Disney's Beach Club Resort

Epcot Area Resorts Include:

• Disney’s Boardwalk Resort & Boardwalk Villas
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort & Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

These resorts here are located around the beautiful Crescent Lake and make for an exciting tourist area.  Easy water transportation and covenant walking paths connect all of the Epcot area hotels offering easy access to both Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios.

Epcot resort hotels do not offer direct access to the front gate of Epcot.  Instead, because of their close proximity, guests are directed to the “back entrance” of Epcot at the International Gateway located between the United Kingdom and France pavilions.   The International Gateway entrance provides the full services of the front park entrance including, park exit, ticket windows, locker rentals, wheelchair (no ECVs), stroller rentals, and a gift shop.  Complimentary bus service is provided between the Epcot Area resorts and other Disney theme parks such as the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

All Epcot area resorts provide deluxe accommodations and full services for their guests.  Dining options on Crescent Lake are plentiful and it’s just a short walk or boat ride to explore the options available at all of the resorts or to World Showcase.  Amongst the Epcot area resorts you’ll find Character Meals, Sports Bars, Signature Dining, Dancing, Romantic Settings, Full Service Spas and fun Boat Rentals.  Some of their large guest rooms can accommodate five people with relative ease, however you will have to note that you need a room with a daybed at the time you make your reservation.

This great hub of activity is a wonderful place to check-in for people who want to make the most of every moment.  Next time you make a reservation for a wonderful Orlando Vacation, be sure to consider the deluxe resorts of the Epcot Area to indulge you in your travel needs.

Do you have a favorite Epoct Area Resort?  Leave us a comment and let us know what your favorite thing about this great area!

For guests that want a premium experience with quick, convenient access to both the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and other Resorts; I suggest you stay ‘on the monorail’.
Staying on the monorail means that you’re hotel will be one of the three Deluxe Resorts located around the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon.  The main loop of this very special public transit system system was part of the original WDW design and opened with Walt Disney World Resort in 1971.  It encircles the lagoon and initially featured four stations: the Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. When the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa opened, it added a fifth stop, and additional resort on this loop.

These Deluxe Resorts offer all of the amenities of a full service hotel, with the legendary Disney service. In addition the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian resort and Grand Floridian Resort and Spa all offer full service marinas, enchanting pools, and top notch dining. Most of these guest rooms can accommodate five people with relative ease, making them ideal for families that want to spread out a bit.   You’ll pay a little more for a room right in the heart of the action, but for some the experience is completely worth it. The best part, it’s all just a short monorail ride away; making the trip back to the hotel for naps, an afternoon swim, and changing for dinner more accessible than ever. Across the Seven Seas lagoon you’ll see Cinderella Castle’s towering spires rising to the sky in the Magic Kingdom, also just a short monorail ride away. There’s little more magical to me than walking back to your room at night and seeing the Castle lit up in all of it’s majesty.

For those who are looking for a special location to enjoy their Walt Disney World Vacation, I suggest that they try one of the magical resorts on the monorail line. Their service and style are spectacular, and you just can’t beat the location.

Disney's Contemporary Resort

Today we’ll take a look at another great unofficial Disney resort fan site featuring a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.  Today’s featured fan site is “Tribute to Disney’s Contemporary Resort” which is located at http://www.disneycontemporary.com.  I love the trend of these resort fan sites popping up across the web, and this one is no exception.  It’s sleek style and easy to use navigation makes this site fantastic.

The Contemporary is one of Walt Disney World’s original deluxe hotels, and is located just outside the gates of the Magic Kingdom.  Room views from this resort are spectacular; from the fireworks of the Magic Kingdom to the lovely Bay Lake it’s simply breathtaking.  The resort also offers a wide variety of dining options for it’s guests.  Not to mention, it sits right on the monorail line for easy access to anywhere.

Tribute to Disney’s Contemporary Resort,  is a fantastic resource available to help you decided if this is the right resort for you and  your family.  It offers hundreds of photographs and articles advising on every corner of this Disney Classic.  The site even offers information that features the newest Disney Resort addition of the Contemporary’s Disney Vacation Club property, Bay Lake Tower.  It’s a great tool for comparing the Contemporary Resort to other Disney Deluxe Resorts before you book your Disney Vacation Package.

