And words can’t describe the joy that I felt watching her dance.

A Disney World vacation can be a little overwhelming for anyone.  If someone in your family has special needs, it can be very stressful.  Here are a few tips and tricks to a calmer Disney vacation:

Watch YouTube videos.  This sounds a little strange, but if you want your child to have an idea of what to expect before your Disney vacation, watch YouTube videos of anything you think he or she would enjoy.  Watch videos of people riding the teacups or Dumbo or meeting Mickey Mouse.  His or her reaction to the video will give you an idea of how he or she will handle the situation and will also give your child an understanding of what to expect.

Travel during the off season.  The Florida heat can be hard on anyone, but it is especially difficult if you live in a much cooler climate.  If possible, travel during the off season when the weather will be cooler.  Dress in light colored clothing, wear sun hats, and plenty of sun screen.  Make sure everyone in your family drinks lots of water to stay hydrated as well.  Traveling during the off season also means smaller crowds and smaller wait times, both of which can be overwhelming and stressful.

Start at a smaller park.  Naturally, you want to spend your first park day at the Magic Kingdom.  However, this park can be overwhelming if you have never been to a theme park and don’t know what to expect.  Try your first day at Epcot instead.  There aren’t as many rides, and the ones that do not have a height requirement were very tame and have a very little wait times.  Most of the character meet and greets were outdoors and had short lines.  You will be able to walk your child past see who the character is and understand that you are standing in line for that character.  After your first day, you will know what works for your child and what doesn’t and can adjust your plan for the rest of your vacation from there.

Try to stick with your schedule.  If you eat meals at a certain time of day, try to schedule your meals at Disney World around the same time.  If you child takes a nap, try to head back to hotel around the same time for quiet time.  Kids find comfort in routine.

Take advantage of Disney’s Baby Care Centers.  All four of the parks at Disney World have a baby care center location.  The baby care centers are complimentary to use and includes a private nursing room with rocking chairs, changing room with tables and a unisex bathroom, feeding area with highchairs, kitchen with microwave, oven and sink, and main room with television, table, chairs and sofa.  These areas are perfect for taking a quiet break or heating up a quick snack.  A friend of my has a five year old son with Autism and said these were amazing and that she utilized them frequently.  Her son will only eat macaroni and cheese.  She was able to take some Kraft Easy Mac with her and heat it up for him and feed him the in baby care centers.  It was also a great place to cool off and have some quiet time when he began to get overwhelmed.

Get a Guest Assistance Card.  On your first day at one of the Disney parks, stop by Guest Relations with your child.  Explain to the cast member your child’s needs (or have a doctor’s note explaining your child’s needs) and ask for a Guest Assistance Card (GAC).  The cast member will then fill out a Guest Assistance Card with your child’s name, the dates of your vacation, and the number of guest in your party.  The Guest Assistance Card is valid for up to five additional people.  The card is valid for the entire length of your stay, so you will not need to get a new card at every park you visit.  There are three different colored cards:  red, green, and white.  Disney is pretty quiet about what the different colors are for.  If anyone has any information on this, I would love it hear it.  The Guest Assistance Card will then allow you to enter an alternative entrance for certain rides, character meet and greets, and attractions as well as special seating for certain shows.

Avoid the fireworks and parades.  If you child does not deal with crowds and loud noises well, avoid the fireworks and parades.  Try to leave the parks before the fireworks begin to avoid the crowds leaving the park at closing as well.

What have you found that works or does not work for your family on a Disney vacation?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

Yep, we are still on vacation.  It’s been great and very much needed. We have been able to visit with lots of family and relax.

We have visited Niagara Falls twice.  It’s gorgeous and the kids really enjoyed seeing it at night when they shine colors on it.

I am not as fond of all the big bridges on the drive over, though!

Then we headed on to visit my husband’s grandmother.  When we got here, the first thing we did was visit All That Chocolate for some sponge candy.  It’s a wonderful treat that we can’t get here in Georgia!  We were lucky enough to stop by and they still had a few boxes since it’s normally only available in the cooler months.

Other than that, we’ve been relaxing and eating 🙂  There is a little ice cream shop a short walk away that the kids are loving!

Even Kaya enjoyed a little bit of ice cream!

Hope ya’ll are having a great week as well!

Yep, this Georgia peach and her family are currently visiting family in New York.  The road trip up was crazy but fun, seeing as we packed our family of 6 plus Grandma, plus a german shepherd into a mini van.  Yep, that’s proof indeed that we are crazy.

 

Above is a photo of my 4 kiddos on the left with my cousin’s son.  We spent the day together yesterday and went to the Charlotte pier in Rochester.  It  was fun to let the kids play in the lake for a little bit and we even got to see a Sheriff boat pull over someone going way too fast around the pier.  Someone apparently didn’t realize it is just 5mph around there!

