Disney Dining Plans: Part 3, Final Details

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By Melissa at Travel Time Travel

This is the third part to the Disney Dining Plans blog, this part is going to focus on some of the extra little details. If you missed the first two parts be sure to look at Walt Disney World Dining Plans and Disneyland Dining Plans for specifics about the dining plan you are looking at. Some of the extra little details this entry will look at are the systems of payment, the tween traveler, and making the most of your dining plan.

So when you purchase the dining plan you are pre-paying for your meals (or a portion of them), but how do you go about using those meal allotments. If you are travelling to Disneyland, your travel package will include a book of meal vouchers for each member of your party that is on the dining plan. The booklets say that the vouchers must remain intact with the booklet until the time of payment so make sure that you are not just tearing them out and putting vouchers in your wallet. I personally keep all of my booklets of vouchers in a Ziploc bag in my purse/backpack to protect them from the water rides. If you are travelling to Walt Disney World your meal plan is attached to your Key to the World/ Magic Band. 

Now deciding if it is worth it for your travel party, if you are a party of people that is all adults or adults and small children that cost the same as children it most likely is worth it, in my opinion. Where it can get a little bit trickier is for the parties that are travelling with that in between age, the tweens. The Disney Dining plan counts children as ages 3-9, so kids 10 and above get charged as adults for the dining plan portion of their package. Kids 3-9 must eat off a kids menu where kid’s menus are available, so if your 9 year old is used to eating an adult’s meal you may find that them having to order off a kids menu leaves them still a bit hungry. On the other side you might have a 10 or 11-year-old “tween” who still eats small and would prefer to order off the kids menu, this “tween” would still be getting charged as an adult.

Another important thing to consider is what type of dining, and what type of vacation, does your family want to have. If your family wants a flexible vacation with fewer reservations to hold them to a schedule a quick-service dining plan may be the best option for you. If your family likes A la cart versus fixed price meals such as buffets may also influence the value you get from your dining plan. At A la cart restaurants kids 10 and over can eat often eat off the kids menu but may get charged for beverages at server’s discretion.

 So if you have a tween that eats small but your family want to do a number of fixed price meals, such as; a Buffet with Character at Chrystal Palace, Fairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, and Donald’s Dining Safari at Tusker House Restaurant during your 5 day stay at Walt Disney World it could be worth it to purchase the dining plan. 

The dining plan can save your family money, but it is always good to know what kind of eaters you are travelling with, and what type of vacation you are looking for. To help your Travel Time Agent help make the most of your vacation talk to them about any concerns you have, if you have any other questions about the Dining Plan or its value for your Disney Vacation contact your Travel Time Agent:).

Contact Melissa

Melissa@traveltimetravel.com

1-855-468-8896 Ext 128

Disney's Port Orleans Riverside

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Port Orleans Riverside is a beautiful resort. The deep south mansion-like setting is breath taking. Right over the bridge from the main lobby you see what looks like mansions from the south. The manors as they are called have amazing split stairs going up to the second level. I like to take the boat transportation instead of the bus to downtown Disney at night. The lights are gorgeous on the front of the mansions.

 How about an early dinner at Boatwright's and finishing with a carriage ride to start your evening off with a touch of romance or just a great way to see around the resort with the whole family.

 Try to save one day for the two hour fishing excursion. Reservations need to be made at least two or three days in advance. Your very own fishing guide will bait the hook and even remove the fish for you. All you need to do is wait and reel your fish in. A great time, go ahead and let the guys brag about who is going to catch the largest fish. This mom caught the largest one on our fishing excursion.

 Port Orleans Riverside has something for everyone.

Disney Pin Trading 101 by Travel Time with Mickey

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What is Disney Pin Trading?
Disney Pin Trading is an exciting, interactive experience where our Guests can trade Disney pins with our Disney Cast Members and other Guests. It's fun for the whole family and CREATES cherished "pin pals" to last a lifetime! Start a new collection or exchange pins for the ones you've always wanted.

How can I experience the magic?
It's simple and fun! Just visit Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort or Disneyland Paris, locate a Cast Member wearing a lanyard with Disney pins and find a pin you'd like. Then present another Disney pin to the Cast Member in trade. Bringing home the magic is that simple. Plus, we have some quick and easy guidelines to help you trade at each park.

"The Trading Tradition"
Disney has always offered collectible Disney pins in each of its parks, but with the kickoff of the Millennium Celebration in October 1999 at Walt Disney World, we began a new tradition of Disney Pin Trading. Now thousands of Guests trade each day with our Cast Members as well as other Guests throughout the parks and resorts. Like sharing Disney stories with your children and grandchildren, sharing pins is a delightful tradition for each generation. Mark the beginning of the century with pins you love and memories you'll treasure.

