Relaunch!

You may have noticed the new logo and layout on our Facebook, website, and here!  That's because....it's a relaunch!  Many of you know that I've been on a hiatus since my little guy was born in March, but now that I'm able to put him down for a *few* minutes a day, I'm diving back into the world of travel to Disney and beyond!

So, with a relaunch we have to have....a giveaway!  For every share and comment on the blog or Facebook status, you'll earn an entry to win a Disney Gift Card!  And, when the Magical Concierge page reaches 100 fans, I'll add another giveway! 

Stay tuned for weekly blog updates, vacation tips, referral bonuses, giveaways, and much much more! 

And please keep in mind that I can book not only Disney vacations, but also cruises, all-inclusives, tours, and any other vacations!  

The "Once in a Lifetime" Intimidation Factor

I often talk to people about their plans for a Disney vacation and get several variations of the same answer, something like "It's so expensive, I want to wait until all the kids are old enough to remember it because we're only going once."  While I don't think that everyone has to go on a Disney vacation every year, I do think that it's easier than people think to go more than once.  Don't get me wrong - I think it's incredibly important for kids to have a variety of trips and experiences as they grow up, and see the world in more ways than just Epcot's World Showcase.  But, I hate to see parents get SO stressed out trying to make the perfect, once in a lifetime Disney vacation, when in reality, Disney can be both an affordable and repeatable vacation!  

Affordability:

Over the years, Disney has developed a variety of options for accommodations, tickets, and dining that will fit many budgets, making Disney a lot more affordable than people realize!  I think the stigma of Disney being "The Priciest Place on Earth" probably stems from the fact that in the early years, there were only 3 hotels to choose from, the Contemporary, the Polynesian, and the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.  Unless you were camping, there wasn't really a budget-conscious hotel option if you wanted to stay on Disney property.  Over the years (and many theme park guests staying in nearby Kissimmee), Disney realized that they needed more options - Disney attracted a wide variety of guests, so they needed resorts to fit a wider variety of budgets.  Disney launched the first "Moderate" hotel, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, in 1988.  In 1994 Disney expanded their budget choices even further when they opened the first "Value" hotel, Disney's All-Star Sports Resort.   Currently, there are 8 "Deluxe" resorts, 4 "Moderate" resorts, and 4 "Value" resorts (with the 5th, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, slated to open in 2012), plus the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and 7 Deluxe Villa resorts.  

So back to my original point (trust me, you're glad I got back on track here...I think I could have gone on about the history of Disney resorts for at least a couple more pages), the affordability and repeatability of a Disney vacation.  Disney runs promotions very frequently - in fact, right now, there is both a free dining package offer and a room only discount offer.  If you plan your vacation around these promotions, it can make a world of difference!  Let me give an example when you travel during low season and a promotional offer...

Family of 4 - Mom, Dad, Child #1, age 6 and Child #2, age 9:

Travel Dates: November 12 - 18, 2011 (6 nights/7 days)

Resort: Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

Tickets: 7 Day Magic Your Way Tickets

Dining: FREE Quick-Service Dining

Total: $1764.94

That comes out to about $78 per person, per day for everything* - hotel, theme park tickets, and food!  If you take Disney transportation, you don't even need to rent a car - from the moment you arrive at the Orlando International Airport, Disney can provide transportation to your hotel, theme parks, and Downtown Disney.  

*Note that airfare is not included in this quote, due to the wide variety of pricing from various departure points.  To easily quote your own airfare, I recommend Hipmunk!

Please note that the free dining promotion must be booked by October 29!  

Repeatability:

Not only can a Disney vacation be affordable, but it can also be repeated without feeling repetitive!  As I mentioned before, there is a wide variety of accommodations that can transport you to a variety of destinations.  On one vacation, you can stay at the All-Star Movies Resort, as provided in the example above, and be immersed in a larger than life version of classic Disney movies.  On the next trip, you could stay at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and be transported to the National Parks - the Wilderness Lodge is modeled after the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park, and trust me, it really takes you there!

