Wordless Wednesday: Disney Pictures

We finally got our PhotoPass+ DVD in the mail!

Disney 2013 - Part II

Part I was a general overview of our vacation, how we planned, and what traveling with two kids taught us. Spoiler alert - we learned a LOT. This part is about our favorite things Disney offers families to make their experience easier and more fun. I like easy and fun.

The number one thing I love about Disney is that it is truly flexible and family friendly. Everything about the experience can accommodate a honeymooning couple, a group of friends, or a huge family reunion all the same. The rides, shows, FastPasses, transportation, dining - everything. Here are our favorite Disney things and park tips.

Rides, Shows, and Experiences

Disney never has just a ride and you never just stand in line. You play games, watch videos, and if you're waiting for Dumbo, you get an entire play place to wait in. They sure do know their target audience - sugared up, overtired kids (and adults) who can't stand in line for very long!

Another thing that stands Disney apart is how many rides small children, even Ginny's age/size, can go on. These were our favorite family rides...

• Dumbo (MK)
• Mad Tea Party (MK)
• It's A Small World (MK)
• Jungle Cruise (MK)
• Toy Story Midway Mania (HS)

Can't forget about shows...

• Disney Jr. Live on Stage (HS)
• Flights of Wonder (AK)
• Mickey's PhilharMagic (MK)
• Muppet*Vision 3D (HS)
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (MK)

 Disney Jr. Live on Stage was a must for us - Charlie is obsessed! The show was wonderful, but make sure you get a seat in the middle - too close to the stage and you can't see anything. Mickey's PhilharMagic and Muppet Vision 3D both required glasses, which Charlie refused to wear, but he still enjoyed the show. We went to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor on a whim and it was great! At first, I thought it was a canned show that you just watch, but its a live, interactive show with some pretty hilarious family friendly jokes.

There were also higher thrill rides to keep the adults happy. Thanks to the Rider Switch program, we were all able to take turns riding while one of us stayed with the kids. To use the parent swap program, ask the cast member at the FastPass lane for a swap pass. The pass goes to the adult waiting with the kids. When the other adults come off the ride, the adult who waited (and up to 2 other adults) can use that pass to enter through the FastPass lane. Our favorite big kid rides were...

• Rockin' Roller Coaster (HS)
• Tower of Terror (HS)
• Expedition Everest (AK)
• Test Track (Epcot)
• Splash Mountain (MK)
• Space Mountain (MK)

As you can see, most of the family rides are in the Magic Kingdom, while most of the thrill rides are in other parks. Keeping everyone happy makes for some park hopping, but that's why the park hopper passes are so important!


MagicBands
Our resort was part of a test group for the new MagicBand system. It will be rolling out to everyone sometime in the next few months, but until then it was kind of neat to be part of the testing! The MagicBands were AWESOME! We customized ours before we arrived. We were able to choose from seven colors and have our name put on the inside. They were comfortable, cute, and ridiculously convenient.

Equipped with a short range RF reader, your band is loaded with your park tickets, resort information, room key, dining plan, PhotoPass+, FastPass+, and after hours party tickets. It is linked to your credit card allowing you to make purchases around the park with a PIN instead of carrying your wallet. They are also waterproof, so bringing them to the water park isn't a problem. Though they cause a bit of a tan line, the MagicBands were a huge hit with the whole family. Even Charlie wore his!

Disney Dining Plan

We got the dining plan when we went for our honeymoon a few years ago and loved it, so it only made sense to get it again this time around. With it being free, it was even more of a no brainer! Here are some dining plan tips and things we learned...

• You get a resort mug when you check in at your resort, but you need to ask for it. We didn't realize this and got it on our second day. Its good for unlimited refills of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, water, and soda at your resort only. It was really nice to be able to get some coffee on our way to the bus in the morning. ::yawn::
• You can get a bottle of water as your drink using quick service meals. Much easier to tote around the park.
• Kids under 2 eat free at buffets and are allowed to eat off your plate at all other restaurants. If you want to order a kid meal, however, you can. They're very well priced considering its a theme park. A main dish, two sides, a drink, and a dessert cost us about $6 quick service and $8-10 sit down. 
• You can make reservations for your sit down meals up to 180 days in advance and do not need a vacation booked to do it! So once you know your vacation dates, reserve your meals!
• When booking reservations, consider restaurants at other resorts. They're open for all Disney guests and widen the variety of places you can eat. 
• Our favorite restaurants were: The Tusker House (AK), Teppan Edo (Epcot), The Biergarten (Epcot), and Hollywood and Vine (HS).
• Here is a site that can help you maximize your dining plan snack credit!

