$18.53 in pennies added to the Disney fund!
$2664.36 saved since June 1st! You can see all the previous deposits here.
Save for Family Vacations
By Kristen D
$18.53 in pennies added to the Disney fund!
$2664.36 saved since June 1st! You can see all the previous deposits here.
By Kristen D
Africa is home of the Kilimanjaro Safari. You do not want to miss this! Also be sure to check out the Harambe town as you enter Africa.
– Be sure to use Fastpass instead of waiting in the line!
– I suggest grabbing a Fastpass and checking out the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail while you wait for your return time.
– The best times to ride are either first thing in the morning or after a light rain. The animals will be more active.
– Be sure to look up during the ride. There is a chart of the animals located above your head to make it easy to identify them!
– Make sure you seat your kids on the inside. This will keep them from reaching out and touching the vegetation that comes very close to the vehicle.
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
– This trail gets really busy after the first group of people are getting back from the Safari ride. They get off the ride and immediately go and explore this trail.
– There are 2 viewing areas for the Gorillas. A lot of people don’t realize this. So if the first area is crowded, continue on and you will be able to see them again. .
– Allow 20 or so minutes to tour this trail.
You have to take a train to reach the Conservation station.
Conservation Station and Affection Station
– Opens 30 minutes after the rest of the park.
– Has a petting station for the kids to pet baby animals.
– Try to get their early in the morning if you want to see a few animals treated by a vet
Conservation Station is also a great place for to meet characters. We met Rafiki, Jiminy Cricket and Pocahontas.
Wildlife Express Train
– Takes you to the conservation station.
– Pick a seat in the middle of the train for easy exit.
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
The Animal Kingdom is a really fun park that you don’t want to miss. It has animals, but it is nothing like the zoo you would find in your home town. It is also one of the best parks to meet characters.
Tips about early morning at the Animal Kingdom
The Oasis is the Animal Kingdom equivalent of Main Street. It is usually open 30 – 60 minutes after the rest of the park closes.
There are quite a few trials through the Oasis. Usually the ones on the far left and right side are faster. And because most people go to their right, I would take the left path.
Discovery Island is home to the amazing Tree of Life. There are 4 different trails that go through this area. Some take you right up to the tree!
Make sure you pick up a map of the park. You will notice 4 black paw prints. These are used to mark the Discovery Island trails.
While you explore the trails, look for hidden rocks. You will see some holes in the rocks. Be sure to look in them!
There is a character greeting spot on Discovery Island. It is located right by the bridge to DinoLand. Be sure to stop by to meet some of your favorites including Winnie the Pooh!
– Located inside the Tree of Life
– This is a FASTPASS attraction.
– Good place to go on a hot summer day.
– Might scare little kids. (We have not and do not plan to do this one yet)
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
The Magic Kingdom has a lot of great shows, parades and of course the fireworks spectacular every night. At least once during your trip you definitely want to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Festival of the Fantasy Parade
– This parade is daily at 3 pm.
– People start lining up at 2:30 pm. Consider getting a snack, grabbing your parade viewing spot and eating while you wait.
– Lasts 12 minutes.
– Starts at Town Square and ends in Liberty Square.
– Liberty Square is usually the least crowded place to be for the parade.
– 15 minute street party that takes places 3 times a day (check the times guide!)
– Starts at Town Square and moves down Main Street.
– You stand on the sidewalks for this show.
The Welcome Show
– This show takes place on the stage in front of Cinderella’s Castle.
– There is no seating for this show
– Watch as your favorite characters come on stage to celebrate the park opening
Happily Ever After
– This is the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks spectacular
– My favorite viewing spot is right in front of Casey’s restaurant
– Be at the end of Main Street near the train station if you want to make a fast exit.
– Tinker Bell will fly from the top of the castle (weather permitting). Check out the line she uses to fly before it get’s dark and make sure the spot you pick to watch the fireworks gives you a clear view of that line.
– Fireworks can be seen outside the Magic Kingdom. Popular places include the beaches at the Polynessian and California Grill at the Contemporary
– Hang around for 20 – 30 minutes after it ends to avoid the crowds loading on the buses.
– Audio track plays wishing everyone a good night (includes characters) as they bathe the castle in various colors and patterns of light.
Check the times guide.
There are a lot more shows and entertainment at The Magic Kingdom. Be sure to check your times guide for the complete list!
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
Tomorrowland is home to Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin and it’s where you can meet Chip and Dale in their space gear. It is what the people who lived in the 1920’s and 1930’s envisioned the future would be like. (The future being the 1990’s – present.)
Random tips
– Look for a phone under the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and Astro Orbiter. Pick it up and listen to a unique conversation.
– This ride often has a long line past 9:30 in the morning. So if you want to ride it, you need to try to get here early in the day.
– The ride is 1.5 minutes long.
– The smaller person sits in the front and the bigger person sit in the back.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
– This ride has Fastpass. Don’t get in the standby line if the line is longer than 20 minutes.
SCORING TIPS:
Just hold the button down the whole time.
Aim for the center of the “Z’s” (targets).
The targets that are further away and those that are moving are worth more points.
Hit the top of the volcano for 100,000 points.
After passing the “Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Robots” pivot your car around and see if you can hit the target on the back of the robot’s wrist for 100,000 points.
Look for the spider after the robots and see if you can shoot it.
In the room where the targets are projected, don’t stop shooting.
Try hitting the batteries in the front to knock them down and rack up points.
– Go to this ride anytime of the day.
– You can text in jokes that they might use during the show. (Anyone know the number?)
– 38″ Height Requirement
– Might scare little kids
– This ride is very popular and often has a longer line during the day. Try to ride this one earlier in the day.
– The ride lasts 4.5 minutes.
– Dont drive too fast or you will end up waiting a long time to unload.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
– Good place to cool down on a hot day.
– Go anytime.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
– Go anytime.
– 10 minute ride
– Takes you thru Space Mountain
– One of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom.
– Fastpass ride. Get one if the line is longer than 20 minutes.
– You sit one behind the other (like a single file line)
– If you sit in the front you can kind of see the tracks and it kind of ruins the magic.
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
Just a heads up that 10 of the 20 potluck of coupons have been given away so far. Here are the winners:
kristibosco@
emmy1981@
gurlwithnoname21@
teddy1013@
lauraalberts1984@
amiechamberlain@
angelaspringer@
APRILDFOX@
cmitche9@
kaety_scott@
I have sent them all an email letting them know that they won. If you didn’t get my email, feel free to email me.
By Kristen D
$30 from various rebates
$9.77 in spare change
$39.77 added to the Disney Fund. $2645.83 saved since June 1st! You can see all the previous deposits here.
By Kristen D
Twentieth Century Fox is giving away a $50,000 nest egg plus you have a chance to instantly win one of their newer releases. Go here to play the game through April 16th.
You can also save on Easter Flicks for the whole family! Go here to print these:
DVD coupons
Aquamarine – $2/1
Black Stallion – $2/1
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – $2/1
Dr Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts – $2/1
Flicka – $2/1
Legally Blondes – $2/1
Pebble and the Penguin – $2/1
Blu-Ray coupons
Big on Blu-ray – $5/1
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 on Blu-ray – $5/1
Igor on Blu-ray – $5/1
By Kristen D
This article is written by my great friend Valerie.
At Affording the Mou$e, I am dedicated to saving families money on their Disney vacations. But, let’s face it, time is money. This is especially true at Walt Disney World, where you’re paying a premium to spend your time in the parks. In light of that, here are a few of my favorite touring tips for the Magic Kingdom that will make your day run smoothly and allow you to maximize your time in the park. Many of them are general touring tips that apply to all the parks, but several are specific to the MK:
This is just scratching the surface, but a good place to start. If you need help creating a custom touring plan for your family, drop me an email!
Valerie Gibbs is first and foremost a Disney enthusiast. She is passionate about helping families plan affordable Walt Disney World vacations. For personalized assistance, touring plans, and customized itineraries, you can contact her at: [email protected], or visit www.affordingthemouse.com.
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
Liberty Square is the Colonial land of the Magic Kingdom. When you enter this land, you go back to the land of our founding fathers.
– Be sure to get your picture in the stocks!
– Stop by the Liberty Bell in Liberty Square and tug on the rope to ring the bell.
– There are some nice rocking chairs on the side of The Hall of Presidents. A great place to rest and catch your breath.
– There is a tree near the register that kids can decorate. They get their name on the tree and a certificate commemorating the event.
– There is a area behind the shop that has bench and umbrellas. It’s a perfect spot for lunch or a snack or just a break from the crowds.
– This show lasts a little over 22 minutes. It is a good place to go to cool down on a hot summer day.
– This will definitely scare your little kids. It isn’t scary for adults, but it traumatized my 6 year old.
– Be sure to read the tombstones as you wait in the queue for Haunted Mansion. One very close to where you enter the ride has motion to it. She will open and close her eyes and her lips will move.
– watch for your “ghost host” at the end of the ride
– The first boat ride is not until 10 am.
