Welcome to Our Latest Travel News & Tips!

​This is where you can find information about what's going on around the world of travel, including new travel protocols, our tips and tricks for navigating your cruise vacation, recommendations for various destinations around the globe and of course, your Disney destinations and Universal theme park news. Stay tuned, you never know what you'll learn!  

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In the past, Disney has offered service members of the U.S. military a specially discounted offer as a thank you for their service and dedication to our country. This offer has been extended from the beginning of the fiscal year to the end (Oct. to the end of September). However, Disney has now decided to run the Military Salute offer for the calendar year. Hopefully, this will make it even easier for those service members and their families to be able to pre-plan their family's vacation throughout the year in advance. 

There have not been many changes in the new offer compared to past offers other than the price has increased slightly. You will still have the normal black-out dates for spring break (Easter) timing.

Here are the details. If you would like more information regarding pricing and/or availability, please contact me here as there is no guarantee to resort rooms always being available at the special military rate for the dates you may need. The more advance planning  you can do the better. 

Military Salute 2016
Disney has announced the renewal 
of the Military Salute Offer for 2016!
*Tickets may be used Jan. 3 - Dec. 19, 2016
*Black Out Dates: March 20 - April 1, 2016
Maximum # of Tickets Purchased during Offer Period is (6) and
(1) MUST be the service member or spouse

Walt Disney World (Orlando, Florida)
You have (3) ticket options here:

 *Magic Your Way base ticket with park hopper option
   which allows you to visit multiple parks on the same day...$196.00
 
*Water Park & More option
  which allows (4) entrances to a variety of non-theme park Disney venues...$196.00

*Both options (MYW w/park hopper & Water Park and More) 
  in one ticket...$230.00

These tickets can be purchased at your local military installation's ITT office, at the Shades of Green Resort in Orlando or Disney 
theme park ticket and transportation center (Sales tax will be added if purchased at Disney TTC.)

*Your Salute ticket can be linked to your My Disney Experience account which allows you to make your FastPass+ selections (60) days out from your date of arrival, if staying at a Walt Disney World resort.

Disney Resort Room Offer: 
Disney will once again off a 30-40% discount off the non-discounted rack rate. Availability is limited and dependent on how full a resort may be for your desired dates as to whether or not it will be an option. The further out you can book your Walt Disney World® Resort room the more choice you may have. 

*If you do NOT stay at one of the  Walt Disney World property,  you will be able to make your FastPass+ Selections (30) days out. 

Disneyland Parks (Anaheim, California)
You can purchase a 3-day park hopper ticket to use at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for...$143.00
This ticket can be purchased at your local base ITT office or at a Disneyland ticket center.

Who is Eligible for this offer:
*Active-duty, Reserve and Retired members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard, are eligible to 
  participate in this special discount offer. 

*100% Service Connected Disabled with the DAVPRM code on their military issued ID.

*Spouses or Unremarried Widows of the above, if the member is unable to go.

*Foreign partners/Coalition partners stationed at a US base are eligible.
They must  have a permanent US Military issued ID (CAC card with blue stripe).

If you are a current client, please know that I am actively working on adjusting your booking. If you qualify for this promotion and there was availability during your stay, we will send you an updated invoice to reflect those changes. 

For new pricing inquiries, please click here and we will send you a quote for your next
Disney  vacation. 
If you have questions, please send me and email at 
MagicMIckeyMoments@gmail.

