All the Disney Parks in One Podcast
Disney Parks Podcast Show #826- Disney New For The Week Of July 29 2024
In today’s show, we have news about Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs Menu Revealed, Disney Imagineering Files Second Permit for EPCOT Test Track Revamp, headline News and so much more.
Disney Parks Podcast Show #824- Disney New For The Week Of July 08 2024
In today’s show, we have news about New Funnel Suite and More Coming to the Disney Dream this Fall, 2024 EPCOT Eat to the Beat Concert Series Lineup, Dear Disney segment, headline News and so much more.
Welcome Home!
With the departure of our beloved Magical Express, many were left wondering – What Now? But happily we can assure you, there are plenty of options still available to get you to and from the airport, safe and sound, even if there is a small cost involved. Here we’ll show you some of what is available, or when you book with an agent at Destinations To Travel, they can help you decide which option fits you and your family the best!
~MEARS CONNECT~
Mears Connect offers 2 Options
Mears Connect offers 2 options for transportation between MCO and your WDW Resort – Standard and Express. STANDARD SERVICE is a shared service with a monitored wait time, and limited stops. EXPRESS SERVICE offers a limited wait time, and a direct shared service (not considered a private service). Keep in mind both of these options do require you to retrieve your luggage and take it with you upon arrival to MCO. You can prearrange your transportation (or have your Travel Agent take care of this for you) so you can all set to go. Prices vary depending on number of guests and which option you choose.
~SUNSHINE FLYER~
Sunshine Flyer offers a fun take on traditional transportation (photo credit: Sunshine Flyer)
Sunshine Flyer brings the fun of the 1920’s rail travel. With its wrapped busses and drivers and staff dressed as engineers and conductors, no two vehicle designs will be the same, so you can experience a new photo opportunity and way to travel each time you use it. They offer either round trip or one way shuttle service. Current prices are: ROUND TRIP – $35/adult, $25/child (age 3-8) or ONE WAY – $17/adult, $12.50/child (age 3-8). Children under 2 can travel on the lap of an adult for free.
~PRIVATE TRANSFERS~
Private Transfers now available to add to your WDW resort reservation
Recently it was announced that Private Transportation can be added right into your WDW Resort Package! There are many options available, depending on the size and needs of your family. Note that this can be connected to your existing reservation once you have your flight information all set. Simply call and have it added, or let your Travel agent know and they can arrange it for you. Another advantage to consider is the ability to arrange this option for other airports, such as Sanford. So depending on your preferred airline, this is a great option to have at your disposal. Prices may be a little higher, but isn’t it nice to arrive in style?
~RIDESHARE~
Uber or Lyft may fit your needs
Of course there is always the good ol standby of using Uber/Lyft services. This option certainly gives you the most flexibility and control over your transportation, and for some, can be the most cost effective route to take. Keep in mind that your cannot pre schedule a pickup from the airport, but you can pre arrange to be picked up from your resort to head back. By booking your return trip in advance, you can usually lock in better prices.
There are certainly plenty of options to choose from, and there is one that will fit your families style (and budget!) available. Do we miss our Magical Express? YES! But who’s to say we won’t find a new favorite?
Have you used any of these transportation options yet? Tell us which one, and how was YOUR experience?
If you are looking for assitance in planning your next Disney Destination, Universal Studios, or Cruise vacation, I would love to be your planning partner!
Email me at : christinasmith@d2travel.com .
Looking for more Disney in your life? Come join us on Facebook at Living The Magical Life and Destinations To Travel with Christina Smith
Welcome Home!
As many of us have learned over the past year, things can change pretty quickly! From learning about the end of Magical Express (as we knew it) on January 1st, 2022, it’s subsequent replacement option – provided by Mears – and even looking to the airlines themselves with flights often getting changed or cancelled at the last moment, many are opting to forego air travel and take on the adventure of a Road Trip!! Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and “Need To Know” tips when considering a drive to your WDW vacation.
~ Pros To Driving ~
Depending on where you live, driving can be a great advantage, especially with the struggles many airlines are facing right now.
~ You are in charge of your schedule – Choose the time and day that’s best for you to leave. Check out the routes beforehand, and see how long the trip will be for you to see what works best for you and your family.
~ Take a Break – When the kids (or adults!) get a little antsy, pull over and take a little break. Stretch your legs, grab a coffee and regroup before hitting the open road again. There’s no constraints and limits within the airport or the plane. And don’t forget to stop at the Florida Welcome Center!
~ Overpack – There’s no need to worry about bringing that extra pair of shoes – or anything else for that matter. No measuring or weighing your luggage. Pack whatever you need (or even what you don’t need) without worries of size or space. And be prepared for a chilly spell with a set of warm clothes that can take up a lot of extra luggage space.
