Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids

M-iPhoneApp-C-K-E-Y: #Beers and Ears

Hedy — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:58:45 +0000

As I have now welcomed our evil Apple overlords, I am planning on reviewing apps much as I did with Disney Android Apps. Recently, Beers and Ears tweeted that they just released an iPhone app: the Beers and Ears Walt Disney World Beer List App.

If this is not an app designed for (21+) adult Disney Fans, it’s this one. Beers and Ears is a truly awesome niche site in the Disney fan community, which talks about what it says on the tin, beers, especially beers in Disney. Now while I’m usually a cocktail girl, a beer is a close second for me (unless you have Rosa Regale).

This app has both a listing of what beers a given restaurant serves, and what restaurants serve a given beer. Now, while the only time I drank at Raglan Road I had a black and tan-I’m genetically bound to get one at pubs. However, now that I see that they serve the local Orlando Brewing Brown Ale, I may try that.

Have you checked out Beers and Ears or this app? Have app suggestions for me? What’s your favorite bit of news? Let me know in a comment, Twitter , Facebook, or Google Plus. Come get pinned with me on Pinterest.

M-iPhoneApp-C-K-E-Y: WDW ACRONYM DECODER

Disney Premier Visa….

Hedy — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:50:38 +0000

Why are you not Disney PremEAR Visa? You know I love my Disney Visa from Chase, so when I got an e-mail from Chase inviting me to upgrade to their Disney Premier Visa, my interest was piqued. This has the upgrade of giving you 2% back on gas, groceries, restaurants, and Disney locations. I actually only use my Disney Visa for the latter, as my Amazon Signature gives me 2% back on these categories on months my Discover Card is not giving me 5% back. Furthermore, I have for years ranted about how while my other cards give you more paints when you use them at their location, Disney does not.

But, this increase came with a catch-namely a $49 annual fee. My afore-mentioned Amazon Signature Visa, also from Chase? No annual fee. Owing to this fact, as well as the fact that I currently have no set in stone Disney vacation plans (sniff), I will be skipping out. How about you?

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Disney Discount: Restaurant.com

Hedy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:48:43 +0000

At home, I’m a huge fan of getting discounted restaurant gift certificates at Restaurant.com. However, I always thought that there was no point in looking at them for Orlando, as I stay on-site at both Universal and Disney World.
This led me to do my own poking around on there, and I found that Bice at the Portofino Bay Resort at Universal Orlando is also on Restaurant.com.

While poking around there, I found that they had Giraffe Cafe at Royal Plaza Hotel. Now, if you’ve never been there (we returned a rental car there, but that’s another story for another day), it’s within spitting distance of Downtown Disney. Additional, Restaurant.com also has the Outback Restaurant and Kook Sports Bar (both at Buena Vista Palace) and Andiamo Italian Bistro, both of which are also at Downtown Disney hotels. If you’re looking to save on food, it might be worth the trek there. Restaurant.com also has Tradewinds at CocoKey Water Resort, which is very near to property.

Every month, new certificates go up on Restaurant.com. on the first of the month (they are also re-stocked, so you can pick up any which may have been sold out in the previous month.

Between now and February 5, save 70% at restaurant.com using the code SCORE.

WDW Not Just for Kids Review: Disney World Cash Hacks

Hedy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:01:28 +0000

When I saw Disney World Cash Hacks: 49 Hidden Tricks for Saving Tons of Cash at Disney World was available free for the Kindle on Couponing to Disney, I knew I needed to check it out. To be honest, I was pretty cynical going in, as I feel like I’ve said and done most saving for your Disney vacation tricks at this point, but I figured it would be worth the read.

In summation, I would say that 25% of this book felt like it was cut and pasted from Mousesavers, 65% of the information was stupid or not applicable to me, and 10% was actually useful.

Among the useful tips was that you can get Disney World tickets at a discount by donating to Walt Disney Pavilion at the Florida Hospital for Children. For kind of obvious reasons, I always remember to check AAA discounts (and the book reminds you that you don’t need to book through AAA to get the discount), but I forget that AARP discounts exist (membership starts at age 50). Entertainment Book is an awesome resource. Also, he references AmEx discounts that don’t exist anymore.

Also, I pretty much skip WDW fruit stands, but I may check them out next trip. They also suggest staying at the airport hotel if you get in late at night; however, I’ve often found that staying at a value is cheaper.

A lot of the deals dealt with stuff off-site. In my book, it can be kind of penny-wise, pound-foolish to those of us who stay on-site. If wifi is so important to you that you’re driving to the library, Starbucks or Panera, you would most likely be better off shelling out for Disney internet, especially after you spend $5 for a coffee at the latter two.

It’s kind of paging Captain Obvious, but the reminder to do the math on a towncar vs the Mears Shuttle with a group is a worthwhile one. The reminder of teacher/nurse discounts at the Swolphin are always good; however, the book missed out on reminding people of the AAA discount at Swolphin restaurants. Similarly, I felt that the free dining mention missed running the numbers. Going to hang out at the Boardwalk and Downtown Disney is free. No, really?