Let's Plan Some Magic!
Cindy
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Disney has officially released new offers for early 2016! These offers vary from a Walt Disney World® Resort hotel room only discount to room/theme park ticket packages and a room/park ticket/dining plan combination. 
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Save up to 25% off of your Room Only Reservation at Select
Walt Disney World® Resorts 
 Travel Dates: January 2, 2016 - April 13, 2016
Book by: December 23, 2015
  • Save up to 25% at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian Village Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Boardwalk Villas and Disney’s Polynesian Village
  • Save up to 20% at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
  • Save up to 15% at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, Beach Club Villas, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas, The Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Art of Animation Resort (Family Suite Rooms only) and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
 *Weekends may be discounted less at some moderate and value resorts.
 *Availability is extremely limited.
 *This offer excludes 3-bedroom villas and campsites, Disney's Art of  Animation Resort (The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms), Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort and The Villas at Disney's Grand  Floridian Resort & Spa.
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Play, Stay, Dine and Save
SAVE up to $500 with this offer
Travel Dates: December 13, 2015 - December 19, 2015 and
 January 2, 2016 - March 7, 2016
Book By: December 23, 2015
  • Minimum 3 night stay
  • Maximum 14 night stay
  • Minimum 2 day park pass must be included in the package
  • Dining Plan must be included in the package
  • Guests staying at a Walt Disney World value resort must purchase the Quick Service dining plan or higher
  • Guests staying at a Walt Disney World moderate, deluxe or deluxe villa resort must purchase the Disney Dining plan or higher.
*Not all nights or resorts may be available.
*Availability is extremely limited.
*This offer excludes 3-bedroom villas and campsites, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms), Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney's Port Orleans-Riverside (Dec. dates ONLY), Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  
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"Disney Jr Offer" - Kid Sized Walt Disney World® Resort Getaway!
Take little ones o a perfectly sized Walt Disney World family getaway and receive a Disney Jr park pack complete with goodies from Disney Jr, Disney Publishing, Walt Disney Records and GoGo squeeze®. Valid for most Sunday - Thursday nights. Minimum 3-nights/2-day theme park ticket package. Subject to availability at time of booking. 
*Offer excludes Ft. Wilderness Campsites and 3-bedroom villas
Booking window: Sept. 28 - Dec. 23, 2015
Travel Window: Jan. 2 - April 13, 2016
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"Magic Together" Package
Come experience the magic of a Walt Disney World® Resort family vacation together with a 4-night Walt Disney World® Resort hotel stay and 4-day theme park ticket to enjoy all the attractions, parades and the spectacular fireworks! Available for stays most Sunday through Thursday nights. Offer is subject to availability at time of booking.
*Offer excludes Ft. Wilderness Campsites and 3-bedroom villas

Booking Window: Sept. 28 - Dec. 23, 2015
Travel Window: Jan. 2 - April 13, 2016
If you would like more information about any of the specially priced offers or packages you see here, please contact  me here for your no-obligation quote. All my services are always FREE to Disney resort guests so you get all the service but no extra cost! 

"We believe in magic, and it all starts with a plan."

Cindy
magickmickeymoments@gmail.com
1-844-462-4426 ext 1
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Beginning October 5, 2015 guests will be able to set sail on the first Ferrytale Wishes cruise around the Seven Seas Lagoon. "Ferrytale Wishes" will be an exclusive nighttime event where guests can board a double stack ferryboat where you will enjoy a decadent dessert party and specialty beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) while enjoying a unique view of the "Wishes" fireworks in Magic Kingdom. 

The menu will include a variety of desserts, a fruit and cheese display and ice cream novelties. Guests will also receive a souvenir acrylic palette plate and glow glass once onboard. 

Ferrytale Wishes dessert cruise will be offered on select dates. Guests will be able to view the Happy HalloWishes or Holiday Wishes fireworks spectacular if sailing on the evening of "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" or "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party." Reservation times will be one hour prior to fireworks, and you must check-in at the Ferryboat launch at the Ticket and Transportation Center at least 50mins prior to fireworks to make sure you are on the ferryboat before it sails. 

The cost is $99 per adult and $69 for children 3-9yrs old (tax and gratuity are included). Reservations are now open for this event contact your travel agent or Disney specialist for more information and assistance. 

Bon Voyage!
Cindy
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Do you love all things Halloween...the costumes, special effect lighting, pumpkins, spooky music and trick-or -treating? If so, then you would are going to LOVE the way Disney does Halloween during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom! 

