Over the past year, I saw a number of the lovely folks on the PassPorter.com forums celebrating the arrival of "Mickey Mail." I finally asked, "Just what is 'Mickey Mail?'" The short answer is that "Mickey Mail" is the travel documents sent to you by the Walt Disney Travel Company. If you book a package, or part of a package, through Disney, you receive Mickey Mail. According to my wonderful travel planner, Mindy, it's usually sent about 30 days before the start of your vacation.
I knew mine was on its way, and I confess I was a little antsy in the days leading up to its arrival. I wanted that magical little packet in my grubby hands already! Well, it arrived this week, on Wednesday, August 14th! I'd asked that the travel agency (Mouse World Travel ) mail the package to my work address. Unfortunately for my co-workers, this meant subjecting them to my happy dance. Yes, I actually did a Mickey Mail happy dance!
It's REAL, folks! I'm going to Walt Disney World!!!! In 25 days, to be specific. ;-)
Friday, August 16, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
The Paid in Full Dance!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOT!
That's what my brain gleefully squealed yesterday when my wonderful travel planner, Mindy, e-mailed to say that my Disney World trip is PAID! IN! FULL! I checked my bank account online, just to be 100% certain, and the payment was there, with the other pending transactions.
It's all paid: my room at Pop Century, park-hopper tickets, deluxe dining plan, Photo Pass+, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party... Not to mention my airfare and my Super Shuttle rides to and from the airport on my end. I still owe my traveling companions for our Keys to the Kingdom tour at Magic Kingdom and our Spirit of Aloha dinner show, but from now on, every penny I save is gravy! I can use all my savings now for tips, an occasional taxi, souvenirs, and other incidentals.
How do I spell "relief?" "PIF," that's how!
Pardon me while I do my PIF dance... If you're wondering, it looks a lot my double-digit dance (danced when my countdown moved from 100 to 99 days) and my ADR dance (danced 180 days from arrival, the day I was able to begin scheduling dining reservations). What can I say? I'm not a dancer by nature, and my repertoire is somewhat limited. And okay, I'm not graceful. But I'm enthusiastic! That counts for something. Right? ;-)
That's what my brain gleefully squealed yesterday when my wonderful travel planner, Mindy, e-mailed to say that my Disney World trip is PAID! IN! FULL! I checked my bank account online, just to be 100% certain, and the payment was there, with the other pending transactions.
It's all paid: my room at Pop Century, park-hopper tickets, deluxe dining plan, Photo Pass+, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party... Not to mention my airfare and my Super Shuttle rides to and from the airport on my end. I still owe my traveling companions for our Keys to the Kingdom tour at Magic Kingdom and our Spirit of Aloha dinner show, but from now on, every penny I save is gravy! I can use all my savings now for tips, an occasional taxi, souvenirs, and other incidentals.
How do I spell "relief?" "PIF," that's how!
Pardon me while I do my PIF dance... If you're wondering, it looks a lot my double-digit dance (danced when my countdown moved from 100 to 99 days) and my ADR dance (danced 180 days from arrival, the day I was able to begin scheduling dining reservations). What can I say? I'm not a dancer by nature, and my repertoire is somewhat limited. And okay, I'm not graceful. But I'm enthusiastic! That counts for something. Right? ;-)
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Resources: The Web
Updated August 6, 2013
I love books. I mean, I LOVE books. Just look at the post on the books I've read in my search for Disney knowledge!
But I have a confession: I have a touch of adult Attention Deficit Disorder, and I'm a big fan of instant gratification. And researching the Web for All Things Disney is so very gratifying! Here's a list of some of the sites I've trolled in my quest for information. Expect it to be updated a time or twelve before I actually leave in September...
If you notice any broken links, please leave a comment for me. (In addition to adult ADD, I have the rare spurt of dyslexia.) And feel free to share your favorite Disney sites! Thank you!
