There are lots of these band type lights here in the UK at our Pound Stores so it may suit some visitors to stock up before they leave, making sure they are in their suitcases and not their hand luggage.

Our American guests also recommended booking the Disney Character Dining seats at The Parks,  before their vacation as the availability is so hard to get on the days just before you go to The Parks. They are really Special experiences, When we visited, even at our age, Larry & I joined in the Dancing Chains & Napkin waving with Mickey & Minnie and all of their Friends. Great fun, just to see the little one’s faces and to get as many close up photo’s as you want.

Happy Holidays

Mary & Larry

You will also find on one of the Disney Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques here - this is where my little daughter loves to go and enjoys having her hair and make up down, as well as dressing up in one of her favourite disney costumes.  The last time we went we went for the full package where you get a photo shoot included.  My daughter looked amazing when they had finished and the photos are an ever lasting memory.  It was well worth the money!  Everyone was commenting on her as we walked through Downtown Disney.  She also remembers that moment and she is only 6.  A must for every little girl. 

You will also find great shops with all the Disney Merchandise;  if you forgot to buy a particular item in one of the parks, you will hopefully be able to purchase it here.  There are also various other retailers, as well as some great themed restaurants.  

There are also some great entertainment venues, like Cirque de Soleil which is located in Downtown Disney. 

I have listed a few of  shops/restaurants, etc, which you can find at Downtown Disney below:-

World of Disney - if you are looking for loads of fun whilst shopping, this is the place to go.  It is one of the largest stores and has so much to choose from.  This is where you will also find the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique mentioned above. 

Once Upon a Toy - Play happily ever after at this amazing toy store that offers the largest assortment of toys and games in all of Disney.  From princesses to pirates you will find some great toys in here.

Lego Imagination Centre - this shop is great, especially if you kids are into lego.  Not only can they buy some great lego sets (which my son has plenty) they get to play and make models with the lego stands outside.  This has kept my kids occupied for hours (for free) whilst we sat and watched enjoyed a cup of coffee. 

Disney Days of Christmas - this is my favourite shop at Downtown Disney - its Christmas all year round.  You also get to personalise a lot of the ornaments so they make them very personal to your visit. 

Rainforest Cafe and the new T-Rex restaurants can also be found at Downtown Disney.  We have visit the Rainforest cafe a few times now, and the kids love it.  We have never eaten in the T-Rex one, but have had a sneek look inside.  If you kids love dinosaurs this is the resturant to visit.  It has large interactive models of dinosaurs dotted around the restaurant that move at certain times.  You will also DinoBear (part of the build a bear workshop) in her.  My son loved this as he was able to choose his own dinosaur and dress it.  Quite appropriate for a boy!

This is just a taster of what can be found at Downtown Disney. 

Don’t forget to make a visit on your next trip.  We hope you enjoy it.

Make sure you have a go if you are an avid golfer

Wet and wild is a good park if you really like water slides because it has loads of them, but is no relaxing space.

But there is some good slides like “Bran Wash” which is a big drop, it drops you in a tube 2-4 people per tube. There is a little park for the kids with the bubble which is a big bubble with water coming down which you slide down on.

Magic kingdom

Magic kingdom is very good for all ages. The main street is where all the main shows take place like “Spectro magic & Wishes” gathering by the castle with fire works and lights and Tinkerbelle. There are other “lands” with rides and shows in like “Tomorrow land” which is all equipped with things for the future, there is a “in the dark rollercoaster” called Space Mountain. There are more “lands” like “Adventure Land” with the great ride “Pirates of the Caribbean”. There are also “lands” like “Frontier Land with the very good “Thunder Railway”. There is also a “land” for younger kids which is “Mickey Toon Town Fair” which is a good for little kid with little kiddie roller coasters and fair rides.

