Magical Mousecapades’s Blog

What would you do with a $750 Disney gift card? I certainly have a long list of things I could buy with $75o at Disney! Or even $500. Or even $350.  Now is the time to answer that question!

What about up to 40% off on rooms at Walt Disney World? Can you find something to do with the savings? I bet you can!

Read on for more information about the current deals at the Walt Disney World Resort!

Get Up to a $750 Disney Gift Card*

Book a stay at the Walt Disney World® Resort now and make the most out of your vacation using a FREE Disney Gift Card worth up to $750!

Offer Details:
When you purchase a 5-night/6-day Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels you’ll get a FREE Disney Gift Card.

You can use this Disney Gift Card at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort for merchandise, recreation and dining.

This Magic Your Way Package Includes:

• Accommodations for 5 nights right in the middle of the magic
• A 6-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket, with admission to one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks for each day of your Client’s package stay
• FREE $300 Disney Gift Card for stays at a select Disney Value Resort, OR
  FREE $500 Disney Gift Card for stays at a select Disney Moderate Resort, OR FREE $750 Disney Gift Card for stays at a select Disney Deluxe Resort or a select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort

You must book your vacation package by March 27, 2010.

Travel Window:
Valid for stays most nights:

• Jan. 3, Jan.10-12, Jan. 18 - March 27 and April 11 - June 3, 2010 at select Disney Value Resorts
• Jan. 3, Jan.10-12, Jan. 18 – March 27 and April 11 – June 3, 2010 at select Disney Moderate Resorts
• Jan. 3-11, Jan. 19 – March 27 and April 11 – June 3, 2010 at select Disney Deluxe Resorts
• Jan. 3 – March 27 and April 11 – June 3, 2010 at select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

The Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan can be added to these vacation packages!

* The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required. Excludes suites and campsites.

Winter Spring Room Only Savings

You’d Be Goofy to Let this Offer Pass You By!

Keep your New Year’s resolution to spend more time with family at the Walt Disney World® Resort with special room-only rates.

Offer Details:
You can save up to 30% when you stay for 5 or more consecutive nights at select Disney Value Resorts for stays most nights Jan. 1-3, Jan. 10-11, Jan. 18 – Feb. 9, Feb. 15 – March 27 and April 11 – June 3, 2010. Plus, there are more great savings at other resort categories.

Booking begins on January 1, 2010 and all rooms must be booked by March 27, 2010.

Sample Pricing:

For a 5-night stay or longer:

• 30% savings at Disney Value Resorts – Book for as little as $74 per night, plus tax in a standard room for stays most nights Sunday through Thursday April 11 – June 3, 2010.
• 35% savings at Disney Moderate Resorts – Book for as little as $111 per night, plus tax in a standard room for stays most nights Sunday through Thursday April 11 – June 3, 2010.
• 40% savings at Disney Deluxe Resorts – Book for as little as $180 per night, plus tax in a standard room for stays most nights Sunday through Thursday April 11 – June 3, 2010.
• 45% savings at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts – Book for as little as $182 per night, plus tax in a studio room for stays most nights April 11 – June 3, 2010.

For a 1 to 4-night stay:

• 25% savings at Disney Value Resorts – Book for as little as $79 per night, plus tax in a standard room for stays most nights Sunday through Thursday April 11 – June 3, 2010.
• 30% savings at Disney Moderate Resorts – Book for as little as $119 per night, plus tax in a standard room for stays most nights Sunday through Thursday April 11 – June 3, 2010.
• 35% savings at Disney Deluxe Resorts – Book for as little as $195 per night, plus tax in a standard room for stays most nights Sunday through Thursday April 11 – June 3, 2010.
• 40% savings at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts – Book for as little as $198 per night, plus tax in a studio room for stays most nights April 11 – June 3, 2010.

Additional savings also are available for stays at Walt Disney World Resort hotels most nights Jan. 1-3, Jan. 10-11, Jan. 18 – March 27.

You can also upgrade your reservation to a package including tickets and dining!

Contact www.magicalmousecapades.com for additional information or for a FREE No-Obligation vacation package quote!

 

Disney's Beach Club Resort

My family recently experienced Disney’s Beach Club Resort for the very first time (Beach and Yacht Club are next door to each other and share many dining options and amenities). It is definitely an experience worth repeating. We pulled up on Disney’s Magical Express to the Porte Cochere.  The first impression of Beach Club is how very peaceful it is! As we walked in the doors, we were greeted by one of the many wonderful Disney cast members. The smell is incredible! If comforting had a smell, Disney’s Beach Club would be it! We checked in on-line before we arrived. We were able to get into a separate line for on-line check-ins. Our paperwork was already ready for us! And even better, our room was ready early for us!