I love books. I mean, I LOVE books. Just look at the post on the books I've read in my search for Disney knowledge!
But I have a confession: I have a touch of adult Attention Deficit Disorder, and I'm a big fan of instant gratification. And researching the Web for All Things Disney is so very gratifying! Here's a list of some of the sites I've trolled in my quest for information. Expect it to be updated a time or twelve before I actually leave in September...
If you notice any broken links, please leave a comment for me. (In addition to adult ADD, I have the rare spurt of dyslexia.) And feel free to share your favorite Disney sites! Thank you!
- All Ears
- Build A Better Mouse Trip
- Chip and Company
- Couponing to Disney
- The Disney Driven Life
- Disney Food Blog
- Disney Park History Links
- Disney World Moms Panel
- Disneyways
- Easy WDW
- Imaginerding
- Inside the Magic
- It's a Disney World After All
- Kenny the Pirate's Disney World Guide
- Magic, Memories, Mayhem
- Mickey Path offers countdown tickers, name tags, banners
- Mouse on the Mind
- Mouse Savers Listen to music from the parks while you're planning your next trip!
- MouseWorld Radio
- Mouse World Travel If you're looking for a great travel planner for your own magical vacation, I highly recommend contacting Mindy at Mouse World Travel! She's been such a tremendous help!
- PassPorter I love their forums and all of the planning worksheets they offer!
- Solo Friendly
- Stitch Kingdom
- Touring Plans
- Wikitravel: Walt Disney World
Sunday, June 16, 2013
ADRs and Other Reservations
Edited September 2, 2013
It can be a real challenge to get a table in many of the sit-down restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort (also known as "table service" in Disney lingo) unless you make an Advance Dining Reservation (aka "ADR"). You can make ADRs up to 180 days in advance, adding up to an additional 10 days if you're staying at one of the Disney resorts. Trying to decide where I might want to eat six months before I even get to Florida was a little challenging. (And when I say "little," I mean "huge, massive, seemingly insurmountable.") Fortunately for me, I'll be eating most of my meals with longtime Disney-vacationing veterans. Thank you, Mel and Michael, for making this process easier!
We made our list, and I got up before 6am at the 180-day mark, which was March 14, 2013. I tried booking our ADRs on the WDW website, but due to a known-at-that-time glitch, was only able to schedule our first day. A phone call to Disney's dining line at 7am took care of all but one of our choices.
There are other events you can book ahead of time, such as special dinner shows, tours, parties, etc. With Mel's help, we've been able to schedule a lot of great restaurants and events. Here's how the schedule looks so far...
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
It can be a real challenge to get a table in many of the sit-down restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort (also known as "table service" in Disney lingo) unless you make an Advance Dining Reservation (aka "ADR"). You can make ADRs up to 180 days in advance, adding up to an additional 10 days if you're staying at one of the Disney resorts. Trying to decide where I might want to eat six months before I even get to Florida was a little challenging. (And when I say "little," I mean "huge, massive, seemingly insurmountable.") Fortunately for me, I'll be eating most of my meals with longtime Disney-vacationing veterans. Thank you, Mel and Michael, for making this process easier!
We made our list, and I got up before 6am at the 180-day mark, which was March 14, 2013. I tried booking our ADRs on the WDW website, but due to a known-at-that-time glitch, was only able to schedule our first day. A phone call to Disney's dining line at 7am took care of all but one of our choices.
There are other events you can book ahead of time, such as special dinner shows, tours, parties, etc. With Mel's help, we've been able to schedule a lot of great restaurants and events. Here's how the schedule looks so far...
