Category Tips & Tricks

Sep 22 2017

TouringPlans – The Best Of Walt Disney World For Preschoolers

Welcome back to Part 2 of my blog series on TouringPlans – The Best of Walt Disney World! In case you missed it, over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing with you the top picks in attractions for various groups of travelers visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks. Last time we discussed favorites for babies, and next up are the adorable preschoolers. When checking out the list, keep in mind each attraction that made the cut scored at least four stars by the preschoolers surveyed. Please click here to read my latest TouringPlans article for a full list of The Best of Walt Disney World for preschoolers!

Have you traveled to Walt Disney World with a preschooler?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
Feb 20 2017

Helpful Information For Your March 2017 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in March 2017?
March is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Springtime MinnieWeather

The weather in Disney World during March can be beautiful. The average high is about 78 degrees, the average low is about 54 degrees and the average rainfall is about 4.01 inches. March is the fifth rainiest month of the year with generally mild temperatures. Hurricane season has not yet begun, however there are the occasional severe storms with tornadoes during this time of year. Remember that although it can reach the upper 70’s by afternoon, low 50’s waiting for the bus in the morning can be very chilly, especially given the high humidity levels in Florida.

Crowds

In years past, March typically began with moderate crowds and by mid-month when a lot of schools begin their Spring Breaks, the crowd levels became high. In 2017, crowd levels are expected to follow the same pattern due to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, St. Patrick’s Day, and Spring Break, so pack your patience!

March 1 – March 4
Average Crowd Level 5.8 out of 10
March  5 – March 11
Average Crowd Level 5.6 out of 10
March 12 – March 18
Average Crowd Level 7.3 out of 10
March  19 – March 25
Average Crowd Level 7.0 out of 10
March 26 – March 31
Average Crowd Level 6.7 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 11pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

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

Events

Epcot International Flower And Garden FestivalA wonderful part about visiting Disney World in March is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. In 2017, the event will run from March 1 – May 29 and features over 100 topiaries, interesting gardening demonstrations, beautiful flowers, weekend music concerts and several outdoor kitchens serving delicious foods and beverages. For more information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, please click here.

Raglan RoadFor an exciting St. Patrick’s Day celebration, head over to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs for music, food, and fun.

Refurbishments

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

Magic Kingdom
The Hall of Presidents: January 17 – June 29, 2017
Walt Disney World Railroad: January 9 – March 2, 2017

Epcot
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Hollywood Studios
Star Wars Land: Opening in 2019
Toy Story Land: Opening in 2018

Animal Kingdom
Pandora – The World of AVATAR: Opening May 27, 2017

Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon: December 25 – March 11, 2017

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Resort Hotels
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 March 2017, 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 March 2017 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!

Disney World Valentine's Day
Nov 30 2016

Helpful Information For Your February 2017 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in February 2017?
February is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Mickey Mouse Dressed For WinterWeather

The weather in Disney World during February can get chilly. The average high is about 73 degrees, the average low is about 50 degrees, and the average rainfall is about 2.71 inches. This is one the coldest months of the year, and it can sometimes drop into the 40’s. Be sure to pack accordingly!

Crowds

The crowds in February vary from low to high. President’s Day Weekend the crowds are high and during the rest of the month the crowds are low to moderate.

Magic Kingdom Welcome ShowFebruary 1 – February 4
Average Crowd Level  2 out of 10
February 5 – February 11
Average Crowd Level  1 out of 10
February 12 – February 18
Average Crowd Level  5 out of 10
February 19 – February 25
Average Crowd Level 10 out of 10
February 26 – February 28
Average Crowd Level 4 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 7pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 7pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

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

Events

spaceship-earth-at-nightDebuting in 2017 is the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. This event will run weekends until February 20, 2017 and will feature breathtaking works from Disney artists past and present, Broadway talent showcasing favorite Disney music, and Food Studios serving delicious culinary delights. For more information about the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, please click here.

