WDW Prep To Go - a Disney World planning podcast

October 2014
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Sat, 25 October 2014

SHE WON A DISNEY WORLD TRIP. NOW WHAT? – PREP062

A new reader named Judy just recently won a Disney World trip and wasn't sure where to begin so we had a chat to help her work through the planning.

I also have a quick tip with information on figuring out which restaurants you can expect to be on the Disney Dining Plan in the future.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

In this article

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.

Become a Patron Now

JUDY'S TRIP

Here are some things discussed in this episode:

Disney Podcast Awards winners
WDW Prep Rooms Invite - download the Rooms app for iOS, take a screenshot of the image below, then open the Rooms app. You should automatically have the WDW Prep room in your list but if you don't, select "Use Invite" and find the screenshot on your camera roll
Fake Disney World Facebook sweepstakes information
Information on maximizing Disney Dining Plan credits
Monthly dashboards which contain park hours and best/worst parks by day
Ebook information
Pin trading guide
My favorite dining search tool

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

If you're using the Disney World site to search for restaurants on the Disney Dining Plan for the following year and seeing that many aren't included, you should know that it takes awhile for the full list to appear as restaurants renew their contracts at the end of each year.

Instead, select the current year as you search since the list usually stays the same from year to year.

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SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
Subscribe to the feed
Listen on Stitcher

Direct download: episode62.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Sat, 18 October 2014

MY OCTOBER TRIP REPORT – PREP061

I just returned from a Disney World trip full of bucket list items and each night, I recorded audio recapping the day. Today, I have all of those clips included in my trip report.

I also have a quick tip with a way to access your My Disney Experience info regardless of whether or not you have an internet connection.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

In this article

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

BUCKET LIST TRIP ITEMS

In this episode, I discuss our first stay at The Dolphin, dinner at the Chef's Table, my thoughts on the Wild Africa Trek and what I'd do differently at Party for the Senses.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

Take a screenshot of the reservations in your My Disney Experience app so that if you don't have an internet connection or the app is having trouble opening, you can access the info from your camera roll.

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
Subscribe to the feed
Listen on Stitcher

Direct download: episode61.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Wed, 8 October 2014

DISNEY WORLD IS DRIVING ME CRAZY – PREP060

Disney World has been making too many unpleasant changes and performing crazy tests and it's driving me crazy for people who are traveling in late 2014.

Today, I have some rants about those things as well as some proposed solutions to some of them.

I also have a quick tip of the day on getting Free Dining for 2015.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

In this article

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

ISSUES WITH DISNEY WORLD

Preface: many of these are temporary, due to testing and an in-between phase as some rides/entertainment get removed and new stuff gets added. I get that, but feel for the people who are taking a trip right in the middle of it.

Issues at Magic Kingdom

Be Our Guest only allowing people in if they have a FastPass+ (have a backup plan if you had your heart set on eating there)
Premium events being offered during parties that are held at Magic Kingdom

Issues at Epcot

Maelstrom closure
Removing Off Kilter, Fife and Drum Corps, Mo'Rockin, and World Showcase Players. Though Disney is bringing new entertainment to the World Showcase, the first one to be introduced (this lumberjack act) doesn't appear to be up to Disney World's standards.

Issues at Hollywood Studios

Closure of Backlot Tour and American Idol Experience (though new things will eventually be opened, having two options taken away in this relatively small park is noticeable)
FastPass+ only tests at Toy Story Mania - although it was only a temporary test, it could have been handled in a better way. If you've only got 1 day to spend at Hollywood Studios and Disney surprises you with the fact that only FastPass+ holders can ride, that's really disappointing.
Frozen premium holiday event - $89 to see the sing-along and eat desserts while watching the Osborne Lights does not seem like a good value. Instead, get a FastPass+ for the sing-along and enjoy the lights the last 30 minutes that the park is open while eating a cupcake from Starring Rolls Cafe.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

Bounceback offers are promotions that are usually found in folders in Disney World resort rooms (if you don't find one, dial 8844 from your room phone to ask what's available).

They are often good deals that you can take advantage of if you book your next trip while still at Disney World. Currently, the offer is for Free Dining for fall 2015 (get more details on the offer).

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
Subscribe to the feed
Listen on Stitcher

Direct download: episode69.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Sat, 4 October 2014

IS MEMORY MAKER WORTH IT? – PREP059

Lots of people are trying to decide if the $149 pre-purchase price of Memory Maker is worth it for their trips.

Today, I have some thoughts to help you decide.

I also have a quick tip about adding items to My Disney Experience that aren't automatically linked.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

In this article

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

ABOUT MEMORY MAKER

Read my post on how Memory Maker works which covers many of the details (plus more) discussed in this episode.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

If you'd like to add a note to your My Disney Experience daily plans for things that aren't automatically linked, go to "My Itinerary" and navigate to the day you'd like to add something new.

In the upper-left corner, go to "Add Plans" and then choose "Add a Note." This will allow you to insert something new into your plans that won't link (such as FastPass+ reservations at Be Our Guest).

Screen Shot 2014-10-04 at 5.53.30 PM

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
Subscribe to the feed
Listen on Stitcher

Direct download: episode59.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT