Author: Vanessa

Breaking Down the New Genie System at Walt Disney World

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Update: Disney Resorts announced the new system will be launching on October 19, 2021 and released new details. This post has been updated.

A few months ago Walt Disney World sent shockwaves through Disney fans by announcing the retirement of the free FastPass+ attraction system, and the introduction of a new Genie system including a paid line skipping program. What that entails remains to be seen, with a launch set for October 19, 2021. In this post, I will attempt to breakdown what the new system is and what it means for your Disney World vacation planning.

Disney World has slowly introduced new technology over the years, the biggest of which was the MagicBand, a system that allows you to use a bracelet for admission, to check in for reservations, and pay for items in the parks and other Disney properties. The app that partners with the MagicBand is called My Disney Experience. This app allows you to see a map of the park, check and make reservations, check wait times, and order food ahead of time. This app’s next feature is called Genie. This upgrade should offer everything listed plus some sort of augmented reality features.

In addition it will offer a service called Genie+. Genie+ is a $15 a day per ticket upgrade line skipping privilege that will work on approximately 40 attractions across the parks. These attractions were previously part of the FastPass+ system including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

There are also two top tier attractions in each park that will not be included in this pass system, but an additional premium line skipping program that will work with surge pricing model. Cost is thus, TBD, but these top tier attractions include:

  • Seven Dwarves Mine Train and Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom
  • Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (which currently has a virtual queue) in EPCOT
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (which recently canned their virtual queue option) and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad in Hollywood Studios
  • Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom

Both line skipping programs will use “Lightning Lanes” that were previously FastPass+ line queues.

Is it worth it?

Is it worth these upgrades? On the surface, time is money when it comes to Disney parks and I am always oriented towards reducing line waiting. However, I can see a scenario where if you plan well enough with a strategy of going at lower crowd times you may not need the Genie+ system, outside of perhaps the top tier attractions. Thinking back to my lower crowd dummy day in Magic Kingdom in November via the TouringPlans system, the only attraction that reached an unacceptable hour long wait was Seven Dwarves Mine Train. A few others had a half hour wait, which is still longer than I would like, however, it could be combined with a snack break, making it tolerable. Thus in this scenario, I can see springing for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train and skipping the rest of the Genie+ experience.

In the past, other ways to skip lines and get premium access and seating included dining experiences. My family has booked off time dining to gain free access to the famous Candlelight Processional. We also have paid for the dessert buffet at Magic Kingdom to have great seats for Magic Kingdom Fireworks. Many have used the same strategy for great seats for Hollywood Studio’s night show Fantasmic which is currently on hiatus. Strategies like this can save you hours of waiting and gain you prime seats.

One other item to note on dining, is that for quick service, or take away restaurants, you can now order ahead for pick up via the app. This convenient feature was not available when we visited the parks before, and though we often didn’t wait too terribly long for food, it’s a nice feature to shave off a few precious minutes here and there.

How does it work?

So how will this new Genie+ system work? Many are skeptical (including myself) of the rollout, as systems as large and complex as this tend to be rocky, and Disney IT doesn’t exactly have a smooth reputation. However, those of us familiar with the FastPass+ system have a whole new system to learn.

For starters, if you opt for the Genie+ pass with the 40 attractions, you will have theoretically unlimited access to the attractions. You can purchase ahead of time for the length of your entire stay, but most will purchase per day beginning at midnight. Attraction reservations can be made each day of beginning at 7 a.m. for Disney hotel guests. All others will be able to access the system at park opening each day. Selections can be made one at a time. Times cannot be selected, and instead you will be given the first available time. You will not be able to book any additional attractions until you check into your first, or 120 minutes have passed.

Those of us used to the FastPass+ system where you could pick the time and select three attractions at once will have a lot of adjusting to do. I certainly am not keen that they automatically give you the first available time, and would much rather reserve a specific time that fits my plan and schedule for the day. In theory the system will work around your plans to see a show at a specific time. Perhaps if you had your entire itinerary in the Genie app conflicts can be avoided, but that is making visits less flexible, when the entire promotion around the app is flexibility. I have a feeling there will be a lot of tweaks to the system over the next year.