 

After walking on the pier, we went and rode the carousel.  This is the same carousel that my mom rode when she was a little girl.  My mom grew up right in Rochester.

 

We are having a blast and heading to Niagara Falls today.  My assistant Edith may post some or I may post some later, but for the most part, I’m on vacation this week 🙂

Anyone else on vacation this week?  Where are you?

 

My friend Janet has been making her own laundry detergent for a couple years now.  I went shopping with her one day when she was getting the ingredients and after hearing how incredibly simple it is, I decided to give it a shot.  She was right – super easy and is lasting me forever!

When you go down the laundry isle, pretty much all the ingredients are right next to each other so it’s simple to find.

Here’s her recipe:

• 1- 4lb 12 oz box of 20 Mule Team Borax
• 1 – 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda
• 1 – 3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
• 1 – 3lb container Oxy-Clean
• 4 – bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated
• 1 – large bottle of Purex Crystals in your favorite scent

Mix all the ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag. Close the bag securely and juggle back and forth until it is completely mixed. Scoop out into ziplock bags or a sealed bucket.  Use 2-3 tablespoons per wash!

Easy and affordable!  This amount should last you a while.  It has lasted my friend Janet’s family of 6 (now 7!) over a year!

Depending on what time of year you visit Walt Disney World, it could rain frequently. Usually the rain doesn’t last long; however, it could put a damper on your vacation. Don’t let it! Most people leave the parks when it begins to rain. On our October 2012 trip to Disney World, it rained every day. On our last day at Animal Kingdom, there was a downpour. We hid out in a gift shop for a while, but it began to get crowded and expensive (my kids wanted everything in there). We decided to put on our ponchos and make a run for Finding Nemo: The Musical. The show wasn’t very crowded, and when we left, the rain had stopped. Some of the attractions had closed for the day and most people had left the park. We were able to ride Expedition Everest twice back to back without a wait and were only one of two families eating at Restaurantosaurus. Here is a breakdown of indoor rides, restaurants, shows, and activities you can do to make the most of your Disney vacation on a rainy day.

Magic Kingdom:

What to ride: Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, It’s A Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Under the Sea Journey of The Little Mermaid, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

What to see: Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, Stitch’s Great Escape, Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Enchanted Tales with Belle

Where to eat: Casey’s Corner (limited indoor seating), Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, The Diamond Horseshoe, Gaston’s Tavern, Main Street Bakery (limited indoor seating), Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Tomorrowland Terrace (covered outdoor seating), Tortuga Tavern

Who to see: Ariel at Her Grotto, Disney Pals (Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Donald Duck) as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Sideshow, Mickey Mouse and Disney Princesses at Town Square Theater, Disney Fairies at Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook

Other activities: The Enchanted Tiki Room, Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, Tomorrowland Arcade

Epcot:

What to ride: Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Living with the Land, Maelstrom, Mission: SPACE, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Soarin’, Spaceship Earth

What to see: Captain EO, The Circle of Life, Impressions de France, O Canada, Reflections of China, The American Adventure, Turtle Talk with Crush, Voices of Liberty, The Spirit of Norway

Where to eat: Electric Umbrella, Katsura Grill, La Cantina de San Angel (indoor seating available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM), Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie (limited indoor seating), Liberty Inn, Sommerfest, Sunshine Seasons

Who to see: Disney Pals (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy) at the Epcot Character Spot

Other activities: Kidcot Fun Stops, Club Cool, American Heritage Gallery, Bijutsu-kan Gallery, Gallery of Arts and History, House of the Whispering Willows, Mexico Folk Art Gallery, Stave Church Gallery

Hollywood Studios:

What to ride: The Great Movie Ride, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Toy Story Midway Mania, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

What to see: The American Idol Experience, Disney Junior Live on Stage, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Voyage of The Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision 3D, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream

Where to eat: ABC Commissary, Backlot Express (outdoor covered seating), Fairfax Fare (outdoor covered seating), Pizza Planet, Studio Catering Co. (outdoor covered seating)

Who to see: Buzz Lightyear and Woody at Pixar Place, The Incredibles at The Magic of Disney Animation, Sorcerer Mickey at The Magic of Disney Animation

Other activities: American Film Institute Showcase, The Magic of Disney Animation, Pizza Planet Arcade

 Animal Kingdom:

What to ride: Dinosaur

What to see: Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Musical, It’s Tough to be a Bug

Where to eat: Flame Tree Barbecue (outdoor covered seating), Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes (outdoor covered seating)

Who to see: Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Adventurers Outpost

Other activities: Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

I’m sure you’ve noticed that there hasn’t been many posts the past several days. That’s because this sweet girl of mine turned FOUR on Friday! She was just a little baby when I started this blog!

