Wordless Wednesday: Emily Gets the ROSE at the Beauty and the Beast Show

Wordless Wednesday:

Emily Gets The Rose

Beauty and the Beast

Hollywood Studios

Wordless Wednesday: Luna Park Pool at Disney's Boardwalk Resort

Disney's Boardwalk Resort

Luna Park Pool 

Em's First Trip Down the Slide!

Photo by Adam Sullivan

Disney World Vacation Day 2 of 16

It's Day #2 of our vacation in Florida. I really love to stay on Disney property and especially at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is one of my favorite resorts. This morning we checked out of Kidani Village and headed to its neighbor, Jambo House. We checked into the top floor of the lodge, the concierge or club level. The room is beautiful and so is the view and so are the amenities that accompany the club level.
Tomorrow I will post about our day at the lodge at club level, since we will enjoying a day just to hang back and relax.
As for today, it was our first day in the parks! Our first stop was to buy a 10 day base ticket. Since we only do one park a day, we always stick to a basic ticket with no extra features. Our family tradition is to try to spend our first and last park day at Magic Kingdom. We hopped on the Disney bus and headed to Magic Kingdom. Emily was ready to burst when she got a slight glimpse of Cinderella's Castle! I must admit, the entire family was pretty thrilled.
We headed directly to Main Street USA for a sight everyone in our family just loves, the castle. Even though it was raining we had to grab a quick photo and then we were off to Adventureland. Of course on the way we had a slight detour to stop and see Snow White. Emily could not resist! A sweet conversation between the two friends and we headed to Pirates of the Caribbean, one of my favorite rides and our first ride of the trip!
As luck would have it, minutes after we exited the ride  the parade was about to begin! The scheduled parade did get cancelled due to rain, but a rainy day version took its place! What a super idea from Disney. No one was disappointed with the substitute!
The rest of our day was spent running between the raindrops! Some our favorite stops were the Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh Ride, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear and The People Mover!
We ended our night by watching the Electric Night Parade then headed back to AKL for some dinner and fun in the lobby! Dare I say, this trip is already going way too fast!
                                                                                                                                                    






To have your own magical vacation check out:
www.waltdisneyworld.com

Disney World Vacation Day 1 of 16

After our big countdown to Disney, the fun day finally arrived! We headed to Orlando via Jet Blue. Not one complaint about the airline. We even landed close to 10 minutes early!
After landing we followed the signs for Disney's Magical Express. It was the first time we ever used it, since it's our first trip without a car! We will be renting a car, but not until next week.
Magical Express was easy to find and took us right to the door of Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Village. The room is themed in African decor and what a view.
Tomorrow we head over to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge's Jambo House. We are looking forward to experiencing the Concierge level for a few nights.
Before that we will be heading to Magic Kingdom for the day! Mickey, here we come!

Disney's Magical Express. It Really Is Magical!

Disney's Magical Express

It Really Is Magical!

Planning a vacation to Disney can be a very exciting event. Disney is somewhere you can visit and experience a trip of a lifetime, or it may be somewhere you go time and time again. No matter how many times you visit Walt Disney World, if you are flying you really should  take advantage of Disney's complimentary service, Disney's Magical Express. 

For the past couple of years that we have gone to Disney we have driven, but with the high price of gas this year we decided to fly. A wonderful perk to flying is not only arriving in 2 hours, but also not having to worry a bit about your luggage. 

As soon as you know you are flying, you can call WDW and inform them that you would like Disney's Magical Express. It is offered to anyone staying at a Disney Resort on property. The cast member will take your flight information, names, etc.

About 2 weeks before your arrival date, the mail will arrive with your Disney Magical Express information. Be sure to check it for accuracy. There will be vouchers for the DME bus and also luggage tags. I absolutely love the tag feature. You simply tag your bag, check it in a the airport, and the next place you see your bag is in your hotel room! Magical? I think so!

A separate vehicle will pick up your luggage and bring it the resort. When you arrive in Orlando, there will be signs all over that point you in the direction of the Magical Express. There is also a map in your mail kit, but you really won't need it, there are plenty of signs.

When you get downstairs in the airport, there is a Disney's Magical Express counter where you can check in. They will direct you to the lane your bus is in. The buses leave about every 15-20 minutes, so you won't be waiting long! There are also an abundance of buses! 

After boarding the bus, it won't be long and you will be on your way. During the 20 minute ride, you can enjoy a warm welcome from the Disney characters via the drop down monitors on the bus. They are timed perfectly to your arrival at the hotel! Magical?

 I think so!

Before you know it you will be at your Disney resort of choice!

Unfortunately, your trip will go just as fast. Well, mine always does anyway. Disney's Magical Express takes care of you for the return trip also. The night before you check out you will receive a note under your hotel door with instructions about the following morning. Only one person from the family has to go downstairs to do the airport/luggage check in. Once again, the bags are tagged, weighed (since there is a 50 lb. weight limit) and you won't see them again until you reach your destination. You can go about the rest of your check out day and just enjoy! The DME  pick up time will be given to you so you know the time to return to your hotel for transportation back to the airport. The time is generally 3 hours before your departure time of the plane. 

Before you know it, you are on your way back to the airport and on your way home. Warning: The trip back to the airport is NOT as much fun as on the way to the resort! There still is an adorable video to watch, but sometimes, in  the bus....tears will be shed.

All and all, Disney's Magical Express really is a wonderful experience! Our family loves it and so will you!

Click her to plan your own magical trip to Disney World.

Disclosure: All opinions are that of MyDVC

Wordless Wednesday:Animal Kingdom Lodge Cookie Decorating

Cookie Decorating at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Every day at 1pm Animal Kingdom Lodge guests can decorate delicious animal shaped cookies to their liking. 

Great activity and pool break from the sun!

Disclosure: All opinions are that of MyDVC