Category Events

May 12 2016

2016 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets Now On Sale

Christmas

2016 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets are now on sale!

Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party include:

November 10 and 13: $86 plus tax (ages 10+), $81 plus tax (ages 3-9)
November 7, 8, 11, 15, and December 1: $91 plus tax (ages 10+), $86 plus tax (ages 3-9)
November 18, 27, 29, December 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 13: $92 plus tax (ages 10+), $87 plus tax (ages 3-9)
December 9 and 15: $96 plus tax (ages 10+), $91 plus tax (ages 3-9)
December 16, 18, and 22: $99 plus tax (ages 10+), $94 plus tax (ages 3-9)

The party is held at Magic Kingdom from 7pm to 12am.

Christmas

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a festive and heart warming experience for the entire family. There is a special holiday parade, entertaining shows, spectacular fireworks, hot chocolate and cookies, character dance parties and even snow on Main Street! My family and I had such a wonderful time when we attended the party and it definitely put us in the holiday spirit! You’ll want to purchase your tickets as soon as possible if you plan to attend, because they do sell out. Please click here to purchase now!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

May 11 2016

2016 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets Now On Sale

MNSSHP 1

2016 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets are now on sale!

Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party include:

September 2, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, and 25: $72 plus tax (ages 10+), $67 plus tax (ages 3-9)
September 29 and 30: $79 plus tax (ages 10+), $74 plus tax (ages 3-9)
September 23: $85 plus tax (ages 10+), $80 plus tax (ages 3-9)
October 2 and 6 $86 plus tax (ages 10+), $81 plus tax (ages 3-9)
October 4, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, and 27: $91 plus tax (ages 10+), $86 plus tax (ages 3-9)
October 7, 14, 21, 28, and 30: $95 plus tax (ages 10+), $90 plus tax (ages 3-9)
October 31: $105 plus tax (ages 10+), $100 plus tax (ages 3-9)

The party is held at Magic Kingdom from 7pm to 12am.

Halloween PartyI have been to this party several times and I would highly recommend it. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a lively and light-hearted experience and it is truly a family friendly event. There are special parades, exciting dance parties, stunning fireworks, and tons of trick-or-treating stations filled with candy for everyone! Adults and children alike really get into the spirit of the event by dressing in costume, trick-or-treating, and dancing the night away with all of the characters. You’ll want to purchase your tickets as soon as possible if you plan to attend, because they do sell out. Please click here to purchase now!

This year Disney has revised its costume policy (from the official website):

While we encourage creativity, we also value safety and good judgement. Please take a moment to read over our latest rules and regulations:

General:

  • Halloween Party 1Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests.
  • All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
  • Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable or violent.
  • Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon.
  • Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
  • Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.

For Guests ages 13 and under:

  • Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long as the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.

For Guests ages 14 and older:

  • Halloween Party 2Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.
  • Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground. (e.g. full-length Princess dresses)
  • Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
  • Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, and hats are acceptable.
  • Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic light sabers, toy swords, and tutus. Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
  • May not wear masks of any kind.

 Here’s a little video from the party to get you in the spirit!

Have you been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? What did you think?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Halloween Party
Apr 11 2016

Helpful Information For Your October 2016 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in October 2016?
October is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during October is mild and mostly dry. The average high is about 84 degrees, the average low is about 66 degrees and the average rainfall is about 2.52 inches. The evenings can get a little chilly, so be sure to pack a few of your favorite Disney hoodies!

Crowds

The crowds in October are still fairly low as kids are back in school. However, several school districts throughout the US have a short fall break during the month of October that can sometimes cause the crowd levels to rise slightly especially over the weekends.

Magic Kingdom Welcome ShowOctober 1
Average Crowd Level 5.0 out of 10
October 2 – October 8
Average Crowd Level 4.6 out of 10
October 9 – October 15
Average Crowd Level 5.9 out of 10
October 16 – October 22
Average Crowd Level 5.3 out of 10
October 23 – October 29
Average Crowd Level 4.3 out of 10
October 30 – October 31
Average Crowd Level 3.5 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 7:30pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 5pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during October, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

MNSSHP 1On select nights in October, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a lively, light-hearted, family friendly event. There are special parades, exciting dance parties, stunning fireworks and tons of trick-or-treating stations filled with candy for everyone! Adults and children alike really get into the spirit of the event by dressing in costume, trick-or-treating and dancing the night away with all of the characters. For more information, please click here.

