Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party starts TODAY!

In honor of the fact that tonight is the first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party of the season, I am sharing some photos that some of you may have already seen. These are from MNSSHP that my husband and I have attended over the years. Do you have some great photos from the party that you'd like to share? Send them my way either through email or you can share them on my Facebook Wall!

Disney Free Dining Can Save You Over $1,000

Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels, for arrivals most nights: 

Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, Oct. 19 - Nov. 1, Nov. 9 - 15, Nov. 23 - 29, Dec. 10 - 13
Book through September 29, 2012! The choice is yours:
Free Disney
Dining Plan

Get a FREE Disney Dining Plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select 
Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe and Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.


Example: 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way package at a select Disney Moderate Resort for stays most nights from 10/19-11/1/12, 11/24-11/29/12, and 12/10-12/13/12 is just 

$86 per person, per day

for a family of 4 in a standard room for a total package price of $2,421. 
That's a savings of $1,017! 

Free Disney Quick
Service Dining Plan

Get a FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Disney Value Resorts.

Example: 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way package at a select
Disney Value Resort for stays most nights from 10/19-11/1/12, 11/24-11/29/12, and 12/10-12/13/12 is just 
$69 per person, per day

for a family of 4 in a standard room for a total package price of $1,922. 
That's a savings of $701! 

Contact me for a free no obligation quote and be entered to win a FREE Disney Dooney & Bourke wristlet

All of my clients also receive free gifts which may include gift cards, onboard ship credits and more! 

Fill out this form and Select KERRI from the agent you'd like to work with drop down box.

Celebrating the 4th of July at Walt Disney World

 Walt Disney World will be holding 4th of July celebrations at 3 of it's 4 parks this year:

• Epcot will host a special 4th of July version of Illuminations will show at 10:00 pm
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will have a  “Special July 4th Fireworks Presentation” at 9.45pm
• The Magic Kingdom, will have “Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky”  show at 9:00 pm.

Magic Kingdom 

July 3rd, 2012
 9:00 pm - "Celebrate America - A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky" Fireworks (4th of July fireworks at the Magic Kingdom include an enhanced presentation featuring patriotic music themed to spectacular pyrotechnics)
10:00 pm - Main Street Electrical Parade
12:00 am - Main Street Electrical Parade

July 4th, 2012
9:00 pm - "Celebrate America - A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky" Fireworks
10:00 pm - Main Street Electrical Parade
12:00 am - Main Street Electrical Parade

EPCOT

 

July 4th, 2012

11:30 am - 6:30 pm, Betsy Ross, Ben Franklin and Disney characters in the patriotic costumes will appear on the promenade near The American Adventure.
12:30 - Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert  on the America Gardens Theatre stage
5:15, 6:30, 7:45, 9:00 pm - Slippery When Wet performs at the Sounds Like Summer concert series

10:00 pm - IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth will feature The Heartbeat of Freedom, a 5-minute patriotic fireworks finale.

 

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

July 4th, 2012
6:00pm - Rockin' 4th of July Celebration!  Be at the Sorcerer Hat at 6:00 as a DJ gets the party started!  At 8:30 and 9:30 pm, Mulch, Sweat & Shears will rock the stage!
9:00 pm - Fantasmic!
9:45 pm - Fireworks with a rock n' roll soundtrack

10:30 pm - Fantasmic!

If you'd like to celebrate Independence Day at Walt Disney World next year, I can help you plan the perfect patriotic trip! Contact me for more information.
Facebook
Email

Partial Candlelight Processional Schedule and Narrators

During the holidays, Epcot theme park is transformed into an international celebration of Yuletide traditions filled with festive decorations and live entertainment. From Holidays Around The World to Candlelight Processional, delight in the sights and sounds of the season.

Candlelight Processional is a special holiday event held nightly at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot theme park as part of Holidays Around The World. The event retells the stirring story of Christmas with a special celebrity narrator † accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

A partial list of dates and narrators has been announced:

11/23 – 11/25 Isabella Rossellini
11/26 – 11/29 Neil Patrick Harris
11/30 – 12/01 Whoopi Goldberg
12/02 – 12/04 TBA
12/05 – 12/07 TBA
12/08 – 12/10 TBA
12/11 – 12/13 Jodi Benson
12/14 – 12/16 Olivia Newton John
12/17 – 12/19 TBA
12/20 – 12/22 Trace Adkins
12/23 – 12/25 Gary Sinise
12/26 – 12/28 TBA
12/29 – 12/30 Marlee Matlin with Jack Jason

Brave – The Highland Games Tournament Runs June 1-July 8 at Epcot

The Disney Parks Blog announced today that the Magic Kingdom meet and greet isn't the only Brave touch coming to the Walt Disney World theme park.

