Today I'm joined by Carolina who brings a unique Brazilian point of view to the podcast. She started vacationing in Walt Disney World at a young age with her family and I truly enjoyed seeing Disney World through her eyes (especially the truth behind those Brazilian Tour Groups!)

If you are a long-time Disney fan, you will enjoy the international side of Disney, and if you are headed to the parks from Brazil (or any other country outside of the US) then take notes!

Show Notes:

• How Carolina learned English and where her love of Disney started (hint: it's the same answer!)
• What's the real story behind those infamous Brazilian Tour Groups
•  What does a three-week international Disney vacation look like?
• Carolina's favorite and least favorite Moderate Resorts
  • Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
  • Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
  • Coronado Springs Resort
• How difficult is Disney to navigate as an international visitor?
  • What is the biggest challenge in Disney if English is not your first language?
  • What advice would Carolina give to a Brazilian traveling to Disney for the first time

• Carolina's Favorite Table Service and Counter Service Restaurants
  • Counter Service: Casey's Corner, Carolina's Fiance's pick: Be Our Guest (lunch)
  • Table Service: Sanaa, Flying Fish, California Grill, and Teppen Edo

• Carolina's Favorite Disney Memory

Resources Mentioned

Travel agent: Phil from Ear to There Travel

This is for you if you are a parent of infants or toddlers or a soon-to-be-parent and you're planning a Disney vacation. We actually talk about Walt Disney World, but these tips are definitely agnostic of Disney World, Disneyland, or even Disney Cruise Line.

This is advice that will help any Disney vacation, or if you're asking yourself that question, "Should I bring my infant or toddler on a Disney vacation?"

Because I know you are. I know you're asking yourself that question and you're stuck.

This is also for you if you are a Grandparent going on a multi-generational trip with your grandchildren.

I had the absolute honor of interviewing Krista Weldon of Mindful Molding, a parenting coach for infants and toddlers. Not only that, but Krista is a massive Disney fan and as an Annual Passholder, she knows the parks really well. Krista brings game changing tips for planning a Disney trip with infants or toddlers and it is going to make such a difference in your vacation.

If you are going to Disney World with infants or toddlers, how can you avoid meltdowns and be better prepared?

Preparation is everything, according to Krista. When planning a fun vacation like Disney World, parents expect their kids to just be super happy and super excited the entire time they're there because you're in the "happiest place on earth". Everywhere you turn it's something fun and exciting to do.

But we have to keep in mind that our children really, really thrive on structure and routine.

So even though this is a really fun vacation and outing that we're doing, it's still a very different environment for them. So there are a few things to keep in mind when you're preparing to go for a trip. The goal is of course to avoid any kind of tantrum or meltdown, if at all possible.

Tip #1: Our children thrive on routines Tip #2: Your child is in a sensory overload from the second they walk in a Disney theme park Baby Care Centers – find them on the park map when you start your day! Tip #3: Let your kids get out of their stroller and run around Tip #4: Research ride height requirements before your vacation Tip #5: How to prepare for the Florida heat

         

Pro Tip: Bring your kids' sippy cup! When we are talking about those infants and toddlers, not all toddlers are accustomed to drinking out of straws, and ice is a SERIOUS choking hazard. So bring whichever sippy cup that they're comfortable with to keep them hydrated.

Krista's favorite counter service and table service restaurants

Pro Tip: Krista and her family actually packs their lunches and snacks on park days. You're allowed to take coolers and even full picnic baskets really, into the parks.

Counter Service: Turkey Legs (You can find these in several locations such as Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom)

I don't know if it's half nostalgia. I've always loved them since I was a kid or half because they're delicious.

Table Service: Rainforest Cafe 

I love everything about it. The whole inside is so interesting and fun. My kids love it and the food is also delicious.

Krista's Favorite Disney Memory

Her favorite Disney memory is the first time they brought their daughter when she was 13 months old. Obviously she loves going back with both of her kids now, but it's that first experience…

It's one thing to be a kid and go to Disney, but it's another thing to have a kid and go to Disney.

Learn more about Krista

Krista Weldon is an infant and toddler parent coach specializing in solving toddler behavior challenges. She works with clients for a whole host of other things such as potty training, transitions, and positive reinforcement. Learn more about Krista on her website, MindfulMolding.com, or follow her on Facebook where she shares live videos and posts about different parenting tips and topics frequently.

Krista lives in Jacksonville, Florida, which is two and a half hours away from Disney World, with her husband and two kids: a three-year-old daughter, and a son who just turned one.

So not only is she an expert, but she is right there in it with you every day because she has young kids too.

If you are planning a Disneyland vacation – you are in the right place!

