Meeting Characters at WDW - Part 2 of 3

(the following is a guest blog)

I’ll try to quickly go through some of the other characters that you might find at the parks, where exactly to find them, and any tips I might have. Continue to keep in mind some of the general tips I mentioned in the last blog. All Ears has a great list of things to keep in mind as well.

Minnie, Donald and Goofy are probably three that are at the top of many lists after Mickey. These three can usually be found in the same spots, or at least close to the spots, that Mickey is. At Animal Kingdom, these three are also in Camp Minnie-Mickey. As I stated with Mickey, it’s best to stand in line for these three while a Lion King show has just started. They can also be found at the town hall square at Magic Kingdom. Expect a line there. The Character Spot at Epcot is a great place to get them as well as is Chef Mickey’s (but make sure you have an ADR there). Our kids got Goofy and Pluto at Dino Land at Animal Kingdom as well. Pluto is often in many of these same locations.

Daisy isn’t as easy to find as these others, but she’s easy to get as you just pass the gates at Epcot. We waited in line about 10 minutes. She’s also in the town hall square at Magic Kingdom.



If you have a princess of your own, you’ll need to get pictures with the various princesses located throughout the parks. Town Hall Theater now has Cinderella, Belle and Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) all

356...Our Plans

Today I just wanted to give some updates on the planning for our WDW trip 2012.

*We have moved the departure date up by about a week.  So we are now just 356 days away from once again seeing the house that Mickey built.

*I contacted a travel agent at MEI and Mouse Fan Travel.  Still not sure if I want to work with a travel agent but I am interested in seeing what the no obligation quote looks like.  She did tell me that they will not have the 2012 resort rates available until August

*The hotels I am currently interested in are the Port Orleans Riverside...

the Dolphin ...

364...Disney Dining Plan

To do, or not to do the Disney Dining Plan: that is the question.  I've heard it said that dining at WDW is like an attraction in and of itself.  From the Mickey Mouse ice cream bars to the steaks at Le Cellier, food is to be experienced there.  BUT does the dining plan offer the best ROI (Return on Investment) for my family?  I've never done the Dining Plan but for this next trip I am weighing the pros and cons.

There are so many restaurants I would like to try but I just don't know if I can justify the money.  The cost of the Basic Dining Plan during the summer would be $47.99 for adult and $12.99 per child.  For my family that would be $134.95 per day.  At that price you get a snack, one quick-service dining option and one table-service dining option per person.  The meals include entree, dessert and beverage.  That is a lot of food.

If you would like to see the official information from Disney click HERE.

Here are the articles I have been looking at about the Disney Dining Plan...

367...First Question

So when is the perfect time to go to Walt Disney World?  Well, that kind of depends on your situation.  My wife and I are both in education so we are pretty much locked into going during school holidays and summer vacation.  Since we are also pretty cheap and prefer to drive, that really only leaves the summer.  If you have a flexible schedule then the World is wide open to you.

The WDW resort hotels recognize several different "seasons."  There is the value, regular, summer, fall, peak and holiday season.  Although the theme park ticket prices do not fluctuate, the resort hotel prices move a great deal.  Here are two good sources to look at to see room rates and season dates.  MouseSavers and AllEars.net.  (The MouseSavers page will give you a good breakdown on the rates and seasons.  The AllEars page will give you a fact sheet about the hotel and all the rate information)  As you can see, deciding when to go will have a direct impact on your budget.

The Age-Old Question

One question I forgot to list in the previous post was, "What's a good age to take your kids to Disney?"  There is a theory out there that says you should wait until your kids can remember the trip.  To which I say, you aren't going to remember half the trip when you get back either!  That is why you take pictures.  Also, they aren't paying for the trip so why does it matter if they remember it?  It's what you remember that counts. (and the pictures you take)

I think that three is a great age to begin taking your kids.  The magic is very real to them at three.  They believe that is Cinderella's castle.  They believe they are meeting the actual characters of their favorite shows.  There is something powerful about being in the presence of believers at the Magic Kingdom.