Animal kingdom

Animal kingdom is very good it has the ride called the “Everest”, which is a very scary rollercoaster. It is based around Asia and Africa. So you can picture what it looks like very green, with a wide selection of animals including Monkeys, Gorillas, Giraffe and Birds. There is a wide selection of rides from rollercoaster’s to water rides. There is also a wide selection of shows for all the family to watch.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is all about glitz and glamour with movie theatres and dress shops which are all props. But it is a very good park it has to big rides with the Rock and Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror. There is a animation bit of the park with a show from Kermit the frog and Miss piggy. You can go behind the scenes in real movie studios to see what producers do. There are skylines like in Manhattan so you can get the “REAL” feeling of different parts of America.

The New Character Balloon Flight, next to Planet Hollywood was a big hit for our last guests. Being able to rise 400 feet above the crowds and see for miles around with the chance to get Photographs of the family in a very special and unique location.

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for their little girl proved to be her highlight of the visit. She was “Made Up” just like a Princess, having the full Princess Treatment in the Salon. A hairpiece, shimmering make over, finger nails done and a choice of her favourite Princess’s Dress (Cinderella). It was a little pricey but for a “one off” day they were delighted with the result and seeing their Little Princess’s face as she posed for her photographs, even strangers were taking pictures. They recommend booking early in your holiday to avoid any disappointment as there are only 10 Chairs in th Boutique.

They enjoyed the Irish Fish & Chip Shop on one visit but thought the T Rex Cafe was fabulous for all of them. The Table & Chairs have Dinosaur Legs, the massive Dinosaurs move and roar  to make it special place to have a meal. They said to make sure to take your camera as the special effects and the Coral Reef Bar are spectacular.

They intend to return during their next visit to fit in the things they couldn’t this time around. 

It is good to get a “Feed Back” from our guests and hopefully it will give 1st. Time visitors a reason to take time away from the Parks.

Mary —ps   Would love to hear some comments on Aquatica???

So much to do, so much to see- where do you start? First, take into consideration the ages in your party (can they walk all day every day?). Then, look on the web at the attractions in Florida and ask everyone on the trip if there is something they really want to do. Write everything down. Is it realistic? Will you return home glad you packed it all in or in need of another holiday?

Florida’s main tourist attraction is Walt Disney World. This is made up of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, over 20 resort hotels and Downtown Disney. Plan a whole day for each theme park- Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. It’s a good idea to arrive as early as possible, (check out the Disney website for opening times as they differ throughout the year) look at the map of attractions and head off to your first ride - avoid the crowds by going right at the castle in magic kingdom as everyone else turns left there! In Hollywood Studios take the Aerosmith (fast track available for both rides.) In Animal Kingdom head straight to the Safari ride and either go on it if the queue isn’t too long or book a fast track time. Another tip is to remember the rides go quiet around 2.30pm as everyone is waiting for, and then watching, the 3pm parade. Test Track and Mission Space are fun rides in Epcot and the fireworks show at 9pm is worth waiting for. And don’t forget there are some great shows to see at all the theme parks such as Fantasmic, The Festival of the Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.

Kennedy Space Centre is about 1 hour from Orlando by car. The 2 hour bus tour is a great way to see it with a tour guide to entertain you. You can make a reservation to have lunch with an astronaut (book well in advance as there is very limited availability) and you will be lunching with one of only 400 astronauts in the world.

Other attractions include Universal Studios (Men in Black, Jaws, The Simpsons, The Mummy, Shrek), Wet ‘n’Wild (another water park),  Seaworld ( amazing displays from Killer Whales, Dolphins, Walruses and Cracken –a truly hair raising ride! And one of the best log flume rides we have been on)

Spending a bit of time planning your trip can ensure you have a magical holiday with memories to last a lifetime!

We then discovered the cd that could be pre prurchsed before the holiday with a 20% discount making the cost $99 which once purchased you can take as many photos in the parks as you want up to 4 discs which means around 400 photos. Once you return you key in your special pre purchase code, sent by email and view the photos you are then given the copyrights to print off as many copies as you want. we took ours to Asda and had enlargements and copies for all the family a great Christmas gift. Also on the Disney website you can put decorative borders around the photo and dates/name of the park.