Today I'm joined by Andrea who shares all the details of her family vacation to San Diego and Disneyland. This was Andrea and her husband's first trip to Disneyland in ten years and their kiddos' very first trip to California. They flew in to San Diego (great idea to avoid LAX!) and drove to Disneyland…where they spent five days exploring the two parks!

Trip dates: August 11th through the 21st

Travel Party: Andrea, her husband, and two kids (ages 6 and 4)

Resorts: Candy Cane Inn and Grand Californian (with Disney Vacation Club points)

  San Diego Itinerary

• USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
• Balboa Park | San Diego Zoo
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• SeaWorld
• LEGOLAND

Disneyland

MaxPass

Fantasmic! Dining Packages | Blue Bayou Restaurant

Bengal Barbecue Menu

Plaza Inn Dining Packages (reserved seating for the parade)

Favorite Restaurant

Counter Service: White Water Snacks

Table Service: Carthay Circle Restaurant

Character Meal: Storytellers Cafe

Favorite Disneyland Memory

Just seeing the kids' faces especially on things they've never seen before…they just loved every minute of it.

Today I'm joined by Kris and Kasey…and Kris is very honest in saying he was not at all excited about this Walt Disney World vacation. I know that a lot of you are in this exact same situation. You are aching to bring your kids to Walt Disney World, or go yourself of course, and your spouse or significant other, or partner in crime just is not there with you and doesn't think that this is a vacation that they would enjoy. They're resisting it even.

Kris's honesty is really important because not all of us are raving Disney fans, and to see how their vacation unfolds is transformative.

Second of all, Kris and Kasey actually hired a VIP Tour service. Now I know that this isn't going to be in the budget for some of you, however, it's just fascinating to learn how a VIP service works. Now, to be clear, there's no affiliate relationship with this VIP Tour company. And it's not owned by Disney. We definitely wanted to give a very honest review of Kris and Kasey's experience with having a vip tour guide for their vacation.

Oh, and there's one more thing I forgot to mention. Kris and Kasey did not tell their kids that they were going to Florida until the morning of their trip. So if you are thinking about planning a surprise for your kids and want to see a true story of how that played out, then you are also going to enjoy this conversation.

Trip dates: October 11 – 14 (It was a Thursday to a Sunday, so they really only had two days in the parks.)

Resort: Disney's Wilderness Lodge 

Travel Party: Kris, Kasey, and their kids (ages 6 and 9)

Travel Agent: No

We are not very planful in general so we kind of wanted to wing the trip a little bit, but I knew that it was going to be hectic if we didn't have a little bit of a plan going into it. So we just booked our airfare and then did a separate booking of the passes and separate booking of the hotel.

What if my spouse doesn't want to go to Disney World? A Surprise Disney Trip Reveal The Itinerary Arrival Night

Magical Express 

Lyft  

Uber

Day Two: Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs

VIP concierge service

Two days and knowing some of my personality of not being a very patient individual and standing in line and also, sensitive towards our kids, she presented this idea not knowing anybody directly who has done it, but knowing people that know people that have done it…she pitched it as, if we're going to go and we're going to go for two days, let's go like rock stars and get everything we can out of it.

Everything you need to know about a VIP Tour Guide in Disney World

**NOTE: This experience was booked through a company not owned by Disney. You can also book private VIP tours directly through Disney.

Contemporary Resort 

Extra Magic Hours

Tony's Town Square Restaurant.

That was sub par. That was a little carb heavy and not very tasty.

Disney Springs

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'

Day Three: Disney's Hollywood Studios

That was the pinnacle point of getting this concierge service and having Kendra as a VIP Tour Guide.  We wouldn't get in that line. I wouldn't do it. We wouldn't have gone on that because we would have gotten there at 8:30 or 9:00 am. We would have walked up to that line and said 'this is a new ride', and looked at 160 minutes and went, 'nope, we're not doing that' Sorry.

Hollywood Brown Derby

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

A night at the resort

Artist Point

Favorite Table Service Restaurant

Kris: Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'

Kasey: Hollywood Brown Derby

Favorite Vacation Memories

A conversation I had with my daughter and spending time uninterrupted time with the family. As a Dad that works and with kids that are going to school and have activities and things…we got four days where, we ate three meals together and spent every waking moment together. I think that was by far the best part of it. Not to be too cheesy.

Now remember, Kris was the one that Kasey took years to convince to even go to Disney World.

Disney is magical. The [Cast Members] and everyone there owns it. I don't know how they get that type of culture amongst everyone, but they know it's magical. They made it feel like they built Disney for us. For our nine year old and our six year old to go and have a good time. Everyone saying hi to my daughter said, 'hi princess'…and the Storm Troopers talking to my son. It was pretty magical.

There is nothing to add to that, it's so well said.

When I asked Kasey her favorite memory, she said "Oh, that it actually happened."

