'survival' mode during these weeks. Tonight, though, since I had leftovers and my husband cleaned the kitchen, I got to chill...before Evil Tuesday. Evil Tuesday is thus named because I work from 8-6 and my husband works from 4-10. SO, if I don't get lunch, I don't get to see him...

BUT, the new Kroger by University in Fort Worth has strawberries on for 97 cents. That is full of win. Limit 5. But still...that is quite a few strawberries. In honor of strawberries, tomorrow I will post a very special strawberry soup recipe. Because it makes me happy, and if I ever lose it I can just come back here! Yes, I do remember that my previous post pegged me as type 'a'...which means I shouldn't lose things...but it also means that I am a planner, so I'm just planning... O_o

Florence + the Machine is my new favorite female singer/band. I'm kind of picky with my female bands/singers anyway...but it is inspiring. Which makes me ponder. To write or not to write? Still answering that question myself. The Type "A" part of me says "what are you thinking!! Creative?? You??" but this keeps popping up and taking that side of me by surprise and slugging it hard enough to knock it out cold!

We will see...more on that later...

Saw Sorcerer's Apprentice this weekend. I personally loved it.  I have said before I have odd tastes in movies...this is an example. I don't understand the people who go into this movie expecting it to be anything other than what it is. It is a Disney movie. It is done by the same team who did Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasure. Really though, if you are going in expecting some life changing meaning, you've got the *wrong* movie. If you are going in expecting Inception...you have the *wrong* movie.

 It is a romp. It is an entertaining romp. I expect movies to be what they are advertised to be. If something looks suspenseful and psychotic, great, if it looks like a crazy puzzler, great.

This is also why Old Yeller fails. FAILS I tell you. Sweet family movie that turns tragic. No thank you.

Hope to go to the Texas Renaissance Festival. We will see. If I ever get my sewing machine from my type B family members...HAHA love you all...I really do...just...give me my sewing machine. 'k...bye...


Meg

P.S. Scrubs look like pajamas. Just sayin'.

My new favorite book

Since I've been away from home/married I've come to a realization. I love to cook. I think about it quite a lot. Yes, I know, this is disturbing to some but it is a way I can reach people, love people, satisfy people. I can make it an art form and I don't feel intimidated about it! This is quite a feat for a type-"A" must get organized type person.

I also am addicted to Disney. There I said it. More accurately, Disney World. Not like this is a new revelation, since the time I went  for the first time at the age of 6 I knew I was hooked. It's the whole process now, from the planning to the very last detail of the last day of the stay. I also love planning for others.

Combine those two points and you have the best book/birthday present EVER. . . a cookbook called "Delicious Disney"...attainable at Disney resorts and thankfully now, here and there online. I have been perusing the pages since I got it and it has even made a couple of trips to work with me.

It is something I look forward to while working. At the moment the ingredients are fairly pricey and since we just sold our house after it being on the market for 1.5 years (YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY) I must wait...but I'm stoaked.  Also, no offence to the chefs, but I'm going to have to tweak some things. It was made to be able to do at home, but it says to add a can of your favorite spagetti sauce. I don't buy spagetti sauce anymore!

SO, between that and downloading the Disney Desktop Widget, I've been in paradoxial (is that a word? I don't really care...) type - a / with a creative outlet heaven.

So long for now ciberblogspace!

P.S. Costco is running a Dr Who sale for $40. If you even know what I am talking about, this is a steal. 'k bye...


P.P.S. If you plan to go to Disney between now and December, get your butt in gear and get in touch with smallworldvacations.com - free dining plan and resort discounts = win and awesome deals!!