When it comes to the two top tier attractions in each park, guests can only purchase one Genie+ pass per attraction per day. In other words, you will not be able to book the Lighting Lane twice for Seven Dwarves Mine Train.This seems like a temporary restriction to me that may lift as they system rolls out.

Bottom Line

In all, as a Disney fan I’m a bit perturbed to have to pay for a privilege that was previously included in my guest experience, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with ticket price hikes, but at the same time it is on track with industry trends. If your family opts for the Genie+ upgrade it could add considerable cost to your trip. It may all come down to personal preference and how you like to experience the parks. We like the flexibility of the parkhopper passes, and others think it’s a great waste of money. It’s all up to you. For me, I remain cautiously optimistic about the new system. Time will tell.

Beyond Rides: Walt Disney World Entertainment Offerings Part 2

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Yesterday I discussed how devastating the pandemic was for Walt Disney World park entertainment. Massive layoffs, and safety requirements have resulted in an uneven and stilted park experience. I touched on each park’s signature events as well as character experiences. Today I want to talk about the rest of the park offerings – parades and other shows.

Parades

Parades have become another victim of the pandemic in the world of Disney and in this case, I believe its more of a business decision, than a safety one. As I noted above, some of the evening shows have returned, but the parades haven’t. Why? Probably because parades require a lot of entertainment staff to run.

Magic Kingdom

In Magic Kingdom there were a few regular parades. The first was Festival of Fantasy which was a spectacular, puppet based parade with dancing and was an absolute fan favorite. I continue to hear grumblings from guests wondering when it will return. I agree, it would be a shame to see this parade be a victim of the pandemic or budget cuts. It was amazing with excellent costumes and choreography. Will it return? Time will tell.

The second most famous parade at Magic Kingdom was a nighttime light show parade. Originally it was the Main Street Electrical Parade, and then later with updated equipment SpectroMagic! It was a stellar and dazzling show which last ran in 2016, and I’m glad I got to see it. There is a lot of speculation about a return to a nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, but taking a purely business view there is no argument for it since the park is already packed for the end of day fireworks display. I think this may be a case of it being lost to Disney history.

The last genre of parades at Magic Kingdom generally fall into what I would call a generic character parade. Basically the main goal being that guests see as many characters as possible, with some not even offering meet and greets in the parks. I would bet my house this type of parade returns. How TBD, but there are a few ideas. In the past, one format was a dance party format where the characters actually stopped and guests could dance with them. We did this with my daughter and it was an absolute delight. This is a simple endeavor and likely a less expensive option. The second is along the lines of Celebrate a Dream Come True, which was a float based character parade with a uniting theme. This did incorporate more fanfare and dancers than the simple dance party parade, so it may be a delayed endeavor. The existence of these parades seems directly coupled with minor classic character based shows that pop up in front of the castle throughout the day in Magic Kingdom, as I think they use the same cast members to run. My best guess is they will both return in Spring of 2022 likely with a 50th Anniversary theme.

One more add to parades in Magic Kingdom are the seasonal offering parades which are part of their after hour special events. These parades are Halloween and Christmas themed respectively, and are returning this year for their events.

EPCOT

EPCOT has not had a parade for many years, and I don’t anticipate one returning. EPCOT is currently undergoing a several year make over however, so I suppose anything is possible.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has not had a parade since 2014 when it retired Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade. This parade was a festive one that was based around puppets and percussion. It was enjoyable. However, the park is very narrow and basically shut down traffic for the whole park during the parade. I don’t foresee any sort of parade element returning to this park.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has never really been known for its parades. There have been a few show lived ones over the years to highlight the popular thing at the time like Frozen or Star Wars. The longest lived most recent parade was Stars and Motor Cars, a character focused parade that was revamped a few times for anniversary celebrations. I don’t anticipate any new parades for this park unless again it’s a marketing focused highlight.