Valentines DayIf you will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in Disney World, there are so many wonderful ways to enjoy the holiday. Try a couples treatment at one of the spas, a romantic fireworks cruise or dessert party, a delicious meal at one of the many signature restaurants, a cozy horse-drawn carriage ride at Fort Wilderness or Port Orleans, an exciting married proposal on the beach at the Polynesian Village Resort during Wishes, and then top your evening off with a thoughtful gift from Disney Floral delivered to right to your room like this adorable “Minnie’s Garden”. For more Valentine’s Day gift ideas from Disney Floral, please click here.

Refurbishments

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

Magic Kingdom
The Hall of Presidents: January 17 – June 29, 2017
Walt Disney World Railroad: January 9 – February 16, 2017

Epcot
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Hollywood Studios
Star Wars Land: Opening in 2020
Toy Story Land: Opening in 2018

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

Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon: December 25 – March 11, 2017

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Resort Hotels
All Star Music: Piano Pool December 12 – February 3, 2017
Old Key West: Sand Castle Pool January 2 – February 24, 2017
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 February 2017, 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 February 2017 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!

Oct 3 2016

501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation Giveaway Winner

The Winner

Congratulations to John who won an autographed copy of my book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation“. Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter and be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook to hear about more free giveaways!

What People Are Saying About “501 Ways”

“501 Ways… is a great book for planners, an easy read and it’s the type of book you can pick up to read in-between errands, waiting at appointments, while taking a work break, etc. It’s very easy to pick-up where you left off and continue expanding your Disney knowledge!”
– Terri of WDW Hints

“Kristi’s book is a great resource for Walt Disney World novices, as well as experienced travelers. Those of us who’ve been to Walt Disney World can attest – you can NEVER know everything about the parks, touring, planning, etc. and having a resource like 501 Ways is a great way to learn more about Walt Disney World, and also get yourself excited for your upcoming trip! And I have to say, Kristi’s final tip in the book is my absolute favorite; you’ll have to get a copy yourself to see what that is!”
– Katie of The Most Delightful Place

“If you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, you probably are a bit overwhelmed. I am a firm believer in that you can never have enough knowledge. I would recommend that you pick up Kristi’s book today, while you will never know all there is to know about Walt Disney World, this book will assist you in having an AMAZING Walt Disney World experience.”
– Jason of Man of the Mouse

“This little book is chock full of nifty and useful tips for a Walt Disney World vacation.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“This book is one of the best Disney World books that I’ve come across. Just exceptional! There’s so much information packed in it that everyone is bound to learn something that they didn’t know before.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“It is full of practical tips and is written to be both informative and entertaining as the author shares some of her family’s personal experiences.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“I’ve been to Walt Disney World somewhere between 20-30 times in the last 15 years, and even as a frequent visitor (who you might think “knows it all” – I don’t!), I got a lot of great tips and information from Kristi’s book.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“I have read a lot of books to prepare for our Disney trips. I’m a huge planner and this book is the best I have read yet! So many new tips I have never even considered. If you are a die hard trip prepper, this book is a must!!!”
– Amazon Customer Review

“This book had a lot of fantastic hints for my vacation. I had researched a lot of hints and this book still had many I had never seen anywhere else.”
– Amazon Customer Review

A Little About “501 Ways” – From The Back Cover

The difference between an average and a fantastic Walt Disney World vacation is in the details. And no matter how much you know, there’s still a lot you don’t know. Kristi Fredericks helps close the knowledge gap with her 501 ways to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on Earth.

Just a minute, you say. You’ve heard all the tips, you’ve read all the sites and all the books that promise to help you “make the most of” your Walt Disney World vacation. Are there really any new tips in here?

TouringPlans.com blogger Kristi Fredericks has come up with the Disney World travel tips book for people who are sick of Disney World travel tips books. Her 501 ways to make the most of your Disney vacation include:

  • How to ensure your trip will be a success before you leave home, by packing cheap, never-thought-of essentials from your local dollar store, setting up your iPhone as a personal Disney assistant, and much more
  • How to make the most of the four theme parks, by finding the best parade and photo-op spots, keeping little kids enchanted by Epcot, beating the crowds out of the parks, and much more
  • How to never run out of pixie dust, by keeping the kids entertained in lines, creating your own park “challenges”, treating the resort hotels as a fifth theme park, and many other “Mousecellaneous” tips
  • How Kristi herself used many of the tips and techniques in this book during her countless visits to Walt Disney World, as recounted in her humorous stories and anecdotes

You’re just 501 ways from the best Disney World vacation of your life! 

