Blog - Mickey's Dream Vacations

Time To Get Spooked

9/16/2016

This is the nation's premier Halloween event and it's not for the faint of heart! On select nights through Halloween night, the streets of Universal Orlando will come alive with all your favorite -- and some not so favorite -- mutants, monsters and maniacs!! There will be horrific haunted houses, creature-filled scare zones, live shows, plus all of your favorite rides and attractions!

You can add this to your current ticket or you can purchase separately for the night of the event without purchasing an all-day theme park ticket.

There is also an option for multi-night tickets:
Rush of Fear Pass - EVERY night for the first 11 nights!
Tickets Valid the First 3 Weekends of the Event!
SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30
OCTOBER 1, 2

Frequent Fear Pass - EVERY Sunday, Wednesday & Thursday event night PLUS the first Friday and Saturday!
SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18, 22, 25, 29
OCTOBER 2, 6, 9, 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 30, 31

Frequent Fear Plus Pass -EVERY Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday event night plus the first Saturday!
SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 29, 30
OCTOBER 2, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31

Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass - ALL event nights!
SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30
OCTOBER 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

There are also upgrades available!!

Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass - Skip the regular lines at participating rides, attractions, and ALL haunted houses!
R.I.P. Tour - The blood red carpet is rolled out with a VIP walking tour of Halloween Horry Nights! VIP entry to haunted houses and select attractionsa nd other exclusive benefits.
Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour - Take a chilling look at how Universal's Art & Design team transforms the biggest names in horror into haunted houses on a lights-on VIP tour (morning and/or afternoon) for up to 15 guests!

These events are NOT recommended for children under 14 - No costumes or masks allowed.

Check with your Nightmare Maker to get your tickets today!!

Jen Morrison
jen@gomdv.com
www.facebook.com/mickeysdreamvacationsbyjen

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Dining Package

9/16/2016

Reservations Now Available for Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Dining Package at Magic Kingdom Park
When you visit Walt Disney World® Resort, they can now enjoy the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom® Park in a whole new way. The new Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Dining Package allows your Clients to indulge in lunch at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant before enjoying VIP viewing of this popular parade.

You can take a mid-day break as you enjoy a delicious three-course lunch, including their choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage from the standard lunch menu at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, which includes hearty Italian favorites such as spaghetti with meatballs, chicken parmigiana and artisanal pizza.

During the meal, they’ll receive a voucher for their reserved viewing of the popular Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade – a magical mix of floats, costumes, music and Characters that celebrates the spirit of Disney.

The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Dining package is $45 for adults and $17 for children (9 and under) plus tax and gratuity. It is one table-service entitlement on the Disney Dining Plan. Contact your Mickey's Dream Vacations agent today to add this to your package. Don't have one? Fill out this form to get started.

Admission to the Magic Kingdom Park is required and is not included in the price of the dining package. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Dining packages will not be refunded due to cancellation or modification. In the event of a parade cancellation due to weather, VIP viewing will be made available for an alternative parade within 5 days of the date the Guest was original scheduled to attend. The dining experience will take place, even in the event that the parade is cancelled.

Fast Passes at Disneyland

9/16/2016

One thing I love about Disneyland is that they still run on the old paper fast pass system. There a some tricks to using the fast passes and making the most out of your trip. We utilize them to make sure we don't stand in lines for longer than 15 minutes! My 4 year old even walks away from a ride line that may seem too long. We've figured out a great system to make it manageable for all of us!

Check out my top 10 tips for using fast passes at Disneyland and standing in as short of lines as possible using the Fast Passes!

1. Keep all the tickets and fast passes together. You have to scan each ticket to get a fast pass so just makes it easier then hunting down everyone's tickets.

2. California Adventure has 3 rides that you can have fast passes for at 1 time. Radiator Spring Racers, World of Color (color coded standing area) & the Frozen show (assigned seating area). I recommend getting at least one of each of these within the first hour of the park opening.

3. Always check the ride wait times on the Disney app or Touring plans to make sure you're not getting a fast pass for a ride that's line is shorter than 15 minutes.

4. Check the bottom portion of the fast pass to see what time you can get a new fast pass. It's usually right as your fast pass entry time for the current fast pass. Sometimes they will let you overlap on the busier days at Disneyland.

5. Use the Magic Mornings to go on rides without fast passes such as Matterhon, Fantasyland rides at Disneyland, & Toy Story Mania at California Adventure.

6. Schedule a World of Color dining package for a special seating area that you'll get at dinner. There is also firework dinner shows for the Disneyland fireworks. Getting that special seating area will save you time waiting around for the best spot prior to the show. You will see several families waiting up to 2 hours before parades and shows for this. Enjoy an early dinner, and get the fast pass!! It's well worth it!

7. Tower of Terror, and Raditor Spring Racers in California Adventure & Space Mountain and Indiana Jones in Disneyland run out of fast passes so make sure you make them a priority in the first half of your day.

8. If you have younger children with you, make sure you ask for the Parent Swap pass as you enter a ride. This is essential to make sure both parents can go on the ride and gives up to 2 other people the chance to ride with that parent waiting with the young child.

