Mouse Travel Tips

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Episode 16 focus on visiting the Disney Parks while being pregnant.  We share aspects one needs to be concerned about while visiting the parks being pregnant.  We give some experiences and tips to help.  We continue our tour of EPCOT World Showcase with a stop in the France Pavilion.  We take a look at the different activities that you can do there including the film Impressions de France.  We also look at the many different restaurants in the France Pavilion and stop to take in dinner at Les Chefs de France. We like to hear your thoughts or tips on visiting the park while being pregnant or on the France Pavilion.

If you enjoy the show we invite you to leave a review on iTunes or on Zune.  We also invite you to leave your comments on the websites.

Contact Info:

• Twitter: RayMTT
• Facebook: Mouse Travel Tips
• Voicemail:1-641-715-3900, extension 601469#.
• Email: mousetraveltips@yahoo.com

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The Disney Dining Plan is an option that many people love, but on the flip side there are many that just don’t want it.  Now of course when it is free there is really no hard decision as to whether to get it or not.  That is a real no brainer.  There are those that like the DDP because they feel that it makes it easier to know how much food money to budget for, and when it is part of a package it is all paid for when the last payment is done.  On the other side, people feel that they can save more money if they don’t purchase it and just find their own dining options on or off property.  They feel that the plan is not that great of a deal for them.  The truth of the matter is that it really depends on what you want to is best for you.  It is one of those things where you have to do your research and decide for yourself.

In episode 15 we talked about the many different Disney Dining Plan options.  We have gone to Disney both with and without the dining plan.  For myself, I have no preferences. It is true we have saved money without the plan because we didn’t do that many table service meals and we were able to get discounts via Table in Wonderland (a discount card for annual passholders which must be purchased separately).  We also shared meals that helped cut down on the cost of food, except for desserts because I don’t like to share those!

However there have also been several times when we decided to purchase the Disney Dining Plan.  We purchased it on one trip where just Rachel and I went to Walt Disney World (yes we were bad and took a trip without the kids, which I am sure we will have to pay for when our kids need counseling later).  We were able to go to many different table services restaurants.  It was nice because we didn’t have to worry about how much it was going to cost.  We would just look at the menu and decided what we wanted to eat.  There was also no sharing except to taste what the other person had.  Sure we might have saved a little more money eating at different venues (liked counter service), but it was our anniversary trip, and being able to indulge in really nice meals was a nice and convenient for us on that trip.

It is just one of those decisions that you have to look at and decide for yourself.  There will be many trips that we would add it to our package but on the flip side we won’t because we don’t plan on eating that much (and it is quite a lot of food, something else to think about).  What do you do?

by Ray

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Episode 15 takes a look at the Disney Dining Plan options that Walt Disney World.  We talk about what it is and the different Dining Plans that is offered.  We also talk about how to make the most of it and the pro’s and con’s.  We then “Park Hop” over to EPCOT World Showcase and briefly talk about the many different activities you can enjoy in World Showcase.  We then stop in the Norway Pavilion and take a ride on Maelstrom.  Afterward we dine in Akershus Royal Banquet Princess Character meal.

If you enjoy the show we invite you to leave a review on iTunes or on Zune.  We also invite you to leave your comments on the websites.

Contact Info:

• Twitter: RayMTT
• Facebook: Mouse Travel Tips
• Voicemail:1-641-715-3900, extension 601469#.
• Email: mousetraveltips@yahoo.com

Links:

• Walt Disney World Dining Plan
• www.wdwautism.com Maelstrom Page

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There are many different events that are held at Walt Disney World.  They have the Mickey’s No So Scary Halloween, Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, and more.  But in mid May to mid June they hold my favorite event, Star Wars Weekend.  Now it may come as a surprise to some of you, but I am a big Star Wars fan.  Yes, I am sure some of you are shocked.  I was a young child when Star Wars: New Hope was released.  My family all went to the theater and saw the movie (back then it was a big deal to go to the movie).  Now it captivated the public back in 1977 and continues to do so now.

You are thinking to yourself, why of course you love Star Wars Weekend being the fan you are, but why should I go if I am not a hardcore fan.  Well the event is for all types of Star Wars fans.  In fact I would say the only people who shouldn’t go are those that didn’t like the series (hard to believe there those that didn’t but they are there).  The events there are at all different levels of fandom.  It is great that they have the celebrities attending where guest have a chance to meet them.  At a normal sci-fi convention (I may have attended one or two, but I have never worn a Star Wars costume), they have the same guests that you could meet at Star Wars Weekend.  However, you would have to pay the convention extra to meet them and to have an autograph or have a picture taken with them you would have to pay the celebrity.

Well maybe you don’t care to meet Jeremy Bulloch (original Boba Fett) or Peter Meyhew (Chewbacca).  There are still the characters that you can meet.  Who doesn’t want to meet the Dark Lord of the Sith – Darth Vader.  You might even be able to give him some advice on a better breathing apparatus?  You can measure yourself up to Chewbacca and see how tall you are or to an Ewok to make yourself feel tall.  There are over 50 characters there.  You might even get a chance to meet the true hero of all of the films – R2-D2.  Mickey and his gang even get into the act by wearing their favorite Star Wars Costume.

