Stroller rental a life saver!

One thing you may or may not think about when traveling is renting  a stroller for your child.  Sure you can bring your own, but unless you really need your child to sit in it while in the airport, it can be cumbersome to carry around and check at the gate. 
Disney rents strollers and they are quite nice.  I think they are 15.00$/day for a single.  If you rent multiple days they are 13.00$ for a single.  The big down side, you have to drop them off on your way out of the park.  And although Disney is very efficient at getting you your stroller, it can still take awhile in line. 
The best option we found is using a local stroller rental company.  There are a few such as Orlando Stroller Rental and Magic Strollers.  These companies charge less than Disney and offer you a very nice single or double jogging stroller with space to put your belongings. 
These services not only offer you a great stroller at a great price, but they deliver right to your hotel and pick up the stroller after you check out. 
You can check out their websites and reserve right online. 
This is a stroller you will have with you your entire trip.  If your child falls asleep on your way out of the park, you can keep him or her in it a bit longer as you walk to the bus.  If you hop on the monorail or ferry, your little one can stay put!
I would definitely consider this option on your next trip. 

Soarin'...

If you've ever been on Soarin' at EPCOT, you know it's an amazing experience.  I tend to get motion sickness in 'theater in the round' settings and I was nervous about this.  But I think because you actually move along with the movie, legs dangling and all, and your senses are engaged in the smells, sights and temperature it's very realistic. 
So what's your favorite part of this attraction?  Gliding above the Grand Canyon?  Rowing your canoe surrounded by huge evergreen trees?  Or gliding over Disneyland?  It's hard to choose. 
I think my son's favorite was flying over the aircraft carrier with the helicopter so close. 
Whatever it is, this is a ride worth waiting for and definitely getting a fast pass to do again. 

Exhausted...What do we do?

I think if this is your first time or 15th Disney vacation, with or without kids, you find yourself at a point where you just have to stop. 
When you arrive you are excited and motivated and can't wait to jump on that first and favorite attraction.  It may be day 1 or day 3, but there will come a time, when you are walking behind, who you think is the slowest person in the park, and have to hold back the 'Come on people! Let's keep walking!' comment.  It is now you need to realize it's time to sit and re-group. 

You want this experience to be memorable and a happy one.  It can be very easy to get grumpy and you may find yourself not enjoying anything if you or anyone in your group is overtired. 

Find a quiet area to sit.  Have a snack and a drink and talk about your favorite rides or what you want to do next.  If you don't want to sit outside because it's too hot.  Hop on the Carousel of Progress or Tomorrowlands People mover if you are at the Magic Kingdom.  Obviously you can't take drinks or food on these rides, but they are relaxing.  As well as the Walt Disney Railroad. 

Just remember, where ever you are going and what ever your mission is, it will be there in a 1/2 an hour.  It may delay your plan a little, but everyone in your group will appreciate the break. 

What's the first thing you do?

You arrive at Disney.  Your anticipation mounts at you take the bus, ferry or monorail into the Magic Kingdom.  How do you feel?  What do you see?  Hear?  Smell? 
For me?  I see beautiful flower arrangements and people trying to get where they are going.  I hear the Disney music, the train bell clanging and lots of chatter and some kids crying.  What do I smell?  Mainly just the flowers. 
You won't see garbage or grumpy employees.  You won't even be able to see Main Street right away.  You won't smell food from the restaurants, and dirtiness of any kind.  You won't hear screaming from the attractions.  (Not even Tower of Terror until you are closer)  and may not even hear the monorail until it's almost right over your head.  Disney has done an amazing job of letting your senses only experience what they want you to experience at that time. 
I always get this huge sense of excitement and anticipation.  It may be years before we go back, but when I'm there, it's like we never left.  Cast members smile, you try to find the quickest turnstyle, get your bag checked, grab a map and off you go. 
If you're following a tourplan, which I highly suggest, you race to get your fast passes and then wait in line for your first ride. 
My kids usually can't stop talking, my older two have their pin lanyards on and are checking out cast member pins, while my husband and I are trying to hurry them up. 
We usually walk by Goofy, a Princess, or Pluto on our way.  A quick and fleeting thought comes over us.  Do we stop to get a picture?  Nah...we have more important things to do.  Fast Pass - Fast Pass - Fast Pass.  We have learned we DO NOT go with out a touring plan.  What is a touring plan you ask?
Well it's a detailed plan of your day.  What ride to go on when, and what fast passes to get. 
Now this changes depending on the ages of your kids, what park you are at, and how many days you plan to be there.  This has saved us so much time waiting in lines.  Now you do have to be slightly flexible.  Sometimes you walk by Pirates of the Carribean and there is a 5 min wait.  It's not suggested you go just yet on the plan, but why not?  It's a 5 min wait.  Which usually means you can walk right on.  Another great Disney surprise.  Many times, but not always the lines are shorter than the time sign reads. 