9. You can use the Parent Swap pass immediately or later on that night but it is only good for that same day.

10. Make sure you watch the times on the fast passes. They are very strict about them!

Hope you have a great time and enjoy your next trip to Disney!

Jenny Jensen
Mickey's Dream Vacations
ph#: (808) 489-6621

Website: www.mickeysdreamvacations.com
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByJenny

The Windows on Main Street, USA - Walt Disney World

9/14/2016

Every time I visit the Magic Kingdom I like to slowly stroll down Main Street, USA and take a peek at the windows up on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the buildings. Did you know that the names up there are hidden tributes to the men and women who made the Disney parks what they are today? Walt was creative when he designed this! I like to think of it as the "ending credits" - like what you see in a movie!

The first window you should notice is located in the train station, right before you walk into the park. Walt is named as the Chief Engineer, and rightfully so. Disney World was Walt's vision from beginning to end, and he was truly tasked with 'keeping the dreams on track', as the window says.

Walt's brother Roy O. Disney also has a window. He was Walt's partner and planned on retiring but after Walt passed away he decided to keep the dream alive! He continued with the 'Florida Project' and saw it through to completion.

Here is a list of some of the other windows on Main Street, USA:

Elias Disney - Walt's son
Roy E. Disney - Walt's nephew
Don Tatum - first president & chairman of the board of Walt Disney Productions
Roy Davis, Bob Price & Bob Foster - pseudonyms for Roy O. Disney & Bob Foster when they would visit FL to purchase the land for WDW
Gen. Joe Potter - 1st official Disney Cast Member in Florida. He was the man in charge of construction and would later become the Senior VP of WDW.
B. Baker, B. Jackman & G. Bruns - These 3 men composed a lot of the music you hear in the parks
"Fashions by John" - This window honors the original costume department of WDW
Frank Wells - Former Walt Disney Company President & CEO
Walter E. Disney - Walt's window that overlooks the castle and the main hub. It also pays tribute to the Imagineers who helped make Magic Kingdom what it is today!

Do you want to learn more about the hidden gems in Disney? Contact me to plan your next Disney vacation and I will share more Disney "secrets".

Lisa Liptak
lisa@gomdv.com
www.facebook.com/mickeysdreamvacationsbylisa

Wilderness Lodge Flag Family

9/13/2016

One of the cool things about The Wilderness Lodge is that each morning the American Flag is raised on the roof of the resort. One of the cooler things is that a family is chosen to climb to the roof with the Ranger and raise the flag. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in November 2014 and asked at check-in if there was availability to have this honor while we stayed there. A quick call to Ranger Jack was made and, and although the roster was full, we were asked to be the second family on a special day…Tuesday, November 11th….Veteran's Day. What a special moment this would be for our family!

That morning, we climbed the stairs with Ranger Jack, who had shared so many Disney stories with us. It was a steep climb but when we made it to the top, it was breathtaking. I was so excited for my son to help raise the flag that I didn't think about the amazing views we would be seeing. Simply phenomenal.

Once my son (who was 4 at the time) raised the flag, we said the Pledge of Allegiance and he was presented with a certificate. We were allowed to take several pictures during this experience and it was truly a day we will never forget ºoº

I love giving my clients some ideas on how to add a little magic to your vacation! Feel free to contact me at any time!

Jen Morrison
jen@gomdv.com
www.mickeysdreamvacations.com
www.facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByJen
www.twitter.com/mdvbyjen
www.pinterest.com/mdvbyjen

Good-Bye Fulton's Crab House --- Hello Paddlefish!

9/10/2016

I can't lie….I was a little sad when I heard Fulton's Crab House was closing for refurbishment. Then when I heard it wasn't reopening but instead it would be Paddlefish, I was devastated. It always seemed to be where the family went when we were in Disney Springs (or back then, Downtown Disney, together).

I've mourned and now that Paddlefish will be opening at the end of November and I'm excited! The inside is now so modern and sleek! There are some similarities in the menu with some enhancements! The Lobster Boil looks amazing and the Signature Mac and Cheese is already making my mouth water! Fresh Guacamole made at your table, desserts that could be considered a main course….Thanks to the Paddlefish Instagram account (@PaddlefishORL ) You can follow them while they create their amazing menu!

They are not accepting reservations just yet, but let your Dream Maker know you want a table and they will keep their eyes open for you!

Jen Morrison
jen@gomdv.com
815.290.5157
815.641.2028
www.mickeysdreamvacations.com
www.facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByJen
www.twitter.com/mdvbyjen
www.pinterest.com/mdvbyjen

Looking for a non-Disney vacation, the whole family will love? Check out Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee!! There is so much to do and so much to see!!