Not only can you stay somewhere new, but you can have new experiences each time as well.  Maybe you took your preschooler on your first trip and spent a lot of time at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom theme parks due to their wide variety of options for young kids.  Then you take your second trip a few years later, and you expand your adventures to Epcot where you can visit all the countries in World Showcase, and take part in the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure!  Traveling with older kids?  They'll love the 2 water parks and DisneyQuest interactive theme park.  Did you know that you can rent boats on the Seven Seas Lagoon?  Or take a behind the scenes tour at the Magic Kingdom where you visit the legendary underground Utilidors? There's so much to choose from!  I've taken over 20 trips to Walt Disney World and there's still so many things I haven't experienced there, and I never have the same vacation twice!

I hope this helped shed a little light on how and why it's possible to visit Walt Disney World more than just once!  Have questions?  Please don't hesitate to email me at cara@magicalconcierge.com!

Have a magical day!

Should I Add the Disney Dining Plan to my Vacation?

You learned all about the basics of the Disney Dining Plans in my last post, but maybe you’re still trying to figure out whether or not the dining plan is right for you. Today, I’ll point out some pros and cons of using the plans, which will hopefully help get you pointed in the right direction!

Pro #1: Easy Budgeting 

Since you’ll be pre-paying for the majority of your meals, you’ll know up front exactly how much you’ll be spending on that portion of your vacation. That means that there’s one less stress factor while you’re there – mealtime can just be enjoyed rather than debating the impact of your meal choice on your budget. Which leads me into Pro #2…

Pro #2: Choices Choices Choices! 

When you use the Disney Dining Plan, you’re able to choose any entrée from the menu. That means that you don’t have to sacrifice and get the chicken instead of the fish entrée that you really wanted just to save a few dollars, because it’s already paid for! You don’t have to argue with your kids about whether they can get a dessert or not – it’s included! To me, this pro is just priceless – I am a bargain shopper and love to save money, so if I’m debating between 2 entrees, I’ll almost always choose the cheaper one. But when I use the Disney Dining Plan, I have the freedom to choose anything! It really adds to that relaxing vacation feel.

Pro #3: Cost Savings! 

You can save over 20% when using the Disney Dining Plan. Let me run through a sample day of using the dining plan to illustrate that savings. I chose mid-range items (not the cheapest or most expensive on the menu) to provide a fair assessment:

Breakfast:
For breakfast, typically I’ll eat at my hotel. I use a snack credit and save my meal credits for lunch and dinner (applies to both the Quick-Service and Basic Dining Plans), and use my refillable mug for my beverage.

Location: Port Orleans French Quarter – Food Court

Items: Yogurt Parfait: $4.29 – 1 Snack Credit; Coffee: $2.59 – Use resort refillable mug


Total breakfast value: $6.88

Lunch: For lunch, typically I use a Quick Service credit. For this example, we’ll say I’m spending the day at Epcot

Location: Sunshine Seasons Food Court, The Land Pavilion, Epcot

Items: Oak-Fired Rotisserie Chicken: $10.19; Fountain Soda: $2.39; Strawberry Shortcake: $3.99 - 1 Quick Service Credit


Total lunch value: $16.57

Dinner: For dinner, typically I use a Table Service credit. In this example, I’m still at Epcot for the day. 

Location: Biergarten, Germany, World Showcase, Epcot

Items: Dinner Buffet (includes drink and dessert) - 1 Table Service Credit


Total dinner value: $39.40

Total Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner Value: $62.85 
Dining Plan Cost: $51.54 
Savings: $11.31, or 18%!

To conduct your own cost analysis, you can check out nearly all the Disney World restaurant menus at http://allears.net/din/dining.htm, but as you can see, it’s extremely easy to save money using the dining plan! 

To be fair, in my experience with the dining plan, there are also a couple cons:

Con #1 SO MUCH FOOD!

You get a lot to eat on the dining plan, to the point where sometimes it can feel like too much! For the most part, this happens to me with desserts – eating a dessert with lunch and dinner can get a little overwhelming. To overcome this, a lot of times I’ll just ask them to wrap up my dessert to go at dinner, and then I’ll eat it for breakfast the next morning (Hey, it’s Disney! If there’s anywhere you want to eat cake for breakfast, this is the place!). At quick-service locations, the desserts typically come in a to-go container already. And, when you eat your previous night’s dessert for breakfast, it frees up a snack credit to use for other tasty treats too!

Con #2 Advanced Planning Required 
Note: This does not apply to the quick service dining plan!

