Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Thursday: Walt Disney World Lost and Found

Brenda Disney Vacation Planning, Saving Money at Disney World, Thrifty Thursday , , , , 5 Comments

Our family always wears lanyards during extra magic hours. It is the easiest way for us to prove that we are guests of the Disney resorts without having to stop at each ride to show our key to the kingdom card. We normally take the type with press closures at the tops of the cardholders but the lanyards themselves are regular rope-type.

This year, we got some beautiful lanyards from a travel agent and so we decided to wear them instead. The tops of the cardholders were not closed on these. We didn’t think anything of it until we got off of Space Mountain and my DH was missing his key to the world and his driver’s license.

We were frantic and went back to Space Mountain and spoke to the cast member at the entrance. She told us that there was nothing they could do right then, but informed us that every evening after the park closes, they do a full sweep of the ride to find any lost articles.  If they found the lost items, they would turn them into the main Lost and Found at the Transportation and Ticket Center. She told us to wait until the next day and call the Lost and Found to find out if they had been found.

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Thrifty Thursday: Creating a Disney Trip Cheater Book

Brenda Affordable Disney Vacations, Disney Vacation Planning, Saving Money at Disney World, Thrifty Thursday , , , 16 Comments

I have not yet decided whether I am extremely organized or just uncertain of my ability to remember things but, either way, I compensate by always being prepared. I like to be able to put my hands on whatever I need whenever I need it.

Several years ago, when we first started visiting Walt Disney World, there was so much information about so many different things that I wanted to have a method of keeping track of things specific to our trip at any given time. I decided to create a Disney Trip Cheater book by using a set of colored 3X5 index cards, hole-punched and held together with a loose-leaf clip, like this.

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Thrifty Thursday: Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Brenda Thrifty Thursday , , , , 2 Comments
Mickey's PhilharMagicPhoto courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/clydeorama

One of my family’s favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom is Mickey’s PhilharMagic. This indoor show is all about Disney; a fantastic example of Disney 4-D at its best!

During our recent trip, we were within a large crowd in Fantasyland, waiting for the cast members to drop the ropes following the Wishes fireworks show. We decided to head to Mickey’s PhilharMagic as it only had a 5-minute wait at the time. We noticed a man struggling to keep his daughter (approximately 4 yo) and his son (approximately 2 yo) entertained while trying to struggle with more patience himself. We suggested that they head to the PhilharMagic, too. He said he had not been inside asked what it was, so we told him it was a great show and that we thought the kids would love it. When we left the theater, we found him at the exit and asked him how they liked it. He said they loved it and thanked us for suggesting it. I thought I would take a few minutes today to share some information about this great FREE show as well.

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Thrifty Thursday: Travel on the Walt Disney World Ferry Boat

Brenda Thrifty Thursday , , , , 6 Comments

Photo courtesy of www.disneyshawn.blogspot.com

Disney’s ferry boat system is one of the great, FREE ways to travel during your visit to Walt Disney World. The ferries are similar to any you would find in any city in America; with an upper and a lower deck connected by two interior stairways. There are three different ferryboats that run from the Transportation & Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom park and back. Although not as much a part of the Disney transportation system that they once were, but I am hoping to encourage you to try this treasure as part of your next WDW trip.

One of the special things I really enjoy during our annual trip is riding the ferry on the way to the Magic Kingdom on our first day in the park. While many people flood to the front of the boat, I like to head upstairs to grab a great spot from which to see the beautiful scenery. The ride reminds me of when I was a little girl growing up in Galveston, Texas. My grandfather was a Ferryboat Captain with the Galveston Island-Port Bolivar Ferry and I spent many hours through the years on journeys across Galveston Bay. My grandpa used to let me into the wheelhouse to sit upon his lap and “drive” the ferry. As the Disney Ferryboat glides through the water toward our most anticipated destination, I reminisce of many special memories and revel in every second of it. For those of you who don’t have special childhood memories of ferry rides, I would like to try to convince you to give the ferry system a try.

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Thrifty Thursday: Cast Your Vote at the American Idol Experience

Brenda Thrifty Thursday, What to Do at Disney World , , , , 0 Comment

As avid followers of the ABC talent show, American Idol, my family has really enjoyed participating in The American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We have had lots of fun being part of the audience and have been lucky enough to see some very talented contestants as well. We love having the opportunity to vote for that talented someone who could actually end up with a dream ticket to try out at a real American Idol audition.

The show is put together just like a real American Idol taping. While you are waiting in line, they fire up the audience and do some preliminary taping of the crowd. Once the doors open, you enter the auditorium and take your seat in the audience. Since this is an indoor attraction, it is especially appealing during the hottest part of a Summer day or on the coldest Winter day.

During the 25-minute show, three park guests who have auditioned for judges earlier in the day, take to the stage and sing their hearts out. Then, you vote for your favorite and once the audience scores are tallied, they announce the winner for that show.

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