PhotoPass+

You know those photographers that stand on Main Street and a bunch of other spots around the park? Buying those pictures after you get home can be very expensive ($15 a download!), but with the PhotoPass+, you can get unlimited park pictures, magic shots, ride photos, and character dining pictures. A bonus - if you buy the pass before you leave, you save $50! For $150, I didn't need to worry about handing my camera to a stranger, missing shots, or not being in any pictures. We have a DVD of 140 pictures coming to us in the mail. I can't wait to share them!


Park Tips and Tricks

• Wear sneakers! You'd think this was a given, but its not. You'd be shocked at how many people were wearing flip flops or worse - sandals with heels. 
• The first aid station is wonderful. It is staffed by RNs and they stock medication and supplies. We forgot a syringe for Charlie's meds and they had one for us! Now that's customer service.
• Quick Service food stands will give you big cups of ice water for free. 
• If you use the MagicBand FastPass+, still bring your Key to the World cards with you to the park. You can still use them to get FastPasses at the machines. 
• If you buy something at a gift shop (especially something breakable), they can send it to your resort free of charge. 
• There are mailboxes all over the parks and at your resort so you can send post cards home. 
• Ask photographers if they do magic shots. If they do, they'll take one for you, but they won't offer it up front. 
• You can bring food and drinks into the park, with the exception of glass and alcohol. We brought water bottles, baby food, and snacks to tide us over between meals, but you could easily do packed lunches if you're on a budget.
• If you have little ones, you can get a pack and play or a toddler bed rail for your resort room. 

Guest Etiquette

I wasn't sure where to put this section, so its going here! I was actually pretty surprised at how rude guests were at Disney. Not everyone; far from it, but there was a noticeable amount of stupidity and rudeness walking around while we were there. As a general "how to not be an asshole at Disney" I give you some (common sense) etiquette guidelines...

• Please don't suddenly stop in the middle of a busy walk way. You're gonna get run over.
• Don't let kids operate your motor scooter - they will run into other guests.
• At parades, fireworks, and shows, please look behind you to make sure you're not blocking a child's view. 
• Don't get upset if a child is crying on the bus, in a restaurant, or while waiting for a ride. You are at Disney World. If the presence of children surprises or upsets you, go somewhere else! 

Disney 2013 - Part I

I blame it on my job. After I do something, I write down a lot of notes on what went well, what I learned, and what to do differently next time. A final report, if you will. With the amount of research and planning that went into this vacation, it is definitely getting a "final report."

This first part will be an overview of how we planned, what we did, and what we'd change for next time. The second part will be our favorite rides, shows, and restaurants as well as some general park tips. The third part will most likely be a whole load of pictures! :-D

Part I

How We Saved
It's no secret - Disney is expensive. It is, however, completely worth the money. Disney isn't just about a theme park. Its an experience! From the second you book your vacation until you arrive home, it is a magical experience like none other. That being said, money doesn't grow on trees and we saved up for about 18 months for our trip. We set aside money each month and it added up fast. Instead of booking the vacation and paying it off, we saved money in a vacation account (a sub account added to our banking). We weren't going to book if the money wasn't there. 


Booking Our Vacation
I intentionally waited until August to book our trip, hoping to snag the free meal plan offer that pops up for the fall almost every year. Thankfully, it was offered again this year! We were able to book 8 days, 7 nights at All Star Music with the Disney Dining Plan (1 snack, 1 quick meal, 1 sit down meal per day) along with 6 day park hopper tickets for a great price. With Charlie and Ginny being free, it was very affordable and perfect for our family.

I booked directly through Disney's site and it was quick and easy. After making an account with My Disney Experience, I was able to link together our resort reservation, park tickets, and dining while also adding FastPass+ experiences and planning an itinerary for our trip. The site liked up with an app that made planning on the go after we arrived much easier!


Our Resort
We stayed at All Star Music, one of the Disney value resorts. We had a standard room and were placed in the "Jazz Inn" section on the first floor. We were able to make 2 accommodation requests when we checked in online and I chose "close to transportation" and "1st floor." Some other possible requests were adjoining rooms, close to the pool, and picking a certain themed building. Jazz Inn was the second set of buildings from the main "Melody Hall," which wasn't too far. Being on the 1st floor was wonderful - especially with the double stroller. I would have walked farther back into the resort if it meant staying in a 1st floor room.

