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My Disney Journey

It’s funny, when I started writing this entry my topic was different then what it turned out to be. Somehow, it ended up being about my Disney journey. It’s interesting, to me at least, to think that for some their Disney journey started years ago with countless trips over a lifetime and for others it started with years of longing for a place they know will be magical. No matter how your journey started we were all lead to the same place, the same love and the same magic.

My journey started long before I knew there even was a Disney World. As a child I loved Mickey Mouse! Stuffed animals, toys, books you name it!

When my mother saved up to take my sisters and I on our very first back in 1987 I remember being in love!! I remember riding the train around Magic Kingdom and passing the construction for Mickey’s Birthdayland and commenting to my Mom that we should come back next year when it opened!

She just chuckled, boo!

Along the way, I thought about returning to Disney World but it seemed that next trip was just out of reach. But I still loved Disney World and I still loved Mickey.

When I went off to College in the 90’s my friend gave me a whole basket full of Mickey Mouse goodies. Including a pillow that stayed on my bed every night my freshman year and a note pad! That note pad just happened to be handy the night I first meet my husband and it was the note pad I used to write my phone number on when he walked me back to my dorm after our first meeting in a mutual friends room.

So, without Mickey this journey may have been different ;)

I tried to convince hubby that we should honeymoon at WDW. But, it wasn’t meant to be. As many times as I asked, I got “Why would I want to go to Disney World on our honeymoon?!” as a response! In retrospect, it was a good thing! He got the flu on our honeymoon, so a week laying by a pool in St. Lucia was a good cure!

A few years and 2 kids later we were in the process of building our home and living with my in laws! A freezing cold, snowy, icy, windy winter put the building schedule a lot of schedule and I was itching to get out of my in-laws house!!! I tried very hard to convince hubby that we should take some of the money we had put aside for new house extras and take a little vacation to WDW for our daughters 3^rd birthday. He thought I was insane!! Again, in retrospect, it probably wouldn’t have been the best way to spend a few thousand dollars of our new house money! But, it would have been a good mental health break ;)

A few months after our house was complete and we were all moved in and enjoying having our own space again my mother in law came to me with a fabulous offer!!

She wanted to take hubby, myself, the 2 kiddos, my sister in law and her fiancé to Disney World to celebrate her 60^th birthday!! A week at Animal Kingdom Lodge!!!

Couldn’t pass that offer up now could I??

I look back on that trip with such fond memories!!! My 2 older kiddos were just babies!!! We celebrated DD’s 4^th birthday at Cinderella’s Royal and ate cake for breakfast! I’ll never forget DD saying “I get to eat cake for breakfast at Disney World!?” LOL!!

I also look back on it with horror!!! So many rookie mistakes, complete exhaustion, not to mention me driving hubby, myself, the kiddos, and the in laws to VA to get the autotrain in a god awful snow and ice storm!

Many a trip were to follow! A few Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party trips, a pregnant me trip, a magically upgrade to club level at Grand Floridian trip, a first trip for my family with no one but the five of us trip, a I just had my thyroid removed and am feeling sorry for myself trip, a extravaganza of 10 people trip, a 10^th anniversary trip, a first DVC trip, girls trips, Dis girls trips and on and on!!

Of course, with lots more to come…

Choosing the Best Disney Resort

I must apologize for long neglecting my blog! I promise to do better and kick it up a notch!

So, with that, I have a new post!

Choosing the right Disney Resort!

Let me start off by saying, in my mind, staying on Disney property is a no brainer. Disney never settles for your plain, run of the mill hotel! Staying on Disney Property will not be like staying at the Holiday Inn. That is just a fact! Disney plays the same attention to detail and service at its resorts as it does in its parks. Staying at a Disney Resort is to be immersed in the magic. It is the start and continuation of the magic. It provides its guests with the opportunity to never leave the world of magic and fantasy that has been created during their visit. There is nothing better then that, at least to me!

However, there are countless other reasons!

The ease that Disney provides guests with Magical Express available to wisk you from Orlando International Airport to any of its resorts. The ease of getting around the vast expanse that is Disney once there using Disney’s transportation system.

The fact that Disney offers Extra Magic Hours to resort guests in which Disney Resort Guests can enter a select scheduled park an hour earlier then regular opening or stay in up to 3 hours after regular closing. The list could on!

So, once a guest has made the all important decision to stay on Disney property they then need to decide which resort! With 27 resorts on property that is no easy task!

Of course, ones vacation budget plays a big role in the decision, but with so many options at a wide variety of prices budget may be secondary.

The resort amenities, room sizes and occupancy may be a huge factor in choosing a resort! So, let’s explore!!

Disney Resorts are broken down into 4 categories. Deluxe, Deluxe Villa, Moderate, and Value.

