Author: Nancy

Disney Fun From Around the World: Week of Sept. 20, 2010

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Wow wow wow such a week of Disney news!! Or at least “sort of news”…..

In case you hadn’t heard, Disney planned a “major” announcement for 12:45 p.m. this past Thursday, and were doing live streaming video of the announcement. Bloggers, Twitterers, Facebook fans, and internet junkies all around the world cleared their calendars, sent their kids to the neighbors, rearranged meetings and spent two days online *talking* about it in advance: What would it be? A new ride? Another new DVC resort? New country in Epcot (LOT of votes for that one!)? Next year’s theme perhaps? Or all of the above?

So at the appointed time, millions of people all tuned in….

and the Disney site apparently crashed as a result.

A little too much interest shall we say…..

Once things got settled, the U-Stream video began, and we all learned that the BIG announcement was…………drumroll please……..

…..next year’s theme, which is centered around guest photographs and videos, submitted online and taken at the parks, to be used in commercials and shown on Cinderella’s Castle. The name is  “Let the Memories Begin” …..and once the big announcement was over, it was more like “let the howling begin”. 🙂

It’s been an interesting day reading blogs since then as a result. Here are some viewpoints of the new promotion:

The official announcement from the Disney Parks Blog is here: Disney Guests Become Stars of TV Ads, Castle Show As Walt Disney World and Disneyland ‘Let the Memories Begin

Katie at the DVC Life shares her thoughts on: disney memories

And John over on The Disney Blog offers a slightly different perspective: Let the Memories Begin, Disney Parks Launch Latest Promotion (part two)

Feel free to offer your own thoughts, either in the comments below, or on our Facebook page where we have been having a fairly lively discussion. 🙂

Alrighty then. In other news, there were some truly superb blog posts written on other topics too! A few favorites:

This is a touching story from the Disney Driven Life: EVOLUTION OF A DISNEY GEEK

Meltdown Free Disney offers some seasonal advice for those of you trying to figure out costumes this month: Costumes On A Budget (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party anyone?)

Chris over at Everything Walt Disney World talks about a classic Disney World attraction that many of us hope never goes away: Carousel of Progress.

And our friends at Chip and Co continue to be very very busy! With the new Chip Panel, there have been some amazing tips, thoughts, ideas, and stories shared! Here are some that were among my favorites this week:

In addition, Chip and George from Imaginerding.com have a really cool project that they have announced: Geeks, Nerds and Disney Fans Unite! I am really looking forward to this!! 🙂

Lastly, and this week definitely least, you can check out my post at Chip and Co this week, in case you missed it: 5 Tips for Affordable Disney Pin Collecting 🙂

Whew! Busy week in the World of Disney blogs! Have a magical weekend!

Disney Savings Round-Up for September 24, 2010

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Looking for some great deals to help you have an affordable Disney vacation? Keep reading to see how to save some money on your next trip to Walt Disney World:

Disney has a NEW FREE Dining promotion for much of 2011. See below for details!

You can get some great savings from using Restaurant.com at selected Disney property restaurants! Plus, start your Halloween and Holiday shopping with the promotions at Disneystore.com. In addition, be sure to also note the great sales at Hotels.com, and Travelocity for more ways to save money. 

Restaurant.com Promotions

Did you know that you can use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates to save up to 60% off on some meals at Walt Disney World? When you go to the Restaurant.com site and enter “Lake Buena Vista, FL” into the search field, you will find the following Disney property restaurants participating: Todd English’s bluezoo, House of Blues,  Garden Grove,   Kimonos,  Shula’s Steak House , and Il Mulino New York Trattoria.

This week’s promotion: Now get 80% off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificates + a FREE $10 gift certificate! Use code AUTUMN at checkout: Expires  9/26/10.

You can also use Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for local restaurants or any place you happen to be traveling. We have used the certificates on a number of occasions: it’s easy and it is a great way to save money! This is a great chance to stock up for gifts, and get a few for yourself,  in addition to using some for your Disney vacation.

DisneyStore.com Savings and Promotions

Halloween is a month away! (I know, I can’t believe it either!) If your little ones (or you) plan to be a favorite princess, fairy, pirate…or Mouse, you can save some money: Get $10 off select costumes at Disney Store. Expires 10/5!

To find the right Disney costumes: Dress Up In Dreams – Find Exclusive Disney Costumes in the Halloween Shop

PLUS: Start that Holiday Shopping early while you’re at it. Check out the Disney Store Sale. Save up to 50% on your favorite Disney Items!