She said because they did get the concierge service, it allowed her to just be completely present and not have to worry about if Kris is comfortable with the line situation… or if the kids are hungry, and she was able to just enjoy the whole vacation too.

Kris wants to sure you know he was sincere about what he was sharing and whenever he talks to a family member, he will use that leverage to say, "Hey, do it… spend the extra money to do it right."

I think if the average [Disney vacation] is five days, I feel like we got five days out of two days. I really think the value of it was a price well paid.

***Report the Magic is not affiliated with World Class VIP***

Today I'm joined by Jennifer and I have been so excited to share this with you for so many reasons. First of all, Jennifer is kind of a Disney Newbie. Although this wasn't her very first vacation to Walt Disney World, this was the very first trip she has planned herself. She just didn't grow up with Disney…they went as kids but only one time. If you're also planning your first trip, you'll be grateful for her insight. The other reason you want to keep reading, is that we are bringing you an introduction to runDisney! If you're a runner and you've never tried a runDisney race, or if you've never ran a step, but you're thinking "This is my year!" and you want to run through Disney World, then keep reading for all the details.

Trip dates: November 1 – 5 

Why she chose trip dates:  Jennifer's ambitious goal is to run every runDisney race in one season (a twelve month period) before her next birthday. How awesome is that?? She had a wonderful time running in April (when she first started running!) A friend had invited her to run Star Wars Rival Run Weekend and it was so much fun that she was hooked. In a big way. Jennifer has booked every race weekend through the Star Wars Rival Run Challenge in April 2019.

Resort Review: Coronado Springs and the Dolphin

Disney's Coronado 

 

MagicBand 

Amazon Prime Now  

Dolphin 

Marriott Rewards   

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 

Port Orleans, Riverside 

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend   

Beach Club  

International Gateway 

Trip Planning Details

Travel Party: Jennifer traveled to Orlando from Dallas and her sister met her from Buffalo. 

Disney Dining Plan: No 

Park Tickets: Annual Pass 

Memory Maker  

PhotoPass  

Tables in Wonderland – Yes.  Read more about Tables in Wonderland here. 

Lessons Jennifer learned while planning her first Walt Disney World vacation

Trip Planning Tools: The Internet.  Phil Gramlich You can read Phil's Insider Tips for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line here. You can learn more about dining in Walt Disney World with a food allergy here.

Last minute reservations at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom Everything you need to know about runDisney Becoming a runner

It was an absolute blast. It was super fun even getting up at 2:00 in the morning to go run.

runDisney: The details

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend  

Uber  

Lyft 

ESPN Wide World of Sports 

The Itinerary Arrival Day: ESPN Wide World of Sports and Epcot

Food & Wine Festival 

I wish I was hungrier. I would have pre-gamed better, ate way less during the day, and also probably worn stretchier pants.

Day Two: 5K and Magic Kingdom

I had only ridden it with my sister, the one that was with me. We're two years and two days apart in age, so we pretty much did everything together as kids. So I didn't want to do Haunted Mansion without her. (I didn't do it in April when I was there.) We jumped into the Haunted Mansion FastPass+ line, and we just rolled right in and it was awesome. It was just as amazing as it was a lot of years ago.

The rides aren't any smaller. They're not any lamer, you know, they're not like, 'oh, this was fun as a kid, but it's dumb as an adult' it's exactly as awesome as it was when I was eight or ten or however old I was.

Day Three: 10K and Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot

Garden Grill

There were kids around us. I'm pretty sure they were not as excited as we were because we just looked at each other and started shrieking!

Day Four: Half Marathon and Animal Kingdom

Two Course Challenge   

Disney Springs 

Favorite Vacation Memories

Jennifer's sister had a really hard time defining her favorite memory of this trip. However she did mention riding the Haunted Mansion together…they actually have two older siblings and the whole family drove down from western New York, six people in a wood paneled station wagon and it was as awesome as any trip you could imagine. Being able to relive those vivd memories in the Magic Kingdom was really special. Jennifer's favorite memory is also riding the Haunted Mansion. Riding it with the same person that she always rode with as a kid, because they were always paired together in a family of six. Their two older siblings rode together or one rode with their Mom and the other with their Dad, but Jennifer and her Sister always rode together. So getting back in the Dune buggy together was just so awesome. Her other favorite memory was at Animal Kingdom. As you look at the Tree of Life, there's a kiosk literally right on the left (as you're walking down towards the tree), where they stopped to get Mickey ice cream bars because that was their favorite snack is a kid. The two sisters just stood there, staring at this tree, just talking with each other, eating Mickey bars. Finally Jennifer has a photo of her standing in front of the Tree of Life with all of her medals from the weekend. What a perfect souvenir!

