Just wanted to let my current blog readers I'm now only blogging on my website. 

I'm VERY EXCITED to have Big Wish Travels up and running. 

Check it out for some new Disney information as well as use my quote form for your next Disney or Universal Studios vacation. 

Thank you!

www.believeinmagicvacations.com

Why Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner?

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be overwhelming, but it can also be fun.  There are many decisions to make.

-What resort should we stay in,

 and what is the difference between Value, Moderate and Deluxe?

 -What park should we go to first?

 -Where should we eat?  

-How many days should we stay?

And so many more!

When you are considering using an agent, one thing you could ask is, when is the last time you've been to Disney World?  Disney is timeless, but there are also changes happening all the time to keep it up to date, safe and growing!

Did you know we have agents on site at Disney World (and Universal Studios) almost every day of the year.  We travel there for training and our family vacations too.  We are up to date on all the changes that occur.  

This information is very valuable to you as a guest when planning your vacation. 

Our services are FREE to you!  Yes, we are paid by Disney because we are Authorized Disney Vacation Planners.  

I recently had a guest ask me how much I charge to plan her Disney Cruise.  When I said 'nothing' she was very pleasantly surprised.  Then I mentioned some of our agents just walked off the inaugural Disney Fantasy cruise so we have first hand experiences to pass that knowledge on to you!

Once you have booked your vacation, I will provide you with extra Magic as well.  Some of this Magic includes: 

Planning your dining and making your reservations. 

Helping your decide what resort to stay at. 

Provide you with daily touring plans, so you won't waste your time in hugely long lines. 

And, I will help you plan your trip according to your budget. 

But the number one thing I will provide for you, that can be hard to find, is EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE.   I always say, I love receiving great customer service, that's why I love to provide it. And, Disney prides itself on that concept.  

If I can't give the answer, I have a wonderful support of knowledgeable agents that can help me.  

I will also update your reservation if a better deal becomes available and pass those savings on to you!  Some people wait to plan their trip to see if a better offer is released.  You won't miss out with this service.  

With some great Disney offers going on right now, why don't you contact me for your free - no obligation quote?  

Email me at Kimwvacations@gmail.com 

Let's plan your next Magical vacation!

Disney Is Not Just For Kids - Here Is Why...

I think originally Disney used to be seen as just a place to experience with your children.  The kids can see Mickey, go on Space Mountain or Small World.  You can buy them a plush animal and never go back for another 5-8 years.

In my experience Disney has made countless changes and updates to make sure people of all ages want to return and experience Disney in new ways.  Ways they didn't get to experience when their kids were younger.

This post could be pages long on how they do this, but I'll try to give you the condensed version.

Not only have the Disney engineers added new parks and attractions over the years but many of you may not know about all the options outside of the Disney parks.

Lets start with some top nightlife destinations.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

Here you can check out a Cirque de Soleil performance.  Then head over to House of Blues for a concert.  

Even though Pleasure Island nightclubs have closed, (yes I personally miss 8 Trax)  you can still enjoy some fun bars at Raglan Road Irish Pub or Bongo's Cuban Cafe.  

 

THE BOARDWALK

This has become a favorite for many for so many reasons.  Located at The Boardwalk Resort, this beautiful area has many bars and restaurants to choose from.  You can catch a game at the ESPN Club where there are more than 100 TV's to catch your favorite game.  Atlantic Dance Hall is a high-energy Top 40 dance club.  Jellyrolls is a piano bar where you might feel the need to jump into the conga line dancing to Barry Manilow's 'Copacabana'. 

 

EXTREME SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

Did you know you can ride in or drive your own NASCAR at the Richard Petty Driving Experience? 

Located near the Magic Kingdom parking lot, you can choose your experience depending on your price range.  

Of course there is biking, golf and tennis.  But did you know you can have an archery guide at the Fort Wilderness Resort where you can take in some target shooting? Or how about horseback riding, fishing and even parasailing on Bay Lake? 

