Disney World launches online meal reservations

One of the most annoying parts of planning a Disney World vacation has been making Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). Because the most popular restaurants are in such demand you almost have to make ADRs 90 days in advance if you want to assure the dates and times you want to dine. The thing that made this so difficult was that you could lay out a plan for the entire week, then call to make your reservations and find out one of your reservations wouldn't work and then have to rework your whole plan.

For years I've wondered why Disney didn't make their reservations system available online so that I could figure out what was available similar to the way I can find airline or hotel reservations. Well, they finally have. The Walt Disney World Online Advanced Dining Reservation system is available via the US website only, and can be accessed at disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/

I have no doubt that this system will be abused by some people who will grab up reservations at the most popular restaurants, but overall, I expect that it will improve customer service by allowing customers to find what they are looking for. I like the features that allow you to enter a range of dates for a particular restaurant so you can find an open reservation any given day. I also like the feature that suggests other restaurants that have openings.

I will definitely be using this system for my next trip!

Lunch at Tusker House and Free Reserved Seating for Finding Nemo Show

If you are booking your Disney World dining reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, consider booking a lunch at Tusker House. This restaurant is always a popular choice for lunch at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Now, it is even better with a free perk! If you dine for lunch between 1:00-1:40 PM, you will receive a free voucher for a guaranteed seat at the Finding Nemo Show at 3:15 PM. If you dine from 1:40-2:45, you will receive a voucher for a guaranteed seat at the Finding Nemo Show at 4:45 PM. This free voucher allows you to enter the show about 15-20 minutes before showtime with a guaranteed seat for the Finding Nemo show. This will save you alot of time waiting for the popular Finding Nemo Show.

Disney Work Park Hours

According to reports on user groups, the new park hours system on the main US Disney web site is giving inaccurate times. If you are relying on their web site to plan your trip, then you might want to look elsewhere instead. For instance, you can go to the WDWInfo site.

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!

What will the weather be like?

A common question people have is "What is the weather like when I'll be at Disney World?" If you are close to your trip you can get 15 day forcasts from Accuweather.com or a 10 day forcast from The Weather Channel. However, if your trip is months away what do you do? My solution is to go to WeatherUnderground.com and look at their historical weather section. For instance, if you want to see historical high/lows, rainfall, wind for May go here. You can change the month or view by week/day. This is the most useful tool that I have found for planning long range. As they say in the stock market, "Past performance is not an indicator of future performance." However, with weather you can get a pretty good idea of what to expect if you know the highs/lows and averages.

Disney real-time infomation on your cell phone

A while back I posted about the fact that Universal Studios gave their guests the ability to check wait times on their cell phones via web browsing. Well, Disney has come through with something similar. I haven't been able to find out a lot of details about the service, but it looks like it's mainly for Verizon customers. Also, parts of the service may only be available with certain packages. From what I've read, anybody with any cell service will be able to access some features.

Here's the full news story:

Marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Verizon are teaming up for a multi-year relationship designed to enhance the guest experience – before, during and after guests arrive at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. This alignment allows guests to have a personal tour guide right in their wireless phones along with reliable new services at the parks. Early next year guests will also use Verizon Wireless’ technology when experiencing Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction coming to Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort.

Source: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
· View Multimedia Gallery

“With more than 90 percent of families bringing a mobile phone into our Parks, our objective was to enhance the magical Disney experience through innovative wireless technology,” said Jay Rasulo, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Imagine receiving up to the minute tips on special Park activities with just the touch of a button or receiving a call from Buzz Lightyear welcoming you to the Magic Kingdom.”

Beginning next year, guests will be able to access an array of features on their Verizon Wireless phones while at the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort to help them make the most of their Disney experiences. Planned services include an exclusive mobile application that will give guests with Verizon Wireless service the ability to easily locate shows, restaurants and the Disney characters anywhere inside the Parks; get real-time attraction availability information; access mobile games; receive messages from characters and more. Verizon Wireless is also continuing to invest in its wireless network from coast to coast, and the relationship with Disney means the wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the Parks.

