Top 5 Walt Disney World Money-Saving Vacation Tips

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June 2, 2015

For many, a dream vacation, or a favorite trip “home” means a visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. If you feel that this kind of trip is just out of financial reach, you are not alone. But there are ways to save money, and make the dream a reality. Here are five tips that might help:

1. Do Your Research (or work with a Travel Agent) to Find the Best Deals

Disney can be expensive, there’s no doubt about that, but they do offer discounts, deals, and promotions at various times of the year. If you love planning and know where and how to search, or if you’re willing to work with a travel agent who can do those things for you, you can take advantage of those deals, and get a wonderful vacation that will more likely fit within your budget.

2. Plan to Bring Snacks and/or Food to Prepare Meals

Disney allows guests to bring snacks and drinks (not in glass bottles) into the parks. You can save money by bringing in crackers, fruit, chips, water, or juice for snacking, or even sandwiches and such for lunches or quick dinners. Don’t want to carry your meal items into the parks? Every resort room at Disney (and most at Good Neighbor hotels nearby) has at least a mini-fridge in the rooms. You can take a break from the parks and head back to the resort for some food, some rest or pool time, and be saving money at the same time! If you’re lucky enough to have secured the Free Dining promotion, bear in mind that even Quick Service (counter) meals are plenty of food. If you don’t have big eaters in your party, you can often share a meal, making those meal credits go further. If bringing your own simply won’t work, you can save a little by just drinking water. This will keep everyone well-hydrated, and save you the cost of sodas in the parks or at the resorts. In the parks, you can ask for a cup of ice water at any location and they’ll provide it for you, free of charge.

Be sure to check out Garden Grocer for all your WDW Grocery Delivery Needs!

3. Save on Souvenirs

It can be difficult, especially with children to avoid spending money on souvenirs at the parks. So, set yourself a reasonable budget for each person for that purpose. Then, you can either pre-buy Disney gift cards in your individual budget amounts for each person to use, OR, you can use actual cash, or buy Disney Dollars (onsite at Walt Disney World). When the budgeted amount is gone, it’s gone, so everyone will have to plan and select carefully. Some families have found that they can buy similar souvenirs at discount stores in Florida, and save even more. This may work best if you have very young children, who won’t be as interested in buying in the parks.

4. Use Disney’s Magical Express and Transportation

If your family is flying into Orlando, Disney offers complimentary transportation to Disney resorts via their Magical Express. When staying on property at Walt Disney World, you will have access to almost everything you need, so most people won’t need a rental car. Disney’s Transportation System can get guests from resorts to parks and back, and to Downtown Disney (Disney Springs). If you live far enough away that you need to fly, or if you just feel that it will make the visit to Disney less exhausting, you’re likely spending plenty of money to do that, so save a little by avoiding the rental car cost.

5. Plan a Day Away From the Parks

Yes, if you buy one less park ticket, you’ll save some money. And it doesn’t mean you have to just do nothing, though you certainly can plan a relaxing day, if that works for you and your group. If, however, you’d like just a lower key day, you might do things away from the parks that won’t necessarily cost you any money, and will keep the group busy and interested. You can hop on the monorail and visit the resorts along the monorail line – The Contemporary, The Polynesian Village, and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. You can use other Disney transportation to visit Fort Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge, both of which have grand, beautiful lobbies and grounds to explore – and at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can find a spot to view the Savanna, and see some of the animals! Walk along paths, take a boat just to enjoy the ride, visit the Boardwalk at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort – there are shops, restaurants and performances to enjoy. AND, if you’ve purchased a package from Disney (resort room and tickets), you’ll have vouchers for free or reduced price miniature golf, admission to Disney Quest (an indoor arcade and amusement park at Downtown Disney/Disney Springs), or spa and recreation options.

So, there ARE ways to save money and make a Walt Disney World trip affordable. If you’re ready to explore this, I’d love to help you find the best value on your next magical vacation. Contact me at [email protected] and we’ll get started!

New “Finding Nemo” Attraction Coming to Tokyo DisneySea

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 1, 2015

Oriental Land Company shared last week that a new attraction is on it’s way. It will be themed to the world of the Disney Pixar film “Finding Nemo” and its upcoming sequel “Finding Dory” (to be released in 2016) will open in Port Discovery at Tokyo DisneySea Park in spring 2017.

Guests will board a submarine that “shrinks” to the size of a fish and uses a ride system that seamlessly blends visuals from the films with a motion system. In this immersive underwater experience, guests will be able to explore the vast ocean from the same point of view as Nemo and Dory and meet different characters and make new discoveries each time they ride.

