Disney 2010 Information

For those thinking on joining me in Disney in 2010 here is some more info to help you start planning.

My favorite Disney info sites is Allears.net. Their Facebook site also is a great place to get tips, help on questions and to join in/start discussion here is the link Allears,net-Facebook.

There are many ways to go about booking a Disney vacation. First you can book directly through Disney at DisneyWorld.com, through a Disney certified travel agents like SmallWorld Vacation or Mouse Fan Travel, though AAA, or by booking everything yourself. AAA saved me $200.00 off the total cost of my trip, where as the Disney travel agents quoted me the same amount as Disney did. The joys of booking with an agent vs. booking everything yourself is that the agent will keep an eye on any specials or discounts that become available and let you know if you can apply them to your trip - Disney won't do that and if you book yourself you have to do all the searching.

To Package or Not to Package: Disney offers package deals called the Magic Your Way Package, which included base tickets, hotel, with the option of a including a dining plan. This package allows you to pick a Disney resort, the number of tickets, and any add-ons you want like Park Hopper (allows you to visit more then one park a day - I never go to Disney without it) and/or Water Parks & More, and a dining plan (More on resorts and dining plans below). I like the package deals because of the one stop shopping and because they include the dinning plan. For more information on the Magic Your Way Packages visit Allears.net-packages. However, you can possibly save money by booking your hotel and tickets separately. Mouse Savers is a site that lists Disney discounts and saving tips.

Resorts: In order to be included in my Grand Gathering you have to stay on Disney property in one of their resorts. Disney offers 3 level of resorts with multiple resort options availbe with in those levels. The 3 levels are Value (the most inexpensive), Moderate (mid range) and Deluxe (very expensive). I have stayed in the all 3 levels and all are very comfortable. More more information on the resorts including fact sheets and pictures go to AllEars.Net-accommodations.

Dinning Plan: With the Magic Your Way package Disney offers the option of a dining plan, you can only get the dining plan if you book a package. Like the resorts there are different levels of the dining plan, and you can choose the one that best works for your party's needs. The dining plans are the: Quick Service, Basic, and Deluxe. The Quick Service plan includes 2 quick service meals and 2 snaks per day, per guest - but no table service meals. The basic plan includes one quick service, one table service and one snack per person, per day. The deluxe plan includes 3 meals - either quick service or table service and 2 snacks per person, per day. There are almost no restrictions on where you can eat, and no restrictions on what you can order off the menus. What the plans don't include is gratuity and alcohol. I am a big fan of the dining plans because it means you don't have to worry about paying for meals when you are on vacation, there are no restrictions on what you can order so you can try foods you might otherwise have avoided due to cost. For more information on these plans check out Allears.net-packages.

Transportation: Disney offers free transportation for guest staying on property to and from Orlando airport (MCO) called the Magical Express. If you fly a Disney approved airline they will also take care of you luggage for you so you don't have to worry about that, and will allow you to check in for your return flight from your hotel. For more information on this service check out Allears.net-ME. Disney also offers free bus service to and from the parks to the various resorts so a car is not necessary. If you would feel better having a car those guests staying on Disney property get free parking at the parks. For the complete lowdown on Disney transportation check out Allears.net-transportation.

Child Care: For information on traveling to Disney with an infant or toddler check out Allears.net-Infant. Disney does offer on property child care for children ages 4+ who are potty trained. You can also get in-room babysitting through outside babysitting companies recommended by Disney. For more information on these services check out Allears.net-ChildFAQ.

Puppies: Certain Disney resorts offer kennels for your pups. For more information on these check out Allears.net-Kennels.

If you are interested in hearing what other guests have thought about any of the above check out the Rate & Review section of Allears.Net

Please note that you do not have to stay in the same hotel as me or book the same type of package you are free to do what works best for your family/group.

If I can not book an actual Grand Gathering event I will be booking one or two special things for people to join me at. More word on that when I know who is coming and for what lengths of time.