Cars Family Suites at Art of Animation

Cars Family Suite at the Art of Animation Resort

Walt Disney World's newest resort, the Art of Animation, has 4 sections that are each themed to a different Disney movie: The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars.  On a recent visit my family and I stayed in one of the Cars Family Suites while my brother and his family stayed in one of the The Little Mermaid rooms.  In this post I'll give a quick review of the Cars Family Suite with a review of The Little Mermaid to follow in a future post.  

The Cars Family Suites are the new, larger resort rooms that accommodate families up to 6.  These rooms have a separate bedroom with a queen sized bed and a bathroom.  The rest of the room features a pull out bed, a table that converts to a bed (think Murphy Bed), a mini-kitchen, and a bathroom.  These rooms are definitely more spacious than the Standard rooms, and the extra bathroom is a huge convenience.  

Table Bed as a table

Table Bed as a bed

Overall, I really enjoyed this room and I wouldn't hesitate to stay in a Cars Suite again.  The theming and attention to detail is amazing.  I definitely felt like we were visiting Radiator Springs!  The courtyard area is very immersive and includes Lightning McQueen and his friends from their first movie.  This is a great area to get pictures with the Cars characters if you can't make it to Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park.

I only have a couple of complaints about this room/resort.  Most importantly, the bed wasn't the most comfortable bed I've slept in at a Disney World resort.  That's not to imply that it was uncomfortable, but it's probably more an indication that I've been spoiled by the Deluxe resorts.

The other thing that bothered me was the (lack of) cell phone service and the free wifi.  I'm on AT&T's network and I've heard that their network is spotty around Disney World, but while in our room I had no service at all.  Once I went out to the courtyard area I suddenly had service and my phone seemed to explode with emails and text messages.  The free resort wifi was pretty spotty too.  In the middle of the day I was unable to use the wifi at all.  However, it seemed to work much better later in the day.  I can only assume this had to do with the amount of guests using the service?  I can't complain too though, I mean it is free, right?

Even though the bed wasn't the most comfortable and the cell service and wifi were less than reliable, I really enjoyed out time in the Cars Suite.  My family and I will definitely stay there again in the future.

Contact me:

jerry@mickeysdreamvacations.com

www.facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByJerry 

Viewing Wishes From Your Resort Room

There are many benefits to staying in the Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World.  There is an extra benefit to staying at one of the monorail resorts (Contemporary, Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian) that I don’t think is talked about very much: viewing the Wishes fireworks display from your resort room.

All of the monorail resorts have rooms that are classified as Theme Park View rooms.  These are rooms that face the Magic Kingdom, and give guests amazing views of Cinderella’s Castle.  At night you can also watch Wishes from these rooms.  You can also tune the TV in these rooms to a certain channel and listen to the Wishes soundtrack as you watch the fireworks.  We do this regularly and I have to say that it’s amazing!  The kids can be in their pajamas, and mom and dad can relax with a drink while you enjoy an awesome fireworks display from the comfort of your room.  And the best part: no crowds!  You don’t have to worry about people jockeying for position, or small kids not being able to see, or fighting the crowds on the way out of the park.  After Wishes is over, you can put the kids to bed and get up early the next morning to get in the parks at rope drop.  

(day time view of the Magic Kingdom from our room at Bay Lake Tower)

(nighttime view of the Magic Kingdom from our room at Bay Lake Tower)

Contact me:

Jerry@mickeysdreamvacations.com

www.facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByJerry

Photopass and Photopass+

On my recent trip to Walt Disney World I decided to use their new photopass+ service as I'm a big fan of the regular photopass service.  For those who don't know Disney has photographers stationed throughout their theme parks and some dining locations who will take your picture.  After taking your picture they scan a photopass card which then contains all of your photos.  After returning home, the photopass card number can then be entered on the photopass website (www.disneyphotopass.com).  You will then be able to view, make minor edits, and order prints or photo products.  I love the photo CD because it contains all of the pictures (originals and edited pics) along with a limited copyright release.

Earlier this year, Disney announced a new addition to the photopass service called photopass+.  For a fee of $200 ($170 if preordered) you will receive the photo CD with all of the photos from your trip and a photo CD with over 400 stock photos.  What makes this service different from the standard photopass is that you get all of your ride photos, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique/Pirate’s League, and photo packages from the dining locations that take your picture.  

As a regular photopass customer I was excited to try this new service, and I have to say that I am very happy with it so far.  Photopass+ must be ordered more than 14 days before your arrival at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.  This is because they mail your CD with stock photos and a voucher that needs to be redeemed for a photopass+ card at any photopass location on property.  The photopass+ card is valid for 14 days and must be presented to have the ride and dining photos added to the card.  Luckily Disney gives this card with an attached lanyard, so it's less likely to be lost, however, they only issue one card per voucher (more about this later).

