planning a disney vacation

Say “Aloha” to Disney Deluxe Savings

Guest Affordable Disney Vacations, Disney Vacation Planning, Saving Money at Disney World, Saving Money on Accommodations , , , , , 3 Comments
photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/disneyworldsecets/2789030079/

Aloha!!! Just in case you missed my post last month, I talked about staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts on a Budget. I also expressed all of the things that needed to change for my family in order to be able to stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

My Disney Travel Philosophy

First and foremost I believe that every family in the world has the right to take their family on a Disney vacation. Each person deserves to have a little bit of pixie dust spread their way at least once in their life. Disney has made it very attainable for all families to travel to Disney World because they have created resort categories. I know that with time and the proper planning, every family can plan Disney on their budget.  For those of us that make Disney World our regular vacation destination staying at a Disney Deluxe resort may not be as attainable as for someone that travels once in a lifetime.  Whether you are a frequent Disney traveler, or someone that goes once in a lifetime, I believe that staying at a Disney Deluxe resort at least once should be something that you try.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

This resort is truly two vacations in one. Not only do you get the magic of being at Walt Disney World and on the monorail but you are also fully immersed in the ambiance of Hawaii. What could be better than that? As soon as you walk into the lobby of the Polynesian you are greeted with a friendly Aloha and have a splendid view of a 2-story lobby and waterfall.  The lobby area in the Polynesian is very lively with sounds and smells of Hawaii.  The hospitality is amazing at this resort location. Immediately after checking in you are able to go and receive your lei with a more formal Aloha!! From there your Island Guide and cart is waiting to take you and your luggage on a tour of the grounds.  Do not fret though, this ride is a two in one, your Island Guide is actually taking you to your longhouse.

Read more
Share

Tuesday Disney Tips: Princesses with a Plan – Planning a Magical Disney Girlfriend Getaway

Brenda Disney Vacation Planning, Princesses With a Plan, Tuesday Disney Tips , , , , 3 Comments

You may have read previously that my husband surprised me by telling me that I can go on the anniversary trip I wanted with a friend, as he is unable to leave town during that time. As you might be able to relate, I don’t just love Walt Disney World I long for it as though I am obsessed. This year especially, I wanted to be at the Magic Kingdom on October 1 and when my hubby said he definitely could not go I just tried to put it out of my head. Enter my soul sister and equally Disney-crazed friend, Susan, and my dream was coming true.

You have to understand that I have a wonderful Disney life with my husband and three kids. Our annual trips to Walt Disney World mean the world to me, and we have traveled twice with Susan and her family as well. But I am a real family girl. The only time I have traveled away from my family was once for work and a few times with my mom and two sisters. This will be the first time in my life I have traveled with a friend – just a girls getaway. So, I want to encourage you Disney lovers out there – if your family can’t or won’t go with you to Walt Disney World, don’t give up your dream; grab a good friend and make a plan!  Studies show that relationships outside the family circle are crucial to keeping balance and perspective. I am very grateful to have a husband that is supportive of me, my friendship with Susan, and my deep desire to be at ‘the World’ at that time. I am also very grateful to have a friend who understands me so well, and who loves Walt Disney World so much herself, that she offered to take the trip with me.

Read more

Share

Disney Fun for the Week of March 21, 2011

Nancy Disney Fun From Around the "World" , , , 0 Comment

Happy Saturday Disney Friends! It’s time for my favorite post of the week, when I get to share some of the really interesting, helpful, cool, and just plain fun posts from some of the many very talented Disney bloggers. It’s so hard to narrow it down to just a handful each week! But I did my best….enjoy!

Let’s start off talking about visiting the parks with our friends at Chip and Co Lisa had some thoughts about What to Bring to the Disney Theme Parks and then Brenda chimed in with suggestions if you don’t want to carry it all around with you: Disney World Planning 101 – Renting a Locker

By now I’m sure you have heard about the plans for using the FastPass system with the new Mickey meet and greet area. Here is some additional information about how it may work from The Disney Blog: Will Mickey and Minnie Photo-Op say ‘No’ to Late Guests?