 

With all of these options, there is no shortage of fun at Disney.  There are so many more that I didn't list that you could have a vacation without even going into the Disney parks.  For me, I don't think I could resist.  But for some of you the options are endless! 

Let me know if you would like help with your next vacation.  I can set up all of your reservations for you and so MUCH MORE!  

Contact me for your FREE quote on your next Disney adventure.  I'm happy to make your vacation dreams a reality...

New Themed Rooms At Disney

OK, well let's face it, I think every room at Walt Disney World has a theme.
No matter where you stay, your room's decoration will be related to the name of the resort.

If you are staying at All-Star Sports, you will have footballs, baseballs, and athletic fields painted and scattered around your room.  If you choose The Yacht & Beach Club, you will have blues, whites and nautical touches throughout your room.  Staying at the Polynesian?  Your room will have Hawaiian, and other tropical designs.  You get the picture.

But now Disney has taken it a step further and added specialty themed rooms in a few of their resorts.  For example, The Port Orleans Riverside, now offers Royal Guest Rooms.
These royal  rooms will make you feel like you are staying in a castle.  From Aladdin's Flying Carpet rug to a twinkling fireworks headboard your prince or princess will really love these rooms.  Although there are over 500 of these rooms available, you can bet they will be selling out fast. It's a great way to add something special to your vacation.



Another option is located at the Caribbean Beach Club.  These Pirate themed rooms will make your little buccaneer smile when he/she enters.  There are many special touches like the crate TV stands and special ship headboards.  Again, these rooms also sell out quickly, but don't add to much extra to your vacation cost.


If you are considering a special room with your next Walt Disney trip, I can help you plan all the details!  My services are at no cost to you.  Message me for your free quote!

kimwvacations@gmail.com

Free Dining Available to ALL!

FREE Dining is available to everyone now at Walt Disney World!

If you have ever considered a trip to Walt Disney World, now is a great time to book your vacation.  

Free Dining does not come along often and it is a great way to save LOTS of money on your trip. 

Dates are limited.  Travel between August 25, 2012 to September 29, 2012

If you have a current trip booked for those dates, you can add me as your agent and I will gladly make the adjustment for you and pass along those savings!

email me kimwvacations@gmail.com 

DON'T WAIT TOO LONG!  THESE ROOMS ARE FILLING UP FAST. 

Our First Harry Potter Giveaway!

Enter to win this Dumbledore’s Army Wand Set straight from Ollivanders Wand Shop at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter located at Islands of Adventure at the Universal Orlando Resort!

Valentines Day Giveaway - 1 Day Only

Show your love of someone special with this adorable Mickey Mouse Frame!

Disney Changes FastPass System in March

To anyone who has used the FastPass system at Disney, we know how much time this system can save us in line.

To those of you who don't know about the FastPass system, this is a ticket you receive at an attraction that allows you to return at a later time to limit your time in line.  This window of time is an hour long.  Typically Disney would allow you to arrive slightly before your designated time, and anytime after your hour.  Even hours later!

But now, starting in March, Disney will start enforcing this window of time.  They will now allow you to arrive 5 minutes before your designated arrival time, and 15 minutes after your end time. 

So if you have a FastPass for Splash Mountain to arrive between 1-2pm.  You can show up at 12:55-2:15pm. 

What do you think about this? I know it may be frustrating to some.  But I think it will overall be great to those who return during their time frame and will have an overall less wait time. 

This is scheduled to take place March 7, 2012.  So consider this when making your daily touring plan. 

New Changes Coming to Disneyland

There are some exciting changes coming to The Disneyland Parks this year. 

One of which are changes to some of the Disneyland restaurants. 
The Carnation Cafe, will once again offer indoor seating.  Giving guests more options to enjoy this iconic restaurant. 
The Blue Ribbon Bakery is closing to make room for the new Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. 

