FAQ in Disney World

How many Fastpass+ per day?

- unlimited. You book 3 on your smart phone or computer. Once those are completed, you go to a FP kiosk and book 1. After it's completed, book another 1 until the park closes. One day last week I used 7 in 1 day!

When to book dining reservations?

- 180 days out if you DONT stay on Disney property; if you are staying in a Disney resort hotel room, you May book earlier than 180 days! Just call 407-WDW-DINE

What secrets are there to get more FP+?

- Book your FP 30 days in advance at the earliest times, and run to a kiosk to book another once their times are completed. 

Why does Soarin' always have a long line? 

- The whole family enjoys it! Soarin and Test Track are the 2 best rides at EPCOT, so naturally they will have the longest lines. 

Has Figment changed or will it be updated soon?

-No. Figment into your Imagination ride has not changed in 12 years and it is not scheduled to change anytime soon.  

What do I do if the Seven Dwarfs FP+ is "sold out?"

- stand in line! Lunch time or right before the park closes will probably have the shortest lines!

When can I book my FP+?

- 30 days out for everyone, and 60 days out for Disney Resort hotel guests with a reservation. 

When should I book my Disney resort hotel?

-1 year in advance or 2 months in advance. You can always call if they release a discount to get the better price!

How safe is stroller parking?

- actually not 100% safe. You can google and read several stories about strollers being stolen. The best way to keep it safe is to buy a stroller wheel lock. If you think your stroller has been stolen, go to the park exit. It might have been taken by mistake. 

How much is parking?

- Downtown Disney parking is free (until the garage is up) but good luck finding a park at night. Now there are CM there directing you to available (but far away) parks. MK, Epcot, AK, and HS (MGM) parking is $15. Free for Annual Passholders. If you are park hopping, ride the bus/monorail or keep your parking ticket so you only have to pay once. You must show your ticket whenever you arrive at the next park. 

Seven dwarfs mine train is open!!

Be prepared with a FastPass+ or to stand in a long line because everyone will be there to ride it today!!

I was there last week and they let the first 5 minutes of people every morning ride it! I was not so lucky, but my cousin was able to ride it May 23 and loved it!

I just arrived back home from my long Disney vacation, so be looking for a lot of posts and pictures from my trip! Also, I will be posting my personal guide to FP+ and more!

Be the Family of the day at Magic Kingdom!

As I'm getting closer and closer to my DW trip (2 days!!!), I am researching a lot! This morning I found a blog about how this woman and her family got to be the special family of the day at MK! 

The number one key: Engage in conversations with the cast members!! 

- and get there early! 

She arrived an hour or more before MK was to open. And a special cast member came and asked if they wanted to help out with something! 

Hint: never say No!! Always say Yes to a cast member!!

I have also heard people arriving early and asking if they could be the family of the day. If there's not another family chosen, then they usually go along with it!

You can find the blog I mentioned here:

http://www.kingdomkonsultantblog.com/2013/12/guest-post-magical-experience-family-of.html?m=1

Disney World - Best tips for inside the parks! & Some hidden Mickeys ;)

