Disney archive

Chip and Dale’s Campfire Singalong: The Free Disney World Character Meal

One thing I’ve learned blogging is that tips I think people just “know” about places I love (like Disney World) need to be brought up from time to time. Today I’m giving a shout-out to a Disney World character encounter few know about.

Chip and Dale’s Campfire Singalong.

Taking place every night weather permitting (around 7 in Winter, later in Summer),Chip and Dale’s Campfire Singalong is 100% free. Best of all, you DON’T have to be a Disney property guest! It’s kinda hidden at the Fort Wilderness Campground. The campground accessible by car, ferry from Magic Kingdom or Disney World buses from Disney Springs.

I’ve never seen the singalong too crowded, even at peak season. Chip and Dale hang around and dance with the kids (and who are we kidding, the adults too) for a good long time while a cowboy sings “Camptown Races” and the like.

Truth be told: the food is NOT free. However, it’s the only character meal I know of where you can BRING YOUR OWN FOOD. There’s also a small shop/stand where you can buy hot dogs, popcorn, sodas and, of course, s’mores kits.

You’re welcome to stay after the singalong for an outdoor Disney Movie shown on a big screen…bring a blanket and bugspray! They tend to go much deeper into the Disney archive than just “Frozen” and “Lion King” at Fort Wilderness – Here’s a movie schedule by date.

How to save on Disney World souvenirs

How to save on Disney World souvenirs

My first piece of advice regarding souvenirs is BUY BEFORE YOU GO. This can be as simple as hitting up the dollar store, which often have Disney branded items such as coloring books and puzzles. Target is another great source.

Without leaving the house, you can hit up Disney Store , which carries park merchandise, often at a discount from what you’ll find in the parks.

What if you’ve made it all the way to the mouse and just have to get your shop on? There is still hope. Disney has a not-well promoted outlet practically outside the Disney World gates, and one on I-Drive:

Disney’s Character Warehouse
4951 International Drive
Orlando
(407) 354-3255

Disney’s Character Premiere
8200 Vineland Avenue, Orlando Premium Outlets – Suite 1252
Orlando
(407) 477-0222

I hit both last year and found them to be identically stocked…and well worth the visit! They had pins from $1.00, Tees from $3, and tons of out-of-season, but still perfectly useful items at giveaway prices. I gave each of the Deal Kids $10 to spend. Deal Kid got a remote control Darth Vader car (down from $25) and Deal Daughter picked up a nightgown ($6, down from $22) and a T-shirt ($4, down from $12).

Disney World Hotel and transportation tips

Disney World is the holy grail for most kids, and can be the downfall of many deal-seekers. Having been twice in the last two years, I can at least offer some hope that a trip to see the mouse doesn’t have to be a complete budget buster. I’m posting some tips that have been hard-earned by myself and friends. Hope they help, and please include your own to be added!

To stay or not to stay in the parks? Having stayed both on-site and off-site, the clear Deal Mommy answer is off. I know, I know, sometimes Disney offers free dining offers and discounts, but the savings (and comfort) to be had off-site more than compensate for the location. I did a cost/benefit analysis of on-site and off for our last trip and the cost difference for a family of 4 staying in a mid-range resort on property and a 2 BEDROOM CONDO 1 mile away AND renting a car for a week was over $1000!

One benefit usually mentioned by those who love staying in the parks is the transportation options. The flaw in this theory is that it holds up only if you are visiting the park closest to your hotel. So while it is a piece of cake to get from say, the Polynesian to the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom lodge to the Animal Kingdom, if you want to go to Epcot from Sarasota Springs you’re in for a 45 minute wait and bus ride if you don’t get lucky! Having easy access to a car just makes life so much easier, and Orlando is the capital of cheap car rentals. I’ve rented full sizes for as low as $18 a day including tax! If you don’t luck out at Hotwire, my number #1 choice for cars in Orlando, try Expedia. Even with the $14 a day parking fee at the parks, you will come out ahead.

Another huge benefit of having a car is being able to hit off-site restaurants, groceries, and shops (more on those in a post soon). Not being restricted to Disney dining can easily save $100 a day for a family of 4.

So if you’re not staying at a Disney hotel, where should you stay? My first choice is a rental condo (suggested links posted below), but if you’re committed to a hotel and not a condo, here are two options I like:
Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin.

I think the Swan and Dolphin are a great mix of Disney convenience (they even have boat transfers to Epcot) and off-site independence. Rates are more competitive, even down to under $100 off season, and nights earn points in the Starwood program. You’ll want a car as they are not on the Disney Magical Express, but even with a weekly car rental you’ll come out ahead. Best of all, in my opinion, their restaurants (of which friends and I can vouch for Bluezoo and Il Molino) offer two free hours of childcare! My kids had such a great time in Club Dolphin last year that they begged to go back! Disney trips are so full of kid time, that two hour break with a great meal was worth every penny.

Here’s a link to Expedia Orlando page. I like their page because you can search by accommodation type for “vacation home or condo”, which give you more room and (usually) a kitchen and a bedroom door that closes! (Their narrowing options are on the results page.) I also like the fact that they have a rewards program independent of hotel chain!

VRBO is the place to start for condo and house rentals. I know it takes a bit more vetting (and I always recommend paying by credit card), but these services have good reputations, and I’ve used VRBO myself numerous times.

Original publication date June 28, 2012.

Wanna Save on a Disney Vacation? Grab Your Passport!

I’m a well-documented Disney Nut. However, Orlando is not my favorite place on earth. Visiting Disney is pretty much the only reason I go there. We tend to go for a week, because tickets are cheaper per day the longer you go. I wish we could go for a day or 2 on a long weekend, but at these prices I just can’t do i0.

The Deal Kids have been itching to get back to Disney and I was thrilled to build in stops at Tokyo Disneyland/Sea and Hong Kong Disneyland. I knew we would probably do 2 days in Japan and just one in Hong Kong and was prepared to suck it up. Imagine my surprise when I found how much less it costs to visit Disney parks in Asia.

So if you’re headed to Asia, you might seriously think about adding a Disney day or 2. I know it seems funny to travel 1/2 way around the world to see Mickey, but you might get to put Orlando off for another year and you’ll save to boot.

Your kids will love picking out the differences between the parks. You will too!

(And not to mention, there’s a Universal Studios in Japan and Singapore. In Japan it’s 1/3 the cost of Orlando.)

The Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tips You Won’t See Anywhere Else

I’m headed to my 2nd Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) next week. Before my first trip and again before this one I have read a LOT of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tips and guides. There’s one glaring omission in all of them I want to share with you, and it’s a total no-brainer. 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tips

Watch The Movie Hocus Pocus Before You Go.

The Sanderson Sisters are the stars of the 1993 cult classic film Hocus Pocus. I mention that it’s a cult classic because ninety percent of us have never seen it, and half of us probably haven’t even heard of it. If you don’t know who the Sanderson Sisters are, you will miss the context behind the main stage show at MNSSHP. The Sanderson Sisters, pictured above, are unofficial mascots of Halloween at Disney, and on my first visit to MNSSHP I didn’t have a clue who they were. Chances are neither do you. Here’s how to fix that:

I think that Disney produces events in a bubble sometimes and forgets that most people who visit are nowhere near as obsessive as the rabid Disney fan. Heck I’ve written a Disney World guidebook and still had never seen Hocus Pocus.

Let me put this into perspective: going to MNSSHP without seeing Hocus Pocus would be like attending a Rocky Horror Picture Show festival and not knowing what the Time Warp is.

Or going to a Better Off Dead party and not knowing why everyone wants two dollars. (Millennials, I’ll save you the time to look it up.) 

Extra Credit

If you really want to get into the MNSSHP spirit, rent Disney’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow while you’re at it. I’d call this optional rather than a must-do as at least most people know who the headless horseman is.

The Sanderson Sisters, on the other hand, melt completely into cinematic obscurity unless you know to pull them out. I hope my warning will help you enjoy MNSSHP’s stage show the first time more than I did. 