John Harrobin, senior vice president of digital media and marketing for Verizon, said, “All of our efforts focus on one goal: making the Disney experience even better for our customers. There are few life experiences that are more memorable than visiting a Disney Park, and now guests with Verizon Wireless service will unlock even more magic from their visit – by navigating the Parks easier and faster with instant access to key information such as ‘Where’s Mickey now?’ and other special features – even when they travel home and share their experiences with family and friends.”

In addition, guests visiting Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort in early 2009 will be among the first to experience Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. An ultra-interactive attraction, Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure invites guests of all ages to team up with members of Team Possible to save the world from various comical villains and their mad inventions. Armed with an official Verizon Wireless “Kimmunicator,” guests will use these handheld devices to help maneuver through the mission. The interactive wireless theme park game was inspired by Disney Channel’s Emmy^® Award-winning animated series, “Kim Possible.”

While Verizon Wireless customers will have exclusive access to an array of enhanced features, Disney and Verizon are also working to ensure that some mobile information such as dining locations, show times and locations will be available to all Parks visitors, regardless of their wireless company.

Additional details will be available next year as the companies expect to add a suite of services and functionalities to help guests at Disney Parks have the most magical experience. For more information about Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, visit www.disney.com. For more information about Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

Disney Parks and Resorts – Taking Guests to New Frontiers

The agreement between Disney and Verizon is another step in a series of new initiatives that highlight the latest technologies from Disney Parks and Resorts with a continued focus on improving guest experience and providing immersive entertainment. Disney Parks and Resorts continue to exemplify how technologies can be used to build new connections and redefine how guests plan and enjoy their vacations. From the time guests begin planning their vacation using Walt Disney World Resort in 3D on Google Earth or tuning into Disney Travel on Demand, the experience is designed to make their lives easier. Guests can take their vacation experience to a new level with Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an interactive wireless theme park game for families, and by personalizing and sharing their Disney experiences when they return home, using DisneyLink, a desktop application.

http://biz.yahoo.com

Disney World with toddlers, Where to Stay?

I came across this article to day about where to stay when visiting Disney World with toddlers. Having done this several times, I was curious about what the author would recommend. Their only recommendation was to stay on-site. Why? Because of the convenience factor.

Wow! I was shocked by that because it is so contrary to our own experience. We found that the sprawling resorts were difficult for toddlers unless you take your stroller everywhere not to mention waiting in line for buses. The last thing my kids wanted to do was walk more and wait in more lines. I honestly just don't understand why everybody finds driving to Disney so difficult. Granted it costs $12/day but you save more than that staying off-site. Our experience has been that it's much easier to get in our car and drive than wait in line, try to find seats on the bus and go from stop-to-stop before getting where we actually wanted to go.

Aside from those factors, we found that having to go to the food court to eat breakfast was a huge time sink. Also, going to the pool was a whole involved process of getting everybody ready, walking (again) to the main pool which was often crowded with older kids who disregarded our toddlers. Contrast that to staying in a nearby pool house. Everybody has their own room, you can eat a normal relaxed breakfast, going to the pool means stepping outside.

I guess I just don't get it.

My Favorite Things

I recently came across an article on MousePlanet listing the author's "Best of Disney". I figured I'd put together a list of my favorites, too. So here goes...

Restaurants
This is an easy one! My favorite table service restaurant is California Grill is without a doubt my favorite restaurant at Disney (maybe anywhere). My favorite counter service restaurant is the Columbia Harbor House. They have really nice, fresh salads.

Park
This is a hard one. There are things I like about each park. I think my favorite is the Magic Kingdom just because of the nostalgia factor. I would say it's a tie between Animal Kingdom and Epcot for second.

Resort
My favorite resort is actually staying off-site at a resort pool home. I'd probably have to go with Windsor Hills.

Ride(s)
This is a tough one. Do I go with a old favorite or one of the newer shinier options? At the Magic Kingdom, I think I'd have to go with Splash Mountain with honorable mentions to Pirates of the Carribean, Space Mountain, and The Haunted Mansion.

