Five tips for a smooth Walt Disney World vacation

A Walt Disney World vacation can seem like a daunting task from the get go, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five tips to make the most out of your vacation and hopefully relieve a little bit of the stress.

• Map out what you want to see: Each of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks offer a lot to see, so take a few minutes in advance to figure out what are the must-see attractions. Now, this doesn’t mean you must to the Enchanted Tiki Room at 2:13 p.m. on Wednesday or the entire vacation is ruined. But, you don’t want to make it through the vacation and realize I really wanted to ride the Carousel of Progress and didn’t make it to Tomorrowland.
• Extra Magic Hours (for Walt Disney World resort guests only): Whether it is early openings or late closings for resort guests, this is a great way to experience any one of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks while the crowds are smaller – this is a great perk for Walt Disney World resort guests since the parks are only open to those staying on property (and at a Disney resort). Take these hours into account if you are planning out your week in advance and be sure to schedule in a nap time if staying out late one night and waking up early the next morning might cause a problem.
• Utilize Fastpass: Sure, there are lines at Walt Disney World, but by using Fastpass, you can reduce the wait time for certain attractions and see more attractions while you are waiting for your Fastpass window.
• Make dining reservations in advance: News flash, you aren’t going to show up at Cinderella’s Royal Table five minutes in advance and expect to make a reservation. Don’t let that ruin your vacation. Call ahead.
• Know the short-wait and restful attractions: If your return time for that Big Thunder Mountain Fastpass isn’t for another 45 minutes, know that there are plenty of attractions you can see in that time. For example, hop the Walt Disney World Railroad for a restful grand circle tour or head over to Adventureland and check out the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, which often features little to no wait.

There are certainly many more tips – such as buy an autograph book before meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time – but keeping these five in mind should make the vacation go a little smoother. Perhaps the best piece of advice is: Have fun.

Five tips for a smooth Walt Disney World vacation

A Walt Disney World vacation can seem like a daunting task from the get go, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five tips to make the most out of your vacation and hopefully relieve a little bit of the stress.

• Map out what you want to see: Each of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks offer a lot to see, so take a few minutes in advance to figure out what are the must-see attractions. Now, this doesn’t mean you must to the Enchanted Tiki Room at 2:13 p.m. on Wednesday or the entire vacation is ruined. But, you don’t want to make it through the vacation and realize I really wanted to ride the Carousel of Progress and didn’t make it to Tomorrowland.


• Extra Magic Hours (for Walt Disney World resort guests only): Whether it is early openings or late closings for resort guests, this is a great way to experience any one of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks while the crowds are smaller – this is a great perk for Walt Disney World resort guests since the parks are only open to those staying on property (and at a Disney resort). Take these hours into account if you are planning out your week in advance and be sure to schedule in a nap time if staying out late one night and waking up early the next morning might cause a problem.


• Utilize Fastpass: Sure, there are lines at Walt Disney World, but by using Fastpass, you can reduce the wait time for certain attractions and see more attractions while you are waiting for your Fastpass window.


• Make dining reservations in advance: News flash, you aren’t going to show up at Cinderella’s Royal Table five minutes in advance and expect to make a reservation. Don’t let that ruin your vacation. Call ahead.


• Know the short-wait and restful attractions: If your return time for that Big Thunder Mountain Fastpass isn’t for another 45 minutes, know that there are plenty of attractions you can see in that time. For example, hop the Walt Disney World Railroad for a restful grand circle tour or head over to Adventureland and check out the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, which often features little to no wait.

There are certainly many more tips – such as buy an autograph book before meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time – but keeping these five in mind should

What are the top five bargain destinations this summer?

