What’s it REALLY like to stay at the Drury?

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I generally always stay on site when I visit Walt Disney World, but the Drury had me very curious – could I like staying at a non-Disney hotel?

Check-in was not only a breeze, but was very pleasant.  The front desk staff were SO friendly and informative.  They explained all of the amenities available at the resort as if it was their first time saying it (can you imagine how many times per day they have to say all of that spiel?).

I headed off to my room, and while I had seen pictures online – I didn’t understand how big it was until I was standing in that space.

I was sharing with my friend for 2 nights and we had plenty of room for both of us.  We were in room 412 and had 2 queen beds, a desk, a table and 2 chairs, a ‘kitchenette’ and a large bathroom.

Check out my video walkthrough of the room below:

After exploring the room, I went down to finish looking around the hotel.  The amenities here are plenty!

10 fantastic amenities at the Drury Plaza Hotel – Disney Springs

1. Free Wi-Fi is always a plus and it worked well

2. 24 Hour fitness center for those of you that think you need EXTRA exercise on vacation

3. Outdoor pool and splash pad that never seemed to be overly busy in the 2 days we were there.  I wish I had the time to enjoy it, but it was such a quick visit.

4.  24 hour arcade!  C’mon – who doesn’t love a good arcade?

5. Shuttle to the Disney parks is complimentary and available onsite.  I didn’t get a chance to use this either but nice to know it was there.  Fun fact of this resort is that they are the only offsite that has shuttles for the after hours events and parties at Walt Disney World!

6. Full bar with kitchen – this was not busy at all but so convenient to have in the hotel.

7. Store with everything you could possibly need including fresh made pizza to go!  They also have bottled water, juices, microwave meals, mugs and souvenirs.  They even have Starbucks coffee!  

8. Free coffee and tea bar in the lobby next to a great photo spot!

9.  FREE hot breakfast you say?  When I heard about this I imagined some toast and tea, but this was a full on breakfast.  I have to do a full other blog to show you ALL the things that were available during this breakfast!

10.  FREE 5:30 Kickback. This is a fun FREE evening event for those staying at the hotel available from 5:30 – 7:30 nightly.  While they say it’s “hot dinnertime snacks” the selection could be considered a FULL dinner.  You also get 3 free alcoholic drinks and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.  

The Kickback and free breakfast are incredible values at this resort.  If you can arrange to take advantage of it for even a few nights of your stay it can save you some money to spend on souvenirs!

Check out the food in the video below:

Would I recommend this hotel?  Absolutely – and I loved being close to Disney Springs as well.  I’m an Uber/Lyft gal and don’t take the shuttles much, but being so close meant cheaper rides and a lot more convenience.  You CAN walk to Disney Springs, but it was super hot and I had met my step quota for the trip!

This is the type of hotel that I would go back to and just spend a few days “chilling”.  Enjoying the pool, the bar, Disney Springs and visiting the outlet malls.  This would be the perfect home base for that!  I would also recommend this hotel to families who are visiting the Disney Parks who don’t want to stay onsite.  

If you need help planning and pricing out your vacation at the Drury or any resort, contact my team at Playcation Travel.

Do You Need A MagicBand at Walt Disney World?

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, you’ve probably come across MagicBands in your research. These wristbands have become somewhat iconic in Disney parks, but do you actually need them for your vacation?  I’m going to give you all the info so that you can decide what works best for you.

What Exactly Are MagicBands?

Magic Bands are waterproof wristbands that connect to your My Disney Experience account and essentially link your info from the mobile app to your wrist.

They can serve as your:

• Park ticket
• Room key (if staying at a Disney resort)
• PhotoPass identifier
• Payment method (when linked to a credit card)
• Lightning Lane access

There are various themes, colors and patterns available.  Depending on where you live, you can order them on the Disney Store before you go (check the shipping available, the RFID chips inside can’t be shipped to certain countries like Canada).  You can also purchase them at the resort gift shops, Disney Springs or merchandise locations.  You can find more information here in my post “What is a Magic Band”

The Big Question: Do You NEED a MagicBand?

No, you don’t absolutely need a MagicBand to function on your Walt Disney World vacation – but they DO make it easier.

Disney has evolved its technology over the years, and while MagicBands were once the primary way to access many features, that’s no longer the case. Today, you can use your smartphone just as effectively (but not as conveniently).

Alternatives to a MagicBand

The most significant alternative is the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone.

Through the app, you can:

• Access mobile tickets for park entry
• Unlock your Walt Disney World resort hotel room door
• View PhotoPass photos
• Make mobile food orders
• Use mobile checkout at stores
• Access Lightning Lane reservations

Disney also offers a plastic Key To The World card that works for park entry tickets and resort keys.  You will be given these at the front desk when you check in.

My MagicBand is always on

Why You Might Want A MagicBand Anyway

Even though they’re not essential, MagicBands do add a something special to your Disney experience:

1. Convenience: I love not having to dig for my phone or wallet to get in to the park, my room or to access my lightning lanes. Parents this can make thins super easy when you have your hands full!
2. Photos:  My ride photos just show up on my app and I don’t need to manage multiple cards with the PhotoPass photographers.
3. Fun Factor: C’mon, let’s be honest – they’re fun!  Kids especially love having their own “Disney technology,” and adults do too.
4. Water Parks: If you’re visiting Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, MagicBands are super convenient since you don’t need to worry about your phone getting wet.
5. Souvenirs: They make great keepsakes that remind you of your magical trip long after you’ve returned home.
6. Vacation Vibes:  I put on my MagicBand usually when I am on the road from the Airport to the resort.  I do take it off at night, but it’s the first thing I do in the morning.  That MagicBand stays on my wrist until I am home (and sometimes a little after).  There’s something about it that signals to my brain that “I’m in Disney vacation mode!”

Bonus fun if you buy the MagicBand+ there is interactive components too! MagicBand+ interacts with select entertainment, including theater shows and nighttime spectaculars.   It also allows you to participate in the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters game in Galaxy’s Edge AND Disney Fab 50 Character Collection sculptures.

My Thoughts

While MagicBands aren’t a necessity for navigating Walt Disney World, they certainly add some extra fun to the trip. You also don’t need to buy a new one if you have older magic bands at home from a previous trip!

If you don’t want the additional cost, you’ll be absolutely fine without a MagicBand.

Fun fact if you’re thinking of investing in one: AWalt Disney World or Disneyland Resort MagicBand+ can be used as a DisneyBand+ on select sailings of Disney Cruise Lin. However, the original MagicBand (not MagicBand+) are not supported on Disney Cruise Line.

How much does a ticket to Walt Disney World cost?

You’re not going to like the answer, but “it depends”.

There are so many factors that go in to the pricing of Walt Disney World tickets to consider.  It’s not just “buy the park tickets and show up”, there are many decisions to be made.  Are you doing single-day tickets, park hopper plus option, water parks?  Are there any promotions available or discounts (like for Canadians for Florida Residents?).

(The pricing in this post is based on the pricing available at time I wrote this – please check the official Disney site or with your Travel Agent for the most accurate pricing)

The price range is due to many factors but the time of year is a big one.  Are you visiting over the Christmas Holidays?  The daily rate increases while if you’re visiting on a random Tuesday in September you’ll find the pricing a little less.  The date-based tickets have different pricing depending what day you start the tickets on and are only valid for a certain length of time.  When you buy these date-based tickets you do not need a theme park reservation.

The Magic Kingdom is the OG park – and the most popular

Disney Parks – which is the most popular?

Not all of the Disney theme parks are priced equally.  The general pricing scale has the Magic Kingdom as the most expensive and Animal Kingdom as the least.  Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios sit in the middle of the two.  For example, on a crazy busy day, you might shell out $189 for Magic Kingdom but “only” $169 for Animal Kingdom. I know, I know, “only” $169 USD … but hey, that’s Disney math for you!

The more days the better (and cheaper!)

If you’re in it for the long haul, a multi-day ticket is the way to go. The per-day price decreases with each day you add, for example it isn’t a stretch to go from a 5 day to 7 day ticket.