501 Ways
Please click this link to purchase your copy today!

Sep 30 2016

Last Chance – 501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation Giveaway

Last Chance

Friday, September 30 is the last day to enter to win an autographed copy of my new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation“!

What People Are Saying About “501 Ways”

“501 Ways… is a great book for planners, an easy read and it’s the type of book you can pick up to read in-between errands, waiting at appointments, while taking a work break, etc. It’s very easy to pick-up where you left off and continue expanding your Disney knowledge!”
– Terri of WDW Hints

“Kristi’s book is a great resource for Walt Disney World novices, as well as experienced travelers. Those of us who’ve been to Walt Disney World can attest – you can NEVER know everything about the parks, touring, planning, etc. and having a resource like 501 Ways is a great way to learn more about Walt Disney World, and also get yourself excited for your upcoming trip! And I have to say, Kristi’s final tip in the book is my absolute favorite; you’ll have to get a copy yourself to see what that is!”
– Katie of The Most Delightful Place

“If you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, you probably are a bit overwhelmed. I am a firm believer in that you can never have enough knowledge. I would recommend that you pick up Kristi’s book today, while you will never know all there is to know about Walt Disney World, this book will assist you in having an AMAZING Walt Disney World experience.”
– Jason of Man of the Mouse

“This little book is chock full of nifty and useful tips for a Walt Disney World vacation.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“This book is one of the best Disney World books that I’ve come across. Just exceptional! There’s so much information packed in it that everyone is bound to learn something that they didn’t know before.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“It is full of practical tips and is written to be both informative and entertaining as the author shares some of her family’s personal experiences.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“I’ve been to Walt Disney World somewhere between 20-30 times in the last 15 years, and even as a frequent visitor (who you might think “knows it all” – I don’t!), I got a lot of great tips and information from Kristi’s book.”
– Amazon Customer Review

“I have read a lot of books to prepare for our Disney trips. I’m a huge planner and this book is the best I have read yet! So many new tips I have never even considered. If you are a die hard trip prepper, this book is a must!!!”
– Amazon Customer Review

“This book had a lot of fantastic hints for my vacation. I had researched a lot of hints and this book still had many I had never seen anywhere else.”
– Amazon Customer Review

A Little About “501 Ways” – From The Back Cover

The difference between an average and a fantastic Walt Disney World vacation is in the details. And no matter how much you know, there’s still a lot you don’t know. Kristi Fredericks helps close the knowledge gap with her 501 ways to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on Earth.

Just a minute, you say. You’ve heard all the tips, you’ve read all the sites and all the books that promise to help you “make the most of” your Walt Disney World vacation. Are there really any new tips in here?

TouringPlans.com blogger Kristi Fredericks has come up with the Disney World travel tips book for people who are sick of Disney World travel tips books. Her 501 ways to make the most of your Disney vacation include:

  • How to ensure your trip will be a success before you leave home, by packing cheap, never-thought-of essentials from your local dollar store, setting up your iPhone as a personal Disney assistant, and much more
  • How to make the most of the four theme parks, by finding the best parade and photo-op spots, keeping little kids enchanted by Epcot, beating the crowds out of the parks, and much more
  • How to never run out of pixie dust, by keeping the kids entertained in lines, creating your own park “challenges”, treating the resort hotels as a fifth theme park, and many other “Mousecellaneous” tips
  • How Kristi herself used many of the tips and techniques in this book during her countless visits to Walt Disney World, as recounted in her humorous stories and anecdotes

You’re just 501 ways from the best Disney World vacation of your life!

The Giveaway

From now through Friday, September 30, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win an autographed copy of my book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation“. Just click the image below and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please tell your friends and family to enter too! 

501 Ways

Click image to enter!

Can’t wait and need to get the book right away?
Please click this link to purchase your copy today!

The Winner

Please check back on Monday, October 3, 2016 for the announcement of the winner! If you entered to win, be sure to check your email (including your Junk Folder) for a message with the subject line “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation Winner”!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World soon? Are you entering to win?
Please leave a comment and good luck, everyone!