Disney Bucket List- Fall 2014

This is our second trip to Disney World in 2014 and the shortest trip we have made as a family.  We will be at the parks for just FOUR days.  I used to think that four days was the perfect amount of time... 4 days/4 parks it should be plenty of time boy was I WRONG.  We plan to pack a ton of stuff into our four days before heading off for a 5 night Disney cruise.  Just as the rest of my Disney bucket lists this is not a Disney "must do" list, this is a list of new things that our family plans to enjoy while we are there.  I don't stress over the list and I have yet to complete everything on one of my lists.  As a Disney Vacation Club owner I plan to visit often and eventually I will cross them all off.  I choose my list by selecting a mix of items that are there for a limited time, the resort that we are staying at, and new things for us to try.

1. Festival of the Fantasy Parade- Earlier this year Disney World started a new afternoon parade called Festival of the Fantasy.  The parade celebrates many of the Fantasy Land characters such as Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Flynn Ryder, Rapunzel, Ariel, Cinderella, Bella, Minnie, Mickey, and many others.

2.  Attend Hollywood Studios FROZEN Summer- I was excited to hear that this limited time only event had been extended that included dates of our vacation.  It includes special events such as a Frozen Sing-a-long, ice skating, treats, parade, and an evening fireworks spectacular.

3.  Bay Lake Tower-  This is our "home" DVC resort, but we have never stayed there as a family.  I stayed there with the kiddos a few years ago and I am excited for all of us to stay.  The proximity to Magic Kingdom make it one of my top places to stay.  Something about being able to walk there makes everything so much easier.

4.  Moma Melrose's Ristaurante Italiano -  I like to try at least one new (to us) table service restaurant while visiting the parks.  This restaurant is located in Hollywood Studios so we have decided to to the Fantasmic Lunch package to guarantee a see for the show with out using a fastpass for it.  Italian food is one that that my kids will definitely eat so it is a perfect choice for my family.

5.  Enchanted Stories with Belle-  Since I have two boys you are probably wondering why I have included this on my list.  I am taking a recommendation from a friend.  She said that it is very interactive and her children LOVED it.  I hear it represents the magic of Disney to the fullest and I want to know more!

6.  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train-  This is the newest ride addition to Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland.  It is a rollercoaster designed for everyone over 38 inches tall that is themed around the beloved Snow White.  It is extremely popular right now since it just opened in the spring so make sure you schedule a fastpass.

7.  Silhouettes of Kids- I am always looking for the perfect souvenir to take home from WDW.  My go to items are a Christmas ornament and lots of great pictures.  This time I plan to have the kids sit for a few minutes at Magic Kingdom to get this keepsake completed.  I am not sure of the price but from what I have read it should be less than $30 for both kids.  I will be sure to update with details like price and location when we return.

8.  Go on a Disney Cruise-  This has been on my BIG bucket list for A LONG TIME!  We actually booked this cruise 18 months ago and the fact that it is so close is giving me butterflies in my stomach.  We chose to do 4 days in the parks and then take a relaxing cruise after.  I am prepared to be WOWed!

9.  Family Picture on the Monorail-  We love all forms of Disney transportation because it means that we are in our happy place, however, the Monorail holds the top spot.  It is a ride all in itself.  I have pictures of my kids on the Monorail but none of the whole family.  Believe it or not, this might be the toughest item on my list.

10.  Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party-  This is a special ticket event that is held select dates in September and October.  It is a Halloween party complete with costumes, trick-or-treating, special character appearances, parades, dance parties, and fireworks.  We are currently working on our costumes and I will share them later.

11.  Mickey Kitchen Sink- Last year we tackled the challenge of the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream at the Boardwalk resort.  This version of the kitchen sink is available at the Magic Kingdom and is is slightly smaller so maybe just maybe we will be able to finish it!

12.  Country Bear Jamboree- There are still 15 of the original attractions from opening day at Walt Disney World.  The Country Bear Jamboree is the last one of the 15 that our family has to do to have completed all of them.  Technically I saw the animatronic show as a kid, but I plan to officially check it off the list with my family.  It is an any height attraction that is one of the last attractions that was actually developed by Walt himself.

