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If you’re considering a Disney vacation or have gone on one in recent years, you likely already know that it can be extremely overwhelming to plan. Advanced dining reservations, FastPasses, Dessert Parties, After Hours Events, and Holiday Events are just a handful of the many things you need to account for, and those are just for Walt Disney World. Many of these items need to be dealt with months in advance of your trip, and good planning can often mean the difference between a truly memorable vacation and a stressful mess.

Luckily, there are many ways to ease the stress of planning a Disney vacation, one of which is working with an experienced travel agent. A good agent will help you with everything from deciding where to stay, to booking all your advanced reservations, and everything in between. And best of all, the service is free (as in no fee), and could even save you money. Read on to learn more.

1. Knowledge

All Disney travel agents have to successfully pass the Disney College of Knowledge (Disney’s course that ensures all of their agents are up to snuff), and have to be up-to-date each year on the new content. Disney is constantly changing or updating their parks, resorts, pricing, and policies, and a great travel agent will know that and help you plan a great trip around any changes.

It would stink to book a reservation at your dream hotel, only to show up and find out the pool is closed for your entire visit, due to renovations. A travel agent will help you navigate the best time to visit based on your wants and needs.

2. Free

What most guests don’t realize is that my services as a travel agent are completely free. The prices I quote for you are the same prices you would find if you booked your trip on your own. Disney pays the agent’s commission, you pay nothing for the service.

From a value standpoint it’s an absolute win-win for everyone involved. You get my expert help at no additional charge, I get compensated for my time and effort, and Disney gets a new customer that will be more likely to have a great experience.

3. Savings

Discounts are released periodically throughout the year and for various seasons. As a travel agent, I receive these notifications early in the morning and will spend my time on the phone or web trying to save you money if the discount applies to your trip. Even if you book a package prior to a discount being released, I can still apply the discount to your package, as long as your visit falls within the restrictions of that discount.

Agents can spend up to 2 hours on hold for a discount that a lot of people are trying to get. You aren’t just saving money, but you are saving time. It is my job to spend those hours on hold, not yours.

4. Books Dining and FastPass+ for you

As I mentioned before, the thought of booking dining reservations 6 months before your trip seems overwhelming. ADRs – also known as Advanced Dining Reservations – are one of the most important details to Disney vacation planning for anyone looking for character dining experiences or signature dining. Dining reservations can be reserved 180 days in advance.

As a travel agent I will be able to assist you with all of this. I can also book your dining reservations for you. If this is something you prefer to do on your own, you will certainly be able to, but most prefer to have their agent do it on their behalf.

Not only do you have to make dining reservations, you have to make advanced FastPasses. I will explain the FastPass+ (FP+) process and can also book them for you. FastPass+ reservations are available to book online through your My Disney Experience account 60 days in advance for guests staying in Walt Disney World resort hotels. The FastPass+ system can be confusing as there is a tiered system in Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I will help you navigate this system and figure out which FP+ works best for your family.

Interested in Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, an After Hours event, Dessert Party or Holiday event? I can talk through these events with you and book them as well.

5. Concierge Type Service

Once your vacation is booked, the customer service does not end. As a travel agent, I can help with things like strollers or wheelchair rentals and Airport transfers. Need some help navigating the parks? No problem, I’ll help plan your park touring, giving you detailed layouts of the parks, and figuring out character locations. Finally, I’ve got your back for any special Birthday or Anniversary plans, Schedule Tee Times or Spa Services.

6. Point of Contact during your trip

When you arrive at Walt Disney World you may realize that you’ve forgotten your itinerary at home. I will be able to answer any calls or texts regarding your trip. Did you forget where you need to meet for your Dessert Party? Did the My Disney Experience app crash and you can’t remember what time your dinner at Cinderella’s Castle is? I will be available to get you that information, or any other info you may need while visiting Disney.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully this post has helped you learn a bit more about what it’s like to work with a Disney travel agent and why you might want to do so for your next vacation. Planning anything can be a drag, and my goal is ultimately to take the stress out so you can focus on having a great experience with your family or friends.

If you’re ready to start booking your next Disney Parks vacation, Disney Cruise, Adventures by Disney, or Aulani, please fill out this quick form and I’ll get back to you ASAP to get started.

It can be overwhelming to think of what you may need for a day in one of the Disney parks. It is possible that you may be spending 12-14 hours touring, so it is important to pack a bag that will aide you in whatever your day throws at you. I have put together some of my essential items in this post.

