Tag Archives: News

Apr 30 2015

A Disney Vacation Account Can Help Make Your Dreams Come True

Disney Vacation Account

Visiting Disney World can be an expensive proposition and one that can feel out of reach for many. But just like obtaining any goal or dream, it helps to break it down into smaller steps along the way. Disney offers a very helpful tool called the Disney Vacation Account that can assist you in saving for your dream vacation. Here’s the scoop from WDW News on this beneficial resource:

A magical way for aspiring guests to make their Disney vacation dreams a reality is Disney Vacation Account, a savings program that allows participants to plan and save for their dream Disney vacation.

Disney Vacation Account provides easy to use online tools to help participants estimate the cost of their Disney vacation based on current prices (prices are subject to change) and manage a savings plan that is right for them and their budget. As excitement builds toward the Big Day, participants save at their own pace – a little at a time — toward the goal of their dream Disney trip, making contributions using their debit, credit or Disney gift card.

Disney Vacation AccountThere are no fees to create or maintain an account. There’s even the incentive of Disney Gift Cards. Open a Disney Vacation Account and use it to pay for a vacation before December 31, 2017 (date subject to extension) and you’ll be eligible for a $20 Disney Gift Card for every $1,000 spent on qualified Disney vacation purchases. Certain limitations apply.* Participants must request the cards 4-6 weeks in advance of their vacation to allow time for delivery to their mailing addresses.

Disney Vacation Account contributions may be used to pay for pre-arrival vacation packages, cruise fare and hotel reservations at Disney-owned and operated resorts in the following destinations:

  • Disneyland Resort in California
  • Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Adventures by Disney
  • Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai’i

Disney Vacation AccountAt any time, participants can manage their accounts by visiting DisneyVacationAccount.com and track their savings progress on their very own webpage.

In order to create a Disney Vacation Account, you must be a resident of one of the 50 states, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least the age of majority. Participants can set up automatic ongoing contributions every week, every other week or monthly or make one-time contributions from their debit or credit card.

What savings they build may be used at any time to pay for a Disney vacation. Users can start the process as far as five years in advance of their vacation. The minimum savings to open an account is $10.

Disney Vacation Account may be used again and again, too. Once guests apply their savings towards their vacation, guests can use their account to begin planning their next Disney getaway and start saving toward it. Disney does not impose an expiration date on account savings and leftover or unused savings are completely refundable at any time.

*Maximum of a total of $500 in Disney Gift Card(s) per household. Your Disney Vacation Account must be active for a minimum of 120 days at the time of spending in order to receive this bonus.

501 WaysThinking About A Walt Disney World Vacation?

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

Have you used a Disney Vacation Account?
Was it helpful to you? Please leave a comment!

Apr 29 2015

Ways To Kick Off The Coolest Summer Ever At Disney World

Countdown

Disney World is bringing back the
24-hour event to kick off the “Coolest Summer Ever”!

This Memorial Day weekend, Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World will be open 24 hours from 6am Friday, May 22 to 6am Saturday, May 23. Guests are invited to come in costume to show their Disney Side while a huge selection of favorite attractions, entertainment, themed merchandise, foods, and beverages will be available all night to celebrate the beginning of the “Coolest Summer Ever” at Disney World. This fantastic event will feature character meet and greets, dance parties, plus more fun-filled surprises.

Here’s a list of 24 ways to join in on the fun and make the most of this celebration courtesy of Disney Parks Blog:

  1. Show your #DisneySide by wearing a costume. (Check out the guidelines here).
  2. Join your favorite heroes from “The Incredibles” in the #IncrediblesSuperDanceParty in Tomorrowland, starting at 9:30 a.m.
  3. Join the “Move It, Shake It, Dance & Play It!” Street party to celebrate the start of summer. The first celebration begins at 9:30 a.m.!
  4. Find the paw prints of “Lady and the Tramp” hidden somewhere on Main Street, U.S.A.
  5. Have breakfast in the park. Mickey Waffles, anyone?
  6. Challenge yourself to get as many photos with Disney characters as possible. The My Disney Experience App will have the latest on appearance times.
  7. Catch the fun of the Royal Majesty Makers, who appear throughout New Fantasyland during the day.
  8. Attend the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade,” which features floats from “Tangled,” “Brave” and many more.
  9. Get your picture with Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach.
  10. May 22 is also the opening date for the film “Tomorrowland.” Celebrate with a ride through Space Mountain or the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover.
  11. Check out the latest Disney merchandise. Memento Mori, a new spot devoted to Haunted Mansion-inspired gifts, is a great place to start.
  12. Catch the patriotic flag retreat on Main Street, U.S.A., promptly at 5 p.m.
  13. Check out the latest additions to the park, including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the interactive queue at Peter Pan’s Flight.
  14. Join the late night dance parties in your pajamas. That’s what Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Chip, Dale and Goofy will be wearing!
  15. Enjoy the “Celebrate the Magic” castle projection show.
  16. Gather together for “Wishes” fireworks at Cinderella Castle.
  17. Change costumes at the 12-hour mark. Maybe a “hero” look for the day and a “villain” look at night?
  18. 24 hours means a lot of time for character autographs. How many can you get?
  19. Enjoy a late-night snack at the park. Popcorn or Dole Whip?
  20. Take pictures wearing as many different Mickey Ear hats as you can.
  21. See how many Hidden Mickeys you can find in 24 hours.
  22. Catch two showings of the “Main Street Electrical Parade.”
  23. Enjoy your favorite Disney attractions all day (and night) long.
  24. Take an early morning family photo – if you can make it the full 24 hours!

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:

Will you be attending the 24-Hour Summer Kick Off?
Are you excited for the “Coolest Summer Ever”? Please leave a comment!

Apr 28 2015

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

The Winner

Congratulations to Katie* who won a copy of my new 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 throughout 2015!

Still interested in reading “501 Ways”? Please click this link to purchase your copy today!

*More than one person named “Katie” entered the giveaway, so be sure to check your email to see if you are the winner!

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!

What People Are Saying About “501 Ways”

“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

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

Are you planning a trip to Disney World soon? I hope you enjoy my book!
Please leave a comment and good luck on the next giveaway, everyone!

Apr 27 2015

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

Last Chance To Enter To Win

Monday, April 27, 2015 is the last day to enter to win a copy of my new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation“!

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!

What People Are Saying About “501 Ways”

“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

The Giveaway

Until midnight Monday, April 27, 2015 Mountain Time, you can enter to win a copy of my new 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 feel free to share with your friends and family!  

501 Ways

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 Tuesday, April 28, 2015 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!

Apr 25 2015

TouringPlans – Disneyland or Disney World – What’s The Difference? Part 3

Please check out my latest article on TouringPlans – Disneyland or Disney World – What’s The Difference? Part 3!

A Tale of Two ResortsDeciding between Disneyland and Disney World?

Are you trying to decide between a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World? Or maybe you have visited one resort and are curious about the other? My book “A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Walt Disney World – A Traveler’s Reference” is now available to help!

This reference book is loaded with facts and information about all of the hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, entertainment choices and resort extras that are available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Each chapter begins with a handy side-by-side chart that compares each destination and concludes with a “For What It’s Worth” section that gives my personal thoughts and opinions. Topics include Lay of the Land, Atmosphere, Weather, Crowds, Events, Budgeting, Planning Timeline, Accommodations, Admission Tickets, Transportation, Theme Parks, Resort Extras, Dining and of course, there’s helpful advice about planning your trip and organizing your day.

Do you have a favorite – Disneyland or Disney World? If so, why?
Please leave a comment!