Disney World Hacks 2020 Edition Is Live!

‘m so thrilled to share the news: the 2020 edition of my Disney World Hacks  book is now available! You can order it via this link. 

The #1 topic I get asked about, both on and offline,is how to successfully plan a Disney World trip. I’ve taken all of my best Disney World tips and tricks and complied them in an easy to use reference guide.

Ask most travel hackers about Disney trips and you will get a blank stare. Hacking a Disney vacation is supposed to be notoriously difficult. However, as Walt put it himself, “it is kind of fun to do the impossible!”

Here at The Deal Mommy I have spent years planning and helping others plan Disney vacations. I’ve seen Disney planning questions on Google lead to my answers. Along the way, I have learned a thing or ten about how to maximize the fun and minimize the expense.

Disney World Hacks covers topics including:

• 13 Disney World Resorts you should avoid
• 9 restaurants- that don’t need reservations- that should be on your short list
• 4 questions you should ask before you go
• 3 Disney World resort hacks will save you thousands
• 2 secret Disney World outlets
• The Disney World meal that comes with free childcare

Learn all of this and much more with Disney World Hacks.

Note that the book is not a miles/points guide to Disney World. The vast majority of points bloggers will tell you to stay at the Swan/Dolphin, for instance. I will tell you just the opposite.  

The paperback costs a very reasonable $9.39 and can be ordered via this link. You can also find the Kindle version on Amazon  for just $5.99. Even better, you can borrow it for free with Kindle Unlimited. The tips within should save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. They will also save countless hours both before and during your vacation. 

Once you have read the book, please leave a review. Word of mouth is the best recommendation. I can’t wait to hear from you!

5 Off-The-Radar Ways to Use Points for Disney

Today’s post is written by Robert Dwyer, who is a contributing editor at Deal Mommy fave Milenomics. Robert, Sam, and I had a fun conversation a few weeks ago about Disneyland vs. Disney World which led me to ask Robert to share his thoughts on how to use points for Disney trips.

Most strategies for saving on Disney vacations I’ve read center around things like:

• • Staying at the SPG Swan & Dolphin hotels since they are on Disney World property and can be booked with Starpoints
• • Getting the Southwest Companion Pass to save on flights
• • Buying Disney Gift Cards at a discount

Those strategies are okay but they require too many compromises (did you really want to stay at the Dolphin and fly Southwest?) and the discounts aren’t as deep as they could be. (Ed. note: especially now that redemption rates are going up 30%.)

I like to decide what I want to do first then work backwards to figure out the best way to pay for it. Life is short and I don’t want to look back thinking “We did what loyalty programs allowed us to”. I’d rather use points & miles as tools for getting deep discounts. (Ed. note: stealing this!) 

With that in mind, here are 5 ways to use points for Disney vacations.

1. Use Chase Ultimate Rewards for a Disney Vacation Package

There are no great credit cards, only great credit card programs. Chase Ultimate Rewards are great because of their generous signup bonuses, there are many cards in the program that reward spend with 3x or 5x points in certain categories, they can be transferred between spouses and small business cards, and they can all be redeemed with 1.5 cents per point of uplift if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

The reason I mention a Disney Vacation Package is two-fold: First, I like to use Ultimate Rewards to pay for a more complete Disney vacation. Second, because when booked as a package you can work with a Chase travel agent that can get you the best available pricing while paying with Ultimate Rewards.

To book, call the number on the back of your card, say you’d like to redeem Ultimate Rewards and choose the Cruises & Tours option. This will put you through to a travel agent that can book a Disney vacation package.

A package can be a Disney Hotel & Park tickets. Or a Disney Hotel & rental car. Or a Disney World Hotel with Dining Plan.

The thing I like about working with a Chase travel agent this way is that, just like when you’re working with any Disney travel agent, you can use Disney promotions to reduce the price of the package while still paying with points.

For example, I booked 3 nights at the Disneyland Hotel with 4-day Parkhopper tickets through Chase. Later, Disney came out with a 20% off room offer. I emailed my Chase travel agent and Chase cut me a check for the difference in price. Then later I got a targeted promo in the mail from Disney. Chase cut me another check for the difference.

Being able to get the best available price and pay with bank points is tremendous. And so was the trip.

2. Use Citi Prestige 4th Night free at a Disney Hotel

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If you have the Citi Premier card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year) and the Citi Prestige card ($450 annual fee, not waived the first year but with $250 calendar year air travel credits) you can book Disney Hotels through the Citi ThankYou portal and with ThankYou Points. You’ll get 1.25 cents of value with the Premier card and the 4th night free (not including taxes) with the Prestige card. (Ed. Note: if you’re not staying four nights, consider Renting DVC Points.)

You’re stuck with the pricing and room availability shown in the Citi portal which isn’t always the greatest. But still – it can be a sound redemption for a 4 night stay. 

Four Seasons Hotels tend to do a good job of making their best pricing avilable through portals. Their Orlando property is located within Disney World, absolutely amazing, and often priced in-line with Disney Deluxe resorts.

If you’re short on points but looking to get a 4th night free at Disney Hotels the Citi Prestige card can help. If you’re paying cash you can call the Citi Concierge who should be able to get you the best available pricing and the 4th night free.

3. Book a Disney Cruise with Bank Points

Someone once asked “What’s the best credit card to sign up for to pay for a Disney Cruise?”. If there were a single credit card that paid for a vacation that costs many thousands of dollars I’d be all over it. Alas, that is not the case.
That said you can earn a lot of Chase Ultimate Rewards or Citi ThankYou Points over time. And you can use those points to pay for a Disney Cruise (or any cruise). And you can pay for the remaining balance with Disney Gift Cards or cash.
To book, call the Chase or Citi Cruises & Tours department. A travel agent will walk you through your options. The pricing should be exactly in-line with what you see on Disney’s site.

Here’s a review of a Concierge level Disney Cruise we booked with Citi ThankYou Points.

4. Use Chase Ultimate Rewards for Disney Park Tickets

If you’re just looking for Park tickets you can buy those with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Here’s how. (Ed. note: You can also use Barclay’s arrival points for Disney tickets, but not if you buy them through Disney. Instead, use Undercover Tourist which codes as travel.)

5. Use Bank Points for Flights

The most obvious play for paying for flights is with airline miles. But airline miles are dead and bank points are king- at least for domestic travel.

If you live in a Southwest hub, enjoy flying with them, and fly enough to make it worth it the Companion Pass can make sense. But for the rest of us, flights are best booked with bank points because you don’t have to contend with award availability and can book exactly the flights you want.

Sometimes you can get better pricing with bank points than by booking directly with the airline. Plus you’ll earn miles for the flights.

Summing it up

Disney doesn’t have a loyalty program because they don’t need one. But you can still use points & miles to pay for Disney vacations. The best deals are rarely the most obvious ones. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it!
Hopefully these examples give you some ideas of ways to save on your next Disney vacation.

Some Thoughts About Visiting Disneyland Paris in Winter

Greetings from Paris!  Or more specifically, Marne-la-Valee, the suburb where Disneyland Paris is located. I am here with Deal Girl in the middle of January to answer the burning question: what’s it like to visit Disneyland Paris in Winter?

The single word answer is variable. Let’s face it, Disney will always be Disney so some elements of the trip you can guarantee will be terrific. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is always stunning, no matter if your view of it is this:

or this:

Disneyland Paris in Winter

That said, being here in the deep of winter is a vastly different experience that being any other time of year, and that’s what I want to talk about today. This post is for those Disney lovers and off-season travelers who wonder what it’s like to visit Disneyland Paris in the winter.

Variable: The Weather and Crowds

The photos above were taken three days apart. Snow isn’t all that common in Paris and we happened upon the first snow of the season. The park experience was vastly different between sunny Saturday and snowy Tuesday.

