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Archives for August 2013

In Addition to The World Showcase…

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In addition to touring the World Showcase at Epcot, eating at the amazing restaurants, shopping for exotic gifts, and enjoying the spectacular attractions and shows consider taking part in the Kidcot Fun Stops or Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure!

Kidcot Fun Stops provide a way for children to become engaged at the World Showcase Countries.  They can decorate a souvenir mask or Duffy Bear and at any or all of the countries they visit they can get a stamp from that country on their mask.  I’ve even seen some kids ask the cast member to write their name in their native language- specifically Japan and China. 

Where to Find Kidcot Fun Stops:

  • Mexico Pavilion (near Animales Fantasticos)
  • Norway Pavilion (at The Puffin’s Roost)
  • China Pavilion (near the exit of Reflections of China)
  • Germany Pavilion (at Volkunst)
  • Italy Pavilion (outside, near La Bottega Italiana)
  • American Adventure Pavilion (outside, near Heritage Manor Gifts)
  • Japan Pavilion (in the Bijutsu-kan Gallery)
  • Morocco Pavilion (at the Marketplace in the Medina)
  • France Pavilion (at Souvenirs de France)
  • United Kingdom Pavilion (at The Toy Soldier)
  • Canada Pavilion (at the exit of O Canada!)

If your child is too “mature” for a Duffy Bear, you can purchase a World Showcase Passport at Epcot to house their stamps. Each passport comes with a Mickey Mouse button and stickers for each country.

Another fun activity for the kids and family at the World Showcase is Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.  You can become a Secret Agent and go undercover as you solve clues to stop some of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s evil plots.  All you have to do is   visit a recruitment center at Odyssey Bridge, Norway Pavilion, Italy Pavilion or near the International Gateway to receive your assignment and pick up an interactive handheld device that will guide you on your mission.  Two to four guests of any age can share each interactive device. Each mission lasts anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, and because each pavilion hosts a different mission, you can go back several times.

Disney’s Planes Product Collection

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Set to release in theaters Aug. 9, 2013, Disney’s Planes takes off with an international cast of the fastest air racers around, in a comedy packed with action and adventure starring Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a small town dreamer who longs to enter the most epic around-the-world air race despite his fear of heights. With the help and support of a fleet of new and hilarious characters, Dusty wings his way into the biggest challenge of his life.

Disney’s Planes’ product collection is available now, in whole or in part, at mass retailers nationwide, at Disney Store locations and DisneyStore.com.

Disney’s Planes Product Collection

· Disney’s Planes Character Diecast Singles Assortment by Mattel (MSRP $5.99 each): With wide character variety and authentic styling, these 1:55 scale diecast planes are perfect for re-creating scenes from the movies. The planes feature rolling wheels and spinning propellers as well as a universal connector that works with all play sets.

· Disney’s Planes Runway Flyers by Mattel (MSRP $16.99): Snap the foam plane featuring favorite characters from the film into the runway launcher. When the trigger is pulled, the plane is released and can soar up to 25 feet in the air.

· Disney’s Planes Talking Action Figure Sets by Disney Store (MSRP $24.50 each): Dusty, El Chupacabra, Bravo and Echo have a lot to say for themselves. Sporting their unique color patterns, these Disney’s Planesaction figures speak a variety of phrases, feature LED lights and engine revving sounds. Available at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com.

Disney’s Planes Twin Comforter by Jay Franco (MSRP $32.99): This comforter features the one and only Dusty. Featuring a combination of durable polyester and comfort cotton coupled with rich colors, the comforter will add aviation flair to any room. Disney sheet sets and blankets are sold separately.

Dusty Woven Shirt for Boys by Disney Store (MSRP $22.50): This military-style woven short sleeve shirt features embroidered Dusty patches, aviator glasses and insignia, a great fit for aviators in training. Available at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com

· Planes: Storybook Deluxe App (MSRP $6.99): The Disney “Planes: Storybook Deluxe” app takes readers to new heights as they relive the film through 41 story screens, read-along text and full narration that re-retells the story of the feature film. Created to immerse readers in the world of Disney’s Planes wherever and whenever, the app features “tilt-and-play” technology that gives little pilots a chance to fly as Dusty through the story, a “Race & Fly” game that allows readers to race as their favorite Disney’s Planes characters, tappable interactive animation and original music and video clips from the film. Disney “Planes: Storybook Deluxe” is available now in the Entertainment category of the Apple App Store.