For example:

Screenshot

5-Day Ticket with Admission to 1 Park Per Day = $712.85 USD

7-Day Ticket with Admission to 1 Park Per Day = $762.57 USD

​9-Day Ticket with Admission to 1 Park Per Day = $815.25 USD

(Valid beginning January 19, 2025)

Screenshot

If you take a close look – you can add 2 days between the 5 and 7 day base ticket for $49.72 USD.  Even if you used one of those days to just go see the fireworks seems worth it to me.  And if you compare the 5 to 9 days – for $102 you can add 4 whole days of park visits.  Why rush around the parks if you don’t HAVE to?  Maybe you decide you don’t need to spend the money buying lightning lanes because you have all this extra time to wait in a few more lines.

Pro tip: These multi-day tickets let you into all four parks (they are not park specific), but you can only hit one park per day unless…

Park Hopper: for the energetic and flexible

This add on allows you to ‘hop’ between parks and visit more than one per day.  Don’t be fooled – it’s not like you can buy a 2 day ticket and cram 2 parks per day in to them, I wouldn’t recommend that.  This is how people get very stressed out on their Walt Disney World vacation trying to do EVERYTHING in a short amount of time.

When you purchase the park hopper option I really like to advise people that it works well on multi-day tickets when you can take a break in the afternoon and decide to go to a different park in the evening.  Maybe to see the fireworks or the nighttime show, but not to maximize from open to close – that’s too much pressure to get through them!  If you loved the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom – you can go back and see them again.  If you didn’t get to do ALL of the attractions you wanted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom you could go there a second morning and then head to a different park in the afternoon.

Pro tip:  The days when the parks have special events (like the Magic Kingdom closes early for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or the Very Merry Christmas Party) – the park is actually LESS busy on those mornings.  People who didn’t buy the hopper option go to the park with the longest hours to maximize their time.  If you have the hopper you can make the most of those lower crowds at the Magic Kingdom in the morning and then hit another park when the party starts!

Annual Passes: for the Disney addicts

If you’re like me and visit multiple times per year, an annual pass might be the best bet for you. Prices range from $439 to $1,449 + tax (yes, it’s that big of a range!).  Discounts do apply if you’re a Florida Resident or Disney Vacation Club member, but it also depends on the TYPE of annual pass you buy.  If you want maximum flexibility to visit whenever you want, you need to buy the one that has no blockout dates.  Some passes have more or less dates that you would not be able to visit – the more dates you are NOT eligible to enter the parks would give you the lowest price pass.  Annual Passholders do need to make theme park reservations as well (something I always forget to do – and at most we can have 5 at a time).

Money-Saving Tips

Want to save some cash for treats and souvenirs? Try these tricks:

1. Visit during the off-season. Would you believe that Christmas day is one of the busiest days?
2. Go for multi-day tickets. More days = more savings (plus it takes the time pressure off of you trying to see everything in a day)
3. Stay at a Disney resort for perks like early park admission, extra magic hours (if applicable) and ease of transportation to save you time
4. Keep an eye out for promos – they do have sales!
5. Use a Disney focused travel agent.  Disney math is hard – and they make sure to find you the best value.
6. Do NOT buy the heavily ‘discounted tickets’ you see at the malls and online.  If the price is too good to be true, it’s because it IS!  There is always a catch (like a 4 hour timeshare seminar you have to attend first!)

Remember, Disney does do price increases too, so sometimes it’s better to book sooner than later to lock in that rate.  If you’re doing a Walt Disney World Resort package including your theme park tickets, you can lock in the rate with only a deposit depending on the time of purchase.

So, are you ready to take the plunge and plan a trip to the most magical place ever? Just remember, the memories are priceless… even if the tickets aren’t!

For help with the details – reach out to my team at Playcation Travel to book yours!  And if you don’t know why you need a travel agent, you can read all about it here.

How long does it take to see Walt Disney World?

This is a question I get asked all the time from people who are planning their very first trip.

First timer:  How many days / how much time do I need to see all of Walt Disney World?

Me:  You will never have enough vacation days

Let me explain.

On average most first timers go for a week or ten days.  This is a good amount of time to have a great experience, enjoy the parks, sample the food and relax while enjoying the resort amenities.  They may or may not fit in a visit to one of the water parks and Disney Springs.  Please note – you will NOT see ‘everything’.

To put it in perspective, Walt Disney World Resort is about the size of San Francisco or Ottawa.  While you can plan to visit them for a week, you wouldn’t expect to see ‘everything’ in that time – and you should assume the same with Walt Disney World.  When you look at the maps of the property – those are highways you see that connect the 4 theme parks, they are not side-by-side like in Disneyland.

With each of the 4 parks you can spend a full day there and get through a LOT of stuff.  If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World resort, you can make use of the early entry perk to get a head start on the long lines for some of the attractions.  If you couple that with lightning lanes and using the My Disney Experience app to be flexible, your first time to any of these parks can be a good day.

What I don’t advocate for is pushing yourself and your family harder than you need to.  It breaks my heart when I’m in the parks and I see a family with hot, cranky kids who are being driven to “hurry up” and keep a schedule that was set in advance.  Things happen. Rain, upset tummies, unusual wait times and crowds can throw even the best laid plans out the window.  It is sad when I see people experience something fantastic and they RUSH through it because they are trying to get to the next thing.  You need to expect to take your time in some situations.  If the kids are having the best time at the splash pad or on the PeopleMover then do it again.  A family vacation shouldn’t be so stressful, you should enjoy the moments that are creating those memories.

So how do you see the most of Walt Disney World while still enjoying your time?

Here are some tips to help you find the balance between ‘seeing it all’ and enjoying your vacation

There should always be time for Dole Whip!

1.  Plan for breaks

Going to the parks from open to close is exhausting.  I don’t care who you are, they are LONG days.  If the kids (or you!) are going to be super cranky by dinner time, plan a break in the early afternoon to rest and rejuvenate.  It might be worth skipping an attraction or two to save everyone some stress.

2.  Limit table service dining

If you’re a big foodie then make all the reservations you can.  If you’re not, table service dining can eat up a lot of time in your day.  Be selective about where you want to eat and make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy the meal once you’re there.

3.  Decide what is important

Do you have kids that want to do every roller coaster they can? Or do you have small children who won’t want those big rides but instead will prefer It’s a Small World?  Having a list of what attractions are a must do vs a nice to do can help you maximize your time in the parks.

4.  Rope drop IF it makes sense

You’ll hear lots of people talking about ‘rope drop’ at the parks. Essentially this means arriving before opening so that you’re there when they ‘drop the rope’ to let everyone in when the park opens.  It is a great strategy to get some of the most popular rides done first thing in the morning.  If you make use of the extra time for onsite guests it’s an added bonus.

My caveat for this is that if your family aren’t ‘morning people’ then having them wake up at the crack of dawn might make them miserable for the day.  Know your family and what they’re capable of.  If they are more ‘night owls’ then stay in the parks as late as you can.

5. Get park hopper tickets

This is only valuable if you have the stamina to visit more than 1 park per day.  This can be useful for things like revisiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see Fantasmic after a day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park that closed earlier.  You can easily go back and visit something again that you enjoyed earlier without committing a full day to the same park.  It’s also helpful for going back to see nighttime shows as well.

6.  Make use of the tools available

Whether its Disney Genie, a virtual queue or an individual lightning lane, use the tools available to you.  There are always new things being changed and updated and understanding how to use them can be critical for saving time in long lines.

7.  Know before you go

Using a travel agent that specializes in Disney vacations is always recommended.  A good agent knows about recent changes in the Disney theme parks as well as the tools I reference above.  They keep an eye out for promotions to make sure you have the best deal possible.  While you’re saving some money, maybe you end up adding an extra day to the trip to be able to experience even more of your favorite park.