Anytime your picture is taken by a photopass photographer, you give them your photopass+ card which they scan just like they would with a regular photopass card.  At attractions that take a picture (Space Mountain, Test Track, Expedition Everest, Rock n Roller Coaster and more) you have to first locate the monitor that displays your picture and make note of the number associated with your photo.  When it's not busy a cast member is usually there to hand out slips of paper with your number on it, or you can do like I did, and take a picture of the monitor using the camera on your phone. Then, you have to go to the photo desk and give the cast member your photo number and photopass+ card.  The cast member will then display your photo and scan your card attaching the picture to your account.  At dining locations (Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, and more) you present your photopass+ card to the photographer prior to your picture being taken.  Your family picture is taken and your are then seated at your table.  With the exception of Cinderella's Royal Table and Akershus, you must purchase the photos if you would like to take them home.  These photo packages generally cost between $30 - $40.  With the photopass+ card these packages are included, so you receive the dining photos for no additional cost.  

Now I'm going to address what I feel is a huge drawback to this service: you only receive 1 photopass+ card.   You can only receive the dining photo packages and have the digital copies added if you physically present the photopass+ card to the photopass cast member.  If you don’t have the card with you, then you don’t receive your photos.  The same goes with the ride photos...they can only be added when the card is physically presented at the photo desk.  Ride photos can be added up to 48 hours after the ride as long as you have the photo number (a picture can be located without the number, but it’s time consuming).  The problem here is that if you have a large group that splits up for rides, someone will have to return to the photo desk within 48 hours to have the photos added.  This could potentially be very time consuming and take away from park touring time.  I think the photopass+ service could be improved if Disney added a key tab photopass+ card that can be given to family members, so that someone doesn’t have backtrack to make sure all the photos are added to the account.  The main photopass+ card could be the master card that is needed for the dining locations while the key tab card could be auxiliary cards that only allow the guest to add ride photos and regular photos.  

Disney recently added another option to the photopass service: Attractions+.  For $44.95 Attractions+ allows guests to add all of the ride photos to a special photopass card.  This is a great option for guests who don’t want or need the dining photos or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique/Pirate’s League photos.  

(photo courtesy of Kerri Hill)

I have loved and used the photopass service since my family’s first visit.  The addition of photopass+ is a huge improvement to this service, in my opinion.  And the attractions+ is another improvement to what has gotten to be a better service.  Make sure to talk to your Mickey’s Dream Vacations travel agent about the pros and cons of this service.  It’s something I definitely think should be factored into your Disney vacation planning.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Dates

Here are the dates for the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for 2012:

November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, and 30.

December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 21.

The ticket prices range from $59.59 to $62.75 for adults and $54.27 to $57.46 for kids.  Guests who preorder their tickets can save up to $10 per ticket.

This party is one of my favorites and it includes:

• The enchanted Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle
• Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade which includes an appearance by Santa Claus
• Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season 
• Live entertainment featuring Disney Characaters
• Character meet and greet opportunities throughout the Magic Kingdom
• Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
• A magical snow fall on Main Street, USA
• Many of the most popular Magic Kingdom rides with generally shorter lines

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2012 Dates Released

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party dates have been released and tickets are available by phone.


The dates and prices are as follows:
Sept 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 Advanced Purchase Price is $50.95 for children and $55.95 for adults (plus tax)


Sept 30th, Oct. 4, 8, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, Nov 2nd are each $53.95 for children and $58.95 for adults (plus tax)


Oct 5, 12, 26 do not have reduced advanced purchase pricing these are Friday nights and are at a premium..$59.95 for children and $64.95 for adults (plus tax)

October 31st, Halloween Night is $67.05 for children and $69.95 for adults.
The Party runs each night from 7pm-midnight. 

During Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes.  Even better, you can trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom theme park and fill your Halloween bag with candy.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party also includes:

• The Boo-To-You Halloween parade
• Happy HalloWishes fireworks show
• Many Disney Characters and Villains in special Halloween costumes
• Special Halloween theming and music all throughout the Magic Kingdom theme park

Auto-Apply Gratuities coming to all Disney ships

Disney Fantasy

The Disney Cruise Line is introducing the auto-application of gratuities on all it's ships after a successful pilot program on the Disney Magic and positive feedback they received from guests.

The guests folios will be charged on embarkation day for the suggested gratuity amounts for the Server, Assistant Server, Head Server, and Stateroom Host/Hostess.

The suggested gratuity amounts can be paid at the time of booking or they can be paid at the time of final payment.  If the pre-paid gratuities have not been paid prior to boarding, guests will receive a letter explaining at check-in explaining the charge to their on board account.  Guests will still be able to modify or add more to the amount of the gratuity, or pay by cash, by stopping by the Guest Services Desk on board.

