Updated Itinerary

We made some changes to our plans.  Every time we've been we've visited a new beach.  We felt like we should keep up the new tradition.  Since Miami is a little further than Clearwater, we're cutting or Orlando stay by two nights.  So let's see what we can squeeze in......

Day 1:  Arrive in Orlando mid-afternoon.  Check into Avanti, and get cleaned up for Jellyrolls on Disney's Boardwalk.

Day2: Spend the day in Disney's Hollywood Studios.  Stay for their night show.

Day 3:  Spend the day in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Day 4: Spend the day in Disney's Epcot for the food and Wine Festival.  Stay for their night show.

Day 5: Spend the day in Disney's Magic Kingdom.  Hair cut for Hubby at Harmony Barber Shop.  Lunch at Be Our Guest.  Stay for their night show.

Day 6:  Spend the day at Universal Studios.  Dinner and mini golf on the City Walk.

Day 7:  Spend the day at Island of Adventure.  Dinner at Three Broomsticks.

Day 8:  Spend the day at DisneyQuest.  Head to Miami/Homestead.  Check in Travelodge Homestead.

Day 9:  Decide to see as many of the following:  Everglades, Coral Castle, Robert is Here, Biscayne National Underwater Park, Shnebly's, Fruit & Spice Park.

Day 10:  Early Rise to drive to the Keys...... this is still something I haven't passed with the husband.  Maybe I'll surprise him?  Check into Loew's Miami South Beach.

Day 11:  Walk up to see the sun rise on the beach.  Head back to Orlando and head home. 

If you are seeing this and there are no links...... I'll update soon.

The 11th Princess

At Walt Disney World's Cinderella's Castle, Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 9:30 am there will be a formal coronation held to officially crown Princess Merida as the 11th Disney Princess.

Wish I was going!

In case you were wonder who the others are:
Snow White
Aurora
Cinderella
Ariel
Jasmine
Tiana
Rapunzel
Mulan
Belle
Pocahontas

Other Disney Princesses not on the list:
Eilonwy
Kida

Change of plans

So the husband and I have made a few changes to the itinerary post awhile back.  We had booked a room in a "time-share" resort that included 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with the intention that some friends would be joining us.  Turns out, we are going alone--which is as perfect as friends coming with us.  So we changed the hotel to a place that costs a little less.

We extended our stay since it closer to all the places we are going for the full duration of our Orlando stay.  Overall we shortened the Orlando stay and changed our Beach stay from Clearwater Beach to Miami Beach.  We thought it would be cool to see a different beach.  So far each trip to Florida has been a different beach, so we decided to keep it up.  So far we've been to Saint Augustine, Clearwater, Panama City, and Mexico Beach.  This time we are going to try for Cocoa Beach and Miami Beach.

We did a lot of research on where to go and what to see before deciding on Miami Beach.  We considered St. Pete, Tierra Verde, Pompano, and Naples.  We actually picked Miami because of Homestead.  Homestead is the home Robert Is Here fruit stand, the Fruit & Spice Park, Coral Castle, Biscayne National Underwater Park, and (drum roll) Schnebly Redland's Winery and Brewery.  Oh, and if there is time, Airboats in the Everglades and Miami Exotic Racing.  Now you can see why we shortened our stay in Orlando.  

I'll post an updated itinerary once we've flip flopped some stuff around and decide what we wont be doing this time Orlando.

Blast From The Past

My nephew's birthday is coming up in a few weeks.  He's going to be 3.  Since the first day he was born, we've been planning a family vacation to Disneyland in 2014.  Now we only have a year to wait.  Why wait?  The main reason we wanted to wait for the new the new CarsLand that opened a few months ago.  The second is that at 4, he'll remember more when looking back at pictures.  The final reason is because we are a planning a trip with 9-11 adults who all have very different schedules. 

So to honor the one year countdown to William's first Disney trip, I wanted to post my favorite ride from when I was that age.  I actually have memories of my first Disneyland visit when I was 18 months old.  But i also remember swallowing a penny when I was 14 months old, so I have a freakishly great memory.  We had family living in Southern California when I was little so by the time I was William's age I could give guided tours.  

In all respects this ride really hasn't gone away, and if we went to Disneyland I'd still get the full effect, if not a better one...... 

drum roll...........

Submarine Voyage.....that was anti climatic.  But truthfully, this ride was the most interesting to me growing up.  Great tumblr site for flask back Submarine Voyage pics.  

The New(er) finding Nemo ride I'm sure is great.  To be honest, I haven't been to Disneyland in decades because our family isn't there any longer and I'm old enough to pick WDW over Disneyland.  I guess we'll see in a year from now.  

Disney Springs

WDW confirmed to Cast Members a few weeks ago that there will be a huge renovation and expansion of Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. 

There are several different renderings and drawings of concepts but one thing they have settled on is that it will be "lush Florida" filled with water features, bridges and tons of plants.  They will be putting in a parking structure so they can expand into what space the current lots take up.  Here's a link:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/disney-springs/news/12mar2013-'disney-springs'-downtown-disney-expansion-confirmed-to-cast-members-this-afternoon-at-downtown-disney.htm#.UT-Nk69hF3s.facebook

I'm super excited about the changes to come.  I wanted to address some things that I stumbled across while I was reading related articles to this one.  I found it quite sad that so many people had bad things to say about the changes, and while posting here instead of on that blog, I will not got my points across to anyone but a few that follow me--but I'm fine with that--no need to have a debate with negative, unwavering negativity.

Complaint 1:  The shops that are conceptualized in the new Disney Springs may not be Disney ran.  One person went as far as saying that they will forever on only attend the CityWalk at Universal to stay true to the Franchise.

