RETURNING TO OUR DISNEY BLOG AFTER TAKING A BREAK. BEING RETIRED GIVES ME TIME TO POST NEW AND INFORMATIVE DETAILS REGARDING VISITING THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH.

New rides

Can't wait to go to Fantasyland. Hope updates are complete.

Going to WDW 2012

Finally going back to WDW. New packages through AAA allowed us to be automatically updated saving hundreds of dollars. Great service from AAA. Also booked a car for half of the least expensive rates we got anywhere else.

WALT DISNEY WORLD - CHECK OUT THE REST OF THIS SITE

THE LINKS, PHOTOS, AND OTHER INFORMATION ON THIS SITE GETS UPDATED CONTINUOUSLY AND AUTOMATICALLY. CHECK OUT ALL THE FEATURES ON THE LEFT SIDE BAR. YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY WORLD INFORMATION INCLUDED. THERE ARE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF THE PARKS INCLUDING MAGIC KINGDOM, EPCOT, ANIMAL KINGDOM AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS. INFORMATION REGARDING ORLANDO, FLORIDA AND THE TOWN OF CELEBRATION CAN ALSO BE FOUND.

THERE ARE ALSO OTHERS' PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF THEIR TRIPS TO WALT DISNEY WORLD. AND YOU CAN EVEN LOCATE INFORMATION ON UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE WORLD.

TAKE A FEW MINUTES. WE THINK YOU WILL FIND SOMETHING OF INTEREST.

DISNEY WORLD - ORLANDO HOTELS AND RESORTS

EVEN THOUGH WE STAY ON THE GROUNDS, WE MUST ADMIT THERE ARE GREAT PLACES TO STAY OFF THE PROPERTIES IN ORLANDO AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. SOME OF THESE OFFER GREAT AMMENITIES, TRANSPORTATION TO THE PARKS, AND LOCATIONS NEAR OTHER ATTRACTIONS.

WE GO JUST FOR DISNEY. BUT, IF YOU WANT TO VISIT OTHER PARKS, AND ATTRACTIONS IN THE AREA, YOU CAN SAVE CASH BY SELECTING OFFERINGS OFF THE WDW PROPERTIES.

WE LOVE DISNEY ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OUR "WHOLE TRIP." BUT, IF YOU ARE ONLY A PART TIME DISNEY FAN, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER SOME OF THESE OTHER OPTIONS.

DISNEY WORLD ROOM SIZES

WHEN BOOKING AND AFTER ARRIVING IT IS POSSIBLE TO REQUEST CERTAIN ROOMS. NOT ALL ROOMS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD ARE THE SAME SIZE. AND EVEN IN THE POLY, SOME ROOMS ARE SIGNIFCANTLY LARGER THAN OTHERS. ALSO, SIMILAR PRICED ROOMS IN VARIOUS RESORTS MAY BE MORE RECENTLY UPDATED AND RENOVATED. SOME HAVE BETTER VIEWS, OTHERS MAY BE MORE CONVENIENT TO THE POOLS, ETC. SO FOR THE SAME PRICE, NOT ALL ROOMS ARE EQUAL. CHECK IT OUT. ASK QUESTIONS. AND REQUEST THE ROOM BEST FOR YOUR NEEDS.

DISNEY WORLD - TIMING THE FESTIVALS

MAKING SHORTER POSTS NOW.

NEXT TIME YOU GO, TRY ARRIVING DURING A FLOWER FESTIVAL, OR THE WINE AND CHEESE CELEBRATION. OR GO DURING HALLOWEEN OR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS. THE EXTRAS ARE WELL WORTH TAKING PART IN DUKRING THESE TIMES OF THE YEAR.

CHECK OUT THE DEALS

WE FOUND THAT THE FREE MEAL PLAN WAS NOT REALLY FREE WHEN WE WENT LAST TIME. BY TAKING THE PLAN, WE WOULD LOSE THE AAA DISCOUNT PRICES. THIS ENDED UP BALANCING THE COST, AND WE OPTED FOR THE AAA DISCOUNT WHICH GAVE US SOME OTHER DISCOUNTS AND FREEBIES WE WOULDN'T HAVE OTHERWISE.

GOT TO BE AWARE OF ALL OPTIONS AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY INCLUDED.