As the popularity of the dining plan grows, more restaurants are filling up farther in advance than ever before. This means that it’s in your best interest to make your dining reservations as soon as you book your vacation. For some people, it can be tough to decide what meals to eat and when months ahead of time! And for those who like to just play it by ear, it can be tough to walk up to Disney restaurants and get in. However, if you’re willing to use your table service credits for lunch instead of dinner, the last minute options are a little more plentiful. In any case, I would recommend making reservations, and if you change your mind while you’re there you can just give Disney Dining a call and see what’s available.

For me, the pros of the dining plan well outweigh the cons! Disney has created a wide array of dining plans to fit a variety of budgets and dining preferences. I have dined on both the basic dining plan and the quick-service dining plan, and have thoroughly enjoyed both experiences!

Currently, Walt Disney World is running a promotion where you receive a free dining plan when you travel on select dates now through March. This promotion must be booked by October 29, 2011, and availability is limited, so please visit http://www.magicalconcierge.com/request-a-quote.html to get your quote today!

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at cara@magicalconcierge.com

Have a magical day!

 

Big News!

I am SO excited to announce that I am now an independent agent for Magical Moments Vacations! What does this mean? Well, it means that I can now not only offer you vacation advice and insight, but I can book your trip for you, at absolutely no cost to you! After many years of doing this as a hobby, I can't even express how excited I am that I now get to do this as a job! For a quote, or just to check out my new venture, please visit www.magicalconcierge.com! In addition, continue to check my blog for helpful articles and Disney news! Have a magical day!

What is the Disney Dining Plan?

What is the Disney Dining Plan?  Good question!  Disney offers several different dining plan options to suit a variety of dining styles.  Here, I’ll provide a brief description of each of the 3 most popular dining plans, followed by a glossary of common dining plan terms for the items I’ve bolded in each plan.  You might be thinking “Really?  A glossary?  I thought I was planning a vacation, not studying for a test!” But please, stay with me!  It might look a little complicated at first, but I promise once you read through it, it will all make sense!

I’ll provide my thoughts on whether or not you should add the dining plan and which one you should choose in an upcoming post – this one got long enough without my opinion!

Option #1: The Quick-Service Dining Plan

2011 pricing:

Adults (age 10+): $34.99 per adult/night 

Children (ages 3-9): $11.99 per child/night  

2012 pricing:

Adults (age 10+): $34.99 per adult/night 

Children (ages 3-9): $11.99 per child/night  

The 2011 Quick-Service Dining plan offers 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per person, per night of your stay.  In addition, it includes a resort refillable mug per person, per stay.

The 2012 Quick-Service Dining plan will offer 2 quick service meals and 1 snack per person, per night of your stay.  In addition, it includes a resort refillable mug per person, per stay.

Option #2: The Dining Plan

2011 pricing:

Adults (age 10+): $45.99 per adult/night (regular season), $47.99 per adult/night (peak season)

Children (ages 3-9): $11.99 per child/night (regular season), $12.99 per child/night (peak season)

2012 pricing:

Adults (age 10+): $51.54 per adult/night (non-peak season), $53.54 per adult/night (peak season)

Children (ages 3-9): $15.02 per child/night (non-peak season), $16.02 per child/night (peak season)  

The 2011 Dining Plan offers 1 quick service meal, 1 table service meal, and 1 snack per person, per night of your stay.  

The 2012 Dining Plan offers 1 quick service meal, 1 table service meal, and 1 snack per person, per night of your stay.  In addition, it includes a resort refillable mug per person, per stay.

Option #3: The Deluxe Dining Plan

2011 pricing:

Adults (age 10+): $78.99 per adult/night

Children (ages 3-9): $21.99 per child/night

2012 pricing:

Adults (age 10+): $85.54 per adult/night (non-peak), $89.55 per adult/night (peak)

Children (ages 3-9): $23.79 per child/night (non-peak), $25.79 per child/night (peak)

The 2011 Deluxe Dining Plan offers 3 meals and 2 snacks per person, per day.  The meals can be either quick service meals or table service meals.  In addition, it includes a resort refillable mug per person, per stay. Note that on the Deluxe Dining Plan, your table service meals will include an appetizer in addition to your entrée and dessert.    

The 2012 Deluxe Dining Plan had no changes to your meal entitlements – it is the same as the 2011 Deluxe Dining Plan.    