Touring

1. You can’t go anywhere without your MagicBands, so make sure if you aren’t wearing them, that they are packed and readily accessible.
2. Your ID as well as cash and credit cards. While it is very easy to pay with your MagicBand, make sure you have a back up payment method, in case the machine to accept MagicBand payment is down, or if the vendor only takes cash.
3. Park Maps. If you are staying on Disney property the lobby of your hotel will have park maps for all of the Disney Parks. Grab one before you get to the park, so you have time to decide on your plan of action once you arrive.
4. Autograph Books and Pens. If you or your children want autographs from their favorite characters, make sure that you’ve put these in your bags.

Electronics

5. Your phone! This is important, not just because of your access to your touring party, but because your My Disney Experience account has all the information regarding dining reservations, FastPasses, and more.
6. Portable Charger. You are going to use your phone, a lot. From the My Disney Experience app to taking photos of all the cute things your kids are doing, the battery is sure to drain before you are ready to go back to your resort. Having a portable charger will make sure you aren’t left without a usable phone.

Weather Related

7. Sunscreen is a must. Even if you are visiting in January, the sun will be out and could be hot. Make sure you don’t get a sun burn at the most magical place on earth.
8. Being outside a lot, you will want sunglasses or a hat to protect your eyes from that midday sun.
9. If you’ve ever visited Florida before, you know it can rain a lot, especially during the summer months. Grab a rain poncho from home or one in the parks, and make sure to pack it every morning before you leave.
10. In case you get wet, due to the rain or a wet ride, pack an extra set of clothes or at the very least an extra pair of socks in your park bag.

For Fun

11. Pin Trading is something that many adults and kids participate in at Walt Disney World. If you are interested in trading, make sure to bring the pins you want to trade with you to the park.
12. There are many penny presses throughout the different parks, all with different images. Make sure you bring loose change, including pennies, if you want to make unique pressed pennies.
13. Want to keep your kids entertained while waiting for the night time shows? Pack a few small fun items for them to play with, like glow sticks or bubbles.

Food and Beverage

14. Snacks are so important, you never know how your day may go, so in order to avoid some hangry meltdowns, pack some snacks in your bag. You can also get the snacks delivered to your hotel room so you don’t have to cart them from home.
15. Also bring a few bottles of water. Unless you have a cooler bag, I don’t recommend bringing more than a few bottles as they will get warm throughout the day, but a few to help you get through the morning will save you some money.
16. If you are a gum chewer make sure to bring your own, as it is not sold at Disney Parks or Disney Resorts.
17. Ziplock Bags are on of the most versatile items to have in your park bag. You can use them to take left overs from breakfast or lunch, or you can use them to put wet clothes in, so that those clothes don’t make your entire bag wet. I always keep a few of each size in my bag ready to go.

Miscellaneous

1. Hand Sanitizer is a great item to keep in your park bag, or you can get the ones that attach to a bag zipper.
2. I carry wipes with me everywhere, not just at Disney World. They are great for wiping down messy tables and for wiping messes off your face or hands.
3. Last, but not least — a mini first aid kit! I tend to bring loads of health and wellness stuff to Disney World in case one of us may get sick, but I don’t want to lug it all to the park. The most important for me are band-aids, pain reliever, and anti-itch cream/Neosporin. If I need something else while in the park I will go to the first aid stations, and they can help.

Wrapping Up: Pack for the unexpected

As you can see there are plenty of items to bring to the park, but they don’t take up a lot of space. What is your number one item to bring in your park bag? Drop them it the comments below. Or, until next time have a magical trip!

Going on a vacation to Walt Disney World is a lot of fun, but there tends to be a lot of souvenir buying, especially if you have children. And if your children are anything like mine they will want those large stuffed animals or large plastic figurines, or you may have collected one too many Disney mugs. So what can you do with all the stuff you bought, how can you make sure it gets home?

In this post, we’ll outline some ways to make this process a bit less hectic and difficult.

Bring an Extra Suitcase

This may seem silly, but if you have room, pack an extra duffel bag or gym size bag in your suitcase. That way if you have any large items, or too many items, to fit in your suitcase, you have another option.

Ship Home

There are actually a few options when you are in the parks for how to ship souvenirs home. One of them is shipping to your home. You will need to fill out a form in the shop you purchased the item in, and then choose between express and ground shipping. In the case where an item doesn’t show up or arrives damaged, you can call Disney with all the information on the form and they will help you get your purchase, or help with a undamaged product.

