What do you do with your MagicBands once you've returned from your Disney World trip?

If you have been on a Walt Disney World vacation lately, you know what happens a month before your trip. Magic Bands come in the mail! These little guys help make the excitement and anticipation of your upcoming trip even bigger! But what happens when your trip is over? Magic Bands are now such a fun reminder of your past trips, that they surely don’t belong in a box, collecting dust until your next trip! 

Two months after we returned from our magical getaway, & my 2 year old still asks to wear it! Which got me to thinking, I need to find a way to display our Magic Bands until it’s time for us to go to Walt Disney World again.

I bought a small shadow box from Hobby Lobby, picked out some Disney scrapbook paper, cut it to fit, & then added our Magic Bands! This was such a fun project! You can always purchase a bigger shadow box than the one I did, & add more mementos or use different park maps as a background instead of scrapbook paper!

I love displaying memories from each Disney trip I have taken. It keeps all the reminiscence of all the magic and happy thoughts and faces that each new Disney trip brings. And with a Magic Band memory box, you can be reminded of that every day until it’s time to go again!

By Agent Katherine

Katherine@traveltimetravel.com

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party- Walt Disney World

Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday! However, I’m not a huge fan of the gory side of Halloween like zombies and blood and gore. If you’re like me and just like the fun times, dressing up in costumes and having a good time with friends and family, then Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party is the ticket for you! On select nights starting the beginning of September through Halloween night, Walt Disney World in Florida and Disney Land in California, put on a “Not So Scary” Halloween party from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. for Disney fans of ALL ages. So everyone in your family from infants to Grandparents will find something to enjoy!

If you are planning on going to the Walt Disney World resort during one of the party dates, you will need to purchase a separate ticket as this is what’s called a “hard ticket” event. Your regular Disney base ticket or park hopper will not let you in. With your ticket to MNSSHP you may enter the Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. The party starts promptly at 7 p.m. by an announcement from your “ghost host” gravely informing all guests who do not possess a ticket to kindly exit so the party may begin. Once the party starts the Magic Kingdom transforms into a Halloween wonderland. Lights dim, spooky sounds are heard and the castle takes on a new, ghoulish look.

When you present your ticket you receive a wristband for the party and a special trick or treat bag to

use on the candy trails. (Side note, you’ll probably want to bring a larger bag or purchase one at Magic Kingdom because candy portions are very generous!) All you have to do is look on your map and find the yellow jack o lantern symbols to see where a trick or treat spot is located. You’ll know it when you get there because you will see a giant inflatable light with jack o lantern Mickey on it that guides you to the treat trail! This year there are 13 trick or treat spots throughout Magic Kingdom!

In addition to Trick or treating, all kinds of special things are happening so you will never have a dull moment! There are two dance parties for all ages to participate in! The “Monstrous Scream-O-Ween” Ball in Tomorrowland with your favorite characters from Monster’s Inc. and “Club Villain” at the Diamond Horseshoe. There are also Special Character appearances with characters you can pretty much only meet at the party! Like Jack Skellington & Sally, Snow white and all of the 7 Dwarfs, The old hag/evil queen from snow white, Halloween Mickey and Minnie and more! In addition to all of the special characters, you can still meet your favorites in their regular appearances too! Like Buzz Lightyear, Magician Mickey and TinkerBell at Town Square Theater, Cinderella and Rapunzel, and one of the best ways to meet Anna and Elsa is during the party! Waits are sometimes as low as 15 minutes on nights the party isn’t sold out!

All of this excitement and the party has only just begun! There are two “Boo to You!” Parades (oneof my personal favorites) one at 8:15 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m.

The Mysterious Headless Horseman

The Haunted Mansion Gravediggers

Then at 9:00 p.m. everyone’s favorite fireworks “Wishes!” gets taken over by the villains for a special party exclusive “HalloWishes” Fireworks Spectacular! 