WOW! LOVED THE WILDERNESS LODGE

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF THE POLYNESIAN, BUT FOR THE MONEY WE WERE REALLY HAPPY WHEN WE STAYED AT THE LODGE. ALWAYS THOUGHT TRANSPORTATION WOULD BE A PROBLEM COMPARED TO THE CONVENTENCE OF STAYING AT THE POLY, BUT REALLY PLEASED WITH THE BOATS TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM AND THE BUSES TO OTHER LOCATIONS. HOWEVER, WE ALWAYS HAVE OUR CAR AND SCOOT EASILY OVER TO THE BOARDWALK OR YACHT CLUB FOR DINNER (OR TO ENTER EPCOT). AND WE SOMETIMES USE THE CAR TO GET TO OTHER LOCATIONS AT BUSY HOURS.

THE PRICE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE POLY AND GRAND FLORIDIAN, AND CLOSER THAN ANIMAL KINGDOM. JUST NOT A HUGE FAVORITE OF THE CONTEMPORARY, BUT THAT IS JUST A PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

BACK POSTING

HAD PROBLEMS WITH POSTING NEW INFORMATION AND LINKING TO USEFUL SITES. HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET BACK ONLINE AND HELP THOSE PLANNING TRIPS TO DISNEY WORLD.

AAA JANUARY SPECIALS

AAA is offering specials in January for all Disney Resorts and Adventures. Take advantage of these now. Check it out at their site.

CHECK FOR PRICING AND PLAN CHANGES IN JANUARY

Just a reminder that Disney ususally changes its pricing for packages in January. Also, any packages that you planned on taking are likely to have also been revised. So, before being surprised after you book a vacation package, look into any new plan revisions for the upcoming year, and also see what increases are now in effect regarding pricing.

Sometimes, you must read carefully to find the changes in the plans. In the past, tips have been excluded, restaurants' menus have changed, and the number of options in the plans reduced. Just be careful! You do not want to get to WDW and find out you are paying more and getting less than expected.

NEW GADGETS ADDED TO THE SITE

WE JUST ADDED GADGETS. THESE RANGE FROM PORTALS TO OTHER DISNEY RELATED SITES, DISNEY QOUTES, DISNEY VIDEOS OF THE DAY, GAMES, AND OTHER INTERESTING STUFF. CHECK THEM OUT.

WHEN USING THE DISNEY PORTAL, YOU MUST TYPE IN A TOPIC OR SUBJECT. WHEN YOU DO, IT WILL LEAD YOU TO CHOICES FROM THE INTERNET WHERE YOU CAN FIND RELATED INFORMATION.

CHECK OUT THE "STUFF" IN THE LEFT COLUMN

The left column of this blog has the auto updates and news from WDW, visitors to WDW, and news from around the world regarding WDW.

It changes constantly to help you stay up to date on WDW happenings.

Some of it if official WDW info. But, some of it, particularly the videos and photos are updated from private individuals. So, be aware that what is in the private individual updates, is not controlled by us - but YouTube and other search engines. However, most of the private individual postings can be quite informative.

Finally, there are other WDW related "privately owned" websites. Some are really good. They offer different opinions than ours in some instances, so visiting them can be very helpful.

Just take the time to search. And visit some of the advertisers' sites. They may save you money.

THE YAK AND THE YETI RESTAURANT

WDW did not have a upscale restaurant in Animal Kingdom, but one is now here. Prices are reasonable and you now have a choice that is a step above the restaurants previously available.

Check it out.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/yakandyeti.htm

ECONOMY IS FADING - A FEW QUICK TIPS ON SAVING AT WDW

Juat a few ideas to save on your trip this year in this awful ecomony.

1. Book a less expensive resort. It may not be exactly what you want, but how much time do you actually spend in your room. If staying in the parks, a value resort may be further away from each park, but you can rent a car and get between parks and resorts faster than using a bus (and the rental cost is much less than booking the high priced rooms in the luxury resorts).
2. Have a large family? Driving down may be much cheaper than flying even with the cost of gas, and possibly an overnight stay on the way down.
3. Cut back on the food. Select restaurants more carefully, awful expensive snacks (bring your own), and maybe not have the appetizers and desserts.
4. Buy gifts for yourself on the last day rather than spending each day you are there.
5. Eat at restaurants where tips are not required.
6. Skip the extra parks and extra park packages. Swim at your hotel rather than paying to go to the water parks.
7. Use the free transporation provided by WDW to go to and from the airport. It may not be as fast as renting a cab, but it is less expensive.
8. Bring rain ponchos and umbrellas from home rather than buying them on the grounds.
9. Skip the alcoholic beverages - they add up your costs very quickly.
10.Splurge on boating, golf, breakfast in bed, tours, and other extras on your next trip - the ecomomy has to get better. And you will have something special to look forward to when you come the next time.

Remember that there is so much in WDW to enjoy that you do not have to do everything on each trip, and you can save hundreds of dollars if you are thrifty.

WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR - MAYBE

Thinking about going to WDW in 2009? This seems like the time to book your trip.