Overall, ASM was nice, but next time we go we may look at the next step up in accommodations. While it was clean and served its purpose, the room was small, the beds were pretty awful, and the dining options weren't very good - save for the Mickey Mouse waffles, of course.

When We Went
I love this time of year. For our honeymoon, we went during Christmas and this time we experienced the Halloween treatment. While we think Christmas was a bit better, I'm so happy to have experienced both. Halloween at Disney is awesome! All the villains are out, the decorations and parades are amazing, and seeing other people in costume was so much fun. There were a lot of pirates, princesses, minions, and family themed costumes. We really need to step it up if we go back for Halloween!

Another reason to go in the fall are the crowds. We didn't wait longer than 20 minutes for any ride or attraction. The buses were never overloaded and the restaurants always seemed to have space to sit. It was especially nice at the parks - the lack of congestion meant Charlie could walk beside the stroller without fear of getting sucked into a crowd.


I'm Glad That We...


Borrowed a CARES harness for Charlie. It was easy to use and not only kept him safer as we traveled, but made him feel more comfortable. He's used to a rear facing car seat, so moving to just a lap belt would have been very different for him.

Didn't rent a car. We really wouldn't have used it anyway. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a Disney bus to come pick us up! Funny enough, the bus was actually Charlie's favorite thing to do!

Packed a hamper. It definitely helped keep the mess organized in our tiny room. 

Purchased the PhotoPass+. Our DVD is on the way with 120 pictures taken by Disney cast members around the 4 parks including character meet and greets, dining locations, and ride photos. I can't wait to see it! It was linked right on our MagicBand, so the pictures were on our account with a single *boop!*

Used the baby care centers. There is one in each park and it was seriously an oasis of quiet, comfortable, air conditioned bliss. With changing tables, high chairs, small kitchenette, and rocking chairs, its the perfect spot to nurse, freshen up, or hide from the over stimulation outside.

Brought the Ergo carrier. That thing was a life saver when Ginny was tired, cranky, or didn't want to sit in the stroller. We wore her A LOT, probably more than was healthy for our poor backs, but it meant she could rest or hide from the over stimulation around her. The only down side is that most of the pictures are just of the top of her head!

Got the meal plan. There are so many amazing places to eat at Disney and while you can bring your own food and drinks into the park, its also nice to not worry about it. We ate to our heart's content at a dozen different restaurants and since our dining plan was free, it was especially awesome.

Brought lots of zip top bags. I used several baggies to pack Ginny's clothes into outfits, but they came in handy the entire week to store dirty/wet clothes on the go, carry snacks, and store trash.

Brought a nightlight and sound machine. Unlucky for us, Ginny slept horribly most of the week we were away. Having a small nightlight (we brought Charlie's Cloud B octopus light) allowed us to navigate the small, unfamiliar room without bothering those sleeping.

Had a first aid kit. I'll chalk it up to excitement, but Charlie fell about a hundred times, scraping the crap out of both of his knees. Some Jake and the Neverland Pirates bandaids did the trick.

Remembered sunscreen and hats. Despite being the end of October, Florida was unseasonably hot while we were there. I'm talkin' mid 80's to low 90's all week long without a single drop of rain.

Went to the Halloween Party. It was late, but the decorations, parade, and fireworks were amazing!

Took advantage of the parent swap program. When you arrive at a ride, ask for a parent swap ticket and give it to the parent waiting. After you get off the ride, the waiting parent can use the ticket to go through the FastPass line with up to two other people.


Next Time We Will...

Pack a few outfits in carry on. We arrived at our resort at 6pm, but our luggage didn't arrive until 9pm and the kid's bag, after it was finally located, didn't arrive until 10:30pm! It was a struggle getting them settled in bed without PJs, loveys, blankets, etc. Definitely going to be more careful next time. 

Bring an umbrella. We had rain coats in anticipation of the infamous Florida rain, but we didn't get a drop. We did, however, get a crap load of sun and an umbrella would have been used quite a bit. 