For one, the park was much more crowded on Saturday. Part of that is because Disneyland Paris is more a local’s park (annual passes here are a steal) and part of that is because of ongoing civil unrest on Saturdays in downtown Paris. We heard at least 50% french speakers on Saturday and maybe ten percent on Tuesday.

Snow turned the park into a ghost town as only the die-hards ventured out to visit. It was only about three inches of snow, but the white stuff was clearly a novelty to many tourists. We stumbled across no fewer than five knee high snowmen around our resort and one really well done Storm Trooper head in the park. 

Variable: Park Operations

One reason to consider visiting on a sunny day first is that the parades and special events will not operate in the snow. The floats aren’t designed for the conditions. The afternoon parade at Disneyland Park is not to be missed. 

Park hours are significantly shorter in winter, most days being 10AM to 630PM. Even within those shorter hours some attractions close up shop early, We tried to ride Tower of Terror at Studios at 5PM and were turned away. 

Adding to the negative column: refurbishments. During our visit Phantom Manor and Crush’s Coaster, two A ticket attractions, were closed. At least those you can plan around a month or so in advance by checking the refurbishment calendar.

The upside of course is that on the snow day we could walk onto attractions including Thunder Mountain, which operates even in snow. I’m telling you now that riding Thunder Mountain in snow was a bucket list item I didn’t know I had.

I’m adding Walt Disney Studios almost as an afterthought here, because it’s a half-day park at best and wouldn’t be missed by the run of the mill Disney fan. That said, the Ratatouille attraction is unique in the world, at least until the one at Epcot is built.  

The Other Word for Disneyand Paris is “More”

That’s what kept coming into mind during our visit. For instance, Space Mountain is upside-down-Star-Wars-Space-Mountain. From now on every other Space Mountain will feel vanilla to me.

Thunder Mountain was almost twice as long, Rockin’ Roller Coaster did a 360, and even Small World had a North American section that charmed all ages. It was like someone turned Disneyland up to 11.

Bottom Line: Should You Visit Disneyland Paris in Winter? 

Yes, But…

• The experience could change day by day or even hour by hour.
• Disneyland Paris isn’t a copy, but more like an enhanced Magic Kingdom.
• You might not see everything. But that just gives you a reason to plan another trip, which is what we are going to do this summer. 

I’d love to hear your impressions of Paris Disneyland in winter if you’ve been. Please share in the comments. 

Disney World Packing List: 13 Things People Forget to Bring

After visiting Disney World more times than I can count, and despite writing a best selling book on the subject, I always manage to forget some essential item when I pack for the mouse house. I am writing this Disney World packing list for myself as much as for you so I don’t forget next time. 

These items can just as easily be picked up at Walmart or Target in Orlando if you are renting a car. Either way, you will want to have these things people forget to bring to Disney World before you hit the parks and the resorts.

Disney World Packing List

Two Pairs of Shoes

Did you know you can get blisters on the bottoms of your feet? I found this out the hard way on a Disney World trip. Make sure to rotate your shoes for each park visit.

Blister Band-aids

See above. You will likely get blisters, even with rotating your shoes, so you will want to be prepared.

Painkiller

Motrin can be a lifesaver. It is cheap and small to take with you, so be sure to have some handy. 

Ponchos

$1 at Walmart, $9 in the parks. Enough said.

Cooling Towel

A new addition to my must-have list. This is a lightweight piece of fabric that when wet provides much-needed relief from the heat. Disney has them for $18, but I got six for $15 on Amazon.

Compression Sleeves

Another new addition, and an absolute lifesaver when you are walking over 25,000 steps a day. These are open toe sleeves that help prevent ankle and foot swelling. At $8 for 2 pairs vs. feet agony, compression sleeves are a bargain.

Water Bottles and Powdered Drink Mix Packets

Disney World has water fountains and gives free glasses of ice water at quick serve restaurants. However, many complain of the taste of park water. Drink mix (such as iced tea, Crystal Light, etc.) will solve the problem. Using a water bottle instead of a cup makes the water much easier to transport and the drink mix easier to shake. 

Recently I have graduated from Crystal Light to Nuun Tablets. They replace electrolytes as well as taste great. Considering how much you sweat at Disney World, Nuun is a smart item to keep around.  

Something to Fight Chafing

Prickly heat is no joke, folks. Throw some Body Glide in your bag now. Thank me later. 

Spare Power Bank

You do not want to lose the ability to use your Disney apps because you are out of battery. I like the Ayyie Solar Powered charger.  I just leave it clipped to my bag while I walk around.

Print out of your itinerary

Just in case you forget the above or your cell signal dies.

Things People Forget to Bring to Disney World Resorts

Coffee

Disney does so many culinary items right. Why is the in-room coffee so awful?  I have yet to get a satisfactory answer, but the Jeoffrey’s coffee offered both in-room and in the quick service restaurants is universally panned. You will find that even Folgers is a step up. 

Disney rooms at Moderate and above have coffee pots, so a Ziploc bag of coffee and a few filters are enough to get you up and going if you need your fix. If I am staying at a value resort, I go a step further and pack a $15 3 cup French Press. Do not forget your coffee extras: all resorts have fridges if you want milk with your coffee or for the kids. 

If you are truly desperate and do not want to wait in line at Starbucks at the parks, head to the Speedway gas stations on property. They have a partnership with Dunkin’. 

A Portable Protein Source

You can find pastries right away for breakfast and lots of options for snacks, but proteins get more challenging and more expensive. Cheese sticks and protein bars are great options in room, but for out and about you need something heat resistant. I like beef jerky, but anything that will not melt will do. 

Earbuds

I am assuming you have a smartphone or other device for entertainment in a pinch. What you might not consider: Disney World Resort rooms offer little privacy. Once your kids are down you will want to keep the noise to a minimum. Watching Netflix or listening to a podcast without bothering the little ones can be a lifesaver during an unexpected afternoon nap.  

Are there any unusual items on your must-pack list for Disney World? I’d love to hear about them in the comments as my next trip is only three weeks away. 

Disneyland on Points

One hazard of raising kids as a travel hacker is that you raise the bar of surprise. While we try to keep the Deal Kids grounded for Deal Girl’s birthday this year we went all out. 

As you may know our family is well versed in Disney World: enough so that I’ve written a book on the subject. However, Deal Girl has never been to Disneyland and I haven’t been since I was her age. I thought it would be a fun exercise to see if we could visit Disneyland on points. Let’s see how I did, shall we? 

Disneyland on Points: Getting There

Since we’re coming from the East Coast flying is the only option. One great thing about Disney World is that I can utilize one way car rentals to save. In fact I just rented a Cadillac XTS for $5/day from DC to Florida through Hertz. We drove down (spending 15K Club Carlson points on a hotel enroute) and kept the car for the entire trip. 

To get to California I utilized Southwest Airlines’ companion pass. I achieved the pass last year via three credit card signup bonuses (Southwest personal and two Marriott) and still have a bunch of Rapids Rewards points left over. NOTE: The Marriott 7 night package loophole has since closed but two Southwest card bonuses- a personal and a business- will achieve the companion pass.

Three southern California airports serve Disneyland but the best by far is Santa Ana (SNA). Fortunately I found a flight from Washington Dulles to Santa Ana routing through Denver for 7,600 points each way.

TIP: be sure to search all of your gateways both coming and going. In my example DCA is the far more common Southwest gateway but connections made getting to Santa Ana difficult. IAD had both the best routing and the lowest price. 

Disneyland on Points: Hotel

Here’s one area where the Disneyland experience varies from Disney World: staying offside at Disneyland is no big sacrifice. Disneyland is much more compact and urban so options within walking or easy shuttle distance abound. The extra magic hours benefit exists at Disneyland Hotels but you get a similar benefit on one morning with a 3+ day ticket so I don’t value it as highly. In fact I’d pick the opposite park of the EMM to visit. 

After some research I chose the Hotel Indigo. A number of readers recommended it both due to the hotel’s proximity to the parks and the cleanliness/service. Two IHG card signup bonuses covered the 150,000 points needed for five nights. Fortunately, I had a bunch of points left over from last year’s priceless surprises promotion so only needed one new IHG card. 