We stayed in a one-bedroom villa in the Beach Club Villas section of the resort. The Villas are a quick walk outside of the main Beach Club building. The light blue,  green and white colors of the Beach Club and the Villas are reminiscent of old New England beach front cottages. It is shaded by large oak trees, and it sits on the shore of Disney’s Crescent Lake, a 25-acre lake that is surrounded by Beach and Yacht Club, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Swan and Dolphin hotels, and Epcot. We arrived to our 1-BR villa, and immediately noticed the beautiful

Beach Club Villas

Welcome Mickey Ears!

 view. We were on the 1st floor, and we had a beautiful courtyard view! All we could see was a quiet walkway and greenery. How peaceful! We were charmed by the Mickey bedspread and curtains- not overwhelming, just fun! We also felt immediately at home when we saw the Mickey ears formed by towels on the bed! The pastel colors of the room made us comfortable right away!

After we explored our room, we headed out to view this massive resort! We walked to the Beach Club Marketplace, where the kids discovered all of the Disney trinkets they would like to take home after our week at Disney! The Marketplace is also one of the quick-service option at Beach Club. You can get sandwiches, salads, gelato, and numerous other items from the refrigerator to take back to your room.

Stormalong Bay

From the Marketplace, we headed out to see the one thing you absolutely can not miss at Disney’s Beach Club- Stormalong Bay, a beach side waterpark located within Disney’s Beach Club Resort,that features waterfalls, a lazy circular river, one of the highest water slides at Disney (out of a shipwrecked pirate ship) and an elevated tanning deck and Hurricane Hanna’s Grill, a poolside counter-service restaurant and bar. Even more, this wonderful pool area is a sand-bottomed pool! With 750,000 gallons of water making up an impressive complex of pools that range from swirling to calm, open to secluded and cool to warm, every member of your family can find a place to make a splash at Stormalong Bay. Guppy Bay Kiddie pool lets even the youngest children in on the fun. My three-year old had a blast running down the sand right into the pool! There are also 2 quiet pools at Disney’s Beach Club (and a 3rd at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, which is connected to Beach Club).

Disney’s Beach Club is located right on the water, which means water sports! Head on down to the Disney’s Beach Club Resort Marina,

Fireworks over Beach Club

 where you can take a cruise on a rented pontoon boat or Sea Raycer. If you prefer to be the one sitting back and letting others drive, you can take a specialty cruise (separate charge).  The Sandcastle Club is available for children 4-12 years old, with advanced reservations. Disney cast members will entertain your children while you enjoy a night out in the World! Call the Front Desk or Concierge Services to make reservations or inquire about the charge for The Sandcastle Club!

Not to be missed is the white-sand beach for building a castle or catching some rays!  We also spent some time playing at Lafferty Place Arcade, a 24-hour high-tech game room located in between the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. You can stay in shape at the Ship Shape Health Club, play tennis and racquetball, volleyball and more! The Ship Shape Health Club offers state-of-the-art Nautilus and Hammer Strength exercise equipment. Do some body-pampering with skin care and hair services, saunas and steam rooms and deeply therapeutic massage therapy. Please note that spa services include a surcharge (starting at $50) and require an appointment. You can also take a run or walk around the jogging trail, which passes 5 Epcot area hotels and circles around Crescent Lake for a total of approximately 0.8 miles! Kids can also spend time playing on the playground area!

There is an abundance of dining at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts! The Signature Dining experience is the Yachtsman Steakhouse, which offers delicious steaks, seafood, and chicken dishes. Cape May Cafe is located in the lobby of Beach Club. Enjoy a fun character

Kitchen Sink Sundae Credit: Matt Pasant - Flickr

breakfast in the morning or a delicious Clam Bake for dinner! We experienced both, and they are both worth the time and money! Captain’s Grille offers seafood and American classics. You can begin your day there with an all-you-can eat buffet breakfast or an a la carte breakfast and then head over for lunch or dinner to enjoy steaks or chops! We touched on Beach Club Marketplace above for a quick meal. Hurricane Hannah’s is located near Stormalong Bay. You can enjoy a quick burger or sandwich there while relaxing by the pool! Beaches and Cream

Cape May Character Dining

 Soda Shop is located between the two resorts and offers refreshing ice cream specialties, including the Kitchen Sink, a sundae containing 8-scoops of ice cream topped with all of the toppings in the house and a whole can of whipped cream! I was determined to try this concoction on my birthday while there, but my son had other plans- sleep! It is on my bucket list though!

Disney’s Beach Club offers 24-hour room service as well as concierge services which are available from 7:00 am-10:00 pm. The concierge can help you purchase Park tickets, make dining reservations and secure show seats, among other services. There is convenient free self-serve parking as well as valet parking, for a nominal fee. Dry cleaning and laundry services are available. 1 and 2-Bedroom Villas have stackable washers and dryers in the room. There is also 24-hour self-service laundry machines as well. Guests with a Wi-Fi-enabled PC

Stormalong Bay Shipwreck

or laptop computer can purchase a Wi-Fi access card from the business center. Wi-Fi is available in many public areas throughout the resort. At the end of the main hall in the Convention Center, providing fax, photo copy, mail and computer services, including Internet access (additional fee applies) for Resort Guests.