Stop by the tribute site and see what you think of this Disney classic.  I believe it to be home to some of the most popular restaurants and lounges on property.  Though the resort has occasionally struggled over the years with how to maintain a “contemporary” edge without feeling dated, I believe the Disney’s Contemporary Resort is currently at it’s pinnacle of modern elegance.

This post was part of the Disney Blog Carnival #36!
Stop by the Carnival and join all the fun!

Dozens of Disney characters, dancers and performers star in the new “Celebrate a Dream Come True” parade in the Magic Kingdom. The procession makes stops, during which party dancers perform and get guests into a celebratory spirit.

If watching the parades at  the Magic Kingdom are on your must-do list, then it’s good to do a little research to find out a good vantage point for you and your family.

The first thought would be to watch the parades from Main Street USA. But many suggest other places to watch to avoid crowds.

Frontierland is a popular spot for the afternoon parades, as they start here. As soon as the parade passes, you can hit up the rides in Adventureland and pretty much have them to yourself while everyone else is still waiting for the parade to reach them.

If you absolutely must be on Main Street to watch, try across from the bakery on Main Street for the afternoon parade — it’s shady, and you can grab a treat beforehand!

If you’d like to dine while you watch, the Disney Food Blog has a list of the best restaurants to watch the Magic Kingdom parades. Be sure to snag a table near a window or in an outdoor area for the best view!

Do you have any tips for the best spots to watch the Magic Kingdom parades? Leave a comment below!

If you already know quite a bit about Disney World and desire control over your plans, it would be best to book directly with Disney World yourself. This way you can choose your resort and ticket options yourself, and make your own dining reservations.

If you’ve already read up on Disney World a bit on your own and feel confident making these decisions, then go ahead and book on your own.

However, if you’re a true Disney World newbie, navigating the reservations process can be confusing and overwhelming! This is when we recommend a travel agent.

Specifically, we recommend a company that specializes in Disney travel. This way, you get a knowledgeable travel agent who’s been to Disney World themselves and can answer just about any question you might have to help you navigate the process.

Travel agencies like Mouse Fan Travel, The Magic For Less, Small World Vacations and Destinations in Florida (and many others) really know Disney World, and won’t just rattle off the basics. They’ll also keep you apprised of specials that could help you save money on your trip.

This is important: If you decide to go with a travel agency, make sure you find out how the agency handles payments. The agency should send your payments immediately and directly to Disney. And ask your friends for recommendations on travel agents too — you may luck out and get a great agent who treats you great!

Have you used a travel agent to plan a Disney vacation? What was your experience like? Leave a comment below!

Epcot's Spaceship Earth

Didn’t think planning a spontaneous trip to Disney World was possible? It is! While Disney World trip planning is often done 6 months to a year ahead of time, you can still plan a great Disney World vacation just a few weeks in advance. Here are our top tips:

-Check for last-minute hotel and airfare specials. mousesavers.com has a great primer on discounts at hotels near Disney World. You can even see if there are last-minute specials for Disney Vacation Club points. David’s Vacation Club Rentals has a “Last-Minute Specials” e-mail newsletter that you may want to check out. And of course you’ll want to check directly with Disney World at their Special Offers page — often they will announce specials for the next month or two.

-Make dining reservations. If you want to eat at any table service restaurants, make dining reservations as soon as you know your travel dates. Keep in mind that some of the most popular restaurants will be completely booked up at a couple months out, but don’t get discouraged! Disney Food Blog has a great list of popular table service restaurants with some great alternatives if you aren’t able to get your first choice.

-Check crowd levels and weather forecasts. If you’re making a last-minute trip, you’ll want to know the weather forecast and the crowd level forecast. Consider subscribing to touringplans.com to create a customized touring plan for your family, especially if you are traveling down at peak times of year. Once you’ve subscribed, you can download the Lines app for Android or iPhone to view wait times. And be sure to check that weather forecast before you depart, and pack accordingly!