1. A sidewalk that travels past Disney’s BoardWalk Inn (or Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts) and the Swan & Dolphin connects Epcot (through the International Gateway) to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Walking between the two parks takes around 30 minutes and can be faster than any other transportation between the two parks.
2. Disney Vacation Club members staying at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort have access to the Top of the World Lounge, which is a great, uncrowded place to watch the fireworks. 360 degree shows (“Fantasy in the Sky” on December 30 and New Year’s Eve, and “Celebrate America” on July 3 and 4) and shows with perimeter bursts look especially good from up there
3. In the parks, Sunshine Seasons and Electric Umbrella at Epcot, Tortuga Tavern and Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom all have drink refill stations for free refills.
4. At Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, the 1/2 Chicken and BBQ Rib Combination with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable costs over $15, but is a standard option for a counter service credit. This can feed two adults with moderate appetites, making it a great way to use 1 counter service credit for two meals!
5. Disney’s Character Warehouse is an outlet carried heavily discounted and discontinued Disney merchandise. They have two locations off property, on I-Drive near Universal Orlando and on Vineland near Downtown Disney.  The Vineland location is larger and closer to Walt Disney World.
6. The Resort Loop monorail stop order is Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
7. If you’ve never visited Walt Disney World, you should go in with at least a rough plan of attack. Failing that, prioritize the following as the first attractions to do each morning when you arrive: Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Test Track & Soarin’ at Epcot, Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Fantasyland or the “mountain” attractions in the Magic Kingdom.
8. You can enter the Animation Building in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for some of the best character meet & greets in Walt Disney World by going through the Art of Disney store (skipping the Animation Academy attraction). Likewise, you can experience Turtle Talk with Crush without doing the Nemo dark ride by entering The Seas pavilion through the gift shop at the exit.
9. The best viewing place for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime parade during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is, without question, Main Street USA. It snows on Main Street during the parade, and the Christmas ambiance is best on Main Street.
10. Get a free caffeine fix at Epcot’s Club Cool, where there are eight flavors of Coke products from around the world. Make sure to try the Beverly.
11. If you want to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from outside the park, the best location is from the Ticket & Transportation Center, to the right of the ferry launch. The beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is an alternative, but the view isn’t as good.
12. Walt Disney World counter service restaurants will give you a free cup of water (ask for a large cup!) or a free cup of hot water.
13. Depending upon your skipper and the guest demographic of your boat (i.e. no kids), you might get an “edgier” Jungle Cruise experience if you ride late at night.
14. The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream (Beach Club) is an experience, not just a dessert. If you have a part of 4 or so, order it. Your kids will love the “show” when the Kitchen Sink is brought to your table.
15. 50s Prime Time Cafe serves arguably the best milk shake at Walt Disney World. If you want one, but don’t want a full meal, stop by the Tune In Lounge located in the same building as the restaurant, where you can order just a milk shake.
16. PhotoPass Cast Members will take (free!) photos of you with your camera, so don’t be afraid to ask! Make sure your settings are dialed in before handing them the camera, as they will not typically adjust settings
17. Attractions don’t close when the parks close, meaning that you can get in a 90-minute line at 10:59 p.m. when the parks close at 11 p.m. and be in the park well past closing. This is a great way to experience rides with perpetually long lines, like Toy Story Mania without wasting “valuable” time.
18. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that are displayed on the Streets of America during the holiday season typically stay on for an hour after the park officially closes.
19. All of the World Showcase countries have little nooks to explore, but Morocco is one of the best. Head deep into the pavilion to find an authentic shop. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fun to peruse.
20. The bridge connecting Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is a decent place to watch Illuminations: Reflections of Earth from outside Epcot.
21. If you’re staying at a Disney-owned hotel, you can have merchandise you purchase in the park sent to your hotel so you don’t have to carry it around all day.
22. Don’t be afraid of having some fun by decorating your room window in a Disney hotel. Lots of guests do it, and it can be a lot of fun for the kids. Christmas lights, posed stuff animals, and homemade signs are just some of the things you can use to set the “scene.” Don’t be surprised if MouseKeeping has a little “fun” with your set-up, too!
23. Shops on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom are open up to an hour after the park closes. Do your shopping once you can’t do rides.
24. Request a free wake-up call each morning from Mickey or Stitch on the resort hotel phone. It’s better than a buzzing alarm, and it’s a cool way to wake up (it might even get your kids excited to start the day!).