9/10/2016

This year, my family and I took our Summer Vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This is one of our favorite vacation destinations because there’s something to do for all ages. Whether looking for some downtime or going for a full out adventure, Tennessee has the best of both worlds!
We have been to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge quite a few times. But, this was the very first time we’ve stayed at a hotel, and forwent the cabin. Don’t get me wrong, spending a vacation week in a cabin up in the beautiful Smokey Mountains is amazing… but, with my four kids ranging from 2 to 10, a cabin was just didn’t seem to be a practical option for this trip. Instead, we opted to stay at The Music Road Resort, just a block off the main strip in Pigeon Forge. And we had a fantastic time! We had 3 pools to choose from… two outdoor pools, with water slides and one indoor pool. Though the hotel was set back from the strip, we were still close to restaurants and all of the fun Pigeon Forge attractions… not to mention, only about a 10-15 minute drive from Gatlinburg!
Just a few of the many things to do and see include: ziplining, rafting, horseback riding, go carts, carnival ride attractions, shopping, great dining option, tours, museums, music, shows, hiking, Dollywood, free moonshine tastings and so much more!! You’ll never run out of things to do!!
A few things we did on this trip… We visited Titanic Pigeon Forge, which was amazing! It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that lets it’s “passengers” walk the hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded by more than 400 artifacts directly from the ship and its passengers. Ripley’s Aquarium is also a must do!! It’s a state of the art facility with over 10,000 exotic sea creatures in 10 themed galleries… and you get to walk under sharks!! Dolly’s Lumberjack Dinner Show and Dixie Stampede are also must do's... the kids had so much fun! I mean, what better way to get through dinner than entertaining them with fun, lively shows! We also did one of the mountain coasters, which was definitely a fun and unique experience! And, the Skylift is a great way to some amazing views!
I can go on and on about why YOU should plan a trip to Tennessee… but, why don’t you see for yourself?!? Contact me today, and we can start planning!!
Mary Beth
mary@gomdv.com

Sports Packages

9/10/2016

I booked travel for a large group attending the opening of college football in Green Bay, WI and my husband and I decided to go as well. It was such a fun trip! We flew into Chicago, IL and from there rented a car and drove to Appleton, WI where we stayed for two nights. Appleton was approximately 30 minutes from Green Bay and was a lovely town with a very good sports atmosphere. I had reserved a charter bus for my group the day of the game to transport us back and forth from Appleton to Green Bay. Even though we had rental cars it was very nice to sit back and relax while someone else drove us to the game and back. We enjoyed Green Bay for the day and arrived back in Appleton that afternoon. The next morning we headed back to Chicago and went to a baseball game at Wrigley Field and what a game it was. It was so exciting and we had a great time there as well. After the game we ate Chicago style pizza and toured the city on foot. We stayed at a hotel off Michigan Avenue which was close to all the major shopping, dining options galore, and nightlife. It was a fantastic trip with football and baseball games combined and still time for a little sight seeing.

I would love to book your group or individual sports package. I can help you with anything from football and baseball to hockey and NASCAR. Whatever your sport of choice is I will be happy to help arrange a package just for you!

Kristy
Mickey's Dream Vacations
kristy@gomdv.com
225-505-0452

Disney Cruise Line's Palo

9/7/2016

Did you know that Palo is named after the long poles used by gondoliers in Venice? Now you know!
The Brunch menu has changed and I will share that in a moment, but just in case you are not familiar with Palo. Here is a quick overview: Palo is an adults only restaurant on each Disney ship. The cuisine is Northern Italian with a modern twist aka DELICOUS!! The cost is $30 per adult for the lunch (on cruises 4 nights or more) or dinner (all cruises) -- it is well worth every penny! It's a great treat while the kids are enjoying time away at one of the Kids Clubs!
A printed Palo Brunch menu has been released by Disney Cruise Line. The new menu is posted outside Palo and copies will be handed out at your table for ordering of the a la carte brunch items. The tables featuring all the treats such as breakfast pastries, breads, meats, cheeses, caviar, seafood, and desserts are all still there. There will no longer be samples of the a la carte options on display but the detailed menu description and the amazing servers are there to help!
Your Dream Maker can set up your Palo reservation, just let them know it's a must do for you! If you haven't booked your dream Disney Cruise yet, let me know and I'll be glad to help you!
Jen Morrison
jen@gomdv.com
www.mickeysdreamvacations.com
www.facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByJen
www.twitter.com/mdvbyjen
www.pinterest.com/mdvbyjen

Disney Cruise Line Beer Mug Deal

9/6/2016

Pre-Ordering a Disney Cruise Line Beer Mug Package is a great way to save a few dollars if you have a beer lover in the family! The current price is $14.95 to pre-order the mug. You can also get this on-board but the price is slightly higher at $16.95.

You can bring your DCL branded beer mug to any onboard bar and receive a 22 oz for the price of a 16 oz size! If you don't want to be carrying your big mug around, DCL will give you a token that you can bring to the bar instead! Present your token to the bartender and receive a new mug and beer. At the end of the cruise, be sure to turn in your token to get a brand new, clean mug to take home as a souvenir!

Your Dream Maker can get this money saver pre-ordered for you - but any pre-orders need to be made at least 3 days prior to sailing!

Cheers!

Jen Morrison
jen@gomdv.com
www.mickeysdreamvacations.com
www.facebook.com/MickeysDreamVacationsByJen
www.twitter.com/mdvbyjen
www.pinterest.com/mdvbyjen

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