Disney World has lots of extra things you can pay to attend, but they are definitely not necessary and have alternatives.

I also have some news for you and a quick tip with an easy way to find a spot to view parades and fireworks.

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.

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Alternatives to paid events

Event: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Description: Held on select nights at Magic Kingdom, tickets in the past have been around $65-70, provides special fireworks, parade, treats, character interactions
Alternative: Enjoy the park decor outside of the party and watch the fireworks outside of Magic Kingdom, either at a restaurant or just by finding a spot on the beaches of the monorail resorts

Event: Dessert parties within parties
Description: Disney has sometimes offered dessert parties that take place during events which give you a VIP viewing area and desserts
Alternative: Instead of using some of the party time that you already paid for, snag your own desserts and find a good viewing spot

Event: Fireworks dessert parties (also discussed in episode 113)
Description: Disney World has fireworks dessert packages available for a special viewing area, drinks (non-alcoholic at MK, but alcoholic options at the other locations), and desserts. These parties are always available at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, sometimes available at Hollywood Studios, and probably will be offered at Animal Kingdom soon.
Alternative: Snag your own desserts and find a good viewing spot

Event: Dinner packages
Description: Booking a dinner package at 1 of the participating restaurants will give you a meal there, plus the ability to sit in a reserved section for the nighttime show. Currently available for Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios and will eventually be available for Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom
Alternative: Not a terrible deal, especially if you're on the Disney Dining Plan (since the # of credits is the same with our without the dinner package), but you can get a FastPass+ as an alternative

Event: Disney After Hours
Description: Disney just announced this $149 option which gives you the ability to stay at Magic Kingdom for 3 hours past the official closing time. You can get in as early as 7, will have access to some popular rides, and get drinks and treats.
Alternative: If I had a short trip, I might consider this. Otherwise, onsite guests could plan to attend one of the late night Extra Magic Hours to be able to stay late at Magic Kingdom, often with shorter lines.

Event: Disney Early Morning Magic
Description: This event is not yet confirmed, but reportedly will give you the ability to enter Magic Kingdom at 7:45 a.m. to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan's Flight, and Winnie the Pooh, as well as eat breakfast at Pinnochio Village Haus. Tickets are likely to be $69 for adults and $49 for kids. Theme park tickets are required.
Alternative: Make a breakfast reservation at Be Our Guest, order as much (or as little) as you want, finish up before park opening, and position yourself to visit attractions as soon as the park opens.

News

• Agent P's World Showcase Adventure at Epcot is allowing guests to use their own smartphones starting this week.
• FastPass+ for parades and fireworks at Magic Kingdom have been removed. You can see my touring info for all 4 parks for a current list.
• Updated park hours for April and September came out this week and October hours were published.

Quick tip of the day

An easy way to find a spot to watch fireworks and other nighttime shows is to look for the people with cameras on tripods. The usually know what they're doing and where to get a good view.

If you want to plan ahead, you can use our fireworks/nighttime show viewing tips.

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Character meals are the most popular dining reservations at Disney World, but not all are created equal. Today, I have my favorites for you.

I also have a bit of news and a quick tip for people to consider when booking their Disney World resort room.

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.

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Character meal overview

Each park has 1-3 character meals, and several are located in resorts. The ones in the parks can be booked starting at 8 a.m. (which is usually an hour before the parks open) and Disney always provides transportation to get there. For the full list and more info, see my character meal guide.

Best character meals

• Best food - Garden Grill, Tusker House, Akershus breakfast, Cape May Cafe breakfast, Crystal Palace, and Ohana
• Best Disney Dining Plan values - Garden Grill, Akershus, Crystal Palace, Hollywood and Vine dinner, Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare (see this list for more info)
• Best classic character meals - Garden Grill, Tusker House, Chef Mickey's, Ohana
• Best princess meal - Akershus
• Best overall - Garden Grill, Akershus, Ohana, Tusker House, and Cape May Cafe

News

• Frozen Ever After is no longer scheduled to open on May 27 at Epcot. Opening date will likely be later.
• FastPass+ for Wishes are not showing availability after April 20.
• Premium parking is being tested at the parks to guarantee a spot in a closer lot.

Quick tip of the day

People considering staying at The Polynesian should look at Polynesian Villa Studio rooms which often work out better than standard rooms for many people. Check out my comparison graphic for more information.

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I've just recently returned from a Disney World trip and have now stayed at all of the Value Resorts, so I've got my ranking of those for you today.

I also have lots of news to discuss and a quick tip of the day.

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.

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Value Resort overview

All Value Resorts have bright, colorful theming, are large (where available, I recommend Preferred Rooms to make your room closer to the main building and bus stop), have food courts and pizza delivery as food options (but no Table Service restaurants), use buses for transportation, and have themed pools (but no water slides).

All 3 All-Star Resorts are located next to each other, often share buses, and sometimes host big school groups for things like cheerleading competitions.

Art of Animation and Pop Century are located next to each other (you can use a bridge to walk between them), and have their own buses (they don't share with other resorts).

My Value Resort rankings

My rankings

I don't dislike any of the Value Resorts, but there are some pros/cons of each that make some better choices than others.

#5 - All-Star Movies
With its location at the end of the All-Star Resorts, All-Star Movies is last to be picked up and dropped off when sharing buses so I've put it last for that reason. However, I like the theming here a lot, including the food court which I find charming.

#4 - All-Star Sports
Though it's located first in the row of All-Star Resorts (and therefore first to be picked up and dropped off when sharing buses), it's also the most likely to host big school groups. Sometimes other All-Star Resorts have groups as well, but All-Star Sports has more than the others.

#3 - All-Star Music
I like that All-Star Music has suites in addition to standard rooms, and this resort is located in the middle of the other 2 All-Stars which means it's not last when sharing buses.

#2 - Art of Animation
The best theming and having direct buses make this one of my favorite Disney World resorts of all, but since most rooms are suites, the price point is much higher. The only standard rooms on property - the rooms located in the Little Mermaid section - are located really far away from the main building/bus stop, and are never part of promotions.

#1 - Pop Century
With the lowest (or nearly the lowest) prices for Disney World resort rooms, dedicated buses that don't share w/other resorts, and the ability to walk over to Art of Animation for things like the food court or to rent surrey bikes, Pop Century is my vote for best bang for your buck.

News

• Purple MagicBands are now available as a color option to guests staying in Disney World resorts.
• Rivers of Light is coming to Animal Kingdom starting on April 22.
• Frozen Ever After should be opening at Epcot on May 27.
• Disney Dining Plan costs have gone up $2-3 per person per day.
• Joy and Sadness are coming to Epcot in April.

Quick tip of the day

When using online check-in for your Disney World resort, opt in to text messages to be notified when your resort room is ready. As long as you have your MagicBands, you'll be able to go to your room without stopping by the front desk.

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• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
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