~ Save Money – While this is definitely something that needs to be looked into based on each families situation, many can save money by driving instead of flying. Instead of purchasing airline tickets for each family member, by traveling in one vehicle, even the cost of gas can be a significant savings.
~ Save Time – While on property instead of waiting for Disney transportation, you can hop in your vehicle and drive. Resort guests don’t pay extra for parking at the theme parks. And you can easily access and enjoy some of the incredible restaurants located at the different resorts across WDW property.
~ Things To Know ~
With all the advantages to driving, there are some things to keep in mind before loading up the car.
~ Extra Vacation Days – For many, vacation time is limited. You’ll need to add extra travel time, so keep that in mind and determine if that is doable for you and your schedule.
~ Resort Parking Fees – The resorts at WDW (along with many others, including off property hotels) do charge a nightly fee. Currently they are : Value Resort $15 per night, Moderate Resort $20 per night, and Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts $25 per night (these fees can change at any time). This fee is charged to your resort folio on the last night of your stay.
~ Keep them occupied – Pick up little things to keep the kids busy on the drive. Travel games, like these bingo cards can be found numerous place online and even your local dollar store!
Truthfully, there are many advantages to driving for your WDW vacation. If you have questions or are looking for help deciding which way to travel, reach out to Destinations To Travel and your agent can help you figure out what will work best for you and your family!
Let us know –
Do you drive or fly to WDW? Have you considered (or will you now) making your next vacation a road trip?
If you are looking for assitance in planning your next Disney or Universal Studios vacation, I would love to be your planning partner!
Email me at : christinasmith@d2travel.com .
Looking for more Disney in your life? Come join us on Facebook at Living The Magical Life and Destinations To Travel with Christina Smith or on Instagram.
Courtesy of Disney
Walt Disney World recently announced the coming of the most anticipated holiday celebration of the year – Christmas! Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours will take to the streets of Magic Kingdom Park this year! We cannot wait to see the parade, fireworks, the snowfall on Main Street, and, of course, Santa Clause!
Since we’re in the booking season for a holiday getaway (even for 2022), I’d like to share with you my Top 5 Walt Disney World Resorts for a stay during the holidays.
#5 Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Though not as decked to the halls as deluxe resorts, this is one special, value resort where you can get a taste of Christmas at a reasonable price. By taste, I’m referring to EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, which is easily accessible from this Skyliner hotel. Yet, there’s more to the Pop than meets the eye – it has the most awesome retro holiday décor that brings us all back to those old Polaroid pictures around grandma’s silver Christmas tree.
#4 Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. As a moderate resort, the Riverside offers a budget-friendly stay at Walt Disney World for the holidays. The setting recalls the pleasantries of a Southern comfort, country holiday. If you want to see Christmas a tad more jazzed up, you can just walk on over to the French Quarter. Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts are just a ferry ride away from Disney Springs- home of endless holiday shopping, entertainment, and the ever popular Christmas Tree Stroll – making it an even more ideal choice for the holidays.
#3 & #2 Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. These sister resorts equally deserve a spot on the list, and, since they are attached, I have paired them together. Though connected to each other, the two resorts elicit a very different feel of Christmas, with the Yacht Club starring as the most unique. At the Yacht Club, a Christmas railway diorama takes center stage with a Disney Christmas Village and beloved characters getting ready for the holidays around the tracks. Equally impressive are the model ships and boats that deck the trees throughout the resort. The Beach Club implores your sense of both sight and smell, as the scent of gingerbread wafts the halls, leading you to the stunning Gingerbread Carousel which changes in theming every year! What’s more, both resorts are a stroll away from EPCOT’s World Showcase where you can experience the holidays celebrated around the Lagoon.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Lobby by Melissa Reed
#1 Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This is, beyond any doubt, the quintessential holiday resort at Walt Disney World. It’s cozy, rustic, woodsy – a typical winter getaway. I know I could stay in the grand lobby all day, looking up at the magnificent 60ft tree, and rock the night away on a rocking chair by the crackling, warm fire. You will feel worlds away from everything, yet it’s only a short ferry ride to the festivities at Magic Kingdom Park. One especially festive touch found only at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the nearby Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, are the horse-drawn holiday sleigh rides! Board a festive, decorated sleigh for a ride through scenic trails in the secluded woodlands of Fort Wilderness – no other resort can top that for the holidays, right?
Keep in mind, resort hopping is a holiday tradition that allows you to see all the wonderful decorations that each of the resorts display during this most wonderful time of year. That said, no matter where you stay, you can always set aside a day to take in all the sights, sounds, and scents of the holidays at Walt Disney World!
It breaks my heart that one of the most overlooked parks is EPCOT – especially by those with children. Often viewed as an “adult” park, (mainly due to the idea of “Drinking Around The World”) there are so many edutainment opportunities that are often overlooked or forgotten about. From Future World, to World Showcase, there’s an abundance of opportunities to learn and explore for both adults and children alike! Here are a few reasons why a day at EPCOT is not to be overlooked.
