Disney Travel Tips

My favorite season is Autumn. I love watching the leaves change colors, the cool crisp evening air, trips to the pumpkin patch, hay rides, and of course Halloween. I also love visiting The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. One of the best parts of vacationing there that time of year is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. On select nights, the Magic Kingdom closes early to regular guests and is transformed into a hauntingly festive celebration. You must purchase a separate ticket for these special Halloween activities which will last from 7:00 p.m.- Midnight. The dates for this event are: September 11, 14,18, 21, 25, 28, 30, October 4, 8, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28 and November 2. Guests of ALL ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes. There is trick-or-treating around the park. A special parade called The Boo To You Parade is held twice nightly. Be sure to be on the lookout for "dancing ghosts" from the Haunted Mansion and the Headless Horseman who might be out for an evening ride! The characters are decked out in their costumes as well, providing for some unique character photo opportunities. Also, make sure you stop [...]

Ask 10 different people what their favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World is and you'll probably get 10 different answers. Eating around the "World" is almost as popular as the parks themselves. With over 100 choices how could it not be? Disney World offers options to satisfy any palate. There is such a variety it can be difficult to choose! I thought I'd take a minute and explain a little bit about each option. Signature Dining: Signature dining restaurants are a little more upscale and usually a little pricier. Some of them have a more eclectic menu while others just offer fabulous renditions of timeless favorites. For example, The California Grill located atop The Contemporary Resort is great choice especially if you're looking for something unique to do without the kids. Dinner Shows: Disney offers 3 unique dinner show options. The Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is home to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. The idea here is that you are at an outdoor barbecue with Mickey & his pals. There's dancing, singing, games, etc. Also at Fort Wilderness is The Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue which is a vaudeville style show served with down home country cooking. Trust me, you will have FUN!!! [...]

Earlier this week Disney announced the return of The Orange Bird.  The Orange Bird was a character that was created specifically for the Magic Kingdom Park in the 1970's.  The bird greeted guests at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland where they often enjoyed a Citrus Swirl, a delicious "retro" treat that has recently made it's comeback as well.  In 1971 the famous flier had it's very own record that featured the song,appropriately titled,  "The Orange Bird Song".   With it's return, The Orange Bird is showing up with some great new merchandise including cups, T-shirts, and a vinylmation.  An original statue from the 70's is also on display!   For those of you (okay us) old enough to remember The Orange Bird it's a great opportunity to share a blast from the past with your own children and grandchildren.  I'd say that's definitely something to "tweet" about!   http://youtu.be/3ld8DQkC6po     Haley has been a Disney Travel Specialist with Wishing Well Travel since 2012, you can contact her at Haley at wishingwelltravel.com, find her on facebook or Request a Quote from her online.

When I tell a friend or family member that we're taking a Disney vacation, I'm usually met with a "you're going AGAIN?" response.  For years I felt weird telling people we were "going again" because they always looked at me like I was crazy.  Now that I'm older and wiser (well older anyway) I've come to the conclusion that it's just what my family enjoys doing and maybe they don't know what they're missing ;) I think back over all the trips we've taken and each one holds such a special memory and place in my heart.  My husband and I honeymooned there in 1997 when the castle was decorated like a big old pink cupcake.  He can still sing you the theme song of the parade that year.  The first time we took my son he could have cared less about anything (although he danced & clapped his little heart out at The Country Bear Jamboree).  Now 9 years later he loves everything especially if it's fast and makes me want to vomit.  I think about my daughter and how on her first trip she wanted to grab all the noses of the characters, even the Princesses.  Or how [...]

Being the strict rule follower that I am, I've always done my best to return to the ride I have a Fastpass for within the allotted time frame.  For those of you who "live on the edge" and use them even after your time has expired be forewarned that Disney is now strictly enforcing the return time window!    The Fastpass system debuted in 1999 as a way to cut down on guest wait times in ride lines.   Guests can receive a Fastpass by placing their park ticket into a Fastpass machine which then distributes a slip with an hour long window at which they can return and bypass the regular line.  Although the one-hour rule has been in place since the beginning, many guests would return after the window of time had passed.  As an extra measure of warning Disney has now placed signs above the machines informing guests to return within the one-hour window printed on their ticket.  In addition, tickets now state that they are "not able to accommodate late arrivals." So just remember when you get your Fastpasses you need to factor your plans accordingly to make sure you return within your specified time frame.  This is a great way to [...]