Blog - Mickey's Dream Vacations

Agent Spotlight featuring Kristy

4/30/2016

Where do you live? Baton Rouge, LA

Tell us about you and your family...... My husband is Brad and we have 2 daughters, Abby (12) & Karlie (11) along with many fur babies.

What is your kids favorite part of Disney? Everything!

What is your favorite Disney Destination and Why? Disney World because there is something to do for everyone no matter what age you are.

What is your favorite NON Disney Destination? What do you like about it? Roatan, Honduras because it is stunningly beautiful and the place I can relax the best.

Favorite WDW Resort? Port Orleans Riverside

Favorite Disney:

Ride - Rock N Roller Coaster
Snack - Mickey Ice Cream Bar
Restaurant - Tusker House Character Breakfast
Shows - Magic Kingdom Fireworks
Experiences - Hoop De Doo
Character - Mickey Mouse
Movie - Finding Nemo

When was the first time you went to Disney? When I saw 7 year old

Where all have you traveled? Disney World, Disney Cruise, Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, Belize, Aruba, Bonaire, Bahamas, Grand Turk, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Colorado, California, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Texas

What destinations are on your bucket list? Bora Bora & Ireland

Best tip for your clients? Make as many memories as possible because that is one of the only things that can not be taken away from you.

Favorite part of your job? Talking to my clients about their trips and hearing the excitement in their voice!

If you are planning a vacation soon I would love to help you with all the details. Let me do all the work so you can sit back and enjoy!

Kristy
Mickey's Dream Vacations
225-505-0452
www.facebook.com/disneykristy

What to do in Disney if it rains!?!?!

4/28/2016

You plan your trip to Disney World, most likely way far in advance, you countdown the days and finally you are at Disney! If you are anything like me, I always come in the night before my first park day so I can wake up and already be checked into my resort and ready for our first character breakfast. You get up and open your door and it's raining! Your first thought is to panic, maybe even cry, but no worries there are tons of things to do on a rainy day.

First things first, put on your poncho and keep it moving. As long as it's not thundering and lightening, most of the rides will stay open. Some people will run for cover and you can use this time to enjoy shorter lines or even get on a ride that gets you wet since you are wet anyway!

If you're not really into getting soaked, all 4 parks have indoor attractions to enjoy... especially Magic Kingdom. There is Space Mountain, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and the list goes on. Most of Epcot's main attractions are indoors such as Mission Space, Spaceship Earth and Soarin'. Hollywood Studios' most popular attractions, Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Rollercoaster and Toy Story Midway Mania are all indoors. Animal Kingdom probably has the least indoor rides, but if you get caught in the rain there you can always catch the Festival of the Lion King or Finding Nemo the Musical.

If you have planned down days and want to try and save your park tickets for better weather, go to Disney Springs or tour the resorts. You can bowl at Splitsville, catch a movie at the AMC movie theater, do some shopping or have lunch at one of the many delicious restaurants located in Disney Springs or at one of the Disney resorts.
Most importantly, enjoy your vacation and the time with your family. Memories made at Disney are once in a lifetime memories, don't let the rain (or anything else) spoil your fun!

Contact me today to plan your next dream vacation!
Lesley
lesley@mickeysdreamvacations.com
229-809-0725

Disney Cruising

4/20/2016

A Disney cruise is a great place to spend your vacation. I’ve been able to experience 10 different Disney cruises so far. The European cruises have been my favorites. You get to visit different cities almost every day. I’ve been on both a Mediterranean and a Baltic cruise. Both were amazing! I really liked getting to see Florence & Pisa on the Mediterranean cruise. On the Baltic cruise I was able to see a Russian ballet on my 16th birthday in St. Petersburg.

The cruise ships have amazing food and a really relaxing atmosphere. The kids clubs always have something fun to do. Also, as an avid lover of theatre I really love watching the Broadway style productions that are performed in the Walt Disney Theatre. They also have first run Disney movies on the ship. On our last cruise we saw the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens the day it was released.

I would highly recommend going on a Disney cruise. They are fantastic!

~Alyssa
Daughter of Sherri, Dream Maker
sherri@gomdv.com

Trail's End Restaurant

4/18/2016

Trails End is a buffet with fried chicken that was cooked to perfection and the corn was very tasty. When I went I had fried chicken, grilled chicken, noodles with tomato sauce, noodles with cheese, and corn. The corn was so yummy and the fried chicken was the best I’ve ever had. Drinks were given in mason jars, and that really added to the theme of the restaurant. They also had beef brisket, mashed potatoes, a baked potato bar, soups and lots of salads. For dessert I had vanilla ice cream. There was ice cream with a topping bar and a huge dessert table that featured mini cheesecakes and chocolate chip cookies.

The atmosphere is fun and has a western feel to it. The service was superb. While we waited for our table I played checkers with my mom on the porch. They also had other things for the kids to play with on the porch. There is also a playground with slides nearby that my little brother loved.