Starting June 1st and running through July 8th the  "Brave - Highland Games Tournament" will offer children games like Mini Caber Toss, Cake Toss, Haggis Flip and archery.

There is also going to be a kids' playground with free wifi for those of us too old to participate in the tournament.

If you happen to be in EPCOT during these dates be sure to drop by the Rose Walk (where Future World and World Showcase meet) to participate in this fun event.

The tournament will take place from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., daily. Park admission is required.

If that doesn't satisfy your hunger for all things Brave then hop on the monrail and go visit Merida at her new interactive meet and greet at Magic Kingdom. More info can be found here.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets On Sale Now!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that takes place on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park throughout the holiday season.

Don’t miss Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, a very special holiday fireworks display, live entertainment with your favorite characters, snow on Main Street, U.S.A., free hot cocoa and cookies, and so much more! Purchase of an additional event admission ticket is required to attend.

Parties will take place:

• November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30
• December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21

TIP: Purchasing tickets ahead of event dates may get you a discount of $10 per ticket!

Contact me for more information: Kerri@MickeysDreamVacations.com

Night of Joy Tickets On Sale Now

Each fall, Night of Joy brings spirited and soulful entertainment to Magic Kingdom theme park.

Night of Joy is a contemporary Christian music festival where guests can enjoy live performances from musicians of varying genres including rock, pop and gospel.

The dates for this year's event are September 7, 2012 and September 8, 2012.

Guests will enjoy performances from a variety of Christian artists, including:

Performing Friday, September 7, 2012:
Casting Crowns
Chris Tomlin
NEEDTOBREATHE
RED
Francesca Battistelli
Brandon Heath
Royal Tailor
Disciple

Performing Saturday, September 8, 2012:
MercyMe
Third Day
Kutless
Chris August
Lecrae
Yolanda Adams
Thousand Foot Krutch
Dara Maclean

From soulful, inspiring singers to hard-hitting, high-energy rockers, Night of Joy offers a variety of entertainment that's sure to lift your spirits.

Contact me for more information! 

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets On Sale Now!

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party dates have been released and tickets are available by phone. 
They are not available on-line just yet.
 

Sept 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 Advanced Purchase Price is $50.95 for children and $55.95 for adults (plus tax)
 
Sept 30th, Oct. 4, 8, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, Nov 2nd are each $53.95 for children and $58.95 for adults (plus tax)
 
Oct 5, 12, 26 do not have reduced advanced purchase pricing these are Friday nights and are at a premium..$59.95 for children and $64.95 for adults (plus tax)
 
October 31st, Halloween Night is $67.05 for children and $69.95 for adults.
 
The Party runs each night from 7pm-midnight. There has been no official announcement yet on whether party goers may enter at 4pm but this was the case last year and other than 2010 it was allowed in previous years, as well. 

Also, several tours and experiences have been holding out for the official MNSSHP to release their tickets. Pirates and Pals Fireworks for these dates, for instance have not been released for purchase as of this morning.

Several of the party dates fall within Disney World's FREE DINING promotion dates as well as the newest "Room Only" late summer promotion. You can stay in a standard room at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort starting at just $70 per night, plus tax, for most Sunday through Thursday nights Aug. 15 – Sept. 27, 2012. That's a savings of 20%! Late Summer/Fall is my favorite time of year to visit Disney World, it's not too hot, the crowds are fairly low, and of course there is Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

For more information on visiting Walt Disney World during this magical time, please contact me for a FREE no obligation quote. TravelKerri@gmail.com

Disney Store's 25th Anniversary

March 28th was not just the Disney Store's 25th Anniversary - it was also my 4th wedding anniversary!
Lord Hill and I celebrated like any normal Disney loving couple would have - by doing the Disney Store Hop!

We got to our local store at about 9:30AM expecting a crowd, especially since it's one of the largest malls in America. We were shocked when there were only 10 or of us there until around 9:55 when the crowd reached it's max of maybe 30 people. This was good news for us since only the first 250 people were going to get the limited edition Mickey ears. Hubby and I both got a set!

It was my first time getting to see the opening ceremony and it was so cute! We had been chatting with the little girl who was chosen since we got there and her guardian was nice enough to let me record the ceremony so I could show all of you! (I'm sorry the video is sideways, I did not record it that way so I'm not sure how or why that happened!)



Afterwards hubby and I did some shopping and picked up the 25th Anniversary Vinylmation. I'll take a good photo of the one we picked later on, but for now you can enjoy these stock photos from the Disney website.