The boundaries of Fantasyland will transform into the Fantasy Faire Experience.  Guests will travel through a village square that's surrounded by fairy tale cottages and pavilions.  This area will offer guests the chance to interact with their favorite hero or heroine as their stories come alive. 

Buena Vista Street is opening at Disney's California Adventure.  New shops will offer guests the chance to purchase their favorite Cars merchandise at Oswalds.
 A circus - themed toy store called Big Top Toys will have shelves lined with innovative and interactive toys. 

Of course we can't forget about Cars Land scheduled to open Summer of this year.  One of the major attractions include Radiator Springs Racers located of course in the town of Radiator Springs. 

Experience a psychedelic party and fall into the Rabbit Hole in the Mad T Party.  Live bands, signature foods, and dancing will let guests experience an upside down world. 

If you'd like to plan your vacation and be a part of these new and exciting changes, message me for your free quote!

Disney PIN Codes Released

Disney PIN codes are being released! Everyone gets so excited when that little flyer is delivered by the postal carrier or that e-mail appears in the inbox, but what, exactly, is a Disney PIN and how does it work?

Disney PIN codes are sent out to past guests in the hopes of getting them to book again. These Disney PINs are special offers that will allow guests to save on a Disney vacation. The offers can be anything from Free Dining to a certain percentage off the room rate. These offers can be booked directly through Disney or with your favorite travel agent.

Who Can Use The PIN?

Disney PIN codes are specific to the guest to whom they were sent. Before booking a Disney PIN offer, the agent will have to verify the name of the guest, address and ZIP code. If these do not match, then the PIN is not valid. Disney makes no exceptions to this.

Most Disney PIN codes are valid for up to three rooms. This means that if you’d like to take along friends or family, they can take advantage of the discount, too! The PIN code holder must be the lead guest on one of the three reservations.

I am a past guest, but I didn’t get a Disney PIN. What do I do?

Call Disney or your travel agent! They can check to see if a PIN is available to you. Oftentimes, people either don’t receive or accidentally discard their Disney PIN offer. However, the offer is still in the Disney system and can still be accessed and used.

I checked, but there is no PIN available to me. Why? I am a past guest.

Being a past guest does not guarantee that a Disney PIN will be assigned to you. The PIN codes are not offered to all guests. Don’t take it personally. Disney’s marketing folks offer the PINs based on your past reservations.

If you took advantage of Free Dining before, they may offer it again. If you love to stay at the Polynesian, they may send you the offer for 40% off Deluxe Resorts.

Just because you were not offered the current Disney PIN doesn’t mean you won’t be offered the next one! Keep your eyes open and check back as new codes are released.

Can I use my Disney PIN with other discounts?

You cannot use your Disney PIN with other Disney discounts. Disney allows only one discount per reservation. If you book through Disney, you get one discount. However, travel agents may offer an additional discount on top of the Disney PIN.

This is one of the occasions where booking through an agent can save you more than booking through Disney directly.

I’ve never been to Disney before so I won’t get a Disney PIN. What can I do to save?

Don’t despair! Often, a few months after the PIN is released, Disney releases a similar discount to the general public. Again, here is where a travel agent can help. Your agent will let you know about new Disney discounts as they are released. Many times, the best discounts are not advertised by Disney!

The truth is that there is almost always a Disney discount available whether or not you have a Disney PIN. You just have to know where to look!

Contact me today to save twice with your Disney PIN or to book the guaranteed best deal available to you!

515-720-5220  kimwvacations@gmail.com

January Giveaway

Here is your chance 

 To Win This Authentic Disney Park

Striped Mickey Mouse Dooney and Bourke Purse!

How to Enter:

This giveaway is being run using the Rafflecopter form, which should appear below. Just click to enter! If you are having trouble viewing the Rafflecopter form, here’s a checklist to help you out:

• Try refreshing your browser or viewing it from a different browser.
• Make sure you have JavaScript enabled on your computer.
• You may need to clear your cache.

