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.

Art of Animation Opening Dates

Today Disney announced the opening dates for their newest Walt Disney World resort, the Art of Animation Resort. The resort will open in phases according to this schedule:

Finding Nemo - May 31, 2012
Cars - June 18, 2012
Lion King - August 10,2012
Little Mermaid - September 15,2012

Though we have been able to book the Finding Nemo suites for some time now, we will be able to book all the rooms beginning tomorrow, March 23, 2012.

I'm really excited about this resort and can't wait to stay there later this year!!

Disney Dining Plan

With the recent announcement of the free dining promotion, I figured it would be a good idea to talk the Disney Dining Plan (DDP). The DDP is great option to add your vacation package, but it can be difficult to decide which plan, if any, is right for your family. In essence, the DDP makes your Disney vacation very similar to an all-inclusive trip in that you are pre-paying for your food. This can make budgeting for food a lot easier and it means you don’t have to worry about the cost of food when you are ordering - it’s already been paid for! By purchasing one of the Disney Dining Plans you can save approximately 20% on food costs.

Before we can fully understand how the DDP works, I think it would be beneficial to briefly talk about the restaurant types available at Walt Disney World. There are two types of restaurants at Walt Disney World: Table Service and Quick Service. Table Service restaurants are those where a server seats your party and then a waiter/waitress comes and takes your order. All of the Character Dining restaurants are considered Table Service restaurants. Quick Service restaurants, which can also be called counter service, are those restaurants where you walk up to a counter, place your order, and then receive your food on a tray to be taken back to your table.

The DDP is divided into 5 plans which are described below (all prices are current as of March 2012):

Quick Service
This plan includes 2 Quick Service Meals and 1 Snack per person, per night. It also includes 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug per person. This souvenir mug can be refilled unlimited times at your resort during the length of your stay, up to 14 days.

The cost of this plan is: $34.99 for guests ages 10 and up.
$11.99 for guests ages 3 - 9.

Disney Dining Plan (sometimes called Plus Dining)
This plan includes 1 Quick Service Meal, 1 Table Service Meal, and 1 Snack per person, per night. 1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug is also included per person.

The cost of this plan is: $51.54 for guests ages 10 and up.
$15.02 for guests ages 3 - 9.

Deluxe Dining Plan
This plan includes 3 meals (any combination of Quick Service and Table Service Meals) and 2 Snacks per person, per night. The Resort Refillable Drink Mug is also included per person.

The price for this plan is: $85.52 for guests ages 10 and up.
$23.79 for guests ages 3 - 9.

Premium Dining Plan
This plan includes everything from the Deluxe Dining Plan. It also includes Golf, Guided Fishing Excursions, Water Sports, Watercraft Rentals, Bicycles, Cane Pole Fishing, Tennis, Horseback Trail Rides, Pony Rides, Carriage Rides, Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, Miniature Golf, Archery, and Disney Tours.

Platinum Dining Plan
This dining plan includes everything from the Premium Dining Plan as well as a Fireworks Cruise, Fantasmic! Reserved Seating, Spa Treatments, Disney’s Photopass CD, and Richard Petty Ride Along Experience.


Some important things to note about the DDP:
The DDP is only available to Walt Disney World Resort guests.
There is no charge for children under 3. Kids under 3 are allowed to eat off of their parents' plates.
Guests ages 3 - 9 are required to order from the children's menu.
Alcoholic beverages are not included in the price of the DDP.
Gratuities are not included except at Dinner Shows, Private In-Room Dining, and Cinderella's Royal Table. These dining experiences cost 2 Table Service credits instead of 1.
Items that are more than a single serving are not included (such as a box of donuts).
Items that come in a souvenir container are not included.
Items that are considered merchandise are not included.

When you check in at your resort you will receive your Key to the World card (room key), which will have your dining plan credits loaded onto it. Your dining plan credits are calculated this way: # of guests x # of nights = total dining/snack credits. For example, if a party of 2 is staying for 4 nights with the Disney Dining Plan (Plus Dining) they would have a total of 8 Table Service meals, 8 Quick Service meals, and 8 Snacks.

