Walt Disney World Resorts

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Are Your Children Old Enough for Walt Disney World® Resort?

DSC06173We are often asked, “Is my child old enough for a visit to Walt Disney World® Resort?”

That is a good question, and one you may have asked (or at least thought about) before making an investment in a Walt Disney World® Resort vacation yourself.

There are those that argue that a child can be ‘too young’ for a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort. Most often, their case rests upon the statement that before a certain age the child will never remember they were there, or that up to a certain age the attractions won’t keep them entertained.

While the first part of their statement may be true, a child may not remember their first trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, they often forget that as a parent YOU will remember their first trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, and those memories are just as special.

Having just returned from a trip with a 17 month old and a 4 year old, as a parent, there’s not a price tag you can put on the smiles of your children as they ‘experience’ all that a Disney vacation has to offer for the first or second time.

While they may not remember the trip into adulthood, my wife and I will never lose the images of the smiles, laughter and joy burned into our memory on this magical trip.

At their age, Walt Disney World® Resort comes alive. It is so much more than actors in costumes and ride experiences…it is a wonderful reality in which they are immersed in they story.

And about there not being enough to do…

The Walt Disney World® Resort has much to offer for visitors under 3 years old.  Starting with free admission, there are countless attractions and shows that will engage and entertain young travelers! Magic Kingdom® Park alone has ‘enough’ for the little ones to do to keep you busy for days! From the dark rides that the entire family can ride together to play areas and interactive queues, your little ones are certain to have a blast.

As you venture outside of Magic Kingdom® Park into the other three parks, two water parks, and resort areas, you will find that play areas and attractions designed just for these younger guests abound!

In our article Walt Disney World® Resort for Toddlers we explored some of the options available for you and your family! And if you are worried about ‘managing your day’ with young ones around the park then our article Visiting Walt Disney World® Resort with Toddlers is a must read!

And of course our Magic Makers have not only visited Disney Parks countless times ourselves, but we have helped take the stress out of planning vacations for families just like yours for over five years now! Regardless of age, there is something for EVERYONE at any Disney Destination, so just call on your Magic Maker® to help uncover that hidden treasure!

A Ride on the Re-Imagined Test Track® Attraction

TestTrackPhoto1-640x382By Magic Maker® Julie Paolino

Test Track® Attraction, a thrill ride loved by many at Epcot®, closed its doors in April of 2012.   We all wondered what was to become of one of our favorite rides in all the Disney parks.  Well, just over a month ago, in December of 2012, we finally got to find out when the doors reopened to the re-imagined Test Track® Attraction now sponsored by Chevrolet.

Car enthusiasts, kids, adults, well…just about anyone that can withstand the forces of the 60+ mile an hour cyclone that I call Test Track® Attraction, will not be disappointed! This attraction has every guest immersed in the car making process at kiosks that allow each rider, or family, to design their very own test vehicle.  Once your design is complete you swipe the card you have been given before you enter the ride so that you can see how your design measures up with the actual Test Track® Attraction vehicle through the duration of the ride.

The ride itself has gone from what a car would actually go through in real world scenarios in the great outdoors to what appears to be a computerized simulation of how a car would handle on the road. Riders are thrust into darkness and then surrounded by computer graphics and bright neon simulated landscapes as they travel through the course which ultimately leads to a thrilling “crash” through the doors leading to a whirlwind of a ride at over 60 miles an hour around an outdoor track.  Be warned that you will lose your hat if you leave it on!

New Test Track® Marquee

Once you exit the ride you will have a chance to design more concept cars, play specially designed computer games and explore a showroom full of Chevrolet’s newest lineup of cars, including some concept cars.  And of course, who could pass up the urge to pick up a brand new Test Track® Attraction t-shirt from the gift shop on the way out?

Because Test Track® Attraction is such a popular ride the wait time often exceeds 90 minutes in the stand-by line.  FASTPASS® Service is available for this ride, but rider beware that if you want to design a fully customized car to compare with your ride vehicle you will have to wait in the stand-by line.  Obviously FASTPASS® Service is supposed to get you to the ride quickly, so while you can customize a car when you enter through the FASTPASS® Service line, it is a very condensed version of the one you will find in the stand-by line.

Either way the newly re-imagined Test Track® Attraction will not disappoint.  It is still one of the most exciting and innovative rides in Disney World and definitely one not to be missed.

Be sure to contact one of Off to Neverland Travels® Magic Makers® who will be happy to help you start planning your next Walt Disney World® Resort vacation.