The first thing you need to know is that in order to attend this very SPOOKTACULAR party event you must purchase a special admission ticket just for this party. Your general admission ticket into Magic Kingdom will not give you access to this event. Because of the popularity of this event it is advised to purchase your ticket for the date you would like to attend in advance online or through your travel agent. If you purchase your tickets in advance online be sure to link them to your My Disney Experience account online so they are linked to your Magic Bands. If you did not have your hard ticket mailed to you then you will need to stop by the will call (guest services) window prior to entering the park to present your ticket ("invitation") and have it exchanged for a special wristband showing that you are "invited to attend" the party as well as a trick-or-teat bag. Without a wristband you cannot remain in the park after 7:00pm.
*Important tip....you want to arrive at the entrance to Magic Kingdom as early as 3:30pm with your party ticket because Cast Members will begin allowing Guests with party tickets into the park between 3:45pm - 3:50pm. Once inside the park you will need to head towards the Chapeau Shop in Town Square and enter through the gate that will be open next to the Chapeau Shop to get your wristband, starter pack of candy etc. You will then have three hours to ride attractions and to get in line as early as 5:00pm for those high demand special character meet and greets.
Special music, audio, and lighting will signify the start of the party and transform the Magic Kingdom into the perfect Halloween setting! Shortly before 7pm you will hear the Ghost Host make an announcement telling everyone that guests that the party is getting ready to begin, and if you were not invited you must exit the park immediately. At 7pm the Ghost Host will welcome all those guests that were invited to attend a Halloween welcome. The ilghting changes with special effects being seen all over the park and Cinderella's Castle will have a few special effects throughout the evening. The soundtrack heard throughout the park also changes to a more spooky Halloween theme that can be  heard all around Magic Kingdom. 
Have FUN and go in costume! Costumes are not required but are definitely part of the fun of Halloween for children and adults alike. You will see your favorite Disney characters dressed in their Halloween costumes all around the park. Some families will pick a theme with their costumes and some won't, but it's so much fun to walk around and see it all. If you do want to attend in your costume Disney does have a few policy guidelines regarding costumes that must be followed. You cannot have a mask that covers your entire face, you must be able to move yourself through the park safely, no excessively torn clothing, nothing objectionable or obscene language or graphics, objectionable tattoos are banned, and any attire that could be deemed inappropriate for a family environment by exposing excessive portions of skin. These guidelines can be found on the official Disney site. During regular operating hours these policies regarding costumes are enforced  "Adults can visit the parks if their hair (or make-up, if applicable) resembles a Disney Princess or character, provided that they are not also wearing a costume or clothed to look like a character. " But, during  the MNSSHP, you are given more freedom and there are several Disney characters being represented at this event and some are exceptional! You do not get this opportunity to dress as you favorite Disney character, including hair, make-up and costume, very often so take advantage of it and have fun.  "For the safety of yourself and other guests, please choose a costume that is not obstructive." 
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Special character meet and greet opportunities that you will ONLY see at the party! This is the one time that you will have the chance to meet certain characters that only come out for this event, and this is a favorite thing for most Disney fans to get to do. This year Prince Eric will be joining Ariel, Belle will be with Gaston, Jack is with Sally along with some of your favorite villains and Mickey and the gang are all out to greet their party Guests. 

NEW for this year to the character line up is "Moana," If you'd like to meet Moana and have your picture taken with her you will need to be in line early as the line begins forming around 5:00pm in Adventureland.  Cruelle De Ville will have her very own stand alone spot to meet guests, give her autograph and have your picture taken with her. Jack Skellington, Sally and the Seven Dwarfs are always in high demand, so be prepared to be in line around 5:30pm for their 7pm appearance. Capt. Jack Sparrow will make his appearance at the party as well, but sometimes he arrives fashionably late. You can expect most of the characters to be available throughout the evening with some lines closing at 11pm and 11:30pm for guest meet and greets.  
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Mickey's Boo to You Halloween Parade happens twice during the party. The first parade will be at 9:15 pm and 11:15 pm. You will want to find a spot, preferably near the castle hub or Main St. U.S.A. at least an hour prior to the parade starting. The parade will begin in Frontierland and be led by the Headless Horsemen making his ride along the parade route. Note: If the pavement is wet, due to rain etc, he will not ride.  You can expect to see your classic Disney characters, Disney villains on floats, the grave diggers dressed in black with spooky make-up on their faces carrying and dragging shovels and be sure not to miss the Haunted Mansion float! Be sure to catch the Zootopia Party Patrol on Main Street U.S.A. before the parade begins. Be sure to check the Times Guide for exact appearance times. 
Happy Hall-o-Wishes fireworks spectacular will be take place at 10:15 pm. The Haunted Mansion's Ghost Host welcomes you to the show where the Disney villains fill the sky with fireworks and remixes of their theme songs. This is a definitely not to be missed attraction for the evening. You want to make sure that you are in front of the castle for the fireworks and not behind it. You will not get the full experience of what it looks like  unless you are viewing it from somewhere in front of the castle.  A really good spot to be is near Casey's Corner. Get ready for a spectacular 180 degree fireworks show all around you! 
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Lots of entertainment all around the park throughout the party with a special dance party throughout the night where you can meet more of your favorite out of this world characters at the Rockettower Stage in Tomorrowland and dance the night away with characters from Monster's Inc and Toy Story.