After checking in you can begin using your dining credits right away. You then continue using your dining credits until they are all used up or until midnight of the day you checkout. Something important to note here is that the dining credits expire at midnight on your checkout date. The dining credits can be used in any combination you want. They can all be used up on the first day, some can be used each day, or they can all be saved for the last.

The snack credits can be used the same way as the meal credits. You can use as many or as little of them each day until they are used up or they expire. There are many different food items that are considered snacks throughout the Walt Disney World property. Snacks can be something small like a piece of fruit or a small container of milk (picture a milk box from grade school lunch), to something bigger like a muffin or danish. My advice would be to pay cash for that piece of fruit and save the snack credits for something bigger like the muffin or a Mickey Ice Cream Bar. This way you get more value from your snack credits. Items that qualify as snacks are indicated by the DDP icon next to them.

When you are seated at your table (Table Service Restaurant), your server will ask if you are on the dining plan. They will then go over what exactly is included in your plan. At the end of the meal you present your Key to the World card with your bill and the server will charge your dining plan accordingly. After placing your order at a Counter Service Restaurant you simply present your Key to the World card to the cast member who will then charge your dining plan. Snacks are also purchased by using your Key to the World card.

Now that the DDP has been explained, the next logical question is: which of the dining plans is right for my family? Well, the best answer is: it depends. There is more than one dining plan because every family is different, and as such, there is no one-size-fits-all dining plan. The best way to decide which dining plan to pick is to talk to your vacation planner. He/She can go over some of the many different ways/strategies to use the dining plans.

Free Dining!

On March 1, 2012 Disney announced that the Free Dining promo was again available. Book a 5 night, 6 day Magic Your Package now through May 18, 2012, and receive a free Disney Dining Plan when you stay at a Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa. Book a Value Resort and receive a free Quick Service Dining Plan. This offer is valid for stays most nights August 25, 2012 through September 29, 2012. Contact me if you would like more information on this very popular promotion.

Cars Land Announcement

Earlier today, March 7, Disney announced that Cars Land and the Carthay Circle Theatre at the Disney California Adventure Park will officially open June 15, 2012.  In order to complete preparations for the grand opening, the Disney California Adventure Park will be closed on June 14, 2012.

Cars Land will feature 12 acres of Cars themed attractions, dining, and shopping.  The new attractions include Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Flying Tires, and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.

I'm excited about this opening and can't wait to take my kids to see it...especially my son who absolutely loves Cars!

Check out this video from DisneyD23:

Welcome To My New Blog

Hello and welcome to my new blog! This is where I plan to talk about all things Disney. Many of my posts will focus on traveling to the different Disney destinations...but, particularly Walt Disney World.

A little about me: my name is Jerry and, like many others, I have been a Disney fan for a long time. I grew up watching Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto along with Disney's live action movies and TV shows. When I was 10 years old my family took a vacation to California and we spent a day at Disneyland. That was my only trip to a Disney theme park until I was much older.

Fast forward a bit and now I'm married and have 2 kids. We decided to go on vacation to Walt Disney World one year during Easter week. We mostly focused on attractions for the kids and character meet and greets...it was a fun week, but it went by fast! In addition to the souvenirs we bought, I brought home a healthy addiction for Walt Disney World! From the moment we got back home I couldn't wait to go back! I immediately began trying to figure out when we could go back. And that has been the case since...my family and I visit Walt Disney World at least once per year now (sometimes more), and I'm constantly planning our next trip.

I recently began working as a travel agent with Mickey's Dream Vacations. We focus on helping our customers plan their vacations to any of the Disney Destinations...Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures By Disney, and Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii. This is what I plan on talking a lot about on this blog...news & updates at the Disney Destinations along with tips and tricks to make a Disney vacation a successful vacation.