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
- I fly to Orlando
- 1:30pm lunch reservation for Tony's Town Square in the Magic Kingdom (MK)
- 8pm seating for the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at Disney's Polynesian Resort
- 12 noon lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway, Epcot's World Showcase
- 7pm dinner at the Coral Reef in Epcot's Future World
- 9am character breakfast at the Crystal Palace, MK
- 8:10pm dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table, MK
- 12:05pm lunch at 50s Prime Time Café in Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS)
- 5:05pm dinner at Mama Melrose's Ristorante in DHS--Fantasmic! dinner package
- 8:30pm Fantasmic! showing
- 11am brunch at Kona Café at the Polynesian Resort
- 5pm dinner at Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort
- 9:30am Keys to the Kingdom Tour in the MK, which includes lunch at the Columbia Harbor House
- 6:30pm dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco in Epcot's World Showcase
- 8pm dinner at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney (Yes, I'm going to the one Irish pub on Disney property. This should surprise no one. lol)
- 12 noon lunch at the San Angel Inn in Mexico, Epcot's World Showcase
- 5:30pm dinner at Be Our Guest in the MK
- 7pm Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (This is a "hard-ticket" event, meaning a separate admission fee on top of your regular park admission. They offer a special parade, special fireworks show, trick-or-treating throughout the MK, and special appearances by Disney villains. I already have my costume planned: I'm going as a hippie chick. Love beads and peace signs, man!)
- 9:30am character breakfast at 'Ohana at the Polynesian
- Much wailing and gnashing of teeth as I leave WDW and fly back to Washington.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Resources: Magazines
Updated August 16, 2013
I love magazines. Okay, I love the written word in general...books, magazines, fliers, pamphlets... But I do enjoy magazines, to the point where my mother suggested many times that I try to not buy quite so many. Imagine my delight, then, to discover two magazines that focus on Walt Disney World and/or other Orlando-area attractions! These magazines are lovely, full-color glossy publications, full of information and beautiful photos. I highly recommend them.
Here's a list of the magazines I've collected and consulted while planning my 2013 Walt Disney World vacation:
Celebrations Magazine
Orlando Attractions Magazine
I love magazines. Okay, I love the written word in general...books, magazines, fliers, pamphlets... But I do enjoy magazines, to the point where my mother suggested many times that I try to not buy quite so many. Imagine my delight, then, to discover two magazines that focus on Walt Disney World and/or other Orlando-area attractions! These magazines are lovely, full-color glossy publications, full of information and beautiful photos. I highly recommend them.
Here's a list of the magazines I've collected and consulted while planning my 2013 Walt Disney World vacation:
Celebrations Magazine
- Volume 1, #2: November/December 2008
- #24: July/August 2012
- #25: September/October 2012
- #26: November/December 2012
- #27: January/February 2013
- #28: March/April 2013
- #29: May/June 2013
- #30: July/August 2013
Orlando Attractions Magazine
- Volume 5, Issue 3: Summer 2012
- Volume 5, Issue 4: Fall 2012
- Volume 6, Issue 1: Winter 2012/2013
- Volume 6, Issue 2: Spring 2013
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Resources: Books
This post will list the various books I'm reading as I plan my trip. I'll add to it occasionally, as I finish another volume...
Updated September 4, 2013
Currently Reading
- How to See Walt Disney World Like a Local: Time & Money-Saving Hints, Tips & Secrets for Disney World & Other Orlando/Kissimmee Attractions, by Barbara Nefer
- Kingdom Keepers VI: Dark Passage Kindle
Disney-Specific Travel Guides
- Birnbaum Guides Walt Disney World 2011
- Birnbaum Guides Walt Disney World 2013
- Birnbaum Guides 2013 Walt Disney World Dining Guide
- The Busy Family's Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2012, by Jeffrey Merola Kindle
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World 2010, Doug Ingersoll
- The Complete Walt Disney World 2012, by Julie and Mike Neal
- The Disney Diaries, volume 1 1999-2008, by Larry Wilmot & Robin Goble Wilmot Kindle
- Eyewitness Top 10 Orlando
- Fodor's Walt Disney World 2010, 2012
- Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando 2010, 2012, by Laura Miller
- The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World
- The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Animal Kingdom, by The Imagineers
- The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, by The Imagineers
- The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World, by The Imagineers
- The Little Black Book of Walt Disney World, 2013 edition, by Rona Gindin
- Lonely Planet: Florida, 2009 edition
- Lots to Do In Line: Walt Disney World, by Meredith Lyn Pierce
- The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World & Resort, 2nd ed.