25. If you are visiting when there are two showings of Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, always see the second showing. The line will be much shorter and you’ll get better seats. Same thing goes for the Main Street Electrical Parade in the Magic Kingdom when it has two runnings.
26. If you don’t want to wait eons at Enchanted Tales with Belle in the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland, you should arrive at park opening, and it should be your first stop of the day.
27. There are “party line” phones on Main Street and in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. Pick them up to listen in on some hilarious conversations
28. Citrus Swirl served at the Sunshine Tree Terrace in the Magic Kingdom is just as delicious.
29. Character meet & greet lines are typically shortest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and typically longest in the Magic Kingdom.
30. Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom is open for breakfast an hour before the park opens (so is Cinderella’s Royal Table). This is not just a great opportunity for an early breakfast, but also for empty photos of the Magic Kingdom!
31. If you go to Be Our Guest, ask for the recipe for the Grey Stuff, or at least what's in it.
32. Tell the Toy Story characters "ANDY'S COMING!" - they used to drop to the floor and freeze, but now they say Andy went to college.
33.  If you see Mary Poppins, say to her "I can say Supercalifragilisticexpiadocious backwards", then turn your back on her and say Supercalifraglisticxpiadocios.
34. Go see Pocahontas's raccoon and give him a cracker; He will follow you and leave his station!
35. When you see Dug the dog from UP, shout SQUIRREL!
36. Ask the cas-tmembers working the Haunted Mansion "What are your bat names?"
37. There's a spot to the right of the American adventure in Epcot (as your facing it) that they use for a testing area for new cast members that are just practicing being characters.
38. Tell Woody "There's a snake in your boot!" - He will run away!
39. Ask Tigger to bounce with you
40. Go in Tinker Bell's Nook and tell the cast member that you want to wake Tink!
41. Tell Donald that Mickey is your favorite - he will have a meltdown!
42. Make an effort to hang around the Magic Kingdom for 30 minutes after it closes. You’ll be rewarded with The Kiss Goodnight. - The closing of the park with a magical speech.
43. If you see a tree creepin’ down the walkways at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, stop and watch. It’s actually DiVine, an incredibly talented (and camouflaged) performer. Likewise, if you see a trash can roaming around Tomorrowland, stop and chat with it. His name is PUSH!
44. http://kennythepirate.com/disney-world-character-schedules/character-interaction-ideas/ - HAS THE MOST DETAILED CHARACTER INTERACTIONS!
45. There are two hidden references to the Nautilus (the ship from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). The first is inside the tree at the entrance to the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh queue. This tree was originally over part of the former location of the 20,000 Leagues attraction. The second carving is in the queue to the Little Mermaid dark ride, which is also on the old 20k plot. You can still find an ACTUAL Nautilus at Disneyland Paris in their Discoveryland area of the park.
46. When Dinosaur (or Countdown to Extinction, as it was originally known) opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the sponsor was McDonald’s. In the loading area, there are red, white, and yellow pipes with chemical names on them. The chemical names are the ingredients for ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard. 
47. Near the entrance to Lights, Motors, Action! in the Streets of America is an umbrella attached to a lightpost. Push a button on the umbrella and it “rains” overhead, making for a fun photo op.
48. As you’re entering the sound testing room, you’ll see an office door with the name “Dean Finder” on it. This is a reference to Dreamfinder, of the original Journey into Imagination. Here’s hoping that this remains after the Journey into Imagination 2014 refurbishment (unless Dreamfinder himself returns with that refurb)!
49. This one received a lot of fanfare last year when it returned, but in case you never heard about it, there’s an Orange Bird behind the counter in Sunshine Tree Terrace. He first appeared back from the opening of Walt Disney World until the mid-1980s as a character created to promote the Florida Citrus Commission. This figure is actually the same one that had appeared in the Sunshine Tree Terrace back then (he was recently found by the Disney Archives).
50. Here’s an interactive one that requires a bit of advance planning. In these films, there are parts where objects come toward the audience. If you bring items with you to the park, you can impress your spouse or kids by catching items that fly out “into” the audience. The best options are jewels in the Little Mermaid scene of PhilharMagic (a red jewel is best here, but a ring would work if you want a fun proposal), or a golfball during the golfing portion of Soarin’, which is hit by none other than former Disney CEO Michael Eisner.
51. In the first room of the attraction, Mr. Toad is painted on the wall, handing a deed over to Owl. This is a reference to the attraction Pooh replaced, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Pooh had a habit of replacing fan favorites…in Disneyland, he bumped Country Bear Jamboree, and actual audio animatronics for Max, Buff, and Melvin are actually inside the attraction and visible if you look behind you at the right as you enter the “honey” room during the ride!
52. As you cross the bridge after leaving Kali River Rapids, there are buttons that can be pressed to deploy the elephants to spray guests on the ride. Just remember…what goes around comes around!
53. Cast Members at Cosmic Ray’s will give out Sonny Eclipse stickers if you ask for them (and if they have some in stock).