Room amenities include satellite TV (which has many fun Disney programs), DVD player or DVD/VCR combo player, high-speed Internet access (for an additional fee), Wi-Fi Internet access (for an additional fee),  coffeemaker, refrigerator, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and in-room safe. 1 and 2-Bedroom Villas include whirlpool tubs, and full kitchens. Pack ‘n Plays are also available by request!

Room types include standard rooms with standard views (starting at $340), club level concierge service (deluxe room with water view starting at $540), club level with concierge service (standard rooms with standard views starting at $470), standard room with water

Beach Club Villas

view (starting at $420), Club Level with Concierge Service – Standard Room with Water View (starting at $555), Club Level with Concierge Service – One Bedroom Nantucket Suite (starting at $895), Club Level with Concierge Service – Newport Presidential Suite (starting at $1835), Club Level with Concierge Service – One Bedroom Suite (starting at $600), and Club Level with Concierge Service – 2 Bedroom Suite (starting at $1335). Beach Club Villas offer Studios, 1 and 2-Bedroom Suites (Studios start at $340, 1-Bedroom Suites start at $465 and 2-Bedrooms start at $650).

One of the best things about Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts is that they are within walking distance to Epcot! Enjoy a beautiful 10-minute stroll along the walkways of Crescent Lake. You’ll enter Epcot in World Showcase at the Friendship Entrance. A quick 20-minute walk or a short boat ride will bring you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Buses will bring you to both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.

Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club was an amazing experience for us! We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our stay from relaxing by the

Riley was Artist of the Day!

 pool to watching our daughter enjoy being selected as the Beach Club Marketplace Artist of the Day!

For more information and for a free no-obligation quote, contact Magical Mousecapades.

What beats sitting down for a wonderful meal and having Mickey Mouse, Stitch, or Cinderella interrupt your meal to greet you and interact with your children? NOTHING! Character meals are an excellent way for you and your children to meet their favorite characters. There is no shortage of character meals at Walt Disney World. Every theme park has at least one, and even a few of the Walt Disney World Resorts have character meals, making these exciting meals very convenient for everyone!

Which one should you choose? That depends! What is your schedule? How old are your children? Who are their favorite characters? Do you want breakfast, lunch or dinner? Is a royal atmosphere important or do you just want to eat? We’re here to help break down these character meals for you!

THEME PARK CHARACTER MEALS

Magic Kingdom

Cinderella’s Royal Table: This character meal is perfect for little princesses! It is held upstairs in Cinderella’s Castle. What better place to hold a wonderful meal for your little Cinderella! You are greeted at the counter outside of CRT at the bottom of the castle. From there, you are brought inside in groups according to your Advance Dining Reservation time. The very first thing you will see is CINDERELLA, herself, waiting for you and your family to come and take a picture with her! The photo package IS included with this meal. One thing to remember about CRT if you are on the Disney Dining Plan or Disney Deluxe Dining Plan is that CRT will take 2 Table Service Dining credits. After your photo session is complete, you are brought up the grand winding staircase to the main dining room. There are huge beautiful stained glass windows overlooking Fantasyland. The tables by the windows are fantastic. Your little prince or princess will be given a wand and a wishing star to take part in the “show”. The food is great, although not a huge selection. My favorite is Captain Domo’s pie, a Disney take on a sheperd pie. Kids selections are standard kids fare, which they will like. The dessert selection is tasty, and the kids will love the ice cream sundae in a chocolate crown. Characters that can be may (they’re never guaranteed) here are Cinderella (although she does not make the rounds of the tables), Aurora, Snow White, Jasmine, Mary Poppins, Ariel, and Belle. Advanced Dining Reservations are encouraged and a MUST if you wish to eat here. Plan on being on the phone with Disney Dining at 7:00 am Eastern time the day your booking window opens! Character dining is available for breakfast and lunch.

