Plan the Magic - Disney Planning Resource

In December, my parents announced that they were taking my family to Disney World in October. It would be my kids first trip to Disney. My oldest was 8 at the time and the twins were 6. They were excited but they really did not understand what to expect. They kept making comparisons to Six Flags which seemed silly but what could they compare it to? Not much compares to the Disney World experience so it was time to introduce them to all to the Disney magic.

First, I went onto the Walt Disney World vacation planning site and selected customized maps. Here I chose all of my favorite attractions to be highlighted on the maps. I made one for each park - the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Disney will send you the set of customized maps once every 6 months. Of course, having three kids I needed three sets. So, I repeated this at my parent's house and at my in-laws. A couple of weeks later all three sets arrived and I was ready to give them to the kids. The maps are beautiful - written on thick parchment paper they resemble old fashioned treasure maps. The kids went wild over them. They each sat down pouring over the maps and asking what each of the rides were that I had marked. Also included was a map of the whole Disney World complex. They were finally beginning to comprehend how big the whole place was.

I had also ordered from the Disney World website a current Disney World Vacation Planning DVD. As a family, we all sat down to watch it. And not for the vacation planning information - that was done already. But now the kids could put the pictures and sights to the names they had seen on the maps. Certain parts were watched a couple of times and now they were really starting to feel the magic and the excitement.

Next, I bought Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids - basically a travel book aimed at kids for them to read. I started by reading aloud from it before bed to all three kids. They really liked all the descriptions of the rides. It rated them by fun factors and scariness and gave any height restrictions. Soon, my oldest took over the book reading it every night before bed. He even did a book report for school on it. By the time we left for vacation, he had everything he wanted to see memorized. (He still won't give up that book.)

As the summer progressed, I dug out all the old Disney cds that I had played for them when they were little. We would listen to them in the car and the kids would have to guess which movie the song was from and who was singing. It was a great way to get familiar with all the classic characters. We also started re-watching all the Disney movies. My oldest is still disappointed that I can't find a copy of Song of the South to watch.

The last thing I did was order matching Disney t-shirts for everybody. The kids had heard all about the Disney trip that my extended family had taken when I was in high school. 20 people all wearing the same red shirts. This time I found matching Mickey & Minnie Mouse t-shirts for everyone. Armed with autograph books, pens, maps and all that information in their heads they were ready to meet Mickey Mouse. And I knew all the prep time was worth it, when we walked on to Main Street for the first time and R.J. said, "Lets go left to Adventure Land."

Jennifer Webster
jennifer@pixievacations.com
847-909-4575

Are you looking for a Disney World Resort with a little more room to spread out? Do you like the convenience of a full kitchen and daily maid service? Would you like a tranquil peaceful setting, instead of the hustle and bustle of a hotel? And would you like all this at a very moderate price? If so, then The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness are just what you are looking for.

Each individual cabin sleeps six people comfortably. In the bedroom are a twin bunk bed, a double bed, dresser and television. The living room contains a pull down double bed, sofa, dining table that seats six and television. The kitchen is full sized and fully stocked with all the glassware, dishes, silverware and pots & pans you might need. There are no storage containers though so if you tend to have any leftovers you might want to remember to bring ziploc bags or plastic wrap. The refrigerator is full sized complete with ice trays and there is even a dishwasher. Don't worry though, the maid service will load and run it for you. Outside you will find your own patio, picnic table and charcoal grill. At the cabins, you will find more privacy then in a typical hotel room. They are spaced apart enough so that you don't know if you neighbor is home or not.

From each cabin, you can walk to a bus stop. There are three different colored buses that run throughout the Fort Wilderness resort that will take you to the three main destinations on the resort grounds: The Meadow Recreation Area, The Reception Outpost and the Settlement. These buses run about every 20 minutes and will get you anywhere on the resort that you want to go but after a long day at one of the parks waiting for another bus was not fun with three kids. And even the short trek from the bus stop to the cabin was an ordeal. So, on the second day we did break down and rent a golf cart. The golf cart was great, we could speed around the resort wherever and whenever we wanted. Each area had spots to park the golf carts and plug them in for charging. This small luxury was well worth the price.


The Reception Outpost contains the resort's main lobby for checking in and out, airline check in, guest services, golf cart rentals and any Disney information or help you may need. In this area, you will also find The Wilderness Corral Trail Rides, a kennel and most importantly, the bus station. This bus station is where guests can catch a bus to any Disney World park, resort and Downtown Disney.

