Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is Magical

I love hearing REAL reviews from REAL guests!! Check out this awesome review from Ashley!

When my mom, our friend, and I decided we'd go to Disney World for my 21st birthday, we thought we'd do it on the cheap. Stay at one of the value resorts and upgrade to the Dining Plan so that we wouldn't have to worry about spending so much money.

And just like always, that's what we did. Our travel agent got us the quotes for a few of the value resorts and we decided on Pop Century.

But, like all almost 21-year olds that change their minds a lot, I decided value didn't sound like any fun. So we upgraded to a moderate.

That spiraled a few months later when Disney opened the free-dining package, and it didn't include the one moderate resort we were planning to stay at.

And then it happened . . .

The only resort available that had free dining left was Animal Kingdom Lodge! 

Giveaway

I'm so excited to have another giveaway for you! I received 2 copies of the Easy Guide to Your First Walt Disney World Visit thanks to two of my favorite sites!  Check out both easywdw.com and yourfirstvisit.net!  The raffle will begin Monday, January 26th, 2015 at 6 a.m.!

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Disney Cruise Line is FROZEN!

Land of “Frozen” Coming to Disney Cruise Line This Summer

In summer 2015, Disney Cruise Line Guests can immerse themselves in the animated hit “Frozen” with brand-new experiences inspired by the film, including a spectacular deck party, a three-song stage show production number, new character meet and greets, storybook adventures ashore and more.




Debuting this summer, on select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings to Europe and Alaska, you will be transported to the land of “Frozen” when the ship is transformed into a winter wonderland for one day of frozen fun.

• You will experience family fun throughout the day with all-new meet and greets and themed experiences, including: 
• Memorable moments with Anna, Elsa, and for the first time in forever, Kristoff and Olaf
• “Anna’s Chase for the Chocolate” scavenger hunt for those who share Anna’s sense of adventure, with a special surprise for finishing the game
• “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” activity where kids take on Elsa’s magical powers to make snow and ice
• “The Maypole Swirl and Twirl” for families to learn a traditional Scandinavian dance spinning and braiding giant ribbons
• “Frozen” themed dining experience, including a menu inspired by traditional Nordic fare and special dishes inspired by the film
• “Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa and Friends,” a family-friendly interactive deck party featuring the famous royal sisters of Arendelle and their fun-loving Nordic companions.

Also on the Disney Magic this summer, friends from “Frozen” will make their stage show debut at sea in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Magic. In the Disney Cruise Line original production, “Disney Dreams ... An Enchanted Classic,” Anna, Elsa and Olaf join the line up of beloved Disney characters who together teach a young girl the power of her dreams.

Guests who travel aboard the Disney Magic to Norway will have the opportunity to join exciting new Port Adventures that bring the fairytale setting of Arendelle to life. One signature adventure ashore in Ålesund, Norway, created exclusively for Disney Cruise Line, will immerse Guests in the splendor and charm of Norway, with the help of Anna and Elsa, in an enchanting storybook village.

On the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy this summer, Olaf will be giving warm hugs when he joins Anna and Elsa on their royal tour of the Disney Cruise Line ships. Guests should check their Personal Navigator on the first day of their cruise for special Meet & Greet ticket distribution locations.

And, with the help of everyone’s favorite snowman, Disney Cruise Line is cooling down Disney Castaway Cay with the addition of Olaf’s Summertime Freeze bar. Serving non-alcoholic specialty frozen drinks, Olaf’s Summertime Freeze opens summer 2015 near the Pelican Point tram stop by Disney Castaway Cay Family Beach.

Be sure to visit our partners, Living With The Magic Vacations to book your cruise today!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Review

On our most recent vacation, we took our 3 year old to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the first time.  3 is the minimum age so while she has visited Walt Disney World before, this was our first opportunity to go. I think it really the perfect age as she understood everything that was going on.

First Time Cruisers Chat: Part 2

1. Log-on to Facebook
2. Go to www.facebook.com/LivingWithTheMagic
3. The first post will be the picture above. Simply post your question and I will reply instantly! Plus follow along as other's post their questions
4. All questions and answers will be posted on the blog after the LIVE chat if you miss it!

Hope to see you then!

Disney Cruise Line

Bon Voyage

Senses Spa (Disney Fantasy)

Castaway Cay

What's so Great About Cruising?

Saving Money on a Disney Cruise

Not sure where to start....Start HERE!

Ahoy Baby...why we love cruising with younger kids

Alaska Cruise Recap (including links to our trip report!)

A Disney Cruise CAN Be affordable!

Disney Cruise FAQ

Rotational Dining

Disney Cruise Line LIVE Chat Recap!

Ahoy Baby

Ahoy Baby!!!  Here are my 5 tips for cruising with babies and toddlers!

1) Children that are NOT potty trained and/or are still in swim diapers may not use the pools on board. I think this is the biggest deal breaker for most folks. It was first us until we got an amazing price to sail on the Magic. We decided for the price we'd go, have a great time and not worry about the pools. You know what? We had a great time! Our daughter LOVED the splash area and there was lots of other children for her to play with. I will admit the Splash Area on the Fantasy totally blows the one on the Magic out of the water but I think only I would noticed that (not my child).