Shop the App

In the My Disney Experience App, you can now shop some of the items that can only be found in the Parks. Not everything can be purchased via the app, so if you are curious, you can scan the item you are unsure about and the app will tell you if you can purchase it there, or if it is only available in parks, and that may help you decide.

Wrapping Up

You have more options at Walt Disney World on getting souvenirs home, then you do at most vacation destinations. Have you ever used Disney’s shipping services? If not, do you think you would want to? Let us know in the comments. Or, until next time, have a magical trip!

There is nothing fun about vacation coming to an end, especially a Walt Disney World vacation. If you stay on property at a Walt Disney World Resort, you may be able to take advantage of Resort Airline Check-In. This process makes saying good-bye a little less annoying.

What is Resort Airline Check-In?

Resort Airline Check-In is a complimentary service that allows you the ability to check-in for your departure, receive your boarding pass, and check your bags at your resort. This means when you get to the airport all you need to do is go through security.

What do you need for Resort Airline Check-In?

You will need a government issued identification or passport for each person traveling in your party.

You need to check-in at least 3 hours prior to your flight. Keep in mind if your flight is delayed, the resort check-in time is not pushed back. If your flight was scheduled to leave at 10 am, you must check-in by 7 am, even if the flight is delayed until 12 pm.

If you would get charged a fee for checked bags, you would also pay this at Resort Check-In.

Who can use Resort Airline Check-In?

Resort Airline Check-In is open from 5 am – 12 pm every day. If you have a 6 am flight, you will not be eligible for Resort Airline Check-In. Also if you have a later flight, say 8 pm, you need to make sure you check in before they close for the day at 12 pm.

Participating Airlines

Not every airline participates with this program, the following do:
– Alaska Airlines
– American Airlines
– Delta Airlines, US Domestic Flights only
– JetBlue Airways
– Southwest Airlines
– United Airlines

All resorts participate in this program. The Resort Airline Check-in desk is usually near guest check-in and baggage desks.

Wrapping Up

Have you ever used Resort Airline Check-In? Did you find it made your departure day easier? Let us know in the comments below. Or, until next time, have a magical trip.

Walt Disney World is one of the most magical places on earth, and for children, their first visit will likely be something they remember for their entire lives. But, as anyone with children knows, taking them on trips can be a stress inducing affair. Fear not though, there are several things you can do to make the whole experience more enjoyable for you and your children alike.

Be prepared to plan

The Walt Disney World you visited when you were a child is not the same Walt Disney World that you visit today. You have the opportunity to make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s) 180 days before your trip and book FastPasses 60 days before your trip, if you are staying on property.

While it is possible to dine and go on rides without these reservations, it will have you waiting around for more time than you may want. In effect, the days of showing up at the parks day of, without any advanced prep, and expecting to make good use of your time are over.

A great travel agent can help you with these things if you feel too overwhelmed to do it yourself.

Stay on property

You may have to do the math on whether or not you can stay on property, but if it works for your family, it can make a world of difference. Not having to drive around, deal with local traffic, deal with giant parking lots, etc… That is a lot of time you can spend with your family at the park instead of trying to get to and from.

There are also so many great themed resorts for kids, most of which are in the Value category. My favorite for little ones is The Art of Animation, but there are plenty to choose from.

Make your plans around your childs schedule and interests

Is your child a morning person or likes to stay up late? Try planning your touring schedule around their normal schedule. It may not be possible for your kids to go from rope drop to park closure one day or multiple days. So you may have to be strategic with how you plan your days. Also be mindful of not having a late night followed by an early morning.

Has your child gone on roller coasters or thrill rides before? Then you may feel comfortable planning all their FastPasses for thrill rides. Does your little one love characters and interacting with them. You may plan to spend your free time waiting in line for character meet + greets. You know your child best, but again a skilled travel agent may be able to help you figure out which FastPasses to pick and how to set up your daily touring plans.

Take it easy

This sounds simple enough, but may be hard in practice. If you’ve been to Disney before you may remember that you end up walking 10-15 miles a day just touring the parks. That can be hard on an adult, let alone a child. Remember to take breaks, get plenty of water, and if needed go back to your hotel for some rest or pool time.

Be prepared for things to not go your way

There are many reasons things may not go your way. There could be lightning and rain that shuts down rides or shows. Your child could decide that he/she is too scared to meet a character and want to leave the line after spending lots of time waiting. While Walt Disney World is the most magical place on earth, it doesn’t mean nothing bad happens.