Glossary of Dining Plan Terms:

Quick service meal: Includes 1 entrée, 1 dessert (lunch/dinner only), and 1 non-alcoholic beverage or 1 combo meal.  Children must order from the kids menu, when available.  Typically, a kids meal will be a combo meal, including both a child-size drink and child-size dessert.

Table service meal: Includes 1 entrée, 1 dessert (lunch/dinner only), and 1 non-alcoholic beverage or 1 buffet meal.  Children must order from the kids menu, when available.  Typically, a kids meal will include an appetizer, entrée, drink, and dessert.  On the Deluxe Dining Plan, your table service credit also includes an appetizer.

Note that some table service options are considered “Signature Dining Experiences,” which require the use of 2 table service meal credits per person. For a list of the Signature Dining Experiences, please see the F.A.Q.

Snack:  In general, this includes anything that would be considered a snack (not meal side items), that is under $4.00.  The official Disney materials say that it includes frozen ice cream bar, popsicle, fruit bar, single piece of fruit, popcorn scoop (single serving box), single serving bag of snacks, 20 oz. bottle of pop or water, 22 oz. fountain drink, 12 oz. coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, or single serving pre-packaged milk or juice, but I have always found that it includes much more than this.  Anything that qualifies as a snack will have the Disney Dining Plan logo next to it on the menu, indicating that it is an option.

Resort refillable mug: This is a souvenir mug that is good for unlimited refills of pop, water, coffee, hot chocolate, and tea at your resort for the duration of your stay. 

Ok, so now I know what I get on each plan, but how does it all work?

When you check into your hotel, your table service, quick service, snack, and mug credits will all go onto your Key to the World Card (your card which includes your hotel key, park tickets, and room charging privileges.  So, for example, your family of 2 adults and 2 children is on the Dining Plan, and you’re staying for 7 nights.  You receive all your credits at check-in as follows:

1 Table Service per Adult x 7 nights x 2 adults = 14 Adult Table Service Credits

1 Table Service per Child x 7 nights x 2 children = 14 Child Table Service Credits

1 Quick Service per Adult x 7 nights x 2 adults = 14 Adult Quick Service Credits

1 Quick Service per Child x 7 nights x 2 children = 14 Child Quick Service Credits

1 Snack per person x 7 nights x 4 (2 adults + 2 children) = 28 Snack credits

1 Resort Refillable Mug x 4 guests = 4 Resort Refillable Mugs

You are then able to use your credits however you’d like from the time of check-in until midnight on the day you check out.  Say you wanted to eat 28 Mickey Ice Cream Bars on your first day, you could (though you’d probably have quite a tummy ache)! 

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.):

Q: Can I order anything off the menu?

A: When using the dining plan, you are able to choose any entrée on the menu – there are no restrictions for your Quick Service or Table Service meals.  This, I think, is one of the main benefits of the plan – no restricting yourself and choosing the chicken entrée when you really wanted the steak, no arguments with the kids over ordering an entrée that’s too big for them, etc.   I’ll provide more of my thoughts on the benefits of the dining plan in my next post, but I just couldn’t resist my opinion here!

Q: Do my kids have to order off of the kids menu?  I have a 9 year old with an adult appetite, what can I do?

If your child is classified as such by Disney (ages 3-9), then yes, they are only able to order off of the kids menu.  If you feel this might cause a problem with your child, one thing you can do is classify them as an adult (age 10+) when booking your package.  If you do so, you’ll be required to pay both the adult ticket price and the adult dining package price for them, but in some cases, it’s well worth it!

Q: What if a restaurant doesn’t have a kids menu?

A: If a restaurant doesn’t have a kids menu, your child will be able to order from the adult menu.  There are only a few cases of this at Quick Service locations.  All participating table service locations have a kids menu.

Q: Is tax included?

A: Yes, tax is included in the cost of the dining plan.

Q: Are tips included?

A: No, tips are not included in the cost of the dining plan.  When you use your Key to the World card to redeem your meal credits, you will receive a receipt with a suggested tip, based on what the cost of your meal would have been without the dining plan.  You can use any accepted method of payment for this (room charge on your Key to the World card, credit card, cash).  For parties of 6 or more, an 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your bill.

Q: Do I have to eat my meals as they are allocated each day?

A: Nope!  You can use your meal credits however and whenever you’d like, up to midnight on the day you check out!

