Disney Star Wars Jedi Mickey Character Dining

The family and I just returned from attending the opening day of the highly anticipated Star Wars character dining meal! If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll get it…but these are no ordinary Star Wars characters, they are our beloved fab five dressed in Star Wars garb! This makes them a little less scary for the younger crowd. (There is another dining option with Darth Vader and the gang but that it another blog entirely, lol)

Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine, wow that is a mouthful to say, but this was a great dining experience. So let’s dive right in!

When you arrive at Hollywood and Vine, get in line to check in, this dining event was a sell out when it was announced last month, so there will be people, lots of people!  They were running a little but behind so be prepared.  

After you enter the restaurant your first stop is a photo op with Ewok Chip and Dale.

After your picture, your photographer will hand you a special Photopass card just for the occasion: your picture with Chip & Dale is included in the cost of this experience.

After your mini adventure with Chip and Dale, you will be seated and provided with your ‘light saber’ this is a pivotal point which you will choose the dark side or the light side, lol. My youngest son chose both. 

This is a buffet style dinner, which means you’re able to set the pace of your meal and make sure you’re at your table when the characters come your way.  The food was VERY good, there was chicken, salmon, meatballs, shrimp, make your own pasta bar, potatoes, oh so much food, and all of it was DELICIOUS! The even had a lower food bar just for the kids, with chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, tater tots, and my son loved this because he got to do it all by himself, you mothers out there know that stage in their life, lol.

DESSERTS! There was not a shortage of sweets either, the desserts had their own buffet setting. One side was the DARK SIDE of the desserts, the other was the LIGHT SIDE…pssst my favorite was the dark side, yummy chocolate, Darth Vader cupcakes, R2D2 Cheesecake, Wookie Cookies!, a chocolate fountain, red devils cake, brownies, chocolate covered strawberries, the choices were endless…There was also blue ice cream (Aunt Beru’s Blue Milk Ice Cream, made with Tatooine’s famous Blue Milk, of course — just like Luke Skywalker used to drink! The flavor, by the way, was a tasty light blue raspberry, while regular vanilla and chocolate soft serve were also available.) trust me you will not be disappointed.

Now what you’ve been waiting for, the Characters!  They come around to your table so don’t worry about having to get up and run to the character and wait in a line, that is my favorite part, meeting the characters in a more relaxed pace, and not under pressure. This really was a great character dining experience, one of my new favorites!

The cost of this experience is $55.99 adults and $33.99 kids 3-9, or two table service credits for those on the Disney Dining Plan. The event does not accept Tables in Wonderland, and as of the debut night Disney Visa Cardholder discounts were honored (though blackout dates may be applied in the future — it’s best to check with your server upon arrival in case the discount continues to be honored).

By Travel Time Agent Heather

heather@travel--time.com

Why Use a Travel Agent?

BY: A Disney Dining Agent and a Travel Agent Trainer

First, I will take a moment to say that sometimes Travel agents are not the most popular callers to make dining reservations at Disney.  Many don't know what they are doing.  Many place us on hold repeatedly without asking to speak with their clients or other random people, they are fast paced and occasionally not patient.

Personally, I love most travel agents and look forward to their calls. If they are knowledgeable about Disney, then they are a true asset to their client and our guests.  I have also trained travel agents for many years.  Some "get it" and some don't.

In this world of internet-everything, the question of “why use a travel agent” may come up.  This blog will deal with why travelers should consider using a travel agent, how to interview prospective travel agents, and how travel agents are compensated.

“How are travel agents compensated, and won’t it cost me more to use a travel agent?”

Most travel agents are free to their clients!  While there are some exceptions (there may be service fees for things like air only assistance), as a general rule you pay nothing to use a travel agent.  Travel agents are compensated by the travel companies they use.  In addition, most travel agents can meet or beat any price.  What that means for you is that you may pay LESS than  you see advertised, but at minimum the same, plus you get an expert on your side for free!

“How do I choose a travel agent?”

You need to be choosy when you pick a travel agent.  Find a good one, and you have the benefit of an expert on your side for life!  Find a bad one, and that trip you spent your hard earned money on may be at risk.  Things to look for:

1.  Experience.  Nothing beats hands on experience, especially with Disney.  Going on one trip does not an expert make.  An expert will not only have hands on experience but extensive learned knowledge through training.

Knowledge.  Want to take a cruise?  Ask these questions:

·       Ask about embarkation and debarkation processes

·       Ask their opinions on dining and cabin location

Want to go to Disney?  Ask:

·       How does Fast Pass work, and how much does it cost? (and yes, that is a trick question)

·       What is their favorite restaurant? And do they handle all your dining reservations for you?

Want to go somewhere exotic, like Italy or Egypt?  It is VITAL you find someone that knows the destination.

If you enjoy the planning process, find an agent that you will enjoy planning with, and that will follow your lead.  Want the agent to do everything?  Make that clear.  Want to be included in everything?  Make that very clear.  You want to choose someone comfortable with the type of trip you are planning, and someone that you enjoy.  

2.      Credentials.  Ask what certifications an agent may hold, and/or what accreditation's their agency holds.  IATAN is an important accreditation because it is difficult to obtain, and requires things like minimum agency bank balances and recommendation letters from travel vendors.

3.      Find someone you like. Make it a policy to work with people you like!  It makes planning trips much more enjoyable, and it can enhance a client experience.  Often in life we don't have a choice in the people we deal with...here, you can CHOOSE to work with someone you like.

I can't stand pushy agents..."please book with me."  That smacks of desperation.  Find someone laid back about "landing your sale" but aggressive where it counts (Be Our Guest, anyone?).  If they sound desperate, they probably are.  There is plenty of business to go around...choose an agent untouched by that nonsense.

4.  Referrals.  Getting a referral from someone you trust is like finding a $100 bill!

“Why use a travel agent?”

First, let me start by defining people that may be happier without a travel agent:

·       Do you micromanage your trips?

·       Do you do exhaustive research?

·       Do you re-price things often and change reservations accordingly?

If you answered yes to most of those, a travel agent might not be for you, unless they are a perfect fit with your personality.

Benefits of using a travel agent:

·       Matched pricing or better pricing

·       Knowledge of destinations, and contacts such as hotel managers and tour guides

·       No need to search dozens of sites, a good travel agent knows exactly where to go!

·       Special perks like itinerary planning, restaurant assistance, gifts or upgrades

·       Even if you enjoy planning, having a travel agent on your team can make sure your trip is as magical as possible!

·       Help if you experience a problem during your vacation

Don’t pick a travel agent based on onboard credit only, or rebates.  A good incentive is awesome, but in the midst of your excitement at finding a good OBC offer, make sure you also pick a good individual agent.  They key is SERVICE…don’t sacrifice that for a few dollars.  You are spending a lot on your vacation, but you get what you pay for...do you really want to sacrifice your hard earned trip by nickel and diming everything? There is spending your money wisely, and there is cheap.  There is a huge difference between the two.

Finally, don’t contact a travel agent, use them to price out dozens of vacations, and then book on your own.  Travel agents are compensated only when you book through them.  If it is a matter of price, ask them to match.  If it is a “just because” matter and you decide to book on your own, that is the equivalent of you getting paid zero at your job.  Do you enjoy going to work, doing your job and doing it well, and then being told "we decided you aren't going to get paid even though you did the work".  Most travel agents do not charge fees for their time, and earn their living only when people actually go through them to book their trips.  No one likes to work for free!

A good travel agent/client relationship can be extremely beneficial.  Vacations are an investment…protect them!

By Lucy

50's Prime Time Cafe at Disney's Hollywood Studios

50’s Prime Time Café is the quintessential Disney dining experience. Great food, fun décor and theming, interactive cast members, and of course, milkshakes. That’s right, milkshakes (more on those later).

As soon as you walk through the doors, you’re in between Dad’s Living Room, which serves as the waiting area, and Mom’s Kitchen, which is the main dining area. After you’ve checked in and are waiting for your table, head on over to the Tune-In Lounge and grab a beverage of your choice. Dad’s liquor cabinet is stocked with just about anything you’re in the mood for. Glow Tini’s, draft beer, red, white, and sparkling wines, and of course soft drinks. If you’re traveling solo, or you don’t have an ADR for the restaurant, you can sit at the bar and order right off the full menu, although reservations for this very popular restaurant are always recommended!