We also played some fun trivia games and won some cute prizes!

This was not the end of our Disney themed anniversary. When we got home Lord Hill gave me my gift and boy did he do good! Yup! That is a Disney Dooney and Bourke bag along with a Dooney and Bourke credit card holder (which I have decided is my new business card holder)
He also gave me an amazing Precious Moment that is so perfectly "us" that it literally made me all teary when I opened it.

We actually wound up going to another local Disney Store later in the day after going out for an amazing breakfast/lunch but before heading to the movies to see The Hunger Games.

Did any of you attend the Anniversary festivities today? Was it worth the time and energy? Did any of you try to get there for the ears but then wound up being too late to get them? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Calling All Figment Fans!

I am always on the lookout for new Figment merchandise because I am a bit obsessed with the little purple guy.

Imagine my excitement when I was browsing the Art of Disney Parks website and noticed this little note on the events page:

"Apr 21 Figment: Heights of Imagination - Sculpture Premiere and Artist Signing with Bruce Lau"

I followed the event link and literally squealed in delight when I laid my eyes on the newest Figment WDCC sculpture. 

Not only is the sculpture adorable and amazing, but it's a nod to the original Journey Into Imagination ride which just tickles me pink.

I pre-ordered the sculpture because I'd be devesated if it sold out before I got down there and was pleasantly surprised to find out they are actually allowing the Disney Visa card holder discount on this item. This is rare and I double checked with 2 cast members to confirm it. With shipping it came to $159.

Spending $160 on a sculpture that is just going to collect dust, not up your alley? Don't worry, you can also get a matted deluxe print for only $35. I will try to grab one when I am down there in May for the travel Agent Education Program. Isn't it awesome?

If you are lucky enough to be in Disney World on April 21st you can head over to Epcot where the artist will be signing the pieces in person the day they are released. For more information you can visit the Events page HERE.




*images are copyright Disney and used for the sole purpose of showing my fellow Figment fans the awesomeness of this product. I do not claim to own the rights to the photos or intend to make any profit from their use*

Agent P's World Showcase Adventure Coming to Epcot!

Do you have a Phineas and Ferb fan in your house?
Check out this new adventure game at Epcot!

Epcot guests will transform into secret agents to help Agent P thwart some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s most daring plots. Agents will use a “high-tech secret agent device” to receive clues for each case. Solving the clues will take agents to different places throughout seven World Showcase countries at Epcot – Agents will scour each country for clues, evil “Inators,” and – with a little bit of luck – help Agent P defeat Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

This marks the end of Disney's Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. I for one welcome the change. The Kim Possible adventure hit the park late, almost after the show was even still relevant.


What are your thoughts? Are you excited about the introduction of Agent P to the World Showcase or are you sad to see Kim go?

2012 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

One of my favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World is during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.



This year's event started yesterday and will run through May 20. I'm so excited to be going during it's final week since last year we were there at the beginning of the festival.

One of my favorite things about the festival are the Disney character topiaries. My favorite last year was Stitch because of his placement and the use of texture. It was incredible. I also loved that the Lotso topiary actually smelled like strawberries!! It was magical. For photos from last year's event please visit my Facebook page.


This year's event will have over 100 topiaries with more than 75 of them featuring Disney characters. There is also the Flower Power Concert Series. Click here for a full schedule of performances. There will also be special presentations by HGTV Personalities to help you plan everything from planting your first garden to increasing your home's curb appeal. Click here for a full schedule of appearances and presentations.

It's not too late to experience this annual festival. Contact me today for information or to book your visit! Simply fill out this form and select my name (Kerri) from the agent drop down menu.

Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre Open at Disney California Adventure Park

This afternoon the Disney Parks blog  reported that, Tom Staggs, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announced that the five-year expansion of Disney California Adventure park will be complete on June 15 with the opening of Cars Land, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle Theatre!

In order to prepare for the media preview and make final preparations for the opening, Disney California Adventure park will be closed on June 14. 
This closing will be limited to Disney California Adventure park and Disneyland park, Downtown Disney District and the Disneyland Resort hotels will remain open for our guests on that day.

For more information about this exciting news, visit the Disney Parks Blog!

Are you excited about this new land? I know I am!!

Contact for information about booking a trip to Disneyland! Simply fill out this form and select my name (Kerri) from the agent drop down menu.

Relay for Life

I'm going to take a minute and pause the Disney talk for a minute. I'm sure most of you aware that my mother passed away from cancer in June of 2011. For those of you who didn't know, well, now you do.

