Sat, 31 August 2013
(Article last updated: August 4, 2014) As the new FastPass+ system has rolled out, people have had lots of questions about how it works. Today, I've got a list of pros and cons of the new FastPass+ system and a quick tip on how to remember your trip. In this article OVERVIEW OF FASTPASS+The new FastPass system is called FastPass+ which allows on-site visitors to reserve rides up to 60 days ahead of time online (off-site visitors can reserve 30 days ahead of time), through an app or at a kiosk in the theme parks. PROS OF FASTPASS+
CONS OF FASTPASS+
QUICK TIPGet a scented wall plugin with a smell that you've never used before. Take it on vacation and use it in your hotel room. After your trip, that scent will remind you of your vacation. SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODESThere are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.
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Thu, 22 August 2013
(Article last updated: August 4, 2014) I like to save money but not to the point of looking like a cheapskate. Today, I have 6 tips for you on saving money on your Disney World trip that will still allow you to get the full experience. I also have a quick tip on what I think is the very best time to visit Disney World and pay the least while being able to do the most. 6 WAYS TO SAVEThe main expense categories for Disney World trips are airfare/gas to get there, park tickets, hotel and food. Here are some ways to save on all of those categories:
QUICK TIPMy quick tip: I think the way to get the best experience for the least amount of money is to stay at a Moderate Resort during Free Dining in September or October. That allows you to pay the least expensive nightly rates, get free food (including the Basic Dining Plan which is better than what's offered at Value Resorts) and visit during a less busy time. SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODESThere are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.
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Tue, 20 August 2013
The title of this post is a recap of the subject lines of most of the emails I receive. I have some info on who should use Free Dining and tips on making the best use of it. I also have a couple of other tips for people wanting to use Child Swap and a room request tip for people staying at Art of Animation. In this article CAN YOU USE CHILD SWAP IF YOUR CHILD IS TALL?If your child is too short or too scared to ride a ride, most rides that have a height requirement will offer a Child Swap/Rider Switch option. To read more about how that works, check out my article on child swap. ALL ABOUT FREE DININGWhat it is Since 2009, Free Dining has been offered every fall (the dates have varied). Disney has also offered it twice at the beginning of the year (January - March) and once at the end of May for 1 week. People who book a Value Resort will get the Quick Service Dining Plan for free during Free Dining (2 Quick Service credits per night of the trip). People at Moderate and Deluxe Resorts will get the Basic Dining Plan for free (1 Table Service and 1 Quick Service credit per night of the trip). Who should use it Tips
QUICK TIPPeople staying at Art of Animation can request a room that's located on an upper level with a lake view. This allows people to have a great view and it means less noise since you'll be facing away from the swimming pools and away from the lower floors where it tends to be louder. SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODESThere are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.
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Fri, 16 August 2013
PhotoPass can be kind of hard to understand. I've got some info on who should use it and what I think you should purchase from the PhotoPass service. I've also got tips on planning Table Service meals and a way to make your child easier to find inside one of the attractions at Hollywood Studios. In this article CAN YOU GET AWAY WITH 2 TABLE SERVICE MEALS ON A WEEK-LONG DISNEY WORLD TRIP?My friend Casey posed this question to me and I posted it on the Facebook Page. There were lots of replies and the consensus seemed to be that it's definitely possible (especially if budget is a primary concern), but not eating in the restaurants means missing out on a big part of Disney World. It also means missing out on a chance to sit down and take a break from the huge amount of walking involved with Disney World trips. To submit your question, email podcast at wdwprepschool.com. PHOTOPASS PROS/CONS AND SOME TIPSPhotoPass is Disney's service where you approach photographers within the parks, they'll take your picture, scan a PhotoPass card and hand it to you. You can then go online or to a PhotoPass kiosk in the parks and type in that number to order things with your pictures. Some good reasons to use PhotoPass:
Some reasons you might not want to use PhotoPass:
Some tips for people who want to use PhotoPass:
For more info, please check out my article that has even more info on PhotoPass at https://wdwprepschool.com/how-photopass-works/. QUICK TIPIf you plan to have your child(ren) play on the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground at Hollywood Studios, snap a quick pic before they go in so they'll be easier to find when it's time to go. Cast Members monitor the entrance and exit but kids can be hard to find. Having a pic to show the Cast Members will make it a quicker process. SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODESThere are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.
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Wed, 14 August 2013
You don't have a whole week to spend at Disney World, so how do you fit it all into just a few days? I've got some ideas on how to do that plus tips on using the dining plan and picking a room at The Polynesian. In this article WHAT MEALS SHOULD YOU PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET?A reader named Mary emailed me with a question about how to decide which meals to pay for out-of-pocket if you're using the Disney Dining Plan but have more dining reservations than credits. My 2 tips for choosing what to pay for out-of-pocket:
Be sure to check out my post on maximizing Disney Dining Plan credits for more info on which meals are the best value when using the Disney Dining Plan. TIPS FOR FITTING DISNEY WORLD INTO 3 DAYSThe guys from Parkeology.com proved that all 47 rides can be done in 1 day (read about their WDW47 adventure), so we should be able to do it in 3 days. Here's how:
QUICK TIPPeople who want to stay at The Polynesian Resort should consider requesting the Tokelau longhouse for their room. The advantages of Tokelau include: having the largest rooms, every floor has a balcony or patio, and it's within walking distance of both monorail lines to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. You can find lots of good info on The Polynesian at TikimanPages.com. To submit your tip, email podcast at wdwprepschool.com. SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODESThere are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.
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Wed, 7 August 2013
Ever wondered how the heck you were going to tour Hollywood Studios and fit in all of the shows? Today, I've got some ideas on how you can do that and a tip for when to show up to all 4 Disney World theme parks. TOURING HOLLYWOOD STUDIOSGeneral Hollywood Studios touring advice: show up at 8:15 because it normally opens at 8:30 a.m. (update: 8:50-9:00 is now the normal opening time), ride Toy Story Mania, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours and then figure out the rest of the day. Advice on planning the rest of the day to include shows:
Sample touring plan to include all shows (check times before your trip):
QUICK TIPYou should arrive to all 4 parks before they open. All of the parks open earlier than the posted open time except Magic Kingdom, but you still want to arrive there early to get in the front of the line. (Updated 11/18/2014: Magic Kingdom now usually opens about 10 minutes early as well.) It's best to arrive to all parks by 8:30 or so when they have a 9:00 opening time. HAVE A TIP OR QUESTION?Leave your tip or trip planning question by calling 414-WDW-7900 or email podcast at wdwprepschool.com SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODESThere are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go.
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