SmarterTravel has released its list of “Top Five Bargain Destinations for Summer 2009.” The list includes the top vacation destinations that won’t leave you penniless.
“While summer is often a peak time to travel, destinations can’t rely on the usual droves of visitors given the nature of the economy right now,” Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel, said in a news release. “When it comes to travel, consumers really have the upper hand — it’s the perfect time to take advantage of deals that might not happen again for a long time.”
The list (and SmarterTravel’s rationale) includes:

• Los Angeles: New air service from Virgin America, Delta and Allegiant airlines, is helping lower airfare costs.
• Dominican Republic: JetBlue and Spirit airlines both provide low-cost options, and a four-night, air-and-hotel package starts at $560 per person.
• National Parks: Rooms near Yellowstone, for example, start at $59 per night.
• Australia: V Australia, for example, is offering airfare starting at $620 for a round-trip, and air-and-hotel packages start at $999.
• Asheville, N.C.: Starting June 11, AirTran is offering fares from $69 for a one-way trip.

For more info: SmarterTravel

Staycation? What staycation?

ATLANTA – Is the staycation a distant memory?

If the results of KAYAK’s Annual Summer Travel Survey are any indication, then it may be.

The recent survey found that 95 percent of people plan to travel this summer despite the economy. In addition, more than 41 percent said the recession did not affect their summer plans. Interestingly, that is twice as many people as the 2008 survey. More than 4,100 people were polled for this year’s survey.

“Thanks to an abundance of travel deals, last year’s Staycation trend appears to be over as we’re seeing consumers using savvy cost-saving strategies to once again embark on a traditional summer vacation,” Brian Harniman, KAYAK executive vice president of marketing and distribution, said in a news release. “According to KAYAK’s survey, our users plan to take advantage of historically low airfare and hop on a plane in search of culture and nightlife with trips to domestic and European cities topping the list of destinations being considered. This is a major change from last summer when 64 percent told us they would avoid flying because airfare was too expensive.”

The survey reveals that people may be using a number of tactics to save money: staying with friends or relatives; taking advantage of off-season pricing; trading down for a less fancy hotel; booking a shorter holiday; choosing a destination closer to home; and booking accommodations with a kitchen to cut down on dining at a restaurant. In addition, lower fuel costs are helping.

“The cost of travel is much lower compared to last summer’s weekly fuel increases, so people can more easily afford to travel,” Harniman added.

Staycation? What staycation?

ATLANTA – Is the staycation a distant memory?

If the results of KAYAK’s Annual Summer Travel Survey are any indication, then it may be.

The recent survey found that 95 percent of people plan to travel this summer despite the economy. In addition, more than 41 percent said the recession did not affect their summer plans. Interestingly, that is twice as many people as the 2008 survey. More than 4,100 people were polled for this year’s survey.

“Thanks to an abundance of travel deals, last year’s Staycation trend appears to be over as we’re seeing consumers using savvy cost-saving strategies to once again embark on a traditional summer vacation,” Brian Harniman, KAYAK executive vice president of marketing and distribution, said in a news release. “According to KAYAK’s survey, our users plan to take advantage of historically low airfare and hop on a plane in search of culture and nightlife with trips to domestic and European cities topping the list of destinations being considered. This is a major change from last summer when 64 percent told us they would avoid flying because airfare was too expensive.”

The survey reveals that people may be using a number of tactics to save money: staying with friends or relatives; taking advantage of off-season pricing; trading down for a less fancy hotel; booking a shorter holiday; choosing a destination closer to home; and booking accommodations with a kitchen to cut down on dining at a restaurant. In addition, lower fuel costs are helping.

“The cost of travel is much lower compared to last summer’s weekly fuel increases, so people can more easily afford to travel,” Harniman added.

In honor of Memorial Day

The best part of traveling is paying tribute to those who helped make our country what it is. Let's remember that this Memorial Day.

Walt Disney World isn’t just about the E-Ticket attractions

By Todd DeFeo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Big Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror and Expedition Everest. Yes, these are among the must-dos of any Walt Disney World vacation.