Other shows

My last category here are other shows in the parks. Some are fan favorites, and are do not miss. Others are more focused on your specific tastes and age.

Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Philharmagic is a 3D interactive movie. And it’s here to stay as it just underwent a recent update that included music from the movie Coco. There are a few other “shows” that consist of animatronic characters and to my knowledge all are open including the classic Tiki Room, Country Bear Jamboree and the Hall of Presidents with the recent inclusion of President Joe Biden.

I mentioned earlier about short daytime character based shows in front of the castle. These are still suspended as far as I can tell, but I would expect them to return.

Enchanted Tales with Belle is an audience interactive show that is a must for any Belle fan. It is currently shut down, and because of the nature of the show I don’t anticipate it opening until Spring 2022 at the earliest.

Lastly, The Dapper Dans, a barbershop quartet can be seen wandering Main Street USA. They are a Disney fan favorite.

EPCOT

The entertainment charm of EPCOT for me is the various cultural shows in World Showcase including bellydancers, drummers and acrobats. At writing, some are performing and others have yet to return. The Music of Mexico, Matsuriza (Japanese drumming) are currently available as well as the excellent Voices of Liberty in the American Pavilion. I have heard rumors that much of the international performers and cast members have not been able to come to or remain in the United States due to the pandemic. For me, as an epic EPCOT fan, this is a huge highlight of any trip and a true loss. I hope this is resolved and these cast members return soon.

Finally, American Experience is another one of those animatronic shows, as is The Carousel of Progress. Both are operating. Neither is a must, but both provide a good place to take a break in air conditioning.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has several shows, some of which are open. A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King has re-opened and is a must see. Sadly, I watched the premier and many of the original elements that required specialized talents are missing including the acrobatic monkeys and the flying element of the birds. I suspect budget cuts, but I hope this is a temporary change. Still an excellent show to watch.

Finding Nemo The Musical an excellent production with puppets and original score remains closed. I was sad to learn that it will not be returning. However, my mood brightened when I learned they intend to revamp it. My best guess? Much of the cast was original from when it premiered and they will be replaced, instead opting for a whole new cast and show that incorporates elements from Finding Dory. Premier date TBD.

Feathered Friends in Flight! is an educational and entertaining bird show. Many skip this but it’s something, in its older iterations, that my family has always enjoyed. It runs a few times during the day and is open.

I already mentioned the new kite show called Disney KiteTails! that is open but experiencing multiple issues at the moment. It’s a brief 10 minutes and may make for a good mid-day break, though I don’t recall much shade there and it could be very hot.

Lastly the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe are always great. I don’t see evidence of them on the Disney website, so at writing they don’t seem to present. I hope they return.

Hollywood Studios

Beauty and the Beast Live! on Stage is a fan favorite and recently returned to Hollywood Studios. As has the comical and entertaining For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-long Celebration. I would recommend seeing both unless you aren’t a princess fan.

For those with little ones, Disney Junior show is occurring multiple times a day with an emphasis on dancing with characters.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid was a puppet based and live action experience. It has its fans, but has become quite dated over the years and I don’t anticipate it opening again.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is just as described, and a lot of fun, but currently remains closed. It has been reported that the cast has been called back and there is an anticipated opening in late 2021.

TL/DR

In all, although more is opening, there is still a lot missing from the Walt Disney World Parks in the entertainment category including two end of day shows and most character experiences. For me, it’s enough to hold out visiting until things return to “normal” and hope that the parks don’t permanently close some of my favorites.

Beyond Rides: Walt Disney World Entertainment Part 1

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One of the most difficult things during the pandemic park re-opening is the lack of entertainment offerings. Some of it is practical, for safety measures. Others seem to be offline indefinitely due to business decisions. There were massive layoffs during the park shutdown and they have not brought back many of the cast members. For this reason, I would caution against a park visit at this time until at least more of these offerings have returned. Here are some of my favorite entertainment highlights and their current or predicted status in each park.