13.  Dole Whip-  Many people have a long list of their favorite snacks at WDW.  I bet most lists include this delicious treat.  I have tasted fellow Magical Mom Sherrie's Dole Whip, but this time I plan to enjoy my own.  It has even been suggested to me that I add some rum.  Shhh... don't tell.

I know that this list may seem long and ambitious for a short trip, but I plan to try my best.  I will update you when I return from the world!

Best Place for Ice Cream at Disney World- Beaches and Cream

Mickey Ice Cream Bars and Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches are available at many vendor kiosks throughout the Disney World Parks, but there is only one place where you can get The Kitchen Sink- Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.  Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is located at the Beach Club Resort near Storm-A-Long Bay Pool.  It is a cute 50's style ice cream shop.  The menu includes items like burgers and fries, milkshakes, and signature sundaes.  The Kitchen Sink is their featured menu item.  My children refer to it as the "Ice Cream Challenge."  It is 8 oversized scoops of ice cream and all the fixins.  The toppings included cake, brownies, Oreos, candy bar pieces, hot fudge, caramel, cherries, bananas, strawberries, and a few others.  And if that isn't enough... A WHOLE CAN OF WHIPPED CREAM!!!!  You can get the giant sundae exactly as the menu describes or you can customize it.  We didn't get the mint chocolate chip ice cream, instead we substituted the flavor of the month- chocolate fudge brownie.  Before the waitress brought the sundae to our table, she turned down the lights and turned on a bright revolving light.  She then proceeded to parade our GIANT sundae around the diner, while exclaiming exactly how much goodness was included in the sundae.  When she shouted and "and a whole can of whipped cream!" the entire place repeated it back to her.  She presented the monstrosity to our table with a large serving spoon and individual bowls and spoons for each of us.

My kids were amazed at the size of the sundae and shocked that we let them eat as much as they wanted.  We didn't finish it, but we had fun trying.  I made it clear that I didn't want anyone to get sick and that we did NOT have to finish it.

Just recently Beaches and Cream started accepting Advanced Dining Reservations.  It is a popular place in the evening for a late night ice cream treat after the Illuminations Fireworks.  The place is relatively small.  It has about a dozen tables and counter seating.  There is an arcade right next door if you find yourself having to wait.  Don't forget to try one of their delicious fountain sodas with the flavor of your choice.  My recommendation- the Cherry Coke!

The cost of the Kitchen Sink was $29.99, which isn't exactly cheap but it could feed at least 6 ice cream lovers! (1/2014)  Some items on the menu are eligible for certain Disney Dining Plans.

This is the perfect place to add some additional fun to your Disney World Vacation.  The atmosphere was adorable, the service was great, and the Ice Cream was AMAZING!  I can't wait to go back again.... with a few more mouths to help us eat all the ice cream.

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Disney Bucket List 2014

Each time we visit Disney World I create a bucket list of fun and exciting things for us to do.  Some of them are new to us and some are old favorites.  I like to find a few special things that are at our resort because you just never know when we will stay there again.  I enjoy finding the perfect mix of hidden magic and must do experiences.  We are very lucky to visit often but every time we go the experience is different.  This list is for our January 2014 trip.  I know that we won't do/see all of these things, but I like to have the list so that we can continue to try new things.  My must do list is very long and it grows after each visit.