<>

Today I'm joined by Amy who blogs at Meet Me in Tomorrowland and she shares incredible details about multigenerational trips, which I think is just really helpful because planning a trip with a big extended family has a lot of extra details that you need to think about.

Amy has been diagnosed with Celiac disease, so she also shares information about food allergies in Walt Disney World and how you handle them. Food allergies are such a serious topic and can cause anxiety and her perspective, knowledge and expertise around food allergies and your vacation is invaluable. 

Trip Dates: October 28 - November 3

Resort Review: Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village

Disney's Boardwalk Villas 

Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village 

Sanaa

Trip Planning Details

Travel Party: Amy and her husband, her brother and her brother's girlfriend, Amy's father and Stepmother, her Grandmother, Aunt and Uncle 

Travel Agent: No - Amy books through Disney Vacation Club

Disney vacation club does an amazing job making sure that we have everything we need, that we have access to anything we might want and that we find out information about things you might not have known about before the trip. Their goal is to make sure that you have the perfect trip every time you come down.

Tickets: Most of the travel party had Annual Passes

Memory Maker: Yes (Included with the Annual Pass)

Disney Dining Plan: No - Tables in Wonderland

Dining in Disney World with a Food Allergy

The Itinerary

Arrival Day: Hollywood Studios

Amy's Pro Tip: The credit card you use at check-in can be a security guarantee. Then at the end of your vacation, before you checkout, you can pay down your balance with Disney gift cards! This is a fantastic way to save money on your vacation because you can purchase Disney gift cards at a discounted rate at places like Raise, Target using your Red Card, BJs. 

This is a great article about saving money with Disney gift cards.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

FastPass+:  Alien Swirling Saucers

K'nex

Disney's Character Warehouse

Orlando Premium Outlets. 

Uber 

Lyft 

This is a great article if you would like to learn more about Disney's Character Warehouse.

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. 

Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant Review

Day Two: Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs

FastPass+: Slinky Dog Dash

Le Cellier

Cookes of Dublin

I have an unhealthy obsession with the new Disney dress shop and I may have spent way too much money in adorable dapper outfit.

Day Three: Epcot's Food & Wine Festival and Sanaa

Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Amy highly recommends getting reservations for this because it does sell out (Call for Reservations (407) 939-7529).

Day Four: Epcot and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

What's a Magic Shot? Click here for a great article which explains everything you need to know about Magic Shots.

Attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party...ON Halloween!

Halloween party

Teal Pumpkin Project

spot for the parade

Day Five: Magic Kingdom and Ohana

Halloween to Christmas

Ohana Review: Gluten Free Dining

Ohana

Day Six: Animal Kingdom

FastPass+: Avatar Flight of Passage

Amy's Pro Tip: The reason they had their Avatar Flight of Passage FastPass+ so late in the week is because when you get up early the morning that your FastPass+ booking window opens (either 30 or 60 days before your arrival day), start with the farther end of your week first. Everyone's going to be starting with their first day to and work through them systematically. Start out with your farthest day of your vacation first. If you do this, you are more likely to get those hard-to-get-FastPasses.

For additional information on this strategy, read this article.

Donald's Dino-Bash

Restaurantosaurus and lounge

Paddlefish Dining Review

Paddlefish

Departure Day: Magic Kingdom

Amy's Favorite Restaurant: Table Service and Quick Service 

Sci-Fi Dine in Theater

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Favorite Vacation memories

Definitely seeing those Christmas decorations for the first time. No matter how many times you have been there to see the big change over from one holiday to another, it is just spectacular. And you just stand there and think how hard these people must have worked all night to change this park over to be this whole new park in just a matter of hours. So that was really cool. 

Decorating Disney

Learn more about Amy

You can learn more about Amy and how to vacation in Disney World with food allergies at Meet Me in Tomorrowland. Make sure to follow Amy on Instagram!

**Report the Magic is not affiliated with Meet Me in Tomorrowland**

Today I'm joined by Missy Khamvongsa, the co-founder of the Facebook group, Disney Planning for Disney Friends. If you're not yet a member, you need to head over right this minute. It's a very friendly group, full of really helpful Disney planning information. Missy also blogs at Magic of Mainstreet with her husband, Franklin, and they know Walt Disney World like the back of their hands. I'm not kidding.

If you have ever wondered how an expert does Disney, today is your lucky day!

 

Missy's Disney Journey...to 30,000 Facebook group members

Disney Planning for Disney Friends 

Trip Dates: October 11 - 21

Trip Planning Details

Travel Party: Missy, her husband, Franklin, their one-year-old Emma; Missy's sister; Franklin's sister, her husband, their seven-year-old son, Tanner; and Missy's Dad and Stepmom (later in the week).