Hallowishes

Before the fireworks the Villains take over the castle during the “Villains Mix and Mingle LIVE on stage” so the fireworks have a special Villain twist!

After you’ve watched the parade and fireworks our motto is MORE CANDY! J However, almost all of the rides stay open during the party and it’s a good way to ride some of the attractions that generally have a longer wait like Space Mountain and Jungle Cruise. Otherwise just keep making the rounds on the trick or treat trails! Just two of us ended up with 15 pounds of candy combined this year! Or if you’re not into the candy take advantage of the other special treats offered only during the party, like candy corn soft serve ice cream, spiced pumpkin waffle sundaes, and candy corn cotton candy! Yum!! For pin collectors there are special MNSSHP pins for all guests and some exclusively for annual passholders. Plus commemorative  t-shirts and new this year limited edition Magic Bands!

So if you’re planning a trip during the Halloween season don’t forget about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party for you and your family! It truly is for ALL ages, this year just my Mom and I went together! No little kids or anything! J It’s just as much for couples and adults as it is for Families with children. EVERYONE can dress up as little or as much as they want! If you would are traveling during October and would like to add this to your package myself and the rest of our travel planners at Travel Time are more than happy to help you! And if you are wanting to book a Halloween Disney vacation, let any of our Disney expert travel planners plan your trip today!

By Travel Time Agent Miriam
miriam@traveltimetravel.com

Walt Disney World in the Fall

Fall in Walt Disney World is not marked by the changing of the leaves to shades of oranges, reds, and yellows…but by the fall décor that shows up in the parks, and the variety of exciting events that guests can attend!

19^th Annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival –

Be prepared to take your taste buds on an adventure while tasting cuisine and wines from around the world!  It's a recipe of epic proportions: 25 nations, 1.5 million tapas-size food samplings, 300,000 wine pours, 360,000 beer servings and 100,000 dessert portions.

       Admission to Epcot is required. Food and beverage samples from individual marketplaces require a separate purchase.    Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older. Availability for some marketplace offerings may be limited. Marketplaces subject to closure at any time

If just tasting the delicious food isn’t enough, you can also sharpen your culinary skills in a 45 minute seminar where you can cook up a new kind of cuisine as you learn from some of the most celebrated chefs the world abroad , get schooled in wine and beverages from a handful of wine and beverage experts , meet celebrated chefs and ripen your knowledge of cheese!

      Admission to Epcot is required and not included in the price of the event. Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older.           Subject to availability. Events are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Its 9pm and you aren’t ready to end your amazing day at Epcot? Then you can experience Epcot® Food & Wine Late Nights LIVE!  This is an all new extraordinary after-hours street party where you can indulge your late-night cravings, Prepare for delicious nibbles and drinks as dancing in the street keeps the party going into the night.

~Each party includes:

•6 food and beverage items from select marketplaces

•Musical performances

•Entertainment

•A live DJ

Bringing together the love of food with the love of music, it’s the perfect destination for a tasty final bite! This event takes place between the United Kingdom Pavilion and World Showcase Plaza

 Thursdays

 9:45 PM to 1:00 AM

 $79 per person

Tax is not included. Price includes admission to Epcot during the event for the day purchased. Theme park admission is included for the special event only. All attractions, entertainment and other offerings outside of the designated event area will not be available. If Guests wish to enjoy the theme park prior to the event, additional theme park admission will be required. Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older with a valid Government ID.

 

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler Weekend –

Beware a spook-tacular affair as you set out for 2 days of fun and fright, including a haunting run in the dark!

Each year, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend welcomes runners of every level  to a not-so scary affair where Guests can put their abilities to the test—as well as their wits and courage. Don’t miss your chance to take part in a series of exciting challenges and activities intended for Guests of all ages! Run through Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and speed past popular attractions! You’ll end your eerie dark run at the foot of the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror! (Insert thunder and creepy laughing!)