Since it’s a points reservation, I have the option to change it if either prices drop or another more attractive option appears. Please let me know if you have any thoughts. 

TIP: Be sure to check your exact dates before assuming you can use points. Many hotels blacked out days or had minimum stay requirements in order to use points. For instance, the Indigo requires four nights minimum on a points booking.

Cash prices on off-peak times might also make using points less appealing. However, we’re visiting during Disneyland’s Chinese New Year celebrations so prices on even basic rooms top $300/night, making points a bargain. 

Disneyland on Points: Tickets

As with Disney World, tickets are the most expensive part of the trip. I decided on five day park hopper tickets as days four and five are only about $15 once you buy the first three. I know five days is a bit much for most people but Deal Girl and I are both sufficiently Disney-obsessed to enjoy the luxury of a slower pace. 

The best deals for Disneyland Tickets are through Get Away Today. Utilizing a Black Friday special I bought two five day park hopper tickets for $670 total. I offset that cost using Barclay Arrival + points: 50K from a signup (since reduced to 40K) and the remainder from Barclay Travel Community points. 

Disneyland on Points: Summary

I’m not going to tell you that we’re getting to Disneyland for “free”. Travel is not free, even with signup bonuses, as there’s always an opportunity cost involved. I also don’t sell credit cards so don’t have an incentive to push one program over another. 

However with points I am able to make the impossible possible and make an 11 year old girl’s birthday magical. 

And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

I’d love to hear your Disneyland tips as we’re headed there in less than a month! 

Is Disney World Overrated? No. Here’s Why

My buddy Nick at Personal Finance Digest finally prompted me to write a post that’s been years in the making. He announced that Disney World is overrated. Nick’s argument is basically that Disney World is the Vendome of theme parks: overpriced, overcrowded, over-hyped, and overrated. 

Is Disney World Overrated?

While I relish my role as community contrarian, I’m fully in the tank for Disney.  I want to spend some time today explaining why. Nick’s post provides a great point by point so I’ll use it as my touchstone. 

I wasn’t intending to write a Disney World Hacks advertisement, but my first thought upon reading Nick’s post was “he needed my book before he went.” Many of his issues with the mouse house have solutions that I cover in my guide. 

Disney World is Overrated Because it Costs Too Much

I’ll concede that costs for Disney World tickets can add up. I’ll also concede that price increases occur too often and that for a single day or two can seem outrageous. 

My first piece of advice is not to go for just a day or two. Prices per day drop significantly after day four. Check out Undercover Tourist to see what I mean. After day four it’s only about $20 a day. I try to plan for at least a week. Yes, you’re spending more, but amortizing the costs makes a lot more sense. Undercover Tourist often shows up on American Express offers and also codes as travel for Arrival +. 

You can purchase discount Disney gift cards to help mitigate the dining costs. I grabbed a $500 Disney Gift Card recently at Sam’s Club for $479.88. Using a 2 percent cash back card and getting 2 percent back on DOSH, the net is $460.48, or 9 percent off. That’s about as good as you’re gonna do for a Disney gift card. Even better, the DOSH cash showed up in less than an hour. Referral link for $5 to Dosh: https://link.dosh.cash/YCLI/i5jc8YywtI

As far as lodging, I’d recommend a vacation rental as Orlando is chockablock with excess timeshare inventory. I’ve rented for as low as $249/week via Skyauction. 

Disney World is Overrated Because of the Crowds

This is where my book would have come in most handy for Nick. I discuss tricks and tips to get around the lines that anyone can use without bending Disney’s rules. It’s entirely possible to skip the majority of attraction lines and to find the dining venues that are both appealing to the palate and uncrowded. You just have to know where to go and what to do.

Disney World is Overrated Because it Requires Too Much Planning

It’s possible to wing it at Disney World. However, it isn’t recommended if it’s your family’s one and only trip to the most magical place on Earth. That said (insert book plug here) if you have a quick guide it is easy to plan what you need to enjoy your trip without going so deeply in the weeds that you forget the point is to have fun. 

Disney World is Overrated Because They are Taking Over Everything

I’ll concede this point…to a point.  On the Disney-crazy scale I’m about a 6.5 out of 10. That may be hard for you to believe- especially since I’ve just published a book on the subject. However, it is entirely true. There is definitely a Disney sub-culture that can seem a bit, well, creepy from the outside.

That said, have you ever tried to discuss miles and points with a “civillian”? We look just as crazy as the Disney nerds do to most members of even your own family. And don’t get me started about #AvGeeks… 

Why Disney World is Not Overrated

Nick closes his post by conceding that Disney World is clean, has terrific theming, and that his problems with Disney stem from market forces agreeing with the first two points. 

I want to dig a bit deeper on this one as it’s important. The theming is on such a different level than anything else on earth that it takes slowing down to really appreciate it. In the Jock Hangar (Indiana Jones) bar in Disney Springs, it was a good 1/2 hour before I realized the case under my seat was jam packed with historically accurate artifacts.  

I spent a long time last year in the Animal Kingdom noticing the torn layers of posters in Harambe Market.  Each one was hand painted just to be ripped up so a 1/2 inch would show.  I had a chance to chat with the Harambe Market Imagineers. They spent weeks in Africa sourcing artifacts and researching the scenery.  If you don’t take time to notice, you’ll miss all of that hard work.

Just as market forces stimulate demand and pricing, they also affect the labor pool. Disney’s talent is second to none from the trash picker-uppers to the hotel staff to the performers. That’s because Disney is a prized addition to any resume and the company cherry-picks from tens, if not hundreds, of applicants for any open position down to bathroom cleaning. Much of the Disney magic stems from this fact. The people who work at Disney World really want to be there. 

Service is a large part of what keeps me coming back again and again. From Buzz Lightyear doing pushups in honor of our anniversary to the cast member who gave Deal Kid an extra pin with his first pin trade Disney is all about the surprises. 

What are your thoughts on Disney World?

Do you agree with Nick that it’s overrated or think it’s worth the hype? 

Looking for more Disney World tips and tricks? Check out my Amazon bestselling book, Disney World Hacks! 

4 Questions To Ask Before Your First Trip To Disney World

I was chatting with a friend recently who is planning his family’s first trip to Disney World.  He started asking me questions that made me realize he didn’t yet know what he didn’t know. Knowing yourself is more important than ever when you’re thinking about a Disney World trip as there are endless possibilities and also endless ways to muck it up. 

Planning a trip to Disney World is unlike any other destination in that winging it isn’t really an option if you want to enjoy your trip. So to help him (and you) I’m putting together a quick list of four questions you need to answer before your first trip to Disney World. 

Having these answers in mind will make life much easier even if you’re using a travel agent. In fact, if your travel agent hasn’t already asked you these questions, find another agent. This list assumes that your trip is already booked. I’m not asking questions about dates or hotel choices for that reason. 

Questions You Need to Answer Before Your First Trip To Disney World

What are your must-do moments?

You already have an idealized version of Disney World in your head. Dig into it and pull out a snapshot of the item that will make your trip “complete” for you. It could be iconic: fireworks over Cinderella’s castle, meeting Mickey Mouse. It could be something a friend told you about or something you read. Whatever it is, isolate it and make sure it gets put on the top of the to-do list. If you don’t have a must-do moment, ask friends, do some reading (you can start here) and get one!

What are your non-negotiables?

Just as you have things you must do on your trip, once you think about it you’ll realize you have things you must not do. Your non-negotiable could be dietary- Disney is great with special needs but restaurant reservations take on more priority if there are entire cuisines or types of food you won’t touch.  Your non-negotiable could be crowd level- if you can’t stand lines you’ll want to take a good luck at the crowd calendar and maximize your fastpass usage. Lines are a fact of life at Disney World but choosing the right park on the right day can make a huge difference.

