Disney Planning Tips

Disney Springs in my opinion is overlooked by most visitors to Walt Disney World. There’s a lot to see and do in Disney World so skipping Disney Springs can be easy, but I don’t recommend it. There is so much to do at Disney Springs. You can shop, eat, watch a movie, go bowling, take a boat ride, watch a live show and even get on a hot air balloon. Typical hours of operations for Disney Springs are 10 am to 11 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 11:30 pm on weekends. Hours may vary on certain occasions so always check before you are planning to go.

Disney Springs has Quick Service Dining, Kiosks, Table Service, and Bars and Lounges. You also have options at Disney Springs if you have a Disney Dining plan. There are FOUR areas at Disney Springs to be aware of. The Marketplace, The Landing, West Side, and Town Center.

It is free to get into Disney Springs. You don’t need a ticket or reservation to get in as you do at the Disney World theme parks. Free Disney bus services from any of the Walt Disney World Resorts will get you to Disney Springs. If you are staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside or Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter, you can take a boat ride to Disney Springs. If you are staying at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort then you can simply take a quick walk over.

Shopping

Shopping is one of my favorite things to do. Disney Springs is the place to do this. There are over 150 shopping opportunities. You can shop all things, Disney, at World of Disney or shop clothing like Under Armour. Whatever you are shopping for Disney Springs most likely will have it. Check out a complete list of shops here Shopping & Boutique Shops in Orlando, Florida | Disney Springs

Happy Hour

I love a good happy hour special. Rope drop at the theme park ended with happy hour at Disney Springs sounds like the perfect day to me. Frontera Cocina which has exceptional Mexican Cuisine and Mondays are Margarita Mondays and Tuesdays are Tequila Tuesdays. Check Disney Springs offers page here to not only see the current happy hour special but shopping special. Special Offers, Happy Hours & Happenings | Disney Springs

Nightlife

While in Disney my husband and I focus so much on making sure the kids are having the best time that we often overlook ourselves. A night out to Disney Springs is the perfect end to the busy days in the parks. You can make a dining reservation at a table service restaurant. Or play it by ear and get a quick service meal and grab some drinks at a Lounge. Some of the Lounge/bars stay open to 2am on the weekends. The Edison is a great place with Live Entertainment and great drinks.

Contact Your Magic Awaits Travel and get a FREE quote to Walt Disney World. Disney Vacation Quote – Your Magic Awaits Travel

In the year 2000, I was 8 years old. Going to Walt Disney World was something my cousin and I looked forward to at the end of every school year. But, this trip was different than all the trips before. In October 1999 Pin Trading launched in Walt Disney World. So when my cousin and I got to their in June of 2000 we started our pin collection.

What is Disney Pin Trading?

Pin trading is super simple, interactive, and a lot of fun for kids and adults. Pins are sold all over Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Disneyland Paris. Once you have your pin collection built up you can simply just collect them yourself or pin trade. People display their pins on lanyards, backpacks, or Display cases at home.

Pre Covid pin trading was much different than now. Pre-Covid certain cast members would wear lanyards with pins on them. You could walk up to this cast member and ask to trade pins with them. In Walt Disney World a cast member wearing a green lanyard is only for kids. At Disneyland teal lanyards are for the kids. Hopefully, this returns soon as restrictions become lifted.

With Covid restrictions pin trading is still possible but just set up to be safer for everyone. Cast members will be found at tables with a pinboard. If you would like to trade pins with the cast member you simply point to the pin you would like. The pin is taken off the board and cleaned for you. You clean the pin you’re trading and set that pin down for the cast member to grab. It’s simple, safe, and still creates a way for pin trading to be done.

Rules for Pin Trading

• Pins must be authentic Disney pins. Authentic Disney pins contain a mickey ear backing. They also have the official Disney copyright on the back.
• Money can not be exchanged for a pin that is in someone’s possession while on Disney property.
• You can not trade a pin that would be a duplicate.
• You should not touch another persons pin or lanyard.