Crystal Palace: If you or your little ones are fans of The Hundred-Acre Wood, then this is the place for you! Crystal Palace serves a bountiful buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Settled right off of Main Street USA, this beautiful restaurant allows you to interact with Winnie the Pooh characters while enjoying a great meal. It’s a fun place and it’s perfect for small children. This buffet meal is 1 Table Service Dining credit, and in my opinion, is very much worth it! The buffet itself is full of all different types of offerings, including carved meats, veggies, excellent side dishes and mouthwatering desserts. Kids will love their section of the kids buffet as well. Characters seen at this meal are Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet. The characters make their rounds in a timely fashion, and you will get a decent amount of time with each character, considering how big this restaurant is. Advanced Dining Reservations are encouraged for this dining experience. Reservations can usually be gotten as you get closer to your trip, but be prepared to be open to dining times, and don’t think by any means that you will definately get a table! Depending on the time of year, this meal can fill up quickly! (Crystal Palace will be closed for refurbishment for a couple of months at the start of 2010. Check the Disney World website to see if the closure will impact your vacation. As a replacement character meal, Liberty Tree Tavern will be hosting character meals once again, but there is no word on what characters will be present).

Epcot

Garden Grill: This is probably one of the most overlooked character meals at Walt Disney World, and I can’t explain why- it’s a great place! Garden Grill has a nightly character dinner with Mickey Mouse, Pluto and Chip and Dale. It’s held in The Land Pavilion, and the really cool part is that the restaurant revolves as you are are eating, giving you an ever-changing view. Some of the best views are of the Living with the Land ride, where you can see the ride vehicles move past you. A fun fact about Garden Grill is that much of the food that you are eating comes straight from the greenhouses that you see while riding Living with the Land and grown right there at Epcot. The menu changes depending on what’s in season, but when I was there, we had roast beef, catfish, potatoes and vegetables, all served family style. Kids get their own “family style” plate filled with their favorites, such as macaroni and cheese. Advanced Dining Reservations are encouraged here as well, although it’s easier here to get a walk-up reservation than some of the other character dining locations.

Akershus Princess Meal: This princess meal is thought of  by some as an “alternative” princess meal for those who could not get into Cinderella’s Royal Table, but I say this meal should be high on your list of must-dos for all Princess lovers. Akershus is located in the Norway pavilion of Epcot. The theme is an old-time Norwegian castle, and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everyone’s Royal Feast  for lunch and dinner begins with a “Taste of Norway.” This magnificent feast includes sliced deli meats, seafood, and a grand selection of prepared salads and cheeses.  Entrees are typical Norwegian fare, but everyone will find something that they love! And don’t worry, there are kids options such as hot dogs and pizza. After the meal, the whole family can share The Royal Chef Dessert Plate! Breakfast at Akershus is more traditional American breakfast fare. Princesses that may be found here are Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, Mary Poppins, Belle, Alice, Mulan and more. Appearances are not guaranteed at any meal. Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended.

Hollywood Studios

Play and Dine at Hollywood and Vine: This is a perfect meal for those die-hard Playhouse Disney fans! Little ones can interact and dance with JoJo and Goliath and June and Leo from Disney’s “Little Einsteins”. Enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch with these fun characters, but be warned: it’s LOUD in here! Both  meals are served as buffet style, and breakfast includes Seasonal fruit, Freshly baked pastries, Assorted yogurts, Breakfast Meats, Scrambled Eggs and Frittata, Mickey Waffles with assorted toppings, Oven Roasted
Potatoes, Sausage Gravy and Biscuits. The lunch buffet includes Creative array of Salads, Sliced Deli Meats and Cheeses with freshly Baked Breads and American Favoritessuch as Pot Roast, Fishcakes, Herb-crusted Salmon, Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Spoon Bread and Seasonal Vegetables. And save room for soft-serve ice cream and other assorted desserts! Advanced Dining Reservations are strongly encouraged!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tusker House Character Breakfast: Have breakfast with Donald Duck and friends! Tusker House is located in Harambe Village, and the breakfast consists of traditional American breakfast fare, some with an African flair. Be warned this can be a hard dining reservation to get, as they only serve breakfast, and it is the only character dining experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When you arrive, you’re made to feel as if you’re embarking on a safari into the African savannah, which is fitting since you are only a few steps away from Kilimanjaro Safaris! Tusker House hosts a party every half hour or so, where children (and adults who wish they were children) are invited to dance with Donald Duck, Daisy,  Mickey Mouse and Goofy, all decked out in their safari best. Make sure you try the Jungle Juice, and make sure that you call for Advanced Dining Reservations! This one definately requires Advanced Dining Reservations as it is the only character meal at Animal Kingdom, and they only serve breakfast!

RESORTS:

CONTEMPORARY RESORT

Chef Mickey’s:  This is without a doubt the best place to dine if you wish to see the Fab 5- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Pluto! This buffet-style feast has wonderful views of the monorail going through the Contemporary Resort. Breakfast and dinner are served here daily. Breakfast consists of eggs, pancakes, Mickey waffles, fruit, cereal and more. At dinner you will find carved meats, seafood, pasta, veggies, pizza and salad. And who can resist the delicious dessert bar? Brownies, cookies, key lime pies, tarts and of course, the ice cream sundae bar! Be sure that you stay for at least one of the celebrations, which occur every 30 minutes. Get up out od your seat and sing and dance with your favorite characters! The menu will also please the pickiest of little ones!

GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT

1900 Park Fare: Hear ye, hear ye! Gather at 1900 Park Fare for a delicious breakfast or dinner buffet. The sophisticated buffet menu and subtle decor make this one of the most elegant character experiences at Walt Disney World. At breakfast, you will be entertained by Mary Poppins, Alice, and friends (characters vary.  During dinner, you will meet Cinderella and her storybook friends! During breakfast, you will feast on pancakes, sticky buns, muffins, danish, eggs and waffles. At dinner time, you will dine on prime rib, pasta and seafood. For dessert, enjoy key lime pie, cheesecake and bread pudding! Dining at 1900 Park Fare is a great way to start out a day at Magic Kingdom. The Grand Floridian is a quick monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom! And don’t worry! While the food is fancy, there is still plenty for the children!

POLYNESIAN RESORT

‘Ohana: Located on the second floor of the resort’s Great Ceremonial House, you will find ‘Ohana. ‘Ohana serves breakfast and dinner, but it is at breakfast where you will find Lilo and Stitch along with their great friends, Mickey and Pluto! Remember that character line-up can change from time to time! Breakfast is presented family style and includes fare such as Mickey waffles, eggs, biscuits, fruit and bacon. You can also find scrumptious baked goods! This is a great meal as the characters spend a good amount of time at each table. You’ll receive excellent fast service with a beautiful view of Cinderella’s Castle and Bay Lake.

YACHT AND BEACH CLUB RESORTS

Cape May Cafe: This is an excellent character meal for those guests staying in the Epcot resort area! Sit down for breakfast at a seaside picnic with Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck! You will enjoy seeing the characters in their swimming attire as they stroll among the guests and pose for pictures and sign autographs! At Cape May, you will find eggs, breakfast pizza, Mickey waffles, sausage, fruit, cereal, crepes and more!

You can’t go wrong with a character meal at the Walt Disney World Resort! And best of all, these meals are all included in the Disney Dining Plan! Make sure you plan ahead, as Advanced Dining Reservations can be made 180 days out of your dining date. If you are staying at a Disney resort, you can book 180 days + 10, meaning you can book 180 days out of your check-in date PLUS ten additonal days of your stay! It gives you more time to book those reservations!

For assistance with dining reservations or vacation packages, contact us at Magical Mousecapades!

The rumors have been there for a long time, but on September 12th, Disney announced at the D23 convention in Anaheim, that yes, indeed, Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is due for a major expansion! Many people wonder, “what does this mean”! Well, I’m here to tell you! Never I have been more excited to see expansion plans take place. Disney Imagineers have gone above and beyond on plans for making Fantasyland an amazing experience. No wonder this is the biggest ever expansion of the Magic Kingdom! The price tag for this expansion has not been disclosed, but I’m sure it is a high one!

The current Toon Town Fair at Magic Kingdom will be dismantled to make room for the expansion. Mickey and Minnie’s homes will be relocated to another part of Magic Kingdom, although where has not been disclosed.  The new Fantasyland will open in two stages, withthe first stage opening in 2012 and the second stage (Pixie Hollow) opening in 2013.  The expansion breaks ground in early 2010 and builds on the popularity of Disney princesses and Fairies. The current west side of Fantasyland, which includes It’s a Small World and Peter Pan will remain the same and will not get a makeover. The expansion plans include many new princess elements which are incredibly interactive and immersive and should appeal to boys as much as girls! The new area will be filled with trees and landscaping and will be much more lush and shady than the current area.

So what exactly is coming? One of the biggest attractions will be a new underwater ride, The Little Mermaid. This ride will be taking over where the former 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea used to be, which means that Pooh’s Playful Spot may disappear, much to the chagrin of the author’s children who always loved a playground break in the middle of the day (although I suspect with the new changes, they won’t even notice it). 

The current Dumbo ride will be relocated and expanded to about double its current size. Disney will be adding acovered three-ring circus that will contain a waiting area with a play area and interactive games. There will be two Dumbo ride carousels. The new Dumbo area will encompass most of the existing Toontown area.

Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel will now all have their own “castles” (meet-and-greets) that will be elaborately themed and interactive. Guests will be able to engage in dancing, storytelling, or a birthday party with their favorite Disney princesses and costumed characters from the films. The Beauty and the Beast castle will contain a meet-and-greet area, walk-through exhibit area, and will turn into a nighttime full-service restaurant. This new 552-seat restaurant will add another option for table service dining at the Magic Kingdom, which has historically been on the weaker side. Gaston’s Tavern, a quick-service restaurant will also be opened.

Tinker Bell and her Fairy friends will also have a new place to frolic. Pixie Hollow is slated to open in 2013 and will expand on the Tinker Bell theme and take guests into their world. Not too many plans have been released on Pixie Hollow as the attraction is still in early development.

