Hey there, hi there, ho there!

WOW!
I cannot believe how much time has passed since I last updated this blog.
I had my reasons which I won't get into right now, but let's just say OH BOY does it feel good to be back!

I have so much to update you all about including but not limited to my continued experience with runDisney and my very first trip to Disneyland.

There's so much to say that I'm not sure where to start but I had to say hello and hopefully while I was gone, I was not forgotten.

Stay tuned for some awesome updates, photos, giveaways and more!
In the meantime enjoy this Memory Maker photo of my dad (white shirt first front car) myself, and Lord Hill (front row second car) on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!

Disney's First Three Park "All Nighter" Announced!

Have you heard the fun news??
Disney will be kicking off it's "Monstrous Summer" with another 24 Hour party, this time at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney's California Adventure.

The "all nighter" will begin at 6am on May 24th and end at 6am on May 25th. The announcement was made tonight at Epcot by a 180 foot tall Mike Wazowski. You can watch excitement in the video below.

  What do you think about another 24 hour party at Disney? Will you be attending?

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom - Introduction

Well hello there Disney fans! A lot of you may already know about Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (referred to as SOTMK for the rest of this post) but I have been asked by more than one person to explain this new(ish) attraction in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
Since I just returned from a very productive trip where I made it a mission to complete the main part of my deck, I figured this would be the perfect time to introduce everyone to my newest Disney obsession. I will be discussing SOTMK in a series of posts because there is  A LOT of information to cover. This is post number one, the introduction.

What is Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom?
SOTMK is an interactive attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom that debuted in February of 2012. Hades is trying to take over the land and Merlin recruits you to help him put a stop to the evil villain. While you are helping Merlin, Hades has recruited the other villains to help him take over the Magic Kingdom. You need to stop him by recovering the four missing crystals that Hades henchmen, Pain and Panic have lost.

That sounds exciting! How do I get started?
You will need to visit one of two kiosk stations.
The main kiosk station is the Fire House next to Guest Relations on Main Street at City Hall.
The second kiosk is behind Old Ye Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. It is next to the character greeting area for The Princess and the Frog.
When you go to the kiosk you must present your park ticket and the cast member will give you a portal key that is matched up with your park ticket. You will also be given a pack of randomly sorted cards and a map of all of the portal locations with their corresponding symbols.
If this sounds a bit overwhelming, don't worry. The cast member will train you at a training portal located near the kiosk.

Cards, Maps, Training... sounds great, but how much is this going to cost me?
Believe it or not, the experience is almost completely free. There are 60 cards that you can get for free. The remaining 10 cards (Lightning Bolts) can only be obtained by purchasing a SOTMK booster pack. This is not necessary for general game play. I will discuss the booster packs further in a future SOTMK post.

How often can I get a new pack of cards?
Everyone with a park ticket can pick up one pack between official park opening and one hour before official park closing. Sorcerers can also pick up an additional pack when you beat Hades and Merlin congratulates you.

How long does it take to complete the attraction?
It takes about 2.5 hours to complete on the first level. This can vary based on what location you are given, where you are starting out for the day, what you choose to do between portals, and how many other sorcerers you come across at your portals.

2.5 Hours?!? That's longer than the wait for Peter Pan or the New Test Track! Is it worth it?
YES. It is. It is a great adventure for both the young and the young at heart. It's awesome for those guests like myself who visit Walt Disney World frequently and feel as though they've "done everything". It's also fun for those guests who are not so frequent or even first time visitors because it is completely interactive and it lets you see different areas of the Magic Kingdom.
The best part is that it does not have to be 2.5 hours straight through in one day. You can start your missions and then return to the designated portal the following day/week/etc. This attraction works for people who like to have something to do every minute of their trip as well as for people who like to simply go with the flow.

Even if you don't decide to PLAY the game. The cards are awesome, make for a fun collection, and best of all, are FREE. How often does anyone, let alone Disney, give us something so awesome for FREE?!?

So, now that you've gotten the basics, get out there and save the Magic Kingdom!!

Disney Announces December 6th is the Grand Opening of the Fantasyland Expansion in Magic Kingdom

You can't possibly imagine my excitement when I heard that the official grand opening of Walt Disney World's Fantasyland Expansion is set for December 6, 2012.