1. Find DiVine-DiVine is a street performer at Animal Kingdom.  She is hard to find for a couple of reasons.  She is fully decked out in face paint and foliage to blend in with the surroundings.  She is rarely listed in the times guide, but from what I hear you can ask Cast Members for details.  
2. Ask for Ketchup at Whispering Canyon Cafe- This is a table service restaurant located inside of Wilderness Lodge.  I have been told that something crazy will happen when you ask for ketchup at this restaurant.  I guess we will have to wait and see...
3. See the Trains and Geyser at Wilderness Lodge- Fire Rock Geyser is a geyser that erupts at the top of the hour throughout the day.  It shoots water 120 ft into the air.  Nestled inside the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge is Walt Disney's personal train collection.  You don't have to be a guest at this resort to enjoy it.  It is available for all to see.  
4. Lunch at Be Our Guest- Be Our Guest is the newest Quick Service/Table Service restaurant at Magic Kingdom.  During our last trip we scored a dinner reservation and it was GREAT.  You can check out my dinner review here.  This time we are hoping to eat there for lunch.  During lunch it is a Quick Service restaurant with lots of yummy sounding options.  You can even get a cupcake topped with the "Grey Stuff."  So don't forget to "Try the Grey Stuff, It's delicious!"
5. Try a Dole Whip-  This is a pineapple soft serve float that according to most Disney Addicts is a "MUST HAVE" snack.  I have taken a sip of a friend's Dole Whip and liked it but I have never had one of my own.  No one else in my family has ever tasted this signature snack.  There is always a line at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, but I plan to wait this time!
6. Meet Anna and Elsa in Norway-  Anna and Elsa are the stars of the newest Disney movie "Frozen."  We saw the movie back in November and LOVED IT!  We don't often wait in line to meet princesses because I have two little boys, but this is one exception they are willing to make and that makes this Mom happy:)
7. Visit Talking Mickey- At our visit in November we able to get FastPasses to meet the Magician Talking Mickey at Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom.  This was one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.  It actually brought tears to my eyes.  My little ones have not stopped talking about it, so it makes the list AGAIN!
8. Watch Electrical Water Pageant-  This is a water parade on the Seven Seas Lagoon.  It can be seen from 5 different resorts at various times.  We plan to let the kiddos play in the sand and relax and watch the lights pass by.  
9. Watch Lights Motor Action Stunt Show- This is a high action stunt show that includes a favorite character, Lightning McQueen.  We saw this show a few years ago and would love to see it again.  Make sure to check the times guide because it is only performed a few times a day.  I have also heard a rumor that the show may be phasing out.  
10. Chip and Dale Campfire Sing a long-  Each night at 7pm Chip and Dale host a campfire sing-a-long at  Fort Wilderness behind the Meadow Trading Post.  S'mores kits and marshmallow sticks are available for purchase for $5 or feel free to bring your own.  We have attempted to do this in previous visits, but it has always seemed to hot to sit at a campfire.  This is our first trip in January and the weather should be perfect.  
11. Wake up call from a character- I have never done this, but from what I have researched all you have to do is request a wake up call and the next morning a character will call.  I will let you know how it goes in my bucket list update after the trip.  
12. See Turtle Talk with Crush-  This a one of our favorite attractions at Epcot because it is always a good laugh and never the same experience.  It makes our list because we missed it last time. 
13. Meet Ralph and Vanellope- These characters from Wreck-it Ralph are available for photo ops and HUGS inside the Magic of Disney Animation.  
14. Draw a character at Animation Academy- Inside the Magic of Disney Animation you can watch a 9 minute film on how characters are drawn and then an animator will draw a character live as you watch and follow along to make a character of your own.  

We are going again!!!  Here is the link to my latest Bucket List

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Best Place to Rent a Stroller for Disney World

Sometimes you just have to take a nap

The fact that my kids have never really loved to ride in a stroller made me think that I wouldn't need a stroller for them.  After talking to a few friends, I realized that there was NO way they were going to be able to walk as much as I would be asking them too.  The last 4 times we have went to Walt Disney World we have rented a stroller from the same company -Kingdom Strollers.  I chose them based on a couple of factors including price, selection, and a recommendation from a friend.