What is your energy level/nap schedule/need for togetherness?

Are you an open to closer- and more importantly- if you are is everyone else in your group an open to closer also? Do you have a napper amongst your midst? Are you comfortable splitting up or are you a 24/7 family? Work this stuff out in advance so no one is surprised or feeling stuck or left behind. 

Do you prefer simplicity or having things planned to the last detail?

A Disney World trip can be planned down to the minute.  Specific ride fastpasses and marquis restaurant meals need to booked as soon as you are able.  However, if you’re just looking for a fun Disney World experience it is more than possible to do so simply. You just have to adjust your expectations. You’ll still have a great trip- just don’t sweat over missing the new Frozen ride at Epcot or dinner at Victoria and Albert’s as long as neither was on your “must do” list above. Nothing wrong with going through the Three Amigos Fiesta tour twice in a row because it’s fun and cheesy and there’s no line. I do it every trip! 

I’ve answered the four questions. Now what?

Your next steps will depend on your answers but one app will make it all easier: My Disney Experience. It’s a website, iPhone/iPad and Android app that organizes everyone in your party into one easy to use place. From the app you can get extra fastpasses and snag a last minute restaurant reservation in real time. 

Most of this stuff comes down to making sure you don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole.  You’ll just make yourself and everyone else miserable. By setting the right expectations and the right tone you’ll get everyone on the same page for an amazing trip. 

Disney World regulars- what other questions would you have a newbie answer before trying to tackle a First Visit to Disney World?

My Art of Animation Dilemma

Greetings from the Art of Animation resort at Disney World.  I have to admit I’m here for you, not me. I’ve stayed at just about every other Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe property and readers rave so much about AOA that I’ve run out of excuses to check it out.

Why did I keep making excuses? Because of my…

True Deal Mommy Confession

I detest The Little Mermaid. Abhor. Loathe. Ariel is easily the most vapid role model in a generation that should have known better. Let’s review her message to little girls, shall we?

• Collect Shiny Trinkets
• Shut Up
• Seduce an older Prince because only then can you leave your father’s house
• Live Happily Ever After

Yes, I know as Disney Princesses go needing a Prince’s kiss to wake up is worse but Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are at least products of their time. The Little Mermaid premiered in 1989: As the Berlin Wall came down Ariel sent girls back to the Stone Age.

I was very fortunate (IMHO) to have a girl who even at 3 took a look at Ariel, Aurora, Cindy et al. and basically asked “WTH?” Give her a Tiana, Merida or Mulan and she could hang.

Which Leads to My Art of Animation Dilemma: I Love My Little Mermaid Room

All standard rooms are The Little Mermaid at Art of Animation so I had to face my nemesis, and the room charmed me. It really shouldn’t have. It’s about the same size as the rooms at All-Stars, which I don’t recommend with the same tacky Motel 6 plastic cups. The room has no fridge and lacks even the cruddy coffeemaker you get at the other Disney properties. (Note to Disney: you do so much food right. What’s up with the coffee?)

Rooms are motel style so you don’t really have a patio or balcony. Using my $12 hack I did get a 4th floor lake view in building 7.  I was able to MacGyver a chair in the hallway into an almost as good as a balcony sunrise:

However I count that as a bonus, not a feature. Bottom line is I was in a hallway shared with maid carts and other guests walking by. Almost as good as a balcony is not a balcony.

What it’s not all about

I could tell you here that it’s all about the property and not the room but here’s the deal: anyone can show up at any Disney resort and walk the property. I encourage an early morning walk here because who couldn’t smile walking by these guys?

I could tell you it’s about the pools and partly it is- reviews everywhere rave about the Nemo pool and it is large, and colorful, and crowded. I actually preferred (ugh) The Little Mermaid “Flippin Fins” pool as it was much quieter and because the buildings all around you are so elaborately themed, you actually can imagine you’re under the sea. I blame this guy, who you can see from the pool:

Steel drums will be stuck in your head all day. You’re welcome.

It certainly isn’t about the food court. I have read countless reviews about this “ah-mah-zing’ Art of Animation food court and how people would make a special trip just to eat here. Not seeing it, folks. It’s a food court with some nice artwork and a heck of an echo chamber. It is LOUD in here. I’m only here because (like all Disney resorts) checkout is 11AM and (unlike Moderate and Deluxe resorts) the only air-conditioned place to sit is the food court.

It’s not about the value: Pop Century across the bridge has the same features at a lower price and somehow feels slightly less tacky then all stars. Last night All Stars would have been $40  and Pop Century $25 cheaper for the same room. I’m paying $144 (all in) using Orbitz with a coupon which is about as low as AOA goes if you’re not in a special category (pass holder, DVC, FL resident, etc.)

Nope. I loved my Little Mermaid room.

I loved the seahorses on the headboards. Loved the octopus curtain separating the bathroom from the beds (which I should have hated on principle because it’s proof the room is tiny). Even loved the coral reef carpeting. Loved all of it.

At least they keep Ariel confined to the shower curtain.

How to Get The Best Disney World Resort Rooms

Every trip to the mouse house I learn something new.  On this Disney World trip I learned a hack about finding the best Disney World Resort Rooms in your booked category. Best of all, it takes no time and costs only $16.

In the past I’ve recommended a $16 Touring Plans annual subscription as a no-brainer investment to save time in the parks.  However, on this last trip for Traveling Mom I found it’s good for much more than ride planning.  I had input my dates for an upcoming trip and about a month beforehand I received an email from Touring Plans titled “New Alert: Are you staying in a WDW hotel for TMOM?”.

I clicked through the email to my subscription dashboard and found the most wonderful feature. Touring Plans has detailed floor plans of every single Disney World Resort categorized by room type, many with photos. You can search on your booked room type to see Touring Plans suggestions for room requests.  Here’s the best part- Touring Plans will fax the room request for you!

By spending 5 minutes with the site I was able to achieve a canal view room at Old Key West. I was booked into a standard room and could have just as easily gotten a parking lot view.

The room in the photo above is the “garden view” at the Grand Floridian. Monorail view for a garden price?  I’ll take it!

Another sample:

At Art of Animation I scored a 4th floor lake view. At Sunrise I dragged two chairs out into the hallway and enjoyed the sunrise.

My 48-cent Disney souvenir hack

I am the least crafty person on Earth. I don’t DIY, I don’t creatively re-use my recycle bin, I can barely sew on a button. So if I came up with this Mickey ears glow in the dark toy I PROMISE you can make it in the park in five minutes or less. Even better, the money you save not having to buy the Disney souvenir in the park can be spent on another Dole Whip.

The only supplies you need are these Glow Light Stick Bracelets and a roll of tape. You only use six so at 8 cents a bracelet each toy costs you 48 cents.

Construction couldn’t be easier. Don’t make it until dark as the tubes activate when you break the stuff inside. Use two for the head, one each for the ears, and two for the handle. The package comes with tube fasteners to keep the circle shape for the head and ears. Just tape the ears to the head, the handle to the bottom, and you’ve got an instant parade light-up toy. Will it last more than two hours or so? No! But do you ever take home that $10 light up junk from the parks? No! This takes up no room in your bag AND saves you money. Total no-brainer!

I was expecting this to only appeal to the under 5 set, but I showed Deal Girl, 8, and she thought it was the coolest thing ever. You could totally play around with this: a magic wand, perhaps, or a tiara? I’d love to hear your ideas!

Other Uses

I originally bought this pack of 100 8″ Glow Light Stick Bracelets for Halloween last year and am picking up another one for this year. Kids of all ages, even the picky older ones, loved the glow bracelets and I felt better about not rotting their teeth. I’ve used them for outdoor parties, 4th of July, goody bag favors, or last minute get-togethers.  Just last night I handed the Deal Kids and their friends 10 of them to hide around the yard- a game that occupied them for a good hour.