Why am I so excited? Because I will be there!! I am going to Walt Disney World to celebrate my 30th birthday in style and I will be there the 5th-14th. I have tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on the 6th which means lower crowds that evening. I know that the low crowds won't be as low as we had hoped and expected since this news became public but it will be amazing regardless.

I promise to take a TON of photos for all of you. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for real time updates and photos.

Attractions included in the opening are Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel's Grotto, Gaston's Tavern, and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Princess Fairytale Hall is schedule to open in 2013 and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is scheduled to open in 2014.

What aspect of the Fantasyland Expansion are you most excited about?

Disney Announces Fantasyland Expansion Preview for Passholders

Exciting news from Disney today:

"Be among the first to experience the enchantment of New Fantasyland during a special Passholder Preview in November 2012! Upon completion, Fantasyland will nearly double in size – for the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom Park.
Registration details are coming soon and will be communicated via email and here on the Passholder website. Event capacity is limited, so be sure to watch for these updates! Valid Magic Kingdom Theme Park admission is required to attend this event."

Please let me know if you get the invite!

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.

Walt Disney World Free Dining for Fall/Winter 2012

It's here!!!

FREE DINING for the fall and early winter!!!! 

Disney Visa Card holders get to book first, everyone else starts Thursday.
Book by Sept 29th. Catch this great offer before it's gone!

Fill out this form and select my name from the agent drop down menu (KERRI) to get started and also be entered into my travel agency's Dooney & Bourke wristlet contest.

Travel dates:
9/30-10/4
10/19-11/1
11/9-11/15
11/23-11/29
12/10-12/13

As you can see there will be some black out dates but as long as your check in date falls within the dates above you are able to get the promotion for your whole stay.

All resorts are included except the Little Mermaid section of Art Of Animation.

If you are booking a value resort the Quick service plan is included, the plus dining plan is free with a moderate or deluxe resort stay. You are able to upgrade the dining plan to the plus or deluxe with any package.

Must stay 4 nights to receive this offer.

 Don't forget every quote request now thru July 18th is eligible for an entry to win the Dooney & Bourke wristlet. A Booking is worth 2 entries. Click here for more info on the giveaway.

Already booked with Disney? I can still help you too!

Fill out this form and select KERRI as your travel agent, and I will add myself as your agent to your reservation and you will get my free services! This will not cost you anything extra, and may in fact end up saving you a lot of money! 

The number of packages available for this offer is limited. Tickets are for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Family suites at Disney's Art of Animation are eligible. All other suites, campsites, and 3-bedroom villas are not eligible. Dining plan excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from the children's menu, where available. Some Table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Disney Park Capacity Levels and What It Means For You

Many of my friends and family as well as my clients ask me the same question: Do the Walt Disney World theme parks ever reach capacity?

The answer is YES. I have been there not only on a day when this was true but on a day when Lord Hill and I were fortunate enough to be on the last bus, and the very last group of people to be allowed in before they declared the park closed to any new guests. This was at 11:00am on New Years Eve. There are several stages of park capacity levels.

Here is what they mean and how it can affect your trip.

Stage Zero - Due to limited available parking, Guests may be directed to alternate parking areas where they will use Resort transportation to travel to the park of their choice.

Stage 1 - At this stage each Guest in a vehicle must have a valid multi-day ticket. Also Guests with a Park Hopper or re-entering the Park, by showing a currently dated Parking Receipt, will be allowed in. Also, any Guests using Disney transportation are allowed.

Stage 2 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets crossing over from another Park, Guests re-entering this Park today. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted. Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Stage 3 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in. Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything. 

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group for Stages 2 and 3. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included.

For more information about visiting the Disney theme parks please email me at Kerri@MickeysdreamVacations.com

It would be my pleasure to help you make the most out of your magical vacation at no additional cost to you!

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.
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Preview of the new Dumbo Storybook Circus Attraction

The "new and improved" Dumbo attraction is going to have something that guests of Walt Disney World have never seen before... a "no line" queue! According to the Disney Parks blog, Disney will be issuing pagers like you would get at a restaurant rather than waiting on line to ride the classic attraction. While waiting guests will be able to enjoy the circus themed "queue lounge" where there will be interactive elements for the guests to enjoy.

Here are some sneak peek photos for you to enjoy  as well as a video from Inside the Magic of the current ride in action at night. The new colored lights and fountain really make a nice impact at night.