Magic Kingdom is the one park at Walt Disney World that is steeped in tradition for past guests. Disney has found a way to expand and change, while keeping the traditions alive! I, for one, am thrilled on what this expansion means for Magic Kingdom, and I am hoping to be one of the first in line to see it open! Stay tuned for more details on the expansion plans when they are released! Contact Magical Mousecapades for more information or to plan a magical trip to Walt Disney World!

The new Dumbo ride

Gaston's Tavern

New Ariel attraction

Journey back over 100 years to the Pacific Northwest! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort is reminiscent of the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park. The resort opened May 28, 1994 and remains one of Disney’s most popular (and my favorite) resorts! The Pacific Northwest theme features both natural and Native American elements, and even includes a geyser that erupts each hour from 7:00 am-10:00 pm. The 8-story log-structured Wilderness Lodge is located near the Magic Kingdom and sits along the shores of Bay Lake. There are 729 rooms, including 37 King rooms, 25 Junior Suites, 4 Honeymoon Suites, 1 Yosemite Suite and 1Yellowstone Suite. Disney’s Wilderness Villas, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, is located just steps away from the main building. WLV guests are able to take advantage of all of the wonderful amenities of the main building. Guests can ride boats to the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. To get to the other theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney, hop on a bus for a quick ride!

As you walk into the majestic lobby of Wilderness Lodge, the very first thing you will see will be the beautiful centerpiece- the 82-foot stone fireplace. Nothing beats walking into this beautiful lobby to see a roaring fire (even in summer) and curling up in one of the many old-time wooden rockers near the fireplace. Guests of both Wilderness Lodge and Wilderness Lodge Villas check in at the main resort desk in the grand lobby. A concierge is also available. Guests on the 7-th floor concierge level can partake in the Old Faithful Club, where they can experience complimentary continental breakfasts as well as cheese and wine tastings.

The regular rooms at Wilderness Lodge are 340 square feet. Most have 2 queen-sized beds, but there are some rooms with King Beds and some even have bunk beds (along with a queen bed). Views consist of standard views, woods view, lodge view (of the DVC property), and courtyard views. The rooms contain a writing table and 3 chairs, an armoire with a TV, and a small-key operated safe to keep your valuables secure. In the bathroom, you will find a hair dryer and two sinks with a mirror in a separate vanity area. For those people who can’t tear themselves away from their computer, they will find high-speed Internet access. Upon request, you can get bed boards, bed rails and cribs (the Pak-n-Play type). The rooms are a bit small, but they are all well appointed, and all rooms have a small balcony or patio.

Recreation abounds at Wilderness Lodge! Kids and parents alike will love the Silver Creek Springs Pool. You’ll find daily recreational water  activities in the afternoon. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:00 am-10:00 pm, and the pool is open from 7:00 am through midnight. Your little ones will love the rock water slide, and tiny tots will splash away in the kiddie pool! There are also two spas, and the pool is heated to a warm 82 degrees in cooler weather. You will find a sandy beach on the shores of Bay Lake (no swimming) with lounge chairs and a playground. Water lovers can rent watercraft such as water “mice”, canopy boats or pontoon boats.  There are also fishing excursions available for both adults and kids. Bike rentals are available and there is a 3/4 mile path that starts at Disney’s Teton Boat and Bike Rentals that runs between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground. There is also an arcade and sand volleyball court. Tours are available at Wilderness Lodge as well- inquire about the Hidden Mickey Hunt List and the guided resort tours. Lucky families will be chosen to be a Flag Family. Inquire about this at check-in and be the daily lucky family that gets to go to the roof of Wilderness Lodge at 7:00 am to raise the flag for the day. What a view!!

Wilderness Lodge guests are fortunate enough to have some wonderful dining choices at their disposal! Whispering Canyon is right off of the lobby and is a great place for old-fashioned family fun! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available. All-you-can-eat skillet breakfasts are served as are a la carte items.  Lunch hours are from noon to 3 p.m. one of the best things atWhispering Canyon is the family skillet dinner that is served on a lazy-susan.  An a la carte menu that includes sandwiches and salads is also available at lunchtime.  Hours for dinner are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.  An all-you-can-eat family style skillet dinner featuring barbecued beef, chicken, spare ribs, sausage and smoked turkey is offered.  Meats are smoked on the premises.  Priority Seating is recommended. And make sure that you ask for ketchup!

The signature dining experience at Wilderness Lodge is Artist Point. Food here is prepared in the style of America Northwest and includes items such as cedar plank salmon, grilled buffalo, and berry cobbler. You can dine overlooking the waterfall that leads down to the pool area.

The quick-service option at Wilderness Lodge is Roaring Fork, where you will find breakfast items, hamburgers, sandwiches and salads. This is where you will find the refillable resort mugs as well as desserts and self-serve ice cream.