Free Disney Trip Ideas!

I am still sooooo excited about going in just a few short days!

It is just adults going, but my hubby has never been! I FINALLY got him to watch the free Disney Planning DVD! Now he is getting excited, too! He loves reading manga (Japanese stories) and he found out about EPCOT's World Showcase, so now he wants to go there first!

My brother and his wife are also coming to Orlando, but he doesn't want to go to Disney World :(
I did research about what free things they can enjoy (besides just sitting by the resorts pool all day).

-The downtown CityArts Factory houses seven separate and diverse art galleries that showcase local and international art. Exhibitions rotate monthly. Attend art show openings at multiple venues from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month

-Admission to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum is free for 2014 thanks to the generosity of the Bessemer Trust. (Students who show their I.D. always get in free.) Be sure to see Cosimo Rosselli’s “Madonna Enthroned Nursing the Christ Child" (circa 1470) and Albert Bierstadt’s “Shoshone Indians-Rocky Mountains” (1859), both on display in their permanent collection. Closed Mondays.

-Stroll along Disney's BoardWalk, a re-creation of a 1930s-style Atlantic coastal village. The quarter-mile promenade alongside Crescent Lake is known for its nightclubs and entertainment hot spots, but all visitors can enjoy the many street musicians, magicians, and performers for free.

-Visit Downtown Disney! Watch glassblowers at Arribas Brothers; visit the 4,400-square-foot (409-square-meter) Lego Imagination Center to compete in a "beat-the-clock" building contest, or see a 12-foot (3.6-meter) T. rex and 30-foot (9-meter) sea serpent, both made of thousands of pieces of one of America's favorite toys.

-Magic Kingdom fireworks can be seen from other areas. Leave your car in the main parking lot and take the free tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) for the best up-close views of the nightly fireworks. If you are staying in a Disney-operated resort, hop on the monorail for free and get off at the Magic Kingdom entrance to watch the show

-Just north of Orlando is the largest flea market in the U.S., FleaWorld, where more than 1,700 vendors sell bargain-priced items ranging from orchids to reptiles. Open Friday-Sunday; free admission

-Each year, thousands of tourists who visit Orlando go to Lake Wales, Florida, to see if the old Indian Legend of Spook Hill is true. A sign marks the spot where you should stop your car, put it in neutral, and watch as your car rolls uphill.

-Just south of the Orlando International Airport is Old Town, a unique amusement park and shopping area. Old Town comes to life on Saturdays with a vintage-car parade starting at 1 p.m. On Wednesday evenings, The Dukes, a ‘50s and ‘60s cover band, play doo-wop hits and lead the crowd in the Stroll, the line dance made famous on American Bandstand. Visitors must buy tickets for the amusement rides, but admission to Old Town, and its concerts and car shows, is free.

-On Lake Jesup, Black Hammock Adventures has free live alligator and bird exhibits. Watch trainers feed the 12-foot (3.6-meter), 650-pound (295-kilogram) resident gator Hammy on Sunday afternoons. At the restaurant, listen to free live music every Friday and Saturday night

-Visit the Orlando Public Library's Children's Library for storytelling, arts-and-crafts activities, Third Thursday family movie night, board games, and musical events.