The Storybook Circus part of the Fantasyland expansion project is scheduled to open this July!

Walt Disney World Park Ticket Price Increase June 3rd

It's official!
Walt Disney World Theme Park Ticket prices will go up on Sunday, June 3rd. 

If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida in the near future but do not wish to purchase any of  the Disney Dining Plans for your stay, you can save money by purchasing your park tickets now and the current price. They will still be valid when you travel. Please note that the price of adding the combined Park Hopper/Water Park Fun & More is actually dropping, so if you are buying a ticket with both add-ons, it may be cheaper to wait until after Sunday to purchase.
Contact me for more information or to purchase tickets.
You can find me on Facebook here or here. You can also email me at kerri(at)mickeysdreamvacations(dot)com

The new prices are listed below. They do not include tax which is applied to every purchase regardless of state of origin. Tax is 6.5%

Theme Park Annual Pass Options (*)
Ticket	Ages 10-up	Ages 3-9
Annual Pass	$574	$574
Annual Pass entitles guest to unlimited admission for 365 days from the activation date (except activities/events separately priced) to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as complimentary parking.
Premium Annual Pass	$699	$699
Premium Annual Pass entitles guest to unlimited admission for 365 days from the activation date (except activities/events separately priced) to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), Disney’s Oak Trail golf course, DisneyQuest and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, as well as complimentary parking.

Days On Ticket Base Ticket Optional Add-Ons Ages 10-up Ages 3-9 Park Hopper® Water Park Fun & More Park Hopper® & Water Park Fun & More No Expiration 10 days $318 ($31.80/day) $300 ($30.00/day) $57 $57 (10 visits) $79 (10 visits) $275 9 days $308 ($34.22/day) $290 ($32.22/day) $57 $57 (9 visits) $79 (9 visits) $250 8 days $298 ($37.25/day) $280 ($35.00/day) $57 $57 (8 visits) $79 (8 visits) $215 7 days $288 ($41.14/day) $270 ($38.57/day) $57 $57 (7 visits) $79 (7 visits) $190 6 days $278 ($46.33/day) $260 ($43.33/day) $57 $57 (6 visits) $79 (6 visits) $165 5 days $268 ($53.60/day) $250 ($50.00/day) $57 $57 (5 visits) $79 (5 visits) $130 4 days $256 ($64.00/day) $239 ($59.75/day) $57 $57 (4 visits) $79 (4 visits) $85 3 days $242 ($80.67/day) $226 ($75.33/day) $57 $57 (3 visits) $79 (3 visits) $40 2 days $176 ($88.00/day) $164 ($82.00/day) $57 $57 (2 visits) $79 (2 visits) $30 1 day $89 $83 $35 $57 (2 visits) $79 (2 visits) n/a

Attractions Outside the Theme Parks (*)
Ticket		Ages 10-up	Ages 3-9
Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach	1-Day 1-Park / Annual Hopper	$52 / $99.95	$44 / $80.50
DisneyQuest	1-Day / Annual Pass	$44 / $89	$38 / $71
DisneyQuest + Water Parks	Annual Pass	$129	$99
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex		$14.95	$10.28
Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba		$73-$128	$58-$102

Theme Park Miscellaneous Options (*)
Parking	$14 (tax included) ($15 camper/trailer) per day
Single Stroller	$15 per day ($13 per day for length-of-stay rentals)
Double Stroller	$31 per day ($27 per day for length-of-stay rentals)
Locker	Theme Parks: $7 per day (large lockers $9 per day) + $5 refundable deposit Water Parks: $8 per day (large lockers $10 per day) + $5 refundable deposit
Wheelchair	$12 rental per day ($10 per day for length-of-stay rentals)
ECV	$50 rental per day + $20 refundable deposit

Stroller, Wheelchair and ECV rentals at Downtown Disney require a $100 refundable deposit.

Florida Resident Theme Park Tickets and Options (*)
			Park Hopper®	Water Park Fun & More	Park Hopper® & Water Park Fun & More
	Ages 10+	Ages 3-9
Florida Resident 4-Day Ticket	$192	$178	$28.50	$28.50	$57
Florida Resident 3-Day Ticket	$169	$157	$28.50	$28.50	$57
1-Day MYW Ticket	$89	$83	$17.50	$28.50	$46

Valid proof of Florida residency per adult is required for purchase and use. Florida Resident 3-Day Ticket and Options and Florida Resident 4-Day Ticket and Options expire 6 months after first use or 12/18/2013, whichever comes first. Block-out dates apply.