Used dining reservations for more lunches and breakfast. More often than not, we used our sit down meal passes for dinner meals. This lead to us being hungry earlier in the day and over stuffed at night. We did have one sit down lunch and one sit down breakfast and not only was the food amazing, but it was a nice change of pace.

Booked reservations earlier to get more character dining events. We had two character dining meals and they were so much fun! You can reserve meals up to 180 days in advance and without booking a vacation. Character meals do need to be backed by a credit card, but just remember to cancel plans if things change. 

Bring something for characters to sign. Halfway through the week we realized that we could have had characters sign our Disney canvas tote bag, but didn't have markers. Next time!

Part II - Our Favorites and Park Tips! 

Back from Disney!

We're back from Disney and had an AMAZING time! This week I'll be posting about our trip, spamming you with pictures (we took over 500!), and sharing lots of neat tips we learned along the way.

Off we go!

Starting to Pack

Yes, I realize that I'm packing a tad early, but that's the beauty of going on vacation to a summery place when its fall/winter back at home! I can pack the shorts, t-shirts, and bathing suits without missing a beat.

If you haven't looked, there are about twelve million websites dedicated to Disney planning, booking, packing, and vacationing, so I'm not going to reinvent the wheel here. What I can do is post the links and tips that I've found to be the most helpful thus far.

Here are my favorite tips I've found around the internet about packing for Disney.

•  For kids who will have lots of extra clothes, pack outfits together in quart size zip top bags. Socks, hair accessories, etc. included. I was able to fit 14 outfits and 2 costumes in one side of this carry on size suitcase for Ginny!
• Bring your own souvenirs. I actually got this idea from my sister - whenever they bring my nephew somewhere that she knows will sell those carts full of light up toys for $20 a piece, she makes sure to bring some fun light up toy, even just glow sticks, in her purse. It has saved her a small fortune, I'm sure.
• Make spreadsheets. No one needed to tell me this one - I make spreadsheets for everything. It is a good tip, none the less. I have an excel spread sheet with our travel information, packing lists, and to do lists.
• Pack your tickets, Magic Bands, medication, travel documents, and other important items in your carry on. Your bags may take a little bit to arrive at the resort and you don't want to be stuck waiting around!
• Download your apps. There are several apps worth looking into before you head to Disney. The My Disney Experience app links with your reservations and FastPass+ meaning you can make changes on the go in addition to checking wait times, keeping tabs on character meet and greets, and looking at maps. Another handy app is the GPS Transportation Wizard by Our Laughing Place. Just plug in where you are and where you want to go and it will tell you the most efficient combination of transportation (boat, bus, monorail, walking, etc.) across the vast Disney property. And let's be honest - its Florida. Having the Weather.com app is probably a smart idea too. ;-)
• Speaking of rain, being prepared is important. We got caught in many quick down pours last time we went. An umbrella, ponchos, and a clear shower curtain to cover the stroller (from the dollar store) will keep you dry!
• Our party consists of two kids and three adults. Correction, one teething infant, one stubborn toddler, and three adults.We're bringing ear plugs and taking turns wearing them so at least most of us are guaranteed uninterrupted sleep. 
• It sounds like overkill, but we're bringing a small pop up hamper. With all of the anticipated clothing changes, if anything it'll keep things organized.
• We plan on gate checking our double stroller and while we can hope and pray, there is always a chance it could be damaged in flight. To minimize the chance of damage, we are removing every part that we possibly can (kid tray, canopies, seat padding, and parent tray) and safely packing them in luggage. It makes the stroller much smaller and less likely to catch on something. 

Here is a Google doc of our entire packing list for 8 days in Disney. It looks like a lot, but everything is either a sample size or brought in a much smaller container (i.e. dish soap, laundry detergent) and really, I'd rather bring more things to make the week easier than have to find something last minute!

Another packing tip is to choose your airline carefully. Southwest happened to have the cheapest fairs, but as a bonus, bags (two per ticket) fly free! This was a HUGE cost savings to us with all of the stuff we're needing to bring. We'll be checking four pieces of luggage, which would have cost us $200 on another airline. Ouch!

Here's to not forgetting anything! Back to packing I go.

WW: Ginny is Ready for Disney!

Halloween Season is Coming!

I've counted down to Halloween even before it was my anniversary and my child's birthday. It's just a fun holiday and I love the creativity of dressing up (and the candy, of course). This year will be especially fun -- sibling costumes! I'm pretty sure I hated it when my parents would dress my sister and I up in a theme, but too bad - its freaking adorable. I've got a few ideas pinned and they're all Disney themed since we'll be going down there in October and they celebrate Halloween all month long.