- Mousejunkies! 2nd ed., More Tips, Tales & Tricks for a Disney World Fix, by Bill Burke
- Pass Porter's Open Mouse, 2007
- Pass Porter's Walt Disney World 2011
- Pass Porter's Walt Disney World 2012
- Pass Porter's Walt Disney World 2013
- Strategies for Paying for Disney, by Natalie Henley
- The Thinking Fan's Guide to Walt Disney World, by Aaron Wallace Kindle
- Traveling to Walt Disney World Via Amtrak, by Bruce Sherman Kindle
- The Unofficial Guide: The Color Companion to Walt Disney World, 2nd edition, by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa
- The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2010, 2012, 2013
- Walt Disney World: Expert Advice for First Time Visitors, by Robin Goble Wilmot, Larry Wilmot, & Paula Hanna Kindle
- Walt Disney World Resort Guide to the Magic for Kids, by Tim Foster, 2010
- Walt Disney World Tips & Secrets, Kindle Edition, by Clare Swindlehurst Kindle
- Walt Disney World with Kids 2012, by Kim Wright Wiley
Other Disney-Related Non-fiction
- The Complete Guide for the Disney Obsessed Person, by K. Martin Beaudry Kindle
- The Dark Side of Disney, by Leonard Kinsey Kindle
- The Gospel According to Disney: Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust, by Mark T. Pinsky
- Little-Known Facts About Well-Known Places: Walt Disney World, by Laurie Flannery
- Mickey Mouse Is My Neighbor, by Barbara Nefer Kindle
- Mouseschawitz: My Summer Job of Concentrated Fun, by Angela Lovell Kindle
- Stories from a Theme Park Insider, by Robert Niles Kindle
- Team Rodent, by Carl Hiaasen
- Today in History: Disney, by Eve Zibart
Disney-Related Fiction
- Dream Factory, by Brad Barkley & Heather Hepler
- Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, by Cory Doctorow
- The Key to the Kingdom, by Jeff Dixon Kindle
- Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark, by Ridley Pearson Kindle
- Kingdom Keepers II: Disney at Dawn, by Ridley Pearson Kindle
- Kingdom Keepers III: Disney In Shadow, by Ridley Pearson Kindle
General Travel & Other Non-Fiction
- Smart Packing for Today's Traveler, 3rd ed., by Susan Foster
- Traveling Solo, by Eleanor Berman
On Deck: The To-be-Read Pile
- A Christian's Guide to Walt Disney World Resort: Devotions for Your Family Vacation, by Jeff Chaves Kindle
- Celebration, U.S.A.: Living in Disney's Brave New Town, by Douglas Frantz and Catherine Collins Kindle
- Discover the Magic: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Walt Disney World, by Roger Wilk Kindle
- Disney Tips and Secrets: Unlocking the Magic of a Walt Disney World Vacation, by Roger Wilk Kindle
- Disney U: How the Disney University Develops the World's Most Engaged, Loyal, and Customer-Centric Employees, by Doug Lipp Kindle
- The Disney World Queue Line Scavenger Hunt, by Daniel Ireland Kindle
- Fact of Fiction? 20 Urban Legends, Ghost Stories, Rumors & Secrets of Walt Disney World, by Barbara Nefer Kindle
- Hidden Mickey, by Nancy Temple Rodrigue and David W. Smith Kindle
- Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets, 5th edition, by Steven M. Barrett Kindle
- How to Be Like Walt, by Pat Williams with Jim Denney Kindle
- How to See Walt Disney World Like a Local: Time and Money-Saving Hints, Tips and Secrets for Disney World and Other Orlando/Kissimmee Attractions, by Barbara Nefer Kindle
- It's Kind of a Cute Story, by Rolly Crump as told to Jeff Heimbuch Kindle
- Keys to the Kingdom: Your Complete Guide to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Theme Park, by Roger Wilk Kindle
- More Mousetrapped: A Little More from That Year and A Bit, by Catherine Ryan Howard Kindle