Annual Passholders at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Memory Maker

Boardwalk Villas 

Hard Rock Hotel - Universal Orlando

If you are looking for an agent you can email Brook at [email protected] or find her on Facebook.

Food & Wine Festival.

Everything you need to know about Tables in Wonderland

Tables in Wonderland 

Missy's Pro Tip: For really big groups, use it for all the adults in the group and then pay regular price for kids' meals.

Everything you need to know about a Disney Fine Art Photography photo shoot

Disney Fine Art Photography photo shoot  

Disney Parks Disability Access Service Card  - A user's experience

Disability Access Service Card (DAS)  

The Itinerary: 10/11 - 10/21

Arrival Day:

Missy's Pro Tip: Alamo Rental Car (Alamo Insiders)

Missy's family purposefully rented a minivan so it would fit all seven of them. For a minivan, Missy's pro tip is to rent with Alamo and make a reservation for a full-size car and then also a minivan reservation. If you become an Alamo Insider, you can the skip the line! So head straight to the garage and in the Orlando Airport many times there are minivans in the full-size aisle. When Missy arrived, there were two or three minivans sitting in the full-size aisle. You can then do a quick online check-in drive off to Walt Disney World, saving hundreds on your reservation that way.

ESPN Club

Day Two: Epcot and Disney Springs

Missy's Pro Tip: Food & Wine Festival is a very local event. And so from about 3:00 PM on Friday until about Sunday morning, you will not find her at Epcot.

The Boathouse 

Day Three: Disney's Hollywood Studios,  Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, and Magic Kingdom

Toy Story Land

Woody's Lunch Box  

Raspberry Lunch Box Tart 

Breakfast Bowl  

Smoked Turkey Breakfast sandwich 

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Fort Wilderness)

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue 

Minnie Van 

Lyft 

Magic Kingdom

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 

Fireworks Dessert Party 

Day Four: Epcot and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Garden Grill Review

Garden Grill 

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party: Missy's strategy

 The Plaza

Cadaver Dans

Missy's Pro Tip: Grab a spot near the Frontierland bridge, looking across the water at Haunted Mansion and the fireworks explode over Haunted Mansion.

Day Five: Bon Voyage Breakfast, Epcot (and Blizzard Beach), and Morimoto Asia

Bon Voyage breakfast

Uber  

Lyft 

Royale Breakfast

Missy's Pro Tip: If you are in the mood for waffles, there are waffles on the kid's menu. If you ask for an adult portion, they will most likely oblige and bring scrambled eggs and perhaps sausage as an adult platter. No guarantees, but worth asking if your heart is set on waffles.

Blizzard Beach 

Le Cellier

Morimoto Asia 

Peking Duck

Missy's Pro Tip: You can also get Kakuni Pork Bao from the Street Food window outside!

Day Six: Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot

Hollywood & Vine  

Jedi Training 

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria 

International Gateway 

Day Seven: Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Kilmanjaro Safaris 

Avatar Flight of Passage

Navi River Journey 

Expedition Everest  

Rainforest Cafe 

Minnie's Seasonal Dining 

Frozen Sing-Along Celebration 

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party, which Missy gives rave reviews. 

Day Eight: Magic Kingdom and O'hana

Peter Pan's Flight 

O'hana 

Day Nine: Transfer Day to Hard Rock Cafe Hotel, Universal Studios, and CityWalk

Hard Rock Hotel

Express Pass 

Diagon Alley

interactive wand 

The Cowfish 

CityWalk

Annual Passes 

Day Ten: Islands of Adventure and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Despicable Me character breakfast 

Three Broomsticks 

Hot Butterbeer 

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Favorite Vacation memories

"There were a few times where Emma's reactions were just amazing. The first time that she saw the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. It was just Me and her, everyone else was on either Star Tours or Rock'n'Roller coaster and so I took her to see the Frozen Sing-Along for the first time. We sat in the second row and the curtain comes up and she recognizes the music and then Anna comes on stage and she just starts yelling, 'Anna' and reaching out for her. And it was just, it was incredible. I was worried that maybe she would get antsy because it's a 30 minute show. She was mesmerized the whole time. It was a great experience.

And then her reaction to Vampirina that we talked about earlier when we did the Hollywood & Vine breakfast was amazing. Oh, and at Royal Sommerhus at Epcot for her to meet Anna and Elsa. We were the first in our group to go into the room. And so there was one family meeting with Elsa and Anna was waiting on the other side and Emma saw that they were in the room and her eyes got wide and she's just yelling, 'Anna, Elsa' and Anna was waving at her and she was waving back. We learned we could just put her down next to the character and they would sit on the floor and the interaction that she would have with just her and them was just incredible.

And just watching that, I started crying. My sister made fun of me because I just had tears streaming down my face because it was so lovely to see."