Character Experiences

Character meet and greets as well as character dining have been suspended. This to me is one of the most heartbreaking park casualties of the pandemic. Character experiences are some my most treasured memories and I honestly can’t imagine a trip without them. From my daughter comparing her wings to Tink’s, to a restaurant wide Princess parade these are some of my most magical park moments.

What Disney has offered instead is a sort of socially distanced wave scenario from balconies as well as character cavalcades, basically a small parade where characters walk down the street. They are brief with little fanfare. Good in a pinch, but not exactly an adequate replacement.

It’s not a matter of if, but when these experiences will return. At writing, the virus has mercifully begun to wain and I am optimistic for a return of character interaction in the Spring of 2022.

Signature Shows

Each park has and end of day nighttime spectacular to cap off your visit. Each is unique from display to medium, making each one a must see.

Magic Kingdom

In Magic Kingdom there is the fireworks at the castle. On October 1, 2021 Walt Disney World premiered their new 50th Anniversary Celebration fireworks show called Disney Enchantment. Using a number of projections on the castle and surrounding spires, as well as Main Street USA buildings, the show combines music, pyrotechnics and images to dazzle crowds. Die hard Disney fans have given the new show a mixed review, with many citing that a historical celebration should give a nod to Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse – neither of whom appear in the show – but I think most guests will enjoy the display. This show will presumably be in place for 18 months during the 50th Anniversary Celebration which places it all the way through 2023.

EPCOT

In EPCOT, they launched a soft opening of a new nighttime spectacular called HarmoniUS that takes place in the World Showcase Lagoon. Reception to this show has been universally warm, and having watched the live stream myself it is indeed, impressive. The show uses large floating barges with LED screens and fountains, along with pyrotechnics and music to celebrate all the cultures and continents in the World Showcase. In my humble opinion, it is a worthy replacement to the much beloved IllumiNations show.

Animal Kingdom

In Animal Kingdom, Rivers of Light is a nighttime show also on water using a series of boats, and fountains that are utilized as screens. Combining lights and music it’s truly a spectacular display that I saw myself and loved it. This show has not returned since re-opening however, and it was recently announced it is being discontinued. My best guess is there is a new show in development, unless Disney has entirely given up on their nighttime experiment at Animal Kingdom that seemed to have never really taken off. In the meantime, they are offering guests a short ten minute daytime kite based show in the same venue called Disney KiteTails for the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Unfortunately, the show is off to a rocky start with kite entanglements and wave runner accidents. Watch this space. At writing there is no evening show at Animal Kingdom.

Hollywood Studios

Which brings me to the final park, Hollywood Studios. On our last visit Hollywood Studios was offering not just one, but two separate nighttime shows. The first is Fantasmic, which was really Walt Disney World’s first attempt of combining water and storytelling. It’s a Disney classic and remained in high demand ever since its premiere in 1998. This makes it the most dated of all the nighttime shows. Since it is not expected to return until 2022 at the earliest, I think it’s safe to say it will return with some updates, if it returns at all. Seems logical after this prolonged, multi-year shutdown to re-imagine the show into something else that better reflects the direction that the park is now going, which was entirely different in 1998.

The second show was a pyrotechnic spectacular with projections on the Chinese Theater that was Star Wars themed. This was always intended to be a short lived show, but I’m glad I got to see it. The new pyrotechnic show is entitled Wonderful World of Animation which premiered in 2019 and returned in August 2021. It combines animation from both Disney and Pixar with music and pyrotechnics.

Tomorrow I will continue this discussion including parades and other shows.

The FastPass System at Walt Disney World is No More – Now What?

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The FastPass System, a skip the line service at Walt Disney World resort which let you book attractions ahead of time for free literally saved my trips. We hate waiting in line, and using the interactive FastPass system, coupled with the excellent TouringPlans app, helped us maximize our time. So much so in fact, we never waited more than 20 minutes for any given attraction. Is this even possible with the new line system? Let’s find out.