The $29 Disney World Dessert That is Worth Every Penny

Vacation Mom took leave of her senses. That’s the only excuse I have for ordering the Kitchen Sink, a monster of a dessert at Disney World’s Beaches and Cream soda shop in the Beach Club resort. Even worse, I made a special reservation at Beaches and Cream to get it and called the Kitchen Sink lunch!

Well, it was definitely filling. And fantastic. How can 8 scoops of ice cream and an entire can of whipped cream (among MANY other ingredients) not be? The 3 of us made a valiant effort but only got about 3/4 of the way through…and that was AFTER I removed the cake and brownies to take back to the hotel for “dinner”.

If you’re going to attempt to scale the Sink, a couple of tips:

• Grownups should go for the coffee ice cream first as the kids might not appreciate the taste.
• As I mentioned, take the cakes out right away to box up (you can always add them back in). 4 brownies and an entire pound cake save a LOT of tummy space.
• If you’re interested in the idea, but not the proportions, there’s a 1/2 size “Mickey Sink” at $23 (that includes a souvenir sink).  We considered that one but decided in the end to go all in.
• Don’t order the Sink if you don’t like attention.  The lights go down and you get a round of applause for even making the attempt.

Have you tried the Kitchen Sink?  How did you do?  Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf: The Best of Disney Without the Parks

I’m performing an experiment: Can you experience a Disney World Vacation without visiting the theme parks? Today I’m giving a shout-out to a trip highlight: Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf.

Some background: Because this year’s Camp Mom, Asian Edition includes trips to BOTH Tokyo and Hong Kong Disneyland, on our last minute Florida getaway I wasn’t inclined to spend $800 on Disney Park Tickets.

However, prices at the actual Disney Resort hotels are at rock-bottom this week with value hotels going for under $80 and Moderates under $120/night. I’ll share my thoughts on each hotel we’ve visited in a later post. So, we decided to try “Disney without the parks” by enjoying the OTHER attractions Disney World has to offer. You know, the stuff you think “oh, that sounds fun” but skip because you’re too tired from the parks…

Fantasia Gardens

In a word (as given by the deal kids): Awesome. Musical. Hidden.

Awesome: (I’ll add Themed) Self-explanatory, but I’ll throw out there that many attractions in the parks are more done TO you than having you DO. Being actively immersed in Disney is a bonus. You have to put “mini-golf” out of your mind as Fantasia Gardens is SO much more: it’s imagineered. Based upon the movie (loosely) each hole is an adventure that winds under mountains, into fountains, and all around directs you into an experience. We gave up trying to keep score at the first hole and just enjoyed the spectacle.

Musical: Being based on Fantasia, classical scores play throughout. Each hole has a story and features include topiary ostrich ballerinas and even Pan himself.

Hidden: The phrase “hidden gem” is now cliche, but we encountered no lines at Fantasia Gardens during our visit. At $14 for Adults and $12 for kids the price isn’t at all out of line with the experience…you can pay that much for an average movie. We definitely got 2 hours worth out of Fantasia Gardens and would happily return to check out Winter Summerland once it finishes refurbishment.

10 Worst Disney World Resorts

After close to two months at Disney World in the last eighteen (and over twenty Disney World Resorts stays) I’ve come to appreciate staying on site. Benefits include extra magic hours, extravagant theming, amazing customer service and surprises even after you get home/.  I understand the value of paying extra for on-site hotel stays.

 I also know there are SO many Disney World Resort reviews about there. Which Disney World Resort you pick will largely determine how much value you get for the extra cost. With that in mind I have written many Disney World Resort Reviews and now present the 10 Worst Disney World Resorts:

The Grand Floridian

I fully expect Grand Floridian lovers to be up in arms, but I stand behind my pick.  After two stays I can confidently state that the Grand Floridian is lovely, but the room is NOT a $600/night hotel room.  It. Just. Isn’t. I’ve stayed in Hyatt Places that were more thoughtfully appointed and better designed.

The public areas of the property are incredible, but available to anyone visiting for free.  Have lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe or if you’re lucky snag a res for High Tea, take a stroll to Basin for their 1/2 price Mickey soaps at the register, and call it a day.

I get that the Monorail offers convenience that is available no where else. If you MUST have it, stay at the Polynesian or Contemporary.  At least both of those are unique enough to (kinda?) merit the exorbitant cost.

The Swan and Dolphin

I’m going to get some pushback on this one, but hear me out. The hotels are perfectly nice and in a normal circumstance I’d recommend them. But this is Disney and there is absolutely no theming in the rooms or at the pool. Even if you redeem points you’re on the hook for $18/night parking and $23/night resort fee. I just can’t justify 50,000 Bonvoy points that could have such better uses. Peak pricing makes an already to expensive hotel even more so. If you have to choose one, the Swan is supposed to be a Westin and the Dolphin a Sheraton, so technically the Swan is nicer. To be honest, I don’t see much of a difference. 

Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk Inn (Hotel)

Many Disney World regulars flock to the Boardwalk area deluxe resorts because of their proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The ability to walk to the “back door” of Epcot is especially liked. However you can get the same benefits by renting DVC points and staying in the timeshare units of the same properties. And you’ll save 50% or more in addition to getting a larger room.

Saratoga Springs and Old Key West

Again, perfectly nice, but both hotels are WAY on the fringes on Disney Property and really only convenient to Disney Springs. Even in low season studios here can be over $300/night. I’ve stayed off property for 1/4 the price and gotten to the parks more quickly than from Saratoga or Old Key West.

Let me reiterate that I LIKE both hotels- Old Key West more than Saratoga.  I stayed at OKW recently before my parks visit and loved taking the boat to Disney Springs. Olivia’s Cafe is my favorite unsung Disney World restaurant. I’d even recommend staying there (especially if you rent DVC points and get all-in for under $200 night) on a Disney World without the parks adventure.  But both resorts are just too far from the parks for me to recommend for a visit that includes them.

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Kidani Village (Studio)

Before I see a revolt in the comments let me state that I love Animal Kingdom lodge. You’re going to see below that Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo is my #1 recommendation. However, Kidani Village feels like an afterthought. 

 I’m actually typing this from Kidani Village while staying here and here’s why I don’t recommend it: for the same price or less Jambo is just much more convenient. Come over to Kidani for Sanaa and to use the kids pool area if you have small ones but I’d recommend using Jambo as your main base. 

Kidani lacks a limited service restaurant which is a big deal, especially at breakfast. Sanaa tries to fill the gap by doing a few grab and go items and there’s always the convenience store on site, but the average Disney vacationer is gonna feel it. 

View also matters a lot more at Kidani: at Jambo if you don’t get Savannah you’ll probably get a nice pool view. At Kidani it’s Savannah or Parking lot. Kidani is the first resort where my touring plans hack failed. 

If you’re here with a car, in a large unit, and know what to expect, Kidani could be great. I admit “Welcome home” (because Kidani is a DVC resort) is a wonderful greeting. But for that once in five year/decade/lifetime traveler to Disney World? Jambo is a much better choice.  

Riviera Resort (Tower Studio)

It may seem odd to pan a resort that hasn’t opened yet, but the Tower Studio rooms are the same size as value resort rooms and only sleep two. They don’t even have a standard bed; only a Murphy bed that converts from a sofa at night. Deluxe prices for a room without a bed?  Hard pass. 

Where DO I recommend?

Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jambo House

The most elaborately themed and my absolute favorite on-site hotel.  It’s especially good value when renting DVC points and getting a room under $250/night all in. Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House will be my go-to from now on. I wouldn’t bother with the Savannah view.  1/2 the time you’ll get upgraded anyway and even if you don’t the pool view is lovely and animal viewing areas are everywhere.

Beach Club and Boardwalk Inn (DVC Units)

I can’t deny the appeal of walking to Epcot. I also can’t deny the charm of the Boardwalk area of Disney World. So I definitely do recommend the DVC units at these two hotels. Boardwalk Inn specifically is a great value: rooms go as low as 14 points a night or $200ish all in. Beach club units are a bit more (I’d expect around $300 all in) but the pool at Beach Club is among the best on property. Last trip we enjoyed both Epcot and Hollywood Studios fireworks- at the same time- while floating on the lazy river. Not a bad way to spend an evening!