Learn more about Missy

www.magicofmainstreet.com

 Disney Planning for Disney Friends

Missy'sFacebook page

Today I chatted with Kevin from Debt Free Happens, who just happened to find himself in Orlando for FinCon.  As the good Disney opportunist would, he jumped at that chance and planned ONE day to visit all four parks. So many conventions and sports competitions are hosted in Orlando, and it's not always possible to combine those with a full Disney vacation. This doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the flight and proximity and sneak away to the parks...even if it's just for one day! Kevin also has a lot of really great budgeting tips from his day at Walt Disney World to share, so you are sure to find gold here to help you plan your next Disney vacation.

The Plan: Four Disney Parks in One Day Trip Planning Details

Resort: Rosen Shingle Creek First time to Walt Disney World? Yes for both Kevin and his wife, Erin Memory Maker: No (Decision was based on prioritizing time on rides.) Planning tools: Purchasing tickets - Disney's site; Disney Food Blog (specifically YouTube videos); Unlocking the Magic podcast Tickets: One day Park Hopper + Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party ticket Planning tips: 

• Whoever's best with maps in your party, have them study each park intensely and learn where the rides are so that you're not sitting there trying to figure it out when you're at any of these parks.
• The Tuesday before they went, they watched the wait times during the day on My Disney Experience. This gave an idea of what to expect on a Tuesday. The key is you can't watch a Saturday and prepare for a Tuesday.
• If you purchase anything and are staying on property, have your packages sent to your resort! This is completely complimentary. If you are staying off property, you can have them sent to the front of the park at no charge (or sent home for an additional fee) which is super helpful when you are trying to dash through all four parks in one day.

Tips for packing your park bag for Disney World

Kevin's tip for bringing bags to Disney World is that first of all, you absolutely need one, and second, avoid a bigger backpack (he recommends a smaller drawstring backpack).  They actually brought two and made sure one was waterproof, which was less than $10 on Amazon. The additional benefit of having a small drawstring bag is they easily fit in the pouches in ride vehicles.  This actually makes boarding and departing much quicker!

What to pack:

1. Ponchos - Kevin feels strongly about stretching your budget and not purchasing the more expensive version Disney offers.
2. Dramamine
3. Sunblock
4. Hats (make sure to take them off for fast rides!)
5. Snacks
6. Extra socks
7. Ziploc baggies

How packing Dramamine saved the day

First of all, there are three different products. There's the original Dramamine, which everyone talks about, but that makes you sleepy. Drowsiness is not an option if you are fitting all four parks into one day! So there's a less drowsy version, which you can take one to two per 24 hours. There's also a non-drowsy version which is basically just concentrated ginger tablets and you can take four of those per 24 hours. Although Kevin mixed those, we are not medical professionals, so you probably want to consult your physician. We are just sharing what worked for Kevin. He also wore Sea-Bands on each wrist. Although these tools made a massive difference in how motion-sickness affected his day, he still had to monitor how he was feeling and make adjustments to the sequence of rides to make sure he didn't get too sick. Simulations, It's a Small World, and Spaceship Earth were actually the worst.

The Itinerary

Because this was a party day, purchasing a party ticket allowed them to start the day at rope-drop and end at the close of the party (midnight).

First park: Animal Kingdom

Even though the park's posted opening was 9:00 am, they ended up opening up at 8:00 am for everyone headed to Pandora (either Navi River Journey or Flight of Passage). The Cast Members slowly walk you back to Pandora. This strategy was a huge success - Kevin and Erin were OFF of Flight of Passage at 8:55 am. They were able to do the most popular ride in the park before the park even opened (and without FastPasses!) Their next ride was Kilimanjaro Safaris because the animals are out more in the morning (or maybe late in the day). FastPasses:

• Expedition Everest
• Dinosaur
• Navi River Journey

First meal of the day: Satu'li Canteen based on the recommendation from The Disney Food Blog.

Second park: Hollywood Studios

Transportation: Bus from Animal Kingdom to Hollywood Studios (arrival at 1:30 pm)

Third park: Epcot

Transportation: Because they were told a bus would be a 20-minute ride, Kevin opted to walk. Due to the construction and the heat, Kevin actually found this walk quite challenging and was one of two regrets of the day. The walk ended up taking 40 minutes (arrival at 5:15 pm).

Fourth park: Magic Kingdom (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party)

Transportation: Monorail - Kevin wanted to point out that he was unaware that in all of his planning, he did not know that the monorail does not take you directly from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom.  Instead, it drops you off at the Ticket and Transportation Center. At this point, you take another monorail from the ticketing center over to the Magic Kingdom (arrival 7:00 pm).