Walt Disney World is my happy place, and I can’t tell you how many times I have made the trip from Toronto to Orlando (I have seriously lost count).  What I can tell you from my personal experience is that I still haven’t seen it all!  On a recent trip with my nephew we were walking through world showcase when he said “what’s in there?” as he pointed to this little structure in Norway.

I told him it was just a facade, but he ignored me and walked up, opened the door and went inside!  I was floored, I had no idea you could go IN and that there is an exhibit of Norwegian artifacts inside!  It was pretty cool and I mentioned to other Disney friends and they didn’t all know about it either!

So how long does it take to see all of Walt Disney World?  I’ll let you know once I have done it!

For a first timer I would plan for a week or two so that you can have a good time, not be rushed and see a good chunk of it.  Then once you get home and reflect on what a magical vacation it was – you’ll start planning the next trip.  There is always something new and exciting to experience at Walt Disney World, that’s how they get you to keep coming back.

Before you know it you’re a Disney addict and you’re planning trips to go back and see ‘what’s new’.

There’s always something new because just like Disneyland – Walt Disney World will never be complete.

Before you plan your vacation, read my blog on the top 5 myths about using a travel agent.

When Walt Disney World Resort opened on October 1st 1971 the Monorail was an important part of the destination and Magic Kingdom arrival.  Guests would park their cars at the transportation center and then they had the choice of two different routes to the park; ferry boat or monorail. The transportation and ticket center with the 2 options is still in place today if you are arriving by car to the Magic Kingdom.

Now there are so many different transportation options to get you around the property, but the highway in the sky is still a fan favourite!  This iconic mode of transportation does not go everywhere though, there are only certain places you can get to on the monorail.

Where does the monorail go in Walt Disney World?

There are technically 3 separate lines for the monorail

• Resort monorail
• Express monorail
• Epcot monorail

The Resort line is a continuous loop and has the following stops:

• Magic Kingdom park
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC)

The monorail inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Each of the above deluxe resorts are classified as “monorail resorts”. The security checkpoints for the monorail are inside each of the resorts and you will go through them before boarding.  While Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge are both considered Magic Kingdom Resort Area hotels, they are not on the monorail lines and have different transportation options for resort guests to get to around.

One important thing (and probably one of my favourite things about the resort monorail route) is that it goes THROUGH the Contemporary Resort.  It was an amazing thing in the 70s and still is now – the monorail goes right through the middle of the hotel.  One of my favourite things to do is sit in the Contempo Cafe and watch the monorails go by.  If you’re eating at Chef Mickey, having a drink at the Outer Rim or just shopping in the grand concourse you can see them passing overhead.

The express monorail loop runs parallel to the resort loop, but in the opposite direction and has only 2 stops – Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center.  It’s considered express because there are only 2 stops, but it still passes through the Contemporary Resort.  This is one of the ways that Disney is able to manage so many guests at the end of the night leaving the Magic Kingdom, they can pack those monorail trains and send them to the parking lot using the express line quite quickly.

Magic Kingdom monorail station

The third is the Epcot line and it is a continual loop (or they call it express because it has no stops) from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Epcot and back again.  Upon arrival at Epcot the monorail takes a quick trip around Spaceship Earth and just inside of the park before arriving at the monorail station.  It’s a great little view inside of the park before you actually arrive.

When does the monorail run?

Hours of Operation

• The Resort Monorail line and Express Monorail line begin operating 30 minutes prior to when Magic Kingdom park opens and stop one hour after Magic Kingdom park closes.
• The EPCOT Monorail line begins operating 30 minutes prior to when EPCOT opens and stops 2 hours after EPCOT closes.

As things are always changing, it’s best to check the most updated information on the official Disney website before your trip.  For more information on WHO can ride the monorail, see my post here.

For a little history of the monorail, you might want to check out podcast episode 59 where we chatted with Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr.  Bob is known for his work on all things “motorized” including the Autopia cars, the Haunted Mansion Doom Buggies, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and of course the monorails.

It’s important to note that while the monorail is a great way to get around, it does not visit Disney Springs, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom parks.  When you visit Walt Disney World for the first time it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to get around, but rest assured there is always a cast member nearby to direct you.  There are buses, boats and even the Disney Skyliner to get you where you need to be.

Have you been on the monorail?

Can anyone ride the monorail at Walt Disney World?

The short answer is yes, anyone can ride the monorail at Walt Disney World Resort.

Before you start planning your monorail adventures, here are some things you should know about this iconic Disney transportation.

What is the Disney monorail?

The monorail is an integral part of the transportation system at Walt Disney World and an important part of the original plan for the Magic Kingdom.  Walt Disney’s vision for the resort in Florida was that guests would leave the real world behind when they entered.  The Seven Seas Lagoon separated the guest parking lot from the entrance to Magic Kingdom Park.  When the park opened in 1971, guests parked their cars at the transportation center and had the choice of two different routes to the park; ferry boat or monorail.   This is still in place today if you are arriving by car.

Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr based the design of the Walt Disney World monorail system on the original ones he designed at Disneyland Resort while giving it an updated look.  Bob Gurr is known for his work on all things “motorized” including the Autopia cars, the Haunted Mansion Doom Buggies and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. For more information on the fascinating Bob Gurr – listen to podcast episode 59 where we got to chat with him about his work with Walt Disney.

Where does the monorail go?

The options for guests to ride the monorail are on one of three lines:

• Magic Kingdom Express Line
• Resort Line
• Epcot Line

The Magic Kingdom Express Line brings guests from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to the Magic Kingdom.  It’s a complete loop that only makes those two stops as is essential for transporting guests at the end of a busy night quickly.

The Resort Line is a full loop that stops at the resorts as well as the TTC and Magic Kingdom.  It runs on a separate parallel track to the Magic Kingdom Express line.  The Resort Line stops at Magic Kingdom park, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).

The Epcot Line goes from the TTC to Epcot and back again on a continuous loop.

While these lines operate primarily as transportation between the stops, they also offer unique views on the journey!

Who Can Ride the monorail at Walt Disney World?

Now, let’s get to the main question: Can anyone ride the monorail? The answer is “absolutely” at Walt Disney World.  The monorail is open to all guests, regardless of whether you’re staying at a Disney Resort, have a park ticket, or are just visiting for the day. Since the stops are outside of the theme parks, you do not require a ticket to ride.  The monorail is one of the few Disney attractions that you can enjoy without needing theme park tickets.

It is important to note that this is NOT the case in Disneyland California where the monorail stop is INSIDE of the park. You must have valid park admission in Disneyland to ride.

Are the Disney monorails accessible?

The Walt Disney World monorails are incredibly convenient for people with mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters.  When the train pulls in to the station and the doors open, a Cast Member will provide a ramp for you to drive right in!  For those with electric mobility devices it can be difficult maneuvering your scooter in to the narrow spot on the bus, but the monorail doesn’t have that challenge.  The Disney Skyliner also offers a ‘drive on’ experience as well.  For information on renting an electric scooter (ECV) see my blog post here.

Where do you get on the monorail?

• If you are resort guests staying at one of the 3 deluxe resorts on the monorail line there will be a monorail station right inside of your hotel!
• If you are arriving by car to the Magic Kingdom, you will park at the TTC and board the monorail there.
• If you’ve got the park hopper option on your tickets it is the best way to hop between Epcot and Magic Kingdom – you transfer at the TTC between lines.

Basically anyone can get on at any stop and go for a ride!  Sometimes it’s fun to do the resort loop and get off to look in the gift shops at the resorts or grab a bite to eat.

Hours of operation:

• The resort and express monorail begin operating 30 minutes prior to when Magic Kingdom park opens and stop one hour after Magic Kingdom park closes.
• The EPCOT line begins operating 30 minutes prior to when EPCOT opens and stops 2 hours after EPCOT closes.