My cousin is not with us anymore so continuing the pin trading tradition is a way I remember him and all the fun times in Walt Disney World we had together. Also, now I get to include my children which makes it even more special to me.

Contact Your Magic Awaits Travel and get a FREE quote and book your next trip to Disney Disney Vacation Quote – Your Magic Awaits Travel

Disney is the most magical place on earth. And taking on Walt Disney World with toddlers can be tough. Speaking from experience with taking two children to Walt Disney World under the age of 3. It can be quite tiring, but there are some things that can be done to help make your trip as magical as possible. To help prevent a mass explosion from the sometimes beast we call toddlers. I made some tips and tricks that will hopefully help your Disney Vacation be stress free and enjoyable.

BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS AND DRINKS INTO THE PARK

Walt Disney /World allows you to bring your own food into the parks. It cant be smelly, alcoholic, or in a glass container. In my backpack, you will find Uncrustables, juice boxes and water bottles, flavored water packets, chips, cookies, and applesauce pouches. I try to stay away from anything that will get gross in the heat. Also, water bottles can get heavy so a good alternative is reusable water bottles. You can ask for complimentary water at snack stands and quick service locations in any of the Disney theme parks.

BRING A STROLLER

If you have toddlers they will get tired and going back to the room for nap time every day is not always feasible. Bring a stroller and when one or all of your little ones want to take a break from walking or simply just take a nap they can. I have a clip-on fan and mister that keeps them cool. Walt Disney World has a ton of stroller parking because strollers are not allowed in most of the buildings and attractions. Rental strollers are available for a daily charge at each park. Renting from outside of Disney is also a possibility. Walt Disney World does not allow wagons or certain-sized strollers. So if you’re bringing your own or renting from a outside vendor make sure its within guidelines.

Kids 3 and under

You may think it is not worth it to take a child under the age of 3 to Walt Disney World but they’re FREE. Not buying theme park tickets can save you tons of money. The money that you are saving could be put towards something else you thought might be out of budget. They will still have a great time. Just gear it towards their age group and how you do Disney will change as your kids get older.

Relax, have fun and don’t over do yourself

There is so much to see and do in Walt Disney World and trying to fit everything into one trip is hard. Make a list of what you have to see and do. Only you know your family’s limitations so don’t go beyond that trying to do everything. Disney can be stimulus overload for a toddler. Try to take it slow. You want your family to be able to take everything in and not become overwhelmed to the point your trip is no longer enjoyable.

If you are reading this blog it means two things. You most likely have young children and you are a Disney fan like myself. One of the good things about using a Disney travel agent is the work is taken off of you. One of the better things about using me as a travel agent is I will not only help with booking your wonderful trip but I can help with any questions or concerns if you are taking your young kids to Disney. Having someone with the knowledge of Disney and also doing Disney with Toddlers is a great key to have.

Contact Your Magic Awaits Travel and get a FREE quote and book your next trip to Walt Disney World. Disney Vacation Quote – Your Magic Awaits Travel

Are you headed to the Magic Kingdom? Are you overwhelmed with all the amazing Walt Disney World foods to try? There are so many things to see, eat & do while at Walt Disney World that it can be a bit overwhelming trying to narrow down your options. But I have some must-try snacks that you must add to your list of things to try while at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

Cream Cheese Warm Stuffed Pretzel

Do you like Mickey pretzels? Duh! Do you like carbs? Who doesn’t!! Do you like a bit of sweet? I mean come one. All I have to say is  CREAM CHEESE WARM STUFFED PRETZEL. Go to the launching pad located in Tomorrowland. This is where the iconic space mountain is located. But, Most importantly where you will find this warm pretzel with sweet cream cheese stuffed inside and sprinkles of breadcrumbs on top. This pretzel is just sweet enough to satisfy that sweet tooth but addicting enough where you will not want to share.

