Visiting during a slower time of year is a great way to avoid crowds and see and do more while in the parks. Does this mean, though, that you can toss the itinerary planning that so many Disney fans have encouraged you to do? Not at all – certainly you won’t need the same kind of rigid itinerary as a high-crowd period, but you should still plan an itinerary to make the most of your time. Here are some tips for planning during a low-crowd period. Read more
When I was young, we went out to dinner often – but there were some pretty strict rules: “No appetizers. Drink water only. No dessert.” And unfortunately, that philosophy carried into my adult thinking. So when I’m on vacation, “letting go” and allowing us to truly enjoy the food – instead of silently racking up the cost – is always a problem for me.
Enter the Disney Dining Plans, which allow you to feel like you’re on an all inclusive vacation, where everything is pre-paid. Read more
We have done it ~ Steve and I have bought the farm (literally) and moved to central west Georgia from North Alabama to save gas when we go to Disney. Really. Our old address in New Hope, AL (just south of Huntsville, AL), was 617 miles (9 ½ hours without traffic) from our favorite resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Villas. By buying our little mini-farm in Butler, GA, we have reduced the trip to 372 miles (5 ½ hours without traffic). That’s 245 miles closer to Disney! Now if you consider that gas currently is about $2.19/gallon and my Tahoe gets approximately 18 miles to the gallon, it will take about 40 gallons round trip as opposed to the former 68 gallons. Why that’s a savings of 28 gallons per trip = $61.32 savings! When Steve got this offer to come back to Georgia, we did consider that it would put us closer to family; we also have been blessed to find our dream home that fits us better than we could have hoped, but the deciding factor was we are now 245 miles closer to Mickey! So last week, we packed up two 26’ moving trucks, my Tahoe loaded with our pets (5 dogs, 3 cats, and 20 exotic birds) with a 16’ trailer loaded with bird cages, and my Mom’s Lincoln to caravan from North Alabama to our new home and life in central west Georgia. Read more
You spend countless hours planning every detail of your family’s vacation to Walt Disney World. The entire family looks forward to the trip. That day finally arrives. You pack up and fly (or drive) and your eyes well up with tears when you reach your destination. For a week, your worries melt away; everyone is enjoying each second of this highly anticipated event. Then…just like that, it’s over. Everything went as planned. You came, you conquered. You got the Mickey ears to prove it, but time moves on. You get back on the Magical (aka, Tragical) Express and watch your Disney resort shrink behind you as you head to the airport for your departing flight. An unexpected side effect of fulfilling your every Disney dream has it’s grip on you… Read more
This is a tough question, because most enthusiasts feel it is NEVER often enough to go! Many a Disney lover has given up their regular lives and moved to Walt Disney World to become a cast member. or retired to the area, just so they can be there on a more regular basis. For those of us, who can’t leave their homes for a variety of reasons, or retiring to WDW just isn’t in the cards yet, I say, go as often as you can. Go as often as you can to get the magical feeling, to recharge or to just get away. Read more