As we discussed in episode 14 of Mouse Travel Tips, there many activities that guests can attend during the event.  Several years ago, my family and I went to Disney (including my mother, 2 sisters, 1 brother, my 2 kids, many nieces and nephews, and myself).  There were all types of Star Wars fans there that weekend.  My family all enjoyed the event and felt it was a highlight of the trip.  One moment of panic came when my 2 year old daughter got out of her stroller while her aunt was suppose to be watching her.  It turned out she had gotten out and walked over to Chewbacca to get her picture taken with him.  So even the youngest fan can have a ball there – but please keep an eye on them, as well as having your camera ready for those cute photo opps with your run-away children.

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Time to polish your stormtroopers armor or pull out your Jedi robe from the closet. This week we are broadcasting all the way from Tatooine as we talk about Disney Hollywood Studios special event Star Wars Weekend.  This annual event is held from May 21st – June 13th on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  We discuss the many different events that they hold during the events and give some tips on enjoying your Star Wars Weekend. We then take a shuttle to the moon of Endor in Star Tours.  We talk about the attraction and give some fun facts.

If you enjoy the show we invite you to leave a review on iTunes or on Zune.  We also invite you to leave your comments on the websites.

Contact Info:

• Twitter: RayMTT
• Facebook: Mouse Travel Tips
• Voicemail:1-641-715-3900, extension 601469#.
• Email: mousetraveltips@yahoo.com

Images:

Links:

• Walt Disney World, Disney Hollywood Studios Star Wars Studios Page
• Studios Central (Website devoted to Disney Hollywood Studios) section on Star Wars Weekend (excellent source of information for event)
• Disney Hollywood Studios Star Tours
• Disney Hollywood Studios Jedi Training Academy
• www.wdwautism.com Star Tours Page

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Podcast:

We recently had Pam Forrester from the Magic for Less Disney Travel Agent on the Mouse Travel Tips Podcast.  The discussion between Rachel and Pam was very informative and helpful.  We have been to Disney many different times and before we were DVC members we had only used a Travel Agent twice.  Because Rachel works for a travel company we were usuall able to receive a discount on resorts at Walt Disney World and it was not necessary to use a Disney Specialist.

Since we are type A personalities, we enjoy looking into all the options and activities available at the Disney resorts.  However, there is always way too much information to be able to digest it all for a first trip to Disney.  We gradually learned more as we went – but using a Travel Agent helps guests get over that initial learning curve, because they already know the options and best tips for planning a great trip to Disney.

Three years ago, my family and I decided to plan a trip to Walt Disney World for a group of 11 people.  Rachel was not able to come with us, so the travel agent rate was not available.  We were members of AAA, and so we went with them for booking the trip.  Again being the overzealous planner that I am, I knew where we wanted to stay and figured out how much it would cost.  Now we did receive a discount on package and other perks, but we really did not come away with the feeling like we had received a great deal.

Rachel and I decided the following year to go to the Disneyland Resort in California.  We again went to our local AAA travel agent to book the trip.  We again received a discount on the package and another perk that was exclusive to AAA.  It was nice to stay on the property, but again we were not too excited about the deal.

We later became Disney Vacation Members and so using a travel agent was not really necessary for us as we would just need to call DVC member service and we could reserve our room and then buy our tickets.

However, hindsight has let me know that there were other options available for those trips initial trips booked through our travel agent.  We never thought about using an online Disney Travel agency because we didn’t know they were available and that they were “Disney Experts” that could help you plan your trip.  One thing that really was disappointing was when I asked our local travel agent if we could take advantage of a new Disney promotion after we had booked our trip.  We were told, “No”.  Once we make a payment we were locked into that deal. Not knowing any better we accepted that.  Now, after listening to Pam describe always looking for deals for her guests, we know better – and we wanted to share that information with you to help you save money and get the most out of your Disney booking.

Now that we are a little bit more wiser and more informed, if there is a time where we may need a travel agent for our Disney trip I believe we will be more inclined to us a Disney Travel Agent Specialist.  I had learned many new things from the podcast and new options that are available to us and to others.  We hope that you will also be able to take advantage of this information and the tips Pam shared to save money on your next Disney vacation!

By Ray

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Episode 13 introduces our first guest for the podcast.  Pam Forrester is a travel agent and co-owner of the Magic for Less Disney Travel Agency.  We spend the whole podcast talking about how a a travel agent works, and how they can help you plan a fantastic Disney vacation.  We discuss the pro’s and con’s, the logistics, and how to get the most out of working with a travel agent.  Pam was very informative and helpful, offering many pieces of practical advice for those wanting to use a travel agent to help plan their first, or next, Disney vacation trip.

Links:

The Magic for Less Disney Travel Agency

Contact Info:

• Twitter: RayMTT
• Facebook: Mouse Travel Tips
• Voicemail:1-641-715-3900, extension 601469#.
• Email: mousetraveltips@yahoo.com

Podcast: