Survey Says: You Have Disney Questions! Now For the Answers…

I really enjoyed reading the survey results from a few weeks ago. I appreciate the fact that so many of you took the time to share your thoughts and tell me what would really help you in planning an affordable Disney World vacation. What was especially interesting to me was the consistency in what you need: a lot of you voiced the same frustrations, and have many of the same questions….and are looking for the same types of Disney vacation planning tools.

Here are the main things that you told me you wanted help with, in descending order:

  1. Disney Dining. There are many questions about Disney restaurants, cost of meals, what to budget for food, using the Dining Plan and even just needing more ideas for saving money on food. I agree: this can be an especially frustrating area of Disney planning, especially so because it is such a large part of any Disney vacation budget.
  2. Planning spreadsheets. You are looking for ways to keep your planning organized, as well as tools that will help you budget. And a number of you are looking for something small and simple that keeps track of everything, which you can bring to the parks with you.
  3. Accommodations. Another big expense on a Disney vacation, many of you want more in-depth information about your options.
  4. What is the most affordable way for me? There are a number of you that want assistance trying to figure out the most affordable way to get to Disney World. There are so many options to choose from, you worry that you might not be picking the one that will save you the most money.

Well, your wish is my command. 🙂 I am happy to help and am really looking forward to being able to provide you with the information you need to save money at Disney World. In fact, I can’t wait to get started.

However, I won’t be able to do it all at once! So, my plan is tackle each item, one at a time, in the following ways:

  1. Disney World Dining information will be shared weekly in my Monday blog posts, starting next week. For at least the next couple of months, I will discuss a number of different aspects of saving money on your food. I recognize however, that blog posts won’t necessarily dig deep enough into all the details, so at the same time, I will be creating a Disney World Dining Guide. This Guide will use the posts as a base, but will be far more involved. Some of you won’t need this much detail, but for those of you that do, it will be available for you.
  2. Planning spreadsheets are being created as we speak! 🙂 Since I am a planner by nature and live by my spreadsheets, I will basically be formalizing something for you that I am already using. And I will happily make these available to you for FREE, once I am done…which will hopefully be by the end of July.
  3. Accommodations will be discussed, starting in a few months, once I finish the dining. While many of you need help with where to stay, more of you need help with dining, so that is where I am starting.:)
  4. What is the most affordable option? This one is kind of tough, because it is so individual! Everyone’s situation is different, so the right thing for one person is not necessarily the right thing for another. At the same time, I also recognize that it can be overwhelming and at times confusing to know the best way to plan for your family. And having someone to just point you in the right direction can be a huge help.

That was one of the reasons I designed the survey, so that I can be sure to be addressing YOUR needs, and answering YOUR questions. However, my worry is that I can’t write everything fast enough to help you in your Disney vacation planning, especially if you are visiting Disney World in the near future.

But….I have an idea, and I am wondering if you might be interested…

Would it be helpful to have someone to just talk to personally about your Disney vacation, to ask questions and get suggestions about the best way to save money at Disney World? One-on-one time to figure it all out?

If so, then let me know! I want to be able to help you out, so I am going to try something out to see if there is a need. If you want someone to personally help you with your planning, email me at nancy@theaffordablemouse.com and I’ll set up a 30 minute Disney vacation planning call with you. Just the two of us, to talk over your questions, and hopefully help you figure out the best way for you to plan an affordable Disney vacation. Kind of like a talking, personalized Disney vacation guidebook. 🙂

Now there is one thing: while I would love to be able to do this for free, unfortunately I just can’t. 🙁  However, the cost will be minimal, I promise. (After all, I want to help you *save money*!)  So if this is something you are interested in, let me know, and we can chat more.

(Please keep in mind that I am not a travel agent: this does not involve me booking anything for you, nor would I be selling you on any specific type of vacation. This is merely personal assistance in Disney vacation planning that I am offering, if you need it. We’ll talk about it, I’ll help you decide what is best for you, and then you’ll do the rest.)

This is just a trial for now. I’ll see what kind of interest there is, what additional help you need, and we’ll go from there.

In the meantime, watch for your FREE planning tools and spreadsheets in the near future, and the beginning of the Disney Dining posts coming next week!

Oh, and one more thing: let me know what you think, and if I am on the right track for what you need. Either leave a comment, post on Facebook, or feel free to send me an email. Thanks and as always….have a magical day!

Disney Fun From Around the World: Week of June 28, 2010

My weekly round-up of fun and fascinating Disney blog posts is here! As always, I have an interesting mix of posts to share with you this week!

The Disney Food Blog shared “The Best Thing I Ever Ate in Disney!”: Appetizers & Sides and is also running a poll to decide the best ice cream parlor in Disney World Ice Cream Parlor Throw Down Be sure to vote!!

