Tag Archives: Planning

May 8 2015

Helpful Information For Your October 2015 Disney World Vacation

Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Show

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in October 2015? October is my favorite time of year to visit Walt Disney World. The weather is beautiful, the parks are adorned with fall decorations, and the crowd levels are low.

Weather

Disney World HoodieThe 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

Magic Kingdom Cinderella's CastleThe crowds in October are fairly low as kids are back in school. Several school districts throughout the US have a short fall break during October that causes the crowd levels to rise slightly mid month.

October 1 – October 3 – Average Crowd Level 2.0 out of 10
October 4 – October 10 – Average Crowd Level 4.1 out of 10
October 11 – October 17 – Average Crowd Level 4.4 out of 10
October 18 – October 24 – Average Crowd Level 4.4 out of 10
October 25 – October 31 – Average Crowd Level 2.7 out of 10

Park Hours

Magic Kingdom ClockThe Parks continue to be open several hours per day during the fall season.

  • Magic Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Epcot: Open 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 – 6pm (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

HalloweenOn 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 including fun facts, pricing and dates, please click here.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ©DisneyOne of the best things about visiting Disney World in October is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This fabulous celebration features more than 25 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations, and music concerts. The first details for the 2015 event have been released; please click here for more information.

Refurbishments

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

Magic Kingdom

  • Diamond Horseshoe: August 2 – November 19, 2015
  • Liberty Tree Tavern: July 6 – November 20, 2015
  • Walt Disney World Railroad: October 12 – November 20, 2015

Epcot

  • Frozen Ever After: October 5 – May 1, 2016

Hollywood Studios

  • Catalina Eddie’s: October 11 – November 19, 2015
  • Jedi Training Academy: October 5 – November 30, 2015
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular: October 20 – October 22, 2015
  • Rosie’s All-American Café: October 11 – November 19, 2015
  • Star Wars Land: Opening TBD
  • Toy Story Land: Opening TBD
  • Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (Finale Only): October 16 – December 5, 2015

Animal Kingdom

Water Parks

  • Blizzard Beach: Park Closed October 4 – January 2, 2016

Downtown Disney

  • Downtown Disney is undergoing a major transformation to become the reimagined Disney Springs. Construction will be finished in phases with the final completion date set for Fall 2016.

Resort Hotels

  • All Star Sports: Grand Slam Pool October 26 – December 18, 2015
  • Boardwalk Inn: Exterior Painting August 17, 2015 – May 5, 2016
  • Caribbean Beach Resort: Bridges Connecting Aruba and Jamaica to Old Port Royale October – November 27, 2015
  • Coronado Springs Resort: Fitness Center, Salon, Casitas Leisure Pool July 5 – October 12, 2015
  • Polynesian Resort: Polynesian East Pool To Be Completed In 2016
  • Walt Disney World Swan: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015
  • Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit October 26, 2015 – 2017

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in October 2015, 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.
  • Magic Your Band 1If 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, ask a question in the comments section, or take a look at the Planning section here.

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your October 2015 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, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Have a magical vacation!

May 5 2015

Helpful Information For Your September 2015 Disney World Vacation

Spaceship Earth

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in September 2015? September is a wonderful time of year to visit Walt Disney World. The weather is warm and a little less rainy than the summer months, the parks are still open several hours a day, and the crowd levels drop dramatically.

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.

September 1 – September 5 – Average Crowd Level 1.0 out of 10
September 6 – September 12 – Average Crowd Level 1.3 out of 10
September 13 – September 19 – Average Crowd Level 1.9 out of 10
September 20 – September 26 – Average Crowd Level 2.7 out of 10
September 27 – September 30 – Average Crowd Level 1.8 out of 10

Park Hours

Magic Kingdom ClockThe Parks continue to be open several hours per day to start the fall season.

  • Magic Kingdom: Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
  • Epcot: Open 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 September, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

Night of JoyOn September 11 and 12 at Magic Kingdom, 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. Please click here for more information and discounted admissions.

 

HalloweenOn 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 including pricing and dates, please click here.

Epcot International Food & Wine FestivalEpcot’s International Food and Wine Festival will begin on September 25. No details for the 2015 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 scheduled closures during September (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom

  • Diamond Horseshoe: August 2 – November 19, 2015
  • Liberty Tree Tavern: July 6 – November 20, 2015
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: May 11 – September 25, 2015

Epcot

  • Frozen Ever After: October 5 – May 1, 2016
  • Living with the Land: September 8 – September 17, 2015

Hollywood Studios

  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid: September 7 – September 10, 2015

Animal Kingdom

  • Pizzafari: August 23 – October 19, 2015
  • Primevil Whirl: August 17 – November 12, 2015

Water Parks

  • No refurbishments currently scheduled

Downtown Disney

  • Downtown Disney is undergoing a major transformation to become the reimagined Disney Springs. Construction will be finished in phases with the final completion date set for Fall 2016.

Resort Hotels

  • Beach Club Resort: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015
  • Contemporary Resort: Main Pool September 8 – September 10, 2015
  • Coronado Springs Resort: Fitness Center, Salon, Casitas Leisure Pool July 5 – October 12, 2015
  • Grand Floridian Resort: Gasparilla Island Grill August 23 – September 4, 2015
  • Polynesian Resort: Polynesian East Pool To Be Completed In 2016
  • Walt Disney World Swan: Ongoing Guest Room Refurbishments To Be Completed In 2015

Disney World Planning Basics: How Long To StayPlanning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in September 2015, 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.
  • 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, ask a question in the comments section, or take a look at the Planning section here.

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your September 2015 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, 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 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 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!

Apr 16 2015

Make Reservations For Frozen Summer Fun Now

Frozen Summer Fun

Book quickly – package availability is limited!

Great news for fans of Frozen! Disney World is bringing back the Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package at Hollywood Studios running from June 17 through September 7 during the “Coolest Summer Ever“.

Each Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package includes:

  • See Anna and Elsa in the reserved viewing for Frozen Royal Welcome, complete with regal refreshments—water, a selection of soft drinks, and ice cream
  • Reserved seating for your choice of one show time of For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Frozen Fireworks viewing with dessert party, a dazzling nighttime display of fireworks paired with Frozen-themed desserts as well as specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

All of this Frozen fun is only $69 for adults and $39 for children age 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity are included). Reservations can be made online or by calling 407-939-3463. This sounds like so much fun!

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:

Are you a Frozen fan? Will you be booking this package?
Please leave a comment!