We all need to remember that it won’t hurt us if our plans change and to try to all go with the flow.

Buy Memory Maker

If you can afford it, memory maker is one of the best purchases you can make for your trip. With memory maker you get unlimited downloads of all your Disney photos and videos, select attraction and character dining photos, and magic shots. You have 30 days to download your photos, so keep that in mind.

For me, I am usually the one taking the photos, so it is 100% worth the price to not have to worry about taking photos or making sure that I am in them. There are also many photo pass photographers throughout the parks to take your picture. If you buy at least 3 days in advance of your trip you save $30.

Enjoy your visit

It can seem like you spent almost a whole year, or more, planning your trip and you want everything to go perfectly. Try to just take every day as it comes and enjoy being at Walt Disney World with your family. There is nothing like the first time watching your child enjoying the magic at WDW.

Wrapping up

What is your number one tip to parents bringing their children to Walt Disney World for the first time? Let us know in the comments below. Or, until next time, have a magical trip.

We’ve previously covered why summer is the best time to visit Walt Disney World. If you do decide vo take our advice and hit the House of Mouse during those scorching summer months, one thing you’ll want to take full advantage of when available, is air conditioning. Knowing which rides and standby line feature AC might affect your plan of attack, and for some rides, might mean the difference between going for a FastPass or just using the standby line.

Today we’ll be covering the AC situation at Magic Kingdom.

Main Street, U.S.A

Town Square Theater

This is where you can meet Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell. There can be a bit of wait, mostly because it’s the first attraction you pass once you get into the park. The good news is that it is inside and air conditioned.

Tomorrowland

Space Mountain

Normally we’d would suggest trying to get a FastPass for this ride, but in the event that you can’t, the normally long wait is inside and is air conditioned.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Now this line isn’t air conditioned, but the ride is, and it is longer than most rides at Magic Kingdom, so you will be able to soak up some much needed cool air.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Part of this queue is outside, but part is also inside and it is air conditioned. The ride is also a bit longer than others, more time to soak up that sweet cooled air.

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

This is a show and not a ride, but it is inside and air conditioned.

Fantasyland

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

This is an air-conditioned attraction and not an air-conditioned queue. Need to cool off and rest your feet? Take in this 12 minutes 3D movie musical starring many Disney characters.

Liberty Square

The Hall of Presidents

Another great show. 22 minutes of air-conditioning while you learn about the Presidents of the United States of America.

Frontierland

Country Bear Jamboree

This is another show that lets you take a break and get out of the heat. Relax and enjoy the entertainment of these animatronic bears for 16 minutes.

Adventureland

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

An animatronic show with exotic birds that sing, a Disney fan favorite. Take a seat, relax, and enjoy the show and air conditioning!

Wrapping Up

The Florida heat can be unbearable at times, but with many attractions and queues to cool off in, it can be easy to manage. What is your favorite way to cool off in the heat? Let us know in the comments. Or, until next time, have a magical trip.

If you’ve never booked a stay at a Walt Disney World resort property, you may be scared off by a serious case of sticker shock. Staying on property, as opposed to booking a nearby hotel, can seem prohibitively expensive. But, as you’ll find, there are many benefits to booking all aspects of your trip with Disney and once you read this post, you may decide that the price premium is in fact worth it.

Wide Range of Hotel Options

There are three main types of hotels at Walt Disney World. Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Hotels are the primary options. They all have pros and they vary for each person and family.

Value Resorts

Value Resorts are the lowest-priced, they are the farthest away from the parks of all the resorts. They are: All Star Music, All Star Movies, All Star Sports, Pop Century, and Art of Animation.

The theming for these hotels is very bright, full of color, and great options for families with young children.

Moderate Resorts

Moderate Resorts are the mid-range resorts. The biggest difference between the value resorts and the moderate resorts is the size of the beds and the size of the rooms. The beds are typically queen beds, in most value resorts they are full sized. The rooms also typically sleep 5 instead of 4 and have about 60 square feet more than the values.

The moderate resorts are: Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Port Orleans – French Quarter, Port Orleans – Riverside, and The Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

While the theming at these resorts is not as loud as they are at the value resorts, you have the option at two of the resorts for themed rooms. At Caribbean Beach you have Pirate rooms, and at Port Orleans Riverside you have the Royal rooms. These rooms tend to be the farthest from the main building, but for those who enjoy this theming, it will certainly be worth it.