Deluxe Resorts

• Standard rooms are 344-440 square feet depending on the resort
• The rooms have two queen beds or one king bed (rooms with a queen bed and a set of bunk bed are available at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)
• Maximum occupancy: 4-5 people
• The resorts have fabulously themed pools, gift shop, table service restaurants, health clubs, food court, and other amenities
• Rooms are accessed by interior corridors
• There is a wide range of transportation, including buses, boats and the Monorail
• Understated themes focused on relaxation and elegance

These resorts include;

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney's Beach Club Resort
• Disney's BoardWalk Inn
• Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney's Polynesian Resort
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Each of these resorts is a vacation destination of itself! Where else can you watch giraffe graze outside your window at one resort and enjoy a relaxing seaside retreat at another? Each resort offers fabulous amenities from fine dining to spas, to water sports and on and on!

Deluxe Villa Resorts

• Standard rooms (studio villas) are 355-412 square feet depending on the resort
• The number of beds dependent on number of bedrooms
• Maximum occupancy: varies by number of bedrooms and resort
• The resorts gave fabulously themed pools, gift shop, table service restaurants, health clubs, food court, and other amenities
• Wide range of transportation, including buses, boats and the Monorail
• Understated themes focused on relaxation and elegance

These resorts include;

• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Disney's Beach Club Villas
• Disney's BoardWalk Villas
• Disney's Old Key West Resort
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

These resorts are actually part of Disney’s Vacation Club. But, a small percentage are offered to Disney Guests for a regular resort stay. These resorts have the same amenities as a Deluxe Resort. However the rooms are set up as studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or three bedroom villas.

Moderate Resorts

• Standard rooms are 314-340 square feet depending on resort
• Disney is in the process of updating the beds from 2 double beds to 2 queen beds
• Maximum occupancy: 4 people
• The resorts have themed pools, gift shop, table service restaurants, food court, and other amenities
• Wide range of transportation, including buses and boats
• Understated themes focused on relaxation and elegance
• The rooms are accessed by exterior corridors

These resorts include;

• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
• Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
• The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

These resorts offer a nice “step up,” if you will, from a value resort. They are perfect for those who find value resorts too loud or too crowded but can’t justify spending the money on a deluxe resort. Disney has also added Pirate themed rooms and Princess themed rooms to its moderate resorts.

Value Resorts

• Standard rooms are 260 square feet
• Two double beds or one king bed
• Maximum occupancy: 4 people
• The resorts offer themed pools, gift shop, and food court
• Rooms are accessed by exterior corridors
• These resorts do not have table service restaurants, lounges, health clubs, spas, valet parking, or water-recreation
• Transportation is shared with one another during some seasons (except Pop Century, which has its own transportation)
• These resorts offer vibrant color schemes and oversized ‘set piece’ decorations from Disney animated classics

These resorts include;

• Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney's All-Star Music Resort
• Disney's Pop Century Resort
• Disney's Art Of Animation Resort

Disney’s Value Resorts are the most budget conscience of Disney Resorts. They are the closest thing that Disney offers to a run of the mill hotel room, but yet still have the famous Disney theming.

As you can see, choosing a Disney Resort can be a mind-boggling experience! If having room for a family of 5 in room you may want to choose one of the deluxe resorts that have room for 5. I can tell you from experience that many of the rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Resort are huge and can more then comfortably fit 5!

If you and you’re family are going to be the parks from open to close and you’re just using your room for a bed and shower you might as well save for money for all those Disney souvenirs and stay at one of Disney’s Value Resorts!

If you’re looking for something middle of the road, beautifully themed but still somewhat budget conscience a Moderate resort maybe the right choice for you!

No matter what, the choice of a resort is something that the travel party will have to decide themselves. What works best for one might not work best for all. The key is to find a middle ground!

At the end of a long Disney day a resort, whether it be the Grand Floridian or Pop Century, will beckon you and will, more then likely, have provided you with the right ingredients to dream sweet Disney dreams!

So, I’m interested to know what are you’re criteria for picking a resort?

So Much to Eat, So Little Time!

So much to eat so little time!!

Having recently returned for WDW and with another trip very near on the horizon Disney food and drink is very present in my mind!

There is sooooo much to choice from the basic hot dog at Casey’s Corner to the sublime dishes of Victoria and Albert’s.

On our recent trip I was lucky enough to experience both of those things, and a lot in between!

It’s so hard to choose where to eat. There seems to be an infinite number of things to eat and dining experiences to have. With 180 days, or so, likely between when you make the reservations and when you actually dine on the meal there is a lot of room to second, or third, guess your choices!