If you plan on using a stroller while at Disney World, do yourself a favor and DO NOT rent one from the parks directly.  There are not too many things at Disney World that I criticize, but their strollers are at the top of the list.  They are hard pieces of plastic (see picture to the right) and they are very expensive.  Another drawback of WDW strollers is that you can only use them inside the parks, in other words you can not take them to Downtown Disney, other parks, or even to your resort.  The WDW strollers are a lot more expensive than Kingdom Strollers.  Here is a link to WDW Stroller Rental so you can see the prices.
                                                                           
A couple of months ago Disney changed their policy about having strollers delivered to their resorts.  They now only allow a couple of trusted companies to provide this service.  Kingdom Strollers is on that list.  They will drop off and pick up the stroller from the Disney resort (and lots of others be sure to check out the list) of your choice and you specify the time and date.  The delivery is free of charge.  They deliver to resort and Bell Services will hold it for you until you arrive.  They label the stroller with your family name, but I recommend that you bring a bright colored piece of ribbon to tie to the handle.  There are TONS of strollers and looking for yours can be difficult especially since it isn't yours and you might forget what it looks like:)

Kingdom Strollers offers both single and double strollers as well as other baby gear such as cribs.  They will also deliver cases of water to your resort as well.  Included in the stroller rental fee is a small cooler and rain cover both of which come in very handy.

A couple of trips ago, a friend of ours decided after one day at the park that they needed something more than just the umbrella stroller that they brought with them, so at 7 pm they ordered a double stroller for the following day from Kingdom Strollers.  It was delivered by 8 am.

Kingdom Strollers also offers a FREE rain guard, just check the box!!!

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Did You Know that You Can Mail a Coconut from Disney World?

My dad has worked for the United States Post Office for over 30 years and I had NO idea that you could mail things besides envelops and packages.  When I read online that you could mail a coconut from Walt Disney World I knew I had to add it to my bucket list.  On our most recent trip we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort.  In the gift shop at Old Port Royale they sell postcard coconuts.  And when I say coconut I mean a REAL coconut.  It does not require any additional packaging or box, it gets shipped as just a whole coconut.  On one side it has a cute "Greetings from Disney World" picture and the other side is painted white rectangle with a place to write your message and addresses.

 My oldest son wanted to bring souvenirs back for his class.  Instead, we decided to mail the class a coconut.  It wasn't cheap, but at $20 with shipping included I thought that the novelty of it would give the class a thrill!  The resort provided the marker to write your message and mailed it for us!  After returning home, I asked my dad about mailing crazy things and he told me that there are lots of things that you can mail without boxes or packages.  Next time I might try a Flip Flop sandal!

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My Disney Bucket List 2013

My Disney World countdown is into the teens and I have been diligently planning.  This trip is different from other trips with have taken in the past. The first thing that is different is that we are NOT doing the Disney Dining Plan.  The second is that we are staying at moderate resort.  The third thing is that we are traveling without the Henderson Family (the other Magical Mom's family).  We are quite sad that they will not be joining us and I am secretly hoping that they will show up to surprise us!!!!!  Ok maybe it is not a secret... I have been trying to convince her for weeks.

Since we are not doing the Dining Plan, we don't have a lot of dining reservations.  I feel like since we are not tied to reservations we have more free time throughout the day, I am hoping to be able to cross off some things that we have just not had time to do in the past.  This is not my list of top things to do at Walt Disney World.  This is a list of what I hope to accomplish during this trip.  I am excited that my list includes the perfect mix of must do's and experiences that are "off the beaten path".