The effective dates are:

• Disney Dream - date to be announced
• Disney Fantasy - April 21, 2012
• Disney Magic - already in place
• Disney Wonder - April 22, 2012

The suggested gratuity amounts are:

	3-Night Per Person	4-Night Per Person	5-Night  Per Person	6-Night Per Person
Server	$12	$16	$20	$24
Asst. Server	$9	$12	$15	$18
Head Server	$3	$4	$5	$7
Stateroom Host/Hostess	$12	$16	$20	$24
Total	$36	$48	$60	$72

	7-Night Per Person	8-Night Per Peson	10-Night Per Person	11-Night Per Person
Server	$28	$32	$40	$44
Asst. Server	$21	$24	$30	$33
Head Server	$7	$8	$10	$11
Stateroom Host/Hostess	$28	$32	$40	$44
Total	$84	$96	$120	$132

	12-Night Per Person	14-Night Per Person	15-Night Per Person
Server	$48	$56	$60
Asst. Server	$36	$42	$45
Head Server	$12	$14	$15
Stateroom Host/Hostess	$48	$56	$60
Total	$144	$168	$180

Starbucks is coming to Disney!!

For all you Starbucks fans out there:  Starbucks is coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World! Beginning in June, 6 Starbucks locations are scheduled to open in Disney California Adventure park with more planned to open sometime after in Disneyland and all 4 of the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Just like in the rest of the theme parks, all of the Starbucks locations will be designed to match the theme of the area that they are located in.  

The Disney Parks Blog reports that "The cafe will serve Starbucks items, including coffee and espresso beverages, Frappuccino blended beverages, and signature breakfast sandwiches and pastries.  Guests also will have their choice of Disney favorites, including signature sandwiches and other items, as well as delicious desserts and sweet treats."

I'm not much of a coffee fan, but my wife is really excited about this news.  She definitely can't wait to get her first cup of Starbucks coffee in Walt Disney World!!  

For you coffee fans, will Starbucks locations in the theme parks be enough to lessen the complaints that you can't get a good cup of coffee at Disney?  Do you think Starbucks coffee will eventually be available at the resorts or will it be exclusive to the theme parks?

Test Track Closed for Refurbishment

Beginning Monday April 16, 2012 the Test Track attraction at Epcot will be closed for refurbishment. It is scheduled to reopen sometime in the Fall of 2012.

Insidethemagic.net is reporting that once it reopens it will be renamed to either the “Chevy Design Center at Epcot” or the “Chevy Design Studio at Epcot.” When it reopens, guests will be able to use interactive workstations to design their own custom ride experience which will be applied to the new ride vehicle.

During the refurbishment an a cappella singing group called “Test Track Allstars” will perform each day in front of the Test Track Pavilion. The Land will also remain open 1 hour later everyday giving guests access to Soarin’, Circle of Life, Living with the Land, the Character Spot, and merchandise & food locations (via insidethemagic.net).

I’m excited to experience the soon to be newly designed ride experience. But, I’m not too wild about the new name though. What do you think? I guess most fans will end up calling it the CDC or CDS...though calling it the CDC could cause some people to think of the Centers for Disease Control. Here’s to hoping they call it the “Chevy Design Studio at Epcot” or something else completely.

Check out some photos and videos of the attraction here:
http://www.insidethemagic.net

PhotoPass+ Details

On April 3, 2012 Disney announced a new option to their PhotoPass service. Beginning April 4, 2012 guests will be able to purchase PhotoPass+. This new option will allow guests to have digital copies of all their PhotoPass pictures, Attraction photos, and Dining photos along with Print Packages at select Dining locations.

This new package costs $199.95 and can only be purchased at PhotoPass View Stations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

Here is a list of the participating attractions and character dining locations:

Participating Attractions:
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur

Participating Character Dining Locations:
1900 Park Fare
Ohana (Breakfast only)
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
Chef Mickey’s
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Tusker House Restaurant (Breakfast only)
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Disney PhotoPass+ Includes:
PhotoPass+ Card and Lanyard
A gallery CD with over 400 stock photos
A unique code to create and order a PhotoCD with all your photos online at DisneyPhotoPass.com
Print Packages at select Dining locations
Digital Downloads of select Attractions

Disney's PhotoPass Service

Disney’s PhotoPass® is s service that Disney offers in Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The PhotoPass® photographers are located in many spots throughout the parks which include the park entrances, the main icons, at most character meet and greet locations, and some character dining locations.

All guests can receive a PhotoPass® card which is about the size of a credit card and has a QR code on the back. This card fits easily in a wallet, purse, pocket, or anything that holds credit cards.

The PhotoPass® photographers are available take pictures of your party using their cameras. They will take multiple shots with different poses and then scan your card, thereby attaching the photos to your specific card. You can have multiple cards as they will all be linked together on the website later on.

After returning home, you can visit www.disneyphotopass.com and register your card(s) on the website. Once you enter the card number(s) you have up to 30 days to view and edit your photos. You can add borders, some character signatures, and make other basic edits. Then, you can order prints or keepsakes with your favorite picture(s). The keepsakes include mouse pads, mugs, ornaments, refrigerator magnets, and more.