But that’s just the beginning. Amidst the E-Ticket attractions, here are five must-dos that any Walt Disney World guest shouldn’t let slip through the cracks:

• Character Dining: Try Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary – especially for breakfast. The food is great, and this may be the best way to meet the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald).
• Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Not only is this hotel amazing, it’s also home to one of the best breakfast offerings at Walt Disney World. The all-you-can-eat meal is served in skillets, and the cast members will make this meal perhaps the most memorable of the vacation.
• Off Kilter: This high-octane Celtic rock band performs regularly at the Canada pavilion in Epcot Center’s World showcase.
• Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream: It all started with a Mouse. But, learn about the man behind the Mouse. Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this multi-media gallery features a lot of fascinating information about the history of Walt Disney, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Interestingly, according to the official page on DisneyWorld.com: “One Man's Dream received the 2004 Disney Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for Most Underrated Attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios!”
• Resort Hop: See the world, and try something new. If you’re in the Magic Kingdom, for example, hop the monorail and head to the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and grab lunch at the Grand Floridian Café.

Honestly, there are dozens more, but these are just for starters.

Walt Disney World isn’t just about the E-Ticket attractions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Big Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror and Expedition Everest. Yes, these are among the must-dos of any Walt Disney World vacation.

But that’s just the beginning. Amidst the E-Ticket attractions, here are five must-dos that any Walt Disney World guest shouldn’t let slip through the cracks:

• Character Dining: Try Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary – especially for breakfast. The food is great, and this may be the best way to meet the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald).


• Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Not only is this hotel amazing, it’s also home to one of the best breakfast offerings at Walt Disney World. The all-you-can-eat meal is served in skillets, and the cast members will make this meal perhaps the most memorable of the vacation.


• Off Kilter: This high-octane Celtic rock band performs regularly at the Canada pavilion in Epcot Center’s World showcase.


• Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream: It all started with a Mouse. But, learn about the man behind the Mouse. Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this multi-media gallery features a lot of fascinating information about the history of Walt Disney, Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Interestingly, according to the official page on DisneyWorld.com: “One Man's Dream received the 2004 Disney Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for Most Underrated Attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios!”


• Resort Hop: See the world, and try something new. If you’re in the Magic Kingdom, for example, hop the monorail and head to the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and grab lunch at the Grand Floridian Café.

Honestly, there are dozens more, but these are just for starters.

‘Up’ and away: Meet the movie’s characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Characters from Pixar’s new animated film “Up” have started greeting guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme Park.

Carl Fredricksen, Russell and Dug are meeting guests at the end of The Magic of Disney Animation Tour. “Up” hits theaters May 29.

‘Up’ and away: Meet the movie’s characters at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Characters from Pixar’s new animated film “Up” have started greeting guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme Park.

Carl Fredricksen, Russell and Dug are meeting guests at the end of The Magic of Disney Animation Tour. “Up” hits theaters May 29.

1964 World’s Fair lives on in the Magic Kingdom

By Todd DeFeo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – There are moments in history that are pivotal. For Walt Disney, the 1964 World’s Fair is one of those moments.

The fair came only nine years after Disney opened Disneyland, which changed the face of family theme parks for the better. But, in true Disney fashion, he didn’t stand still. Instead, he continued to look for the next great innovation.

The technology that Disney introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, N.Y., helped further transform his theme parks and remains the basis for some of the greatest attractions he developed.

The Carousel of Progress, It’s a Small World and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln were not only hits at the World’s Fair, they became mainstays at Disney parks for decades. In fact, the Carousel of Progress is the longest running show in the history of American Theater. While there have been rumors for years that the attraction was to close, the show still has a loyal following.

It’s a Small World, originally named “Children of the World,” features one of the best-known, most beloved or most hated – depending on the perspective – theme songs ever to grace a Disney attraction. Like the Carousel of Progress, the ride’s theme song was written by the Sherman Brothers who wrote the scores to a number of Disney movies, including Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and The Sword in the Stone.

But perhaps the most innovative attraction to appear at the World’s Fair was one that featured a technology that took years to develop and to this day remains one of Disney’s best achievements.

In the 1950s, Walt Disney conceived an American history-themed show for Disneyland, but it wasn’t until the early 1960s that the technology for Audio-Animatronics developed into a viable one. Disney used the technology to create Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, a stage show featuring a lifelike 16th president who gave a speech. This raised the technology to a new level and demonstrated what was possible.