Port Orleans- Riverside

Theming is solid (Princess and the Frog), rooms have Murphy beds that comfortably sleep up to a five foot teen, and the pool area is terrific. Great activities around the property, too, like renting Surrey bikes and fishing. Others rave about Port Orleans-French Quarter but I’m a fan of the Bayou. That said, if you want less walking French Quarter’s compact size may be for you.

Coronado Springs 

Another solid moderate choice. Yes, it’s the “convention hotel” but that also means the rooms are a bit bigger and it has a spa and a better gym than the other moderates. It’s also the only moderate with a club. Theming doesn’t hit you over the head (which is a downside IMHO for an on property hotel) but the 3 Caballeros are a personal favorite and the Aztec pool waterslide is fantastic.

Pop Century

Pop Century Resort’s recently refurbished rooms impressed me, and I went there expecting to be somewhat disappointed.The rooms reminded me of a cruise ship cabin, with an ingenious Murphy bed that becomes a table during the day.   I’d happily stay there again with up to three people. I can’t say that about the All-Stars Resort or even Art of Animation’s Little Mermaid rooms.

The rooms sleep four, at least on paper, and I know many families of four who have done it, but 260 square feet is tight for four people. In the same price range, if I didn’t need Magical Express, I would consider a Disney Springs hotel. If I could splurge, I would stay at a moderate resort, which are 314 square feet — those extra 54 square feet make a difference in comfort.

All Star Resorts (Music, Sports, and Movies)

I go back and forth on the All Star Resorts but have finally landed on a very qualified “yes”. Yes, the rooms are tiny and the buses crowded, but the refurbished rooms are identical to Pop Century. I’d still pay up to $25/night for access to the Skyliner at Pop, though. 

As of October 2019 All Star Movies is undergoing renovation.  Then the rooms at All Star Music will begin, and then finally All Star Sports. As long as you’re in a refurbished room, All Stars is the cheapest option that gets you Magical Express Access.

Disney Springs Hotels

I’d especially take a good look at the B Resort, the Hilton Buena Vista Palace, or the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Tower rooms if you’re considering shelling out for the Swan or Dolphin. The rooms are comparable and easily 1/2 the price and both properties have a Disney vibe and a nice pool.  I know you can’t walk to Epcot, but Disney Springs and its huge bus depot is literally across the street and the Disney Springs Hotels buses are frequent.

The Waldorf Astoria

I haven’t stayed here yet, but American Express FHR has frequent listings of the Waldorf around $250 with free breakfast and $100 resort credit. My friend and fellow Traveling Mom Robin of Luxe Recess has a comprehensive review I trust.

Otherwise?  Off-site in a weekly rental from VRBO or even Skyauction.

Seven Reasons Disney World for Adults Rocks

Greetings from Kona Cafe, where my french press 100% Kona is on its way. I’ll be able to savor it in peace because of my secret: Disney World for adults is AMAZING. I know this is hardly a revalation to some-looking at you Perry Platypus- but every time I come sans Deal Kids (and it’s been 3x in the last year) I hear at least one “really?” from the peanut gallery. And that peanut usually is scarred with memories of endless lines, searing heat, and screaming kids. So today I’m sharing seven reasons I love Disney World for adults.

Seven Reasons Disney World for Adults Rocks

1. You can beat the heat.  90 degrees is a heck of a lot more tolerable from the pool or inside a pyramid. Without kids you can leave the parks anytime you get too hot or find lots of places to escape within them.
2. Amazing food.  You heard me. Amazing. Food. Get off the chicken nugget express and you’ll find some of the freshest, most thought out, and all around great eats on Earth.  Disney takes salads to an art level. The chefs go out into the gardens and pick for themselves what they’ll use each day.  When in doubt, order salad- it makes up for the Tonga Toast.
3. Adult beverage flights. Disney prides itself on theming and every bar and restaurant has a specialty.  The best way to enjoy it is in a “flight” which contains a taste of 3 different types arranged in a sampling menu like you’d see in a vineyard.  From the organic beer at The Wave in the Contemporary to the 12 year scotches I enjoyed yesterday at Jock Hangar’s Bar in Disney Springs you’ll get great spirits at a value price.
4. Grown-Up Entertainment. Recently a fellow Traveling Mom and I enjoyed a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks accompanied by a ukulele serenade.  at Trader Sam’s in the Polynesian. Add a frosty mug of rum goodness  and it was pure heaven. And Amphicar rentals only hold three-no worries about someone missing out.
5.  Screaming kids? A lot easier when they’re not yours.  
6. Lines? You can’t negate them, but without kids you can be a lot more strategic.  No one will judge you for skipping Dumbo- though you might want to check out the new waiting area. Ditto for going around the Gran Fiesta tour with the 3 Caballeros twice in a row because it’s cool and empty.
7. More time to appreciate the details.  Patton Oswalt recently noted “If you give an obsessive-compulsive unlimited funds they can do some really amazing stuff”.  In the Jock Hangar bar it was a good 1/2 hour before I realized the case under my seat was jam packed with historically accurate artifacts.  I spent a long time last year in the Animal Kingdom noticing the torn layers of posters in Harambe market.  Each one had to be hand painted just to be ripped up so a 1/2 inch would show.  I had a chance to chat with the Harambe imagineers and they spent weeks in Africa sourcing artifacts and researching the scenery.  If you’re chasing rugrats you’ll miss all of that hard work.

So I hope I’ve convinced you to at least try a few days without kids at the mouse house.  I like coming even when I don’t have a park ticket. Stay on property to restaurant and bar hop and you won’t miss Thunder Mountain.

Disney World Hotels: On or Off Site? (Revisited 2015)

After one stay at Disney World’s Saratoga Springs, I firmly advised folks to skip expensive Disney World hotels in favor of off-site options. However, after 2 more stays on property, I need to amend and clarify my recommendations. Now that I’ve discovered fully what Disney properties have to offer I realize the answer isn’t black or white. With that in mind, I’ve create an on or off-site checklist to help you figure out which is best for you:

• If you have more five or more in your family, Off Site is probably still the way to go. Few standard rooms on Disney property sleep 5 so you’re in for at least a family suite or possibly even 2 rooms.  Offsite, you are tripping over options to use points or can get a large condo or house affordably. For instance, reader Dan let me know that the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orlando points rooms are 2 bedroom suites sleeping 8.
• After staying in all three categories I can’t recommend a Deluxe Resort if you’re also visiting the parks.  The room sizes between Deluxe and Moderate are negligible and the price is double or more.  I know some, like Animal Kingdom, have truly unique settings.  However, you can easily access those settings with a restaurant reservation or even by just visiting the public areas.  After spending all day in the parks, are you really going to use those amenities SO much a moderate won’t do?  I can MAYBE see booking a deluxe hotel just for the experience and treating it like its own little island…but still wouldn’t book it myself.
• I also can’t recommend a Value Resort. This one surprises me.  I booked All-Star Movies at a rock bottom $70/night after using my Orbitz coupon codes.  At that rate, I didn’t expect much and was pleasantly surprised by the all-in All-Star theming.  The Deal Kids and I had fun there, but the rooms are SMALL for even our family of 3.  The pool also is “just a pool”…albeit with a Fantasia Statue.  The other issue with our stay was the incessant noise of tour groups (think…teenagers).  I’ve taken a look at other reviews and the noise and crowds seem a constant issue.  If your budget is limited, that $70/night will get you SO much more off-site.
• The Sweet Spot is the middle.  We LOVED our stay at Port Orleans Riverside and it was only $40 more than All-Star using a “bounce back deal” (more on those later).  The resort is fully themed including an island of a main pool featuring a waterslide and many other “quiet pools” near each building to get your swim on.  Our room in Alligator Bayou was a good 30% larger than the All-Stars and featured a pull-down bed that doubled as a bench during the day.  Lots of on-site activities kept us entertained: we especially enjoyed the Surrey Bike Rental. We also got great use out of the ferry system, which leads me to my next bullet…
• Don’t book on site because you want Disney Transportation. Rent a car. Using AutoSlash our full sized rental came to $111 a week. You get free parking as a Disney Resort Guest. Use it instead of waiting in the sun for a bus…you’ll thank me later.
• Don’t delete emails from Disney!  If you’re lucky, you’ll get targeted for a deal.  The “bounce back” rate of $116/night at Port Orleans showed up an hour after we checked out of All-Star and was an impulse purchase. Disney targets past guests, Florida residents and other groups for special deals unlocked by a name-specific PIN.   If you aren’t targeted, then you may be best using a 3rd party like I did with Orbitz. Then you can use a coupon code and get cash back.