1. Ride Test Track-  My oldest son and I have ridden it, but it has always been closed for refurbishment while my husband has been there.  This time we will ALL ride it!
2. Mail a Coconut from Caribbean Beach Resort.  Yes, you  read that correctly.  We plan on mailing a real coconut from the gift shop at our resort.  Who will be the lucky one to receive it?
3. Go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party-  Scott and I attended last year without the kids and the kids and I attended the year before but we have never all attended at the same time.  This year is it!
4. Take the kids to Illuminations- We have never taken the kids to Illuminations.  Crazy right?!?  We have used Kids Night Out babysitting service a couple of times and we always end up going to Epcot for an adults only evening.  This time I want to take them with us.  
5. See the Jammin' Jingle Parade- We have seen the Jammin Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom, but since we will bet there during the Christmas season we plan on seeing this holiday version of the parade.  
6. Go to Tom Sawyer Island.  My boys are very much into exploring.  We plan to take the short boat ride to the island and spend some time checking it out!  I also plan on getting to the bottom of the "Paint Brush" stories I have heard!
7. Captain EO- I have heard rumors that this attraction will be closing soon and there is no way I want to miss this MJ experience!
8. Find DiVine- DiVine is a street performer in Animal Kingdom that hides a midst the trees and foliage.  She can be difficult to spot but is a magical sight to see once you do find her.
9. Watch Festival of the Lion King Show-  I always feel so rushed when we are at Animal Kingdom and we always end up missing the great shows.  Hopefully not this time!
10. Flag Ceremony at Magic Kingdom- Everyday at 5pm the Magic Kingdom has a flag lowering ceremony.  We have never participated in it
11. Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom- This is ALWAYS on my list and it should ALWAYS be on your list!  It is one of the most magical moments.  It sets the tone for the whole day, plus being some of the first people in the park is unforgetable!
12. Go to the campfire and make s'mores at Caribbean Beach Resort-  Every evening the Caribbean Beach resort (which is where we are staying) has a campfire and marshmallow roasting.  They even have movies under the stars.  Lots of resorts have similar evening experiences.  Make sure to find out what is special about your resort.

The list of rides and attractions I want to do and see is very long.  My youngest son is FINALLY 40 inches tall so we will not be using near as many rider swaps as we have in past visits.  At the top of his list is......

   13.  Star Tours-  This attraction is a family favorite.  Both my boys love Star Wars and I am so excited for my little guy to ride it for the first time!!!

I will update when we return from our trip.  It is important when you go to Disney World to have a plan, but don't make your plan too exact.  You need room for flexibility.  Personally I always want to do it all, but I know that is not possible.  I think that it is possible to complete these 13 things, but plans can always change.
 Wish me luck!  

See how we did here!

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The Disney Countdown is ON!

We are very excited to be counting down the days to our next Disney vacation.  When we reach our 30 day mark we have a tradition of hanging up our countdown calendar.  This isn't the only countdown we have going, but this one signifies we are getting CLOSE!  We (sort of) surprised the kiddos with this trip, we only told them we were going about 10 days ago.  We made this countdown together a couple of years ago and I keep it stored in a ziploc bag when we are not using it.  It is very simple.  We hang it on a magnetic chalkboard in our basement, but could easily be hung on the refrigerator or back of a door.

Supplies:

• Card Stock
• Magnet Tape

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Our Magic Bands Were Delivered! (unboxing video)

I am so excited that our family was selected to use the new Magic Bands at Disney World for our upcoming November trip.  My husband is a technology junkie and part of his daily job involves making unboxing videos for products so of course he wanted to do one for this!  It was fun to work together with him on this.  I am sure that he will convince me to make other videos for the blog so stay tuned!  This was my first video so please don't be too harsh:)
There is lots of hype about the Magic Bands and I can see why... from the packaging to the technology and functionality the are sleek and SUPER cool!.  I just might wear it as an accessory before the trip... lol.

Now you can watch the video and see exactly what comes in the box!

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Invitation to Disney World

   




I am always planning my next Disney vacation.  Even if I don't have a trip booked I still follow all the deals, news, and promotions because we just never know when we will decide to go.  My kids often hear Sherrie and I discussing our future (and often non-existent) Disney plans so I am not sure I will never be able to pull off a surprise trip.  My husband is a huge supporter of my Disney World addiction so he doesn't mind our conversations or the research.
 
 My husband and I have decided to take a (sort of) last minute trip to Disney World and we thought that since we didn't have to keep it a secret very long maybe... just maybe... we could keep it a secret.  Well, it is killing me!  I am so excited for my youngest to go because he is FINALLY tall enough to ride Star Tours!  He has been begging to ride it forever!  I have decided to send a letter to the house from Mickey Mouse inviting the boys to come for a visit.  They are going to be SO excited!

