Disney Deluxe Resorts on a Budget??

Disney's Polynesian Resortphoto via http://www.flickr.com/photos/disneyworldsecets

A trip to Walt Disney World is a dream come true for many families. While Disney has thought ahead and greatly accommodated all travelers’ needs by creating resort categories, we all know that being able to stay at a deluxe Disney resort would make that magical dream vacation all the more magical. Believe it or not there are ways to stay at a deluxe Disney resort and stay true to your Disney vacation budget.   My family has been blessed to be able to visit Walt Disney World almost every year. While we always stay on Disney property we do not always stay deluxe. What I can tell you is that when we do stay deluxe I make Disney’s Polynesian Resort my home.

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Thrifty Thursday: Mickey’s PhilharMagic

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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Yes, You CAN Change Your Dining Plans While ON Your Disney World Vacation

There is a lot of time and energy that goes into planning meals for your Disney vacation. Researching the many different options, finding out what your family would like, checking menus, picking the best times (and reserving them if possible), and then of course figuring out how to pay for it….are all part of the process.

(Now I do realize that many people prefer not to do that much planning when it comes to meals on their vacation…but I am guessing that if you are reading this, you are probably not one of them. 🙂 Nevertheless, if you are one of those people, keep reading….because this article will be of interest to you too. )

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Disney Fun From Around the World: Week of February 21, 2011

Greetings Disney Friends and Happy Weekend! I had a great time touring the Disney blog-World this past week in search of the best, most interesting, most helpful, and most fun Disney blog posts. As always there was lots to choose from, but I think I found a few that you will find enjoyable. 🙂 So sit back, relax with your favorite beverage, and take a stroll with me!

Let’s start out with Chip and Co. It’s always SO hard to choose, as there are tons of fun and informative posts over there. But I especially loved these. For starters, how do you feel about Adults in Costume? Agree or disagree with DragynAlly? Then Lisa chats about the challenges of Traveling Light at Walt Disney World: Mission Impossible? Finally, the very talented Brenda had another touching article in her Wednesday with Walt series: And the Oscar Goes To…

Ever wonder if the rooms at some of the Deluxe resorts are worth the cost? Destinations in Florida takes us on a tour of the Rooms at Disney Contemporary Resort to find out.

Those of you with little ones will especially appreciate this article from Disney Dispatch: Dealing with Disney Trip Anticipation

Brenda had some great suggestions about Disney transportation this week. Disney Driven Life offered some other thoughts too: 3 DISNEY TRANSPORTATION TIPS

I’m ready for spring! And so is Disney World! Disney Every Day offers a look at Epcot’s 2011 Flower Power Concert Series Schedule

Disney Food Blog had a review of a favorite Disney restaurant for many: Review: 50s Prime Time Cafe

And continuing with food, Disney Guru provides a look at a different and fun place to eat, Pizzafari: A Colorful Place to Dine

In case you hadn’t heard, Disney had some news this past week that had the blog-world in overdrive. Disney Parks Blog shares the details of Mickey FASTPASS: Guests Will Be Able To Determine a Time To Meet Mickey Mouse Beginning This Spring at Magic Kingdom

Finding places of “quiet” at Disney World can be challenging but not impossible. The Disney Chick shares a few: Finding Zen in WDW

I love the focus of Magical Mouse Schoolhouse in finding ways to teach with Disney. This week they showed how to incorporate a favorite movie of mine: Finding Nemo

WDW Fan Zone continues to provide some of the most interesting Disney articles around. I loved this suggestion: Lori Loves Tigger’s Tip: FORE! And if you have ever wondered about what to DO with ALL those pictures from your Disney vacations, well look no further. April shares how to get them Off the Camera and Onto the Wall (Hint: It’s CHEAP! and looks fabulous!) Finally, a little article from little ol’ me: No Free Dining at Disney World? No Worries, You Can Still Save Money! 🙂

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

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Thrifty Thursday: Travel on the Walt Disney World Ferry Boat

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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