The show was a sensation, and on July 18, 1966, following the World’s Fair, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln opened at the Opera House on Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland. The show was the inspiration for the Hall of Presidents in Walt Disney World’s Liberty Square.

But the technology introduced at the World’s Fair wasn’t just responsible for the attractions that appeared in Queens. If not for Audio-Animatronics and the propelling flat bottom boats, Pirates of the Caribbean would have been drastically different.

The attraction, the last that Disney personally worked on, was originally conceived as a walk-through wax museum. But that all changed with the World’s Fair, and Pirates of the Caribbean morphed into one of the most beloved Disney attractions of all time.

There are scant reminders of the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, but the best way to relive the experience from 45 years ago is to visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Do you need to ‘Seize the Summer’ and take a trip?

All that bad news that tops the nightly newscasts and leads the daily newspaper might be enough to make most people put off any leisure travel. But, is it time to take a trip?

That’s what AAA is asking.

Acknowledging that “it’s time to separate general economic anxiety from personal financial reality” and “travel decisions are not always about dollars and cents,” AAA is urging would-be travelers to take a quick quiz and “Seize the Summer” travel – if it’s economically feasible.

“Given all of the negative economic news of the past six months and our society’s newfound frugality, some otherwise well-off consumers are feeling a little awkward or uneasy about leisure travel this year,” Doug Bower, vice president of AAA Travel and Financial Services, said in a recent news release. “… By carefully assessing our individual economic circumstances and personal travel situation many of us may realize traveling this year should not be seen as a guilty pleasure, but as something we should get out and enjoy. By going now, we also will be doing our part to get America’s economy moving again.”

Before making a final decision about whether to take a trip, AAA suggests taking a “Travel Needs Assessment” that examines a number of areas.

According to AAA’s “Travel Needs Assessment,” consumers should consider whether they are:

• One of the estimated 90 percent of homeowners who are consistently on-time with their mortgage payments, or are always on-time with their rent
• Among those who have access to some emergency cash to protect against an unexpected financial setback
• A borrower with a responsible credit history
• Steadily working on other life-time financial goals, such as student tuitions and/or retirement savings
• Have a history of steady employment with fairly predictable earnings or have a reliable fixed income
• Have been able to afford and pay for leisure travel experiences with little difficulty in the past

In addition, the “Travel Needs Assessment” asks:

• Has it been more than 18 months since my last significant vacation?
• When I traveled last, did I bring work or family pressures with me?
• Have my recent travel experiences been too predictable and to familiar destinations?
• Have I experienced a loss or other major change in my life that challenged my emotions?
• Am I about to mark a major milestone such as a birthday, graduation, anniversary or career change?
• Have I missed significant occasions when I should have celebrated or rewarded myself?
• Is there a family member or friend that is owed a long-overdue visit?

“Would-be travelers that answer ‘yes’ to any or several of these questions should make travel a high priority budget item this year,” Bower said. “We all need to refresh and renew our emotional well-being from time to time. A trip that is all about relaxation, expanding personal horizons, marking special or significant occasion, or time with family and friends is an excellent method of doing so.”

For more information, log onto www.aaaexchange.com/SeizeTheSummer.

Swine flu, Mexico, and I’m going to the Caribbean

With swine flu and its connection to Mexico dominating the headlines, it’s no wonder a number of travelers are looking for an alternate destination this summer. Caribbean destinations may benefit, according to new trend data from TripAdvisor.

According to TripAdvisor, Mexican hotels have seen an average 50 percent drop in page views between April 27 and April 30 (a Monday through Thursday) compared to the same time period a week earlier. Concurrently, Caribbean hotels saw an average 30 percent jump in page views during that time.

Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of the 2,259 respondents to a TripAdvisor site poll said they “are considering wearing masks as a safety measure” for protection from the swine flu, according to a news release. The full results:

• 23 percent said yes to the mask
• 64 percent said no
• 13 percent said they have no travel plans

In addition, TripAdvisor Mexico forums saw an increase in swine flu-related discussion. While there were three posts with the word “swine” published between April 7 and April 14, there were 1,043 posts between April 21 and April 28.