When we were done eating dinner we walked around the campground and looked at the Christmas decorations.

I definitely recommend eating here because the food was amazing!

~Mikey
Son of agency owner Meg Kinnerk.
meg@gomdv.com

Visit Colorado!

4/12/2016

My family and I just went on our annual family vacation to Breckenridge, CO. Most people say I don't know how to ski or there is nothing to do besides skiing. There is so much more to do and you are missing a wonderful vacation of you don't experience it!

Skiing is one of the main reasons people come to Breckenridge but if you do not know how to ski they have top notch instructors here for all ages and any level ski experience you have. There is also snowmobiling for all ages, a wonderful selection of dining and shopping in downtown Breckenridge, tubing, ice skating, dog sledding, and much more!

Breckenridge is also a great summer vacation destination offering white water rafting, horse back riding, jeep tours, bike tours, and more.

Beaver Run Resort is our choice when staying here. It's a ski in/ski out resort in the heart of Breckenridge. They offer a free resort shuttle to anywhere in the downtown area so you never have to worry about driving. They have an indoor pool, first class spa, restaurants, and arcade just to name a few amenities.

For your next Colorado vacation contact me for all your questions and let me help you make a great memory for your family.

Kristy
Mickey's Dream Vacations
225-505-0452
kristy@gomdv.com
www.facebook.com/disneykristy

New Adventures for Disney Cruise Line Coming in 2017

4/12/2016

Exciting summer season includes new itineraries in Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean and new ports of call
In 2017, Disney Cruise Line will sail on new itineraries and to new ports, including first-time visits to new destinations in Alaska and Europe. That summer, Disney Cruise Line also returns to Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Bookings open to the public April 14, 2016.

New Alaska itinerary: Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will take guests to Alaska’s Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier. These dramatic locations are part of a new nine-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder. Departing from Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 24, 2017, this itinerary also sails to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Tracy Arm Fjord.
Icy Strait Point offers a variety of Alaska nature adventures, including a zip line attraction that is one of the longest and highest zip lines in the world. Nearby, Glacier Bay National Park is a spectacular highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another highlight of this cruise is seeing Hubbard Glacier, the largest and most active tidewater glacier in North America. Displaying extraordinary blue hues and immense beauty, this spectacular glacier is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean.
A new seven-night Alaska sailing from Vancouver, departing July 17, 2017, includes a call on Icy Strait Point, in addition to Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. On Aug. 2, 2017, the Disney Wonder will sail its first five-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Tracy Arm and Ketchikan.

New Europe destinations: Amsterdam and Stonehenge
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will visit Amsterdam, Netherlands, known for its elaborate canal system, tulip fields, windmills and world-class museums housing works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.
On May 13, 2017, the Disney Magic embarks on a 15-night transatlantic crossing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Copenhagen, with a stop in Amsterdam along the way. This itinerary also includes a call on Portland, England – another first-time port for Disney Cruise Line. Portland is a short distance from Stonehenge, the prehistoric ring of standing stones monument that is one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World.
A visit to Amsterdam also will be part of a 10-night northern Europe itinerary that departs June 18, 2017, from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Dover, England. Other ports on this sailing include Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Tallinn, Estonia.
The grand tour of Europe continues throughout the summer with limited engagements in the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, Iceland, British Isles and the Mediterranean.

New Disney Fantasy itineraries: Southern Caribbean
For the first time, the Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral on longer itineraries – new 10- and 11-night cruises to the southern Caribbean.
On June 17, 2017, a new 11-night itinerary will visit Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, Tortola and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
On June 28, 2017, a new 10-night itinerary will call on Aruba, Curacao, St. Kitts, Tortola and Castaway Cay.

More Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, is consistently rated a top port-of-call by Disney Cruise Line guests. To give guests more time at this island paradise, select Disney Dream sailings from Port Canaveral will include two stops at Castaway Cay.
Special five-night sailings, departing June 2, 11, 16, 25, 30 and July 9, 2017, will call on Castaway Cay twice and include a stop in Nassau, Bahamas.
Special four-night sailings, departing June 7, 21 and July 5, 2017, will visit Castaway Cay twice, also with a stop in Nassau.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, fill out this form here.

Fastpass+ Enhancements

4/10/2016

Starting April 10, 2016 you will notice the following enhancements to how they make selections:

You will now be able to choose individual experiences and times, and will no longer need to make all selections for the same day at the same time.
While you will continue to be able to select up to three experiences in advance, you now will be able to book fewer than three selections, if desired.
In addition, when you have used their first three selections, you will now be able to make an additional selection via the mobile app, in addition to in-park kiosks. Once you’ve used the fourth, you will be able to select another, and so on.

Take a look at this video to get a closer look at these enhancements.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party vs Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

4/9/2016

I know some people who live for Halloween and others who will happily go into poverty to decorate for Christmas. As for me, I love Disney. I love holidays. Combine them both and I am one extremely happy camper! Since I don’t live in Florida, like most of us reading this blog, saving up money for a well-timed Disney trip can be a little nerve-wracking. I like to get my money’s worth out of my trips but when you can only afford one trip, tough decisions must be made. My conflict lies in between going to Disney during the Halloween season or for the Christmas season.