Budgeting tips for Walt Disney World

Although the day is quite expensive and unfortunately the cost of the tickets is a significant expense, Kevin and Erin have worked hard to eliminate debt and they certainly were going to keep that mindset in planning their Disney day. He has kindly provided budgeting tips and advice he acquired while planning his Disney trip.

• Regarding the cost of the tickets, the best advice is to look at the calendar and review peak times and off-peak times. Kevin visited during an off-peak time, so he was able to save a few dollars on tickets.
• Consider staying off-property, as those resorts and hotels are generally less expensive.
• Do not go into debt in order to do a Disney vacation. Disney is not going anywhere anytime soon. You're going to have a much more enjoyable time if you're not sitting here worried about whether or not you can make the minimum payment on your credit card when you get home. Disney World, when you pay cash for it, is way more fun than when you're going into debt for it.
• If you're not staying on property, you don't have to have a Magic Band. Disney gives you a card, don't lose it because that would disrupt your day, so don't feel the need to spend additional dollars for Magic Bands for each person in your party.  That will really add up!
• Drink the free water! It's available at any Quick Service or cart with fountain beverages in the parks and resorts. You can bring a refillable water bottle if you would like to, just stay hydrated.
• Bring snacks.
• Consider not eating breakfast at the resort. If you're staying at an offsite hotel and they have a continental breakfast, of course, take advantage of that. If not, bring a box of cereal or have groceries shipped to your resort (we recommend Shipt or Amazon Prime Now). By eliminating one meal a day, you're going to save a ton of money. Breakfast alone can save hundreds of dollars depending on the size of your family, and you can take it one step further by getting some bread and making peanut butter and jelly and having those for lunch.
• Ponchos - Kevin's wife bought theirs at Walmart for $.97 each. They brought four ponchos: two for Kali River Rapids and two if they were to get caught in the rain during the day.
• Try to skip the gift shops at the ride exists and buy souvenirs at Disney outlets instead.
• Pack your park bag at home, then you are less likely to forget something. If you pack it and home and realize you are not checking sunscreen off your list, for example, it will be much less expensive to buy it at home as opposed to the parks!

Uber or Lyft?

Uber Lyft Minnie Vans (operated by Lyft) - photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog[/caption]

Kevin's Favorite Park Oh Man, I don't know, you know, our Epcot experience was stunted...So each one is so unique. I guess I would say we had the least amount of expectations for Hollywood Studios and that was the biggest surprise. More about Kevin and Debt Free Happens

Debt Free Happens was created to share Kevin and Erin's experience of paying off over $107,000 of debt in less than three years. And don't think they made $200,000 a year to accomplish that massive goal. They actually made $83,000 combined in the beginning and then $170,000 in the end (two incomes combined). What you will like best about Debt Free Happens is that Kevin is open and honest with the mistakes that they've made in the past because they truly want to get you headed in the right direction. Their goal is to help you find a financially independent life and not let the fear of your debt paralyze you.

Just never underestimate what you're able to do in your life, what you're able to do for yourself what you're able to do for others, you know, despite whatever happened in the past. Do know that there's always an opportunity to be able to make changes and to go forward and live that life that you really want to.

You can find Kevin at Debt Free Happens, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

**Report the Magic is not affiliated with Debt Free Happens**

I had a fantastic chat with Amanda who vacationed to Walt Disney World in September with her husband and her brother. We discussed a lot of details, especially around the free dining promotion and the Disney Dining Plan. She also gave a great review of Saratoga Springs, so we talked a lot about that lesser-known resort, which I think is really helpful. We dove into Food and Wine Festival just a little bit and Amanda shares her FastPass+ strategies. Just wait until you hear the most FastPasses she has ever gotten in one day. Get ready.

Is Disney World just for kids?

So many people ask, can I go as an adult (without kids) or is that weird? A lot of people think that Disney World is just for kids and Amanda's brother was one of those people. He thought that Walt Disney World was just a place for kids and he wasn't going to enjoy it, but it really is just somewhere that you can go and relax and enjoy yourself. They've truly got something for everyone. It's fantastic.

Resort Review: Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Two-bedroom Villa, DVC (Disney Vacation Club) (I highly recommend Shipt or Amazon Prime Now for grocery delivery to the Disney World resorts.)  Disney Springs

Trip Planning Details

Park Hopper: Yes

Memory Maker: Yes Make sure you ask for Magic Shots!

Disney Dining Plan: Yes

Dining reservations:

• Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' in Disney Springs.
• Yak and Yeti in Animal Kingdom.
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant in Hollywood Studios.
• Rose & Crown Dining Room in Epcot.

Also, many Walt Disney World restaurants are available on Open Table.  If you can't get a reservation on My Disney Experience, check Open Table!