The Meadow Recreation area contains the resort's main pool complete with water slide, Daniel Boone's Wilderness Arcade, tennis courts, and a snack bar. This pool has the new water slide and hot tub. The kids did their late night swimming here and it was never crowded. Pool was well lit at night, though the slide does close down when the lifeguards go off duty. At 10:00 they warned everybody it was swim at your own risk time. There is one other small pool, the Wilderness Pool. It was near our cabin though and always pretty empty. The kids enjoyed playing here and cooling off during our breaks from the parks. The Meadow Recreation area is also where Chip N Dale's campfire sing-a-long takes place along with a marshmallow roast and the outdoor showing of Disney classic movies. You will also find the Meadow Trading Post here where you can find the typical Disney souvenirs along with a decent selection of convenience foods and kitchen staples. Prices are very high on all the grocery items. So, if you wanted to use the kitchen to save money, bypass buying your food here. In your cabin, is the number for a local grocery store that will deliver the groceries right to your cabin.

The top of the resort is called the Settlement. This is where you will find Pioneer Hall, home of the famous Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. If you've never seen this show or even if you have, don't miss this high energy, hilarious show. Kids and adults of all ages will enjoy. Also in Pioneer Hall, you will find Trail's End Restaurant and Crockett's Tavern. Next door is the Tri-Circle D Ranch where you can take a carriage ride, wagon ride or even pony rides for the kids. There is a Settlement Trading Post which is slightly smaller then the Meadow Trading Post and contains basically the same items at the same high prices. A children's playground is also here right before you reach the beach and the marina and boat launch. Here you can rent watercraft, join in on fishing excursions and yes, take the ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom. Nothing quite beats the feeling of riding the ferry to the Magic Kingdom for the first time. Boats also can take you to Wilderness Lodge, the Contemporary, and the Polynesian resorts.

The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness is an expansive resort with lots of recreation opportunities. If you never left the resort in a week, you still wouldn't have done everything and seen everything the resort has to offer. Its moderate pricing gives a family room to spread out without breaking the bank. And its peaceful and tranquil setting offers a quiet place to unwind after a busy day among the crowds and bright lights of the parks. The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness is one of Disney's best family resorts and has a little something for everyone.

Jennifer Webster

Please contact me to help you plan your magical Disney vacation.

phone: 847-909-4575
e-mail: jennifer@pixievacations.com
website: www.pixievacations.com

Enjoy the taste of Southern European cuisine at Citricos, located inside Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Inside this signature restaurant, the master chefs rotate dinner selections frequently with American dishes inspired by the cuisine of Provençe, Tuscany and the Spanish Riviera. My wife and I have eaten here three times in the last year, and each time, the menu ha been different. Menu choices including steak, pastas, and seafood, depending on the season, but every dish is unique, and every dish is delicious. You can also choose from the extensive and award winning wine list featuring a number of international wines that are available both by the glass or the bottle.

Located on the second floor, the restaurant overlooks the courtyard and pool area, and if you are enjoying a later dinner, you might even catch a view of the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom (though the music is not piped in). Other tables overlook the bustling kitchen where you can admire the chefs bring their creations to life. Although the dining room is large and seats numerous guests, it still feels very intimate and is a wonderful setting for a romantic dinner. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable.

For even more of an intimate setting, guests may elect the Chef's Domain, where guests can order off the traditional menu or have the chef create a menu in a private dining room.

Citricos is a signature restaurant and costs two table service credits on Disney's Dining Plan. For guests not on the plan, Citricos also accepts the Tables in Wonderland card.

Photo courtesy of Disney.

Bob Angelo
Pixie Vacations
(941) 840-1347
Bob@pixievacations.com

It’s That Time of Year Again

It’s that time of year again when the kids head back to school, the weather gets cooler, and of course, Disney pulls out some deep discounts. You wonder why Disney the most “kid friendly” place on earth offers great deals when the kids are in school. (I have wondered this for years) These discounts are so tempting – do you pull the kids out of school and head for the most magical place on earth? Well, here is an option that may allow you to do just that. Did you know that most school districts will approve an educational leave for a trip to see the Big Cheese? Yes, you read correctly. You can take the kids to see Mickey and get a discount too!!!

I bet you never thought of Mickey Mouse and Cinderella as educational. But, Walt Disney World has educational opportunities beyond belief – hands on learning that could never take place in a classroom. Let’s look at this in a more in depth perspective:

The Magic Kingdom: This is the world where make believe and storytelling comes to life. This where children can use their imagination to transform them into the story books that they have read prior to their arrival such as Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, and Dumbo. I don’t think any classroom can allow a child to become a part of a story quite like a trip to Walt Disney World. Don’t forget the hall of presidents. This is an exhibit like none other. Where else can you see all of our presidents in one place?