For Walt Disney World keepsakes, sundries, snacks and Wilderness Lodge memorabilia, head to Wilderness Lodge Mercantile. This is a great shop, and one of my favorite resort shops. Wilderness Lodge also offers a kids club called The Cubs Den. The Cubs Den is for potty-trained children over age 4. Reservations are required to take advantage of The Cubs Den. In the lobby, you will also find an extremely talented caricaturist as well as a pin cart for all those pin traders out there!

Wilderness Lodge is a perfect resort for everyone! There is always something to do, and the lodge itself is absolutely stunning. Last time we were there, we saw ducks, bunnies, deer and baby armadillos. The kids were in awe by the beautiful surroundings! I highly recommend that you book your next trip to Walt Disney World and stay at Wilderness Lodge! Contact Magical Mousecapades for more information!

Can Walt Disney World be considered an educational trip? Many parents wonder if taking thier kids out of school to go to Walt Disney World is the right thing to do. I, myself, am planning on taking my second-grade daughter out of school for a week in November to go to the World.  Why did we come to that decision? Number one, we can take advantage of cooler weather and smaller crowds, and number two, we’re making the trip to Walt Disney World educational! There are so many educational aspects at WDW. It’s teeming with history, geography, culture, science, math, economics, science and more! Let’s take a look at how YOU can make your Walt Disney World trip educational at anytime of year!

Epcot World Showcase: Children can explore the different cultures of the world in the 11 various World Showcase Pavilions of Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Italy, Germany, Japan, China, Norway, Mexico, and America. Your child will be able to learn about the architecture, languages, diet and dress of each country. They will also be able to talk to the cast members in each country. The World Showcase cast members are actually from the country in whose pavilion they work! They can learn about the flags, learn to say hello in each language, learn capitals and more!

American History: Children can learn all about the U.S. Presidents by witnessing the The Hall of Presidents presentation at the Magic Kingdom. This show highlights every U.S. President from George Washington to current President Barack Obama. The show focuses on the role of slavery in America and tells how early leaders debated slavery from the Constitutional Convention to the Lincoln-Douglas debates.  They can witness the American Adventure Show in the American pavilion in Epcot and learn about the beginnings of the United States of America. This show combines film footage and Audio-Animatronics of dozens of historic figures and is as moving as it is educational. Listen to Ben Franklin and Mark Twain tell the story of America, beginning with the Pilgrims and going through World War II. Children will see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Will Rogers and Rosie the Riveter.

Epcot Future World: Children can learn about science by exploring Mission:Space. Your child will have the chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars. Children can experience the Universe of Energy exhibit which teaches about fossil fuels energy and conservation. The Circle of Life show in The Land Pavilion teaches about environmental protection. The Innoventions Pavilion allows children to participate in hands-on activities showcasing interesting innovations and new technologies. The Living with the Land ride is an indoor boat ride through greenhouses full of plants and aquaculture tanks. Many of the plants that you see growing are used in the Garden Grill. The Seas with Nemo and Friends teach children about aquatic life and offers many exhibits for children to take part in. Children can view marine exhibits complete with dolphins and manatees. Spaceship Earth is a slow-moving ride in the “big golf ball” (as children call it) that uses Animatronics to teach about the history of communication. Test Track (pictured, left) lets children take part in a GM test vehicle as they zip around an indoor-outdoor track, learning what tests cars have to go through before they can be sold to the public. Throughout Future World, there are numerous learning activities for children of all ages!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom- What better place to learn about nature and conservation? This 110-acre theme park, the largest Disney theme  park, features an African savanna and safari, up-close encounters with animals of all kinds as well as a Conservation Station, where  children can learn about conservation efforts being made across the world as well as Disney’s part in those efforts. Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s zoological operations are respected worldwide, but Disney keeps them fully hidden from its guests by man-made hills, rivers and rocks. Scientists are breeding endangered species, and on-site researchers are there studying animal behaviors. DAK is a member of the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Disney wants you to see the “real” world of animals, however, and not a zoo. Observation windows at Conservation Station let you look in on medical procedures on animals while veterinarians explain what is going on. Other windows display researchers studying elephant vocalizations and tracking a sea turtle off of the Florida coast. Kids can learn more about the park’s primates and other animals with remote animal-cams. Children can listen to hear thunder and insects, they can “speak” with Dr. Jane Goodall or George Schaller of the Tibet Wildlife Reserve. They can view a film on endangered species and get a closer look at various animals when the Cast Members bring out animals for closer viewing.