Save Money on Disney World Resorts: Here’s How

With over 10 trips to Disney World in the last three years I’ve become an expert at how to save money on Disney World resorts.  I’ve shared whether to book Disney World resorts on or off site and let you know which Disney World hotels I don’t recommend but realized we never talked about the actual booking process. Booking Disney World hotels is a very different process than what most of us are used to- and the best way to book Disney World hotels is not the same as the best way to book almost any other hotel you book.

How is Disney World Hotel Booking Different?

With most of our hotel bookings we want to earn points or stay credit. With rare exception (such as American Express FHR) this means you have to book through the hotel site directly if you want to guarantee the hotel will honor your status and award points.  Most hotel chains will not honor 3rd party booking site reservations (like Orbitz, hotels.com, etc.)  for points promotions. You might get lucky from time to time but can’t count on it.

Booking a Disney World hotel is more like booking an airline ticket-  you can book a Disney hotel at any site and just input your reservation number into their system to get the benefits. Disney treats 3rd party booking sites like any other travel agent. You’ll still get extra magic hours, still get to use the magical express, still get the magic band with your room key and tickets attached. You’ll also still get extra 30 days with to book your fastpass- which can be the difference between walking onto the Mine Train or waiting two hours in line.

Why Shouldn’t You Book Directly with Disney?

• Prices at 3rd party sites and Disney are usually identical, even with Disney promotions.  Disney shares promotions with the big sites the same way they share them with travel agents.  You might not see packages with tickets or meal plans, but those programs generally aren’t great deals. For straight room bookings the prices on 3rd party sites are competitive- and in some cases less than Disney’s site. I’ve even seen prices lower than targeted Disney promotions on Orbitz.
• 3rd party sites offer coupons and loyalty programs that Disney doesn’t.  Orbitz has both the Orbitz Rewards program which earns 2-5% back for future bookings and frequent coupon codes for 10-20% off. Hotels.com offers a rewards program that offers a free night after 10 at any hotel. You can also use any rewards already earned towards your Disney purchase.
• 3rd party sites offer cash back and miles portals for double dipping. Disney doesn’t show up on Ebates or other portals, but most 3rd party sites do.
• 3rd party sites offer best rate guarantees. Disney doesn’t.

A real life example on how to save on Disney World Resorts

I’ll be at Disney World for Traveling Mom and then for FT4RL in April.  Here’s what April 20th looks like at the Caribbean Beach Resort, a hotel in my recommended mid-level category, for 4/20/16 including tax in a standard room with free cancellation:

• Disney.com: $181.42  using “Spring Offer”. Pool view, no standard available on this promo.
• Disney.com: $161.17 using “revisit and save” targeted email promo code for standard room.
• Hotels.com: $161.33, earning 1/10 free room in rewards and $4.84 on Ebates, net $156.49
• Orbitz: $141.10 using 15% off promo code, earning $4.86 Orbucks and $2.44 on Ebates, net $133.90

How to connect a 3rd party reservation to your Disney account

You connect your Disney reservation just like you would an airline booking: the 3rd party site will send you a six digit “hotel confirmation number” that looks like a PNR record locator from an airline.  To link it to Disney you just create a My Disney Experience  account. You’ll see a “link your reservation” option where you input your confirmation number.  Once it’s in you can buy and link tickets, make dining reservations, and complete your trip just as if you’d reserved it through Disney’s own site.

It’s still best to check with Disney first

If you’re a Florida resident, member of the military, or annual pass holder/DVC owner you’re going to get special rates that may beat the 3rd party sites. You might also get lucky and get the mother of all targeted email codes. Once you’ve visited a Disney hotel you’ll get special offers emailed to you at least quarterly.  DON’T DELETE THEM until you’ve compared the rates as occasionally Disney REALLY wants you back and will throw out a crazy low price. Another option is to stock up on discount Disney gift cards as they can be used to pay for the room if you book through Disney.  Most times, however, you’re going to do better with a 3rd party site.

I’d be remiss not to remind you to check out resident Disney expert Haley’s presentation on Disney World hacks for more tips and tricks. I’m also purposely leaving out renting DVC points . While it’s a useful option, you can’t cancel once you’ve bought the points- risky unless your plans are set in stone.

Looking for more Disney World tips and tricks? Check out my Amazon bestselling book, Disney World Hacks! 

What’s your experience booking Disney World hotel rooms through 3rd party sites? Do you agree with me or have I missed anything? Do you have a favorite 3rd party site? (Mine is Orbitz.)  Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Dear Deal Mommy: How Many Days for Disney World ?

Madison asks over Twitter (edited for clarity): Taking kids (6,8,and 9) to Walt Disney World in October for a week.  Is it better to spend all 7 days at Disney or break it up with 2 days at the beach?  How many days is best for Disney World? What’s the best way to schedule the trip?

I love this question because it gives us a chance to talk about strategies to help maximize your time at Disney World. I’m going to break my answer down into three parts: my answer, my rationale, and my suggested schedule.

My Answer: Both. On a 7 night vacation you can easily visit the Parks on 6 and still spend 2 nights on the Beach. Note: This answer works with kids of the ages listed and above. Babies or toddlers? Keep it simple!

My Rationale: 

• Take a look at Disney Park Ticket Prices. You’ll notice an interesting trend starting on day 4. Every single day after 4 is only an extra $10/day. This means visiting even for a half day or even a couple of hours can be worth your time if you use it wisely.

Open to close at a Disney Park is a LOOOOONG day. You’re going to break it up anyway with a dip in the pool- breaking it up with an hour long drive to the beach is really no different. Since parking is free as a hotel guest, you can pack up in the morning, throw the luggage in the car, drive to the park, and leave directly from Space Mountain.Ditto a day at the beach. You can arrive at the beach at 2ish, get a good four hours beach time in, and feel like it’s a full beach day. The day of departure you can enjoy the sunrise, get a good swim in, then head over to the parks for lunch. Disney World is one of the few places I break the minimize transitions rule on purpose. The hotels are destinations in themselves. So moving hotels twice to get the beach in is no great hardship, especially with older kids.

Sunday: Arrive to Disney Hotel, Evening in Park
Monday: Park, Disney Hotel
Tuesday: Morning Park, Beach Hotel
Wednesday: Beach Hotel
Thursday: Morning Beach, Evening Park, Disney Hotel
Friday: Park, Disney Hotel
Saturday: Park, Disney Hotel

Which Beach? Which Disney Hotels? I’d suggest the Radisson Melbourne Beach (be sure to book with points before May 31 if you have a Club Carlson card for the last night free).

At Disney? For two shorter stays I recommend two different on-site for fun. Which ones? Well, not these! I’ve tested and liked Port Orleans Riverside and Coronado of the Moderate level Disney hotels (my recommended level). I’ve also heard nothing but raves about Art of Animation, which is officially a value resort but is brand new and apparently miles above the all-stars, which I do NOT recommend. Or if you want to go big, splurge for one of the all-in themed deluxe on the first two night stay-Animal Kingdom Kidani got the most love from readers.

Readers: What are your thoughts on my plans for Madison? Please share in the comments.