I’ve eaten a lot of meals at Disney World. Some good, in fact some of the best meals I’ve ever eaten where at Disney World, some not so good, a few of the worst meals where eaten at Disney World as well!

Let’s focus, for now, on the positive!

I’m no foody, far from it. But I know what I like and I know what my family likes. So, I’ll share with you my favorite WDW meals!

My favorite meal at Disney World, and of my life, is the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

From Cold “Smoked” Niman Ranch Lamb with Fuji Apple and Curry Dressing paired with Grans-Fassian Piespoorter Kabinett Riesling 2007 (one of the best glasses of wine I’ve ever had) to Veal Sweetbreads and Shank with Chanterelle Mushroom Ragout, this meal was not only a meal but a true culinary experience! It was so far beyond any meal I’ve ever eaten it’s almost indescribable! I ate things that night I would have never put in my mouth before. The service was impecciable. It was, at least to me, well worth the over $400 it cost. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for an amazing experience of the very best food, wine and service anywhere in the world and is willing to pay the price for it!

Narcoossee’s, also at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa,

is another one of my favorite meals at Disney World. My husband and I dined at Narcoosee’s a few years ago on a trip we took for our 10^th anniversary. We both love seafood, especially lobster. But, lobster is readily available where we live and in most cases it’s fresh from waters just miles from our front door. It can be pretty hard to live up to the standards we hold most seafood to. But, Narcoossee’s not only lived up to that standard, it surpassed it. Their Steamed Lobster, straight out of a steam cabinet, was melt in your mouth delicious. There was not rubbery texture that comes from over cooking. It was perfect and one of those meals I dream about experiencing again!

As for character meals, 2 stick out in my mind. Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Donald’s Breakfast at Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Chef Mickey’s is something that ever Disney World visitor should experience. It’s cute, it’s fun, it’s family friendly, if your 3 year old has had a long day at the parks and is tired and cranky. If you have had a long day at the parks dealing with your 3 year old you will not be the only one! This is a buffet meal with a lot to choose from and pretty much something for everyone! Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald will all visit you at your table!

Donald’s Breakfast at Tusker House is a fabulous breakfast experience. The variety of food served in the huge buffet is amazing, from eggs and bacon to frittatas, quiches and porridge, you can’t beat it! The character interaction, with Donald, outside for pictures before the meal, Daisy, Goofy, Mickey and Minnie is amazing! It is a great way to start any day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

As for more basic, not fine dining or character meals, there is a lot to choice from!! 50’s Prime Time Café in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a yummy choice. From meatloaf to fried chicken the entrées are good and great portions. I also hear rave reviews over and over again about their milkshakes, although I haven’t had one yet! Just remember to be on your best behavior! You may find yourself without dessert because you didn’t finish your dinner or singing I’m a Little Teapot as punishment for putting your elbows on the table!

Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort offers amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner menus! Who can resist at least trying their famous Tonga Toast?!

Not to mention an amazing pressed pot of Kona Coffee!!! That will certainly help get you through a Disney day ;) Downtown Disney offers a wide array of table service meals that will suit just about any appetite! This only scratches the surface, I could go on but let’s talk about counter service for a few minutes!

Talk about only scratching the surface! We could talk about this for hours! Each park offers numerous counter service meals that range from chicken nuggets and hot dogs to eggs rolls and famous Disney Turkey Legs! It's hard to even begin to talk about all the counter service options!

So what’s your favorite Disney counter service?

New General Public Discounts Released! Take a Look!!!

Fall 2011

Travel between 10/30-11/18 &11/26-12/23

and save 15%-20% on select

Disney Value and Moderate Resorts

Must be booked between 10/5-11/19

Winter 2012

Travel between 1/2/12-2/20/12

and save 20%-25% on Disney Value Resorts and

select Moderate Resorts,

25%-30% on select Disney Moderate Resorts and

select Deluxe Resorts and

35% on select Disney Deluxe Resorts

Must be booked between 10/5-12/21

Please contact me for a free, no-obligation quote! Melissa@GlassSlipperConcierge.com or 1-866-347-0619

Packing, The DVC Way!

Packing for a trip to Disney World can be a daunting task! Whether for a family of 5 or for a solo trip it can be a stressful thing!

Googling WDW packing list will lead you to numerous sites that have packing lists and even something titled “the ultimate WDW packing list.” This baby is 3 pages, 4 columns each , and 59,000 items (ok, that might be an exaggeration ;))

Well, this past weekend with 3 kiddos who are VERY excited about their upcoming trip to WDW, I started the task of packing. I started packing 13 days out from the trip. This is unusual for me! Usually I would have started organizing months ago. This time I had nothing organized at all!