Tips for your monorail adventures:

• The monorail is incredibly busy at park opening and closing and you will experience long lines.  If you’re riding for fun, try off peak times for the best experience.
• Do NOT lean on the doors.  Keep children away from the doors and if possible, get a seat and enjoy the views from the windows.
• When entering the parks and/or monorails, be prepared for security checks.  Each guest will walk through detectors and be subject to bag searches.  If you have an umbrella in. your bag or glasses case – hold them out in front of you when you walk through the detectors for smoother screening.
• The Monorail lines are continuous loops, which means you can stay on board and enjoy multiple loops around the resort if you like.  If you miss your stop – it will come back again!
• The monorail is fun, but it doesn’t go everywhere! For example, there is no monorail access for Disney Springs, the water parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom or many of the Disney resorts on property.  Know where you’re going and map out the most efficient transportation options to get there.  

The monorail is such an iconic piece of Walt Disney World history and is an impressive sight for Disney guests.  I don’t care how old you are, the first time you see the monorail go through the Contemporary Resort, it’s beyond cool!  I could sit at the Contempo Cafe and watch it all day.

Have you been on the monorail?  What did you love about it?

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, why should it be any different on vacation?  The question is – what are the BEST breakfast options in Walt Disney World?

As you would guess, there isn’t just one – and the answer isn’t simple.  It depends on the food you like and your plans for the day.  Do you want a heavy or light breakfast? Are you in a rush?  Do you only want healthy or are you happy to have all sugary goodness?

There are so many different options for breakfast on your Walt Disney World vacation that we need to break it down in to categories.

1. Order groceries / snacks from a local service to have ‘on the go’ stuff for the morning
2. Eat at a quick service location or grab a snack in the park
3. Have a full sit-down meal at a table service place (bonus for characters in attendance!)

Pretty broad categories aren’t they?  There are also many options within each category, so to make it easy I’ll give you my personal top picks for each.

Order Groceries

Having something in your room to grab and go is a great idea for people that want to be at the park before it opens and don’t want to be up extra early for a breakfast reservation.  They either bring snacks from home or order some to be delivered to the resort (read our blog here for the service we use).  Maybe some granola bars that they might even eat on the bus on the way to the Disney parks.  While each resort room has at least a ‘beverage cooler’ – they aren’t really big.  I would suggest the majority of your snacks shouldn’t need to be refrigerated if you plan on keeping some drinks in the cooler too.  If you’re staying at a 1+ bedroom villa with a full kitchen, this of course isn’t an issue since you have a full size fridge.

Quick Service Restaurants

Disney uses the term “quick service” to describe a location where you essentially seat yourself.  It’s like a ‘fast food’ location where you order on the app or at a counter and then take your food to your table on your own.

There are SO many quick service locations throughout Walt Disney World and EVERY resort has one.  Some are better than others, but when it comes to breakfast – there are a few menu items that deserve a call out.

The Bounty Platter

1.  The Bounty Platter

This breakfast has a few different variations around property depending on where you get it, but it’s fundamentally the same.  Scrambled eggs, meat (either sausage or bacon) and potatoes (usually tots or hash).  Sometimes it comes with a waffle, biscuit or fruit.  This is my go-to breakfast and bonus points when I get it at Disney’s Contemporary Resort where I can watch the monorails go by.  It’s the perfect way to start my day and I have never had a bounty platter I didn’t like!

2.  Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich

This is a great breakfast treat at Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom – full of fun fruit and chocolate.. who wouldn’t want this??  It’s a great spot to hit mid-morning in the Magic Kingdom after you’ve done a few attractions.  There is only outdoor seating here (and not much of it) so you will most likely need to eat on the go.

3.  The Cinnamon Roll

Yes you can get cinnamon rolls around property, but the gigantic ones found at Gaston’s Tavern in the Magic Kingdom are legendary.  You could easily split it with someone else if you felt like sharing, but no shame if you want it all to yourself!  You can ask for extra icing too – just to make sure it’s all coated.  It’s the perfect amount of sugar to kick start your day.

4.  Breakfast bowls

This is a yummy treat that I’ve found at a few different locations including Woody’s Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios.  Tater tots (or potato barrels they sometimes call them), gravy, eggs and green onions – so good.  It totally hits the spot, but I wouldn’t do Slinky right after eating it!

Breakfast Bowl at Woodys Lunchbox

5.  Starbucks anything

Yep – any of the pastries from the Starbucks or the breakfast sandwiches are good to grab and go.  I find this is the preferred choice of the adults in the party that really need their Starbucks fix to get going.

6.  Mickey Waffles

I couldn’t do this list without including a breakfast of Mickey-shaped waffles!  You can find waffle breakfasts at many of the quick service locations and it usually comes with a protein like bacon or sausage.  Sometimes they aren’t even all Mickey!

If you look closely you will see they aren’t all Mickey!

Table Service Restaurants

A table service restaurant is where you are seated by a cast member and the food is ordered via a server and brought to you by them as well.  Moderate and deluxe resorts have table service restaurants where the value resorts do not.  You can also find many inside the theme parks and at Disney Springs.

Some of my favourite table service breakfast spots:

1.  Topolino’s Terrace

This is a fantastic breakfast spot where you get to dine with the characters as well!  Located at Disney’s Riviera Resort, it’s an easy trip on the Skyliner after breakfast to go to Epcot or Hollywood Studios.  What I like about this one is that it’s not a buffet (as so many character meals are) and the food is made to order.  The show is terrific and the food is yummy. I once did this character breakfast solo and enjoyed it just as much as I did with my friends.

2.  Steakhouse 71

Located in the Contemporary Resort this is a little hidden gem.  The menu is varied and offers choices for everyone,  While this post is about breakfast, I’m happy to report that all 3 meals are terrific at Steakhouse 71.

 3.  Kona Cafe

I feel like the Disney community would be incredibly angry if I didn’t include this one.  Kona at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is famous for the Tonga Toast dish which is Banana-stuffed Sourdough French Toast rolled in Cinnamon-Sugar.  Sounds amazing, but if I’m honest, I don’t love it.

I enjoy breakfast at Kona and normally get the eggs and protein – but not the Tonga Toast.  I have friends though that think it’s amazing, and this is why the “best” is so subjective!

Tonga Toast

4.  Chef Mickey’s, Crystal Palace and Tusker House

Alright – this is where the Disney community has hyped up these locations (and rightfully so) but the food isn’t the draw here, it’s the characters.  The breakfast buffet experience may differ slightly across locations, but that really isn’t what you’re there for.

Chef Mickey’s is of course hosted by the main mouse himself and is located inside of Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  This makes a great choice for the Magic Kingdom days where it’s a short walk to the park after breakfast.  

The Crystal Palace is inside of the Magic Kingdom and is hosted by Winnie The Pooh and friends

Tusker House is located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and makes for a great option to start your day at that park where Donald Duck and his friends entertain.

Fresh Fruit Plate

As you can imagine there are so many breakfast options that everyone will have a different opinion what the best one is.  As you can tell, I’m more of a ‘quick service’ gal vs a sit-down meal at breakfast although I do enjoy them occasionally.

Whether you choose to start your day with a character dining experience, a granola bar on the go or a bounty platter, they are all a ‘good breakfast’ to you.  I often see people online being upset before they even GO on vacation because they didn’t get a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table.  While it’s a unique experience, it isn’t everything and will not make or break the trip.  Enjoy the delicious food, the experiences and the magic wherever you go.

Did I miss any of your favourites??  Let me know in the comments below!

Top 11 reasons to take a solo trip to Walt Disney World

When most people think of a Walt Disney World vacation they think of a “family trip”.  The most magical destination has traditionally been marketed to kids and families, but does that mean others aren’t welcome?  Will they not have a good time?

There are a lot of different posts on social media making fun of “Disney Adults” and those who visit without kids, but honestly – I don’t understand the issue!  It’s the most magical place, why should it be JUST for kids?  Aren’t we ALL entitled to a little escape?  Some happiness and Pixie Dust?  Well I think YES!  Not only should you do it – I’m here to give you 11 reasons why it’s even MORE fun when you go solo!

First I have to make the caveat – I LOVE vacationing with my family and friends, it’s a ton of fun to have people with you that can share the experiences with.  It’s also AMAZING to see Disney through the eyes of a child, there is nothing quite like it.  While I really do enjoy my time on vacation with family and friends – it is a whole other vacation when I’m there solo.