FastPass+ Strategy: This was the first time Amanda has vacationed to Hollywood studios since Toy Story Land opened, so Slinky Dog Dash and Alien Swirling Saucers were first on her list. She was up 7:00 AM EST, 60 days out because she was staying on property.

Favorite time of year in Walt Disney World: Food and Wine Festival time. 

The Itinerary: 9/2 - 9/8 Day 1: Animal Kingdom & Epcot

• Breakfast at the hotel
• FastPasses for Kali River Rapids, UP! A Great Bird Adventure, and Dinosaur
• Late lunch reservations for Yak and Yeti
• Epcot: Stroll around the Food and Wine Festival

Day 2: Magic Kingdom 

• FastPasses for Peter Pan's Flight, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (all before 12)
• 2:30 pm lunch at The Plaza Restaurant: This was Amanda's first time dining there, and she absolutely loved it.

Day 3: Disney Springs, Animal Kingdom & Magic Kingdom

• Lunch at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'
• FastPasses for Flight of Passage, Kali River Rapids, and Expedition Everest
• Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace

Happily Ever After Dessert Party

Day 4: Hollywood Studios

• FastPasses: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (11:00 to 12:00), Slinky Dog Dash (5:00 to 6:00), Tower of Terror (7:30 to 8:30)
• Late lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater Restaurant

Day 5: Epcot

• Food and Wine Festival: Favorite dish: Charcuterie in a Cone (Amanda's husband's favorite!)
• FastPasses: Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival, Soarin', and Living with the Land
• 12:00 pm lunch reservations at Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room

Day 6: Hollywood Studios

• FastPasses: Star Tours, Slinky Dog Dash, and Tower of Terror
• Woody's Lunch Box

Day 7: Disney Springs and Resort pools

• Chicken Guy!  and The Daily Poutine (one of Amanda's all-time favorites!)
• Swimming at the Disney resorts
• Tip: Your Magic Band will give you access to your hotel until midnight the day you check out. They really want you to enjoy everything until the last minute that you have to go.

Amanda's FAVORITE RESTAURANT: QUICK SERVICE AND TABLE SERVICE

Quick Service: The Daily Poutine, Friars Nook, and Woody's Lunch Box Table Service: Ohana for breakfast, Crystal Palace, and Rose and Crown

Amanda's Favorite Vacation Memory

The fireworks dessert party at Magic Kingdom!

"I really hope it's something that everyone can experience at least once when they go to Disney because it was so relaxing and just such a magical way to experience the fireworks. It was just so special. We loved every minute of it. We really did." Book your next vacation with Amanda

If you found Amanda's tips helpful, book your next vacation with her!

You can also find Amanda on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

**Report the Magic is not affiliated with Amanda Perkins**

What if you could sit down over a delicious cup of coffee [a grande Blonde Vanilla Latte for me please] and plan your dream Disney Vacation with your closest friends.  And what if those closest friends just happen to have the exact same number of kids as you, and they're even the same ages.  And what if those closest friends went on their Disney vacation the exact same time of year, at the same resort, and ate at the "best restaurants in Disney"… 

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL FIND HERE AT REPORT THE MAGIC.   

Families that are just returning from their dream Disney vacation and sharing all the details.  The best food they ate.  Their biggest regret.  Which Fastpass was a MUST and what strategy they used for meeting the most characters. 

BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS, EVERY SINGLE FAMILY IS UNIQUE.

Okay, I admit that is not a mic-drop revelation.

Let me explain. I have been a massive fan of Disney planning podcasts and blogs for years. I mean since before podcasts graduated to their own app on the iPhone and before blogs were cool.

AND WHEN I SAY "MASSIVE FAN OF DISNEY PODCASTS"…WE ARE TALKING DEVOTION HERE PEOPLE.

I still have my favorites.  They are absolutely filled with valuable information, and I get all the inside jokes. But the advice and recommendations are always with the point of view of the podcasters.

So here's what happened.

I cheated on my favorite Disney podcast and listened to a new Disney podcast.

WOAH.

In the very first episode I listened to, this new podcaster was loving a restaurant that I had sworn to never step foot into because the first podcast told me it was inedible.

In that one minute, I realized that each family in all of their unique glory needs differing opinions.  What if I always tell you that you MUST get a Fastpass to Soarin' or your vacation is ruined [you should, by the way, it's amazing], but you are 100% terrified of heights.  How does this help you?  It doesn't.

Instead, what you will find at Report the Magic, is a new, fresh trip report from families of all shapes and sizes.  Solo travelers, adults only, one kiddo, or eight.  You are all welcome here, and we can't wait to help you plan your dream Disney vacation.

The logistics: episodes will be published every Monday and most will be trip reports from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, and even Disneyland Paris.  

Please join us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter!

Welcome.

Cheers,

Kirsten

We welcome your feedback!  Please email [email protected]