~Future World~
Spaceship Earth – The iconic geodesic sphere that greets many guests as they enter the park
Future World – This iconic feature is the first vision of many guests as they enter the park, and it hosts a ride that takes you through time and the evolution of communication. But in addition to this beautiful attraction, Future World hosts The Land Pavillion – home to the immensely popular “Soarin’ Around The World”. Also found here is “Living With The Land” – a leisurely boat ride that focuses on agriculture and takes you through the 4 working greenhouses that help supply some of the restaurants on property! You can pop over and spend some time with Nemo and Friends at the “The Seas with Nemo” – an adorable ride that takes you below the water. In addition, you can visit SeaBase, which hosts rehabilitating manatees among other undersea creatures, and includes a 360 degree view of sea life when you “enter” the aquarium. Make sure you secure a reservation at Coral Reef Restaurant, with floor to ceiling viewing windows to the aquarium – Best View in town! Looking for some excitement? Head to Mission Space and choose either the Orange or Green Mission, and then take a drive on Test Track!
~World Showcase~
The Stunning Moracco Pavillion in EPCOT’s World Showcase
After exploring Future World, head over to World Showcase! With 11 countries represented, there is no shortage of incredible (and beautiful) places to explore – and learn about! This is a great way for those children that may need to write a report about something they learned while absent from school. There are Scavenger Hunts available for families to take part in, and of course the rides – the ever popular “Frozen Ever After” found in Norway, “The Grand Fiesta Tour” inside the Mexico Pavillion, and “Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure” (coming October 1, 2021) in France!
~Food, Food, FOOD!~
Regal Eagle Smokehouse at The American Pavillion
It was almost as though much of this park was thought out with families in mind… especially those with young children who aren’t quite adventurous eaters. The numerous Festivals (Arts, Flower and Garden, Food and Wine & Holidays) offer a vast array of opportunities to sample small plates from around the world – on a snack budget! The Table Service options available in every “country” cannot be beat whether you want to eat in Japan, Germany or Mexico. And the Quick Service options, also available in each country, make sure that every person in your party will never go hungry (*PS – The Mac and Cheese at Regal Eagle Smokehouse is AMAZING!!)
EPCOT is truly a park to EXPLORE, not just visit. Take your time, soak it all in. I promise, if given the chance, you and your family can find a newfound adoration for all this park has to offer. Looking for assistance in planning your next WDW vacation? Reach out to our friends at Destinations To Travel!
Tell Us, is EPCOT a must do park for you and your family, or do you pass it by?
Will it be in your plans for next time?
If you are looking for assitance in planning your next Disney or Universal Studios vacation, I would love to be your planning partner!
Email me at : christinasmith@d2travel.com .
Looking for more Disney in your life? Come join us on Facebook at Living The Magical Life and Destinations To Travel with Christina Smith or on Instagram.
Throughout the years, Walt Disney World has played host to numerous events and festivals. But, few have found the immense popularity of runDisney events. Traditionally held 4 times per year (January, February, March and November) each event offers a variety of distances, ranging from 5k up to a Full Marathon (January) and even a kids run. You will also find each has their own unique theme, such as Princesses, Star Wars, and even Villains which are evident in the medals you can aquire!
While many die hard runDisney fans and competitors have had to participate in these events virtually for the past year, there have been cheers of joy over the recent announcement that these events will become “In Person” events again, beginning with “Wine and Dine Half Weekend” November 4-7, 2021.
For those that are ready to share their love of running, these events offer a unique perspective of WDW, and many join up with friends to help cheer each other along the way. However, many people choose to to participate on their own… and make new friends throughout the event.
Ready to run? Well, I talked with some of my friends over at Destinations To Travel and they are providing some of their tips on how, from start to finish, you can take part in your next – or first – runDisney event!
~Meet Casey Bolt~
A runDisney enthusiast with top tips for securing your race bib
When registration opens, it can be a challenge to secure those sought after Race Bibs! Casey’s advice?
“My tips for securing a bib would be pack your patience. It’s a stressful process. Make sure to have all your info ready ahead of time- credit card info, race distance, shirt size, emergency contact, etc. Also try to log into the registration area early- I’ve been let into the virtual queue up to 20 minutes before the registration start time. Use multiple devices if you can- it gives you a better chance of getting in. I usually have a computer, phone, and iPad trying at once. Then pray for pixie dust! If they sell out, keep checking back periodically. They reload additional bibs sometimes but in very small quantities so they will disappear quickly!”
Want more tips from Casey? Find her on Facebook at Destinations To Travel LLC, Casey Bolt and in her fact filled group Magical Miles with Casey Bolt
~Meet Paul Sul~
An all around Fitness enthusiast knows the top tips to prepare for your run
So, you have secured your place in a runDisney event! What now? Prepare and train. Here are some tips from Paul on how to start your training plan.