Don’t forget: Buying Disney items at home BEFORE your Disney trip is a great way to save money. :)

And remember that you can save $50 when you become a Disney Rewards Visa Cardmember at DisneyStore.com

Travelocity Special Promotions:

Be sure to check this out to see if any might be a savings for you: Top Hotel Deals in Orlando

Hotels.com Special Promotions

Orlando from $99 at hotels.com! Book by September 30, 2010

Fall Sale: Save 30% on Major Hotels This Fall! – Expires 10/11/10

Walt Disney World Savings and Promotions:

  • Book a Disney Vacation Package and Get FREE Dining!  NEW DATES ADDED Through 2011!!: Book a full price 3-night or longer vacation package for stays most nights 10/1/10 – 10/7/10, 10/22/10 – 10/28/10, 11/12/10 – 11/18/10, 11/27/10 -12/2/10, 12/10/10 – 12/21/10, 1/1/11 – 1/5/11, 1/9/11 – 1/13/11, 1/21/11 – 2/3/11, 2/11/11 – 2/17/11, 2/25/11 – 3/3/11, 5/27/11 – 6/2/11 and 8/19/11 – 9/29/11. Stay at a Value Resort and receive Free Quick Service Dining Plan. Receive Free Basic Dining when you stay at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort. Minimum 3 night stay, with 2 day ticket.  You must book by December 20, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

  • Summer/Early Fall Room Discounts: Stay August 15, 2010 through Oct. 2, 2010. Get a 30%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book by 10/2. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.
  • Fall/Winter Room Discounts: NEW DATES ADDED Through 2011!! Stay October 3, 2010 through November 23, 2010, November 27, 2010 through December 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011  through February 16, 2011. Get a 25%-40% discount off regular room rates. You should know that some blackout dates do apply and that not all rates are available at all resorts. You must book  by November 21, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.
  • Get a FREE Disney Gift Card for up to $500 when you book a full price vacation package, including hotel room and theme park tickets. Stay October 3, 2010 through November 23, 2010, November 27, 2010 through December 25, 2010, and January 1, 2011  through February 16, 2011. You must stay at least 5 consecutive hotel nights with at least a 2-day Base Ticket. Value resorts receive a $200 Disney Gift Card. Moderate resorts receive a $300 Disney Gift Card. Deluxe/Deluxe Villa resorts receive a $500 Disney Gift Card. You must book  by November 21, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.

Stop by Chip and Co. to Chat About Pin Collecting

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I haven’t made it a secret that we love pin collecting. This week over at Chip and Co., I decided to chat a bit more about how we have found this to be a great way to find some awesome souvenirs and keep that souvenir budget under control as well:

There are a number of things to keep track of when it comes to spending on your Disney vacation: accommodations, travel, food and park tickets are the 4 biggies and the ones that have the most written about them. But souvenirs often become the biggest budget buster, as many of us don’t really “plan” what we are going to buy until we get there….and then emotions take over, which is a sure sign of spending more than you want to! We’ve all been there, and it’s pretty frustrating, after having budgeted oh-so-carefully before your trip, to return home with a pair of Mickey crocs that you spent too much on and, really are you going to ever wear again?

However, when we discovered pin collecting, we discovered a great way of keeping that souvenir budget under control. Because pins are now our souvenir of choice, we are better able to plan our souvenir purchases and stick to a planned budget. We don’t get sidetracked, and don’t suffer “buyer’s remorse” when we get home either.

You can read the rest of the post here: 5 Tips for Affordable Disney Pin Collecting Looking forward to seeing you over there! 🙂

Wordless Wednesday: Welcome to the Food and Wine Festival

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In less than a week, this year’s International Food and Wine Festival will begin at Epcot. We had the pleasure….and I do mean pleasure….of attending last year, and it was a fantastic 4 days of eating and drinking around the World! To those of you who are going this year….enjoy! Bon apetite!

Disney Fun From Around the World: Week of Sept. 13, 2010

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Happy weekend everyone! It’s Disney Blog Time: your (well my) favorite part of the week, where we take a stroll around the Disney Blog World, meeting and greeting some of the most fun folks you will ever find! Disney people are the best, don’t you think? 🙂

In any event, I am apologizing right now: this is a longer list than usual because the Disney Blog World was in rare form this week with TONS of interesting, amusing, and entertaining blog posts. So find your favorite beverage, put your feet up, and enjoy just a FEW of my favorites:

First off, from the Disney Parks Blog is some news you may find interesting: New Parade Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Our friend Lisa at Chip and Co wrote a fantastic post this week that is a Must Read for anyone considering DVC membership: Is the Disney Vacation Club Worthwhile?

Speaking of Chip and Co., there’s something new goin’ on over there, and if you love to write about Disney, you need to take a look:  Have you applied to the Chip Panel yet? We are now Accepting Applications!

The Chip Panel has brought us a lot of truly great articles this week! A couple of my favorites were this one from Lee: The Simple Disney Things and this one from Jessica: Disney World the Grown Up Way

Looking for ways to make your Disney vacation even MORE fun than it already will be? Check out this post from Oh Amanda: Top Ten Tuesday: Vacation Tips/Ideas/Fun

I found some great practical advice over at Traveling Mamas for ways to get the Cheapest airline tickets: 5 tips for finding them

Our friend James from MousePlanning.com wrote a great post for Disney Driven Life:  SEPTEMBER LOVE AFFAIR

Chris (who also writes for Chip and Co!) over at Everything Walt Disney World shared some really helpful advice for Setting Goals on Your Disney Vacation (and I really recommend doing this!)

The Disney Food Blog as usual, is on top of the latest in Disney foodie news. This week we learned that Disney Dining Reservations Go Mobile and that La Hacienda de San Angel Reservations Now Open

Last, in case you missed it earlier this week, here is my post at Chip and Co: Affordable Disney Souvenirs for Penny Pinchers

That’s it for this week! Have a fantastic and magical weekend!