The development of this attraction is only possible because of the collaboration between Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Oriental Land Company. The teams have worked together to create new, popular attractions and entertainment at Tokyo Disney Resort and make the resort one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations. We are also pleased that the teams will continue this collaboration as they work with the production staff of “Finding Dory” who will help create the visual images for this attraction.

This looks so cute!

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Are Tiered-Pricing Tickets Coming to Disney Parks?

By

Chip

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June 1, 2015

Disney Parks Addicts get very anxious when there’s even a hint of price increases at the Happiest and Most Magical Places on Earth. But, what if Disney approached it a little differently? What if, instead of raising prices outright, the Disney Company opted to offered a tiered pricing structure for park tickets? Resorts are booked based on peak and off-peak times and seasons, why not tickets?

Don’t panic, yet, friends. Disney hasn’t made any announcements about going this route, but they did send online surveys to guests last week seeking feedback on the idea of tiered (or surge) pricing for tickets. Disney often surveys guests for thoughts and opinions, and doesn’t always follow through on the ideas they are asking about. But, let’s look at what tiered pricing tickets might cost. Bear in mind that currently a one-day, one-park ticket for the parks in Anaheim, California, or the parks in Orlando, Florida, costs $99. The tiers are being referred to in the survey as Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

A Bronze Ticket – for $99, would be available during off-peak, low-attendance times (including January, February, and September), for select weekdays only.
A Silver Ticket – for $105, would be available during mid-demand months, most weekdays, some weekends, during most of the months of the year, excluding the highest attendance times.
A Gold Ticket – for $115, could be used anytime, including most of the summer, Christmas and Spring Break weeks.
Children’s Tickets – would follow the tiers, but be 10% less than tier price.
Park Hopper Option – would cost an additional $55 per ticket.

Such tiers are already in place in Anaheim parks, when purchasing annual passes. California annual passes have a levels or tiers based upon the number of blackout days (days on which the annual pass will not be honored at the parks). And, given that Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Celebration drew such large crowds that the gates closed for close to 12 hours, preventing overcrowding at the Anaheim parks during high-volume times is a genuine concern. The same concern is occasionally true for the Orlando parks, though with more parks, and more room in each park, there are fewer instances of front gate/park closure, generally.

A survey does not mean that the surge pricing will take effect any time soon, or even at all. It does give guests something to consider. What are your thoughts on a tiered pricing structure vs. raising tickets prices across the board? Currently, the more days guests choose to visit Orlando parks, the less they pay per day. Would this potential change affect your choice of visiting a Disney park?

I’m Jeri and I’m a Disney Addict! I love writing for Chip and Co. and Disney Addicts! I’m also an independent travel agent with World of Magic Travel Services, and if you don’t want to take any chances, and would like to plan your next magical vacation before there are any changes, I’d love to help you plan. Even if these changes actually go into effect, I can help to find you the very best value for you! And my help is always completely free to you. Contact me today at [email protected].

Don’t forget you can also order discounted tickets from our friends at Uncover Tourists!

Are Tiered-Pricing Tickets Coming to Disney Parks?

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 1, 2015

Disney Parks Addicts get very anxious when there’s even a hint of price increases at the Happiest and Most Magical Places on Earth. But, what if Disney approached it a little differently? What if, instead of raising prices outright, the Disney Company opted to offered a tiered pricing structure for park tickets? Resorts are booked based on peak and off-peak times and seasons, why not tickets?

Don’t panic, yet, friends. Disney hasn’t made any announcements about going this route, but they did send online surveys to guests last week seeking feedback on the idea of tiered (or surge) pricing for tickets. Disney often surveys guests for thoughts and opinions, and doesn’t always follow through on the ideas they are asking about. But, let’s look at what tiered pricing tickets might cost. Bear in mind that currently a one-day, one-park ticket for the parks in Anaheim, California, or the parks in Orlando, Florida, costs $99. The tiers are being referred to in the survey as Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

A Bronze Ticket – for $99, would be available during off-peak, low-attendance times (including January, February, and September), for select weekdays only.
A Silver Ticket – for $105, would be available during mid-demand months, most weekdays, some weekends, during most of the months of the year, excluding the highest attendance times.
A Gold Ticket – for $115, could be used anytime, including most of the summer, Christmas and Spring Break weeks.
Children’s Tickets – would follow the tiers, but be 10% less than tier price.
Park Hopper Option – would cost an additional $55 per ticket.