Which ones should I collect or trade?
The fun of Disney Pin Trading is in the amazing variety. Find YOUR FAVORITE pins to personalize your Disney experience. Guests of all ages can hunt for favorite characters, attractions and features. Whether it's the Little Mermaid or Mickey Mouse you seek, pin hunting is guaranteed to add thrills to your Disney adventure. Go find the pins you want and make some new friends! It is all up to you! Have fun! Disney Pin Trading is a great way to share the magic and bring home wonderful Disney memories.

Pin Trading has become a Disney tradition with thousands of Guests and Cast Members trading in the Theme Parks and at special locations throughout Walt Disney World® Resort. Pin Traders can also participate in special events, meeting fellow enthusiasts and finding special-edition pins that make their collections unique. For younger Pin Traders there are Cast Members wearing green lanyards that can only trade with Guests 12 and under. Pin Trading is an experience the whole family can enjoy!

Be sure to ask Cast Members wearing a pin-trading lanyard about special "Hidden Mickey" collectible pins only available from them in trade.

Getting started on Disney pin trading is easy! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Look for a Disney Cast Member wearing a pin trading lanyard.
2. Find a Disney pin with your favorite Disney attraction, event or character.
3. Trade Disney pins with the Cast Member.

Visit these Walt Disney World® Resort locations to be a part of this great interactive tradition:

• Magic Kingdom® Park - Uptown Jewelers and Frontierland Trading Post
• Epcot® - Pin Central
• Disney's Hollywood Studios™ - The Sorcerer's Hat
• Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park - Island Mercantile
• Downtown Disney® Marketplace - Disney's Pin Traders

Please note ~ pins are not toys and have sharp points that can harm young children and are not recommended for children 3 and under.

Gingerbread Cookie~ Recipe!!!

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Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 

Makes 36 cookies

Ingredients
2 sticks softened butter
2 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted
2 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 2/3 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 1/4 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground star anise
1 teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
Ingredients for decorations optional
1/4 cup milk
1 cup colored sugar granules

Directions

1. Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth using an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix until combined.
2. Sift all the remaining dry ingredients in a separate large mixing bowl and mix well. With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until a dough forms
3. Remove dough from the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap; place in refrigerator until firm, two to four hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets.
5. Remove dough from refrigerator and allow dough to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until pliable. Divide dough in half and place on floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out until about 1/8 inch thick. While rolling, flour the work surface and rolling pin as needed.
6. Cut out desired cookie shapes with cookie cutters. Transfer cookies to a greased cookie sheet, placing them 1 inch apart.
7. Lightly brush cookies with milk and sprinkle with sugar granules as desired.
8. Bake until firm and edges begin to darken, 10-14 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for a minute, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Adventures By Disney Montana and Alberta Canada

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Get ready to enjoy a 7 day/6 night Adventure to Montanna and Alberta Canada.  Roam the Rockies on this Montana and Canada vacation that puts you in the heart of the Big Sky Country and the Edge of the Continental Divide.  Explore glacial clifts, gleaming lakes and churning rapids on this adventure deep into the natural beauty of North America.

Adventure Highlights include:

* White Water Rafting on the Flathead River

* Canoeing at Moraine Lake

* Columbia Icefield

* Bike along the Bow River

* And more!!!

Accommodations for this Adventure include the Glacier Park Lodge, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Fairont Baniff Springs.  The minimum age for this Adventure is 4 but the suggested age is 8 plus.

Call us today to book an Adventure of a lifetime.

Diney Trivia

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Disney Trivia

     Walt Disney was a man who brought dreams to reality. Creating a magical place such as any Disney themed property, park, activity, or any other entities related to Disney is filled with a life time of memories.

     Did you know that Disney is always finding ways to expand and to offer magical Disney experiences for each person who comes through the gate, regardless of age. Starting back in 1955, Walt Disney opened the doors to Disneyland. To follow in 1971, Walt Disney World was then opened to the public.  As I could go on for days about the history of Disney, let us focus on the here and now, and the future of Disney.

Can anyone tell me where the next Disney park will be located and when it will open?

What about the newest Disney resort and vacation destination that has been added to the list?

ü  Here is a hint… Which tropical location can you enjoy the spirit of Aloha?

     Disney is always looking for opportunities to create the most magical and special experiences for anyone who enters a Disney property. Any of these locations make the most memorable vacation destinations for the entire family. Regardless of the number of people of your party or the age of the travelers, each person will find his or her most favorite Disney memory to cherish forever. 

Stay tuned for the answers and more trivia questions. I encourage you to answer these questions to test your Disney Knowledge.

If you have any further questions about anything Disney, please let us know!