Many Different Way Of Travelling To Disney

JMarsden92 May 19, 2013
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Based on where you live you have already figured out the best way for your family to get to Disney World, or DisneyLand.  I have been doing a lot of different research throughout the years and have many different views on this.

Originally when my wife was just my girlfriend we went to Florida with my parents.  All of us packed into my parents RV.  It was pretty nice being able to get up, and down whenever we chose.  Having a refrigerator was great too.  Once we decided we wanted to vacation at our own pace we didn’t really get to go away with them much anymore.

We used to drive to, and from New Jersey to Orlando, FL.  The costs of fuel wasn’t as bad back then.  One year we took my mom to the airport so she could go home.  Within 3 hours she called us and told us that she was home.  Well… We weren’t even halfway out of Florida due to traffic, and such.  After that we started looking into flights.  There are only a small handful of companies that actually transport between New Jersey and Orlando, FL. without stop offs.  Whenever we could we would book the travel, but we also learned something about the flights.  If you were selected from “volunteers” at the flight gate you were eligible to be “Bumped”.  This bump would get you a different flight later that day, or the next day.  In addition it would normally include hotel, and meal voucher.  The bad part about flying is that you either need to stay strictly on Disney grounds, or you need to rent a vehicle.  I routinely see specials on many of the airlines like Kuwait Airways flights, and Alitalia, but these are just not going to be something I can use.

The way we are travelling now is with Amtrak.  We take our car on the train and that allows us to have our own vehicle in Florida and also makes it so that we don’t have to rent a car.  A few years ago we found out about a credit card through chase that allows us to earn miles for each dollar spent.  Those miles can be redeemed towards travel.  We only get to travel one way because when we take our vacations it is usually a holiday time, and Amtrak has “Black Out” periods that make it so we can’t use our “Amtrak Guest Rewards” to get FREE travel one of the ways.  On the train we board around 3pm.  We are served dinner that night, and breakfast the next day.  There is a smoking car, electric for laptops, etc., and a car on the train that offers cookies, fruit, water  and more.

How do you travel to Florida?  Is it cost effective in your opinion?  Do you have any suggestions?

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Cruising To New Ports For Us

JMarsden92 May 5, 2013
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We are all set with our reservations for 2014 to go on another Disney cruise.  This cruise is different for us because it is going to Jamaica, along with a few other ports of call.  We have never been to Jamaica.  My wife is doing some various searches to see what kind of shopping there is in Jamaica.  When we go to the Bahamas we get our Key Lime items.  When we did the Keys we bought cigars, and humidors for cigars.  Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, is just another extension of the Bahamas so nothing special is ever bought there.

Has anyone ever cruised to Jamaica?  What is it like?  Is the port anything like the Bahamas port that you get ambushed at by many peddlers?  Let me know what you think.

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What An Amazing Find We Made

JMarsden92 April 16, 2013
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Recently we started cleaning out some things from many years ago that I had found.  In these items I found a old Mickey Mouse Christmas Ladder.  This ladder goes next to the Christmas Tree, and has lights, and moving parts.  I realized when we found it that it would take some serious amount of work to make this item work correctly.  I was going to throw it away, but my wife decided that the two of us should take a little time and try to make the necessary repairs.  After a few days we completed the repairs that we saw needed to be made.  Now the item is good as new.  The item won’t be sold by me, but I have seen this item go for some good money.  Thanks dear for advising me to keep it.

mickeyladder

After we finished with that we continued going through the rest of the things that I had been collecting.  We found a very old 33 record, and book.  While these were nice back in the day the times have changed, and everything is audiobook, or other digital means.  If I had a usb turntable it may have swayed my decision to heave this item, but I am not going to go out and spend money to be able to use something that has absolutelly very little value at this point in time.

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Downtown Disney Transformation Information

JMarsden92 March 19, 2013
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 14, 2013 –

Walt Disney World Resort today announced the multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, a unique destination that will treat guests to significantly more shopping, dining and entertainment amid beautiful open-air promenades, meandering springs and waterfront charm.

Disney Springs will feature an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands. From boutique shops to unique flagship anchor stores, guests will be able to explore a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences and discover options unlike any other currently available in Central Florida.

“Disney Springs will be a timeless, vibrant place where Walt Disney World guests and local residents can relax, shop, dine and be entertained in an imaginative setting where they’ll instantly feel at home,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Featuring distinctive brands, world-class restaurants and unforgettable entertainment, Disney Springs will be brought to life with the same focus on storytelling and attention to detail that goes into our theme parks, resorts and cruise ships, resulting in a welcoming space that only Disney could create.”

Disney Springs will double the number of shops, restaurants and other venues for guests to explore, resulting in more than 150 establishments. In addition, Staggs noted, Central Florida stands to benefit from the expansion with more jobs, tax revenues and business opportunities.

Drawing inspiration from Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs will include four outdoor neighborhoods interconnected by a flowing spring and vibrant lakefront. In addition to a new gateway with a signature water tower and grand entry, the destination will feature:

  • The Town Center, which offers a sophisticated mix of shopping and dining along with a promenade where guests can relax, refresh and reconnect.
  • A colorful and thriving commercial district called The Landing with inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views.
  • The family-friendly Marketplace that will continue to delight guests of all ages by combining new experiences, such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, along with classic Disney favorites, including an expanded World of Disney store.
  • A West Side that provides an exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment, along with a series of new elevated spaces that provide both shade and an overlook to the activity below.

Collectively, these efforts will not only have an impact within Walt Disney World, but will also have an economic ripple effect on Central Florida. The project will create an estimated 1,200 construction jobs and nearly 4,000 operational roles.

Disney will share more details on specific experiences coming to Disney Springs in the future. Construction is slated to begin next month with new areas opening in phases. Disney Springs is expected to be complete in 2016.

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Disney Sets Age Requirements

JMarsden92 March 19, 2013
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wdw1

The happiest place on Earth is setting some new rules.

Disney is changing its policy for children and teenagers trying to get into the park alone.

Beginning on Saturday, anyone under 14 will not be able to walk through the gates by themselves.

Each Walt Disney Park and Resort has had its own admission policy but the company said it was time to establish a consistent company-wide procedure.

If an unaccompanied guest appears to be younger than 14, a cast member at the front gates will engage in a conversation with the guest to determine his or her age, since children that age do not typically carry identification.

If the visitor is underage, the child’s parent or guardian would be contacted and that adult would need to physically come to accompany the child into the park.

Disney chose the age of 14 after surveying guests and reaching out to organizations that deal with child welfare.

Those groups agreed the new age limit was the most appropriate, and also noted 14 is the age the Red Cross recommends for baby-sitting.

A Disney spokeswoman said the change is not a response to any particular incident.

 

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