Florida Resident Theme Park Annual/Seasonal Pass Options (*)
Ticket	Ages 10-up	Ages 3-9
Florida Resident Annual Pass	$425	$425
Florida Resident Annual Pass entitles residents to unlimited admission for 365 days from the activation date (except events separately priced) to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plus complimentary parking.
Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass	$559	$559
Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass entitles residents to unlimited admission for 365 days from the activation date (except events separately priced) to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks, DisneyQuest, Disney’s Oak Trail golf course and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, plus complimentary parking.
Florida Resident Seasonal Pass	$299	$299
Florida Resident Seasonal Pass entitles residents to admission to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom except for “blockout” dates around Christmas/New Years, Easter/spring break, and peak summer vacation period; the pass expires 365 days after activation.

Will the new ticket prices change your vacation plans? Are you more likely to purchase tickets before the change to save money or will you wait and add them to your package at a later date for convenience sake?
I will be buying annual pass vouchers for our December trip tomorrow, every little bit helps!

Magical Memory Wednesday

Do you prefer to photograph the Castle in daylight or at night?

Finding Nemo Pool Underwater Sounds at Art of Animation Resort

I was lucky enough to get a tour of the Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World 2 weeks ago. It was AMAZING. I will be doing a separate post with photos of the resort but I just came across this video and had to share it with you. One of the coolest things about this resort is the Finding Nemo pool. It is the largest swimming pool on Disney property, outside of the water parks. When you go under water you actually hear Nemo and his friends!! How awesome is that?!?! I really hope this pool isn't blocked out from DVC pool hopping!! Enjoy the video! 

*I did not take this video*

Big Thunder Mountain Reopens Monday May 28th!

After being closed for 5 months for a major refurbishment, I am happy to say that Big Thunder Mountain has started it's soft opening and will officially today, Monday May 28th!

There was extensive work done on the track, the show scenes, and the queue.
The best part is that all of the show/ride elements are now working including the geysers!

If you have any photos of the newly refurbished queue and/or ride, please let me know. I'd love to share them with my readers.

Disney's Pop Century Resort

Disney's Pop Century Resort is one of the coolest, funkiest, far out resorts I have ever stayed at.
It was seriously so much fun to just walk around and look at! The colors were awesome, the giant characters and decor were totally radical, and the nostalgic feeling the resort had for guests of all ages was magical.

My favorite section was definitely the 80's section but the whole resort was awesome. The food court is amazing and the tie dye cheesecake is not to be missed. 

Look at the awesome the delicious Pop Century waffles!

Seriously, I was so impressed with the waffle that I took about 10 photos of it. You only get to see one, b/c I need to save room to show you all of the other awesome stuff at the resort.

The giant Mickey phone is one of my favorite things at Walt Disney World. I own a Mickey Mouse phone that my parents got for sitting through a horrible time share experience when I was a kid. I think they had  a choice of the phone or something fabulous that they as adults could actually use but once I saw the phone, I was hooked.



Check out the gnarly action shot of me giving Mr and Mrs Potato Head a high five. It took about 20 tries to get that photo. It's one of my proudest Disney photo moments.

The bowling pin and the rubix cube are stairways for the hotel. How cool is that?!? It's the little things like that which make me love this resort.

The giant Big Wheels was so cool!! I really wanted the pedal to spin. I won't lie, I was a little sad when it didn't. Click the image to the left to make it bigger b/c that is also an action shot and I really want you to see and enjoy all of the hard work I put in to those photos to make you smile.

 There is a really neat trail that goes along the water at the resort. It has signs for every year with a little bit of info about the year. Lord Hill and I were very excited when we finally came across the years of our birth. (Yes, you're seeing that correctly, I am older than Lord Hill and "robbed the cradle"
I think that the walkway with the signs is a great place for families to take some photos. It would be cute to go there every visit just to take pics of the kids with the signs as they got older. BUT I just realized a flaw in my plan, I don't think it goes past the 90's. I'm honestly not sure though b/c I got distracted by some other cool things while taking our walk and stopped paying attention to the signs.
 Do you see that car?!?! How did a guy like Goofy score such a hot ride?!?