Off to Neverland® Brings the Magic to Your Mobile Device

At Off to Neverland Travel® we have been creating lasting Disney vacation memories for families for five years, providing customized, white glove service to make your vacation dreams come true.

With mobile apps and content becoming an increasingly popular, if not essential, part of life, we are thrilled to introduce a little more ‘magic’ to the mobile world with the release of our exclusive Walt Disney World® Resort mobile itinerary.

Our mobile itinerary is a collision of our free itinerary planning service that is offered when  you plan your trip with Off to Neverland® and the mobile technology that we all embrace. Through the mobile itinerary, you will have your entire itinerary in their pocket, professionally planned by our expert Magic Makers® who are known for creating such whimsical experiences.

Within the mobile itinerary, you will have access to your professionally planned itinerary, including park hours, parade start times, firework show times and daily plans that include personalized tips to make your vacation as magical as possible. In addition, the mobile itinerary app contains all of the important information you need including your vacation package details and your pre-planned dining reservation times, locations and confirmations.

Run into an issue on your trip? No problem! Within the mobile itinerary, your personal Magic Maker’s® contact information is only a few clicks away! Whether you have a question about your professional planned itinerary or need some other form of assistance on your trip, help is at your fingertips.

Never before has a mobile itinerary existed for visitors to Walt Disney World® Resort that blended the technology of today with the expertise of a personal ‘concierge’ that knows your family’s needs and designs your itinerary around it. The stress of planning your trip has come to an end, as the future of vacations through Off to Neverland Travel® has arrived!

 

Visiting Walt Disney World® Resort with Toddlers

By Magic Maker®: Courtney Harris

There is nothing like seeing your child’s eyes light up the first time they walk down Main Street, U.S.A.® Area and see Cinderella’s castle, but vacationing with a toddler can be a stressful experience. It doesn’t have to be though. With a little planning, and the help of your Magic Maker®, it can be an incredible experience that neither you nor your child will soon forget.

The most important thing to remember is try to stick to your child’s schedule as best as possible. Don’t expect them to be able to go full force, from sun up to sun down, and not have a meltdown. If you hit the parks at rope drop, you can get a ton accomplished, and head back to your resort for a midday nap. Even if your child doesn’t normally nap, this is a great way to just unwind and recharge. After a nap or dip in the pool, you can head back out to the parks for dinner and more fun.

If you do find yourself in the middle of a meltdown in the parks, head for the nearest baby care center. Despite the name, these aren’t just for babies. Each park has an air-conditioned facility that has changing tables, rocking chairs, a microwave, and a t.v.  This is a great place for a short break from the stimulation and heat of the parks. They even have “toddler toilets” for children who are potty-training. Be sure to ask your Magic Maker® or check your park map for the location of the baby care center in each park.

Most likely, your child will love meeting all of the characters and getting autographs, but won’t love the long lines and heat. The solution? Book several character meals throughout your stay! The characters come to you at your table while you are dining, to sign autographs and pose for pictures. Reservations for character meals can be booked up to 180 days ahead, and tend to fill up fairly quickly, so be sure to ask your Magic Maker® for help in booking these experiences.

Bring a stroller! Even if you think your child is too old for one, you will be glad you did. The parks are huge and require a great amount of walking, which will quickly tire your child, leaving them whiny and more likely to have a meltdown. If you just can’t bring your own for some reason, rent one. Single strollers are available for rent at each park for $15 per day, or a double can be rented for $31. If this isn’t in your budget, ask your Magic Maker® about renting a stroller offsite and having it delivered to your resort.

Take advantage of Rider Swap for rides that your child isn’t tall enough to ride. One parent can ride alone or with older children while the other parent stays with the younger child. The other parent will get a rider swap ticket that allows them to ride later alone or with the older children, without having to wait in line again. This will really maximize your time and allow you to experience more rides throughout the day.

Pack lots of “distractions” in your park bag for those short attention spans. Whether you’re waiting in line for a ride, or waiting for your food to be delivered at a restaurant, being prepared with a coloring book and crayons, a small matchbox car, or even bubbles, can be a life-saver. If you have a smart-phone or iPad, these can serve as great distractions too.

Last, but certainly not least, remember to have fun and enjoy the time you are getting to spend with your child! You may not be able to do and see everything with a toddler in tow, but you will definitely make lasting memories for you and your child.

Harmony Barber Shop – A Hidden Walt Disney World® Resort Treat

Harmony Barber ShopTo many of us, Walt Disney World® Resort transports us to ‘another time and place’ in our lives. I have often found myself walking through Magic Kingdom® Park reliving memories from my childhood as I walk down the nearly unchanged Main Street, U.S.A.® Area with the picturesque Cinderella’s Castle centered in the sky at the end of the street.