“When preparing for any distance run, the most important thing is to give yourself enough time to prepare and train, especially for someone who has never run over 3 miles.
Always, always, warm up with dynamic stretching to get loose and stretch after the run.
A dedicated teacher who finds her escape through fitness and art.
You’ve planned, you’ve trained, and you have a killer playlist – so what can participating in runDisney event do for YOU? I’ll let Marisa put that into perspective!
” The image with the Ahsoka Tano medal was a full circle moment. I was registered for the Rival Run in 2020 (which was canceled due to COVID). That was supposed to be my first in-person event and was the catalyst for my running journey. Ever since then, I haven’t stopped running and pushing myself to conquer another challenge. While I’ve been running virtually every race (since the in-person events will be returning in the fall), I still feel the sense of community through these events. The support over social media has been incredible and I’ve been able to bond with fellow agents, Paul and Casey, over running and fitness in general. That sense of camaraderie has given me the courage to strive for more. With that, I’ve completed every distance that runDisney offers (from 5K through a full marathon … which was insanely difficult) and took part in every theme they’ve offered (Star Wars, summer series, Wine and Dine, Marathon, and Princess). Never in a million years would I have thought that I could make it, nor would I have ever even wanted to try but there’s something that keeps me coming back for more. I hope that I can secure a bib for my first in-person race because as Moana would say, “If I go, there’s just no telling how far I’ll go.” “
For more of Marisa’s inspiration, find her at Destinations to Travel LLC with Marisa Alvarado and on Instagram @behindtheearswdw
Photo credit: Twitter
For some, a runDisney event is a fun way to expand out of their comfort zone. For others, it’s a part of what makes WDW even more magical. But no matter which category you fall into, it’s an experience worth having.
Tell Us…Have you ever participated in a runDisney Event? Or are you ready to participate? Let us know in the comments below!
If you are looking for assitance in planning your next Disney or Universal Studios vacation, I would love to be your planning partner! Email : christinasmith@d2travel.com . Looking for more Disney in your life? Come join us on Facebook at Living The Magical Life and Destinations To Travel with Christina Smith or on Instagram.
That time of year is upon us. Summer! Longer days, shorter nights, tank tops and shorts… and in Florida – heat and humidity. It’s true that the summer heat can be tough to handle. Proper preparation and planning is crucial to both make the most enjoyable time of your family vacation to WDW, AND to keep you and your family safe. If you prefer to hit the parks for rope drop and stay to close the parks, packing your park bag properly will be a step in the right direction to ensure both of these bases are covered. Here are a few Summertime Park Bag Essentials to include on your packing list!
~Reusable Water Bottle~
Keep a water bottle with you to stay hydrated
Water can be readily obtained throughout the parks. By carrying a reusable water bottle with you, you can easily refill them wherever you may find yourself in need, without having to wait in line at a quick service location. Many have built in filters (if you aren’t a fan of the Florida water). Definitely consider filling up prior to getting into line for your next ride, so you can continue to drink while you wait. With a bottle that closes securely, there is less waste, and less opportunity to spill. When you’re finished, close it up, throw it back in your bag, and enjoy your ride!
~Cooling Towels~
Cooling Towels will be your best friend!
Cooling Towels will be your new best friend. Honestly! They are easy to find online, or even at your local superstore, are relatively inexpensive and can be reused often, even once you return home. Get each member of your traveling party one in their favorite color. Simply get them wet, snap them out and place them on the back of your neck. Most come in their own pouch, so you can place them back in there before putting them in your park bag to keep from getting anything else wet.
~Portable Neck Fans~
Portable and Rechargable Neckfans
Portable and rechargable, these neck fans can help keep you and your family cool. They come in numerous styles, and most have multiple speeds – some even have misters built in! Usually charged by USB ports, they can be charged throughout the day using the Battery Pack you most likely already have in your park bag to charge your phone.
~Safety First~
Midday Breaks
While all these tips can absolutely help make the most of your hot day in the parks, I can’t stress enough to not to take for granted escaping to some of the many air conditioned attractions, shops, and to even plan for a Table Service restaurant meal in the middle of the day to let you and your family recharge and cool down. And there is no shame in heading back to your resort for a dip in the pool and return to the parks later when the temps start to drop again. Questions about how to best navigate the parks in the hot months of the year? Reach out to our friends at Destinations To Travel!
What are your favorite tips for staying cool in the parks? What “Stay Cool” items do you keep in your park bag?
If you are looking for assitance in planning your next Disney or Universal Studios vacation, I would love to be your planning partner! Email : christinasmith@d2travel.com . Looking for more Disney in your life? Come join us on Facebook at Living The Magical Life and Destinations To Travel with Christina Smith or on Instagram.