So far I'm thinking Tinkerbell and Peter Pan, Jake and Izzy (a la Jake and the Neverland Pirates), and/or Snow White and a dwarf or prince.

Charlie has been obsessed with Jake lately and I think he'd get a big kick out of dressing up. The trick is going to be finding time to put these things together before we go! Because of work August and September fly by, so I need to keep an eye on the clock and get working. Thankfully, I think I can pull them all off without buying patterns since for most of the pieces its either regular clothing of a specific color or pretty easy to figure out.

Who else is thinking of Halloween already? Or am I the only crazy person?

Countdown to Disney

Just under 4 months until our first ever family vacation! It seems like just yesterday we cracked the plan to save up and go. In reality? Almost 18 months ago. Its been a long time coming, but we're finally starting to nail down some specifics. We promised ourselves we would only go if we could pay cash for everything - no charging it and figuring it out later. Putting aside a little each paycheck has really racked up and we're almost at our goal!

Thanks to a Southwest sale, we were able to get our plane tickets for $600! And since bags fly free, that's a huge savings from what I originally budgeted for travel ($1,000 for flight and baggage) and that's always nice. The best part? Non stop flights. ::phew:: I had nightmares of running through Charlotte or Atlanta with two kids and all our luggage. Nope - two quick hours on one plane and we're there.

I've been scoping out tips and travel advice and realized there are A LOT of websites dedicated to all things Disney. Especially saving money and traveling with little kids. I've been collecting all of the good sites and posts I find on my Disney Pinterest board if you're in need of some Disney info.

From what I've read, here are some of my favorite (random) tips so far...

• Bring or buy food to make breakfast and snacks. Save your meal plan for the bigger meals to get more bang for your buck.
• To save on luggage space, you can buy diapers and baby food on Amazon and have them delivered to your resort. They will be available for pick up when you arrive. 
• Bring a wearable carrier for small children since you can't use your stroller through airport security or on the Disney transportation shuttles.
• Bring glow sticks or light up toys to distract toddlers from wanting the expensive ones sold at the fireworks show.
• At the beginning of the day, take a picture of your kids with your cell phone. If they wander away, you will be able to show security exactly what they look like.

There are a ton more out there - books and books of them even. Thank goodness for the internet! How did our parents and grandparents plan anything?! ;-)

Another thing I wanted to do before the big trip was to try out our double stroller. We'd used it here and there, but not on a big day trip. Well, let me tell you - that thing is large and in charge. We recently went to the zoo and was able to maneuver it around the DC Metro, in the city, and around the zoo without a problem. The shades did great in the sun and, unfortunately, rain and both kids napped in their seats comfortably. Sounds Disney worthy to me! Plus, Southwest said we can gate check it without a problem, thank goodness.

We've started telling Charlie that we're going to go visit Mickey, but to be honest, I think he has no idea what we're talking about. He'll get it eventually and if not, he'll definitely get it when he's toe to toe with the big guy himself. I am beyond thrilled that this vacation is happening and can't wait to go as a family. I know chances are Charlie won't remember (and Ginny definitely won't remember), but I know he will have a blast and that's all that matters.


Remaining on the Disney check list...

Research transportation options
Save enough money to pay in cash
Buy plane tickets
Add Ginny to airfare reservations
Test out double stroller
Take off work
Book resort
Find someone to watch the dog (thanks, Mary!)
Make packing lists
Pack
GO! :-)

Planning for Disney: Part One

As we plan for our trip later this year, I hope to share our processes of planning, saving, and traveling. I am by no means a Disney expert, but I am a Type A, frugal Mom who doesn't take full price for an answer. Hopefully, my research can help someone out there who's in the same boat!

Should we go to Disney?
This is the first step in planning. What should we do? Should we even go? We've all seen the tear jerking commercials where parents reveal to their kids that they're going to Disney and the kids freak out in a fit of joy. Of course we want that for our kids. The truth is that Disney is EXPENSIVE. Its magical, amazing, and a one of a kind experience, but can be extremely costly if you don't do your homework. I found this post on Couponing to Disney that really put things in perspective. Disney is a treat and a privilege and should be treated as such.