Giveaway Rules

• The mandatory entries must be completed Other methods of following are there for extra entries, but are optional.
• Each entry must be entered exactly as it is stated.
• Make sure to leave a VALID email address in the email field so I can contact you if you win.
• If you already follow/like someone via Twitter or Facebook the entries still count.
• No cheating–I make sure the winner’s entries are done correctly. If they’re not, then a new winner is selected.

GIVEAWAY ENDS JANUARY 31, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Making the Most of Your Disney Days

Once your trip is finally planned some of the anxiety wears off, but if you are not a frequent traveler to Walt Disney World,  thinking about how to spend you time can be overwhelming.

You may have questions like;

-Where do I eat?
-What time should I arrive at the parks?
-What time should I leave my resort?
-What are Extra Magic Hours?
-Whats the best time to ride Splash Mountain?

Many of these questions are very common and you are not alone. 

But...don't worry.  I'm here to help.  Itinerary planning is one thing I will provide for you on your vacation.  It's part of my services when you book a vacation package with me. 

I LOVE Disney World.  I've traveled there many times when my kids were different ages as well as alone with my spouse.  The experiences are different every time, but we make the most of our days following some simple plans and just being prepared.

Do we stray from our plan occasionally?  Of course.  We have 3 children.  But overall, by having our plan and where we want to eat, makes our days go much smoother. 

If you are planning a trip, don't worry.  I will give you some itineraries for you to follow. I'll even make your dining reservations.  If you have questions when you arrive?  Please call or email me.  I'll be happy to help you or give you some suggestions. 

It's good to have a plan, but you do need to be flexible as well. 

If I can't answer your questions, I have lots of great resources to find your answer. 

My goal is to make your vacation Magical!

Email me for your free quote and take advantage of some great deals going on now at WDW. 

kimwvacations@gmail.com

Solo Traveling at Walt Disney World?

Sometimes, we have no choice, but we are just forced to head to Walt Disney World on our own.

Bummer huh?

Well NO!  You can have just as much fun on your own taking advantage of these ideas and still have an amazing time with the 1000's of other Disney fans.


Sometimes we have to go for business or even by our own idea, but you can still have a memorable time.

* If you find yourself with some extra time, take a behind the scenes tour.  How about the Wild          Africa Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  This 3 hour adventure is a guided safari that takes you through the jungle, over a savanna and up-close encounters with some of the animals.

* You won't have to feel alone while dining at some of the finer restaurants.  Many offer counters to  sit and eat where you can enjoy the company of others.

* You can even enjoy shorter wait times on some of the attractions.  Test Track at EPCOT is one that offers 'single rider' lines that will get you through faster.

* Other opportunities might include horseback riding at Fort Wilderness, parasailing at The Contemporary, and even suiting up for an intense spin in a racecar at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. 

Whatever your reason for traveling solo, you can be sure to still have an amazing experience and you'll be back to your family and friends before you know it.

Let me know if I can help you plan your next trip!

Disney's New Deal

Disney just announced some exciting news if you are considering a trip. 

You can enjoy one more day and night of Disney magic FREE when you buy a 3-night, 3-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort hotels before Jan. 31, 2012 (for arrivals most nights Feb. 26 – March 10, 2012).
You don't have much time to book and rooms will fill up fast, so it's good to take advantage
of this great offer right away!

Who wouldn't want an extra day of Magic for FREE??  Plus these dates are before Spring Break
so you can enjoy lighter crowds and beautiful weather. 

You could combine this with another Disney offer.  Both, Walt Disney World, and Disneyland will be open for 24 hours on February 29, 2012.  Leapyear day.... or Leapday?

You could go back to the hotel, get a couple hours of rest, and head back in at 2am!  I bet the crowds will be low at that time.  How fun. 

Wouldn't you like to be there? 

Remember, all my planning services are free.  Contact me for a free quote.

kimwvacations@gmail.com