Such tiers are already in place in Anaheim parks, when purchasing annual passes. California annual passes have a levels or tiers based upon the number of blackout days (days on which the annual pass will not be honored at the parks). And, given that Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Celebration drew such large crowds that the gates closed for close to 12 hours, preventing overcrowding at the Anaheim parks during high-volume times is a genuine concern. The same concern is occasionally true for the Orlando parks, though with more parks, and more room in each park, there are fewer instances of front gate/park closure, generally.

A survey does not mean that the surge pricing will take effect any time soon, or even at all. It does give guests something to consider. What are your thoughts on a tiered pricing structure vs. raising tickets prices across the board? Currently, the more days guests choose to visit Orlando parks, the less they pay per day. Would this potential change affect your choice of visiting a Disney park?

I’m Jeri and I’m a Disney Addict! I love writing for Chip and Co. and Disney Addicts! I’m also an independent travel agent with World of Magic Travel Services, and if you don’t want to take any chances, and would like to plan your next magical vacation before there are any changes, I’d love to help you plan. Even if these changes actually go into effect, I can help to find you the very best value for you! And my help is always completely free to you. Contact me today at [email protected].

Don’t forget you can also order discounted tickets from our friends at Uncover Tourists!

SeaWorld Parks Celebrate World Oceans Day

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 1, 2015

SeaWorld is celebrating this year’s World Oceans Day with special events and activities at its parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego. Across the United States and around the world, thousands of people will be gathering at hundreds of events to challenge everyone to help make a positive effect on what’s impacting the world’s oceans. Events will take place on and around June 8, the day officially recognized since 2008 by the United Nations, and will be hosted by a wide range of organizations – from aquariums and zoos to science museums, schools, fishing groups, surfers and scuba diving clubs.

United under this year’s theme, ‘healthy oceans, healthy planet,’ the events also will invite people to take action and prevent plastic pollution by taking the better bag challenge. This challenge encourages people to pledge to use reusable bags instead of disposable plastic bags for an entire year.

More than eight million tons of plastic trash ends up in the oceans every year, including millions of disposable plastic bags. An estimated 80 percent of plastic trash in the ocean comes from people on land – carried out to the ocean by rivers, streams and wind. The plastic trash chokes and kills animals like sea turtles, whales and sea birds that mistake the trash for food.

Reducing the amount of plastic used and discarded is the first step to making the oceans a healthier place for animals and humans.

“We’re encouraging the millions of people who visit our parks to get involved with this year’s ‘healthy oceans, healthy planet’ theme of World Oceans Day,” said Jill Kermes, Senior Corporate Affairs Officer for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Our parks have eliminated plastic bags from our shops and now we’re using 100 percent recycled paper bags. We want everyone to take the better bag challenge and not use disposable plastic bags for a year.”

World Oceans Day will also be a day of significance for one of the oceans’ most iconic species when the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) issues an initial Request for Proposals for the Killer Whale Research and Conservation Program (KWRCP).

SeaWorld and NFWF recently announced the KWRCP which will fund projects to study and protect killer whales in the wild. SeaWorld has committed $1.5 million over three years to this new partnership and NFWF will seek to match this commitment with additional public and private dollars. Support of the KWRCP is part of SeaWorld’s $10 million pledge to fund research and conservation for killer whales in the wild – the largest private commitment of its kind.

Activities at the SeaWorld parks this World Oceans Day include locations where guests can meet members of the SeaWorld Rescue Team and Education Specialists to find out what they can do to keep the oceans clean. Guests can also make an ocean promise and take a “Selfie for the Sea” to post on social media.

SeaWorld team members are continuing a multi-year tradition to celebrate the day by volunteering at beach cleanups on Florida’s West Coast. To find out more on local beach, river or lake cleanups or to plan a cleanup event, visit WorldOceansDay.org.

For more information about World Oceans Day activities at each SeaWorld park, go to SeaWorldCares.com/WorldOceansDay.

Wishing you Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Maria

Disney Hand Sanitizers Join a Summer of New Souvenirs at Disney Parks

By

Chip

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June 1, 2015

This summer, Disney Theme Park Merchandise is introducing several new souvenirs at Disney Parks. These items will make great gifts for loved ones or serve as a nice memory from your Disney vacation.

There will be approximately 20 new hand sanitizers arriving at Disney Parks in late June and early-to-mid July. The artwork features popular Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Anna, Elsa and other select Disney Princesses. Sleeping Beauty Castle from Disneyland park and Cinderella Castle from Magic Kingdom Park will also be included in the mix.

Each hand sanitizer comes with a specially designed 1 fluid ounce bottle and a key chain split ring with lobster claw clasp. At this time, Disney will not offer refill bottles yet you can refill the bottle with your favorite hand sanitizer once empty.