Epcot International Food & Wine FestivalOne of the best things about visiting Disney World in October is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. No details for the 2016 event have been released yet, but last year’s festival featured 270 chefs and included more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts. Check back often for more updates about this fabulous celebration. In the meantime for some fun facts about the Food and Wine Festival, please click here.

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during October (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: August 8 – November 19, 2016

Epcot
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Hollywood Studios
Pizza Planet: January 11 – November 2016
Star Wars Land: Opening in 2018
Toy Story Land: Opening in 2018

Animal Kingdom
Pandora – The World of AVATAR: Opening in 2017

Water Parks
Blizzard Beach: October 23 – December 24, 2016

Disney Springs
Fulton’s Crab House: May 1 – December 31, 2016

Resort Hotels
Walt Disney World Dolphin: Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2017
Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit To Be Completed In 2017

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in October 2016, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
  • Halloween MagicYOURBandIf you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
  • Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your October 2016 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Join The Fun

Next Disney VacationDisney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!

Spaceship Earth
Apr 5 2016

Helpful Information For Your September 2016 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in September 2016?
September is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during September is warm and mildly rainy. The average high is about 90 degrees, the average low is about 72 degrees and the average rainfall is about 5.09 inches. You can expect a little rain during your vacation, so be sure to bring your poncho!

Crowds

The crowds in September drop dramatically as kids head back to school. This month has the lowest crowd levels of the year.

Magic Kingdom Welcome ShowSeptember 1 – September 3
Average Crowd Level 2.7 out of 10
September 4 – September 10
Average Crowd Level 2.7 out of 10
September 11 – September 17
Average Crowd Level 2.6 out of 10
September 18 – September 24
Average Crowd Level 3.4 out of 10
September 25 – September 30
Average Crowd Level 3.0 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 5pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during September, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

Wide World of Sports 1On September 9 and 10 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, soak up the spirited sounds of a contemporary music festival featuring performances by Christian superstars in rock, pop and gospel during the Night of Joy.

MNSSHP 1On select nights beginning in September, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a lively, light-hearted, family friendly event. There are special parades, exciting dance parties, stunning fireworks and tons of trick-or-treating stations filled with candy for everyone! Adults and children alike really get into the spirit of the event by dressing in costume, trick-or-treating and dancing the night away with all of the characters. For more information, please click here.

Epcot International Food & Wine FestivalEpcot’s International Food and Wine Festival will begin on September 14. No details for the 2016 event have been released yet, but last year’s festival featured 270 chefs and included more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts. Check back often for more updates about this fabulous celebration. In the meantime for some fun facts about the Food and Wine Festival, please click here.

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during September (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: August 8 – November 19, 2016
“it’s a small world”: August 22 – September 15, 2016
Swiss Family Treehouse: July 7 – September 24, 2016

Epcot
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Big Thunder Mountain RailroadHollywood Studios
Pizza Planet: January 11 – November 2016
Star Wars Land: Opening in 2018
Toy Story Land: Opening in 2018

Animal Kingdom
Pandora – The World of AVATAR: Opening in 2017

Water Parks
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Disney Springs
Fulton’s Crab House: May 1 – December 31, 2016

Resort Hotels
Boardwalk Inn: Flying Fish Café February 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016
Walt Disney World Dolphin: Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2017
Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit To Be Completed In 2017

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in September 2016, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
  • Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your September 2016 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Join The Fun

Next Disney VacationDisney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!

Apr 4 2016

Epcot 2016 Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Bands Announced

Sounds Like Summer 2

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Returns To Epcot!

If you plan to visit Disney World this summer, here is some exciting news! Disney has just released the information about which bands will be appearing in the Epcot Sounds Like Summer Concert Series that runs from June 5 – July 23, 2016. Three new acts will make their Sounds Like Summer concert series debut this summer. Bands paying tribute to the music of Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner and Bruce Springsteen are part of the seven-week event in World Showcase for the first time. Here’s the current lineup (subject to change without notice):

  • June 5 – 11: Don’t Look Back – A Tribute to Boston
  • June 12 – 18: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
  • June 19 – 24: New! Rumours – A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band
  • June 25 – July 1: New! Simply Tina – A Tribute to Tina Turner
  • July 2 – 9: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to the Bee Gees
  • July 10 – 16: New! Bruce in the USA – A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen
  • July 17 – 23: DSB – A Tribute to Journey

Performances will be at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm daily and are included with Epcot admission.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you attended a Sounds Like Summer Concert? Are you going this year?
Who are you most excited to see? Please leave a comment!