To print the image, right click on it and save it as a picture.  Then select size to print.

After we gave them the letter from Mickey, they immediately wanted to head there but they settled for just dressing up for a bit!

Be sure to check out our Disney Trip - Free Scrapbook Kit

Maui Scalloped Potatoes From Disney's Ohana Restaurant

On our last trip to Walt Disney World we had the pleasure of dinning at Ohana located inside the Polynesian Resort.  All of the food was delicious.  Shortly after returning home from our vacation I researched how to make the Maui Scalloped Potatoes.  Be sure to check out Allears.net.  They have lots of Disney recipes to allow you to serve up a little Disney Magic at your dinner table!
Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Heavy Cream
• 1 lb. Russett Potatoes
• 2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced Sweet Onion
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
• 1/4 cup Cheddar Cheese

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Begin by washing the potatoes thoroughly, then thinly slice them.  I usually leave the peels on.

Combine all ingredients in greased baking dish and bake for 1 hour.

 Let stand for about five minutes before serving.

I served them tonight with Honey I Ate the Pork- Pork Tenderloin and steamed broccoli.

This recipe was featured on the Magical Moms' July Menu.  Be sure to check out all of our monthly menus


Lots of AMAZING recipes on the Magical Moms' June Menu, Marvelous May Menu, Appetizing April Menu, and March Madness Menu.

Best Place to View Magic Kingdom's Main Street Electrical Parade

One of my top 5 Disney entertainment events is the Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom. And it is by far a favorite of the kids. The parade includes all of your favorite characters and lots of lights. In fact, I recommend going to Amazon (use the link on the left) and buying lots of glowing and light up items in advance of your trip, or you'll be coerced into buying the expensive Disney items that they bring around to sell on a cart right before the parade (and these will cost you minimum $20). But the most important part of having a magical time while watching the Main Street Electrical Parade is finding a great roomy spot for viewing.

Let me first tell you, just avoid the castle hub- which is the circle around the front of the castle. It's just too crowded and not that great of a spot anyway. Main Street gets pretty crowded too. Our favorite spot is right in front of the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square. There are trees in brick planters and the brick walls of these planters make for a great seat for the adults.

Viewing the parade is one of the few times that having a stroller will be handy in Disney. Especially if you are visiting with another family and have two. Park your strollers in front of the planter on both sides and lock your brakes. this prevents last minute parade viewers from squeezing in and cramping your space. If the adults sit on the brick planters and you put your strollers in front to make a space for the kids, you will be front row when they come around and put up the ropes for the parade route.

We always plan to get there with plenty of time to spare just to ensure we are the first ones there. It's nice to have some sort of game or snacks packed to keep the kids busy. Then we send one parent to go get dinner or snacks. I recommend Peco's Bills for dinner or Storybook Treats and/or Sleepy Hollow for snacks. Then bring the food back to the seating area, and relax and enjoy the food while you wait for the parade!

 See how we are front row?

Five Reasons I know that My Husband Secretly Loves Disney

5.  He understands all the terminology.  He knows all of the basics like Table Service VS Quick Service, Park Hopper, Snack Credits,  the different modes of transportation, and the different types of resorts.  I am proud of him, he knows what rides are at which parks and the names of the shows and parades.  He hasn't quite grasped all of the abbreviations that Sherrie and I use, but I am sure he will soon.
4.  He owns a Perry the Platypus Pillow Pet.  Our boys LOVE Phineas and Ferb so my husband and I watch it WAY more than we would like to.  The show is adorable and we definitely reference it often.    He bought the Pillow Pet on our last vacation and when he brought it up to the cashier I assumed he was buying it for one of the boys and I questioned why he was buying only one.  He looked at me funny and said "this is for me."  I just laughed.

3.  He owns more than one Disney t-shirt.  By more than one I mean two and by Disney I really mean Star Wars.  I am sure that if I asked him to wear matching family shirts he would, but we will just save that for the kids.