– The boat ride is 16 minutes long.
– There aren’t many seats available. If you don’t get one when you board, you will likely have to stand the entire time.
– Ask to ride in the pilot house to receive an official Riberboat pilots certificate
– Be sure to look in the river while you are on the boat. There is no telling what you might see!
– If you don’t want to be in the sun, opt for the middle deck.
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
Frontierland is the old-time wild west land of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. This land is full of fun and entertainment around every turn.
I do suggest avoiding this area right after the parade. This is where everyone is going to head!
– Uses FASTPASS. If the line is longer than 15 – 20 minutes, get a FASTPASS instead.
– The kids must be at least 40 inches to ride. No exceptions!
– If you have a small child who isn’t eligible to ride, make sure you do a child swap.
– Ride in the front of the train if you don’t want to be jerked too much
– Uses FASTPASS.. If the line is longer than 15 – 20 minutes, get a FASTPASS instead.
– The kids must be at least 40 inches to ride. No exceptions!
– If you have a small child who isn’t eligible to ride, make sure you do a child swap.
– Most people do splash mountain first. I suggest grabbing a fastpass to Splash and riding Big Thunder and seeing other sites until your window opens.
– If you don’t want to get wet, ask to sit in the middle.
– If you aren’t riding splash and you have young kids, as a cast member where Brer Rabbit’s House is. It’s a play area for young kids located right by Splash mountain!
– You can also watch for your family to come down the big drop on Splash. This could offer a great photo opportunity!
– Look for a meet and greet with Brer Fox and Brer Bear outside the ride!
– This show does not start until an hour after the park opens (usually 10 am)
– The theater will hold 380 people
– Avoid this show right after the parade.
– Try to sit in the first 5 rows for the best seats.
– You might see the Bears outside the show for a meet and greet!
Tom Swayer Island and Fort Langhorn
– The first boat to the island isn’t until 10 am
– This island will probably take you about 45 minutes to an hour to do. It’s a great place to let the older kids run and play while parents enjoy an ice cream.
– Don’t go to the island if you hear thunder! You might get stuck on the island until it passes!
– If you can get to the island early in the day, you can hunt for the paint brushes. These are paint brushes that Tom and Huck have hidden. If you find one (limit one per family, there are often 5 hidden), turn it into a cast member for a sweet reward.
Bathrooms
– Stop by the women’s bathroom between Frontierland and Adventureland. Listen very closely and you might just hear Lilo looking for Stitch!
If you are trying to cut from Liberty Square to Frontierland, you might want to take the path by the water. You can see it here. People don’t realize that this walkway is there and you can high tail it between lands.
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
$18.02 – One of our credit cards changed from a gas rewards card to something else and they gave us an $18.02 statement credit for the rewards we had earned (which the credit card had a $0 balance). So we charged gas on it and added the cash we would of used to pay for the gas to the Disney fund.
$25.30 – Various rebates received in the mail
$43.32 added to the Disney Fund. $2606.06 saved since June 1st!
You can see all the previous deposits here.
By Kristen D
Yesterday I figured out the exact figures we need for our trip. Our goal is now $3,085 by May 22nd. Today I sat down trying to figure out where I might have money sitting around that I forgot about and it dawned on me….
Before I started the blog (and for 4 months after I started it), I worked for ChaCha. When I started the pay was great! I could easily make $50 in about 6 hours. Then the pay went down, down, down. Now it’s $20 in 6 hours (if you are lucky!). So I am thankful I no longer work for them, but I forgot to cash out my last paycheck! They owed me $77! Found Money!!
$77 added to the Disney Fund. $2562.74 saved since June 1st!
You can see all the previous deposits here.
By Kristen D
Yesterday my great friend Valeria over at Affording the Mouse alerted me to a special offer for Disney Visa card holders. The offer is when you purchase a 4-night 5-day Magic Your Way vacation package that includes room, Theme Park tickets and a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, a child 3-9 can stay, get 5-day Theme Park tickets and the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, FREE. (Details here!)
Our current vacation cost was for approximately $2050. That included 11 nights at Pop Century and10 day park hopper tickets for 2 adults and 2 children. It did not include any of our dining costs……
Our new deal is 11 nights at Pop Century, 10 day park hopper tickets and the Quick Service dining plan for the 4 of us for $2700! So for $650 we get 10 days worth of dining in the form of 2 counter service and 2 snacks per person a day!
So each snack at Disney is worth about $4. You get 2 snacks a day, so that’s $8 a person. That’s $320 worth of snacks!