To first find out what the TouringPlans system would do for me I created a dummy trip for November 2021. This system uses real time and predictive data based on historic trends to maximize your time in the parks. It allows you to add and subtract any attraction, reservation or pit stop, and arranges your schedule to reduce wait times. This system even reacts in real time while you are in the parks, and has seriously saved us so much time and headache over our last few trips. I can’t recommend it enough.

Putting in a number of things, the system spit out a decent itinerary, but included several attractions with waits upwards of an hour, with a half dozen or so in the half hour range on a day when lower crowds are expected. This is exactly what I want to avoid. In addition, many attractions and parades remain closed indefinitely due to Covid-19. It’s one of the reasons I am planning a trip in late 2022, in hopes that most of that will be resolved by then.

To manage crowds, Disney World has put in place a park reservation system. What does that mean? In order to enter a park you must reserve the park ahead of time. For planners like me, this is a minor inconvenience, but it’s something to take note of as it is in effect until at least the beginning of 2023. Guests report that unless you are going during peak travel times, you are unlikely to run into a park that is fully booked. You can check park availability here. It’s important to book these reservations as early as possible, as the entire system including dining reservations depends on whether you are reserved in the park that day.

It seems that the first and last hours in the parks remain the least crowded and the best times to squeeze in some of those signature attractions. Extra Magic Hours are sadly, gone, but those who stay on property will enjoy an extra half hour in the morning for entry in all four parks. Those in Deluxe resorts or higher will enjoy an additional two hours on select evenings. How valuable this is remains to be seen.

Guests report that lines tend to equalize by mid-day, and indeed that is what the TouringPlans system indicated as well. Problem is, even in these circumstances some lines remain long at a half hour or more. Weekends are noticeably more crowded now and most trip planners suggest avoiding them altogether, in addition to holidays.

To solve some lines, Disney is offering their new Genie system, that seems to work similarly to the interactive TouringPlans system that I know and love. However, the line estimations provided by Disney Parks are notoriously off, and that system seems to not have been improved, leading to inaccurate planning. Still, you can pay a premium for what they are calling Genie+ and skip the lines similar to the original free FastPass System. Is this worth it? I’m not sure. But I intend to find out.

As of writing the new Genie system is still not launched, though the official word is “fall 2021.” For a full updated discussion on the system check out this post on the Disney Tourist Blog.

Step One: Time of Year

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Choosing the time of year you want to go to Disney World should be your very first step in planning. Disney World hosts a variety of seasonal events throughout the year that are included with admission, as well as special premium ticketed events. If you are someone who has been to the parks before, it may benefit you to go during another time of year to gain a different experience. Whenever you decide to go, know there is no way you will be able to fit in all the things you want to do, but good planning will help you make the most of your experience.

Winter

Starting with the beginning of the year, you are likely to see the least amount of crowds, but as a result you are also likely to see many attractions closed for refurbishment. This is the slowest time of the year in the parks and Disney takes full advantage of this doing annual maintenance and more. Now 2022 may be a little different considering that the parks had an unprecedented longtime shutdown in 2020/2021, but unless you are someone who frequents the parks a lot and doesn’t mind missing a few key attractions, I would not recommend visiting during this time.

Spring

The next season is spring, which features the fantastic Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT. There are all sorts of presentations, a walk through butterfly tent, and beautiful topiaries. In addition, there are extra food and wine experiences throughout EPCOT featuring all sorts of sweet and savory treats. We have attended and it was a great time to visit with lower crowds, pleasant weather and excellent food offerings. Probably my favorite time to visit the parks.

Summer

The summer season is when most people visit the parks and thus it is hot and crowded. Growing up this is the only time available for my family to go, so this is when we went. You may be in the same boat. If so, planning is going to be absolutely critical for you to be able to squeeze in the experiences you want. Managing the heat and staying hydrated is critical to a good experience as well. Fortunately, the parks offer plenty of opportunity to cool off in the air conditioning.