Here are my top 11 reasons to do a solo Disney trip!

1.  Go when you want

Picking vacation days at the right time of the year and flight times that work for everyone can be a challenge.  Sometimes it’s hard to coordinate work, school, social commitments etc.  Going solo means you go when it’s best for YOU!  You can book the trip as early or late as you’d like.  Want to book flights a week before or a year before?  No problem!  Seat selection may not be important to you if you’re solo and want to just wing it.  Want to go for 3 days or 10?  The choice is totally YOURS.

The other benefit along the lines of going when you want is going to the PARKS when you want.  You can choose to sleep in or get up and arrive for rope drop.  Are you a night owl that wants to stay till the very end?  Or would you like to be in bed before the fireworks?  You get to arrive and leave whenever you would like, the choice is yours.

Arrival time is up to you!

2.  Stay where you want

With all of the resorts at Walt Disney World it is difficult to make the decision of where to stay.  Being solo you don’t have anyone to split the cost (see point 8 below) but you do get to pick a Disney resort that makes sense for YOU!  The room, the drawers, the bed and bathroom are all YOURS, no sharing here!  If you want to have the TV on all night or set the temperature to frozen, there is no one to complain.  You would be surprised how much more enjoyable a room is when you get to set the temperature to your preference.

3.  You get to really wander the parks

When you visit the parks solo for the first time, you’ll realize what a different experience it is to ‘wander’.  You don’t realize when you’re with other people how often you are trying to find the consensus of where you’re going and what you’re doing.  When you’re alone in the parks you realize you get to be free to just go where the mood takes you!

I have had a great time wandering the parks and just stopping to look at things I never noticed before.  I didn’t have to say to anyone “hang on a sec” while I admired something in a window or if I wanted to spontaneously get off of the train at the stop we pulled in to because I wanted a closer look at something – I could.  For a Disney fan this is a big plus to just stop and look at things that no one else cares about.

4.  Ride (or don’t ride) whatever attractions you want

It’s all about you!  Ride the Carousel of Progress 3 times in a row?  No problem!  Don’t ride a single thing?  You can do that!  I love the freedom of wandering through the park and seeing the Tiki Room or Country Bears going in for a showing and just zipping in at the last minute.

Enjoying some A/C in the Tiki Room!

I get to go at my own pace and just enjoy everything that I want to see – and nothing that I don’t!  When you’re visiting with a larger group you are constantly trying to make sure you are taking everyone’s wants in to consideration.  You can enjoy your favorite rides as many times as you like without any eye rolls!

5.  Don’t wait in long lines for some popular attractions!

Have you heard of a single-rider line?  Some of the longest waits like Test Track, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run,  Expedition Everest and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster have single rider lines.  Even for some attractions that do not have a designated “single rider” line – they will call out for any parties of 1 when they’re trying to fill a vehicle.  In these cases you get moved up the line quickly just for being alone.

6.  Eat where you want

Walt Disney World is usually pretty good about having something for everyone at a restaurant, but it is much easier to find your favourite menus when you don’t have to consider another palate.  If you are a seafood lover or a mean and potatoes – you get to pick where you want to eat.  Making an advanced dining reservation is still advisable for a party of 1, but sometimes it’s easier to get last minute too.  What is it like dining at sit-down restaurants alone?  It’s not as scary as you think.  I have even done a character meal by myself and loved every minute of it.  You can take your time eating and really savour the delicious food you’re having especially at the table service restaurants, it can be very relaxing.

For the quick service restaurants it’s so much easier to find a SEAT when you’re there by yourself.  Have you ever tried to find seats for a large group at meal time in a quick service?  Ummm,… It’s stressful!  I once left the Magic Kingdom to take the monorail to the Grand Floridian for lunch because I wanted to try a new sandwich on the menu there.  It was delicious and totally spur of the moment.

7.  Snack when and where you want

Ok – I know I talk about food in number 6, but snacking is a whole other thing!  Fancy some ice cream at 11am instead of lunch?  You can choose that.  Want to buy 3 cupcakes from the Main Street bakery to eat for breakfast the next morning?  No judgement from anyone.  Being able to stop when I’m hungry and keep going when I’m not is a huge benefit to a solo vacation.

8.  Save on costs

You’re only paying for 1 person – so it is cheaper in every aspect except the hotel if you would normally split it with another person.  The value resorts are perfect for saving a little as a solo adult (my favourite is Pop Century).  You only need one park ticket, one drink/snack/meal, one lightning lane or Genie plus – that’s it.  Somehow a $6 cupcake doesn’t sound so bad when you only have to buy one of them.

Dole Whip Cupcake

9.  Change your mind whenever you want

This is a big one for me and a complete revelation on my first solo trip – I could EASILY change my mind about things during the day and no one cared.  I could go to one of the Epcot festivals and decide it was too busy, so I take my park hopper ticket and go to Animal Kingdom for a stroll through the trails.  Whatever good idea I have, I can do it.  At the end of the day it’s all about what made me happy and how much time I spend in each park is totally up to me.

10.  Get as many photos as you want

I LOVE getting Memory Maker and I stop and pose for pics with all the photopass photographers I see!  They typically make me do stupid poses when I’m alone and they are always fun pics to share.  I’m not always good at selfies – so this really helps.  My travel companions aren’t always ‘game’ for getting all the pics.

It takes patience to wait for everyone to get out of the picture

I also get to stop and TAKE the pictures I want.  Sometimes I stand and wait for the Monorail to go by or the crowds to move so I can get the picture I hoped for.  I am not concerned about spending time just standing around because that’s one of my favorite things to do, stand around and people watch.

11.  It’s a safe place for a solo trip

I always feel safe at Walt Disney World – but that’s not to say that you abandon common sense.  Obviously you should follow all of the standard safety tips you do anywhere in the world, but comparatively speaking – it’s a pretty safe place to be.  There are always people around, guests and cast members – you would REALLY have to go out of your way to be alone in an unsafe spot here.  No matter what – always be vigilant, but you can have FUN!

I know that so many people have asked me about solo adventures and the best way to do a Walt Disney World trip alone and I can tell you from experience just do it!  It seems so scary when you’re thinking about it, but I promise you that it is so much fun.

The first time I was at Walt Disney World alone I was there for just 2 days after a trip with some friends.  I’m very comfortable with ‘alone time’ at home, but I wasn’t sure what it would be like in my favourite place with no one to talk to.  What I noticed was that there were so many more ‘solo’ people I had never noticed before.

Are you ever REALLY alone in Walt Disney World? I’m always making friends!

I was standing waiting to go in to Be Our Guest for my first meal alone when I started chatting with someone else who happened to be there alone too.  It really is quite common because you could be there with other people and just decided to go your separate ways for a few hours.

No one knows what your situation is and quite honestly, no one cares!  Others are there enjoying their family vacations or solo trips and aren’t bothered by what anyone else is doing.

If you’ve been considering a solo trip to Walt Disney World – do it!  You might be surprised how different the parks and resorts feel when you’re there by yourself.  I once spent a month there (primarily alone) and it was one of the BEST trips of my life.  Again (for friends and family that might be reading this) – I do enjoy visiting with others, it’s just a different experience.

Have you done a trip solo?  Or are you thinking of one?

Let me know in the comments what you loved about it.

If you want more information listen to podcast 197 where we chat about it with our friend Katie.

How to get to your Disney resort from the Orlando airport using Mears Connect

Mears has been a trusted transportation option for years in Orlando.  They offer taxis, shuttles, limousines and they used to facilitate the Magical Express before Disney discontinued the complimentary program.  It’s no surprise that they would step in to fill the void the Magical Express left behind.

What you need to know about Mears Connect

When I arrive at Orlando International Airport (MCO) – I feel like I have officially started vacation!  I take a customary pic of the distinctive carpet and then roll my carry-on down to baggage claim to collect my checked bag (because let’s face it, I always have a checked bag!).