- Mousetrapped: A Year and A Bit in Orlando, Florida, 5th Kindle Edition, by Catherine Ryan Howard Kindle
- Our Kingdom of Dust, by Leonard Kinsey Kindle
- Unauthorized Mouse Pin Trading: The Complete Guide to the Fun and Obsessive World of Disney Pin Trading! by the Edgar and Shilensky Families
- Unlocking the Kingdom, by Jeff Dixon Kindle
- The Vault of Walt: Unofficial, Unauthorized, Uncensored Disney Stories Never Told, by Jim Korkis, with foreword for Diane Disney Miller
- Waking Walt, by Larry Pontius, Based upon a story idea from Marty Cummins Kindle
- Walt Disney World: The Ultimate Guide to Disney's Hollywood Studios: Enjoying Disney's Hollywood Studios from an Adult Perspective, by Marjorie Kelley and Ryan Kelley Kindle
- When We Were in Disney World, by Noah Witkowicz Kindle
- Who's Afraid of the Song of the South? And Other Forbidden Disney Stories, by Jim Korkis Kindle
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Vacation Details
Disney announced its packages for 2013 in mid-July. With the help of a wonderful travel agent, I made my reservation by the end of July.
I plan to edit this post as the details of my trip unfold. (Updated June 15, 2013)
Dates: September 10-18, 2013
Resort: Disney's Pop Century
Park Tickets: 8 days with Park-Hopper Option (This means I can visit more than one park per day.)
Package: "Magic Your Way with Deluxe Dining" (I'll have a pre-paid dining package that includes three meals and two snack for each night of my stay, plus a mug that can be refilled as many times as I want at the Pop Century food court. This is updated from my original reservation, which included one counter-service meal, one table-service meal, and one snack for each night of my stay, plus the refillable mug. Disney announced their free dining plan for September, so I was able to upgrade to Deluxe Dining for an additional $55. A bargain!)
Ground Transportation: Disney's Magical Express (Once I land at Orlando International Airport, Disney will collect my checked luggage while I board a bus to my resort. My luggage will be delivered within a few hours of my arrival. When I'm ready to go home, I get back on the bus to the airport.)
Airfare: I was able to get a great rate with JetBlue, so I'll be flying from Reagan National to Orlando International. I've also made my reservations with Super Shuttle to get to and from Regan National.
I plan to edit this post as the details of my trip unfold. (Updated June 15, 2013)
Dates: September 10-18, 2013
Resort: Disney's Pop Century
Park Tickets: 8 days with Park-Hopper Option (This means I can visit more than one park per day.)
Package: "Magic Your Way with Deluxe Dining" (I'll have a pre-paid dining package that includes three meals and two snack for each night of my stay, plus a mug that can be refilled as many times as I want at the Pop Century food court. This is updated from my original reservation, which included one counter-service meal, one table-service meal, and one snack for each night of my stay, plus the refillable mug. Disney announced their free dining plan for September, so I was able to upgrade to Deluxe Dining for an additional $55. A bargain!)
Ground Transportation: Disney's Magical Express (Once I land at Orlando International Airport, Disney will collect my checked luggage while I board a bus to my resort. My luggage will be delivered within a few hours of my arrival. When I'm ready to go home, I get back on the bus to the airport.)
Airfare: I was able to get a great rate with JetBlue, so I'll be flying from Reagan National to Orlando International. I've also made my reservations with Super Shuttle to get to and from Regan National.
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