Stitch Kingdom discussed something that I personally think is long overdue: Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain Becomes Second Attraction to Offer PhotoPass

Traveling Mamas answers some great questions from Twitter: Healthy Road Food Options

Resourceful Mommy offers some Resourceful Travel Tips for Packing

Always a source of all kinds of great Disney information, our friends at Chip and Co.

had some interesting gossip in Disney Confidential that can save you some big bucks if it happens: Disney Extending Dates on Free Dining. And Chip is asking all Dessertarians to Unite – Don’t take away our Disney Desserts! (Chip I don’t want them to go away either!!)

And last, and possibly least, my weekly shameless plug for my posts at Chip and Co.: Could the Disney Vacation Club be Right for Your Family? and Saving Money on Where You Stay at Disney World: Check Out All Your Options.

That’s it for this week folks! Have a fantastic…and magical… Fourth of July!

Friday Disney Savings Round-Up for 7/2/2010

In This week’s Disney Savings Round-Up:

Be sure to check out the great sales at DisneyStore.comExpedia.com and Travelocity for some super deals! Also, note the one at  Hotels.com that will be ending shortly. In addition, all the information from the current Disney promotions is noted below as well.

DisneyStore.com Savings and Promotions

Get FREE Shipping on your entire order at DisneyStore.com with Promo Code: FREESHIP Expires 7/5!!

And their Twice Upon a Year Sale has been extended!! Don’t miss the chance to Save up to 50% on over 400 items!

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

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

Expedia.com Special Promotions

This is a great way to add some money to your vacation: Get a $50 prepaid MasterCard® card with a 3+ night stay at participating hotels! – Expires 7/27/10

In addition, you will want to check out the Expedia Summer Vacation Sale: New Deals & the Lowest hotel prices of the season! – Expires 7/27/10

Plus, they have a sweet Orlando Package Deal: Hotels from $53; Flight + 4 Nights from $319 – Expires 7/21/10

Travelocity Special Promotions

Travelocity has a great promotions that is still valid.

Orlando Makes Me Smile! $50 off a 3+ night GoodBuy hotel booking to Orlando, Use PROMOCODE: SMILE50. Ends 7/31/10.

Hotels.com Special Promotions

Hotels.com’s Family Sale offers savings up to 40% on a number of “family friendly” locations including a number of great properties near Disneyland in Anaheim, as well as the popular Sheraton Vistana near Walt Disney World. Please note that this promotion expires 7/5/10

Walt Disney World Savings and Promotions

  • Book a Disney Vacation Package and Get FREE Dining!  Now available for everyone!: Travel between August 15 and Oct. 2. 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 August 14. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.
  • Stay through August 14, 2010 Get a 15%-30% 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 8/14. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.
  • 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”.
  • Kids Stay and Play for Free“: This special offer has been extended and is now valid for stays most nights May 2 – Oct. 2, 2010. Purchase a 4 night/5 day Magic Your Way vacation package (room and theme park tickets) and a child (age 3-9) stays in the room and gets a 5 day park pass for Free. This is basically providing free tickets for one child of this age…or two if there are two adults in the room…which can be a substantial savings! To receive the package deal, you must book by August 14, 2010. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com and click on “Special Offers”.
  • Military Discount of up to 40% on select Disney Resort rooms, for stays most nights through Sept. 30, 2010. You must book through July 31, 2010. In addition, active or retired members of the military can get a 4 day park ticket for $99. For more information visit the Military Special Offer page on disneyworld.com.

My Thoughts About Disney Vacation Club Are at Chip and Co. This Week

Have you ever wondered about all the talk about Disney Vacation Club? And have you especially wondered if buying into Disney’s timeshare could be an investment that might actually be a savings to you in the long run?

My family wondered about those things for quite some time. Finally, we did some research, discussed the pros and cons of DVC, talked to a number of owners…and then sat down with a calculator to see if it might just be an affordable Disney vacation choice for us.

I talk about how we did this…and the results…over at Chip and Co. this week. Stroll on over and read about our experiences…and then be sure to let me know your thoughts about DVC. Might this be an affordable option for you?

You can read the article right here: Could the Disney Vacation Club be Right for Your Family?

I look forward to seeing you over there! 🙂

Wordless Wednesday: A Yankee Doodle Dandy

In honor of Independence Day, there are several places at Walt Disney World where you can patriotically celebrate the good ole’ USA. Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom is one. Another is at the American Adventure in Epcot’s World Showcase. While you are there, watch out for this fine gentleman and his friends, and you will get a great demonstration of what it means to be a Yankee Doodle Dandy. Have a wonderful Fourth of July!