Going Home

I'm curious.  How do you feel when you end your vacation?  Are you exhausted and just done with the crowd and want to sleep in your own bed?  Or are you ready for one more day knowing it may be years before you go back? 
We had mixed emotions.  Were we tired?  Yes!  Did we miss our home and neighbors?  Yes!  But we were thinking, just one more ride on Rockin' Roller coaster or Test Track.  And Cameron just wanted to ride Toy Story Mania over and over.  And how can you blame us?  The experience is unforgettable and unmatched with other theme parks. 
However, all good vacations must come to an end and then we look forward to the next one.  We made lots of great memories that we won't forget.  We came home on sort of a 'Disney High'.  We love to look at our photos and reminisce about our days in Florida. 

I love to write this blog and continue to search out Disney deals and ongoing information about hotels, attractions and any changes that happen. 
If you read this and would love some help planning your vacation?  Let me know!  It's a passion I have.

Our Last Days

I'm curious...how do you spend your last days of your long awaited family vacation at Disney World?  We decided to hop around the parks and do our most favorite rides.  One of the huge benefits of getting park hopper passes.
On Monday night we decided to take advantage of the Electrical Parade and stay late for the extra magic hours at Magic Kingdom. 

We spent the afternoon 'trying' to nap and then a few hours at the pool.  After dinner we decided to head to the Magic Kingdom and find our spot on Main Street to wait for the parade.  Because our 4 year old didn't nap at the hotel he decided to sleep in his stroller while we waited.  It worked out perfectly actually.  He wouldn't have wanted to sit that long and while he slept, Matt and I sat on the curb talking to a nice couple waiting next to us about Disney Pin Trading and our other two kids went off to ride a few rides.  Yes...I felt comfortable with my 12 and 9 year old heading over to Space Mountain by themselves as long as she had her cell phone to check in.  My husband and I sat and shared an ice cream sundae from the Carnation Ice Cream Shop and had time to talk to each other. 

The kids showed up, the parade started and we loved it.  It wasn't the first time seeing the Electrical Parade, but it never gets old.  It's amazing every time. 

Then we headed down among the HUGE crowd towards the castle to wait for the fireworks and see Tinkerbell float across the sky waving her wand.  It was a long wait, and we were shoulder to shoulder standing with strangers and it was getting HOT.  The music started the fireworks began and we quickly forgot how uncomfortable we were.  We had never seen such a beautiful fireworks display. 
When they were over, we fought against the crowd heading home while we tried to merge with the crowd staying for extra magic hours.  We spent our time in Tomorrow Land riding the Buzz Light Year Space Ranger ride and Space Mountain.  We had a snack and headed back to our hotel. 
We were very tired and were looking forward to sleeping in. 
The next morning we were awaken with loud hammers and drills.  I guess the hotel started renovations near our room outside.  Not happy about this, but what can ya do? 
We spent some time at EPCOT that day since it was so close to our room and later that night we packed to leave the next morning.  My husband walked over to ESPN Zone at the Boardwalk hotel (to watch the NBA playoffs) while the kids and I relaxed at our room.  I went to the front desk to talk about the checking out procedure and when she asked about how our stay was, I told her it was amazing accept for the early morning renovation sounds.  What did she do??? Gave us a free night and comped our dinner.  WHAT??? I was so happy.  Disney has the best customer service.  That saved us over $300.00 and I really didn't complain. 
Our vacation was close to perfect.  The kids still talk about it  and we can't wait to go back.  Or check out Disneyland sometime.