The Force is strong with my favorite designs featuring R2-D2 and Darth Vader. They are due to arrive this August in select merchandise locations at Disney Parks.

Hand sanitizer will retail for $8.95 (plus tax). Please note that retails are subject to change without notice.

ABC CASTING ANNOUNCES 2015 NATIONWIDE TALENT SEARCH ABC DISCOVERS

By

Chip

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June 1, 2015

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Winner Receives a One-Year $25,000 Talent Deal with ABC and a Spot in the ABC Discovers: Talent Showcase!

The third annual ABC Discovers: Digital Talent Competition (previously known as ABC Make Me A Star) will take place Monday, June 1 – Sunday, June 14. Beginning June 1, actors 18 and older are encouraged to visit ABCDiscovers.com and submit a video for the chance to receive a one-year $25,000 talent deal with ABC and a spot in the New York or Los Angeles 2015 ABC Discovers: Talent Showcase. This year’s winner will be announced Monday, July 20.

Keli Lee, Executive Vice President Casting and Talent, ABC Entertainment said, “My team and I are always in the process of discovering and championing new talent, and this competition gives an opportunity to find actors who may not have had the chance to be seen yet by a team of professional casting executives. The digital talent competition has been a game-changer for us, and through it we’ve been able to find and cultivate new talent across the country.”

To enter the ABC Discovers: Digital Talent Competition, actors are asked to create a video performing one of the comedy or drama scenes posted on ABCDiscovers.com. Actors will be judged on quality of performance, potential star power and technical skill set. Last year’s winners were Khalilah Joi Dubose (Hampton, Virginia) and Cornelius Smith Jr. (Detroit, Michigan). After winning, Smith Jr. went on to land a recurring role on the ABC hit drama “Scandal” as neighborhood activist Marcus Walker.

Visit ABCDiscovers.com beginning June 1 for full details on how to enter and for Official Rules.

MARVEL REVEALS MERCHANDISING PROGRAM FOR GROUNDBREAKING COMIC BOOK EVENT – SECRET WARS

By

Chip

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June 1, 2015

As excitement continues to mount for the biggest comic book event of the year, Disney Consumer Products (DCP) continues to unveil merchandising programs in support of Marvel’s Secret Wars. Secret Wars is a new storyline where the world of the Marvel Universe and the world of the Ultimate Universe collide, obliterating everything we’ve come to know and forming a new world – Battleworld – featuring new versions of familiar characters.

The Secret Wars licensing program marks the first time that Marvel is supporting a comic book event with its own merchandising program and many key partners are already on board. Mad Engine and Bioworld are developing apparel lines inspired by the newly reformed Marvel Universe, while Funko debuts new collectible figures and Cardinal unveils puzzles. Marvel is also working closely with Diamond Comics to create assortments, displays, and special products including apparel and drinkware designed specifically for comic book stores.

“Secret Wars is an unprecedented comic book event that completely alters the Marvel Universe and we are pulling out all the stops to honor the overwhelming excitement coming from our fans,” said Paul Gitter, senior vice president, licensing, Marvel at Disney Consumer Products. “For the first time we are working with our best in class partners to create a robust retail program that encapsulates the storylines from our comic book universe and offers fans new ways to interact with our Super Heroes off the page.”

Disney Finds – Minnie Mouse Sparkling Star Sequin Ear Headband

By

Chip

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June 1, 2015

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Just in time for summer and Independence Day Disney has brought back the Minnie Mouse Sparkling Star Sequin Ear Headband and our friend Courtney from Mouse to your House was able to pick up a few for our fans.

At $29.95 this would be a cute addition for those Minnie Mouse Ear Collectors.

To learn more and to order your just click here or any of he links above.

Disney Store Twice Upon a year sale!

By

Chip

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June 1, 2015

2015 06 01 09 05 52 Twice Upon a Year Sale Disney Store

Disney Store’s Twice Upon a Year Sale 40% off is Online Now.

Save on clothing, Toys, Sleepwear and more. Just click the link above to start saving!

Please remember this is on online sale, In store savings starts June 5th.

Top 10 WDW Experiences For Disney-Pixar Movie Addicts!

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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June 1, 2015

Disney-Pixar pals are some of my kids’ favorite Disney characters and Walt Disney World isn’t just for the classic films and Princesses anymore. They have successfully incorporated many Pixar films and characters into the rides and resorts.