            

You’ll know your table is ready when you hear your named yelled out by the host/hostess. “Johnson kids! – it’s time for dinner!” Once you make it to your table, you’ll meet your server. Your server will most likely introduce themselves as your cousin, your Aunt, or Uncle (remember, you’re eating in Mom’s kitchen). While you’re seated, make sure to look around at some of the 50’s style knick knacks, theming, even the black and white TV’s playing old sitcoms. A few things to remember when dining in Mom’s kitchen: no elbows on the table, eat all of your veggies, and don’t chew with your mouth open! Don’t let your server catch you breaking any of the rules, because you could end up sitting in a corner, or singing for the entire restaurant! If you enjoy fun interaction with the servers, you’ll really get a kick out of the experience. On our last trip, I mentioned to my cousin Emily (our server), that I needed a straw. About 3 minutes later, I had about 30 straws thrown in front of me.

You’re probably wondering about the food, right? If you enjoy good ol’ fashioned comfort food, you came to the right place. The entrees provide a generous portion of food, but if you’re in the mood for stuffing yourself silly (which is ok because you’re in Disney World), there are some nice options to get you started. Appetizers include Crab Cake, Seafood Salad, Chicken Noodle Soup (delicious), Onion Rings, and Iceberg Lettuce Wedge. The entrees consist of Dad’s Traditional Meatloaf, Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken (my personal favorite), Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie, Mom’s Old Fashioned Pot Roast, the list goes on. Most entrees run between $13 and $17. If you’re like me, and you aren’t a fan of green beans, just stuff them in your napkin when your server isn’t looking. It help makes more room for the milkshakes and dessert!

Probably my favorite part about dining at the 50’s Prime Time Café are the milkshakes, and the desserts. I could probably live on just the Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake. That’s right…Peanut Butter & Jelly MILKSHAKE. Maybe I love ice cream way too much, or Disney puts some kind of magic elixir in the milkshake. Either way, the PB&J milkshakes are what legends are made of. 

You’ll notice that your dessert menus are old viewfinders. Some of my family’s favorites are Dad’s Brownie Sundae, Apple Cobbler, Cheesecake, and of course S’mores. 

Probably the second greatest invention after the Peanut Butter & Jelly milkshake is the one and only S’mores. They are served hot with plenty of chocolate, and no sticky fingers. The serving is definitely enough for two people to share…unless you’re like me and sharing isn’t an option.

            

The 50’s Prime Time Café is definitely a great choice if you enjoy comfort food, fun interaction with cast members and guests, and great theming. Compared to other options throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 50’s Prime Time Café is also very reasonably priced. Though it’s not 5 star quality cuisine, 50’s Prime Time Café always provides a really fun family experience that you just can’t get anywhere else.

Character Dining at Disneyland Resort in California

The Disneyland Resort in California has five options for character dining, each offering the opportunity for meet and greats with some of your favorite Disney characters. Characters vary by location, time of year, time of day, and a number of other factors, but regardless of whom the characters are they are always fun to meet. Character dining gives you the opportunity to get autographs and have your pictures with characters while you eat. There is no need to wait in line or chase after characters, as the characters will circulate between the tables coming to you to meet you. 

The first character dining experience we will look at is Breakfast in the Park with Minnie and friends at Plaza Inn. Plaza Inn is located at the end of Main Street next to the entrance to Tomorrowland at Disneyland park.  Plaza Inn is a quick service restaurant for lunch and dinner, but for breakfast, it is a buffet offering guests the opportunity to meet a number of character favorites. The menu includes breakfast staples including cereals, bacon, sausage, eggs, and Mickey waffles. Characters can include Minnie Mouse, Tigger, Pooh, Eeyore, Rafiki, Captain Hook, Max, Fairy Godmother, Chip and Dale.