Below are a few pictures of my daughter at the age of three getting ready to meet the characters.  Can you see the joy on her face?

Meeting the characters from Little Einsteins.

369...The Big Questions

I ran into a friend of mine today that is planning her first trip to WDW.  She had heard that I knew a thing or two about Disney and wanted my advice. (Pretty sure my wife talked to her.  Either that or she was one of the 10 people who have seen my blog.  Joke.)  She told me that she had ordered her planning DVD from Disney and had spent some time on the internet looking at information and was beginning to feel overwhelmed.  I told her I would love to help.  

That conversation got me thinking,  where do you begin?  WDW is such a big expense.  The expectations are so high and you want the trip to be, well, magical! You want to get your money’s worth, see everything and yet have a relaxing time.  Add to that pressure the wealth of information out there and yes you can begin to feel overwhelmed.  

You have to start somewhere.  Man, that was deep.  Let’s look at the first few questions you should probably address as you prepare for your trip.  When should you go?  How long will you stay?  What is your budget?  What type of tickets do you need?    Where will you stay?  I think as you look into each of those questions you will begin to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

I will spend the next several blogs addressing each of those questions.  I can’t answer them for you but I hope I can at least point you in a direction.  I will stop there for the night but I wanted to leave you with this beautiful picture.  Any guesses as to what it is?  Good luck.

370 Days...My Resources

When it comes to Walt Disney World, planning is EVERYTHING!  Some of us do it as a hobby but if you have any hopes of getting your money's worth, you have to plan.  A friend of mine recently returned from a trip to the World.  After their first day there they assumed that I was an idiot and WDW was not as magical as I had told them.  I can imagine them standing on Main St. overwhelmed, stressed and confused. All those people rushing by them knowing where they are going but my friends were stuck like deer in headlights.  How do you prevent that?  Planning!

First, I think the greatest guidebook out there is the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.  It's huge.  It may actually be more intimidating than the parks themselves but I promise you if you master that book, the parks will bow before you and bend at your every command. (Maybe a little overstated but it really is a good book)  The book reviews everything about Disney and also gives you touring plans for maximizing your time in the park.

My favorite websites are...

http://allears.net/index.html
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/themeparks.htm
http://www.disboards.com/

If you have questions, those three sites should be able to answer everything.

I also listen to two great podcasts, WDW Today and anything by Lou Mongello.

Lastly, be sure to order your planning DVD from Disney and also get your custom maps.  (Both free...They may be the only free things you get from Disney, take them!)

So that is where I begin.  After years of listen to and reading this information I have become a pretty knowledgeable Disney fan but usually when I give an answer I am quoting one of those sources.  Hope they don't mind.

Count Down to Disney

According to my Disney Vacation Connection app on my computer, my family's next trip to Walt Disney World will be in 372 days.  I have already begun planning for this trip.  In fact, I have been planning this trip since 2008. (The year of our last trip.)  I don't like to think of myself as someone with an obsessive compulsive disorder but I have issues.  I don't like to plan.  I am not one to make lists.  That is, I don't like to do those things outside the realm of Disney.  When it comes to Disney I am a different person.  I read guide books and blogs about WDW.  I listen to several different podcasts about the World.  I plan out days at the park in my head.  I make lists and notes of places I want to eat and things I want to try.

Simply put, I love to plan for Disney.  It's almost as much fun as being there.  In my plans everything goes right.  The kids don't cry.  My wife stands in awe of my knowledge and efficiency and it's always 75 degrees and low crowds.  So that is what this blog is about.  Planning for the day that we are once again on Disney property.  Standing in the middle of the happiest place on earth!  For now, I have 372 days to plan.

You are welcome to come along, add suggestions, laugh at my mistakes and enjoy a Disney dad taking his time to plan the family's next Walt Disney World vacation.