Q: I’m traveling with friends who are not on a dining plan.  Can I use my credits to buy them dinner?

A: No, your meal credits can only be used by the people in your reservation.

Q: Do I need to make reservations to use my table service credits?

A: While it is not necessary, it is strongly recommended to make reservations for your table service meals.  Disney restaurants are popular, and you certainly don’t want to get stuck using your credits at a restaurant you don’t want to go to!  You can make reservations online at www.disneyworld.com/dining or by calling (407) WDW-DINE

Q: How do I keep track of the meal credits I’ve used?

A: Your remaining meal credits will be printed on your receipt each time you redeem dining plan credits.

Q: Which dining options are considered Signature Restaurants and Dining Experiences?

A: The following dining options are considered Signature Dining Experiences, and require 2 table service credits per person:

Jiko – the Cooking Place

Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Flying Fish Café

Location: Disney’s Boardwalk Resort

California Grill

Location: Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

Location: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Mickey’s Backyard BBQ

Location: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Citrico’s

Location: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Narcoossee’s

Location: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

Location: Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Artist Point

Location: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Location: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table

Location: Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom

Le Cellier Steakhouse (Dinner)

Location: Canada Pavillion, Epcot

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

In-Room Private Dining

Location: Disney’s Deluxe Resorts

Next up: my thoughts on whether to choose a dining plan and if so, which one!  Also, look for a future post on the remainder of the dining plans – including the Premium Plan, Platinum Plan, and the Wine & Dine Add-on.  Need more info on these plans right now?  Check out the official information available at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/planning-guides/in-depth-advice/disney-dining-plan/

Have a magical day!

Onsite vs. Offsite

I am still working on getting things up and running so that I can actually help you book your Disney trip, but in the meantime, I'm going to talk about my thoughts on some common Disney questions!  First up, the question of staying on Disney property versus staying offsite!

People often ask me “does it really matter whether I stay in a Disney hotel or not?”  I always answer this with a resounding “Yes!”  I’ll be honest – we used to stay offsite, thinking that we were saving a few dollars.  However, with Disney’s resort categories, there’s really an onsite option that fits everyone’s budget.  You may notice that I said thinking that we were saving a few dollars.  There are a few reasons why you may find an offsite hotel that appears cheaper, but with Disney’s added benefits, it’s actually costing you more. 

Added value #1:

Free transportation part 1 – Disney’s Magical Express 

When you stay at a Disney owned hotel, you get access to Disney’s Magical Express.  Disney’s Magical Express is a free shuttle provided by Disney from the airport to your hotel.  Not only does Disney provide this free transportation to you, but they also collect your baggage for you and deliver it to your room, so from the time you step off the plane in Orlando, you’re on vacation!  Not only is it easy and convenient, but it gives you a head start on the “magic” of your Disney trip, allowing you to focus on fun and family, instead of the hassle and chaos of luggage and transportation!

Added value #2:

Free transportation part 2 – Buses, boats, and monorails

Once you’ve arrived at your hotel, you’ll probably be chomping at the bit to get to the parks or Downtown Disney!   You can take advantage of Disney’s free transportation from your resort to the parks, and between the parks, during the duration of your vacation.  Each hotel has different transportation options, but these may include the monorail, boats, and/or buses.  Once again – no worries for you!  Just hop on and let someone else do the work, while you enjoy yourself!

Added value #3:

Free transportation part 3 - Parking

Maybe you’ve read this far and thought “well, I rent a car/we drive from home to Disney, so none of these benefits apply to me, we might as well stay offsite!”   But, don’t make up your mind yet, Disney has a benefit for you too!  When you stay at a Disney resort, you get free parking at all the parks for the duration of your stay.  Think that’s no big deal?  Disney charges $14 a day for parking at their theme parks!  Once you apply that $14 difference, often staying onsite becomes a no-brainer!

Added value #4

Extra Magic Hours

Would you like to have some extra (and often less crowded) time in the parks?  Of course!  Extra Magic Hours provides just that.  On select days, each park opens either an hour early, or stays open several hours late, for Disney resort guests only!  That's not something you want to miss out on!

Added value #5

Room package delivery

If you’re like me, you can’t help but stop along the way for souvenirs.  Sometimes there are things that just catch your eye and there’s just no way you can wait, but the thought of lugging whatever it is around the park all day stops you!  Disney solves that problem for you when you stay onsite, by offering free delivery of your purchases back to your resort!  You are able to just pick them up upon your return to your hotel!  Easy!  