My Disney Addict daughter, Jasmine, is so excited to see the newest Disney-Pixar film “Inside-Out” so she made a list of the Top 10 best ways to have a Pixar Character filled Disney trip:

10. Toy Story Midway Mania 3D is one of the best rides at Hollywood Studios! The line queue shrinks you down to “toy size” with a huge Etch-a-Sketch, blocks and Tinker Toys… it’s a great place for photo-ops. This ride is a game too! You can’t miss it — get a Fastpass if you can!

9. Meet Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear at Pixar Place in Hollywood Studios when you get off TSM3D. There are hilarious props to take pics with in line too, such as Buzz’s cardboard spaceship! You can also meet Toy Story Pals in Magic Kingdom. Buzz Lightyear meets to the left of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Ride in Tomorrowland. Jessie and Woody meet when you exit Splash Mountain in Frontierland.

8. The Seas with Nemo and Friends is a wonderful building at Epcot that houses a huge salt water aquarium filled with tropical fish, coral reefs, rays, sea turtles, manatees and dolphins! The Finding Nemo ride is adorable too! Kids love Turtle Talk with Crush. It’s interesting and interactive show, Dude!

7. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is a hilarious “comedy club” where you can text in your own jokes to help Mike Wazowski get enough laughs to power up the laugh canister! Your sides will hurt when you leave!

6. Meet Mike and Sulley from Monsters Inc. in Hollywood Studios on NY street. It’s hard to locate, so ask a Cast Member to direct you.

5. Meet Merida from Brave in Magic Kingdom, to the left of the castle in the garden. You have to pass Cheshire Cafe and walk across the bridge between Liberty Square and the Castle. She occasionally lets you shoot her bow and arrow too!

4. It’s Tough to Be A Bug inside the giant Tree of Life is a funny, interactive 4D show at Animal Kingdom. A Bug’s Life characters, Princess Ada and Flik, meet near the entrance to the show too!

3. The Incredibles are some of the most FUN characters to interact with! At night, in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom, a DJ throws a dance party and the Incredible dance in the crowd with everyone. It’s a GREAT time! Don’t miss it. Even Frozone gets down!

2. Meet the characters from Up – There aren’t many references to one of my favorite Pixar movies, UP, at Disney World but you CAN meet Dug and Russell in Animal Kingdom on Discovery Island. They offer a free scavenger hunt for children called the Wilderness Explorers Club. They can earn badges and learn the pledge like in the movie.

1. The #1 way to have a Pixar Pals Filled Disney Trip is to stay at the best resort for kids, Disney’s Art of Animation! AoA Resort offers 2 amazing Pixar themed areas: Finding Nemo and the Big Blue Pool, and Cars with the Cozy Cone Pool! These areas feature life-sized Cars figures from the movies, and huge Nemo displays. The Resort Rooms are also decked out in these themes too, from the beds to the wall art.

Honorable mentions: Finding Nemo the Musical, Toy Story hotel rooms at All-Star Movies Resort, Festival of Fantasy parade featuring Merida.

I’d love to see Wall-E incorporated into Future World at Epcot or Ratatouille get a restaurant in the France Pavillion, maybe a “Gusteaus”!

If you are ready to plan your Perfectly Pixar filled vacation to Disney World, I can definitely help you get there and fit this entire list into it! My services are always free, so email me at [email protected] today to get some price quotes and planning tips! My Facebook Page is another great way to reach me. Mention that you love Pixar Characters and your child will get a free Disney t-shirt when you book a vacation with me! Remember… Adventure is out there!

Could price change be coming to Resort Refillable Mugs?

By

Anonymouse

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May 31, 2015

Hey Disney World peeps! You know who this is! I know you only read this blog to read my gossip so here is some more for you! I have been hearing a lot about a price change coming to the Resort Refillable Mugs, so of course Chiperoo, the slave-driver, made me go around and see what I could find.

I am sure you know that the mugs are priced by days or you can purchase one for your entire length of stay. Well it appears as though in some resorts the pay by the day option has gone bye-bye and they are testing just a set price, which seems to be $16.49 plus tax across the board no matter how long you stay (this is how it used to be).

That is cheaper then the $17.99 length of stay option but more expensive then the pay by the day option if you are there for only a day or two.

So far this has been tested a few resorts from each level. Some people have said this started over a month ago at certain resorts.

What do you think about this? Is it a value or not worth it? Let me know in the comment box below.

Of course, nothing is official until Disney gives the final word!

Any who this all the Disney gossip I have for now. For my past gossip articles be sure to check them out here. Got any good gossip/rumors please email me at anonymouse@chipandco.com or on my Facebook page.