Event festivities include:

•The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler

•runDisney Kids Races

•Post-Race Hollywood Bash

•Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo

Be sure to sign up early these Disney Run events sell out very quickly!

 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

 

Get ready to dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and collect candy through out the Magic Kingdom!  Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held on select nights from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM, September 1 to October 31, 2014. And since the tone of this event is “not-so-scary,” that means children of all ages can enjoy all the fun!

This event is a NOT TO MISS, there is a special parade with a guest appearance from the elusive headless horseman, meet and greets with some of your favorite Disney baddies. Happy HalloWishes, The Ghost Host from the Haunted Mansion welcomes you to "drop in" as Disney Villains tear up the night with fireworks and wicked remixes of their theme songs. Cruella de Vil, Jafar and Oogie Boogie are just some of the scoundrels who croon their spooky tunes. Shiver in anticipation as creepy colors crawl over Cinderella Castle—complete with a finale that casts a spell you won’t soon forget! And SO much more!

 

Many of your favorite Magic Kingdom experiences will be available each night at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party—just a few of the exciting attractions you can expect to enjoy include:

•Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

•Haunted Mansion

•Pirates of the Caribbean

•The Mountains of Magic Kingdom park: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain

 

NEED TO KNOW:

•Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party requires a separate ticket for admission.

•Tickets are available while supplies last and are not valid for theme park admission prior to the hours of the event.

•Each Guest may only purchase 8 tickets per event date.

•Tickets are nonrefundable and may not be sold or transferred for commercial use.

•Guests of all ages may wear costumes only to the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party event; otherwise, costumes are only permitted at Magic Kingdom park for Guests ages 9 and under.

•All costumes must adhere to any guidelines as determined solely by Disney.

•Please choose costumes that are not obstructive, offensive or violent.

•Guests' eyes must be visible at all times.

•Event information and activities are subject to restrictions and change without notice.

 

Heather Hameetman  

1-855-468-8896 ext 122

Heather@TravelTimeTravel.com

www.travelTimeWithMickeyHeather.com

 

 

Branson, Missouri in the Fall

Looking for an amazing fall vacation with lots of family togetherness?

Look no further, Branson, MO is the place for you!

Fall in Branson is such a beautiful and peaceful place to be.  There are also a lot of fun things to do as well.  Branson is right off of Table Rock Lake and in the rolling hills of South Missouri.  There are places to stay that are out of the way and with views of the lake and then there are places in town.  Many call Branson a little version of Vegas without all the casinos.  There is a show for everyone no matter your taste.

The places to stay that are on the lake offer many things to do for the outdoor person.  They offer canoes, paddles boats, paddle boards, boat rental and marinas.  It gives you a chance to have full use of the lake with touring around to skiing or knee boarding.  There are also condos to rent that come with a boat slip allowing you to bring your own boat to the lake.

                               

Or you can stay in the heart of it all, The Strip in side Branson.  They have everything from small budget to elaborate lodgings.  If you stay in this area it makes it nice that you can get out and walk to a lot of the different store areas and restaurants.  One of my favorite fun attractions you can walk to is getting an old time photo done.

                               

Along the strip is also fun shopping of all kinds.  There is an Outlet Mall, strip malls with all types of gift and novelty items.  As well as a whole shopping area set in another time and amazing stores, Grand Village Shopping.  One store is Christmas all year long.  I go every time for a new ornament. 

           

Another area of town you can stay at either hotel or condo is at The Branson Landing.  This is a new area that has been updated over the years with outdoor shopping (Bass Pro, Disney Store & more).  They have also added a new zipline and balloon ride for the daring vacationer.  The fountains here are a show of their own just like Las Vegas.  It makes a great family outing or date night for mom and dad.  For the Halloween season they will have the below events scheduled:

October 31st – 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – 8th Annual Safe Street Trick or Treat (for children ages 12 & under)
October 31st – 7:00 PM – Monster Mash Street Dance DJ’ed by SRM Productions

But you cannot forget about all the shows to go see.  There are 14 dinner shows where you can eat while seeing a show.  They range from musical, comedy, to chuck wagon to a little of both with the Dixie Stampede.  This totally transforms in the fall to a spectacular Christmas show you won’t want to miss.