Lord Hill really enjoyed the giant characters. Along with Mowgli and Baloo pictured here there were awesome sculptures of Lady and the Tramp, Roger Rabbit and more.

The yo-yo is also a stair case.

I tried to reenact the break dancers on the building while playing twister outside my room. As you can see, I was not very successful.

In the future I will leave the dancing to the experts and I will stick to drooling over cars and posing for silly photos with my favorite characters.



Another quick but important tidbit about this resort is that it's a VALUE resort which means you get all of the above awesomeness for a low price. However, unlike the other three (four now I guess with Art of Animation) value resorts, Pop Century does not currently share a bus with any other resort. This is a HUGE plus in my opinion and I definitely recomend checking it out if you want to go to Disney on a value budget.

Contact me for more information about this, or any other Disney resort.
Kerri@MickeysDreamVacations.com

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's All Star Movies Resort

The first time Lord Hill and I ever went to Disney together we stayed at Disney's All Star Movies Resort.  This resort is AMAZING, FUN, COLORFUL, and best of all AFFORDABLE. It's a great resort in the Value catagory and has rates starting at $82 a night. (We stayed during the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve so unfortunately we did not get as fabulous as a rate lol) The lobby, arcade, foodcourt, and pool bar are all movie theater themed.

The standard room has 2 double beds,  a vanity area, and a standard shower/tub combo. We were lucky enough to be in the Mighty Ducks section of the resort which was perfect for us given our ages. I do think it's a little strange that they put the Mighty Ducks section in the All Star Movies resort instead of in the All Star Sports Resort since there are so many more Disney movies they could have chosen, but being a big fan of the movie we were excited.

I was even more excited when I saw the pools. Disney's All-Star Movies Resort has 2 swimming pools—the main Sorcerer's Apprentice-themed Fantasia Pool and the smaller Duck Pond pool shaped like a hockey rink and inspired by The Mighty Ducks.

The larger than life theme does not stop at the pools. The resort features Disney icons that tower over 30 feet tall! The buildings are painted in bright colors and covered with playful details and hidden surprises.

The Disney's All Star Movies Resort will always hold a special place in my heart. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to go to Disney World but not looking to spend a small fortune. For just slightly more than you would pay at an off site location, you get a great theme and all of the perks of staying on property at Disney World including Extra Magic Hours and Free Park Transportation and Free Parking at the theme parks.




For more information about this or any other Disney resort, please contact me. It would be my pleasure to help you plan a fabulous Walt Disney World vacation while staying within your comfort zone.
Kerri@MickeysDreamVacations.com

Save Up To 25% with Walt Disney World Resort's Summer Room Offer

Beat the heat this summer by staying at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels and saving up to 25%* for stays most nights June 15 – Aug. 14, 2012.

You can enjoy a 6-night, 7-day vacation at Disney's All-Star Music Resort, including Theme Park tickets, for as low as $69 per person, per day (based on 2 adults, 1 junior and 1 child in a standard room)! That's a total package price of $1,914 for stays most nights June 15 – Aug. 4, 2012.

Offer Details:

For stays most nights June 15 – Aug. 14, 2012:

• Save 15% at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort and Disney's All-Star Music Resort
• Save 20% at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Coronado Spring Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and Disney's Fort Wildness Resort & Campground Cabins
• Save 25% at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Disney's BoardWalk, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard views only), Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Disney's Old Key West Resort.

Ask about other great rates on stays in other Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

Booking and Travel Window:

• Book April 2 – June 14, 2012, for stays most nights June 15 – Aug. 14, 2012

For more information you can contact me at Kerri@MickeysDreamVacations.com or at Facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByKerri

A Very Disney Christmas - Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

This photo was taken during the very first trip Lord Hill and I ever took to Walt Disney World together.
I had never heard of the Osborne Spectacle of Lights and we happened to walk down the "street" at just the perfect moment when the show started. It was one of the most amazing and magical moments I have ever experience at Disney. Hubby would probably kill me if he realized I posted a photo of him wearing a fanny pack, but in all fairness, I forced him into it and it doesn't really count since it says Disney and anything Disney is awesome.

Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights January 2009

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is included with standard admission to Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park and the year it is running through January 7th.
For more information, visit THIS page of the Disney website.

For more Christmas inspired Disney blog posts, check out the Christmas Countdown hop!