Added value #6  

Key to the World Card

Another great benefit of staying on Disney property is your Key to the World Card.  This card serves as your room key, your park ticket, your dining plan credits (if applicable), and your room charge.  Similar to charging things to your room at any hotel, the Key to the World card expands this and allows you to food and merchandise to your room not just at your resort, but at other Disney resorts, theme parks, restaurants, and Downtown Disney! It's so easy!

Added value #7

Package booking

Booking a package that includes your resort stay, theme park tickets, and even a dining plan (optional) can be a MAJOR money saver when it comes to Disney.  Often, they offer specials that include free add-ons to your package.  For example, right now they are running a special that gives you the dining plan for free when you book a package for select nights between now and March.  This is a huge added value – the dining plan runs $34.99/night for adults for the Quick Service plan, and $45.99/night for adults for the Dining Plan.  Make sure to check http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/ when considering a trip, there is almost always some kind of discount available!

Added value #8

Time

By staying onsite, you’ll be saving time each day getting from your hotel to the theme parks!  Whether that’s by driving yourself or taking Disney transportation, staying in a Disney resort puts you closer to all the action!   When you’re on a Disney vacation, every minute matters, and you’d probably rather spend those precious minutes in the parks than in a car!

Added value #9

Disney immersion

This is really #1 for me!  When I go to Disney, I like to be immersed in the Disney feeling for as long as I can!  When staying onsite, you get to stay in the “Disney bubble” all the time.  What do I mean by that?  You get to avoid seeing strip malls, fast food restaurants (with one exception), souvenir shops, billboards, Wal-Mart, grocery stores, etc.  Personally, I love getting to spend some time pretending that none of that exists!  This is certainly the most intangible of the benefits, but it may be the biggest!

All these added values add up to staying onsite!  Whether it’s something you can put a price on, like transportation, or something you can’t put a price on, like time, these benefits really can’t be beat!   This is certainly not an exhaustive list, please comment if you have anything to add!

Coming soon: my thoughts on the Disney Dining Plan!

Have a magical day!

Cara 

Hiya there!

My name is Cara and I'm a Disney addict.

It's true. I've been addicted to Disney since my first trip there in 1983. Over 20 trips under my belt, and I still get as excited for each vacation as I did for that first one. Through the years, some of my most magical memories took place there. Disney is my passion, and my hobby. And when Disney is your hobby, you accumulate a wealth of Disney information.

When I'm not planning my next trip....well, let's be honest, I'm always planning my next trip. Sometimes the plans are a little further off than I'd like, but I always have that next trip in sight somewhere. When the plans are far off, I like to live vicariously through my friends and family and plan trips for them. That passion has led to being the go-to girl for help planning a Disney trip for any friends, friends of friends, friends of friends of friends, family, pets, imaginary friends, unicorns, etc. Ok maybe not the last few. But you get the picture.

One day, I was listening to my favorite Disney podcast. I started thinking about how cool it was that the host took his passion for Disney and turned it into something that others could benefit from too. I thought "I wish I could do something like that!" And then I started thinking some more...why couldn't I do that? Why couldn't I take something I'm already experienced and proficient at (helping my friends and family plan their trips to Disney World), and expand it, so that I can spend more time doing something I genuinely enjoy?

Planning a Disney trip can be overwhelming, especially for your first trip, but even if it's your hundredth trip. There are so many sites out there, both official and unofficial, that provide an abundance of information on resorts, restaurants, parks, and everything else Disney has to offer. I find the toughest part of planning a trip is taking all that information and figuring out how to extract the pieces that will make your trip the most magical...

...That's where Magical Concierge comes in! Magical Concierge is a service that will help you make those tough Disney decisions like where to stay, what to do each day, and when to go, based on what YOU are looking to get out of your Disney vacation. Whether it's your first trip, your romantic honeymoon, your birthday celebration, your annual family vacation, or any other trip, by finding out about what you're looking to get out of your trip, I can help you experience that trip like a Disney pro!

While my Magical Concierge Personalized Services are not quite ready to go yet, please enjoy my blog posts in the meantime, where you'll find Disney tips and insights!

See ya real soon!

"All your dreams can come true, if you have the courage to pursue them." -Walt Disney