Economics: Children have the opportunity to learn about economics as well by managing his/her own spending money. Children are able to make budget decisions on how to spend their money. They can also work with saving at the hands-on at The Great Piggy Bank Adventure. T. Rowe Price worked with Disney to create this interactive game to teach families the importance of financial planning. You can do the game as a single or up to 3 people can compete on a team. There are a number of stations where you start the game.  There are plenty of cast members to help you along the way.

Art: Children can learn about art, animation and the history of film at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Map Navigation: Allow your children to navigate throughout the theme parks and the Walt Disney World Resort by using the    numerous maps that are available. Children can use the key to figure out where the nearest dining or shopping establishments are or where their favorite ride is and how to get there from where they are.

Mathematics: One of the best ways for children to learn math is by wait times! You can ask children how long a 30-minute wait time is (i.e. is it one quarter of an hour, one half an hour, etc).  Which attraction has the longer wait time? It really is up to you!

The Walt Disney World Resort is a wonderful and educational experience, and the best part is, the children are having so much fun, they don’t even realize that they are learning! Disney truly makes learning fun for everyone!

If you are going to take your children out of school for a WDW trip, make sure and get their assignments ahead of time, and try and complete them BEFORE you go on your trip. And have your child keep a journal of their trip so they can practice their writing. My daughter loves to write about what she did during the day and what her favorite attraction and ride was that day.

For more information on the great educational aspects of Walt Disney World, contact Magical Mousecapades now!

Many people wonder why and how I can go to Walt Disney World year after year. People ask me if I’m sick of going to the same place or they wonder if I get tired of doing the same thing over and over. My answer is always ABSOLUTELY NOT. Walt Disney World is not the same trip every time I go- it’s always a different experience!

I’ve gone to Walt Disney World as a toddler, as a child, as a teenager with a friend, as a wife, and most recently as a mom. I’ve gone with parents, grandparents, cousins, friends, in-laws and more. Every trip has been just as magical even though they have all been very different trips!

The first time I went to Walt Disney World, I was 2 years old. My mom and dad took me on a day trip while we were in New Smyrna Beach on a family reunion. I obviously don’t remember much about that trip, other than what I have seen in pictures. I know I was terrified of the characters and rides! I rode the Jungle Cruise on the bottom of the boat, I hid on the floor of the Hall of Presidents, and one picture stands out of Chip and Dale standing over my stroller with me crying my eyes out inside! As I grew older, the characters became my friends, and the rides even became fun! I remember each time when I would walk in to the Magic Kingdom and emerge from under the train station. There was Cinderella Castle, in all her splendor! To this day, seeing the Castle for the first time (and last time) of each trip brings tears to my eyes.

What’s so magical? To begin with, the atmosphere at Magic Kingdom is something that I can’t even describe. I enter the gates, hear the music and see Main Street U.S.A., and I am immediately happy. I feel like I am home! Disney magic surrounds you every place you go. As you walk down Main Street towards Cinderella Castle, you take in the buildings that are reflective of Walt’s childhood home of Marceline, Missouri. You see the detail (and maybe even a Hidden Mickey or two) in each of the buildings, and you begin to wonder if you have magically been transplanted into another time! At the end of the street, you come to the Partners Statue, where you see the brilliant man who started it all along with his ever-faithful partner, Mickey Mouse. Then you look up to see Cinderella’s Castle in all her beauty!

Next you move into one of the many themed lands at the Magic Kingdom: Adventureland, where you are taken into the jungle and into the middle of a pirate’s battle. Frontierland, where you can race down one of two mountains and go back to the days of the wild west. Liberty Square, where you are immersed in colonial life. Fantasyland, where kids of all ages can be taken into a world of make believe that’s so real. Toontown, where you can see how your favorite characters live. And Tomorrowland, where you are able to see Walt’s vision of the future.

Disney is the expert in making all things magic! You are immediately welcomed home when you enter a Walt Disney World Resort- and you truly are made to feel as if you are home. Then you have the music, the smells, the landscaping- all of it blends to make everything truly a magical experience.

No matter how old you are, you can see why Walt Disney World has the impact on people that it does. I have so many memories of all my visits to the World: riding on the floor of It’s a Small World because I was scared when I was 3, eating at Columbia Harbour House with my extended family when I was 10, running through Magic Kingdom with my best friend and our yellow Mickey ponchos when I was 15, seeing the Magic Kingdom with my husband for the 1st time, watching my then 3-year old daughter see Cinderella’s Castle for the very first time, being surrounded by my children, husband, parents and in-laws during the holidays, and watching Minnie Mouse feed my 2-year old son ice cream at Chef Mickey’s. These are by no means all of my memories, but they are a glimpse into why Walt Disney World is so magical to me.

My next trip to the World is in November, where I will celebrate my 34th (I can’t believe I posted that on-line) birthday at my very favorite place! I can’t wait to see the magic that will take place during this trip!

Make your own magic, and plan your next Walt Disney Trip!

Why is Walt Disney World magical to you?