Do you have any tips for last-minute trips to Disney World? Leave a comment below!

Riding the Haunted Mansion late at night gives it an extra scary oomph.

When staying on Disney World property, a great plus is access to parks an hour early in the morning, or 3 hours late in the evening. Extra Magic Hour, as it is called, is available only to Disney World resort guests, who must show their resort ID when entering the parks.

Each day, Extra Magic Hour is a little different. One day, Animal Kingdom may be open an hour early, while the next day, Magic Kingdom may be open 3 hours late. Here are a few considerations for each as you decide which to take advantage of:

Morning Extra Magic Hour

Not for night owls: If you’re the type who stays up past midnight, it’s pretty unlikely you would be able to make it to a park’s front entrance by 8 a.m. And if you do, you’ll be yawning! Make sure to get some rest if you plan to take advantage of morning EMH.

Early touring: With morning EMH, you can often get several rides in early. Beware though, that morning EMH parks tend to be quite busy once the extra hour is over with. But if all goes well, you can plan more activities for later in the day at another park.

Cooler temps: Especially in the summer, you can really beat the heat by getting out there early. We hear that the extra hour at Animal Kingdom is especially magical in the cooler morning, when the animals are more active. By midday, you can retreat to the refreshing pool at your resort, or visit Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach to cool off.

Evening Extra Magic Hour

Not for early birds: If you’re the type who nods off after 10 p.m., you’re going to have no fun forcing yourself to run around the parks late at night. If you plan to hit evening EMH, catch a nap in the afternoon, or maybe a Red Bull or 5-Hour Energy…

All to yourself: If you stick around to the wee hours of an evening EMH, you really feel like you have the place to yourself. Rides that are packed during normal hours, like Peter Pan’s Flight and Space Mountain, become nearly deserted. And for rides that aren’t normally as popular, you can ride over and over and over…

Night riding: Picture riding the Haunted Mansion late at night during a thunderstorm (spooky!), rounding the curve at Test Track in the dark (exhilarating!), or being able to ride Splash Mountain 3 times in a row with a dark drop at the end (wheeeee!). There’s a thrill to feeling like you’re somehow breaking the rules by riding so late, even though you’re not, of course.

That said, some families prefer morning EMH, others prefer evening EMH, while others attempt as much EMH as they can! Which type of Extra Magic Hour do you prefer? Leave a comment below.

The benefits of using PhotoPass are great, especially if you’re traveling solo or as a couple, or if you’re traveling in a group and somehow always designated as the photographer.

So how does PhotoPass work? When you arrive at your first park, look for a Disney PhotoPass photographer. You’ll know them by the khaki vests and the BIG cameras.

They will hand you a card with a special code — don’t lose this card! Then, every time you get your photo taken at different spots around the parks, hand the photographer your card. They’ll scan the card, which will assign your photos to your online account.

To view your photos, visit DisneyPhotoPass.com within 30 days, log in (or register if you haven’t done so already), and enter the number from your card. The best part is that you can edit your photos and add fun Disney touches — like characters, borders and other fun graphics. You can order prints, or if you want, you can order a PhotoPass CD with all of the photos from your visit. You can even upload your own photos from your trip, so don’t forget to bring your own camera too!

A few tips:

• Once you get your card, keep it in a safe place, and write down your 16-digit card number in case it gets lost. The photos assigned to that number will still be available once you key the number in on your PhotoPass account.

• If your party splits up, each person can still have their own card. You can combine them later online.

• Look for photographers at park entrances, main icons like Cinderella’s Castle and Space ship Earth, and at character meet-and-greet locations.

• Ask your photographer for any “special” photos that can be taken. Sometimes photographers have the ability to pose you and add in a character in graphics later on — for example, a photo of you holding your hand out with a surprised expression? They’ll add in Tinkerbell during processing.

• Look for an offer in the mail to pre-order a Disney PhotoPass CD. You can save $50 by pre-ordering.

When you get your kit, it will include a booklet with maps and overviews of the parks and resort hotels, as well as a nice personalized welcome to your family based on your preferences. But the best part is the DVD.