Deluxe Resorts

It goes without saying that the Deluxe Resorts are the most expensive resorts on Disney property. However the perks of staying at a deluxe resort are amazing. Most of the Deluxe Resorts are within walking distance of one park, or have access to the monorail from the front of the resort.

The Deluxe Resorts are: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and the Yacht Club Resort.

Transportation

If you are staying on Disney property you have the opportunity to take free transportation to and from the airport. The Magical Express will pick you up and drop you off, you just need to make sure that you reserve your spot.

There is also free transportation from the resorts to all the parks and Disney Springs. This includes the busses, monorail, boats, and soon the gondola’s.

Location

Nothing beats being 15-20 minutes away from the parks, and many of the resorts are closer than that. If you are staying off-property you are either paying for a shuttle service that may not run as often as the Disney transportation or you may be paying out-of-pocket for ride sharing services. If you drive your own car, you may be paying more money for parking.

If you have members of your party that needs a mid-day break, going back and forth to your off-property resort may be difficult.

Dining Reservations

Whether or not you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s) 180 days prior to your trip. Guests staying on property are able to make dining reservations at 180 days plus 10 additional days, which will cover most families entire trip.

If you are staying off-site you can only make your dining reservations one day at a time.

The ability to make reservations many days in advance is that the hard to get reservations; Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, ‘Ohana, etc…, give those staying on property an advantage to getting the days and times they want. Those staying off property may not get the day or time they want, or get the reservation at all.

FastPass+

FastPass is one of the most valuable pieces of anyone’s trip to Walt Disney World. Each guest has the ability to book three FastPasses a day. A FastPass is basically a ticket to go to the front of the line of a ride. If you are staying on Disney property you can book your FastPasses at 60 days prior to your trip, for the length of your trip. Like dining reservations, there are FastPasses that “sell out” faster than others. Rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Slinky Dog Dash, The Haunted Mansion, Soarin’, Flight of Passage, etc… can be hard to get if you don’t get them at the 60 day mark.

If you stay off property you cannot make your FastPass reservations until 30 days out, and like the dining reservations, you have to make them one day at a time, and many of the highly sought after FastPasses are gone by then.

Extra Magic Hours

Extra Magic Hours is when different parks open one hour early or stay open one or two hours later than normal operating hours. Only guests who are registered at on property resorts can go on rides or visit attractions during these hours.

MagicBands

If you stay on site, you receive your MagicBand for free, of course you can buy one if you are staying off-site, but if you are trying to save money on extras, having the MagicBand for free is great. If you need to know how to use your MagicBand check out all that information here.

Disney Dining Plan

If you are staying on property you have the option to purchase a Disney Dining Plan. There are a few different dining plans, but what it does is it allows you to pre-purchase meals and snack to use at your leisure during the length of your stay.

The Dining Plan is beneficial if you want the feeling of an inclusive vacation, but you need to do the math to see if it actually saves you money based on the dining reservations you have made. If you are staying off-site there is no option to purchase a dining plan.

Room Charging

Using your MagicBand to make charges at your resort, the parks, and shops can be incredibly useful. While not all the vendor carts take payment via MagicBands, almost everything else does. Keep in mind every resort has a maximum that you can charge before they run your credit card. You can also go to the front desk to pay off your bill prior to it being charged on your credit card.

Resort Delivery

If you end up buying lots of souvenirs, or your kids have lots of gift cards to spend, you aren’t going to want to cart those souvenirs throughout the park all day. If you are staying on property, you can have the packages delivered to the gift shop at your resort. Disney just have time guidelines, so make sure you are aware of those before utilizing this service.

Bonus Tip

Staying on property may not be possible, or you may have points to use at a Hotel chain. There are a few Disney and Disney Springs area hotels that you can stay at, that give you some of the same benefits that you would get if you stayed onsite.

Wrapping Up

Staying on Disney property is convenient, can be accessible for all budgets, and has many benefits. Have you ever stayed on-site? What is your favorite resort? Let us know in the comments below. Or, until next time, have a magical trip.

Summer used to be the busiest time to visit Walt Disney World. Everyone, my family included, would make the trek in the summer because it was convenient to school schedules. But times have changed, and what once was considered a time to avoid WDW due to the extreme crowds, might actually be a better time for your next trip.

What are some of the factors that make summer more appealing for you?

Nowadays the allure of things like Halloween or Christmas Parties, or the different festivals at Epcot have parents more willing to pull their kids out of school during the academic year. It is also more appealing to adults without children to head to Walt Disney World when most kids will be in school.