Each counter service meal at Disney is about $12 for an adult (you get entree, desert and drink) and $5 for kids. You get 2 of those a day, so over 10 days that is $580 for meals!
Plus each person gets a refillable mug which costs $12.99 a person. So that is $51.96!
So the total out of pocket cost would of been $951.96 and I got it for $650! Not too bad at all! If I had eaten as inexpensively as possible over 10 days, that was my budget! Now we can ‘eat like a king’ for the same amount!
So now I want to break down how much exactly I need for this trip:
$2700 for room, tickets and meals
$85 for Chef Mickey’s breakfast
$150 for gas to and from Florida (1,000 miles round trip)
$150 for souvenirs and unforeseen expenses
$3085 total needed!
Now the question is……..can I save it all by “Couponing to Disney”? Stay tuned!
(Remember I have tracked every deposit I have made so far. You can see them all here!)
Why did I decide to get a dining plan after telling you that I wasn’t here? Well that is because the cost of the Quick Service plan is $83.96 a day! That was $839.60 over the course of our trip. That was way too much for my tastes. I can eat less than that out of pocket. I essentially got the plan for $650. I’m all for the dining plan if you come out cheaper in the end! That is why I advocate that everyone do their research before they just automatically decide to go one way or the other!
By Kristen D
Here are the winners of the snack bags from Etsy Shop – Brook’s Boutique:
# 277 Amanda M. // Mar 8, 2010 at 10:09 am
I follow you on twitter.
@monteefamiy
# 32 Angelene Ukena // Mar 5, 2010 at 11:25 pm
I subscribe to your emails
# 140 Angela Leaird // Mar 7, 2010 at 5:49 am
I am a Facebook Fan
I use Random.org to pick the winners. The winners have 24 hours to return my email or I will be forced to pick another winner.
By Kristen D
When you get to the end of Main Street, the bridge to your left is going to take you to Adventureland. You are in quite an adventure here!
– The birds in this show throw insults at each other. It’s very funny, however it is dark and the Tiki goddess can be a little scary for young kids. I suggest watching the show on You Tube ahead of time to make sure it would be suitable for your kids (if you aren’t worried about ruining the magic. I’d rather not have scared kids but that is just me.)
– If you sit on the left side you will have a better view of the Tiki goddess.
– This is a FASTPASS ride. usually your return time is about 30 minutes after you get your fastpass. I suggest sending one person over to get the fastpass and then riding Aladin or seeing the Tiki show while you wait for your fastpass to be valid.
– Just before you get to the entrance to the Jungle Cruise, you will see some giant Tiki god statues. If you listen carefully you will hear the sound of distant drums and if you aren’t careful with where you step, you might get spit on!
– if you hear thunder, avoid this ride until later. They will close it if there is thunder in the area and you will wasted time in line.
– This ride holds up to 64 people. Each carpet holds 4.
– I wouldn’t wait if the line is longer than 10 minutes.
– The riders in the front of the carpet control the height of the carpet. The ones in the back control the tilit of the carpet.
– Seat your child on the outside of the carpet so they can see more of Adventureland.
– Keep one eye on the camels. They will spit on you! If you want to get hit, ride about halfway down.
– This ride can scare little kids.
– Mr. Smee and Captain Hook are often found outside of Pirates.
Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tuitorial
– This show is on the left side of the Pirates entrance.
– This show is hourly from 10 am to 5 pm. It lasts 20 minutes.
– There are lots of stairs! If stairs hurt your knees, I would avoid this.
– You can go anytime. There is rarely a wait.
Because of the 3 pm parade, if you can plan to spend some time in this land from about 2:45 to 3:30pm you won’t see very long lines. Otherwise the lines here are pretty long between 12 pm and 5 pm.
Bathrooms
1. There is a large bathroom located in the passageway between Adventureland and Fronteirland.
2. There is a secluded bathroom located at the back of the market stalls near Pirates.
Disney World is the Most Magical Place On Earth. Be sure to learn how to make the most of your trip by reading the Disney World Training series. You can also browse all the articles I have written in an easy to use outline. And if you are ready to book your trip, be sure to read about the perks of using an authorized Disney vacation planner (plus it’s FREE!).
By Kristen D
I am so excited about this deposit. My dad visited the blog for the first time last week. He read all about how I save for Disney.
He went to play poker with his friends Friday night and he won $11. He declared “This is going in my daughter’s Disney fund since this is found money” and he gave it to me! He also resisted buying some cookies and added an additional $4 for that.
$15 deposited to the Disney fund (Thanks Daddy!!)
$2476.74 saved in cash since June 1st!
See all of my previous deposits here.
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