Several years ago, in excited preparation for upcoming WDW trips I started putting things in a large drawer in my dresser that I named the Disney Drawer! I would start months ahead of time putting things in this drawer that I knew we would need, clothes that I really wanted to take and not have them get ruined before the trip, etc. As the kiddos grew I found that I would run out of room in the Disney Drawer! Drat!

So, the Disney Drawer moved to a Disney Container! We all have these container, you buy them at Target or Walmart and use them for storage. My Disney Container tended to be the largest one they make and would be full to the brim when the time came to actually put the stuff in the suitcase!

This time there was no drawer, no container! Part of me thinks my lack of pre-packing preparation has to do with my relaxed, laided-back approach to the trip. Part of me wants to think that it is because my OCD has somehow miraculously been cured! But, really I suppose it’s because of a very busy, hectic summer and the craziness that comes with the start of a new school year!

With shorts and tee shirts washed and new sock and undies purchased at Target on sale I sent DH into the attic to get the suitcase and grabbed my big box of gallon size Ziploc bags!

Ziploc bags? Yup, that’s how I know my OCD isn’t cured! I have, for quite sometime, packed the kiddos stuff for each day in individual gallon sized Ziploc bags and labeled them! OCD, yes I know!

With the kids clothes neatly laid out on my bed, giant suitcase open wide and Ziploc bags in hand I had a revelation!! I believe Oprah called them light bulb moments!

I’m not packing for an 8 day trip! I’m not taking a suitcase that could very likely fit one of my kids if I folded them the right way, shoving it full of 24 ziploc bags full clothes and assorted other stuff. I not taking said suitcase to the airport and praying that it isn’t over 50 lbs before we even get to WDW and buy souvenirs!

Nope! I’m not! I’m going to pack the DVC way!

One of the best things about being a DVC member, at least to the mom of 3 and wife of one very messy husband, is the washer and dryer in a one or two bedroom villa or a grand villa!

So, this genius mom packed 4 days of clothes! Honestly, I have thought very briefly about this concept in the past. But, I hate doing laundry at home, why would I want to do it on vacation?!

But, with several DVC trips under our belts the ability to do laundry in the room has become increasingly handy and effective! Throw the clothes in the morning before we leave for the park, out them in the dryer when we come back later! Simple, easy!! LOVE IT! CAN’T GO WRONG!

Cutting the amount of clothes to pack in half may just be one of the smartest things I’ve ever done!

Another thing that make my packing easier is Owner’s Locker! What could be more convenient then having a container, or in our case 2 containers, with all stuff that takes up room and adds weight to your suitcase?!

Owner’s Locker is “The Purple Place to Store Your Vacation Stuff!” It’s totally worth the cost, at least to me! There is a one time Membership Fee to join of $75.00 (which includes your Locker and your initial delivery/pickup) and a yearly storage/delivery plan which you choose. The Standard Annual Plan costs $99.00 per year and includes storage in their climate-controlled facility and one free Visit per year. Additional Visits are $25.00 each. The Premium Annual Plan costs $179.00 per year and includes storage in their climate-controlled warehouse and unlimited visits per year.

This handy dandy, purple box of fun holds all sorts of stuff!! Full sized toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, all sorts of over the counter medications that we may need, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving needs, real coffee mugs (the mugs in DVC villas are a bit on the small side) coffee filters, sugar packets etc, a brita water filter, reusable water bottles, all sorts of beauty needs, laundry detergent etc. Our second locker has an air mattress and 5 beach towels in it!

There are people who store Keurig’s their locker, there are people who use their locker’s as liquor cabinets!

For the frequent WDW visitor Owner’s Locker is FABULOUS!!

My light bulb moment really made a difference! Packing DVC way, taking into consideration the ability to do laundry in the room and use of Owner’s Locker, can make packing for a WDW vacation much less daunting, much less stressful! NO suitcase full of clothes for 8 days for a family of 5, no bags full of toiletries to add weight to suitcases!

I guess sometimes lack of preparation can be a good thing! Can’t go wrong with that! Woo hoo!!

NEW DISNEY VISA CARD DISCOUNT FOR 2012!!!

Early Winter Savings for Disney Rewards Visa Cardholders

Disney Rewards Visa cardholders can save at select Disney resorts for check-ins 1/2/12-2/20/12.

• All-Star Movies 20% off
• Other Value Resorts and Port Orleans - French Quarter 25% off
• Other Moderate Resorts 25% off
• Animal Kingdom Lodge and Polynesian 30% off
• Other Deluxe Resorts 35% off
• Deluxe Villa Resorts 35% off

Book by 12/21/11. Deposit must be made at the time of booking with your Disney Rewards Visa Credit Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card.

Please call me today @ 1-866-347-0619 or email me @ MelissaGlassSlipperConcierge.com

to book this fabulous offer!