After collecting my checked bag – it’s time to get to the bus.  In the airport Mears is located in Terminals B & C on Level 1 labelled Ground Transportation.

You can see from where I’m coming off the elevator – it’s allllll the way at the end of the terminal.

As you walk up to the counter you’ll see that reservations are actually NOT required – but they are advisable.  You can make your reservations in advance online (or through your travel agent).  You will need your airline and flight number to make the reservation so that Mears will know when to expect you.  If you haven’t made the reservations in advance, you can do so when you arrive at the podium.

If your reservation was made in advance you will use your QR code in your confirmation email to check in.

Once you check in you will be instructed to a line that is specific for your resort.  They bundle the resorts that are close to each other so your bus will most likely stop at multiple resorts.

Buses depart for each resort area every 20-30 minutes.  Including stops at the resorts you should estimate your travel time to be between 30 and 60 minutes once you’re on the bus.

When your bus arrives they will send you out to meet it.  There is plenty of storage under the bus for luggage and the driver will store your bags.

The stairs to the bus are a bit steep – might be a small problem for some on the way back out.

Once you’re on the bus – it is really a comfy ride with plenty of room.

The TVs will keep you entertained with some fun cartoons on the journey and before you know it – you’ll be in Walt Disney World!

For the ride home, you will be given the pick up time for your resort and you meet the bus at the stop where they dropped you off.  There will be signs for the airport shuttle like the one pictured below.

Resort departure times are scheduled approximately 3 hours prior to the flight departure time for domestic flights and 4 hours prior for international flights.  For me as a Canadian – it’s quite a bit earlier than I would normally arrive, but understandable that they would schedule so much extra time.  I mean you don’t want Mears to be responsible for you missing your flight!

Mears Connect does not generally adjust resort departure times for delays and they will pick you up based on the original flight departure time.  If there are excessive delays or major travel disruptions you should contact Mears customer service.

What if it isn’t a full size Mears bus?

Sometimes – it isn’t a bus you get with Mears, sometimes it is a shuttle.  I assume this happens when they don’t have enough travellers coming in at the same time and they don’t want to make you wait, which is a good thing.  But these shuttles are small and a different experience from the bus.

I have been in the shuttle a couple of times myself and both times there was only 1 other family in the shuttle with me.  It’s important to not that not only are car seats not required on the bus, they are also not required in the smaller fleet.  Mears does have limited access to additional car seats if needed (pictured below).

What else should I know about Mears Connect?

1. Drivers do not expect tips – but they are appreciated.  Make sure you have some cash with you to give them.
2. If you cancel more than 24 hours in advance there is no charge.  Within 24 hours of your pick up time and you will be charged the full amount.
3. If you need to remain in your wheelchair for travel or need to remain in your wheelchair to board the vehicle, make sure you indicate that on your reservation.

Would you recommend Mears Connect to get to your Walt Disney World resort?

Yes, I would.

There are a few things that I consider before booking Mears for myself.  If I have enough people to split the cost or I am in a rush to get to my resort, I will book a private transfer or take a Lyft/Uber.  If I’m by myself, I can’t justify the price of a private transfer vs the individual cost for 1 person on Mears.

Sometimes having this kind of transportation is just easier.  The whole family can go together, you don’t need to worry that your Uber won’t have room for your luggage.  If you are travelling with little ones, I feel like its a little safer on a big bus if a car seat isn’t required on any of the smaller transportation options.

Have you ever taken Mears Connect?

What was your experience like?

In the last 15 years or so I haven’t gone to Walt Disney World without ordering groceries in advance.  Each order is a little different depending on what type of room I’m getting (kitchen or not), how much park time I’m planning and who I will be with.

The staples for me are always cases of water, milk and sugar for my tea and sometimes some Airborne tablets since we can’t get them in Canada.  If we have a full kitchen or are planning a lot of ‘resort’ time – I’ll often include snacks, bagels, eggs, fruits and beer/alcohol.  It’s vacation after all!

I have used many different delivery services over the years, but my go-to service is Vacation Grocery Delivery – FL.

Here are my top 5 reasons to use Vacation Grocery Delivery on your trip.

1.  Price

I love the fact that they have a flat rate for delivery and do not mark up the items.  Many other services have a slightly lower delivery fee – but they increase the price for the individual items.  I don’t mind paying a delivery fee if I’m paying the same price for the items as if I was in the store myself.

2.  The website is easy to use

They have many items on their website that you can quickly “add to list” but they also have a custom item selection where you can type in something you want but don’t see.

You can click on a generic item to notate specific brands and flavors where available – it really is a custom experience.

3.  The communication is fantastic

From the time I place my order to the moment it’s delivered – the communication is exactly what I need.

I recieved my confirmation email with a summary of what I ordered, where I could contact them for changes/questions and updates.  Orders that contained alcohol come with specific instructions about how to order and what is required.

When my shopper starts the order I get a text message to open the lines of communication if there are any changes.

I assume they text if there’s something that isn’t available, but I’ve never had them need to contact me for anything.

There is another text that says the order is done and that they got everything.  The final text message is delivery including details about where my order is:

Now I have all the details in the event there is a mix up at the resort. I also know how many ‘pieces’ the delivery is when I call down to Bell Services to have them bring it up.  The one in the fridge is my milk for my tea, and I’m always so excited to have a cup when I arrive.  (I have a kettle in my Owners Locker but that’s another story!)

The wonderful Megan even sent me pictures of my items!

Before my arrival this is the peace of mind I need that it’s all there and waiting for me.  If this isn’t great service and communication – I don’t know what is!

Please note:  Given I am always staying at a Walt Disney World resort they can drop my things at Bell Services (as long as there is no alcohol).  Non-Disney resorts may require you to be there in person when they are delivering.  Check the website for full details.

4.  They generally shop at Publix

Yes there are a lot of places around to get your orders, but Publix has everything you could want and more.  The items are fresh and well stocked and the prices are reasonable.  I have always been happy with the QUALITY of the items I got.

5.  They are good people

The founders Jessica and Landon are a lovely couple who are former cast members.  I had the pleasure of being one of their first guests when they started this adventure after the pandemic and I ordered some groceries to arrive at Saratoga Springs for me.  As they have grown they continue to add team members who are also current & former cast members.  Listen to episode 191 of the podcast where they share their story with us.  They talk about their work as cast members, how they met, how the business started and even some cat rescue work in there!  They really are an incredible duo.

Next trip – reach out to the team at Vacation Grocery Delivery, you will be happy you did!

Still trying to decide on grocery delivery?  Read my 3 things to consider before you place your order.

Can you do a character meal solo at Walt Disney World?

Absolutely you can and why not?  Walt Disney World is my favorite place to dine and experience solo!  In fact, sometimes it’s more fun when you’re alone (shhh – don’t tell my friends I said that!).

I travel to Walt Disney World by myself all the time.  The very first time I tried it I was a bit nervous, but I soon got over that.  I realized that no one cared that I was on an attraction by myself or wandering the park alone, they were all too wrapped up in their own stuff.  Soon I was more than comfortable doing a week (or even a month) by myself.

But character dining?  That’s a whole other thing.  I couldn’t figure out why this was such a big deal to me, I mean I had eaten at table service restaraunts alone before, but this just felt ‘different’.  I was nervous and I couldn’t tell you why.

I decided that for my first character meal solo I would do a table service instead of a buffet.  I just couldn’t figure out how it would work to be going to the buffet between characters and did I leave my stuff at the table?  Would they think I had run out on the bill when I was at the buffet?  These are the things my mind ponders.

Thankfully – I got a reservation at Topolinos!  It was perfect – no buffet and I had only been there once before when it first opened so I was anxious to get back and try it again.

Topolino’s Terrace is at Disney’s Riviera Resort.  Located on the top floor, the views are incredible!  While a character breakfast is offered here, in the evenings it’s signature dining featuring elevated French and Italian inspired cuisine.  It really is a beautiful spot.