But, buyer beware time is also here. Pricing for some packages is not complete in many cases until January 1. Consequently, the packages and pricing you see on the site now, may not apply. And they will of course go up, or the package will change (usually meaning you get less for your money than you may have expected).

This is not blaming WDW for increases - they have to come sometime - and WDW is consistant about the January 1 date each year.

However, as a consumer in this troubled econmomic time, you may not have the extra to spend for increased prices that will occur next year. So, you might want to just wait and see, or just plan on spending more than the currently listed prices.

Also, read the fine print when booking packages. Tips, taxes, and so on, can start to add up if not included. And many of these perks that once came with packages are not eliminated. Once again, just be careful to read the fine print, and actually print it out. Remember that if something is not in writing, it doesn't exist.

If you plan to go to WDW, and do want to save money, maybe a less expensive resort on the property can suffice. A less expensive meal plan might be appropriate - do you want to eat in the best restaurants all the time. And the top end packages, do not save you money unless you use all the options and facilities available. Therefore, getting a high end package is not for everyone.

Remember also to get the most out of your trip. Get there early on the day of arrival, and leave as late as possible when you are departing. You are paying good money for a day at WDW - get your real value. Don't forget that you can have the resort hold your bags until your room is ready when you arrive - so you can go to the parks before you have your room. The reverse is true when leaving - they will hold your bags after you check out (at least that is the current policy).

NO RECENT POSTS - WHOOPS!

Since retiring, we have been spending so much time doing things, that posting to the site somehow got pushed into the background.

But, planning another trip to WDW next year has inspired the return to the blog.

Howver, it is more imperative now with the economy in the state it is in to watch for the WDW specials and deals when booking our vacation, but this does not just apply to us.

WDW has changed packages again as always, and it is sometimes hard to determine what is and what is not included. The Magic Your Way plans can be confusing if you do not carefully review them. It is not just the basic cost that changes, and sometimes seems to be a bargain, but what you get with the plan.

What is missing in the plans?

Tips that once were included in some packages are gone.
Restaurants offer different meals at some.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. By, adding more packages, and changing up the names of the plans, it is easy to create an appearance that you are still getting everything that was included during your last visit. Not the case.

It is understandable that prices go up, and things have to change. But, even though everything is listed on the website, it is still difficult at times not to find some of the changes.

So, ask questions when you book your next vacation plan. Understand you will be paying more for the same package you had last time, and that you will be spending more money unless you choose to go to a less expensive resort on the property.

And don't forget to factor in travel costs!

Nonetheless, in the long run, we still love WDW and will somehow figure out a way to get in the next trip. Hope you do the same.

KIDS BORED? PLAY COUNT THE REPTILES!

There are a large number of reptiles on the WDW grounds. The most visible are the anoles that scurry among the bushes, walkways, and walls. While going from venue to venue, distract the kids by playing "Count the Reptiles" game.

They will hopefully be so intent on looking for the little scurrying creatures, they will forget about the time it is taking to walk between places. What is great, is the little lizards are everywhere, there are just fewer of them in areas with less hiding spots. That just makes it more challenging.

It can be as much fun as looking for Hidden Mickeys. At least you know when you spot a lizard, rather than being sure if the Hidden Mickey you think you found "actually counts." Haven't heard of the Hidden Mickeys - but the related book that is available at WDW and in most bookstores. It is another fun way to pass the time when wandering through the World.

CHECK THE ARCHIVED BLOGS

Plese take time to use the search option to find a particular topic, or at least search through the archived blogs. There is much information that is avaialble regardless of when you visit that may be overlooked if you only check the latest post. And don't forget at the end of page one on the blog, there is a link to even older posts - this is easily overlooked if you are not expecting to find additional postings.

You can also like to postings using the archive list in the left column of this page.

Visitors may not realize that the video links change the longer you stay on the page. So the first set of three or four video links will switch to additional links as you browse the other information. This is also true for the WDW or other news links. In addtion, many visitors do not click on the different categories listed below the WDW news title. If you move your cursor over the different titles (EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, etc.) the "little hand" appears and if you click at that point - you obtain news about that particular aspect of WDW.

To get the most out of this site, it takes awhile. Finally, rather than duplicating information on other good Disney sites, we offered you links to them instead. Each site has its own perspective although many are there simply to make money with through multiple advertising sponsers - so be aware that some data may be swayed by which advertisers are supported those blogs. All ads on our site at automatically placed by Google Adsence - and we do not control this aspect of the site. Some may be very helpful, others may not - so when you check them out please be aware that we are not promoting these sponsors based upon our knowledge of there offerings. But, it doess't hurt to see what they have to offer.