· Planes Read-Along Storybook and CD (MSRP $6.99): This exciting read-along storybook and CD is a complete retelling of the Disney’s Planes theatrical film. Featuring music, sound effects and character voices from the film, kids can bring home the world of Disney’s Planes and continue their high-flying adventures. Additionally, those who purchase the Disney’s Planes Read-Along Storybook and CD Bundle – available exclusively at The Disney Store and Disney Parks – will receive the “Planes: Storybook Deluxe” app for free, including four exclusive Planes to fly as in the app’s “Race & Fly” game; a download code can be found inside the book cover and is redeemable on the iTunes App Store (a $6.99 value).

WDW Must Have Monday: Epcot Experiences

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I could spend days at Epcot taking in all there is to see, do, eat and experience.  One of these days I will head down by myself and do just that!  I won’t have any agenda, plan, kids or husband to have to cooperate with!  But, in the meantime, here are my “must have experiences” when we visit Epcot at Walt Disney World:
  • Living with the Land.  This is a must- several times!  Our entire family loves this ride and one of these days we’ll take the “Backseed Tour.”  
  • Spaceship Earth.  This is one of my 4 year old’s favorite attractions.  I’m not sure why, but he loves it!  I loved it when it first opened and I love it with the most recent changes too.  It’s a classic.
  • Test Track.  While we haven’t experienced the new Test Track, we loved the “old one!”  I hope that the new one is just as great for our family.
  • Walking through World Showcase, meeting the characters and whatever other performances are going on as we pass through. We usually don’t plan our World Showcase day around the entertainment, but love when we walk up on it!
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse at the Canada Pavilion.  We experienced this for the first time on our last trip and have decided it will be a staple on every trip from here out!
  • Illuminations. I still can’t decide where the best place is to watch this show.  Right now the Showcase Plaza (right in front as close to the rail as possible) is my favorite place.
  • Shopping.  I’m not a shopper, but I love looking through all the World Showcase shops.  I honestly feel like a world traveler when I visit these unique shops!
  • Club Cool.  Even though I know which one of these free Coke products tastes awful, I still have to give ’em all a taste!
What are your favorite must have experiences at Epcot?

Tips for Frequent WDW travelers

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A lot of times when a family or individual has been to Walt Disney World multiple times others start to wonder if there is anything new to experience.  I often get that question… “Why are you going back for your 20th trip?  Haven’t you seen it all by now?”  My answer is always NO WAY!

Here are a few tips for frequent WDW travelers to have new experiences on your next trip :

  • Stay at a new resort.  Art of Animation is the most recent to open.  If you are one of those who has been fortunate enough to stay at all 30 resorts listed on the Disney web page, consider staying in a new section of your favorite resort!  
  • Visit New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.  Ride the  Under the Sea Journey, experience Enchanted Tales with Belle, eat a new snack at Gaston’s Tavern or meet the gang at Pete’s Silly Sideshow.
  • Eat at a restaurant you have never visited.  Even if you’ve eaten at ALL the restaurants, have you experienced all three meals at all the restaurants!?  Be Our Guest is the newest table service restaurant at the Magic Kingdom.
  • Meet New Characters- Ralph and Vanellope from “Wreck it Ralph”, Sophia the First and Monsters University characters can all be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check the “Times Guide.”
  • Epcot has the newly renovated Test Track.  While it’s the same course, it’s a totally new experience.
  • Take a behind the scenes tour at one of the parks.  I would love to do the “Disney’s Family Magic Tour” which is a 2 hour scavenger hunt around the Magic Kingdom… along with all the other tours! 🙂
  • Enjoy a game at Splitsville in Downtown Disney.  Even if you aren’t the best bowler, this is an exciting place for the entire family to spend time!
  • Search for Hidden Mickeys in all the parks.  This could keep any family busy for hours!  Look for the classic three circle Mickey ºoº in queues, on rides, in stores, in decorations, etc.  They are literally everywhere!
What do you suggest frequent WDW travelers do to have new experiences?