I have been struggling to find peace with this loss and recently discovered something that I believe will help me heal. The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

There is a local event on June 29th, the 1 year anniversary of my mother's death. I will be there to walk for her, in honor and memory of her. I will also walk in honor of my aunt who is fighting cancer now, and for my dad who beat cancer a few years ago. I will walk for all of them, and for all of us who have lost someone near and dear to them to that awful C word.

You can help in several ways. You can visit my team page and either join the team and walk with us, or if you aren't local you can donate. Please visit the link and share it with your friends and family. http://main.acsevents.org/goto/ladyhillformymom

You can also visit Magical Expressions on Etsy and purchase one of the Relay for Life prints. All proceeds from these items will be donated to the Relay for Life - American Cancer Society fund.
Chad is a great guy who does amazing work. I am actually hosting a giveaway for a gift certificate for his shop over on this post right now. Head over there and enter to win, but also visit his shop and purchase an item to help a good cause. 

Who would you walk for?

One More Disney Day - Merchandise, Schedule, & More

There is some great merchandise available in the parks today!

If you aren't lucky enough to be visiting the parks today, don't worry. The Disney Store has some of the merchandise available on their website. Check out these cool shirts! I wish there was a sweatshirt for Magic Kingdom too, not sure why only Disneyland got that one??

Mickey and Minnie were seen celebrating in their pajamas earlier today and will be again later tonight. Visit that link for more photos from the opening ceremony this morning!

Don't these One More Disney Day cupcakes look delicious?

Stop by for a Midnight Snack at Disneyland Park hosted by the Disney Parks blog! Space is limited and the line will start at 10:00pm. For more information visit this link.There will also be a special midnight showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland. Guests of the Midnight Snack event will be treated to a special viewing area as well.

Walt Disney World  - Magic Kingdom One More Disney Day Schedule of Events:
• Main Street Electrical Parade will run at midnight.
• Disney's Dance the Night Away Party will boogie in front of Cinderella Castle from 1 to 5:30 a.m. (It's like a Disney rave!)
• The Frontierland Hoedown, featuring the Country Bears, will give performances at 2:45 a.m., 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.
• Finally, "The Magic, the Memories and You!" — the awesome projection show on Cinderella Castle — will be presented as a wrap-up at 5:30 a.m.
Characters will appear, as follows:
• Disney Princesses: In their Town Square Theater until 5 a.m.
• Disney Fairies: In Tinker Bell's Magical Nook (Adventureland) until 5:30 a.m.
• Rapunzel: In Fairytale Garden, toward Tomorrowland in front of the castle, until 5:30 a.m.
• Disney pals: In Town Square, until 5:30 a.m.
Finally, attractions. Many are required to close for maintenance reasons at some point during the night. Here's the schedule:
• Mad Tea Party: Closed Midnight-3 a.m.
• Snow White's Scary Adventures: Closed 1-2:30 a.m.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: Closed 1:30-4 a.m.
• Peter Pan's Flight: Closed 2-4 a.m.
• "it's a small world": Closes at 4 a.m.
• Space Mountain: Closes at 4 a.m.
• Splash Mountain: Closes at 4 a.m.
• Haunted Mansion: Closes at 5 a.m.
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Closes at 5 a.m.
For late dining, Casey's Corner on Main Street USA and Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland will stay open all night. (Imagine the overtime Ray will rake in.)
The Plaza Restaurant will serve dinner until 3 a.m.
For breakfast, the following eateries will open at 3 a.m. Thursday with breakfast items: The Lunching Pad, Main Street Bakery, Sleepy Hollow, Westward Ho and Cosmic Ray's.

 

The Giants Won The Super Bowl!!! Celebrating with a Vinylmation!

At $18.95 a pop it was a bit more expensive than I really think it's worth but after literally being on my knees in front of the tv for the last 57 seconds of the game, I couldn't NOT buy this.

The Magic The Memories and You - Valentine's Day Changes

Click Here to see some of the romantic new changes coming to "The Magic, The Memories, and You" show at Disney!

Have you or your family ever been featured during the show?

Disneyland Celebreates: Three Kings Day

For the very first time Disneyland is extending their holiday celebrations this year to include Three Kings Day, also known as Dia de Reyes. While also celebrated by other cultures, Disneyland will be focusing on the Latin American traditions which remember the night that the Three Wise Men delivered their gifts to the baby Jesus. 