The Magic has recently been reimagineered and has a new Splash area for the kids that rivals that of the newer ship!

2) Children over the age of three have the added benefit of FREE kids clubs. For those traveling with little ones, you have the great option of dropping them off in the nursery for a fee of $9 per hour, which is a steal! I'll be doing a separate post on the Nursery in a few weeks but we loved dropping our daughter off her. They were amazing with her!

3) Food...if your little one is eating solid food then a cruise is the place to be. Kennedy love eating fresh fruit daily as well as pancakes every morning. There was always something for her to eat. Also, our servers at dinner were just amazing. They helped entertain her, always brought her favorite food and even introduced her to her first Mickey bar!!


4)If your family loves meeting the characters than there is no better place to be than a Disney Cruise. We loved the short wait times and the intimate moments Kennedy shared. She danced with Chip and Dale, had a play date with Cinderella and Snow White and even gave Goofy a few kisses.

5) Family time...we LOVE going to Walt Disney World but with all the hustle and bustle of busy days, we don't always have as much quiet time together as we'd like. With a Disney Cruise we get all the fun activities that are offered plus some time to just be together. My husband works the night shift and is busy going back to college during the day. He doesn't always as much time to spend with us as he'd like. We love just hanging out together and relaxing on a Disney Cruise.

Fastpass+ Kiosk Locations

Fastpass+ Kiosk Locations

In Magic Kingdom
-- in Fantasyland, next to Mickey's PhilharMagic

-- in Liberty Square, around the corner from Sleepy Hollow
-- in New Fantasyland, near the train station
-- in Tomorrowland, next to Stitch's Great Escape

In Animal Kingdom
-- Kilimanjaro Safari
-- Island Mercantile
-- Disney Outfitters

-- Primeval Whirl
-- Kali River Rapids
-- Dinosaur
-- Expedition Everest

In Disney's Hollywood Studios
-- End of Sunset, just before Tower of Terror

-- Pixar Place, near Toy Story Mania
-- Corner of Hollywood and Sunset
-- Near entrance to Muppet Vision 3D

In Epcot
-- Tip Board

-- Innoventions West Breezeway
-- Innoventions East Breezeway
-- International Gateway

How affordable can a Disney Cruise be?

I often hear people say a Disney Cruise is out of their reach. Here's an example of how affordable it can be!

Disney Magic
4-night Bahamian Cruise
Inside Stateroom
November 11, 2015
Miami, FL

Total Price is $2,097 for a family of 4.

If you book by February 15th the deposit is only $168.80!!

The final payment isn't due until August 28th...that leaves us 32 weeks before final payment is due. That's just $60.25 and PER WEEK!

What other costs would you be looking at?
-Travel to and from the port
-Gratuties on board $48 per guest


Everything else is up to you...alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, excursions are all at your own expense. It's possible to spend very little once on board since so much is include in the cost of your cruise!

-Food
-Non-alcholic drinks
-Entertainment
-Pools
-Kids Clubs
And more!

Be Our Guest Fastpass instructions

Be Our Guest Quick Service Lunch

Currently Be Our Guest does offer a fastpass option for lunch. It is in test phase and SOME guests will get an email invitation. You can try the steps below around 27 days prior to the day you’d like to dine. Availability is VERY limited!

This fastpass is NOT tied to your other 3 and does NOT show in the system!

If you do not get a Fastpass, you may try to wait in line.  The line opens at 10:30 a.m.  One of two things MAY happen once the line gets “full:...

• Disney will hand out cards with return times on them. Once they run out of cards, the standby line will CLOSE. Get there early!!
  or
• They just close the line to everyone except Fastpass+ holders.  

Instructions for making Be Our Guest Fasptass reservations

1) Go to https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com/

2) Log in with your My Disney Experience log-in credentials

You'll need your reservation number...this is NOT your package confirmation numbers that is alphanumeric. You can try the following if you haven't been invited by email:

Log-in to your My Disney Experience account and you'll need your Magic Band ID numbers (can be found by going into your My Disney Experience Account and clicking Magic Bands).

Other methods to try if this doesn't work.

• Try going to https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/trip/my-vacation/ and hover over the “check in online” link but DON’T click it. The last 12 digits should be your confirmation number. This number will appear at the VERY  bottom of your screen...be ready to to write this down.
• On Magical Express luggage tags that are mailed to you
• As part of your Memory Maker package info (You won’t have this if you added Memory Maker to your package.

Be aware that if you do snag a reservation it will not show in your my Disney Experience account. Be sure to print this page (or take a screen shot).   If you don't snag a reservation, you may still get an invite and this often happens once you arrive.

Lunch is Counter service only. Table service at dinner still requires a regular dining reservation.

Win 2 Magic Band Decals from My Fantasy Bands!

Good Luck!

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Disney with a Toddler

These posts were part of my 30 Days Of Disney  all about traveling to Disney with a Toddler. Enjoy!

How to Select a Travel Agent

One of the best tips I can give to those planning a Disney vacation is to select the right travel agent. In this ever growing industry it's important to select the right person! If you are planning your first trip to Disney or it's your first time using an agent, it's not easy knowing the right questions to ask or what to look for! Here are some recommendations and guidelines.