At Epcot, I'd have to go with Soarin' followed closely by The American Adventure. I love the American Adventure because it's like the Hall of Presidents used to be. I always get chills when Cheif Joseph speaks (unless I've fallen asleep - what is it with that place that makes me sleepy?)

At MGM, I love Rockin' Roller Coaster. My wife loves Tower of Terror, but I have slight fear of heights that makes that ride more terrifying than fun for me. My kids like Star Tours the most.

Finally, at Animal Kingdom I enjoy Kilimanjaro Safari and Kali River Rapids.

Location
OK, I had to make up a category because I have a favorite "spot" in the parks. It's right behind Cinderella Castle. It's a foundtain of Cinderella. It's often fairly quiet here and I love this fountain!

Photo Spot
Our family always gets a picture in front of the statue with Walt and Mickey. Another favorite picture spot is on the catwalk outside of California Grill. The Magic Kingdom makes an incredible backdrop for portraits here.s

Free Disney Tickets on your birthday in 2009

Disney announced today that you can get a free 1 day ticket on your birthday in 2009 as part of their "What will you celebrate?" campaign. Everybody has been wondering for a while what the theme would be after "Years of a million dreams".

For more information go to http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-disney-free-tickets-birthday-091808,0,1881178.story

What will the crowds be like?

This question is asked over-and-over online. "Will there be lots of people at Disney World when I go?" or "Will there be long lines at Disney World when I go?" It seems like there aren't any real slow times like there used to be because of all the special deals Disney offers during the traditionally slow time.

However, there are better times than others to go. The general rule of thumb is that when students are out of school the parks will be busy. When kids are in school, the parks will be less busy. So how do you know if the time you are interested is a good time or not?

Fortunately, there are a couple of web sites that can help you out.

For a quick overview that's free, go to Disney World - Avoid the Lines

For more detailed information you may want to check out The Unofficial Guide's Crowd Calendar. You can view the next month for free, or view more by joining. Joining, which only costs $7.95 also gives you access to their touring plans.

Walt Disney World Resort Announces Special Holiday Offer Starting at $49 Per Person

Lake BUENA VISTA, Fla. –The warmth of being together for the holidays with the wonder of a Walt Disney World vacation is available for as little as $49 per person, per day, thanks to a special fall package offer.

Guests traveling between Sept. 28 and Dec. 23, 2008, can enjoy a 5-night, 6-day Magic Your Way Package that includes accommodations at select Disney Value resorts and theme park tickets based on two adults, one junior (ages 10-17) and one child (ages 3-9), and lets families take advantage of the range of special events taking place, as well as cooler weather.

This newest and latest Walt Disney Travel Company vacation offer, which must be booked by Sept. 24, coincides with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
(Sept. 26-Nov. 9) and the holiday season that starts in early November. Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the season with spirit-stirring events such as Holidays Around the World and Candlelight Processional at Epcot, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

It’s also the time for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom (both events take place on select dates and require a separate ticket not included in package price).

This special offer is bookable on www.disneyworld.com or by calling 407/W-DISNEY (407/934-7639) or your travel agent and asking for package code DGL.

Save $100 on Disney World vacations

Orbitz is currently running a promotion for $100 off Disney World vacations. but you have to order by Sept. 30. I didn't go through the steps to see what kind of deal this really is, so compare before you book to make sure it's really a good deal.

Quick Service Dining Plan for 2009

Disney has announced the updates to their 2009 Magic Your Way plans for 2009. One of the most interesting is the new Quick Service Dining Plan. Here's the details:

2009 Magic Your Way + Quick Service Dining Plan

The Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick Service Dining offers you an easy and affordable way to experience a wide variety of participating Disney restaurants. The package includes everything in the 2008 Magic Your Way Base package -- Disney Resort accommodations, a Magic Your Way Base Ticket, etc., plus an arcade card valid for 30 minutes of game play at resort arcades (one per room) -- and a Quick Service Dining Plan that offers the following:

-- 2 Quick Service Meals per person per night: One Entree OR one complete Combo meal, dessert (lunch/dinner) or One juice (breakfast) & One single non-alcoholic beverage

-- 2 Snacks per person per night: Choose from items such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn, single piece of whole fruit, medium fountain soft drink

-- One refillable drink mug per person

The new Quick Service Dining Plan prices: Adults $29.99 per person per night; children 3-9 $8.99 per person per night

Everyone in the room must be on the same package and ticket options. All tickets must be used within 14 days of first use, unless the No Expiration Option is purchased. All dining credits must be used by midnight the last day of your stay, otherwise they expire.

Although we generally stay off-site more often than we stay on-site, I have to admit that this new dining plan seems to make more sense for us than the others. It resolves some of the issues we had with the dining plan before. With all the table service meals in the other dining plans we found our vacation was too "planned" and that we had to stop having fun to go eat. We also got sick (literally) of food.

The way this plan is structured, we could eat most of our meals as counter service with a few planned table service meals during the week. I suspect that we would be much happier and less bloated by the end of the week on this plan. I also like that they throw in the free refill mug. To quote Woody Guthrie, "This plan is my plan."

The only real question I have is whether or not the price is a bargain or not. For most people it probably is. Especially if you use all the snacks. However, the problem I have is that when on the plan, you cannot share meals. When I'm not on the plan I don't really have any problem sharing a meal and we do share meals a lot, especially the kids, because the portions are so large. If we don't share meals, we end up throwing a LOT of food away or stuffing ourselves. So we tend to eat cheaper than the menu would typically lend someone to believe. Still, it's nice to know going into your vacation that your food budget is pretty well set rather than having it soar out of control as it so easily can do.

What do you think of the new dining plan? Is it something you will be taking advantage of? Or will you pay $10.00 a day more to get the basic dining plan?

Not so Fantasmic

In yet another indication that Disney World execs have looked into their crystal ball and have seen less cash flowing their way, Disney announced yesterday that they would be cutting back performances of Fantasmic to two days a week. Add this to reports that they've slowed down their buses, and they are closing Pleasure Island, plus various shows such as Pocahontas and Friends and it starts to look look like cost cutting as well as retooling. My guess is that they are planning on using this downturn in the economy as a chance to refurbish and rebuild so that when thing inevitably turn around they will be ready for what will likely be bigger than ever crowds.

If you've ever viewed Fantasmic, you know that they aren't cutting back due to a lack of popularity. During busy times you have to get a seat a couple of hours before the show. Even in less busy times you generally have to get there about an hour before the show. What this tells me is that the demand for seats is going to be insane now. And the people in the know are going to drive the demand for the Fantasmic Dinner Packages up, too. I expect it's going to be as hard to get a Fantasmic Dinner package as it is to get into Le' Celier come January. So, if you are planning a trip to Disney Studios next year and want to view Fantasmic you had better book one of the Fantasmic Dinner packages as early as possible!

Where is the coffee?

I just read the news that Disney has added a coffee and pastry stand at the ticket and transportation center. This is very welcome news. It reminded me just how much Disney could use more coffe/pastry stands. In this day-and-age when you there is a Starbucks on every other street corner it's amazing how hard it is to get a cup of coffee at Disney World (not that I'm a fan of Starbucks or their coffee). It's even harder to find a good cup of coffee. The coffee at the resorts that I've had has been terrible. Disney World is definitely a soft drink driven world. I suspect it has something to do with price - doesn't it always?

Anyway, back to my point. We always like to get to the parks first thing in the morning. That being the case, it's nice to get a cup of coffee. As it turns out, you can get popcorn, ice cream and Coke first thing in the morning, but finding coffee takes some doing. So, I'm glad to see them adding this coffee and pastry stand. Plus adding it outside the park means we can save even more time inside the park. Thank you Mickey Mouse!