Head on over to Frontierland and catch the Cadaver Dans, a quartet of dead cowboys and sound a bit like the Dapper Dans, that sing and interact with Guests. You can get over your fear of talking to dead cowboys after having some "not so scary" fun with them. 
Hocus Pocus and the Sanderson sisters are going to take over the castle stage. They return to the mortal world for one night every Halloween night to throw the best evil Halloween party this side of the graveyard. The villains help to cast the Hocus Pocus potion to cast a spell on the partygoers. Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent will be in attendance to assist. The show will feature dancers, projections and other special effects. There are several shows throughout the night, so you have a few opportunities to see this fun show at 8:00 pm, 9:40 pm, 10:20 pm and 12:00 am.
Take a stroll by the Haunted Mansion and you will see the butlers and maids of the mansion have some extra ghostly make-up on for this party, and enjoy a couple of special visitors only seen at the Halloween party.  Madame Carlotta and Madame Ranata take turns coming out of the mansion to sit outside on a bench in front of the Haunted Mansion. They don't always get along so well, so you will not see them together at the same time, but do plan to stop by and say, "Hello," and enjoy a fun interaction with these two ghostly ladies of the mansion. 
Tip:  If you stand near the exit for Haunted Mansion when the Madam's are going "off stage" and they will stop for a photo with you if you'd like. 
Special magic photos taken only during the party by Disney's Photo Pass photographers! I highly encourage you to take advantage of all the special magic photo opportunities because they are so much fun to see how they turn out.

Here's the line-up for this year's special Photo Pass shots. All photos taken during the party are included in your Memory Maker photo package, and you will be able to view them in your Photo Pass account. 
  • Headless Horseman Magic Shot: Front of the park before entering either tunnel into Town Square
  • Haunted Mansion Animated Magic Shot: In Town Square looking down Main Street U.S.A
  • Haunted Mansion Dancing Ghosts Animated Magic Shot: Find any Photo Pass photographer on Main Street U.S.A.
  • Dancing Skeleton Special Magic Shot: Outside Ariel's Grotto in Fantasyland
  • Haunted Mansion Ghost Coach Driver Magic Shot:  Area by queue of the Haunted Mansion (FP line)
  • NEW Spooky Lantern Photo Op: Near Rapunzel's Tower and Haunted Mansion
  • Three Hitchhiker Ghosts:  Near Haunted Mansion  
Go trick-or treating at the (11) stations all around the park. You will see markers indicating where each of the trick-or-treat stations are located. Early in the evening you will have longer waits and the Cast Member tend to hand out less candy per guest however, if you wait and go later in the evening you will find little to no wait and the Cast Members tend to hand out handfuls of candy into your treat bag. The treat bags that are giving out as you enter Magic Kingdom tend to be small, and you will have the opportunity to get a LOT of candy, so it's a really good idea to bring your own backpack to unload the extra candy and any other specially themed merchandise you may purchase during the evening. 

If anyone in your party has a food allergy, don't worry Disney has you covered! Tell the Cast Member at the trick-or-treat station that you have a food allergy, and you will be given a "teal" colored treat bag to signal that you need allergy-friendly treats. There are two stations this year designated as allergy-friendly but you can trick-or-treat at all the stations and receive a teal token which can be redeemed for treats at either of the allergy-friendly stations. They are giving out special allergy-friendly candy bars, packs of cookies and organic allergy-friendly gummy worms! 
Counter service locations will be open around the park for quick service dining, special merchandise can be found, as well as Halloween-inspired sweet treats! 

I hope you have a Spooktacular time at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party 2017! If you are not currently planned to attend but would like to, please let me know. I'd be happy to assist you with planning a magical vacation. Be sure to check out the video below for a look at this year's party event and lots of great Tips! 

Cindy 
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Author

Cindy Poche, Affiliate of Ears of Experience, LLC and Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.  I love planning trips and traveling so helping others plan a great trip experience is something that I truly enjoy doing.  The research and planning process is half the fun for me. It all begins with a plan!! 

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