Planning for Pixie Dust

 Will I like it as much as the parks? Everyone is different and has different preferences. Before I took my family on their first Disney Cruise I admit I was concerned that there were no attractions or rides. I waited for years because I just wasn't sure. When we finally did it, we were in love! Not just my husband and myself, but also my kids who had grown up going to Walt Disney World! Isn't it more expensive? That depends on how long you were going to Walt Disney World and how long your cruise will be. If you compare apples to apples for same length trips, the price will likely be closer than you think. Factor in the cost of the food you would purchase in the parks and you get even closer. In some cases the cruise may become cheaper at that point. Why? All of your meals are covered in the cost of the cruise! If you choose to partake, there are a few restaurants aboard that are not included that are for adults only. Some people really look forward to getting those reservation...

Don't spoil your dinner? Nope! You're on vacation! Go ahead and spoil that dinner! That is, unless you have a dining reservation. Then that can be a costly mistake! Disney offers so many wonderful restaurants that you can make a reservation for a dining experience. If food is your focus then make those reservations! However, some of the more budget minded folks may want a different plan and that plan is all about the snacks! Time is money! Those dining reservations come with multiple costs. One is of course is how much they cost. Though they can be incredible dining experiences, they are pricey. Some are more pricey than others for sure, but all of them have a price tag that may make them out of your budget!  The other cost you may not have realized is that dining reservations are a time thief. That's time to enjoy a special attraction, shop in that cute store, or even take those awesome Disney Vacation Photos that you might not have time for if you opt into a sit-down dini...

 Let's start with what is the same All Disney Resorts have what you might call a base package to make your vacation awesome. They all have counter service dining, lounge/pool bars, arcades,  themed pools, specialty theming throughout the resort, and at least one gift shop. They all offer free parking and complimentary transportation to each of the 4 parks as well as Disney Springs. In the rooms, they all have a cooler, coffee and tea service, and basic things such as hair dryers and toiletries. If you've read my overview of the Value and Moderate Resorts, you have a basic understanding what is offered at each level. So, how are the Deluxe Resorts and Villas different? Let's find out! Deluxe Categories: What's a Villa? There are Deluxe Resorts and then there are Deluxe Villas. If you're looking for the very best of the best in a Disney Resort, that might be a Villa. Why? The amenities and the space. Villas are like a home away from home. They offer 1 and 2 bedroom ...

 In general... The Value Resorts offer immersion, whimsy, and usefulness at a value price. So why then would I book a Moderate Resort at Disney? Simply put, they offer a little more. Each of the Value Resorts offer the same type of amenities: counter service, themed pool, pool bar, gift shop, complimentary parking, etc. The Moderate Resorts offer all of that and then add something special. What do they add? Each one is different, so let's look at them all! Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort The theming of this resort is not the larger than life, whimsical  icons you see at the values. Those are fun, but sometimes you just want a little less of that. All of the Moderates will do exactly that! You will see Disney characters in some of the décor, but it isn't so in your face.  In addition to the counter service restaurant, Caribbean Beach offers a sit down restaurant, Sebastien's Bistro . This restaurant offers a taste of the Caribbean a step above their counter service coun...

 Why are they called Value Resorts?  Pop Century The Disney Value Resorts are called that because they are the least expensive resorts that Disney has to offer. In other words, staying at one of these will stretch that Disney Budget farther. Currently, there are 5 Values: Pop Century , The Art of Animation , All Star Music , All Star Movie s, and All Star Sports .   What amenities and entertainment can I expect at a Value Resort? All of these resorts will have a counter service restaurant, a pool bar, a gift shop, a themed pool near the main building, guest laundry, Movies Under the Stars, and special resort activities at the main pool. In the rooms, you can expect beds for 4 people (2 to a bed) or if you book a suite it will sleep up to 6 people. In the standard rooms and suites you will have a coffee pot with coffee service provided and a cooler/fridge perfect for keeping drinks cold, but not much else. The suites also have a microwave as well as a small supply of p...

 Discounts! There are many reasons to choose a Disney Resort for your upcoming Disney vacation! It is true that there are tons of resorts in the Orlando area. It is true that you might find one that is cheaper, though I would double check that that is true because you can sometimes get some super good deals at Disney.  Probably one of the biggest reasons to pick a WDW Resort is the discounts. If you book last minute, you might not be able to find a discount, but if you plan ahead when the deals are first coming out, the savings can be anywhere from a little to a lot! To find out how to make sure you are getting the discount you think you are getting, click here . What kind of discounts can you get? Most often they have room discounts from 15-35% depending on when and where you book your stay. Some of the bigger discounts are attached to having an Annual Pass or a Chase Disney Visa or sometimes even having Disney+. What else? Occasionally, you might find a ticket discount, espe...

 It will be hot, so be prepared The summer heat in Florida can be intense. If you or someone in your party has a medical reason to stay out of the heat, then yes you should consider visiting at a different time of the year. However, for the rest of us it can be a great time to go! School's Out! Summer is definitely the longest period of time during the year that you won't have to worry about school! That means, you might be able to travel longer and have more experiences in one trip than you might be able to during the school year. Will it be crowded? Though I cannot tell you what your days there will be like in terms of crowds, I can safely predict there will be a crowd for the reason I just mentioned: school's out! However, if you plan carefully, you can still do many if not all of the things you want to do! What items can help us beat the heat? Water, water, and more water! Disney will allow you to bring in your own bottle of water that you may refill as you choose! In f...

  Is it different than other trips? Yes! Visiting Walt Disney World is different and just magical with a preschool adventurer! While you might be excited about the latest thrill ride, your prince is more interested in meeting up with all of the Disney Pals and Adventurers and enjoying the attractions that are designed with preschool children in mind! You can still ride your favorite ride if you utilize Ride Share (let the cast member at the attractions entrance know you want to use this service and they will help you! Note: not all rides have it, but most of the ones that need it do have it!) What is the Perfect Resort to Stay in with a Little Prince?  There are several great choices! For a Deluxe Resort, you might want to consider Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House . Why here? More animals, animals, and more animals! In addition to animal viewing areas, you can purchase special animal view resort rooms! What special amenities are here? Well, in addition to the pools, ...

 Is it different than other trips? Yes! Visiting Walt Disney World is different and magical with a preschool aged child, especially a princess! While you might be excited about the latest thrill ride, your princess is more interested in meeting up with her favorite Disney Princess and enjoying the attractions that are designed with preschool children in mind! You can still ride your favorite ride if you utilize Ride Share (let the cast member at the attractions entrance know you want to use this service and they will help you! Note: not all rides have it, but most of the ones that need it do have it!) What is the Perfect Resort to Stay in with a Princess? There are a few Disney resorts with princess theming, but the ultimate princess resort is Port Orleans Riverside! As a moderate, it has some nice accommodations including carriage rides! However, the biggest draw for your little princess would be a princess themed room! Someone asked me once which princess is here? The answer is a...