Yet another Disney travel deal

Here's another Disney travel deal for ya'

Best Western in the Walt Disney World Resort

Inside Walt Disney World featuring continuous Free Transportation to the Disney Parks. Deluxe Disney View Rooms Feature Views of EPCOT Fireworks Nightly!

ONLY $89 in DISNEY + FREE Breakfast
PLUS: Get up to $200 in Gas at HALF PRICE!
BONUS: $25 Hotel Credit + Breakfast Each Day!

• Bonuses Avail on ALL Stays!
• 3-4 Nts: $50 Gas Card for $25
• 5-6 Nts:$100 Gas Card for $50
• 7+ Nts: $200 Gas Card for $100
• Offer Ends June 23 at 11:59PM!

Valid: Now - 08/31. Traveler's Tip: Disney View Upgrade +$20. Watch Disney's Fireworks from your Private Balcony! Not valid: 06/22 - 27; 07/04 - 05


Here's the link...

Get a 7 Day Park Hopper for the Price of a 4 Day Ticket

I got an e-mail from Dell inviting me to join something called Dell Perks. It piqued my interest because one of the teaser offers was for Disney World tickets. I signed up and and saw that they had an offer for a 7 day park hopper ticket for the price of a 4 day park hopper ticket to Disney World in Orlando. This is a pretty good deal. As far as I know, anybody can sign up for Dell Perks. Here is the link.

Off-Site Rental Web Sites

I've started collecting a list of web sites and communities that have been recommended on forums and other web sites or that I've personally used for off-site vacation home rentals. Click here if you are interested in why I prefer staying in a vacation home when we go to Disney.

Web sites

• www.vrbo.com
• www.homeaway.com
• www.disneymousehouse.com
• www.vacation-rentals4u.com
• www.windsorhills.biz
• www.indiancreekflorida.com
• www.lastminutevillas.net
• www.vacationrentals.com
• www.disneyneighbor.com
• www.vacationcentralflorida.com
• www.orlandovillas.com
• www.lazybonesvilla.com
• www.disneyvillarentals.com

Communities

• Indian Ridge Oaks
• Windsor Hills
• Windsor Palms
• Emerald Isle
• Oak Island Cove

The Unoffical Guide

One of the most trusted books by Disney planning addicts is the Unofficial Guide. Along with the book is the companion web site http://touringplans.com/UG/

If you want to plan your Disney trip to get the most out of it, this book/web site is well worth the investment.

First Disney Trip? Plan? What Plan?

I finally convinced a friend of mine that he needed to take his family to Disney World. Granted he's going down for conference anyway and he is grudgingly admitting that his youngest son would enjoy it. I'm more excited than he is. He's not a first timer. Far from it. He used to work at Disney World back when the only park was the Magic Kingdom. I think it kind of soured him on the place.

"So," I said to him, "I've got good touring book you can borrow and several web sites I can recommend that will help you figure out which parks to visit on which days! Let me know which characters your son likes and I can help you find some character meals and figure out which restaurants you might like to go to. You know you'll need to start thinking about that now don't you?" "Whoa! This sounds way too complicated." he said.

The fact of the matter is part of the enjoyment of the trip for me is the planning of the trip. The vast majority of visitors to Disney go without planning things out and they enjoy themselves, too. I believe that planning can provide opportunity for additional enjoyment because it can reduce stress in the parks by avoiding the worst crowds, minimizing wait times, making sure you have reservations for the restaurants you really want, having the knowledge about less known attractions and things to look for, etc. Not to mention the fact that you can sometimes save money by knowing all your options.

So if you are planner where should you start? You can get a wealth of information from the Internet in scattered form, but your best bet is to get a tour book. There are several very good books. Go to a book store and look through them to see which one you like best. My favorite is Disney World with Kids by Kim Wright Wiley. It's geared toward going with kids, obviously, but is quite useful for general information. The other book that I would highly recommend is The Unofficial Guide. With the purchase of the book, you get access to their web site which has a wealth of planning information such as their crowd calendar which predicts how crowded each park will be on a given day.