Also, school breaks have varied over the years, but currently most schools in the Southern part of the United States start back to school in early August and have a break in October.

All of the above factors coupled with the fact that some just don’t want to be in Florida during the hottest time of the year have made fall more crowded than summer.

Promotions

Disney does not offer random promotions. Many times promotions are offered to fill rooms. This is also why you will see that only certain resorts are able to be booked with a promotion.

A lot of the promotions are free dining or a room discount. This may change once Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open, but time will tell.

Special Events

There are many special events that are offered in the summer that may not be offered other times of the year, or that may be offered more frequently during the summer versus other times of the year.

These are hard-ticketed events, meaning they are not included with the purchase of a park ticket. However most of these tickets allow early access into a park.

The first is the Disney After Hours Events. They have these at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. There is also a new event running on select nights from June 6 – August 8, 2019, at Magic Kingdom that is a Villains After Hours event. These events are 3 hours long, and include little to no wait on many rides, some of the events include character meet and greets, as well as ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages.

Another event is Early Morning Magic. This is held at Fantasy Land at Magic Kingdom and Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios.

At the Magic Kingdom the event is from 7:30 am – 10:00 am, keep in mind the park will open at 9 am. You will be able to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, It’s a Small World, Under the Sea – Adventures of the Little Mermaid, Mad Tea Party, and the character meeting at Princess Fairytale Hall will be open. You also have until 10 am to eat breakfast, which is included in your ticket, at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

At Hollywood Studios the event is also from 7:30 – 10:00 am, with the park opening at 9 am. You will be able to ride Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, and Toy Story Mania, and you will have the opportunity to meet Woody, Buzz and Jessie. Breakfast is served until 10 am at a quick service location outside of Toy Story Land and will feature a continental breakfast buffet.

The Water Parks are not open all year long, and in the summer there is a special event at Typhoon Lagoon called H2O Glow Nights. From late May to mid August this event is held on select nights. Held from 8:00 pm until 11:00 pm. Hosted by Partysaurus Rex, from Toy Story, there are typically shorter waits for the rides, a DJ-hosted Dance Party, Toy Story experiences including meet and greet with Woody, Buzz, and Jessie, food and beverages, and an adults-only entertainment area.

Now when you come in late summer you have the ability to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. It may seem crazy to go to a Halloween event in August, but for those of us who can’t go in October, it makes a late summer visit that much more desirable.

Fewer Closures

Most construction or refurbishments are done during the slower months, so you will find that most rides and attractions will be open during the summer months. That’s not to say nothing will be closed, but it is less likely that a routine update will be scheduled during the summer time.

Longer Park Hours

If there are more hours of daylight, then you can bet that the parks will be open later. This is beneficial for many types of park-goers. For those who want to get up late and stay up late. For those with (or without) children, who want to take a mid-day break. For those that want a morning at the park, but enough time in the evening to spend at their resort or Disney Springs.

Wrapping Up

Summer has become one of the best times to travel to Walt Disney World for a multitude of reasons. Do you like visiting in the summer or do you prefer another time of year? Leave a comment below. Or, until next time, have a magical trip.

If you have been planning a trip to WDW for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard about the MagicBand. But, what is a MagicBand, what makes it so magical, and how do you go about getting one? Read on to learn everything you need to know about this game changing device.

So what is a MagicBand?

The MagicBand is one of the most significant improvements introduced to Walt Disney World parks over the last few years. Put simply, it is a brightly colored bracelet that looks pretty plain and non-functional on the outside. But the “magic” is all about what’s on the inside.

Each band houses two RFID (radio frequency identification) antennae. There is a long-range unit, used to track crowd trends and link your ride photos. In addition, there is a second, short-range unit that interacts with touch points, like when you are scanning your park ticket to enter a park and using FastPasses.

I want one, how do I get it?

So how do you get a MagicBand, and do you need one? If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort or if you are an Annual Passholder you will receive these bands for free. If you don’t get one for free, you can purchase them in the parks or even order them ahead of time from the Disney Store, and link them in your My Disney Experience prior to your visit.

When to get them by

If you are staying onsite then your MagicBands should ship around 3-4 weeks prior to your trip, it could be a little less, but 3-4 weeks is the usual amount of time. Disney will email you the tracking, and update it in My Disney Experience so you will know when they are on their way. You will also get them in a nondescript box, important in case you are keeping the trip a surprise.

If you live outside of the United States you will not get your MagicBands via mail, you will pick them up when you check-in at the front desk of the resort you are staying at.