There are over 100 other shows to go see while in Branson.  Some are seasonal, such as the Christmas shows and some are all year long.  You have the likes of the tribute shows to music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and tribute shows to specific artists like the tribute show to George Strait.  They also have a lot of musicians who play certain times of they year there on a regular basis.  Some of those big names are Charlie Pride, Charlie Daniels Band, and Clint Black.

In the fall, Branson celebrates American heritage with craft and music festivals throughout the season. Major festivals like the 41^st Annual Autumn Daze, the Branson
Landing’s Artisan Market, and Silver Dollar City’s Harvest and Cowboy Festival will showcase hundreds of top local and national crafters, merchants and entertainers. Come see these men and women work right before your eyes at the many live demonstrations and showcases!  These festivals all start in September and happen every year. 

One of the main attractions to come and see is Silver Dollar city.  Right now they are having their Harvest and Cowboy Festival and then it’s the Old Time Country Christmas festival.

This fun festival includes a Wild West Show, Western Barn Dance, 125 craftsmen & artisans, western & bluegrass music, cowboy poets and much more.  Entry to the theme park includes this and all wonderful festivals held at Silver Dollar City.  The park is also full of rides and attractions for all ages!

Make Branson your next fall vacation getaway!

Disneyland in the Fall

Disneyland in the Fall

One of the most popular seasons to visit Disneyland Resort is in the fall, when all of the resort is decked out in Halloween decor. 

From before you step foot in Disneyland Park, you can already see some of the decorations.

Just above the turnstiles entering the park, you can see the Fab 5 as pumpkins, welcoming you to the Halloween festivities. As you walk down Main Street, you will see hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins, and none of them are alike.

There is a giant Mickey pumpkin head, right in the center, where photopass photographers are eager to take your Halloween pictures.

And if you need more pictures, characters will be placed in their meet n greet areas, many of whom are also dressed in Halloween costumes. For example, Minnie is often a witch, and Goofy is often a skeleton.

If you step into Candy Palace, you can enjoy some Halloween exclusive treats, too! Such as caramel apples that look like pumpkins, various pumpkin flavored treats, decorated rice krispy treats, and more!

But decorations and treats aren't all you get at Disneyland during Halloween time, if you head over to Tomorrowland, Space Mountain becomes Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. "Escape the clutches of freaky phantasms as you are launched to a haunted section of the universe on Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy."

After you have finished riding Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, its time to head on over to Frontierland, where you can take the family to create Halloween crafts and enjoy some not-so-spooky activities for kids at Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch. Plus, watch pumpkin carvers and meet some of your favorite Disney Characters in their Halloween costumes. There may even be some villains hanging around!

When the family has finished their crafts, it is time to check out Haunted Mansion Holiday, brought to you by Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas, along with other not-so-spooky residents from Halloweentown. (This attraction remains in its overlay through the Christmas season). No other Haunted Mansion at any other Disney theme park offers this classic holiday overlay.

Every bit of the classic Haunted Mansion attraction is re-done, making this a not to be missed attraction on your visit.

And if this wasn't enough Halloween festivities for you, on select nights beginning late September through Halloween, Disneyland Park is host to Mickey's Halloween Party. This event requires a separate ticket (known as a hard ticket event). Once Mickey's Halloween Party begins, Disneyland Park will be closed to guests without the event ticket. Attractions are still open during the Party, as well as many trick or treat stations, a special Halloween parade, special Halloween fireworks, additional character meet n greets, dance parties, and more.

Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Even adults can dress up for the event (costume guidelines do apply). Tickets for this event is limited, and do sell out!