15 Things to Pack for Disney

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Over the years we have created an extensive list of things to take with us, but these are fifteen things we must pack for Disney. Some of the items are needed for the room, some for the kids and some for the parks. We’ve used them all at some point and I won’t head to Walt Disney World without any of them now… until the kids get older and outgrow a few!

  1. Dish Soap. If I can’t find a travel size bottle, I pour some from my kitchen sink into a travel size shampoo bottle. These are great for washing refillable mugs, popcorn buckets, sippy cups, bottles, and more. I typically use a hotel wash cloth for a dishrag.
  2. Laundry Detergent. Some people refuse to wash clothes while on vacation, but others insist. I fall in between! If you choose to wash clothes, pack your own soap. I like to scoop out powder detergent into ziplock bags. Or you can try the Tide pods!
  3. Clorox Wipes. Having kids who take tub baths, I like to use Clorox Wipes to wipe down the tub before we use it. These are also nice to have around to wipe down other “germy” areas in the room: remote controls, telephone receivers, door knobs, and toilet handles.
  4. Nightlight. Our nightlight has come in handy so many times! It allows me to check on the kids during the night without turning on a lamp or overhead light. It helps the little ones navigate the room to find the potty. It assures us there are no monsters under the bed! 🙂
  5. Noise Machine. We have found this especially helpful at the Value Resorts. A noise machine helps block out the outside noise and neighbor noise so we can get a better nights rest.
  6. Over the door shoe holder. When we travel with all 5 of us, our bathroom stuff can get a bit out of hand! We have found that using the clear shoe holders over the bathroom door help hold all the toiletries, medicines, brushes, sunscreen, etc. Each family member gets a row of their own to stash all their belongings with one extra row on top for community items!
  7. Power Strip. I travel everywhere with one of these since I take so many electronics with me. With a power strip, we are able to charge cell phones, lap tops, Kindles and camera batteries all at the same time. In the morning, we aren’t going all over the room locating each item since they are all charging together. 
  8. Skirt Hangers. When I buy a skirt or pants that come on a hanger with clips I save them for travel. We use these to clip on wet swim suits, clothes and towels. We are able to hang them on the shower rod or in the closet to dry several items at once.
  9. Scissors. I forgot these one trip and didn’t realize how many times we used them! Scissors were used to clip off stray stings on clothing, clip tags off new toys and clothes, open new toy packaging, trim bandaids to cover blisters, etc. 
  10. Ponchos. I hate spending money on ponchos at Disney, so we buy several cheap plastic ponchos from the drug store before we go. They usually run $1 a piece, so picking up 10 doesn’t break the bank.
  11. Glow sticks. At night in the parks my boys love having glow sticks, glow necklaces, glow bracelets, or anything else that glows! I’ve found these at the dollar store in the past and stocked up! We also enjoy passing them out to other kids waiting on parades and fireworks.
  12. Ziplock Bags. We bring these in all sizes. We use them to hold extra clothes for the kids, snacks, small toys, leftovers, and items we don’t want to get wet when we go in the parks. During travel, we pack the kids clothes in gallon ziplock bags, our liquid toiletries go in quart bags and paper products (napkins, cups, plates, plasticware) all go in ziplock bags.
  13. Sharpie Pens. I write names on everything at Disney! Refillable mugs, leftover snacks, and new toys. I’ve written my cell phone # on my kids arm before and we use them for autographs from the characters. I personally like the Sharpie Mini Markers that fit on a key ring- then they hang on my backpack for easy access.
  14. Plastic Stroller Cover. If you still have a stroller, consider buying a plastic rain cover, which I highly recommend! If you don’t want to spend the money on one of these, try buying a clear shower curtain liner to drape over your stroller to keep everything dry.
  15. Ribbon. The widest, brightest, most obnoxious ribbon you can find is best! Use this to tie on the handle of your stroller so you can find it among all the other strollers when you exit a ride.
What am I missing?  What items must you pack for Disney that may not be on a traditional packing list?


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