Surfs Up with Mickey and Friends at PCH Grill in the Paradise Pier Hotel is another breakfast buffet with characters. The theme of the dining experience is a beach theme, characters are dressed up in surf/ beach attire and it is a fun relaxed dining experience. There are fun activities such as surfing with the characters for the children to participate in. Characters to meet include Lilo, Stitch, Mickey Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Daisy. The menu includes items such as Grilled Peanut Butter and Banana with Chocolate-stuffed French Toast, Mickey-shaped Waffles, Minnie Pancakes, Breakfast Potatoes with Peppers and Onions, Chicken Apple Sausage Links, Country Pork Sausage, Crispy Maple Bacon, and an Omelet Station.

The third breakfast only character dining experience is the Chip n’ Dale Critter Breakfast at the Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. This is one breakfast dining experience that offers both buffet and menu dining. It is set in a country lodge that is the perfect setting to meet the Disney Critters that are hard to meet anywhere else; characters include Terk, Kenai, Koda, Meeko, Br’er Bear, Br’er Fox, Chip, and Dale. The buffet includes items such as made to order Omelets, Caramel French Toast, Eggs Benedict, Mickey Waffles, Bagels, Seasonal Fruit, and Pastries, while the Menu features a number of breakfast items such as omelets, Bacon/ Sausage and eggs, Steak and Eggs, Huevos Rancheros, and Eggs Benedict.

Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Resort Hotel is a buffet that offers the opportunity for meet and greets with your favorite characters for both breakfast and dinner. Upon paying for your meal, you get a family picture taken with chef Goofy before proceeding to your table. Once seated characters such as Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Minnie, Mickey and Fairy Godmother. The breakfast menu includes staples such as Mickey Mouse Waffles, Minnie Mouse Pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, eggs benedict, as well as chicken nuggets and Goofy’s Famous Peanut Butter Pizza and Dessert. The dinner buffet includes a carving station, fresh catch of the day, seasonal vegetables, tossed salads, fresh fruit, Pluto’s Hot Dogs, assorted pizzas, chicken nuggets, Goofyroni & Cheese, and Desserts.

The final of the five character dining experiences is Ariel’s Grotto. This a la carte fixed price dining experience is located on the waterfront at Paradise Pier in the California Adventure theme park and offers the chance to dine with the Princesses. The restaurant has characters for all meals excluding World Of Color Dining Packages. The restaurant is divided into two dining rooms, a waterfront patio with views of the boardwalk and Paradise Pier attractions, and “Under the Sea” an indoor dining room with an ocean setting. The breakfast menu has an appetizer of assorted breakfast pastries with fresh fruit, and entrees such as Belgian waffles with berries, frittatas, scrambled eggs with Tri-Tip, and an All-American breakfast including scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon or sausage, and Bircher Muesli. For lunch/dinner, the menu includes a starter of either soup or salad, with entrees such as Sautéed Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta, Red Oak-Smoked Honey-Whiskey Barbecue Tri-Tip with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables, Fire-roasted Corn Cakes, Fresh Catch of the Day, Citrus-Glazed Chicken Breast, and a Grilled Lobster Tail Salad.

Each of the five character dining experiences on Disney property offers the opportunity to meet favorite characters in a unique setting, whether dining with the Princess on the Waterfront, or meeting some of Disneys hard to find Critters for breakfast in a log cabin setting, there is a character dining experience for everyone.

By Agent Melissa

Travel Time Travel

Melissa@traveltimetravel.com

Frozen being Release on March 18th! Look at the different ways to sing "Let it go"

We thought with the release of Disney Frozen being released on Tuesday we would collect some "Let it go " ways!

What do Disneyland Package Travel Documents Look Like?

When booking a trip to Disneyland, one of the first things you decide is where to stay and how to book it.  I'm sure you go over your options with your travel agent and consider questions such as:

1.  Stay onsite or off?

2.  Book a Disney package or separate components?

3.  How many park ticket days should I get?

I thought it would be helpful to see one of the perks you get for booking a Disney package (either at an onsite or one of their Good Neighbor resorts)!

A few weeks before your trip, Disney will send these to your travel agent, who will include his/her own special touches for your trip and send the goodies to you!  Here is what you might get from Disney:

Cute, right?

In your packet, several things may come:

• a recap of your package (hotel, type of ticket, Magical extras, dining, insurance, other types of passes)
• vouchers
• suggestions for making your trip more memorable
• park passes
• Magical extras (currently items such as a free ride photo, collectible pin & lanyard, ESPN Zone $10 game card, and transportation for shopping)
• Really awesome, quality luggage tags

Those of you used to Disney World documents that are helpful and cute but not necessary should know that Disneyland documents are different and hold actual tickets and necessary components...you NEED these documents.