When should we go?
Fortunately, there are so many Disney-a-holics out there that the park's crowd levels have been carefully documented for years and years. Websites like The Undercover Tourist, Dad's Guide to WDW, and Your First Visit all have crowd calendars that give you a peek into what you can expect during various weeks. Unless you are bound by a specific event, a time share, expiring flyer miles, etc. pick your week wisely.

Our honeymoon was the first week in November (typically shown as a moderate week) and the crowd was extremely manageable. This time, we're going a week earlier (projected as a very mild week), so we just may have the parks to ourselves! I can only imagine that going during a red week, especially with kids, will completely change your experience.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Being in the northeast, we have three viable options for traveling to Florida; driving, flying, or driving to Virginia, then taking the auto train. Each option has pros, cons, and a very distinct cost. With two kids (one of which won't be free when flying or taking the train), cost is a huge focus for us. There is also the concern of car seats, time/patience it takes to travel, how much stuff we can  bring with us, transportation when we arrive in Orlando, and wear on the car.


At first, we saw driving as a logical way to save money. With the estimated cost of gas and knowing our MPG, it would cost us about $500 + a hotel stop both ways. This would also mean, however, 20-22 hours in the car -- each way. No big, right? Lots of families do it. Then, we made a mere 9 hour road trip to Raleigh for a wedding and the driving idea went out the window. I genuinely think we forgot how much of a toll driving can take! The auto train's 17 hour travel time and $1,000 price tag was scratched off the list as well.

After pricing out a few airlines, we've decided to fly. It will be $700-$800 for the four of us, we can gate check a stroller, and after 2 hours we'll be at our destination. Disney picks you up at the airport and brings you to your hotel with all of your bags. With a 3 year old and a 7 month old, it is too convenient to pass up. We won't be renting a car (and therefore won't need car seats) and can use the Disney travel system. Yes, we know it takes a bit longer than driving your own car, but its a sacrifice we are willing to make.

How much should we save?
Ah, the big budget question. There are a LOT of resorts and hotels in the Orlando area to choose from. When we went a few years ago, we found that staying in a Disney resort provided a ton of perks (cheaper park tickets, access to the meal plan, free parking, coupons, free stuff, and excellent transportation) and we'll do the same this time. Since we plan on spending the majority of our time in the parks, a more budget friendly option like Pop Century or All Star Music is just fine for us.


As we continue to plan, check out my Disney board on Pinterest where I'm collecting park tips, packing ideas, baby/toddler travel tips, and budget ideas. If you have any Disney tips or tricks, please share!

We're Saving for Disney!

Both J and I went to Disney once or twice as kids, but didn't get to go again until our honeymoon. We had a BLAST and totally drank the mouse kool-aid. We collect Disney movies, love Disney channel, and can't wait to go back to WDW!

I think he'd agree that we're most definitely a Disney family.

When thinking about C's birthday party this year, we picked a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme because he is basically obsessed with it. For those of you who follow me on Pinterest, this is probably old news. ;-) He loves his Mickey and Boopy (Goofy) stuffed animals and can name/point out all of the characters in his books. It was a clear winner for birthday theme.

That got us thinking, when are we going to take him to really meet Mickey?! We would love to go back for an anniversary and since that is conveniently partnered with C's birthday, why not go for Halloween one year? We checked prices and made a plan to save up for Disney Halloween 2013!

Yes, we do realize we'll have a 3 year old AND a 7 month old. Yes, we realize how insane that sounds, but really, it will be such ridiculous fun that we will make it work. I honestly get all teary eyed when I think of C meeting Mickey for the first time. Ah, gah...there I go again!

Since he will still be 2 when we check into the resort, he will be free his entire stay. This alone will save us hundreds of dollars. Thank you awesome Disney age policy. When we went last time, we had park hoppers and the meal plan - two things I HIGHLY recommend. Being able to go from park to park (with the free shuttles) and eat throughout the day without worrying about money made the whole experience much more laid back and enjoyable. Every day, we got a snack (bottle of water, fruit, ice cream, etc.), a quick service meal (a combo with drink and dessert from a walk up joint), and a sit down dinner (full dinner, drink, and dessert at any restaurant). You can't beat it.

For the whole shebang - room, meals, park tickets, gas, incidentals, and the inevitable souvenirs, we are budgeting $3,000. Not too bad for a week long family vacation, I think. With a year to save, we should be able to do it! I'm pumped. Next October can't come soon enough!