I am a true lover of a Mickey pretzel so it was hard for me to try another pretzel. Surely I caved in to all of the hype behind this controversial pretzel. I say controversial because it used to be located at most of the snack stands in all the parks. Now the launching pad seems to be its permanent home. So that’s another reason it’s a must-try while at MK. It made an appearance at Hollywood Studios in the summer of 2020 but as quick as it came it disappeared. We’re crossing our fingers it will be back in full force all around the parks. Don’t be alarmed it could disappear so if you see it you must try it. This snack will not disappoint. 

Warm Cinnamon Roll

Another food icon at Magic Kingdom is a Warm Cinnamon Roll from Gaston’s Tavern. The ambiance of this Quick Service dining location is made to resemble the Tavern from Beauty and the Beast. This tavern does not sell alcohol which is a common misconception and personal letdown. But the atmosphere of placing yourself inside the storybook Beauty and the Beast is more than enough to satisfy. It is located directly next to the Beasts Castle in Fantasyland.

Walt Disney World does not disappoint at all and especially in the food department. I would be more than happy to help you get to Magic Kingdom so that you can try these snacks for yourself. Get your FREE quote today Disney Vacation Quote – Your Magic Awaits Travel.

Disneys Caribbean Beach Resort is one of the 5 Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts. This Resort is a tropical Caribbean-themed resort with 6 different villages all named after different islands. You can relax on Hammocks on the beach or stay in a pirate-themed room. It is a large resort sitting on 200 acres with 45 of those acres being a lake.

I will start with why I LOVE Caribbean Beach Resort. I love the tropical ambiance. Something about Pina Coladas and a beach just makes me happy. Epcot is my all-time favorite theme park so being just a short Skyliner ride to my favorite park was amazing. Also, my three-year-old said the Skyliner was his “favorite Disney ride”.

Disney’s CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT PROS

• Skyliner Hub Resort. Compared to other Moderate Walt Disney World Resorts, this resort is conveniently located with easy transportation via the Skyliner to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios.
• 5 leisure Pools and 1 main pool. Also, the Banana Cabana Pool Bar. The Pool Bar has great drinks and food options. The main pool is Fuentes Del Morro Pool. This pool has so much for kids and adults to do.
• There is so much space in the hotel-style rooms. There is a pull-down murphy bed suitable for children or a small adult. Two queen beds or one king bed options and plenty of room if a pack n play is needed.
• This resort will sleep a family of 5.
• Plenty of dining options at this resort. Since it is so large they have 2 quick-service locations (spyglass grill currently unavailable), one table service, and the bar/lounge I mentioned above.

Disney’s CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT CONS

• BE PREPARED TO WALK!!!! This resort is huge. If you are in a preferred room that would put you close to Old Port Royale and the main pool then your walk to the Skyliner is far. But if you’re close to the Skyliner Hub then you’re far from Old Port Royale and the main pool. One plus to this is if you are staying in Martinique or Aruba you are close to Riviera Resort and can walk to their Skyliner.
• There are no elevators. There are two levels to the rooms so make sure if you have mobility issues or small children in strollers that you ask for a first-level room.
• Spyglass grill which is one of the quick service locations is currently unavailable with no dates of reopening. This was the same for Sebastian’s Bistro which is now open so we can hope the same happens to this dining location.
• You are close to the Deluxe Resort Rivieria. This resort is beautiful and has a lot of amenities that you are able to use. When my family and I went we stayed in Martinique village which put us close to people we knew that were staying at Riviera. It was a short and relaxing walk by the lake and was nice to be so close.

Disney Caribbean Beach Resort is a great option for any family looking for convenient transportation, moderately priced rooms, and a relaxing Disney Resort.

If this sounds like the resort for you then I would be happy to help book your families next Disney trip. Contact Your Magic Awaits Travel and get a FREE quote to take advantage of these deals and book your next trip to Walt Disney World. Disney Vacation Quote – Your Magic Awaits Travel