Also on the disney photo pass site you can order other photo products. We have just had calenders made that feature our 2 boys at various locations and with the characters on each month, you can even add a caption under each month. You can also personalise it with birthdays etc.There are all kinds of things to purchase mugs,mouse mats, t-shirts really great for Christmas gifts with a difference.

Once you have purchased your cd on your first visit to a Disney park you need to get the small photo pass card from one of the Disney photographers located in all 4 main parks and the 2 water parks.They are like a credit card size with a unique number on the back. A tip here write this number down somewhere and keep it seperate in case you loose the card.You can always get a new one Disney will place all the card details onto one card before you leave if you have multiple numbers.Then just get the photographers to snap away.The photographers are positioned at the best photo spots in the parks so you will get some fabulous shots and do not forget the character spots. Most of the photographers will take 2/3 shots at each location in case some one moves or closes their eyes.

There are some tips on the website for special photos like cute extras that can appear on you photo magically at certain locations!!!

This is definately one the best purchases we have made from Disney and can highly recommend it.

Website details remeber you have to order it prior to your trip to get the discount code.

www.disneyphotopass/previsitcdplan.aspx

Did you know you can ride up front with the monorail driver?  All you have to do is let the Cast Member at the monorail entrance know that you would like to do this and as long as it is available you can jump in at the front.  You even get given your own Honerary Monorail Drivers License!  On our last visit my children (and of course an accompanying adult!) managed to get to ride the monorail several times.  It is great fun and you get to see the sights from a different view.  The driver may also tell you stories/tales about Walt Disney World which my children really enjoyed.  We decided to get off the monorail at Walt Disney World and change on to the other monorail to visit the various Disney Hotels.  This seems to less busy than the monorail which departs from the Transport Centre to the entrance to Walt Diseny World, so you may stand more of a chance to ride up front!  We took the opportunity to explore the various hotels and restaurants during our monorail trip! 
 
My children really enjoyed this and spent more time telling our friends and family about this, than anything else we had done on our last trip!  Definately worth a go.
 
Take a Free Boat Ride

From the Magic Kingdom take a free boat ride to Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness campground.  Enjoy a drink and relaxing walk around the resorts and then takethe boat ride back.
 
Alternatively, cruise from Downtown Disney to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort and back along the river.  The joureny lasts approx. 30 mins.
 
Free Admission on your Birthday to one of the Four Theme Park!

During 2009, if you are visiting Walt Disney World and it happens to be your birthday, you will get free admission into one of the four theme parks.  As long as you have the appropriate ID and proof of your date of birth, you can take advantage of this birthday offer at the gate. All you will need to do is fill in a form at the gate.  Alternatively you can register at http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/minisites/freeOnYourBirthday/index which will obviously save you some time.  Please note that you only get free entrance to the park on the exact day of your birthday, not any other day. 
 
If you have already purchased a ticket which you will use on your birthday, don’t worry as there are other options available to you.  Please visit the above site which gives you further information.
 
The Lego Store at Downtown Disney - Free Activities

The Lego Store is located in the Marketplace area of Downtown Disney. At the Lego Store, children can build their own Lego creations at tables outside of the store. This is a free activity for children, and parents can join in the fun. The larger-than-life Lego creations outside of the Lego Store are great photo opportunities for families.

Disney’s Boardwalk - Free Entry

Disney’s Boardwalk area is a destination in itself. Guests can visit by car, or by one of the Disney busses that goes to the Boardwalk Resort area. The Disney Boardwalk area has carnival games, shops, restaurants, a bakery, and entertainment. Shows take place outside, right on the  Boardwalk, with magicians and other entertainers. Disney’s Boardwalk can also be reached from Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios.

Watch the Fireworks for Free

Nightly Disney fireworks can be viewed from several of the Disney Resort hotels near Magic Kingdom. Firework schedules vary by season, but generally begin just before park closing at the Magic Kingdom. Epcot features the “Illuminations” fireworks display, and the Magic Kingdom has the “Wishes” fireworks display each night.