It doesn’t feel like spring around Maryland this weekend, but it surely is at Walt Disney World! Disney Driven Life shares some details from EPCOT’S 2011 FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL

Have you been to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue? I haven’t yet, but Amanda at Disney Every Day recently did, and shares the fun: My First Visit to Disney’s Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review Dinner Show

If you have little ones, you will appreciate this helpful post from Growing Up Disney: Guest Post: 3 Kids in Diapers or Pull-ups

I love Kelly’s series on Disney Guru called Money Saver Monday! This week in Steals & Deals she discusses how to get some of Disney World’s most delicious food items….for less money!

How do you unpack and stay organized once you get to your hotel room? The Relocated Tourist has some excellent suggestions: Organizing Your Resort Room

Another food “event” I have never tried….but now really want to….is discussed by Travelin’ Mamas: Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

This post from Your Highway in the Sky was one that I found extremely interesting, and if you have little girls, I think you may as well:Is the Disney Princess Passe?

Lastly, I was out and about in Disney Blog Land again this week! 🙂

Disney Guru had a review of my new ebook: Magical Meals: A Guide to Affordable Dining at Walt Disney World

And my monthly post over at WDW Fan Zone was also published: Finding Magic in Those Disney Details. I hope you’ll stop by and say “Hi!”

Have a safe, warm, and magical weekend! 🙂

Share

Minnie Minus Mickey: A Single Mom Plans for Disney – Booking my Trip!

Guest Affordable Disney Vacations, Disney Vacation Planning, Minnie Minus Mickey, Saving Money at Disney World, Saving Money on Accommodations , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Happy Friday, Disney-lovin’ friends!  It’s been a whirlwind of planning fun this past month here in South Louisiana, and I am enjoying every minute!

I was so nervous, clicking the “send” button on my payment, until a thought occurred to me; the lightbulb in my head turned on…I have a travel agent.  If there is a better deal (because, come on, we’re all reading this because we want the best deal!), she will be as happy as I am about re-booking me to save some hard-earned cash.  The decision to use an agent was probably the easiest I made in my plans.  Ask her.  I go around and around weighing every option like my life depended on it…dining plan or no, which one, value resort or moderate or splurge on a deluxe, vacation club rental points, park hopper, water parks, Disney Quest, Disney transportation or a car…the options are ENDLESS!  I swear, I could go on a Disney vacation once a month (wow, wouldn’t that be a dream come true!) and not have the same experience twice!  As a single mom, especially, having someone to bounce ideas around with was invaluable.  And it’s not costing me a single extra penny.  In fact, it’s SAVING me money.  Wow.

Read more

Share

Tuesday Disney Tips: To Insure or Not to Insure?

Brenda Disney Vacation Planning, Tuesday Disney Tips , , , , 0 Comment

Choosing whether or not to buy trip insurance is one of the things to consider when planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Here at the Affordable Mouse it is paramount to us that we try to give our readers the best possible advice. We really want everyone to have the most magical experience possible when on your Disney vacation. We also try to heed our own advice when traveling ourselves. To me, affordable means the smartest use of, while requiring the least amount of, my Disney vacation money. So, it is not normally my practice to use money on any extras, like insurance, that would keep me from buying a momento for a family member or a gift for a friend while there. This year is a little different.

In all the years my family and I have been traveling to Walt Disney World, we have never purchased the vacation insurance with our reservation. Maybe we were tempting fate, but we all knew that it would have to be something fierce to keep us from making our annual trip to “The World.” We rested on the assurance of faith, combined with good planning and staying healthy. Plus, we have usually traveled at the end of November and we had been lucky in the past so what should change? Still, there is always a feeling in the pit of my stomach as we are driving from Texas to Florida that IF our van breaks down, we could arrive a day or two late, and the thought of that keeps tugging at me until we arrive there safe and sound.

For the first time, I will be purchasing trip insurance for my upcoming trip to WDW this September. For some travelers, this may seem like a waste of money, but I will spend that extra $59 gladly. What I am buying is peace of mind. I consider it to be a wise investment without any doubt for two simple reasons:

Read more

Share