In the past, I have attended both of the Magic Kingdom’s Halloween & Christmas parties – both are spectacular! Faced with a decision of when to go, I will always make the choice to go during one of these holidays. The tough part is choosing which one.

Both parties have a unique parade tailored to each holiday theme.

The Not So Scary party is headlined by the Boo to You Parade which features a real live Headless Horseman, a Haunted Mansion float, and a parade of Disney villains.
The Christmas Parade features popular holiday jingles, Marching Toy Soldiers, gingerbread men, reindeer and Santa Claus. It even ‘snows’ on Main Street.

For me, it’s a TIE.

Both parties feature a holiday themed fireworks display.
A villain takeover highlights the Halloween party
A Frozen theme has headlined the Christmas version.
While both firework displays are quite similar, I like the theming better for Halloween.
Free treats are given away at both events.

I enjoy the ‘trick or treating’ element of following the map all around the park to get handfuls of candy (not that cheap loser-candy, either).
That said, coming from the Midwest, getting hot chocolate & warm cookies brings back the feelings of being a little kid and snuggling up with my family to watch those cherished Rankin Bass Christmas Specials.
Tough choice but handfuls of chocolate goodies and an interactive ‘treasure map’ to where the free Halloween candy is a bit more fun. Halloween party gets my vote.

There’s always been something about the atmosphere at Disney Parks that out-shines any other park.
During the Halloween season, fall colors and jack o’ lanterns dominate Main Street USA. Everyone is invited to dress up and channel their inner-child to join in on the trick or treating and then watch as the not-so-scarier side of Disney takes center stage.

During the Christmas season, everyone seems to be in a better, almost jolly mood. A giant Christmas Tree greets guests as they enter the park (instantly setting the mood for their visit), Holiday music is gently pumped into the background and holiday wreaths line Main Street. The bonus is that you have the atmosphere of winter without the freezing temperatures!
Point goes to Christmas!

Let’s face it, if you’re going to Disney World, you HAVE to hit more than one park! Here is where the extras kick in…
While the Magic Kingdom has the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party, none of the other parks go out of their way for the holiday (now, if I factored a trip to Universal Studios for their Halloween Horror Nights, this could change the entire blog).

During Christmas time, not only is the Magic Kingdom decorated for the holiday, but all of the hotels are! You could spend an entire day wandering from hotel to hotel drinking in the holiday spirit. You could also visit Epcot’s World Showcase and experience Christmas around the world.
Christmas dominates this round!

All tied up!

For me, this is the deciding factor…. Cinderella's Castle all lit up for Christmas, it's simply breath-taking and worth the trip in itself.

But, you are not me. Which holiday party do you prefer? What is the deciding factor when it comes to your trip? I (and all my readers) would love to know! Go ahead, influence us!

Lissy
lissy@gomdv.com

New Aquatic Play Area Opens at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

4/8/2016

Just in time for warm summer days, there’s a new space at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter that’s just for little ones who like to splash around and stay cool.

Decked out in the bold hues of Mardi Gras gold, purple and green, this new aquatic play area lets guests 48 inches and under enjoy water slides that are just their size, play with fun water cannons, and splish-splash among fountains.

The new area is located next to the whimsical Doubloon Lagoon pool, so you and your little ones can easily go back and forth between these two water-filled spots while staying at this resort.

Get a quote on your next trip here.

Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival

4/5/2016

The Flower and Garden Festival takes place each Spring at Epcot. The fun is in full bloom as this year’s festival started on March 2 and is scheduled to continue through May 30. If you have never been able to attend you are missing out. Festival Highlights include

Educational designer presentations -

- Themed flower and garden displays where you'll learn new tips and techniques you can try at home
- Interactive play areas for kids
- Topiary displays of Disney characters
- An energetic concert series featuring live performances of popular hits

What is not to love about delicious food, gorgeous flowers and awesome music and entertainment? Each weekend a different band will take the stage at the American Gardens Theater to entertain festival goers. Here is the remaining line up for this year’s festival

  April 8-10 - The Guess Who "American Woman"
  April 15-17 - NEW! Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice "Spinning Wheel"
  April 22-24 - NEW! BRIAN HOWE, former lead singer of Bad Company "Can't Get Enough"
  April 29-May 1 - NEW! Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands to Yourself"
  May 6-8 - Gin Blossoms "Hey Jealousy"
  May 13-15 - NEW! Darlene Love "Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home"
  May 20-22 - Night Ranger "Sister Christian"
  May 27-30 (Monday) - The Spinners "Working My Way Back to You"

It’s not too late to plan a last minute trip to take in the 2016 Festival. Festival is included with park admission. Contact your MDV agent for more details! amy@mickeysdreamvacations.com

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