I arrived at the desk to check in feeling a bit apprehensive.  As I was checking in there was a bit of a crowd hanging around the podium waiting to be seated.  I whispered “reservation for 1 please”.

When they called my name I asked them if I was seated off to the side (oh please don’t let me be in the middle of the floor!) and she said that I was by the window.  Perfect!  I will have something to look out at.  What a view it was, I was looking out over the hotel and the pool.

Once I was seated I started looking at the menu. There was a nice family at the table next to me that were just finishing up their meal.

I ordered my tea and breakfast (I did the two eggs any style) and soon she brought out the pastries.  Oh my gosh… I am by myself, but here is this big bucket of goodness!  Inside there are Croissants, chocolate chip muffins, and apple cake accompanied by strawberry, butter, and chocolate hazelnut spread.

I tried them all – but the croissant with the chocolate was my favorite (of course!).

By the time I was eating my pastries I had forgotten I was alone.  I was watching the characters interact at the other end of the restaraunt, I was focused on my food and the gorgeous view out of the window.  It was then that I realized that this was no different than anywhere else.  No one cared that I was alone, in fact I don’t think anyone even noticed.  They were all so busy doing their own thing and enjoying themselves that I wasn’t even a blip on their radar.  Funny how nervous we get about these things and realize pretty quickly they they really are no big deal!

As the characters came to my table they were so fun and gave me the full experience.  Daisy was first and she did a little pose before we got a selfie together.  I had a good giggle trying to get us both in the picture.

Next came Minnie and I was getting the hang of the character selfies!  While I cut her ear out of the pic – it worked!

As Minnie and I were taking our selfie together – one of the cast members came and offered to take our picture together.  How nice – now I have a full picture of Minnie and I!

After my photo op with Daisy and Minnie my breakfast arrived.  It was a good meal and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

There’s something about bacon on vacation isn’t there?  While I was eating the characters stopped visiting tables and did their ‘dance’ around the restaraunt.  It’s so unbelievably cute and they really put on a show.  Donald and Daisy had a whole ‘act’ that they did after where Daisy was acting jealous of Donald taking pictures with the guests.  It was so cute and so funny that I found myself laughing out loud.  I was completely immersed in the experience – again, not caring I was alone.

Next up Donald came to see me and I had him pose for a pic before our selfie – I just love the outfits that they wear here.

Last but not least, Mickey arrived at my table.  By this time there was a new family seated next to me and the father was so kind, he jumped up to offer to take the picture for me which I appreciated. 

I would have been ok (and fully expected) to do selfies with the characters, but I did appreciate the people who helped me get the full pictures.  

I have to say – I enjoyed every minute of that breakfast ALONE.  I think I’m brave enough to even do a buffet now, I mean why not?  I had fun, I laughed and felt that Disney magic just the same as I would had I been with a group of people.  That’s the beauty of Disney, you can enjoy it as a group or solo – it’s whatever YOU make of your vacation!

My friend Katie does Disney solo all the time too – we talked about it on Podcast episode 197 where she shared some of her tips to being in Disney solo.

Would you do a character meal alone?  Which one would you like to try??

Do I need a Disney travel agent to book a Walt Disney World vacation?

I see this question ALL THE TIME online, in every Disney Facebook group this question is asked at least once per week.  It’s a great opportunity for every travel agent in the group to pipe in with “I can help” (I’m convinced some of the anonymous posters are in fact agents looking to advertise!).  This is also the time where some of the group “experts” weigh in to tell you why you don’t need an agent.  With so many conflicting opinions on social media it is incredibly confusing to know what to do, so I’m going to give it to you straight.  I’m going to tell you exactly why you should have a professional travel advisor when you’re booking your Walt Disney World vacation.

Before we go ANY further – I have been a travel advisor myself for over 15 years and I own my own travel agency.  Did I write this post to advertise my agency?  Nope.  I am a true lifelong Disney fan. I want people to go and love it as much as I do.  If you have bad advice during the planning process, your experience can suffer.  This post is about providing the facts about planning a Disney trip.  The advice I’m giving could apply for any GOOD PROFESSIONAL travel advisor that specializes in Disney vacations.    

(Please note the caveat is a GOOD PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR.  Not one from a Multi Level Marketing agency or an order taker at a big box store – a real travel advisor.  For tips on picking one click here).

Here are 5 reasons you should have a travel agent when booking your Walt Disney World vacation

1  The advice you get online is not the same as a professional agent

Sure I’ve heard people say “but I like to do the research myself”  and I totally get that.  You want to read the reviews, get the opinions and understand what is available, after all – it’s your vacation! The problem with this is that these ‘experts’ online giving you their opinions vacation the way it makes sense for their family.  They are not in the parks looking for details, services or tips that would help YOUR family, they are enjoying their own trip with their family.

The best Disney travel planners never really get a ‘vacation’ in Walt Disney World (or anywhere else for that matter).  They are trained to look for things that help their clients by looking for things that impact people that have DIFFERENT needs than their own.  Some kids like to sleep in at Disney and maybe yours are early risers – do you want to take tips from the family that don’t get to the park until 2 hours after it opened?  Some have kids that won’t sit in a restaurant so they’ve never had a table service meal, do you want to take dining advice from them?

What works for the people on social media may not be what works for you.  Remember that you are getting advice based on what they experienced only.

A good Disney agent has years of personal experience, they are graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge and are supported by a professional team of Disney experts.  Don’t get caught up on the “authorized Disney vacation planner” title you see on some posts.  Disney’s Earmarked program status ONLY applies to the agency based on criteria that includes time in business.  The agent you’re working with at an Earmarked agency can be brand new, or the agent at a new agency can have 10 years experience.  It’s an important distinction.

Disneys Port Orleans French Quarter Resort

2  Disney math is hard

Disney is one of the few suppliers that regularly have promotions announced that can be applied to existing bookings.  Is the new deal always the better deal?  Nope!  Is it easy to tell that it’s not?  Not always!

With dining card promos, date restrictions and different discounts for different resorts – finding out what makes sense is not always easy.  Add to that the extensive wait times on the phone to call in and ask – and why would you WANT to do that yourself?

I have personally experienced clients who were convinced by ‘experts’ online that one discount was better than another and were quite angry that I hadn’t switched their reservation.  After a phone call and spreadsheet to explain the math – they understood that switching would have INCREASED their price by over $400 USD for the SAME reservation.  Every good travel professional has experienced this at least once sadly.

An advisor will let you know the best deals for you.  They will tell you if you could change your dates or resorts slightly to make it work or if you already have the best package available.  If they need to change your package to get the special offers then they sit on hold with the call center to get it done.  Sometimes they can switch it online (and are so thrilled when that happens!) but sometimes they have to deal with systems that don’t always “work”.  These travel advisors figure it out and navigate all of the complexities for your vacation package so that you don’t have to.  Why wouldn’t you want someone doing this for you?

3  Picking a resort and tickets isn’t always easy

With all of the Disney resorts on property they have organized them in to categories.  Value, Moderate, Deluxe and Villas – and those are just the Disney ones!  This can be an overwhelming list of resorts, especially if it’s your first time.

How do you choose where to stay?  “We’re only in the room to sleep” is the advice I see all the time from the die hard Disney fans online.  For some people the most important thing is to have a bed to sleep in, but this isn’t the case for everyone.  Transportation needs, pools, restaurant and food options are a few of the factors that should be considered.

Do you want a pool with a slide?  How much time do you want to spend GETTING to the Magic Kingdom in the morning?  Do you want a bus that has 4 stops before leaving the resort?  Is someone afraid of heights and wouldn’t be able to get on the Skyliner?  How far do you want to walk to get coffee in the morning?  These are just some of the things that can take an ‘ok vacation’ to a wonderful experience if you’ve considered them before booking.  If someone goes all the time and stays at All Star Music – how would they know about the amenities at the other resort hotels?

