Planning Hints/Tips: Interactive Calendar

For someone who is still learning about blogging and the technology behind it (which can be very overwhelming and confusing) I am very proud of myself and my little blog here.  I am trying to increase my subscribers and readers, especially since I have created my Interactive WDW Vacation Planning Calendar!!  I am super proud of myself for integrating my knowledge of Google Calendar (adequate) and planning Walt Disney World vacations (outstanding, superior, you get the picture 🙂 )!!!  One of the reasons why I plan successful WDW vacations for my family, friends, co-workers and neighbors is that I believe in organizing and planning way ahead of time. It still blows my mind when I see people walking up to the check-in kiosk at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and similar popular restaurants, at 5:00 PM , to see if they can get a dinner reservation for that night!!!!  Imagine that family’s little girl, who on her first and maybe only trip to WDW, wanted to have a royal dinner with her favorite Disney princesses.  It breaks my heart just thinking about such a possibility.  Now, imagine these “newbie” parents planned and organized their time months ahead of time.  Imagine that these parents** are avid readers of my blog and have used the interactive calendar I designed to create a personalized itinerary for their family; this is what they have come up with:  Tuesday is Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM.  So this family decides to get an early start with their little ones and enjoy the Magic Kingdom until naptime, head back to their Disney hotel for lunch and a nap and then head back to the Magic Kingdom for a 5:00 PM dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table (which they added to their personalized calendar).  Using the interactive calendar allowed these parents to choose the park that had Extra Magic Hours that suited their small children’s schedule and allowed them to experience all the magic the park had to offer when it was convenient for them; no crying or meltdowns because of missed naps! This interactive calendar allowed them to focus on one park that day and simplified their agenda to suit their family’s specific needs (sometimes looking at the big picture of all that WDW has to offer can be a bit mind-boggling, and you really can’t do it all in one vacation especially if there are little kids in tow).  So, the little princess is well-rested and thoroughly enjoys being a guest at Cinderella’s castle for the evening and possibly stay for the night parade at 9:00 PM!  Now, imagine the parents’  enjoyment of being able to see the look on their little girl’s face when Snow White or Princess Aurora comes over to meet their little princess and take a picture with her!  That is a magical Disney moment that will never, ever be forgotten!! 

HINT/TIP:  Popular restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table book up VERY FAST!  You can make dining reservations 180 days (6 months) prior to your visit; MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS!!!!!  You can do this online or call (407)WDW-DINE.  Bon a petit!

**This is similar to a trip I helped a co-worker plan who had a 5 year-old and a toddler.  When I was helping her plan this trip, I used a similar type of calendar to the one on this site. 

Mom’s Panel Journey

55 Days until applications open!

I have to admit that I am obsessed with all things Disney.  From the moment I first set foot on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom, all things Disney have become an inherent part of me.  I think I have passed this passion on to my children, who in their three short years have been to Walt Disney World three times and have been on one of the Disney Dream’s inaugural voyages.  I am proud to say that my son’s first word was “Mo-Mo” (Mickey Mouse).  To those people who think I am crazy, my reply is, “I am PROUD of my Disney passion!”  I am also proud that I have, what I refer to as a “Disney Family;” a family whose core values include believing in oneself and one’s dreams and never giving up on those dreams!  I am not ashamed to admit that I sing “A dream is a wish your heart makes” to myself and my children on a daily basis.

Now this obsession is being focused on the becoming a member of the WDW Mom’s Panel!  How I would LOVE to be able to help people plan their Disney vacations and experience that Pixie Dusted Disney magic.  I realized how far-reaching this passion has become in that I have become the go-to person in my school building (I am an English teacher) for any of my colleagues who are planning a trip to Disney. (By the way, my family just has to say “Disney” and they have an itinerary in their hands 🙂 )  I have lost count of the number of times I have heard, “You know a lot about Disney, right?” or “I am going to Disney, can we talk?” and “We’re planning a Disney trip, where should I stay?”  Immediately, my Mickey Ears go up and before they know it, these colleagues have their trip mapped out from the minute the plane touches ground at Orlando International Airport until lift off on the day they leave.   So to be able to do this for thousands of people would be a dream come true!  My husband recently asked me, after one of my daily soliloquies about  the Mom’s Panel, what do I get out of doing this job?  What do I get?!  I get the honor spreading that unique Disney joy and happiness to others!  I get the honor of being associated with DISNEY!! I get the honor of bringing that Disney magic to fruition to people both young and old (my favorite trip that I planned was a 50th anniversary surprise for my grandparents 🙂 )!  Right now I am counting the days until application day and wishing, hoping and dreaming of wearing one of those pink shirts!  So Tinkerbell, if you are reading this, please send me some Pixie Dust!!!  Oh, and Mom’s Panel judges, I PROMISE not to disappoint you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE: The Art of Animation Resort

In the previous post, I told you that Disney’s newest value resort, The Art of Animation Resort, is now taking reservations.  Well, I have found out some more details.

You can book a family suite for travel dates beginning on or after September 1, 2012 in a Finding Nemo or Cars suite.  Rates start at $279 per night.

You can book a family suite for travel dates beginning on or after October 1, 2012 in a Finding Nemo, Cars or Lion King suite.  Rates start at $265 per night.

These suites sleep up to six people and feature a master bedroom, two bathrooms, and three separate sleeping areas.  This is so exciting because this is another fantastic option for larger families or for families and friends planning a Magical Gathering!  Head over to Disney’s website to start planning your magical vacation and please let me know about your stay!!