What can you do with a MagicBand

Park Tickets

The MagicBand has all your park tickets, water park tickets, and ticketed events associated with it. All you need to do is scan at the entry of the park.

FastPasses

Once you make your FastPasses they will be automatically linked to your specific MagicBand. If your party isn’t doing all the same FastPasses you just need to make sure that everyone has the correct band. If you chose Tower of Terror as a FastPass for some members of your party, and Rock N Roller Coaster for others, the FastPass will only work if specifically linked to the correct band.

Disney Dining Plan

If you are staying onsite and have the Disney Dining Plan, you can use your band to redeem your credits at participating restaurants and quick service locations.

Room Key

The MagicBand can be used as your room key. Just like scanning the band at the entrance of each park, you scan your band at the door and it will unlock it for you. Anyone registered as staying in the room will be able to do this.

Make Purchases

If you are staying on site you can use your MagicBand to make purchases in the parks. The MagicBand is linked to your room reservation and you can see all purchases in the My Disney Experience app. Just as a reminder, not all kiosks have the ability to scan MagicBands so make sure that you do have some cash on hand.

PhotoPass

When you use a FastPass, if the ride or experience has photos they will automatically be linked to your account, if you are staying onsite. If you aren’t using a FastPass just make sure to scan your band at the end of the ride or experience at the photo kiosk.

Any time you have a photo pass photographer take a photo make sure to have them scan a band of someone in your party, and it will show up in your Photos. Again, anyone in your party can have their band scanned in order to receive the photos. So if Mom is on a ride with some of the kids, and Dad is taking someone to meet a character you can both use your MagicBands to get photos.

Just as a reminder: ride videos are only available to those with Memory Maker and a MagicBand.

Magical Express

If you plan on taking the Magical Express from the airport to your resort, make sure that you have your MagicBands readily accessible as you will need to scan them in order to get on the bus. I recommend packing them in your carry on, not in your checked luggage.

What about security?

Are the MagicBands secure? Very little information is actually stored on the MagicBand. Disney states that “each band is assigned a random code that securely links it to an encrypted database”.

For added protection Disney also has you create a PIN for each band. That means when you purchase an item you have to enter the PIN in order for the purchase to go through. This protects you from someone taking your band and running up charges, but also prevents your children from making rogue purchases.

If your band gets lost or stolen, you can turn it off in the My Disney Experience as well. I will also suggest that you report it lost to Disney, especially if it is one you bought, that way if it is found they can get it back to you. You can also verify at Guest Relations in the parks or at the front desk of your resort that the band is turned off.

Waterproof

The MagicBands are waterproof. You can keep it on while in the pool or shower, and that means you don’t have to worry about it getting ruined on a ride or at the water parks.

Adjustable sizing for kids

The MagicBands all come in the same size, but if you have a smaller wrist or a child wearing the band, you can take the outer layer off and make it kid-sized. However, once you remove that gray layer you can not put it back on.

Customization

Once your trip is booked, you can customize each MagicBand for the members in your party, but you need to do it at least one month prior to your trip in order to get the colors and personalization you want.

You can choose from: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink or Gray. If you don’t pick any color, everyone will be sent a gray MagicBand.

For Personalization you can enter any name or nickname up to 9 characters, which includes numbers, letters and spaces. This is great if you have more than one person that wants the same color. If two people want a blue MagicBand, you can just personalize it with a name or nickname. The names are printed on the inside of the MagicBand.

If you choose to buy one, make sure you link to it in your My Disney Experience app. Even if you are getting a free one, you can opt to buy one, or if you check Etsy, there are plenty of options of items to purchase to customize your MagicBands using labels and stickers.

Do you need one if you are not staying on property

You don’t need one, but you may want one. You get a card to scan for park tickets and FastPasses, which may be a pain to dig around for, it may be easier for some to wear a MagicBand, but it is optional for guests not staying at a Walt Disney World Resort.

Can I reuse it?

Disney claims that the MagicBand is active for up to 3 years, so if you are going more than once in that amount of time, it is possible to reuse an old MagicBand. You can also have more than one linked in your account, just make sure your park tickets, FastPasses, etc… are all linked to the one you are currently using.

Wrapping up

MagicBands are a great addition to your Walt Disney World trip and can make everything much easier when all of your tickets and FastPasses are in one place. Do you have a MagicBand tip for anyone new to the Walt Disney World experience? Share your ideas here. Or, until next time, have a magical trip.