Tickets are another fun thing to explore.  Date based pricing, park hopping, water parks and more – how do you decide what makes sense for your family?  Sure you can get advice from the group – but I promise that the various opinions will make your head spin!  Disney vacation planners will guide you through the options that make sense so you have the best vacation possible

4  There are new things ALL THE TIME

Walt Disney once said “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world” and that holds true today for all of the Disney parks and resorts.  Even Disney specialists find it is hard work to keep up with all of the changes.

With Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightening Lanes, virtual queues, Memory Maker and Magic Bands, it is so easy to get outdated or misinformation from well meaning people online.

While new attractions, resorts, room categories and activities add opportunities for fun, they also offer opportunities for disappointment.  Imagine telling your kids that you can see the fireworks from your bed only to discover you booked the wrong room category and you are staring at the parking lot?  How about telling them they’d have their own ‘pull down’ bed only to arrive and find out you didn’t book the 5th sleeper?  Will you get sick on the newest attraction?  Are your kids tall enough? What about telling them they’re going to see all sorts of Star Wars stuff only to arrive and realize you didn’t have plans for Hollywood Studios?  If you think it can’t happen to you – it can.  It is so easy to misinterpret or just miss some critical information.  I hear this story all the time and it is so sad because it’s completely avoidable.

5  You always have control

The best Disney Travel Agents are there to guide you, but you make the decisions and are always in control.  Agents offer advice and information that you may not have known or considered, and it’s tailored to your family.  You don’t have to weed through 47 conflicting opinions online to try and decipher what is really important and what is actually true.

As an agent, podcaster and blogger focused on Disney I have heard it all.  Stories of booking the wrong hotel, the wrong parks even the wrong STATE!  (Grand Californian and Grand Floridian do sound similar, but that didn’t help the man at the check in desk!).  I have people that reach out to me all the time with their horror stories and they are looking for advice for their next vacation.

While I may have shared with you some of the more extreme cases of issues, there are many more that are just annoyances that will make your trip less than a magical experience.  My question is – why take a chance?  Why wouldn’t you use a professional travel advisor with the extensive training that can help you every step of the way?

Don’t just take my word for it.  There is an op-ed written by Sarah Milner called “Why I Won’t Use Costco For Travel Again” that captured exactly what I’ve been saying perfectly.  Sarah wrote about her own experience with Costco Travel and how she advises against it.  You can read her article here for the specifics of her trip.

For my best advice on how to find a good agent – visit my blog on 6 Questions to ask your Disney Travel Agent or speak with one of my agents at Playcation Travel.  Remember that not all Disney travel agencies are created equal – and not all agents will be suitable to work with you.  Find the one that is not only qualified – but one that you CLICK with!

(Ok yes that last part is a plug for my agency – but honestly, I want people to go and have the most magical Disney vacation possible!)

Traveling with small children can be no easy feat, but the memories you make will be worth it in the end. I took my kids to Walt Disney World for their first trip when my daughter was 5 and my son was 2.5. They were, in my eyes, the perfect age to enjoy the magic but I got some valuable insight from the experience of traveling with 2 children under 5!

I have listed my top 5 tips based on the experience with my kids.

1.  Choose Your Commute Carefully!

Depending on where you’re traveling from, getting there can be a big decision. Are you going to drive or fly? It really comes down to what you think is best for your family, considering the cost and practicality of it. We chose to fly for the kids first trip so they could experience a plane and Disney’s Magical Express for the first time. If you’re flying make sure you pick good flight times, sometimes the cheapest, isn’t always the best. We had a 6am flight out of Toronto which meant having to leave our house at 2am! This was really hard on their little bodies (so much that my daughter was sick before we even left home). They ended up sleeping on the plane, which was great but if I had to do that again, that would be the one thing I’d change! If you choose to drive (which we have done since), make sure your kids are well entertained with books, movies, colouring books, etc. Maybe try doing a long day drive to test for motion sickness ahead of time.

All buckled up and ready to go!

2.  Bring Comforts From Home

When we were getting ready to go on our vacation, we wanted to make sure we packed comforts from home to not only help them feel safe and comfortable but also in case of any meltdowns that may happen (and they do happen). This could be a stuffed animal or toy, or even their favourite book. These small things will make a world of difference when your little one is feeling tired or overwhelmed with the busy days. My daughter had fun buckling in her stuffed sheep on the plane and one evening we came back to our room to find her barbies set up on the bed from the Mousekeeping Cast Members!

3.  Bring Your Own Snacks

We made the decision to bring our own snacks and juice boxes from home. Yes, this added to the weight of our suitcases but it was a great idea that helped get through the days, and let’s face it, it’ll offset the weight of souvenirs coming home. We made our own trail mix and put it in Ziploc containers so that we could grab a cup a day for the kids to snack on. This is huge for parents with picky eaters! Then you know for sure they are going to eat something they like. The juice boxes we wrapped in a garbage bag for the way down, just in case a few decided to leak in our suitcases, and then the garbage bag doubled as a dirty laundry bag for the way home! We also put granola bars in containers so they didn’t get squished which helps give everyone, not just the kids, a little energy boost through the day.

4.  Bring A Stroller

If you have kids 5 and under, I strongly recommend bringing a stroller from home or renting one. We chose not to bring our double stroller so that we didn’t have to worry about it on the plane, but we made sure to put the rental in our budget when planning. We rented a double-stroller from Kingdom Strollers that could seat 100lbs on each side, came with a rain cover, shades that pulled all the way forward and the backs of the stroller laid down completely! It was a life (and back) saver! Not only was it great for giving the kids little legs a break, but it gave them a shady spot to sit and enjoy and snack. It also provided my son a great nap area because the back laid down completely. Even my daughter who was 5 used it to rest even though she wanted to go, go, go! Which brings me to my final point…

5.  Know Their Limits

If your little one is tired and needs a nap, let them! Don’t be worried about them missing out on things because everyone will feel better after they’ve napped. My son slept through the Festival of Fantasy parade in Magic Kingdom and Finding Nemo: The Musical in Animal Kingdom. They make for pretty cute pictures! You can also find shady areas to relax, like the Rapunzel rest area, or do a quiet, indoor attraction, like The Enchanted Tiki Room or Tomorrowland Transit Authority’s PeopleMover. There’s also no harm in going back to your resort for a rest and continuing with the day once everyone is freshened up! This reduces the risk of those unmagical meltdowns happening.

Traveling with my kids when they were so young was such a rewarding and memorable experience. If I had to go back, I would take them again but even younger! I absolutely love the memories we made and the pictures we have from that trip, it’s still one of my favourite trips to Walt Disney World that I’ve ever taken!

There are rules you need to follow when you visit Disney property.  Whether its a resort, theme park or shopping district – they have rules in place to ensure a safe and happy environment for all guests.

As you would expect, these rules need to be updated and refreshed at times.  The changes in the spring of 2019 are outlined below:

1.  Loose and Dry Ice is not permitted

I can only assume this was difficult at security check points to search.

If you’re planning to bring a cooler to the park with some food or beverages you must use reusable ice packs.  You can no longer fill up your cooler with loose or dry ice.  Keep in mind your cooler cannot be bigger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high.

2.  Stroller Size Restrictions

Strollers can not be any larger than 31″ wide and 52″ long.  Many strollers on the market fit within these guidelines including double jogging strollers.

Shop my wish list of products!

3.  Wagons are prohibited

Wagons were not allowed in the parks (something you pull behind you) but then there came ‘stroller wagons’ that you could push.  Disney has specifically called out wagons of any kind – they are no longer allowed in the parks.

4.  Disney Parks Are Now Non-Smoking

No smoking inside Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex or Downtown Disney in California.

As of May 1, 2019 Diney Parks in both Florida and California will be smoke free.  Designated areas will be provided outside of the parks.

I can’t tell you how happy I am that I quit smoking last year.  This would have been really difficult for me to deal with – not being able to smoke in the parks.  I know the smoking areas need to be out of the way – I’m just not sure they had to be OUT of the parks!  I guess we’ll see what they have planned when it rolls out on May 1st.

You can always find the rules on Disney’s official websites

Are you impacted by these changes?