-You can see the nightly Electrical Water Pageant. Watch King Triton and other sea-themed floats glitter past in an array of sparkling lights. The show starts at 9 p.m. near the Polynesian Resort and ends near the Contemporary Resort about an hour later.

-Opened in 1935 in Orlando, Chamberlin's Market & Cafe is more than an organic grocery store. Stop by for free classes and guest speakers year-round.

-Twenty minutes east of Orlando in Titusville is Fort Christmas Historical Park, a full-size replica of Fort Christmas, originally built for the Second Seminole Indian War (1835-1842). The Fort has several historical structures and many pioneer demonstrations (like musket and cannon firings) and craft fairs throughout the year. Closed Mondays and holidays

--This information can be found at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/free-orlando-traveler/

Animal Kingdom: Attractions that always have a long line!

Disney is the best at crowd control, but each year more and more people come to visit!

To avoid these lines you can
1) Book your FastPass+ 30 days before your trip (60 days for Disney hotel guests)
2)Go to those rides first thing in the mornning
3)Go late at night (usually during the nighttime shows)
4)Some rides have a single rider line

Animal Kingdom:
1. Kilimanjaro's Safari Ride - Run get in line for this as soon as you enter the park in the morning!
2. Expedition Everest! - There is a SINGLE RIDER line that moves very fast!
3. Kali River Rapids - Wear a poncho!
4. DINOSAUR

Star Wars Weekends! May 16

The actual celebs who played the Star Wars characters are coming to Orlando! 

Straight from the Disney world website, here is how you can meet them:

Autographs with the Stars

Pull back the mask, go beyond the makeup and get an autograph from an actual Star Wars celebrity! Have a memento signed by some of the very actors who portrayed your favorite characters and create a memory to last a lifetime.

Disney FASTPASS Ticket Required 
An extremely limited number of FASTPASS tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first served basis at the main entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to the right of the turnstiles. Based on demand, distribution may begin prior to Park opening. Please note: You must have a FASTPASS ticket to receive an autograph.

To receive a FASTPASS ticket:

• Join the line of the celebrity you would most like to meet. You may not save a place in line for other party members.
• While in line, you will receive a wristband. Your wristband along with your theme park ticket or pass will entitle you to receive one autograph FASTPASS ticket. Only one autograph FASTPASS ticket will be distributed per Guest. Each Guest must be present to receive a FASTPASS ticket. You may not get FASTPASS tickets for other members of your party.

After receiving your FASTPASS ticket, continue to wear your wristband. You will need to be wearing your wristband to get an autograph.

Your FASTPASS ticket will have a designated autograph return time. Until that time, you may enjoy other Star WarsWeekends activities. At your designated time, proceed to the Celebrity Autograph Location at Echo Lake to show your wristband and present your FASTPASS ticket.

Once FASTPASS tickets for visiting celebrities are distributed, we may distribute a limited number of “stand-by” tickets with a return time. “Stand-by” tickets do not guarantee you an autograph.

Please note: Receiving a FASTPASS ticket for an autograph at Star WarsWeekend will not restrict you from reserving access with FastPass+ for additional attractions, entertainment and more at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

EPCOT - attractions that always have a line!

There are some very popular rides/shows that always have a long line! There are 3 ways you can avoid the line 

1) FastPass+ 

2) Early Morning 

3) During the night time shows 

EPCOT

Soarin' - longest lines

Test Track

Mission Space

Some of the Innoventions rides can get a long line. 

My Disney Trip!

Hey y'all! 

I am SUPER excited because in a week I will be visiting WDW! This trip it is just the adults in my family. It is special because my hubby has NEVER been!! I am so pumped to show him everything! He has only heard me talk about the different attractions/experiences. He hasn't even watched the free Disney park planning DVD!! -- but I'm going to make him watch it before we go! 