Have a Magical Friday!

By Lucy at Travel Time

For free help planning a vacation, contact one of our agents HERE!

Follow us on Twitter

Walt Disney World's Magic Bands Questions and Answers

With the New Disney Magic Bands out there are so many questions so we thought we may answer some of them for you! 

Join our Facebook page for more updates!

1. What is the Disney Magic Band?

A. Disney Magic Bands are part of Disney's Next Generation initiative so far only at Walt Disney  World to integrate all aspects of the guest experience in their " My Disney Experience" Account. The Magic Band is a actual band you wear on your wrist. Each person of your party 3 and up will get one when staying on Disney Resorts property. (AP and Florida Residence are still in testing as of 3.4.14)

 
2. Who gets the Disney Magic Bands?

A. Anyone staying on site at a Walt Disney World Resort will receive a Disney Magic Band. Off site guest will not receive the Disney Magic Bands (including those staying at the Swan & Dolphin, Shades of Green & The Bonnet Creek Area)

3. What does the Disney Magic Band do?

A. The Disney Magic Band is the key to everything in your My Disney Experience account.  You will use it to open your resort room door;if you have tickets you use it to enter the parks; if you left a credit card on file you will use it to charge back to your room account (with a PIN code);if you have the Disney Dining Plan you use it to "pay" for your meals using your credits; if you've made Fasspass+ reservations9in which you should!) you use it to enter the fastpass queues; if you are using Disney Magical Express you use it yo the check-in fr your transfers. The Disney Magic Band operates using RFID technology and to access all of the features you touch the Mickey head on the band to the Mickey head on the door, payment pad and or entry point, etc.

4. Are the Disney Magic Bands adjustable?

A. Yes, the Disney Magic Band you will receive is one size fits all. You can adjust the band following the instructions that accompany the band, there is a grey outer edge to the band that makes it large enough for larger adults, and that band can be removed to fit wrist as small as a toddler. There are several holes to make it fit your wrist.

5. Can I customize my Disney Magic Band?

A. Yes the Disney Magic Band you will receive can be customize as long as you book your reservation far enough in advance you can choose the color you prefer (and the name on the inside of the band): pink, red, blue, green, orange, yellow 7 grey are the choices. Once you arrive in the Walt Disney World offers several items that you can purchase to enhanced your ban--Covers, Magic Bandits (inserts that go in the holes) and Magic Sliders that fit over the center of the band. Here is a picture of some even paining theirs to match their favorite Disney theme.

6.Can I get it wet?

A. Yes you can! Keep in mind popular attractions like Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids, it is safe to get your Disney Magic Band wet.

7. When do I get my Disney Magic Bands?

A. As long as you book more than 30 days in advance currently living in the United States you bands will be mailed to you so you can take them on vacation with you. If you book your vacation less than 30 days in advance or live outside the US, your bands will be waiting on you at your resort check in desk.

8. What if I lose my Disney Magic Band?

A. Not to worry each Magic band has a 4 digit pin code at check in to access charging privileges with your band and the entry points still utilize the fingerprint scan to match you to your band, so it can't be used without that information. You will need to visit your resort frond desk or guest relations to get a new band and right now your only choice is grey.

9. What are the Magical Features associated with the bands?

A. The bonus features that will roll out soon are personal greetings from the characters, Mickey singing happy Birthday, custom message on attractions such as It's a Small World and more.

10. Will I get a new Disney Magic  on every Disney trip?

A. Although the bands are designed to be reused, Disney is currently offering new Disney Magic Bands each time you visit. It seems that as long as your Disney Magic Band is listed as active in your "My Disney Experience" account you can continue to use it on a subsequent trip. Even having more than 1 active Disney Magic Band with you. A different one to match each outfit if you want! There is a limited battery life for the RFID chip to transmit, so if your trips are spread out over a few years your original band might not work anymore.

Check back for a new Blog that will show you How Travel time Agents Disneyfied their Bands!

www.traveltimewithmickey.com