There are four amazing festivals at Epcot every year. If you are able to visit during one of these times then you will be able to not only participate in the fun activities that festival is offering, but you will also have the opportunity to enjoy workshops, seminars, food pop-ups, and more. But how do you decide which festival to plan your trip around, if any? Let’s take a dive into each one.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

The International Festival of the Arts is the newest Festival to come to Epcot. It runs from mid-January until mid-February.

It features visual artists, where you can see Master Disney Artists at work, and purchase Disney artwork. It also has workshops and seminars where visitors can learn about drawing and art work. They have workshops like animation and pixelation, and show visitors how to do these things. Many of these seminars are free, but are first-come first-serve, so make sure you plan your day accordingly, if you want to participate!

For the Culinary Arts, there will be new foods all around the park with items only available at the Festival. These items are not only tasty, but they are beautiful to photograph as well.

The Performing Arts is a pop-up of multidisciplinary performances throughout the park. This includes live statues, sidewalk art, and many more surprises.

There is also a concert series. Every two weeks a new pair of Disney on Broadway stars will perform some of Disney on Broadway’s greatest hits. This used to be just on the weekends, but it is now every evening at the America Gardens Theater. This is a free event, but if you want to ensure that you see your favorites artist, you can purchase a dining package.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

There is a small break between the Festival of the Arts and the International Flower and Garden Festival. It usually begins in early March and goes until late May or early June.

The most well known piece of Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival is the themed topiaries throughout the park. The artists spend many hours making these topiaries. There are beautiful flower displays, but also they have created characters out of flowers. There are also many gardening exhibits, ones where you can even learn how-to garden!

It wouldn’t be an Epcot festival without outdoor kitchens! Make sure to take a trip around the World Showcase to see what items are featured that year.

Lastly, there is the Garden Rocks Series. These are usually artists with name recognition, and again if there is an artist that is a must see for you, make sure you grab a dining package!

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

There is usually a Festival break during the summer, but once Labor Day rolls around, so does the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. It runs from the very end of August until early November. If you’ve ever wanted to eat and drink your way around Epcot, this is the festival for you!

There are Global Marketplaces all around the World Showcase, most of these marketplaces feature signature food dishes from a specific country, and many are paired with a beer or wine as well. Remember to leave room for these treats, because there are 30+ booths to visit.

if you want to enhance your visit further, there are food and beverage seminars for adults and kids. In recent years there was a candy sushi making seminar for children which was a big hit. It was free, but you did have to reserve your spot in advance, so make sure to check out the schedules as soon as they are released. There are also plenty of events and seminars for adults including cheese seminars and wine tastings. If you fancy yourself a foodie, or just really enjoy learning about food and wine, make sure to check out the VIP Grand Tasting Events. These do cost extra, but you may see your favorite celebrity chef.

Every evening of the Food and Wine Festival there will be a musician or musical act at the American Gardens Theater, so make sure to check the schedule if you want to listen to one of your favorite acts perform.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Last but certainly not least is the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. If the holidays are your favorite time of year, this may be the Festival for you. It runs from mid-November until the end of December.

There are of course Holiday Kitchens throughout the World Showcase, offerings are usually Holiday favorites from that country or area of the world, and may also feature a holiday beverage.

In the 11 countries that make up the World Showcase they will each have their own special theme that during the Festival that highlights their heritage and holiday traditions of that country.

One of the most popular features at the Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional. It is a retelling of the Christmas Story which features a choir, orchestra, and a celebrity narrator. Previous narrators have included, Neil Patrick Harris, John Stamos, Auli’i Cravalho, and many many more. This is a free experience, but many guests line up hours in advance for the most popular narrators, and are not guaranteed entry. There is the option to purchase a dining package, but make sure you still line up about 45 minutes in advance of your showing to make sure you get a good seat. There are also 3 performances in one night, so make sure to keep that in mind when booking your dining package, or if you are planning on waiting in the stand-by line.

For the music piece there is something called Joyful! A Celebration of the Season which is performed daily at the Future World Fountain Stage. It is a performance of Christmas and Kwanza Songs performed by the Joyful vocal ensemble.

Wrapping Up

As you can see there are many festivals at Epcot, and many opportunities for you to find the one that is best for you. Please remember that you need a valid park ticket to attend these festivals, and all food and beverages either cost extra or you can use your dining plan credits. Have you ever been to a Festival at Epcot? If so, what was your favorite experience? If not, which Festival do you think you would enjoy most? Until next time, have a magical trip!