Epcot: WOW!! The education prospects here are endless. Let’s start with a trip to The World Showcase. Can you imagine touring 11 countries in one day? It can be done here! You can visit and dine with natives of the countries, buy merchandise exclusive to the particular country, and see special shows related to each country. Now, tell me that’s not educational! Another part of Epcot is Future World. I think the name says it all. Here a child can see what concepts are out there for the future, whether it is a future automobile, a new way to grow plants, or exciting futuristic communicational devices.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Here children can learn the magic of movie making, the lights, the sounds, and the stunts. They can also learn how their favorite cartoons come to life through animation. This is the perfect place for an aspiring little actress or actor. Where else can you see the Hollywood lights without traveling to Hollywood?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Imagine a 500 acre animal sanctuary. This has got to be the most educational experience of all that Disney has to offer. Here children can learn about hundreds of different species of animals. How they are cared for and where they are native to. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also boasts two countries much like Epcot where you can have one on one experiences unique to each country. If you have a dinosaur fanatic you can also visit Dino Land to explore these enormous creatures of the past.

So, you may ask, if I have personally taken advantage of the deep discounts and taken my children to Walt Disney World during the school year? Well, I am for the first time this September. Not only taking my daughter who is in kindergarten, I am taking my two nieces who are 15 and 11. I have contacted the schools principals and am in the process of completing the paperwork. The paperwork in my district consists of a letter outlining what we will be doing each day and what role it will play in the educational experience. Also, ways that they can share their Disney experiences with their classmates. Yes, it will require some extra effort on your part. But, it will pay off in the end when you see your child light up at the sight of Mickey Mouse and his/her classmates when he/she shares the magical experience. Not to mention the little extra cash the discounts will leave in your pocket!


Natalie is a travel agent with Pixie Vacations. She would be more than happy to guide you to deep Disney discounts and assist you with an educational leave for your children. You may contact her at Natalie@PixieVacations.com, 304-784-5705, or find her on facebook – Natalie Pixie Vacations.

Pin trading is a fun activity the whole family can participate in. For our family it has added a new dimension of fun to our Disney World vacation both at the parks and beyond! Never done it? Here are some tips from my personal experience to help you get started.

You’ll need a lanyard to get you started. Lanyards can be bought ahead of time online at the Disney Store or they can be bought at most stores gift shops and stores on Walt Disney World Property. If you are looking for a unique or a hard to find lanyard buying on Ebay can be an option too. Starter lanyards can be purchased with pins already attached and this is an easy way to get started.



Now that you have some pins and a lanyard to wear them on where can you trade for pins? Any cast member wearing pins are happy to trade with you. This includes the parks as well as resorts, restaurants and Downtown Disney. Kids have a few extra opportunities to trade as cast members wearing green lanyards at Walt Disney World and those wearing teal lanyards at Disneyland only trade with the littlest guests between ages 3-12. Remember not to interrupt a cast member when they are doing their job to trade pins, wait your turn and they are always happy to let you look at their pins.

Pin etiquette is something you should be aware of before trading but most of this is common sense, if you forget what to do just ask the cast member.
1. Always ask the cast member to see their pins, never reach for or grab their pin pouch or lanyard.
2. You can’t trade a cast member for a pin they already have.
3. You can’t trade more than 2 pins with one cast member.
4. You can’t buy a pin from a cast member you can only trade for the pin you want.

Now that you’ve got all these pins what do you do with them when you get home? My family purchased a pin binder when we first got into pin trading. This book is a great way to keep all your pins together and in a book where you can easily store it and share it with friends and family. If you have some really special pins you can display them in a shadow box and hang it on the wall. Another neat idea is displaying your pins on a framed cork board. Just hang the board up and stick your pins on it. You can get as creative as you want with this and it’s all personal preference. We love pin trading at Disney and although it can become an expensive habit the thrill of finding the pin you’re looking for can be magical!

Angela is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Pixie Vacations
Contact: Angela@PixieVacations.com or 865-247-5462
Follow: Facebook "Angela's Pixie Vacations"

Christmas at Disney World 2010 (Dec 19 event open to everyone)

What's better than some Christmas cheer? Christmas at Walt Disney World, that's what's better! Come join us to say hello to your fellow Facebook, Blog and Disney fans and enjoy the Holiday decorations at the Happiest Place on Earth. We would love to meet everyone and talk Disney, and we will be planning some fun surprises.

Date: Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
...
Location: Contempo Cafe, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Walt Disney World (4th Floor of the resort)

We will be keeping a name / contact list. So please RSVP here on Facebook or by email to Steve@PixieVacations.com

Check back here for updates and some fun surprises.

The first person to write a review of the New Via Napoli, Restaurant in Epcot's Italy will win a personalized monogrammed Disney Beach Tote from Pixie Vacations. You must include photos of the restaurant, you eating there, and photos of the food items you ordered in your review. If it was great or horrible, please tell us.

The first person to Email their full and complete review with photos to Steve@PixieVacations.com will win and their review will be posted at http://planthemagic.blogspot.com/ and sent to Chip and Co.