Let the Memories Begin! is the mantra for Disney Parks in 2011. The 2011 Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD begins with real footage of children being surprised by their parents about a trip to Disneyland or Disney World.

Once you choose “Walt Disney World” on the DVD menu, you’ll be brought to the main Disney World menu. Here, you can choose from the following options.

Theme Parks: You’re brought to a new menu here with options to look at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Beyond the Parks: Another menu here with a look at more entertainment around Disney World. On this menu, you can choose to learn more about Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Downtown Disney.

Disney Resort Hotels: Here, it’s explained that there are more than 20 Disney resorts to choose from, and you’re given an overview of Extra Magic Hours, Disney Transportation and Disney’s Magical Express benefits for Disney Resort guests. Then, a menu is presented with a look at Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Tickets & Packages: Here, you get a look at disneyworld.com/guide and the disneyworld.com booking tool. You also get an overview of Magic Your Way base ticket and customizations. Then, you get an explanation of the Disney Dining Plan and an overview of Disney World restaurants.

Insider Tips: Here you’re reminded of the personalized URL included in DVD packet. You’re told about the Disney World Mom’s Panel and the Disney Vacation Connection desktop widget, as well as disneyworld.com/maps. You also get a Fastpass service overview, Photopass service overview, and are told of the Mobile Magic Verizon Disney Parks app. There’s also a look at special celebrations, and the best tip of all: that you can make dining reservations up to 180 days ahead of time.

Little Ones: Kids 5 and under should come to Disney World is the message here, with an overview of kid-friendly attractions. Character meals, in-room babysitting and resort kid’s clubs are covered, as well as baby care centers in every park and stroller and wheelchair rentals. An explanation of the rider switch pass is given. Want to know more about traveling with little ones? Head to disneyworld.com/littleones.

Grown-Ups: Recreation like golf, watersports, the Richard Petty Driving Experience, fireworks cruises and spa treatments are covered here. There’s also a Downtown Disney nightlife overview, including Bongos, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood and Raglan Road. And of course, there’s World Showcase restaurants and entertainment at Epcot. Plus, a short overview of Disney Resort dining.

So order your 2011 Disney Parks Vacation Planning Kit and start planning today!

Here’s our list of items to consider:

Forms of payment: Cash, credit card, Key to the World card or Disney gift card — whatever it is you’re using for food and souvenir purchases. Just don’t bring your ENTIRE wallet or your checkbook. That way, if something gets lost, it won’t be a huge hassle to get things canceled out and replaced.

Health insurance card: You never know what could happen. Carry your health insurance card and the information for your family members, too. Laminate them if you plan on going on water rides.

Cell phone: If you’re a smartphone addict, follow these tips from Disney EveryDay.com to adjust the settings on your phone for optimum battery life. Or take it a step further and invest in a smartphone case with extra battery life.

Camera: If you want more pictures than what you can snap on your cell phone, go ahead and bring your camera. Make sure it’s charged up, and don’t forget that memory card! Or, you can use Disney’s PhotoPass service, in which case you’ll need to keep your PhotoPass card with you for your entire visit.

Sunscreen and lip balm: Even cloudy days harbor potential sunburns at Disney World. Invest in a good sunscreen for your family with a high SPF to keep the UV rays at bay. There’s even some new sunscreens on the market that work even when skin is already wet – genius! And don’t forget some lip balm with SPF, too.

Sunglasses, hat and/or visor: Whatever you require as additional sun protection. If you’re not wearing a hat, remember to put sunscreen on the part of your hair!

Water and snacks: Yes, you can bring your own food and drink into Disney parks — just no glass containers or alcohol. Be sure to bring a water bottle that you can refill at the numerous water fountains around the parks.

Poncho: Small, packable ponchos are available at your local discount store. Pack one for everyone — Florida is known for sudden, quick showers.

Sweatshirt or light jacket: During the cooler months, or even during the middle of summer in a frigid restaurant, an extra layer can come in handy.

Backpack or tote: Ladies, a shoulder bag that can allow you to go hands-free will be much better than a hobo-style bag. Your shoulders will thank you! We even hear that fanny packs are back in style. Hmmm….