Fall

Fall is close second as best time to visit in my mind. You have cooler weather and fewer crowds. EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival, the sister festival to the spring festival, is occurring with great culinary features. If you are a fan of Halloween, you’ll enjoy the extra fall decorations that show up in September. There is a special, extra ticketed, after hours Halloween themed celebration. Just a fun time in the parks.

Holiday

The holiday season at Disney World Parks is just magical, and it’s why I want to visit again during this time. At the beginning of November, the Halloween decorations go away and by the second week of November it’s fully Christmas mode at the parks. It’s truly spectacular with extra lights, trees and more providing a festive atmosphere. The holidays like Thanksgiving week and Christmas week are notoriously some of the busiest days of the year in the parks, but if you plan it right you can enjoy low crowds and all the holiday features. This time of year also has an after hours special ticketed event.

I hope that gives you a decent idea of what each season is like at Disney World and helps you decide when is the right time to go for your family.

Planning a Trip for 2022

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It’s been a long time since I have been fully immersed in all things Disney and so much has changed. There have been park closures, ride shut downs, show cancellations, massive layoffs and more thanks to the pandemic. But, as we look towards 2022, the future looks brighter than ever for DisneyParks, as Disney World celebrates its 50th anniversary with all sorts of new offerings for guests.

This is why I am toying with a visit next year. My family of three has not been to the parks since the opening of the fantastic Star Wars area. Since my husband in a HUGE Star Wars fan, it seems almost criminal that we haven’t gone. I am considering a visit during November or December, when the parks are decorated for the Holiday season. The last time we visited during this time it was just my husband and I and we had a wonderful time. There were many special events, all of which were included with admission. I am a Christmas fanatic so it seems only fitting to visit then.

Because so much time has passed, almost 10 years since our last holiday visit, and 5 since our last visit to the parks, I feel like I’m starting from scratch. So I thought I would have you all follow along with me as we plan our next big Disney adventure. Let’s get going.

Disney Planning: Step by Step

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When planning a trip to the most magical place on earth, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here I walk you step by step through the process.

  1. The very first thing to decide is when you want to go. That may seem simple, but crowd sizes, special events and change in rate seasons can make or break your visit. All things considered, my favorite times to visit is in April and November. Both are slower seasons, and offer special events that are included in admission.Crowd calendars can help you gauge crowds. I use this excellent crowd calendar from WDW Prep School.
  2. Once you decide when you are going you need to figure out where to stay. Do you want to stay on or off property? Check out my post on the pros and cons of each. And check out my post on how to find the best deals on hotels. 
  3. Next you need to figure out how you are getting there – flying or driving? Read more about these options here.
  4. You’ll also need tickets of course, the whole reason for your trip. You can buy them direct from Disney, but there are many other options which can save you a few dollars.
  5. Then you will want to decide on food options. Do you want to do the dining plan? Or you can opt to be more frugal. Character dining should also be considered here, so you save time in the parks doing attractions rather than waiting in line to see a princess. Dining reservations can be made 180 days in advance.
  6. Then you will need to choose which days you are going to which parks and what attractions you want to see – that’s the fun stuff! I know the idea of planning this much sounds like a lot of work, and it is. But, Touring Plans makes it easy. The website allows you to make plans for each day, and using their optimization it will automatically create the best plan for your day. They have plug and play plans for all sorts of visitors including ones for adults and others with families with small children. Using their customized plans hand in hand with their lines app, which is more accurate than even Disney’s, I have never waited in line for more than 20 minutes. And it allowed us to pull our last minute trip together without any stress. I really cannot say enough about it. The premium access is $18 well spent.
  7. Add extra magic. If you can do a little something extra I would plan for it. Whether it’s a cake for a special occasion, a visit to the Bibidi Bobidi Boutique, or a special fireworks dessert party, these little upgrades will make your trip even more memorable.

Following these steps will ensure you have a well planned trip to Walt Disney World.

