Dinner with Disney and my Daily Reminders

We have some very special memories of Disney.

First there was the surprise trip we took for The Twofer's 6th birthday.

Then there was the trip with took last year for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration.

Between the two, I am left with some daily reminders of how much our family enjoys Disney.

And it seems like the folks at Disney enjoy having me around as well!

I'm having Dinner with Disney to Celebrate their Dining Promotion

This Thursday I'll be heading to a classic Washington, DC restaurant, The Old Ebbit Grill to learn more about Disney's own unique dining experience.

You've read before how I loved the Disney dining program and recommend it for anyone who heads to Disney for more than a day. But did you know Disney has over 200 restaurants on the 40-square mile property? Disney has everything from convenient kiosks selling Mickey ice cream bars, to casual walk-ups serving comfort food, to AAA 5-Diamond rated restaurants like Victoria & Albert's!

Book Your Disney Vacation and Take Advantage of a FREE Dining Plan

Disney Dining Plans are now FREE when you book at trip to Disney! This is the greatest promotion because you pay for your tickets and room ahead of time, and once you are there, you will hardly spend any money! You can easily budget for this vacation, and you don't feel like you are nickel-and-dimed once you are there. It made it very easy to relax and enjoy our trip.

I can't wait to learn more about this special promotion and all the different restuarant to try on our next Disney visit. I've heard of people using their park-hopper passes to head to different parks just for dinner at a certain restaurant but I have yet to try it!

What are your favorite Disney restuarants? Have any questions you want me to ask on Thursday? Leave me a short comment and let me know!

Janine

Disclosure: we paid for our first trip to Disney on our own and the trip we took for the Social Media Moms Celebration was deeply discounted. All opinions are my own and the tears I shed during the fireworks were real and in celebration of the fact that I was so happy to be experiencing Disney with my girls and be able to give that gift to them for their birthday. It truly is a magical place.

5 Ways to Splurge for Cheap at Disney

Image courtesy of my sister-in-law

The folks at Disney have a way of making everyone feel special. And today I wanted to highlight some things that YOU can do to enhance your experience.

Here are 5 affordable ways to 'splurge' at Disney:

Disney Stroller

Disney is so magical that it is COMPLETELY ACCEPTABLE for 6, 7, and I bet we saw a few 8 year olds riding around in the Disney-issued-lightweight-turn-on-a-dime-no-kid-gets-tired-and-cranky strollers they have available to rent at all the parks.

The Mister actually tried to climb in the double one we got for our first trip last year (Twofer were 6) and we actually pushed him about 3 feet before falling on the ground laughing.

The strollers are $15 a day for a single, and $31 a day for a double (based on current pricing listed HERE). For many parents, this is a small investment to make to know your kids will last the day and into the night, with minimal whining.

Image courtesy of my sister-in-law

Starbucks Via TM... Guy Kawasaki

Alltop co-founder, father, Hawaiian-shirt-wearing Guy spoke to our group at the conference in February and while he said tons of great things about how to best use Twitter...this is what I remember most (without having to replay the video). He told us all about Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew and gave us each a free sample to try!

Now, we were all staying at 'The Poly' (the cool way of referring to The Polynesian) and I was grateful that my room had a little coffee maker and coffee thingys. But the sample of Starbuck's Via from Guy was exactly how I like my coffee. Full of flavor, and just as easy to make. I made the hot water in the coffee maker, and added it to my Via along with the creamer and sugar from the hotel. mmmmmm

Image via Amazon

Visit Disney on Your Birthday

You may know that we took The Twofer last year for their 6th birthday. Last year the promotion was Free on Your Birthday and while that may not be the case this year, you can still get all kinds of free stuff if you go to Disney on your birthday. Just be sure to TELL EVERYONE!

I can't guarantee you anything, but here are some of the things you might receive if you remember to tell the staff about the birthday boy/girl:

• free "It's my Birthday" button (go to guest services booth at the park first thing)
• free set of reusable Disney mugs and balloons in your room
• autographed photo post-card of Mickey wishing you a magical celebration
• extra or free dessert at a sit-down meal
• small individual cake and birthday card at a character meal
• extra attention from characters

Pop Century

We stayed here on our first trip and I've heard from several others that the Pop Century is the best of the Disney Value hotels. Why? The bus only stops maybe once on the way to most parks. It has great pools, and an arcade (perfect for those rainly days) as well as little performances put on by the staff. It may not be hula lessons like at the Poly but we saw a kid parade go by and other performances the few days we were there.