From the Disney Parks Website:

Special food carts will appear in Zocalo Park, serving special Three Kings Day treats, and the seasonal menu at Rancho del Zocalo restaurant will include tamales and Mexican hot chocolate.
Here’s a look at what will be offered during the celebration:

• Rosca de Reyes, the “Mexican Kings Bread” with a hidden whole almond nut or “almendra”
• Sweet corn tamale with pineapple and cajeta (caramel sauce) dessert
• Savory blue corn tamale with Monterey Jack cheese and a green chili tomatillo sauce, with a corn chili relish
• Strawberry-filled churros

The Three Kings Day celebration at Disneyland park will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Zocalo Park (which is Spanish for “Town Square”) in Frontierland. Walt Disney envisioned Frontierland as a showcase for America’s Western and Mexican heritage, and this celebration will continue that vision.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will appear in their Fiesta costumes and other characters will join them, including the Three Caballeros: Donald Duck, Jose Carioca and Panchito! Entertainment highlights will include folklorico dance along with musical performances by the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas. Children will have the opportunity to participate in face painting, coloring, crown decorating and other activities.


I wish I was going to be there!

Celebrating Special Events at Disney World

Disney is a fabulous place to celebrate special occasions in your life. From birthdays, to anniversaries, and family reunions, Disney World has the perfect touches to make any occasion magical.

I have been lucky enough to celebrate my cousin's, my husband's and my mother's birthdays, my 3rd wedding anniversary, and next year my own 30th birthday while staying at the Walt Disney World Resort.

One of my favorite things is the cute buttons that that Disney provides to let the world know what you're celebrating. It's a nice easy way to let the cast members know that you're celebrating and they are very good about giving you a personal shout out when they see you. Even the bus drivers have a special way of greeting you and letting the other passengers know there are people celebrating on board.

Another thing I love about Disney, is that if you tell them you are celebrating something special when you make a dining reservation, sometimes they go above and beyond to make that dining experience extra magical.  For our anniversary, Le Cellier made our desserts extra special and added just a touch of pixie dust to my day. It wasn't something huge, but sometimes it's the little things in life that make the biggest smiles. On another trip where we were celebrating an anniversary, we were greeted at our table by a heart of Mickey pixie dust and 2 glasses of champagne.When we were celebrating my husband's birthday I was very happy to find out that I could purchase a cake for $10 to have delivered at the table during his birthday dinner. This was such a nice touch because I was worried that he wouldn't have a birthday cake, and since it was his 25th birthday, I didn't want him to miss out that family tradition. Look how happy he was! The restaurant also gave him that awesome chef's hat because it was birthday. He wore it for the rest of the night and kept it when we got home. Again, it's all about the little things that can help make a vacation a magical experience. If you don't want a whole cake, don't worry. Disney has some other tricks up their sleeve as well. When we went to another restaurant during my husband's birthday trip the server surprised us after our meal with this fabulous cup cake. We hadn't made a note on our dining reservation that it was his birthday, but when we had gone to guest services at the beginning of our trip to change another reservation, Lord Hill was wearing his birthday button and the cast member made a note on the rest of our dining reservations to let the staff know we were celebrating. It was a very nice surprise and still one of my favorite Disney desserts. Best part? It was free, as was the champagne I mentioned earlier.


An important thing that I need to mention, is that other than the cake, none of the surprises were expected, and they should NOT be expected in the future. They are nice magical touches that are special when they happen but please do not get upset if you do not experience the same magical moments on your trip.






Have you ever experienced a little extra pixie dust while celebrating at Disney?

.

Disney Blog Hop - Shared Experiences

This week's theme over at the Disney Blog Hop is shared experiences.





I didn't even have to think about what I wanted to write about. Since I had already written about my experience with my mother on the Characters in Flight balloon, I decided to write about my "first" visit to Disney World.
Now, by all means this was not really my first visit to the World. I have been going to Disney since I was an "itty bitty" girl. This was however, my first visit to Disney World as 1. - a married woman and 2.- with my husband who had never been to Disney, heck, he'd never been further south than New Jersey!

The full tale of this trip is too long to share in one post, but as a brief summary this is how it went...

This trip was a surprise. Hubby had no idea we were going. On Christmas morning he opened the gift and asked when we were going. I said "On New Year's Eve! For your birthday!" YAY!!!

And off we went.These are a few of my favorite photos from that trip and some of my favorite memories in general.
Clockwise from left to right...
Our first trip to the Magic Kingdom -Midnight on New Year's Eve behind Cinderella's castle.
Our first trip to Down Town Disney.
Our first ride on The Seas with Nemo and Friends.
Our first trip to EPCOT.

This trip is what started it all... I am so happy I was able to share my husband's first Disney World experience with him and that he wound up loving Disney just as much as I do.


Do you remember your first trip to Disney World? I'd love to hear about it!