Which Park to Visit on Each Day at Disney World

With a little over 100 days until our next Disney vacation, me and Tracy have been planning out our itinerary for the week. we have done this multiple times and are (almost) old pros at this. But for your first several vacations, I really recommend purchasing a membership to a website that helps you plan such as Tour Guide Mike or Touring Plans. These website will give you detailed crowd information for each day of your trip, and that can make a BIG difference in the crowds you will encounter. You can also find plans that will help you tour the parks the most efficiently so you avoid crowds and long lines.

But I thought I'd share with you a few of our tips when deciding which park to choose to visit on each particular day. Knowing the reasoning behind what makes a park busy will help you plan your vacation, as well as enable you to make good decisions if you are changing your vacation "in the moment" while already in the land of the mouse.

First, it's important to know that the "off-season" at Disney World really refers to the off-property hotels. All of the Disney resorts are pretty much booked all year long. Disney does a great job offering discounts and promotions to sell out rooms during the slow months. So when someone says "low crowds" at Disney World, that really means there are less visitors staying in non-Disney resorts. So, that means Disney comes close to selling out their nearly 30,000 hotel rooms every week of the year.


That's important to know because of the next thing I'm going to discuss- Disney's Extra Magic Hours. Each day, Disney opens a park an hour early, or a park stays open two hours later for Disney resort guests only. Sounds like a great perk, huh? In reality it is like a giant flashing arrow pointing to all of those 30,000+ families telling them to go to that park that day. Most families don't even make it there that early or manage to keep going that late, never-the-less, that is still what they use when planning which park to visit. Extra Magic Hours will always make a park busier than others without magic hours. So it also makes sense to visit a park the day after it hosts extra magic hours, especially if it was a late extra magic hours. Most people will move onto a different park the next day, and many stayed up too late at the previous nights extra magic hours, so they are sleeping in anyway.

Next are nighttime entertainment... especially Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Wishes and Main Street Electrical Parade at the Magic Kingdom. Except for the peak weeks, these shows only occur certain nights of the week. With limited showings, many guests decide which park to visit based on which nights they offer these highly popular nighttime entertainment. Even thought these events happen in the evening, since most people just choose one park to visit per day, that ends up bringing hoards of guests to those parks earlier in the day. Because of this, I recommend purchasing the Park Hopper option. That way you can visit a less busy crowd during the day, then go to Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios for the nighttime entertainment. AllEars Ticket Chart

The same logic behind visiting a park after it hosts an Extra Magic Hour applies to nighttime entertainment. As long as there isn't extra magic hours the day after one of these events, it usually makes it a good day to visit that park.

When planning our itinerary for the week, I usually have some sort of file or visual aide where I start penciling in which parks to visit each day. I start by penciling in the parks hosting the extra magic hours, then add the nighttime entertainment. From there I write in which parks to avoid, and narrow my list from there. I also want to point out that you should do this BEFORE making your Advanced Dining Reservations You don't want to have dining reservations at The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom on a day where you want to avoid that park. Since you really should make your dining reservations 180 days in advance, it's best to start planning your daily park itinerary at least 6 months in advance.

One of my favorite Disney blogs has a great spreadsheet that they share in order to help you plan out your vacation. Chip and Co.'s spreadsheet has a place to write in everything, from which parks to visit, dining confirmation numbers and transportation notes. While you are there, check out their wealth of all things Disney. I bet after you do, you'll be daydreaming of starting your own Disney blog!

So now you know which parks to visit on each day (or better yet, which ones to avoid), but my most important tip of all- MAKE IT TO THE PARK AT OPEN! I can't stress this enough. If you make it to the park early enough to see the opening show, you will be among the lowest crowds of the day. You can do just about everything you want before lunch, then head back to your hotel for a nap or cocktail by the pool. You're rested and ready to go back out for dinner or one of Disney's magical nighttime shows or parades. That is way more relaxing than sleeping in, pushing through crowds and waiting in long lines, only to be frustrated and tired and over Disney by dinner.

Have a magical vacation!

Park Opening (aka Rope Drop) at Magic Kingdom