Besides the rides, shows, and character meet&greets, I am so so so excited about having our pictures made together in front of Cinderella's Castle! And I have to show him the Disney side for adults! In November we are taking our moms, toddler, and our niece. Then we will focus on the children attractions & characters!

Here's our itinerary:

Fly in Friday and go buy annual passes (because we are returning in November with our niece (7) and our 2 year old toddler!!) 

-- because we don't have tickets yet, we have not booked our FastPass+ attractions :( The second we get our tickets, we will choose the FP+ for the rest of the trip!!

Saturday

EPCOT! 

- Flower & Garden

- Biergarten for lunch (Germany)

- Illuminations Reflections of Earth

Sunday 

MAGIC KINGDOM!!

-Be Our Guest for Lunch

- Caseys Corner for supper

- Wishes & Electrical parade!

Monday 

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS!

- SciFi drive in for lunch!

- pizza planet

- Fantasmic!

Tuesday 

DOWNTOWN DISNEY!

Magic Kingdom for afternoon to enjoy the attractions we missed!

Wednesday

BLIZZARD BEACH!

Hollywood Studios or Epcot for the afternoon (I'll let hubby decide!)

Thursday

ANIMAL KINGDOM!

- lunch at Flametree BBQ

-jungle jam parade

In evening, we'll go to AK lodge to watch the animals in the dark! 

Friday

Fly back home :(

Hollywood Studios: Attractions with long lines & how to avoid the line!

There are some very popular rides/shows that always have a long line! There are 3 ways you can avoid the line 

1) FastPass+ 

2) Early Morning 

3) During the night time shows 

Hollywood Studios

Rockin' Rollercoaster

Tower of Terror

Toy Story Midway Mania

Star Tours

Magic Kingdom attractions that always have a line!

There are some very popular rides/shows that always have a long line! There are 3 ways you can avoid the line 

1) FastPass+ 

2) Early Morning 

3) During the night time shows 

Peter Pan's Flight

Big Thunder Mt RR

Space Mountain

Splash Mountain

Astro Orbitor

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

And on May 28, 2014, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be added to the long wait rides!

Mickeys very merry Christmas & Not-so-scary Halloween parties!

Tickets are on sale now!! Some night do sell out and the tickets do NOT get any cheaper!! They actually get more expensive on the day of the party! 

Find the tickets at the Disney website:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/events/ 

Tip of the day! - May 28

If you are going to be in Disney World May 28 or after, BOOK YOUR FASTPASS+ FOR 7 DWARFS MINE TRAIN NOW!!

This will be the ride with the longest ride for a while because everyone wants to ride it! You can book your FastPass+ now for it!

Remember you must link your ticket to your My Disney Experience online account and then select your FastPass+ attractions
       - 30 days ahead for everyone
      - 60 days ahead for Disney Resort hotel guests!

Seven Dwards mine train opens May 28, 2014!

The much anticipated 7 dwarfs ride in New Fantasyland is going to publicly open May 28th!!

May 1st the Disney Imagineers allowed TV and marketing crews to ride it! Many videos on youtube and on the Disney Parks Blog!

If you are going to be at DW right before it opens, you still stand a good chance to ride it!

I was there before the public opening of Expedition Everest in AK, and I got to ride it several times! I am just like you, just a regular person who visits Disney! No press passes, and they allowed us to ride!

I imagine the same thing will happen with 7 Dwarfs mine train attraction.

I will be visiting Disney May 15-25 and I will be updating you on the progress!!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween - tickets

Tickets to MNSSHP for 2014 will go on sale MAY 5! 

I assume that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets will go on sale that day! If not, then soon after. 

Remember, if you have your DW trip planned and booked, go ahead and buy these special events tickets!! I'll be buying the MVMCP tickets the day they go on sale! 

Have a magical day!