Truth 1:  Several of the shops in the existing Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island are not operated by Disney.  Rain Forest Cafe, La Nouba, and AMC are just a FEW of the places that are required to meet Disney standards to operate their chain.  Furthermore, only a handful of locations in Univeral's CityWalk are operated by the franchise, and the majority that are are revenue kiosks and not full store front locations. 

Complaint 2:  The parking structures are going to create traffic when someone is waiting for a spot on level 2 when level 4 sits empty.  This will add to the walking and arrival times.  The towers will block views.

Truth 2:    Clearly this people have not been to Universal Studios period or Downtown Disney when it is slammed on a Saturday night.  When there is heavy incoming traffic, Universal guides traffic into spots and up and down levels just like Disney does on their flat lots.  When entry slows, levels are coned off to direct traffic to areas that are very much open.  I have never had to drive around looking for a spot in a Park parking structure.  If anything this will shorten arrival time since no one has to park all the way in the back and wait for a shuttle or walk a mile to the entrance.  Also, trying to park in Downtown Disney during a busy time is probably the only stressful experience I have ever had at WDW.  There is not enough parking in the lots that flank the length of the park and the places at the far ends are usually just as full.  The parking structure will add a huge amount of parking while creating space for additional shops and entertainment.  As far as blocking views and being an eyesore?  Since when has Disney allowed unsightliness to ever happen?  I'm sure they will work it into whatever design plan they have and make it disappear once you've left the structure. 

Complaint 3:  The lush greenery and water features will crumble and not be well maintained.  They will be turned into dirt planters with small flowers.

Truth 3: What part of the Disney Parks are not well maintained?  With the increased amount of walking space they are adding the extra trees and water will be needed to minimize the heat associated with concrete and asphalt.  Think of Epcot when you arrive and it's grossly hot until you get the other side of the Spaceship Earth Geosphere.  

So the only thing I'm not so excited about is the closing of Captain Jack's.  I know, I know: something great will be there and I'll never complain, but I'll still miss it.

Whatever happens, it will be Disney Fantastic.  Can't wait to see new developments. 

Love at First Sight

I carry a purse.  But it's not what you think.  I carry it because, as a woman, my pants are not equipped with the proper pocket sizes to hold all the stuff I need to carry.  This includes two cell phones (one work, one personal), my wallet, checkbook, keys (I may have robbed a janitor in my sleep), sunglasses case,  chapstick, lipstick, my husband's inhalers, pain reliever, and  usually a water bottle.  I don't always carry a large purse.  Surprisingly, all this can fit in a pretty tiny satchel. 

So now my case.  I was casually browsing Facebook.  Most of the Fan Pages I follow are Disney, scenic, inspirational, or Disney (so many Disney it needs double mention).  So when I came across The Relocated Tourist's Facebook post to win a Dooney and Bourke Mickey Barrel Bag..... Oh......my.....gowrsh!  This leads me to the blog page for Magical Mouse Plans Travel where I plan and work toward my new purse.

So here's my blog that is an entry.  I don't tweet so I can't maximize my entries, but I'll do what i can.

Here's to free purses!

Ever heard of Davenport?

Like I've said before we don't stay at Disney Resorts.  Don't get me wrong, the meal deals are great, the perks are wonderful, and obviously, the location can't be beat.  However, and this is a big however, it still costs less to rent a car, pay for all your meals, and stay off site. 

We love Davenport.  Downtown Davenport is about 25 miles outside Walt Disney World but the outskirts of Davenport are where all the hidden deals are located.  You'll find the gates to Disney less than 10 miles away from some of the best Davenport rentals.  Also, most of the rentals don't require getting onto I-4, which depending on what time you leave the parks could ruin your day.  Of course, it's not traffic free, but anything is better than I-4. 

So low-and-behold Regal Palms.  Trip Advisor states one owner rents from $47 to $114 per night for a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom condo that sleeps 11 people.  Really though with cleaning fees and resort fees and tax you're looking at (for a 5 night stay) $80 to $155 per night, but for 11 people, that's a steal.  Even for 4 people that's a great price. 

Regal Palms is just one place.  There are houses, townhouses, and condos galore in Davenport.  We've stayed at the Bella Piazza for less than $70 a night in a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom that we actual split with another couple for less than $35 per night per couple. This is who we rented through. They even called to check to make sure everything was how it should be.  Free WI-FI too.

Vacation Rentals are high in scam rates.  So make sure to check out Trip Advisor for pictures, rates, and reviews.  You can also request information directly from here to properties as well. 

Final note: If your kids (or you) really want a Disney theme room, don't despair.  Several off site rentals also decorate to accommodate the need for Mickey in the bedroom.  Just spend some time looking at pictures and asking questions.

Best of luck.

Finding Dory

Hooray! The sequel to Finding Nemo has been announced.  Finding Dory will release in 2015 and will feature the voice of the ever amazing Ellen DeGeneres.  More details to follow as soon as they are announced.  Ellen Returning for Finding Nemo Sequel

Planes

Best news last month for this movie is that Dane Cook will now be the voice of Dusty, the best crop plane ever!  The initial voice was going to be Jon Cryer........ almost a good choice.  But I feel a character he's playing should just be a little more whinny.  I mean, look at him. 

And Dane Cook?  Besides the awful Farce of the Penguins, this will be his first voice over role.  He isn't the first actor I picture when I think of Disney.  He probably doesn't have a lot of wholesome thoughts, though I've heard he's kind, giving, and not an ass like he personifies quite often. 

But I like him.  Want to hear him as Dusty for a quick second? Click the link under the picture below to be directed to YouTube for the new preview.  Enjoy.

Planes