Image via PopCenturySite.com 

Affordable Disney Florist

Most recently my brother took his kids to Disney for their first trip. They had a rough time getting down there because of a huge snow storm hitting the NY area. It was questionable whether they would make it at all! But once we knew they arrived safe and with plenty of fun ahead of them, my mom and I decided to make it truly magical and surprise them with a little something in their room from the Disney Florist.

We got them this gift for just $40.00!

Mickey's Kool Snack from Disney FloristYou can also take something like this and add Mickey Mitts or Ears for $10-$15. Be sure to ask a floral specialist when you call about customizing the gifts. Having a little surprise in your room is a great way to add a little extra magic.

nm

Janine

Want to read more about our experiences at Disney?

Twofer Get Surprised with Disney Trip

Disney Magic, Now I get it

Help! Disney World questions...

Disclosure: My most recent trip to Disney was as an attendee of the Disney Social Media Moms conference where I received a discounted room rate, complimentary items, and access to special events including food and entertainment.  All opinions are my own and were not reviewed nor approved by Disney prior to posting.

The Stars were out and accessible at Disney

You just never know who you are going to see when you go to Disney.

Of course there are there are the usual suspects....

The Twofer with Mickey and Minnie at Hollywood Studios

And the Twofer were excited to meet the 'other' set of twins:

My twins with Disney twins Chip and Dale

But did you know I had the chance to meet and interview Kermit the Frog?

Kermit the Frog at Disney EPCOT

Of course I didn't know that interviewing Kermit meant I had to go behind the 'circle of truth' as I call it. One minute I was sitting with Kermit looking at my notes and then I looked up and saw a wall of people surrounding us! It looked something like this...

Then I realized...Kermit is a puppet! And I guess it would ruin the secret if everyone walking around Epcot that day saw the puppeteer with his hand, you know, up Kermit's....um...yea.

A blog friend of mine had the chance to meet and interview a few stars of Disney's Camp Rock!

And of course the highlight for our 6 year olds was the private mini concert with Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato

 

Have you seen anyone famous while at Disney? Did you get up close and personal?

Janine

For more from the Disney Social Media Moms trip see...

Disney makes everyone feel like a VIP

Follow me during the Disney Social Media Moms Conference

Disclosure: As an attendee of this conference I received a discounted room rate, complimentary items, and access to special events including food and entertainment.  All opinions are my own and were not reviewed nor approved by Disney prior to posting.

Disney makes everyone feel like a VIP

We just got back from the Disney Social Media Moms Conference and my mind is swirling. The best way for me to cover it all is in a series of posts that will most likely span a few months as the ideas come to some sort of order.

One thing I realized on this trip is that while we had a true VIP experience, Disney does a great job of making everyone feel like a VIP....media fastpass or not (seriously - don't even ask or you'll hate me for it).

Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato sing at Disney Epcot for VIP concert

Get to the front of the line with FastPass

It's all about getting to the park early and knowing which rides to FastPass first, but if you do it right, you can hit just about all the FP rides at one park in one day and get to the front (or near front depending on the peak season) of the line for each ride! While you are waiting for your FastPass return time, hit the rides that don't use FastPass. I borrowed this book from the library: The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World  which had one and two day itineraries to consider so that you can hit all your "must do" rides and attractions easily.

Let Disney Florists work the Magic

VIPs often receive bags of 'swag' that have complimentary items. Well you can still feel like a VIP and give someone in your family the VIP feeling with in-room gifts from the Disney Florist. How about a little something for your princess for just $30? Or a Mickey cooler filled with snacks the whole family can enjoy for $40?

Fireworks aren't just for the 4th of July

Fireworks at Disney Magic Kingdom

It used to be you see fireworks one special evening each summer and that was it until the next summer. But not at Disney. Check the event schedule but I believe just about every night in Orlando you can find a Disney park with a first-class fireworks or light show. Consult with the Disney Moms Panel and some of my other Disney expert friends on where to sit so you can plan accordingly and get there early for your VIP front-row seats!

Do you have other ways to feel like a VIP at Disney? Share them here in the comments!

Janine

Read more about our experiences at Disney

Disclosure: As an attendee of this conference I received a discounted room rate, complimentary items, and access to special events including food and entertainment.  All opinions are my own and were not reviewed nor approved by Disney prior to posting.

Fashionista Friday - Disney Quickie

We're at Disney but I just HAD to show you this great shirt that Ellie found at Epco in Germany:

fashion at Disney

I think it makes quite a statement, no? Especially with the Minnie Ears!

Märchenhaft! (Fabulous)

Janine

Want to see more Fashionista Friday posts? Click HERE.

Have a Fashion Friday post? Want to show off your Disney fashion? Link Up!