Park by Park Character Guide

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UPDATE: Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic all character meet and greets as well as character dining has been cancelled until further notice. They are expected to return in 2022. In the meantime, Disney Parks are offering cavalcades which can be best described as miniature parades. These are generally not posted ahead of time. Check the schedule when you arrive at the parks. 

UPDATE: October 2021 – Character experiences have been announced to be returning on a limited, socially distanced basis in November 2021 including one on one meet and greets, to add to some of the character meals already occurring.

One of the trickier things to navigate are seeing all of the characters in the parks. No matter what time of day or night you are bound to run into one character or another, but if you have small children (and even if you don’t) and your experience hinges on seeing a particular character, best to make a plan so you make sure that happens.

Kenny the Pirate is the best place for all things characters. His excellent website will direct you to the best place to meet your favorite character and how to spend the least amount of time doing it including a princess touring plan of EPCOT.

Magic Kingdom

There will be characters to greet you at the flagpoles in the morning and you will be tempted to stop – don’t! There will be other opportunities.

Characters:

  • Talking Mickey in Main Street – Only place to meet with talking – see the big guy here
  • TinkerBell in Main Street – Only place to meet. One of our favorite meets as the queue is magical and makes it appear you are shrinking. Tink is a lot of fun too.
  • Alice by the Tea Cups in the morning. Get there early and you may ride with her.
  • Mary Poppins in Liberty Square – Behind the Christmas shop. She was absolutely delightful.
  • Classic Characters in Circus area
  • Merida in her Grove – Only place to meet. She is absolutely fantastic and one of our favorites.
  • Gaston by his tavern – Another absolute favorite. He’s a hoot. 
  • Princess Elena of Avalor and Cinderella in the castle
  • Tiana and Rapunzel in the castle
  • Ariel in her grotto – Only place to meet with her fins
  • Aladdin and Jasmin in Adventureland – Arrive in the morning and you may ride the carpets with them
  • Winnie the Pooh and friends by his ride
  • Stop by Tony’s Italian restaurant in the Main Street area and Lady & Tramp will sign your autograph book

Continue reading →

Vegetarian Options at Walt Disney World

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Recently, I had a friend who was looking for inexpensive Vegetarian options in Walt Disney World Resort. Through some sleuthing I came up with the following list. They used it successfully on their visit. Disney menus are changing all the time. For the most up to date information on Vegetarian options visit the Disney Food Blog vegetarian guide.

Snacks and food options in each Disney park

  • Be wary of soups; some contain chicken broth, even if they are labeled “Vegetable” or “Cream”. Ask about ingredients to confirm.
  • While several Chinese dining locations offer meals that sound vegetarian, they are often cooked or served in chicken broth.
  • Garden burgers are available at nearly all burger locations, even if it’s not listed on the menu.

The classics available everywhere: Popcorn, Mickey pretzel, Mickey ice cream bar (dove bar)

Continue reading →

Saving for Disney with Bill Shark

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So I like to get creative when I am working on reducing my monthly budget. I like to work smarter, not harder. So I’m a huge fan of set it and forget it solutions like Paribus. Another I just tried is Bill Shark. Bill Shark is a service that negotiates your service contracts for you to reduce your monthly costs.

Every 3-6 months I call my service providers to renegotiate our household contracts. Sometimes I save, sometimes I don’t. It is a timely endeavor with a lot of time spent on hold, and a lot and back and forths with managers. However, it’s usually worth it.

Lately, though, I’ve been striking out. So I thought I would try Bill Shark. I had seen the service on the news a few months back. I am so pleased with the results. After filling out a form and uploading 2 of my bills for my internet service and my wireless bill, Bill Shark saved me $157. As part of their fee system, they will keep 40% of that savings, but some is better than none. It was easy and simple, and I really can’t recommend it enough. Check it out!

Note: Bill Shark links are referral links which if used, I receive a small giftcard. However, if you are new to the service you will receive $10 off.