For her birthday, she wanted to go to the East Athens Splash Pad.  It actually worked out great for a birthday party!  Since we had her party on a Friday, it was only $30 for 4 hours for the pavilion next to the splash pad.  Then it was just $1 per kid to enter the splash pad! She could invite all her little friends without it costing a fortune!

For lunch, we did Papa John’s pizza.  We didn’t see any deals, but my mom went to the store in person and inquired about order 6 large pizzas.  They ended up giving them to her for $6 per cheese and $7 per pepperoni!  That’s a good deal!  So if you’re ever wondering about getting pizza for a party, head on over in person or call on the phone to talk to a manager and see what sort of deal they can give you on a big pizza order.

 

I was worried about the icing melting on her cupcakes so we ended up doing a “Create Your Own Cookie/Cupcake” thing and the kids loved it.  I loved not having to transport cupcakes and worrying about icing issues 🙂

All in all great party! I’d definitely recommend doing a splash pad party if you need to stick to a budget!

If you have been following this series, you should have already made your budget, decided when you are going, how you are getting there, food options, and where you are staying for your Disney World vacation. Today we will be discussing the importance of hiring an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

What is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is a travel agency who has received special training and recognition from Disney. Whether you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World or a trip on a Disney Cruise, we know Disney vacations inside and out!

Why should you hire an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? First of all, our services are FREE for you to use! We are commissioned by Disney, so Disney pays our commission, not you! You can also pay for your Disney vacation as you go, similar to a lay away system. All you need is a $200 deposit to secure your reservation. After that, you can make payments as you please. Your package must be paid in full 45 days before your check in date.

Destinations in Florida also offers many other FREE perks for our guests. Our most popular is FREE discount watch. Say, for example, when you make your deposit for your Disney vacation Disney does not have any discounts available for your travel dates. We will discount watch for you. When a discount becomes available, we will apply that discount to your account on the first day it is available and alert you of your savings! We also offer FREE itinerary planning. As soon as it becomes available, we will let you know the park hours for your travel dates and what the expected crowd levels will be each day. Based on this information, we can help you plan which park will be best to visit each day of your vacation. We can also help with Disney Dining services. We can suggest the best restaurants for your picky eaters or your family members with special dietary needs. We can even make your dining reservations for you up to 180 days in advance! We will also send a few magical surprises for the children in your family to get them excited about your trip!

This concludes our saving for a Disney vacation series. Is there anything we missed? Any other questions you might have? Are there any other destinations you would like to learn more about? Leave a comment below with your questions. If we get enough questions in, we will try to do a question and answers post next week.

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

 

This year, cow appreciation day at Chick-Fil-A is Friday July 12th.  It also happens to be my soon-to-be 4 year old’s birthday!  A few years back I had made the kids each a cow hat to wear, but since then we have had a couple more kids.  This year we are also going simple and creating our own cow masks and doing spots all over.

Here are a few ideas I came across to enjoy Chick-Fil-A on the cheap:

• Cow Mask Printable
• Another Cow Mask Printable

For the body, simple wear a white shirt and pin or tape spots all over.  You could even take some yarn and braid a tail to pin to your behind.  Possibilities are endless!

What are ways you have dressed like a cow before?

 

We are already knocking out the list we created about fun things to do this summer!  We aim to have the most fun possible this summer and make tons of memories.  Here’s an update as we work to conquer each and every one:

1. Play in the sprinkler
2. Make our own bubble solution and blow bubbles
3. Roller skate
4. Go on a hike
5. Ride bikes
6. Go to playground
7. Library summer reading
8. Go to a play
9. Summer movies at theater
10. Put on swimsuits and wash the van
11. Make and eat popsicles
12. Visit a friend
13. Go for icecream at night in our pajamas
14. Sleep under the stars
15. Make a bonfire and roast marshmallows
16. Plant flowers
17. Make our own icecream
18. Visit Grandma’s house
19. Fly a kite
20. Jump rope
21. Paint our own shirts
22. Put together a huge LEGO city
23. Play a board game
24. Bird watch
25. Make a fort out of the couch and blankets
26. Work on our sticker mosaics
27. Put on a play
28. Make a treasure hunt
29. Campout in living room
30. Visit a fire station
31. Go to the zoo
32. Turn on music and dance
33. Have a picnic
34. Go to the lake
35. Write a journal about summer activities
36. Make an obstacle course
37. Create a terrarium
38. Go to a museum
39. Have a yard sale
40. Make a time capsule
41. Paint
42. Learn something new
43. Geocache
44. Watch the sunrise/sunset
45. Water gun fight
46. Play with the dog
47. Hop in the car and go back roads to discover something new
48. Write a poem
49. Invite friends over for a cookout
50. Make a new friend

What have you done so far this summer?