Sometimes, it isn’t even past trips that are called to the forefront of my memory, it may just be recalling the joy of family and friends…or losing myself in the creativity of youthful years gone by. Whatever it is, Walt Disney World® Resort is a place for both memories to be relived and dreams to be created.

On Main Street, U.S.A.® Area in Magic Kingdom® Park there is an often overlooked storefront that really does transport you back to simpler times, where the chatter of news and gossip fills the air, in a throw-back barber shop that embodies small town U.S.A.

At the Harmony Barber Shop inside Magic Kingdom® Park you can slip into chair for a haircut as you enjoy the atmosphere, and banter, of a traditional barber shop. Behind the signature candy-striped pole on the outside sits a bustling shop full of activity and excitement.

Serving around 400 customers a week, one of Harmony Barber Shop’s specialties is ‘first-haircuts’! Young visitors who are having their ‘first-haircut’ ever are treated to some extra special surprises including Mickey Mouse stickers, bubbles, “My 1st Haircut” Mouse Ears, special ‘pixie dust’ and a certificate!

As an added treat, the Dapper Dan barbershop quartet visits the shop daily…singing and entertaining guests with their spot-on melodies and funny antics.

There are plenty of antiques to check out inside the shop too, including a cash register from 1912 that the barbers still use to ring up their sales!

Located near the Emporium gift shop, Harmony Barber Shop accepts appointments at least one day in advance from Walt Disney World® Resort guests and welcomes walk-ups without reservations on a daily, first-come, first-served basis! Haircuts range from $15 to $19…and don’t miss the popular colored hair gel that will help you stand out for the day!

Contact your Magic Maker® today for more information about making a reservation at Harmony Barber Shop on your next visit to Walt Disney World® Resort!

Stay Connected at Magic Kingdom® Park

Magic Kingdom Theme ParkStaying connected just got a little easier at Magic Kingdom® Park!

We all know what a frustration a weak mobile signal can be when trying to access the internet through our mobile device. Whether we are trying to stay connected with family and friends at home, access our favorite in-park app, keep our social media feeds up to date or just need the occasional connection to our work…a weak mobile signal can send us to a screeching halt.

All of that is changing in Magic Kingdom® Park.

As Fox News and other agencies reported earlier this month, the 1st of August brought about another major perk at Walt Disney World® Resort as they quietly rolled out free Wi-Fi in Magic Kingdom® Park!

The “Disney-Guest” network is now online in Magic Kingdom® Park, allowing you to access free Wi-Fi while in the park! As a great compliment to the now free Wi-Fi in Walt Disney World® Resort hotels, keeping your Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites up to date with your latest vacation fun is even easier!

Walt Disney World® Resort doesn’t intend to stop there either! There are plans to extend the free Wi-Fi coverage into their other three Orlando parks as well.

With the continued popularity of mobile and internet devices, free Wi-Fi just enhances the ability to enjoy your time in the park, while sharing it with others on the outside!

Remember though, don’t work too much, after all, Walt Disney World® Resort is supposed to be a dream vacation!

“Game On” at Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels

Disney ArcadeLooking for an activity to dodge that Florida heat, a rainy day, or maybe just burn some of your kids’ extra energy? The answer is just steps away at your Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel.

Open daily from 7am to midnight, each Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel features their own arcade with a variety of video games, from classic to contemporary, for guests of all agents.The arcades at the Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels run off of a cashless system where “points” used to play the games are purchased at a kiosk. For 2012, each Magic Your Way® Package booked with one of our Magic Makers® automatically receives a complimentary Arcade Game Card with 100 points*!

Check out this video for a sample of the fun awaiting your family at your Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel Arcade

* – (1) complimentary Arcade Game Card with 100 points per room

Disney’s Old Key West Resort Updates with Renovations

Old Key West Renovations

A  favorite Disney Vacation Club Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, is getting a facelift. A major room refurbishment is underway that will make the villas feelfresh, more high tech and modern. New flat–panel TVs, gorgeous granite countertops and the addition of a sleeper chair in the one and two bedroom villas as well as new bedding and pillows, drapes, rugs, chairs, carpeting, lamps and furniture bring the resort up to date. The renovation will take place building by building.

When you walk into one of the newly renovated villas at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, you really notice a difference.  The warm colors are very elegant while still capturing the playful nature of Key West.

Guests do not need to be members of Disney Vacation Club to stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

Click here to request a quote.