Christmas fun

I came across a couple of things at Disney's Family.com web site worth passing along. The first is another personalize video creator similar to the one being used to promote next year's "What will you celebrate?" theme at Disney. In this case, you can create a personalized video with Santa, including a picture of your child (or whomever). You can view the one I created and create your own by going to http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/42302-raccoontrails/

The second item that I've really enjoyed are the "Scared of Santa" pictures. These are absolutely hysterical. One of my favorites so far is this one.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Disney offers kids-sail-free cruises

Disney Cruise Line, a leader in the family cruise segment, is making it easier than ever for families who have dreamt of taking a Disney cruise vacation to sail the most magical ship afloat with a "Kids Free" special offer on three-night cruises this winter and spring.

Guests 12 and under can sail free on three-night voyages aboard the Disney Wonder when accompanied by two full-fare paying guests within the same stateroom. This offer is valid for most sailings from Jan. 22 to May 28, 2009, and covers a variety of stateroom categories, ranging from deluxe family staterooms with verandahs to standard inside staterooms. However, there are a limited number of staterooms available for this special offer. While the cruise fare with this special offer is free for guests 12 and under, guests who book will be responsible for Government Taxes and Fees for all stateroom occupants, including those 12 and under.

"At Disney Cruise Line, we pride ourselves on offering a vacation that caters to the individual needs of every member of the family," said Disney Cruise Line President Tom McAlpin. "This special offer is a great value perfect for families that have never experienced the magic of Disney at sea, or those who want to come back to create new memories."

Guests who sail during this time period will enjoy a whole host of new offerings on the Disney Wonder. The ship recently launched a 3-D cinematic experience in both the Walt Disney and Buena Vista Theatres where guests can enjoy first-run, full-length 3-D films such as Walt Disney Pictures' "Bolt" and the upcoming "Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience." This past spring the Disney Wonder premiered a lavish theatrical production, "Toy Story-The Musical." Additionally, young cruisers will delight in new activities at the Oceaneer Club and Lab featuring characters and storylines from popular Disney Channel movies, such as "High School Musical," and Disney Pixar films.

Departing from Port Canaveral, Fla., guests sailing on the Disney Wonder will experience a cruise vacation that every member of the family feels was created for their own individual vacation wants and needs.

To book a vacation or to get complete details on the "Kids Free" special offer, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com/kidsfree or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Guests should mention or input booking code "FREE" when making the reservation.

Check it out! Disney is honoring me next year!

If you would like your own video, just click on the link at the end of the video. You can send it to your friends for their celebrations!

Buying your Disney tickets may be the first thrill ride you experience!

Disney tickets are somewhat complicated because of the various options available. There are 3 ticket options based on age. If you are under 3 you get in free. If you are 3-9 there's a kids ticket that is slightly cheaper than the adult ticket which you'll need if you are 10 or over.

Next you get to choose the number of days. If you get less than 4 you'll be paying quite a bit more per day. Once you get over 4 it's negligible to add more days. If you want to see most of each park at Disney you'll need at least a 4 day ticket.

Then you need to decide if you need the Park Hopper option. This allows you to switch between parks on the same day. If you are going for less than 4 days you'll either have to skip a park or get the Park Hopper.

You're not done making decisions yet, though. You'll also have to decide whether to get the Never Expires option. If you think you'll be coming back to Disney World someday you can purchase a 10-day pass with the Never Expires and use the remaining days on your future trips. Otherwise this option is almost certainly not worth the money.

Think you're done? Guess again. There's also a Water Park and Fun ticket option. This allows you admission to either water park and Disney Quest. It used to also get you into Pleasure Island, but PI is gone now. I think you can play a round of golf or something instead now. Given the business of your schedule already, I doubt you'll want to get this...unless you get the never expires. In which case it's a really good deal because you can use the water parks, DQ, and golf on your next trip.

Whew! You made it! Now go have fun and don't second guess your decision!