I short, I am meh on this book. It apparently retails for $2.99. I wouldn’t buy it, it is free to rent with Prime, though.

See my ideas on saving for your Disney vacation here.

Wordless Wednesday: February 1, 2012

Hedy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:58:42 +0000

Guest Post: Make MORE Memories on “One More Disney Day”

Hedy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:04:35 +0000

Leap years are a rare and special thing, only showing their face once every four years. But 2012 is set to be an extra special leap year because it’s the year that Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom stays open for 24 hours straight!

On February 29th the park will be staying open to celebrate the fact that we’ve been given a whole extra day to play with – you could say that the magic really will never end!

The folks over at Walt Disney World have named this event “One More Disney Day”, and boy will they be working hard, as many of the park’s rides, concessions and restaurants will be open from 6am on February 29th to 6am on March 1st.

Hardcore Disney-goers will no doubt be queuing at the gates way before the park opens, to make the most of the time before the real crowds begin to form. The more nocturnal among us will be able to enjoy a lie-in and still have more than enough time to fit in plenty of Magic Kingdom action!

It’s even been suggested that some of the self-proclaimed “Disney Dweebs” are looking forward to the chance of breaking ride records – 24-hr Space Mountain Marathon anyone?? It will definitely be interesting to see how many rides it’s possible to get round in 24 hours.

Farrah Hedwat
FloridaTix

Farrah is the copywriter at FloridaTix, a UK based website providing tickets for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Seaworld and other Florida attractions. From offers and promotions to the latest news on the parks, FloridaTix is everything and anything about Florida and Orlando attractions.

Universal Orlando Newsflash!

Hedy — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:06:30 +0000

Universal Orlando recently made some really cool announcements…that had nothing to do with Harry Potter (which ought to be an accomplishment in and of itself, if you ask me. Blue Man Group is getting an improved show. For whatever it’s worth, I saw the GIpads in the show in Boston and they were really cool. If you get a chance to see Blue Man Group (even if it’s not in Orlando), I highly recommend it. I had been saying for years that I needed to see the one in Boston, and I finally saw it last Summer-it was great.

A lot of the updates seem to be plussing: for example, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman (AKA the best ride in Orlando) will be in HD and have a hidden Stan Lee, and the pathetic nighttime show will be redone as “Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories” with Morgan Freeman.

As you know, Jimmy Neutron will be going away and replaced with a Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction. And ladies visiting the Orlando area are grateful that their girls will never have to do the Chicken Dance again.

Universal has clearly not given up on trying to be Disney: they are opening a mini-golf course and adding to their waterpark. Hollywood Drive-In Golf will be a 36 hole golf course that will be located at Citywalk. Wet and Wild will be adding a sandcastle area.

What’s your favorite bit of news? Let me know in a comment, Twitter , Facebook, or Google Plus. Come get pinned with me on Pinterest. Find and book Orlando tours and activities on Viator.com. Book ahead to save time and money!

Magical Blogorail Green: Favorite Disney Memory With a Loved One

Hedy — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:20 +0000

Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Green. Enjoy the ride as we share with you our special Disney memories with our loved ones.

As Singles Awareness Day Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, I thought it would be topical to choose a favorite memory with a loved one. I am truly a blessed woman, because I have so many. Quality time with my nephews? My brother quoting my father, leading to me laughing so hard I am reasonably sure half of Columbia Harbor House was staring? My dad on Tower of Terror, and how I finally got “our” ride photo this summer? The time my mother thought Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was the train?

But there is one memory which stands out above all other memories. One of the dedicatees of this blog is my grandmother. She accompanied me on my High School Graduation Trip on February of 2002 (about 10 years ago. Yay me for being extra themeatic). On that trip, she and I had some time together in World Showcase. Grammy loved Europe, and she loved World Showcase. We just walked around talking, and had good time. She talked about how much she loved the UK, and if I ever went there, to think of her.

And I did.

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Your Highway in the Sky.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:

1st Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids
2nd Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky
3rd Stop ~ Disney Living
4th Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess

Final Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts

Disney Discount: Restaurant.com

Hedy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:16:29 +0000

Every month, new certificates go up on Restaurant.com. on the first of the month (they are also re-stocked, so you can pick up any which may have been sold out in the previous month.

Between now and January 31, save 80% at restaurant.com using the code DATE.

Wordless Wednesday: January 25, 2012

Hedy — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:16 +0000

Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids

M-iPhoneApp-C-K-E-Y: #Beers and Ears

Disney Premier Visa….

Disney Discount: Restaurant.com

Sign up for my NEW e-mail newsletter!

WDW Not Just for Kids Review: Disney World Cash Hacks

Wordless Wednesday: February 1, 2012

Guest Post: Make MORE Memories on “One More Disney Day”

Universal Orlando Newsflash!

Magical Blogorail Green: Favorite Disney Memory With a Loved One

Disney Discount: Restaurant.com

Wordless Wednesday: January 25, 2012